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BABY CURED OF AIDS FOR FIRST TIME ********************-3-DIGIT 326 518 P1 LIBRARY OF FLA. HISTORY 205 SMA UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA PO BOX 117007 CAIIESVILLE FL 32611-7007 Tempora Mutantur Et Nos Mutarmuir In lllis VOLUME 90 NUMBER 28 MIAMI, FLORIDA, MARCH 6-12, 2013 50 cents Manslaughter charges for 12 in FAMU band hazing By Kyle Hightower lI lapsed following what prosecu- tors say was a savage beating Prosecutors are charging 12 during a hazing ritual. It hap- former Florida A&M Univer- opened on a bus parked in a sity band members with man- I hotel parking lot after Florida slaughter in the 2011 hazing t A&M played Bethune-Cook- death of drum major Robert man University in their annual Champion. Ten of the band rivalry football game. members had been charged Authorities say Champion last May with felony hazing had bruises on his chest, arms, for the death of 26-year-old shoulder and back and died of Champion but prosecutors ROBERT CHAMPION internal bleeding. Witnesses said last Monday they are rais- told emergency dispatchers ing the charges to manslaugh- manslaughter, that the drum major was vom- ter. They have also charged Champion died in Orlando iting before he was found un- two additional defendants with in November 2011 after he col- responsive aboard the bus. Democratic leaders take more clout to Tallahassee By Kathleen Haughney TALLAHASSEE As state lawmakers returned to Talla- hassee Tuesday to begin this year's 60-day session, look for South Florida to have more of a place at the legislative table. The Democratic leaders of both the Senate and House are from Broward County. And even though Republicans still control the agenda and the budget the clout of Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauder- dale and Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, could result in small payoffs for the region. "You have the ear of the lead- ership," Smith said. "Even though the numbers are lop- sided, there's a certain amount SEN. CHRIS SMITH D-Fort Lauderdale of respect given to the title." And both Thurston and Smith are hoping to use that to their advantage. In one way, it's already REP. PERRY THURSTON D-Plantation helped, Smith said. EARLY TEST The governor's proposed Please turn to CLOUT 4A Researchers: Findings may . trigger global health changes By Ron Winslow A Mississippi baby born with the AIDS virus appears to have been cured after being treated with an aggressive regimen of drugs just after her birth 2 /2 years ago, an unusual case that could trigger changes in care for hundreds of thou- sands of babies born globally each year with HIV. The findings, reported last Sunday by researchers, mark Only the second documented case of a patient being cured of infection with the human Simmune-deficiency virus. The first, an adult man known as -Johns Hopkns Medicine the Berlin patient, was cured Deborah Persaud of Johns Hoplins Children's Center called it 'really as a result of a 2007 bone- unheard of'that after the treatment ended,there was no detectable virus. marrow transplant. The new case was discovered their lives. or adolescents and are almost after the baby girl's mother Researchers cautioned that always diagnosed and treated stopped treatment on her, and the report on the baby girl in- long after their initial infection. doctors realized that the virus volves just one patient, and But if further study confirms was undetectable even without the findings appear to have lit- that very early treatment can drugs, which HIV patients nor- tle immediate relevance to peo- cure HIV-infected newborns, it mally must take for the rest of ple who contract HIV as adults Please turn to CURE 7A FBI had eye on Whitney By Ann Oldenburg fices of Nippy Inc., in which a woman demanded that unless The FBI, in answer to Free- Houston paid $100,000, "cer- dom of Information Act re- tain details" of her "private life" quests, has released files on would be revealed. A later let- Whitney Houston. ter upped the ante to $250,000 Among the 128 pages of doc- and claims to have "intimate uments are several fan letters details" of Houston's "romantic and FBI paperwork regarding relationships." an extortion case that eventu- The FBI interviewed Hous- ally was closed without anyone ton, two lawyers and her fa- being prosecuted. But it does their, John Houston. The singer appear that Houston paid off tells agents she considered the the person who was demand- woman "a friend" and "did dis- ing hush money., cuss personal things" with her. In 1992 a letter, marked "ex- It appears from the docu- tortion" by the FBI, was sent ments that Houston's father to Houston's New Jersey of- WHITNEY HOUSTON Please turn to WHITNEY 4A Black women lead way in new HIV infections Lives also threatened by obesity, breast and cervical cancer By D. Kevin McNeir " kunciittia'i on& iewni,.1x111 _1-- bBI .i(l! A one-day mini conference is coming to Liberty City on Saturday. March c9 that will address HIV AIDS. breast cancer and a host of other illnesses that continue to plague Black women at alarming rates. | The all-day event, which takes place at the African Cultural Arts Center [1611 NW\V M 22nd Ave.j. is part of a weekend of acti\- ILL ties highhghting National W\omen and Girls Please turn to HIV 4A U.S. boosts war role in Africa .-American drones help French target militants in Mali By Adam Entous, David Gauthier- ists in Mali, providing sensitive Villars and Drew Hinshaw intelligence that pinpoints militant targets for attack, U.S. and allied of- The L.S. is narkedv, .'idenirn. itc ficials disclosed. r:le in thi- stepp,-d up Frnh-led U.S. Reaper drones have provided mlidtar-N c-mLpaI-gn aga.r 1 nst ext1rm- intelligence and targeting infor- S".mation that have led to nearly 60 French airstrikes in the past week alone in a range of mountains the size of Britain, where Western intelli- gence agencies believe militant lead- ers are hiding, say French officials. The operations target top militants, including Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the S. mastermind of January's hostage "- .. raid on an Algerian natural gas ...- .plant that claimed the lives of at least 38 employees, including three Americans. Chad forces said they killed him last Saturday, r Please turn to AFRICA 4A WWRTa;4,Ame~lne9o -o OPINION 2A THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY Too many leaders silent in wake of youth shootings The recent rash of shootings and gun-related deaths in Miami's Black communities should have served as a clarion call to every man and woman that considers themselves a leader. With seven shootings in just one week re- sulting in the deaths of two Black, teenaged boys, one would have expected to see scores of Black preachers, politicians, edu- cators and the like getting down to some serious business with law enforcement officials. But except for a few press conferenc- es, we're still waiting for something substantiative to happen. Perhaps there are major plans being discussed in the wings and about to be revealed. We can only assume that there are. However, in the meantime there remains the opportunity for more senseless violence, more bloodshed and more deaths. And given how precious the gift of life is, we urge the collective elders of this community to make a stand and a difference now. No effort is too small nor should any one step be lauded as a de- finitive cure-all solution. The escalating violence that is snuff- ing out the lives of our youth way before their time is part of a complex set of issues that are unlikely to be solved overnight. In a communique received last Tuesday, we hear that County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson has called for a "collective, collaborated and coordinated community response." The re- sult will be a Walking One Stop a signature initiative of the Miami-Dade Anti-Gang Strategy. These and other kinds of ac- tions, that allow those traumatized by violence to share their stories and concerns with leaders who are most able to impact change and reverse the trend, may be just what we need. But again, it's just a start not an end. Blacks are good at being reactive but in the end nothing really changes. We need some proactive efforts, like the Walking One Stop, to move to the forefront. If not, the summer could be a hot one with more bloodshed than Miami has ever seen. Better care for young offenders It took four years. But the Obama administration has finally filled an important post at the Justice Depart- ment's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Pre- vention, which oversees juvenile justice policy and distrib- utes federal grants to encourage reform at the state and local levels. The new department administrator, Robert Listenbee Jr., is a respected trial lawyer and public defender from Philadel- phia who has been extensively engaged with juvenile justice policy issues at both the state and national level. If he uses the office to full advantage, Mr. Listenbee can build on recent policy advances and push more states to humanize their ju- venile justice systems. Research has increasingly shown that locking up young people has negative effects. It places them at higher risk of dropping out of school and of being unemployed, and it makes it more likely that they will become permanently en- tangled with the criminal justice system. By contrast, dealing with young low-level offenders through community-based programs keeps them more closely con- nected to their families and to local institutions, while also cutting recidivism. As more states have gotten this message sometimes after being sued for mistreating children in custody the num- ber of young offenders held in confinement has begun to go down. The Annie E. Casey Foundation, which focuses on disadvantaged children, reported this week that the number of young people locked away has recently reached a 35-year low, dropping from over 107,000 in 1995 to under 71,000 in 2010, the most recent year for which federal statistics are available. Crime has also declined, vindicating these policy changes. An analysis of federal data by the Justice Policy Institute, a research group, singled out five states Arizona, Connecti- cut, Louisiana, Minnesota and Tennessee that cut their confined youth populations 50 percent or more by changing policies that steered children into locked facilities and by investing in community alternatives to incarceration. Despite these recent improvements, the United States still leads the developed world in the number of young people it locks up. Mr. Listenbee should encourage the states to lock up fewer young people. He should also make sure that those for whom community placements may be inappropriate are kept safe and are provided the rehabilitative services they need. -New York Times WHEN THE NEWS MATTERS TO YOU TURN TO YOUR NEWSPAPER ll"e #:i-ami ZImes Tbe M^iami dimc ilSSri 0 1739-0319l Pubirric- h iw I-.l i, at 9ciL rjVW 5-hr, Street Miarrii Florida 331271818 Prs-.r Once Be., 2'0200 Buena .alA Stalion.r I.liam,. Florida 3.3127 Prone ?05-694.62l10 H.E. SIGISMUND REEVES Founder. 1923-1968 GARTH C. REEVES, JR., Edilor 1972-1982 GARTH C. REEVES, SR.. PuDlisher Emeritus RACHEL J. REEVES. Publisher and Cnairman r''l.mter cf rjaiionl jna lJewspaper Putblisher Association Me-mber ojf the rJ.e'? .paper ASSo:.ialion .:.I America Sutbs:ripionn Rates One 'ear $45 00 Six. Mrlonhs $30 00 Foreign $60 00 7 percent sales ta,- for Florida residents Peno:dicals Postage Paid at biami Florida Postmaster Send address changes to The AMiami Times PO Box 270200 Buena Visla Sial.on Miami FL 33127-0200 305-694-6210 CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black. Press believes inai America can best lead the world from racial and national antagonism when it accords to e/ery person, regardless of race, creed or color, his or her human and legal rights. Having no person, hearing no person the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief Inat all persons are hun as long as anyone is held back Ap11 !! ..- ,A., * 'L--L -- ~ '" BY PERRY BACON, JR Why are R The drama around the $85 bil- lion in federal government cuts due to start on March 1, known as the sequester, centers around one fundamental question: How much has President Obama's victory in November changed the nation's political dynamics on fiscal issues? Since Election Day, President Obama has demanded Repub- licans back down from some of their strongest-held positions, arguing the American public handed him a mandate to re- chart the country's fiscal course by electing him a second time. Yes, the Republicans would al- low higher taxes on the wealthy, Obama insisted, and the GOP eventually conceded. Yes, Re- publicans would allow the coun- try to raise its debt limit with- out accompanying spend cuts, Obama insisted, and again the GOP relented. With the sequester, the Repub- licans finally feel like they are in a fight they can win. They say the president, who is insisting the $85 billion in cuts this year be replaced by an agreement republicanss that includes both spending reductions and tax increases, can't cast the.GOP as a crazy, anti-tax party after Republicans just allowed a tax increase less than two months ago. And while allowing the sequester to occur could result in thousands of lay- offs and furloughs for workers, Republicans won't be blamed for a full economic meltdown, fighting Ob cuts. (He proposes either a mini- mum 30 percent tax on people making more than $1 million a year or limiting tax deductions for people who make more than $200,000.) But for most Republican mem- bers of Congress, opposing tax increases and insisting on pure- ly spending cuts is right in line with the views of their conserva- ince Election Day, President Obama has demanded Re- publicans back down from some of their strongest-held positions ... which could have resulted from going over the federal debt limit. In fact, the GOP can point out, as party leaders are, that the se- quester was originally proposed by top Obama aides. On the sequester, both par- ties' positions are much more hardened. Obama argues cor- rectly that the majority of the voting public shares his view that deficit reduction plans should include a combination of tax increases and spending tive constituents. For individual GOP members of Congress, the low polling ratings for both their party and Congress overall make no difference: the vast majority of Republicans in Congress easi- ly won reelection in 2012 despite serving in the most unpopular, least productive Congress in a generation and will likely win again in 2014. The argument over the $85 billion is in truth a proxy for a larger debate. In January, when ama? B^L many Republicans joined con- gressional Democrats in approv- ing an increase in the tax rate for income above $400,000 each year, the GOP viewed that as a concession it would not make it again. It was not to set a prec- edent of raising taxes as part of future deficit reduction agree- ments, Republicans argued. Obama said the exact oppo- site. "I want to make clear that any agreement we have to deal with these automatic spending cuts that are being threatened for next month, those also have to be balanced, because, remem- ber, my principle always has been let's do things in a bal- anced, responsible way. And that means the revenues have to be part of the equation in turn- ing off the sequester and elimi- nating these automatic spend- ing cuts, as well as spending cuts." Perry Bacon, Jr. is a veteran political journalist and commen- tator. He is currently an on-air analyst for MSNBC and political editor for NBC's theGrio B BY LEE A DANIELS, JNPA Columnist Sequester, a tool for GOP's political chaos It's deja vu all over again, start-up of the sequester would But, albeit the disruption and as they lost the d( If this is America in the age cause significant damage. For economic hardship the cuts will over whether Pre, of the Obama presidency, here one thing, Secretary of Defense cause immediately if they have deserved re-elect we are at another point of politi- Leon Panetta has warned they to begin to be implemented, the Washington Posl cal brinkmanship between the will have to "place the vast ma- sequester is only a pawn in the poll conducted la: president and the Republicans jority of (the department's) civil- game the Republican Party has a Bloomberg Nat: in Congress. ian work force on administrative been playing since President leased last week f This time it's over the auto- matic governmental tripwire of federal budget cuts called the sequester. As this column is be- ing written, no agreement has been yet brokered that would eliminate the sequester's March 1 deadline for implementing $85 billion in spending reduc- tions across such myriad fed- ,eral agencies as the Department of Defense, Head Start, the Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention, and even funds for airport security. The entire amount of spending reductions would not have to be implemented immediately if the March 1 deadline for an agree- ment is missed. In fact, those cuts are slated to take effect in various federal agencies over the next nine years. But there's no question the numerous analyses have pointed out that Republicans have lost the argument over the need for the sequester just as they lost the debate last year over whether President Obama deserved re-election. furlough," and other officials have said that such actions as furloughing some air traffic controllers and shrinking some early-childhood programs would have to be taken. For another, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said that implementing the mea- sures would reduce economic growth by 0.6 percent this year, enough to eliminate 750,000 jobs developments the na- tion's fragile economic recovery can hardly afford. Other ana- lysts estimate the number of lost jobs at closer to 1 million. Obama took office. That game has one goal: political chaos. Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne wrote last week that "time is what Washington is wasting on an utterly artificial crisis, driven not by economics but by ideology, partisan inter- est and an obsession over a word - 'sequester that means nothing to most Americans .... Republicans are losing the argu- ment but winning the time war." Numerous analyses have pointed out that Republicans have lost the argument over the need for the sequester just debate last year sident Obama tion. And a t/ABC News st month and ional poll re- ound that the president's favorability ratings are at or near three-year highs - while more and more Ameri- cans have unfavorable opin- ions about the GOP. In fact, the Bloomberg National poll found that just 35 percent of those surveyed had a favorable view of the Republicans its lowest rating in the three years of the poll's existence. And nothing they've done since their November "shellack- ing" by the president has given any indication they've shed their intent to be the "whites-only" party and surrendered their strategy of fomenting political chaos. Lee A. Daniels is a longtime journalist based in New York City. His latest book is Last Chance: The Political Threat to Black America. BY RAi'[JARD JACKSON, NJNPA Columnist Latinos a priority for Obama, not Blacks I have been extremely criti- the middle class and continue to ics last month. discuss the need cal of President Obama for us- build ladders of opportunity for The statement that was re- fairer for and grn ing the Black community as his those striving to get there." leased by the White House said class by fixing oui personal political pawn. I have Once again there was not one after the president met with gration system so been just as critical of the Black businessman at the table, even Black leaders: by the same rules community's acceptance of that though the stated purpose of "The President met with Afri- thanked the Men treatment. There are so many the meeting was to discuss the can American leaders yesterday long standing leach other issues I would like to write economy. in the Roosevelt Room at the issue, and reitera about Africa, economics, in- The Black apologists that White House to continue their a top legislative pi ternational trade, etc. but Obama met with last week of- dialogue on his plan to strength- There you hav I feel compelled to speak out ten criticize me for being too en the economy for the middle Obama is stuck when there is an injustice being hard on Obama. They say he class and continue to build lad- ing tide lifts all b perpetrated against my commu- can't do anything overtly target- ders of opportunity for those speaks with Blac nity, especially from within. ing Blacks because whites will striving to get there, he talks to Hispa Last week, Obama did a drive- think he is being partial. But it's Hardly sounds like a Black the "I"-word in by meeting with the usual cast OK for whites to think Obama is Agenda. then talks about c of Black, media appointed lead- being partial to Hispanics and Now examine the statement to citizenship and ers Al Sharpton, Ben Jeal- homosexuals when he pushes released by the White House one of his top leg ous, etc. Nothing unusual about legislation that they are inter- after the meeting last month ties. that. But, what I did find un- ested in. with the Congressional Hispanic I rest my case. usual was the stated purpose So, I bring to your attention Caucus: Raynard Jacks of the meeting. According to two statements issued by the "The President and Senior Ad- & CEO of Rayna the White House, the purpose White House, one after mnecitin: ministration Officials met this Associates, LLC., was to discuss Obama's "plan with Blacks last week .: morning with leaders of the Con- D.C.-based public *o screng.hen the economy for other after meeting \wih Hisparn- re.s;ional Hispanic Caucus to emment affairs fir to male ngs ow the middle r broken immi- everyone plays . The President ibers for their dership on the ted that this is priority. e it: President : on his ris- boats when he ks. Yet, when anics, he says migration. He creatingg a path says it will be gslative priori- on is president rd Jackson & a Washington, relations/gov- m. I One Family Serving Dode and Broward Counties Sinte 1923 _I 1 OPINION BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY 3A THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 CORNER g BY JULILANNE MALVEAUX, INPA Columnisi Turning the clock back on Voting Rights Shelby County, Ala. is suing the Justice Department because they think that Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (and its reauthorization in 1982 and 2006) is unfair. The facts: The small city of Calera redistrict- ed its boundaries in a way that the sole Black councilman lost his seat. Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act forced a new election with different boundaries, and Ernest Montgomery regained his seat. Shelby County (which includes parts of Birmingham) objects to the provision of the Voting Rights Act that requires that areas with histories of past discrimination have changes to voting laws and boundaries monitored by the Justice Department. This would include many southern states, as well as areas, such as Alaska, that have historical discrimina- tion against Native people, and Texas and parts of California, that have historic discrimination against Latinos. They say that it's all equal now and there is no need to monitor them. It is surprising that the Na- tional Black Chamber of Com- merce has filed an amicus brief. I'd be most interested in leaning where the Black Chamber polled its membership before filing this brief. If I were a member, I'd have to cancel my membership. If my dues were used to support that nonsense, I'd be repelled. I guess it just goes to show that "everybody brown ain't down," and raises questions about this organization. tion, there would have been no need for the Voting Rights Act. The Fourteenth Amendment ac- tually states that state popula- tion decides the number of Con- gressional representatives, but if enough people are denied the right to vote, Congressional rep- resentation should be reduced. This provision has never been helby County (which includes parts of Birmingham) ob- jects to the provision of the Voting Rights Act that re- quires that areas with histories of past discrimination have changes to voting laws and boundaries monitored by the Justice Department. Many suggest that Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act means there is no need for Section 5. While Section 2 allows law- suits, it forces plaintiffs to show that changes in voting provisions are motivated by "invidious prac- tices." Section 5 says that those who are known to have engaged in such practices are required to have the Department of Justice review them. If our nation had never chosen to implement the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitu- enforced, even when the whole Black population in some south- ern states could not vote. The Fifteenth Amendment pro- hibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, and previ- ous condition of servitude, and authorized Congress to enforce this amendment with the appro- priate action and legislation. Un- til 1876, federal troops enforced the right that Blacks had to vote, spurring an unprecedented level of Black civic participa- tion. Because the Black popu- lation (and nruimber of '.otersJ was greater than the number of Whites in Mississippi, Louisiana and South Carolina, Blacks were elected as lieutenant governors, secretaries of state and treasur- ers. No wonder some were eager to nullify the Fifteenth Amend- ment. Federal troops were with- drawn from southern states in 1877; in 2013, 136 years later, southern states are asking that voting protection be withdrawn from their states. Why? Just as the election of 16 Black legislators alarmed the South, so has the election and reelection of President Barack Obama alarmed our nation. It reminds us of why we had the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, and in, our na- tion's failure to implement, the Voting Rights Act. The court heard these argu- ments on Wednesday, Feb.27. We must be alarmed and, if we live in states that filed amicus briefs, aware of those who would sup- press our vote. Julianne Malveaux is a Wash- ington, D.C. -based economist and writer. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C. BY MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN NNPA Columnist SWhat killed Kennedy and Trayvon? Should we be forced to find an insurer under the new health care? RAQUEL MILLER, 20 Liberty City, student "It's not fair or right to force people to buy health in- surance." LATOYA HAYES, 24 Miami, cosmetologist "No, it's not their deci- sion." Black children, youths, and families know first-hand that the killing of Black children by gun violence is not new but a relentlessly unreported and under-reported plague that has been disproportionately snuffing out Black child lives for a very long time. Fifteen percent of children and teens are Black but 45 percent of all children and youths killed by guns in 2010 were Black. Black boys 15 to 19 years old were 28 times more likely than white boys the same age to be killed in a gun homicide. Shortly after President John F. Kennedy's assassina- tion, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote that it was time for our nation to do some soul- searching, and while the question "Who killed Presi- dent Kennedy?" was impor- tant, answering the question "What killed President Ken- nedy?" was even more critical. Dr. King believed the answer was that "our late President was assassinated by a morally inclement climate": "It is a cli- mate filled with heavy torrents of false accusation, jostling winds of hatred, and raging storms of violence. It is a cli- mate where men cannot dis- agree without being disagree- able, and where,they express dissent through violence and murder. It is the same climate that murdered Medgar Evers in Mississippi and six inno- cent Negro children in Bir- mingham, Alabama." violence and hatred have be-- come popular pastimes." The same winds of hatred, storms of violence, and easy access to and glorification of guns that Dr. King believed killed President Kennedy would soon also kill Dr. King. Fifty years after Dr. King de- scribed our morally inclement While there are troubling undertones of racial suspi- cion and fear in Trayvon Martin's killing which must be addressed as justice is sought, the fact is that most Black young people murdered by guns are killed by Black shooters... Dr. King further noted that the undercurrents of hatred and violence that made up this morally inclement climate were fueled by our cultural embrace of guns: "By our readiness to allow arms to be purchased at will and fired at whim, by allowing our movie and television screens to teach our children that the hero is one who masters the art of shooting and the technique of killing, by allowing all these developments, we have cre- ated an atmosphere in which clirpate, the outward signs of racial intolerance and hatred have undoubtedly diminished but there are still far too many reminders of the dangers lurk- ing everywhere that devastate us all. While there are troubling undertones of racial sus- picion and fear in Trayvon Martin's killing which must be addressed as justice is sought, the fact is that most Black young people murdered by guns are killed by Black shooters just as most white children and teens mitrered by guns are killed by white shooters. Sadly, the tragedies of Tucson, Aurora, Newtown and elsewhere made clear that none of us are safe anywhere or immune to the pervasive threat of gun violence. We are all in the same boat and must act together to stop the plague of violence. Gun safety laws that only apply in one city or state can't fully stop our national epidemic of gun proliferation and violence any better than we can stop a flu epidemic by vaccinating one family. We must struggle together to stop gun violence and to change the morally in- clement climate that Dr. King warned about if we are going to protect all of our nation's children everywhere. Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children's Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Mor- al Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. BY GEORGE E CURRY. NNPA Columnist JUDY MCGOWAN, 55 Allapattah, entrepreneur "No. Many small businesses can't afford insurance; it's ' already hard . to get personal 1' insurance." KEISHA GAINS, 35 Liberty City, student "No. Some people can't afford it and penaliz- ing us for that is ridiculous." a DWIGHT DORSETT, 55 Liberty City, disabled "You have to find insurance - as simple as that." SALLY JONES, 62 Allapattah, retired "No, I think everyone should have it. But sup- pose someone is not working and they can't ' afford it. Vital lessons from Essex and Dorner Of the thousands of stories I covered since I began my career in 1970 primarily for Sports Illustrated, the St. Louis Post- Dispatch and the Chicago Tri- bune, Emerge magazine and the NNPA News Service one has affected me more than any other. It was the violent death of 23-year-old Mark Essex on Jan. 7,1973. Essex, who was known as the New Orleans Sniper, killed nine innocent people, includ- ing five police officers, and wounded 13 others. I was sent to Emporia, Kan. to in- terview relatives and friends in an effort to learn what trig- gered Essex's outburst. What has stayed with me over the years is not the carnage he - though that's unforgettable - it's the events that led up to that point. Essentially, Essex felt that he had been harassed in the Navy, an account partly supported by friends, and he became so embittered that he was ready to die. In fact, that's exactly what he wrote home to his parents shortly before his death. I in- terviewed Essex's mother and father after his bullet-riddled body was pulled from the roof of the Howard Johnson Ho- tel and sent back to Emporia for burial. Family members told me how a quiet, happy go lucky youth became em- bittered in the Navy. So bitter that he began hating all White people and was never the same Dorner wrote about a White police officer using the n-word. Dorner said when he chal- lenged the officer to not use the word in his presence, the officer replied, "I'11 say it when I want." At that point, Dorner said he jumped over the pas- senger seat and began stran- gling the officer until they were separated by other cops. When I first heard about Christopher Dorner, the for- mer Los Angeles cop who also went on a murder spree, I was reminded of Mark Essex. Like Essex, he complained of reporting racist acts to his supervisor and nothing was done about it. again. When I first heard about Christopher Dorner, the for- mer Los Angeles cop who also went on a murder spree, I was reminded of Mark Essex. Like Essex, he complained of re- porting racist acts to his su- pervisor and nothing was done about it. His manifesto, while rambling, gave clear details of his torment. Dorner also wrote about the blue line, the code of ethics that prevents cops from testi- fying against one another, even when that officer is wrong. In the aftermath of the deaths of Mark Essex and Christopher Dorner, there is something we can take away from their lives. One of our greatest chal- lenges when dealing with young people, especially, is that we must teach them how to survive life's slings and ar- rows without going over the edge. It would be interesting if community-wide forums were organized for young people to listen to what their elders went through. Not just listen to them, but learn from them. Alex Haley said his grand- mother taught him to listen more than he spoke. She said if God had wanted us to talk more than listen, He would have given us two mouths and one ear. Like you, I don't know ex- actly how we can prevent people from resorting to self- destructive deadly violence. But I know we must start somewhere in our community - whether it's school, church, home, community centers or a combination. George E. Curry, former ed- itor-in-chief of Emerge maga- zine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publish- ers Association News Ser- vice (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and me- dia coach. a I ZMViami VimeW The Miami Times welcomes and encourages letters on its editorial commentaries as well as all other material in the newspaper. Such feedback makes for a healthy dialogue among our readership and the community. Letters must, however, be 150 words or less, brief and to the point, and may be edited for grammar, style and clarity. All letters must be signed and must include the name, address and telephone number of the writer for purposes of confirming authorship. Send let- ters to: Letters to the Editor, The Miami Times, 900 N.W. 54th Street, Miami, FL 33127, or fax them to 305-757-5770; Email: kmcneir@miamitimesonline.com. I 1 -1 -- -- - - --. - - 4A THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY Leome Culmer: Female griot says women have come a long way Wife, mother, historian, church leader and much more By D. Kevin McNeir kmcneir@mimintimesonliine.com Women's history was relatively ignored just a generation ago. But things have changed for the better, since 1980 when Presi- dent Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8th as National Women's History Week. As word spread across the country, state departments of education en- couraged celebrations as a way of achieving gender equity goals within classrooms. By 1986, 14 states had declared March as Na- tional Women's History Month. Congress, upon the urgings of thousands of individuals and hundreds of educational and women's organizations, made the observance a national one in 1987. During this month, The Miami Times will feature one local wom- an who has contributed to the Black community in numerous and significant ways. This week we include an interview with Leome Frances Scavella Culmer, 87 the widow of Father John Edwin Culmer. Culmer was the LEOME CULMER rector of The Historical St. Agnes' Episcopal Church in Miami for 34 years. "I stayed pretty much behind the scenes when my husband was alive [Father Culmer"died 50 years ago in 1963]," she said. "He was much older than me and was already a prominent clergyman both statewide and nationally. Women in those days were either teachers, secretaries or house- wives. Even though I graduated from both high school and college [Booker T. Washington, 1944 and Bethune-Cookman University, 1949], my husband wanted me to stay home and take care of our children [five]. I guess my public life began after his death. I was no longer a pastor's wife and had more time on my hands. I wanted to use my education and interest in history to make a difference. Women today can be whatever they want they can be doctors, dentists, lawyers even preach- ers. We didn't have such options when I was young. "I also remember the days when Liberty Square .was first built [243-single family units opened in 1937 near NW 62nd St. and 15th Ave.]