iLand Breeze celebrates a Grand Re-Opening

Maplewood enjoys the grand Re-Opening of iLand Breeze Restaurant

Maplewood, NJ - November 26,2010 --iLand Breeze Restaurant which opened in the Spring in Maplewood, NJ located at 1901 Springfield Avenue, had a Grand re-opening on Saturday, November 20th after a brief renovation and change of ownership. Now solely owned by Avalia Moore, iLand Breeze Restaurant & Catering was proudly re-opened by Maplewood Mayor Victor DeLuca and Vice Mayor Cathleen Leventhal with a ribbon cutting ceremony. iLand Breeze unveiled its new features of coziness that blends with the village atmosphere of the town with an updated menu. (l-r: Meryl Layton, Chris & Maurice of iLand Breeze; Mayor DeLuca; Avalia Moore & Vice Mayor Cathleen Leventhal, VisionsInPictures Image)

If you’ve never tried organic dishes, Caribbean or Southern cuisine, now the chance as iLand Breeze features all these. Mayor DeLuca expresses his pleasure at having such an interesting eatery in Maplewood. It’s an interesting place for people to visit with good food that is eclectic in the ethnic flavors from the Caribbean islands, as well as the American South, he said. He added that the atmosphere is attractive and comfortable which is inviting. It will encourage more people to come in and enjoy the blend of diverse food offerings.

He and Vice Mayor Leventhal added that iLand Breeze adds to the diverse venues in the area citing the Polish and Italian businesses which have been long standing ethnicities, both expressed excitement about the upcoming town census report as it will show the change in demographics of new ethnicities in Maplewood. Mayor DeLuca noted that the 2000 census report showed Haitians as the 2nd largest ethnic Caribbean group in the town. He feels establishments like iLand Breeze have added to the changes in representing the Caribbean demographics, iLand Breeze’s owner is of Guyanese heritage.

Springfield Avenue Partnership representative, Meryl Layton who is the District Manager expressed her delight at working with iLand Breeze and its owner, she’s achieved a cozy atmosphere with the renovations; it has a small town feel. I walked in today and it feels like people know you here and the place has a new open feeling which I love, she said. ‘Avi is open’ she said; it was good to work with her on the planned changes her background and work is impressive.

Customers kept coming in on Saturday, many opted to stay as the new changes accommodated six tables with seating for four. Even the daily customers brought their families and took advantage of the special day’s buffet which allowed for a taste of everything on the menu with desserts included. (Customers enjoying the reopening buffet- VisionsInPictures Image)

Though iLand Breeze mainly offered take-out and large-scale catering, many customers expressed plans to dine in more now with the renovated new look and warm color scheme.

Check the website, find the full menu, location and contact information at http://www.ilandbreezecafe.com/  .

iLand Breeze to celebrate a Children's Christmas

PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact

iLand Breeze Resturant & Catering

http://www.ilandbreezecafe.com /

Phone: 973-489-0068

Tuesday, November 23, 2010 - Maplewood, NJ: Christmas is not Christmas if there are no friends around; the lights have been strung and the tree has been trimmed… All that’s missing is you!

After a successful re-opening recently; iLand Breeze proprietor Avalia Moore has decided to host a Christmas party for the 'friends' of the venue and dedicate it to the children who participate in the Springfield Avenue day care centers and other children activity places that  do business along the popular business strip in the Maplewood neighborhood.

So, spread the word and come out with your children, the cost is free for them, adults are $10; this will cover the cost of gifts and giveaways for all the good boys and girls who'll be there on Saturday, December 18, 2010 starting at 1:00 P.M at the restaurant, which is located at 1901 Springfield Avenue; (between Prospect & Indiana).

