The Selma Times-Journal from Selma, Alabama • 1

The Selma iournal SUNDAY SELMA, ALABAMA $1.50 JULY 1, 2007 Wal-Mart grand re-opening BY VIGOR INGE THE SELMA T1MESJ0URNAL nity and its new design that associates say caus es customers to say they "can't find anything." Shoppers could easily find the celebration, unless they missed the Selma High School Cheerleaders, a speaker's platform made out of SEE WAL-MART, PAGE A5 electric slide at about 8 a.m. on a Friday morn ing. The atmosphere at the supercenter on Highland Avenue was "electric." Celebrating a mil lion dollar face lift and renovation, one of the city's largest employers held its grand reopening by showing its commitment to the commu Community celebrates supercenter's face lift, renovation Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. said Wal-Mart has raised the bar of grand openings. It's probably because he'd never joined a store manager and more than 20 employees in the SUNDAY FOCUS Happily ever after Tabernacle Baptist wrqps up reading program BY DEBORAH GOODWILL THE SEtAAA TIMES-JCJURNAL Tabernacle Baptist Church, pastored by the Rev.

Rodney Morton, was bubbling over with enthusiasm as they wrapped up a five-day summer reading program. The Reading Campaign Enrichment Program was held June 5-29 from 9 a.m. until FAST FACTS The Reading Campaign Enrichment Program was held June 5-29 from 9 a.m. until noon at Church. Ninety-two stu-' dents participated in the program.

noon. There was so much positive energy coming from stu dents and teachers, it was hard to believe that a schoollike program was taking JESSE SMUHSOtt: IHI btLMA IiMES-JOURNAl Nathaniel R. Goldston III, left, chairman and chief executive officer of Gourmet Services, Inc. in Atlanta talks with Chef Marvin Woods of the cooking show "Home Plate" outside the St. James Hotel.

Gourmet Services was announced Friday as the new management of the historic downtown hotel. Historic St. James Hotel under new management 'To walk inside that property sent chills down my spine, to see how gorgeous it is. It's going to be a first class place. "Reading is a life skill," Mar-cia Davis said.

According to program coordinator Vanessa Goodwin, 92 students participated in the program. Selma High, Clark Elementary, Meadowview Christian, Bruce K. Craig, Knox Elementary, Edgewood and Payne Elementary were some of the area schools repre sented. Davis, a fourthrade teacher at Payne Elementary School, was one of the many teachers volunteering their time this summer. She had an energetic group of soon-to-be fifth graders who were having fun learning about Christopher Columbus, antonyms, synonyms, the parts of a story' and compound words.

SEE READING, PAGE AIO Nathaniel R. Goldston III Gourmet Services, Inc. Chairman, CEO lounge will be a destination place," said Goldston, founder of the na- tion's largest African American foodservice management company. Goldston went out on his own in 1975, tapping the under-served market of historically black colleges and universities. His company now serves meals to an estimated 240,000 students, as well as catering galas for Turner South.

With offices in the Sweet Auburn area. Gourmet Services employs 2,500 people with reported sales of $171 million last year. The St. James will be the company's first hotel. SEE ST.

JAMES, PAGE AS BY VICTOR INGE SELM riMES-IOURHAl The services at Selma's only full-service hotel will soon be expanded to include a valet, a concierge and international food with a southern flavor. Gourmet Services, was announced Friday as the new management of the historic St. James Hotel, which company officials called "the most beautiful properties" they had ever seen. The firm, which provides food services to a number of colleges, has a client list that includes the CNN Center in Atlanta and hopes to take cil members of some of their plans to make the St. James "a destination place," and unveiled the red and white uniforms servers and valets would be wearing.

He said they have already begun selecting china and "silverware. "The 42 rooms will not pay the bills. The dining room and cocktail services at the St- James to another level. City Attorney Jimmy Nunn is developing a lease agreement, which city officials will review and sign at the July 9 meeting of the Selma City Council. Company chief executive Nathaniel R.

Goldston III told coun OUTSIDE Educator Dr. Bogart Leashore dies SUMMER GLOVE Dixie Boys baseball. mm IjMirar BP jJSL IY VICTOR INGE THE S(UM TtMf S-J0URNH. Selma native and educator Dr. Bogart R.

Leashore passed away the morning of mm sports i pagebi surviving brothers, Sylvester Hosey, Johnnie M. Leashore, Calvin Leashore and Matthew Leashore. and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. A funeral mass is scheduled for July 5, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 309 Washington with the Rev.

Carroll Plourde, S.S.E.. officiating. Leashore was a graduate of St. Elizabeth's School, and a 1964 graduate of St. Jude's Catholic High School.

Leashore earned his bachelor's degree from Xavier University in New Orleans, a master's degree from Howard University in'Wtashington and his doctorate from the University of Michigan. SEE LEASHORE PAGE AS June 26, 2007 at his home in Selma after a brief illness. He was 59. Leashore served as dean and professor of the School of Social Work, Hunter College of theCityUniversityof New York. He was born Aug.

31, 1947 and was the oldest II Chance of T'storms High: 94 Low: 71 A7 Leashore son of Bogart Sr. and INSIDE AROUND ALABAMA A3 OPINIO A4 CAtaOAl A2 STOWS CLASSIFIEDS CJ UfUSTVti CI ENTERTAINMENT 47 WEATHER A7 Vashtie Leashore. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sis ter, Phoeba Mae Bostick. He leaves to cherish his memories four lo of ollso 1 00.000 Milr Out Ski Great Gas Mileage! GM Warrants 35 mpfj No money down 2 S9. APR.

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