County - The Metro Herald

VOLUME XVII, NUMBER 2
IN THIS ISSUE . . .
COVER: “STONE OF HOPE”—MLK MEMORIAL DREAM
SOON TO BE A REALITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1, 12–13
Africa Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Around the Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4–5
Capital Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6–7
Chinese New Year 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8–9
Around the Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10–11
Health & Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Arts & Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17–19
Sports & Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20–21
Business News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Classified Ads/Bids & Proposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22–23
Imaging the Politics, Culture, and Events of Our Times
Fauquier
County
Carroll County
Howard County
Loudoun
County
Fairfax
County
Prince
William
County
Arlington County
Richmond
Baltimore
Montgomery
County
D.C.
Alexandria
Spotsylvania
County
Stafford
County
Fredericksburg
Annapolis
Anne
Arundel County
Prince George’s
County
Westmoreland
County
Charles
County
January 11, 2008
“STONE OF HOPE”—
MLK MEMORIAL
DREAM SOON
TO BE A
REALITY
Side profile of the small clay model of Rev. . Dr. . Martin Luther
King, Jr. . emerging from the “Stone of Hope” by Lei Yixin of
China. This small clay model, with refinement, will be used to
create a three-story high clay version of the sculpture. Next,
a plaster version will be done and finally, , the three-story tall
granite version (photo courtesy The Washington W
D.C. Martin
Luther King, Jr. . National Memorial Project Foundation)
Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity and the
Washington D.C. Martin
Luther King Jr. National
Memorial Project
Foundation, Inc. are
proud to announce that a memorial
will be erected in Washington D.C.,
to commemorate the life and
achievements of the Late Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It took nearly two decades of
hard work and more than ten years
of intense lobbying before
Congress approved and
President Clinton signed Public
Law 104-333 in November 1996,
authorizing Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc., to raise funds and
manage the design and
construction of the Memorial.
Ground breaking took place in
the fall of 2006 and the
construction of the Memorial
which will begin in the spring of
2008 will be completed in 2009.
Continued on page 12
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January 11, 2008
THE
METRO HERALD
NEWSPAPER
The Metro Herald, a resource of Davis
Communications Group, Inc., is published
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EXECUTIVE MANAGER
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SENIOR BUSINESS & SECURITY
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We
are
all
the
creatures
of
our
own
realities,
which
allow
us
all
to
touch
the
emotional
delicacies
of
others . . .
The
mind’s
eyes
allows
us
all
to
see
our
blemishes
as
we
try
to
find
ways
to
help
cleanse
others;
thus
helping
to
cleanse
ourselves.
People
around
the
world
from
Katrina
in
New Orleans
to
the
recent
natural
calamities
in
southeast
Asia . . .
. . . politics
requires
that
there
be
a
recognition
Editorial
ELECTIONS/POLITICS
that
politics
is
the
art
of
making
all
things
possible.
Like
war,
politics
creates
its
own
political
fog.
There
is
an
acquiescence
and
a
voicelessness
that
are
companioned
with
truth,
complicity
and
their
joint
collective
movements,
row
on
the
rivers
of
change
with
one
oar
and
with
the
other
oar
the
river
of
co-assimilation
and
commitment
into
an
America
where
all
ethnicities
own
collectively
America
but
don’t
realize
the
need
to
become
participants
in
an
America
that
only
speaks
back
if
you
speak
first.
The
human
mind
is
never
shackled
unless
we
allow
it . . .
Americans
individually,
are
more
powerful
than
America
itself.
We
do
not
need
to
do
inventories
of
what’s
up
and
what’s
not . . .
We
do
need
to
find
the
importance
of
our
being . . .
we
are
now
finding
ourselves
waiting
to
be
rediscovered
by
the
inside
of
our
mind-side.
Sometimes
a
big
carrot
can
be
a
big
stick . . .
choose
your
weapon,
arm
your
mind!
An
America
without
a
mind
is
a
voiceless
America.
If
we
allow
others
to
voice
over
our
voices
at
the
polls
in
November
2008 . . .
then
we
become
muted.
We
become
politically
amorphous
and
stately
nomadic
and
totally
dependent
on
others
to
make
decisions
for
those
unwilling
to
participate
in
the
political
process.
PDD
2 THE METRO HERALD

AFRICA UPDATE
January 11, 2008
NEW EFFORT TO SOLVE KENYA CRISIS
President Kufuor, right, is holding talks
with both sides
Ghana’s President John Kufuor
has held separate talks with
both sides involved in
Kenya’s election crisis. Mr. Kufuor—
who also heads the African Union—
met President Mwai Kibaki and opposition
leader Raila Odinga.
Mr. Kibaki said at his meeting that
his government was operational and
would reach out to the opposition.
However there is no sign the two
sides will meet for direct talks to resolve
the violence, which has seen
hundreds of people killed and displaced.
In a BBC interview, the new Vice-
President Kalonzo Musyoka—who
came third behind Mr. Odinga in the
presidential election—acknowledged
there were flaws during last month’s
election, but said there was no doubt
that President Kibaki had won.
The opposition has called Mr.
Kibaki’s announcement at a partial
cabinet on Tuesday “a slap in the face”.
Protests erupted in the capital
Nairobi and in the western opposition
stronghold of Kisumu following the
announcement. Some 600 people are
feared to have been killed, and 250,000
displaced, by post-election violence in
Kenya - previously seen as a beacon of
stability in east Africa.
After meeting the Ghanaian president,
Mr. Kibaki flew off to the western
city of Eldoret, which has suffered
some of the worst violence since the
crisis began. A statement by Mr.
Kibaki’s office said he had assured Mr.
Kufuor he was initiating dialogue.
“Now that peace was returning to
these parts, his partially formed government
would continue to reach out to
Kenyan leaders who would also be encouraged
to play their role in preaching
peace among their followers,” the
statement said.
Mr. Musyoka emphasized the need
for peace and stability. “What is important
is that a government is in
place,” he said. “What we want to do
right now is to preach national healing
and reconciliation.”
Mr. Kufuor’s visit is expected to
build on the mediation efforts of the
top US diplomat on Africa, Jendayi
Frazer, who has spent several days
shuttling between the two sides.
Mr. Kibaki’s announcement of a
cabinet appeared to deliver a blow to
hopes of dialogue, with Mr. Odinga on
Tuesday rejecting a government offer
of direct talks as “public relations gimmickry”
that sought to divert attention
from international efforts to broker a
solution. But Mr. Kibaki insisted in a
statement that there was room for
members of the opposition in his new
cabinet.
“When my government is fully
constituted as a result of dialogue, it
will be broad-based and represent the
will of the people of Kenya,” Mr.
Kibaki said in a statement, quoted by
AFP news agency.
The cabinet announcement triggered
protests in Kisumu, where police
Looters in Kenya took advantage of the
mayhem to raid shops
fired over the heads of hundreds of
demonstrators who set up burning road
blocks and stoned cars. One man died,
Reuters news agency reported.
In Nairobi, hundreds of opposition
supporters came out in protest, some
reportedly brandishing machetes. Gunshots
were heard for the first time in
days, reports said.
A spokesman for Mr. Odinga has
urged opposition supporters not to take
part in demonstrations, saying they
could imperil international efforts to
find a solution.
Meanwhile, Ms Frazer is to extend
her stay in Kenya to continue pushing
for a resolution, said state department
spokesman Sean McCormack in Washington.
Ms Frazer has been highly critical
of events in Kenya—a close US ally—
saying earlier in the week that Kenyans
had been “cheated by their leadership
and their institutions”.
KENYANS HAND BACK
“CURSED” LOOT
The threat of witchcraft has scared
looters into returning goods they stole
during the unrest which followed last
month’s disputed Kenyan elections.
TV stations broadcast pictures of
people returning to places they robbed
in the coastal city of Mombasa carrying
beds, sofas and other items.
A police commander confirmed the
reports and said the rumors of witchcraft
had made his job “easy”.
One woman said the curse had prevented
people from going to the toilet.
“I am telling the truth. I am not lying.
There are some people who are not
able to pass urine nor feces,” she told
Kenyan broadcaster NTV. Other looters
attributed “mystery” illnesses to the
curse.
Widespread looting followed a
breakdown in law and order after President
Mwai Kibaki was sworn in after
being declared the winner of the disputed
poll. But word spread around
Mombasa that a timber merchant had
brought in a community elder to place
a curse on the thieves. “He gave us 10
days to return the timber. I will return
them at night because people really
laugh at us when we do so during the
day,” an unidentified man told the TV
station. Other victims of looters have
also reportedly followed suit.
John Joash confessed to stealing a
bed during the mayhem. “I am fearful
for my life because of the ghosts, that
is why I decided to return the property,”
the AFP news agency quotes him
as saying.
A local police commander welcomed
the looters’ second thoughts.
“Whether ghosts exist or not, our work
has been made easy. I wish there were
ghosts all over the country,” he said.
The BBC’s Odhiambo Joseph in
Mombasa says people turned to witchcraft
when they realized the police
were powerless to prevent their livelihoods
being destroyed.
UN PROTESTS AFTER
DARFUR ATTACK
The attack is the first against the new joint
AU-UN peacekeeping force
The United Nations has
lodged a protest with
Khartoum after a
peacekeeping supply convoy
in Darfur was ambushed by
what the UN said were Sudanese
troops.
A civilian Sudanese driver
is in a critical condition after
being shot seven times in the
attack, the joint UN and
African Union force, Unamid,
said. It said its peacekeepers
had not fired back and there were no UN casualties. UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-Moon condemned the strike “in the strongest terms”.
The attack, which took place on Monday, is the first time the new
peacekeeping operation has come under fire since the UN took over last
week.
“Sudanese armed forces” fired upon the “clearly marked” convoy,
said a spokeswoman for Mr. Ban.
Some reports suggested the attackers may have been government
soldiers who mistook the convoy for rebels. The convoy had been carrying
fuel and food to a joint United Nations-African Union outpost in
the West of Darfur.
The UN Secretary General called on the Sudanese government to
“provide unequivocal guarantees that there will be no recurrence of
such activities by its forces”.
Khartoum has not commented on the incident.
Tensions have been escalating in the area over the last few weeks.
There have been violent clashes between the Sudanese government and
rebel groups.
Neighboring Chad has been accused by Khartoum of bombing villages
in the area, and each country accuses the other of sheltering rebel
movements dedicated to overthrowing their respective regimes.
Unamid is due to become a 26,000-strong force but for the moment
has just 9,000 troops.
At least 200,000 have been killed and two million forced from their
homes in the five-year conflict.
Ex-Liberian President Charles
Taylor’s war crimes trial has
heard how Sierra Leone rebels
killed some 101 men before ordering
the mutilation of a child.
Sierra Leone churchman Alex
Tamba Teh testified at The Hague that
he was part of a group of 250 civilians
seized by rebel forces in April 1998.
He said a rebel leader massacred some
of the captives with a machine gun.
Prosecutors are trying to prove a
link between Mr. Taylor and war
crimes. He has pleaded not guilty to 11
charges.
Mr. Taylor, 59, is Africa’s first former
head of state to face an international
war crimes court. He is accused
of stoking the civil war in Sierra Leone
in 1991-2001 so that he could gain
control over its mineral resources.
Mr. Tamba Teh told the trial in the
Netherlands he was among a group of
250 civilians captured a decade ago in
Sierra Leone’s diamond mining district
of Kono by rebel forces.
The men were separated from the
women and children and a rebel commander,
known as Rocky, told the clergyman
to pray for them before opening
fire with a machine gun, the court
heard.
After that, a group of child soldiers,
known as the “small boys’ unit” was
ordered by Rocky to cut the heads off
the corpses.
Mr. Tamba Teh, 47, told the trial
that Rocky had later told another commander,
called Rambo, he had killed
101 men.
The clergyman said some of the
boys were too small to lift the guns
they were dragging around.
Later, a captured child was dragged
to a log by some child soldiers and had
his hands and feet hacked off with machetes,
the trial heard.
Mr. Tamba Teh told the court: “He
was crying, screaming, asking: ‘What
have I done’” He said the child soldiers
then grabbed the boy by the
stumps of his limbs and swung him
into a toilet pit.
The witness did not draw any link
between the events he described and
Mr. Taylor, who sat taking notes
throughout the testimony.
The BBC’s Mark Doyle in The
Hague says Mr. Taylor’s defense team
believes the testimony of victims is an
emotional distraction that seeks to portray
Mr. Taylor as a monster. Rather,
the court should be trying to establish
whether Mr. Taylor backed the rebels,
the defense says.
Mr. Tamba Teh told the trial that he
later narrowly survived a split vote
among the commanders on whether he
MALAWIANS WITH HIV
GET PAY RAISE
Malawian civil servants with HIV
are to be given a pay rise by the
government. Health Minister
Marjorie Ngaunjeb said all civil servants affected
by the disease would receive an extra
$35 a month to help them buy more food.
“We thought [it] would go a long way in
improving their nutritional requirements
which are essential to their well-being,” she
told Reuters.
Tens of thousands of Malawians die of
Aids every year with about 7% of the 13m
population infected.
Another government official said that the
extra money should help those with HIV prolong
their lives. Losing large numbers of
trained staff is a major problem for the countries
worst affected by HIV/Aids, such as
Malawi.
The BBC’s Raphael Tenthani in Blantyre
says the government is the country’s largest
employer with about 120,000 civil servants.
Their monthly salaries average about $70,
AFP news agency reports.
After years of silence, the authorities
spoke out about the crisis in 2004, when a
program to tackle HIV/Aids was launched.
Then President Bakili Muluzi revealed that
his brother had died from the disease.
Last year, the government called on all
sexually active people in the country to take
an Aids test. The UN estimates that 80% of
people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa do
not know they have the virus.
TAYLOR’S TRIAL HEARS OF MASSACRE
Charles Taylor denies responsibility for
atrocities
should live or die. He told the court he
ended up in a rebel camp, where
women were repeatedly raped.
Captives had the acronyms of the
rebel groups, such as the Revolutionary
United Front (RUF), carved on
their chests and backs with razors or
knives, Mr. Tamba Teh said.
Mr. Taylor denies responsibility for
atrocities committed by rebels during
the civil war in neighboring Sierra
Leone.
The trial opened in June last year
but proceedings were postponed after
Mr. Taylor fired his defense lawyer and
boycotted the opening of the trial.
The ex-Liberian President is accused
of responsibility for the actions
of RUF rebels during the 1991-2001
civil war in Sierra Leone, which included
unlawful killings, sexual slavery,
use of child soldiers and looting.
THE METRO HERALD 3

AROUND THE REGION
January 11, 2008
WASHINGTON AUTO SHOW
CONGRESSIONAL GALA
LINKS CARS WITH A CAUSE
The Washington Area New Automobile
Dealers Association
(WANADA) will host The
Washington Auto Show Charity Preview
and Congressional Gala on Jan.
22, from 6p.m. to 10:30p.m. at the
Washington Convention Center. Drawing
together automakers, dealers,
diplomats and lawmakers, the annual
event offers Washington’s elected and
government officials an insider’s look
at the latest breakthroughs in automotive
design and engineering—as well
as the chance to support area health,
human services and children’s charities.
Gala patrons will have the opportunity
to preview hundreds of the hottest
vehicle makes and models on display
before The Washington Auto Show®:
“Engineered for the Future” opens to
the public from Jan. 23 to Jan. 27.
“The Charity Preview and Congressional
Gala will give our distinguished
guests a sneak peek at exciting new innovations
in automotive safety and design
while raising money for charities
that truly need our support,” says Gala
chairperson Dennis Rippeon of Ourisman
automobile dealerships. Rippeon
is joined by his wife, Pricilla, and cochair
Tamara C. Darvish of DAR-
CARS Automotive Group. Mayor
Adrian M. Fenty and Mrs. Michelle
Fenty are honorary chairs of the event.
Proceeds from The Washington
Auto Show Charity Preview and Congressional
Gala will benefit Adoptions
Together, Big Brothers Big Sisters of
the National Capital Area, Boys &
Girls Clubs of Greater Washington,
Bread for the City, Life with Cancer,
BLACK FACT
On January 11,
1865, Robert E. Lee,
with his armies at
low tide,
recommended the
employment of
blacks in the
Confederate forces
because it was “not
only expedient,
but necessary.”
Men Against Breast Cancer,
National Kidney
Foundation of the National
Capital Area,
Parkinson Foundation
of the National
Capital Area, Primary
Care Coalition
of Montgomery
County,
Victims’ Rights
Foundation, Volunteers
of America
Chesapeake and The
Wellness Community.
The Gala is sponsored
by Auto Alliance,
National Automobile
Dealers Association
(NADA), The Association of
International Automobile Manufacturers
(AIAM), Enterprise Rent-
A-Car Foundation, Hargrove and The
Washington Post.
Attendees have an option to enjoy a
black tie dinner, complete with dancing
and continuous entertainment.
Tickets for the Reception and Preview
are $175 per person, and for the VIP
reception and dinner dance, $350 per
person. For more information, contact
WANADA at 1-866-WASH-AUTO.
The 66th staging of the Washington
Auto Show will bring more than 700
new cars, trucks, mini-vans and sport
utility vehicles from over 42 domestic
and import automakers to the Washington
Convention Center.
The 2008 Washington Auto Show:
“Engineered for the Future” dates and
hours: Wednesday & Thursday, Jan.
23 and 24, 10AM to 9PM; Friday &
Saturday, Jan. 25 and 26, 10AM to
10PM; Sunday, Jan. 27, 10AM to
6PM.
For more information, call
WANADA at 1-866-WASH-AUTO or
visit www.washingtonautoshow.com.
Now in its 90th year, WANADA
represents new car dealerships
throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland
and Virginia.
JOBLESS RATE HITS 5 PERCENT, A 2-YEAR HIGH,
FANNING RECESSION
It’s back to the future for President
Bush, who in his last year in office
is facing the same challenge he
did in his first, the possibility of a recession
and how to avert it.
Bush couldn’t stave off a recession
in 2001, but his tax cuts helped to
cushion the blow. This time around, a
tax cut is under consideration again,
the White House said after the release
of an especially gloomy employment
report Friday.
Wary employers clamped down on
hiring and pushed the unemployment
rate to a two-year high of 5 percent in
December, an ominous sign that the
economy may slide into recession.
Gripped by uncertainty, government
and private employers last month
added the fewest new jobs to their payrolls
in more than four years. In fact,
employment at private companies
alone actually declined. The Labor Department’s
report provided evidence of
an economy greatly strained by a housing
slump and a credit crunch.
The disappointing employment figures
sent Wall Street into a nosedive,
thrust the White House into damage
control and ratcheted up the blame
game as Republicans and Democrats
battle for the presidency. The employment
numbers also fanned speculation
that the Federal Reserve will have to
lower interest rates again. As expected,
the Fed took action to make cash more
available to banks.
Bush said he is on top of the situation.
“We can’t take economic growth
for granted,” he said. “There are signs
that will cause us to be ever more diligent
and make sure that good policies
come out of Washington.”
The president said he wants to work
with Congress “to deal with the economic
realities of the moment and to
assure the American people that we
will do everything we can to make sure
we remain a prosperous country.”
With the odds of a recession increasing,
Bush met with his top economic
advisers on Friday and was considering
the need for an economic
DC COUNCIL PASSES SAFE RX ACT
On Tuesday, January 8, the D.C. Council voted 7-6 to pass the
“SafeRx Act of 2007.” (“SafeRx”) The measure will protect District
of Columbia residents from several potentially harmful prescription
drug marketing practices. Among other things, the legislation will require the
licensure of pharmaceutical representatives and prohibit them from providing
knowingly false information to physicians.
“Today is a great day for patients and seniors,” said Councilmember David
Catania (At-Large), Chairman of the Committee on Health. “The District
will lead the nation in the regulation of false and misleading advertising of
prescription drugs.”
Pharmaceutical representatives, called “detailers,” account for a large
share of the marketing costs of prescription drugs. Some estimate that there
are currently 100,000 detailers peddling drugs today. Detailers have been
known to resort to questionable methods, including providing gifts and meals
to doctors, in order promote their drugs. This has the potential to influence
doctors’ prescribing decisions in ways that have little to do with the best interest
of the patient. SafeRx will require detailers doing business in the District
to be licensed and held to a professional code of conduct. Those who violate
these standards will be fined and could have their license revoked. The
bill will also require detailers to have an appropriate educational background.
“Detailers have come to play a huge role in our healthcare system, and it
is time to start treating them as healthcare providers,” said Catania. “The
current system promotes the use of the latest, most expensive drugs at the expense
of the best, most effective ones. This is a major problem for our overall
healthcare system”
In addition to regulating detailers, SafeRx creates an academic detailing
program to educate doctors on the latest developments in pharmaceutical research.
Finally, the bill prohibits members of the District’s Medical Advisory
Committees from receiving gifts from pharmaceutical companies.
stimulation package. The president,
who has been plagued by low public
approval ratings for his handling of the
economy, isn’t expected to make any
decisions until later this month. Tax
cuts are under consideration, White
House spokesman Tony Fratto said.
“We’ve done tax cuts before, and it’s
led to growth,” he said.
The State of the Union address is
Jan. 28, and Bush is likely to unveil
his package then.
The civilian unemployment rate
jumped from 4.7 percent in November
to 5 percent in December, the highest
since November 2005 after the Gulf
Coast hurricanes dealt the country a
mighty blow. Total payrolls—both private
employers and government—grew
by just 18,000 last month, the worst
showing since August 2003, when the
economy suffered job losses as it struggled
to recover from the 2001 recession.
“This is a major warning shot that
the economy is in trouble,” said economist
Joel Naroff, president of Naroff
Economic Advisors.
On Wall Street, the stocks plunged.
The Dow Jones industrials lost 256.54
points to close at 12,800.18.
As part of its recently launched effort
to make credit more readily available,
the Federal Reserve announced
that it will provide banks an additional
$60 billion worth of loans through two
auctions on Jan. 14 and Jan. 28. The
Fed’s first two auctions offered banks a
total of $40 billion in loans.
The December employment picture
was much weaker than expected.
Employers have grown cautious as
they try to cope with fallout from housing
and credit problems and rising uncertainty
about how the economy will
fare in the months ahead. Galloping
energy prices and bad weather in some
parts of the country also probably figured
into the weak job figures.
Manufacturers, construction companies
and financial services all cut
jobs in December—casualties of the
housing slump. Retailers also sliced
jobs.
The government added 31,000 jobs
in December, while private employers
cut payrolls by 13,000, underscoring
the weakness.
“Businesses have turned super-conservative,”
said economist Ken Mayland,
president of ClearView Economics.
“With slower economic growth has
come the pink slips.”
The unemployment rate for blacks
jumped to 9 percent in December, a
15-month high. The jobless rate for
Hispanics climbed to 6.3 percent, the
highest in more than two years. For all
of 2007, the economy added 1.33 million
jobs and the unemployment rate
averaged 4.6 percent, the same as in
2006. Employment growth averaged
111,000 a month in 2007, down from
189,000 a month in 2006.
Fratto said the 5 percent jobless rate
should be viewed in proper historical
context, saying the figure was relatively
low despite the problems.
Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said
the employment figures “should be a
wake-up call that a public policy response
is needed to help the economy
recover more quickly.” Other Democrats,
including presidential contender
Sen. Hillary Clinton, pointed to the
employment figures as evidence of
what they called Bush’s flawed economic
stewardship.
“If there were ever a shot across the
bow to this administration to get off its
laissez-faire boat and start helping the
economy, this is it,” said Sen. Charles
Schumer, D-N.Y.
The health of the nation’s job market
is critical in determining whether the
economy will survive the stresses from
housing and harder-to-get credit. The
positive forces of job and wage growth
have helped to cushion individuals from
all the negative forces in the economy.
The big worry is that people will clamp
down on their spending and businesses
will put a lid on investment and hiring,
throwing the economy into a tailspin.
For all of 2007, wages increased
3.7 percent, down from a 4.3 percent
gain in 2006. High energy prices,
though, probably made some workers
feel like their paychecks aren’t stretching
as far as they would like.
To fend off the possibility of a recession,
the Federal Reserve cut a key
interest rate three times last year. Policymakers
are expected to lower rates
again when they meet at the end of the
month. Some analysts are predicting a
bold half-point reduction in light of the
weak employment report.
The big question, said Stephen
Stanley, chief economist at RBS
Greenwich Capital: “Has the economy
hit a big pothole or careened into the
ditch”
GIVING CIRCLE OF HOPE GRANTS
FOR 2007
The Giving Circle of HOPE is awarding over $50,000 to 12 nonprofit
organizations in Northern Virginia that help people in need.
Recipients will be honored on January 18 at 7:30p.m.at a reception
at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, which the community
is invited to attend. Each recipient group will have a representative
and a display table.
This will be the fourth annual grantee celebration of the Giving Circle
of HOPE, an organization of 100 members based in Reston that was
founded in 2004 to promote volunteerism and effective philanthropy.
Members seek to make a difference in the community by contributing
their time, talents and money to projects which encourage self-sufficiency
and well-being among people in need in Northern Virginia. Since its inception,
the Giving Circle has awarded over $200,000 through the grant
program.
This year’s recipients of grants are: Alzheimer’s Family Day Center,
BEACON, Brain Injury Services, Emerging Scholars Program, Empowered
Women International, FACETS, Herndon-Reston FISH, Jeanie
Schmidt Free Clinic, Liberty’s Promise, Shepherds Center of Oakton-Vienna,
Stroke Comeback Center, and Vecinos Unidos.
4 THE METRO HERALD

AROUND THE REGION
January 11, 2008
RADON SECOND ONLY TO CIGARETTE
SMOKING IN CAUSING LUNG CANCER
During January, National Radon
Action Month, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
and the U.S. Surgeon General urge
Americans to test their homes for
radon, a cancer-causing radioactive gas
that claims tens of thousands of lives
each year.
Radon is the leading cause of lung
cancer among nonsmokers and the second
leading cause of lung cancer after
cigarette smoking in the U.S. and in
the world. When radon is trapped in
buildings and concentrations build up
indoors, exposure becomes a concern.
Breathing indoor air with radon can
damage lung tissue and lead to cancer.
“Many people are not aware that
breathing radon can cause lung cancer,
but the science is strong,” said EPA
Regional Administrator
Donald S. Welsh. “Radon-related
deaths can be prevented. Our hope is
that people will understand the potential
health risk and test their homes for
radon and fix any problems they find.”
According to the American Cancer
Society, lung cancer is the leading cancer
killer of women in the United
States taking the lives of more women
each year than breast, ovarian and uterine
cancers combined. One in five
women diagnosed with lung cancer has
never smoked. Of the approximate
17,500 to 20,000 never-smokers diagnosed
with lung cancer in the U.S.
each year, more than 60 percent of
them are women. The National Academy
of Sciences and the EPA estimate
that in the U.S., radon in homes causes
21,100 lung cancer deaths each year
and 2,900 of these deaths occur among
people who never smoked.
Perhaps homes have not been tested
because you can’t see, smell or taste
radon. Yet, it may be the most potent
carcinogen in your home.
Although testing for radon is encouraged
when selling or buying a
home, recent consumer research indicates
that up to 80 percent of the
homes across America still need to be
tested for radon. The good news is a
simple home radon test, costing less
than $25, can detect it.
Radon is naturally-occurring and
comes from the breakdown of uranium
in soil and rocks entering homes
through cracks in basements and foundations
and floor drains. Radon can
build to unhealthy levels, especially
during colder months when windows
and doors are kept closed.
For help in purchasing test kits and
finding qualified professionals to fix a
radon problem contact the radon program
in your state on the web at
www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html
or visit www.nsc.org/issues/radon.
For more information about radon,
and to get downloadable booklets, visit
www.epa.gov/radon. Radon Hotlines
numbers are: 1-800-SOS-RADON (24
hour recording) or 1-800-55-RADON
(to speak with a specialist), or 1-866-
528-3187 (for Spanish speakers).
BLACK FACT
On January 11, 1892,
William D. McCoy of
Indiana was appointed
minister to Liberia.
DISTRICT
DEPARTMENT
OF THE
ENVIRONMENT
OFFERS FREE
HOME RADON
TESTING KITS
January is National Radon
Action Month (NRAM), and
the District Department of
the Environment (DDOE) is taking
action. DDOE is offering FREE
Home Radon Test Kits and conducting
Radon community workshops
by request. Radon can not be
seen, smelled, nor tasted. Radon
is a pollutant that comes from the
natural radioactive breakdown of
uranium in soil, rock and water and
can enter the indoor-air we breathe.
Radon has been found in homes all
over the United States, including
the District of Columbia. Radon
has been reported as the second
leading cause of lung cancer in the
US that causes about 15,000 deaths
a year. If a home is contaminated
with radon, levels usually register
high during cold months when
windows and doors are closed.
DDOE is encouraging DC residents
to test their homes now because
dangerous levels could unsuspectingly
exist. DDOE’s goal is
to inform 100% of DC residents
about radon and its associated
health risks.
To get a FREE Home Radon
Test Kit or request a workshop, DC
residents should call the DDOE
Radon Hotline at (202) 535-2302
or visit www.ddoe.dc.gov.
Archive issues
are available at
www.metroherald.com!
THE METRO HERALD 5

CAPITAL COMMENTS
January 11, 2008
2008 LEGISLATIVE
INITIATIVES ON DOMESTIC
AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Governor Timothy M. Kaine recently
announced sexual and
domestic violence prevention
and response proposals he will submit
for consideration by the 2008 General
Assembly. The legislative package includes
proposals to fund communitybased
sexual and domestic violence
prevention programs and measures to
bring the Commonwealth in compliance
with the federal Violence Against
Women Act of 2005. The budget and
legislative proposals are based on recommendations
from the Governor’s
Commission on Sexual Violence.
Standing with members of the
Commission and advocates from the
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence
Action Alliance, the Governor
noted that the measures were overdue.
“While Virginia has made progress
in the management of sexually violent
offenders, we have fallen behind in our
efforts to address the needs of victims,”
said Governor Kaine. “The physical
and emotional trauma suffered by victims
of sexual violence, often compounded
by silence and stigma surrounding
the crime, calls for special
attention in our response and prevention
efforts. These measures will help
us move towards prevention and response
efforts that put victims first.”
REIMBURSEMENT FOR PHYSICAL
EVIDENCE RECOVERY KITS (PERK)
Following an incident of sexual violence,
victims reporting the crime are
often given a forensic medical exam,
in part to collect evidence that may be
used in a subsequent prosecution.
These examinations can cost as much
as $800. Current Virginia law requires
the local Commonwealth’s Attorney to
approve reimbursement for the examination,
dependent upon the agreement
of the victim to prosecute within 48
hours after the exam.
The federal Violence Against
Women Act of 2005 sets forth a requirement
that no state ‘shall require a
victim of sexual violence to participate
in the criminal justice system or cooperate
with law enforcement in order to
be provided a forensic medical exam
or to be reimbursed for charges incurred
on account of such an exam.’
States have until January 5, 2009 to
comply with this requirement. Failure
to comply will result in the loss of $2.5
million in federal funds.
The Governor’s proposal would
amend §19.2-16.1 of the Code of Virginia
to remove the requirement that
victims must agree to participate in the
criminal justice process in order to
have their PERK paid for by the Commonwealth
of Virginia.
POLYGRAPH TESTING
The Violence Against Women Act of
2005 also prohibits law enforcement officers
from asking or requiring a victim
of an alleged sex offense to submit to a
polygraph examination as a condition
for proceeding with the investigation of
such an offense. Virginia has three
years to comply with this requirement.
If Virginia does not comply, the state
will lose approximately $2.5 million in
federal funds, and the state and several
localities may lose $2 million in federal
Grant to Encourage Arrest Policies.
In 2004, the Department of Criminal
Justice Services conducted a survey
of sexual Assault policies of law enforcement
agencies. A little over 72%
of respondents indicated that they
sometimes performed polygraph exams
on victims of sexual assault. Only
14.6% indicated that they never asked a
victim to submit to a polygraph exam.
The Governor’s proposed legislation
would prohibit law enforcement officers,
prosecutors, or other government
officials from asking or requiring a victim
of an alleged sex offense to submit
to a polygraph examination, limiting the
use of polygraph tests to those victims
who specifically request them.
MARRIAGE AS A
SUBSEQUENT DEFENSE
The Code of Virginia § 18.2-66 allows
that a perpetrator may offer subsequent
marriage to his victim as a defense
to carnal knowledge of a
14-to-16-year-old female victim.
Governor Kaine’s proposed legislation
would repeal this section of the code.
INCREASED FUNDING FOR SEXUAL
ASSAULT CRISIS CENTERS
Governor Kaine’s budget recommends
increased funding for the provision
of core and comprehensive services
to victims of sexual violence,
through community-based sexual assault
crisis centers. Crisis centers are
the only victim assistance programs that
provide around the clock services to all
victims of sexual violence, in addition
to conducting community outreach, coordinating
Sexual Assault Response
Teams (SART), and managing volunteer
programs. The Governor’s budget
increases funding for the centers by
$450,000 in each year of the biennium.
DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
PREVENTION
Governor Kaine’s budget recommends
funding to support the Domestic
Violence Prevention Enhancement and
Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA)
Project. The program seeks to reduce
the number of new cases of domestic violence
in seven locally funded communities.
Virginia is one of 14 states selected
to implement the project through
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The project is in its fifth year
and brings together diverse members of
local communities to plan, implement,
WYNN REJECTS BUSH’S PROPOSAL TO
FURTHER RESTRICT MEDICAID
Congressman Albert R. Wynn (MD-04), senior member
of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued
the following statement in response to the Bush
Administration’s decision to adopt a more restrictive policy
regarding Medicaid eligibility and blocking State plans to
cover more insured people through the Medicaid program.
“With more than 46 million Americans—including
750,000 Marylanders—currently uninsured, it is simply unconscionable
that this Administration would prevent states
Albert R. Wynn
from covering low-income families with health insurance.
“Instead, just as President Bush blocked Congress from providing health
coverage to 10 million children through SCHIP, the Administration is now
needlessly preventing the states from covering their own citizens. The Administration’s
restrictions preventing states from covering their citizens unnecessarily
burdens working families with more health costs.”
and evaluate projects
designed to
prevent domestic
violence before it
starts. The Governor’s
budget provides
$288,000 in
each year of the biennium
for the
project.
PROTECTIVE
ORDERS
Tim Kaine (D)
Governor of
Virginia
Governor Kaine proposes amending
§16.1-253.1 of the Code of Virginia
to require court personnel to immediately
enter protective orders in
civil abuse cases into the Virginia State
Police’s Virginia Crime Information
Network (VCIN) using the Supreme
Court of Virginia’s eMagistrate System,
which automatically transfers the
information. This will automatically
transfer protective order information.
Currently, there is an added step
where court staff prepares the protective
order papers and sends the information
to the local law enforcement agency to
enter the information into the database.
This delay in processing protective orders
prohibits law enforcement from enforcing
the issued protective order until
it has been fully processed and threatens
the safety of victims. In some instances,
protective orders are not being entered
into VCIN for an average of three and a
half days after the protective order has
been issued. This change will further
protect victims and ensure that law enforcement
officers have access to up-todate
information in the field.
LEGISLATION TO CLOSE
GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE
Governor Timothy M. Kaine recently
announced a legislative
proposal to close the gun show
loophole in existing laws requiring instant
background checks for firearms
purchases. The Governor made the announcement
standing with family
members of students killed or injured
in April’s Virginia Tech shootings, as
well as legislators and members of the
law enforcement community.
“It is long past time to apply existing
Virginia law to every firearm sale
at a gun show,” Governor Kaine said.
“It is wrong for felons, or domestic
abusers constrained by protective orders,
or people with serious mental illnesses
who are likely to harm themselves
or others to be able to buy a gun,
and we must close this loophole.”
In 1991, the General Assembly
passed a law requiring instant background
checks for anyone purchasing
any type of firearm from a licensed
dealer. The instant, computerized
check does not create any permanent
record of the transaction.
“I support 2nd Amendment rights,
and I believe that Virginia’s laws generally
strike the right balance of protecting
that right, consistent with the demands
of public safety,” Governor Kaine said.
“Most law-abiding gun owners and sellers
already go through this process every
time they purchase or sell a gun.”
Colonel W. Gerald Massengill, former
superintendent of the Virginia
State Police and Chairman of the Virginia
Tech Review Panel, released a
statement in support of the proposed
legislation.
“I strongly believe that in today’s
world of automation there is no excuse
for guns to be in the hands of those
who are not eligible,” Colonel Massengill
said. “Closing this loophole at
point of sale or transfer is a first step to
ensure that only eligible individuals
have the ability to purchase or possess
firearms under Virginia law.”
STATEMENT REGARDING
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
HIRING FREEZE
“
Effective immediately, I am
putting into effect a hiring
freeze by Montgomery
County government.
“Given our projected $401 million
shortfall for the coming fiscal year, I
feel it is prudent to hold off filling vacancies
within County government,
exempting only public safety and essential
personnel.
“This freeze, combined with the two
percent savings plan for this present fiscal
year that I’ve forwarded to the
Council, will help us save money now
so that we can more effectively manage
the financial challenges that lie ahead.”
CHANGES AIMED AT
HELPING COMPANIES
DO BUSINESS WITH
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
County Executive Isiah Leggett
has announced a 10-point plan
aimed at improving the procurement
process for County businesses.
The plan includes the elimination
of bid request and bid subscription
fees, thereby making it easier for businesses
to respond to contracting opportunities
with the County, more outreach
to small and minority/female/
disabled businesses and more information
available on the County website,
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/
procurement.
“I made a pledge to make government
more responsive, more accountable
and more effective and these
measures do that,” said Leggett.
“These changes will make it easier for
businesses of all sizes to compete for
County government contracts.”
Included in the reform plan for the
Office of Procurement are:
• Proposed elimination of bid request
fees, which will enable County to
make solicitations available online
for immediate download, thus helping
businesses to have more time to
prepare bids and proposals.
• Proposed elimination of the RAPID
bid subscription system and related
$200 annual fee. This will provide
for greater competitive opportunity
and removes a financial barrier for
small businesses.
• An improved website listing of current
solicitations now includes
quick reference to solicitation
scope so businesses can determine
whether it is of interest to them.
• A description will now appear in a
pop-up window that will immediately
let a business know whether
the solicitation is one they want to
consider.
• Proposed elimination of small purchase
restrictions for County departments.
Current regulations require
departments to use current contracts
for small purchases (less than $5,000)
if a current contract exists. Eliminating
this restriction will permit departments
to work with local, small and
minority owned businesses more
freely and provide opportunities for
those companies to prove their capabilities
and competitiveness.
• Proposed expansion of minority
certification—current regulations
only recognize the State of Maryland
certification, limiting access to
competitive opportunity for businesses
with other certification, including
the Federal 8a program.
Expanding the list of recognized
certifications will provide broader
opportunity to minority businesses.
• The transfer of
the County’s
successful Local
Small Business
Reserve Program
(LSBRP)
to the Office of
Procurement.
Working with Ike Leggett
the County’s Minority,
Female and Disabled owned
business program (MFD), also operated
out of the Office of Procurement,
this program will now be able
to assist and encourage County departments
in expanding the volume
of contract spending by County departments
with the local small and
minority business communities.
• Since October 2007, monthly business
briefings are being held to
offer training and networking opportunities
for businesses. Topics
include how to obtain bonding and
insurance, how to market and do
business with the County and how
to write effective proposals. The
briefings will also provide an opportunity
for companies to meet
with representatives from County
departments. Calendar available at
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/
procurement)
• An online reference list of department
contacts will be available to
help businesses make contact with
the more than 250 County contract
administrators. Companies can
now search by department and identify
contacts by name, title, telephone
number and email address.
• Information on current County contracts
is now available on the front
page of the website, enabling interested
parties to search by company
name, subject or other options.
Later this year, the information will
be expanded to include copies of
contract documents and prior solicitations.
This will enable businesses
and other interested parties to have
free and easy access to information
about how and with whom the
County does business with.
• Working with other County agencies
to develop a central vendor registration
portal, providing a single point
where companies can register and
update information for Montgomery
County Public Schools, Park and
Planning and Montgomery College.
“We want to make working with
Montgomery County government an opportunity
that businesses look forward to
and these initiatives outlined today will
go a long way towards improving the
way we help businesses who want to
work with us,” said David Dise, director
of the County’s Office of Procurement.
“The County Chamber enthusiastically
supports these changes to improved
access to County procurement
opportunities for our local small businesses,”
said Georgette Godwin, president
of the Montgomery County Chamber
of Commerce. “These changes
demonstrate a commitment on the part
of County Executive Ike Leggett and
Procurement Director David Dise to
help our local businesses grow and
thrive. We look forward to working
with them to help get this information
out to the business community.”
“I am very excited with the procurement
reform plans being instituted by
County Executive Leggett,” said
Charles Atwell, President of Innovative
Business Interiors of Silver Spring.
“These changes will allow more efficient
business opportunities for Montgomery
County small businesses and
better value-purchases for Montgomery
County departments and agencies.”
6 THE METRO HERALD

CAPITAL COMMENTS
January 11, 2008
OBAMA SAYS HE’S STILL
FIRED UP AND READY
Barack Obama pronounced himself
“still fired up and ready to
go” after a second-place finish
in New Hampshire’s Democratic primary.
“You know, a few weeks ago no
one imagined that we’d have accomplished
what we did here tonight in
New Hampshire,” he told supporters.
“For most of this campaign, we were
far behind. We always knew our climb
would be steep.
“But, in record numbers, you came
out and you spoke up for change. And
with your voices and your votes you
made it clear that at this moment in this
election there is something happening
in America.”
He congratulated Hillary Rodham
Clinton on a hard-fought victory and
asked the crowd to give her a round of
applause.
“All the candidates in this race have
good ideas and all are patriots who
serve this country honorably,” Obama
said.
Four years ago, when ballots were
cast in New Hampshire’s presidential
primary, hardly anyone in the United
States knew the name Barack Obama.
This time, bidding to become the first
black president, he was in the thick of
the fight with the most famous name in
Democratic politics.
MCCAIN SAVORS NEW
HAMPSHIRE COMEBACK
John McCain rode the Straight
Talk Express straight into first
place in New Hampshire, and
back into the thick of the race for the
Republican presidential nomination.
“I hate to use the word kid, but I
think we showed the people of this
country what a real comeback looks
like,” the Arizona senator told The Associated
Press in an interview, savoring
victory in the state he won eight years
ago during his first White House bid.
“I’m grateful to the people of New
Hampshire. I’m committed to keeping
this country safe, and we’re going to
move on to Michigan and South Carolina
and win the nomination,” he added.
It was, indeed, a stunning comeback
for the four-term senator who went
from presumed front-runner a year ago
to seemingly finished last summer after
his campaign all but imploded. McCain
not only stayed alive, but now heads
into the next contest Jan. 15 in Michigan
with momentum and the potential
to raise much-need money.
His triumph here sets up a highstakes
rematch with Mitt Romney in
Michigan. McCain won it in 2000 and
still has support there; Romney was
reared in the state and is the son of a
former governor. Mike Huckabee is
BLACK FACT
On January 11, 1870,
the first
reconstruction
legislature met in
Jackson,
Mississippi.
Thirty-one of the 106
representatives were
black. Five of the
thirty-three senators
were black.
Obama had
hoped that a victory
in Iowa would
create a bandwagon
that would
take him through
the nomination.
But Tuesday
night’s results
caught his campaign
off guard.
It was hard to
Senator
Barack Obama
tell that from the cheers that went up
when he and his wife, Michelle,
walked into the room to loud chants of
“Obama, Obama.”
They approached the platform
holding hands. Both applauded and
waved to the crowd, then hugged and
kissed briefly.
“We know the battle ahead may be
long. But always remember that no
matter what obstacles stand in our way,
nothing can stand in the way of the
power of millions of voices calling for
change,” Obama said.
“I am still fired up and ready to go,”
he said.
Building on Iowa’s momentum,
Obama had the feel of a winner in the
days leading up to New Hampshire’s
primary. People lined up for blocks in
towns across the state to hear him
speak. Those who attended often
talked about the chance to see history
being made.
Senator
John McCain
polling strongly
but is focusing
more on next-up
states. No one
else plans to aggressively
compete
in Michigan,
where economic
issues will dominate
and independents
can
vote in either
party’s primary.
From there, McCain is angling for
victory in South Carolina, where Romney
and Huckabee await and former
Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson hopes
to stage a rebound of his own. McCain,
who lost a bitter primary to Bush in
2000, lags in polls in the military-heavy
state but hopes his Vietnam prisoner of
war biography, decades of experience
on defense issues and staunch support
of the Iraq war will outweigh Republicans’
deeply held anger about his position
on immigration as well as their
doubts about his loyalty to the GOP.
“Tonight’s results will show that we
took a majority of all sections of the
party, and we can do it again,” McCain
told the AP in a telephone interview
from the hotel suite where he awaited
results.
Later, McCain told cheering supporters
at a victory celebration, “However
this campaign turns out - and I am
more confident tonight that it will turn
out much better than once expected - I
am grateful beyond expression that I
might serve here a while longer.”
“Tonight we have taken a step, but
only a first step toward repairing the
broken politics of the past and restoring
the trust of the American people in
their government,” he said.
Downstairs, when McCain’s name
flashed across TVs as the winner, hundreds
of backers chanted “Mac Is
Back”—the campaign’s latest slogan.
The location for McCain’s primary night
party was fitting—the same ballroom in
the same Crowne Plaza hotel where he
celebrated victory once before.
ABSENTEE BALLOT
DEADLINE NEARS FOR
FEBRUARY 12 PRIMARY
ELECTION
The deadline for receipt of an absentee
ballot application for the
February 12 Presidential Primary
Election is Tuesday, February
5. Written requests must reach the
elections office by 4:30PM or may be
faxed to 240-777-8560 no later than
midnight.
The absentee ballot application
may be found online at the Board of
Elections website at www.777vote.org
or www.montgomerycountymd.gov/
elections. Follow all instructions, and
return the completed, signed application
by mail or fax. Ballots will be
mailed within three business days.
The Board of Elections expects delivery
of absentee ballots on or about
January 14.
Requests must include the following
information: name, date of birth,
Montgomery County address, the address
to which you want your ballot
sent (if other than your Montgomery
County address), daytime telephone
number, and signature. The absence of
any of this information could result in a
delay in processing the application.
For anyone wishing to pick up a
ballot in person, the elections office
will be open weekdays from 8:30AM–
5:00PM, and Saturday, February 2
and 9, from 10:00AM–3:00PM. Applicants
who wish to pick up their ballot
must appear in person, and they
must pick up their own ballot unless
they have an agent. Call 240-777-
8550 for details about serving as an
agent. The elections office is located
at 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville.
For more information, call 240-
777-8550, or e-mail absentee@
montgomerycountymd.gov.
Election Judges are still needed—
for information call 240-777-8533.
VOTER NEWS . . .
VOTER REGISTRATION
DEADLINE IS JANUARY 22
Prince George’s County residents
who wish to vote in the February
12, 2008 Presidential Primary
Election are reminded that the
deadline for voter registration is 9p.m.
on Tuesday, January 22, 2008. Candidates
are also reminded that the last
day to order lists of registered and/or
absentee voters is Tuesday, January
22, at 9p.m.
In order to register to vote in Prince
George’s County, individuals must be a
U.S. citizen and live in Prince
George’s County. Also, residents who
are 17 years old can register and vote
in the Presidential Primary Election if
they will be 18 years old on or before
November 4, 2008.
The Prince George’s County Board
of Elections will open its office located
at 16201 Trade Zone Avenue, Suite
108, Upper Marlboro on Saturday,
January 19, 2008 from 8a.m. to
2p.m. to accommodate individuals
who wish to register prior to the deadline.
Voter Registration Applications
may be obtained by calling the Board
of Elections on 301-430-8020. They
are also available in county libraries,
the Motor Vehicle Administration, and
all U.S. Post Offices. Applications can
also be downloaded at www.co.pg.
md.us/Government/AgencyIndex/
Elections/index.asp
For more information on voter registration
or absentee ballots, contact the
Board of Elections at 301-430-8020 or
www.co.pg.md.us/Government/
AgencyIndex/Elections/index.asp.
VOTER REGISTRATION
FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL
PRIMARIES
The last day to register to vote in
the Virginia presidential primaries
is January 14, 2008.
The presidential primaries are sched-
EDWARDS TO PRESS ON
DESPITE LOSS
Democratic presidential candidate
John Edwards took his
third-place New Hampshire
finish in stride, pledging to carry his
battle forward despite difficult odds.
Edwards had campaigned on a message
of ridding Washington of specialinterest
corruption, and he made clear
that despite finishing well behind his
two main rivals he would not change
course as the race heads toward “Super
Tuesday” next month.
Edwards had 17 percent of the vote,
compared to 39 percent for Sen.
Hillary Rodham Clinton and 37 percent
for Sen. Barack Obama. Edwards,
a former North Carolina senator and
2004 Democratic vice presidential
contender, finished second in Iowa’s
Democratic caucuses last week.
“Two races down, 48 states left to
go,” he said.
Edwards offered his congratulations
to Clinton and Obama, but insisted
that “I intend to be the nominee
of my party.”
“Up until now, about half of 1 percent
of Americans have voted. Ninetynine
percent plus have not voted. And
those 99 percent deserve to have their
voices heard because we have had too
much in America of people’s voices
not being heard,” Edwards said.
His wife, Elizabeth, who spoke before
Edwards, said, “This day, we have
taken steps. Not as big steps as we
wanted. But ones of which we’re enormously
proud.”
“You never get
anything if you
don’t work for it,”
she said.
Edwards campaigned
long and
hard in the state in
the days before
Tuesday’s primary,
up one side of New John Edwards
Hampshire and down the other, including
a 36-hour stint over the weekend.
As Obama surged in the polls, Edwards
offered a blend of change and
experience.
“I do think it’s likely that as we go
forward that all of us, particularly Senator
Obama, will be looked at very
carefully by voters,” he said in an interview
earlier Tuesday with The Associated
Press.
“With all of the sort of gauziness, it’s
sort of like a first date in a lot of ways
with these candidates,” Elizabeth Edwards
said. “At some point people recognize
that ‘I’m not going on a first date
with this fellow, I’m marrying them.’”
She said voters may regret not applying
such tough scrutiny to George
W. Bush eight years ago.
“People said, ‘Is this the guy you
want to have a beer with,’ and look
what happens,” Mrs. Edwards said.
“Maybe we need to take a more indepth
view of what it is you’re buying.”
In 2004, Edwards won the South
Carolina primary, but he faces tougher
odds in this year’s contest on Jan. 26. He
trails both Obama and Clinton in polls.
uled to be held February 12, 2008.
All registered voters may vote in either
party’s primary, but not both. Voters
will be able to cast their votes in their
normal polling place.
Under a special provision of Virginia
law, Virginia residents who will
turn 18 years of age on or before the
November 4, 2008 presidential election
are eligible to register in advance
and vote in the presidential primary.
Voter registration applications must
be postmarked no later than January
14, 2008. Applications are available
at the local General Registrar’s Office,
the Department of Motor Vehicles and
on the Virginia State Board of Election’s
web site.
An application to vote by absentee
ballot may also be submitted and can
be requested from your local General
Registrar or obtained from the Virginia
State Board of Elections web site.
Applicants must list a qualifying reason
for voting absentee, and state
which party’s ballot they are requesting.
Absentee applications may be
completed in person at the General
Registrar’s office no later than Saturday,
February 9. However, absentee
applications being mailed or faxed to
the General Registrar’s office must be
received no later than 5:00PM on
Tuesday, February 5.
Once cast, absentee ballots are
final. Absentee voters cannot change
their mind and vote again even if their
candidate withdraws before the primary
date. In order to be counted,
voted absentee ballots must be received
by the time the polls close on
Tuesday, February 12.
To obtain a voter registration application
or an application to vote absentee
go to www.sbe.virginia.gov.
DEMOCRATIC
PARTY OF
VIRGINIA
JEFFERSON-
JACKSON
TICKETS
CURRENTLY
ON SALE
Tickets for the Democratic
Party of Virginia’s annual
Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
and Celebration went on sale
Wednesday, January 9.
This year’s Jefferson-Jackson
Dinner and Celebration is set for
February 9, at the Stuart C. Siegel
Center’s Alltel Pavilion in Richmond.
The annual dinner is the
premier fundraiser for the DPVA
and brings together voters from
across the Commonwealth.
Tickets will be available for
purchase
at
www.vademocrats.org/.
This year, there are a variety of
tickets available:
• $175.00—individual dinner
ticket w/floor seating and predinner
reception
• $100.00—theater seat: center
w/reception
• $50.00—theater seat: corner
• $35.00—theater seat: wing
THE METRO HERALD 7

