OSSIE DAVIS - The Metro Herald

February 11, 2005THE METRO HERALD 5

INSIGHTS & VIEWPOINTS/CAPITAL COMMENTSFebruary 11, 2005Sen. George Allen(R-VA)WHEN WE DON’T KNOW THE PAST...Witness for JusticeBERNICE POWELL JACKSONExecutive MinisterUCC Justice & Witness MinistriesAll of England was aghast afew weeks ago when photographsof Prince Harrydecked in a Nazi swastika for a costumeparty, were shown around theworld. A spokesperson for the Queenasked, how could a young man whohas received the best education in theworld not understand the horror ofwhat he had done?If Harry, one of the most privilegedchildren in the world, has notbeen taught the horrors of the holocaust,then we must admit that mostof the children of the world also doALLEN SPEAKSAGAINST NASA-LANGLEYBUDGET CUTSSenator George Allen (R-VA)recently spoke out against theproposed budget cuts to theaeronautics research program atNASA-Langley in Virginia.“The proposed cuts to the importantaeronautical vehicle systemsprogram at NASA-Langley are detrimentalto the thousands of talentedhighly-skilled employees who havebeen the backbone of our nation’saeronautics capabilities.“Since the Clinton Administrationthere have been harmful cuts inaeronautics research and development.The result is that the U.S. haslost its lead in aircraft sales. Weshould be reversing this trend ratherthan becoming less competitive inaeronautical innovations.“I have always advocated forfunding and programs that increaseour productivity and competitiveness.not know them. It means that, perhapsthe 20th century’s worst evidence ofhuman being’s inhumanity to humanbeings is not even known, let aloneinfused into the very being of the nextgeneration of the world’s leaders.Auschwitz was the largest Nazicamp. It included a concentrationcamp, an extermination camp and aforced-labor camp. Over a millionpeople died horrible deaths there andthousands of others were forced tomarch out of it in the days just prior tothe arrival of Soviet troops. On January27, the world marked the 60th anniversaryof the liberation ofAuschwitz and we have been hearingstories from individuals who survivedthose horrors. Stories of peoplewhose entire family disappeared in thegas chambers. Stories of soldiers whowitnessed the emaciated bodies of the7,000 survivors on that liberation day.One story, on National PublicRadio, was the story of OscarFisher, whose daughter, Debra toldhow she had always asked her fatherabout his Auschwitz internment. Buthe had always refused to tell all hehad seen. Finally, as he laid dying,she realized this was her last opportunityto find out what had happened toher father and she asked once more.Her father’s warning was, if you keepknocking at this door and I let you inthis room, you will never, ever getThe work that is done at NASA-Langleyis essential for our nation to stayon the cutting edge of air and spacecraftdevelopment. To cut these programswould seriously undermineAmerica’s ability to compete militarilyand commercially as the next generationof aircraft is developed.“I intend to join with my colleaguesin Congress to work not onlyfor this aeronautics research which isso vital for our future competitivenessand military capability, but also forthe Virginia workers affected by theseproposed cuts,” said Senator Allen.ALLEN PRAISES BUSHPLAN TO RAISE MILITARYDEATH BENEFITSenator George Allen (R-VA)praised President Bush afterthe announcement that the administrationwill ask Congress toraise the Military Death Gratuityfrom $12,000 to $100,000.“Over the last two months aswe’ve discussed this issue, more andmore Americans have become vocalsupporters of my effort to raise thisdeath benefit for the families of thosewho have so valiantly sacrificed theirlives for freedom in our armed forces.President Bush clearly has heardthose supporters and I thank him forhis support of this important increase.Nothing can replace the loss of a life,but the American Government cancertainly raise this benefit to help thefamilies of those brave men andwomen who have died supporting thewar on terror,” said Senator Allen.out. When she asked once again, hetold her everything he had seen andshe said, “I felt part of me had died.”Another story told by DebraFisher was that of Magda Blau, whosaid her name was 2318—her concentrationcamp number tattooed toher forearm. “Never let them forgetus,” she begged.And yet, not even a century later,we seem to have forgotten. PrinceHarry wore a Nazi uniform to acostume party. In this Black HistoryMonth, I must ask—if we haveforgotten the stories of only a fewdecades ago, how can we rememberstories from centuries ago? How canthe world remember the transatlanticslave trade and the tens of millionskilled in that terror against humanity?A few weeks ago, I heard the educationdirector of Amistad America,which re-created the incident where53 Mende people from Sierra Leonemutinied on the ship bringing themto slavery. She said when she talks toschool children and asks how manypeople they think died in the slavetrade, the children often guess25,000. It is estimated that between40–60 million Africans died in theAtlantic slave trade.You’ve heard it before—thosewho don’t know the past, aredoomed to repeat it. Now, that’spretty frightening.ALLEN CALLS ONCONGRESS TO KEEP USSKENNEDY IN SERVICESenator George Allen (R-VA)recently demanded that Congressreject a plan by the Pentagonthat would shrink the nation’s aircraftcarrier fleet from its current 12to 11 by retiring the U.S.S. Kennedyfrom its long service to the nation.“We are at war and now is not thetime to do anything that will weakenour strategic military capability ofresponding quickly and decisively toproject our power to predictable andunpredictable troubled areas anywherein the world,” says SenatorAllen. Allen is co-sponsoring legislationthat would keep the U.S.SKennedy in service.“I am one who believes that in atime of war, you don’t start cutting ourmilitary capabilities. It is vital that wekeep 12 carriers in service so that ourNavy can respond to any contingencyon any part of the globe. To do anythingless is to lessen our commitmentto the brave men and women of ourarmed forces who depend on aircraftcarrier support and capabilities at amoment’s notice,” said Senator Allen.“I will work to prevent not only themothballing of the U.S.S. Kennedybut also the redeployment of any Virginia-basedcarrier to other ports tocover the Kennedy’s retirement.Naval Station Norfolk is uniquely situated,equipped and staffed to handleAmerica’s Atlantic Fleet. It’s importantto me to not only protect America’smilitary readiness, but also thesevital Virginia jobs and the taxpayer’slong-term investment in Naval StationNorfolk,” said Senator Allen.U.S. SEN. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISONKEYNOTE SPEAKER AT BTA CONFERENCESenator Kay Bailey Hutchison(R-TX)The events of Sept. 11 changedthe way we look at the world,and security continues to be atop priority for the government. U.S.Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) will discuss security regulationsaffecting the transportation industryduring her keynote presentation at theBorder Trade Alliance (BTA) conference,“Cargo Security and Trade:Maintaining the Right Balance”. Theconference will take place FebruaryRep. Steny Hoyer(D-MD)HOYER LAUDED FORENVIRONMENTALSTEWARDSHIPCongressman Steny H. Hoyer(D-MD) was honored recentlyby the National ParksConservation Association (NPCA) asthe recipient of their fourth “Friendof the National Parks” award. As astrong supporter of the protection ofour National Parks, Hoyer wasawarded as a tribute to his pro-parkvoting record and because his voteson park issues in the 108th Congressupheld the standards and integrity ofthe National Park System.Earlier this year, CongressmanHoyer was also recognized by theLeague of Conservation Voters, anational bipartisan organization devotedto educating citizens about theenvironmental voting records of federallyelected officials.“The health of our environment isa direct result of our commitment toits protection and preservation,” saidCongressman Hoyer. “I am honoredthat the National Parks ConservationAssociation, the leading voice of the14–15 at the Washington Court Hotelin Washington, DC.As chair of the Commerce, Science,and Transportation Committee’sSubcommittee on SurfaceTransportation and Merchant Marine,Hutchinson has oversight jurisdictionover areas including themotor carrier industry, the railroadindustry and port policy.At the BTA conference, Hutchisonwill discuss her work in the Senateto initiate improved securitymeasures in the transportation industry.She will also address regulationsrelating to Mexican trucks now havingaccess to U.S. highways.“Cargo security regulations, if notmonitored carefully, could greatlyharm the trade community,” saidEric M. Adams, chair of the BTAboard of directors. “Our economy isdependant on a steady flow of goodsthrough our supply chain, and we areencouraged that Ms. Hutchinson iskeeping an open dialogue with thetrade community.”For more information about thisevent, including a copy of the mostrecent agenda, visit the BTA websiteat www.thebta.org.American people in protecting andenhancing our National Park System,and the League of ConservationVoters, which represents the politicalvoice for more than nine millionmembers of environmental conservationorganizations around thecountry, have both recognized mysupport for environmental issues.”“Throughout my tenure in publicservice, I have worked to preserve ournatural resources by working to cleanup our waterways, and preserve ourparks and open green space. Protectingour environment is an investmentin our future, and helps ensure that futuregenerations of Americans canenjoy the beauty of our natural environment,as well as preserving andprotecting the habitats of so manyplants and animals. I will continue towork to safeguard the environmentand heritage of Southern Maryland,as well as to support clean and efficientenergy policies,” Hoyer added.HOYER THANKS IOMCongressman Steny H. Hoyerreleased the following statementrecently after the InternationalOrganization for Migration(IOM), which conducted out-of-countryvoting for the Iraqi elections, agreedto reimburse Prince George’s Countythe $306,000 it spent to secure the Iraqielection site in New Carrollton.“I am pleased that the IOM agreedto reimburse Prince George’s Countyfor the entire amount they spent to securethe Iraqi voting place at NewCarrollton during the 9 days of registrationand 3 days of voting. TheIOM received a $92 million contractto coordinate the vote abroad and it isappropriate that they use this contractto pay for the extensive security thatwas necessary to allow this historicevent to take place and to keep thevoters and the community safe.”6 THE METRO HERALD

