Caribbean American Weekly- Issue 75 by Caribbean American Weekly

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Grenada: A Corrupt Nation T&T: Corruption Is a Challenge

ocal pollster, Jude Bernard, has commented on a report put out by Transparency International that ranked Grenada as being the most corrupt country in the Windward Islands grouping in the area of Public Sector corruption. The island was rated 8% points ahead of Dominica (38), which was followed by St. Lucia and St. Vincent, which tied on 35% each based on the Corruption Perception Index 2016. In an exclusive interview with THE NEW TODAY newspaper, Bernard, who is called a public advocate in some quarters, said that the ranking is based more on legislative loopholes within the country than on the actual practice of corruption. He noted that because of Grenada’s “weak constitution” continued on page 6

n an article in the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian publication, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has admitted that the major challenge facing his Government is the extent of corruption in Trinidad and Tobago. Rowley made the comment on the Barber Shop program on i955 FM, as he was asked by host John Benoit to reflect on how the People’s National Movement, which after two years in office, had performed so far.

Cunningham for NYC District 40 ...see page 20

continued on page 5

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Building a Great Sex Life Is Not Rocket Science

BY JOHN GOTTMAN. Ph.D

n an amazing book titled, The Normal Bar, authors Chrisanna Northrup, Pepper Schwartz, and James Witte conducted an online study with 70,000 people in 24 countries. They were curious about what might be different about couples who said that they had a great sex life, compared to couples who said that they had a bad sex life. Even with the limitations of self-report data, there are some fascinating implications of their results. One thing that’s very interesting to me is how their findings compare to

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See page 14 for details Why Do Victims Stay? ...see page 3

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TAX SEASON IS COMING UP! INSIDE: 4-PAGE TAX GUIDE... see pages 9-12

Brian Figeroux, Esq. Founder of the Paralegal Program and Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association for 2 decades

Fear of Deportation Causes Mental, Health Issues In Immigrants and U.S. Citizens

BY ELVIA LIMÓN

he fear of deportation affects not only the mental and physical health of Latinos living in the U.S. illegally, but it also affects their U.S.-born family members. And while these Latinos may admit they

The White House War On Immigrants ...see page 2

need to seek a health professional, many will be hesitant to get help for their mental and physical health issues, said Edward D. Vargas, assistant professor for the School of Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. "I think the idea of the paradigm has continued on page 15

American Dream ...see page 8

Rashida Strober: Dark Skin Activist ...see page 17

Caribbean Consulates

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

Antigua & Barbuda 305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117

The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017 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: 212-593-0999

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: 212-599-8478

Grenada 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 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, 2nd Floor 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, 20th 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 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, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272

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

IN THE NEWS UN Agency Says Housing Most Urgent Need for Hurricane-Ravaged Dominica

OSEAU, Dominica: Three weeks after the Category 5 Hurricane Maria ripped through Dominica, the scope of the damage remains daunting, with islanders in dire need of water, electricity, food and supplies, the United Nations migration agency reported yesterday as it continued to carry out an array of activities as part of the response. Noting that an estimated 23 percent of the small Caribbean nation’s homes have been flattened, Jean Philippe Antolin, head of response operations in the Caribbean for the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) said: “Those houses do not exist anymore.

They have either been blown into the sea or totally scattered in pieces across the island.” In addition, some 39 percent of the houses have sustained severe damage, and a further 28 percent have been affected to some degree said IOM, underscoring that the numbers reflect the painful human situations in the shelters where more than 2,000 Dominicans are still living, while the rest are staying with relatives and friends. A mother and her children took cover in a local school just before the hurricane hit, and are still living in one of the classrooms with another family. “My home just vanished into thin air. Nothing, noth-

ing left to remember from it. Everything is gone,” she told IOM. The agency has responded through promoting an array of activities, including supply delivery, coordination of shelter management, and pipelining international donations. IOM has released US$100,000 to scale up shelter response, and an additional US$350,000 has been secured from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Many Dominicans are still returning to their homes to salvage their belongings and clear debris during the day, but sleep in shelters or with host families.l

are trying to do is help people like me but while criminalizing my mother,” he mused. “My mother will be at a higher risk of being deported, so that I can be saved.” Others, citing support for DACA in opinion polls, said Trump’s opponents in Congress should strike a hard line. “There can be no dialogue if the White House wants everything and to give us the crumbs,” said Escalante. According to the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association (AILA), here are the nine issues in the war on immigrants:

to asylum seekers and those fleeing persecution and conflict. n Chipping away at the principles of due process and fairness by expediting removal of immigrants without allowing them a day in court nForcing immigration judges to rush cases that do make it to court and depriving immigrants of due process. nAttempting to force so-called "sanctuary cities" to follow unconstitutional policies or risk losing vital federal funding for local law enforcement that would make communities safer. nCriminalizing visa overstays in a way that will hurt families, and businesses. n Drastically reducing legal immigration and virtually eliminating the economic and business needs and role of U.S. employers in the green card process. n Severely limiting one of the foundations of America's economic success: family-based immigration.l

The War On Immigrants: The Nine Things, the White House Calls For

he White House recently released a large package of sweeping antiimmigrations reforms it said would be necessary before DACA could be extended. The measures ranged from funding to build a wall across the U.S. border with Mexico to making the nowvoluntary E-Verify program that businesses use to screen out job applications from undocumented immigrants. DACA beneficiaries and their legal and political advocates who spoke to the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald all said Trump’s demands would kill any hope of compromise. “There’s no way he can seriously believe we would accept all this,” said Rosenfeld, a 20-year-old majoring in sociology and political science at Brandeis. “He’s just playing political football with 800,000 lives.” Some of DACA beneficiaries said supporting the White House proposals would amount to selling out other immigrants. “What the Trump administration is doing is trying to implement their entire anti-immigrant agenda in exchange for something that would only benefit [DACA beneficiaries] and no one else,” said Juan Escalante, 28, who came to the United States from from Venezuela when he was 11. Armando Carrada, who was 7 when his family came to the United States and now owns a photography business in Homestead, said the proposals would force his family into an immigration version of “Sophie’s Choice” in which some could stay but others would have to go. “What they [the Trump administration]

n Wasteful and unnecessary spending on a border wall, thousands of additional interior enforcement agents, and massive expansion of detention beds when American taxpayers are already spending unprecedented amounts on immigration enforcement. nStripping unaccompanied children who flee to safety in the U.S. of the protections enshrined in the trafficking law enacted in 2008. n Restricting access to the asylum system in a way that closes America's doors

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CONVERSATIONS

Why Do Victims Stay? O

ctober is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The question most asked is “Why do victims stay?”. Here is the answer according to the The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: When it is a viable option, it is best for victims to do what they can to escape their abusers. However, this is not the case in all situations. Abusers repeatedly go to extremes to prevent the victim from leaving. In fact, leaving an abuser is the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence. One study found in interviews with men who have killed their wives that either threats of separation by their partner or actual separations were most often the precipitating events that lead to the murder. A victim's reasons for staying with their abusers are extremely complex and, in most cases, are based on the reality that their abuser will follow through with the threats they have used to keep them trapped: the abuser will hurt or kill them, they will hurt or kill the kids, they will win custody of the children, they will harm or kill pets or others, they will ruin their victim financially -- the list goes on. The victim in violent relationships knows their abuser best and fully knows the extent to which they will go to make sure they have and can maintain control over the victim. The victim literally may not be able to safely escape or protect those they love. A recent study of intimate partner homicides found 20% of homicide victims were not the domestic violence victims themselves, but family members, friends, neighbors, persons who intervened, law enforcement responders, or bystanders. Additional barriers to escaping a violence relationship include by are not limited to: •The fear that the abuser's actions will become more violent and may become lethal if the victim attempts to leave. •Unsupportive friends and family •Knowledge of the difficulties of single parenting and reduced financial circumstances •The victim feeling that the relationship is a mix of good times, love and hope along with the manipulation, intimidation and fear. •The victim's lack of knowledge of or access to safety and support. •Fear of losing custody of any children if they leave or divorce their abuser or fear the abuser will hurt, or even kill, their children •Lack of means to support themselves and/or their children financially or lack of access to cash, bank accounts, or assets •Lack of having somewhere to go (e.g. no friends or family to help, no money for hotel, shelter programs are full or limited by length of stay) •Fear that homelessness may be their only option if they leave •Religious or cultural beliefs and practices may not support divorce or may dictate outdated gender roles and keep the

