Governor Signs AB 1077

In 2007, when the public found out that the Tulare County Board of Supervisors was in the process of approving two massive dairies next Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, bus loads of park supporters turned out for the public hearings. Despite the over whelming opposition, the board of supervisors approved the two dairies. Jerry Brown, then California Attorney General, suited Tulare County for not adequately addressing the dairies environmental impacts. At the same time 62nd District Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter introduced a bill to create a 2.5-mile buffer zone around the park. In the end the state paid the farmer $3.5 million not to build the dairies, and Assembly Member Carter withdrew her bill.

Feeling victorious, after having stopped the construction of the two dairies, everyone turned their attention to the 2008 centennial. But, Assembly Member Carter realized that we might not be as fortunate the next time the state park is threaten by incompatible development. So on February 19, 2010, she introduced Assembly Bill 2356, which would have prohibited development that is incompatible with the historical or recreational significance of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. She later withdrew the bill because it could have affected the construction of the California High-Speed Rail.

Not one to easily give up, Assembly Member Carter introduced Assembly Bill 1077 on February 18, 2011. In addition to prohibiting incompatible development within 2.5 miles of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park this new bill requires that a feasibility study be preformed to consider the state park for designation as a National Historic Landmark.

After an hour long debate; where former Tulare County Board of Supervisors member, Connie Conway spoke out again the bill; the bill passed in the assembly 47-25 votes on June 2, 2011. The bill passed the Senate on August 22, 2011, but not before it was amended.

The section “This bill would prohibit a person from developing any of the area within 2 1/2 miles of the boundary of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in Tulare County in a manner that would be incompatible with the historic or recreational significance of the park.” was amended to read “This bill would require the Department of Parks and Recreation to notify the State Park and Recreation Commission of any proposed development that may substantially impact the historical, cultural, or recreational significance of the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, and would require the commission, upon receipt of that notification to hold a duly noticed public hearing to receive public input regarding the potential impacts of the proposed development on the park. The bill would require the commission, following the public hearing, to submit, in writing, to the department a summary of its conclusions on the potential park impacts that may be caused by the proposed development for transmission by the department to the appropriate local government entities.”

Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 1077 on Friday, October 8th.

I commend Assembly Member Carter for introducing AB 1077 and seeing it through the Assembly and Senate. Special thanks go out to Friends of Allensworth Statewide President Thomas Stratton for making sure that the Friends of Allensworth was listed as a resisted supporter of the bill.

Please take a minute to thank Assembly Member Carter for her commitment to protecting Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. You can leave a comment on her website or write her at:

Capitol Office:

State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0062
Tel: (916) 319-2062
Fax: (916) 319-2162

District Office:

335 N. Riverside Ave.
Rialto, CA 92376
Tel: (909) 820-5008
Fax: (909) 820-5098



Stephen Hill, Sr.

Old Time Jubilee

On Saturday, May 21st the Friends of Allensworth Interpretive Association, in cooperation with the California State Department of Parks and Recreation will host their Old Time Jubilee event at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Old Time Jubilee commemorates the carnival’s yearly May visit to Allensworth during the community’s heyday.

One of the special children’s activities scheduled for the day is a puppet show featuring “Colonel Allensworth”.

In addition to enjoying the entertainment on the main stage, you can take a self-paced tour of the historic homes and business. When you are at the Colonel’s house be sure to ask the docent to tell you about Mrs. Allensworth and the oil lamp.

For more information about this event or the Friends of Allensworth contact Friends of Allensworth President Thomas Stratton at (530) 949-2168 or tomten@pacbell.net

Campsites are still available for this event.



What: Old Time Jubilee

When: Saturday, May 21, 2011

Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Where: Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park


Stephen Hill, Sr.

Assembly Bill 1077 passed 9 – 4

At the California Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife hearing on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 AB 1077 (Carter) passed 9 – 4, and will be re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

The Friends of Allensworth is the only registered supporter for the bill. The registered opposition to the bill is:

     American Council of Engineering Companies of California
     Tulare County Farm Bureau
     Visalia Chamber of Commerce

A special thank you goes out to Friends of Allensworth Statewide President Thomas Stratton for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend the hearing and making sure that the Friends of Allensworth was listed as a registered supporter of the bill.

