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anhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., on July 24, 2014, announced the indictment of Owolabi Salis 51, an immigration law attorney, for defrauding at least 30 victims, many of them immigrants from the Caribbean Islands, South American, Central American, and African countries. Salis is charged with multiple counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.

“The immigrants in this case wanted to do the right thing by hiring a licensed attorney to guide them and their families through various legal processes,” said

HOT TOPICS:

Attorney Owolabi Salis

District Attorney Vance. “Instead of providing them with honest representation and advice, the defendant took advantage of their trust and stole from them. I encourage victims of immigration fraud to contact my Office’s Immigrant Affairs Hotline at 212-335-3600.”

Special Agent in Charge of HSI New

York, James T. Hayes, Jr., said: “Committing a scheme to defraud immigrants is a serious matter made all the more disturbing when it is committed by a licensed officer of the court whose job is to assist them. Lawyers and other service professionals who profit through fraud will not be tolerated, and HSI will aggressively investigate anyone seeking to exploit and compromise our nation's immigration system.”

Phyllis Coven, USCIS New York District Director, said: “USCIS places a high priority on combatting immigration services scams. USCIS will continue to work with the District Attorney’s Office and other partners to educate the comcontinued on page 23

Stop Green Card Slavery ... see page 17 (CV3) STD or STI? What’s the Difference ... see page 16 (CV2)

Caribbean Islands’ Chambers Launched

DIASPORA ISSUES: FREE Consultations for Salis’s clients.

Call 718-222-3155

T

BY JANET HOWARD

he New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) held its Annual International & Multicultural Business Expo on Thursday, June 19, 2014, at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. At the Welcome VIP Breakfast, six new Caribbean Chambers of Commerce were successfully launched: the

See page 23 for details...

continued on page 6

Helping Restaurants Succeed... see page 12

Change Promised for WIADCA Parade

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here is a new head honcho at the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) and after a conversation with him on the progress of the 2014 Labor Day Parade, there are indications that changes are looming for the beleaguered festival.

Over the past five years, the Carnival was fraught with violence which led to calls from many quarters to scrap the festival. However, the new President William Howard, says the Labor Day

festivities will continue as some changes are being implemented. Here is the Caribbean American Weekly (CAW) interview with the new President of WIADCA.

William Howard, WIADCA President

Congressman Rangel Vows to Fight for Middle Class ...see page 8

This is Jamaica, Our Jamaica ...see page 2

Brian Figeroux, Esq.

Divorce Is Hard ...see page 7

BY VANDELL PARK

Strengthening Communities by Welcoming Immigrants ...see page 10

NYCLU: NYC ID Invites Risks ...see page 4

CAW: What led to the change in presidency at WIADCA? Howard: Mr. Thomas Bailey, the previous president, resigned due to health issues a few months ago and as the first vice president, I stepped up to the post of continued on page 18 (CV4)

How to Start a Small Construction or General Contracting Business ...see page 13

Green Cards & Bogus Marriages ...see page 21

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2

Caribbean Consulates

Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0277

Antigua & Barbuda 610 Fifth Avenue, Suite 311 New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117

The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-421-6420

Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325

Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-1240

Dominica 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400H New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853

Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-768-2480

Grenada 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400K New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301

Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119

Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767

Jamaica 767 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000

Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887

Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450

St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521

St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel: 212-697-9360

ISLAND FOCUS: JAMAICA This Is Jamaica, Our Jamaica

A

BY TIFFANY THOMAS

Caribbean island known as the country of wood, water and land, is embarking upon its 52 years of independence. Jamaica, once governed by the United Kingdom, gained its independence on August 6, 1962, a holiday celebrated on the first Monday of August as a national holiday in Jamaica. They later joined the Commonwealth of Nations, an organization of former British territories, with the British monarch as queen of Jamaica and head of state.

The day Jamaica won its independence from the British, its flag was adopted; a flag that venerates Jamaica’s legacy.

Black signifies the creativity and the courage of the people, while yellow is the representative of natural resources and sunshine and green, a symbol of hope and agricultural abundance.

Jamaica’s independence anniversary is a day of grand celebrations in Jamaica.

Homage is paid to fallen heroes who fought for the country’s independence.

It’s a day that celebrates and publicizes the country’s entertainment, music, dance and ethnic culture.

Despite miles away from Jamaica, the Jamaican Diaspora joins in on the festivities. “This is Jamaica, Our Jamaica” is

K

Consul General LaMont

the theme for the 52nd anniversary derived from the ministry of Youth and Culture, a theme that symbolizes the pride and tremendous growth of the country since its independence.

This year’s theme is praised by the Consul General of Jamaica, Herman G. LaMont. He implores the Diaspora and the people of Jamaica to care for their country and respect its rich history. “If you take ownership of something, you want to make sure you do well by it, take care of it, support it and let no harm come to it,” LaMont said exuding pride.

“Already, I see the Diaspora with that sort of intention; we all just need to work as one unit.”

In celebration of Jamaica’s 52nd anniversary of independence, LaMont the Diaspora enjoyed a Thanksgiving church service, followed by a reception which

served a plethora of dishes from Jamaica on Sunday, August 3, 2014 at New Jerusalem Baptist church. The Diaspora was honored with a message from Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Honorable Portia Simpson Miller. It was a time of worship and prayers for Jamaica.

To keep the celebration going, the Jamaican Independence Celebration Foundation host Jamaica’s 52nd Anniversary of Independence Grand Ball on August 16 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

In efforts to maintain partnership with Jamaica, the Diaspora in the United States has created a bridge that produced a strong health and education sector. “The link is formed with Jamaicans at home, so we don’t work in isolation we work together,” the Consul General said.

“Let us sign on to the one resolve that This is Jamaica, Our Jamaica, and we will do what is required to make her strong and free as we say in our patriotic songs, our prayers embedded in our national anthem and as a God-fearing country,” LaMont said.l

For list of Independence celebration activities, please visit www.cawnyc.com

Jamaica: We Are the “Home of All Right” INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica is offering the Fall in Jamaica destination-wide vacation deal with savings of up to 50 percent when booking at www.getallrightjamaica.com. Travelers can experience their ideal Jamaican vacation to resort areas such as Negril for its gorgeous stretch of Seven Mile Beach, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios for worldclass attractions and the capital city of Kingston for its music and culture. Over 30 hotels plus attractions and restaurants are participating in the island-wide deal, which is being coordinated by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

“Travelers looking to unwind this fall can choose Jamaica’s varied offerings as part of this new destination deal,” said Sandra Scott, Jamaica’s Deputy Director of Tourism with responsibility for Marketing. “We are the ‘Home of All Right’ and want travelers to come experience our warm hospitality. Jamaica is an easily accessible destination with many

non-stop flight options. These savings provide added value to those looking for a Jamaican fall getaway.”

The Fall in Jamaica promotion features accommodations ranging from small intimate hotels to large all-inclusive resorts.

Travelers can select a personalized vacation that fits their lifestyle, interest and budget. The promotion is available for

booking now through December 1, 2014, for travel between August 25, 2014 and December 15, 2014.

Visit www.getallrightjamaica.com to book using the promo code: FALL DEALS. Jamaica, with its mountainous ranges and beautiful coastlines, is blessed with magnificent waterfalls and natural wonders. The island’s accommodations range from luxury resorts and villas to charming cottages and inns, all focusing on topnotch service with restaurants to fit any taste and price point. A year-round vacation destination, some of Jamaica’s other renowned activities include hiking the Blue Mountains, bird-watching, awardwinning festivals, caving in the Cockpit Country, zip-lining, horseback riding, cliff diving, rainforest bobsledding, deep sea fishing, bicycle tours, dolphin and shark encounters, and more.

To learn more about travel to Jamaica, go to www.visitjamaica.com.l

St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278

St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272

For more Consulate information go to www.cawnyc.com/directory

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ABOUT US

3

CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN WEEKLY TEAM

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6

Publisher I.Q. INC.

Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip

Senior Editors Colin Moore, Esq. Randall Toure, Esq.

Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq.

Assistant Editor Marilyn Silverman

Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Lana Delgadillo

Contributors Vandell Park Norma Lewis TIffany Thomas Paul McDaniel Janet Howard Dr Michelle New Carolyn Beesley Llona Bray, JD

Email cariaweekly@aol.com

For Caribbean News & Updates

Visit www.cawnyc.com Take your business to the next level!

Become a member of NACC, AAICC and HAICC! Visit www.mynacc.org today and sign up!

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4

CIVIL RIGHTS

NYCLU: NYC ID Invites Risks for Vulnerable New Yorkers

O

n July 10, 2014, New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, signed into law, a bill designed to provide Municipal Identification Cards to some 500,000 undocumented immigrants living in the five boroughs of New York City. That law is expected to become enforceable early in 2015. The mayor, upon signing the law, said: “This card is important for all New Yorkers, but for all those who don’t have IDs, it’s going to be crucial.”

However, this signature achievement of Mayor de Blasio was met with opposition by key public and financial institutions operating in the city.

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), opposes the law on grounds that the law does not protect the privacy of those it intends to serve from arbitrary intrusion by both federal and local law enforcement officials.

NYCLU Advocacy Director, Johanna Millers, says that the Municipal ID Card is a good idea but there needs to be major changes to the law: “Unfortunately, the bill that is before the mayor today also provides for the city to copy and store people’s most sensitive documentation, like pay stubs, social security numbers, and even their children’s educational records. In this bill, the city has not done enough to pro-

tect those documents from being used by law enforcement. The NYPD, FBI, DHS and others can request these documents without having to show probable cause.

And if they are requested, the city has no obligation to even notify the person so they might be able to defend their own privacy. For these reasons, the NYCLU, regretfully, cannot support this legislation. While the NYC ID will bring benefits to many people, we are disappointed that the city is inviting New Yorkers to gamble with the stakes as high as prosecution or even deportation. Because of the serious risks, it is incumbent on the city to fully utilize the protective features built into the program; the reporting requirement will provide valuable metrics on how and when people’s docu-

Can you hear us, Mr. Mayor? The Municipal ID Law as is, put vulnerable New Yorkers at risk and may violate civil rights.

ments are used by law enforcement, and the sunset provision gives the city a meaningful opportunity to end the document retention after a preliminary period.”

A key feature of the Municipal ID Card, apart from the sole purpose of identification, is to allow undocumented immigrants and other transgender groups to open bank accounts and transact business with major financial institutions here in New York City. Michael Smith, President and CEO of the New York Bankers Association, says his organization met with the de Blasio administration to hammer out major concerns his group has with the legislation. He noted that his group is willing to work with the city administration to ensure that the ID card

satisfies key security requirements. He also noted that in order for banks to accept the ID Card, it must meet basic federal criteria that will prevent fraud and terrorism, also ensuring that non-citizens must present documents such as a tax ID number, passport number and an unexpired photo ID from his or her country of origin when doing business with the banks. He added: “these regulations are stringently enforced.”

