ONISSA SANCHO

A Bike Share kiosk located on the corner of Park ave. and St. Edwards Street in Brooklyn. Photo: Onissa Sancho

By: Onissa Sancho

Residents of Fort Greene and surrounding areas of Brooklyn attended a town hall meeting on April 24 to learn about and offer feedback on the Citi Bike Share Program, which was newly introduced by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT). Under this program, the DOT installed hundreds of bike stations, known as kiosks, throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. These Kiosks will have bikes available for rent that can be used by the public at their discretion.

Several people attended the meeting, which was organized by Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James and the DOT, held at the Church of the Sacred Heart located at 30 Clermont Ave. in Brooklyn. After introducing the hosts of the event, James opened the floor to questions from the audience.

As many questions were asked, the reactions of the audience made it clear that the room was divided; there were residents in favor of the Bike Share and those against it.“My problem is not with the program,” said one Brooklyn resident, “I think it’s fine, however it’s a commercial enterprise and it doesn’t need to be in a residential, historic district.” Several individuals felt similarly; another resident presented a signed petition with over 100 signatures of local residents who want the kiosks on their block removed. “We have enough schools, we have enough city parks, why aren’t we using city property? Why are [kiosks] here burdening our tax paying citizens?” Though several complaints about the locations of the kiosks and the parking issues presented to residents, many people were in favor of the Bike Share program. “I am so excited for Bike Share, because the best way through this city is on a bike,” one enthusiastic resident said. “If you’re worried about parking, keep your car parked and use Bike Share.”

Councilwoman James took to the microphone to inform the audience that within ten years working closely in Brooklyn neighborhoods, a number of fatalities have occurred in the area involving bikes being struck by cars. James said she would rather allow the kiosks to stay as “an age old reminder that we need to share the road and need to respect those who lost their lives.”

Residents of Fort Greene and surrounding areas of Brooklyn attended a town hall meeting on April 24 to learn about and offer feedback on the Citi Bike Share Program, which was newly introduced by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT). Under this program, the DOT installed hundreds of bike stations, known as kiosks, throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. These Kiosks will have bikes available for rent that can be used by the public at their discretion.

Several people attended the meeting, which was organized by Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James and the DOT, held at the Church of the Sacred Heart located at 30 Clermont Ave. in Brooklyn. After introducing the hosts of the event, James opened the floor to questions from the audience.

As many questions were asked, the reactions of the audience made it clear that the room was divided; there were residents in favor of the Bike Share and those against it.“My problem is not with the program,” said one Brooklyn resident, “I think it’s fine, however it’s a commercial enterprise and it doesn’t need to be in a residential, historic district.” Several individuals felt similarly; another resident presented a signed petition with over 100 signatures of local residents who want the kiosks on their block removed. “We have enough schools, we have enough city parks, why aren’t we using city property? Why are [kiosks] here burdening our tax paying citizens?” Though several complaints about the locations of the kiosks and the parking issues presented to residents, many people were in favor of the Bike Share program. “I am so excited for Bike Share, because the best way through this city is on a bike,” one enthusiastic resident said. “If you’re worried about parking, keep your car parked and use Bike Share.”

Councilwoman James took to the microphone to inform the audience that within ten years working closely in Brooklyn neighborhoods, a number of fatalities have occurred in the area involving bikes being struck by cars. James said she would rather allow the kiosks to stay as “an age old reminder that we need to share the road and need to respect those who lost their lives.”

(Darrel Jones and Angie Hauser dancers of Bebe Miller Company(left to right)

Photo Credit: www.northrop.umn.edu)

On the left side of the Kumble Theater stage, a large screen slowly descends and lands about a foot from the ground. On the screen, there’s a man with a woman. And a short distance behind the screen is a rectangular table.

Entering from the right side of the stage and moving with skilled discipline is a man who places himself in a horizontal position under the table, which is located behind the screen. The word “Angie-ness” is displayed on the screen as the woman, whose first name is Angie, suddenly enters the stage. She moves fluidly and quickly alongside a male dancer, Darrel. The screen shows the two dancing on stage at the same time. Their individuality is clear yet they’re also in sync. The Bebe Miller Company and 651 Arts presents the show titled A History, which was an hour and fifteen minutes of unique, lively, and humorous fun.

