WE'RE LAFFIN !! WEDNESDAYS!" NOW BRINGS YOU .."THE "WORD ON WEDNESDAY THE ALL NEW "AFTERWORK COMEDY & POETRY SLAM !" AT THE WORLD FAMOUS !! "SYLVIAS" LOUNGE.318 LENOX AVE. (126TH STREET)6:30PM-1AM 2-FOR-1 DRINK SPECIALS 6:30PM-7:30PM
POETRY SLAM !! HOSTED BY "BRO. EARL" BEGINS AT 7:30PM
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thank you Marilyn and Pastor Tanine Atkinson
Thank you Jeannine, Marilyn and Tanine along with Dominique for your support, life goes on!!!! NEXT!!!
M&A 1979 Graduate Mimi Cohen Announcing..
Mimi Cohen Announcing my Fundraiser Event for my show, "To Carry On ....", Sunday, May 2nd, 7-9pm, at The Cherry Pit Theatre. There will be wine, food, chocolate dipped strawberries & music. And, you'll go home with delicious biscotti by Biscotti di Vecchio & a free CD of music from the show. Join me for the fun. View your Events Invites for the details. www.mimicohen.net or write me privately. Hope to see you there!
Harlem Habitats!!!
Harlem Habitats The Mt Morris Historic District runs from Lenox to 5th Avenue, 119th to 124th Street. Beautiful 19th Century and early 20th Century Townhouses, and there are some for sale! Please contact 917 345 8002
Miles Davis Bitches Brew!!!!
Jazz had long stood at the forefront of groundbreaking music: pushing new ideas into popular culture, worshipping the beat, the rhythm, the groove which stood quite simply for the disenfranchised and the downtrodden.
Yet by the summer of 1969 jazz felt out of step with a rapidly changing world. The civil rights movement had caused huge ruptures to open up across America, and jazz musicians were struggling for a means to express those feelings. Sure, outcasts and mavericks such as Albert Ayler may have strived to turn the anger and beauty of the ’60s into sharps and flats, but compared to the action in the streets those were timidly written artistic manifestos striving to equal the ferocity of a Molotov cocktail. Something had to be done.
Miles Davis virtually defined modern jazz on his ‘Kind Of Blue’ album, but seemed content to sit the ’60s out. Forming his second great quintet the trumpeter taunted his critics - eager for a return to the hushed modal jazz of his 1959 set - by pushing bebop out into unreached territory. Yet still the St. Louis-born musician chafed at the safeguards put on his playing. Introduced to the music of Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone and James Brown by his then girlfriend Betty Davis, Miles began to focus on a new, intricate form of composition, which would test any conventional notion of jazz music.
Yet by the summer of 1969 jazz felt out of step with a rapidly changing world. The civil rights movement had caused huge ruptures to open up across America, and jazz musicians were struggling for a means to express those feelings. Sure, outcasts and mavericks such as Albert Ayler may have strived to turn the anger and beauty of the ’60s into sharps and flats, but compared to the action in the streets those were timidly written artistic manifestos striving to equal the ferocity of a Molotov cocktail. Something had to be done.
Miles Davis virtually defined modern jazz on his ‘Kind Of Blue’ album, but seemed content to sit the ’60s out. Forming his second great quintet the trumpeter taunted his critics - eager for a return to the hushed modal jazz of his 1959 set - by pushing bebop out into unreached territory. Yet still the St. Louis-born musician chafed at the safeguards put on his playing. Introduced to the music of Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone and James Brown by his then girlfriend Betty Davis, Miles began to focus on a new, intricate form of composition, which would test any conventional notion of jazz music.
Inside my burnt orange walls!!!
Inside my burnt orange walls, my GOD waking up this am was such a pleasure, sun trying to creep through the clouds, bouncing off the orange hues,such a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, now one more task to accomplish and I will be back and running, still looking for $$$sponsors for the reunion concert!!!GOD IS AMAZING!!!
Music and Art Graduate Jesi Kelly has some great News!!!! She is looking for some cool percussionist!!!
Jesi G Kelley is BEYOND EXCITED Nuttin' But Stringz has signed on to be spokespersons for Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, for like a million different reasons... now we just need some cool percussionists for Speaking In Rhythms.
KOBE says: If we're going to be eliminated, I don't want to go into the summer thinking I could've done something about it.
He's more hurt than old right now. Sore and battered from a year with a few too many strains and sprains. So sore, actually, that he even folded the tent of invincibility he'd worked so many years to construct and sat out some games to rest and heal.
Not so long ago, the surrender would've been a fate worse than defeat, but Kobe Bryant, 31, has come a long way in a very short time.
He has, it seems, learned to accept this strange new reality that even he might have physical limitations. Those limitations will come from age in the future, but currently from wear and a few too many bruises.
It was uneven at first. With Bryant shooting too much and too poorly in Game 1 of this first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, then passing too much in Game 4.
“
If we're going to be eliminated, I don't want to go into the summer thinking I could've done something about it.
”
-- Kobe Bryant on his decision to guard Russell Westbrook in Game 5
Even coach Phil Jackson noted that he "probably overdid it" with all that "breaking the defense down and … getting everybody involved." Jackson said he was hoping Kobe would "have a fine balance tonight," before the Lakers' blowout 111-87 win in Game 5.
Not so long ago, the surrender would've been a fate worse than defeat, but Kobe Bryant, 31, has come a long way in a very short time.
He has, it seems, learned to accept this strange new reality that even he might have physical limitations. Those limitations will come from age in the future, but currently from wear and a few too many bruises.
It was uneven at first. With Bryant shooting too much and too poorly in Game 1 of this first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, then passing too much in Game 4.
“
If we're going to be eliminated, I don't want to go into the summer thinking I could've done something about it.
”
-- Kobe Bryant on his decision to guard Russell Westbrook in Game 5
Even coach Phil Jackson noted that he "probably overdid it" with all that "breaking the defense down and … getting everybody involved." Jackson said he was hoping Kobe would "have a fine balance tonight," before the Lakers' blowout 111-87 win in Game 5.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Lakers loose to thunder last night!!!!Kobe quiet!!!
OKLAHOMA CITY -- There's plenty of facets one can point to as the reason the Thunder were able to come away with the win in Game 4 -- bench play, fastbreak points, turnovers, rebounding -- but perhaps none of them illustrate the 21-point loss for the Lakers more concretely than Oklahoma City's 25-point advantage at the free-throw line.
The unguarded 15-foot shot has been a recurring cast member in the first four games of this dramatic best-of-seven series so far.
The story from the free-throw line in Game 1 for the Lakers was Kobe Bryant making only seven of 12 attempts. In Game 2, the focus was the sheer amount of attempts for both teams with L.A. taking 32 and Oklahoma City taking 33. The Game 3 free-throw tale was the Thunder's uneven 34-12 advantage in attempts and the fact Bryant didn't shoot one. Game 4 had the worst elements of Game 1 (the Lakers missed 11 of their 28 attempts) and Game 3 (Oklahoma City had 20 more attempts than Los Angeles did).
Pau Gasol is one of several Lakers who had a poor effort at the free-throw line Saturday.The 42 made free throws for Oklahoma City are the second most freebies ever made against Los Angeles in a postseason game. The Boston Celtics made 43 against the Lakers in Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals and L.A. lost that game too.
"We make our foul shots and we're OK in that ballgame," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We're down maybe five points or seven points if we make our free throws, like professional players should do."
Pau Gasol, a 79 percent free-throw shooter during the regular season, was three of six. Derek Fisher, who made 85.6 percent of his tries during the season, missed both attempts Saturday. Lamar Odom, who shot 69.3 percent, also missed his two attempts.
While Jackson called the free-throw disparity in Game 3 the "key factor" to the outcome, Ron Artest said the Thunder deserved their trips to the line Saturday.
"They were aggressive," Artest said. "You know, no excuses."
Quiet Bryant
After Jackson called Bryant "an attack player" before the game and spoke of plans to have Bryant penetrate the paint more often the way he did by going coast to coast to cut the Thunder lead to two points with 12 seconds left in Game 3, it was odd to see the 12-time All-Star zig when Jackson said the plan was to zag. Bryant did not attempt a single shot in the first quarter and the Lakers trailed by 12.
"I was managing the game exactly how I wanted to," Bryant said. "Unfortunately, it got away from us by them getting out in transition and getting those buckets, I wasn't able to do what I normally am able to do at the end of the game, closing things out and things like that. But I felt pretty good about the way I was managing it."
Bryant finished with 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting and dished out a team-high four assists. Bryant, who shot just 36.8 percent over the first three games of the series and 30 percent in the final three games he played in the regular season, reached the 50 percent shooting plateau for the first time since March 31.
"He wanted to get everybody involved in the game," Jackson said of Bryant's unselfish first quarter. "It was OK."
Bryant, who admitted his right knee that caused him to sit out two games at the end of the season was affecting his ability to drive to the basket, left the bench midway through the fourth quarter to receive a leg massage in the locker room.
"I have to do a boatload of treatment, so it's important for me to get in there and do it early, get ready for this flight, get home and get back on it," Bryant said.
The unguarded 15-foot shot has been a recurring cast member in the first four games of this dramatic best-of-seven series so far.
The story from the free-throw line in Game 1 for the Lakers was Kobe Bryant making only seven of 12 attempts. In Game 2, the focus was the sheer amount of attempts for both teams with L.A. taking 32 and Oklahoma City taking 33. The Game 3 free-throw tale was the Thunder's uneven 34-12 advantage in attempts and the fact Bryant didn't shoot one. Game 4 had the worst elements of Game 1 (the Lakers missed 11 of their 28 attempts) and Game 3 (Oklahoma City had 20 more attempts than Los Angeles did).
Pau Gasol is one of several Lakers who had a poor effort at the free-throw line Saturday.The 42 made free throws for Oklahoma City are the second most freebies ever made against Los Angeles in a postseason game. The Boston Celtics made 43 against the Lakers in Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals and L.A. lost that game too.
"We make our foul shots and we're OK in that ballgame," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We're down maybe five points or seven points if we make our free throws, like professional players should do."
Pau Gasol, a 79 percent free-throw shooter during the regular season, was three of six. Derek Fisher, who made 85.6 percent of his tries during the season, missed both attempts Saturday. Lamar Odom, who shot 69.3 percent, also missed his two attempts.
While Jackson called the free-throw disparity in Game 3 the "key factor" to the outcome, Ron Artest said the Thunder deserved their trips to the line Saturday.
"They were aggressive," Artest said. "You know, no excuses."
Quiet Bryant
After Jackson called Bryant "an attack player" before the game and spoke of plans to have Bryant penetrate the paint more often the way he did by going coast to coast to cut the Thunder lead to two points with 12 seconds left in Game 3, it was odd to see the 12-time All-Star zig when Jackson said the plan was to zag. Bryant did not attempt a single shot in the first quarter and the Lakers trailed by 12.
"I was managing the game exactly how I wanted to," Bryant said. "Unfortunately, it got away from us by them getting out in transition and getting those buckets, I wasn't able to do what I normally am able to do at the end of the game, closing things out and things like that. But I felt pretty good about the way I was managing it."
Bryant finished with 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting and dished out a team-high four assists. Bryant, who shot just 36.8 percent over the first three games of the series and 30 percent in the final three games he played in the regular season, reached the 50 percent shooting plateau for the first time since March 31.
"He wanted to get everybody involved in the game," Jackson said of Bryant's unselfish first quarter. "It was OK."
Bryant, who admitted his right knee that caused him to sit out two games at the end of the season was affecting his ability to drive to the basket, left the bench midway through the fourth quarter to receive a leg massage in the locker room.
"I have to do a boatload of treatment, so it's important for me to get in there and do it early, get ready for this flight, get home and get back on it," Bryant said.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Pierce's buzzer-beater gives C's comfortable 3-0 series lead
By Chris Perkins, for NBA.com
Posted Saturday April 24, 2010 12:20AM
MIAMI (NBA.com exclusive) -- The Heat wasn't winning this playoff game, and there's almost no way it wins this series. Boston is too good, too confident and too far in Miami's head.
And now the Celtics, whose own players raised doubts about the team a few months ago, seem to be approaching the form that won them a title just two years ago.
"The Celtics are starting to play well," Boston center Kendrick Perkins said.
The fact that Celtics forward Paul Pierce hit a 21-foot jumper as time expired to deliver a dramatic 100-98 Game 3 victory at AmericanAirlines Arena Friday only tells part of the story of how Boston has taken a commanding 3-0 lead in this first-round playoff series.
"We're a veteran team," said Pierce, whose step-back jumper over Miami's Dorell Wright was good as soon as it left his hand, "and we don't get rattled, especially in crucial situations."
The full story of this best-of-seven series is Boston began preparing to win this game, and likely this series, years ago with demoralizing regular season victories against Miami. The Celtics, after all have won 14 of their last 15 games against the Heat.
You want snapshots? In November, Boston closed the game on a 14-3 run to defeat Miami, 92-85. In January, Boston tied the game with six-tenths of a second left and won it, 112-106, in overtime. In February, Boston simply won, 107-102. In Game 1, it went on a 21-0 run in the first half and closed the game on a 34-10 run.
Those losses have stuck with the Heat; the victories have resonated with the Celtics.
That brings things back around to Friday and the suddenly resurgent Celtics. Boston, which lost seven of its final 10 regular-season games and seemed headed for playoff normalcy, has re-gained its championship-contending swagger.
Miami even sounds defeated.
"Their team is good," said Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who left the game for good with a left leg cramp with 11.7 seconds left and the score tied at 98. "They have a lot of veteran guys that step up to the billing."
Wade ended with a game-high 34 points and eight assists, and he got help from forwards Michael Beasley (16 points), Dorell Wright (15 points) and Udonis Haslem (10 points, eight rebounds) and guard Mario Chalmers (10 points).
But Wade didn't get any help from center Jermaine O'Neal (two points on 1-for-7 shooting), who is now 5-for-31 (.161) in the series.