From the inception, following the announcement of a Municipal Identification Card, Executive Director of the Immigrant Journal Legal and Educational Fund (IJLEF), Diandra Archibald, opposed the legislation saying it will discriminate against the very people it intends to protect: “I do think that the Municipal ID, after reading about it, is going to stereotype us and put us into a category. The ID is for the homeless people, the LGBT community, and undocumented people who have had trouble in the past, so it would be used for reporting a crime.…”

Opposing organizations say they will work with the city administration to ensure that there will be some major changes to the law, before its full implementation, that they believe will impact certain groups of people negatively.l

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5

IN THE COMMUNITY

HeartSmarts Launches Education Drive

A

BY VANDELL PARK

public health education organization called HeartSmarts, has embarked on a mission to reduce the problem of cardiovascular diseases within minority and underserved communities across the five boroughs of New York City. The program is the initiative of Dr. Naa-Solo Tettey, Coordinator of New Presbyterian Hospital York Cardiovascular Health Education. Dr. Tettey says her experience as a graduate intern student at the St. Luke’s Obesity Research Clinic motivated her to become a public health advocate and educator, thus the birth of the HeartSmarts initiative: “ I commenced HeartSmarts in 2011, as a way to educate underserved communities about heart disease and its prevention. So far, the program has met the needs of communities across the five boroughs of New York City and we are looking to expand that. An internship as a psychology grad student at the St. Luke’s Obesity Research Clinic led me to learn what public health was and how public health deals with educating the people on a broader scale as opposed to just having one on one contact. I realize that I would be more effective at that level than if I just have to deal with people one-on-one.

That’s when I changed my direction and moved towards public health and health education. What we do at HeartSmarts is educate pastors and community leaders to become educators in the community about cardiovascular health. What makes HeartSmarts different is that it uses a faith-based curriculum, so each of the ten sessions of the HeartSmarts program has a biblical scripture that goes along with it. For example, session one is ‘Your body is the temple, know your risk for heart disease’. So it goes on and on each week to have a biblical scripture that matches the lesson for that week. And the purpose for that is that we actually wanted to created a program that was faith-based and not just faith-placed. What I mean by that is, when a program is just faith placed an organization such as a hospital or an insurance company can just come in and give the program without having anything specific dealing with those participants in the program. What we wanted to do is to actually incorporate the faith tradition, the culture, and the scripture into our program to really make it resonate with those who participate.”

When asked why the program is faithbased, Dr. Tettey explained: “The reason we used the faith-based theme for the program is because we found that church is a great place for education for the entire community, so even if everyone is not going to a specific church or faith-based organization, they have family members that might be going, and so in terms of disseminating that information, research has shown that the church is a great place for public health programming. Also, research has shown that if the pastor in a church says something regarding health…the congregation is more likely to take the advice of their pastor than the advice of their actual doctor for the most part and so the faith-based organizations

are very powerful tools to disseminate information on public health… also there are lots of grant funds out there to work with faith-based programming because of its effectiveness, so we did have a grant to run the program so that is essentially another part of the faith-base structure.”

The program which currently targets mostly African Americans and Hispanics and other individuals in what is considered underserved communities in New York City, also has a secular component to it for those who may not want to participate in the Christian faith-based format.

In the secular program, quotes that encourages healthy behavior and lifestyles fromcommunity leaders and public figures such as Maya Angelou, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Teresa are used as motivators. Dr. Tettey outlined the ultimate goal of the HeartSmarts program: “The goal of the program is to reach communities that are affected at a disproportionate rate by disease like hypertension, obesity and diabetes and all of the other contributing factors. HeartSmarts is different from other programs is that it empowers the participants. In the beginning the participants are given a preassessment that asks questions like, what is heart disease? What is hypertension?

What are healthy numbers for cholesterol? Usually people are on medications for these diagnosis but they are unaware as to what these diseases are. So the pur-

pose of HeartSmarts is to empower people to actually understand their bodies, actually understand their health, thus leading to a more preventative approach, or a way of managing their conditions better and possibly reversing those conditions, so the main goal of the program is education and empowerment.”

Medical doctors are involved in the training and development of the program curriculum. The format is a 10-week training program between February and May each year at the New York Presbyterian Hospital for community and church leaders. Trainers are then invested as ambassadors and go back into their communities to train others to carry out the HeartSmarts program. Each ambassador is required to do two 10-week classes for the year. They will also educate community members on the risk and prevention of cardiovascular issues.

Participants will undergo various assessment tests, knowledge on the subject of cardiovascular problems and weight and nutrition programs at the start of the program and then at the end of the 10-week session, they will be tested again to monitor their progress and effectiveness of the public health educational drive. A subsequent three-month follow-up test is conducted to ensure participants are following what they learned from the program.

Since the implementation of the program, first year participants showed that 50%

Dr Tettey

lost weight, 60% increased nutrition practice, 75% are more actively involved in their daily exercises and 90% show increased knowledge of the disease that affects them.

The program is funded by a grant from the organization called the Fridolin Charitable Trust which guaranteed funds for the program over the next six years.

New York Presbyterian Hospital provides the 200-page training manual and other resources for the program. Faith-based and community organizations that wish to participate in the program can contact Dr. Naa Solo Tettey via email at nat9034@nyp.org or telephone at 212746-0484.l

Hosea: 4:6 - My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge

An Introduction to

A Special Invitation

to all faith-based leaders to empower their congregation and membership

from the IJLEF, Inc.,

HeartSmarts

HeartSmarts is a program to empower others to live heart-healthy lifestyles. The program seeks to educate pastors and community leaders to become educators in the community about cardiovascular health. What makes HeartSmarts different is that it uses a faith-based curriculum, so each of the ten sessions of the HeartSmarts program has a biblical scripture that goes along with it.

a 501(c)(3) approved not-for-profit organization offering

FREE IMMIGRATION SEMINARS/ PRESENTATIONS & CONSULTATION CARDS ($100 VALUE) ON THE DAY OF THE PRESENTATION

Call 718-243-9431 to schedule a presentation

Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014 Who should attend?

Applications will be available for the FREE Lay Health Ambassadors Program

Faith-based and community leaders Visit www.mynacc.org to register.

Location: NACC Conference Room 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY 11242

Tel: 718-722-9217

Email: info@mynacc.org

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6 NEWS

Caribbean Islands’ Chambers Launched continued from page 1

Haitian-American International Chamber of Commerce (HAICC), the GuyanaAmerican International Chamber of Commerce (GAICC), the Trinidad & Tobago-American International Chamber of Commerce (TTAICC), the JamaicanAmerican International Chamber of Commerce (JAICC), the St. LuciaAmerican International Chamber of Commerce (SLAICC) and the Grenada American International Chamber of Commerce (GAICC). These new Chambers will form a coalition with NACC, the Hispanic-American International Chamber of Commerce (HAICC) and the African-American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC) and will work in correlation with the New York Statewide Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (NYSHCC) to promote, facilitate and advance the success of minority-owned businesses. Founder and CEO of NACC, Brian Figeroux, Esq., who initiated the formation of the new Chambers, says training will be provided to the Chamber leaders on how to engage and meet the needs of all minority-owned businesses in the New York Diaspora and beyond: “We need to partner with each other if we want to move ahead. The Europeans partner with each other in doing business, so one of the things we have to do in order to be successful is to duplicate what the Europeans are doing and partner with each other. Many Africans and Caribbean people believe that we have to own 100%

of something rather than a 1% or a 5%.

We have this 100% mentality to own 100 % of nothing. We do not know how to network; we do not know how to form alliances; we get into petty differences, so this Coalition is about developing leadership. Leaders has to be trained and all of these chambers will be trained. A leader is always the hardest worker and we expect this to be the case with the Chamber leaders. We will have a special class for our Chamber leaders on trade and international business, because we want to take advantage of both local and our international opportunities.”

At the Breakfast, twof the key points of emphasis was certification of minority businesses and doing business globally.

Frank Garcia, Chairman of the NYSCHCC, in a very candid manner laid out the formula for success for minority businesses: “The Coalition of Chambers has taken the initiative to engage and work with each Consul General from Latin and Central America from Columbia and Ecuador to teach our population about certification of minority businesses. To us, that’s a mission; to us that’s very important because it is like the Lotto. If you are not in it, you can’t win it. To me, certification is not a privilege; it is your right. In the past, people that got certification were people that are powerful or people who know someone in certain agencies. Now we are eliminating that through partnerships we have with the Consul Generals of Latin America and the new Mayor. Today you need to be certified as minority businesses. The Coalition has worked very hard to make sure you have the right to get certified. We, as a Coalition of Chambers,

CARIBBEAN STARS

are here to help you. If laws affect you, let us know. We are here to help you. We want to help you grow your business. If we are not certified we would not be able to go to Latin America and the Caribbean to bring our products and get them certified.“ Garcia noted that the progress made thus far, with MWBEs and other minorityowned businesses in New York City and New York State, is owed primarily to African-Americans who fought feverishly, laying the foundation for civil rights and equality for all. He also stressed the importance to join the Chambers, in order to be effective. Garcia said that if businesses do not support the Chambers, the Chambers may not be able to support them. He also urged minority businesses to start thinking of doing businesses globally: “Corporate America is asking small businesses and minority businesses to expand their businesses internationally. A few years ago I was able to travel to China, thanks to the NACC. I was able to travel to China and source my printer toners from China. It is not that we do not continue to manufacture here in America, but Corporate America expects us to expand internationally as well so as to foster bilateral trade. Now, as a result of me going to China to source my product, I am about to close a deal with Office Depot.

Those are the benefits of doing business internationally.”

Deputy Commissioner for the NYC Small Businesses Services, Gregg Bishop, at the Breakfast, also stressed the importance of business certification: “The administration is committed to eliminate inequality, and inequality happens in different ways, and one of the ways is infor-

mation. Small Business Services is here in New York City to help small businesses expand and operate. We also help unemployed New Yorkers find jobs. One of the things that I want to talk about is our Compete to Win Program. We started a pilot program three years ago to listen to advocates on how to eliminate the barriers that prevent minority-owned businesses from succeeding in New York City. I am proud to say that the Bill De Blasio administration has now funded in its entirety, the Center services that are helping MWBEs. We are the only municipality that is providing technical assistance to MWBEs through seeking city contracts; to have contracts with specific agencies that only MWBEs can bid on; and, once you have a contract, you can borrow up to $150,000 to mobilize your workforce and supplies to actually perform on that contract. So it’s wrapped around our program, Compete to Win. We have a corporate alliance program where we have about 12 companies who are interested in partnering with the city of New York, to find more diverse companies, so once you are certified with the city of New York, you are automatically a part of that program. So we work with these organizations to help provide MWBEs with the capacity to serve them. If you are not at a point where you are actually global, that can be a hindrance to you.

We help you understand what these companies need so you can decide whether or not you can market to those companies.