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2008
January 11, 2008
GUNG HAY FAT CHOY! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
THE YEAR OF THE RAT
by Holly Hartman
Chinese New Year is the longest
and most important celebration
in the Chinese calendar.
The Chinese year 4706 begins on Feb.
7, 2008.
Chinese months are reckoned by
the lunar calendar, with each month
beginning on the darkest day. New
Year festivities traditionally start on
the first day of the month and continue
until the fifteenth, when the moon is
brightest. In China, people may take
weeks of holiday from work to prepare
for and celebrate the New Year.
ARATTY YEAR
Legend has it that in ancient times,
Buddha asked all the animals to meet
him on Chinese New Year. Twelve
came, and Buddha named a year after
each one. He announced that the people
born in each animal's year would
have some of that animal's personality.
Those born in rat years tend to be leaders,
pioneers, and conquerors. They are
charming, passionate, charismatic,
practical and hardworking. Gwyneth
Paltrow, Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson,
William Shakespeare, and Mozart
were all born in the year of the rat.
FIREWORKS AND
FAMILY FEASTS
At Chinese New Year celebrations
people wear red clothes, decorate with
poems on red paper, and give children
"lucky money" in red envelopes. Red
symbolizes fire, which according to
legend can drive away bad luck. The
2008 CHINESE NEW YEAR IN WASHINGTON, DC
Washington, DC celebrates
the Chinese New Year with
a Chinese New Year Parade,
Chinese Dragon Dances, live musical
performances, and more. The
Chinese New Year is a 15-day event
that starts with the New Moon on the
first day of the new year and ends on
the full moon 15 days later.
Here is a schedule of special events
in the Washington, DC area:
• Chinese New Year Parade in Washington,
DC—February 10, 2008.
Parade kicks off at 2p.m. in Chinatown
on H Street, NW, between 6th
and 8th Streets. The event features
the traditional Chinese Dragon
fireworks that shower the festivities
are rooted in a similar ancient custom.
Long ago, people in China lit bamboo
stalks, believing that the crackling
flames would frighten evil spirits.
THE LANTERN FESTIVAL
In China, the New Year is a time of
family reunion. Family members
gather at each other's homes for visits
and shared meals, most significantly a
feast on New Year's Eve. In the United
States, however, many early Chinese
immigrants arrived without their families,
and found a sense of community
through neighborhood associations instead.
Today, many Chinese-American
neighborhood associations host banquets
and other New Year events.
Chinese New Year ends with the
lantern festival on the fifteenth day of
the month. Some of the lanterns may
be works of art, painted with birds, animals,
flowers, zodiac signs, and
scenes from legend and history. People
hang glowing lanterns in temples, and
carry lanterns to an evening parade
under the light of the full moon.
In many areas the highlight of the
lantern festival is the dragon dance.
The dragon—which might stretch a
hundred feet long—is typically made
of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally
the dragon is held aloft by young
men who dance as they guide the colorful
beast through the streets. In the
United States, where the New Year is
celebrated with a shortened schedule,
the dragon dance always takes place on
a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-
American communities have added
American parade elements such as
marching bands and floats.
CHINESE ZODIAC—YEAR OF THE RAT
YEARS: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948,
1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
The Lunar New Year dates from 2600 BC, when the Emperor Huang
Ti introduced the first cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Because of
cyclical lunar dating, the first day of the year can fall anywhere
between late January and the middle of February. On the Chinese calendar,
2008 is Lunar Year 4705-4706.
On the Western calendar, the start of the New Year falls on February 7,
2008—The Year of the Rat. If you were born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948,
1960, 1972, 1984, 1996—you were born under the sign of the rat.
RAT PERSONALITY TRAITS
People born in the Year of the Rat are one of the most industrious and
hardest working in the zodiac. Forever busy in pursuit of an ambitous
personal goal, at times they may become difficult to work with since
they are born perfectionists. Rats must ensure that every “i” is dotted before
completing an assigned task. As a result, they are often successful financially,
and are good providers for their family and those they cherish most dearly.
Loyal and loving, Rat people inspire loyalty in others who are close to
them. They are essentially honest individuals and loath to betray a confidence.
However, their quick wit and restlessness can sometimes lead to chattiness,
and they can often be relied upon at large social gatherings for a good
story or a juicy bit of gossip.
Their energy levels and expert organizational talents are such that it is a
rare thing to see a Rat person sitting idly by with nothing to do.
They may even sometimes be viewed as opportunists who cajole others
into helping them accomplish a great ambition. In their careers, Rat people
can find much success as business leaders or politicians.
Rats are most compatible with the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox.
Famous people born in the Year of the Rat include Charlotte Bronte,
Truman Capote, Catherine I, Prince Charles, Sasha Cohen, Eminem, Peter
the Great, Mata Hari, Scarlett Johansson, Wolfgang Mozart, Plato, William
Shakespeare, Leo Tolstoy, and George Washington.
Dazzling dragons dance through the streets of Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New
Year.
Chinatown Friendship Arch—The
Friendship Arch, a traditional Chinese
gate, prominently marks the Chinatown
neighborhood at H and 7th Streets.
Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations
and live musical entertainment.
• Chinese New Year Events at Lakeforest
Mall—February 4-16, 2008.
Lakeforest Mall, 701 Russell Avenue,
Gaithersburg, Maryland.
View beautiful Chinese New Year
decorations and exhibits throughout
the mall. Live entertainment
(weekends only) includes traditional
lion and dragon dances, folk
dances and martial arts demonstrations.
Demonstrations and workshops
include flower/bonsai
arrangement, arts and crafts, painting
and games.
AQilin is a mythical beast covered in fire that appears as sage to bring serenity and
prosperity.
8 THE METRO HERALD

“
CHINESE NEW YEAR 2008
January 11, 2008
CHINESE NEW YEAR FOODS, DISHES TO BRING GOOD FORTUNE TO YOUR HOME & FAMILY
Chi fan le mei you” “Have
you eaten yet” Is a common
greeting to guests as
they enter your home to celebrate the
Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese
New Year throughout the west.
Many of the traditions of Chinese New
Year center around food either being
cooked or eaten.
To all people who trace their roots
back to China, the most important date
in the Lunar calendar is Chinese New
Year or the Spring Festival, a traditional
time for feasting with family and friends
that dates back thousands of years.
Steamed Whole Bass with
Black Bean Sauce
Number of Servings: 2-4
Prep Time: 1 hour
1 to 1 1/2 pound whole bass,
scaled, cleaned and
gutted, gills & fins
removed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 scallions, cut in 1-inch
pieces
4 slices ginger, cut in
slivers
1 tablespoon black bean
sauce
1 teaspoon cooking wine
2 teaspoons peanut oil
1. Make 2 or 3 diagonal incisions
(from stomach to backbone) on
both sides of fish. Rub with salt &
pepper. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, add scallions and
ginger, black bean sauce, cooking
wine and oil. Mix until blended.
3. Coat fish with the sauce on one
side only and place fish on heavy,
heat-resistant plate.
4. Add water to the bottom of a wok
or roasting pan.
5. Place a rack over the water and
bring water to boil.
6. Place plate of prepared fish onto
rack, cover with lid or aluminum
foil and cook at full steam for 10
minutes.
7. Test to see if it is cooked by inserting
fork between fish and
backbone. If it comes loose, the
fish is ready to serve.
HELPFUL HINTS
This is our favorite for Chinese
New Year. Since it is considered bad
luck to cut anything during the holiday,
the fish is traditionally served
whole with head and tail attached.
The delicious taste of this dish more
than makes up for the fish eyes staring
back at you!
The easiest way to steam the fish
is with a wok and steamer rack attachment,
although you can use a
roasting rack inside a roasting pan, or
a large colander inside a pot.
• • •
SOURCE: www.chiff.com; submitted
by Ellen T. NOTE ON WEBSITE
ABOUT RECIPES: The recipes provided
on Chiff.com were submitted
by people like you. They have not
been tested by us in any way, and we
As at all traditional Chinese gatherings,
food plays an important role in
the Chinese New Year Festival. Dinners
tend to be very elaborate involving
tables laden with auspicious foods.
On New Year’s Eve, families have
a reunion feast which includes nian
gao, a sticky rice pudding cake which
is said to make people “advance toward
higher positions and prosperity
step by step.” A New Year’s Eve tradition
from Northern China, dumplings
(jiao zi), look like the golden ingots
yuan bao used during the Ming Dynasty
for money and the name sound
CHINESE NEW YEAR RECIPES
cannot guarantee their accuracy or
safety, nor can we be liable for any
errors or omissions.
Chinese Sticky Cake
(Nian Gao)
Number of Servings: 16
Prep Time: 1 hour
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups glutinous rice flour
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup chopped dates (preseved
plums, jujubes or candied
orange peel can be used
instead)
1. In a small pan, boil water.
2. In a mixing bowl, add brown
sugar and stir in boiling water to
make a syrup. Let cool.
3. Add flour, egg and milk and stir to
blend.
4. Knead the dough until smooth,
then mix in chopped sweets.
5. Pour batter into a lightly greased
7” shallow cake pan.
6. Steam for about 45 minutes, or
until edges move away from the
pan.
7. Let cool before unmolding. Serve
in thin slices.
This steamed fruit cake is a favorite
for Chinese New Year.
• • •
SOURCE: www.chiff.com; submitted
by Lucy Y. NOTE ON WEBSITE
ABOUT RECIPES: The recipes provided
on Chiff.com were submitted
by people like you. They have not
been tested by us in any way, and we
cannot guarantee their accuracy or
safety, nor can we be liable for any
errors or omissions.
Jiaozi—
Chinese Dumplings
These round dumplings signify
family reunion. In northern China
families traditionally spend New
Year’s Eve together preparing the
dumplings, which are eaten at midnight.
One lucky person may find a
gold coin inside! Crescent-shaped
Jiaozi are a symbol of wealth and
prosperity because of their resemblance
to ancient Chinese money
(silver ingots).
like the word for the earliest paper
money, so serving them brings the
promise of wealth and prosperity!
Many families eat these at midnight
so they have money at the changing of
the years. Some cooks will hide a clean
coin in one for the most lucky to find.
Long noodles are used to guarantee
that all at the table will have a long life.
Whether fish or fowl, dishes are
prepared whole. The use of knives or
cleavers are considerd unlucky as this
could sever the entire family’s good
fortune.
Almost every dish has a symbolic
Jiaozi dough
3 cups all-purpose flour
up to 1 1/4 cups cold water
1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
1 cup ground pork or beef
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Chinese rice
wine or dry sherry
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground
white pepper, or to taste
3 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 green onion, finely
minced
1 1/2 cups finely shredded
Napa cabbage
4 tablespoons shredded
bamboo shoots
2 slices fresh ginger, finely
minced
1 clove garlic, peeled and
finely minced
Stir the salt into the flour. Slowly
stir in the cold water, adding as much
as is necessary to form a smooth
dough. Don’t add more water than is
ncessary. Knead the dough into a
smooth ball. Cover the dough and let
it rest for at least 30 minutes.
While the dough is resting, prepare
the filling ingredients.
Add the soy sauce, salt, rice wine
and white pepper to the meat, stirring
in only one direction. Add the remaining
ingredients, stirring in the
same direction, and mix well.
To make the dumpling dough:
knead the dough until it forms a
smooth ball. Divide the dough into 60
pieces. Roll each piece out into a circle
about 3-inches in diameter.
Place a small portion (about 1
level tablespoon) of the filling into
the middle of each wrapper. Wet the
edges of the dumpling with water.
Fold the dough over the filling into a
half moon shape and pinch the edges
to seal. Continue with the remainder
of the dumplings.
To cook, bring a large pot of water
to a boil. Add half the dumplings, giving
them a gentle stir so they don’t
stick together. Bring the water to a
boil, and add 1/2 cup of cold water.
Cover and repeat. When the
dumplings come to a boil for a third
time, they are ready. Drain and remove.
If desired, they can be panfried
at this point.
• • •
SOURCE: chinesefood.about.com/
od/dimsumdumplings/r/jiaozi.htm;
Rhonda Parkinson
meaning or name that sounds like a
Chinese characters for fortune, happiness,
longevity and prosperity. Hoe see
fat choy, hair seaweed (fat choy) with
dried oysters (ho see) sounds like
“wealth and good business,” lotus
roots (lin ngau) mean abundance year
after year, while lettuce translates into
“growing wealth” and pig’s tongue
forecasts “profit.” When Cantonese
families visit each other to exchange
New Year greetings it is customary to
take gifts such as tangerines and oranges,
as their Chinese names sound
like “gold” and “wealth”. In many
homes, a platter with either five meat
or five vegetable dishes might be
served. Whether meat or vegetable
dishes are included, this dish is called
“the five blessings of the new year,”
referring to longevity, riches, peace,
wisdom and virtue.
On New Year’s Eve, when everyone
gathers around the table for the “Family
Reunion Dinner” carp is a typical
main course, because it symbolises a
profitable year ahead. The fish is never
fully eaten to ensure that the family will
have an excess of good fortune through
the year. Vegetables embody the freshness
of “evergreen” and store good fortune
in their roots. Fish balls (yu-wan)
and meat balls (jou-wan) are symbolic
of “reunion.” The round shape of the
meat and fish balls portrays “togetherness.”
Great care is taken to serve an
even number of dishes to bestow “double
happiness” on the family.
To ensure completeness and to avoid
misfortune, most New Year dishes are
prepared with uncut or whole ingredients.
You are probably familiar with a
duck or chicken being served with the
head and feet. When cooking, people
generally avoid chopping up fish, leafy
greens and other items such as noodles.
In fact, using knives, cleavers or sharp
objects during the holiday season is
considered unlucky as this could sever
the entire family’s good fortune. If
chopped ingredients are used for the
recipes, they are prepared before the
Spring Festival to avoid the possibility
of bad omens. This also makes the work
of preparing the feasts a bit easier during
the festival!
Tangerines and oranges are given
as gifts, as their Chinese names sound
like “gold” and “wealth”.
During the weeklong New Year celebrations,
every household keeps their
tables topped up with sweet and
savoury specialties so they can welcome
family and friends with a choice
of festive treats. Another prerequisite
of Lunar New Year is the “tray of togetherness”,
a tray or special box filled
with an assortment of auspicious
treats. Among the more popular treats
are sweetened lotus roots (symbolising
abundance), sweetened lotus seeds
(suggesting fertility), dried melon
seeds (symbolising profuse earnings),
and all kinds of candies, which are a
source of long-term sweetness.
Customs dictates that most families
begin the first day of Chinese New
Year with a vegetarian meal to counteract
the effects of the excessive feasting
on New Year’s Eve. The choice of
vegetables may include exotic types of
mushrooms, bamboo shoots and bean
sprouts. The meat-free meal is also
considered fortuitous for garnering
good karma by refraining from eating
anything that has been killed.
The second day of the New Year is
the important “Day of Commencement”
when businesses and household
begin a new year of work with a commencement
lunch. Cooks prepare a
lavish line-up of dishes comprising
chicken, shrimp, oysters and abalone.
For enterprises such as retail shops
these popular New Year mainstays are
turned into hearty fares that include
chicken, preserved duck, braised seaweed
with dried oysters, and carp. The
lavish meal inspires good team spirit
and raises hope for a profitable year.
The third day of New Year is a day
to avoid social interaction, since it’s
known as the “Day of Squabbles”. Staying
home is considered the wise thing to
do, and what better to spend the day
than a continuing to indulge in eating
mouth-watering New Year treats
Again, auspicious-sounding ingredients
such as lettuce and seaweed top the list
of ingredients used in preparing sumptuous
meals for all the family. The dawn
of the fourth day marks the return of the
Kitchen God after a brief trip back to
Heaven where it had delivered an account
of the families’ behaviour over
the previous 12 months.
The seventh day of the New Year is
known as “Everybody’s Birthday”—a
day for all to celebrate new birth with
yet another round of delightful feasts.
Many years ago those who aspired to
receive specific blessings—such as
scoring the highest marks in an Imperial
Exam—would dine on symbolic
dishes that would include the
“Scholar’s Congee” (a dish made from
boiled rice, pork and a pig’s internal
organs).
The 15th day of the New Year marks
China’s very own Valentine’s Day,
which is also known as the Lantern Festival.
Decorative lanterns are hung both
indoors and outdoors and lantern parties
become the major attraction for everyone
to enjoy. A typical Lantern Festival
treat called “Yuan Siu”—round glutinous
rice balls stuffed with sweet fillings
are eaten to symbolise togetherness
and completeness.
A family activity during the festive
spring season might include visiting
walled villages to sample their fire pot
“big bowl feast” (“Poon Tsoi” in Cantonese),
which is regarded as a hearty
treat when the weather is chilly. A traditional
fire pot is a fondue style meal
served in a wooden dish filled with
layers of vegetables, meat and seafood.
The base is usual lined with Chinese
lettuce, sang choi, which sounds very
much like the word meaning “to bring
about wealth and riches.” Cooked
turnip, which has been chopped and
cooked with stir-fried pork skin, strips
of bean curd, bean curd balls or fish
balls make the next layer. On top
comes a layer of dried squid, roast
pork, dried oysters, braised lotus roots
and chicken. The tastes and flavours of
this mouth-watering dish are enough to
whet the appetite of the fussiest eater.
During the New Year month, auspicious
ingredients such as oysters, seaweed,
abalone, and sea cucumber are
added to the feast as symbols of good
fortune. Fish (yu) represent “having
enough to spare,” while the word for
garlic chives sounds like chiu-tsai and
has the meaning of “everlasting,” wishing
your family and guest a long life.
Turnips (tsai tou) mean “good omens.”
Hao, oysters, sounds like the word for
“an auspicious occasion or event.”
• • •
Primary Source: The Hong Kong
Tourist Board.
THE METRO HERALD 9

