Another Zipster Born
Back in March, the city of New York pulled a fast one on me and my reliable, dented-but-beautiful Honda Civic. This car turned over in below freezing weather, despite not getting a tune up. Dented Beauty and I parked at a spot near the Farragut Houses, after circling the block, studying signs on poles and the gate.
I threw the car door shut and hurried to my appointment with lively silver-haired ladies. Two hours later, I find Dented Beauty gone. What happened? Did some thief steal her for her parts or for a joy ride? I kept thinking, "My car is stolen." In the meantime, NYPD trucks kept whizzing past with cars or vans trailing behind them. It dawned on me that New York City stole my car.
But why steal my car? I went to the Brooklyn Navy Yard Tow Pound. Sure enough, my car was there. Frustrated people surveyed me as I entered the reception. Some had been on line for two hours.
Jumping two days ahead....the judge looked at my photos and heard me testimony. Although there were no signs on poles or the gate; and the gate didn't have hinges or a latch to permit its opening; and behind the gate was a grassy expanse with a cement pathway curving decidely away from the gate, the judge said I parked in front of a driveway. The judge said I was supposed to read the sidewalk before moving away from my car.
I told this story to my forever novio who explained that, as a Port Authority traffic cop, he had to know both NYC and New Jersey traffic & moving violation laws. When a driver was particularly disrespectful or aggressive, he'd write summonses for violations the average motorist is not aware of. He said NYC has a law on the books that autos parked at curbside are to keep their parking lights on throughout the night. This law isn't enforced but can be.
That tip was my tipping point; I chose to surrender the car to the city of New York. Coincidentally, my auto insurance was due in two weeks, my rent in one week.
It took two months but I joined Zip Cars today. A friend told me about Zip Car and Drive Mint. She'd been a Zipster for several months but hadn't told me.
Zip Car is a great operation. It's getting harder to find parking in New York. The new residential towers will make the population denser--once the RE agents can secure tenants for all those buildings.
Hmmm....after years of getting about in my reliable Dented Beauty and paying gas, maintenance, registration, insurance, AAA membership, and inspection fees, life is different. I bought my second Unlimited Week MetroCard and study the MTA subway map even more intensely. I hope Zip Car satisfy my needs, otherwise, I'll be back to contributing to global warming, road rage, asthma and other respiratory maladies.
Crowd Jeers As Elected Protect Their Interest in Atlantic Yards
Amidst much jeering and booing, NYS Senate Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee conducted a public hearing at Pratt Institute to ascertain the status of the Atlantic Yards/FCR project, March 29, 2009. Bill Perkins (30 SD, Manh.), committee chair and the sole committee member present, St. Senator Velmanette Montgomery (18 SD, Bk.), Martin Golden (22 SD, Bk.), Karl Kruger (27 SD, Bk.), and St. Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (57 AD, Bk.) were present to hear testimony of five panels.
While Senator Montgomery and Assemblyman Jeffries’ presence were due to the project being in their respective catchments areas and Senator Kruger is the Finance committee chair, Martin Golden’s presence was questionable. Senator Golden isn’t a committee member and represents Brooklyn neighborhoods Gravesend, Bensonhurst and Gerritsen Beach. Sen. Montgomery remarked that Golden “showed disrespect toward his colleagues,” after he asked for “the public hearings to stop.” Absent were Forest City Ratner representatives.
The hearing’s purpose was to watch out for the public’s interest in the progress of a massive project involving the Empire State Development Corp. and the Metropolitan Transit Authority State of New York. Jeffries stated, “The Atlantic Yards Project bypassed the ULURP procedure, received $400 million from New York State, $200 million from the City and eminent domain approved to expedite land assembly to make way for luxury housing, an arena and commercial space.”
When asked what kept construction from starting, ESDC executive director Marisa Lago explained it was financial constraints; however, neither ESDC nor MTA applied for stimulus money (ARRA 2009), whose application deadline is June 24 2009.
Hakeem Jeffries served his constituency handsomely by asking the MTA why it hadn’t collected all or most of the $100 million up front from FCR, given its recent proposal to raise fares, defer maintenance and cut bus routes. Rather, the MTA agreed to accept allotment payments and can’t commit to holding fares to the increases that go in effect June 28, 2009.
Jeffries other questions concerned activating construction trade training, raising the present 10% allocation for affordable condominiums (195 units) and getting affordable rental and condominium housing constructed (2,445 units) constructed during Phase I.
Other panels included Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, Downtown Brooklyn Neighborhood Alliance, and the Independent Budget Office. BUILD COO Marie Louis asked “the elected to work with us to make the community benefits agreement enforceable.” The CBA is not a contract; rather a deal between FCR and the community. ESDC and MTA are not included or accountable for its execution.
Labels: Atlantic Yards Project, Brooklyn, Forest City Ratner, gentrification, NYS Senate
The Brooklyn business community has one of their own to champion commerce through Carl Hum, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce CEO and president. Did he have visions of thriving shopping corridors and industrial parks as a boy playing in Sunset Park? Maybe not immediately but his career path was decidedly an interest in economic development by the time he was a young man.
A BA from Wesleyan University, majoring in Social Studies and a JD from Fordham University School of Law, gave Hum the credentials to serve as a financial analyst for New York City Council where he studied the impact of the city’s economic development strategy on local communities. He switched to the nonprofit sector to work at South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation as the director of Economic Development. Perhaps a six-year stint with the New York County District Attorney’s Office prosecuting felony cases and member of the Domestic Violence Unit had him know the business sector was his mission. Hum joined the Mayor’s Office of Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses, January 2005, as director where sixteen industrial business zones were created during his term and administered New York City’s eleven empire zones. In two years he developed industry-specific tax credits and skillfully offered State tax credits to spur business and job development.
When he learned of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce president vacancy, he had to respond to the opportunity to grow and advocate for business in Brooklyn. What did it matter that the first economic bumps occurred when he came on board, September 2007. One year and a half as president and CEO, Hum speaks determinedly for support of small businesses because they are the major employers in Brooklyn as is the case throughout America. “The challenge for this period is making sure entrepreneurs are confident in the market to start their own business,” explains Hum. “Even as we go through downsizing and restructuring, we have to look at it as growth for the future.”
Growth for the future involves evaluating how business has been conducted and “uncovering opportunities in the downturn.” Similar to other business executives Hum asks that business consider “what is the investment proposition and the social value [of any venture.]” It sounds as if sober business analysis forever replaces frenzied investment in the latest consumer whim.
As small business champion, Hum is pleased to re-launch the Brooklyn Labor Market Review, the fall of 2008. The review studies the last recession during 2001 – 2003 wherein Brooklyn’s diverse ethnic populations and business is explored as well as the fact that of the 186,000 jobs lost in New York City only 5,000 were from Brooklyn. “The next Brooklyn Labor Market Review will reveal how thing shake out in this current recession,” quips Hum. “An immediate initiative,” says Hum, “is ensuring that the business community isn’t overtaxed or burdened by the city’s budgetary measures. Brooklyn needs to be business-friendly.”
Labels: Brooklyn, business, Carl Hum
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The next Queen Afua Wellness Institute fasting shut-in, slated for March 21, 2009 at Harlem’s National Black Theater, will be a decidedly different event for the public. Promoted as the Economic Wellness Stimulus Package, this shut-in showcases the preliminary results of a twelve-week disease prevention and optimal wellness program, which is a collaboration between Queen Afua, holistic wellness care supervisor and Dr. Bernadette Sheridan, MD, FAAFP.
Since January 4, 2009, twenty-seven people have followed a regimen of nutrition, colon care, exercise, evidence-based aroma and herbal therapy and affirmations to cure such ailments as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, diabetes, asthma and hypertension. Dr. Sheridan, a family practice physician, explains, “To get someone healthy, you have to look at the family as a whole to understand the patient’s environment and support system.” Dr. Sheridan had been searching for a healthy interface between allopathic medicine and holistic lifestyle changes. When one of her patients introduced her to Queen Afua, last August, they both felt an instantaneous connection. Queen Afua explains that they “fell into each other arms.” Upon completion of a four-month Health Thyself program at the physician’s office, the two planned a twelve-week wellness program that would be scientifically tracked.
While Queen Afua supervises exercise, nutrition and affirmation activities, Dr. Sheridan oversees the weekly weight and blood pressure checks for everyone and the glucose monitoring for those with diabetes. Each month the twenty-seven, known as The Magnificent Ones, get comprehensive medical examinations including blood work, body mass index, and percentage of fat. In their ninth week, The Magnificent Ones have lost an aggregate of 180 pounds and one of the diabetic patients is off all medications. The twelve week study ends April 8, 2009. Thereafter, Dr. Sheridan must prepare a paper, inclusive of statistics, that must stand up to the scrutiny of the medical community.
The Economic Wellness Stimulus Package is free to the public. It features a testimony from one of The Magnificent Ones, the City of Wellness Reality Show and the usual round of tonics and water. Queen Afua will sign her latest book, The City of Wellness. For further information contact the Queen Afua Institute at 718 221 HEAL.
Labels: City of Wellness, holistic health, preventable diseases, Queen Afua
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Is There Joy in Your Jewelry?
Are you wearing jewelry or are you wearing joy-elry? Did you get your ring from an expensive Tiffany’s shop to proclaim your financial status or did you bargain with a street vendor for the lowest price for that cowry shell-festooned bracelet? Did you visit Studio of Ptah in Chinatown to get gold, silver or brass pieces that give respect and honor to the highest and advanced culture that flourished in the Nile River Valley? Master craftsman and central Brooklyn resident Baaba Heru Ankh Ra Semahj Sa Ptah creates joy-elry.
The joy-elry isn’t for fashion, though it’s lovely; it is functional. “The joy-elry (or Sa) gives a point of focus on principles that are powerful, uplifting and meditative,” explains Baaba Heru Ankh. He coined “joy-elry” after years of studying the ancient Egyptian symbols found on every piece he creates. These symbols encapsulate such principles as love, life, endurance, and truth. Knowing this brings joy to him and he founds the wearers also feel joy.
Within his shop at 55-59 Chrystie Street in Chinatown, customers select from over 3,000 models or describe their own faceting. Baaba Heru Ankh claims he has a greater collection of ankhs (the sign for “life”) than “found in all of Egypt today, inclusive of the world’s museum collections.”
This is a family business where Baaba Heru Ankh focuses on the craft and his son El-Aton is the proprietor. Prior to El-Aton’s management, his eldest son Everay assumed the duties. Even his granddaughter Niema Atkins worked in the shop. Now that’s training the child in the right way.
Baaba Heru Ankh’s father similarly trained his children in the right way. Garveyite and Christian minister, the father encouraged his children to learn about Kemet (or ancient Egypt). “My father reasoned the children of Ham were following their Shem uncles (Arabs and Jews),” remarks Baaba Heru Ankh. “In keeping with the Bible’s instruction to ‘honor thy mother and father,’ father said we ought to learn from our parents from Ham.”
He trained in gem and metal work started by watching an elder man who worked in the Diamond District and resided in East New York. The elder wanted his trainee to observe him at work in his home basement. This observation went on for one year until the elder looked at his hands and remarked, “You have artist’s hands.” The elder gave him tools. Baaba Heru Ankh has worked the craft for 38 years. His work became widely known due to his ankh designs for the International African Arts Festival’s Ankh Award Ceremonies. Ten years ago, he launched Studio of Ptah.
Being in business with a cultural aspect is a challenge. It takes tenacity, fine work, and marketing to thrive. El-Aton is responsible for marketing. He uses traditional marketing collateral like business cards and postcards and maintains the Web site,
http://www.soptah.com/. Studio of Ptah has Facebook, MySpace and Black Planet pages as well. The craftsman and proprietor exhibit the typical differences associated with artist-business manager relationships. Does one follow trends or stay true to a path? As long as Baaba Heru Ankh can make a mold and set the gems, he will stay in his niche that ‘brings the beauty of our culture to the masses.”
Central Brooklyn Ensures Due Process for Homeless Intake Center
Central Brooklyn elected, Brooklyn Community Board 8, Crow Hill Association, Crown Heights North Association and other community groups put their collective foot down, Sunday March 8, to ensure the City Department of Homeless Services complies with land use/fair share analysis, environmental reviews, and responding substantively to community concerns regarding converting the Bedford-Atlantic Shelter into the City’s homeless men’s intake center by retaining the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.
The law firm’s retention was officially announced at a press conference on the steps of City Hall. In attendance included Council member Letitia James who made the announcement and introduced succeeding speakers; NYS Assembly member Hakeem Jeffries, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council member David Weprin and Jim Waldon, partner, and Randy Manstro of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. At issue is the logic of redirecting some 14,000 men to Brooklyn for intake assessment and shelter when 60% of NYC’s homeless men subsist in Manhattan. Many at the press conference believe the move to Brooklyn will put more homeless on the streets of Manhattan. Bedford-Atlantic Shelter’s notorious reputation as the worst DHS facility coupled with the recent closing of St. Mary’s Hospital and insufficient mental health services for the thousands of men requiring it appears to doom the move for failure. The current Manhattan-based men’s intake center is adjacent to the Bellevue Hospital Complex.
While Randy Manstro explained it is “premature to initiate litigation”, Assembly member Jeffries views the retaining as “the means to keep the Bloomberg administration within the law.” Borough President Markowitz quipped, “The move is not right for the homeless; not right for Brooklyn; and not right for Manhattan’s homeless.” Markowitz explained, “Manhattan’s male homeless population is larger than the combined numbers of the other four boroughs.”
Picture the Homeless Deborah Dickerson asked, “When are we going to give the homeless permanent housing? “ Dickerson believes it’s time to make feasible plans for permanent housing. Providing permanent housing rather than more temporary shelter that requires supportive services would bode well with Crown Heights Revitalization Movement Rachel Pratt’s observation that “northern Crown Heights has six times the median in social services in Brooklyn.”
Faye Moore, president of Social Service Employees Union, Local 371 brought attention to the plight of the some 200 employees at the Manhattan intake center who are scheduled to be laid off July 1, 2009. Rather than be laid off, these people are needed to continue managing and maintaining a homeless shelter. Moore stated, “The homeless don’t need to be wandering Brooklyn looking for help, it needs to be near them.”
Is the move part of a bigger plan? Could elitism be at play? The neighborhood wherein Bellevue shelter is located changed its socio-demographics in the last two decades. Rose Hill is now a more affluent community that had one developer want to build a hotel. Peter Katonah from St. Senator Eric Adams’ office questions whether “this is an attempt by the elite of Manhattan to rid itself of the homeless.”
Local 371 president concurs. Moore points to “80% of the City’s budget cuts are in social services.” Moore opines the cuts mean to destabilize the working families to a point where it’s not feasible for a middle-income to reside in NYC and two distinct classes will remain: the rich and the poor.
Labels: Brooklyn, community, homelessness, Letitia James
Roy Hastick, One Master of Networking
The founder of the Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce (CACCI) is like most leaders astute, charismatic and controversial. Roy Hastick, Sr. migrated from Grenada to the US in 1976 with many plans, all of them fired by a want to dramatically improve his standing in society and do the same for others. Dr. Hastick is known for saying in a calm, steady voice, “You can lead a camel to water but you can’t make it drink.” This statement relates to assisting Caribbean and African-American people make more profitably sustaining business decisions.
His astuteness is shown through initially advocating for “West Indian concerns.” He was part of West Indians for Koch. One rationale for the backing being the city’s elected ought not assume blacks would automatically vote Democrat nor assume Republicans weren’t willing to address the needs of the West Indian community. By the time CACCI was birthed in 1985, Hastick’s consciousness widen to realize the West Indies were actually the Caribbean Basin and the Africans on this side of the Atlantic needed to join hands for their collective success. Make no mistake, while CACCI offers several business assistance services, runs a financial literacy program, gives Business Visionary Awards and holds networking events in New York, CACCI is a bi-national chamber of commerce with the mission of facilitating two-way trade between the Caribbean and the United States.
The controversy surrounding the man is his eye on God. His meetings begin and end with prayer. His predilection is Judeo-Christian tenets. Dr. Hastick included the announcement of his child’s acceptance of Jesus Christ as his savior at a past holiday meeting. His membership of approximately 1,500 sees the value of CACCI and Roy Hastick’s great business and government connections. Marcia Melendez owner of 25-year-old FlowerWorks and franchiser of over 150 Golden Crust stores Lowell Hawthorne are counted in that number. Maybe most follow Malcolm X’s suggestion to put your religion in the closet temporarily for the greater good of the people.
Though a stroke hit him in January 2008, CACCI’s CEO was wise and ready for an interview done December 18. While others may panic over the current recession, Hastick is positive. “I see hope on the other had. Now is the time for small businesses to review their business plans, connect with other entrepreneurs and learn to access federal, state and city resources,” remarked Hastick. “Join business improvement districts, merchant associations and chamber of commerce. They’re here to grow commerce for the collective good. The SBA and Business Solution Centers have answers. In fact, the SBA has dedicated business assistance for veterans.”
What keeps CACCI afloat is the membership dues and corporate sponsors; therefore the organization isn’t constrained by the current lack of credit. “Most businesses rely on credit for their working capital, explains Hastick, “This is how leases, inventory, and employee payroll is paid.” There are such credit sources as NYS Business Development Corp and credit worthiness is paramount. Hastick stresses receiving mortgage counseling and reviewing one’s credit report throughout the year.CACCI is on the verge of closing a contract with NYC to purchase property in East Flatbush near Erasmus Hall High School. The undisclosed location is 2,800 s.f. that will be the home for the Caribbean Trade Center after renovation of a two-story building. Renovation is estimated to commence late 2009
