Daily Archives: July 29, 2017

In recent years, however, the party has been punctured by violence. Last year, despite an increased police presence and numerous floodlights, four people were shot and two of them died. The year before, Carey W. Gabay, a lawyer in Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos administration who was out celebrating with his brother, was caught in a shootout, apparently between rival gangs. He died of his injuries. Another man was stabbed to death that night.

Unlike other major cultural celebrations like St. Patricks Day Parade and the Puerto Rican Day Parade that take place in Midtown Manhattan during the day, Jouvert snakes through residential neighborhoods in the predawn darkness, through pockets of Brooklyn that still struggle with shootings and gangs.

At this years event, more police officers will be present, according to city officials. The city also plans to have more floodlights on the street and will set up security checkpoints. Officials said the police, elected officials, parade organizers, clergy members and groups that focus on combating violence were all involved in discussions about how to make the event safer.

Weve been working on this since the day after Jouvert last year, said James P. ONeill, the police commissioner.

Yvette Rennie, president of JOuvert City International, which organizes the event, said, So we can make Jouvert a safe Jouvert, the groups and the community decided to do it in daylight. News of the early start time was reported by The Daily News.

City Councilwoman Laurie A. Cumbo, whose district encompasses the parade route, said moving the parade to daylight would change the environment of the event. Ms. Cumbo said the event should be a world-class festival, but that it had not received that level of support.

At this stage it should have graduated to being something televised, celebrated, she said. Hotels should be participating in terms of promoting the festivities, tourism boards. It should be something welcomed in the city of New York and supported in a way that changes the atmosphere for how people participate.

Bryant Smith, 53, has lived since the 1970s on Bedford Avenue, a block from where Mr. Gabay was killed. He said that changing the timing of the festival would trample on its meaning without changing much else.

Jouvert wont be the same, he said. In West Indian culture, Jouvert is supposed to start before the carnival. If they try to start it in the daytime, people will just hang out all night anyway. Theyll make their own Jouvert.

Mr. Carrin from the community affairs unit said that while there would be nothing in place to stop people from arriving at the parade route early, all they would find there would be the police, and the festival setting up. Jouvert centers around an organized event; it would be like showing up at a parade before it starts, Mr. Carrin said. Why people show up to Jouvert, its for the cultural expression, the music, the dance, and that would start later.

Other residents said they were unpersuaded about how effective the change would be.

Day or night, I dont think it will be safe, said Grace Collins, 59, a retired administrator for the Army Corps of Engineers. People dont know how to act. Its a free-for-all for guns, but its supposed to be a celebration of Caribbean culture.

Ms. Collins, who grew up in Brooklyn, said she used to go regularly to the West Indian American Day Parade and some of the events surrounding it.

We used to follow behind those drums, just dancing, she said, shaking her hips and showing off her dance moves. But she eventually stopped going because she was concerned for her safety.

This year, Ms. Collins said, she will be tucked away in her apartment when the festival starts, but her 22-year-old daughter plans to attend.

I dont want her to go, but I cant stop her, Ms. Collins said. Ill hug her and kiss her before she goes, but whats going to happen will happen.

Joseph Goldstein, Jeffery C. Mays and Ashley Southall contributed reporting.

A version of this article appears in print on July 29, 2017, on Page A19 of the New York edition with the headline: Starting Time of Caribbean Festival Is Changed in an Effort to Curb Violence.

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To Curb Violence, Start Time of Caribbean Festival Is Changed - New York Times

Welcome to America, the Land of Opportunity, where the streets are paved with gold. At least that is what we think when we hear about this place. Many immigrants who come to this country, come here with the impression that they will be able to be successful. They have a dream of uplifting themselves and their family. They dream of owning a home, a car and having a good job. But unfortunately, it does not always work out that way. The fact of the matter is the reality is far different! Some people end up jobless, homeless, living with family members just to make ends meet until they can find a job, any job.

Because of financial instability and uncertainty, immigrants are prime targets; they can fall for a scam in the blink of an eye. Many have learned the hard way, after losing their savings when they decided to capitalize on what was presented to them as a great money-making opportunity. The most vulnerable in our society are obviously our elderly but young people get scammed, too.

One day one of my nephews, who had been here for about six months, came to me and asked, can you give me your opinion on something? This guy that I know said that he has a check for $2,000 and he doesnt have a bank account but if I cash it for him, I can keep $500. I was thinking about doing it for him because I really could use that $500. What do you think?

