Liberty Star Newspaper

NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR * march 16-30, 2012

Ask Lisa Anne How Poverty Affects education

••• Copyright © 2006, New York Liberty Star

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| NYLIBERTYSTAR.COM | VOL. XII ISSUE 240

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Women’s

History Makers

caribbean community prep to celebrate

Carole Berotte Joseph, President of Bronx Community College, is one of four distinguished women to be honored by the Caribbean-American community, March 29th in Brooklyn.

full story Page 11.

WORKING TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY IN BROOKLYN

HINES2012

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Highlighting the Spirit of the Caribbean Lenecia Hines Editor-In-Chief IVROL HINES Managing Editor Leonardo Harrison Webmaster & Community Relations arlene israel Gospel News Orville taylor Photographer Winston Hall Account Executive Telephone: (718) 785-9722 Fax: (215) 294-5903 Submit Articles nylibertystar@yahoo.com Visit us online @: www.nylibertystar.com NEW YORK CITY CORPORATE OFFICE 397 Rockaway Ave Brooklyn, NY 11212 Send all Mail to: New York Liberty Star 1930 Rockaway Pkwy.

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NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR * march 16-30, 2012

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Dear Neighbors, Most recently, I have decided to represent South Brooklyn as an elected official and fight for you. Join me in tackling the tough challenges ahead: such as reducing classroom sizes and increase funding to our local educational institutions, creating more jobs, developing truly affordable healthcare options for working families and increase funding for senior citizen programs, small businesses, veterans, healthcare workers and facilities and youth services. During these tough times, we need strong leadership. We need leadership that is uncompromised.

As a United States Marine, I served our country with honor and distinction, at home and abroad. With your support, I will bear the torch for our community and bring about the kind of leadership that will generate the changes that we’ve long awaited. In 2012, I will make a bid for the Office of the City Council, and I’m asking for your support. Join the HINESNetwork at hines2012.com to learn more, volunteer or donate to the cause. The journey begins with you.

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march 16-30, 2012 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Congressional Redistricting Proposal To Reduce African-American Representation In Congress And

Divide Brooklyn’s Caribbean Community

By Patrick Buddington

I

f the recently submitted New York State Congressional Redistricting Plan remains unchanged and made into a law by a threejudge judicial panel, New York’s AfricanAmerican community could see a reduction in the number of Congressional Legislators representing the state’s Black Community.

The proposal, submitted by Judge Roanne L. Mann of Federal District Court in Brooklyn, appointed to study the issue and make recommendation, after failures by Albany’s legislative body to come to an agreement, reduces the number of Congressional Districts with 50% or more voting age Blacks (Adults 18+) from four to three.

Yvette D. Clarke Congresswoman

Further, in a written response to the proposed redistricting plan, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, currently representing the historic 11th Congressional District, indicated that, “the proposed 9th Congressional District, does not preserve the current core of the 11th Congressional district, divides communities of interest, and violates the traditional redistricting principle of compactness.”

In her filing to the court, Congresswoman Clarke contends that the proposed change is a violation of the United States Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Consequently, a delegation

of local politicians, community organizations and other groups from central Brooklyn organized a press conference and rally and called on Judge Mann to preserve communities of interest in central Brooklyn.

According to Rep. Clarke, under the proposed changes, the interest of Brooklyn’s Caribbean population – a growing community with positive economic and social impacts on neighborhoods in Mid-Brooklyn- could become fractured and diluted.

“It is my goal to keep these populations whole and together to ensure that their voting power is not diluted. Keeping these communities together will ensure that these populations have a full and fair opportunity to elect candidates of their choice”, said Rep. Clarke.

According to a New York Times article, Judge Mann said she would accept written feedback on the proposal prior to presenting a final proposal to a three-judge Panel that is overseeing a lawsuit challenging the redistricting process.

The judicial panel will then accept public feedback, and could make further modifications to the proposal before deciding to make the map law.

COMMUNITY LEADERS

HoldingPost

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer On Expansion Of Governor Cuomo’s Freshconnect Program

Scott Stringer Manhattan Boro-Pres.

“I applaud Governor Cuomo on his decision to grow the FreshConnect program, an initiative that will expand access to fresh and nutritious fruit and vegetables in New York’s most underserved communities,” said Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President. “This inspired program will improve public health, encourage local farming, create new jobs for youth and empower Community Supported Agriculture sources.”

“Last April I called attention to how bureaucratic red tape was obstructing the work of community-based farmers markets that grow and sell fresh foods in neighborhoods considered to be ‘food deserts.’ I’m thrilled that Governor Cuomo has taken action to address these issues and put government in the business of bringing fresh foods into communities of need.”

CityTime Rip-Off An Oversight Failure By Administration

“I appreciate that the CityTime scandal has resulted in the recovery of taxpayer money and not just a slap on the wrist. Still, we cannot just settle on being satisfied with this settlement,” said Councilmember Jumaane Williams. “This was a oversight failure of epic proportions by the Bloomberg administation, and it must serve as a cautionary tale for future contract negotiations with the city. The City Council took important legislative steps yesterday to ensure that cost overruns are tracked and monitored as they occur, which is an important step. More contract reform is needed to ensure that vigilant oversight is taking place at every step of every major project. The taxpayer money that the city has recovered needs to be dedicated to best benefitting the taxpayers. That should mean restoring budget cuts, particularly to essential youth services that uplift our most at-risk Jumaane Williams communities.”

Science Applications International Corporation, the main Councilmember contractor behind the scandal-plagued CityTime automated payroll project, agreed to pay over $500 million in restitution and penalties to the city of New York. The agreement came as a resolution to the federal criminal investigation into what has been called the largest fraud ever committed against the city.

Brooklyn Pastor Says Leadership Is About Advancing Others

By Bevan Springer

P

astor A.R. Bernard of B r o o k l y n ’s Christian Cultural Center was in his usual fine form as he launched what could be a new series on leadership, recently.

For those of us moving out of young adulthood into the middle aged terrain (although not as slowly as we would wish!), we were reminded by the African American spiritual leader that “leadership is not about how far you advance, but how far you advance others.”

It was a revealing message for many who battle for

survival in today’s dog-eatdog world, sometimes forgetting true happiness comes when we love, a higher form of love which benefits others at the expense of self.

The scriptures teach us “a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children”, so leadership is clearly about serving people, and a generation of people you may never see. Greatness is determined by the degree to which we serve.

The late Reverend Edwin Louis Cole contended leaders are qualified to lead to the degree they are willing to serve.

He asserted leaders can never stop serving, for when they do, they will no longer be qualified to lead.

Serving is ministry.

Learning to minister, serving capably and well, work for the benefit of others: this is the quality which defines a leader.

The Lord Jesus Christ took a towel and washed his disciples’ feet, demonstrating that leadership also entails service of the most menial kind.

Reverend Bernard, who was honored last month by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz on the occasion of Black History Month, reminded us from the pulpit that everything rises and falls on leadership, and good leaders adapt and adjust quickly to change. And change is inevitable.

“The quicker you adapt and adjust to change the more successful you will be,” he said, adding whiners and complainers often get stuck.

Leadership is about being solution-oriented, he counseled. While there should always be time to reflect, he cautioned, it should not be at the expense of solving problems.

Leaders have to be focused, he stressed, since distraction will “undermine our success and rob us from opportunities, keeping us from moving to the next level of life - in ministry and in business. We will not get where we need to go if we are not focused.”

So as we close out of the week and prepare for another, let’s be intentional and methodical. Let’s establish a clear vision and mission. Inspire and be self-motivated.

Be organized and for those of us who are in leadership positions, direct, delegate and serve. And serve some more.

Effective leadership is about taking people in a clearly defined direction - a direction which enables real growth in all areas.

Hearty thanks to Pastor Bernard for reminding us the path to effective leadership is paved with service. Lots of it. Pastor A.R. Bernard, Pastor Christian Cultural Center

NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR * march 16-30, 2012

around town

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Local News

AG Hammers Tax-Fund Cheat

Pictured (L-R) with the strolling table adorned with Jamaican regalia are Christopher Dobson, Business Development Manager, JTB; Kenton Senior, Business Development Manager, JTB; and Marcia Sinclair, District Sales Manager, Northeast, JTB. (Photo courtesy of Ruder Finn)

Jamaica Celebrates 50 Years Of Independence At NYT Travel Show

T

he Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) had a colorful and vibrant presence at this year’s The New York Times Travel Show, held at the Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center. In celebration of the island’s 50th Anniversary of Independence, the JTB offered a number of prize trip giveaways, a sampling of Jamaican cuisine courtesy of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery, caricature drawings by artist Michael Escoffery, and a Usain Bolt interactive game. Consumers at the JTB’s booth entered to win one of four prize trips to Half Moon, A RockResort; Holiday Inn Sunspree, Sunset Resorts and Jakes Hotel, Villas & Spa. Jamaican gift baskets courtesy of the JTB and Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa were also up for grabs.

