Will Downing Whisks Fans Into A State of Bliss with New Album Euphoria This paper can be recycled TPA TPA TPA TPA TPA TEXAS PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Austin, Texas Permit No. 01949 INSIDE Vol. 41 No.45 Phone: 512-476-0082 Email: [email protected]March 28, 2014 RAPPIN’ RAPPIN’ RAPPIN’ RAPPIN’ RAPPIN’ Tommy Wyatt Tommy Wyatt Tommy Wyatt Tommy Wyatt Tommy Wyatt TheAustinVillager.com TheAustinVillager.com Will Downing Whisks Fans Into A State of Bliss with New Album Euphoria By Naomi Richard Will Downing Soul singer su- preme Will Downing is flexing his freedom as never before with an outstanding offering that showcases the broadest breadth of styles yet, fittingly titled Euphoria. The artist has been sending connois- seurs of soul into a state of euphoria for a quar- ter of a century with timeless albums such as A Dream Fulfilled, Love’s the Place to Be (his career- best seller), All The Man You Need (nominated for a Best Traditional R&B Vocal Grammy ® in 2000), and his recent tril- ogy of EPs: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Will Downing’s 8- song Euphoria is a delec- tably eclectic affair that finds the singer moving from the psychedelic soul swing of Stevie Wonder ’s conscience classic “Too High” (a lament for a drug- HT President Retiring from University, Search for Successor Begins HT President Retiring from University, Search for Successor Begins Dr. Larry L. Earvin AUSTIN, TX - Now in his 14 th year as President of Huston- Tillotson University, Dr. Larry L. Earvin has in- formed the University’s Board of Trustees that he will conclude his ten- ure as President at the end of his current con- tract, effective June 30, 2015. Huston-Tillotson is a historically black in- stitution with a heritage in Austin that dates back to 1875. Dr. Earvin has served the Univer- sity as its 5 th President since July 1, 2000. Dur- ing this time, Dr. Earvin had an enormous im- pact on the school, rais- ing it from a College to a University in 2005, nearly doubling enroll- ment from 500 to 973, Nontombi Naomi Tutu to Keynote Human Rights Symposium Nontombi Naomi Tutu to Keynote Human Rights Symposium (AUSTIN, TX) - The White Rose Society of Texas Hillel at The University of Texas at Austin will hold its annual human rights symposium Overcoming Hatred March 29-April 1. The speak- ers include three human rights activists with a united passion for overcoming barriers and solv- Tutu The Thirteenth Biennial African-American Women’s Profiles of Prominence The Thirteenth Biennial African-American Women’s Profiles of Prominence By Naomi Richard AUSTIN, TX - On Saturday March 22, The Austin Metroplex Chapter of the National Women of Achieve- ment, Inc. honored 13 women of our commu- nity. The 2014 Promi- nence Honorees in- cluded Claudia D. Wil- liams (Arts), Sonia Monica Gaillard (Busi- ness), Shirley Mackey- Brown (Civic Leader- ship), Shirley Sprinkles-Morris (Edu- cation), Kirsten Kristina Shepard (Health Profes- sionals), Machree Garrett Gibson (Law), Mary Kendrick Castleberry (Profes- sional Leadership), Felecia Williams-Den- nis (Public Service), Monica Anderson Th- ompson (Lifetime Achievement), Allyah Marie Howard (Youth Achievement) and LaVerne Williams-Bell (Award of Merit). Additionally, the Chapter President’s Award was given to Bar- bara Faye Hayes Fore- man (Chapter Founder) and Beulah Agnes Curry-Jones (Chapter Founder) in recognition Capital Metro Board of Directors Approves Summer 2014 Service Changes AUSTIN, Texas — The Capital Metro board of directors today unanimously adopted proposed service changes for summer 2014. Beginning Sun- day, June 8, 2014, Capi- tal Metro will imple- ment changes designed to streamline opera- tions, improve connec- tions between services and address seasonal demand. Routes operating on Congress Avenue would be moved to Guadalupe/Lavaca in accordance with Service Plan 2020 to improve access to the new MetroRapid service, and utilize downtown transit priority lanes to facilitate service through the area. Buses would stop at north- bound and southbound Reasons to Celebrate the Affordable Care Act Turning Four By Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services March 23 rd marks the fourth anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act. Since its en- actment, millions of Americans have benefited from the law. Here are just four of the reasons we have to celebrate today. 5 million people covered. Since October 1, more than 5 million people have signed See AMBASSADOR, page 2 See COMMITTEE, page 2 See TUTU, page 2 See DOGGETT, page 8 See #GetCoveredNow, page 3 Reasons to Celebrate the Affordable Care Act Turning Four See METRO NEWS, page 7 Wilco candidates ally, delegate action plan for Fall elections. See DEMOCRATS Page 6 Austin pays homage and admiration to walking history. See CENTENARY Page 3 Dr. Connie Yerwood Conner DDCE constitutes a mentoring program for young males. See VINCENT Page 7 Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity is holding its Southwest Regional meet- ing in Austin this weekend. Their return to Austin re- minds me of another meet- ing that was held here in the mid 1960’s. This meet- ing was held here shortly after the passage of the Public Accommodations Law of the Civil Rights Bill. And it was the first meet- ing in this region that was held at a major hotel in the south. The Southwest Province consists of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. And our meetings were usually held in cities that had rela- tive large Black owned hotels or on college cam- puses. Some of our mem- bers were friends of Presi- dent Lyndon Johnson who appealed to the com- mander-in-chief to let Aus- tin set an example of his commitment to the legisla- tion that he had just signed into law. Members like M. J “Andy” Anderson, O. H. Elliott (not a Kappa) and others received his sup- port for holding the con- vention here. President Johnson convinced the Driskill Hotel to allow the meeting to be held there. The Driskill was Johnson’s headquarters when he was home in the district; and one of the oldest ho- tels in the city. This effort showed that President Johnson not only signed the Civil Rights Bill, but put his reputation on the line to see that it was implemented. And what would be a better example than having his home dis- trict to be the first city in the South to host an African American conference. That conference had the largest attendance of any previous confer- ence in the region and it re- mains one of the high and proudest momemts in my life. As the Kappas return to Austin, it is appropriate to remember the Kappas who were history makers in their efforts to promote equality in Austin. Wel- come Kappas to the Capi- tol City! Welcome to Austin, Kappas!
Soul singer su-preme Will Downing isflexing his freedom asnever before with anoutstanding offeringthat showcases thebroadest breadth ofstyles yet, fittingly titledEuphoria. The artist hasbeen sending connois-seurs of soul into a stateof euphoria for a quar-ter of a century withtimeless albums such asA Dream Fulfilled, Love’sthe Place to Be (his career-best seller), All The ManYou Need (nominated for
a Best Traditional R&BVocal Grammy® in2000), and his recent tril-ogy of EPs: Yesterday,Today and Tomorrow.
