We hope that you enjoy this October/November 2006 issue of the RaisingS.T.A.R.S e-newsletter. The name, RaisingS.T.A.R.S., stands for Raising "Students Trained to Achieve Real Success." And that, put simply, is the core mission of Raising Expectations Inc. (R.E.) through our arts enrichment programs, activities, workshops, and studio site visits!

Our motto - R.E.-Educate, R.E.-Unify, R.E.-Connect Through the Arts - signifies our commitment to young people (ages 13-22) and young adults alike in the Metropolitan D.C. area community. Oftentimes, youth feel neglected, overwhelmed, and overlooked by the political decision-making process that occurs here in the bustling city life of Washington, D.C. However, at Raising Expectations, we want to recognize young people and let them know that through our organization, they do have a voice!

In achieving this, we have organized our 1st Community event for the Fall/Winter 2006-07 season at Phish Tea Café (1335 H St, NE), where young people will participate in a Youth Open Mic/Spoken Word (Friday, Nov.3rd @ 8-9:30pm)! The Youth Open Mic, "Express Yourself," is going to be a recorded event by DCTV so we are planning for a large turnout of young people interested in speaking out and expressing themselves in a friendly, warm environment!

In addition to information about our fall/winter schedule of events, the RaisingS.T.A.R.S. October/November 2006 issue highlights other community events in the "Announcements" section, and also recognizes worthy arts-focused literature in the "A Must Read" section. Before that, we have included articles on the "Taste of Justice" Fair, a commentary from a local parent raising a musically-talented nephew, and more! Be sure to continue reading this issue to the very end where you will enjoy beautifully-written and conscious poetry from Raising Expectations' own leaders!

Thank you for reading this issue and we would appreciate your feedback! If you have any information to share in an article or announcement for our next December '06 - January '07 issue of RaisingS.T.A.R.S., please do not hesitate to contact us at raising_starsDC@yahoo.com. Until the next issue, please remember to uplift and support young people through the arts!

Remember that RE-Educating, RE-Unifying, RE-Connecting through the Arts starts with You! Get involved in your community today!

Peace and Blessings,
Abeo Folade Anderson

Young people like to speak out and express themselves creatively, but it has to be in a welcoming environment in which they feel comfortable and accepted unconditionally. This Friday, November 3rd, Raising Expectations (R.E.) will create this aura as we host our 1st Youth Open Mic event, entitled "Express Yourself," at the friendly, black-owned business Phish Tea Café at 1335 H Street, NE, near Union Station metro and Benning Road. We chose this location because Phish Tea Café has already gained a positive community representation.

R.E. coordinators are pleased to have the opportunity to co-sponsor this youth open mic with Mr. Joseph Briggs of the Fountain of Truth organization. It is our hope that the popularity of this first open mic, especially targeted for young people interested in sharing their thoughts and most intimate concerns through poetry, spoken word, song, and music, will spawn into a series of Youth Open Mics on Friday evenings at the beautiful, classy Phish Tea Café.

In addition to the Youth Open Mic, R.E. has been working diligently for the past few months to put together for youth a complete Fall/Winter '06 - '07 Schedule of Activities, which includes group workshops, community events, studio tours, and art gallery visits! R.E.'s hands-on activities and training workshops help achieve our mission of instilling cultural integrity, self-awareness, and discipline among youth through instruction in the visual and performing arts.

Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to learn more about various artistic skills during voice/song lessons with Afi, theatre instruction at Arena Stage, music production & writing with Park Triangle Productions or Panorama Productions, and sculpting with previously featured artist, Akili Ron Anderson, just to name a few! Workshop presenters are highly talented, professional, renowned local artists eagerly waiting the chance to share their work with you and others (youth/young adult age group preferred: 13-22).

You can attend R.E. events for a nominal fee ($5-$10 each) or simply complete the registration form attached or online at www.RaisingExpectationsDC.org to join us for the entire season of events (only $100 for up to 25 events!). With the registration package deal, you save more than $150 and gain exposure to a world of ART with Raising Expectations!

RSVP early to reserve your space at our next fun, educational, and artistic workshop or studio visit! Special group rates available as well. Contact R.E. at (202) 204-0536 or by e-mail at Raising_StarsDC@yahoo.com if you have any questions or need assistance.

By Kim Yarboro

Suddenly, there was a male teenager in the house. My nephew, Eddie Van Oliver, III (16), came to Virginia to live with us during the later part of the 2006 school year. Our home instantly filled with music playing throughout the day and constant telephone calls--which we did not anticipate for at least five years when our son, Marcus, became 14 years old.

After making the necessary arrangements to get the academics in order with a focus on college, Eddie's passion had to be the next priority. He has a natural gift for writing poetry and an ear for music.

Eddie has been a poet from the time he could write. During the summer months, Eddie would often write poetry. He shared some of his poems openly while others were private. Because writing poetry is one of Eddie's passions, he doesn't need encouragement. He enjoys writing and only needs inspiration from an experience or visual stimulation. On occasion, Eddie has been able to write poetry for special events upon request. Most of his poetry is focused on personal experiences. His poetry is often interpreted as being written by someone "beyond his years" as his Uncle Mark would sometimes comment.