. My husband was one of the leading voices demanding better housing for our people. Blacks lived in terrible conditions then. There was no room left in Overtown and most Blacks didn't have running water, indoor toi- lets, gas or electricity." Culmer mentions her work with the Black Archives as something of which she is most proud - after her role as the matriarch for five children [one daughter, Fran- cena, is deceased] and six grand- children. Culmer, along with Dr. Dorothy Fields, is an Archives charter member. The two shared a unique experience in the early days of the organization. "We were invited to Tallahassee when Bob Graham was Florida's governor because of our efforts to chronicle the history of Black Miami," she said. "We stayed in the same room that President Carter once used and our names are listed in the guestbook right under his. Dorothy and I were excited and honored." Culmer is a consummate history buff serving as the church historian at her beloved St. Agnes and also developing scripts that are used by The Af- rican American Committee of Dade Heritage Trust during their annual Women's History Month Luncheon [scheduled this year on Mon., March 18]. The pro- gram honors pioneer women who are buried at the Miami City Cemetery. "I still have a lot of writ- ing I want to do including my memoirs and those of my hus- band's," she said. "And since I'm getting older, I'd better get some of it done soon." Democrats take added clout to Tallahassee. CLOUT continued from 1A budget axed money for a health clinic in Deerfield Beach that is jointly funded by the state and the local hospital district. After reviewing the governor's pro- posal, both Smith and Thurston spoke to the budget chairs in the House and Senate to make sure the funding will be in the final budget that's produced in May. "Because of our leadership po- sitions, we can make sure it's in there," Smith said. They're also making their pres- ence felt on a few wider issues that are key to several South Florida counties and the entire state election reform and edu- cation. In the House, they're taking input from Thurston's caucus. Last week, Republicans accepted a Democratic amendment to the House election bill that requires a minimum of 64 hours of early voting during the new 14-day pe- riod. PARENT TRIGGER BILL In the Senate, Smith has been making progress in trying to "soften" what's known as the par- ent trigger bill. It allows parents at a failing school to choose a turn-around strategy, including making the school a charter. Some of the headway Smith and Thurston are making is largely attributed to better relationships with their GOP counterparts - Weatherford and Senate Presi- dent Don Gaetz. Smith, who was House Democratic .leader from 2004 to 2006, had a successful partnership with then-Speaker Allan Bense, R-Panama City, who is Weatherford's father-in-law. Smith's successor, former Rep. Dan Gelber, D-Miami, had a testy relationship with Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Miami. During the past two years, for- mer House Speaker Dean Can- non, R-Winter Park, and his- Senate counterpart, Mike Hari- dopolos, R-Merritt Island, used their party's super-majority to ram though a number of contro- versial bills, including drug test- ing for welfare recipients, pension reform and restrictions on abor- tions and voting rights. However, Democrats in November picked Black women at greater risk for HIV HIV continued from 1A HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which will be observed on Sunday, March 10. While no one would dispute the fact that HIV/AIDS is still a seri- ous public health issue in the U.S., women now represent a larger share of new HIV infections than they did in the early days of the epidemic. Nearly 280,000 women are living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control [CDC]. Women of color are particularly at risk and accounted for 64 percent (two- thirds) of all new AIDS diagnoses among women in 2010. And while the percentage has decreased from 72 percent, according to Vanessa Mills, executive director for Em- power "U," Inc., that's no reason to celebrate. "The sheer numbers haven't gone anywhere and Black women are still fighting for their lives," Mills said. "As more white and Hispanic women test HIV-positive, the over- all percentages for Black women show a slight decrease. However, we are still disproportionately af- fected. Don't be fooled by statistics - the face of AIDS is still Black." YOUTH MAKE UP LARGEST INCREASE IN INFECTIONS Leisha McKinley-Beach, director of Stakeholder Engagement for the Black AIDS Institute, agrees with Mills, saying that she reviews the recent data with "caution." "The CDC released a new fact sheet a few months ago show- ing that for all women, there was a decrease in HIV infections by 21 percent. That tells us that our prevention efforts nationwide are working. But National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is critical to informing women,. and young girls in particular, about their constant risk of acquiring the HIV virus. It goes without saying that Black gay men have been dev- astated by HIV/AIDS. But some- times in our efforts to address that demographic, we tend to ignore women and girls. "In 2010, the largest percentage of new infections among people in the U.S. were between the ages of 25 and 34. The next group most impacted were those between 13 and 24 years of age at 26 percent. That's one-fourth of all new infec- tions. What's more, an alarming 75 percent of infected women contract HIV/AIDS through heterosexual contact. Clearly our work is not done." Efforts by groups like the Sisters Organizing to Survive [SOS] project have made major strides in getting women tested in the State of Flor- ida. The initiative began in 2008 and since 2010, they have tested over 100,000 Black women every year. "It's all about women taking control over their lives," McKinley- Beach added. "Friends persuade other friends to get tested, and so- rorities and churches lead testing drives. The bottom line is if a wom- an or girl is sexually active, they are at risk of becoming HIV-positive." Mills says women must insist that their partners wear a condom and that they both know their HIV status. "Even if a woman tests positive, she can still maintain a healthy im- mune system with bio-medical in- tervention and keep her viral load at undetectable lessening the likelihood of transmitting the infec- tion to her partner," Mills empha- sized. "In the early 90s, over 100 babies were born HIV-positive in Miami-Dade County. Last year just one child was born HIV-positive in the County. We know we can stop transmission from mother to baby but the key is getting women into prenatal care as soon as they real- ize they're pregnant. Sadly, .many Black women don't get that care." As for the health conference, Mills notes there will be concur- rent sessions focusing on various forms of cancer, HPV, protocol for mammograms and pap smears, hands-on training for breast exams and workshops on nutrition and exercise. Free breakfast and lunch will also be provided. In addition, the Florida Department of Health will provide free testing for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. The Healthy Women 2020 Con- ference, co-hosted by Empower "U", Inc., the Florida Department of Health, AIDS Healthcare Foun- dation, Miami-Dade County Health Department is from 8 a.m. to 5p.m. Call (786) 318-2337for more infor- mation or to register. U.S. increases war efforts in Africa AFRICA continued from 1A a day after saying they had killed Abdelhamid Abou Zeid, the com- mander of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's Mali wing. French, U.S. and Malian officials have not confirmed the deaths of Belmokhtar or Zeid, citing a lack of definitive information from the field. But they say the new ar- rangement with the U.S. has led in recent days to a raised tempo in strikes against al Qaeda-linked groups and their allies some time after the offensive began in Janu- ary. That is a shift for the U.S., which initially limited intelligence sharing that could pinpoint targets for French strikes. The elite Chadian unit fighting in Mali was trained by U.S. special operations forces, U.S. officials said this weekend. The unarmed U.S. drones played a key role in the recent offensive in which French and Chadian forces succeeded in homing in on and ambushing a group of militants in the Adrar Tigharghar mountains of northern Mali, near the border with Algeria, French officials said. The U.S. decision to authorize the Pentagon and U.S. spy agen- cies to feed detailed targeting in- formation directly to French forces came after a lengthy U.S. admin- istration debate over how directly to aid French strikes, according to U.S., French and other Western officials. The arrangement represents a test of President Barack Obama's new strategy for dealing with the growing terrorist threat in Afri- ca. Instead of sending American ground troops and armed drones to take direct action, the U.S. where possible will try to provide logistical, technical and intelli- gence support to enable local and regional partners to pull the trig- ger, officials say. up five House and two Senate seats, ending the GOP super-ma- jority. That, plus the ascension of Weatherford and Gaetz, has re- sulted in a far less partisan at- mosphere. All sides are regularly talking, sometimes over lunch, in advance of the legislative session. But even given these smaller successes, Thurston and Smith, friends since 1998 when Smith defeated Thurston for a House seat, have an uphill battle. Demo- crats are outnumbered by Repub- licans 76-to-44 in the House and 26-to-14 in the Senate. So Re- publicans will still largely be able to pass major bills and a budget that Democrats may object to. Was Houston in danger? WHITNEY continued from 1A next sends the person a con- fidentiality agreement along with a sum of money (the amount is blacked out in FBI documents) and the case was closed soon after. The fan mail, from a male writer whose name is not included but is postmarked from Vermont. professes pro- found adoration for the sing- er. A review of one, however, caught the eve of the FBI as the agency determined the writer might hurt someone with some crazy idea and not realize how stupid an idea it was until after it was done.' Among the contents, the fan wrote: Mliss Whitney. you are just so pretty and so beautiful. I just cannot stop thinking about you. Many times when I think about you I will start to shake..... I really and truly am in love with you." And in another letter: "Over the past 17 months. I have sent .. 66 letters to Miss Whitney. ... I have been to 9 of Miss Whitne 's concerts and 1 have tried to give her flowers twice at the concerts. ... When I first fell m love with Miss Whitney Houston I tried to ignore what I felt towards her. After 5 months I had to do some- thing so I started writing let- ters. I have tried to stop writ- ing the letters and to give up twice but after a few weeks I had to start wriung again. SThe writer goes on to say that getting no response from Houston %was frustrat- ing. "I have gotten mad at her a few times ... it scares me that I might come up with some crazy or stupid or really\ dumb idea that might be as bad or even worse than that.. I might hurt someone with some crazy idea. WHITNEY HOUSTON Later, he wrote: 'Miss Whitney. why can t you re- spond to my 70 plus letters? .. You probably think Im crazy. Well. (maybe) I am. I just can't give up. I have to keep trying. I really am in love with you." The FBI marked one 1988 letter as possible "extortion' as the letter included a line about the writer making his love known for Houston pub- licl in the National EnqLur- er or on The Phil Donahue Show. According to the FBI report, agents interviewed the writer at his small, clut- tered one-room apartment and determined: "He believed this crazy idea would have hurt Houston s reputation so he did not follow through on it." Based on those facts. and that hie didn't intend to physically harm Houston. the FBI concluded that it did not constitute a violation of federal law. And in one other case, investigators flew to Brus- sels to track down a Dutch fan who claimed to have sent tapes to Houston. He accused her of performing his music. In 1999, the FBI wTOte that the fan pledged there would be no further attempts on his part to com- municate in any way with Houston. As a FREE Community Service Program by North Shore Medical Center, we are pleased to offer the -.oll:. in. rfiii-.:i., event: ' . : Lecture Series :'f i -.U . * :.'.. "i~ ~3~ ~B~nk wast ':c'9~ :! '' ' I~r Qr~ ~ *' I r i Andrew Nullman, M.D. I Gastroenterologist Colorectal cancer is the third --I'dn, cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.it--je: States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 50,830 deaths during 2013. Colon cancer often has no s, npi:.rni-. until its later stages when it's more difficult to treat. Therefore, your best bet to beating colon cancer is to catch it early with screening tests. Join Dr. Andrew Nullman for a FREE lecture on the symptoms, causes, and prevention of colon cancer. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6TH 6:00pm 7:00pm North Shore Medical Center Auditorium (off the main lobby area) ..- 1100 N. W. 95 Street I Miami, FL 33150 Andrew Nullman, M.D. I Chief, Gastroenterology Section A he lti r-,dinner will be served. Reservations Required. TO REGISTER, PLEASE CALL NORTH SHORE C\ fGOA 2 A 2 A4 Medical Center - ( 011 I . : i. 8VV*W O&+*+.3 &33 1 BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY 5A THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 Court finds no right to hold concealed weapon DENVER (AP) A federal ap- he was not a Colorado resident peals court has ruled that per- violated his Second Amendment mits allowing people to carry rights to bear firearms. concealed weapons are not pro- In its ruling, the three-judge tected by the Second Amend- panel cited a Supreme Court ment. ruling that "the right of the The ruling by the United people to keep and bear arms States Court of Appeals for is not infringed by laws prohib- the 10th Circuit was issued iting the carrying of concealed Last Friday in a case involving weapons." a Washington State resident, "In light of our nation's exten- Gray Peterson. sive practice of restricting citi- A federal judge in 2011 tossed zen's freedom to carry firearms out Mr. Peterson's lawsuit filed in a concealed manner, we hold against Denver and Colorado's that this activity does not fall Department of Public Safety. He within the scope of the Second claimed that being denied a con- Amendment's protections," the cealed-weapons permit because judges ruled. Child's HIV cure won't mean new treatments immediately Urban League gears up for prime time By Arlene Satchell The Urban League of Broward County is gearing up for prime time. For the 38-year old Fort Lau- derdale-based nonprofit, the 'majors' is the national spotlight and exposure hosting the an- nual conference.of its parent or- ganization in July 2015. . Bringing the National Urban League Conference to Fort Lau- derdale was no minor feat, and individuals whose efforts were commended as instrumental in making it happen say strategy and relationship-building were key tools in their arsenal. Chief among them is Ger- maine Smith-Baugh, 40, presi- dent and CEO of the Broward affiliate of the 102-year old New York-based civil rights organiza- tion. "Leaders have a healthy disre-. gard for the impossible," Smith- Baugh said in a recent Sun Sen- tinel interview. Although the goal of hosting the National Urban League con- ference may have at first seemed impossible, Smith-Baugh's rep- utation for delivering results helped make a difference. She credits key relationship- building with community, busi- ness and tourism leaders as be- ing instrumental in crafting a strategy to put the local affiliate in a position to bid and win the job to host the national event that attracts thought leaders, top business minds and celebri- ties from around the world. That strategy, Smith-Baugh said, has involved making board appointments that mirror the board of the national orga- nization, and showcasing the nonprofit's ability to make con- tacts and raise funds within the South Florida community. In announcing its decision to bring the conference to Fort Lauderdale in 2015,, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial acknowledged that under Smith-Baugh's lead- ership the affiliate had become "one of the community's leading civic and social services orga- nizations, and one of the most dynamic community outreach networks in the nation." Throughout her nearly seven years at the helm of the orga- nization, Smith-Baugh has em- braced several impossible tasks head on. Most recently that has includ- ed major fundraising to build a $9 million Community Empow- erment Center on Northwest 27th Avenue, near the historic Sistrunk Boulevard corridor. The center opened in April 2012 after a decade of planning. "I tend to be laser-focused about what I think is impor- tant," Smith-Baugh said. Another key figure instrumen- tal in helping Fort Lauderdale land the convention is Albert Tucker, vice president of mul- ticultural business develop- ment for Greater Fort Lauder- dale Convention and Visitor's Bureau, who worked with both the local and national leagues to showcase the area as a viable candidate for the event. "We invested in the relation- ship" Tucker said of the CVB's role in helping to bring the con- ference to town. That invest- ment has included co-hosting receptions with Smith-Baugh to welcome Urban League CEOs in town for the mid-winter confer- ence, held here for about a de- cade. 'He's a bridge-builder," said Anthony Jackson, president and CEO of Marome Agency in Fort Lauderdale, who has worked with Tucker on other high-profile black conferences .such as the 100 Black Men of America, which brought its na- tional meeting to Hollywood in 2010. Army program needs more direction By Tom Vanden Brook Services Committee. with our budget and economy "I would like to know whether Hunter asked McHugh for that the money might not bet- washington The Army the Army is considering expan- more details on how the Army ter be put to uise in operational needs to justify the continua- sion of the Human Terrain Sys- determines the program's effec- capability that we're cutting," tion of a $250million program, tem, as well as any justification tiveness. he said. to send social scientists to the for continuing the program in The Human Terrain teams A USA TODAY investigation, battlefield because of problems light of severe and detrimental take funding away from more based on internal Army docu- outlined in a report by USA TO- cuts to military operations," urgent needs such as paying ments and interviews with so- DAY, a congressman said in a Hunter said in the letter, for Marine training and ships, cial scientists involved in the letter to Army Secretary John Problems come to light with Hunter said. The Pentagon, program, found' that there McHugh last Tuesday. programs such as Human Ter- dealing with budget cuts sched- were substantiated instances The Pentagon has lost the rain teams, he said, only when uled for March 1, plans to cut of sexual harassment and rac- ability to objectively assess the Congress or the media ask funding for training except for ism and potential fraud in filing value of Human Terrain System probing questions. Military of- troops headed to combat. time sheets. Some command- teams and other programs, said ficials lose objectivity when "Even if it worked perfectly, ers questioned the value of the Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., they've been involved with pro- and commanders said it was teams'' reports, according to a member of the House Armed grams for years, Hunter said. saving lives, we're at a time now Army documents. Palm Beach activist fighting bribe allegations Freeman says he's used to legal battles ,| ...- By Ben Wolford In 2005, a grand jury refused to indict a white police officer for killing a Black teen in Delray Beach. Like a local Al Sharpton, Clarence Eugene "Shahid" Free- man was there to rail against the decision. "The Black man can't get jus- tice in Palm Beach County," he said outside the courtroom. Freeman, who says fighting in- justice is his life's work, is now fending charges he tried to black- mail Palm Beach County schools Superintendent Wayne Gent for nearly $1 million. Investigators say Gent wore a wire and taped Freeman demanding the money in exchange for keeping sexual misconduct allegations silent. Interviews and public records draw two starkly different im- ages of Freeman. Since he was 22 and convicted of robbery, Freeman has straddled the gulf between criminal defendant and moral watchdog. For each person claiming to have fallen victim to Freeman, a supporter is waiting to extol his work in crime pre- vention and immigrant rights. In an interview, Freeman called the extortion charges "monkey business." "Let me put it this way," said state Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Del- ray Beach, who represented Freeman in a separate 2009 case. "The last time I saw him that sticks in my head, he was delivering turkeys to families." The 2005 shooting of Jer- rod Miller, 16, was a moment of prominence for Freeman, who was working as an NAACP field representative at the time. Miller had been driving a Cadillac dan- gerously outside a school dance, and the officer said he was pro- tecting bystanders. "He came on board and he stood with us," said Phyllis Mill- er, 68, the boy's grandmother. Yet Freeman has a long history of trial and conviction. In 1974, he was convicted of robbery and sentenced to 75 years at.Union Correctional In- stitution, though he claims co- workers at a Red Lobster he was managing set him up. Freeman says he served only four years and 10 months of his term. He moved to Palm Beach County and worked as a jani- tor at a local news station and as a clerk at an electric com- pany before helping to start a tire company, he said. In 1990, he pleaded guilty to hitting his girlfriend's young daughter and was sentenced to nine months of probation. He maintains his in- nocence in that case. "I got into community activ- ism because of my own personal experience with injustice," Free- man said. People began to come to him with their legal woes. The NAACP recruited him as Clarence Shahid Freeman, a f South Palm Beach County. a local activist. He became a leader of the county's Democrat- ic Party. He founded a reading program called DOT's Success Academy, which attracted sup- port from U.S. Rep. Alcee Hast- ings and a $20,000 grant from Riviera Beach council members. In 2009 he spoke out for a group of Black cheerleaders who claimed they were unjustly rejected from the high school squad. He also began helping minori- ties and immigrants in Palm Beach County courts, Freeman said. He arranged meetings with judges to seek smaller sentenc- es. But his legal advocacy again -Photo by Matt Dean former NAACP Vice President of made him a target for investiga- tors. Last year two South Florida immigration attorneys filed a complaint to the Florida Bar al- leging Freeman was practicing without a license and defraud- ing immigrants. The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office said its fraud investigation is ongoing. The Rincon family of West Palm Beach is one of the immi- grant families who say Freeman took their money but never pro- vided any legal services. "We knew he was a criminal, but we didn't think he was ac- tually going to take it this far," said one of the family members, Melissa Rincon, 23, in response to the new extortion charges. By Liz Szabo More than 300,000 babies a year worldwide are born in- fected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. As of this week, doctors ap- pear to have cured exactly one. And while the Mississippi child's story has generated ex- citement in the medical com- munity, researchers also note that it will likely take years be- fore they're able to extend that success to a broader commu- nity of patients, if ever. "This is a really groundbreak- ing report," says Diane Havlir, a professor and AIDS researcher at the University of California- San Francisco, who attended a presentation of the new study Monday at an Atlanta medical conference. "This tells us a cure is possi- ble," says Havlir, who wasn't in- volved in the new study, which reported on a 21/2-year-old girl who was infected with HIV at birth but apparently cured after 18 months of triple-drug thera- py. "That is thrilling news." Doctors credit the 6hild's cure to early treatment; her physi- cians began treatment soon af- ter delivery, which is the stan- dard of care for the child of an untreated, HIV-positive mother. Most adults can't benefit from such early therapy, be- cause they typically don't even learn that they're infected for months or years, says Rana Chakraborty, an associate pro- fessor of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. The only adult to have been definitively cured of HIV had a unique situation: He had a bone-marrow transplant to treat his leukemia from a donor with a genetic mutation that provided protection from HIV. - Scientists will first have to learn what exactly allowed the child to be cured before they can apply that knowledge to de- veloping vaccines or new drugs, he says. And Havlir notes-that doctors are unlikely to make any chang- es to children's care before they can verify the study's results. She notes that, in developed countries, doctors focus far more on prevention than treat- ment. Giving women anti-HIV therapy while pregnant reduc- es the risk of mother-to-child transmission by 98%. But if the results hold up and doctors can identify the best medications, they could start anti-AIDS therapy on high-risk newborns even before getting results of their HIV tests, Havlir says. That could be important in developing countries, where many women like the moth- er of this Mississippi child - don't get recommended care. The girl's mother had no pre- natal care, let alone anti-HIV therapy, before delivery. Then, when. the girl was 18 months old, the mother stopped bring- ing her to the doctor, which left the child with no anti-HIV treatment for five months. While the child's story has been hailed as a victory for science, Chakraborty -ays the case also illustrates the single greatest challenge in treating AIDS; actually getting care to patients. Delivering on the promise of scientific breakthroughs has been a challenge not just in developing countries of Africa, but in the USA. Only 28% of people of the 1.2 million HIV-positive Americans have been diagnosed and treat- ed successfully so that their levels of virus are undetectable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion. Obama's Oscar backlash TARGET continued from 1A talk show host, said on Leno's The Tonight Sho'.' Really, Bill? If that was the worst pro- paganda you've ever seen, then you must not have been pa\- ing attention when wacko political con- mentator Dick Mor- ris came on your show and predicted that Republican Mitt Romney would win last year's presi- dential election in a landslide. You could not i been watching your patrol network when Karl Rove his election night meltd( Those were the two big American propaganda ments that I've ever seen. While there can be legitimate debate be- tween left and right over what amounts to propaganda, it is a stretch to accuse Michelle Obama of such excess for sim- ply announcing the award. That is un- L less you are an .un- bridled hater of the first family. I understand why the n lahs and film critics in criticized the decision to 1 the first lady hand out award. That Oscar wen Argo, a film about the rescue of six American diplomats from Iran following the 1979 Ja', takeover of the U.S. Embassy In Tehran. But O'Reilly's ob- jection smacks of the kind of Si ple once hurled at Rachel Jackson. Even more mind- less is what Rush SLimbaugh, the con- servative talk radio host, said about Michelle Obama's Academy Awards appearance. O'REILLY Because the mov- ie Lincoln, which have Limbaugh calls Barack n TV Obama's "semiautobiogra- had phy," didn't win best picture, own. Limbaugh said Oscar produc- Ygest ers gave the president's wife mo- a role in the show- which was watched by 40.3 million Ameri- cans. The film is S about the efforts of .. President Abraham '., Lincoln to end slav- ery. By claiming the S movie is Obama's story, Limbaugh ex- Sposes again his big- otry By attacking the first lady's ap- .IMBAUGH IMAUGH pearance on Acad- emy Awards broad- nul- Iran have the t to cast, he resurrects the kind of bigotry that Rachel Jackson was made to endure and Michelle Obama shouldn't be made to suffer these many years later. I 6A THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 Airport security guards arrest two identity fraud suspects By Linda Trischitta FORT LAUDERDALE Two Miami men accused of identity fraud unwittingly drew the at- tention of Transportation Secu- rity Administration officers while traveling in the middle of the night through Fort Lauderdale- Hollywood International Airport. The TSA says the men were observed by officers trained to spot behaviors that indicate a fear of discovery or that may pose a risk to security, behaviors that increase when one is trying to suppress high levels of stress. "It was a great catch by our be- havioral detection officers," said Tim Lewis, federal security di- rector for Fort Lauderdale-Holly- wood and Key West international airports. "We can't tell you the specific behaviors they were ex- hibiting. The important thing is we go by behaviors, not on ap- pearance." Among the confiscated be- longings: Nine Visa debit cards in different names and two en- velopes that held the names, dates of birth and Social Secu- rity numbers of several hun- Phillip Collins and Go dred people and were carried by Godfrey Antoine Teekah, 25, a Broward Sheriffs Office complaint affidavit states. Phillip Collins, 26, was found to have one Visa debit card in the name of another person, BSO said. The men did not make their flight to Baltimore. They were arrested Feb. 21 and charged with one count each of fraudu- lent use of personal identifica- tion information. Teekah was released from Broward County jail on a $7,500 bond, as was Collins, who was declared indigent. According to the arresting deputy's report, Teekah said he prepared taxes. Lewis said Collins and Teekah didn't get far in the airport se- curity process before they were noticed. "They probably entered the line about five o'clock in the morning," Lewis said. "They were in the queue to have their tickets checked at the travel document checker when they first exhibited the behavior." Once criminal activity is sus- pected, Lewis said, the Sheriffs Office takes over investigations. A Federal Trade Commission report released this week said South Florida led the country's largest metropolitan areas for identity theft complaints for the third year in a row. There were 34,914 complaints in 2012, more than double the number of complaints filed in 2011. TSA behavior' detection offi- cers have found possible iden- tity fraudsters at the airport "at least two times in the last couple of months," Lewis said about travelers with multiple identification or credit cards in others' names. "They'll be nervous about taking it through the check- point, and it ends up being dis- covered through the behavior," Lewis said. Like a liar who involuntari- ly covers his or her mouth, Lewis said, "It's another great tool, because they don't know they're exhibiting the behav- ior." Thives want your Social Security number By Donna Gehrke-White With Florida now account- ing for a fifth of the nation's tax-related identity thefts, South Floridians have to guard their Social Security numbers from outsiders - even from employees at med- ical offices who may sell.the information, federal officials said Wednesday evening at a town hall meeting in Pem- broke Pines. Most identity theft now stems from insiders stealing information at workplaces instead of thieves snatch- ing purses or Dumpster div- ing, said Cindy Liebes, head of the Southeast Regional Office of the Federal Trade Commission. That means consumers have to be extra vigilant in giving out their Social Security numbers - even to legitimate places of business, she said. Some unscrupulous em- ployees may ask for the So- cial Security numbers to then sell the information. Identity theft has switched from criminals stealing cred- it cards to buy merchandise to fraudsters paying for So- cial Security numbers so they can file federal tax re- turns for hefty refunds, Li- ebes added. "Thieves are stealing hun- dreds of millions of dollars in refunds. I was stunned," said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasser- man Schultz, D-Weston, who helped conduct the town hall meeting Wednesday evening with the FTC and the Inter- nal Revenue Service at the Southwest Regional Library. There was another town hall meeting in Boca Raton to alert South Floridians to. guard their identity. Both have been national leaders in proposing legisla- tion to combat identity theft. One reason is that it hits close to home, Wasserman- Schultz said. "Our state alone has about a fifth of the nation's victims who couldn't immediately file their taxes last year because a crook beat them to it," she said. In fact, South Florida has the worst identity theft of the nation's largest metro areas, the FTC has found. Last week, Wasserman Schultz proposed a biparti- san bill that would increase the penalties of those caught filing fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities. .Meanwhile, Nelson said Wednesday that he plans to re-introduce a bill that would make it a felony, pun- ishable by up to five,years in prison, to use someone else's Social Security or taxpayer identification number to file a fraudulent tax return. He S2 - L South Florida has the worst identity theft of the nation's largest metro areas. would also include in the bill Nelson wants to cut that in a new provision that would half so victims can get re- speed up tax refunds to vic- funds in 90 days or less. times of identity theft. "ID thieves are costing Right now, the IRS said it hard-working taxpayers a lot takes victims an average of of time and money," the sen- 180 days to get their refund. ator said in a written state- ri nten "We'rea tr inc ton t a REP. DEBBIE WASSERMAN stop to that." Tens of thousands of peo- ple in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties couldn't file their taxes last year because thieves had already filed in their name first. So far, the U.S. Attorney's Office in South Florida has charged more than 100 peo- ple with filing fraudulent fed- eral tax returns that resulted in the Internal Revenue Ser- vice sending out about $92 million in refund checks or debit cards. BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY Lauderdale Lakes man fights off gunman with glass cleaner An armed robber was unable to make a clean getaway after his victim at- tacked him with a Windex-like substance. Last Tuesday Jacques Baillargeon, 66, saw a gunman enter his Lauderdale Lakes home, reports WSVNI, and sprayed glass cleaner in the intruder's face. The surprised intruder, later identified as Nathaniel Lee Smith, 29, dropped his crowbar, ran home, and called 911 to report that his crowbar and black skully cap had been stolen, according to released transcripts. Srnith later confessed to breaking into the Baillargeon's home as well as another residence earlier in the week. investigators believe he had tried to do a little damage control tby claiming that his crowbar was stolen in order to eiplaii why his prints were all over it. Miami Beach man sentenced 15 years for human trafficking A Miami Beach man, who allegedly forced women in South Florida and Ne- vada into prostitution, will serve 15 years for beating and strangling one jof hi victims. Last Tuesday a judge sentenced Robert Burton, 34, on trial for an as- sault of a 31-year-old woman and for abducting their seven-year-old son in 2011. When police conducted a traffic stop with Burton and asked about twoo women in his car, prosecutors say the seven-year-old answered. "Those are my daddy's hoes." Burton reportedly fathered children with three of the .si,. women, whom he reportedly forced to solicit sex at the Seminole Hard Rord Hotel S Casino in Hollywood and the Delano hotel in Miami Beach. Burton is the fii -t conviction for the Miami-Dade Human Trafficling Unit. Rapper,Young Scrilla, injured in Overtown drive-by A drive-by shooting in Overtown Saturday night interrupted 3 music video shoot and sent one aspiring rapper to the hospital. Andre Scott. 29, ho per- forms under the name Young Scrilla, was taken to Pyder Trauma Center. Report- edly the drive-by occurred at 19th Street between NW 2nd and 3,rd Avenues at around 7 p.m. In August,Young Scrilla hosted Rick Ross's official release party at the King of Diamonds strip club Months later Ross was shot in a drive-y shooting in Fort Lauderdale. Young Scrilla's mother told Local 10 that she believes the two drive-bys are related, adding 'some get jealous' There were two other victims, still unidentified, injured in the drive-by. 100 mile police chase ends with arrest of Samal Hammond A police chase on Interstate-95 that spanned four counties, including Broward and Palm Beach, reportedly began with an altercation between a man and a woman and shots being fired at a sergeant, and ended with the suspect driver singing as he was arrested, authorities said last Saturday. The 85-mile police pursuit began between the Ives Dairy Road and Miami Gardens Drive exits of 1-95 in Miami-Dade County, and ended just south of Kanner Highway in Mar- tin County. Samal Hammond, 36, was stopped using spile sticks that deflated his van's tires. Hammond was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and providing false information for giving authorities 3 bogus name. As of late last Saturday, he remained in Martin County Jail. Additional charges were ll'ely once he's returned to Miami-Dade County. Zimmerman stuns court in Martin case Waives right to 'stand your ground' hearing By Seni Tienabeso & Matt Gutman George Zimmerman's attorneys. stunned court observers last Tues- day when they waived their client's right to a "Stand Your Ground" hearing slated for April that might have led to a dismissal of the charges in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin a year ago. However, the defense lawyers didn't say whether they would waive the immunity hearing outright. They left open the possi- bility for that hearing to be rolled into Zimmerman's second degree murder trial. Zimmerman, a for- mer neighborhood watch captain in his Florida subdivision, shot and killed the teen, who was visit- ing a house in the area. The move allows the defense more time to prepare for the trial this summer, but also raises the stakes. In recent weeks, the Zimmer- man defense has suffered several legal setbacks. Judge Debra Nel- son has ruled in favor of the state that Zimmerman's bail conditions should not be loosened, and that Trayvon Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump was not required to sit for a deposition about his interactions with the state's most important witness, a young woman who was the last known person to speak with Trayvon Martin before his death on February 26 2012. It was the defense's legal maneuver- ing which put Judge Nelson on the bench in this murder trial. Last summer Zimmerman's team suc- cessfully argued that the previous judge, Kenneth Lester, was unfit to preside over the trial after a caus- tic bail ruling where he blasted Zimmerman for misleading the court about his financial situation. Zimmerman contends that he shot and killed the 17-year-old Martin after the teen confronted him as he walked to his father's girlfriend's house. Were Judge Nel- son to have accepted his account under Stand Your Ground, all criminal proceedings would have immediately stopped, and Zim- merman would have walked free. But another unfavorable ruling by Nelson could have been inter- preted by jurors as a sign of guilt. Waiving the hearing could also prevent the prosecution from pick- ing apart Zimmerman's testimony. Court considering Fla. The Associated Press STARKE, Fla. The state is asking a U.S. Supreme Court justice to lift a stay of execu- tion obtained by a South Flor- ida drug trafficker who was convicted of killing a state trooper with a pipe bomb 21 years ago. Paul Augustus Howell was set for execution Tuesday at Florida State Prison near Starke, but the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. District of Appeal on PAUL AUGL Monday temr it. The state Justice Clare killer's last-ditch appeal lift the stay. T lThe Jamaican native was convicted of murdering Flor- ida Highway. Patrol Trooper Jimmy Fulford on Feb. 1, 1992. S Authorities said Howell S hired a driver to deliver a gift- wrapped microwave oven with the pipe bomb inside to two JSTUS HOWELL Marianna women. Fulford stopped him for porarily blocked speeding east of Tallahassee. recently asked The package exploded when ence Thomas to Fulford tried to open it. Jackson Jr. writing memoir to 'clear up his legacy' By Cheryl K. Chumley .;,. : stuffed elk heads and a Rolex S...... watch. In mid-2012, Mr. Jack- Former Rep. Jesse Jackson son took a leave of absence Jr., who pleaded guilty to mis- -' from his House office, in part using $750,000 in campaign to obtain treatment for a bipo- funds and is facing a 46- to 57- .. lar disorder, before resigning in year prison term, is now writ- 'November. ing a book about his life in or- Jackson's wife, Sandi, an ex- der to clarify his legacy. alderman in Chicago, faces jail "He has nothing else to do time, too. She pleaded guilty right now," one source, who's to charges stemming from fil- seen draft pages of the memoir, ing false tax returns on Feb. told the Chicago Tribune. He's 20 and faces up to two years trying to "clear up his legacy in jail. Officially, Mr. Jackson He's desperately trying to pleaded guilty to conspiracy to change the narrative of his life commit wire and mail fraud, story." REP JESSE JACKSON JR and making false statements, Jackson will be sentenced J stemming from his misuse of June 28. He pleaded guilty cash for the likes of celebrity campaign dollars, the Chicago Feb. 20 to spending campaign memorabilia, furs, a cruise, Tribune reported. I , I 7A THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY Miami's first Black cops remember "joy and pain" Pinder leads colleagues in exposing youth to a proud legacy By D. Kevin McNeir kmcneir@miamitimesonline.com Miami's getaway resorts and pristine beaches may be one of the top .choices for tourists to- day, but in years past, segrega- tion kept both Black visitors and Black Miamians locked out. In fact, racial segregation, formerly the law of the land, extended to every facet of life. As the Black population surged in the 1940s, religious and community lead- ers demanded police presence and protection in Miami's two overcrowded Black communities of Liberty City and Overtown. In 1944, the first Black patrol- men were sworn in as "emergen- cy policemen" and assigned to what was then referred to as the Central Negro District. In 1950, the Negro Police Precinct and Courthouse was established in Overtown, operating as a sepa- rate station house and munici- pal court for Blacks. It remained in operation until 1963 but still stands now as an historical monument and ed- ucation museum where all can learn about the struggles and triumphs of Miami's "first Negro policemen." Last week, the City of Miami Negro/Black Police Officers Precinct and Museum [480 NW 11th Street], under the direc- tion of newly-elected Museum president, Dr. Thomas K. Pin- der, Ph.D., held an open house for the community. He says this is "just the beginning of pro- grams and special events that will share this important piece of history with the youth of to- day and tomorrow." "After our members decided that we needed to operate sepa- rately from the Black Officers Retired Association, I was cho- sen to oversee the Museum," he said. "What's most important is that our children know about this place and the significant role that Black officers played when segregation was still oper- ating in Miami and throughout the U.S. The more we under- stand our history and our strug- gles, the better we can prepare and empower our children for the future." , MEMORIES FROM THE PIONEERS Clarence Dickson, 78, was the first Black police chief for the City of Miami and was first hired in 1944. He says prior to the precinct being built for Blacks, they were forced to meet in places ranging from an apart- ment room to a dentist's office. "We weren't allowed to meet with the rest of the police in their downtown headquarters," he said. "But thanks to contin- ued pressure from the Black community, we finally got a place of our own." Dickson says there were about 40 policemen when the doors of the Black precinct first opened. He was also one of the first men allowed to attend the Police Academy and to sit with white officers to take examinations for promotion. He would rise up the ranks and retire after 30 years of service. He adds that 40 were in his class when it began in 1960 only 13 finished. "I failed the test twice and saw others who were much smarter than me bomb out," he said. "You could only take the test three times. I figured I wouldn't pass. But after one of my fellow officers told me that everyone was depending on me to suc- ceed, I buckled down failure was no longer an option." Other officers that shared their compelling stories during the program included: Jesse Hill, 84, retired sergeant, who was sent to the precinct in the early 1950s and was one of the first Black detectives; James 'Stubbs, 78, who served in the armed forces before joining the police department; Archie McK- ay, 87, retired lieutenant, who has the distinction of being the oldest living Black police officer and recalls "being called nigger as frequently as one runs water for drinking"; Pinder, Museum president and retired sergeant; Otis Davis, retired lieutenant; Davie Madison, retired captain; and Officer Leroy Smith. For more information or for a tour call 305-329-2513. -Photo courtesy BPPCM GREAT MOMENTS IN MIAMI'S BLACK HISTORY: Photos like those shown above capture the significant efforts of Miami's first Black police officers. Their first headquarters, the Precinct and Courthouse opened May, 22, 1950. Breakthrough case shows baby cured after being born HIV-positive CURE continued from 1A could spur widespread use of such an aggressive regimen in babies born with HIV, nearly all of them in low- and middle- income countries. EARLY TREATMENT World Health Organization [WHO] guidelines now call for treating infants born to an HIV-infected mother with a modest daily dose of antiretro- viral treatment for four to six weeks or until testing deter- mines the baby's own HIV sta- tus. If the baby tests positive, a more aggressive treatment is begun. In this case, "the child got therapy and then went off therapy, and now there's no detectable virus," said Debo- rah Persaud, a pediatrician and AIDS researcher at Johns Hopkins Children's Center. in Baltimore and lead author of a study reporting the cure. "That's really unheard of. If people go off therapy, most of them rebound ... within a few weeks." She described the findings at a news conference Sunday in advance of their presenta- tion last Monday at the annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Atlanta. The chance an infected preg- nant woman will transmit the virus to her baby during ges- tation, birth or breast-feeding ranges from 15 percent to 45 percent, according to WHO. But treatment with antiretro- viral therapy during pregnan- cy and especially around the time of birth cuts the risk of mother-to-child transmission to below 2 percent. NEWBORN. CASES DOWN Still, estimates are that be- tween 300,000 and 400,000 infants are born globally each year with the infection, about 90 percent of them in re- source-poor countries in sub- Saharan Africa. In the U.S., high compliance with prenatal care and rou- tine HIV testing during preg- nancy has all but eliminated HIV-positive newborns. From a peak of 1,650 cases in 1991, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the number is now down to fewer than 200 a year. In 2010, the number was 174. One of them, born in a rural Missis- sippi hospital that fall, is now the first case of a child consid- ered cured of the disease; The baby was born to a mother who hadn't had pre- natal care and didn't know her HIV status. A rapid HIV test after the birth revealed that she was infected, prompting doctors to transfer the baby to University of Mississippi Medical Center more than 100 miles away. There, Hannah Gay, a pedia- trician and infectious-disease expert, ordered an HIV test for the infant. She didn't wait for the result. Figuring this was an especially high-risk case, Gay started the baby on three standard antiretroviral drugs at higher, treatment-level dos- es. A few. days later, the test came back positive, she said, and she kept the infant on the treatment-level doses. Over the next few weeks, the baby's viral levels gradually declined, and by day 29, HIV couldn't be detected with standard test- ing. That remained the case Florida may lose $276M in sequester Aircraft, education By Richard Burnett Florida would lose at least $276 million in the first year alone from the so-called "seques- ter" deficit-reduction spending cuts, a White House report said last Sunday, listing affected pro- grams such as Head Start, mili- tary bases, vaccines for children and food for the elderly. The report showed how far- reaching it said the cuts in government services would be if they were allowed to take effect on March 1. It does not detail how the State's private defense contractors would be affected services hit hardest by Pentagon cuts, nor how hospitals, doctors and medical researchers would be affected by cuts in health-care funding. At the top was a cut of $135 million from aircraft depot - maintenance work in Jackson- ville. Next: $54.5 million from early-education services, reach- ing 95,000 fewer students, 130 fewer schools and putting 750 teacher jobs at risk. Other possible reductions included $31.1 million from edu- cation for children with disabili- ties; $23 million from Air Force base operations; $5.2 million from clean-water, air quality, anti-pollution and other envi- ronmental services; $5 million from substance-abuse treatment work; and nearly $4 million from nutrition programs for seniors. The lengthy list also showed cuts to Army base operations ($7 million); naval construction de- molition projects in Jacksonville ($3.2 million); job-search as- sistance services ($2.3 million); public-health crisis response services ($1.8 million); public- health agency HIV preventive tests ($1.4 million); and fish and wildlife protection ($1.1 million). Big cuts in military pay would mean furloughs for 31,000 civil- ian employees of the Department of Defense, the report said. Crist: "I'm the same but a Democrat" By Adam C. Smith TAMPA Charlie Crist, the for- mer "Ronald Reagan Republican" who now looks like the Demo- cratic frontrunner for governor in 2014, says he's pretty much the same guy he always was. "I know what Floridians care about," he said during a forum on leadership at the University of Tampa. "People generally are not hard right. Nor are they hard left. They just want to get the right thing done for most people. They want good education. They want to be able to start a business in an economy. They want appropri- ate regulation, but not too much. They want the kind of government that stays out of your hair, thank you very much, and lets you be successful and doesn't burden you too much but dbes have ap- propriate regulation to make sure people on Wall Street act right and do right and that banks are fair with people." Crist made no mention of his potential campaign for governor in 2014 during the forum but he took every opportunity to tout areas where his agenda often coincided with Democrats en- vironmental protection, better- funded schools and teachers, voting rights and immigration re- form that embraces people eager to move to America. His convic- tions, he said, stem from the val- ues his parents taught him and essentially boil down to common sense approaches to doing the right thing. He never mentioned Republican Gov. Rick Scott, but gave a scath- ing critique of voting law changes embraced by Scott and Republi- can lawmakers that he said led to long lines and hindrances to many Florida voters in November. for more than a year. But at about 18 months, for reasons that aren't clear, the mother stopped bringing the baby in for the checks. FURTHER STUDY Gay summoned health-de- partment and child-protection workers, who found her last August, and she returned to the clinic. The baby had been off therapy for at least five months, Gay said. Before resuming treatment, Gay or- dered a test to make sure the baby's virus hadn't developed resistance to any of the drugs. To her astonishment, techni- cians couldn't find any virus to test. While the tests have detect- Albert & Brednice Chauvet Business & Entrepreneurism Newton B. Sanon Community Service ed an occasional "signal" of the virus, the various analyses from several labs using differ- ent techniques "confirms to us that this is a case of 'func- tional cure,' meaning that the virus hasn't rebounded and that . we can't detect virus activity in this child," Dr. Per- saud said. The work also was supported by the NIH. Fedrick Ingram Education RSVP Today! Thursday, April 18, 2013 6:15 p.m. Broward County Convention Center Hosted by Calvin Hughes, Evening News Anchor, WPLG-TV Local 10 Please join us for a special evening to honor six distinguished leaders at the 21st annual African-American Achievers awards ceremony. Established by automotive legend Jim Moran, the program recognizes everyday heroes whose hard work, commitment and compassion help build a stronger South Florida community. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2013 HONOREES! RSVP at www.AfricanAmericanAchievers.com or facebook.com/AfricanAmericanAchievers Sponsored by -MFAMILY i - ENTERPRISES, INC. BEST ENTERPRISES INC. r-,O STOYOTA < LES Southeast ToyoraDitthuitors. I.LC FOG rUNE s a mrera ira rnrul of Tinme mi n E I ul Ondefr wena Ftr FORTUNE Magazine. Fe&na 4. 2011 O013 Trrelr' FOCiUNE andT r' enc arer la. own nddor oraupm ioduc,,ascuveaol Lmnsee as-R-R:-r aRa' --- 2013 .-VII-1.1 "IRS ...... ...... . In memory Of Jim Moran ~-"I" i~f~i~s IV TII MI AMII ,M .MARCH.. -. 2 .... CON L - soS~~,~~ b- d'U ______ ________________________________ V M- IAMI'S COLORED WEEKLY The Emancipation Proclamation on display in Nashville By Kristin M. Hall All of the approximately 18,000 important state during the Associated Press reservations for visitors and War," he said. "There were NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The original Emancipation Proclama- tion, a document that changed .the lives of countless Blacks during the Civil War, is on dis- play in Nashville as the fragile historical document makes its only stop in the Southeast on a 150th anniversary tour. The exhibit opened last Tues- day fittingly on President Abraham Lincoln's birthday at the Tennessee State Museum and runs through this Mon- day. It's a rare visit outside the nation's capital for the original document Lincoln signed in 1863 declaring "forever free" all slaves held in Confederate states rebelling against the Union. Because lights are harmful to the papers, the document can only be viewed for 72 hours over the course of the six days. After Feb. 18, a replica of the Eman- cipation Proclamation will be on display until the exhibit ends Sept. 1. Throngs of school children were among the first to view the exhibit last Tuesday morning. school groups to visit the exhibit were taken, but more walk-in visitors were being accommo- dated. Teachers at John Early Mu- seum Magnet Middle School incorporated the exhibit in their lesson plans, such as having students create their own mu- seum exhibits and discussions on the impact of the Emancipa- tion Proclamation on the Civil Rights movement, said Becky Verner, an instructional designer at the Nashville middle school. She said interacting with real historical documents makes a lasting impact on students. "They will remember this a lot longer than reading a chapter in a book," she said. Bruce Bustard, senior curator at the National Archives where the document is kept, said Ten- nessee was a key battleground in the war, so he expects the "Discovering The Civil War" exhibit will draw many visitors interested in seeing some of the original documents from the conflict. "Tennessee was an incredibly battles in Tennessee than any other state in the Union except for Virginia." Claire Bolfing, 63, of Frank- lin, Tenn., said with the recent blockbuster movie about Lincoln and anniversary events com- memorating Civil War battles around the South, the timing of the exhibit was perfect. Because the Emancipation Proclamation is rarely on dis- play, this was an opportunity she didn't want to miss. "You can see a facsimile and not truly understand what all went into creating the actual document," she said. The exhibit is organized by topic, rather than chronological- ly like most Civil War museum exhibits. It emphasizes a wide range of documents, records and artifacts that have been pre- served at the National Archives. "What we are trying to do is tell you the little-known sto- ries, and also some seldom seen documents and unusual perspectives on the war," said Bustard, during a preview of the exhibit Monday. 01- P SCivil more Wayne Moore, right, looks over the Emancipation Proclama- tion with the help of Jeff Sellers, the curator of education at the Tennessee State Museum. On Jan. 1, 1863, Lincoln made good on a pledge issued 100 days earlier, signing a final proclamation declaring all slaves in states in rebellion against the Union to be free. The proclamation wouldn't end slavery outright and wasn't even enforceable at the time by Lincoln in areas under Con- federate control. But the presi- dent made clear from that day forward that his forces would be fighting to put the Union back together without the institution of slavery. Along with the original procla- mation, the exhibit also displays the original signed copy of the 13th Amendment, which out- lawed slavery in 1865, and an unratified 1861 amendment that would have prevented the fed- eral government from interfering in slavery. "We didn't want to give people the impression that the eman- cipation was one moment, that slavery ended from the Emancipation Proclamation for example," he said. "We wanted to get across the idea that the end of slavery was really an un- even and unsteady process, but that the United States moved a tremendous distance from 1861 and 1865." The exhibit also features several interactive elements, including a video of reunions of Civil War troops, readings of letters sent home from the front lines and touch screens that al- low visitors to explore historical documents. The exhibit originally opened at the National Archives in 2010 and traveled to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., and the Houston.Museum of Natural Science in Houston before making its final stop in Nashville. The proclamation has been rarely shown because it was badly damaged decades ago by long exposure to light. For many years it was kept at the State Department with other presi- dential proclamations before being transferred in 1936 to the National Archives. iI di -Courtesy of the National Archives Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation. The Cherokees Nation freed their slaves By Melinda Miller and Rachel Smith Purvi Following on the heels of the Emancipation Proclamation, in February 1863 the Cherokee Na- tion declared that all slaves with- in its limits were "forever free." In 1983, the descendants of these slaves, known as the Cherokee Freedmen, were removed from tribal .membership rolls and pro- hibited from voting in Cherokee elections. A series of protracted legal battles over Freedmen citi- zenship ensued and continue to- day. Questions on the status of the Cherokees' former slaves in tribal life originated in the complicated landscape of the Civil War in In- dian Territory, a story of an in- ternal civil war within the larger conflict. Although the Cherokee Nation had initially joined the Confederacy, Principal Chief John Ross and his supporters began discussions with North- ern forces during the summer of 1862. These loyal Cherokees con- vened a meeting of the National Council at Cowskin Prairie and produced two distinct emancipa- tion acts, documents that rever- berate in today's controversies over the legal standing of the Cherokee Freedmen. Ross had originally rebuffed at- tempts to become engaged in the war, writing in June 1861: "I have already signified my purpose to take no part in it whatever." But neutrality proved untenable, and the Cherokees signed a treaty of alliance with the Confederacy in October 1861. The nation raised two regiments; one was under the command of Ross's nephew- in-law John Drew, while Stand Watie, Ross's long-time political, opponent, led the other. By 1862, Ross had become disillusioned with the Confeder- ate government. The first major military engagements in Indian Territory proved disastrous for both the Confederacy and the Cherokees. Retreating from In- dian Territory, the Confederacy left the Cherokees open to Union advances and without supplies for Cherokee troops and destitute civilians. Although Ross believed the Confederacy was shirking its treaty promises, the Confederate colonel Douglas H. Cooper called upon Ross to fulfill his obliga- tions by ordering all Cherokee men of fighting age to "take up arms to repel invasion." Union Capt. Harris S. Greeno was aware of Ross's dissatisfac- tion with the Confederacy, and he ordered the arrest of Ross and his family at their planta- tion home, Rose Cottage, in present-day eastern Oklahoma. They were quickly paroled and escorted to Union territory, and they retreated to his wife's family home in Philadelphia. % '.v ',~ :;,'.- ,: .. It ; 1 .. ; .- , , ". ,, ,,,' .. '. p.., ,l.., ',,, ';: , : -. read to learn leer para aprender li pou aprann The Children'sTrust : BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY ~BIII~I~F~L 18$4~ S .0 io~-l I~ii: -.:.I - A 8 THE MIAMI TIMES MA 3 I^ BLACKS M NT T O D 9A T M TIMES, M 6__2, 2013 A US female marine and members of USN Hospi- tal Corpsman from the 1st battalion 7th Marines Regiment walk at FOB (Forward Operating Base) Jackson also known as Sabit Khadam in Sangin, Helmand Province on June .7,2012.The US-led war in Afghanistan has cost the lives of around 3,000 U.S. and allied troops, seen thousands of Afghans killed and cost hundreds of billions of dollars. -Photos Adek Berry/AFP/Gettylmages Women in U.S. military say standards should stay same By Jim Michaels WASHINGTON Women in the.military do not want stan- dards to be lowered to help them get into ground combat jobs, advocacy groups and ser- vicewomen say. "We don't want unqualified women in these positions," said Maj. Mary Hegar, a decorated helicopter pilot who was part of a lawsuit demanding the Penta- gon open ground combat fields to women. Advocacy groups say they want to avoid quotas or even placing pressure on command- ers so that no one questions the qualifications of women who enter fields that had previously been closed to females. "We're not saying there needs to be a woman in everyjob," said Greg Jacob, the policy direc- tor at Service Women's Action Network, which has pushed for allowing women to enter the in- fantry and other ground com- bat jobs. "What we're saying is if there's a woman qualified, there is no reason a woman shouldn't be serving." The Pentagon last month repealed the ban on allowing women into ground combat fields, such as infantry, tanks and artillery. The services have several years to complete the integration. In response, the services said they were developing gender- neutral strength and fitness tests based on the requirements for those jobs, which include infantry, artillery and tanks. The tests may be administered to men and women as a way of screening men and women who want to enter ground combat fields. ^ar~~y^- -e A Members of Female Engagement Team (FET), US Marines GySgt Michelle Hill (L) and Cpl. Reagan Odhner (C) from the 1st battalion 7th Marines Regiment unload their M4 rifles after a patrol with Afghanistan National Army (ANA) soldiers in Sangin in Helmand Province on June 6,2012. The average Marine infantry- men, for example, carry about 100 pounds of equipment on their backs. They are expected to walk over long distances. A member of a tank crew needs to be able to lift a 40-pound shell off a rack and place it in the breech of the main gun. Female officers say it is im- portant that those standards be met by women if they are to enter those fields. "I don't want to see the stan- dards of military effectiveness be lowered," said Hegar, who was injured when her medical evacuation helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan in 2009. She exchanged fire with insur- gents on the ground before she was evacuated by standing on the skids of a small helicopter that picked up her crew. "There are people who do well in com- bat, and there are people who don't," Hegar said. "It's not a gender question." However, some advocates have said the standards and tests being developed by the military may not accurately reflect what is required for the job. "Why do we need standards other than what already exists?" asked Lory Manning, a retired Navy captain and director of the Women in the Military Project. "The question is whether those standards are rooted in requirements in the job," Jacob said. Manning said the only tests should be whether men and women can complete the occu- pational school. The services say they will be able to link the physical strength tests to specific job re- quirements. "There will be people who question: Why do you have that standard?" said Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Milstead, the dep- uty commandant for manpower and reserve affairs. He said the Marines will take a careful and responsible ap- proach to assessing the physi- cal standards for the more than 30 career fields that have been closed to women. "You're going to get one chance to do it right," Milstead said. on front willing to lay your life down for this nation, then I don't care if you're gay, straight, black, white, yellow, male or female, good for you, thank you for serving. Go do the job. Dp you believe that the act of killing affects men and women differently? No. The act of killing is an unnatural act for everyone. The retired four-star general Volney Warner, who helped integrate women into the Army division he commanded in the '70s and has since lost a granddaughter in Afghanistan, said recently that "women are better at giving life than taking it." I think it's sexist. It's insult- ing to men. Men view life to be as precious as women do, and to say that men have a more violent nature is insulting to men. You were not particularly happy when pilots you flew with called you Mommy Pla- toon Leader. Did you consider this sexual harassment? Oh, please. No, it's not. They were just giving me a hard time, because I served hot cocoa. Do you know what? That hot cocoa got my pilots and crew chiefs warm faster, my crews took off faster and they were more deadly. If marshmallows and blowing kisses on the hot cocoa made my men more deadly, I would have done that too. By Andrew Goldman You soundly defeated Joe Walsh, a Tea Party Republican, in November. He was known for yelling on cable news, even at his own constituents. Did you feel lucky to be running against him? Oh, no, not at all. Joe Walsh had two sides to him. There was the media side, but he also can be very charm- ing in person. He tapped into a strand of fear that was present throughout the country with the economy. He accused you of being a Washington bureaucrat hand- picked by Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod to defeat him. I was encouraged by Senator Durbin to run in 2006. You know what caused me to run this last time? Joe Walsh. We couldn't get a budgetcontinuing resolution passed, and then I read Joe Walsh boasting about how he was willing to shut the government down. After the Blackhawk heli- copter you were piloting was shot down in Iraq in 2004, you described the scene at Walter Reed hospital, where you recov- ered, as the "amputee petting zoo." Did you ever feel used by the politicians who stopped by? Yes and no. Ther6 were people who you knew cared. Senator Dole would sit on the mat next to you and talk about his ser- geant who pulled him to safety and saved his life. Max Cleland would come through and talk about the struggles he had with post-traumatic stress. As a Democrat, I get a lot of heat for this, but Paul Wolfowitz was there for us. He would come there on nights and weekends. But a lot of people saw Wolfowitz as one of the group of neoconservatives who had never served and . was the reason I got sent to Iraq and got blown up. But he cared. By some estimates, one in five veterans have received a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Have you? I do not have PTSD, but if I watch part of a movie like 'The Hurt Locker" or when I spend time around Blackhawk helicopters, I will close my eyes that night and live an entire day in Iraq, flying my missions. I remember the smell and the feel and the heat and everything about it. Then I wake up in Illinois, and I'm exhausted. When you wake up do you feel a sense of loss when you realize what happened to your TAMMY DUCKWORTH legs? Of course. But I have a different perspective for what my legs are now. Now they're just tools, you know? If I still had my legs, I would be in line for a battalion command, and instead I'm flying a desk. There has been a good deal of hand-wringing about the recent ruling opening up combat posi- tions to women. Some argue that since there are a limited number of frontline combat jobs, women shouldn't replace men there. It doesn't make any sense at all. All this ruling does is give everyone the chance to do these jobs. You want to be infantry? Here, carry this 80-pound rucksack and march 20 miles. Can you drag a 200-pound dead weight 200 yards like you may have to? If you can do it, and if you're By Jim Saunders TALLAHASSEE Trying to prevent what one official described as -white-knuckle moments" for families, the state plans to change the way it determines the home-based services that will be provided to children with highly com- plex medical needs. The proposed changes, which will be published, in- clude assigning care coordi- nators for all children who receive private-duty nursing services through the Medicaid program. The state Agency for Health Care Administration said the move is designed to make sure children have full access to services at home and in their communities. Also, the proposals in- volve using teams, including parents, doctors and other health professionals, to try to reach agreement on the ser- vices needed to keep children at home. That could help re- duce hearings about issues such as how many services children should receive and the proper number of hours - situations that state Med- icaid director Justin Senior said have created "white- knuckle moments" for fami- lies in the past. "We're trying to change it so it is a more collaborative way of getting to the right number (of services or hours)," said Seniory. He said families sometimes have issues that contribute to the need for services but that might not show up in a check of their children's medical're- cords. For instance, parents' work schedules or medical conditions could affect their ability to care for children. The proposed changes, which have to go through a rule-making process, are ex- pected to take effect within three months. They would affect about 1,600 children a year who have medically complex conditions that re- quire extensive amounts of care to allow them to live at home. The state Agency for Health Care Administra- tion said the move is designed to make sure children have full access to services at home and in their communities. The state's handling of such children has received heavy scrutiny since the U.S. Department of Justice issued a report that alleged young- sters were placed in nursing homes unnecessarily. The Department of Justice has requested changes in the sys- tem of care for medically frag- ile children and threatened to take legal action against the state. Also, a potential class- action lawsuit is pending in federal court in South Flori- da on behalf of children who have been placed in nursing homes or who'are "at risk" of being placed in the homes. The lawsuit and the Depart- ment of Justice report alleged possible violations of 'the Americans with Disabilities Act and questioned whether the state has done enough to help families get services so children can live at home. AHCA officials have ada- mantly disputed the findings. I N` All quiet on the Washingt Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth on her political battles and women in combat M O% a i.5 BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY 9A THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 Deerfield Beach parade recognizes Black pioneers Founders Day "This is my home," said Brooks. 86. %whose parents float will mark emigrated from the Bahamas in the early 1900s. "I've been contributions in Deerfield all of my life. I like Deerfield now even more than By Erika Pesantes before. I would feel left out if 1 was not here.' DEERFIELD BEACH Beans, peppers and squash Edna Johnson made cream were among the vegetables pies for the city's first Found- farmed in the town, said ers' Days celebration 66 years Sandra Jackson, 54. whose ago and returned last Satur- grandfather was one of the day to join the parade as one city's original Black pioneers, of the town's pioneers at the a minister and a farmer. age of 101. Although there were fami- She rode shotgun as her lies remembering the past, grandson drove an SUV along there were others who aimed Hillsboro Boulevard from Pio- to preserve the present. The neer Park to the beach, where Original Save Our Beach the parade ended at a seaside committee joined the parade carnival, which continues and marched to remind resi- Sunday. dents to keep an eye on eager 'Oh, it's wonderful and re- waterfront developers. minds me of long ago," said "Yes, paradise is here!" So- Johnson, who now lives with nia Pavan echoed back to her daughter in Georgia but the beach preservationists as returns to Deerfield Beach they passed by. during winters. "I attended She and her husband. Aril- the first one and every one ton Pavan, set up their busi- after." ness, Dixie Divers, and raised Her husband, Myrle John- their three daughters in Deer- son, was the city's first fire field Beach after immigrating chief and public works direc- to the U.S. from Brazil, she tor, relatives said. said. The parade celebrated the Victoria O'Sullivan also city's pioneering families, but planned to continue rais- also served as a platform for ing her children in Deerfield politicians looking to be elect- Beach. Her fourth son's birth ed, businesses flaunting their is scheduled for Saturday, services and community or- she said. ganizations showcasing their "Ill be here forever," efforts. O'Sullivan. 33, said. "I\e nev- Boxing promoter Don King er missed a year of Founders' was the Grand Marshal and Day." rode in a black convertible Barbara Witty, 44, came to Rolls Royce. the parade with her mother, A "Pioneers of Deerfield" grandmother. sisters and oth- float was a mobile tropical er relatives. Her family's five oasis with decorative palm generations stood along Hill- fronds and baskets full of fruit sboro Boulevard and clapped and greener-. The city origi- and cheered as the floats pa- nally began as a farming com- raded by. munity, said Leola Brooks, a "This is a very important Deerfield Beach Historical So- day for the city of Deerfield city member who rode on the Beach the new and the old, float and recalls a time when and everyone coming togeth- schools were segregated and er. This is a day for the whole roads were unpaved. community," Witty said. State plans changes for children in home care The Miami Times Faith SECTION B MIAMI, FLORIDA, MARCH 6-12, 2013 Rev. Clifford H. McKinney, Sr. and First Lady Juanita McKinney Pastor reaches out to the community with a warm smile Plans on providing computer and language classes By Malika A. Wright Il ing i 1h 1u1nillliltnt i.,liti .corn The first thing you will probably notice about Rev. Clifford H. McKinney. Sr.. 61. pastor of Hurst Cha- pel A.M.E Church, is his smile. It has been that way his entire life. And over the past three years as a pastor, his smile and warm personality are the reasons behind him being known as the friendly \ pastor" amongst the West Perrine community. "I smile and talk to everyone." _lcKin- a nev said. "I don't care who you are. \ our social-economic level, whether you're a drug ', . user or a drug dealer. REV. CLIFFORD H. MCKINNEY I'm gonna talk to you. He uses his friendly spirit that he has picked up from his parents. as he leads his church and evan- gelizes in its surrounding community. McKinney's neighborly outlook is present.in the church's mission, which is to "preach and teach the new command" McKinney said quoting, John 13: 34-35, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples. if you love one another." HURST'S MAIN MISSIONS Some of the top priorities at Hurst Chapel are: reaching out to people who are not attending church; serving people especially children who have parents or other family members who are incarcerated: and helping stop crime and drug traf- ficking in the Perrine area by having a presence in the community and developing programs to help the Please turn to McKINNEY 11B FAMILY AND FRIENDS HONOR LEGACY OF TANYA MARTIN PEKEL A street designation ceremony in honor of the late Tanya Martin Pekelwas held last Friday at Miami Shores Elementary School. [103rd and NE 5th Avenue.] A product of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Pekel was passionate about reading and learning. She served as an associate director for Education and Policy Planning under President Clinton. To commemorate her legacy of reading, a book giveaway and tutoring initiative is being launched for underserved communities. Pekel died of breast cancer in 2006. Pictured are members of her family and elected officials that were on-hand for the ceremony. Senios arephotoraphe missioner LuisB. Santiago o 1-800-FLA-AIDS |nxii l'nr iIlr.ti \ lM .">- "r , HEALTH Miam,-Dade County Healln Departmeni 0 .' jT TMi M 1 1. A k It lk IC- _________ 1 ir IPUotU LUUIlt I e hVuUU Trinity Church reaches out to the community Center partnered with Joyce Meyer at "Hope Jam" By Malika A. Wright mwright@miamitimesonline.com On Saturday afternoon, about one thousand people left Trinity Church with their hands full of groceries, some with new hair cuts and others after receiving free medical care. Many smiled as though they were walking away with hope. And helping those in need feel hopeful was the very reason Trinity Church Peacemakers Family Center partnered with Hand of Hope, the international outreach component of Joyce Meyer Ministries, to organize a large-scale community out- reach benefit called Hope Jam. Meyer, who preached at the church's 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday worship services, walked around and greeted at- tendees at the Hope Jam. . Attendees were all welcomed to receive free food, free health and dental screenings, free haircuts and more than 2,000 bags of groceries were distribut- ed. Also, there was live music, carnival rides and face paint- ing. There were information booths at the event, which con- nected community members with helpful resources through- out the community and ben- eficial services that the Peace- makers Family Center provides, such as: Job placement ser- Attendee . ILA*- r ,.