A4 NOVEMBER 25-DECEMBER 1, 2009 METRO NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Community
Whitfield and Dias families
Metro Beat
Calendar
New legislation
Thanksgiving dinner
consideration
NOV. 26—The Gateway Clipper
AP—Pittsburgh City Council is
Fleet will host their Thanksgiving
considering a packet of legisla-
Day Dinner Cruise at 3 p.m. at
tion that would force business
350 W. Station Square Dr., Sta-
owners to pay a prevailing wage
tion Square. Celebrate Thanks-
living with pain after killings and make their buildings and ve-
giving with this 2-1/2-hour
hicles environmentally friendly if
cruise along Pittsburgh’s three CONTINUED FROM A1
they receive public subsidies to
rivers while enjoying a turkey
build them. Unions have lobbied
hiding under a car-less than a block from
buffet with all the trimmings.
city council to pass such rules.
Donna Whitfield’s house.
There will also be a Holiday Cap-
Council President Doug Shield
“He tried, but he couldn’t hide because the
tain’s Dinner Cruise Nov. 28 at
introduced a bill requiring jani-
Lord saw him,” she said. “He’s a menace,
6:30 p.m. This cruise features a
tors, kitchen workers and gro-
smirking and showing no remorse (at the
delicious dinner buffet and live
cery employees to be paid a pre-
preliminary hearing). And his mother, too—
entertainment performing sea-
vailing wage of $11 an hour, in-
she had him out on bond for something else,
sonal songs all while sailing the
stead of the $7.25, in any busi-
and he has an automatic weapon with an ex-
beautiful three rivers. For more
ness built with public funds. The
tended clip—she’s responsible, too. She
information, call 412-355-7980.
bill could affect a Target store
should go to jail, too.”
and a grocery store planned for
Black bazaar
Whitfield said her son left behind two
two of the city’s poorer neigh-
NOV. 27—The Business
daughters and two stepsons, and that the
borhoods. Councilman Bill Pe-
Women of the Ujamaa Collective
extended family is still devastated. Looking
duto says he’ll introduce a simi-
will host the Black Bazaar on
at the New Pittsburgh Courier’s October
lar bill requiring businesses that
Black Friday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
count of Black homicides, she shook her
get public money to use “green”
at One Hope Square, 1901 Cen-
head.
technologies later this week.
tre Ave., Hill District. There will
“We have 13-year-olds to 19-year-olds tak-
Hill District shooting
be handmade gifts for the entire
ing lives, and mommas not even paying at-
family, delicious food, good
tention to these kids,” she said. “This is Homicide detectives are asking
music and games for children.
wrong. I mean, Larkins is up in that jail, eat- for help with their search for the
For more information, call 412-
ing, sleeping, not a care. I have to make my- suspects involved in a Hill Dis-
512-2680, 412-969-3260 or e-
self eat and I can’t sleep. This has to stop.” trict shooting in the 2000 block
Sleep isn’t a problem for Rose Farrow of
PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN MORROW
mail ujamaacoop@gmail.com.
of Tustin Street Nov. 22.
the North Side, but she hopes it is for who- LOOKING FOR ANSWERS—Rose Farrow goes over the police report of her sister Early Sunday morning officers
Red Ribbon Gala
ever killed her sister Julia Dias in McKees Julia Dias’ murder hoping something will point to the killer. responded to the report of a
DEC. 1—The Board of Direc- Rocks Oct. 17. male shot and laying in the
tors of Educating Teens about “I hope they catch who did it. I honestly do. I hope they
havioral Health facility on Broadway Avenue in McKees
street and found 19-year-old
HIV/AIDS Inc. will host the 5th can’t sleep at night. I hope they toss and turn,” said her
Rocks, hadn’t been seen there since going out Oct. 15. Her
Daniel Baptist with multiple gun-
Annual Red Ribbon Gala in Ob- sister, Rose Farrow. “I hope this eats at them so they come
body was discovered around noon two days later under the
shot wounds to the head and
servance of World AIDS Day at forward and they find out who killed my sister because
back porch of a home just five blocks away.
chest. He was taken to UPMC
5:30 p.m. at the Twentieth Cen- this was not called for.”
