NYS NEW STAR REGISTRATION

PROGRAM

 

According to a new legislation by New York State, all homeowners receiving a Basic Star exemption are now required to register with the New York State Tax Department, in order to receive the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years.

The legislation doesn’t require homeowners to register in 2013 to receive their Star exemption.

Homeowners will not have to re-register every year.  Based on the information provided in the registration process, the  Tax Department will monitor homeowners eligibility in future years.

YOU WILL NEED TO:

Provide a star code—but the state is mailing codes to all Basic Star recipients; or you can use the star code lookup

Provide the names and social security numbers for all owners of property and spouses.

Confirm that the property is the primary residence of one of its owners –married couples with multiple residences may only claim one Star exemption.

Confirm that the combined income of the owners and their spouses who reside at the property does not exceed $500.000.

Confirm that no resident owner received a residency-based tax benefit from another state.

Senior Citizens:

Senior citizens receiving Enhance Star Benefits, are not affected by the new registration requirement, which applies to Basic Star benefits only.

Seniors must, however, take steps to ensure that they continue receiving Enhanced Star.

Seniors receiving Enhanced Star who reside outside of New York City must continue to: apply annually or participate in the Income Verification program.

Seniors receiving Enhanced Star who reside in New York City will be contacted by the New York City Department of Finance when they need to review.

Registration Period:

Registration started on August 19, 2013 and will continue through December 31, 2013.

You can register for the Star exemption online @ https://www8.tax.ny.gov/STRP/strpStart

You can also register by calling — (518) 457-2036

Monday-Friday— 8:30 am – 8:00 pm

Saturdays—9:00 am – 1:00 pm

For more information call: (518) 457-2036

 

 

WILL WE EVER KNOW

MIRIAM CAREY

 

!DID A MOTHER OF A ONE YEAR OLD CHILD HAD TO DIE IN THE FASHION THAT SHE DID ON CAPITAL HILL? DID SHE DIE BECAUSE SHE WAS DISTRAUGHT—DELUSIONAL AND SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN IN DISPAIR. WE WILL NEVER KNOW WHY SHE CHOOSE TO GO TO WASHINGTON BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON SHE DID!

 

By: C. Harrison/10/20/2013

 

Today, all the police officers and law enforcement officials that are talking about the shooting on Capital Hill recently, are reciting the same speech to the public.  They stated that the U.S. Capital Police officers and members of the Secret Service Division— which were involved in the shooting of Miriam Carey, had the right to do so and was well within policy guidelines. They reiterated that Ms. Carey, disobeyed their direct orders to stop her car.  Thus, it gave them the right to use deadly force against her. But, the out pouring and out-cry  by some, reek that the shooting was not justified.

 

Thus far,   no one knows what was in Ms. Carey’s (the mother’s) head via playing on her mind.  We have no clue what she was going through; who or what set her off, more so even if something horrible was said to her.  All we know is that she set in motion a cause that ended her life fatally.  What we know for sure is this (she may or may not have been mental–delusional–which can be a state of brief time a nightmare or so).  If a black woman make a trip anywhere in a distraught fashion, she was either provoked, hurt to the core or some other infliction set on her— especially, if she have  a child or her children, along for the trip intentionally knowing the out come good or bad,  (unless she was not a suicide mission).  This simple means that it was done in a hurried fashion and she was not even thinking.

 

No member of Congress inside or outside of the Capital was in any immediate danger. And we all saw the tape of what Ms. Carey did from what she did not do. Excessive  force was the outcry thereafter, because this mother  was in fact gun down in a hail of bullets, 26 was the official count.

 

My first question was: did the police officers saw her daughter in the car? The official note was that she was reckless and used her car as a weapon but, who did she used her car against. She was trying to get away from them and of course she was surrounded by the police; at which point she hit one of the officers, who along with others must have been trying to –say get out of the car. The problem is —did she actually hear any of them or was she too focus on whatever was playing out in her head.

 

In hindsight and carefully speaking—when the officers saw that she have a child in the car and that she did not come out of the car—-shouldn’t they have known that something was definitely wrong with this person and treaded the incident like they would have done or treated an hostage situation– to calm her down, thus allowing her to come out of the car uninjured–making them surmount. They could have even blown out one of her car tire which would have made her stop indefinitely.

