Shakur, “Police executed my son”

(Newburgh) - Family, friends and supporters gathered at the intersection of Dubois and Broadway Monday November 13, 2006 to pray and rally over the death of Antonio Bryant who was shot and killed by Newburgh Police on October 30, 2006. Omari Shakur said, “my son was executed by Newburgh Police because I called for the Police Chief Eric Poalilli resignation because he killed a black man fifteen years ago while racing his personal vehicle up Broadway at 70 mph and he went unpunished.” Lillie Howard said, “It makes me angry that they keep trying to make my grandson’s past an issue. The ministers talk about not being involved because of my grandson’s background, what about their background?” There’s been viciousness coming from the internet site.” Howard continued, “Well I can say that if it had been one of your Klu Klux Klan children killed, I never would have talked about yours the way you’ve talked about mine.”
The group of about 200 people marched on City Hall following the rally led by Shakur where he called for Chief Poalilli to resign as Chief during the City Council meeting.
Councilman Sal Cracolici motion for executive session during the arrival of the protesters to Council Chambers, but Councilwoman Regina Angelo motion to let Shakur and the group speak. There were many complaints about police brutality. One person told of how he was “held by cops while Sgt. Labrada, the alleged shooter in Bryant death, beat him and said that he was still in slavery.” One source spoke of Bryant’s conviction and told that “Bryant did not shoot anyone for which he was convicted. It was alleged that Bryant was present during the shooting but to say he did the shooting was untrue, and a witness testified during trial.”
Shakur said “we are tired of the physical and verbal abuse by cops and nothing is ever done about it. They shake down of innocent children and Black all the time, and get away with it.” The City provides no jobs, decent housing and outlets for the Black children.” Shakur has alleged and according to reports there was not a “shoot out” but police execution. Shakur added, “Police executed my son”. Shakur called Poalilli a “murderer”.
Howard said that “Rev. Butts had trouble with the police and the people said they would support him because he’s not a thug. They forget that Malcom X got his start in prison. Cops are constantly robbing and beating our children.” She added “It’s all about creating welfare, social servies and prison for profits off our misery.”

Pictured Above Members of the community rallied together to protest the killing of Antonio Bryant by a Newburgh Police Officer. They marched from the corner of DuBois and Broadway ot Newburgh's City Hall.

Mourning the death of Ed Bradley

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) mourns the loss of journalism pioneer and CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley. He died on November 9 of leukemia at the age of 65.

“Ed Bradley was a consummate professional who defined investigative journalism for a generation,” said NABJ President Bryan Monroe, vice president and editorial director for Ebony and Jet magazines in Chicago. “His interviewing skills were second to none. As a member and a friend, we will miss him greatly.”

Bradley joined CBS News’ 60 Minutes during the 1981-1982 season. He was a broadcast journalism icon who won nearly 20 Emmy awards.

“Ed was style and substance,” said Barbara Ciara, NABJ Vice President for Broadcast. “He helped shatter the color barrier at CBS, but he defined cool when he decided to sport an earring on the hallowed airwaves of 60 Minutes.”
It was with his freelance coverage of the 1965 Philadelphia riots that Bradley landed his first job as a radio reporter at WDAS-FM. He would later move on to join WCBS Radio in New York City.

“It doesn’t seem like it was a lifetime ago when we held the first meetings in New York-just a small band of brothers and sisters new to this business of journalism, ” Bradley shared during his acceptance speech of the 2005 NABJ Lifetime Achievement Award. “There weren’t many of us then but we knew we needed to be together. It gives me great pleasure to know that I was there at the gestation of one of the early black journalists association.”

In 1976, after Bradley’s coverage of President Carter’s election campaign, he was assigned to cover politics in the nation’s capital and became the first African American White House correspondent.
Bradle’s career also included stints as an anchor for CBS Sunday Night News and CBS Reports.

In addition to the 2005 NABJ Lifetime Achievement Award, Bradley also received two NABJ Salute to Excellence Awards for his story on the life of Ray Charles and his expose, “The Murder of Ernmett Till”. At the 2006 Salute to Excellence Awards, he was recognized for his report “Bridge to Gretna”.

An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation, with more than 4,000 members, and provides educational, career development and support to black journalists worldwide. Pictured Above: Ed Bradley (June 22, 1941 - November 9, 2006)

Civil War Presentation is Held

(Poughkeepsie) - The Hudson Valley contains a vast amount of American History and it’s all right at your doorstep. The Samuel F.B. Morse Estate on Route 9 hosted the 150th N.Y. Volunteer Infantry of Duchess County. The group is composed of Civil War reenactors that camped out on the estate and performed educational exhibitions and talks for visitors. Morse, “Locust Grove” in 1871, named the Estate, and is the Father of the telegraph and the inventor of the “Morse code”. For those interested in the History of Black Troops during the Civil War you may want to visit the A.M.E. Zion church at 111 Washington St. in Newburgh.

After President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the First Black Soldiers to enlist were from Orange County and the City of Newburgh. A large bronze plaque is displayed inside the church and contains the names of the origional Black troops around a Bas Relief of President Lincoln. There is also a tribute to Frederick Douglass outside the churh. Please be sure to visit Newburgh in support of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Luther Rix Joins A DCC Production

(Poughkeepsie) - Legendary Broadway Drummer Luther Rix adds an extra layer of professionalism and authenticity to a production of The Who’s Tommy being staged next week at Dutchess Communty College. The production, a joint effort between the DCC Performing Arts Degree Program and the DCC Masquer’s Guild, opens at the James and Betty Hall Theatre in Dutchess Hall at DCC’s main campus in Poughkeepsie on Thursday, November 16 at 8:00 p.m., and continues with 8:00 p.m. performances on Friday and Saturday, November 17 and 18, with a Sunday matinee on November 19 at 2 p.m.