Though the police report says the officers—who arrived
Mercy Hospital, where he under-
tury Club, 4201 Bigelow Blvd., Dias, 46, a mental health patient living at the Mercy Be-
within minutes of the homeowner calling about a body be-
went emergency surgery and at
Oakland. The gala is to promote
hind her house—saw blood still coming
last report is in critical condition.
and advocate AIDS/HIV aware-
from a gunshot wound to the back of her
After several interviews, detec-
ness and prevention education
head, no one, including the homeowner,
tives learned that Baptist had left
for pre-teens, teens and young
said they heard a shot.
a party and was walking home
adults through collaboration with
Farrow and her sister, Delores, said Al-
when he was shot. Witnesses say
communities, schools and
legheny County detectives have suspects
they heard shots, but had no de-
houses of worship. There will
and are testing DNA samples found on
scription of the suspects. Anyone
also be a reception. Tickets are
Dias, but the results are not in, and no ar-
with information is asked to call
$100. For more information, visit
rest has been made.
the Pittsburgh Homicide Squad at
www.educatingteens.org.
“One of them is a guy who Julia said
412-323-7161. Callers can remain
Jazz classics
threatened her before and put a gun to
anonymous.
DEC. 2—The Point Park Uni-
her head,” said Delores. “But the detec-
Council could save
versity Black Student Union will
tives haven’t given us any updates. We
can’t even see the coroner’s report.”
libraries
host the Soul Food Social: Jazz
Though Dias’ sisters have issues with
Earlier this week, Pittsburgh
Classics at 7 p.m. at the univer-
how the case has been handled, they are
City Council reportedly unani-
sity’s Ballroom, 201 Wood St.,
still stunned that anyone would harm her.
mously approved a one-time
Downtown. The keynote speaker
“She was a sweet, loving and caring
contribution of $600,000 for the
will be Candi Castleberry-Single-
woman. She had a smile for everyone,”
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to
ton of UPMC. She will speak on
said. Rose. “Even people who just knew
make sure all the branches will
the importance of diversity and
her from the coffee shop or grocery store
continue to be open. The library
inclusion in today’s society.
are like, ‘My God, who would kill her?’
board is expected to vote at their
There will also be a performance
Whoever it is, I just hope they can’t eat,
December meeting on whether
by Patte “The Jazz Diva” Terrell.
can’t sleep. I hope they are tortured and
they will keep the branches open
This music will highlight the PHOTO BY GAIL MANKER
demented in their mind.”
or continue with the proposed
music of Leonard Johnson and STILL IN SHOCK—Delores Farrow can think of no reason why anyone would kill her
(Send comments to cmorrow@newpittsburgh-
plan to close several locations.
his band. For more information, youngest sister.
courier.com.)
In October the board voted to
call Kevin L. Carter at 412-605-
close the Beechview, West End
9141 or klcarte@pointpark.edu.
and Hazelwood branches in
Forensic training
Operation Better Block takes to the streets
February and the Lawrenceville
DEC. 3—Mercy Behavioral
branch in the summer before the
Health, the Allegheny Engage-
opening of the East Liberty
ment Network and others will
CONTINUED FROM A1
with the community and
branch, which is currently being
host “From Arrest to Treatment:
Many residents felt safety
hopefully it will eventually
renovated. The closures were in
Behavioral Health and the Crimi-
in Homewood should start
increase involvement from
response to budget problems.
nal Justice System” from 8:30
with protecting children.