Music is equally a passion of Eddie's. The Saxophone is his instrument of choice. He began saxophone instruction in middle school and has been able to sustain his skills through intermittent opportunities to practice and play. He writes music after listening to a song for a variety of instruments. During this summer, Eddie and a few members of the family were practicing for an event. There was no music for one of the songs they planned to use in the performance. Eddie immediately began to pair off with each musician and write music for each instrument. The ensemble included a saxophone, piano, violin, and a guitar. He worked with each instrument, listening to the sound reverberating from each to ensure the combination of instruments would join into one harmonious chorus. Watching him work with other peers and collaborate was a fascinating and rewarding experience. Likewise, he has discovered a new artistic avenue to explore in the future (Musical Director and Instructor). A local musician has contacted Eddie to discuss his interest in forming a youth ensemble featuring young males. Eddie is overjoyed at the thought of being part of the ensemble.

Eddie has composed a couple of scores for his saxophone. One is a rendition of the Walt Disney score from Aladdin. The other is a solo piece he titled, "Summer Jazz". He has had several opportunities to play his written pieces during a local Art Show as well as other social and family events. He in a member of the church youth band and has been selected to play various pieces. He doesn't hesitate to display his musical talent and welcomes the opportunity to play and encourage his peers to do so. Music and poetry are constructive artistic venues that aid in the enrichment of any child. For Eddie, they serve as modes to express emotion, communicate ideas, and bring joy into the life of his friends and his family. It is a passion that will last a lifetime!

Tracy Press, R.E. Advisory Council member

In the short time since its launch in June 2006, Powerful Beyond Measure (PBM) has made significant strides in building its youth program, the C.A.P.E. League, and emerging as a key advocacy institution for using creative strategies to help build communities.

On October 21st, PBM Executive Director, Tracy Press, participated in: The United Nations and Hip Hop, a historical event presented by the United Nations association (UN). The roundtable discussion invited five community leaders - who are active in the movement to utilize entertainment as a tool for positive change, to address an audience regarding how these can be aligned with the overall mission of the UN.

Along with Ms. Press, selected speakers included Dr. James White - Chair, National Political Convention, Hip-Hop Congress; Ebenezer Bond - Executive Director, World Up!, Andrew Ryan - Hip-Hop Matters, and Mazi Mutafa - Executive Director of Words Beats & Life. The panel was co-presented by Martha Diaz, President of the Hip-Hop Association, the legendary, New York based non-profit that promotes the education and preservation of the Hip Hop culture.

"I was so honored to participate in this important event and so proud of the United Nations for taking the initiative to recognize Hip-Hop's importance on an international level and the power it can exercise to better society. I am excited about the long-term relationship that Powerful Beyond Measure will build with the UN and our future involvement in helping them use entertainment to make a difference in the world," states Press. In addition to educating the audience regarding the oft overlooked positive contributions of this part of urban culture, the discussion spoke to ways in which the UN and the organizations involved would develop strategies to harness this power for the benefit of the international community. The panel was the first of its kind sponsor by the United Nations.

In the past four months, PBM has been active in establishing itself as an effective non-profit - as well as growing its network of companies, organizations and individuals who will contribute to developing the youth and families they serve. The C.A.P.E. League, its program for underserved youth, recently passed its three-month benchmark - having already provided almost 20 activities and opportunities for the members. For more information about the organization or the C.A.P.E. League, contact Tracy Press at 202-248-9201 or powerbeyondmeasure@yahoo.com.

Powerful Beyond Measure (PBM) is a non-profit formed to implement innovative programs and advocacy efforts focusing on youth development, aiding lower-income families and supporting goodwill initiatives. The mission is to help build stronger urban communities through strategic programming and targeted services that will positively shape young people and empower adults to become active contributors and leading role models in their own neighborhoods. PBM takes a unique approach to community service by integrating arts, entertainment and media as tools to motivate. By finding a way to harness the power of these industries to make programs more attractive and effective, we can continue to implement the important values and societal offerings of more traditional programming.

The Presidents and Principals Reception is an annual event given to provide PTA presidents, executive officers and members and their respective Principals citywide networking opportunities and to receive exhibitor information on subjects from A to Z. Everyone was welcome to attend.

Dr. Clifford Janey, DCPS Superintendent, was the featured speaker. He gave a visionary message to parents that offered a brief trip down memory lane and then a fast forward to what's in store for our students, especially of interest to parents was a new language and music program initiative for all DCPS. Attendees eagerly provided input during the open discussion.

Banneker High School's new PTA President, Mr. Steven B. Jefferson, said, "Art programs are a very big piece in educational development for today's young people. As another concerned parent highlighted, more instruments in the schools are critically needed to help students practice and better their craft in that field….More opportunities are needed for youth to experience the arts and creatively express themselves both inside and outside of the classroom." Jefferson also noted that the exhibitors at this event were very nice and informative. However, he recommended that "next year, the DCPTA Congress may want to involve exhibitors in the meeting so that they might contribute more to the discussions." A Special thank you went out to Miner PTA President, Geneva Cain, and Principal Lavonne Taliaferro-Bunch for their warm hospitality. Also, a shout out went to the Miner support and custodial staff and the Magnificent Miner Intermediate Glee Club under the direction of Mr. Martin Ford.

DCPTA Congress leadership thanked all attendees, Dr. Janey, Workshop Presenters: Matthew Famiglietti, Esq.; Esther Parker (Immediate Past President Maryland PTA); Exhibitors: Amerigroup; American 1st Mortgage, Inc.; Raising Expectations Inc.; Simply Funds; AXA Foundation/AXA Equitable; Copy General; Higher Achievement; New York Life Insurance; A+ Choice Solution, Inc.; Citibank; Newton Learning; Failure Free Reading; Treasury Department Credit Union; and Maxwell Poindexter, Caterer. If you weren't in attendance, your local unit in good standing should be on the lookout for a resource manual in the DCPS route mail. Contact dc_office@pta.org with any questions or concerns.