The Who’s Tommy tells the story of a traumatized English boy who overcomes tragic events to become a superstar and national icon. Rix was the drummer in the original 1993 Tony Award-winning production of Tommy. His credits also include drumming for Bob Dylan on his Rolling Thunder Tour, work as percussionist and timpanist for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and The Winter Consort in New York City , and gigs with Doc Severensen, Patti LaBelle, Bette Midler, the Manhatten Transfer, and Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan. He has published articles for Modern Drummer Magazine and taught at Jordan Conservatory, Indiana University Music School, Drummer’s Collective, and the New York University Jazz Department.

Rix came to DCC’s production of Tommy through the production’s musical director Anthony Travaglia, a former neighbor from Valley Cottage, New York (near Nyack). He noted that DCC’s pit orchestra is using the original Broadway transcriptions. “I created the drum parts for the original production,” said Rix, “and it’s exactly the same as what I’m using for the Dutchess production.” Rix wrote the drum parts for the play’s pre-Broadway production in La Jolla, California. He was not a big Who fan at the time, although he was familiar with hits like “Pinball Wizard.” One goal was to make the music danceable. “You can’t play a Broadway show like Keith Moon. I had a fair amount of freedom, but when you’ve got people dancing up there, you can’t throw them curves.”

The Who’s Tommy first appeared in album form in 1969. A movie version came out in 1975, and the play opened on Broadway in 1993, winning Tony Awards for Best Director of a Musical (Des McAnuff), tied for Best Musical Score (Pete Townshend), Best Scenic Designer, Best Choreographer, and Best Lighting Designer. DCC’s production, directed by Jeremy Quinn with musical direction by Anthony Travaglia, draws its influence from the Broadway production and original album. “The movie had nothing to do with the Broadway show,” said Rix. “In those days, Hollywood was not in touch with the Rock and Roll community.”

Additional members of the production staff include choreographer Justin Boccitto, set designer Jeff Baker, lighting designer William Domack, and costume designer Kat Bellizzi. Projections are by Wendall K. Harrington.

The cast includes Tom Bunker as Tommy, Carrie DiGeronimo as Mrs. Walker, Matthew Patane as Captain Walker, Dennis Monetsano as Uncle Ernie, and Jackie Lugo as the Acid Queen. Additional players assuming multiple roles include Christine Andrews, Angelmarie Bambino, Kiara Daniello, Krista Egan, Kaylee Elia, Jim Falnner, Ed Gibbons-Brown, Nicole Giunta, Jeanne Goehring, Leila Howard, Jim Hennekens, Aimee Jolly, Kyle Jones, Sam Martinez, Kat McDaniel, Jeff Miller, Jeremiah Mockamer, Jon Mercado, Courtney Nardone, Joe Spano, Rob Stubbs, Kelly Urbin, Nicole Toulan, and Frank Venezi
The Who’s Tommy, licensed by Music Theatre International, includes music and lyrics by Pete Townshend, book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff, and additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon. The show is appropriate for adults and children middle school age and older.
Pictured Above from Left to Right: Luther Rix; Actors Tommy Tom Bunker, Carrie, DiGeronim, MatthewPatane exhibit a scene from the production.

Gerald Levert Dead At The Age Of 40

Gerald Levert (July 13, 1966 - November 10, 2006) was an American R&B singer, one of several from the musical Levert family. His father, Eddie Levert, is the lead singer of the 1970s soul group The O’Jays. Gerald Levert sang with his brother, Sean Levert, and Marc Gordon in the R&B trio LeVert. He was also a part of LSG, an R&B musical group comprised of Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, and Levert.

Born to The O’Jays frontman Eddie Levert and his wife Martha in Philadelphia, Levert was brought up in Cleveland. Due to his father’s career, Levert was exposed to music from a young age and would travel with the band regularly. While in high school, Levert’s inclination towards music became apparent when he formed the R&B trio LeVert with his younger brother Sean and friend Marc Gordon in 1984. The group proved to be very successful with four of its seven albums going platinum. These include I Get Hot in 1985, Bloodline in 1986, The Big Throwdown in 1987 and Just Coolin' in 1988. Among the group’s memorable hits were “Pop, Pop Goes My Mind”, “Casanova”, and “ABC-123" (not to be confused with the Jackson 5 hit of the same name).

In 1991, Levert went solo with Private Line, released in 1991 it went to number one on the R&B charts. In 1992, Gerald and his father, Eddie Levert, hit number one on the R&B charts with the single, “Baby Hold On to Me”. He wrote and produced songs for other artists, such as Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass, James Ingram, and The O’Jays. He earned a Grammy nomination for his work on Barry White’s 1994 hit “Practice What You Preach”, and also helped launch the careers of two Cleveland-area R&B ensembles who were popular in the early and mid 1990s: The Rude Boyz and Men at Large. Levert sang the chorus on the Chris Rock spoken-word comedy piece, No Sex (In the Champagne Room). Yet another of Levert’s collaborations was with the supergroup LSG, comprised of himself, Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill, with whom he produced the 1997 album Levert Sweat Gill and the 2003 album, LSG2. LSG recorded such hits as “My Body” and “Door #1". Levert recorded a string of albums throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, that spawned hits like “Thinkin’ About It”, “Funny”, “Mr. Too Damn Good to You”, “U Got That Love”, and a remake of R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly”, along with gospel singer Yolanda Adams.
In his final days, the singer was working on a reality TV show that put him on a weight loss program alongside 12 of his female fans. Though he was never married, Levert had four children, one of whom, Carlysia, appeared with him in an MTV show,My Super Sweet 16. The singer’s last album was Voices in 2005.