February 11, 2005THE METRO HERALD 7

MORE THAN A “HOUSE OF GOD”February 11, 2005In last month’s column I spokeabout the legacy of Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. andemphasized the relevance and importancethat the church played in hislife. While King was a minister, sowere his father and brother. Throughhis life experiences, the Americanand world experience was positivelyaffected as a result of the legacy ofthe African America church.The African American churchhas played a pivotal role for socialprogress and organization amongAfrican Americans and has provideda vehicle to develop a circleof support. Over the course of itshistory, the church has servedmany purposes. It has provided avenue by which African Americanshave been able to maintain asense of culture and dignity whenotherwise viewed and treated assecond class citizens.Because of its center as a meetingplace, the African Americanchurch, early on, functioned asmore than a “House of God.” Thechurch was forced to assume additionalresponsibilities and thus, becamea central institution. Oftenteaching the community to readand write, many educators havebeen born from the African Americanchurch. Whether acquired bygift or purchase, the church wasalso a property owning institution.From its preachers, the AfricanAmerican church has spawnedmany great orators, community activists,and politicians. And wemust not forget the wonderfulgospel, rhythm & blues, as well ascountry & western voices that havebeen influenced by the heritage ofthe African American church.More still, as the history of Virginiainfluenced the growth anddevelopment of this nation, the historyof the African Americanchurch in Virginia has made a criticalimpact as well. Today remnantsof these early churches arestill with us, preserved in existingcongregations as living history.The African American church experienceremains an integral part oftoday’s positive social experience.As we spend February acknowledgingand celebratingAfrican American History Month,I would like to share early imagesKEEPING THE UNITY IN COMMUNITY . . .CATHY M. HUDGINSSpecial to The Metro Heraldof visionaries which led and contributedto the inevitable progressionand evolution of Hunter MillDistrict, and Fairfax County.Standing amongst our evergrowing development, their structurescan seem almost dwarfed.But like the mission they set outwith in the 18th and 19th Centuries,their legacies are as largeand proud as ever.As Hunter Mill District andFairfax County attracts new residentsand employees, it is importantfor us to note the rich historyand contributions that our AfricanAmerican churches have made tothe development of our community.THE FRYING PANMEETING HOUSE, HERNDONFrying Pan Meeting House, Home of FirstIntegrated Congregation in NorthernVirginia. Photo courtesy Fairfax CountyPark AuthorityWhile not recorded as anAfrican American church, TheFrying Pan Meeting House, locatedin what is now Herndon, wasthe site of the areas first integratedcongregation. Erected in 1791, themeeting house served as a Baptistchurch. Blacks and whites had separateentrances and seating areasbut uncommon for the era, slaveholders, freedmen, and slaves worshipedunder a common roof. Aswell, free blacks and slaves werebaptized along with whites innearby Frying Pan Branch. Thechurch cemetery was the final restingplace for both races, thoughseparately grouped. Church serviceswere held here into the 1960’s.The meeting house was received asa gift to the Fairfax County ParkAuthority in 1984. The grounds,part of Frying Pan Park can beviewed by special guided tours.CARTERSVILLE BAPTISTCHURCH, HUNTER MILLROAD, RESTONCurrently, nestled amongstoffice plazas, single-family andestate homes, and the Dulles TollRoad, Cartersville Baptist Churchwas first built in 1863 by freedmenfrom Oak Grove BaptistChurch in Herndon. They usedthe existing Washington and OldDominion Railroad to travel tothe church (the current W&ODTrail owned and maintained byCartersville Baptist Church re-built in1972 the church was founded in 1863Cartersville Baptist Church buildingmarker from the second Cartersvillechurch constructed church in 1951the Northern Virginia RegionalPark Authority). Many familiesalso traveled from what is nowthe Tyson’s Corner area.The land, itself, has a storied history.Originally the church did notown the property. The first documentedowner, Bethia Fairfax,purchased the land for $65 in 1848but her ownership dates back to1846. Ms. Fairfax received 36 acresof land, including a spring and ahickory tree, which is still standing.While her sons, who could pass aswhite, were registered in the FreedNegro registry, she was not. Assumingher children would get theland at her death, Ms. Fairfax leftno will. Still, each child was left 1/7of the land.One daughter, Rosie Carterlived on the land with her childrenand other free blacks whenconstruction of the church beganin 1863. An active member in thechurch until her death in 1906,the church bears the name ofRosie Carter. The church paid$5.00 dollars for its land in 1903.They had a baptismal creek nearHunter’s Station. A secondchurch was built on the originalsite in 1951 but burned completelyto the ground in 1972.Cartersville’s third church is thehome of the current congregation.Deacon Wooden’s grave is theonly visible marker indicating thecemetery lying beneath the parkinglot. The church served as aschool until the establishment ofthe Louise Archer School inVienna. Some of the studentswould take the train to HunterMill Post Office and then walked.And one teacher would take thetrain from Washington, DC daily.MOUNT PLEASANT BAPTISTCHURCH, COPPERMINEROAD, HERNDONTop: Mount Pleasant Baptist Church secondand; bottom: current church structuresMount Pleasant BaptistChurch was organizedin 1866 by freedmenfrom Frying Pan BaptistChurch. Its property,home to its existingcemetery was providedby Charles H. Brown, awhite. The Church deedrequired that the land be used exclusivelyfor a church, school,and a burying ground. The secondchurch was built across the streetin 1982. The original site still providesa final resting place forearly congregants includingfreedmen who served in theAmerican Civil War. The thirdMount Pleasant church opened in1999 on Squirrel Hill Road. Thebell from its original bell towerresides at its current location.Mount Pleasant Baptist Church bell fromthe original bell towerFIRST BAPTIST CHURCH,ORCHARD STREET, VIENNAThe very first church in Vienna,First Baptist Church was also organizedby freedmen in 1867 forworship and schooling at 214Lawyers Road. The building alsoThe First Baptist Church original churchbuilding on 214 Lawyers Road.served as a school and a place forcommunity gatherings, and wasconstructed from Civil War barrackmaterial secured through theFreedmen’s Bureau. The Propertywas donated by Major O. E. Hineby deed dated September 1, 1867for $1.00. The original location isnow a Masonic Lodge. The currentthree acre location was purchasedin 1940 and the cornerstonefor its present structure waslaid in 1957. The old First BaptistThe 2nd First Baptist Church building.Current First Baptist Church completed in 1996,founded in 1867 first church in the Town of ViennaChurch baptismal spring locationis marked on Courthouse Roadnear Nutley Street.The First Baptist Church cemeterywas purchased for $1.00 in1884 from Captain H.L. Salsburyfor use as a colored cemetery. TheTown of Vienna acquired the landin 1987. The Sons & DaughterCemetery in Vienna was also purchasedfrom Captain Salsbury.However, it was purchased at aprice of $100.00 in 1892 for formercolored soldiers. It was transferredby the United Order of theSons and Daughters of the LibertyNo. 9 to First Baptist Church in1986. A new marker indicating itshistorical significance was dedicatedMay 2004.Sign marking the Sons & DaughtersCemetery in Vienna, a “colored” cemeteryand resting place for black soldiers fromthe Civil WarVIENNA COLORED SCHOOLSince its inception, the FirstBaptist Church community displayedstrong support for education.As part of the land purchasedfrom Major O.E. Hine, one-eighthof an acre was used to start theVienna Colored School in 1867.Continued on page 158 THE METRO HERALD

AROUND THE NATIONFebruary 11, 2005“WINTER WEEKEND” AUCTIONFEATURES UNIQUE COLLECTIBLESThe Carter Center puts the“fun” into fundraising. Theauction of many one-of-akind,donated items will benefit thenot-for-profit Carter Center, and bidsare being accepted now until February12. For the first time, PresidentCarter offers his own oil painting ofthe Carter Center grounds. The 30”X 24” creation depicts the Center’sJapanese garden, waterfall, and thepavilion housing The Carter PresidentialCenter.Donated live and silent auctionselections include:• A new oil painting by PresidentCarter depicting the Center’sJapanese garden• Limited edition autographed photographsof Presidents Carter,Ford, Clinton and Bush (41)• Venezuela: one-of-a-kind memorabiliafrom the Carter Centermission• Great getaway packages toHawaii, St. John, Napa, Boston,and Snowbird‘Because of You!’, inspired byupcoming Twentieth CenturyFox/ Walden Media releaseBecause of Winn-Dixie, respondsto NEA Reading at Risk reportby partnering with the National Collaborationfor Youth (NCY), SunriseSenior Living and the Heartland FilmFestival to launch ‘Because of You!’,a reading program that encourageschildren to volunteer and read withsenior citizens in their community.‘Because of You!’ is a simple, effective,three-step program: membergroups of the NCY, an association ofyouth organizations that includes theGirl Scouts of the USA, Girls Inc.Campfire USA, National 4H Council,and YMCA of the USA, representing46 million kids nationwide, will jointogether to read the same book: Becauseof Winn-Dixie by KateDiCamillo. A major subplot of thebest-selling Newbery Honor Book involvesthe book’s young heroineOpal, befriending a librarian and thentaking time to read to a senior who• President Carter’s homemade,private-label red wine• A complete kitchen of Whirlpoolappliances• Complete Hewlett Packard computersystems• Cruise aboard your own privateyacht• “Spiderman 3” world premieretickets package at Sony studios• Guitars autographed by manyHall of Fame musicians• Exotic, engraved and inlaid daggersand sword• USS Jimmy Carter christeningmemorabilia• Country Music Awards ticketspackageEveryone is welcome to participatein the auctions by fax, phone, oronline. All silent and live auctionitems are available now for online orfaxed bids until 4PM. MST (6PM.EST), Saturday, February 12.For more information call 801-742-2025 (phone) or 801-742-2370(fax) or visit www.cartercenter.org.CHILDREN’S VOLUNTEER READING INITIATIVElives in her community. With thethemes of the film in mind, membergroups of the NCY will volunteer atSunrise Senior Living communities,the nation’s largest provider of seniorliving services, where they will readthe book to Sunrise residents. Oncethey have completed reading the booktogether, they will watch the storycome to life when the Twentieth CenturyFox and Walden Media releaseBecause of Winn-Dixie opens in theatresnationwide on February 18.‘Because of You!’ is already underwayin Virginia with studentsfrom Merritt Academy in Fairfaxvolunteering at Washington, DC areaSunrise Senior Living centers.“Sunrise communities have along tradition of connecting its residentswith local children,” saidCarol Edelstein, vice president forProgram Development at Sunrise SeniorLiving. “Intergenerational programssuch as ‘Because of You!’offer poignant activities for seniorsand children to share and discuss.THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT RETURNSThe 8th annual Great BackyardBird Count (GBBC) will onceagain be sweeping the nationduring the weekend of February 18through 21. This year’s theme is“North America’s Great Backyard,”chosen as a way to celebrate the beautyof birds found across the continent.People are encouraged to count birdsduring some or all of the four-dayevent, keeping watch in their backyards,parks, or other public lands.They can then report their highest talliesfor each bird species over the Internetat www.birdsource.org/gbbcand view maps of the counts as thedata pour in. There’s no fee or registrationto participate.Reports from the Great BackyardBird Count help researchers better understandbird population numbers anddistribution across North America.Those reports documented regionaldeclines of the American Crow thatmay be the result of West Nile virus,and changes in counts of other birdspecies compared with previous years.The GBBC is a joint project of theCornell Lab of Ornithology and theNational Audubon Society, withsponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimitedstores. Instructions for participatingcan be found at www.birdsource.org/gbbc, including tips for familiesand groups with children. The website also includes information aboutbird feeding, bird identification, usingbinoculars, and making your yardbird-friendly.Libraries, businesses, nature clubs,Scout troops, and other groups interestedin promoting the GBBC or gettinginvolved can contact the CornellLab of Ornithology at 800-843-2473(outside the U.S., call 607-254-2473),159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca,New York 14850, www.birds.cornell.edu, or the National AudubonSociety at citizenscience@audubon.org, 215-355-9588, Ext 16, AudubonScience Office, 545 Almshouse Road,Ivyland, PA 18974.OSSIE DAVIS—BELOVED ACTOR ANDHUMANITARIAN,REMEMBEREDFuneral services for the late Ossie Davis, 87, noted writer,actor and activist, have been confirmed. In keeping withthe spirit of his life and his concern for humanity, bothhis visitation and funeral are open to the public.VISITATION: Friday, February 11, 5PM to10PM at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 W.138th Street, Manhattan, New York, NYFUNERAL DETAILS: Saturday, February12, 12 Noon at the Riverside Church, 490 RiversideDrive, Manhattan, New York, NYThe presiding ministers at the ecumenical service will bethe Reverend James Forbes, pastor of Riverside Church, andthe Reverend Calvin O. Butts III, pastor of Abyssinian BaptistChurch, where Davis was a member.FAMILY REQUEST: In lieu of flowers the family requeststhat donations be made in Mr. Davis’s name to one ormore of the following organizations:• Oxfam America, Sudan Crisis Relief Fund, P.O. Box1211, Albert Lea, Minnesota 56007-1211• EXCEL Institute, 2266 25th Place, NE, Washington, DC20018, Attn.: George Starke• WBAI Pacifica Radio, 120 Wall Street, New York, NY10005, Attn.: Mr. Bernard White• Today’s Students/Tomorrow’s Teachers, 3 West MainStreet, 2nd Floor, Elmsford, NY 10523, Attn.: Dr. BettyPerkinsDEMOCRATSREMEMBEROSSIE DAVISDemocratic NationalCommitteeChairman TerryMcAuliffe released thefollowing statement on thepassing of actor andactivist, Ossie Davis.“Ossie Davis was a trueAmerican hero. Nevercontent to rest on hislaurels, Ossie Davisdevoted his life fighting forjustice and equality withhis wife of over 50 years,actress Ruby Dee. Mr.Davis was a true friend ofthe Democratic Party, andwe are both a better Partyand a better countrybecause of his work. Fromhis work in the civil rightsmovement to his illustriousfilm and television career,Davis was a pioneer and arole model for not justAfrican Americans, but allAmericans. Our heartfeltsympathies go out to RubyDee and the entire Davisfamily.”THE METRO HERALD 9

