April 2014 Announcements | Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum

Announcements April 2014

ANNOUNCEMENTS from April 1, 2014:
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At the Forum April 8, Candidates for Congress District 12.

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Vilma Leake invited all to attend the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, April 1 at 6 p.m. at the Government Center.

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Ken Koontz announced that the Second Ward West Charlotte Men's Breakfast Club will have their annual Cabaret May 31 at the Oasis Shrine Temple, 604 Doug Mayes Place. Tickets are $15. The organization donated a pitching machine to the West Charlotte High baseball team, and scholarships to the Second Ward High National Alumni Association and the West Charlotte High National Alumni Association.

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Gyasi Foluke announced that he is revitalizing the Kushite Institute for Wholistic Development. He said the organization would agitate for the county "to defund the school system until they follow the North Carolina Constitution, which requires a sound basic education that includes history, which is not being taught now." Information: 704-391-5582.

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Ken Koontz announced that he would have an editorial in Thursday's Charlotte Post about a 1971 speech by the Charlotte Chamber president. A copy is here.

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Dena Diorio announced in her March 28 Mecklenburg County Board Bulletin that she is holding monthly "Dine with Dena" luncheons with county employees starting April 1, for 15 employees each month who volunteer on the county's intraweb. "This feedback will be an invaluable tool in helping me make future decisions that affect our employees." Details here.

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Ximena Uribe sent in a reminder of the April 26 Charlotte World Parade & Festival at Freedom Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Details here.

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Sylvia Grier sent in a reference to Beatrice Thompson's Carolina Impact feature on WTVI about grandchildren and even great-grandchildren raising youngsters. Watch it here.

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Sylvia Grier sent in an announcement of a Brookhill-Southside Neighborhood Reunion from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, April 5 at Southside Park at the corner of Toomey Avenue and Remount Road. Details here.

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Kim Ratliff sent in an announcement of a volunteer kickoff for her at-large County Commissioner campaign on Saturday, April 19, earlier scheduled for April 5.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS from Apri. 8, 2014:

Circulating in the room today were copies of a Democracy NC report card on legislators; a copy of the Observer story on Monday's Black Political Caucus debate among 12th District Congress candidates; and a flier for "Beyond the Bridge" interactive bus tours of the Beatties Ford Road corridor on Friday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on April 25, June 13, July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 26, Oct. 17, and Nov. 21. Details here.

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Levester Flowers announced that he was holding voter education at Joyce Waddell's Senate 40 campaign office.

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Joyce Waddell announced that Women in the NAACP would hold a Women of Excellence 2014 Coronation honoring Anna Hood, on Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. at Greater Providence Baptist Church, 2000 Milton Rd.

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Tommie Robinson announced that his art studio at 720 Tuckaseegee Road is open, and joked that every politician "who has one of my pictures hanging on their wall was re-elected."

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Laurie Porter announced a candidate forum at Johnson C. Smith University for Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Biddle Hall on campus at 100 Beatties Ford Rd.

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LaWana Mayfield announced a job fair on May 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel, 3316 Scott Futrell Dr., to fill 600-900 jobs at Charlotte Premium Outlets, which holds its grand opening July 31-Aug. 3.

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Sheila Peltzer announced a screening of the 2000 PBS documentary "From Swastika to Jim Crow: Jewish Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges," on Thursday, May 1 at Sam Lerner Center at Shalom Park, 5007 Providence Rd. Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at door. Proceeds benefit Shalom Park Freedom School. More info here. The 1993 book on which the video was based is available at Amazon. The video is $310 at the Cinema Guild.

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LaWana Mayfield sent in a copy of her April newsletter, which includes info about 2014 Summit of the Women+Girls Research Alliance to be held Friday, April 11 at UNCC, where former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, Mayfield and others will speak.

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Delores Hurt sent in an announcement that Observer editorial writer Fannie Flono will discuss N.C. poverty at a free meeting of the League of Women Voters on Wednesday, April 9 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1817 Central Ave.