 

Mirian Carey’s  death has sparked not only an outcry but brought out voices that one don’t normally hear. Her death weights heavily on our community and myself, because I know that she did not have to die and I don’t believe that she went to Washington intended to die.  She probably went to make someone listen and understand or explain what was going on with her but not to die, this I feel.  I kept thinking what would have happen if any of the bullets leveled at her  had hit her daughter.   Why did these officers have to shoot at her so many times in front of her one-year old child;  it is hard to think about.  We in this mighty nation of ours do not ever want a repeat of this magnitude again when a child is involved, never again.

NYC BIKE RIDERS MALAY

 

Should The Driver Of The Range Rover Be Charge Also With Miss Conduct? Should The Undercover Cops Along With Other High Ranking Professionals, Along For The Evening Ride–Should have Blown Their Cover To Help?  Some People Say Yes While Others Say No.

 

By: C. Harrison/ 10/17/2013

 

A group of 80 or so  bike-riders were out a few weeks ago for their annual evening ride into Manhattan; when  they encountered a Range Rover driving in the middle of them. Weather the driver of the SUV, was driving fast or erotically we will never know or maybe that theory will come or play out in the courts. Anyway, what happened next was the telling point because the bike-riders slowed down for whatever reason and one of their own Christopher Cruz, of Passaic NJ, slowed down significantly right in front of this SUV causing a fender  bender—-at this point we do not yet understand why, except to say ——he claimed in a televised interview that he was looking to pull over to the side. Here, one could argue that maybe looking behind him the sun could have blind his line of sight but this argument has not yet surface.

 

Subsequently,  after this fender bender and for some reason the driver of the SUV, Alexian Lien, who had his wife and 2-year old child in the SUV speedup; never bothered to stop, he kept going mowing-down and ran over three other bikers. Realizing  what had happened—partly because bikers in the back might have called ahead to the front bikers and explained that the SUV  had ran over and seriously injured some of their own, not knowing how badly their friends were hurt  or if their friends were dead and the fact that the SUV driver never stopped, some of the bikers chased him down and caught up to him. This resulted in the mayhem of the motorcycles bashing in Lien’s drivers side door of his SUV—pulling him out and beating him up.

 

Not making light of the facts, everyone knows that when you are driving on the freeways and you see  groups of motorcyclist and it’s a lot of them, say 20 or more—you try to drive away from them staying in your lane going the correct speed limit or drive behind them, so as not to cause an accident.  That is the unwritten rules of the road—-growing up on Long Island taught me. If the streets are crowded and there are  score of bikers such as in this case 80 to 100, you don’t get in the middle of them. The second thing is this, everybody knows also that these bikers are like family, you have a problem with one then you have a problem with all.  The fact is that Lien, left the scene of a crime; even if he was afraid he should have pulled over to the side and get help.

 

The encounter has now entered into the courts system, where not only Cruz, is in trouble but cops and undercover intelligent officers.  I feel that the arrest situation is out of control or blown out of proportion. My take is this —-if their were local cops on the scene who could or wanted to intervene should have done so. But, if their were undercover deep undercover intelligent division officers on the scene—–while they could have voice for others to help and actually called in for help—they did the right by staying out of it. They had their day off and out for the evening–along for the ride work was out.

 

Multiple and ample people were there on the scene already helping—-they (these intelligent officers) saw that the situation was in hand. On the other hand, if it was a situation where gunshots were fired all over the place and people were dropping and the situation was spiraling out of control, then these officers had an obligation to step in and defused the instigator, weather to help or otherwise—lives would have been at stake.  But, to blow ones cover when it was not called for,  is not a wise move— it just depends on the right circumstances of a situation.

 

Now, I am not trying to justify what happened but I believe that the driver of the SUV, should get some form of punishment or some kind of charge brought against him—-for reckless endangerment and leaving the scene of a crime, at least. Biker rider Edwin Mieses, 32 whom Lien hit, is still in critical/paralyze state from waist down—a  Crushed Spine—-in a hospital; what was his crime—-he was out that evening enjoying a trip into the City,  Mieses has a wife and two children. The bikers involve should be dealt with fairly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LG TACKLE RIVALS IN

THE LATEST TECH LAUNCH

The electro Giant LG announced and launched its first high resolution screen, Joining rivals in that market to take on Apple’s dominance.

 

By: C. Harrison/ 9 of Oct 2013

 

The G Pad 8 .3 is the first tablet by the South Korean firm in nearly two years to make it to market. The firm has struggled to regain lost grounds in the mobile market due to a shift to  smartphones growth and selling power.  The company which is the third largest smartphones maker behind Samsung and Apple electronic companies, hopes that the new tablet with a sharper display will help it gain traction.