Bebe Miller’s Company (BMC) and 651Arts reunite to stage the performance of A History at the Kumble Theater. The organization 651Arts, aims to seek awareness and showcase artistic works from individuals of African descent, while focusing on the African Diaspora and contemporary art. Under 651Arts, works are presented throughout the New York City area with Brooklyn as the main focus.

“Our first connection with 651 was back in 2001,” said Miller. “They presented and commissioned our work [Verge].” Dancers Angie Hauser and Darrel Jones of Bebe Miller’s Dance Company were the performers for the shows Verge and A History. As a proud Brooklynite, Miller is honored to work with 651Arts again.

“I appreciate that and I’m glad 651 is a part of that,” said Miller in speaking about showcasing A History in Brooklyn. “The show was kind of first more of an idea, than a performance piece,” Miller said. Collaborating with dancers on “A History” with Hauser and Jones – along with Talvin Wilkes – the idea was to convey the perspective and experience of the creator and dancers of Bebe Miller’s Company. “We on the inside really live in that connected tissue, from piece to piece,” said Miller. “Would there be a way to somehow make all of that visible – whether it be a website, that becomes an archive of the creative process, or some other means?” For her, the answer was found on stage.

Hauser, Jones and Miller each live and teach in different states, but they always find a way to come together to produce great works. Hauser and Jones were originally fans of Miller. Later they became students at Bebe Miller’s Dance Company [BMC] – and now, of course, they’re members.

Jones saw the company perform about eighteen years ago, which led him to join BMC. “I was really [struck] in particular by the performances of her company and particularly Bebe,” he said. And Hauser decided to join BMC twenty years ago after seeing Miller perform in Georgia. “It was very compelling and important to me,” said Hauser. It got in my guts, in a way that I definitely wanted to know more about it.”

Dancers Hauser and Jones, made the choreography of “A History” seem so natural. “I don’t think there is one recipe for it,” said Hauser about her work ethic. “I have to be present in that moment, in that room, with those people at that time.”

Jones uses rehearsal time not only to perfect the choreography, but to also become mentally prepared. “For me it’s about clearing things out. I feel like in our rehearsal process, we’re practicing those things, sometimes over and over again, sometimes buried in the moment,” said Jones. “When performance time comes around I’m relying on that training that I’ve done in those rehearsal settings, like a muscle memory. I usually try to calm my mind, so there are not a lot of filters in the way for those things to reveal themselves,” said Jones.

For Jones, the piece A History means spending time with a group of people and the physical language. And it’s an experience that can be shared. “I think it’s a vocabulary sometimes that we’ve used in service of different ideas,” said Jones. “It’s a lofty idea, but it’s a simple idea. So I feel like the piece is very revealing for me in that way about how I can reveal my relationships.

Hauser adds, “What I often like when I see performances is seeing the people do what they do, and to get a chance to see them living and knowing that we’re watching them.” The talented dancer also believes that people who witness the show can personally connect to it. “I’m excited to be a part of a piece like this because I enjoy it from the outside,” said Hauser. “I feel really happy that we really made it together.”

“The beginning is always daunting. Once you’re in it, there’s highs and lows energetically,” said Jones. “Usually after you’re finished, the energy is still tingling a little bit.”

After pushing herself to the limit on stage, Hauser finds relief from the audience. “When I get tired I think, just invite them in, and invite them to share this,” she said. [By saying] ‘Come on, come with me’ helps me to just survive it.”

For more information on upcoming events from Bebe Miller Company please visit www.bebemillercompany. org and for more on 651 Arts, please visit www.651arts.org.

( Photo: Onissa Sancho)

This is Jermaine Isaac’s second and final term as LIU Brooklyn’s Student Government President. “I’m graduating in May with a degree in Media Arts and going to graduate school for political science at LIU,” says Isaac. With hopes of becoming a lawyer, he credits his time as SGA President as an inspiration.

2011 was his first year assuming the role: “The first day [in office] was a strike,” Isaac recalled. “I’ve seen other presidents go through stress, but when I became president, it got real.”