- , Several Christian music artists perform at Hope Jam. vices, social service counseling, unemployment insurance ben- efit counseling, parenting edu- cation and other services. Everyone seemed to be enjoy- ing the event, even the volun- teers. Lourdie Pierre, a member of Trinity for about six years and Jennifer Hubbard, who has been attending the church a lot recently, volunteered at Hope Jam as greeters. "I think it's a beautiful thing because it brings out the best in everyone," Pierre said. "Every- body wants to .help, and when Two volunteers help children into bounce house. Children enjoyed the slide and other carnival rides at the event. A young girl smiles after getting her face painted. you're volunteering you get to make new friends." Pastor Linda Freeman, ex- ecutive director of Peacemaker Family Center, said the goal of the event was to provide hope to the community, spiritually, as well as physically and emo- tionally. "We are about serving, giv- ing, sharing, loving, and show- ing the love of God in a tangible way," Freeman said. Faith responses to the death penalty Paul Howell granted stay of execution Miami Times Staff Report Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty (TCADP) re- ceived the response they peti- tioned for, when Paul Howell, the 47-year-old man convicted of killing a state trooper in 1992, was granted a stay of execution on Feb. 25, one day before he was scheduled to be given a le- thal injection. On Feb. 21 at a press confer- ence, TCADP released "Faith Responses to the Death Penal- ty," a booklet which proves that a majority of different congre- gations .of Florida are against capital punishment. The booklet was distributed to every member of the Florida Legislature and also Governor Rick Scott and Attorney Gen- eral Pam Bondi last week. "I don't think that many of the legislatures and governors are aware that the churches are opposing the death penalty," '-4 I . ,JUVAIS HARRINGTON Rev. Emory Hingst, a retired Recently, one of Howell attor- leader of St. Stephen Lutheran ney's, Michael Ufferman, said Church, said. that he had received an order "It's an educational [oppor- from the 11th Circuit Court of tunity] to make them more Appeals that Howell's execution aware." would be temporarily stayed because the district court had granted Howell's certificate of appealability, according to the Huffington Post. Ufferman said he is hopeful that Howell will be given the chance to have his case heard in federal court, but said that there is still no guarantee that will happen. Unless the courts act, Howell will be the first person executed in Florida without the opportu- nity for federal court review. Among the religious state- ments in the booklet are the American Baptists, the Evangel- ical Lutherans, the Presbyterian Church, the United Methodist Church, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Council of Churches, and the American Jewish Committee - these and seven more have all released statements against the use of capital punishment. "[The booklet] communicates not only to the governors and legislators but also the Chris- tians who belong to different de- nominations that this is where your church says you stand on this [issue]," Juvais Harrington, the chair of TCADP, said. Pastor reaches the community through love McKINNEY continued from 10B South Dade community. One of the initiatives the church has in mind is a com- puter center, which will hold computer literacy classes for senior citizens and also lan- guage classes for everyone. McKinney said he believes it is important for adults and chil- dren who reside in Miami to learn Spanish or Haitian Cre- ole/French. "I think we need to learn [dif- ferent languages] in terms of business and in terms of edu- cation," he said. "Some busi- nesses will only hire you if you're bilingual." McKinney, who has suc- ceeded in business as a leader at different financial services firms before retiring, is now a full-time pastor. PUTTING THE BIBLE INTO ACTION "The street ministry is the most important thing in my life," McKinney said. This is evident through his visibility throughout the com- munity. He spends 10 hours a week going around speak- ing to people and passing out booklets about God. "That's the job that God has called every pastor, min- ister and all the people in the church to do," he said, quoting Mark 16:15, which says, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." McKinney said he has no- ticed that the amount of peo- ple inside the churches on Sunday is the same as the number of people outside of the church. But he has noticed a re- sponse to his efforts of evange- lizing and reaching out to the community, he said several visitors have stopped by his church. He plans to have more of his members, including young people, join him in community outreach, by using his same sociable approach. "A smile tears down any wall," he said. Several churches unite to combat HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS continued from 10B chairperson of Churches Unit- ed For HIV/AIDS Prevention. "And if the church can lend its voice to the cause of HIV/AIDS education, it will certainly re- duce numbers." With the Black church's strong influence being consid- ered, The Churches United for HIV/AIDS Prevention kicked off their observation of Nation- al Week of Prayer for the heal- ing of AIDS. There are a total of 12 events that have already taken place and some that will occur dur- ing the remainder of the week. Those events include: A com- munity outreach held at Beth- el Faith Apostolic Temple on 17th Avenue and 71st Street; a pastoral breakfast which took place at Jordan Grove Mis- sionary Baptist Church; and a concert that will be held on Friday at 8 p.m., called Sing For A Cure. Baxter said that having the church involved in HIV/AIDS awareness will help the com- munity understand that it's alright to talk about HIV/AIDS at home with your children and at work, he added that it will also show people that it is OK to get tested. Rapid testing will continue to be provided at every event and the churches are prepared in case anyone happens to test positive for HIV or AIDS. "Well be able to link them immediately to a counselor and let them know that it's not the end of the world," Baxter said. "We will certainly walk with them and make sure that they are covered and well connected with the many resources that are available in Dade County." Baxter said a couple of the goals of the Churches United For HIV/AIDS Prevention is for pastors and leaders to have a greater urgency and aware- ness of how important it is to continue HIV/AIDS education throughout the year and to test 200 people. "Get tested so that you can be in control of your life, in control of your destiny and continue to contribute to the growth of our society," Baxter said. The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS will be observed at various churches during the week of March 3-9. Call 305-978-7100. !- New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith International and partners will host a job and resource fair expo at Fountain of New Life Church on Mar. 7 at 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 305-757- 2199. Valley Grove M. B. Church invites the public to its Annual Church Re- vival featuring guest pastor, Bishop James D. Adams on March 7-8 at 7:30 p.m. Call 305-835-8316. M Mount Pleasant Mis- sionary Baptist Church will celebrate the 38th pas- toral anniversary of Pastor and Sis. J.C. Wise on March 10. Call 305-253-2905. [ Tree of Life Ministries will hold a Women's Confer- ence featuring Martha Mu- nizzi and other guest speak- ers starting March 12-15. FR M Mount Olive Primi- tive Baptist Church will celebrate its anniversary on March 17 at 7:30 a.m. 11 a.m. Elohim-Adonai House,' of Prayer will: hold its 5th Annual Prayer Conference on Mar. 14-15 at 6:30 p.m., Mar. 16 at 8:30 a.m. and.7 p.m. and Mar. 17 at 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church to host a Unity Prayer Breakfast. Call 305-696-6545. Second Chance Minis- tries to host a Bible study meeting. Call 305-747- 8495. M A Mission With A New Beginning Church Wom- en's Department provides community feeding. Call 786-371-3779. Bethany Seventh Day Adventist Church will host a bereavement sharing group at 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. every 2nd Sunday. Call 305- 634-2993. I -Photo by Marvin Ellis The Episcopal Diocese recognizes first Black priest From Slave To Priest: The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation hosted The 28th Annual Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida Commemoration of Absalom Jones on Feb. 16. Jones was the first Black Episcopal Priest. Pictured is the guest preacher of the event, The Right Rev. Robert Wright, the first Black man to become an Episcopal bishop in Georgia. ..........3 smiles as he receives a free bag of groceries. THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER oa IllrP a 11B THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 I 7 c, 12B THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER Winans Jr. gets 14 year prison sentence I By Nicola Menzie Michael Winans Jr., of the popular Gospel-singing Wi- nans family, was sentenced this week to nearly 14 years in prison for taking advantage of "good, decent church-going people" in an $8 million ponzi scam carried out in Christian churches. "Fraud on good, decent church-going people that was very, very troubling to me," said U.S. District Judge Sean Cox in a Detroit, Mich., federal courtroom on Wednesday. Cox had read some of the 50 letters written by Winans' vic- tims, who say the 30-year-old Maryland native and Grammy nominee ruined their lives by convincing them from church pulpits that he would be in- vesting their money in Saudi Arabian crude oil bonds. Victims say they've expe- rienced ruined relationships with family members who they convinced to invest with Winans, broken marriages, death threats, and loss of their homes. In one case, a young woman enrolled in the U.S. military due to losing her col- lege tuition. Winans had collected $8 mil- lion from more than 1,000 in- vestors between October 2007 and September 2008 through his connections with various churches in Michigan. He often collected between $1,000 to MICHAEL WINANS JR. $7,000 from his duped inves- tors, promising that they would receive 100 percent returns in a matter of months. Federal in- vestigators say Winans instead used the millions for personal expenses and.to pay off previ- ous investors. Winans did at one point learn that the crude bonds were fake, but went on collecting money from investors, WDIV- TV reports. The 30-year-old nephew of award-winning singers Bebe and Cece Winans pleaded guilty in October to wire fraud and promised to repay each in- vestor. According to The Asso- ciated Press, about 600 people are waiting for a total of $4.8; million to be repaid. In court Wednesday, Winans "repented" and insisted that he ;.-. .. ,_ ,_ . BISHOP EDDIE LONG carried out the scheme in good faith, wanting to help people better their lives. I caused "financial and emo- tional damage. For that I re- pent," he told Judge Cox, ac- cording to the Detroit Free Press. Winans added that there was no "malicious intent on my part ... I wanted people to have a good life." The publication also shared a comment from Assistant U.S. Attorney Abed Hammoud, who said Winans "used religion. He used the church, the good rep- utation of the family" to fool his victims. The disgraced recording art- ist and music producer who has worked with Diddy, Chris Brown and several other artists, was sentenced to 13 years and' nine months in federal prison and ordered to make restitu- tion. Judge Cox's sentencing fell in the suggested range of 12-1/2 years to 15-1/2 years in prison for such a crime. Winans' attorney, William Hatchett, has insisted that no other Winans family mem- bers were involved in the ponzi scheme. The U.S. Securities and Ex- change Commission calls the kind of crime committed by Winans "affinity fraud," which involves fraudsters targeting specific groups, in this case Christians, and using their shared faith to attract invest- ments from the group's mem- bers, as well as from their friends and family members. Another high-profile fraud case involves Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia, who is be- ing sued by 12 former church members for encouraging them to invest with Ephren Taylor, wanted by federal authorities for allegedly stealing $11 mil- lion from unsuspecting inves- tors. Court documents indicate that Long was warned about Taylor's alleged scheme nearly two weeks before his sched- uled appearance at the Litho' nia megachurch. Taylor, who is wanted along with his father and another family member for similar crimes, is apparently on the run, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Com- mission. The church's expectations unrealistic? Marvin Sapp and Kandi Burruss' Gospel song causes debate By Rebecca Johnson When gospel luminary Mar- vin Sapp teamed up with real- ity TV star and se\ toy seller Kandi Burruss for the # 1 iTunes hit "Stay Prayed Lip." the faith-based community was up in arms. Now, the backlash has opened up a can of worms surrounding the church's ex- pectacions of Christians. The criticism surrounding the unlikely pairing was so overwhelming that Sapp took to his "Official Marvin Sapp" Facebook page Tuesday. Feb. 26 to set things straight (He ga'e this disclaimer: 'Didn't spell check because I'm late to a meeting."I "This woman who was an ex R&B singer that sells sex toys and live with her man decid- ed on a show that reaches 10 million viewers per showing (believers and unbelievers) to sing about . Not sex toys, drugs or iviing with a man but PRAYER!!!!!! and the saints are upset." he pointed out clearly exasperated. Then the popular preacher highlighted the sordid history of many of the Bible's great- est leaders. "Moses was a murderer. Rahab was a harlet (whorel. David was a murder, adulter and still considered a man after Gods own heart, Pe- ter was a cutting cusser how- ever was in the inner circle of Jesus." wTote Sapp. Furthermore, he chided the church for condemning what he believes is Chnst- like behavior. "We say we are Christuans which means being Christ-like but question peo- ples motties that model his behavior....The bible speaks about witnessing and that you need to be wise to win souLls," he noted. Continued Sapp, "Compro- mise \was never done here nor do I condone her life style or life choices and keeping 100 you don't know the off camera conversation we had." The Michigan pastor as- serted that followers of Christ should focus on the "big pic- ture." which, for him. is the fact that"l0 million people at 1 time were challenged to PRAY in difficult times WOW!!!! That"s awesome and ministry....." NBC's TheGno.com writer Demetria Lucas also weighs in on the Burruss-Sapp col- laboration controversy in an MARVIN SAPP arucle titled. "Is the pressure to be perfect Chrstians un- dermining the church?" Lucas claims. "Somewhere along the \vwa, it seems that to some certainly not all - Chnstians being Christian became synonymous with be- ing perlect"-something she believes is responsible for the mass exodus out of the church. Is she right? In order to avoid harsh judg- ment based on her shortcom- ings, the writer admits, "I in- tentionally don't go to church anymore and I've actively stopped refernng to myself as a 'Christian Then. Lucas offers up this KANDI BURGESS advice to professing Chns- tians If Chnstians want to main- tain relevance among the younger set, It \oulId be help- ful if those with holier-than- thou attitudes stopped alien- ating other flawed members of the flock. It doesn't make Christians appear more righteous or more perfect. It just serves to silence imperfect people who' want to avoid uLdg2ment and drives well-intentioned. but flawed sinners awav from the church This ongoing debate be- tween the "sainted" and ''secu- lar" communities has reached fever pitch Unconditional love not as it may seem By Dan Delzell "If God really loves me, then He should accept me just the way I am . no matter how I choose to live. After all, every- one is a sinner." Maybe you have heard someone express that sentiment, or perhaps even felt that way yourself. Let's think about that theory. First of all, why should God's acceptance of our behavior be unconditional . while our ac- ceptance of the behavior of our loved ones is conditional? For instance, look at all the parents who love their children uncon- ditionally . but who do not approve of all of their behav- iors. And what about all the wives and husbands who love their spouse dearly, and un- conditionally, but who do not approve of certain behaviors of their spouse. Some behaviors actually jeopardize the marriage relationship. We don't question the love of those parents .. or those spouses. Then why is it so easy for people to question God's unconditional love? Our problem as sinners is that we tend to think we should be able to do whatever we feel like doing. In that sense, we W ..- We don't question the love ...or those spouses.Then why is it so easy for people to question God's unconditional love? are like little children. We don't always understand what is best for us....and we question whether God truly knows what is best for us. If His Word for- bids something I feel like doing, then the problem must be with God's Word, right? At least that is what popular thought tends to say. "It can't be us. It can't be me. I am always right .. right?" Oh we try and do it some- times. We hear folks talk about "accepting people for who they are." What they really mean is that "unconditional love should include unconditional accep- tance." That is their theory . . and their approach to life. It sounds extremely tolerant . . and loving . until you ana- lyze it bit. Then you realize that it doesn't work. In the end, it allows everyone to do whatever he thinks is best for him . . regardless of whether or not God has an issue with it. "Well that's God's problem then . . or those Christians ... it's their problem . but don't make it my problem." God is always right. His de- crees are always right. Any vio- lation of His decrees are always wrong. Man's feelings about God's decrees are way down the list in terms of importance. Not only that . but we also tend to define "love" wrong. Again, we start with man . . and assume that "true love" ac- cepts almost any behavior that seems to be the preference of anyone or any group of people. If we start with God, we see that love is really about Him. "God is love." (1 John 4: God sent His Son to save us from our sin be- cause He loves us. He loves sin- ners. He loves us for who we are .. not for what we have done. We did nothing to earn His love, but He loves us still the same. That is unconditional love. But that does not mean that He ac- cepts all of our preferences ... and our choices . and all of our wants and desires. So at the end of the day, God is the only Person who is quali- fied to define "good" and "evil." Any other definitions are just man's attempts at trying to make unconditional love always include unconditional accep- tance. In a nutshell, we've all got issues. Pictured is the Sheard.family: J. Drew Sheard II (1-r), Bish- op J. Drew Sheard, Kierra Sheard and First Lady Karen Clark Sheard. The Sheards new show clashes church and world By EEW Magazine Every public family has pri- vate struggles-something that is explored on"The Sheards" airing on BET April 7 at 10p.m. The gospel reality series fol- lows Bishop J. Drew Sheard, First Lady Karen Clark Sheard, recording artist Kierra Sheard, and producer J. Drew Sheard II through the murky waters of life in the spotlight. Kierra wants her "career to be big", to "take the gospel to a whole different place" and to expand her ministry platform. J Drew II, unlike his sister, is more interested in partying and living life on the edge, de- spite what people think of him. Frankly, he resents the expec- tation placed upon him and his family to live out what he views as a lofty Christian .ideal- seemingly the dominant theme of the series. "Everybody forgets about the fact that I want to be me," says J Drew II, the family's "black sheep," who insists on going against the grain. "I want to get out and have fun." Flashes are shown of him dancing and mingling with the worldly crowd where the al- cohol is flowing, the music is cranked up, and he is living it up. Karen tries to help her way- ward son understand that, as a famous Christian family, with an awesome legacy to carry on, they can't afford to make "one bad move." During one scene, both par- ents Karen and J Drew Sr. sit down with their children. "Do you think you're doing any- thing God wouldn't be pleased with?" she asks. Then, the fam- ily's patriarch, chimes in, "No- body has your best interest at heart more than us." But yet, young J. Drew is determined to pursue his own path. "I'm sick of the church! The world is so much bigger than that!" he yells in a heated ex- change with his mother. "Now, you gone take that back," replies the usually doc- ile Karen, becoming bold and insistent. "You ain't gone say that in front of me. That, I won't allow!" she exclaims. "Take it back!" MDC's Be Bold! Luncheon S I1, 1 I Ti-H : :, 'i -i ../ri NI:M C's BE B.OLD' LiU.iNCHi ElN t a recent e.e r.rt .lIami- I i Dade Clle'1g a-Innounce. its twj>,': nre degree pr':graiTn-,. an A S in Tra-rspo:.rtati'oo Lomistr:s debutini Fali 1.3 and a B S. n Supply Chain M lanaterment. FaJl 14. This is "an oppjrtunity t:o' explore a '.er-, proiisinreg area of ouir ecoin- rri, and a :iarc t or : 'rrmen t.:' hate a.n import. ia t role, | n an I-xpA.Ilin-ig iriidustr.' said MD)C Hlrrimestra.: Carr- pus F'residenr Dr Je.annI J.acrobl s duinna her v..elcor'nmina address Bishop James D. Adams in revival Valley' Grove Missionary Thursday, March 6th and Fri- Baptist Church will host Bish- day, March 7th.with both ser- op James D. Adams and the vices beginning at 7:30 p.m. St. John Missionary Baptist Valley Grove is pastored by Church in two revival services. Elder Johnnie Robinson and Bishop Adams will preach on located at 1395 NW 69th Street. Anniversary celebration at Mt. Olive Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church, 6931 NW 17 Avenue, Miami invites you to their 75th Annual Church Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, March 17 at the 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. Elder Frazier Arnold, Jr. is the pastor. tliroughi the Cast of the end time Prophets. Come and experience the miracukus ministry of Experience an end time anointing where you wI" witness the laying of hand for the sick, the fane wafk, the bGindreceive sight, marriages restored, andmuch much more... Se-vcewil abehed t -* ^-.i Hea th redness Sponsored by North Shore Medical Center "Once You Know, It's Where To Go" Man bans Black nurses from newborn Michigan hospital complies with patient's request By Associated Press It's been called one of medi- cine's "open secrets" allow- ing patients to refuse treatment by a doctor or nurse of another race. In the latest example, a white man with a swastika tattoo in- sisted that Black nurses not be allowed to touch his newborn. Now two Black nurses are suing the hospital, claiming it bowed to his illegal demands. The Michigan cases are among several lawsuits filed in recent years that highlight this seldom-discussed issue, which quietly persists almost 60 years after the start of the civil rights movement. The American Medical Associ- ation's ethics code bars doctors from refusing to treat people based on race, gender and oth- er criteria, but there are no spe- cific policies for handling race- based requests from patients. "In general, I don't think hon- oring prejudicial preferences . S. is morally justifiable" for a health care organization, said Dr. Susan Goold, a University of Michigan professor of inter- 3 nal medicine and public health. "That said, you can't cure big- otry . There may be times when grudgingly acceding to a patient's strongly held prefer- ences is morally OK." Those times could include pa- tients who have been so trau- matized by rape or combat, for instance that accommo- dating their request would be preferable to forcing on them a caregiver whose mere presence might aggravate the situation, she said. Tonya Battle, a veteran nurse at Flint's Hurley Medical Center, filed the first complaint against the hospital and a nursing man- ager, claiming a note posted on an assignment clipboard read, "No African-American nurse to take care of baby." She says the note was later removed but Black nurses weren't assigned to care for the baby for about a month because of their race. That case is now a federal lawsuit. In a statement last week, Hurley President Melany Gavulic denied Battle's claim, saying the father was told that his request could not be grant- ed. Gavulic said the swastika The Associated Press Sam Riddle, political director for the National Action Network, speaks outside Hurley Medi- cal Center in Flint, Mich., last Tuesday during a protest in response to a Black nurse's claim that the hospital agreed to a man's request that no Black nurses care for his newborn. tattoo "created anger and out- rage in our staff," and supervi- sors raised safety concerns. Hospital officials said they planned to make a statement about the matter last Friday evening but offered no details. Multiple email and phone messages left for Battle through her attorney were unreturned, and a listed number for her had been disconnected. She told the Detroit Free Press she "didn't even know how to react" when she learned of her employer's actions following her interac- tion with the father. She said she introduced her- self to the man and he said, "I need to see your supervisor." That supervisor, Battle said, told her that the father, who was white, didn't want Blacks to care for his child and had rolled up his sleeve to expose the swastika. "I just was really dumbfound- ed," Battle said. "I couldn't be- lieve that's why he was so angry (and) that's why he was request- ing my (supervisory) nurse." Attorney Tom Pabst, who is representing nurse Carlotta Armstrong in a second lawsuit, said the hospital's actions left nurses in the neonatal inten- sive care unit "in a ball of con- fusion." "She said, You know what re- ally bothered me? I didn't know what to do if the baby was chok- ing or dying. Am I going to get fired if I go bver there?"' Pabst said. The Michigan cases follow a 2010 decision by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which held that the federal Civil Rights Act prohibits nursing homes from making staffing decisions for nursing assistants based on residents' racial preferences. The ruling stemmed from a law- suit filed by a Black nursing as- sistant who sued her employer for racial discrimination. I ""4 ,Y ,' - Michelle Obama reveals search for healthy recipes By Associated Press ,Michelle Obama says five media companies and a social media website are working to- gether to make it easier to find nutritious recipes. Conde Nast, Hearst Maga- zines, Meredith Corp., the Food Network and Time Inc., have identified more than 3,000 reci- pes that meet federal nutrition guidelines for how much fruit, vegetables, protein and grains should be on a person's plate at each meal. The companies are promoting the recipes on their most popular cooking websites, and nearly 1,000 have been posted on a new page on the social networking site Pinterest. The first lady says- the new partnership will take the "guess work" out of finding healthier recipes. The collaboration is being done in support of Mrs. Obama's anti-childhood obesity initiative "Let's Move." The pro- gram marked its third anniver- sary this month. i NSMC awarded advanced certification The Joint Commission, in review in January 2013. A conjunction with The Ameri- Joint Commission expert re- can Heart Association/Ameri- viewed North Shore Medical can Stroke Association, re- "' Center's compliance with the cently recognized North Shore --, requirements for The Joint Medical Center with Advanced Commission's Disease-Specif- Certification ofor Primary ic Care Certification program Stroke Centers. Achievement as well as primary stroke cen- of Primary Stroke Center Cer- ter requirements, such as col- tification signifies an organi- lecting Joint Commission core zation's dedication to fostering measure data and using it for better outcomes for patients. performance improvement ac- North Shore Medical Center's ga tivities. Primary Stroke Center Certifi- Developed in collaboration cation has demonstrated that with the American Stroke their program meets critical a Association and launched elements of performance to in 2003, The Joint Commis- achieve long-term success sion's Primary Stroke Center in improving outcomes for Certification program is based stroke patients. Arlene Cameron, North Shore Medical Center stroke pro- on the Brain Attack Coati- North Shore Medical Center gram coordinator and team-lead received a recognition tion's "Recommendations for underwent a rigorous on-site award from North Shore CEO Manny Linares. Please turn to NSMC 14B Teen auto fatalities continues to rise I was a teen, I had enough re- sponsibility to know not to do something so dangerous and stupid. Georgiana Hall Teens should not text while driving. But I'm not going to pretend that. I wasn't ever a teenager. I don't even know how I'm alive after learning to drive on ice and snow doing Please turn to TEENS 14B That stuck with me for a long time, not just because it was a sad story, but because some- one I respected told it to me in a matter-offact way. Kids don't need "Red As- phalt" or other films made to scare new drivers. However, teens need to hear the message that driving is one of the most dangerous things they will do every day. Josh Dorner The problems with teenage drivers nowadays are twofold: Parents don't teach them re- sponsibility and the need to re- spect others. These young peo- ple are members of the "me" generation. Please don't iuse a cellphone while driving. I think cell- phones should have technol- ogy that disables texting while moving in a car. Then again, years ago when In the first half of last year, 240 16- and 17-year-old driv- ers died in highway accidents, up from 202 for the same pe- riod a year earlier. When I first got my license at 18, my father told me a long, sorrowful story of a young, newly married guy he knew who was killed in a car crash. My dad made the point clear that driving is extremely dan- gerous. Blacks are infected with sexu- ally transmitted infections more than any other group. The latest.CDC statistics show that Black men and women: Are infected with chla- mydia seven times as much as whites and three times as much as Hispanics Are infected with gon- orrhea 17 times as much as whites and eight times as much as Hispanics Are contracting syphi- lis most often for example, rates of syphilis among Black men more than doubled since 2006 STI Testing Recommenda- tions from the CDC: Annual chlamydia screen- ing for all sexually active wom- en age 25 and under, as well as older -women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners. Yearly gonorrhea screen- ing for at-risk sexually active women. Syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, and hepatitis B screening for Please turn to STI 14B a serious pelvic infection and infertility in '.omen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention, most sex-ually ac- tive people will have HPV in their lifetime. Those with a normal immune system will typically clear the virus from their bodies within two years. There is no treatment for the virus, but when the 'complica- tions of HPV occur, such as genital warts, cervical cancer, penile cancer or oral cancer, there are treatments for those serious conditions The other STIs that can't be treated HIV, hepatitis B and herpes always remain in the. body. Treatment can only keep the infections at bay and the person can theoretically always pass it to their partners. YOUTH ARE MOST AFFECTED Half of all STIs occur among youth 15 to 24 years of age. This particular report did not address Blacks, but it has been previously shown that By Dr. Tyeese Gaines Nearly 20 million new sexu- ally transmitted infections (STls) occur each year, says a new report. This includes syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, HIV. chlamydia, trichomoni- asis, herpes simplex virus type 2 and the most common - HPV. These infections cost the U.S. $16 billion in medical costs an- nually, the report continues. and 110 milhon infections ex- ist at any given time keep- ing in mind that one person could have multiple infections at once. Four of the STis can be treat- ed and cured if diagnosed early: chlamydia. gonorrhea, syphilis and tnchomoniasis. However. if not caught early, .it can cause Millions of new sexually transmitted infections each year Blacks afflicted more than any other ethnic group in the United States lei 9B fl LA- APOtlJj U A~g^^^fl,^.^ ^^^^^IIW. IICItiImba ^^SBI ~ rlf^ Hi 14B THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER Long-term care can be very expensive As long-term-care-insurance costs climb, families are turn- ing to continuing-care retire- ment communities (CCRC) as an alternative. Long-term-care insurance generally pays for home care, assisted living or skilled nurs- ing when a policyholder suf- fers from dementia or needs help with at least two "activi- ties of daily living," such as 8 bathing or dressing. But insurers have been bat- tered by low interest rates and expensive claims, leading afew large firms to quit selling new policies in the past few years. Others have jacked up rates on existing policyholders. That has led some famrihes and financial advisers to look for other ways to hedge against the potential for late-ife cus- todial care that can decimate decades of retirement savings in just a few years. They offer a range of care depending on medical need, from independent living to 24-hour skilled-nursing care. Some families are choosing CCRCs. They offer a range of care depending on medical need, from independent living that appeals to some healthy older adults seeking social actiities, transportation or meals to 24-hour skilled-nurs- ing care. Be warned: CCRCs don t come cheap. The average en- trance fee for a CCRC unit, typically an apartment or a \illa, is $280,000, according to the National Investment Cen- ter for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry, a research and data group in Annapolis, Md., in addition to monthly fees. The communities come in different flavors. Those that offer "life care," or Type A, contracts typically charge the same monthly rate for an inde- pendent-li'ing villa or for 24- hour skilled-nursng care. That means the only finan- cial unknown is how long you will live, rather than how much your future care will cost. As a gauge, the average monthly rent at assisted-living facili- ties hit $3,500 last Near, up 17 percent from 2008, outpac- ing overall inflation, according to the MetLife Mature Mar- ket Institute's 2012 study of long-term-care costs. (MetLife stopped selling new long-term-: care policies in 2011.) Don't link violence with mental illness By Wayne Lindstrom Calls to make it easier to com- mit people for involuntary men- tal health treatment will do little or' nothing to prevent violent acts. It will only scare people from seeking help voluntarily and fail to increase the number who are committed. The premise that we can pre- dict or prevent violent acts is unsupported. Even in the case of severe mental illnesses, men- tal health professionals possess no special knowledge or ability to predict future behavior. The fact is people with mental health conditions are no more likely to be violent than is the general population. Continuing to link' violence and mental ill- ness only stigmatizes people and deters them from seeking care. Paradoxically, making it easier to commit people to treatment will not lead to more commit- ments or more people getting care. A chronically underfunded .i . -Photo credit: Jack Gruber A mental health first aid class at Howard University in Washington, D.C. mental health system, which has experienced $4.6 billion in state budget cuts since 2009, does not have the capacity to meet those needs. When Illinois lowered its stan- dard to allow the commitment of virtually every person with schizophrenia and bipolar dis- order, commitments decreased because of the continued reduc- tion in public and private inpa- tient beds. In Washington, a study of the state's lowered commitment standard revealed fewer volun- tary admissions and a rapid in- crease in the revolving door of discharges and re-admissions. In fact, the number of people who meet existing commitment standards in every state already exceeds the beds available for them. It is highly unlikely we will in- crease the number of psychiat- ric beds. Nor should we. Rather than forcing more peo- ple into treatment, we should dedicate adequate resources toward prevention and early identification of emotional dis- turbances in children and fund cost-effective community-based interventions that work. Just two-thirds of those with severe mental illness and one- third with moderate illness receive appropriate services. When care is provided, there is a gap of up to 10 years between their first symptoms and first treatment. Expanding access to care un- der the Affordable Care Act and mental health parity law will serve people better than chang- ing commitment laws that will change nothing. Black STI rate climbs STI continued from 12B all pregnant women, and gon- orrhea screening for at-risk pregnant women at the first prenatal visit, to protect the health of mothers and their in- fants. Screening at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV for all sex- ually active gay men, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM who have multiple or anonymous partners should be screened more frequently for STDs (i.e., at three to six month intervals). In addition, MSM who have sex in conjunction with illicit drug use (particu- larly methamphetamine use) or whose sex partners partici- pate in these activities should be screened more frequently. CDC recommends that all adults and adolescents be tested for HIV. Those at high risk for HIV infection should be screened for HIV at least annu- ally. Teen driving accidents TEENS continued from 12B "doughnuts" (driving around in circles) on purpose! I'm not going to gang up on teenagers because they are go- ing to make mistakes and do some stupid stuff, just like we all did. Angela Cutter I have a daughter about to turn 16, and I'm scared to death. Any suggestions about pro- grams on driver safety? I will not let her drive until I know she is really ready. Kelly Hayward Address the drivers who are not adequately in control of their vehicles for any reason - and apply the existing negli- gent or reckless driving laws as appropriate. James Oerichbauer I feel that cellphones are to blame fof the rise in deaths among teen driv- ers as well as lax safety mea- sures covering rookie drivers. I have noticed people who look like teens driving truck talking on their cellphones, they can hardly see over the steering wheel. This is a frightening picture as the driver only has on hand on the wheel. I think 16- and 17-years- olds should be forced to use at least an earpiece when talking on the cellphone while driving until they have more experience on the road. Suzette Charne Dallas Could the increase in teen driver deaths conceivably have any relation to the iPad/tablet craze of late? Certification received for stroke centers NSMC continued from 13B the Establishment of Pri- mary Stroke Centers." Cer- tification is available only to stroke programs in Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals. For more information on The Joint Commission and Ameri- can Heart Association's Ad- vanced Certification for Prima- ry Stroke Center visit http:// www.jointcommission.org/ or www.heart.org/myhospital. The Miami Times TXI YY I 1K~TZ I1 0589-72 - ---- I I- -- Dr. Mr G.S. SithRpv MicapiD. cree ev R ery dam, Psto Sirm ifir Lion Hope Missionary Baptist 5129 N.W. 17th Avenue RIaZllaellla I lil' lil' I Order of Services fl I h.. iiI , I iljf "'"" I'..1 .lli6lh. ,rT. k.L .l iy IPr Brownsville Church of Christ 4561 N.W. 33rd Court .