 

The G Pad 8.3 has 1, 920 by 1, 200 resolution at 273 pixel per inch (PPI), better than Apple’s 7-9 inch iPod Mini; which has only 1, 024 by 768 resolution at 168 (PPI). It will square off against products like Amazon’s (NSE-AMZN)— faster and lighter versions of its Kindle tablet that were introduced late last month.

 

LG also added a feature that allows users to check and send message received by their Android Smartphones from the tablet; hoping such function will help it stand out in an increasingly crowded mobile market. This new tablet  is available for wifi only version. It will be sold for $550,000 won, this week in South Korea and introduce to 30 countries by years end.

Much credit to Reuters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAY MORE ATTENTION TO

THE SPEAKERSHIP POSITION

For the last couple of years we have been duped by our current Speaker of the House. He has been taken us down slippery slopes over and cover again—making our chest tighten and in knots; with no air in our lungs, waiting to see what foot will drop next. And once again, we are in this state—this time, 8 days inside of a Gov. shut down. The question is, is this right for us as a nation? Should Boehner, be allow to play with us in this manner?  No

By: C. Harrison/ 9 of  Oct  2013

The Republicans and the Tea Party members of  Congress, have been dismissing the American public. They are acting have if we don’t count and to make matters worst, we can not tell them what to do because  they’re in-house playing God. There main objective is to discredit the President and try to make sure his Presidency is marked and go down in blemish when he leaves office. In essence, the Republicans are trying to make it easier for them to manhandle and manipulate whoever get elected President. We have to stop this from happening.

The unruly Parties, Republicans & Tea Party members—don’t want an imperial Presidency, as reported. They’re looking to spurt-up the Speakership position. They want to allow the Speaker of the House, to have more latitude in way of making more critical decisions for us the populace. And at this very moment they’re trying everything in their power to make it seem to their constituents that they’re actually fighting for just that. This idea was also in their game plan, along with ridding our nation of Obamacare and denouncing our President at everything he tries to do for us.

Here is my proposal, if the Republicans and Tea Party members of the House, wants a bigger share of the decision pie for the Speakership position or to put it bluntly more Power; then, we the people should vote on who becomes Speaker of the House and steps into that Power; simple. It is our faith that the Speaker is playing with.

It is reprehensible and calculatingly cunning on the part of the Republicans and their counterparts the Tea Party tyrants, to be doing what they have done to this country and setting up to do next week—-further pushing us over a cliff. Is it because they’re seeing that the country is becoming more—-not like themselves and is willing to allow us Americans, to go straight into a third world position.

People, when you see that veteran can’t get pay, we know that this is bad. We are looking down the barrel of a cannon. I am urging the Democrats in Congress to work harder and smarter —-fight for us in any lawful manner that you can to save this country.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Thanks To The Brazen-eye Hunter From Texas

Ted Cruz

By: C. Harrison/ 3 Oct 2013

Today, days after the biggest turmoil on Capital Hill and in our nation, (after we have made so much stride toward fixing crisis via crisis since this administration took office) and 17-years to date after our first Government shut down—-we are here again. I couldn’t say or do anything previously because I see it as a historical mourning. This second time around is beginning to look like a cycle by House Republicans, that began with Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House–in 1985. The stunt made by Ted Cruz, and some House Republicans will cost us millions of dollars per day, until this stale-mate is resolved.

Ted Cruz, came to Washington in the last freshman class and it would seem that he came to hunt down the people’s President, Barack Obama. He paid close attention to what his party wanted and to John Boehner, current Speaker of the House, had to say and seriously took it to heart—–the deal was to (get rid of Obama by any means necessary), of which the first thing on the agenda-list was to rid us of  The Affordable Health Care Act, Obamacare–which is law. Cruz basically ran over everyone to get notice or be seen by the Tea Party scoffs as somebody. Pretty much to push himself straight to the top-as opposed to working his way up the ranks; doing it brazenly and dried eye wide open. Seriously following in the path his  predecessor Gingrich—-who self imposed himself into the speaker ship position during the 1985-1996 period in our history. So, now that we were bulldozer by Cruz and the deed is done, the Tea Party scoffers and some Republicans in the House who do not care, are literally looking at the blame game; really.