Levert died of an apparent heart attack in his sleep while at his Cleveland, Ohio, home. Sister 2 Sister magazine reported that Gerald and his father had just returned from a 10-day trip to South Africa where they had met with Nelson Mandela.
His label, Atlantic Records, confirmed that Levert died at his home on November 10, 2006 at the age of 40 and issued the following statement: “All of us at Atlantic are shocked and deeply saddened by his untimely death. He was one of the greatest voices of our time, who sang with unmatched soulfulness and power, as well as a tremendously gifted composer and an accomplished producer.”

Dan Bomeli, public relations manager at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center in suburban Cleveland, said Levert had been brought to the hospital. Bomeli said Levert had died but he had no further details.
Levert’s family released a statement asking for privacy: “As everybody knows, Gerald was a man who loved and breathed music. To his family and friends he was a man of strong character, who had an infectious personality and a zest for life. For his fans, his greatest love was touching the hearts and souls of all people through his music. At this very difficult time, we thank you for your prayers and hope you will understand our need for privacy,” the statement read.
Patti LaBelle, who had worked and recorded with Levert, said he “was like a son” to her. “He was such a great entertainer. It’s not for real to me that he is gone ... Nobody was prepared for this.” LaBelle added that she hopes to sing at Levert’s
funeral.

“It’s very sad. He was an amazing talent, obviously”, friend and fellow R&B singer,Will Downing, said. “Gerald was a hard worker. He would go out there and do his thing, and be in places where the folks were. He would touch the people, and that’s really what it’s all about.”
“When we would do shows together, we would get on stage and battle for the hearts of women. Every night, that was our thing,” Downing said. Pictured Above: Gerald Levert (July 13, 1966 - November 10, 2006)

“Wired” homes still a dream for many

Homebuyers are increasingly savvy about how they want their homes to be wired. In today’s dream homes, high-performance communications are essential. Yet some new homes continue to be built with inadequate wiring for computers, entertainment systems and other forms of sophisticated home electronics.

A new minimum standard for residential communications wiring was enacted by the Federal Communications Commission in 2000, but many builders remain poorly informed about the ruling or have little understanding of what it means. A few still build homes that don’t even measure up to the basic FCC requirement. Others barely meet the standard. Consequently, homeowners who want more than the bare minimum often have to rewire at a cost substantially higher than the cost of installing adequate wiring in the first place.

Conceived by the FCC in the 1990s, the minimum standard governing inside broadband wiring is not very high-tech, based as it is on 10-year-old technology. There is a simple remedy for this, however. At little additional cost to builders, high-performance copper communications wiring known as Category 5e can and should be installed in new homes.

Inside Wiring Report Card
As a guide for potential buyers and owners, the Copper Development Association suggests grading homes according to the level of communications wiring installed therein. Think of it as a “report card” for builders.

A = Excellent

This home exceeds expectations. Two Category 5e structured wiring ports - one for telephone and one for data - combined with two RG-6 coaxial cable ports for two-way video signals, are available at two different locations in virtually every room. A central distribution device (CDD) provides connectivity between rooms and with the outside world, and simplifies network management. Wiring is installed in a star configuration, meaning that each outlet is wired directly back to the CDD. This home might also have a sophisticated home entertainment center, and may be wired for whole-house audio with speaker wires extending to key listening areas in the home.

B = Good

Two Category 5e and two RG-6 ports are star-wired to at least one location in all key rooms, including bedrooms. Additional wiring has been installed behind walls for future use, although outlets must be installed as needed by the homeowner. Entertainment, security and energy-management features may also be present.

C = Average

Category 5e and RG-6 outlets are provided in two or three key rooms, also using a star configuration. This wiring is fairly typical of what is promoted as “structured wiring” in new homes today. The homcowner may find it limiting or inflexible in terms of entertainment features or for sending broadband to children’s bedrooms and adding home automation and security cameras.

D = Minimum standard

This house barely meets FCC requirements for its wiring, which is adequate mainly for telephone lines. Not exactly the “dream home” tech-smart people are looking for today - or will need tomorrow.

F = Failure

In this case, the house does not meet even the minimum FCC standard. Even if the builder used the right wires, check out the installation - daisy chaining, or wiring sequentially from outlet to outlet, does not get a passing grade. As far as up-to-date technology goes, this home is a lemon! It is the responsibility of the builder and installer to bring the home up to the FCC minimum standard.

What can be done?

Builders must make decisions based on customers’ future needs. Buyers must insist on a full description of the communications wiring systems in a new home. A number of industry groups are actively pushing for improvements in home wiring.

Many builders now recognize that a new home without a high-performance communications wiring system is an impediment to sales. Buyers of new homes are finding it easy to say “No” to homes with inadequate wiring.

One of the biggest reasons for buying a brand-new home is to benefit from the latest home technology. There is no reason to accept a new home that does not merit a grade of “B” or better when it comes to communications wiring.

For more information about the FCC ruling and high-performance communications wiring, see www.copper.org/telecom.

