Southeast Queens Scoop Blog - Streetwise Digital News: 2017-06-04

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Council Member Miller Family Skate Day

New York City Council Member is pleased to present a family skate day. Come on out for face skating, painting, DJ music, popcorn, cotton candy, ices and fun active games.

Council Member Miller Family Skate Day
June 30 @ 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Date: June 30
Time: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Cost: Free
Event Categories: Age: Teens (13-19), Age: Tweens (10-12), Family Status: Children, Fun/Games

Organizer: Office of New York City Council Member I. Daneek Miller
Phone: (718) 776-3700
Website: http://council.nyc.gov/d27/html/members/home.shtml

Posted by community events coordinator, Nzinga Lonstein Austin, is a prolific blogger who writes on the entertainment industry and issues for people with developmental and physical challenges.

She is presently in high school looking to have a career in video, film, and media. You can see more of her entertainment writing on Lonstein Movies.

The publication targets the over 350,000 residents in the Southeast Queen and Jamaica Queens area. It promotes to over 40,000 potential viewers in social media, mobile devices and search engines like Google and Bing! To learn more about how to promote your business or organization on the Scoop or online Click Here

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

An Ode to Dad

In honor of Father’s Day, Resorts World Casino is pleased to present a photography exhibition: An Ode to Dad. On view from June 2nd through June 29th.

An Ode to Dad June 27

Date: June 27

Cost:   Free
Event Categories: Arts/Entertainment, Visual
Event Tags: Exhibition

Organizer: Southeast Queens Camera Club – SEQCC
Phone: (347) 524-7178
Website: http://www.seqcc.org

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

Beacon Summer Camp

Enrichment, arts/technology, performing arts, sports, field days, fun trips, academic support, and family events will be the order of the day at SQPA’s Beacon Summer Camp

SQPA Beacon Summer Camp
July 6

Date: July 6
Cost: Free
Event Category: Summer Camp

Organizer: J.H.S. 8 – Beacon Community School
Phone: (718) 206-4087
Email: beaconcenter@sqpa.org

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

Acclaimed Multi-Talented Southeast Queens Artist Paints A Beautiful View For Business

Like many of our neighbors of Caribbean heritage Audley Geo Smith, is a resourceful and resilient person with global sophistication. Smith has come a long way from his roots in the Caribbean and later stints in England to set up an eclectic art gallery/studio business on Linden Blvd, in St. Albans. St. Albans, Queens, New York, has always been a community of strivers, celebrities, sports stars, activists, and successful business moguls for decades.

James Brown, Joe Louis, Count Basie, WEB DuBois, John Coltrane, Daymond Johns, Ella Fitzgerald, Richard Parsons, are just a small slice of the exceptional luminaries from the area. Audley, is another highly gifted resident of Southeast Queens. He is an unique renaissance man in the true sense of the word - and a great resource for the community. Mr. Smith is an expert photographer, fine artist, painting instructor, framer, and community leader/activist for those in the arts in the area. He showcases many of his skill sets and aplomb in his recent gallery opening of Geo's Art Expression, at 194-09 Linden Blvd, St. Albans, 11412.

Mr. Smith was born in Manchester, Jamaica, but also has lived in England, and France, which accentuated his art knowledge and skills. He once owned an art gallery in Jamaica and was looking to start a gallery again in his life. As you can imagine it was a quite a difference in living abroad and the United States.

Audley "Geo" Smith

However, once settled in Audley, has long been involved with advocating for the arts in Southeast Queens, New York City. He has been President of The Alliance of Queens Artists. He is an expert photographer who has also been involved in the Southeast Queens Camera Club.

Moreover, Mr. Smith, is an extraordinary award winning painter, who has merged his photography skills together with his art in a beautiful synergy. The result is him creating some truly awe inspiring art that he offers for sale at his gallery in Southeast, Queens along with the creative works of other artists.

Furthermore, he offers exquisite framing and even hosts effective fun and instructional "Sip and Paint" painting lessons some Sundays during the month. He does wedding and special occasion photography, custom framing, photo shoots, and parties. You can see more of his art and services by visiting his website at www.GeosArtExpression.com or give him a call at 718-276-6215.

