Announcements July 2005
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS from July 12, 2005:
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Upcoming at the Forum:
July 19: Library director Charles Brown on ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center.
July 26: Luke Largess, Ferguson-Stein lawyer, on school assignment.
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Sylvia Grier announced that the Carolinas Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs meeting this Thursday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m., at West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2400 Kendall Dr. will be a safety workshop for women. Fee of $10 covers cost of safety manual and pepper spray. RSVP requried: 704-333-1690.
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Sylvia Grier also announced a fundraiser for the Millions More Movement this Friday, July 15 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Tempo, 4809 Wiklinson Blvd., featuring Chicago's own Master Stepper Prince "Moody" Lampkin in a "White Linen Steppers Ball," hosted by Jaye in Your Day Morning Show on V101.9. Donation of $40 covers step lessons from 7 to 8:30. Donation of $60 if supporting the Millions More Movement.
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Nancy Carter announced that she and Susan Burgess would file for re-election to City Council on Monday, July 18th at 4 p.m. at the Board of Elections, 741 Kenilworth Ave. Suite 202. "We really appreciate your support."
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Neil Carroll of Parks & Recreation announced that the first community workshop on design of the new Third Ward Park would be held Monday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. at Johnson & Wales University Auditorium, 801 W. Trade St.
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Andrea Huff announced that the Black Political Caucus would meet this Sunday, July 17 at 7 p.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2600 Beatties Ford Rd.
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Ken Simmons announced that 18 of 27 people present at a recent Forum responded to his one-question survey on Dr. James Pughsley's greatest contribution to the children and citizens of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. He said the results included 8 positive perceptions, 4 negative ones, and 6 others.
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Louise Woods introduced Rev. Tom Tate, who has filed as a school board candidate in District 4. "He is not a Johnny Come Lately. I encourage you to let him know your concerns." When Deacon Jones observed that her statement was practically an endorsement, Woods to much laughter replied, "No one else has filed yet," then added that she knew what Tate stood for and "he will express many of the same issues I have expressed and that we have in this group."
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At two points during the Forum, people expressed the thanks of the community to school board member Louise Woods, who has announced that she will not run for re-election after 10 years of service. Observed Malachi Greene, "Sometimes we fail to value those persons who give up years of their lives in public service." Woods'
accomplishments far outnumber the many that are publicly known, he said. Accompanied by a standing ovation, he called Woods' long service "an extraordinary, selfless act." "I can't have a better tribute," Woods replied later. "I'm not dying," she added, and said she would be working harder than ever up until December. "It's up to us to be sure that the person who comes after me has the same focus and the same heart."
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Jackie Edwards Walton forwarded the invitation from the CMS task force to its town hall meetings at which the independent committee of business and community leaders seeks input about the governance and management structure for CMS. The meetings are this Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St.; Wednesday, July 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius; and Thursday, July 28, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell St. East, Matthews. To register, visit www.fftc.org and click on CMS Task Force or call (704) 973-4586.
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Michael Sexton sent in an announcement of a free stress management session with Dr. Lornal Minewiser, part of the New Choices Program, this Friday, July 15, from 10 a.m.-noon in the kitchen of the Hal Marshall Building, 700 N. Tryon St. All are invited. Displaced Homemakers are encouraged to attend. Call 336-4309 or 432-6933 to register.
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Bob Hall of Democracy South sent in a request for people to call N.C. House members to encourage them to support two bills, H-851 on same-day registration and voting (info: www.democracy-nc.org/improving/SDRSumm05.pdf); and S-612 to amend lobby laws (info: www.nclobbyreform.org/about/mission.htm)
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Richard McElrath told Tuesday's speaker, Harvey Gantt, that years ago he was in a jewelry store to pick out some diamond earrings for his wife. It was McElrath's habit to ignore quoted prices, so he asked the clerk to bring the store manager, and he proceded to negotiate a price for the earrings. He left the store well satisfied. In fact, he thought he got such a great deal he would go back and buy a watch. When he returned, the manager greeted him with, "Hello again, Mister Mayor." McElrath told Gantt he decided then that the next time anyone mistook him for the mayor, he'd say, "Just send the bill to my office." Tuesday's guest doubled over in laughter.
