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Angel Reese Takes Over Vogue to Declare for WNBA

Sports

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2024-04-04

Angel Reese Takes Over Vogue to Declare for WNBA

Angel Reese is headed to the WNBA. In an interview with Vogue that accompanied a photo spread sharing the news, the 2023 NCAA champion said she was inspired by Serena Williams retiring in a similar fashion in 2022. In the feature, Reese confirmed she decided to turn pro before the start of March Madness. “Of course, I like to do everything big,” Reese told Vogue. “I didn’t want anything to be basic.”

During her time as an LSU Tiger, Reese averaged 20.9 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while recording 61 double-doubles in 69 games, second in school history only to WNBA great Sylvia Fowles. She also boasts endorsement deals with Reebok, Beats by Dre, Mielle Organics, Coach, and more. Reese’s season came to an end on Monday after an epic matchup with Caitlin Clark and Iowa, which drew the biggest audience in NCAA women’s basketball history. The WNBA Draft takes place on April 15.

Actor Kenan Thompson Speaks Out in Wake of ‘Quiet on Set’ Kids TV Doc

Cover Story

Ernest Smith

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2024-04-02

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Actor Kenan Thompson Speaks Out in Wake of ‘Quiet on Set’ Kids TV Doc

Article by Fernando Rover Jr., — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Every April, programming and resources are provided to help shrink the number of incidents of child abuse.

Hollywood is one of the most misunderstood places regarding experiences of children and teenagers. What is often thought to be this place that represents magic, joy, money, popularity, and power, is often fraught with pedophilia, workplace abuse, and traumatic imprints on future adulthood. Examples of this include: Shirley Temple, Michael Jackson, Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, Macaulay Culkin, and more.

Actor and comedian Kenan Thompson is famous for his roles on popular television shows Saturday Night Live, Kenan & Kel, and All That. The latter two were flagship shows on the popular and now infamous network Nickelodeon, which is at the center of some controversial discoveries surrounding network practices of several staff members and their treatment and abuse of several former child stars.

Nickelodeon was the quintessential children’s program network in the 1990’s, 2000’s, and early 2010’s. Known for its collection of both animated and live-action sitcoms such as Rugrats, Spongebob Squarepants, Hey Arnold, Clarissa Explains It All, The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Victorious, etc. But perhaps the best known show was All That. A kid focused comedy sketch show in the vein of other popular sketch shows like In Living Color and the aforementioned Saturday Night Live, All That featured various scenarios utilizing various comedy techniques. It also was the origin of many famous child/teenage stars of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s such as Amanda Bynes, Lori Beth Denberg, Alisa Reyes, Giovannie Samuels, and Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson.

Recently, a four part documentary called Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids Tv, examined behind the scenes secrets surrounding treatment of the kids on Nickelodeon sets. Many of the aforementioned stars are either featured or spoken about in regards to several incidents of inappropriate sexual practices surrounding minors.

Thompson recently was asked about his opinion but also his own experiences working for the network. Writers Carly Thomas, Tatiana Tenreyro, and Zoe G Philips, in their 2024 article for The Hollywood Reporter, write, “While appearing on The Tamron Hall Show on March 27, Kenan Thompson, who started his career on All That and then starred in his own show Kenan & Kel, also voiced his support…’I think it’s a good thing that the doc is out, and it’s putting things on display that need to be, you know, stories that need to be told for this, accountability sake. But it’s definitely tough to watch because I have fond memories of that place, and I have fond memories of my co-stars and stuff like that. So to hear that they’ve gone through terrible things like that, it’s just, it’s really tough.’”

Popular Nickelodeon Shows in the 1990s, Photo: WildTV

Thompson also added that he had no direct interactions with Dan Schneider, the defamed creator and showrunner of shows such as All That, Kenan & Kel, The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, Victorious, and Sam & Cat. Thompson added, “Because all these things happened after I left, basically, and Dan [Schneider] wasn’t really on Kenan & Kel like that. I mean, he got a ‘created by’ credit, but it was a different showrunner. So our worlds weren’t really overlapping outside of all that, necessarily. And then all that negativity kind of started happening outside of our tenure there.”

Thompson’s comments join the reckoning of several former child stars that recently went to social media to voice their support and their own experiences. The reception of Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV has garnered much attention with many of those who watched the documentary were children who grew up watching these aforementioned shows.

The impact of this documentary will forever change not only children’s programming but also how children will enter Hollywood.