For Immigration Options for Victims of Crimes, please see page 22. victim trapped in the relationship •Belief that two parent households are better for children, despite abuse

Societal Barriers to Escaping a Violent Relationship In addition to individual obstacles victims face when escaping violent relationships, society in general presents barriers. These include: •A victim's fear of being charged with desertion, losing custody of children, or joint assets. •Anxiety about a decline in living standards for themselves and their children •Reinforcement of clergy and secular counselors of "saving" a couple's relationship at all costs, rather than the goal of stopping the violence. •Lack of support to victims by police officers and law enforcement who may treat violence as a "domestic dispute," instead of a crime where one person is physically attacking another person. Often, victims of abuse are arrested and charged by law enforcement even if they are only defending themselves against the batterer. •Dissuasion by police of the victim filing charges. Some dismiss or downplay the abuse, side with the abuser, or do not take the victims account of the abuse seriously. •Reluctance by prosecutors to prosecute cases. Some may convince the abuser to please to a lesser charge, thus further endangering victims. Additionally, judges rarely impose the maximum sentence upon convicted abusers. Probation or a fine is much more common. •Despite the issuing of a restraining order, there is little to prevent a released abuser from returning and repeating abuse.

•Despite greater public awareness and the increased availability of housing for victims fleeing violent partners, there are not enough shelters to keep victims safe. •Some religious and cultural practices that stress that divorce is forbidden. •The socialization of some made to believe they are responsible for making their relationship work. Failure to maintain the relationship equals failure as a person. •Isolation from friends and families, either by the jealous and possessive abuser, or because they feel "ashamed" of the abuse and try to hide signs of it from the outside world. The isolation contributes to a sense that there is nowhere to turn. •The rationalization of the victim that their abuser's behavior is caused by stress, alcohol, problems at work, unemployment, or other factors. •Societal factors that teach women to believe their identities and feelings of self-worth are contingent upon getting and keeping a man. •Inconsistency of abuse; during non-violent phases, the abuser may fulfill the victim's dream of romantic love. The victim may also rationalize the abuser is basically good until something bad happens and they have to "let off steam." l

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My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6 Publisher I.Q. INC.

Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Assistant Editor Marilyn Silverman

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The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is the voice of victims and survivors. We are the catalyst for changing society to have zero tolerance for domestic violence. We do this by affecting public policy, increasing understanding of the impact of domestic violence, and providing programs and education that drive that change. For more information, visit: www.ncadv.org

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CIVIL RIGHTS

Trump’s Executive Order Is Bad and Undermines Health Care

resident Trump has announced plans to sign a “very major” executive order related to health care that is “going to cover a lot of territory.” The executive order is expected to roll back a consumer protection related to short-term health plans, in addition to allowing the sale of association health plans that are unregulated by the states and do not include many consumer protections from the Affordable Care Act. According to an analysis by The Commonwealth Fund, short-term coverage finds these plans, more often than not, discriminate against consumers with preexisting conditions and have high cost sharing and numerous exclusions that result in minimal protection.

What Is Short-Term Coverage? Short-term plans are designed to fill temporary gaps in coverage. And yet, prior to 2016, some plans covered enrollees for an entire year. After becoming aware that some people were enrolling in short-term coverage as their primary coverage, instead of a comprehensive health plan, federal regulations limited short-term coverage to a duration of three months. Federal regulators acted in part because they believed short-term coverage had

been “adversely impacting the risk pool” in the individual market. Short-term coverage is medically underwritten, so individuals with preexisting conditions or high health risks are frequently denied. As a result, short-term plans are only an option for healthy people, some of whom are taken out of the individual market by enrolling in these substandard plans. The executive order is expected to reverse this limitation and allow shortterm coverage to be offered for up to an entire year again. This is not wholly unexpected, as 14 senators sent a letter in June to then-Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price urging the administration to allow short-term health plans to be offered for longer than three months.

Looking Forward The administration may be looking for ways to increase coverage choices for consumers in the individual market. But allowing plans that are only viable for healthy people to be offered for more than three months will further syphon healthy individuals away from traditional health insurance, resulting in a sicker risk pool in the individual market, driving up premiums, and putting the indi-

vidual insurance market at risk. The benefit of segmenting the market into separate pools of healthy and less healthy people goes almost entirely to the insurers offering short-term coverage. Meanwhile, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) supports the existing duration limit “to provide long-term stability to the individual market.” Instead of expanding short-term coverage, consumers of all health statuses and ages will ultimately be better served by federal action to encourage insurers to participate in the individual marketplaces. Short-term coverage does not offer “great value” or “real protection” to consumers, as the senators claimed in their letter. Instead, it puts members at risk and increases premiums for consumers in the individual market. Insurers are already reacting to signs that the Trump administration is not committed to ensuring a robust individual insurance market. Loosening restrictions on shortterm coverage will send yet another signal to insurers that the individual market will not be a stable business environment any time soon. Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following

statement on President Trump’s health care executive order: “Now that President Trump and the Republican Congress failed to end the Affordable Care Act by legislation, the president is sabotaging the law by executive action. Today’s move is their effort to put another nail in the coffin. This order will only drive up costs for the sick, and put the health of millions at risk. People all across the country spoke out and demanded that the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land, and it should be vigorously and equitably implemented and enforced. Health care is a fundamental human right, and an issue of economic security. Where you live, or how much you earn, should not dictate your ability to access affordable health care. Instead of continuing down this path of undermining the health of the nation, our leaders in Congress must work together to find ways to improve health care for all, including people with disabilities, people of color, women, LGBTQ people, people whose primary language is not English, seniors, and low- and moderate-income families.”l

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CARIBBEAN CORRUPTION

T&T: Corruption Is a Challenge/ continued from page 1

Rowley said if he were to leave the job today, he would list the extent of corruption in this country as his major challenge. “If I leave this job today and I have to write a script as to what was my major challenge as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago during my tenure, I will write simply the extent of corruption in Trinidad and Tobago,” Rowley said. “That is the biggest challenge that the Government faces because from the top to the bottom there are people and instances of corrupt practice which makes public service, service in the country, more expensive and it makes it less efficient. “Everybody wants a bit more than they are entitled to and some people are so entrenched in it that they demand it as a right and if you interfere with the arrangements that are in place they have some significant push back and this Government is prepared to face that down.” Overall, Rowley said he believes his Cabinet has “done reasonably well” so far. “Given where we started, given where we are, I would not want to say mired, but given where we are, I think by and large we have done reasonably well because it has been a very, very difficult

Unlike the previous People’s Partnership administration that made a career of giving, he said his Government has had “to manage and do more with less.” “We are not a Government that can give because there is not much there to give, it is a Government that has to manage and do more with less, so that does not give you the opportunity to be popular by giving,” Rowley said.