Hope to see many of you there and we hope all you boys and girls haven’t been naughty this year…

POSTPONED -- OSHAG to Host its Annual Recognition Event

Please be advised, due to an emergency at the contracted venue this event set for this Sunday, December 12, 2010 is being postponed, details regarding future plans will be sent to all ticket holders and honorees at a later date.  OSHAG-C apologizes for any inconvenience and we thank you for your continued support.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact us for more information:
@ P.O. Box 24224, Brooklyn NY 11202
Email: oshagusa@yahoo.com or
http://www.oshag2.org/


November 18, 2010 – Jamaica, NY:   The Organization for Social Health & Advancement for Guyana & The Carribean (OSHAG/C) will host its Annual Recognition Event on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at La Stone's Cafe & Chef's Orchid located at Building 14, South Service Road Cargo Area (A) JFK Airport, Jamaica, New York 11430 (enter prior to getting to the Terminals) from 3:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Tickets are $65 and funds go to benefit the medical mission for patients in Guyana and other islands annually. The organization provides free Cancer and follow up care as well as other medical needs and nutrition programs each year.  Volunteers and medical personnel travel to the benefit of those unable to receive such care and advice readily.

The event honors Cancer survivors and advocates for improved patient care and diagnosis in the Caribbean Diaspora here and in the island nations and Guyana where such care is needed. OSHAG/C is unwavering in its commitment to providing Health Care in the USA, the Caribbean, and Guyana. OSHAG/C’s long-term goal is to facilitate treatment to the less fortunate in our immediate community.

Attendees are encouraged to Book a Table in Honor of a Cancer Survivor or in Memory of Someone you’ve lost to Cancer.

Contact Barbara @ 718-228-2060; Cleveland @ 646-872-6074; Lorna @ 646-522-8005 or Maria @ 917-385-6409 for tickets or more information.

OSHAG/C is a 501(c) 3 organization, all donations are tax deductible.

###

Marty Markowitz talks and gives away Turkey in Brooklyn

BP MARKOWITZ TO DISTRIBUTE NEARLY A *THOUSAND TURKEYS* AND *SIX TONS OF TRIMMINGS* TO COMMUNITY GROUPS AT BOROUGH HALL


11:00 A.M.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22

BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL

209 JORALEMON STREET

BETWEEN COURT & ADAMS STREETS

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN


On Monday, November 22, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham will kick off the holiday season by distributing nearly a thousand Thanksgiving turkeys and about six tons of trimmings—apples, collard greens, baking potatoes, sweet potatoes and pita bread—to representatives of nearly a hundred Brooklyn community groups at Borough Hall Plaza. The Bedford Stuyvesant and Red Hook Lions Clubs and other volunteers help distribute the food that will provide Thanksgiving meals for needy Brooklynites at senior centers, soup kitchens, faith-based institutions, and social service groups across the borough.

Generous sponsors for this year’s event include Best of Brooklyn, Inc., Amalgamated Bank, Con Edison, the Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn Business Improvement District, Fairway Market, FreshDirect, the Fulton Street Mall Improvement Association, Health Plus, Salaam of New York, ShopRite of Brooklyn, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market.

-30-

The Sunshine Awards 2010 Honours

Story by Allison Skeete
Photos by VisionsInPictures

The Sunshine Awards Honours African and Caribbean Diasporas Multi-Cultural Artists & Stalwarts

New York City – Sat., October 24, 2010: The Sunshine Awards hosted its 22nd Annual Awards Show in New York City to honor many of the stalwarts and historic figures in Caribbean Arts Performances for Dance, Music and more. Hosted by the dynamite comedic duo from Trinidad, Nickki Crosby & Errol Fabien, the Sunshine Awards established by Gil Figaro; is held to honor the entertainment and performance art forms indigenous to Africa and the Caribbean Diaspora as well as those who have contributed to the success and awareness of many in civic mindedness, and political activism. Figaro congratulated and thanked the honorees for uplifting our spirits and incalculable sense of pride in all of us. The Sunshine Awards is for him the center of Caribbean Culture outside of the Diaspora.

The night’s event began with words of condolences to the island of Barbados on the loss of former Prime Minister, David Thompson who passed away in the early hours of the morning that day, from the Counsel Generals of Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua, Guyana’s Brentnol Evans and event sponsor Vincent Huggins of National Staffing Associates also commented on the loss of a fellow leader in the region.

Present among the nights’ award winners were Playwright Dorbrene O’Marde of Antigua; Dancin Africa of Barbados; Ramiro Crawford of Costa Rica, Performance Artist and Journalist, he is Director and Editor of Limon Roots, the Greater Caribbean Magazine.

