TheThe Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Austin, Texas VillagerVillagerVillager Permit No. 01949 Circulation Verification A community service weekly Since 1973 This paper can 1223-A Rosewood Avenue Austin, Texas 78702 Council be recycled TPA Vol. 36 No. 6 Website: austinvillager.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-476-0082 Fax: 512-476-0179 June 27 , 2008 Community encouraged to Juneteenth Parade and Activities 2008 Style Reported by nominate choices Evelyn Martin-Anderson for name of new Certain holidays bring out the best in people. Think Eastside High Thanksgiving, think Christmas, think Mother’s Day, think Easter, School think Juneteenth. Every June 19th I’ve noticed that people are in a What should the Austin happier more positive frame of School District name its newest mind than at any other time save high school? the holidays previously men- RAPPIN’ The AISD Board of Trustees tioned. There’s something about Tommy Wyatt invites community members to the gathering of African Ameri- submit nominations for the name cans in celebration of freedom. It of the new Eastside high school is tradition, it is a family event, a We need to get that will open on Monday, August friendship event, it is a gathering 25, on the campus that was for- of those who share a historical con- serious about merly the Johnston High School nection. campus. Some people dress up for Organ “We are creating a high Juneteenth, buy outfits for Donations! school that will serve students in Juneteenth, barbeque for new and unique ways,” AISD Juneteenth and parade for Earlier this year the Texas Board President Mark Williams Juneteenth. This year was no dif- Publishers Association (TPA) said. “Naming a school is ferent. On Thursday June 19th the made a commitment to work with a lasting decision that reflects Dis- original citizens of East Austin the Texas Department of Health trict heritage and values, and — in came out in droves to celebrate KAZI-FM/88.7 Radio station was the leader of the parade in their new van. Steve Savage (far left) poses with members of to educate the African American this case — the identity and mis- Juneteenth or Emancipation Day. the KAZI staff who also entertained at the Rosewood park. community about organ dona- sion of this new campus. We value June 19th is the day slaves in Texas tions. This will be an ongoing community input in that process found out about the signing of the bags of candy children collected, is defined as including churches Hearne High School Marching project that we will continue for .”The criteria for the naming of Emancipation Proclamation by they were at least one group that like Swenson Grove Baptist Bands as well as the drumming of a while. district facilities include the President Abraham Lincoln that thoroughly enjoyed celebrating Church, St. James Missionary Bap- African drummers Opacú. Give the Gift of Life. African following: set them free. Unfortunately they Juneteenth 2008. For them it was tist Church and Greater Mt. Zion. The Buffalo Soldiers, rep- Americans make up half of Facilities may be named for didn’t learn of the signing until easy – more candy – more fun. Community includes organiza- resenting the original Buffalo Sol- those waiting for organ donors, individuals, places such as over a year later. There were children in the parade tions like the Elks Club and El diers of the 9th Calvary who helped bone marrow donors and blood landmarks or neighborhoods, or Unlike some previous as well as being onlookers. The Dorado club, media like KAZI settle the West were there along donors. Unfortunately, they are other reason as determined by holidays, this year’s celebration young cowboys and cowgirls in- (who showed off their new van for with Desira Glenn as Cathy Will- more likely to die before they the Board. The name must not al- was not marred by rain. Of course cluded children like Destiny who the first time) and the Beat 104.9. iams. Williams was the only rec- receive a transplant, because of ready be used by another Austin there were some complaints as to rode their horses as if they were Community included public offi- ognized female Buffalo Soldier. the small number of donors from District school or facility. If named why Juneteenth wasn’t celebrated born in the saddle. The cowboys cials like the former state represen- The parade which began the African American community. for an individual, the following on Saturday so everyone could who signal the end of the parade tative Wilhemina Delco and com- at Comal and Martin Luther King As a result more and more com- shall apply: The individual may participate. However I recall that have always been my favorite so it munity activist and NAACP Aus- and ended at Rosewood Park munities are working on this be living or dead. The individual