WhereItzAt Magazine Jan. 2015

Happy Birthday MLK

Farm Up Jamaica Neil Curtis

Spotlight

On Chronixx

Clive talks to cop Graduates

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January Articles

Vol #13 1st edition

Contents

Feature Articles Farm up Jamaica

8 Mangos Kitchen and Grill

24 Spring Gardens

10 The Adria Hotel

26 Culture Shock

12 In Defense of Black Bookstores

28 G’s Restaurant & Bar

pg 20

14 The Beauty of the Black Woman 30 I f Racism and Discrimination Prevail 15 Babes, Bombs and Burgers 32 Do Black Lives Matter 16 A Chinese Herb that kills Cancer 33 Hope cells when combined with Iron 34 Vital Health Foods 18 The Community Needs Your 36 Dr. Marlene Reynolds-Cox...The Help People’s Dentist WIA Publisher Clive Williams talks to graduate cops at St Johns 38 Foundations for Life INC

A Spotlight on Chronixx

pg 22

23 W IA Magazine Interview with Angel Hadl

CHAIRMAN & PUBLISHER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, SR VP

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PHOTO JOURNALIST

LEGAL COUNSELOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS

CLIVE WILLIAMS

RAYMOND DEANE

ADIKA BUTLER

MARJORIE FLASH

GARNETT H. SULLIVAN, ESQ

MARJORIE FLASH OF MY FLASH KEN/UNIVERSAL

PRESIDENT & ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

VP OF MARKETING &

ART DIRECTOR

NEW MEDIA INITIATIVES

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

MEDIA

CHRISTOPHER C. WILLIAMS

PHILL HAMMOND

VICTOR STOUTE JR

ROCKSTONE MEDIA GROUP

ADIKA BUTLER - DR. CLIVE WILLIAMS - MARJORIE

ON THE COVER IMAGE

DIRECTOR OF MAGAZINE

MANAGING EDITOR OF ONLINE

CONTROLLER

FLASH - CHRIS GODFREY SHERON P. - REUBEN

CHRONIXX, DR MARTIN LUTHER KNG JR, NEIL

DEVELOPMENT

MAGAZINE

MICHELLE WILLIAMS

JAMES - BEN CASSELMAN

CURTIS, CLIVE WILLIAMS

STEPHEN TYLER

NAKISHA DUNCAN

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT ANNETTE GORDON

(917) 749-7613 wiamagazinenyc@gmail.com editors@whereitzatmag.com

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WhereItzAt Magazine is published monthly by WhereItzAt Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved. WhereItzAt Magazine is a registered trademark of WhereItzAt Media Group Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without written consent is prohibited. Views of editorial content do not necessarily reflect the views of WhereItzAt Magazine, WhereItzAt Media Group Inc. or its advertisers. For questoins, comments and concerns address your letters to: WhereItzAt Magazine • 219-10 S. Conduit Avenue • Springfield Gardens, NY 11413 or email:editors@whereitzatmag.com

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PUBLISHER’S VIBE

LEST WE FORGET! Martin Luther King Jr

Medgar Evars

Clive Williams, CEO/ Publisher _________________________ Have the sacrifices of all our martyrs gone in vain?

Are no lessons being learned from the horror stories of our past, the murders by lynching’s, shootings, mutilations, the brutal rapes of black women and the random emasculation of our men just for sport?

As we celebrate the birthday of one of the most celebrated and tireless worker for human rights and justice for all, Dr. Martin Luther King, we can only watch sadly as his children are publicly fighting over two of his earthly possessions. Even Bernice King, (King’s daughter), a litigant in the family fight for Dr. King’s Bible and Nobel Peace Prize, admits, “this is an embarrassing chapter in our family’s history.” Are we losing our minds? Maybe we are, because we have failed to practice some of the most fundamental things every other ethnic group does… they respect, record and study their history, place family first, protect and preserve their legacy and ensure succession for their children.

Who in their right mind can forget the genocide that occurred during the unprecedented “middle passage,” the terror and atrocities of slavery and its aftermath? In my last essay, A Nation Divided, I made reference to those who tell us to “get over it,” - why don’t they get over their guilt, prejudices and racist behaviors, why don’t they ever get over the religious persecution which brought most of them here in the first place?

Why is it, to this very day suspicion, hate and hostility are all directed indiscriminately to people of color despite their education, social status, respectability and lawfulness? Dr. King was no safer than Mike Brown in Ferguson, Illinois nor was Medgar Evers safer than Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York.

What is even more disturbing to me, is a new threat among our own people; two, possibly three generations of our children have very little or no knowledge of the past, no sense of the history of those who have sacrificed and died, so that we may live. Many of these naïve young people think either the NFL the NBA, College Football or the HIP HOP industry coupled with their delicate egos are all that matter in life, their ignorance of black cultural and historical icons is abysmal – most are so disconnected that intervention is useless; these lost generations will never know - much less forget.

We failed them, because we too have forgotten - in our haste to accumulate stuff, we forgot our priorities and didn’t take the time to instill the history of our courageous but dysfunctional past to them. For most young black men and women in America, their only knowledge of that trauma is the indelible and residual emotional scars it left on their families and themselves. Their experience has largely been limited Ida B. Wells

to being recipients of ‘stuff,’ from doting moms or dads, leading to a life of entitlement and conditioned expectation, devoid of any sense of responsibility for their actions.

That’s no longer the white man’s fault, after setting the deck, he now resorts to that less confrontational state of schadenfreude, as we self-destruct, implode and burn our own communities to the ground.

We need to stop, look and listen for a minute and learn the game – which means that we must unlearn certain residual myths, one of the most persistent and misleading being – “slavery was abolished almost 150 years ago, its time to forget it and get over it,” the other is, “the Booker T. Washington belief that once black people are educated, they win the respect of whites,” really? Which educated black man or woman you know (including President Obama) who hasn’t felt the indignity of racial animus?

Seriously, what’s really painful to me about this conversation, is my misguided idealism, I know in the deepest recesses of my heart that the people who should be reading this, aren’t even going to see it. The lost generations won’t, or the many decent law abiding citizens who should be teaching this and leading the fight in our communities, they are all missing in action, some too pre-occupied with up their Church activities and bible study to really make a personal impact in the neighborhoods where it really counts, while the others simply ignore that very human responsibility.

As it now stands we are on the way to repeating our fractured and tortured history, philosopher George Santayana put it pretty bluntly, “those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.”

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WHEREITZAT PUBLISHER AND CHAIRMAN MAKES AN “AMAZING, ONE OF A KIND GUARANTEE TO EXISTING AND NEW ADVERTISERS: IT’S CALLED THE WHEREITZAT ADVERTISER AD –VANTAGE! Hi I am Clive Williams, our publication WhereItzAt has distinguished itself as a high quality, colorful tabloid with sharp images and fascinating stories. We have established a solid and trusted reputation for satisfying the needs our advertisers. We are committed to YOU the advertiser – we pledge to be your customers as well as your biggest promoters.

When YOUR business succeed – we succeed. The WhereItzAt AD – Advantage also means, YOU can call on us to advise you on all the marketing, branding and social media aspects of your business development.

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Our team of professionals, are the best at what they do. We pledge to do whatever it takes, within the bounds of propriety, to increase your customer base.

1) Myself, the Whereitzat family and our extended friends and readers will continue to support the growth and success of your business as long as the services and products provided, remain at a high standard.

2) We have a wide and diverse network of support through our readers, they get to know your business through our stories, our online presence and our Public Relations outreach.

3) We have developed the Business Innovators and Game-Changers Awards, (B I G AWARDS) which promotes the interests and success of Small business Owners.

4) We distribute Whereitzat Magazines at the best locations in your neighborhoods to ensure that you get results from your ADS. 5) The ADVERTISER AD-VANTAGE PAY PLAN allows you TIME TO PAY! Here’s how. Whatever the value of the contract you choose – you deposit only 40% down, with time to pay off your balance MONTHLY or WEEKLY as you choose.