Spurs Struggle, V-Dub Shines

Observer Staff

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2024-04-02

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Late Surge Amid Spurs’ Struggles: V-Dub’s Stellar Rise

The Spurs seem to have found a little momentum to close out the season as they saw their first three game win streak of the season before falling to the Golden State Warriors 117-113 at home on Easter Sunday.

The Silver and Black were without Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan who is likely done for the season with an ankle injury. VDub led the shorthanded Spurs with a stat stuffing 32 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks.

While the Spurs have been eliminated from the playoffs, the Warriors came into the game in desperate need of a win as they held a slim one game lead over the Rockets for the last and final play-in berth. The Rockets are currently the hottest team in the league winning 11 of their last 12 contests.

With only seven games left in the season and the Spurs sitting at 18-57, the Silver and Black are looking to avoid the worst season in franchise history. That unfortunate distinction belongs to the 1996-97 Spurs squad that went 20-62. Prior to Sunday’s Loss the Spurs were 4-6 in their last 10 games, by far the best stretch of the season.

“I think that we have changed a lot since the beginning of the season. We are a totally different team. I think that you can see that, obviously, when we’re playing on the court, we’re much different. We obviously know now what everybody is capable of. Using [Victor Wembanyama], Devin [Vassell}, Jeremy [Sochan], [Keldon Johnson]. Everybody has their own role and now everybody understands as individuals what we have to do. I think we’re better. I think if the season were to have started today, we would be in a different spot. I really do believe that. But I’m proud of how we fought tonight, and it was a good game for us.”, said Coach Popovich after the loss to the Warriors.

Despite the team’s lack of success, VDub continues to make history and his mark on the league. He comes into the final month of the season averaging 21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, and a steal, all team highs. This includes a career high 40 points and 20 rebounds against the Knicks on Friday at the Frost Bank Center. While he did not make the All-Star team in his rookie season, he is a leading candidate for both Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Upcoming Games:

Tue, Apr 2 @ *(3)Denver (52-23) 8pm

Fri, Apr 5 @ *(6)New Orleans (45-29) 7pm

Sun, Apr 7 vs *(8)Philadelphia (40-35) 6pm

Tue, Apr 9 @ **Memphis (24-50) 7pm

*-denotes team’s current Conference standing.

**-denotes team has been eliminated from playoffs

April is National Poetry Month in San Antonio This month is filled with readings, slams, discussions and poetic experiences.

City of San Antonio

Ernest Smith

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2024-04-02

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April is National Poetry Month in San Antonio This month is filled with readings, slams, discussions and poetic experiences.

SAN ANTONIO Press Release — This April, the City of San Antonio and newly announced 2024 – 2027 San Antonio Poet Laureate Eddie Vega invite the entire community to participate in National Poetry Month.

“April is my favorite month of the year. There’s Easter. There’s Fiesta. It’s the height of spring and we’ve got poetry blossoming all over town because it’s National Poetry Month,” Vega said. “Start with Viva Poesía, go to a reading of a favorite poet, go share or listen at an open mic. The calendar is full of events starting in March and extending into May and I can’t wait to go enjoy all that our San Antonio poetry community has to offer.”

For 28 years, the Academy of American Poets has celebrated National Poetry Month each April to remind the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters. The City of San Antonio joined the National Poetry Month celebration, the largest literacy celebration in the world, in 2009 to increase public awareness about the importance of poetry.

“Not only does poetry inspire, enrich, educate and entertain, it can also help us express complex feelings and provide a connection to each other,” said Department of Arts & Culture Executive Director Krystal Jones. “Poetry has an essential place in San Antonio’s culture all year long. But April is the time when the many talented poets of San Antonio truly shine through the many National Poetry Month events.”

More than 45 events are scheduled for this year’s celebration, including youth programs, workshops, performances, discussions, and festivals. The official National Poetry kickoff event is 10th annual “VIVA Poesía: Palabras, Música, y Cultura,” presented by the City of San Antonio’s World Heritage Office, which will be held on Saturday, April 6 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the historic Mission Marquee Plaza. The theme for the event is “Confluence of the Creative Arts,” inspired by the Surrealist exquisite corpse game of collaborative compositions.

“Viva Poesía stands as a literary celebration honoring not just the beauty of spoken word but also the vibrant cultural heritage of our city,” said Director of the World Heritage Office Colleen Swain. “This kick-off event is a beloved community highlight, attracting individuals from across San Antonio to the heart of the south side. This year we have a special treat that involves not only spontaneous poetry, but also painting, sketching and the culinary arts.”

