40 years later -dr. martin luther king dallas, sclc ...we decided we needed something to do in the...

TheChanging Face

of Medicaid

By Sandra Jordan

(NNPA) Faith-basedhealth ministries havebecome a staple inmany African-American churches,connecting physicalhealth to spiritual healthand biblical principles.

Congregations aregoing beyond images ofchurch ladies in white,who rush in with fans to

cool and revive thoseovercome by the HolyGhost during service. Inaddition to tending tomedical emergencies,today’s health min-istries involve exerciseclasses, health screen-ings, blood drives,mammography andeducation about healthylifestyles and nutrition.

At Williams TempleChurch of God in Christ

in St. Louis, health min-istry initiatives weredeveloped thatanswered the prayers ofmany.

“Maybe about sevenor eight years ago, wenoticed how many peo-ple were sick—Bishop[Lawrence M. Wooten]would spend hourspraying for the sick. Wedecided we neededsomething to do in the

natural to make surepeople were taking careof themselves,” saidEvangelist ShirleyWooten, first lady atWilliams TempleCOGIC.

In the Bible, the firstchapter of Danieldescribes how he, alongwith Shadrach(Hananiah), Meshach(Mishael) and

Volume XVII, Number XIV April 10 - 16, 2008

1100 Summit Avenue, Suite 101 (@ Avenue K) • Plano, Texas 75074

Visit Us Online at www.NorthDallasGazette.com

Dr. Ian Smith Katherine Smith Kevin Johnson

People In The News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Op-Ed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Out Of Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Community News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Community Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Cover Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Arts & Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Business Service Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Career Opportunity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Church Happenings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Sister Tarpley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Church Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15 & 16

40 years later -Dr. Martin Luther KingDallas, SCLC Remembers Its Founder

Senator West Announces NewState Law to Fight Metals Theft

Two CDsYou Must

Have

DALLAS - StateSenator Royce West (D-Dallas) will join forceswith Dallas Police, stateand city officials andscrap metal yard ownersto announce the imple-mentation of new statelaw to address the epi-demic rise in thefts ofregulated metals (cop-per, brass, bronze, alu-minum).

“We began work onthis legislation withDallas Police in early2006 due to the outcry ofcitizens and businessesowners, many continuous-ly victimized by thieves.Their air conditioningunits were being stolen,construction projects wereraided for building sup-plies and there seemed tobe no end in sight,” said

Looking over the intimatecrowd of parade marchersand prayer vigil attendees asthe Dallas SouthernChristian LeadershipConference commemoratedthe 40th Anniversary of theAssassination of Dr. MartinLuther King, Jr., on FridayApril 4, one could envisionthe famous words of King's

"I have A Dream" speech.People of different races,nationalities, and demograph-ic backgrounds came out toremember the leader whowas catalyst of change in histime.

The celebration begin witha citywide moment of silenceat the Fair Park entrance andthen the crowd begin march-

ing toward the MartinLuther King Center withprinted pictures of Dr. Kingin-hand singing "We ShallOvercome" and "Ain'tGonna Let Nobody Turn Me'Round" in tribute to the timewhen those songs known asspirituals served as thestrength to endure the uncer-

Senator West. “While theproblem was not well-defined at the start of ses-sion, this legislative reme-dy soon gained wide-spread and bipartisan sup-port. But it will still take ateam effort if we are todeter a form of crime thatcosts its victims in termsof money and frustration.”

The new state law ismodeled from a City of

Dallas ordinance passedin 2006. Since that time,Dallas police haveassigned a squad to workwith metal yard ownersin patrolling metalsthefts.

During the 2007 ses-sion of the TexasLegislature, SenatorWest authored SB642.The bill employed a

See Health, Page 4

CoverStory Page 9

See West, 2

See Page 2

See 40, Page 12

See Changing, Page 9

By James Clingman

Hot off the presses (oris it the laser?) in March2008, are two CDs thatYOU should have.

One is titled, “BringBlack Back,” and the otheris titled, “Three CreditsShy.” We are always look-ing for positive, education-al, enlightening, inspiring,and entertaining music andspoken word. Well, herethey are. These two CDsprovide all of that andmore.

If you have never doneanything I have asked youto do in my 13 years ofwriting this column,please, I say again,“please” purchase these

two CDs.The Bring Black Back

CD was written and per-formed by the MAATYouth Group at the SBAAcademy in Ft. Wayne,Indiana. It was inspired bythe Harlem Renaissanceand the initial meeting inDecember 2006 of what isnow called the NationalistBlack LeadershipCoalition (NBLC), whichconvened under themantra, “Bring BackBlack.”

Brother Kweku Akanattended the meeting andimmediately thereafter he,his staff, and the youngpeople went to work on theCD concept.

See CDs, Page 12

INSIDE... People In The News…

Health Ministries Become a Mainstay of African-American Churches

Blackonomics

We are standing tall for the next generation.

Open On WeekendsOpen On Weekends

People In The News

2 | April 10 - 16, 2008 | North Dallas Gazette | visit us online at www.NorthDallasGazette.com

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Not only is Dr. IanSmith helping celebri-ties lose weight and getfit on VH1's CelebrityFit Club, he's helpingblack America shedpounds.

Dr. Ian's 50 MillionPound Challenge waslaunched one year ago,April 7, 2007 inWashington, D.C. InNovember, theChallenge announcedthat over 250,000 peo-ple joined the cause,losing one millionpounds. One year later,the challenge has

inspired almost a half amillion people to teamup to take control oftheir health, take offclose to two millionpounds and fight theepidemic of excessweight taking so manylives, especially amongAfrican Americans.

This week Dr. Ian willbegin a month-longanniversary celebration.The Challenge is cele-brating its first-yearmilestone by taking itsmessage to grassrootsAmerica, and markingApril as “50 MillionPound ChallengeMonth.” The initiative

is partnering withchurches, colleges andcivic organizationsacross the nation tomobilize more membersand sustain its drive toreach its ambitious 50million pound goal.

"We’ve had a greatfirst year, and TheChallenge has justbegun. It’s imperativewe inspire more peopleto join and reach theirpersonal health goals,and collectively help usachieve our 50 millionpound goal," Dr. Iansaid. "Too many peopleare dying from prevent-able weight-related ill-

nesses. We’re facing anepidemic that affects allAmericans, especiallythe African-Americancommunity, where livesare being cut five yearsshorter than the USaverage."

Anyone can join thegrowing Challenge

online community athttp://www.50million-pounds.com/, whereparticipants can findfree tips, tools, a per-sonal weight tracker andstart or join Challengeteams to support theirquest to lead healthier,longer lives.

Dr. Ian Smith

Former NBA starKevin Johnson hasrecently been in the

news as he is currentlyrunning for mayor ofSacramento, his home-town. After his retire-ment from the NBA, hereturned to Sacramentoto find drug use runningrampant and teenagerswho couldn't spell. He

stated, "Oh, we've gotsome work to do".

In 1989 he foundedSt. HOPE, a nonprofitcommunity develop-ment corporation thataims to revitalize urbancommunities throughpublic education, civicleadership, economicdevelopment and thearts. He began by creat-ing an after school pro-gram at his alma mater,Sacramento HighSchool, that has grownto benefit not only theyouth, but the neigh-borhood.

“My grandfathertaught me charity startsat home, so I said Ineed to do that back inmy hometown,” saysJohnson, CEO of St.

Kevin Johnson

As a native of NewOrleans, Louisiana,Katherine attended highschool in Beaumont,Texas before residing inDallas. At age 17, model-ing and acting began acareer in film, print,commercials, voice andprint work which leadher to a four year syndi-cated morning radioshow with ABC RadioNetworks, Inc.

Initial employment inan administrative capaci-ty in 1978, paved the wayfor positions with severalFortune 500 companiesachieving an extensiveback-ground in the areasof telecommunications

and wholesale consumergoods sales as well asdeveloped strong busi-ness operations and mar-keting skills.

In 1996, Kat formedK.S. & Associates towhich I provided copywriting and conceptdevelopment. In 2001publishing was added.With a very resourcefuland entrepreneurial spir-it, her energies alsoassisted her in launchinga game company.

In Kat’s career as awriter, her first articlewas published in the highschool newspaper, andshe went on to have workpublish domestically andinternationally for sever-al magazine and newspa-pers. Katherine is theauthor of The BookSeller’s List, PublishingStep by Step and Lovethe Vicious Cycle. Mostrecently, she has released

a nonfiction book - TheNaked Author-Exposingthe Myths of Publishing,and three screenplays;Domestic Goddess,Seeds from Mama’sGarden, andBushwhacked.

Kat is a member ofThe Writer's Block, Inc.writers group, theWriter’s Guild of Texas,North Dallas Writes cri-tique group and theScreen Actors Guild(SAG).

Katherine Smith

HOPE – a nonprofitcommunity develop-ment corporationwhose mission is torevitalize inner-citycommunities throughpublic education, civicleadership, economicdevelopment and thearts.

From the ChicagoSun-Times: "Johnsongrew an after-schoolprogram he started athis former high school,Sacramento High, intoa not-for-profit compa-ny that took over theschool, created a pre-school and elementaryschool, and helpedestablish 14 businesses-- including a Starbucks-- within a two-mileradius of an impover-ished section ofSacramento."

Op-Ed

April 10 - 16, 2008 | North Dallas Gazette | visit us online at www.NorthDallasGazette.com | 3

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Where Do You WantTo Go Today?

The North Dallas Gazette formally Minority Opportunity News, wasfounded July, 1991, by Jim Bochum and Thurman R. Jones

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2000

Unfulfilled Promises ofthe Promised Land

Forty years ago onApril 4, 1968, MartinLuther King Jr. wasassassinated whilestanding on the bal-cony of the Lorrainemotel in Memphis,Tenn. On the eve ofhis death, Kingpreached prophetical-ly: "I've seen thepromised land. I maynot get there withyou. But I want youto know tonight, thatwe, as a people, willget to the PromisedLand."

Most people arefamiliar with the bib-lical account of theJewish people wan-dering in the desertfor 40 years searchingfor the Promised Landafter their escapefrom Egypt. Thisyear, as has beenalluded to each yearsince Dr. King’sdeath, scholars arespecifically placingthe King Memphisspeech and the plightof African Americansin the same context asMoses and the wan-dering of the childrenof Israel.

The similarities areobvious but the realityis that AfricanAmericans have beenin the Promised Landfor over 400 years.The difference is theyhave been denied thepromises of social andeconomic justice inthe Promised Land.

Dr. King’s protesta-tions and words weredesigned to shed lighton America’s fixationwith materialism andthe exploitation of thepoor and powerless.Even though he was astaunch proponent ofnon violence Kingwas neither meek norwere his wordsalways soothing.

He spoke of the cul-tural homicide com-mitted against blacksand how their worthand achievementswere diminished

while white superiori-ty was promoted.Some of his harshestcriticism was directedat the United Statesgovernment which hecalled "the greatestpurveyor of violence"in the world.

In his fiery 1967speech at RiversideChurch in New YorkKing explained hisopposition to theVietnam War and tiedit to his steadfastadvocacy on behalf ofthe poor in the face ofcriticism from bothopponents and somesupporters.

Today we are facingmany of the sameissues and for thesame reasons that Dr.King protested.America is waginganother unjust war forrationale so transpar-ent to make theVietnam War seemjust. Yet those thatclaim to be DrumMajors for justicespeak with forkedtongues that vacillatedepending on themood of the prevail-ing poll. These char-latans pontificateloudly and endlesslyabout the need to dosomething aboutAmerica’s inequitiesyet they allow selfishexploitation to pre-empt moral leader-ship.

