he A a THE 'M WELCOME SPRING HAPPY EASTER Support Thase Advertisers Who PHT OR 222 READING, BERKS COUNTY Serving; LASTERN PENNSYLVANIA What You Ses te What You Get: What You Read ls What You Know & Seve EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA'S MINORITY VOICE - SINCE 1989 (610) 372-9984 - P.O. BOX 395, READING, PA, 19603 | "WBA Super Middle Weight Champion of the World, The Peoples Champion Steve Little “I’m Blessed.”’ “All Blessings come from the Lord.” “I want to be a role model for the youth” “My concern is for the youth of this community, and the World.” “I want the youth to know that they can make it from Reading.” Not since Stu Jackson, former Reading High School basketball player, graduate and then turned NBA Knicks basketball coach, has Reading citizens buzzing with ex- citement. Steve Little has turned the lights onto Reading. At the same time in both sports field, boxing and college basketball has Reading been very fortunate to have two African American stand- ing brightly among the elite of the World as WBA Super Middle Weight champion of the world, Steve Little, and all american (NBA bound) University of Con- necticut super star, Reading High School graduate, Donyell Marshal. Both of these superstar are ex- amples of good sound family up- bringing, God fearing parents that taught both of them the meaning of family values and respect. When I first met Steve Little about 5 years ago, I knew he was a winner, his light was shining through. We developed a profes- sional communication, then a friendship relationship. Steve just needed a break. I subsequently attended his boxing match in 1992 at REading Senior High School. I saw a young man that hada spirit like Muhammad Ali (young Cassius Clay). There is a spiritual being about Steve Little that glows with his smile. Boxing is a sport that pounds away at physical bod- ies but, none the less boxing transends the art of physical beat- ings. Boxing is a talent - a God given talent because there are tech- nique employedin the ring. There is a long history behind physical contact just as in professional football,hockey, basketball, base- ball tennis, etc...... Steve Little has mastered the professional art of boxing as did the young Cassius Clay. Steve Little, a family man, with his wife Wanda, loves his family and is instilling in his children family values, traditional values. Steve Met his wife Wanda in 1986, when Steve was driving South on 5th St near the Abe lincoln Hotel, he spotted her walk- ing by when he blew his horn at her, she responded thinking she knew who the driver was. As she took a closer look she said to her- self, “Why did I wave at that guy, _Idon’t even know who heis,” Steve pulled his vehicle over and said to Wanda, “You are beautiful, what is your name? Wanda responded and started walking away, when Steve sai#, “wait, wait, one other question, How can I see you/ and how can I get in touch with you, “ that then became the romance his- tory of Steve & Wanda. The rest is history, Steve & Wanda are hap- pily married having a wonderful family of 5 children: Stephen Jr, 7 years old (Stephen will be celebrat- ing his 8th birthday on March 29, 1994), Marc, 5 years old, Stephanie, 3 years old, Alexander, 1 year old, and Michael, 2 months old. Steve and family attends Holy Rosary Chapelchurch faithfully, on Schuylkill Ave, Monsignor Felix Losito, presiding. Steve loves God and it shows. Steve is still that humble young man I met 5 years ago, he has Penn State Berks Campus to Host Exiled African Writer More than 170 scholars from 16 nations will present papers on the life and works of East African nov- elist Ngugi wa Thiong’o, April 7 - 9, at the Penn State Berks Cam- pus. “Ngugi is one of the foremost literary figures in Africa today,” said Charles Cantalupo, associate professor of English at Penn State Schuylkill Campus. “No African writer today is the subject of more doctoral dissertations and journal articles, and none is more impor- tant in understanding the prob- lems of post-colonial Africa.” Scholars from Africa, Asia, Eu- rope, Canada, and the United States will attend the conference, “Ngugi wa Thiong’o: Texts and Contexts,” and will read their pa- pers on works by Ngugi wa Thiong,o and related issues. “A conference of this magnitude on a living African writer is unprec- edented outside of Africa,” Cantalupo said. Ngugi wa Thiong’o will be present and will read from his works Friday evening. Also in- cluded on the agenda are visits by Amiri Baraka, Kamau Brathwaite, Abdilatif Abdalla, Alamin Mazrui, and a host of poets and writers who will read from their works. The Berks Campus Freyberger | Continued on Page 2 i contributions. | THANK YOU FROM THE CHAMP for all of your gifts and am available for speaking developed a spiritual demeanor of growth, he has developed a media sense, while watching him on tele- vision, reading about him in news- paper, listening to him on the ra- dio, he has learned the technique of communicating to the masses of people, youth that are looking and watching a solid role model. A young man that will be a million- aire sports figure, a young man that knows the people in the com- munity, a young that is a product of the Reading School District, a young man that will not forget his community and home, a young man that will do something for the youth of this community to get them off of the street corner, a young man that will no doubt build a community center, a place for the youth to go and be creative mentally and physically but yet not be destructive with this cre- ativity. Steve Little,is winner and this newspaper’s opinion has al- ways been a winner, there are lots of winners out there in this Read- ing communify, they are only wait- ing for a break. There are loads of programs out there for the adults of this community to lend a hand to. The Lord is blessing Steve Little and family, this is a good news story, a positive image story, that is what America is founded on, good news, people doing good deeds in small communities. We support Steve Little and encourage the community to support Steve Little. This story is not over and there is no ending , this story will con- tinue because there are many chap- ters to unite because Steve Little is “climbing the stairway to Heaven,” only success stands in front of Steve Little. Since win- ningthe WBA title, Steve has made & ae himself available to speak, sign autographs, personal appearance for the community. Steve has been saying positive things about Read- ing, PA to the press on Wednes- day, March 16, 1994 Reading City Council issued Steve Little the of- ficial key to the City of Reading, PA. Next we look for Steve Little day!! friend, Reading Area African American Community Churches and The Reading Branch NAACP will be Sponsoring "African American Family Day’, Saturday on April 23rd, 1994 from 8:00 to 4:00pm, at The Union Baptist Church Community Center 201 Schuylkill Ave & Jefferson Street, (Enter on Jefferson Street) There is parking in the Centers lot adjacent to the Elderly Highrise at 100 North Front Street) We encourage your support to this first annual event , as we work to strengthen the African American Family, and maintain our heritage for our children and future generations of African American youth. Refreshments available, Free to the Public, Tell a Dangers of Carbon Monoxide The American Lung Association of Lancaster and Berks Counties issued an advisors today on the dangers of carbon: monoxide (CO) poisoning and what to do about them. The health agency called attention to a number of CO- induced sickenings and fatalities reported in its service area dur- ing the fall and winter heating season. The Lung Association’s environmental health director stressed that nearly all #0 prob- American Lung Association of Laneaster and Berks Counties Carbon Monoxide Warning/Main- tenance Advised / Tests Available risk from CO exposures. In ex- treme cases, CO exposure can cause unconsciousness, coma, and even death. CO can come from any heating system, appliance, machine, or motor vehicle that relies upon com- bustion, When this equipment malfunctions or is improperly A We at the “M” Voice Newspaper salute Steve Little and Wanda as a young married couple of color maintaining a true, traditional family during these times of tur- THE 'M' VOICE - MARCH - APRIL, 1994 moil and turbulence. May God continue to richly bless you Steve little and family. Continue to do your good deeds in the commu- nity. maintained, production of CO may increase. Common combustion appliances in the home include was, coal, propane, oil, kerosene, and wood heating equipment, as well as gas hot water heaters, cook- ing appliances, and clothes dry- ers, of short-term carbon monox- ide screening tests. Bach of these detectors contains a chemical dot that changes color when exposed to CO. They are desitned for an exposure of three to twenty-four hours, and are available in person lems are preventable, with proper maintenance and use of combus- tion equipment. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous was which is not easily detectable since it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is pro- _ duced by the incomplete combus- tion of fuel. Exposure to CO can cause headaches, dizziness, fa- igue, shortness of breath, “flu- i ke” symptoms, and more. Per- sone with lung or heart disease, children, elderly people, and ; ig ant women (whose fetuses very sensitive to carbon monox- | ide) are at significantly increased engagements and autograph signings. Call or write to: Steve Little 2860 Wilson School Coust | Sinking Spring, PA 19608 |, Publisher Presented Black Heritage Postage Stamp. Collection...(L-R) Publisher Presented Black Heritage Postage Stamp Collection series issued by the United States Post Office, thirteen (13) Black Heritage stamps were issued in 1993 to Mr. Ron rouse, Founder and Publisher of the “M” Voice Newspaper of Eastern Pennsylvania, based in Reading, Pennsylvania. in establishing The “M” Voice Newspaper, “Mr. Rouse deals with Black History every day and had added a great dimension to the | growth of Reading and Berks County, The “M” Voice Newspaper is ! a very informative newspaper and allows the citizens tobe d of events in the community, additionally giving people not of color a perspective of view points that we would not normally reac orthrough the mail from the Asso- stated Mrs, Williams during her presentation remarks to Mr. Ror ciation offices in Reading and Rouse, during the Black History Month ceremony held at the Berk Continuad on 2 county services center, weekly county commissioners r in February. f wy ‘ie ‘ ‘ ee ee a a a es i ghey nL omar 6 on nen 2-THE "M"-VOICE- MARCH & APRIL, 1994 The “M” Voice Newspaper Welcomes You We welcome your family stories, articles, poems of interest with a limit of 150 words. We welcome your family photographs for print- ing. How best record your family history in the record books than in the “M” Voice Newspaper. The “M” Voice Newspaper, was one of only two newspaper publications placed inside the New Berks County Services Center Time Cap- sule. Thus, marking a first for an Contributing Writers: Deric Dorman, jack Knight, Ken Shire, Nelson a. Deleon, Charlotte White, Rev. Sequra, Pastor Robert Hinson, Kimberly Gordon and Alan Peura *Affiliate* The Minority Voice, Inc. Gospel * Jazz * R & B * Talk Radio * News * Complete Coverage JOY 1340 AM WOOW Radio 1320AM WTOW "The "M" Voice Newpaper National Black Network News Affiliate Greenville, NC Washington, NC Eastern North Carolina U = You B= Be U = You COPYRIGHT Mark Allen is serious about business. As a business major in accounting Mark carries a B+ average. Besides that, he’s working on an internship program with a minority development council in Berks County and the City of Reading. And, he is Vice President of Brothers Seeking Excellence here on campus. Mark Allen is making it. But he’s only one of the many students of color who are succeeding at KU. Mark says it best: “If you want to make it, you have all the potential in the world here at Kutztown. | know...I’m doing it.” Get down to business, Call Eric Powell, 610-683-4472 at Kutztown. He'll explain what Kutztown University can do for you. The 'M" Voice Staff Ron Rouse Publisher / Editor-In-Chief Ron Rouse, II Assistant Editor-In Chief D. Nate' Rouse Executive Assistant to Publisher Lydia E. Rouse Circulation Eneida B. Rouse Business Manager / Personnel KK "THE WORD IS OUT" Attention World A Successful Women's Magazine For NV Volantolame)m Ore) (0) ¢ ‘ele teleam OM Zelelmaciiicmciclare es e Publication African American newspaperin Berks County to be placed insidea time capsule with other documents and history of Berks County, to be opened in 100 years from 1992. The year 2092. Submit your poems, stories, ar- ticles, photographs to the“M” Voice Newspaper at P.O. Box 395, Read- ing, PA 19603-0395 or drop them off at the “M” Voice Newspaper Headquarters, 134N. 5thSt, Read- ing, PA 19601. NOTE:ALL ARTICLES, STO- RIES, POEMS, PHOTOGRAPHS BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE “M” VOICE NEWSPAPER. Please have your name, address, and telephone number listed on all items submitted. Carbon Monoxide Continued from Page 1 Lancaster at a cost of $5.00 per detector. But Kevin M. Stewart, the Lung Association’s Director of Environ- mental and Occupational Health, emphasized that no CO testshould be used as a household’s sole pro- tection. “I cannot stress too strongly that the first line of de- fense against CO build-upis proper installation, venting, operation, and maintenance of combustion devices, flues, and chimneys, “Stewart said. “Ofcourse, the chief advantage of and valid CO detec- tor is that a person who does have _aCO problem will be warned of high exposures and possibly of low exposures, and can therefore take appropriate corrective action. But a good result during the testing period does not guarantee that a problem will not develop later.” American Lung Association of Lancaster and Berks Counties Carbon Monoxide Warning/Main- tenance Advised / Tests Available The Lung Association also warned that if you or four family members are experiencing symp- toms you suspect are caused by CO: Get fresh air immediately. In case of emergency, firstevacu- ate the premises, then call 9-1-1, emergency personnel or poison Exiled African Writer Continued from Page 1 Gallery will present an art ex- hibit by Lawrence F. Sykes based on the works of Ngugi. Other events include film pre- sentations from the Library of Af- rican Cinema, the showing of Ngugi was Thiong’o’s and Manthia Diawara’s recent documentary on Kutztown University... and You! | Kutztown, PA A Member of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. 5 iiiademene Grand Opening Ceremonies For Mind-Co Headquarters...At the recent ribbon cutting ceremony, at Mind-Co's (Minority development council) new headquarters located at Penn Square, 6th & Penn Street, Reading, The "M" Voice camera photographed (L-R) Mr. Ted Hartz, Chairman of the Board Mind-Co, and The Dean of the Business college at Kutztown 'U’, Mr. Jorge Blanco, a Mind-Co graduate, and President of ABACO Air-conditioning and refrigeration Service company, Mrs. Cecille Grimshaw, Owner of Carribean Pavillion, located at the Downtown Outlet, on Spring Street, Reading, Mrs. Grimshaw also a Mind-Co graduate, and Mr. Paul Oxholm, Vice-President with Core State/Hamilton Bank, a Mind-Co executive Vice-President. Congratulations to the Mind-Co executives and all graduates, and all involved in the operation of this fine program. Support the businesses that have developed as a result of Mind-Co, you will find excellent food of tropical nature at the. Carribean Pavillion, all food is prepared fresh daily, served with a smile, we recommend all the dishes for they are all very good, located in the food court on the second level. Support ABACO Refrigeration Service, the only licensed Latino in Berks county, with over 15 years of experience. Both of these excellent businesses serve you the community, and the owners are truly people person, The Carribean Pavillion additionally does catering for parties, weddings, receptions, etc.., Mr. Ted Hartx, and Mr. Paul Oxholm are key players involved in the community, keep up the good deeds Ted & Paul. May God continue to bless you all. Voice Photo By Ron Rouse Control. Otherwise, immediately call four physician or medical clinic to report your symptoms. ACO fact sheet is available from the Lung Association as a free ser- vice of Christmas Seals.. For more information on CO or any other matter related to lung health, call the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-888- longer, “do it today.” 