The hunter came to kill and he did just that, claiming that it is what there constituents want—-but lets look at there constituents; they are Republican populace who live in carved out districts, specifically made for the Republican caucus. 80 representatives in congress to be exact who carries these whitest districts and who want the status quo to remain the same. Imagine, small districts located around the country trying to manipulate and rule the entire nation-populace. This is insane, we can see that they are trying to hold on to something that might be slipping away from them but in all fairness they should not use fear to control all. What will be will be. This country was build on greatness and we work better together and I think for the greater good. America is about fairness to all of its people, no matter your color or creed and educational level even though it doesn’t feel that way sometimes. We have help each other in time of trouble or should no matter what.

The delay tactics that Ted Cruz tried to use as not worked to his or the Republicans advantage. He knew full well that their proposal or version of the Health care bill was dead on arrival and that delaying it will only see it killed at a later date; so he toyed with us, playing his game. Cruz played chest with the President and played out all  his cards. Moreover, his spin regarding a delay was rumping-around and literally was his last surge and he got whipped. The President Cruz did not realize, has the final chest-keys to make the last moves. The Republicans knows that the Affordable Health Care Act, Obamacare is a win win situation for all not just some and should give in.

I should interject here, that the President should watch out for Boehner, for the fact that he might pull a last card out of his hat.  But if he is still not playing cards on the nation’s behalf or term, then he should be gillt. Whatever he throws out not befitting to our nation, it should be dead on arrival to the Senate; because we know that later, they are going to find a way to tie this to the debt ceiling. This Health care law, should be kept separate at all cost.

For those of you who speak another language besides English, you can call the Affordable Health Care Act Center for information and you will fine that you can get help in 150 language.

Here is the thing, This President came to office as an elected official; who won fair and square by the populace. And even if you are not a Democrat you should respect the power of the people and the man elected to preside over the nation.

DELIGHTFUL AND CLEVER

 

By: C. Harrison/ 3 Sept 2013

The play, a well crafted original first played out in a novel written by author Jules Verne, during the 1870s, which captured one imagination and senses of awareness; as well as capitalized on its period’s emerging technologies. Borrowed from that era and thrust into modern times  by its script writer Mark Brown. Its producer Cedric Yau said  he was going far and wanted awesomeness. And that it was, the play was a delight to see.

Around The World In 80 Days,  was a clever, witty and unforgettable play. The characters were dauntingly versatile and had prepertoire. The show itself, was also very strikingly smart and was indeed infused with quality via steep elevations.  I was intrigued by the techno effects and because I also like traveling, I was beeches by the display of intervals.

As far the theatre, it was exactly as Producer Yau, wanted it; a retro-futuristic world and space. Inside one really felt that way.

In retrospect the play was a well polished conversion cloaked in modifications—-done in great taste. Much credence to its director , script writer and its producers.

                                               YOUNG CHOW IS RED HOT

 

                                                           dj Young Chow

By: Editor C. Harrison/ Modified /51/2018

New York, NY—–He is young gifted and black– impressionable with good looks. His charismatic manerisms are impeccable and he has truly become a DJ to be reckoned with. His performancesare vibrant, hip and alive; he is good very good at what he does and I believe he can go up against the best, well maybe not the veteran djs but certainly his peers.

My first glimpse of Chow was several years ago by way of an event, right here in Queens. Upon entering the venue Mangoville Club, I heard a DJ playing and could not believe what I was hearing, I turned around and saw this Youngman doing his thing at the turntable, he had the place jumping so I asked who he was and was told that his name was Young Chow. After the show I introduced myself and told him back then that I would give him a review but I never did. I saw him again at Amazura Night Club twice but it was not until recently at the Grace Food Festival, at the Fame Roy Wilkins Park, that I actually ran into him and got a Post Card announcing his up coming birth strong—that the opportunity once again presented itself. Now that he was older I felt compelled to write him up, so here.

In retrospect I should point out that the times that I heard him play I was taken aback. I recalled saying to someone standing next to me that this guy is good and realized that this kid was infact going to be a great one, some day—carma or destiny I don’t know but this was how I felt after seeing and hearing him play—this, I believed even before I knew his background or heard of his father’s instills in him.