Plus, Wade, who was dazzling, was fighting leg cramps. They started with about five minutes left in the game and left Wade almost powerless down the stretch.
"I had nothing," he said. "I was trying to fight through it and pass to my teammates."
While that was going on Boston was hitting the Heat from all sides. Pierce torched Miami with 32 points. Guard Ray Allen, who had 25 points in Game 2, had 25 again in Game 3. Guard Rajon Rondo had 17 points and eight assists. Even Perkins, who was 0-for-4 from the field, contributed a game-high 12 rebounds. Although the Celtics only shot .468 from the field they seemed to control the game all night, taking an 80-72 lead into the fourth quarter.
Once in the final period the Celtics made all the right plays. Garnett had a sweet turnaround jumper on the baseline. Pierce hit a three-pointer. Rondo had a driving layup.
But even with all that, Wade kept Miami in the game. And then came the leg cramp. Wade had just attempted a jumper when the cramp sent him to the floor in agony with 11.7 seconds left and the game tied at 98.
"I kind of knew once I was on the floor that cramp was not going away," said Wade, who was assisted off the court by teammates.
That's when Pierce took center stage. He took the inbounds pass got to the right elbow and took his step-back jumper. There was no doubt. Game over, and, most likely, series over. There was no way the Heat was winning.
"That's The Truth," Perkins said of Pierce. "He lives for games like this
Pierce's buzzer-beater gives C's comfortable 3-0 series lead
Posted Saturday April 24, 2010 12:20AM
MIAMI (NBA.com exclusive) -- The Heat wasn't winning this playoff game, and there's almost no way it wins this series. Boston is too good, too confident and too far in Miami's head.
And now the Celtics, whose own players raised doubts about the team a few months ago, seem to be approaching the form that won them a title just two years ago.
"The Celtics are starting to play well," Boston center Kendrick Perkins said.
The fact that Celtics forward Paul Pierce hit a 21-foot jumper as time expired to deliver a dramatic 100-98 Game 3 victory at AmericanAirlines Arena Friday only tells part of the story of how Boston has taken a commanding 3-0 lead in this first-round playoff series.
"We're a veteran team," said Pierce, whose step-back jumper over Miami's Dorell Wright was good as soon as it left his hand, "and we don't get rattled, especially in crucial situations."
The full story of this best-of-seven series is Boston began preparing to win this game, and likely this series, years ago with demoralizing regular season victories against Miami. The Celtics, after all have won 14 of their last 15 games against the Heat.
You want snapshots? In November, Boston closed the game on a 14-3 run to defeat Miami, 92-85. In January, Boston tied the game with six-tenths of a second left and won it, 112-106, in overtime. In February, Boston simply won, 107-102. In Game 1, it went on a 21-0 run in the first half and closed the game on a 34-10 run.
Those losses have stuck with the Heat; the victories have resonated with the Celtics.
That brings things back around to Friday and the suddenly resurgent Celtics. Boston, which lost seven of its final 10 regular-season games and seemed headed for playoff normalcy, has re-gained its championship-contending swagger.
Miami even sounds defeated.
"Their team is good," said Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who left the game for good with a left leg cramp with 11.7 seconds left and the score tied at 98. "They have a lot of veteran guys that step up to the billing."
Wade ended with a game-high 34 points and eight assists, and he got help from forwards Michael Beasley (16 points), Dorell Wright (15 points) and Udonis Haslem (10 points, eight rebounds) and guard Mario Chalmers (10 points).
But Wade didn't get any help from center Jermaine O'Neal (two points on 1-for-7 shooting), who is now 5-for-31 (.161) in the series.
Plus, Wade, who was dazzling, was fighting leg cramps. They started with about five minutes left in the game and left Wade almost powerless down the stretch.
"I had nothing," he said. "I was trying to fight through it and pass to my teammates."
While that was going on Boston was hitting the Heat from all sides. Pierce torched Miami with 32 points. Guard Ray Allen, who had 25 points in Game 2, had 25 again in Game 3. Guard Rajon Rondo had 17 points and eight assists. Even Perkins, who was 0-for-4 from the field, contributed a game-high 12 rebounds. Although the Celtics only shot .468 from the field they seemed to control the game all night, taking an 80-72 lead into the fourth quarter.
Once in the final period the Celtics made all the right plays. Garnett had a sweet turnaround jumper on the baseline. Pierce hit a three-pointer. Rondo had a driving layup.
But even with all that, Wade kept Miami in the game. And then came the leg cramp. Wade had just attempted a jumper when the cramp sent him to the floor in agony with 11.7 seconds left and the game tied at 98.
"I kind of knew once I was on the floor that cramp was not going away," said Wade, who was assisted off the court by teammates.