situation. “I don’t know that any other situation like this ever existed, where a new Government comes into office meeting the circumstances that we met and having to treat with it and not to mention the expectations.” Rowley said the most significant thing to note was that the PNM came into office “without the resources to address much of the expectations.” Unlike the previous People’s Partnership administration that made a career of giving, he said his Government has had “to manage and do more with less” “We are not a Government that can give, because there is not much there to give, it is a Government that has to manage and do more with less, so that does not give you the opportunity to be popular by giving,” Rowley said. “The last government made a career of saying, ‘look I give you this, I give you

that; I give you this, I give you that;’ even if we wanted to govern like that we can’t, we are the opposite, in fact in many instances we are forced to take things downwards because when you lose $20 billion in the budget, in your pocket, that $20 billion is not just a number, it’s not just money, it is opportunities that people would have had if that money was available,” he said. The PM said he believes the Cabinet has been doing “pretty well” with the “very delicate balancing act” that is needed to manage the country. “We have been doing a very delicate balancing act and I think the Cabinet by and large has done pretty well even though some people might have been affected negatively at the personal level, but overall the majority of people have maintained some opportunity, we have not engaged in any mass lay-offs in the public sector, we still manage the public sector and the private sector where there

is still considerable waste and significant corruption,” Rowley said. In an immediate response to Rowley’s statement, United National Congress (UNC) chairman David Lee said the PM’s words were “ironic” given the current situation with respect to the ferry fiasco and inter-island sea bridge. Saying there is alleged wrongdoing taking place within Rowley’s own Cabinet, Lee said: “It is ironic that Dr Rowley, the honorable Prime Minister, is talking about corruption because right under his eyes and within his present Government there is alleged wrongdoing. And to quote the Prime Minister’s words, ‘it appears to have something crooked’ in the sea bridge fiasco with the ferries.” Lee added: “I am very surprised that Dr Rowley, when the Galicia was taken out of service by his Government, he did not really manage from a personal level as the prime minister to ensure that the sea bridge really came about to ease the people of Trinidad and Tobago and especially Tobagonians in his place of birth.” “I really would have thought that Dr Rowley, as Prime Minister, would have managed and ensured that the sea bridge issue would have been dealt with in a very timely and very transparent way, which did not happen under his watch, so I am very surprised that he is talking about corruption.”l

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Grenada: A Corrupt Nation/ continued from page 1

there is a lot of legislation within the country, which sometimes deliberately creates the enabling environment for corruption to occur. “We have a very weak constitution. The Westminster system has many loopholes and politicians, they have exploited those loopholes to practice widespread institutionalized corruption and Grenada is a clear case of that. “…Probably we were not prepared enough for that sort of power placed (in) our hands via our independence constitutions so we feel we have to exploit it. This is where … and unless the constitution is strengthened to block a lot of those loopholes the situation will not change. “In Grenada today, in terms of practice, there is widespread institutionalized corruption in our society. It is at the point where people have gotten so accustomed to it being that way, that they just more or less accept it. Sometime we simply refer to it as, just politics. According to Bernard, the evidence of corruption is hurting and infringing on the possibilities of development in the country and continues to be one of the major deterrents to unity and development. The ruling New National Party (NNP) of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell has often been dogged with charges of cor-

ruption in office. Bernard noted that charges of public corruption “have to do with people of authority using their positions or their power to exploit situations for their pesonal gain…” The outspoken advocate listed ten examples of governance practice that create the enabling environment for corruption within the state since “the process of governance is deliberately designed and manipulated to facilitate corruption.” He cited the case of the General Secretary of a party being made a Governor General, a sitting GG whose Law firm is representing foreign investors in their dealings with Government and the firm signing the documents on behalf of the client and the State itself. He also referred to a situation in which the General Secretary of political parties chair Statutory Boards, and Statutory Boards in which the Minister is the one who hires the Board of Directors and has the final say even in making every day mundane decisions. Bernard also alluded to a situation, which existed a few years ago on the island in which the manager of the largest road Construction Company operating on the island was the tenant of the Minister of Works for over a decade and the head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) being the spouse of a Government Minister. In addition, he said there is a perception

CARIBBEAN CORRUPTION

of corruption when the Citizens By Investment (CBI) or passport-selling scheme is headed by the spouse of a Government Minister and many of its agents are either spouses or close family members of persons with Parliamentary positions. Bernard affirmed that with the existence of corruption, the people are the ones who are highly affected, as they are the ones who remain poor. He went on: “When you have a statutory board, for instance, that is run by a political person and when you have the procurement of services from the government and these services are being done on a political basis, the following things happen: you don’t get the best people to do the job and because the people who are doing it are handpicked, sometimes you end up paying twice as much for less or inferior work because some of it has to go towards kickbacks. “…So we are paying for the kickbacks and we still not getting wok properly done but in actual fact it is given to someone based on politics – nothing to do with technical competencies. Sometimes, the work is never really completed but you pay more than you would have paid if a proper, more transparent procurement approach were done. “When these things happen, the country loses, the tax dollars are wasted, education suffers, health care suffers, infrastructure suffers and everyone loses (apart from the corrupt). Once there is corruption, you never get value for

money, you never get the right people to do the job and it always costs more and, in a poor country like Grenada, this in itself spells underdevelopment and lack of progress”. According to Bernard, if the corruption analysis took into consideration the “actual work on the ground” there is a high possibility that Grenada could have gotten an even lower ranking, as there are many blatant and subtle occurrences of corruption. “After 43 years of independence, I think we could have done a lot more if we had leaders who were more concerned about the development of the country, rather than manipulating our weak constitution for solidifying the grip on power,” he said. In Grenada’s 43 years of independence, current Prime Minister Dr. Mitchell has been at the helm for the longest period, serving for 17 of those years in the top position. The only other Prime Minister to serve one full term in office is Tillman Thomas of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). l

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FAMILY MATTERS

Pregnant? Here Are the First Five Money Moves to Make

BY CANDACE BAHR, CEA, CDFA & GINITA WALL, CPA, CFP®

ow, you are going to be a mother! How exciting, and perhaps slightly terrifying. If you’ve talked to other new parents, then you know that the miracle of life also has a way of turning into the miracle of the disappearing paycheck. Babies are wonderful…and expensive. That’s why it is so important to plan now, when you’re still getting a blessed full night’s sleep and aren’t spending your small amount of free time changing diapers and combing spit-up out of your hair. You have a lot on your mind, but when it comes to your finances, here are the five most immediate steps new moms need to take:

Step One: Figure Out Your Company’s Maternity Leave Policy If your company has at least 50 full-time employees, it is required by law to offer 12 weeks of unpaid leave. It sounds crazy, but the United States doesn’t require companies to provide paid parental leave. Some companies do offer it as a benefit to their employees. As soon as possible, sit down with someone from your human resources

(HR) department and ask them to explain your company’s maternity leave policies. Make sure to ask if temporary disability insurance (TDI) is available, whether you qualify, and what portion of your salary TDI pays. Make sure your partner does the same, and then compare notes. Together the two of you will need to decide how long each of you can afford to take off from work after your child arrives.