Finally, we know New York is a city of immigrants and we provide information in English and several other languages.”l

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7

FAMILY MATTERS

Divorce Is Hard for Everyone

A

REVIEWED BY MICHELLE NEW, PhD

divorce happens after a husband and wife decide not to live together anymore and that they no longer want to be married to each other. They agree to sign legal papers that make them each single again and allow them to marry other people if they want to.

It might sound simple, but it's not easy for a husband and wife to decide to end a marriage. Often, they spend a long time trying to solve their problems before deciding to divorce. But sometimes they just can't fix the problems and decide that a divorce is the best solution.

Change is a natural part of life, but when it happens to your family, it is sometimes really hard to deal with.

Sometimes both parents want to divorce, and sometimes one wants to and the other one doesn't. Usually, both parents are disappointed that their marriage can't last, even if one wants a divorce — and to live apart — more than the other.

Sometimes it hurts kids' feelings when one parent wants to leave the house where they live. It is hard not to take it personally. It's important to remember that divorce happens between the husband and wife, and even though it affects the whole family, it doesn't mean that a parent who leaves the house, doesn't care about the kids.

Many kids don't want their parents to divorce. Some kids have mixed feelings

Don’t Lose Your American Dream: Your Home!

about it, especially if they know their parents weren't happy together. Some kids may even feel relieved when parents divorce, especially if there's been a lot of fighting between parents during the marriage.

It's important to remember that divorce doesn't change one important fact: A dad or mom who lives somewhere else, is still your dad or mom. That's forever.

That will never change.

Kids Don't Cause Divorce!

People divorce for lots of different reasons. Usually, parents divorce when they have too many problems and they just can't seem to fix them, no matter how hard they try. Sometimes anger builds and parents fight a lot or say mean things to each other. Sometimes they stop talking to each other because they're mad at each other, and sometimes they meet someone else who they fall in love with and want to live with.

Adults have their own reasons for divorce. Whatever the reasons are, one thing is for sure: Kids don't cause divorce. Still, many kids believe they're the reason their mom and dad got divorced. They think that if only they had behaved better, gotten better grades, or helped more around the house, the divorce wouldn't have happened. But this isn't true. Divorce is between moms and dads only!

Even if you once heard your parents

argue about you, or your friend next door thinks his parents broke up because he got in trouble at school, these things don't cause a husband and wife to end their marriage.

You might feel you're to blame for your parents' divorce, but you are not the cause. And the fact that your parents decide not to stay married, is not your fault.

Kids Can't Fix Divorce!

Just like the divorce is not a kid's fault, getting parents back together is not up to the kid, either. And most likely, this doesn't happen, although plenty of kids wish for it and even try things they think might work. Acting like an angel at home all the time (who can do that?) and doing really well at school may make your

mom and dad happy, but it doesn't mean they'll get back together.

The opposite is also true. Getting in trouble so your mom and dad will have to get together to talk about these problems is not going to make the divorce go away either. So, just be yourself and try to talk through the feelings you have with a parent, another family member, friend, or teacher or counselor.l © 1995-2014.

The Foundation/KidsHealth®. with permission.

Editor’s note: Remember, divorce your spouse, not your kids and money. Call 718-222-3155 for a consultation. The lawyer you hire, does make a difference!

Family Law Practice Summarized

NEW YORK IS NOW A NO-FAULT DIVORCE STATE

nDIVORCE nSEPARATION nSUPPORT nCUSTODY The lawyer you hire, does make a difference!

uContested &

Uncontested Divorces

uSeparation & Prenuptial Agreements

Has your spouse disappeared?

We can find your spouse!

Matrimonial Investigations

u Business & Degree Evaluations

u Spousal Maintenance u Custody/Visitation

uBank & Asset Searches

uRelocation

uAlimony Reduction

uWire Transfers

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uChild Support

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uAbuse/Neglect

Investigation

uRestraining &

uDivorce/Dating/Fraud

Protective Orders

Call 718-222-3155 for a FREE Foreclosure Prevention consultation!

Nemours Reprinted

uModification of Previous Orders & Awards

LAW OFFICES OF FIGEROUX & ASSOCIATES

uInternet Dating/Fraud uVideo Surveillance

BROOKLYN: 26 Court Street, Suite 701. Tel: 718-834-0190

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8

POLITICS

Rangel Vows to Fight for Middle Class

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BY VANDELL PARK

ew York Congressman Charles Rangel, is likely set to win his 23rd term as a member in the U.S. House of Representatives, having won one of the most heated and contested Democratic primaries he ever faced in his Harlem district this past June. Mr. Rangel, currently one of the longest serving members in the U.S. Congress, will seek re-election at the midterm elections this fall, after narrowly beating out his Democratic rival, Adriano D. Espaillat in New York’s 13th District, now a predominantly Hispanic populated demographic.

Caribbean American Weekly (CAW) sat down with the Congressman to share his thoughts as he seeks to represent his district one more time.

CAW: You have served the people of New York and the U.S. House of Representatives for over four decades; you are now 83 years old, why are you seeking re-election?

Congressman: When the President was first elected, we had a lot of dreams and aspirations that he will provide us jobs, we will have national health care, we will have livable wages and that the education system will improve, that anybody that is eligible to vote could vote, but little did we knew that the “Dixicrats” that used to be in the Democratic Party would join the Republican Party and call themselves

“I want to be there when the Republicans back up as they did with the Affordable Care Act, I want to be there when they back up on immigration.”

— Rangel

the Tea Party, with the only goal to stop the President. Well, this is the last two years President Obama will be in office and he had said that he is going to use his executive power, and Republicans have

How to Open and Manage a Salon or Day Spa

found out that voting against everything means that there won’t be a Republican Party in 2016. Therefore, in these last two years the Republicans recognize that they have to change and they will change and I really want to be a part of that change. I want to see this President produce in the last two years of his presidency. I want to be there when the Republicans back up as they did with the Affordable Care Act. I want to be there when they backup on job performance, when they back up on immigration. I want to be there when the President leaves and says we got most of the things that I was elected to do, done. I’ve invested too much of my life in this opportunity to just walk away in the last few years.

CAW: What is the key message of your re-election bid?

Congressman: The main thing will have to be protection of the middle class. I think the Constitution will mean absolutely nothing if we don’t have people who work hard every day to invest their thoughts and aspirations in America, to dream that one day they will be able to send their kids to college, that they have a home that they can afford, that they have health care, that those who come here and work day and night will want to become Americans and that we give them that opportunity, that we don’t

call them criminals or illegal…they want to join their family. They came here and they’ve contributed, all of these things are not for a better Rangel, a better Obama, a better Democratic Party, but is better for America and I would like to be here to take advantage of the opportunity we have with a strong President, a strong Democratic Party and a weak Republican Party that knows it has to cooperate in some way if they are going to continue to exist as a national Republican Party.

CAW: Should you win a 23rd term as a U.S. Congressman, how influential will you be on the 2016 Presidential race here in New York?

Congressman: At my age I don’t buy green bananas. I am simply here today, tomorrow and possibly 2016. What I would like to do is to make certain that in my district we have Blacks and Whites and Catholics and Jews, and Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans and Caribbean people and Southerners. I would like to have the candidates get to know the district better. I would not want one to vote for somebody just because they look like them or speak their language. I would want each one to believe that whoever they vote for would be best for them, their community and the country, and because this is a new district that is just two years old, I would like to be a part of bringing them together.l

From trendy hair salons to corner barber shops, this seminar will show you how to start and manage the salon or day spa you’ve always dreamed about. This seminar will discuss: Operations, Types of Salon Services, Marketing, Location, Personnel and Resources such as associations, beauty institutes and publications.

Salon: lDo you provide initial consultations? Is there a charge? lCan you give me the same hairstyle as (name of celebrity)? lAre your stylists experienced? Where did they study/train? lWhat do your services cost? lDo you sell gift certificates? lWhat hair care product lines do you carry? lWhich credit/debit cards do you accept? lWhere are you located? lWhat are your hours? lHow can I reach you?

Spa: lAre your spa employees licensed? lAre your masseuses male or female? lAre hydro treatments better than massages? lHow do you sanitize your equipment? lHow long will my treatment take? lHow much do you charge? lMay I take a tour of your facility?

RSVP: Call: 718-722-9217 Email: info@mynacc.org Website: www.mynacc.org

Wednesday, August 27 from 6pm to 8pm

FREE to attend!

Location: 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION, FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS AND A CHANCE TO WIN A TV!

9

MONEY MATTERS

5 Ways to Jump-Start Your Credit Score

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t's a common financial predicament for most 20-something-year-olds: You need credit to get credit. But even if you're older and have been through some credit-wrecking havoc in your life, you could face the same issue.

"The only way to build a credit history is to use credit," explains Maxine Sweet, Vice President of Public Education at the Credit Bureau, Experian. So here are five easy steps to help get you started.

* Know the score: Figure out what credit history you've established. Even if you've never had a loan or credit card, there's a good chance you have information on your credit reports that has been compiled by the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. For instance, Experian now collects rental payment histories, so some landlords submit reports to credit bureaus.

Under federal law, the three credit agencies are required to provide you with a free report every 12 months. We suggest taking advantage of your free annual report from AnnualCreditReport.com.

Your credit score isn't included in your free annual credit report. In most states, the credit bureaus each charge around $10 for your score.

The higher your score, the lower risk you are to lenders and insurers. This means you'll generally have a better chance of receiving credit along with

lower interest rates. Be aware that this allimportant number, which ranges from around 300 to around 850, can vary depending on the scoring model used by credit agencies and lenders.

* Research your choices: If you have little or no credit history, your choices for loans or credit cards may be limited. Retail or gas cards, and loans secured by property, such as furniture or a car, may be easier to get. You may start by asking your parents, or someone else with good credit, to co-sign on a low-limit credit card with you.

Your bank or credit union may provide another alternative. Sometimes they offer special programs for customers who need to establish credit.This can be a great way to help build credit history.

* Establish a track record: Once you have some credit accounts, it's important to use but not abuse them. It may be counterintuitive, but if you don't use credit, you won't be able to build a solid history.

*A good habit: Use your card to make small purchases and pay off the balance each month. "By charging a small amount on at least one card and paying the balance on time and, ideally, in full, you'll show that you can manage credit without charging more than you can afford to pay," Sweet says.

* Use credit wisely: If you want to be a credit superstar, follow two basic rules: Pay on time and don't go over your credit limits. For those just starting out, this is even more critical.

It is important to start carefully. At this point, you don't have a long and distinguished track record that can help alleviate the impact of a small mistake, so tread carefully. Using credit responsibly means you use and pay off your cards monthly, make payments on time every time, don't apply for numerous accounts and check your report periodically.

Don't make these mistakes: * Applying for several lines of credit and loans within a short period of time can give lenders the impression you're in desperate need of money and may have trouble paying back the debt. Keep your num-

ber of applications at a minimum and only go for the opportunities that offer the best deal.

*Part of your score is based on the amount of credit you have available but aren't using. The lower your balance (in proportion to the credit limit), the better.