VALENTINE’S DAY 2005February 11, 2005♥♥♥♥♥A VALENTINE’SDAY CONCERTCelebrate Valentine’s Daywith an evening of lightclassical and popularmusic selections played by asmall ensemble of twelve studentsfrom the Langston HughesMiddle School’s Advanced Orchestra.The performance, whichis free and suitable for all ages,will take place on Monday, February14, at 7PM at the Jo AnnRose Gallery, in the RCC LakeAnne. Light Valentine’s Day refreshmentswill be provided.The Langston Hughes AdvancedOrchestra is a group of 30seventh and eighth graders. Theywill be in a joint concert with theSouth Lakes High School Orchestraon Thursday, March 3at 7:30PM in the South LakesHigh School’s “Little Theater.”This performance is free andopen to the public. The orchestrais led by Irene Kohut-Ilchyshynwith support from LangstonHughes’ Principal, Mrs. DebbieJackson, and the vice-principaland Fine Arts Director, Mrs.Heather Cox.Reston Presents is a seriessponsored by the Reston CommunityCenter and the Reston Association.Programs are free and areheld at RCC/Lake Anne. Presentationsare open to people of all agesand registration is not required.For further information, pleasecontact Eileen Boone, RestonCommunity Center, at 703-648-2835 or Ashleigh Soloff, RestonAssociation, at 703-435-6577.The Reston Community Centerat Lake Anne is located at1609 Washington Plaza in Reston,Virginia, near the intersectionof Village Road and NorthShore Drive. For further information,directions, or to request areasonable accommodation, callthe Reston Community Center,Lake Anne at 703-689-3550.HappyValentine’s Dayfrom the staff ofThe Metro Herald“MORE THAN LOVE STORIES”HONORS FIRSTHAND ACCOUNTS OF WARThe Library of Congress’ VeteransHistory Project willpresent a one-hour special titled“More Than Love Stories,”which will be aired on and aroundValentine’s Day, February 14, onPublic Radio International (PRI) affiliatestations around the country.Check your local listings for airdates and times. The program isdrawn from the oral histories gatheredby the American Folklife Centeras part of its Veterans History Project.“More Than Love Stories” is thethird program in the acclaimed ExperiencingWar series. Former U.S.Sen. Max Cleland is host of this series,which is created and producedby Lee Woodman. “The VeteransHistory Project, and this radio specialin particular, illuminates thehuman experience during times ofwar,” said Diane Kresh, director ofthe Veterans History Project. “Theprogram features stories of perseveranceand hope in times of despair.”Host Max Cleland is an Americanwar hero, a son of a World War II veteranand a champion of the humanspirit. He is a veteran who lost bothlegs and his right arm in a grenadeblast in Vietnam. He understandsCUSTOMIZEDLOVE SONGS FORVALENTINE’S DAYEvery so often an idea comesalong that is so great, peoplewonder, “Why didn’t anyoneever think of that before?”Such is the case with the new ragefor this Valentine’s Day: Sending CustomizedLove Songs with your lover’sname embedded throughout the song!What’s more, companies are doingthis for as little as $19.95 per song!Sending a Song, Rick Price explains,is done with modern computerizedtechnology so that it is nowquick and easy to have the name ofyour favorite girlfriend or wife orboyfriend or husband infused seamlesslyinto a song. These love songsare pre-written, but they don’t soundpre-written. They sound like theywere written just for you—and youand you and you and her and himand—I think you get the idea.Rick has seen the power of thesesongs touch people’s lives in waysthat mere flowers or cards can neverdo. Rick says, “Flowers fade butlove songs live forever.”Sending a Song is working on awebsite where a person can orderthere own song and send it to someonein the military stationed in Iraq. Sothe soldier can give the song for free tohis wife or her husband or visa versa.They are also helping with theTsunami relief effort by allowingpeople to make donations toward thepurchase of water filtering systems.firsthand the emotional wounds ofwar and has become a powerful forcein garnering support for U.S. war veteransand their stories.In “More Than Love Stories” veteransfrom all wars share their detailedfirst-person accounts of terrifyingencounters, funny mix-ups andheartrending disappointments.The program recounts stories ofthe selfless love for comrades in thefield, shares memories of loved oneswaiting at home and provides examplesof the love for country when oneanswers the call to service.Veterans from World War Ithrough the current conflict and thecivilians who supported them arecoming forward to record their personalstories for a growing archivesin the American Folklife Center atthe Library of Congress. The goal ofthe Veterans History Project is to collect,preserve and share with futuregenerations the stories of all our warveterans, as well as those who supportedthem at home and in the field.To learn more about the projectand the stories it has collected so faror to request a project kit, visit theVHP website at www.loc.gov/vets ore-mail vohp@loc.gov.Rick PriceIn the future, the company plansto record songs for all occasions:birthdays, weddings, anniversaries,Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmasetc. The goal is to eventually beable to record entire albums forpeople full of beautiful love songsbut fully personalized and we hopeto eventually to make these customizedlove songs availablethrough major store chains.Rick Price is the founder andowner of Sending a Song and has enjoyeda long and varied career in themusic business. Mr. Price started outin the late 1970s with the BlackwoodBrothers singing group, winners of 9Grammy awards and 27 Dove awards.In 1997 Rick and the group wereinducted into the Gospel MusicAssociation’s “Hall of Fame.”For more information or to ordera customized song, call 866-855-1036.SURPRISE YOURVALENTINE WITHA MANATEEHere’s the perfect gift idea toremind your loved one ofyour thoughtfulness longafter Valentine’s Day is past. Adopt amanatee through Save the ManateeClub (SMC)! For the annual $25membership fee, your sweetheart willreceive an adoption certificate, photo,biography, membership handbook,and a subscription to the Save theManatee Club newsletter. Or for $35,each new member who joins theAdopt-A-Manatee program online willalso receive a free T-shirt, featuring anew manatee scene design for 2005,while supplies last. A personalizedValentine’s Day gift card and messageis included with every adoption.“We’ve heard from so many peopleover the years who have really enjoyedgiving manatee adoptions as specialValentine’s Day gifts,” said JudithVallee, Save the Manatee Club’s ExecutiveDirector. “It’s a heartwarmingexpression that lasts throughout theyear and helps protect an endangeredspecies at the same time.”Manatees, sometimes called“gentle giants” weigh an average of1,000 pounds and measure 10 feetlong or more. These large, slowmoving,aquatic mammals areknown to have sweet dispositionsand a curious nature. Manateesspend most of their time eating, resting,and traveling and can be foundalong the south coast of the UnitedStates. Warm water is crucial to this♥♥migrating species, and that is whymanatees are located primarily inFlorida in the winter months.Some of the manatees in Save theManatee Club’s Adopt-A-Manateeprogram at Blue Spring State Parkinclude Brutus, Lenny, Nick, Phyllis,and Paddy Doyle. Brutus is one ofthe largest manatees, weighing in atalmost 1,800 pounds. Lenny is oftenreferred to as the “couch-potato”manatee as he prefers rest to otheractivities. Nick is affectionatelyknown as “Crazy Nick” because hehas been known to head north whenall the other manatees are headingsouth for the winter. Phyllis, a faithfulvisitor to Blue Spring, has givenbirth to twins, a rare event for manatees,Paddy Doyle bears the distinctionof being one of the feistiestmanatees in the Blue Spring area.For more information on manateesor the Adopt-A-Manateeprogram, or for a free manatee protectiontips packet contact Save theManatee Club at 500 N. MaitlandAve., Maitland, FL 32751, call 800-432-JOIN (5646) or visit www.savethemanatee.org.♥ TAKE YOUR VALENTINETO A TEA DANCE AT RCCSwing, sway and dance your cares away at the Reston CommunityCenter’s Senior Academy Tea Dance! Dancers of allskill levels are invited to foxtrot, swing, cha-cha, and waltzwhile our DJ and dance instructor, Michael Rye, leads you throughthree mini dance lessons during the 2-hour session at the HuntersWoods RCC. Michael’s music selections may range from goldenoldies to today’s dance selections, but our theme on Valentine’s Eveis Romance!The dance will take place on Sunday, February 13, from 2:30to 4:30PM.Mini dance lessons, door prizes and Valentine’s Day treats anddecorations will add to the fun; partners are not required. Admissionis $3 per person and the dance is intended for persons age 55 orolder. The next dance will be March 13. Future dances will be heldon April 10 and May 8. No registration is required.For further information, directions, or to request a reasonable accommodation,contact the Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500 (V/TTY). The Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, islocated in the lower level of the Hunters Woods Shopping Center,2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA.For information on other RCC events and activities, visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com.♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥10 THE METRO HERALD