Please let the Committee on Appropriations know that you support Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park and AB 1077 by sending your letters of support to:

     Honorable Wilmer Amina Carter
     Assemblymember, 62nd, District
     California State Assembly
     State Capitol, Room 2136
     Sacramento, CA 95814


Stephen Hill, Sr.

Friends of Allensworth member The First Laid to Rest at Miramar Cemetery

Friends of Allensworth member, John Smith, became the first person buried in a casket at the new Miramar National Cemetery on Thursday, April 14, 2011. Smith devoted the last ten years of his life to lobbying for the Miramar National Cemetery.


As a veteran of the Vietnam War, John Smith service as a medic with the 1st Air Cavalry. Smith was dictated to helping his fellow veterans in San Diego County.

In 1981 Smith helped organize the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, which changed its name to Veterans Village of San Diego in 2005. The group runs Veterans Rehabilitation Center that has en employment and training department, medical offices, and 16 three-bedroom, three-bath apartments.

Smith helped organize the nation’s first annual “Stand Down” event in 1988. “Stand Down” is a community program that assists homeless veterans with immediate physical needs such as showers, barbers, medical and dental. Other services provided are employment and job counseling, counseling, and veterans’ benefits.

The above video is the KFMB-TV 8 coverage of the burial service.

 
Stephen Hill, Sr.

Original Buffalo Soldier Dies

ALLEN, CHARLES


March 23, 1932 - March 19, 2011

Long time Friends of Allensworth member Charles Allen passed away on March 19, 2011, four days before his 79th birthday.

During the Korean War Charles Allen was assigned to Company ‘B’, of the 24th Infantry Regiment making him one of the last of the original Buffalo Soldiers. (From 1886 to1906 Allen Allensworth was the chaplain of the 24th Infantry Regiment.) While serving as the Command Sniper he was wounded twice for which he was awarded the Purple Heart.

The 24th Infantry Regiment became the last original Buffalo Soldier Regiment when the 2nd Cavalry Division was deactivated in 1944. When President Harry S. Truman integrated the Armed Forces the surviving members of the 24th & 25th Infantry Regiments, and the 9th, 10th, 27th & 28th Cavalry Regiments became the last original Buffalo Soldiers.

In addition to being a member of the Friends of Allensworth and a devoted supporter Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park Charles Allen served as the Recording Secretary of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Ninth & Tenth (Horse) Cavalry Association.

Service will be:

Friday, April 1, 2011
12:00 PM
Chapel of Roses
3443 W. Manchester Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA


You can leave a message for the family at the Simpson’s Family Mortuary website.


Stephen Hill, Sr,

Passing of Parnell Lovelace, the founder of the San Diego Chapter of the Friends of Allensworth

Dear Friends and Supporters;

It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the passing of Parnell M. Lovelace, Sr., the founder and first president of the San Diego Chapter of the Friends of Allensworth. After a long illness he passed away in his home on February 27, 2011.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Parnell’s name to:

Wilma Lovelace
P.O. Box 161211
San Diego, CA 92176

You can leave messages for the family at the Preferred Cremation and Burial website.

Service Information:

Viewing:
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
5:00 - 8:00 pm
Preferred Cremation and Burial, San Diego
6529 University Avenue
San Diego, California 92115

Funeral Service:
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
11:00am – 1:30pm
31st Street Seventh-day Adventist Church
414 South 31st Street
San Diego, California 92113

We ask that you remember his family in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Stephen Hill, Sr.
Friends of Allensworth
San Diego Chapter No 12

Chapter Founder Parnell Lovelace

Parnell Lovelace, the founder and first president of the San Diego chapter of the Friends of Allensworth had emergency surgery  on November 3, 2010. Since the surgery he has been living at the Jacob Health Care Center in San Diego. 