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Several people sent in announcements of the final performance this Saturday, July 16, of "Two Women and A Glass Of Wine" starring Toby Lee, Sibyl Lee-English and Sandra McMullen,, 1 p.m., Mint Museum, 2370 Randolph Rd. Benefits The Family Center, Women's Commission, United Way and United Negro College Fund. Tickets $20 adults, $15 seniors and college students.
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Sylvia Grier sent in an announcement that weekly meetings of the Millions More Movement Charlotte Local Organizing Committee had outgrown The Coffee Cup and henceforth would meet Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Greenville Memorial AME Zion Church, 6116 Monteith Drive, off of Tom Hunter Road and North Tryon Street in the Hidden Valley community. "The LOC will miss this hospitality as well as the Coffee Cup cobbler that was one of the many benefits of meeting at "The Cup."
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Repeating Sunday's announcement: Dr. Thomas Moore's father, Tracy H. Moore, died Saturday morning at 3 a.m. The funeral will be held on Saturday, July 16 at 2 p.m. at Ebenezer AME Zion Church, 2475 Ebenezer Rd., Smyrna, SC. Cars are to line up at Wright Funeral Home in York , S.C. at 12:30 p.m. and drive in a procession to the church from there. The church will provide food afterwards. The wake will be held on Friday night, 7-8 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home, 301 E. Liberty St, York, S.C. 29745 (803) 684-4781.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS from July 19, 2005:
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Upcoming at the Forum:
July 26: County commissioners on sizing the November bond package.
August: Luke Largess, Ferguson-Stein lawyer, on school assignment.
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Deacon Jones expressed an interest in having prayer during a future Forum for once-regular attendees who are confronting health issues. He asked Forum members to make home visits.
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Adam Sotak announced that he had Democracy South flyers listing important dates in the fall election cycle. For copies or further information, call 704-277-8340.
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Sarah Stevenson invited the two county commissioners present to report. Wilhelmenia Rembert reviewed recent decisions on capping the fall bond issue, and said the actual amount would be lower, with the decision made at the board's first August meeting. Other recent actions included a resolution supporting eventual restoration of the Carolina Theater, and business incentives for a plastics plant in Huntersville. She said committees of City Council and County Commission would soon meet jointly to discuss economic development issues. Valerie Woodard reported on a recent visit to Imaginon, and on a recent Third Ward meeting to discuss the downtown park she said she proposed to be named Romare Bearden Park.
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Aaron Cheeks from Parks and Recreation announced that Robert Patterson had become chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission. Patterson is currently chair of the District 3 advisory council. Cheeks also announced that the District 3 parks staff had moved from Grady Cole Center to the indoor shelter at Freedom Park, and that the District 3 advisory council meets the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at their new home in Freedom Park.
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Thomas Moore thanked people for their support on the recent death of his father, Tracy H. Moore. He said an acquaintance in a neighboring business was from Smyrna, S.C., and was in Smyrna during the funeral and was struck by the number of white people at the Ebenezer AME Zion Church funereal. Not knowing who the funeral was for, the acquaintance told Moore that somebody important must have died. "We keep talking about black and white," Moore told the Forum. "But can we understand that there is a heavenly father who created all of us? It's a shame we don't realize how close we all are." He said it may even turn out that he and Richard McElrath are distantly related.
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Dwayne Collins said his campaign would hold a $10 fish fry on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 1622 Beatties Ford Road on the old grocery store parking lot. He said he would have tickets next Tuesday. Collins also announced that the school board would meet this Wednesday, July 20, and vote on recommendations for new assignment boundaries and transportation zones.
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Dr. Vernon Herron asked why it was that worthwhile organizations and candidates "always offer me a fish fry when I'd rather have steak."
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Malachi Green announced the death of Arthur Fletcher, the first African-American on the Baltimore Colts, a financial supporter of the lawsuits that ended in Brown vs. Board, a former executive of the United Negro College Fund and Republican appointee to government commissions that led to his being known as the "father of affirmative action." Fletcher, a native of Arizona, died in Washington, D.C. at 80.