As I listen to him, I immediately realized that this guy was up to no good and my nephew was about to fall for it. All he could think about is the $500 he would get for doing this guy a favor. I explained that the check was fake and would not clear and he would be out of $1,500.

As a new citizen, you may be unaware of the dangers that a person who makes hasty uninformed decisions can be exposed to. For instance, you get an offer from a financial company for a pre-approved loan: use it for mortgage, use it for a new or used car they say, and of course it is even harder to resist this temptation when the offer is possibly your first pre-approved credit card.

Wow! I know a lot of us from the Caribbean, would have a hard time resisting their first Visa or MasterCard. Many of the younger people would give very little thought to the fact that the interest rate is extremely high. These kind of offers did not come their way back in their country.

Companies today are very creative with their offerings. They recognize that attractive packaging sent to unsuspecting persons are more likely to get a positive response. Consumer reports have stated that many who have accepted these offerings have found themselves trapped in bad debt for many years. Why? Because in addition to the high interest rate, the terms of the loan may make it impossible for the borrower to pay them off. Today there are hundreds of telemarketing companies that target new Americans on a daily basis.

How about solicitation via the internet or social media? Seniors fall in this trap because they dont fully understand how the technology works. The companies doing the hacking and posing as Microsoft are based overseas.

With modern technology, even when the phone rings and the number on the caller ID is disguised to make it seem local, it could very well be an overseas call. Recent reports have warned that if your phone rings and someone says can you hear me? you should not answer yes because they will record your voice and use it to say that you agreed to buying a product that you never ordered.

A new Caribbean American citizen could be deceived by the offering of a fantastic prize. This prize may vary; a free airline ticket, a free hotel stay, a free cruise, a new car or a large sum of money but there is always some type of small fee associated with collecting the prize. Some companies will send actual checks in the mail that are already made out to you. The only requirement is to sign on the dotted line and you are caught up in a hellish whirlpool that you cant swim your way out of.

Buyer beware is a warning that most consumers are familiar with. A popular quote back in the Caribbean is not everything that glitters is gold. If you fell for one of the above scenarios you can contact the Better Business Bureau or consider filing a complaint with the consumer protection agency. If your credit got messed up because of a scam, another option is to join a credit union. They have programs set up help people to rebuild their credit. We all know that if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

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Caribbean Currents: Beware of scams targeting unsuspecting new immigrants - The Philadelphia Tribune

ORANGE, NJ - Mayor Dwayne D. Warren, Esq. and the City of Orange Township Municipal Council will host the 18th Anniversary of the Caribbean Heritage Day Festival in Monte Irvin Orange Park, on Saturday August 5, 2017.

The Festival is a tradition dating back to the Oranges in the 1970s. Today, it is the premiere Caribbean Festival in Essex County, with thousands of people from numerous countries participating every year.The Caribbean Heritage Day Festival creates an environment where people can participate in the creativity of different cultures while celebrating their similarities and diversities, which emulate the history of Carnival and demonstrate the strength of the Caribbean American community in New Jersey.

This years' festivities include the Caribbean Heritage Parade at 10 am at the corner of Scotland Road and Central Avenue and winds its way down Central Avenue into Monte Irvin - Orange Park.

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Scheduled to perform at this years' Caribbean Festival include Adrian Dutchen, Shelley G., the Fanoko Cultural Singers, Harmony Music Steel Pan Band, Young Soca Sensation - The Big Show and International Monarch King - Rikki Jai.

There will be carnival rides and games for the whole family. Attendees are invited to join the Powder Tee Shirt section to be part of the action and celebrate the culture.

The Mayor's VIP Tent sponsors for food and beverage donations include: Golden Krust, El Salvador Restaurant, Toast of the Town, and other home cooks and caterers.

"The Festival showcases the energy and diversity of our Caribbean community in Orange and Essex County," said Mayor Warren. "Every year, we look forward to the music, the live acts and the fantastic crowds representing all of the island nations. The festival not only showcases the best of our Caribbean and West-Indian communities, but reminds us because of our immigrant communities that our City thrives."

The Mayor added, "I'd like to thank Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and Freeholder President Britnee N. Timberlake for their continued support in making our Caribbean Heritage Day Festival a success."

Vendor applications are being accepted at City Hall, 29 North Day Street in Orange.

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2017 Caribbean Heritage Festival And Parade: A Showcase Of Diversity And Talent - TAPinto.net