For more information about National Poetry Month San Antonio 2024, including ways to celebrate and a full list of events, visit SanAntonio.gov/Arts, and follow @GetCreativeSA #NPMSA2024 #GetCreativeSA.

UTSA Student Wins Advocacy Award

UTSA

Ernest Smith

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2024-04-02

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UTSA Sophomore Wins National Mental Health Advocacy Award

The Jed Foundation (JED) has selected 20-year-old Areli Rosales, a first-generation college sophomore at the University of Texas at San Antonio, for the 2024 Student Voice of Mental Health Award. She was chosen among dozens of undergraduate and high school applicants to receive this distinguished national award, which recognizes students who lead advocacy projects to establish youth mental health support systems and encourage help-seeking in their school communities.

Areli was raised in a Hispanic household by her immigrant mother and three sisters along the United States-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, while her father was imprisoned, she saw how mental health was rarely discussed.

A sexual assault and suicide attempt survivor, she drew strength from her struggles and founded “KeepInMind,” a nonprofit committed to raising mental health awareness. Her on- and off-campus advocacy efforts include raising awareness about sexual violence, promoting emotional well-being, and providing resources and education to teens, parents, and educators in the development of a national mental health and wellness curriculum.

Areli has expanded KeepInMind across her college campus via support groups and weekly workshops. The 20-year-old is a devoted mental health peer advocate, podcast host, writer, and short film producer. Her on- and off-campus advocacy efforts include raising awareness about sexual violence, promoting emotional well-being, and providing resources and education to teens, parents, and educators in the development of a national mental health and wellness curriculum.

Ballot Battles: Democracy’s Tightrope Walk

Observer Staff

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2024-04-02

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Ballot Battles: Democracy’s Tightrope Walk

Voting Rights Under Siege: The Battle Beyond Shelby v. Holder

Presently, we recognize the constant assaults on the right to vote, coming from a number of Republican controlled state legislatures, in their attempts to “protect election integrity.” Shelby v. Holder was a landmark U. S. Supreme Court ruling, in June 2013, which struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which left millions of voters of color without the mechanism that had stopped voting discrimination before it could be implemented.

The origin of these attacks comes from the existence of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, signed in August of that year, by former president Lyndon B. Johnson, was described by the former president as “one of the most monumental laws in the history of American freedom.” The VRA was the product of a bold action by Congress, forcefully addressing the problem that nearly a century after the Reconstruction Amendments, millions of Americans were still denied the ability to vote and participate in our democracy, because of their race.

One if the most important and effective parts, of the Voting Rights Act, was Section 5’s “pre-clearance requirement.” Enacted in 1965, and re-authorized by Congress in 1970,1975,1982 and 2006, Section 5 required certain jurisdictions, identified by the coverage formula in Section 4(b), to seek pre-clearance for any changes to voting procedures. The Shelby decision established that those jurisdictions no longer needed to seek pre-clearance for new voting changes. At the time of this decision, nine states were included under the pre-clearance requirement, including Texas.

Since 2013, there have been a flood of new voting restriction laws passed, in multiple states, which includes voter ID requirements, illegal to provide assistance to voters with language difficulties, restrictions on requesting mail-in ballots and making it illegal to provide water or food, to voters waiting in line to vote.

Texas’s voter ID law was challenged, in federal court, and in 2014, Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos found that the law “had a discriminatory impact on Blacks, Latinos, senior citizens, women and students.”

Now, Texas’s SB 1 is being challenged, again in federal court, and a final decision is being awaited. A partial decision was handed down, in August 2023, wherein the bill’s requirement of a voter ID submitted, must match the id on file, was a violation of the “materiality provision”, of Section 2, of the Voting Rights Act.

Constant challenges to voter registration, attacks on voting procedures are continuing. Leading the constant battles, against disenfranchisement, of citizens’ right to vote, are multiple organizations, including the ACLU, Common Cause, the Legal Defense Fund, MALDEF, LULAC, VoteVets, to name a few.

The greatest Power lies with the People, who have the opportunity to show up, in order to obtain more positive election outcomes and an improvement in the quality of our representation, on all levels!

Your Vote Matters! See You At The Polls!

H-E-B Black Box Theater

Ernest Smith

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2024-04-02

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H-E-B Black Box Theater Breaks Ground at St. Philip’s College

On March 28, St. Philip’s College celebrated the groundbreaking of the new H-E-B Black Box Theater, a significant addition to the Watson Fine Arts Center, enhancing the Fine Arts and Kinesiology Department. This development was supported by a generous $1 million donation from H-E-B, along with crucial funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III program.