In his Bio, Chow said, “This is not just a hobby for me it’s my life.” Even then this Youngman new what he wanted. This was a testament and a statement in of itself. The stated quote showed that this guy has ambitions and is going places. The point was driven home when the Bio further recited, “I knew I would make something of myself in this industry,” the guy is a winner and a keeper. Chows got his first $100 dollars doing what he does best and declared that he could bearly speak, he was only Nine years old. Now, imagine a kid d Jing for fun basically doing what he loves to do, thrilled to do it and someone gives him $100 dollars for doing it. Do you know the kind of impression that leaves on a kid physiologically? His bewilderment and focus lead him thereafter to explained that after the moment, “It was all over,” he noted in the Bio. Those few words summed it up because now, it is taking him to the bank.

I felicitously am in awe to see that my first instinct of this Youngman was right. I remember when David Raddigon, England’s premier reggae dj came to New York to play at Mangoville for the very first time——people could not believe that he was that immaculate for a D. J. selector in reggae music has a White man. Most had never heard of Raddigon and didn’t know of his extensive work in reggae

especially sound systems music in Jamaica. I can simply say with a straight face that Chow’s performances emulate Raddigons’ and he gives off the same persona has the much older veteran. Chow is going somewhere, he is integral and a insurgent (musically speaking) and very intelligible. Full of zeal Chow has zeit-geist; he plays in an exuberant fashion and looks extricated playing. His ingenuity is telling by way of his combinations and selections of music pieces and his performances are indubitable.

Moreover, and upon further examination of his Bio, it reveals that Chow’s father King Chow, was his first and everlasting teacher. His father was the one who first introduced young, Chow to the entertainment industry and to D. Jing. As mentioned before Chow first played at 9 and at that tender age caught the fever.

Thus far, the young selector has played in clubs all over the east coast: New York, Washington D. C. etc, down in Atlanta, Miami recently California L. A. and of course in Trinidad. The young fashion able as his sights on TV, he is moving in on the networks. This incredible multi-talented selector as a Business Management Degree from King Borough College. He has thousands of followers and is now in his own element; a birth strong a few weeks ago saw him being humble, level headed and sensible, which means he is focus and I certainly hope he stays that way. He is half Trini and half Chinese.

Chow happy belated Birthday and much credence to you. Don’t get too nicks up in material goods and keep your mind excreted; thus, mind your mind for the jewel of your soul.

MADONNA GRIMES

 

By: C. Harrison 8/26/13

 

         

 

                            She wants to live stress free and become financially able and stable—–via to 

                                          live for her daughter.  “It is all about my daughter Madison.”

 

 MaDonna Grimes came to New York on vacation to relax she stated but, as luck would follower her, it would have its way. While here, she found herself juggling a million things (so to speak).  It was mid July and I got an email requesting that I give credence and an interview to a fitness expert by the name of MaDonna Grimes. It was a name I did not recognize. The inquiry came from a Monica Alexander, owner of  Pr  Wizzzz Entertainment, she had gotten my name from  a mutual associate Mary Moore, President of So Much Moore Communication, naturally I obliged.  The following week I sat down with Mrs. Grimes at her hotel (poolside) in midtown Manhattan.

Upon first sight. my first though was she looked just as petite as I was—–go petite women, I gest. moreover, she was quite the youngster I voiced to her at her delight because unbeknownst to me she was much older than I. I couldn’t get over the fact that she had done so much and looked this good (young). There we made our way to a randomized area for the interview, the poolside, which was much cooler. There,  people were splashing, children playing jumping in and out of the pool but, none did not look our way too much.

Grimes was born in Knoxville Tennessee and grew up in Daton Ohio, she attended Ohio State University, where she earned a B.A. in Dance. There she was versed in Dance, Education, Theatre and Choreography. Here also, she owned and operate a popular dance studio where she did fitness classes and choreographing. Later, she moved to New York and entered New York University-Tish and earned a Master’s in dance. She had been dancing all of her life.

I asked her how did she become the fitness expert that she was? with a stirred look she blankly revealed that before she became an established expert, she was first a model. Apparently while the multi-facet teacher was doing aerobics, dancing, going to fitness classes and doing choreography, she was modeling.  Grimes gave me a slight glimpse into her career from the beginning:

Back in Ohio, Grimes owned and operate a very popular dance studio, as mentioned before. It became so popular people in her town came from all over to visit her place. Soon, magazines came knocking. She revealed that there after Essence asked her to do a spread——-going forth Glamour, Flex, Her, Allure and others followed suit. Soon after this, newspapers asked her to model leotards for people who dance. She explained further that it was one year later away from doing modeling that she started teaching fitness classes thus, earning her herself the title Miss. Fitness International and U. S. A. Aerobics Champion.