A new report, FortyYears Later: TheUnrealized AmericanDream, by DedrickMuhammad, aresearcher at theInstitute for PolicyStudies, examinesAmerican’s progresstoward King's dreamof racial equality.The report concludesthat we're not muchcloser to realizing thepromises of thePromised Land thanwe were 40 years agoat the time of King'sassassination.

There has beensome progress.

However, theadvancements are notoccurring fast enoughto provide noticeableachievement of socialand economic parityin the Promised Land.The disparities ofincome, wealth andnet worth that havedivided our nation areeven more extremewhen examinedthrough the polarizedlens of race.

Over the last 40years AfricanAmericans have madegreat strides in educa-tional advancement.The African Americanhigh school gradua-tion rate has increasedby over 214 percentand could possiblyreach parity withwhite Americans bythe year 2018.

The AfricanAmerican collegegraduation rate hasincreased by almost400 percent since1968. However, atthis commendablerate of progress theinequality in collegegraduation betweenblacks and whites willprevail until 2087.

Despite notableeducational advances,economic equality forAfrican Americans isstill in the dreamstage. In 1967African Americansearned 54 cents forevery dollar whiteAmericans made. In2005, AfricanAmericans earned 57cents on every dollarearned by whiteAmericans. At thisrate of progress it willtake over 537 yearsbefore income parityis achieved.

African Americansare similarly situatedin terms of wealth.The home ownershiprate for African-Americans is 47 per-cent compared to 75percent for whites.Median householdwealth exhibits a dra-

matic ten fold dis-crepancy betweenwhites who average$118,300 and blackswho average $11,800.If this gap continuesto close at the sameaverage rate of thelast 25 years it willtake 600 more yearsto attain black-whiteequality.

Many working peo-ple in the promisedland are still trying tolive on povertywages. Forty yearssince Dr. King calledfor the abolition ofpoverty about 30 per-cent of black childrenlive in poverty. Thepoverty gap for blackchildren is decreasingat an annual averageof a fourth of a per-cent. If this continuesit will take almost ahundred years to endpoverty for black chil-dren.

Today, Congressand the Bush adminis-tration spend hun-dreds of billions ofdollars to fight a trag-ic war abroad. Mostrecently, the govern-ment has decided tobail out investmentbanks that profited offof predatory subprimelending. It seemsonly the poor mustsuffer the economicconsequences ofAmerica’s pervertedpolicies.

We need to bereminded that the bib-lical Promised Landwas not a place torelax and feed off ofmanna. It was a placethat promised equalopportunity to work,provide for your fami-ly and achieve eco-nomic independenceaccording to your Godgiven abilities.

James W. Breedlove

Comments or opin-ions may be sent tothe writer at:www.truthclinic.com


Out Of Africa

South Africa to BrokerZimbabwe 'Transition'

Abednego (Azariah) ofJudah were to be trainedfor service in the palaceof Nebuchadnezzar, kingof Babylon. Danielimplored his overseer toallow him to forego theking’s royal food andwine and eat vegetablesand drink water instead. Itwas a 10-day risk thatcould have cost the over-seer his head.

“15 At the end of theten days they lookedhealthier and better nour-ished than any of theyoung men who ate theroyal food. 16 So theguard took away theirchoice food and the winethey were to drink andgave them vegetablesinstead.

17 To these four youngmen God gave knowl-edge and understandingof all kinds of literatureand learning. And Danielcould understand visionsand dreams of all kinds.

18 At the end of thetime set by the king tobring them in, the chiefofficial presented them toNebuchadnezzar. 19 Theking talked with them,and he found none equalto Daniel, Hananiah,Mishael and Azariah; sothey entered the king'sservice. 20 In every mat-ter of wisdom and under-standing about which theking questioned them, he

found them ten times bet-ter than all the magiciansand enchanters in hiswhole kingdom,” Daniel1:15-20.

“The bishop put thewhole church on a 21-dayDaniel’s Fast. He woulddo that twice a year. Whatit consists of is eatingfruits, vegetables, nuts,grain products like thewheat products andbrown rice and no meat.And of course, we wouldhave to drink eight glass-es of water a day,”Wooten said. “Not onlyjust the eating, but wewould be praying—prayer services. The peo-ple who were diabetics,or had health problemswould talk to the nursesto alter their diet.

As a result of the firstDaniels spiritual fast—Williams Templereceived outward healthmiracles.

“People would go backto their doctors and theywere no longer diabeticsand blood pressure haddropped. And a lady atour church who weighedclose to 400 pounds –shecontinued the Daniels fastperiodically and she’sdropped nearly 100pounds and she is stillworking on it,” Wootensaid.

One such believer isWilliams Temple memberRoberta Gurley, whoprayed for a spiritual

b r e a k t h r o u g h — a n dreceived it in abundance.

“By being on that fastfor 30 days it changed allmy eating habits. Istopped eating fast food –I rarely eat it now. Friedfood – I stopped eating alot of it. I don’t eat asmuch bread as I didbefore. As a result, I con-tinue to lose the weight. Ilost maybe about 25-30pounds the first time,”Gurley said. “I eat morechicken and fish than I dobeef right now.Altogether I have lost

maybe 60 pounds – threedress sizes! I was lookingmuch better. My clotheswere fitting different—Ihad to give clothes away.My back had been both-ering me real bad. By car-rying less weight, myback was better.”

The church also offersexercise classes for thecongregation and thecommunity at its neigh-borhood outreach centerand family life center.

The congregation isalso fortunate to havemore than a few doctors

and nurses who are mem-bers of the church.

“Every Sunday morn-ing, we have a ‘MedicalMoment’ before the mes-sage and one of the doc-tors will come down andtalk for about 10 minutesabout something abouthealth. The members willhave two to three minutesto ask questions,” Wootensaid.

And those super-longprayer lines full of sickfolk at Williams Templehave been transformed.

“Prayer lines are short-

er---when he calls for thesick—we don’t have theline like we used to,”Wooten said.

Since Williams Templebegan its health initia-tives, Wooten is enjoyingnotable weight loss –dropping down from 215pounds to 154- just 14pounds shy of her person-al goal.

Health, pg 1

Does your church havea health ministry?

Please share your story.Send to editor@north-

dallasgazette.com.

(NNPA) – After aclose election in whichthe opposition appearsto have edged out Pres.Robert Mugabe by a fewpoints, South Africa issaid to be brokering adeal for the exit of the84 year old leader.

Meetings chaired bySouth African Pres.Thabo Mbeki wouldgive representatives ofMr Mugabe, militarychiefs and the opposi-tion the space to plan anorderly transition.

The opposition, leadby Morgan Tsvangirai’sMovement forDemocratic Change, hasalready claimed victoryin Saturday's generalelections.

Three days after thevoting, results had stillnot been released by theZimbabwe ElectoralCommission, although ithas been widely report-

ed that Justice MinisterPatrick Chinamasa, asenior member ofMugabe's government,was among those defeat-ed in opposition strong-holds.

In Harare, the opposi-tion party was unoffi-cially given a big lead,with 28 seats out of 29and in Manicaland,another oppositionstronghold, 20 from apossible 26.

While westernobservers were general-ly banned from monitor-ing the election, anAfrican mission foundthe elections a ''peacefuland credible expressionof the will of the peo-ple''.

Some monitors dis-sented from that view –members of SouthAfrica's oppositionDemocratic Alliance,said: ''It is impossible

for this deeply flawedelectoral process to beviewed as a credibleexpression of the will ofthe people.''

A quarter of the popu-lation of Zimbabwe hassought refuge in neigh-boring countries, as foodshortages, inflation,unemployment and othersurvival issues left themwith few options.

Meanwhile, an 11thhour entry into the raceby former finance minis-ter, Simba Makoni,flopped miserably buthis participation man-aged to divide Mugabe’sZanu-PF party, andmade the president lookvulnerable.

Makoni’s poor show-ing, according to oneanalyst, suggests thatZimbabweans wanted tosweep aside not onlyMugabe but the entireruling Zanu-PF.

(NNPA) - Human rightsgroups are up in arms over apolice crackdown onSenegalese consumer groupswho rallied last week in thecapital Dakar to protest sky-rocketing prices of basicfoods including rice and oil.

Police used tear gas andsticks to disperse the crowdorganized by the ConsumerAssociation of Senegal(Ascosen), and the NationalUnion of Consumers ofSenegal. Leaders of the twogroups, Jean Pierre Diengand Momar Ndao, wereamong those arrested.Members of the Socialist

opposition also took part inthe protest.

Authorities said thedemonstration had not beenauthorised. At least 24 peoplewere arrested and many arestill being detained, accord-ing to the Agence FrancePress.

T-shirts that read ''we arehungry,'' were worn by youngprotestors. Others had redpieces of cloth as head-scarves or around their armsas a sign of protest.

Leonard Vincent of theParis-based ReportersWithout Borders, con-demned acts of police brutal-

ity towards members of thepress, including the use of anelectric prod.

Meanwhile, a partnershipproject with India has beensigned to develop hundredsand thousands of acres theSenegal River valley for ricecultivation. The goal is to beself-sufficient in rice produc-tion.

"We have no otherchoice," said AgricultureMinister Hamath Sall. "If wefail to achieve food self-suffi-ciency, there will be amoment when it will beimpossible to find rice in themarket."

French AID Workers Freed asRebels Step Up Attacks

(NNPA) - The Presidentof Chad, Idriss Deby Itno,has pardoned the six Frenchaid workers convicted ofabducting 103 youngsters foradoption by Europeans. Theworkers were immediatelyreleased from a Frenchprison where they were tohave served eight years.

President Deby's surpriseabout-face on the French

workers is believed by someto be tied to military aid hereceived from France tosquash an insurgent uprisingwhich has been demandinghis removal.

But rebels have steppedup their anti-governmentclashes in the eastern Aderegion. The NationalAlliance, the main rebelgroup, allegedly crossed

over from Sudan, violating arecent peace accord betweenthe two countries.

Chad's Defence Ministrycalled on the DemocraticRepublic of Congo, Libyaand Senegal, sponsors of lastmonth's peace deal, to''assume their responsibilitiesto stop any aggression thatcould have unpredictableconsequences''.

Senegal Rocked by Food Protests

Garland, Texas –Garland MayorRonald E. Jones willhost his first “Mayor’sEvening Out” eventon Wednesday, April24, 2008 from 5 to 7p.m. The Mayor willhost “Evening Out”events quarterly tobroaden his accessi-bility to the citizens

of Garland.The April 24 event

will be held at theNorth Garland BranchLibrary, 3845 NorthGarland Road (in theSpring CreekShopping Center atApollo Road). Thisformat will be anopen, come-and-gosession from 5 to 7

p.m. It is not neces-sary to schedule anappointment. TheMayor will visit withcitizens in the order inwhich they sign inupon arrival.

For more informa-tion, call 972-205-2471 or emailE D a t t o m o @ c i . g a r -land.tx.us.

Arts & Entertainment


Congresswoman Eddie BerniceJohnson to Host Peace Conference

Participants to discuss "Conflict resolution, nuclear and con-ventional disarmament, creating a culture of peace, and

human rights and humanitarian law"

Community News

Washington, DC -(April 7, 2008)Congresswoman EddieBernice Johnson willhold a peace conferenceon Saturday, April 12,at the J. Erik JonssonCentral Library inDallas. The confer-ence, titled "Conflictresolution, nuclear andconventional disarma-ment, creating a cultureof peace, and humanrights and humanitarian

law," is a component ofC o n g r e s s w o m a nJohnson's peace initia-tive, "A World ofWomen for WorldPeace."