Winell Herron of H-E-B emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting education and the arts, highlighting the importance of fostering creativity and innovation. The H-E-B Black Box Theater, spanning 20,000 square feet and seating up to 200 people, aims to serve over 1,000 students. It’s envisioned as a center for artistic education and a community space for cultural engagement.

Dr. Adena Williams Loston, President of St. Philip’s College, remarked on the theater’s potential to advance educational and artistic opportunities, particularly in acting, dance, music, and set design, for students and the broader east San Antonio community.

Clark’s Victory Over LSU’s Reese – Women’s 2024 March Madness TV Times and Schedule

Sports

Ernest Smith

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2024-04-02

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Clark’s Victory Over LSU’s Reese – Women’s 2024 March Madness TV Times and Schedule

Caitlin Clark circled underneath the LSU basket all alone, her untouchable aura still in tact with an arm raised to victory and another cradling the basketball, as the game clock ticked towards zero — a fitting scene for the woman at the center of nearly every Hawkeye masterstroke Monday. The transcendent star commanded the long-awaited rematch of last season’s championship bout against No. 3 seed LSU with 41 points and 12 assists, contributing directly to 80 percent of Iowa’s field goals and leading the Hawkeyes back to the Final Four with an 94-87 victory.

She took just 17 seconds Monday to sniff out another NCAA record and women’s basketball icon to overtake, surpassing Diana Taurasi with her record 62nd-made NCAA tournament three, and America’s top-ranked offense turned over to a brilliant roar. The Hawkeyes scored on seven of their first nine possessions, and Sydney Affolter converted at the rim to give Iowa an early 17-9 lead and force LSU coach Kim Mulkey to burn a timeout just four minutes into the ballgame.

The fiery Tigers boss awoke her star-studded roster as LSU found itself within just a basket three minutes later, and a balanced scoring attack from the Baton Rouge bunch wore on the Hawkeyes defense. Angel Reese, last season’s tournament MVP, starred Monday with 17 points and 20 rebounds — Reese’s contributions helped LSU build a 23-6 edge on the offensive glass — and scored eight straight Tiger points to give LSU its first lead late in the first quarter at 27-26.

2024 March Madness women’s TV times and schedule (all times ET)

Friday, April 5 — Final Four

(1) South Carolina vs. (3) NC State | 7 p.m. | ESPN
(1) Iowa vs. (3) UConn | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN
Sunday, April 7 — National Championship

TBD vs. TBD | 3 p.m. | ABC

Here are the future sites and dates for the Final Four:

Article by NCAA

HT Alum’s Service Was Held On Good Friday 2024

Local

Ernest Smith

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2024-04-02

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HT Alum’s Service Was Held On Good Friday 2024

Funeral services for Susan Annette Adams Rowe, a 1970 graduate of Huston-Tillotson College (University), were held in Dallas, Texas on March 29, 2024, Good Friday. Her family was overjoyed that Susan’s services would be held during the Easter Season as they prepared for the Resurrection of Christ. She was proud of her HBCU experience where she competed in Track and Field and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.

Born July 13, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas, Susan was the eldest daughter of Reverend Julius and Mrs. Bertha M. Adams. She passed March 18, 2024, after living five decades with multiple sclerosis. Services were held on Friday, March 29th.

Correspondence may be directed to the Adams/Rowe Families, 609 Sonora Court, Irving, Texas:

(512.587.1960, Dr. Adams-Means)

In lieu of flowers contributions may be offered to:

Huston-Tillotson University

Attn: Institutional Advancement

900 Chicon Street

Austin, TX 78702

Memo line: Susan A. Adams Rowe

Farewell good servant.

July 13, 1947 to March 18, 2024

Never to shy away from a challenge, Susan Annette Adams Rowe, entered this world July 13, 1947, ready for the mysteries that lay ahead. From her early life on the Westside of San Antonio, Texas, Susan wanted to experience the best this world had to offer, from her baptismal and joining Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church youth choir, then participating in the Grant Elementary School string orchestra as a violinist to eventually play with the San Antonio All City Youth Symphony. She was a member of the Tejas Council of Girl Scouts from Brownie to Senior Scouts, and became an Adult leader.

While at Dunbar Junior High School she studied clothing design and regularly tailored garments to model in fashion shows. She carried that passion for fashion all the way through high school.

