Monthly Archives: May 2014

Baruch’s Caribbean Student Association (CSA) presents their 40th annual Caribbean show. The Association has been notorious for carrying out the reputation of “wowing” their audience and allowing the experience of diversity within Caribbean culture. For the past 39 years the show has been known to over exceed the high expectations from not only previous attendees but from the performers, the previous board members and past and current co sponsors. This year marks the 40th year and the pressures for the current board members is on high. They will have to face the pressures of putting on a show to the expectations of the well known CSA show while adding a twist different from that of the previous years.

I have had the pleasure of following the current President Sharnice Ottley, the VP Nkechi Aurora and the Secretary Ashley Skeritt during their preparation to successfully execute the show in assurance that it will be just as amazing and even better than the ones that preceded. This years show themed Elements of Carnival will illustrate all of the things a carnival in various Caribbean islands consist of. The show is set out to allow its audience to feel as if they are actually at carnival. All three E board members along with their team have been very dedicated and hard working. From daily practices to contacting the entertainment, and coordinating the program of the entire show they are all very confident that their ability to work together as a team with equal efforts will result in mind blowing show.

This year’s show will feature performers such as Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann, Lyrical and other well known artists. The show will be hosted by Maja Hype who is a well known comedian who has mastered the art of social media and youtube. There will be a number of scenes that will include acrobats, models, lingerie and a surprise performance.This show has been selling tickets pretty fast and there has been a lot of word throughout all of the CUNY colleges in anticipation for the big day, May 9th. With all of the hard work, dedication and support from the previous board members, alumni and other co sponsors this show is forecasted to be one of the biggest shows yet.

By Bajram Bunardziu

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1l0QhJ1PJwTiu6YkHuOGeBdo77Fgm_OBSwGyavg3gy74/edit?usp=sharing

Flag Football is a game that is growing in the United States, based off its similarities to football has really become popular throughout the country.
There are many reasons for the growth of flag football over the years, but the one that seems to get kid’s attention the most is the fact you get to do a lot of the same things on the football field as your favorite player in an NFL game without someone trying to knock you out. The same reasoning is also an opinion shared by many parents, and Bleranda Marku a mother of a player in the United Sports Youth League (USYL) said the following in agreeing with the statement, “I like the fact that my son can run around, play a fast and exciting game without him getting hit by giants. He is only 70 pounds in the seventh grade!”

With concussions being such a big topic in the NFL the last several years, parents have taken an approach to encourage their kids to find a new sport to play that is less violent. But just as the NFL is the most popular league in the country currently, kids still want to be like Peyton Manning or Calvin Johnson, and in this sport you can be just like them.
Flag football leagues have also grown a great deal over the last few years. According to Greg Janvier, president of the USYL, more kids are participating in playing flag football now than ever before, “I do not know if it is completely related to the rise in awareness in concussions, but more and more kids are joining. It is great to see the kids still play a competitive game, have a lot of fun doing it, and when it is all said and done, they can look back and say, I remember playing flag football when I was younger, almost in the same way I personally can say I remember playing football when I was their age.”

According to Mr. Janvier he believes another reason why the game is growing is the fact the game encourages more quick and athletic kids to play. A kid who plays basketball during the winter and summer time, can now use a lot of those similar skill sets to play flag football during their offseason without anywhere close to as much of an injury risk as regular football is. Arman Qoku, 8, a player for USYL also plays soccer on Staten Island for another league says, “The game is a lot of fun because just like in soccer, you have to run a lot, and I like to run. Plus it is easier to score touchdowns, and that’s a lot of fun!”

Another reason Mr. Janvier says the game is great because you do not need coaches who have had football experience in their past to make the game enjoyable for kids. Most of the coaches in his league only needed to pass a level one flag football test on usafootball.com to become a registered coach. This allows the coaches to learn the basic fundamentals of the game, while also learning how to properly call plays in the huddle with their teams. Coaches then for the most part put their own little wrinkle on the game. “You could really have a lot of fun calling plays with your team because nothing you do is really traditional to what you see on TV every Saturday or Sunday,” Albion Markos, coach of the 11-13 year old division in USYL said, “You could play two teams who love to run the football and go about it completely different ways, or a team who loves throwing it every play. It makes each week interesting and a lot of fun because you never know who you will see that game, which leads to some interesting matchups.”