4872) or check the local listing in the white pages of the telephone directory. The American Lung Association is dedicated to the fight against lung disease, the nation’s third leadind cause of death. Along with its medical section, the American Thoracic Society. the association provides programs of education, FREE FREE FREE “BUSINESS CARD NETWORK PAGE” The “M” Voice Newspaper will be starting a new feature in our upcoming editions. A Business Card Network, a business card way of networking your small business to over 60,000 “M” Voice Newspaper readers. This is an excellent opportunity to advertise yourself. As part of our 6th anniversary, there is no charge for the next two publications. So, get your business cards into the “M” Voice Newspaper sales office very quickly, do not procrastinate any Your opportunity to advertise your small business and earn dollars for your business. For additional information on this anniversary special Business Card Network page, call our sales office at (610)372-9984, don’t delay call from 9:00AM - 5:00PM Monday Friday, or Telefax 24 hours, (610) 374-9770. community service, advocace. and research. Founded in 1904 to fight tuber- culosis, the American Lung Asso- ciation is the oldest nationwide voluntary health agencv in the United States. Its activities are funded by donations to Christmas Seals and by other voluntary con- tributions. Buy Sovereign Bank has the programs to help: -— Community Homebuyer’s Program —— Enroll in this program and learn how to: ® Buy with as little as * Identify repairs before 5% down you buy * Find the best home for * Establish a good credit your price range record More Home For Less Money. a " 5 , mn arn ne beh, ee P ot we bid paces: buying tips. Homebuyer’s Savings Plan Save for a home in any price range. This plan lets you earn higher interest and save on mortj:age fees. Plus, you get a free copy of “Buying Your Dreamhouse,” filled with home FHA Mortgages Our mortgage team can assist you with FHA financing. de Call 1-800-683-HOME ® Sovereign Bank (Formerly Penn Savings Bank) The HomeOwners Bank Deposits Federally Insured Up To $100,000 by F.D.I.C, 4 apnea emmennal THE “M’-VOICE- MARCH & APRIL, 1994-3 _ “Gift of Life’? Medallion Design Contest Announced | Lancaster, PA - The gift of life from donated organs and tissues gives transplant recipients a sec- ond chance at life. These donors and their families are unsung he- roes of today. In spite of their own personal grief at losing a loved one they demonstrate a deep com- passion for others to avoid the pain of loss. While the circumstances of a donor family’s tragedy can not be changed, many experience genu- ine comfort in knowing their loved one may have saved lives from among the thousands of people who are waiting for a transplant as their only hope of survival. To honor the gift of life, Central Pennsylvania Coalition for Organ and Tissue Donation is developing a program to provide a medal of honor as a dignified remembrance for donor families. Suitable for af- fixing to a headstone or grave marker, or mounted on a plaque, it will be presented to the families of local donors. The Lancaster General Hospi- tal Foundation has joined with the Coalition to co-sponsor a competi- tion for an appropriate medallion design. The medallion will be a cast metal disc, measuring three inches in diameter, and must con- tain the words “Gift of Life Donor.” The words “Organ; Eye, and Tis- sue Donation” may also be in- cluded. Efforts to create a medallion for donor families has been spear- headed by Jean Bruhn, a member of the Coalition representing both Lancaster General Hospital and the American Cancer Society. On the national level, Bruhn first con- tacted U. S. Congressman Pete Stark who has proposed legisla- tion to recognize donor families and Dr. Joycelyn Elders, Surgeon General of the United State. “The Surgeon General’s office thought the idea was fantastic and encouraged a grassroots kind of program [because of federal bud- get constraints],” Bruhn said. “With support from the Lancaster General Hospital Foundation, the Coalition is moving forward to present a lasting memorial to do- nor families. And, I think once our project is completed, it just might spark interest from other commu- nities - and perhaps the federal government.” A first prize in the amount of $750 will be awarded by the Lancaster General Hospital Foun- dation. Prizes will also be awarded to second and third place winners. The contest is open to everyone. Entries are available at the Ameri- can Lung Association, located at 630 Janet Avenue, Lancaster, or by calling 397-5203. The deadline for receipt of entries is Friday, March 25th at 5 pm. Entries will be judged by a panel of nine members selected through the Coalition. Among the judges are Michael A. Young, president of Lancaster General Hospital, Ri- chard Bollinger, West Chester commercial and watercolor artist, Robert Hess, president of the Lancaster Foundrymen’s Associa- tion, Kevin Sparkman with Dela- ware Valley Transplant Program, and Coalition member Diane Duell. Also represented will be a mem- ber of a donor family and a trans- plant recipient. Design winners will be announced during the week of April 17th which is National Organ and Tissue Donor Aware- ness Week. The Central Pennsylvania Coa- lition for Organ and Tissue Dona- tion was established last year to promote awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation. Rely- ing totally on the efforts of volun- teers, this grassroots organization is the first of its kindin Pennsylva- nia. The members of the Coalition are: American Cancer Society, American Lung Association of Lancaster and Berks Counties, Community Hospital of Lancaster, Community Services of Organized Labor, Ephrata Community Hos- pital, Gift of Life Support Group, Fred F. Groff, Inc., Harrisburg Area Community College Lancaster Campus, HOMEDCO, The Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania, Lancaster Area Kid- ney Association, Lancaster Gen- eral Hospital, Pennsylvania Jay- cees, Quantum Health Resources, Saint Joseph Hospital, Schmucker Insurance Associates, Wiley’s Pharmacy, Justin L. Capiello, M. D., Patricia Coulson, and Jesse L. Lowe. CONCERN Offers New Adoption Program Through SWAN FLEETWOOD, PA (March 7, 1994) - CONCERN, Professional Services for Children, Youth, and Families is now offering special needs adoption services through the Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN) at their Fleetwood office. Children with special needs are those who are over the age of five, are members of a sibling group, are of minority racial backgrounds, or who have some type of physical, intellectual, or emotional disabil- ity. SWAN was developed in 1992 at the initiative of Governor Robert P. Casey to centralize the special needs adoption process by creat- ing a statewide computerized data base of available children and par- ents. SWAN has subcontracted Met-Ed Boosts Fuel Fund Contribution Because of the unusually harsh winter weather, Met-Ed will in- crease stockholder funding for its charitable fuel fund, Project Good Neighbor. During 1994, Met-Ed will add $25,000 to its initial Project Good Neighbor contribu- tion, increasing start-up funding from $50,000 to $75,000. And to keep pace with increased customer and employee giving, Met-Ed also will double its annual matching contribution from $50,000 to $100,000. This means the company will match every dol- lar contributed to Project Good Neighbor up to $100,000. Project Good Neighbor was es- tablished in 1983 to help pay the electric bills of Met-Ed residential VIDEO PRODUCTION SPECIALIST BerksCable Productions has a challenging opportu- nity in their vidio production operation. Candidate must have A/B roll editing experience. Excellent vidwography skills, and must be experienced in didow production technicues. Resumes and video tapes should be submit- ted to: BerksCable Human Resource Dept. 400 Riverfront Drive Reading, PA 19602 KEO/AA Employer M/F/H/V customers who have experienced a recent financial crisis. These customers are referred to desig- nated local human services agen- cies. (See the attached list.) The agencies verify customers’ needs and distribute funds, which are applied directly as Met-Ed bill payments. During 19938, Project Good Neighbor provided more than $178,000 in bill payment assis- tance to 1,962 families in need throughout the area Med-EKd serves. “Met-Ed customers and their families may experience tempo- rary hardships like an illness or loss of job which prevent them from paying their bills,” said Barry S. Casper, human services man- ager. “Higher than normal electric bills because of the record cold weather make the need for assis- tance even greater.” Met-Ed customers can arrange to give to Project Good Neighbor as an itemized listing on their monthly electric bills. Customers can also make a lump sum contri- bution by enclosing a separate check, made payable to Project Good Neighbor, with their next Met-Ed bill payment. Contribu- tions are tax deductible and are given back to the area from which they came to help needy families. loans WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE A lot of extra money in your pocket, that's what. Because Bank of Pennsylvania has a low fixed-rate Home Equity Loan. That means you're able to lock in today’s incredibly low interest rate for the entire term of the loan. Use it to consolidate bills. Remember all those holiday charges? You can cover it all with a loan from Bank of Pennsylvania. You can also use it for home improvement. A new car. College expenses. Even that vacation you've been putting off. There's no appraisal or application fixed-rate loan, Minimum loan amount to borrow is $5,000 and excludes monies currently owed to Dauphin pa a ey bodman ken sl pmo ye phin Deposit Bank, Bank Statement Savings account. Payments 1 only, 6.74% Deposit Corporation i een Sian fee and the interest may be tax deductible.’ So how do you get one? Just come to the from a Dau Cotes ierwone op wo 0b setmeba Bey 74% | 99% APR APR “This special rate at time Regular rate. of loan application good through April 30, 1994. nearest Bank of Pennsylvania branch or apply by phone by calling 1-800-637-9151. The Bank of Pennsylvania low fixed-rate Home Equity Loan. It can make a big difference to your finances. total interest of $717.76, total loan $5,717.76. Offer subject to change without notice. higher rates for longer terms, Consult your tax advisor Member FDIC Deposit Bank/Bank of Pennsylvania/ Sank of Penaaytventa or V Valleybank with CONCERN to provide adop- tion services at not cost to the adoptive family. These services include the home study process, family training, child assessment, necessary legal requirements, and follow-up support. Most, if not all, of the children will qualify for an adoption subsidy from the state based upon individual needs. To be eligible to adopt a child with special needs, an individual does not need to be married, own a home, or have a large savings ac- count. The only requirementis that the prospective parent by stable and able to provide for the child. Children with special needs have many adversities to face, and pro- spective parents must have the commitment to stand by them and the life skills necessary to meet a child’s needs. The goal of SWAN is to provide permanence for children with spe- cial needs through adoption. If you are interested in providing a per- manent home to one of these chil- dren, CONCERN can be of assis- tance. Contact Marcia Moll or Flo- rence Westley at 610-944-0445 for more information. 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Here's your chance to give someone that warm feeling all over. Maybe it’s your neighbor. Or a relative. Or someone you know from church. You can help them get WARM this winter by helping them fill out an application for a program called It's absolutely FREE! And it’s for all Met-Ed customers — owners or renters — who are living on a limited income and have electric heat or an The WARM program offers free insula- tion, caulking, weatherstripping, water Met-Ed {GPU heater jackets and other energy-saving home improvements that can keep the cold out. And the warmth in. If you think you may be eligible, or if you know someone who might, Call 1-800-322-2468 today for a free WARM brochure. Help someone you know get WARM this winter for free. You may find it makes you feel warm all over, too! .'**., * 7 ERE SAD ee ee Wy, i seta usitan ei is Meee. ae cae ee. a 7 a ea Wee a «tenia taagl jal 4—THE “M"-VOICE- MARCH & APRIL, 1994 Deople, Places & Faces "An Aftican Cillage In Berks County" Sponsored by: P.L.A.N.S. (Post-Legal Adoption Network Services) which was a federally funded program offered by CONCERN, INC. and ONE CHURCH, ONE CHILD of Pennsylvania, Inc. P.L.A.N.S. was funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Conducted: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18 & 19, 1993 Police Athletic League, Reading, PA. ¢ Dende Caulker, PLANS Caseworker (Dende, was born and grew up in Sierra Leone, Africa) * Elizabeth Anthony * Jorfui Kandeh ¢ Edward Musa (Rural, Urban, School And Work Settings Represented) - Photos Contributed By: Mike Korenish, Director of Resource And Program Development, CONCERN, INC. 4 By: Mike Kroenich Director of Resource and Program Development As the youngster looked into the sparsely-furnishes hut of a rural West African family, Edward Musa leaned over and said, “This is the rican Vil way we make our living. If you do not wish to live this way, then you must stay in school and study.” The descriptions of rural Ameri- can life that Edward was offering to the crowds at the African Vil- lage program were spellbinding, even forthe teenagers and younger children. The African Village program was sponsored by P.L.A.N.S. (Post - Legal Adoption Network Services), which was a federally-funded pro- gram offered by CONCERN and In The Name Of Master Fard Muhammad On February 24, 1994 at about 5:05 p.m. in the city of Atlanta, Georgia the Lost-Found Nation of Islam received notice from Spelman College marking cancel- lation of facilities contractually provided for the National Conven- tion of the Lost-Found Nation of Islam called Saviors Day. This event was to be held in Sisters Chapel on the campus of Spelman College, Sunday, February 27, 1994. According to Spelman College, they received a leaflet reporting our lecture topic “Yes, Jews are the Blood Suckers of the Poor,” in which the Lost-Found Nation of Islam knows is a sabotage and direct attack from our enemies. We have reason to believe that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and/or Jewish Defense League (JDL) have direct involvement in this conspiracy. Meetings in Phila- delphia and New York were can- celled previously by the same Jew- ish groups. A national press conference was held 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 25, 1994 at. the gates of Spelman College on J. P. Brawlwey and Greensferry, Atlanta, Ga. Media from around the country responded to our press conference call. Dr. Minister Kuba Abu Koss, the Na- tional Spokesman for the Honor- able Silis Muhammad and the Lost-Found National of Islam chaired the press conference and directed questions and answers from reporters and to responding media, via phone, across the na- tion. However, unjust, the Savior’s Day Celebration (2-27-94) was | Women Making Changes CA Women's Retreat April 23, 1994 Location: Myerstown Grace Brethren Church P.O. Box 409--430 East Lincoln Avenue Myerstown, PA 17067-5704 Cost: Early Bird Special: Reservations postmarked by April 5, 1994 will by $18.00 Reservations Postmarked from April 6-13, 1994 will be $20.00 Materials refreshments, and luncheon are include in the registra- tion free. For Further Information: Contact Mrs. Donna Seyfert, Retreat Chairman R.D. 2, Box 968 Lebanon, PA 17046 (717) 273-6988 A Public Service Announcement from The "M" Voice Newspaper i>) "lel rele Iwai atalatiectios' Tatiaa @lalt?, Wy ADDOINIME Ilo Only RAPHY BY RON Js, Portraits, Candits fairs & Anniversaries mar gig2i* | i wi | “Gey ,oueM VOICE by n oy-v.t 7.077, | {eke} (6) 216 | ‘i Xd é YH Bs Yes, you ean get your M VOICE, one of America’s most Nonored African-American by mail every week. ' To Subscribe, Write To: The 'M' Voice Newspaper, Post Office Box 395, Reading, PA 19603 ‘*” SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT MUST BE INCLUDED WiTH ORDER O Yes, please start 6 months of The 'm’ Voice by mail $15.00 () Yes, please start 12 months of The 'm' Voice by mail $30.00 & i i iw i t alien ET Seen UN cr ere ee ee jal cel Me! aa hes Aine, ee Sd ee State 4 ee OicE 4 successful. The celebration was held at the Atlanta Headquarters Mosque, 3040 Campbellton Road, Atlanta, Ga. where the Honorable Silis Muhammad delivered a pow- erful and inspiring message to the supporters overflowing the build- ing. The Honorable Silis Muhammad is petitioning the World Court, United Nation, in behalf of African Americans for claims of reparations due to sla- very in America. The reparations bill is to be filed within weeks of this date. The wife of the Honor- able Silis Muhammad, Harriet Muhammad, delivered an Inter- national Address at the Saviors Day Celebration (2-27-94) hosted by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakahn, Chicago, Il. The mes- Sage was a request for the Honor- able Louis Farrakahn to speak at the United Nations in behalf of African Americans for reparations. All matters relating to these events can be confirmed and ad- dressed by contacting Muhammad’s Mosque, 2314 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. (215) 236-4746 or (404) 584-5498. Evangelism Seminar Held Nearly 170 people, from 32 dif- ferent Berks County churches, were encouraged to become in- volved in personal evangelism this past weekend (February 25 & 26) at a “Share The Life” Seminar. The gathering, sponsored by Greater Reading Encounter ’94, was held at Zion UCC, Hamburg, Pa. The Reverend Ed Scearce, Asso- ciate Evangelist with the Steve Wingfield EvangelisticTeam, con- ducted the 7 hours of training which guided participants to have a fuller understanding of how God is using individuals in reaching the world for Christ. The seminar provided specific step-by-step preparation for evan- gelism, ranging from assessing one’s personal walk with Jesus, to how one can find the right time to pray with friends and acquaintan- ces about their faith. Greater Reading Encounter ’94 is a community sponsored Chris- tian outreach which will be held June 12-19, 1994, at Albright Col- lege Stadium in Reading. ge in Berks C One Church, One Child of Penn- sylvania, Inc. PLANS was funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. On Saturday and Sunday, Sep- tember 18 and 19, 1993 a program of West African culture was of- fered at the Police Athletic League of Reading, Pennsylvania. Dende Caulker, PLANS caseworker, opened the presentation with a video-lecture describing the diver- sity of African family life, pointing out differences in the United States. Dende, who was born and grew up in Sierra Leone, engaged the crowd and answered questions. There followed a fashion show, in which children who have been adopted volunteered to model tra- Soe Peet eee oo eee cod ditional African clothing. With some steady World Music in the background, these youngsters “Wowed” the crowd with their poise and their beautiful clothing. Sylvia DeTurch, CONCERN adoption coordinator, spent many hours crafting the authentic dress. Later came a tour of some typi- cal African Village settings. These settings were simulated thanks to the planning, imagination, hard work, andcrafting of PLANS staff. Rural, urban, school and work set- tings were represented with Eliza- beth Anthony, Jorfui Kandeh, Edward Musa, and DendeCaulker providing a guided tour to their “guests”. Ateach stop, visitors were treated to a presentation and ques- ~ ek age a cc ee THE “M’-VOICE- MARCH & APRIL, 1994-5- tion/answer session which was both educational and fun. The program was concluded with a feast of West African cooking, which enabled guest to smell and taste the joys of cooking from an- other culture. The African Village was de- signed to be educational and to serve as the final major offering of the PLANS program. This two- year program offered special sef- vices and activities for familiés who had adopted children frofm minority backgrounds. The smiles and many positive comments form the diverse crowd of those who visited the program were a tribute to those who took us on a visit to Africa. RACC’s Adult Education Department — Slated to Offer Stimulating Spring Schedule Special Programs “Family Folklore - Preparing a Family History” - A sensational new course for anyone who has been charmed by the reminis- cences of relatives or who has sto- ries of their own to tell. This 6- week class will teach the tech- niques for conducting oral history interviews, recording your own memories, and preparing a family history that is fun to share. The course meets Tuesdays, April 12 through May 17 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at RACC. “Conquering Clutter” - An en- tertaining and informative two- night program for those who want to become more organized. If “Space Invaders” have taken over your life, learn the techniques to unclutter your mind, home and office before you run out of space. Thursdays, March 31 - April 7 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at RACC. Arts “Picture Perfect - Preserving and Displaying Your Family Photos” - A unique 2-week program for those who are overwhelmed by the task of organizing boxes full of photos and memorabilia. Jeannie Angelo Ruth will provide you with re- searched information and hands- on instruction to create a photo- keepsake. High grade acid-free album pages, photo-safe adhesive and special tools for cropping and labeling photos will be available. The class meets Thursdays, April 21-28 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at RACC. Health and Fitness “Kids in the Wild” - Cindy Ross has created an exciting new class to give parents both the knowl- edge and confidence to share fa- vorite outdoor activities with their young children. Some of the activi- ties covered include: hiking, back- packing, camping, rafting and cy- cling. Food, clothing and safety will also be discussed. The class will run Thursdays, April 14 through May 19 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at RACC. “Healing Arts I and II” - Helga Martin has designed two exhila- rating 4-week programs for those searching for peace, joy and health. Some of the alternative therapies investigated to eliminate stress and anxiety include: aromatherapy, foot reflexology, meditation and Dr. Bach’s Flower Remedies. Healing Arts I begins March 29; Healing Arts II begins April 26. Both classes meet from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the College. For more information or to reg- ister for any of the classes, please contact RACC’s Adult Education Office at (610) 372-4721, ext. 294. Note: For additional informa: tion on any of the classes or in- structors, contact Merry Fidler, Coordinator of Special Activities at (610) 372-4721, ext. 261. Read The "M" Voice Quality } : Environmental Testing 670-8505 Why Is It?... Aman wakes up inthe morning after sleeping on an advertised bed, in advertised pajamas, he will brush with advertisedtoothpaste, wash with advertised soap, shave with an adver- tised razor, have a breakfast of advertised orange juice, cereal and toast, sip his adver- tised coffee, put on advertised clothes and glance at his advertised watch. He will ride to work in an advertised car, sit at an advertised desk, and write with an adver- tised pen. Yet this man hesitates to advertise saying that advertising does not pay. Finally when his unadvertised business goes under, he will advertise it for sale. From the Desk of Congressman Holden " " i DAE ee ae ne, oan pono let Scie ee fg GR Ry gee Dear Friend, This fall, I have been working with my colleagues to fix our welfare system. As a member of a congressional Working Group on Welfare, I support a two year time-limit on welfare benefits, and a welfare system that promotes work, family unity, education and training, As Americans, we have built our country on the value of hard work. I firmly believe welfare beneficiaries should participate in training and job placement, or help out in a community service program after 2 years of benefits. Single mothers with children should be provided with child care and stronger child support enforcement so their children are not left behind, Our current welfare system penalizes welfare beneficiaries who save money to get back on their feet. This needs to be changed sot that poor people can help themselves. Most low-income people want to be given a hand. up not a hand-out. We should see action on welfare reform early next year. In these days of tight budgetary times, welfare beneficiaries should be productive members of our community. Sincerely, Ta Noll. TIM HOLDEN Member of Congress — & a It’s time for us to do our “home” te be aware of the basics about -work and eliminate child poison- Poison prevention. To this end, ba > A the Berks Coun ty State Health ’s what the Pennsylvania Center is offering free “Mr. Yuk’ Department of Health’s, South- stickers and related materials dur- ‘eastern District is encouraging 9g March. — pee yy “gesidents of Southeastern Penn- The majority of child poisonings sylvania to do during Poison Pre- vention Week, March 20-26th, -1994. But poison prevention prac- ticed one month a year is not enough. It must become a habit. occurs when a product is being used and not when it is stored. Children are of course natural ex- plorers, They are attracted to bright colors, sweet smells and pretty bottles and boxes in which YY 423 BUTTONWOOD ST. Y READING PA. 19601 Y (215) 372-1382 Y REMEMBER: Y Jy \F YOURHAIR IS NOT BECOMING TO YOU, YOU SHOULD . . . BECOMING BY Y TOGWEN... g Y ~ ~ , “7 , We must be constantly reminded _ ccedcadddddddddddddddddddddda YY ~ GWENDOLYN C. MCFARLIN BEAUTY SALON : CLIP THIS AD IT'S YOUR FASHION COUPON FOR any single item & IN OUR FAMOUS GRAND COLLECTION & ——— Since 1921 Joseph's Clothier 410 PENN SQUARE, READING OPINION Read Dr. Joseph L. Amprey Jr.'s column every Wednesday on the Editorial pages of the Reading Times a a £ | r e7 Subscribe t é READING EAGLE ; oday! Circulation at 376-0303 ® 6 ny PAGE , ism em peices l the AMTICO “ nti- Me aimett Le co vee ck a cal rc eremmty od Ae a oO tae Ta. Teese (20 ance oe pee fporet ha TARE eect ath ee ae ee Sa emt Me wo rattan SEE rt eam ot Sot eS cae cel perent, Sosa ae wh wanes a Soe, 8 ae net ae be - ec i" Py a or (oe oa te Pete Meine cs got ap sek 4 Hentolf en a oweet emote sare] Pe ears 8 Som ioe ee ne amet hey, maa tree" ee see semen "Sonat jam iting naces ty Sn 4 nase «ne af ek TE aol enretee f ne (eS ee eee ) Pegs = fet on a most 4 foie Child-resistant packaging is an effective deterrent. Anything that delays a child’s access to a medica- tion lessens the potential of achild poisoning. Parents should only buy over-the-counter medications with child-resistant lids, request prescription medications in child- resistant bottles, keep products in their safety packages and resecure the safety cap after each use. In ‘=o oe 2 ee ee the event that a child is poisoned, every home should have a bottle of Syrup of Ipecac. It is best to ad- minister this medicine th tion medications | e candy. Children are prone to take and swallow these candy look alikes if they’re left out on a table, counter top or night stand. The most com- mon offenders are iron supple- ments and prenatal vitamins with Pie cae : et “3 i p dono oa, Oe Be io 4 i wn, 3 aaa Bi 27 deaths from iron supplements | age. Other high incidence prod- are cie and pe s. Once these prod- ucts are used they should be put away, preferably in a locked cabi- net or in a place high enough so a child can’t reach them. The Central Pennsylvania Poi- cleaning products, cosmetics, — RACC to present three programs Mail order entrepreneur, Ed Allyn, returns to Reading to present his nationally-known seminar, “How to Start a Mail Order Business.” As seen in USA Today and Venture magazine, this information-packed evening will teach you what to do and what to avoid. Whether you are already in business or if you have no idea what to sell, join Ed Allyn and avoid costly start up mistakes. The seminar takes place Thursday, May 12 from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. at RACC. In today’s economy of high taxes and low interest rates, H. Wesley King’s Money Management Semi- nar is a must. Developed for the non-expert, this three-week pro- gram will discuss: saving money, tax-advantaged investments and repositioning, a proven money management technique. Theclass begins Thursday, April 14 from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. at RACC. The “Prebusiness Clinic,” offered in conjunction with SCORE and the U.S. Small Business Adminis- tration is an updated seminar which takes into account today’s economy. Such considerations as sources of capital, financial needs, marketing, record keeping and management qualities will be dis- cussed. Advice from these retired executives can helo you achieve success in a new business before you start. The seminar meets Monday, April 4 from 7:DO - 9:00 p.m. at RACC. To register, contact the Adult Education Office at 372-4721, ext. 261. son Center, Hershey, 1-800-521- 6110, is your greatest asset when there is a poiso actual or to advise a course of treatment or make a referral to an affiliated hospital. Through the network of the poison control centers, 7 out of 10 poisonings can be managed at home, saving the community thousands of dollars in unneces- sary emergency room visits. Remember, anything that pre- sents a potential poisoning haz- ard to a child should be labeled with a “Mr. Yuk” sticker. These stickers are available free at the Berks County State Health Cen- ter, 625 Cherry Street, Reading, PA 19602. Please call 610-378-4377 for more poison prevention informa- tion. Lawrence Sykes to exhibit at Penn State Berks Campus “Beyond the Next River,” a spe- cial exhibition by Lawrence Sykes dedicated to the renowned expa- Guitarist Preston Reed to play April 5 Acoustic guitarist Preston Reed will appear at the Perkins Student Center Theatre at Penn State Berks Campus Tuesday, April at 7:30 p.m. in a concert postponed from February due to snow. Called a “knockout virtuoso de- serving of his own cult” by Musi- cian magazine’s Charles M. Young, Reed has established himself as an instrumental innovator. He attacks his six- and twelve-string steel guitar with both hands danc- ing on the fret board. “The left hand and right hand work closely together, continually trading off duties of providing rhythm, melody and bassline; quite DONCERN or a teen? PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES e Many abused and neglected children need foster homes. ¢ Could you be a foster parent to siblings e CONCERN foster parents receive training, support, and financial compensation. 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Call or stop by your closest First Valley branch and we'll help you decide which loan is right for you. Orfor information, call the toll-free number at left, Get your first mortgage from First Valley. Purchasing a home is easier - thanks to our special program for first-time homebuyers. We make a special effort to provide loans to low and moderate income families. When you qualify, 1-800-323-9797 you'll get reduced rates. r ier ee ; 4 agar Oe : rt St Fy ia janet | unlike the traditional method of making chords and fretting strings with the left hand while strum- ming and picking with the right. It’s a more physical way of play- ing,” Reed has explained. He puts the acoustic guitar in an ethereal light, giving it a whole new role, sometimes treating it like a piano or vibraphone, some- times like a drum kit. Reed was originally attracted to the guitar through the works of Jorma Kaukonen, John Fahel and Kottke, yet he includes electric guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix and Larry Carlton as highly influ- ential in his development. Reed grew up in Westchester County, New York, started play- ing guitar at age nine and almost quit when his creativity proved too much for a disciplinarian teacher. At the age of 17, he made his first solo appearance, accom- panying poet Allen Ginsberg at a reading at the Smithsonian Insti- tution. In 1974, after a year at Beloit College, the artist moved to San Francisco and appeared as a musical interlude between com- edy acts such as Robin Williams and Bob Sarlotte. He has performed at the Na- tional Governor’s Conference and been featured at the New England Fiddle contest. With seven recordings under his belt, his newest release, Border Towns, on Liberty Records, is a cross-cultural collaboration with Latin jazz musicians John Pena, Alex Acuna and Otmaro Ruiz. Tickets are $3.00 for general admission and $2.00 for students and senior citizens. Performances are free to Penn State students, faculty and staff. Forreservations phone the Penn State Berks Campus Arts Coordi- nator at610-320-4876. Tickets will be available at the door. Read to . your Children , a | Para averiguar triate Kenyan writer, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, will open at the Freyberger Gallery of the Penn State Berks Campus March 28. Sykes, an artist and faculty member at Rhode Island College, has created multi-media installa- tions inspired by Ngugi’s writings. He has visualized several of the themes Ngugi uses in his works: the dictator and the colonized class- room. The Berks Campusis hosting an international conference on “Ngugi: Texts and Contexts” April 7-9, More than 170 scholars from 16 nations will present papers about Ngugi and his work. The gallery will be open ex- panded hours during the confer- ence and will host a reception April 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Thurs- day, noon to 3:00 p.m.; Thursday, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; or by appointment 610- 320-5309. The exhibition runs through April 9. A Boston artist, Sykes held his last solo show at St. Olaf College in Minnesota in 1989. His most re- cent group show was at Brandeis University’s Rose Art Museum in 1993. He has been a visiting lec- turer at the College of Art UST, Kumasi, Ghana. In the summer of 1986 he served as photography instructor in the Parson’s School of Design West Africa Program. Where Can You Get Hriy? 1 you think you might nave the ADS vie, gat a blood test. The test is sale and pri- we Nee ae aa aie, daperinent, GxStOr oF over NDS Project to find out about the tet. YD leam more about AIDS call tw Nations! AIDB Hotline. The toll iree number ie Lesbians ‘Tihis pernphient lo eoalinisin tor in tiernoe Te were te peng vemos a wb oa bgt peaongh ss cate ETN anette? Son 108, Sata Onn, CA eC hen are y, + pape Fig —_ ae S usted cree que puede tenor el virus del SIDA, hagase un examen de sangre. Este Hable con la abajadora de planificacion familiar de la clinica, con el Departamento de Salud Publica, con su doctor o con el proyecto locel de! SIDA para avenguar mas sobre el examen. mas sobre el SINA, Name al ‘tel4tono nacional de 24 ‘10°as. El numerc de telétono gratis es 1-800-342-2437. Para mas informacién llame al numero: Berks AIDS Network 429 Walnut Steet P.O, Bon 662¢ ( MR. WILFREDA SEDA Mercy Health plan employee participates in“Love-A-Book” Week Wilfredo Seda, Mercy Health Plan Community Relations Asso- ciate, reads to school children at William Cramp Elementary School children at William Cramp EI- ementary School, Howard and Ontario Streets, during “Love-A- Book” Week. The annual literary program exposes students to lit- erature, and encourages them to read on a daily basis. Mercy Health Plan is a man- aged health care plan that Medi- cal Assistance recipients can choose for their medical care. The plan serves more than 100,000 Medical Assistance recipients in Philadelphia and six surrounding counties. Mercy Health Plan is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and operates in affiliation with Aetna Health Plans of Central and Eastern Pennsylvania, Inc. Home, Church & Community: Three keys to AIDS prevention After more than a decade of the AIDS epidemic, there still is no cure nor medical vaccine. If we hope to prevent AIDS from spread- ing, education and learning the facts are the key. In other words, our “vaccine” is information that we learn. In Berks County many schools teach some AIDS prevention to our young people. But the goal is not high test scores, unlike most education programs. The goal is wise decision making and chang- ing risk behavior that leads to AIDS. In order to do this, AIDS educa- tion must involve the home and family, church and religious val- ues, and the entire community we live in. As children learn about AIDS they need to be able to discuss this at home with their family. Par- ents are the most important role model for our children. If parents can discuss AIDS with their chil- dren, we can change behaviors to prevent AIDS: In addition, if the Pastor at our church is able to talk about AIDS, to talk about the difficult issues, it can help provide the permission we need at home to discuss AIDS. It is vital, therefore, that our church leaders be vocal, active and involved in AIDS issues. How do we do this in Berks County? We are fortunate to have a number of AIDS education pro- grams, starting with Berks AIDS Network and the American Red Cross. These two organizations have a number of AIDS education and prevention programs app:- priate for all age groups from kin- dergarten through college as well as adults. The goal of Berks AIDS Network and Red Cross education programs is to bring the family, the church, and the community together to create the most effec- tive AIDS prevention program and to change risk behavior of our young people. Family and community values have a role to play in effective AIDS prevention. No prevention program will meet our needs if it does not reflect participation and values that we hold as a commu- nity. What does this mean for you? It means that you have a responsi- bility in preventing AIDS in your community. You need to learn all Sovereign Bancorp declares dividend WYOMISSING, PA - Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ-NMS- SVRN), announced today the dec- laration of a quarterly cash divi- dend of $.025 per share. The cash dividend is payable on May 16, 1994 to common shareholders of record on April,28, 1994. The dec- laration of this cash dividend is reflective of Sovereign’s continued strong financial performance. “Op- erating results continue to be well in excess of 1993 results,” stated Jay S. Sidhu, Sovereign’s Presi- dent & Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, the recently an- nounced acquisition of Shadow Motorcycle Lawn Savings Bank (“Shadow Lawn”)is expected to add approxi- mately $779 million in assets and approximately $725 million in de- posits. Shadow Lawn has 17 branches located in Monmouth an Ocean Counties in central New Jersey. This acquisition is ex- pected to be consummated during the 3rd quarter of 1994. “We ex- pect this acquisition to be about 5% accretive to Sovereign’s earn- ings per share,” Sidhu said. Sovereign expected to announce 1st quarter earnings by mid-April. Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Sovereign Bank, FSB which has a network of 81 Community Banking and Loan Origination Offices throughout eastern Pennsylvania and central that you can as a parent, as a Pastor, as an adult, and as a role model. If you need more informa- tion, if you would like to set up a program at your school, church, work place or at home, please call us at Berks AIDS Network at 375- 6523. Orif you would prefer, please write to me here at the “M”-Voice newspaper. A wise man once said that the only stupid question is the one that you do not ask. I believe the words of that wise man. As we create AIDS prevention programs to keep our community, our youth, safe for the future, the question you do not ask could be the ques- tion that costs us another young life. We look forward to working with the Berks County commu- nity and integrating our commu- nity values andchurch leadersinto an effective AIDS prevention pro- gram. The phe aneen of Colored People (NAACP) is noexception as the Association prepares to com- memorate its 85th year as the Nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. The NAACP’s birthdateis February 12, 1909 and on this date the Association will sponsor its 6th annual Radiothon. The NAACP membership Radiothon originated in 1988 as the brainchild of Dr. William F. Gibson, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. Each year the Radiothon serves as an outreach effort toincrease NAACP membership and heighten aware- ness of NAACP programs and ini- tiatives such as: “Goods For Guns,” ACT-SO and Voter Education in South Africa. The NAACP currently boasts a membership of more then 610,000. However, Dr. William F. Gibson said: “As an organization, we have long understood that numbers are raw, untapped grassroots power. And power influences what we do .. what others can do to us. That is the reason why our goal is to raise our membership from the current 610,000 - to over one mil- lion.” The theme for this year’s Radiothon is “Don’t Stand on the Sidelines - Come Home to the NAACP - Join Today!” The Honorable Nelson Mandela, President, African National Con- gress; Henry “Hank” Aaron, former professional baseball all-star; Frank Belattie, President, CEO/ American Favorite Chicken; and Susan Taylor, Editor, Essence Magazine; are honorary Chairper- sons for Radiothon 1994. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., Executive Director and CEO, NAACP commented: “We are ex- cited about the opportunity this national program gives us toreach millions of people in a concentrated effort and encourage them to join us in the struggle for economical, educational and environmental equity.” With over 2,500 NAACP adult, youth and college chapters and more than 79 prison chapters conducting a Radiothon on Febru- ary 12, the NAACP hopes to in- crease its membership by at leas ten percent. “Although each branch negoti- ates with a local radio station to serve as the host station, the American Urban Radio Network has agreed to broadcast a three hour s¢gment from 4:00-7:00 p.m. ARE YOU A COMMUNICATOR? We Want You!!! The “M” Voice Newspaper, is looking for a few good people who can communicate to people. Earn $$$ while at home. No experience needed. (Call for details) (215) 372-9984 Sales Office BBQ Ribs | Soul Food Dinners Black Heritage History Center 52 North Third Street, Reading, PA 19601 378-1723 ° Every third Saturday, 1993 12:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Orders to go or eat in Delivery service available MENU | Fried Chicken....... 2 vegetables, combread/roll Fried Fish..........0.+ Cialis hee enuntaas $6.00 2 vegetables, cornbread/roll $ 5 a # i * a : aceon $6.00 2 vegetables, co Chokes Bennie wc $800 Collard Greens, ean ‘String Beans combread/oll $3.50 eoeneeerer h mee Salad this year, because it serves as a kick-off for a worldwide search for our one millionth member,” said Isazetta Spikes, NAACP National Membership Director. Throughout the year, Jondelle Johnson has been working to se- cure taped messages from celebri- ties to be aired during segments of the Radiothon, To date, celebrity participants include: Maya Angelou, Shirley Caesar, Dr. Ben- jamin F. Chavis, Jr., Kim Coles, Ossie Davis, Earth, Wind and Fire, Dr. William F. Gibson, Isaac Hayes, Quincy Jones, Martin Lawrence, Otis & Juanita Nixon; Leontype Price, Donnie Simpson, Sinbad, Will Smith, Raven Symone, Nancy Wilson and An- drew Young. The national segment to be aired on the American Urban Radio Network will be co-hosted by ac- tress, Arnetia Walker from “The Nurses,” and Elliott Frances from “Ebony Showcase.” During the broadcast, listeners will be encour- aged to call a number in their local area to pledge their membership. THAT PRESERVES YOU RIGHTS! GIVE A NAACP MEM BERSHIP. Listed at the bottomies the billboard is the announcemey* about the National Membership Radiothon date with a toll-fre number to call to join the asooctes tion. The Radiothon is only the begitts ning of a year-long birthday calz ebration for the NAACP which hag seen a 20% increase in mem ship since Dr. Benjamin Cha was named Executive Director] April. Throughout the year ma other programs and initiatives wi be sponsored to increase me ship and advance the cause of ci rights in communities throughout the country and around the world, For more information on thé Radiothon, or other NAACP in® tiatives, call your local branch. { Rev. Benjamin Chavis, Execué tive Director NAACP t & —_ t t » t working “This Ad space could be Small business or large business ~ Advertise in the next issue of The “M" Coice a8 Newspaper : Call today, sales office (215) 372-9984 ee fot you. Fi * eR ELRABUSEL SA "28d ds a See ee2782 77 8 @® F * Greater Heading Encounter 94 AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE June 12-19, 1994 Albright College Football Stadium P.O. BOX 1376, Reading, PA 19603-1376 | Phone (215) 374-3226 A Public Service Announcement from The "M" Voice Newspaper e¢?¢e??¢? ¢ Checking for Savers Passbook Savings Basic Checking Mortgage programs for individuals on fixed incomes Visit us at our new location Fin ' aie Public: F Free Will (2) April 3, 1994 Easter Sunday **Attend The Church Of Your Choice (3) April 10, 1994 Readings Extracts From Afri- can American Literature The Unieasinaclinive sali Church, 416 Franklin St ete 2:00pm, Free To.The "heaines from works of Fred- errick Douglas, Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston = John E. Wideman. (4) April 15, 1994 Health Fair, Sponsored. Sheraton Visiting Nurse Associa- RACC Professor develops program in environmental science = Andrew H. Lapinski, Professor “pf Natural Science at Reading Area Community college has co- -‘authored the Northeast Regional Edition of Environmental Science, 4th ed. published by Benjamin Cummings, 1994. He also assisted in the preparation of the activities laboratory exercises manual which will be used in environmental courses. It is entitled An Interdis- ciplinary Approach to the Chesa- peake Bay Watershed. As part of the project, he produced an inter- active videodisc. The laboratory manual and videodisc were funded through a grant form the National Science Foundation in cooperation with the Chesapeake Bay Research Consortium. Lapinski’s academiccredentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Zo- ‘ology form Ohio State University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Michigan. He has had specialized training in aquatic ecology. He has been on the faculty at RACC since 1976 where he teaches courses in biol- ogy and the environment. As a part of his teaching and research into environment prob- lems, ‘