♥♥♥ ♥♥♥FIRST ANNUAL FUR-GET-ME-NOTVALENTINE’S DAY PARTYVanity fur at Seneca HillThe DC area’s newest ultra petfacility, Seneca Hill AnimalHospital Resort & Spa willhost a free Valentine’s party for dogs,kids, pet parents, and potential pet parentsto celebrate the love of pets andhelp support local breed rescue groupson Sunday, February 13, 2005, from12:00 to 4:00PM at 11415 GeorgetownPike, Great Falls, VA.Millions of pets find their wayinto shelters each year, in hopes offinding new homes. Nationwidethousands of dedicated volunteersinvest their time, money and love tohelp rescue, foster and find newhomes for animals in need.This party is about those animalsand volunteers who can’t afford to beforgotten.Several local animal rescue groupsare participating in the event includingSheltie, German Shepherd, Bulldog,Westie and Golden Retriever rescuesamong others. The Seneca HillGIFTS FOR HIM OR HER FROM TOPLUXURY HOTELSStep away from the candy andthe flowers and give somethingunique to your loved onethis Valentine’s Day: gifts of luxuryhotel style. The sumptuous bedding,the signature cocktail glasses, the spaamenities—to pamper your friendsand family (or yourself!)—fromplaces such as The James Hotel inScottsdale, Arizona, The St. RegisMonarch, The Regency New York,and the Le Parker Meridien, are allavailable at your fingertips online.A sampling of the sophisticateditems you can find in top hotels andonline include:GRAPHIC PILLOWS, $95www.buyparker.com(LeParker Meridi e n ) —Graphic andgroovy, hand loomedwool pillows by Jonathan Adler. Includesa down and feather stuffer. Colorsare reversed on opposite side.Cross, circle or square designs.SHORTY ROBE, $30www.shopjames.com (JamesHotel).Cover itup, showit off:100% cotton,shawlcollar and sidepockets, machine wash,one size fits all.pet boutique will donate a portion ofits proceeds for the day to help sponsorthese dogs.Festivities will start at noon withfur painting for the dogs and cardmakingfor the younger set. Peopleand dogs can ditch the diet for theday at the bake and treat sale full ofValentine’s temptations. A fashionshow will follow, featuring the dogsfrom foster care strutting their stuffin the latest canine fashions in hopesof finding a new home.There will also be a host of doggames for prizes such as a “Wagoff,”popcorn catching contest, andowner look-alike contest.Experts will be on hand to offer avariety of demonstrations and educationalseminars for pampered pupowners including: “Beating dogbreath” oral care for your dog by Dr.Janet Rosen VMD, a “Vanity Fur”live grooming demonstration, and aprospective pet parent’s “Guide tochoosing the right dog.”The party will be held throughoutSeneca Hill’s unique facility (cornerof Rt 7 and Georgetown Pike) whichhouses not only a state-of-the-art,AAHA-approved veterinary clinic,but also an indoor hydrotherapyswimming pool, doggie daycare center,pet boutique, training academy,grooming salon, and luxury hotel accommodationsfor both dogs and cats.For more information about thevisit www.senecahillvet.com or call703-450-6760.SEAGLASS DISHWAREFREE FORM PLATE, $49www.stregisathome.com (St.Regis MonarchBeach). Thiscollection capturesthebeauty of wavetumbled glass,and feels assoft and cool asit looks. Crafted of hand-colored andbent recycled glass, each piece retainsindividual character marks.”SVEN” VASE, $130www.loewsathome. com, (TheRegency—NewYork). A little retro, alittle rustic and completelyeye catching,our Jonathon Adlervases are finishedwith a rich glaze.Handmade in Peru,these organic shapesbring an authenticchic to any home.Boxport, the luxuryhotel retailer,providing these sumptuous products,combines world-class product developmentand procurement with expertmanagement services, logistics supportand hosted software applications.For more information visitwww.boxport.com, email Boxportat inquiry@boxport.com, or call415-772-1670.VALENTINE’S DAY 2005February 11, 2005GEORGETOWN’S CHOCOLATE TRAILOFFERS SWEETVALENTINE’S DAY TREATSFollow the chocolate trailthrough Georgetown thisValentine’s Day and find romanticindulgences ranging from thedecadent to the designer.Restaurant institutions, such asClyde’s of Georgetown, are offeringclassic confections such as a WarmTraditional Brownie Sundae, priced at$5.95. 1789 Restaurant offers a southof-the-bordertwist with a WarmCinnamon Chocolate cake with MexicanCrème Anglaise for $8.00. BillyMartin’s Tavern has concocted aChocolate Blondie Martini made withVanilla Vodka, White Crème de Cacao,Frangelico, and a Hershey’s Kiss.Argentine ice cream maker IceyIsee is featuring several flavors includingChocolate Chip, ChocolateHazelnut, and Chocolate Isee Icy withcrushed hazelnuts, walnuts and piecesof chocolate for $3.25 a scoop, $4.75a double, and $5.95 for the super size.Baked & Wired will offer chocolatecupcakes decorated with pink buttercream frosting for $3.50, as well as aseries of minis for $.90 each. IstanbulCaravan will provide Turkish chocolatesand Turkish delights for $5–$20,as well as cowhide rugs that come inlight and dark chocolate colors andare priced at $245 for a 3’x 5’ and$445 for a 4’x 6’.For a pure, unadulterated chocolatefix this holiday, head to LaMadeline, which will feature chocolatecroissants, handmade trufflesand Sacher Tortes.For those who believe in chocolate’shealth benefits, Aveda has theInner calm Organic IN-FusedChocolate bar for $6.00, handcraftedfrom imported organic dark Dutchchocolate and infused with functionalplant ingredients. LeonidasChocolates will offer rose boxes inred or white, filled with handmadechocolates; 9 pieces are priced at$14.95 while the velvet heart with 12Strawberry Popcorn Balls4 cups popped popcorn2 cups flour1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut intopieces1 egg white1 (10 oz.) jar strawberrypreserves1 cups chocolate chips• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Grease a 9" x 13" pan; set aside.• Process flour and confectioners’sugar in food processor severalseconds. Add butter and processuntil dough comes together.• Press mixture evenly into preparedpan. Lightly brush eggwhite on top of the mixture. Bake25 minutes, or until golden.• Immediately spread preservesevenly over warm crust. Presspopcorn into preserves; let cool.• Melt chocolate chips in small ziplock freezer bag. Heat in microwave30 seconds, or untilmelted. Snip corner of bag andpieces sells for $18.95.Finally, Asghali Parfums is offeringspecialty chocolate perfume bydesigner Thierry Mugler and pricedfrom $65 to $170.For the carb- and calorie-conscious,Urban Chic is offering chocolatebrown clutches from Annie C.priced at $200 to $564 while Wink isfeaturing chocolate brown lace andsilk tops by Miguelina and GoldHawk that range from $75 to $250.Cherry will feature a ChocolateBrown Biedermeier trestle table thatdates back to 1840; the table retailsfor $2,400. Finally, to win the heartof any man, Poltrona Frau features avariety of leather furniture pieces,ranging from ottomans to sofas, all ofwhich can be purchased in chocolatebrown leather..Other chocolate indulgences thatwon’t wreck the waistline include hotchocolate roses from Ultra VioletFlowers, priced at $125 for a dozen; atIlo Day Spa enjoy chocolate hair coloror a manicuredor pedicure with one ofa multitude of festive holiday colors,including Chocolate Kisses, BrowniePoints and Lady Godiva for $100, $25and $50 respectively ; chocolatebrown spray on tan from Glow, eachsession priced at $28; chocolate massagebars from Lush, one that can belicked, appropriately named After8:30, priced at $8.95 and a heartshapedbar for $7.65; fresh chocolateorange shea butter cream from BlueMercury for $38 for 3.4 fluid oz.; andthe books Pure Chocolate by FranBiglow, Bitter Sweet: Recipes andTales from a Life in Chocolate byAlice Medrich and 1001 Reasons toLove Chocolate by Barbara Albrightat Barnes & Noble.For more information on theseand other chocolate fixes this Valentine’sDay, please contact theGeorgetown Business ImprovementDistrict at 202-298-9222.VALENTINE’S DAY SWEET TREATSStrawberryPopcorn Barsdrizzle chocolate over cooledpopcorn. Cool and cut into bars.Yield: 24 barsNutty Popcorn Fudge4 cups popped popcorn1 (18 oz.) package semi-sweetchocolate chips1 (14 oz.) can sweetenedcondensed milk2 tablespoon butter or margarine1 cup toasted slivered almonds1 teaspoon vanillaLAUGHTER FORVALENTINE’S DAYGive your loved one aninexpensive gift forValentine’s Day—laughter! Here are some funnyquotes to get you started from“Lovesick: The Best QuotesAbout Love and Sex” (MeadowbrookPress).“Love is a word consisting oftwo vowels, two consonants, andtwo fools.”—Jeff Rovin“Love is what happens to menand women who don’t knoweach other.”—W. SomersetMaugham“Love is the only disease thatmakes you feel better.”—SamShepard“Love: one game never postponedon account of darkness.”—Anonymous“Love is much nicer to be in thanan automobile accident, a tightgirdle, a higher tax bracket, or aholding pattern over Philadelphia.”—JudithViorst“A guy knows he’s in love whenhe . . . loses interest in his car fora couple of days.”—Tim Allen“When you’re in love, it’s themost glorious two-and-a-half daysof your life.”—Richard Lewis“The only place you’re sure to findlove is at the end of a letter fromyour mother.”—Bruce Lansky“I can see from you utter misery,from your eagerness to misunderstandeach other, and fromyour thoroughly bad temper thatthis is the real thing.”—PeterUstinov“Love is a fire. But whether it isgoing to warm your heart or burndown your house, you can nevertell.”—Joan Crawford• Line 9" x 13” pan with foil; setaside.• Melt chips, condensed milk andbutter in large saucepan, stirringuntil smooth; remove from heat.Stir in popcorn, nuts and vanilla.• Spread mixture evenly in preparedpan. Chill 2 hours or untilfirm. Remove from pan and cutinto squares.Yield: 32 squaresNutty PopcornFudgeTHE METRO HERALD 11♥♥♥ ♥♥♥

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART CELEBRATES ITS 25TH YEARFebruary 11, 2005Six Contemporary Artists Featured at National Museum of African Art—“TEXTures: Word and Symbol in Contemporary African Art”Six large-scale installations bycontemporary African artists,including one site-specificwork, will be on view at the Smithsonian’sNational Museum ofAfrican Art from February 11through September 4, 2005. “TEX-Tures: Word and Symbol in ContemporaryAfrican Art” explores themultiple means through which contemporaryAfrican artists invent, rewriteand play with fragments of textand graphic symbols within their art.The exhibition is part of the museum’syear-long 25th anniversarycelebration.“TEXTures” highlights the creativeways that artists Ghada Amer,Berry Bickle, Willem Boshoff,Fathi Hassan, Rachid Koraichiand Berni Searle combine the act ofwriting with traces of calligraphy,transcriptions of archival materialsand graphic designs to produce dramaticand highly original artisticstatements. Several of the featuredartists have exhibited in the VeniceBiennale.“These six artists—using a widerange of contemporary media—engagewith longstanding art historiesin both African and Western culturesthat meld the written with the visual,”said museum director SharonF. Patton.For instance, Egyptian-bornFathi Hassan’s work plays with theviewer’s ability to “read” and attributemeaning to graphic and scriptedpassages that draw from the kuficforms of Arabic calligraphy. In additionto two black-and-white photographicstills from video installations,the exhibition will include amixed-media work Hassan will createon-site at the museum in January.South African Willem Boshoffalso will be working on-site in Januaryto install “Writing in theSand,” which pays homage to 11 indigenouslanguages of South Africaand addresses the issue of linguisticdomination. The installation consistsof two sections, or “pages,” oftext on the gallery floor, created bystenciling black sand onto a field ofwhite sand.Berni Searle explores her ownand a broader South African identityin “Profile,” which presents eighttranslucent photographic prints ofthe artist’s face impressed withgraphic symbols. The photographs,hung in intersecting panels and suspendedfrom the ceiling of thegallery, allude to the history of colonialismand apartheid and the contrastsof black/ white,European/Middle Eastern, Muslim/Catholicand European/ African.In an array of 10-foot long, silk,indigo-scripted banners andstamped squares, Algerian artistRachid Koraichi draws from the geniusand technique of generations oflocal artisans in Syria. The bannersare silk-screened from scripted templatescreated by the artist and thesquares are enlivened by intricatepatterns applied with inked woodenstamps. These stamps are carved bythe artist himself or are part of hiscollection of antique ones.In Berry Bickle’s heavily texturedand layered work“Sarungano,” the Zimbabwe-bornartist prints, scratches, scribbles andburns fragments of texts into and ona variety of surfaces, includingeveryday objects, encouraging theviewer to reflect on the process ofinscription. Through its large sizeand scale and its subdued palette,the work serves as a memorial, commemoratingsuffering and the brokenfragments of lost lives.Best known for her large-scaleembroidered “paintings” reminiscentof abstract expressionism,Ghada Amer also has produced anumber of important installationworks that use embroidered script.In “Encyclopedia of Pleasure,”Amer speaks about a medievaltext—a written manual on sexualand spiritual fulfillment. The installationconsists of 57 canvas boxes,covered with Roman script embroideredin gold thread and stacked invarious arrangements.“The text of these passages is notimportant, per se, but acts merely asthe visual framework for larger investigationsof sexuality and spiritualityand the role of the written wordwithin them,” said guest curatorElizabeth Harney, assistant professorof contemporary arts at the Universityof Toronto and former curatorof contemporary art at themuseum.In conjunction with the exhibition,the museum will offer a webbrochure with additional informationabout the featured artists. Free programsat the museum include a lecture(February 12, 2005, at 2PM),exhibition tour (February 19, 2005,at 2PM) and films later this spring.For information, contact 202-633-4635 or africa.si.edu.“TEXTures” is one of a two-partexhibition series that relates toknowledge and learning, use ofscripts and symbols. A publicationthat encompasses research for bothexhibitions will be published in2006.The Smithsonian’s National Museumof African Art is celebratingits 25th year since becoming part ofthe Smithsonian Institution. It isAmerica’s only museum dedicatedto the collection, conservation andexhibition of traditional and contemporaryAfrican art. Hours arefrom 10AM to 5:30PM daily andadmission is free. The museum is locatedat 950 Independence Ave. SW,near the Smithsonian Metrorail stationon the Blue and Orange lines.For information, call 202-633-4600or TTY 202-357-1729, or visitafrica.si.edu.Willem Boshoff (b. 1951, South Africa)Writing in the Sand, 2001, Sand, Collection of the artistFathi Hassan(b. 1957, Egypt)Il passo storico dell’uomoleggero (The Light Man’sHistorical Footstep), 1985Photographic still fromvideo installationCollection of the artist,courtesy Sala UnoFathi Hassan(b. 1957, Egypt)Lo sguardo versal’ignoto (Glance towardthe Unknown), 1985Photographic still fromvideo installationCollection of the artist,courtesy Sala UnoWillem Boshoff (b. 1951, South Africa)Detail of Writing in the Sand, 2001, Sand,Collection of the artistBerni Searle (b. 1964,South Africa)Detail of Profile, 2002Installation viewMichael StevensonGallery, Cape Town, 2003Photo Courtesy of MichaelStevenson ContemporaryGhada Amer (b. 1963, Egypt)Detail of Encyclopedia ofPleasure, 2001, Canvas, goldthread on a cardboard frameCollection of the artist,courtesy Deitch ProjectsGhada Amer (b. 1963, Egypt)Encyclopedia of Pleasure, 2001, Canvas, goldthread on a cardboard frame, Collection of theartist, courtesy Deitch ProjectsBerry Bickle(b. 1959,Zimbabwe)Detail ofSarungano, 2000Milled steel andmixed mediaCollection of theartist, courtesyDieleman Gallery(above) Rachid Koraïchi(b. 1947, Algeria)Detail of7 Variations indigo, 2002Silk, indigo, wooden stampsCollection of the artist(below) Berry Bickle(b. 1959, Zimbabwe)Sarungano, 2000, Milledsteel and mixed media,Collection of the artist,courtesy Dieleman GalleryRachid Koraïchi(b. 1947, Algeria)Detail of 7 Variations indigo, 2002Silk, indigo, wooden stampsCollection of the artistBerry Bickle(b. 1959, Zimbabwe)Detail of Sarungano, 2000Milled steel and mixed mediaCollection of the artist, courtesyDieleman Gallery12 THE METRO HERALDTHE METRO HERALD 13

BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2005February 11, 2005SPECIAL OFFER TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTHSoulFilms.com, One of the Nation’sLeading Online DVD Sales and RentalService Which Showcases the Works ofAfrican American Actors and Filmmakers, Announcesa Special Offer in Recognition ofBlack History MonthIn celebration of Black History Month, foreach new subscriber enrolling during themonth of February, SoulFilms.com will donatea portion of their initial subscription feeto one of several programs to support emergingminority filmmakers. “SoulFilms.comrecognizes the need to provide an encouragingenvironment for film students to bring tothe screen stories that reflect the diversitywithin our culture,” says Lesley Wilson, oneof the founding members of the company.We feature a “What’s Hot” page to informmembers of hot new releases and “OldSchool” classics released on DVD, comediesand dramas by and about people of color.Specialty categories such as “Bring theDrama,” “Oh You Got Jokes,” “LadiesChoice,” “Gospel” and “The Brothers” providemembers an enjoyable and easy-to-useonline experience where choosing the moviesbecomes part of the entertainment.SoulFilms.com features a communitymessage board for “Street Talk” which allowsmembers a place to voice their opinions aboutmovies and other interesting topics. Fromtime to time we will feature celebrity participantson the “Street Talk” web page to chatwith our members online.With two free trial offers and programpackages for any budget, we offer membersunlimited DVD rentals with free shipping, tokeep for as long as they wish with no late fees.In addition to our rental programs, membersand collectors can buy their favorite moviesand television shows at discounted prices.Black people havealways been America’swilderness in search ofa promised land.Cornel West(1953–)“Nihilism in America”Race Matters (1993)MORE THAN A “HOUSE OF GOD”Continued from page 8program at the school with fourgraduates. It was held at FirstBaptist Church in 1926. The thirdVienna Colored School, built in1939, was later named the LouiseArcher School.NEW UNION BAPTISTCHURCH, PLEASANTSTREET, VIENNA1930 photo of students attending the Vienna Colored School, founded in 1867 as part ofland purchased to begin First Baptist Church. Photo courtesy of the Virginia RoomThe church had built a strongrelationship with Louise Archer,a North Carolina born educatorresiding in Washington, DC as aprofessor at Howard Universityand Miner Teachers College(now the University of District ofColumbia).Louise Archer, teacher and subsequentprincipal at the Vienna Colored School.Photo courtesy of the Virginia RoomAs a teacher to students inVienna, Louise Archer commutedto Vienna daily at first by publictransportation: trolley car andtrain, and later she would travelvia an automobile. A caring andthoughtful educator, she is quoted“Failure in school often discourageschildren so much that theyfail in their life’s work. Then it istoo late to do anything except besorry . . . I am always sorry toowhen our children fail but I wouldrather help them make good beforeit is too late.”Louise Archer became principalof the elementary school inSeptember 1922 and served untilMarch 1948. During her tenureshe would sponsor high schoolstudents by providing her homeaddress in Washington, DC. Sheestablished the first graduationUnion Baptist Church, now New UnionBaptist Church, founded in 1902 andrenovated in 1985, the current church sitson its original landNew Union Baptist Churchwas organized as Union BaptistChurch in 1902, a subsequentcongregation of First BaptistChurch, by Andrew Minor. Itsfirst church was built on its presentlocation, land purchased byHenry Minor. It was renovated toits current design in 1985. Someof its early members includedHenry Minor, the first electedblack town councilman in Fairfaxand Preston Blackwell, the firststudent to integrate the FairfaxCounty Public School system.1930 elementary school Certificate of Completion granted by the Virginia Public Schools.Louise Archer was both teacher and principal. Photo courtesy of the Virginia RoomStained glass window in New UnionBaptist Church depicts the first UnionBaptist ChurchTHE METRO HERALD 15

BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2005/ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTFebruary 11, 2005THE ANTI-SALVERY SOCIETYNationwide, the month ofFebruary is dedicated toBlack history in Canada. Inrecognition of this, Library andArchives Canada is proud to highlightthe virtual exhibition Anti-Slavery Movement in Canada. Theexhibition features items from thecollections of Library and ArchivesAnti-Slavery Society of CanadaCanada and the J’Nikira Dinqinesheducation Centre, and offers informationon early settlements, blackcommunities in Canada, refugees,the Anti-Slavery Society of Canadaand the American Civil War.In 2001, at the invitation of theJ’Nikira Dinqinesh Education Centre,the National Archives of Canadaand the National Library of Canadacommemorated the 150th anniversaryof the establishment of the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada in 1851with this exhibition based on the collectionsof the two institutions.The Anti-Slavery Society ofCanada was the last of several shortlivedanti-slavery societies inCanada. These societies were part ofan international abolitionist movementsupported by leading moralthinkers of the day in Britain, Europeand the United States. This 1851Society was founded by theHonorable George Brown, later aFather of Confederation, his familyand associates on February 26, 1851in Toronto. The Reverend Dr.Michael Willis, Principal of KnoxCollege and Senator of the Universityof Toronto, who was Presidentof the Society, opened the proceedings.The anti-slavery speeches,commentaries and announcementswere published in George Brown’snewspaper The Globe.The focus of the Society’s attentionwas the United Statessince in Canada slavery had beenin decline from 1793 and was formallyabolished in 1834. In 1793,under the leadership of LieutenantGovernor John Graves Simcoe, abill had been passed by the Legislatureof Upper Canada making itillegal to bring a person into thecolony to be enslaved. Slaveryformally ended in Canada in 1834after the British Parliament passedan act abolishing the institutionthroughout the Empire. When theAnti-Slavery Society was foundedin 1851, slavery was still beingpracticed in the southern UnitedStates.The strength of the Anti-SlaverySociety of Canada can be attributedto the fact that it brought togetherleading abolitionists, both Black andWhite, from churches including theCongregationalist and Free Presbyterian,as well as from the business,professional and political elite. Theanti-slavery movement included representativesfrom the “UndergroundRailroad” refugee community,American intellectuals and oratorssuch as Frederick Douglass andReverend Bishop Jermain Logeum,and others who were agents of theSociety.Birchtown was one of several Black communities established inNova Scotia between 1782 and 1784 by African Americans whohad supported the British during the American Revolution. However,local hostility and difficult conditions eventually resulted in nearlyhalf of the inhabitants of Birchtown leaving in 1792 for Sierra Leone inWest Africa.Muster Roll of Colonel Stephen Blucke’s Company at Birchtown, Shelburne County:A Black Settlement in Nova Scotia, 1784You have seen how a man was made a slave;you shall see how a slave was made a man.Frederick Douglass(1818?–1895)Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845)16 THE METRO HERALD

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTFebruary 11, 2005Sandy MortimerALDEN THEATRE PRESENTSFILM ON COSTA RICAExploring Costa Rica is thenext offering in the AldenTheatre’s Travel and AdventureFilm Series. The film will beshown at 8PM on Wednesday, February16, and will be hosted by filmmakerSandy Mortimer. Tickets are$9, $7 for McLean tax district residents.The Alden Theatre is housedin the McLean Community Center,1234 Ingleside Avenue.Located in the center of CentralAmerica, Costa Rica is home to rainforeststhat abound with rainbowcoloredwildlife, mountain ranges,volcanoes, sandy tropical beaches,cowboys and Brahma cattle ranches,hot springs, sulfur lakes and vaporgeysers. Mortimer’s film will exploreboth the Pacific and Carribeancoasts, capturing the people and theessence and ecological richness ofthe country.Tickets are on sale now! Topurchase tickets, stop by the AldenTheatre Box Office, or to chargetickets by telephone, call ticketmasterat 703-573-SEAT. For more information,call 703-790-9223, orvisit: www.mcleancenter.org.REFLECTIONS ON JUSTICEAT DANCE PLACECelebrate Black History Monthwith Reflections on JusticeSaturday, Febraury 12, 2005at 8PM at the Dance Place. Reflectionson Justice is a collage of soulfuldance works that captures the essenceof the Civil Rights Movement.Experience moving pieces suchas Rosa, a soulful work that is inspiredby and dedicated to RosaParks, the mother of the civil rightsmovement; Spoken Word, a workchoreographed by Derrick Spears,Dance Institute of Washington alumand company member, inspired bythe “March On Washington” andperformed to Dr. Martin LutherKing, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream”speech; and Brilliant O’Mercy, HintonBattle’s uplifting gospel workthat embodies the undying faith andspirit of that time.Dance Place is Washington DC’sonly professional dance companythat celebrates African Americanculture.Ticket Prices: $18; $14 (student,seniors & Dance Place members);$6 (youth 17& under)DancePlace is locatedat 32258th Street,NW, Washington,DC.Call 202-269-1600 orvisit www.danceplace.org.Subscribe to The Metro Herald!I still have my feeton the ground, Ijust wearbetter shoes.Oprah Winfrey(1954–)Oprah!: Up Close andDown Homeby Nellie Bly (1993)VIOLISTNOKUTHULANYWENYAMAFEATURED ATCENTERSTAGENokuthula Ngwenyama(pronounced No-ku-tulaEn-gwen-ya-ma) isrecognized as one of the foremostinstrumentalists of her generation.On Sunday February13 at 3:00PM, she will graceReston’s CenterStage, accompaniedby Melvin Chen on piano.The concert will include LuigiBoccherini Sonata No. 5 forViola and Piano (transcriptionKatims), Paul HindemtihSonata for Viola and Piano(1919), Nathan Milstein Paganiniana(Variations) for ViolinSolo, and Gabriel Faure Sonatain A Major for Violin and Piano,op. 13. Do not miss your chanceto witness this virtuoso whoseperformances have becomerenowned for their grace andbeauty.This show is suitable for ages9 and older. Tickets are $15.Tickets for all CenterStageevents may be reserved by telephone,or from 9AM to 8PMevery day at the Reston CommunityCenter Information & ServiceDesk, or purchased in personduring Box Office hours.Box Office hours are Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday 4PM to9PM; Saturday, 1PM to 5PM;and two hours prior to curtaintimes. Payment with Visa orMastercard is required at time ofreservation. For season telephoneorders, brochures, directions,or more information call703-476-4500 or visit the websiteat www.restoncommunitycenter.com.THE METRO HERALD 17

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTFebruary 11, 2005CANADIANSAT THEGRAMMIESThe North American musicindustry is gearing up for47th Annual GrammyAwards ceremony and the Canadiandelegation heading down toLos Angeles is anchored by someof the country’s most celebratedfemale recording artists: singersongwriterSarah McLachlan,country’s Shania Twain, poprocker Alanis Morissette andjazz artist Diana Krall.“They’re all somewhatunique in their own special waybut they also have that polite, inoffensive,truly Canadian sensibilitythat makes everyone findthem generally likable,” AaronBrophy, managing editor atChart magazine, told the CanadianPress.The Canadian nominees include:• Benoit Charest for a motionpicture, television or other visual• David Foster for best instrumentalarrangement• Diana Krall producer of theyear and best engineeredalbum• Sarah McLachlan for bestpop vocal album• Alanis Morissette for producerof the year• Nickelback for best hard rockperformance• Walter Ostanek for bestpolka album• Robbie Robertson for producerof the year• Rush for best rock instrumentalperformance• Howard Shore for best scoresoundtrack album for a motionpicture, television orother visual media and bestsong written for a motion picture,television or other visualmedia• Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestrafor best small ensembleperformance• Shania Twain for best femalecountry vocal performanceand best country collaborationwith vocals• Cathy Fink for best musicalalbum for childrenVisit us on the web atwww.metroherald.comSALUTE TO JAZZ HONORSGIANTS OF GENRENeil Portnow, Benny Golson, Horace Silver, Jon HendricksMusic legends JonHendricks, BennyGolson and HoraceSilver were honored recently at 2ndAnnual Grammy Salute To Jazz atthe Henry Fonda Music box Theaterin Hollywood, CA. They receivedPresident’s Merit Awards for theircontributions tothe jazz genre andthe global music community.Underscoring the value of jazz education,the gala featured spirited performancesby the Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensembles, abrass orchestra showcasing the talentsof North America’s finest high schoolmusicians. This year’s group of vocalistsand instrumentalists were selectedfrom more than 400 applicantsacross the United States and Canada.Many celebrity guests andGrammy winners, nominees andhonorees, attended including vocalistsAl Jarreau and AndyBey, saxophonist Dave Koz,arranger Gerald Wilson, percussionistRaphael Cruz,and industry legend and EMIJazz & Classics President/CEO Bruce Lundvall.Jazz organist JimmySmith and Recording AcademyPresident Neil Portnowrecent passing was acknowledgedas they were rememberedfor their many accomplishmentsand contributions.The first honoree was HoraceSilver who said, “I’vetried to do my best to bringyou the music that God hasgiven me,” while acceptinghis President’s Merit Award.“Thankfully, you’ve acceptedit . . . and hopefully it willcontinue to live on, bless, anduplift people.”The evening’s secondhonoree was saxophonist andarranger Golson. “As a kidback in Philadelphia . . .Idreamt about moments likethis,” Golson told the crowd.“But I never knew I would bein it. The future will alwayshave an indistinguishableface, but we as artists try sohard to give it our own making. Andwhen this happens—zingo!”Jon Hendricks, the next honoree,learned to emulate the sound ofhorns and other instruments, transforminghimself into a human jazzorchestra. “That was the genesis ofvocalese,” Hendricks said, “and foryour acceptance of it—and maybeeven your love of it—I thank youfrom the bottom of my heart.”The night concluded with Hendricks,Golson, Jarreau and Ellingdelivering a freewheeling performanceof the Lambert, Hendricks &Ross classic, “Gimme That Wine.”The 2nd Annual Salute To Jazz ispart of The Recording Academy’sgrowing Salute To . . . series that willalso honor classical and gospelmusic and an icon of the music industrythis year.Steel Pulse is appearing at StateTheatre on 220 N. WashingtonStreet, Falls Church, VA onSaturday, February 12 at 8PM.Reggae fans will appreciate Grammynominated, African Holocaust theband’s first release in five years. Theband returns to their rugged roots,combining a fresh sound with theirpolitical beliefs, expressed throughthoughtful lyrics. The album is nominatedin the “Best Reggae Album,”category that will be presented at the47th annual Grammy Awards onFebruary 13th.Steel Pulse may have exploredvarious styles of music since theystarted out in 1975, but when itcomes to the message, the UK’sGrammy-winning reggae band hasremained close to their roots. TheGroup have continued their commitmentto fighting injustice, educatingthe masses, and promoting positivemessages through spiritually upliftingmusic. The band’s internationalSTEEL PULSE2005 GRAMMYNOMINEEsuccess has resulted in a Grammyaward for their Babylon The Banditalbum, and nominations for EarthCrisis, Victims, Rastafari Centennialand Rage & Fury. Spike Lee metSteel Pulse at the group’s fund raisingconcert in Washington DC forthe Jamaican victims of ‘88’s HurricaneGilbert. This resulted inDavid’s composition “Can’t StandIt” featuring in Spike Lee’s Do TheRight Thing movie soundtrack.Invited guest appearances includeArsenio Hall, ‘The Tonight Show’with Jay Leno, ‘Late Night’ withConan O’Brien and the KeenanIvory Wayans show. The band havebeen joined live on stage by artists asdiverse as Stevie Wonder to theStranglers and have performed livewith Bob Marley & the Wailers,Peter Tosh, Sting, INXS, Santana,Robert Palmer, Herbie Hancockand Bob Dylan, amongst others.Tickets $17, $20—under 21,available at all Ticketmaster outletsor charge by phone at 202-432-SEAT, 703-573-SEAT, 410-481-SEAT, 800-551-SEAT, and at www.ticketmaster.com; and throughWalthertix 800-594-TIXX and www.walthertix.musictoday.com.Visit the State Theater at www.thestatetheater.com or Steel Pulseat www.steelpulse.com.18 THE METRO HERALD

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTFebruary 11, 2005FEDERAL THEATRE35TH ANNIVERSARY GALA BENEFIT—CATCH THE SPIRIT OF BLACK THEATEROn February 13, New York’shistoric Town Hall will bethe setting for an extraordinarysalute to the endurance and influenceof Woodie King, Jr.’s NewFederal Theatre (NFT), for 35 yearsa seminal force in the Black ArtsMovement (BAM) co-hosted byOssie Davis and Lynn Whitfield. Inaddition to celebrating the NFT’svital contribution to the arts internationally,the gala will feature aspecial “roast and toast” to NegroEnsemble Company co-founderaward winning actor/director/writer,Douglas Turner Ward and anawards presentation honoring significantcontributors to the developmentof the theatre.The event will honor lyricist/composer/writer/performer MickiGrant, creator of the groundbreakingoriginal musical revue, Don’tBother Me, I Can’t Cope; prolificplaywright, Ed Bullins; and producer,director, lyricist George C.Wolfe. Two special awards for contributionsto Black theater will alsoWHO:WHAT:Air Force Band Chamber Players Series“Music for Bass Trombone and Percussion” FeaturingSenior Master Sergeant Chris Matten (bass trombone) andMaster Sergeant Erica Montgomery (percussion)WHERE: John Addison Concert HallHarmony Hall Regional CenterWHEN:WHO:WHAT:10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MDThursday, February 17, 2005 at 8PMAir Force Band Chamber Players Series“Music for Brass” Featuring The United States Air ForceBrass QuintetWHERE: George Washington Masonic National Memorial101 Callahan DriveAlexandria, VAWHEN:NOTE:Friday, February 18, 2005 at 8PMbe presented: one, to the criticallyacclaimed Ensemble Cast, includingSean Combs and Phylicia Rashad,of the recent revival A Raisin in theSun; and the second, to the TheaterDevelopment Fund, whose supportof minority artists and companieshas been critical to the survival andgrowth of the arts in New York.Special guest artists scheduled toperform are: Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter, Obba Babatunde, AmiriBaraka, Reginald Vel Johnson,LaTanya Richardson, S. EpathaMerkerson, Kiki Shepard, SweetHoney In The Rock, GlynnTurman, Leslie Uggams, DenzelWashington and Hattie Winston.The gala celebration will kick-offat 3:00PM at Town Hall followed bya dinner with the honorees, performersand national committee members.Tickets for the 35th AnniversaryGala Benefit are $75, $175, and$300 (includes dinner) and can bepurchased by calling Lorelei Enterprisesat 212-838-2660 or Ticketmasterat 212-307-4100.BARNS AT WOLF TRAP RECEIVES$102K HARMAN UPGRADEIn an installation that complementsthe natural acoustics ofone of the Washington, DCarea’s favorite indoor performancehalls, The Barns at Wolf Trap hasbeen completely revamped with anentire Harman Professional soundsolution. The system, which updatesa 1997 Harman installation, is comprisedof 10 JBL VERTEC VT4887line array elements, four VT4881subwoofers, 14 Crown CTS amplifiers,BSS Omnidrive Compact Plusprocessing, AKG microphones andexisting Soundcraft consoles.The science and stratum of TheBarns’ 300-year-old wood interior ismost perfectly suited for live performanceand the new VERTECsystem fulfills its need for a prominentbut transparent sound system.“I’ve always engineered liveshows at the Barns as if I was gettingfold-back for a recording studio,” explainsBob Grimes, long-time ProductionManager at The Barns. “Idon’t want the audience to be awareof the PA, and VERTEC comes closestto that ideal. When you closeyour eyes, the imaging is just amazing,and the performer seems firmlyanchored on the stage.”Thanks to the BSS Soundwebtechnology, Grimes and companycan now hear the midrange muchclearer than before. “We updated theBSS 366 with the new T software,allowing us to put steep slopes oncrossover,” Grimes added. “You canreally tell the difference, especiallywith the sub crossover.”Additionally, the Soundcraft consolegives Grimes more flexibilitywhen mixing and recording the performances.The historic charm and acousticalmagic of The Barns at Wolf Trap havebeen praised by music fans and criticsalike throughout its 24 year history.These FREE concerts are offered as a public service; notickets are required. For more information about programspresented by The USAF Band, please call the 24-hourConcert Line at 202-767-5658, or visit our web page:www.usafband.com.THE METRO HERALD 19

