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July Upcoming Events

Carl Hampton Memorial at P.A.B.A.
The People’s Party #3 , Black Panther Party Alumni and the Progressive Amateur Boxing Association (P.A.B.A.) commemorate slain activist, Carl Hampton on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at the P.A.B.A 3212 Dowling St. 77004 from 12 pm-2 pm. A candlelight vigil will be held at 6 pm. Entertainment: Guest speakers, poets, face painters and vendors.
For more information call: 832-507-8096 or projectgoodcare@yahoo.com. Donations can be delivered to the P.A.B.A. Sister Ayanna Ade will be honored.

1000 Women in White Annual Day at Holman Baptist Church
July 21th, a 1000 Women in White “Women of faith rooted and grounded in the word of God” will host their annual event at Holman Baptist Church, 3501 Holman Street Houston, TX 77004 at 3:30 pm.

“A Dialogue- The Proposed Closure of Palm Center”
The Old Spanish Trail Community Partnership invites you to “A Dialogue- The Proposed Closure of Palm Center” on Monday , July 22, 2013 at 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm inside of Judge Zinetta Burney’s Courtroom, Palm Center Annex 2nd Floor 5330 Griggs Road. Open to the public

Texas Legislative Black Caucus Town Hall Meeting on July 24th from 6:30p to 8:30p
On Wednesday, July 24th from 6:30p to 8:30p, the Texas Legislative Black Caucus will host a Town Hall meeting in the McCoy Auditorium (Room 114) of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs of the Texas Southern University Campus located at 3100 Cleburne (Tierwester & Cleburne). The Texas Legislative Black Caucus has partnered with the KEY PAC, Houston Sun, Houston Sun, Houston Forward Times, Majic 102FM, KTSU Radio, KCOH 1230AM and the Texas Southern University – School of Public Affairs for this event.
The Town Hall meeting will provide unprecedented access to African American members of the Texas Legislature from the Houston-area as we cover topics such as the 83rd Session, the recent Supreme Court decision striking down Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act and the impact on Texas, in particular on Voter ID, and the Trayvon Martin verdict.
This meeting will provide a unique opportunity for members of the community to discuss the 83rd Session, as well as how recent Supreme Court actions will have an impact on them. In addition, we want to have a discussion with the community on what lies ahead after the Trayvon Martin verdict. Further, we encourage and will provide an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions to members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus for a fulfilling, in-depth exchange benefitting all those in attendance with the most current information on the important recent actions which will impact their lives.
For more information, contact Murry Matthews or Alison Brock at 1.866.885.8900 or 512.463.0554.


The Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association host banquet

The Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association “PVILCA” will host their 34th Annual banquet/ awards ceremony on Saturday, July 27, 2013 in Fort Worth, TX. ( Irving, TX at the Westin Dallas- Fort Worth Airport Hotel from 1:30 – 4:30 pm.
The Houston Area inductees are Daye Shon Roberson, Gary Joseph, Mareon Lewis, Billie Matthews, Elton Conger, Clifford Mc Bride, Thomas Valley, Marcus Moseley and Jerrell “Tank” Washington.
The PVILCA is an organization preserving the past while remembering the ‘glory years’ of the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association. The organization instills personal pride and self esteem by increasing cultural awareness of the PVILCA heritage.
For table and ticket information contact Robert Brown at 713-747-3764.

Rev. Timothy Dinger to Speak:Annual Camp Lone Star BBQ
Rev. Timothy Dinger, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur, will be the featured speaker t the Annual BBQ Worship Service at 11: 00 am on Sunday, July 28 at Camp Lone Star.
The day will include the traditional Barbeque dinner at 12:00 noon with all the trimmings. Drive –thru BBQ plates can also be purchased for $8.00 from 11:00 am to 12:30 p.m.. Live and silent benefit auctions follow from 1-3:00 p.m. indoors in the camp’s Koop Center.
For more information on the Barbeque or to donate an item to the auction, please call 1-979-968-1657 or go to camp’s website at www. LOMT.com.

