INSIDE January 5, 2018 This paper can be recycled RAPPIN’ Tommy Wyatt TPA TEXAS PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Austin, Texas Permit No. 01949 www.TheAustinVillager.com Vol. 45 No. 33 Phone: 512-476-0082 Email: [email protected]HAPPY 2018, TEXAS by: The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Happy New Year, Mariah Carey. The pop singer made it through her perfor- mance on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” cleanly this year after bungling it last year. She sang her 1990s hits “Vi- sion of Love” and “Hero” on Sunday night in Times Square, where revelers braved frigid tempera- tures to usher in 2018. After Carey sang “Vi- sion of Love” she looked on stage for some hot tea she said she was prom- ised, but it wasn’t there. She quipped, “Oh, it’s a disaster.” Last year it really was a disaster. Carey had tech- nical difficulties during a live performance of her hit song “Emotions.” She stopped singing, paced the stage and told the audi- ence to finish the lyrics for her. Dick Clark Productions called Carey’s claim it sabo- taged her performance “ab- surd.” But they worked out their differences. Members of ABC’s broadcast team congratu- lated Carey on making it through her performance the second time around. Seacrest asked Carey how she felt. “I’m feeling a lot bet- ter than last year,” she said, “when I had to get my own police escort.” TOP - Mariah Carey (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File) BOTTOM -Fire- works erupt as the clock strikes midnight during the New Year’s celebration in Times Square as seen from the Marriott Marquis in New York, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/ Seth Wenig) Confetti drops over the crowd as the clock strikes midnight during the New Year’s celebration in Times Square as seen from the Marriott Marquis in New York, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Serena Loses in Exhibition Comeback after Giving Birth by: The Associated Press ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Serena Williams lost in her return to tennis after giving birth in September, beaten by French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in an exhibi- tion Saturday and still un- sure if she will defend her Australian Open title. Williams called it a “wonderful” match de- Serena Williams, of the U.S., serves the ball to Jelena Ostapenko, of Latvia, during the final day of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017. (AP Photo/ Kamran Jebreili) spite the defeat — she took the second set in a score of 6-2, 3-6 and 10-5 in a super tiebreaker. The Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam tournament, begins Jan. 15. “I don’t know if I am totally ready to come back on the tour yet. I know that when I come back I definitely want to be com- peting for championships. I am definitely looking for- ward to getting back out there,” Williams said. “I am taking it one day at a time. I am going to assess everything with my team before deciding.” The 36-year-old Will- iams took time off after winning the Australian See STRUGGLES, pg 2 Singer Files Sex Assault Complaint against Former Trump Aide by: The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A singer and potential congressional candidate says she has filed a sexual assault complaint against President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager for hitting her twice on her buttocks during a Wash- ington gathering in No- vember. Joy Villa, a Trump backer who wore a “Make America Great Again” dress at the Grammys this year, said Tuesday she plans to meet with detec- tives in Washington next week about the complaint See BROKEN TRUST, page 2 Black Owned Tech Start-Up Shakes App Store with Innovative Game by John Torrey Black Owned Tech Start-Up Company Shakes the App Store with Inno- vative Game The holiday season has just gotten brighter with the newest free addi- tion to the Apple App Store. The new app, Sasha Says, turns simple phone gestures into an engaging See TOORIE, pg 3 Serena Loses in Exhibition Comeback after Giving Birth Happy New Year!! It is hard to understand why we put so much emphasis on celebrating the beginning of another year. The crowds in New York City gathered in sub- zero for more than four hours to await the fall of the symbolic ball that comes down at midnight of December 31. Large celebrations were also televised from New Orleans and Las Vegas. This has been a tradition for a number of years. And, I have to admit, that I look forward to the event. New Years is also a time to give thanks for the blessings that we received the previous year. Many also make resolutions to accomplish things in the coming year that they were unable to accomplish in the outgoing year. Most of these resolutions are usually broken before the end of January. I tend to focus on the things I am thankful for that carried me through the previous year. Most of those things are beyond my control, but are blessings that have come my way. One of the greatest of those blessings is the fact that I was able to work with by son Thomas and granddaughter Angela in the family business. Also, I am thankful for the addition of a great granddaughter that was born near the end of last year to granddaughter Raven. I know that they will be embarrassed by me making these events public, but what is a grandfather for, if he cannot brag about his family? So, as we enter a new year, I am excited about the future and seeing what it holds. 2018 will be a year for the African American community to become organized again and work together as a community. The next generation is depending upon us to show them the way. But, if we are not going to lead, we need to get out of the way. Happy New Year and full speed ahead! Taraji P. Henson is a Hitwoman for the mob. See MARY Page 2 Judge blocks ban on Ethnic Studies See SCHOOLS Page 4 THE GROUP Celebrates at the Renaissance See AFFAIR Page 6
The pop singer madeit through her perfor-mance on “Dick Clark’sNew Year’s Rockin’ Evewith Ryan Seacrest”cleanly this year afterbungling it last year. Shesang her 1990s hits “Vi-sion of Love” and “Hero”on Sunday night in TimesSquare, where revelersbraved frigid tempera-tures to usher in 2018.
After Carey sang “Vi-sion of Love” she lookedon stage for some hot teashe said she was prom-ised, but it wasn’t there.She quipped, “Oh, it’s adisaster.”
Last year it really wasa disaster. Carey had tech-nical difficulties during alive performance of her hitsong “Emotions.” Shestopped singing, paced thestage and told the audi-ence to finish the lyrics forher.
Dick Clark Productionscalled Carey’s claim it sabo-taged her performance “ab-surd.” But they worked outtheir differences.
Members of ABC’sbroadcast team congratu-lated Carey on making itthrough her performancethe second time around.Seacrest asked Carey howshe felt.
“I’m feeling a lot bet-ter than last year,” shesaid, “when I had to get myown police escort.”