Famoro Dioubate of Guinea, West Africa who is known for playing traditional African music playing the Balafon which is an instrument closely related to the Xylophone; he gave a rousing performance playing for the audience, it was the first time many had ever heard the music. Dioubate is passionate about his music, he is exposing his young daughter to it and more… I didn’t go to school he said, but I want her to know more and to do more than me so I think it is important that she is here; he began playing the Balafon at age 7 and today performs with his band and Raul Ronblatt who is also h is manager. Ronblatt has been a true supporter since hearing the music, he spends as much time promoting it as he does performing with their group.

One of the more poignant performances and expression of thanks for his recognition was given by Yves Joseph an original member of Tabou Combo, one of the best known music groups from Haiti… he spoke of the impoverishment of his homeland where he and the group continue to give back, they are rebuilding a school destroyed in the January earthquake, the building is the childhood home of Joseph and his mother; he spoke of the rich history of Haiti as the first nation of independent Black people and of the circumstances of poverty coming at the hands of her former rulers and U.S. political positions; he ended his commentary with Tabou Combo’s hit Haiti Will Never Die written after the devastating earthquake earlier this year.

Drupatee Persad accepts her award from host Errol Fabien

Drupatee Persad held the distinction as the lone female awardee this year; hailing form Trinidad & Tobago, she’s spent 27 years reigning as a top Chutney and cross-over Soca artist who’s performed with Machel Montano and Allison Hinds; her most popular hit is Mr. Bissessar which she did perform.

The Mighty Chalkdust aka Dr. Hollis Liverpool and Dr. Harold Robertson, introduced the Hall of Fame Inductees which included their fellow countryman, the multi-talented and well known Bill Trotman, steel band historian and broadcast personality who lectures on the art from’s inception and growth; he’s the man to see if you want to know anything about Steelband music.

Alfred ‘Sack’ Mayers, another Trinidadian added to the list for his role in breaking the stereotype barriers of being a ‘pan man’ in the early days of the steel band music.

Dave Martins and Joe Brown the original Bass player for the Tradewinds accepted their awards as well; Martins expressed his thanks at the honor and cited the need for more events and means for more stalwarts in our Diaspora to be showcased and revered; ‘we have gotten better’ he said but we still need to do more to preserve the history and roots of where our art forms come from and survive he said; he’d never heard of Albert ‘Sacks’ Mayers and wasn’t aware of some of the ‘pan man stereotype’ history behind steel band before the night of the awards.   Martins later performed for the audience and inject several humorous stories to the delight of the crowd.   Above, l– r: Dave Martins with Guyana Counsel General, Brentnol Evans.

Notable Guyanese in attendance supporting Martins recognition included Counsel General Brentnol & Mrs. Evans, and former GDF Col. Desmond Roberts.  Below, the night’s host and honorees along with Calypsonian Designer end the event singing a tribute to the Soca King Arrow who passed away recently.

Fireside Chats, T&T Style...

Glenville Ashby
Published: 10 Nov 2010

Fireside chat heats up Brooklyn

Right: Raymond Luke, chairman of Sesame Flyers. Below: Author Prof Erleen Harris looks on as Nandi Keyi speaks about her book. Photos: Glenville Ashby

It is an interesting concept and sure to generate lots of buzz in the weeks ahead. Friday Nights Fireside Chats is by no means an original concept, but given the location, its market and promoters, I would not bet against it. In truth, any project cosseted by Sesame

Flyers Inc is well positioned. Flyers, a Brooklyn cultural fixture that has seen its stock grow exponentially in the last decade, is hedging a lot on this venture. Its chairman, Raymond Luke, called it “a journey into the arts, a more profound experience.” He is confidence personified. Fireside Chats is a six-part series that features, what event organiser Glenda Cadogan called, “Everyday celebrities including performers, authors and poets,” of Caribbean heritage. “We will get them to chat with us in an intimate setting. This is like the nurturing ground for the next Sparrows and Rudders,” she added. A chilly evening ushered in the maiden show. The Carnival showroom at the Church Avenue headquarters of the Flyers underwent a marked transformation—a makeshift stage, Afro-Caribbean motifs and symbols, an imitative fire pit, plants, and satin-clothed chairs to accommodate a captivated audience.