NEW YORK - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced, this week, the arrest and arraignment of Clement I. Gardner, 64, of the Bronx, for embezzling at least $75,000 from a taxpayer-funded, Bronx nonprofit organization over a three-and-a-half year period.

The indictment charges Gardner with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree. The Office of the Attorney General is continuing its investigation of the scheme.

According to the Attorney General’s indictment, as fiscal officer for Christian Community Benevolent Association, Inc. (CCBA), Gardner prepared and executed at least $75,000 in unauthorized payments to himself from CCBA accounts. Those accounts were partially funded by member item grants administered through the Empire State Development Corporation and the Office of Children and Family Services.

These funds were intended to provide educational and recreational opportunities to children and senior citizens in the Bronx.

“By unlawfully stealing money from a nonprofit that was designed to deliver critical services for children and seniors, this criminal scheme turned a charity into a personal piggy bank,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “Today’s charges demonstrate our vigilance in ensuring that every taxpayer dollar is spent properly, and that corrupt individuals who betray the public trust to line their own pockets will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Caribbean Call To Build Diaspora Bridges

By Bevan Springer

B

ring Caribbean islanders living abroad closer to the center of our plans, urged a St. Lucian businesswoman.

Eroline Lamontagne, a regional hotelier and entrepreneur, has renewed calls on the Caribbean’s public and private sector leaders to get behind the diaspora to help move the region forward.

Lamontagne, proprietor of the Fond Doux Holiday Plantation resort in the charming old colonial St. Lucian town of Soufrière, believes the region’s approach towards

leveraging the intellectual resources and financial capital of the diaspora has been weak.

Rather than treating Caribbean peoples living overseas as an afterthought, she asserted, “diasporic relations must be central to our development strategy.”

Speaking on the occasion of Saint Lucia’s 33rd Independence anniversary last month, the successful entrepreneur pointed to remittances, travel, investment and philanthropy as four areas in which members of the region’s expatriate community contribute the greatest.

She advocated a more deliberate approach to harness the goodwill and skills of the diaspora: “We must formalize our ties for their impact to be even better felt and their contributions to be better appreci-

ated.”

Fond Doux recently threw its support behind the Saint Lucia House Foundation’s gala in Brooklyn which culminated New York activities celebrating St. Lucia’s independence from Great Britain.

“The Saint Lucia House Foundation is quite pleased with the outpouring of support it received during this year’s activities in New York to mark our beloved nation’s 33rd anniversary of independence,” said Jeremiah Hyacinth, the Foundation’s New York-based public relations officer. He thanked patrons, sponsors and the island’s external affairs minister, Alva Baptiste, for making the activities a success.

St. Lucia gained its independence from Great Britain on February 22, 1979.

Karen Eastmond (center), winner of a Fond Doux Holiday Plantation vacation, is congratulated by (from left) the Saint Lucia House Foundation’s Sandra Reynolds-Bowden, Natasha Monchery-Polius and Sheilina Barnard as well as Lorine St. Jules of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board at the independence gala in New York.

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march 16-30, 2012 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

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U.S. Interracial Marriage Hits New Record High

I

nterracial marriages in the U.S. have climbed to 4.8 million - a record 1 in 12 - as a steady flow of new Asian and Hispanic immigrants expands the pool of prospective spouses.

Blacks are now substantially more likely than before to marry whites.

A Pew Research Center study, released Thursday, details a diversifying America where interracial unions and the mixed-race children they produce are challenging typical notions of race.

“The rise in interracial marriage indicates that race relations have improved over the past quarter century,” said Daniel Lichter, a sociology professor at Cornell University.

“Mixed-race children have blurred America’s color line. They often interact with others on either side of the racial divide and frequently serve as brokers between friends and family members of different racial backgrounds,” he said. “But America still has a long way to go.”

The figures come from previous censuses as well as the 20082010 American Community Survey, which surveys 3 million households annually. The figures for “white” refer to those whites who are not of Hispanic ethnicity. For purposes of defining interracial marriages, Hispanic is counted as a race by many in the demographic field.

The study finds that 8.4 percent of all current U.S. marriages are interracial, up from 3.2 percent in 1980. While Hispanics and Asians remained the most likely, as in previous decades, to marry someone of a different race, the biggest jump in share since 2008 occurred among blacks, who historically have been the most segregated.

States in the West where Asian and Hispanic immigrants are more numerous, including Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and California, were among the most likely to have couples who “marry out” - more than one in five. The West was followed by the South, Northeast and Midwest. By state, mostly white Vermont had the lowest rate of intermarriage, at 4 percent.

In all, more than 15 percent of new marriages in 2010 were interracial.

The numbers also coincide with

Pew survey data showing greater public acceptance of mixed marriage, coming nearly half a century after the Supreme Court in 1967 barred race-based restrictions on marriage. (In 2000, Alabama became the last state to lift its unenforceable ban on interracial marriages.) About 83 percent of Americans say it is “all right for blacks and whites to date each other,” up from 48 percent in 1987. As a whole, about 63 percent of those surveyed say it “would be fine” if a family member were to marry outside their own race.

Other findings: - Broken down by gender, black men were more than twice as likely as black women to marry someone outside their race - 24 percent to 9 percent. The reverse held true for Asian men - 17 percent intermarried, compared to 36 percent among Asian women.

- White-Asian couples who married had the highest median income, nearly $71,000. Behind them were the following race combinations: Asian-Asian ($62,000), whitewhite ($60,000), white-Hispanic ($57,900), white-black ($53,187), black-black ($47,700) and HispanicHispanic (nearly $36,000).

- The top three states for whiteblack married couples are Virginia, North Carolina and Kansas, all with rates of about 3 percent.

Minorities, young adults, the higher educated and those living in Western or Northeast states were more likely to say mixed marriages are a change for the better for society. The figure was 61 percent for 18- to 29-year-olds, for instance, compared to 28 percent for those 65 and older.

Due to increasing interracial marriages, multiracial Americans are a small but fast-growing demographic group, making up about 9 million, or 8 percent of the minority population. Together with blacks, Hispanics and Asians, the Census Bureau estimates they collectively will represent a majority of the U.S. population by mid-century.

“Race is a social construct; race isn’t real,” said Jonathan Brent, 28. The son of a white father and Japanese-American mother, Brent helped organize multiracial groups in southern California and believes his background helps him understand situations from different perspectives.

Brent, now a lawyer in Charlottesville, Va., says at varying points in his life he has identified with being white, Japanese and more recently as someone of mixed ethnic background. He doesn’t feel constrained

with whom he socially interacts or dates.

“Race is becoming a personal thing. It is what I feel like I am,” he said.

According to the Pew report, more than 25 percent of Hispanics and Asians who married in 2010 had a spouse of a different race. That’s compared to 17.1 percent of blacks and 9.4 percent of whites. Of the 275,500 new interracial marriages in 2010, 43 percent were whiteHispanic couples, 14.4 percent were white-Asian, 11.9 percent were white-black, and the remainder were other combinations.

Still, the share of Asians who intermarried has actually declined recently - from 30.5 percent in 2008 to 27.7 percent in 2010. In contrast, blacks who married outside their race increased in share from 15.5 percent to 17.1 percent, due in part to a rising black middle class that has more interaction with other races.

Intermarriage among whites rose in share slightly, while among Hispanics the rate was flat, at roughly 25.7 percent.

“In the past century, intermarriage has evolved from being illegal, to be a taboo and then to be merely unusual. And with each passing year, it becomes less unusual,” said Paul Taylor, director of Pew’s Social & Demographic Trends project. “That says a lot about the state of race relations. Behaviors have changed and attitudes have changed.”

He noted that interracial marriages among Hispanics and Asians may be slowing somewhat as recent immigration and their rapid population growth provide minorities more ethnically similar partners to choose from. But Taylor believes the longer-term trend of intermarriage is likely to continue.

“For younger Americans, racial and ethnic diversity are a part of their lives,” he said.

The Pew study also tracks some divorce trends, citing studies using government data that found overall divorce rates higher for interracial couples. One study conducted a decade ago determined that mixed-race couples had a 41 percent chance of separation or divorce, compared to a 31 percent chance for those who married within their race.