TOP - MariahCarey (Photo by GregAllen/Invision/AP,File)
BOTTOM -Fire-works erupt as theclock strikes midnightduring the New Year’scelebration in TimesSquare as seen from theMarriott Marquis inNew York, Monday,Jan. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Confetti drops over the crowd as the clock strikes midnight duringthe New Year’s celebration in Times Square as seen from the MarriottMarquis in New York, Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Serena Losesin Exhibition
Comeback afterGiving Birth
by: The Associated Press
ABU DHABI, UnitedArab Emirates (AP) —Serena Williams lost inher return to tennis aftergiving birth in September,beaten by French Openchampion JelenaOstapenko in an exhibi-tion Saturday and still un-sure if she will defend herAustralian Open title.
Williams called it a“wonderful” match de-
Serena Williams, of the U.S., serves the ball to Jelena Ostapenko, ofLatvia, during the final day of the Mubadala World Tennis Championshipin Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
spite the defeat — shetook the second set in ascore of 6-2, 3-6 and 10-5in a super tiebreaker.
The Australian Open,the year’s first Grand Slamtournament, begins Jan.15.
“I don’t know if I amtotally ready to come backon the tour yet. I knowthat when I come back Idefinitely want to be com-
peting for championships.I am definitely looking for-ward to getting back outthere,” Williams said.
“I am taking it oneday at a time. I am goingto assess everything withmy team before deciding.”
The 36-year-old Will-iams took time off afterwinning the Australian
See STRUGGLES, pg 2
SingerFiles SexAssault
ComplaintagainstFormerTrumpAide
by: The Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP)
— A singer and potentialcongressional candidatesays she has filed a sexualassault complaint againstPresident Donald Trump’sformer campaign managerfor hitting her twice on herbuttocks during a Wash-ington gathering in No-vember.
Joy Villa, a Trumpbacker who wore a “MakeAmerica Great Again”dress at the Grammys thisyear, said Tuesday sheplans to meet with detec-tives in Washington nextweek about the complaintSee BROKEN TRUST,
page 2
Black OwnedTech Start-UpShakes AppStore withInnovative
Gameby John Torrey
Black Owned TechStart-Up Company Shakesthe App Store with Inno-vative Game
The holiday seasonhas just gotten brighterwith the newest free addi-tion to the Apple AppStore. The new app, SashaSays, turns simple phonegestures into an engaging
See TOORIE, pg 3
Serena Losesin Exhibition
Comeback afterGiving Birth
Happy NewYear!!
It is hard to understandwhy we put so muchemphasis on celebratingthe beginning of anotheryear. The crowds in NewYork City gathered in sub-zero for more than fourhours to await the fall of thesymbolic ball that comesdown at midnight ofDecember 31.
Large celebrationswere also televised fromNew Orleans and LasVegas. This has been atradition for a number ofyears. And, I have to admit,that I look forward to theevent. New Years is also a timeto give thanks for theblessings that we receivedthe previous year. Manyalso make resolutions toaccomplish things in thecoming year that they wereunable to accomplish in theoutgoing year. Most ofthese resolutions areusually broken before theend of January. I tend to focus on thethings I am thankful for thatcarried me through theprevious year. Most ofthose things are beyond mycontrol, but are blessingsthat have come my way.One of the greatest of thoseblessings is the fact that Iwas able to work with byson Thomas andgranddaughter Angela inthe family business. Also,I am thankful for theaddition of a greatgranddaughter that wasborn near the end of lastyear to granddaughterRaven. I know that theywill be embarrassed by memaking these events public,but what is a grandfatherfor, if he cannot brag abouthis family? So, as we enter a newyear, I am excited about thefuture and seeing what itholds. 2018 will be a yearfor the African Americancommunity to becomeorganized again and worktogether as a community.The next generation isdepending upon us to showthem the way. But, if we arenot going to lead, we needto get out of the way.
Happy New Yearand full speed
ahead!
Taraji P. Hensonis a Hitwomanfor the mob.See MARY
Page 2
Judge blocks banon Ethnic StudiesSee SCHOOLS
Page 4
THE GROUP Celebratesat the Renaissance
See AFFAIRPage 6
Page 2 ~ THE VILLAGER/January 5, 2018 THE COMMUNIQUÉ www.theaustinvillager.com
Open last Januarywhile pregnant. She gavebirth to her first child, a girlnamed Alexis OlympiaOhanian Jr., on Sept. 1. Shemarried Reddit co-founderAlexis Ohanian in Novem-ber.
Williams struggledwith her serve in the 67-minute match at theMubadala World TennisChampionship. But, afternearly a year away fromthe game, she did win a setagainst the world’s No. 7player
“I don’t think I amgoing to rate my perfor-mance,” Williams said. “Ihave plenty of comebacks,from injuries, from surger-ies, but I’ve never had acomeback after actuallygiving birth to a humanbeing. So, in my eyes, I feelit was a wonderful, won-
Williams struggles in first match back but still takes setCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
derful match for me.”Williams insisted she
has a lot more tennis toplay.
“Knowing that I havewon 23 Grand Slam titlesand several other titles, Idon’t think I have anythingmore left to prove,” shesaid. “But I am not doneyet.”
Williams won heropening game, breakingOstapenko. But she wasnowhere near her best inthe first set before fight-ing back and winning thesecond.
After the initialbreak, Ostapenko latchedonto W illiams’ weakserves and capitalized onseveral unforced errors togo up 4-1 with two breaks.
Williams againstruggled with her serve inthe second set. But she
went ahead 3-0 with acouple of early breaks andhit with more confidence,including several crowd-pleasing double-handedpassing shots. Anotherbreak in the ninth gamegave her the set.
“In the beginning, itfelt a little tough. But asthe match moved on, I wasless afraid. I knew I wasnot going to fall over andbreak,” she said. “Themore I played, the moreconfident I felt that I wouldbe able to go for shots thatI was afraid to go for in thefirst set.”