Under the glare of the studio lights and video cameras of Gayelle TV, a cautious beginning gave way to a charged and interactive show, with a stream of questions from the audience—some self indulgent, others compelling—leading to wrenching revelations from featured guest and author of The True Nanny Diaries, Nandi Keyi. “It was hard getting up in the morning and push strollers,” she confided, as she touched on the controversial existence of thousands of Caribbean baby sitters in New York. There were moments of levity, lots of it, but the gravity of the subject weighed heavily at times. As well it should. The True Nanny Diaries, is a fiction clothed in the exigent reality of West Indian life in the Diaspora. It’s a journey that juxtaposes the travails of Valdi West, the protagonist, with her white, affluent and dysfunctional employers. It explores the vicissitudes of life with all its expectancies, mangled dreams and compromises. Nandi, who was born in Britain of Trinbagonian parentage, cleverly slithers through the perplexity of Nannyism.

She is engaging and sharp, but still, there are no easy answers here. Recent laws to protect domestic workers will not deem Nandi’s sobering work anachronistic, nor would it sanitise phantasmagoric tales of abuse. Paid vacations, and healthcare plans aside, domestic work in the US ruptures familial ties back home, saps the spirit—leaving the soul naked and cold. To many, this is the sin qua non of the discussion.

Nandi acknowledged that much. “A whole generation of young boys are affected. Grandmothers are not mothers,” she later told me. And offered words to inspire. “If we are patient, we will not leave Trinidad. We can make best of the situation and succeed.” But she will never bite the hand that fed her. “Look, you can make US$600 a week...it’s part of the journey to a destination. My daughter also grew up learning about life in Manhattan.” The trouble is, many never reach the destination, remaining stuck in the mire of what many call, “servitude.” That is the Kantian dilemma which is at the core of the Diaries, a timeless literary work that deserves more than a single fireside chat. Overall, Fireside Chats was fluid and engaging. No overt technical kinks, no snafus. A propitious beginning indeed. Raymond Luke should be well pleased.

(Feature review by Glenville Ashby, a New York journalist for the T&T Guardian)

Fireside Chat Heats up Brooklyn

Jamaican Jazz Great Monty Alexander comes to New York

Renowned Jamaican Jazz Great Monty Alexander Presents
Reflections on Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra

 

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Nov. 8, 2010: Renowned Jamaican-born jazz pianist, Monty Alexander, still remembers when he first saw the legendary Nat King Cole and met Frank Sinatra. Cole's musical impact on the younger Monty and his later musical experiences with Sinatra will come in to focus this month when Alexander reflects on both icons of America's great songbook at a New York City show.

Alexander, Jamaica's acclaimed Commander of Distinction, will present his "King Cole and Mr. S" reflections from November 23-25th at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club, 315 West 44th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues in Manhattan. Show times for the three night shows will be at 8:30 and 11 p.m., respectively.

Accompanying Alexander will be his phenomenal group of Robert Thomas, Jr. on hand drums; Lorin Cohen on bass; Winard Harper on drums and Yotam Silberstein on guitar. The shows will be made even more special this fall season with the addition of a brilliant vocalist James De Frances, who is set to belt out favorites from both Cole and Sinatra to the accompaniment of Alexander and his ensemble.

Of course Alexander will also pay tribute to his roots by including some of his upbeat reggae-themed pieces for patrons attending the shows.

Alexander, who has the distinction of being named one of the greatest piano players in jazz, still remembers seeing Cole for the first time at age 12 at a theater in his native Jamaica, and being overtaken by the spirit of the singer and his music.

It is that love, knowledge and dedication to the memory of Cole that would filter back to Cole's daughter, Natalie, who invited him to assist her on the "Unforgettable" album.

The Sinatra connection was a lot more by chance. The largely self-taught pianist was playing in a Miami bar in his teens that was visited by Sinatra and his group of friends, including his right hand man, Jilly Rizzo. When Alexander ended his set he was approached by Rizzo and the legendary singer who invited him to play at the New York bistro, Jilly's. Alexander moved to New York where he played on and off for several years, accompanying 'Ole Blue Eyes' on various occasions.

"The kid is a gas," is how Sinatra, using the lingo at the time for "superb," once described Alexander.