His wife Wilma and son Ralph have created a website with a service called Caring Bridge to keep Parnell's family and friends updated  on his status and to  leave messages for him and his family.  You can also view pictures of Parnell with his family and the health care center staff celebrating his 80th birthday.  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/parnell

Please take a moment to visit the website and leave a message in the Guestbook.

You can send flowers and cards to:
Jacob Health Care Center
4075 54th Street, Room #207
San Diego, CA 92105

Stephen Hill, Sr.

Frances K. Jackson Businesswoman of the Year

Congratulations to Frances K. Jackson, vice-president of the San Diego Chapter of the Friends of Allensworth, on being selected as the 2010 African American Business Women of Vision’s (AABWV) Businesswoman of the year. Frances will be honored at the AABWV 13th Anniversary Celebration Dinner.

13th Anniversary Celebration

African American Business Women of Vision

Friday, October 15, 2010

Mission Valley Resort, 875 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108

Registration and vendors 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Program and Dinner starts at 7:00 p.m.

To register for the celebration dinner fill out the attached form. Sponsorships and vendor tables are also available. To RSVP or get more information about the celebration contact Dee Sanford at deesanford@cox.net or 619-263-6868.



Stephen Hill, Sr.

Addie Singleton Talk

The Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ in Lompoc, California will host a talk by Addie Singleton on Sunday, September 19th. Addie Singleton is a descendant of Joshua and Henrietta Singleton owners of the Singleton store in Allensworth, California. The Singleton store was in operation until Mr. Singleton died in 1928. You can read more about the Singleton friend on the Friends of Allensworth website.


Date: 
Sunday, September 19, 2010

Time:
11:15 a.m.

Cost:
Admission and refreshments are free.

For more information, visit www.valleyoftheflowersucc.org or call 805-733-3333.


Stephen Hill, SR.

Allensworth Interviews: A Video by Dusty Stiles.

In this 19 minute video Dusty Stiles interviews Allensworth State Historic Park docents ; Emmett Harden, Marianna Reliforte, Hazel Kennedy, Josephine Herring , park interpreter Jerelyn Olivera and photographers Rick Russell and David Green.

This video is part of an upcoming Allensworth exhibition at the California African-American Museum in Exhibition Park, Los Angeles. The exhibition is the result of a photo project conceived by Rick Russell. Russell and nine of his friends spent the day at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park and taking photographers of the park which were put into a book: “Allensworth: A Place. A People. A Story.” The book will be sold at the park with proceeds benefitting the park and Friends of Allensworth.

Stephen Hill, Sr.

Library of Congress Veterans History Project

San Diego chapter of the Friends of Allensworth member Ernest H. Collier profiled in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. The Veterans History Project preserves and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans. The project collects first-hand accounts of U.S. Veterans from the following wars:

• World War I (1914-1920)

• World War II (1939-1946)

• Korean War (s.1950-1955)

• Vietnam War (1961-1975)

• Persian Gulf War (1990-1995)

• Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present)

Ernest Collier services with the 9th Cavalry Regiment and the 24th Infantry Regiment, two of the Army’s four Buffalo Soldier regiments. Allen Allensworth was the chaplain of the 24th Infantry Regiment from 1886 to 1906. Many of the first settlers of Allensworth, California were members of the four Buffalo soldier regiments and their families.

This Sunday Ernest Collier will be one of the Grand Marshals for the 2010 Spirit of the Fourth Independence Day Parade in Rancho Bernardo, California. The 2010 Spirit of the Fourth parade is celebrating the theme, “In the Spirit of Service” and is honoring Wounded Warriors. Ernest Collier is a Korean War veteran whose Purple Heart was earned in South Korea in 1951. The battle area was near Pusan, Korea. The actual award was made by General Mark Clark at Letterman Hospital, in San Francisco, CA.



Stephen Hill, Sr.

California’s Heartland DVD

5min Life Videopdia has just added the below video to their site. The 5 minute video is taken from the KVIE Public Television production African Americans in California’s Heartland. Produced in cooperation with The Sacramento Observer, the DVD explores the history of African Americans in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada from the Gold Rush through the 1950s.


