Page 14 - 4-17-15 Friday's Edition

Features
Ruby Bridges At Tampa Museum Of Art
On Tuesday, April 21, Raymond Arse- nault, author, profes- sor and specialist in the civil rights history of the American South, will trace the evolution of Rockwell’s represen- tation of African-Ameri- cans and the struggle for civil rights (1934-1968).
On Tuesday, April
28th, Ruby Bridges
will share her story about integrating an all-white New Orleans school in 1960 that inspired both the nation and Rockwell.
He painted her story in The Problem We All Live With, a work that would become an iconic piece of American art. A book signing with Ms. Bridges will follow.
The Ruby Bridges lecture requires an advance ticket purchase as limited seating is available.
For additional information on any of the lectures, please call (813) 421-8368.
Everyone has seen this piece of art over the years in some magazines or newspa- pers.
Community Event To Benefit Girls Raised In The South Youth Mentor Group Scholarship Fund
The Girls Raised In the South (G. R. I. T. S.) presents their Annual Bachelors’ Auc- tion Charity-Fundraiser Sun- day, April 26, 2015, 6 p. m. at The Hall of Fame Banquet Hall, 11106 N. 30th Street, Tampa. This event’s purpose is to bring together an audi- ence in excess of 300 atten- dees, consisting of corporate sponsors, members of grass roots organizations and the community-at-large to garner financial support for The G. R. I. T. S. youth mentor group scholarship fund.
The G. R. I. T. S. youth mentor program provides scholarly, common and spiri- tual support of young college girls, through encouragement, development, community service and education while proactively participating in community events and creat- ing lifelong friendships.
CaSandra Washing- ton, President of the organi- zation, states the G. R. I. T. S. were founded in July, 1998 by a group of women with a vi- sion to create a women’s or- ganization that has a common purpose and goal in serving the community. The GRITS
hosts their signature event aimed at promoting and sup- porting community initiatives and programs every year. “Our mission is ‘Becoming stronger in sisterhood, striv- ing to serve our community and scholarships’,” she said.
This year’s event includes a fashion show, live entertain- ment, door prizes and a lot of fun with bachelors: Devin Smith (Personal Trainer), Roderick Drennor (Tele- com-munications), Ken-ny Siplin (Entrepreneur), Keith Bowden (Telecommunica-
tions), David Powell (Re- tired, Army), David Burgess (Photography Studio Owner), Ronald Marks, Jr. (Prop- erty Manager), Andre Davis (Longshoreman), Bryan Collins (Professional Model) and Kahari Embery (Telecommunications).
This is a ‘Party With a Pur- pose’ hosted by former radio personality Randal C.
Contact The Girls Raised In The South (G. R. I. T. S.) members at 813-731-1720 for tickets and more information.
Girls Raised In The South (G. R. I. T. S.) members from left to right are: Katherine Merritt, Marilyn Washington, CaSandra Wash- ington (President), Sheila Russ and Patricia Williams.
Impact Of I-275 Expansion Project
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
In 2001, residents were first told of plans to expand I- 275 through the Carver City/Lincoln Gardens com- munities, and right-of-way acquisitions started around the same time with about 25 homeowners selling out.
Since the project started, its impact has been felt in that community as well as the West Tampa community where an elementary school church, public housing com- plex, apartment complex, and several residences have fallen victim to the expansion proj- ect.
Carver City/Lincoln Gar- dens Civic Association Presi- dent, Dr. Maurice Harvey, said he’s followed the process since day one.
“Most of the residents complaining about the proj- ect now had a chance to speak out before everything started, and chose not to.
“As far as the rest of the residents are concerned, they were told what was going to happen, and it was different from what actually happened. One side of the community has about a block of separa- tion from the interstate, and the other side has it right up against their homes.”
Dr. Harvey said about 3 homeowners were directly impacted by the project, and others were impacted be- cause of the noise being gen- erated from the traffic.
“Before the project started, FDOT (Florida De- partment of Transportation) didn’t want to put up a noise barrier, but they relented
later on.
“They first told us we
wouldn’t be affected by the construction or the noise coming from the traffic. It’s different in West Tampa where the roadway is higher and the distance from the in- terstate and the homes is greater. In this community, we have lower ramps and off and on ramps close to homes.”
Dr. Harvey said FDOT continues to keep them up- dated, and they are still meet- ing with some residents about their complaints or whether they are interested in selling their homes.
FDOT spokesperson Kris Carsen said all right-of-way purchases have been com- pleted on the current con- struction.
“We still haven’t reached a resolution with the residents living on Grace Street in Carver City.
“No construction funding has been acquired for any other phase of the project at this time. After we cross the river, that will be the end of the end of the expansion ef- fort for a few years.”
DR. MAURICE HARVEY Carver City/Lincoln Gardens Civic Association President
PAGE 2-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015