In the supertiebreaker, Ostapenkoraced to an 8-2 lead beforehalting a brief recovery byWilliams.
“For me, it is all aboutphysical, how I am feelingphysically. … I am justproud being out here and
playing in Abu Dhabi andto be able to just com-pete,” Williams said. “Ihave had a tough fewmonths and I am just ex-cited to be able to playagain.”
It was the first time awomen’s match had beenplayed in the traditionallymen’s only exhibition.
U.S. Open runner-upKevin Anderson defeatedSpain’s Roberto BautistaAgut 6-4, 7-6 (0) in themen’s final. The 14th-ranked Anderson immedi-ately broke Bautista Agutand was never in dangerof losing serve in the firstset.
In the second set,Bautista Agut broke in thesecond game, but theSouth African broke backimmediately. An aggres-sive Anderson swept thetiebreaker.
Serena Williams, of the U.S., reacts in anexhibition match against Jelena Ostapenko, ofLatvia, during the final day of the MubadalaWorld Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017.(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
NEW YORK (AP) —The daughter of BlackLives Matter icon EricaGarner has died after aweeklong hospital stay fol-lowing a heart attack.
The Rev. Al Sharpton,in announcing Garner’sdeath Saturday, says shefought for justice and was“a warrior to the end.” Shedied in a New York hospi-tal. She was 27.
Garner’s official Twit-ter account, run by herfamily and friends sinceshe became ill, asked thatshe be remembered as amother, daughter, sisterand aunt with a heart “big-ger than the world.”
Her father, Eric Gar-ner, died after a police of-ficer subdued him with achokehold in 2014. His last
words were “I can’tbreathe,” which became aslogan for activists.
Erica Garner becamea voice for police account-ability after his death,criticizing DemocraticMayor Bill de Blasio overpolicing matters. In 2016,she campaigned on behalfof Vermont Senator BernieSanders, an independent,for president.
Garner ’s mother,Esaw Snipes, told TheNew York Times previouslythat Garner, who gavebirth four months ago, hadlearned during the preg-nancy that she had heartproblems.
Snipes said Garnerhad a heart attack after anasthma episode and wasplaced in a medically in-duced coma.
Erica Garner, Daughterof Eric Garner Dies at 27
by: The Associated Press
Erica Garner (AP Photo/Amanda Meyers, File)
Award winning ac-tress and Fox Channel’sEmpire blockbuster starTaraji P. Henson stars inSony’s upcoming film,Proud Mary. Henson starsas a hit woman workingfor an organized crimefamily in Boston, whoselife is completely turnedaround when she meets ayoung boy during a profes-sional hit that goes bad.The action packed film hitstheaters nationwide Janu-ary 12, 2018.
The film will starTaraji P. Henson, BillyBrown, Danny Glover, NealMcDonough, Xander Ber-keley, and Margaret Avery.Proud Mary is based on ascreenplay written by JohnS. Newman and ChristianSwegal. It is directed byBabak Najafi.
Henson is repre-sented by the prominentUnited Talent Agency andenjoys major network suc-cess in such roles asCookie Lyon on Empire,the highest-rated scriptedprogram on broadcasttelevision, establishingthe 47-year-old film andtelevision actress as ahousehold name.
According toBiography.com, TarajiHenson was born on Sep-tember 11, 1970, inWashington, D.C. Shelanded her first profes-sional acting gig onSmart Guy. In 2001, shegot her big break in thefilm Baby Boy. Her per-formance led to the roleof Shug in Hustle andFlow and in 2008 sheearned an Oscar nomina-tion for her part in TheCurious Case of BenjaminButton. Henson went onto appear in such films asThink Like a Man (2012).She also starred in the tele-vision drama Person of In-terest from 2011 to 2013.In 2015, Henson took onthe role of Cookie Lyon andin 2016 signed with theUnited Talent Agency.
Enjoy a new oppor-tunity to see the HowardUniversity graduate per-form on the big screenbeginning January 12 ata theater near you. Thefilm is released by ScreenGems and is rated R bythe Motion Picture Asso-ciation of America for thefollowing reasons: Vio-lence.
Taraji P. HensonStars in Upcoming
Film “Proud Mary”by Naomi Richard | VILLAGER Contributor
Taraji P. Henson stars as Mary in Screen GemsPROUD MARY. Photo Credit:Dana Starbard -
against Corey Lewandowski.In a phone interview from Tampa, Florida, Villa
said she was initially reluctant to come forward becauseshe was worried about any backlash. But she said shecalled Washington’s Metropolitan Police Departmenton Christmas Eve after a friend who witnessed the in-cident spoke about it publicly, and other friends urgedher to come forward.
“I didn’t know him at all,” Villa said aboutLewandowski. “I only knew him by reputation. He brokemy trust.”
She said she saw him at a gathering at the TrumpInternational Hotel on the day after Thanksgiving, andsaid Lewandowski struck her “extremely hard” evenafter she told him to stop. She said she felt it was “dis-gusting and shocking and demeaning.”
Villa, who is considering a run for a Florida con-gressional seat, said she initially thought it was sexualharassment, but police told her that touching someoneon any body part that is sexual in nature constitutedsexual assault. She said she was told it was classifiedas a misdemeanor.
“I was initially fearful to come forward with this,”she said, adding that she did not want to bring shameor embarrassment on Lewandowski’s family or hers.
“I did nothing wrong,” Villa said. “I realized if he’snot going to respond or apologize to me, I think it’s theright thing to do.”
Lewandowski did not respond to an email seekingcomment.
Villa made news earlier this year when she worea dress displaying Trump’s campaign slogan at theGrammys. She explained her decision to wear the dressin an Instagram post, writing, “You can either stand forwhat you believe in or fall for what you don’t.” Sheadded, “agree to disagree.”
This is not the first time Lewandowski has facedpolice charges. In March 2016 he was charged withmisdemeanor battery for an altercation involving a fe-male reporter after a news conference in Florida. Thecharges were later dropped.
