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JUNE 29, 2012—NASSAU EDITION African American Community VOL. 19 NO. 7

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Supreme Court upholds Obama health

care mandate Originally published: June 28, 2012 9:16 AM

Updated: June 28, 2012 10:25 AM By BLOOMBERG NEWS and TOM BRUNE [email protected] STORY ON PAGE 6

THE NEW COMMUNITY JOURNAL FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2012 Page 2

NASSAU COUNTY EDITION PAGE 2

Led by Black Caucus, House Dems plan walkout during Holder contempt vote

A walkout by House Democrats to protest what they see as a par-tisan attempt to embarrass President Barack Obama’s attorney gen-eral by holding him in contempt of congress, will include more than just black lawmakers, a Democratic aide tells theGrio.

Politico reported late Wednesday that members of the Congres-sional Black Caucus plan to walk out of the House chamber ahead of Thursday’s vote, which was prompted by House government over-sight chair Darrell Issa, who contends that Holder has been uncoop-erative in the investigation of a “gun walking” operation called “Fast and Furious.” The operation has been a cause celebre in conservative media, and the National Rifle Association has made a vote to hold Holder in contempt a litmus test for House members in both parties.

The NRA’s leaders contend that “Fast and Furious” was a secret plan to push for increased gun control, by allowing deadly weapons to cross from the U.S. into Mexico, fomenting violence that could turn Americans against guns. Issa has admitted he has no evidence that either Holder or the White House had any knowledge of the pro-gram, which began during the George W. Bush administration. (A Fortune Magazine investigation released Wednesday raises doubts about fundamental aspects of the Republican conspiracies surround-ing the program.)

Several Republicans have called for Holder to resign — some-thing he has said he will not do — and Democrats have charged that the focus on Holder is purely partisan; something Issa denies. De-mocrats have cited Republicans’ refusal to call key witnesses and Issa’s admission that he has no evidence of wrongdoing on Holder’s part as evidence of a partisan witch-hunt.

A letter being circulated by the CBC reads in part:

“We adamantly oppose this partisan attack and refuse to partici-

pate in any vote that would tarnish the image of Congress or of an attorney general who has done nothing but work tirelessly to pro-tect the rights of the American people. We must reflect upon why we are elected to this body and choose now to stand up for jus-tice,” the CBC members wrote in a copy of the letter obtained by POLITICO. “ We call upon all members of Congress to stand with us during a press conference on the Capitol Building steps during this appalling series of votes to discuss our nation’s most signifi-cant priority–creating jobs. At this critically important time in our nation, we must work as colleagues rather than political ene-mies.” {Full text of the letter at the end of this post)

The aide, who spoke to theGrio on condition of anonymity, said members of the CBC have been in talks with the Democratic Hispanic Caucus, the House’s Asian-American Caucus and the Progressive Cau-cus in order to broaden support for the walk-out. Meetings are report-edly planned between supporters of the walk-out and House Democ-ratic leaders, in hopes of getting as many Democrats as possible to par-ticipate.

Reports have speculated that as few as four and as many as 30 De-mocrats could support the contempt vote.

If the vote succeeds, Holder would become the first presidential cabinet member to be held in contempt of congress in the nation’s his-tory.

However, Holder is unlikely to be forced out — he enjoys strong support from the White House, and Democrats believe the “Fast and Furious” issue is seen as entirely partisan by those members of the public who are paying attention.

The full text of the letter being circulated by the CBC is below:

Dear Colleague:

We write to urge you to stand with us in the pursuit of justice for the Attorney General of the United States of America, Eric H. Holder. In its history, the United States House of Representatives has never held a United States Attorney General, or any other

(Continued on page 6)



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The Community Journal is a weekly publication, based in Baldwin, New York, dedicated to sharing news and information among minority businesses and residents which will enable positive action - economically, socially and politically - for the betterment of us all.

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Old age is something to look forward to when you are middle aged not when you are young. But those things we do while we are young certainly do affect and effect our golden years, maybe more profoundly than we’d like to say.

My father was temporarily placed in a nursing home the other week after falling at home alone. He lives alone in a senior apartment complex. He has friends and neighbors but no 24/7 paid care.

When he fell he was home alone in the restroom. No he didn’t have a First Alert bottom and yes he did eventually get over to the phone to call for help. I’m sure if he had known that, that was the day he would fall down and not be able to get up on his own he would have taken precautions; like leasing the First Alert service.

Now that he is in a nursing, a vacation for him in his mind, what’s next? He can’t really stay alone, he can hardly walk without support. His body is frail and riddled with arthritis. He is still lucid but weak. Age 80 brings in a powerful new season for most of us. Many of us have worked all of our lives and can not accept limited mobility or a lack of independence but as we came into this world if we live long enough we will leave it in the same way: Penniless, in pain, afraid, helpless and wrapped in a pamper at first and a depends in the end.

All that matters is what we have done for God during the days in between the beginning and the end. You young folks can think about that for a minute, because any minute now you’ll be old too...God Bless

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LATINO PERSPECTIVE

Stephen Acevedo

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Lisa Byers

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Asha Akins

REASONABLE THINKING:

Jim Reed

CARIBBEAN NEWS:

Dr. Dudley Davenport

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WATCH AND PRAY

God is about to release a 7 FOLD BLESSING. He is doing something new. SO WATCH AND PRAY. God Bless. DiNAPOLI APPROVES

$3.9 BILLION LIPA CONTRACT Customer Satisfaction and Storm Response Should Be First-Rate

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today an-nounced he has approved a 10-year, $3.9 billion

contract between PSEG Long Island, LLC (PSEG) and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to

manage Long Island’s regional electric grid.

“To protect ratepayers, my office ensured that a thorough, competitive process took place. This resulted in three bids and an award to the lowest-cost and h i g h e s t - qu a l i t y b i d d e r , ” DiNapoli said. “LIPA must be rigorous in its management of this contract and carefully track customer satisfaction.”

Going forward, DiNapoli said, his office will vigorously exercise its right to audit LIPA for cost controls and proper monitoring of PSEG’s storm and emergency response. “LIPA needs to aggres-sively plan for and monitor PSEG to make sure its storm and emergency responses are unsurpassed,” he said.

LIPA’s current contract with National Grid ends December 31, 2013. The approved contract takes effect immediately.



Lee Saunders becomes 1st African-American leader of AFSCME

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The nation’s largest union of government workers has chosen a new leader as its members grap-ple with efforts around the country to weaken labor rights or cut public employee pensions and benefits. Lee Saunders was elected president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. He had been the union’s No. 2 offi-cial and becomes its first African-American president. Saunders takes over from Gerald McEntee, the legendary leader who over 31 years built the union into a political powerhouse. Saunders says he wants to mobilize members to better promote the work that public servants do. The union has about 1.3 million active members, but has lost about 10 percent of its ranks since 2009. Saunders defeated rival Danny Donohue with 54 percent of the vote.



The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the core of President Barack Obama’s health-care overhaul, giving him an election-year triumph and preserving most of a law that would expand insurance to millions of people and transform an industry that makes up 18 percent of the nation’s economy.

The justices, voting 5-4, said Congress has the power to make Americans carry insurance or pay a penalty. That requirement is at the core of the law, which also forces insurers to cover people with pre-existing health conditions. The court limited the law’s extension of the Medicaid program for the poor by saying the federal govern-ment can’t threaten to withhold money from states that don’t fully comply.

The ruling frames the health-care issue for this year’s elections and is a victory of symbolism as well as substance for Obama. Chief Justice John Roberts, a Republican appointee, joined four Democ-ratic-selected justices to give the president a majority on a law that has divided the country along ideological and partisan lines through-out his presidency.

Roberts, writing for the court, said Congress had the authority to impose the insurance requirement under its power to levy taxes.

“It is reasonable to construe what Congress has done as increas-ing taxes on those who have a certain amount of income but choose to go without health insurance,” Roberts wrote.

The decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the climax to an epic legal fight that featured the longest courtroom arguments in 44 years, a record number of briefs and extraordinary public interest in a Supreme Court case.

The case tested both the constitutional powers of Congress and

(Continued on page 7)

Cabinet official, in contempt.

Instead of focusing on job creation and other critical issues before this Congress, we have been asked to engage in a political stunt on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Our con-stituents elected us to do real work, not to engage in meaningless partisan activity.

Over the past 15 months, Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice have cooperated with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s requests for information on “Fast and Furious”, an unfortunate operation that began under the Bush Administration and, in fact, was terminated by Attorney General Holder. The Department has made extraordinary efforts to accommodate Congress by turning over almost 8,000 documents–including all the documents that relate to the tactics in this investi-gation and the other flawed investigations that occurred in Arizona during the Bush Administration. The Attorney General also par-ticipated in a bicameral meeting in a good faith effort to satisfy the Committee’s information requests. While the Attorney General has advised House Republicans that he is willing to work with them in attempting to reach an agreement, the Republican Leader-ship is instead rushing recklessly to a contempt vote.