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Colette Forrest passed along a flier for the free dinner meeting of the Urban Business Network on Thursday, April 10 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Maggiano's, 4400 Sharon Rd.

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Sylvia Grier sent in a flier for Genesis Project's 2nd annual Biking Out Childhood Obesity biking event for the whole family along the Irwin Creek Greenway, set for Saturday, April 26 from Clanton Park, 1520 Clanton Rd. from 1-3 p.m. Registration, food and giveaways begin at 12:30; volunteers should arrive at noon.

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Janet Colwell sent in a spring newsletter.

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Colette Forrest sent in an invitation to a Early Voting Kick Off Rally for Wednesday, April 23 from 6-7 p.m. at the Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Rd.

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Michelle Ridgley sent in an announcement of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs Charlotte Club's 37th Annual Founders' Day Observance Luncheon on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Hilton University Place at 8629 J.M. Keynes Drive.

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Jane Whitley sent in an announcement that Jeremy Collins, a fellow with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice in Durham, would address a meeting of the Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County on Wednesday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Asian Library, 1339 Baxter St. Details here.

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Robert Hillman sent in an announcement of an info day for Entrepreneur High School, a public charter aiming for an August 2014 opening, to be held at the Advenir at Casa Bella Apartments Activity Center, 6320 Woodbend Dr. off Farm Pond Lane near Albemarle Road, from 11 a.m-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12.

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Robert Hillman sent in an announcement of a free robotics showcase competition for students sponsored by 100 Black Men of Charlotte on Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Greenville Recreation Center, 1330 Spring St. Details here.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS from April 15, 2014:

April 22 at the Forum: Candidates in the May 6 primary who have not yet addressed the Forum. Upcoming: County Manager Dena Diorio and CMS Supt. Heath Morrison.

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Ken Koontz announced a hearing on a lawsuit against Charlotte over closed-door meetings during which Charlotte City Council discussed public incentives to keep the Panthers in Charlotte. The hearing was to be held in Superior Court Room 6310 in the County Courthouse Tuesday afternoon. Observer coverage is here.

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Carlenia Ivory thanked Vilma Leake and Pat Cotham for their advocacy of teacher and CMS employee wages. She asked the public to speak in support of pay raises at the April 22 CMS board meeting. Ivory said a county-funded supplemental pay increase would help ensure the future of recent hires in the West Learning Community who are boosting math learning.

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Rodney Moore announced that the N.C. House Legislative Black Caucus would hold a town hall meeting on poverty and income inequality on May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Urban League, 740 W. 5th St. A panel is being put together that will include Commissioners Chair Trevor Fuller and Urban League CEO Patrick Graham.

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Pam Grundy announced a parent-sponsored forum on high-stakes testing, especially the third-grade Read to Achieve program, on Monday, April 21 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Alexander Graham Middle School, 1800 Runnymede Ln. Speakers include UNCC Prof. Bruce Taylor; N.C. Reps. Rob Bryan, Tricia Cotham and Crag Horn; Grundy; and Chuck Nusinov, CMS executive director of learning and teaching. More info here.

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Phyllis Davis announced that Second Calvary Baptist Church offers tutorial services to K-12 students in English, social studies, math and technology, every Saturday at the church, 114 Nelson Ave.

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Grant Smithson sent in an announcement that incumbent N.C. Supreme Court Justice Robin Hudson "faces a tough non-partisan primary against two Republican candidates. She needs all the votes she can get here in Mecklenburg County." More info here.

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Colette Forrest sent in an invitation to a Early Voting Kick Off Rally for Wednesday, April 23 from 6-7 p.m. at the Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Rd.

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Kathryn Block sent in Supt. Heath Morrison's April 8 budget letter to the CMS Board of Education.