Trump fired him as campaign manager in June2016.
Villa: “I didn’tknow him at all...
He broke my trust”
Joy Villa Corey Lewandowski
Contiuned from page 1
SECOND ANNUAL MARTIN L. KING, JR.UNITY BREAKFAST CELEBRATION
Huston-Tillotson University Student Union
900 Chicon Street
Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.Host: International Alumni Association
Austin Chapter
Guest Speaker: Dr. B. W. McClendonPastor - St. James Missionary Baptist Church
For Tickets: call 512/914-5902, pay at door, or go to https://www.htaustinalumni.com/events
Free Parking at Chalmers and East 11th Street
St. Peter’s United Methodist Church 4509 Springdale Road Austin, Tx 78723Office 512- 926-1686 Fax 512-929-7281
COME AND STEP OUT ON FAITH WITH USSunday 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
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
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
game. The app features Sasha, a young Black girlin a colorful outfit, who gives you creative instructionsto follow in a simple game that delivers a familiar butunique experience to the iPhone and iPad. Splash HouseStudios LLC, a Black owned tech start-up company inAtlanta that specializes in creating mobile apps, recentlyreleased Sasha Says, its first app.
Tremayne Toorie, the founder of Splash House Stu-dios, could not contain his joy regarding his company’sfirst release, a project that began production in the sum-mer of 2017. “We are extremely excited for everyoneto get their hands on Sasha Says. There was a great dealof passion put into the creation of this game, and I knowusers will be able to fully immerse themselves into theSasha Says experience!” Toorie, a self-taught developerwith a passion for delivering innovative apps, foundedSplash House Studios in July of 2017.
As an African-American in the app developingarena, it can be difficult to find strong partnerships fordeveloping apps because of the struggles with diver-sity the tech world has been having, so Toorie decidedto partner up with another African-American who hadthe talent to help create the immersive game experi-ence he envisioned. He partnered with AdrianMcDaniel, an independent iOS developer in Atlanta, andthe two were able to combine their abilities and createthe interactive game. “It was truly a blessing to teamup with Adrian for this project; he brought a uniqueskillset to the table and was able to help take SashaSays to new heights,” Toorie said.
Toorie released Sasha Says on his 25th birthday asa way to spread the word about the app through socialmedia networks. One of the features of many socialmedia networks is that they highlight when it issomeone’s birthday, and Toorie chose to use that spot-light to showcase Splash House Studios and the release
Toorie: “We are extremely excited foreveryone to get their hands on Sasha Says” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Tremayne Toorie proudly holds up a cell phonedisplaying his new game Sasha Says.
of Sasha Says. “Social media is a powerful marketingtool, and with a limited budget I felt that using this plat-form to announce the launch of Sasha Says was a greatidea,” he said. The game has gotten over 500 down-loads since its recent release and positive reviews prais-ing its addictive and fun gameplay for all ages. Tooriehas confirmed that they plan to update Sasha Says withnew features throughout 2018, ensuring that Sasha willcontinue to have plenty to say to her fans in the future.
To download Sasha Says, visit the App Store onyour iOS device or click the link below to take youstraight to the free game!
AUSTIN, TX - AGE of Central Texas will host thefree caregiver support seminar “Communicating witha Person Who Has Dementia” on Thursday, January 11,2018. Part of the on-going workshop series to help fam-ily members effectively care for an older loved one, thefree seminar will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. atthe AGE Building, located at 3710 Cedar Street, Austin,TX 78705.
Margaret DeVinney from Halcyon Home willpresent the seminar and explore effective ways to com-municate with a loved one living with dementia. After17 years as a homemaker raising three children acrossthree countries, DeVinney completed her Masters inConflict and Dispute Resolution from Southern Meth-odist University, and has spent her recent career work-ing with senior adults and their families. She is the Di-rector of Hospice at Halcyon Home, where she pursuesher passion of creating beautiful last chapters for pa-tients and families.
Registration for the caregiver seminar is free,but space is limited. Participants can register by call-ing (512) 600-9275, or online at www.TinyURL.com/AGEJanuary2018. ; A limited amount of free respitecare for older family members will also be availableduring the seminar through AGE’s Austin Adult DayHealth Center, by RSVP only. To RSVP, please requestthe service with online registration or call BeckyMcGinnis at (512) 600-9275 no later than January 18th.
For more information on the programs andresources provided by AGE of Central Texas, visitwww.AGEofCentralTX.org or call (512) 451-4611.
AGE of Central Texas OfferingFree Caregiver Seminar on
“Communicating with aPerson Who Has Dementia” in
Austin on January 11th
COLLEGE FOOTBALLPLAYOFF NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIPMONDAY, JANUARY 8TH @ 7:00 PM#4 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
#3 GEORGIA BULLDOGS
WATCH ON ESPN
VS.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta, Georgia
Page 4 ~ THE VILLAGER/January 5, 2018 DIASPORA www.theaustinvillager.com
Capital Metro to IncreaseCommuter Service in January
MetroExpress, MetroRailimprovements to go into
effect Sunday, Jan. 7AUSTIN, TEXAS — Capital Metro will implement changes to its Com-
muter services beginning Sunday, Jan. 7 that will offer riders greatly enhancedalternatives to driving alone to work. These service changes are the culmina-tion of years-long long processes and take advantage of both the MoPacExpress Lanes and the rail improvements the agency has put in place.
Increased capacity for MetroRailAs a result of improvements to MetroRail put in place over the past few
years, Capital Metro will now be able to increase capacity of the service. Theagency will add three trips in the morning and another three in the evening inan effort to provide better service and alleviate overcrowded trains. The pairedtrips are as follows:
From Leander Station in the Morning· 6:51 a.m. and 6:56 a.m.· 7:27 a.m. and 7:32 a.m.· 8:03 a.m. and 8:08 a.m.From Downtown Station in the Evening· 4:17 p.m. and 4:22 p.m.· 4:53 p.m. and 4:58 p.m.· 5:29 p.m. and 5:34 p.m.
50 percent more service on MetroExpressFree access to MoPac’s managed lanes will allow Capital Metro to offer
increased service on MetroExpress Commuter routes.Two routes (new Route 981 Oak Knoll Express and Route 985 Leander/
Lakeline Direct) will use the Express Lanes to bypass traffic congestion andserve downtown Austin directly. The 985 will also add trips and operate bi-directionally throughout the day rather than just as a Commuter route intodowntown in the morning and back north again in the evening.
Two other routes (Route 982 Pavilion Express and Route 987 Leander/Lakeline Express) will serve the 38th Street medical area first before head-ing south toward the UT campus, the Capitol and downtown. The 982 willalso add more trips and operate bi-directionally throughout the day.
Additional service adjustmentsOther changes include the addition of morning trips to Route 7, in direct
response to the popularity of the route and to relieve overcrowding, and thediscontinuation of Premium passes. Capital Metro eliminated the Premiumfare category in January 2017, but some of those passes were still in circu-lation, so riders have been able to use them still. That won’t be the casebeginning Jan. 7.
In addition, schedules for Routes 214, 243, 464, 465 and 466 — all ofwhich serve the train stations — will adjust with the new MetroRail sched-ules.
Additional details about Capital Metro service changes can be found onbuses, on the Capital Metro website at capmetro.org/january2018 or bycalling the Customer Service GO Line at 512-474-1200.
FILE – In this June 15, 2011, file photo, protesters gather to support theTucson Unified School District as Superintendent of Public InstructionJohn Huppenthal announces that the Tucson Unified School Districtviolates state law by teaching it’s Mexican American Studies Department’sethic studies program at a news conference at the Arizona Department ofEducation in Phoenix, Ariz. A federal judge is permanently blocking a2010 ban on ethnic studies in Arizona public schools that dismantled apopular Mexican-American Studies program, effectively dealing a finalblow to a seven-year court battle. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file)
PHOENIX, AZ (AP) —A U.S. judge has perma-nently blocked an ethnicstudies ban in Arizonapublic schools that dis-mantled a popular Mexi-can-American studies pro-gram, dealing a final blowto a law that he found tobe racially motivated.
Following a seven-year court battle, U.S. Dis-trict Judge A. WallaceTashima issued a finaljudgment Wednesday thatprohibits Arizona educa-tion officials from enforc-ing the 2010 law, whichstirred up additional alle-gations of racial discrimi-nation by a state thatpassed a landmark crack-down on immigration thesame year.
Tashima had previ-ously ruled that racismand political gain were be-hind the ban’s creation,findings that he reiteratedin this week’s decision.
Because the law “wasenacted and enforced, notfor a legitimate educa-tional purpose, but for aninvidious discriminatoryracial purpose, and a po-litically partisan purpose …(the law) cannot be en-forced,” he wrote.
Attorneys for thestate have denied that ra-cial discrimination playeda part in the law. The Ari-zona Attorney General’sOffice, which defendededucation officials in thecase, said it may appealthe ruling.
“We will consult withthe superintendent andsee how she would like toproceed,” spokesmanRyan Anderson said. “Ad-ditionally, we have an ob-ligation to evaluate thelikelihood of success onappeal for the individualfindings.”
The office has untilJan. 26 to appeal. ArizonaSuperintendent of PublicInstruction Diane Douglasand the state Board ofEducation did not immedi-ately reply to messagesseeking comment Thurs-day.
The law bannedcourses appearing to pro-mote resentment towarda race or class of people oradvocate ethnic solidarityinstead of treating peopleas individuals.
Lawmakers passed itafter Tucson UnifiedSchool District began of-fering classes in 1998 fo-cused on Mexican-Ameri-can history, literature andart.
Steven Reiss, an at-torney for Tucson studentswho sued over the law,praised the ruling.
“That should make itclear to everyone in thestate: This law is not onlyinvalid and cannot be en-forced, it makes it clearthat the Tucson UnifiedSchool District is abso-lutely free to readopt theMexican-American studiesprogram,” Reiss said.
Nolan Cabrera, an as-sociate professor at theUniversity of Arizona’sCenter for the Study ofHigher Education, led astudy that said studentswho took Mexican-Ameri-can studies were morelikely to graduate and passtheir standardized tests.
If the judge’s decisionstands, it could open thedoor to more effectiveethnic studies programs inall Arizona school districts,Cabrera said. Schools inother states such as Cali-fornia, Oregon, Nevadaand Washington have al-ready taken the lead in of-fering such options.
“You can put in Maya
Angelou and take outShakespeare and say, ‘Ihave an ethnic studies pro-gram,’” Cabrera said.“That’s not what we’retalking about here, notjust a tokenizing version ofthe curriculum.”
The Tucson schooldistrict ceased the classesin 2012 to avoid the threatof losing 10 percent oftheir state funding. Districtofficials did not immedi-ately respond to messagesseeking comment Thurs-day.
By 2015, the districtwas expanding a “cultur-ally relevant” curriculumdeveloped after a separateracial desegregation law-suit. Those courses, whichinclude American historyfrom an African-Americanperspective, are nowtaught at all district highschools.
Democratic Rep. SallyAnn Gonzales of Tucsonsaid it’s important for Ari-zona to teach the historyof minority communities.
“Attacking the Mexi-can-American studies pro-gram sends the wrongmessage to Arizona’s stu-dents and denies thestate’s rich and diverse his-tory,” Gonzales said in astatement.
During a July trialover the lawsuit, TomHorne, a former state at-torney general and statesuperintendent, defendedthe law he drafted. He tes-tified that he was troubledby what he described asradical instructors teach-ing students to be disrup-tive but insisted he tar-geted all ethnic studiesprograms equally.
Sherman Dorn, a pro-fessor at Arizona StateUniversity ’s Mary LouFulton Teachers College,said it will be beneficial ifmore school districts offerclasses with more thanone perspective.
