--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNOUNCEMENTS from June 2, 2009:
--
Nancy Carter announced that Charlotte City Council had on the table a
proposal for a 2 percent across-the-board reduction in support for all
afterschool programs currently supported in the city budget. A straw
vote on the proposal will be held at a council session Wednesday, June
3, and a formal vote is scheduled for June 8. Carter encouraged people
to contact all members of council to express their opposition to such a
cut. "We have the money in our discretionary funds" to prevent the cuts,
Carter told the Forum.
--
Natheley McElrath announced that she is looking for someone to support
who will run for the Charlotte City Council District 2 seat now held by
James Mitchell.
--
Thelma McKoy announced a Book Club Meeting sponsored by Carolina
Advocates for Legal Reform on Saturday, June 14 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the
West Boulevard Library conference room, 2157 West Blvd. The group will
discuss McKoy's nonfiction book, "Trapped in the Lawyers' Den with
Bloodsuckers."
--
Queen Thompson announced that the local branch of the NAACP, currently
in reorganization, is accepting nominations for officers for the group.
She said the group meets the fourth Mondays of the month at Little Rock
AME Zion Church at 7th and McDowell Streets downtown.
--
Beverly Lawston announced that the Black Women's Caucus would hold its
annual banquet June 27 at Zion Renaissance Convention Center, 3165 Zion
Renaissance Lane off West Sugar Creek Road. Speaker is Berlinda Tolbert,
who portrayed Jenny on the TV show "The Jeffersons."
--
Judge Linwood Foust announced that Aretha V. Blake has agreed to be
considered for a gubernatorial appointment to a vacancy on the N.C.
Superior Court bench serving Mecklenbrg County. "What I need to point
out to you," Foust said, "is that, statewide, we have about 122 Superior
Court judges. We have less than 10 females. We do need diversity on the
bench, and you might consider that with whatever contacts you have and,
if you are so desirous, you may contact the governor."
--
Roslyn Jacobs announced that Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education
would hold a final workshop on June 24 for people considering running
for public office, covering general organizational details and how to
run a campaign. Info: 704-335-0100 or [email protected].
--
Judge Linwood Foust announced that the N.C. Central University Alumni
Association would sponsor a bus to Cherokee on Saturday, June 13,
leaving Charlotte at 6 a.m. and returning at 9 p.m. Cost is $30.
--
Madelyn Baer sent in an announcement of summer concerts sponsored by
Friends of Music at Queens. (All events are in Dana Auditorium at 7
p.m.) Saturday, June 20: Terzetto Piano Trio; Wednesday, July 8: The
Parker String Quartet; Saturday, July 18: The Parker String Quarter
playing with Pianist and Queens Artist-in-Residence Paul Nitsch. Tickets
are $20 per concert or $50 for the series. Admission is free for
students of all ages. Details:
www.queens.edu/event_detail.asp?event_id=1523§ion=queens&TopLevelId=17
or phone 704-337-2213 or e-mail [email protected].
--
Michael Sexton passed on an announcement that Zach Bonner, 11, who is in
a third year of walking from Tampa to Washington to raise money for
homeless children, will pass through downtown Charlotte on Wednesday,
June 3, on his way to a reception at 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army's
Center of Hope, 534 Spratt St. Funds raised during the Charlotte visit
will return to Charlotte to purchase back-to-school supplies for
homeless and at-risk children. Info: Laverne Cole at 704-844-0249 or
Shelley Spillios at 704-714-4727 or Jennifer Cameron at 704-576-4123.
--
Michael Sexton sent in an announcement that the The Domestic Violence
Advocacy Council would march at The Square downtown this Thursday, June
4, at 12:15 p.m. to mark the domestic violence related death Monday of
Yennifer Karina Fuentes, 31. " Police have arrested her boyfriend,
Victor Alfonso Cruz-Garcia, 22, and charged him with the murder." "The
march is intended to broaden the public's awareness that help is
available, including programs and services offering safety planning.
This is not a memorial." Info:
704-432-1568.
-------------------------------------------
ANNOUNCEMENTS from June 9, 2009:
--
Rahman Khan announced that an interview with J.C. Smith University President
Dr. Ron Carter, the Forum's presenter, would air on "GoodWorks with Rahman
Khan" on Friday, June 19, at 10:30 p.m. on WTVI.