* If you decide you no longer need a particular account, don't close it. The age of your accounts affects your score, so keep the oldest ones to show as long a credit history as possible.

* Don't turn a blind eye on those reports.

Once you've established credit, get in the habit of periodically checking for any fraudulent activity, as well as any reporting mistakes.l(BPT)

Creditors’ Harassments!

Lawsuits! Foreclosures!

Get the legal help you need NOW! Call 718-834-0190!

FREE BANKRUPTCY CONSULTATION Save Your: *Home *Business *Car

*Health *Peace of Mind/Health *Marriage/Relationship

Filing a Chapter 7, 11 or 13 bankruptcy may be your only choice!!!!

Documents Required: *List of debts *Your most recent tax returns *Correspondence from creditors *Lawsuit documents *Social Security and ID *List of assets

The Law Offices of Figeroux & Associates, 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY. Visit www.figeroux.com

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION, FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS AND A CHANCE TO WIN A TV!

10

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

White House Discusses Strengthening Communities by Welcoming Immigrants

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BY PAUL McDANIEL

ecently, nearly 200 leaders from communities across the U.S. gathered at the White House for a National Convening on Immigrant and Refugee Integration. Attendees included practitioners, policymakers, elected officials, researchers, business representatives, and faith leaders. The participants discussed successful initiatives, as well as challenges and opportunities for immigrant integration. “This inaugural event gave peer practitioners a platform where they could learn from one another, leverage collective resources, and forge innovative strategies for successful integration,” Felicia Escobar of the Domestic Policy Council said. “By shining a spotlight on the incredible achievements of organizations—like Welcoming America and the National Partnership for New Americans—and showcasing examples of cities and state organizations doing great things to strengthen our nation’s economic and civic life, I am confident in our ability to welcome and support individuals working to achieve the American Dream.”

From Dodge City to Dayton to Detroit, the on-the-ground reality in a growing number of cities and metropolitan areas large and small is that places are actively working to welcome immigrants and encourage successful immigrant and

refugee integration. As David Lubell, Executive Director of Welcoming America, noted during a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event about spurring local economic growth by welcoming immigrants, we’re entering an era of “competitive welcoming” in which more places recognize immigrants as an asset for their communities. A city like Nashville, for example, realizes that it is in a global race for talent and is actively working to create a welcoming environment for newcomers. In Dayton, community members recognize that immigrants and refugees can help reverse population decline, start new businesses, and revive neighborhoods.

What many initiatives realize is that welcoming and integration must be comprehensive efforts with input from all sectors of the community. Economic growth, community development, and cultivating a welcoming climate should not be isolated efforts. Additionally, the positive and uplifting local actions of welcoming cities and immigrant integration initiatives around the country stand in stark contrast to the negative rhetoric and discourse in the media and from some state and national leaders. For example, while Arizona and Alabama suffered economic fallout as a result of their anti-immigrant laws, S.B. 1070 and H.B. 56, Nashville has experienced substantial growth in recent years, including one of the highest job growth

rates in the country. Local leaders acknowledge that such growth is due in part to Nashville’s proactive stance as a welcoming city that encourages immigrant integration. Immigrants are clearly being recognized as an asset and a scarce resource that cities are competing for.

There is indeed a growing movement of welcoming cities, and a community that is unwelcome toward immigrants is a community that is behind the curve.

Additionally, immigrant-friendly actions at the city and metropolitan level stand in direct contrast to inaction on national immigration reform in Washington.

Canada and Australia are already competing for global talent, yet the U.S. is still operating a twentieth-century immigration system. Meanwhile, the welcoming cities movement in the U.S. is growing swiftly.

More and more members of Congress

need to pay attention to what is going on in the communities they represent. Towns and cities in their districts are welcoming immigrants and refugees, recognizing the value that newcomers bring. As Lubell also noted, “Our communities are thriving by working together to embrace immigrants, but in D.C., we see a toxic and divisive dialogue leading to inaction.

Since last year, we have seen 38 major cities and counties join together along with 19 non-profit organizations to lead welcoming initiatives in over 80 U.S. communities. These initiatives ensure that immigrants are contributing at their fullest potential to the civic and economic fabric of communities, expanding inclusion and prosperity for all Americans. That is the reality on the ground, despite what our national leaders would have you believe.”l

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION, FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS AND A CHANCE TO WIN A TV!

IMMIGRATION

Creating a Safe Haven for Children Crossing the Border

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BY NORMA LEWIS

salm 127:3 declares that "Children are a heritage of the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is his reward." All children, irrespective of their country of origin, ethnic background, race or religion, are beholden as marvelous in the sight of God and should be protected by the law.

More than 52,000 unaccompanied children have been apprehended trying to enter the United States illegally along the southwestern border since October of 2013.

Many of these children are from povertystricken and violence-ridden countries in Central America, mainly Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. According to the Custom Border Patrol officials, "children from those three countries make up about three quarter of that migration."

Over a decade ago, President Barack Obama described the influx of unaccompanied child migrants to the United States as an "urgent humanitarian situation requiring a unified and coordinated federal response.” In an effort to address this crisis, on June 1, a Unified Coordination Group was established to leverage federal resources to provide humanitarian relief to the ongoing situation. This included DHS, FEMA and all of its components, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Defense, Justice, State and the General Services Administration.

Despite the many efforts by the Obama

administration to combat this humanitarian situation, the question remains: why are these children risking their lives to enter the United States? Crossing the border is an immensely treacherous journey. Given that being smuggled into the United States can itself end in death, it stands to reason that conditions must be extremely dire for Central American parents to send their children on such a dangerous journey.

According to a UNICEF Report, "crime, gang threats, or violence appear to be the strongest determinants for children’s decision to emigrate.” In El Salvador, statistics confirm that the issue of gang violence is a widespread phenomenon. According to the findings, gang violence appears as the primary cause of emigration in 11 of 14 of El Salvador’s departments.

Violence alone, however, does not explain the phenomenon of children’s migration in

its entirety. In some regions, extreme poverty and family reunification were identified as the most common reasons for why children decide to leave.

In an effort to tighten border security, Secretary Johnson of DHS has sent a clear message, “ If you come to this country illegally, we will send you back — consistent with our laws and values." Be that as it may, one must remember that some of these unaccompanied children fled their countries because of organized crime and gang-related activities. Most alarming, some may be victims of human sex trafficking who were exploited for profit. We are talking about large numbers of children, without their parents, who have arrived at our border—hungry, thirsty, exhausted, scared and vulnerable. Certainly, having expedited deportation proceedings where these children are tossed back into a culture of crime and economic instability, only compounds the problem.

How we treat these children, in particular, is a reflection of our laws and our values as a society.

In his recent visit to Guatemala, Secretary Johnson reaffirmed DHS’s commitment to partnering with their Central American counterparts to stem the flow of adults with children, and unaccompanied children entering the United States; to address the root causes of the influx and to expand the capacity of the countries to receive and reintegrate repatriated migrants. The three areas of concentration are: combating gang vio-

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lence and strengthening citizen security, spurring economic development, and improving the capacity to receive and reintegrate returned adults with children and unaccompanied children. As part of the continuing U.S. government-wide response to address this humanitarian situation, the White House announced its request for emergency supplemental funding of $3.7 billion that will assist government agencies, including DHS, in four key areas: deterrence actions; enforcement initiatives; foreign cooperation; and capacity to detain, care for and transport unaccompanied children.

Recently, DHS officials have reported that they are building temporary additional detention facilities for adults with children in New Mexico and Texas. The establishment of these facilities is expected to help Custom Border Patrol process those encountered at the border and allow ICE to increase its capacity to house and expedite the removal of adults with children in a manner that complies with federal law. By so doing, are we preserving our values and protecting our border Mr. Secretary? I think not! It’s obvious that the only true solution to this ongoing crisis is to have Comprehensive Immigration Reform passed immediately so that undocumented individuals present in the U.S. can adjust their status and be able to visit their family, instead of having innocent youth journey towards the unknown.l

ALL IMMIGRATION MATTERS lGET THE FACTS

lBE SMART

lMAKE THE RIGHT DECISION

lBEWARE OF IMMIGRATION FRAUD

uHealth Care (RN/OT/PT/TSHH/SLP’S & IT Cases) uExtension of Status & Visa Renewals uWork Authorization uH-IB Professional Workers uF-1 Students uJ-1 Exchange Visitor Trainees uO-1 Extraordinary Ability uR-1 Religious Workers uU.S. Citizenship uFamily-sponsored Permanent Residence uGreen Cards/Labor Certification (RIR) uImmigration Visa Petitions:Employment Based uTemporary Work Visas uNaturalization Derivative Petitions uLabor Certifications uApplication for Asylum uPetitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus

uAppeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals

uLawsuits involving Eligibility and Processing for Citizenship

CALL 718-834-0190 26 Court Street, Suite 701 Brooklyn, NY 11242

lPERSONAL INJURY lACCIDENTS lFAMILY LAW lPOLICE BRUTALITY lCRIMINAL LAW lCIVIL LITIGATION lBANKRUPTCY lREAL ESTATE

LAW OFFICES OF FIGEROUX & ASSOCIATES

Visit our website at: www.figeroux.com

BROOKLYN: 26 Court Street, Suite 701. Tel: 718-834-0190 VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION, FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS AND A CHANCE TO WIN A TV!

12 NEWS

SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS

Helping Restaurants Succeed

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BY MARILYN SILVERMAN

avvy entrepreneurs who embark on due diligence campaigns, are aware of consumer demand for a plethora of products/services. They know that satisfying the culinary tastes of families residing in our multicultural communities can be quite a lucrative business investment indeed. But these restaurant owners are faced with a perplexing and worrisome dilemma that seriously impacts the successful management of these eating establishments. They are simply overwhelmed by a multitude of government regulations. Furthermore, they are not always even aware of the existence of these regulations. How can you obey the law if you don’t even know the provisions of these laws?

That’s where the powerful and influential NYS Restaurant Association comes into the picture and saves the day. James W. Versocki, Executive Director and Counsel, NYS Restaurant Association, NYC Chapter, told me during an interview, “The largest amount of calls we get have been questions on how to deal with government regulations.” Versocki was the moderator of a panel at the NACC Multicultural Business Expo at the NY Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, June 19, 2014, and will also be at the seminar on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, ”Restaurant

Management & Start -Up Issues for New Restaurants.” A bit of history about the Association is apropos at this point. “It is the largest hospitality association in the state. We’ve been around 75 years. It was formed right after the Great Depression…the goal…is to help the hospitality industry—restaurants, bars, hotels thrive and grow in NYC and NYS.” As restaurants hang that Open for Business sign on their doors, they want to welcome their faithful customers with a tasty menu of ethnic food. Instead, they are bombarded with a host of government regulations which they certainly want to comply with. The distasteful alternative is to face the dire consequences of hefty penalties that eat into their profits.

