BAILEY'S COMMUNITY CENTER, Summer Lane, Falls Church, VA. The rise and fall of a community landmark. In the last two years it has gone down, down, down.and the citizens just watch without taking any action at all. They complain to each other but let the director have his way

Article VI, Vol 1                                                        Published on 5/27/2011                                    

                                 
                                The Community Center is moving on without citizen's input

Bailey's Community Center (BCC) was the place to go after school and work for citizens in the community from 1979 until about 2 years ago. Now, the citizens, for the most part, just stay away.  You may walk in the center and see a list of all the activities that are scheduled. But when you go there to attend the activity you will see that it never existed or it just petered out.

There are activities going on, but considering the size of this community, there should be a lot more activities and citizen participation.

Volunteers are not always welcome. I had 10 volunteers, educated and qualified to teach and coach youth basketball, and we were denied an opportunity to use the gym to organize teams to participate in the county league. This rejection occurred despite the fact we had participated in the league for over 22 years. (more about this matter later)

I can speak about BCC because I spent more than 25 years as a volunteer who organized programs and activitities. I served as the president and chairman of the center's advisory board and performed many, many, functions. I am not a disgruntled employee or worker because I have plenty to do as a volunteer in other activities and a member of the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League (FCYBL).

For the purpose of this alert I just want to name 7 things that I do not understand about BCC. These comments are offered based on my belief or knowledge that they are true:

(1). Why did we go from 7 teams in the county league in 2009 to zero in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.(two years)? The center director said that he was in charge, and he appointed the assistant director to be the assistant commissioner in the 2010 season. I managed to get one team organized and they played one game and I was told by the center director that  they could not play in the league. So, they were yanked from the league.Therefore, children in the Bailey's community, had a gym and teams from all over the county used the gym for league games and the Bailey Crossroads kids were just spectators on Saturdays for the whole basketball seasons. (2) Why were the youths told that they could not play basketball on Friday nights or after school because they did not attend a dance spearheaded by the director?. He should have known that the Muslim kids generally did not participate in dances. The director had security, lots of  food and about 5 children to show up. The Muslim community was upset. (3) Why did the director request or allow a cinder block to be put in the wall in the gym, where the sound system goes?. We offered to donate the $100 piece of equipment to fix the system but we were rejected. (4) Why did the director pay over $3,000 for four (4) basketball teams in the FCYBL when he knew or should have known that he did not have a single team organized . (5) Why does the director control funds designated for the advisory board to spend for youth programs without consultation with the Chairman of the board? (6) Why did the director send Merit Employees out to collect money in the community for a program sponsored by a private group (7) Why does the director have a seven hour work day. (10:a.m.to 5:pm)? I was told that the director takes his lunch hour at the end of the work day. I just do not understand how that works.

I plan to use the seven points listed as my talking points when I meet with county officials on behalf of the youths and adults in the community concerning activities at Bailey's Community Center

The young adults and parents in the community need to become organized and active in the operation and programs that are conducted at the center. This task can be achieved by organizing an Advisory Board that represent the community. The late Mr Walter Hawkins worked with the advisory board and community and we were able to accomplish a lot for the youths and adults. Now it is different.  The citizens need to understand that the director works for the community and he is not a dictator. Other communities in the county appear to have effective advisory boards. Why not the Bailey's Crossroads community?

For more current news and condition of the center, visit http://www.bxrcc.blogspot.com/                             

                                      Copyright 2011. Grady E. Bryant, Sr. All Rights Reserved
                                        

Bible Study: Chapter by chapter, book by book is a good method to learn the bible

Article V, Vol 1

I spent a lot of years of my life hopping and skipping all over the bible, as I read.  I was also lead down this path by many good ministers. I have no complaints about the ministers because that is the teaching method that is and was in place.  For many that method works well.  They can take you to certain scriptures that have had a major influence on their lives.

Currently, at Warner Baptist Church we are engaged in studying the Bible on a book by book, chapter by chapter approach. We find the approach informative, educational, uplifting, and revealing.