AROUND THE NATION
January 11, 2008
CAFAmerica—a leading distributor
of international charitable
funds and trusted advisor to individual
donors, foreign charities and
companies—recently announced the
launch of a powerful new Web site
(www.cafamerica.org) that makes it
easier for U.S.-based donors to give on
a truly “borderless” basis around the
globe and also aid foreign nonprofits
with their fundraising efforts in the U.S.
CAFAmerica’s new Web site increases
the ability of donors to connect
with charities around the world, not just
by serving as a resource for nonprofit
information and donor issues, but also
January 11, 2008, marks the first
annual Human Trafficking
Awareness day in the United
States. A resolution passed by the US
Senate on June 22, 2007 has forever
marked January 11th as a day of
awareness and vigilance for the countless
victims of Human Trafficking
CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA
LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE
helping to deliver CAFAmerica’s personalized
giving options, including its
Single Donor Advised Gift (DAG) and
Donor Advised Fund (DAF). New
Web site features include online giving,
the ability to establish a new fund online
and an option for nonprofits to create
profiles that can be shared with current
and prospective donors.
CAFAmerica CEO Dr. Susan
Saxon-Harrold said: “Our goal with
the new Web site is to serve all of our
constituents with the same level of efficiency,
and to attract and generate
new giving opportunities by providing
a unique nexus of data and resources to
help donors and nonprofits learn more
about global philanthropy. For example,
our newly updated nonprofit database
will help donors identify which
organizations (religious, educationbased,
social services, health and medical
research or environmental) are of
the greatest interest for possible overseas
giving and allows those organizations
to share their successes and projects
with donors directly. And our Web
page for individuals and families now
allows donors to make single gifts of
cash, securities or stock to the foreign
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY IS JANUARY 11:
CONGRESSWOMAN LINDA SMITH EXAMINES CONDITIONS
OF CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING IN AMERICA
across the globe.
Shared Hope International (SHI)—
a leader in the worldwide effort to eliminate
sexual slavery—and founder
Congresswoman (1994-1999) Linda
Smith has launched assessments in 10
U.S. cities that examine the condition
of America’s trafficked youth. These
“DRIVING INDEPENDENCE”
THEME OF 2ND ANNUAL DISABILITY
MATTERS AWARDS HOSTED BY GM
Springboard Consulting LLC and Work Life Matters magazine announced
that the second annual Disabilities Matters Conference will be
centered on the theme of ‘Driving Independence’. The national meeting
will feature three panel discussions on how a variety of work/life, diversity
and marketing initiatives can help increase the personal independence of individuals
with special needs both in life and work.
The conference will take place on July 22, 2008 at General Motors global
headquarters on the Detroit Riverfront. The event will culminate with a
luncheon where the 2008 Disability Matters corporate winners in work/life,
marketing and diversity will be honored. GM will also host an opening cocktail
reception for all honorees, sponsors and attendees the evening of July 21.
“We are pleased that our conference will again highlight our nation’s corporate
pioneers who are dedicating important resources and services to the
special needs community,” says Lori Sokol, founder and publisher of Work
Life Matters magazine. “We are especially grateful to General Motors, one of
our 2007 honorees, for providing an outstanding venue for the 2008 event.”
“I like to think of these corporate pioneers as a winning team that is changing
peoples perspectives on ‘Ability’ by becoming more inclusive of people
with disabilities and their families – both as employees and consumers,” said
Nadine Vogel, president of Springboard Consulting LLC.
In 2007, GM received its Disability Matters Award for its GM Mobility program,
which makes automotive transportation easier and more accessible for
the millions of persons with disabilities and their caregivers. “GM is dedicated
to improving people’s lives by making our vehicles accessible and attractive to
customers with special needs with disabilities,” said John Gaydash, director of
marketing for GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. “One of the key elements
in maintaining independence is a person’s mobility.”
This meeting will also take place in conjunction with the national celebration
of the 18th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Conference registration is now available online at www.disabilitymattersawards.com.
The site also has information on the Disability Matters Awards
program and sponsorships.
nonprofits of their choice or establish a
fund for higher-volume giving, almost
instantaneously.”
In addition to helping U.S. donors of
all sizes and types chart the right course
to charitable giving, CAFAmerica works
to help foreign nonprofits increase
awareness and grow their donor bases in
the United States. The CAFAmerica
Friends of Charity Fund helps nonprofits
outside the country raise funds for their
cause at one-fifth the cost of establishing
a U.S. charitable entity.
Chani Adams, development officer,
CAFAmerica Global Corporate Philanthropy,
said: “In designing the new Web
site we thought about our daily interaction
with everyone, from individual
donors to multinational corporations to
foreign nonprofits. Not only does the
Web site serve their existing needs, but
it addresses all of the common misconceptions
and start-up questions associated
with first-time donors. Being innovative
in this industry is a never-ending
process, but we are now equipped to deliver
a set of truly unique, online tools
for overseas giving. No organization is
in a better position to serve donors’ philanthropic
needs.”
assessments analyze the identification
and treatment of victims of “domestic
minor sex trafficking” (DMST) and
will empower communities to take action.
SHI will also launch a nationwide
awareness campaign -featuring amazing
undercover footage and emotional
survivor interviews—about the epidemic
of American youth being trafficked
in cities across the United States.
NOT JUST A FOREIGN
PROBLEM
Most people imagine “human trafficking”
occurs in far away countries
with troubled and impoverished governments.
In the U.S. many believe
that the 17 million people trafficked
across our borders who work as slaves
in the form of labor and forced sexual
services come from these other countries.
Through its research and field investigations
Shared Hope International
reveals that large numbers of American
citizens—children at the average age
of 12—are trafficked locally between
American cities and across state lines.
FINDING A SOLUTION
• Victim identification—DMST victims
are often called “child prostitutes”
or juvenile delinquents and
treated like criminals when they
should be properly identified and
should receive protection and specialized
services.
• Strong legislation—laws that criminalize
traffickers and buyers while
protecting victims should result in
convictions with appropriate sentences
• Protection—DMST victims require
secured safe homes and specialized
services that rescue and restore the
children while removing them from
the control of the trafficker/pimp.
CENTRAL PARK GREAT LAWN LAWSUIT
RESULTS IN IMPORTANT VICTORY
FOR FREE SPEECH RIGHTS
The Partnership for Civil Justice
has announced recently the filing
in Court of a landmark settlement
agreement with the City of
New York that strikes down key provisions
of controversial and unconstitutional
regulations aimed at restricting
access to the Great Lawn of Central
Park.
The City must now establish a constitutionally
valid permitting scheme
for protests in Central Park and must
undertake a feasibility study into the
optimum and sustainable use of the
Great Lawn and what efforts can be
undertaken to maximize the availability
of the lawn for large events including
rallies and demonstrations.
The settlement also requires the
city to pay damages to civil rights and
anti-war organizations for discriminatorily
denying them the right to hold a
demonstration on the Great Lawn during
the Republican National Convention
in August 2004. It also requires the
City to pay attorneys fees and costs for
the litigation.
The litigation was originally
brought in advance of the Republican
National Convention (RNC) by the
Partnership for Civil Justice (PCJ), a
Washington DC-based public interest
law firm, on behalf of the National
Council of Arab Americans (NCA) and
the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition (Act Now
to Stop War & End Racism), who
sought to hold a demonstration in support
of civil rights and civil liberties including
the targeted Arab and Muslim
community. The demonstration was
timed to coincide with the opening of
the RNC and was to be held on August
28, the 41st anniversary of Dr. King’s
historic March on Washington, but was
blocked by the City. Other organizations
had also been denied permits to
stage protest rallies in the Great Lawn
during this period.
After the Republican National Convention
concluded, the NCA and the
ANSWER Coalition determined that
they would continue the litigation in
order to block the effort of Mayor
Bloomberg and wealthy and corporate
backers to privatize Central Park, including
the Great Lawn, and make it
off limits to mass political assembly,
while at the same time allowing corporate-sponsored,
politically approved
events.
This three-year long litigation has
been hard-fought, and included depositions
of top city officials as well as
successful obtainment of more than
10,000 pages of critical documents including
internal emails and other materials.
These documents proved the falsity
of the City’s representations as to
the basis of the denials for protest permits
in 2004. They also revealed that
Mayor Bloomberg and his office were
directly involved in political decisionmaking
as to who should have access
to the Great Lawn.
“The lawsuit and today’s settlement
successfully challenges the brazenly
unconstitutional efforts to bar protests
from the Great Lawn,” states Carl
Messineo, a co-founder of the Partnership
for Civil Justice. “The Bloomberg
administration, along with the NYC
Parks Department, took concerted actions
to illegally block mass assembly
protest during the Republican National
Convention in August 2004. The Arab-
American community and anti-war
protestors were barred from the use of
Central Park’s Great Lawn for mass assembly
protests.” he continued.
The litigation filed in the United
States District Court for the Southern
District of New York, National Council
of Arab Americans and the
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition v. The City of
New York City, et.al., 04-CV-6602
(WHP) has far reaching consequences
not only for New York but for Free
Speech rights in cities throughout the
country.
“The lawsuit is not merely about
the use of the Great Lawn of Central
Park. It serves as an historic challenge
to the privatization of public space and
the ability of corporations to “purchase”
our fundamental rights,” states
Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, co-founder
of the PCJ. “Mayor Bloomberg wanted
to ban mass assembly protest from
Manhattan during the Convention and
forever after. The Great Lawn, with 13
acres of open space, has historically
been used for the largest mass assembly
events in NYC. We assert that if
New York’s Great Lawn can be closed
off to political assembly and protest, it
will establish a precedent that will be
replicated nationwide. There will be no
parkland that will be safe for the continued
use of the Free Speech rights of
the people,” Verheyden-Hilliard emphasized.
While New York barred the use of
the Great Lawn for political protests
against policies of the Bush Administration,
the Great Lawn has been the
site of many large gatherings in recent
years including an American Onlinesponsored
rock concert by the Dave
Mathews Band that promoted an AOL
product, the Metropolitan Opera, the
Philharmonic Orchestra, and other international
celebrations and mass gatherings.
The City denied the permits to
the NCA and A.N.S.W.E.R. on the
basis that the presence in Central Park
of those intending to gather for civil
rights would “damage the grass.”
Through this agreement, NCA and
the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition retain their
right to continue a legal challenge to
any resulting regulations following the
feasibility study that are not constitutionally
sound. The City is obligated to
provide notice to the organizations regarding
the feasibility study and any
regulatory changes. The organizations
are each receiving $25,000 for the deprivation
of the right to hold a protest on
August 28, 2004. The City is also paying
attorneys fees and costs for the
three year long litigation in the amount
of $501,658.47.
To view a copy of the settlement
agreement and for more information
on this litigation and other constitutional
rights challenges, visit the website
of the Partnership for Civil Justice
www.justiceonline.org/.
When responding to an ad,
tell them you saw it in The Metro Herald
10 THE METRO HERALD

AROUND THE NATION
January 11, 2008
CELEBRATING THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN BICENTENNIAL,
1809–2009
BICENTENNIAL POSTER
This wonderful mosaic of 200
images related to the 16th President
of the United States is a
favorite, full of fascinating photos, engravings,
cartoons & illustrations to
savor & re-discover with each viewing.
It is sold only in Hodgenville, KY
and at www.homeschoolradioshows.
net/LincolnSpeaks/poster.html, this
Limited Edition poster is already a
collector’s item, and a delightful momento
of the Official Bicentennial celebration.
Supply is limited. Copyright
watermark not included on actual
poster (see below).
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
BICENTENNIAL AUDIO CDS
Audio CDs are $9.95 each or all
three for $25, postage paid
available at www.homeschoolradioshows.net/LincolnSpeaks/CDs.html.
Your order
will be shipped via first class mail
within 48 hours.
The Day Lincoln Was Born: A
Bicentennial Remembrance—Audiobook
reading from Austin Gollaher’s
remembrances plus “Out of the Wilderness”,
the story of Tom Lincoln &
Nancy Hanks’ courtship (audio drama)
266 Words: The Forgotten Story of
The Gettysburg Address—Dramatization
of “The Perfect Tribute” plus commentary
& audiobook reading.
Abraham Lincoln, Teenager—
Great audio portrait of Lincoln growing
up on the American Frontier plus
“The Girl Lincoln Loved”, the story of
Lincoln’s first great love.
For more information visit www.
homeschoolradioshows.net/
LincolnSpeaks/ or contact: Erskine’s
Gallery & Gifts, LLC; 111 N Lincoln
Blvd.; Hodgenville, KY 42748; open
Tuesday–Saturday, 10:30am–6pm.
PRESIDENT BUSH EXPECTED TO VISIT
HISTORIC CABIN FOR
LINCOLN BICENTENNIAL KICKOFF
FEW REALIZE THAT
THIS MOST FAMOUS
LOG CABIN IN U.S. HISTORY
ALMOST BECAME THE
NEWBORN LINCOLN’S TOMB
President George W. Bush is expected
to join thousands of
other visitors and political dignitaries
in attending the opening ceremonies
of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
at the Lincoln Birthplace
National Historic Site in Hodgenville
on February 12th. But what most of
those visitors probably won’t realize is
that this most famous log cabin in U. S.
history almost became Lincoln’s tomb
on the day he was born.
The little known story of that harrowing
day 199 years ago has now
been preserved in a special bicentennial
audio program, “The Day Abraham
Lincoln Was Born”, which can be
heard at www.LincolnSpeaks.com.
“The Day Abraham
Lincoln Was
Born” recounts how
a neighbor, lost in a
rare Kentucky blizzard,
sought shelter
in the Lincoln cabin
that day—only to
find no fire, no
wood, no food, and
no supplies in the
cabin—and Nancy
Lincoln lying half
frozen on a straw
cot, desperately clutching her almost
lifeless newborn baby boy.
The audio, commissioned by Hodgenville
gallery owner and historian
Jim Erskine, preserves an almost forgotten
chapter in the life of Lincoln for
a new generation of Americans.
“The hardships and primitive conditions
that the Lincolns and other
early pioneer families faced is almost
impossible for us to comprehend
today”, Erskine said. “The story of
Lincoln’s birth reminds us of how truly
remarkable his life was, to have come
from such harsh and humble beginnings
to become the most revered President
the United States ever had.”
To listen to the audio online and
learn more about the two-year observance
of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
which begins February 12,
2008, visit www.LincolnSpeaks.com.
FASHION THAT
MAKES A
DIFFERENCE—
TWENTY7TWENTY
Last year, Violet DaCosta was
speaking with her 23 year-old
niece Isoke “She was going on
and on about how hard it was to find
affordable clothes that were hip and
chic”. So, Violet started to investigate
the available fashions and found a
limited number of sources that address
this market. So, with input from
Isoke, who had recently graduated
college, Violet began searching for
truly stylish clothing that was made
well, and affordable.
Together, Isoke and Violet looked
at countless garments and finally
chose 15 sensational styles to launch
their boutique website, twenty7twenty.com.
Dresses are priced between $39 and $95, but each looks like a high fashion
design.
DaCosta is so excited about the site, which just launched this week. “Style
Speaks Volumes.” It is a portrayal of an individual expressed though her
look”, and I can’t wait to see how it does. It is for women who know the
power of style and for women who know that beauty comes from within.
Wearing clothes from twenty7twenty.com will not only have you looking
great, it will have you feeling terrific too, as a percentage of each sale goes to
Keep a Child Alive. This organization is a response to the AIDS pandemic
ravaging Africa. They provide life-saving medication, support, and orphan
care, to keep children and families alive.
So, check out Twenty7twenty.com for fashions that truly make a difference.
THE METRO HERALD 11

“STONE OF HOPE”—MLK MEMORIAL DREAM SOON TO BE REALITY
January 11, 2008
The movement to erect the memorial
on the National Mall was
spearheaded by Alpha Phi
Alpha, the first Greek letter fraternity
established for African-Americans.
Founded in 1906 at Cornell University,
the Alphas have worked diligentlly to
create this memorial to Dr. King, a fraternity
brother from the Sigma Chapter
at Boston University. Their due diligence
has paid off.
Dr. King’s memorial will be situated
on the National Mall on a fouracre
site along the Tidal Basin. It will
be adjacent to the Franklin D. Roosevelt
Memorial, and on a direct line
between the Lincoln and Jefferson
Memorials. Natural elements - stone,
water and trees will be used to underscore
the memorial’s three underlying
themes—justice, democracy and hope.
The memorial will stand as a tangible
symbol of what is still achievable
through non-violent action, tolerance
and appreciation of diversity; and a reminder
for all Americans to fight
racism, injustice, and inequality. Located
near the Lincoln and Jefferson
memorials, the slain American hero
will be the first and only African-
American individual to be memorialized
on the National Mall.
Under the leadership of CFO
Richard Marshall, Harry E. Johnson,
Sr., the foundation’s President, and Ty
Christian, the Chief Marketing Strategist,
the foundation has launched a nationwide
fundraising effort, which includes
faith-based initiatives, the
national distribution of Public Service
Announcements on broadcast TV, advertising
in major publications and a
global wristband campaign. The effort
has garnered the support of Hollywood
notables like Academy Award winners
Halle Berry and Morgan Freeman,
Grammy Award winning entertainer
Nelly, and Today Show’s Al Roker.
Millions have been raised from individuals
worldwide, as well as corporate
giants like General Motors, Toyota,
NBA/WNBA, Bank of America,
BellSouth Corporation, and Tommy
Hilfiger, USA, The Walt Dsney company
Foundation,The Coca-Cola Company,
Toyota, Alpha Phi alpha Fraternity,
Wal-Mart, Fed-Ex, McDonald’s
and others. Over 35 entities have donated
$1 million or more. To date, the
Foundation has raised in excess of $80
million. A total of $100 million is
needed to complete the project.
MEET SOME OF THESE
KEY PLAYERS AND LEARN
MORE ABOUT THEIR ROLES
IN CREATING HISTORY
RICHARD W. MARSHALL,
MLK FOUNDATION CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER
Marshall, a Jacksonville native and
1968 graduate of FAMU, is a “loaned
executive” as part of General Motors
North America’s corporate philanthropic
gift to the Washington, D.C.
MLK Jr. National Memorial Project
Foundation.
Richard’s accounting career began
as a staff auditor for Arthur Young &
Company (NY) in 1969. In addition to
his auditing work, he started an accounting
program to provide assistance
to non-profit organizations in the NYC
area. He has since spent 30 years with
the financial staff of General Motors
North America.
In His Own Words: “GM got involved
with the Foundation before I
even knew about it. [GM is the lead
sponsor on the project, with a ten million
dollar donation.] Once I found out
about it, I mentioned to my boss Rod
Gillam (GM’s VP of Comm Affairs),
and told him my interest...that I’d like
to get involved in some way. As it so
happened, the Foundation was looking
for a CFO, so it was a perfect fit.
I have such a great reverance and
respect for Dr. King’s work. Being involved
with the Foundation was the
very least I could do personallly, being
that Dr. King’s work open doors for me
to pursue the career I have. I wear the
blue wristband, and I’ve pledged not to
take it off until construction on the memorial
is complete.”
TY CHRISTIAN,
CHIEF MARKETING
STRATEGIST
Orlando resident Ty Christian is a
marketing and sales executive with
over 25 years of diverse marketing experience
in the cable television, telephone
and advertising industries. He
has worked in several marketing management
positions with such industry
leaders as GTE, J. Walter Thompson,
Times Mirror, Westinghouse, Financial
News Network and Cablevision Industries.
Recognized as a leading authority
on the many issues of diversity
marketing, he was recently appointed
to the Board of Directors for the
Meet four of the MLK Foundation “Dream Builders” (pictured from left to right) CFO
Richard Marshall, Chief Marketing Strategist Ty Christian, Foundation Presient Harry
E. Johnson Sr. and Executive Architect Dr. Ed Jackson
Florida Tourism Commission, and is
currently working on a book detailing
the many merits of diversity marketing
entitled, “Get That Cheese, Baby.”
How He Got Involved: “Our firm
(YPBR/Christian) volunteered its efforts
for some time before being selected
as one of three firms to be advertising
agency of record for the
Foundation. Prior to the close of the
year, Harry [Johnson] asked me to
come on board as a full-time consultant
for 90 days to assist with the development
of a Black History Month promotion.
After 90 days and a successful
marketing effort, I was offered the position
of CMS.
Working with the Foundation on
such a monumental endeavor has been
a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a
marketing person’s dream come true.
It’s very humbling to work with some
of the brightest marketing minds in the
world on a project that will leave an
undying legacy on the nation.To work
with talented, distinguished professionals
like Richard, Ed, Harry and
others at the Foundation has made this
an amazing experience.”
HARRY E. JOHNSON, SR.,
PRESIDENT, MLK
FOUNDATION
Harry E. Johnson, Sr., President of
the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther
King, Jr. National Memorial Project
Foundation, Inc. is as well, the 31st
General President for Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc., serving as national
leader from 2001-2005. A native of St.
Louis, Missouri, Mr. Johnson is a practicing
attorney in Houston, Texas and
serves as an adjunct professor of law at
Texas Southern University’s Thurgood
Marshall School of Law. He is also a
Board member of the National Big
Brothers and Big Sisters and member
of One Hundred Black Men.
About His Role: “I’ve only been involved
with this project for the past
five years. The bill was signed into law
under Alpha Phi Alpha General President
Milton Davis. The current General
President, Darryl Matthews, has
taken the reigns, sits on the [MLK
Foundation] Board of Directors, and is
doing an excellent job carrying forth
the fraternity’s mission.
I’m pleased to be involved in a historical
project of this magnitude, one
so important to the history of America
and African Americans. However, in
the grand scheme of the project, my
role is relatively small. My duties are
to facilitate the fundraising, and to
make sure that the three trains -
fundraising, administration and design
and construction - run properly.”
The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial will include a likeness of King emerging
from a slice of a granite boulder (illustration by Christopher Grubbs; courtesy of the
Roma Design Group)
Ty Christian, Chief Marketing Strategist
ED JACKSON, JR. ARCHD,
MLK FOUNDATION
EXECUTIVE ARCHITECT
With over 25 years of architectural
planning and design, and project management
experience in multi-million
dollar projects for state and local agencies,
Dr. Ed Jackson Jr. serves as the Executive
Architect for the Washington,
DC, Martin Luther King, Jr., National
Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. His
initial involvement with the project
began as a volunteer in January 1997,
where he was asked to serve as Chair of
the Design Committee responsible for
the development and administration of
the largest international design competition
in honor of an American citizen. He
joined the Foundation in March 2001 as
Executive Director.
How the Winning Design Was Selected:
“Qualified candidates from 52
countries and 6 of 8 continents responded
to our call for entries. The selection
committee for this international
competition was comprised of architects,
Landscape Architects, etc. from Bejing,
India, Paris, Mexico, and the U.S.
In going through the 900 entries,
we started to become keenly aware of
what we were looking for, and narrowed
our list to 21. As Dr. Woo of Bejing
said, “What we are looking for is a
memorial that will be in harmony with
everything in the [National] mall, but
distinctively different.” Hands down,
ROMA Design Group’s entry was
most in harmony.
Working on this project is an enormous
privilege. Once can’t imagine
that you’d grow up and have a part of
something of this magnitude that
would represent a contribution to
America at large.”
The Memorial Foundation’s Executive
Leadership Cabinet is headed by
Ambassador Andy Young, Cowger of
General Motors, and Coretta Scott
King In Honorarium. Other members
include: Colin Powell, J.W. Marriott,
Jr., Tommy Hilfiger, Vernon Jordan,
Russell Simmons, NBA Commissioner
David Stern, and Viacom’s head
Philippe Dauman.
12 THE METRO HERALD