Contempt power should be used sparingly, carefully and only in the most egregious situations. The Republican Leadership has ar-ticulated no legislative purpose for pursuing this course of action. For these reasons we cannot and will not participate in a vote to hold the Attorney General in contempt. We adamantly oppose this partisan attack and refuse to participate in any vote that would tar-nish the image of Congress or of an Attorney General who has

(Continued from page 2)



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the willingness of the Roberts court to overrule the other two branches of the federal government.

The dispute marked the first time the Supreme Court had consid-ered a president’s defining legislative accomplishment in the middle of his re-election campaign. The Supreme Court hadn’t considered a law of comparable scope since the justices overturned part of the National Industrial Recovery Act in 1935 during President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.

The individual mandate, the law's backers say, is needed to cover 33 million uninsured people, but it's also a requirement that polls say most Americans want to see thrown out.

Obama, Democrats and their liberal backers had insisted before-hand that the court will uphold the law. If it does, "it's full speed ahead," said Ethan Rome of the Health Care for America Now, a coali-tion that backs the health plan.

While the law is being put into place, experts said this ruling clears the way for key elements to take effect in 2014: the mandate, the ex-changes for insurance shopping and Medicaid expansion.

(Continued from page 6)



Rep. McCarthy Holding

Long Island Job Fair at Nassau Community

College WASHINGTON, DC (June 26, 2012) -- Rep. Carolyn

McCarthy (D-NY04), who is focusing on measures and events that help small businesses, entrepreneurs, students and workers as the nation continues its path to economic re-covery, will be hosting her “Long Island Job Fair” in her dis-trict on July 23.

The event will take place on Monday, July 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Nassau Community College’s College Cen-ter Building Multipurpose Room.

“We still have a long way to go in our economic recovery and I’m doing everything I can to make sure government and the private sector are working together to create local jobs

here on Long Island,” Rep. McCarthy said.

Rep. McCarthy held a career expo that focused on Long Island’s health care industry in December. It was her fourth major economy-related forum last year, with previous ones focusing on tax cuts for small businesses; how small busi-nesses can benefit from the U.S. Export-Import Bank; and what career training opportunities are available at local in-stitutions.

Over 20 vendors participated in the previous expo, in-cluding Hofstra University, North Shore-LIJ, Nassau County Community College, Molloy College, Stony Brook School of Health Technology and Management, Winthrop-University Hospital, South Nassau Communities Hospital, the Soldier’s Project of Long Island, AFLAC, the Visiting Nurses Association of Long Island, Sanford Brown, and more.

The participants of Rep. McCarthy’s July job fair are be-ing registered right now and will be announced prior to the event. For information about how to participate in the job fair as either a vendor or a jobseeker, call Rep. McCarthy’s office at 516-739-3008.

[PHOTO CAPTION: Rep. Carolyn McCarthy is holding her ‘Long Island Job Fair’ at Nassau Community College on July 23. She’s pictured here at her last job fair, which fo-cused on Long Island’s health care industry. For more infor-mation, contact her office at 516-739-3008.]



Legislator Abrahams Hosts Internet Safety & Cyberbullying Forum

The lawmaker, along with special guest speakers, provided help-ful information to parents and children about the fast-growing issue

of cyberbullying (MINEOLA, NY) – Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams,

D-Freeport, hosted an internet safety and cyberbullying forum on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The program, “Are You Aware of What You Share?” focused on bringing greater awareness to a fast-growing problem amongst our youth.

Cyberbullying refers to the kind of teasing that goes on after school: it is the negatively-charged exchange of words or images over the Internet and through social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), text messages or even video games. By hiding behind a cloak of ano-nymity – or “the Internet” – more and more young people are finding the courage to pick fights with others online. But what many children do not fully understand is that when hateful words and photos are exchanged over the computer and cell phone, it is out there perma-nently – which can be extremely detrimental to their emotional and mental health.

Forum attendees were given an in-depth look into the world of cyberbullying and learned helpful, preventative methods for both parents and children.

“These young people are hurting other young people, maybe not

physically, but emotionally,” said Legislator Abrahams. “I’d rather get punched in the eye than go through what some of these young people have to go through today because the emotional impact sticks with you.”

Police Officer Sharon Galvin of the Nassau County Police De-partment gave a thorough presentation on the many different facets of cyberbullying and other kinds of online harassment. She suggested the following method to kids who feel they are being victimized online: “You need to stop it, block it, and tell somebody.”

Additionally, an attorney from the Nassau County Bar Associa-tion spoke about the legal implications of cyberbullying, and gave advice to parents. Representatives from the Long Island Crisis Center and Child Abuse Prevention Services were also in attendance to an-swer questions from the audience.

“We’ve got to try to put an end to cyberbullying,” said Officer Galvin. “Think before you post.”

For more information about the forum, please contact Legislator Abrahams’ office at (516) 571-6201 or e-mail: [email protected]. To see a video clip from the presenta-tion, log on to: http://youtu.be/FZ3DTzeZKXI.

STATEMENT FROM NASSAU

COUNTY EXECUTIVE

ED MANGANO Mineola, NY - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and

Nassau Interim Finance Authority Chairman Ron Stack teleconfer-enced today with respect to the Legislature’s failure to act. County Ex-ecutive Mangano and Chairman Stack agreed to meet this week to fi-nalize a modified fiscal plan which will include further cuts.

County Executive Mangano stated, “NIFA and I developed a fiscal stabilization plan for Nassau that held the line on property taxes while ending the County’s reliance on borrowing. It’s unfortunate that De-mocrat leaders derailed this plan and put politics ahead of our resi-dent’s best interests. Working together, NIFA and I will do all in our power to address today’s actions in a responsible manner while pro-tecting taxpayers. The County and NIFA will work cooperatively to reach a modified plan as expeditiously as possible.”



Legislator Abrahams Attends Commencement Ceremonies for March of Dimes

(HEMPSTEAD, NY) – Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams, D-Freeport, attended the March of Dimes’ Four Transforming Sessions and Tea Party Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The event was held at United Healthcare in their Community Room at

250 Fulton Avenue in Hempstead. Pictured here with Leg. Abrahams are Ananada Clark, Alizé Ryans, Priscilla Howell, Stephanie Davis, Tina Norton, Olamicle Asanpada, Ivorie James, Netanya Lewis and Donna Bailey.

Legislator Abrahams Attends Freeport Fleet

Week (FREEPORT, NY) – Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams,

D-Freeport, recently joined the US Navy on their second annual visit to Freeport as part of Fleet Week NY 2012. The US Navy’s visit to

Randall Park included a helicopter demonstration, featuring a team of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel, a performance by the Navy Band and more. As part of the event, the public was able to talk to the EOD team and aircrew, and tour the helicopter. PHOTO CAP-TION (“Freeport Fleet Week.jpg”): Pictured here are Keleb Curtis (Rockville Centre), Naval pilot Paul Harris and Legislator Abrahams.

Legislator Abrahams Attends Free Dental Day; Tours New

Healthcare Facility (HEMPSTEAD, NY) – PHOTO CAPTION (“Free Dental

Day.JPG”): Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams, D-Freeport, recently attended United Healthcare’s Free Dental Day, which enabled local youth to come in for a free dental exam. Leg. Abrahams enjoyed a tour of the new facility in Hempstead. Shown here with Leg. Abrahams is Angelo Zuffante, Long Island and Queens Regional Manager, on Free Dental Day.



India American Night at Eisenhower Park The Indian American Forum Inc. proudly presented their India American Night at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park as

part of the Nassau County 2012 Summer Concert Series. India American Night showcased Classical Indian music and folk dances from all re-gions of India. Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby congratulated all of this year’s honorees, board members and was pleased to present a Certificate of Recognition to Chairperson Indu Jaiswal.

Hi Aloha Clam Bake at Otto's

Hi-Hello Child Care Center held their 14th Annual Hi-Aloha Clam Bake at Otto Sea Grill on The Nautical Mile in Freeport. Hi-Hello Child Care Center is a private, not-for-profit educational organization providing year round, quality, comprehensive childcare for children of working parents since 1968. Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby congratulated Executive Director Joann Bousquet, Board President Gina McGlachlin, Joanne Roth and Bruce Abbate, Board Members.



Hempstead Fire Department Honored A press conference was held by the Long Island Conference of Clergy to honor the Hempstead Fire Department for their excellence in re-

sponse to the fire at 590 Fulton Avenue. Residents, clergy members, Hempstead Village Officials and Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Doro-thy Goosby were present at the event held in front of the building on Fulton Avenue.