Another analysis found divorce rates among mixed-race couples to be more dependent on the specific race combination, with white women who married outside their race more likely to divorce. Mixed marriages involving blacks and whites also were considered least stable, followed by Hispanic-white couples.

NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR * march 16-30, 2012

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leisure

word fit

MORE OR LESS

Each letter of the alphabet has been given a different numerical value between 1 and 26. Four numbers have already been entered in the solution area.

Most of the remaining letters have an arithmetical clue shown below them which equates to the numerical value of the letter. Use the clues and your reasoning powers to match each letter with its correct numerical value. Symbols: (+) Plus (-) Minus (/) Divided by (x) Multiplied by (>) More than (<) Less than Answer: Page 15

HUB WORDS

How many words can you make from the letters in the wheel? Each word must contain the hub letter A. Can you find a 9-letter word and at least 20 other words of five letters or more avoiding proper nouns?

Answer: See Page 15

Can you fit the words correctly into the grid? (Solution, Page 15) ACUTE ENSUE TIGER TIMBER RADIANT BAKER GENES ADORED AVOIDED RETREAT BANJO GUESS COMBAT CADENCE SAMOVAR BOAST MAGIC RUSHED EXCLUDE TREATED DITCH ORBIT SOONER MAESTRO VENTURE ROOST STITCH ORDERED

Wordsearch

WRITINGS

Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.

ADAPTATION, AUTHOR, AUTOBIOGRAPHY, BIOGRAPHY, BOOK, CHRONICLE, COMPOSITION, DIARY, DISSERTATION, DOCUMENT, DRAFT, EDITORIAL, EPIC, EPISTLE, ESSAY, ISSUE, JOURNAL, LEDGER, LETTER, LIMERICK, LITERATURE, MANUSCRIPT, MEMO, MEMOIRS, NOTATION, NOTE, NOVEL, PAPER, PLAY, POEM, PROSE, PUBLICATION, RECORD, SCRIPT, SCRIPTURE, SONNET, TEXT, THESIS, TOME, TREATISE, VERSE, VOLUME, WRITER, WRITINGS.

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march 16-30, 2012 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

The Importance Of Women’s History

By State Senator John L. Sampson

T

he month of March is set aside to celebrate the historical achievements of women.

Women’s History Month is a month dedicated to women because of the significant role that they play in our society. Many are the reasons why women are tremendous forces for successful communities, specifically because they are instrumental in giving strength to family, society and the nation as a whole.

Historically, women have been at the forefront of many movements for change and have improved the lives of women as a result of their activism. For example, the right to education, the right to vote and the right to work for equal pay as men, have been driving forces for the betterment and improved quality of life of women.

And just recently, in 2008, the women’s vote in the US presidential election helped elect Barack Obama as America’s first Black president. Already, in 2012 , the women’s vote is again in play again as President Obama works to bring women voters into the Democratic column as he seeks re-election to a second term.

Women have fought hard to pry open doors that were shut to them over many, many years.

Today, while their struggle for social justice and equality is not yet over, women can look back with pride on their many and significant accomplishments. Through their efforts women have broken down many walls long erected by maledominated society. Women are now astronauts, pilots, secretaries of state, freedom fighters, athletes, congresswomen and senators. They have struggled together to be respected and to have control over their bodies.

That is why a majority of women have be-

come strong advocates for quality, affordable and accessible healthcare and the legal rights of women. An overwhelming majority of women now support President Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act because of its progressive agenda underpinned by a recState Senator ognition of the rights of John L. Sampson women.

Recognizing the achievements of women in all facets of life – science, community, government, literature, art, sports, medicine – has a huge impact on the development of self-respect and new opportunities for girls and young women. The impact of women’s history might seem somewhat abstract to some, and less pressing than the immediate struggles of working women today. But to ignore the vital role that women’s dreams and accomplishments play in our own lives would be a great mistake. We, as a community, draw strength and inspiration from those who came before us – and those remarkable women working among us today. They are part of our story, and a truly balanced and inclusive history recognizes how important women have always been in American society.

Recognizing the dignity and accomplishments of women in our own families and those from other backgrounds leads to higher selfesteem among girls and greater respect among boys and men. The results can be remarkable, from greater achievement by girls in school to less violence against women, and more stable and cooperative communities.

NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR * march 16-30, 2012

entertainment

Winning German Reggae Artist Excited About NYC Debut

Jamaican Top Sounds, Bass Odyssey And Black Kat, Vie For 2012 World Title

9

By Anthony Turner

W

ith six albums under his belt and over one million collectively sold in Europe, German’s multi-platinum and award-winning reggae artist Gentleman is fired up about his first major North and South America tour this month.

The tour billed the “Gentleman & The Evolution Diversity tour,” includes a west coast run supporting SOJA that will make stops in San Francisco; Santa Cruz; Hollywood & San Diego, California; Falls Church, Virginia and New York City.

Earlier this week Gentleman did a private meet & greet and an intimate performance at Universal Music. He did interviews on MTV Iggy in Times Square; Intiative Radio (an NPR-affiliated radio program that is syndicated to over 10 markets in the North East and Nashville) and Irie Jam radio, 93.5FM, the loudest voice to the Caribbean Diaspora in NY. He also did an acoustic performance and an interview on Sirius XM’s ‘The Joint’ with host Pat McKay. His debut live performance at Le Poisson Rounge in Manhattan, New York will take place on Tuesday, March 13 with special guest singer Richie Stephens. “I am extremely excited about my debut performance in New York, home to the largest Jamaican population in the Diaspora. Any opportunity I get to perform for my Caribbean fans is an opportunity I cherish” the German sinjay noted.

Gentleman’s North and South American tour is in support of his VP Records album titled Diversity that was released in February. The international version of the album already sold Gold (more than 100,000 units) and charted at #1 in Germany as well as #2 in Switzerland and Austria and is the follow-up to his Europe platinum-selling record Confidence.

On Diversity, Gentleman stays true to his first musical love - roots reggae - teaming up with top Jamaican recording artist Tanya Stephens; the late Studio One veteran and dancehall pioneer Sugar Minott; Christopher Martin and producers Don Corleon, Red Roze, Shane Brown, Xterminator and Firehouse Crew.

Gentleman, the son of a Lutheran pastor was drawn to reggae’s revolutionary spirit and truth-seeking lyrics ever since he was introduced to the island’s sounds. He has since had a string of solo hits and platinum-selling records in Europe. He won Best National Artist five times for three different award shows (Echo Award 2003 & 2005, Comet Award 2005, 1Live Radio Award 2004 & 2005) and has been nominated twice for Best Reggae Artist (Martin 2004 Awards and Reggae and Soca Awards). He has collaborated with artists ranging from pop superstars Pink and Destiny’s Child to reggae legends Michael Franti & Spearhead and Barrington Levy.

Last summer he teamed with Richie Stephens on the tribute single “Live Your Life” which topped reggae charts in Florida and Jamaica and was voted “Song of the Year 2011” in New York by Irie Jam Radio. Their follow up single/video ‘Warrior,’ has already started to make inroads on the play list of stations across the globe.

Earlier this year, Gentleman delivered a riveting live rendition of “Live Your Life” at the 16th annual Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, where he was a special invited guest of Stephens. Their performance was hailed as one of the highlights of the festival.

World Clash NYC

D

espite international visibility and fame, there is an age old debate that resonates among clash fans of which sound rules Jamaica’s countryside -- Bass Odyssey or Black Kat.

Hailing from the remote Jamaican territories of Saint Ann and Christiana, far from the city life of Dancehall hotbed Kingston, respectively Bass Odyssey and Black Kat have been battling over the title of Jamaica’s top country sound for years.

Now, before thousands of clash revelers at both World Clash New York R.E.S.E.T. on Saturday, April 7 (w/Fire Links, Tony Matterhorn, Poison Dart, Earth Ruler and David Rodigan) and World Clash Jamaica R.E.S.E.T. on Easter Monday, April 9 (w/Kilamanjaro, Black Blunt, Heavy Hammer, Rootsman and Code Red), these powerhouse sounds will settle the score. While the stages in New York and Jamaica will serve as battlefields, the ultimate proving ground for Bass Odyssey and Black Kat will

clearly be in their homeland in front of loyal supporters at Pier One. Stellar war sounds Bass Odyssey and Black Kat are synonymous with high power sound clash. Rising to prominence in the early 90’s, the sounds have cemented them selves as fixtures in the sound clash arena, generating scores of victories, a worldwide fan base and the utmost respect from fellow members of the fraternity. Known for craftily defeating legions of sounds over time, Bass Odyssey and Black Kat remain the most feared players in game. Most of today’s modern day sound systems don’t feel that they can properly reach the big leagues without facing off against these clash leaders.

It’s no secret that Bass Odyssey and Black Kat are not just dynamic sounds, but also powerhouse brands. Their names carry weight, allowing them to periodically interchange and showcase team players without losing their position or credibility. Regardless of who plays the sounds, one can almost always anticipate high caliber, strategic sound clash entertainment. Bass Odyssey also excels in juggling. Boasting the role of teacher, some of today’s most prominent sound men admit to learning or studying the tactics and careers of Bass Odyssey and Black

Kat front men. Historically, one of the most heralded and praised duos in the sound clash industry consisted of DJ Mark and the late, great Squingy of Bass Odyssey.

Tied with 7 World Clash victories (along with “The Far East Rulers” Mighty Crown), Bass Odyssey and Black Kat are set to come head to head on two World Clash stages in April 2012. There is intense energy among fans centered on these highly anticipated face offs. Whenever, these two giants are billed for the same event, only “helter skelter” can erupt. While Bass Odyssey boldly attacks contenders with a fusion of well structured speeches and sharp music selections, Black Kat’s team often dons smiles and sneakily strikes opponents with witty warnings and well-known dub plate anthems.

No matter one’s position on who will take home the coveted World Clash R.E.S.E.T. trophies, fans are certain that Bass Odyssey and Black Kat’s showdown will be forever written in the pages of Dancehall history. For R.E.S.E.T. New York, limited tickets are available online (http://www.irishandchin.com) and in select retail outlets. R.E.S.E.T. Jamaica tickets will be available at the gate only.

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march 16-30, 2012 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

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Caribbean Community Celebrates

NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR * march 16-30, 2012

Women’s History Makers Staff report

A

s National Women’s History Month gets into its full swing, New York’s Caribbean American business community gets ready to honor four trailblazers for their positive contributions to business development and growth in New York State.

The Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CACCI) has announced that it will sponsor its Annual Salute to Women History Makers during a monthly power breakfast meeting, March 29, at 9:00 a.m., to be held at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Hon. Marty Markowitz, President of the Borough of Brooklyn, will host the event and newly appointed Deputy Borough President Sandra Chapman will serve as co-host.

“We are pleased to salute a diverse group of women who are making tremendous contributions in their respective careers including corporate affairs, higher education, publishing, journalism, civic

affairs, and entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Roy A. Hastick, Sr., President and CEO of CACCI, and convener of this event.

The distinguished honorees and speakers are: Dr. Carole M. BerotteJoseph, President, Bronx Community College, CUNY; Edna Wells Handy, Commissioner, NYC Department of City-wide Administrative Services; Jeanine Ramirez, Reporter, NY 1 News; and Jean Wells, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief, Positive Community Magazine.

Carole Berotte Joseph was appointment as the President of Bronx Community College, in January 2011, which marked her return to CUNY, where she served as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Hostos Community College in the Bronx after having been a faculty member at City College for more than 20 years. She also became the first HaitianAmerican college president in the country, in 2005, when she was inaugurated as president of Mass Bay Community College. She has been in higher education for more than 35 years, is fluent in four languages and is a noted expert on education policy and sociolinguistics. She is the co-editor, with professor Arthur Spears of City College, of the groundbreaking book, “The Haitian Creole Language: History, Structure, Use and Education,” which was published in 2010.

Jeanine Ramirez joined NY1 News in October 1996. She is the Brooklyn reporter primarily responsible for covering the borough’s 2.5 million people

as well as its schools, politics, religions and neighborhoods. She also is the lead reporter on many Latino issues.

Jean Nash Wells is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Positive Community magazine, the only faith-based, lifestyle magazine in the New York/New Jersey area.

Edna Wells Handy was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) in November 2010. She plays an integral role in New York City’s ongoing initiatives to make government more efficient and cost effective by consolidating and sharing essential City operations. To ensure that City agencies provide the best possible services to the public, DCAS provides critical support in the areas of human capital, Citywide EEO and diversity, real estate, facilities management, records management, fleet Commissioner Edna Wells Handy operations, energy and procurement.

Edmund Sadio, CACCI’s Incoming Board Chairman; March Melendez, President, Flowerworks and George Hulse, Vice President of Healthfirst are co-conveners for the breakfast meeting.

MWBE Event Co-Leaders are: Ko and Carol Ababio, Co-Owners, CitiTech Solutions. The event is Co-Sponsored by NYC Department of Small Business Services and Con Edison.

For information and reservations for this upcoming Women History Makers Power Breakfast, call CACCI at (718) 834-4544.

Jeanine Ramirez Jean Wells

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How To Choose A Caribbean Island

VACATION

By Ryan Ver Berkmoes

(Part 1 of 2: continued in next issue) The dozens of islands scattered across the Caribbean are a remarkably diverse lot. Pulsing Jamaica has little in common with group-filled Aruba, and even islands in plain sight of each other like St Kitts and Nevis are vastly different not just in appearance but in what they offer visitors.

So for the Caribbean-bound visitor, which island among the many to choose? Big or little, near or far, urban or lost are among the many considerations that can turn choosing a carefree holiday into a perplexing chore. Happily, our Caribbean Islands primer can take the pain out of choosing what’s right for you. We’ve got the low-down on all the most-visited islands, complete with what’s best about each one.

Aruba Arid and nearly featureless, Aruba’s main attraction is a ribbon of beaches lined with big world-class resorts and backed up with malls of familiar restaurants and bars. Best for: Holidays requiring no thinking at all.

The Bahamas Offering the myriad choices of the Caribbean in a microcosm close to the US, the 700 islands of the Bahamas have far-flung hideaways and glossy mega-resorts. Best for: Islandhopping explorers, divers, partiers, Americans needing a quick escape.

Cayman Islands Grand Cayman is reminiscent of South Florida, only more orderly and with less traffic. It offers resorts of all stripes, tax shelters and famous diving, snorkeling and swimming with schools of stingrays. Best for: Hassle-free

holidays in what might seem like the 51st state, watersports.

Jamaica Seemingly the center of Caribbean clichés such as Bob Marley songs played to the rhythm of opening beer bottles, vast Jamaica offers up resorts from posh to lurid and a distinct urban culture. Best for: Spicy food, spicy music, resort holidays, urban and natural adventures, quick trips from NYC and the East Coast.

Puerto Rico Old San Juan is one of the great highlights of the region, a sprawling colonial throw-back that buzzes with a lively vibe. Big beach resorts, casinos, tangible history and rich Hispanic culture are the highlights. Best for: Explorations beyond sun, sand and sea, not leaving the US. Saint Martin/Sint Maarten Two distinct cultures, Dutch and French, share space on this smallish and very lively island. Like a brain these two hemispheres are greater in sum than in parts: the French offer holidays with reserve while the Dutch party down. Best for: Midrange-hotel holidays, daytrips into France, the Netherlands and the heart of Creole culture, the wildest airport bar on Earth.

Anguilla In a sea of beaches that set the standard for beachy clichés, the beaches on this tiny island are the definitive versions. Small, with an amiable local culture and luxurious villas scattered about. Best for: Luxurious but low-key holidays, isolation.

Antigua Lots of little beaches ringing this mediumsized island are lined with resorts large and small, modest and lavish. English Harbour offers yachtie hijinks and diverting colonial heri-

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Barbados British accents are common on this tidy, medium-sized island right on the edge of the Atlantic. Various beaches ideal for surfers, wind-surfers, budget sunbathers and traditional types who dress for dinner ring a truly welcoming island. Best for: Any budget, activities, people who pack linen suits.

Bonaire One of the most interesting islands in the southern Caribbean, tiny Bonaire is justly famous for its spectacular diving right offshore. It also has a fascinating history and a winning and walkable main city of Kralendijk. Best for: Divers, budget travelers, people who like to explore but don’t want a lot to explore.

British Virgin Islands The richer, less-developed and more isolated version of the US Virgin Islands. Yachties and divers find their bliss amongst the 40 islands here; the main island, Tortola, offers glam diversions. Best for: Divers and snorkelers, sunset cocktail parties, people who prefer the motion of the ocean.

Cuba Weirdly, wildly wonderful: a time-capsule of a vanished Caribbean on a huge island unlike any other. Cuba offers famous music, political challenges and disintegrating urban beauty. Havana alone is worth days of exploration amidst a paucity of frills. Best for: Reasonably priced holidays in a truly ‘foreign’ country, adventurers and explorers, bragging rights.