That's when Pierce took center stage. He took the inbounds pass got to the right elbow and took his step-back jumper. There was no doubt. Game over, and, most likely, series over. There was no way the Heat was winning.
"That's The Truth," Perkins said of Pierce. "He lives for games like this
Pierce's buzzer-beater gives C's comfortable 3-0 series lead
Friday, April 23, 2010
MANHATTAN — Just as the skies over Europe were beginning to clear
MANHATTAN — Just as the skies over Europe were beginning to clear, bringing hope to thousands of stranded travelers on both sides of the Atlantic, a new cloud of volcanic ash spewed and threatened to choke air travel again.
European aviation officials began to ease back on six days of tight flight restrictions following the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland that sent jet engine-clogging ash into the skies over Europe. Early Tuesday, more than half of scheduled European flights had been cleared for take off, the New York Times reported.
Overseas flights from London were expected to resume Tuesday afternoon, the Times reported.
News of the resumption of flights was great news for weary travelers, many of whom had been sleeping on cots and eating take-out at JFK for days.
"Thank God I'm home!" Phyllis Ferguson, of Queens, told the New York Post after she landed Monday night at JFK from Amsterdam.
But conditions could change Tuesday with word of a new ash cloud.
"[T]he volcano eruption in Iceland has strengthened and a new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK," National Air Traffic Systems, Britain's leading air traffic service provider, said in a statement. "This demonstrates the dynamic and rapidly changing conditions in which we are working. "
"The situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland remains dynamic and ... the situation today will continue to be variable," NATS said.
Meanwhile, in New York, officials warned frustrated travelers to remain patient.
"We're urging you, please don't rush to the airports," Port Authority Chairman Christopher Ward told the Daily News. "Check with your airlines and make sure you are fully booked."
Also, city officials revised their predictions for how much tourism revenue would be lost due to the volcano.
On Monday, that number was $250 million. But by Tuesday, the total was down to $50 million, with officials predicting that many canceled trips would be rescheduled, the News reported.
European aviation officials began to ease back on six days of tight flight restrictions following the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland that sent jet engine-clogging ash into the skies over Europe. Early Tuesday, more than half of scheduled European flights had been cleared for take off, the New York Times reported.
Overseas flights from London were expected to resume Tuesday afternoon, the Times reported.
News of the resumption of flights was great news for weary travelers, many of whom had been sleeping on cots and eating take-out at JFK for days.
"Thank God I'm home!" Phyllis Ferguson, of Queens, told the New York Post after she landed Monday night at JFK from Amsterdam.
But conditions could change Tuesday with word of a new ash cloud.
"[T]he volcano eruption in Iceland has strengthened and a new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK," National Air Traffic Systems, Britain's leading air traffic service provider, said in a statement. "This demonstrates the dynamic and rapidly changing conditions in which we are working. "
"The situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland remains dynamic and ... the situation today will continue to be variable," NATS said.
Meanwhile, in New York, officials warned frustrated travelers to remain patient.
"We're urging you, please don't rush to the airports," Port Authority Chairman Christopher Ward told the Daily News. "Check with your airlines and make sure you are fully booked."
Also, city officials revised their predictions for how much tourism revenue would be lost due to the volcano.
On Monday, that number was $250 million. But by Tuesday, the total was down to $50 million, with officials predicting that many canceled trips would be rescheduled, the News reported.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT — Supporters and critics of charter schools duked it out
FINANCIAL DISTRICT — Supporters and critics of charter schools duked it out at a meeting convened by State Senator Bill Perkins in Lower Manhattan on Thursday to address oversight of charter schools.
Several of those testifying demanded more transparency from charter schools, asking that they make their financial disclosures available and allow public auditing of their operations.
"We're talking about $2 billion in public money, there ought to be some transparency," said Steve Allinger, legislative director of New York State United Teachers.
Both Allinger and Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, talked about how far charter schools had strayed from their original purpose, which was to educate special education students and those who spoke English as a second language.
New York State Senators and Assemblymen sit in front of an at capacity room of teachers, lawmakers and other people in the day-long hearing on charter school budgets. (Alexandra Cheney/DNAinfo)Mulgrew criticized the outsized salaries of charter school administrators, calling them "ridiculous" and saying there should be a limit on them.
Charter school advocates praised the results of the city’s charter schools and said that their existence need not be detrimental to other public schools.
“To be clear, we do not advocate for charter schools over district schools,” said Department of Education Deputy Chancellor John White. “We simply advocate for great schools especially in neighborhoods that have traditionally lacked such options.”
But education historian Diane Ravitch, who is critical of the purported success of charters schools, testified that the focus should be kept on regular public schools.
"Public education is backbone of Democratic society, we must strengthen it, not abandon it," she said.
