By Courtland Milloy
Column: COURTLAND MILLOY
Wednesday, November 6, 1996; Page D01
I was about to throw out a stack of papers yesterday when I noticed that this was my "good news" pile, mostly outdated pleas and requests for press about the positive side of life in the city.
I had missed the "Not To Be Missed!" evening of music and dance with Washington's own East of the River Boys and Girls Steelband in July. I had heard these kids from Anacostia play at Eastern Market once, under the direction of their Trinidadian band leader, and they are terrific. But their grand performance, held at the University of the District of Columbia, had gone on without notice from me.
I had not attended Mrs. Therrell Smith's "wine and cheese" at her Logan Circle home in May. Smith has been introducing District children to classical dance for more than 40 years. The Smith Arts Foundation gives her students an opportunity to pursue training in the arts. I'm sure I would have met some fine young people there.
The Boarder Baby Project Gala, which raises money for abandoned, abused and neglected infants, was held last month and could have used some support, too. The city's youngest victims of drug abuse and poverty are finding a haven at the Boarder Baby Project's Little Blue House, which provides a loving environment until permanent homes can be found.
The invitations went on and on, the combined effect being a picture of the District as a place where young people are engaged in wonderful activities, where selfless volunteers abound and ordinary residents are reaching across racial and economic lines to help heal and rebuild a great city.
One letter I received began, "Your friends at the D.C. Street Academy are calling on you to serve as an Honorary Endowment Dinner Committee Member." I could not, but the least I can do is offer an encouraging word about a school that successfully educates dropouts and expelled students, offering them a second chance to attain educational achievement. This year, the D.C. Street Academy graduated 30 students, 10 of whom have gone to college.
The Washington Parent Group Fund recently celebrated its 15th year as a nonprofit organization that promotes quality education for children through the empowerment of parents. The National Reclaim Our Youth Crusade, founded by Jesse L. Jackson, marked its third anniversary in June, having reached more than 10,000 youths in the District through its mentoring and back-to-school programs.
"Unemployment in urban areas remains high, particularly among youth. How can the cycle be broken?" asked Maudine R. Cooper, president of the Greater Washington Urban League. "One way is to train youths for 21st century careers." So the Urban League took 21 youths from nine high schools in the District and Prince George's County and exposed them to occupations in the environmental sciences.
The youngsters also constructed two 14-foot rowboats, christened them and then launched them at a boat ramp on the Potomac River. That would have made a nice column, probably better than yet another sad story about some kid gone bad.
The Calvary Bilingual Multicultural Learning Center presented an anti-violence skit last month. Thirteen kids, ages 9 to 13, did scenes about the importance of obeying one's parents and resisting pressures to join "crews." There even was a reception for them after the play.
Twenty-six children, ages 5 to 16, participated in the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind's annual summer camp. The three-week program featured computer classes, arts and crafts projects, sing-alongs and field trips. The volunteer counselors were primarily other teenagers from Washington.
That's just a small sampling of the good news from the last few months -- events that occur with far greater frequency than bad news. I guess that's why it's so hard for such events to qualify as "news." And yet, if most of what we get is bad news, then maybe the good really ought to be considered "news."
Here's more:
"General Johnnie Wilson, four star African American General, will visit Cleveland Elementary School in the District," Tansil R. Johnson wrote to tell me. "General Wilson grew up in the projects, one of 12 children, and rose to become only the third African American four star general in Army history -- and the only one on active duty."
Wilson visited the school yesterday and talked to students about the value of family, community and education.
"Wouldn't you like to spend an uplifting and worthwhile afternoon with over 100 of the District's high school students?" asked Peter N.G. Schwartz. He was inviting me to the National Student Achievement Awards Ceremony today at Benjamin Banneker Academic High. The program helps promising and motivated D.C. high school juniors and seniors meet education-related expenses.
I have been clinging to some of my mail for quite a while, like a letter from Harold Moss, an advocate for the homeless.
"Our Olive Branch Community has experienced a dramatic increase in mothers with children at its soup kitchen," Moss wrote last December. "Instead of organizing the 500 to 700 families to demand emergency shelter, the community will celebrate [Christmas] with gifts and a shared meal."
Looks like I'll get to make up for missing that one soon enough.