Ann Margolin willserve as the moderatorfor the conference, andthe speakers will beVivian Castleberry,founder ofPeacemakers, Inc.;Carol Donavan, presi-dent of Peacemakers,

Inc.; Lucy Mashua,president and founderof Mashua's Voice forthe Voiceless; play-wright Dona Mitchell;and Dr. Mary EllenWeber, Vice Presidentfor Government Affairsand Policy at theUniversity of TexasSouthwestern MedicalCenter. Please seebelow for biographiesof the moderator andthe speakers.

The Conference:"Conflict resolution,nuclear and convention-al disarmament, creat-ing a culture of peace,and human rights andhumanitarian law" isscheduled for SaturdayApril 12th, 10:00 AM -12:00 NOON at the J.Erik Jonsson CentralLibrary Auditorium,located at 1515 YoungSt. in DowntownDallas.

The African AmericanRepublican Club’s nextmeeting will be April15, 2008 at the CollinCounty RepublicanHeadquarters at7:00pm. The addressand directions to ourmeeting location can befound on our web site atwww.aarccc.com andclick on "Meeting

Information". We willhost a " Meet TheCandidates' Night". Wehave invited the PlanoCity Council and thePlano School BoardCandidates to partici-pate in our event. Weare looking forward toanother informative andexciting meeting. Pleaseplan to attend.

Garland Mayor InvitesCitizens to “Mayor’s

Evening Out”

City of Dallas WaterUtilities (DWU) isreminding customersthat time-of-day water-ing restrictions resumedApril 1. Following theconservation ordinanceguidelines will avoidpossible fines of $250to $2,000 per incident.These mandatory time-of-day restrictions pro-hibit watering landscap-ing between the hoursof 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.from April 1 throughOctober 31, 2008.

Dallas’ wateringrestrictions do not meanyour landscaping has tosuffer. Most homeown-ers water their land-scaping too much andtoo often – unknowing-ly producing shallowroot systems that strug-gle to survive freezingtemperatures, heat anddrought. By wateringdeeply (four to six inch-es) and infrequently(only when landscapingbegins to show signs ofstress, such as discol-

oration, wilting, orwhen footprints remainvisible after beingwalked on), homeown-ers encourage theirlandscapes to developdeep, healthy roots thatcan endure Dallas sum-mers, winter freezes,pests and disease.

“Given our climateand Dallas’ growth,water conservation is asignificant issue for ourcity,” said CaroleDavis, DWU conserva-tion program manager.“The time-of-daywatering restrictionsdemonstrate Dallas’commitment to conserv-ing water and how seri-ously the City takesensuring we haveenough of this preciousand vital naturalresource for future gen-erations.”

To avoid warnings,fines and a possiblevisit from a codeinspector, DWU cus-tomers are reminded toadhere to the following

guidelines: DO NOT water your

yard between 10 a.m.and 6 p.m. betweenApril 1 and October 31.However, hand water-ing or the use of soakerhoses is permitted atany time.

DO NOT water duringany form of precipita-tion.

DO NOT allow yoursprinkler system towater driveways, side-walks or streets.

DO remember thatautomatic sprinkler sys-tem owners are requiredto have rain and freezesensors installed.

DO maintain yoursprinkler system.Repair any broken,missing or misdirectedsprinkler heads.

For additional infor-mation on time-of-daywatering restrictions,Water-Wise tips andlinks to reporting waterwaste, visitwww.savedallaswater.com.

Dallas Time-of-DayWatering Restrictions

African AmericanRepublican Club

Meeting

The NAACPGarland Branchinvites the communityto attend our 15thAnnual “EXCEL”Awards Program hon-oring elementary andmiddle schoolAfrican-American stu-dents in the GarlandIndependent SchoolDistrict (GISD) foracademic progress andexcellence. Thisrecognition covers the2007-2008 schoolyear.

On Monday, April21, 2008 ElementaryStudents will be hon-ored, the KeynoteSpeaker is TheHonorable WeldonBradley, FormerGarland CityCouncilman.

On Tuesday, April22, 2008 MiddleSchool Students willbe recognized, thescheduled KeynoteSpeaker is Mr. EdwinHood, AssistantPrincipal, Armstrong

Elementary School(GISD)

Both programs willbegin at 7:00 PM eachevening and held atSouth Garland HighSchool

600 Colonel Drive,Garland, Texas 75043.The events are freeand open to the pub-lic.

Contact the NAACPGarland Branch viaphone (972) 381-5044or email for moreinformation.

By April 30, 2008,all Dallas ISD teach-ers will be able torecord student gradeson a Web-based elec-tronic grade book atany time and on anycomputer withInternet access.

The use ofGradeSpeed, theelectronic grade

book, will saveteachers valuabletime and afford themmore time for teach-ing, said JuliusWhite, interim direc-tor – ManagementInformation Systems.

After the Board ofTrustees approvedthe purchase ofGradeSpeed.Net for

teachers districtwidein November, schoolsbegan signing up onthe district's intranetsite to request accessto the grade book.

By January 23,teachers at 129Dallas ISD schoolswere using the onlinegrade book.

An online tutorial

also is available toteachers.

Currently, the dis-trict is completingthe installation ofhigh-speed Internetat all schools, whichwill greatly improveresponse time forteachers using theelectronic gradebook, White said.

Teacher Grade Reporting To Be Fully Automated By JuneEducation


In partnership with theUniversity of Texas atDallas School ofManagement, theNational Black MBAAssociation Dallas FortWorth Chapter (NBM-BAA-DFW) announcesits 2008 Leadership andDiversity CollegeConference. The one-dayinformational graduateprogram and career fairwill be held on Saturday,April 12, 2008 from 9:00a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the

University of Texas atDallas located at 701Campbell Road inRichardson, Texas.

Be prepared andinformed to make the ulti-mate graduation decisionbefore you turn your tas-sel! Will it be graduateschool or straight to theworkforce? Let NBM-BAA help you decide withthe panel discussions setto engage you and twoprogram tracks on keytopics such as Making the

Transition: Should I Go toB-School or Should IEnter the Workforce?, TheValue of an MBA, GreatCareer Choices forMinorities, How to AttendB-School for Free, andBrand You - How toMarket Yourself Thegraduate and career-focused tracks will be fol-lowed by a comprehen-sive Graduate SchoolCollege and Career Fair.

Take advantage of theopportunity to meet

admission officers fromtop Texas universitiesbefore you are seeking B-school admission. Someof the campuses sched-uled to attend include:UTD – School ofManagement, SouthernMethodist University,Baylor Executive MBAProgram, the Universityof North Texas,University of Dallas,University of Texas atArlington, Dallas BaptistUniversity, Texas

Christian University,Texas Women’sUniversity, Texas A&MUniversity – Commerce,Florida A&M University,and Prairie View A&MUniversity.

Network with corporaterepresentatives from localFortune 500 companiesprior to completing thejob application. The invit-ed list of companiesinclude: First Bank ofTexas, Prudential, Wal-Mart, Merrill Lynch,

Fannie Mae, Capital One,Frito Lay, JP MorganChase, AT&T, TexasInstruments, UTSouthwestern and theUnited Parcel Service(UPS).

Be proactive and decidewhich steps will take afteryou walk across the stage!Register now to attend the2008 Leadership andDiversity CollegeConference and CareerFair! Visit www.dfwm-bas.org today!

UTD, National Black MBAAssociation Announces Its2008 Leadership And Diversity College Conference

NAACP Garland BranchHosting the 15th Annual

“EXCEL” Awards Program

The Kaiser PermanenteAfrican AmericanProfessional Association(KPAAPA) is proud toannounce that applicationsare now being accepted forour 2008 student awardscholarships.

Ebony Umoja Award($4,500) - This scholarshipis awarded to an AfricanAmerican high school sen-ior with a 3.5 GPA or high-

er. This student must beplanning to attend a 4-yearcollege, should be the off-spring of a KaiserPermanente employee withan interest in healthcare.One recipient will be cho-sen.

Ruby Ujima ($4,000) -This scholarship is awardedto a student with a 3.0 GPAor higher, who is currentlyenrolled in a health care

program or related field ofstudy. One recipient will bechosen.

Emerald Kuumba($3,500) This scholarship isawarded to a high school orcollege student with a 2.5GPA or higher. One recipi-ent will be chosen.

The Permanente MedicalGroup Medical StudentScholarship ($3,500) -This scholarship is awarded

to an African Americanmedical school student inhis or her second term, witha 3.0 GPA or higher. Thisscholarship will be present-ed by a member of ThePermanente MedicalGroup. One recipient willbe chosen.

The Inspiration AwardScholarship: ($2,500) - Thisaward is provided by thegenerous support of the KP

School of Allied HealthSciences. It is awarded to astudent who has facedunusual life challenges andhas risen to become a rolemodel for all while main-taining a 2.5 GPA or higher.One recipient will be cho-sen.

All ScholarshipApplication Packets mustbe postmarked by April 25,2008. To request a copy of

the Scholarship ApplicationPacket, please emailrequests to: [email protected].

Kaiser Permanente African American Professional Association Scholarship Announcement

Scholarship Information?The North Dallas Gazette is

planning an issue focused on schol-arships available. We invite localschool officials, churches and com-munity organizations to provideinformation regarding any scholar-ship, internship and summer campopportunities available. Pleasesend details to [email protected].

By Pietro Elina

The national chapterof Phi Beta SigmaFraternity, Inc. hosted thefirst annual Emmitt SmithScholarship Gala recentlyat the Renaissance Hotelin Dallas.

Smith is a lifetimemember of the Phi BetaSigma, a historicallyblack fraternity foundedin 1914. The fraternitystrives toward itsfounders’ ideals of broth-erhood, scholarship, andservice to the community.From its inception, theoriginal Founders, A.Langston Taylor, LeonardF. Morse, and Charles I.Brown, conceived PhiBeta Sigma as a mecha-nism to deliver servicesto the general community.Rather than gaining skillsto be utilized exclusivelyfor themselves or theirfamilies, the foundersheld a deep convictionthey should return theirnewly acquired skills tothe communities fromwhich they had come.This is pincipal Smith hasexhibited throughout hislife. This deep convictionis mirrored in theFraternity's motto,"Culture For Service andService For Humanity".

The first annual galakicked off the endowedscholarship in Smith’s

name, designed to benefitcollege athletes, who aremembers of Phi BetaSigma Fraternity. Thefirst ever Emmitt SmithScholarship will beawarded at the 2009International Conventionin New Orleans,Louisiana.

Several of Smith’s for-mer Dallas Cowboyteammates, along withelected officials, includ-ing Texas State SenatorRoyce West, were on-hand to share their sup-port. The fundraising goalfor the ScholarshipAward’s value is$100,000. “Our fraternityis excited about endow-ing this scholarship inEmmitt Smith’s name.His life has been a won-derful example to all peo-ple; especially to theyoung men this scholar-ship hopes to help.” saidPaul Griffin,International President ofPhi Beta SigmaFraternity.

Although Smith wasthe only running back toever have won a SuperBowl championship, theNFL Most ValuablePlayer award, the NFLrushing crown, and theSuper Bowl MostValuable Player award allin the same season, histalents go far beyond thegridiron; Smith is a ser-

vant to society at heart.Beside his atheletic abili-ties, Smith is equallyendowed with a passionfor discpline and excel-lence he seeks to sharewith all aspiring student-atheletes. As he prom-ised, Smith returned toFlorida State Universityin 1996 to earn a degreein Parks and Recreation.