EDUCATION/TSUNAMI RELIEFFebruary 11, 2005LOCAL NOVELIST TO APPEAR ATAMERICAN UNIVERSITYAmerican University’s Mastersof Fine Arts Program inCreative Writing will hostNovelist and Alexandria, VA residentLeslie Pietrzyk at 8PM, Wednesday,February 16 in the 6th floorButler Board Room, Butler Pavilion.A 1985 graduate of AmericanUniversity’s MFA Program in CreativeWriting, Pietrzyk is the authorof Pears on a Willow Tree, a novelabout four generations of Polish-American women, and the recentlypublished A Year and a Day, whichwas chosen for the Borders Bookstores“Original Voices” series andnamed a Book-of-the-Month Clubalternate selection. Her short fictionhas appeared in numerous literaryjournals, including Triquarterly,Top high-school musiciansaround the country have theopportunity to apply for anEmerson Scholarship Award to theworld-famous Interlochen ArtsCamp in northern Michigan. Fiftystudents from across the UnitedStates will receive a full scholarshipfor the 2005 Interlochen Arts Camp.The merit-based scholarships arefunded through a generous grantfrom St. Louis-based Emerson.The Emerson Scholars Award is a$5,582 scholarship, which providesfull tuition, private lessons, androom and board for the six-weeksummer program. Interlochen’s78th Camp season dates are June 25through August 8, 2005.Applicants must be in grades ninethrough 12 and demonstrate exceptionalproficiency on harp, string,wind or percussion instruments. Anaudition submitted on tape or CD isrequired with application.Applications must be postmarkedby February 15, 2005, and winnerswill be announced by April 15,2005. Winners will be determinedsolely on merit.“Because of the Emerson Scholarship,I was able to have the bestsummer of my life,” said NatalieHelm of Kentucky, a 2003 EmersonScholar and cello player. “The highlightof my summer was playing inan orchestra where other kids wereserious about music.”“I would not have been able tocome to Interlochen if it had notbeen for the Emerson Scholarship,”said Andrea Padgett, a horn playerand Emerson Scholar from Montana.“This is such a wonderful preparationfor college, and I recommend itto anyone!”Emerson Scholar Devin Adamsfrom Washington, DC, noted that inone summer at Interlochen he“learned about two years of great instruction.”Established in 1987, the EmersonScholars Program recognizes exceptionalhigh-school musicians andIowa Review, Gettysburg Review,Shenandoah, and The New EnglandReview. Raised in Iowa City, Iowa,Pietrzyk now lives in Alexandria,Virginia.Located in Washington, D.C,American University is a leader inglobal education, enrolling a diversestudent body from throughout theU.S. and more than 150 countriesand providing opportunities for academicexcellence, public service,and internships in the nation’s capitaland around the world.American University is lcoated at4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,Washington, DC. For more informationcall Nicki Miller, AU Departmentof Literature, at 202-885-2973.FULL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLEFOR HIGH-SCHOOL MUSICIANSgives them an opportunity to honetheir talents in an environment that isrecognized around the world as thepremier training ground for youngartists.“This is one of the most prestigiousscholarship offerings at Interlochen,”said Interlochen PresidentJeffrey S. Kimpton. “Thanks to thegenerosity of Emerson, we can providesome of this nation’s top youngartists with an artistic experience unlikeany other.”For more information, or to obtainan application, e-mail admissions@interlochen.org or call 231-276-7472 or write the EmersonScholars Program, InterlochenCenter for the Arts, P.O. Box 199,Interlochen, MI, 49643. Completeinformation also is available onlineat www.interlochen.org.COMMUNITYFORUMS TOIMPROVE DCSCHOOLSSuperintendent CliffordJaney arrived in Washingtonlast year committed tomaking dramatic improvementsto Washington schools. Thatprocess began with the establishmentof the DC Education Compact,a group of more than 100local officials and communityrepresentatives who will developaction plans to raise achievementand the quality of education DCschools provide.The next step in that processis a public meeting to be held thisSaturday, February 12 at9:00–11:30AM at the CardozoHigh School, 1300 CliftonStreet, NW, DC where the Superintendent,Mayor Williams, andothers responsible for DC PublicSchools wish to hear from parents,educators, and other residentswho care about the educationlocal children receive.Key topics include preparingstudents to be college and workready, recruiting and retaininghigh quality teachers, improvingschool buildings and facilitiesand other important levers ofchanges identified by the Superintendentand the DC EducationCompact.The DC Education Compactis a community partnership madeup of parents, teachers, principals,school administrators, businessleaders, community activists,youth, foundation staff,elected officials and concernedcitizens.For more information: www.dcec.org.DC CAMPAIGN PRODUCES PARENT PEEREDUCATION CD TOOLKITDue to the popularity of theParent Peer Education project,DC Campaign is makinga toolkit available for community organizations,parents, faith institutions,schools and other individualsto help parents and other caregiversfeel more comfortable and informedwhen talking with teens about love,sex and relationships. The toolkitcontains all of the resources and informationneeded to conduct theworkshop, How to Talk to TeensAbout Love, Sex and Relationshipsand to train facilitators to conductthe workshop.According to the public opinionresearch Common Sense released byDC Campaign, 95 percent of Districtresidents surveyed support the creationof programs to teach parentshow to talk to their own childrenabout sexual issues. “The researchclearly supports helping parents initiatediscussions with their childrenrather than waiting for their childrento broach the subject,” said BrendaRhodes Miller, executive director ofDC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.“In fact, the majority of adultsand teens say these conversationsneed to start young.”The Parent Peer Education projectgrew out of that research. In1999, DC Campaign began trainingparents to train other parents how totalk to teens about love, sex and relationships.Since the beginning, over1,040 parents have participated inthe workshop.For your copy of the Parent PeerEducation CD Toolkit, please send$5.00 for postage to: DC Campaignto Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 111211th Street, NW, Suite 100, Washington,DC 20001, ATTN: CDToolkit.DC Campaign to Prevent TeenPregnancy is a private, non-profit501 (c) (3) organization whose missionis to cut the District of Columbiateen pregnancy rate in half by2005.BLACK FAMILY TECHNOLOGYAWARENESS CAMPAIGNThree highly-respected Blackdoctors—a geneticist, forensicpathologist and cardiologist—willwrite prescriptions forhundreds of high-school students tohelp prepare them for careers of thefuture during a town-hall symposiumin New York City that will explorethe impact of technology on the fieldof medicine.The event marks the launch of thesixth annual Black Family TechnologyAwareness Week (BFTAW)February 13th–20th to promote thevalue of technology in Black communitiesand its importance in theeducational and career preparation ofBlack youth.This year, the sponsors, IBM andCareer Communications Group(CCG), are taking the public awarenesscampaign to help close the DigitalDivide across three continents—providing thousands of people withopportunities to access technologyand training.According to a recent report issuedby the National Telecommunicationsand Information Administrationand the U.S. Department ofCommerce, computer usage byBlacks still lags behind that of non-Hispanic Whites by more than 14percent, while Internet usage byBlacks trails that of non-HispanicSave the Children® and 7-Eleven, Inc. announced recentlythey are launching aunique tsunami-relief wristband thatwill be sold internationally, with onehundred percent (100%) of the aftertaxprofits benefiting Save the Children’sAsian Earthquake/TsunamiRelief fund. The bright blue wristbandis different from other causerelatedbands in that, instead ofwords stamped into it, human figureslink hands completely around theband to graphically represent globalhelp and support.7-Eleven will offer the wristbandin participating stores in the UnitedStates and Canada for $2.99, and inAustralia, Mexico and Hong Kongthrough its licensees. All after-taxprofits from sales (at least $2 perband) will support Save the Children’smedium- and long-term reliefand reconstruction efforts in SouthAsia, which include a focus on protectingchildren from exploitationand helping them rebuild their lives.“Save the Children is honored tobe joining hands with 7-Eleven andits customers to benefit our work forthe most vulnerable of tsunamiWhites by nearly 20 percent.The 2005 BFTAW campaign willengage participants in Sao Paolo,Brazil; Johannesburg, South Africa;Toronto, Canada; Jamaica, West Indies;and dozens of cities across theU.S.During BFTAW, Austin, TX;Huntsville, AL; Kansas City, KS;New Orleans, LA and Philadelphia,PA will host city-wide events in supportof the initiative. In Chicago, theMuseum of Science and Industry ispartnering with CCG and IBM toproduce, “Engineering the Future,” anew exhibition showcasing the contributionsmade by Black in the fieldof engineering. In Baltimore, Dr.Sandra K. Johnson, the first Blackwoman in the United States to earn aPhD in electrical engineering, aBFTAW co-chair, and the chief technologyofficer and senior technicalstaff member for IBM’s GlobalSmall and Medium Business, Systems& Technology Group, will beamong those honored on February19th during the prestigious “BlackEngineer of the Year” Awards.To learn more about the 2005Black Family Technology AwarenessWeek, visit www.blackfamilynet.net or call 410-244-7101.TSUNAMI RELIEF WRISTBANDSAT 7-ELEVENvictims—the children,” said CharlieMacCormack, president and CEOof Save the Children US. “Theawareness and support will helpboost our efforts to rebuild theirlives.”“Although the immediate responseneeds are being met, thewhole rebuilding process is stillahead,” said 7-Eleven president andCEO Jim Keyes. “Helping to protectthe youngest victims and restoretheir lives is an important issue forour customers, and this wristbandwill allow them to show their supportwhile raising much-neededfunds.”The Save the Children wristbandsare the third component of 7-Eleven’s tsunami relief efforts. Immediatelyafter the disaster, the companymade a $500,000 donation tothe American Red Cross InternationalResponse Fund. On January12, 7-Eleven launched a canistercampaign in participating U.S. andCanadian stores, pledging an additionalcontribution of up to $500,000to match funds donated by its customers,employees, licensees andfranchisees.20 THE METRO HERALD