The Kingston-born musician has also performed with the likes of Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare and on the "Concrete Jungle, The Music of Bob Marley collection," over his five decade-long career.

He has recorded over 60 albums to date and is set to mark his 50th year in the music industry with a new album next year. His 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz. Alexander's most recent albums on the Telarc label include trio sessions, such as "Impressions in Blue," and the live concert recording "Goin' Yard." His release on Chesky is "Calypso Blues" is a tribute to his hero Nat Cole.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador.

Tickets for Alexander's shows on Tuesday-Thursday, November 23-25 at Birdland are $30 and $40, respectively and can be purchased by logging on to http://www.birdlandjazz.com/ or by calling (212) 581-3080.

For more on Jamaica's greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

END

(Media wishing to cover the show can contact:)

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616/1-800-789-3062

felicia@caribpr.com

Bajan Born named Detective for Brooklyn Heroics

Photo by Kathryn Kirk

In photo (left to right): Jim Vogel, representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery; Assembly Member Joseph Lentol; Assembly Member Karim Camara; Assistant Chief Gerald Nelson, commanding officer of patrol borough Brooklyn North; BP Markowitz; Detective Feris “Jonesy” Jones; Sabine Bellevue, owner, Sabine’s Hallway hair salon

BP MARKOWITZ PRESENTS PROCLAMATION, “BROOKLYN BRIDGE” TO HERO NYPD DETECTIVE FERIS “JONESY” JONES


On Thursday, October 28, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined NYPD Detective Feris Jones, police officials and elected representatives at a Borough Hall ceremony to honor the heroism of Detective Jones, who confronted a gunman during an attempted robbery at Sabine’s Hallway hair salon in Bedford-Stuyvesant last Saturday.

BP Markowitz presented Detective Jones—who goes by the nickname “Jonesy”—with a proclamation (full text below) and a replica “Brooklyn Bridge.” Also present at the event were staff of the salon, who greeted Detective Jones with flowers. Elected officials in attendance included Assembly Member Joseph Lentol, Assembly Member Karim Camara, Council Member Letitia James, Council Member Lewis Fidler, and representatives from the offices of State Senator Eric Adams and State Senator Velmanette Montgomery.

Proclamation:


Whereas, it is most fitting that we recognize those extraordinary individuals who are committed to upholding and enforcing the laws of our society, maintaining public safety, and working to improve the quality of life in our communities; and

Whereas, all of Brooklyn pays tribute to and thanks newly promoted Detective Feris Jones, whose efforts and quick thinking on the afternoon of Saturday October 23, ensured the safety and well-being of the customers at Sabine’s Hallway beauty salon in Bedford Stuyvesant and the residents of her community, and who went above and beyond the call of duty, perhaps sparked by what our own beloved Councilmember Tish James said best, “never mess with a black woman when she’s getting her hair done;” and

Whereas, on behalf of all Brooklynites, I salute Detective Feris Jones a dedicated police officer whose bravery, marksmanship and courage exemplify all that is good about the New York City Police Department, a devoted single mom whose children are lucky to have her as a role model, I commend her for her clear-headed, decisive actions that clearly saved lives and brought a criminal to justice without the use of lethal force, I join with the grateful customers of Sabine’s Hallway beauty salon, the residents of Brooklyn, Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly in expressing our deepest gratitude, admiration and respect, I congratulate Detective Jones as she is duly honored here today for her heroics and for being an inspiration for others to follow and for her much deserved promotion, I thank her for her steadfast commitment to keep the residents and community of the great borough of Brooklyn a safe place to live, work and raise a family;

Now, therefore, I, Marty Markowitz, President of the Borough of Brooklyn, do hereby proclaim Thursday, October 28, 2010

Detective Feris “Jonesy” Jones Recognition Day in Brooklyn, USA

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Borough of Brooklyn to be affixed this 28th day of October 2010.