--
Aretha Blake announced that she is seeking gubernatorial appointment to the
N.C. Superior Court bench, and encouraged people to support her appointment.
--
Natheley McElrath announced for Blanche Penn a barbecue and swimming pool
party fundraiser on Saturday, July 25 at Allstate Insurance. Tickets are
$15. Proceeds will support the planned October event honoring the late
Valerie C. Woodard.
--
Carlenia Ivory asked that community groups and others sponsoring
back-to-school rallies and events contact the CMS Parent University
department, which would like to support these community efforts. Info:
704-343-5164.
--
Sarah Stevenson announced for Sarah Coleman a march from the Education
Center to the Government Center this afternoon, June 9, with staging at the
Ed Center parking lot at 5:30 p.m. to "demonstrate concerns about the loss
of jobs for CMS educators and support personnel" during tonight's school
board meeting. Speakers who wish to address the school board during the
board meeting should call in advance to 980-343-5139.
--
Ken Koontz announced that WENS-TV had received enough support for its
production of DVDS of its Inauguration Week coverage from Washington to
allow a price cut to $10 per DVD. For copies, see Koontz.
--
Ken Koontz announced that the community owed Sarah Stevenson "a tremendous
debt of gratitude" for ongoing programming for the Tuesday Morning Breakfast
Forum, particularly for the appearance in the last two weeks of civil rights
attorney Julius Chambers and J.C. Smith University President Ron Carter.
"This is what the Tuesday Morning Forum is about," he said.
--
Steve Johnston passed along an announcement from the N.C. Justice Center of
a town hall forum on the anti-bullying School Violence Prevention Act on
Thursday, June 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Unity Fellowship Church, 2127 Eastway Dr. The forum is co-sponsored by the Justice Center's NCCARE
project, ACLU-NC, Equality NC, NARAL, Prevent School Violence NC and The
Freedom School for Social Justice.
--
Claire Green Fallon sent in an announcement that the NorthEast Coalition had
rescheduled its regular June meeting to a new date of Sunday, June 14 at the
Unviersity City Library on West WT Harris Boulevard at 3 p.m. Program is a
panel moderated by Fox TV News' Brien Blakley. Invited panelists include
N.C. Reps. Thom Tillis, Nick Mackey and Malcolm Graham; county commissioners
Dan Murray, George Dunlap and Karen Bentley; City Council members Michael
Barnes, John Lassiter and Warren Cooksey. Info: [email protected] or
704-596-8288.
-----------------------------------------------------
ANNOUNCEMENTS from June 16, 2009:
--
Darrin Rankin announced a fund-raiser for his bid for Charlotte City
Council. The event will be held Tuesday, June 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the
Hodges Taylor Gallery, 401 N. Tryon St. in the Transamerica Building.
--
Ken Koontz announced that WENS-TV would cover events marking the
Juneteenth Celebration in Charlotte beginning this Thursday, June 18 and
running through Sunday, June 21. He said the Charlotte Post would
publish a calendar of events.
--
Beverly Lawston announced the Black Women's Caucus Annual Blackberry
Brunch on Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m. at Zion Renaissance, 3765 Zions
Rennasiance Lane. Tickets are avaiable from numerous Forum participants.
--
Joel Ford announced that N.C. Supt. of Public Instruction June Atkinson
will address the Uptown Democratic Forum this Wednesday, June 17, at the
Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. Lunch is $10.
Reservations: Pat Cotham at 704-506-3056.
--
Natheley McElrath announced that she had $15 tickets for a fund-raiser
barbecue and pool party to be held on Saturday, July 25 at noon at 715
N. Church St. Proceeds will support a planned gala in October in honor
of the late Valerie C. Woodard. Tickets are $15.
--
Sarah Stevenson announced a meeting to explain how federal stimulus
dollars will be spent in North Carolina. Participants include Gov. Bev
Perdue and Dempsey Benton, director of the N.C. Office of Economic
Recovery and Investment. The workshop will be Thursday, June 18 from
2:30-4:30 p.m. at CPCC's Harris Conference Center off Morris Field Drive
near the airport.
--
Donna Jenkins (Dawson) Taylor sent in an announcement that FAVAR
Ministries (Fathers Against Violence and Repeat-Offenders) would hold a
graduation/fundraiser dinner on Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at Myers Park
United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Rd. Tickets are $25. Info and to
RSVP: John Jenkins at 704-712-4106 or
www.favarministriescom.
