“Get on the Bus With Us”

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January 16, 2009

Back row (L to R): Yolanda Maker, Ms. Fort, Lillian Litzsey, Charles Aikens, Betty Calvin, Helen Bellamy, Dorothy King, Lynette Pryor. Front row (L to R): Dwayne McArthur of McArthur Tours, Ace Washington-Post reporter, Diedra Booker, Shirley Everett, Joe Johnson, Annie P. Everett Jones, Carolyn Hunt. Photos by Ace Washington, graphics by Alapi Bhatt.

Inspired by the success of the grassroots campaign of the Obama committee, and a dream to get to DC and witness history, The Bay Area Inaugural Team (B.A.I.T) was formed and recently hosted a meet and greet mixer before the holidays at Santa’s Crib in the Fruitvale District of Oakland.

The turn out was great. Reporters from the San Francisco Chronicle, the Globe and the Post attended. The highlight of the evening was when the chartered luxury bus taking the group, “We Believe, Get on the Bus” to Washington showed up and guest where allowed to board and choose their seats for the trip to Barack Obama’s historic Inauguration, January 20, 2009.

According to Yolanda Alexander-Maker, owner of Financial Freedom Security, a committee member and the treasure of the group, “We began to mobilize the day after the election. Our goal had been to fill a bus of 50 like minded people who share the same dream, to fellowship with churches along the way for prayer, moral support and possibly a meal. The response has been great, seats are going fast and only fifteen seats remain”. Barbara Miller and Stephen Lewis learned of the bus trip by reading the Post newspaper. They immediately got in touch with the committee, were invited to the meet and greet mixer, paid their deposits to reserve their seats, and are now on their way to witness history.

The Carlyle Club, an upscale club, in Alexandria , Va. will be the central meeting and drop-off location for the group. The club is located across the street from the Metro, four stops away from DC. Anyone who wants to can stay and watch the inaugural events on the Jumbo television screens for free.

The Bus package includes a seat on the luxury chartered bus and hotel accommodation for 3 nights (double occupancy) at the Hilton Hotel in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania . The Bus departs Everett & Jones Barbeque-Jack London Square in Oakland on Friday, Jan.16th and returns on Friday, Jan.23rd. The price for the trip is $700 dollars. A non-refundable deposit of $475 dollars is required to reserve your seat. Contact Helen (510) 290-0094 or JSHCLegal@aol.com

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