As Versocki said, ”They want to learn how to comply with the new Paid Sick Leave, how to comply with the Affordable Care Act, how to deal with recycling laws…a huge spectrum of issues are out there….” He cited an example of just who are the beneficiaries of their assistance. “On the way over [to our interview] I needed a cup of coffee. I stopped at a bagel store that had maybe 10 employees. You can go into a major chain that has 10 restaurants. This 10chain restaurant can have an HR staff that can deal with all the issues.” This is not the case with that small bagel store.

Restaurant Management & Start-Up Issues for New Restaurants

Learn NYC’s restaurant laws and regulations

To run a successful restaurant you must know how to manage your employees and expenses, as well as which licenses you may need. This workshop will help you understand all of the basic requirements to get your business up and running. You will learn about:

nHow to avoid large fines by knowing the laws regarding minimum wage, overtime vs. shift pay, uniforms, worker’s compensation, discrimination, health and sanitation, and other common issues nHow to apply for licenses and permits correctly n How to use a new online license information system, Business Express nBusiness structures and partnership nCommercial leasing/location scouting nPurchasing/selling existing restaurants nLiquor licenses, restaurant insurance nDepartment of Health's new letter grading system nBookkeeping, tax preparation & IRS audit issues for restaurants

RSVP: Call: 718-722-9217 Email: info@mynacc.org Website: www.mynacc.org

Thursday, Aug 21, 2014 from 6pm to 8pm FREE to attend!

Hiring an HR staff would be cost prohibitive. “We run into problems where they don’t even know about all the laws….We work with the city to educate them....We wrote the NYC Restaurant Guide.…It’s a guide that overviews the regulations for small businesses so it’s meant to be a bible—a guide for small businesses….We’ve also done training with the Department of Consumer Affairs on Paid Sick Leave….It’s that constant training, reaching out to restauranteurs cause they don’t have the time to do it…the repercussions are great if you’re not in compliance with these laws. My role…is to work with city government and state government to educate operators because no one wants to violate the laws.”

The Association recently launched an advocacy initiative. As Versocki said, “It’s to get the city to do an educate first vs. a fine first mentality…the letter grades that came about in 2010…dramatically changed the industry. If you get that B or that scarlet C on your restaurant front you’re losing business.” Who wants to pull up a chair and flip through the menu in a restaurant with one of those infamous grades splashed across the front door? There goes your business down the drain. As Versocki said, “Thankfully, the end of the Bloomberg administration and the current

mayor…made an effort on fine reductions and limiting finds and trying to educate operators. Tell them that it’s wrong.

Give them 30 days to fix it. If you don’t fix it, shame on you. You then get a fine.

But to walk in first, then just give fines after fines, it’s just too much. These are not small fines—$200, $400, $600 fines.”

Maybe for that 10-chain restaurant these dollar figures are miniscule, but for that small bagel store where Versocki grabbed that cup of joe, $200, $400, and $600 will have a detrimental impact on their ability to operate their restaurants.

Hiring the best and most talented chefs who will fasten their aprons around their waists as they prepare a rich variety of ethnic foods for its hungry customers is what restaurants are all about. Fighting for their very existence, falls into the domain of the Association whose mission is to protect, promote, represent and educate it members from tablecloth restaurants with maître d’s taking reservations from formally attired customers, to fast-food franchises with casually attired customers. The NYS Restaurant Association is the definitive voice of the city’s hospitality industry and plays a pivotal role in our economy. Let’s keep our restaurants open for business. As Versocki said, “They are the true small business in NYC.”l

How to Become a Licensed Childcare Provider

Join us for a comprehensive overview of the financing, planning, application and start-up procedures to become a licensed childcare provider. Topics include operating costs, program planning, insurance, contracts, licensing and, fire and safety standards.

lApplication & Registration Process lHealth Statement & Safety Training lHome Inspection & Background Checks lGrants & Business Loans lBookkeeping Tax & Workers’ Compensation Issues lMarketing Your Daycare

This seminar is designed specifically for anyone who wants to start a daycare or make their business more profitable.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014 from 6pm to 8pm

Call: 718-722-9217 Email: info@mynacc.org Website: www.mynacc.org

FREE to attend!

Become a Chamber member today.

Visit www.mynacc.org

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION, FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS AND A CHANCE TO WIN A TV!

SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS

How to Start a Small Construction or General Contracting Business

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commercial channel, SBA offers its own Surety Bond Guarantee program that can help.

BY CAROLYN BEESLEY/SBA

nterested in getting into the construction business? Now might be the time, with market forecasts predicting a steady rise in the value of the construction industry over the next five years – 12.5 percent annually for residential construction, and 13 percent for private non-residential construction.

If you’re interested in starting a construction, home improvement, or contracting business, here are some business and regulatory basics you need to be aware of.

Steps to Starting (any) Business Start by familiarizing yourself with the basic steps involved in planning and forming any kind of business, including planning your business strategy, incorporating and registering with the right government agencies.

Get Licensed, Bonded, and Insured Protect yourself, your business and your clients by ensuring you have the right licenses and permits, business insurance, and surety bonds. Here are three reasons why and information on how to obtain them:

1) Business Licenses and Permits – In

addition to a general business license, most construction or contracting businesses need specific licenses to operate legally. For example, a tradesman license is required for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas fitting, and other construction trades.

2) Surety Bonds – A surety bond is not something many business owners think about, but in almost all cases, construction businesses need construction bonds in order to operate legally. You arrange for a surety bond from a third party who promises to pay your client if you do not fulfill your work obligations under a contract.

Bond regulations vary by state, so research your state’s requirements or speak to a reputable surety bond agent. If you are unable to secure a bond through a

3) Insurance – Depending on the nature of your work and whether you employ workers directly, you will need several types of business insurance. Consider getting general liability insurance as well as vehicle and property insurance. This will protect you against claims for personal injury and property damage, and cover the costs of legal proceedings. Individual states also require businesses to carry specific insurance, such as workers' compensation insurance, unemployment and state disability insurance. Remember: jobsites won’t do business with you unless you can prove you have the right coverage.

Familiarize Yourself with Construction Industry Regulations From energy efficiency standards to workplace safety regulations, the construction industry is heavily regulated.

Develop an Occupational Health and Safety Plan The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires that construction workers are provided a safe workplace free from recognized hazards. Fortunately, the

13

OSHA.gov website offers a variety of tools and services that can help you comply and develop a safe workplace. These include on-site consultations, training, and more.

Finding and Hiring Labor The construction industry generally secures labor from four sources – subcontractors, hired employees, labor brokers, or independent contractors. Of course, the law differs in how you work with each of these. For example, when hiring employees, you’ll take on additional obligations such as withholding taxes, paying wages, benefits, complying with employment law, and so on.

While there are no specific laws governing how you work with subcontractors, you may wish to draw up a contractual agreement and ensure that they, too, are licensed, bonded, and insured.

If you engage a broker to find labor, you will pay the broker directly. If you hire independent contractors (self-employed individuals), you will pay them directly but, unlike employees, you are not responsible for paying benefits or withholding taxes. There are strict tax reporting requirements for working with independent contractors. l

Starting a Successful Construction Business Are you seriously thinking about starting a contracting business in the construction industry?

Then, attend our 2-part seminar and learn:

Part One lSetting up Your Business lLicences & Insurance lStart-up Finance & Lines of Credit lMarketing Your Business lLegal Issues Part Two lProject Management lPreparing a Contract Bid lMinority Certification & Procurement Opportunities lTips on Negotiating Contracts

FREE to attend!

Wednesday, August 20, 2014 from 6pm to 8pm Call: 718-722-9217 Email: info@mynacc.org Website: www.mynacc.org

Special presentation by DC 9 Union on getting contracts

Become a Chamber member today.

Visit www.mynacc.org

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION, FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS AND A CHANCE TO WIN A TV!

14 NEWS

COMMUNITY LEADER

Activist Who Seeks to Protect Families Is Running for State Assembly Office

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nthony “Tony” Herbert is already doing the work of our Assemblyman. In fact he is doing more. Herbert is the kind of man who sees it as his God-given duty to help people in trouble. You often see Herbert on the TV news programs speaking to help and protect families in our community, who have been victimized by crime or in another type of trouble. Herbert is running for Assembly because he is tired of the elected leaders making promises during campaigns and never helping us solve the important problems facing our community. According to community activist Tony Herbert, “every summer has become the summer of guns; the elected officials have done nothing to help protect our families and children.” Herbert speaks from experience.

When the parents of 11-year-old Tayloni Mazyck needed help with paying the medial bills for their daughter who was shot and paralyzed by a gunman’s bullet, Herbert organized a fundraiser and got the parents on TV to appeal to the public to raise money for the little girl’s rehabilitation. The child’s mother was overcome with emotion as Herbert called on the community to reach out to help the family with their tremendous burden.

When a one-year-old baby was shot and killed by a random gang related bullet,

Herbert worked with the police to hunt down the killer. Herbert never abandons the families who have suffered a loss due to gun violence. On the birthday of Akeal Christopher, Herbert accompanied the grieving family to plant flowers and prays on the site where their child Akreal was murdered.

In 2012, when the National Action Network (NAN) implemented the ‘Occupy the Corners’ initiative to deter gun violence, Herbert was instrumental in ensuring that areas in Brownsville and East New York were covered. After recognizing his leadership abilities, in 2013, the Reverend Al Sharpton appointed

Herbert as the president of the National Action Network Brooklyn East Chapter.

In this capacity, Herbert has worked with NAN to denounce various issues, including the possible closure of Interfaith Hospital. Herbert understands the plight of the working class because his family experienced homelessness and lived as squatters in a Prospect Heights' abandon building due to gentrification when he was a teenager. Despite these circumstances, his mother, a dedicated public school aide for over 30 years instilled in him the importance of family, hard work, and being of service to others.

In addition to his community advocacy efforts, Herbert has an extensive background in business, politics, and community outreach. which includes working as the statewide director of community relations for former NY State Senator Minority Counsel Leader, Martin Connor; special assistant to former Congressman Edolphus Towns; and, as special assistant to former Councilwoman Priscilla Wooten. Herbert has also worked for a number of financial institutions such as Bankers Trust Royal Bank of Canada, Crossland Savings Corp. and the NYC Department of Finance.

Herbert also serves as an advisor on a number of community and youth organization boards. Currenly, he is the vice president of Youth Step USA and the regional vice president of The National High School Basketball Association.

Herbert is the proud father of two young adult sons and a daughter. He resides in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.

Persons interested in volunteering for or donating to the campaign can call 718.455.5432 or send an email to therbert7@gmail.com. l

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CV1

NEWS

nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

nSPORTS

5 Tips for Plus Size Brides

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he average clothing size of women in the U.S. is 14, and according to The Knot.com's 2012 Real Weddings Study, the average bride spends approximate $1,211 on her wedding dress which amounts to a $2.1 billion wedding dress market.