-30-

CONTACT: Mark Zustovich 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov



The Shake Shack comes to Downtown Brooklyn

 Photo by Kathryn Kirk

In photo (left to right): Rob Walsh, commissioner, New York City Department of Small Business Services; Danny Meyer, CEO, Union Square Hospitality Group; David Swinghamer, CEO, Shake Shack; BP Markowitz; Randy Garutti, COO, Shake Shack; Joe Chan, president, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

November 9, 2010


BP MARKOWITZ, DANNY MEYER ANNOUNCE SHAKE SHACK COMING TO DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN’S FULTON MALL

On Tuesday, November 9, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined restaurateur Danny Meyer, New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Joe Chan to announce that Shake Shake is coming to Fulton Mall in Downtown Brooklyn. Also representing Shake Shack were CEO David Swinghamer and COO Randy Garutti (full press release below).

“Bravo to Shake Shack for finally hitting the big time in Brooklyn, further solidifying our status as one of America’s premier culinary destinations,” said BP Markowitz. “After years of pitching Danny Meyer, I am thrilled he is bringing his legendary burgers, flat-top dogs and frozen custard to Downtown Brooklyn, right in the heart of our new 24/7 live-work city center and its diverse retail, new hotels and expanding arts and cultural corridor. Soon, you will be able to walk the “beefed up” Fulton Mall and get a ShackBurger, do some shopping and finish off with a cheesecake from Junior’s—plus everything in between.”

Press release from Union Square Hospitality Group:
Contacts:                     Theresa Mullen, 646.747.7217 / tmullen@ushgnyc.com

WELCOME TO BROOKLYN: NEW HOME OF SHAKE SHACK

Beloved Burger, Hot Dog and Frozen Custard Stand Opening in Downtown Brooklyn

Wednesday, November 9, 2010 New York – Shake Shack to open in Brooklyn, NY! Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) plans to open Shake Shack at a prime location in Downtown Brooklyn across from Borough Hall at the gateway to the Fulton Mall – one of the oldest and most successful shopping destinations in NYC’s largest borough.

One of New York’s most lauded eateries and beloved community and family gathering places, Shake Shack is a modern day "roadside" burger stand known for its delicious all-natural burgers, hot dogs, seasonal frozen custard, beer, wine and more. The new Shack will make its home at the confluence of Fulton Street, Willoughby Street and Adams Street in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn.

“My colleagues and I are ecstatic to announce plans for this Brooklyn Shake Shack,” said Shake Shack CEO David Swinghamer. “We’ve had our sights set on Brooklyn for quite some time, and this Downtown location located across from Borough Hall and Columbus Park is the ideal next home for Shake Shack.”

“I am proud and excited to share our plans to open Shake Shack in Downtown Brooklyn,” shared Danny Meyer, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group. “We adore Brooklyn, and are inspired by the borough that is leading one of the most exciting food revolutions I’ve seen in my entire career. It will be an honor for us to become employers and citizens of this vibrant metropolitan community and our team looks forward to welcoming residents and visitors, alike.”

“Bravo to Shake Shack for finally hitting the big time in Brooklyn, further solidifying our status as one of America’s premier culinary destinations,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “After years of pitching Danny Meyer, I am thrilled he is bringing his legendary burgers, flat-top dogs and frozen custard to Downtown Brooklyn, right in the heart of our new 24/7 live-work city center and its diverse retail, new hotels and expanding arts and cultural corridor . Soon, you will be able to walk the “beefed up” Fulton Mall and get a ShackBurger, do some shopping and finish off with a cheesecake from Junior’s – plus everything in between.”

The Brooklyn Shake Shack will build upon the success of five siblings throughout New York City – Madison Square Park (the original Shack, founded in 2004), Upper West Side (2008), Citi Field – home of the New York Mets (2009), Theater District (July 2010) and Upper East Side (August 2010), as well as its new Miami Beach Shack (June 2010) and Saratoga Race Course outpost in Saratoga Springs, NY (2010). Shake Shack also recently announced plans for a location in Washington, DC, New York’s Battery Park City and Westport, CT – all scheduled for 2011.

“This will very quickly become one of Brooklyn’s newest top attractions,” Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh said. “The addition of a culinary institution like Shake Shack in downtown Brooklyn will be great for the surrounding community and local businesses, and I’m sure we will see many residents and visitors coming together to enjoy great food and drink from the moment it opens its doors.”