- I Order of Servi(es -um[ hii .. W, hI, rfTI 'Jordan Grove Missionary Baptist Church 5946 N.W. 12th Avenue Order of Services i 'W-"".h1P II l W, I,!p 4p.m. II ... ndv tj ,i m 6..-Ay6juPM Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Brownsville 2799 N.W. 46th Street unImmin'. I . $*~1E. -jffr Order of Services I'h i.,h h ,) ,,,li | i ',. il1 ) i , Md il,,4 .i- .. di, li Pfl Nl h'u r Ni .' ', il) r ,I| m.l,,d W,'.h. ,d ) . St. John Baptist Church 1328 N.W. 3rd Avenue -- Order of Services S Suaiday Sihi..I j30 a m | i..- mI Morring Woihlp 11 ll m I "- Playelr oid Bible STldv ... Mc lng ( lu..)7 p m Bishop Ja e D. l{ l 4 ieanl Adams["l i . CFYCORPORATE.ORG Black in America and Islands., are the Royal Family of Christ Heb. 7:14 Fid iliornou S S I d Ihurih home pri.nu S YTB tom lob. Hosanna Community Baptist Church 2171 N.W. 56th Street Order of Sei I ,\ ill h,', 1 B htl, i ,'l i i m,, Wil' h New Birth Baptist Church, The Cathedral of Faith International 2300 N.W. 135th Street Order of Services Sunday Worship 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Tuesday (Bible Study) 6:45p.m. Wednesday Bible Study 10:45 a.m. 1 (800) 254-NBBC 305-685-3700 Fax: 305-685-0705 www.newbirthbaptistmiumi.org IBisopVctoT.urryAi., Senior Pembroke Park Church of Christ 3707 S.W. 56th Avenue Hollywood, FL 33023 Order of Services I SrSunday Bible Sludy 9 am Morning Worship I0 a m I Evening Worship 6 p m Wednesday Generol Bible Study 7 30 p m leleviaion Program Sure Foundanon My33 WBFS, (omial 3 Solurday 7 30 a m vin w n pmrbro Jrpar(hurhflirhr.r iiri prrbic'l-porllu@blbsoui h nel I. - Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 740 N.W. 58th Street Order of Services Hour of Pioyer 6 30 am Early Morning Woihlp 7 30 a m Sunday School 10 m *n Morning Worship II a m .Youlh Ministry Sludy Wed 7 p m Prayer Bible Study Wed 1 p m 0 Noonday Allor Prayer (M F) Feeding the Hungry every Wednesday IIa m .1 pm w friends:hipmbrimio org flierid:hippioyer''@btlloijulh nor Re.D.Gso mtSno Pso/ece New Way of Life Int'l Ministries 285 NW 199 Street Miami, FL 33169 Order of Services Sunday 9a0m an Sundar yShi--I .s. Sn, .10 om ( h .r , 93rd Street Community Missionary Baptist Church 2330 N.W. 93rd Street EIill;FIq't Order o( Services 0 )j iT I''l Mi,),T W)i .h,p l ;m M,,n,,i n Wi,. hl I 6 "lid 'ij i t- i l lJrW.,lll lU "1 'll,.l I v r -*eb.,i imb( ,'rg I ,* .'I, pm P" nI T I ,Ill l io I .. ... ...... I I Re w. harles Lee Dinkins P~as~trRv ar ono I. I Tw 15B THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER IN MEE..., Richardso MARSHALINE GR domestic, died March 3. Service 1 p.m., Saturday at Mt. Calvary MB Church. EEN, 79, REEN, 79, LILLIAN NEWBOLD THURSTON, 86, retired nurse, died March 2. Survivors are children, James Thurston, , Ottolita (Gary) Thompson, and David Gray; two. brothers and one sister. Service 2 p.m., Saturday at Glendale Baptist Church of Brownsville. JOHNNIE WILLIAMS, JR., 86, business owner, died February 24 at VA Hospital. . Service 4 p.m., Saturday at New Jerusalem. LOUIS B. WALKER, 83, chef, died March 1 at University of Miami Hospital. Service 11 a.m., Friday at Jordan Grove Missionary B a p tist Church. LEMON "RED" LEE, 74, retired longshoreman, died March 2 at Kindred H o spital. _ Survived by: " sons, Marlon Scott, Leonard and Lester Lee; daughter, Phyllis Poythress; six siblings; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Service 12 p.m., Tuesday at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. MOZELL HORN, 78, retired, died March 5 at home. Viewing 4-8 p.m., Friday at 93rd Street Community A Missionary Baptist Church. , Service 11 a.m., Saturday at the church. Mitchell VIRGINIA HOUSTON, 100, r e t i r e d housekeeper, died February 25 at home. - Service 10 a.m., Saturday at t New Mt. Zion Baptist Church. WILLIE ROBERSON JR., 58, retired, died . February 22 at Jackson Me m o ri al Hospital . Service 2 p.m., Saturday in the chapel Royal ESTELLA M. ATKINSON, 87, domestic ; -;-' 7 - engineer and -. retired care giver, died ' March 1 at . home. Service 11 a.m., Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Bunche Park, 15700 NW 22 Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL. Nakia Ingraham BONNIE RUTH LOCK, 82, food service supervisor, died March 1 at home. Service 10 a.m., Saturday at Hallandale Church of Christ. CECIL MILLS, 70, welder, died February 20 at Aventura Hospital. Service 10 a.m., Saturday at Ives Dairy Road Baptist Church. Gregg L. Mason BERTHA RICE, died February 8. She leaves behind her husband, Deacon Eugene Rice; daughter, Crystal White; son-in-law, White, and two grandsons, Crystapher and Austin White. Viewing 6-8 p.m., Friday. Services 11 a.m., Saturday at Bible Baptist Church, 9801 N.W. 24th Ave. Interment: South Florida National VA Cemetery. MATTIE B. ALLEN, 80, business owner, dress shop, .. died March ': - 2. Survivors . include e: daughters, " Patricia S Allen, Mozell . Allen Davis and Gloria Manier; a host of other relatives and friends. Viewing 6-8 p.m., Friday. Service 2 p.m., Saturday at Bible Baptist Church. Interment: Dade Memorial Park. Hadley Davis Miami Gardens DOROTHY WILLIAMS, 82, long distance operator, died March. 1 at home. Arrangements are incomplete. DESMOND died February held. ANDERSON, 77, 8. Services were RYGINA SAWYER, 46, died February 16. Services were held. JEREMIAH HALL, 67, died February 24. Services were held. WILBERT BLASH, 76, maintenance, died February 24 at Jackson North Hospital. Service 12 p.m., Saturday in the chapel. SYLVIA RUSSELL, 59, homemaker, died March 1 at Memorial West Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete. Hadley Davis MLK ADDIE MAE factory worker, died March 2 at University of Miami Hospital. Service 12 p.m., Saturday in the chapel. KENNETH customer service agent, died February 26 at Memorial Pembroke Ho s p ital . Viewing 2-8 p.m., Friday Range COREY H. ADAMS, 29, Georgia Metal Corporation, died February . 26. Survivors I include his . wife, Sophia . L. Adams; daughters, Kaleah J. Adams, Layla T Adams, and Lauren C. Adams; brother, Gregory C. Adams; aunts; Frances Tyler (Louis), Jewell James, and Melody Bethel; great-aunt, Yvonne Major and family; a host of other relatives and friends. Service 10 a.m., Saturday at Greater New Bethel Baptist Church. BETTY ROSS SMITH, 66, Asst. Accountant for City of Miami Beach, died February 27. Survivors include her husband, Marcus Smith;, sister, Chris Brown; cousins, Mattie Harding (Teddy), and Mae Willie Lee. A host of cousins other relatives and friends. Service 1 p.m., Saturday at Friendship M.B. Church. LEE A. DENNIS SR., 71, retired Miami Dade County Parks and Recreation Maintenance Dept., died February 26. Survivors include his daughter, Rashaund Deshazior (Darryl); sons, Lee Andrew Dennis Jr., Darrell Dennis, and Kevin McCall (Maria); sister, Gloria McQueen; brother, Eugene Dennis. Service 11 a.m. Saturday in the chapel. CORA L. GLOVER, 68, retired practical nurse for Aventura Hospital died February 14. Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl Glover; granddaughter, Ariel Glover; grandson, Herbert Glover; sisters, Elaine Jasper, Jackie Blair, Beatrice Wison, Betty Jasper, Samanatha Johnson, and Jeanie Johnson; brother, Michael Jasper. Services were held. Grace GLADYS HUDSON, 81, domestic worker, died February 28. Service 10 a.m., Saturday at First Baptist of Brownsville. . SVERA CATHERINE BARNES, 72, baker, died February 28. Service 2 p.m., BUGGS, 32, Saturday in the Chapel. in the Miami Gardens location. Service 2 p.m., Saturday in the chapel. DOROTHY MAY LOGAN, 60, died February 22. Services were held. ADON'TE LAWTON, 16, died February 24. Services were held. FLOYD DANIELS, 69, died February 25. Services were held. Tranquility LEWIS G. ROBINSON, JR., 64, construction laborer, died March 1 in Ft. Lauderdale. Arrangements are incomplete. GUNNIE WILLIAMS, 46, waiter, died February 10. MADDY GUZMAN, 74, home- maker, died February 25 in Deer- field Beach. Arrangements are in- complete. JEANETTE FRANCOIS, 63, homemaker, died February 15. Service 10 a.m., Saturday at Hai- tian Church of North Miami Beach. Wright and Young MICHEAL ERNEST MINTZ, 64, housekeeping, , died February 22 at North Shore Medical Center ~ te Service 11 a.m., Saturday at Peace Missionary Baptist Church. MARQUISE "BIG TWIN" BRUNSON , 16, student, died February 23 at Jackson Memorial . Service 11 a.m., Saturday at Peaceful -- Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2400 NW 68 Street. HONOR YOUR LOVED ONE WITH AN IN MEMORIAL Hall Ferguson Hewitt DOROTHY BALLARD GIBSON, 83, retired registered -J .:. nurse and owner/operator of Michael's Kindergarten, Inc., died February 27 at home. Viewing 4-8 p.m., Friday at Mt. Zion AME Church, 15250 NW 22 Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33054. Service 1 p.m., Saturday at the church. Happy Birthday In loving memory of, J 1, W' " 4 , WILLIE FRED THORNTON PETE 03/08/1941 02/14/2008 We love and miss you Hulk Power. You will always be in our hearts. Love you, dad and husband. In Memoriam In loving memory of, POPPA Remembering you is easy We do it every day It's the pain of losing you That will never go away! In our Hearts you will be Until we meet again! We love you dearly Poppa. Always have and always will Your loving wife, children, grand and great-grands Card of Thanks The family of the late, m&. EMMA LOU BROWN wishes to acknowledge and extend our sincere appreciation for your tremendous out pouring of love during our period of bereavement. Special thanks to Rev. Jimmie Bryant, Antioch Baptist Church, Miami Dade Community Action and Human Services Dept., Miami Dade Housing Authority, Miami Dade Police Dept., Our Kids of Miami Dade, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Friendship Methodist Church of Summerton, S.C., and Wright and Young Funeral Home. May God continue to bless you all. IN THE MIAMI TIMES HONORYOUR LOVED ONE WITH AN 305-694-6225MEMORIAM IN MEMORIAL Willie Wanza, Jr.: Coach, mentor and family man James Willie Wanza, Jr. was born on January 3, 1951 to James W. Wanza, Sr. and Fredericka D. Wanza. He was educated in the Miami-Dade County School system and graduated from his beloved Mi- ami Northwestern High School and Florida Mechanical & Ag- ricultural University. James always had a strong work ethic and started his career with the City of Miami. He later worked for Jobs for Miami, OIC and fi- nally Miami-Dade County Pub- lic Schools where he was em- ployed as a special education teacher for over 15 years and called "coach" by his students. "Butch" loved his family and friends; he loved life and was always striving to make every- one happy. He enjoyed fish- ing, football and spending time cooking for his children, grand- children, family and friends. He was a loving coach, mentor and friend. James departed this life on March 1st and transitioned to his new home with the Lord. He is survived by mother, Frederic- ka Wanza; sister, Theta Wanza; daughters, Diana Wanza, Kim Wanza, Stephanie Wanza, and Andrea Wanza Fraser (Rawle); son, Eric Wanza; grandchil- dren, Tim Wanza, Eric Wanza, Jr., Keyshawn Wanza, Joi Wan- )i WILLIE WANZA, JR. za, Gabrielle Wanza and Alex- andrea Fraser; nieces, Tammi Saffold (Michael) and Eloria Downs; cousins and extended family members. He will forever be remembered as a loving father, son, brother, friend and mentor. He will for- ever be missed by all who loved and knew him. A memorial service 6 p.m., Friday, March 8 at Miami Carol City High School to celebrate his life. Public visitation 4-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Service 11 a.m., Saturday at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Miami Gardens. Cleotha Staples, original member of the Staples Singers dies at 78 By Caryn Rousseau CHICAGO In a family of vo- calists, it was Cleotha Staples' smooth and velvety voice that helped set apart the sound of the influential and best-selling gospel group The Staple Sing- ers. Staples, the eldest sister and member of the group her father : Roebuck "Pops" Staples started in the 1940s, died Thursday at age 78. She was at her Chicago home and i' , had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for the past decade, said family friend and music publicist Bill Carpenter. STA The group in- cluded sisters Pervis, Yvonne, Mavis and Cynthia, but Cleotha was the backbone, defining her- self by being the "strong, silent type," said Carpenter, author of "Uncloudy Day: The Gospel Mu- sic Encyclopedia." "When she was young they used to call her granny because she acted like a granny in terms of being wise and always sure of the best thing to do," Carpenter said. Mavis Staples credited her father's guitar and Cleotha's voice with creating the group's distinctive sound. "A lot of singers would try to sing like her," Mavis Staples said in a statement. "Her voice In Memoriam In loving memory of, ELAINE PHILLIPS 03/25/1950 02/28/2011 We love and miss you very much. Love, your family. would just ring in your ear. It wasn't harsh or hitting you hard, it was soothing. She gave us that country sound." Staples, known as "Cleedi," was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with her fam- ily in 1999 and received a life- time achievement award from the Grammys in 2005. The Sta- ple Singers gained a huge audience with their first No. 1 hit "I'll Take You There" in 1972 and followed with top 40 hits "Respect Yourself," "Heavy Makes You Hap- S py," and "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)." The family's mu- sic career had its 'LES roots with Pops Staples, a manual laborer who strummed a $10 guitar while teaching his chil- dren gospel songs to keep them entertained in the evenings. They sang in church one Sun- day morning in 1948, and three encores and a heavy church of- fering basket convinced Pops music was in the family's fu- ture. The Staple Singers was born. Two decades later the group became an unlikely hit maker for the Stax label. The Staple Singers had a string of Top 40 hits with Stax in the late 1960s, earning them the nickname "God's greatest hitmakers." When the children were younger, it was Cleotha's high voice that influenced Pops Sta- ples' guitar playing and in turn influenced The Staple Singers sound, Carpenter said. "When Pops used to sit them Iin a circle and play music with them he was sort of feeding off of her voice," Carpenter said. "It was high in a light way, sort of Soothing and velvety so his gui- tar playing bounced off of that." Cleotha Staples was born April 11, 1934, in Drew, Miss., the first child of Pops and his wife, Oceola. Two years later, the family moved to Chicago, where Pops worked a variety of jobs performing manual la- bor and Oceola worked at a hotel. Chicago also was where the family's four other children were born. Pops and Mavis primarily took the lead on the group's vocals, but a 1969 recording of duets featured Cleotha's voice on the song "It's Too Late," a bluesy ballad about a lost love. P THIIE NAH\ION' S #1 BI.ACK NEWSPAPER 16B THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 V 0 The Miami Times Lifest l e y9Sirpyv FASHION HIP HoP MusIc FOOD DINING ARTS & CULTURE PEOPLE SECTION C MIAMI, FLORIDA, MARCH 6-12, 2013 THE MIAMI TIMES By D. Kevin McNeir A tlbll irA'AtOnail l ,lllit',i ll/lliC'.com ift you haven't seen AAPACT's stirring salute to one of Black America's most talented writers, James Baldwin, you are missing a real treat. The Amen Corner, Baldw\in's play, about the two-edged sword of righteousness, is an emotional story n production about ith, redemption and the impact o poverty on the Black family, placed in the setting of a Harlem-based Black Pentecos- tal church. The show is currently on stage at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Liberty City [6161 NW 22nd Ave.]. AAPACT founder and producing artistic director Teddy Harrell, Jr., produced and directed the play. "Baldwin's words are timeless and are remarkable, rich and culturally entertain- ing," Harrell said. "He provides us with a view of what went on in the Black Pente- Please turn to AAPACT 3C Zoe Saldana finally responds to backlash By Kunbi Tinuoye Zoe Saldana has finally responded to critics who have been fuming since it was announced that the Avatar star would be replacing Mary J. Blige in the upcoming Nina Simone biopic. Simone was a dark skinned woman with broad features, who was a champion of em- bracing her Black features. Saldana is light- skinned, with Puerto Rican and Domini- can heritage. In an interview with HipHollywood at a pre- say she does not bear any resem- blance to the legendary soul singer. A petition has even been started on Change.prg asking the filmmakers to replace "Zoe Saldana with an actress who actually looks like Nina Simone So far, there are more than 10,000 signatures. Fans have argued that a host of sud t- able Black actresses would have been a better fit; including the likes of Kirn berl Elise, Viola Davis, India Arie or Adeper: PETER LONDON LOCAL DANCER FEATURED IN NEW LONDON PREMIER Spring showcase includes new works and guest artists Miami Times staff report Miami's own Peter London Global Dance Company, Inc. [PLGDC] returns to the stage on Sunday, March 10, to premiere its highly-antici- pated Spring Dance Showcase. The multicultural group of young artists, under the artistic direc- tion of world-renowned dancer and choreogra- pher Peter London, will present two powerful performances and new works at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. The dancers will perform a community matinee show at 1:30 pm for stu- dents and seniors, while the evening showcase will be held at 7:30 pm. London founded the Peter London Global Dance Company, Inc. to establish a home-grown, yet world-class contem- porary dance organization that promotes South Florida's vibrant arts heritage. He received an invaluable boost when his company received the 2011 Knight Arts Challenge grant award. "The Spring Dance Showcase realizes the mis- sion of my company in a way that is bold, large, Please turn to LONDON 3C "I guess what kept me from being hurt by the negative comments was that I'm doing it for rmy sistas and my brothas and I don't care who tells me I'm not this or I'm not that, I know who I am and I know what Nina Simone means to me." Oscar party, Saldana she said, "I guess what kept me from being hurt by the negative com- ments was that I'm doing it for my sistas and my brothas and I don't care who tells me I'm not this or I'm not that, I know who I am and I know what Nina Simone means to me." "I did it all out of love for my people and my pride of being a Black woman and a Latina woman and an American woman and that's my truth," Saldana added. Some have criticized the fact that Saldana is not a singer, while others take issue with the actress not being "dark-skinned enough" and -ZOE SALDANA Oduye to name a few. The backlash intensified when images iof Saldana transformed to resemble Simone surfaced online. She was wearing a pros- thetic nose and dark make-up and a n Afro-style wig. Singer-songwriter India.Arie said at the time, "So today I saw the images of Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone...AND I THINK THEY ARE RIDICULOUS," in a caps-riddled post on Simone's Please turn to SALDANA 3C Keke Palmer reveals details on TLC movie By The Huffington Post Earlier this month it was an- nounced that Keke Palmer (as Chilli), Lil Mama (as Left Eye), and Drew Sidora (T-Boz) are.set to portray TLC in VHl's highly- anticipated biopic, "Crazy, Sexy, Cool: The TLC Story." And with' production just weeks away from beginning in Atlanta, the trio is already prep- ping for a rigorous schedule in an effort to emulate the Grammy Award-winning trio. During last week's "ESSENCE : KEKE PALMER 5 Black Women in Hollywood" luncheon, Palmer revealed a few details to celebrity gossip site, The YBF, about the film. I'm going to fly out tonight to Atlanta and going to meet the girls some time this week. The first few of weeks were going to be doing a lot of choreogra- phy. I've already talked to Drew [Sidora] and Lil Mama, and were just going to get in there and do it. All of us are fans, so that gives it something. We want to do great because we want to represent who we love. This is exciting for me, this is a really huge deal. Directed by Charles Stone III, the film will focus on the group's humble beginnings in Atlanta and their meteoric rise to pop culture fame. "With this cast, we are thrilled with the talent assembled both in front of and behind the cameras," Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President of VHI's Original Programming and Production, Please turn to TLC 3C Osi Umenyora engaged to MMi&s Universe OLI UMEN '-. ... 1 .. . ..'.-. ... I- -) ,' .- .. -o- . :) ^ ....................................................................................................................... "'-"-^Mt :- ""~; r ^*^5 2C THE MMIAMIIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 .s, - There She I IIILIL' "/I sv THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER Women farmers share family recipes and what it's like growing America's food FAMILY FEATURES like, you probably don't picture a woman. But women operate more than ._ 30 percent of the more than 3 million farms in America-making them a large part of raising your food. Kristin Reese and Carrie Divine are two women whose farming roots run deep. Kristin grew up on a farm in Ohio and now has a farm of her own with her husband and kids. Carrie is an eighth-generation farmer on her family's land in Kentucky. Kristin and Carrie say the hardest part of being a farmer is not the hard work, it's that today's farming is often misunderstood. Some consumers often think their food comes from large, impersonal corporations. The fact is, 98 percent of farms and ranches in the United States are family owned and operated. That's why Kristin and Carrie joined CommonGround, a movement that fosters conversations among farm women and women in , cities and suburbs around the country who want to know more about their food. Through local events and the website www. FindOurCommonGround.com, women farmers share facts about today's agriculture and dispel misconceptions about modem farming. American Lamb Arugula Salad with Blackberry Vinaigrette by Kristin Reese Makes 4 servings 1 to 2 pounds sliced roasted lamb leg 2 bunches of arugula, washed and dried 10 ounces soft, mild goat cheese Blackberries 1/2 cup toasted pecans Salt and pepper to taste Blackberry Vinaigrette: 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1/4 cup blackberry preserves 1/2 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, such as basil and thyme Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 4500F. Place lamb leg into a roasting pan and roast uncovered for 20 minutes, or until a crust forms that will seal in the juices. Lower heat to 3000F. Finish cooking (bone-in roast requires additional 20 minutes per pound; boneless roast requires additional 25 minutes per pound). Internal temperature should reach 1300 to 1350F for a medium rare roast. Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes before carving. Carve against the grain about 1/2 inch thick per slice. Whisk all Blackberry Vinaigrette ingredients in a bowl. Arrange arugula in mounds on 4 plates with equal parts goat cheese in center of each mound. Arrange lamb slices around goat cheese and drizzle with vinaigrette. Garnish with blackberries and toasted pecans. ivine Serve with crusty French bread and a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. I .,' I, II~ j I -Ii Ii r ~A E I (- -i N Publix. >*;n F1 11 1- E -' I i 1., F E --- 0B^ "..7 -z 17(.)Irid((a S/ t ( p bryI- - I d'` Ov.- ITT Veronica Rahming, and Gregory president, Mary Ann Thomas Wright, II, third McCloud, coordinator, Men Of place. Honorable mentions Tomorrow passed the gauntlet were: David Cheeseborugh, to Sonya Gardner and Bertha Justin White, Albert Smalls, Milton who facilitated the Kwame Pia, Travis Hall, Annual Black History Projects, Stirling Montgomery and last Thursday, at the Joseph Michael Smith, Jr. Caleb Center. The winners: The southern region of The Sean Watts, first place; Troy Florida Department of Children A. Duffie, second place; and Families presented it's Annual Black History - Luncheon last Friday, at the Joseph Caleb Center. Program participants included: Tadarius McCombs, Reginald Munnings, Suzette Frazier, Esther Jacobo, Calinda Hicks, Arrica Bryant, Ray Gonzalez, D Jamian Trotter and Dr. Richard J. Strachan. Following the program, the luncheon and fashion show featured Tom Franklin, Kim Grant, Tina Turner, Sam Vizor, Sam Fateru, Chief Kunle Afayi, FoLake Fateru, Oluwoloe Alle; and The Violets (Etta Maria Brown, Joyce Ferguson, Wanda Mason and Kenly Frankin) sang UNN hit melodies. The DEl program ended as Janice Harris honored Chief Ifode for 25 years of service. Dr. Astrid Mack, president emeritus, King of Clubs of Greater Miami has announced that The Forum, which was created by the late Dr. Tee. S. Greer, will be held, March 7th, at 9 a.m. S at Miami Central Senior High. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Richard P. Dunn. The program ERITTE will include: John McMinn and the Miami Central Marching Band; Bessie LaGrant; Diamond Farlow; Gregory Bethune, principal; Dr. Mack; Dr. Edwin T. Demerritte; and King of Clubs members. Apostolic Temple is sponsoring a prayer week for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, from March 3-9, featuring The Mass Choir from Ebenezer United Methodist Church, March 8. The Louie Bing Scholarship Fund, Inc. featured Dr. Steve Gallon as the speaker at the annual banquet on March 2 at Florida Memorial University. Honorees were: James Anders, Wallace Aristide, Mario Batiste, Jeff Bertani, Earl Daniels, Allen Davis, Willie Jones, and Priscilla Bailey. Saxophonist Maceo Parker: A good soul The musician Maceo Parker was a pillar of James Brown's band By Will Friedwald 'Maceo! I want you to blow!" So James Brown began chant- ing to his new saxophonist, Maceo Parker, shortly after the 21-year-old musician joined Brown's band in 1964. By regu- larly calling out his name on re- cords and in live performances, Brown made Parker the band's most popular member after the star himself. It's impossible to imagine Brown's soul and funk hits, like "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I've Got You (I Feel Good)," without Parker's distinctive solos: His tightly focused yet ebullient sound became synonymous with the soul rhusic of an era. In 1968, when the Brown troupe arrived in Africa for the first time, the crowds at the Abidjan airport in Ivory Coast began chanting "MA-CE-O, MA-CE-O!" as the band disembarked. Parker has long had a repu- tation as one of the most de- pendable men in the music business, a player who made it a point to avoid drugs, alcohol and the other craziness that affected so many of his friends. His memoir, "98 percent Funky Stuff: My Life in Music," helps explain how he got that way. Where many autobiographies linger on unhappy beginnings, Parker summarizes his own succinctly and happily. Born in North Carolina in 1943, he enjoyed formal training and the influence of musical mentor fig- he can write about it in a mea- sured way. This comes through most clearly in his recollections of his boss, James Brown. It was actually Melvin who first caught the bandleader's eye, and when Brown hired the drummer, Melvin talked him into bringing Maceo along as well. Ready to Blow Maceo Parker performing in 1998. ures, such as an inspirational high-school band director. No less important, he took advan- tage of consistent early oppor- tunities to play professionally. He and his brother, the drum- mer Melvin Parker, formed a band called "The Junior Blue Notes" in their early teens. It is said that if you remember the 1960s, then you couldn't have been there. But Parker was sober enough throughout that tumultuous decade that The author has nothing but praise for Brown for running a tight ship but also shows how Brown could be a petty tyrant. "His attitude was 'my. way or the highway,' Parker writes. "We were treated with increas- ing dismissal and, at times, outright disrespect." Parker paints a convincing picture of how Brown descended from a star well-known for his stand against narcotics to a serious user who ultimately wound up in jail and disgraced. It's a thor- ough and unsparing portrait of a complicated individual. Their multi-decade collaboration was interrupted first when Parker was drafted and then, again, when Brown's .temper and be- havior drove his entire band to quit en masse-in 1970. Yet while Brown was incarcerated on gun and drug charges, from 1988 to 1991, the saxophonist composed a protest song that entreated authorities, on top of a funky beat, to "Let Him Out." Parker paints a more sym- pathetic portrait of the two most famous other leaders he worked with, George Clinton and Bootsy Collins, who head- ed up the various permuta- tions of the group Parliament- Funkadelic. He also describes his own evolution from band member to bandleader. "I want- ed to develop something more than the standard round-robin format," he writes, "the kind of show where everyone takes a turn on every single song. . . I wanted a Maceo show to be about interaction and sponta- neity." Now 70, Maceo Parker con- tinues to record and perform (his latest album is "Soul Clas- sics"). "Most of all," he writes of his aspirations for his later career, "I wanted my thing to be about spreading love in the world." OWN announces Tyler Perry's new shows By Tim Molloy "Downton Abbey," meet Tyler Perry. Oprah Winfrey's OWN an- nounced last year that the filmmaker and "Madea" ac- tor would make the first two scripted shows for the network. Last Saturday, it provided de- tails. One of the shows, a dra- ma called "The Haves and the Have Nots," will follow the lives of a rich family, the Cryers, and their impoverished maid, Han- na. It's a familiar setup one that. worked for "Upstairs Downstairs" long before "Ab- bey" borrowed it and fits perfectly into Perry's series of morality plays, in which righ- teousness trumps wealth. Be- sides a string of hit films, he has previously produced sit- coms for TBS. Perry's other series for OWN, "Love Thy Neighbor," is a com- edy set at a neighborhood res- taurant called Love's Diner. Both shows will premiere May 29. OWN detailed the Perry shows at the Television Critics Association winter press tour, where it also announced four new reality shows. The Perry shows are a big step for OWN, which has aired only interview and reality shows since its debut in Jan. 2011. OWN's other new shows are: "Blackboard Wars" (Pre- mieres in March) "Blackboard Wars" centers on the dramatic transforma- tion of New Orleans' John Mc- Donogh High School, one of the most dangerous and under- performing high schools in the country, where more than half of its students fail to gradu- ate. Granted unprecedented access, the docu-series goes behind the scenes following education maverick Steve Barr and no-nonsense principal Dr. Marvin Thompson as they em- bark together on an unpredict- able mission to reinvent and re- vive the struggling school. The series is produced by Discovery Studios. "Golden Sisters" (Premieres 2013) "Golden Sisters" is a real-life comedy following the hilarious adventures of Mary, Josie & Te- resa, three sisters who shot to fame after a web video of the TYLER PERRY ladies watching a celebrity sex tape went viral. With Mary in her eighties and her twin sis- ters not far behind, these three raucous women are not your average seniors. Between run- ning a successful salon and giving colorful advice to their growing online fan base, these spirited, lovable ladies share their outrageous opinions on everything from sex and dat- ing, to celebrities and pop cul- ture. One minute they are at each other's throats, and the next they're best friends shar- ing a lifetime of memories and providing an endless supply of laughs. Produced by LMNO Productions. "Raising Whitley" (Pre- mieres 2013) "Raising Whitley" (working title) is a humorous and poi- gnant new docu-series follow- ing actress and comedienne Kym Whitley and her chaotic collective of friends whom she calls "The Village" as they attempt to do something none of them have ever done before: raise a baby . togeth- er. When Kym signed up for the Big Sister program to mentor a troubled young girl, she never imagined she'd get a call from the hospital saying, "Your baby is ready for collection." After learning that her mentee exit- ed the maternity ward leaving only Kym's contact information, Kym experienced a cataclysmic moment. With less than an hour to make a life-changing decision and to do a lifetime of soul-searching Kym chose to become a mother. The Village banded together to help Kym bring up baby .Joshua Whitley the best they know how, but sometimes it's hard to tell who is more mature baby Joshua or the adults tasked with rais- ing him. Produced by Pilgrim Studios. Playwright Baldwin tells a story like no other AAPACT continued from 1C costal church in the 1960s with much of the play based on his own life. We thought that dur- ing Black History Month there was no better playwright to showcase than him." But how do you make a play that's been around so long and staged so many times new again? "For whites who are unfamil- iar with the Black church, this is a real eye opener," he said. "But when Blacks see this work, they will inevitably see them- selves or someone they know in one or more of the characters. There are scenes that will make you laugh but others that will anger you, make you cry or ex- pose the ugly, hypocritical side of church life." MORE ABOUT BALDWIN AND THE ACTORS The Amen Corner was Bald- win's first attempt at theater and was first published in 1954. Scores of now famous Black ac- tors have cut their teeth on the leading roles of this play. Crit- ics note that the passionate ca- dences of the Black church are key components of his writing. But while he provided stunning descriptions of racism in Amer- ica, he was savagely criticized by his own community for be- ing an openly-gay Black man in the turbulent 1950s and 1960s. According to Harrell, "99 per- cent of the actors in the play are from South Floiida show- ing that we have a lot of home- grown talent." Two of the actors bring per- formances that are as good as any we've seen. Brandiss Seward [Sister Margaret] takes the challenging lead role of the church pastor and makes it her own. She fights to hold on to her church and her son who'has strayed from the path of God, while at the same time she must confront her long-estranged husband who comes home to die. Seward is as good as it gets in this role. The other stand- out is Carolyn Johnson who plays the church gossip, Sister Moore. She is funny, expressive and so real that with her first words on stage, you'll be sure to say, "Wow, I know her." The tension that is maintained be- tween Seward and Johnson is pure magic. Harrell should be proud of the chemistry that he has brought to the stage. Other actors of note include: Janet Mason, Andre Gainey, Regina and Lamar Hodges and Miami Northwestern graduate Jeffrey Cason, Jr., who plays the role of David [Baldwin's self in the production]. We see a bright future ahead for Cason. "In Baldwin's day, reading was the way we were informed and how we got the news," Harrell said. "He was one of our heroes. Today singers, rap- pers and entertainers domi- nate the world. Rappers are the Alice Walkers, Langston Hughes and Baldwins for to- day's youth. But there's always room for a genius like James Baldwin." For info call (305) 456-0287 or go to www.aapact.com. The play runs through March 17th. Columnist takes brief hiatus Anna Grace Sweeting will be taking some time for rest and recuperation for the next several weeks. We look forward to her return and her lively comments about the local church community in People. Michelle Williams' reality series: 'My Sister's Keeper' By Huffington Post into television with the eOne family as well, with this se- In the midst of starring in ries," Williams said in a press the national tour of the Tony release. "Working together on Award-winning musi- '- my new gospel album cal, "Fela," Michelle and television series, Williams is also set I am excited to share to star in the forth- with everyone a behind- coming reality series, the-scenes look at the "My Sister's Keeper." inspiration and journey The Entertainment .. of recording for the One Television-pro- album, performing, fun duced show, which family times and other will premiere this WILLunforgettable experi- summer in conjunc- ences out together with tion with the release my dear sisters." of her third gospel album, will In addition to the announce- follow Williams and her sisters ment of Michelle Williams' new as she balances family life and series', her Destiny's Child the pressures of releasing a group mate Kelly Rowland is new solo project. also hitting the small screen in "I am very thrilled about BET's upcoming comedy pilot, this opportunity, to extend "What Would Dylan Do?" Saldana speaks finally SALDANA continued from 1C official website. "Yes there should be a movie made, and YES they should have chosen someone who LOOKS like Nina Simone, ES- PECIALLY since her RACE played such a PIVOTAL role in WHO, WHAT and WHY, she was." Simone's daughter, Lisa Sim- one Kelly, said in an interview with Ebony.com that although she respected Saldana's craft "I also know that there are many actresses out there, known or not, who would be great as my mother." She said her preferences would be Kimberly Elise or Vio- la Davis. "Both of the actresses that I've mentioned are women of color, are women with beauti- ful, luscious lips and wide nos- es, and who know their craft." Still, others have come for- ward to back Zoe in the part, such as singer and actress Jill Scott, who told Hello Beautiful "Zoe is an incredible actress - I think that she's a fine ac- tress." The unauthorized biop- ic of Nina Simone, entitled Nina, is scheduled to be released in theaters later this year. Dance company returns LONDON continued from 1C passionate and honors the di- verse heritage of South Florida and America," London said. "It is with the exceptional and disciplined hard work of the young dancers and choreogra- phers that makes the dream a reality." Special guest performances by two soloists from the Mar- tha Graham Dance Company, America's oldest and most pres- tigious modern dance company, will be featured this year. Lloyd Knight and Mariya Dashkina Maddux, will perform the ex- quisite Graham duet "Conver- sation of Lovers." The program will also include a global pre- iniere by PLGDC Artist Asso- ciate and South Floridian La Michael Leonard, principal dancer and muse of New York City's Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Three new ballets choreographed by Lon- don will also grace the stage For more information includ- ing a VIP reception sponsored by the Greater Miami Chapter of The Links, Inc., call (786) 953-6824 or e-mail miagdn- swg@bellsouth.net. Parker as TLC member TLC continued from 1C said in a press release. "TLC are truly music pio- neers and this movie is a fantastic way to expand our scripted push by combining our audience's passion for mu- sic with their love of story. We know our viewers will be eager to go beyond the headlines and into the surprisingly person- al, never before told stories of these groundbreaking women," Olde said. Surviving members Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas and Tionne "T- Boz" Watkins are also among the film's executive producers and consultants. Tentatively there is no set premiere date for "Crazy, Sexy, Cool: The TLC Story." [ 111 N ^^^^^^A(. II 1 E ^NDTHE ii-'INCONVENIENCEOFEMlTYNEWSPAP [RBOXES, FIGHTNG HEWETHE NHNIGDONBCKCPE THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER 5C THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 M "P *64. 1, 4C THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12. 2013 THE NATIONS #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER Jimmy Cliff: The song that put reggae on By Marc Myers When the movie "The Harder They Come" opened in New York 40 years ago this month, its impact wasn't immediately felt in the U.S. The theme song and soundtrack, however, were a different story. The album featured a compilation of sin- gles by reggae artists as well as a catchy title song by the movie's star-singer Jimmy Cliff. The song was quick to .popularize the new Jamaican music style, giving Mr. Cliff in- ternational visibility. The film, meanwhile, became an art- house hit in college towns and big cities, exposing a genera- tion of Americans to reggae. A handful of U.S. hits had already featured Jamaican beats-among them Millie Small's cover of "My Boy Lolli- pop" (1964), Desmond Dekker's "The Israelites," the Beatles' "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" (1968) and Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" (1972). But the springy rhythms of "The Harder They Come" opened the door for a new wave that in- fluenced rock, soul and punk, from Eric Clapton's cover of "I Shot the Sheriff' to the Police's "Roxanne." Last week, Cliff, 64, the title song's singer and composer, , bassist Jackie Jackson, 66, and guitarist Hux Brown, 68, talked about the song's devel- opment and its recording in Jamaica. Cliff won his second Grammy Award Sunday for best reggae album, "Rebirth." Edited from interviews. Jimmy Cliff: In 1969, I was at Dynamic Sounds Studio in Kingston recording a song I had written, "You Can Get It If You Really Want." When we finished, I walked outside and met a gentleman named Perry Henzell, who had been waiting for me. He said he was making a movie and asked if I could write music for it. By that point, I was pretty well known in Jamaica and the U.K. I had recorded quite a few hits. I had always wanted to be a movie actor, so I asked Perry to send me the script. When I read it, I felt I had known Ivanhoe Martin [the main character] all my life. In the script, he was a guy from the Jimmy Cliff in 1970. country who came to the city to make it as a musician but was held back by the trickery of a record-company owner. Eventually Ivan turns to crime and is killed at the end. SI told Perry that the script was great, and he decided to cast me as Ivan. The film at the time was called "Hard Road to Travel," after one of my songs, and we filmed over the next year or so: When we shot the scene where Ivan cuts the bicycle-store owner who came on really hard, a line came to my mind-"the harder they come." In real life, if you come on hard like that, you're going to die hard. When I told Perry my line, he loved it. He thought it was a stronger film title and asked me to write a theme song to go with it. He didn't give me much time-just two days-because he wanted to film me singing it in the studio with the band for the movie. The first development of my song is actually in the mov- ie-when the guitarist and I JIMMY CLIFF are rehearsing a song in the church. That's an early draft of "The Harder They Come." The rest of the music came fast. When I have a title, the rest al- ways comes very fast. I'm quite good at melodies.' The lyrics came from my past. I.grew up in the church and had always questioned what they were telling me. Like the promise of a pie in the sky when youdie. The second verse about oppressors trying to the map keep me down kind of reflected my own life-coming 'out of the ghetto in Jamaica and fighting the system. I wanted the song to have a church feel and to reflect the environment I grew up in-the underdog fighting all kinds of trickery. What you see in the movie- in the recording studio-is the song being recorded. You're watching the real thing. Glad- stone Anderson was on piano, Winston Wright was on organ, Hux Brown was on lead guitar, Ronny Bop played rhythm guitar, Jackie Jackson was on bass and Winston Grennan was on drums. Jackie Jackson: We were studio musicians of that era and had recorded with Jimmy many times before. For the theme song, we got together at Dynamic Sounds around 8 p.m. Usually the band started the day at 10 a.m. and record- ed about 10 sessions. That's how you made your money. But on this day, we didn't have any sessions and we were fresh. The energy was flowing and we were champing at the bit. j ULU jf l ZI Haitian Women of Miami invites you to their 20th Annual Anniversary Reception, March 7th, at 7 p.m., at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, 260 NE 59th Terr. Call 305-756-8050. Miami Northwestern Class of 1979 will meet March 9th, at 3 p.m., at Arcola Lakes Branch Library, 8240 NW 7th Ave. Call 786- 399-4726. The Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will have a luncheon to celebrate the sororities' 105th anniversary, March 10th, at 2 p.m., at the Miami Mariott Biscayne Bay-Hotel, 1611 N. Bayshore Dr. Email creativepearl27@yahoo. com. Community Medical Group of Opa-locka invites you to their Free Community Senior Health & Wellness Fair, March 13th, at 10 a.m., at 321 Opa-locka Blvd. Call 786-525-6584 to RSVP. The Miami Jackson Class of 1989 will have their 25th Reunion Planning Meeting, March 15th, at 7 p.m., at Moore Park, 765 NW 36th St. Contact Roy at 786-285-9111. Booker T. Washington Class of 1965, Inc. will meet March 16th, at 4:30 p.m., at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center. Contact Lebbie at 305-213- 0188. Booker T. Washington Association Inc. will meet March 21st, at 6 p.m., in the BTW High School cafeteria. The Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association, Inc. would like for you to join them for their Duffels for Kids Walk, May 18th, at 9 a.m., at Jungle Island. 0 New Stanton Sr. High Class of 1968 will host their 45th class reunion, May 24- 26th. Contact Audrey at 305-474-0030. Miami Northwestern Class of 1963 will have their 50th Reunion Celebration, June 7-9th. Contact Claudette at 305- 793-8131. The City of Miami Gardens presents a Farmer's Market held every Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Philip Neri Church, 15700 NW 20th Ave. Call 786-529-5323. FSVU Softball Alumni The Fort Valley State alumni and former residents softball team are in need of help. Contact Ashley 786-356-9069 Miami Northwestern Class of 1979 make a connection. Call 786-399- 4726. Booker T. Washington Class of 1967 meets monthly. Call 305-333- 7128. Urban Greenworks hosts a Farmers' Market every Saturday until April 8th, from noon to 3 p.m. at Arcola Lakes Library, 8240 NW 7th Avenue. The City of Miami Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum invites you to a Historical Presentation of our Living Pioneers, Feb. 28th, at 5:30 p.m., 480 NW 11th St. Call 305-329-2513. E The City of Miami invites you to a Community Reception in Celebration of Black History Month, Feb. 28th, 6 p.m., at Little Haiti Cultural Center, 260 NE 59th Terr. Call 786-777- 0184. Haitian Women of Miami invites you to their 20th Annual Anniversary Reception, March 7th, at 7 p.m., at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, 260 NE 59th Terr. Call. 305-756- 8050. N Liberty City Health Fair Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. 3 p.m. at Belafonte TACOLCY Center, 6161 NW 9 Avenue. Visit www. UMDOCS.org or call 305- 243-4849. Do Not Track tool protects kids The KlaasKids unveils new free service By Byron Acohido SEATTLE The KlaasKids Foundation unveiled a new set of free online services parents can use to preserve the online privacy of their mobile-device using children. Chief among the new tools is free access to a powerful Do Not Track tool, Cocoon for KlaasKids, that empowers parents to deflect and block tracking mechanisms trig- gered by websites and mobile- device apps catering to chil- dren 13 and under. Websites run by Facebook, Disney, Nickelodeon and McDonald's, among others, along with the data-collecting activities of information gi- ants Google and Acxiom, have led to the pervasive online tracking of children, say child safety and privacy advocates. The online advertising and marketing industries routinely, amass information about gen- : i Polly Klaas, age murder. "\ I -Photo credit: Marc Klass 12, before her 1993 kidnapping and der, age, preferences, favorite online activities and even physical location, via GPS services on smartphones and touch tablets, says Vernon Irvin, CEO of Virtual World Computing, developer of the Cocoon online privacy apps. While the commercial moti- vation is to build brand loyalty with youthful consumers, the data being collected about kids' online activities can also easily be tapped by identity thieves and child predators. In 2011, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Chil- dren's CyberTipline (800-843- 5678) received its 1,318,842nd report of suspected child pornography and other child sexual-exploitation crimes. Researchers at the center's Child Victim Identification Program in 2011 analyzed Please turn to TOOL 10D Talley headed for late-night TV By David Lipke show that blends Dick ..' ranging from designers Cavett's approach to .. to musicians to politi- Andre Leon Talley is aiming eloquence and sophis- *,. cians," he noted. to bring his larger-than-life tication with unparal- Talley has already persona to the small screen, leled access into my ~ .: racked up a string of on- The voluble Vogue contributing international fash- screen credits, serving editor has inked a deal with ion lifestyle. A forum as a fashion correspon- production company Electus to where unique stories i dent for Entertainment develop a late-night talk show. will be told and inspi- TALLEY Tonight since last year, Electus, a partnership between former NBC Entertainment co- chairman Ben Silverman and IAC Corp., has co-produced "Fashion Star," "Mob Wives" and "Teen Wolf." Silverman has also been an executive produc- er on "The Office," "Ugly Betty" and "The Biggest Loser." Talley will serve as execu- tive producer of the potential chat-fest, along with Electus. He said his goal is to create "a rations shared." Marc Beckman of DMA Unit- ed brokered the deal between Talley and Electus. Beckman said the show was still in the early stages of development but would likely be geared towards a cable network. "We think a television plat- form is an ideal showcase for Andre's personality to shine and bring together his amazing network of personal contacts, as a judge on "America's Next Top Model" [2009-2011] and a red-carpet critic for ABC's coverage of the Academy Awards in 2007. He videotapes a regular series for vogue.com called "Mondays With Andre," and he's scored cameos on the big screen in "Sex and The City: The Movie," "The September Is- sue" and "Valentino: The Last Emperor." A Cinematic Celebration! MARCH 1-31 3 .Miami FilmMonth.com .J ORGANIZED BY THE GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU During the month of March 2013, enjoy a film at any participating art cinema for just $6'. For more Information, visit MiamiFilmMonth.com Participating Art Cinemas: Bill Cosford Cinema iot-,ird'irlerm com Films: .. 5, Up ;. L P Th F. F I -j rco-rr, Li'P ,m-rri.:cn- n L i L e B igte Bird-:'r inI C 'C Djn,:e \lth fth A IFree Filrr. anid Lc,'rlurel : .r \ l l ,".h Le Afseiratjleci. Rendez-Vous With French Cinema Series P r. .':_,.- ul.:nJ ' Th'.,-.- e 'esque -,-oL *ou Ih ajnd UI' h'.:r, I-s he L...'.I >\iL ll Be MI Sont IWnrhQOLI j,',urnjrl L: l'r3n.:e 4 QL"1ulifne Coral Gables Art Cinema g3blecriinenira i:orn *Blackout Dates: March 1-7 Film: T!, -,,:'Ga k r.r-: Miami Beach Cinematheque nribone.nal, cojn [Blackout Dates: March 2-9 Films: 4mour I,.hlt a- oS.. the C, reet IL niL i de a etrenels nri z.-'r r 6, /J d ICr r.ri3 Gre-I i n colla lb rator'i .',-lh Thie Erl..ir ri,.r eTnl3l C,'alilt rn o0 Mam,.rn & the Pea,: h;e-.I L r, one, ,:,n- i Lc.e OscarD Shorts! Animated Films 4.rm and Doj F-'regh -l"*i j.'7Ole q-relIIs 3cnipoiIn t.1,gg e 'ir',p -_=.: tr,, r, Leni. :' ,Dliai c Oscar'' Shorts! Live Action Films 4 -_ j 'u. r: .3t h, i3 L' or fi L'eath at S.nadowl lIooi:' I ari En S:hadul SHenrr 0 Cinema Miami Shores at Miami Theater Center '-iernem; orq Films: 0 Cinema Wynwood -,nernma orQ *Blackout Dates: March 1-10 Films: ..,.hn irel at ithe End h.e,,,zarri ted The .iter.D O.ahmner FiE. The 4.BCll-5 D.iear, Tower Theater 1508 SN 3h St tlA'vertheaterrmiarni Ir To 'Blackout Dates: March 1-11 Films: Thie T- i AC" MLne Lore rio Life S.:'eone in Lo.6 ltar Il 'tr Film Festivals in March include the Miami International Film Festival (March 1-10), Women's International Film & Arts Festival (March 20-241 and FIU Media Arts Festival (March 26). For film teslt.'als throughout the year visit MiamiFilmMonth.com I-;.: ,:l!, n,-i r 3, 1:,l- I ..l rur Q t'l .: :l lou rl Eil- .- i i .i. s, 3 1 r-,.: I.,n.:-i : ir ORGANIZED BY: - S ; :,- .. .. .'r', ir q ,' , 1- i-' .-_ *l, -", 1, J _. -" ie ,' .: .: : ..- : -, .: 0 ,- .= f.1,: ,,,, : -,_'1 ,re L 3,:rs,_.- 1: -0 11) -,I THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER I b1-1B I-alnnia ui..LitiNNI .~; t.. 4C THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2015 1 Budget shortage threaten decaying Broward schools When it rains, trouble pours into aging Broward County schools By Karen Yi Older schools in Broward County are caving in to years of deferred maintenance. Ceiling tiles sag and crum- ble when it rains. Students and teachers say they're sick from poor air quality and must trek through puddles to get to their classrooms, often sitting in hallways for lunch because there's no dry place to eat.. "It's bad, but it's going to get worse," Superintendent Robert Runcie said. "The longer you put things off... the hole's just going to get larger." The school board discussed its budget priorities for the next five years, conceding there's not enough funds to properly maintain the district's 2,400 buildings. Without a major boost in state funding, Runcie said the district may ask lo- cal taxpayers to foot the bill. Some members of the district's facilities task force want un- derenrolled schools to be shut down and the savings used to fix crumbling schools. "Someone's going to have to make that tough decision. If we can't maintain schools that we need, we certainly can't main- tain those we don't need," said Andrew Ladanowski, chair- man of the task force. State cuts to the capital bud- get in 2008 forced the district to slash $1.8 billion in con- struction projects, including replacing 18 older schools. But even after that, internal auditors found the building department mistakenly over- paid contractors, mismanaged contracts and skirted laws and policies. "Everyone keeps blaming the state," Ladanowski said. "We have to take responsibility of how we mismanaged that mon- ey." NORTHEAST HIGH When it rains at Northeast High School in Oakland Park, students give each other piggy back rides between classes to avoid wading in a foot of water. Leaks in the roof create holes in classroom ceilings, and the air conditioner in one building must be turned up full blast to keep back the threat of mold. "Is it fair? No, I don't think so, but unfortunately, the kids have gotten used to it," princi- pal Jonathan Williams said. Northeast, built in 1962, was scheduled to undergo a full replacement in 2008, but budget cuts forced the $28 million project to be put on ?.r , .. s Northeast, Stranahan and Deerfield are old schools in the district that are slowly deteriorating. hold. Since then, the district has made only short-term fixes to the school's ailing infra- structure. "We are doing safe, healthy, accessible and very, very little else . we are just meeting basic needs," said Sam Bays, director of physical plant op- erations. He said there's more than $38 million of deferred maintenance costs that the district simply can't afford to do. Student Martin Valderruten says he chooses to attend the school because of its highly rated magnet program. But he adds, "I see a lot my friends go to Douglas and Monarch, and seeing their schools ... it makes me feel kind of upset, like why? I mean I go to a great school; why can't I have those nice things?" DEERFIELD BEACH HIGH At Deerfield Beach High School, the weather determines where you eat lunch. Students cram into hallways on rainy days because the caf- eteria can hold only 400 of the school's 2,400 students, and picnic tables outside offer no protection from the rain. Students navigate their way across puddles of water to get to portable classrooms. On re- ally bad days, teachers who work in portables must move their lessons to empty class- rooms or sometimes the audi- torium. "It definitely affects the flow of teachers," principal Jon Mar- low said. "It's distracting." Broken asphalt at the school KURBEKI KULNCIE School Superintendent and uneven surfaces caused by large tree roots pose a hazard to students. But at least one section is slated to be repaved, officials said. The district says it can fund only its top priorities, the issues of indoor air quality, safety and meeting ADA requirements. The school also is expected to get an exterior paint job af- ter a 10-year wait to fix mul- tiple cracks in the walls. These cracks allow moisture to seep in that potentially could cause mold. STRANAHAN HIGH During a Black History Month celebration at the Fort Lauderdale school, the shoddy sound system gave out once again shooting piercing feed- back through the auditorium. "It was loud," said assistant principal Elvin Hazell, and the speakers are always malfunc- tioning. Much of the equipment at Stranahan is more than 20 years old and some dates back to the 1950s, when the school was built. Students have no way to keep score during football games because the scoreboards don't work. The old track prevents the school from hosting its own meet, and'broken blinds in the classrooms present a safety is- sue. "This is a security hazard. Whenever there is a code red is- sue . everybody is supposed to hide, so where do you hide?" Hazell asked. While the school boasts a medical and engineering mag- net program that constantly earns top marks in regional competitions, the school's con- ditions don't match. There's no air conditioning in the cafeteria kitchen, no dry route for kids to get to the buses when it rains, and aging computers have scratched up monitors and keyboards, with their speakers blown out. "Our kids deserve better," Hazell said. "But we make do with what we have." College financial data site now online __ _ Scorecard allows cost comparisons By Jens Manuel Krogstad DES MOINES, Iowa Fami- lies hunting for colleges can now find financial information like cost, average student debt and loan default rates of indi- vidual.institutions at a single federal website. The College Scorecard is designed to help families fig- ure out where to get "the most bang for your educational buck," said President Barack Obama, who talked about the scorecard at his State of the Union address Tuesday. The resource, launched recently by the U.S. Depart- ment of Education, is part of a broader push by the Obama administration to lower the cost of college as Americans increasingly worry about their ability to afford higher educa- tion. Graduates in 2011 accumu- lated an average of $26,600 in student loan debt, up more than five percent from the year before, according to the In- stitute for College Access and Success in Washington, D.C. The president, in his speech, pushed for measures of afford- ability and value that would ful because it shows the ability of graduates to repay what they borrow to earn a college degree, said Tom Delahunt, a vice president for admissions at Drake University in Des Moines. Students who don't find jobs or land only low- paying jobs upon graduation are more likely to struggle to The College Scorecard is designed to help families figure out where to get "the most bang for your educational buck." -President Barack Obama factor into which colleges receive federal aid. He also warned Congress against some cuts to nori-defense programs, among them higher education and university research. The College Scorecard re- ceived mixed reviews Tuesday from parents, students and higher education experts. The loan default rate is help- repay loans, he said. Taking steps to simplify information and increase transparency, in general, helps families through what is often a stressful time, Delahunt said. "Anything that can help families wade through all the noise of the college search pro- cess is a good thing," he said. Delahunt cautioned that some data on the website, in particular the net price of a college, are several years old. Universities, as a result, may have to explain to families why the prices they saw on the website is lower than the cur- rent costs, he said. Data on wages for first jobs is a key missing piece of the website, said Mark Schneider, vice president at the Ameri- can Institutes for Research in Washington, D.C. The Obama administration said it plans to publish information on earn- ings potential in the coming year. In addition, data on average debt and monthly repayments lack context, Schneider said. "I don't know if a monthly- payment of $500 is a lot or a little in relation to wages," he said. The College Scorecard web- site also doesn't allow side-by- side comparisons of schools, said Schneider. Study: Better TV might improve kid's behavior By The Associated Press Teaching parents to switch channels from violent shows to educational television can im- prove preschoolers' behavior, even without getting them to watch less, a study found. The results were modest and faded over time, but may hold promise for finding ways to help young children avoid ag- gressive, violent behavior, the study authors and other doc- tors said. "It's not just about turning off the television. It's about chang- ing the channel. What children watch is as important as how much they watch," said lead author Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician and researcher at Seattle Children's Research Institute. ,I : i, 1 ./I r . ~ "It's not just about turning off the television. It's about changing the channel." The research was to be pub- diaries and questionnaires lished online last Monday by measuring their child's behav- the journal Pediatrics. ior. The study involved 565 Se- Half were coached for six attle parents, who periodically months on getting their three- filled out television-watching to-five-year-old kids to watch shows like "Sesame Street" and "Dora the Explorer" rather than more violent programs like "Power Rangers." The re- sults were compared with kids whose parents who got advice on healthy eating instead. At six months, children in both groups showed improved behavior, but there was a little bit more improvement in the group that was coached on their TV watching. By one year, there was no meaningful difference between the two groups overall. Low-in- come boys appeared to get the most short-term benefit. "That's important because they are at the greatest risk, both for being perpetrators of aggression in real life, but also being victims of aggression," Christakis said. Reading interventions for teens aren't working By Cara Gipson It's exciting when a child learns to read-combining let- ters and sounds to form words for the first time until they're stringing those words together to create sentences. But what happens when a child goes from "getting by" in the early grades to struggling in adoles- cence when cognitive demand increases along with the dif- ficulty of required texts? HOW ADOLESCENT LEARN- ING IS DIFFERENT There are important differ- ences between childhood and adolescent brain function, and developmentally appropriate regression in abilities such as impulse control can affect adolescent learning. What changes in the adolescent brain can affect academics, attention and other cognitive skills? Why does the adolescent learner often plateau and in some cases even decrease in certain skills? Why are so many reading interventions failing to make a difference, and what can be done? Understanding what's hap- pening in the adolescent brain can give you the tools to educate your students, sup- port them in their struggles, and provide the help they need to get back on track academi- cally. College Board gets a new social justice lead By Joy Resmovits The College Board, the organization best known for bringing you the SATs and Advanced Placement exams, is trying to branch out - into civdi rights work. The SATs were first cre- ated to help level the college admissions playing field for students from all back- grounds and incomes But critics contend that the goal has been sullied by test- preparation opportunities that benefit wealthier stu- dents. Now, David Coleman, the organization's recently installed president, told The Huffiigton Post that he s cre- ating a new position called a "senior fellow for social justice." which ill function as a "strong internal and external advocate." "The resources will be substantial," Coleman said Wednesday. Although he didn't offer a precise dollar . figure, he said "it is to be counted in the millions." The new direction comes as the College Board rede- signs the college entrance exam to "align it more deeply with the work [that] kids are doing in school so there doesn't need to be last-min- ute preparation outside the schoolhouse," Coleman said. "We must be very cautious that forces like test prepara- tion or other forces do not unequal this playing field." Amy Wilkins will be filling the new position. She served as vice president for the Education Trust for 16 years and has worked at organiza- tions such as the Children's Defense Fund, the Peace Corps and the Democratic National Committee. Wilkins is a prominent education and civil-rights lobbyist and advocate, having launched campaigns on saving Pell Grants and shaped aspects of the Higher Education Act and No Child Left Behind. "For me, it is a perfect place to be to advance an agenda about low-income kids and kids of color," Wilkins said. "They [the Col- lege Board) touch them more directly than I was ever able to. at EdTrust " Coleman and Wilkins are both interested in addressing the issue that low-income and minority students often attend universities that are far less selective than those they qualify for what one College Board official de- scribed as the "distressing results" for minority stu- dents on AP exams. Wilkins said she'll need some time to work with her new colleagues to develop her specific plans, but for now, there are clear issues of inequity she's targeting. "I want to find Black kids who should be in AP classes but aren't and get them in." she said. "There's lots in that data that needs to be acted on. If they're in the mood to act, so am I." Eventually, she said, she wants to work with Coleman to create metrics of success for the College Board around closing some of these gaps. "These students are within our care, and we observe patterns that are unequal," Coleman said. "We are going to act to ensure that these kids have the opportunities they need." 5C THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER ~ i; i i Ii i S Business 7A Opa-locka initiative offers skills training and jobs First Source Hiring Program benefits unemployed and local businesses ' Miami Times staff report Concerned about the City of Opa-locka's unemploy- ment rate, which is twice the national and Miami-Dade County [M-DC] average, City of Opa-locka Vice Mayor Jo- seph L. Kelley recently spon- sored a resolution to establish employment opportunities for residents by partnering with the South Florida Workforce Investment Board [SFWIB]. The new initiative will pro- vide access to training, skills development and work experi- ence to the City's unemployed, while supplying a proficient workforce to local businesses under what is titled the First Source Hiring Referral Pro- gram. The partnership was first started last December when Hired workers Kelley directed the city man- ager to implement a sidewalk installation and repair pro- 'I'- -Photo courtesy Christina Gordon receive on-the-job training. gram that hires qualified resi- dents of the City to perform the work. Within two-weeks of ~t;t' ~t~;-~;:,..., *1~. -`;; 'e i"-' '~~:~ir6o~s~ I,, i . 1 ~. .' '.. .-. .1 r' ~T G~~;L.i~ r ~,...- cc c 1-. r ~ : 'r h~t?YI r. . C x t~ ~ri i r. ~ ~. ~n .r` Ll -Photo courtesy Christina Gordon Workers learn the skills of laying down sidewalks. introducing the extended reso- lution, the City had filled four of the five positions available through the program, with residents who would perform structural improvements by removing old existing dam- aged sidewalks, that over a period of time and through deterioration, have become a hazard. Workers receive "On the Job Training" (OJT) to make repairs by framing, pouring and leveling new walkways. This "paid work experience" project is managed by the Please turn to JOBS 8D MDC Wolfson to launch business workshops Miami Tim s _sta ffrT.porr This spring, Miami Dade College's IMDCI acclaimed School of Business will offer free workshops to small and moderate size businesses in Allapattah, Overtown. Down- town Miami and surrounding areas, as well as specific ar- eas of Miami Beach, as part of its Small Business Educa- tion Program, sponsored by Citi Foundation. Beginning in March. the free business seminars and workshops will be offered in English and Spanish for existing and potential entre- preneurs. The first seminars for exist- ing businesses only will be held on Tuesdays: March 12. 19. and 26, 2013. from 5-30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Topics will in- clude finances and capital re- sources, marketing, customer service, and much more. This year's workshop for entrepreneurs will offer information about opening a business and a home-based business, as well as inform- ing businesses of the basics of creating a business plan framework. Potential busi- ness owners are welcomed to attend this workshop April 23, from 5-30 to 9 p m. All workshops will be held at MDC's Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2nd Ave., rooms 3208 and 3209, in downtown Miami. Participants must regis- ter online in advance for all events by visiting the Small Business Education Pro- gram's website at: www.mdc. edu/smallbusiness "The collaboration of Miami Dade College and Citi Foun- dation has made it possible once again, to bring to the community programs that Please turn to MDC 8D By Charlene Crowell NNPA Columnist Although Feb. 14 is typi- cally remembered for Valen- tine Day, this year that date brought new findings on the cumulative costs of the Great Recession $13 trillion in cumulative losses in house- hold wealth and high unem- ployment are the result of the Great Recession, according to a new Government Account- ability Office (GAO). Earlier research by the Cen- ter for Responsible Lending found that the spillover effects of foreclosures wiped out nearly $2 tril- lion in family wealth. From 2000-2010, Black family wealth dropped 53 percent, and Hispanic fami- lies lost 66 percent. By comparison, average white house- f-o- CRO' hold wealth dropped only 16 percent. The foreclosure crisis and resulting economic down- Broward home prices raise up 24.5 percent Median in past year hits $224K By Donna Gehrke-White Home prices in Broward continued their surge into the new year with the median sales prices on single-family homes jump- ing 24.5 percent in January compared with a year ago, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Realtors said. The median house price catapulted to $224,088 last month, up from $180,000 in January 2012, the group reported. The median price for condos and townhomes jumped even more 26.5 percent during the same period. Palm Beach Coun- ty's median sales price of. single-family houses also surged, up from $179,950 to $218,000. Median price means half the homes sold for less and Half sold for more. Overall, the housing mar- ket in South Florida con- tinued to rebound with the number of closings, pending sales and newlistings up for every sector single-family homes, townhomes and con- dos, Realtors in both coun- ties reported. "The market clearly is - and has been for the last six, seven months clearly trending up." said Bill Rich- ardson of Keyes Realtors in Boca Raton. A sign of a sellers' market: Inventory was down 26.5 percent from a year ago, i ith Broward houses only having a 3.8 months' supply. "We're having bidding wars break out." said Deerfield Beach analyst Jack McCabe. Foreclosure deal delivers $3.6B in cash Relief terms shock consumer advocates By Julie Schmit Consumer advocates say banks getting off too easy in reworked foreclosure settle- ment. A foreclosure settlement between the government and 13 banks will spread $3.6 bil- lion in cash among millions of borrowers starting in April, regulators said last Thursday. But the $5.7 billion in mort- gage relief that's also part of the deal may favor borrowers The cash will be split among 4.2 million borrowers who were in foreclosure in 2009 or 2010 with the biggest unpaid loan balances, consumer advocates say. The settlement, first an- nounced in January, is intend- ed to compensate borrowers for foreclosure and mortgage servicing abuses. The cash will be split among 4.2 million borrowers who were in foreclosure in 2009 or 2010 and had home loans serviced by one of 13 banks. They in- clude Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan Chase. Cash payouts will range from a few hundred dollars up to $125,000, says the Office of the Comptroller of the Cur- rency (OCC). It's overseeing Please turn to DEAL 8D turn have turned back the clock on previous wealth gains, especially in communities of color. The GAO report Swas performed at the request of the Senator Tim John- son (SD), chair of WELL the U.S. Senate Banking Com- mittee, and Rep. Michael Capuano (Mass.), the ranking member of the House Sub- committee on Housing and Insurance. Responding to the report's findings, Capuano said, "I thank the GAO for this com- prehensive report. Millions of Americans lost their homes to foreclosure, millions more lost retirement savings and too many Americans found themselves unemployed... . Any costs associated with implementing Dodd-Frank pale in comparison to the trillions of dollars in losses Please turn to CFPB 8D Granville to lead Dania Beach district of Sheriff s Office By Susannah Bryan DANIA BEACH Kevin Granville, a veteran of the Broward Sheriff's Office, will head the agency's Dania Beach district. Granville, 43, was 'ap pointed to the $111,410-a- year post last week with the blessing of City Manager Bob Baldwin. "He has a great combina- tion of youthfulness and. experience," Mayor Walter Duke said. "I look forward to working with Chief Granville to address chronic crime issues that have plagued our city for too long, namely break-ins, drugs and prosti- tution." Duke described Granville as professional and "genu- inely concerned" about the safety and welfare of the residents of Dania Beach. Granville began his career with the Sheriff's Office at 21. He hasworked in several -Broward Sheriff's Office Dania Beach has tapped Kevin Granville to lead Broward Sheriff's Office deputies assigned to Dania. cities throughout the agen- cy's empire, including Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Lauderdale Lakes, Pembroke Park and Pompano Beach. Granville is a member of local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs as well as the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. Pressure high on Citizens Chief Exec. Barry Gilway Tallahassee keeps tabs on insurance company By Maria Mallory White and Kathleen Haughney Lawmakers in Tallahas- see continued to take on Citizens Property.Insurance Corp. last Thursday, and if Senate president Dan Gaetz has his way, Citizens' president will take a turn in the hot seat. Gaetz said that he will ask the Senate Banking and Insur- ance Committee to schedule con- firmation hearings for Citizens chief c executive Barry Gilway. Gaetz, in a lengthy inter- view with the Sun-Sentinel, said that it was "hard to look the people of Florida in the eye and tell them Citizens knows what it's doing." Gaetz said the Senate has the ability to hold confirma- tions on Gilway, though he does not believe it has done so with prior Citizens presi- dents. He said he doesn't necessarily believe Gilway wouldn't be confirmed, but he wants the Senate to have the opportunity to make it clear they have some con- cerns with the way the com- pany isoperating. "I think that's an oppor- tunity for those of us who are elected to make sure that the person who is the chief executive of Citizens under- stands exactly how we feel about all kinds of is- sues associated with the company operational issues as well as S .strategic issues," SGaetz said. "And kETZ it also provides, I would hope, an opportunity for us to clarify that we hold the CEO of the company responsible for its performance because that's the person we [would] con- firm." Gaetz's comments came on a day Citizens faced a flurry of attention from lawmakers. In a morning session Please turn to CITIZENS 8D 11:1 '' i''' "' F i;C CFPB raises transparency to protect U.S. CFPB raises transparency to protect U.S. ~Iall R 1 1 TH N(IN 1BAKNWPPR7 H IM IEMRH61,21 Big do-over issues on state legislative Health care, taxes, voting laws top list By Aaron Deslatte and Kathleen Haughney TALLAHASSEE From health care and insurance to teacher raises and election reform, the 60-day session starting Tuesday could be a political do-over for a Florida Legislature looking to rewrite some of its controversial re- cent history. For Gov. Rick Scott, it's a chance to push his proposed $1.2 billion increase in edu- cation funding, including a $2,500 raise for every public school teacher, that's part of a record $74.2 billion budget proposal. Just two years ago, Scott controlled - a budget that cut i'. $1.3 billion from spending for pub- .