Volume 11, No. 23 April 4, 2007

In This Issue The Truth Editorial Budget Woes Page 2

My View Page 3

City Council’s Juggling Act Page 4

Panther Brown at UT Page 6

Jimmy Gaines Retirement Celebration Page 6

Cover Story: Houston Johnson, MD Page 7

Designing Toledoan Page 8

“Reading Quilts” Page 9

Black College Tour Page 11

The Lima Truth Page 12

Local Legend Inks Deal Page 13

BlackMarketPlace Page 14

Classifieds Page 15 Dr. Houston Johnson

“Medicine is a great opportunity to help people and not just give them lip service. You can actually improve the lives of people.” Page 2 The Sojourner’s Truth April 4, 2007 This Strikes Us … Community Calendar A Sojourner’s Truth Editorial April 4-6 • Pre-Easter Revival: Church of the Living God; 7 pm nightly; Guest evangelist Bishop The City of Toledo has a balanced budget and a crisis has been averted … or at least F.D. Turley postponed. Otto von Bismarck, the great chancellor of Germany who brought, forced actually, that April 5 nation into the modern age, once famously said that if one admires sausage and the law, he • EOPA/Toledo-Lucas County Head Start: Family Movie Night (featuring “Happy should not be allowed to see how either is made. Feet”); 525 Hamilton, Second Floor; 5:30 to 7:30 pm: 419-259-1195 ext 104 But even Bismarck would have been shocked to observe the contortions that City • Fish Fry: Amazon Lodge Hall; 11 am to 5 pm: 419-531-7079 Council underwent to reach agreement, or at least a majority vote, on the budget for fiscal April 7 2007. • Mt Zion Baptist Church 525 Team: “All Occasion Tea;” Tables depicting each season: But we have some serious doubts about the almost-finished product. 419-246-1850 Council basically went along with Mayor Carty Finkbeiner’s request for a garbage fee • First Church of God’s Drama Ministry: “Not Just Another Story;” Contemporary to raise almost $3 million in tax revenues. gospel play; Genesis Dreamplex; 7 pm: 419-531-1599 But neither the fire nor the police department will suffer any cuts in the proposed budget • Phillips Temple CME Church: “Tapestry;” 5th Annual Gospelfest; 5 to 7 pm agreement and council gave only a cursory glance to the many budget cuts that were put • Easter Dinner: Zenobia Shrine; Featuring Calvin’s Easter Show – the Chicken, the Pig, forward by the ad hoc group of fiscal conservatives. the Wolf, the Easter Duck along with the Rabbit; 4:30 to 10:30 pm, dinner starts at 5:30; Free giveaways – toys, paintings, gift cards for the kids, etc; Open to the public: 419- There are two major difficulties with this agreement. First, the revenue projections are 578-2454 or 419-754-9984 or 419-917-2413 based upon a very unrealistic assumption that tax income will increase by 3.25 percent. Second, and once again, no one has had the temerity to step forward and suggest that it’s April 9-13 time to take a serious look at making cuts in the safety departments. The combined police • Spring Break Mini Camp: For third through six graders; Art projects, cooking lessons, and fire departments account for about 65 percent of the total city budget and we have games; Crossroads Family Resource Center: 419-475-3258 struggled to maintain these operations as if we were still a city with a population of almost 400,000. April 10-11 • American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training: Crossroads Family Resource Center; For The mayor said he did not want to take a look at cutting fire and police and just about youths aged 11 to 15; Knowledge, skills and confidence to care for infants and school- everyone who was part of the decision-making process echoed that line. But there is no aged children; Noon to 3 pm each day: 419-475-3258 doubt that the administration has, behind closed doors, taken a close look at exactly that issue and has acknowledged that it’s only a matter of time before downsizing, particularly April 14 in the police department, has to be addressed. • Toledo Interfaith Mass Choir: “Yesterday;” Stranahan Theater: 7 pm: 419-241-7332 or What citizens fear, of course, is that fewer policemen on the streets will mean an increase 419-241-3330 in crime. Fewer jobs, however, may be more directly the cause of an increase in crime and • Scott High School Alumni Association: “Scholarship Reunion Dance;” Civic Center Promenade; 7 pm to midnight: 419-349-2125 there is no indication, unfortunately, that the City of Toledo is on the path to increasing the • Church of the New Covenant: “Authors and Poets Spring Rally;” 10 am to 2 pm; Guest job pool. Certainly raising taxes will not make this city any more attractive to either Illustrator Wil Clay; Results of essay contest announced: 419-536-3954 individuals or to companies who are seeking to relocate. As for the revenue projections, regrettably only the budget itself has to be balanced, not April 15 the actual performance during the year. If there is a shortfall in revenue, and we can assume • Indiana Avenue MBC: 42nd Pastoral Appreciation for Rev. Dr. John Roberts and First there certainly will be, that deficit will carry over into the next fiscal year. Lady Bernice Roberts; Guests are Rev. Dr. John Heckard and the Mt. Calvary Baptist The fiscal conservatives, Michael Ashford, Mike Craig, Ellen Grachek, Joe McNamara Church of Mansfield, OH and Frank Szollosi, sought ways to decrease spending rather than to raise taxes, but at the April 17 th 11 Hour, they were deserted in these efforts by Republican Joe Birmingham who joined the • “Poetry Live & Out Loud:” Toledo Main Library; Evening of poetry and spoken word; tax-and-spenders who are mainly Republican. 7 to 8:30 pm; McMaster Center lobby: 419-259-5333 According to this particular Republican, he could not find anything to cut in the budget. Nothing to cut in a $247.6 million-dollar budget? It’s going to be very interesting to see if April 17-19 the Lucas County Democratic Party endorses a candidate in District 6 to oppose Birming- • Mt. Zion Baptist Church: Prayer Conference; “Takin’ It by Force;” Featured speakers ham, especially if they can find folks to oppose fellow Democrats Ashford and Craig. and instructors: 419-246-1850 So that’s what we have come to here in Toledo … Democrats as fiscal conservatives and April 18 Republicans as the tax-and-spenders supporting a Democratic mayor in his effort to avoid • Free Community Fair: 4 to 7 pm; Free health screenings, informational booths, cooking a stand off with the unions representing the members of the safety departments. That’s the demonstrations; OSU extension, Presenters include - Pampered Chef, Move 2 Improve, part that would have Herr Bismarck choking on his favorite sausage. Life Styles and American Red Cross Interestingly, “B” teamer Mark Sobczak, and a vice president of the Teamsters Local 20, which represents employees primarily in refuse and waste collection, and who had abstained April 19 from previous votes involving the garbage tax issue, received advice at the last minute – • Fish Fry: Amazon Lodge Hall; 11 am to 5 pm: 419-531-7079 he would not say from whom – that a conflict of interest was indeed not a conflict of interest. April 21 Timing is so critical, isn’t it? • Pilgrim Church: Benefit concert to raise funds for mission work in Central America and But the overriding problem with this so-called balanced budget is that it relies on smoke the Caribbean; 6:30 pm: 419-478-6012 and mirrors – a number of far-fetched assumptions – to achieve that balance. The pension • A Kite Day!: Monroe Street Neighborhood Center; Non-competitive family fun; 1:30 pickup, for example, that was negotiated earlier has absolutely placed totally out of reach to 3 pm; Bring your favorite kite: 419-973-1167 any hope of ending the fiscal year without a deficit. We can pretend that the problem has been solved, but the guess here is that in less than April 27-29 • Calvary Baptist Church Women’s Retreat: Deadline for registration is March 11: 419- a year, we will be going through a much worse budget situation. Instead of a projected deficit 865-0019 or 419-531-9443 of about $12 million, we can expect at that time to be dealing with one of more than $18 million. We will have brought that upon ourselves through our current failure to look realistically at the condition of the city’s finances. The Sojourner’s Truth Toledo’s Truthful African-American The Sojourner’s Truth Owned and Operated Newspaper Kevin McQueen Publisher Fletcher Word Publisher and Editor Becky McQueen Business Manager 6161/2 Adams Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604 Phone 419-243-0007 • Fax 419-255-7700 Alan Abrams Reporter Geneva J. Chapman Reporter Published weekly on Wednesday Tamir A. Shaw Reporter Printed by Webco Graphics Artisha Lawson Reporter Ashlee Austin Reporter Jack Ford Political Columnist Carol Chehade Columnist Michael J. Hayes Entertainment Critic Subscribe to The Truth Today! Jennifer Retholtz Layout Designer/Webmaster Aida Maxsam Sales Representative 26 Weeks - Only $40.00 52 Weeks - only $70.00 Pamela Anderson Sales Representative Kathy Sweeny Ad Creation Name: ______Phone # (_____) _____-______