Following is our outline for study on April 26, 2011 at 7 p.m.

Chapter 24 of Deuteronomy
  In this book Moses is continuing to preach and teach the people how God wants them to live and treat others after they enter into the promise land.

                                                           Study Outline
       1.  Laws about divorce                                               5. Skin Diseases
              a. lst husband                                                             Ask Priest
              b. 2nd husband                                                          Remember Mirian
              c. 3rd husband

       2.   Newlyweds                                           
                less than a year                                                                                                                
                no war
                stay home

       3.    Loans
                 collateral
                 no millstone
       
        4.     Kidnapping
                  No Israelites
                  What about others?

         5.    Skin Diease

         6.   Loans
                  Don't go into house and take
                   coat (give back before sunset)
 
          7.   Poor People Wages
                  Pay on day of work
                  (cotton picking, day labor)

          8.     Death Penalty
                    a. No substitute
                    b. Each must stand for self
              
           9.   Don't mistreat the Powerless
                   Orphans & foreigners fairly
                     (story about man begging)

        10.   Leave Some harvest for the poor

                                                           Chapter 25

           1.   Whipping for crime
                      40 lashes

            2.   Don't muzzle an ox
                       why not?
            3.    Brother marry dead brother wife
                        refuse
                       elders
                       sandal
             4.   When two men fight
                      woman stay out of it
                      don't hit man below belt
                           punishment?
              5.   Be honest in business
                       2   explain
                    (buying oil for heaters)
                    poor man prices ($ store)
                      Main point:  Be honest

               6.  Wipe out Amalik
                      (What would we do today?)

                 Close out Hebrew Chapter 13: 1-5
 
 This edition for Bible Study on April 26, 2011 at Warner Baptist Church Falls Church, VA at 7:p.m.
                                                                                                                                                            
                  

South Suffolk/Pleasant Hill: A community where poor folks lived a rich life in Suffolk, VA - even richer than the rich

 Article IV, Vol 1
Reissued:  January 3, 2013

South Suffolk/Pleasant Hill: A Community to Behold in Suffolk, Virginia

 South Suffolk/ Pleasant Hill (SSPH)  is a community located in a 5.4 mile square area cradled in the southeastern part of  Suffolk, Virginia.. It is surrounded by railroad tracks and farm land. The main streets into the neighborhood are County Street and Spruce Street. By automobile or walking, just keep going south until you cross the railroad tracks.

      Family

 SSPH was a unique kind of community in the 40's, 50's, and 60's. Generally, family life was evident. When it was dinner time, the whole family would be present. If a family member did not like what was on the the table, he or she would have to wait until the next meal because there was no McDonald or Burger King in the vicinity. After dinner, family members would go their separate ways until bed time.
                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                            Christmas

 Christmas time was special. Seemingly, every child got a toy or something for Christmas. The children who had asked Santa for a big toy was content to receive a small toy. At least Santa had not forgotten them. The poor children, such as myself, were not in the frame of mind to try and figure out why our friend, who was an only child, usually got a room full of top line toys. In fact, he received more toys than me and my six siblings combined. We didn't try to figure it out.

 I remember Santa brought him two automatic six shooters and a complete cowboy outfit, plus an electric train. He couldn't figure out why Santa left so many toys at his house.  Bulemus (assumed name) was always willing to share his gifts with my family and other children in the community. We thought Santa left more toys at his house  because he had more space.  He wanted us to understand that he was a regular guy like us. To us, he was a regular guy.

 Me? I got a single shot cap pistol. Shoot and reload. Bulemus  could get off six shots before four of us could reload. We didn't really care as long as we were having fun.
    
                                                                        Business owners

 There were a lot of  individual skilled persons and self owned businesses in the community. Also there were independent owned stores such as Baker Street Grocery, Majett Grocery, Biggs Grocery, Mitchell Dry Cleaner, Griffin Shop; also painters, carpenters, and other skill persons.  Drive through vendors selling fish, crabs, watermelons and fresh vegetables drove slowly through the neighborhood daily during the spring and summer. If I listen carefully, I can still hear Mr.Thompson yelling,"Fresh fish and crabs today,just caught" .