residents. They hope this
Citizen’s bank discounts
a.m.-1 p.m. at the Allegheny
Twenty-one percent of the
campaign will inspire resi-
respondents said this could
Throughout the weekend of
County Human Services Build- dents to reclaim their
be achieved by providing
one of shopping’s busiest times,
ing, One Smithfield St., Down- neighborhood instead of al-
more recreation centers
the Citizens Bank street teams
town. This is a free forensic lowing the city to dictate
and another 20 percent
will help shoppers by handing
training for homeless providers, the direction of develop-
wanted more mentoring
out shopping bags at the en-
case managers and more. Indi- ment.
and guidance.
trances of Ross Park, South
viduals will learn more about the “We’ll have a report out to
“This demonstrates peo-
Hills Village and Monroeville
judicial process from arrest to the community in the form
ple’s desire to see free or
malls, and passing out informa-
court mandated treatment for of some kind of document
more recreation centers
tion on the extra earnings for the
adults. The event is free and and also we’re planning a
and social activities rang-
Giant Eagle fuelperks! Program.
open to the public. Registration community forum to take
ing from community in-
“At Citizens, we are committed
is requested by Nov. 23. For
PHOTO BY J.L. MARTELLO
the next step and come up
volvement to productive so-
to offering innovative products
more information, call Stephanie COMMUNITY OUTREACH—Khalif Ali interviews Sarah Curry who with a series of action steps
Chiappini at 412-232-5896 or
cializing, for example, cotil- grew up in Homewood and recently returned to the area.
and services that can make a
of what the community
lions or social clubs,” Moore
real difference in the everyday
schiappini@mercy.pmhs.org. would like to see happen,”
said. “Other (answers)
lives of our customers,” said
Addiction discussion
Moore said. “We’re having
ranged from better side-
eral housing and educa- about Homewood is there’s
Ralph J. Papa, chairman of Citi-
these conversations and we
DEC. 3—Tobacco Free Al-
walks to seeing and getting
tional programs and have a lot going on in Home-
zens Bank of Pennsylvania.
really want the residents to
legheny will host their Tobacco
acquainted with police.”
served the area for more wood, but the sense of com-
“With the holiday season ap-
participate, not just be re-
Free Coalition Meeting “Casinos,
OBB is a nonprofit organi-
than 40 years. munity isn’t as strong as it
proaching, the Citizens Bank fu-
actionary, but put together
Addiction and Smoking: Impact
zation working to revitalize
“We need to build relation- used to be.”
elperks! Program will provide a
a plan to work with our gov-
on the Community” from 1:30-
the Homewood-Brushton
ships with the community,” The surveying process has
great opportunity for both Citi-
ernment and our stakehold-
3:30 p.m. at the United Way
community. They run sev-
Moore said. “The thing allowed OBB to reconnect
zens and Giant Eagle customers
ers.”
headquarters, 1250 Penn Ave.,
to save more on gas as they
Strip District. This is a discus-
make their holiday purchases.”
sion of the connection between
Taylor, Brentley urge opposition to closings
Customers will also be intro-
the brain, addiction, smoking
duced to the fuelperks! debit card,
and gambling. The speakers will
which will reward them with dis-
be Dr. Antoine Douaihy and Cele
CONTINUED FROM A1
counts on fuel through purchases
earlier closings.
Fichter DeSando. Space is lim-
dents to better schools.
made inside and outside of various
“Every time it’s the
ited. For more information, call
Some of those in atten-
Giant Eagle locations. To enroll
schools on the North Side,
412-323-8321 or e-mail con-
dance at the meeting dis-
customers will need a Giant Eagle
the East End, the West End
tact@tobaccofreeallegheny.org.
agreed. Vivian Super, who
Advantage Card and must enroll
that are closed and the kids
Divabetic
moved here in 2003 from
their checking account and debit
moved,” said Taylor.
