Search

This article reports that for 27 years the Laugh Factory, which has featured famous comedians such as Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and Damon Wayans, has hosted a pre-Christmas celebration for poor families in Los Angeles, California and this Saturday will mark its second year for New York City. Jamie Masada, owner and founder of the Laugh Factory, said that this is for people out of work, and single-parent families who cannot afford to buy their children anything for Christmas. Masada, who moved to the United States over 27 years ago with an ambition to become a famous comedian, expanded his idea to create a business that would ultimately provide a platform for new and seasoned comedians.

This article reports that Pantene Pro-V recently launched the Academy of Science & Style, a 40 member council of Black women whose expertise in hair, skin, research, marketing, health and lifestyle brought them together on September 29, 2005 to discuss ways in which to improve the Relaxed & Natural hair line for women of color. Several members of the academy thought that it was important to dispel hair myths within the Black community, and suggest ways to educate the public about alopecia, a severe hair loss disorder. According to Chiquita White, manager of Pantene research and product development in North America, the disorder affects more Black women than any other group of women.

The article focuses on the first of two Democratic primary debates in the race for mayor of New York City. Candidates Fernando Ferrer, C. Virginia Fields, Anthony Weiner and Gifford Miller were eager to prove that Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was not one of America's best mayors as "Time" magazine had indicated earlier this year. Although all candidates agreed with Bloomberg's decision to hold back failing students by not promoting them to the next grade level as a result of age, Manhattan Borough President Fields said she'd take a different approach through massive intervention, which she says is an investment in students starting in kindergarten.

The article presents information based on a report on the performance of New York City public schools. Hard work, according to school teacher Cynthia Pond, meant that teachers devoted extra time to refining their curriculum in addition to workshop requirements mandated by New York City Department of Education. Academic achievement is more complex than studying for a test. Although Pond added that class size made a difference in her students' success, it's an argument that academicians have ignored. All progress, according to Stephen Morello, director of communication for Chancellor Klein, must be acknowledged.

The article reports on newly released reading and writing scores for New York which show that the achievement gap between Black and white fourth-graders is closing. Results from the New York Fourth Grade English Language exam last week reported that the number of African American and Hispanic students in New York City public schools who met or exceeded requirements to move on to the next grade level went up by nearly 10 percent. Such improvements refute some education critics who suggest that children of color and poor children may not be able to learn as quickly as others.

This article reports that Rosemonde Pierre-Louis has made history by becoming the first Haitian American to serve as deputy borough president of Manhattan in New York City. The news was confirmed during a press conference at Harlem's Adam Clayton Powell state office building last Friday, when Manhattan Borough President-elect Scott Stringer introduced Pierre-Louis to a crowd of politicians, family and friends who stood clapping and cheering her accomplishment. Pierre-Louis's record is also impressive. Prior to her appointment to serve as Manhattan deputy borough president, she acted as director of general litigation at Harlem Legal Services, working mostly with domestic violence survivors. In addition, her involvement in community efforts to stop domestic violence and help women develop high self-esteem has led her to serve as an active board member at several non-profit organizations such as My Sister's Place and the New York Women's Foundation.

The article presents information on a caviar bar and gourmet store called Emperors Roe at 200 Lenox Ave, New York and its owner David Mills. A variety of delicacies such as cheese, pate, smoked turkey, truffles, wine, and of course, caviar, etc. are served at the restaurant. Mills operates Emperorsroe.com, a mail-order business that initiated the idea for the restaurant. Mills insists that Emperors Roe's aim is to ensure that people feel comfortable and unintimidated by its presence or price points. An ounce of caviar costs anywhere from $10 to $200, which means there's something for everyone.

The article reviews the music release "Jonathan" from Jonathan Butler.

The article focuses on recent developments related to law in New York City. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) plans an immediate appeal of judge Richard Berman's decision. Last Friday, declaring the New York Police Department's subway bag search policy constitutional. The NYCLU sued the city on August 4, 2005, declaring the bag search policy a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that a 54-year-old homeless man has been indicted for murder 34 years after a shopkeeper was shot to death during an attempted robbery at gunpoint.

This article presents information on Dwele, a performer. In 2003, he gained attention as the smooth, cute-sounding guy on hip-hop group, Slum Village's "Tainted Love" single. But that sound has expanded to 13 tracks on his sophomore album "Some Kinda …," released in November 2005, on Virgin records. What makes Dwele so impressive is his ability to do something, that's difficult: harmonize using his own vocals. "Some Kinda …," is definitely not about tainted love. It's about the sophisticated relationships tucked away in the Midwest that meet at the center of superficiality and substance.

This article reports that the Girl Scout Council of New York honored six women who personify the organization's aim to build girls' confidence through community service, business, math, science, and awareness of global issues. At their recent 13th Annual Women of Distinction Breakfast, honorees ranged from CNBC's Maria Bartiromo, host of the TV program "Closing Bell" to honoree hopeful April Harris, a senior Girl Scout in Queens. Harris, who created Breast Cancer Awareness week at her high school, after her mother was diagnosed with it, joined the organization only two years ago as a high school sophomore. Many of the honorees encouraged the Scouts, who sat scattered throughout an audience of nearly 200, to dream beyond their circumstances.

This article presents information on the music CD "The Craft," by the California group Blackalicious, which presents a hip-hop opus. Made up of producer Chief Xcel and lyricist the Gift of Gab, the group proves that staying away too long is, in some cases, what's needed to perfect the talent. In fact, the CD moves beyond "bling" and violence and, though difficult to do, it overcomes excessive emcee bashing. As each song slides into the next, what becomes evident is the spiritual maturity of the group. The true skill of musicianship is also heard in Xcel's experimentation with techno and his gentle mixture of old soul music.

This article reports that both of the Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York City incumbent district attorneys (DA) seeking reelection held onto their seats, despite fierce opposition. Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, the 86-year-old incumbent DA, earned 59 percent of the vote, trumping challenger former Judge Leslie Crocker Snyder, who earned 41 percent of the vote. Snyder, who supports the death penalty and Rockefeller drug law reform, vowed to bring new vision and energy to the Manhattan DA office that she has criticized as being out of touch with Manhattanites.

Presents an obituary for Justice Ruth Levine Sussman, a Criminal Court judge in Bronx County Supreme Court, who died on August 25, 2005.

The article reports that Conrad K. Harper, the only African-American to serve on Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts' governance board, resigned as a result of a three-percent pay raise granted to President Lawrence H. Summers. In a letter dated July 14, 2005, Harper stated his dissatisfaction with Summers' "insensitive" remarks about women, American Indians, and his public disagreement with former Harvard professor of African-American studies Cornel West. During a telephone interview, Harper would not disclose other reasons not mentioned in the letter as to why he left the Harvard Corporation, a seven-member board that elects the school president.