Lancaster Neighborhood Vitalization Commission

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Aug 11 2011

After only three meetings, Howard Harris still schooling himself

LANCASTER, Calif.—Earlier this year, the Lancaster Neighborhood Vitalization Commission inducted a new member. He’s only attended about three meetings and is still learning, but the longtime A.V. resident says he’s there to serve.

Howard Harris, a real estate broker and owner of Antelope Valley Property Management, joined the commission in February and comes with 22 years of real estate experience.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
May 12 2011

Great ideas meet city resources

LANCASTER, Calif.—After last year’s success with the UNITE (Uniting Neighbors in a Team Effort) Lancaster program, the city of Lancaster is ready to usher in the second annual season of service.

Residents, neighborhood and community groups are encouraged to participate by submitting proposals to help improve the lives of Antelope Valley residents in addition to beautifying neighborhoods and establishing a stronger community bond.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Apr 28 2011

The process faces challenges

LANCASTER, Calif.—For months, the Lancaster Neighborhood Vitalization Commission (LNVC) has been investigating the plausibility of taking over the management of Section 8, the complex federal public housing program.

At the beginning of April, the “Feasibility Assessment for Development of a Local Public Housing Authority for the City of Lancaster” was presented to the LNVC to properly inform the group of the pros and cons of becoming the managers of the local Section 8 program.

Brittney M. Walker  |   OW Staff Writer
Jan 13 2011

Grandma’s cookies launched

LANCASTER, Calif.—The Lancaster Neighborhood Vitalization Commission recognized a group of young entrepreneurs who have started their own baking business called Grandma’s Sweets. Jacob Claypool (8), Glenn Claypool (15), Shaunice Thomas, Ava Claypool (17), Brent Claypool (11), and Abdeena Barrie (11), who are all a part of Future Business Initiative (FBI), came up with the idea and created a business plan, which was presented on Jan. 4 at the LNVC’s monthly meeting.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.