Flag football for the most part is being play in the elementary school to junior high school level, but there has been such a huge surge in popularity of the game that now the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) has a flag football league for the girls to play during the spring semester of the school year. The league started flag football in 2011, and has grown to where nearly all of the public schools in NYC currently have a flag football team. “It is a fun game for the girls to play especially when you have a bunch of real good athletes who are just as competitive as the boys and feel they can kick the boys’ butts if given the chance.” Bashkim Pelinkovic, head coach of Susan E. Wagner’s flag football team said, “It is the closest opportunity they have to play a game that is a lot of fun, because girls also like the game too, so why not have a chance to play it. Some of their brothers play on the football team, so they like to brag when they score a touchdown in a game and their brother hasn’t.”

It is a growing game with the potential to have longevity due to its constant developing popularity. It is a game that has the potential to progress into one of the most popular recreational games in the entire country.

Mike Scotti, the ultimate community man, is now the president of the Staten Island Boys Football League. His dedication to the league for 22 years makes him the ideal person to be the new president of the league.

Just before turning forty, Patty Chang Anker, realized that she had not lived life to the fullest and her fears were holding her back from the things that she always wanted to do. Her kids inspired her to fight with her own fears and become an example for them and other people.

Ms.Chang was raised in an Asian family with rigid rules. As she says, Asian ideology is to do only what can pursue you to your career. The main focus of her life has been her career where she succeeds. But as she became a parent of two beautiful girls Patty wanted to help them to live life to the fullest and to not be scared of obstacles. What else can a mother wish for her cherished kids?! Parents are always the best example and a proof of their own words. Patty challenged herself to fight with her fears. This way she learned how to dive in to the swimming pool, to do a handstand, to surf and bike. It did not come to her easily. Overcoming her fears inspired her to support people who have the same problem that she has.

As most of the people, Ms. Chang was trying to find the resolution of her fears in psychological books, psychiatrist, in her family, in her childhood but could not find anything what would inspire her to fight against her fears. Then she decided to write it to herself. Ms. Chang discovered that there are a lot of people who have similar fears: driving, public speaking, heights and more. “We hold ourselves back from doing things because we underestimate ourselves and underestimate our ability to tolerate uncertainty, not knowing the outcome, discomfort”, – she says.

Finally, Ms. Chang started to become different but the one she always wanted to be: brave to challenges, inspiration to her family, more interesting to her old and new friends. Her final outcome is her published book ,“Some Nerve”, in a bright yellow cover. She gathered her friends, who are inspired by her, in a bike team called “Some Nerve” for The Five Boro Bike Tour in New York to face 40 miles of biking.

Seems like, that Ms. Chang has a new inspiration in her life: “sometimes we can feel that something is missing, what we have been looking for, we were not be able to find yet. Sometimes the answer is that we have to create it ourselves.”

Video :  http://vimeo.com/95546407

Mini presentation : https://vimeo.com/95553843

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1po879DJAw0GhSs9Isq0kphytIDrOaz4rDz2oCWTOR9o/edit?usp=sharing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGyB2VlQ1eU

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gOtcQruvZV3qN8bN8zmvJ9ChoDSFQeVRmw4HCy6Sifc/edit?usp=sharing

The Botanic Garden’s 30TH Annual Sakura Matsuri , a celebration of japanese cultural dance , music, fashion, and sword fighting
A large tent stands in the Cherry Esplanade at the Botanic garden, where thousands of people gathered for “ A day in Japan,” with performances by Soh Daiko, Dancejapan, the Samurai Sword Soul, Taiko Masala, and a traditional Kimono fashion show.
A thunderous performance by Soh Daiko kicks off the event, with load, and rhythmic beatings of the drums. Men and women drummers on all sides of the stage playing at the same time , but each playing at a different rhythm and pace.
“ We are very honored to have a group , that premiers women drummers , wish is not the usual,” said Anita Jacobs the director of public programs at the Botanic garden. “ The drumming is a load ancient form of art used as a call to war.”
Dancejapan with Sachiyo Ito follows the drumming with softer and spiritual dance music. Every dance had its own meaning, and dressing of the Kimono, like the flower dance and the Kabuki. Part of the dancejapan performance was the good luck dragon. The dragon runs around the stage, throws candy to the children, all while trying to catch a man to give a bight for one year of good luck.
“ A beautiful classical dance company directed by Sachiyo Ito, which choreographs different dances each year,” said Ms Jacobs. “ She includes the Nihon Buyo as well as other elegant old tradition dances.”
The crowd later learns some self defense with the Samurai Sword Soul, presenting a sword fight between two groups of martial arts warriors for the release of the captured princess.
“ A drama group which have been with us for 10 years, created by Yoshi Amal , a master of Samurai sword fighting,” said Anita Jacobs. “ They are professional black belts, theatrical, fun music, play different character every year.”
While Taiko Masala is also a drumming group they add a unique style of Brooklyn to their performance. “ A wonderful thing a like to think about Taiko Masala , is that Hero the leader of the group hand makes all the drums, some of the drums are 5 to 6 feet crafted from the ground up,” said Ms Jacobs. “ Very athletic performances with some dancing involved.”
A colorful ending of the Sakura Matsuri with the Kimono fashion show , displaying the furisode, Odori Katamigawari, Houmongi, and the Tomesode.
The Sakura Matsuri is a Japanese traditional event which is part of the Botanic gardens Cherry Blossom festival. Each year they have “ A day in Japan.”