people complained when it was was a particular thrill seeing more tin President Nelson Linder. Com- proved to be a wonderful way to problem. must be recognized by the general celebrated on a Saturday. The com- young riders than in previous munity included cowboys, motor- begin celebrating what some Some believe that the issue public and widely respected. The plaint being Juneteenth should years. cycle riders, city government de- people call Black people’s Fourth with African Americans is reli- individual must embody exem- only be celebrated on June 19th The Juneteenth parade partments like the Austin Fire De- of July. gious based. Many people can- plary qualities that can serve as a whenever that date falls. So you sponsored by the Greater East partment, the Austin Police De- I can’t wait until next not imagine going to their final model of excellence. see some people simply can’t be Austin Youth Association partment, and Austin Energy. year. resting place without all of their Nominators are encouraged pleased. (GEAYA) is as it always has been Community included the parts. Others just do not take the See more Juneteenth page 5 See AISD page 6 However judging by the a community event. Community music of the Austin All Stars and time to tell their love ones of their wishes. The Austin Chapter of Alpha Kappa Everyone should register for NNPA Editor-in-Chief, named 2008 Role the bone marrow and organ do- Alpha Organizes Symbolic Walk nor registry and to donate blood. You must then go the extra mile On Saturday June 28, over will be asked to walk a symbolic Models at Baptist Congress and let your family know of your 50,000 members of Alpha Kappa 1908 steps, approximately two intentions and strongly encour- Alpha will participate in a syn- miles. age them to abide by your chronized ESP 1908 Global Cen- International President Bar- wishes. It would be helpful to tennial Walk designed to raise bara A. McKinzie will lead the make sure that more than one awareness about the importance Walk from Chicago, joined by person knows about your of fitness. Linking hands and step- 50,000 members from over 900 wishes. ping off at the same time world- chapters, as well as friends and In an effort to move the pro- wide, the members will send a families who recognize the signifi- cess along, some churches in the strong statement about the impor- cance of making one’s health a pri- area are having bone marrow, tance of Emotional, Spiritual and ority. Alpha Kappa Alpha mem- blood and organ donor drives. Physical health. The Walk is sym- bers participating represent every Holy Cross Catholic Church will bolic as it will represent exactly region in the contiguous United have their donor registry drive 100 years from the date the Soror- States, as well as Hawaii, Canada, July 20, 2008 at 12:00 noon at ity was founded. Germany, the Virgin Islands and the church 1610 East 11th Street. For the June 28, 2008 Austin the Bahamas. Mount Zion Baptist Church will celebration, the public is invited to Members will meet again at have their organ registry drive join the members of the Austin the Sorority’s biennial convention August 15, at 9:00 a.m. at 2538 Graduate Chapter, Beta Psi Omega, on Sunday, July 13. There, in an- East 13th Street. For more infor- for this important and symbolic other show of solidarity, members mation, call these churches. Walk on Town Lake (just outside will walk 1908 steps to the Wash- These should not be the only the Holiday Inn located on IH-35 ington Convention Center. At the churches to get involved in this north of Riverside Dr.); the walk culmination of this event, Presi- much needed program. It would will begin at exactly 10 a.m. so ev- dent McKinzie will lead members not be too much to ask that ev- eryone is encouraged to line up into the Center and the historic ery church and community based early. To commemorate the Centennial convention will offi- Caption: Baptist Congress President Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr. and Baptist Convention President Dr. William J. Shaw present 2008 role models: Mizelle Stewart; editor; Valerie Scoon Bowers, film producer; Hazel Trice Edney, editor-in- organization in the community to Sorority’s founding year, everyone cially begin. get involved. The problem is not chief; Dr. Willie Wilson, businessman and philanthropist. going to be solved until we all LOUISVILLE (NNPA) - Pro- Willie Wilson of Chicago, phi- as well as their national impact, get involved in the process. It may claiming ‘Hope is in the air’, the lanthropist and president and public service and inspiration to seem like over kill to get so many president of the 7.5-million mem- CEO of the multi-million dol- youth, according to program orga- people involved, but like every- ber National Baptist Congress of lar Omar Medical Supplies; nizers.