Volume XXII, Number XIX May 24 - June 6, 2012 DeSoto 2012 cOvEr StOry SolJazz Festival: Founded 1991 .com Entertainment under the sun Your Paper, Your Opportunity... Visit Us Online at www.NorthDallasGazette.com Congresswoman Johnson facing two challengers for District 30 re-election The race for the Dem- ing until May 25. ogy, which she joined in ocratic nominee for U.S. Rep. Johnson is seek- 2010. Rep. Johnson’s po- Congressional District 30 ing re-election for a posi- litical ads spotlight her Representative features tion she has held for 10 work on the House Trans- incumbent Rep. Eddie terms. Throughout her portation and Infrastruc- Bernice Johnson, attor- tenure she has served on ture Committee where ney Taj Clayton and State numerous committees, she has served since her Rep. Barbara Mallory including being the first election to Congress in Caraway. The primary African-American on the 1992. DFW Airport and MC Lyte election is May 29, but House Committee on Sci- early voting is still ongo- ence, Space and Technol- Eddie Bernice Johnson See JOHNSON, Page 11 See FESTIVAL, Page 9 Actress Tae Heckard of BET's The Game Is Marc Veasey a closet Republican? participating in “Register To Speak Out!” NDG View las the finger pointing is at it’s stand for when it comes to the For more information see pg. 10 highest and the primary mud- issues impacting the African www.northdallasgazette.com All too often political slinger is Marc Veasey, a cur- American community he campaigns devolve into finger rent state representative vying claims to represent? How can pointing. This occurs across for the Congressional seat for he claim to stand with the Editorial: the political aisles and even the newly formed Congres- community given his ties to within the same political par- sional District 33. The district the payday lending compa- Domingo Garcia is the ties. It often confuses regis- includes neighborhoods from nies, which are robbing low- COMMENTARY tered voters trying to deter- both Dallas and Tarrant coun- income families with no ac- right choice for CD-33 mine who they can trust. In the ties. cess to credit? NDG View CD-33 is the first dis- current political cycle in Dal- Marc Veasey What does Veasey really See vEaSEy, Page 16 trict of its kind: featuring Political elections are communities in Tarrant always interesting. In any and Dallas County. The CityArts Festival returns to Fair the NDG Staff election, the good, the bad district encompasses large and even the ugly shows African American and inte- Park for Memorial Day Weekend wishes your up and the issues often take grated neighborhoods in a backseat to candidate the City of Fort Worth. It Returning Memorial the world’s largest collec- highlights will include two family a safe mudslinging and bicker- then extends east to in- Day weekend May 25 - 27, tion of 1930s art deco ex- outdoor films Friday and Memorial ing. Integrity loses center clude part of Arlington and CityArts Festival presented hibit buildings, art and Saturday night with 60s- stage and residents of em- then further east to include by Big City Crushed Con- sculpture. Free and open to themed dance parties; an in- Holiday! Our battled districts are lost in part of Grand Prairie, part crete will offer a spectacular the public, CityArts Festival door culinary showcase fea- next issue is the shuffle. In Dallas the of Irving and the north Oak spread of activities and en- will feature ARTFEST, turing demos and tastings winds of change have once Cliff area of Dallas (Lone tertainment for families and which returns to its tradi- by some of Dallas’ most June 7, but tweet again come with the cre- Star Project, 2012). This art aficionados alike to tional outdoor setting with famed chefs and mixolo- ation of a new district, includes the Stockyards as enjoy against the backdrop art by nearly 150 renowned gists; unique children’s ac- us for info Congressional District-33, well. Typically, the DFW of historic Fair Park, a na- juried artists. @NDGEditor. commonly known as CD- metro area was an expand- tional landmark featuring Other holiday-weekend See artS, Page 13 33. See GarcIa, Page 3 INSIDE... People In The News… 3 People In The News . 2 Op/Ed . 3 Community News . .5 Cover Story . 9 Arts & Entertainment . 10 Business . .11 Classifieds . .12 Career Opportunity . 