Sac Cultural Hub

Source: Sacramento Bee (published: Monday, Jun. 14, 2010 - 12:00 am | Page 5B) by Darrell Smith - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In Sacramento's still-struggling employment market, the region's tech sector continues to offer reason for hope. Sacramento tech postings are surging, said job search site Dice.com. More companies are adding positions, gearing up and growing, said officials at the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance. And at Greater Sacramento Urban League, 3725 Marysville Blvd, a class of 30 is learning the skills needed to enter the tech job market. Students in the class, called TechCert, receive free training to become certified as computer technicians.

"This is a boot camp for the tech world. We're preparing people for a new working environment," said Darby Patterson, Sacramento program director of the nonprofit Stride Center, the Oakland-based career training organization teaching the course. "We track the news like everybody else, and the greatest survivability is in tech," Patterson said. "Everybody in business needs their systems to work."

Students range from high school age to workers 50 and over. Many are low-income or displaced workers looking to gain a foothold in today's economy. The comprehensive 23-week course takes students from computer upgrades and repair to troubleshooting, removing viruses and loading operating systems, all toward testing for A+ certification demonstrating competency as a computer technician.
The course is funded by a $591,000 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant to the local Urban League through the state's Employment Development Department. Local Urban League officials took notice last year of a Stride Center computer training pilot program in North Sacramento and joined forces with the Stride Center on TechCert. "We knew there was some tech training that wasn't available to low-income residents," said Taurus Jackson, an Urban League vice president. "We can provide a service for free that people would otherwise have to make a financial sacrifice to get training."

Colleen Brittain of North Highlands graduated from the pilot program in December, went on to earn her A+ certification and now is a volunteer coordinator for the Stride Center in Sacramento.

Brittain is still seeking work after being laid off from her job at a Roseville warehouse in June 2008, but said earning the certification should make her more marketable in the workplace and provide her with a better-paying job. Stride Center also helps match program graduates with potential employers. She said entry-level computer techs can earn from $13 to $30 an hour.

"There are a lot more skills I can offer" with the certification, Brittain said. "Finding a job is difficult still with the economy, but any skills you can add definitely help." The first Urban League class graduated in April, with 31 of 32 students going on to receive A+ certification. "We think this will make a difference," said David DeLuz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Sacramento Urban League. "This helps us provide a significantly elevated level of opportunity for people in our community."

For more information on the TechCert program, visit the Stride Center online at www.stridecenter.org, or the Greater Sacramento Urban League at www.gsul.org.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/06/14/2820166/urban-league-offers-computer-training.html#ixzz0qqsEvQRl

Best locations/venues to take the family to see 4th of July Fireworks in Sacramento:

Cal Expo in Sacramento, gates open at 6 pm and fireworks start approximately 9:30 pm - visit www.calexpo.com Elk Grove Regional Park from 3 pm to 10 pm - visit http://www.elkgrovecity.org/rwb/

The Sacramento River Cats will be having their own celebration at Raley Field on Friday and Saturday as they host the Fresno Grizzlies.

The Sacramento Firecracker 5K/10K will be held at McKinley Park at 8 a.m. Saturday. Participants will be given a free short-sleeve T-shirt at the event. Adults and children can take part in a 5K or a 10K run or walk.

On Saturday, the Sacramento Pocket area will host its annual Spirit of the Pocket Parade. The parade, featuring about 60 floats, will start at 10 a.m. at Lisbon Elementary School, located at 7775 S. Land Park Drive, and will end at Garcia Bend Park on 7654 Pocket Road.

See more info about Fireworks celebration taking place throughout the Greater Sacramento Valley Region posted on Sacramento Press at http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/31811/Sacramento_Fourth_of_July_roundup

Submitted by Pleshette Robertson, Chief Editor So yet another year I was thrilled once again to watch (with the family) at mom's house the BET Awards … it just happens to be the BIGGEST NIGHT IN BLACK STAR POWER!!! You just never know what the performances will be like, what people will blurt out or do, who will wear what, and how the show will flow!!!

