Los Angeles

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Jan 17 2009

Deadline to register is Jan. 22

California has moved its presidential primary election up to Feb. 5, and people wishing to vote must submit a completed voter application form no later than Jan 22.

In order to register you must meet all of the following criteria: Be a citizen of the United States and resident of California; be at least 18 years of age as of the day of the next election; not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction; and not declared mentally incompetent by a court.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Jan 17 2009

WGA grants waiver to NAACP Image Awards

During conversations about the screenwriter’s strike, it is easy to get lost in the numbers. The industry is the third largest employer in Los Angeles County with more than 100,000 people making a living off the entertainment industry directly or indirectly.

Jan 17 2009

Allegedly violated terms of bail

Former NFL star O. J. Simpson was taken into custody Friday in Florida after allegedly violating terms of his bail in an armed robbery that occurred in Las Vegas on Sept. 28.

Simpson, 60, who is facing multiple felonies in the case, is scheduled to spend several days in the Clark County jail in Las Vegas.

The bail bond company, You Ring We Spring in North Las Vegas, declined to comment on Simpson’s most recent legal woes.

Jan 17 2009

Boxer and pioneer black Marine

William “Willie” Bean portrayed the opposite of his chosen profession, the sport of boxing where one needs to be a fierce and forceful fighter. The pugilist who fought in the Olympic Grand Auditorium, the Hollywood Legion and Ocean Park arenas, passed away on Dec. 19, 2007, at the age of 80, a truly long life for a heavyweight fighter. 

Jan 17 2009

20th Annual Ladie's Symposium

The Figueroa Church of Christ, 455 W. 57th St., schedules its 20th Annual Ladies’ Symposium, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 25-27. “God’s Women: Redeeming the Time in Evil Days” is the theme.

A special session is planned for girls eight to 18. The highlights of the weekend include events for pre-teens, teens, young adults, adults and seniors. A mother and daughter team from Crenshaw

Church of Christ, Wanda Henderson and Theresa, have prepared a special session with “youth” in mind.

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.