South Florida Times

Sharpton Makes Plea for Big Voter Turnout

"For you to sit here and not vote when they're trying to roll back the clock from a centralized government back to state's rights is an abomination to our forefathers who gave us the right to vote," [Al Sharpton] said in a keynote address at a Miami-Dade NAACP candidates forum at New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith in Opalocka. "Can you imagine if you ask your great grandparents and they told you that they didn't fight for freedom 'cause they didn't like who was in charge of the fight...

Lewis Dubs West 'Frightening'

"We cannot think about - cannot dream about - going backwards. We must go forward," [John Lewis] told the racially mixed authence. "It might seem strange [supporting a non-black candidate] but [Ron Klein] is my brother, he's my friend, he's my colleague and that's what the struggle was all about: to create a truly multi-racial democracy and to come to the point where we could forget about race and see people as people, as human beings." "This man," said Lewis, referring to West. "Scary. Frigh...

Cancer Survivors Tell Stories of Hope

"But," she said, "there is no normal after cancer. When you hear the word 'cancer', you hear the word 'death', so it's never the same." If a woman finds something in her breasts that is "not right," King said, her advice is to "seek your doctor's attention right away." "No one should fear a test that can save lives," she said. "The more we know about [mammograms], the more we realize how important it is to have it done."

Bay Point: Mix-Up to Blame for Problems

"I don't think it was a mistake or an error," [Raphael Williams] said when informed of Cole's explanation. "It was a tactic and that's why they still have not explained anything to me." "I'm an educator, not an accountant, but I've been trying to help out as best I can," [Mary Louise Cole] responded. "We offered to pay his retroactive premiums or give him a refund and he wanted the refund." "We're a charity that helps boys and when we make a dumb mistake, we try to correct it," Cole said. "We...

Aclu Steps Into Nation's Foreclosure Controversy

The group points to media reports in Florida and around the country indicating "rampant error and fraud in the foreclosure process." The courts should take particular care with foreclosure cases, it said, adding, "Instead, in the rush to push foreclosure cases through the courts, Florida may be taking shortcuts and, in the process, forsaking constitutionally-required due process protections." "Communities of color in Florida and across the country are hit hardest if courts disregard the kinds...

Transportation Expert Named Comto Chairman

"As we work as a nation towards job creation and small business participation, the work of COMTO is more relevant today than ever," [Roosevelt Bradley] said.

Walmart Donates Clothing

The clothes, which had been barely worn in Walmart's advertising campaigns, included men's, women's and children's apparel; hats, purses, shirts, jeans, slacks and dresses. Some backpacks were also donated.

Heavy Black Voter Turnout Key to Dems Victory

"It is clear from this analysis that we have not reached the final chapter of the election story in many key states and congressional districts and that African-American voters could end up being the authors of events if they match their turnout rates from other recent mid-term elections," said Ralph B. Everett, president and CEO of the Joint Center. "I'm not here on behalf of the CEOs of the world. I'm for everyday people who work hard day in and day out," [Kendrick Meek] is fond of saying. ...

Early Voting in Full Swing

* North Regional Library/ Broward College, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek * Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 2700 NW 87th Ave., Doral * Stephen P. Clark Government Center, Lobby, Supervisor of Elections Branch Office, 111 NW First St., Miami

Nuptials Unite 2 Cultures

Media executive Oscar Joyner and actress Alem Gola wed Oct. 9 in a day-long multicultural celebration presided over by Bishop T.D. Jakes, with special performances by awardwinning artists Yolanda Adams, Eric Benet, Tamia, Mike Phillips and Doug E. Fresh. In a unique multi-ethnic and multi-denominational ceremony, Plymouth Congregation's the Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Niblock introduced internationally renowned Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potters' House in Dallas, Texas, who presided over the ceremony. E...

Teacher Spearheads Project for Darfur

"I decided to create the program in August after reading a magazine article that depicted the outcry to educate students in refugee camps in Darfur," [Lawson] said. "I then reached out to the Darfur Dream Team - Sister Schools Program organization and applied for Park Vista to become a sister school." "There has been no communication thus far [with the children in the Darfuri refugee camps]. We are working out the technical aspects of video," Lawson said. "Chatting with the students may be ch...