----------------------------------------------
ANNOUNCEMENTS from June 23, 2009:
--
Next week: Ken Simmons on the state of education for African American
children in CMS, from a black educator's perspective.
--
Martha Gamble Hall announced an Interdenominational Intercessory Prayer
Vigil for Friday, June 26 for one-hour periods beginning at 5:30, 6:30
and 7:30 p.m. at C.N. Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1421
Statesville Ave., praying for the economy, for those who have lost their
jobs, for President Obama, for Congress, for divine intervention,
thanksgiving and more. All are welcome.
--
Ken Koontz announced that WENS-TV would produce video coverage of
Juneteenth celebrations in Charlotte last weekend, and that DVDs of
Inauguration Week in Washington, D.C. are still available for $10.
--
LaJuan Pringle of the Beatties Ford Road Library announced that summer
reading programs are available for persons of all ages. For the full
list of reading activities:
www.plcmc.lib.nc.us/Locations/branches.asp?id=2 He added later that the
branch is co-sponsoring a series of financial responsibility workshops
aimed at young women, to discuss finances and opening savings accounts.
The six-week series begins Tuesday, June 29 at 6 p.m.
--
Joyce Waddell announced that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg branch of the
NAACP had selected a nominating committee and would meet July 27 at
Little Rock AME Zion Church. She encouraged all to renew their
memberships.
--
Blanche Penn announced a fund-raising barbecue and pool party to be held
on Saturday, July 25 at noon at 715 N. Church St. Proceeds will support
a planned gala in October in honor of the late Valerie C. Woodard.
Tickets are $15.
--
When Thomas Moore asked about this Saturday's annual Blackberry Lunch
(11 a.m., Zion Renaissance, 3765 Zion Renaissance Lane, sponsored by the
Black Women's Caucus), a number of people announced that the event was
sold out.
----------------------------------------------
ANNOUNCEMENTS from June 30, 2009:
--
Next week: Roslyn Jacobs and Kathy Ridge from Mecklenburg Citizens for
Public Education, on trends in education nationally and locally.
--
Geraldine Brisbane announced open houses on Sunday, July 26 and Sunday,
Aug. 16, from 3-5 p.m. for prospective parents at Brisbane Academy
Preparatory School, a pre-K-12 private institution at 5901 Statesville
Rd.
--
City Council District 5 member Nancy Carter announced a year-end meeting
for her district tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Hickory Grove Recreation
Center, 6709 Pence Rd.
--
Richard McElrath, who has announced his intention to file for election
to the school board from District 2, announced a meeting for prospective
District 2 constituents on Wednesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. at the West
Boulevard Branch Library, 2157 West Blvd.
--
Rodney Moore announced that the Charlotte Housing Authority had a
successful Family Day at Boulevard Homes on West Boulevard last
Saturday, with 200-300 people present.
--
Rodney Moore also announced that the N.C. Institute of Political
Leadership (graduates include Joel Ford, Nicole Hudson and Rodney Moore)
is accepting applications for its fall term on how to run and manage
political campaigns. More information and online application forms are
at the group's website, www.iopl.org.
--
Sarah Stevenson welcomed Dr. Gyasi Foluke back to the Forum. Foluke said
he had been in Columbia caring for an elder sister, and hoped to be back
in Charlotte more regularly in a few weeks.
--
Gloria Rembert announced that the Black Political Caucus meets the third
Sunday of each month at 6 p.m. at Little Rock AME Zion Church at 7th and
McDowell Sts. She encouraged people to become active members again.
--
Geraldine Brisbane announced that Brisbane Academy works with parents of
preschoolers who should be in school but are ineligible to enter CMS
because of early fall birthdates. In answer to a question, Brisbane said
that Brisbane Academy was still accepting children in its summer school.
--
James Ross sent in an announcement that he was to formally announce his
candidacy for election to the school baord from District 3 at an event
today at 11 a.m. at Billingsville Elementary School, 3021 Leroy St.
--
The Forum welcomes all persons to its meetings
beginning at 8 a.m. most Tuesdays of the year
at the West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2222 Kendall Drive, Charlotte, NC
down the hill from West Charlotte High School.