Chatter That Matters: July 25, 2012

People Acting for  Community Together (PACT) celebrated an Investment Drive Kick-Off, Monday, June 25, 2012.  Rev. Dr. Joreatha  Capers, pastor, Ebenezer UMC, was given the honor of calling the forum to order and acknowledging the attendance of:  Antioch MBC, Carol City Opa Locka UMC, Church by the Sea, Cathedral of St. Mary, 1st UMC of Miami, Holy Family Catholic Church, Holy Rosary, St. Richards, Kerr UMC, Masid Al-Ansar Mosque, New Birth Cathedral, Perrine Peters UMC, St. James Catholic, St.Monica CC, Temple Beth Shalom, Florida Memorial University and 16-more including St. Thomas University. Others reporting included Neighborhood Safety by Dr. Wilbert T. Holloway and Dr. Dorothy Bendross Mindingall, School Board Members. Joining them were Sybil Wilson, St. Monicas, Regina Johnson, Kerr Memorial and Marie Sampuer  speaking in creole and spanish, while Commissioner Barbara Jordan was recognized for her time, energy and dedication for the referral firing ordinance, along with Ragin and Rochelle Boreland.
Awards were given to Fr. Bill Mason, Christ The King, KeTia Harris, Sellers Memorial, Claudette Armbrister, Holy Redeemer, and Consuelo Vasquez, Cathedral of St. Mary.  And, of course, other issues were self sufficiency by Steve Horsford, St. Monicas; Investman Drive Awards for those exceeding their goal:  Church by the Sea, Masjid Al-Ansar, St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Louis Church and Congregational Caucus by Velonda Hope. Before leaving members of  the Research Committee were identified as Roy Wasson, Rev. W. Sendell Paris, Ginnie Cronk, Rev. Ted Wilde, Fr. John Cox, Iman Mika Hamin, Regina Johnson, Maria Irizarry, Melvin Sabree, Sybilk Wilson, Rev. Guillermo Marquez, John Hopkins, Elliot Ajerhahn, Tamara Donnenfeld, Rev. Diane Shoaf  Cedrick Cope, Marva  Hill, Bea Hudnell, Maria Jerkins, Opal Womebremmer, Rev. Purnell  Moody, and Rev. JoeAnn Brookins.
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson issued a statement on Bahamian Independence Day July 10, 2012. With a significant Bahamian population in South Florida, including her district, we have been blessed to share in their vibrant culture.  From the Annual Goombay Festival to the Bahamian cultural celebration being held in West Park and Ft. Lauderdale, Bahamians have had a significant impact in the lives of many from Sidney Poitier to Rick Fox.
Additionally, in commemoration of the Thirty-Ninth Anniversary of Independence of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas, The Honorable Rhoda M. Jackson, Consul General the Bahamas Consulate General invited South Florida to hear The Honorable Fred Mitchell, M.R. Minister of Foreign Affairs & Immigration of The Bahamas, last Sunday, at New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale. The keynote speaker was Rev. Angela Bosfield-Palaious. Others in attendance included Canon Richard M. Barry, Rev. John T. Roker, President Emeritus  James Moss, Learl  Miller, NAB, Dr. Enid C. Pinkney, Dr. Everlina Bestman, Dr. Gershwin Blyden and  wife, Rev. Vincent Brown, Minister, St. Matthews MBC, Pastor Michael Brennen, Bishop Norwood Dean, Bernard Stuart, and Patricia Moss. Take a little girl, crown her with  beauty, intellect, talent, and personality, and you’ve got Laina Nichole Armbrister, a 4-year product of Redeeming Word Christian Academy in Ft. Lauderdale. She’s a lover of music and attends dance classes under the directorship of Rockette Dance Academy, Coral Springs performs annually. She also has a special love for mother, Tameka, Father Gerald & baby sister Sara. Congratulations go out to Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Links of South Florida for the tribute given for Susie West Francis, recently, at Range Funeral Home. where 40-Links and 75-members of Alpha Kappa Alpha were attired in all white to commemorate Ivy Beyond the Wall Memorial Service with  Sandra L. Jackson is GZO/AKA  basileusp.
Link sisters and sorors Dolores S. Washington, Geneva K. Woodard, Eunice Davis and Linda Johnson also participated in the ceremonies
The Book Memories, written by yours truly, can be seen at Walgreens at the corner of 95th and 7th Avenue.  So come on by to discuss the contents and pick up a Miami Times while you visit.
All Omega retired and members are reminded of the U.G. Horne Retreat, Aug. 10-12, at the Marriott Hotel, West Palm Beach. Call 800-376-2292 and use control code for $99 a night. A Saturday special breakfast is $30.00.Make check payable to:  Stephen Thompson, 21471 NW 40 Circle Court, Opa -locka, Fl.  33055.