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SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Mangos Is a fascinating name to anyone who is from, or has lived in the tropics - mangos bring back memories of delicious and unforgettable flavors. So when I saw the name Mango’s sign on this new storefront at 133-24 Springfield Blvd, in Queens, I was tempted to stop but I was going just a little too fast, but promised myself that next time around I’d make stopping at Mangos a priority because in my mind I began to think, that just by name alone, this restaurant had something different to offer. My introduction to their unique taste and flavors was to come later, through an invitation by a friend to meet the owner and taste their creative Jamaican cuisine.

Upon being introduced to the owner Kurt Johnson we both realized we had met before.

Kurt is an interior designer with a particular flair for designing and redesigning restaurants and stages for events, he also prides himself as a visionary born out of his experience and interest in travel while enjoying a variety of foods. On entering Mangos you get the feeling that the environment is different, this is not your typical Jamaican or ethnic restaurant. The only thing immediately familiar is the food display. The service is high quality and although seating is limited, you get a sense of style and comfort. On many afternoons or late evenings Kurt is usually

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on hand to welcome you and inform you about his incredible new menu ideas. As restaurant owners go this man is more excited about his food and service than anyone I’ve met to date.

His excitement is matched by his employees, some are family members who explain in great detail the unique signature dishes that make Mangos different. Kurt explains how he spends hours creating along with his chef the many mouthwatering and tantalizing dishes, like: sweet and sour crispy pan-fried chicken, shrimp in mango rum sauce, crispy red snapper in tamarind sauce and many more. Whenever you talk to Kurt you know he is always creating some new dish. His kitchen is like a lab, in which he formulates and creates dishes with his special spices and herbs that continue to set Mango’s apart, while giving Jamaican food a fresh new taste. He is now working on expanding his Vegan menu for those who prefer that style of eating, you can be sure that his vegan menu will be a hit.

Kurt is very thankful to his wife Andrea for the inspiration she provides, which gives him the stability and confidence to focus his attention on building, not just Mango’s Kitchen and Grill, but to provide his customers with the joy and happiness of experiencing the exquisite

tropical drinks as well the ever expanding menu.

I guarantee that once you have been to Mangos you’ll want to ask these questions; how is it that the staff is so courteous and how is it that they create Jamaican food with such a unique taste?

The answers are simple. The staff is rigorously trained and if they are not courteous and friendly they can’t be part of the Mango’s team. As for the consistently good food, the flavor derives from the passion and creativity with which he develops his recipes.

I’ve said all that to say, we at Whereitzat give Mango’s Jamaican Kitchen and Grill four out of five stars for their all-round creativity flavor and service. To order call Mangos at (718) 413 5255 and visit their website at mangosjamaicankitchen. com.

By Cliff Stone

Offers Expire March 31th, 2015

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SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Adria Hotel - A standout Hospitality and Entertainment Center.

When a hotel facility gets rave revues from diverse communities who compete annually for a place on their calendar, they have got to be doing something right. In a universe where location means everything, this pleasant and cozy hotel and conference center set strategically on Northern Boulevard straddling two communities Flushing and Bayside with both claiming its address, is indeed ideally located. In this competition the clear winner is Bayside a desirable, safe and accessible community.

The Adria’s management is as pleasant as the facility itself. Once you step into the Adria, either as a hotel guest or a contractor of the conference facilities you feel right at home with a staff who are more than willing to make your life comfortable. There’s a definite culture of service, respect and hospitality that permeates the entire facility. This is matched by a level of professionalism at the management level that reveals the consistency of the culture. As a writer who often revues facilities and how they are managed I am very surprised almost shocked, that there still exists an intimate hotel facility that makes you feel right at home.

When I met Alan Mindel, the Owner and CEO, the pieces all came together. This young, under fifty eclectic humanitarian with a wry sense of humor, infects his management team and support staff with his unique style and personality, at the same time demanding from them a high standard of service. In a brief but enlightening interview with Alan, he confidently spoke about strong improvement in sales over the last couple of years, but also expressed his willingness to reinvest that in making capital improvements to the Adria, to ensure that his clients’ stay will be more pleasant and memorable. He stressed the importance of keeping in step with technology in order to attract clients who require increased 10 | JOIN OUR COMMUNITY @ WIAmagazine.com

During our conversation Crystal Calandro, Sales Manager, spoke about her commitment to making sure that whoever does business with the facility leaves with pleasant memories.

Vinny Malhotra, the General Manager, spoke of his 25 years’ experience working with a diverse range of ethnicities and making the The new lighting can be regulated to change effort to satisfy their needs no matter how colors, moods and needs. If you are a sports fan demanding. For our sake, we hope that Crystal you’d be really happy as a guest at the Adria, and Vinny will be around for a long time, to their upgraded equipment and increased continue offering their outstanding service. channels keep you in touch with all your sports teams. Alan stressed that as proud as he is of As a member of the Caribbean community, the improved property, it is customer service this writer was introduced to the Adria Hotel that he thinks about most. His motto is “if we by Marcia Parkes, who has earned the respect don’t do right by them, we don’t do right by and loyalty of the Adria family over the years. us.” He goes on to say, “we at the Adria are So the Adria has also become home for many relentless at training our support staff to make other members of the Caribbean community, who really appreciate its exclusiveness and sure they are always hospitable.” convenient location. Are you planning a The Adria is no overnight success, it is part of special event? Make sure to call Crystal at a string of successful hotel properties that Alan 718-631-5900, she makes planning an event owns and manages with the same efficiency a pleasant experience. and high regard for customer service.

By: Clive Williams technology. He was proud of the new and improved lighting, not only throughout the hotel but specifically in the conference center that accommodates meetings, seminars, expos, weddings, fund raising galas, anniversaries and parties.

Alan Mindel, Owner

Crystal Calandro, Sales Manager

Clive Williams, WhereItzAt

Vinny Malhotra, General Manager

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EDITORIAL PAGE

In defense of Black Bookstores

Yet while we celebrate our personal victories within the internet revolution, we are losing an institution that has played a critical role in preserving the best that global Black culture has to offer. No need to guess what institution I am referring to. I am talking about the Black bookstore. Two years ago Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe—which was New York City’s largest retailer of Black literature—announced that it would be closing its doors due to changes in the publishing business.

These changes include the rising popularity of e-books which people can read on Nooks, Kindles, and an assortment of other e-book readers after they download the works for free off the net. Another problem is that many young Black people—particularly young Black men—are not willing to pay for what they read because they think that they can find everything they need to read on the internet for free. But aside from the Mind Glow Media website, I have absolutely no clue what a lot of people expect to find on the internet that has any intrinsic literary value.

For those of you who are more familiar with NicoleBitchie.com than you are Octavia Butler, the Black bookstore is not just a place that sells the literature of Black authors. It is a place where friends and families can gather to explore the wonder and brilliance of global Black culture together. It provides a venue in which Black authors can meet with It is possible for a man to stand at the edge of a cliff and not know it the readers who appreciate them most and share an honest dialogue because he is blind. If he values his life, he would probably agree that concerning their work, or any related topics that may instantaneously two steps backwards are actually two steps forward. When I look at the come to mind. current state of popular Black culture in the United States, I am often Believe it or not, there are still a few Black bookstores remaining in New left with the impression that we are standing at the edge of a cultural York. I suggest that you support them. It is a communal institution of precipice. What is most discouraging about this is the fact that the higher learning, and you must learn! The internet can serve as our bridge overwhelming majority of Black people who reside in the United States to a preferred future in so many ways, but we must be careful not to today are too blind to see it. neglect those old, tried-and- true institutions that have served our unique As we strut our way through this digital age of information technology, cultural needs for multiple generations. we can plainly see that there are numerous avenues available for the Sometimes two steps backwards are actually two steps forward. Don’t dissemination of knowledge, information and imaginative inner visions. jump before you take them, because it might be the last thing that Through the use of social networking sites, blogs, and syndicated podcasts, you do. Take it from a man with vision. Better yet, take it from the the internet has given a voice to numerous people who previously went Editor’s Desk. unheard, primarily because these internet tools are available to all who value them free of charge.

