April 30, 2007

Ask Congress to Support Internet Radio

DON'T LET CONGRESS SILENCE INTERNET RADIO!

CALL YOUR CONGRESSPERSON NOW AND ASK THEM TO CO-SPONSOR H.R. 2060, THE INTERNET RADIO EQUALITY ACT.


H.R. 2060, the Internet Radio Equality Act will save Internet radio from the devastating royalty fee increases that will put thousands of Internet webcasters out of business on May 15, 2007. Please call your Representative in Congress as soon as possible and urge them to co-sponsor H.R. 2060, the Internet Radio Equality Act.


Click on the following link and enter your zipcode to get the contact information for your Congressperson:

http://www3.capwiz.com/saveinternetradio/callalert/index.tt?alertid=9679516&type=TA

Background Information:

The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) recently denied webcasters' requests for a rehearing on its ruling of unfairly high new royalty rates -- a stunning 300 to 1200 percent increase -- for Internet radio for period 2006-2010. Internet radio is singled out from all other radio, burdened with fees not paid by AM or FM stations, and at rates at least 3-4 times paid by satellite and cable radio. The ruling even included absurd minimum of $500 per station per year to penalize the smallest webcasters with the highest rates. Should this ruling stand, many of your favorite stations will be silenced.

This ruling will make it difficult for everyday individuals like you and me to launch Internet radio stations because it will hike the cost so high that it will be unaffordable. This unfair rate increase would drive many existing webcasters out of business.

April 29, 2007

HELP FIND JEWEL!












Prayer Warriors! We need your help finding Jewel Strong! This is the beautiful, little girl in the pictures.

Jewel Mahavia Strong was last seen in Panama City Beach, Florida on May 28, 2006 (Memorial Day weekend). She is 3 years old (born April 14th, 2003) and was 3 years old when she disappeared from the kiddie pool area at Jetty Beach in St. Andrews State Park. At the time, she was about 40 pounds. It is thought that someone took Jewel from the area and that she is alive and well.


The authorities are unwilling to issue a missing persons report because they feel that it would contradict their original report which stated that she had drowned.


CASE FACTS: The Strong family was at the beach. Some members of the family were on a raft when it capsized. No one (including family members) can say for sure that Jewel was on this raft when it capsized. The family believe the story that Jewel was on the raft and drowned has no real basis. The family believes the police report (written by officer on duty) is completely inaccurate stating things were said by the family that were NEVER SAID. No one questioned the volunteer coast guard boaters that pulled an 18 year old relative out of the water and resuscitated her. Frank Collins, the investigator, told a family member he asked the US Coast Guard for reports, but none were made by the coast guard volunteer boaters who rescued her. The sheriff’s department has been unwilling to do any further investigation or questioning to bring closure to this case. The sheriff told Jewel's parents that he would not file a missing person’s report because “It won’t look good.” He had communicated that Jewel had drowned to the media and he was not going to contradict himself by filing a missing person’s report. The family believes he is more concerned with his reputation than he is with the proper investigation of this case. An APB was issued on Jewel but if the family can't get a missing person report then NONE OF THE MAJOR "MISSING CHILDREN" AGENCIES WILL HELP FIND JEWEL. Unfortunately, THEY WON'T EVEN POST HER INFORMATION!




If you have any information for the family, please call any of the following family members:

Racharel Strong (father) - 404-357-1881
Simona Strong (mother) - 404-313-4255
Tiesa Locklear (aunt) - 678-234-4902
Tramesa Locklear (aunt) 678-480-1635
Ursala Williams (aunt) 678-362-5246


Father,
Thank you so much for your love and your grace. Lord, we thank you for the Strong family. Lord, God their name represents their faith in you. We stand in the gap on their behalf asking for the safe return of Jewel Mahavia Strong! Lord, God we ask that you bind evil and that you release the strongholds that are blocking the safe return of this beautiful child. We know that all things are possible through you and we ask in confidence knowing that Your word will not return void. God, we ask that you touch the heart of the ones who took Jewel. Lead them to do the right thing. Lord, position your Saints in place so that we can be ready to serve as willing vessels as your will unfold. Lord, send your angels and your Holy Spirit to comfort, love, protect, and equip the Strong Family. Encourage their hearts and strengthen their weary spirits. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen!

April 26, 2007

Dr. Andrey Bundley, Candidate for Mayor, Hits Homer at Sandtown Citiwide Forum

*The following article is excerpted from an article written by Donnie Glover at www.baltimorenews.com*

Dr. Andrey Bundley, Candidate for Mayor,
Hits Homer at Sandtown Citiwide Forum


(BALTIMORE – April 25, 2007) – “city7” – BMoreNews’ 2007 series of citywide political forums - kicked-off in Sandtown last night at the senior center at Baker and Gilmor. Participants included Comptroller Joan Pratt, City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and three candidates seeking to be the next mayor of the beautiful City of Baltimore.

For yours truly, it was indeed a homecoming as Sandtown-Winchester’s Resident Action Committee (RAC) – including soldiers like Ms. Frances Muldrow, a person who cares more than words can say – afforded our team the opportunity to moderate and record the citywide forum.

