Week of Dec. 11, 2011:

UNC Charlotte to host fall commencements
Nearly 3,000 students will graduate Saturday from the north Charlotte campus. More than 1,900 will receive bachelor’s degrees, and more than 1,025 will earn advanced degrees, including 70 doctoral degrees. A morning ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m., will include students from the College of Arts + Architecture, Belk College of Business, College of Computing and Informatics, Lee College of Engineering, College of Health and Human Services and Graduate School. The second ceremony for the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Graduate School will be at 3 p.m. Both ceremonies will be streamed live from Halton Arena, Barnhardt Student Activity Center.
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Obamas release family photo
The first family released a new family photo Thursday – just in time for the Christmas season. White House photographer Pete Soe Sosa posed the Obamas in the oval office. It was the first official photo of Malia, now 13, and Sasha, 10, since their last family portrait taken in 2009.

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Actors wanted for faith-based musical
Newcomer playwright S. Kristi Douglas is searching for local actors to fill roles in her theatrical production of “Daughter of the King: The Musical,” which will premier next year. Auditions will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 and Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. by appointment only. Douglas is auditioning for the roles of Renee, Ophelia and Deanna King-Reyes (three close-knit adult sisters); Sister Norital (a comedic, trouble-making church member), and The Reverend (a goodly pastor). The roles of Renee, Ophelia and Deanna must be strong vocalists with the ability to “move.” Simple choreography is required. No formal dance training is required, however. Also seeking strong vocalists (adult or young adult) to sing in a choir which will perform with the actors. No acting or choreography is required for the choir. “Daughter of the King: The Musical” is a benefit performance for Dove’s Nest and My Sister’s House and debuts on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, 2012. For details: www.dokthemusical.com or email info@dokthemusical.com.
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JCSU men fall to University of Charleston 73-66
The Johnson C. Smith University men’s basketball team fell to the University of Charleston 73-66 Tuesday in non-conference action. JCSU moves to 3-4 overall, while the Golden Eagles improve to 7-2. JCSU’s Trevin Parks had a game-high 29 points. He shot 10-of-18 from the floor, including 5-of-7 from deep. Sophomore guard Robert Williams had 11 points and three assists. Juniors Delonta Boyd and Phillip Wood both scored seven. The Golden Bulls return home to face West Virginia State University on Monday, Dec. 19. Game time is 7:30 p.m. inside Brayboy Gymnasium.
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2 new principals approved by school board
The school board approved two new principals Tuesday. Terry Hall will lead Dilworth Elementary and Patricia M. Denny will lead Rama Road Elementary. Hall has worked as principal at Davidson Elementary since 2009. She began teaching in Atlanta in 1993 and held assistant principal and principal positions starting in 2002. Hall has a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation from the State University of New York, Brockport. Denny began her career as a teacher at Lebanon Road Elementary in 1994. She taught for 13 years before becoming an assistant principal at Jay M. Robinson Middle. In 2010, Denny became a support coordinator for curriculum with the Central Secondary Zone office. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
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New curfew times begin Thursday
Beginning Thursday, Dec. 15, Charlotte will have a new curfew for children 15 and under. The current curfew is from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday and from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. It applies to all children under 16. There are exceptions for children holding jobs and for those with an adult. The new curfew is more restrictive. For children 12 and under, the curfew will be 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week. For children who are 13, 14 and 15, the curfew will be 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week. No curfew applies for 16- and 17-year-olds. City Council voted 9-1 to tighten the curfew in the wake of a late-night uptown shooting in May that occurred after the Food Lion Speed Street celebration.
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Life lessons from a university president
Kentucky State University President Mary Evans Sias offered six life lessons when she delivered a commencement address Saturday to more than 300 graduating seniors at SC State College. Among her tips: 1. Act with integrity and have a passion to excel. “You know what your values are, and you have to set those values and live by them...Don’t do something just because you think it might pay well. If your passion is sustained, it will give you energy to excel.” 2. Dream big and take risks. “When I was a little girl I had a father that took me to the library two to three times a week, and every time he took me I would take five to seven books out and I’d go home, sit in the corner and I would read and read. I read a book once about this black woman who became a college president. It almost seemed impossible, but look at where I am today. So having a dream is possible, and if you are going to dream, dream big. Also, you can’t be afraid to take risks. I encourage all of you to attempt higher things and don’t worry about failing.” Sias received a round of applause as she delivered her third and most important lesson. 3. “The world is not fair. Never has been; never will be. Get over it. In most cases nobody is going to save you. When you think life should be fair we often end up feeling sorry for ourselves about how things work out. It’s not life’s job to make everything perfect. It’s our challenge to do so.”