By: Adika Butler

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Beauty Black Woman The of the

PHOTO CREDIT: Damion Reid

World-renowned photographer Damion Reid captures the amazing images of women in the Tri-State area as part of his Beauty of the Black Woman project.

The project has evolved into a book collection of heart-stopping photographs that capture the style, grace, and natural beauty exemplified by Black women of all ages. Be sure to check out Reid’s Tumblr page at Damionkare.tumblr.com, and follow him on Instagram at @BOTBW2013.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

Babes, Bombs & Burgers pt2 BURGERS Millions of people in the United States eat food prepared via microwave ovens, but the microwave is a byproduct of the radar technology developed during World War II. Raytheon (Ray of the Gods) Manufacturing made millions of dollars off of the U.S. military which contracted it to produce radar technology to defeat Adolf Hitler and his Axis allies. Initially, Raytheon was solely dedicated to military engineering. Its top engineers all had ties to the U.S. military.

However once the war was over Raytheon was hemorrhaging cash. The only way for it to seal up the gash was to for the company to produce a commercial product for the general public. Raytheon’s engineer, Percy Spencer, came up with the idea of the microwave after the magnetron tube used for radar technology melted his chocolate bar during the mid-1950s.

The first microwave was called a Radarange. One of Raytheon’s earliest customers for the microwave technology was potato chip maker, Lays.

In addition to the microwave, saran wrap and the freeze-dry technology— which fast-food chains like McDonald’s depend heavily on to preserve its French fries, beef and chicken—also came out of the U.S. military. Canned food was first used by French soldiers under Napoleon in the 19th century.

The Western culture that most of us know is not advanced. It is merely the incremental technological refinement of the same caveman psychology of the Paleolithic era. The radiation that microwaves generate have been linked to high incidences of cancer. Despite this fact, the microwave is a common appliance in kitchens across the globe.

I remember nutritionist Laila Afrika pointed out at a lecture years ago that the U.S. official who oversees public health policy is known as the “Surgeon General” but a general is a commanding officer for a military. Who is the surgeon general engaging in warfare? I hope it isn’t you or me. This is definitely food for thought. For those of you who would like to explore some of this subject matter further, I implore you to examine the research laid out by journalist, Peter Nowak. He has a wealth of information to share. Sadiki Bakari also has some powerful information, and an original perspective, on the Singularity movement. continues on pg 19

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COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

A Chinese Herb Kills Cancer Cells when combined with iron According to studies that were published in an issue of Life Sciences, artemesinin – a derivative of the wormwood plant used in Chinese Medicine - can kill 98% of breast cancer cells in less than 16 hours. The herb used alone caused a 28 percent reduction in breast cancer cells, but when paired with iron, sweet wormwood was able to eradicate cancer almost entirely. What’s more, normal human breast cancer cells were not affected in the experiment by this treatment.

There have been many experiments now that prove this sweet wormwood derivative can effectively eradicate disease in the presence of iron. The extract has been used for thousand of years in China to treat malaria. The malaria parasite cannot live in the presence of artemisinin because they are iron-rich, but the treatment works just as well for cancerous cells, too. Bioengineers Henry Lai and Narendra Singh of the University of Washington, Seattle were the scientists who initially made this discovery.

This is yet another example of a natural herb causing cancerous cell apoptosis.

Artemisinin has been used in the past as a powerful anti-malarial herb, but it now has been proven to be a cancer-fighter, too. When subjects in the published study were given an iron supplement, which often While the sweet wormwood extract has been somewhat difficult to accumulates in the breast tissue but especially so in cancerous cells, obtain for a fair price for countless years, it is now on its way to being the artemisinin was able to selectively target ‘bad’ cells and leave ‘good’ mass-produced by biotech. Will the result be positive and promising? cells alone.

“It’s the volatility that really makes the supply chain for this life-saving “Taken together, our results demonstrate that the artemisinin disruption drug just a complete train wreck,” says Jack Newman, chief scientific of E2F1 transcription factor expression mediates the cell cycle arrest officer of the California-based biotech firm Amyris. ”When we first of human breast cancer cells and represents a critical transcriptional started talking about this,” Newman says, “we gave it 1,000 to 1 odds of pathway by which artemisinin controls human reproductive cancer ever working. “ cell growth.”

French drugmaker Sanofi is expected to make 50 to 60 tons of artemisinin Iron accumulates in cancerous cells due to special receptors that help them each year, striving to supply enough demand for the global market. in cell division, called transferrin receptors. Normal cells likely have these receptors as well, but cancerous cells have them in greater abundance, By CHRISTINA SARICH and thus can be targeted by the iron-artemisinin combination, like a 1-2 punch.

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COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

The Community Needs Your Help Dear Community Leaders, Friends and Neighbors,

For decades nearly three quarters of NYC waste has been trucked into communities of color; waste transfer stations are located in the South Bronx, North Brooklyn and Southeast Queens(SEQ). This process pollutes the air and creates an unhealthy environment for residents that live in those areas.

In the summer time in Southeast Queens(SEQ) anyone driving on Liberty Ave has experienced the stench of putresible (organic) waste, and fine dust from construction waste. Our residents are exposed to excessive diesel fumes and noise pollution from trucks and facilities (24/7), which often can create insomnia, stress, heart disease, and hearing damage.

It is a known fact that the residents of SEQ suffer from high rates of asthma. It is unfair that only three communities should handle 75% of NYC’s garbage.

The Community needs your help!! Intro 495 (Waste Cap Legislation) has been introduced in the City Council to reduce the waste handled in our

community and ensure that no other community suffers this burden in the future. We are thankful to Council Member Daneek Miller and Council Member Donovan Richards who are supporters of this Bill, however we need the community to reach out to those Council Members that have not made their position clear. We need you to call the following Members: Ruben Wills -- 718-206-2068 and 212-788-6850 Mark Weprin (leader of Queens council delegation): 718-468-0137 and 212-788-6984 Costa Constantinides (Queens member of sanitation committee): 718-274-4500 and 212788-6963 Rory Lancman (district near Southeast Queens): 718-217-4969 and 212-788-6956 Karen Koslowitz (district near Southeast Queens): 718-544-8800 and 212-788-6981

WIA Publisher Clive Williams talks to graduate cops at St. Johns University.

WhereItzAt Magazine Publisher, Dr. Clive Williams was recently invited as a special guest by the 105th precinct to deliver an address to the recent graduates of the Police Academy at St. Johns University in Jamaica, New York. Williams who also serves his community as a member of community board 13, is Chairman of the Public Safety Committee recently wrote a scathing article in December’s WhereItzAt Magazine about the divisions in our nation.

Dr. Williams spoke to the Academy graduates about the recent tensions between the NYPD and the community. He encouraged the newly appointed officers to remain positive, focused, and calm as they prepare to start their careers serving and protecting the community. He suggested they start their tours of duty with deliberate personal introspection and positive affirmations to protect and serve, which 18 | JOIN OUR COMMUNITY @ WIAmagazine.com

increases their tolerance and heightens their personal awareness.

He closed his speech by thanking the officers for their commitment to serve, for their bravery, and assured them that officer’s Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu’s recent deaths should not be in vain, but should instead signal a meaningful change in the relationship between the NYPD and the communities they serve.

The recent graduates will serve and protect the areas of Queens Village, Cambria Heights, Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Bellerose, Glen Oaks, New Hyde Park and Floral Park, all cities in Queens, New York.

PLEASE CALL AND SAY: “Reducing the burden of garbage transfer facilities and diesel trucks in Southeast Queens is very important to me and my family. I want to urge council member ----------- to vote in favor of Intro 495, which will bring some relief to our community and ensure that our garbage is handled in a more fair and equitable way.

THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP!!

Sincerely, Andrea Scarborough

COMMUNITY & EDUCATION continued from pg 15

Babes, Bombs & Burgers pt2

The Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) in the food that we eat have been subject to scathing criticism from anti-globalization activists like Vandana Shiva and others. GMO’s consist of plant and animal products that have been genetically engineered by multinational biotech firms like Cargill, Monsanto, Dupont, and Dow Agro Sciences.