Geo's Art Expression is a great resource for original fine art

Geo's Art Gallery Showings Feature Some Dazzling Art

Geo's Art Expression has a wide selection of art

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

Friday, June 9, 2017

Discover How This 10-Year Old Black CEO Achieved National Distribution For Her Popular Invention

10-Year old Black CEO, Gabrielle Goodwin, Founder of Gabby Bows, gets distribution for her popular invention in Once Upon a Child Stores across the country.

Nationwide — Elementary entrepreneur Gabrielle Goodwin is now selling her hair accessory invention Gabby Bows in 50 Once Upon a Child stores in 16 states across the US. With the help of her mom Rozalynn, the 10 year-old CEO solved the age-old problem of disappearing girls’ hair barrettes by inventing The Double-Face Double-Snap Barrette by Gabby.

Gabrielle was just five years old when she started daily insisting she and her Mom create a barrette that would stay in her hair. They started the company when Gabrielle was seven years old. In just three years of operations, Gabby Bows have saved families time, money and frustration in all 50 states and eight countries through online sales at www.gabbybows.com.

A straight-A student, Gabrielle is the self-proclaimed President and CEO, handling inventory, serving as the lead saleswoman at trade shows, speaking to community groups and schools, personally writing thank you cards to customers who order online, and helping with sales taxes. She also hosts Gabby Play Dates to teach girls in children’s shelters about entrepreneurship.

In 2015, Gabrielle was named the youngest ever South Carolina Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

The following year, she and her mom were named a 2016 SCORE and Sam’s Club American Small Business Champion, and awarded as the 2016 SCORE Foundation Outstanding Diverse Business of the Year.

A children’s book about Gabrielle and Gabby Bows, “Gabby Invents the Perfect Hair Bow” will be published by Entrepreneur Kid this summer. “It feels really good to walk in a store and see your own product on the shelves! I am grateful to have a lot of supporters and be expanding.” says Gabrielle Goodwin.

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

Discover Programs to Enhance Your Career At York College's Adult & Youth Programs for Summer 2017

Enjoy summer 2017 with York College, CUNY Continuing and Professional Education Center’s (CPEC) summer programs!

CPEC provides our constituents with high quality non-credit courses, some leading to professional certifications, experiential learning opportunities, and scholastic and vocational support that help students to realize their educational and career potential.

Regarding our instructional offerings, the CPEC offers in-demand professional certification courses, preparatory academic courses for adults and youth, along with exciting enrichment courses for the whole family to enjoy, and career advising to help clients reach their goals!

CPEC is excited to announce that we’re offering over 60 in-person and online courses collectively for the summer semester alone!

Don’t let the summer heat slow you down, enroll in one or more of our summer adult and youth academies today! For more information regarding each academy, please click on the names below:

Adult Summer Enrichment Programs

> Accounting and Finance Academy

> Home Improvement Contractor Academy

> Small Business Academy

> Health Certifications Academy

> Artistic Expression Academy

> Life Skills Academy

> Health & Fitness Academy

Youth Summer Enrichment Programs

> Academic Preparation Academy

> Technology Academy

> Life Skills Academy

> Arts Academy

> Health & Fitness Academy

Interested? Meet us at one of our Open Houses!

Summer courses are now open for registration. Don’t miss out, click below to register online! Questions? Contact us at conted@york.cuny.edu.

Date: June 17
Event Category: Education: Specialty/Continuing
Website: https://yorkcuny.augusoft.net

Organizer: York College Continuing & Professional Education
Phone: (718) 262-2790
Email: conted@york.cuny.edu
Website: http://www.startatyork.com

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

Bring Your Children To The Queens International Children's Festival

Attend JCAL’s 2nd International Children’s Festival, a free two-day fun-filled family event that brings high-quality arts performances (music, dance, and theater) to the Downtown Jamaica area and residents of Queens. Each day is filled with hands-on activities to inspire young people and families to participate in the arts. Spread the word!

For more info go to: www.jcal.org

Posted by community events coordinator, Nzinga Lonstein Austin, is a prolific blogger who writes on the entertainment industry and issues for people with developmental and physical challenges.