“A good social studiesclass will give students theopportunity to learn abouta subject from a variety ofperspectives,” Dorn said.
Judge A. WallaceTashima of theUnited States
Court of Appeals
Mike Tyson Breaks Ground onCalifornia Marijuana Ranch
by: The Associated Press
File – In this May 4, 2017 file photo, Mike Tyson speaks during an interviewwith The Associated Press, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Formerheavyweight champion Tyson is becoming a California marijuanaentrepreneur. TheBlast.com reports that Tyson and partners on Dec. 20,2017, broke ground on a plot for a cannabis resort in California City, aremote Mojave Desert town that’s about a 110-mile drive north of LosAngeles. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
CALIFORNIA CITY, CA(AP) — Former heavy-weight champion MikeTyson is becoming a Cali-fornia marijuana entrepre-neur.
TheBlast.com reportsthat Tyson and partners onDec. 20 broke ground on aplot for a cannabis resortin California City, a remoteMojave Desert town that’s
about a 110-mile (177-ki-lometer) drive north of LosAngeles.
Partner RobertHickman tells the websitethat the undevelopedlands are primed to be cul-tivated and that TysonRanch will be an oasis.
In a video of theevent, California CityMayor Jennifer Wood
thanks Tyson for his com-mitment to the commu-nity, saying the industrywill provide medical mari-juana to people in need,revenue, jobs and incomefor residents.
Calls and emails fromThe Associated Press to aTyson representative andthe mayor were not imme-diately returned Tuesday.
EMPLOYMENT | PROPOSALS | PUBLIC INFORMATIONFOR SALE | FOR RENT | BIDS | MISCELLANEOUS
www.theaustinvillager.com CLASSIFIEDS THE VILLAGER/January 5, 2018 ~ Page 5
Are you interested in doing businesswith the City of Austin?
For information on the City of Austin’s Minority/Women-Owned Procurement Program please contact theSmall & Minority Business Resources at 512-974-7600 orvisit www.austintexas.gov/smbr.
DESCRIPTION:Flintco, LLC is requesting proposals for the work consisting ofa new 33,141 SF facility that will be built to replace the oldfacility in the current parking lot. The project is pursuing LEED2009 NC Gold certification.
This project will require the following services: demolition ofexisting recreation center, concrete, structural steel, decorativemetal railings, millwork, metal wall panels, waterproofing,doors & frames, overhead coiling doors, aluminum storefront,glazing, louvers, drywall, tiling, flooring, painting, signage,specialties, metal lockers, flagpoles, foodservice equipment,gymnasium equipment, entrance floor grilles, bleacher seatingsystem, elevators, fire protection, plumbing, mechanical,electrical, fire alarm, drilled piers, landscaping & irrigation.
Proposals will be due Monday, January 29th by 3:00 p.m. byemail to [email protected], via SmartBidNet.com, fax at(512) 822-7500, or hand delivery to the Austin office of Flintco,LLC located at 8100 Cross Park Drive, Austin, Texas 78754.
We are requesting that bids be received on the 29th due to thefact that the Compliance Plan must be submitted at the sametime as our bid.
A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held on January3, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at 1200 Montopolis, Austin, TX 78741.An optional tour of the site will be conducted immediatelyfollowing the pre-proposal meeting. Depending on the numberof people interested in the tour, space may be limited to three(3) representatives from each firm. The tour should take nomore than 1-1/2 hours.
All project related questions should be addressed to Mike Hutter([email protected]) or (512) 822-7371 and received no laterthan 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28th. Please contact ShannonBrunner ([email protected]) for bid invitations viaemail or (512)822-7468.
Flintco, LLC is an EEO Employer and all HUB and Small &Minority Business Subcontractors are encouraged to bid.
Austin Public Health iscurrently solicitingapplications through aRequest for Applications(RFA) process fromqualified social serviceproviders or governmentagencies for immigrationlegalservices. Docu-ments for RFA-ILS2018LW are availableelectronically at www.austintexas.gov/article/i m m i g r a t i o n - l e g a l -services. An optional pre-bid meeting for potentialapplicants will be held onJanuary 12, 2018 from2:00pm-3:00pm in the 3rdfloor conference room ofthe Rebekah BainesJohnson Health Centerlocated at 15 Waller St.,Austin, TX 78702. Thedeadline to submit anapplication is 11 a.m. CSTon February 5, 2018.Please direct questions orrequests for a copy of theRFA to Laura Williamsonat Laura.Williamson2@austin texas.govor 512-972-5206.
NOTICEVernette Cleveland isattempting to locate andspeak with any of thefollowing persons regard-ing the Estate of CharlesLeonard Cleveland: LindaThomas McKinney, BrianThomas, SharonRandle,Roslyn Cleveland,and Sylvia Shaw. Foraddit- ional information,please contact LeonardWoods,P. O. Box 1149, Austin, TX78767, telephone 512-495-8867 or [email protected]
Texas Woman Accused in FatalShooting of Boyfriend’s Son
by: Jamie Stengle | Associated Press
This undated photo provided by The CollinCounty Texas Sheriff’s Department shows 26-year-old Brooke Craig (left) and 24-year-old CameronCastillo (right). (Collin County Sheriff’s Depart-ment via AP)
DALLAS (AP) — A 7-year-old Texas boy diedafter his father’s girlfriendopened fire as the mandrove away with his sonand two other children,police said Friday.
Greenville police saidKaden Green died at a hos-pital after being takenthere by a witness follow-ing the shooting Thursdayafternoon.
The woman accusedof shooting the boy, 26-year-old Brooke Craig, wasarrested early Friday alongwith the child’s father, 24-year-old Cameron Castillo,in the Dallas suburb ofFrisco about 45 miles (72kilometers) west ofGreenville. Authoritiessaid Craig led police on acar chase before their ar-rests.