Will Downing’s 8-song Euphoria is a delec-tably eclectic affair thatfinds the singer movingfrom the psychedelicsoul swing of StevieWonder’s conscienceclassic “Too High” (alament for a drug-
HT President Retiringfrom University, Search
for Successor Begins
HT President Retiringfrom University, Search
for Successor Begins
Dr. Larry L. Earvin
AUSTIN, TX -Now in his 14th year asPresident of Huston-Tillotson University, Dr.Larry L. Earvin has in-formed the University’sBoard of Trustees thathe will conclude his ten-ure as President at theend of his current con-tract, effective June 30,2015. Huston-Tillotsonis a historically black in-stitution with a heritagein Austin that dates
back to 1875. Dr. Earvinhas served the Univer-sity as its 5th Presidentsince July 1, 2000. Dur-ing this time, Dr. Earvinhad an enormous im-pact on the school, rais-ing it from a College toa University in 2005,nearly doubling enroll-ment from 500 to 973,
NontombiNaomi Tutu toKeynoteHuman RightsSymposium
NontombiNaomi Tutu toKeynoteHuman RightsSymposium
(AUSTIN, TX) - The White Rose Society ofTexas Hillel at The University of Texas at Austinwill hold its annual human rights symposiumOvercoming Hatred March 29-April 1. The speak-ers include three human rights activists with aunited passion for overcoming barriers and solv-
Tutu
The Thirteenth BiennialAfrican-American Women’s
Profiles of Prominence
The Thirteenth BiennialAfrican-American Women’s
Profiles of ProminenceBy Naomi Richard
AUSTIN, TX - OnSaturday March 22, TheAustin MetroplexChapter of the NationalWomen of Achieve-ment, Inc. honored 13women of our commu-nity. The 2014 Promi-nence Honorees in-cluded Claudia D. Wil-liams (Arts), SoniaMonica Gaillard (Busi-ness), Shirley Mackey-Brown (Civic Leader-ship), ShirleySprinkles-Morris (Edu-cation), Kirsten KristinaShepard (Health Profes-sionals), MachreeGarrett Gibson (Law),Mary KendrickCastleberry (Profes-sional Leadership),Felecia Williams-Den-nis (Public Service),Monica Anderson Th-ompson (LifetimeAchievement), AllyahMarie Howard (Youth
Achievement) andLaVerne Williams-Bell(Award of Merit).
Additionally, theChapter President’sAward was given to Bar-bara Faye Hayes Fore-man (Chapter Founder)and Beulah AgnesCurry-Jones (ChapterFounder) in recognition
Capital Metro
Board of
Directors
Approves
Summer 2014
Service Changes
AUSTIN, Texas —The Capital Metroboard of directors todayunanimously adoptedproposed servicechanges for summer2014. Beginning Sun-day, June 8, 2014, Capi-tal Metro will imple-ment changes designedto streamline opera-tions, improve connec-tions between servicesand address seasonaldemand.
Routes operatingon Congress Avenuewould be moved toGuadalupe/Lavaca inaccordance with ServicePlan 2020 to improveaccess to the newMetroRapid service,and utilize downtowntransit priority lanes tofacilitate servicethrough the area. Buseswould stop at north-bound and southbound
Reasons to Celebrate theAffordable Care Act Turning Four
By Kathleen Sebelius,Secretary of Health and Human Services
March 23rd marks the fourth anniversary of thesigning of the Affordable Care Act. Since its en-actment, millions of Americans have benefitedfrom the law.
Here are just four of the reasons we have tocelebrate today. 5 million people covered. SinceOctober 1, more than 5 million people have signed
SeeAMBASSADOR,
page 2
SeeCOMMITTEE,
page 2
See TUTU, page 2
See DOGGETT, page 8 See #GetCoveredNow, page 3
Reasons to Celebrate theAffordable Care Act Turning Four
See METRO NEWS,page 7
Wilco candidates ally,delegate action plan
for Fall elections.See DEMOCRATS
Page 6
Austin pays homageand admiration
to walking history.See CENTENARY
Page 3
Dr. ConnieYerwood Conner
DDCE constitutes amentoring programfor young males.See VINCENT
Page 7
Kappa Alpha PsiFraternity is holding itsSouthwest Regional meet-ing in Austin this weekend.Their return to Austin re-minds me of another meet-ing that was held here inthe mid 1960’s. This meet-ing was held here shortlyafter the passage of thePublic AccommodationsLaw of the Civil Rights Bill.And it was the first meet-ing in this region that washeld at a major hotel in thesouth.
The SouthwestProvince consists of Texas,Arkansas, Louisiana andMississippi. And ourmeetings were usuallyheld in cities that had rela-tive large Black ownedhotels or on college cam-puses. Some of our mem-bers were friends of Presi-dent Lyndon Johnson whoappealed to the com-mander-in-chief to let Aus-tin set an example of hiscommitment to the legisla-tion that he had just signedinto law. Members like M.J “Andy” Anderson, O. H.Elliott (not a Kappa) andothers received his sup-port for holding the con-vention here. PresidentJohnson convinced theDriskill Hotel to allow themeeting to be held there.The Driskill was Johnson’sheadquarters when hewas home in the district;and one of the oldest ho-tels in the city. This effortshowed that PresidentJohnson not only signedthe Civil Rights Bill, butput his reputation on theline to see that it wasimplemented. And whatwould be a better examplethan having his home dis-trict to be the first city in theSouth to host an AfricanAmerican conference.
That conferencehad the largest attendanceof any previous confer-ence in the region and it re-mains one of the high andproudest momemts in mylife. As the Kappas returnto Austin, it is appropriateto remember the Kappaswho were history makersin their efforts to promoteequality in Austin. Wel-come Kappas to the Capi-tol City!
Welcome toAustin, Kappas!
Page 2 ~ March 28, 2014/THE VILLAGER www.theaustinvillager.com
THE COMMUNIQUÉ
addled girl) to thetimeless ballad of long-ing “If I Were a Magi-cian” (popularized bythe late, great LouRawls). Daryl Hall &John Oates’ soft rockgemstone “She’s Gone”receives the identicalloving Downing treat-ment that Paul Davis’ “IGo Crazy” received twodecades before whilehis take on alt-rockerRay Lamantagne’s“You Can Bring MeFlowers” finds Down-ing in a decidedly “allblues” frame of mind.
Beyond the music,Downing is a publishedphotographer with onecoffee table book, “Un-veiled Series I” (2005)and a follow-up soon tocome.
He is a passionateand purposed spokes-person for the American
American Heart Associationofficially recognizes Downing
as Celebrity Ambassadorcontinued from page 1
Stroke Association, of-ten hosting a charitybowling event of his cre-ation, “Strike AgainstStroke,” to raise fundstowards awareness andeducation in the dispro-portionately affectedAfrican American com-munity. The AmericanHeart Association offi-cially recognizes Down-ing as a Celebrity Am-
bassador. Closer tohome, Downing battledand beat the chronicmuscle inflammationdisease polymiositisover the course of sev-eral years beginning inDecember 2006 – a hard-won triumph that hasgiven him a new leaseand outlook on life.
“I found a newhope and spirituality. Iwas flat on my back so Ihad time to reflect onwhat was important. Irekindled my relation-ship with God. My fam-ily was there and myphysical therapists werevery committed. Theyworked with me aroundthe clock,” Downing re-called.
The album “Eu-phoria” is now avail-able for purchase ati T u n e s . c o m ,Amazon.com, and otherretail and on-line stores.
and more than dou-bling the school’s en-dowment from $5 Mil-lion to over $11 Million.
Mr. Albert Hawkins,Chair of the Board ofTrustees of HT Univer-sity reflected on the up-coming transition: “Dr.Earvin has served the HTcommunity with excep-tional vision, leadership,and integrity. The Boardof Trustees greatly ap-preciates his years of ser-vice and commitment tothe University and its stu-
Mr. Hawkins hasannounced the establish-ment of a PresidentialSearch Committee tolead the effort to appointthe 6th President. TheSearch Committee willbe chaired by the Trea-surer of the HT Board ofTrustees, Mr. TrennisJones, and will be com-prised of Trustees andothers representing thefaculty, administration,staff, students, alumni,and the Austin commu-
nity.The Committee will
undertake a nationwidesearch for the candidatewho best exemplifiesHuston-Tillotson’s mis-sion to provide oppor-tunities to a diversepopulation for aca-demic achievementwith an emphasis onacademic excellence,spiritual and ethical de-velopment, civic en-gagement, and leader-ship in a nurturing en-vironment.
ing world issues.All events will take place at the Julius Glickman
Conference Center in the new College of Liberal ArtsBuilding (CLA L302E) on east campus.
Speaker Schedule: Nontombi Naomi Tutu,daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, will pro-vide the keynote address March 29 at 5 p.m., Holo-caust surviver and founding member of the Holo-caust Museum Houston, William J. Morgan willspeak at 7 p.m. following a reception at 6 p.m. andopening remarks from second-generation survivorTali Blumrosen on March 31 at 7 p.m., Dr. PaulaNewberg, Charles N. Wilson Chair in Pakistan Stud-ies and former United Nation’s Special Advisor inAsia, Europe and Africa will speak April 1 at 7 p.m.Please call 512-476-0125 for more information.
Tutu to provide keynote addresscontinued from page 1
Tutu
Yes, the house you grew up in has its peccadilloes but your mother loves itthere and she wants to stay. In “Living Safely, Aging Well” by Dorothy A.Drago, M.P.H. you’ll learn how to ensure that she does. You probably don’tneed to be reminded that, as we age, our bodies change. Bones get fragile, eye-sight dims, hearing can fade, balance can go out of whack. These things areannoying when you’re younger but can lead to devastating injuries for an elder.
NEW BOOK: ‘Living Safely, Aging Well’by Dorothy A. Drago, M.P.H.
by Terri Schlichenmeyer - Special to the NNPA from The Washington Informer
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and AANSAOrchestrating Health Awareness Symposium
(AUSTIN) - KappaAlpha Psi Fraternity,Incorporated will behosting its 78th South-western Province Coun-cil in Austin, TX at theAustin Hilton Hotel lo-cated at 500 East 4thStreet. The annual fra-ternity conference willtake place from March26 – 30. 2014. During theconference, the frater-nity will partner withthe University of Texasat Austin chapter of theAfrican American Nurs-ing Students Associa-tion (AANSA) and holda health awareness sym-posium. The annualhealth symposium en-titled “Healthy Kappas,Healthy Communi-ties”, scheduled forMarch 28 and 29 begin-ning at 10 am, is to pro-vide health andwellness informationwith measurement toolsand metrics for ourmembership, their fami-lies and their surround-ing communities; toeducate them on waysto monitor their per-
sonal health status aswell as to keep personalhealth as a priority. Thisyear, the followingscreenings and informa-tion will be available:Mental Health, Hyper-tension, Vision, andDental.
A bone marrowdrive is also scheduledto take place during thehealth symposium.“AANSA is very proudto be joining Kappa Al-pha Psi Fraternity, In-
corporated with thejoint mission of educa-tion and awareness ofthe importance in know-ing and understandingyour level of health”,said Diamond Price,Volunteer Coordinatorfor the UT Austin chap-ter of AANSA. She wenton to say that “Mostpeople – especially men– are choosing to be un-aware of their level ofhealth, so this sympo-sium is definitely agreat way to get theminvolved and aware”.“Health awareness is akey initiative of our Fra-ternity, and throughoutthe nation we make aconscious effort to makesure our members havethe tools, knowledge,and the means to knowwhere they stand healthwise, so they can con-tinue preventative mea-sures or set a correctivecourse to be healthier ifnecessary”, said Timo-thy Albert, Southwest-ern Regional Presidentof Kappa Alpha Psi Fra-ternity, Incorporated
www.theaustinvillager.com THE VILLAGER/March 28, 2014 ~ Page 3
CHURCH & TOWN BULLETIN
Agape Baptist ChurchIn “The Centre” Bldg. F-15 7801 N. Lamar Blvd. (SE Corner of N Lamar and 183)
AGAPE is a chuch for all people. “Where Jesus Christ is Magnified and the love Heexhibited is Exemplified.” Come, receive God’s unconditional lovefor you.
For there is no greater love!
Church ServicesSunday School 9:30 AMSunday Worship 11:00 AM
Mid-Week Service Thursday: Praise,Prayer and Bible Study 7:00 PMCall 454-1547 for Transporation
Website www.agapebcaustintx.comRev. H. Ed Calahan
Pastor
Imani Community ChurchDavis Elementray Auditorium 5214 West Duval Road
Sunday School 9:00 A.M.Worship Service 10:00 A.M.•Power Hour Bible Life Group 6:00 P.M.
Imani Complex & Office,11800 Mustang at Duval Austin, Texas 78727
Visit:imanichurch.comOffice: 512-343-9300Rev. Dr. Jacquelyn Donald-Mims
The Church of Pentecost, USA Inc,Austin offers a wide variety of opportuni-ties for children, youth, adults, and olderadults to be involved in worship, spiritualgrowth, education, community outreach,and making a tangible difference to thosein need in our community. You too, canmake a positive difference in our commu-nity through your prayers, your presence,your gifts, your service, and your witness.Tel: 512 302-1270
Leading People to Experience God’s Love, Know Jesus Christ & Grow in His Image
The Church of Pentecost
Olive Branch Fellowship of Austin / All Faith Chapel4110 Guadalupe St Bldg #639 Austin, TX 78751
Sunday MorningWorship @ 11: am
Romans 5:1 Therefore,having beenjustified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
This life, therefore, is not righteous-ness, but growth in righteousness; not health,but healing; not being, but becoming; not rest,but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be,but we are growing toward it. The process isnot yet finished, but it is going on. This is notthe end, but it is the road. All does not yetgleam in glory, but all is being purified.
--- Martin Luther
Kenneth Hill, Pastor
1179 San Bernard Street,Austin, TX 78702, 512-478-7023
THE PLACE WHERE WE STEP OUT ON FAITH.COME AND STEP OUT ON FAITH WITH US
Sunday School 8:45 a.m. Praise and Worship 10:15 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study 12:00 p.m.and Praise /Bible Study 6:30 p.m.
(to include Children’s Choir Rehersaland
Bible Study with age appropiate Activities)
Rev. Jack C. Gause Pastor
Felix Bamirin, Pastor
GRACEWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCHExperience Grace For Life
(By Parmer Lane Baptist Church building, behind Wells Fargo)
Call: 682.472.9073 l Email: [email protected] lVisit: www.gracewaycca.org
JOIN US This SUNDAY / THURSDAY@ 12424 Scofield Farms Drive, Austin, TX 78758
SUNDAYS 10:30 A.M., THURSDAYS 7:30 P.M.
DOUBLE
GROCERY“R”
450l East Martin Luther King Blvd.
