By: C. Harrison/April 24, 2015/7:09 pm

A 21ST CENTURY TRADE AGREEMENT FOR AMERICA

New York, NY……The President has just put out a very Innovative Ambitious TPA, modernistic trade plan for America and its foreign assets (Those countries who want to do trades with America). He introduced the Trade Promotion Authority legislation, according to OFA, TPA or “fast track;” which is  a series of guidelines for trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership the Obama administration is currently working on.

“TPA, is now Congress sets the rules of the road for trade negotiations. They set guidelines that the President and the administration use to negotiate an agreement with other nations,” OFA.

The new progressive Trade Bill will enforce tougher labor laws, tougher environmental  protections standard laws and the process will be transparent.  “Past trade deals haven’t always lived up to the hype. That’s why I’ve made it clear that I won’t sign any agreement that doesn’t put American workers first,” President Obama said.

We should pay attention because its important for working families and for the economy that we get this right. The U.S. exports  supported by expanding trade have contributed nearly a third of U.S. economic growth in the recovery…supporting more than 11.7 million jobs according to the international Trade Administration and almost 300,000 small and medium-sized businesses in every state according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Don’t pay any attention to the uncommonly recent fuss between the President and Elizabeth Warren: Here is what my thoughts are…

“I love Elizabeth Warren I have worked with her on  numerous issues but she is dead wrong on this,”  the President said on MSNBC, regarding  (TPA ).

Incidentally my take on Rep. Elizabeth Warren’s argument on the Trade issue:  In an interview with Elizabeth Warren, on the Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC)…….Inspite of what Rep. Warren stated or said, I believe that Elizabeth Warren is not against what the President said or stated so much and have put into the trade deal agreement….what I am hearing from her is that she is worried about the way and manner that the Agreement, is being put or going through Congress…..with only according to her, corporations and lobbies groups getting to see the product (The Trade Deal-Agreement) before the American people have a chance to see it and comment on it. This, even though the administration promised that the public will get a chance to see and comment on it, as well as Congressional members can see that deal now. Rep. Warren, I believe is worried that other incoming Presidents will do the same thing with little or no oversight, which will become problematic for us all.

I am sure that the President will make it so that this doesn’t become an easy process for incoming Presidents to manipulate.

Posted By: C./ Harrison

Come Meet & Talk To Your Senator And Local Leaders Regarding Issues And Make Suggestions

What:       Bringing “Your Office” to you

Where:   South Jamaica Cornerstone  Community Center (40 Houses) 109-04 160th Street, Jamaica New York

When:  Thursday April 30, 2015

Time:    7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

For more information call (718) 523-3069 or email Horsham@nysenate.gov  

Posted By: C. Harrison

MUSIC BRINGS LIFE TO HOLD “CODE RED CONCERT” AND BLOOD DRIVES TO PROMOTE BLOOD AWARENESS IN NEW YORK CITY

Urban non-profit initiative announces its 2015 program to obtain blood donations from diverse populations

New York, NY…..Music Brings Life Inc., a non-profit blood awareness organization, is taking an innovative approach to ensuring  a stable community blood supply within New York City’s minority communities. The Brooklyn-based organization will hold a free concert and Summer blood drives to educate people in the Black, Latino and Caribbean communities about the importance of donating blood.

The CODE RED Blood Awareness Concert will be held on Friday, May 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at St Francis de Sales School (260 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11225). This free concert will promote Music Brings Life’s three Summer blood drives, which will be held inside Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201) on Wednesday, June 10, Wednesday, July1, and Wednesday August 5. Performers at the CODE RED concert will include dancehall and reggae superstar Serani as well as Music Brings Life President and Founder Keenan “Special” Bristol, who will perform his original song, “Superman 1, 2, 3 Away,” in keeping with the organization’s slogan of “Heroes Donate Blood.”

“In order to make people want to donate blood, we first need to get their attention, ” said Bristol. “As a performer, I try to accomplish this through music.”

“When one unit of blood is donated, it gets broken into components that can be used to help as many as three patients,” explained Bristol.  “You are a hero when you donate blood because you are helping save lives.”

The first 200 people who come out to donate at Music Brings Life’s three Summer  blood drives will receive a free ticket to the 5 Alarm Blaze Music Brings Life Blood Awareness Concert on Labor Day Weekend. That concert will feature live performances of the hottest Caribbean music artists on the scene.

Over the past four years, Music Brings life has held several “blood awareness concerts” in Brooklyn that doubled as blood drives.  To date, the organization has raised over 3,000 pints of blood for the Black, Latino and Caribbean communities in New  York City.

Music Brings Life’s partners in 2015 are Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, the American Red Cross and Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network.

For more information about the CODE RED concert and blood drives, visit www.musicbringslife.org

Founded in 2009, Music Brings Life Inc., is a 501 (c) (3) not-for- profit organization that educates young people in the Black, Latino, and Caribbean communities about the importance of donating blood.