Craig faces a capitalmurder charge, whileCastillo was arrested for aparole violation.
Officers were re-sponding to a report of adisturbance at a homeThursday when they re-ceived a call that a boy hadbeen taken to a hospitalwith a gunshot wound tothe chest. Police said theybelieve Castillo and Craighad been involved in a dis-turbance at the home be-fore he got into his vehicleand headed down the
street.After the shooting,
the vehicle came to a stopand Craig and a witnessapproached it, police said.The witness then took theboy to the hospital in an-other vehicle.
Police said the twoother children who werein the vehicle were placedin the custody of the state.Child Protective Servicesspokeswoman MarissaGonzales said they have a4-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl who are the sib-lings of Kaden in their cus-tody.
Gonzales said Craig isnot Kaden’s mother. Shesaid CPS has received a re-port about the boy’s deathand will investigate. Shesaid the boy’s family hashad previous contact with
CPS, but that the detailsare confidential.
McKinney police saidGreenville police con-tacted them early Fridayabout the capital murderwarrant for Craig.McKinney police then lo-cated her vehicle leaving astore and she fled intonearby Frisco, goingthrough several residentialareas before turning downa dead-end street, policesaid.
Craig and Castillo,who was her passenger,were arrested without in-cident after their vehiclestruck a police cruiserwhile attempting to backup, police said.
Jail records show thatCraig was transferred fromCollin County, whereMcKinney is located, backto Hunt County, whereGreenville is located, byFriday afternoon. Therecords did not list an at-torney in relation to thecapital murder charge.
Craig faces an evad-ing arrest charge in CollinCounty, according to thejail records. The attorneylisted in relation to thatcharge did not immedi-ately return a call Friday.
Castillo was beingheld in Collin County jailFriday. Jail records did notlist an attorney for him.
Statement from Council Member OraHouston, Austin Police Labor Agreement
AUSTIN, Texas - Asproperty taxes continue torise and the populationcontinues to increase atthe outer edges of District#1, it is imperative that theCity of Austin has the ca-pacity to sustain servicesand resources which ad-dress the complex needsof a growing communityand fund a police depart-ment composed of highlytrained peace officers whoare paid reasonable wagesand benefits.
I was disappointed tolearn of the Austin PoliceAssociation’s decision to
discontinue contract ne-gotiations. Following theCouncil’s vote on Decem-ber 13th, the Associationhad the option of utiliz-ing up to 3 months of ex-tensions on the existingcontract while the termsof a new contract werediscussed. Unfortunately,the Association voted toend negotiations withthe City. As a result, thecurrent labor agreementwill expire on December29, 2017.
Interim City Man-ager Elaine Hart releaseda memo last week outlin-
ing “the most significant ef-fects on personnel proce-dures and practices at theAustin Police Departmentthat will occur as a result ofthe decision by the PoliceAssociation not to resumelabor contract negotiationswith the City.” The effectswill span things such as hir-ing, promotion, pay, over-sight and discipline practicewithin the Department.While this was not the out-come I anticipated, I acceptthe Police Association’s de-cision and look forward toa productive return to thenegotiation table in 2018.
Strong Support forCongressional Term Limits in
Texas U.S. House RaceWashington, D.C. –
U.S. Term Limits (USTL),the leader in the nationalmovement to limit termsfor elected officials, todaypraised Texas U.S. Housecandidate (District 25),Julie Oliver, for signing itscongressional term limitspledge. Chris Perri wasthe first person in thestate’s Congressional Dis-trict 25 race to sign thepledge.
In November 2017,U.S. Term Limits hadmore than 50 pledgesigners in Congress. USTLPresident Philip Blumelcommented on thepledges, saying, “Thissupport of term limitsshows that there are in-dividuals who are willingto put self-interest asideto follow the will of thepeople. America needs aCongress that will beserved by citizen legisla-tors, not career politi-cians.”
The U.S. Term LimitsAmendment Pledge isprovided to every an-nounced candidate forfederal office. It reads, “Ipledge that as a memberof Congress I will co-sponsor and vote for theU.S. Term Limits amend-ment of three (3) Houseterms and two (2) Senateterms and no longerlimit.” The U.S. Term Lim-its Constitutional Amend-ment has been intro-duced in both the U.S.Senate by Senator TedCruz (R-TX) and theHouse of Representativesby Representative RonDeSantis (R-FL).
Blumel noted,“More than 75% ofAmericans have rejectedthe career politicianmodel and want to re-
place it with citizen leader-ship. The way to achievethat goal is through con-gressional term limits. JulieOliver and Chris Perriknow this and they arewilling to work to make surewe reach our goal.”
According to the lastnationwide poll on termlimits conducted by Gallup,the issue enjoys wide bipar-tisan support. The pollshowed that 75% of Ameri-cans support congressionalterm limits. Gallup’s analy-sis states, “Republicans andindependents are slightlymore likely than Democratsto favor term limits; never-theless, the vast majority ofall party groups agree onthe issue. Further, Gallupfinds no generational differ-ences in support for theproposal.”
Blumel concluded,“America is in trouble. Ourcareer politicians have letthe people down. It is timeto limit their terms and re-turn control of our nation tothe people. It is time for aconstitutional amendmentlimiting congressionalTerms.”
The term limitsamendment bills would re-quire a two-thirds majorityin the House and Senate,and ratification by 38 statesin order to become part ofthe U.S. Constitution.
HOUSTON (AP) — A45-year-old Houston manis accused of nearly de-capitating his girlfriendwith a samurai sword.
Police investigating a“cutting in progress”Wednesday evening found36-year-old AracelyJernigan dead in the livingroom of a Houston home.
Court records showKenneth Wayne LockingsJr.’s relatives convincedhim Thursday to surrenderto police. He has beencharged with murder andis being held without bondin the Harris County jail.
He has a lengthycriminal history includingmultiple drug arrests andat least one conviction.