As the founder of theOpen Doors Foundation,Smith has successfullyworked to rekindleyouth’s ambition throughaccess, exposure and edu-cation. The Open DoorsFoundation providesyoung people in our com-munity with the tools,activities, and skills need-ed to be successful in thisworld.

As the United StatesDemocratic Presidentialhopeful, Senator BarackObama recently suggest-ed, “Emmit has a phe-nomenal record in collegeand professional football,he has a phenomenalrecord in ballroom danc-ing, and he has a phenom-enal record in publicservice – what can’t hedo?” Yes indeed, EmmittSmith’s dynamic culmi-nation of energy, talent,and commitment, exem-plify exactly what theEmmitt SmithScholarship Award is allabout.


Clockwise from top left: Emmitt Smith and Paul L. Griffin, Jr- 32nd International President-Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc; Mike Powell and Pat Smith; Emmitt signing autographs forguests and supporters.

Community Spotlight

Radisson Dallas Love Field1241 W. Mockingbird LaneDallas, Texas 75247Direct: 214.640.9200Fax: [email protected]/dallastx_love

WEDDINGS • REUNIONS • RETREATSWE OFFER: 297 SPACIOUS GUEST ROOMS - OVER 50 (1) BEDROOM SUITES3 BALLROOMS WITH OVER 16,000 SQ. FEET OF FLEXIBLE MEETING SPACE

Lamarr VinesGeneral Manager

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Bestows FootballLegend Emmitt Smith with His Own Scholarship

For more photos, visit www.NorthDallasGazette.com!

OngoingAfrican AmericanRepublican Club of CollinCounty meets 3rd Tuesdayof every month at 7:00pm(Doors will open at 6:30pm) Collin CountyRepublican PartyHeadquarters 8416 StacyRoad, McKinney Call FredMoses at 972 618 7027 [email protected] for moreinformation.

Collin County BlackChamber of CommerceGeneral Meeting is 2ndThursday monthly, 6:30pm- 7:30pm. McKinneyHousing Authority 1200 NTennessee St McKinney75069 The general public iswelcome. For additionalinformation call 469-424-0120.

Collin County BlackChamber of CommerceMonthly Lunch & Learnevery 3rd Thursday $15for members; $20 for non-members, 11:00am-1:00pm, Ralph and Kacoos- 401 S. Central Expwy,Allen. For general infor-mation and reservations call469-424-0120.

DFW FinanciallyEmpowered Women meetmonthly for lunch or dinnerand a fun, informative semi-nar on various financial top-ics. For more informationcall 469-952-0809 or visitwww.meetup.com/378.

Marriage Prep Class 1stSaturdays monthly 423West Wheatland Road Suite101, Duncanville 75116 $10fee for materials. For moreinfo call Karen Duval at972-709-1180.

No Limit NetworkBusiness NetworkingLunch 1st and 3rdThursday 11:30 a.m. - 12:30p.m. every Thursday atTexas Land & Cattle SteakHouse 3945 N. CentralExpressway Plano 75023Must RSVP atwww.TheNoLimitNetwork.com or call Sylvia Williamsat 972-898-5882.

SHARE! PISDInternational ExchangeStudent Program is in theprocess of finding new hostfamilies to share their heartsand home with an exchangestudent for the 2008/2009School Year. For moreinformation on or how to

342 Oates Road and at theGarland Goes Green site atFirewheel Town Center,Beebalm Lane at River Fern.For more information aboutthis year’s Trash Off event,call 972-205-3896 or log ontothe City of Garland website atwww.ci.garland.tx.us.

Run for Cover at theStonebridge Ranch BeachClub will include a 1K, 5Kand 10K fun run to benefitSamaritan Inn. Visitwww.mcfbc.org to register.

Garland Goes GreenEnvironmental Expo offersuseful information on biofu-els and money saving tips onhow to stay green from 10:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The eventwill be held at FirewheelTown Center in and aroundthe park area along BeebalmLane and Town CenterBoulevard.

“Spring Fiesta” DanceSeries this robust energeticperformance will take placeat 7:30 p.m. at the LatinoCultural Center, 2900 LiveOak Street, Dallas, 75204.Tickets are $15. For addition-al information, please contactDallas Black Dance Theatreat 214-871-2376 orwww.dbdt.com.

Junior League of Plano's19th Annual Trinkets toTreasures Rummage Salewill be located the PlanoCentre 2000 East SpringCreek Parkway, Plano, 75074from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.Admission is $5 from 8:00amto 10:00am and $3 from10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Seniors 65+ receive $1 offadmission all day. Children11 years of age and under areadmitted free. For more infor-mation contact the JuniorLeague of Plano Hotline at972-769-1142 orwww.jlplano.org.

G3: Greater GamesGathering is a non-profitevent designed to bring tabletop gamers together in athrice-annual gaming con-vention located at the PlanoCentre 2000 East SpringCreek Parkway, Plano,75074. Admission to theevent is $8.00 for InternetPre-registration; $12 at thedoor. The convention will lastfrom 8:00 a.m. until 11:30p.m. For more informationcall 972-612-4133 or email [email protected] orwww.greatergamesgather-ing.org.

more info contact GlennaBlackstone [email protected], or 888-671-0994.

The Dallas Black Chamberof Commerce 11th AnnualExcellence in EducationScholarship Luncheon at theDallas Convention Center -Ballroom A (650 South GriffinStreet) 12:00 noon; Admissionis $30, sponsorships are avail-able. For more information,please contact the Dallas BlackChamber office at 214-421-5200 or www.dbcc.org.

April 12T.C. Carson and PatriceRushen at The Dallas BlackAcademy of Arts and Letters,Dallas Convention CenterTheatre Complex, 3:00 pm and8:00 pm. Admission $20. Formore info call 214-743-2442.

Plano Stages presents ABowlFull of Blues, a blues jam,from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. inthe Amphitheater at Oak PointPark in Plano. The concert willfeature legendary blues per-formers Bugs Henderson andAnson Funderburgh. Joiningthem on the bill will be fiveNorth Texas blues acts - JimSuhler, Mike Morgan, HashBrown, Bulldogs and BlueLisa.

Mary J. Blige & Jay-Z live inconcert at theSuperpages.com Center (for-merly Smirnoff Music Center)1818 First Avenue Dallas,75210; 7:30 214-373-8000.

The Live Green Expo is a freeprogram at the Plano Centre(2000 E. Spring CreekParkway, Plano 75074)designed to teach people howto save energy and stay envi-ronmentally friendly. Visitwww.livegreenplano.com orcall 972-816-9489.

April 15Volunteerof the YearAwardsBreakfast will be located atthe Plano Centre, 2000 E.Spring Creek Parkway, Plano75074. For more informationcontact Maggie Cole, EventChair, at 469-233-0161/972-612-8129 or [email protected].

April 13 - 19National Library WeekCelebration at Plano PublicLibrary System joins librariesnationwide to celebrate the50th anniversary of NationalLibrary. Several special FREE

activities are planned at Plano’sfive libraries.

April 14UNT International Week2008: Celebration of WorldCultures InternationalEducation Awards Banquetwill feature ethnic food, liveentertainment, awards, scholar-ships, and special guest speak-er Ambassador to SaudiArabia, James C. Oberwetter7:00 – 9:00 pm. Reservationsrequired call 940-565-2197.For additional information,email [email protected],or call 940-369-8625.

April 16Collin College will host anEarth Day Celebration onApril 15 -16 at the PrestonRidge Campus, 9700 WadeBoulevard, in Frisco. Learnhow easy it is to recycle andreuse to cut down on expendi-tures and waste. For more info,call Marsiela Cardena-Smith at972-758-3896.

Aretha Franklin In Concertat Nokia Theatre At GrandPrairie 1001 PerformancePlace (Nextstage Drive) GrandPrairie, 75050; 8:00 PM 214-373-8000.

April 172008 LeadershipRecognition RISD TomorrowFoundation will honor RISDTeachers and Administrators6:30 - 9:00 pm RenaissanceHotel, 900 East LookoutDrive, Richardson IndividualTickets $125 and sponsorshipsavailable. For more informa-tion call RISD TomorrowFoundation at 469-593-0241,or email [email protected].

City Council CandidateForum 7:00 p.m. CouncilChamber Garland City Hall200 North Fifth StreetModerator Dr. Carol Brown,President Eastfield College.

Stars of Texas... RacingAgainst the Odds is a yearlyAmerican DiabetesAssociation fundraiser. Bet onthoroughbred horses at theLone Star Park Downs atGrand Prairie. For more infocall Roxann Pishnick at 972-392-1181 ext. 6095, call 1-888-DIABETES, or visit www.dia-betes.org/dallas.

A Beka Book Sale a homeschool curriculum and text-book sale. Admission is free.The sale will be located at the

Plano Centre 2000 East SpringCreek Parkway, Plano, 75074(SW corner of Spring Creek &Jupiter). For more informationcontact Mickey Pierce at 800-613-3222 Ext. 67.

April 18The “Committed to aVision” Gala and Concertwill feature a live performanceby Patti LaBelle and the firstannual “World ImpactAwards” paying tribute toInternational icon, NelsonMandela. This epic event willtake place at One Arts Plaza at7:00 p.m. For ticket informa-tion, please contact the DallasBlack Dance Theatre at 214-871-2376 orwww.dbdt/2008gala.com.

Comedy Night at the Musefeaturing Pierre The DallasBlack Academy of Arts andLetters, Dallas ConventionCenter Theatre Complex 9:00pm, admission $15. For morecall TBAAL at 214-743-2442.Vendor Training Workshop atthe Mesquite Arts CenterRehearsal Hall 1527 NorthGalloway Avenue, Mesquite,75149 from 2:00 p.m. until3:30 p.m. Don’t forget to bringyour business cards! Call 972-216-6201.

April 18 - 19Relay For Life - South DallasAt the PC Cobb Stadium, 1702Robert B. Cullum, Dallas,75210; 7:00 p.m.

April 19Kidney Early EvaluationProgram (KEEP) FreeKidney Screening program tar-gets at risk individuals, who arehypertensive, diabetic or havea 1st degree family memberwith kidney disease or a trans-plant. 2400 E. Seminary DriveFort Worth 10:00 am – 2:00pm. Admission free, for moreinfo email [email protected],or call 214-351-2393.

Keep Rowlett Beautiful hoststhe City of RowlettWaterways Spring Clean Upfrom 9 a.m. to 12 noon.Volunteers will meet atHerfurth Park, 4601Centennial Drive, east of CityHall. Call 972-463-3929 or oremail [email protected] by April 7th to sign upand receive your locationassignment.

Keep Garland Beautiful byparticipating in the annualTrash Off (in conjunction withthe Garland Going GreenExpo). Registration begins at7:30 a.m. at Audubon Park,

Proud To Be An ActivePartner In The Community

Sponsored By:


Community Calendar

become a host family, call 1-800-941-3738, or www.share-southwest.org.

Watermarks InvitationalExhibit runs through April12th 9:00 am – 8:00 pmMondays through Thursdays,9:00 am – 5:00 pm Fridays,and 10:00 am – 2:00 pmSaturdays. FREE CollinCollege 800 E. Spring CreekParkway. For more info call972-881-5873, or visitwww.ccccd.edu.

The National BusinessWomen Enterprise Network(NBWEN) hosts monthlylunch and learn workshop andnetworking event giving mem-bers and guests the opportunityto network, build relationships,present information on theirbusiness and services, andmost importantly, learn differ-ent ways to improve upon andgrow their business. For moreinformation www.nbwen.orgor [email protected].