Apartment Dwellers Get to Tend Garden

The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale and Carlisle Development Group recently hosted the inaugural planting for a community garden for residents of Dixie Court Apartments, a 254-unit affordable housing development at 940 S. Dixie Court, Fort Lauderdale. "I'm happy to see that Carlisle and HACFL are promoting a healthy diet and have made Dixie Court a better place to live," Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler said in a statement announcing the project.

Service Corps Opens Youth Tech Center

"These days, it's not easy to say you've been in existence for 20 years and have serviced so many young people with so many success stories to tell," Dorsett said. "These people constantly strive for young people who they don't see every day but find fulfillment in just knowing that the work they do behind the scenes has touched so many lives. We call them our silent champions." "It's a community of people and we have staff members here that are like adult role models for youth who may not ha...

Race for Troubled Miami Commission Seat Draws 6

[Richard P. Dunn II]'s campaign website touts his support for strictly enforced teen curfew ordinances and the creation of a blue-ribbon committee to advise police on District 5 issues. The website also says he provided funding for Curley's House of Style's efforts to feed, clothe and otherwise help needy residents. "Where are the businesses, the restaurants and stores for people to come back to? You can drive down 1-95 and see 75 cranes but here, in Liberty City, there hasn't been a single c...

Habitat Plans 150 Homes for Liberty City Residents

"There was such an outpouring of people that wanted to take advantage of the opportunity that we felt we should waive the fee for another month," Joseph McDaniels of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami said. "There are a lot of families in need in Liberty City." "We have only recently begun to work in Miami's inner urban core," McDaniels said. "It's great that we have the chance to make an impact on an already existing community." "The county demolished a bunch of houses in the old [Scott C...

Family Empowerment Day Is Set for Nov. 13

"Stronger families create stronger communities, which can only make this county a better place to live and raise children to the best of their potential," said Lance Edinburg, a CHS counselor who started Family Empowerment Day. Broward County has so many wonderful programs to help families empower themselves, giving them the knowledge and tools to make good decisions and improve their lives."

College Gets $3 Million to Help Needy Students at 2 Campuses

The grant, referred to as TRIO, underwrites a set of federally funded college opportunity programs designed to support and motivate students from certain backgrounds by giving them greater access to educational resources. The first TRIO program was established in 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty.

Peaceful Zion Marks Pastor's 24th Anniversary

Preaching services, which began Oct. 18, have featured the Rev. Dr. Carl Johnson and congregation of 93rd Street Community Baptist Church; the Rev. Dr. George McRae and Mount Tabor M.B. Church; the Rev. Joe C.Johnson and congregation of Greater Ebenezer M.B. Church; and the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Neal and congregation of Greater Antioch M.B. Church of Pompano Beach. [C. P. Preston Jr.]'s congregation members describe him as an "honored, esteemed, efficient and committed leader and visionary" who has...

Original 'Dreamgirl' to Be Honored at Fmu Gala

[Sheryl Lee Ralph] was selected as this year's Community Leadership Award recipient for parlaying her entertainment passion into a campaign to generate HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention through her non-profit organization, The Diva Foundation. She also spreads her message through her one-woman show called "Sometimes I Cry," which illustrates women's lifestyle challenges as they cope with the debilitating effects of AIDS. Ralph is also credited for creating "Divas Simply Singing," an evening o...

Nestor Torres Joins Fiu Faculty

"We are honored to receive [Nestor Torres] at FIU," said Orlando Jacinto Garcia, director of the School of Music. "His work here, forming one the nation's only university charanga ensembles and tutoring aspiring flutists, will be invaluable to the School of Music and to FIU." "I am very excited to join the great faculty of the School of Music at FIU," he said in a statement released by FIU. "It will be a pleasure and a privilege to share my love and knowledge of this wonderful music with a ne...