Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5950
Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 38 that the Church Of God In Christ Charities, in her opin- ion should become synonymous with the American Red Cross over time. She also pointed out that COGIC should be able to feed over 5 million people through the work of COGIC Charities. As an entrepreneur with various business interests, Judge Ephraim has been to South Africa many times and owns a bed and breakfast in Soweto, South Africa. She told the audience that in some villages in the remote parts of Soweto 500 people live in a single village and share one water well. This year COGIC Charities gave 56 scholarships worth $75,000. The Tri-State Bank of Memphis was the largest corporate supporter and Church Insurance Partnership Agency was also sponsor of the event. December 4-5, 2009 "Women of Faith – A Grand New Day," Women of Faith/Thomas Nelson Publishers, ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California. Contact (888) 493-2484 for information. December 5, 2009 "6th Annual Whittier Street Health Center Saving the Health of the Community International Benefit Gospel Concert," Whittier Street health Center, Berkley Performing Arts Center, Boston, Massachusetts. For more information call Melissa Hulsey at (617) 989-3182. December 7-9, 2009 "AME Church General Conference Commission and CONVO XIII," African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center Nashville, Tennessee. Contact Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie at (615) 242-6814 for information. December 11-12, 2009 "Advent Conference - Our Lady of Guadalupe", Roman Catholic Church, St. Joseph Church, Medford, Massachusetts. Contact Mary Harold at (781) 218- 2834 for information. December 14, 2009 "The Harlem Hallelujah Concert – A Holiday Concert For Healing & Inspiration For The Nation," Jonco Productions, The World Famous Apollo Theatre, Harlem, New York. Contact Dr. Suzan Johnson-Cook at (718) 231-1033 for information. December 13-20 2009 "Kingdom Week 2009 – Creating Undefeated People," Love Fellowship Tabernacle, Capitale NYC and Love Fellowship Tabernacle the Kingdom Church, New York City & Brooklyn, New York and Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Contact (718) 235-2266 or (215) 741-0525 for information. December 28, 2009-January 1, 2010, "Annual Vajrasattva Retreat," The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), Vajrapani Institute, Boulder Creek, California. Contact Gandhi Moreno at (831) 338-6654 for information. December 30-31, 2009, "New Year's Celebration," Lyle and Deborah Dukes Ministries & Harvest Lifechangers Church, Hylton Memorial Chapel, Woodbridge, Virginia. Contact Deborah Dukes at (703) 490-4040 for informa- tion. December 31, 2009, "Bringing in the New Year with Compassion w/ Venerable Drimay," The Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat, Soquel, California. Contact Denice Macy at (831) 462-8383 for information. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Continued from page 36 renovations of its 432 guest rooms include eight deluxe suites. The hotel also features a 4,200-sq. ft. Assembly on Five full serv- ice meeting center, particularly appealing to life science meeting groups. For Philadelphians like Danielle Cohn, vice president of mar- keting and communications for the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the expansion and sustainability initiatives will make Philadelphia even more appealing to meeting planners and tourists who also consider topnotch restaurants and places of cultural interest when deciding on a destination. Currently, Philadelphia is well-known for its historic land- marks, museums, sporting events and shopping. With the con- vention center expansion, several new exciting restaurants have opened, such as Chifa, a Latin-Asian restaurant introduced early this year by Latin Superstar chef Jose Garces. At 707 Chestnut St., the restaurant's stunning space features a center-stage ceviche bar and a 16-seat gold resin communal table. An impressive menu of signature small plates includes Aji Gallina, a classic Peruvian dish of slow poached chicken in a spicy sauce of aji Amarillo, walnuts and queso fresco, served over confit purple potatoes and garnished with purple Peruvian olives. For African-Americans, the newly renovated Philadelphia African American Museum is a must-see visit and features his- torical facts on Black Philadelphians. Located at 701 Arch St., the museum's newest exhibit, "Audacious Freedom," recounts the stories of, and contributions of, people of African descent in Philadelphia from 1776-1876. Another important stop is The President's House at 6th and Arch St. Once the home of George Washington and John Adams, the house is significant in that it was the first site of the White House when Washington resided in Philadelphia. It has gained even more importance these days due to discovery of slave quarters on the property in 2002. Apparently, because of a loophole, Washington kept nine slaves on the property, even though slavery was outlawed in Pennsylvania. He conveniently used a loophole that allowed slaves to be kept only for six months, conveniently rotating his slaves to his Mount Vernon estate to bypass the law. The City of Brotherly Love is known for several historical firsts, including being the site of the first hospital, the oldest living botanical garden in the nation, and the first Black nursing school. When visiting, be sure to check out the numerous murals that dot the city's landscape, providing important information about its various immigrants and neighborhoods. Continued from page 37