Wit Women Conference Calljoin this weekly conferencecall if you need encourage-ment, prayer, or inspiration.Dial in Tuesdays 7:00pm–7:15pm to 218-486-1616,Code 10984 (may change eachweek).

April 10Second Thursday GalleryTalk Learn what Deep Ellumwas like in the 1920s and 30s –the heart and soul of theAfrican American community.Out of this politically chargedera came blues music thatinfluenced scores of musiciansin later decades. FREE 12:30 –1:00 pm. For further informa-tion, call 214-745-1100 ext.1 9 3 1 ,[email protected].

Second Annual PurseAuction hosted by The IrvingInternational Women'sConsortium at Las ColinasCountry Club. Purses will bedonated from celebrities andaround the world. Admission$40 for more info call theIrving International Women'sConsortium 469-524-4509.

April 1120th Anniversary Live FromCollin County Roasted andToasted benefiting theAssistance Center of CollinCounty, Child and FamilyServices, My Possibilities, andCrossroads Family Services.McKinney Performing ArtsCenter 111 North TennesseeStreet Tickets $35, may be pur-chased at www.mckinneyper-formingartscenter.org. For

Visit www.NorthDallasGazette.com and click on Community Calendar for more events!

by JacquinetteMurphy

North Texas resi-dents and area hospitalscould possibly soonfeel the effects of thetightening belt of thenational health caresystem later this springif the moratorium onthe new Medicaid regu-lations is allowed toexpire in May 2008.The one-year moratori-um was enacted to givethe U.S. Congress moretime to review some ofthe federal cost-cuttingregulations proposedby the DeficitReduction Act of 2005and the Tax Relief andHealth Care Act of2006.

The expiration ofthe moratorium is saidto shift payment fromthe federal governmentto state governmentsfor the uninsured forthe coverage of hospitaland clinic services,case management serv-ices and long-term andrehabilitative care forpeople that are dis-abled.

However, onWednesday the HouseEnergy and CommerceHealth Subcommitteepassed H.R. 5613, leg-islation that woulddelay until April 1,2009, implementationof seven Medicaid reg-

ulations expected to cutfunding to safety-netproviders by an esti-mated $50 billion overfive years. TheAmerican HospitalAssociation's statementindicated, the bill willlikely be considered bythe full committee nextweek. Committee chairJohn Dingell (D-MI)proposal requests astudy of the impact ofthe regulations on thestates. The amendedbill also would provide

$25 million a year forthe Department ofHealth and HumanService to investigatefraud and abuse in theMedicaid program, andcontains an offset of thecost of the moratoria tobe funded by expandingMedicaid's asset verifi-cation program to all 50states and by borrowingfrom the physicianquality reporting fund.

John Hawkins, thevice-president of gov-ernment relations forthe

Texas HospitalAssociation recentlydiscussed the effect oflifting the moratoriumto the medical carefacilities of the LoneStar state. "It wouldcertainly impact thepublic hospitalsbecause they receivefunding from the pro-gram to provide theservices to the indigent,and the working poor,"Hawkins said.

In regards to theeffect on the boomingmature adult populationinTexas, Hawkins said,

"It wouldimpact theability tofund the tran-sition to con-tinued carefrom an acutecare facility."Hawkins fur-t h e re x p l a i n e dthat thiswould forcemore peopleto stay inacute carefacilities pastthe appropri-ate time andu l t i m a t e l ydrive up thecost ofu n c o m p e n -sated care.

T h eCenters forMedicare andM e d i c a i dS e r v i c e s( C M S )

released a statement inFebruary that adver-tised the benefits ofthis adjustment statingthat it will implementthe Administration'sgoals of aligningMedicaid more closelywith private marketinsurance and the stateswill now have theopportunity to offerhealth plans more com-parable to plans offeredto other populations inthe state.

Additionally, enact-ment of the new ruleswould shift the pro-gram controls from thenational level and givecontrol of the Medicaidplan design to the statessince they deal moredirectly with the bene-ficiaries.

"The intent is tolimit Medicaid pay-ments for governmentalhealth care providers tothe cost of servingMedicaid individuals.Congress would be theone to lift or extend theban not CMS, " summa-rized Tony Salters, pub-lic affairs specialist for

the Dallas regionalCMS office.

According to anAssociated Pressreport, a coalition ofhospitals around thecountry filed a lawsuitin March seeking to

block the expiration ofthe congressionalmoratorium. Majororganizations such asthe American HospitalAssociation and theNational Association ofPublic Hospitals andHealth Systems are par-ticipants in the lawsuit.

The hospitals feelthe regulations are inviolation of federal lawby adopting paymentlimits previouslyrejected by Congress.The government coun-ters the new regulationswould ensure Medicaidpayments do not exceedthe actual cost of pro-viding patient care. Thehospitals point outpatients with a highpopulation of privateinsurance can balancethe cost of treatinguninsured patients.County hospitals suchas Parkland depend onMedicaid to cover thecost of uninsuredpatients.

According to theU.S. Health and Humanservices department,Medicaid is the largestsource of funding formedical and health-related services forindividuals with limit-ed income. It waslaunched in 1965 as ajoint state and federalgovernment adminis-tered program that pro-

vides medical servicesto the uninsured orthose with limitedincome that are deemedeligible by set state andfederal regulations. It isthrough this programthat the indigent, poor,

elderly and children aregenerally able toreceive the preventiveand critical medicalcare needed to becomeand remain healthy.

In 2006, 4.9 millionMedicaid enrolleeswere at least 65 yearsold and an additional8.3 million were blindand disabled. Thesegroups accounted formore than 25 percent oftotal Medicaid enroll-ment in 2006 accordingto statistics from theDHHS presidentialbudget testimony in2007.

A review of the con-gressional budget forthis program hasprompted the overhauland revision of corre-sponding regulations.Since 2005, many regu-lations have been pro-posed and passed tohelp decrease thespending, includingplacing penalties onasset transfer and homeequity, cost sharingprograms. Whileintended to make theprogram run more effi-ciently, these changeswill potentially leavemany of the people thatthe program exists toserve without theextended medical careneeded to maintain ahealthy quality of lifein their latter years.

"It would certainly impact thepublic hospitals because they

receive funding from the programto provide the services to the indi-

gent, and the working poor,"John Hawkins, the vice-presidentof government relations for the

Texas Hospital Association.


Cover Story

The Changing Face of Medicaid

Dallas Black DanceTheatre is proud to pres-ent "Committed to aVision," a world-classgala benefit featuring avivacious concert per-formance by Grammy-award winner and leg-endary diva, PattiLaBelle. This symbolicevent celebrates the

dance company's recentrelocation to the newlyrenovated formerMoorland YMCA build-ing in the Dallas ArtsDistrict and will takeplace at One Arts Plazaon Friday, April 18, 2008at 7 p.m.

"I am extremely excit-ed about our move to the

Dallas Arts District into abuilding that has longbeen a strong pillar in theDallas community," saidAnn Williams, DBDTfounder and artistic direc-tor.

The "Committed to aVision" Gala and Concertis a monumental Black-tie affair celebrating the

weaving of the history ofthe former MoorlandYMCA building with thepowerful vision ofimpactful community

leader and dance compa-ny founder, AnnWilliams. This stellarevening will begin withan exclusive pre-gala VIP

reception hosted by TexasState RepresentativeHelen Giddings and willfeature a private tour ofthe Dallas Black DanceTheatre's newly renovat-ed home. Guests can thenstroll the red carpet overto a lavishly decoratedpavilion at One ArtsPlaza to enjoy a full-course seated dinner fea-turing the delectablecuisines of CelebrityChef and Iron Chef win-ner, Kent Rathbun.Dinner will be followedby an inspiring gala pres-entation honoring keyindividuals who havemade significant impactsand contributions to thearts community. Theevening will concludewith an electrifying con-cert performance byworld-renowned musiclegend, Patti LaBelle andwill showcase her signa-ture platinum-selling hitslike "Lady Marmalade"and "Come What May"that will have guests rem-iniscing and scurryingtheir way to the dancefloor.

Arts & Entertainment


For more entertainment news, visit www.NorthDallasGazette.com!Arts & Entertainment

By Rick A. Elina

Scandal involving theclergy is unfortunately,not a new concept instory-telling, especiallywhen the scandalinvolves deistic dal-liances with the oppositesex. In fact, such scan-dals these days barelydeserve an upraised eye-brow. Milan Stitt’s 1976play The RunnerStumbles, offers anadded plot element thatgoes above and beyondthe everyday theologicaltryst. When the body of amissing nun is foundburied in the garden of apriest, the question ofguilt or innocencebecomes the central vehi-cle that drives this piece.Along the way, the time-less schism of commit-ment to God versus com-mitment to self isbroached.

Based on the trueevents of 1906 ruralMichigan, the play openswith Father Rivard, por-trayed by Corey Whaley,sitting handcuffed in ajail cell proclaiming hisinnocence. He standsaccused of the ultimatetrespass against God, themurder of Sister Rita, avibrant and sensitive nun,played by Julie Osborne.Ms. Osborne’s effusivepersonality is in starkcontrast to Mr. Whaley’sshell of a man, and apriestly man at that.Sister Rita is the childconstantly testing the

boundaries of theparental figure, FatherRivard. Is it just coinci-dence that he is referredto as Father and she asSister? Perhaps that con-trast is precisely Mr.Stitt’s point. If so, thenthe actors do a remark-able job of personifyingthis very common churchdynamic, which tran-scends denomination.

Eventually, FatherRivard becomes conflict-ed in his feelings as aman with his loyalty tothe church. A subsequentcover-up with the chiefoverseer of the diocese,Monsignor Nicholson,played convincingly byRon Eubanks, starts thedownward trajectory ofboth main characters andtheir relationship, notonly with each other butalso with God andChurch. The fires of dis-sension are stoked furtherby Father Rivard’s house-keeper, Mrs. Shandig,oddly cast with TinaKane. Though Ms. Kanedoes a fine job of portray-ing her characters ferventalmost fanatical beliefsystem, she seems a bittoo refined and elegant tobe believable as an illiter-ate housekeeper.

Aside from the theo-logical aspects of theplay, the central questionremains, did FatherRivard murder SisterRita? The resolutioncomes slowly paced theform of courtroom scenesthat are hardly suspense-ful, despite the efforts ofGary Anderson as thedefense attorney andJarod Warren as the pros-ecutor. Mr. Andersonhowever hands in one ofthe best performances ofthe play. The self-depre-cating character of TobyFelker, underscores Mr.Andersons restrainedinterpretation of that

character. However, thedrama doesn’t have anopportunity to buildbecause of the constantscene changes as well as,wardrobe changes which,by the way, take place infull view of the audience.Such is the case with sev-eral other pivotalmoments in the playwhich come and go insuch a way, that there isno building of anticipa-tion. Rather than think-ing, “Well, here itcomes,” you find your-self saying, “Well, thereit went.”

From a technical stand-point, the stage was just alittle too busy at times.The set is comprised ofsix “mini-sets” that theactors were constantlywalking in and out of.The program creditsMark-Brian Sonna asChoreographer and sincethere was no dancing onecan only assume that achoreographer was need-ed simply to get theactors to the differentparts of the stage.Unfortunately, it was notthe poetry in motion thatI normally associate withgood choreography. Thechanges were at timescumbersome and distract-ing. The set design pre-sented major sight-lineproblems and during sev-eral scenes, one characterwould totally obscurefrom view the reactionsof another character.

Overall it was the workof the actors that madethe experience pleasantdespite the many issueswith other aspects of theproduction.