By Abeo F. Anderson

It is R.E.'s overall belief that we need to practice greater tolerance and understanding, which only starts with religious tolerance. The article below, Ramadan Nights: Learn your Self's Worth, is brilliantly written through an Islamic perspective carefully explaining the benefits gained from fasting and praying during the Holy month of Ramadan. However, it is all-encompassing for any audience because the author identifies with the human need for self worth.

Before reading this article on the significance of Ramadan, one of the five (5) major pillars of Islam, I wanted to preface why Raising Expectations Inc. is featuring this information in our e-newsletter. Our main purpose is based on the belief that an individual's religion and personal relationship with his/her Creator, Savior, Lord, The Almighty, and the list of glorified names infinitely created, is important in the development of the person as a whole. It affects self-image, self-respect, self-esteem, self-considence, and so much more in youth especially as they identify their interests, goals, and identity, in general.

With the recent passing of Ramadan 2006 and Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations to end the fasting, many in the Muslim community are searching for ways to reach out and connect with outside communities for the benefit of all. September 11th 2001, if anything, should have taught this country that economic deprivation and religious tenets can have disastrous outcomes, which, in turn, also highlights the influence, passion, and power of an individual's belief and moral systems.

Therefore, we must first begin to educate ourselves on what Islam preaches, and then ask questions of ourselves to learn our own self's worth. Another question to ask is how Islam might be misrepresented and/or misinterpreted by the media, Muslims, and non-Muslims jointly. Through this careful evaluation, we can reach a better understanding of Islamic traditions and way of life, and hopefully have a greater appreciation of the importance of Ramadan.

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Ramadan nights: Learn your self's worth
Amr Khaled
Translated by www.daralislamlive.com Copyright 2004-2006 © Daralislamlive.com E-Translation Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All Rights Reserved to DaralislamLive E-Translation Publishing House. This Translation by Daralislamlive.com E-Translation Publishing House may be printed and duplicated freely for private purposes. This is on the condition that the original source, Daralislamlive.com, with its correct spelling, is mentioned at the top of the lecture as originally published. For all other purposes not mentioned, you need to obtain prior written approval from the website management by E-mailing editor@daralislamLive.com.

Introduction

Today's topic is a bit strange, it starts with a question. Do you love yourself? Of course, as soon as you hear this, you will find this strange. Don't think I mean arrogance; I mean something totally different. Is your self something valuable, and which you understand the value of? The topic of today is "Do not humiliate your self." There are two ways to love your self; one is through arrogance, but the other meaning is by valuing it; by being kind to it.
Three needs

When God created Man, He created three needs:

• The need to eat and drink.
• The need to have sex.
• Of course these are clear, but the third one needs more explanation, and it is the need for self-worth.

Naturally, each one of us likes to have his achievements recognized, and naturally feels proud of his achievements. You may find yourself, against your will, telling people what you have achieved. Each one of us doesn't want to be ashamed, and we run away from our mistakes, because of this need for self worth. We love our mistakes to be covered, and hate being ashamed. Why? Because of this need for self worth. Why do we all hate jealousy and backbiting, and love success and hate failure? Because of this need for self respect and self worth. Research was carried out to investigate what word was most used in telephone calls, and guess what that was? "Me, I" is the word most used. Not all these people are arrogant, but they have a feeling that they wish to be recognized.

Why has God put this in all of us? We can easily answer this for the first two needs: one is for the human race to survive, and the other for it to continue. The last one is because God loves us! As long as this need for self worth is there, the people will be protected on this earth from going in the wrong direction. As long as people have this need to be successful and not fail or be ashamed, then we will strive to do better. So the man may strive for success as he's scared of failure, or be protective of his daughter because he's scared about her reputation. Do not humiliate yourself, value yourself. We have stopped feeling our value.

Feel your self's value!

God has sent you Ramadan so you can value yourself again, so you can raise yourself and not let yourself be lowered down. Do you know when people end up sinning, according to scholars? It is as soon as his self-worth is lowered in his eyes, that's when the sins start. Do you know why major sins are called major sins, and why others are called smaller? Because the major sins are the greatest ones which reduce your self worth, and God wants you to value yourself so much, that these are the worst of the sins. For example, drinking alcohol, look at how people laugh at them in the street, how shameful! Look at fornication, look at the shame. I wonder if you can all feel this. The dad, who is sitting in front of the TV, is your self valuable to you, and can your children see this?

I wonder about the youth sitting next to his parents, knowing that he has cheated his father and lied to him; do you feel that you are valuing your self? I'm mainly talking to the 16 year olds, the youths, I am also talking to the adults, but mainly these youths. Learn your self-worth. Some people have reduced their self worth to dirt. I'll give you an example. A drug-user and addict. Or look at the behavior of the westerners on a Saturday night in Europe. This is what motivated me to talk about this subject today; I was walking on a Saturday night in Europe and saw this.

Another example is a man who is cheating on his wife. Do not think that he thinks he is great, no! He feels shame. And to relieve his guilt, he tries to buy her everything she wants. Another example is of a youth driving in his car, chasing girls in the streets. The girls swear at him and he laughs at them as if he doesn't care, but it is a laughter of shame. I knew a guy who used to chase girls, and the day he was caught by the girl's brother he felt the shame, and wept. Don't humiliate yourself! When the liar's lie is discovered, his shame is the worst. The girl who talks badly about another girl on the phone; when the girl comes and confronts her, she will feel utter shame. The thief who cheated his partner, he will feel great shame the day he is found out. The youth who is not lowering his gaze, the ones chasing the girls around the malls, they know inside that they are weak. The woman who is walking around in tight, revealing clothes; she gets hurt by someone's remark, and the way they look at her; she is shaming herself.