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Rodney Moore announced that the NAACP meets the fourth Thursday (July 28) at Weeping Willow AME Zion Church 2220 Milton Road. He also announced that he had been selected for the fall class of the Institute of Political Leadership in Raleigh (alumni include Malcolm Graham, Hugh Lewis, Don Lochman, James Mitchell, John Tabor).
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Michael Sexton sent in an announcement that registration is open for "Search for Accountability," an Oct. 14 conference "geared toward promoting open conversation between ALL domestic violence service providers.... There will be Continuing Education Credits offered to Forensic Nurses and Attorneys. Social Workers can receive a Certificate of Completion good for eight (8) hours of class time."
To register, call 704-432-1568 or e-mail [email protected] with Name, Area of Expertise (Social Worker, Advocate, Attorney, etc.) Agency or Program Name, Email Address, and Phone Number.
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Sibyl Lee-English sent in an announcement of an Aug. 1 deadline to submit material for the Woman Speaks Writing & Art Contest for Women and Girls in conjunction with the Sept. 16-17 Women Speaks Festival. For more information, contact Sibella: Community Arts for Women Association, 704-583-6386 or [email protected].
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Sylvia Grier sent in an announcement that the Millions More Movement organizing committee would hold a first town meeting Saturday, July 30, from 4-6 p.m. at Greenville Memorial AME Zion Church, 6116 Monteith Drive off Tom Hunter Road and North Tryon in the Hidden Valley community. Speaker: Dr. Benjamin F. Muhammad, National Director of the Million Man March and former member of "The Wilmington Ten.'' The public is invited.
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Sylvia Grier sent in an announcement that the Millions More Movement organizing committee would hold another town meeting Saturday, Aug. 27, from 4-6 p.m. at the Main Public Library, 310 N. Tryon St. downtown. Subject: PowerPoint presentation on reparations followed by a discussion. For further information: Ahmad Daniels 704 537-1533 or [email protected] www.creative-interchange.com

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ANNOUNCEMENTS from July 26, 2005:
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Upcoming at the Forum:
August: Luke Largess, Ferguson-Stein lawyer, on school assignment.
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Rodney Moore announced that Rev. Gregory Moss and Rev. Ricky Woods would hold an event at the Federal Courthouse, 401 W. Trade St., at noon this Wednesday, July 27, to announce action plans to mobilize community support for renewal of the Voting Rights Act.
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Dwayne Collins announced that he had tickets for his District 3 school board campaign fish fry on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 1622 Beatties Ford Road on the old grocery store parking lot.
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Sherry Wilson of Parks & Recreation announced a planning workshop for the new Revolution Regional Center, for Monday, Aug. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Revolution Center, 1201 Remount Rd. Other events: a WOW Jam this Saturday at Cordelia Park; for information call Dora DuBuse at 704-353-1251; Back-to-school celebration at Seversville Neighborhood Park, 530 Bruns Ave. on Saturday, Aug. 20, noon to 4 p.m.; a 5K road race at Little Sugar Creek Greenway at the corner of Westfield and Brandywine, on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 8 a.m. Register at www.racescapes.com or call Aaron Cheeks at 704-336-7644; and National Night Out celebrations, in the Camp Greene neighborhood at Monument St. and Arty Ave., on Saturday, July 30, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; and in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood at Beatties Ford Rd. and LaSalle St., on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.
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Rodney Moore announced that the NAACP would meet this Thursday, July 28, at 7 p.m. at Weeping Willow AME Zion Church 2220 Milton Road.
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Blanche Penn announced that a recent Observer article about Just Us Girls failed to mention that the group meets at the West Charlotte Recreation Center. She reported on other recent events at the center, and invited donations to a fund to pay for children's back-to-school needs.
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Nancy Carter encouraged more groups to sign up for the 22nd annual National Night Out effort. She said 50 neighborhoods had registered with the Police Department.
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Valerie Woodard announced that the Third Ward community would meet tonight, Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at the Johnson & Wales auditorium at Trade and Cedar Streets to discuss plans for the uptown park in Third Ward.
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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.