Umoja

Ed Donnellan wants every kid to go to camp.And the energetic coach and teacher is doing whatever he can -- and whatever he can get others to do -- to make that happen.In 12 years, he's helped at least 1,000 youngsters from the housing projects of East and West Baltimore spend two weeks at Camp Umoja, on the green and wooded campus of Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson. A day camp with a twist, Umoja makes tutoring a daily activity, along with swimming and crafts, while depending on about 50 volunteer counselors who get as much out of it as the campers.

Bunjo Butler's tale was a story in verse, recalling a childhood Christmas in West Baltimore, and his longing for a coveted pair of "Union Hardware, Ball-bearing No. 5" roller skates. But it was delivered yesterday in the tradition of West African storytellers, or griots, on the eve of Kwanzaa celebrations for 2005. Butler is a member of the Griot Circle of Maryland, whose members entertained and educated an overflow crowd of more than 100 as part of the Baltimore Museum of Art's 13th annual Kwanzaa Family Day. In his uniquely West Baltimore twist on Clement Clark Moore's poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas," Butler told of hiding behind his parents' sofa - at age 8, and after being good all year - to make sure Santa Claus came through.

It was Umoja that drew a crowd to St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church in Columbia on Tuesday night. Umoja (pronounced oo-MO-jah) means unity and is the first in the seven principles of the Kwanzaa celebration. Across the Baltimore region, families, friends and neighbors are gathering this week to honor family values and pay homage to the rich traditions of African-American culture. Dozens of people gathered Tuesday in Howard County to observe a countywide Kwanzaa celebration that featured music, dance, history and a tribute to a beloved educator.

It was Umoja that drew a crowd to St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church in Columbia on Tuesday night. Umoja (pronounced oo-MO-jah) means unity and is the first in the seven principles of the Kwanzaa celebration. Across the Baltimore region, families, friends and neighbors are gathering this week to honor family values and pay homage to the rich traditions of African-American culture. Dozens of people gathered Tuesday in Howard County to observe a countywide Kwanzaa celebration that featured music, dance, history and a tribute to a beloved educator.

It was Umoja that drew a crowd to St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church in Columbia on Tuesday night. Umoja (pronounced oo-MO-jah) means unity and is the first in the seven principles of the Kwanzaa celebration. Across the Baltimore region, families, friends and neighbors are gathering this week to honor family values and pay homage to the rich traditions of African-American culture. Dozens of people gathered Tuesday in Howard County to observe a countywide Kwanzaa celebration that featured music, dance, history and a tribute to a beloved educator.

Sunfest and surfingOcean City will be concentrating on two "S" words this weekend: sun and surf. The 22nd annual Sunfest will feature LTC kite festival, boat show, treasure hunts and a fun run. Boardwalk parade takes place today at 9: 30 a.m. Other highlights include wildlife exhibits, scarecrow making, arts, crafts, a bonfire and a sand sculpting contest.For some sporting competition, O.C. visitors can head to the 8th Street beach Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and watch contestants in the Maryland State Surfing Championships.

A photograph caption in yesterday's editions incorrectlyidentified the two partners in the Umoja Sasa condom company.The founder of the firm, Edwin Avent was actually standing tothe right of his brother, Alphonso, in the photograph.Edwin Avent had a dream -- to be a successful entrepreneur and help the African-American community.About a year ago he thought: condoms. Not just any old condoms but ones packaged to appeal specifically to blacks. A business was born, one that already has recorded sales to state-funded agencies.

The classroom is hot and the teacher long-winded. Today's lecture for the students at Baltimore City Community College deals with Entrepreneurship and Marketing.Sounds like a fun way for a 14-year-old to spend her summer, huh?But Nicole Seivers listens intently, pen in hand and taking notes. She is learning business skills that will help with her duties for Umoja (Unity) Children Inc., a youth-run greeting card business.She is one of 16 youths, ages 7 to 16, who will spend much of the next three weeks at the downtown and West Baltimore campuses of BCCC, taking courses to help them become entrepreneurs and to further a thriving card business.

A clear view of community and values; Activist: Henry Brim, 17, says problems should motivate people to find solutions, not discourage them from trying.No excuses. That is how Henry Brim, 17, feels about helping his community."Don't use the neighborhood for an excuse" he says. "You don't use the problem to bring you down. You use the problem to motivate you."Glaucoma took Brim's sight when he was 3 1/2 , leaving what looks like pale blue plastic discs over his eyes. Being blind doesn't seem to bother him. What bothers him is the state of the world and the neighborhood surrounding his home in the 1900 block of Herbert St., a narrow side street near the corner of Monroe Street and North Avenue.

One neighborhood-based organization is helping Baltimore children to become the entrepreneurs of the future.Another group has used the courts and community resolve to chase away drug dealers who once controlled their streets with dozens of foot soldiers.A third has set up an after-school program to offer children a haven from the violent streets while helping them complete homework.Those are three of the celebrated efforts started by neighborhood groups in Baltimore during the last year. Their ideas and others will be shared with community organizations today at the Citizens Planning and Housing Association's second annual Neighbor to Neighbor Expo at Western High School, 4600 Falls Road.

