PERVIS PRINCIPLES 2

It’s finally here! 

All around the world people have been inspired by Pervis Principles... 

 In Brasil we read Pervis Taylor. We enjoy his Teachings Sempai Santos,Brazil

 Here is your chance to help Pervis reach even larger numbers of people with his new book!

 Pervis Principles 2 

 In order to successfully roll out this book, Pervis needs our help 

securing 250 pre ordered copies! 

As a Life Coach, mentor and Inspirational Speaker, Pervis has used his book as a tool to reach youth of all ages; while inspiring and encouraging young adults to dream big and soar higher! 

By pre-ordering advance copies, we can help Pervis' inspirational

words touch the hearts of even more individuals! 

 If you have already ordered a copy – Thank you! 

You can help by becoming general supporters with a pre-order gift of 5 or more books which will be donated to youth organizations - targeting young men of color - within New York City. 

For educators, youth counselors, and group leaders within the New York City metro area, 

order 20 or more advance copies and qualify for a chance to receive a free workshop 

or gift a free workshop to your favorite organization. 

General orders will also get a chance to win a free Life Coaching session with Pervis. 

Orders of 10 or more books, will receive a free guaranteed session.

TAKE ACTION... AND GET YOUR COPY TODAY!!!

People Are Talking About Pervis Principles

"Pervis Principles is a must have" - Janet Hill Talbert 

former Executive Editor, Double Day/Random House.

"I like the fact that it was shared from principled that worked for you and since principles 

works for anyone who applies it you made it simple and handy. Have you written the vol II"

 -Onwaku Matthew Onyaka, Nigeria

"While this mini-book has been out since late 2010, it has two distinct 

things going for it. First, its size--just right for pocket or backpack. 

Second, the fact that it has a distinct biblical connection. In the end, 

the wisdom factor from Pervis Taylor III will keep young people 

turning the pages for the 30 days worth of character-building inspiration. 

No texting involved…but reading and thought WILL be required!"

 - Mike Ramey

"Boro teens vie for poetry crown,"
By Jake Pearson - New York Daily News

They've rhymed their way to the finals.

Some talented Brooklyn teens will perform their spoken-word poetry for a shot at a $10,000 scholarship during the final round of the annual Knicks Poetry Slam competition at Manhattan's New Amsterdam Theater on Thursday.

"The theater is enormously huge and majestic looking," said Bedford-Stuyvesant poet Ishmael Islam, 18, a college freshman at the Pratt Institute. "It's a lot of stage and a lot of history to respect."

The four Brooklyn wordsmiths beat out 500 young people, ages 13 to 19, from the tristate area who auditioned last November for a shot at the college scholarship.

Last month, they were among 75 poets in the semifinal round who performed for the final 10 slots.

Their poems range from social commentary about the gentrification of Clinton Hill to deeply personal insights about saying goodbye to a beloved and deceased relative.

"It hasn't hit me yet," said Dominique Briggs, 18, of Bushwick, who is putting the finishing touches on a poem called "Dad," a cautionary tale about the evil powers of money, that he'll perform.

"We're on Broadway, which is every performance artist's dream."

Flatbush native Kedene McLeod, 17, a junior at the Secondary School for Research in Park Slope, is the youngest of the four Brooklyn finalists - and the only girl.

"My friends say I am good with words because . . . when they have a paper, they ask me for synonyms," said McLeod, who never wrote poetry before taking a class in school last fall.

"I auditioned a piece . . . and I didn't think anything of it, but they called me back and I was on top of the world."

The untitled piece is full of advice one girl gives to another before she learns important life lessons - like how to maintain a high self-esteem - the hard way.

"So when you realize that you are healed and made in His image, then you can show your beautiful you," wrote McLeod.

Islam's poem "Clifton" is an ode to the Clinton Hill he remembers growing up in, on Clifton Place - one without Manhattan transplants and luxury condos.

"The new modernism is hitting Brooklyn hard, but it hit home even harder," wrote Islam. ". . . [H]alf the block turned into high estate condos and more to come. It's become a ghost town with gold mines of new-age buildings."