The teacher’s strike during his first term was like a glimpse into the hardships experienced this year, which was his second term. One student party turned into a huge brawl in the Avena Lounge, which led to the arrests of several LIU Men’s Basketball players. “It was a difficult situation and as a result it damaged our whole semester,” says Isaac. Other disastrous incidents occurred as well, such as Superstorm Sandy crippling NYC requiring the campus to shut down for a few days and the Blackbird Cafe closing due to a failing sanitation grade. “This student government immediately acted,” he said. “We were finding answers the same day that the cafeteria was shut down.”

The passing of several campus community members also strained Isaac greatly. The deceased include students, such as Jason Henry, Marisha Cheong and Benjamin Presley, History Professor John Brennan and Residence Life & Housing Director Dr. Rodney G. Pink, who was a mentor to Isaac. “I attended more memorials than my own family here at LIU Brooklyn,” Isaac said.

“This is not easy, this is not a fun job, it’s a political job and you have to be a servant in this position,” Isaac said. As a student and SGA president the two intertwine, therefore Isaac has to draw a line between them. “My personal life exits at the door, it does not come in [the office]. When I come in here (office) I want to get the work done.”

From the eyes of a student looking in, Isaac believes students think things come easy for members of the SGA. “Some students don’t like us because they think we’re getting all these perks and we’re not,” Isaac said. “Tuition remissions, and free housing,” are the perks he mentioned. “The only other perks are headaches.”

Some accomplishments Isaac would like to be remembered for are student parking, located near the BAM Theater in the GBMC parking lot and raising over $7,000 in scholarships. “I was professional at the end of the day,” Isaac said. “I may have slipped a few times, but I remained professional.”

Former SGA President Ty Christian Joseph influenced and encouraged Isaac to run for office. “I saw Ty as the president and he was a leader he stood on his own,” recalls Isaacs. “He graduated and went off to South Korea, and he’s teaching in Ethiopia now.” Isaac considered Joseph to be a role model because he is an African American male who wasn’t afraid to step out of his comfort zone in pursuit of a higher cause. Joseph is now an English Professor in Ethiopia—Isaac gives him credit since it was Joseph’s character that made Isaac think, “I want to be like this guy, but even better.”

“You’re here for the students, that’s the first thing you have to put in your head. Be a chameleon, you’ve got to fit in [on campus],” he said. “When something happens, you’ve got to be ready to say something.”

SGA President Jermaine Isaac’s days in office and as an undergraduate are almost over. This May, he will be a member of the first LIU class to graduate in the Barclay Center. “I just want people to remember that I conducted myself like a president,” he said.

(Photo Credit: Chase Melvin) 

LIU Brooklyn’s Department of Accounting, Taxation and Law offers free income tax preparation to its community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Implemented by the Internal Revenue Service in 1971, the VITA program runs every spring from February to April; it gives LIU students and employees, as well as the general public, the chance to take advantage of VITA’s services.

California State University, Northridge accountant Gary Iskowitz founded VITA in 1971. The objective of the program was to help the community through free tax preparation provided by California State’s accounting students. Once a small group of volunteers, VITA is now a nationwide service utilized by thousands of taxpayers every year.

Now in its 41st year of operation, the VITA program at LIU Brooklyn continues to focus on helping the community and giving students hands-on experience with tax preparation. VITA’s hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Friday and Saturday on the first floor of the Pratt Building. The program is running through April 13.

Individuals who would like to utilize VITA’s services need to meet the following eligibility requirements:

- Have valid photo ID

- Earn an income of $51,000 or less

- Social Security Cards for taxpayers and all dependents

- W-2 form(s)

- Any other supporting document, such as 1040, IT 201, etc.

LIU Brooklyn currently has 25 to 30 volunteers for the VITA program; the volunteers are undergraduate and graduate students as well as people from surrounding communities. These volunteers are available on a weekly basis during either of the days the program runs.

Students of all majors and members of the public are encouraged to volunteer with VITA – no experience necessary. Free training courses for VITA volunteers are held on Saturdays during December and January.

VITA’s site coordinator at LIU Brooklyn is Kerry Louie, who is also the President of the Accounting Society and an accounting student on campus. “The response from the community has been overwhelming,” Louie said. “I would say that all the people that use the VITA Program are extremely grateful for our help. VITA enables them get their tax returns prepared for free, and at the same time it gives the volunteers valuable learning experience.”