Step Two: Decide Which Health Insurance Plan to Go On You are going to be racking up quite a lot of medical bills during your pregnancy, and once Junior arrives, he or she is going to require regular doctor’s appointments. Now is the time to sit down with your HR department (you should be making some good friends in HR by now) to learn about all the benefits your health insurance plan offers as well as the costs involved. How much will you have to pay out of pocket for the medical coverage you need during your pregnancy? What about when your child is born? Again, have your partner do the same at their work and compare notes. Decide which plan offers the best balance of coverage vs. cost for your baby. You may even discover that it makes more sense

for one of you to go on the other person’s plan rather than stick with your own!

Step Three: Figure Out Your Work Future Working full time and raising a family can be very tough. Many professional men, and especially professional women, report regretting not spending enough time with their children. At the same time, you need to be realistic about whether you can afford to leave your job or whether you even want to. Now is the time to start discussing options with your partner. Should one of you stay home? What would that do to your finances? If you both keep working, who will watch the baby, and how much will childcare cost? You may also want to sit down with your boss and explore alternative work arrangements. Many companies offer valued employees flexible work schedules or even telecommuting options. Both you and your partner should discuss these possibilities with your bosses to try to find the right balance between forwarding your career, caring for your child, and meeting your financial goals.

Step Four: Revise Your Life Insurance When your bundle of joy arrives, you will be responsible for that life. What

happens if you die unexpectedly and your partner can no longer rely on your income? Will your partner and child lose your home? What about college? Take a close look at your life insurance policy. Is there enough to cover all of your child’s financial needs if something should happen to you? If not, it’s time to call your friendly insurance broker and up your policy. Even if you plan to be a stay-athome mom, you should still consider purchasing a term life insurance policy for yourself.

Step Five: Look into 529 College Savings Plans Speaking of college… it’s never too early to start thinking about and saving for this massive expense Start by setting up a 529 College Savings Plan. Earnings are not subject to federal tax and are usually also exempt from state taxes as well. You may also be able to receive state tax benefits, depending on your state of residence. These five steps are only the start of your baby financial planning strategy, but they will help you work out some of the most immediate issues so that you can turn your attention to other important matters, like what type of diaper bag to put on your baby shower registry!l

Reprinted with permission. Candace Bahr, CEA, CDFA and Ginita Wall, CPA, CFP® are co-founders of WIFE.org, a nonprofit that aims to teach females how to take financial control of their lives.

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BROOKLYN: 26 Court Street, Suite 701. Tel: 718-222-3155 DO YOU WANT TO START, GROW, GET MONEY, MARKET OR CERTIFY YOUR BUSINESS? CONTACT THE CHAMBER AT 718-722-9217 OR VISIT WWW.NACC.NYC

AMERICAN DREAM

First-time Buyers: Boost Your Chances of Mortgage Pre-approval

uying a home for the first time? If you plan on taking out a mortgage, you will likely want to know just how you can get pre-approved for enough financing to get the home of your dreams. In this article, we will share four tips that will help you to boost your chances of a successful pre-approval when you apply for a mortgage.

Polish Up Your Credit Score It should come as no surprise that your credit score is one area every mortgage lender is going to inspect. Order a copy of your credit report and be sure to go over any outstanding items in detail. Are there any old or retired debts on there that need to be removed? Or do you have any outstanding black marks that will need to be explained? If necessary, take the next step and visit a credit repair specialist to get things polished up.

It’s Best to Apply When You’re Employed While it’s not mandatory to have a job to get a mortgage, you will certainly need to demonstrate that you have enough income to afford to make your monthly

payments. Waiting until you (and your spouse or partner, if applicable) are gainfully employed will go a long way in making your lender feel confident about your repayment ability. Don’t Take Out Any Major Loans Of course, you will want to avoid taking out any significant loans around the time you’re applying for a mortgage. Every lender will want you to demonstrate your ability to manage your debts. So if you’re trying to get a car loan, student loan and

mortgage at the same time, you’re not likely to be successful.

Maintain at Least 3 Months of Spending Cash Finally, many lenders will want to see that you have at least three months’ worth of cash saved up. This is so that you can continue to make your mortgage payments on time, even if something unfortunate were to happen. If possible, it’s good to have as large a safety net as is possible. If you’re able to put six

Notary Public Training Course

This 3-hour New York Notary Public Training course is designed to educate individuals with the legal terminology, concepts and clauses contained in the framework of the New York State Notary booklet.

Cost includes materials and information on: lSupplemental Study Guide lNotary Fact Sheet lPractical Exam lSample Forms lNotary Public Application and Oath of Office lNY State License Law Booklet lNY State Exam Schedule lExpert Training and Assistance

Fee: $50 in advance

$60 at the door covers course materials Date: December 6, 2017 from 6pm-9pm Location: 26 Court Street, Suite 701

months of mortgage payments aside, don’t hesitate. You can even invest the funds in some low-risk or guaranteed investment and they will grow over time.

The mortgage pre-approval process is not meant to be scary or intimidating. In fact, it’s an excellent time to give yourself a financial tune-up before purchasing your new home. For more information about mortgage options, contact your trusted mortgage professional today at 888-6706791.l

A Special Invitation

to all faith-based leaders to empower their congregation and membership from the IJLEF, Inc. organization offering:

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

Call 718-243-9431 to schedule a presentation

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TAX GUIDE

Small Business Tax Tips

Running a small business has many perks, one of them being the amount of deductions you can pile up at tax time. Everything from mileage to independent contractor payments can help defray taxes.

ven if you’re not the most financially savvy entrepreneur, you can lean on a CPA or other tax professional to walk you through your tax returns, as well as to give you tips on making the most of your deductions and business expenses. Here are a number of tips for small businesses at tax time, including keeping track of all business expenses throughout the year and always opting to deduct mileage instead of actual auto expenses.

• Keep business and personal expenses separate, which means maintaining different checking accounts and credit cards for the business.

• Review the Small Business Jobs Act Tax, signed into law in 2010, which has nearly 20 initiatives aimed at decreasing the tax burden of small businesses.

Donations Are Deductible Company donations of money, supplies and property are all deductible expenses, according to the Internal Revenue Services (IRS). As are bonuses awarded to your employees, partners and officers. You also should consider devoting a portion of your time for professional development endeavors. By taking a class or seminar, you are not only broadening your expertise; you’re also creating a helpful tax deduction.

Tracking Your Personal Deductions If you use your home for your business, you should be able to deduct mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs and depreciation. If your business is a corporation or partnership, you can deduct actual expenses for non-personal use of your personal vehicle, according to the IRS.

Actual expenses may include costs for fuel, maintenance and parking fees. Keep detailed mileage records comprised of date, total miles, tolls, parking and the purpose of the trip. This will help give your accountant plenty of information for filing your tax return.l

Why Join Our Chamber?

Because membership in the local chamber offers numerous benefits and keeps business owners on top of important, ever-changing issues and trends within their community and local marketplace.

reasons to join: lBrings credibility to your business lIncreases your visibility in the community lCreates networking opportunities lGain a voice in government lMake business contacts lReceive Chamber newsletters lAcquire customer referrals lAttend Chamber events and programs lBenefit from promotion and publicity lFree small business consultations

Become a Chamber member today. Call 718-722-9217 or visit www.nacc.nyc

Time to take your business to the next level!

Victoria Falk CEO, Passionate Travel VP, AAICC

Ready to join our Chamber? Keep in mind, however, that you can’t just be a member of the Chamber to reap the benefits of Chamber membership. Paying your annual dues just isn’t enough. You must also make an investment of time and effort in Chamber activities and become involved. Simply put, what you get out of Chamber membership is directly relative to what you put in.