It was Umoja that drew a crowd to St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church in Columbia on Tuesday night. Umoja (pronounced oo-MO-jah) means unity and is the first in the seven principles of the Kwanzaa celebration. Across the Baltimore region, families, friends and neighbors are gathering this week to honor family values and pay homage to the rich traditions of African-American culture. Dozens of people gathered Tuesday in Howard County to observe a countywide Kwanzaa celebration that featured music, dance, history and a tribute to a beloved educator.

Sunfest and surfingOcean City will be concentrating on two "S" words this weekend: sun and surf. The 22nd annual Sunfest will feature LTC kite festival, boat show, treasure hunts and a fun run. Boardwalk parade takes place today at 9: 30 a.m. Other highlights include wildlife exhibits, scarecrow making, arts, crafts, a bonfire and a sand sculpting contest.For some sporting competition, O.C. visitors can head to the 8th Street beach Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and watch contestants in the Maryland State Surfing Championships.

Ed Donnellan wants every kid to go to camp.And the energetic coach and teacher is doing whatever he can -- and whatever he can get others to do -- to make that happen.In 12 years, he's helped at least 1,000 youngsters from the housing projects of East and West Baltimore spend two weeks at Camp Umoja, on the green and wooded campus of Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson. A day camp with a twist, Umoja makes tutoring a daily activity, along with swimming and crafts, while depending on about 50 volunteer counselors who get as much out of it as the campers.

A clear view of community and values; Activist: Henry Brim, 17, says problems should motivate people to find solutions, not discourage them from trying.No excuses. That is how Henry Brim, 17, feels about helping his community."Don't use the neighborhood for an excuse" he says. "You don't use the problem to bring you down. You use the problem to motivate you."Glaucoma took Brim's sight when he was 3 1/2 , leaving what looks like pale blue plastic discs over his eyes. Being blind doesn't seem to bother him. What bothers him is the state of the world and the neighborhood surrounding his home in the 1900 block of Herbert St., a narrow side street near the corner of Monroe Street and North Avenue.

The classroom is hot and the teacher long-winded. Today's lecture for the students at Baltimore City Community College deals with Entrepreneurship and Marketing.Sounds like a fun way for a 14-year-old to spend her summer, huh?But Nicole Seivers listens intently, pen in hand and taking notes. She is learning business skills that will help with her duties for Umoja (Unity) Children Inc., a youth-run greeting card business.She is one of 16 youths, ages 7 to 16, who will spend much of the next three weeks at the downtown and West Baltimore campuses of BCCC, taking courses to help them become entrepreneurs and to further a thriving card business.

One neighborhood-based organization is helping Baltimore children to become the entrepreneurs of the future.Another group has used the courts and community resolve to chase away drug dealers who once controlled their streets with dozens of foot soldiers.A third has set up an after-school program to offer children a haven from the violent streets while helping them complete homework.Those are three of the celebrated efforts started by neighborhood groups in Baltimore during the last year. Their ideas and others will be shared with community organizations today at the Citizens Planning and Housing Association's second annual Neighbor to Neighbor Expo at Western High School, 4600 Falls Road.

Everyone's Place African Cultural Center at 1356 W. North Ave. offers a 24-hour Kwanzaa hot line giving information on local holiday events. Call Tabia Kamau-Nataki at (410) 728-0877 for information or to register an event.Here are some of the local Kwanzaa events:Today *Kwanzaa creator Dr. Maulana Karenga will be interviewed at 11 by Tea Montier of WEBB-AM, (1360).Dec. 21 *Kwanzaa African Family Day at Freedom School, Sojourner Douglass College, 500 N. Caroline St. begins at 11 a.m. The day-long celebration will feature dancing, drumming, poetry and a potluck feast.

Bunjo Butler's tale was a story in verse, recalling a childhood Christmas in West Baltimore, and his longing for a coveted pair of "Union Hardware, Ball-bearing No. 5" roller skates. But it was delivered yesterday in the tradition of West African storytellers, or griots, on the eve of Kwanzaa celebrations for 2005. Butler is a member of the Griot Circle of Maryland, whose members entertained and educated an overflow crowd of more than 100 as part of the Baltimore Museum of Art's 13th annual Kwanzaa Family Day. In his uniquely West Baltimore twist on Clement Clark Moore's poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas," Butler told of hiding behind his parents' sofa - at age 8, and after being good all year - to make sure Santa Claus came through.

Everyone's Place African Cultural Center at 1356 W. North Ave. offers a 24-hour Kwanzaa hot line giving information on local holiday events. Call Tabia Kamau-Nataki at (410) 728-0877 for information or to register an event.Here are some of the local Kwanzaa events:Today *Kwanzaa creator Dr. Maulana Karenga will be interviewed at 11 by Tea Montier of WEBB-AM, (1360).Dec. 21 *Kwanzaa African Family Day at Freedom School, Sojourner Douglass College, 500 N. Caroline St. begins at 11 a.m. The day-long celebration will feature dancing, drumming, poetry and a potluck feast.

A photograph caption in yesterday's editions incorrectlyidentified the two partners in the Umoja Sasa condom company.The founder of the firm, Edwin Avent was actually standing tothe right of his brother, Alphonso, in the photograph.Edwin Avent had a dream -- to be a successful entrepreneur and help the African-American community.About a year ago he thought: condoms. Not just any old condoms but ones packaged to appeal specifically to blacks. A business was born, one that already has recorded sales to state-funded agencies.