13 Adriana Blanco Church Directory . .14-16 Michael Walker Yvette Hollingsworth Sister Tarpley . .15 See Page 2 People in the News www.NorthDallasGazette.com Michael Walker an accolade in his career your face.” and breast cancer sur- which has allowed him to ex- The first single vivor Marsha Johnson. In “Convert from a listener, event is slated to take place at pand on his talents. While from the CD, Let’s addition, attendees will to a participant, and become the Crowne Plaza Dallas Walker is a professed fan of Do It, was released be treated to a free CD a fan.” Market Center Hotel, 7050 jazz guitar genius George to the public on May autographed by Walker, a The above-mentioned Stemmons Freeway, in Dal- Benson and the mellow Nor- 8. In addition, on this free buffet, and door slogan is the heart of smooth las. man Brown, listeners of the day, an interview prizes. jazz guitarist Michael Walk- During the event, Walker CD will instantly connect segment for the CD For tickets to the con- er’s existence as a musician. will perform singles from the with Walker’s distinct sound. with Stafon Harris- cert, contact Rico Carter For more than 20 years, nine-track release. The open- Walker said A Smoother You Jackson was pre- at 214-263-6209, Troy Walker has played Dallas- ing act for the show is Dallas’ allowed him to mix his life- miered on YouTube. Butts at 469-682-9535. area events and venues as Quentin Moore. The singer, long love for blues and his Admission into Tickets can also be pur- part of his band, Chill Factor. songwriter, and musician pro- fancy for R&B into a collab- the event is $15. A chased door the night of These days, he is flying solo duced A Smoother You, and oration that is settling on the portion of the pro- the event. To purchase A with his latest release, A co-wrote two of the CD’s ears. ceeds from the CD Smoother You, visit Smoother You. tracks with Walker. “This CD is totally will benefit Fashions www.michaelwalkermu- To celebrate the unveiling Walker’s release is a me,” said Walker, who is For The Cure sic.com or www.cd- of his CD, Mike Walker En- compilation of smooth jazz founder of Mike Walker En- (www.fashions- baby.com. Become a fan! tertainment will play host to tunes intertwined with ele- tertainment. “A Smoother You forthecure.org), a Connect with Walker via a release party and concert ment of his musical origin of is a happy-feeling CD. It 501 (c) (3) nonprofit on Facebook and on Twit- from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. begin- blues. The Newport, Ark., na- makes you feel good. It is organization founded ter @michaelwmusic. ning Saturday, May 26. The tive said A Smoother You is happy and brings a smile to by Rowlett resident Adriana Blanco Siemens Scholarship. She wants to be thods that don’t harm the en- It was in her role as TWU an electrical en- vironment.” TWU’s new student re- TWU Campus Activities CAB president that she was gineer and im- It is this drive to succeed gent is determined to be a Board (CAB), vice president responsible for bringing poet plement “green” that caused Blanco to want to leader who makes a differ- of the TWU Student Govern- and author Maya Angelou to electricity in be the TWU student regent. ence both in her university ment Association, vice presi- the Denton campus in March. third world cou- “I want to continue to and professional career. dent of UNT’s Society of “I wanted to ‘reach for ntries. make a difference at my uni- Junior Adriana Blanco is Women’s Engineers and as a the stars’ to bring a dynamic, “Having ele- versity and learn how the TWU’s first Hispanic and TWU student orientation nationally known speaker to ctricity is so im- system works, so I can be a first, first-generation student leader. She is a member of campus to show our students portant to the de- good advocate for students regent. She is enrolled in the Who's Who Among Students what CAB could do,” Blanco velopment of co- and do what I can to make TWU and University of in American Universities and said. “I learned so much mmunities that TWU even better,” Blanco North Texas dual degree pro- Colleges, the TWU National from making the initial con- have nothing,” said. gram in engineering and Society of Collegiate Schol- tact with Dr. Angelou to co- Blanco said. “I Gov. Rick Perry ap- math, majoring in math at ars and the UNT chapter of ordinating her visit with believe that there pointed Blanco to a one-year TWU and electrical engi- Eta Kappa Nu – the honor so- TWU staff. It is an experi- are many ways term as the TWU student re- neering at UNT. ciety for Electrical Engi- ence that I will never forget.” we can help peo- gent, which will expire May Blanco is a student leader neers. She also is a recipient Blanco’s determination ple in need get 31, 2013. She is replacing at both TWU and UNT.