GMO supporters in the U.S. military—which is the most staunch supporter of GMO foods—says that these foods can be useful in avoiding wars by feeding poor countries who it says are often fighting over a lack of food. On the other side of the coin, it has been argued that these Franken foods lack the nutritional vitality of natural food products. As a result, supermarkets like Whole Foods and Trader Joes have become highly valued alternatives for men and women who care about what they eat and therefore look to purchase foods they are told are organic.

Yet, even the bastions of prime produce have been questioned by the public in recent years. Whole Foods came under fire in January for not identifying the products that it has literally grown with chemically-treated sewage sludge. Its practice went unnoticed for a long time because instead of calling the waste, “doodoo,” which it clearly is, Whole Foods settled on the rather vague and inconspicuous term “bio-solid” which is basically a solid material that is released by the human body. If you don’t pay attention to these major food corporations they’ll confuse you with linguistic hoodoo, and dietary voodoo. You’ll swear you’re eating organic oatmeal when it’s really a bowl of doodoo.

Last year the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that the U.S. military, in league with Monsanto, is spying on activists and genetic scientists studying the dangers of GMO foods. Then again, who isn’t being spied on these days? Information gathered from social media sites like Facebook, used by nearly one billion people worldwide including myself, is used on a daily basis for continues on pg 33 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY @ WIAmagazine.com | 19

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

FARM UP JAMAICA PART 1 Agriculture the Path to Self - Reliance take the next step in order to do something big.

Neil Curtis is an imposing man with a warmth and personality that is totally infectious, his confidence makes him appear cocky but he is quite the opposite, he’s actually easy going and thoughtful with a zen-like attitude. So after writing his thought provoking book, “Know God,” his priorities began to shift from pursuing ownership in the Restaurant/ hospitality business, to a life of creative service in the agro - business. It was indeed that mindset and nothing else that propelled him to create the FARM UP model that is so badly needed and so long overdue for Jamaica’s economic destiny.

Neil Curtis

It was almost four years ago that Neil Curtis emphatically told me, “I am going to Jamaica, not to take anything from Jamaica, but to give something to Jamaica.” My response to that, was to ask Neil, when was the last time he visited the Island, a rhetorical question, because I knew that he had not been to Jamaica in many years, I simply wanted to spare him the “culture shock” that awaits so many idealistic, well-meaning Jamaican’s who go to give, and end up being taken. I didn’t know for sure whether Neil was reacting to the many “glorified” stories of fun in the sun on the island paradise or whether he saw the opportunity to fulfill his dream of making a significant difference in the lives of others; either way Neil became determined to 20 | JOIN OUR COMMUNITY @ WIAmagazine.com

I guarantee, even without the benefit of conducting a scientific poll, that the vast majority of Jamaican’s favor the resurgence of an agro - economy based on strategic crops, with emphasis on organic production, while utilizing the most recent science and technology. Mr. Curtis assures me that his mission is exactly that and more, his technology and targeted crop approach is the first step in developing a model or template for Jamaica’s farmers; once that’s done, the process of management and expansion follows. So I asked Mr. Curtis the following: WIA: What assurance do we have that your organization is credible?

Neil: We have put together a board of reputable people to provide oversight and ensure that checks and balances are established. In addition we have provided a secure and informative website on which we will display our financial data and reports in order to allay the concerns many might justifiably possess. We are willing to use our own resources to jumpstart planned projects. Even though contributions are starting to come in, they are not yet enough to execute projects and cover travel expenses. FARM UP JAMAICA is also a legitimate US not- for-

profit with a (501c3) status, which means all our activities are regulated and monitored by the Federal government. This means that all contributions made to the FARM UP JAMAICA PROJECT is a tax deductible item, making it one of the best projects to make a significant and lasting change in Jamaica.

WIA: So in practical terms, what have you accomplished so far?

Neil: I will offer a real example, just a few weeks ago a farmer who produces seedlings of scotch bonnet peppers, prepared a delivery for one of our farmers and needed to be paid promptly.

Our farmer was unable to pay, so we had to step in and pay that bill of one thousand dollars, ($1000.00) that simply means the supplier could now go back to producing seedlings, while our farmer can now plant and produce a crop of peppers. My action and that of my board of six dedicated individuals, signifies our commitment and personal sacrifice to make this project work – even before we begin to get the help we need to put the legitimate farming community back in a productive and transactional mode. If we can facilitate exchanges and transactions like we did with the farmers I mentioned before, and then expand that to more and more farmers, the impact will create a significant increase in overall agricultural output.

Let’s look at another crop which can be a winner for Jamaican farmers – for more than a decade Jamaica has been importing about 90% of it’s onions from the USA, because it was much cheaper than we could produce it. Now, that situation has changed with the droughts and other factors in the States, we can now produce onions much cheaper based on the model we have implemented.

In just over a year we have established a pilot project in New Forest, Manchester, this is our testing ground to prove the efficacy of

ENTREPRENEURSHIP our growing methods and determine how to eliminate any threats to our crops. So it is at New Forest that we have a launched the onion project, having proven that we can grow the crop year round instead of seasonally, and it is also here we have made a significant breakthrough in farming technology. Mind you, we are producing organic crops for which we will derive a premium for our farmers, while establishing an organic category that sets us apart. Traditionally, Jamaica’s onion crops were ravaged by the “Beet Army Worm,” a significant infestation problem affecting onions and other

Agricultural Schools, are you getting any technical help?

assurance that, while contributing to a worthy and necessary task, they benefit as well.

Neil: I am delighted to say yes, we have brought on three graduates from the Heart Agricultural Institute who are full time on the farm, utilizing what they have learned and gaining tremendous experience and insight from our process.

This kind of support will be extended to the independent farmers we will be assisting.

WIA: Neil, please be assured that this is just the first part of our conversation, WhereItzAt plans to follow you through this process, which is one of the most ambitious ever attempted outside of Jamaica for Jamaicans at home and abroad.

Please stay focused to this publication for success stories on FARM UP JAMAICA activities.

Now go to the website at farmupjamaica.org to donate, you can start with as little as one dollar, however when you see the scope of their work and accomplishments in a year you’ll be moved to give more. Now let’s stop complaining and start campaigning for FARM UP JAMAICA!

WIA: Why did you incorporate in the US instead of Jamaica?

Neil: Well, that made sense for a couple of reasons, one is the fact that many in the Diaspora have a vested ownership and interest in Jamaica’s farmlands, but living abroad robs them of the opportunity to profit from That now positions us to provide that technology their land. They now have the opportunity to to farmers all over the world who have the Beet maximize their resources in a secure responsible Army Worm infestation problem, I would say relationship with us. The majority of our donors we have made some real progress in our first are likely to be part of the diaspora as well, and year. they will be happy to know that their donations WIA: I know Jamaica has at the very least are tax deductible, thereby giving them the vegetables in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean; now we have successfully developed an organic pesticide (Patent pending) that destroys that threat.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A SPOTLIGHT ON CHRONIXX, REGGAE’S BRIGHTEST STAR It would seem as if he just broke out on the reggae scene but Jamar Rolando McNaughton Jr., (born October 10th, 1992) otherwise popularly known as Chronixx, has been in the music business from a very tender age. Having a veteran musician Chronicle for a father contributed in a big way to this young man’s development today as one of the hottest reggae singers in the industry.

His musical journey started when his father recognized his musical aspirations and decided to nurture and expose young Jamar to the music industry by taking him to the studio every day where he grew up amongst such reggae artists as Norris Man, Burro Banton and the great Gregory Isaacs. At 5 years old “Little Chronicle”, as he was known then, wrote his first song, “Rice Grain”.

By the age of 11 his recording career began when he recorded a Gospel track with producer and Coach Danny Browne, (although it was never released) and went on to become a choir director and worship leader.

His talents did not stop there; at age 14 this aspiring young man provided back up harmony vocals for artists like Lutan Fyah. He began learning production work and creating rhythms that were used by artists like Konshens, and Popcaan for Maverick Records and is known to have composed the Freezer riddim for Ice Box Records.