Even if people don't find out what wrong you are doing, inside you know what you are doing. I swear that even if no problem was caused by people finding out, you will feel that you are low. Do you see why people want to go and sit on their own in their rooms after committing a sin? Because they are feeling low! It could be that the problem hasn't been discovered, but you are paranoid and you start imaging that they know you have cheated them, and you feel weaker and weaker the more you think about it.

To all you youth, don't belittle yourselves, enough humiliation to the nation. This nation is being shamed. What has happened to us? Why is there such a feeling of shaming ourselves? How can people not feel this love for valuing themselves?

Verses from the Qur'an

After all that, I have said I will talk to you about the people who are committing sins, but God has not shamed them, but they are paranoid. Look at this verse: "they think that every cry is against them" [Qur'an: Chapter the Hypocrites].

Now the opposite, the verse: "By the fig and the olive, and the Mount of Sinai, And this city of security, We have indeed created man in the best of moulds, then do We abase him (to be) the lowest of the low, except such as believe and do righteous deeds" [Qur'an: Chapter The fig].

God is swearing by three things. What is the relationship between these three things? The last two are places, Makkah and the mountain of Sinai, where Prophet Musa talked to God. The figs and olives are not representing the food, but represent Palestine. Why these three things? Because these are the purest places on earth! God is swearing by the three purest places! You are also as pure as these 3 places. And if you don't "believe and do righteous things" then you will be "the lowest of the low".

God created you from dust and water. Why those? Because they are the purest elements! Everything leads to the fact that you are so valuable. If you can't find water to wash for prayer, you can wash with dust, and pray on dust. Would you throw rubbish on your home's floor? Do not dishonor yourself. You are even more valuable because God created you with his own hands. Not only that, your soul was created with a breath from God. So be careful when you are sinning, you are tarnishing the soul that God blew into you.

The angels even they, the purest of God's creations prostrate to you! "Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I am about to create a man from clay: When I have fashioned him (In due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him."" [Qur'an: Chapter Sad] Furthermore, when the devil wouldn't prostrate to your father (Adam), he was punished and evicted from heaven. Not only that, but He built Paradise for you. Why is there repentance and why has He made it easy for us to repent? So that He can return your self worth to you. It is that valuable, and that is why He covers your faults and protects you from being shamed. So you can maintain your value and self worth! Imagine if with the first sin you committed you started to stink, or imagine if it was written on your face! Why was it not like this O God? So that you can maintain this self-worth! Even when He shames you? Do you know why He does this? Because you did not want to recognize your self worth.

Another story I picked up here in Lebanon is about a castle known as the "castle of Musa". Musa was a student from a poor village, and one day their class was told by his teacher to draw something that they wish for in life. Everyone drew a small house but Musa drew a castle on a hill, with beautiful greenery. His teacher saw the other children's drawings, and liked them, but then he saw Musa's drawing and made fun of it, and insulted him, saying "Is this what you want, look at yourself and how poor you are". So he felt ashamed, but after that he worked very hard as a builder, to regain his self worth, and then he built the castle himself. I went to the castle myself and talked to this guy. The first thing you see inside this castle are candle statues of this drawing lesson. He said he didn't want to feel ashamed, and wanted to bring back his self worth.

This is the feeling, that I have to be respected with my parents, my children, and my nation. Look at how God is generous to you. The strange thing in our religion is that the worst thing you can do is to shame another person. Do not dare to make fun of anyone, or insult anyone.

The battle of the devil

What does the devil want from us? He wants us to be shamed. This is the battle of the earth. God wants us to have self worth and the devil wants to shame us. "He (devil) said, "Seest Thou? This is the one whom Thou hast honored above me! If Thou wilt but respite me to the Day of Judgment, I will surely bring his descendants under my sway". The word "Ahtanikan" means to pull them with a lead in their mouths, I'm sorry to say this, but like sheep (baheema).

The first thing to shame us, which the devil concentrated on, was to reveal our bodies. Why? Because the increase of sins on earth started with the revealing of our bodies. Why do they say that our beginning was a chimp? So that they can make us feel that we are low. Who values you more, the one who says your beginning was Adam or those who say a chimp?

Conclusion

In Ramadan God takes away the devil's lead and values you. Don't sin during Ramadan; this is what I really want to say in the 8th day of Ramadan. I have noticed that the amounts of people in the mosques are starting to lessen. If you come to a sin, remind yourself of your worth, that you deserve it, that you are worth respect. I don't have anything else to say, but that I had this to say and I don't know if I have made it reach you. Let's decide that we will all look back at when we have shamed ourselves, and repent for these mistakes so that our self worth can return.

Young people want to know that adults are fighting for their rights and for justice! At the 1st Annual Taste of Justice Fair held at MLK Memorial Library on Saturday, September 30th, it was evident that adults are working diligently in their communities as the fair was a huge success.

Sponsors included: Alternative Directions Inc., D.C. Prisoners' Project, Drug Policy Alliance, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, First Trinity Lutheran Church, Grace Episcopal Church, the Justice Policy Institute, New York Campaign for Telephone Justice, Operation L.O.C.O., Our Place, Penal Reform International, Prisons Foundation, Texas Cure, the Sentencing Project, Welcome Home Program, WPFW Radio.