Address: ______City ______State ____ Zip ______A Certified MBE, 2006 The Sojourner’s Truth, 6161/2 Adams Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604 Send your check or money order to: Phone 419-243-0007 • Fax 419-255-7700 The Sojourner’s Truth, [email protected] www.thetruthtoledo.com April 4, 2007 The Sojourner’s Truth Page 3 My View By Jack Ford The Truth’s Political Columnist We continue to appreci- Carty, or you will end up on place, we can expect incre- thrive. She has helped the are tied because of an earlier ate the smart moves which another card in trivial pursuit mental increases to the gar- community far too often and agreement with Eugene Sand- the new governor of Ohio is along with your infamous air- bage tax every time the city far too long and has touched ers, former superintendent. making on many fronts. port suggestion for the deaf. comes up a few million dol- so many lives. The Harner would be fool- Gov. Ted Strickland con- Actually, the mayor’s lars short, starting later this By the way, do not be sur- ish to come here for 50 grand tinues to appoint Toledoans suggestion for eating ar- year. prised if the negotiations with less than his peers would earn to high rank in his administra- rangements on the King Deborah Barnett is the the superintendent-select, elsewhere, plus there are tion and to visit northwest bridge fits in with the vision current, and outgoing, presi- William Harner, do not click. those who want the talks to Ohio on a regular schedule. of one of his competitors from dent of the Toledo Board of Toledo Public Schools can- collapse in hopes that John Jack Ford And the fact that the Lucas the last election. I think it was Education and she has done not pay him what the market Foley is resurrected as a su- County Democratic Party “B” Opal Covey who suggested a very credible job under very is worth for someone in his perintendent hopeful. Contact Jack Ford at team owes the Ohio Demo- that a ferris wheel be placed trying circumstances. Most position. The board’s hands Stay tuned. [email protected] cratic Party a bunch of cash, in downtown Toledo. corporate executives would with no payment in sight, Finkbeiner’s idea might have told the community to seemingly has not altered the work if you provide each pa- “drop dead” long ago. She governor’s good feelings for tron with a strap on seat receives little support, even Dear Editor: Toledoans in general. welded to the floor of the from her home constituency. Well it’s come around again, the budget is tight and the mayor and city council are In days past, the refusal bridge. That way, Carty, when Now she faces a real di- looking for ways to cut corners and to tighten the belt. In the midst of this tumult the mayor by the local party to pay back the bridge opens, the patrons lemma. Her company, Hun- proclaims that the Erie Street Market has made a profit in excess of $40,000!Well as the party loans would result in would not slide into the river tington Bank, is merging with former general manager of the Erie Street Market let me assure you, the Erie Street Market retribution. Strickland merely but rather be taken for one Sky Bank. Barnett will be tak- cannot make a profit, ever. The Erie Street Market was opened in 1997 based on two research studies. The first ignored the local party re- helluva ride up into the air ing on new responsibilities at study dated 1993, and a refreshed study in 1997; both of these studies were based on the cently and attended a just as in Opal’s vision. Great the newly formed company. premise that the market could charge $33 per square foot, per year, for retail space. Call fundraiser on his behalf at Most executives would minds think alike, it seems. any real estate agent in town; this is a pipe dream of the first order! The highest rents in Ray Medlin’s home. John Say what you will, the use this as a real excuse to exit Downtown Toledo, for any space, are in the $20 per square foot range. Irish, local party chairman, mayor did make lemonade out early so they could tend to The year end budget for the Erie Street Market does show a profit in excess of $44,000. did not attend. of lemons with the garbage business on their daytime However, this omits the majority of the expenses, namely the electricity bill. The cost of Mayor Carty Finkbeiner’s fee. He got what he wanted jobs. And we would not be electricity, which heats, cools, and lights the building, is in excess of $14,000 per month. off the wall or, should we say, even if it was not really nec- surprised if this occurs as it Now let us, for sake of argument, accept the mayor’s premise that without the electricity “off the bridge” idea of plac- essary. This was a case of makes sense and is the way bill the market made $44,000.Let us add in the expense of the electricity, being conserva- ing eating tables on the MLK fooling all the people some of of the business world if you tive, at $168,000 for the year shall we? If we look at the reality the market has lost in excess Bridge during renovations the time. want to survive and thrive in of $124,000! was amusing. Be careful, Now that the fee is in it. And we do want Barnett to Now on top of the utility bills let’s look at the general operating and improvement funds that have been allocated. The market was given, by way of a federal grant, in excess of $600,000; add to that another $100,000 that the city council gave the market for operating capital. A cursory examination shows that the taxpayers have invested over $824,000 on the Erie Street Market in 2006 alone. I am deeply concerned to know that the future of our city is in the hands of a man, a so-called “strong mayor”, that considers a combined loss and expenditure of $824,000 Does your financial a success story. future include a plan? Respectfully submitted,

Invest an hour with me sharing your dreams and objectives for your family’s Peter Kepler future. You’ll receive a written analysis that will help you identify short-term Former General Manager - Erie Street Market financial needs and long-term goals. You’ll also receive the expert guidance and innovative solutions you need to help you reach your financial goals. I can offer exclusive access to life insurance products from top-rated Northwestern Mutual, and an Dear Editor: array of financial services products, all with the unmistakable stamp of In order to view what is happening in the Toledo Public School education system, we Northwestern Mutual quality. must look historically at the cause of charter schools coming into this area. In 1998, one of the first charter schools in the area, Toledo Village Shlue, was opened. It gave parents Call Kevin McQueen today to arrange your free, no-obligation Personal another option besides Toledo public or private schools. An option, which many Planning Analysis. parents, primarily black, took to heart. So much so, that TPR took notice and under Superintendent Grant’s initiative, Grove Patterson Academy was initiated. In September 1999, parents dropped off two classrooms each of first through fourth graders at the extended day Toledo Public School. The district had succeeded in bringing back several children who had attended charter and private schools in the area. The successes at GPA encouraged the district to expand the academy philosophy and the Old West End Academy was initiated. Eventually, the district broadened its potential with an all girls academy (Stewart) and an all boys academy (Lincoln). Kevin S. McQueen Since 1998 several more charter schools have come into existence and, now the Financial Representaive Northwestern Mutual voucher system has come into play. The public school system has been put on notice Financial Network-Toledo that the majority of parents want their children to be successfully educated. And to do 3950 Sunforest Court, Suite 200 so entails the following: Toledo, OH 43623 (419) 407-8656 • Parents who are involved and willing to assist their children in succeeding; (419) 473-2270 • Teachers who are invested in children; [email protected] • Children who are engaged in the education learning process. www.nmfn.com/toledofinancial Instead of lamenting about the children who are leaving the public school system, the system should be asking the community and those who are involved in the system: “What can we do to make it better?” and give each student the feeling that he or she can succeed in the public school arena. Because without an effective public school system we all lose – children, parents and society.

Sincerely,

Twila Renee Ferguson, R.N., J.D. 05-2011 © 2004 The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Milwaukee, WI 4064-156 Page 4 The Sojourner’s Truth April 4, 2007 City Council Balances Budget and A Massive Insult Performs a Temporary Juggling Act To The By John Dorsey Sojourner’s Truth Reporter Intelligence of On Friday, March 30, To- dents would also be respon- tively mean the end of the which a decade ago stood at ledo City Council, by a vote sible for the disposal of de- program, which recently lost $14.8 million, and currently of seven-to-five, handed bris such as leaves. Director John Henry Fullen, has a balance $5.4 million. the Masses Mayor Carty Finkbeiner the Perhaps the two most ar- and had an operating budget It’s this fund that allows our garbage fee he had requested dent opponents of the tax of just $71,000. city to borrow from outside By Jan Scotland were councilmen at large Guest Columnist and resolved a standoff that Thirteen-year council vet- banking institutions. Toledo City Council thereby.” Frank Szollosi and Joe might have lost Council the eran Betty Shultz warned “Our population has de- and the mayor must be- They clearly believe that McNamara. authority to spend money. against the negative impact creased since the 1990’s, and lieve as the great American the public does not remem- And while the monthly It was McNamara, who that passage of this cut might as a result our city govern- 20th Century journalist H. ber the Mayor’s shower, collection fee was less than would force a role call vote mean for the city. ment needs to be downsized, L. Mencken once wrote: the ¾ percent tax levy; the the mayor had requested - late in the proceedings on “If we want to do busi- but this can only be done “no one in this world has police tow lot take over or $5.50 and $3 for those who March 27. ness in growing global econo- through a longer more well- ever lost money by under- the most recent takeover recycle – the passage elimi- On number of occasions, mies such as China, which is thought out process,” Shultz estimating the intelligence of emergency services. nated the need to make more he stated that he strongly certainly where our current said. of the great masses of plain They don’t think that serious cuts in city services. believed the garbage tax had economic market is headed, At Thursday’s meeting it people. Nor has anyone the public knows that “Every time these highly- little chance of passing, and then we would be doing our was announced that the ever lost public office (Continued on Page 5) trained professionals go out, that his fellow council mem- city a great disservice by United Labor Committee was they take their lives into their bers should push forward cutting programs such as Sis- voicing its support for the budget without doing so in President Rob Ludeman and own hands,” said Council- with an extensive series of ter Cities, which fosters a garbage tax, which may have the police department. And George Sarantou – all Repub- woman Wilma Brown at the proposed departmental bud- board exchange of ideas in had a lot of to do with its last- Democrat Mark Sobczak, vice licans – and Democrats start of a City Council meet- get cuts. terms of where our economic minute passage. president of the Teamsters Sobczak, Brown and Phil ing on March 27 speaking of “Stay away from my base is headed,” Shultz said. It was also at this meeting Local 20, which handles trash Copeland. the firemen and paramedics grandmother’s social secu- One of the proposed cuts that it was determined and refuse collection, who So this year’s budget is who had recently saved the rity check,” said Szollosi, that didn’t pass was one that that the Youth Commis- had abstained from previous now balanced but the fiscal lives of two young girls at 401 speaking about the affect the would limit police overtime. sion will now report to the votes out of a concern about issues still loom. Next year’s W. Bancroft Street. tax would have on those on a “If we get a call about a Board of Community Rela- a conflict of interest, decided budget is already projected The resolution to honor fixed income. case, we just can’t wait until tions, which is now under the he could, after all, vote on the to have a deficit of more than these local heroes, which was Szollosi went on to stress the next shift to begin our direction of Juanita Green. entire budget. He said later $18 million meaning more cuts presented by Brown at that the importance of putting the investigation. Any cut in our In order to reach agree- he had been advised that there in city services and more con- council meeting, passed breaks on city spending. overtime would downgrade ment on Friday afternoon, was no such conflict, but he tentiousness about whether quickly and without contro- One of the questions of service we currently offer Birmingham changed his declined to say who had pro- or not to take a serious look at versy. This was one of the posed by opponents of the the community,” said Chief stance opposing the garbage vided such advice. the costs it takes to maintain last times in the final days tax, which initially included of Police Michael Navarre. fee stating that there were no Voting for the budget were police and fire department at leading up to the recently McNamara, Szollosi, Michael Chief Navarre went on to more cuts to be made in the Birmingham, Shultz, Council their present levels. adopted budget that this Ashford, Mike Craig, Ellen state that while the current would be the case. Grachek – all Democrats – budget doesn’t provide for a It was Brown, who also and Republican Joe Birming- new class, it would take about fought to make sure that least ham, was how does the city a year to prepare one any- Buckeye Express is faster! five pools were kept open propose to monitor of the way, making that an issue this summer. The end result, actions of residents who that would be best resolved New, blazing speeds! being that all city residents choose to recycle? The an- as a matter in next year’s bud- As fast as 10 Mbps, at no additional cost! will now have to pay $1 ad- swer was that the city intends get. Wages for policemen mission charge. on having those who choose and women went up two per- But the big issue in coun- to recycle fill out regular cards cent this year, meaning that cil chambers was the pro- regarding their monthly dis- overtime will also go up in posed garbage and rubbish posal activity. that amount. fee. This tax is being used to Of the cuts proposed by It was at the meeting on offset the budget deficit put McNamara and Szollosi, Thursday, March 29, that forth by the Finkbeiner ad- those that passed include an Shultz discussed another ministration, which was origi- $80,000 cut in the city’s matter that will play a very nally around $12 million in an mounted patrol forces, the important part in the city’s overall budget of $247 mil- elimination of Safety economic future, our bond lion. The tax underwent a City,which teaches safety to rating. Shultz discussed this number of variations before four and five year olds, as in relation to the city’s con- taking its current form, well as a $50,000 cut in fund- sistent borrowing from its including a proposed per- ing for Toledo’s Sister Cities’ stabilization fund, otherwise bag charge, where area resi- program. This cut will effec- known as the rainy-day fund, 5.0 to