With such a lucrative business opportunity, it is no wonder that designers have started paying closer attention to the plussized bride. Today's plus-size gowns are not merely replicas of their smaller-sized siblings, but rather dresses designed specifically for the curvier client with close attention to her specific needs.

"There has been a shift in the overall fashion industry to include more plus-size options for the curvier body — with many retailers and designers providing better options for the plus-size client, bridal gowns was a natural progression in this trend," says Natalie Reed, Academic Department Director for the fashion programs at The Art Institute of Indianapolis.

Andrea Marcinkus, program coordinator for the fashion programs at The Illinois Institute of Art —Schaumburg, shares, "Any designer's biggest challenge is to make the bride look great on her special day; a welldesigned dress should hide any flaws — this means brides of all shapes and sizes need to be guided on what looks best for her frame.

That said, for off-the-shelf designs, designers need to be especially conscious that plus-sized garments are graded differently—plus sized women have a different bust-waist-hip ratio. " Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for the dress: * Set a budget. Wedding gowns are expensive—know what your absolute ceiling is

A

Caribbean Kitchen Corner

Grendadian Spice Cake SUBMITTED BY MARBALET ALLRECIPIES.COM

"This recipe hails from Grenada, and would be a grand finishing touch to your favorite Caribbean or spicy meal. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve with fresh fruits of the season." — Marbalet before you even begin the search and don't try on any gowns above your budget.

* Know your body shape. If you're bottom-heavy try an A-line gown. Apple-shapes look best in empire waists or ballgowns while top-heavy brides with hour glass figures tend to look their best in a trumpet silhouette.

* Size is just a number. Bridal gowns are notorious for being made much smaller than daily wear. If the number will affect how you feel about the gown, ask the consultant not to mention the size.

* Be flexible. While you may already have a silhouette in mind or on hand, trust your consultant and try on gowns that you may not have considered when you saw them on the rack or online —they may actually work.

*Choose the right fabrics. Keep in mind that thicker fabrics tend to work better on curves as they smooth things out. If you're fuller busted, avoid heavy beadery in the bodice as it will draw attention to that area. Remember that you can always add cap sleeves to a strapless gown to help streamline the look.

No matter a bride's shape and size, the one piece of advice all experts agree on is confidence. If the bride has confidence and feels beautiful in her gown, she radiates that feeling.l(BPT)

Caribbean Coral Reef Named After Jennifer Lopez

new species of coral found in the Caribbean has been named after the singer, Jennifer Lopez.

Researchers found the new species in Mona Passage off the coast of Puerto Rico.

nHOROSCOPE

Ingredients 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder eggs one at a time, then stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt the lime zest, nutmeg, cinna11/2 cups white sugar mon and allspice. Add the dry 1 cup unsalted butter; chilled, cut ingredients alternately with the into tablespoon-size pieces milk, stirring after each addi11/2 teaspoons grated lime zest tion. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3.Bake for 75 to 90 minutes in 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice the preheated oven, until a 3 eggs toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 Directions minutes before turning out onto 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch a rack to cool completely.l loaf pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

• 2.In a medium bowl, cream togeth• er the sugar and butter. Beat in the •

PREP 20 mins COOK 90 mins READY IN 2 hrs

Visit www.cawnyc.com for the latest Caribbean news, sports, information and more!

The Pontarachnid mite, represents a common but still unstudied group of marine animals.

Vladimir Pesic, the lead author of the article in the journal, ZooKeys, explained that the reason behind the unusual name for the new species was that the Puerto Rican singer's songs and videos kept the team in a continuous good mood when writing the manuscript and watching World Cup Soccer 2014.

The new mite species was collected from nearly 70m depth, the greatest depth from which Pontarachnid mites have been found until now.

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs), like Bajo de Sico where the new species was found, are light-dependent habitats dominated by macroalgae sponges.

Wow. Not even science is immune from the celebrity bug.

Wonder if the mite has a big butt? l(CMC)

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CV2 NEWS

HEALTH

STD or STI? What’s the Difference?

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exually transmitted diseases, or STDs (sometimes called sexually transmitted infections, or STIs) affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and from all walks of life. In the U.S. alone there are approximately 19.7 million new cases each year, nearly half of which occur among youth ages 15-24 years.

Getting the facts about STDs/STIs and sexual health is increasingly important.

Diseases that are spread through sexual contact are usually referred to as sexually transmitted diseases or STDs for short. In recent years, however, many experts in this area of public health have suggested replacing STD with a new term—sexually transmitted infection, or STI.

STD or STI? What’s the Difference?

Why the change? The concept of “disease,” as in STD, suggests a clear medical problem, usually some obvious signs or symptoms. But several of the most common STDs have no signs or symptoms in the majority of persons infected. Or they have mild signs and symptoms that can be easily overlooked. So the sexually transmitted virus or bacteria can be described as creating “infection,” which may or may not result in “disease.” This is true of chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV), to name a few.

For this reason, for some professionals and organizations the term “disease” is being replaced by “infection.” The

ine some of the things you can do to assess your own risks and benefits so that you can enjoy the benefits important to you while decreasing your risk of contracting an STD/STI, having an unwanted pregnancy, or being coerced into sexual activity.

Estimated STI rates in U.S. per year. Last updated March 2013

American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) has used the term STD since 1988 and it appears in hundreds of published ASHA documents, including this site. Users of this site will continue to see it for some time. But in moving forward, you will also begin to see increased use of the term STI.

Reduce Your Risk Being alive and engaging in the world around us involves inherent risk, whether we drive a car, eat at a restaurant, or have contact with someone who might have a cold. There is not a way to avoid every risk. Even staying at home and locking our doors is not enough to eliminate all

risks, and it’s not very much fun!

Engaging in our environment and building relationships carries so many benefits that most of us are willing to take risks each day but, consciously or unconsciously, we can weigh our risks and benefits to help us determine which risks we are willing to take and which we are not.

Being sexual with someone also carries risks—risk of rejection, of unwanted pregnancy, of contracting a sexually transmitted disease/infection (STD/STI) or even a simple cold. Being sexual also can provide many physical, emotional and spiritual benefits, including physical fitness, emotional bonding, and a feeling of spiritual connection. Here we will exam-

Decide on Your Boundaries It’s not possible to make an accurate, generalized statement about the “ideal” number of partners or the “best” choices to make about condoms or other barriers.

There are risks and benefits of any sexual choices, just as there are risks and benefits of almost any other choices we make, from driving a car to dining at a restaurant. There may be no “best” way for everyone, but there probably are some choices that will work better for you and your partner(s) than others.

When deciding on their boundaries, people may consider such things as religious beliefs, cultural standards, personal desires and comfort levels, the type of relationship in which one is involved, the level of trust, communication and commitment within a relationship, the physical, emotional, spiritual benefits of sexual choices, the physical, emotional and spiritual risks of particular sexual choices, and the emotional perceptions of actual physical risks. l

Source: American Association.

Sexual

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Health

CV3

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

Take a Stand: Stop Green Card Slavery

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BY PEARL PHILLIP

veryone has the right to feel safe in their homes, but unfortunately, not everyone does. Behind the white picket fence, the two-door garage, the high-rise apartment — in all types of homes — lurks the horror of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a vicious cycle that rears its ugly head in different forms.

What Is Domestic Violence?

According to the Wikepedia Encyclopedia, domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, child abuse or intimate partner violence (IPV), can be broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship, such as, marriage, dating, family, friends or cohabitation. Domestic violence has many forms including physical aggression (hitting, kicking, biting, shoving, restraining, slapping, throwing objects), or threats thereof; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; controlling or domineering; intimidation; stalking; passive/covert abuse (e.g., neglect); and economic deprivation.

Signs of Domestic Violence Domestic abuse often escalates from threats and verbal abuse to violence. And while physical injury may be the most obvious danger, the emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse are also severe. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self-worth, lead to anxiety and depression, and make you feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and your first step to breaking free is recognizing that your situation is abusive. Once you acknowledge the reality of the abusive situation, then you can get the help you need.

There are many signs of an abusive relationship. The most telling sign is fear of your partner. If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around your partner— constantly watching what you say and do in order to avoid a blow-up—chances are, your relationship is unhealthy and abusive.

Other signs that you may be in an abusive relationship include a partner who belittles you or tries to control you, and feelings of self-loathing, helplessness, and desperation.

Immigrants and Domestic Violence While domestic violence is a horrible experience for anyone, it is especially painful and damaging for immigrants.

Imagine coming to America, for a chance at a better life, only to find yourself in an abusive relationship, made worse when there are children involved and you are depending on your abuser (U.S. citizen or Green Cardholder) for your legal status.

According to the Mayor’s Office to Combat Violence, challenges faced by immigrant victims of domestic violence are especially relevant in New York City where 36% of the population is foreignborn, and over 120 different languages and dialects are spoken. Immigrant women (most likely victims) may be less likely to report abuse than non-immigrant women due to language barriers, cultural differences, and a fear of deportation if they are not legally documented to live in the U.S.

Young, foreign-born women in New York City have been found to be at greater risk of being killed by their partners than any other group of women. Very often, no one knows about the abuse until it is too late. It is the policy of the New York City Police Department not to inquire about the immigration status of crime victims, witness, or others who call or approach the police seeking assistance.

Barriers for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence Domestic violence is a complex problem in general, but cultural influences can complicate the problem further and magnify the effects of abuse on women living in diverse communities. Cultural influences can create barriers which prevent immigrant victims of domestic violence from reaching out for help. There are three key barriers:

Limited Information The victim may: •Not be aware that domestic violence is against the law in the United States.

•Believe that religion permits corporeal punishment of wives.

•Not realize they have rights in the U.S. or that police and other service agencies will provide help regardless of immigration status.

•Not be aware that services are available in their own language or know how to access services.

Social Pressure The victim may: •Believe that preserving the community or family reputation is more important than his/her personal rights.

•Believe that police should not be involved in what they consider to be "family matters."

•Believe that discussing marital or family problems with others may be tremendously shameful to them.

•Believe that there is greater honor in persevering through adversity than in seeking assistance to ensure personal safety.

lent crime perpetrated against women, increased pre-trial detention of the accused, imposed automatic and mandatory restitution on those convicted, and allowed civil redress in cases prosecutors chose to leave unprosecuted.

VAWA was drafted by then-U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden's office with support from a number of advocacy organizations including the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Legal Momentum and The National Organization for Women, which described the bill as "the greatest breakthrough in civil rights for women in nearly two decades."

VAWA was reauthorized by Congress in 2000, and again in December 2005. The bill was signed into law by President George W. Bush on January 5, 2006.

VAWA was reauthorized in 2011. VAWA is a gender-neutral law and allows immigrant victims of domestic violence to selfpetition for a Green Card for themselves and their children.

Getting a Green Card without Your Spouse Victims of abuse who are married to U.S. citizens or LPRs can file for their residency status (green card) on their own behalf and on behalf of their children. This is called the self-petitioning process. You must complete an immigration form and file supporting documents. There is also a

fee to apply, but you may be eligible for a fee waiver. Please talk to an immigration attorney for additional information and assistance.