In addition to Allensworth, the DVD relates the stories of the Gooch/Monroe family, whose descendants owned much of Coloma; the Buffalo Soldiers stationed in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks; the civil rights case of runaway slave Archy Lee; and the entrepreneurial Dunlap Family, who operated a famous Sacramento restaurant frequented by Senators.

You can purchase the DVD at the KVIE web site. The site also has lesson plans and the DVD transcript.

Stephen Hill, Sr.

Learn about Allen Allensworth

Old Time Jubilee

Saturday, May 15, 2010 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Join the Friends of Allensworth and the California Department of Parks and Recreation at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for our annual Old Time Jubilee. Co-authors Joslyn Gaines Vanderpool and Anita Royston will use song, dance, and music to tell stories from their book”Our Black Fathers” Brave, Bold & Beautiful. The stories in “Our Black Fathers” challenge the stereotype that all black men are absent from and unaccountable to the black family unit.

George Palmer will speak about “The Roads of Allensworth” which are named after African Americans such as Charles Young and Paul Laurence Dunbar; the town’s lake was named after Booker T. Washington. Also performing will be gospel soloist Letrice Morning.

In addition to the activities on the stage, the historic building will be open for tours. There will be arts and crafts vendors, food vendors and activities for the children.


Vehicle Entry Fees:

Cars: $6.00

Small Bus: $50.00 (24 passengers or less)

Buses: $100.00 (25 or more passengers)

Camping: $20.00 per night



For information contact:

CASHP (661) 849-4012

Bakersfield (661) 633-1577

Delano (661) 725-8210

Fremont (510) 651-8323

Oakland (510) 569-4618

Sacramento (530) 949-2168

San Diego (619) 263-9101

Vallejo (707) 635-1635

Ghost Tracking

The Fresno Ghost Tracking Meetup Group will be at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park on Saturday, May 8th for an investigation of the park. The group will meet at the park at 6:00 pm for a tour of the park. After the tour they will break for dinner then return to the park at 10:00 pm to begin the investigation of the park.

The Fresno meetup group is the second ghost tracking group to investigate the park. The first group was the Porterville Ghost Society, on September 12th, 2009. You can read about their investigation in the Winter 2010 issue of the San Diego Chapter of the Friends of Allensworth newsletter.

The cost of the May 12th event is $40.00 per person. To join the Fresno Ghost Tracking Meetup group contact Angie Matthews at the group’s Meetup page.

Stephen Hill, Sr.

Thank You e-card

Recent budget cuts have caused California state park rangers and their staff to work harder than they have ever done in the past. In addition to leading tours of the parks the staff’s daily duties include such things as maintaining trails and access roads, and repairing and cleaning restrooms.


The California State Parks Foundation has created a special “Thank You” e-card that they are asking their supporters to sign and write special messages to park personnel.

If you have ever visited Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park please take a few minutes to send a Thank You e-card to Ranger Steven Ptomey and his staff. Let them know how much you appreciate their hard work and all of the support they have given the Friends of Allensworth during our special events at the park.

In addition to the above duties Ranger Steven Ptomey is an ambassador for Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. He regularly speaks about Allensworth at local schools, colleges, and museums. He has also promoted the park on local television shows. And somehow he finds time to maintain a Facebook page for Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.



Stephen Hill, Sr.

Old Time Jubilee Train Ride

The Sacramento chapter of the Friends of Allensworth and CTD Dream Builders are sponsoring a train ride to the May 15th Old Time Jubilee. CTD Dream Builders is a youth outreach program dedicated to helping youth set goals and ensuring they reach those goals.


Families will board the train at the Sacramento Amtrak station and enjoy a free breakfast on the ride to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. The train will make a special stop that lets the families off only feet away from the Hindsman General Store. After enjoying the Old Time Jubilee activities the families will re-board the train for the return trip to Sacramento and a free dinner.

To purchase tickets or receive more information contact Thomas Stratton at 530-949-2168 or CTD Dream Builders at 916-308-3441. In Stockton call Brenda Kemp @ 916-847-3306.

Stephen Hill, Sr.