Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 1-19-16 Edition

Features
Heritage Festival Is Hosting The 5th Event Specifically For Youth
The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival is a family-friendly cultural event. Since many of the events attracted more adults, five years ago the Festival committee charged William Sanders with the duty of planning a “Youth Night.”
Each year he has tried to bring in a nationally known figure who can re- late to young people. So far, the “Youth Night” events have been suc- cessful, with overflowing crowds.
The 2016 “Youth
Night” will be held on
Wednesday, January 20th
at the Howard W. Blake High School of the Arts auditorium, 1701 North Blvd., Tampa (33607). The pre-show begins at 5:30 p. m., with the show 6-8 p. m.
This year’s speaker is Ric Mathis, an independent visual sto- ryteller, film maker and creator of the documentary, “Black Fri- day: What Legacy Will You Leave?” The documentary explores why African-Americans have consistently remained in the lowest percentile of America’s wealth gap, while also presenting insight on how to restore the circulation of wealth in Black communi- ties.
As a former attendee of Fort Valley State University and an alumnus of Georgia State University, he acquired an educational background in music management and marketing. Mathis has been involved in documentary projects and video journalism projects for over 10 years. He is known for his contributions to Atlanta-based publication, Rolling Out Magazine.
Sanders is encouraging parents to bring their children out on Youth Night. “We know that it’s a school night and we’re con- cerned about the kids being out late. That’s why the show is end- ing at 8.”
RIC MATHIS
Publisher, Neighborhood Enhancement Manager Discuss ‘Do Not Litter’ Campaign To Include Students
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Sentinel Publisher Kay Andrews and Tampa’s Neighborhood Enhancement Manager Sal Ruggiero are concerned about keeping Tampa’s City Clean. In a re- cent meeting, the two dis- cussed implementing a “Do Not Litter” Campaign. They thought that if the students, starting in elementary schools, could get involved the campaign could be suc- cessful.
“Looking at trash and de- bris along the roadways should not be the norm,” Ms. Andrews stated. “We have to do something to give them incentive. They should be trained as young people to not litter. Sometimes people litter because they don’t know that there’s a rule,” she said.
Ms. Andrews said get- ting the kids involved is the key. Because many young people walk to neighborhood schools, the message of ‘do not litter’ can start with them.
That being the case, Rug-
SAL RUGGIERO giero said if such a cam-
paign is implemented he would work to get members of his crews to go into the classroom to speak with stu- dents about the importance of not littering.
As an incentive for the students, Ms. Andrews said the campaign could offer prizes. And, smaller garbage cans should be placed throughout the neigh- borhoods, especially along the route that students walk, to stop the littering.
Ms. Andrews mainly talked about the debris along the roadways and neighbor-
hoods in East Tampa, but said her concern is for the entire city. The conversation between the 2 also included vacant lots that are full of de- bris, and landlords who do not maintain their rental property. Ms. Andrews had several questions for Mr. Ruggiero – what is the frequency of cleaning the roadways, how often do you actually go into the neighbor- hoods, how are residents no- tified when there is a community clean-up?
Ruggiero said he has 5 different crews who cover the city to keep it clean. In an ef- fort to help with keeping the city clean, Ms. Andrews suggested, “deputizing some of the Neighborhood Watch leaders. When they see de- bris being dumped, they can call and report it right away.” There is jail time for those who become chronic dumpers, Ruggiero said.
Neighborhood Enhance- ment works closely with Code Enforcement and Solid Waste to keep the city clean.
“We’re in a fight to keep what’s left of our neighbor- hoods,” Ms. Andrews said.
FYI
College Hill Neighborhood Association/Crime Watch
College Hill Neighborhood Association/Crime Watch President, Cynthia Few, is reporting changes for the association/crime watch.
They will be meeting every other month on a Thursday after the third Sunday of the month.
The meeting time will be 6 p. m. at Peace Progressive Primitive Baptist Church, 2628 East Lake Avenue.
The next meeting will be a welcome to all new members and will be held January 21st.
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