“STONE OF HOPE”—MLK MEMORIAL DREAM SOON TO BE REALITY
CITY OF
ALEXANDRIA
HONORS THE
LEGACY OF
MARTIN LUTHER
KING, JR.
The City of Alexandria
invites the public to attend
the 35th Annual
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Program, scheduled for
Tuesday, January 15 at the
Church of St. Clement, 1701
Quaker Lane. This year’s
keynote speaker is the Reverend
Elbert Ransom, Jr., who
served as an aide to Dr. King.
The Gospel Truth of Meade
Memorial Episcopal Church
will perform. The event is
sponsored by the City of
Alexandria in cooperation with
local religious, civic, and social
organizations. For more information,
call 703-838-4800.
The City of Alexandria is
committed to compliance with
the Americans with Disabilities
Act. To request a reasonable
accommodation or to request
materials in an alternative
format, please contact Rose
Boyd, Office of Citizen Assistance,
at 703-838-4800 (TTY
703-838-5056) or e-mail
rose.boyd@alexandriava.
gov.
By Rachel Cooper
Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday
is a day of honor and
commemorative events at a
variety of sites in Washington, DC.
Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday is
January 15th and is celebrated each
year on the third Monday in January.
Here is a schedule of special events to
honor this civil rights leader.
2008 ANNUAL CIVIL RIGHTS
“FILM FESTIVAL”
• January 6-15, 2008, 11:30a.m. to
2p.m.—Frederick Douglass National
Historic Site, 1411 W Street,
SE, Washington, DC
Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s
birthday viewing films featuring the
struggles and triumphs of the civil
rights movement and celebrate the life
and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. For more information, call
(202) 690-5185.
CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY
TRIBUTE TO
MARTIN LUTHER KING
• January 13, 2008, 7:00p.m.—The
John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW,
Washington, DC.
The program entitled Voices: Reflections
on an American Icon Through
Words and Song features soloists, choruses
and instrumentalists joining together
to bring a message of peace
throughout the world. Tickets: $20.
THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
HOLIDAY: HOW DID IT HAPPEN
In November 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed into law legislation
declaring the third Monday in January as the Martin Luther
King, Jr. Federal Holiday, to celebrate the birthday and life of the
slain civil rights leader. It had been 15 years since Dr. King’s assassination.
The fight in Congress to establish a national holiday in King’s
honor had taken almost as much time. Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
(D-Michigan) and the Congressional Black Caucus were at the forefront
of that effort. At an event co-sponsored by The Center’s Division
of U.S. Studies, The Congress Project, and the Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation, Congressman Conyers, Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., President
and CEO, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; Don
Wolfensberger, Director, The Congress Project, Woodrow Wilson Center
(Moderator); Denise Rolark-Barnes, Publisher, The Washington Informer;
Moses Boyd, Senior Counselor, The Washington Group, and
former Public Policy Scholar, Woodrow Wilson Center, will recount the
legislative history of the fight and the continuing significance of Dr.
King’s life today.
The seminar will be held at Woodrow Wilson International Center
for Scholars, Sixth Floor Flom Auditorium. The Woodrow Wilson Center
is located in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade
Center at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. on Monday, January 14,
3:00–5:00PM.
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is the living,
national memorial to President Wilson established by Congress in 1968
and headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a nonpartisan institution,
supported by public and private funds, engaged in the study of national
and world affairs. The Center establishes and maintains a neutral forum
for free, open and informed dialogue.
For more about CBCF, visit www.cbcfinc.org.
BLACK FACT
On January 11, 1961, riot at University of Georgia.
Two black students, Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton
Holmes were suspended, but a federal court ordered
them reinstated.
January 11, 2008
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BIRTHDAY EVENTS IN WASHINGTON, DC
ANACOSTIA
COMMUNITY MUSEUM—
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
PROGRAM
• January 17, 2008, 7:00pm—Baird
Auditorium, National Museum of
ALEXANDRIA
SCHOOL
CHILDREN
HONOR DR.
KING’S LEGACY
WITH POSTER
CONTEST
Alexandria school children
are celebrating the legacy
of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., again this year by taking
part in a City-wide poster contest.
Winners of the 18th annual juried
competition and exhibition will be
honored at an awards program on
Martin Luther King Day, Monday,
January 21, from 1:00–
3:00PM at the Dr. Oswald Durant
Memorial Center, 1605 Cameron
Street. This event is free and open
to all.
The contest and exhibition are
sponsored by the Alexandria Society
for the Preservation of Black
Heritage (ASPBH) and the
Alexandria Black History Museum.
The posters represent students’
interpretation of this year’s
King holiday theme, “Continuing
to Keep the Dream Alive.” The
artwork of all finalists will be on
display at the Durant Center
through Friday, February 29.
The contest serves as a means
of recognizing the life and accomplishments
of Dr. King while encouraging
the students to express
their artistic talents. The ASPBH
designed the competition to provide
an opportunity for children of
all cultures to learn to express
their understanding of the late
civil rights leader.
Student submissions are
judged in two phases, beginning
with the individual elementary
schools. Three finalists from each
grade (first through fifth) from
each school are selected and sent
on for further consideration. In the
second phase, a panel of ASPBH
representatives evaluates the artwork
within grade levels but
across the City, so students are
competing against their peers from
all City elementary schools. First,
second and third place winners for
each grade level will be selected.
Winners will be announced and
will receive their prizes at the January
21 ceremony.
Under the leadership of chairman
Carlton A. Funn, Sr., the
ASPBH hosts programs and exhibitions
presented by the Alexandria
Black History Museum while
providing yearly funds to help
promote educational programs at
the museum. The Alexandria
Black History Museum, located at
902 Wythe Street, is open Tuesday
through Saturday, from
10:00AM–4:00PM. For more information,
call 703-838-4356 or
visit www.alexblackhistory.org.
Natural History, 10th & Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.
The program will include a live
performance by saxophonist Merlon
Devine, Keynote Speaker: Robert D.
Bullard, Ph.D., a question-and-answer
period, and a book and CD signing.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE
• January 18, 2008, 11:00a.m.—
Department of Interior, Auditorium,
18th and C Streets, NW,
Washington, DC.
This ceremony commemorates the
life and legacy of this great human
rights leader with an honor guard presentation
of colors and musical entertainment
from a local school choir.
2008 “I HAVE A DREAM”
EDUCATION PROGRAM
• Visit the Lincoln Memorial for special
programs during the month of
January—23rd and Independence
Ave., NW, Washington, DC
Students will assemble on the Lincoln
Memorial steps at 1p.m. on January
18, 2008 for a special commemoration
of Martin Luther King, Jr. For
additional information, call (202) 426-
6841.
On Tuesday, January 15,
2008, at the Joseph Meyerhoff
Symphony Hall, three
of Maryland’s acclaimed musical ensembles—the
Baltimore Symphony
Orchestra, Soulful Symphony and
the Morgan State University
Choir—come together for the State
of Maryland’s 22nd Annual Tribute
to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Hosted by Soulful Symphony
founder Darin Atwater, the concert
celebrates the life and legacy of the
great civil rights leader. Presented in
cooperation with Maryland’s Commission
on African American History
and Culture, this year’s tribute
features arrangements by Dr. Nathan
Carter (1936-2004), the renowned
Maryland arts leader and long-time
music director of the Morgan State
University Choir (MSU). See below
for biographies and complete program
information.
BSO-Peabody Conducting Fellow
Joseph Young will conduct the
musicians of the BSO and Soulful
Symphony on the first half of the
program, which includes works by
such prominent African-American
composers as Adolphus Hailstork,
Duke Ellington, William Grant Still
and Baltimore’s own James Lee, a
professor of music at Morgan State
University. Current MSU Choir Director
Eric Conway conducts his
choir, accompanied by the BSO and
Soulful Symphony, on the second
half of the program, which is dedicated
to the music of Dr. Carter.
“This concert is a testament to
Dr. King’s vision of unity through
common ground. As we find common
ground in our music and in our
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
AT STRATHMORE
• January 21, 2008, 4–6p.m.
The world class Music Center at
Strathmore will honor Dr. King with
musical entertainment. This year’s
program features area talent including
the Morgan State University Choir.
The annual celebration is free and
open to the public, but seating is limited
and tickets must be reserved.
KING MEMORIAL
PEACE WALK
• 2008 Date to be Announced, 9a.m.
Meet at the Big Chair in Anacostia,
2101 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE,
Washington, DC. Walk to Covenant
Baptist Church, 3845 South Capitol St.
SW, in honor of Martin Luther King,
Jr.
LET FREEDOM RING CHOIR
• Sunday, January, 21, 2008 at
6p.m.—The John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts, 2700 F
St. NW, Washington, DC.
Free performance. This concert is a
part of Georgetown University’s Let
Freedom Ring initiative, honoring Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
BALTIMORE SYMPHONY,
SOULFUL SYMPHONY,
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY CHOIR
UNITE TO CELEBRATE
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
cultural heritage, I can think of no
better way for our state to honor his
memory than this musical celebration”
commented program host
Darin Atwater. “I am especially
moved by this year’s program,
which is dedicated to the profound
contributions of my own mentor, Dr.
Nathan Carter.” Mr. Atwater studied
under Dr. Carter as a student at
MSU.
Amusical prodigy, Dr. Nathan
Carter was raised in Selma, Alabama,
and went on to earn his master’s
degree from the Juilliard
School and his doctorate from Baltimore’s
Peabody Institute. As the
music director of Morgan State University’s
choir, a position he held for
34 years, Dr. Carter raised the ensemble
to international prominence,
leading the group on multiple tours
of Europe and Africa. In 2004, under
his guidance, the Morgan State University
Choir was named America’s
Best Choir by Reader’s Digest. Dr.
Carter also spearheaded collaborations
between his choir and the Baltimore
Symphony Orchestra. In January
2004, just months before his
passing, Dr. Carter led his choir on a
tour of Russia with the Baltimore
Symphony and then-BSO Music Director
Yuri Temirkanov in concert
performances of Porgy and Bess, as
well as African-American spirituals.
On the evening of the concert,
the Meyerhoff lobby will feature a
life-sized wax sculpture of Dr.
Carter, along with those of distinguished
African-American civil
rights leaders. All are on loan from
Baltimore’s National Great Blacks in
Wax Museum.
THE METRO HERALD 13

January 11, 2008
Rockville Little Theatre
presents
Arcadia
by Tom Stoppard
Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
Produced by ELAINE HOOVER • Directed by DAVID LEVIN
Featuring: SASHA BRÄTT • ALEX GARRETSON • MICHAEL GILMORE • AL GOLDEN
LETA HALL • ERIC HENRY • DANIEL LAVANGA • SARAH MARX • PATRICK MILLER
JANET VA REPLOGLE • ERIN STANSFIELD • CLYDE WRIGHT
January 25, 26, 2008 and February 1, 2, 2008 at 8 pm
January 27, 2008 and February 3, 2008 at 2 pm
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre • Rockville Civic Center Park
CALL FOR TICKETS: 240-314-8690
or visit us at www.rlt-online.org for more information
Celebrate RLT's 60 th Anniversary Season!
14 THE METRO HERALD

HEALTH & WELLNESS
January 11, 2008
Dr. Alicia Brooks Armstrong
NIH STUDY SEEKS TO HELP
FIBROIDS SUFFERERS
African American women are
more likely than other groups
to suffer from fibroidsgrowths
that occur in the uterus. Although
fibroids are not cancerous, they
are often painful, can cause heavy
bleeding, low blood counts, and in
some cases, infertility.
Researchers at the National Institutes
of Health (NIH) are investigating
a new drug treatment for women suffering
from the pain and discomfort of
fibroids. Scientists at NIH’s National
Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD) are testing
whether an experimental drug could
ease fibroid symptoms.
“Fibroids are a major health problem
for African American women and,
often, the only cure is surgery to remove
the uterus,” said Dr. Alicia
Brooks Armstrong, a reproductive
endocrinologist conducting the study
with her colleague, Dr. Lynnette Nieman,
a medical endocrinologist.
“When compared to white women,
fibroids in African American women
are a lot worse; they grow faster and
surgery is usually the only option.”
Some fibroids are large enough to affect
pregnancies, causing premature
births or making Cesarean sections
necessary. African American women
are two to three times more likely to
get fibroids than women of other
groups, according to the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services.
Doctors at NIH invite women from
25-50 years old who have uterine fibroids
to participate in the study. NIH
believes the test drug will reduce fibroid
size and symptoms without causing
long-term side affects. Participants
will be given the new medication or a
placebo for three months. At the end
of the study, the participant can choose
to take the medication for an additional
three months, or will be offered the option
of surgical treatment. All study-related
medications and treatments are
provided at no cost.
NIH hopes this new drug can become
an alternative to surgery and
other drug treatments for fibroids
which can only be taken for a short
time because they cause temporary
menopause and weaken bones. To find
out more about the study and how you
can participate call 877-444-6670 or
visit www.fibroids.nichd.nih.gov.
HOW CAN DENTAL CARE FOR
LOW-INCOME CHILDREN BE IMPROVED
The “silent epidemic” of dental
diseases that disproportionately
affect the nation’s most
vulnerable populations gained public
attention early last year when a twelveyear-old
Maryland boy died after an
untreated tooth infection spread to his
brain. A November ABC News investigation
into a national dental chain that
treats many children on Medicaid, and
a New York Times front-page story in
December reporting on the widespread
dental problems in Kentucky—where
one in ten people have no teeth and
half the state’s children have untreated
cavities—underscored the national urgency
of the problem.
A new report by The George Washington
University School of Public
Health and Health Services (GW
SPHHS) places these stories in context,
providing background on the
unmet dental health needs of the nation’s
poorest children, the health and
social consequences of untreated childhood
dental disease, and possible policy
changes to improve care.
Among the report’s findings:
• Approximately 25 percent of children
ages five to 17 account for 80
percent of the cavities in permanent
teeth, according to the U.S. General
Accounting Office.
• Fewer than half of children in families
living below the federal
poverty line report that their teeth
are in either “excellent” or “good”
condition, according to the National
Survey of Children’s Health.
• Dental problems in childhood can
result in poor nutrition, pain, embarrassment,
lost school days, and
occasionally, severe or life-threatening
infections.
• Children covered by Medicaid or
the State Children’s Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP) are more
likely to see a dentist than children
without any kind of insurance.
However, the great majority of dentists
do not accept Medicaid patients,
primarily because of low reimbursement
rates and perceived
burdens associated with Medicaid
provider participation.
Among the opportunities that have
been proposed to strengthen pediatric
dental services:
• Increase Medicaid reimbursement
rates, which the American Dental
Association calls “one of the most
critical strategies for improving access
to oral health.”
• Include a mandated dental benefit
in the State Children’s Health Insurance
Program. President Bush
vetoed SCHIP reauthorization legislation
that would have required all
states to cover dental services for
children.
• Expand funding for federally qualified
health centers, which care for
one in four low-income children.
• Expand the use of dental health
aides, including dental therapists
who can drill cavities, extract teeth,
and provide other primary oral
health care services.
• Promote replication of the many
state models that have been used to
improve access to dental care.
The GW SPHHS report, “Pediatric
Dentistry: How Can Dental Care for
Low-Income Children Be Improved”,
can be downloaded at www.gwumc.
edu/sphhs/about/rapidresponse/index.
cfm.
For more information on GWUMC,
visit www.gwumc.edu.
STUDY: WHITES GET BETTER ER MEDICATION
Emergency room doctors in the
United States are prescribing
strong narcotics more often to
patients who complain of pain, but minorities
are less likely to get them than
whites, a new study finds.
Even for the severe pain of kidney
stones, minorities were prescribed narcotics
such as oxycodone and morphine
less frequently than whites.
The analysis of more than 150,000
emergency room visits over 13 years
found differences in prescribing by
race and ethnicity in both urban and
rural hospitals, in all U.S. regions and
for every type of pain.
“The gaps between whites and nonwhites
have not appeared to close at
all,” said study co-author Dr. Mark
Pletcher of the University of California,
San Francisco.
The study appeared in Wednesday’s
Journal of the American Medical Association.
Prescribing narcotics for pain in
emergency rooms rose during the study,
from 23 percent of those complaining of
pain in 1993 to 37 percent in 2005.
The increase coincided with changing
attitudes among doctors who now
regard pain management as a key to
healing. Doctors in accredited hospitals
must ask patients about pain, just
as they monitor vital signs such as temperature
and pulse.
Even with the increase, the racial
gap endured. Linda Simoni-Wastila of
the University of Maryland, Baltimore,
School of Pharmacy said the race gap
finding may reveal some doctors’ suspicions
that minority patients could be
drug abusers lying about pain to get
narcotics.
The irony, she said, is that blacks
are the least likely group to abuse prescription
drugs. Hispanics are becoming
as likely as whites to abuse prescription
opioids and stimulants,
according to her research. She was not
involved in the current study.
The study’s authors said doctors
may be less likely to see signs of
painkiller abuse in white patients, or
they may be undertreating pain in minority
patients.
Patient behavior may play a role,
Pletcher said. Minority patients “may
be less likely to keep complaining
about their pain or feel they deserve
good pain control,” he said.
Stricter protocols for prescribing
narcotics may help close the gap.
ANew York hospital recently studied
its emergency patients and found
no racial disparity in narcotics prescribed
for broken bones. Montefiore
Medical Center aggressively treats
pain and is developing protocols for
painkillers that dictate initial dosages
and times to check with patients to see
if they need more pain medicine, said
Dr. David Esses, emergency department
associate director at Montefiore.
Such standards may eliminate
racial disparities, Esses said.
In the study, opioid narcotics were
prescribed in 31 percent of the pain-related
visits involving whites, 28 percent
for Asians, 24 percent for Hispanics
and 23 percent for blacks.
Minorities were slightly more
likely than whites to get aspirin,
ibuprofen and similar drugs for pain.
In more than 2,000 visits for kidney
stones, whites got narcotics 72 percent
of the time, Hispanics 68 percent, Asians
67 percent and blacks 56 percent.
The data came from a well-regarded
U.S. government survey that
collects information on emergency
room visits for four weeks each year
from 500 U.S. hospitals. The new
study was funded by federal grants.
“It’s time to move past describing
disparities and work on narrowing
them,” said Dr. Thomas L. Fisher, an
emergency room doctor at the University
of Chicago Medical Center who
was not involved in the study.
Fisher, who is black, said he is not
immune to letting subconscious assumptions
inappropriately influence
his work as a doctor.
“If anybody argues they have no
social biases that sway clinical practice,
they have not been thoughtful
about the issue or they’re not being
honest with themselves,” he said.
THE METRO HERALD 15