- lic schools., - For House and Senate Repub- lican leaders, it's a chance to undo some of the changes in the SC election law they wrote in 2011, which cut early voting days in half and was blamed for Election Day lines as long as seven hours at some voting locations in South and Cen- tral Florida. And for everybody espe- cially Democrats who gained seats in both chambers in m Id r 0 the 2012 elections it's a chance to phase in the S, provisions of the federal health-care ,* overhaul known as "Obamacare," which Scott and GOP lawmakers spent two years S resisting in court. With the U.S. TT Supreme Court's ruling upholding the law and with President Barackl Obama's re-election, the state will have to implement the re- quirements of the Affordable Care Act, including deciding whether to expand Medicaid to some one million Florid- ians who earn up to 138 per- cent of the poverty level. Scott last month endorsed a three- year expansion of Medicaid, with the federal government promising to pick up 100 percent of the tab. An expan- sion without an expiration date could cost the state $3 billion or more over 10 years. A I Lp . decision from each chamber could come soon. Then there's the raft of industry-driven issues. Tele- communications companies are pushing to cut or elimi- nate the communications services tax. Realtors are try- ing to undo the sales tax on rentals. Aerospace and film companies are try- ing to rewrite tax incentives to deal themselves bigger benefits. The Miami Dolphins, Jack- s sonville Jaguars, Daytona Interna- tional Speedway and Major League Soccer boosters in MA Orlando each want a $2 million annual sales-tax rebate for their venues. Insurers want another crack at reshaping Florida's no-fault auto-insurance law to their liking, and to rein in lawmakers' decision back in 2007 to expand the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Co. agenda Lawmakers could tweak the "Stand Your Ground" gun law in the wake of last year's Trayvon Martin shooting in Sanford and a subsequent task force investigation of the controversial law the GOP pushed through in 2005. But they might actually make it easier to brandish firearms. Finally, after years of budget austerity, lawmakers are eyeing a projected small surplus to pump more money into everything from universi- ties to road building even as many express doubts the state can afford Scott's pro- posed $2,500 raise for teach- ers. "If you look at our agenda, it's packed full of big ideas," Please turn to AGENDA 10D Men are finding a career niche in nursing Tax tip: Figuring out what As the demand for care rises, more is your stock's cost basis .. ..."."!' t ' males view job as By Cathy Payne A growing number of men are joining the ranks of nurs- ing, says a study that takes the pulse of a predominantly female profession. The percentage of male registered nurses jumped from 2.7 percent in 1970 to 9.6 percent in 2011, the national study finds. Men's representation among licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses rose from 3.9 percent in 1970 to 8.1 percent in 2011. LPNs work under the direction of doctors and registered nurses; they are referred to as licensed vocational nurses in California and Texas. The study, presents data from the 2011 American Community Survey. Liana Christin Landivar, the report's author, says the demand for long-term care and end-of-life services is growing because of the nation's aging population. attractive option "A predicted shortage has led to recruiting and retraining efforts to increase the pool of nurses," says Landivar, a soci- ologist in the Census Bureau's Industry and Occupation Sta- tistics Branch. "These efforts have included recruiting men." Karen Daley, president of the American Nurses Associa- tion, says the profession is attractive for a variety of rea- sons. The work is rewarding and versatile, she says: "This is a career with job security, and the salaries are very com- petitive." She adds that men "are more likely to be in the sub- fields with higher earnings - nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists." Nurse anesthe- tists administer anesthesia and monitor patients' recovery from it. There were 3.5 million em- ployed nurses in 2011. Though women made up 91 percent of the nursing workforce, men had higher earnings. In i-4-- K . i, ,- -I... Hs I In 2011, men, on average, earned $60,700 a year, com- pared with $51,100 a year for women. 2011, men, on average, earned $60,700 a year, compared with $51,100 a year for wom- en. Other findings: Of the employed nurses, more than three-fourths were registered nurses, about 19 percent licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and three percent nurse prac- titioners. About one percent were nurse anesthetists. The highest percentage of men was among nurse anes- thetists, 41 percent. Male nurse anesthetists earned about $162,900 a year. Daley says gender stereo- types are breaking down as more men enter the profes- sion. "The more diverse our pro- fession gets, the better it is for patients," she says. "It's very important that our diversification reflects what is happening in the larger popu- lation." By Jeff Reeves It's never easy for investors to make money in the stock market. And when they do, the last thing most people think about is how to report those gains to the IRS. . Unfortunately, the tax man is eager to get his share after you cash out an investment win. And unless you want to irritate the Internal Revenue Service, it's important to ac- curately report profits each year to the penny. . Calculating your gains sounds deceptively simple: Figure out the price at which you sold your stock or mu- tual fund (including commis- sionsl. subtract "cost basis" on your initial investment and voila! The organized inves- tors out there have their own foolproof system for this, such as a color-coded spreadsheet or a three-ring binder with a printout of every order ever placed with their broker. But for those of us who are a little less fastidious, the good news is that rebuild- ing your cost basis isn t too hard. Begin by getting a record of past transactions from your broker. Frequently this %will include your cost basis right there but if not, it will at the very least give you the date of your transac- tions Next. always double-check' your broker s statement to ensure accuracy or to fill in missing info if you only have the date but no price to go on. This is a simple task thanks to the Internet; just visit finance.yahoo.com and enter the ticker of your stock and click on -histori- cal prices" to search. Yahoo Finance provides an auto- matically adjusted price for dividends and stock splits in its data. saving you a step if any of these events apply Please turn to TAX 10D Stop guessing. Start asking. We all have questions about our financial situation, but many times we don't ask them. Now is the time to change that. Come into your local Wells Fargo for a personal, one-on-one My Financial Priorities conversation with a banker. We'll listen to your questions and discuss options with you that may help you achieve your financial goals. No matter what they are, big or small, we're here to help. Stop by your local Wells Fargo or call 1-877-699-6816. wellsfargo.com Together we'll go far ANN& illl F~u~ ~ -;* "' ' rl ~-1 -- ip.. : THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER 7D THE MIAMI TIMES, MARCH 6-12, 2013 I VELL FIG 8D THE MIAMI TIMES. MARCH 6-12. 2013 I THE NATIONS #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER IRS getting serious about t Florida tops U.S. : in identity theft complaints 1 By Associated Press .' MIAMI (AP) With tax filing season heating up, an aggressive Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-crackdown is targeting the growing prob- lem of criminals who use stolen identities to seek tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent tax refunds. Acting IRS Commissioner Steven T. Miller said last Thursday that a Janu- ary sweep in 32 states and Puerto Rico identified 389 ID theft suspects, including 109 who were arrested. The num- ber of IRS ID theft investiga- tions tripled in 2012 and is focused on high-risk cities such as Miami, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chi- cago and Los Angeles. In 2012, the IRS says its IRS Commissioner Steven T. Miller said Miami and Tampa are the epicenters of the problem in Florida. investigations and in-house filtering systems prevented $20 billion in would-be fraudulent refunds, up from $14 billion the year before. But Miller acknowledged that thieves still get away with stealing numerous tax refunds, although the IRS could not provide exact loss figures. "In terms of how much got past us, we're quite sure some did," Miller told report- ers in a conference call. "I know it doesn't approach the number that we stopped." Like so many other types ax fraud of fraud, Florida again is a national leader. Florida tops the U.S. in identity theft complaints at 178 for every 100,000 residents, according to the Federal Trade Com- mission. The Miami area is even worse, at 324 com- plaints per 100,000 resi- dents. Miller said Miami and Tampa are the epicenters of the problem in Florida. "Identity theft tax refund fraud has spread though South Florida like a virus," said Miami U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer, whose office has prosecuted numerous tax fraud cases. Legitimate taxpayers whose IDs are stolen often must wait months to get their refunds. Miller said there's a current backlog of 300,000 cases and an aver- age wait time of 180 days for a resolution. "I can say we are getting much better," Miller said. "We know that we need to do much, much more." City of Opa-locka stimulates new job growth JOBS continued from oD City's Public Works Depart- ment and the jobs are sub- sidized from M-DC's People Transportation Funds. Part- time positions are from four to six months depending on available funds. After the training is completed, those becoming certified through the program will be placed in a very detailed-specific tracking database system to receive referrals and rec- ommendation through the First Source Hiring Pro- gram, as permanent jobs become available in and out of the City of Opa-locka. In their office at the Municipal Complex building, 780 Fish- erman Street, Suite 110, the South Florida Workforce In- vestment Board will make available computer assis- tance for program partici- pants. Residents registered with the program (including graduates), who have met all qualifications, will be places in the database of unem- ployed persons of which SF- WIB will make accessible to the City of Opa-locka as a first source for their em- ployment needs, to fill jobs which are created to satisfy City contract requirements. "This program will bring the City a return on their investment and offer its citi- zens employment at home," Kelly said. "It's a win-win- win opportunity for the City, South Florida Workforce and more importantly, for the residents of the great City of Opa-locka." For more information on the First Source Hiring Pro- gram contact Cora Eutsay at South Florida Workforce 305-953-3407. Citizens CEO in hot water with the Senate CITIZENS continued from 6D Thursday, the Senate Com- mittee on Banking and In- surance continued discus- sion of its proposed massive overhaul of the state's belea- guered property insurer. The committee's draft bill, which is being quarter- backed by committee chair David Simmons, R-Altamon- te Springs, "has a long way to go," Gaetz told the Sun Sentinel. To get the bill passed, Gaetz said he believes Simmons will have to offer protections for current Citizens policy- holders who cannot get in- surance elsewhere. With 1.2 million policies statewide, Broward is home to 191,092 policies and 133,589 in Palm Beach. "My guess is he would look for ways to soften any sig- nificant increases on people who were forced into Citi- zens involuntarily. Involun- tarily, and who have no other options," Gaetz said. "But, I believe that he will be able to make a strong case that new subscribers, new customers to Citizens, should be only those who can't get their insurance elsewhere in a competitive market." Also last Thursday, Sen- ate democrats called on Gov. Rick Scott to initiate a multi- state agreement with Flori- da's neighboring governors for a regional approach to catastrophic storm coverage. "This problem is not unique to Florida. Several states along the southeast- ern coast are experienc- ing similar troubles. We are convinced that nothing less than a comprehensive re- gional approach will aid us in mitigating dropped insur- ance coverage and signifi- cant increases in rates for wind and storm insurance," wrote Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, along with Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth; Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Mar- gate; Sen. Gwen Margolis, D- Miami; and Sen. Bill Mont- ford, D-Tallahassee. CFPB aims to expand another housing crisis CFPB continued from 6D that have already occurred. Congress must ensure that Dodd-Frank is implement- ed comprehensively and effectively so that the tools are in place to prevent an- other crisis." Despite the independent, non-partisan GAO find- ings, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) opponents insistently call for changes to Bureau, the centerpiece of Dodd-Frank Reform. These critics either do not know or are ignoring how the Bureau returned $425 million in consumer refunds and levied another $70 million in fines for abu- sive financial practices. Nor would these critics likely acknowledge that new. CFPB rules will ensure that no mortgage borrower will be given an unaffordable and unsustainable loan. Thanks to CFPB, each lender is now required to determine and verify bor- rowers' ability to repay be- fore the loan is issued. Additionally, consumer- friendly changes in mort- gage servicing means bor- rowers will no longer incur costly surprises with their loans or be given a run- around by a service. Had CFPB and these mortgage rules existed be- fore the housing crisis hit, communities of color would not have been financially devastated. Every con- summer can be encouraged by the Bureau's actions to increase greater transpar- ency in financial services, coupled with common sense rules of the road. America's families need nothing less. Responsible businesses have recently begun speak- ing up in defense of CFPB. For example, John Arens- meyer, founder and chief executive of the Small Busi- ness Majority, recently said, "The financial industry wrote its own rules for too long. Honesty and trans- parency are not too much to ask from institutions that helped run the economy into the ground. Lawmak- ers many of whom talk a lot about protecting small businesses should be the first in line asking for more accountability." The U.S. Senate is charged to advise and consent on presidential nominees. On Valentine's Day more than half 54 in all wrote to President Obama to express their strong support for the CFPB and Director Rich- ard Cordray, advising, "One of the most basic lessons learned from the Great Re- cession was that the failure to adequately protect Amer- ican consumers has con- sequences not only for in- dividuals and families, but also for the health of Amer- ica's economy. . A bipar- tisan majority of Americans support the agency as cur- rently constituted, and so do we." Borrowers get millions in mortgage relief DEAL continued from 6B the settlement with the Fed- eral Reserve Board. The companies are expect- ed to meet their $5.7 billion mortgage relief obligation, in part, by modifying loans. They'll earn certain levels of credit toward that $5.7 bil- lion for certain actions. Consumer advocates said they were shocked and dis- mayed when they learned how some of the credits will be tallied. For instance, a bank forgiv- ing $15,000 in principal owed on a $100,000 unpaid bal- ance would get a $100,000 credit. If the bank forgave $15,000 in principal on a $500,000 unpaid balance, they would get a $500,000 credit, says Bryan Hubbard, OCC spokesman. The OCC says the terms are meant to drive modifications that best serve borrowers. Consumer advocates, how- ever, say the system will lead the banks to focus on high- balance loans instead of more smaller ones. Plus, it'll let them inflate the value of their modifica- tions, says Alys Cohen, of the National Consumer Law Center. "It lets the banks off easy," she says. When the deal was an- nounced, consumer advo- cates said it included too little money. The new credit formula is "monumentally bad," says Ira Rheingold, ex- ecutive director of the Nation- al Association of Consumer Advocates. "I'm absolutely stunned that they would do this." The OCC disagrees with the consumer advocates. It also says regulators could take further action if the banks fail to meet the deal's requirements for well-struc- tured assistance. The $9.3 billion settlement largely replaces a 2011 agree- ment reached between the regulators and the compa- nies. That one required case- by-case foreclosure reviews and was too slow and costly, regulators say. Borrowers can call 888- 952-9105 if they need to up- date their contact informa- tion. ADVTISEI i ERO President Obama to name Edith Ramirez head of FTC By Mark Felsenthal and Diane Bartz (Reuters) Presi- dent Barack Obama intends to name Edith Ramirez, once a col- league of his at the Harvard Law Review, as chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commis- sion, a White House of- ficial said recently. Ramirez has been an FTC commissioner since April 2010. She was a Los Angeles lawyer specializing in business litigation and intellectual property before joining the com- mission. Ramirez, who gradu- ated from Harvard Law School a year after the president, was the edi- tor of the Law Review at the time Obama was its first Black presi- dent, according to the school. Ramirez went on to be Obama's director of Latino Outreach in California in 2008. As a commissioner, BARACK OBAMA a nominee for the open spot. The agency has been focusing recently on intellectual property issues, including the problem of companies with patent portfo- lios filing frivolous in- fringement lawsuits. "Ramirez brings a wealth of IP litigation experience which will help guide the FTC at a time where we need much stronger anti- trust enforcement," said David Balto, a former FTC policy di- rector now in private practice. MDC Wolfson launches seminars MDC continued from 6D can assist in foster- ing the local econo- my," said Dr. Ana M. Cruz, chairperson, School of Business, Wolfson Campus. MDC has been awarded multiple grants since 2007 from Citi Founda- tion that enables the College to offer these free technical work- shops to hundreds of existing business owners. For more informa- tion about these free business workshops, contact George Ray at 305-237-7102. NOTICE OF INVITATION TO BID OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA 1450 N.E. 2ND AVENUE, ROOM 351 MIAMI, FLORIDA 33132 Solicitations are subject to School Board Policy 6325, Cone of Silence. For more details please visit: http://procurement.dadeschools.net BID NUMBER/ OPENING DATE BID TITLE/PRE-BID CONFERENCE 027-NN05 PAPER: CARBONLESS AND SPECIALTY 3/19/2013 MIA-NTD FIS Re-check Concourse Level MCC-779Y MCM is soliciting bids for this project under the MCC-8-10 Program at Miami- Dade Aviation Department: Scope: Construct new ticket counters and back offices with associated bag- gage screening area. Packages Bidding: CSBE Trade Set-Aside "A" Misc. Work, "B" Site Work, "C" Concrete Shell/Masonry, "D" Misc. Metals, "E" Waterproofing, "F" Fire Proofing, "G" Doors/Hardware, "H" Drywall, "I" Acoustical Ceiling, "J" Paint- ing, "K" Specialty, "M" Fire Protection, "N" Plumbing, "O" HVAC, "P" Electri- cal, "Q" Carpet. Packages without contract measures: "L" Conveyor System Pre-bid Conference (Mandatory): Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:00 AM Location: MCM 4301 NW 22nd Street, Building 3030, 2nd Floor Sealed Bids Due: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 2:00 PM Bonding required for bids of $200,000 or higher For information, please contact MCM's MIA offices (305)869-4563 Notice of Public Hearing Date on the proposed Substantial Amendment to the FY 1998 through FY 2013 Action Plans A public hearing is scheduled for the Health and Social Services Committee on Monday, March 11,2013, at 1:30 p.m., in the Board of County Commissioners Chambers located on the second level of the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida. The purpose of the hearing is to give the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed Substantial Amendment to the FY 1998 though FY 2013 Action Plans. The proposed Amendment seeks to recapture and reallocate Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) program funds. The public is invited to attend and comment. Comments may also be submitted in writing from February 25, 2013 through March 29, 2013 to the attention of Mr. Gregg Fortner, Executive Director, Public Housing and Community Development (PHCD), 701 NW 1st Court, 16th Floor, Miami, Florida 33136. Federal regulations governing the CDBG and HOME programs require that a participating jurisdiction provide citizens with reasonable notice of, and an opportunity to comment on, any proposed allocation of CDBG and HOME funds. The proposed Substantial Amendment is available at PHCD Administrative office and on the website at http://www.miamidade.gov/housina/. The Substantial Amendment to the FY 1998 through FY 2013 Action Plan includes the following: CDBG Recaptured and Reallocated Amount: $6,228,576.58 recaptured and reallocated to Administration, Public Faj:iiiii. : ,apial Improvements, Economic Development, Housing and Public Services activities. HOME Recaptured and Reallocated Amount: $2,209,000.00 recaptured and reallocated to Housing Rental New CIr ,i rucjti: ,i rihn activities. PHCD does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, marital status, national origin, 331isatlbly, ancestry, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy or familial status in the access to, admissions to, or employment in housing programs or activities. If you need a sign language interpreter or materials in accessible format for this event, call 786-469-2203 at least five days in advance. TDD/TTY users may contact the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771. 111For ega ad ol ["ilne, goto ftp//I galads1iamiddeTgo THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER 8D THE MIAMI TIMES. MARCH 6-12. 2015 I EDITH RAMIREZ Ramirez does not re- quire Senate confirma- tion. She will replace Jon Leibowitz at the head of the agency, which works to protect con- sumers from unfair business practices and maintain competition in the marketplace. Leibowitz's de- parture leaves two Democrats and two Republicans on the commission, which at full strength has five members. In the case of a 2-2 vote, no action is taken. There has been no word so far on MIAMI TIMES f l "3 T E C( 11 N E \\ S F R 0 .A\ i () U N D Tl I I G L O B E 1 3 0,D AT YOUR I CITIES ACROSS APPS TO. EASE THE COUNTRY THE SEARCH FO ARE USING MOB R A PARKING PL By Emma Beck A growing number of driv- ers are turning to a high-tech solution for a low-tech problem - finding a parking spot in the nation's congested cities. From Pittsburgh to Los An- geles and dozens of cities in between mobile applications are becoming available to ease drivers' search for a place to park. The problem doesn't always stem from too few spots, but from not enough information about where to find available parking, said Kelly Schwager, the chief marketing officer for Streetline, a smart parking provider. Parker, Streetline's inte- grated smartphone parking application, feeds users with real-time data of parking avail- ability, pay-by-phone options and alerts for remaining meter times in more than 20 cit- ies, including Reno, Nev., and Hollywood, Calif. Developed in 2010, the application combines pay-by-phone functionality with parking availability data for a "bird's eye view of the city," Schwager said. Parker, which uses low-pow- ered, wireless sensors embed- ded in parking spaces to detect when and where a spot opens, is so far the only application to ii . The Parker mobile app from Streetline smartphone device in an automobile. provide real-time, street-park- ing availability on a national scale. But there are several other city-specific systems in place, some also working in partnership with Streetline. San Francisco's SFpark program, operated by sen- sors from a company called StreetSmart, is an automated parking solutions provider, that so far covers about 7,000 of the city's 28,000 metered spots in addition to 12,250 spaces in 14 of the 20 San Francisco Municipal Trans- portation owned parking .garages, according to SF- -Photo: Streetline is displayed on a park's program manager, Jay Primus. Using data from the city's public and private garages, Pittsburgh's ParkPGH pro- gram combines real-time data and predictive algorithms, developed by Carnegie Mellon University and based on park- ing trends, to provide current and future parking availabil- ity in the city's downtown, cultural district, said Stan Caldwell, the deputy director of the Technology for Safe and Efficient Transportation at Carnegie Mellon. Indianapolis' Parklndy program, powered by Streelt- rp - line, tracks availability in a II .: . metered spaces of the 3,60: . spots in the Indianapolis downtown and surrounding areas, said Chris Gilligan, a corporate communications manager for Xerox, a part o 4 4 of the operating team that partnered with the city and integrated with parking pro- viders, including Streetline and ParkMobile, to develop ParkIndy. The federally funded pro- gram, L.A Express Park, introduced last May and developed by Xerox, of- fers two mobile apps that track downtown parking availability via Street- Samsung line sensors in 6,000 Galaxy metered spots and 7,500 city-owned spaces. smartphone Twenty-eight percent of Los Angeles drivers spend 11 to 20 minutes circling for a parking space, according to 2011 Commuter Pain IBM study found. A 2005 study by Donald Shodp, a UCLA professor and author of The High Cost of Free Parking, found that Los Angeles motorists drove more than 950,000 miles in search of a spot, producing roughly 730 tons of carbon dioxide and using 47,000 gallons of gas. The Samsung Chromebook: A great second computer Low-cost Chromebooks are best for folks who have easy access to the Internet By Suzanne Kantra Take a moment to think about how computers are S used in your home. How Much of that time do iyou spend browsing the web, working on word processing documents or presentations and checking email and social networks? If your answer is a good chunk of the time, you may be a candidate for a Chromebook computer. Chromebooks run Google's Chrome OS, which looks like the Chrome Web browser but runs apps as well. In fact, there's a whole ecosystem of Chrome apps available through the Chrome Web Store. There are games, like Angry Birds Heikki, Battlefield and Need for Speed World; productivity tools, including Dropbox, Picasa and Evernote; and, of course there are the Google apps, like Google Docs, Gmail and Google Maps. Currently, there are tens of thou- sands of apps available through the Chrome Web Store-some that are primarily web-based and some that run within a browser tab, but have been downloaded and work offline. Chromebooks are best for people who always have access to an In- ternet connection. That's because many of the apps are built to run online, though staples like word processing and mail will work of- fline as well. And, you'll be storing most of your documents online, which is fine thanks to the 100GB or more of free online storage that comes with all models. Google has taken advantage of the way Chrome OS works to bring a high level of security to Please turn to CHOMEBOOK 10D Apple may introduce a new watch-like device this year By Roger Yu Apple may introduce a watch-like device this year, according to Bloomberg News Apple has about 100 product designers working. on the project CO Apple has filed at least 79 patent applications that include the word "wrist" Apple may speed up the devel- opment of a wristwatch-like de- vice and introduce it as early as this year, according to a report by Bloomberg News. With about 100 product designers working on the project and having filed at least 79 patent applications that include the word "wrist," S the company is working on a S watch that may include fea- tures for making calls, iden- tifying callers, checking map t -- coordinates, counting walk- ing steps and monitoring health data, the report says, OK citing a person familiar with Apple's plans. Under pressure to create new products for further revenue growth, Apple CEO Tim Cook has said publicly that he is interested in developing a smart TV but fell short of disclosing specific plans. Citigroup analyst Oliver Chen told Bloomberg that the watch industry will generate more than $60 billion in sales in 2013. Browsing the internet on iPad stinks Apple likes it that way By Hank Nothhaft, Jr. When iPads were first in- troduced in 2010, an Apple press release promised that the "iPad's revolution- ary Multi-Touch interface makes surfing the web an entirely new experience, dramatically more interac- tive and intimate than on a computer." The implication was that the web via the tablet would be unrecogniz- able and vastly superior: hoverboarding compared with surfing on my laptop and doggie paddling on my phone. Yet, here it is three years on, and we're still waiting for that "interactive and intimate" browsing experi- ence (and hoverboards, for that matter). A recent study conducted by Onswipe revealed that iPads account for a whop- ping 98.1. percent of tablet traffic on websites. Despite this, the actual experi- ence of surfing the web on an iPad is underwhelming at best and infuriating at worst. Simply put, today's state-of-the-art tablet browsers, especially Sa- fari, don't do the Inter netr. the user, or the iPad justice. Apple wasn't totally wrong: The iPad has proven itself to be a revolutionary device that absolutely has the potential to offer a transformative web-browsing experience. It just hasn't vet. Which n-c.-r;, there s a .gaip in the- rn ar ket for .an r-i nti.it'. i. irnn-er r i nn. : ,'n art,.e iPP... br,:v, sr \ h. hoe,.er de: el- ops it is going to win big. As more and more of the services we use on a daily basis have migrated to the Please turn to iPAD 10D - --- ' '., " m uG verionofSamsung ICh'omeboo appIear I , -,- "~3"~c~-?.~. I" rrr- i.rs-CC3CCI .n~C~; THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER rir TE k lTirA *AAoPA i )nix7 I S. Fl pension fund gets a windfall By Lisa J. Huriash Municipal employee pen- sion funds some covering general employees, firefight- ers, police and utilities - across South Florida and the state, are expecting a windfall of cash within the next week as part of a settlement reached with the former Merrill Lynch. Out of 78 police, firefight- er and general employee pension plans, more than a dozen plans are in Broward, including Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Lauderhill, Mira- mar, Pompano Beach and Sunrise. The list also in- cludes plans in Palm Beach County including Boyn- ton Beach, Lake Worth, Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach. Settlements - which came to about 50 cents on the dollar before fees and costs for each plan range from $3,455 to $617,334. The lawsuit was settled earlier this year in federal court and after a $2.1 mil- lion payment to the attor- neys, the rest of the money goes back into the pension plans of the parties involved in the class-action lawsuit. "I think the board has been vindicated," said Ste- - which included having associations with those money managers while acting as consultants to the retirement plans. And, Merrill Lynch failed to ad- equately disclose that "12b1 fees" charges to cover marketing and research - were folded into the overall "We feel it's very fair, we recouped fees | that we paid that we shouldn't have ever been charged." -GINA ORLANDO phen Cypen, attorney for the Parkland Police Pen- sion Plan, which will receive a settlement of $13,670. "We paid for something we shouldn't have paid in the first place." The $8.5 million class- action lawsuit alleges Merrill Lynch breached its responsibility to the pension funds by acting in its own interest when selecting and promoting money managers management fee. The alleged actions hap- pened from 2000 through 2008, when Merrill Lynch stopped providing invest- ment consulting services to Florida governmental pen- sion plans. The investment banking firm was pur- chased by Bank of America later that year. "It is alleged they put their interest ahead of the inter- est of their clients," said the plaintiff's Plantation-based attorney, Robert Klausner. The 2010 suit follows a $1 million 'fine of Merrill Lynch by the federal government in 2009 and alleges that "Merrill Lynch lulled the retirement .plans and the class into a false sense of security." In Sunrise, the general employee's pension fund will receive $125,757. In Plantation, the city's Gen- eral Employees Retirement System will receive $75,187 and the Plantation Fire- men's Retirement System will receive $27,686. In Coral Springs, the city's Firefighters' Retirement System will receive about $29,000 and the general employees retirement plan gets back about $37,000. "We feel it's very fair, we recouped fees that we paid that we shouldn't have ever been charged," said city pension administrator Gina Orlando. Consumers not impressed with iPad browser iPAD continued from 9D cloud, the web browser has become the computer's most essential app. And when we surf the web on a computer, we encounter few obstacles. Though we may have to scale the occasional paywall or sit through an obligatory five seconds of an ad be- fore accessing content, the navigational experience of a computer user is fluid and frictionless as anyone who's gone down the rab- bit hole researching alpaca breeds or underrated Val Kilmer films at 3 a.m. can at- test. Surfing the web is far less pleasurable on an iPad. Visit- ing a site frequently presents one with a pop-up and a di- lemma: Download the app, or endure the diminished expe- rience of a website designed for another device. Safari is essentially a limited version of its desktop sibling and apps almost always provide a better experience. (Or, as Firefox UX Lead Alex Limi has summed it up, it's "kind of sucky.") Of course, this is sort of the point. It's in Apple's, or any tablet maker's, best interest to make using (read: buying) apps preferable to visiting websites. Safari is designed to make using web-based apps on an iPad inconve- nient, if not impossible. . In response, most compa- nies focus their mobile devel- opment resources on creating native apps rather than opti- mizing their content for tab- let browsers. The result is a browsing ex- perience full of flow-breakers. In short, on a computer the. browsing experience is lim- itless; on a tablet, it's filled, with blind alleys and false doors. WHY WEB BROWSING STILL MATTERS There is an impulse among some to assume that the rise of apps or, more sensation- ally, the death of the web- site will eventually render browsers, or at least mobile ones, obsolete. While it's true that more and more content is con- sumed through apps, and that personalization has shifted our approach to con- tent from searching to get- ting, the average number of Google searches per day has steadily increased by an astounding one trillion each year. But even if we accept that the importance of mobile websites is on the wane, there's no reason, for mobile browsers to beat them to an early grave. There is plenty of room for resurrection, but only if we throw out desk- top-based notions of what a browser looks and feels like. Freed of all the tasks and re- sponsibilities that other apps accomplish, tablet browsers should offer an absorbing, engaging innovative experi- ence. State to revisit hot topics AGENDA continued from 7D said House Speaker Will Weatherford, R- Wesley Chapel. The issue: After the 2012 election, Sec- retary of State Ken Detzner recommend- ed in January adding more days and loca- tions for early voting and imposing word limits on- lawmakers' ballot questions, like the 11 constitutional amendments on last year's ballot. What's happening: Both the House and Senate are advanc- ing bills that return early voting to 14 days and at least 64 hours, along with limiting ballot summaries to 75 words. The legisla- tion also would expand early voting sites to in- clude fairgrounds, civic centers, courthouses, county commission buildings, stadiums and convention centers. Chances of passing: High. Lawmakers are under the gun to re- Sspond to Democratic critics and the tongue- lashing they took from cable-news pundits. TAX BREAKS The issue: Gov. Rick Scott wants to give $278 million in new tax dollars to corporations that pledge to create new jobs and another $141 million in corpo- rate-tax cuts to man- ufacturers and small businesses. Legislators also are rushing to line up more tax perks for companies and sports teams at the same time they publicly criticize the state's past tax-in- centive track record. What's happening: Besides what Scott is urging, legislators are floating a dozen bills to create tax breaks for corporations or perpetuate existing breaks, such as lift- ing the $7 million cap on tax refunds in two programs just as Lock- heed Martin and Fideli- ty National Financial of Jacksonville near the lifetime caps. Plus, the Miami Dol- phins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Daytona In- ternational Speedway and Major League Soc- cer boosters in Orlando are getting in line for new $2 million annual tax rebates. Chances of passing: Medium. Increased public scrutiny of tax deals that flopped and jobs that never materi- alized have made tack- ling the issue trickier this year. CITY OF MIAMI ADVERTISEMENT FOR QUALIFICATIONS Sealed responses will be received at the City of Miami, City Clerk office located at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, and Fl., 33133 for the following: RFQ NO. 360358 'CLOSING DATE: EMERGENCY DISPATCHER AND ASSISTANT SERVICES 10:00 AM, TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 D( deadline for Request additional information/clarification: Thursday, March 21. 