Back to School Health Fair and Supply Drive
The Friends of Emancipation Park will partner with Houston Parks and Recreation Department to host their first Back to School Health Fair and Supply Drive on August 17, 2013 at Emancipation Park Community Center, 3018 Dowling Houston, TX 77004 from 9am – 12 pm. Proof of enrollment is mandatory. Parents must bring the student to receive and supplies.

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Summer Pool Schedule – Houston

Its summer time in Houston and the pools are open for some fun in the sun. There are 37 outdoor swimming pools and 20 water spray grounds throughout the city that will open in two phases.

In Phase 1, 20 select pools will open Saturdays and Sundays from May 25 – June 9, and on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. In Phase 2, all 37 Houston Parks and Recreations Department pools will open Tuesday – Sunday from June 11 – August 18. For the Fall swim schedule, 20 select pools will open Saturdays and Sundays & on Labor Day from August 24 – September 2. The daily hours of operation will be 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.,July 4th hours of operation are 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Labor Day hours of operation are 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The 20 water spray grounds are open year-round at park locations across the city.

For citizens with disabilities there is a heated indoor natatorium at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray. The 5-lane, 25-yard heated pool is fully accessible by wheelchair and is equipped with a zero depth entry ramp, hand rails, and three chair lifts. Changing and shower facilities are available adjacent to the pool area. Participants are required to have independent functioning mobility skills or bring an adult attendant to assist, according to the city’s website for aquatics.

H.P.A.R.D. will off Water fitness classes at various pools throughout Houston at no charge. Fulltime lifeguards and trainers lead water fitness classes and FREE exercise periods for people with disabilities. Water fitness classes are offered at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Monday – Friday.

Year-round swim lessons are available for adults and children. Pre-registration is required and must be complete prior to getting in the pool. H.P.A.R.D. staff will conduct initial safety screening in the water.

Online Registration
The Houston Parks and Recreation will be conducting FREE Learn to Swim classes at select municipal pools throughout the city during the summer. There will be 4 (two week) sessions available for children ages 8 to 17. Starting May 20 registration will be available online at https://activenet011.active.com/houstonparks, and onsite registration the first date of each class session if space is available.

Sessions
Session One
Session Two
Session Three
Session Four
Dates
June 18 – June 28
July 2 to July 12 (No class on July 4)
July 16 to July 26
July 30 to August 9

Class Days
Tuesday – Friday
Tuesday – Friday
Times
5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Locations Address
Emancipation – 3018 Dowling, 77004
Greenwood 602 – Beresford, 77015
Hobart Taylor – 8100 Kenton, 77028
MacGregor 5225 – Calhoun, 77021
Oak Forest – 1400 Dubarry, 77018
Sharpstown – 6600 Harbor Town, 77036
TC Jester – 4205 T.C. Jester, 77018
Townwood – 3402 Simsbrook, 77045

All public pools will be closed Mondays throughout the summer.
All public pools will be closed Monday – Friday during the fall phase.
All public pools will be closed following Labor Day.

Agnes Moffitt (10645 Hammerly)
Denver Harbor (1020 Gazin)
De Zavala (907 75th Street)
Glenbrook (8201 N. Bayou)
Greenwood (602 Beresford)
Lincoln City (1048 Grenshaw)
MacGregor (5225 Calhoun)
Memorial (6402 Arnot)
Moody (3201 Fulton)
Northline (6911 Nordling)
Reveille (7700 Oak Vista)
Sagemont (11507 Hughes)
Sharpstown (6600 Harbor Town)
Stude (1031 Stude)
Sunnyside (3502 Bellfort)
T.C. Jester (4205 West T.C. Jester)
Tidwell (9720 Spaulding)
Townwood (3402 Simsbrook)
Westbury (10605 Mullins)
Wilson Memorial (100 Gilpin)

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Mary Wilson “Dares to Dream” with Jack Yates Senior High

Mary Wilson and Jack Yates Alumni along with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as she stops by Jack Yates to give her “Dare To Dream” lecture.
Mary Wilson, original member and founder of The Supremes, graced Jack Yates Senior High School with her talent and story November 9th as she delivered her “Dare to Dream” lecture to Yates students. The Sun had the opportunity to talk to Wilson prior to her lecture about her works with HIV/AIDS while requesting her advice to the youth about life.