When his brother died in 2009, this tragedy motivated Jamar to take the next step in building his career as a vocalist. He teamed up and began writing with Romaine “Teflon” Arnett and co-founded Zincfence Recordz which has had a profound impact on his career as he was encouraged to sing the songs he was writing for other artists. This collaboration help Jamar to find his uniqueness in the sound that has been branded as a “Reggae Revival.” His sweet melodic voice and equally captivating lyrics have paved a path that guarantees his place in the reggae music scene, as the music of roots and culture is revived.

The name “Little Chronicle” was replaced by his friends to Chronixx as his popularity grew in 2012. His music got significant airplay in Jamaica 22 | JOIN OUR COMMUNITY @ WIAmagazine.com

and he performed at local festivals such as Reggae Sumfest 2012 and Sting 2012. But, by 2013 Chronixx was a household name. He released hits “Smile Jamaica” and “Here Comes Trouble”; toured Europe gaining an even larger fan base in Germany, Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States with his Zincfence Redemption Band. He also travelled to Kenya as a Peace Ambassador during the country’s general election where he has a large fan following and performed at the Tuka Rada Peace Concert in Nairobi.

Chronixx also performed at some of Jamaica’s major reggae events like Jamaica Jazz & Blues 2013, Rebel Salute 2013, and Reggae Sumfest 2013 in front of almost 10,000 spectators.

If 2013 was considered a good year, then 2014 was a colossal year as Chronixx’s light shone like a beacon. He was a key attraction all over Europe (Germany, France, Poland, Belgium and Spain) and during an event with British DJ David Rodigan in Brixton, UK advance tickets were sold out prior to the event, something that almost never happens for a reggae concert in the UK. He performed in Jamaica with Shaggy and Friends, again at Jamaica Jazz and Blues 2014 and for the third year in succession, at Reggae Sumfest 2014.

In the United States, Chronixx did a showcase at The Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City with legendary pianist Monte Alexander featuring the great Ernest Ranglin to sold out shows; appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon singing “Here Comes Trouble”; and a momentous performance at Central Park SummerStage with over 5,000 fans in attendance which included legendary Rock artist Mick Jagger and his kids.

Chronixx teamed up with friend and mentor Protoje and released “Who Knows” one of 2014’s biggest reggae singles and in April released his highly anticipated album, “Dread and Terrible” which topped the Billboard Top Reggae Albums charts on the week of April 18th. It is reported that after The Tonight Show and the Central Park appearances the Album saw a significant gain in over 12,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan, which earned a number two position on the Digital Reggae Singles chart. Chronixx won several awards for Culture Artist of the Year,

Best New Artist and Entertainer of the Year at the Linkage Awards in New York; Best Song award for “Smile Jamaica” and Best Music Video for “Here Comes Trouble” from the International Reggae & World Music Awards and was nominated for Best Reggae Act at the MOBO Award.

Chronixx closed out this banner year with his first visit to the Pacific visiting Australia with shows at The Espy in Melbourne and The Factory in Sydney. While there, he and his band visited the Aboriginal Tent Embassy which is a protest site on Aboriginal land where a developer is planning to build a commercial development. He then when on to New Zealand performing at the prominent Raggamuffin Festival in Auckland with an estimated crowd of over 18,000 fans alongside UB40, Etana, and Ice Cube.

Interestingly, Chronixx Zincfence Recordz, not only produced hits for him, but other popular artists like Jah Cure, Kabaka Pyramid and Protoje, as well as collaborated in works with Maverick Sabre, Mavado, Normaddz and Inner Circle with whom Chronixx did a remake of the late great Jacob Miller’s “Tenement Yard” with new lyrics.

Undoubtedly, Chronixx will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in 2015 as this young man is on a mission to take reggae music to the four corners of the Earth.

By Marjorie Flash

CAREER & MONEY

WIA Magazine Interview with Marketing Consultant Angel Hadl of Dive Mktg www.divemktg.com With over 10 years of professional marketing experience, Angela brings a well-rounded approach to all marketing strategies she creates for her clients. Being one of the first individuals to push a social media program for business, she is well versed in how to optimize engagement and gain organic growth across various social media platforms.

In addition to traditional and social media strategies, she has worked with many individuals and businesses in creating new branding strategies that included graphics, messaging and in some cases packaging. She has been featured in iPhone Life Magazine, Forbes and many other noted publications. She is also a member of the National Association of Professional Women as well as the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. Angela is also a loving wife and mother of three.

1. You say that marketing is what you love to do. What do you love most about marketing, and how are you able to contribute to humanity through your work?

Marketing allows me to be creative in a practical way! Meaning – I am able to help people connect with people through art and psychology.

is not a sales platform; it is a branding platform that can lead to sales. Ultimately, you will need to hit the pavement and actually [sell] your product/ service.

4. Please explain some ways that you help small business owners achieve their goals.

Without even trying, I usually become an advisor for business owners. Because most small business owners want everything right now, they tend to be all over the place with their strategies. I help them refocus and really decide whether [their] quick decision will actually help them achieve their long term goals.

5. Describe your greatest moment of triumph in regards to your business, and some of the adversities you faced along the way.

We lasted a year without a financial loss. I was so busy working and keeping my clients happy that I had not noticed that my team and I accomplished this epic feat. Sure, we did lose some clients and definitely made some bad financial choices, but I realized that every time something ended or I felt [that I] had suffered a loss, there was something greater waiting for me.

3. With social media being so prevalent in our day-to-day lives, how important is marketing via social media to the average small business owner?

6. It is my understanding that you are a domestic violence survivor. Do you have any advice for women who need extra encouragement in order to find their purpose [in life] and empower themselves? My motto is: I am not a VICTIM of my CIRCUMSTANCES. Just knowing and believing this simple phrase helped me understand that I choose my path no matter what another person has done to me or said about me. Their actions are a reflection of how they felt about themselves. My life is my choice. Honestly, this is a hard path to take because it requires honesty and time, but if you are willing to invest in yourself then it will be worth it and you will come out on top.

Every business needs social media marketing now.

It is just as important as your website, business name, and logo. Just be aware that social media

7. As a mother, wife, and entrepreneur, what are some ways that you find and maintain balance in your life? Ahhhhhhhhhh! There is

2. As a marketing expert, what advice can you give small business owners who are struggling?

Read everything! I wish I would have taken this advice when I first started. Everything you need to know about marketing are in books and articles. Stop trying to force your product/ service and begin making what you do relatable.

Once a person relates, then you are golden in the marketing world.

always an app! Lol! Just kidding, but I have found ways to streamline everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, paying bills, etc‌ so I do not have to spend too much time away from my family. I also made the decision to always be available to my children after school. It is so important that they know you are present and interested in who they are and what they do. Lastly, I have built a team that helps me get the work done. It is ok to ask for help and it is ok to say NO! This allows me the freedom to invest in what is most important to me – my family.

8. How can business owners get in contact with you and what would they need to do prior to consulting with your company? They can call, email or text me. It is a great idea for business owners to know what their goals are prior to speaking with me, but it is not necessary. I believe in empowering business owners to do their best and be open. We may not do business together, but we are in this together. What we do, makes our economy flourish and we must stay encouraged, at the very least, to grow. Mobile 347-965-0498 or email angela@divemktg.com By: Lila Green

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SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

GOOD FOOD DESERVES TO BE ENJOYED SPRING GARDENS RESTAURANT I recently spoke to the owners of this popular Jamaican restaurant about the benefits of advertising in their community and learned quite a bit about their respect and appreciation for their customers. One of the things they insisted on was for me to convey to their customers best wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year – so on behalf of Spring Gardens restaurant, I trust you get the message. I am sure that anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Ron, Marlon and Norma will tell you much the same thing, they work hard, long hours to provide a much needed service in the Springfield community.

style Jamaican food. I sat in the dining room for a while with Marlon one evening and observed how he genuinely interacted with his customers and immediately understood the reason for their success…the food is great, but what is even better is customer relations, HOW YOU TREAT YOUR CUSTOMER, and they are among the best at that.

