Carlton Phaison

A Life Lived Well Done!

By: C. Harrison/March 29, 2015/5:09AM

Carlton Phasion’s inception into this world began May 24, 1951…from there his journey to fulfill God quest was implemented, when that quest was over on March 8, 2015, God had called him home he had done his job. The sun would set for Carl, March 18, 2015, where his final resting place would allow him fortress….there is service on earth was finally done and his record now sealed; his faith now in God’s hands. Church service for Carl took place at the Bathesda Missionary Baptist Church, located at 179-09 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432. His service was presided over by The church’s Pastor Bishop Charles Norris Jr.  Carl’s eulogy was given by Elder Jason D. Davis, Pastor.

Jamaica, Queens was his home and the Central Library was where you could find him on any given day of the week. Carl was always there working away on one project or another. If, you could find him and you needed help he would help you. Those that needed something to eat he knew where to send you or give you what he had. The library, was where I met him, back then that library was where we all met up and where some of us put out our most inspiring works.

Photo credit by: C. Harrison

The words: good, descent and kind comes to mind and are some of what his friends who came out to see him for the last time voiced.

“Carl was the hardest working man I had ever meet in my life volunteering,” voiced one friend.

“Carl would rather be a doorman then be a man who thief,” said another.

“We all remember the good things Carl did for us…..spread that love. Carl’s sacrifice and life should not go to waste,” said yet another good friend.

“I met Carl in 1988…I was living on the street. His living shall not be in vain,” said a Life Experience Associate.

“Carl spoke no negative about anyone. The key that I got from Carl is his ability to do the same things all over New York. He made sure people knew where pantries and soup kitchens were. He could tell you weather they were open or close. No one live for oneself. No one died for oneself. If you live, you live for God, if you died you died for God. Carl has completed well, he finished the race and he kept the faith. There was for many, he became the first point of contact, for food and attention for the homeless.”  “Today we are advocating for the Carlton Phasion Foundation, for food, clothes and shelter. He was a servant of servants,” stated Carlton”s closest friend Professor Gibbs.

Everyone who spoke, noted that Carl was a good guy, and that he was.  “He was a pleasure to work with,” according to sister Franklin. His wife Annette said, “He was a loving husband and he loved what he did. You always see me walking with him in my nurse’s uniform.” His stepdaughter Alicia Tyson, explained that he was always there to help her with home work. All told, Carlton visited  churches all over the New York tri-state area, especially, those in Queens and it showed as each church blessed him with their present paying their last respect. As we saw from the turn out on his biggest day, he was an angel with wings and will surely be missed by those who knew him. His tireless work and selfless ways, will be remembered by those he had touched.

Photo credit by: C. Harrison

Carlton graduated from Alexander Hamilton Vocational & Technical High School.  At seventeen, while attending high school Carl worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Carl attended Queens Borough Community College, majoring in Mathematics and Accounting. He graduated in 1971, and began working as a Figure Clerk. Two years later Carl entered New York City College of Technology; where he studied to be an electrician. As Carl grew in his new profession, he learned other specialties in the field of general construction.

Carlton is preceded in death by his brother Charles and sister Josephine. He leaves to cherish fond memories: his wife Annette Tyson Phasion, his mother, Martha Phasion, brothers: Gregory, Ricky, his son Dwayne Phasion and daughter Norien Phasion, his stepchildren Alicia Tyson, Joseph and Kevin Tyson. His Church sister Eloise Franklin, friend in Christ Bibi & her Mom, a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, dear friends and church family.

Carlton live and died for the people he served. he was one of Queens own…Carlton Phasion, was a Missionary for God to the very end.

COME MEET AND TALK TO YOUR STATE SENATOR REGARDING ISSUES, MAKE SUGGESTIONS 

Posted By: C. Harrison/March 24, 2015

What:     Bringing “Your Office,” to you

Where:  Hammel House at the Pathway Between

                   85-02 and 84-10

When:    Friday, March 27, 2015

Time:     11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The 6th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference

Posted By: C. Harrison/March 24, 2015

On Thursday, the 26th of March beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Jamaican community is invited to attend a special meeting being convened by the Jamaican Consulate for the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller ON, MP. Prime Minister to meet with the Jamaican Community.

The meeting will be held at St George’s Episcopal Church, 209 East 16th Street, New York, NY 10003…Thursday March 26, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.

The Meeting is the Official Launch of the 6th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference scheduled to take place June 2015, in Montego Bay Conference Centre, Montego Bay Jamaica.