Caribbean Festival Eisenhower Park

The Third Annual Carib-bean American International Festival celebrating Carib-bean Heritage Month and the 50th Anniversary of the Inde-pendence of Jamaica and Trinidad was held in Eisen-hower Park in East Meadow. Town of Hempstead Coun-cilwoman Dorothy Goosby was on hand to enjoy the music, entertainment and food at the event. Council-woman Goosby and Joan Bopwell, Taste Budds Res-taurant & Caterers, Elmont



Rotary Installation of District Governor Mario Moran of Levittown

The Brooklyn-Queens-Nassau Rotary International District 7250 hosted their Installation of District Governor Mario Moran at Chateau Briand in Carle Place. Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby congratulated Mr. Moran and wished him much success in leading the organization in the good work that they do for the community. Photo: Leg. Carrie Solages, Mario Moran, District Governor Rotary Int’l, Levittown, Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Leslie Gross, Town Clerk North Hempstead

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NASSAU COUNTY CELEBRATES SUPREME COURT DECISION ON AFFORDABLE CARE ACT:

WOMEN TO HAVE ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL WITH NO CO-PAYS

STARTING IN AUGUST Hempstead, NY— “This is a great day for the women and families of this

state and this country,” said Planned Parenthood of Nassau County (PPNC) President & CEO, JoAnn D. Smith. “The ruling by the Supreme Court up-holding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) means that health care, including birth control, for the women of New York and the nation will be more afford-able and accessible.”

“This is a victory for the American people, and we thank President Obama and the members of Congress who passed the Affordable Care Act for their leadership on this issue,” Smith stressed.

Here in Nassau County, 13,000 people rely on PPNC annually for afford-able reproductive health care annually. The women who come into PPNC’s health centers often struggle to balance paying for birth control and health services with paying for textbooks, groceries, child care or gas for the car. Health care reform changes that and will make those decisions easier for women.

The ACA will provide access to birth control and cancer screenings with-out co-pays, guaranteed direct access to OB/GYN providers without referrals,

and an end to discriminatory practices against women, such as charging women higher premiums and denying coverage for “pre-existing conditions.”

In New York, over a million women ages 18-64 were uninsured be-tween 2008 and 2009. Under the Affordable Care Act, nearly half of those women could be eligible for Medicaid in 2014, and another 40 percent may be eligible for federal subsidies to purchase insurance through the state’s Health Benefit Exchange. PPNC has always served uninsured and underin-sured patients, and the organization stands ready to continue providing care for newly insured women and families of Nassau County when the ACA is fully implemented.

Specifically, key benefits of the Affordable Care Act that will have a pro-found and concrete impact on millions of American’s lives are as follows:

· More than 45 million women have already received coverage for pre-ventive health screenings at no cost since August 2010 thanks to the Afford-able Care Act – including mammograms and cervical cancer screenings.

· 3.1 million young adults have already been able to stay on their parents’ insurance because of the Affordable Care Act. In the next year, millions more who would have otherwise lost coverage will continue to be insured.

· Nationally, women are guaranteed direct access to OB/GYN providers without a referral, as a result of the Affordable Care Act.

· Starting in August, birth control will be treated like any other preven-tive prescription under the Affordable Care Act, and will be available without co-pays or deductibles.

Access to affordable preventive care is a basic health and economic is-sue. The Supreme Court’s decision on the ACA today will positively impact these issues for women, families and small businesses.



From the Desk of Mayor Hall On Saturday, June 16, the Village held its annual Healthy Hempstead 5K Race — with 175 eager and determined participants! Congratulations to 23-year-old Hempstead resident Jonathan Davis, who took first-place overall, and to every one of the runners who came out to join the event or to support those

competing. This is one of many opportunities the Village sponsors to en-courage residents of all ages to take charge of their own health by being ac-tive.

While I’m on the subject of health, I want to remind you of a few very important matters to keep in mind when the temperatures soar, as they did last week. As you enjoy summer barbecues, going to the beach, and other outdoor activities, a few precautions can help ensure that you and your loved ones don’t risk succumbing to heat-related illnesses, which can sometimes be life-threatening. These extreme-heat reactions, called hyperthermia, can affect anyone; certain groups, however, are at higher risk, including young children and the elderly. It is critical that we all know how to prevent hyper-thermia.

Hyperthermia occurs when the body produces or absorbs too much heat, causing reactions that include cramps, heat exhaustion or potentially fatal heat stroke. Those at highest risk are people over age 65, the very young, the obese, and people with low blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, dehydra-tion or malnutrition. Certain medications can also increase the risk of hyper-thermia.

To prevent hyperthermia, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. (Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or sugar, as these can impair your body's cooling process.) When temperatures are extremely high, air conditioning can be a life-saver; even a few hours in an air-conditioned en-vironment each day can prevent heat stroke. If there is no air conditioning in your home, a visit to a local mall can provide relief. If you find yourself in need of a cool-down, our Village has designated Kennedy Park Recreation Center a cooling center for those in need. The center is open every day of the week from 9AM-5PM.

It is critical to check on senior citizens often, and to take extra care with young children. Make sure they have plenty of water – and never, ever, leave a child in a car!

Young athletes, too, are highly susceptible to heat-related illness. In hot weather, adolescents who are practicing for sports should double the amount of fluid they would normally drink. The following tips can help prevent a training athlete from having a serious reaction to the heat: Eat a light, healthy meal a few hours before practice. Stay in the shade whenever possible. Take breaks often between drills. Cool your skin with a spray bottle or wet cloths.

As you’re making plans to enjoy the relaxed and refreshing days ahead, remember to practice these important safety precautions to avoid the dan-gers of hyperthermia. Being prepared can help ensure that the memories you make are good ones. Happy, healthy summer! To stay on top of what’s hap-pening in the Village, visit the website: www.villageofhempstead.org and join our electronic mailing list by sending your name and email address to: [email protected]. To keep abreast of the downtown revi-talization, visit: www.renewhempstead.com. You may also share your ideas for the redevelopment and/or provide your feedback on the plan on that site.

Sincerely, Wayne

Wayne J. Hall Sr. Mayor of the Incorporated Village of Hempstead

Community Development The Incorporated Village of Hempstead Community

Development Agency “(CDA)" is a public benefit corpo-ration established in 1964 pursuant to Title 16 Sec 585 to address problems of urban de-cay. Originally known as the Urban Renewal Agency, the name was changed to Community Development Agency by State Law in 1980. The Agency is led by it's own Board of Directors which is chaired by the Village Mayor. The selec-tion of the Directors is ratified by the Village B o a r d o f T r u s t e e s . The Community Development Agency's function is to plan and implement programs involving the

rehabilitation of both the residential and commercial sectors of the village, foster economic growth, provide assistance to public service organizations, eliminate blight and improve opportunities for low & moderate income citizens. The CDA's major programs include: Special Economic Development Construction of Affordable Housing Homeowner's Assistance Program Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Commercial Rehabilitation Loan Program Facade Improvement Program Public Facilities and Improvement Micro-Enterprise Incubator Program

Claude Gooding, Commissioner (516) 485-5737

50 Clinton Street, Hempstead, N.Y. 11550

RERE--ELECTELECT

MAYOR WAYNE HALLMAYOR WAYNE HALL

20132013



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Tropix Opens in Freeport on Woodcleft Avenue A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held to celebrate the Grand Opening of Tropix on the Mile, a restaurant/bar on Woodcleft Avenue in Free-

port owned by Michael Danon, Michael Gross, Chris Squeri, Rocco Anastasio, Ira Kitzen, Mike Calderon & Steve Nessler. Mayor Andrew Hardwick, Freeport Trustees, Pres. Ilona Jagnow, members of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce, and Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Councilwoman Angie Cullin and Town Clerk Mark Bonilla were there to wish the owners well with their new venture.

Councilwoman Viviana Russell Celebrates 40th Birthday

Councilwoman Viviana Russell of North Hempstead celebrated her 40th birth-day with a party at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place. She was joined by many well wishers including

Town Clerk Leslie Gross, Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick and Receiver of Taxes Charles Ber-man.



Beauty supply store conference hopes to promote black ownership

A beauty supply store conference held by the Beauty Supply In-stitute will provide store start-up information in the hopes of helping African-Americans regain a major presence in industry ownership. From a consumer standpoint blacks dominant the beauty supply in-dustry, while only owning 3 percent of the stores nationwide. Black News reports:

Beauty Supply Institute will be holding its 3rd annual Beauty Supply Entrepreneurship Summer Conference in Atlanta, Geor-gia on August 4, 2012. Beauty Supply Institute, an organization founded in 2007 as Taking it Back University, is an organization that trains hun-dreds of individuals annually on how to get into the $15 billion dollar beauty supply sector, a sector largely supported by Blacks but not dominated by them with just 3% of industry owners be-

ing Black while 96% of the revenues generated are by Blacks, instantly propelled to the national stage when launched. Cur-rently, there are approximately $13,300 stores nationwide and of those roughly 400 are black. The company’s first resource was the best-selling book, “Taking it Back: How to Become Successful Black Beauty Supply Store Owner” and now has almost 20 courses, business plan develop-ment, location selection services and more. Beauty Supply Institute will be holding its 3rd annual Beauty Supply Store Start-Up Summer Conference in Atlanta, Georgia delivering 6 courses, the How to Become a Beauty Supply Store book, Beauty Supply Resource book, Product Database file, and a Quick Start tips audio CD, and a free lunch.

