Talking Drums: SABC Community News & Events

Talking Drums

SABC: Community News and Events

Week of September 18, 2005

Celebrate our rich history and culture 365 days per year

(sorry for any cross posting of the newsletter)






This Special issue of the Talking Drums features—A Personal Commentary on the Hurricane Katrina Aftermath

by Faye Kennedy :

Today, Friday, September 16 was declared “National Day of Prayer” in honor and in memory of those who died due to Hurricane Katrina’s wrath and our government’s lack of actions.

As I watched the horrific images of our beautiful brothers and sisters on the television and in the newspapers I was teleported back 400 years in America when enslaved Africans had to beg for food, water and a little human dignity. I saw history repeat itself in September 2005.

Please let’s pray for our brothers and sisters, but also let’s use this day to make a commitment to hold our government accountable (accountable for their lack of actions) for these deaths.

We want reparation now!!!!!

* We want a national dialogue on race, poverty and the high cost of oil led by people with some sense.
* We want an independent commission (similar to the 9/11 Commission) to investigate what went wrong.
* We want our brothers and sisters treated with dignity and respect by the various relief agencies and numerous volunteers.
* We want our brothers and sisters reunited with their missing children (it’s estimated that 2,000 children are now separated from the parents).
* We want funding for local community-based job training programs staffed by sensitive people with some sense.
* We want funding at the local level for affordable housing for the survivors and their families.
* We want funding for local schools and training for staff to assist the survivors.
* We want funding for local culturally appropriate mental health services to assist in the healing process for the survivors (many of us need some healing just from seeing these horrifying images).
* We want banks to provide low interest loans to assist survivors, businesses, and local government to rebuild their communities.

So, mourn the dead. But please make a commitment to struggle for justice for the living (the survivors) by writing, calling, e-mailing, and faxing your congressional representatives, Mr. Bush and his administration. Send letters to editors to your local newspapers. Call for local community town halls meetings to discuss the issues. Write a check to an organization that is providing aid to the survivors. Volunteer to host a family. Hold family meetings to discuss how your family will handle emergencies. Do whatever you can to pray this never happens to any people again. History does not need to repeat itself. Please Take action now, contact the following:

Mr. Bush: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Home Land Security- http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/homeland/

http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/ (Honorable Barbara Boxer, CA Senator)
http://www.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep (Honorable Doris O. Matsui, U.S. House of Representatives)
http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.html (Honorable Dianne Feinstein, CA Senator)
http://vitter.senate.gov/ (Honorable David Vittter LA Senator)
http://landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm (Honorable Mary L. Landrieu)
contact [at] gov.state.la.us (Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco)

Sacramento Bee- Letters to the Editor: opinion [at] sacbee.com. Or fax it to (916) 321-1996

Sacramento News and Review: Letters to the Editor:sactoletters [at] newsreview.com


Faye Kennedy, Angry Community Member

fayek [at] springmail.com


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Another Successful Convening ---a special thanks to the planning committee members, the numerous participants, volunteers, and co-sponsoring organizations for supporting and participating in the 3rd Annual Congress of African Peoples, convening held Saturday, September 10. Please join us next year for the 4th Annual Congress of African Peoples on Saturday, September 9, 2006. For more information visit: http://www.congressofafricanpeoples.org.

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Saturday, September 17: Dr. Cornel West will be in Sacramento at his home church, Shiloh Baptist Church, 3565 9th Ave., Sacramento at 5:00pm. For information contact (916) 452-5025. Sponsored by the Lannan Foundation. For more information on Dr. West go to:

http://www.apbspeakers.com/themes/DefaultView/Site/index.aspx

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Relief Funds and Efforts:

Links to organizations working on the crisis in Louisiana and Mississippi:
Hurricane Katrina Relief Organizations at http://www.transafricaforum.org/KatrinaRelieflOrganizations.html
BlackAmericaWeb.com at http://www.blackamericaweb.com/relief/
Black United Fund of Illinois Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund http://bufi.org/hurricaneRelief.shtml
Katrina AIDS Alliance Emergency Fund at https://secure.ga3.org/03/KatrinaEmergencyFund
NAACP Disaster Relief Fund http://www.naacp.org/
National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) http://www.nbcsl.com/
NAFEO/HBCU Student Evacuee Program Participating Institutions http://www.nafeo.org/Katrina/EvacueeProgram.htm

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Sacramento N.A.A.C.P.-Hurricane Disaster Relief* HURRICANE RELIEF VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS NEEDED--The Sacramento NAACP is responding to the tremendous need generated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, organizing a relief drive targeted for the residents of Mississippi who have been largely overlooked in the disaster. Our home branch is raising funds and collecting supplies for shipment down to the Gulf Coast. Please contact our branch office at (916) 447-8629 or via e-mail at sacnaacp [at] sbcglobal.net for more information.

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The Real Looters: We have just learned that Halliburton already has a contract to repair military bases damaged by Hurricane Katrina. We think this is the start of a huge pork-barrel scheme to make the rich richer. If you share this concern I hope you will send the following to your congressional representatives and the Louisiana governor and congressional representatives:
We are writing to request that any funding measures you past to cleanup and rebuild the communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina have provisions to ensure the poor people of these communities be given the first opportunity to perform the labor, skilled and unskilled, that they may be qualified to perform and that they be given a living wage and health benefits. It would be a perpetuation of the history of racism and labor exploitation to have the rich get richer and the poor get poorer when this is a great opportunity to provide meaningful long term employment opportunities for the poor and working class people of the South. Take action now, contact the following:

http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/ (Honorable Barbara Boxer, CA Senator)
http://www.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep (Honorable Doris O. Matsui, U.S. House of Representatives)
http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.html (Honorable Dianne Feinstein, CA Senator)
http://vitter.senate.gov/ (Honorable David Vittter LA Senator)
http://landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm (Honorable Mary L. Landrieu)
contact [at] gov.state.la.us (Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco)

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Community Planning

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Wednesday, September 21: The eighth Board of Supervisors' workshop for Sacramento County's General Plan Update is scheduled for Wednesday, September 21st at 2:30 p.m. The focus of this workshop is to continue the discussion from Workshop #7 regarding SACOG’s adopted Blueprint Vision, as well as to discuss revisions to the Human Services Element. Please note that while the workshop is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., prior agenda items may take longer than anticipated, causing the start time to be delayed. Location: Board of Supervisors' Chambers, 700 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. For more information on future General Plan update workshops and focus group sessions, please visit the General Plan Update web site at: http://www.saccounty.net/planning/gpupdate/gpu-index.html.

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From Death Row: Texas Set to Execute First African-American Woman Since Civil War. We hear from Frances Newton herself and speak with her attorney David Dow. Information on Frances Newton’s case is at FreeFrances.org. * Texas Death Row Prisoner Scheduled to Die Today: Lawyers Seek Last-Minute Stay * Frances Newton, death row prisoner in Texas, is scheduled to be executed later today but lawyers are seeking a last-minute stay on her execution. We
speak to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D - Texas) and an anti-death
penalty activist about the case. Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/14/1348217

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Community Events: In the News:
Good Delicious Fish and BBQ Dinners-Sister Faith Mohammad and members of the women’s group at the Nation of Islam Study group prepares and sale delicious Fish & BBQ dinners every Saturday from 10am to 4:00pm. For more information and/or to order your lunch or dinner contact (916) 45700422 or e-mail: got2have faith4u [at] aol.com.

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R E Q U E S T F O R P U B L I C A R T I S T Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S: The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Arts in Public Places Program Del Paso Blvd Beautification Project. Open to Artists Living or working in Sacramento, CA. Application Deadline: 4:45pm Thursday November 10, 2005. Contact: Linda Bloom, APP Program Administrator, Aaron Robertson, APP Program Assistant

916-566-3992. For more information, please call the Arts Commission APP Program at (916) 566-3992 or visit http://www.sacculture.com.


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Saturday, September 17: Dr. Cornel West will be in Sacramento at his home church, Shiloh Baptist Church, 3565 9th Ave., Sacramento at 5:00pm. For information contact (916) 452-5025. Sponsored by the Lannan Foundation.

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Saturday, September 17: TARGET EXCELLENCE: Please mark your calendars for the Back to School Night which will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at the Antioch Family Life Center in
Sacramento from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The purpose of the “Back-to-School Night is to inspire students along with their parents, to approach the school year with enthusiasm for scholarship and, to promote a culture that values knowledge through scholastic enrichment. Essential to this objective is the
program’s focus on three key goals:
- Understanding that schooling and scholastic achievement begins in the home
- Impart to parents/guardians what it means for their child to be at
particular grade level of learning
- Empower parents and guardians with the tools to effectively communicate
with their child’s school



E-MAIL: targetexcellence [at] yahoo.com

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September 17th: Capital City Artists' Collective Workshop Series for Presents-Two Awesome Features; Nasaira Brown and Zipporah Madison You don’t want to miss these two dynamic artists! Special Guest to be announced. Doors open at 7pm, $5 donation. The program will feature music, poetry, refreshments and always Open Mic. 4320 Stockton Blvd Sacramento CCA. (1 blk south of the "Touch of Class" enter from the parking lot). About Us: The Capital City Artists' Collective is a collective of individual artists, poets, musicians and others coming together to provide nourishment and support to one another for each individuals' enhancement and growth as well as that of the collective. We endeavor to lift each other higher and higher still as we reach for that destiny that is ours to achieve!! Visit our website for complete bio’s on these featured artists http://www.capcityartistscollective.org


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Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18: The 7th Annual One Root Festival returns to Roseville on Saturday, September 17th and Sunday, September 18th in Royer Park. Admission is free and the festival begins from 11am to 7pm. The One Root festival is a celebration of cultural traditions and diversity through foods, arts, and music. It offers a broad variety of tantalizing ethnic foods, plus an even greater selection of vendors displaying unique arts, crafts, and clothing from around the world. Live performers this year include the Saturday line up of Raigambre, (Latin Fusion) Heart Life & Soul (Hip-hop, Urban) Akimbo (World Beat) and Jimmy Robinson Trio (Jazz). Sunday line up includes Mercy Me Band (R&B) Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers (Blues) Mr. Majestic (Reggae) and various other local ethnic performers. Over the years more than 20 thousands people have attended One Root Festivals.



For information Info-Line: (916)772-2557, Fax: (916)772—2645 e-mail: oneroot [at] usa.com. visit: http://www.oneroot.org


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Thursday, September 22: Wo'se Community Church's Thursday Night Pan-African Lecture Series is scheduled from 7-9pm at Wo’se Community Church, 2863 35th Street, Sacramento, CA. The first speaker is Imhotep Alkebulan, September 22, Topic: The Healing Sun... The second speaker is Nuru Sims, September 29, Topic: Stone, Crystals, and Gem Energy. The third speaker is Maatisak Amenhetep, October 6, Music Vibrations... For info contact Alicia Lovelady-Teasley via e-mail: loveteas7 [at] yahoo.com.

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This year U-CAN! will host it's 6th Annual Career Black College Recruitment Fair which attracts more than 15,000 students, parents and educational advisers annually September the 19-24th, 2005 beginning with the Recruiter's welcome dinner on September 19, 2005, and the Recruitment Fair at Hoover High School in Fresno (September 20), Solano Community College in Vacaville (September 21), Grant High School in Sacramento (September 22), Charles A. Jones Education Center in Sacramento (September 23), and Valley High School (Elk Grove School District) in Sacramento (September 24, 2005).


Students who wish to apply and qualify for "on-the-spot" admissions and scholarships should bring an official transcript and a copy of their ACT/SAT test scores for each college application they plan to complete. All high school and community college students and their parents will not want to miss this annual college planning event and opportunity. This event is open to all students. For more information, please contact Alan H. Rowe at 916/921-8226 or via E-mail: ucangotocollege [at] comcast.net

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Saturday, September 24th: The United College Action Network (U-CAN!) and New Faze Development, Inc. presents The Sixth Annual Historically Black College Recruitment Fair from 9:00am to 2:00pm at Valley High School, 6300 Ehrhardt Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95823. Please bring an official transcript and ACT/SAT score(s) for each college application you plan to complete!!! High School and College Students Will Be Able to Receive:

* “On the spot” admission, scholarships and financial aid information
* Face to face contact with official college admission representatives
* Gain exposure to many Historically Black College & Universities
* Assistance and information regarding SAT and ACT college admission tests
* College application fee waived for many colleges

For more information, call (916) 921-UCAN or e-mail: ucangotocollege [at] comcast.net.
Saturday September 24th, A fundraiser to support the Kenya AIDS Education project. Spaghetti Feed and Entertainment Night. at 6:30 p.m. at the North Highlands Community Center, 6040 Watt Avenue in North Highlands. Tickets are now on sale for a donation of $10.00 per person for the Kenya fundraising Spaghetti Feed and Entertainment Night (please note presale tickets only, no tickets will be sold at the door). In addition to a delicious meal, there will be special entertainment, a silent auction, and a raffle with cash prizes. Raffle tickets will be sold separately for a donation of $5.00 for 3 tickets and $10.00 for 7 tickets (need not be present to win). All proceeds will support the Team of volunteers. For information, please contact Faith Fellowship Community Church at (916) 339-9156 for tickets and additional information. Background Information: It is estimated that approximately 700 to 1,000 people, mostly women and children, die from HIV/AIDS.
Sunday, September 25: Stage and screen veteran, Ruby Dee and nationally renowned Broadway director, Kenny Leon will be featured in an evening of stories, conversation and film clips to benefit Sacramento Theatre Company on Sunday, September 25th in the Wells Fargo Pavilion, 1419 H Street, Sacramento. The event begins at 7 p.m. with a post-show VIP dessert and wine reception featuring live entertainment, area restaurants and wineries. For reservations, contact The Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office at (916) 443-6722.

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Monday, September 26: INTERFAITH COALITION TO HOLD RALLY AND CALL FOR ACTION FOR DARFUR-- Auschwitz, Armenia, Cambodia, Nigeria, Rwanda… The drumbeat of genocide compels us to remember humanity’s failures of the past, yet the genocide, rape and terror taking place in southern Darfur continues unabated. Silence is not an option; we must act—now. On September 26, 2005, at 6:30 p.m., the Sacramento Committee on Conscience is holding a rally and call for action on the west steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento. For information visit: http://www.rallyfordarfur.org

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SAVE the dates & mark your calendar:

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Saturday, October 8: Studio 33 Fine Art Gallery is sponsoring "An Evening of Unity (Umoja)" for the Hurricane Katrina Victims. This cultural event will be held Second Saturday October 8, 2005. The Studio 33 Fine Art Gallery, 711 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Doors will open at 6:30p - 7:30p for all to enjoy a feast of ethnic hor d’ oeuvres. The entertainment beginning at 7:45p - 10:00p will include African Dancers, Drumming, Jazz, R & B, Gospel and guest speakers. There will be a cash donation of $25.00 at the door or $20 plus donation item. All items collected will be taken to Paul Blanco Capitol City Chevrolet for shipment to Louisiana. We would like to make this evening an early observance of the Kwanzaa principle Umoja, stressing the importance of togetherness, for family, community, nation and race. As we reflect on our African past and present we encourage African Dress for the evening. For more information contact Studio 33 Fine Art Gallery at (916) 444-7553 or Event planning at (916) 613-7401.

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Saturday, October 8: 25th Anniversary Celebration for the Oak Park Community Center. Floats, Parades, Food Festival and Entertainment. For more info please call (916) 808-6151.

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Saturday, October 8th: The 8th Annual “To My Sisters....A Celebration of Life” is scheduled for Saturday, October 8, 2005 at the Samuel C. Pannell Community Center from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Come help us celebrate the lives of African American women who have triumphed over breast cancer, commemorate our sisters who have passed from among us and help to raise the level of awareness of this dreaded disease within our community. The event is free and open to the public. Food & beverages will be served. For more information, call Sue Younger @ 916-391-2204 or mail me @ mbscon [at] yahoo.com or cell 501-8165. TELL A FRIEND!

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Monday, October 17:2nd Annual Conference on Children, Families And Domestic Violence. October 17, 2005, 8 am–5 pm at the Radisson Hotel, Sacramento. For more info visit: http://www.SacDomVio.org.

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Wednesday, October 26: UCD would like to invite you to participate in the Community Service Networking Fair brought to you by Human Corps, the UC Davis Community Service Office and Alpha Phi Omega, Community Service Fraternity. Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2005, 11:00AM – 3:00PM; Location: Freeborn Hall at the UC Davis campus. Registration Deadline: October 7, 2005 at 5:00PM.

This fall event attracts hundreds of students looking for volunteer positions, internships, and career opportunities with non-profit organizations. We hope to see you and look forward to your participation! To register, or for more information, please visit our Career Fair Web site:

http://icc.ucdavis.edu/areas/hc/hcfair05.htm If you have any questions about the fair, please contact the Human Corps office at (530) 752-3813 or hcorps [at] ucdavis.edu or Annette E. Taylor at (530) 752-2819 or aetaylor [at] ucdavis.edu. To find volunteers for a project or your organization please email Human Corps at hcorps [at] ucdavis.edu. For career opportunities UC Davis offers a variety of services:

The UC Davis Internship & Career Center offers on campus recruiting for employers. As an employer you can conduct on campus interviews and presentations. To reach the On Campus Recruiting Program, please call (530) 752-2286 or email, Mary Sieminski at mtsieminski [at] ucdavis.edu. To post positions or to view our main Career Center Web Site, please click on http://icc.ucdavis.edu, and then click on “Employers.” To post positions online please create an account through Aggie Job Link. Thank you for your support of UC Davis. We look forward to seeing your organization at our yearly events.

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Saturday, October 29: Curtain! Lights! You’re On! -- Move your favorite lip-synch routine from the shower to center stage. Have fun while you raise funds for your favorite 501(c) 3 organization. The Sacramento Chapter of The Links Incorporated presents “A Motown Revue Dinner Dance, Silent Auction & Lip-synch Contest” from 6pm – Midnight at Lions Gate Hotel Grand Ballroom, McClellan Park, North Highlands. Single Tickets: $50.00 *Individuals and groups are invited to lip-synch their favorite 50s, 60s, or 70s Motown tune and compete for a $1000 award to be presented to the winner’s designated nonprofit organization. For more event information and the Lip-synch Contest Entry Form go to http://www.sacramentolinks.org or call 916/929-8552.

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PUBLICATION INFORMATION: This free weekly E-Newsletter http is compile by the Sacramento Area Black Caucus (SABC). Please submit your events and news and please make sure the information contains: brief description of the event, contact information such as: area codes, a telephone number or e-mail address. Thank you for your cooperation. Please submit information to: Faye Kennedy @ Fayek [at] springmail.com. (916) 484-5025. For a complete listing of community events please visit: The Sacramento Observer’s website: SacObserver.com; or the Sacramento Cultural Hub’s website Sacculturalhub.com. PH: 1-877-HUBSTOP/ FX: 916.689.5977. OR BMSF visit:: http://bmsf.powertorise.org OR First Fridays Sacramento;:http://www.firstfridaysacramento.com