The transition from modeling to fitness, really took shape while Grimes was still in Ohio.  There, she was doing her thing teaching  aerobics, dancing and choreographing with some cheerleaders at Ohio State, they were training for a competition in dance-fitness and Grimes ended up doing the competition with them—they won. Thereafter, the bunch entered a New York dance competition and won this one as well; from there they were flown to L. A. for another dance competition segment and literally cleaned up here as well—winning the competition. It was here, she noted that her career has a fitness teacher really started and doors began to opened.

At this juncture, I probe her for answers as to why or how did she know at this point in her life that fitness was what she really wanted to do for the rest of her life? “I knew it would because It was good for me,” she confided. She confessed that everyone around her at that interval was healthy and into health so, she knew that she was on the right path. Her students were in there 50s and 60s at this point.

In addition, I questioned her about what kind of life-style dance and fitness was really? and without hesitation she made it clear that the life-style is what she envisioned  and that the fitness culture is what it’s cracked up to be. “It all have its stress-full moments but it is all on the up side,” she said. Grimes further contends that fitness is not just a pass time thing and that it’s not about getting into shape but, it has to do with ones whole being.

This expert, creative style brand, and vision took her the world over.  She explained that it was a combination of who she is has a person and the emulations borrowed from the 1970s through to todays dance styles, that she vised. Moreover, she reiterated that not all fitness programs are created equal—she claimed that one should study more who they want to learn from and get more out of; to look for what you want and when you go to the gym, do not do what everybody else is doing; that is not putting yourself in shape she said—instead she pointed out that one should find something that he/she really likes and tailor it to what they want from it.

Grimes who is turning 51 this year–is not afright and doesn’t look a day of 40-years.  she says that at her age, she runs into people the same age that were questioning themselves as to what really mattered for their future after age 40. Thus the life-style they live lead to fitness. A bitter sweet note to tag is that while Grimes look good for her age and does look very healthy, this is a woman battling an health issue. Currently she is battling Colon Cancer and is going through colon therapy—–where she just finished a round of Kemo and radiation therapy.

In closing she explained her days this way: I start my day with a prayer and meditation. After words I make a decision as to what I want to do for the day; which classes I want to take and work around this. I have to have a beginning to start my day then look at my schedule and plan that day. In so doing I also plan how to get my personal space out of that day.  Grimes does have clients on a daily basis, she teaches at different locations for now. She confided that by this September, she should have her own spot there in L. A.  Speaking of her celebrity clients she doesn’t have any right now because they do not pay, she says.

Last year, Grimes started an online magazine  called “Be Black Be Fit.com,” ironically her first issue dealt with Cancer.  She said that she had never dealt with a disease before this year—–dealing with her cancer.

Grimes have hosted ESPN, BETs–screen scene and Nubian Goddess. She has honed an a list of international engagements; and in 2008 proudly received and  accepted  the NAACP award for best choreographer in theatre. She is the author of  “Work it out” and has 22 bestselling dance and fitness videos on the market and continues to tour globally with her world dance competition group.  All her DVDs  are online.   Grimes had also been on the Discovery Health Channel.

At the time of this interview with her the very next day she had a class to teach at 12 noon. She had several meetings to attend; host an event for a Broadway company and choreograph a set for a friend. So, Much much  credence to her , so much for her vacation—she is going to need another one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: C. Harrison/Editor

Each Year the Jamaican Independence Celebration Foundation Inc., celebrates their biggest moments in history, right here in the big apple NYC, in the heart of Manhattan. The foundation’s projection for 2013 is no different but, will be even stunner since Jamaica is also celebrating its 51^st year of independence.

Photo Credit: C. Harrison-Members of  (JICFI) Committee).

New York,  NY—– A press reception held by the Jamaican Consulate at 767 Third Avenue, took place here in New York City,  Wednesday July 31, 2013.  The event was put on by the committee for the Jamaican Independence Celebration Foundation Inc.  There, Jamaican Consulate General Dr. LaMont accommodated special guests and the Press for the evening.

It was one year to date, that Jamaicans were in a jubilant state; because not only were they celebrating their 50^th year of Independence but, they were infact also celebrating the incredulous milestone of freedom bestowed on the tiny populated Island and its 3 Million plus people. Indeed it was celebrated the world over; Jamaicans on a hold are spread out across the globe. Needless to say, that momentum continued on into 2013, were Jamaicans are in a frenzy now celebrating their 51-year of independence via a slue of activities which will coincide with the Independence Ball August 17^th 2013, and will continue on for the rest of the year.