She is presently in high school looking to have a career in video, film, and media. You can see more of her entertainment writing on Lonstein Movies.

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

Voice Your Opinion At The Southeast Queens Transit Town Hall

Southeast Queens Transit Town Hall
June 19 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.

New York City Council Members Donovan Richards and I. Daneek Miller are pleased to present a Southeast Queens transit town hall. Join them and New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg to discuss transportation needs throughout Southeast Queens. To RSVP, or ask additional questions, please contact Nina Durand at (718) 527-4356, or e-mail NDurand@council.nyc.gov.

Date: June 19

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Cost: Free

Organizer: Office of New York City Council Member Donovan Richards

Phone: (718) 527-4356

Website: http://council.nyc.gov/d31/html/members/home.shtml

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

Southeast Queens College Fair 2017

New York State Senator James Sanders Jr., and the Rochdale Board of Directors and Rochdale Village Community Center are pleased to present a southeast Queens College Fair 2017. Gather information about SUNY and CUNY colleges; apply for direct admission; learn about the NYS free tuition Excelsior Scholarships; register for pre-college and young adult programs that are sponsored by our area colleges; network; and more.

Details

Date: June 10

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Cost: Free

Organizer: Office of New York State Senator James Sanders

Phone: (718) 523-3069

Email: sanders@nysenate.gov

Website: https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/james-sanders-jr

About the Southeast Queens Scoop - is the premier website and only publication offering daily news and updates on the events, culture, issues, and is dedicated to the business and economic development in this largely black historic community. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get the latest updates on events, news, job and career postings, and resources Click Here

The publication targets the over 350,000 residents in the Southeast Queen and Jamaica Queens area. It promotes to over 40,000 potential viewers in social media, mobile devices and search engines like Google and Bing! To learn more about how to promote your business or organization on the Scoop or online Click Here

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

Holla At Your Boys - Empowerment Mens Conference

One and all are invited to “Holla At Your Boys”, a community empowerment event. Don’t miss this life building community conference bringing brothers together for empowerment and difference making. Topics to be discussed include: Finances, Brotherhood, “I’m Back on the Street What’s Next”, and Young Lives Matter. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood.

Details

Date: June 10
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free

Venue

Majority Family Life Center
115-19 Farmers Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11412 United States

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

Thursday, June 8, 2017

"Jamaica is ... Evolving" to Address Redevelopment and Gentrification

Please join Jamaica Is…Evolving, for a panel discussion/Q&A on redevelopment and gentrification and how to build intercultural connections to strengthen community. This will be followed by a musical performance and an opportunity to connect and network with others.

Details

Date: June 8

Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Cost: Free

Organizer: Jamaica Is…

Email: rreyes@gjdc.org

Venue: Latin American Intercultural Alliance

148-15 Archer Avenue

Jamaica, 11435 United States

No Spam Only the Scoop on Southeast Queens

How To Hedge Against Gentrification In Southeast Queens With Home Ownership

Get The Scoop Weekly On Southeast Queens. Subscribe to Our Mailing List. Receive the Latest Events, News, Jobs, and Top Community Economic Development Stories Like this one Click Here

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By Isa Abdur-Rahman, Esq.

Collage of Jamaica Queens Copyright Southeast Queens Scoop

Downtown Jamaica, Queens, is currently undergoing rapid redevelopment. Several new hotels and apartment buildings are being constructed, and the expectation is that an influx of affluent buyers and renters will soon flood the Southeast Queens neighborhoods, pricing out the working-class families and mom-and-pop businesses in our community. “Gentrification” is the term for this type of trend, and it usually carries a negative and often cultural connotation.

Is Gentrification the Challenge?

I am not determined to prevent people of different cultures and ethnicities from moving into the area. Not at all. The truth is that I embrace diversity … when it is diversity and not displacement.

However, I am determined to see our younger generations become business owners and property owners here in Southeast Queens, where our parents and grandparents have worked hard for decades. Since I began my law office in 2004, I have handled numerous real estate, business lease, and probate transactions in Southeast Queens, and I can state with confidence that empowering the younger generation is a far more real challenge than what many perceive as gentrification.

