ANNOUNCEMENTS from June 5, 2007:
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Martha Hall announced that Friendship Trays, Charlotte's meals-on-wheels program, is in need of volunteers. Call Lucy Bush at 704-333-9229.
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Rev. Sandra H. Gripper, mother of Tuesday's speaker, announced that Langford Chapel CME Church at 113 S. Johnson St., Monroe, would hold an AIDS walk June 23. The day includes a clothes giveaway, feeding all who arrive at the event hungry, a health fair and raising money for AIDS medications. "Pray that we will be successful," she said. The church's number is 704-289-4055.
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Dr. Gyasi Foluke announced that he would speak Thursday, June 7 at 8 a.m. at a meeting sponsored by City Political Magazine. The Black Economics Breakfast For Entrepreneurs meets first Thursdays at Prime Sirloin, 3302 Queen City Dr., at I-85 Service Road off Billy Graham Parkway.
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Mary Williams announced that she has joined Community Link as director of housing education. Her new number is 704-943-9501.
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City Council member Nancy Carter encouraged people to participate in a public forum to question the three candidates to succeed Pam Syfert as Charlotte city manager. The event is Wednesday, June 13 at the Government Center with a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. and a forum beginning at 6:30. The three finalists, announced May 4, are Ron Kimble, assistant city manager since September 2000 and former manager and finance director of Greenville, N.C; Keith Parker, assistant city manager since December 2004 and former COO for Charlotte Area Transit; and Curt Walton, assistant city manager since December 2002 and former Charlotte budget and evaluation director.
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Sarah Stevenson announced that Bertha Maxwell Roddy extended an invitation to all to a Gathering to mark her 77th birthday on this Saturday, June 9 at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. at the Afro American Cultural Center, 401 N. Myers St. Stevenson said Roddy asked that each attendee bring seven pennies.
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Sarah Stevenson announced that the Charlotte chapter of the National Black Child Development Institute would hold a breakfast reception to introduce Keith Burnam, founder and principal of the KIPP Academy Charlotte that is expected to open this fall. The event is Wednesday, June 13, from 7:45-9 a.m. at the Carole A. Hoefner Center, 600 E. 6th St., with overflow parking on North Davidson Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS from June 12, 2007:
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Harold Winston announced a "Celebrating Men" wellness program Friday, June 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at C.N. Jenkins Presbyterian Church, 1421 Statesville Ave.
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Deacon Jones led applause in thanks to Natheley McElrath for serving breakfast at the Forum. McElrath will take a summer break to focus on grandmotherly chores, then will be back in the fall. "You've been a marvelous audience for my breakfasts," McElrath said. "There's nothing like doing something people enjoy."
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Lucy Bush Carter announced that the Charlotte Community Culinary School would hold a Bistro at 1 p.m. this Thursday, June 14, at 1 p.m. at the school at 2501 Distribution St. in South End. The bistro showcases the skills being learned by the school's students. The food "sure is good," Carter said.
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Deacon Jones announced that the Swann Fellowship would host a conversation with school board District 4 member Tom Tate this Thursday, June 14, at 8:15 a.m. on the second floor of the Fellowship Hall at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 1510 E. 7th St.
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Dr. Gyasi Foluke recommended a video clip showing Julia Hare discussing "why we are having disciplinary problems" in schools and elsewhere. See Foluke for the URL, but it may be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq2kJ56hSqo
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Mary Williams sent in an announcement of a Disability Forum presented by the Social Security Administration on Wednesday, June 20, from 12:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the Mecklenburg County Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Rd. Information: [email protected].
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ANNOUNCEMENTS from June 19, 2007:
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Mary Williams announced Saturday's 24th Annual Blackberry Brunch at 11 a.m. at Charleston House, 3128 The Plaza. Tickets are $25. Valerie Woodard said the group supports women and children, especially around the holidays.
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Blanche Penn asked people to save the date of Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. at Waddell High School for the next production by Winners Plus Agency.
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Thornton Howard, a math teacher at M.L. King Jr. Middle School, announced that he would spend the summer promoting a four-week program to begin with school opening to focus adults and students on higher achievement. "Able, Best, Care, Done: The four-letter-word man will be on tour."
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County Commissioner Valerie Woodard said about Tuesday's Observer story on her position on school bonds: "It really isn't like that." She said she was considering supporting $540 million in bonds, including $30 million for land acquisition. "We've got to look out for every child," she said. "We've got to be visionaries in this community."
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Michael Sexton sent in an announcement that the July 3 free "Lunch & Learn" program will feature Detective David Turner speaking about "how the churches can work with domestic violence laws with the support of the community and still support the spiritual needs of their congregants." Lunch & Learn is held at St. Peter's Catholic at 12:30 p.m. Parking is available at the On-the-Green parking garage at South Tryon Street.
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Nooma Rhue sent in an announcement that the Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Heritage Committee would honor civil rights activists at an upcoming annual community event. The event will be held at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 6-9 p.m. Donation is $25.00. For date and other information: Nooma Rhue at 704-995-0731 or [email protected].
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Nooma Rhue sent in an announcement of a free program, "Remembering Brooklyn to Biddleville: Heartbeats of the Community" at the Afro American Cultural Center, on Saturday, June 23, 1-3 p.m.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS from June 26, 2007:
 

Sarah Stevenson announced that the Forum would NOT meet on July 3.
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Pam Grundy announced that her recent absences had been due to writing a textbook, which is now in print. She said she hoped the 8th-grade text on N.C. history would be in use by 2008. She said a Forum presentation on the AME Zion Church inspired her to include a chapter on that subject in the text.
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Ben Cooley announced that the article he had passed out, reprinted from Wealth Manager, showed "what the industry thinks of us." The online version of the article is at http://www.wealthmanagermag.com/cms/wm/Templates/website/PrinterFriendly.aspx?%7BD5364DA5-2A7A-44FF-B14C-85F0A3DBD551%7D
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Ben Cooley announced that federal legislation now under consideration may restrict retirees' access to 403B retirement accounts. He said he was doing research now on the CMS retirement plan and would report to the group about that later.
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Malachi Greene noted Pamela Grundy's role in a FOX Charlotte report on schools May 9, one in the station's Defend Charlotte series that explores how the area is being changed by growth. He said "it's good television... it taught me some stuff." Reports from the series are viewable at www.defendcharlotte.com.
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In connection with a discussion of school bonds, Ben Cooley noted that Charlotte community bonds had lost their AAA rating.

[Commissioners Chairman Jennifer Roberts inquired about this item. On June 28, Ben Cooley sent this note: "Upon further review the bonds that I mentioned were COPs for the transit system -- not General Obligation Bonds. Sorry for the confusion. Please make any changes to the minutes from Tuesday. Call me with questions. Ben 704-889-4350."]

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