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Current and new Buckeye Express 5.0 Mbps customers will automatically upgrade to download speeds up to 7.0 Mbps and upload speeds up to 512 Kbps. Current and new Buckeye Express 8.0 Mbps customers will automatically upgrade to download speeds up to 10 Mbps and upload speeds up to 800 Kbps. Some restrictions may apply. Buckeye Express is a registered trademark of Buckeye Cablevision, Inc. 3945 April 4, 2007 The Sojourner’s Truth Page 5 A Massive Insult To Dear Editor: I have been following with great interest the continuing efforts by Mayor Finkbeiner The Intelligence of to dismantle the Office of Affirmative Action. I am writing to express my strong and unwavering support for Perlean Griffin. The mayor’s actions are an affront to the civil and human rights of the African-American the Masses community as well as any right thinking individual. We must vigorously oppose him and (Continued from Page 4) his ilk. The community must demand 1) The Office of Affirmative Action be restored to its previous condition at the previous levels of staffing and funding, including Ms. Griffin 2) where there is money avail- income. The Office of Affirmative Action remain autonomous and 3) the mayor diversify his cabinet. able for a $9,996 shower for They believe that we don’t Jan Scotland It is shocking, outrageous and revealing that the mayor has no persons of color among the mayor’s office, there see the irony of their con- his cabinet. These are his closest advisors. This tells me that when hundreds of millions might be some fluff in the cerns about across the board more, they think that their of dollars are being considered and allocated, the African-American community’s interests budget. cuts laying off 40 city work- longevity on council will pro- are not even being discussed, considered, or included. They seem shocked that ers. They think we forgot at tect them when the elections We have all heard or read the statements made by Perlean Griffin and you have heard the citizens who pay an in- least 40 taxpayers in the pri- come around. or read the counter claims put forth by the mayor. Who do you believe? creasing amount of their own vate sector lost their jobs Why do they believe this? I have known Perlean for many years and during that time I have come to respect her healthcare costs are pissed when the city went into the Why do they show such integrity and character. She is exactly the kind of person needed to head the Office of that the administration does tow lot business and an addi- moxie? Well history has been Affirmative Action. I want to say clearly and emphatically to all the people who believe in not show the guts to negoti- tional 40 taxpayers stand to kind to them. In better times it my leadership, all the students and parents that I have helped, I am asking you to support ate similar arrangements with lose their jobs because of the was hard to see their inability Ms. Griffin in her quest for justice. city workers. emergency services vote to manage the city. Irrespon- I called the mayor’s office personally to see if I could talk to him in a spirit of reconciliation. They think that the shell taken just a few weeks ago. sible legislation, practiced in He was unavailable and did not bother to return my call. games of temporary levies are They think that no one cities like New York and Co- The mayor has shown poor leadership in allowing this matter to mushroom into the lost with the new taxes being will remember that despite the lumbus, seemed OK for a conflict that is brewing. A true leader is charged with maintaining the unity of the people proposed and ratified by this overwhelming sentiment of struggling town like Toledo. he is leading. The mayor has utterly failed in this regard. Not only is this issue polarizing administration and council. the public they pulled an 11th But now the piper is knocking the city, it is causing divisions within the African-American community itself. Fees for police and fire runs, hour vote hoping the week- at the door for his pay and the Why is it that every time a white politician is in trouble with the black community they fines for garbage violations end will create cover for their cupboard seems void of the run to the black preachers as if to say “ Go out there and tell your people that I am OK and and now the additional fee actions. answers. that they should support me.” And dutifully, as if on cue, some of them do just that. for garbage pick up. They No, it seems they have We have good people in The time for mental slavery has long since passed. Some of us act as if we don’t know think that if they stretch it out bought Mr. Mencken’s sen- city government who have we are no longer slaves. over time and call them differ- timents hook line and sinker. the capability to rise to this I am issuing a call to my people to wake up and live. For how long are you going to be ent things that the public is They think the intelligence of occasion. But if they are not duped? Until further notice, I am calling on the African-American community to promise too stupid to realize that we the masses is no match for willing to roll up their sleeves never to vote for Mayor Finkbeiner again. are being taxed twice for the their rhetoric and slight of and turn this city around, they We must hold him and the Democratic Party accountable for this brazen attack on the same services. hand. They don’t think that may find that they have un- hopes and dreams of the African-American community. They think we are unrea- we are beginning to realize derestimated the intelligence As my dear late brother Malcolm X said, “You have been hoodwinked, you’ve been sonable to hold them to our that this group has run out of of the plain people in a way deceived, you been lied to, you’ve been bamboozled, and you’ve been had.” Apparently own limitations. We can’t ideas. They think we are com- they did not expect. the mayor’s motto is “The ends justify the means.” It seems that the mayor will say or do force people to give us money fortable with other people’s Contact Jan Scotland at anything to achieve his objectives. But he and his cronies and servants can count votes when we have overspent our hands in your pocket. What’s [email protected] and the only thing they understand is political power. With continuing white flight I estimate Toledo’s population to be approximately 27 percent African-American, if not The EdChoice Scholarship Program higher. If we stick together we are one of the most powerful voting blocks in the city. We must hold the leaders of this city accountable for the persistent perception and reality of racial tension. Is that what we want our city to be known for? It seems to me every six months there is some incident that heightens racial tensions in this city. The need for a strong Office of Affirmative Action is more than obvious. I further No tuition. propose that we stop blindly giving our votes to the Democratic Party and form our own independent black political party. Remember: others will treat you the way you treat A private-school yourself. education that will pay The mayor said Ms. Griffin was 24-hour news. Well, that shows how much he knows. off for years to come. We will continue to fight on all levels for our civil and human rights. We want to generate enough support to form a human chain surrounding One Government Center, just like Registration period Joshua in ancient times. How powerful! January 29 - April 20, 2007 Dr. King showed that with God all things are possible. All we need are the right leaders and the people willing to follow them. When words fail, action will follow. It is now time for action. Ms. Griffin is a woman who will stand up for what she believes. Please support Perlean Griffin. Don’t let the mayor choose your leaders. He will choose the ones who will sell you out every time.

Rahwae Shuman

President, The Toledo Alliance of Black School Educators

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Or visit www.EdChoice.Ohio.gov 1709 Spielbusch Ave. (Across from the Jail) Page 6 The Sojourner’s Truth April 4, 2007 Jimmy Gaines Celebrates Birthday Elaine Brown to and Retirement in Grand Style Speak at The Sojourner’s Truth Staff Well over 100 friends and University of family members joined Jimmy L. Gaines, Sr. on March 24 to celebrate his birthday and to Toledo honor him for 27 years of By Tamir A. Shaw service with the City of To- Sojourner’s Truth Reporter ledo. In order to increase public The birthday retirement awareness of the inhumanity celebration was held at the and injustices that many U.S. Stephenson-Roberts Fellow- prisoners are often subjected ship Hall of the Indiana Av- to, activist Elaine Brown, enue Baptist Church where former chairman of the Black Gaines and his family have Panther Party, will speak at long been members. Gaines the University of Toledo on is a deacon at Indiana Av- Thursday April 5, 2007 at 7:OO Abdul Mateen, were involved enue. P.M. in the April 1993 prison upris- Gaines, a graduate of Sharon Green-Gaines and Jimmy Gaines, Sr. (seated) with family members at Her visit coincides with a ing riot at the Southern Ohio birthday retirement celebration tour being conducted by the Libbey High School, earned Correctional Facility in Ohio Chapter of the CEDP/ Lucasville, Ohio, in which one his undergraduate degree in operations manager during sisters Mary Sargent and Free Siddique Abdullah Hasan guard, Robert Vanlandingham, business administration in early 2006 and prior to that the former government sys- Denise Gaines, parent-in-laws Campaign. and seven inmates were killed. from The University of To- had been in the administra- tive division in the Depart- tem of City Manager. Oscar and Leola Haynes, both In a recent interview with Brown asserts that the men ledo and his masters from the The Sojourner’s Truth Brown ment of Public Utilities, had Gaines has been married sons and Rev. John Roberts, are political prisoners because University of Dayton. He re- passionately explained her prior to the uprising they had worked as assistant Chief to Sharon Green-Gaines for pastor of Indiana Avenue; a tired from the City of Toledo support for both obtaining objected to inhumane condi- Operating Office in the the past 33 years and is father musical selection by Nate as director of Public Service new trials for five Lucasville tions within the institution and to Jimmy, Jr., a graduate of Gurley; a special video pre- mayor’s office and had been inmates whom she believes had attempted to exercise their The Ohio State University sentation starring Gaines him- were wrongfully convicted basic human rights. and Andre, a graduate of self and a proclamation from and for the grassroots organi- Brown is not the first to Northwestern University Toledo City Councilwoman zational movement to abolish speak out on behalf of the who flew in from Los Ange- Wilma Brown. the death penalty. inmates whose trials con- les for the ceremony. Sharon Green-Gaines The death row inmates, in- sisted largely of eyewitness Gaines has received the served as the event’s mis- cluding Siddique Abdullah testimony and a prosecution Daisy L. Huff Humanitarian tress of ceremonies. Hasan, Jason Robb and Namir (Continued on Page 14) Award from the NAACP and has been inducted into the Libbey High School Hall of Fame. The birthday retirement celebration featured tributes by a number of family mem- Gaines with well-wishers bers – brother Billy Earl Gaines,