Thank you, RAC!

Sandtown-Winchester is a 72-square block community in Historic West Baltimore. Its boundaries include Pennsylvania and Cumberland, North and Monroe (heading westward), Monroe and Lafayette (due south), and Arlington and Lafayette. Back in the early nineties, people like Jerry Cross would tell the story of transformation to people like me and countless others. People like Norman Yancey would help empower youth – along with Craig Jernigan and Marvin Hayes and an army - a Sandtown army - of folk. These comrades in the struggle for community transformation, for resident-driven change - would unite and sing a new song.

That song, I know, lives in the hearts and souls of so many from the ‘hood, however muffled by political shifts.

It is the song of Gary Palmer, Antoine Bennett, “Stink”, EZ, Asaan, Aunt Beanie, Miss Chillie, Hooks, Miss Natalie, Father Damien, Susan and Alan, and Miss Goldie.

Don’t worry, these names may mean nothing to you. But here in Sandtown, in a community that has seen entities like Community Building in Partnership, Inc. disgrace this community with nothing said by anybody – and a people who once had hope now have hopelessness, these are the names of people who have kept on for so long with so little that they are now qualified to anything with nothing. And that’s not an original, for the record.

There was a time when former Mayor Kurt Schmoke made Sandtown-Winchester a prime example of what can happen when you love and nurture a place. Mayor Schmoke gave Sandtown love. So much love, that nobody has even glanced here since. Although we have cried and cried and cried, we have nonetheless survived the madness. But – no thanks to City Hall.

My point is that Sandtown-Winchester is a very valuable part of Baltimore. Not one of us is looking for a handout. However, we do want our fair share. No new development has occurred here since Schmoke.

The brains of a Dan Henson are so sorely needed. Few understood what Mr. Henson saw with visionary precision. And even fewer see why a holistic approach to redevelopment is still the best method today. Even fewer see that investing in the people – including ex-offenders, a hot topic last night in Sandtown – is necessary.

Case in point: Pleasant View Gardens. Eastside. Near Dunbar High and Ole Town Mall. Former LA projects. Notorious. Basketball and dope. Murder was imminent, especially down the street at Flag House projects.
But then – and I really don’t know yet how much different from now – folk in the community felt a little more a part of the city. Why? Because there was money, no doubt. But there was also a unified vision that brought together people like Diane Bell McCoy and Dr. Marie Washington and Sen. Nathaniel McFadden and the late Del. Pete Rawlings and the late Sen. Clarence Blount, former principal of Dunbar. And others were at the table, like the city.

Now, it’s more like ‘us’ vs. ‘them’ – no longer a city-community effort.

Yes, Sandtown-Winchester’s growth and development has stymied, ever to see the sun again? Ever to see a Sandtown-Winchester YouthBuild or AmeriCorps again with people like the late Bill Hobbs playing his day role in the background – all for the sake of the team?

I could sit here and tell you story after story of poverty pimp after poverty pimp who came through Sandtown with their swagger, and who planted their flag, all the way down to the healthcare consortium which proved no more than another psychological experiment on the hearts of black people.

Not isolated, similar mentions of experiments on black people have been reported by folk in East Baltimore around Broadway, according to sources who preferred to remain anonymous.

In a nut sell, Baltimore’s urban neighborhoods – especially East Baltimore, West Baltimore, and Park Heights – need a strong infusion of cash. It needs a leader who can find a way to make that happen, a leader who can connect with the people and feel their pain.

Last night, Andrey Bundley shined!

He connected with the people. And – especially having closely watched his growth and development in the political arena over the past several years - I can earnestly say that he is ready to be mayor.

No disrespect to the current administration, but Bundley has come to crystallize his message in such a pristine way. He now gets it.

Last night, absent of Mayor Sheila Dixon, Bundley outshined his competitors by simply speaking to the hearts of the people.

Suddenly, in an instant, Bundley became that voice for the downtrodden, the hopeless, the Bea Gaddy’s, the Ma Mirts, the Dawson’s even.

Visions of the Baltimore 7 - including Dr. Tyrone Powers, getting arrested for protesting our city schools’ administration - came to mind.

People like the Children’s First Movement – people who insist that our children must be, as David Miller always says, our top priority. Otherwise, we have lost yet another generation. The economic capital is increasingly staggering, the socio-economic impact is crippling, and the overall mental weight and agony is as heavy as an elephant. Meanwhile socio-economic factors like teenage pregnancy are back on the rise, Baltimore-Towson is #2 for HIV/AIDS infections in the country behind Miami – according to HERO, and it is ever too easy for ex-offenders to get a one-way ticket back to the big house because there are no jobs for the unskilled.

Who will address these issues of trash and grime? Who will role up their sleeves and make sure that the elderly are fed, that our children can get to see a doctor and a dentist other than via the emergency room, and that our schools can get the necessary attention?

The black community in Baltimore, among the most loyal Democrats in the nation, are suffering and seemingly nobody hears its cry in the darkened wilderness.

Who will lead this city to the next level? Downtown is looking spiffier and spiffiest, but at the same time, what of our inner-city communities?

Why has nobody in the last 8 years addressed in Sandtown, for instance, the entity called Community Building in Partnership and why nobody has anything nice to say about it anymore?

After all, it was once the home of the Sandtown newspaper, and a host of services for the people of Sandtown.

“Let ‘em know we do vote,” said Mr. Charles last night.

Assured him, I did.

Yes, Sandtown does have voters. And last night’s community meeting was the first one in years. However, as goes Sandtown – so goes the rest of Baltimore, I might predict in the Sept. 11 election.

This community once had a City Councilwoman named Sheila Dixon. She is now mayor, no doubt, and has a firm knowledge of Sandtown’s needs. No doubt, she is probably strapped for cash and finding herself hard-pressed to “create” some Community Development Block Grant dollars – especially without some new taxes.

Besides, that would not be good right now. She is running for mayor.

Yet, a similar transformation could be resurrected, especially since RAC, the dozens of community people, and 5 citywide candidates – along with Sen. Verna Jones and Del. Ruth Kirk – all got a fair dose of Sandtown re-orientation and pledged a sense of togetherness. In fact, Andrey Bundley, Keiffer Mitcell, and Jill Carter agreed to work together after the election … no matter what!

Anyway, keep watching BMoreNews for “the news before the news.”

Great job, Dr. Bundley!

April 23, 2007

Psalm 23 (Business Version) - Author Unknown

Psalm 23 (Business Version) - Author Unknown


The Lord is my boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He reminds me to pray, before I speak in anger.
He restores my sanity.He guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mail, system failures, copier jams, back-ordered supplies, unrealistic deadlines, staff shortages, budget cutbacks, red tape, downsizing, gossiping co-workers and whining customers, I won't give up, for You are with me.

Your presence, peace and power will see me through.
You raise me up, even when the boss fails to promote me.
You claim me as your own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
Your loyalty and love are better than a bonus check.Your retirement plan beats any 401K, and when it's all said and done, I'll be working for you a whole lot longer!

Thanks be to God!-- Author Unknown

April 19, 2007

Psalm 19

Psalm 19 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Psalm 19

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.

Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

April 16, 2007

Bill Maher on Jesus Camp



Check-out the video, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on this one!

*This video was shared on by smmfryguy at http://youtube.com/watch?v=309MCU8TonE .

April 11, 2007

Women of Worth

How many Women Of Worth Honorees will there be in 2007? In 2007, there will be 13 Honorees - one from each of 13 regions across the United States selected from among the eligible nominations received. In addition, one National Woman of Worth will be selected from the pool of the 13 Regional Honorees by an online vote open to the public.

What awards/prizes do the Women Of Worth Honorees receive? L'Oréal Paris will make a $2,500 donation on behalf of each honoree to a charitable organization of her choice, and a $2,500 nomination in her name to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (L'Oréal Paris' primary philanthropy) and an all expense paid trip to New York City to be recognized at a gala event. Additionally, the one National Honoree selected by online public vote will receive a $25,000 donation to her cause and a $2,500 donation in her name to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. All honorees will receive national recognition for her cause and volunteer efforts.

ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA

  1. Be a woman 18 years or older.
  2. Have a record of exemplary service within her community and the community at large.
  3. Be able to demonstrate the impact of her work within her community.
  4. Be aspirational and inspirational to others.
  5. Demonstrate commitment to her cause.
  6. Exemplify leadership.
  7. Non-compensated.
For more information, visit http://www.womenofworth.com/nominations/home.aspx

April 9, 2007

PRIDE: A Movie Worth Seeing!

PRIDE: A Movie You Should See!















A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going to see the movie, Pride (http://www.pridefilm.com/site.php). I was pleasantly surprised; it was a great movie!

The movie is based on the real life experience of Jim Ellis of Philadelphia. For any of you, who like me grew up during the 70s and 80s in inner-city America, this movie rings true of the economic and social disparities that impacted our lives as youth (i.e. dilapidated or non-existing recreation centers). However, this movie also provides a glimpse of the caring adults - like the characters played by Terrance Howard, Bernie Mac, and Kimberly Elise - who took the time to care enough to make a difference in our lives.

A few years ago, I remember a co-worker asking me to identify who in my life mentored and helped me. I recall sharing the names of adults who pushed me to excel and grow in character and strength. The movie, Pride, is an excellent reminder to us adults of our responsibility to impact positive change in our communities.

Pride is an excellent movie for youth ministries, youth pastors, educators, and students. As a matter of fact, it is a great movie for anyone and everyone of all ages. Believe it or not, it is a good wholesome movie that provides evidence that one person can make difference. It also demonstrates what can happen when a community stands united behind its youth.

We always complain that there aren't enough movies depicting us (African Americans) in a more positive way. Well, here's a movie that will stir your heart, challenge your spirit, and inspire you to make a difference. It sends a strong message and reminder for us - adults - that it is our responsibility to create opportunities, supports, and services for youth in our communities.

If you get the opportunity, go see Pride while it is still in the movie theatres. It's well worth the cost!