November 2018 - Page 6 of 6 - The Archive Site for The Baltimore Times

BGE Reminds Customers Of The Importance Of Natural Gas Safety

BALTIMORE — With colder temperatures and the heating season on the horizon, BGE would like to remind customers to familiarize themselves with the natural gas safety tips provided in BGE’s natural gas safety brochure which is being distributed to homes and businesses in and around BGE’s natural gas service area. Customers should be mindful that households and businesses not served directly by natural gas are still in proximity to BGE’s and other operators’ gas equipment.

“Many of our customers will be increasing their use of natural gas as cooler temperatures begin arriving in the Mid-Atlantic region so we are asking them to be mindful of natural gas safety now and year-round,” said Christopher Burton, vice president of Gas Distribution for BGE. “It’s also important for our customers to have their heating systems checked and inspected by a qualified technician to ensure safe and efficient operation.”

BGE’s natural gas safety brochure is being mailed to all customers. The brochure provides information in English and Spanish, detailing how to recognize and report natural gas leaks. A scratch-and-sniff odor indicator is included that reminds customers about “mercaptan,” a safety additive that BGE and other utilities put in natural gas to give it a distinctive rotten egg odor that makes gas easier to detect. The brochure also reminds customers to call Miss Utility at 811 prior to digging anywhere— from large construction jobs to home landscaping and gardening projects.

If you detect a gas leak:

•Leave the building or area immediately and go to a safe place where you can call BGE, toll free, 24 hours a day at 1-800-685-0123.

•Extinguish all open flames. Do not use matches or lighters and do not attempt to light an appliance.

•Do not use any phones, electric switches, thermostats or appliance controls. All of these devices, including battery operated equipment, can cause sparks, and ignite natural gas.

•Do not start or turn off vehicles or motorized equipment. Abandon any motorized equipment you may be operating.

•Do not attempt to find the source of the leak or to repair a leak.

•When you call, BGE will respond promptly to survey the area, perform safety measures, and repair BGE’s equipment. There is no charge to investigate a gas leak.

•For more information on natural gas safety and to view an electronic version of BGE’s natural gas safety brochure, visit bge.com/naturalgassafety.

Concert At Cathedral Of Mary Our Queen To Benefit Education Programs

Music lovers from the Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan Area are invited to fill the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 4 p.m. for the ninth annual fall concert of the Community Concert Choir of Baltimore, Inc. (CCCB) Comprised of nearly 150 singers, the choir will feature a full concert of sacred music to culminate the church’s 59th Homecoming celebration. Sponsored by the Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the program supports educational activities programs for students in Baltimore area schools.

“I’m honored as both a member of Delta Lambda Chapter and director of the choir to celebrate the rich music of the African American Church tradition and to raise funds to uplift students across the Baltimore community.” said Dr. Marco K. Merrick, founding director of the CCCB. “It’s an honor also to have our signature concert in this magnificent cathedral. We continue musical excellence as these concerts attract massive audiences who love good music and value enabling positive opportunities for our children.”

During the free concert, one of Baltimore’s noted classically trained organists W. Patrick Alston, and pianist/music educator at Baltimore City College High School Marcus D. Smith will accompany the ecumenical choral aggregation. The concert entitled “His Truth is Marching On” includes selections from classical composers of anthems, Negro spirituals, hymns and traditional gospel songs. Also the Cardinal Shehan School Choir, a 50-voice chorus of boys and girls, will be featured during the program and will highlight the finale with the CCCB.

Founded in 2010, the CCCB has grown to nearly 200 members and has been called upon for performances around the state and in Washington, D.C. The choir crosses age, race, denomination and cultural barriers to embrace all who love to sing sacred music.

The concert is free and open to the public. Cathedral of Mary Our Queen is located at 5200 N. Charles (near Northern Parkway) Baltimore, MD 21210. A freewill offering will be received during the concert and a reception will be held for all following the concert.

For further information about the concert or to make a contribution, contact Delta Lambda Chapter at: www.DeltaLambda.org or call Marco K. Merrick at 410-294-2991 or email: marcomerrick@aol.com or visit the Community Concert Choir of Baltimore, Inc. website: www.cccbmore.org

First Sunday Arts Festival: Holiday Edition

ANNAPOLIS — As the holiday season approaches the popular First Sunday Arts Festival kicks off the holiday shopping season on November 4th on the historic streets and parks of Downtown Annapolis Maryland with some of the regions best artists, crafters, musicians and food.