Devin Robinson, the founder of the organization and 3-time store owner, decided to get into the business after being threatened by a

golf club wielding Korean store owner as he was shopping for items for his beauty salon. Maggie Anderson, an activist of black busi-ness patronage and founder of Em-powerment Experiment crossed paths with Devin Robinson in 2007 and began working together on black business support. Anderson who recently appeared on PBS Special, "Is the White Man's Ice Colder?" with news correspondent Paul Solman will serve as this year's conference opening speaker. Anderson has championed black business support by only support-ing black-owned business for one year.

Beauty Supply Institute Field Operations Manager Ulysses McLean stated, "We've opened stores with as little as $35,000. Myths

out there would lead Blacks to believe they need $100,000 or more. You can open a fully functioning store with this amount and be widely successful. Since working with BSI for the past 3 years, I've witnessed firsthand the magic our approach produces. I get the most joy when I hand the keys over to new owners and witness their appreciation and excitement about being new owners!"

Beauty Supply Institute's clients are throughout the United States, London, Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the Caribbean. Conference registration is $399. Seats can be reserved with a $100 non-refundable deposit with balance being paid by registration dead-l i n e . A t t e n d e e s c a n r e g i s t e r o n l i n e a t www.beautysupplyconference.com or by calling 404-551-4398. No walk-ins or payments at the door are accepted whatsoever.

For more information, send an email to [email protected]

IN THE BLACKIN THE BLACK



DEBORAH HYMAN TAKES HELM AT NATIONAL BLACK

PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY

CHICAGO - Deborah Hyman has assumed the role of president of the National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS), effective immediately. Outgoing NBPRS President Wynona Redmond re-signed from her position recently, handing group leadership to Hyman, who, according to NBPRS by-laws, automatically becomes president. Hyman is a communications executive at Verizon and had served as NBPRS Executive Vice President under Redmond.

Serving NBPRS has been heart work. NBPRS is more than a pro-fessional organization. It is a network of caring and talented individu-als united by a mission to promote professional development, mentor-ship and opportunity so that our industry benefits from a richly di-verse talent pool. Deborah Hyman is a strong, capable leader and is committed to the critical work of NBPRS and will take the or-ganization to new heights, said Redmond.

Wynona Redmond has given her mind, body, heart and soul to NBPRS. We have all benefitted and grown exponentially as a direct result of her dynamic leadership, and we are grateful to her. We wish her well in all her future endeavors, including future work with NBPRS, said Hyman.

Redmond will continue to serve on the NBPRS board of directors in the role of Immediate Past President. Due to the change, additional board shifts are as follows:

Richelle Payne of Hurst & Leigh Communications Group will serve as executive vice president. Phyllis D. Banks of P. Banks Communi-cations, Inc., will serve as secretary. Regina Lewis of The Potters House will serve as parliamentarian.

Continuing in their roles as members-at-large are Dawn Roberts of KD Communications Group, Rebecca Roussell with Nielsen, Imara Canady with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Chanda Johnson with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Lee Hayes of LAGRANT Communications.

According to Hyman, her first priorities are to strengthen local chapters. Now more than ever, our chapters need to be strong to sup-port the needs of our members in their own cities, Hyman said.

For more information on NBPRS, visit www.nbprs.org.

About National Black Public Relations Society The National Black Public Relations Society is the foremost or-

ganization for professional image-makers and strategists. We invite you to join our network of 500-plus members comprised of commu-nications professionals in the fields of public relations, marketing, and social media. With the strength of our affiliate chapters throughout the country, NBPRS strives to nurture, enlighten and in-form its membership about new technologies and techniques. Our goal is to empower practitioners and entrepreneurs to network and succeed. Visit us at www.nbprs.org, follow us on Twitter @NBPRS and on Facebook at National Black Public Relations Soci-ety.





Dr. Lindamichelle Baron

No Dreams Allowed by Dr. Lindamichelle Baron

I dedicate this article to Lance, one student I didn’t reach. I didn’t reach him, because, although I had the will, when I taught him, I didn’t have the necessary skill to actu-ally teach him. So I believed I might have met Lance, later, on the streets, armed with everything but an education and ready to use his armor to do battle. I have seen those who have been misguided, misdirected, and misunderstood on the streets. Some of them seem ready to pounce. We are complicit. We cannot stand on the sidelines and chastise and ridicule them without taking responsibility for not pro-tecting them. We have allowed the dismantling and de-struction of those fail-safes in schools that supported our children. All of us must fight for our children and their dreams, but as an educator my responsibility is magnified.

I was telling the story of Lance as my personal and professional failure, to a group of administrators when a par-ticipant in the audience called out, “Are you talking about Lance — and saying my Lance’s last name. I was taken aback. How did that principal know whom it was that I was referencing? Well that person was a principal in the school where I had taught some thirty years ago. Lance, the student I couldn’t reach, must have been reached by somebody, be-cause, as I was to learn, Lance was now the president of the PTA at the school where I once taught. I received the mes-sage, “Don’t give up on our children.” Our children are resil-ient. We must do everything we can to support them as we pass them on to others who continue the life-enhancing proc-ess.

As a professor, I am charged with the responsibility to guide pre-service teachers through the philosophies, teach-ing and learning research and theories. But Lance’s story reminds me that I must do so, not as an armchair intellec-tual, but as one who still speaks from the perspectives of a classroom teacher. My job as a professor is to use my ac-tual experiences with students and their teachers in order to make connections between the textbook my college stu-dents must purchase for my course and the real world of the classroom in the schools. So, I represent the perspective of the teacher/author as well as the perspective of the child drowning in some of the classrooms in this city. Classroom teachers are the captains of their ships, in a fleet of ships. They must have life preservers on board ready to help save any child who falls overboard.

Not long ago I visited one junior high or middle school, and the school yard gate had a sign that read “NO Dogs Allowed.” But someone had scratched out one of the words of the warning. Instead of “dogs,” the word “dreams” was inserted. It read, “No Dreams Allowed.” A dream is a vision of possibility, or a vision of impossibility worth reaching for in spite of whatever obstacles. A dream is the vision to see the top of the mountain before you even have the tools or skill to climb. Some of the students in our schools are without dreams. Some believe that their dreams

are confiscated at the front doors. Some dreams can’t sur-vive the scanners, and the fear, and the low expectations.

A paraphrase from a well-known book, the Bible, ex-claims, “without a vision a people will perish.” If we want to stay alive we have to help children see their possibilities and revision their perceived impossibilities. And if enough of them aren’t trying to pass the test of life—the school will perish. We have to give our children something beyond standardized tests to pass. That is my job. To prepare educa-tors who will prepare our children to live a life driven by their dreams, unencumbered by those people and entities who/that devalue their lives, capacities and their dreams.

Copyright © 2012 by Dr. Lindamichelle Baron. All rights reserved.



Club Civic Cubano Scholarship Dinner The Club Civic Cubano, Cuban Civic Club of Long Island, hosted their 4th Annual Scholarship Dinner at

Verdi’s in Westbury. Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby congratulated President Max Rodri-guez and presented a Certificate of Recogni-tion to each of this year’s honorees. Dr. Luis O Herrera, Freeport, Kimberly Femenias, Val-ley Stream, Xiomara Leto, Hicksville, Maria Pina Fonti, Forest Hills, Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Pres. Max Rod-riguez, Hempstead, Dr. Sergio G. Suarez, Free-port, NY 11520 Chandi Kawaljit, Freeport

Selfishness <

Selflessness Stephen R. Acevedo

Thinking today, I found the irony behind selfishness. There is no denying that we, humans, naturally act from selfish-ness, concentrating on the situations and people that will ultimately bring us happiness; but the irony is that though we feed our selfish appetites, we are never truly fulfilled with genuine happiness, and it is actually through our selfless ways that we achieve pure contentment and peace within our-selves.

Take this for exam-ple: You have been having a terrible week, from the stresses at home and work you are looking to the weekend as a chance to unwind and relax, how-ever, you are also aware that your best friend has

recently gone through a harsh break up and could use a pick me up. Now, naturally because you are both in similar states, you will eventually de-cide to link up and hang out in order to leave your troubles behind, but the way that you approach the situation will also de-termine which happiness you will gain. If you choose to spend the weekend with your friend because you know they will uplift your spir-its, you will surely ex-perience happiness for that moment, and possi-bly even for a while after, however, if you decide to spend the weekend with your friend, putting aside your stresses, and with the intention of uplifting your friend’s spirits, than

not only will you experi-ence a temporary moment of happiness, but also a longer lasting one from the contentment of self fulfillment. There is no better satisfaction than knowing you have created happiness for someone else, and in return, their new found happiness will provide you with genuine longer lasting happiness.