If your spouse is not a U.S. citizen or LPR or you were never married to your abuser, you may be eligible for a U type visa when they become available. U visas will be available for victims of all crimes if they have information that will be helpful in the prosecution of the perpetrator of the crime and have suffered substantial injury. Again, speak to an immigration attorney for more information and assistance.

Stop Green Card Slavery As a victim, you have to remember that domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: to gain and maintain total control over you. An abuser doesn’t “play fair.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under his or her thumb. Your abuser may also threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you.

Immigrants who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault should know that HELP IS AVAILABLE Call the Law Offices of Figeroux & Associates at 718222-3155 and schedule an appointment for a FREE consultation to stop Green Card Slavery today. The road to recovery starts with you, today. Call now.l

Fear of Authorities The victim may: •Fear deportation because spouse threatens to expose status even though, as a domestic violence victim, she/he may be protected from deportation.

•Fear police, based upon negative experiences with police in their country of origin.

•Fear losing custody of children upon separation from the spouse.

•Fear losing support or being outcast from his/her cultural community.

•Fear loss of financial stability because spouse controls access to finances.

The Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) is a U.S. federal law. It was passed as Title IV, sec. 40001-40703 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 HR 3355 and signed as Public Law 103-322 by President Bill Clinton on September 13, 1994. It provided $1.6 billion to enhance investigation and prosecution of the vio-

GREEN CARD SLAVERY? Don’t put up with ABUSE anymore! We can get a Green Card for you and your children PLUS a divorce.

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ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

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CV4 NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT

Change Promised for WIADCA Parade... continued from page 1

president. I will ensure that the Carnival is in good hands before I step down. I am hoping that I will be able to move the Carnival in a similar direction, as Bailey, but with a few other ideas that I have of my own even as we are experiencing some changes.

CAW: Could you share what are some of those changes that you are hinting about?

Howard: We have the support of the city of New York. It is quite different with the De Blasio administration than it was with the Bloomberg and the Giuliani administrations. The de Blasio team has given us total access to figure out what would make the Carnival smoother this year than in previous years. For example, we traditionally launch the Carnival at Gracie mansion at a cost of $25,000. This year the de Blasio team indicated to us that there are funds to take care of that cost, not only for the Labor Day Parade but for the Puerto Rican Parade, and other parades in the city. His thoughts of being inclusive city-wide is materializing by him offering all of the available opportunities across-the-board. In addition, he has given me, as the WIADCA President, direct access to the Chief of Police that is responsible for Brooklyn South and other key law enforcement officials including the Intelligence Bureau. I have direct access to the Chief

of Cultural Affairs and the Head of Economic Development, so the city has not only reached out in that regard, but have also sent their city-wide coordinator to meet with us to find out what are the issues that we have city-wide and how the office can be useful and helpful to us.

So we have a real good working relationship with the city of New York this year which will ease issues relating to the Carnival both in the community and along the parade route. In addition, this year there are police assigned to each of the carnival camps to figure out any issues that camp may have and will work feverishly with the camp to ensure that the Carnival comes off in a positive way, and it’s working out pretty good without any push-back. Since becoming President in the first month, I took the initiative to listen to various groups and individuals on issues they may have about the Carnival, to understand what can make the carnival better, before I sat

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down to focus on planning for this year’s Carnival.

CAW: There has always been the question about safety and the violence that seems to overshadow the festival, how will you deal with that differently than in previous years?

Howard: This year, the Carnival Association is making every effort to ensure the safety of everyone. What we are saying to the media is, if there is a shooting in the Bronx, don’t say it’s a part of the carnival parade; if there is a shooting in Queens, don’t say it’s a part of the West Indian Day Carnival. The permit on Eastern Parkway allows us to have control of the Parkway between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. Within that period we have direct responsibility to ensure that the Parade goes down the Parkway in an organized fashion. Each group participating in the Parade has to provide us with one day insurance for their group and must have the authorization of the city of New York to do so. We try to structure the Parade by having the elected officials and church leaders and community leaders leading the parade.

Then the bands would follow based on a number that they would have picked out of a bag, so there will be uniformity in the parade. In addition, the police highway patrol will inspect every vehicle that will come on the Parkway. The trucks participating in the parade will be inspected at the mass camps and the band yards, so should anything suspicious happen on any of those trucks while on the Parkway, that particular truck will be turned off of the parade and be reinspected. Also, this year we have a nononsense approach to individuals who will come on the Parkway to sell firecrackers or anything that will get people excited and have them to behave outside of the ordinary. There is going to be no tolerance of anyone selling any alcohol on the Parkway. We will work closely with the police to arrest anyone with any unlawful conduct on the Parkway. The Carnival Parade this year will be alcohol free. Anyone caught with alcohol beverages along the route of the parade will be arrested. This year we are also saying to the steel bands and the people that we cannot have nonsense happening on the parkway. In addition to the police, we will have over 100 volunteers that will be moving among the crowd to nip out any issue that may spark violence. We are also trying to limit the number of T-shirts bands. We are saying to the Haitian band that this year you have to be in costume.

We will not allow any band to participate

Photo courtesy: WIDACA

without any shirt on. So we are requiring specific attire for all bands participating in the parade this year. This way we will know that those who misbehave are associated with one of the bands or groups because they will be wearing their costume or attire and that group will be held responsible for that individual. We are also building a relationship with the District Attorney’s Office to have the police have intelligence on individuals who will want to create problems and have those elements of disruption removed from the Parkway. We want to have an incident free Parade and turn the Carnival back into a fun- filled family day.

CAW: What are some of the new ideas you hope to bring to the WIADCA organization?

Howard: We are the largest babysitter for Caribbean kids during the summer; these are good kids who are not out there giving problems to the police or doing anything stupid. They come every day to the various steel band camps and practice.

So we have asked the city of New York to make it a work station for young people…let them report to the band yard and allow them also to get the subsidy that the kids get for cleaning the park as well because they are actually working and learning a craft. For example, at St. Mathews Church we have a steel band there that produced six kids who will benefit from full scholarships with North Western University. We have some very good kids and what I am trying to do is to use the organization to support those kids and we want to ask for funding from the city for the high school kids during the summer. For the college kids, we want to ask the City University to give scholarship to kids who perform well. For instance this year we had a young lady from Guyana who has a 4.0 grade average, but was wiped out by Hurricane Sandy and is going to university and being charged out of state rates, we were able to get City University to give her a full scholarship for the rest of her schooling through medical school, through the Sophie Davis Program. We also want to have the West Indian Carnival in order to support the culture, to develop a program where we can track these children with ability and help them and their parents. I have an interest in getting these kids money to go to college and university and move on with their lives. These are just some of the new initiatives I am hoping to bring to the Association. l

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AMERICAN DREAM

Home Ownership: Own Your Future

O

Buying a Home Are you are first-time buyer, thinking about buying a home? Here are nine tips:

wning a home is the American Dream. It’s a great way to create wealth and pass it on to your family…to build a nest egg for college or retirement... and to protect against life’s setbacks.

It starts with being smart about money.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) wants all Americans to manage their money and have the option of preparing for homeownership. Here are some tips to make this happen:

Organize Set a goal to save a certain amount of money each month—then stick to it.

Decide what’s important to spend, then save the rest for a rainy day—or a downpayment on a home.

Watch Spending and Savings Prioritize your family’s spending needs so that saving becomes second-nature.

Putting a little money aside every month takes hard work and difficult choices.

But the rewards are great. Learn about the power of compound interest. Teach your children that a few hundred dollars invested now can turn into thousands of dollars over time.

Negotiate Communicate early and often with com-

19

1. Figure out how much you can afford.

What you can afford depends on your income, credit rating, current monthly expenses, downpayment and the interest rate.

2. Know your rights.

3. Shop for a loan.

panies or banks you owe money to so you can work out problems before they grow larger. Many consumers, including homeowners, feel trapped by debt. But there may be other options. Contact the people you owe. They may be willing to work with you to develop new payment plans. It will show that you are serious and smart about money.

Elevate Your Credit Score Know your credit score and what it means to banks and credit card companies and your future life. Banks and credit card companies decide whether to lend you money and what interest rates you

will pay based on your credit score. Be prepared to examine past choices and, if necessary, to change your money habits.

Decisions you make today will impact your future options.

Read (and Understand) the Fine Print Consider all the options, educate yourself, and be informed before you sign on the dotted line.

Consumers have more ways than ever to buy a home. Know your rights.

Homebuyers should understand their mortgage contract and be on the look-out for scam artists and predatory lenders.

4. Learn about home buying programs FHA loan programs offer lower down payments and are a good option for firsttime homebuyers!

5. Shop for a home.

6. Make an offer.

7. Get a home inspection. For your protection get a home inspection.

8. Shop for homeowners insurance.

9. Sign papers. You're finally ready to go to "settlement" or "closing." Be sure to read everything before you sign!l

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20 NEWS

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Personal Injury Claims: Your Right to Sue

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ometimes, the skills of an experienced personal injury lawyer -- or at least the threat to an insurance company that such a lawyer may present —are worth the money you must pay that lawyer to represent you. You may need a lawyer because of complex legal rules involved in your particular claim, or because the severity of your injuries might cause your compensation to vary greatly from the norm — or simply because an insurance company refuses to settle a matter in good faith. The following types of injuries and accidents almost certainly require a lawyer's help.

Long-Term or Permanently Disabling Injuries Some accidents result in injuries that significantly affect your physical capabilities or appearance for a long time -- over a year — or even permanently. Figuring out how much such a serious injury is worth can be a difficult business. You'll probably require some assistance from an experienced lawyer to get the most out of your claim.

Severe Injuries The amount of your accident compensation is mostly determined by how severe your injuries were. And the severity of your injuries is measured by the amount of your medical bills, the type of injuries you have, and the length of time it takes

to come by. Get expert help.

Call 718-222-3155 for you to recover. As the amount of your potential compensation increases, the range within which that compensation may fall becomes wider. In such cases, it may be worth the expense to have a lawyer handle your claim and make sure you receive compensation at the highest end of the range.

Medical Malpractice If you have suffered an injury or illness due to careless, unprofessional, or incompetent treatment at the hands of a doctor, nurse, hospital, clinic, laboratory, or other medical provider, both the medical questions and the legal rules involved are complex. They almost cer-

tainly require that you hire a lawyer experienced in medical malpractice cases.

Toxic Exposure In the increasingly chemical world, we sometimes become ill because of exposure to contaminants in the air, soil, or water, in products, or in food. Claims based on such exposure are difficult to prove, however, and often require complex scientific data. And because the chemical and other industries have erected a huge wall to protect themselves from legal exposure while they continue to expose us to potentially harmful chemicals, the required evidence is very hard

When an Insurance Company Refuses to Pay In some instances, regardless of the nature of your injury or the amount of your medical bills and lost income, you will want to hire a lawyer because an insurance company or government agency simply refuses to make any fair settlement offer at all. In these cases, something — what the lawyer can get minus the fee charged to get it — is better than nothing.