Lockings’ grand-mother, Marie Carrier toldThe Houston Chroniclethat he received the swordas a gift at Thanksgiving.
She says Jernigan hadbeen living in Mexico andonly recently returned toHouston.
Houston Man NearlyDecapitated Girlfriendwith Samurai Swordby: The Associated Press
Page 6 ~ THE VILLAGER/January 5, 2018 THE DISPATCH www.theaustinvillager.com
THE GROUP Returns to theRenaissance Hotel for
29th Holiday Affair
ABOVE (l-r): David Williams, Barbara Foreman, Dr. Joseph Quander, andKenneth Thompson. BELOW (l-r): Libby Doggett, Barbara Foreman, and U.S.Representative, Lloyd Doggett. Photos by General Marshall
AUSTIN, TEXAS -For more than two de-cades, THE GROUP hostedits Holiday Affair at the Re-naissance Hotel, but whenthe hotel began renova-tions in 2013, THE GROUPhosted their events atother venues. However,on Saturday, December23, 2017, THE GROUP re-turned home to the Re-naissance Hotel
The ballroom wasfilled from wall to wallwith guests who were ex-cited to celebrate the holi-days with family andfriends in such a festiveenvironment.
THE GROUP pre-sented an appreciationaward to Joseph P.Quander, Jr., M.D. for hiscontributions to medi-cine. Dr. Quander, a re-tired gynecologist, deliv-ered hundreds of babiesin Austin. The guestswere so happy for Dr.Quander that they gavehim a roaring round ofapplause. Dr. Quanderwas also a charter mem-ber of THE GROUP.
Of course, the dancefloor was crowded andelectrified by the music ofDistinctive Soundz. Exhibi-tors were on hand to dis-play and sell their wares,which included baskets of
sweet treats, candles, jew-elry, and Greek parapher-nalia. Dr Kirsten Shepardshared products and infor-mation about her chiro-practic and wellness cen-ter.
Longtime friend ofTHE GROUP, CongressmanLloyd Doggett, spoke holi-day greetings to theguests. He also made note
that this was his 23rd con-secutive time attendingthe event with wife, Dr.Libby Doggett.
The party went onuntil the early morning,and a good time was hadby all.
THE GROUP is a pri-vate, social club. For moreinformation contact:[email protected].
LeRoy Frasier, HelpedDesegregate UNC University,
Dies at 80...golf course and the university-owned restaurant
and hotel known as the Carolina Inn were off-limits...by: Martha Waggoner | Associated Press
(From l.) John Brandon, and Leroy and Ralph Frasier, brothers, successfullychallenged racial segregation at North Carolina’s flagship public university.(RUDOLPH FAIRCLOTH/AP)
LeRoy Frasier died Dec. 29 at the age of 80. (JIM R. BOUNDS/AP)
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)— LeRoy Frasier, whoalong with his brother andanother high school stu-dent was among the firstAfrican-American under-graduate students to suc-cessfully challenge racialsegregation at NorthCarolina’s flagship publicuniversity, has died at theage of 80.
Family members saidTuesday that Frasier, along-time English teacher,suffered heart failure anddied Dec. 29 at a hospitalin New York City.
Frasier; his brother,Ralph; and John LewisBrandon were students atHillside High School inDurham when they ap-
plied to the University ofNorth Carolina at ChapelHill in 1955. They were re-jected until a federal courtjudge ordered UNC-Chapel Hill to admit them.
Although UNC-Chapel Hill officiallyopened its doors to thethree young men, theyweren’t welcomed every-where. Ralph Frasier, 79,who lives in Jacksonville,Florida, recalled Tuesdaythat the golf course andthe university-owned res-taurant and hotel knownas the Carolina Inn wereoff-limits. At footballgames, they were seatedin a section with custodialworkers, who were Black.And the three lived on
their own floor of a sectionof a dormitory.
They also had to geta special dispensation touse the swimming pool.
“There were pocketsof hostility among stu-dents primarily,” saidRalph Frasier, a retired at-torney. “But some of theadministrators were lessthan welcoming. Somefaculty were less than wel-coming.”
The Frasier brotherscompleted three years atChapel Hill before Ralphleft for the Army andLeRoy for the Peace Corps.Their harsh treatment atUNC-Chapel Hill was oneof the reasons they left theschool, Ralph Frasier said.
Both later graduatedfrom what’s now NorthCarolina Central Univer-sity, a historically Blackschool in Durham.
The brothers were 14months apart in age butRalph Frasier started hiseducation early. The twowent through their schoolyears in the same gradeand attended UNC-ChapelHill at the same time. Theyspoke by phone almostevery day and had lasttalked Christmas Day.
“We were bestfriends for life,” RalphFrasier said.
While four Black stu-dents had been admittedto the law school whenthe Frasiers and Brandon
applied, no Black under-graduates had been ac-cepted. Some UNC-ChapelHill students came to theDurham Committee onNegro Affairs to find stu-dents to challenge theschool’s racial recalci-trance, Ralph Frasier said.They met with the princi-pal of Hillside High School,a Black school, to find theright families.
They found familieswhose jobs couldn’t bethreatened, and theFrasier brothers’ parentsworked for North CarolinaMutual Life Insurance Co.,which was owned byBlacks. Their uncle was thechief executive officer so“it was felt their employ-
ment was pretty secure,”Frasier said.
In the decade sincethe Frasiers and Brandonattended UNC-Chapel Hill,the school has taken stepsto make amends by invitingthem to speak and namingscholarships after them.
School ChancellorCarol Folt said in an emailTuesday that LeRoy Frasier“was a true pioneer and his-toric figure in Carolina’s his-tory and his legacy of lead-ership, courage and self-sacrifice made a lasting im-pact on our university com-munity. LeRoy’s contribu-tions to Carolina will live onthrough our students whoreceive scholarships bear-ing his name.”
Exhibit Opening Reception:Juntos/Together
by George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural,and Genealogy Center - FREE to the Public