DO YOU WANT TO START, GROW, GET MONEY, MARKET OR CERTIFY YOUR BUSINESS? CONTACT THE CHAMBER AT 718-722-9217 OR VISIT WWW.NACC.NYC

TAX GUIDE

Figeroux & Associates Tax Practice When you have IRS tax

Liens & Levies, Innocent Spouse, Tax ID Assistance, Wage Garnishment, Tax Preparation Federal & All States, Income Tax Planning and assistance with IRS debt problems. If returns from years past remain unfiled, back taxes accrue unpaid, or offshore accounts go unreported, we can help. We can also assist with an IRS lien before the government levies property. No one should face IRS audits or tax problems without a qualified tax lawyer in New York on their side.

problems, it is very important to handle that very carefully. IRS tax matters are very

crucial and sensitive issue and a slight mistake in the process

can cost you very dearly in the form of loss of money, time,

can get you frustrated and may land you in jail. The tax laws and the legalities involved in the process of tax settlement

of your IRS taxes can be very complex and you may not understand it at all.

www.falaw.us

Brian Figeroux, Esq.

he Law Offices of Figeroux & Associates, is headed by Brian Figeroux, Esq., a member of the New York Bar, Mr. Figeroux earned his JD from Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, his M.A. in Economics and B.S. in Accounting from the City University of New York, Brooklyn College. Mr. Figeroux is supported by an experienced legal and professional staff that helps to level the playing field when it comes to tax issues. If you are seeking a corporate or income tax attorney in New York with expertise in handling complex financial issues, then engage Brian

Figeroux, Esq., the lead attorney at Figeroux & Associates in New York to defend you and your property. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a Figeroux & Associates tax attorney today, and get tax relief now! Evening and weekend hours are available by appointment.Call us at 718-834-0190 Our Tax Practice Expertise Focuses on Three Areas:

Tax planning and tax controversies: This includies Audits & Tax Court, Delinquent Tax Returns, Offers in Compromise, Payment Agreements, Tax

Tax issues in estate planning, probate, power of attorney and guardianships. This includes the creation of wellthought-out estate plans for both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens, estate tax planning, probate administration and litigation, and assistance with guardianships. We can assist with the range of complex issues associated with estate planning.

Tax issues in business transactions: This includes what is the best type of entity to conduct business and contract review and preparation. We can assist with the range of complex issues associated with business startups, succession planning and resolving shareholder disputes. l

Figeroux & Associates To schedule a free consultation, contact our office: Tel: 718-834-0190 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY 11242

www.falaw.us

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TAX GUIDE

Quick & Accurate Filing

Those who come prepared leave with few surprises. That could be a motto of tax professionals, who urge clients to keep track of vital financial information throughout the year.

efore you head into your local tax attorney or start filling out your tax forms at home, be sure to compile all of the necessary information to properly complete your return on time.

What You Will Need to File Before visiting your local tax firm or sitting down to complete your forms on your own, be sure these materials are available and ready to reference: • Photo identification • Social Security cards for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents • Birth dates for primary and secondary earners and dependents on the tax return • Wage and earning statements (W-2, W2G, and 1099-R forms) from all employers • Interest and dividend statements from banks (1099 forms) • A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available • Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit

• Other relevant information about income and expenses (such as total amount paid for day care, and day care provider identifying number or tax ID).

Prepare Your Documents If you’re a business owner, you should consider preparing monthly financial statements if you’re not already. This will help you better understand how your business is doing, financially speaking. There are plenty of professionals available to help you with the process, and planning throughout the year will make the year-end tax processes much easier. Individuals should take the same approach, especially if they do freelance or contract work to supplement their regular income. Compile all of your invoices and payments to make sure you’re keeping accurate books. Everyone’s home filing cabinet or online storage cloud should have copies of previous years’ tax returns. This will help you maintain consistent filing information from year to year and can keep you on track if you’re handling the filing of your own tax return.l

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TAX GUIDE

Are You Having Problems with the IRS?

e're here to help you resolve your tax problems and put an end to the misery that the IRS can put you through. We pride ourselves on being very efficient, affordable, and of course, extremely discreet. The IRS problems will not just go away by themselves; they just keep getting worse with penalties and interest being added each day. If you owe the IRS, you have a very serious problem. It may take the IRS several years to catch up to you, but they're relentless and have no mercy in collecting all the money that is owed. When the collection process starts, they'll make your life miserable and literally ruin all aspects of your life. IRS Audit Representation Rarely do our clients have to talk with the IRS. We handle it all for you so that you need not take time off of your job to handle the bureaucracy and paperwork of the IRS.

Payroll Tax Problems The IRS views failing to pay payroll taxes as the cardinal sin of tax delinquency because a large portion of the payroll taxes are your employees' withholdings.

Non-Filed Tax Returns If you do not file, you can be prosecuted and punished with potential jail time, one year for each year not filed. Why risk potentially losing your freedom for failing to file your tax returns?

IRS Levies We are often able to get levies released and help you get out of a terrible situation. Our goal is to get you even with the IRS and let you start life anew.

Back Taxes Owed It's amazing how fast tax penalties and interest add up. Luckily, we offer several options when it comes to resolving unpaid taxes. Call 718834-0190 to get a Free Consultation with our tax specialist.

IRS Liens Liens filed against you by the IRS also show up on your credit report and often prevent you from opening a checking account or borrowing against any assets, like your home.

IRS Seizures A seizure should not be taken lightly. The IRS will ultimately pursue seizure of your physical assets; your home, cars, boats, jewelry, motorcycles, insurance policies, and even your retirement funds.

IRS Wage Garnishment The payment plan negotiated by us is always more favorable than any IRS wage garnishment. It allows you to receive your whole paycheck without fears of future wage garnishments.

Get Your IRS File Most people would be surprised to learn how much the IRS knows about them. Obtaining a copy of your IRS file is critical in analyzing the options available to resolve your tax problems.

Innocent Spouse Relief Innocent Spouse Relief was designed to alleviate unjust situations where one spouse was clearly the victim of fraud perpetrated by their spouse or ex-spouse.

Offer in Compromise Did you know that you can settle your debt with the IRS for just pennies on the dollar with their Offer in Compromise program?

IRS Payment Plan If you don't qualify for the IRS Offer In Compromise program, a Payment Plan may be the way to resolve your problem.

Bankruptcy Your back taxes, interest and penalties can be wiped out by filing bankruptcy. If you qualify, bankruptcy can be the best solution to resolve your crushing tax problems.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Easier to Get Rid of Bed Bugs than to Get Rid of the IRS!

Call us now: 718-834-0190

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JOBS & EMPOWERMENT

Get Ready to Become a Paralegal

legal services. Since hourly rates charged by attorneys are typically double or triple the rates of paralegals for the same task, law firm economics mandates the increased use of paralegals to minimize costs. As a result, a paralegal career is one of the hottest non-lawyer jobs in the legal industry.

here are many reasons why a paralegal career is an excellent choice. A paralegal job provides an opportunity to work in the legal field without spending several years in law school. If you thought paralegals only worked in law offices, think again. The skills you learn in paralegal training are transferable to other business environments. With the right skills, you would be able to work in a number of industries, including law firms, financial offices, law libraries, and state, local and federal governments. Here are 5 great things about being a paralegal:

1. Rise in Pay Paralegal compensation has risen steadily in the past decade, despite a bump in the road in the depths of the 2009-2010 recession. As paralegals perform a broader and more complex range of tasks (paralegals even represent clients in court in certain countries and administrative tribunals), paralegal earnings continue to rise. The average paralegal salary hovers at around $50,000 per year but paralegals often make more through bonuses. Overtime hours can also add significant cash to a paralegal's paycheck.