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Kim Ratliff sent in an announcement of a volunteer kick-off picnic for her at-large County Commissioners campaign, rescheduled for Saturday, April 19 from noon-2 p.m. at the Wadsworth Estate, 400 S. Summit Ave. RSVP by e-mail.

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Ximena Uribe sent in a reminder of the April 26 Charlotte World Parade & Festival at Freedom Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Details here.

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LaWana Mayfield sent in a newsletter about her upcoming appearances, including the We are 1 Conference in Raleigh on Thursday, April 24.

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Sylvia Grier sent in a flier for Genesis Project's 2nd annual Biking Out Childhood Obesity biking event for the whole family along the Irwin Creek Greenway, set for Saturday, April 26 from Clanton Park, 1520 Clanton Rd. from 1:30-3 p.m. Registration, food and giveaways begin at 12:30; volunteers welcome.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS from April 22, 2014:

At the Forum May 13: County Manager Dena Diorio and CMS Supt. Heath Morrison.

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Paul Holmes handed out a record of e-mails with District 2 City Council member Al Austin and asked people to call Austin asking that he communicate better with his constituents. "It's a community issue," Holmes said.

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Jennifer Roberts announced that the Jennifer Roberts Volleyball Festival benefiting victims of domestic violence will be held Saturday, May 17 at Jeff Adams Tennis Center at Renaissance Park, 1200 W. Tyvola Rd. Registration begins at 9, with games 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Suggested donation is $25 per player. Flier here. Reservations here. Roberts said the new battered women's shelter on West Boulevard, which opened with 80 beds, now has 110 occupants.

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Tommie Robinson, to much laughter, announced to the candidates that "all the candidates who buy my pictures are always elected."

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Ken Koontz announced that Historic West End Partners has planning under way for a "West End Wednesdays" marketing program to promote businesses along the Beatties Ford Road corridor.

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Byron Johnson announced a Battle for Congress get-out-and-vote kickoff on Saturday, April 26 at noon at the Little Rock Community Development Center at 7th and McDowell Streets.

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Rodney Moore announced that the N.C. House Legislative Black Caucus would hold a town hall meeting on poverty and income inequality on Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Urban League, 740 W. 5th St. "Let's have a good, community, family conversation about something that's very rarely talked about, which is poverty and economic disparity."

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Rosa Mustafa announced that the Democratic Party's N.C. Coalition Campaign would hold a day of action on May 3 kicking off voter registration and voter canvassing.

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Gyasi Foluke announced that he was recruiting to revitalize the Kushite Institute of Wholistic Development, founded in 1997. "Everything you've heard today indicates that we as a people are not whole, as we should be. I'm working toward that goal." Information: 704-391-5582.

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Darrell Bonaparte announced what Joie Cook had sent in with a flier about A Hero's Ball at Hilton University on May 17 at 6:30 p.m., a fundraiser for the Salisbury VA Hospital "for the needs and education of women in the military."

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Inetta Bell sent in a flier about "To Be Free at Last: The Movement to End Mass Incarceration," a town hall sponsored by Huntersville-based Exodux Foundation.org on Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Missionary Baptist, 1401 Allen St.

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Betty Howell Gray sent in a flier from the Charlotte Alliance of Black School Educators, encouraging residents to speak out at the April 22 school board meeting in favor of teacher raises.

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Rodney Moore sent in his April 17 newsletter.

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Grant Smithson sent in an argument that Mecklenburg Democrats voting in the 12th District race should support incumbent Democrat N.C. Supreme Court Justice Robin Hudson, who faces two Republicans in a statewide primary on May 6 and risks being knocked out by a heavy turnout of Republicans voting in the U.S. Senate primary.

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Kim Ratliff sent in an announcement of a campaign fundraiser for her Commissioner at-large campaign on Sunday, April 27 from 2-5 p.m. at the VanLandingham Estate, 2010 The Plaza. Details here.

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Bill Anderson sent in an announcement asking MeckEd supporters to vote online in a contest to win $25,000 for MeckEd from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. Voting closes April 24, with five winners to be announced May 2.