WHOIS TO REPORT TOLEDO IDOL ONMY CHILD ABUSE: YOUTH TALENT SHOW

AUDITIONS 419.213.CARE SIDE? 24 HOURS A DAY DATE: APRIL 7, 2007 7 DAYS A WEEK PLACE: FREDERICK DOUGLASS COMMUNITY CENTER 1001 Indiana Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43602

TIME: 10:00 TO NOON - Auditions Noon to 2:00 P.M. – Rehearsal

(Other rehearsal dates to be announced on April 7th)

TALENT SHOW

WHEN: Sunday, April 29, 2007 at 4:30 P.M. WHERE: Frederick Douglass Community Center 1001 Indiana Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43602

AWARDS

1ST Place Trophy - $500.00 2nd Place Trophy - $400.00 3rd Place Trophy - $250.00

Audition forms are available at time of audition at the Frederick Douglass Community Center

FEE: $15.00

For Additional Information Call Bill Mangrum 419-244-6722

April 4, 2007 The Sojourner’s Truth Page 7 • April is Minority Health Month • April is Minority Health Month • April is Minority Health Month • April is Minority Health Month • April is Minority Health Month • Houston Johnson, Jr., M.D: Helping to Encourage Greater African-American Participation in Cancer Prevention Trials By Alan Abrams Sojourner’s Truth Reporter Have we finally reached a on the week of Mar. 26-31, the ethnic group. According to gious medical journals, has turning point in the war organizers say that TCHOP’s the American Cancer Soci- been in private practice spe- against cancer? efforts to encourage trial par- ety, the primary reason for cializing in surgical oncol- News events of the past ticipation amongst African- that disparity is that African- ogy/general surgery in To- two weeks have put cancer Americans will be an ongo- Americans have less access ledo since Sept. 1992. He was very much in the forefront of ing process. to health care and health in- the Medical Director of the the public consciousness. Supported by the National formation than whites. Breast Care Center at Flower The diagnosis that cancer Cancer Institute, TCHOP is A permanent result of ef- Hospital in Sylvania from 1992 has returned to two high-pro- one of only 27 clinical re- forts such as “Reach Week” to1997. file public figures – Elizabeth search programs in the entire is the creation of a monthly Before coming to Toledo Edwards and Tony Snow – nation administering Clinical meeting of a minority-based from New York, Johnson was and the determination of both and Prevention Oncology tri- advisory group comprised of an associate professor of individuals to fight and con- als. a mix of medical profession- surgery at Albert Einstein quer the dreaded disease, has Clinical trials are research als and interested community College of Medicine and at- provided inspiration and studies where participating members. These group mem- tending surgeon at Long Is- hope to many. In addition, patients along with their doc- bers will participate in out- land Jewish Medical Center there has also been renewed tor have the opportunity to reach communications, con- in New Hyde Park, NY, from and widespread hope in re- discover new and better duct patient advocacy, review 1989 until Dec. 1993. Rochelle, and Yvonne in the the New York City public sponse to the news that a ways for the treatment of can- patient selection, progress During the mid-1980s, Bronx. schools system, I had teach- new cure for breast cancer cer. and reaction to treatment. Johnson served as chief of “My mother knew there ers who supported my ability may have been found. Prevention trials are con- Dr. Houston Johnson, Jr., the Division of Surgical On- was another place with an and encouraged me to go as And that was just on the ducted with people who do a Harvard Medical School cology and as director of the improved school system, and far as I could go,” recalls national scene. not currently have cancer but graduate and a general sur- Surgical Tumor Clinic of the that’s how I attended and Johnson. Locally, Toledo Commu- either once had it or may have geon at Toledo Hospital is a University Hospital Medical graduated from Andrew Jack- So why did Johnson nity Hospitals Oncology Pro- a natural proclivity towards trial investigator and will Center in Jacksonville, son High School in Cambria choose Harvard Medical gram (TCHOP) announced getting the disease. serve on the minority-based Florida. Heights, N.Y.,” says School? “It wasn’t originally their “Reach Week” outreach After years of outreach to advisory group. Johnson Shortly after his gradua- Johnson. my choice,” explains effort to inform Toledo’s Af- African-Americans, the sta- underscores that “TCHOP tion from Harvard Medical “My first thoughts of Johnson. “A recruiter from rican-American population tistics still remain grim. Afri- clinical trials are a safe option School in 1975, Johnson medicine as a career came from Cornell told me I should try about cancer treatment op- can-Americans are still 21 for cancer treatment.” served a two-year stint with my uncle with whom I lived in and go to Harvard. I did, and tions as well as the availabil- percent more likely to die from Johnson, who has co- the United States Public New York. He had been hop- got in,” says Johnson, who ity and benefits of clinical cancer than white Americans authored a book on breast Health Service, and is cur- ing to study medicine all the earned his B.A. from Cornell and prevention trial partici- and have the highest cancer cancer and has had 45 ar- rently in the inactive reserves way up to when he got to in 1971. pation. Although centered death rate of any U.S. racial or ticles published in presti- of the U.S.P.H.S. college, but he had no money Eventually, Johnson says Born in Morganton, North to continue his education. I he was faced with making a Carolina, he is the son of heard that story over and over vital career decision. After Bad Credit? Houston Johnson Sr. and again. Actually, as I grew past almost 10 years of working in Elizabeth Johnson. He at- the wanting to be a fireman surgical training programs in No Credit? tended elementary school in and policeman years, study- academic medicine, he found No Chesterfield, and junior high ing medicine always sounded himself at a career crossroads. in Charlotte. But when it came like a good alternative. I just “The choice was to either time for high school, Johnson had to be encouraged to pur- stay in academic medicine or Problem!!! was sent to live with relatives sue it. do private practice. When- in New York City because his “When I was in school, I ever I had the chance to work .....Until You Sign on the Dotted Line! parents were divorcing. always did well in science in private practice, it seemed “Mother was a teacher, and in math. This was in the I started achieving the fulfill- and she wanted her kids to middle of the 1960s, and more ment that happens with the BUYER BEWARE get the best education for minorities were being inte- practice of medicine rather each of us – there were three grated into higher education. than from trying to teach it or of Predatory Lenders! of us at the time. I have two So the timing was just about doing research,” recalls sisters who still live in New right. Johnson... If a deal sounds too good to be true, Don’t Believe It! York State, Penelope, in New “By the time I went into (Continued on Page 10) Predatory Lenders make loans that benefit themselves more than the consumers borrowing the money. Predatory loans often involve high interest rates, excessive points, balloon payments, insurance premiums, and other costly items. These loans can cause you to lose your home! Protect yourself from being a victim of Predatory Lending!