The Runner Stumblesis presented byRoverDramawerks andruns through April 26 atthe Cox BuildingPlayhouse. SeeRoverDramawerks.comfor details.

The Runner Stumbles…Off the Beaten Path

The Dallas Black Dance Theatre Presents an Elegant Evening with Legendary Songstress, Patti LabelleHistorical Dance Company Celebrates Relocation to Dallas Arts District with "Committed to a Vision " Gala and Concert


(AUSTIN) — The stateComptroller’s office willhost free seminar, inDallas April 23 to informfranchise taxpayers aboutthe Legislature’s revi-sions to the tax.

“May 15 is the firststatewide franchise taxdue date since thesechanges took effect,”Texas Comptroller SusanCombs said. “We are con-tinuing our outreachefforts to ensure taxpay-ers are familiar with thenew margin calculationand that the filing processworks smoothly and easi-ly for them.”

The Dallas seminar onApril 23 will take placeon the SouthernMethodist Universitycampus, in the Hughes-Trigg Student CenterTheater, located at 3140Dyer St.

The seminar is sched-uled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.and will be taught by theagency’s franchise taxexperts who will also beavailable to answer ques-

tions. The morning ses-sions will consist of anoverview presentationabout the new margin cal-culation, along withdetailed explanationsabout entities subject tothe tax; the revised taxbase; tax rates; EZ com-putation; discounts; notax due qualifications;determining total revenueand exclusions from rev-enue; cost of goods solddeductions; compensationdeductions; gross receiptsand apportionment; com-bined reporting; businessloss credit; and newadministrative rules. Theafternoon sessions of theseminars will concentrateon how to complete fran-chise tax reporting forms.

For complete informa-tion about the seminars,visit the Comptroller’sWeb site at www.win-dow.state.tx.us/taxinfo/franchise/ft_tour_0408.html.Advance reservations arerequired. To reserve a seatat the seminar, [email protected].

us.During the last year,

agency experts have spo-ken at industry confer-ences and to taxpayersgroups, hosted 10 taxpay-er seminars throughoutTexas and conducted adozen Webinars to informtaxpayers about changesto the franchise tax. TheTexas Legislature revisedthe tax by changing thetax base and the tax rateand extending coverage tomost legal entities. About200,000 new entities will

have to file franchise taxreports for the first timethis year.

Forms to report therevised Texas franchisetax based on the new mar-gin calculation are nowavailable online atwww.window.state.tx.us/ta x i n f o / t a x f o r m s / 0 5 -forms.html.

Answers to franchisetax questions can befound by visitingwww.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/franchise/ or bycalling (800) 252-1381.

ComptrollerAnnounces Dallas Tax Seminar

Business Service Directory

Hiram McBeth IIIAttorney and Counselor at Law

(972) 498-8872No Charge for Consultation

CIVIL LITIGATION CLASS ACTIONS• Avandia (Type 2 Diabetes)• Peanut Butter Contamination

(Code 2111 Peter Pan or Great Value)• West Dallas Asbestos Exposure• Personal Injury, Auto Accidents,

Defective Products, Workplace Injuries• Corporations (Minority/DBE)

Se Habla EspañolNot Certified By The Texas Board of Legal Specialization

A T T O R N E Y

A U T O

FOR SALE1995 Lincoln Towncar

29,000 actual miles, Hail damage214-703-3714

D E N T I S T R Y

E N G I N E E R I N G

Featuring some of thenations most prolificand successful womenCEOs, the BusinessAssistance Center, Inc.and North DallasGazette presents theThird Annual EmergingWomen Business Camp(EWBC) on Saturday,April 19, 2008 from10:00am to 3:00 .P.M atthe University of Dallas- Frisco Campus locatedat 7460 Warren Parkwayin Frisco, Texas.

"This single day,information networkand business camp is setto be a ground breakingevent for business own-ers to boost their bottomline and for aspiringentrepreneurs to learnthe inside track to alaunching a successfulbusiness operation,"says Terry Allen,founder of this campand Director of theBusiness AssistanceCenter, "The real valueof this event is the men-toring and networkingthat will occur betweenbusiness owners obtainanswers and trainingwhich was inspired byour keynote speaker,

Joy Wallace.""Each participant will

have a chance to interactwith Super CEOs andthey will also receivetraining in email mar-keting, networking andfinancial accounting, "says Jackie Murphy,CEO of PresenceCommunications, arecent graduate of oursmall business programand co event manager.

EWBC keynotespeaker is super CEO,Joy Wallace, thefounder and CEO of JoyFoods (www.joy-foodsinc.com) . Once asenior director ofNational Sales at PizzaHut, Wallace is nowknown for her ability totake a corporate salesstrategy and turn it intoa multi million dollarcompany in Joy Foods'first year of operation.The mentoring intent ofEWBC is inspired byher participation in thefirst EWBC in 2005.

Also, attendees withexperience a wealth ofinspiration with "TheSelf-esteem Dr", JewelDiamond Taylor(www.donotgiveup.net),

the luncheon keynotespeaker. She is theFounder of the Womenon the Grow, SuperGoal SaturdayMotivational Seminars,The Don't Give UpConference, the popularLunch and Learn moti-vational sessions andthe Paragon LeadershipTraining Series.

Registrants will alsomeet Michele Hoskins,the founder of MicheleFoods (www.michele-foods.com) a multi-mil-lion dollar food compa-ny famous for its HoneyCrème Syrup taken fromher ancestor's recipe.She has been featuredon Oprah, EssenceMagazine, Ebony, BlackEnterprise, etc. and isthe author of theBestseller book, SweetExpectations.

Many more influentialand empowered womenCEOs will be knowl-edge sharing during thepanel discussionsplanned during thiscamp. Scheduled toappear are:

• Dr. Yolanda BruceBrooks is a national pro-fessional development

and clinical consultantand former SeniorDirector of PlayerDevelopment for theNational BasketballAssociation (NBA).

• Yvette Moyo is thePresident/Founder ofReal Men Cook andMOBE - MarketingOpportunities inBusiness &E n t e r t a i n m e n t .(Moderator /Panelist),Her national event, RealMen Cook, has con-tributed over a milliondollars to charitablecauses and MOBE hasbeen the launchingground of millions ofcontracts in businessand entertainment col-laborations.

• Teresa TaylorGilbert is CEO ofwww.Ntheknow.com thehottest online network-ing and event companyin the southwest willl beon hand again to deliverher powerful network-ing skills builder(Panelist)

• Julie Neihoff,Regional Director ofConstant Contact a lead-ing email marketingcompany.

3rd Annual Emerging Women CEOs Business Camp

Folks, we constantly talkabout the negative things wehear and see in the music ofsome of today’s youngartists. We rail against theirlyrics and their exploitationof women. We are embar-rassed by the way some ofthem dress and their seem-ingly endless propagation ofthe thug life and the bling-bling mindset.

The Bring Black Back CDand the MAAT Youth Groupare completely positive, edu-cational, and inspiring toboth the young and the oldercrowds. The young peoplerap about our historical iconslike Zora Neale Hurston,Marcus Garvey, andLangston Hughes, all set tosome of the “tightest” beatsyou will ever hear.

One of my favorite is theirinnovative piece onReparations. During theirrelease event on February29th, they performed eachsong and added their ownchoreographed routines, leadby a young brother, AdrianCurry, who just happens tohave a 4.3 GPA and will beattending Morehouse nextyear. Another young sister,Chloe Johnson, in her firstyear at Florida A&M, whoalso played a major role inthe recording, came backhome to Ft. Wayne to partic-ipate in the release.

In addition to these out-standing students, there areseveral others from age 13 to19, who dedicated their timeand their creative talents toproduce the Bring BlackBack CD.

You need to have this CD.The proceeds will go to helpthe SBA Academy in itsefforts to educate moreyoung people about their his-tory and their culture. Thefunds also help with travel

expenses for the students tovisit Africa and variousCaribbean islands as theyhave done in the past.

These are the kinds ofyoung people we say wewant to have in our commu-nities. Show them you appre-ciate their efforts. Supportthem. Buy their CD! Go towww.sba1satschool.com andmake your purchase. Buyseveral and give them tofriends and family.

The other CD, “ThreeCredits Shy,” is a soberingdisclosure of a case thathaunts me and should touchthe consciences of all people.It’s the William Mayo story.Mayo has been incarceratedfor 16 years for a crime hedid not commit. Havingreceived injustice after injus-tice from Georgia’s judicialsystem, he languishes in acell waiting for US to dosomething about his situa-tion. You know; the way weacted in the Marcus Dixoncase, the Genarlow Wilsoncase, the Shaquanda Cotton,the Jena Six case. William isstill waiting for justice toprevail, and we can help himin his quest.

Go towww.freemayo.com andpurchase “Three CreditsShy,” which indicates howfar Mayo was from receivinghis degree from MorehouseCollege prior to beingaccused and convicted of arobbery in which he had norole.

William Jonathan Mayowas well on his way to beinga commissioned officer inU.S. Army, well on his wayto being one of the youngrole models we say we needmore of in our communities;he was well on his way tobeing able to help otheryoung men who aspired tothe level he had struggled to

reach through hard work anddedication; William Mayowas on his way to success,but his journey was inter-rupted by a gross injusticethat still has not been recti-fied.

William’s destiny suffereda detour that has now taken16 years to travel, but he isstill determined to come putof that prison one day andget that degree he cherishedso much. He is still deter-mined to offer whatever timehe has left to help someoneelse, especially young peo-ple.

He is still prayerful andstill hopeful while he waitsfor his day in court or for theday someone in Georgia’scriminal justice system willfinally have the compassionto look at his case and admit,as those who committed thecrime have already done,that William didn’t rob any-one and he should be set free.

Meanwhile, as he waitsfor US to act, he needs ourfinancial support. The CD, ifpurchased by just half ofthose who read this column,would provide a tremendousboost not only to William’sdisposition and confidencebut also to his defense fund.This man deserves our sup-port; the least we can do isbuy the CD, listen to hisstory, and then make up ourminds to do something elseto help this brother obtain hisfreedom.

Please. Get to a computeras soon as you can and pur-chase these two CDs. Youwill be glad you did, and youwill be helping two veryworthwhile causes. They arejust $10.00 each. Where elsecan you get so much for solittle? Where else can you doso much with such a smalleffort? Please order thesetwo CDs now!

tain but sure turmoil of daysnow past. Once at the KingCenter, a prayer vigil ceremo-ny was held in honor of thevision and the shadow of thestatue of the slain leader, Dr.Martin Luther King.

Michael Gonzales of theHispanic Business LeadershipBoard was present with hisfamily and offered thesewords about Dr. King. "Hehelped to open doors for allpeople. He was a brilliantleader that happened to beAfrican-American," he said.

Casey Thomas, the presi-dent of the NationalAssociation for theAdvancement of ColoredPeople was also on hand andspoke from the basis of one ofKings famous speeches, Whywe can't wait. "It is time for usto stand up and hold ourselvesaccountable. We look insideour communities and we are

no longer afraid of the atroci-ties. We can't wait another day,second or moment for some-one else to rise up and makeour community what we wantit to be," he said.

Although the march wasbased on a nonviolent strategyand Christian faith that isthreaded into the foundationof the SCLC, others organiza-tions that are known for amore forward approach pro-foundly showed their supportfor King. Olinka Green anew member of the BlackPanther Party stated memo-rable words. "He paid the ulti-mate price, his life. As Moses,he could only go so far, we arehis children. It is time forAmerica to pay up for every-thing that he has done. It is tothe gray-haired down to thebaby-haired," stated Green asshe sported a gray tee-shirtthat simply said, "Obama forYo Momma." For her it was asymbol of a society that did

not exist only a generationago.

