An Underground New York Landmark Goes Away

An Underground New York Landmark Goes Away
“Brooklyn Banks” a national skateboarding landmark set to be closed until 2014.
By Frank Dutan

A skate park located next to the Brooklyn Bridge, called the Brooklyn Banks, has over the years become an iconic skating spot in New York City. Although strewn with broken beer bottles and the acrid stench of urine, the Banks, which is about the size of a football field, offers skaters - novices and professionals - a brick paved road resembling a valley with several skate ramps and an obstacle course. With the marble ledges and smooth rails in Midtown Manhattan and the Wall Street area heavily guarded, the Banks offers skaters, those who do not want any trouble with the authorities, a safe haven; achieving its iconic status as one of the premier skate spots on the East Coast because of its street like feel.
In 2004, the Banks became so popular that city administrators stepped in and proposed a plan to reconstruct the skate site as a green park and placed barricades to make sure skaters could no longer use the space.
When Steve Rodriguez, owner of 5boro Skateboards and a skateboarder himself, learned of the city’s plan, he decided to come to the aid of the Banks and managed to convince the city of the skate site’s benefit to many young people; eventually he became a skateboarding consultant for the city.
Recently, protests increased against closing the Banks. The New York City Department of Transportation issued a statement, which said that a Brooklyn Bridge rehabilitation project is slated to begin in 2010 with an expected completion date sometime in 2014.
“After the painting work in this area is complete, anticipated for mid 2010, the park will be reopened with the exception of the storage area,” said the DOT in its statement. This means that by mid 2010 only half of the Banks will be available.
While there are insufficient rinks for skaters in New York City, those that exist do not offer free skating. There is the Houston Skate Park on the city’s West Side, which charges $10 admission, and insists on that all skaters must wear a helmet and sign a waiver if the skater is under 18 for insurance coverage. However, in the vicinity of the Banks, there are a few free skate parks, but none which are able to cater to the number of skating enthusiasts the Banks attract.
But, while the Banks is not equipped with 12-foot high half pipes, ramps and other amenities as in other protected spaces, it offers instead street curbs and the edges of benches: all essential to the street skateboarding scene.
A frequent skater, 15-year-old Alexander Barna, complained, “That sucks. I don’t think the city would keep their word. What if they return it in bad condition? The place is fragile already. I mean there are so many spots around here but it’s hard to find one as convenient as the Banks, plus one without security or free. I don’t know what I’ll do without skating. The city should at least give us something back in return, it’s not like were committing crimes”

Race fails to heat Broadway

Race fails to heat Broadway
By Nyiesha Showers

The Broadway production of "Race" brings heat to the Barrymore Theatre. The play’s title could mean many things, from the participants in an unfair presidential campaign to someone running a 100-meter dash; it is a story about the relationship in American culture of Black and White, the seemingly never-ending topic of racism.
This controversial story, written and directed by David Mamet, cast the actors for the production, including David Alan Grier, James Spader, Kerry Washington, and Richard Thomas. According to the casting, Grier, known for his involvement in "In Loving Color" assumes the role of Henry, a black lawyer who works alongside Spader, who plays Jack Lawson, and Washington, as Susan, the new legal assistant working for both lawyers.
At the play’s Dec 5 preview, the cast weren't the only celebrities present. In fact, the audience was full of different actors and producers, including Marie Janella from “Everybody Loves Raymond” who was dressed in a comfortable pantsuit and a brown, flowy shawl, Damian, who was casually dressed, Damian Jr., and Kim Wayans, who wore a black wool coat and a gray fedora; fitting in perfectly with the other audience members.
For a play that addressed the issue of race in the American society, it wasn’t an unreasonable expectation for the composition of the audience to be predominantly Black; rather, there were more whites than Blacks who were sparsely located in the theater.
In this presentation of “Race” the director shone the light on the unspoken issue of discrimination and prejudice. The plot surrounds a group of lawyers who takes the case of Richard Thomas, a rich white executive who's accused of raping a black woman. Disagreements between the lawyers about his innocence creates a dissension between Jack and Susan.
Henry believes Thomas is guilty. Grier plays his character smart, giving off the impression that he resents white people. In response to the question do all blacks hate whites, Henry excitedly says “You bet we do.” Despite this, he still keeps his cool while representing the client. The play’s director chose to display Susan more stereotypically; she's just another petite black woman whose beauty could be described as "easy on the eyes". But, controversy rears its head in the law firm when Susan goes behind Jack’s back and requires evidence against their client. Spader does a good job giving conviction as a demanding force over both Henry and especially Susan.
While attention was brought to bear on the touchy issues of racism and discrimination, as the play unfolded, there were moments when the audience was held in suspense, but the absence of a resolution when there was no verdict against Thomas led to an overwhelming sense of disappointment.
The production's downfall has nothing to do with the actors, who did their job delivering a performance. Rather the problem was with the script. The play contained two significant social constructs: Mamet's idea to expose sexism in the workplacee was good, except that he only had execute it better. the entire production could have been great. Second, racism, as the play’s central focus was tackled tastelessly. Listening to the dialogue between the lawyers, one was aware of the liberal use of generalizations and stereotypes of both races.
Despite its shortcomings, the play had a few commendable elements, one such was the revelation that Lawson had investigated Susan before hiring her, a process, which seemed as though taken from an episode of the television show, “Law & Order”.
But, Susan brings the play to its conclusion with a testimonial; she commanded the spotlight on the stage when she said that the reason why Thomas is guilty is "because he's a white man", and which delivery was made with such force and passion that it too could not avoid being stereotypical. What is clear about this play is that the election of a Black president meant nothing to the writer who wrote a piece about hating another because of their race.
Once again, history repeated itself; this time on the stage.

Countdown Clocks Alert Bronx Commuters MTA expands beyond the “L” Line.

Countdown Clocks Alert Bronx Commuters
MTA expands beyond the “L” Line.
By Frank Dutan

New York City commuters no longer have to strain their necks and bodies or do the “platform lean,” to see if their train is approaching the station.

As promised, the MTA installed countdown clocks in five stations along the 6. train line. These countdown clocks will tell commuters exactly how many minutes until the next train arrives. The MTA will test the effectiveness of the clocks with hopes to release the technology and make it available to all 152-subway stations by mid 2011.

Riders on the 6. line aren’t the only commuters to receive this luxury. The MTA has also installed countdown clocks on the L line. Bronx straphangers like Ms. Kennedy, a mother of two, greatly appreciate this service, “It’s pretty cool, and it lets the customers know what is actually working… They need to put them in all stations” and young Alton Thomas, son of Ms. Kennedy, finds the clocks fun and useful, “It tells me six minutes sometimes four maybe 11 and its fun”.

Rose, another Bronx commuter, grateful for now being able to use her time more productively and no longer being in harm’s way while performing the “platform lean,” “It gives me enough time to take out my stuff and go into the train. I don’t have to be glancing for the train, which is very dangerous you might lose you balance and end up in the middle of the tracks. I think it’s a great idea and I agree with it”.

MTA’s officials said in a statement to HarlemLIVE , “the testing period [on the 6. Line] is open-ended” when asked about plans for clocks on other lines they responded, “Clocks will not come to lines, but to stations who are located next to the right [electronic] equipment” and that “it is based on areas where the stations are located”. The clocks will be placed in the outer boroughs first. The timers will move on to the rest of the Bronx, and then Brooklyn for now. In a city where commuters move at such a rapid pace, countdown clocks will be able to improve proficiency among riders.

Disposing Christmas Trees the Green Way

Disposing Christmas Trees the Green Way
The city’s commitment to a recycling program
By Frank Dutan


By the time Dec 26 has rolled around, the frantic preparations and celebrations of Christmas are over. Even though the holiday season still continued to include New Years, those who bought those fresh evergreen Christmas trees from street vendors were usually clueless about how best to dispose of the trees and the city was burdened with piles of discarded trees blocking sidewalks.
Luckily, in New York City, a lot of information is available about recycling on the city’s Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Website, where the claim is made that “NYC has the largest, most ambitious recycling program in the nation”, which according to the Website, the city instituted in 1995 its Christmas Tree Recycling Program. City residents have learned that with the trees, if not properly disposed and left unattended for an extended period, they begin to fall apart, with mounds of fallen pine leaves accumulating at the base and an awful stench of rotting vegetation permeating any enclosed space.
For this Christmas tree season, from Jan 4, 2010 to Jan 15 2010, city residents could place their Christmas trees, after removing tree stands, tinsel, lights, ornaments, and other decorations, on the curb outside of their apartment building or house. The city wants to make sure that all trees can be recycled and be of benefit to the city. DSNY regulations state that if when trees are discarded and still have decorations attached, that since most decorations cannot be recycled, that the tree would be thrown into a landfill with other garbage and not reduced to chips. But, for those Christmas trees to be recycled, they are fed into a mobile processor, which reduces them to mulch for parks, playing fields, and community gardens throughout the city. And, about this time of the year, the city holds its NYC Parks & Recreation Mulchfest, which allowed New Yorkers to participate by bringing their trees to designated sites throughout the five boroughs, which took place on Jan 9 and 10 from 10am to 2pm and for those who wanted, free mulch was available.
One famous tree, the 76-foot-tall Norway spruce, the city’s pre-eminent Christmas tree, which adorned Rockefeller Center, like its smaller cousins, is also recycled. At the end of the Christmas season, when the tree is taken down on Jan 7, it is donated to the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity, which specializes in building “simple”, “decent” and “affordable housing” for low income people. According to the organization’s Website, the 2008 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was milled into lumber, was used as shelving, and is now part of 41 homes that were built last year in the Ocean Hill section of Brownsville in Brooklyn, New York. Contacted for plans for the 2009 tree, Habitat for Humanity said that the tree would be milled for a home for Iveth Bowie and her four children who live in Connecticut, incorporating the entire tree into the walls.
In a press release issued last year the DSNY announced that the Christmas Tree Recycling Program managed to collect over 166,638 trees and the Mulchfest brought in 13,137 trees. The number of trees collected in the Mulchfest this year show an increase over the 11,000 collected from the previous year. According to the DSNY, this increase means that city residents have become more aware of the need for recycling and have become more active participants, especially with the city facing serious economic problems; the mulch from the trees relieves one expense, organic fertilization for trees in parks citywide.

Holiday Market at Union Square

Holiday Market at Union Square
Nyiesha Showers

The holiday season is here! That means ice-skating, tree lighting, skiing and most of all shopping. With Christmas on its way many are buying gifts for their loved ones. If you're looking for something unique, stylish and affordable you should definitely check out the Union Square Park Holiday Market.

Stationed in the middle of New York's busiest area, Union Square Park is the heart of the Lower East Side. The Park's been opened since 1839 and served as the home base for lots of community events and festivals like the First Labor Day parade and the popular Greenmarket. Winter is nearing and the Holiday Market is back for its 14th year.

There's not a specific type of product sold at the holiday market. At every corner, there's something different. You may smell coffee at one intersection and turn around to find an eco toy company. In fact, Mariette Papic sells eco-friendly toys made from organic cotton and rubber wood. The toys are made from low impact packaging that is also earth friendly. Papic is good friends with the designer who's been in the business for 10 years. The toys are animals such as elephants and monkeys. The price range for the toys are $20- $45. Papic describes the monkey as an ideal holiday gift, saying it has no age group making it ideal for infants, teens and adults.

Across from her vendor sat Tom Hart who specializes in graphic t-shirts. He's been doing this for five years and heard about the market through a friend. His ideal holiday gift would be his hand painted boots that are priced for $150. When asked his biggest competitor he says he hasn't checked out anybody else, but everything there is "random". That brings me to Gili who sells handcrafted candy wrapper handbags. "We have no competition because our stuff's great!" she says. These colorful bags are made of all different candy wrappers.



Down a few stations from Tom was a coffee vendor. The aroma of coffee beans was thick and provided a feeling of warmth. Around the corner was a pastry vendor who sold chocolates and next to him was Shani. Shani sells wine boxes and other wine products from Thailand. She says since the weather's been nice, she's been doing pretty well financially. "It's better than last year,” she says. "Last year was the beginning of the recession. Now everybody’s prepared.” She does admit that people are a bit hesitant. Papic agrees, saying that people are really shopping. “They’re looking before they buy”. According to Fox 5 news, the overall revenue intake on Black Friday increased this year, yet the average amount of money spent per person decreased.

“Our biggest competitor is the economy,” says Panic in reference to the market. Come out and support the local businesses at Union Square Park. They’re there everyday until December 24th. Check out nycgovparks.org for additional information.

Bad Weaves

So today i have seen the most bad weaves since lace fronts came about. One girl at my school had the nerve to put in the front of he hair Pink and Purple pieces so high like a pineapple. Then had the nerve to have her natural hair not permed so it looked as if she just curled it then had the matching contacts to match. Also another girl had a long just nappy nappy weave in. Then a bad lace front. Idk why people let them come out the house like that its like do you look in the mirror before you leave? lol

Day 1

Hello, I'm writing this to reflect on my first day at HL so far. It is really cool. So far the people I have met today were amazingly nice, cool and fun.

My Life...

hello, its been a while since i last wrote on this BLOG!!!
well my life is the same, nothing have change except that I am busier now with my school work and with all this college stuff. I also met this super wonderful guy that is keeping my life happy in this moments of my life which i pretty cool because i needed happiness is my life already. I was also out this whole past week because i was dealing with some problems but thanks god everything is getting better. I am also super scared because i think i fail chemistry which is super bad now that am a senior, but i hope am wrong.Well that's whats going on my life right now!!

long time

Wow i see there have been a lot of changes in the office. I miss all you hl people. I also see there are many new sudents. I so wish i could stop in, but with college and all thats not too easy =/. I would like to see the new editor in chief and see how they are doing. I may be able stop in soon, we'll see how that works out... To all the current students, good luck and i hope you are all doing well!!

Waiting...

I'm here just waiting to finish up the voiceover. I've been here forever waiting on these video folks... they're like so dysfunctional. Uggh and I'm still waiting. However today was a half decent day. I have to start going to my 8 and 9 period... but it drains so much out of me... and I'm still waiting...

Update on HL...

Hello people. It's been a while since I've wrote because I've been so busy. I've been busy writing stories and scripts and just working hard. Things have been changing at HL and I like the changes. We just rearranged the space and there's no more video room. Everything is in the office. All the computers are in he space that Seli used to sit at. Now, Seli, Christian and Jason sit in the area where the computers used to be.

I actually have to go now because I'm holding someone ow who needs this computer. Nice chatting with you guys!

_Nyiesha

Unjustified Exposure Vs. Privacy

Chilling encounters today with some venomous and really wicked reporters around my school. I don't need to get into the details, but 2 women reporters were hanging around my school looking to interview kids about a recent news story, a story that definitely crosses the line between privacy and public news.

But, in all reality, in one of the biggest cities in the world, where is that line?

When did it become alright to shove cameras into teen's faces? To literally stalk kids to get an interview. It's wrong. I think the idea of news is great, but now that I've actually experienced being in the news first hand, I see that documenting events and people isn't as wholesome as it sounds, and can easily be molded to fit a political ideal....Let's just say, the news didn't report the story correctly.

It seems like everything nowadays is news in New York City...

Race fails to heat Broadway

Race fails to heat Broadway

By Nyiesha Showers

The Broadway production of "Race" brings heat to the Barrymore Theatre. The play’s title could mean many things, from the participants in an unfair presidential campaign to someone running a 100-meter dash; it is a story about the relationship in American culture of Black and White, the seemingly never-ending topic of racism.

This controversial story, written and directed by David Mamet, cast the actors for the production, including David Alan Grier, James Spader, Kerry Washington, and Richard Thomas. According to the casting, Grier, known for his involvement in "In Loving Color" assumes the role of Henry, a black lawyer who works alongside Spader, who plays Jack Lawson, and Washington, as Susan, the new legal assistant working for both lawyers.

At the play’s Dec 5 preview, the cast weren't the only celebrities present. In fact, the audience was full of different actors and producers, including Marie Janella from “Everybody Loves Raymond” who was dressed in a comfortable pantsuit and a brown, flowy shawl, Damian, who was casually dressed, Damian Jr., and Kim Wayans, who wore a black wool coat and a gray fedora; fitting in perfectly with the other audience members.

For a play that addressed the issue of race in the American society, it wasn’t an unreasonable expectation for the composition of the audience to be predominantly Black; rather, there were more whites than Blacks who were sparsely located in the theater.

In this presentation of “Race” the director shone the light on the unspoken issue of discrimination and prejudice. The plot surrounds a group of lawyers who takes the case of Richard Thomas, a rich white executive who's accused of raping a black woman. Disagreements between the lawyers about his innocence creates a dissension between Jack and Susan.

Henry believes Thomas is guilty. Grier plays his character smart, giving off the impression that he resents white people. In response to the question do all blacks hate whites, Henry excitedly says “You bet we do.” Despite this, he still keeps his cool while representing the client. The play’s director chose to display Susan more stereotypically; she's just another petite black woman whose beauty could be described as "easy on the eyes". But, controversy rears its head in the law firm when Susan goes behind Jack’s back and requires evidence against their client. Spader does a good job giving conviction as a demanding force over both Henry and especially Susan.

While attention was brought to bear on the touchy issues of racism and discrimination, as the play unfolded, there were moments when the audience was held in suspense, but the absence of a resolution when there was no verdict against Thomas led to an overwhelming sense of disappointment.

The production's downfall has nothing to do with the actors, who did their job delivering a performance. Rather the problem was with the script. The play contained two significant social constructs: Mamet's idea to expose sexism in the workplacee was good, except that he only had execute it better. the entire production could have been great. Second, racism, as the play’s central focus was tackled tastelessly. Listening to the dialogue between the lawyers, one was aware of the liberal use of generalizations and stereotypes of both races.

Despite its shortcomings, the play had a few commendable elements, one such was the revelation that Lawson had investigated Susan before hiring her, a process, which seemed as though taken from an episode of the television show, “Law & Order”.

But, Susan brings the play to its conclusion with a testimonial; she commanded the spotlight on the stage when she said that the reason why Thomas is guilty is "because he's a white man", and which delivery was made with such force and passion that it too could not avoid being stereotypical. What is clear about this play is that the election of a Black president meant nothing to the writer who wrote a piece about hating another because of their race.

Once again, history repeated itself; this time on the stage.

Holiday Market at Union Square

The holiday season is here! That means ice skating, tree lighting, skiing and most of all shopping. With Christmas on its way many are buying gifts for their loved ones. If you're looking for something unique, stylish and affordable you should definitely check out the Union Square Park Holiday Market.

Stationed in the middle of New York's busiest area, Union Square Park is the heart of the Lower East Side. The Park's been opened since 1839 and served as the home base for lots of community events and festivals like the First Labor Day parade and the popular Greenmarket. Winter is nearing and the Holiday Market is back for its 14th year.

There's not a specific type of product sold at the holiday market. At every corner, there's something different. You may smell coffee at one intersection and turn around to find an eco toy company. In fact, Mariette Papic sells eco-friendly toys made from organic cotton and rubber wood. The toys are made from low impact packaging which is also earth friendly. Papic is good friends with the designer who's been in the business for 10 years. The toys are animals such as elephants and monkeys. The price range for the toys are $20- $45. Papic describes the monkey as an ideal holiday gift, saying it has no age group making it ideal for infants, teens and adults.

Across from her vendor sat Tom Hart who specializes in graphic t-shirts. He's been doing this for five years and heard about the market through a friend. His ideal holiday gift would be his hand painted boots which are priced for $150. When asked his biggest competitor he says he hasn't checked out anybody else, but everything there is "random". That brings me to Gili who sells handcrafted candy wrapper handbags. "We have no competition because our stuff's great!" she says. These colorful bags are made of all different candy wrappers; M&Ms and Jolly Ranchers.

Down a few stations from Tom was a coffee vendor. The aroma of coffee beans was thick and provided a feeling of warmth. Around the corner was a pastry vendor who sold chocolates and next to him was Shani. Shani sells wine boxes and other wine products from Thailand.

She says since the weather's been nice, she's been doing pretty good financially. "It's better than last year" she says. "Last year was the beginning of the recession. Now everybody’s prepared.” She does admit that people are a bit hesitant. Papic agrees, saying that people are really shopping. “They’re looking before they buy”. According to Fox 5 news, the overall revenue intake on Black Friday increased this year, yet the average amount of money spent per person decreased.

“Our biggest competitior is the economy” says Papic in reference to the market. Come out and support the local businesses at Union Square Park. They’re there everyday until December 24^th. Check out nycgovparks.org for additional information.

Barack's old apartment!

What would you say if you knew Barack Obama lived on your block? Well residents of Yorkville have a lot to say. Obama used to live in a six story walk-up on E 94th street throughout his stay at Columbia University. John, 54, was unaware that Obama lived in Yorkville. However, he finds it interesting that Obama lived in his very own neighborhood. In contrast, Claudine,39, a Republician was aware of Obama's residence on E 94th. Although her views are diferent from his, she wants him to succeed. "We're all Americans" [whether Democratic or Republican] she says.

Barack Obama was born to Stanley Ann Dunham, from Kansas, and Barack Obama, Sr., from Kenya on August 4th 1961 in Honolulu Hawaii. He moved to Indonesia and attended local schools there. Later, he returned to Honolulu with his grandparents, where he attended private school from grades 5-12. Following his graduation, Obama attended Occidental College in Los Angeles; he then transfered to Columbia University in 1981. He graduated with a B.A in political science and international relations in 1983.
Before he bacame President and before his term in the illionis Senate, he lived in our city. He had distinct memories of his years in New York, which he shared in his biography "Dreams From My Father". Megan, a 30 year resident of E 94th, remembered a dog at the corner gas station which Obama wrote about in his memoir.

Most of the denizens of the neighborhood were surprised to learn that our president had once lived in Yorkville. Many stopped, as we interviewed others, in amazement. "Really? He used to live right there?". Most of the people interviewed were avid supporters of Obama and one woman declared "I love everything about him.". When asked what she thought the most important thing Obama stands for , she replied "Healthcare." John's rooting for him, but says he needs to cut taxes instead of raise them.

For most people, the realization that our President lived in their neighborhood during his college years was shocking. There were others who were nonchalant. However, the people who were excited, can say they learned something new that day. "Barack Obama lived on my block!"

MTA WOES...

According to NY Times, "The board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted to enact a series of fare hikes and service cutbacks needed to keep the transit system from going broke." Apparently, New Yorkers like Mariam, 34 feel differently. She has previously lived in both Washington DC and Virginia and says, "The MTA is a joke. They will keep blaming it on the economy to raise the prices." On Sunday, June 29th, 2009 the MTA raised the fares from $2.00 to $2.25. Millions of daily riders were affected by this change especially the low and middle class folks.

It's been said that the changes were to occur earlier in the month. When they weren't enacted people continued on with their lives forgetting about the fare changes. Personally, I was astonished when I had to pay $ 4.50 for two rides rather than usual $4. However, the MTA is New York City’s only means for public transportation which means not everyone has an alternative method of travel. A public activist who preferrs to be called John Doe had lots of information regarding the MTA's budget and the fare increase. He had a copy of the MTA’s 2009 budget that recorded the increased fare already included in it. Assuming that's true, the MTA's excuse regarding financial woes is bogus. Do we believe that the legislature could have prevented this from happening?

In contrast, Natalie St. Hilarie believes the NY state government isn't involved and that this is a private sector issue. While some people are completely dependent on public transportation, others aren't. People with cars have an advantage; where as an extra quarter per ride adds up and becomes a strain for people without cars. Some like Mariam, Natalie and Doe believe that if fares continue to rise, another boycott may take place. Just as Mariam said, "people may just have to find other means for travel."

It’s been reported on taxfoundation.org that Governor Patterson proposed for the 2010 revenue an increase of 8.625% in total. This includes the elimination of the sales tax exemption for clothing and a rise in the city sales tax rate from 4% to 4.25%. According to the daily News, NYC is definitely the most expensive city to live in. Therefore, the fare raise will become a problem for the average New Yorker. As Mariam said, "We must look for other means; so put the peddle to the metal with the bikes and some pep in your step with the walk."

HAPPY NEW YEAR HL!

Hello everyone. I haven't done this in so long. I've been busy writing articles and with school. I can't talk long because there's so much that's happened! However, I just had the best slice of pizza!

The President Takes A Stand on Afghanistan

The President Takes A Stand on Afghanistan
The President moves on Afghanistan to quickly deploy 30,000 troops is backed up by three heavy goals.
By Frank Dutan

President Barack Obama’s plan to increase troop levels in Afghanistan is seen by many as a bold move in this his first year in office. At the United States Military Academy training facility at West Point, NY on Dec 1, 2009, in his address to the nation, the President outlined why he needed to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan within the first quarter of 2010.
The plan, he said, is that the troop surge would ensure three main objectives: Al Qaeda would no longer find a safe haven in Afghanistan; reverse the momentum of the Taliban, who are a constant threat to the people of Afghanistan; and strengthen the security forces in Afghanistan.
As a justification for his decision regarding the situation in Afghanistan, “The status quo is not sustainable,” he announced, and said that he is “convinced that our [America’s] security is at stake in Afghanistan.”
In his description to the nation of the situation in Afghanistan as “the epicenter of violent extremism,” the President’s plan contained a hefty list of unexplained goals, which included the absence of a timescale and the accelerated number of troops, both of which mimic the conditions that existed with the invasion of Iraq.
On Mar 20, 2003 when former president George W. Bush announced the invasion of Iraq, two goals were made clear: to pull Saddam Hussein out of power and to uncover any weapons of mass destruction. Now President Obama wants to make sure the Taliban does not gain any more power and, as was given to Iraq, focus his attention on Afghanistan. With the passing years the numbers of troops deployed to Iraq have grown and with this announcement of an additional 30,000 troops, the overall numbers of American forces has resulted in a significant jump to 98,000.
This number is more than half of “160,000 in Iraq at the peak of the war” said the President in his speech. The President said he wanted to restrict the use of the nation’s armed services while taking into account the long term affects that a war can cause, such as a deterioration of the land, land that is in constant battle and villages that are nothing but rubble, as well as the cost in funding a war. The withdrawal of troops, he said, would commence in Jul 2011, which gives him two years to accomplish his three hefty objectives. Tony Capaccio, writing for Bloomberg L.P., reported on Dec 7 that with 68,000 troops on the ground in Afghanistan, a deployment of 14,500 troops is scheduled to be in place by Jun 2010.
This bold move was arrived at after a thorough investigation of the situation in Afghanistan through consultations with the generals and commanders on the ground. The President wanted the deployment to be done at “the fastest possible pace - so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centers” and wants to “bring this war to a successful conclusion.”
On Dec 2, before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that in Dec 2010, exactly one year from the president’s announcement, there would be a review of the strategy and that the pace of withdrawal would depend on the conditions on the ground in Afghanistan
Despite the fact that the American economy isn’t what it should be, many Americans, by a slight margin, approved of Obama’s handling of Afghanistan. On Dec 3, the day after the President’s address, Gallup Inc., a national polling agency, took a poll of 1,005 adults over the phone asking about Obama’s handling of the situation in Afghanistan, the amount of troops being deployed and the timetable set for this operation. Responses to the question about Obama’s handling of Afghanistan, 51 percent approved and 40 percent disapproved; on the question involving the number of troops being deployed, whether it was high or low, 38 percent believed it was about right, 36 percent felt it was too high, and 18 percent said the numbers were too low.
The poll also asked questions that dealt with setting a the timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan: 46 percent said it was too soon; 26 percent said it should be sooner, signaling a shift to a desire to bring the troops home earlier; and 21 percent agreed with the surge. A recently conducted online Harrison Poll of 2,212 people showed that 53 percent were in favor as opposed to 26 percent against the troop surge.
While to some people the President’s decisions on Afghanistan could be considered questionable, the additional 30,000 troops are in the process of being deployed. On the other hand, many people have adopted a wait and see attitude, looking at if the strategies and operations are in America’s best interests and if the President’s decisions were sound.

An Underground New York Landmark Goes Away

“Brooklyn Banks” a national skateboarding landmark set to be closed until 2014.
By Frank Dutan

A skate park located next to the Brooklyn Bridge, called the Brooklyn Banks, has over the years become an iconic skating spot in New York City. Although strewn with broken beer bottles and the acrid stench of urine, the Banks, which is about the size of a football field, offers skaters - novices and professionals - a brick paved road resembling a valley with several skate ramps and an obstacle course. With the marble ledges and smooth rails in Midtown Manhattan and the Wall Street area heavily guarded, the Banks offers skaters, those who do not want any trouble with the authorities, a safe haven; achieving its iconic status as one of the premier skate spots on the East Coast because of its street like feel.
In 2004, the Banks became so popular that city administrators stepped in and proposed a plan to reconstruct the skate site as a green park and placed barricades to make sure skaters could no longer use the space.
When Steve Rodriguez, owner of 5boro Skateboards and a skateboarder himself, learned of the city’s plan, he decided to come to the aid of the Banks and managed to convince the city of the skate site’s benefit to many young people; eventually he became a skateboarding consultant for the city.
Recently, protests increased against closing the Banks. The New York City Department of Transportation issued a statement, which said that a Brooklyn Bridge rehabilitation project is slated to begin in 2010 with an expected completion date sometime in 2014.
“After the painting work in this area is complete, anticipated for mid 2010, the park will be reopened with the exception of the storage area,” said the DOT in its statement. This means that by mid 2010 only half of the Banks will be available.
While there are insufficient rinks for skaters in New York City, those that exist do not offer free skating. There is the Houston Skate Park on the city’s West Side, which charges $10 admission, and insists on that all skaters must wear a helmet and sign a waiver if the skater is under 18 for insurance coverage. However, in the vicinity of the Banks, there are a few free skate parks, but none which are able to cater to the number of skating enthusiasts the Banks attract.
But, while the Banks is not equipped with 12-foot high half pipes, ramps and other amenities as in other protected spaces, it offers instead street curbs and the edges of benches: all essential to the street skateboarding scene.
A frequent skater, 15-year-old Alexander Barna, complained, “That sucks. I don’t think the city would keep their word. What if they return it in bad condition? The place is fragile already. I mean there are so many spots around here but it’s hard to find one as convenient as the Banks, plus one without security or free. I don’t know what I’ll do without skating. The city should at least give us something back in return, it’s not like were committing crimes”

Good Bye Bake Sales

Good Bye Bake Sales
By Sade Ortuzar

Cupcakes, chocolate cakes, carrot cakes and other desserts aren’t being sold in schools anymore. Why? Because, according to some of the most recent research into the high rates of obesity in school age children, the popular bake sale, a quick, collaborative and involved way to raise funds, have been banned in New York City public schools. While the goal of banning the bake sale is make students healthy and to limit the obesity rate, these latest regulations from the city’s Department of Education, are making students furious.
For many students, the ubiquitous bake sale in every school’s calendar encourages many to crave sweets in various forms and because of their relatively low price; many are able to afford to spend their dimes to fill their stomach with sugar-based products. This has become the target of the regulations: to limit, reduce, and remove sugar-based products, which also include beverages, in all public schools.
As a quick fundraising opportunity, in the school setting, bake sales have grown into an easy way to earn cash for sports teams and clubs. With the ban, students in the city’s public schools would have to find new ways to raise money.
Elizabeth Lyton, a student from High School Graphic Communication of Arts, suggests festivals and plays as a great new way to raise money for any school activities.
In contradiction to the new regulation, which is slow in changing attitudes and behavior to eating healthy, many fast food restaurants, such as McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dunkin Donuts, and Burger King have sprung up around the High School Graphic Communication of Arts.
Students have the advantage of eating breakfast from these fast food outlets before school starts and lunch or snacks afterschool. While cakes sold in bake sales contain a lot of calories, so does the school lunch, which is often made up of burgers, chicken fingers, and pizzas, food high in calories, that are often given to students.
The question remains how would reducing or removing bake sales as a means of fund raising going to make students not want to eat junk food?

Capturing New York’s Immigrant History

Manhattan’s Lower East Side Tenement Museum
By Sade Ortuzar

More than 100 years ago, immigrants moving to a New York City apartment would have lived in a small space, sharing a bathroom and other amenities with their neighbors. Then people lived in proximity disease were remit. Now you can step inside a museum where all of that had occurred. The tenement museum located at 97 Orchard Street was founded in 1988 but its first restored apartment exhibits opened in the early 1990s. It blossomed from an idea to a thriving institution.

Ruth Abram and Anita Jacobson was the founder of the Tenement Museum. They wanted to open a museum that would honor America’s immigrants. The idea behind the formation of the museum was to pay tribute to the men, women, and children who settled America’s cities and deserve recognition as urban pioneers. The idea becomes an institution when Abram came across the lower east side tenements. The Lower East Side is associated in the publics mind with immigrants. During the formation of the tenement museum, she worked with Jacobson for three years and joined with people who were restoring the Eldridge Street Synagogue. Jacobson stumbled upon the tenement museum that was sealed since 1935, and in March of 1988, the museum received its charter. Their goal was to purchase and restore 97 Orchard Street.

At the Tenement Museum, visitors take a tour around the museum learning about the experience of immigrants from the 1800s. The Tenement Museum was once a home of about 10000 working class immigrants from Ireland, Poland, and other European countries.

The museum tells stories of the struggles that immigrants faced during the 19th and early 20th centuries by visitors taking a tour around the six restored apartments that immigrants once lived in. Some rooms are empty and a few rooms consist of an actress playing a role of an immigrant who lived at that apartment. A film is sometimes shown to visitors showing how immigrants lived and their history. The museum shows one bathroom, in which the immigrants once used. The apartments are small with no spacing and some photographs are on displayed. To use a few photographs, workers from Tenement Museum will have to contact the family of the person in the photograph. Some items that belonged to immigrants that lived at the tenement are on display. The museum shows how hard the immigrants worked. Some of them worked in their apartment while many of them worked in factories.

The P.R. manager Kate Stober enjoys working at the museum learning about the life of immigrants. Stober hopes that it promotes people to be open-minded about history of everyday people. She hopes that people can connect with the lives that immigrants faced. She says that immigrants in the museum tell a story of " who we are as Americans." The mission of the museum is “ to promote tolerance through the presentation and interpretation of the variety of immigrant experiences on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.”

So Far...

Ahh... does feel good to be doing what you want in a world like this. I have have recently joined HarlemLIVE. I have already finished two stories and now I'm working on my third one which now has turned into a broadcast piece. I prefer print journalism more but change is good. This third story is about our city's lovely Christmas Tree Recycling Program, and how the city is benefited by this. As far as progress goes it's all good except for some holes here and there. I have finished the print piece but since now I have to write a script for my broadcast piece as well as shoot some video! Ahh! Just finished calling the Parks Department and now I have to wait for their answers. This my first ever broadcast piece and I want to make everything goes smooth.

Preparing for College

Preparing for College
For many high school students on the road to college, their future is ahead of them.

By Sade Ortuzar

For many high school students, beginning college preparation early is important, and while many know a high school diploma is essential, today it doesn’t seem to get students very far. The emphasis is on obtaining a college degree that could lead to a well paying career and future. But, for many high school students, their junior year is the time that is filled with stress, because this is the period in their education that colleges consider crucial for a future or a career.

Tiaralyn Rivera, a sophomore at Graphics Communication of Arts High School, is finding the process of preparing for college more difficult than she ever realized. She has discovered that the process including taking college prep tests such as: the scholastic assessment test (SAT), and the American College Test, writing college essays, applying for financial aid, and finally selecting the best colleges. Rivera is beginning to feel stressed about getting into the right college and plans on avoiding student loans to earn scholarships. While her dream is to attend New York University where she plans to study journalism, some of her present worries include class size, how successful she would be at the SAT, the safety of dormitory life, and financial aid.

Another high school student, Jennifer Florian, a junior, wants to get a degree in medicine and is looking forward to attending the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She says the most important determining factor in choosing a college, is class size; preferring a small classroom size because she feels that she could learn better in such an environment.

Many high school students prefer to use financial aid for college. There are different types of financial aid such as grants and scholarships, which are very useful in assisting with paying for college, and which allow students to save and avoid getting into debt. While many schools give generous financial aid packages for those who show true financial need, it is in the best interest of any student intending to apply to a college, to research the school offering the most aid, which would include tuition, meals, books, and accommodation.

Kreig Joseph, program counselor at John Jay College, a part of a city University of New York believes that many teenagers don’t understand the college application process and are unprepared. Kreig says that the greatest way to prepare for college is for students to do their best in high school, and to research particular colleges to see the requirements for admission.

No doubt many have heard horror stories of being in large classrooms with about 800 students or going to a college where students set a couches on fire. For Georgia Reid, English teacher at High School for Graphic Communications and Art; looking back at college she describes it as a great experience. For her bachelors degree she attended Amherst College in Amherst, MA and for her masters, Hunter College, part of the City University of New York. She remembers that while she had a hard time choosing a college, one important criterion was finding an affordable college. To her, class size was also important and so was safety. When she attended college, then it was overcrowded and there were many riots: a group of students set a couch on fire one night and the only way for her to be safe was to stay in her dorm. The advice she would give to students who are getting into college is choosing a state school, and she encourages students to visit campuses. Finally, she tells students that they should not be afraid to take risks and ‘get out of your comfort zone.’

The Shepherd and Derom Gallery

The Shepherd and Derom Gallery
By Sade Ortuzar

While purchasing a famous 19th century painting is out of the reach for most people, for Robert Kashey, obtaining art pieces from this period is exactly what he does for a living. As owner of the Shepherd and Derom Gallery, he collects and distributes European paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Having already collected large amounts of art, 43 years ago Kashey figured he might as well open a gallery and deal in art pieces for a living. The gallery, located on New York City’s Upper East Side, is a friendly place where visitors feel welcome.
According to Kashey, every piece of art tells a unique story about a certain period in history. When a visitor enters the gallery, while he or she would see many sculptures and paintings on display, one of the first pieces of work is a sculpture called Hylas Surprised, by the artist John Gibson. It is a sculpture of a young boy with two women near him that was made in 1826 and was sold in an all girls-school in England. It was carefully wrapped and shipped to New York where it arrived safely at the gallery. This sculpture, unlike many others in the gallery made out of one type of igneous rock, marble or bronze, is made out of plaster. And, unlike other galleries, pieces do not have price tags affixed; Kashey prefers to negotiate with a potential buyer, which could often involve some traditional haggling, until they both agree on a price. In the gallery are other interesting art pieces, such as the first New York City Transit train photos showing how it made and who were going inside the train and a sculpture of Eve eating a fruit, and more.
Most of the galleries visitors come from several European countries, such as Spain and Italy, to see the many famous paintings, which include works by Man Ray such as the photograph of Le Violon, a portrait of a young woman’s back that looks like a violin. Much of Ray’s artwork is distributed throughout the gallery including photographs of him and his previous wives and photographs depicting older and younger versions of him. Another of his famous works is called Noire et Blanche, a photograph of a woman holding an African sculpture..
While Man Ray’s style is often associated with the Dadaist artistic school, the gallery consists of pieces that are mostly of European origin, where Rashey and his co-dealer, David Wojciechowski travels regularly to buy original artwork and display it in the gallery. One striking theme in the gallery is how many of the pieces illustrate depict the evolutions of the human form from decade to decade.
Kashey has also tried breaking the boundary by displaying 20th century art, including work by noted American artist Andy Warhol, which even though was on display, did not attract interest.
Wojciechowski and Kashey enjoy their occupation and are happy when people from other countries visit the museum. Kashey, raised in New Jersey, admits that he doesn’t have a particular gallery he could call his favorite, and even though he has visited many galleries in Europe, he also cannot say which he finds most exciting. Both he and his co-dealer believe and encourage the younger generation to visit museums and galleries.
However, the age ranges of those who visit the gallery range between 20-years and 90-years old. Kashey feels that it is a pity that more young people don’t visit galleries nowadays. He loves interacting with art lovers and is troubled that at other museums, workers don’t really want to explain much to visitors. He enjoys when visitors come into his gallery, because then he could share his treasures and knowledge with them.
The Shepherd and Derom Gallery at 58 East 79th Street is open on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00am to 6:00pm or by appointment.

Wow its 2010

hey its 2010 and in case you are wondering today was the first day to hl after a diagreement I had which I admit I caused because I acted immature when I was supposed to be responsible. I feel like I could be better person and do more positive things if people would give me half the chance and by people I mean my family because I can feel like people see me as the same Wesley I was in 2009 and face it people I'm trying to do better but it is what it is. Change takes time. like tina constantly tells me its not an over night thing it takes time for people to get used to. I just wish that my parents and sister could see a difference and stop treating me like the old guy but I got to be patient but anyways I got to turn it over to God ttyl

Winter and Vaginas

HEY,
well i am here freezing!!!! i so hate the winter with all my heart. I've always say that new york will be perfect without a winter. Life will be so much easier and fun if only SUMMER existed in this world. Well i am trying to go to Florida for college, for this same reason,winter, i am always running away from winter because it is so annoying having ashy skin, and chapped lips, and wearing 10 layers of clothing, it is just frustrating.

Today in class we were reading "Vagina Monologues" they were so funny but at the same time touchy. One monologue said that vagina get angry and thinking about it Vagina do get angry, they get angry every month because we human bother them a lot. The monologues were so interesting and although I laugh about the things they were saying, it hurts me as a women to know that in parts of the world womens are greatly discriminated against

College!!!

Hey!!
Well i am sooo stress out with all this college stuff that i have to do. Well today i applied to the University Of Central Florida, because like you all know i really really want to go to Florida because i hate the winter and in Florida the weather is nice and warm even in DECEMBER! I also want to go far away from home because i want to be more independent and be able to do whatever i want without telling MAMI or PAPI where am going, or what am doing or who i hang out with. One of the main reason i want to go is because i will have the liberty f go to DR because now they be saying that i cannot go but if i am living and independent life, i can go without having to tell them. Well i am praying for the university of central Florida to accept me because i really want to go there.

wat a weekend

This weekend was great. On Friday i went to New Jersey with Jessika and Maurice to help out with some things and to chill with her former roomate Liz. It was cool. I actually was tired leaving home so i fell asleep until Jessika pulled up in front of Best buy on 14 street where maurice worked and as soon as we picked him up we headed downtown on 2nd ave to the Holland tunnel to the 78 which took about 30 and added another 45 minutes on the 78 to the 24 to the 24 to the 124 to the college. when we arrived i went to the library untill she was done than we went out to dinner at a chinese resturant on the 124 where i ordered ginger chicken w white rice and iced tea which was cool. After dinner we dropped Liz off back at Drew and headed home. When I got home i went to bed. Saturday i went to the library and did some chores which was cool. yestarday was church which was my pastors anniversary which was a blessed experience. I ate alot and was happy. Today I went to workforce to apply for a job at aramark and got a referal for a job interview at the location on 41st street location. and i also got an interview at a dental place in Jamacia Ave at 10 am. which is cool. I pray that i get the job tommorow. cuz i need it.

New update

Hay people. I just decided to post a blog on a rainy, boring Sunday. I've been coming in about three times a week and have been working on lots of different stories. I've covered a story on metal detectors and I interviewed some security guards, teachers and students in my school. The story's finished and I'm very happy about that.

I went to see Race on broadway. The play starrs Kerry Washington, David Grier and James Spader from Boston Legal. It was about a white man who was accused of raping a black woman and his law firm was trying to decide if they should represent him and if he was innocent or guilty. It was a great show and I'm working on that story.

boy do i need jesus

well its thursday so u know wat that means it means its gonna bullcrap cuz i got the dates for da b smith interview mixed up which was upsetting. i felt like cryin but at least i got one more shot with the interview on monday with another cook and at lest i get make it to christ temple on time yay!!!!!!! rite now ima just prepare for mondays interview and at dis poimnt i aint even sure if i want to work tommorow ima see how i feel tommorow. if i dont go tommorow i mite go job huntin or go to the bronx or sumtin but ima see. Right now im doing work and talkin to my girl. I cant wait till tonite cuzs its anniversary time in da temple YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rev Crawford is preachin so i know Union Grove is gonna show up and show out for Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So ima not let the stress get to me ima let Jesus handle my businesss for now on!!!!!!!!!!!! Ima blog later god bless n love y'all

Im happy that tomorrow is friday! Finally the weekend is soon, and makes us one step closer to winter break =)

Tomorrow at school, i will be asking students questions on the bake sale being banned, so tomorrow when i get to HL im going to type up the story and thats going to be my second story for the week.

What a week

This week is a busy week cuz I am going to church and workin hard to start my new show which premires in January. Today I jhave alot to do so ima rool so peace

Well, this week has been okay. Last week, we were at Barnes and Noble. It was pretty fun, I learned how to gift wrap, although i suck, I did my best. This week just started and I already finished typing my story for the week, the story about the tenenment museum. Now i have to gather information of a new story i'll be covering this week and do interview. Im planning on continuing to do the bake sales being banned in nyc schools but then i dont think I want to write about that. but I'll see

I just dont kno but I know God is so so My Jesus

This weekend was a relaxed and praise filled weekend. i went to a breakfast with my mom and dad. afterwards i went to the library. after the library i went home. i cud hardly sleep that nite cuz one of my friends was comin to church the next day which was my pastors pre anniversary service. The next day Dad dropped me off at the corner of 135 by the 3 train where i waited for 15 minutes for my friend to come and we went to church which was a praise filled experience. I got so so happy with Jesus joy i ran around da church. after the 1st service we ate and then i hada take her home. time i got back it was time to sing. the male chorous sang coolin waters which was cool. after the sermon i met mom and dad and we went to another church for their pastors anniversary. it was cool i went home and i prepared for my job interview at jfk airport in howard beach. this mornin i took the express to the skip stop express to the local to 2 buses to the airport. the interview went well. after the interview for some reason i was pissed but i cudnt figure it out but i know that jesus can fix all things if u take it to him. i stopped at mcdonalds for lunch and then i took the r to the uptown express to 125 and walked here in da cold to work. when i got here i started working on recepies for my show and i gotta story so ima blog later god bless n love y'all!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-)

What a day

well today i made some rounds and then i came to work and went on a story to interview ppl about the tiger woods incident. after wards i am back i am going to write a list of culinary schools i would like to attend and maybe i mite cook dinner ima check to see wat we have in the kitchen to eat. i am looking forward to going back to barnes n noble to gift wrap to raise money for harlemlive which is pretty cool. yestarday i had a great experience gift wrappin at barnes n noble. it felt like i was a regluar person who worked at barnes n noble. i love working here and it will help me achieve my goal for culinary school. anyways i gtg because i need to look up schools n maybe make sum appointments to visit them.

Here

I'm here at HL just rocking out these stories. It's pretty exciting. I love working under pressure. My best work is produced when I'm under pressure. Just as my mom says pressure busts pipes and I'm out here busting my pen. I've just finished this metal detector story and I'm still writing the holiday story. So let me go get back to work.

Well, im pratically done with my gallery story thank goodness =).

Im off to an interview for tomorrow =)

im pretty excited because this museum caught my attention, so i'll be making up questions for the story.

My thanksgiving was great. I didnt eat that much though but the 4 days off from school was nice. I cant wait til winter break!!

Hey Its Evan Yall

Have you all seen the drama with Rihanna.....?????????
MediaTakeOut.com told us the viewers yesterday morning Rihanna's people would be REDUCING the price of her CD to 99 CENTS. Big shocker right? And by the afternoon, Rihanna's label Def Jam made the move.

What's even MORE interesting is that during the meeting where Rihanna's team were trying to figure out what to do. The insider explains, "It seemed like [one of the execs] was more interested in trying to make it look like your site was wrong [about Rihanna's sales being off] than in trying to make sure that Rihanna's sales were better."

Rihanna Def Jams biggest female artist is in some REAL TROUBLE!!!

HAHA This is courtesy of Mediatakeout.com

i have a really bad headache! Today has been such a boring day. And the story that i am typing up is taking me a long time. I guess im not pretty interested in this gallery like i was when i was doing the interview. I know my next story would be better

Stories

Any reviews of Precious? MJ's This is It! ?  Reactions?  What about the girl that got shot by accident in Bronx now charging 16 yo with the murder? Who believes in 2012? Health care reform? Sarah Palin? Swine Flu? .... smh

things.....

Hey!!!

Well, let me tell you people that i am doing great in school, all my grades are 90 and above except for chemistry that i have a unknown grade.LOL... I am doing so much better with my life because this psychiatry thing is just really helping me. I am sooo stress out with the college thing because i am trying to apply to a lot of colleges but money is tight so i have only apply to CUNYs, ST.Johns,FIU, and LIU. I am also thinking about going to study to DR, life is just so much easier there , but it will be way better if i study here because this is "America" and i have more opportunities, moneywise.

HEY IM LITTLE HAPPY

Poor Me Im Sick

Well what happened is that i thought it would be good for me to not take the Flu shot and in the long run i got sick like two times back to back. I wasn't even in full recovery the first time that i got sick.Now come to fine out i was OK yesterday but today I lost my voice and it is barely there. I was so mad because ever one trying to get me to talk and i feel like it is going to get no better if i keep on talking. Well ill tell you how i feel tomorrow to see if it got any better or worse.

Only child woes

Just got a call from my mother. She's at work and needs me to come and help her. She wants to go home now and she doesn't have anyone to help her up the stairs. This is what happens when you're the only child and your parents need somehthing. I have to drop everything I'm doing to run to her. I feel like a single mother with an obligation, it's scary.

Ok, so bye ppls, I'll see you Thursday...

bake sales BYE BYE

I finally thought of a good story that would attract teens. Yay.

Now, in New York City high schools, students are not able to do bake sales. Thats crazy.

So, i think its a good topic because many students at my high school are dissapointed. Hopefully, Im done with this new story by next week.

And i have an interview this thursday, im not that excited because i wanted to do the tenement museum =(

The weather has made me feel pretty down, it makes me want to go home being buried under the covers.Ive been feeling sick and moody and ive been feeling lazy.
Well, I am almost done with my Preparartion for College article. I think its pretty good, im glad that i am almost done. I am thinking of doing a story on a tenement museum. I know it sounds like a boring topic, but i am very interested in the museum because it is different from other museums in New York City. Musuems in New York are so common like art museums and stuff, and this is a unique museum , especially the history of it. Im also interested in doing a story in a Asain Museum, but then museums are becoming to be a boring topic. I want to do an article on things that would interest teenagers but i dont know. I am not even a creative person, well we'll see....

New story

I'm working on this new story about Metal Detectors at school. I've written my questions and now I'm waiting on Antwan to come and look them over, I guess. I've got like 3 different sets of questions. I plan on interviewing the security guards, some teachers and students. This topic is pretty cool and it will be great for the print magazine.

I think it's important that we write informative and interactive pieces for the magazine. Teens are not going to want to read about things that they can't relate to or has no impact on them. I know I don't want to. So far with the first issue I think that we've done pretty good with that. As I said before the issue looks great.

HL in print

I've just seen the final project for the magazine and it looks FANTASTIC! I really love it. I love the graphics and the content. I think it is completely great. The next issue will be out sometime December and I'm going to write some entertainment stories regarding the holiday. I want to write about something unique... Gotta think!

Depressed.....

OMG i am sooo sad..i think i suffer from deppression..LOL for real because i be crying everyday and i am having so much problems at home with mom that is really messing my whole life up..MY grades are just terrible..and i have to worry about the problems at home plus the ones at school,and at first it did not bother but now is just too much for me, Bu i know i am strong and i will overcome all this, at least i hope so because if i dont i rather die that keep living like this because my life is becoming every day more deppressed, and i try to act tough and happy in front of everybody but inside i just feel so empty and i feel like nobody cares but i will get over it.Well see ya!!!

Back...

Back at Hl for fall. It feels so nice. We're doing the print version for HarlemLive. I don't know how far that's been coming along, but I've done my part. I interviewed Bill Thompson which wasn't that great. I also wrote another story that was about the new So In Style black dolls. It was a great story but I'm not sure where it went...

Signed so Confused....

Shoutouts to HarlemLive!

This is officially my first day joining with HarlemLive! anxious to see the outcome of this...I hope to get a lot out of this program! ..stay tuned guys.. I'll keep you posted!

hey

Hey it is so good to be back at HarlemLive. Im starting fresh this year and it feels so good to be back. HarlemLive is like my second home and i wouldn't trade it for the world. I love HarlemLive.

Well, ive been working on a story. Something real easy to do. Its about teenager preparation to college. This topic is very interesting to me and im looking forward to writing my article. ;)

Im backk :)

Whats new? Well 11th grade has been okay so far. Its pretty boring. I thought it was going to be much better. Classes is somewhat difficult, but im just trying to have my grade good as usual. Its going pretty fast to me, October is already finishing. Report cards are coming out this week, im pretty anxoius because i feel like im not going to do as great as i want to do. Ive been doing good in all of my classes but i tend to think negative. I have to work hard for this year because, i have sats. about three regents to take, my ap history exam, and im stressing so much. Always having a headache ughhhhhhh.

Anyways, last weekend i saw two movies at the theaters. I say toy story (well my bf wanted to see that. And then yesterday i saw Paronormal Activity, which was kinda funny and scary to me. I had a small nightmare last night ;(

in need of help..
i am doing a report of fashion trends that will soon be followed.
im new to harlem live and im willing to work hard but i jus dont know where to begin.im
so scared of doing a not so good job that i can hardly breathe.
if u have any ideas

PLEASE THROW YOUR IDEAS!!

1st time

10/22/09

Today is my first at Harlem live.so far I'm enjoying it.
the vibe is nice.and the people are wonderful.i can actually say
they are my kinda of people.i thought they was gonna be all
mean and stuff but its not really like that.i hope to really benefit from this program
i want to improve my communication and writing and maybe even web design ,
media and etc skills. i cant wait to we get down and dirty lol.

wat a day

yestarday i celebrated my twenty birthday. it was so cool. i went to my old school n visited my old friends n teachers which was cool. after that i caught the bus to jamacia ave where i ended having a war of words w my exgirlfriend jerricka brown and it did not end well after that i went downtown to chill and to get a refferal for a job. afterwards i came here then i met my sis at work and went home and talked to my girl on yahoo after that i went to sleep it was a great birthday i love bein grown lol.

Forex Trader / Stock Market

Am welling to teach any one whos welling to learn Forex trading or Stock Market. I will be here to answer your questions from 4pm eastern to 7pm eastern time. So feel free to ask me anything.

Am a Forex trader. Why ? becouse it a 24hr open 5.5 days a week unlike the Stock Market which is open 6am to 4pm. And the money is faster to make. 25 dollers to open a account with most brokers. ^_^

its funny how. . . .

as females.... 

we tend to always worry Way to much about things that dont even matter.

but wen everything is done and the storms has passed.

the feeling of relief is just a breathe of fresh air.

a womans job is never over.

there is no clockin out sadly.

but without women...america better yet the world.

wouldnt be wat it is now.

beside every great man there behind him...

is an even greater woman.

Introducing People to Harlem Live

The other day I introduced my friend to harlem live. I think he likes the program. I just told him to come with me to harlem live one day and he I think probably decided he wanted to join. He just willing came along. I think about referring other people to Harlem Live. Introducing people to the program has a down side. If they do something wrong you look bad with them. I don't like looking bad because of what a friend did. It messes up my reputation. I think that a person shouldn't be looked at because of what their friends do. If a friend does something wrong it doesn't mean that I will do the same thing. Another downside to introducing someone is that then you have to explain every thing to them.

A new year has begun

Hey everyone well our summer was a long intersting one. We each discovered our strength n weakness and the goals that we want to acheive. I'm proud to say that I learned alot this summer and because of that it will help me progress in my new task as lead editor for culinary stories at HL let us all great things and receive the reward at the end:-)