I was hoping for a grand-WOW opening of the BET Awards ---NOT!!! The volcano opening by Kanye West was NOT GOOD! I, nor the family was not drawn in by this performance nor were we excited!!! My sister’s (Gi Gi’s) comments: “Step your game up Kanye … opening should have definitely been Rick Ross and P. Diddy performing ‘Hello’!!!” – should’ve been a performance that would get us out of our seats and not something that puts us to sleep and back to the kitchen for snacks or a bathroom break (LOL!!!).

The Ms. Queen Latifah did her thang as the Host-MC but sometimes the changing of multiple outfits was overdone! However when she transformed from her opening role as a snooty MC spokes person wearing a black, sparkling one-shouldered sheath dress and then moments later dancers appeared and ripped the glittering gown from her body, leaving Latifah in hot pants and a tight black top that surprised us. She slid on a cool jacket and shades, and broke into her own powerful BET Awards 2010 freestyle of "Forever" by Eminem. “THIS WAS GOOD and we liked it !!! (we were a little worried at first…LOL!!!)

HOT PANTS Jada (who presented an award) ... she brought it with her short shorts...too cute legs and her Avatar hairdo was so cute. My mom stated: "IT WAS BOLD" and my brother was like: "Overall, her body looked nice!!!"

Usher's performance was kind of slow and boring but somewhat watchable because we love Usher's singing ability.

As the show is still moving a long, we are still looking for the REALLY WOW performance!!!

Funny man Mike Epps and Taraji P. Henson were the funniest presenters. And, Mike Epps really got us with the Precious joke...he was too cold though!!!

So who's appearance and dress was the total talking piece for the entire show..." Nicki Minaj " - The orange hairdo and white dress certainly made a WOW statement and we liked it!

The guest appearance of "THE GAME" was great! I love "THE GAME" show and so glad that we can see it on BET!!! One day I watched a marathon of “The Game” for 6 hours straight!

Okay ... so T.I. - "King of the South" made his comeback performance but I was not impressed with his solo performance...was too fast, sort of overdoing it and couldn't understand what he was saying!

Another great presenting moment was when Nia Long and Larenz Tate did the "Love Jones" skit ... too sexxxxy!!!

GREAT performance by full-figured, so pregnant and the beautiful Ms. Alicia Keys...she walked that stage from left to right like she owned it! Big Ups to Alicia...I LOVE HER!!! The five-months pregnant singer and pianist wore a tiny, purple mini-dress that highlighted her new curves and baby bump. Her hot pink stilettos totally completed the look. Ms. Keys totally killed it with her piano performance and practically scared Prince and US to death when she started climbing the piano but it was all good!

Okay ... there was an interruption every so often of introducing new artists with "Music Matters" with several performances - this was new for BET and somewhat okay but of course we were like "Who are these people" - please bring on the best star celebrity performances - that's why I'm watching the show!

Alright now ... what was up with Holly Robinson's hair do - my nephew stated: "looked like a $4 dollar weave"...it was not cute!!!

Here we go ... it's the middle of the show and Keisha Cole comes out and she totally "GO!" …performing with B.O.B. the hit collaboration, "Airplanes". Keisha Cole wore a tight, red multi-layered skirt with a high-collared black sleeveless top and stilettos as she hit all the right notes. Great performance by Keisha Cole!!!

Total standing ovation for Eminem who certainly made his comeback ...had the gospel choir in the background crunking ... it was off-the-hook … this was a total moment when you could see the entire crowd was so into and moved by the performance: "I'm not afraid, to take a stand..." Everybody was rocking their heads back and forth!!!

Okay...there were so terrible outfits worn by Monica and Deniece Williams... Although I love the way these 2 women sing ... as we all know they have great voices but this bat outfit that Monica had on was horrible and the black widow dress with lace gloves worn by Deniece Williams was awful and I did not like her hairdo. The all black clothing attire cast too much of a dark gloomy performance.