What really got my attention though was when Marlon went for a menu, opened it and said look at my mother’s slogan, I looked and saw written in bold red, “GOOD FOOD DESERVES TO BE ENJOYED,” and I had to agree it’s one of the best slogans I’ve heard for any business. So, Yes, there are many restaurants between where you live relative to Spring congratulations Ron, Marlon and Norma for always making sure you Garden, but somehow you end up at the Garden, why? It’s the food, just always give something back to your community and ensuring that “word as they say in real estate, “location, location, location,” people say about of mouth is always a good word.”

Spring Gardens –“ it’s the food, the food, the food,” its authentic, home

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Many Islands, One Voice Many Islands, One 2015 Voice 25 January th

25th January 2015COMMISSION” “THE CARIBBEAN CULTURE “THE CARIBBEAN CULTURE COMMISSION” Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA mission of the Caribbean Culture Commission is to bring awareness to issues The mission of the Caribbean Culture Commission is to bring cting individuals that are directly from the Caribbean, and those of descendants. awareness issues of affecting individuals directly from refore unifying to people Caribbean heritage that and are establishing “one voice” of the Caribbean, and those of descendants.

Therefore unifying resentation, regardless of island locale. Expected attendees include local politicians, people new of mCaribbean establishing “one voice” of bassadors, edia and key heritage members and of the Caribbean community. representation, regardless of island locale. Expected attendees include local politicians, ambassadors, new media and key members first gathering of the Caribbean Culture Commission is scheduled to commence on Caribbean 25thof of the January 2015, community. at True United Church, 6201 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 41. There will be a meet and greet from 5:00pm EST to 6:00pm EST. The official The first gathering of the Caribbean Culture Commission is eting will begin promptly at 6:00pm EST. All parties should plan on attending, and reach scheduled to commence on dthe 25th of January 2015, at True to one of the organizers for further etails.

United Church, 6201 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141.

There will be a meet and greet from 5:00pm EST to 6:00pm EST. The official meeting will begin promptly at 6:00pm EST. All parties should plan on attending, and reach out to one of the organizers for&further ation Time details.

1 Old York Road adelphia, PA 19141 0pm Location EST & Time 6201 Old York Road ntact Philadelphia, Information PA 19141 me: B5:00pm ishop Bartley EST ne: (215) 844-­‐1132 ext. 1 ail: BContact ishopBartley@aol.com Information Name: Bishop Bartley Phone: (215) 844-­‐1132 ext. 1 Email: BishopBartley@aol.com

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COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

Culture Shock

New York is the capital of culture. Add some fashion to mix and you’ll get a culture shock.

If you live in New York, and love fashion, don’t miss these three fascinating fashion exhibits that are sure to leave you in awe.

Killer Heels: The Art of the High-Heeled Shoe Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy.; 718.638.5000 Through February 15, 2015 www.brooklynmuseum.org Featuring over 160 pairs of designer heels—some dating as far back as the 16th century—this exhibition explores the evolution of feminine footwear. View stunning modern examples by the likes of Christian Louboutin, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.

3 fashion exhibits to see in NYC

ensembles and the pieces, many of which have never been exhibited before. You’ll mourning gowns worn by Queen Victoria and Queen Alexandra. Items range from the austere to the grandiose.

The exhibition examines the trend with both originals and fake versions of clothes on display, Faking It: Originals, Copies, and Counterfeits among them an authentic wool bouclé Chanel day suit along with a licensed copy, as well as real The Museum at FIT, Fashion & Textile History and counterfeit bags from Louis Vuitton, Gucci Gallery, 227 West 27th Street; (212) 217-7999 and Chanel.

Through April 25, 2015 www.fitnyc.edu

Long before the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag was being knocked off by the thousands, counterfeiters in the early 20th century were miming the creations of that era’s fashion designers and labels

This exhibition focuses on the counterfeiting Highlights include Marilyn Monroe’s Salvatore phenomenon, which the curators trace as far Ferragamo stilettos; an 8-inch-high black leather back as 1903—when a purple velvet dress made platform bootie designed by Rem D. Koolhaas by English fashion designer Charles Frederick for Lady Gaga; and an absurd collaboration between Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí, the result of which is actually a headpiece.

Death Becomes Her: A Century of Mourning Attire The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. (at 82nd St.); 212.535.7710 Through February 1, 2015 www.metmuseum.org Alexander McQueen explained, “It is important to look at death because it is a part of life. It is a sad thing, melancholic but romantic at the same time. It is the end of a cycle--everything has an end. The cycle of life is a positive because it gives room for new things.”

The new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Anna Wintour Costume Center looks at the evolution of mourning garments through the 19th and 20th centuries. It features 30 somber 26 | JOIN OUR COMMUNITY @ WIAmagazine.com

Worth was copied without permission. From then on, the trend has only flourished, as in a 1947 milestone, when copycats produced replicas of Christian Dior’s coveted collection of pleated skirts and crew neck jackets.

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SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

G’s Restaurant and Bar Wayne and Rose are obviously proud of their shrewd, hard working mom but are hoping to get her to slow down just a little bit – I wish them luck with that one, because no matter how tired she seems, with every new challenge she seems re-energized. It’s very obvious that their mere presence makes her feel better and their experience and advice seems to be much appreciated by their mom. As a writer who enjoys the privilege of interviewing and conversing with real people in a predominantly Consider this – a (single) mother of five arrives black community, I feel a deep sense of pride in New York, with very little financial resources in the progress and development of a growing in 1977, and by 1984 she finds a way to start her first restaurant in Jamaica, Queens, which remains in business until today, under the capable management of Bob, her second son.

Her journey to become one of the leading Caribbean restaurant owner’s in Queens had just begun; in 2005 G’s Restaurant & Bakery was launched, this time Ms. G started to produce her own Jamaican beef patties, hardough bread and cakes for every occasion.

During our conversation with Ms. G she happily informed us that she now produces number of black businesses. In this case I see a special carrot cakes and patties, especially for proud black family with a legacy of discipline vegans, I had difficulty believing how focused and hard work from parents and grandparents and attentive this lady is to her customers every in Jamaica, being able to live the American need. I initially sat with her in the dining room dream while providing employment for almost of the Rockaway Boulevard restaurant (the 40 people in their various locations. One can corporate store) for our interview, only to find only imagine how difficult it is to maintain and that everyone who came in not only wanted service all the equipment and other needs of to order, but also wanted to greet Ms. G with each location, but all this is professionally done love and appreciation. At this point I realized by son Courtney whose technical expertise keep the interview could only be done in privacy, I the motors running. implored Ms. G to take me to the privacy of her office. I know she hated to be away from the When I asked Ms. G for the source of her drive interaction with her customers, but she decided and motivation, she credits her dad and mom for to tolerate me for a few more minutes, during her introduction to business and the dedication which time two of her five successful grown they displayed, but she is quick to admit that it children came in to make sure their workaholic is her customers now who are the biggest source mom was ok. of her inspiration. So the conversation went to the newly opened, upscale G’s Restaurant & Bar

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located right off the Sunrise Highway at139 – 20 243rd Street in Rosedale, Queens, at which you will meet the very charming Leesa, owner/ manager and another of Ms. G’s daughters. This location is designed to accommodate those who enjoy dining out and relaxing in a classy and comfortable space with courteous and attentive service. Rose, the daughter I mentioned earlier said, “we wanted to provide an environment that would make our community happy to sit down to a meal with their families and know that we are willing to cater to their more sophisticated tastes.”

This is really one of the most ideal locations for private dining and celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, wedding parties, reunions or any event that requires good food, tropical cocktails and great service. If you are reading this and would like to enjoy a refreshing dining experience you must call Leesa or Tiffany to book your reservation; once you visit G’s, it’s nice new bar and comfortable ambience will keep you coming back. Call Leesa for reservations at G’s Restaurant & Bar. Phone No. 3478948577.