*We cash ALL Tax Refund*Checks *Check Out
up for coveragethrough the Health In-surance Marketplace.And that doesn’t in-clude the more than 3million young adultswho have gotten cover-age through their par-ents’ health plans, or themillions who havelearned they are eli-gible for Medicaid cov-erage. These people areenjoying high quality,affordable coverage thatcan’t discriminate basedon a preexisting condi-tion, or charge womenmore because of theirgender. Bending thecost curve. We’ve helddown national spendinggrowth in health care tothe slowest rate in a halfcentury. Private healthinsurance premiums are
continued from page 1
growing at the slowestrate in a decade and ahalf. And as costs godown, businesses havemore resources to investin new job creation, andnew products and ser-vices. Free preventivecare. Today, mosthealth plans have tocover recommendedpreventive services freeof charge. These includeflu shots for childrenand adults, diabetes andblood pressure screen-ings, pap smears andmammograms forwomen, and well-childvisits, just to name afew. Today, 71 millionAmericans have new ac-cess to preventive ser-vices because of the law.And thanks to a similarrequirement in Medi-
care, more than 37 mil-lion seniors and peoplewith disabilities tookadvantage of a free pre-ventive service in 2013.Strengthening Medi-care. Today, the Medi-care program is stron-ger than ever. Since en-actment of the Afford-able Care Act, 7.9 mil-lion seniors and peoplewith disabilities havesaved $9.9 billion onprescription drugs, oran average of $1,265 perbeneficiary. Medicarespending growth perbeneficiary remainedlow in 2012, and we’respending smarter. Pre-ventable hospital read-missions are going
down, resulting in130,000 fewer patientsback in the hospital.Our efforts to combatfraud and abuse recov-ered $4.3 billion in 2013and have returned $8.10to the Medicare TrustFund for every dollarspent. Finally, MedicareAdvantage premiumshave fallen by nearly 10percent, while enroll-ment has increased by38 percent to an all-timehigh of over 15 millionbeneficiaries. Let’s cel-ebrate millions morecovered in 2014. If youknow someone who’suninsured, tell them tosign up today, beforethe March 31 deadline.
Please go toHealthCare.gov (which isworking smoothly), or call1-800-318-2596 (open 24hours a day, 7 days aweek). You can even get in-person help in your owncommunity (just visitlocalhelp.healthcare.govand punch in your zipcode).
COME CELEBRATE WITHOUR AGAPE BAPTIST
CHURCH FAMILY
AUSTIN, TX - The Agape Baptist ChurchFamily cordially invites all to the Nineteenth Ap-preciation Service for our pastor and wife. Sun-day, April 13, 2014 at 3:30 pm. Reverend NoahDiggs, pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Chuchof Kerrville, Texas will deliver the appreciationmessage. Please come and celebrate with us.
Pastor and Sister H. Ed Calahan
Celebrating Austin’sHistorical Centenarian
Ms. Alice Hollandturned 104 years old onMarch 26, 2014. She wasborn in 1910 in Jewett,Texas. What makes Hol-land so special andunique is that she haslived several decadesand can tell you allabout each one she hasbeen blessed to see.Holland has lived awonderful life and isoriginally from Austin,Texas, where she livedand worked beforemoving to Denver,Colorado to be with herdaughters, BerthaJohnson, Bobbie Frenchand the rest of her fam-ily. In 2008 Holland andher daughter, Berthaand other family mem-bers moved back toAustin. Holland is awoman that deserves tobe recognized for herlong life of hard workand dedication to allthat loves and knowsher. Holland is very co-herent, aware of every-thing and everybody
Ms. Alice Holland
around her, extremelystrong-minded, and re-members everythingabout her life. AlthoughHolland strolls with awalker, she takes careof her own hygiene,bathes, dresses, andfeeds herself. This is aday to be celebrated andhonored. Holland pres-ently resides withdaughter, BerthaJohnson and grand-daughter, AndreaJohnson. A celebrationof her birthday will beheld on Saturday,March 30, 2014 at 5305Cloverdale Lane, Aus-tin, TX.
YOUTH BRIGADEYouth of Today
Hope of Tomorrow Black RegistryBlack RegistryBlack RegistryBlack RegistryBlack Registry
Page 4 ~ March 28, 2014/THE VILLAGER www.theaustinvillager.com
Kiara MyersVista Ridge H.S.
Cooking for My Family
Imani DempsDel Valle High School
This week school wentgood. I finished my bigproject for physics and Ididn't do to bad on it . Nowwe have 9 more Mondaysleft in this school year I be-lieve.
I'm so ready for sum-mer. I think this will be thebest summer of my life be-cause I have a job and I canwork a lot more hours.School please hurry up andbe out !
Come On
Combining Forces
Wesley DickersonCedar Ridge H.S.
Aubri Allen-BrentDel Valle High School
Averill ToppsPease Elementary
The STAAR Test
The STAAR testmeans State of Texas As-sessments of AcademicReadiness. Why do the stu-dents in Texas have to takethis test? The State of Texaswants to make sure all stu-dents are academical lyready and knowledgeableabout their grade level inreading, math, writing, sci-
ence and social studies.The STAAR test is manda-tory for all public school stu-dents. The 6th graders onlyhave to take the math andreading tests. At PeaseElementary, the 6th graderswill start taking the STAARtest on April 22nd and 23rdstarting with math and thenreading. I am really excitedand nervous about theSTAAR test even though weare preparing now to take thetest.
I will be providing help-ful tips on taking the STAARtest and other standardizedtests in my future articles.Some of my research willsurprise you. Stay reading!
That's all for now,Until next time… Go
Pease Bobcats
Occasionally I ask mymother if I can cook dinnerfor the family. It’s usually whenI have no homework andhave plenty of time to pre-pare. I start out by searchingfor new recipes and once Ifind one, I send a list of in-gredients to my mom so thatshe can stop by the grocerystore. This week I made
chicken and spinachquesadillas with rice andbeans. I started early andfinished by the time every-one had sett led downaround the table. I wasgrateful that I could ask mymom questions and shecould help me when I wasmultitasking. The most re-warding part about cookingdinner was when my familyactually went back to thekitchen for more. That’swhen I really knew that I hadcooked a great meal.
I really enjoy cookingfor my parents because Iknow they’ve had busydays and can be really tiredat night. But also, when Icook I am gaining experi-ence and knowledge that willhelp me to be a better cookfor my family when I’m older.
In one of my earlierarticles I talked about oneof my school clubs calledCombining Forces. Forthose of you that do notknow I am apart of this or-ganization and its purposeis to encourage educationalgrowth in young African-American men. I am the
freshman president of theclub and my job is to helpthe mentoring process forall freshman members.
This upcoming Aprilwe will have our first event.We are having a walkathonpartnering with another clubthat supports TOM’s shoecompany in the way thatthey donate shoes for ev-ery pair bought. This clubhelps spread the wordabout what TOM’s is doingand how we all can help.
I am very excited tobe apart of this organizationand I am also very happyto see it begin to grow. Thisclub has so much potentialand I am so proud to beapart of it. I look forward towriting more about whatCombing Forces’ events inthe future.
It’s been a week sinceI’ve talked with you all. But Iread in a billboard that talkedabout the high dropout rate,
it seems to me if you knowthe problem the countryshould speak about it. Onceyou learn how to read, write,and general math. Thingsshould change. I think if theyspent more time at teachinga student to prepare for en-tering the work force morekids would want to stay inschool.
I think some teenagersif they are having problemsthat should stop by theconsoler because being ateenager is not that easy. Untilnext time GOOO CARDS !!
