Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 31 held at the historic Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on January 17, 2009. Comedian Sinbad, Donnie McClurkin and Dorinda Clark-Cole, hosted the 2009 Stellar Awards. Performers for the star-studded awards show included Deitrick Haddon, Kirk Franklin, Jessica Greene, Terrell Hunt, Melody, The Murrills, Jai Reed, Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs, Donnie McClurkin, Heather Headley, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Dionne Warwick, and gospel rapper Da' T.R.U.T.H. The Stellar Awards presented the following artists with special awards this year. Daryl Coley received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, Vickie Winans received the Thomas Dorsey Most Notable Achievement, and The Rance Allen Group was the recipient of the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Award. Rev. Timothy Wright also received a special tribute. January 29-February 1, 2009, "Denomination Wide Quadrennial," UMC, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Jacksonville, Florida. Contact John Nuessle at (212) 870-3863 for information. February 6-7, 2009, "Real Ideas Conference 2009," United Methodist Church (UMC), Van Dyke Church, Lutz, Florida. Contact Karen Peel at (813) 968-3983 Ext. 145 for information. February 6-8, 2009, "Evolving Your Soul's Journey: A Gabrielite Group Retreat with Azar Baksh and Ravani Rah Weiner," Sufi Order of Austin, Hidden Treasure Retreat Center, Austin, Texas. Contact Batina Sheets at (512) 296-7063 for information. February 9, 2009, "Encouragement Fellowship," Women With a Purpose, Wingate Inn, South Charleston, West Virginia. Contact Wanda Smith at (304) 345-5962 for information. February 9-13, 2009, "Priest Training - Extraordinary Form - 1962 Missale Romanum," Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Stritch Retreat House Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois. Contact Rev. Scott A. Haynes, S.J.C. at (312) 243-7373 for information. February 16-27, 2009, "Journey to South Africa 2009," Balm In Gilead Centre, Wallacene Village/Capetown, South Africa. Contact Rev. Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram at (214) 333-2632 for information. February 20, 2009, "Walk Thru the Bible Seminar – The Old Testament for Kids," Walk Thru the Bible, First Evangelical Free Church, Chicago, Illinois. Contact (773) 561-4175 for information. February 28, 2009, "Feng Shui With Venerable Munsel," The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat Center, Soquel, California. Contact (831) 462-8383 for infor- mation. March 8, 2009, "Encouragement Fellowship," Women With a Purpose, Wingate Inn, South Charleston, West Virginia. Contact Wanda Smith at (304) 345-5962 for information. March 20-23, 2009, "Tong-Len Weekend Retreat with Ven. Rene Feusi," The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), Vajrapani Institute, Boulder Creek, California. Contact Gandhi Moreno at (831) 338-6654 for information. March 21, 2009, "Walk Thru the Bible Seminar – The Old Testament," WalkThru the Bible, Zion Community Church, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Contact (814) 383-4161 for informa- tion. March 25-29 2009, "National Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc. Meeting," UMC, Westin Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Contact Melvin Talbert at (615) 749-6351 for information. CALENDAR OF EVENTS of celebration that tied past to present. In 1974 California State Parks purchased land within the historical town site of Allensworth, and it became Colonel Allens- worth State Historic Park. Today a collection of lovingly restored and reconstructed early 20th- century buildings, includ- ing the Colonel's house, historic schoolhouse, Baptist church, and library once again grace this flat farm country, giving new life to the dreams of these visionary pioneers. With continuing restoration and special events, the town is coming back to life as a state historic park. The park's visitor center features a film about the site. A yearly reded- ication ceremony reaffirms the vision of the pioneers. For those interested in visiting historical Allensworth call (661) 849-3433 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/allensworth. Sidebar: Amtrak's San Joaquin trains will stop at Allensworth for group travel with advance reser- vations. The park has a vis- itor center and tours are available by making arrangements with the park in advance. The visi- tor center features a video presentation, The Spirit of Allensworth, which is avail- able for viewing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., any day of the week. The most important building, historically and in the mem- ory of Allensworth pioneers, is the schoolhouse. It was in use until 1972 and is furnished as it would have been on a school day in 1915. An audio presentation is available on site. Continued from page 29

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