by Sophia Morgan

France-based brand Zadig and Voltaire, established in 1997, seeks to embody a free-spirited  take on life and a rock-and-roll chic sense of style. The brand name was inspired by a book called The Book of Fate by Voltaire.

With her unique sense of style wearing her Zadig skull imprinted t-shirt, black leggings, Zadig scarf wrap thrown stylishly around her neck and low studded boots, General Manager Kim Martin projects an edgy and playful look. This is  Zadig and Voltaire’s distinctive style, with must-have cuts and timeless pieces.

Even though it a baby brand she feels confident of the sense of direction the brand is headed.

“It’s all about trust your instinct, trust who you are, go against the grain,” she said.

This revolutionary spirit captures the brand origins, Zadig was a French revolutionary that was capture several times and his book basically teaches about life and how to overcome the struggles in life.

Martin has overseen four separate stores and started out as a supervisor. Just two months after starting at Bloomingdales she got promoted to a manager. Zadig and Voltaire have ten stores in New York City and thirty-five stores overall. The company is expanding and has broadened its horizon in well-known department stores such as Bloomingdales, Neman and Marcus and Nordstrom as well. The brand caters to kids and both a female and male client base.

She has always had a passion for art in general and she thinks and Zadig and Voltaire designs exemplify that.

“Fashion is art,” she said.

Want to get strong fast? Hans Pirman knows a little bit about what it takes to be strong. Pirman is a competition strongman, sport bodybuilder, and personal trainer for over 29 years. He began his fitness career at the age of 15 and has since then taught others his unique approach to fitness. There’s no time to sit around when you come to his class. He’ll work you until you can no longer feel your arms. I speak from experience. His training is called Strongman fitness. He owns his very own gym called “Global Strongman” located in Midtown. Strongman training pushes you to the limits. Any age or body shape can do this training with proper instruction.

This article was published by Gil Vazquez

Williamsburg Pet Services from GILVMEDIA on Vimeo.

If you are native to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, you already know that the demographics as well as the real estate scene has changed dramatically over the last decade and along with the increasing demand for housing, there also seems to be an increasing demand for pet services. This includes pet veterinary services as well as pet supply stores and other services such as pet sitting and grooming.

East Williamsburg is now the home to many pet oriented stores, businesses and recreational areas, and the businesses seem to be performing well. On almost every block you can see someone walking their dog whether it is a feisty and rowdy Chihuahua or their large and strong faced Pit Bull. And you do not have to walk far to come across a pet shop, supply store or something related to pets.

There are now several dog parks in the area. Probably the most know are located at Cooper Park on Olive Street and Maspeth Avenue, and McCarren Park located on Driggs Ave and N 12th St, both in the 11211 area code. Cooper Park and newly renovated McCarren Park each feature a “Dog Run” which is a large, gated area for dogs to run around and exercise unleashed.

     Williamsburg Animal Clinic supplies the local community with affordable pet veterinary services that have been lacking in the area for quite some time.  Williamsburg Animal Clinic has been open since October of 2007 and the owner, Dr. Orlando R. Diaz, DVM, says that he noticed the need for veterinary services in his local community and decided to open up his own pet clinic here. The clinic has a total of 5 medical veterinary doctors, including all dealing with different specialties.

Directly across the street from Williamsburg Animal Clinic is the Top Paws pet supply shop and nearby that is NYC Pet supplies store. Both these newly opened businesses sell pet food and pet supplies but their most important attraction is that they focus largely on selling holistic and better quality pet food. Top Paws also offers grooming and pet sitting services. NYC Pet’s Williamsburg location has only been open a month.

Nick from Williamsburg said he has been taking his 10 year old pit bull Max to Williamsburg Animal Clinic since they opened in 2007 and just started going to NYC Pet to try out their brands of food. So far he has been satisfied with all the pet service in the community. Christina from Brooklyn said that the prices of the veterinarians here are cheaper than in other locations.

Whether you are looking for a veterinarian, trying to buy some healthy or organic pet food, someone or some place to leave your dog with while you’re at work or out of town, or just trying to go for some exercise at the park, Williamsburg Brooklyn has all that to offer and more.