School Dropout Rates
Genesis StiggersElgin Elementary
Irish Interval
Finally HereCheer tryouts are finally
this week! Alot of girls are try-ing out for the upcoming year.Im very excited for this yearespecially since we'll be ranlike a college program. Thisis meant to mimick how it'sreally going to be in collegeso we will have an idea onhow things work. I would loveto be a college cheerleaderso I'm glad for the new direc-tion. Can't wait to see the out-come of tryouts, hope I makeit!
Latrice LipscombManor High School
Annual Fine Art Day
Jaylon KnightenDel Valle High School
Monday, March 17,2014 was Saint Patrick’s Day.Saint Patrick’s Day or, TheFeast of Saint Patrick, is a
celebration celebratedaround the globe and I forone have seen it happen. TheMonday after Spring Breakwas Saint Patrick’s Day andmy teacher encouraged all ofhis students to wear green tostart up the school spirit.
When we came backto school our teacher wasdressed up in a green jacket,green pants, a leprechaunhat, and a chain around hisneck. With all the green I sawwalking down the hall, I feltlike I was lost in an Irish Inter-val.
Del Valle ISD held itsFirst Annual Fine Arts Festi-val on Saturday March 22 atDel Valle High School. Thisevent was free to the pub-
l ic. I t included perfor-mances from the Band,Dance, Drama, Culinary,Technology and Art depart-ments. Scholarship andCareer information was alsoprovided. We had a greatturn out all the dance teamsand choir did their thing,especial ly the band weshowed everyone what wehad. We look forward fornext year event.
The Cardinal BandPre-UIL Festival for Concertand Symphonic Band washeld on Monday March 22at Hays PAC in Buda Texas.Next week I wil l let youknow how well we did. Untilthen be blessed.
Softball GameTuesday March 25
,2014 Del Valle High Schoolsoftball team mates are hav-ing a softball game. Thegame starts at 5:30 ,the loca-tion is Del Valle High Schooland their opponent is BowieHigh School. I hope to seeyall their I will keep you guysdated on alot more games .Please come and supportthe Del Valle Cardinals.
Lanette DempsDel Valle High School
Upcoming STAAR
Erika LipscombManor Elementary
STAAR is coming up.Tests are on April 2nd and3rd. There will be aroundthree tests, reading, math,and writting.I usualy write a lotin my writting.On my laststaar,I wrote so much thatthere was no more room lefton the paper! So I had to writesmall so it can fit onto thepaper, that writing was reallysmall!
STAAR Testing
It's almost time to takethe big STAAR test! It's thelong test we all take to make
SaNaya WhiteCedars Academy
sure we are ready for thenext grade. This past Satur-day I went with my friend,Brionna, to a STAAR readingworkshop at Wesley UMC. Isaw 3 other kids from myschool there. I learned somenew things but some things Ialready knew. On 1 practicetest I got a 100 & on the otherpractice test I only missed 1.
After we finished thetest we were able to readfreely which I always enjoy!Before we left, we ate pizza& received a goodie bag. Iknow I will pass the STAAR!
I have a new neighbornamed Rick. Rick is thirteenyears old and in the eighthgrade. We met him a fewdays ago when he was out-
side playing. We started totalk to him and it was fun! Weplayed games and talkedabout funny things that hap-pened at school. We talkedand played until his momcame home and he had togo inside. I like Rick he isfun, smart, and a nice per-son. My brothers and I gotalong with him when weplayed together and welaughed alot. He told meabout his family and things heliked to do.
I like making newfriends and it's fun to meetnew people. Now we playwith Rick everyday and wealways have fun!
Montrae NelsonRiverplace Elementary
New Friends
www.theaustinvillager.com THE VILLAGER/March 28, 2014 ~ Page 5
YOUTH BRIGADE
Zachariah WashingtonCedars Academy
Ms. Doyle is one ofmy favorite teachers be-cause she is intell igent,sweet, witty and always hasa smile. She says that sheloves Cedars InternationalAcademy and that somegood things about Cedars
that how everyone caresabout each other and howstudents help each other bethere best selves. Shesays that she has nothingbad to say about CedarsInternational Academy butthere is too much noise onthe interstate. I also askedher do you like working atCedars? She respondedby saying that she lovesworking at Cedars and thatit’s different than workingback home in Colorado.
The last quest ion Iasked Ms. Doyle i f sheloves being a teacher shesaid that she loves being ateacher and she will neverstop teaching. That’s whyMs. Doyle is one of my fa-vorite teachers!
My Favorite Teacher
Keeping up the Spirit
Hello readers,I’m sure I have told
you all about the pep ralliesthat we have at my schoolfrom time to time, well Fri-day we had another peprally. The cheerleaderswere dancing, the bandwas playing music, and thecrowd was cheering. Whenthey announced that they
De’Ja HillLamar Middle School
were going to do the spiritstick cheer everyone gotpumped up. The spirit stickis giving to the grade levelthat cheers the loudest.The sixth graders were upfirst and after they finished Ithought the seventh grad-ers didn’t have a chance.The eighth graders werenext and they didn’t do towell.
The seventh graderswere the last ones to go, wescreamed so loud theschool almost came down.Obviously, the seventhgraders won again. We allwere so excited becausethis was the third time in arow that the seventh grad-ers won the spirit stick.
Until next time keepsmiling, De’ja’
Zyon HillReagan High School
What’s Happening
Hello again readers,This week I am
happy to announce thatboth of Reagan’s soccerteams have made the play-offs. Both teams will play
on Monday, March 24th at7:30 p.m., I hope they bothwin. Reagan Raiders havebeen al lowed to have afood truck, which I think isgood for the students thatare not allowed to leavecampus for lunch. Unfortu-nately, I have forgotten thename of the food truck andI have not bought anythingfrom it. The reviews that Ihave received from someof my other classmateshave not been well. Hope-fully the food will get bettersoon.
Until next time, Zyon
Sarah RobertsonPioneer Crossing Elem.
A Raider Weekend
Jasmyn PattersonReagan High School
Piano Festival Competition
A couple of weeks agoI went to San Marcos Texasfor my second piano compe-tition held at Texas State Uni-versity School of Music. Iwas excited and scared atthe same time. Since I hadpracticed, I was well pre-pared. Also, I have a greatpiano teacher who met methere, we found a piano room
and I was able to practice mypiece before I had to performthem. I played two songs,Whirlwind and Minuet in theG major. After I performedmy selections I had to stepout of the room and wait forjudges’ results. This is themost difficult part, waiting forthe results.
The ratings that youcould get were Superior,Excellent, Satisfactory, Fair,and Needs Improvement.My rating was Superior and Iwill get to go the Nationals inMay. After I got my rating Iwas relieved and happy.Then my mom and I went tolunch at Red Lobster andshopping at the San MacrosOutlet Mall. This was the bestpart of the event. I think com-petition brings out the best inyou, either in sports or pianorecitals.
Last Fr iday theReagan Raider Blue Jesterspreformed our rendition ourAuthor Miller’s “After theFall” for our campus. Manystudents said they enjoyedthe show. That Saturday wetook our rendition to contestin UIL one act play. It was avery great day and we tookhome 4th place. Also two
members of our cast wereawarded individual awards,President Bert inCampuzano for all-star castand myself for honorablementioned. I am truly proudof the Blue Jesters and alltheir hard work.
