“It’s easy to be independent when you’ve got money. But to be independent when you haven’t got a thing -- that’s the Lord’s test.” FREE - Mahalia Jackson Volume 5, No. 7 www.valleyweeklyllc.com Friday, October 26, 2018 Oakwood Welcomes U.S. Poet Laureate The Depart- The Fal- ment of Eng- mouth, Mass., lish and For- native was eign Languages raised in Fair- at Oakwood field, Calif., University wel- with signifi- comed Tracy cant Alabama K. Smith, Poet roots. Her Laureate of the mother was an United States, educator and Local Beloved as part of the her engineer J.L. Moran father worked Nonagenarian Lecture Series: Moving the on the Hubble telescope. HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION: Church Street Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Passes Away at 99 Stones. She earned degrees from America, founded in 1874, is cementing its downtown footprint in the heart of Hunts- Smith, author of Wade Harvard University and ville with an impressive new structure (see inset) and accompanying ceremonies that will Born April 15. 1919, in the Water and Memoir, Columbia University. culminate with a dedication program on November 4. Above, Pastor-Teacher Mitchell Mrs. Evangeline Spillman provided a free presenta- The Pulitzer Prize win- M. Walker, Sr., (c) addresses a group of jubilant members and various officials at a rainy passed away on October 9. tion on campus at 7 p.m. ner has served as the 52nd 9 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, October 20, at 228 Church Street. The early A former home eco- Thursday, October 25, at Poet Laureate of the U.S. church was characterized by its spirit of caring, sharing and outreach. Within the General nomics teacher in local Moran Hall since 2017. Assembly, it was often referred to as the “Mother Church.” (Photos by Jerome Saintjones) city and county schools, she was a graduate of both Hampton and Tuskegee. Downtown Huntsville, Inc., Committed to Vibrancy and Diversity Her funeral service was held on Thursday, October Down- urban envi- 18, 2018, at the Lakeside town Hunts- ronment United Methodist Church, ville, Inc., master INSIDE THIS ISSUE! located on Meridian Street, champions a planning with Reverend Earla S. vibrant and focused on Millennial Guest Columnist: economi- opportunity Lockhart officiating. Consciousness and the HBCU, Page 4 The Ivy Beyond the cally strong sites and redevelopment Wall Ceremony presented Downtown projects; Downtown com- Champion Game Plan for Life, Page 2 by the Epsilon Gamma Huntsville. mercial and residential Valley Deaths, Page 5 Omega Chapter of the Its mem- development; Downtown Valley Scopes, Page 6 Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror- bers repre- advocacy and public sent stakeholder groups organizations, advocacy policy; marketing; and Called 2 Preach, Page 6 ity, Incorporated was held groups, neighborhood Wednesday, October 17, and Downtown property philanthropy and member- Three Strikes Not Out, Page 7 owners, business owners, associations and residents ship. also at Lakeside United from throughout the city. Royal’s 100th Anniversary, Page 8 tourist attractions, business - downtownhuntsville.org Methodist Church. Its initiatives include Page 2 The Valley Weekly October 26, 2018 plan specifically targeted for new Justice Brett Kavana- violence summit organized by The Cook Political Report on at the middle class, al- ugh. gun control groups and teach- Friday predicted a 25-35 net Washington in One Minute though no other details ers’ unions. At the summit, pickup of seats for Democrats were released. Secretary 5. The New York Times attendees adopted a students’ in the House (they need 23 Mnuchin said that he reported on Sunday that the bill of rights aimed at mak- to take control), although it has been working with Department of Health and ing communities safer. The noted that the Brett Kavana- House Ways and Means Human Services has drafted a steps include the creation of ugh confirmation battle has Committee Chair Kevin memo that would define male transparent safety committees energized GOP voters. In the Brady (R-TX) on the new and female under the federal at schools and implementing Senate races, Cook has four plan – but would not say civil rights statute (known as equitable funding to under- (4) of the 26 Democratic seats which tax brackets would “Title IX”) as unchangeable resourced schools for after as a tossup (FL, IN, MO, and be affected nor how the determined by the genitals a school programs. MT), with North Dakota’s Sen. bill would be financed. person is born with, which Heitkamp now in the “leans Last year’s $1.5 tril- would largely eliminate the 7. There are 15 days until Republican