2013 at 2:00pm.) Detailed for the Request of Qualifications (RFQ) are at the City of Miami, Pur- chasing Department, website at www.miamigov.com/procurement Telephone No. 305-416-1906. THIS SOLICITATION IS SUBJECT TO THE "CONE OF SILENCE" IN AC- CORDANCE WITH CITY OF MIAMI CODE SECTION 18-74 ORDINANCE NO.12271. Johnny Martinez, P. E. City Manager AD NO. 16438 Online service may protect children TOOL continued from 4C more than 17.3 million images and videos while helping pros- ecute child sexual-exploitation cases and locating victims of child pornography. "Children are prevalent In- ternet users, even at an early age, and they are more vul- nerable than adults to online tracking, because they are by nature more trusting," Irvin says. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission has been slow to update the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, partly because of heavy lobbying by the online advertising industry against any new Do Not Track rules. As advertisers, app develop- ers and privacy advocates con- tinue to wage the national Do Not Track debate, a big part of the burden falls on parents to protect their kids online. "Many application devel- opers don't even know what data is being collected via the ad networks," says Kevin Ma- haffey, chief technology officer at mobile-security firm Look- out. "Parents need to talk to their kids about the birds and the bees and about being safe on mobile." Parents' due diligence starts with familiarizing themselves with products and services, many of them free, available through child online-safety initiatives. Samsung Chromebook uses Google CHROMEBOOK continued from 9D Chromebooks. The OS is au- tomatically updated, so se- curity fixes are automatically installed. Chrome OS treats each tab in the browser as a sandbox, so if malware is en- countered, it can't leave. And, each time the system starts, it does a self-check and makes any necessary repairs. In fact, Google is so confident in the security of Chrome OS that the company is hosting a hack-a- thon and awarding anyone who "breaks in" a prize of $150,000. The other selling point of Chromebooks is their ultra- low price point. Aside from the ultra-sleek, touchscreen Chromebook Pixel ($1,299) introduced earlier this week, models range from $199 to $329. Usually, when you see computers priced this low, it's a red flag for cheap, chunky construction, unrespon- sive programs and tiny key- boards and displays. Not so with Chromebooks. The svelte 11.6-inch Samsung Chrome- book ($249) is just 0.7 inches thick, with sleek styling (albeit in plastic), and easily handles the Chrome apps. Likewise, HP Pavilion Chromebook ($329) tackles apps efficiently, but with a roomier 14-inch display. Naturally, Chromebooks are an attractive option for parents to buy for their kids. However, there are no built-in parental controls-though they're in the works. And, technically, kids aren't supposed to have Google accounts (at least those under 13), unless they've received them through their school via Google Education initiative. Reporting your stock gains to IRS TAX continued from 7D to the holdings you. sold last year. So what happens if your in- vestments don't have a clear buy date, either because you performed multiple purchases or because the shares were a gift or inheritance? Well, spe- cial cost basis rules then ap- ply: Multiple purchase prices for a single stock or fund. If you invested piecemeal over the years, the default method used by the IRS is called "first in, first out." Like the phrase implies, the first shares you bought and the accompanying price get reported first. If that lot isn't big enough to fulfill the entire sale, move to the next oldest transaction and average them together. In other words, no cherry-picking the when and what you paid to suit your interests in 2012. That's a big no-no with the IRS. Inheritance investments. If rich Uncle Vinny left you 100 shares of McDonald's, you aren't just lucky because of the generous gift. You're lucky because your tax basis is de- termined based on the date of death so no detective work is necessary. Simply take the average of the high and low on that day (or the previous trading session if it's a week- end). Also a plus: You default to long-term capital gains sta- tus, so even if you sold the in- vestments immediately you fall into the lowest tax bracket. A gift of stock. If someone bought you stock in 2012, you logically have to peg your price to the date of that transaction. But if for some reason they gifted you existing shares long held in their portfolio, you are beholden to their original cost basis unless shares are lower on the date of the gift. This can involve some homework, then, to find out which is better for you. Or worse, this can involve a lot of sleuthing if the gener- ous person in question hasn't kept good records. g OneUnited BANK Dear John Mortgage Company, I'm writing you this letter to tell you that I'm leaving you forever. I've been a good customer for many years and have nothing to show for it. These last four years have been horrible. Interest rates dropped over 3%, and I was still not able to refinance because I owe you more than my home is worth. Well, OneUnited Bank helped me lower my rate and my monthly payments. With Fannie Mae HARP, it was easy to do! So, no more stress...no more feeling left out of the recovery party...I'm gone. Your EX-Customer P.S. With OneUnited Bank in my life... I'm smiling again! OneUnited BANK The Premier Bank for Urban Communities Call (877) OneUnited or (877) 663-8648 use promo code HARP or visit one of our branches or /www.oneunited.com/homeloan today' MAKING HOME Ntmet.. FFORDIHRF 'h c ,i, ..w .'st e' ..1 I . ..n . 3275 NW 79th Street, Miami, FL 33147 Check to see if your mortgage is owned by Fannie Mae. Enter your address in this website: http://fanniemae.com/loanlookUp/ Qualifications for HARP apply. Start Saving Today! E HT MES C 2 4W., ,'-.N D..... SEC'TON 6':",.. .- ~ ____ ___ a 0 Y MOT'9 Apartments 1 NORTHEAST AREA Section 8. One and two bedrooms. $199 security. 786-488-5225 1250 NW 60 Street One bedroom, one bath $525. 305-642-7080 1261 NW 59 Street One bedroom, one bath. $550. 305-642-7080 140 NW 13 Street Two bedrooms, one bath $475; four bedrooms, two baths, $875. 305-642-7080 or 305-236-1144 1524 NW 1 Avenue One bdrm, one bath. $475, free water. 305-642-7080. 1525 NW 1 Place First month moves you in. One bedroom, one bath, $400 monthly. Free 19 inch LCD TV. Call Joel 786-355-7578. 1648 NW 35 Street Two bdrms, tile, central air, water included. Section 8 OKAY! 786-355-5665 1718 NW 2 Court One bdrm, one bath, $425. 305-642-7080 * 1801 NW 1st Court FIRST MONTH " MOVES YOU IN! First month moves you in. Two bdrms one bath. $550 monthly. Free 19 inch LCD TV. Call: Joel 786-355-7578 1801 NW 2 Avenue MOVE IN SPECIAL! First month move you in! Two bedrooms, one bath. $550 monthly. Free 19 inch LCD TV. Call: Joel 786-355- 7578 1955 NW 2 Court One bedroom, one bath. $450. 305-642-7080 210 NW 17 Street MOVE IN SPECIAL - One bdrm, one bath $450. 305-642-7080 2121 NE 167 Street One bedroom, one bath. $650. Appliances, free water. 305-642-7080 2460 N.W. 139th Street One and two bdrms, $625- $850 first, last and security. 305-691-7745 Mon.-Sat. hours 3-6:30 p.m. 30 Street 12 Avenue Area One bedroom, 305-754-7776 3040 NW 135 Street OPA-LOCKA AREA One bedroom, one bath, $670 mthly. 786-252-4657 786-325-8000 3185 NW 75 Street Move in Special. One bedroom, close to metro rail. $650 monthly. 305-439-2906 415 NW 9 Street One bdrm., one bath, $445. Appliances. 305-642-7080 60 and 61 Street One and two bdrms, $595 and $695. Call 786-486-2895. 6091 NW 15 Avenue One bedroom, one bath. $450. 305-642-7080 6951 NW 5 Court Two large bedrooms, one bath, deposit negotiable. Section 8 OK. 786-315-6524 781 NW 80 Street One bedroom Call 786-295-9961, 786-319-3466 8475 NE 2 Avenue One and two bdrms. Section 8 OK. 305-754-7776 ALBERTA HEIGHTS APTS One and two bedrooms, from $495-$585 monthly. Free water, window bars and iron gate doors. Apply at: 2651 NW 50 Street or call. 305-638-3699 CAPITAL RENTAL AGENCY 305-642-7080 Overtown, Liberty City, Opa-Locka, Brownsville. Apartments, Duplexes, Houses. One, Two and Three Bedrooms. Same day approval. Call for specials. Free water. 305-642-7080 www.capitalrentalagency. comr LIBERTY CITY AREA 6820 NW 17 Avenue One and two bedrooms special. 786-506-6392 LIBERTY CITY/ OVERTOWN MOVE IN SPECIAL One or two bedrooms, qualify the same day. 305- 603-9592 or visit our office at: 1250 NW 62 St Apt #1. Overtown 305-600-7280 NW 2 Ave and 63 Street Clean, secure area, one bdrm, one bath, $575 mthly. 786-393-4764 Churches 1752 NW 1st Court Church for rent, $1900 monthly, 786-564-4670 Duplexes 1301 NW 41 Street Newly remodeled super large two bedrooms,one bath. Central air and yard. $875 monthly. 786-975- 3656 1814 NW 93 Street Three bedrooms, two baths. $1300 monthly. 786-312-6641 1817 NW 41 Street Two bdrms, one bath, air, $825 mthly, $1975 move in, Section 8 OK. 305-634-5794 1865 N.W. 42nd Street Newly remodeled, one bedroom, one bath, central air. Call 786-356-1457. 1877 NW 94 Street Two bdrms, one bath, $875 mthly. Stanley 305-510-5894 2101 NW 92 Street Two bedrooms, central, tile. $900, No Section 8. Broker Terry Dellerson 305-891- 6776 2145 NW 100 Street Newly renovated two bedrooms, one bath, security bars, washroom, tile, air, $1000, Section 8 welcome! 786-285-4056 2457 NW 81 Terrace Two bedrooms, one bath, $875. Free water, appliances. 305-642-7080 S2490 NW 55 Terrace Two bedrooms, tile, air, 786- 587-4050 or 954-295-8529 or 786-444-6072. 2531 NW 79th Terrace One bedroom, one bath, kitchen, dining, terrace, and fenced. $800 monthly '305-219-2571 3151 NW 53 Street Two bedrooms, one bath, newly renovated $780 mthly. First, last and security. 305-360-2440 351 NW 48 STREET #B Two bedrooms, one bath. Appliances included. Owner pays water. 305-345-7833 4128 NW 22 Court Two bedrooms, one bath, $850. Appliances, free water. 305-642-7080 6329 NW 1 Court Two bedrooms, one bath, air, nice kitchen, washer and dryer, two car garage, gated and big yard. Section 8 welcome. 786-357-4720 6621-6623 NW 26 AVENUE Extra large three bedrooms, two baths, washroom, $1400 also two bedrooms one bath,1100. Section 8 welcome. 786-312-0882 676 NW 44 Street Two bedrooms, one bath, $775. Appliances. 305-642-7080 6998 N.W. 5 Place One bdrm, one bath. $2000 mthly. 786-312-6641 7011 NW 3 Avenue Two bedrooms, bars, fenced yard, central air. $800 monthly. 305-298-5773 Efficiencies 9000 1/2 NW 22 Ave Air, electric and water included. Unfurnished, one .person only. 305-693-9486. LIBERTY CITY AREA Clean, quiet, elderly preferred. Utilities included. $450 monthly. 305-215-7891 MIRAMAR AREA Small but nice, furnished, free utilities, 954-478-7089 Furnished Rooms 1161 NW 139 Street $120 weekly, $240 move in. Includes cable, central air. 305-993-9470 13387 NW 30 Avenue $85 weekly, free utilities, kitchen, bath, one person. 305-987-9710, 305-474-8186 1500 NW 74 Street Microwave, refrigerator, color TV, free cable, air, and use of kitchen. Call 305-835-2728 1527 NW 100 Street Rooms for rent. $125 weekly, air included. 305-310-7463 1775 NW 151 Street New management. Microwave, refrigerator, color TV, free cable, air, and use of kitchen. Call 305-835-2728. 2371 NW 61 Street Room in rear. 305-298-0388, 305-693-1017 2373 NW 95 Street $80 weekly, call 305-450-4603 2973 NW 61 Street Air, cable, $500 mthly, $300 to move in. 786-286-7455 335 NW 203 Terrace Gated community, refrigerator, microwave, TV, free cable, and air. Call: 954-678-8996 4220 NW 22 Court $85 weekly, free utilities, kitchen and bath one person. 305-474-8186, 305-987-9710 5500 NW 5 Avenue $365 monthly, free utilities, kitchen, bath, one person. 305-987-9710 83 Street NW 18 Avenue Clean room. 305-754-7776 LIBERTY CITY $10/day, three meals, air, hot showers, job prep, counseling. Please call us or come to: 1281 NW 61 St, Miami 786-529-5219 LIBERTY CITY AREA Clean and quiet. $360 monthly. Elderly preferred. 786-359-7279 MIAMI GARDENS AREA Clean room, side entry, patio, air, 305-688-0187 NORTHWEST MIAMI AREA Rooms with home privileges. Prices range from $110 to $125 weekly. 305-696-2451 Houses 10360 S.W. 173rd Terrace Four bdrm, one bath, $1350. Section 8 ok! 305-642-7080. 1137 NW 40 Street Beautifully renovated, huge four bedrooms, two baths plus den. Central air, tile floors. Section 8 Ok. $1650 monthly. 305-454-7767 1400 NW 73 Street Three bdrms., one bath, $950 mthly, 786-328-5878. 15331 NW 29 Avenue Three bedrooms, two bath, den, tile, air, $1,300. Broker Terry Dellerson 305-891- 6776 No Section 8 16000 N.W. 18 Aye Four bedrooms, one bath. $1400 monthly. Section 8 welcome. 786-277-7310 17910 NW 31 Avenue Beautiful home in the Miami Gardens Carol City area. Spacious house with four bedrooms, three kitchens and three baths with three privacy entries, spacious fenced yard for kids and pets. Near recreation park/ outdoor pool area. $1600 monthly, requires first and last. Contact Mytrice Winchester 318-215-5240. 1859 NW 68 Street Three bdrms, one bath, large fenced in yard, central air and tile. Section 8 okay. Call: 954-404-3057 2343 NW 100 Street Two bdrms, one bath, $825. Appliances. 305-642-7080 2435 NW 64 Street Two bedrooms. $790 monthly. Section 8 welcome. Call after 6 p.m., 305-753- 7738 254 NW 75 Street Two bedrooms, one bath, central air. Section 8 welcome. Call 404-403-5550 2931 N.W. 49th Street Dream home with private fence. Three bedrooms, two baths, family room, carport. No Section 8. No pets. $1,250 monthly, $2,500 required. 786-253-1659 5947 N. Miami Avenue One bedroom, one bath. $475 monthly. Appliances, free water. 305-642-7080 651 N:W. 52nd Street Three bdrms, two baths, $1400 monthly. Section 8 preferred. 305-527-8330 828 NW 64 STREET Four bedrooms, two baths, central air. 786-344-3278 LIBERTY CITY and HOLLYWOOD AREAS Four bedrms, two baths, three bdrms, two baths and two bedrms and one bath. Section 8 welcome. 786-488-7628 MIAMI GARDENS AREA Four bedrooms, two baths, $1700 negotiable, Section 8 welcome, 240-565-2481. OPA.LOCKA AREA North of Palmetto Expressway and 37th Avenue, three bdrms., two baths, central air, washer, dryer, Section 8 welcome, 786-543-3029 or 305-621-5031. STOP!!! Behind in Your Rent? 24 Hour notice. Behind in Your Mortgage? 305-731-3591 Houses 1095 NW 146 Street Biscayne Gardens Three bedrooms, two baths, huge master suite, completely remodeled. Try $4900 down and $736 monthly P&I-FHA MTG. Good credit needed. NDI Realtors 305-655-1700 or 305-300-4322. 1765 NW 40 STREET Four Bedrooms, two baths. $70,000 owner will give financing $50,000 for buyer. Call Jack 954-920-9530 Roof Repairs 32 years of experience, all types of roofs. Call Thomas: 786-499-8708 or 786-347- 3225. Lic#CCC056999 TONY ROOFING 45 Years Experience! Shingles, roofing, and leak repairs. Call 305-491-4515 ACCOUNTANT Requires at least five years experience and a bachelor's degree in accounting and its equivalency is accepted. Mail resume to Therapy Alliance, 5979 NW 151 Street, Miami Lakes, FL 33014. ROUTE DRIVERS We are seeking drivers to deliver newspaper to retail outlets in Broward and Miami Dade. Wednesday Only You must be available between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Must have reliable, insured vehicle and current Driver License. Apply in person at: The Miami Times 900 N.W. 54th Street SOUTH DADE ROUTE DRIVER We are seeking a driver to deliver newspaper to retail outlets in South Dade. Wednesday Only You must be available between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Must have reliable, insured vehicle and current Driver License. Apply in person at: The Miami Times 900 N.W. 54th Street MUSICIAN Needed for church. Call Rev. Holmes at 786-326-1078 TWIN BEDS Twin beds for sale. 786-334-5173 -1 ADMIN ASSISTANT TRAINEES NEEDED! Train to become a Microsoft Office Assistant! No Experience Needed! Local career training gets you job ready! Train on campus or online 1-888-589-9683 BE A SECURITY OFFICER D $95 and G $150. Concealed. Traffic School. First time driver. 786-333-2084 MEDICAL OFFICE Training Program! Learn to become a Medical Office Assistant! No Experience Needed! Local Job Training and Placement available! 1-888-407-6082 OPEN HOUSE SMAART AMERICA Private Tutoring $125 per month. March 9 and 16, 2013. Call 1-888-620-5464 COME FILE YOUR TAX get the MAXIMUM guarantee. Ask for Notary Public. 786-587-0031 786-472-2688 GENE AND SONS, INC. Custom-made cabinets for kitchens and bathrooms at affordable prices. 14130 N.W. 22nd Avenue. Call 305-685-3565 Handyman Special Carpet cleaning, plumbing, doors, water heater, lawn service. 305-801-5690 STATE OF FLORIDA, CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS & TRAINING COMMISSION, Petitioner vs. ANDREW K. PEARSON, Case #34573 Respondent NOTICE OF ACTION TO: ANDREW K. PEARSON, Residence Unknown YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an Administrative Complaint has been filed against you seeking td revoke your CORRECTIONAL Certificate in accordance with Section 943.1395, F.S., and any rules promulgated thereunder. You are required to serve a written copy of your intent to request a hearing pursuant to Section 120.57, F.S. upon Jennifer C. Pritt, Program Director, Criminal Justice Professionalism Program, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, P. O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida 32302-1489, on or before April 26, 2013. Failure to do so will result in a default being entered against you to Revoke said certification pursuant to Section 120.60, F.S., and Rule 11B-27, F.A.C. Dated: February 26, 2013 Ernest W. George CHAIRMAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND TRAINING COMMISSION By: -s- Lee Stewart, Division Representative LU Cn) 0 I- OC I- C, uJ LL. Cn -n C) C. I" U 0m By Ina Paiva Cordle The ownership of a pri- vate island in the Baha- mas that was previously a retreat of the late, prominent South Florida designer James Wallace Tutt III and which has been at the center of a five-year legal dispute - is now in the hands of the Bahamian court. The Third District Court of Appeal in Miami on Wednesday af- firmed three lower court judges' decisions that the matter has to be decided in the Bahamas and not in Miami. Tutt, an interior designer and developer whose elegant style at- tracted celebrity clients including Cher, Gianni Versace, Robert De Niro and Diane von Fursten- berg, died in 2010 at age 53 on Harbour Island in the Bahamas. His death was apparently heart related, according to a statement from his fam- ily at the time. Tutt moved to South Florida in the 1980s after working as a lawyer and builder in Washing- ton, D.C. Here, he gained noto- riety for transforming the mansion of the late Italian designer Versace into Casa Casuarina, a South Beach icon. Tutt and his life part- ner, Don Purdy, moved to Harbour Island in 2002, where they trans- formed a 1940s home into a luxury 10-room hotel, Rock House. Tutt also bought Cari- be Cay, a three-acre pri- vate island with a home, off Harbour Island, as a retreat. In 2006, Tutt agreed to sell the island to Guy Mitchell, an investor with a home in Coral Gables, said Tutt's longtime lawyer Stuart Sobel, a partner in Sieg- fried, Rivera, Lerner, De la Torre & Sobel in Coral Gables. Over several months, Mitchell paid $2.9 mil- lion of the $2.925 million purchase price but never took title to the island for reasons that were never clear, Sobel said. Mitchell, who had real estate investments in New York, ran into financial trouble, and two companies that had judgments totaling $57 million against him tried to seize his as- sets including either the Caribe Cay property or the proceeds from its sale. Lawsuits followed and OPEN HOUSE IFNIIfIP T C'LlT 14797 NE 18th Ave. North Miami, FL 33181 I Bedrooms From $698W/ Apply & Enter To Win A UIr) C .. e..ra. TYV* have waged on for years, ultimately resulting in the appeal court's deci- sion. "We're looking forward to delivering the deed to whichever entity the Bahamian court decides is entitled," said Sobel, who has represented Tutt's estate in the litiga- tion. "As the court wrote, while the facts were com- plex and convoluted, the issues were really simple and always have been." Calls to several at- torneys representing the appellants were not returned. SThe Georgia Witch Doctor & Root Doctor "Powerful Magic" I Remove evil spells, court and jail cases return mate Sex spirit & love spirit. Are you lonely? Order potion now. Call or write 229-888-7144 Rev. Doc Brown P.O. Box 50964 Albany GA, 31705 Back by Popular Demand DOCTOR RAYMOND 404-917-4197 From Lithonia, GA 40 Years in business. Help in all affairs in life, love, numbers, wife, husband, boyfriend problems. Call today Don't wait! PROFESSIONAL CARE CERTIFIED LOW COST SERVICE SERVICE UP TO 8 WEEKS Daily appointments $175 Abortion without surgery w/couPoN Lejune Plaza Shopping Center 697 East 9th St. 305-887-3002 Hialeah, FL 33010 BRING TH IS AD! __i Advanced Gyn Clinic Prolessional. Safe & Lonlidenial Services Termination Up to 22 Weeks Irdividu3l Counseling Services Board Certiled 0B GYN's .. Compleie GYN Services ABORTION START $180 AND UP 305-621-1399 Hadley Gardens Apartments A Community for the Elderly Address: 3031 N.W. 19th Avenue Miami, Florida 33142 The Waiting List for Efficiency and One Bedroom Apartments will be closing on Friday, 03/08/2013. Bi0l. AD NO. 16439 Island's fate is up to Bahamas CITY OF HIALEAH Certified Police Officer $40,611.60 $61,648.20 Yearly Applications for Certified Police Officer are being accepted from March 11 22, 2013. Applicants must be FDLE certified in law enforcement and must apply in person at 501 Palm Avenue, 3rd Floor, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. African-Americans and women, as well as other minorities are encouraged to apply. For more in- formation, call our Job Hotline at (305) 883-8057 or visit our website at www.hialeahfl.qov. City of Miami Notice of Bid Solicitation RFQ 12-13-025 Title: Miscellaneous Surveying & Mapping Services Bid Due Date: Friday, March 29, 2013 at 10:00 AM For detailed information, please visit our Capital Improvements Pro- gram webpage at: www.miamigov.com/capitalimprovements/pages/ProcurementOpportuni- ties/Default.asp. THIS SOLICITATION IS SUBJECT TO THE "CONE OF SILENCE" IN AC- CORDANCE WITH SECTION 18-74 OF THE CITY CODE. DP No.: 000823 Johnny Martinez, P.E., City Manager CITY OF MIAMI ADVERTISEMENT FOR QUALIFICATIONS Sealed responses will be received at the City of Miami, City Clerk office located at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, and Fl., 33133 for the following: RFQ NO. 356296 LATENT PRINT EXAMINATION SERVICES CLOSING DATE: 2:00 PM, TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 (Deadline for Request for additional information/clarification: Thursday. March 21. 2013 at 2:00pm.) Detailed for the Request of Qualifications (RFQ) are at the City of Miami, Pur- chasing Department, website at www.miamigov.com/procurement Telephone No. 305-416-1906. THIS SOLICITATION IS SUBJECT TO THE "CONE OF SILENCE" IN AC- CORDANCE WITH CITY OF MIAMI CODE SECTION 18-74 ORDINANCE NO.12271. Johnny Martinez, P. E. City Manager I :; ''' - I THE NATION'S #1 BLACK NEWSPAPER D 21 THE MIAMI TIMES MAR 5 .. I..,, ,I -,.. '..R Norland team repeats win at State Championship Vikings snag fourth state title in past eight seasons By Akilah Laster Miami Times writer AkilahLaster@gmail.com The Norland Vikings boys' basketball team has won back-to-back Class 6A State Championships with a 42-30 defeat of the Pine Forest Ea- gles (Pensacola) last Saturday at the Lakeland Center. It's the fourth for Viking's head coach Lawton Williams in his 10-year stint at Norland, and adds to the other seven state titles the burgeoning athletic powerhouse has claimed in the last 11 years. The girls' basketball team and the football team have earned two titles each in that time. "[Winning back-to-back] was our goal," Williams said. "We'd never done that before." I While the game was sloppy, with 47 combined turnovers, Norland's defense kept them ahead the entire game and al- lowed them to eventually pull away from the Eagles, Scoring was low on both sides of the game, including a 5-point first quarter where Norland (26-5) shutout Pine Forest (30-2). "We have growing pains," Williams said of his team that does not start any seniors. The team motto 'keep push- ing' may have been the key ingredient in this game for Norland who struggled offen- sively; the Vikings averaged almost 80 points in their prior Norland guard/forward Cleon Roberts (3), center Tyrell Williams (44), forward/center Maljhum McCrea (24) and guard Jamell Peacock (14) celebrate as time expires in their FHSAA Class 6A Boys Basketball Championship on March 3, 2012 in Lakeland. three wins. Junior shooting guard, Zach Johnson, the game's leading scorer with 15, ful- filled his role of bringing the energy that kept Norland just ahead of the Eagles in each quarter. "I have to make sure I punch the team in their throat," Johnson said, figura- tively. "But we're conditioned and we're disciplined." Williams, who had become used to winning by large margins, did not let up on his team. "We had to keep putting it in the meat grinder and keep working on the little things throughout the entire year," he added. The year that called for so much attention to nuances has also been difficult for Wil- liams on a personal level with the loss of his mother, Bobbie, back in June. "It's been a mentally taxing year," Lawton said, "but that's why we said 'keep pushing.'" Norland became just the fourth Miami-Dade County school to win consecutive state titles, joining Miami High, Monsignor Pace and Northwest Christian. SOUTH MIAMI FALLS IN CLASS 8A CHAMPIONSHIP South Miami (28-4) who had an impressive year, including the Greater Miami Athletic Conference win, fell just short of its first state title 44-34 against Hagerty High School (Oveido) in the Class 8A championship game. Dropping an eight point half- time lead from the three-point onslaught brought on by the Huskies (27-5), the Cobras headed back to Miami-Dade County disappointed and with the team's third runner- up trophy. "Everything has to be earned not given," South Miami head coach, Robert Doctor. UM opens spring football season North Korean TV Broadcasts Video of Rod...: North Korean television broadcasts video of former NBA star player Dennis Rodman watching a basketball game with the country's leader, Kim Jong-un. Long shot: diplomacy done Rodman-style Kim Jong-un wants Obama to call him By Steve Schrader -So other than sequestration, what should Americans be concerned with today? "There is nobody at the CIA who could tell you more personally about Kim Jong Un than Dennis Rodman. And that in itself is scary," said ABC News consultant Stephen Ganyard, a former Marine pilot and diplomat. The clip got a laugh from Rodman, who was on this morning's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" to explain last week's trip to North Korea. For his appearance, Rodman wore a Polo cap, oversize bejeweled shades and a jacket patterned with Benjamins and other paper money -- all in a studio whose usual outland- ish fashion statement is a George Will bowtie. Rodman's observations included: How he buddied up with Kim, the North Korean leader, despite his threats against the U.S. and human rights transgressions: "I understand why he's doing that. I don't condone that. I hate the fact that he's do- ing that. But the fact is, you know what, that's a human being. He let his guard down to me, as a friend. I didn't talk about that." Kim is just a 28-year-old kid, and he was raised that way: "He loves. power. He loves being in control, because of his dad. But he's a great guy. He's just a great guy, if you sit down and talk to him." And Kim wants President Obama, a fellow Chicago Bulls fan, to call him. Why he called Kim a great leader: "What I saw in that country ... I saw people respect him and his family. That's what I meant by that." Rodman disagreed with Stepha- nopoulos, who suggested they might be forced to do so. Once again, about those prison camps ... "I'm not apologizing for him. He's a good guy to me. He's my friend. I don't condone what he does, but as far as a person to person, he's my friend. ... "We have presidents over here that do the same thing, right? It's amaz- ing that Bill Clinton can have sex with his secretary, get away with it and still be in power." Huh? said everybody, including Stephanopoulos. Once agan, if there's any confu- sion, Rodman wanted to clear it up: He's not a diplomat. But he said he does plan on returning to North Ko- rea to see his buddy again. When he does, Stephanopoulos suggested he take along the Human Rights Watch report on North Korea, and handed it to him. "Don't hate me," Rodman said. Team welcomes new assistant coaches By Associated Press More than three months after the end of the 2012 season, the Miami Hurricanes started spring practice last Saturday. And coach Al Golden thinks his team largely picked up from where it left off last fall. Golden gave the Hurricanes rave reviews after about a two-hour workout, one where the team had three new assistant coaches on the field to work with a group that brings 20 starters back on the of- fensive and defensive side of the football. " "Good tempo, good start," Golden said. "I told the team I thought we were better today than when we got back from (the season-finale at Duke), which is not easy to do." Miami did not go to a bowl game in 2012 after a second-straight season of self-imposed sanctions because of the NCAA investigation into the Hurricanes' athletic de- partment. The Hurricanes finished 7-5 last season and, if they had chosen to go to postseason play, would have represented the Coastal Division in the Atlantic Coast Con- ference title game. Golden has long said that he be- lieves the worst is over for Miami as it relates to the investigation. Now that the sanctions phase has begun the Hurricanes are University of Miami head football coach Al Golden preparing for a June 14-15 hear- ing before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions Golden's thinking has not changed. "That's signaling of the beginning of the end to me was big," Golden said. "You could almost sense it in the building and for the play- ers that we have a chance to move forward now. We know that there's at least a terminal date now as opposed to being in the gray and we're excited about moving for- ward." Miami's new assistants are offen- sive coordinator James Coley, tight ends coach Larry Scott and run- ning backs coach Hurlie Brown, who had worked with the Hurri- canes in a non-coaching capacity. Coley came to Miami from Flor- ida State, where he had the same title but was not calling plays. At. Miami, Coley will replace Jedd Fisch, who left for the NFL's Jack- sonville Jaguars. "I'm excited about him," Golden said of Coley, adding that they've had mutual friends and a high level of respect for one another for some time. "He brings a lot of energy, a lot of knowledge, passion. And he's really done a great job just taking over. He's put his ego aside because we didn't want to mess with the quarterbacks and the offense too much in terms of terminology. He's put his own spin on things." Tiger crashes in final round of Classic By Steve DiMeglio PALM BEACH GAR- DENS, Fla. Tiger Woods was stuck in neutral through the first three rounds of the Honda Clas- sic, struggling to back- to-back-to-back even-par 70s. A double bogey on No. 6 at PGA National, fol- lowed by a bogey at No. 7, erased an early birdie and crashed any chances Woods could make a final-round charge. Woods did close out with an eagle to finish out his round of 4-over 74. "I just made too many penalties this week," Tiger Woods struggled to a four-over par 74 in the final round of the Honda Classic on Sunday. Woods said. "Today is a actually a decent score. perfect example, I didn't So just got to clean up my play that poorly. I had rounds. two water balls and a lost ... I had a lost ball ball. Take those away, today and two water balls and I missed two short and shot 4 over. The pen- birdie putts, and it was alty shots certainly added up my score and it was a round that I felt like I should have shot probably even par or maybe 1 or 2 under." "I feel good with what I did, though," Woods said. "It's just penalty shots." He began the day eight shots behind co-leaders Michael Thompson and Michael Thompson and Luke Guthrie. A year earlier, Woods fired a final round 62 to put some pressure on eventual win- ner Rory Mcllroy. "I passed 62 somewhere on 12," Woods said with a smile. Actually, he passed 62 with the third of three putts on the par-3 15th. Kobe personfies greatness No matter the sport, all of us tion. However, when speaking can appreciate greatness. It is of Kobe Bryant of the Los An- a word in sports that is used geles Lakers we are watching too often but does not always a great player who should be apply to any particular situa- approaching the twilight of his career at 34 years of age. We have seen it happen with many of his peers, some of them no longer in the NBA: Allen Iver- son, Tracy McGrady. Or folks like Vince Carter and Grant Hill still hang- ing around as shells of their former selves. What Bryant is doing is highly unusual; we have seen it in the past with Michael Jordan who was still winning championships at a similar age and Kareem Abdul Jabbar who was still a force as he approached 40. Bryant is third in the NBA in scor- ing and shooting the highest percentage of his career. He still has the ability to rise over defenders and throw down vi- cious slam dunks. He has his younger defend- ers watching in awe as he hits big shot after big shot. Greatness. 'That is what we are all witnessing with Bryant and we should appreciate it while we can. It is easy to rec- ognize in other sports as well - Jerry Rice and Brett Favre in the NFL who were able to be so great for so long. Athletes who display the will to be the best and train harder to outlast their opponent. Con- sider Jimmy Connors or John McEnroe in tennis or Sugar Ray Leonard in boxing who flat out refused to quit in that first fight against Thomas Hearns. Each of them possessed the desire to be the best and made the commitment to maintain that standard. Whether the Lakers make the playoffs or not this year is not the point - it is the level of play of the Black Mamba despite all of those years of wear and tear on his body. The 17-year veteran shows few signs of slowing down but of course in the end Father Time will have his way. After all, he is still undefeated in the game of life. The Sports Brothers, Jeff Fox & Ed Freeman, can be heard daily on WQAM 560 Sports. |