KHVN News Director,Robert Ashley, was among thelist of speakers and he encour-aged the community to have atrue purpose as Dr. King did."If a man does not live forsomething; he will die for any-thing," he summed as heinformed the audience aboutthe rich African American his-tory and the conditions of ourfailing government and socie-ty. A sentiment shown by SilkLittlejohn and his family whorecently experienced racismattacks first-hand at theirhome in Arlington, Texas.

The evening closed with anarc-shaped group of peoplefacing the bronze MartinLuther King statue with thecommemorative wreath at itsfeet, hands shielding the can-dles from the wind and headsbowed in prayer, followed bya speech by Dr. King and thesounding of the closing cere-

monial bells."The march was a success

along with the prayer vigil tohonor Dr. King, what he stoodfor and what he sacrificed hislife for. It brought peopletogether of all races, ages, andsocial classes," said ReverendDerrick Bowman, the presi-dent of the SCLC. "The over-all event helped to put SCLCDallas back on track to beingan organization that helps toprovoke change in the mindsetof the community as Dr. Kingplanned in 1957. We needed totake that charge back tobecome a more visible voicein the community. Now, wehope that more people connectand return to the chapter tohelp us to continue to be theviable organization that weneed to be." The Dallas SCLCmeets at the Martin LutherKing Center every secondThursday at 7:00pm. Call Rev.Derrick Bowman at (972)792-0240.

Car Review


comprehensive approachto combating regulatedmetals thefts by creatinga statewide electronicdatabase, limiting publicoperation hours, restrict-ing the sale of certainitems by the general pub-lic and created statewide“hold” guidelines so thatpurchased regulateditems can be inspected bypolice. SB642 did notpass, but was rolled intoSB1154 by Senator JohnCarona, (R- Dallas) a billthat strengthened identifi-cation requirements forsellers and increasedcriminal penalties forbuyers and sellers ofstolen goods. SB1154passed into law effectiveSept. 1, 2007.

“The new statewidedatabase established by

SB1154 will be main-tained by the Departmentof Public Safety,” saidDallas’ Chief of PoliceDavid Kunkle. “This willprovide yet another toolfor law enforcement touse in dealing with thosewho buy and sell stolenmetals.”

One of SB1154's mostcrucial components, thestatewide database willsoon go into effect. Itwill help law enforce-ment to detect patterns ofpersons who frequentlysell restricted items ofquestionable origin. Thebill also requires all scrapmetal vendors to registerwith the state. The legis-lation has the support ofthe scrap metal industryand has now been mod-eled in other parts of thecountry.

CDs, pg 1

West, pg 1 40, pg 1

Write sales letters NOTcovering letters -You need toknow how to sell yourself toa potential employer andyour application is the firstopportunity you have to dojust that. Employers willspend as little as 20 to 30seconds reading an applica-tion, so you have to make astrong impression - fast. Asales letter needs to grab thereader's attention within thefirst paragraph and give anemployer a reason to ask youfor an interview.

Follow-up - Don't wait foran employer to respond toyour application. Be proac-tive by telephoning or email-ing their office and establishpersonal contact.

Make the web work foryou - Post your resumeonline, create your own jobseeker account with the jobboards that advertise the typeof vacancies you are interest-ed in and, make your detailsavailable so that potentialemployers can seek you out,too.

Tap into the hidden jobmarket - It is often said thatpersonal recommendation.Networking within yourindustry can be an invalu-able source of informationand recommendations onjobs, a process greatly facili-tated by social networkingsites such as LinkedIn andFacebook.

TISEO PAVING COMPANY419 E. Hwy. 80, Mesquite, TX 75150

Tel: (972) 289-0723 Fax: (972) 216-5637www.tiseopaving.com

Performing Concrete StreetPaving in the Metroplex Area

We Accept Subcontracting Bids For AllPublic Works Project in the Dallas Area

We Are Accepting Applications forConcrete Mixer Drivers and Heavy

Equipment Mechanics

Equal Opportunity Employer


Contact: 972-606-7498 for Career Opportunity Advertising

Job Hunting Tips


Church Happenings

Mt. Olive Church of Plano300 Chisholm Place Plano, TX 75075 972-633-5511

WWW.MOCOP.ORG

Serving the PlanoCommunity for 13 Years

Sunday Worship10:00 am

Wednesday Night7:15 pm

Call Pastor Sam on:“Vision & Truth Live”

Radio Broadcast: KWRD 100.7 FM Sundays 9pm – 10pm

HEAR PASTOR SAM DAILY ON: “TRUTH MADE SIMPLE”KGGR 1040 AM MONDAY – FRIDAY @ 5:25pm – 5:30pm

Pastors Sam & Gloria Fenceroy

One, two or three lots for sale at Restland inNorth Dallas; located in the beautiful andpeaceful Serenity Gardens Section(Southeast corner of Greenville Avenue &Restland Road.) Market value $3450 each,but selling price negotiable. View plots byappointment only. Call 972-606-3878,972-416-6109, or 469-235-5808.

PRIME BURIAL LOTS FOR SALEEBENEZER WORSHIP CENTER“We are Living Stones in God’s Temple”

SUNDAY10:00 am: Sunday School

11:00 am: Morning WorshipMONDAY

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Men of Power and Women of Power

TUESDAY7:00 pm- 8:00 pm: Bible Study & Worship ServiceRev. Cecil T. Smith, II

Senior Pastor

14000 Preston Road • Dallas, TX 75254 • 972-980-0977 (Church Phone)

DFW INTERNATIONALCOMMUNITY

ALLIANCE

April 13, 4 pmUnit Church of Dallas,

6525 Forest Lane (betweenPreston Road and Hillcrest),in Dallas will present“Global Sacred MusicCelebration” and you areinvited.

April 19, 2008Join us at “Fiesta

Latinoamericana!” @ TheAmphitheatre @ Oak Point,2800 E. Spring CreekParkway in Plano (acrossfrom Spring Creek CollegeCampus). At 5 pm there’s aFREE Family Fiesta withLatin American storytellingand folkloric dance work-shops. At 8 pm it’s the 2ndAnnual FiestaLatinoamericana! Withdance, live music, theater,and Im by 14 local artsgroups.

Call 972-661-2764 formore information, ticketfees, and directions for theabove events.DFW InternationalCommunity AllianceAnne Marie Weiss,President12800 Hillcrest RoadSuite A211Dallas, TX 75230972-661-2764

EIRENE CHRISTIANFELLOWSHIP CHURCH

April 16, 23, 30, 7 pmJoin us each Wednesday

in April for “SHAPE” in our

Lecture Hall. You have aunique purpose in life; nowlearn how God wants you touse it.Eirene ChristianFellowshipRev. Terrance Autry,Pastor701 E. Centennial Blvd.Richardson, TX 75081972-991-0200

FIRST BAPTISTCHURCH OF

HAMILTON PARK(FIRST CHURCH)

April 13, 6 pmJoin us for our Annual Fine

Arts Recital in the sanctuary.

April 19, 9 amIt’s time for our 9th Annual

Health, Wellness, & FitnessClinic. There will be healthscreening, wellness presenta-tions, fitness classes andmore. Contact LucindaButler for details.

April 26, 2008Registration for our 2008

Women’s Conference hasbegun. It will be at theMarriott Dallas/Plano @ theLegacy Town Center thisyear.First Baptist Church ofHamilton Park(First Church)Dr. Gregory FosterSenior Pastor andRev. Anthony Foster,Pastor300 Phillips StreetRichardson, TX 75081972-235-4235

FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST

CHURCHOF THE COLONY

April 11 & 12, 2008You are invited to our

Annual Fellowship andCampout at Hidden CovePark. Sign up in the foyer orcontact Bro. Marlon Dawson,Bro. Ray Williams, Bro. TimWilliams, or Bro. TrumanGreen.Friendship Baptist Church,The ColonyDr. C. Paul McBride,Senior Pastor4396 Main StreetThe Colony, TX 75056972-625-8186

GREENVILLE AVENUE CHURCH OF CHRIST

May 3, 8 am to 1:30 pmCome to our 23rd Annual

Adolescent & LadiesSymposium to address com-munity issues of today’s soci-ety from a Biblical perspec-tive. It’s FREE and open topreteen girls, ages 9-12; ado-lescent misses, 13-18; andadult ladies, 19 and up. Thiswill include a session formothers and daughters, acontinental breakfast, lunch,and door prizes.Greenville AvenueChurch of ChristBrother S.T.W. Gibbs, IIISenior Minister1013 S. Greenville AvenueRichardson, TX 75081972-644-2335

LOVE CHAPELCHURCH OF GOD IN

CHRIST

April 20, 3:30 pmBro. Todd Walker and the

Brotherhood Ministry willhost a program and you areinvited to worship the Lordwith us.Love Chapel C.O.G.I.CElder Philip White, Pastor2003 Morris StreetDallas, TX 75212214-638-1857

MT. HEBRONMISSIONARY

BAPTIST CHURCH

April 28-May 1, 2008Nightly @ 7 pm

You are welcome to ourNational Christian Ministryeach night.Mt. Hebron MissionaryBaptist ChurchRev. Leonard O. LeachSenior Pastor1233 State Highway 66Garland, TX 75040972-276-5218

MT. PISGAH BAPTISTCHURCH (THE ROCK)

April 16-18, 7 pm NightlyYou are invited to our

Annual Spring Revival withthe renowned and dynamicDr. Sedic Veal, pastor of theTemple Baptist Church inCleveland, Ohio.Mt. Pisgah Baptist ChurchRev. Robert Townsend,Senior Pastor11611 Webb Chapel RoadDallas, TX 75229972-241-6151

NEW MOUNT ZIONBAPTIST CHURCH OF

DALLAS

Join us this Saturday,April 12, 10 am – 2 pm

We present “CollegeEntrance – 101.” EnrollToday! www.ce101.com.Students in grades 7-11 andtheir parents are invited toattend. Please bring a friendto partake in this learningexperience.New Mount Zion BaptistChurch of DallasDr. Robert E. Price,Senior Pastor9550 Shepherd RoadDallas, Texas 75243214-341-6459

SAINT MARK BAPTISTCHURCH

April 12, 2008, Noon – 2 pmSenior Saints (ages 55 and

above) please join us forlunch, bingo and prizes dur-ing the “Double NickelLuncheon” @ NewsomeHomes Community Center,230 Amscott Street,McKinney, TX 75069. FREEhome delivery available tohouse-bound seniors withinthe city limits only. Pleasecall 972-542-6178 no laterthan Friday, April 11th withyour name, phone number,address, and the number ofmeals desired.Saint Mark Baptist ChurchRev. Charles S. Wattley,Senior Pastor1308 Wilcox StreetMcKinney, TX 75069972-542-6178

SWEET HOMEMISSIONARY

BAPTIST CHURCH

May 3, 5:20 pmOur Reunion Choir hosts a

“Back in the Day GospelMusical” and you are invit-ed.

May 4, 10:20 amCome share with us the

joy of celebrating 20 years asa community church. Ourtheme: ”We are Family”Learning from the past, liv-ing in the present, preparingfor the future. Acts 2:44-47.For information or directionscall Monica Jones or ToshaJohnson @ 972-276-6602.Sweet Home MBCRev. D. L. Wilson, Pastor1019 S. First StreetGarland, TX 75040972-276-6602

WOMAN OF STRENGTHMINISTRY

April 12, 11 am – 2 pmPlease join us for a Benefit

Luncheon @ the DeSotoCivic Center, 211 E. PleasantRun Road in DeSoto, TX.This luncheon will be hostedby Donna A. Gantt and willbenefit the Deborah ProctorEducational ScholarshipFund. Keynote speaker isCheryl Wesley and musicalguest is Carolyn Traylor.