Exhibitors filled the auditorium in the lower level of the Martin Luther King Library. Not only did they have a steady flow of visitors, but media attention from The Washington Post was in attendance talking with participants and exhibitors about their work to increase tolerance and justice in their communities.

Anthony Papa, one of the artists whose work was shown yesterday, wrote a book about his time in prison, "15 to Life: How I Painted My Way to Freedom." (By Marvin Joseph -- The Washington Post)

There was also a Special Guest of Honor appearance by Mr. Anthony Papa, Author of 15 to Life: How I Painted My Way to Freedom. The Prisons Foundation thanked the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, in bringing Mr. Papa to Taste of Justice. Entertainment was also provided by MudPie, Charles Kearney, Dennis Sobin, and Terry Hardy.

For the Taste of Justice website, click here (http://www.tasteofjustice.org/).

To view The Washington Post article of this event, click here (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/30/AR2006093001078_pf.html)

There's a New Art Gallery in theCity…With Work by Prisoners?

The mission of the Prisons Gallery of Art is to showcase the talent of men and women in prison while raising funds for these artists and for justice advocacy groups, includling victim assistance and prison reform organizations.

Raising Expectations Inc. has organized an exclusive tour and gallery visit to the Prison Foundation's new Prisons Gallery of Art on Saturday, November 18th from 12pm-2pm. Take advantage of this opportunity to view prisoner artwork as well as talk with some of the artists about their inspiration, techniques, and style of artistic communication. The abstract shown to the left is by Michael Jewell, a former death row prisoner. You can buy this print framed or unframed at 40% off at either the Saturday sale or the Friday and Monday rallies. To join us at this FREE group activity, please do not hesitate to call us at (202) 204-0536 to reserve your space. Located three blocks from the White House, the Prisons Gallery of Art is served by two Metro stations (Farragut North on the Red Line, and Farragut West on the Orange and Blue Lines). Note that the entrance is on 16th Street, at the corner of K Street.

To view more works that will be discussed and viewed during our art gallery trip, click here (http://www.prisonsfoundation.org/art.html).

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Announcement:
Join the Prisons Foundation for Volunteers Night, a Rally and a Prison Art Sale in support of prison artists

Rallies in Support of Prison Artists - On Thursday, November 2 and on Monday through Friday, November 6 to 10, we will be gathering at the corner of K Street and Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC, to show our support for prison artists who are often punished for their creativity by cruel and insensitive prison personnel. We will be at that busy downtown corner all morning on each of these days (8 AM to noon) distributing flyers, talking to passersby, showing art, and playing authentic prison music. Help us make a difference for our brothers and sisters behind bars who are trying to do better. Remember, there is strength in numbers, so we hope you can stop by to help, even if only for a little while. For further information, please call 202-393-1511.

Thursday is Volunteers Night - Join our art director Carolyn Sobin as she answers letters from prisoners and reviews art submissions by prison artists in need of assistance. The next volunteers night is Thursday, November 2, from 5 to 8 PM at First Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 E Street NW, Washington, DC. Make a difference in someone's life by helping out. For further information, please call 202-544-3819.

EMI Seeks Online Demos of Aspiring Stars
Washington Post - AP, 10/24/2006
"A major pop recording label is opening an online portal for aspiring singers and groups, EMI announced Tuesday [October 24]. The group's Parlophone label, whose artists include Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue, Radiohead and Norah Jones, is now accepting music files online, as well as in mailbags."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/24/AR2006102400290.html

Assigned Books Often Are a Few Sizes Too Big
Washington Post, 10/24/2006
There are dangers in pushing kids to go beyond their reading level, say experts. "[W]hy, reading experts ask, do schools expect children to read -- and love to read -- when they are given material that is frequently too hard for them? . . . To be sure, pushing some students to challenge themselves is important, educators say. But there are points where kids read books before they can truly comprehend them and then lose the beauty of the work."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/23/AR2006102300949.html

2 groups challenge easing of media rules
Washington Post - AP, 10/23/2006
"Easing government rules to allow more media consolidation would push out niche radio programming such as classical, jazz and gospel music while doing little to improve local TV coverage, new studies say. Reports released Monday by two public interest groups, the Benton Foundation and the Social Science Research Council, challenged the Federal Communications Commission's argument that media consolidation would improve local coverage and programming due to synergy effects. The FCC is reviewing the issue following a failed 2003 attempt to loosen media ownership restrictions."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/23/AR2006102300314.html

Federal Grant Program Gives A Boost to Black Museums
Washington Post, 9/28/2006
A new grant program by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services is helping African American museums--such as the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh- -with management, programming and operations. "The new grant program . . . grew out of the founding legislation for the National Museum of African American History and Culture that the Smithsonian Institution is planning for the Mall. . . . Supporters of African American cultural institutions were worried the new museum on the Mall would siphon off money and collections that might have gone to smaller museums."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/27/AR2006092701944.html

Actors, musicians oppose U.S. media consolidation
Washington Post - Reuters, 10/3/2006
"Hollywood actors, producers and musicians on Tuesday crowded into a Federal Communications Commission hearing to clamor for the retention of curbs on the growth and power of big media conglomerates. The five FCC commissioners, who are considering overhauling ownership limits, found themselves center stage as participants, ranging from Mike Mills, bassist for the rock band R.E.M., to 'Rockford Files' producer Stephen Cannell, criticized media mergers they said were drowning out independent voices."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/03/AR2006100301208.html