EDUCATION
January 11, 2008
COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY ANNOUNCES 2008 PROGRAM
Hosted by the DE-DC-MD Association
of Student Financial
Aid Administrators, Inc. (DE-
DC-MD ASFAA), the seventh annual
College Goal SundaySM will take
place in January and February 2008 at
19 locations across Delaware, Washington,
DC and Maryland (locations
list attached). Snow dates are also
scheduled. Most events will be held
on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 2 p.m.
Endorsed by the U.S. Department of
Education, Maryland Higher Education
Commission, Maryland State Department
of Education, DC Public and
Charter Schools, DC State Education
Office and Delaware Department of
Education, College Goal Sunday invites
college bound students to a location
near them to receive free professional
assistance to complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA). Colleges, universities and
private career schools require the
FAFSA form to qualify for federal
grants and loans, as well as most state
and private scholarships.
Students attending College Goal
Sunday need to bring proof of 2007 income
and benefits information, such as
completed or estimated IRS federal income
tax returns and W-2 Forms, or
year-end pay stubs and proof of untaxed
income, for the student and the
parent(s). For more information on
College Goal Sunday in Maryland,
Delaware and Washington, DC, students
and parents can call toll free 866-
GO-2-GOAL or visit www.
GO2GOAL.org. There is no charge
for any of these events.
All college bound students are invited
to attend College Goal Sunday to
receive free help. The primary goal of
College Goal Sunday is to make sure
that the first step to financial aid is accurately
completed so that funds can
WATCH
T.C. WILLIAMS
COMPETE ON
IT’S ACADEMIC
Watch It’s Academic at
10:30a.m. this Saturday,
Jan. 12, to see if
T.C. Williams High School students
prevail in a quiz-show competition
with students from two
other area high schools. The program,
taped on Nov. 17, will be televised
on NBC TV Channel 4.
T.C. Williams will appear in a
first-round contest with teams from
Charles Herbert Flowers High
School in Springdale, Md., a
Prince George’s County public
school; and South County Secondary
School in Lorton, a Fairfax
County public school. T.C.
Williams team members include
Andrew Wyse, Anil Kenkeremath
and Michael Montiel.
Alternates are Eva Baker and
Tom Lynam. A T.C. Williams
cheerleading squad will perform
during the program.
For more information, contact
Social Studies Department Chair
and It’s Academic Sponsor Hunter
W. Hammond at hunter.
hammond@acps.k12.va.us or
703-824-6800.
be made available to those striving for
a higher education.
Adult learners heading back to
school are welcome. Many locations
offer foreign language translators.
Specific information on translator
availability can be found online
(www.go2goal.org).
“DE-DC-MD ASFAA is proud to
again offer College Goal Sunday to
students of all ages across the region,”
said David Manning, DE-DC-MD
ASFAA member and chairman of the
College Goal Sunday committee.
“College Goal Sunday provides a valuable
free service to anyone seeking financial
aid assistance. Our volunteers’
expertise in the financial aid application
process directly helps more people
gain financial aid making higher education
more accessible.”
Comcast Spotlight is again supporting
College Goal Sunday as a premier
media partner by donating significant
airtime in Maryland, Delaware and
Washington, DC to promote the
events. Radio One will also donate
airtime to promote College Goal Sunday
on their Washington, DC area
radio stations.
College Goal SundaySM, a nonprofit
campaign, is currently sponsored
by USA Funds®, and supported by
grants from Lumina Foundation for Education,
American Student Assistance®
and EdFUND®, all nonprofits with a
particular interest in higher education.
For more information on these organizations,
visit www.usafunds.org,
www.luminafoundation.org, www.
amsa.com or www.edfund.org.
The College Goal SundaySM program
was created by the Indiana Student
Financial Aid Association with
funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc.,
and with supplemental support from
Lumina Foundation for Education.
REGISTRATION
OPEN FOR
VISARTS WINTER/
SPRING 2008
CATALOG OF
ART CLASSES
Visarts winter/spring 2008
catalog of art classes is
now online and open for
registration. Classes begin as early
as January14th.
To view the catalog visit www.
VisArtsCenter.org
VisArts is offering over 100
classes and workshops in Glass,
Photography, Digital Arts, Ceramics,
Drawing, Wood, Painting,
Mixed Media, and more!
You can register online for any
of our programs in 3 easy steps!
1. Visit www.VisArtsCenter.org
2. Click on the ‘Online Course
Registration’ button right on the
homepage
3. View course selections and register
online!
For more information or to register
by phone, call the VisArts
office 301-315-8200
VisArts is located in Rockville
at 155 Gibbs Street, Ste. 300,
Rockville, MD 20850.
2008 COLLEGE GOAL
SUNDAY LOCATIONS
Trinity University (Washington,
DC)—Sunday, February 10 at
2:00PM
Montgomery College Takoma
Park/Silver Spring (Montgomery
County)—Sunday, February 10 at
2:00PM
Allegany College of Maryland,
Cumberland Campus (Allegany
County)—Thursday, February 21 at
6pm, Snow date is Thursday, February
28 at 6pm
Garrett College (McHenry, Garrett
County)—Thursday, February 7 at
6pm, Snow date is Thursday, February
14 at 6pm
Frostburg State University (Allegany
County)—Sunday, January 27
at 4pm, Snow date is Sunday, February
10 at 4pm
Frederick Community College,
Conference Center (Frederick
County)—Sunday, February 10 at
2:00PM
Anne Arundel Community College
(Arnold, Anne Arundel County)—
Sunday, February 10 at 2:00PM
College of Southern Maryland,
LaPlata Campus (Charles County)—
Sunday, February 10 at 2:00PM
University of Maryland, Baltimore,
Student Center (Baltimore City)—
Sunday, February 10 at 2:00PM
Baltimore City Community College,
Liberty Campus (Baltimore
City)—Sunday, February 10,
2:00PM
Education Based Latino Outreach
(EBLO) (Baltimore City)—Sunday,
February 10 at 2:00PM
Catonsville Campus of The Community
College of Baltimore County
(CCBC) (Baltimore County)—Sunday,
February 10 at 2:00PM
Dundalk Campus of The Community
College of Baltimore County
(CCBC) (Baltimore County)—Sunday,
February 10 at 2:00PM
Goucher College (Towson, Baltimore
County)—Sunday, February 10
at 2:00PM
The H.E.A.T. Center (Aberdeen,
Harford County)—Sunday, February
10 at 2:00PM
Wor-Wic Community College
(Salisbury, Wicomico County)—Sunday,
February 10, 2:00PM
Delaware Technical and Community
College—Christiana Campus
(New Castle County)—Sunday, February
10 at 2:00PM
Delaware Technical and Community
College—Terry Campus (Dover,
Kent County, DE)—Sunday, February
10 at 2:00PM
Delaware Technical and Community
College—Owens Campus
(Georgetown, Sussex County)—Sunday,
February 10 at 2:00PM
Snow date for events on Sunday,
February 10 will be rescheduled for
Sunday, February 17 unless otherwise
noted. Snow dates for events not
on February 10 are listed above.
CHARLES BARRETT WINS
HEALTHY SCHOOL AWARD
For a second straight year, Charles Barrett Elementary School earned
the Healthy School Award from the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM)
and Washington FAMILY Magazine, sponsors of the Healthy Kids Fun
Run held on Oct. 27, 2007.
Washington FAMILY Magazine will present the school with a $500 donation
to its physical education department during a special assembly at
1:15p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24, at the school, 1115 Martha Custis Dr.,
Alexandria. Marines, as well as Miles, the MCM mascot, will be on hand for
the award ceremony.
The Healthy School Award is presented to schools with the greatest number
of students participating in the MCM Healthy Kids Fun Run, a one-mile,
un-timed run conducted on the day prior to the MCM. Charles Barrett had 114
students—the most of any school with an enrollment of fewer than 300 students—participate
in the event.
For more information, contact the school at 703-824-6960.
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE’S
“COLLEGE INSTITUTE” PROGRAM AT
WOOTTON HIGH SCHOOL
Seniors at Thomas S. Wootton
High School who are enrolled in
Montgomery College’s “College
Institute” program will soon be able to
take their college courses in the new,
state-of-the-art Camille Kendall Academic
Center at the Universities at
Shady Grove in Rockville. Since 2002,
the institute has provided courses for
college credit, taught by Montgomery
College professors, on site at the Wootton
High School campus.
In 2002, Wootton became the first
high school in Montgomery County to
host the College Institute program,
which offers eligible students a chance
to take Montgomery College courses at
the home high school, during the
school day. The physical move to USG
will allow the College Institute students
from Wootton —which is just
over a mile away from USG —to take
their classes in a new state-of-the-art
university facility. The program will
continue to be run by Montgomery
College. Students in the program will
be able to use the campus library, computer
labs and other facilities, and take
their courses in classrooms fully
equipped with ‘smart classroom” technology.
The relocation from Wootton will
also help the high school to free up
some classroom space, in order to alleviate
capacity challenges at the school.
“The College Institute continues to
provide a wonderful opportunity for
many of our best prepared students a
chance to get a very successful jump
on their college career,” said Dr.
Michael J. Doran, principal of Wootton
High School. “Our students who participate
are the beneficiaries of an innovative
academic partnership between
Montgomery County Public
Schools and Montgomery College, and
now we have the opportunity to bring
in a third great educational partner, in
the Universities at Shady Grove. It’s
great news for the students.”
The College Institute program is a
T.C. WILLIAMS PRESENTS ONE-ACT PLAYS
partnership between Montgomery College
and Montgomery County Public
Schools that gives students a chance to
earn college credits while remaining
active in their high school community.
The opening of the first program at
Wootton in 2002 was followed by a
second College Institute at Gaithersburg
High School in 2003, and two
more at Kennedy and Seneca Valley
High Schools, both of which opened in
2005. Each of these programs will continue
to be operated at the home high
schools.
In total, more than 1,400 students
have taken college courses through the
various College Institute programs in
Montgomery County high schools,
since the program was launched originally
at Wootton in 2002.
This fall, 104 students are enrolled
in the College Institute program at
Wootton, taking college courses on
subjects such as psychology, international
relations, statistics, sociology,
and public speaking.
Officials have targeted the move of
the program for the beginning of
Montgomery College’s spring semester,
which starts in January. Students
from Gaithersburg High School, who
participate in the College Institute program
at their home high school, will
also have the option of taking Montgomery
College courses at the Universities
at Shady Grove, along with the
Wootton students.
For more information about the
College Institute programs that serve
the participating high schools in Montgomery
County, contact Janet Johnson,
Montgomery College’s high school
programs director, at 240-567-4142
or by email at: janet.johnson@
montgomerycollege.edu. For information
about the institute’s Wootton
program, contact Jane Storck, College
Institute coordinator at Wootton, at
301-279-8550 or by email at:
Jane_S_Storck@mcpsmd.org.
T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St., Alexandria, will hold its annual Winter One-Act Play Festival at
7:30p.m. on Friday, Jan. 11, and Saturday, Jan. 12, in the John C. Albohm Auditorium. Tickets are $3 for students
and $5 for adults.
Six Student Directors—Issa Abernathy-Minus, Lindsay Adler, Shoaib Ahmad, Andrew Flack, Cristina Mcdonell and
Jessica Washington—will direct five one-act plays on both nights. The Student Directors and their actors will compete
against each other to see who wins the festival. The winner will represent T.C. Williams at the Patriot District One-Act
Play Festival on Monday, Jan. 28, at Lake Braddock Secondary School, 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke.
For more information, contact T.C. Williams at 703-824-6800.
16 THE METRO HERALD

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 11, 2008
STEVIE WONDER, JOHN LEGEND,
DANNY GLOVER AND OTHERS WILL PAY
TRIBUTE TO AFRICAN AMERICAN
LUMINARIES AT THE BET HONORS
Hosted by Cedric “The Entertainer,”
the Inaugural Event
Will Recognize Alicia Keys,
Tyra Banks, Dr. Cornel West, Richard
Parsons, the Honorable Maxine Waters
and CEO Janice Bryant Howroyd, And
Premiere on the Network Friday, February
22 at 8:00p.m. ET/PT
Stevie Wonder, John Legend,
Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Wyclef Jean,
Danny Glover, Kerry Washington,
Vivica A. Fox and Hill Harper will pay
tribute to Alicia Keys (Entertainment
Award), Tyra Banks (Media Award),
Dr. Cornel West, University Professor
in the Center for African American
Studies (Award for Education),
Richard Parsons (Corporate Citizen
Award), The Honorable Maxine Waters
(Public Service Award) and CEO
Janice Bryant Howroyd (Entrepreneur
Award) at THE BET HONORS on
Saturday, January 12 at the Warner
Theatre in Washington, D.C. Hosted
by Cedric “The Entertainer,” THE
BET HONORS, which celebrates the
lives and achievements of African
American luminaries, will premiere on
the network during Black History
Month on Friday, February 22 at
8:00p.m. ET/PT.
“We are thrilled to present the firstever
BET HONORS and pay tribute to
the thinkers, trailblazers and trendsetters
whose accomplishments serve as
inspirations for current and future generations,”
said Debra Lee, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks.
“Each of these remarkable individuals
has made significant contributions
to the Black community and
American culture overall, and BET
Networks is proud to recognize them
through this very special, new tentpole
event. We’ve done a number of significant
shows in other cities, but what better
place to honor these individuals than
in our home city of Washington, D.C.”
KENNEDY CENTER MILLENNIUM STAGE
FOR JANUARY 2008
Free Daily Performances at 6pm
on the Millennium Stage in the
Grand Foyer—No tickets required
Mon., Jan. 14—The Uptown Vocal
Jazz Quartet, backed by a blazing instrumental
trio, performs tightly harmonized
arrangements, inventive
lyrics, and unique renditions of classic
jazz, swing, pop, originals, and American
songbook standards.
Tues., Jan. 15—As part of Nouveau
Cirque, Compagnie Chant de Balles
presents Le Chant des Balles, conceived
and performed by talented lute player
Eric Bellocq and virtuoso juggler Vincent
de Lavenère. Presented in cooperation
with the Embassy of France.
Wed., Jan. 16—Mirah and Spectratone
International present Share This
Place, a multi-media event combining
original songs, from the album of the
same name, that explore the lives of insects
as inspired by French entomologist
Jean Henri Fabre, set to a series of twelve
animated short films by Britta Johnson.
Thurs., Jan. 17—The Washington
Ballet Studio Company performs
“Moondance Suite”—a suite of passionate
dances choreographed by
Jared Nelson and Septime Webre to a
selection of well-known arias and popular
songs—and excerpts from “Peter
and the Wolf,” a balletic take on the
classic fairy tale with live narration
choreographed by Brian Reeder.
Fri., Jan. 18—Members of the
Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra
perform classical works
Sat., Jan. 19—NSO Prelude: National
Symphony Orchestra members
perform classical works.
Sun., Jan. 20—With acoustic and
electric guitars, beautifully matched
voices, dobro, mandolin and violin,
Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry share
original songs and instrumentals, paying
homage to Dave Carter and other
stellar writers.
Mon., Jan. 21—Concert Hall—
The Kennedy Center and Georgetown
University host a musical celebration,
featuring Denyce Graves, Nuttin’ but
Stringz, and the Let Freedom Ring
Choir, with Master of Ceremonies
Tony Perkins, as part of the University’s
sixth annual “Let Freedom Ring”
initiative celebrating the legacy of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
All performers and programs are
subject to change without notice.
Millennium Stage schedules are
available throughout the Kennedy
Center, and on the Internet at
www.kennedy-center.org.
5TH ANNUAL MARTIN
LUTHER KING JR. DAY
CELEBRATION
Embracing the Dream . . .Our
Youth of Tomorrow—Sunday,
Jan. 20, 3p.m.-5p.m. In the
Alden Theatre. Free admission. Come
join the McLean Community Center
Governing Board and staff as we celebrate
the achievements and legacy of
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program
features Guest Speaker Michael
Raymond Tapscott, Director, Multicultural
Student Services Center, George
Washington University and performances
by The Richmond Boys Choir
and Step Afrika! World Premiere
Grand Finale! Produced especially for
MCC’s MLK Day Celebration, Step
Afrika! will join with the Richmond
Boys Choir to perform “Wade,” Step
Afrika’s critically acclaimed work that
has touched audiences all over the
world. A free reception will follow the
program.
For more information, call the
Center at 703-790-0123/TTY, 703-827-
8255, or visit: www.mcleancenter.org.
DAY TRIPS FOR 5TH
AND 6TH GRADERS
Wisp Resort, McHenry,
Md.—Friday, Jan. 25,
8a.m.-6p.m.—$65 per person/$60
McLean district residents
Hit the slopes with us! Enjoy a day
of fun on the mountain as we go tubing.
This trip will depart from and return
to the Old Firehouse Teen Center
(OFTC), located at 1440 Chain Bridge
Road. Participants will need a lunch
and/or money to buy food during the
trip. A registration form and permission
slip must be turned in before the
day of the trip. Participants should arrive
15 minutes before departure time.
For more information or to register,
call OFTC at 703-448-8336, or visit:
www.mcleancenter.org.
4TH ANNUAL MCLEAN
PUPPETRY FESTIVAL
Saturday, Jan. 26, 11a.m.-
4p.m.—$10 children ages 2 and
older; $5 adults—Passes will be
available the day of the festival.
Featuring Applause Unlimited and
Grey Seal Puppets. Performance times
to be announced. Workshops and performances
throughout the day.
For more information, call the
Center at 703-790-0123, or visit:
www.mcleancenter.org.
MCC JANUARY CALENDAR
THE ALDEN THEATRE,
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
FILM SERIES
Exploring French Wine Regions—Hosted
by Filmmakers
Sid & Mary Lee Nolan—
Wednesday, Jan. 30, 8p.m.—$9/$7
McLean district residents
Wines are reason enough to visit
France, but the regions that produce
them also abound in history, art, architecture,
cuisine and charming inns. Explore
the wine regions of France with
filmmakers Sid and Mary Lee Nolan.
Learn about the grape-growing and production
techniques that make France
synonymous with the noblest of fruits.
Tickets are on sale now! To purchase
tickets, stop by the Alden Theatre
Box Office, or to charge by phone
or online through Ticketmaster, call
703-573-SEAT or visit www.
ticketmaster.com. For more information,
call the Box Office at 703-790-
9223.
Subscribe to
The Metro Herald!
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
THE JAMES C. MACDONALD FINE
ARTS SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
Each year, the McLean Community
Center recognizes the hard
work and talent of young performing
and visual artists through the
Macdonald Fine Arts Scholarship
Competition.
Following a preliminary audition
and a final round of competition, prizes
are awarded to three finalists in each of
four categories: Dance, Music, Theatre,
and Visual Arts. Only high school students
who reside or attend school in the
McLean special tax district (Small District
One of Dranesville) are eligible to
apply. Application forms are available
at the community center’s reception
desk and at the guidance offices of Langley
and McLean high schools and
Madeira and Potomac schools. A nonrefundable
$15 fee is required for each
application form submitted. Students
may enter more than one category. The
application deadline is Wednesday,
Feb. 29, 2008.
For more information, call the Center
at 703-790-0123/TTY: 703-827-
8255, or visit www.mcleancenter.org.
EXCITING JOBS AT BUSCH GARDENS
EUROPE AND WATER COUNTRY USA
Experience the fun and excitement
of working at Busch Gardens
Europe or Water Country
USA. The world’s most beautiful adventure
park and the mid-Atlantic’s
largest water park are hosting a Job Fair
to fill hundreds of seasonal positions on
January 12 from 10:00AM–2:00PM.
Join the fun while gaining valuable
experience. From lifeguards and line
cooks to ride attendants and retail specialists,
the parks are seeking applicants
for spring and summer positions
in park operations, culinary operations,
security, merchandise, games, photography,
aquatic safety and more.
Busch Gardens Europe/Water
Country USA team members receive
competitive wages, complimentary
and discounted park admissions for
themselves and their families, availability
of medical, dental, vision and
life insurance programs and an array of
other incentive programs and extracurricular
activities.
Job Fair participants should use the
employees and deliveries entrance on
Route 60. For directions and information,
call Busch Gardens/Water Country
USA Human Resources at 757-253-
3020. Busch Gardens Europe and
Water Country USA are equal employment
opportunity employers and offer
a safe and drug-free workplace.
For more information about the
Worlds of Discovery parks, visit
buschgardens.com or call 800-343-
7946.
DAY TRIPS FOR 5TH
AND 6TH GRADERS
Utz Brand Snack Factory,
Hanover Pa.—Monday, Jan.
28, 7a.m.-7p.m.—$35 per person/$30
McLean district residents
Ever wonder where your snacks
come from Join us as we explore the
world of junk food. This trip will depart
from and return to the Old Firehouse
Teen Center (OFTC), located at
1440 Chain Bridge Road. Participants
will need a lunch and/or money to buy
food during the trip. A registration
form and permission slip must be
turned in before the day of the trip.
Participants should arrive 15 minutes
before departure time.
For more information or to register,
call OFTC at 703-448-8336, or visit:
www.mcleancenter.org.
SCREEN GEMS PRESENTS A CUBE VISION/STORY COMPANY/FIRM FILMS PRODUCTION
A FILM BY DAVID E. TALBERT “FIRST SUNDAY” LORETTA DEVINE MICHAEL BEACH
MUSIC
KEITH DAVID REGINA HALL MALINDA WILLIAMS BY STANLEY CLARKE
EXECUTIVE
STACY KOLKER CRAMER NEIL MACHLIS RONALD MUHAMMAD JULIE YORN
PRODUCED
BY DAVID E. TALBERT DAVID MCILVAIN TIM STORY ICE CUBE MATT ALVAREZ
WRITTEN AND
DIRECTED BY DAVID E. TALBERT
PRODUCERS
NOW PLAYING
CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES
SORRY, NO PASSES ACCEPTED FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT.
THE METRO HERALD 17

January 11, 2008
18 THE METRO HERALD

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
January 11, 2008
ESSENCE magazine now pronounces
you man and wife! In
the second edition of Will You
Marry Me, six men from six different
cities will share their love with more
than 8 million readers by proposing to
their girlfriends in the pages of
ESSENCE magazine. The men will
pop the questions, the women will give
the answers and hidden cameras will
capture it all for viewers to see and
vote for their favorite couple on
essence.com! On February 14th the announcement
of the winning couple will
be nationally televised on ABC’s
“Good Morning America”! The couple
to receive the most votes by Valentine’s
Day will receive a lavish destination
wedding aboard a Royal
Caribbean International cruise ship,
courtesy of ESSENCE and Royal
Caribbean. They will then sail away on
an extravagant seven-night Caribbean
honeymoon cruise.
ESSENCE received more than 300
responses from men wanting to propose
in the magazine, tripling the
amount of responses from last year,
after publishing an ad in the September
issue. The six chosen couples are
Davon and Nerisse from New York
City, Clyde and Charity from Washington,
DC, Demetrius and Chrissy from
Knoxville, TN, Greg and Carmen from
Dallas, TX, Albert and Myla from New
Orleans, LA and Eugene and Kendra
from Atlanta Georgia.
“ESSENCE’s Will You Marry Me
is a celebration of romance and real
people; extraordinary love stories that
begin in the magazine,” says Angela
Burt-Murray, editor in chief,
ESSENCE. “However, online is where
the magic happens.
This year we’re taking it to the next
level, adding more content, and more
ways to engage the reader. From the
creative proposals brilliantly conceived
by our editors, to the couples
featured, experiencing Will You Marry
Me on essence.com will be truly
amazing.”
This year, the proposals became
even more ingenious! Find out what
happens when one woman is taken to a
darkened theater for a “movie”, only to
WASHINGTON, DC
RESTAURANT
WEEK—
WINTER 2008
By Rachel Cooper,
During Washington, DC
Restaurant Week, January
14 through 20, 170 of Washington,
DC’s finest restaurants offer 3-
course lunches for $20.08 and 3-
course dinners for $30.08.
Washington, DC Restaurant Week is a
great opportunity to experience Washington, DC’s best restaurants at affordable
prices. Cuisines include Contemporary American, Mexican, French,
Mediterranean, Italian, Southern, Seafood, Spanish, California, Pan-Asian
and more!
A complete list of participants is posted at opentable.com. Be sure to
make your reservation early. Please note that not all restaurants participating
in the DC Restaurant Week, offer the Restaurant Week menu at both meals.
When you make your reservation you should confirm with the restaurant
that they are participating in Restaurant Week.
Washington, DC Restaurant Week is produced biannually by the Washington,
DC Convention & Tourism Corporation and the Restaurant Association
Metropolitan Washington. The event is usually held in January and
August.
ESSENCE MAGAZINE PRESENTS
WILL YOU MARRY ME 2008
find her boyfriend pop up on the screen
with an ESSENCE cover in hand asking
her to marry him in front of what
she learns is a theater filled with
friends and family, or when another
woman is surprised with her marriage
proposal during an “ESSENCE
karaoke party” featuring her husband
singing her favorite tune, “Endless
Love”.
The clever and unconventional
wedding proposals will be featured online
at essence.com. The online component
will provide behind-the-scenes
footage from the men’s photo shoot,
video of the actual proposal and her reaction
via a hidden camera and an interview
with the couple immediately
following the surprise. The romance
doesn’t end there. The men’s proposals
from the magazine as well as a responsive
love letter from the woman will
also be revealed on essence.com. Plus,
readers can enjoy photo galleries of the
couples that will include pictures of the
engagement ring, a guestbook, wedding
and honeymoon tips, and share
their own proposal stories with other
essence.com readers. TV One, an entertainment
and lifestyle television network
for African-Americans, will feature
a one-hour special on Will You
Marry Me on February 3, 2007.
Last year when Corey Vandiver,
Kerry Mackey, Jr., Daryle Murrell,
Harold Jordan, Louie Myers, and Fasil
Haile proposed to their girlfriends in
ESSENCE, the innovative acts of romance
made magazine history with the
first-ever magazine marriage proposals
and catapulted a multimedia, interactive
experience that drove millions to
the online home of the pre-eminent
magazine for African-American
women, essence.com. Readers voted
for their favorite couples, and the close
polls resulted in ESSENCE and the
South African Tourism Board sending
all of the couples to South Africa for a
lavish honeymoon vacation. Find out
how the couples are doing now in an
update on essence.com!
Go to www.essence.com and start
voting now!
LIVE FROGS HOP INTO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MUSEUM
Frogs—A Chorus of Colors, a
traveling exhibition featuring
live frogs, will be on display at
the National Geographic Museum at
Explorers Hall from Friday, January
25, through Sunday, May 11, 2008.
Visitors can watch these fascinating
amphibians in custom environments
that replicate their habitats in the wild.
The exhibition explores all aspects of
these adaptive creatures including their
biology and history, their importance
to ecosystems, their role in human cultures
and their disappearance around
the world.
Some of the frog world’s most intriguing
species are featured in the exhibition,
including poison dart frogs;
American and African bullfrogs; tree
frogs, including the Chinese gliding
frog, dumpy tree frog and waxy monkey
frog; the Vietnamese mossy frog
and golden mantella frog; the fire-bellied
toad and smooth-sided toad;
clawed and horned frogs; and tadpoles.
Interactive components allow visitors
to listen to frog calls, watch
footage of frogs in action and test their
THE DUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
PRESENTS “THE WIZ”
frog knowledge on subjects from basic
to bizarre. Visitors can also view a
skeleton of the world’s largest frog, the
African goliath frog; examine metamorphosis
with specimens at various
life stages; and test their hopping skills
against those of various species.
A companion exhibition, “Face to
Face with Frogs, Photographs by Mark
W. Moffett,” will feature stunning images
by this award-winning photographer,
ecologist and explorer. Moffett
has spent years documenting frogs and
other wildlife across the globe. National
Geographic will publish a children’s
book of Moffett’s photography, “Face to
Face with Frogs,” in February 2008.
As part of the National Geographic
Live! lecture program, Moffett will
discuss his photographs at National
Geographic’s Grosvenor Auditorium
on Thursday, Jan. 31. For more information
on the lecture, visit www.
nglive.org.
“Frogs—A Chorus of Colors” was
created by Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland.
The National Geographic Museum
is located at 1145 17th Street, N.W.,
Get your tickets now to the
Duke Ellington School of the
Arts’ fabulous production of
Ken Harper’s “The Wiz.” The sights
and sounds will amaze and entertain
audiences of all ages. Talented high
school students auditioned before
renowned theater professionals for the
chance to star in the historic play that
won seven Tony awards.
The Wiz retells the story of Dorothy
and Toto’s adventure in Oz, moving the
scene from Kansas to today’s urban setting.
The characters travel through the
magical world, encountering unforgettable
personalities along the way. It’ll
prove hard to sit still as the cast delights
the audience with captivating scenes, a
stunning set and memorable melodies.
From February 7th through February
15th, the DC metropolitan community
will have the opportunity to
witness this “future-star”-studded performance.
Located in historic Georgetown,
the Ellington Theatre rivals most
performing arts centers throughout the
DC metro area.
Online ticket purchases at www.
ellingtonschool.org offer a convenient
way to secure a seat today. At $20 per
ticket for adults and $15 for children
under 12, it’s a great deal.
Head of School Rory Pullens and
his staff raised the bar for the performance,
bringing top-notch professionals
to lead the production team. “We want
the students to understand exactly what
it takes to have a successful career in
the arts, and this production will help.
They’re putting in the same time,
preparation, and energy that a professional
production mandates, and the
results should be just as dazzling.”
Producer Ken Johnson describes
how the professional team impacts the
students. “Our team demands the best
from each member of the cast. The experience
is sure to leave a lasting impression
for both audiences and Ellington’s
cast and crew.”
Director Lynda Gravátt is a founding
Ellington faculty member best
known for her many performances on
multiple episodes of NBC’s Law and
Order. Musical Director e’Marcus
Harper has worked with top stars in the
industry, including Carlos Santana,
Michael Jackson, Lionel Ritchie, and
Aretha Franklin. Well-known Ellington
alumna and artistic director of City
At Peace Sandra Holloway serves as
choreographer. Reggie Ray, the production’s
award-winning costume designer,
has designed for Debbie Allen,
Maya Angelou, The John F. Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts and
Lincoln Center, among many others.
Teachers, staff and parent volunteers
all spend many hours each week
supporting the students as they work
on this astounding production.
Ellington has a proud, determined
student body and famous alumni network.
From comedian Dave Chappelle
to opera star Denyce Graves, the
school’s celebrated alumni pack
houses while performing on the largest
international stages. Each year, they return
to encourage the soon-to-be discovered
stars as they work and study
diligently through the year.
Performance Dates: Thursday,
CHRIS BROWN, BOW WOW AND SOULJA
BOY LIVE AT THE PATRIOT CENTER
Chris Brown is coming back into town with special guests Bow Wow
and Soulja Boy at the Patriot Center on Friday, January 18 at
7:30PM. Brown’s sophomore release, Exclusive, features the hit song
“Kiss, Kiss”. The George Mason University Patriot Center is located at 4500
Patriot Circle, Fairfax, VA 22030; (703) 993-3000; www.patriotcenter.com
Tickets for Chris Brown, Bow Wow and Soulja Boy at the Patriot Center are
$109.75, $79.75, $54.75 and $39.75 (plus applicable service charges) and are
on sale now. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets including
the Patriot Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Phone
charge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT and 410-547-SEAT. Accessible
seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035.
Washington, D.C., and is open Mondays
through Saturdays from 9a.m.
to 5p.m. and Sundays from 10a.m. to
5p.m. It is closed Dec. 25. Admission
is free. For information on the
“Frogs—A Chorus of Colors” exhibition,
the public should call (202) 857-
7588 or visit www.ngmuseum.org.
February 7 and Friday February 8:
7:30PM; Sat., February. 9: 2:30PM,
7:30PM; Wednesday, February 13:
7:30PM;Thursday, February 14 and
Friday 15: 7:30PM.
Location: The Ellington Theatre,
3500 R Street, NW, Washington, DC
20007
Tickets: Adults $20.00, Twelve and
Under $15.00. For purchase and information,
call the Ellington Box Office,
open 10:00AM–4:00PM, at 202-337-
4825 or visit www.ellingtonschool.
org. VISA/MC/ AMEX/DISCOVER
cards accepted.
WASHINGTON
ANTIQUES SHOW
By Rachel Cooper,
The Washington Antiques
Show, one of the country’s
most established antiques
events will take place January 11
through 13, 2008. This year’s
theme is “Inspirations from the
Garden,” in honor of the memory
of Lady Bird Johnson. Proceeds
from the show will benefit at-risk
children and families in the Washington,
DC area.
The 2008 Washington Antiques
Show showcases objects ranging
from George Washington’s watering
can to a pair of 19th century
garden urns. Items are from 14 regional
museums and historic
houses as well as private collections.
The show will feature 45
dealers from the U.S., Canada, and
Europe specializing in American
and European antique furniture,
Chinese porcelains, silver, ceramics,
jewelry, fine art, books, and
other antique collectibles.
Hours: Friday & Saturday—
11a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday—
11a.m. to 4p.m.
Location: Omni Shoreham
Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street NW,
Washington, DC; (301) 351-6619.
Admission: $15 one-day pass,
$25 three-day pass.
For more information, visit
www. washingtonantiques.org
THE METRO HERALD 19