So who GETS the PAR-TAY started on BET ’10 Awards? Of course… P.Diddy, "GO" Rick Ross (he's the firestarter of great performances) with T.I. and Nicki Menaj

So we had our cable t.v. commercial interruptions and the best commercial during BET Awards was "I Am King" … advertisement for P.Diddy's cologne - the commercial had a Charlie Angels undertone.

The BEST and WOWED performance of the evening was the MJ Tribute by Chris Brown! Finally the BET Production team does it RIGHT with letting Chris Brown perform who did an outstanding job. It began with a shadow dance by Chris Brown behind a screen, and turned into a unique, artistic performance by a group of dancers. The dancers' bodies had the appearance of merely being bright white lines sketched on a black background, and the result was nothing short of impressive. He got all MJ moves right!!! This was Chris Brown's redemption performance with dropping to his knees and so choked up with tears he could hardly sing (emotional rendition of “Man In The Mirror”) at times. I absolutely LOVED Chris Brown's performance. It was a straight from the heart performance no matter what the main-stream media thinks!!!

El Debarge surprised us looking like Clark Gable (my mom stated … LOL!!!) and bringing light-skinned and wavvy back. Before there was Maxwell, there was El Debarge and we loved his performance. El Debarge looks good - he's gotta be ...what in his 50s now???

Give it up ... GIVE IT UP for Tyrese with singing songs by Teddy Pendegrass... Tyrese sang it good and look good while sangin' it. Me and my mom loved Tyrese…sexxxy!

The GOSPEL GREATS took over the stage and of course these are the BEST & GRAND VOICES in the world with Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, Kim Burrell, Karen Clark Sheard, and Yolanda Adams!!!

OKAY ... the tribute by all performers to Prince were great except for "Trey Songz" performance as it kind of confused us and it just wasn't good!!! He totally fell flat on some of the high notes. The performance by the eclectic Janelle Monae of “Let’s Go Crazy” was a little different but definitely held our attention.

And guess what ya'll...Chaka Khan (who was one of the presenters) lost weight ... she looked great!

The grand finally performance with Ludacris (singing “My Chick Bad” who was outstanding and so entertaining) with the drumline effect and Tommy Lee on the drums (he was da' bomb). It was a "HOLLYHOOD MOMENT" with Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, and P.Diddy in da' house. THAT WAS JAMMIN’ ENTERTAINMENT!!!

This year's BET Awards was so much better than last year!!! 

The Pre-Show could have been a little better hosted by the stars of 106 & Park, Terrence, Rocsi and DJ Prostyle. Some of the performances included:  N.E.R.D, Soulja Boy, B.O.B and Jermaine Dupri. I liked the 360 Cover Cam effect and the Red Carpet Correspodents Alicia Renee and Nick Cannon who were interviewing the stars.

And the BET ’10 WINNERS & Nominees are:

Best Female

Ester Dean
Lil Kim
Nicki Minaj (WINNER)
Rasheeda
Trina

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
B.o.B
Drake (WINNER)
Fabolous
Jay-Z
Ludacris

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyonce
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Alicia Keys (WINNER)
Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Raheem DeVaughn
Maxwell
Trey Songz (WINNER)
Usher

Best New Artist
Justin Bieber
Melanie Fiona
Nicki Minaj (WINNER)
Wale
Young Money

Best Gospel
The Anointed Pace Sisters
Kirk Franklin Presents Artists United For Haiti
Tamela Mann
Marvin Sapp (WINNER)
Vickie Winans

Best Group
Black Eyed Peas
Diddy-Dirty Money
New Boyz
Young Money (WINNER)

Best Collaboration
Beyonce – Video Phone (Feat Lady Gaga)
B.o.B – Nothin’ on You (Feat Bruno Mars)
Drake & Trey Songz – Successful
Drake – Forever (Feat Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem)
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind (WINNER)
Trey Songz – Say Aah (Feat Fabolous)