Curaçao A medium-sized island with a focus beyond tourism. The main city of Willemstad has a justifiably famous, beautiful and historic har-

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bor. Isolated beaches scattered about offer a few watery pleasures. Best for: Off-the-beaten track wanderings, urban rambles.

Dominica Lacking the plethora of beaches found elsewhere, Dominica is the region’s unspoiled gem with peaks and valleys swathed in rain forest and accented by waterfalls. Best for: Climbers and trekkers, nature-lovers, people who want an escape from Caribbean clichés Dominican Republic A large country with a dominant Hispanic culture, DR (as it’s called) has world-class resorts on fine beaches, lots of colonial-era history and untrammeled inland areas with forbidding peaks. Best for: Resort-seekers, adventurers.

Grenada You really can smell nutmeg in the air of this small ex-British colony which has one of the region’s most interesting capitals, St George’s.

Small and inviting beaches vie with rainforestclad hills for attention. Best for: Low-key holidays in beautiful natural surroundings, mixing with genial locals.

Guadeloupe French-accented Guadeloupe offers relaxed islands for people who want to travel little, laze on the sand and enjoy especially good food. It packs great beaches and tropical nature in a small package. Best for: A topless day in the sun followed by a splendid seafood dinner Haiti Never far from the headlines, Haiti offers the exact opposite of a care-free holiday. Challenges abound, particlularly in the wake of the 2010 earthquake, but if you want to explore a rich culture that is the region’s most African, Haiti is for you. Best for: People who travel to learn and explore.

ASK LISA-ANNE

NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR * march 16-30, 2012

Knowledge is power

13

How Does Poverty Affect Your Child’s Education?

Q. What are the effects of poverty on children and their academic performance?

A. Many hoped that K-12 education would help eradicate poverty, but it hasn’t worked out that way yet. In his latest article about the academic consequences of poverty, Matthew Lynch argues that teachers need to be especially aware of the effects of poverty in their classrooms.

Lynch’s article states, “Poverty is a major problem in the United States. The middle class seems to be disappearing and the gap is widening between the upper class and the lower class sectors of society. The socioeconomic status of children and their families has a profound effect on the children’s education, even in a country that prides itself on equal opportunity and fair treatment of all. Socioeconomic status can be determined by one’s level of education, occupation and income. A high socioeconomic status is characterized by a high level of education, and a high status occupation, and a high income. A low socioeconomic status is typified by a lower level of education, a job of low prestige and a low income.” “Schools have not been designed to properly serve poor children. They reflect and promote a middle-class way of life.”

Teachers must keep in mind that poor children often come from homes that are not adequate in terms of shelter and may be in very dangerous communities. In their neighborhood, they may be exposed to drugs, violent crime and prostitution, and may turn to these types of activities themselves at an early age. Parents of children living in poverty often struggle to provide them with enough quality food and medical coverage.

Children living in poverty often come to school without having had enough sleep, and without having had breakfast. They often experience family violence, abuse, secondhand smoke, neglect, poor clothing and shoes. Even though they have limited experience in the world, they may not be able to pay for field trips and cannot pay for extracurricular activities of any kind that could actually expand their experience base.

This is the frightening reality for millions of children, and teachers are very likely to have impoverished students in their class. Teachers need to consider what that means and how they can reach out to these students and help them excel.”

In an article published on the EducationNews.org website, The American Psychological Association (APA.org) reports the following effects of poverty on academic achievement: • Poverty has a particularly adverse effect

on the academic outcomes of children, especially during early childhood.

• Chronic stress associated with living in poverty has been shown to adversely affect children’s concentration and memory which may impact their ability to learn.

• The National Center for Education Statistics reports that in 2008, the dropout rate of students living in low-income families was about four and one-half times greater than the rate of children from higher-income families (8.7 percent versus 2.0 percent).

• The academic achievement gap for poorer youth is particularly pronounced for low-income African American and Hispanic children compared with their more affluent White peers.

• Underresourced schools in poorer communities struggle to meet the learning needs of their students and aid them in fulfilling their potential.

• Inadequate education contributes to the cycle of poverty by making it more difficult for low-income children to lift themselves and future generations out of poverty.

• Children in poverty may also experience severe behavior problems and psychological effects such as depression and anxiety.

Research also shows, Snow et al, that poor districts also tend to have weak teachers. What are your thoughts?

Lisa-Anne Ray-Bayers

File photo

Anne Ray-Byers is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist who has worked in education for over two decades. She holds graduate degrees in speech-language pathology and multicultural education. She also holds certification in educational administration. She is the author of the book, They Say I Have ADHD, I Say Life Sucks! Thoughts From Nicholas and co-author of the book 365 Ways to Succeed With ADHD both available at www.

Amazon.com and her website. She is a member of the National Education Writers Association and the education editor of the Community Journal Newspaper in Long Island. You may contact her at speechlrb@yahoo.com or by visiting her website at www.AskLisaAnne.com.

Follow her on Twitter at @AskLisaAnne.

An Apple A Day Keeps The Dentist Away Parents To help Children achieve good oral health

More than two-thirds of children will have at least one cavity before their 19th birthday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. While tooth decay remains one of the most common health problems in children, it is also the most preventable, experts say.

“With proper education and regular dentist appointments, children can go their whole life without dental health problems,” said LaVerne Johnson, dental assistant instructor at Everest College - Fort Worth South.

Johnson, along with the other dental assistant instructors at the Everest campuses across Texas, understands the importance of maintaining good dental health. Johnson has a few tips on what children and parents can do to protect and strengthen their smiles for years to come. * Brush and floss daily - the right way. It’s not new advice, but brushing and flossing remain the two most important ingredients for a healthy smile. However, to truly be effective, they must be done correctly. Parents should model and teach their children the correct techniques to keep their teeth healthy and clean. Brushing should require only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and incorporate circular brush strokes to reach all surfaces. Often, because of their limited dexterity, children will brush too hard, which can lead to increased tooth sensitivity and receding gum lines. * Proper flossing requires wrapping the floss around the fingers and then gliding the thread between teeth in a C-shaped motion. This prevents plaque buildup between teeth and under the gum line. Make sure your child uses a new section of floss each time he or she goes between two new teeth to avoid spreading bacteria

throughout the mouth. * Limit sugary snacks and drinks. The bacteria that form plaque feed on sugar and use it as a glue to stick to teeth. Be aware of the snacks you provide your children. Foods like raisins, peanut butter, taffies, toffees, soft candies and pastries stick to teeth and provide a long-term feast for bacteria. When your children do eat sweets, have them eat them after a meal. When eaten alone, sweets are more likely to stick to teeth and bond until the next brushing. Crunchy foods like apples, carrots and other raw vegetables, as well as foods high in vitamin C, like citrus fruits and broccoli are not only healthier, but also naturally clean teeth while kids eat them. Limiting consumption of sugary foods and drinks will not only help promote healthier children, but will also reduce cavities.

This advice is not just for older children. Many parents don’t realize infants are also susceptible to cavities and often get “baby bottle cavities.”

Allowing a child to sip through the night on a baby bottle filled with fruit juice or milk can cause cavities. * Protect their teeth. Using fluoride toothpaste helps your child’s teeth to be less soluble to the acids created by bacteria. However, using

too much creates a condition known as mottled enamel, which appears as brown spots on teeth. The key to avoiding mottled enamel is using the right amount of fluoride. For infants, a small smear of fluoride toothpaste is sufficient, and for children younger than 7, use no more than a pea-sized amount. It is also important to know if your child is consuming fluoridated water. Check with your local water utility to find out if your water has fluoride in it as well as the amount it contains. Along with fluoride, dental sealants are an excellent way to prevent tooth decay in children. The dental sealant procedure takes only minutes, is painless, is less than half the cost of a filling and is virtually 100 percent effective at stopping decay. * Proper procedures can save teeth. Children involved in sports need proper mouth protection to prevent mouth injuries, knockedout teeth and possible concussions.

Ask your dentist about customized mouth guards. If your child knocks out a permanent tooth while playing sports, gently rinse the tooth off and place it in a cup of warm milk. If warm milk is not available, salt water or plain water will also work. Call your dentist and bring your child and the soaking tooth in immediately for

re-implantation and stabilization. * Make dentist visits fun. If children have a good attitude about their dental hygiene, they will be more likely to take proper care of their teeth. Appointments should be made right at the appearance of the first tooth, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Early visits make for a more pleasant experience for the child and help prevent future health problems.

In fact, studies done by the AAPD show improper oral hygiene may increase a child’s risk of eventually developing heart disease or suffering a stroke as an adult. Be positive about the dentist and explain to your children that the dentist is a friendly doctor who is helping to take care of their smiles.