SPORTS & RECREATION
January 11, 2008
By Paul Newberry
When Ohio State and LSU
face off in the BCS championship
game Monday
night, some of the best on the field will
be black players.
Glenn Dorsey. Beanie Wells.
Kirston Pittman. Brian Robiskie. Early
Doucet. Vernon Gholston.
Then check out the sidelines. They
might as well put out a “Whites Only”
sign for the guys running the teams.
College football is stuck in a time
warp, stubbornly hanging on to a segregated
system that largely keeps minorities
from landing the top coaching jobs.
Oh sure, every school has at least
one or two black coaches on its staff,
but they are generally limited to
anonymous position jobs such as running
backs coach or secondary
coach—spots that tend to have a large
number of minority players.
With another hiring season nearly
complete, college football is left with
just six black coaches among the 119
schools in the NCAA’s top division—
the same number as this season.
Those sort of figures sound like
something out of the Jim Crow era, not
a year when a black man is making a
serious bid to become president of the
United States.
“Pathetic,” said Richard Lapchick, a
sports sociologist at Central Florida.
“When I met Eddie Robinson in 1997 to
start work on an autobiography with
him, there were eight African-American
coaches. When I spoke at his funeral
this year, there were only six. Eight was
the all-time high, and even then it was
low. Now, it’s even more so.”
The two BCS finalists mirror the
sport in general. Ohio State has a white
head coach, Jim Tressel, and two white
coordinators.
Same for LSU, which has Les
Miles at head coach and white men
running both the offense and defense.
While Porter has the importantsounding
title of assistant head coach,
his main responsibility is coaching running
backs. Gary Crowton directs the
offense, with Miles getting the final say.
The Buckeyes and Tigers are hardly
alone.
Schools playing in BCS bowls were
10-for-10 when it came to having
WHITES ONLY: BLACKS LARGELY SHUT OUT
OF HEAD COACHING JOBS
white coaches, and just three had coordinators
of color.
One was Kevin Sumlin, the co-offensive
coordinator at Oklahoma and
the only black man to be hired as a
head coach for 2008. He took over at
Houston after Oklahoma’s loss to West
Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.
Then there are guys such as Porter
and Georgia’s highly regarded recruiting
coordinator, Rodney Garner.
Between them, they have 28 years
of coaching experience. Between
them, they have zero interviews for a
top job.
Yet, Garner continues to wait for an
opportunity that might never come, at
least under the current system where
influential boosters—nearly all of
them rich white men—have a major
say in who runs the football program.
It’s the ultimate old boy’s network,
with deals being hammered out at
whites-only country clubs or exclusive
golf courses.
The Black Coaches and Administrators
association has led the fight to
bring more diversity to the coaching
ranks, yelling and screaming about the
low numbers, getting the support of
NCAA president Myles Brand, but
making little real progress in changing
the way business is done.
The BCA is now threatening to file
a federal civil rights lawsuit, hoping to
do for black coaches what Title IX did
for women’s athletics.
Lapchick has his own idea, proposing
an “Eddie Robinson Rule” that would be
similar to NFL guidelines requiring
teams to interview at least one minority
candidate in every coaching search.
The “Rooney Rule” has certainly
worked well for the pros, who last year
had the first Super Bowl with two
black head coaches, Tony Dungy of Indianapolis
and Lovie Smith of
Chicago. The NFL ended this regular
season with seven black head coaches
among its 32 teams—one more than
the major college ranks, even though
there’s only about a fourth as many
jobs.
“We need to force schools to look at
more African-American coaches,”
Lapchick said. “Yes, some of them
would get bogus interviews. Yes, some
schools would do it just because that’s
NEW SPORTS FACILITY
TO OPEN IN LOUDOUN COUNTY
Area businessman Paul Wilson,
owner of the 2007 NPF Champion
Washington Glory and
Paul’s Sports, has partnered with local
Stone Bridge High School baseball
coach Sam Plank to form Diamond Elite
LLC; and in early 2008, will open Diamond
Elite, an indoor sports training facility
focusing on elite softball and baseball
training, it was announced recently.
Diamond Elite will be located on
Atlantic Boulevard in Sterling, Virginia,
conveniently located near the
Dulles Town Center. The 8,800
square foot facility will feature multiple
batting cages, pitching lanes, and a
well stocked pro-shop. Diamond Elite
will provide training space for rental to
individuals, groups and teams as well
as individual/group/team instruction,
clinics, camps and other baseball and
softball related activities. A limit
number of memberships to the facility
are available for teams and individuals.
“It’s been our goal for some time to
bring together the elite level training of
the Washington Glory and Sam Plank
Baseball, a high tech facility and a full
service pro-shop under one roof,” said
partners Wilson and Plank. “Sam will
head up the baseball side of things, and
on the softball side the stars of our 2007
NPF Champion Washington Glory will
take care of the softball players from
beginner to professional and every
level in between,” added Wilson.
“The baseball and softball community
in our area is in for a great treat.
Our Atlantic Blvd. facility is going to
be very nice and will provide instruction
at a level unsurpassed in our region.
However, the facility itself will
pale in comparison to what is planned
for our 2009 opening of the 21,000
square foot Diamond Elite facility at
the new Play To Win Sports and Leadership
Training Center in Ashburn,”
continued partners Wilson and Plank.
More information about the team can
be found online at washingtonglory.
com or myspace.com/thewashingtonglory.
what they have to do. But in the NFL,
after that rule was passed, the owners
started meeting coaches they never
would have met before. They started to
realize, ‘Hey, some of these guys really
fit the mission of what we’re trying to
do. Hey, let’s give ‘em a shot.’
“Look what happened: We ended
up with two African-American coaches
in the Super Bowl.”
Garner doesn’t think such a rule
would be nearly as effective at the college
ranks, where so many more people
tend to be involved in the hiring—
and firing—of football coaches.
“There’s just too many power players
in college football, with the alumni
and all the different people, the different
factors,” he said. “In the NFL, it’s
usually one or two people in the decision-making
process. It’s totally different
in college. It’s not even applicable.
I think it would have zero chance to
work.”
Porter disagrees. He feels the most
effective way to break down the barriers
is to at least get a foot in the door.
“Every time you put yourself in position
to get an interview, whether you
get the job or not, it makes you better
in terms of experience to get the next
one that comes along,” he said. “You
may have a greater opportunity to get it
because you know what to expect.”
The players, even black players,
seem largely oblivious to the whole situation.
“That’s not something we sit down
and talk about,” said Robiskie, Ohio
State’s top receiver and the son of NFL
coach Terry Robiskie, who once served
as Washington’s interim head coach at
the end of the 2000 season.
Added Dorsey, LSU’s defensive
star: “A great coach is a great coach, no
matter what race he is. That’s the
biggest thing to me.”
Lapchick said he doubts there will
be any real progress until a powerhouse
program such as LSU or Ohio
State takes a chance on a black coach.
For the most part, the only schools
willing to hire minorities have been
those that are down and out, setting
them up for failure.
Just look at the rugged path taken
by the country’s most prominent black
head coach, Sylvester Croom.
He first interviewed at his alma
mater, Alabama, after the abrupt firing
of Mike Price. Even though Croom
met one of that school’s most important
criteria (he played for Bear
Bryant), had more experience than the
only other candidate and, by all accounts,
was much more impressive in
the interview process, the job went to
Mike Shula, who, of course, is white.
Shula lasted only four years before
he was dumped, while Croom was
hired the next season by lowly Mississippi
State, becoming the first black
football coach in Southeastern Conference
history.
Croom struggled through his first
three years, winning only nine games
total, but the Bulldogs improved to 8-5
this year, including a victory over Alabama
and a Liberty Bowl triumph
against Central Florida.
Still, if anyone thought Croom’s
success might lead to more opportunities,
they were mistaken.
Houston, hardly one of the country’s
elite programs, was the only
school willing to hire a black coach.
That “Whites Only” sign is still out.
MCNAMEE SAYS HE’D
GO TO JAIL FOR CLEMENS
During the 17 minutes Roger
Clemens spoke with friendturned-accuser
Brian Mc-
Namee, he kept his emotions in check.
He did an even better job during the 17
minutes he listened again to the phone
call in a room filled with reporters.
Then it was Clemens’ turn to talk.
And out came the emotion.
In his first news conference since
McNamee accused him of using
steroids and human growth hormone in
the Mitchell Report, Clemens’ eyes
watered during his opening statement
and again during what proved to be his
closing remarks. The whole thing
lasted about 2 1/2 minutes less than his
chat with McNamee, ending with
Clemens abruptly leaving.
Clemens sat expressionless as he
listened to the conversation taped last
Friday, when his former personal
trainer repeatedly asked, “What do you
want me to do”
McNamee said those words, or a
close variation, 21 times. No matter
whether McNamee’s tone was angry or
pleading, whether he was talking about
his ailing 10-year-old son or offering to
go to jail, Clemens never fired back
with anger or accusations that Mc-
Namee was lying.
Instead, Clemens offered his own
repetitive theme: “I just want the truth
out there.”
The next steps in this unfolding
saga might help discover that elusive
truth.
Aweek from Wednesday, Clemens
and McNamee are scheduled to testify
under oath before the House Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform.
“I’m going to Congress, and I’m
going to tell the truth,” Clemens said.
“I’m going to tell everything I know
about the situation and steroids and
everything else, which isn’t a lot.”
McNamee told former Senator majority
leader George Mitchell that he
injected Clemens at least 16 times with
steroids and human growth hormone in
1998, 2000 and 2001. Clemens acknowledged
receiving injections from
McNamee, however, he said they were
vitamin B-12 and the painkiller lidocaine.
McNamee has agreed to testify, and
Clemens’ attorney, Rusty Hardin, said
the seven-time Cy Young Award winner
would answer all questions without
invoking his Constitutional right
against self-incrimination. But Hardin
wouldn’t vouch for how Clemens will
handle the questions.
“I can’t guarantee anybody he
won’t be as upset with the allegations
there as he has been here,” Hardin said.
“The one thing I can guarantee is that
he’s going to answer them.”
Clemens and McNamee also might
be headed toward a showdown in
court.
Late Sunday, Clemens filed a
defamation suit against McNamee in a
Texas state court, another salvo in the
escalating fight between the pair, who
had worked together since they met
while with the Toronto Blue Jays a
decade ago. One of McNamee’s
lawyers, Richard Emery, said his client
probably will sue Clemens in New
York.
During the news conference,
Clemens answered a little more than a
dozen questions, several of them follow-ups
to comments he made during a
“60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday
night.
As his answers became more impassioned,
Hardin passed Clemens a
note telling him to “lighten up.”
Clemens scoffed.
Then he ended the session amid
talk about the Hall of Fame, jabbing
his index finger while angrily dismissing
the idea that he must be inducted to
justify his hard work and career.
“I cannot wait to go into the private
sector and hopefully never have to answer
it again,” Clemens said.
“I’ve said enough,” he added, then
walked out.
Afterward, Hardin said Clemens’
prickliness was understandable - even
justified.
“Look at it this way: Roger
Clemens is either the world’s greatest
actor or he didn’t do (what McNamee
accuses). And if he didn’t do that, then
he’s been screwed big-time by everybody
who believes he did it. Why
wouldn’t he be upset about it” Hardin
said. “If you didn’t do it, there’s not a
single person who wouldn’t be going
crazy.”
Hardin said that because McNamee
didn’t deny Clemens’ claims that he
never used steroids, it amounted to
proof that Clemens was telling the
truth. Clemens said McNamee initiated
the conversation by sending him an e-
mail.
McNamee sounded distraught during
the conversation.
“I’m in your corner. I don’t want
this to happen. But I’d also like not to
go to jail, too,” he said.
His voice cracked when he said:
“My wife is gone. My kids are gone.”
“I don’t have any money. I have
nothing,” McNamee said. “I’m not
doing a book deal. I got offered seven
figures to go on TV. I didn’t do it. I didn’t
take it. I didn’t do anything. All I
did was what I thought was right - I
never thought it was right, but I
thought that I had no other choice, put
it that way.”
Hardin said McNamee’s attempts
for guidance from Clemens seemed
odd.
“We played it back, trying to decide,
‘What do we do now What is he
saying’” he said. “There is a 90-percent
view of the people around Roger
that (McNamee) was trying to set
Roger up. Roger thought that maybe
McNamee was really trying to say,
‘I’m ready to come clean.’
“We couldn’t figure it out. That’s
why we finally opted to just send back
an e-mail saying we’re not comfortable
talking to you any more unless you get
permission from your lawyers, OK
Because we couldn’t tell what he was
doing.”
Before the call, Clemens had been
warned not to say anything that could
get him accused of tampering with a
federal witness, which is why Hardin
said Clemens steered clear of telling
McNamee what he wanted him to do.
“Now, can I tell you as his
(Clemens’) lawyer that Brian Mc-
Namee is lying No, I cannot,” Hardin
said. “I can tell you that I’ve now spent
three weeks with this guy, Roger, and I
believe him. Could I be wrong Absolutely.
But so could Brian McNamee
and so could the Mitchell Report.”
20 THE METRO HERALD

SPORTS & RECREATION
January 11, 2008
JOE GIBBS STEPS DOWN AS REDSKINS COACH
After four years, Joe Gibbs cuts his NFL
coaching comeback short. (photo by
Joshua Roberts, Reuters)
Joe Gibbs’ second NFL retirement
was much like his first. It came as
a surprise, and it was all about
family.
On the one-year anniversary of his
grandson’s diagnosis with leukemia,
and less than a year after one of his
sons left town to return to the family
NASCAR team, Gibbs resigned Tuesday
as coach of the Washington Redskins
so that he could devote more time
to what he called “the most important
thing I’m going to leave on this earth.”
The 67-year-old Hall of Fame
coach, coming off an emotional season
that included the death of safety Sean
Taylor and a late run into the playoffs,
said Redskins owner Dan Snyder tried
to persuade him to stay on during a
conversation that lasted until about
2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
“My family situation being what it
is right now, I told him I couldn’t make
the kind of commitment I needed to
make,” Gibbs said during a news conference
at the Redskins’ practice facility,
standing a few feet from the three
silver Super Bowl trophies he won during
his first tenure with the team.
Speaking about his family, Gibbs
added: “I felt like they needed me.”
Snyder said he “tried very, very
hard” retain Gibbs as coach.
“This is something none of us
wanted to see happen,” the owner said.
The news startled players, who left
Sunday’s final team meeting certain
Gibbs would return for the final year of
his contract. Gibbs signed a five-year,
$27.5 million deal when he returned to
coach the Redskins in 2004, having
been lured away from his second career
as a NASCAR owner.
“That’s part of this business—it’s
full of surprises,” safety Pierson Prioleau
said. “Most of us suspected he
would be back, and he’ll definitely be
missed.”
Gibbs will continue to serve as an
adviser to Snyder but was vague about
his new role, other than to say he
would no longer have an office at Redskins
Park because it would place an
unfair burden on the new coach.
“I think we’ve got a lot of pieces in
place,” Gibbs said. “I personally want
to be a part of that. I want to see it finished.
. . . Our fans deserve championships.
I want to be a part of seeing
that come to fruition.”
Among the candidates to replace
him will be two former head coaches
who have been members of his staff,
Gregg Williams and Al Saunders. Former
Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher also
could be a candidate. The team will
have to interview at least one minority
to comply with the NFL’s “Rooney
Rule” as it seeks the sixth coach since
Snyder bought the team in 1999.
Snyder said the process to find a replacement
hadn’t started and that he
hasn’t spoken to Cowher about the job.
He and Gibbs praised the current group
of assistants and spoke of the value of
continuity following a playoff season,
a possible sign that player-favorite
Williams could have the inside track.
“Coach Williams is a great coach,”
said fullback Mike Sellers, one of several
players to endorse the fiery assistant
hired to run the defense in 2004.
“The players love him. It would be sad
to see him not get it.”
When Gibbs retired in 1993, he realized
his two sons had grown up without
him. Fifteen years later, he didn’t
want the same to happen with the seven
people he lovingly calls his “grandbabies.”
One of his grandsons, 3-year-old
Taylor, undergoes chemotherapy every
few weeks. Also, his son Coy left his
job as an assistant coach with the Redskins
last year to return to North Carolina
and work with Joe Gibbs Racing.
That left Gibbs alone in Washington,
apart from his wife, sons and
grandchildren. He made an overnight
trip to North Carolina on Sunday to be
with his family, interrupting the postseason
routine of meetings that usually
follow the final game of the season.
“I had real good visits with everybody,
and at that point when I started
back to D.C. and got on the plane that
afternoon, I kind of had a real strong
feeling in my heart of what I felt like I
should do,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs went 31-36, including 1-2 in
the playoffs, in his second stint with
the Redskins, always maintaining he
intended to fulfill the contract. He said
this season was the toughest of his career,
referring to Taylor’s shooting in
November, but pointed to his family as
the chief reason for his resignation.
“I hate to leave something unfinished.
I made an original commitment
of five years. I felt bad about that,”
Gibbs said, his voice occasionally
choking with emotion.
Tuesday’s announcement brings an
end to a coaching career in which Gibbs
twice raised the Redskins from mediocrity
into the playoffs. He led the Redskins
to four Super Bowls and won three
NFL championships from 1981-92; he
took the team to the postseason in two of
his four seasons when he returned.
“I give him all the credit for putting
us in great position for the future,”
Snyder said. “He’s done a great job of
stabilizing a situation that became unstable
before, quite frankly.”
Even so, Gibbs’ last four years were
down-and-up, down-and-up. He had
his two worst seasons as a coach - 6-10
in 2004 and 5-11 in 2006 - but he also
led the Redskins to the playoffs with
late runs in 2005 and 2007.
Following Taylor’s funeral, Gibbs
and his team rallied to win their final
four regular-season games, finishing 9-
7 to claim the final NFC playoff berth.
The unlikely run ended Saturday, when
the Redskins lost 35-14 at Seattle.
Gibbs’ final career totals: 171-101,
including 17-7 in the playoffs, a career
.629 winning percentage that ranks
third all time behind George Halas and
Don Shula among coaches with more
than 125 wins.
As word of Gibbs’ resignation
spread, fans flocked to Redskins Park
to say goodbye. Gibbs stepped outside
to greet them, creating a scene similar
to the one when he emerged from retirement
four years ago.
“Y’all tell me what you want done
and I’ll do it,” Gibbs said as he prepared
to sign autographs and pose for
photos.
“Stay!” yelled a fan in the back.
JOE GIBBS MAY BE HEADED
BACK TO NASCAR
Joe Gibbs is apparently headed
back to NASCAR following his
resignation as coach of the Washington
Redskins.
Gibbs formed his NASCAR team
in 1992 during his first retirement, but
turned control of the three-car organization
to son J.D. when he returned to
the Redskins four years ago. He made
sporadic appearances on race day, but
spent most of his time in Washington
with the football team.
Although he may stay on with the
Redskins as an adviser, he’s now free to
be directly involved again in racing.
Gibbs gave no clear indication what role
he’ll take with the race team, which has
won three championships since 2000,
during a news conference in Virginia.
J.D. Gibbs said he wasn’t sure what
his father will do next, and didn’t rule
out a continued involvement with the
Redskins and owner Dan Snyder.
“The great part is he can still be
part of the Redskins and still work with
Dan, who means the world to him,”
J.D. Gibbs said. “Nothing would mean
more to him than to being a part of the
Redskins winning another Super Bowl.
If he wants to, he might sign on to stay
with the team in some way and I’m excited
about that.
“But selfishly, this also frees him to
continue to be a good leader for our
business and a great partner for all our
corporate partners.”
J.D. Gibbs said he doesn’t anticipate
much changing within the structure
of the race team.
“He’s still the owner, he always has
been the owner,” J.D. Gibbs said. “And
we’ve got great, great people who run
the team and make it possible for myself
and Dad to not be at the track all
the time. I just don’t see that much is
going to change.”
Lee White, senior vice president of
Toyota Racing Development, said J.D.
Gibbs called him Tuesday morning to
inform him of the elder Gibbs’ decision.
“We discussed how it was great that
it was Joe’s decision, and J.D. is very
pleased and thrilled to think that he’ll
have Joe close at hand,” White said.
“J.D. still runs the team. But as far as renewing
sponsorships and extending drivers
and wining and dining new sponsors,
Joe is going to be available and be a help,
not a hindrance, in those things.”
Joe Gibbs Racing ended its longtime
affiliation with General Motors
AFRICAN AMERICAN COACH, PLAYERS, SHINE AT U.S. ARMY ALL-AMERICAN BOWL
Pictured are the winning 2008 U.S. Army
All-American Bowl East team Coach
Robert Prunty (Hargrave Military
Academy, Chatham, VA) (left) and game
MVP, quarterback Terrelle Pryor (Jeannette
Senior High School, Jeanette, PA) (right).
At the beginning of a week-long
series of practice sessions,
Coach Robert Prunty (Hargrave
Military Academy, Chatham,
VA) told his East U.S. Army All-American
Bowl Players that “When the pupil
is ready, the teacher will appear. If you
are willing to accept who you are as a
player, you will be who you are.” His
team listened and responded with by
giving Coach Prunty a 33-23 victory
over the West squad. Prunty became
only the second African American head
coach to win the prestigious game in its
eight-year existence.
The game also featured a stellar
performance by quarterback Terrelle
Pryor (Jeannette Senior High School,
Jeanette, PA). Pryor was named the
game’s Most Valuable Player after running
six yards for one touchdown and
throwing for 25 yards for another TD.
Pryor finished the game with a total of
79 yards rushing and 76 yards passing.
Pryor was also selected as the U.S.
Army’s Player of the Year. He was
presented that award during a pregame
awards dinner held on Friday,
January 4, 2008 inn San Antonio, TX.
The eighth annual U.S. Army All-
American Bowl is the premier high
school football game that connects the
strengths of the nation’s top players with
those of Army Strong Soldiers, emphasizing
the skills and values learned on
the football field and in the Army.
This classic East vs. West match-up
was played at the Alamodome in San
Antonio and was televised live, nationwide
on NBC.
Since its inception, the U.S. Army
All-American Bowl has been considered
the nation’s most prestigious All-
American game by high school football
players, coaches, and fans from
across the country, as it’s the preeminent
launching pad for America’s future
college and NFL stars. Reggie
Bush (New Orleans Saints), Vince
Young (Tennessee Titans), Adrian Peterson
(Minnesota Vikings) Teddy
Ginn, Jr. (Miami Dolphins) and Kevin
Jones (Detroit Lions) all made their national
debuts as U.S. Army All-Americans.
Current college standouts De-
Sean Jackson (California wide
receiver/kick returner) and Chris Wells
(Ohio State running back) are also
among this elite group.
More than 400 players are initially
nominated nationally for U.S. Army
All-American honors. That group is
ultimately refined to 96 players by the
U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection
Committee consisting of Tom
Lemming, Scout.com and SportsLink.
“A U.S. Army All-American selection
is a very important honor; it is a
testament to the hard work, dedication
and team work that they’ve demonstrated
over so many years,” said
Colonel David Lee, Director of Strategic
Communications, Marketing and
Outreach for the U.S. Army
Accessions Command. “These
players truly embody the characteristics
of an Army Strong Soldier—
demonstrating Strength through Loyalty,
Duty, Respect, Selfless Service,
Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage
on a daily basis. I’m proud that these
young men are members of the nation’s
premier high school football team.”
last season to join Toyota, which is entering
its second season in NASCAR’s
elite Sprint Cup Series. The manufacturer
struggled in its first season and
has been counting on JGR to help
shape its program.
“It can’t help but put the team on a
more solid foundation, leadershipwise,
at a challenging time,” White
said. “It’s a family business and the
more members of the family in the
business, the better.”
Gibbs’ announcement surprised
Kyle Busch, the newest driver at JGR,
who was testing his new ride Tuesday
at Daytona International Speedway.
“I knew he had one more year left (on
his Redskins contract), so I figured he
was going to keep digging,” Busch said.
“I don’t know what his decision process
was about retiring, but I’m sure it’ll be
for the better of Joe Gibbs Racing.”
Busch said he’s had few dealings
with Gibbs, other than his contract negotiations
last summer and an occasional
phone call. But Gibbs was involved
in the courting of Busch, and
before that met with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
in a failed attempt to sign NASCAR’s
most popular driver.
He also made a surprise visit to the
track in Chicago last July to mediate a
feud between drivers Tony Stewart and
Denny Hamlin. He summoned both of
his stars into a hauler, forcing them to
miss valuable practice time, as he
played peacemaker in an argument that
stemmed from an on-track accident.
Busch said he hopes Gibbs will be
hands-on with the team now.
“I think it would be pretty cool,”
Busch said. “(Crew chief Steve)
Addington told me early today that
whenever you really need something
or want something, you’d just go to
Joe, and he’s like, ‘Fine, do whatever
you need. We’ll figure out a way to pay
for it later.’ That will pay dividends for
us, just being able to go out there and
get what we need when we need it.
“Having Joe playing a bigger role
in the race team’s always nice. J.D.
does a great job with it, but it’s not like
having Joe Gibbs around to run this organization.”
Gibbs said part of his reason for retiring
from football again was to spend
more time with his family, which includes
a 3-year-old grandson who was
diagnosed with leukemia exactly one
year ago.
Taylor Gibbs, the youngest of J.D.
Gibbs’ four boys, completed his first
phase of treatment last September. J.D.
Gibbs said Taylor still undergoes
chemotherapy treatments every few
weeks.
“My family, as everybody knows,
when I came here it was one set of circumstances,”
Gibbs said. “It was a
tough year for (wife) Pat, which means
a lot to me. J.D. and (youngest son)
Coy being back down there, and all the
things we went through with Taylor.
“Almost all of them said the same
thing ‘If you want to go, then keep
going, we’ll go with you.’ It’s just that
I felt after sitting with my family, that’s
not something I should do.”
Archive issues
are available at
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THE METRO HERALD 21