South Carolina, said the
card in the fuelperks! Program at
DEC. 5—The West Penn Al-
“Schools in the South, they
changes have been very dis-
any Citizen’s Bank branch in West-
legheny Health System will host
are untouched.”
ruptive to her and her son.
ern Pennsylvania. The street teams
Divabetic from 1-4 p.m. at West
Barnett recalled that the
“Who is Mr. Roosevelt to
will be at Ross Park Mall Nov. 27
Penn Hospital Conference Center
recruiting process for teach-
close all these schools? Who
from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; South Hills
and Wintergarden, 4800 Friend-
ers when she was the prin-
turned our kids into com-
Village Nov. 27 from 10 a.m.-2
ship Ave., Bloomfield. This is a
cipal of Westinghouse High
modities?” she said. “If this
p.m.; and Monroeville Mall Nov. 28
program designed for women
School during the 2004
keeps up, my son will flunk
from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more in-
with diabetes. Max Szadek, Mr.
school closings was any-
out. This education system
formation, contact a local Citizens
Divabetic and the Divabetic team,
thing but equitable.
is on the fast track to hell.”
Bank branch.
will show women how to live life
“I interviewed this one
with diabetes like a Diva. There
Henderson told the crowd
teacher for a position the
University accreditation
of about 50 to file repeated
day the eligibility sheet
PHOTO BY ROSSANO P. STEWART
will be moving like a Diva, surviv-
Chatham University has an-
ing the holidays, a holiday cook-
claims with the state
came out, and offered him
ON A FAST TRACK—Parent Vivian Super said the school district is
nounced that three of its nursing
ing demonstration and makeovers
Human Relations Commis-
the job,” she said. “And he
on the “fast track to hell” after three rounds of closures since 2003
programs have received accredi-
with Mary Kay. The event is free.
sion if Roosevelt and the
told me he really liked the
and students cannot stand another.
tation from the Commission on
Space is limited and registration
school board fail to address
offer but he’d already ac- College Nursing Education. The
is requested by Dec. 1. For more
their concerns.
cepted an offer from the when you can go from at the end of the month, re- school’s RN-to-BSN and Master
information, call Terri at 412-824-
“Keep doing that and Mr.
Carrick principal. I said, school to school and not see minded everyone there will of Science in Nursing were ac-
1181, ext. 4608 or e-mail tseid-
Roosevelt won’t be able to
‘When did he call?’ and he excellence?” she said. be at least three more town credited through December 2019
man@diabetes.org.
make a move until he an-
said, ‘Two weeks ago.’ Car- In an effort to keep commu- halls in the North, West and their Doctor of Nursing
Hair show
swers those charges,” she
rick got the list two weeks nity attention focused on the and South parts of the city. Practice program received an
said.
before I did.” school closing issue, Brentley He also thanked everyone initial accreditation through De-
DEC. 6—Magical Hair Associa- Though both Barnett and
Parent Rita Gilliam said suggested enlisting the for supporting him over the cember 2012. The RN-to-BSN
tion & LMN Productions will host Taylor agreed school clos-
staffing was a concern of clergy by having churches years. and the DNP programs are on-
an Oldies Dance and Senior Citi- ings are needed to save the
hers because the least expe- appoint observers to monitor “Thanks for the years of line classes that prepare individ-
zens Hair Show from 7-9 p.m. at district money and reduce
rienced and qualified per- every school board meeting letting me do something uals in various fields of the nurs-
the Booker T. Washington Lodge unused space, both said it
sonnel seem to end up in and report to their congrega- real for kids,” he said. ing profession. The MSN pro-
#218, 1127 Walnut St., McKees- has to be done equitably;
the poorest schools. tions through “fact sheets” in “That’s why I’m here.” gram will be offered as an online
port. For more information, call something they also said
“How do you brand some- the church bulletins. (Send comments to cmorrow@ program in the fall semester of
Reta Wallace at 412-673-0333. hasn’t been the case with
thing ‘Excellence For All’ Taylor, who will step down newpittsburghcourier.com.) 2010.
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