I asked senior BertinCampuzano how he feltabout his last high schoolplay; he stated “I feel goodabout it! I feel like it wentreally well.” I agree with Mr.Campuzano the play was asuccess and the highlight ofmy weekend. I myself willnow begin preparations forUIL academics. I took homea 2nd and 4th place metal lastyear, however I plan to im-prove this year.
AUSTIN TRIDERSTRACK CLUB
The Austin StridersTrack Club is a non-profitorganization founded byformer Olympic trial athleteHoward Ware in 1978 withsix athletes. The objective
CoachHoward M. Ware
of the club is to provideGreater Austin athletes witha means and a method toobtain scholarships to ac-credited universities andcolleges across the nation.
Register for the clubon Mar. 27 or Apr. 3. A birthcertificate is required to reg-ister.
Practices are from 6 to8 p.m. on Mondays, Tues-days and Thursdays begin-ning Apr. 7,
Registration and prac-tices will take place atGarcia Middle School onJohnny Morris Road
FMI: www.austinstriderstc.org
AISDAfricanAmericanParentalInvolvementConference
The Second AnnualAfrican American Par-ent Involvement Confer-ence will take placefrom 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. atLBJ High School.
Please join us forthis wonderfully infor-mative event. Last year'sconference was the startof something great, andAISD intends to con-tinue until it is one ofbiggest parental in-volvement conferencesin Austin.
Free bus transpor-tation to the conferencewill be available.Pickup will start at 8a.m from the followinglocations:
Page 6 ~ March 28, 2014/THE VILLAGER www.theaustinvillager.com
CITY ~ STATE ~ NATIONAL ~ WORLD
Become a Volunteer Deputy VoterRegistrar! April 2014 Training
Details Announced!Help citizens register
to vote! Promote voter reg-istration at communityevents and within your ownsocial networks. Distributevoter registration applica-tions and confirm that all ofthe applications you provideare completed correctly. Is-sue an official receipt asproof of registration anddeliver applications to theVoter Registrar within fivedays of completion.
Come to a one-hourtraining session on Tues-day, April 1st, 2014 and reg-
ister new voters in TravisCounty!
“Helping citizens reg-ister to vote is a rewardingactivity that makes a realimpact on our community,”said Travis County Tax As-sessor-Collector and VoterRegistrar, Bruce Elfant.
How can you becomea Volunteer Deputy Regis-trar (VDR)? To volunteer,you must be age 18 or olderand must attend a one-hourtraining session. Duringtraining, you will review thequalifications to become a
VDR, learn how to registervoters correctly and be offi-cially sworn-in.
Regular training ses-sions are held the first Tues-day of the month. The nextsession will be held April1st, 2014. One-hour ses-sions that day will be heldstarting at 10:30 a.m., 12:30p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in themain Travis County Tax Of-fice located at 5501 AirportBlvd., Austin, TX 78751.
On March 22, the Williamson CountyDemocrats, just like any other county in Texasheld their convention in Georgetown. It wasopportunity for Democrats living throughoutWilliamson County to meet, discuss and alsoform a plan of action that would help themwin in the upcoming November elections. Ifthe Williamson County democrats can winsome seats in their county, then it will helpchange the tide in Texas politics. Further-more, the party convention served to chooseand elect delegate that would represent thecounty at the Texas Democratic Party Con-vention that will occur in Dallas Texas.
Moreover, the Williamson County Demo-crats have several candidates listed on the bal-lot that have an opportunity to win. For in-stance, "In the 2012 election, our candidates(Democrats) received 35-41% of the vote inthe county -- and this was despite a low turn-out of Democrats for this election. In 2008, theDemocratic candidates (with one exception)received 36-49% of the vote. Many Democratsand Democratic-leaning Independents inWilliamson County believe there are few
Williamson County Democratic Party Convention
(L to R) Eddie Hurst Jr., Diane Hensonand Chris Osborn center.
Photo by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon
Democrats living here." In other words, agreater turnout will help Democratic Partycandidates to win.
During the convention, there were somecandidates who spoke at this event. For in-stance, Diane Henson who is running for the3rd Court Appeals attended the WilliamsonDemocratic Party convention. Moreover shealso attended this convention due to the factWilliamson County is part of the 24 Countiesthat part of the court. According to DianeHenson, "an increase in the vote inWilliamson County will help her win.”
Other candidates like Eddie Hurst Jr. whois running for (Williamson County Commis-sioner Precinct II) also spoke at this event.Moreover, Eddie Hurst Jr. spoke about theneed of greater transparency and also talkedabout higher wages for those employed by thecounty. If elected, Eddie Hurst Jr. seeks toimplement the following: "have a governmentthat can run a balanced budget, pay a livingwage, and have a transportation system thatwill support the superior growth ofWilliamson County."
by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon
Celebrating AfricanCultivation In Central TX
by Tsoke(Chuch) Adjavon
Although Ghana re-ceived its independenceon March 6, the Ghana-ian community of thegreater Austin areachooses to celebratetheir independence onMarch 22, 2014. Not onlywas a time for the Gha-naian community to re-flect on what their coun-tries independencemeant for them; but alsoto reflect on their newpresident and his poli-cies. However, the nightwas one of joy. In addi-tion, the Ghanaian com-munity had invited somelocal candidates, suchas, Ed Scruggs who isrunning for the Austin
Samuel Yamthe, founder of AFTV 5.Photo by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon
On April 5, 2014, thenonprofit AFTV 5 plansto hold an event that willhighlight the growing Af-rican culture in CentralTexas. According to thefounder of AFTV 5, the"events will take place atThe Asian American Re-source Center. Further-more, they plan to featurethe exposition of Africanarts and culture, which,would be followed bytrendy African fashionshow and parade." Also,there will be 6 Africanbands that will be playingthat day. In addition, theyplan to hold an awards
ceremony to deservingmembers of the Africancommunity who had givenback to their communities.
According to AFTV5, the purpose of the Afri-can Cultural and AwardsEvent is to "promote civicengagement in the Africancommunity by educatingcommunity membersabout civic issues and po-litical processes impact-ing their lives." In otherwords, AFTV 5 seeks tounite the ever growingcommunity in CentralTexas, so that this commu-nity can work together inachieving various goalsand objectives.
Finally, AFTV 5seeks to create opportu-
nities to empower peoplethrough media. In addi-tion, they seek to accom-plish these various objec-tive, such as: "striving toeducate, advocate andengage in issues relatedto civic engagement; pro-viding education and re-sources to civic and politi-cal enable awareness andparticipation; engaging incoalitions building amongvarious groups in order toaddress critical issues fac-ing African community inthe Austin Area; and Serv-ing as a voice for Africanin the Austin Area, helpingthe large community un-derstand our needs,strengths and perspec-tives."
Honoring Two Decades ofLeadership by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon
Eddie Hurst Jr., Daniel, Samuel Sarfo (President of the GhanaianAssociation) and Ed Scruggs. Photo by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon
City Council place 8 andEddie Hurst Jr. who isrunning for WilliamsonCounty Precinct II com-missioner court.
The Ghanaian com-munity of the greater Aus-tin area opened up theevening with a prayer ofthanksgiving and re-membrance. After thatthey sang the nationalanthem of both the USAand of Ghana. Then, themaster of ceremony in-troduced both the currentleader of the associationand also the former lead-ers. Furthermore, thesome past leader alsomade some historical re-mark of the association.
After making those re-marks, the associationtook a break, in order, toeat dinner.
The greater AustinGhanaian associationhas been into existencefor over the past two de-cades. According to itsleadership, there areabout 100 families thatare members of the as-sociation. Moreover, theassociation tends tomeet on a quarterly ba-sis and also on variousholidays. Moreover, theGhanaian communityshows that Central Texasgood economic climatehas attracted peoplefrom all over the world.
www.theaustinvillager.com THE VILLAGER/March 28, 2014 ~ Page 7
CLASSIFIEDS ~ PUBLIC INFORMATION
City of AustinPurchasing Office
The City of Austin Purchasing Office invitesyou to view current bid solicitations at https://www.c i . au s t i n . t x . u s / f i nanceon l ine /vendor_connection/solicitation/solicitations.cfm.Vendors are encouraged to register on-line in theCity’s Vendor Self Service System. Once yourcompany is registered, you will receive notifica-tions about new bid opportunities. For addi-tional information regarding current bid opportu-nities or Vendor Registration, please call the Pur-chasing Office at 512-974-2500.
For information on the City of Austin’s Mi-nority Owned and Women-Owned ProcurementProgram and the certification process, pleasecontact the Small & Minority Business ResourcesDepartment at 512-974-7600 or visit their websiteat http://www.austintexas.gov/smbr.
PROPERTYACCOUNTANT
Well known and reputable multi-family housing company seeks tohire a Full/Part-Time PropertyAccountant for their Properties.Multiple openings due to growthand expansion! Excellent workenvironment! With minimum 3-4years Staff Accountant levelexperience you will supportproperties with all necessaryresident ledger adjustments,expense accruals, expense reportsand resident refund requests whilealso preparing all necessarymonth-end journal entries for pro-perties.Qualified applicant shouldsend resume to([email protected])
Tel:757-656-9316
locations along theGuadalupe/Lavacacorridor on 12th, 8thand 4th Streets. The shiftof service would enableeasier transfers to Localand MetroRapid routes.Daily operations wouldbe more efficient withless congestion, fewerevent-related detoursand offer a more directtrip. Capital Metrowould also be able tooffer additional stopamenities alongGuadalupe and Lavacawith shelters andbenches at all stops. Fre-quency would remainthe same.
Route 100MetroAirport wouldcontinue to operatealong Congress Av-enue, and will not beaffected.
Routes 4Montopolis, 21 Exposi-tion, 22 Chicon will alsobe moved to improveeast/west servicewithin downtown, aswell as connections toMetroRail andMetroRapid service.Frequency will remainthe same.
Routes 2 Rose-wood, 6 East 12th, 19Bull Creek, 30 BartonSprings, 37 Colony
CAPITAL METRONEWS
continued from page 1
Park/Windsor Parkwill be moved to im-prove connections toMetroRapid and otherLocal routes. Frequencywill remain the same.
All UT Shuttles willalso change from fullservice to summer ser-vice schedules.
The followingroutes will suspend se-lect school-related tripsduring the summerbreak: 4 Montopolis, 5Woodrow/South Fifth,7 Duval/Dove Springs,300 Govalle, 325 Ohlen,331 Oltorf, 333 WilliamCannon and E-Busroutes 410, 411 and 412.
Minor schedule ad-justments will be madealong Route 1 Metric/South Congress.
The agency per-forms a continuousanalysis of its service,and makes adjustmentsthree times a year, uti-lizing feedback ob-tained from the publicprior to each change.
All changes are inaccordance with CapitalMetro’s Service Guide-lines and Standards. Formore information aboutthe upcoming servicechanges, visitcapmetro.org/sum-mer2014.
EMPLOYMENTPROPOSALS
PUBLICINFORMATION
FOR SALEFOR RENT
BIDSMISCELLANEOUS
AUSTIN, TX –Capital Metro’s rider-ship is continuing itsupward trend, with railand special event ser-vice seeing the mostgrowth during the pastfiscal last year. A recentAmerican Public Trans-portation Association’s(APTA) report showedmomentous growthalso occurring aroundthe country, with arecord 10.7 billion tripstaken on public trans-portation in 2013, thehighest ridership re-ported in 57 years, ac-cording to the report.
In particular, theAPTA report showedthat rail ridership, in-cluding commuter andlight rail, continued toshow significant gainsaround the country.
Capital Metro’sMetroRail was no ex-ception, with ridershipup by over 33 percentfrom the previous year.In FY2013, the agencyreported 767,000 ridestaken on its commuterrail line. The growth inMetroRail ridership issignificantly higher thanthe national average of2.1 percent reported byAPTA, which stated that20 out of the 28 transit
Capital MetroRidership
Continues toGrow,
With MetroRailLeading the
Way
systems nationwide thatoffer commuter railshowed ridership in-creases. MetroRail rider-ship has more than qua-drupled since the ser-vice began in 2010.
“We are seeing aclear demand from thecommunity for more railservice in the area,” saidCapital Metro Presi-dent/CEO Linda S.Watson. “Our weekdayridership continues togrow, and train serviceduring special events isalso seeing tremendousgains, as evidenced bythe amount of trips weprovide during SXSWand Formula 1. Giventhat, we’re working hardto expand our rail ser-vice as much as possiblewithin the budget wehave available.”
Capital Metroplans to spend morethan $27 million over thenext few years on im-provements to the RedLine. These include en-hancements to the signalsystem and double-tracking along segmentsof the line, which willallow trains to operate athigher speeds, therebyimproving frequency.Funding will comefrom the $11.3 millionfederal TIGER grant theagency received lastyear and $15.9 million inlocal funds.
(AUSTIN, TX) -The City of Austin re-cently commissioned aMinority- and Women-Owned Business Enter-prise (MBE/WBE) Dis-parity Study. This studywill examine the partici-pation of MBEs andWBEs in public sectorcontracting and procure-ment activities over thelast several years. TravisCounty and the AustinIndependent SchoolDistrict are conductingsimilar disparity studiesconcurrently with theCity’s. Additionally, theCity’s study will exam-ine Veteran-OwnedBusiness Enterprises.
Gathering feedbackfrom business owners isa very important part ofeach study. Each year,the City, the County andthe School District pur-chase a wide variety ofconstruction, consultingservices, and othergoods and services frombusiness owners likeyou. These studies pro-vide a unique opportu-nity for interested busi-ness owners to share
DISPARITY STUDYKICK OFF MEETING
their experiences andinsights regarding boththe opportunities andthe challenges involvedin doing business or at-tempting to do businesswith any or all of thesethree Austin-area gov-ernments.
On Thursday,April 3rd, 2014, the City,County and School Dis-trict will host a KickoffMeeting for interestedbusiness owners. Thismeeting will provide anopportunity to learnmore about the purposeof the study, key tasksthat will be performed,and—most important—about the specific op-portunities that will beavailable to you in thecoming months to pro-vide your feedback tothe study team.
Please join us from6:00-7:30 p.m. on Thurs-day, April 3rd, 2014 atCity Hall (301 W. 2ndSt.) to kickoff this im-portant project. Freeparking is available inthe City Hall parkinggarage located at 200Lavaca St.
See AD on page 2
Message fromDr. Vincent
DDCE @ UT Presents
(UT, AUSTIN) - Ihad the honor of attend-ing the White Houselaunch of PresidentObama’s new initiative,My Brother’s Keeperalong with many no-table educators andpublic figures includingGeneral Colin Powell,former mayor MichaelBloomberg, Rev. AlSharpton and commen-tator Bill O’Reilly, toname a few. PresidentObama called on all ofus—regardless of partyaffiliation—to helplevel the playing fieldfor young AfricanAmerican and Hispanicmales.