“The most important thing for parents to remember is that taking care of a child’s teeth is very important for his or her future health,” says Johnson. “Although your children will lose their baby teeth, that doesn’t mean they are not important. Healthy baby teeth influence jaw placement and future alignment of permanent teeth, which is one of the reasons parents can end up spending hundreds of dollars on future dental work and orthodontics.”

14

march 16-30, 2012 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Health

Four Tips To Help

Prepare For Pregnancy

O

nce you and your partner have made the big decision to start expanding your family, whether in the next few months or years, thinking about how to prepare can be a little overwhelming.

Don’t worry! Some simple steps and an optimistic attitude can help pave the way for a healthy pregnancy.

Rosie Pope, co-founder of Rosie Pope Maternity and MomPrep, is expecting her third child this May, her first girl. The Bravo “Pregnant in Heels” star has plenty of helpful tips for women who are trying to conceive or may start trying soon.

1. Take prenatal vitamins before you’re pregnant It’s important to take prenatal vitamins if planning to get pregnant in the next few months or even in the next few years. “Most women don’t start taking them until they become pregnant, at which point a lot of the benefits from nutrients, such as folic acid, won’t be as effective,” says Rosie. “If you’re even thinking about having a baby, talk to your doctor so you can start taking prenatal vitamins before you even start trying to have a baby.”

2. Know your cycle Understanding your body and its cycle can help you have more control in the babymaking process and eliminate some of the frustration many women experience when they don’t get pregnant as quickly as they thought they would. A recent poll conducted by Clearblue and ModernMom.com showed that one

From Mom Expert Rosie Pope in four women surveyed don’t know when they’re ovulating, which means they may be trying to get pregnant during the wrong days of their cycles. The Clearblue One-Month Supply Digital Ovulation Test helps identify the two best days to get pregnant and the Clearblue Fertility Monitor typically identifies up to six fertile days. These tools can help maximize the chances of getting pregnant 3. Take an accurate and easy to use test The Clearblue and ModernMom.com poll also found that four out of five women surveyed say “accuracy” is the most important factor when selecting a pregnancy test.

When compared to a laboratory reference method, Clearblue PLUS Pregnancy Test has been shown to be more than 99 percent accurate from the day of the expected period when using urine samples supplied for pregnancy testing. Its design has a longer ergonomically shaped stick for better grip and a wider tip for easy use. It is sensitive enough to be used up to five days sooner than waiting until a missed period.

“A positive result means you’ve received the greatest gift of all,” says Rosie, who held on to her Clearblue positive pregnancy test as a memento.

4. Call your doctor Once you receive a positive result on a home pregnancy test, call your doctor and schedule a visit. This is important because your doctor can give you a full exam, confirm the pregnancy, and help you understand what to expect in the first few months as your body changes and your baby grows. You probably will have lots of questions so be sure to write them down and bring them to the appointment.

Going through this process can help ensure you don’t forget anything you want to discuss.

In addition to these tips, also know that once you have received the good news, you

shouldn’t be surprised if you aren’t immediately ready to eat for two. Contrary to popular belief, once pregnant, eating at all can be tricky. Be sure to carry snacks to keep your energy up and reduce feelings of nausea and light headedness.

Rosie suggests snacking on iron-rich and protein-rich foods such as edamame as well as fruit like oranges that contain high amounts of vitamin C to increase iron absorption. In fact, if you are consuming 1800 calories a day and stable at a healthy weight and BMI you don’t need to up your calorie intake until the last trimester. Make sure you consult your doctor to see where your weight and BMI fall.

Always dial 911 in case of emergency

1-800-LIFENET 1-800-LIFENET, a confidential, tollfree help line for New York City residents, is operated by the Mental Health Association of New York City (www.mhaofnyc.org) in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Alternate numbers are available for Spanish and Chinese callers.

Domestic Violence Hotline If you are a victim of domestic violence and want to talk to a trained counselor, call (800) 621-HOPE free, 24 hours a day.

Hot Line for Youth Programs and Crisis Intervention The NYC Youthline (800) 246-4646, staffed by trained “listeners” between the ages of 16-24, gives callers information in several languages on nearby youth programs and provides crisis intervention services.

Report a Child in Danger Child abuse and neglect reports can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the Child Abuse and Maltreatment Hotline (800) 342-3720. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has a hotline for victims of crimes concerned about the custody status of the person charged in their cases: (888) VINE4NY.

Rosie Pope, co-founder of Rosie Pope Maternity and MomPrep, is expecting her third child this May, her first girl. (ARA Photo)

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NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR * march 16-30, 2012

letter to the editor

NDAA vs. Civil Liberty

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Constitutional Rights?

By U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry

T

wo hundred thirtyfive years ago, 56 brave patriots signed their names to a document declaring all individuals are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today, we find these rights endangered by vague language contained within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). If interpreted incorrectly, this language could allow the indefinite detention of American citizens.

I will not stand for this degradation of our rights. I can’t. On Jan. 5, 2011, I placed my hand on a Bible and swore before God to defend the Constitution against “all en-

emies both foreign and domestic.”

Sometimes our enemies are not obvious. In fact, the enemy that keeps me up at night is the slow erosion of our Constitutional rights. Over the last 30 years, Congress has wrongly handed over many of its Constitutional powers to the Executive (branch) — increasing the scope of government and decreasing our liberties.

The NDAA continues this trend by allowing the president to hold any individual associated with terrorist forces in “detention under the law of war without trial until the end of hostilities.” While these provisions mention certain protections for American citizens, the language defining these exemptions could be interpreted to provide no protection.

To temporarily protect our rights, I entered into an exchange with House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon on the floor and placed it into the Congressional Record. Our exchange sets the “legislative intent” that nothing in this language allows Americans to be held indefinitely.

This is important because courts must consider legislative intent when they are un-

About the NDAA

MORE OR LESS

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012 was signed into United States law on December 31, 2011 by President Barack Obama.

The Act authorizes $662 billion in funding, among other things “for the defense of the United States and its interests abroad.” In a signing statement, President Obama described the Act as addressing national security programs, Department of Defense health care costs, counter-terrorism within the U.S. and abroad, and military modernization.

One of the provisions included in the 2012 NDAA is one that allows for American citizens suspected of terrorism to be indefinitely detained in military custody without charge or trial.

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certain about a law’s meaning.

However, temporary protection is not enough when liberty hangs in the balance.

We need certainty. We must provide language clear as day that U.S. citizens are provided rights untouchable by this president or future presidents.

To provide this lock-solid protection, I introduced a bill to fix the NDAA and provide a bright line of clarity for American rights. H.R. 3676 is a one-page bill clearly stating that nothing in the NDAA allows an American to be held in custody without due process or the right to trial.

H.R. 3676 is supported by both ends of the political spectrum. My bill has 57 sponsors — ACLU liberal Democrats and Constitutional conservative Republicans — because liberty is not a partisan issue, it is an American issue.

Honoring my oath and honoring the faith Louisiana has placed in me, I will be working to ensure Congress passes and the president signs into law H.R. 3676.

Please contact your representative and ask him to cosponsor H.R. 3676. Together, we can return to the vision of our Founding Fathers and guarantee liberty and freedom.

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march 16-30, 2012 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

tax tips from the irs

Best Ways To Reduce Tax-Time Stress

T

ax preparation doesn’t need to give you a headache. There are several ways to make it easier on yourself.

The IRS offers six tips to help make your tax-filing experience a breeze this year.

1. Don’t procrastinate Resist the temptation to put off your taxes until the very last minute. Rushing to meet the filing deadline may cause you to overlook potential sources of tax savings and will likely increase your risk of making an error.

2. Visit the IRS website More than 322 million visits were made to www. irs.gov in 2011. Make “1040 Central” your first stop to check for the latest news and find answers to your questions about tax filing.

3. Use Free File Let Free File do the hard work with brand-name tax software or online fillable forms. It’s available exclusively at www.irs.gov.

Everyone can find an option to prepare their tax return and e-file it for free. If you made $57,000 or less, you qualify for free tax software that is offered through a private-public partnership with manufacturers. If you made more than $57,000 and/or are comfortable preparing your own tax return, there’s Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic versions of IRS paper forms. Visit www.irs.gov/freefile for options.

4. Try IRS e-file Last year, 79 percent of taxpayers - 106 million people - used IRS e-file, which is the safest, easiest and most common way to file

a tax return. If you owe taxes, you can file immediately and pay later (by the April 17 tax deadline). Best of all, when you combine e-file with direct deposit the IRS can generally issue your refund in as few as 10 days.