Video Director Of The Year
Benny Boom
Gil Green
Anthony Mandler
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams

Video Of The Year
Beyonce – Video Phone (Feat Lady Gaga) (WINNER)
B.O.B – Nothin’ on You (Feat Bruno Mars)
Melanie Fiona – It Kills Me
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West – Run This Town

Viewer’s Choice
Beyonce – Sweet Dreams
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
Monica – Everything to Me
Rihanna – Hard (Feat Young Jeezy) - (WINNER)
Trey Songz – Say Aah (Feat Fabolous)
Young Money – Bedrock (Feat Lloyd)

Best International Act
Kojo Antwi (Ghana)
Chipmunk (UK)
Dizzee Rascal (UK) (WINNER)
Estelle (UK)
Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) (South Africa)
K’NAAN (Somalia)
M.I. (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Corinne Bailey Rae (UK)
Sade (UK)

Centric Award
Melanie Fiona
Maxwell
Chrisette Michele
Monica (WINNER)
Sade

Prince received the Lifetime Achievement Award

John Legend received the Humanitarian Award

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Can’t wait to watch the recap “Who Wore What” at BET ’10 Awards Show (the best and worst dressed) on BET tonight, Mon-6/29.

 

Visit www.bet.com/betawards

See photos from the BET ’10 Awards of: Trey Songz, Drake . Keyshia Cole, Tyrese Gibson, Swizz Beatz, Waka Flocka, Todd Bridges, Larenz Tate, Nia Long , Tatyana Ali and Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, Brandy and Ray J., Ludacris, BET CEO Debra Lee, Jada, Lauren London and Cassie, The Black Eyed Peas, Christine Teigen and John Legend, LaLa Vasquez and Carmelo Anthony, Raheem DeVaughn, Anita Baker, and Tyreese at Sean 'P Diddy' Combs, Dawn Richard and Nicki Minaj >>more photos

ISAW Foundation Gears Up For a Summer in Africa STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA (June 16, 2010) -- After a successful initial launch of the Drink Well Do Good Tour, the International Society of Africans in Wine (ISAW), concludes the 12-city global campaign with a visit to the World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa. ISAW enjoyed a significant amount of press for the inaugural grassroots series of concerts and cultural exhibitions, and now returns to South Africa where the summer will be spent working with award-winning production company, Clear Films (nominated best International Educational Documentary of the Decade by the Green Globe Awards, When Clouds Clear) to produce promotional and developmental media for the Foundation. Clear Films is also profiling the M’hudi Estate -which will house the ISAW Learning Center- and owners Malmsey and Diale Rangaka, to create a long-form documentary about the first black-owned winery in South Africa , while taking a broader look at South Africa ’s wine industry at large.

The six-week period in South Africa will be followed by a two-week intensive exploratory in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia in partnership with Emory University ’s Goizueta School of Business. ISAW will work with Peter Roberts, Wine Economist, and Director of Social Enterprise at Goizueta, to develop a comprehensive report on the prospects and needed conditions to form a cluster of activity to launch a wine industry in Ethiopia . “It is an exciting time for South Africa and an exciting time for our Foundation. This summer really signifies the shift from a period of outreach into a phase of intellectual and philanthropic development, and moves us closer to our mission of creating economic opportunities through wine,”says ISAW Founder Stephen Satterfield. ISAW has targeted September 2010 for the release of the feasibility report on Ethiopia and completion of the initial media releases from Clear Films. You can follow the blogs for the Africa Exploration at ISAW: www.toastafrica.com/blog and Clear Films: http://clearfilms.org/html.

For more information about ISAW, visit www.isawfoundation.org. For media inquiries, contact Sheree Williams at 510.502.8353.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond (photo - Juneteenth celebration in Austin, Texas, on June 19, 1900)

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.

Visit Juneteenth World Wide Celebrations at www.juneteenth.com.

Browse the list of special events taking place in celebration of Juneteenth at www.sacculturalhub.com/events.