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Western Express Today!! 866-863-4116.
Driver—Home Weekends! Co. Drivers
Up to .42 cpm. O/O .90 cpm + FSC.
1 year T/T experience, Good MVR required.
Epes Transport. (888) 850-0058.
www.epestransport.com.
DRIVERS . . . CALL TODAY! Bonus &
Paid Orientation 36-43cpm Earn over
$1000 weekly. Excellent Benefits. Class
A and 3 months recent OTR required.
800-635-8669.
• • MAKE A NEW YEARS RESOLU-
TION YOU WON’T REGRET! OTR Drivers
wanted. Pre-Pass EZ-Pass. Every
60K miles raises. 2006/newer equipment.
100% NO Touch. Butler Transport
800-528-7825.
Driver—$5K SIGN-ON BONUS for Experienced
Teams: Dry Van & Temp Control.
Solo jobs also available: Regional &
OTR. O/Os & CDL-A Grads welcome.
Call Covenant (866) 684-2519. EOE.
HOMES FOR RENT
1-4 Bedroom Bank Repos from
$199/month! 5 bedroom 2 bath Home
only $300/month! 4 bedroom 2 bath only
$300/month! 5% down, 20 years @ 8%
APR! For Listings 800-628-5983 ext.
T391.
HOMES FOR SALE
1-4 Bedroom Bank Repos from
$199/month! 5 bedroom 2 bath Home
only $300/month! 4 bedroom 2 bath only
$300/month! 5% down, 20 years @ 8%
APR! For Listings 800-628-5983 ext.
T391.
LAND FOR SALE
COASTAL GA acre+ $89,900—Incredible
community, water & marsh views,
Year-round temperate weather. Near
Golden Isles. Enjoy boating, fishing,
walking, family/retirement living. Great financing
available. CALL 888-513-9958.
LOG HOME CABIN PACKAGE ON 20+
ACRES, PRIVATE ENTRANCE TO
RIVER, LONG RANGE SUNSET
VIEWS. WWW.LANDNEARDC.COM.
LOTS AND ACREAGE
TYE RIVER AREA of Nelson County.
5.6-acre wooded homesite. Mobile
homes OK. $49,900. 434-444-5088.
SUNRISE OVER THE MOUNTAINS—
2.3 acres in a beautiful community in
Rockbridge County with great views.
$59,900 and owner will finance. 540-
294-2020.
MADISON HEIGHTS—Great location
just off 29. Building lots start at $45,900.
434-444-5088.
TALL HARDWOODS grace this exceptionally
nice 3-acre tract at the corner of
two new state roads in Campbell
County. $56,900 and owner will finance.
434-444-5088.
2 ACRES in western Amherst—OK for
modular home—$29,900—owner financing
with low down payment. 434-
444-5088.
COUNTRY ROADS lead to this 27-
acre parcel in Botetourt County.
Backs up to National Forest. 9 miles to
I-81. Owner will finance $259,900. 434-
444-5088.
Only $29,900! This 2.9-acre wooded
homesite is in Buckingham County.
Mobile homes are OK. Owner will
finance with low down payment. 434-
444-5088.
CHANGE OF PACE—2-acre homesite
near Farmville. Fish or canoe on a private
22-acre lake. $38,900—Low down
payment. 434-444-5088.
NATIONAL FOREST PROPERTY
SALE, 5-66 ACRES AVAILABLE,
BORDERING THE JEFFERSON
NATIONAL FOREST. WWW.
NATIONALFORESTLAND.COM.
56+ Acres, adjoins National Forest,
state road frontage, pasture, wooded,
underground utilities, perfect for horses
call owner 1-304-262-2770.
1st Time Offered—20+ Acres—Log
Home Package—$169,900—Gently
rolling land with commanding Eastern
views. Easy access into large river &
nearby lake. Special terms! Call for early
appoint. 1-800-888-1262.
20+ ACRE NEW YEARS LAND SALE,
50 MILE MOUNTAIN & VALLEY
VIEWS, PRIVATE, DEEDED RIVER
ACCESS! VISIT WWW.
MOUNTAINBARGAINS.COM.
RARE! NATIONAL FOREST ACCESS
31+ ACRES—$139,900—5 minutes to
Appalachian Trail. Big mountain views.
Heavily forested, mature hardwoods.
Access to private stocked trout stream.
Call immediately—ONLY ONE—1-877-
777-4837.
COUNTRY HOME, TROUT STREAM,
PRIVACY, MOUNTAIN VIEWS
$159,900 FINANCING AVAILABLE.
WWW.VALANDSALE.COM.
LOTS FOR SALE
BUILD A NEW HOME WITH 100%
FINANCING. Earn THOUSANDS in
equity the day you move in! No payments
while building! www.iheonline.
com 877-386-3898 x450.
MISCELLANEOUS
ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from
Home. • Medical • Business • Paralegal
• Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance.
Computer provided. Financial Aid
if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 866-
858-2121. www.onlineTidewaterTech.
com.
MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
ABSOLUTELY NO COST TO YOU!!
ALL BRAND NEW POWER WHEEL-
CHAIRS, HOSPITAL BEDS AND
SCOOTERS. IMMEDIATE DELIVERY.
CALL TOLL FREE 1-888-998-4111 TO
QUALIFY.
SAWMILLS from only $2990.00—Convert
your LOGS TO VALUABLE LUM-
BER with your own Norwood portable
band sawmill. Log skidders also available.
www.norwoodsawmills.com/
500A FREE information: 1-800-578-
1363—Ext. 500-A.
NOTICES
DIVORCE without Children $85.00,
DIVORCE with Children $95.00. With
FREE name change documents (wife
only) and marital settlement agreement.
Fast, easy and professional. Call 1-888-
789-0198.
REAL ESTATE
VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS—Log cabin
shell on 2 private acres near very wide
trout stream in the Galax area and New
River State Park, $139,500 owner 866-
789-8535.
LOG CABIN 7.9 ACRES NATIONAL
FOREST — $159,900 — ONE ONLY!
1700 sq. ft. cabin package, direct access
to 690,000 acre National Forest.
Excellent financing available! Call Now
1-877-777-4837.
WATERFRONT PROPERTIES
Historic James Riverfront! 5 Acres—
$184, 900 VA waterfront community!
Estates-size lots w/tremendous views
and park-like hardwoods. Country
roads, water, sewer, electric & phone.
Excellent financing. FREE gazebo w/
purchase—limited time. Call now 866-
764-5238.
WORK FROM HOME
OPPORTUNITIES
WORK FROM HOME—RECEIVE $5
FOR EVERY LEAD STUFFED WITH
OUR SALES MATERIAL. GUARAN-
TEED! FREE INFORMATION. CALL
TOLL-FREE 1-800-514-5182.
ENGLISH BULL DOG PUPS
Registered/registerable English bulldog pups, 12wks old,
beautiful markings, AKC. Current vaccinations, veterinarian
examination, health certificate, health guarantee, pedigree, travel
crate. We have some exceptional bullies babies available. Very
short, stocky with tons of wrinkles and personality. Our puppies
are very well socialized. They are very healthy, happy, beautiful
bulldogs that are wormed and vet checked. $600. For more
information email kate_rob09@yahoo.com.
PART-TIME JOB
Are you seeking the perfect part-time job with a good income.
Rapid Part Store is offering you a golden opportunity to work as
their representative. The job offers you the chance to earn good
extra income while you keep your present job. No special
qualification is required except the basic computer knowledge.
Only serious applicants need apply. For further details email the
HR dept at Rapid.stores@yahoo.com.
ACCOUNTANT REP
Expansion program of Starpoint Trading Store—A small company
is looking for an ACCOUNTANT REP. Please contact us for more
details.
Requirements—Should be computer literate
Have 4–6 hours’ access to the internet weekly
Must be efficient and dedicated.
If you are interested and need more information, please send
e-mail to Starpointacctdept1564@gmail.com.
ENGLISH BULLDOGS
PUPPIES FOR SALE!
AKC registered. Health guaranteed. Phone #: 615-541-4784.
Email me: petspalace22@yahoo.com
22 THE METRO HERALD

BUSINESS NEWS/BIDS & PROPOSALS
January 11, 2008
OP-ED
Having shuttered factories and
eliminated hundreds of thousands
of auto making jobs,
Ford Motor, General Motors and
Chrysler are now turning their attention
to weeding out weaker dealers in
bigger metro markets which definitely
affect black dealers.
GM has reduced its dealerships by
229 to 6,807 in the past year; Ford had
shrunk by 139 to fewer than 4,140 as
of July; and Chrysler had eliminated
142 to 3,607 as of last October. Dealers
hitch their fortunes to the auto
brands they sell. If an automaker
cranks out unpopular cars, faces new
competition or makes bad financial
choices, dealers’ sales plunge. Auto
manufacturing is a cyclical business
BLACKS COMING BACK
IN CAR DEALER BUSINESS
William Reed
Special to The Metro Herald
with sometimes deep lows and recoveries,
and dealers are expected to roll
with the punches. Each dealer that’s
lost can be a blow to its community.
Auto dealerships are often among the
most important businesses in a town,
the biggest advertisers and community
boosters, whether it’s sponsoring Little
League teams or the Rotary Club.
The auto industry in America is a
trillion dollar business, and employs a
huge percentage of America’s work
force. Jobs in the industry range from
manual labor positions to sales and leasing
specialists, as well as various management
positions. In recent years, Detroit-based
Prestige Automotive became
the first black-owned auto dealer to surpass
$1 billion in sales. Minorities in
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK
AND PLANNING COMMISSION (M-NCPPC)
hereby invites sealed bids from interested parties for Bid No. B28-138
Supply, Delivery & Installation of Custom Reception Desk for the
Brentwood Arts Center at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park,
Anacostia River in accordance with specifications to be furnished by
the Purchasing Division, 6611 Kenilworth Ave., Suite 300
Riverdale, MD 20737. There will be no charge for the bid. A prebid
conference will be held onsite, Thursday, January 17, 2008 at
10:00 am, 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood, MD 20722.
Attendance is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Each bid
must be submitted to the Purchasing Office at the above address. Bids
must be received before 10:00 am, Thursday, January 31, 2008.
Questions regarding this bid may be directed to Mechelle T. Myers,
CPPB at (301) 454-1604, TTY (301) 454-1493. All bids and
associated documents will become the property of the M-NCPPC and
will be considered public information.
The Commission is an E.O.E. with special procurement rules for
Minorities, Females, and the Disabled.
REQUESTING SUB-BIDS
ALL TRADES
LOCAL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
for the following project:
DULLES INTERNATIONAL
ARRIVALS BUILDING
CHANTILLY, VA
PROJECT BID DATE:
JANUARY 22, 2008
For additional bid information please call:
Clark Construction Group, LLC
7500 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-272-8100
Fax: 301-272-1922
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
such positions of power have employed
over 10,000 employees, and generated
over $8 billion in sales. This has had a
great effect on the nation’s economy.
Minority automotive dealers are often
revered in their communities as social
and political leaders.
In the United States, the auto industry
is predominately white owned and
operated. But Black America’s richest
man is stepping into the breach to
bring blacks up in the business.
Robert L. Johnson, founder of The RLJ
Cos., recently widened the road for aspiring
minority car dealers. Johnson
is the majority owner of the RLJ-
McLarty-Automotive Landers Automotive
Partnership. The dealership
group, headquartered in Little Rock,
Arkansas, owns 10 dealerships in five
states, will carry Chrysler, Dodge,
Ford, Jeep, Scion, and Toyota models.
“We’re about a $400 million-plus
business in total revenues,” says Johnson,
a 60 percent invested partner.
Johnson, who will serve as chairman,
joins Thomas F. “Mack” McLarty and
Steve J. Landers of McLarty-Landers
Automotive Group in creating one of
the country’s leading, privately owned
auto partnerships. Many African
Americans know Thomas F. “Mack”
McLarty III as a prominent Arkansas
business and political leader and former
White House Chief of Staff for
President Bill Clinton. McLarty’s
great-grandfather started selling Fords
in Hope, Ark., in the 1920s. McLarty
and Landers will serve as vice chairman
and president, respectively.
Increasing the numbers of minority-owned
auto dealerships is one of
the central issues driving the group.
Currently, African Americans own less
than 2 percent of America’s 41,000 car
dealerships, and ethnic minorities own
5 percent. “I’ve always been interested
in investing my capital with the right
strategic partners,” says Johnson. The
goal is to attract minorities who already
have a successful track record in
the auto industry and align them with
opportunities to buy dealerships.
Damon Lester, president of the
700-member National Association of
Minority Automobile Dealers
(NAMAD) believes Johnson will be
able to put a big foot on the accelerator
for minority-owned stores and plans to
work closely with him. “There are currently
24 highly qualified African
Americans (general managers and general
sales managers) in NAMAD’s
database, ready to run a store,” Lester
says. Through NAMAD and Johnson’s
name recognition, RLJ-McLarty-Landers
Automotive Partnership is not expected
to have difficulty creating a
pipeline of well-trained minority managers,
which should eventually lead to
in-dealership ownership opportunities.
“We hope to find the best of the
best and give them the opportunity to
join us. Our goal is to grow the company
to $1 billion in revenue in three to
five years” says Johnson. He says discouraging
domestic sales forecasts
didn’t dim his investment decision.
Many say Johnson’s investment, while
in a down market, is a smart because
when industries are in a down cycle is
the best time to invest
• • •
William Reed
www.BlackPressInternational.com
BOZEMAN LEADS PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON’S
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
The deadline for nominations for
the 2008 VMFA Muse Awards
is Tuesday, January 15.
The awards, which champion creativity
and innovation in business, are
awarded each year to nine Virginia
companies that demonstrate a uniquely
creative approach to products, services,
campaigns, organizational structure,
or other corporate aspect. A Top
Muse award will go to the business
that demonstrates the most outstanding
overall creative approach.
Nominations and applications are
accepted on-line at www.vmfa.
museum/museawards_form.html.
Forms also may be requested from
VMFA Corporate Relations Manager
Elizabeth Lowsley-Williams. Her
e-mail address is elizabeth.lowsleywilliams@vmfa.museum;
her fax
number is 804-340-1465.
“Last year’s awards were tremendously
competitive, attracting a broad
spectrum of compelling, exciting and
innovative companies that really
Dave Bozeman
Dave Bozeman has been promoted
to Vice President of Advanced
Manufacturing for
Harley-Davidson Motor Company,
Milwaukee, Wis. In this role, Bozeman
is responsible for developing and overseeing
the implementation of advanced
manufacturing technology. In particular,
he is the manufacturing voice at the
concept phase of product development.
This includes directly supporting the
product plan and manufacturing objectives
on cost and flexibility.
Bozeman’s strong engineering
background has led to many technical
and production-related positions
within the Harley-Davidson organization.
He joined Harley-Davidson in
1992 as a Manufacturing Engineer and
went on to positions as Production
Work Group Advisor, Technical Manager,
Product Plant Manager and Quality
Director, and Plant Manager of
Components at the Company’s York
Manufacturing and Final Assembly
Operation. Prior to leading Advanced
Manufacturing, he was Vice President
and General Manager of Capitol Drive
Powertrain Operations.
“I am excited about leading the Advanced
Manufacturing organization,”
said Bozeman. “My team and I are
looking forward to supporting product
development and our manufacturing
operations, and helping maintain
Harley-Davidson’s legacy of being a
competitive and premium brand in our
industry.”
Bozeman received a Bachelor of
Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering
Technology/Mechanical Design
from Bradley University and a
Master of Science degree in Engineering
Management from the Milwaukee
School of Engineering. Currently, he
serves on the Manufacturing and Industrial
Engineering Advisory Board
for Bradley University and is the Vice
President of the Board of Directors for
the Next Door Foundation.
Chicago native and avid motorcyclist,
Bozeman rides a Harley-Davidson
Ultra Classic Electra Glide motorcycle.
His wife, Dawn, rides along
side on her VRSCB V-Rod motorcycle.
The couple has four children and lives
in Menomonee Falls, Wis.
VMFA MUSE NOMINATIONS’ DEADLINE
sought to inspire and engage, while
challenging traditional thinking,” says
Eddie Gugelman, chairman of the
VMFA Business Council and a senior
vice president at SunTrust Bank Mid-
Atlantic. “Through these awards we
want to continue to recognize and reward
creative genius and inspire companies
throughout the Commonwealth
to lead the way in their fields.”
Created in 2005, the Muse Awards
are sponsored by VMFA’s Business
Council. Seventy businesses were nominated
for the 2007 Muse Awards, and
18 were selected as finalists. Intrinergy
LLC received the Top Muse award in
recognition of extraordinary creativity
in its renewable energy processing.
Muse winners receive a cast-aluminum
spiral trophy, patterned after a
chambered nautilus and meant to symbolize
the natural evolution of creativity.
Finalists will be announced February
8. Winners will be announced at
the Muse Awards Un-Gala March 6.
BLACK FACT
On January 11, 1964, David Ruffin started
singing with the Temptations. He was born
January 18, 1941 and died June 1, 1991. He was
the son of a Baptist minister and began his
singing career with the gospel group, the Dixie
Nightingales. Fuffin performed as lead singer on
such hits as “My Girl,” “Beauty Is Only Skin
Deep,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” and “I Wish It
Would Rain.”
THE METRO HERALD 23

January 11, 2008
24 THE METRO HERALD