3. Easy Career Entry Unlike lawyers who must complete seven years of formal education and pass the bar exam to practice law, you can become a paralegal in as little as a few months of study.

2. Explosive Employment Outlook The paralegal field is one of the fastestgrowing professions on the globe. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the employment of paralegals and legal assistants to grow 28 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Among the factors driving this growth is client demand for more affordable and more efficient delivery of

4. Intellectual Challenge Paralegal work is intellectually challenging and involves a range of high-level skills. The most successful paralegals are problem-solvers and innovative thinkers. Paralegals must become subject matter experts in their specialty area and master legal procedure, research, drafting and other skills. They must stay on top of ever-changing laws and new legal trends and developments while interfacing with attorneys, opposing counsel, vendors, staff members, clients and others. The work is varied and each day brings new challenges.

5. Rising Prestige As paralegals perform more complex and challenging work, paralegal prestige is rising. Paralegals are no longer simply lawyer's assistants; they are assuming management roles in corporations, leadership roles in law firms and entrepreneurial roles in independent paralegal businesses. Over the years, paralegals have transcended the image of glorified legal secretary to become respected members of the legal team.

Ready to Become a Paralegal? So what do you think? Does a paralegal career sound like it’s for you? If you want to get started on the path to success as a paralegal, the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) can help. We go beyond teaching you about becoming a paralegal, we teach you how to be your own boss with our Small Business Boot Camp: Start Your Own Virtual Paralegal Business. Come and learn about our FREE Paralegal Program. Visit www.freeparalegal.org to register for our next Orientation & Career Success Seminar. We are located at 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Downtown Brooklyn. Call us at 718-722-9217. l

DO YOU WANT TO START, GROW, GET MONEY, MARKET OR CERTIFY YOUR BUSINESS? CONTACT THE CHAMBER AT 718-722-9217 OR VISIT WWW.NACC.NYC

IMMIGRATION

Fear of Deportation/continued from

page 1

shifted that not only immigrants are being impacted by anti-immigrant legislation, but it's having spillover effects to non-immigrant U.S. citizens," Vargas said. Vargas, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and University of Texas Southwestern clinical practice manager Daffodil Baez spoke to a room full of elected officials, educators, students and health professionals at The Status of Latino Health in a Shifting Political Landscape forum Tuesday afternoon at Southern Methodist University. The forum, hosted by the Latino Center for Leadership Development and John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies, addressed how recent immigration policy has affected the health of Latinos living in the U.S. Jenkins said the health of U.S.-born Latino children is also affected when their parents opt out of enrolling for health insurance. He said many times immigrant parents do not know they qualify for federal programs or are scared that enrolling in these programs may get them in trouble with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. "We saw a drop of nearly 10,000 people that have dropped off health insurance in Dallas alone," Jenkins said. "There is so much fear and so much information among Hispanics."

Jenkins said parents can apply for federal programs such as CHIP, SNAP and WIC if their children are U.S. citizens, despite what their legal U.S. status may be. The stress and anxiety cause by the fear of being deported can also affect family and romantic relationships in the Latino community, Vargas said. This uncertainty affects how family members function at home and whether couples stay together. "More people are likely to say that they are worried that their romantic partner may be deported, and that has implications for health," he said. And U.S.-born children often pick up on this stress within the family, he said. "Parents are reporting that children are having issues concentrating, having issues with attention and learning," Vargas said. "This is an alarming statistic that shows the kids are also feeling the stress that their parents are going through." Baez said the mental health issues among U.S.-born children caused by the stress of their parents or other family

members living in the U.S. illegally can often lead to other health issues. She said stress causes the body to release chemicals that can cause inflammation and can later lead to diseases such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cancer. Prevention starts by addressing socioeconomic factors that cause this stress, she said. "You have these kids in these mixedstatus families who know that something is wrong, and that's going to affect them," Baez said. "Even if the effect may not play out immediately when they are in middle school or high school, physiologically as adults that stress will show up."l Elvia LimĂłn has covered Dallas and its surrounding communities for The Dallas Morning News since January 2016. She's also worked as an intern and freelancer for Al Dia, American Way and Surrentum Magazine in Sorrento, Italy. Elvia is from Dallas and has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of North Texas.

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good sex life. So Perel’s intuition runs counter to international data. What is very clear from the Normal Bar study is that having a great sex life is not rocket science. It is not difficult.

Building a Great Sex Life/ continued from page 1

Fact: Couples have a bad sex life everywhere on the planet.

the advice Esther Perel gives in her book, Mating in Captivity, and in her clinical work in general, in which she assists couples in improving their sex life. Perel tells couples not to cuddle. She also believes that emotional connection will stand in the way of good erotic connection. This brings me to a key finding from the Normal Bar study.

nThey kiss one another passionately for no reason nThey give surprise romantic gifts nThey know what turns their partners on and off erotically nThey are physically affectionate, even in public nThey keep playing and having fun together nThey cuddle nThey make sex a priority, not the last item of a long to-do list nThey stay good friends nThey can talk comfortably about their sex life nThey have weekly dates nThey take romantic vacations nThey are mindful about turning towardone another

Fact: Couples who have a great sex life everywhere on the planet are doing the same set of things.

Additionally, couples who do not have a great sex life everywhere on the planet are not doing these things. Inspired by the Normal Bar study, as well as by my own research studies on more than 3,000 couples over four decades, I’ve identified 13 things all couples do who have an amazing sex life. nThey say “I love you” every day and mean it

In short, they turn toward one another with love and affection to connect emotionally and physically. In the Normal Bar study, only 6% of non-cuddlers had a

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WHY BECOME A TRAVEL AGENT?

• Travel is an 8.1 trillion dollar industry • Some of that money can be yours

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Attend our 4-week Travel Agent Program. Learn how to: •Book travel and earn higher travel commissions •Use travel to raise funds for your church, nonprofit, charity, etc •Start and grow a profitable travel business •Use social media to market your business You can start your travel business with a SSN or an ITIN. •Become eligible for major tax advantages

Cost: $250.00 (Chamber members) $350.00 (non-members) Fee includes Travel Agent training and your own online travel business and individual chamber membership. Certificates will be given out to those who successfully complete the program.

The Sloan Center at UCLA studied 30 dual-career heterosexual couples in Los Angeles. These couples had young children. The researchers were like anthropologists – observing, tape-recording, and interviewing these couples. They discovered that most of these young couples: nSpend very little time together during a typical week nBecome job-centered (him) and childcentered (her) nTalk mostly about their huge to-do lists nSeem to make everything else a priority other than their relationship nDrift apart and lead parallel lives nAre unintentional about turning toward one another

One researcher on this project told me it was his impression that these couples spent only about 35 minutes together every week in conversation, and most of their talk was about errands and tasks that they had to get done. So, if we put these two studies together, what does it tell us? It says that couples should not avoid one another emotionally like Perel recommends, but instead follow the 13 very simple things that everyone on the planet does to make their sex lives great. Emily Nagoski’s wonderful book, Come as You Are, talks about the dual process model of sex. In the model, each person has a sexual brake and a sexual accelerator. In some people the brake is more developed, and in some people the accelerator is more developed. It’s important to learn what for you and for your partner steps on that sex brake, that says, “No, I’m not in the mood for lovemaking.” It’s also important to learn what for you and for your partner steps on that accelerator, that says, “Oh yes, I’m in the mood for lovemaking.” We have a mobile app designed for this purpose. It consists of over 100 questions to ask a woman about her brake and accelerator, and over 100 questions to ask a man about his brake and accelerator. Those questions are also available as one of seven exercises in The Art and Science of Lovemaking video program. Great sex is not rocket science. By being good friends, by being affectionate (yes, even cuddling), and by talking openly about sex, couples can build a thriving relationship inside and outside of the bedroom.l

John Gottman, Ph.D. is world-renowned for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction and has conducted 40 years of breakthrough research with thousands of couples. He is the author of over 200 published academic articles and author or co-author of more than 40 books, including The New York Times bestseller The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.

HOT TOPIC Sweet Revenge: T &T Soca Warriors Dump USA Out of World Cup

rinidad & Tobago (T&T) exacted sweet revenge over the United States at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. They waited over 28 years for their moment, it didn't put them on the road to the World Cup in Russia, but a 2-1 victory ensured that the USA would not travel there either. T&T upset the apple cart in the 17th minute when right winger Nathan Lewis and his supporting full-back Alvin Jones worked an overlap before Jones' low cross was inadvertently flicked into his own net by USA's Omar Gonzalez under pressure from T&T's Shahdon Winchester. Twenty minutes later the US conceded again, as full back Jones received the ball wide on the right 15 yards into the US half and with few options ahead, Jones, who can really hit them, drilled a meaty shot goal-ward which bubbled, swerved and flew past US goalie Tim Howard's flapping arms and into the far corner. In the second half it didn't take the US long to cut the deficit, as Christian Pulisic side-stepped Kevan George at the top of the T&T area and then drilled a right-footed shot into the roof of the net in the 47th minute. But that was the only solace the US got. With no points from the match, USA dropped to fifth on the six-team table and were dumped out of Russia. Just as T&T needed only a draw in 1989 to qualify for the Italy World Cup, the visitors needed at a point to reach Russia. But they got neither thanks to Jones, who can now tell Strike Squad skipper Clayton Morris he has delivered payback to the USA.l Teams: T&T: Adrian Foncette, Curtis Gonzales, Daneil Cyrus, Tristan Hodge, Alvin Jones, Khaleem Hyland, Leston Paul, Kevan George, Levi García, Nathan Lewis, Shahdon Winchester; (Subs) Kevon Villaroel, Joevin Jones, Trevin Caesar

USA: Tim Howard, Matt Besler, Omar González, Michael Bradley, Jorge Villafaña, DeAndre Yedlin, Christian Pulisic, Darlington Nagbe, Paul Arriola, Bobby Wood, Jozy Altidore; (Subs) Kellyn Acosta, Benny Feilhaber, Clint Dempsey Source: Trinidad &Tobago Guardian

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NEWS 17

NEWS

nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

Filmmaker of Jamaican Descent Makes Film on Black Ice Hockey Players

BY STEPHANIE K/JAMAICANS.COM

documentary that tells the story of black ice hockey players, “Soul on Ice, Past, Present & Future,” by Damon Kwame Mason is scheduled for screening at Picturehouse Central in London on October 21 and 22, 2017. Mason, who is a Toronto native with Jamaican heritage, says the film was a “four-year labor of love.” He left his job and spent nearly all of his money to make the film, which is about “doing some myth-breaking.” The London screenings will be followed by a question-and-answer period with Mason Charles Dacres, an English Ice Hockey Association director and board member of Ice Hockey UK. Mason traveled throughout Canada and the United States conducting interviews for the film, which portrays how black hockey players cave addressed and overcome racial barriers to thrive in a sport played chiefly by white athletes. The film is personal for Dacres, who had to put up with racial slurs during his youth playing with the Bradford

Bulldogs. In those days, according to Dacres, he was told to “just get on with it,” but today, black players can challenge such negative behavior by pointing to some positive role models. Although there are few hockey players of color in the UK, these players have made a big impact. Hilton Ruggles of Montreal of plays left wing scored 1,096 goals, 929 assists, and 2,200 penalty minutes in 946 games in the British Hockey League, British Ice Hockey Superleague and the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). He was inducted into the UK’s Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009, while David Clarke, forward and the face of the EIHL’s Nottingham Panthers team, is one of the most decorated players in the UK and an EIHL championship title holder.l

nSPORTS

nDINING

Terrific Turkey Chili

"Using some fresh and some canned ingredients, this chili is a snap to throw together and will keep you craving it for days. -Big Surprise/Allrecipes.com

Ingredients 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon chili pepper flakes 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 (14.5 ounce) can beef broth 1 (7 ounce) can salsa 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, or coarsely chopped tomatoes packed in puree 1 (7 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 green bell pepper, diced 3 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced 1 bunch green onions, chopped 1 cup sour cream 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Crumble turkey into the pot, stirring with a wooden spoon to break apart as much as possible. Season with taco seasoning mix, coriander, oregano, chili flakes, and tomato paste, and mix until meat is evenly coated with seasonings. Continue cooking, reducing heat if

No One Has Done More For Dark Skin Than Activist Rashida Strober

et to know Rashida Strober, the world’s first dark skin activist and the inventor of dark skin activism. No one else has done what she has done. Millions came to know who she was through her commentary on the rapper, Kendrick Lamar, back in 2015 which took the world by storm via the power of social media and forced the conversation on dark skin. People bashed her. People mocked her. People said she was crazy. People said, “What in the world is a dark skin activist? She was stalked and harassed. She took the real hits for dark skin. But since that time many others have attempted to emulate her but none can emulate the real struggle of dark skin activism that Rashida began back in 1998 in the trenches before the bright lights of social media.Rashida gave birth

to dark skin activism in 1998 at Saint Petersburg College with her historic lecture on the Sudanese dark skinned beauty Alek Wek, and since then has gone on to develop a body of work around only dark skin. She is the first author, actress and activist to focus her work exclusively on dark skin and has been very consistent. Her commitment and dedication to equality for dark skinned people makes her the queen of dark skin. She is the face of dark skin in a world that has long ignored the plight of dark skinned people. She coined the word “darkism” and wrote a book of the same title. She coined the phrase “dark skin activist” and “dark skin activism.” Rashida brought dark skin activism to the internet in 2009, but has a proven track record of dark skin activism offline

necessary, until turkey is well browned. Pour in beef broth, and simmer to reduce liquid slightly, about 5 minutes. Add salsa, tomatoes, and green chilies, and continue cooking at a moderate simmer for ten minutes. Adjust the thickness at any time you feel necessary by adding water. While chili is still cooking, heat one tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onion and green bell pepper, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent and bell pepper is lightly browned. Add onion and bell pepper to the chili, and continue cooking at a very low simmer. In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, and cook stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the zucchini to the chili, reduce heat, and continue cooking 15 minutes more. Again, adjust the consistency with water as needed. Ladle chili into serving bowls. Top with sour cream, green onion, and cheddar cheese, and serve.l

within her community. Back in 2012, the queen of dark skin’s dedication to dark skin issues showed when she created the first show on the internet and otherwise to exclusively focus on dark skin female issues. A gifted actress, the queen of dark skin has also created the first Dark Skin Activist Tour featuring her one-woman play A Dark Skin Woman’s Revenge. Not only did she write and produce the play, she also brilliantly plays five women. She wrote the play in 2006. With little resources, she began searching for other dark-skinned women to play the characters but they either did not want to portray the characters or there was no money to pay them so Rashida used her talents to play all the women herself. Rashida has since won an award for her portrayal of one of the characters, winning actress of the year at the Playwright’s Red-Carpet Awards. A true pioneer, Rashida’s dark-skinned activism is the first of its kind.l

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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

How to Deal With Your Defensive Partner

to hear you, try to avoid using absolutes such as “never” or “always.” These words give no wiggle room and can be very critical, causing a person to defend their position and not hear your main issue.