Louie currently trains and provides individuals with the tools needed to become a VITA volunteer. “There is at least twice the amount of volunteers compared to last year, and they all give 110 percent,” he said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact him at [email protected]. edu, or call Dr. Myrna Fischman, Chair of the Accounting, Taxation and Law Department at (718) 780-4062. Volunteers are welcomed on an ongoing basis.

To find other locations of VITA sites in different boroughs or states, visit www. irs.gov. The current tax filing period will close April 15, 2013.

(Photo Credit: Joshua Marreno)

SGA Vice Presidential Candidate, Maxim Celestin is a Brooklyn native with Jamaican and Haitian roots. He volunteers when he can and appreciates helping others. Volunteering at The Ronald McDonald House was his latest volunteer act. “Seeing children who are suffering and knowing I could make a difference in their life for an hour, two hours or three, makes all the difference in the world.”

LIU’s Health Profession program was the reason he chose the LIU Brooklyn campus. As an upperclassman studying respiratory care, this is his first year running for SGA. Celestin says he decided to run now because “there is a lot of opportunity to help better the school.”

Celestin believes his desire to run for SGA Vice President originated in high school, as a member of Clara Barton’s debate team. The skills and experiences of being on a debate team influenced his decision to run for SGA. He wasn’t interested in treasurer or secretary, and because this is his first time running he decided to go for Vice-President.

“I can say the same thing for each member of my team, including myself. We are all hard workers, we are all intelligent, we have patience, and each of us brings something new to the table,” he said. Celestin speaks confidently about the performance ability in his teammates Sean I. James, Taiesa Heath and Bianca Lahiji-Nir.

“I think that I am surrounded by people who are thinkers. We are always thinking ahead of the next move and coming up with new innovative ideas in order to make this institution of higher learning a better place.”

The vice presidential candidate noticed the lack of unity among Brooklyn Campus students; this is one of many issues he plans to change, because it stands out the most. Finding ways to unite students is an idea important to Celestin and his team. If they are elected into the SGA, they plan to develop effective strategies which will bring students together. Celsetin believes that uniting all the members of the LIU community will also increase student enrollment and retention on campus. He would like everyone to have a sense of togetherness when entering LIU.

One way Celestin hopes to accomplish this task is through finding better marketing strategies. He believes many students aren’t aware of certain events because of the current marketing strategies used to promote them Celestin plans to meet with students from different departments to hear their opinions and concerns about ways of uniting LIU Brooklyn.

Celestin would like all students to remember important voting dates, which are April 16-18. Voting will take place in the lobby of the Metcalfe building.

Come out and support your favorite candidates.

(Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard)

The 100th episode of ABC’s hit television show, Castle, aired on Monday April 1. Tamala Jones, plays the sassy, no nonsense, tells-it-like-it-is Medical Examiner, Lanie Parish. Jones celebrated the momentous occasion with fellow cast members. “They’re like my second family,” said Jones. The relationship between everyone on the set of Castle is one of nurture and encouragement. Portraying a Medical Examiner is unlike any other performance Jones has undertaken.

The role of Lanie Parish was originally designed for a white actress, but that didn’t stop Jones from wanting to audition. It actually influenced her decision to audition for the role. “I wanted Hollywood to start taking notice,” Ms. Jones recalls. The audition consisted of Jones reciting four lines, which convinced the judges enough to basically make a decision on the spot that she is their Lanie Parish. “I was happy to be a part of a show that was different and outside of what I had done,” says the actress.

Tamala Jones’ favorite character outside of Lanie Parish in the show is Martha, which is played by actress Susan Sullivan. “The character Martha is wild and crazy and in her own world,” said Jones. Along with Sullivan Jones admires Meryl Streep and a host of older actresses. “Meryl Streep is an amazing actress and performer,” said Jones. A younger actress, Jones believes has a lot of potential is the star of another hit show on ABC, called Scandal. “I am a big fan of Kerry Washington. I love her on Scandal, but she could be doing a lot more. I would love to work with Kerry,” said Jones.

The actress appreciates the friendship between her character Lanie Parish and fellow actress Stana Katic, who plays Kate Beckett. “I can identify with her friendships, and how important they are to her,” said Jones. When having a bad day or feeling discouraged, her friends are who she turns to.  “Your friends keep it real, it may hurt a little bit,” admits Jones.

Jones adds that she particularly confides in two friends, one male and the other female and they are honest with her and she appreciates this aspect about them. Jones has known her female friend, whose name is Patrice for more than 15 years.

Jones considers her male friend to be positive and a truthful individual. “He can sometimes play devil’s advocate, in which he’ll present both the good and bad side of a situation,” said Jones. She recognizes that support of family and friends is needed and available when she needs it. This proved to be true, when Jones’ health was in serious trouble.

Suffering from a brain aneurysm at the tender age of 23, Jones recalls her feelings, “I was embarrassed.” Several factors weighed in on Jones’ feeling of embarrassment. “I was so young,” recalls Jones. “Being tough was a part of my make up,” said Jones. Growing up with two younger brothers, she was more of a tomboy, so it was hard for her to accept her diagnosis. “I felt the brain aneurysm made me weak.”

Jones took three months off to recover. These three months were spent in her grandmother’s house, the house she [Tamala Jones] grew up in. Jones recalls sleeping for the majority of the three months, and her grandmother taking full care of her. Jones is inspired by her grandmother because she is such a giving lady, who considers others. Growing up, Jones witnessed her grandmother become a foster parent to more than a 100 children. She eventually adopted one, who was mentally challenged, as her son.

The best advice Jones received was from the woman who inspires her, which is her grandmother. The advice was, “the world didn’t like Jesus and look what he did, perform miracles, so you go ahead and perform your miracle, child.”

Before suffering from the brain aneurysm, Jones recalls having extremely bad headaches for about two weeks. One day she woke up, still with a bad headache, but with an urge to urinate. She got out of bed in so much pain, she basically tiptoed her way to the bathroom. With no control over her body weight, she plopped onto the toilet. Jones still had the urge to urinate, but nothing was coming out. She then got up from the toilet, looked in the mirror and within seconds, collapsed to the ground. “I was laying on the ground and I heard something saying, Tamala, get up.”

She eventually got up, called her boss at the time, to tell her she is in extreme pain and may not be able to make it work. Working on the sitcom For Your Love, Jones told her boss she wasn’t feeling well and didn’t know what was wrong with her. Her boss told her she had to come into work because the last episode of the season was being filmed. In pain and without feeling on the right side of her body, Jones forced herself to go to work. The actress wasn’t able to drive using her right side, so she slowly drove herself to work steering the wheel with her left arm, and controlling the gas pedal with her left leg.

At work she was unable to move her arm, so most scenes were filmed with a prop on her, like a blanket, towel or coat. After filming all day, Jones was rushed to the hospital. The doctor was extremely surprised Jones was able to walk and speak, much less make it through a whole day of work. The physician was so shocked because brain aneurysm can cause disabilities as well as death.

“I had a [Tupacish] attitude,” said Jones, the actress felt as if she was untouchable and great because she survived a brain aneurysm at a young age. A good friend of Jones had to shoot Jones' ego back down to earth. “Who are you? I don’t know this person,” Jones’ friend told her. A good talk from this friend had taken Jones’ head out of the clouds, enough for her to begin researching brain aneurysm.

While researching she discovered she wasn’t the youngest person to experience a brain aneurysms. Jones admits her relationship with her then boss wasn’t the best even before this incident. She believes her boss didn’t know the magnitude of the symptoms that Jones was experiencing.

Years would pass before Jones and her former boss would see each other again. At an event, Jones’ former boss walked up to her [Jones] and gave her the biggest, most sincere, hug. Jones understood this gesture was a way of apologizing, without words.

Jones is now the spokesperson for the brain aneurysms Foundation.

“I have been looking for a brain aneurysm foundation for a while.” This foundation is the only one in the world dedicated to providing awareness toward the severity of brain aneurysm. “If we didn’t find each other, I would’ve started one on my own," said actress Jones has only been with the foundation for a few months, but she looks forward to working with them.

Be sure to watch Tamala Jones on ABC, Mondays at 10pm on the hit show Castle.