COMMUNITY NEWSFebruary 11, 2005ALEXANDRIAGENEALOGY SOCIETYMEETINGThe February 15th meeting ofthe Mount Vernon GenealogicalSociety (MVGS) inAlexandria, Virginia will feature afilm entitled “Military Records onthe Tonkin Gulf.” The film will concentrateon the role played by BruceBolstad, a member of MVGS as away to demonstrate the kinds ofrecords that are available.The program will consist of a filmprepared by members of the Society.The film will place the TonkinGulf Crisis in a historical perspective;will include shots of life aboard anaircraft carrier and a destroyer; andwill describe the first air strike againstNorth Vietnam on August 5, 1964.The meeting is free and open tothe public. It will be held on Tuesday,February 15, 2005 at 1:00PMin the Hollin Hall Senior Center,1500 Shenandoah Road, Room 112,Alexandria, Virginia. The Center islocated 4 miles south of Alexandriajust off Fort Hunt Road.For more information, callHarold McClendon at 703-360-0920 or visit www.mindspring.com/~mvgs.PUBLIC MEETING ONKING STREET RETAILSTRATEGYThe City of Alexandria invitesthe public to attend the KingStreet Retail Strategy CommunityMeeting on Tuesday, February15, at 7:30PM. The event takesplace at the Salon of the HiltonAlexandria Old Town, 1767 King St.The meeting will include a presentationof recommendations for CityCouncil on maintaining the uniquenessof the King Street’s retail corridor.City representatives will discussrelated topics such as storefront designguidelines; parking and transit;and outdoor dining.For more information, call KimberleyFogle or Eric Forman in theDepartment of Planning and Zoningat 703-838-4666.CITY OF ALEXANDRIAOFFERS FREE TAXASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTSBeginning this Februarythrough mid-April, the Cityof Alexandria will help lowincomeresidents with completingtheir 2004 federal and state tax returns.The free service will be offeredevery Saturday from February 12through April 9 from 9AM to noon;and every other Wednesday fromFebruary 16 through April 13 from6:30 to 8PM. All sessions will takeplace in the lobby of the City’s Departmentof Human Services, 2525Mount Vernon Ave. The sessions arebeing offered in an effort to assistlow-income residents in getting theirtax refunds free of charge and receivingall tax credits they are entitled.There will be no tax session offeredon Saturday, March 12.Individuals with incomes up to$25,000 are eligible to receive assistance.Families with incomes up to$35,000, or greater for larger families,are also eligible. Informationand verification to bring to the sessionsmust include W-2 forms andother income records; records and receiptsof expenses for childcare, education,or any additional income; socialsecurity numbers or individualtaxpayer identification numbers forall dependents; and a copy of lastyear’s tax return, if possible. Individualscan also receive help in preparingprior year tax returns for filing.Service will be provided on afirst-come, first-serve basis. Spanishspeakingvolunteers will be on site toprovide assistance.For more information, callSuzanne Kratzok, Coordinator ofCommunity Resources, Departmentof Human Services, at 703-838-0768.THE SACRAMENTONEIGHBORHOODCENTER HELPING“KEEP KIDS SAFE”The Sacramento Neighborhoodcenter (SNC) is pleasedto host a Parent & CoordinatorRoundtable Breakfast on Saturday,February 19 from 10AM to11AM at the center, located at 8792Sacramento Drive in Alexandria.The topic of this month’s roundtableis “Keeping Kids safe,” and the eventis free and open to the public. Breakfastwill be provided and safety kitswill be distributed.The Sacramento NeighborhoodCenter is a partnership between UnitedCommunity Ministries (UCM), Inc.,the Mount Vernon Police Department,Washington Mills Elementary School,Fort Belvoir, Mt. Vernon-Lee Chamberof Commerce, Mount VernonYouth and Community Coalition, Officeof Partnerships, Region 1 HumanServices, Fairfax County Recreationand Community Services and theSacramento Community.HOME-OWNERSHIPWORKSHOPDid you know that 80% ofrenters can purchase ahome? The SacramentoNeighborhood center (SNC) is offeringinformation and guidance onworking toward homeownership,presented by Advantage 1st Mortgageon Thursday, February 17,2005 from 6PM to 8PM at the center,located at 8792 SacramentoDrive in Alexandria. For more information,please call Thelma at703-913-0880.MENTAL HEALTHWORKSHOPOn Saturday, February 19from 7–10PM a MentalHealth Workshop will beheld at the Alexandria Black HistoryMuseum. Could ancestral experiencesand socio-economic environmentalfactors contribute to the mentaldisorientations in Blacks thatresult in mental-health mis-diagnosis?These questions and otherswill be explored by a panel of empoweredBlack psychologists andclinicians. The discussion will exploreissues dealing with Post TraumaticSlavery Disorder and howAfrican Centered-mental-health approachesmay be a key to holisticmental-health care. This is the first ina series of ten mental health workshopssponsored by the Associationof Black Psychologists.This workshop is open to the generalpublic. The museum is located at902 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA.Donations accepted. Please reservea seat on or before February12 by calling the Museum at 703-838-4356 or e-mail Awodola@comcast.netor Washingtonkev@yahoo.com. Call 703.-838-4356 formore information.ALEXANDRIA HEALTHDEPARTMENT STILLOFFERS FLU SHOTSThe Alexandria Health Departmentcontinues to offer flushots, and is encouragingCity medical providers to do thesame, to anyone who is concernedabout contracting flu.“It’s not too late,” said CharlesKonigsberg, Jr., MD, MPH HealthDirector for the City of Alexandria,“We still have several more weeksthat fall under the category of ‘fluseason.” Anyone over the age of sixmonths is eligible for flu shots andshould call the health department ortheir local doctor to schedule theirvaccination.The Health Department is reachingout to residents and local medicalproviders in an effort to provide vaccineto as many people as possiblebefore flu season is over.For more information, contactJohn Clizbe at 703-838-4400 ext.275.FAIRFAX“A GI’S HEIDELBERG”Bob Webb was one lucky GI.In the mid-1950s, he wasdrafted by the U.S. Army andsent to Heidelberg, Germany. Anamateur filmmaker, he was soonmaking a movie about his experiences.“A GI’s Heidelberg” is a 45-minute film that tells of a soldier’slife in Cold War Germany. It also is atravelogue, capturing the beauty ofhistoric Heidelberg.RCC’s Senior Academy will hosta showing of “A GI’s Heidelberg” onWednesday, February 16 from2PM to 3:30PM at RCC Lake Anne.The screening will be followed by adiscussion led by Bob Webb.This program is for people age 55and older. The registration fee is $5for Reston residents and $10 for allothers. You may register either in personor by faxing a completed RCCRegistration form to 703-476-8617.For further information, directions,or to request a reasonable accommodation,contact the RestonCommunity Center at 703-476-4500(V/TTY) or visit the website at www.restoncommunitycenter.com.The Reston Community Center atLake Anne is located at 1609 WashingtonPlaza in Reston, Virginia, nearthe intersection of Village Road andNorth Shore Drive.CITY OF FAIRFAX BANDCONCERTThe City of Fairfax marks itsbicentennial in 2005 with anumber of official and culturalevents, including special bicentennialconcerts by the City of FairfaxBand. The first of these on Saturday,February 19 at 8PM at Fairfax HighSchool, 3500 Old Lee Highway inFairfax, will feature music fromColonial Times to the Civil War. Featuredworks include a concert pieceby William Schuman based on thecolonial hymn “Chester,” RobertJager’s “Colonial Airs and Dances,”Jerry Bilik’s “American Civil WarFantasy,” and Aaron Copland’s famous“Lincoln Portrait” narrated byBob Madigan, WTOP’s “Man AboutTown.” Tickets are $10 for adults, $5seniors/students. Contact the City ofFairfax Band at 703-757-0220 or atwww.fairfaxband.org for tickets anddetails.PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTYVICTORIAN TEAThe Office of Historic Preservationwill host a VictorianTea on Saturday, February19, from 1 to 3PM. The event will beheld at the Old Manassas Courthouse,9248 Lee Avenue in Manassas.The event will feature periodmusic, parlor games, readings andentertainment. A full English tea willbe served complete with finger sandwiches,dessert selection and an assortmentof teas.Tickets are $25 per person andadvance purchase is recommended.For more information or to make areservation, please contact the PrinceWilliam County Department of PublicWorks, Office of Historic Preservationat 703-792-5546.WASHINGTON, DCTHE FRANZ ANDVIRGINIA BADER FUNDANNOUNCES 2004GRANT RECIPIENTSAt the end of December 2004,the Franz and Virginia BaderFund made grants totaling$50,000 to three area visual artists.The recipients are: painter StevenKenney (Washington, VA); painterCharles Ritchie (Silver Spring,MD); and sculptor Yuriko Yamaguchi(Vienna, VA).This is the third year that theFund has given grants to artists.Bert Schmutzhart, Chairman ofthe Committee of the Franz andVirginia Bader Fund and former headof the sculpture department at theCorcoran School of Art, noted FranzBader’s wide-ranging interests in finearts and crafts, and expressed satisfactionthat one of the grant recipientswas a sculptor. The first four artistsawarded grants by the Bader Fundwere painters. Mr. Schmutzhart alsosaid he was glad that two of thenewest grant recipients were from theWashington, D.C. area.For further information contact:Bert Schmutzhart, Chairman, 540-752-9562 or Johanna H. MacLeod,Executive Director, 202-288-4608.“THE MALTESEFALCON AT 75”To mark the 75th anniversaryof the publication of DashiellHammett’s “The MalteseFalcon,” literary scholar and Hammettspecialist Richard Laymanwill present an informal talk, “TheMaltese Falcon at 75,” at 6:30PM onTuesday, February 15, in the MontpelierRoom on the sixth floor of theLibrary’s Madison Building, 101 IndependenceAve. SE, Washington,DC. Organized by the Center for theBook in the Library of Congress, theprogram is cosponsored by the MysteryWriters of America, one of thecenter’s national reading promotionpartners. The event is free and opento the public; no tickets or reservationsare needed.Established in 1977 as a publicprivatepartnership, the Center for theBook uses the resources of the Libraryof Congress to stimulate publicinterest in books and reading. For informationabout its activities andthose of its affiliates in all 50 statesand the District of Columbia, visit itswebsite at www.loc.gov/cfbook.SOUTH AFRICANART EXHIBITIONContemporary original worksin oil, pastels, acrylic, oi,charcoal will be on exhibitstarting on February 19 throughMarch 19, 2005. The opening receptionwill take place on February 19,2005 from 4:00PM–7:00PM at theCafe Collage located at 1346 TStreet, NW (14th & T), Washington,DC. Exhibit will be open11:00AM–10:00PM daily.For more information visitsouthafricanartgallery@hotmail.com.CUA TO SCREEN“MON ONCLE”The Catholic University ofAmerica’s School of Architectureand Planning as part ofthe Spring Architecture Film Serieswill present “Mon Oncle” (“MyUncle”) at 7PM, on Friday, February18 in the Edward M. CroughCenter for Architectural Studies,Koubek Auditorium, 620 MichiganAve., NE, Washington, D.C.Directed by Jacques Tati, themovie won the Oscar for Best ForeignFilm and the Special Jury Prizeat the Cannes Film Festival in 1958.Tati also stars in the film as his iconiccreation, Monsieur Hulôt, who wandersthrough life attired in a rumpledtrench coat and slouch hat, observingor (more often) inadvertently instigatingcomic catastrophes.All the films in the six-part seriesare free and open to the public. Theremaining films are scheduled forFebruary 25, March 11, April 1 andApril 22. For more informationabout the series, call 202-319-5188.THE METRO HERALD 21

CLASSIFIED ADS/BIDS & PROPOSALSFebruary 11, 2005DC. Minutes from C&O Canal/PotomacRiver. www.landneardc.com 1-800-888-1262.Minutes to C&O Canal. 50 Mile Views.20+ Acres—$119,900. Gently rollingterrain. Close to 3 state parks! Enjoyboating, golfing, fishing, hiking, biking,rock climbing & horseback riding. Allwithin 1 hour of property. Excellentfinancing. Call now 1-800-888-1262.Near Romney, WV. Best of BothWorlds CREEKS/VIEWS. 20+ Acres—$139,900. Enjoy end-of-road privacy.50 mile, east/west views! Bonus: Over800’ creek frontage! Will sell fast! Onlyone! Excellent financing. Call 1-800-888-1262.2 hours DC. 1,600’ CREEKFRONTAGE. 20 + Acres—$109,900.New to market. Rare, useable mountainproperty with long range views. Low ratefinancing. Call before it sells 1-800-888-1262.MERCHANDISE WANTEDWANTED—Old jukebox, pinball, cokemachine, slot machine, penny arcademachine, any other coin-operatedmachine, antique cars. Will also buyparts machines. Immediate pick-up. CallLloyd @ 703-801-1459.MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALEFREE 4-ROOM DIRECTV SYSTEMincludes standard installation. 3MONTHS FREE HBO & Cinemax!Access to over 225 channels! Limitedtime offer. S&H, restrictions apply.1-800-270-4654.SWIMMING POOLS $697. Save $$$On New, Huge 19’x31’ Pools! Completewith Sundeck, Safety Fence, Ladders,Liner and Filter. Factory InstallationRequired. Call Today! 24 hours. 1-800-447-7207. Limited Area.2005 DIRECTORY OF VIRGINIANEWSPAPERS NOW AVAILABLE—Call the Virginia Press Association @804-521-7570 to order your copy today($46.35 includes postage and handling).SCHOOLS/INSTRUCTIONEARN YOUR DEGREE—Online fromhome. Business, Paralegal, Computers,Networking and more. Financial Aidavailable, job placement assistance,and computers provided. Call free (866)858-2121.AIRLINE MECHANIC—Rapid Trainingfor a high paying career—AviationMaintenance. FAA predicts severeshortage. Financial Aid—Job Placementassistance (888) 349-5387. AIM—6locations.STEEL BUILDINGSSTEEL BUILDINGS, Factory Clearance.New, never erected 25x30,30x40, 40x60, and 50x100. Will sell forthe balance. Call Frank 1-800-803-7982.VACATION PROPERTIESMYRTLE BEACH/NORTH, SC—OCEANFRONT! To $150 DiscountSummer Beach Rentals. Private homes/condos. Spring/Summer Get-A-Ways!Free Brochure. Call 1-866-878-2797,or www.elliottrealty.com—PreviewProperties!ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION propertyto over 1.4 million Virginia newspaperreaders. To find out how yourclassified ad can be placed in over 98newspapers at a fraction of the retailcost, call this newspaper or JanetMadison at Virginia Press Services @804-521-7571.WORK FROM HOMEOPPORTUNITIES$600.00 PER WEEK possible mailingour simple postcards from home.Supplies & training provided. Genuineopportunity. FT/PT FREE Informationpackage. Call 708-231-7373 (24-hourrecording).DATA ENTRY Work ON YOUR OWN.Flexible Hours! $$$ Great Pay! $$$Personal Computer required. 1-800-873-0345 ext. #201.Visit us on the web atwww.metroherald.comLOTS AND ACREAGE26 Acres—$119,990. Wooded/Views.Utilities Available. Near Potomac River,Romney, WV. 1-866-298-5263. www.2wvland.com.12 ACRES—ONLY $79,990! Lexington,VA. Nestle your dream home on12+/- acres of mature hardwoods.Seclusion, privacy and mountain viewscan be yours! Driveway in, soils tested,underground utilities, only $79,990!Owner 1-866-526-3420. www.atlanticland.info.REAL ESTATE FOR SALECOASTAL GEORGIA—GATED COM-MUNITY. Large wooded water-accessand marshfront homesites. Ancientlive oaks, pool, tennis, golf. Wateraccess from $64,900. Pre-constructiondiscounts. www.cooperspoint.com1-877-266-7376.ENGINEERS—CONSULTING(STRUCTURE AND BRIDGENEW DESIGN ANDINSPECTION SERVICES)The Virginia Department of Transportation is seekingexpressions of interest from consulting engineering firms toprovide professional engineering services on an as needed basis,for new design plans and inspection services for highwaystructures and bridges under a one-year term contract. Suchcontract may be renewable for two additional one-year terms atthe option of the Commissioner. This contract covers Region II—Culpeper, Richmond, Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads andNorthern Virginia Districts.Services must provide complete design plans for highwaystructures and bridges on an accelerated basis on projects selectedby the department. Service may also include review of shopdrawings, minor surveying and minor roadway design to tie intoexisting roadways, and maintenance of traffic plans. If a bridgereplacement is involved, NBIS inspections and bridge deckevaluations may be required to evaluate current structureconditions. Hydraulic, hydrologic and scour analysis, preparationsof permit drawings, geologic borings and analysis, and temporarysign and signal plans may be required, and load rating of existingbridges may be required. The sum of all projects in one contractshall not exceed $1,000,000 per year. A goal of 10% DBEparticipation has been established for this contract.Interested firms must submit a qualifications questionnaire. Thequestionnaire (RFP) may be obtained by writing to Mr. G. M.Clendenin, P.E., State Structure Bridge Engineer, VirginiaDepartment of Transportation, 1401 East Broad Street,Richmond, Virginia 23219 or by faxing a written request to Mr.Milton Pritchett, P.E., on the firm’s letterhead to 804-786-2988.This RFP can also be accessed through VDOT’s Internet site:http://www.virginiadot.org/business/rfps.asp File no: SB022005.TDD only Calls: 711 in Virginia, 1-800-828-1120 nationwide (Forhearing impaired only). Replies to the questionnaire must bereceived as designated in the RFP no later than 4:00PM on March04, 2005.The Department assures compliance withTitle VI requirements of non-discrimination in all activitiespursuant to this advertisement.THE METRO HERALD 23

February 11, 200524 THE METRO HERALD