It is intriguing to me that it is through selfless-ness that we find happi-ness, not through selfish-ness, and so, I highly urge everyone, next time you have the feeling to satisfy your natural selfish urge, attempt to counter it with an action or behavior based on selflessness, and remember on which hap-piness you would rather have in the end.



ASK LISA-ANNE Q. My son has Attention Defi-

cit Hyperactivity Disorder-ADHD and he has an Individualized Edu-cation Plan- IEP beginning this coming school year! I want to know if he is getting all of the services he needs and is entitled to but I don’t know the laws. Can you help?

A. Many parents attend 504 accommodation and CSE meet-ings not fully understanding the process and not knowing their rights or options! Some school districts provide parents with out of date and incorrect information that the parents have no way of knowing if they’re accurate. The special education laws and ac-commodations of services for children are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Edu-cation Act-IDEA and Section 504 accommodation Rehabilitation Act. A special education attor-ney, Matthew D. Cohen, writes for the www.Additudemag.com website and reports 10 of the top myths about special education:

Myth 1: ADHD is not a real disorder and does not qualify as a disability. ADHD is among the most thoroughly medically-researched and documented psy-chiatric disorders. ADHD quali-fies as a disability under the Other Health Impairment (OHI) cate-gory of special-education law and as a disability under Section 504.

Myth 2: Students with ADHD who are getting passing grades or adequate achievement scores qualify only for a Section 504 Plan, not an IEP. Students with passing grades may qualify for an IEP, as well as for a 504 Plan, if their behavior is adversely affect-ing their performance at school, socially or academically.

Myth 3: To qualify for eligibil-ity under IDEA or Section 504, a student has to be diagnosed by a physician. While best-practice evaluations of ADHD recognize the importance of comprehensive medical and psychological evaluations, the Department of Education issued a policy state-ment stating that, if the IEP team includes persons the school be-lieves are qualified to diagnose

the condition, a medical evalua-tion is not legally required.

Myth 4: Schools may require a medical diagnosis of ADHD at a parent’s expense prior to proceed-ing with an evaluation for special education or a 504 Plan. If a school requires or recommends a medical, psychiatric, or neuro-logical evaluation as part of an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education or a 504 Plan, the evaluation must be at no cost to the parent. The school must pay for it.

Myth 5: Schools may require that students with ADHD receive stimulant medication in order to qualify for special education or for other services or activities. Schools can’t require a student to take medication as a condition for his being eligible for special edu-cation or any school activity. Tak-ing medication is a decision to be made by the family and their doc-tor. If the student has ADHD and qualifies for special education or a 504 Plan, the school must de-velop appropriate academic and behavioral supports to meet his needs, whether that student takes medication or not.

Myth 6: Teachers may decide whether or not they will imple-ment an IEP or 504 Plan, or even whether they will teach a student with a disability, such as ADHD. If a student has an IEP or a 504 Plan, the school staff is required to implement it. Further, teachers may not refuse to have a student with a disability in their class. It is illegal, just as it would be for them to refuse to teach a student based on race, gender, or religion.

Myth 7: Schools may require parents to sign a waiver of liabil-ity before agreeing to administer medication at school. Schools may require a doctor’s order con-firming a prescription and the need to provide meds at school, but cannot make the provision of administering medication condi-tional on the parents’ signing a waiver of liability.

Myth 8: Students with ADHD may qualify for a positive behav-ior support plan only if they are exhibiting disruptive or inappro-priate behavior toward others. Under IDEA and Section 504, positive behavior supports can be included in the plan to address academic problems, such as time-liness, work completion, and on-

task behavior, as well as to ad-dress negative behaviors in the classroom.

Myth 9: Students with ADHD who have a 504 Plan are only en-titled to accommodations, like preferential seating or untimed tests, not services. Under Section 504, students with ADHD (and other disabilities) are entitled to accommodations and may also be entitled to specialized educational services (such as individual in-struction or tutoring) and related services (such as counseling).

Myth 10: Students with ADHD do not qualify for one-on-one aides, bus transportation, or other more intensive or expensive ser-vices in the classroom. Students with ADHD are entitled to any services or supports necessary for them to benefit from their educa-tion under IDEA, and to have equal access to educational op-portunities under Section 504. Any blanket policy limiting ac-cess based on a diagnosis or dis-ability label is suspect.

School districts are supposed to provide you with a special educa-

tion booklet from the state so make sure you get one and read it. Each state has its own special education laws so parents should know these laws as well!

Lisa-Anne Ray-Byers is a speech-language pathologist who has worked in education for over two decades. She holds graduate degrees in speech-language pathology and multi-cultural education. She also holds certification in education administration. She is the au-thor of the books, They Say I Have ADHD, I Say Life Sucks! Thoughts From Nicholas, They SSSay I’m a StStStutterer But I SSSay Nothing! and co-author of 365 Ways to Succeed With ADHD! available by contacting her. She is the education editor of the Community Journal new-paper in Baldwin, New York and a member of the National Education Writers Association. You may contact her at [email protected] or by visi t ing her websi te at www.AskLisaAnne.com.



Baldwin HS Graduate graduation celebration was held in honor of Yolanda Alicia Mackey in Baldwin Harbor. Yolanda graduated from Baldwin High School and

plans to attend Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby was pleased to congratulate the graduate and wish her much success in her academic career. Photo: Yolanda Mackey, Councilwoman Goosby, Dr. Frances Mackey Hull

Roosevelt HS Graduation

Roosevelt High School held their 49th Annual Commence-ment for the Class of 2012 at Nassau Community College in Garden City. Town of Hemp-stead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Principal Dr. Stephen Strachan and Superintendent Robert Harris congratulated Emmanuel Martinez, Valedic-torian, Andrea Hernandez, Sa-lutatorian, and Makese Powe, student speaker. Superintendent Robert Harris, Makese Powe, Councilwoman Dorothy, Em-manuel Martinez, Andrea Her-nandez, Principal Dr. Stephen Strachan



Moving Up Ceremony at Archer Street Elementary Moving Up Ceremony at Archer Street Elementary School in Freeport

Hempstead School District Honors the Best and Brightest

Administrators host Second Annual Academic Achievement Banquet To honor students who demonstrated an exceptional commitment to academic success during the 2011-2012 school year, the Hempstead Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patricia Garcia hosted the district’s Second Annual Academic Achievement Ban-quet on June 19. “As someone who truly values the importance of education, this banquet is one that is very dear to my heart because our school district is recognizing our tal-ented young students districtwide for excelling in the classroom and dedicating their time to become an out-standing Hempstead School District scholar,” Dr. Garcia stated during the banquet’s Welcome Address. “It takes a tremendous amount of dedication, character, courage and patience to succeed with distinction academically, and our school district commends our 2012 honorees for exhibiting these qualities and much more during this school year. Congratulations to each of you.”

During the award ceremony, Hempstead Board of Education President Charles Renfroe, Dr. Garcia and building principals presented 44 students districtwide with certificates of achievement for their academic suc-cess throughout this school year. The celebratory event, which featured a three-course dinner, musical entertain-

ment and a keynote address by Hempstead High School Class of 2012 Valedictorian Jocelyn Solis-Moreira and Salutatorian Jacqueline Fleuriscar, was also part of the dis-trict’s annual end-of-the-year academic recognition programs for students.



Meet Hempstead High School’s Top Two Academic Achievers

It’s safe to say that Hempstead High School Campus Class of 2012 Valedictorian Jocelyn Solis-Moreira and Salutatorian Jacqueline Fleuriscar have a bright future ahead of them. The two academic achievers may only be 17, but they already have a list of accomplishments longer than people twice their age. What’s even more remarkable is that both of these outstanding students have already developed a passion and respect for community service at such a young age.

Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Earning the top achiever honor is not an entirely new experience for Valedictorian Jocelyn Solis-Moreira since she served as the salutatorian for the Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School’s Class of 2008. Not only does the Ludlum Elementary School (now Barack Obama Elementary School) alumna have a 96 percent grade point average, she is also an English Language and Composition, U.S. History and World History Advanced Placement Scholar, a four-year Principal’s List honoree, and the current president of the cam-pus’s Student Government.

Solis-Moreira is also an accomplished Hempstead Tiger athlete, having served as a member of the badminton and tennis teams since her freshman year. This year, she played first singles for both teams, and served as a captain for the badminton team. In between her pursuit of academic and athletic success, she has also volunteered her time to help make her school and community a better place. She is currently a Guidance Department Aide at the high school, an active member in the Village of Hempstead’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC), as well as a volunteer at the Second Chance Animal Rescue, Inc., in Levittown.

