Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 10-6-15 Edition

Local
Trial On State Congressional Re-Districting Ends
JUDGE TERRY LEWIS Second Judicial Circuit
The 3-day trial on the state’s Congressional Dis- tricts ended on Monday. Cir- cuit Judge Terry Lewis, Second Judicial Circuit, over- saw the trial and will make a recommendation to the Florida Supreme Court on how to redraw boundaries for
Congressional Districts.
In August, Governor Rick Scott ordered legisla- tors to attend a special 12-ses- sion to create the new district
map.
The special session was
the third attempt legislators had made to redraw Congres- sional Districts in Florida.
However, lawmakers were unable to accomplish this task.
Attorneys for both the House and the Senate argued their proposals were in com- pliance with previous court rulings and standards that were approved in 2010 by voters.
Judge Lewis plans to issue a ruling this month, but has suggested he may recom- mend combining several pro- posals.
Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival 2nd Annual Fashion Show
For the second year in a row, the TBBHF will turn up the heat with an amazing fashion show, “Runway Fever,” featuring local designers and models that will give you fever and burn up the stage with fashion.
“Runway Fever” will showcase designers spe- cializing in various styles of fashion and acces- sories, featuring real size, urban and formal clothing, custom jewelry and more. This will not be your typical runway show, it will be an extrav- aganza. This event will entertain and tantalize
your need to look good and feel good about fash- ion and accessories.
Ladies and gentlemen come prepared for the hottest show of the fall season. The festival promises to turn up the heat on October 17, 2015 at the The Galleria – USF Research Park, 3802 Spectrum Blvd., on USF Tampa Campus, near the Embassy Suites Hotel.
The show will start at 7:30 p. m. Be sure to get your tickets early. (Personal checks must be received and cleared by October 2nd.)
Researchers Aim To Stop Memory Loss Before It Begins
The University of South Florida (USF) is seeking vol- unteers for the first-ever trial designed to slow the progres- sion of memory loss in individ- uals who may be at a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease, but who don’t yet have any symptoms.
Experts say that there are more than 500,000 people in Florida living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Nation- wide, more than 5 million peo- ple have Alzheimer’s disease, and that number it is expected to triple by 2050, as baby boomers age.
The A4 Study, (or Anti- Amyloid in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s Study), takes a
new approach to Alzheimer’s research by screening for an elevated level of a protein known as ‘amyloid’ in the brain. Researchers believe the amyloid plaque builds up in a person’s brain years before symptoms appear. The prem- ise of the A4 trial is to clear out the amyloid before brain cells have been damaged — much in the same way people with high cholesterol are given statin drugs to head off cardio- vascular disease and heart at- tack.
“Amyloid is thought to be one of the signature markers for Alzheimer’s disease, which is why the A4 Study is cur- rently testing whether a new
treatment that targets these plaques can slow the progres- sion of memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s,” Amanda G. Smith, M.D., medical di- rector at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute said.
“Ultimately, we want to give people something they cando–awaytofightback– against this devastating dis- ease.”
The A4 Study researchers are looking for participants be- tween the ages of 65 and 85 who have normal thinking and memory function.
To learn more, including how to enroll, visit A4study.org, or call (813) 974- 4904.
Transgender Female Challenges The Market As
A Hip Hop Artist
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Since he was 14-years-old, Javonn Hicks knew he’d be transitioning his life to be- come a transgender female.
As a senior at Tampa Bay Vo-Tech High School, Hicks challenged the system by be- coming a candidate for the school’s Homecoming Queen.
“Now that I’ve graduated, I find myself still trying to be accepted for who I am, not what I am.”
Now with the dual per- sona of Gezelle Blanco and Joanne Gotti, Hicks is try- ing to get established in the underground rap scene.
“I’ve been doing a lot of traveling trying to build my name. I have a couple of re- leases and I’ve been well re- ceived in the trans community.
“Now, I’m after a bigger audience and I want to break down that barrier that pre- vents transgender people from being accepted for their talent, not their sexual prefer- ences.”
Hicks hopes to prove to be a serious artist.
“I constantly find myself trying to deal with society and all of the prejudices. People need to know we exist and we’ve become more than so-
GEZELLE BLANCO AKA JOANNE GOTTI (Javonn Hicks)
ciety’s stereotypes.
“I’ve performed in front of
crowds that weren’t transgen- der, and that’s the way it should be.”
Hicks said when you ac- cept who you really are, you also learn to deal with soci- ety’s prejudices.
“Right now, I’m working with a promoter for a show in Orlando.
“Anyone interested in fol- lowing my career, can do so on Sound Cloud under Gotti and Trans entertainment. I am committed to being suc- cessful, and opening the door so other transgender people can also be successful.”
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015