According to Paulette Willoughby, chairperson for (JICFI) who spoke about the background on the Ball and the dos and don’ts of the Ball, also noted briefly that there is a stiff silent auction yearly—which of  course is quite the catch of the Ball. She explained that the Ball could do much much more with vastly more contributions, then it is doing.  She said  more participation is needed from the Diaspora’s business sector as well as forged partnerships friendly with Jamaica. When asked what’s in it for the corporations to support the Ball, she pointed out that sponsors would get a level of entitlement, free ad, free publicity, to mingle with VIPs and get a table of ten (10), this, via the great gift bags the corp. get each year.  And for which I would be so lucky to get; these among other goodies……. to our bemusement, the argument spiked into the fact that companies who do participate, are actually showing a level of respect to the community and do need to engage, especially Jamaican companies here in the Diaspora, who needs to hone it for themselves and own the Ball at this level, so voiced Irwin Clare.

In addition, Willoughby also spoke about the pricing of the tickets, to the delight of those who complained that tickets were too much.  The Chairwoman, told the room full of press core that the Ball started out with tickets at $100 dollars each to attend the ball and that 22-years later they are now charging $200 dollars each. She said that each year a % is added on to the cost of doing business with the hotel and that the hotel has notified them that food price has gone up.

I who have attended several of these Balls and can attest to its 5-course meals, its lavish cocktail hour of which you don’t want to miss this, its super presentations and laughs and yes, its dance the night away to the very end. I promised you, you will not leave disappointed.

Additionally, Willoughby contends that over the years proceeds from the Ball, have helped with the Maxfield Park School and Boys town school. She quipped that it was the Jamaica Progressive League, who started these Independence Balls in New York.

Honoree for the night will include: Ms. Heather Foster, Office of Public Engagement,  the White house; Ray Golboume, Executive Vice President  of Black Entertainment Television (BET); Dr. Answorth A. Allen, Orthopedic Surgeon and Irie Jam Media. Host for the evening will be Sherylee Ralph. The Ball, will be held at the New York Hilton Hotel, in New York City.

Moreover, during the course of the evening we heard many innuendos and stories regarding challenges facing the committee and ways for solutions. . We listen to different speakers; in particular Dr. LaMont, who thanked the business community for their support and the media (us), for coming out and participating.  We also heard from Vincent Hosang, CEO of Caribbean Foods Delight, who spoke on and continues to asked for just $10 dollars to buy a  machine that would help people at a hospital in Jamaica; which would other wise cost tens of thousands of dollars to get in Jamaica without our help. Hosang’s company also helps the Jamaican Track Sprinters and sport developments in Jamaica. Another particular we heard from was Clare, again, who is CEO of  Team Jamaica Bickle. He pounded on us to bring out or encourage young Caribbean’s to come out, especially young Jamaicans in the Diaspora, to come out and celebrate their heritage’s biggest moments in history. He center pieced that when Jamaicans throw a party its for the whole Caribbean.

Another noted speaker was former Councilwoman, Una Clarke,  who voiced that Caribbean people should go out and vote and that this community should get access from whichever person wins for Mayor and comes into office. Bill Thompson, also of Caribbean heritage and running for the Mayoral post, also stopped by, to congratulate Jamaica on its 51^st independence celebration and answer of course questions from the media (Yours truly). He promised not to miss the official celebration August 17.

Honorable guests included:  the honorable Courtney Rattray–Jamaican Ambassador to the United Nations; Mr. Christopher Ellwood, Dr. Unna Clarke former NYC, Council Woman; Leslie Clarke, Mrs. Pat Chin, CEO of VP Records; Mr. Anthony King,  JTB; Sabrina and Dr. Vincent Hosing, Caribbean Foods Delight; Mr. Trevor Smith- Tower Isle Patties; Ms. Sophia Jones, Caribbean Relations, office of the Brooklyn Borough President and the New York Media Core.

Sponsors consist of: Quality Ford Auto Mall; Ford Motor Credit; Ford Motor Company; Fly Jamaica; Caribbean Foods Delight; Royal Caribbean Bakery; Grace Foods U. S. A.; Golden Crust Caribbean Bakery and Grill; Gleaner Company/USA;  Tower Isle’s Frozen Foods; VP Records; Carob News.