HONOREE WITH PARENTS—John B. Woodruff, awardee, with mother, Joy Woodruff, and father, Judge Dwayne Woodruff.

A powerful collection of personalities were assembled recently at the Champion Enterprises/Five Starr Corporation’s 12th Annual Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Public Service Awards held at the office facilities of the chief executive.
The lineup of speakers were: Allegheny County Executive Richard Fitzgerald opened the evening with a thunderous welcome, followed by state Rep. Ed Gainey; Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker; Wilkinsburg community leader, councilman candidate, Dennis Briggs; former Steelers Super Bowl champion Judge Dwayne Woodruff; former Pitt University football star and karate champion, Curtis Smith; along with national actress/model Rita Gregory and the Allure Models. Vietnam Veteran Marine Sgt. Jacquet Bazemore brought the house to its collective feet as the keynote speaker. Bazemore is also a hall of fame black belt martial artist.
Twenty of the area’s finest public servants were honored for their willingness to protect and serve all above and beyond the call of duty in memory of 9/11, including police, firemen, EMS, military and educators. The honorees were  Denita Parrish, Rachera Jefferson, Austin Davis, Joe Luvara, Jacquet Basemore, Brother Yusef, Brother Malik Mohammad, Jelani Mohammad, Malaka Mohammad, Ralph Watson, Mark Tranquilli, Jerry Chiappinelli, Rashard Byrdsong, Koinonia Church of Pgh, Kevin Carter, John Woodruff, Tim Stevens, Jamie Holmes, Richard Venezia and  the Wilkinsburg Police Department.

REGRETTABLE--Angelina Jolie endured painful laser removal procedures to fade the "Billy Bob" tattoo that was once prominently displayed on her arm.

by Dr. Anthony Youn

(CNN) -- A few years ago I interviewed a handyman to do some work on my house.

I noticed a teardrop tattoo at the top of his left cheek. Prior to hiring him, I searched online for what this design signified. My mouth dropped when I found out.

Young, Gifted and Blessed
    APRIL 12—The Christian Education Department of Greater Allen AME Church, 3600 California Ave., North Side, will host its “Young, Gifted and Blessed” event from 6-9 p.m. Youth will come and present their God given talents through song, dance, poetry, acting, music and more. For more information, call 412-732-2775 or Sis. Dorothy Stubbs at 412-969-8423.
Scholarship Concert
    APRIL 13—The Center for Urban Biblical Ministries will host its 25th Anniversary and Scholarship Concert by the Class of 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at East Minster Presbyterian Church, 209 N. Highland Ave., East Liberty. The evening will feature psalmist James Ziegler and Evangelist Barbara Mann. Bishop Loran Mann will be the Master of Ceremonies. For more information, call Karla Threadgill Byrd at 412-247-9010.
Seminar
    APRIL 14—Greater Works Outreach, 301 College Park Dr., Monroeville, will host the “Healing is the Children’s Bread” Seminar at 7 p.m. The three-day seminar, which runs through April 16, will feature Pastor Gary Mitrik and Apostle Reginald White as they provide Biblical instruction, personal prayer and ministry.  The seminar is free. For more information, call 724-327-6500 ext. 117.
Pastoral Anniversary
    APRIL 14—New Zion Baptist Church, 1413 Juniata St., North Side, will host its 47th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration of Rev. Dr. Samuel W. Williams Jr. The theme is “Bearing all things for 47 years.” The celebration will run through April 21 and begin with a Youth Ministry Kick-Off. There will also be a concert on April 20 at 4 p.m. with Rev. Elton Allen & The Voices of Zion. For more information, call 412-322-9566 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Spring Revival
    APRIL 15—St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church, 4537 Chatsworth Ave., Hazelwood, will host a Spring Revival at 7 p.m. The three-day event will include guest evangelist Rev. Robert Young and a guest choir each night. For more information, call 412-521-0994.
Women’s Weekend
    APRIL 20—Nazarene Baptist Church, 7053 Hamilton Ave., Homewood, will host a Women’s Weekend. The theme is “Women Empowered by Divine Guidance.” The two-day event will include guests speakers Rev. Linda Oliver at 11 a.m. at April 20 and on April 21 Rev. Brenda Gregg at 11 a.m. and Rev. Wanda Sawyer-Flipping at 4 p.m. For more information, call 412-441-8243 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Women’s Brunch
    APRIL 27—The SHOUT (Sisters Hanging Out United in Truth) Women’s Ministry of Union Baptist Church of Swissvale, 2117 Collingwood Ave., Swissvale, will host a Women’s Brunch from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Every fourth Saturday of the month, women will come together for food, fun and fellowship to praise the Lord and hear a Word from a woman of faith. This month’s special guest will be Rev. Terri Pennybaker. For more information, call Synthia Brown at 412-466-1150.
Missionary Conference
    APRIL 27—Christian Tabernacle, 2601 Centre Ave., Hill District, will host a Missionary Conference. The theme is “Where There is No Vision-The People Perish.” There will be a Prayer Breakfast at 10 a.m. and a Worship Service on April 28 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, email Charles Mosby at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Prophetic Workshop
    APRIL 27—Restoration Wellness Ministries will host the Prophetic Worship at 7 p.m. at 238 Penn Circle, East Liberty. This is an evening with the king, and the praise of healing, restoration and refresh. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.rwm-ministries.com.
    (To have items listed on the Church Circuit, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)

DEVYN ABDULLAH

The winner of the Face has been announced.

She is 21 year old Devyn Abdullah, a native of New York City. Abdullah is the first winner of “The Face,” Naomi Campbell’s modeling reality show.

Devyn's win has also earned her the opportunity to front Ulta Beauty's 2013 fall and holiday campaigns.

Reportedly the producers were glad Devyn managed to make it through the season without bodily harm from Naomi.

In fact, the iconic, yet ill-tempered, supermodel was relatively tame besides doling out a few tongue lashings to whip the aspiring models into shape.

Devyn was the cause of one of Naomi's flare ups after announcing that she didn't consider herself "a Black girl model." Naomi declared the sentiment a "disgrace.”

Nevertheless, Devyn bounced back from the gaffe and ultimately won the entire competition. Although she might be out of touch when it comes to the homogenous (and often racist) industry she is now entering, Devyn seems to at least understand the magnitude of her win.

"It’s me getting my foot in the door of the modeling industry, and I’m really excited about it. I want people to love me for me, to be attracted to me for my story and where I come from and to recognize me as a businesswoman.” Abdullah is a single mother of one.