Don’t Overlook Roth IRA Benefits

When it comes to building a retirement net egg, the Roth IRA is gaining in popularity and for good reason, says the New York State Society of CPAs. The Roth IRA offers a number of benefits, including tax-free qualified withdrawals at retirement and the ability to take certain early distributions without penalty. Here is an overview of the basic rules governing the Roth IRA, its key benefits, and how it compares with traditional IRAs.

The basics

The maximum annual contribution is the same for both traditional and Roth IRAs. For 2006, you may contribute $4,000 to an IRA. Taxpayers age 50 or older by the end of 2006 may make an additional “catch up” contribution of $1,000 for 2006.

Unlike traditional IRAs, Roth IRA contributions are not tax deductible. While this may limit the Roth IRA’s short-term income tax benefits, taxpayers would be wise to consider the financial impact of the Roth IRA’s tax-free withdrawals.

As with deductible traditional IRAs, you must meet certain income requirements to qualify for a Roth IRA. The modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for a full contribution for single filers may not exceed $95,000 and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly. The amount you can contribute is reduced gradually and then completely eliminated when your MAGI exceeds $110,000 if you file as single or $160,000 for joint filers. However, unlike traditional IRAs, participating in a retirement plan offered by your employer will not affect your eligibility to contribute to a Roth IRA.

Benefit 1: Roth IRA Distributions may be tax-free

For most taxpayers, the greatest benefit of a Roth IRA is its tax-free distributions. Distributions, including earnings, are tax free when you meet two key requirements. First, the Roth IRA must be in existence for more than five years. This does not mean that each contribution must remain in the account for five years before you can withdraw the earnings tax-free. It means that five years must pass from the first day of the first taxable year from which any Roth contribution was made. If you start a Roth IRA in 2006, your distributions will be tax-free beginning in 2011. Second, one of the following conditions must be met: you are age 59? or older at the time of the distribution; you are disabled; the distribution is used to pay up to $10,000 of qualifying first-time home buyer expenses; or you are a beneficiary receiving distributions following the death of the account holder.

Benefit 2. You can contribute to a Roth IRA at any age

People with traditional IRAs cannot make deposits once they reach 70? years of age. As long as you have earned income (and meet the modified adjusted gross income requirements), you may contribute to a Roth IRA at any age.

Benefit 3: No mandatory minimum distribution requirements

With a traditional IRA, you must start taking money out of your IRA by April 1 of the year following the year you reach age 70?, whether or not you need the money. When you have a Roth IRA, you’re free to keep the money invested where it can continue to grow tax-free, until you need it.
At your death, any funds remaining in your IRA go to your beneficiaries. Your beneficiaries will be subject to a minimum distribution requirement.

Benefit 4: Contributions may be withdrawn without taxes or penalties

You can withdraw your Roth IRA contributions at any time for any reason without paying income taxes or penalties on the amount of your contributions. However, unless you are age 59? or meet certain limited exceptions, early withdrawals of earnings may be subject to taxes and penalties. Roth IRA distributions are treated as being made first from contributions and then from earnings.

Consult with a CPA

Like any financial decision, the decision to open a Roth IRA requires careful consideration. A CPA can help you determine whether a Roth IRA fits your financial situation. Also ask about new rules for converting from a traditional to a Roth IRA.

An introduction to Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the world’s oldest and most commonly used medical procedures. It is widely used in the United States. Acupuncture can be used alone as an alternative, or complementary with other medical systems. More than 2,000 years old, the practice is fairly new to North America. Before 1971, though available to the public, acupuncture was hardly mainstream. It became much better known after James Reston’s July, 1971 New York Times front page story. In that month and year, Reston, a Pulitzer prize winning New York Times Journalist traveled to China along with Henry Kissinger, then Secretary of State. The purpose of their visit was to prepare for President Nixon’s historical visit the following year. On the trip, Reston fell ill with acute appendicitis and had an emergency appendectomy in a Peking Hospital. Post-operatively, Reston was in a great deal of discomfort and was treated with acupuncture for pain relief. Very impressed with his pain relief, upon returning to the States, Reston wrote an article in the Times about his experience with acupuncture. A second development which helped propel acupuncture into the American mainstream came from the Food And Drug Administration (FDA). In 1997, the FDA changed the classification of Acupuncture needles from Class III “experimental, investigational de- vices” to Class II “safe and effective” devices. The needles would be for general use by licensed, registered or certified practitioners. Devices must be sterile, single use only and disposable. Next, again in 1997, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a statement documenting Acupuncture’s safety and efficacy for a range of health conditions.

Commonly asked questions about Acupuncture

1. Is it safe and does it hurt?
2. How does it work?
3. How long does it take and how often do you need it?

Acupuncture is one of the safest known medical procedures. Accidents and side effects are rare. Needles used are very different from the hypodermic commonly used in hospitals, clinics, laboratories etc. Both are metallic, but hypodermics are much thicker, hollow and sharp. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin (hair-thin), very flexible and solid with a rounded tip. Insertion of an acupuncture needle results in sensations described as dull, moving.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, of which Acupuncture is a part, theorizes that there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body which connect with 12 main and 8 secondary pathways which traverse the entire body. The body’s energy, called Qi (pronounced “chee”), moves through these pathways. As long as this energy flows freely, there is no imbalance or disease. When blockages occur, problems like pain are the result. By placing needles into acupuncture points, the body’s energy can be accessed to restore the free flow of energy through its pathways. A qualified acupuncture practitioner examines the tongue, pulse, skin and other areas for signs of imbalance.
Needles are inserted, retained for 20 minutes to an hour then removed. During and after treatment some feel energized and some are relaxed. Typically, a course of treatment ranges from once to twice weekly for 10 - 15 treatments.