WhoseTube? ArtsTube!
Wall Street Journal, 9/30/2006
Drama critic Terry Teachout conjectures that "YouTube is shaping the future of fine-arts video on demand. . . . Not only have PBS and its affiliates cut back sharply on classical music, jazz and dance, but cable channels like A&E and Bravo that used to specialize in the fine arts are now opting instead to show "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.' This abdication of cultural responsibility has created an opening for entrepreneurs who grasp the new media's unrivaled capacity for niche marketing."
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115956166095678348- wEQI6gz2EusnakaMUm_9nfBAGCI_20061007.html?mod=blogs

Creative Community Builder's Handbook: How to Transform Communities Using Local Assets, Arts, and Culture
Fieldstone Alliance, 2006
Provides practitioners with an understanding of how creative, culturally based projects have played catalytic roles in community change. Includes a summary of research and emerging ideas behind culturally-driven community development; strategies illustrated by case studies; and steps for planning.
http://www.fieldstonealliance.org/productdetails.cfm?SKU=069474

Critical Issues Facing the Arts in California: A Working Paper from The James Irvine Foundation
James Irvine Foundation, 2006
"This working paper, published by the Irvine Foundation and AEA Consulting, identifies the major challenges facing the arts and cultural sector in California. Based on interviews with arts leaders and a review of the relevant literature, the paper describes five key themes that, if not addressed, may threaten the health and well-being of the sector going forward. The themes are: Access, Cultural Policy, Arts Education, Nonprofit Business Model, and Preparing the Next Generation of Artists and Arts Managers. This working paper is the first phase of a project to engage arts leaders and others in a discussion on how to ensure a more sustainable future for the arts in California."
http://www.irvine.org/assets/pdf/pubs/arts/Critical_Issues_Arts.pdf

Cultural Sector in Southeast Pennsylvania Vibrant, Report Finds
Philanthropy News Digest, 10/2/2006
"The Philadelphia area's nonprofit cultural sector earns $573 million in annual revenue and contributes significantly to the local economy, a new report from the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance finds. . . . By interpreting a wide range of data, including revenues, employment, attendance, and fundraising, the report identified several key themes. For instance, corporate and government support for the sector is low, while competition for funding is strong. The report also found that arts organizations in the region tend to operate on tight budgets, with local and federal government providing roughly 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively, of their total revenues."
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/100 04625/story

Promoting continuity through music and the arts
Jerusalem Post, 10/18/2006
"Are bars and coffeehouses becoming America's new synagogues? Is hip-hop becoming the newest form of prayer?" Contrary to growing concerns, the National Foundation for Jewish Culture says young jews "are 'highly engaged' in Jewish life, though not through traditional institutions. They are attending concerts but not synagogue services, going to clubs but not Jewish Community Centers. They are tired of the 'parochial' attitudes of older generations and are looking for a Judaism whose primary appeal is not continuity alone. 'Art and culture are the new generation's currency,' said Carol Spinner, the president of NFJC's board."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1159193467303&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2F ShowFull

Survey: 1 in 5 N.J. schools lag in art education
Cherry Hill Courier Post (NJ), 10/19/2006
"Some New Jersey public schools are not meeting the required art curriculum, according to preliminary findings of a recent study presented to the state Board of Education on Wednesday [October 18]. The survey was given to elementary, middle and high schools this past spring in an attempt to assess the status of art education, and it found nearly one in five schools did not have their curriculum updated to state standards and 6 percent of New Jersey's public school students have no access to art instruction."
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061019/NEWS01/610190518/1 006

California Music Project to Release First CD of All-Star Music This Month to Support Music Education in the State's Public Schools
Business Wire - press release, 10/19/2006
"Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Jack Johnson, and a host of leading California musicians, singers, and bands will release a blockbuster compilation CD this month with the sole purpose of raising much needed money and awareness for music education in the California public school system."
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20 061019005323&newsLang=en

New publication: "Airing Questions of Access: Classical Music Radio Programming & Listening Trends" submitted by National Endowment for the Arts
Drawing on a variety of data sources and analyses, this note addresses access to classical radio. It examines key classical radio characteristics, including trends in station counts and listening hours, as well as the finances of classical radio. This note may be downloaded in Portable Document Format (PDF) from the NEA website at http://www.nea.gov/pub/Notes/92.pdf.

New Mix Releases

SATURDAY NITE LIVE IN THE LAB: a Freestyle Mix of Uptempo Soultronik Grooves. This mix was recorded on the night of the great St. John Coltrane's 80th birthday (9.23.06), and therefore carries a very special and powerful vibe. SNLITB 09.23.06 showcases a pleasant variety of upbeat chunes (tunes) that will delight any ear transmitting sound to a music-loving mind, body & soul. It's perfect for loungin', driving, cleaning, dancing, etc. There are 13 chunky tracks by 13 different artists in all.

AFTERHOURS: a Journey into the Deeper, Darker realms of House Muzik. AFTERHOURS features the music of Producer/DJ extraordinaire: Theo Parrish, who is known for his subterranean, epic-styled, urban orchestrations. Theo Parrish's "the Fela of House music" has a deep, spiritual vibe with heavy, tribal rhythms; rich, funky chords and epic-length songs. Both Fela and Theo compose(d) tunes in such a way that allows all of the sounds to breathe and the subtle nuances of their soulful symphonies to be fully experienced.