Perkins, who recently emerged as controversial figure because of his harsh criticism of charters, said he thought both charter and public schools needed to be more transparent about their operations.
“Students win when they attend charter schools that are transparent,” Perkins said.
The hearing room, at 250 Broadway, was filled to capacity with over 100 parents, teachers and public officials. Outside, protesters on both sides of the issue carried signs and wore t-shirts bearing slogans in support of their respective causes.
Several of those testifying demanded more transparency from charter schools, asking that they make their financial disclosures available and allow public auditing of their operations.
"We're talking about $2 billion in public money, there ought to be some transparency," said Steve Allinger, legislative director of New York State United Teachers.
Both Allinger and Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, talked about how far charter schools had strayed from their original purpose, which was to educate special education students and those who spoke English as a second language.
New York State Senators and Assemblymen sit in front of an at capacity room of teachers, lawmakers and other people in the day-long hearing on charter school budgets. (Alexandra Cheney/DNAinfo)Mulgrew criticized the outsized salaries of charter school administrators, calling them "ridiculous" and saying there should be a limit on them.
Charter school advocates praised the results of the city’s charter schools and said that their existence need not be detrimental to other public schools.
“To be clear, we do not advocate for charter schools over district schools,” said Department of Education Deputy Chancellor John White. “We simply advocate for great schools especially in neighborhoods that have traditionally lacked such options.”
But education historian Diane Ravitch, who is critical of the purported success of charters schools, testified that the focus should be kept on regular public schools.
"Public education is backbone of Democratic society, we must strengthen it, not abandon it," she said.
Perkins, who recently emerged as controversial figure because of his harsh criticism of charters, said he thought both charter and public schools needed to be more transparent about their operations.
“Students win when they attend charter schools that are transparent,” Perkins said.
The hearing room, at 250 Broadway, was filled to capacity with over 100 parents, teachers and public officials. Outside, protesters on both sides of the issue carried signs and wore t-shirts bearing slogans in support of their respective causes.
The Tea Party protest outside of President Barack Obama's speech
The Tea Party protest outside of President Barack Obama's speech in New York City was more like tea for two on Thursday, with only a handful of members present at the event.
The protesters, who were part of a local arm of the movement called Tea Party 365, carried signs and spoke to passersby about their distaste for the Wall Street reform package Obama is promoting.
A handful of Tea Party protesters came out against President Obama when he spoke at Cooper Union on Monday. (DNAinfo/Jennifer Glickel)“I’m here as a New Yorker because Obama is bad for New York," said tea partier Ayton Eller, a Brooklyn accountant. "I’m here to protest the legislation Obama wants to pass, because Wall Street is Main Street. If the banks are regulated, it will have a ripple effect on the country and the world."
Kevin Donahue, an Upper East Side resident, said he is a Democrat but he is also a member of Tea Party 365 because he believes government is getting too big.
"The more government grows, the less freedom we have because we're the ones paying for it," Donahue said. "This is a capitalist country and we want it to stay that way."
Obama's speech had five main points: Protecting taxpayers when large financial firms fail; limiting the amount of risks taken on by banks; setting new transparency rules for derivatives and other complex financial instruments; stronger consumer protections; and giving investors more of a say in who runs firms and limiting executive pay.
"Join us, instead of fighting us in this effort," Obama urged at his speech at Cooper Union, only blocks from Wall Street.
The protesters, who were part of a local arm of the movement called Tea Party 365, carried signs and spoke to passersby about their distaste for the Wall Street reform package Obama is promoting.
A handful of Tea Party protesters came out against President Obama when he spoke at Cooper Union on Monday. (DNAinfo/Jennifer Glickel)“I’m here as a New Yorker because Obama is bad for New York," said tea partier Ayton Eller, a Brooklyn accountant. "I’m here to protest the legislation Obama wants to pass, because Wall Street is Main Street. If the banks are regulated, it will have a ripple effect on the country and the world."
Kevin Donahue, an Upper East Side resident, said he is a Democrat but he is also a member of Tea Party 365 because he believes government is getting too big.
"The more government grows, the less freedom we have because we're the ones paying for it," Donahue said. "This is a capitalist country and we want it to stay that way."
Obama's speech had five main points: Protecting taxpayers when large financial firms fail; limiting the amount of risks taken on by banks; setting new transparency rules for derivatives and other complex financial instruments; stronger consumer protections; and giving investors more of a say in who runs firms and limiting executive pay.
"Join us, instead of fighting us in this effort," Obama urged at his speech at Cooper Union, only blocks from Wall Street.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant was struggling through another tough shooting night and they beat LA;what happened Kobe??
By Randy Renner, for NBA.com
Posted Friday April 23, 2010 2:09AM
OKLAHOMA CITY (NBA.com exclusive) -- Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant was struggling through another tough shooting night against the Los Angeles Lakers, hitting just one of his first seven shots and just four of his first 16 when he stood in the team huddle and knew what he had to do.
"My shot wasn't falling so I just tried to do other things to help my team," he told reporters.
So Durant went out and set a career high in rebounds with 19, played stout defense against Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter and still managed to score 29 points in leading his Thunder to a thrilling come-from-behind 101-96 win over the Lakers.
"It feels good to finally get a win in this series against the reining champs," Durant said. "I probably only guarded Kobe 10 or 11 possessions in the regular season but [Thunder assistant] coach Ron Adams told me it was my turn so I just wanted to play my hardest. It's a chance to make me better, guarding the best player in the world."
Bryant was held to just four points in the fourth quarter on 2-for-10 shooting. He had helped torch the Thunder on Tuesday night in L.A. with 15 points down the stretch of Game 2.
Bryant had been guarded by defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha most of the game with Jeff Green and James Harden also taking turns. But seeing Durant come out on him for the final 12 minutes was not something the Lakers' superstar was expecting.
"It was a matchup that caught me by surprise," Bryant said. "He did a good job."
Bryant still managed to lead the Lakers in scoring with 24 points on 10-for-29 shooting. But Bryant, for one of the few times in his career, did not have a single free-throw attempt.
"Yeah those days are few and far between," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, "The key factor in the game was free throws. They shot 34 and we shot 12. And that goes with their aggressiveness, not the referees."
Another factor was the largest crowd to pack into the Ford Center all season, a standing-room only gathering of 18,342 that was roaring long before the opening tip.
"It was so loud, it was an emotional start to the game," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks received the Coach of the Year Award before the game in a ceremony with Commissioner David Stern.
But the excitement of Oklahoma City's first-ever NBA playoff game may have been too much for the home team at the start of the contest. The Thunder turned the ball over on three of their first four possessions and missed a shot on the other.
The Lakers meanwhile quieted the crowd by hitting their first six shots to jump out to 10-0 and 12-3 leads and tried to take the fans out of the game early.
The Thunder calmed down after the shaky start and got as close as four points, 39-35, after a pair of James Harden free throws. Bryant hit a trio of 3-pointers and another basket to push L.A. to a 50-41 lead. After Russell Westbrook scored the last points of the half, the Thunder trailed 50-43.
The Lakers surged again in the third quarter and built a 62-52 lead, but the youngest team in the NBA refused to buckle, battling back to tie the game on consecutive 3-pointers from Harden and Durant.
"The crowd was phenomenal, I couldn't hear myself there at the end of the third quarter," Durant said. "They kept us in the game. It was a great atmosphere out there."
Durant's 29 points led all scorers, while his sidekick Westbrook added 27, grabbed eight rebounds and dished four assists. Harden dropped in 18 after being shutout in the first two games of the series.
OKC limited Los Angeles to just 46 second-half points, 21 in the fourth quarter when the Lakers were just 8-for-20.
"We kept our composure," said Thunder forward Jeff Green. "We just kept doing what got us to this point and that was defense."
Oklahoma City outrebounded the Lakers 53-39 and doubled them on the offensive glass, 14-7. The Thunder also ran on the Lakers, outscoring them 23-7 on the break.
In addition to Bryant's 24, Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol each added 17 with Gasol pulling down 15 rebounds.
The Thunder will now host Game 4 on Saturday to try to pull even in the series.
"I thought this was a must-win tonight," said Durant, "and now we need to get another one to even it up."
Durant shifts focus to give Thunder first-ever playoff win
Posted Friday April 23, 2010 2:09AM
OKLAHOMA CITY (NBA.com exclusive) -- Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant was struggling through another tough shooting night against the Los Angeles Lakers, hitting just one of his first seven shots and just four of his first 16 when he stood in the team huddle and knew what he had to do.
"My shot wasn't falling so I just tried to do other things to help my team," he told reporters.
So Durant went out and set a career high in rebounds with 19, played stout defense against Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter and still managed to score 29 points in leading his Thunder to a thrilling come-from-behind 101-96 win over the Lakers.
"It feels good to finally get a win in this series against the reining champs," Durant said. "I probably only guarded Kobe 10 or 11 possessions in the regular season but [Thunder assistant] coach Ron Adams told me it was my turn so I just wanted to play my hardest. It's a chance to make me better, guarding the best player in the world."
Bryant was held to just four points in the fourth quarter on 2-for-10 shooting. He had helped torch the Thunder on Tuesday night in L.A. with 15 points down the stretch of Game 2.
Bryant had been guarded by defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha most of the game with Jeff Green and James Harden also taking turns. But seeing Durant come out on him for the final 12 minutes was not something the Lakers' superstar was expecting.
"It was a matchup that caught me by surprise," Bryant said. "He did a good job."
Bryant still managed to lead the Lakers in scoring with 24 points on 10-for-29 shooting. But Bryant, for one of the few times in his career, did not have a single free-throw attempt.
"Yeah those days are few and far between," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, "The key factor in the game was free throws. They shot 34 and we shot 12. And that goes with their aggressiveness, not the referees."
Another factor was the largest crowd to pack into the Ford Center all season, a standing-room only gathering of 18,342 that was roaring long before the opening tip.
"It was so loud, it was an emotional start to the game," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks received the Coach of the Year Award before the game in a ceremony with Commissioner David Stern.
But the excitement of Oklahoma City's first-ever NBA playoff game may have been too much for the home team at the start of the contest. The Thunder turned the ball over on three of their first four possessions and missed a shot on the other.
The Lakers meanwhile quieted the crowd by hitting their first six shots to jump out to 10-0 and 12-3 leads and tried to take the fans out of the game early.
The Thunder calmed down after the shaky start and got as close as four points, 39-35, after a pair of James Harden free throws. Bryant hit a trio of 3-pointers and another basket to push L.A. to a 50-41 lead. After Russell Westbrook scored the last points of the half, the Thunder trailed 50-43.
The Lakers surged again in the third quarter and built a 62-52 lead, but the youngest team in the NBA refused to buckle, battling back to tie the game on consecutive 3-pointers from Harden and Durant.
"The crowd was phenomenal, I couldn't hear myself there at the end of the third quarter," Durant said. "They kept us in the game. It was a great atmosphere out there."
Durant's 29 points led all scorers, while his sidekick Westbrook added 27, grabbed eight rebounds and dished four assists. Harden dropped in 18 after being shutout in the first two games of the series.
OKC limited Los Angeles to just 46 second-half points, 21 in the fourth quarter when the Lakers were just 8-for-20.
"We kept our composure," said Thunder forward Jeff Green. "We just kept doing what got us to this point and that was defense."
Oklahoma City outrebounded the Lakers 53-39 and doubled them on the offensive glass, 14-7. The Thunder also ran on the Lakers, outscoring them 23-7 on the break.
In addition to Bryant's 24, Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol each added 17 with Gasol pulling down 15 rebounds.
The Thunder will now host Game 4 on Saturday to try to pull even in the series.
"I thought this was a must-win tonight," said Durant, "and now we need to get another one to even it up."
Durant shifts focus to give Thunder first-ever playoff win
Queens teacher Molests 4th graders?????
A twisted fourth-grade teacher brazenly molested five little girls at his desk while fellow students sat feet away inside his Queens classroom, sources said.
"Don't tell anybody," accused serial pervert Simon Watts reportedly told one of his victims after pinching her rear end and groping her thigh inside Public School 15.
The hulking Watts, 38, forced three other girls to grab his genitals in the classroom, a criminal complaint says. It adds that he fondled a fifth victim and unzipped his pants as she stood there.
The repeated assaults came with creepy chatter, with Watts telling one scared child, "I love you," and another, "I can see your butt," authorities said.
The abuse began after he arrived at the Springfield Gardens school in 2007 and continued until March 9, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Two of the girls, all ages 8 to 10, were abused repeatedly as Watts was moved with them from the third grade to the fourth grade last September, a law enforcement source said.
Police busted him after the most recent victim told her mother Watts steered her hand to his crotch at a classroom desk, the source said.
Watts, 5-feet-10 and 230 pounds, was being held on $200,000 bail. He faces up to seven years if convicted.
"Children should be allowed to be children," Brown said. "Such alleged conduct cannot go unpunished."
"Don't tell anybody," accused serial pervert Simon Watts reportedly told one of his victims after pinching her rear end and groping her thigh inside Public School 15.
The hulking Watts, 38, forced three other girls to grab his genitals in the classroom, a criminal complaint says. It adds that he fondled a fifth victim and unzipped his pants as she stood there.
The repeated assaults came with creepy chatter, with Watts telling one scared child, "I love you," and another, "I can see your butt," authorities said.
The abuse began after he arrived at the Springfield Gardens school in 2007 and continued until March 9, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Two of the girls, all ages 8 to 10, were abused repeatedly as Watts was moved with them from the third grade to the fourth grade last September, a law enforcement source said.
Police busted him after the most recent victim told her mother Watts steered her hand to his crotch at a classroom desk, the source said.
Watts, 5-feet-10 and 230 pounds, was being held on $200,000 bail. He faces up to seven years if convicted.
"Children should be allowed to be children," Brown said. "Such alleged conduct cannot go unpunished."
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Thursday, April 22, 2010
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