This is your opportunity to have fun while shopping in a street festival with live music, cafes, food trucks and your neighbors. Here you can meet the people that make the items you select and truly get to appreciate the craftsmanship. Shop from Hand Crafted Jewelry, Wheel Thrown Pottery, hand knitted hats and scarves, Photography, paintings, candles, forged metal arts, Fused glass, home décor, and more.

The afternoon also includes a great line up of free entertainment/Live music. For the kids there is face painting, and the coolest game room in town at Mission Escape Rooms – Annapolis.

Performers throughout the festival will be showcasing live music at four free performance stages including, Weisman Park near the Visit Annapolis Visitors Center which is a good spot to relax in the shade, the main stage next to Stan and Joe’s Saloon, City Gate Park on the second block of West Street, and on Calvert Street in Whitmore Park hosted by Priddy Music Academy.

As you shop at the festival be sure to check out the nearby unique boutiques and galleries in the Annapolis Arts District including Nancy Hammond Editions, The Annapolis Collection Gallery, FinArt Gallery & Studios, Whitehall Gallery, ArtFarm Annapolis, Wine & Design,Cindy Loo Hoo’s Boutique and more.

Show your support for the Arts, Made In USA and Made in Maryland by inviting your friends to First Sunday Arts Festival. Parking is free all day at the Calvert Street Parking Garage at 19 St Johns Street and free parking until 4pm at the Whitmore Parking Garage at 25 Clay Street.

Also mark your calendar for December for the lighting of the Holiday Light Canopy andAnnapolis Chocolate Binge Festival on West Street.

For more information and updates visit www.firstsundayarts.com

Hometown Reads: A New Place To Discover Great Reads

ANNAPOLIS — While many book-lovers depend on recommendations from friends to find great books, Annapolis readers have a new web-based resource available that will connect them to authors from the Annapolis area.

Readers can discover books from Annapolis authors at https://hometownreads.com/city/Annapolis with books from many genres— something for every reader’s interests.

Hometown Reads wants to fuel literacy in local areas while tapping into people’s desires to embrace everything local. If you shop local, go one more step and read local. Hometown Reads’ digital bookshelf means you can browse books from your local area easily.

Additionally, Hometown Reads seeks to identify more authors to feature on the site. Authors can sign up to have their books featured for free at hometownreads.com/join.

“Hometown Reads can help break through the publishing noise,” said Annapolis author, Jennifer Klepper. “Providing exposure for local authors and supporting the initiation of local literary events for readers, authors, libraries, and bookstores.”

Becky Robinson, founder of Hometown Reads, pointed out that the program is the first of its kind. “Until Hometown Reads, there was no way to harness the power of online connection to introduce authors and readers living in the very same zip code,” she said.

Already, the Hometown Reads website showcases over 6000 books—a local work to suit every reader’s taste.

Currently featured titles from Annapolis include:

●A Giraffe Past Bedtime by Missy Hodges of Gambrills, Md.

●Inn Significant by Stephanie Verni of Annapolis, Md.

●Marine Air Group 25 and SCAT by William Armstrong of Frederick, Md.

●Unbroken Threads by Jennifer Klepper of Annapolis, Md.

●What Though the Odds by Haley Scott DeMaria of Annapolis, Md.

In addition to showcasing Annapolis authors, Hometown Reads also features authors from Boston, Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles and over 115 other locations across the country.

Hometown Reads is sponsored by Weaving Influence, a boutique digital and public relations firm that specializes in serving authors with comprehensive book marketing services. Find more at www.weavinginfluence.com. Follow Hometown Reads on Twitter and Facebook for more news.

Increased Role Could Be In Store For Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens suffered another loss, this time it was the Carolina Panthers that beat them 36 – 21. The Ravens got a glimpse of how devastating a dual-threat quarterback can be, as Cam Newton was responsible for three of Carolina’s four touchdowns.

Newton completed 21 of his 29 pass attempts, two of which were touchdowns. He also rushed for 51 yards and a score.

The Baltimore Ravens have a dual-threat quarterback of their own in Lamar Jackson. Jackson made the most of the snaps he played on Sunday. He completed four of his five pass attempts, including a 26-yard strike to fellow rookie Hayden Hurst.

The throw was the kind of anticipatory pass that shows that Jackson is getting comfortable on the football field. He released the ball before Hurst made his break inside on the post route. It was delivered with near perfect placement, making it easy for Hurst to make the catch.

“I’m trying to progress each and every week,” Jackson said after the game.

Hurst is a 2018 first-round pick along with Jackson. The two were paired together to make many plays like their 26-yard touchdown in the future.

Their touchdown last week was the first of their career. Hurst hopes it’s the first of many and was quick to compliment Jackson for seizing an opportunity to make a play.