AFTERHOURS is not for the faint, shallow or close-minded! It has a very deep and meditative flow that can easily take you on a journey into the recesses of your mental-soul. Raising Expectation's Jawanza "DJ I-wah" Rand expressively wrote, "Personally, I love this muzik and can't wait to play it out over a loud, booming sound system around 2AM and feel the bass, percussion and chords permeate the atmosphere. But until then, I have to share it with you this way. Out of the 11 tracks on the CD, Theo is featured on 6 of them and the tunes of 5 other producers are woven in between."

If you are interested in these mixes, please email him at dj-iwah@yahoo.com and check him out on Fridays at Bohemian Caverns (6p-9p) & Tabaq Bistro (10:30p-2:30a).

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October 2006 is National Arts and Humanities Month!

National Arts and Humanities Month is a coast-to-coast collective celebration of culture in America. Coordinated by Americans for the Arts, it has become the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the nation. From arts center open houses to mayoral proclamations to banners and newspaper articles, communities across the U.S. make sure their citizens pay attention to the cultural gems surrounding them.

PSA Campaigns

Because Americans for the Arts serves all artistic disciplines and speaks to communities throughout the land, we're a natural partner for promoting the big picture about the importance of the arts. Visit http://www.artsusa.org/get_involved/visibility.asp for more information. 22nd MAYOR'S ARTS AWARDS

Call for Nominations (Deadline: Tuesday, December 5, 2006)

The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities invites you to submit nominations for the Twenty-Second Mayor's Arts Awards. The Mayor's Arts Awards are the most prestigious honors conferred by the city on individual artists, organizations, and patrons of the arts.

Nomination Categories

• Excellence in an Artistic Discipline - an individual artist or an organization that has demonstrated a substantial history of extraordinary achievement in an artistic discipline.

• Outstanding Emerging Artist - a promising individual artist or group of artists who have demonstrated excellence and achieved distinction in an artistic discipline.

• Excellence in Service to the Arts - an individual or a private, public, or government organization that has demonstrated a substantial history of exemplary leadership, financial support, or other services vital to the development of the arts in the District of Columbia.

• Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education - an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding efforts to evoke interest and understanding of the arts.

• Innovation in the Arts - an individual or organization that has demonstrated ingenious use of skills or resources to produce art, art programs or services.

Awards will be presented and hosted by the Mayor at annual ceremony in March of 2007. Click here for a pdf file to nominate an artist or arts organization. If you would like, please do nominate Raising Expectations Inc. Hopefully soon, R.E. will be awarded this honor for our work in the community with young people of all backgrounds.