In the fall, this Hempstead scholar plans to attend the City College of New York in Manhattan to study Pre-Law. She aspires to become an immigration attorney in the near future.

Jacqueline Fleuriscar

Campus senior Jacqueline Fleuriscar has also excelled with distinction throughout her high school career. With a 95 percent grade point average, she has earned the Class of 2012’s salutatorian honor. Fleuriscar, who is a Jackson Annex Elementary School, Jackson Main Elementary School and Alverta B.Gray Schultz Middle School alumna, is an

English Language and Composition, Global and U.S. History Advanced Placement Scholar, a National Honor Society and Student Government member, and a four-year Princi-pal’s List honoree. Her talents also extend to music, where she played the violin for the Hempstead High School Performing Orchestra for two years.

Fleuriscar has also taken steps to become a career-minded person by serving as an intern and youth leader for the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County, Inc. In her spare time, she also works to improve the Village of Hempstead as an active member of its Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

In the fall, Fleuriscar plans to study biology in the seven-year integrated baccalaure-ate and preclinical medical education program at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedi-cal Education at the City College of New York in Manhattan. She made Hempstead High School history by becoming the first student to gain acceptance into this prestig-ious program, which is the only one of its kind in the country. Her goal is to become an obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN) in the near future.

HHS Valedictorian Photo

Caption: Hempstead High School Campus Class of 2012 Valedictorian Jocelyn Solis-Moreira will attend the City College of New York in Manhattan in the fall to study Pre-Law. She aspires to become an immigration attorney in the near future.

HHS Salutatorian Photo

Caption: Hempstead High School Campus Class of 2012 Salutatorian Jacqueline Fleuris-car will study biology in the seven-year integrated baccalaureate and preclinical medical education program at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at the City Col-lege of New York in Manhattan. Her goal is to become an obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN) in the near future.



Hempstead High School Seniors Celebrate Scholarship Awards Night

School officials, community leaders and more present monetary awards to

outstanding students Hempstead School District administrators and teachers, as well as local community leaders, or-ganizations, elected officials and businesses cele-brated the exceptional success of Hempstead High School Campus's senior class in June during the campus's annual Scholarship Awards Night.

In honor of their outstanding academic, athletic and humanitarian achievements, 34 seniors were presented with a host of scholarships to help ad-vance their educational and professional ca-reers. During the ceremony, Class of 2012 Vale-dictorian Jocelyn Solis-Moreira was presented with, among other scholarships, the Nassau

County Executive Community Service Academic Excellence Award. Jocelyn, and Sa-lutatorian Jacqueline Fleuriscar, as well as five other members of the Class of 2012's Top 10 were also presented with the New York State Education 2012 Series for Aca-demic Excellence Scholarship. Class of 2012 President Patonia Guerra and senior Elana Muniz were also selected as recipients of the Hempstead Classroom Teachers Association Scholarship Award.

This celebratory event also featured greetings and scholarship presentations from Hempstead Board of Education President Charles Renfroe, Hempstead Board of Edu-cation Trustee Betty Cross, Hempstead School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patricia Garcia and Hempstead High School Campus Senior Academy Interim Princi-pal Dr. Johnetta Hill.

The district congratulates all of the Class of 2012 honorees and thanks each of this year’s scholarship presenters for their continued support in building a successful future for Hempstead School District students.



Atkinson Intermediate School Sixth-Grade Moving-Up Celebration

The Caroline G. Atkinson School sixth-grade moving-up ceremony celebrated the educational advancement of nearly 500 students as they crossed the divide between intermediate and middle school. “You need to work harder and smarter, and you need to step up,” said Freeport Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham in his motivational address to the stu-dents and all those gathered on the school lawn.

Special recognition awards were announced, and for sake of time given the heat of the day, the graduates stood at their seats as their names were called in lieu of a procession to the podium.

The program also spotlighted the considerable musical talents of this class, starting with graduating sixth-grader Shania Hackett singing the national anthem and continuing with performances from the jazz ensemble and the sixth-grade chorus.

“Make good choices. You will have success in life if you make good choices,” was the advice dispensed by Board of Education Vice President Debra Mulé during her turn at the podium.

The graduation was bittersweet for Principal Linda Carter, as this was her final one at Atkinson. Ms. Carter is transi-tioning to her new role as principal of the high school for the coming year, meaning that in two years these graduates will be reunited with her once they have completed their junior high school academics.



J.W. Dodd Class of 2012 Prepare for Freeport High School

The J.W. Dodd Middle School Commencement Exercise was the culminating event for nearly 475 eighth-grade stu-dents who are fully prepared to meet the challenges of Freeport High School this coming fall.

“I ask you to think about what you want to do as you move on. Remember to maintain your commitment and mental focus,” said Superintendent Dr. Kishore Kuncham at the ceremony held in the high school gym.

Keeping with tradition, the symphonic ensemble, under the direction of Adam Rubin, played Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” as the soon-to-be graduates entered the room to the cheers and applause of family and friends. The select chorus, under the direction of Sherill Spruill, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” to open the event and Celine Dion’s hit “A New Day Has Come” later on.

The printed program listed page after page of awards that individuals within the Class of 2012 have earned, including recognition for academic excellence, music and athletics.

“I stand here proud. Believe in yourself and the cardinal principles that make you special. Seek answers, ask ques-

tions,” stated Principal John O’Mard from the podium in his sendoff speech to the graduates.

The presentation of diplomas was swift as each student was called to the front of the room to receive a diploma from Board of Education Vice President Debra Mulé. After Principal O’Mard officially declared the students graduates, the sym-phonic ensemble played Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Sine Nomine” as the newly graduated middle school students strode out of the room and onto the next level of their academic careers.



The Future Looks Bright for Freeport High School Class of 2012

The Freeport High School graduating class of 2012 filled Mack Arena at Hofstra University with the buzz of excitement, the energy of anticipation, the enthusiasm for

the future and the warmth of unity for their commencement exercise.

After encouraging the graduates to acknowledge their families, teachers, administrators and others who have inspired and supported them to achieve their goals, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham proclaimed, “Class of 2012, this is your night.” He advised the graduates to remember the acronym F-O-C-U-S and what it stands for. He explained that “F is for Fearless; O is for Opportunity; C is for Commitment; U is for Unique and S is for Stillness or Silence.” He continued “Be fearless, manufacture opportunities, renew your commitment, realize your uniqueness and dive into your inner world for moments of stillness and silence every day. Whatever you do, let it reach your heart and let your heart reach your action. Have the courage to take risks. Go where there are no guarantees. Get out of your comfort zone, even if it means being un-comfortable.” He added, “I wish you all a wonderful and exciting adventure ahead of you.”

To the cheers and applause of students, family and friends, Dr. Kuncham noted that this graduating class had raised the bar for those who follow in scholarship awards, and that nearly 100 colleges and universities will be welcoming the new-est Freeport graduates this coming September.

The Freeport High School Symphonic Orchestra performed several num-bers under the direction of Jill Boardman, including a toe-tapping rendition of Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” On the opposite side of the stage, the select chorale, directed and accompanied by Monique Retzlaff, filled the arena with sweet harmonies on songs such as Stephen Schwartz’s “For Good.”

“We are a beautiful family. We are going to change the world and give back to our Freeport community,” said Class President Stephanie Morales, who is heading to Virginia Tech on a full scholarship in the fall.

“Freeport has provided us with something we can’t buy. Character!” re-marked Yale-bound valedictorian Brea Baker, tapping into the camaraderie felt among her fellow graduates. “Thank you for letting me make mistakes and learn from them,” said Salutatorian Lakiea Simmons in a special thank you to her mother. Lakiea will attend Allegheny College come September.

“Work hard to achieve your success and don’t give up. You are from Freeport. Fly on the wings of your talents and your mightiest dreams,” said Principal Ernest J. Kight in this his last graduation before retirement. Mr. Kight then presided over the certification of the graduates, the much-anticipated portion of the ceremony that blossomed into a burst of flying caps and tassels as the graduates relished their final moments as Freeport High School students before continuing their cele-bration with family and friends.



FAMILY & CHILDREN’S HON-ORS ANDREW CORRADO, LONG ISLAND MARKET PRESIDENT,

CAPITAL ONE BANK, AT ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP RECEPTION

(Mineola, NY/June 26, 2012) On Tuesday, June 19th Family & Children's Association held its 27th an-nual Scholarship Reception at the Jericho Terrace in Mineola. Andrew F. Corrado, Long Island Market President, Capital One Bank was honored at this year’s event. Mr. Corrado plays a critical role in help-ing Capital One Bank invest in economic opportunities for individuals, families and small business owners throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, with a par-ticular focus on: affordable housing, financial literacy, education and small business and workforce develop-ment.