Already one of the city’s most active central business districts, Downtown Brooklyn is home to one of the busiest retail corridors in the nation and over 40 arts and cultural organizations, as well as eight universities and colleges with over 57,000 students, and there are more than 100,000 office workers in the area. Since 2006, more than $3 billion has been invested in Downtown Brooklyn from the private sector yielding over 5,000 residential units, 880,000 square feet of commercial space and 1,000 hotel rooms.

“From the introduction of new retailers to the emergence of a dynamic residential community and the construction of new streetscape and open space, Downtown Brooklyn’s resurgence is the envy of downtowns across America,” said Downtown Brooklyn President Joe Chan. “We are delighted that Danny Meyer – a great restaurateur and business leader – has decided to join the growing roster of quality dining and shopping options that are coming here.”

With its deep commitment to employees and its industry-leading management training program, Shake Shack has become a highly sought-after employer. Recently, Time Out New York featured Shake Shack in its “Best Jobs” issue. “We are excited to create new jobs in this area and to welcome the next generation of Shake Shack employees to our first Brooklyn outpost,” said Swinghamer.

Shake Shack was born from a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park created by Union Square Hospitality Group to support the Madison Square Park Conservancy’s first art installation “I ♥Taxi.” The cart was a success and lines formed daily, so it re-opened for an additional two summers in 2002 and 2003. In July 2004 USHG was awarded the contract from New York City’s Department of Parks & Recreation and the Madison Square Park Conservancy to create a permanent food kiosk in the park. Shake Shack opened and instantly became a NYC institution with a loyal following, receiving numerous accolades from the press including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Magazine, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, Food Network and The TODAY Show among others, and was voted one of the Most Popular Restaurants in New York according to Zagat.

Shake Shack is part of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), which includes several of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants: Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5, located at The Museum of Modern Art, El Verano Taquería and Box Frites (both at Citi Field), Maialino, as well as Union Square Events and Hospitality Quotient, a learning business. USHG is best known for its blend of excellent food and its unique style of warm hospitality. Actively involved in the community, USHG and its employees are committed to extending its enlightened hospitality beyond the walls of its restaurants through its support of hunger relief and civic organizations as well as other causes. Meyer, his restaurants, and chefs have earned an unprecedented 21 James Beard Awards, as well as numerous other media accolades. Three of the five “Most Popular” restaurants in the New York Zagat Survey are part of Union Square Hospitality Group, including Gramercy Tavern, which has held the #1 spot six times. http://www.ushgnyc.com/

http://www.shakeshack.com/

Follow Us: http://www.facebook.com/ShakeShackFans

Prominent Guyanese Economist passes on...

Death of an Economist, or Why ‘House’ Is Not Your Home

By Christopher John Farley

November 6, 2010

The man who taught me how to live died today.

Most of my experience with the health care system, before my father’s health began to decline a few years ago, was through the movies, television, newspapers, magazines and the web.

Rawle Farley, 1922-2010

On shows like “House,” ailments are exotic and are diagnosed and solved in 60 minutes, with a couple commercial interruptions. On TV talk shows, talking heads scrap over health care policy and try to score political points. What’s typically missing is the human element—how health care decisions actually affect flesh-and-blood people.

Sitting in a dimly-lit room in the ICU of Rochester General Hospital, in Rochester, NY, with my ailing 88-year-old father, I soon came to realize I wasn’t in a scripted episode that was going to end happily. And politics and rhetoric were far from my mind.

My dad, Dr. Rawle Farley, had been a professor of economics at the State University of New York, College at Brockport since 1966. He was the founder and first chairperson of the Department of Economics at SUNY Brockport, and was named Professor Emeritus in 1995. He’s the author of a number of seminal works that helped shape the study of the economics of the developing world, including “The Economics of Latin America: Development Problems in Perspective” (Harper & Row, 1972).

He was born Born Rawle Egbert Griffith Farley in South America in Courtland Village, Berbice, Guyana. He left Guyana when he was young to attend school in England. To pay for his schooling and fund his trip abroad, he sold the trophies he had won as a champion hurdler.

He eventually earned a Ph.D. from the University of London, and attended Oxford University. While a student in England, during one period he couldn’t find a landlord willing to rent a room to a Caribbean scholar. He ended up sleeping in a hallway between the rooms of two white friends.