By: Clive Williams

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COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

If Racism and Discrimination Prevail, Uneducated Blacks and Latinos Provides a Backdoor to Harm the United States In fall of 2014, Blacks combined with Hispanics 2001, allowing the federal government to (50.3%) surpassed Whites as the nation’s majority threaten the states to educate their Black and student population. For some strange reasons, the Latino students. Even now some states were fighting against the law. group just cannot learn, or are not being made to learn—leaving us with the achievement gap. The achievement gap results in significantly different Despite of all the attempts to educate them, Black average scores between groups of students, and Latino continue to fail. especially between the highest Who are their teachers? Black and Hispanic ranked Whites and the lowest ranked Blacks. The teachers constitute 13.9 % of the nation’s teaching nation has long sought to address the gap. It had force compared to Whites’ 82.7%. Does it matter that majority White monolingual female teachers are teaching majority Black and Latino youth— • The 1954 Brown v Board of Education; giving that they will compete with the teachers’ • Bussing and magnet schools to segregate children for jobs? schools; Black and Hispanics historically receive the least • The Civil Rights Act of 1954; number of science, technology, engineering, and • Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA) math (STEM) degrees. It has the Department of Defense worried; they cannot find enough STEM Act of 1955; college graduates to replace its aging professional • The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of in the next ten years.

If Black and Latino’s deficit in STEM extend to the future, we would have a nation whose majority was STEM illiterate. The question is: Will the racism, discrimination, and other pathologies causing the miseducation of our Black and Hispanic children be so strong it would rather they remain uneducated, forcing the military to import future highly skilled STEM workers from Somalia, Afghanistan, or other nations reported to be hating on America?

Yes, the hater nations having discovered that the only way to hurt America is put down their weapons, become highly skilled STEM professionals, and obtain visas to work in the military and other key agencies. Is it possible? Is it not frightening? Can it be prevented?

Dr Rupert Green

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COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

Do Black Lives Matter?

This past week, terrorists murdered 17 people in France. The world stood up and showed solidarity with the French people. They mourned with France. There was global condemnation of the dastardly deed. These fanatical extreme muslim fundamentalists, are attempting to establish their brand of Islam. And if the “Free”, democratic, society does not capitulate, they will exact punishment by any means necessary.

This must not stand!

A few days later, 40 world leaders marched hand in hand in Paris to demonstrate their united rebuke of violent muslim extremists, their support for a free press, and their solidarity with the French people. It was unprecedented to see the Israeli Prime Minister, Nethanyau, and the Palestinian President, Abbas together, locking arms with other world leaders. This symbolism of Jewish and the Muslim leaders arm in arm, sent a powerful message of unity to the world and indeed the terrorists.

There was no such display of solidarity by world political or religious leaders for the Nigerian people who were brutally murdered by Boko Haram. None!

During the same week that the French murders occurred, over 2000 innocent Nigerian citizens were massacred by fanatical extreme muslim fundamentalists - Boko Haram.

There was hardly a peep in the world press about this major atrocity. No leader rushed to Nigeria. There was no political or terrorism analyst on TV providing the public with details of the tragedy.

On the Saturday, the same day that the world political and religious establishment were planning their trip to Paris, Boko Haram strapped a 10 year old girl with explosives and detonated it, blowing her to bits in the middle 32 | JOIN OUR COMMUNITY @ WIAmagazine.com

of a market killing over 40 innocent victims in There seems to be a narrative about how the Nigeria. There was no condemnation by any “world” press feels about black lives. This world leader. sentiment has been haunting us from the abominable suffering and death of our ancestors The following day, Boko Haram strapped two during the Atlantic slave trade through modern more innocent girls with explosives and blew times. their tender bodies apart in a mobile market killing 3 other people, and wounding 46 more. This is the same feeling (the utter disregard for There was no passion shown to the Nigerian black lives) that’s at the heart of recent protests in people by the global leaders. None, nada. the streets of NYC, Ferguson, Ohio, and across these United States. This is why prosecutors can There has been no CNN, FOX, BBC or other charge Grand Jury’s in such a manner, to allow extensive coverage of the Boko Harm murders unarmed black men to lay on the streets of the of Nigerians. I must admit that there was an US dead, while their killers never face either excerpt on CNN International, but nothing murder, or other charges. close to the coverage about the French murders.

The sentiment seems to be, Its ok to kill black I had to read the details about the incidents in people - after all, nobody cares.

Nigeria in the India Times.

By: Patrick Sterling But why is this so?

COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

Babes, Bombs & Burgers

continued from pg 19

the purpose of military espionage and PsyOps war culture? Through the Neanderthalization of the planet the very foundation for high culture campaigns. is being eroded under our feet. Who is going to THE BOMB catch us if we fall? Monsanto?

When you consider the fact that our attitudes about sex, and how we eat and prepare our food is increasingly being directly influenced by the U.S. military then it is no wonder there are so many broken relationships in America today.

Decent young women can’t find husbands.

Decent young men can’t find wives. Fractured individuals are much easier for a tyrannical government to control than whole families that are healthy and strong.

Throughout human history sex and food have provided the human mind with a foundation for nourishment and effective communication.

What happens to a society when these two basic necessities for human life come directly out of a

Hope

the beast man or we will die a cold death like a bowl of gourmet ice cream. You will notice that your creative intelligence will deepen and your empathy and sense of intuition will gradually become enhanced when you deviate from the Today you have some men beating their wives popular cultural norms of our technocratic bloody and killing them off with no conscience. Western society.

Grown men and women routinely curse each other out on social media networks over simple If you are an adult and the people in your circle disagreements in ideology and general opinion. do not, at the very least, have the desire to help How do long-lasting marriages and meaningful create thriving families that will naturally evolve friendships thrive in such a volatile social into a thriving community, then you may need climate? They won’t thrive because they cannot. a new circle of friends.

Not unless they are free of the Neanderthal cave trauma that is militaristically plunging the Divesting oneself of the influence of this military modern world into a social ice age one hot dog culture is an ongoing process in our current world. Still I remain optimistic that diligence missile at a time. will reward dedication.

It would do us well to work on separating ourselves from the martial consciousness of

The word that will illuminate your path in 2015

As we walk into 2015 I continually hear people say things are not getting better, but what will happen if optimism disappears into a sea of forgetfulness. There were a variety of challenges that affected all ethnic backgrounds in 2014.

to go to college. The dreams our parents and grandparents had for us has become a reality.

Some of us have friendships that will last us a lifetime. We’ve developed relationships that we would never give up and that would change our As New Yorkers, we are known for our resiliency lives drastically if we ever had to let go of them. and this will be no different. Keeping hope These are the people who could read our lives alive I know that 2015 will be a year in which like a best selling novel. They are among the few dreams will be attained for many of us. What that we have shared our secrets with. happens when hope is gone? What happens when we allow despair to invade our thoughts, I look forward to 2015. Not with fear, but with our words, our daily lives? We put ourselves hope. There are still many good people out there, at risk of losing all hope, but hope is here and giving of their time and talents. Some are known but many are unknown to most of us, doing continues to live in all of us. their best for causes they believe in no matter Sometimes life can be overwhelming, still I what. I salute, these people, because they make believe that things will get better and I welcome our world a better place. and embrace this feeling. A lot of us are now enjoying the benefits of improved health-care. I want us to hold on to the word “hope.” It is There is so much help for homeowners who one that will make 2015 bigger and brighter for are having problems paying their mortgages. us all.

Almost everyone can get the opportunity By STACIE EWING JOIN OUR COMMUNITY @ WIAmagazine.com | 33

SELF HELP / INSPIRATION

“FOR GREAT HEALTH AND VITALITY” it’s vital to our health that we protect our immune systems at all times -Bro Imandi It’s that time of year again, when the limits of our physical endurance is tested by the flu, fevers, chills, allergies, congestion and - depression, people from tropical climates are particularly affected by seasonal affective disorder, ( SAD) that funky mood which makes you feel like you’ve lost your best friend. Why? Because of reduced sunlight, lower temperatures and very often unfavorable weather to which most Caribbean folks are unaccustomed. The risk of illness and discomfort are even more for the very young and the elderly who are particularly at risk during what is traditionally called the flu season. During this period, which sometimes extends through to February, hospital emergency rooms are filled to overflowing with sick people.

