Controversial New Nas Album
November 12, 2007
When I read about the controversey over the new Nas album, charmingly titled “Nigger,” I went in six directions at once. My first instinct was to rant and rave about double standards. When I haven’t had my first cup of coffee yet, my feeling is that you can’t have it both ways. Either “nigger” is a word that is used to disparage an entire group of people, or it’s. . . just another word. Like “bastard”. Or “ass”.
Once I’ve had a few cups of coffee, I mellow out, and remember that once upon a time, Richard Pryor released two very funny albums. One was called “Bicentennial Nigger” and the other was “That Nigger’s Crazy”. Richard Pryor had a point to make, however lopsided his approach may have seemed in hindsight, and he was breaking new ground when those records came out.
Not that Pryor was the first, but he was definitely one of the rising stars of his day, rubbing shoulders with Jesse Jackson and other civil rights leaders. Ever see the film Wattstax? A young Pryor had a prominent part of this musical documentary on the black experience in America. It seems on the face of it to be a film about a concert ala Woodstock, but when the whole thing is over you realize it’s about much more. See it if you can, it’s a great time capsule of the 70s through one very particular point of view. But I digress.
Bruno Jamais Restaurant Fifth Year Anniversary
November 12, 2007
The very posh elegant Bruno Jamais Restaurant kicked off their fifth year anniversary party Tuesday evening November 6, 2007. Hundreds of media, CEO’s and other distinguished dignitaries celebrated the night away on expensive caviar, hors D’oeuvres and champagne. All had a chance at winning a $25,000 necklace from Suz Andreasen Couture in addition to other costly prizes worth thousands of dollars. The evening was a huge success raising funds through raffle donations and 100% of the proceeds will benefit the charity www.riverKeeper.org.
Riverkeeper is a member-supported, nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to defending the Hudson River and New York City’s water supply.
Upon arriving at this fabulous eatery I was greeted by my good friend and proprietor Bruno Jamais himself, a very tall dark and sexy Frenchman with a heavy French accent. Bruno an expert at fine dining received his education in some of Manhattan’s finest dining establishments such as Daniel and Alain Ducasse before opening Bruno’s in 2002.
If you haven’t dined at Bruno Jamais already, this Upper East Side townhouse, nestled between Madison and Fifth Avenue on 81st Street is a delightful treat. The majestic foyer is fully stocked with priceless rare wines which leads to a narrow corridor into the main dining room, a cozy inner sanctum of this quintessential Upper East Side secret spot serving the most delicious French cuisine.
Uphill Battle Against Nuggets at MSG
November 12, 2007
Every game is an uphill battle for the New York Knicks. After a dismal season a year ago and an offseason full of off the court issues (i.e. – the Isiah Thomas sexual harassment lawsuit trial), a new season can either be the cure or more poison for a troubled franchise.
Dropping the season opener in Cleveland and squeaking by the weak Timberwolves at home did not tell us anything. The first early season test came on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden versus the Denver Nuggets, one of the Western Conference’s potent teams and the opponent in perhaps the Knicks’ ugliest game last season.
It was on December 16, 2006 that a blowout loss at the Garden became an black eye on not only the pitiful Knicks, but on the NBA, as well. In the closing minutes of Denver’s 123-100 victory, a brawl broke out that began when Knicks’ rookie guard Mardy Collins fouled J.R. Smith hard on a fast break. The Denver guard retaliated, and then Nate Robinson and star Carmelo Anthony joined the fray, resulting in suspensions and accusations that Thomas had given Anthony a verbal warning prior to the Donny brook.
So an inter-conference match-up in the third game of the season took on a different meaning. The sellout crowd of 19,763 was vocal during pre-game introductions and very supportive of the blue and orange from the opening tip-off. Both Anthony and Smith were serenaded with a chorus of boos each time they touched the ball.
Dowling College Presents Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing
November 10, 2007
Enjoy an Off-Broadway Experience Right on Long Island
OAKDALE, NY - This fall, The Loft Theatre at Dowling College will continue its string of popular productions in presenting Shakespeare’s classic comic romance, Much Ado About Nothing. This professional production will be directed by acclaimed New York City Director, Teresa K. Pond. Teresa’s background includes a strong cross-section of classical and new plays, musicals, and opera. Her most recent productions include Extraordinary! at Vital Theatre (NYC) and Half Life, hailed by New York Magazine as the top show of the 2005 New York Fringe Festival.
Featuring one of the great comic couples in theatre, Beatrice and Benedict, whose sharp-tongued repartee belies their deep feelings, a detective even more bumbling than Inspector Clouseau, and high drama at
a wedding ceremony, Much Ado is as much soap opera as a high comedy. In keeping with the Loft’s setting on Long Island and Dowling’s Vanderbilt Mansion campus, Much Ado is set on a Gold Coast Long Island mansion in the Roaring Twenties. Flappers and ingenues meet tycoons and flyboys with music and hooch and all the thrills of the pre-crash era. With a professional design team, actors from New York City and Long Island, and an intimate black box theatre, the Loft presents an Off-Broadway quality production right in your own backyard.
Pilots to Tell Their UFO Stories for the First Time
November 10, 2007
Distinguished panel of former high-ranking government, aviation,
and military officials from seven countries to discuss encounters with UFOs and official investigations
(PRWEB) November 10, 2007 — The American public is not alone when it comes to sighting what the US Air Force has labeled Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). So too have former governors, high level military and government officials, highly trained airplane pilots and aviation experts. The phenomenon is real. It happens worldwide. No one is sure about its nature. Experts from seven countries will divulge what they have discovered about UFOs at a November 12 panel discussion moderated by former Arizona Governor Fife Symington (R) at the National Press Club (www.freedomofinfo.org).
Just one year ago, pilots, mechanics and managers from United Airlines witnessed a metallic disc-shaped object hovering over the United Airlines Terminal at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. The clearly observed object shot straight up leaving a hole through the clouds. Despite the clear aviation safety issues involved, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) never investigated the incident and dismissed it as weather. This head-in-the-clouds refusal to investigate stands in sharp contrast to efforts by governments of other countries to understand these incidents.
“I believe that our government should take an active role in investigating this very real phenomenon,” said Symington, who was a witness to the famed ‘Phoenix Lights” incident seen by hundreds in Arizona while he was governor. “This panel consists of some of the most qualified people in the world with direct experience in dealing with this issue, and they will bring incredible, irrefutable evidence, some never presented before, that we simply cannot dismiss or ignore,” he said.
The group, using previously classified documents, will discuss many well-documented cases, including two investigated by the US government. The first involves a Peruvian Air Force pilot who fired many rounds at a UFO which was not affected. The second was an Iranian Air Force pilot’s attempt to fire at a UFO, but whose control panel became inoperable. “This case is a classic that meets all the necessary conditions for a legitimate study of the UFO phenomenon,” stated the US Defense Intelligence Agency document on the Tehran incident. Both pilots will come forward to speak about these events publicly for the first time.
Who:
Fife Symington, Former Arizona Governor, Moderator
Ray Bowyer, Captain, Aurigny Air Services, Channel Islands
Rodrigo Bravo, Captain and Pilot for the Aviation Army of Chile
General Wilfried De Brouwer, former Deputy Chief of Staff, Belgian Air Force (Ret.)
John Callahan, Chief of Accidents and Investigations for the FAA, 1980’s (Ret.)
Dr. Anthony Choy, founder, 2001, OIFAA, Peruvian Air Force
Jean-Claude Duboc, Captain, Air France (Ret.)
Charles I. Halt, Col. USAF (Ret.), Former Director, Inspections Directorate, DOD I.G.
General Parviz Jafari, Iranian Air Force (Ret.)
Jim Penniston, TSgt USAF (Ret.)
Dr. Claude Poher, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, founder, French GEPAN
Nick Pope, Ministry of Defence, UK, 1985-2006
Dr. Jean-Claude Ribes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France, 1963-98
Comandante Oscar Santa Maria, Peruvian Air Force (Ret.)
What:
Former Arizona Governor Fife Symington will moderate a distinguished panel of former high-ranking government, aviation, and military officials from seven countries to discuss close encounters with what the US Air Force describes as Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). Representatives from France, England, Belgium, Chile, Peru, Iran and the US will call for the US Government to join in an international dialogue and re-open its investigation – which the Air Force shut down over 30 years ago – in cooperation with other governments currently dealing with this unusual and controversial phenomenon. While on active duty, the panelists have either witnessed a UFO incident or have conducted an official investigation into UFO cases relevant to aviation safety and national security.
When:
Monday, November 12, 2007
11:00 AM
Where:
National Press Club
Ballroom
Event open to credentialed media and Congressional staff only
Contact:
James Fox, documentary filmmaker; director of the acclaimed film “Out of the Blue”
415 519 9631
Leslie Kean, investigative journalist with the Coalition for Freedom of Information
415 250 9791
High-ranking military officials and government personnel from around the world discuss close encounters with UFOs on Thursday, Nov. 12. To learn more, visit http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/ and http://www.freedomofinfo.org/ Is national security on the line? Or perhaps some reputations? Whatever your take, you’ll be talking about this long after Larry says good night.
And for more information about the Nov. 12 national press conference, visit www.freedomofinfo.org.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/Unidentified_Flying/object_UFO_event/prweb567548.htm
http://www.freedomofinfo.org/media/PRESS_ADVISORY.pdf
Miles Electric Vehicles to Donate All-Electric Car to The Unisphere Foundation
November 9, 2007
Gift Will Support Green Efforts in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens, New York – November 9th, 2007 – Miles Electric Vehicles, manufacturer of industry-leading all-electric cars and trucks, announced today that the company will donate a zero emissions, low-speed ZX40S hatchback to Unisphere, Inc. in support of the foundation’s green efforts in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The presentation will be made to park officials on Monday, November 12th, at 10 a.m. by MILES’ Founder and
Chairman Miles Rubin. Unisphere, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation that was formed in 2003 to help transform Flushing Meadows Corona Park into a model for urban parks nationwide.
The all-electric car will be used to transport volunteer workers at the park and is expected to save the park money, as all-electric vehicles generally cost about one-tenth as much to drive and maintain as typical gas-powered vehicles. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is home to the Queens Museum of Art, the New York Hall of Science, Shea Stadium and the Queens Wildlife Center.
Estelle Cooper, Assistant Commissioner Queens Park/Flushing Meadows Corona Park Administrator, will accept the all-electric vehicle on behalf of the park; Bruce Bendell, President of Major World automotive and the exclusive distributor for Miles Electric Vehicles in the five boroughs of New York, will also take part in the ceremony.
“We are proud to partner with the Unisphere, Inc. and support their mission to make Flushing Meadows Corona Park a greener and healthier environment – and we are equally proud to help make the parks in New York City greener with our zero emissions cars and trucks,” said MILES CEO Jeff Boyd. “The park’s history and environmental importance makes it an ideal location for a MILES all-electric car.”
The 1,255-acre park is Queens’ largest, and the site of two world’s fairs. The Unisphere stainless steel globe stands 140 feet and was presented to the 1964 World’s Fair by United States Steel. As the centerpiece of the park, it is Queens’ most recognizable symbol.
According to Boyd, Miles Electric Vehicles is introducing municipalities, universities and other organizations looking to cut emissions and costs to MILES’ lineup of low- speed all-electric vehicles, including the ZX40 and ZX40S hatchbacks and the just released ZX40ST work truck.
read more about this release……..
Carl Liebert III, CEO of 24 Hour Fitness Joins The V Foundation Board of Directors
November 9, 2007
Carl Liebert III, CEO of 24 Hour Fitness Joins The V Foundation Board of Directors
The V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the nation’s leading cancer research fundraising organizations, is proud to announce that Carl Liebert III, CEO of 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, has accepted a position as a member of their Board of Directors. This addition was made at The Foundation’s August Board of Directors meeting. As a V Board member Carl will help set policy to enhance fundraising opportunities, cancer awareness and linkages to The V Foundation.
“We are thrilled to have someone with Carl’s business background, enthusiasm, and passion to fight cancer on our board,” said Nick Valvano, CEO of The V Foundation. Carl first met Jim in 1986 at the Hall of Fame Tip-off Classic when North Carolina State beat Navy at the last-second. It is really special that 20 years later, Carl joins The V Foundation board.”
24 Hour Fitness Worldwide is the world’s largest privately owned and operated fitness center chain. As CEO, Carl oversees the worldwide operations of more than 400 fitness clubs and 20,000 employees. Prior to joining 24 Hour Fitness in November of 2006, Carl was executive vice president for The Home Depot. In this role, he led more than 300,000 associates in 2,000 stores throughout the United States and Mexico where he was responsible for sales, execution and retail operations.
Earlier in his career, Liebert served as Circuit City’s senior vice president and division president of the company’s Western Division – consisting of 18,000 associates located throughout 32 states and more than $4.5 billion in sales. Carl has also held various leadership positions with General Electric’s Consumer Products division leading teams in Operations, Six Sigma, Retail Sales, Marketing and Direct Marketing. Carl holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United State Naval Academy and an MBA from Vanderbilt University.
Local Church Throws Annual Hallow-Him Festival
November 8, 2007
New Covenant Church Annual Hallow-Him Festival
New Covenant Church, a local church serving the Long Island community for nearly 30 years, recently had its annual Hallow-Him Festival on Wednesday, October 31st 2007. The Festival was a huge success with hundreds of children from the Long Island community joining together for an evening of Pony Rides, Petting Farm (chickens, ducks, goats, rabbits and more), Play-In-The-Hay Pitt, Face Painting, Spin Art, Food, Games, Prizes, Live Music, Clowns and a Huge Prayer Pumpkin Patch (to name a few things).
Thanks to Harry Ludlow of Fairview Farms in Bridgehampton, every child was able to pick at least one pumpkin for free (with nearly 500 pumpkins given away).
Pictured left you will find a picture of a group from Belmont, that is organized by Nick Caras, that attended the event standing, pumpkins in hand with one of our clowns Rainbow Jack (www.rainbowjackandmelody.com).
###
New Covenant Church
East Meadow, NY 11554
516-489-1600
www.NCChurch.org
American Psychiatric Association Assembly Backs Medical Marijuana Patient Protection
November 7, 2007
Unanimous Vote Signals Growing Acceptance of Medical Marijuana
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a unanimous vote, the Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association has approved a strongly worded statement supporting legal protection for patients using medical marijuana with their doctor’s recommendation.
The APA action paper, which must be approved by the APA Board of Trustees when it meets in December, notes that 12 states now have medical marijuana laws, and states, “The threat of arrest by federal agents, however, still exists. Seriously ill patients living in these states with medical marijuana recommendations from their doctors should not be subjected to the threat of punitive federal prosecution for merely attempting to alleviate the chronic pain, side effects, or symptoms associated with their conditions or resulting from their overall treatment regimens. … [We] support protection for patients and physicians participating in state approved medical marijuana programs.”
This and a second action paper calling on the government to facilitate “well-designed clinical research into the medical utility of marijuana” were adopted Saturday with no dissenting votes by the APA Assembly, which represents the group’s 74 district branches and 16 allied professional organizations.
“This vote is a landmark, and a proud day for our profession.” said Abraham L. Halpern, M.D., professor emeritus of psychiatry at New York Medical College and past president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. “As physicians, we cannot abide our patients being subject to arrest and jail for using a physician-recommended treatment that clearly relieves suffering for many who are not helped by conventional treatments.”
“This unanimous vote shows the growing acceptance of medical marijuana by organized medicine,” said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. “Members of Congress who have opposed efforts to protect patients from federal prosecution have tried to portray medical marijuana as a fringe issue. But the APA Assembly vote, along with other recent endorsements including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, shows that it’s those who want to arrest the sick and suffering who are on the fringe.”
With 40,000 members and 16 allied organizations (including the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Association for Social Psychiatry, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, and the American Association of Emergency Psychiatrists), the American Psychiatric Association is the main professional organization for psychiatrists in the United States.
With more than 23,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit www.MarijuanaPolicy.org.
###
Marijuana Policy Project,
POB 77492
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC 20013
United States
Shame on You, Long Island Property Tax Assessment Review Boards!
November 7, 2007
How homeowners on L.I. are getting ripped off every day by tax assessment panels
We all know that Long Islanders pay some of the highest property taxes in the country. Many Nassau and Suffolk County residents choose to contest their property assessments to be sure that they will only pay their fair share of the tax burden. But the recent declines in the real estate market and increasing illiquidity in the mortgage lending markets have left an increased number left homeowners being assessed at implied assessed “fair market values” significantly exceeding the real value of their properties. This has and will continue to leave many Suffolk County residents over-taxed because they are over-assessed. As Marcellus once said to Horatio “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”.
Local Board of Assessment Review boards (BARS) have both significant power in and responsibility to reduce assessments of properties that are over-assessed and carrying a disproportionately high tax burden. To challenge a property assessment, the first step is to file for an Administrative Review with the local Board of Assessment Review. The BAR is charged with reviewing information submitted with a complaint and determining whether the reduction requested by the petitioner is warranted, in full or in part.
In theory, every single-family residential property is supposed to be assessed at a uniform percentage of its fair market value. This percentage is commonly known as the residential assessment ratio (RAR). So if a property has a fair market value of $1,000,000 and it is located in the town of Huntington where the RAR is .65%, the property’s total assessment should be .65% of $1,000,000 or $6,500.
Property owners or their representatives such as property tax grievance consultants like me, must file a complaint to petition for an assessment reduction. This Administrative Review is required, and in theory is SUPPOSED to provide an equitable forum designed to provide taxpayer relief. Unfortunately, in some jurisdictions this is NOT the case.