By: C. Harrison/April 17/3:12

Massive evacuation at Mount Siani Hospital earlier today. The evacuation was due to odor of the hospital’s 4, 5, 6, and 8 floors, so I was told by a hospital worker standing next to me who smelled the odor. The building evacuated was the 17 East 102 Street Building. The Hospital did a great job of people vacating the building. Con- Ed was on the premises.

Posted By: C. Harrison/April 17, 2015/3:04

Posted By: C. Harrison/April 17, 2015

Carol Muschette-Kirk,  NAJASO Historian, Ph. D, (ABD), MBA, MSM, BA, Cert. Ed. died on March 25, 2015 in Baltimore, MD after a brave and courageous battle against breast cancer. Carol was a leadership scholar, journalist and founder of CKM Productions, a multimedia international group promoting leadership in the: African, Latin American, and Caribbean Diasporas.

Carol was formerly  the Jamaican Information Service (JIS) information attache’ at Jamaica’s New York Consulate and Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. She worked in several capacities at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, DC for over a decade, in roles that includes: JIS national community relations officer, assistant information attache’ and assistant JAMPRO trade representative.

Carol is the author of four books on Amazon.com, including her most recent publication of the book, NAJASO:  A Catalyst for change, which  chronicles the history of the National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations, Inc. In 2007, the Smithsonian Institute contracted Carol and Northern Lights Production of History Channel to produce the audio of the video “Discovering Rastari” for its historic exhibition at the museum of Natural History in Washington, DC which reported over seven million visitors.

Carol is from Mandeville, Jamaica and attended Bishop’s High School, Knox College, and Shortwood Teachers College, majoring in English and History. She earned a BA degree in Journalism and Music from Rutgers University, MBA and MSM degree from the University of Maryland and graduate management certificates from John Hopkins Business School and Harvard Law/MIT Negotiation Program. She completed course work for a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership with a focus on international leadership.

“A truly dedicated, talented, intelligent and astute Jamaican American, Jamaica the United States and NAJASO has lost an icon.” (B. Roy Davidson, NAJASO Immediate Past President)

The funeral will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 7500 Piney Branch Rd. Washington, DC 20012. Tribute and Visitation: 10:00am; Funeral Service: 11:00am

Expressions of Sympathies can be directed to Pauline Muschette, at paulinearb@gmail.com

Posted By: C. Harrison/April 17, 2015

Equal Pay Day was April 14, and a few weeks ago according to Kelly Byrne, National Issues Campaign Manager of Organizing for  Action, Senator Barbara Mikulski and Representative Rosa DeLauro reintroduced the Paycheck Fairness Act in Congress.  If passed the common sense legislation would update the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and help close the pay gap for women who are still paid less than men.

“This affects every family that works hard to make ends meet,” she said.

To earn the same as their male counterparts, full-time working women have to work on average of another 104 days.  THIS IS NOT RIGHT PEOPLE.

Posted By: C. Harrison/April 17, 2015/12:30 am

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Memorial Day Weekend

The 9th Annual Best Of The Best 2015 Music Fest Brings  Jamaica’s Biggest Stars to Miami

New York, NY…..Planning to go away this Memorial Weekend well, the biggest concert and an entire weekend is planned just for you. All you have to do is pack your bags and head for Miami.

South Florida’s longest running Memorial Weekend concert Best of The Best, returns to Bayfront Park,  301 Biscayne Blvd. Sunday, May 24, 2015. The event is produced by Best of The Best Entertainment..in association with Rockers Island Entertainment and Massive B–the 100% Caribbean Show is celebrating it’s 9th year, will once again feature a smorgasbord of Reggae, dancehall and Soca giants.

The years lineup includes: Shabba Ranks & Friends, legendary Josey Wales, the fire man Capleton, king of the dancehall Beene Man, queen of the dancehall Lady Saw, aka Marion Hall, Silky singers Sanchez and Wayne Wonder…plus Tiger, Morgan Heritage, Admiral Bailey, Spice, Johnny P, Anthony Malvo and Warrior King.

The star studded Soca lineup includes: Fay Ann, Lyons, Kerwin DuBois, Lyrikal and Rupee.  More artist to be added later.

General Admission ticket currently on sale for $49 and VIP w/Open Bar ticket on sale for $139. Both early bird deals are available until May 1st.