Those three and Julian Pena, 19, of Park Slope, a freshman at Kingsborough Community College, will vie for the top prize - a $10,000 scholarship. Second place takes $7,500, third $5,000, and the remaining seven will get $1,000 apiece.

"They're all extremely talented," said Mike Cirelli, 34, executive director of Urban Word, a nonprofit that teaches poetry to young people and co-sponsors the competition.

"At this point, the level of poetry and performance is so high you can literally pick winners out of a hat," he said.

"Every tenant's nightmare: No heat, hot water for months in Brooklyn apartment that's in foreclosure,"
BY JAKE PEARSON - New York Daily News

Their Bedford-Stuyvesant apartment building is in foreclosure - and these tenants are feeling forsaken.

Tenants at 874 Greene Ave. have suffered for months without heat or hot water even though a court-appointed receiver hired a managing company to make repairs and collect rents.

"The only way I get heat is to turn the stove on," said Paulette Walker, 36, who lives in her freezing fourth-floor apartment with her husband and 13-year-old son, Jacob.

"I boil water for the steam, turn on the grill and let the burners go."

The eight-unit building has been without heat or hot water since the boiler, which has broken countless times, failed again, tenants said.

Even their original landlord had a better track record than BPC Management when it came to making repairs, they added.

The tenants charge that BPC Management has ignored complaints about the broken boiler, roach infestations and even a leaking roof.

"They don't listen; they don't care," said Natasha Favorite, 25, who is eight months pregnant and lives on the second floor with her 3-year-old son, Adonis. "I'm sick of being in this house with no heat and no hot water."

Favorite said she has complained to BPC at least 10 times over the past year.

Angry tenants in the building have lodged 65 complaints with the Housing Preservation and Development Department since last February.

They are working with organizers from Pratt Area Community Council, who are trying to negotiate a timeline for improvements and repairs.

"This is the complication of foreclosures," said PACC organizing director Elana Shneyer.

"The tenants haven't done anything [wrong], but they get caught in the middle ... without basic services."

A BPC Management spokesperson declined to comment.

"We can't even bathe the way we want to bathe," said Walker, an unemployed security guard who dumps six big cooking pots full of boiling water into the tub and adds cold water to take a bath.

"We really shouldn't have to live this way."

"Nostrand Avenue bus initiative gets federal stimulus money,"
By Stephen Witt - Courier Life Publication

An infusion of federal stimulus dollars could provide the jolt to get the Nostrand Avenue Select Bus Service (SBS) project jump-started.

That after the Obama administration’s 2011 budget included $28 million for the proposed SBS along the Nostrand Avenue corridor.

Bed-Stuy bakes up dough to save beloved Bread Stuy eatery
By Mike Mclaughlin and Sam Goldsmith - NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Neighbors of a beloved Brooklyn coffee shop are working on their own bailout for the local hangout.

Bread Stuy on Lewis Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant was shuttered last week because owners fell behind on more than $20,000 in back taxes.

The neighborhood stepped in, donating and lending owners more than $10,000, and the shop reopened Saturday.

"It's more than just coffee," owner Lloyd Porter said of his shop. "We host gatherings for new neighbors. We do a Christmas tree lighting every year, and my wife and I dress like Mr. and Mrs. Claus."

Peaches, a restaurant down the block from Bread Stuy, hosted a Super Bowl party fund-raiser for the coffee shop and eatery last night.

"It's not just a business thing, it's a personal thing," said Peaches co-owner Craig Samuels, 40. "Lloyd is the unofficial mayor of Bed-Stuy."

"It has become such a part of the neighborhood," said Claudia Siambert, 24, a regular customer at Bread Stuy. "Everyone is really happy here."

The owners say they were blindsided by late fees and penalties that piled up from their tax woes.

Java lovers were stunned last week to find a "seized" notice posted on the storefront in the trendy Stuyvesant Heights area.

