Post-Tribune

Intercultural Music Fest on tap at Israel CME

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:50:01 -0500

Israel C.M.E. Church, 2301 Washington St., is hosting an Intercultural Music Festival at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 22. Performers include Ethel Walton Fields, Israel C.M.E. Choir, Louise Lee, Ernie “Lady Sax” Shelby, Kenneth Barnes, Debbie Hollingsworth, members of Christ United Methodist Church and others. Lee, a pianist, coordinated the festival in support of Israel C.M.E. Church. Tickets, at $15, are available online at www.ticketriver.com/event/6356, or by calling 883-3859 or 883-3907. Youth March for Change David King, a senior at the West Side Leadership Academy in Gary and also senior class president, organized a Youth March for Change taking place at …

Asner’s Lou Grant sparked desire to become a journalist

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:10:00 -0500

‘It’s not my fault; you cannot blame me,” award-winning actor Ed Asner said to me after I introduced myself and told him that he — rather, his iconic character, Lou Grant — was the deal-closer of my wanting to go into journalism. Getting an invitation to sit in at a master acting class instructed by Asner was a full-circle moment for me. While I kept my cool, as journalists are supposed to do, I was jumping up and down mentally because I was sitting in the same space as the actor who played the no-nonsense, gruff-voiced editor in two iconic …

West Side teen chosen to read book excerpt

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:20:00 -0500

West Side Leadership Academy student Derrion Shelton, 17, got an impromptu lesson in public speaking when he attended a book-signing event for “Unconditional Forgiveness” author Sedrik Newbern at the Glen Theater. Shelton said later that he’d seen the movies “Cool Runnings” and the Tyler Perry movies, “Why Did I Get Married?” and “Why Did I Get Married Too?” and the Lifetime Channel’s “Betty and Coretta.” So he was a bit nervous about standing on stage with Newbern and the celebrity guest who called on him to read an excerpt from Newbern’s book. That celebrity guest was Malik Yoba, one of …

Alert city to problems with Gary 311

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:02:00 -0500

It looks like warmer weather is here to stay and that means spring cleaning, whether in your homes or in the community. That said, if you have downed trees or potholes in your neighborhood you can report these problems to the city of Gary’s Public Works Department in real time thanks to a new 311 app. I was alerted about the 311 app after texting about the path of potholes on my block. Visit www.gary.in.us/publicworks/citizen-311-responder.asp, an internal Citizen Response Network to handle non-emergency requests for service. Gary 311 is a free app that allows users to report community issues, pinpoint …

5K fundraiser benefits scholarship fund

Thu, 09 May 2013 10:10:00 -0500

Family and friends of the late Lisa Love Garrett will pay tribute to her, establish a scholarship fund and encourage breast cancer awareness 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11, with a 2013 Lisa Love-Garrett Scholarship Foundation 5K Run/Walk at the Gleason Golf Course, 3400 Jefferson St. Love-Garrett died Feb. 27 from breast cancer. One of those friends is Marlene Owens-Heard, who met Love-Garrett three and a half years ago at Trinity United Church of Christ in Gary. “We sang in the choir and joined the adult praise dance ministry,” Owens-Heard said. The Lisa Love-Garrett Scholarship Foundation was recently established by family …

Students learn effects of bullying

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:10:01 -0500

Everyone has a bullying story, whether they were the bully or the bullied, but nowadays with the Internet and social media networks, bullying has more deadly consequences with the rise in suicides and incidents involving violence. Darwin Kenney Sr. was bullied as a child after his family moved to Gary from Germany. “Other kids bullied me because I sound and act different from them,” Kenney said to a group of kids recently at the John Will Anderson Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Indiana in Gary. Kenney is the founder and executive director of Diversity “7” and Bully-END, the latter …

Three $1,500 scholarships available

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:48:00 -0500

Three $1,500 scholarships courtesy of the northern Indiana chapter of The Links, Inc. are available to be awarded to college-bound seniors with proven track records of high scholastic ability and good behavior. The Links is an organization of more than 10,000 women worldwide who dedicate their talents and energies to education, cultural and civic endeavors under the umbrella of the organization’s five facets: services to youth, national trends and services, international trends and services, the arts and health and human services. “High school seniors are down to the wire when it comes to grabbing scholarships before their graduation, so we …

Gary native lays claim to stage theater history

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:22:00 -0500

‘My life is in your hands,” Gary native Sydney Chatman said to a Chicago postal worker a minute before midnight one day in June. I’ll explain that later. In two days, Gary native and passionate theater advocate Chatman is heading to Broadway in New York City, where she will be part of stage theater history thanks to an observership program from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. Chatman will be one of two assistant directors to Michael Wilson, who is directing a rendition of “The Trip to Bountiful” starring acting legend Cicely Tyson, as well as Cuba Gooding Jr., Vanessa …

Acting career is a dream-come-true for Gary native

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 14:52:00 -0500

‘I will not ruin my makeup!” Gary native and Horace Mann High School alumna Jennia Fredrique said to me during a quick phone interview. Fredrique’s voice cracked when I asked her when it was that she realized she wanted to be an actress. She has a television show entitled “Beyond the Talent” (www.beyondthetalent.com) that airs in Africa and Australia and includes interviews with the biggest stars in the music industry like Usher, T-Pain and Miguel. She also completed a pilot for MTV called “Watching the Wilsons.” While on her way to another interview in Los Angeles, Fredrique fondly reflected on …

‘Pathways of Life’ stars Gary father-daughter duo

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:46:00 -0500

The 21st annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival opens Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills 15 in Los Angeles, and a week from today, Gary native Brandon Bowens will be watching his daughter Kaitlin Bowens, 10, and himself on the big screen. The father and daughter duo are starring in “Pathways of Life,” one of the featured films at the festival. “Kaitlin wants to be an actress and I took her to an audition for the film,” Brandon said. “Pathways of Life” was shot from March to May 2012 in Chicago. Written and directed by Donna …

‘Raising Hell’ documents Gary native’s activism

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:38:00 -0500

Najee Ali chuckled after I called him a hothead. “Well, I am from G.I.” I laughed and replied that he could not use that as an excuse. I sat across from him and a mutual friend, Kwabena Sakidi Jijaga Rasuli, inside a conference room at the Kennedy Branch of the Gary Public Library Jan. 28 for an impromptu book signing. Ali’s written a memoir entitled “Raising Hell: A Life of Activism.” The book signing was last minute as Ali returned home from Los Angeles for personal reasons. At Rasuli’s request, the get-together was held. “I will return to my hometown …

‘Forgiveness’ author is coming to the Glen

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:54:00 -0500

First-time author Sedrik Newbern is excited about visiting the Glen Theater to sign copies of his book, “Unconditional Forgiveness: Lessons on Letting Go to Build Better Relationships.” His book signing will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. The Glen is at 20 W. Ridge Road, Gary. Newbern will not only sell and sign copies of his book, a special guest will also read excerpts — actor and musician Malik Yoba from the Syfy series “Alphas,” the 1990s TV series “New York Undercover,” and the Tyler Perry films “Why Did I Get Married?” and “Why Did I Get …

Watch inaugural ceremony at ecumenical service

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:48:01 -0500

The 44th ecumenical service honoring the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. starts at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21, inside the West Side Theatre Guild auditorium at West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry St. The Ecumenical Committee of Northwest Indiana’s board secretary, the Rev. Dwight Gardner of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, is overseeing the service. “Our president, the Rev. Pharis Evans Sr. of Clark Road Missionary Baptist Church, called me to his office and asked that I take over the coordination of the program,” Gardner said, adding that he’s served on the board for six years. He added that …

MLK tribute set at Holy Angels

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:08:00 -0500

Holy Angels Cathedral, 640 Tyler St. in Gary, is hosting its sixth annual tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, with performances by the Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy Concert Choir. Admission is free. † Seating is still available for the Gary Chamber of Commerce luncheon at noon Monday, Jan. 14, 411 E. 5th Ave. Guest speaker is Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson. Admission is $17 in advance, $20 at the door. Call the Gary Chamber of Commerce, 885-7407, to reserve a seat or for more information. † There’s still time to …

Squeeze in last-minute holiday happenings

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:00:08 -0500

There are just a few more days until Christmas, so, while you’re doing last-minute shopping — this is the final weekend to do so — and squeezing in one more party, here are a few more things happening in between the madness. † Carolers from Elka Childcare will sing at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 20 at Gary City Hall. † Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson is ringing the Salvation Army Bell from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 20, at County Market, 2550 Arthur St., so, before you buy groceries, drop some cash in the red bucket and meet the mayor. † At …

Tune to radio-thon to help feed area families

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:20:00 -0500

The holiday season is fast and furiously coming in, so here are a few events happening in Gary to get you into the festive spirit. WLTH-AM (1370) will host a radio-thon from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, to benefit the Northern Indiana Public Service Co.’s “Help Feed 1,000 Northwest Indiana Families” program. NIPSCO’s community challenge will raise funds to provide holiday food boxes for families in need. The boxes will be distributed by the City of Gary, Urban League of Northwest Indiana and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. To make a pledge, call 887-9621, or donate …

‘Ministers in Concert’ benefits Urban League

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 01:59:25 -0500

Don’t forget, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana is hosting its second annual “Ministers in Concert” at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2045 Massachusetts St. The free, nondenominational event also is a fundraiser. Proceeds benefit the Urban League of Northwest Indiana’s advocacy and outreach services for residents of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. For more information, contact the Urban League at 887-9621 or visit www.urbanleagueofnwi.org. AIDS Day Saturday, Dec. 1, is World AIDS Day. This year’s theme is “Getting to Zero.” Please be informed about HIV/AIDS and by all means, get tested.Check your …

We need solutions, not resolutions

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:46:00 -0500

I don’t make resolutions. Resolutions are like a revolving door that never stops long enough to take action. People resolve to make changes, whether it is to lose weight, get a better job, be financially sound, be more spiritual, get along better with family, friends and co-workers and do something different. But there is an ongoing problem with resolutions. Resolutions are never solved. We go through so many problems, challenges and situations, but if we really want to end these problems, challenges and situations, we have to be willing to create a solution. It’s that “actions speak louder than words” …