Practitioners of acupuncture must be licensed by the state and/or nationally certified. According to the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), to qualify for national certification and license, acupuncturists must complete a total of 3,349 hours of training plus 1,032 hours of clinical internship in a master’s degree or master’s level program. MD acupuncturists generally are certified and must complete a minimum of 300 hours of training which includes 100 hours of clinical training according to the Board of

Medical Acupuncture Standards (BMAS).
For more information, please contact Anthony Gines, from The Breath of Life, (845) 562- 4003.

Tips to preparing a Thanksgiving feast

Popular Thanksgiving chefs send their guests home with leftovers and memories to savor, but not with food poisoning. To prevent food poisoning, take care to prepare the turkey properly and to store it and other foods properly to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.
Not all bacteria cause disease in humans, but when those that do enter the food supply, the result can be symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or fever. Most cases of foodborne illness can be prevented. Proper cooking or processing of food destroy bacteria. The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) believes these food safety tips are important for happy holiday feasting.

Safety Tips for Turkey and Side Dishes
• Never defrost a frozen turkey on the kitchen counter. Instead, defrost the turkey in the refrigerator or under cold running water.

• Clean your hands and all surfaces that come in contact with uncooked turkey. Keep foods that will not be cooked, such as cranberry sauce, away from raw turkey.

• Do not leave any perishable foods at room temperature for any longer than necessary. Harmful bacteria can grow rapidly in foods at room temperature, and after two hours bacteria can reach levels that cause illness. Temperatures between 40°F and 140°F are considered to be in the bacteria danger zone.

• Cook the turkey until it registers 180°F on a meat thermometer. If you stuff the turkey, stuffing should reach a temperature of 165°F.

• If you are preparing a meal to eat later, cut turkey meat off the bone and remove all stuffing. Slice the meat (wings and legs can be left whole) and refrigerate. Store all side dishes in the refrigerator. Before sitting down to eat your meal, reheat the turkey meat to a temperature of 165°F.

• Store leftovers properly. If the turkey was stuffed, remove all the stuffing from the turkey, place it in a shallow container and refrigerate. Stuffing will keep one to two days and cooked turkey three to four days in the refrigerator. Cooked and frozen turkey can keep up to four months.

• Gravy, vegetables and other side dishes should also be stored in shallow containers in the refrigerator. Gravy will keep one or two days in the refrigerator and should be brought to a full boil before using it again. Other side dishes will keep three to four days in the refrigerator.
Using a Thermometer for Both Stuffing and Turkey is Critical

According to the USDA, only 50% of cooks use a food thermometer, and even when they do, they often do not use it property. Cooked with the juices of the turkey, stuffing must reach a temperature of 165°F to kill bacteria. That sometimes necessitates cooking the stuffing beyond when the turkey is done because turkey can reach the proper internal temperature of 180°F, as measured in the innermost part of the thigh, before stuffing reaches 165°F.

For more information, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555, or visit the USDA website at www.fsis.usda.gov/.
This information is provided by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY). For more health-related information and referrals to physicians in your community, contact your local county medical society.

National Purple Heart Hall of Honor

(New Windsor) - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton joined Governor George E. Pataki, Purple Heart medal recipients and their families on Friday, and representatives from the U.S. Armed Services at the opening ceremony for the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, NY.

Senator Clinton, who championed the creation of the Purple Heart Postage Stamp and has sponsored Senate-passed resolutions supporting the goals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day, is supporting legislation in the Senate to recognize and support the efforts of the State of New York to develop the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is the only institution in the nation dedicated solely to honoring and archiving the tremendous sacrifices of Purple Heart medal recipients.

“On the eve of Veterans' Day, this is an important and historic occasion for veterans and New Yorkers alike. The Hall of Honor gives us the ability to celebrate and honor our brave men and women in uniform who have sacrificed so much, while creating an open and welcoming place for everyone to learn about their incredible service to our country and to freedom. Every soldier who has received this award deserves to have a place where they can be honored. I am proud to be a supporter of the Purple Heart Stamp, of National Purple Heart Recognition Day and of this wonderful Hall of Honor. I hope that this place will stand as a center for celebration, remembrance and learning for generations to come,” Senator Clinton said.

In related events, Senator Clinton also welcomed news that Marine Corporal Jason Dunham, who died in Iraq saving his comrades from a grenade blast, will receive a posthumous Medal of Honor - the nation's highest military decoration. Senator Clinton was the Senate sponsor of legislation to rename the United States Postal Service facility located at 4422 West Sciota Street in Scio , New York , as the “Corporal Jason L. Dunham Post Office”.

“It is a fitting tribute to a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of his Nation and the Marines with whom he proudly served. Corporal Dunham's actions in Iraq were truly humbling and worthy of this great honor,” Senator Clinton said.

Senator Clinton has been an unwavering champion in the fight to recognize the heroism of those who have received the Purple Heart. The Senator was honored earlier this year as the first woman to receive the Military Order of the Purple Heart's (MOPH) Inspirational Leadership Award and is currently working to get Senate approval for H. Con. Res. 419, legislation sponsored by Congresswomen Sue Kelly (R-NY) that seeks to recognize and support the efforts of the State of New York to develop the National Purple Heart Hall of Fame.