BY JENNINE ESTES

our partner hurt your feelings or crossed a line. You want to share how you feel, but you never feel heard. Better yet, you have tried so many ways to talk about your feelings and get nowhere. They respond with explanation and frustration. They may say, “I would have gotten that done sooner, but I was busy.” Or “You are always so critical.” While we can’t control how your partner responds, we can increase the chance that they will listen by communicating in a positive and constructive way.

What Is Defensiveness? Defensiveness is one of the main ingredients that create conflict within a relationship. A defensive person is emotionally closed off, argumentative, and often exhibits negative body language like crossed arms. They will consistently deflect the conversation away from the original issue and either refuse to engage or launch loosely related counterattacks on their partner. When one person gets defensive, it sends a message to the other person that their feelings and experiences don’t matter. It’s rarely intentional – it’s a quick, knee-jerk reaction. It’s an internal mechanism that protects the defensive partner

from guilt or doubt about their own behavior, but at the same time blocks compassion for the other person’s hurt. People who are defensive have difficulty taking responsibility for their actions and often feel uncomfortable being “wrong.” The root of that is because accepting responsibility would make them feel as if they have failed. Think of defensiveness like a spotlight. When you share pain with your loved one, that bright spotlight shifts from you and on to them. The defensiveness is a way that shifts the spotlight, instead of keeping it on what really matters – the initial issue – the defensive partner looks to shine it anywhere else. The hurt gets lost in translation and a small skirmish turns into a legendary war.

Mistakes that Cause Your Partner to Become Defensive Relationships are like baby mobiles; if you tug on one side, the whole structure

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moves. If you shift your response, even just a little bit, the other person will automatically have to change their behavior. You have a major influence in the communication; it can be either positive or negative. Some people accidentally keep the defensiveness alive by making some big mistakes. What are these?

Mistake #1: The Blame Game Never start a conversation with the blame game. Blaming makes assumptions on a person’s actions or emotions and can leave them feeling attacked, which then results in self-protection like defensiveness. measures Specifically, there are a few words to avoid in the blame language. Don’t start your sentences with the word, “you” (“You didn’t hear me again! You just don’t care about how I feel.”).

Mistake #2: Using Global Language When you are hurt and want your partner

Mistake #3: Critical and Negative Comments Another mistake people have with communication is that they talk more about when the person got something wrong or about the problems, and give little positive reinforcement and praise. Try to incorporate praise and reinforcement in your daily conversations with your partner – these can be as simple as, “I really appreciate you making dinner for me, it’s really great,” or “I love that you kiss me goodbye every morning.” Being aware of what defensiveness is and what leads to it, is the first step in preventing it from blocking your communication. When one person gets defensive, it sends a message to the other person that their feelings and experiences don’t matter – which is not the case. By learning how to recognize when you or your partner are getting defensive, you can stop the defensiveness from becoming a roadblock in your communication.l

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HEALTH MATTERS

Why and How People Are Getting Puppy Poop Infections

uppies are oh so cute, but recently these cute little canines are sending people in 12 states to the hospital. Why? Puppy poop is contaminating people with the potentially deadly Campylobacter bacteria infection that has affected 55 people across 12 states. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of Campylobacter bacteria infection rose from 39 in mid-September to 55 reported this recently. Infections have now been reported between September 2016 and October 2017 in Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Where is the bacteria coming from? This is the same infection humans can get from eating raw or undercooked chicken, or eating foods that have been cross-contaminated by infected poultry products. The source has been tracked to Petland employees, or customers who have purchased a puppy from Petland, shopped at Petland or visited someone who had purchased a puppy from Petland, according to the CDC. The infection comes from contact with puppy poop, causing symptoms such as

diarrhea (sometimes bloody), cramping, abdominal pain and fever within two to five days after exposure. It can last a week without treatment, but it can be deadly for some people who have weak immune systems.

How to prevent puppy poop infection nWash your hands thoroughly after touching dogs, their food and their poop. nMake sure children wash their hands thoroughly after playing with puppies or dogs. nFrequently clean the yard of dog poop, keep it out of children's play area, and dispose of it properly. nCall your veterinarian if you notice any signs of illness in your puppy or dog, and call your doctor if you notice signs of illness in you.l Source: Minority Black Health Blog

DISCLAIMER: The content or opinions expressed in this article are not to be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor or medical practitioner before utilizing any suggestions on this web site.

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COMMUNITY LEADER

Brian Cunningham for NYC District 40

rian is a lifelong Democrat running on the Reform Party Line. He is fighting to advance economic, racial, immigrant, environmental, and reproductive justice. He was born and raised in East Flatbush. His mother came here from Jamaica in her 30s with $56 in her pocket. He's worked at local, state, and federal government. He's spent almost his entire adult life mentoring young men of color. He worked for President Barack Obama on his My Brother's Keeper Initiative. Brian is the bold progressive in the race. Brian was educated from kindergarten through college in Brooklyn public schools, witnessing firsthand the socioeconomic hurdles as well as the lack of opportunities and resources faced by the community. He is a first generation American who maintains strong ties to his Jamaican roots and Christian faith through his church and the various community engagements to which he commits his time. Determined to pursue social, racial, and economic justice, he is running for City Council in Brooklyn's 40th District, which includes Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Crown Heights, and Prospect Park South. As the next City Council member for

District 40, Brian will fight for:

Immigration We must defend the immigrants in our community at every cost. We must advocate and agitate to not just defend immigrant rights, but to strengthen and fortify them. The NYPD must refuse to work with ICE. If I’m elected I will do everything I can to make sure there is not one more deportation in this city.

Small Business Small businesses make our communities unique, employ many of our neighbors, and contribute massively to the economy and to job creation as a whole. We need to spur economic development, strengthen our small businesses, and incentivize new business creation. Many small business owners are struggling. Businesses

are getting shuttered. Parts of the 40th district have a 29% small business vacancy rate. When small businesses are discouraged from expanding and start-ups can’t get off the ground, we are in big trouble. One huge problem for small businesses is the surging cost of commercial spaces for rent. If a vendor is rentburdened, their profits are endangered and their employees’ jobs are, too. This is why as your city council member, I will: nProvide tax incentives for small businesses who hire full-time employees. nDrive down the cost of healthcare for businesses by working to create a universal healthcare system in New York City. nWork to create more loading zones on Flatbush ave nBetter fund the Flatbush Nostrand Junction Business Improvement District so that they can better support the needs of small businesses nFight to protect small business owners unscrupulous landlords. nPush for landmark status for certain long-term businesses in the district. nContinue to support Chamber on the Go, which comes to the doorsteps of small businesses to provide government services on the spot. As the Director of Small Business Services for the Council at the time of Chamber on the Go’s

launch, I was instrumental in bringing it to fruition. nIncentivize the creation of more incubator and coworking spaces such a BKlyn Commons for startups to drive down the cost of rent.

Affordable Housing Stand up to the real estate lobby and the stalemate in the state legislature to increaserent regulated and protected units, make affordable housing affordable, and fight back against unscrupulous landlords.

Criminal Justice Reform Stop broken windows policing, end the criminalization of poverty and mental illness, and put an end to stop and frisk.

As Brian likes to say: it’s our time! It’s the community’s time to rise and see representation by someone who truly understands and has lived through the issues. Vote Brian Cunningham on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 on the Reform Party Line. l

For more information on Brian and ways to get involved, please his website at www.cunninghamforcouncil.com.

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