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The Fair Housing Center is an Equal Opportunity Specialist. Page 8 The Sojourner’s Truth April 4, 2007 Designing Toledoan Teams with Turkish Craftsmen Sojourner’s Truth Staff Evan McKinney, a young collaborate face-to-face on Toledoan and Start High a variety of design projects. School graduate, had never “I don’t know these set foot outside of the United guys,” thought McKinney. States until February 11 of But he knew within seconds this year. On that date, he that this was something he boarded a plane headed for needed to pursue. So he Ankara in the Republic of made the arrangements. “I Turkey, a plane that would wanted to go, but I wanted follow his dream. to feel safe and comfort- McKinney’s dream was able.” to find a way to convert his Safe … maybe. Comfort- designs, many of which were able … certainly not at the still un-sketched at that outset. point, into the finished prod- “I got on a plane on Feb- uct of leather outerwear. ruary 11 for an 11-hour trip,” He had, in surfing the the novice traveller recalled Internet several months be- recently. “There was a little fore, come upon just the kid in front of me screaming craftsmen who could help the whole way, people in the him. The two Turkish broth- back kicking my seat. Then ers had perfected a pattern they lost my luggage.” that McKinney dubs “croc- But it was worth every bit print” – short for crocodile. of the trouble. McKinney and And while the correspon- his Turkish collaborators hit dents immediately recog- it off immediately. He began nized their kindred design to spew out ideas, they spirits, communicating their worked the lamb and sheep every piece, everyone was in product had been designed wide variety of colors and fledgling business to the next ideas to one another, even in leather into designs with awe,” he said of that mo- for a Russian and Eastern designs, ready to secure or- level, calling on stores and such an advanced medium which they had no familiar- ment. European clientele, not ders with stores. That will shops and seeking the big as the Internet, had its handi- ity and the results, he said, McKinney’s use of col- American. be the most difficult part of break that can help him con- caps. So just before this past startled everyone who had a lars, snaps, buttons with par- McKinney stayed in Tur- his labors. He’s a designer, tinue to churn out his fashion Christmas, the brothers sug- chance to view their work. ticular pieces of leather was key just over a week and has he admits, not a business- dreams. Hard work, he said, gested that McKinney visit “They were real skeptical a bit unknown to his new returned to Toledo with an man. will make up for any defi- them in Turkey so they could about my designs, but with Turkish friends. Most of their armful of leather jackets in a But he’s ready to take his ciencies in business skills. April 4, 2007 The Sojourner’s Truth Page 9 “Reading Quilts” Presented as Part of TMA’s Symphonic Poem Exhibition By Geneva J. Chapman, Sojourner’s Truth Reporter “This is in conjunction tion of Robinson’s work, in- a devastating fire that de- cording to Bryte. “I think with our ‘Symphonic Poem cluding making a “memory stroyed 80 percent of the quilt what’s so great about quilts Series,’ Toledo Museum of map,” manuscript memories, collection,” she said. Bryte is that they are scraps of Art’s Program Coordinator everyday objects, narrating showed a photo of the most women’s lives,” she said, Judy Weinberg said as she the art of your life, personal famous quilt in America, the adding that some quilts span introduced a special presen- poetry, heirloom appraisal, Greenfield Quilt. as much as sixty years of col- tation on quilts, Friday, symphonic stories, “Legend has it that it was lecting pieces. March 9, 2007. storytelling with Odessa made by a young lady named “These quilts are embla- “Symphonic Poem,” the Rowan, creating your neigh- Liza who lived in Greenfield zoned with little strings that art of African-American art- borhood, poetry in motion Connecticut,” said Bryte. women weave from their ist Aminah Brenda Lynn and reading quilts. “She created the quilt to com- souls,” said Bryte. “Quilts Robinson, is on display at “Because quilts tell sto- memorate her community.” were something women did TMA, February 23-May 20, ries,” said Weinberg. “We Later, in her presentation, while they put together their a square and show how it was she believed that they were 2007, with free exhibition need you to go out and tell Bryte showed photo of a story trousseaus. We’ll talk about put together,” she said. “How Bible stories. admission. The artist, a Co- everybody what a fun, excit- cloth made by Hmong refu- women who documented did they learn to make them?” “She made this quilt after lumbus, Ohio, native, will be ing exhibition this is!” Many gees from Vietnam. “They communities.” She explained that each the Civil War,” said Bryte, appearing at TMA Sunday, of the people who attended didn’t’ have a written lan- Bryte proudly displayed girl had her own sewing kit adding that a white woman April 15, to create a the quilting presentation guage,” she said. “Their sto- quilt squares from her per- and her own quilt patterns wanted it, but Powers would RagGonNon – a work of art came expecting to see ries were told in textiles. They sonal collection. “I’ve been and templates. “You could not give it up at first. “When that incorporates found ob- Robinson, but were not dis- were unbelievable textile collecting little scraps over learn at home or at an acad- she came on hard times, she jects to tell a personal story appointed when Nancy Villa workers. Young girls were the years,” she said. “I’ve emy,” she said. Bryte showed let go of it, much to her cha- that evolves with every addi- Bryte, director of education expected to learn embroidery. collected a number of these a number of examples of grin, and came back to visit tion. at the Ann Arbor Hands-on When they fled, they went to quilt squares.” Some of the quilting from the 19th Cen- it.” “Symphonic Poem” fea- Museum shared her vast refugee camps. They wanted squares she displayed were tury, including some from the Bryte, who admitted she tures more than 100 of knowledge of the subject with to remember what their com- made in Ohio in 1851, the South. “What’s very inter- is not a quilter herself, also Robinson’s paintings, works them. munities looked like. These same year Sojourner Truth esting about these southern admitted that although her on paper, sculptures, journals “What you’ll see today are story cloths were made in the gave her “Ain’t I a Woman?” quilts made in the antebel- knowledge of quilting is ex- and mixed media objects that quilts from the Henry Ford refugee camps and brought speech at a conference on lum South is they were prob- tensive, it is limited in one span more than 50 years and Museum,” said Bryte. “Henry to America.” women’s rights in Akron, ably made by African-Ameri- area. “I probably know the range from the artist’s child- Ford’s collection is 220 Bryte said one was sold to Ohio. can slaves,” she said. “Every least about African-Ameri- hood drawings to recently quilts.” Formerly the curator the Henry Ford museum to Bryte talked about differ- time I look at these southern can quilts,” she said. completed work. of textiles for the museum, help a family resettle here. ent types of quilts, including quilts, I can only imagine that Bryte doesn’t have to go A number of programs are Bryte said she took the job However, the history of chintz quilts that have a African-American slaves, too far to learn more about being featured at TMA in because she loves clothes. American quilters is a his- glazed look; pieced quilts who were incredible needle African-American quilts. conjunction with the exhibi- “In 1970, Henry Ford had tory of American women, ac- made of juxtaposed scraps of workers, probably made them “The Michigan State Uni- fabric and appliqué quilts. “In but were never mentioned.” versity Museum’s collection order to talk about what quilts Among the dozens of il- of African-American quilts are, you have to talk about lustrations of quilts and grew out of an effort begun Bring This Ad to the women who made them,” quilters, Bryte had a photo of in 1985 to aggressively col- Bryte explained. “Women an African-American woman lect information on African- learned at the feet of their with an appliqué pattern on American quilting history in Your Museum for mothers and grandmothers. the bottom of her apron. “At the state. The first wave of One can only imagine the some point in her life she was Quilt Discovery Days held in storytelling that went on probably enslaved and made 1985 did not elicit much in- FREE Sundaes there. Young girls were re- quilts.” formation about African- ally expected to learn to make She also showed a photo American or other non-Euro- * quilts.” of a quilt made by former American quilt making his- on Sundays Bryte said that by the age slave Harriet Powers that is tory. Working with local or- of five, young girls had on display at the Smithsonian, ganizations in communities celebrating learned to make a quilt square. explaining that she did not of predominantly black popu- “On the fifth birthday, young know the meaning of the im- lations or historically impor- girls were expected to present ages in the squares, although (Continued on Page 10)