The Division of Di-versity and CommunityEngagement has beeninvested in male aca-demic success since itsinception. We have sup-ported, invested andparticipated in numer-ous initiatives the pastseven years includingthe African AmericanMen and Boys HarvestFoundation which wasone of the DDCE’s firstcommunity incubatorprograms. The founda-tion has since changed
its name, opened a largeand successful resourcecenter for AfricanAmerican youth in Aus-tin and continues tohold regular workshopsfor young men in Aus-tin high schools. Sincethen, The AfricanAmerican Male Re-search Initiative hasbeen launched in ourLonghorn Center forAcademic Excellence,establishing a cascadementoring program af-filiated with Sigma PiPhi and serving as amodel around the coun-try. Project MALES(Mentoring to AchieveLatino Educational Suc-cess), started severalyears ago by DDCE fac-ulty fellow Dr. VictorSáenz, has expandedinto a consortium thatincludes universities,community collegesand school districtsacross Texas. All ofthese programs arehelping to create thepathways for male stu-dent success that Presi-dent Obama is support-ing.
We hope you willjoin us and many othersnationwide in the long-term, focused effort togive young Hispanicand African Americanmen the chance to reachtheir full potential; helpus start a different cyclefor these young men,one of success.
9th Annual CommunityEaster-Egg HuntScheduled at HT
(AUSTIN, Texas) — Children of all ages areinvited to hunt for the thousands of eggs hiddenaround the Huston-Tillotson University campusduring the Ninth Annual Community Easter EggHunt, scheduled on Thursday, April 17 at 4 p.m.,900 Chicon Street. The Easter egg hunt features a$500 scholarship prize egg, prize eggs for schoolsupplies and gift certificates, eggs with candy andcoins, and filled baskets. Children will gather inthe Mary E. Branch Gymnasium for a brief mean-ing of Easter story time before joining their agegroups and beginning the hunt. The event is freeand open to the public. In case of rain, the huntwill be held on Monday, April 21 at 4 p.m. Formore information, call 512.505.3073.
Date:Saturday, April 5, 2014
Time:10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Place:Travis County District
Clerk5501 Airport BlvdAustin, TX 78751
(512) 854-9737
Attend OurPassport Fair Black Youth Oppose the Expansion
of Shoot First Law
Yesterday, the Florida House of Representa-tives passed amendment HB-89, a disastrous pieceof legislation that expands the scope of the states“Shoot First,” also known as “Stand Your Ground,”law. The warning shot measure appears to be amuch need improvement on it’s face, but we be-lieve it will only open up the floodgates for fur-ther intimidation of Black people at the hands ofvigilante gun owners and misapplication of thelaw. There is no way to fix “Shoot First” laws, theymust be repealed.
HB-89 is a bill intended to stop abusive pros-ecutors from using 10-20-LIFE to prosecute peoplewho “threaten to use deadly force” against an at-tacker as a means of self-defense and to stop anattack. Prosecutors, like Angela Corey, haveabused the 10-20-LIFE law to over prosecute BlackFloridians, such as in the case of MarissaAlexander who was not covered under “ShootFirst”, when she fired a gun in self-defense to pre-vent her abusive ex-husband from attacking her.
Since the passage of “Shoot First” laws gunownership has dramatically increased in Florida,more than 1.1 million Floridians now carry con-cealed weapons, three times as many as in 2005when the law was passed. The law as it has beenapplied has allowed too many individuals to jus-tify vigilante violence against Black people: de-fendants claiming “stand your ground” are morelikely to prevail if the victim is Black. Of those whokilled a Black person, 73% faced no penalty com-pared to 59% of those who killed a white person.
We have serious concerns that the “warningshot” amendment to “Shoot First” laws won’tequally protect Floridians.
Page 8 ~ March 28, 2014/THE VILLAGER www.theaustinvillager.com
PROGRAMS ~ AWARENESS
AND OUR AWARDS GO TO - LaVerne Williams-Bell, Beulah Agnes Curry-Jones, Felecia Williams-Dennis, Kristen Kristina Shepard, MonicaAnderson Thompson, Allyah Marie Howard, Sonia Monica Gaillard, Claudia D. Williams, Shirley Mackey-Brown, Mary Kendrick Castleberry,Shirley Sprinkles-Morris, Machree Garrett Gibson, Barbara Faye Hayes Foreman and Congressman Lloyd Doggett.
of their dedication, loyalty and numerouscontributions through the years.
The evening was dedicated to the memoryof the late Dr. Connie Yerwood Conner, the firstblack physician with the Texas Public Health Ser-vices, the first black Director of the Division ofMaternal and Child Health in Texas; and the first
CONGRESSMAN DOGGETT: “Dr. Conner, a pioneer in public health and civil rights.”
continued from page 1
black Chief of the Bureau of Personal HealthService.
Congressman Lloyd Doggett was on hand atthe Award Ceremony delivering proclamationsfrom President Barak Obama and himself. In thePresident’s letter, the audience was reminded,“When women succeed, America succeeds!”
Congressman Doggett commented, “Libbyand I are inspired by the commitment and depthof service that each honoree has offered.Through their service, these women of Promi-nence have continued the legacy of Dr. ConnieYerwood Conner, a pioneer in public health andcivil rights.”
TLOD & TOP TEENS ATTEND 43RD AREA ONELEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Shown are Capital City Chapter Top Teens, Advisors, Lois Hunt, and Kathy Black
Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc (TLOD) and TopTeens attended their 43rd Area One Leadership Con-ference February 27th –March 2, 2014 in Shreveport,LA. Twenty eight ladies and teens proudly accom-panied Lois Hunt, National Area One Director andCapital City Chapter member, to the conference.
During the Conference attendees reaffirmedcommitment to implement the TLOD, Inc pro-
grams or work and projects. The Conference wasdesigned to strengthen our resolve for continuedcommunity service. Teens and ladies attendedworkshops designed to further educate our mem-bers. During the Conference Capital City Chapteralong with several other Chapters donated severallarge bags of packaged toiletries to the Shreveportcommunity. In addition, Kathy Black, a member of
Capital City Chapter was chosen as Area One TopLady of the Year. Her excellent credentials were pre-sented to several judges in scrapbook format andafter review she was chosen Top Lady of the year.
TLOD, Inc is excited about celebrating 50years of “Serving Youth and Adults” and October9 – 12, 2014, will host its anniversary celebrationin Houston, Texas.
New Flea Market Opens in Austin
By Shirley A. Hammond
Austin has a newflea market. Located at907 East St. John Avenue,the flea market/farmersmarket kicked off on Sat-urday, March 22. An-chored by Pollo CamperoChicken and SunriseMinimart, the site was a
hub for a freight com-pany for many years. Themerchant is offering thefirst month free to ven-dors who want to offertheir wares to visitors.Across the street, thereused to be a Home Depot,
and before that St. JohnElementary School.
Visitors to the venuemay partially turn into theparking lot in response tothe flea market sign, how-ever others are there be-cause of the store, the
chicken restaurant or thelaundromat. The dyna-mism of St. John serves toremind of how the demo-graphics, needs and otheraspects of the northeastcommunity havechanged.