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Pat Cotham sent in an announcement that the Uptown Democratic Forum on Tuesday, April 29 would hear from Mayor Dan Clodfelter. Event is at noon at the Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. Validation of parking tickets from 7th St. parking deck available. Lunch costs $10. RSVP to Cotham by e-mail or 704-506-3056.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS from April 29, 2014:

There will be no Forum on May 6, Primary Election Day. At the Forum May 13: County Manager Dena Diorio and CMS Supt. Heath Morrison.

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The April 29 Forum included some partisan endorsements by facilitator Mary Johnson. Sarah Stevenson issued a statement following the meeting saying, "Mary's comments are her views and not those of the Forum, even though she was presiding." A video on the subject is here.

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Robin Bradford announced that the three dozen or so people who are eligible to vote in the special election to fill the unexpired N.C. Senate District 37 term of now-Mayor Dan Clodfelter will meet on Saturday, May 3 at 3 p.m. at Little Rock AME Zion Church, at 7th and McDowell Streets. The public is welcome to attend.

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Ken Koontz announced that the West Charlotte High's baseball team will play its last home game of the season on Friday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the school.

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Sheila Peltzer announced Child and Family Day at the N.C. Legislature on June 10, sponsored by NC Child, YES! (Youth Empowered Solutions), NC MomsRising, Strong Able Youth Speaking Out (SaySo), Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and the North Carolina Partnership for Children. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., program at 10 on Halifax Mall, 16 W. Jones St. behind the Legislative Building.

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Carlenia Ivory commended Elijah Watson of the S.T.A.R.S. Math and English Academy tutorial program.

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Carlenia Ivory issued a save-the-date for a CMS pep rally for Wednesday, June 11 in support of teachers. More info to come.

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Phyllis Perry announced a forum with Congress District 12 candidates on Thursday, May 1 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2600 Beatties Ford Rd. Details here.

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Laura McClettie announced that C.W. Williams Health Care Center staff are available to residents who, because of life-change events, need to enroll for or alter their coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The Center has also launched a speaker's bureau using volunteers, to speak to groups about the Affordable Care Act and the next open enrollment period, which begins Nov. 15.

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Blanche Penn announced that the Silver Fox Cheerleaders would be in competition May 22 at the Levine Center, 1050 Devore Ln. in Matthews.

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Louise Woods announced a Community Rally for Public Education sponsored by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators for Saturday, May 10 at noon at Marshall Park at 3rd & McDowell Streets.

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Gyasi Foluke announced a meeting to revitalize the Kushite Institute of Wholistic Development for Wednesday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at The Park, 800 Briar Creek Rd.

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Sarah Stevenson announced that the Charlotte club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., will celebrate its 37th Founders Day on Saturday, May 10. For $40 tickets, see Stevenson.

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Sarah Stevenson announced that Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Women will hold a fish fry and yard sale at the church at 3001 Beatties Ford Rd. on Friday, May 9, from 11 a.m. and from 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. A banquet follows on Saturday evening, May 10, at a place to be announced. Tickets are $25.

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Rodney Moore sent in an announcement with details on the town hall sponsored by the N.C. House Legislative Black Caucus on poverty and income inequality, to be held Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Urban League, 740 W. 5th St.

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Colette Forrest sent in a reminder of the days for early voting. Details here.

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Frank Deaton and Dr. Robbie Akhere, the chairs of the Mecklenburg Democratic Party's 9th Congressional District and 12th Congressional District Committees, announced that they would moderate a forum, which is free and open to the public, for all candidates for the N.C. Senate District 37 seat, on Tuesday, April 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The Asian Library, 1339 Baxter St. Details here.

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Janet Whitley sent in an announcement that included the addresses of all early voting stations. Details here.

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Correction: The April 15 Announcements misspelled the first name of CMS Chief Communications Officer Kathryn Block. The scribe apologizes for his error.

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