Important Questions One Might Consider

> What does it take for a young woman age 26 to want to purchase her own home in Hollis?

> Does she need to be married first?

> Does she need help from family to make a down payment?

> What does it take for a young man age 30 to take over his parents’ small business on Merrick Blvd?

> Do they have to guarantee him a salary based on his degree?

> Does he have to pay off his student loans first?

> What does it take for heirs to hold onto Grandma’s property in Laurelton now that she has passed on?

> Does one of the heirs have to live in the property?

> What if the other heirs want their share of the cash value instead of keeping the house?

These are the types of questions that actually come up within the households of Southeast Queens, and the answers are unique to every family, every individual, every situation. But I have observed one theme emerging from these households: members of the Millennial generation in our community are postponing their plans for ownership until later in life.

Southeast Queens Millennials Becoming Owners

There are various theories as to why Millennials seem to be “starting out later.” For example, the job market may be more limited now than in years past; education and student loans may be more expensive; marriage may be intimidating and, thus, the 2-income household may be harder to establish; travel and recreation may be more of a priority than “settling down” and investing; and so on.

Despite the speculation, one thing is certain: Southeast Queens needs its Millennials to emerge as the next generation of owners, innovators and leaders. Each family in our community can and should consider practical ways to empower the next generation, giving them a chance to “test drive” ownership through tried-and-true approaches as well as new methods and technologies.

Ideas to Empower the Millennial Generation in Southeast Queens

Here are just a few ideas for your consideration:

1. The Trulia app. Trulia’s free mobile app allows you to view homes for sale directly on the map of whatever neighborhood you’re interested in. You can view available pictures from outside and inside the home, find out the asking price, how long the home has been on the market, and any scheduled open house dates. It’s a very convenient way to envision what’s possible for owning property in our area. (It also works when you’re visiting other cities and states.)

2. Lease Agreement with Family. Young adults living at home with parents should still have the opportunity to pay rent and agree to the terms of a written lease. Being under a formal lease agreement enhances your ability to transition to ownership, and the lease itself may be a useful document when you apply for a mortgage or if your parents apply for a refinance or loan modification.

3. Rent-to-Own Agreement with Family. In this arrangement a portion of your monthly rent payment gets treated as a partial down payment for purchase of the home you are currently renting. Over time the down payment grows to be sizable and helps you qualify for a mortgage loan. For parents or grandparents who intend to relocate, this approach can be a useful way to gradually sell their property to a younger member of the family.

4. Life Estate Deed. Where the elder family member intends to remain in the same home, it may be practical to have a responsible younger family member placed on the deed, with the elder retaining a “life estate” interest. Not only can this bolster the ownership identity of the younger generation if they are already responsible, but it may also be an effective legacy planning or Medicaid planning tool for the elder.

5. Form a Non-Profit Corporation. Finally, many Millennials are driven by a desire to use their skills and abilities in a meaningful way, to make a difference in the community or create content that stimulates progress. That type of drive can be empowering to a young adult if it is structured and purposeful. Forming a small non-profit corporation is a low-cost way to establish a structure that can give Millennial family members a vehicle to launch into innovation and leadership.

Start the Ownership Conversation

These items are just for consideration. Legal counsel should be obtained for your family’s specific objectives before any formal documents are implemented.

I recognize that families often have a hard time discussing topics like property ownership, so I created a “personality quiz” to break the ice and help people start talking about ownership more comfortably. You can take the quiz online at www.Ownerscope.com, share it on social media, and talk about it with family and friends. Enjoy.
(ATTORNEY ADVERTISING)

Isa Abdur-Rahman is an attorney based in Jamaica, Queens. He is also the founder and executive director of Farmers Boulevard Community Development Corp., a non-profit group created in 2009 with the mission of revitalizing Farmers Boulevard. Isa taught Business Law at York College from 2011-2016. He lives in Jamaica with his wife, Fazeeda, and their three young children.

Isa Abdur-Rahman, Esq.
90-04 161st Street, Suite 308
Jamaica, NY 11432
Phone: (718) 262-0682

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