You could get a good water melon for .25 cents and a mess of collard greens for .30 cents.
 Several families  marketed Enhanced Water(EW).  I can remember, in one block, 3 families marketed the product. There was no conflict - because the marketers had their own customers.

  My father worked at the Navy Ship Yard.  His pay was .75 cents an hour or $30 a week, before deductions. Seemingly, he was furloughed a lot. The small income made it hard for him to make a living with a wife and  7 children.  So, he went into the Enhanced Water business.  He was involved in the business as a manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer. This business enabled him to take better care of his family.  Still, it was not easy - but the family's welfare was much better than before the EW days.   The business helped my family stay intact.
                                                                        

 Playgrounds

     The community did not have any county supported playgrounds.  We made our own playgrounds.on vacant lots or fields. We would clean off a lot or field and put up a basketball goal or lay out a softball field.  Then after a year or two the owner or somebody would build a house or put a garden on the lot.  Then, we would go find another vacant lot. A lot of accomplished athletes came from the playgrounds of  South Suffolk. Among them were: Alex Cobb, J. R. Beale, Eugene Scott, Wilbur Cherry, Pete Barnes, Joe Riddick and William Harrell-Porter,(five years varsity football & four baseball), George Lee, William Bailey, Douglas Boone, and  in the 80's Lamont Strouters

  Of course, the youths in Suffolk city  had a nice playground. (we lived in Nansemond County which was a separate jurisdiction).
    
                                                                 Hard times?  If so,  we didn't know

     We ate well - Lots of fresh vegetables and fresh meat.  - Lots of exercise. Generally, starting in the 6th grade we walked about 2 to 2  1/2 miles to advance elementary & high school - rain, snow, sleet or sunshine - there was no school bus for the community.

  Poor? No, no, not us.  There was very little sickness in the community. When somebody took sick there was a lot of home remedy medicine available.  It worked.  Poor? Um, not us.
  The conditions that surrounded us in those years would be totally unacceptable today.  For example, no running water, outdoor toilets, water pumps, unpaved streets, hog pens in back yards, lack of enough street lights, wood stoves and heaters, a tiny "colored only" hospital with limited services and only 3 doctors  to serve the whole colored community in the county (we were colored then).They were Dr. Reid and his wife, Margaret and Dr. Diggs.  If you went  to the doctor, you had to be prepared to spend the whole day. Once the doctor determined a patient was not dying, he would slip out the back door and make his rounds and return 2 or 3 hours later.

 Only about 5% of the homes had indoor plumbing.  Everybody else had to take that walk to the out house.   See, we did not have one or two baths inside - instead we had two paths to the out house.
   
                                                Families working together & enjoying themselves

Families were generally willing to help each other perform major tasks - particular on hog killing days.  Several  women would gather and assist in making sausage, chittling, lard, soap and other products that are made from hog meat.  Men would gather and help with killing & cleaning the hogs. They would rejoice in cooking and sharing the oyster part of the hogs. All participants appeared to be so happy as they sung beautiful spiritual and blues songs all day..
                                                           
                                                              Children will be children
     
     Generally, children did not separate themselves by class. We all played together.
 To us, we were as rich as the rich, at least considering the joys and pleasures that we had. Children and families shared food and other items without giving it a thought.  Also, there was a lot of bartering between individuals and families. For example: a cup of sugar for a cup of flour or a cup of meal for some butter.
   