Why not take yourself out of the equation and avoid the emergency room altogether, remember the old adage, “an ounce of PREVENTION is better than a pound of cure,” it’s absolutely true, since you’ve trusted my advice for more than 20 years, let me offer it to you again, go to VITAL HEALTH FOODS, and the very professional staff of experienced health advocates will 34 | JOIN OUR COMMUNITY @ WIAmagazine.com

provide you with the information and nutrients you need to stay Vital. They have been doing this for more than 23 years, and their nutrients, herbs, vitamins and minerals are from the finest and most reliable sources in the United States and the Caribbean, ask them and they will source it.

Bro. Imandi and his team of professionals, (some family), have remained tried and trusted health advocates, not only because of the endurance of their business but also because of the personal consultations they offer. So if you just decided that you want to take better care of yourself, go in and ask all the questions you want; ask for Bro. Imandi, Jabu, Shyana or Walatta, you will be treated with the utmost courtesy and respect, but better yet, you will take control of your own health and avoid the nightmare of the emergency room.

In a recent visit with Bro. Imandi, he had some advice for us: “it’s vital to our health that we protect our immune systems at all times, but for this season he recommends that we infuse ourselves with Oil of Oregano, Liquid Vitamin

C, Echinacea and Astragalus and warns that we should avoid foods that are mucous producing, such as whole milk and cheese. He further recommends that if you’re planning a trip to Jamaica you should visit Vital to get your supply of Neem herb, sometimes called the sacred tree and Citronella in order to repel mosquitoes and other insects that can cause disease, Vital health foods also carry a wide array of Gluten free foods for people with food allergies and are in the process of expanding their popular Juice Bar in order to offer a wider choice of health juices and smoothies. Call Vital Health Foods 718-525-0992 or visit them at 196-14 Linden Blvd. St. Albans, Queens.

By: Cliffe Stone

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Dr. Marlene Reynolds-Cox…..

The People’s Dentist Why is it that a simple trip to the dentist causes so much tension, fear and anxiety in so many of us? The obvious answer is that bad news spreads fast and the fact that an unfortunate few have suffered pain and discomfort at the hands of some dentists. The idea of a drill in our mouths, no matter how small, seem to evoke terror in our minds, not to mention that dreaded needle that administers the magic potion that dulls your pain. Isn’t ironic that the needle you fear most is the one that promotes some comfort and relaxation?

If all the above sounds scary it can be, if you visit just any dentist. Now let me take you into another world of Dentistry and please believe me, because I have been there. When you enter into Dr. Marlene’s world of dentistry, none of the above is true. In Dr. Marlene’s world, the reality changes, in her case I have to stretch an old saying and add a new twist, “ Great Dentists are not made, they are born.”

I can justify that statement by providing some facts; Dr. Marlene successfully graduated as a Pharmacist. She had a profession that offered her a lucrative career that would provide a comfortable life, but for some supernatural reason she went on to study dentistry. Since I have been treated by her I am happy that she did and I believe all her other patients feel the way I do.

My Hygienist was Charles, who treated me and prepared me for Dr. Marlene - on a scale of one to ten he was a ten plus. My x-rays and cleaning were so expertly done I didn’t know it was over, thanks again Charles. The process was so comfortable that a few weeks later when I did my filling, I choose not to be anesthetized. That’s how comfortable I felt and I am no braver or tougher than you are, but I was made to feel comfortable, confident and empowered.

Don’t hesitate one minute longer. Your dental health is one of the most important factors in defying facial aging and illness. Beautiful well cared for teeth and regular care can take ten years off of how you look. Take my word and enter into Dr. Marlene’s world of comfortable dental care. For an appointment call her office at 7187235656, you’ll be glad you did.

I have tried to understand why her dental practice and her personal skill as a dentist is different - having been treated by at least ten or twelve dentist in my lifetime I believe I offer an accurate analysis which I will share with By Clive Williams you. There are people who are born with a gift, we can call it inspired and anointed. For such persons their life’s work is a calling. Dr. Marlene is that inspired, anointed Dentist, I believe her Spirituality accompanies everything she does.

Then there is the personality factor. Research has now proven overwhelmingly that the mood that is created by the caregiver enhances healing. Dr. Marlene’s personality is so mellow, confident and reassuring that her world of dentistry is calm and relaxing. It is that same mood that radiates throughout her office which makes your dental experience the most pleasant it can ever be.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE INC. multiple intelligence and accelerated learning techniques. Foundations For Life is a member of the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, Inc., (NPCC) and the International Alliance for Learning (IAL).

Foundations For Life, Inc. is committed to providing families in the Brownsville/ East Flatbush, East New York section of Brooklyn with counseling, educational programs, conflict resolution classes, career development, tutorial, and youth programs that will enable them to become culturally, socially, and economically self-sufficient. An alarming 30% of Third grade students in our target neighborhoods cannot read at grade level combine with the fact that only 9.5% of Brownsville residents 25 and older have a Bachelors degree.

Foundations For Life (FFL) is a 501(C) 3 nonprofit charitable organization which was established to provide our community with a systematic response to the growing problems of juvenile delinquency, high school drop outs, teen pregnancy, and the continued decline of standardized test scores. FFL was born out of community and parental concern that their children were not being served in the best interest of their future.

Our mission statement is “to empower and support families to meet their needs through educational, cultural, and social services.” To accomplish these tasks we endeavor to address the needs of the whole person by promoting personal responsibility and self-confidence, by giving them the knowledge to understand their own minds, and a set of tools to run them more successfully. The After School program is the foundation of our organization through which FFL addresses the root causes of both the individual student and overall community’s lacking academic achievement. We offer unique programming using 38 | JOIN OUR COMMUNITY @ WIAmagazine.com

New York City’s public education system is said to be a litmus test of the decline in quality education across the country. Riddled with private investments and agendas that serve corporate interests at the cost of poor families, public education is an inalienable right for all American citizens. Over 1.4 million children attend school in New York City about 70% of who attend public school. Most of the City’s public school students are poor and from communities of color. 71 % qualify for the federal government’s free or reduced-price lunch program; 86 percent are Latino, Black or Asian. Reading and math scores of black and Latino students drop more than ten points between elementary and middle school.

The four-year high school graduation rate reached 62 percent in 2007 but black and Latino students, English Language Learners (ELL), and students with disabilities are performing poorly, and do worse as they move through the system: In one-third of schools serving middle-schoolers, a majority of eighth graders are reading below the standard, and these students are overwhelmingly black and Latino. Less than half of black and Latino students and a quarter of special education and ELL students graduate from high school in four years. The trend will get worse as higher standards go into effect. Large numbers of students graduate from high school academically unprepared—three-fourths of graduates who enter the CUNY system fail the placement exams and require remediation in basic skills.

Hence, FFL’s initiatives create a one-stop-shopping approach to the broken family, the results of which are tangibly noted in students’ declining school achievements, their ability to focus, and the simplicity of believing that they are capable of changing a crossgenerational epidemic of mediocrity Our purpose in forming Foundations For Life is as our name suggests, to provide our community with access to knowledge, training and opportunities that will help form the foundation for quality living.

As such although our primary focus will start with programming for children and youth, we fully

intend to develop into a resource for those adults in our community in need of our services as well.

Population served FFL’s After School program has 95 students, 85% of which are black, a combination of African-American and Afro-Caribbean students, the remaining of which are a combination of Hispanic students and other ethnicities. Accordingly, our primary target population is disproportionately impacted by socio-economic conditions, which impact their success, their perceived potential, and their overall sense of self and their future. Nationally, our target population traditionally scores lower on standardized tests, specifically reading and language arts; these statistics and scores are consistent across New York City as well as across the country. While FFL’s After School initiative shows marked progress in students’ academics, there is still room for growth.

Go to our website listed below for Programs and Activities. www.foundationsforlifelearning.org Call 718-377-1177 BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW TODAY!

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