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A professional development forum for health care providers
The International Civil Rights Center & Museum (ICRCM) in Greensboro will host a professional development forum for health care providers on Saturday, December 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Triad cardiologist Dr. Ali Akbary will speak on “Closing the Gap on Cardiovascular Disease.” Triad dental surgeon Dr. Bertrand Bonnick address “Improving Work Relationships: A Health Care Worker’s Journey.” The cost is $29. Participants may register online at www.sitinmovement.org. From 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the public is invited to a free “Holiday Health Care Screening.” The Guilford County Department of Public Health will provide glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure screenings.
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Brookstone Schools finds a new home
In order to serve more students, Brookstone Schools is moving to a new and bigger location – the Amay James Pre-K Center on West Boulevard, a campus owned by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Brookstone’s new home has 36,000 square feet with 14 classrooms, a gymnasium with stage, cafeteria, and ample office and storage space. Brookstone’s headmaster, Donald Larson, said: “We are thrilled with our new home, a space that gives us the opportunity to enroll more students and expand our educational mission on the west side of Charlotte. Our long term vision is to expand to offer kindergarten through 8th grades, with two classes per grade level.” Founded in 2001, Brookstone is an independent, Christ-centered school currently serving 103 children in west Charlotte, 85 percent of whom qualify for reduced or free lunch. To learn more about Brookstone Schools, visit www.brookstoneschools.org or call Suzanne Wilson at 704-392-6330.
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Time Warner Cable employees dig deep for kids
Time Warner Cable employees purchased more than $8,500 in gifts for children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte program. The gifts will be distributed Tuesday at a holiday party at Discovery Place. More than 300 big/little matches are expected to attend. TWC employees will play “Santa’s helpers” and hand out the gifts. The cable company has sponsored the event for two straight years. The party is one of several events sponsored this year by Time Warner Cable in support of its Connect A Million Minds initiative.
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DNCC launches community outreach campaign
The Democratic National Convention Committee recently announced that it will launch a community outreach campaign, which is designed to touch all 100 North Carolina counties and engage citizens in the convention planning process. During the months of January and February, the DNCC Intergovernmental Affairs and Outreach team will spend time across the state talking to community leaders, citizens and elected officials to identify 100 Convention Community Organizers, who will serve as ambassadors to the convention in their counties and communities across the state. More info: www.demconvention.com.
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Jack and Jill chapter to host New Year's Eve fundraiser
The Charlotte Chapter of Jack and Jill of America presents its annual fundraiser, this year benefitting seven local organizations: Florence Crittenton Services, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Lighthouse Christian Children's Home, Union County Crisis Assistance Ministry, Hope Haven Center of Hope Boys and Girls Club and the March of Dimes. When: Saturday, Dec. 31. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Where: Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture Cost: $75 (100 percent tax deductible). More info: jackandjillcharlotte.com.
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Gantt Center and UnitedHealthcare announce partnership
UnitedHealthcare is teaming up with the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture to help Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers understand more about health care options. The partnership includes Medicare education seminars with no out-of-pocket costs and joint sponsorship of the Black Movie Classics Series, a monthly program highlighting pioneering works of black cinema. The Black Classic Cinema Series kicked off Dec. 11 with a screening of Siren of the Tropics (1927), featuring the late Josephine Baker. Other films to be showcased during the December through February seminars include Anna Lucasta (1959) and St. Louis Blues (1958). Additional seminars will be held at Charlotte churches and community centers. More info: www.ganttcenter.org.

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