News Brief 7-14

The US Postal Service has released new 42-cent stamps to honor early black cinema. "Black and Tan, (‘29) " a 19-minute film featuring Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra, and "Caldonia, (‘45) " another short at 18 minutes film, showcasing singer, saxophonist and bandleader Louis Jordan are just a few of the early black cinema films to be honored. The Postal Service issued Vintage Black Cinema commemorative stamps in five designs in a pressure-sen?sitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps. The stamps are designed by Carl T. Herrman of Carlsbad, Calif. Vivid reminders of a bygone era, these vintage movie posters highlight various facets of the African-American cultural experience as represented in early film. Whether spotlighting the talents of entertainment icons or documenting changing social attitudes and expectations, these posters now serve a greater purpose than publicity and promotion. They have become invaluable pieces of history, preserving memories of cultural phenomena that otherwise might have been forgotten. "Hallelujah," a 1929 movie released by MGM is another poster in the set of stamps. It was one of the first films from a major studio to feature an all-black cast. Producer-director King Vidor was nominated for an Academy Award for his attempt to portray rural African-American life, especially religious experience.

Explained U.S. Postal Service Vice President and Consumer Advocate Delores Killette: “Whether spotlighting the talents of entertainment icons Josephine Baker, Duke Ellington, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Fredi Washington, Louis Jordan, Daniel L. Haynes, Victoria Spivey or King Vidor, or documenting changing social attitudes and expectations—these posters now serve a greater purpose than publicity and promotion. They are invaluable pieces of history, preserving memories of cultural phenomena that otherwise might have been forgotten.”
Women’s Historical Center
Seeks Volunteers  for Saturdays

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame, Michigan’s only museum dedicated to women’s history, seeks volunteers to serve as Saturday docents (tour guides).

Docents are needed for the first, second, and third Saturdays of each month to staff the museum during visiting hours from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Volunteers will be trained to operate the gift shop, welcome visitors, and to present information about the history of the building and the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame which is housed there as well as current art and history exhibits.

In exchange for donated time, docents can earn free admission to the Historical Center’s fundraising events and may bring groups into the Center at no charge. For more information, contact Assistant Director Patricia Majher at 517-484-1880 during business hours.

The Michigan Women’s Historical Center was established in 1987 by the Michigan Women’s Studies Association, which seeks to improve what is taught and thought about women in schools, colleges, and universities. Inside the Historical Center are changing galleries highlighting women’s history and art as well as the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, commemorating more than 200 Michigan women past and present. Operating hours are from noon to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Photographs, biographical sketches, and lesson plans relating to the Hall of Fame honorees may also be viewed at http://hall.michiganwomenshalloffame.org.
 
Vulnerable Michigan households missing out on economic stimulus payments
 
 More than 150,000 eligible households in Michigan have yet to file their federal tax returns to cash in on the economic stimulus payments. The group includes disabled veterans, others with disabilities and low-income seniors who otherwise would not have to file a tax return. To receive the $300 stimulus payment ($600 for a married couple) a tax return is required.
 
A new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (www.centeronbudget.org) is encouraging those who have yet to file to do so by the Oct. 15 deadline. In Michigan, the unclaimed payments total $46.4 million, according to the IRS.
 
“People who do not have to file a tax return during normal times may not understand that they still need to do this to get the economic stimulus payment,’’ said Sharon Parks, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services. “This is money that is due to them, and it’s important that vulnerable households take advantage of this opportunity.’’
 
To find free help in filing a tax return, call 2-1-1 or 1-800-552-1183 if 2-1-1 isn’t available in your area.
 

Source: IRS and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities