For Uganda Little Leaguers, Exhilaration and Then Heartbreak

For Uganda Little Leaguers, Exhilaration and Then Heartbreak

Tadej Znidarcic for The New York Times

The Rev. John Foundation Little League team, Middle East-Africa champions, practiced last week in Kampala, Uganda.

By PAUL POST

KAMPALA, Uganda — Felix Barugahare has no idea what a sporting goods store is. He shares a glove and swings someone else’s bat, and there is a good chance that his baseball cleats are the first pair of shoes he has worn.

Felix is a second baseman for the Rev. John Foundation Little League team, the first team from Africa to qualify for the Little League World Series. But the players’ aspirations for international success were dashed Friday when they were denied visas to travel to the United States. The State Department said that some of the visa applications included birth records that “several parents admitted had been altered to make some players appear younger than they actually are.”

It is a sad coda to an inspirational story of a fledgling program for poor children who hoped to test their skills against the best teams in the world. More frustrating for Uganda is that for the second year in a row, a seemingly open path to South Williamsport, Pa., where the tournament is held, has been blocked by adults behind closed doors rather than by children on the playing field.

Many of the boys on the foundation team live in crowded homes with their extended families, subsisting on as little as $100 a month. Some have no parents. And when there are parents in the picture, they are often illiterate, making it difficult to verify the birth certificate information and complicating State Department interviews.

click here for full article

Police Search for Two Girls Missing Since Monday

Police Search for Two Girls Missing Since Monday

July 27, 2011 9:41am | By Tuan Nguyen, DNAinfo

Queen Sutherland, 14, (L) and Janell Johnson, 13, were last seen in Harlem July 25, 2011. (NYPD)

UPPER EAST SIDE — Police are seeking the public’s help to locate two girls who have been missing since Monday night.

Queen Sutherland, 14, of E 102nd Street and Janell Johnson, 13, of Brooklyn, were last seen around 9:00 p.m. in Sutherland’s house in Harlem. The girls are cousins, police said.

Sutherland is described as 4-foot-11-inches tall and weighing 100 pounds. She has black and blond braids and was last seen wearing an orange t-shirt, blue jeans and neon green and gray sneakers.

Johnson, who stands five-foot-six-inches tall and weighs 115 lbs., has long black hair that she often wears in a ponytail. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with the words “Don't Hate Me Because I'm Pretty” and purple pants, and white and purple Airmax sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or send their tips or text 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20110727/harlem/police-search-for-two-girls-missing-since-monday?utm_content=chiefcharley472%40gmail.com&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Police%20Search%20for%20Two%20Girls%20Missing%20Since%20Monday&utm_campaign=Pol%20Calls%20for%20Notification%20Whenever%20Sewage%20Enters%20City%20Waterwayscontent#ixzz1TQQeLlwg

Unearthing Traces of African-American Village Displaced by Central Park

Unearthing Traces of African-American Village Displaced by Central Park

By LISA W. FODERARO

For more than a decade, anthropologists and historians pieced together the history of a short-lived African-American community that was snuffed out in the 1850s by the creation of Central Park. They combed vital records and tax documents, scanned parkland using radar and studied soil borings.

But because the vestiges of the community were buried beneath the park, the leaders of the Institute for the Exploration of Seneca Village History — a consortium of three professors from City College, Barnard College and New York University — were kept from doing the one thing that would open a window onto the daily existence of the some 260 residents: digging.

That all changed eight weeks ago, after they won permission from the city to excavate in an area of the park near 85th Street and Central Park West.

While the borings of the past produced just a few artifacts, the dig, which will end on Friday, generated 250 bags of material that should keep the scholars busy for months, if not years. The work on Wednesday alone yielded a toothbrush handle fashioned of bone and the lid of a stoneware jar.

About two-thirds of the residents of Seneca Village were African-American, while the rest were of European descent, mostly Irish. The community was settled in the 1820s, a few years before slavery was abolished in New York. Despite old news reports that the village was a squatter camp, it was, in fact, made up of working- and middle-class property owners.

Detailed historical maps indicate that the village stretched from 82nd to 89th Streets, between what were then Seventh and Eighth Avenues. Nan A. Rothschild, an anthropologist who is a professor at Columbia University and Barnard College, said that there were other settlements in the area, but that “this is the most formal, coherent community that we know of, because it was laid out in a grid pattern and had three churches and a school.”

With the help of 10 college interns, the institute focused on two primary sites: the yard of a resident named Nancy Moore, and the home of William G. Wilson, a sexton at All Angels’ Episcopal Church, both of whom were black. Records show that Mr. Wilson and his wife, Charlotte, had eight children and lived in a three-story wood-frame house.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/nyregion/unearthing-an-african-american-village-displaced-by-central-park.html

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Student interns in Central Park at the site of Seneca Village, which was settled in the 1820s.

Enlarge This Image

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

A shard of pottery found at the site.

Enlarge This Image

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Buttons were among the settlement artifacts.

Enlarge This Image

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

The bowl of a clay pipe from the village, which was demolished in the 1850s.

What Muslim Radicalization Hearings? Peter King Says Another 9/11 Is "Almost Impossible"

 

Republican Rep. Peter King has been keeping busy with refusing "craven surrender to political correctness" by singling out Muslims as a group of people we really shouldn't be trusting. After his first Congressional hearing on "Muslim Radicalization" was mostly an offensive dud, his second one was barely noticed. And yes, there will be a third hearing to combat the scourge of Islam on Wednesday. But Peter King seems to have forgotten how real the danger is, because NY1 reports that he told a group of supporters this morning that "it would be almost impossible for a 9/11-type attack to happen again." [ more › ]

What Muslim Radicalization Hearings? Peter King Says Another 9/11 Is "Almost Impossible"
Christopher Robbins
Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:05:10 GMT

FDNY Comes to Harlem Looking to Diversify its Ranks

FDNY Comes to Harlem Looking to Diversify its Ranks

July 18, 2011 5:51pm | By Jeff Mays, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

 

 

 

Harlem resident and firefighter Khalid Baylor responded to an application he received at a street fair. Eight years later, he's one of the faces of the FDNY's diversity recruitment campaign. (DNAinfo/Jeff Mays)

HARLEM — Khalid Baylor wasn't planning to be a firefighter, but eight years ago he was looking for a career change when a black firefighter handed him an application for the New York City Fire Department at the Harlem Day Parade.

"I was just out in the crowd and I saw this black firefighter who gave me an application and encouraged me to apply," said Baylor, a Harlem resident.

He then went a step beyond. He made copies of the application and handed them out to his friends. Eight years later, Baylor, is an example of both the success and difficulties of recruiting minorities to the largest firefighting force in the country.

None of his friends followed through with the fire department application, but today, Baylor is a firefighter with Engine 35/ Ladder 14 on East 124th Street and Third Avenue. He is also one of the faces of the FDNY's efforts to diversify its ranks, appearing on a new FDNY ad campaign with his 11-year-old son Khalid.

"What I have seen is that a lot of community residents don't know about the job opportunities with the fire department," Baylor said.

Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20110718/harlem/fdny-comes-harlem-looking-diversify-its-ranks?utm_content=chiefcharley472%40gmail.com&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=FDNY%20Comes%20to%20Harlem%20Looking%20to%20Diversify%20its%20Ranks&utm_campaign=Muni-Meter%20Rate%20Hikes%20Take%20Effect%20Above%2096th%20Streetcontent#ixzz1SaU3IkTH

Final Proposal Unveiled for Sherman Creek Waterfront

Final Proposal Unveiled for Sherman Creek Waterfront

July 14, 2011 8:08pm | By Carla Zanoni, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

 

 

SEE MORE PHOTOS

INWOOD — A final proposal for the renovation of Sherman Creek was unveiled at a community forum steps away from the underused and blighted inlet Wednesday night.

The ambitious $83 million plan created by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) over the past two years would seek to reinvent the stretch of the Harlem River between Dyckman and 208th Street.

The plan looks to create four connected areas, including a boardwalk, pebble beach, a walkway over the river and a cove for public waterside use.

"Having worked together with the local community on this plan for the past two years, we're excited to release the completed Sherman Creek Waterfront Esplanade Master Plan," said NYCEDC spokesman Kyle Sklerov, adding that the plan complements the city's WAVES 2020 plan, which aims to increase waterfront access through the five boroughs. 

Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20110714/washington-heights-inwood/final-proposal-unveiled-for-sherman-creek-waterfront?utm_content=chiefcharley472%40gmail.com&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Morningside%20Park%20Could%20Get%20More%20Policecontent#ixzz1SHcdmklg

“Minority Report” Come True: Facial Recognition in the Hands of Cops

 

Facial recognition technology, a staple of high-tech action adventure films, is making its mainstream debut – in reality.

Dozens of law enforcement groups in several states plan to outfit police with hand-held devices that officers can use to scan irises or take photos of a person’s face, the WSJ reports. The gadget, which attaches to iPhones, then runs the information through a criminal database to find potential matches.

The technology – made by BI2 Technologies of Plymouth, Mass. – raises privacy concerns over whether use of the device would require a search warrant, according to the Journal.

Although courts have not ruled on the issue, individuals – including police officers – can legally take photos of people in public spaces. Even so, Orin Kerr of the George Washington University Law School told the Journal that face- and iris-recognition technology is still “a gray area of the law.”

BI2 says it plans to produce about 1,000 devices for distribution to about 40 law enforcement agencies. Each gadget costs $3,000.

“Minority Report” Come True: Facial Recognition in the Hands of Cops
Patrick G. Lee
Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:45:53 GMT

Afghan President Karzai's Brother Killed in Kandahar

 

Ahmed Wali Karzai, half-brother of President Hamid Karzai, was shot and killed by a regular visitor to his home in Kandahar, where he was the head of the provincial council. Ahmed Karzai was a controversial figure in Afghan politics, with reports that he was on the CIA payroll and involved in drug trafficking. [NYT]

Read more posts by Emily Watkins

Filed Under: afghanistan, ahmed wali karzai, hamid karzai

Afghan President Karzai's Brother Killed in Kandahar
Emily Watkins
Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:24:32 GMT

Fan Mistakenly Calls Jeter “Latino”; Do You Consider Him To Be Black?

 

The fan who caught Derek Jeter’s historic 3,000th hit, Christian Lopez, called Derek Jeter a “Latino” when he was interviewed after catching the historic ball.

Problem is that Derek Jeter is far from Latino — he’s actually half-Black and white.

Now many look at Derek Jeter in the same way they look at Tiger Woods; almost as color-less athletes. Both of them have stayed far away from any type of racial issues or talk which have endeared them to all types of fans.

With his appeal amongst all fans, and refusal to speak about any racial issues, do you consider Jeter to be a Black man?

RELATED:

Black baseball players who are part of the 3,000 hit club

Fan Mistakenly Calls Jeter “Latino”; Do You Consider Him To Be Black?
NewsOne Staff
Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:05:59 GMT

I wondered how long it would be before Jeter's ethnic background would become part of his mighty accomplishment?

City Lawmaker Calls For "Perp Walk" Ban

 

A City Council member from Brooklyn says he wants to put an end to the practice of parading arrested suspects in front of the media.

City Lawmaker Calls For "Perp Walk" Ban
Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:14:11 GMT

The City Council member should check the records, because Perp Walks were banned by the Giuliani administration. The NYPD was issued an order to stop notifying the media prior to escorting a prisoner from or to the station, because it violated the Presumption of Innocence rule. 

Manhattan DA's Cold Case Squad Makes Its First Arrest

 

Manhattan DA Cy Vance at least had a tiny bit of good news, for once, yesterday. The cold case squad he helped create last year has made its first arrest. Investigators say they have linked the 25-year-old murder of Antoinette Bennett—who was found dead in St. Nicholas Park on Nov. 10, 1986—to a Rikers inmate, Steven Carter, who was days away from being released. [ more › ]

Manhattan DA's Cold Case Squad Makes Its First Arrest
Garth Johnston
Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:21:55 GMT

Jul 15, 2011: Ghost Doctors Central Park Ghost Tours at Central Park

 

Central Park, one of the world's greatest parks is abuzz with supernatural activity. Join NYC's own "Ghost Doctors" (paranormal investigators and licensed tours guides) on a “real” ghost hunting adventure through New York's Central Park. This is not your typical “story telling” ghost tour. This is the real deal! Learn the use of real ghost hunting equipment and protocol. Explore this amazing iconic park right in the heart of NYC as we hunt for spirits that have been around for over 150 years and don't be surprised who or what shows up! At the end of this investigation, walk away with the knowledge of what it is to be a real ghost hunter. For all information including location and ticket info go to our website: ghostdoctors.com This is a special limited time offer of only $25.00!

Jul 15, 2011: Ghost Doctors Central Park Ghost Tours at Central Park
Thu, 07 Jul 2011 03:26:30 GMT

In Making a Big Leap, Many Helping Hands

In Making a Big Leap, Many Helping Hands

By MICHELLE HISKEY

ATLANTA — When Ralph Boston rehearsed the long jump form that would win him three Olympic medals in the 1960s, he needed only some flat terrain and a soft place to land.

When Mariah Stackhouse practiced the golf swing that would earn her a place in the United States Women’s Open this week as the only African-American qualifier, she needed more than the public golf course her middle-class parents could afford to put her on.

What Stackhouse, 17, ended up with was a country club membership and an influential network of supporters, both acquired in part through the efforts of Boston, 72, who said he recognized in her the drive and potential of Wilma Rudolph and Althea Gibson, star athletes of his era.

“I just remember as I was trying to do my little thing, and as I started to work at it, people would help me and admonish me to pass it forward,” Boston said recently before teeing off at Planterra Ridge Golf Club in nearby Peachtree City, Ga., referring to his early days as a long jumper.

“When I met Mariah, there was a lady running through my mind — my mother, Eulalia,” he added. “She’d always tell me, ‘Whenever you can open a door, you do it.’ So basically I had to help Mariah, because people helped me.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/06/sports/golf/mariah-stackhouse-has-support-in-womens-open-bid.html

 

Erik S. Lesser for The New York Times

Mariah Stackhouse, who was swinging clubs at age 3, became the youngest Georgia PGA women's champion in 2009, and has accepted an athletic scholarship to Stanford.

 

 

 

Enlarge This Image

Erik S. Lesser for The New York Times

Mariah Stackhouse with the Olympic champion Ralph Boston, who first met her six years ago.

Eye-Burning Plants The Latest Threat to New Yorkers

 

A sudden outbreak of hogweeds -- the "notorious plant" with sap that can cause burns, blisters, and blindness -- has prompted the State Department of Environmental Conservation to issue a summer-long warning to New Yorkers, as the plant spreads around the state. "See your physician if you think you have been burned by giant hogweed," the department advises. "If you think you have giant hogweed on your property, do NOT touch it." (Emphasis theirs.) New York State has set up a giant hogweed hotline, 845-256-3111, for those in need. Since the plant grows to 12 feet tall and burns your eyes and skin, you'll probably know if you should call. [NYDN, NYP]

Read more posts by Mike Vilensky

Filed Under: nature's pepper spray, botanical beasts, hazardous herbs, hogweeds, plants, scary things

Eye-Burning Plants The Latest Threat to New Yorkers
Mike Vilensky
Wed, 06 Jul 2011 04:30:48 GMT

NYC rationing toilet paper at Coney Island

NYC rationing toilet paper at Coney Island

By RICH CALDER

Last Updated:10:08 AM, July 4, 2011

Posted:1:06 AM, July 4, 2011

Hey buddy, can you spare a square?

The city is so hard up for cash that it's rationing toilet paper in women's public restrooms -- to the point where bathroom attendants are doling out a few measly squares per patron -- along the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk.

The Post witnessed stone-faced Parks Department employees leave toilet-paper dispensers empty last week and instead force astonished female beachgoers to form "ration lines" in the bathrooms.

Regina Ballone, 25, of Brooklyn visited a boardwalk bathroom at West 16th Street Wednesday and was "grossed out" at the thought of someone else handling her toilet paper.

"Never in my life have I experienced anything like this," she said. "I walked toward a stall, and a bathroom attendant stopped me by shouting, 'Hey,mami! There's no toilet paper here,' and she whipped out a big roll for me to grab some."

Beachgoers also have been forced to line up for their paltry allotment of the city's cheap, single-ply toilet paper at the boardwalk's other women's restroom at Stillwell Avenue.

Read more:http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/ed_off_over_coney_tp_ration_ZLxvCQtk7PMMJa8wPtA39J#ixzz1RA9F6BeN