Wilson, 68, and stunning as ever is still thriving and performing. Her current tour is a tribute to the legendary Lena Horne, in which she performed at the Miller Outdoor Theatre the same night she spoke to an auditorium of Yates students.

The songstress sat down with The Sun, JY Alumni Reunite Committee and a group of Yates journalism students before her lecture for a round of questions. When The Sun asked Wilson about her works with HIV/AIDS, Wilson was all for active work and compassion.

“I’ve had lots of friends who have passed from this disease and I have travel extensively in the African countries. This illness is of a huge magnitude and it’s incurable,” said Wilson. “We as human beings have to do as much as we can to help. Every little bit helps. Everybody is important in terms of their contribution to humanity.”

With such a successful career, Wilson has given back to her fans in her “Dare to Dream” lectures and in her series of books. The music and entertainment industry is such a popular phenomenon in American culture right now and sexual innuendos ooze from the television and radio set. With an increased electronically induced and influenced young generation, The Sun inquired what Mary Wilson, would tell young women and men about how to maneuver in such an over sexualized world.

“As adults we forget the things we did as children and the things we did unknowingly. What I can say to the youth of today is we were given a youth to make mistakes, to grow. The important thing to do is to learn from those mistakes,” said Wilson. “Do enjoy your youth. Hopefully you will listen to your parents and teachers so you don’t have to regret some of the mistakes you will make. But you have to remember there are consequences to the decisions that are made. You have to know in your own mind what is right or wrong. Enjoy yourself but be conscious of the decisions you make.”

Wilson grew up poor with a mother that couldn’t read or write but she had a loving family and had a good childhood. She wanted to fulfill a dream for herself and her parents. Starting a performing career while still in grade school, Wilson said her struggles came as an adult while trying to find her own individual happiness and career.

Going on into the auditorium to a sea of students and excited faculty, Wilson was welcomed by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. The story of her rise to fame coupled with a slideshow and history lesson of the struggles of the black community, Wilson told an inspirational story of all that can be fulfilled with a dream. She ended her lecture with a song that let the Jack Yates Senior High know, she still has it.

The JY Alumni Reunite Committee coordinated this event. The objective of the JY Reunite committee is to mobilize interested alumni that will speak and act as one body helping to enrich the spiritual and educational development of the JY students.- Terry Singleton, Coordinator, Jack Yates Alumni Reunite.
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Jeep shows off 2013 vehicles at this year’s Free Press Music Fest

The 2012 Free Press Summer Fest(FPSF) gave music loves a little bit of every at Buffalo Bayou’s Eleanor Tinsley Park during the first weekend of June.

FPSF’s biggest automotive sponsor was Jeep, who held their own Jeep Power Amp Experience tent.

The biggest automotive sponsor of the event was Jeep, Power Amp Experience tent which had something a little different than your average promotional booth. In a more interactive way to get potential buyers, the Jeep Power Amp Experience had an obstacle course to show off the new features of the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler through a ride along. Riders who registered experience an the Wrangler’s ability to roll up a hill, drive through water and more.

At the end of the ride along was an obstacle course where attendees could compete against each’s time for prizes.

Also in Jeep’s booth were cooling sections and information on their latest vehicles.

In it’s fourth year, Free Press Summer Fest, featured outstanding performances from the likes of Willie Nelson, Erykah Badu and Snoop Dog on six stages.