Submitted by Contributing Writer, Faye Kennedy of Talking Drum e-newsletter (Sacramento Area Black Caucus -SABC). For more info call (916) 484-5025 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Submitted by Sac Hub Staff News Reporter, Keadrian Belcher-Harris

Miss Issane’ Anderson sishes on what keeps her motivated and focused! Teenage girls, with those two words an explosion of thoughts cross our minds.  Often many parents exhaust their mind with ways to keep their teenage daughter from all the many challenges that young girls face in 2010.  According to USA Today, pregnancy and abortion are both on the rise with teenage girls. A study from Soundvision.com reflects devastating challenges that young women are succumbing to ranging from image to violence.

I had the opportunity to speak with an insightful young girl by the name of Issane’ Anderson who is a track and field sensation at Sam Brannan Middle School in Sacramento.  Though Issane’ is swift on the field, she offers insights on how to combat the challenges that young ladies like herself endure.  See more photos of Issane' Anderson on the Sac Cultural Hub Fan Page at www.facebook.com/sacculturalhub.

Sac Hub: What can you tell the soon to be seventh grade girls that will be entering into their first year of Junior Year?
Anderson: I will tell the 7th graders not to get lazy when it comes to school work because your grades and how you participate is the number one thing to focus on.

Sac Hub:  In Junior High what are some of the challenges that come up with girls?
Anderson: With other female students and a lot of hating going on.

Sac Hub: How do girls deal with challenges in a bad way?
Anderson: By talking back to the other female and starting an unnecessary argument.

Sac Hub:  Tell me how do girls deal with challenges in a good way?
Anderson: By just ignoring the little comments people say about them. They will also just be confident in their self.

Sac Hub: Who supports you and encourages you when you don't want to do well?
Anderson: My family supports me and tells me, "never to give up, the best thing to do is try".

Sac Hub: What type of things have you learned from your family?
Anderson: That family will always be there no matter what and they will support you with anything you do.

Sac Hub: What inspired you to get involved with running?
Anderson: I just wanted to try something new. In the end I really did enjoy it and was glad I tried.

Sac Hub:  Is running hard? Do you like running out of breath (laughing)?
Anderson: In the beginning yes running is hard. I do not like to run out of breath so I pace myself to run at a speed that keeps me breathing.

Sac Hub: What do you tell yourself when you're running to make you run faster?
Anderson: To push harder and not to give up even if I don’t place where  I want, at least I tried my best.

Sac Hub: What do you like most about being on the Track & Field Team?
Anderson: I enjoy competing against other schools. I also like to cheer my teammates on while there in a race.

Sac Hub: What else do you enjoy doing?
Anderson: Besides track and field I enjoy hanging out with my friends and shopping.

Sac Hub: How important is education to you and why?
Anderson: To me education is the most important thing in life. I say that because without a education you will be nothing and in life I think everybody should at least try.

Sac Hub: If you could thank one person for inspiring you, who would it be and why?
Anderson: I can say my mother. She’s been here for me since day one and without her support and knowledge I don’t think I would have been able to make it this far.
Supporting your teenage daughter can go far, while girls desire to do a variety of things support and encouragement can only guide them in the right direction…Let’s continue empowering our young women to achieve greatness.  Kudos to Issane’ Keep up the great work!

Grammy® Award-Winning Rapper T.I. Takes Center Stage for Long Awaited Comeback Performance at the BET AWARDS '10 and R&B Singer John Legend to Receive Humanitarian Award

NEW YORK, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year BET brings you the hottest awards show on cable television and this year will be no different.  Hosted by entertainment superstar Queen Latifah with performances by Nicki Minaj, Drake, Trey Songz and Diddy-Dirty Money the BET AWARDS '10 promises to bring the house down!

See more exciting show details >>read more
Visit http://betawards.bet.com/

The best of Gospel Events in Northern California composed by "The Gospel Vine". It's a blessing of great events for the entire family >> see more