For ticket prices, informa-tion or directions call 972-296-4590.Woman of StrengthMinistry, Inc.Ms. Donna A. GanttP. O. Box 382003Duncanville, TX 75138972-296-4590

Peoples MissionaryBaptist Church excitinglyannounces the 15thanniversary celebrationfor their pastor, Rev. S.M. Wright II. Rev.Wright succeeded hisfather, Dr. S. M. WrightSr. as the pastor ofPeoples on November 3,1993.

Special services for thecelebration will featuresome of the country’smost profound ministersof the gospel. The week-end celebration will kick-off with a GospelExplosion Concert onSaturday, April 12 at 7:00p.m. with national record-ing artist Angela Spivey,dubbed The Princess ofGospel. On Sunday, April13, Dr. Damian Epps, pas-tor of Evergreen BaptistChurch of San Francisco,California will deliver themessage for the 11:00a.m. worship service.Elder Joseph Jackson,pastor of First Pentecostal

Church of God in Christof Dallas will deliver themessage for theAnniversary Hour at 3:00p.m.

The community isinvited to attend allanniversary services forPastor Wright.Admission for the GospelExplosion Concert withAngela Spivey is free andopen to the public.Peoples MissionaryBaptist Church is locatedat 3119 Pine Street inDallas.

Rev. Wright wasordained, anointed andvoted in as pastor ofPeoples MissionaryBaptist Church at the ageof 19, under his father’spastorate, Dr. S. M.Wright Sr. This appoint-ment made him theyoungest pastor in churchhistory. He continued hiseducation, receiving hisBachelor of Arts inBiblical Studies with aminor in Business

Administration fromDallas Baptist University.

Since 1994, Rev.Wright has worked untir-ingly to keep the dreamand legacy of his fatheralive. He serves asChairman of the S. M.Wright Foundation,whose mission is to con-tinue the legacy of hisfather in providing sup-port to enrich, empowerand enhance the quality oflife through the areas ofrace relations, health,education, communityeconomic developmentand social assistance pro-grams for the Glory ofGod in the South DallasFair Park area.

Rev. Wright serves onnumerous boards andcommissions throughoutthe state of Texas. Helists his finest accom-plishment to date as 10years of profound pastur-ing of the great PeoplesMissionary BaptistChurch.


Sister Tarpley

Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist ChurchThe Rock

Still standing…. Est. June 1864A Kingdom Building Church offering DELIVERANCE, RESTORATION, PURPOSE and PROSPERITY

Sunday Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:45 am & 11:00 amSunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:45 am – 10:45 amWednesday Bible Study . . . 12:00 noon & 7:00 pm

Worship Services

Monday & Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 am - 3:00 pmTuesday, Wednesday & Thursday . . . 9:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday & Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Closed

Office Hours

Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church11611 Webb Chapel Road • Dallas, TX 75229Office: 972-241-6151Email: [email protected]: www.dallasmtpisgah.org

Contact Info

Come Experience AChurch that Believes inGiving God Excellence

Without Excuse

Rev.Robert Townsend, Pastor

NationalFriendship Week

It is a great blessing tohave a “true friend.”Because it’s NationalFriendship Week, thismorning I received anemail from a friend, itbrighten my day andmade me smile.During my highschool years I wouldwrite in every yearbook, “True friendsare like diamonds,precious, rich andrare; false friends arelike autumn leaves,found every where.”

I am thankful andfeel extremelyblessed for myfriends. My wonder-ful sisters: EloydAvery, Billie Daye,Evangelist Ida Eggins,and Rose MaryFielding (we have funevery time we are togetheras we recall our childhoodyears.) My daughters:Minister Sheila TarpleyLott, and Cleo SpannTarpley. These great ladies:Phemia Tinner, EstherDugay, Vickie Terry Byrd,Rosemary Owens (thegreat tax lady), Gail Gray,Rosie Roberts, DeloresMurray, Ruth Ferguson,Judy Williams (I love ourhugs each Sunday afterchurch), Cousin SherryGambrell, and CousinEmma Palmer to name aprecious few.

As I thought about myprecious friends, I thoughtabout things that I havereceived or picked up alongthe way.

Eleanor Roosevelt

wrote: Many peoplewill walk in and out ofyour life, but only true

friends will leave footprintsin your heart. To handleyourself, use your head; to

handle others, use yourheart.

My pastor, Elder PhilipWhite says, “Anger is onlyone letter short of danger.”Great minds discuss ideas;average minds discussevents; small minds discusspeople. He who losesmoney, loses much; he wholoses a friend, loses muchmore, but he who losesfaith, loses all. Learn tohonor and respect the elder-ly; beautiful young peopleare accidents of nature, butbeautiful old people areworks of art. Yesterday ishistory; tomorrow is a mys-tery; today is a gift.

A Good Story for GreatFriends: A little girl had abad temper. Her mothergave her a bag of nails andtold her that every time shelost her temper, she must

hammer a nail into the backof the fence.

The first day the girl haddriven 37 nails into thefence. Over the next fewweeks, as she learned to

control her anger, thenumber of nails ham-mered daily graduallydwindled. She discov-ered it was easier to holdher temper than to drivethose nails into thefence. Finally the daycame when the girl did-n’t loose her temper atall.

She told her motherabout it and the mothersuggested that the girlnow pull out one nail foreach day that she wasable to hold her temper.The days passed and theyoung girl was finallyable to tell her mother

that all the nails weregone. The mother led her

daughter to the fence. Shesaid, “You have done well,my daughter, but look at theholes in the fence. Thefence will never be thesame. When you say thingsin anger, they leave scarsjust like this.” You can puta knife in a person anddraw it out, but the scarremains. You can hurt aperson and it won’t matterhow many times you sayI’m sorry, the wound is stillthere. A verbal wound is asbad as a physical one.

Friends are very rarejewels. They lend an ear,they share words of praiseand they always want toopen their hearts to us.They make you smile andsucceed. Author Unknown

SisterTarpley

Sister Tarpley & Mrs. Phemia Tinner celebrating afriendship for over 40 years.

Peoples Baptist Church To CelebratePastor’s 15th Anniversary

Guest Speakers Include Dr. Damian Epps and Elder Joseph JacksonCelebration Will Include Gospel Explosion Concert with Angela Spivey

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Let North Dallas Gazette help you to get the word out in the Southern and theNorthern Sectors of the Dallas Metroplex. Your church service times, your motto,your email, and your webpage. You can surely ‘Enlarge your territory to expandopportunities that will help you to touch more lives for God’s Glory. Do more forGod’s Kingdom.’

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Church Directory

Healthy Beginnings Child Development Center - 972-404-1412

14120 Noel Road • Dallas, TX 75254972-239-1120 (Office) • 972-239-5925 (Fax)[email protected] (Email)

Dr. Jerome E.McNeil, Jr., Pastor

Temple of Faith Christian Chapel C.M.E. Church

Sunday Worship Experience - 8:00 am & 10:45 amWednesday Bible Study - 12:00 Noon & 7:00 pm

“Where Jesus is the Main Attraction”

New Mt. Zion Baptist Church of DallasSunday ServiceMorning Worship

7:30 am & 10:30 am9:00 am Sunday School

Wednesday ServicePrayer Meeting 7:00 pm

Brotherhood 7:00 pmMissions 7:00 pm

Singles Group 7:00 pmBible Study 7:45 pm

Dr. Robert E. Price,Senior Pastor

A Praying Church Family“Watchmen on the Walls”

214-341-6459 (Phone) • 214-342-8403 (Fax)9550 Shepard Road

Dallas, TX 75243

www.nmzb.org (Website) • [email protected] (Email)

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Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church920 E. 14th Street Plano, TX

Pastor Isiah Joshua, Jr.

Sunday Worship Services 8AM & 11AM

For more information call (972) 423-6695www.shilohbaptistchurch.org

Sunday 9:45AM Sunday School

Monday 7PM Youth, Brotherhood, Mission & Young Adult Ministries

Tuesday 7PM Bible Study & Men’s ChoirWednesday 7PM Mid-Week ServiceThursday 7PM Mass Choir

Dr. Leslie W Smith,Senior Pastor

NORTH DALLAS COMMUNITY BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

9 7 2 - 4 3 7 - 3 4 9 31010-1020 South Sherman Street • Richardson, TX 75081

www.ndcbf.org

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES:8:00 AM • 9:30 AM • 11:30 AM

“A Spiritual Oasis for a Thirsty World” Isaiah 55:1

SundayEducation Ministries - 9:30 a.m. • Worship Celebration - 11:00 am.

– Nursery Facilities Available –

Wednesday Family Ministries... 7:00 p.m.

Friendly Fellowship with A Family FocusFor More Information Call 972.542.6178

www.saintmarkbc.com • [email protected]

1308 Wilcox Street, McKinney TXPastor Charles S. Wattley

Saint Mark MissionaryBaptist Church

The Dance Council pres-ents the 12th Annual Dancefor the Planet Festival, theonly FREE, family, outdoordance festival of its kind,celebrating the magic ofdance from the greaterNorth Texas communityduring National DanceWeek. There’s much to seeand do at this two-day dancefestival:

See performances by 140dance groups from Ballet toBallroom, Modern, Jazz,

Tap, Middle Eastern toAfrican, Flamenco toFolklorico, classical Indianto Aztec, Salsa to CountryWestern, etc., etc,

Take classes in Salsa,Yoga, Ballroom, Pilates,African, Belly Dancing, andDisco, with local profes-sionals,

Take Hip Hop Classeswith Special Guest KennyWormald at 1:00 PM & 3:30PM and Swing Classes at2:00 and 2:30 PM with

returning Special GuestNorma Miller both days

Create & play at theChildren’s Art Zone,

Hip Hop OpeningShowcase at Noon, DanceCouncil 2008 ScholarshipShowcase at 2:00 PM, TapShowcase at 4:00 PM andSwing Showcase at 4:30PM on Saturday, April 26

South Dallas DanceShowcase at 2:00 PM,Praise Showcase at 3:00 PMon Sunday, April 27.

Returning is the celebrat-ed Queen of Swing Ms.Norma Miller, knownthroughout the world as anauthor, choreographer, film-maker, comedian, and actorwhose career spans overseven decades. Discoveredat the age of twelve by theSavoy Ballroom's legendarydancer Twist Mouth George,Norma will teach FREESwing Classes from 2:00 to3:00 PM on both days andemcee a Swing Showcase

featuring the Dallas SwingSociety at 4:30 PM onSaturday afternoon.

Direct from Los Angeles,Hip Hop Artist KennyWormald has performedwith Justin Timberlake,Janet Jackson, Madonna,and Jennifer Lopez and starsin the soon-to-be-releasedmovie Centerstage 2. Hehas danced on Ellen,Saturday Night Live, MTVAwards, Teen ChoiceAwards and many others.

Kenny will emcee and per-form during the PlanetOpening Showcase at Noonand will teach FREE HipHop Classes from 1:00 to2:00 pm and 3:30 to 4:30PM on both days. To checktimes see www.thedance-council.org .

The tree-lined amphithe-ater of Samuell-Grand Parkis located at 6200 EastGrand Ave, Dallas, 75223.Parking is available in park-ing lots and along the street.

The Dance Council Presents 2008 Dance for the Planet Festival

40 years later -dr. martin luther king dallas, sclc ...we decided we needed something to do in the...

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