“They vacated the area. Lamar saw it earlier in the drive and found me again this time in the end zone,” Hurst said.

Jackson also chipped in with 26 yards on three carries. His 17-yard run was the longest run of the game for the Ravens. Jackson’s 129 rushing yards are the second most on the team through eight games.

For the most part, Joe Flacco has been a solid player this season. However, after being intercepted twice by the Panthers and having a declining completion percentage over the last three weeks, Jackson may begin to see more opportunities to actually play quarterback rather than be on the field in a gimmick package.

The rookie’s performance last week is certainly encouraging. Despite losing two games in a row, all is not lost. Baltimore is 4 – 4 and only one game out of first place in the AFC North.

They’ll have a chance to right the ship against the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Giving a dynamic player like Jackson more chances to make plays would add a jolt to the offense.

Racism And The Black Vote, Then And Now!

America has a long history of working to disenfranchise or denying black people the right to vote. From its beginning to the present, the U.S. government, both Local, State and Federal, has consistently implemented laws and policies to make it difficult for black men and women, free, enslaved or incarcerated to vote.

In the 1800s, many governments in the North and South, Local and State had a Poll Tax, which was a levy on all adults. Black people, especially cash strapped ones, were prohibited from voting because they could not afford to pay the Poll Tax. Literacy Test was another strategy used during the height of segregation by government leaders to keep black people from voting. Black voters would need to answer questions at the polling site, if they got one of the questions wrong, they would not be able to vote in a particular election. The Civil Rights Act of 1965 (Voting Rights Act) eliminated the use of literacy test in all elections.

The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave all adult men the right to vote. However, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution eliminated slavery “except” when a person was incarcerated for conviction of a crime. So while black people have been considered free persons since the 1860s, the words “except” and “conviction” in the 15th amendment disproportionately impacts black American’s right to vote. Unfortunately, from the ending of the Civil War to the present, the incarceration of black men and women continues to be a reliable tool for denying voting rights. According to a previous report published by the U.S. Justice Department’s Statistics, “one in three black men will go to jail in their lifetime.” As result of the mass incarceration of black men and women, there are fewer black people able to vote for critical positions like judges, prosecutors, governors, presidents and other local, state and federal lawmakers.

Voter ID (identification) laws and the purging of voter rolls are some of the new tactics used to discourage and prohibit black people from voting. After the election of President Barack Obama, a few dozen states enacted laws and implemented voting policies that require persons to present valid government identification such as a driver’s license. These Voter ID laws can become very technical and are viewed by many Civil Rights advocates as a social, economic and racial barrier with the goal to lower black voter participation.

In many communities and states, black people are being removed from the voting rolls for many questionable practices such as mail coming back to the Board of Elections, persons not voting in a recent election, senior citizens becoming ill or permanently confined to an institution. Most studies conclude, that voter purging from the rolls is a sure bet to reduce the black Vote.

One thing is certain about racism and the black vote, “If voting wasn’t important, people wouldn’t work so hard to stop black people from voting!”

Antoine M. Thompson is political strategist, former New York State Senator and former Buffalo Common/City Council Member.

Rambling Rose: Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship Fund Recipient Inducted Into Music Honor Society

Hello everyone! I am excited this week because of some great news I received. I founded the “Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship Fund, Inc.” in 1990 and dissolved it in 2015 due to my ongoing health issues. However during that time, almost 200 scholarships were given to underprivileged children between the ages of five and 17. Many of recipients have kept in touch with my former scholarship director, Dr. Donna Hollie. Recently, we received a note from Tiffany Byrd letting us know that her son, Jared Byrd, a 2012 scholarship recipient who is now 17 years old and a senior in high school was inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society, an international program for exceptional students in grades six to 12 who meet the society’s music, leadership and character criteria.

Nominated by the band director at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. where he is a student, Jared currently plays the piano in the Competition Jazz Band, Swing Band and the Jazz Combo groups that perform at the school and compete in other states. He also plays several percussion instruments and is in the regimental band where he plays the snare drums, bass drum, xylophone, timpani cymbals, triangle, marimba and bells.

He is on the national honor society for his academic performance, as well. I along with the former members of my Scholarship Fund, are extremely proud of the achievements of these kids and proud that we helped to make a difference in their lives. Two other scholarship recipients and well-known siblings Ebban and Ephraim Dorsey, who are well on their way to making a name for themselves on the national scene. God bless you my children!

Okay, moving along, good news! William “Tank” Hill is in Westgate Hills Rehab. 10 N. Rock Glen Road, room #101 in Baltimore, Maryland 21229 and doing much better. His wife “Pungie” wants to thanks you for your prayers. Feel free to visit, send cards and prayers.