MTA ON TRACK TO INSTALL ELEVATOR AT UTICA AVENUE
Community outraged by plans That Calls for Ramps to Individual Platform
By Keith L. Forest

After 20 years of negotiating, Community Board 3 is finally on track to having an elevator installed at the Utica Avenue A&C train station. Representatives from Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) attended CB3’s monthly meeting to share the good news. However, they were in for a surprise when their plan, which calls for an elevator to be installed on the North East side of the station and ramp access leading to the individual platforms, was not well received.

Attending members were outraged and felt the MTA once again short-changed them. The installation of ramps, members expressed, jeopardizes the health of the elderly and physically challenged by forcing them to navigate inclined slopes. Members demanded that the plans be revised to include elevator access from the street to the individual platforms. frustrated MTA members agreed to take suggestions back to the drawing board. Construction is set to begin spring 2011.

Community Board 3 also conducted a public hearing to address the 2011 City Budget. Although the board presented over 10 capital budget items and 9 expense items, due to recent citywide budget cuts the city only green lighted two (2) of its capital budget items. They are: installation of the elevator on Utica Ave and reconstruction of Nostrand Ave from Flushing to Atlantic. Board members took the opportunity to educate the public on the process and encourage the community to fight for alternative ways to support other projects such as Von King’s Cultural Art Center and the rehabilitation of Sumner Avenue Armory for community use.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.

"Bed Stuy Resident Carmin Colon Donates doughnuts to troops,"
By Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Very few of the sailors aboard the USS Shiloh knew who paid for the 408 doughnuts that showed up in their mess hall on Friday.
But judging by all the jelly-glazed smiles and sugar-dusted fingers, a Brooklyn woman’s gift to a ship she’s never even seen was greatly enjoyed.
"This probably just made everybody’s Friday," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Nagel.
With help from United Service Organizations, Carmen Colon purchased $240 worth of doughnuts for the sailors — something she says made her feel so good, it was like buying a Christmas present for herself.
"Wherever they’re serving … I want to say that we appreciate you, we miss you, and we can’t wait for you to come home," Colon said last week from her home in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.
One year ago, Colon reconnected on Facebook with a friend she graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School with nearly 30 years ago.
Colon’s friend is now a master chief petty officer aboard the Shiloh. She asked if there was anything she could send him, but he always declined.
She kept up with her friend’s descriptions of life aboard the Shiloh through the summer, when tragedy struck. On July 8, Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Geathers died while on duty.
Colon heard how devastating the loss was to the crew and resolved to do something for the sailors. When the Shiloh returned from sea last month, Colon’s opportunity came.
However, Colon’s focus isn’t just on the Shiloh. She plans to spread the word and would love to see every command "adopted" like the Shiloh.
"I love them, but I love the entire base, too," Colon said.
Shiloh sailors said they were sure other ships would happily accept the support.
"Some people here go straight to work in the morning, and to be able to take a break and enjoy free doughnuts — it really makes me feel like somebody cares," Seaman Amber Cage said.

CURBE.COM posted that the "FHA-approved condo buildings at 111 Monroe Street, which claims to be the Federal Housing Authoritie's firt experiment, has sold 50% of its 1 & 2 bedroom units. The 14 remaining one- and two-bedroom units start at $375,000.

"Developer order to pay 10.9 Million to Bed stuy Condo Owners,"
By JOE WALKER - New York Times

A Brooklyn developer who took advantage of a faculty-housing exemption to build oversized condominium buildings, then sold the units on the open market, will be barred from selling apartments in New York State, according to an agreement between the developer and the attorney general’s office.