February 23–May 20 Free Admission

Food for Thought: * A token for one ice cream sundae cone per WHEREVER YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY IS WHERE YOU person will be provided at exhibition exit. CREATE A JOB. IF YOU ARE BLACK AND THE BUSINESSES ARE Valid while supplies last, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 419.255.8000 RUN BY PEOPLE WHO AREN’T, THEN THOSE PEOPLE COME AND on Sundays through 5/13/07. toledomuseum.org TAKE WEALTH TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE. Symphonic Poem: The Art of Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson -Tony Brown is organized by the Columbus Museum of Art and Arts 2550 Nebraska Avenue - Toledo, Ohio 43607 Midwest in partnership with the Ohio Arts Council. Phone: 419.534.2550 - Fax: 419.534.2570 www.houseofday.com Page 10 The Sojourner’s Truth April 4, 2007 “Reading Quilts” Houston Johnson, (Continued from Page 9) tant black settlements, mu- region. The Michigan data African-American quilters to rate patterns, they are not as seum staff held a series of included ‘typical African- this art form. good as Anglo-American Jr., M.D African-American Commu- American’ quilts, generally However, thanks to ef- quilts. It is no wonder that (Continued from Page 7) nity Quilt Discovery Days in made by women who had forts like those made at like much of African-Ameri- 1986. Quilters and quilt own- been born and raised in the Michigan State, all of that is can culture, the world has “When I was ap- York City, and there was ers in Detroit, Grand Rapids, South and who migrated beginning to change. “Like been slow to discover the proached about coming to human misery all around,” Muskegon, Lansing and north and/or who kept in close much of African-American wonder of these quilts. Toledo, there was a lot of adds Johnson. Idlewild, were encouraged to contact with relatives who design, African-American “Dr. Maude Southwell discussion of and appre- “Once I came to To- share their quilts and stories. lived in the South. However, quilts have been around for Wahlman, a professor of art hension over the role of ledo, I was finally doing Due to the active involve- research also documented generations, but it has only and art history at the Univer- managed care. Many what I was intended to do. ment of African-American quilts reflecting many other been relatively recently that sity of Missouri-Kansas City, people predicted that pri- Private practice fits well leaders in these communities, traditions rooted in a variety they have been considered was one of the first people to vate practice would be with what I can do the African-American Quilt of other experiences, includ- collectible works of art. see that these quilts were an changed forever, and that “I believe the practice Discovery Days successfully ing urban, Northern, multi- Made by black women using art form, not just a form of all doctors would be em- of medicine is one of the identified many quilts and ethnic, occupational, and traditional techniques and bed covering. In the 1970s, ployees of HMOs. So I highest service callings one quilters. As examples, the African. Thus the collection from patterns memorized and she traveled throughout Ala- saw Toledo as providing a can have. It is a very ful- work of more than thirty does not reflect a ‘typical shared among quilters, these bama, Mississippi, Georgia great opportunity for me filling way to live out my quilters was recorded at the African-American’ quilt- coverlets—once considered and other Southern states in to at least experience the life. I enjoy it, and I will first event held in Muskegon, type, but a diversity of styles, crude and utilitarian—are search of quilts and their mak- private practice of medi- continue to do it just as and at a Quilt Discovery Day pattern names, techniques, now appreciated for their ers. ‘Back then, [the quilters] cine,” says Johnson. long as I am able to do it. in Detroit, Rosa Parks and uses found within the unique and powerful beauty. didn’t see themselves as art- “I also saw an opportu- “Medicine is a great op- brought her and her mother’s Michigan African-American The transformation in think- ists,’ Wahlman recalled. ‘No nity to develop something portunity to help people quilts in to be registered…. experience.”(Marsha ing about African-American one was interested in their out of the breast care pro- and not just give them lip The documentation project MacDowell [excerpt from quilts has come slowly, and work, and no one had ever gram at Flower Hospital. Ac- service. You can actually and the collection of quilts Marsha MacDowell, ed., for many, including some of talked to them about their tually, everything came to- improve the lives of reveals a wide range of indi- Great Lakes, Great Quilts. the black quilters themselves, quilts.’ gether in a good way. It just people,” says Johnson. vidual styles and traditions Concord, California: C&T it is still a surprise. In the “Wahlman organized an seemed like the right thing. Readers desiring to ex- of quilting designs, construc- Publishing, 2001]). realm of quilting, Anglo- exhibit in 1979 at the Yale “I was also getting sick plore their eligibility for tion techniques, and uses However, these quilts, ac- American quilts have held Art Gallery that was one of and tired of the declining clinical or prevention tri- within Michigan’s African- cording to some, may have center-stage with examples the earliest to exclusively fea- quality of life in New als can contact the Toledo American communities. This been far more sophisticated of recognizable styles such ture African-American quilts. York. This was the era Community Hospitals On- breadth provided an oppor- and historically significant as Baltimore Album quilts, What she saw, and what oth- when benign neglect had cology Program by calling tunity to examine major con- than once believed. Accord- which hail from the Mid-At- ers in the art and quilt com- finally caught up to New (419) 843-6147. troversies in African-Ameri- ing to Jacqueline Tobin and lantic and New England ar- munities began to see, was a can quilt scholarship — the Raymond Dobard, “African eas, and Amish quilts, made singular aesthetic. ‘They are Wahlman. ‘I had collected the white community makes, issues of African survivals in textile motifs and indigenous by Amish women in the rural unique because they are all Anglo-American quilts for but. that’s not me, it’s not African-American material writing symbols were inte- East—receiving most of the different,’ Wahlman ex- years. I had seen African- mine.’ culture and whether or not grated into African Ameri- popular attention. Dramatic, plained. ‘You can’t find two American quilts, of course, “Cargo said that although there exists a ‘typical Afri- can quilts. Writing systems contemporary art quilts, alike. The quilters do inno- but I always thought they every African-American can-American’ quilt. Most such as vai (Liberia) and made by American, Euro- vations on traditional pat- seemed crudely made. But quilt is different, typically, studies of African-American nsibidi (Nigeria) converged pean and Asian quilters terns; they improvise. They Maude made me value them. they have a few common quilting or what Cuesta with adinkra symbols which bend the rules of “tra- sort of take off like jazz or They are coming out of a qualities that define their Benberry refers to as ‘ethnic (Ghana), nkisi ditional” quilting, have also blues musicians. And that’s totally different aesthetic than look. He credits Wahlman quilting,’ have been based on charms(Congo) adire pat- been the focus of much at- what makes them interesting the aesthetic that informs with establishing a set of quilts and quilters with strong terns (Yoruba) and kuba de- tention, both within the art as collectible items. It’s not Anglo quilts.’ loose criteria that defines the ties to Southern, rural com- signs (Congo). world and in the broad field just arts and crafts, there’s a “Interestingly, many Af- African-American quilt, in- munities, the areas of the African-Americans’ rich of quilting. But African- lot of thinking that goes into rican-American quilters use cluding the use of bright, vi- country where the majority ancestral traditions include a American quilts are a differ- these quilts, but much of it is the jazz comparison to de- brant colors, often in unusual of the African slave popula- long history of creating tex- ent story. They have been not even conscious. It comes scribe their work. Yvonne combinations; the presence tions originally existed and tiles, so it is only logical that unknown to the art commu- from the aesthetic tradition Wells, an Alabama quilter of large design elements; and where their descendants still these traditions would in- nity, quilt community and of improvisation, and it’s sec- and retired schoolteacher the asymmetrical, improvi- live. It is not surprising then, clude quilting. Yet, as Bryte general public for a number ond nature to African-Ameri- whose work is marketed by sational look to the finished that so many quilts contain- pointed out in her presenta- of reasons—not least of can quilters, since they have Cargo, said, ‘I still see other quilt.” (Julie Keith, “African- ing the characteristics of Af- tions, little mention has been which is that they are often grown up in a culture that [Anglo] quilts as more re- American Quilts.” Art Busi- rican textiles are found in this made of the contributions of made by poor women in the improvises everything.’ fined and deliberate. Mine is ness News, January 2003.) rural South, intended only “Dr. Robert Cargo, a well- like a jazz piece—it’s very Contact Geneva Chapman for the quilters’ families. Add known quilt collector, histo- sporadic. I admire the quilts at [email protected] STARTING OUT to that the long-held percep- rian and folk art dealer who WITH tion that because these quilts owns Robert Cargo Folk Art NATIONAL CITY are not precisely made, with Gallery in Tuscaloosa, Ala., MORTGAGE perfectly pieced blocks, tiny was converted to a lover of quilting stitches and elabo- African-American quilts by