As he lay on the hospital bed, I felt a duty to do everything possible to preserve his beautiful mind. He was breathing only with the assistance of a pressurized mask, and hadn’t talked much in days. But I held out the hope that the studious young man and avid chess player who had fought his way into the best schools in England was still inside there somewhere.

Early that afternoon, I sent my mother home from the hospital for some much needed rest. That evening, the doctor on call stopped by to discuss my dad’s case. He said that my father had had multi-organ failure, and there was little they could do beyond the drastic measures that my dad, before his illness, had said he didn’t want. He didn’t want to be hooked up to machines. He didn’t want to be resuscitated. So just about the only options left were keeping him comfortable, continuing with the oxygen, antibiotics, and various non-intrusive measures, and hoping for a miracle.

We were moved out of the ICU into a private room. I called my kids, ages 5 and 8, so they could say good night to their grandfather. For the first time that evening, dad tried to speak, and his eyes opened wide. No words came out, but he spoke volumes.

In the new room, I held his hand and he stared past me into space. His breathing became shallow. I called the nurse, and she told me he didn’t need the oxygen mask anymore and then exited the room to leave us alone. I kissed my father on the forehead, told him I loved him and that he was a great dad, and then I couldn’t hear his breathing anymore. I put my ear to his chest–right on his bypass scar–and I couldn’t hear his heart beating. I put my hand on his head, where his hairline had receded, and it felt just as warm and moist as the top of my 8-year-old son’s head did when he was a newborn.

My parents at home, a few weeks before my father’s death.

Christopher John Farley

But my son was just starting life and my dad was leaving it.

I called the nurse, and she got the doctor. They registered the time of death as 12:05 a.m.

My dad and mom raised four sons. All of us went to public school, and all of us went to Harvard or Harvard Law School or both. All of my brothers, thanks in large part to their guidance, have gone on to interesting jobs of one kind or another.

But this last night was a final lesson. Part of reaching maturity is accepting, without fear, that life ends. Staring into that mysterious abyss makes other challenges seem small. I felt privileged that I had gotten to go to the edge with him. Dad helped teach me how to live, and how to die too.

After the doctor left, I was alone in the room with him. I put my hand on his head, but it was already turning cool, like a tile floor.

As I left the hospital that night, a melancholy rain was falling, and the streets were wet. I had a long drive back to Brockport to tell my mother that my father had passed. I had to do it face to face.

In the same way that there are some health care experiences that can’t be communicated via TV shows and punditry, there are some things that just can’t be said over the phone.

A Tribute by a son to his father

GRAND Re-OPENING of iLand Breeze Cafe & Catering on Nov. 20, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Contact us for more information:

@ 973-327-2307 or 

http://www.ilandbreezecafe.com/

Maplewood, NJ - November 4, 2010: – iLand Breeze Restaurant which opened in the Spring in Maplewood, located at 1901 Springfield Avenue, off Prospect, and across the street from Sovereign Bank will re-open on Saturday, November 20th at 12:00 noon; after a brief renovation and change of ownership.

Now solely owned by Avalia Moore, iLand Breeze Cafe & Catering will unveil new features of coziness that blends with the village atmosphere of the town. The opening will begin with the ribbon-cutting by The Mayor of Maplewood and members of the Town Council, followed by breakfast and brunch items from the updated menu in the renovated restaurant.

Avalia Moore, now the sole owner of iLand Breeze Café & Catering, said: "The unexpected change to sole ownership made me decide on the changes." I've continued to offer customers a unique dining experience using organic and multicultural recipes; it's because of the customers continued support and request for the diverse range of dishes along with the original idea behind the features of iLand Breeze that I felt updating the atmosphere would enhance the cafe and it's appeal in the community.

In addition to the renovation, there’s the launching of the new á la carte; made to order cakes and set-menus unveiling... as requested by the numerous neighborhood and contracted businesses that patronize us.  iLand Breeze will also continue its ‘Who’s Breezed Thru…’ celebrity series; (pictured are Dancehall Artist D'Aville with owner Avalia Moore) adding to the likes of Reggae & Dancehall artists D’Aville and Ritchie Stephens.

###