                                                  Stalwart citizens from the community
    
     From the background I described, emerged some of the nicest and well known citizens in Suffolk and around the country.  Among the well known former South Suffolk residents are:

   Amanda Riddick - Rogers (retired teacher and current ambassador for the needy in Suffolk); Susan Harrell - Bennett (ESH'52 - class Salutatorian retired teacher, community activist and spouse of a City Councilman; as a child and youth, seemingly, Susan always had a book in her hands everywhere she went); Ella Porter - Ward ( ESH '64- class Valedictorian, retired teacher, community activist and elected politician in Chesapeake,VA); Frank Kahan (president of the East Suffolk HS Alumni Assoc); Lamont Strouters (former NBA basketball player and he is still active in volunteering a lot of time with youths in and around Suffolk); Johnnie Barnes (former NFL player); Sandra Jean Deloatch  (Norfolk State University official); Mary Sebron - Stevenson, Annie Felton, amd Marion Bemory Wright (retired  teachers and community activists); Lelia Bell - Manley (retired govt worker, teacher & activist) and Evelyn Horton - Jackson (retired teacher and well known musician). There are many, many more.
                                                           
                                                                          Conclusion

     In appearance, we may have looked poor, but inside we felt rich and had a good time. Yes, living in South Suffolk was a good experience.

     Poor? Oh no, not us. We lived a rich life, even if it was only in our mind.

 .

   
Copyright 2010 Grady E. Bryant, 2010

 Reissued January 3, 2013

Copyright 2013 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.

Baby Due Soon: Delivery one minute before midnight on December 31st can make a difference of $5,000 in tax refund (real money)

Article III, Vol 1

    Doc, can our baby be delivered at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2010 instead of 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 20l1? What difference does it make? Well, if the baby is born in 2011, you may get your picture and the baby's in the local newspaper - the baby could be recognized as the first born in the region for the new year.
That sounds good.
    This is the flip side. If the baby is born in 2010, before midnight, and the parent or married couple income is at a certain level, the family may qualify for the following:  (1). an additional dependent, (2) $1,000 child tax credit (credit is cash, not a deduction), and (3) possibly an additional $3,000 in earned income credit ( real money).  Then, when  the State taxes are considered, the parent(s) could possibly be receiving a greater tax savings.

    Come December 31st, a lot of doctors and their staff will be waiting until the clock strikes midnight and racing to see who can be the first to deliver a baby in the new year.
    In a virtual conversation recently, a father told me he wanted the doctor to move a little faster in the deliver process and deliver their new born on December 31 in 2009 - instead the doctor waited until one minute past midnight to deliver the baby.
    The father said that when the clock hand struck midnight and the baby had not been delivered, "all he could do was cry, cry, cry". Of course, he was happy for the new baby, but he was crying because the baby did not arrive 2 minutes earlier, which would have been before midnight.
    Here is a little insight according to IRS's tax guidelines for 2009: A qualified head of household, with income of $16,500 could possibly qualify for over $3,000 in Earned Income Credit with one child and over $5600 with three dependent children.
    Also, a married couple, filing jointly, with a combined income of $21,500, if determined qualified, received over $3,000 for one child and more than $5,600 with three, qualified, dependent children.
    Now, I'm not in the new baby delivery business. It is a joy whatever time the baby or babies arrives. That being said, I wonder, how many persons are willing to ask the doctor if the delivery could be in 2010, if possible, without any complications.?  Then again, in many cases, it may not really matter.
    Another thing to consider in the delivery process, is insurance. The year of deliver could determine how much out of pocket expenses the parent or parents have to pay. But that is another story.
    In conclusion, what a difference a minute can make. Perhaps, in some cases up to $5,000 in real money in tax refund or savings!

Disclaimer: This blog is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be a basis for anybody to form an opinion about medical, tax, or any other life matters. I suggest that readers consult a medical professional, accountant, or a legal advisor before acting on any information presented in this blog. All information contained in this blog is subject to be updated, modified, or amended at any time.

Grady E. Bryant, Sr.

Copyright 2010 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.  All Rights Reserved.
 

Language Barrier: Is it me, Ebonics, improper English or just what?

Article II, Vol 1

     First alert

 I have wrestled with this question for a long time. Growing up in Suffolk, Virginia I just knew I could speak proper English - because everybody told me so - including my teachers at East Suffolk High School. This opinion changed rapidly in the spring of my junior year. My English teacher, Mr. Herbert Briscoe, Jr. brought a tape recorder to class.  He recorded the presentation of the top five speakers. My speech drew a loud ovation. I went to my seat feeling real good.  What happen next had a profound effect on my life.  Mr. Briscoe played the tape. I could not believe that was me speaking. I heard words like "yeing, heing, ain't gat, ain't chu, them thare," and a whole lot of poor English or near English pronunciations.
 Because most of us spoke that way, I realized then and there that I had to be my own critic. Our teachers  put emphasis on writing correct English, but very little emphasis on speaking. Listening to that tape recording let me know how I sounded..I was not speaking Ebonics, but just plain improper English..

 Consequences

I started working on improving my speech.  I had a long way to go.
My first year from home, reality knocked on my door. I joined the Army in 1960. During basic training in Fort Jackson, my platoon sergeant came to my barrack and asked for a soldier who was out. I answered, "Heing helin (he is not here). Then he asked, "Do you have a broom I can borrow? I replied, "ain't gat nay one helin (do not have one here). The sergeant said, "Soldier I don't really know what you said, but I think I figured it out."
As he walked away, I mused, "He must have trouble understanding English."
     
Speech improved

When I went back to my hometown. Many of my friends, accused me of trying to speak proper. I told them that I thought that  I was suppose to speak proper. Anyway, it worked out.
Finally, I got it together and improved. My self improvement made a difference in my military, college, work, family, and social life.

Teachers awareness

Today, my childhood situation still exist with many young and old persons in Suffolk.Why? Well, for one thing, many of the teachers, write good English, but they are trapped in the web speaking English improperly. Often the teachers reply may be, "been talking like this all these years, ain't no need to change now."
So the beat goes on.

 Need parents & students involvement

 For a change to come, it is going to be up to the students, teachers, and parents to implement changes. Speaking correct English does make a difference in the world beyond Suffolk or whatever little or big town you live in.

Closing Statement

Well, as for me, after all these years, and several hundred published articles, reports and stories, my writing is still a work in progress. My speaking has improved, but I'm studying to improve in that category too.
   
 Note
  The East Suffolk High School Alumni Association is scheduled to meet monthly in Suffolk, VA
                               
 Revised publication (original published December 7, 2010)  This is a Pre-Edited Release

Copyright 2010 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.  All Rights Reserved.

Chemical Plants Near Your Home May Be Harmful

 Article I, Vol I

     Recently, a chemical plant on Dill Road in Suffolk,Virginia burned down. A picture of the burning plant was published in the Suffolk News Herald (12/07/09). When I saw that picture I immediately thought of  many of the people who lived near that plant who had died of cancer or suffered with cancer. I instantly thought of eight  cancer victims who died. Two sisters who lived within a 100 yards of the plant died at a very young age 2009. Then I thought of many more who became sick and remained sick for a long period of time.
    
     Did the chemical plant have anything to do with these people death and sickness?
    
     When this question was raised in the neighborhood, citizens advised me to just let it be-because they did not have anywhere else to go.  Sadly, this is the feeling among the citizens.  During the 30 plus years the plant was operating in the community, to my knowledge, no official protest of substance was ever lodged.
    
     A gentleman, who I know only as Nebo recalled that the fumes were noticeable in the 60s and 70s, but they were not as noticeable when the plant caught on fire.  The lack of smell does not mean the chemicals are not emitting into the air.Think of a cup of strong black coffee. Add cream and sugar and the taste is so much better. Similar, add some perfumes to the deadly chemicals and a person may not smell the chemicals at all as they emit into the air. Please understand, chemicals kill softly over a period of time. But they do kill.

    My suggestion is, if you grew up near a chemical plant you need to get checked out.  Don't take the city or county officials word that it is okay.  Generally, they are not going to say these plants are safe for the environment, without a qualifying word - such as "probably, maybe, or perhaps- to ease your mind.

    In summary, I recommend citizens come together and fight to keep chemical plants out of their neighborhoods.

    Need I say the neighborhoods that you will find chemical plants operating?

   
Copyrights 2010 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.  All Rights Reserved.