Senator Clinton co-sponsored legislation (S. Con. Res. 56) during the 107th Congress expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued to honor members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart. Senator Clinton wrote to the U.S. Postmaster General urging support for a commemorative stamp to pay tribute to the Order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit. And in May 2003, Senator Clinton attended the ceremony to launch the first issue of the Purple Heart Stamp in Newburgh , NY . The Senate has also approved legislation, sponsored by Senator Clinton and Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), supporting a “National Purple Heart Recognition Day” and honoring all soldiers who were severely injured while serving their country and who were awarded a Purple Heart.

Pictured Above: From Top to Bottom: The United States Armed Forces Colorguard participated in the celebration of the Grand Opening of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor ceremony, located in New Windsor, on Friday November 10th.; Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Governor George E. Pataki attended the opening ceremony for the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor celebration in New Windsor.

The Facts About The Savoy Project

By Michael Sussman, Esq.

(Goshen) - In 2001, four Orange County residents: Rudy LaMarr, John Frontera, Quincy Magwood and Sal Cucorullo pooled resources and abilities to propose a new first class entertainment center for lower Broadway in the City of Newburgh. Leasing an old and vacant furniture store, the group received variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals allowing the conversion of this property to a site which would attract first class talent and provide a locale off the waterfront and on Broadway for social gathering.

In 2002, having obtained these variances, the group presented its proposal and a lengthy business plan to the City of Newburgh’s economic development office. That office reviewed the plan, made suggestions and the Savoy group made improvements. There is no evidence of any untoward favoritism granted Savoy in this process.

In June 2002, Sal Cucorullo spoke with his childhood friend, Nick Valentine about Savoy. Valentine was then a member of the City Council. Valentine told Cucorullo that there was no way he would support anything Rudy LaMarr was involved in and that the project would fail. Cucorullo appealed to Valentine, but the Councilman would not listen and told him not to associate with LaMarr. In the meantime, Patrice Cucorullo was making presentations of the financial viability of the Savoy project to members of the Newburgh Local Development Corporation. By this time, Valentine had known Patrice for more than 35 years.

In June 2002, with the support of Lester Spellman, the LDC voted to provide bridge financing, through either a direct loan or through a CD placed with a bank as collateral for a loan the bank would in turn make to Savoy. The purposes of municipal support were two-fold

1. To allow Savoy to have sufficient funding to qualify for a major construction loan from an identified lender and

2. To help Savoy to buy the furniture building and thereby collaterize the City’s guarantee.

Valentine abstained from the vote claiming he knew the participants. City Council member Stephen Rockafellow opposed the project and so voted. A few days after this vote, with the express approval of the Mayor and Mr. Spellman, the City Comptroller transferred $380,000 to Savoy as a bridge loan. The City then expected to get Hudson United Bank to replenish these municipal funds. The urgency of this loan related to Savoy’s need to show sufficient resources to qualify for the major construction loan needed for the project.
In mid-July 2002, at a City Council meeting, Rockafellow and Valentine issued a public statement which vilified the Savoy and, more particularly, attacked Mr. LaMarr. In their statement, these men insinuated that LaMarr was responsible for the loss, some 20 years before, of $100,000 by the Hudson Valley Freedom Theater, had failed to rehabilitate housing units made available by the City to a not-for-profit organization and was an unreliable individual. At their sworn depositions several years later, neither man could support factually any of their accusations against Mr. LaMarr.

With the uproar these men fomented, Savoy lost its construction financing, HUB pulled away from its deal with the City of Newburgh and Savoy was left unable to carry out its planned project.

In August 2002, the City demanded that Savoy return the funds provided the prior June. Savoy had already expended $130,000 on the rehabbing of the building and promptly returned the other $250,000.
In late August, the City agreed to provide these funds to Savoy again in exchange for an interest in the personal residences of the Savoy partners. The partners balked at this requirement, claiming it was unlike those imposed by the City on others borrowing money for economic development projects.

In October 2002, Mr. Valentine and Mr. Rockafellow gained control of the IDA and LDC Boards when Councilwoman Regina Angelo changed political allegiance. With this three member councilmanic majority, Valentine and Rockafellow booted two members of the LDC who Mayor Marino had appointed and replaced them with two more loyal members.
In forthcoming months, Savoy tried to resurrect its project, but the City was unwilling to make a loan which would be consistent with Savoy’s need to provide first position on their homes to a major funder.

Eventually, the Savoy partners sued the City and Valentine and Rockafellow in federal court, claiming that their withdrawal of support was politically motivated pay-off for LaMarr’s association with and support for Mayor Marino. Meanwhile, the City sued Savoy and the individual partners seeking to collect the $130,000 provided in June 2002.

Press coverage of this story has focused on Mr. LaMarr and failed to note the reason Savoy filed its suit to begin with: Rockafellow and Valentine refused to deal fairly with Savoy because of their desire to punish LaMarr and those associated with him. They wanted to punish LaMarr for his support of Mayor Marino, Audrey Carey and other Democrats seeking office in Newburgh. This motivation violates the constitutional right of LaMarr to engage in political association and activity without retribution and the right of his partners to associate with Mr. LaMarr without fear that their investments will come to nil because of a political grudge.

In late spring 2006, the federal court dismissed Savoy’s federal civil rights suit without reaching these issues. It simply relied upon Judge Slobod’s decision of April 2006 which held that the Savoy partners owed the City $130,000 based on their signing - in late August 2002 - a written agreement which compelled, the Judge found, the three then partners to put up their homes as collateral for the $250,000 loan balance. Judge Slobod never heard evidence of the political retaliation presented in the federal civil rights case and never made any rulings concerning the legality of the City’s actions.