Before entering Thomas Jefferson High School in 1963, she competed against Westside teens raising money and showing composure to win the title of Miss West End Queen. Throughout high school she continued to design, construct and model her garments, but she was also an athlete and competed in track and field. A hard worker, she always managed to have employment, once working as a library assistant at Lackland Air Force Base Officer Training School Library, another summer she was a recreation supervisor for the San Antonio Neighborhood Youth Organization (SANYO) along with Lynn Eusan (an activist and first Black Homecoming Queen at the University of Houston) who was senselessly slain in 1971, in Houston, Texas.

One of Susan’s favorite fun jobs was being a Santa’s helper (elf) at the old main Joske’s store in downtown SA. How she enjoyed greeting the children and showing them to Santa’s castle, then giving them a ride on the Santa Express. During that formative time, she performed in the Delta Sigma Theta Jabberwacky fest.

In 1965, Susan was invited to join the courterie of PALS and Van Courtlandt Society Debutantes in San Antonio.

Upon graduating from TJHS, she did what most young graduates did, she attended San Antonio College (SAC), but after two semesters she experienced her first crisis with multiple sclerosis (MS), an insidious ailment that cuts-short young lives. Thanks to her tenacity and fight she managed to recover from that first episode.

After her recovery she decided to transfer to a historically black college, Huston – Tillotson, where she majored in education and continued to participate in athletics by joining the HT RAMS track and field team. She would not let MS slow her down. Susan completed HT with a Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1970. The semester before her May graduation, Susan became Mrs. Jasper C. Rowe, and moved to Dallas, Texas.

To further her career development, she attended Lone Mountain College in San Francisco to become a reading specialist and North Texas State University. Susan began her professional career with a focus on education, first with St. Bernard Catholic School, then serving on the board of Greenhill School. She contributed significantly to educational advancement for youth through her employment as an Equal Opportunity Specialist for the U.S. Department of Education (HEW), Office of Civil Rights, RegionVI. In that post she was called upon to investigate all matters to ensure citizens received equal treatment under the law. For this she received a certificate for Superior Service. She retired in 1987.

She was active in Dallas/Ft. Worth Barristers’ Wives having served as President, National Barristers’ Wives, Regional Director; Regional Director-West, Dallas Junior Bar Wives; Black United Government Employees (BUDGE), Alpha Wives, North Texas Lawyers’, President of the Federally Employed Women (FEW) and Dallas Carrousels, Inc.

Susan is the eldest daughter and first child of Reverend Julius (deceased) and Mrs. Bertha Mae Adams of San Antonio, Texas. She is one of five children. She was predeceased by her father, and two brothers – Julius Irving and Jeffery Dean Adams. She is survived by her mother, Bertha Adams; her husband Jasper C. Rowe, Esq.; daughter Jillian C. Rowe Hurst (Jaycen); granddaughters Morgan Bailey Hurst and Emma Riley Hurst; sister Dr. Carol L. Adams Means (James) and brother Judge Rodney D. Adams, brother and sister-in-law Cecil (Mary) Rowe along with niece Alyssa A. Means, nephews James H. Means III, Rodney D. Adams Jr., and Jeffery I. Adams, Matthew and Timothy Rowe, and a host of family members.

The family wishes to thank Susan’s care staff at Baylor, Scott & White hospital in Dallas, Tx who attended her during her illness, and offer a sincere thank you to the many friends in attendance with offers of sympathy.

8th Annual Pothole Patrol begins Blitz to Repair Potholes. Call 311 to Report Potholes Today!

Local

Ernest Smith

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2024-04-02

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8th Annual Pothole Patrol begins Blitz to Repair Potholes. Call 311 to Report Potholes Today!

City of San Antonio Public Works Press Release — Join the Public Works Department and San Antonio Pothole Patrol to kick off the 8th Annual Pothole Patrol Blitz! Residents are asked to help Public Works locate and fix more than 10,000 potholes in April.

Call 3-1-1 to report potholes through the 311SA app on smart phones. The first 100 residents will receive a Pothole Patrol Fiesta Medal.

The San Antonio Pothole Patrol is managed by the Public Works Streets Division.

Residents made more than 4,600 calls to the City’s 311 hotline to report potholes in 2023, roughly 5 percent of the total potholes Public Works repaired.

Fourteen Pothole Patrol crews fixed approximately 333 potholes each day.

Each pothole takes roughly 20 minutes to repair and costs about $35.

San Antonio’s extremely hot weather, followed by bouts of rain, causes the expansion and contraction of asphalt and creates the perfect conditions for water to seep into the asphalt and create potholes.

For more information, please visit SASpeakUp.com/PotholePatrol.