All should be seated by 6:15 p.m. ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival.

During the function details will be shared about the upcoming 6th Diaspora Conference scheduled for June 2015, in Montego Bay. The Prime Minister will also address key matters of relevance to the community. It should be noted that the 6th Biennial Ambassador is international singer Shaggy.

Jazz And Blues Have Never Sounded This Superb

By: C. Harrison/ March 24, 2015/1:24 am

                             photo credit: C. Harrison:  Cynthia Holiday

New York, NY…….Cynthia Holiday, performed three consecutive shows at Showmans Jazz Club, recently. The shows began at 9:30 pm the first show, 11:30 the second show and the last show at 1:30am. Showmans, is located in a quiet area of Harlem, at 375 West 125 Street. The themes for the  shows were “Lady Swing The Blues.” it will also be used for her upcoming shows.

The doors opened and there she was singing away, music to the ear and eyes instantly glued to the stage. Cynthia Holiday was singing one of her numbers for the trendy room. The day before Feb24, an interview with her carried over as far as listening to her and remembering some of what she had revealed, Holiday, was wearing a black sequence outfit….fitted to perfection. She was wowing the crowd, especially those in the front of the warm-cozy-setting and what seem like a great place to network and play.

The alluring Jazz club, packed to the hilt….seemed like everyone  knew Holiday’s first shows were at Showmans Jazz Club. Holiday never wavered, she gave us the best of her as she dazzled and thrilled us with her captivating voice. And her musicians kept up by infusing the music. People bopped their heads sway their hips to the sounds and tapped their feets; the realization was that this was Jazz, at its finest no disappointment here. The room was a mixture of people; some came as far away as from Canada, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and New York City.

According to the prime jazz singer, her do over of “That’s All,” is a well known standard, sang by Sara Barn, a famous jazz singer. She said that people will love the song all over again. “I choose it because people loved it,” she noted. Holiday also conceded that the thing about jazz is that you have to listen to it and if you should pick out a few jazz artist music, such as Miles Davis and others, you will see what she is saying. The song she said was already on her second album, which was recorded at Bridland’s Jazz Club, in New York City.

“I was born to a musical family, bands and singers use to come to practice. I would listen to all kinds of music, its in my DNA, music is my passion,” revealed the Jazz Artist.

Moreover, Holiday, also confirmed that she started off singing when she was a young girl, over time she began to explore and thereafter,  studied with various cultures. Insight of this, she sang R& B, but like a jazz singer…which sounds different but it included the Blues.

When asked what is a typical day in her life like, she interpreted herself this way, “The first thing I do is thank the Lord for family and friends. Then, I listen to music. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I go to body sculpting class like clockwork.”

The cosmopolitan Jazz Singer, further reframed to the fact that not only is she inspired by music but she was blessed to be able to do it. “I am not in it for the money, fame or fortune; even though I would love to have it. If that’s what you are in it for, you shouldn’t be in the entertainment business,” Holiday commented.

“I have learned to appreciate life. I am very much a live and let live person. Forget about the Jones, I am trying to keep up with myself. Do you; I am a very optimistic person.”  Cynthia, is a person. I am living my life the best way I know how. I am trying to be the best person I can be. A good citizen and good person to my family. And I am one person living on this earth,” Holiday said.

In addition, the Jazz Goddess contented that she is living for herself and those who love her. Singing she said once again, is her passion but it does not define her. “I am a mother, a wife, a citizen and I am me,” she said of herself.

The night consisted of a litany of Holiday’s favorites…which quickly became my favorites too, included: “You Got A Job To Do,” a rap that she wrote and appropriately called grown-up rap. “I Idolize You Baby,”  “Hush, Don’t Explain,” Momma He Treats Your Daughter Mean,” and my personal favorite “I Put A Spell On You.”

Aaa yes, I did not know the Cotton Club, in Harlem, but I read all about it and its hay days…..being at Showmans, I felt some what like I was there back then. I have been in Harlem many times to different events but, this was my first time coming to a Jazz Club in Harlem and I felt right at home and love every minute of it. Cynthia Holiday, is in her prime and is sensational.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Posted By: C. Harrison/ 3/12/2015

Senator Sanders Office:

Senator Sanders is offering a Internship Program for all undergraduate College students. Interested in Urban Policy and Planning, as well as Urban politics and Sociology…those college student will be earning college credits while providing help to residents of Jamaica. South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and parts of Far Rockaway. All college students are encouraged to apply.

For more information or to apply go to: www.nysenate.gov/senator/jamessanders-jr.