As much as the Joseph Waldman case involving the Grand Rabbi’s interference with public school board elections in Kiryas Joel was intended to vindicate the right each person has to participate in the political process, so, too, does the Savoy case raise the same issues. We showed Judge Brieant that Valentine and Rockafellow were involved in the dispensing and
monitoring of many loans as Directors of the Kingston-Newburgh Enterprise Corridor and that in that capacity, they never required personal guarantees from lenders and never went after wildly delinquent lenders. Their actions here were quite different, motivated by a desire to punish Savoy and its partners for Mr. LaMarr’s political associations.
These matters are now on appeal, but in light of recent articles mentioning them, we felt it prudent to set the record straight to explain the case and its bases to the public. Thank you.

Pictured Above: Michael Sussman Esq.

Armed Services Graduates

Airman 1st Class Bryan A. Reeves

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Bryan A. Reeves has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Felicita Reeves of Rinaldi Blvd., Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The airman is a 2005 graduate of Poughkeepsie High School.

Adelyn Y. Diazdela Rocha

Adelyn Y. Diazdela Rocha attended the Air Force Junior ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Aerospace and Technology Honors Camp at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, and Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Ga. The Air Force has nine other approved Aerospace and Technology Honors Camp sites for the high school cadets attending in 2006. Cadets attending the camps are in the top one percent of 110,000 Junior ROTC cadets worldwide; only 500 cadets were selected and actually attended the honors camps. Selection of students/cadets to attend the honors camp is very competitive. They must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, be rising sophomores, juniors or seniors enrolled in college-prep mathematics and science courses, have leadership ability, demonstrated an interest in pursuing technical and aerospace-related careers, and be U.S. citizens. The Air Force Junior ROTC Honors Camp program has two primary goals: expose high achieving cadets to aerospace and high technology opportunities and careers, and to leverage junior ROTC demographics to reach college-bound minorities at a younger age. The honors camps’ five-day hands-on curricula allows cadets to visit college campuses, air and space operational bases and sites, research labs, historical sites, museums, aerospace industries, hear lectures from pilots and astronauts, and participate in flight simulator training and airplane rides with licensed pilots. She is the granddaughter of Adelina and Carmelo Matos of Fullerton Ave., Newburgh, N.Y. Diazdela Rocha is a student at Newburgh Free Academy.

Staff Sgt. Richard M. Casey

Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Richard M. Casey has been mobilized and activated for a future deployment to an undisclosed overseas location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq. Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq’s economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq’s sovereignty and independence as a democracy. The sergeant is a military police member regularly assigned to the 727th Military Police Detachment, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He is the son of James L. and Shirley K. Casey of Vails Gate Heights Drive, New Windsor, N.Y. Casey is a 1980 graduate of the S.S. Seward Institute, Florida, N.Y. Return to top of page

Airman Peter A. Gropp

Air Force Airman Peter A. Gropp has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Paul Gropp of Kerr Road, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Local School Sponsors Family Literacy Night

(Newburgh) - The Newburgh Enlarged City School District’s Pre-Kindergarten Center at Washington Street sponsored a “Family Literacy Night” workshop recently in both English and Spanish. The workshop, “Reading with Your Child,” offered parents instruction in developing their children’s language skills through reading books together.

Parents learned how to help their children to answer questions, develop vocabulary, and speak in complete sentences. Parents also watched “Talking and Books,” a video that featured a teacher reading to a group of Pre-K children, and had the opportunity to interact with their own child while reading a book together. Participating parents were given a Newburgh Free Library card application. A question-and-answer session followed.

While the parents were involved with the workshop, their children completed a literacy activity and enjoyed refreshments. They also received two books donated by First Books through cooperation with Newburgh Schools Parent Liaison Pam Buxton-Peterson.
This workshop, the first of two planned Family Literacy Nights, was a “kick-off” for the “Take Home a Book Program” that which started in November. The second workshop, “Much More than the ABCs,” will be held in March.

Pictured above is Delisa Johnson reading to her niece Denya Johnson at the recent “Family Literacy Night” at the Newburgh Enlarged City School District’s Pre-Kindergarten Center at Washington Street. This was the first of two Family Literacy Nights planned for this school year.

Boycotting Ties to the Sudan Government

(Poughkeepsie) - In light of the convincing evidence that the government of Sudan is both committing and supporting genocide against the people of its Darfur region, the Vassar College Board of Trustees has approved the prohibition of direct investment by the college in companies either owned by the government of Sudan, or whose business activities support the country’s reprehensible policies. Vassar has also written to managers of commingled funds in which the college invests, urging divestment and/or prohibition of investment from these unsuitable companies.

Vassar has identified twenty-two companies for which investment is precluded, and the college has established a watch list of 14 other companies that it will monitor for possible later action. The college currently holds no direct investments in any of these companies.
In an October resolution, the college’s trustees said, “Vassar College is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights both locally and globally. Consistent with this commitment, the College takes measures to avoid investments in the securities of companies linked with gross human rights abuses.”

Vassar first announced its Sudan criteria for investments in an August 2006 statement from the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Campus Investor Responsibility Committee (CIRC) was then asked to conduct an initial review, and identified 39 such companies. Members of the committee conducted research using web-based resources, including company web sites and news articles, as well as reports developed by the Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic at the Yale Law School, the Sudan Divestment Task Force, and others.

Further, the CIRC considered the industry in which a company participates, the nature of its activities in Sudan, whether the company acknowledges the broader political and military situation in Sudan, or if its activities might perpetuate this situation. The committee also considered which colleges and other institutions have targeted a company for divestment. Committee members made individual recommendations, which they reviewed and discussed, and then passed along to the Vassar trustees.