According to Phil Mickulas, President/CEO, “We’re thrilled to have Mr. Corrado as this year’s hon-oree because of his dedication and commitment to educating the youth of Long Island. Since 1985, the Family & Children’s Scholarship Fund has been able to disburse over $1.3 million to young people who’ve participated in one of our programs. These young people have overcome homelessness, foster care or

other significant challenges in order to build better lives for themselves through higher education.”

Mr. Corrado is a long-time community advocate. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education and previously served as Secretary and Treasurer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. He continues to be an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters and serves on the organization’s scholarship committee. He is also an active alumnus of Hofstra University, where he received his Masters in Business Admini-stration. He serves as the President of the Zarb School of Business Alumni Association and was re-cently nominated to the advisory council board for the new Hofstra School of Medicine in conjunction with North Shore LIJ Health Systems. In 2011, he was awarded the 2011 Alumni Achievement Award by Hof-stra University for his support and avid involvement with the University.

Family & Children’s Association is one of Long Is-

land’s oldest and largest human care agencies serv-ing over 25,000 of our neighbors in need each year. F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e v i s i t www.familyandchidlrens.org



Happy MEMORIAL DAY Weekend!!!!!!

Give A $1 Dollar In the Name of Your Father..... Support Male Leadership Empowerment Programs at Urban League of Long Island - Campaign for Achieve-

ment. Click on the link below:

http://www.urbanleaguelongisland.org/

Donate_Now_.html GVE BACK TO MOVE FORWARD

Domestic violence has no boundaries. You, your relative, neighbor or friend could be a

victim of domestic violence. Contact the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence for help. Call the 24-hour hotline

631-666-8833. Trained counselors are always available.

For more information visit www.sccadv.org

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 631-666-7181.



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Ex-pastor and wife allegedly gamble away $430,000 of church’s money

A former Houston pastor and wife were jailed for allegedly swin-dling their congregation out of approximately $430,000 for gambling trips to Louisiana. Charles Gilford, 58, and Adriane Gilford, 53, were indicted by a Harris County grand jury and charged with aggregate theft and “misapplication of fiduciary property.” Prosecutors allege the Gilfords, who were once pastor and first lady of Bethel Institu-tional Missionary Baptist Church (BIMBC), allegedly spent the money at the Coushatta Casino between 2004 and 2007, before leav-ing the congregation five years ago. KPRC-TV reports:

Two pastors accused of stealing more than $430,000 from a Houston church where they worked have been released from jail.

Records show 58-year-old Charles Gilford and his 53-year-old wife, Adriane, were freed after bond was lowered from $800,000 to $15,000 apiece.

The Gilfords were indicted last week on charges of theft over $200,000 and misapplication of fiduciary property. Both ap-peared in court Monday.

Miracle Christian Center Celebrates 15th Anniversary The Miracle Christian Center of Hempstead celebrated their 15th Anniversary with a banquet at the Coral House in Baldwin. Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby presented a Certificate of Recognition to Dr. David Gates, Pastor, and Dr. Phyllis Young, Founder. The Councilwoman of-fered her heartfelt congratulations.



Life Changing Words

Speak Life

John 6:63 KJV “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

In this present world that we are living in right now there is not a whole lot of things to be happy or excited about. Everywhere we look we see misfor-tunes, murders or some type of mess going on. This is the time in life that we need to look for positive influences, reinforcements, and something or some-one good we can depend on that won’t change or fail. Well there is only one truly good person who doesn’t change and His word never fails. So let me direct everyone to Jesus and the Bible, which is His word.

However there is a specific word that comes to mind “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Let’s look at this scripture carefully and evaluate what we speak and ourselves. Are we speaking life through the spirit or death through our flesh? What words are you find-ing in your vocabulary are they words that discour-age your friends and family or do your words en-courage them and bring life and hope to them. Can they depend on you to speak the truth through faith according to the word of God?

See your words can kill or build, can cut or heal, can destroy or develop a person, a situation or a problem. Evaluate yourself, have you been building or killing the people around you. Either way it is never to late for change. We as Christians or even non-believers never want to speak death into any-one’s life or current situations. We must let them know that in every circumstance there is always hope, for we are never left hopeless with Jesus Christ. For we serve a God who gives us specific instructions on the power of the tongue. He simply said these words in Proverbs 18:21 KJV “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that

love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

So use the power of your tongue for good and speak life, love and faith into everything and watch how God turn your bad into good. For truly when your speaking changes, your mind changes (becomes renewed) and your perception changes. Then and only then can we speak and see as Christ does…

Dr. Karen Deadwyler is a new author inspired by God. Her first book titled “His Miraculous Way” speaks of her victory through Jesus Christ. To in-quire about her book or to send comments email her at [email protected] or visit her website: www.godlypleasures.org She is the Visionary and founder of a women’s ministry called Willing Women of Worship Fellowship.



Love Assembly Block Party The Love Assembly Church in West Hempstead hosted their First Annual Block Party on Mahopac Avenue. Town of Hempstead Council-

woman Dorothy Goosby joined in the festivities and congratulated Pastor Akobia A.Hurdle.

St. Paul AME in RVC Annual Block Party St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Rockville Centre hosted their Annual Block Party on Pershing Avenue. Town of Hempstead

Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby joined in the festivities and congratulated all those who made the event possible.



Nigel Gretton Honored for 30 Years of Service

A gala celebration was held in honor of Nigel W. Gretton for his 30 years of service as Music Director of the Congregational Church of South Hempstead. Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby pre-sented a Certificate of Recognition to Mr. Gretton. Both the Councilwoman and Rev. Patrick Duggan, pastor of the church, offered their heartfelt congratulations.



MANGANO TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL B-BALL TOURNAMENT

Mineola, NY – Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that Nassau County in cooperation with Hubert (Biff) Moorer of The BIFFCO Foundation Inc., will be hosting the Second Annual Edward P. Mangano B-Ball Tournament for returning Middle School and Junior and Senior High School boys and girls at Reverend Arthur Mackey and N. Woodmere Parks.

“This successful B-Ball Tournament provides boys and girls an opportunity to play basketball, improve their skills in a competitive environment and develop a love for the games without having to drive all over Long Island,” said County Executive Mangano. “I encourage all County youth basketball players to sign up today.”

The league is scheduled from July 5th to August 9th, 2012. Games are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 pm., two games per night in each division and offi-ciated by I.A.A.B.O. certified referees.

The Middle School Division will be comprised of boys and girls 12 years and under and the Junior/Senior High School Division will be comprised of boys and girls 15 years and under. All athletes must provide proof of age and a signed “Parental Release and Waiver of Liability & Acknowledgement of Rules and Regulations Concerning Child Ath-lete” prior to first scheduled game. Each team must have 75% Nassau County residents and provide a $25.00 team registration fee, checks payable to “Friends of Nassau County Recreation”.

To register or for more information please contact, Hubert (Biff) Moorer at: [email protected] or call: (516) 481-5459 or (516) 216-3253.

about a favorite player beforehand. In the car or over a hot dog, you’ll have lots of time to talk about the book and the game.

Lead by example (Right now, this writer is read-ing a new book, Too Important to Fail: Saving Amer-ica’s Boys by Tavis Smiley). Read the newspaper at breakfast, pick up a magazine at the pediatrician’s office, or stuff a paperback into your beach bag. If kids see the adults around them reading, they will understand that books and other reading mate-rial can be a fun and important part of their summer days. (Read the digital Community Journal!)

Talk it up Talking with your kids about what you have read also lets them know that reading is an important part of your life. Tell them why you liked a book, what you learned from it, or how it helped you. Soon they might start doing the same.

Help kids find time to read Summer camp, baseball games, and videos are all fun things kids like to do during the summer. However, by the end of the day, children may be too tired to pick up a book. Remember to leave some time in their schedules for reading, such as before bedtime or over breakfast.

Relax the rules for summer During the school year, children have busy schedules and often have required read-ing for classes. Summer is a time when children can read what, when, and how they please. Don’t set daily minute requirements or determine the number of pages they should read. Instead, make sure they pick up books for fun and help find ways for them to choose to read on their own.

Have plenty of reading material around Storybooks aren’t the only thing that kids can read for fun. Be sure to have newspa-pers, magazines, and informational material on hand that might spark the interest of a young reader.

Use books to break the boredom Without the regular school regimen, adults and kids need more activities to fill the hours. Books that teach kids how to make or do something are a great way to get kids reading and keep them occupied.

Read aloud with kids Take your children to see a local storyteller—or be one yourself. The summer months leave extra time for enthusiastic read-alouds with children, no matter their age. Don’t forget to improvise different voices or wear a silly hat to make the story that much more interesting!

B.J. Robinson is an educator, youth sports advocate and author of LeBron James: King of the Court.