column.” On the Here are the top issues in at the White House for a lion tax cut is expected to Obama Administration’s the mid-term elections. Ac- GOP side, of the 9 seats in the Washington, D.C., for this “State Leadership Day Confer- add $1 trillion to the national recognition and protections cording to Politico, the most election, 4 are tossups: AZ, week. ence.” debt, with the latest numbers for the estimated 1.4 million recent round of campaign fi- NV, TN and TX. On Wednesday, the Presi- showing the 2018 federal Americans who identify as nance disclosures on Saturday 1. The House and Senate dent spoke on the nation’s budget deficit growing by 17% transgender. showed a surge of GOP big Hamm Consulting Group are in recess until November opioid abuse crisis. According to $779 billion, largely due to donor cash, with the national 400 North Capitol Street, NW 13. to The Washington Post, the a steep decline in federal rev- 6. Approximately 150 party committees, key House Suite 585 2. This week, President President has held 27 rallies enue because of the tax cut. students and their teachers and Senate candidates, and the Washington D.C. 20001 Trump had three campaign to date for GOP candidates in from around the country top super PACs having $337 T: 202-596-8384 rallies on his schedule with a the 2018 mid-term elections. 4. According to the SCO- gathered in Washington over million on hand, compared to [email protected] trip to Houston on Monday, TUS Blog, for the first time in the weekend for a student gun the Democrats’ $285 million. www.hammconsulting.com Mosinee, WI on Wednesday 3. On Sunday, President its history, the majority of the and Charlotte, NC on Friday. Trump and Treasury Secretary Supreme Court Justices’ law On Tuesday, the President Steve Mnuchin announced clerks are women, including hosted state officials from that the Administration will all four (4) clerks who work Alaska, California, and Hawaii release shortly a new tax cut 77th Magic City Classic Dominates Weekend The Magic City Classic Birmingham, Ala. Champion Game Plan for Life will take on even added “star” Bessemer native Gucci by Preston Brown force this year through a Mane, born Radric Delantic Genesis 50:20: Joseph tells survival. Remember, he had to have to learn how to survive lineup that includes award- Davis, will headline a concert his brothers, “You intended survive being sold into slavery, the trials and the test that winning actor Don Cheadle at Legion Field after the con- to harm me, but and being falsely try to keep you from what as the event’s ambassador and clusion of the 2:30 p.m. game. God intended accused of being God wants you to do. There rapper Gucci Mane as the The rapper, 38, has a dozen it for good to ac- with Potiphar’s will be times when you don’t post-game performer. studio albums to his credit, complish what wife and thrown see any progress, but you Cheadle will greet the The actor will also be high- along with mixtapes, singles is now being into prison. But still have to press on and public at a downtown parade lighted during the halftime and EPs. He has collaborated done, the saving you know what? survive. Then, there may that starts at 8 a.m. on game ceremonies at Legion Field, with artists Drake, Lil Wayne, of many lives.” He survived be times where you feel day, Saturday, October 27. 400 Graymont Avenue, West, Bruno Mars and others. When prison, too. So, that what you are doing is we look at his road to success insignificant. But you have this scripture we need to was not easy. We all need to to press on and survive. The understand that when we remember that success does enemy will also try to intim- “survive” certain things in not always come in a straight idate you with thoughts that our life, it’s not just for us. line. There will be setbacks you are not good enough. But sometimes it can be for along the way. But remember, anything other people, as well. I re- Sometimes we can’t see that the enemy tells you is a member 20 years ago I sur- what God has for our lives lie. So you have to press on vived cancer and because until we start experiencing and survive those attacks. of that I was able to be a life. Matter of fact, the best Finally, I pray that God blessing to others through instruction that we will ever gives you the insightfulness my ministry, as well as my receive will come from actual to realize that trials come to relationships that I have life experiences. And, let’s face make you more aware not made with others. it: there will be failures along angry, stronger not weaker, I believe that God not the way. But the good news is better not bitter … Stay only wants to do things for we are all wired for survival.