5. Don’t panic if you can’t pay If you can’t pay the full amount of taxes you owe by the mid-April deadline, you should still file your return by the deadline and pay as much as you can to avoid penalties and interest. More than 75 percent of taxpayers eligible for an Installment Agreement can apply using the web-based Online Payment Agreement application available at www.irs. gov. To find out more about this simple and convenient process, type “Online Payment Agreement” in the search box at www.irs.gov. You can also contact the IRS to discuss your payment options.

6. Request an extension of time to file – but pay on time If the deadline clock is ticking, you can get an automatic six-month extension through Oct. 15. However, this extension of time to file, which must be filed or postmarked by the April 17 deadline, does not give you more time to pay any taxes due. If you have not paid at least 90 percent of the total tax due by the April deadline you may also be subject to an estimated tax penalty. You can obtain an extension through Free File at www.irs.gov/freefile. Or, file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, available for downloading at www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-8293676) to have a paper form mailed to you. Allow at least 10 days for mailed forms and publications.

Martin Luther School To Host College Fair For High Schoolers On Saturday, March 24, 2012, from 9 – 11 AM, all high school Sophomores and Juniors are invited to join Martin Luther School at their 2012 College Fair.

More than 25 organizations will be at the event, distributing information on their programs. Among the groups scheduled to participate are Macauley Honors College, LIU Brooklyn, Concordia College – Bronxville, St. Francis College, CUNY Sophie Davis, Mercy College, Nyack College, CUNY, Rutgers, Queens College, LaGuardia College, U.S. Military Academy (West Point), Johnson & Wales University and more!

There will be a Financial Planning for College Workshop at 9 AM and at 10 AM, to help parents understand options for funding their child’s college education.

Martin Luther School is located at 60-02 Maspeth Avenue in Maspeth, between 60th and 61st Streets. Call (718) 894-4000 for information.

money matters

Smartphones To Overtake Personal Computers In 2012

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martphones are steadily becoming commonplace devices for everyone from professionals to busy moms.

Users of these devices now instinctively turn to their phones for tasks that previously they would only have accomplished on a computer, over the phone or in person.

These tasks include surfing the Web, obtaining driving directions, connecting via social media, and even shopping.

In the United States, 87.4 million people own smartphones.

And, in 2012, smartphone sales are expected to top sales of personal computers. As smartphones allow people to connect with businesses in new and exciting ways, businesses in turn need to become savvier about going mobile.

For example, a small home health care provider recently utilized smartphones to expand to 400 patients across four major counties in Utah. Its employees previously struggled to keep up

with all the paperwork and regulatory requirements, so the company decided to go completely mobile, equipping its entire staff with Microsoft Windows Phones. This allowed the staff to visit patients and instantly update their condition and treatments.

For small businesses, embracing the smartphone age is becoming crucial for success. Here are some easy ways small businesses can go mobile in 2012: * Invest in smartphones Transitioning from a flip phone to a smartphone makes it much easier to run a business on the go. Providing easy access to email, calendar information and the Internet, smartphones increase productivity and can provide peace of mind while out of the office. Today, smartphones are more affordable than in the past, so now is a perfect time to take advantage of their capabilities. * Consider industry-specific devices - Numerous mobile technologies, from smartphone applications to tablets, have been created with specific industries in mind. For example, rugged tablets that can withstand the elements are available for those in the construc-

tion industry and tablets created for the health care industry can be sterilized between patient visits to avoid contamination. * Make websites mobile-compatible - In an era in which most consumers first go to the Internet to find local service providers, it’s crucial that small businesses have a polished and informative online presence that’s friendly for mobile consumption. Even for business owners who aren’t tech-savvy, starting a website is feasible. A quick Internet search will reveal numerous free or low-cost website templates. You might also choose to work with a Web developer to ensure your business’s website is smartphone-friendly. * Get social - Popular social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter make it simple to connect with customers in a casual, but also personal, manner and also embrace the mobile population that frequents these sites on smartphones.

Consider leveraging one or more of these platforms to further establish your business’s online presence and create positive buzz around new offerings and special deals and promotions.

NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR * march 16-30, 2012

Global Caribbean

Caribbean Nations Get Caught In

Tug Of War

China-Taiwan

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ore than half the countries with diplomatic ties to Taiwan are in Central America and the Caribbean. Some, like Grenada, are finding that switching allegiances can be expensive.

Grenada, a trio of small Caribbean islands and a popular tourist destination, was awash in debt in 2005.

When China came calling with an offer of millions of dollars in aid if the country cut ties with diplomatic rival Taiwan, Grenada took the deal. And it was rewarded: the nation received a new cricket stadium and other pricey tokens of appreciation.

But seven years later, playing up to China’s game of dollar diplomacy has come back to haunt Grenada. Taiwan is now calling in loans it made when the countries were diplomatic allies, signaling that the battle between China and Taiwan is still alive and well in the Caribbean, and directly impacting Grenada’s lifeline: tourism.

Some 426,000 tourists arrive in Grenada by plane or cruise ship each year – more than four times the country’s entire population. Taiwan’s move has left the local government scrambling to prop up its independent ports authority and avert disastrous airport shutdowns, as money previously used for upkeep is funneled into loan payments.

The People’s Republic of China has long tried to isolate Taiwan from the international community by convincing countries to cut diplomatic ties.

The two are separated by the Tai-

Grenadian Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas wan Strait, and China views Taiwan as a rogue state. During the 1990s and 2000s, they engaged in a diplomacy race that included offering aid to smaller countries in exchange for their diplomatic allegiance. The competition largely ended in 2008 when Ma Ying-jeou was elected president of Taiwan and instituted a policy to improve relations across the strait.

But much to Beijing’s consternation, 23 countries retain ties with Taipei, including 12 in Central America and the Caribbean, leading to cases of countries bidding out their diplomatic ties.

“No doubt, some countries in the Caribbean and Africa have tried to

milk more loans from either Taipei or Beijing by playing one against the other,” says Zhiqun Zhu, a political scientist at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.

St. Lucia, for example, dropped its ties with Taiwan in 1997 and then restarted relations with it in 2007.

Taipei and Beijing may have struck a diplomatic truce, but that has not stopped their battle for recognition from these smaller countries, and money continues to pour in. Last year, China boasted its largesse by pledging to lend $1 billion to Caribbean countries for development projects.

Many Caribbean countries have been particularly vulnerable to the lure of dollar diplomacy, in part, because they carry massive amounts of debt.

“These are among the most indebted countries in the world,” says Norman Girvan, an economist and professor at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad. “When you have a country that depends heavily on tourism and it faces a severe downturn, I’m not surprised that a country like Grenada can’t repay its loans.”

Of the 10 countries with highest debt to gross domestic product ratios, four are found in the Caribbean, including Grenada, according to International Monetary Fund data.

After a string of bad economic setbacks – including devastating hits by hurricanes Ivan and Emily in 2004 and 2005 – Grenada stopped paying back some $28 million in loans it received from Taiwan, according to court documents. A judge in New York, who has jurisdiction under terms of the loans, ruled Grenada owes $25.9 million in outstanding principal and interest to Taiwan, and that Taiwan’s Export-Import Bank could go after the money via the US legal system.

Now, the money airlines and cruise ship operators previously paid

to Grenada in landing and docking fees is going to pay off the loans, sapping the country of funds to keep its air and sea ports running. Virgin Atlantic, Delta, and British Airways recently began paying into a courtestablished escrow account instead of the Grenadian ports authority.

“The government has made it clear that it will do everything necessary to keep the airport from closing,” says Richard Simon, press secretary for Prime Minister Tillman Thomas.

That includes loans and legal maneuvers, Mr. Simon says.

The government is also asking other Caribbean governments to help arrange a meeting with the Taiwanese to rework the original loan terms or create a payment schedule.

The Thomas administration says Taiwan’s position is, in part, retribution for the way the two countries split, but that decision was made by the previous Grenadian administration.

“We think some of this is due to the way the switch was undertaken,” Simon says. “At the time it was not done properly. It was kind of done in the dark,” he says referring to granting diplomatic ties to Beijing.

Grenada’s debt, which stood at 99 percent of its GDP in 2010, according to IMF numbers, has left it with little wiggle room to repay Taiwan.

“I was a little surprised that the Ma administration did not withdraw the case,” Mr. Zhu, the political scientist, says. “It was not a particularly large sum of money.”

But, Zhu says, this case underscores the dangers in playing the diplomatic game.

“If there is a policy change either from Beijing or Taipei or both, these small countries may not get what they were promised,” he says, “which may lead to economic and diplomatic troubles.”