CURL UP WITH A BOOK DURING SUMMER’S LAZY DAYS

by B.J. Robinson

Those lazy days of summer have officially arrived – the days are longer,

the nights shorter, the kids and their teachers are off from school, and….some par-ents are desperate for programs to occupy their children. This is an ideal time to encourage your child to spend sometime between the covers …..of a book. Studies have shown that when students go all summer without reading or any academic exposure, they experience large setbacks when they do return to school in Septem-ber. Parents are doing their children a monumental favor when they encourage them to pick up a book or magazine or newspaper during the summer months…and the more the better. Hempstead Public library has an excellent long running Sum-mer Reading Program (both my kids participated in it when they were young.) The kids enjoy reading a book and reporting on it and then later in the summer there’s a nice big party at the library for all the Summer Reading participants. The Hempstead Public Library also has a Book Buddies program whereby older chil-dren read to younger one’s (my kids were a part of this program, as well). Living in Hempstead I took advantage of any literacy and reading programs that were made available to us in the community

Also many schools have posted reading lists for students and families to use as a guide for summer reading. Hempstead School District’s list can be found on the front page of the Website located at www.hempsteadschools.org.

The best gift a parent can give a child is a book and if you ensure your chil-dren read over the summer then you are giving them a treasure from the heart. When the kids unplug themselves from their video games, their blackberries and the breathtaking Long Island beaches and head back to school in September and have to reunite with books, if they have read over the summer, then they will be in for a smoother transition to the academic world.

Following are excellent summer reading suggestions from Reading is Fun-damental:

How to Stop Literacy Loss over the Summer Summer leaves lots of time for kids to enjoy fun activities, such as going to the beach or seeing a movie. Why not also encourage them to read a book about the activity? If you're going to a baseball game, suggest that your child read a book



GOLF SHOW COMING TO BROOKLYN

Medgar Evers College (MEC) in Brooklyn, NY opens its doors to The Darby Foundation for the First Annual Golf Show. September 7, 2012 is the date for The Darby Foundation “MOMENTS OF HIS-TORY TOUR”, GOLF SHOW, AND EXHIBIT WITH USGA-MUSEUM!!!

The "Moments of History Tour" consists of distinguished panel-ists, individuals who have made a significant contribution to the sport of golf and to American History. All the participants will share valu-able insights about the challenges they faced; and how they over-came those challenges to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals. The intent of the "Moments of History Tour" is to pave the way for this future generation. Humans all have dreams. We all have been given gifts and often times through challenges we develop the integrity, and character necessary for becoming the person we are destined to be.

USGA Museum Honors "American Champions and Barrier Break-ers". Some of the world's greatest athletic achievements have been accomplished in the face of untold adversity. Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis and Althea Gibson all excelled in their respective sports, not

only performing competitively at an exceptionally high level, but shat-tering racial barriers in the process. The exhibit will be on display from Feb. 17, 2012, to Feb. 2014, and celebrates the lives of Robin-son, Louis and Gibson, their sports achievements and their important legacies.

"American Champions and Barrier Breakers: Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis and Althea Gibson" has been developed through the Afri-can-American Golf Archive, which was created in 2010 by the United States Golf Association and The PGA of America and is housed in the USGA Museum. For more information about the USGA Museum, go to www.usgamuseum.com.

The Golf Show will feature major manufacturers demonstrating their new club lines for 2012.

The Discount Pro Shop will offer bargains galore on clubs, balls, apparel, shoes and accessories. The discounts are real, too. If you see nothing else at the show, visit the shop for substantial savings.

The Darby Foundation Demo Stage will feature hourly discus-sions on the Swing, The Rules, The Mental Game and Putting. Pros will provide free 10 minute lessons on the full swing and the short game.

Exhibitors from far and near offer great deals on travel, resorts and local and regional golf.

Others will help you get in shape for golf physically and finan-cially. The Darby Foundation returns this year with its popular FUN’ RAISER GOLF OUTING where you will learn how to get involved in reaching Inner City Youth in the area. Women are invited to get their swing analyzed or learn the basics from Golf Professional at the Ex-ecutive Women’s Golf area.

Put it on your calendar and watch for more news on other Darby Programs. www.darbyfoundation.org



Anthony Davis' unexpected rise In two years, he's gone from one D-I offer to the likely No. 1 pick in the draft

CHICAGO -- When Anthony Davis was in high school, he wasn't supposed to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

He wasn't projected to be 6-foot-10. He was never on a fast track to the NBA. He was barely a Division I prospect.

That was just two-plus years ago. But then he grew seven inches at Perspectives Charter High, a

charter school on Chicago's South Side. He played AAU basketball for Mean Streets and got noticed beyond the city prior to his senior season.

He was suddenly one of the most coveted players in the country. But what you learn after spending time with Davis and his family

is that the attention he is receiving is so new, so foreign, that he still has trouble grasping the entire concept. And this is even after being the consensus national player of the year and leading Kentucky to a national championship two months ago in New Orleans.

How much of a fan-tasy would this have been three years ago?

"I wouldn't have be-lieved you," said Davis as he sat in the library at his high school the week of the NBA's pre-draft camp earlier this month. "It just came natural -- all at once, being a champion, growing, be-ing the No. 1 draft pick, I would have never be-lieved it all. It's just been a blessing from God."

Davis said he has a hard time when he's alone rationalizing what has occurred.

"I look back at the last couple of years in my life, if I haven't done this, would this have happened? If I didn't play AAU, would I have gone to Kentucky? If I didn't go to Kentucky, would I have been a national champion? If I wasn't a national champion would I still de-clare for the NBA," Davis said. "I just try to look back at everything and see what my next move would be."

Davis was a shooting guard when he started high school. His only Division I scholarship offer at the time was from Cleveland State and that was because he had a connection.

"I knew a referee that used to ref some of our games and his sons went there and he said I could get you in there no problem," said Davis of Cleveland State. "I told my dad, 'let's commit,' there's no point in waiting so I'm a junior in high school with no other offers, no other guys are looking at me. It was still Division I, the Horizon League, and if I keep playing hard then someone will find me. My dad told me to wait it out and see how the AAU season goes."

Davis said he was 6-3 at the time. He said he could shoot the lace off the ball.

Davis wasn't pushed to be a star. He wasn't traversing the country on the grassroots circuit yet. He stayed close with his family, spend-ing his time with his tight-knit kin of his parents (Anthony and Erainer), twin sister (Antoinette) and older sister (Lesha).

"We're very close, we do a lot of things together," Davis said. "We try not to exclude anyone out. We love each other to death. We do everything together."

So Davis worked on his guard skills and enjoyed just playing bas-ketball, without a guarantee of stardom, and hanging out with his family.

When the growth spurt came he was suddenly thrown in the post, but he wanted to be a guard.

He didn't know what to do when he got to Kentucky in the post --

last fall. "I had to get accustomed to playing in the post, rebounding, the

whole shot-blocking ability came naturally, I don't know where it came from," Davis said. "I had never blocked shots, I blocked a cou-ple of shots in high school because I was so much taller than every-body but in college I wasn't sure where it came from."

Davis said Kentucky coach John Calipari rode him when practice started. But then Davis said he started to "mess up" the drills by blocking shots.

"I realized I had a knack for this, I could really block shots so I just took pride in it and kept doing it," Davis said.

Yet, Davis' confidence was still shaky. Finally, he started to get the hang of playing in the post and told

Calipari that he was ready to get the ball. "I started to feel comfortable so why not just give me a chance,''

Davis said. Davis finished the season with 186 blocks, 54 steals, making 62.3

percent of his shots, scoring 14.2 points and grabbing 10.4 rebounds a

game. Kentucky lost one regular-season game, at Indiana, one in the SEC tournament, to Vanderbilt, and didn't lose again.

But you would never know that Davis had game-day anxiety. "I'm always scared before every game," Davis said. "I'm nervous,

you might not tell, but I'm nervous before every game. I know I have to perform well and that's just myself. I don't want to ever have a bad game. I always want to perform well. That's kind of my fear, am I going to perform well or bad, you never know.

"Especially when I miss my first couple of shots, I'm like 'Oh man, I can see how this game's gonna go.' So I just keep a level head, block everything out, just take it one shot at a time, if I miss a shot get back on defense and just play from there."

Davis will be counted on to star immediately for New Orleans. He said he knows that coach Monty Williams' squad is defensive-oriented, which suits him perfectly.

"Hopefully I can help them offensively, as well," Davis said. "Hopefully if I get drafted there I'll make a big impact and try to help them win."

Davis said he has no problem being known as the "uni-blocker" thanks to his trademark unibrow.

Did he ever consider trimming the hair between his eyebrows? "Kentucky made shirts, posters, everything they can think of, they

made it," Davis said. "So I was like well, I can't cut it now?" Is this a good look? "It's me," Davis said. "I was made this way so I'm going to keep

it. I actually like it. Some people like it, some people don't so they all got to deal with it now."

And who is he? He's the most intimidating player in the draft -- one who never would've predicted this would occur a mere two years ago.



Documents

The New Community Journal and Village Life Magazine