Hassan Rasheed and Co. including T-Shirt Brian and Mrs. Maybelle will host the “Royal Theatre Reunion Black & White Ball” on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Patapsco Arena, 3301 Annapolis Road in Baltimore featuring the “Softones,” the “Ebony’s,” “First Class Revue,” David Smooth #1 Temptation Revue; “Style,” “Epiphany” and the “Five Shadows.” The Organization is also honoring at this event Kenny Gamble of Gamble & Huff; Tarsha Fitzgerald and Yours Truly “Rambling Rose.” For ticket information, call T-Shirt Brian at 410-929-1360 or Ms. Maybelle at 443-552-8048 or Hassan at 443-621-7449.

“Jazz Festival” takes place on Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Church of St. Mary the Virgin the Great Hall, 3121 Walbrook Avenue featuring “JumpStreet” with Terry Battle, Jeff Wilson, Brad Collins and Jimmy Taylor. Portions of proceeds are to benefit Multiple Sclerosis. For ticket information, call Rebecca Lynn Johnson at 410-484-1952.

Lonnie Parker, well-known, Gospel Promoter Anniversary is Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Brown’s Memorial Baptist Church, 3215 W. Belvedere Avenue in Baltimore and will feature the World famous “Swanee Quintet, Nate & New Generations, the Wings of Praise, Karen & the Fellas, Heaven Bind Gospel Singers and Pastor White and the Tru Gozpel. Minister Robert Wilson. Food is on sale. For ticket information, call 410-358-9661.

Well, my dear friends, it looks like I am out of space but remember if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email: rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.

Jared Byrd, a 2012 Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship recipient being inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Jared is now 17 years old and a senior at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C.

Hassan Rasheed and Co. hosts the 2nd Annual Royal Theatre Reunion Black & White Ball celebrating Baltimore and Beyond on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Patapsco Arena located at 3301 Annapolis Road in Baltimore. Yours Truly “Rambling Rose” and others will be honored at the event.

Pianist Roderick C. Demmings Jr. will be featured at Jazz Night on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 7 p.m. in the Social Hall at First Baptist Church of Baltimore in the Social Hall located 4200 Liberty Heights Avenue in Baltimore City.

The Real White Man’s Burden

It’s unfortunate that in the 21st century we are still subjected to the kind of propaganda that, positions white people and men in particular, as the chosen ones of history and, indeed, the future.

It’s no secret that white nationalism is resurgent under Trump, who recently identified himself as a “nationalist” as opposed to someone who cares about all the world’s citizens.

It is far from a stretch to assume that this was a signal to his base and that the only reason he left out the word “white” is because even he is not prepared to go that far— at least not yet.

His far-right supporters likely got the message, and some don’t even bother with coded language— e.g. the Rise Above Movement or the Proud Boy — while others hide behind a pseudo-intellectual veneer. Racist views have become so mainstream that even a black teenager shamelessly disparaged her own race on a recent episode of Dr. Phil.

I recently came across a disturbing yet significant example of white nationalist ideology and was shocked to recognize its author from an old social circle. (I omit his name because my goal is not to single out an individual but an ideology). His “White Man’s Burden” is not an example of a lonely, voice shouting through the wilderness or I would not bother to comment.

As a white man, I fear that his is a view shared by many white men— and the women who rely on them— from all social strata. The Trump administration and its supporters would doubtless approve.

The so-called ‘white man’s burden’ is a dark remnant from a past that lurks at the highest levels of government in the United States and currently threatens much of the world.

Brazilian President-Elect Jair Bolsonaro, advised by ex-Trump handler Steve Bannon, is the latest political triumph of white nationalism. This is an ideology that promotes imperialism as a Social Darwinian imperative and confuses civilization with barbarism: its proponents fail to see that it is an indictment on a race if that race succeeds by riding the backs of others — not a source of pride.

I propose another burden that is far more, noble: the burden of justice. White men and women have an opportunity to (finally) break their own chains of oppressor status in an increasingly interdependent world. They have access to information that can lift them out of ignorance and toward a new enlightenment that goes beyond reformation within Western societies and emphasizes how the privileged center can relate more peacefully and justly to those on the margins. Moreover, in the information age the very concept of whiteness (or race, for that matter) is evolving into one that is far more dependent on ideology or self-identification than physical appearance or genetics. This is a positive development in the sense that many people— myself included— no longer feel the need to identify with an exclusive club based on pseudo-science and primitive tribalism. Given the complexity of genes that make up an individual, it would make just as much sense for a white man to identity with Genghis Kahn, Cleopatra or some primordial super-ape as it would be to identity with Julius Caesar.

Human accomplishments and failures belong to humanity because nothing happens in perfect genetic isolation. (Don’t take my word for it; read the acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me.) However, this is not to say that all cultures or peoples are identical— it’s the concept of interdependence that white nationalists fail to grasp.

Unlike the extremes on both sides of the spectrum, I am not one who believes that any skin color represents good or evil— or that the answer to history’s

inequities and inequalities is to condemn the ancestors of those who came out on top. There is more rage than logic behind these views. However, justice must be done for the benefit of humanity: white, black, brown, red and yellow. It is the lack of justice that not only stokes the rage at the bottom, but also buttresses the fear at the top. The rise of Trump was predicated on this fear. But rage alone will not defeat him.

True justice will not only usher in a new world community that includes everyone while respecting differences— but will also ensure that burdensome white men will never again have to justify their privilege.

Matt Johnson, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is co-author of Trumpism.

SBLC Receives ‘Lighting The Way’ Award And $75,000 Grant

Recognized for its philanthropic contributions to Baltimore, the South Baltimore Learning Center (SBLC) was awarded a 2018 “Lighting the Way” award and $75,000 grant by the SunTrust Foundation.

The SunTrust Foundation’s Lighting the Way Awards recognizes select nonprofit organizations that strengthen their local communities through programs that help people better their circumstances and gain financial confidence.

“We’re committed to building stronger communities, and our nonprofit partners are addressing community needs in innovative and very meaningful ways,” said Stan Little, president of the SunTrust Foundation. “SBLC is improving the lives of many people, and we applaud their mission, long-term service and the impact they are making where it’s most needed.”

SBLC is a community-based nonprofit, which provides functional literacy, workforce development, life-skills training and career preparation services to adults in the Baltimore area. For nearly three decades, SBLC has provided a supportive, rigorous and transformative education to adults of all ages and demographics who are eager to learn, who are motivated to succeed and who are committed to making a difference in their lives and in those of others.

“We are so honored to be a recipient of the SunTrust Foundation’s 2018 Lighting the Way Award and a $75,000 grant,” said Tanya Terrell, executive director of SBLC. “The work we do in adult education transforms the lives of Baltimoreans every day. The grant from the SunTrust Foundation will help us to continue our mission of educating adult learners but also empowering them to succeed by securing better jobs, enhancing their life skills and personal lives, and contributing to their community.”

Established in 2008, the SunTrust Foundation is committed to supporting a wide range of financial well-being efforts through grants and partnerships with local philanthropic organizations. To date, the SunTrust Foundation has awarded more than $140 million in grants to organizations across the United States.

Ackneil M. Muldrow, II Passes Away at 80

Prominent businessman and former president of the Development Credit Fund

The Baltimore Times is saddened to announce the passing of Ackneil M. Muldrow, II. A Memorial Service for Muldrow, who was 80, will be held on Friday, November 9, 2018 at the March Life Tribute Center located at 5616 Old Court Rd, in Windsor Mill, MD. The Family Hour will begin at 9 a.m., with a Memorial Service to follow at 11 a.m.

At the time of his passing, Muldrow was employed with The Baltimore Times. His long and storied business career included serving as the president of the Development Credit Fund, Inc. Muldrow served as chief administrator of a $7.5 million loan pool formulated to provide low cost financial assistance to minority-owned businesses operating in the State of Maryland.

Muldrow had served or was serving on numerous boards, which included the University of Maryland Medical System, the James Lawrence Kernan Hospital, the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, the Baltimore Marketing Association, and the University of Maryland Chancellor’s Advisory Board.

Muldrow was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The prominent businessman was a 1960 graduate of North Carolina A &T.

“In 1960, Mr. Muldrow was one of the first persons to participate in the Civil Rights sit-ins at Woolworth,” said longtime friend Harold D. Young, Esquire. “At the time, he was in his senior year at North Carolina A&T. His legacy growing out of that was his mentorship. He was beyond measure and had a lot of connections. Through his board affiliations— and he had hundreds of them, he was a relationship manager.”

Young added, “He could hook anyone up with opportunity. His bread and butter was helping youth.”

The pioneering businessman also held board of trustee positions with the Walters Art Gallery, Arena Players, Inc., and the Reginald F. Lewis Maryland Museum of African American History and Culture.

“Mr. Muldrow was an excellent manager,” said Ken Oliver, who worked for Muldrow at the Development Credit Fund. “He was a very good guy. His legacy is putting African Americans in business and watching their businesses grow.”

Muldrow is survived by his wife Ruth, two children and a host of other relatives and friends.