Following the show Sunday, all roads lead to the BOTB 2015 Offficial  After Party, at the all new Café Iguana Pines…in Pembroke Pines (8358 Pines Blvd). Music by: Massive B Foota Hype, Steelie Bashment, Noah Da Powa, Dutty Dex House Arrest, Berrie Hype and Scotch Bonnet  

Posted By: C. Harrison/April 11, 2015

HE TURNED NEW YORK CITY UPSIDE DOWN THE LAST TIME HE WAS HERE WATCH FOR THE UPSET JUNE 2015

USAIN “LIGHTING” BOLT  IS COMING

New York, NY…..Usain Bolt will complete in New York City, June 13, 2015,  organizers announced. This will be his first time back at the Adidas Grant Prix Meet, on Icahn Stadium in the line up of the Diamond League event.

Bolt who upset record holders in the sprint relay games in 2008, when he completed..won and set his first World Record in the 100 meters in 9.72 seconds at Icahn Stadium May 31. His world record now stands at 9.58 seconds and his 200 meters is marked at 19.19 flat. Bolt’s only other race in the United State after that electrifying night,  was at the Annual Pen-Relays in Philadelphia, where he anchored a Jamaican 4×100-meter team at its 2010 Games.

“No one could ever forget their first World Record and I will never forget the crowd in New York that night,” Bolt said. ” They had to wait for an hour during a thunderstorm delay before our race and I don’t think a single person left the stadium. They deserved a great performance and I’m glad I was able to give it to them. I’m looking forward to running in New York again.”

Bolt the fastest sprinter alive is the first, to win six Olympic gold medals in sprinting (The 100 meters, 200 meters and the 4×100 meters relay, both in 2008 and 2012. Bolt according to the Diamond League (IAAF), hopes to add to that legacy at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The league said that Bolt plans to retire after the IAAF World Championship in London.

“The Adidas Grand Prix via the Diamond League Event, has host two World Records and 17 National Records in its 10 year rain, and its fans have had the privilege of witnessing more than a dozen performances that were the fastest ever recorded on U.S. soil. The league noted that Bolt’s 2008 performance qualifies in all three categories.

The June meet will be the seventh stop on the international IAAF Diamond League Circuit, the Adidas Grand Prix is in its 11th year at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, in conjunction with the Randall’s Island Sport Alliance.

The Adidas Group is a global leader in the sporting goods industry, offering a broad portfolio of footwear, apparel and hardware for sport and lifestyle around the core brands Adidas, Reebok, TaylorMade  and Reebok-CCM Hockey. Its Headquarter are in Herzogenaurach and Germany. The group generated sales of € 14.5 billion in 2013 and currently employs 54,000 people across the globe, including 5, 472 in Germany as of December 31, 2014.

I must add that I was there in 2008, when Bolt won. You have not experience a sport game until you have seen this guys in action. Do not miss this Game.

Posted By: C. Harrison

DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS ISSUES 8 TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CREDIT CARD AND AVOID DEBT

Follow The Tips Below to become a savvy credit card user:

•     Shop around⋅ There are many different cards  with different offers, interest rates and benefits. Do as you would when shopping for any item-decide what you want, compare the options and select the card that best suits your needs.

•   Read the fine print⋅ Make sure you take the time to read and understand all of the terms and conditions that apply to your card, before you sign up. Be aware that many credit card companies will offer a list of exceptions or attractive introductory rates that expire after a few months.

•   Spend only what you can afford⋅ Your credit card has a limit but that doesn’t mean you should reach it. You will owe what you have spent within a few weeks of your purchases so know your budget and always pay your card on time. Failure to pay on time will damage your credit.

•   Pay off your balance in full each month⋅ Each month the credit card company will allow you to make a minimum payment that is less then the total you owe. It may seem easy to do this but you will be charged interest. Adding that interest to what you already owe can add up. Avoid having to pay more and pay your balance in full.

•   Know when to put the card away⋅ If you have a balance on your card and you can’t pay it off in full, stop using the card and keep making payments until you have paid off the balance. Always pay more than the minimum payment if you can, otherwise the interest might increase your balance even if you aren’t making new purchase.

•   Limit the number of credit cards in your wallet⋅ Keeping track of multiple credit card bills can be tough. Avoid any confusion and reduce your chances of having your identity stolen by limiting yourself to as few credit cards as possible. For most people one credit card is more than enough.

•   Opt-out of receiving credit card offers⋅ Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, consumer credit reporting companies are allowed to include your name onm lists that are used by creditors to make credit offers. In an effort to limit the number of cards and offers you receive, you can opt-out of getting them at optoutprescreen.com .

•   Get financial counseling if you need help⋅ There is a way out of credit card debt. New Yorkers can get free, one-on-one financial counseling at one of the City’s nearly 30 Financial Empowerment Centers where you can learn how to reduce debt, get help negotiating with your creditors, understand your credit report, create a budget, improve your credit score, open a bank account, and start saving for emergences and the future. Call 311 to schedule an appointment near you or visit nyc.gov/consumers for more information.

•   For more consumer tips, visit nyc.gov/consumers and join the conversation on twitter by following @NYCDCA and using the hashtag # ConsumerMatters.