Two UN Soldiers Jailed For Abusing Haitian Boy

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wo United Nations peacekeepers from Pakistan have been sentenced to a year in prison and sacked from the army for raping a 14-year-old boy in Haiti.

The soldiers were found guilty by a Pakistani military tribunal in Haiti and will serve their terms back home.

The attack in Gonaives in January was not the first time UN peacekeepers have been accused of assault.

Last year, five Uruguayan soldiers were accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy at a UN base.

In that case a video which purported to show the attack was posted on the internet, leading to protests in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, and calls for the UN to leave the country.

There have also been demands that UN soldiers should be stripped of their immunity and be tried by Haitian courts.

Monday’s ruling was the first time that UN personnel have been tried and sentenced while still in the country.

Haitian Justice Minister Michel Brunache said the verdict was a small step in the right direction but that “we expected more from the UN and the Pakistani government.”

The UN peacekeeping mission has been deployed in Haiti since 2004.

Its reputation was particularly damaged by a cholera epidemic in 2010, which is thought to have been caused by sewage from a camp housing peacekeepers from Nepal.

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march 16-30, 2012 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Ital Curry Eggplant Rundown Ingredients of a healthy school lunch 1 large dried coconut 3 medium sized eggplants.

1 small onion finely chopped 3 coves of garlic finely chopped 1 medium tomato pureed 2 teaspoons of grated ginger 3/4 teaspoon salt or to taste 1 heaping tablespoon of curry powder 1 teaspoon thyme

dining

Man is what he eats.

Swapping

Recipes

Method Eggplants a) Bake eggplants in oven at 400 degrees for roughly 45 minutes or until soft to the touch b) Cool eggplants, and remove the skin c) Cut into one inch pieces Coconut Rundown Most recipes for rundown use canned coconut milk instead of fresh coconut for ease of use. This recipe uses real coconut. (However, you can substitute two cups of canned coconut milk.) Rundown is really boiling down coconut milk to form a custard and coconut oil.

School Lunch Fuels Success

For Spring Sports

Springtime packs a punch for students. Between tests, papers, school trips, extracurricular performances and jobs, finding the energy for spring’s after-school sports is often a challenge. Time and energy are at a premium. Eating well can help ease the crush.

While breakfast is often tapped as the most important meal of the day, lunch is arguably just as critical for allday performance, said Sue Moores, a registered dietitian in St. Paul, Minn. “What kids eat during lunch at school should help them stay focused and concentrate for afternoon classes, plus help to carry them through their after-school activities.”

According to Moores, the best school lunch contains foods rich in protein and wholesome carbohydrates, plus foods filled with vitamins and minerals, and some good old-fashioned fiber. This mix of foods provides energy for the brain and muscles that can last for several hours.

Missing out on lunch means missing out in class and on the field. Skipping lunch, or choosing a lunch of chips, cookies and a sugary drink two options school food service directors say they see far too often at the middle and high school age - is detrimental to school performance and athletic endeavors.

“We know that eating poorly affects a student’s physical and concentration capabilities, so we work hard in our program to make sure we provide good options - foods students like to eat, such as

teriyaki chicken stir-fry and whole-grain, reduced-fat pizza, that are created to be more healthful and wholesome,” says Amy Herrold, child nutrition supervisor, Edmond, Okla.

What makes a good lunch?

Herrold suggests these options from the lunch line: * Salad bar that includes romaine lettuce, shredded or diced vegetables, cottage cheese or hard-boiled eggs, a drizzle of dressing, plus wholegrain breadsticks, fruit and a low-fat milk. * Roast beef or ham sandwich on whole-wheat bread, accompanied by an orange, carrot sticks with dip and a low-fat milk. * Tony’s(R) LiveSmart Schools(TM) whole-grain crust pizza, with carrot and celery sticks, grapes and water. * Quesadillas or a flatbread sandwich with a mixed lettuce salad, melon and a lowfat milk. * Turkey/veggie wrap with pineapple and mandarin oranges, pretzel sticks and a low-fat chocolate milk. * Baked potato with broccoli and low-fat cheese sauce, orange wedges, whole-wheat roll and a low-fat milk.

A good lunch equals better results after school “On any given day, I can tell you within minutes which kids have eaten a healthy lunch and will be productive during practice or in a tournament, and which ones haven’t,” said Jeff Doherty, golf coach at Edmond North High School, Edmond, Okla., who was recently named one of just 20 National Coaches of the Year for 2011

by the National Federation of State High School Associations. “Food is so closely tied to sports performance. More kids today are realizing just how important what they eat is to how they’ll practice or play in the game that afternoon.”

“Athletes who want to get the most out of themselves and rise to the top pay attention to food,” says Moores. “There’s an undeniable connection between food and performance whether it’s on the golf course, the soccer field, the stage or as first chair in the trombone section.”

Lunch provides the energy and endurance for afternoon activities. A nutrient-rich lunch leaves the stomach within four hours and is in the muscles ready for release come afternoon, when the student really needs it, says Moores.

No lunch means no energy.

The chips-cookie-and-sugarydrink-meal may offer a surge of “liveliness” but, as Moores explains, is quickly followed by a significant dip in it.

Doherty appreciates the work being done by Edmond Public Schools to provide the best options for students.

“The increased attention being paid to nutrition throughout our district and at schools across the country is a benefit to all student athletes,” said Doherty. “We want to help kids understand they’re putting fuel in to run a machine their body,” continues Doherty.

“When you eat good food, it allows you to have better results, and I can tell you, the results are noticeable, immediate and lasting.”

NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR * march 16-30, 2012

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Fuller Under Fire After Seeing Red Reggae Boy Ricardo Fuller has come under fire from Stoke City boss Tony Pulis, after he was sent off for a stamp on Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in an English Premiership encounter last weekend.

The temperamental forward, making his first start for Stoke in over a year, got his marching orders in the 24th minute for his reaction to being tackled by Ivanovic.

“It’s a ridiculous reaction from Ric and just goes to show how stupid he can be at times. Ivanovic does catch him, but you can’t react like

libertystarsports

Barrington Gaynor’s Family

Determined To Keep Legacy Alive

By Anthony Turner

One year ago, the football fraternity of Jamaica, lost coach and mentor, Barrington Cobra Gaynor to one of life’s most unpredictable and devastating diseases, ALS; otherwise known as “Lou Gehrigs Disease”. It was an untimely death, although no death is timely. Barry as he was affectionately called by his family had played the game of life well; devoted thoroughly to his family, his passions and valued greatly the act of giving back.

On the football field he was Cobra; fearless defender, and team player who represented school, club and the nation with class during his brilliant career.

This week the family heads to Jamaica to stage the 1st memorial of Cobra’s life—A 2-Day Celebration, to be held March 17 - 18; at the football field in

the housing scheme at 9 Miles, Bull Bay, St. Andrew, where he grew up and had his first taste of “club football.”

Many of his former teammates from high school, football clubs (Bull Bay & Harbor View, in particular) and the national team will step on the field to show their support.

One of Cobra’s dearest friends and former national teammate Richard ‘Pro Duck’ Green will be heading to Jamaica for the memorial.

“I will continue to work hard and offer any assistance, the family needs, in order to keep Cobra’s legacy and vision alive,” said Richard. “Cobra was a generous, humble and caring individual. I am proud to have been his friend and teammate.”

The memorial is just one of the steps the family plans to take to preserve his legacy. The family will be presenting educational items to

the local youths, and a donation will be made to the Weise Road Basic School Building Fund. Along with this, the family promises two days packed with fun; a short football tournament with presentation of the “Barrington Gaynor” Memorial Football Trophy, and a Raffle Drawing, with wonderful prizes to be won.

From as early as his college years abroad, Cobra sought scholarship opportunities for youth footballers back home. His family is working hard to officially launch the Barrington Gaynor Foundation, in order to carry on his advocacy for youth education, establish a building fund for the Weise Road Basic School in (9 miles) Bull Bay, and continue to facilitate US college scholarships for young Jamaican footballers; all of which he had worked so hard to implement.

that,” Pulis said.

“He’s let himself down. It’s unacceptable, but straight after the game Ric was the first to apologise in the dressing room.”

It was the sixth time Fuller had been sent off in his career and with his contract at Stoke up in the summer, the incident cast some doubt over his future at the club.

The 32-year-old has been one of Stoke’s finest players in recent years since arriving at the West Midlands club six years ago, a fact that Pulis was quick to acknowledge.

Ricardo Fuller (L) talks Chelsea’s Didier Drogba after receving a red card during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London March 10.

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march 16-30, 2012 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR