New York Trend NYC: February 9-15, 2017

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VOLUME 27 ISSUE 5

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 - FEBRUARY 15, 2017

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HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AWARDED CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

Since 1989

Continuing its commitment to our nation’s accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), The Home Depot announced today the launch of its 2017 Retool Your School Grant Program offering HBCUs an opportunity to apply for grants to use toward creating sustainable renovations and additions to their campuses.

This year, The Home Depot is pleased to introduce two ways to enter the Retool Your School program for 2017.

Not only will HBCUs have the choice of opting into the program through proposal submission, but for the first time ever, deserving HBCUs can now enter the RYS program through an allnew and exciting nomination process.

This nomination process allows HBCU faculty, staff, students and community supporters to nominate their favorite HBCU to participate in the program via Twitter and/or Instagram.

Nominations must be accepted by an authorized school administrator and be submitted through February 10, 2017.

The second way for schools to vie for a 2017 Retool Your School campus improvement grant is by having an authorized school administrator complete the online registration form by providing primary contact information as well as an official school logo, which will be on the Retool Your School website. Once submitted, the school will be included on the website for the official voting phase of the program.

This information must be submitted between January 29, 2017, and February 22, 2017.

For the last two years, the Retool Your School Program has been recognized in Washington, DC, by the White House Initiative….

Schools receiving 100 or more nominations during the official nomination period will be converted to votes. This year, voting begins February 24, 2017, and ends April 16, 2017.

During this period, the HBCU community can vote in two ways: 1. By casting one online vote per day at www.retoolyourschool.com 2. By using your school’s unique, designated hashtag to cast unlimited social votes through Twitter and Instagram.

The nine schools that receive the highest number of votes during the voting period will advance to the final round and submit their proposals. A panel of distinguished judges will evaluate each school’s proposal. Judges will consider the quality of each proposal and the school’s ability to execute the project within the specified budget. Proposals for all three grant levels must highlight how each project will make a lasting, positive impact on the HBCU campus.

A total of $360,000 will be granted to the nine HBCUs with winning proposals. The schools will be categorized in one of three clusters, based on each school’s student population. Each cluster will have three winners vying for one $50,000, one $40,000 and one $30,000 grant.

awarded to our nation’s HBCUs to make sustainable improvements.

The breakdown is as follows: Cluster 1 is open to schools with a student enrollment of 4,000 or more; Cluster 2 is open to schools with a student enrollment of 1,201–3,999 students; and Cluster 3 is open to schools with 1,200 students or less.

“With each year, we’ve seen the momentum and engagement around The Retool Your School Grant Program continually grow,” says Melissa Brown, Senior Marketing Manager at The Home Depot. “The program is the embodiment of the culture and commitment of The Home Depot’s support to community. At the Home Depot, we acknowledge and appreciate the vital contributions that HBCUs have made and continue to make to our nation’s rich history, and are proud to partner in this legacy.”

The nine winners will be announced

by May 11, 2017, at The Home Depot headquarters in Atlanta, GA. The Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program, established in 2010, encourages and recognizes innovative projects that contribute to the campuses of accredited HBCUs. Since the program’s inception, over 1.5 million dollars in grant money has been

For the last two years, the Retool Your School Program has been recognized in Washington, DC, by the White House Initiative on HBCUs during National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.

For more information on The Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program, visit www. retoolyourschool.com.

INSIDE T HIS IS SUE :

Education pg.5 PAGE 2 SPECIAL PROMOTION

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CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY

BLACK PR WIRE TO OFFER SPECIAL PROMOTION FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black PR Wire knows you have some important news to share!

In recognition of Black History Month, Black PR Wire is offering an exclusive savings special all month long. Clients who submit a press release using Black PR Wire’s all new online automated system will receive a 10% discount off their distribution.

releases with prominent banner placement on the home page viewed by media nationwide. To receive your express access anytime, anywhere, visit the all new Black PR Wire website and experience power in the wire through your online source for Black news.

Black PR Wire is a powerful leader in effective news delivery services to the Black and Caribbean markets both nationally and internationally.

With a comprehensive database and listing of over 1,500 Black (African American, Caribbean and Haitian) organizations and media, Black PR Wire is incomparable to any news distribution service targeting this market. Services of Black PR Wire include electronic distribution of news releases, electronic newsletters, audio and video clips and more. The company offers its services in both English and Creole. For more information call 1-877-BLACKPR or visit blackprwire.com.

“Black PR Wire’s new automated service allows clients to post their releases anytime, anywhere,” says Bernadette Morris, CEO of Black PR Wire. “The new system is fast, super easy and secure, so we encourage everyone to take advantage of this great offer.”

To receive the special offer, use the promo code BPRWBHM at check out from now thru the end of February. Press releases can be distributed on blackprwire.com in just three easy steps.

• Step 1: Visit the Black PR Wire website (www.blackprwire. com) – Select “Submit a Press

release on homepage then log in or sign up for an account.

• Step 2: Choose a Package – Select the package that interests you, as well as any distribution add-ons such as a logo, photo, video, calendar listing, or banner ad.

• Step 3: Submit and Pay – Have your credit card handy and submit your payment via our secured site.

These three easy steps provide fast access to help you distribute your news to over 1,500 black media, organizations, and HBCUs nationwide. The new site also allows clients to enhance their T:7.875"

TELL THEM WE ARE RISING: THE STORY OF HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Tell Them We Are Rising is a story for everyone. The film and supporting multimedia platform will expertly connect snapshots from a long and rich history to contemporary understandings of HBCUs. It will inspire debate, conversation, pride and memories that are necessary to understand the past and chart the future of HBCUs.

Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities is the first and only feature documentary and multiplatform project to research, gather, and share a rich mosaic of stories that relay the history of HBCUs. The twohour film and multi-platform project by award-winning documentary filmmaker Stanley Nelson, explores the pivotal role HBCUs have played in the ascent of African-Americans and their families – from slavery to the present day. The film also examines the impact HBCUs have had on American history, culture, and national identity.

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You can be part of Tell Them We Are Rising. Firelight Films needs your help to create the #HBCURising Yearbook, a crowd-sourced archive highlighting HBCU life from the first school’s founding to present day.

Please share anything that connects you and your family to the unique HBCU experience including: photos, articles, grandparent and/or great grand-parent letters and journal entries, videos, transcripts, and/or short stories of personal encounters with HBCU students or at HBCUs. The film is slated to air in 2017 on the PBS prime-time series Independent Lens.

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HBCUs have been at the margins of the American collective conscience despite their role in shaping Black life, dismantling desegregation and birthing and growing the Black middle class.

Tell Them We Are Rising’s compelling narrative and original footage will show Americans that, HBCUs have touched all Americans—regardless of race.

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO INVEST IN A GOOD THING.

Introducing Better FuturesTM —a whole new kind of investment with a greater return than money. When you invest, it helps kids go to college. Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste but a wonderful thing to invest in.TM ©2013 UNCF

February 9, 2017 - February 15, 2017

Invest in Better Futures at UNCF.ORG/INVEST

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NEWS

PLANS TO BUILD STATE OF THE ART SCHOOL IN BROOKLYN ANNOUNCED

NEW YORK TRENDNYC Owner/Publisher Executive Editor Editor-in-Chief Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams Assistant to Publisher, Administrative Zoie Williams International Correspondent Ann Brown Travel Editor Jim Weaver Contributing Editor Justin Williams Circulation Manager Robert L. Taylor

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Member Rafael Espinal and Lorraine Grillo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA), today announced the start of the public review process to build a new 1,000 seat school in the East New York section of Brooklyn.

“The East New York Plan was adopted this past spring and we are already seeing progress: safer streets, a gracious new community center and now the start of the public comment period for a new public school. This is the beginning of the work we will do to secure a bright and stable future, including new affordable homes, for East New York,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“A school is so much more than a building full of classrooms,” said Council Member Rafael Espinal. “It is where our youth spend the majority of their waking hours learning valuable lessons of community, respect and friendship.

A school is where students cultivate their interests and form lasting goals.

Aside from the $17 million we allocated to improve existing East New York’s schools, I am so proud to see progress on our vision for a new state-of-the-art 1,000 seat school. The rezoned area will now have the best infrastructure for its students to grow and achieve their dreams. It is also very encouraging to witness the realization of so many commitments made through the East New York Plan in the few months since its passage, just last spring. I commend the de Blasio Administration on its steadfastness, as well as, the SCA on their timely proposals, and I look forward to the valuable input by the community on this crucial project.”

“I hope the community will take advantage of this important opportunity to make their voices heard on this important component of East New York’s future. The foundation of a community’s success is built in its investment in ensuring we have safe places to raise healthy children and families; schools are cornerstones of that foundation,” said Borough President Eric Adams.

“This new 1,000 seat school will build on the strong public investments made as part of the East New York

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Neighborhood Plan. By taking this step to start our public review process, the School Construction Authority is making good on the commitments to the East New York Community by Mayor de Blasio and Council Member Espinal.

When completed, the new school will be a state-of-the-art facility that will be enjoyed for decades to come,” said Lorraine Grillo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City School Construction Authority.

The new school building will be constructed on a portion of the Cityowned Dinsmore-Chestnut site. The lot, which is currently vacant, will house the new PS/IS school and serve children from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade in Community School District 19. It will sit next to a future affordable housing project.

The state-of-the-art school building will be fully accessible and fully airconditioned. It will include both art and music rooms, a cafeteria, a gymnatorium and exercise room, science labs, a library and other amenities for students. A large outdoor playground will also be built and is expected to be open to the public after school hours. The school will also include a District 75 program, or special education program. The SCA is kicking off its site selection process for the school January 3. The process includes a 45-day public comment period, when the local Community Board and Community Education Council are invited to hold hearings and members of the community are invited to give feedback about the site and the planned school.

Information regarding the public hearings will be available through the Community Board 5 and CEC District 19, which are hosing the events.

Online Editorial Director Rachel Breton Hamlett Art Director Allison Burris Emeritus Office & Subscription Manager Sophie Taylor Social Media Zoie A. Williams Writers Ezra Mechaber Deardra Shuler Jim Weaver Anastasia Williams Justin Williams Teresa Williams

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14 Bond Street, Suite 176, Great Neck, N.Y. 11021 Tel. (347) 956-1700 Fax (516) 626-3966 ISSN#1083-58 Email: NYTrend@aol.com Website: www.newyorktrendnyc.com “Like Us” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/newyorktrendnyc New York Trend is published by TTW Associated, Inc. which holds copyright to the content of this publication. ISSN: 1083-5822 Mail inquiries to: New York Trend NYC, 14 Bond Street, Suite 176, Great Neck, N.Y. 11021. New York Trend NYC is not responsible for the content of letters to the editor or opinions expressed by individual writers.

New York Trend reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor. Photographs and manuscripts will not be returned.

VOLUME 27 ISSUE 5

2017 NABJ/NBC SUMMER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The National Association of Black Journalists is pleased to announce our continued partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal for the NBC News Group Summer Fellows Program!

NBCUniversal will offer fellows the opportunity to join one of the following NBC programs for summer 2017 as interns: America’s #1 morning news program, The Today Show • The top ranked evening program, Nightly News with Lester Holt • Our primetime long form news program, Dateline • Our 24 cable news channel, MSNBC • Our top rated business news cable channel, CNBC Students will be paid hourly for 10 weeks and must be willing to live in New York City or its environs for the duration of the internship.

NBCUniversal will offer a $2,000 housing stipend available for candidates who reside outside a 50 mi. radius from our Tri-State Area offices.

All the internships are located in 30 Rockefeller Center, with the exception of the placements at CNBC, which are located in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Applicants must be student members of NABJ. Deadline is February 24, 2017 by 11:59 p.m. EST.

Comments on the proposed actions can also be submitted to the New York City School Construction Authority by email at sites@nycsca.org; or mail to New York City School Construction Authority, 30-30 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, New York 11101.

Attention: Ross J. Holden.

The deadline for public comments is February 17.

February 9, 2017 - February 15, 2017

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

MACY’S CELEBRATES BLACK ART, EXPRESSION AND CULTURE DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH Page, Macy’s vice president of Diversity & Inclusion Strategies.

Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem!”

Rapper, spoken-word poet, actor and activist Saul Williams serves as the national ambassador for Macy’s Black History Month Celebration. Exclusive video performances and interviews from Williams, hailed as the “poet laureate of hip-hop” by “CNN,” will be featured at www.macys. com/celebrate.

“I am thrilled to be celebrating Black History Month with Macy’s,” said Marcus Samuelsson. “I look forward to paying homage to black culture’s impact on the culinary arts and sharing some of my favorite bites and stories with guests in Philadelphia and Atlanta.”

“I am very glad Macy’s is furthering the discourse around artistic selfexpression in black culture. As a performer who uses words to bring attention to social justice causes, I feel it is paramount to stimulate engagement and awareness through our words and our art,” said Williams.

This February, Macy’s celebrates Black History Month by welcoming a host of stars from a variety of fields including fine art, music, literature, the culinary arts, and spoken word. Black culture has electrified the pulse of American life for generations, from music and fashion to film, television and activism. It has created a wave of change that has helped propel the country to new heights. This year, our celebrity guests will share how creative self-expression and a strong connection to their heritage have shaped their careers. As part of Macy’s Black History Month celebrations, Grammy-nominated artist BJ The Chicago Kid, “Insecure” actor Jay Ellis, awardwinning Macy’s Culinary Council Chef Marcus Samuelsson, and “The Read” podcast host Crissle West will join other emerging stars in conversations focused on the influence and impact of black culture on all facets of American life.

“Macy’s is once again thrilled to celebrate the contributions African Americans have made to our nation with special events in our stores. Macy’s values the diversity of all of its customers and inclusion and respect are at the heart of our core values. We are happy to join with our associates and customers nationwide in honoring the legacy of African American achievement during Black History Month and beyond,” said Kristyn Doar4

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BJ The Chicago Kid is an R&B recording artist who recently delivered a soulful rendition of the national anthem preceding President Obama’s farewell address. His debut album, “In My Mind,” has been nominated for three 2017 Grammy Awards.

Jay Ellis is a talented actor best known for his roles on HBO’s “Insecure” and BET’s “The Game.”

His other credits include gueststarring roles on “Hart of Dixie,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “NCIS,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Crissle West is a writer and the female co-host of the hit comedy podcast, “The Read,” a weekly show covering the latest in entertainment news. Crissle’s written work has been published in “ESSENCE” magazine and she has appeared on panels covering race, gender, and sexuality.

“I am really looking forward to engaging with young people and sharing stories of how black culture has influenced my personal and professional journey,” Crissle said.

At each of the Black History Month events, Macy’s customers will have an opportunity to meet and greet with event talent. For additional

information on Macy’s Black History Month festivities, please visit macys.com/celebrate.

Macy’s Black History Month events will be held at the following stores: Macy’s Herald Square (New York City) – Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.

Macy’s City Center (Philadelphia) – Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Macy’s State Street (Chicago) – Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Macy’s Baldwin Hills (Los Angeles) – Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Macy’s Lenox Square (Atlanta) – Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.

Macy’s Lenox Square (Atlanta) – Friday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.

Macy’s Aventura (Aventura, FL) – Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.

Macy’s Union Square (San Francisco) – Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.

Macy’s Metro Center (Washington, D.C.) – Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m.

21ST ANNUAL AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2017 DATES

“I am grateful to be among those Macy’s has selected to discuss the powerful impact artistic black voices are having on today’s American culture,” said Jay Ellis.

“There couldn’t be a better time to come together to talk about the strides we have made and the road ahead.”

Marcus Samuelsson is the acclaimed chef behind Red Rooster Harlem, Ginny’s Supper Club, and Streetbird Rotisserie.

He is a committed philanthropist and the youngest person to ever receive a three-star review from “The New York Times.”

Samuelsson has won multiple James Beard Foundation Awards, including Best Chef: New York City, and was tasked with planning and executing the Obama Administration’s first State dinner. Samuelsson was also crowned champion of television shows “Top Chef Masters” and “Chopped All Stars,” and served as a mentor on ABC’s “The Taste”. In October of 2016, he released his newest book, “The Red Rooster

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) recently announced that the 21st annual event will be held in Miami, June 14-18, 2017. In addition to the best of Black film and TV, the five-day festival will offer an innovative program with new experiences, including The Byron Lewis Careers in Entertainment Center, a multiday educational forum with lectures led by industry experts to provide insight into job opportunities in front of and behind the camera at studios and networks; and ABFF Immersive, where festivalgoers are introduced to virtual reality, 360°

February 9, 2017 - February 15, 2017

video and immersive storytelling through panel discussions, hands-on demos and immersive experiences that demonstrate how technology can impact storytelling. HBO, the ABFF’s founding and presenting sponsor, will be marking the 20th anniversary of the widely acclaimed HBO Short Film Competition at the festival.

Festival passes go on sale November 1 at www.abff.com, providing three different levels of access to festival screenings, official and premium events. Questions regarding registration may be directed to info@ abffventures.com. www.newyorktrendnyc.com

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Changing lives is no easy task.

Yet Habitat for Humanity does it every day.

Habitat for Humanity works with families in the U. S. and around the world who are in need of a decent and affordable place to call home.

Habitat helps build strength, stability, and self-reliance as well as shelter. They offer a hand up so families can stand on their own and build better lives for themselves and generations to come. And, in the process, they also strengthen communities.

Wells Fargo and our team members share the goals of Habitat. For 24 years, we’ve been privileged to help Habitat across the country in the communities we live and work in by giving grants and volunteer hours, building and improving homes alongside low-income homeowners, seniors, and veterans.

Learn more about our relationship with Habitat and other non-profits at wellsfargo.com/stories.

Wells Fargo and Habitat for Humanity in New York 2015/2016

Grants

$75,000

Volunteer Hours Builds

936

Š 2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Data based on 2015 andFebruary 2016, Wells Fargo-Housing NewYorkTrendnyc

9, 2017 FebruaryFoundation 15, 2017 Team Member Volunteer Program results.

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NATIONAL NEWS

NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS LAUNCHES #BLACKSTEMLIKEME CAMPAIGN

Leveraging the immense popularity of the hit movie “Hidden Figures,” the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has launched a nationwide campaign titled #BlackSTEMLikeMe. This unique multimedia initiative is aiming to encourage black students and professionals in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to share their stories and passions; bring visibility to the important work they are doing; show black boys and girls that a future in STEM is an incredible and attainable career path; demonstrate the value of NSBE membership and celebrate the unique, wonderful and life-changing aspects of the African-American community — past and present. The campaign is designed to move NSBE toward the main goal of its 10-year strategic plan, which is to lead the U.S. to produce 10,000 AfricanAmerican bachelor’s degree recipients in engineering annually by 2025, up from 3,501 graduates in 2014.

“Hidden Figures,” released in theaters nationwide on Jan. 6, tells the story of how three African-American women — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson — contributed critical math, engineering and computer science work to the early missions of the U.S. space program. The movie, which is getting great reviews and was the No. 1 film at the box office in its first two weekends, is bringing a major focus to the often overlooked contributions of the black STEM community.

“NSBE is very excited about this campaign, which makes a conscious effort to highlight black men and women in STEM and show young black boys and girls that this is

NSBE Facebook page using the #BlackSTEMLikeMe hashtag;

• By posting STEM photos or videos to Instagram, tagging @NSBE and using the #BlackSTEMLikeMe hashtag; and • By emailing text and video for blog posts to BlackSTEMLikeMe@nsbe.org for posting on the BlackSTEMLikeMe.nsbe. org website.

a career path that it’s cool for them to pursue,” said NSBE National Secretary Racheida Lewis. “Being a member of NSBE has enabled me and many other black students to successfully complete engineering and other STEM-related degree programs. And it has empowered me to pursue my passion of educating others about STEM through initiatives such as #BlackSTEMLikeMe.” Trina Fletcher is director of Pre-College Programs for NSBE and a Ph.D. candidate in engineering education at Purdue University. Like Lewis, she places high value on presenting positive STEM role models and mentors to African-American youth.

“Without my STEM education and professional career opportunities, I would not be the leader and woman that I am today,” Fletcher said. “As a member of NSBE and now full-time employee of the organization, I’ve been able to see the impact we have on people of color, ranging from K–12 students to professionals

on their way to retirement from their companies. I encourage all black parents and caregivers to take advantage of the opportunity to expose their children to STEM through #BlackSTEMLikeMe as well as NSBE youth programs such as our Pre-College Initiative and the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK).” #BlackSTEMLikeME provides many avenues for STEM students and professionals to participate in the campaign through social media: • By sharing STEM stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or via the BlackSTEMLikeMe.nsbe.org website using the #BlackSTEMLikeMe hashtag. The best stories will be entered in NSBE’s national social media webisode series; • By tweeting STEM stories, including visuals, using the #BlackSTEMLikeMe hashtag; • By posting STEM stories to personal Facebook pages, tagging the

“This campaign proves, once again, the power of good partnerships: combining NSBE members’ grassroots activism and dedication to our mission with the resources of other socially progressive organizations,” said NSBE Executive Director Karl W. Reid, Ed.D. “We thank our #BlackSTEMLikeMe sponsors for making this effort possible.”

A list of the #BlackSTEMLikeMe sponsors follows. Learn more about the #BlackSTEMLikeMe campaign, including upcoming events and other ways to get involved, at BlackSTEMLikeMe.nsbe.org.

With 278 chapters and nearly 16,000 active members in the U.S. and abroad, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the United States.

NSBE, founded in 1975, supports and promotes the aspirations of collegiate and pre-collegiate students and technical professionals in engineering and technology.

NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” For more information, visit www.nsbe.org.

YOU CAN’T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF GAS SAFETY FOR ONE SECOND.

Gas safety starts at home. So make sure your burners are turned off when you’re not using them. Always store combustible items far away from those appliances. Don’t step, sit, lean or place any objects on gas pipes or equipment.

And, if you do smell gas (think: rotten eggs), leave the area immediately and then call 911 or 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). If you like, you can even report it anonymously. Gas safety involves everyone. To do your part, read all our tips at conEd.com/GasSafety.

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February 9, 2017 - February 15, 2017

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BUSINESS NEWS FINANCIAL FREEDOM MOVEMENT EXPANDS TO ATTRACT ENTREPRENEURS, MILLENNIALS & WOMEN identified are some of the most in need of financial advice and transformational lifestyle changes.”

Having successfully enlisted hundreds of churches and faithbased organizations and thousands of individuals in the dfree® financial freedom movement, dfree® Founder DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. announced today that a key goal for 2017 is to bring more entrepreneurs, millennials and women to the movement.

“America’s consumer debt is $3.4 trillion and the average American household balance-carries $16,048 in debt,” Soaries said. “People are suffering. The groups we’ve

About 25 percent of Americans say they’ve considered starting a business but didn’t due to barriers such as lack of personal savings.[1] When it comes to young adults, only 24 percent of millennials demonstrated basic financial knowledge.[2] Millennials are financially fragile with 53 percent carrying over a credit card balance in the last 12 months and 50 percent believing they couldn’t come up with $2,000 for an unexpected need within the next month. 2 And 92 percent of women report they want to learn more about financial planning.[3] Soaries will discuss dfree® when he joins many in the new target audiences on the red carpet of BET’s Centric network event Super Bowl Gospel Celebration 2017 airing Sunday Feb. 5, 2017. This event is the first of many designed “to meet people where they are” so that dfree® becomes even more accessible and actionable.

“I am focused like a laser on helping people from every background, particularly African Americans, pay our bills as we go, get away from those highcost credit cards, pay our bills on time, avoid using late fees as an excuse to pay our bills late, and then to live within our means,” Soaries recently said, in a dfree® video message, of his passion to help others realize financial freedom and economic justice.

He noted that, under the Trump administration, people can expect less help from government and therefore need to turn to viable alternatives and strategies.

“The civil rights movement lost a lot of steam but didn’t end with Martin Luther King’s death,” Soaries said. “King’s dream included specific economic empowerment steps that the dfree® financial freedom movement is now helping people achieve.”

After Soaries’ own church started participating in dfree®, during the height of the 2008 recession,

church giving increased by more than $1 million. Through books, conferences, training, support and motivation, dfree® helps individuals focus on the root causes of their financial woes and take practical measures to build better financial habits. While the annual dfree® conference has attracted more than 2,000 people each year, the movement intends to reach new audiences through regional conferences, the first of which is scheduled for March 3 and 4, 2017 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield, California. The conference, sponsored in lead by Prudential, includes lunch and features a power-packed line up of speakers including Soaries, The Money Coach Lynnette KhalfaniCox and Pastor Claybon Lea, Jr., Grammy Award Winning Gospel Artist & Producer Fred Hammond performs Friday night.

Free registration for the Say Yes to the Next Level conference is open: http://bit.ly/2jM0E5y.

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LOCAL NEWS

SETON HALL LAW OFFERS NEW WEEKEND JD PROGRAM

Classes will be scheduled to enable weekend students to have the full spectrum of cocurricular opportunities open to full-time students, including law journals, moot court and mock trial programs as well as student services and professional organizations.

Seton Hall University School of Law has announced an innovative weekend JD program to make law school more accessible to working professionals. The weekend program, the only one of its kind in the New York metropolitan area and one of only a few nationwide, offers classes at the Law School’s Newark campus on alternate weekends for students who seek to balance their alreadybusy schedules with a law school education.

“Seton Hall Law has long been committed to access to a legal education, and this weekend offering continues that tradition.

Students in our new part-time weekend program will enjoy a fullyimmersive law school experience with flexibility better suited to their busy lives,” said Seton Hall Law Dean Kathleen Boozang.

“They will be taught by the same outstanding professors who teach in the Law School’s full-time division, using a combination of traditional classroom learning and technology-driven distance learning,” she added.

Seton Hall Law’s part-time weekend program will begin in the fall of 2017. Students attend classes over eight weekends each semester. The curriculum is enhanced by self-

directed activities and discussions with professors and classmates via Seton Hall Law’s online learning platform.

As they progress through their studies and begin taking elective courses, students will have even greater scheduling flexibility through a combination of fully-online courses and live courses in other time slots, including weekend, evenings, winter intersession, and the summer. Although the program is designed to be completed in four years, students may accelerate their degree completion in a variety of ways.

“Earning a JD while holding a fulltime job is always a challenge,” admits Dean of Admissions Gisele Joachim, “but Seton Hall Law believes this approach will ensure working professionals can more easily balance family, career, and law school. This new weekend offering is an extension of Seton Hall Law’s ongoing investment in tailoring the law school experience to the individual student’s schedule and career aspirations.”

Applications are currently being accepted for fall 2017. Anyone interested in learning more should call 888-415-7271 or visit the program’s webpage. Applications for the part-time weekend program can be submitted through the Law School Admission Council at lsac. org. Information about Seton Hall Law generally is available at http:// law.shu.edu.

CHECKLIST FOR TAX IDENTITY SECURITY Tax identity theft is a billion-dollar business. In 2013, the IRS identified 5.1 million fraudulent returns and paid more than $5.8 billion in fraudulent refunds.

Do not give out a Social Security Number (SSN) on the phone or in a public place.

Unfortunately, it’s a relatively easy crime to commit. All the information a criminal typically needs to file a fraudulent tax return is a person’s name, date of birth and Social Security number. They also need a way to file an electronic return.

Do not share an online user ID, password or PIN with others. Do not leave this information anywhere someone else can easily see or gain access to it.

There is no fool-proof way to stop identity theft. The good news is that the number of new reports of identity theft by individuals who filed 2015 federal tax returns has fallen by more than 50 percent thanks to the IRS and the tax industry partnering to combat tax fraud. But there is more to do, and it also takes vigilance and action on the part of consumers.

For National Tax Security Awareness Week, taxpayers can review this checklist with some simple ways they can protect their information, beware of scams and be vigilant with their taxes.

PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Do not carry a Social Security card in a wallet.

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Do not send a SSN or date of birth in an email or a text.

Avoid easily guessed or common names and numbers for passwords and PINs. Change passwords regularly and don’t use the same password for multiple accounts.

Close unused credit-card accounts and destroy the credit card.

Use a shredder for documents containing personal information.

Use firewalls, anti-spam/virus software, update security patches.

Look for the S in https which means the site uses secure encryption technology.

Review financial statements like credit card bills and bank statements for suspicious activity.

BEWARE OF SCAMS

Do not shop online on public Wi-Fi where information can be intercepted.

Be aware of phishing and social engineering scams. Be suspicious of emails that ask for credentials. Do not provide personal information over the phone, via text, through the mail or on the Internet.

Request a copy of a credit report and keep tabs on who might be accessing it.

The IRS will never email or connect on social media to request personal information.

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The IRS will never call to demand immediate payment.

The IRS will never ask for credit or debit card information over the phone.

The IRS will never require specific payment methods.

The IRS will always contact taxpayers by mail first about taxes owed.

Report phone calls, emails or letters from IRS impersonators to the Treasury Department. Use its IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting Portal or call 800-366-4484. www.newyorktrendnyc.com

EDUCATION

UNCF ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL ACHIEVEMENT CAPSTONE PROGRAM AWARDEES

Thirty-seven recent college graduates were announced recenty as inaugural recipients of the UNCF Achievement Capstone Program, each receiving a $2,500 award to pay an unmet undergraduate balance or finance an advanced degree.

The new program, administered

by UNCF and underwritten by the National Achievement® Scholarship Program, conducted

by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), honors and grants financial assistance to high-achieving, underrepresented college graduates at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) in the United States.

“The award money that I’m receiving from UNCF is an investment in my future, and those who donate to support African American students can see a return on that investment in me,” said Shaw University graduate Jordan Galloway, who is pursuing his Ph.D. in chemistry and chemical biology at the University of California, Merced.

The National Achievement Scholarship Program has recognized and honored academically talented Black American high school students through NMSC for 51 years. The final group of high school students recognized in the program entered college in 2015. UNCF now carries on the National Achievement® Scholarship Program’s name and legacy through the newlydesigned UNCF Achievement Capstone Program, which launched last spring. ®

UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholars were nominated by their college or university presidents, chancellors and deans based on outstanding academic performance, character and demonstrated leadership honoring the legacy of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Candidates must be African American, must attend an accredited four-year, degreegranting HBCU or PBI and must have high academic performance leading to their campus’ eligibility for earning the designation of cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude upon undergraduate graduation. Awardees may use the scholarship to pay off outstanding undergraduate educational costs at their current institutions or to finance additional degrees, professional certifications and continuing education programs.

Nominations for the 2017 awards will open in January for 87 eligible

HBCUs and PBIs. The award amounts for selected scholars will be between $2,000 and $5,000.

Jasmine Bogan is a 2016 graduate of Fayetteville State University with a degree in biology. She is currently pursuing her masters in animal science at Fort Valley State University and will use the Achievement Capstone award to attend her dream school–UNCF-member institution Tuskegee University–to become a veterinarian.

“A lot of people aren’t able to receive financial assistance to make it through college, especially for graduate studies,” said Bogan.

“Grad students are still students and we still need help. This award will truly help me out a lot.”

“For more than 72 years, UNCF has worked to get students to and through college, and awards more than $100 million in scholarships

annually,” said Larry Griffith, UNCF senior vice president of scholarships and programs. “This program further expands UNCF’s reach to African American students across the country who will benefit from the honor, recognition and financial assistance accompanying these prestigious awards upon earning their bachelor’s degree.”

“NMSC is proud to partner with UNCF to carry on the name and legacy of the National Achievement Scholarship Program through the newly established UNCF Achievement Capstone Program,” said Timothy McGuire, President and CEO of NMSC. “We are thrilled to join with UNCF in honoring the inaugural class of UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholars, and we look forward to witnessing their continued successes and ongoing accomplishments well into the future.”

PROGRAM PREPARING YOUTH FOR CAREERS IN CULINARY INDUSTRY the restaurant industry. Participants will receive paid, on-the-job training with an industry partner in order to gain hands-on experience. The culmination of both skills and experience training will provide participants with the tools needed to successfully fill positions in a growing industry.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Department of Small Business Services and its NYC Food & Beverage Hospitality Council today kicked off NYC Restaurant Week by announcing a new three-month program connecting out-of-school, out-of-work youth with rewarding careers in the New York City restaurant NewYorkTrendnyc

industry. Stage NYC, pronounced “stazhje,” is a partnership with the hospitality industry that will help meet the restaurant sector’s growing demand for qualified culinary employees while creating new career pathways for New Yorkers. The program will cover technical skills and life skills to ready young adults, aged 18-24, for careers in

“Thanks to leaders in the restaurant industry, we are allowing young individuals who find themselves out of school and out of work to gain the skills and experience needed to begin a successful career in the culinary field.”

“Stage NYC provides out-of-school, outof-work youth with the comprehensive training and skills needed to embark on a rewarding career path in the hospitality industry,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. “By working

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with industry leaders, we are helping restaurants succeed in our City while providing New Yorkers with access to career opportunities involving indemand skills.”

Stage NYC will target out-of-school and out-of-work young adults, ages 18-24, across all 5 boroughs. The three-month program will first provide participants with a week of classroom training that encompasses both indemand, technical skills training and soft skills training, such as how to interact with potential supervisors, coworkers and restaurant guests. The remainder of the program will involve students participating in on-the-job training with a local restaurant to gain on-the-job experience. Following the program, participants will have the skills and experience needed to build a successful career in the culinary field. www.newyorktrendnyc.com

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COUNTY TREASURER’S SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that I shall on the 21st day of February, 2017 through the 24th day of February, 2017, beginning at 10:00 o’clock in the morning each day, in the Legislative Chambers, First Floor, Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building, 1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, New York, sell at public auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 17th, 2017 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property.

Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code.

Effective with the February, 2017 lien sale Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $125.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased.

A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17674 A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 16th, 2017.

Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office.

Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audio-tape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 Ext. 13715.

Dated: January 2017 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York

TERMS OF SALE Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.

EATS

However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act(FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et.seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC) receivership.

The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed. The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf, covering their investment in said tax lien. The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk.

The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase shall be of no further effect.

Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale.

Dated: January 2017 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York

GREAT FOOD MAKES VALENTINE’S DAY AT YARD HOUSE PERFECT

Food and beer lovers are the perfect match at Yard House this Valentine’s Day with a menu highlighting some of their most popular dishes, cocktails and sparkling wines. The restaurant, which boasts an impressive selection of food, beer and handcrafted cocktails, will seat guests as they arrive – no reservations needed.

“Yard House is the perfect setting for Valentine’s Day because our menu appeals to a wide range of tastes,” said Executive Chef Carlito Jocson “We have more than 100 items made from scratch daily, more than 100 taps of beer plus wine, Champagne and handcrafted cocktails.”

Yard House has highlighted selections for Valentine’s Day that include: APPETIZERS POKE NACHOS marinated raw ahi, avocado, cilantro, serranos, green onions, nori, sesame seeds, sweet soy, sriracha aïoli, white truffle sauce, crispy wontons FRIED CALAMARI spicy tomato sauce, roasted jalapeño tartar SPINACH CHEESE DIP feta, jack, parmesan, cream cheese, crispy flatbread ENTRÉES LOBSTER MAC N CHEESE sundried tomatoes, asparagus, wild 10 NewYorkTrendnyc

mushrooms, cheddar, parmesan, truffle oil

brownie with graham cracker crust and roasted marshmallows

VEUVE CLICQUOT

GINGER CRUSTED SALMON wasabi mashed potatoes, snap peas, carrots, spicy peanut vinaigrette

MINI TRIO SAMPLER crème brûlée, peach apple cobbler, chocolate soufflé cake

12 oz RIB EYE spinach-corn mashed potatoes, broccolini, housemade steak sauce

SUNKISSED SANGRIA ecco domani pinot grigio, stoli peachik, bacardi silver, citrus agave, peach purée, seasonal orange, pomegranate seeds, strawberries

Yard House will open at 11am on February 14 and will offer its regular menu for lunch, dinner and latenight dining. Visit yardhouse.com/ valentine or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/yardhouse, Instagram and Twitter @yardhouse

PARMESAN CRUSTED PORK LOIN bourbon-sage-cherry shallot sauce, broccolini, mashed sweet potatoes ORANGE PEEL CHICKEN baby corn, bok choy, orange glaze, jasmine rice - gardein™ option available DESSERTS S’MORES BROWNIE chocolate

SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

BROWN SUGAR BOURBON OLD FASHIONED four roses bourbon SPARKLING WINE + CHAMPAGNE ZARDETTO prosecco (glass or bottle)

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DOM PÉRIGNON (bottle only)

When Yard House opened in 1996 in Long Beach, California, it revolutionized the restaurant industry by creating a 250-tap draft beer system. Its lofty design, warm wood accents, and industrial vibe with the use of steel and chrome, made it a dining destination from the start. www.newyorktrendnyc.com

ENDNOTES TRAVELERS LOVE ECONOMY RATES

Last year, New Yorker’s made 12,315 last minute bookings with CheapCaribbean.com. Infact, 20.7 percent of all bookings out of NYC were last minute. This comes as no surprise as New Yorkers work hard and play harder. Below are the top destinations visited last year by those who live in the big apple, and along with deals from CheapCaribbean.com, they can easily book last minute sand and sun filled escapes.

Mexico, Cancun — (26,851) 5,886 in NYC Occidental Costa Cancun — Book 5 days, 4 nights, Travel Dates 1/31 - 4/12

CheapCaribbean.com is the leading online travel agency that specializes in travel to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, has packages built for every type of luxury traveler.

HOT TRAVEL DEALS!!!

Mexico, Riviera Maya — (45,480 total bookings) 7,292 booked in NYC Barcelo Maya Colonial and Tropical Beach — Book 4 days, 3 nights, Travel Dates 2/11 - 4/22 The resort’s impressive landscapes with a rain forest on three sides and over a mile of a private beach out back make this an epic paradise. Just a few sandy steps from the beach are shimmering blue pools where you’ll easily find a lounge chair and a cocktail, of course. Head to the water park for slides, splash pads and the coolest

all-inclusive adults only luxury oceanfront resort is known for pampering and spoiling you with excellent personal service, superb dining and fun - all the hallmark of the Jewel Resorts brand - is ideal for friends, couples, weddings honeymoons and reunions.

thing ever - a surf pool. The family is bound to fall in love you a little bit more when their flip flops hit the deck at this palatial escape.

Dominican Republic, Punta Cana — (45,238 total bookings) 10,985 booked in NYC Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar Green Don Pablo Collection — Book 4 days, 3 nights, Travel Dates 2/1 - 4/2 With Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar Green Don Pablo Collection, you’ll get an allinclusive, adults-only retreat that is ideal for all that sunny, seaside

relaxation. You can spend your cocktail sippin’ days around one of the two sparkly pools or under the swaying palms along the shores. The draw to Punta Cana is no doubt the jaw-dropping beaches with white, soft sands and the brightest shades of bluegreen water.

Jamaica — (32,408 total bookings) 6,877 booked in NYC Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa — Book 4 days, 3 nights, Travel Dates 2/20 - 3/31 Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa, the Caribbean’s premier

Attention beach lovers, this sunny, sandsational escape is eye candy for your soul. Revel in gorgeous views of Playa Linda. Soak in all the all-inclusiveness: food, drinks, water sports and most of all, the calm. Your kiddos will have giggleworthy activities while you hide away at the stress-smashing spa.

This is the getaway you’ve worked hard for. Remember: life is short.

Time to beach.

Deal of Fortune — (9,403) 1,629 in NYC Deal of Fortune Puerto Rico — Book for 5 days, 4 nights, Travel Dates 2/6 - 4/30 In addition, CheapCaribbean.com’s mystery travel packages, Deal of Fortune, will send you to a luxury resort for up to 75 percent off. In comparison to competing mystery package deals.

FORMER JETS GREET FANS

Jets House, a New York Jets hosted party (at SPIN in NYC), where Jets players mingled with fans.

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www.newyorktrendnyc.com 11

For the 1 in 5 kids with learning and attention issues, every day can be a challenge. Explore Understood.org, a free online resource designed to help you help your child thrive in school and in life.

Brought to you by 15 nonprofit partners.

understood.org 12 NewYorkTrendnyc

February 9, 2017 - February 15, 2017

www.newyorktrendnyc.com