Vassar will continue monitoring these and other companies with respect to Sudan, including a semi-annual review.
Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential, liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Santa’s toy box brings joy for the holidays

(Goshen) - Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana has announced that Santa’s Toy Box, the annual toy drive for disadvantaged children in Orange County, will begin collecting donations of new and used toys November 20 and continue through December 18.
Twenty (20) toy box sites will be available at the following locations:

Thomas Bull Memorial Park -Lodge- Route 416, Montgomery; Orange/Ulster Boces -Special Ed. Building- Gibson Road, Goshen; Newburgh Free Library 124 Grand Street; Gold’s Gym - Newburgh 15 Raquet Road Town of Newburgh, Recreation Dept. Corner of Rt. 32 & Rt. 300; 1st Presbyterian Church 60 Sussex St, Port Jervis; New Windsor YWCA 565 Union Avenue; New Windsor Recreation Dept. 555 Union Avenue; Blooming Grove Town Hall Route 94; Town of Wallkill Boys & Girls Club 60 Creamery Road, Circleville; Goshen Village Hall 276 Main Street, Goshen; Cornwall Town Hall 183 Main Street; Chester Town Hall 1786 Kings Highway; Warwick Village Hall Main Street (Rt. 17A); Monroe Town Hall 1113 Stage Road; Middletown Recreation Dept. 62-70 W Main Street; Port Jervis Recreation Dept. 135 Pike Street; Hamptonburgh Town Hall 18 Bull Road; Montgomery Town Hall 110 Bracken Road; Woodbury Common Premium Outlet -Food Court- Central Valley.

Volunteers are welcome (and needed) at the Wrapathon Party on Tuesday, December 19, beginning at 5 p.m., at the Stony Ford Lodge in the Thomas Bull Memorial Park. Wrapping paper, scissors and tape are also needed. Free pizza and soda will be served to all volunteers.
Used donations must be in excellent condition and gift appropriate. All donations will be distributed to Orange County families via organizations such as Our Lady of Comfort Shelter in Newburgh, Family Empowerment Council and A Friends House Youth Shelter.
Santa’s Toy Box is sponsored by the Orange County Department of Parks in conjunction with New Winds Opportunities Center, Up Front Day Hab Site, Hudson Valley DDSO Chadsford House, Belcher Road IRA and Goshen Day Program.
For more information, please call the Parks Dept. at (845) 457-4910.

Easy Tips That Help Maintain Your Carpets

No matter how rich its colors and textures or how intricate its weaves, your carpet or rug is only as good as the care it receives.
To keep carpet looking good as long as possible, follow these easy tips from the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI).

* Vacuum thoroughly and frequently. Today’s carpets are designed to hide dirt and resist soiling and staining. But that’s no excuse to skip regular vacuuming. Soil can damage fibers if it remains in the pile. A good rule of thumb: vacuum areas of your carpet that get light traffic once or twice a week, and more often in places where people gather, kids play and pets roam. Use up to three passes of the machine for light soiling and five to seven passes for heavily soiled areas.

* Use the right vacuum cleaner. Your vacuum cleaner should remove soil and surface dirt without any damage to the carpet. Also, make sure dust particles are contained within the filtration bag and the machine itself so they don’t fly back into air.
This is especially important for people who are sensitive to dust and other indoor pollutants. Visit, carpet-rug.org for a list of CRI Green Label Vacuum cleaners that clean well, help improve indoor air quality and keep your carpet looking good.

* Purchase certified carpet-cleaning products. Tests have shown that some carpet-cleaning products don’t clean any better than water.
A common mistake with do-it-yourself cleaning is using too much cleaning product.
The Carpet and Rug Institute awards a blue and green Seal of Approval to carpet-cleaning products, such as spot removers and pre-sprays, which pass a series of tests administered by an independent, accredited laboratory. The CRI Seal of Approval signifies to consumers that these products remove spots and soil effectively and don’t damage the carpet’s appearance or performance when manufacturer’s instructions are followed.
Mustard, catsup, grape juice and dirty motor oil are just some of the staining agents used in the tests. For a complete list of Seal of Approval products, visit carpet-rug.org.

* Take care with spot cleaning. Spills and spots on carpet need immediate action. The longer a spot stays on the carpet, the harder it is to remove and the more likely it will become a permanent stain. Use a clean, white, dry, absorbent cloth or paper towel to remove spots and spills. Always blot-never rub or scrub-or a fuzzy area might result. When blotting, work from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid spreading the spill. Be sure to absorb any remaining moisture by placing several layers of white paper towels over the damp area and weighing them down with a heavy object. All dry spills should be vacuumed to lift and remove as much of the substance as possible. Pouring liquid into a dry spill can create additional problems.

* Schedule regular deep cleaning. Stubborn spills and embedded soil require deep cleaning, preferably every 12 to 18 months. Your options are to use a professional service or to rent or purchase carpet-cleaning equipment for do-it-yourself cleaning.
Professional cleaning is recommended for carpet and area rugs that are made of wool, silk or other natural fibers. For any do-it-yourself cleaning method, the following points are critical: always vacuum to remove as much dry soil as possible, and follow instructions carefully. A common mistake with do-it-yourself cleaning is using too much cleaning product and failing to extract all the product from the carpet during the cleaning process. The residue not only attracts dirt and makes carpet look bad quickly, but it also speeds the breakdown of fiber, shortening the life of the carpet.

For more information, visit the CRI Web site at carpet-rug.org.