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On that Monday morn- Coast – the tour alternates decided to organize the tour of the National Associa- ing, April 9, high school between the southern and the several years ago – this is the tion of Negro Business and sophomores, juniors and se- eastern swing. fourth year of the tour – after Professional Women’s niors from Toledo area The eastern universities they learned of a similar Cin- Clubs, Inc. black college schools will be departing for include Winston-Salem Uni- cinnati program that has been tour mandatory student/ a week filled with excite- versity, North Carolina A&T operating for more than two parent meeting was held ment and great educational Hampton University and decades. In fact, they made Gwen Wilson-Banks (2nd from left) readies high on Tuesday, March 20th experiences. Howard University. contact with the Cincinnati school students for college tour at United Missionary Bap- This year 74 students will Rev. Robert Bass, pastor organizers who not only allowed to wear doo-rags equipped with cell phone tist Church. be in two buses to take what of United Missionary, started shared information but also while on campus nor allow numbers of chaperones in The meeting was held the organizers term the east- the meeting by praying for graciously gave their assis- their pants to sag, if they case of emergency. to discuss this year’s col- ern tour. That tour includes the safe travel of the students tance in helping the local choose to they will be given The students will be ex- lege tour that will take the historical black colleges and the chaperones. The program to get underway. a piece of rope by the chap- pected to carry a portfolio place from April 9 to April and universities on East meeting was led by Trevor As Wilson-Banks and erones to keep their pants up. onto every campus which Black, the president of black have acquired more The young-ladies are encour- contains paper pencil and Maumee Bay Club, and expertise in the business of aged to wear shirts that are data sheets. This will en- Gwendolyn Wilson-Banks. conducting tours, they have not too provocative or re- sure that students are tak- The two discussed the honed their message to the vealing. If they choose to ing accurate notes. various activities they have students about how to con- they will be given an over- They students will be planned for this trip such as duct themselves. sized t-shirt by one of the on the tour for one week the visit to National Blacks A dress code is enforced, chaperones. and they will be given in Wax museum in Balti- for example. Students are “The safety and appear- the opportunity to apply more, Maryland. The stu- representing themselves and ance of these young adults is to each college they tour. dents will enjoy staying in their parents while they are very important to us,” said Many of those colleges first-rate hotels, and will be on this tour, that’s why there Black. A strict curfew will will waive the applica- on campus for an average of is a dress code enforced, said be enforced every night to tion fee if the students two to three hours per visit. the ladies. ensure that the students get apply while on campus Trevor Black (far r.) with future college students Wilson-Banks and Black The gentlemen are to not their proper rest. Parents are for a tour. The LimaLima Truth Page 12 The Sojourner’s Truth April 4, 2007 The Minority Caucus/OLBC Chapter Changing Our World – One Vote At A Time Harambee!! By Vickie Shurelds Special to the Truth In these bizarre political Since 1986, the Allen Democrats of Ohio. The ba- times, each citizen is faced County Democratic Party has sic philosophy however has with the challenge of sorting as one of its committees the not changed. through the extensive rheto- Minority Caucus whose Prin- The organization was cre- ric of established parties and ciples and Objectives in- ated as a mechanism to help researching the background clude: educate blacks and other of candidates to divulge the • assisting the national, minorities about the impor- true practices of their careers. state and county Democratic tance of involvement in party Too often in this arena, Parties in the implementa- politics in order to secure a the quick change artistry tion of programs and fair share of government ser- boggles the mind. Conserva- achievement of objectives vices for their communities. tive efforts in one area, lib- within the state of Ohio. OLBC has a diversified eral in another – searching • encouraging all African- membership which includes Alberta Shurelds, Mary Mayes, Dollie Taylor, the Honorable Jesse Jackson, for the true colors of each Americans, and other minor- elected officials, business Linda Pugh, Vickie Shurelds candidate and each issue has ity Democrats, to share and leaders, and community ac- become, for too many poten- participate equally in the ben- tivists throughout Ohio. eral election there were only Harambee features Edna among one of those invita- tial voters – overwhelming. efits of the Democratic Party. Since developing the part- 13 Democratic-led precincts. Jones as keynote speaker, tions. Each party begins to • To encourage African- nership, the Minority Cau- It’s an historic morphing-cre- with the theme “Changing As effective as they have spurn forth grassroots ef- Americans to register, vote cus has displayed increasing ated “one vote at a time.” Our World One Vote At a been, the belief that they forts that can explain on the and exercise their rightful success in turning prospec- Another distinguishing Time”. The event takes place could be stronger, if there most basic level the “stan- part in the political life of our tive voters into registered characteristic of the caucus at the Civic Center in down- were more of them, prevails. dard” or core belief on local community, the state of voters then into actual vot- is its focus on education, and town Lima on Saturday, Their effort to gain strength which the party is based. Ohio and the nation. ers. The results are apparent not just the education of stu- April 14. Social Hour begins through numbers of commu- There is then an attempt to The group itself is com- in that after each general elec- dents. A prominent member at 6 p.m., dinner is offered at nity-minded individuals has break it down even further posed of public elected Afri- tion for the past four years, of the caucus brought to the 7. Scholarships will be given, been undertaken with enthu- – cultural differences, so- can-Americans and other there has been a gain in the attention of state employees community enthusiasts will siasm. cial fractions and other con- minority Democrats and number of Democrats seated that convicted felons – once be honored and information There’s an open invita- siderations are developed those appointees to public as presiding judges in their their time has been served will be abundantly displayed tion to anyone with an inter- to offer more fine tuning of office and local community precincts. The make up of and full restitutions met – by service organizations, lo- est to join them for a push ideas assuming the average organizations and clubs the team of poll workers is have a right to vote. Previ- cal media and performers. toward establishing bench- human would rather take pledged to support the Mi- predicated on the governor- ously, most thought that right Their efforts are appreci- marks for education for our small bites of the political nority Caucus ship and voter turnout from was lost forever once the ated by black elected offi- children and a better Get- pie and move from morsel To strengthen their influ- the previous general election. mistake was made that landed cials on the state level, so Out-And-Vote effort. Meet- to morsel figuring out the ence and effectiveness, The The November election offenders in the custody of much so they have been hon- ings are held on the second pattern while determining Ohio Legislative Black Cau- again changed the face of the the state. ored guests at dinners and Tuesday of the month at the type ingredients mak- cus established a partner- poll workers. When voters One of the Democratic receptions in major cities 5:30pm at the UAW Hall, ing up their favorite kind of ship with the Minority Cau- return to the polls for the Minority Caucus’ major designed to disseminate vi- 1440 Bellefontaine Avenue. “pie.” cus June 6, 1996. This part- next general election, they’ll events has as its purpose tal information to voters. (There are no meetings in In Allen County, the po- nership has lead to a stronger see of 79 of Allen County’s gathering the community to- Their recent trek to the Un- July and August.). litical stronghold has “for- tie to the state legislators. 139 precincts with Demo- gether for networking, shar- derground Railroad Museum ever” been the Republican The group later changed its crats in presiding judge po- ing and participating in so- in Cincinnati with special Change through voting. Party. Now it behooves all name to Black Elected sitions. Prior to the last gen- cial confab. This year the guest Jesse Jackson was Interesting Concept. voters to recall that histori- cally – there have been many changes in the phi- Sister to Sister Hair Gallery losophies of both parties “We do everything with hair” since their origin. Last • year’s November election • • All Phases of was engulfed in innuendoes • and partial truths designed • to confuse uninformed and/ • Hair Styling or new voters in the hope of • discouraging them from • PLUS voting, or frustrating them • to the point they felt their • voting was a futile effort. Nails and Lashes The damage was apparent resulting in one bumper Open 8 am to 6 pm sticker which read “If vot- Tuesday to Saturday and by appointment ing was really fair it would have been made illegal by Phone 419.221.0540 * 956 S. Main, Lima, OH now”. April 4, 2007 The Sojourner’s Truth Page 13 D.J. Lyte N Rod Signs Major Record Deal By Michael Hayes Minister of Culture If you call yourself in- erybody was checkin’ for. Cleveland. Being 40-years old and a volved in hip-hop in Toledo, And that was like in the early Oh yeah, please believe veteran in this game, he’s or in local urban entertain- 90’s. ya boy is innovative too. heard it all before. ment in any way, if you don’t Then he started hittin’ The first time I ever saw a But Burtman is official. know who D.J. Lyte N Rod people with mixtapes. pair of C.D.J’s was when And Primoris Records is is then you might as well Various styles. He had the Lyte N Rod was using them committed to having a multi- pack up, leave town and hip-hop ones, the hustle ones, and he was doing tricks on genre approach to music in come back when you get it the R&B ones … whatever. those joints like they had terms of whom they sign and right. By the time the new mil- been out forever – L.O.L. what music is made. In this city there’s plenty lennium rolled around, D.J. I’m a fan of vinyl when its That’s how Primoris can of competition among all the Lyte N Rod was much more time for D.J. battles, but as have a country artist named people doing music. than a local legend but he much as I love those events I Woody Bradshaw sittin’ on Producing music and run- actually fathered a hip-hop always found myself travel- the top half of the current ning a small music company scene here in the Glass City ing out of town to see them. Country Billboard charts and (U.G.E., ya’ll) I have always that boasts nearly a dozen Until ya boy Lyte N Rod still sign a middle-aged hip- seen the unity in some circles big name D.J’s. That’s right. locked down a club on hop D.J. at a time when but the overall lack of unity If you ever ask D.J. Keith Stickney Ave. and had an hardly any D.J.’s are getting D.J. Lyte N Rod and George Burtman between most crews who do Success, D.J. One Tyme, and event that finally spoke to big label deals. music. the rest of our most well- the real hip-hop heads in our Hell, I’ve met a lot of ex- ledo market and he’s gonna (Aye Dee, The Undergodz, But even though we all respected D.J.’s, who paved city. ecs doing what I do for my put them on a mixtape to be Darron Scott, Mz. Johni etc.) may not be checkin’ for the way for them… they will So what’s left to do for a music company and I have to released regionally and then to be one of the featured art- whomever, one thing is a tell you themselves that it man that built a hip-hop scene agree with Rod on this one… nationally. After seeing how ists but honestly my talks constant: was big homie Rod. from nothing, helped birth a Burtman seems a lot more that goes, Burtman will offer with Burtman were more WE ALL RESPECT D.J. The typical D.J. spins at few successful careers, pro- down to earth and genuine a recording contract to geared to U.G.E. joining LYTE N ROD. parties on the weekend, prob- moted events and ultimately than most. whichever artist gets the big- Primoris as its own self-con- My label/crew focuses on ably puts out a few mix CD’s became one of very few mu- He and his whole staff gest buzz from their contri- tained entity. Now you know conscious hip-hop and R&B, and eventually makes his sic legends still working in a treated me like a guest of bution to the mixtape. it’s serious. whereas some other crews way into production or radio city like Toledo… well, hell, honor at Lyte N Rod’s sign- And the contract is real, Ya’ll should know, I don’t might do gangsta rap – it work. the only thing left to do is ing party last week. Yeah, I ya’ll, no joke. trust just anybody. As a CEO, doesn’t matter. Across the D.J. Lyte N Rod put To- grind even harder. So D.J. know some of ya’ll were ex- I saw Lyte N Rod’s be- George doesn’t have to give whole scene, from every ledo on his back when he Lyte N Rod began doing pecting me to write some big fore it was presented to him. his time or attention to any- hood and over every divid- decided to promote a yearly shows in other northwest long thing about the big con- That was a slick-ass mo- one. But he took me seri- ing line – peeps know and event called Flow From The Ohio cities and nearly a year cert. But since I didn’t go, ment. Probably the most ously when I approached him have love for D.J. Lyte N Glass. ago at a show in Findlay he the most I know is that there memorable since I’ve been about my company. Rod. Instead of sectioning off happened to impress an indi- was one fight that wasn’t too writing for The Truth. He understood the need Back in the day, there was certain affiliations to certain vidual who could really take serious and Fat Joe didn’t See, I still have to remind for The Undergodz to con- this club called Lodeana’s. crews, Rod told every act the whole movement even show but everything else was folks… I’m not a writer. tinue our success as produc- I wasn’t old enough to go who wanted a slot to perform higher. great. Music is what I’ve always ers and start building record- to that joint but I used to that they could just get up George Burtman is presi- Good job, Toledo. I’m done and it’s that mindset ing careers by sticking to always hear my older cous- there and rock. dent and CEO of Primoris proud of ya’ll for represent- that I think with and that life ORIGINAL and WELL- ins talking about how that He even had the video Records, an independent la- ing … maybe now some more I relate to. THOUGHT OUT concepts place was on point and D.J. screens for peeps to show bel boasting a roster of coun- shows will come here. Knowing how things can instead of the same watered- Lyte N Rod was the official their video’s while they per- try, rock and urban artists all But yo – that night I was go when people spend their down garbage. man on the wheels of steel. formed. with major distribution choppin’ it up with a real whole life chasing some- It meant a lot that his com- He had the city on lock as the That type of stuff doesn’t through Universal Records. CEO while most everyone thing, it just felt really good pany is committed to allow- most prominent D.J. that ev- even happen in Detroit and George and I got a chance else was at the Sports Arena to see Lyte N Rod sign a ing people to be themselves. to chop it up last week and he watching Lil Wayne get major record deal right in Which means that Lyte N put me down on the situation open. front of me. Rod and his Follow The Lyte with Lyte N Rod. George is Burtman has a connection To see someone’s hard fam are in good hands. from Cleveland, but he spent with all of the artists he signs. work and dedication culmi- This a truly a great vic- the 90’s blowing up as a He and Rod seem to genu- nate in a happy new begin- tory for a deserving person music executive in Los An- inely respect each other and ning, it was amazing. The and also a victory for To- geles. Recently he formed a it’s obvious that this is a busi- crowd at Bijou that night may ledo. new label and has spread his ness relationship both sides or may not have realized the The Swagga Boyz hosted base of operations to include are happy with. importance of what they were U.T.’s Rip The Runway L.A. and also Findlay, Ohio. Primoris Records gave witnessing but George and Fashion Show this past week- He said he saw Lyte N D.J. Lyte N Rod the opportu- Rod made sure everyone end Rod spin at a club in Findlay nity to have his first mix CD could see that this was im- and they took time out to and he just peeped the whole compilation release receive portant. celebrate the still growing Burtman and the Minister vibe of how the crowd re- a few good looks from estab- So that’s how it goes legacy of D.J. Lyte N Rod sponded to him and he had a lished artists such as Lloyd down, ya’ll. and bring some light to a few conversations with him. or Lil Wayne. Rod turned Local hip-hop legend gets figure in our community that He told Rod that he was that idea down choosing in- signed by a indie/major and 18 year-old college students going back out to L.A. but stead to focus solely on all seems right with the might easily overlook. that he was coming back and Toledo’s talent pool. world. So once again, CON- that when he did he was go- So, far as things go right But there’s still those 15 GRATULATIONS D.J. Carole Russell MSNH,CCH ing to sign him to a record now… or so slots to fill when it’s LYTE N ROD. Natural Health Consultant contract with his label. D.J. Lyte N Rod is plan- time for Rod to take them You deserve it, fam. Rod admits that he was ning on picking 15 or so of national by including their skeptical. the hottest artists in the To- music on his debut mix CD. Get at me Toledo: DETOXIFYING FOOTBATH For the record, I’d be hon- [email protected] ored if Lyte N Rod picked or myspace.com/ Auto one of the acts on my label undergodzent Leasing DIXIE Toledo, OH Charleston House May assist in the following areas: 5880 N. Detroit (Nu-Tu-U) - Improve sleep patterns An upscale consignment shop 4055 Monroe St. Toledo, OH 43606 - Remove blood clot material Month to Month Leasing - Improve liver & kidney function 419-476-8674 New Selection Of - Assist in recovery time from injuries & surgery Ellie of New York Hats - May relieve pain & joint stiffness due to arthritis At Reasonable Prices WE ARE A FULL all sizes, name brand shoes, fashion hats, 5800 Monroe St. Bldg C, STE 201 SERVICE jewelry. An exclusive Paris Boutique. Sylvania, OH 43560 419-882-1089 BUSINESS Open 10 am - 4 pm - Tues - Sat. cell: 419-810-3336 419-472-4648 Page 14 The Sojourner’s Truth April 4, 2007 Elaine Brown My Journey Words Matter: (Continued from Page 6) theory that the events of the At the forum she will of- Through KENYA: Rep. Brown Votes uprising were controlled by fer her suggestions to the a pact between three prison remedy the problem includ- Its People, gangs: the Sunni Muslims, ing placing a moratorium on for Compassion in the Aryan Brotherhood and the death penalty which she Culture and the Black Gangster says is barbaric and has no Ohio law books Disciples. place in civilized society. Brown maintains that Elaine Brown was de- Beauty State Representative Edna Ohio law 10 instances of Brown, D-Toledo, voted to- “idiot,” 55 uses of the word crime is a political question clared the chairman of the Join Dorcel Dowdell, Main Library Manager, for an day in support of legislation “insane,” two instances of that results in the poor be- Black Panther Party in 1974 exciting pictorial presentation titled, KENYA: Its People, that would eliminate words “imbecile” and six uses of ing incarcerated while rich when the prior leader Huey Culture and Beauty, scheduled from 7-8:30 p.m. on such as “lunatic,” “idiot” and the word “lunatic.” The criminals remain free. P. Newton had become ex- Monday, April 16 at the Mott Branch Library, 1085 “imbecile” from the Ohio words are replaced with more She further explained iled to Cuba. Her role took Dorr Street. Revised Code in favor of appropriate words and that the justice system has Dowdell recently spent two weeks in Kenya, where the party to a phenomenal more modern, inclusive lan- phrases, such as “a person she visited the capital city of Nairobi and went on a obvious flaws, exacerbated pivotal point in which the guage. with a mental illness.” three-day safari through Amboseli and Lake Nakuru by President Clinton’s three party not only had to accept The Ohio Revised Code is “This bill is about respect National Parks. strikes bill in 1996. the unappealing reality of now sprinkled with such and compassion. It shows the She also visited a beach resort in Mombasa, a city Brown explained that in losing their leader, but also words, legacies of an earlier progress we have made as a lying on the Indian Ocean, and visited an orphanage for our nation where African- had to accept a woman as era when mental health and society that values all citi- children whose parents have died from complications Americans make up only his replacement. intellectual development zens”, said Rep. Brown. “The due to AIDS. were not as well understood. language in our law books 13 percent of the total popu- Her hard-hitting message Dowdell will offer attendees a geography lesson to House Bill 53, which should reflect that progress lation, they account for half will also include issues con- learn about Kenyan culture and people. This event is passed the Ohio House of as well.” of U.S. prison population cerning the prison industry free and open to the public. Representatives with a unani- H.B. 53 will now be con- of approximately two mil- complex, racism, classism For more information, please contact 419.259.5230. mous vote, removes from sidered by the Ohio Senate. lion. and the judicial system. TheBlackMarketPlace