Other October/November Monthly Announcements on R.E.'s Calendar

10/31/06 to 11/04/06	Conference for Community Arts Education Location: Phoenix, AZ (Visit http://www.culturalcommons.org/eventdetail.cfm?ID=1135 for more information)
10/31/06 (Halloween Evening, 5 - 8pm)	Georgia Avenue Community Halloween Party Event Description: DC Idol Hands, MPD, Ward 1 Community Base Businesses and Several Stop the Violence Organizations are continuing "Safe Streets DC" 2006. Instead of our children knocking on strangers' doors, they are invited to knock on the doors of local businesses on Georgia Avenue. Business owners are providing candy, tricks, and a meal at the end of the tour. A Haunted House is also scheduled. The last stop will be at Bruce Monroe Elementary School for a meal. Prizes to the best decorated store. Organizers challenge the ANC Committee to be judges of this community event. Location: 2900-3600 Blocks of Georgia Avenue, NW WDC Pick up a list of participating stores on: Monday, October 30, 2006 Or visit Metropolitan Police Department, 3rd District Substation, 750 Park Road NW, WDC, #202-576-8222 Contact Person(s): Officer B.T. Davis - (301) 674-2114, Officer K. Tutt - (202) 330- 8742, and Officer L. McCoy - (202) 438-1129
11/01/06	The D.C. Office of Planning is holding a "Community Workshop and Open House for the Upper Georgia Avenue Land Development Plan." Organizers are asking residents to participate as they create a framework to guide future development in making Georgia Avenue a Great Street. Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pmLocation: Emery Recreation Center (5701 Georgia Avenue NW @ Madison St.) The Upper Georgia Avenue Land Development Plan will focus on Georgia Avenue between Decatur Street and Eastern Avenue including Shepherd Park, Takoma, Brightwood, and Petworth. More information on this project is available at www.planning.dc.gov.
Start Dates: 11/04/06 -11/05/06 & 11/11/06 - 11/12/06	Blazin Positivity! This Tour will present urban stories of survival through poetry, rap, and song for the whole family. Blazin Positivity Tour will give local talent the opportunity to showcase their talent and promote themselves in front of over 50,000 people positively through our community! (Ages 16-23 only) Registration requirements for showcase tour include: 1) Fee of $20.00 2) Photo (head shot) 3) 1 ½ minute time to interview Time: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Location: 1225 Good Hope Road, SE, WDC 20020 For more Information: Atif Tate, 202.841.1239
11/07/06 Every Tuesday at 7:30 pm	Poetry @ Takoma Park Readings by local poets at Takoma Park library. This week's feature artists include: Donald Berger, Iris Jamahl Dunkle, and Kathryn Williams. Location: Takoma Park Branch of DC Public Library (5th & Cedar Streets, NW) For more information: 202.576.7252
11/08/06 to 11/11/06	Alliance of Artists Communities' 16th Annual Conference: Creating Connections Location: Pittsburgh, PA (Visit http://www.culturalcommons.org/eventdetail.cfm?ID=1138 for more information)
11/11/06	Youth in Washington DC are sponsoring "Youthgiving." The youth have a goal of sponsoring 100 or more Thanksgiving baskets for families in our communities. The organizers of this charitable activity, DC Idols Hands - along with co-sponsors such as ANC (1A), National Organizations of Black Law Enforcement Executives, DCPS, and Planet Chocolate City Clothing Store, just to name a few - are asking that government organizations, city council, police, individuals, schools, community and faith-based business support this event by sponsoring one (1) basket from your organization/business. Sponsoring a basket will assist youth with feeding families around Washington, DC. After delivering the food, youth will provide "Thanksgiving Dessert," entertainment and awards during the afternoon of this event. Respond by Friday, November 3rd, if you would like to become a co-sponsor and plan to attend this event. Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Contact Person(s): Officer Davis, 301/674-2114 or Ms. Carter, 301/367-6613
11/16/06	Forum in International Broadcasting Location: Jack Morton Auditorium, George Washington University, Washington DC (Visit http://www.culturalcommons.org/eventdetail.cfm?ID=1147 for more information)
11/18/06 (Start Times: 8:00pm/9:30pm	DreamCity, an entirely youth-led organization, will host a Slam Competition and Freestyle Battle, "Rep Where U Step" featuring DJ Stylus who will be providing the musical backdrop for the entire evening. The evening will be hosted by members of DreamCity Poets, including 13 year old Joseph "Joedy" Melson Jr., President of Joedy Productions. The Slam will begin at 8:00 PM and the Freestyle Battle will begin at 9:30 PM. Participation in the Slam Competition and Freestyle Battle is open to all students attending middle schools, high schools, and colleges/universities in the DC Metro area. A grand prize will be awarded to the winner. As one recent supporter remarked, "DreamCity gives it to you raw but with a consciousness and message of empowerment for the whole community." DreamCity is an organization that educates participants and members in not only civic activism but financial independence and self-reliance. Location: The George Washington University Marvin Center, 800 21st Street NW, WDC (Show held in the 3rd Floor Continental Ballroom) The purpose of the event is to provide a welcoming environment where young adults are encouraged to speak up and out about their observations, emotions, and motivations through the medium of poetry and Hip Hop. Rep Where U Step will highlight the emerging performance and literary talent of young adults who have grown up initiated by the omnipresent influence of Hip Hop. DreamCity is returning Hip Hop to where it belongs, in the minds and hearts of young adults. There will be no cursing allowed. DreamCity introduced themselves to the public this summer by presenting ten FREE performances of the company's critically acclaimed play The 70© at the MLK Jr., Memorial Library. In the summer of 2007, DreamCity will be bringing The 70 to the Lisner Auditorium, The Atlas Performing Arts Center, and the Lincoln Theater.
11/23/06	Parent Support Circle Meetings Location: The ARC, 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE, WDC (Parklands Community Center) Time: Call 202.678.6500
Every Saturday (10 am to 1pm) Every Wednesday (3 - 6 pm)	Falconsedge Male Task Force Inc. are recruiting for "Young Fathers." The DC Fatherhood Initiative Program (DCFI) will discussing the topic of building relationships for a healthy family to fathers and fathers-to-be. Program activities include: parent training, rap sessions, mentoring, weekend family field trips, gift certificates, job resources, and tickets to local events. Additionally, free meals and transportation are provided to participants. Location: J.O. Wilson Elementary School (660 K Street, NE, WDC between 7th and K Sts, NE) For more information or to register: contact David R. Jones, Sr. (Executive Director) or Anthony Jones (Program Director) at 202.829.0028 or 202.498.5468 or 202.367.4297. By e-mail: djones@falconsedge.org; Office address: 4211 9th Street, NW, Suite 10, Washington DC 20011. Online: www.falconsedge.org This project funded through a grant from the DC Department of Human Services, Office of Fatherhood Initiative.
11/25/06	BlackNotes performing LIVE in an intimate setting, plus an open-mic segment. Meet and mingle with the artists. Light refreshments served. Event sponsored by BlackNotes At-Home Base. For more information, call 202.841.6742. Location: Umoja House (2015 Bunker Hill Rd, NE, WDC) Time: 8:30pm Cost: $10
11/30/06	Deep Ancestry: Inside the Genographic Project One of the most ambitious scientific research initiatives ever undertaken, the Genographic Project - an effort of National Geographic, IBM, and the Waitt Family Foundation - is seeking to unravel the history of human migration from our common homeland in Africa. Begun last year under the direction of geneticist and Society Explorer-in-Residence Spencer Wells, the project is a five-year initiative to assemble and analyze the world's largest collection of DNA samples, gathered from thousands of participants worldwide. At this presentation, Wells will share the latest information about the data gathered during recent expeditions in Chad and Central Asia and will discuss plans for the future of this ground-breaking project. Wells's new book, Deep Ancestry: Inside the Genographic Project, will be available for purchase. Members: $14; Non-Members: $17 Contact Raising Expectations at 202.204.0536 if you would like to purchase group tickets and organize a group trip to this event.

"What a joy it is to know that God has created each of us to be special and unique! As it is with wintersnowflakes, each one of us is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind creation. Pure joy comes with celebrating our unique differences. Each individual we meet has the potential to express all manner of God-given gifts, and we can help support and encourage the expression of such gifts. Beauty comes in many different shapes, colors, and sizes, and God treasures each of us, just as we are. This world remains complete and whole as we live our lives remembering that we are precious and unique children of God, created to express God's love in our own individual and diverse lives."