Finding a Good Personal Injury Lawyer One good way to find a lawyer is to ask friends, acquaintances, or other lawyers for referrals — and then interview the candidates. Try to get information about each lawyer's experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law. By doing research you can narrow down candidates before calling them for a phone or face-to-face interview. You can also visit the attorney’s website and pay attention to clients’ reviwes.

Remember, America is a litigious society and you have the right to sue, irrespective of your legal status.l Source: nolo.com

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Green Cards & Bogus Marriages

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BY LLONA BRAY, JD

f the U.S. immigration authorities have serious doubts about whether the marriage that you're using as the basis to apply for a green card is a real one, they will summon the immigrant and his or her fiancé or spouse for what's called a fraud interview (or a Stokes interview). The purpose is to provide them an opportunity to ask probing and intense questions about your marriage, to make sure it's not just a fake arrangement to get you lawful permanent residence.

Such interviews are usually held only in the United States. If you, the immigrant, are overseas, your U.S. fiancé or spouse will have to attend the interview alone. If you are applying within the United States, however, USCIS will no doubt call both of you in for the fraud interview.

There are various times during the application process when USCIS may require a fraud interview. These include after the petitioning spouse files the initial visa petition (Form I-129F for fiancés or Form I-130 for spouses) and after your USCIS or consular interview for a green card or visa.

If you have not reached your second wedding anniversary by the time you are approved for a green card or enter the U.S. on an immigrant visa, you will receive what's called conditional residency, which lasts for two years. A fraud interview can be scheduled during or at

the expiration of that time, as well.

Being called for a fraud interview is definitely not a good sign. It means that your application has been singled out because it misses facts that would prove a real marriage, contains some inconsistencies, or presents grounds for suspicion. But if your marriage really is authentic, now’s the time to show them.

Applicants often get advance notice of a fraud interview. This is a good time to hire a lawyer, who should attend the

interview with you. The lawyer does not really have a lot of power over the questions that you are required to answer, but can be a calming influence on everyone.

Also, if the lawyer attends the interview, he or she will be better prepared to deal with any follow-up matters.

In the classic fraud interview, a USCIS officer puts you and your spouse in separate rooms and asks each of you an identical set of questions. Later, the officer compares your answers to see whether they match up. If you are called for a fraud interview in the United States, you can count on experiencing this type of format.

If you are applying from overseas, the USCIS officer in the United States will probably not be able to interview you — and will have to settle for speaking to your fiancé or spouse alone. In that case, the officer will want to hear your fiancé or spouse give a realistic account of the development of your relationship. The officer will also try to spot any inconsistencies within your U.S. fiancé or spouse’s story or between his or her story and the application forms and documents.

The person who attends the interview should be ready for any and all types of questions, from what you gave each other for recent holiday gifts to the form of contraceptive (birth control) you use, if any. The questions vary among different officers and different years.

NEWS 21

Tips Bring matching sets of house keys if you live in the United States. USCIS officers have been known to ask husband and wife to produce their house keys. The officer then compares them to make sure that they would fit the same locks.

If your fiancé or spouse lives with you now, try going over the important facts of your relationship, and noticing the details of your daily routine, in order to make sure you remember and agree on things like: • how often and what time you call, text, or email each other

• how many people attended your wedding (if you are married) • which holidays you celebrate together

• your activities the last time one of you visited the other, and • which of your financial matters are shared, or who (if either) supports the other financially.

If you have not yet married, and are applying for a fiancé visa, the questions might also cover things like: • how your families feel about your plans

continued on page 23

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22 NEWS

DIASPORA CONCERNS

Preparing for CIR and Keeping Families Together

W

BY JANET HOWARD

hile Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) legislation is pending in Washington, many undocumented immigrants continue to suffer here in the United States. Little do they realize that there are legitimate ways to legalize their status outside of the CIR legislation that, is now an issue of debate and tussle before Congress. Here in Brooklyn, there is an organization called the Immigrant’s Journal Legal and Educational Fund (IJLEF) that provides services that can assist undocumented as well as documented immigrants solve a number of their immigration issues. IJLEF Executive Director, Diandra Archibald, in an interview, discussed how IJLEF serves the immigrant community across the tri-state area, and the benefits that could be derived as a result of becoming a member of the organization. Archibald says that as soon as one becomes a member of IJLEF, there is immediate relief from their immigration problems. “The Immigrant’s Journal Legal and Educational Fund has a plethora of member benefits. One of our benefits is our membership ID; it has information on it like the person’s address, name, picture and all of the information that you will find on a government identification card and that’s great because who wants to carry around important documents like their passport all the time? We’ve actually had members

who thanked us for the ID, whether they’ve been pulled over on the Greyhound bus and were asked for an ID…or if they were approached by the Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) representatives; once they presented the identification card, they were told they were on the right path and were allowed to go.”

She pointed out the importance of having an ID to travel around with since it is a legal requirement of this country to always have some sort of identification or else you can be stopped and arrested.

However, she noted that “While the ID is not a state- or government-issued document and cannot be used officially to transact government or state businesses, it is recognized by law enforcement officials because of the legal affiliation with the Immigrant’s Journal. Other benefits of IJLEF are tax returns assistance so as to obtain a tax ID, and help with citizenship applications. Taxes help build a good moral character. There’s also free consultations for legal problems such as marital issues, businesses, home owners problems, and bankruptcy issues.”

The IJLEF Director stressed the importance of the immigrant community being informed as to how they can legally and legitimately access information and assistance with their immigration problems. She noted that a number of individuals from time to time take advantage of undocumented immigrants, in particular,

by defrauding them. IJLEF she says, provides accurate information on these issues and lets people know their rights and what they need to do in order to be legally assisted in regards to their immigration status. The organization seeks to educate all those who take advantage of its services as they travel along the right path to legalizing one’s status here in the United States. IJLEF holds seminars in churches and at other community events so as to inform people of the various options available to them and the process required to legalize their status. Should the CIR bill be approved by Congress, IJLEF is prepared to educate peoples on how to obtain their change of status: “Through our legal advisor, Brian Figeroux and Associates, we can assist them legally to prepare all documents required as well as help them with the preparation of the documents for the fines and other financial penalties that may result from the CIR legislation, all this of course at a fraction of the costs other attorneys may charge, all because you are a member of the IJLEF. Keeping Families Together highlights the stories of new and recent immigrant families who struggle to cope with the heartbreaking effects of our country’s broken economic and immigration system. In order to facilitate the transition process of new Americans we founded the Immigrant’s Journal Legal & Educational Fund, Inc., IJLEF.” IJLEF’s membership program is

designed to help families resolve legal, social and financial issues by prevention, that is, through educational seminars and consultations with learned attorneys and professionals. If you have to go to court it can take months or even years to get issues resolved and it is costly.

Additionally, IJLEF’s partnerships with the Chamber alliance of the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), the African American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC), and the Hispanic American International Chamber of Commerce (HAICC) facilitate our goal of Keeping Families Together & Financially Stable.

The business seminars of the Chamber alliance and its annual business conference, the Multicultural International Business Expo, educationally empowers our membership. These seminars and conference are all free to attendees. To assist our non-profit organization to achieve these goals, we ask that you make a donation.

Keeping Families Together & Financially Stable Fundraising Project is a program of the Immigrant’s Journal Legal & Educational Fund, Inc. To assist our non-profit organization to achieve these goals, we ask that you make a donation.

To become a member or to donate, call Diandra Archibald at 718-243-9431 or go to www.ijlef.org for additional information.l

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DIASPORA CONCERNS

Green Cards & Bogus Marriages...

Salis Indicted for Defrauding Immigrants...

• whether the families have met you or your fiancé

munity on how to avoid immigration scams and to empower them to report those who take advantage of others.”

According to documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court, Salis is a registered attorney who practices immigration law at his own firm, Salis Law P.C., also known as Salis and Associates, with offices in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn. The defendant falsely told his immigrant clients that they qualified for lawful permanent residence (green cards) and other immigration benefits, when they, in fact, did not. He charged each victim more than $4,500 for the fraudulent services. It is alleged that Salis obtained work permits, which are automatically issued on a temporary basis while an underlying adjustment of status petition is pending, for his clients and misrepresented to them the facts surrounding the manner in which the cards were acquired. After the work permits were sent to his office rather than the immigrants’ homes, Salis demanded $4,500 on top of the fees they already paid. The defendant did not tell the victims that these work permits were temporary and would be terminated once the fraudulent underlying adjustment of status petition was denied.

To facilitate his scheme, and unbeknown to his victims, Salis is accused of using the federal I360 form, which is an immigration petition for permanent residence reserved for special immigrants

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• how much time you have spent together, and where, and • whether you held an engagement party or made a formal announcement of your engagement to family and friends.

There are no limits to the possible questions.

Once you or your spouse gets to a fraud interview, you will have to meet with an officer whose main job is try to detect wrongdoers, not grant visas or green cards. The interviewer will not be trying to make you feel comfortable. His or her job is to push a person with questions until the person trips himself up, confesses to marriage fraud, or finally convinces the interviewer that the marriage is real.

Usually, straightforward, hard questioning is enough. Couples perpetrating a fraudulent marriage can do all the homework in the world, but when one of them forgets or does not know the answer to an obvious question — like where they went right after their wedding -- that applicant often crumbles and confesses.

Occasionally, a hard-nosed USCIS officer will engage in harsher tactics, such as falsely telling someone that their spouse has already confessed that the marriage is

bogus, in order to push the interviewee into confessing. Or, the officer may use flat-out intimidation, reminding the interviewee about the jail time and money fines a person faces if caught committing marriage fraud.

Sensing that the interviewee is feeling low, the officer may ask him or her to sign something withdrawing the visa petition or stating that the marriage is a fraud. If your marriage really is an honest one, do NOT agree to or sign anything.

Ask to stop the interview and to reschedule with a lawyer present.l Please note this this article does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with an attorney. Remember, the lawyer you hire, does make a difference!

NEWS 23 including juveniles, Iraqi and Afghani translators for the U.S. military, and victims of domestic violence including spousal, child, and elder abuse. On the I360, Salis wrote in a non-recognized eligibility category such as “Dream Act” or “Self-Petitioning Parent of a US Citizen Child.” For those with U.S.-born children, he wrote in the child’s name under the section where the U.S. citizen abuser’s name and information was required, even though there were no allegations of elder abuse against the petitioner. Oftentimes, these children were toddlers. Along with the I360, Salis also filed an I485 form for an adjustment of status and an I765 form for the employment authorization. Although temporary work permits were issued because of the underlying I360s and I485s, the I360s and I485s were all subsequently denied, and the denial letters were sent to Salis’s law office.l

FREE

CONSULTATIONS for Salis’s immigration clients. Protect yourself and loved ones.

Call 718-222-3155 for a FREE Immigration consultation. You have everything to lose.

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