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Telemarketing position with one of the For Sale “Barbers Wanted” fastest-growing agencies in the area. Vince Davis CROSSGATE AREA Are you a professional looking for a new Agency has telemarketing positions from $8.00 to 1763 Wilshire – South Toledo environment? $20.00 dollars per hour. Your income will depend on Newly remodeled (4) Chairs your productivity. 3 beds, 1.5 baths Sales position available. Income ranges vary Immediate occupancy Barbershop and will depend on productivity. Income ranges in $149,500 The old Hutton Pharmacy building, on the corner the $25,000 to $40,000 the first year. of Woodstock and Dorr, enter the barbershop Sulpher Springs Realty Call (419) 244-2904 Barbara Jacobs from Woodstock Ave. 419-865-7355 “Big Momma’s Barbershop” Behavior Assistant Location: 2101 Dorr Street Executive Director Seeking a dedicated professional to work in a *Low Booth Rent partial-hospitalization setting with youth experienc- ONYX, Inc. a non-profit community develop- *Experienced Barbers Preferred ing severe behavioral problems. Must have ment corporation seeks an experienced profes- *Management will make allowance for low Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work or sional to implement and administer the programs clientele barbers related field; licensure preferred. Position requires and policies of the development process for hous- valid driver’s license and good driving record, abil- ing, economic and community revitalization. *Plenty Parking Space ity to perform therapeutic holds, and desire to work *Clean Respectful Atmosphere in a team setting. Experience working with troubled This is a FULL-TIME position with benefits and youth preferred. Duties include providing support a competitive salary. For Contact Call: Joe Love at (419)320-2056 to students, managing behaviors in the classroom, and implementing group and individual activities. Candidates MUST meet the following thresh- Assists with transportation duties as needed. Must old requirements: 6 years of management experi- Social Work possess assessment and treatment skills and be ence, knowledge of governmental housing proce- CASE MANAGER proficient in computer use. Submit cover letter with dures, grant writing skills (provide writing sample), Unison is seeking Case Managers to provide salary expectations and resume by 4/11/07, to and strong desire to work in the community. community support services to adults with serious mental illness. Responsibilities will include provid- Harbor Behavioral Healthcare (BA), Please send cover letters with salary require- ing assistance with the social, vocational, economic, 4334 Secor Road, ments and resume by Monday, April 30, 2007 to: and environmental needs of assigned clients and Toledo, OH 43623-4234 assisting in their ability to live in the community. or fax to 419-724-9425 P.O. Box 323, Valid driver’s license required. Ohio counselor or or e-mail to [email protected]. Toledo, OH 43697 social worker license and experience preferred. or e-mail [email protected]. EOE. Consideration will be given to candidates with No Phone Calls, please four-year degrees in fields related to social work. Excellent salary and benefits package. FREE TAX Who Are Toledo’s Best Send or fax resume with cover letter to: SERVICE DO YOU WANT Dressed Women? FREE TAX SERVICE? We promised you this one way back in the fall when Would you like help Human Resources - CSP we looked for Toledo’s Best Dressed Men. The an- 1425 Starr Avenue filing your taxes Toledo, OH 43605 this year? nouncement will come in May with a little help from Fax 419.936.7574 our sponsors. Email: [email protected] You can get free income tax assistance at any of the following locations: EOE GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS? • Frederick Douglas Community Center at 1001 Call us at 419-243-0007 with your nominations or Indiana Avenue Executive Director • Aurora Gonzalez Communi- email [email protected] ty & Family Resource Center at 1949 Broadway Avenue River East Economic Revitalization Corpora- • Adelante, Inc at 520 tion is looking for an experienced Executive Direc- Broadway Avenue tor. Requires Bachelors Degree & minimum 5 years • Margaret L. Hunt Senior Place your classified ad in experience in related field, knowledgeable in Eco- Center at 2121 Garden Lake Parkway The Sojourner’s Truth nomic Development. Excellent people, manage- • Toledo Urban Federal Credit ment, computer & budgeting skills, Business Plan- Union at 1339 Dorr Street Call Aida at 419-243-0007 ning, knowledgeable of public entities. Competitive • Onyx Incorporated at 525 Wage & Benefits. Resumes need to be submitted by Hamilton Street • Job and Family Services at April 17, 2007 to: 3210 Monroe Street MS. JUNIOR TOLEDO REERC To set up an appointment or for Your Crown Awaits You if You Dare to Dream!! c/o Executive Director Search Committee, more information, please call Interested in becoming a contestant? United Way at 2-1-1. Again, to If you are between the ages of 12 and 18 (not turning 19 before July 2007); 117 Main St., set up an appointment or for Ste. C, more information regarding free and possess a performing talent (e.g., singing, dancing, acrobatics, poetry, Toledo, OH 43605 volunteer income tax assistance drama, musician, etc.), please complete the information below this year, please call United Way Apply by May 5, 2007 at 2-1-1. NAME: ______Board of Community FREE TOWING Relations, AGE: ______DOB: ______110 N. Westwood Ave., Attention Landlords or Toledo, Ohio 43607 USA PHONE: (______) ______- ______Telephone 419-245-1565 Property Owners, FAX: 419-245-1471 ADDRESS: ______if you have abandoned cars www.ci.toledo.oh.us ______(in any condition) One Government Center, Suite 2190 Toledo, Ohio Bad Boyz Towing 43604 USA TALENT: ______will remove it for FREE. Telephone 419-245-1001 MAIL TO: MISS JUNIOR TOLEDO PAGEANT, 2124 CALUMET AVE, Fax 419-245-1370 Call 419-810-5879 www.ci.toledo.oh.us TOLEDO, OH 43607, (419) 450-7031 Page 16 The Sojourner’s Truth April 4, 2007

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Prices and Items effective at All Greater Toledo Area and Northwest Ohio ADVERTISED ITEM POLICY: WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES. Except Defiance Kroger Stores April 4 thru April 8, 2007. Each of these advertised items is required to be available for sale. If we do run out of an Some Items may require a deposit. advertised item, we will offer you your choice of a comparable item, when available, reflecting the same savings, or a raincheck which will entitle you to purchase the advertised item Visit our Website at www.Kroger.com or at the advertised price within 30 days. Only one vendor coupon will be accepted call Customer Service at 1-800-KROGERS per item. Copyright 2007. The Kroger Company. No sales to dealers.