Along with barring him from selling real estate securities, the settlement requires that the developer, Mendel Brach, pay $10.9 million to the residents of the 72-unit development to repair structural defects. (click for full story)

"Speech by Bed Stuy's Own - William C. Thompson Jr.," - New York Times

The following speech was delivered by New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr., the Democratic candidate for mayor, at Hunter College on Thursday night:

"Tonight I want to talk to you about what I believe is a key issue in this campaign – Republican Mike Bloomberg's self-serving desire to do away with the term limits law that New Yorkers voted for not once, but twice. He ignored New Yorkers' voices and votes in a clear violation of the will of the people.
Elections are an opportunity for voters to differentiate between candidates and their vision for the office that they seek. And this is an issue that I believe clearly defines who my Republican opponent is and who I am. (click link for full speech)

BED STUY ALIVE! ENDS WITH HISTORIC BROWNSTONER’S HOUSE TOUR
By Keith L. Forest
The Brownstoners of Bedford Stuyvesant, one of Brooklyn’s most active civic organizations, held its 31st annual House Tour and Bazaar Saturday, October 17. Themed “The Legacy Continues: Restore, Revitalize, Rejuvenate.” the Brownstoners once again showcased a collection of the community’s finest brownstone and limestone homes while making a declaration of the vibrant familial ambiance that has traditionally been rooted in Bed-Stuy

Prior to the kick off of the self guided house tour, attendees were able to participate in a Homeownership Workshop where they received professional advice and resourceful information on surviving the turbulent economy; weatherization; how to maintain their current home and buying smart. The annual Bed Stuy Bazaar was also in full swing offering a variety of arts and crafts while showcasing various neighborhood goods and services.

The highlight of the day was the house tour which historically draws thousands of visitors from all over providing the house enthusiasts a sneak peek into some of New York’s most lavishly restored brownstone and limestone homes. Each participant received a Tour Brochure which in addition to granting them access to the touring homes, also served as a reference tool that documents the unique story behind each home on tour. Attendees once again experience, first-hand, the luxury and sophistication embodied within Bedford Stuyvesant’s brownstone and limestone homes, many of which date back as far as the early 18th century. Participants had the opportunity to speak directly with homeowners to learn about restoration, landscaping, general maintenance and many more of the practicalities of owning a brownstone.

The mission of The Brownstoners of Bedford Stuyvesant, Inc, which has been operating for 30 years, is to faithfully serve this Brooklyn community. Dedicated not only to instilling pride in Bed-Stuy residents, this non-profit, volunteer, civic organization has performed a variety of community services which span from literacy programs to their annual Tax Lien Project. In fact, proceeds from the house tour will benefit the McDonald/Glee Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to college bound graduates of Boys and Girls High School. The Joan Maynard Scholarship is also benefited, which awards college bound graduates of the Historic Boys High School.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.

"Brooklyn’s Stimulus Money: How It’s Being Spent,"
By Dennis Holt - The Brooklyn Eagle

BROOKLYN -- For the first time, the public is beginning to get a sense of how Brooklyn is benefiting from the federal stimulus funding on public works projects.

As of now Brooklyn has been allocated more than $308 million in federal funds in two areas -- transportation and public housing. The housing allocation comes to 4.65 percent of the total national government grant. Brooklyn has more public housing than any other borough.

"Amid a Citywide Slump, a Local Exception,"
By CHRISTINE HAUGHNEY - The New York Times

Through the building frenzy that transformed some of the city’s long-neglected patches into lustrous new neighborhoods, few frontiers struggled to reap the benefits of gentrification more than working-class Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

homes rose, but never as much as in Fort Greene. Its long-neglected brownstones attracted renovators from Manhattan, but often only after they were priced out of Park Slope. While cafes and boutiques opened, the pace never matched that of Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg.

"A tribute to tragedies brought to life in play 'Yesterday I died' performed by teens in Bed-Stuy,"

By Jake Pearson - New York Daily News

A group of Brooklyn actors has taken a series of murders of young people in the borough for the play "Yesterday I Died." The play will run this weekend in a Bedford-Stuyvesant church.

The monologues and vignettes feature murder cases that captured much media attention - like Chanel Petro-Nixon, 16, strangled to death and stuffed in a garbage bag in Crown Heights over Father's Day weekend in 2006, and Robert Grant, 19, shot to death on Christmas Eve in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens in 2007. (more)

MEALY MISSING WHEN SHE'S NEEDED MOST

By Keith L. Forest

So I wrote this long glowing article in support of Council Woman Darlene Mealy winning the 41st Council seat the other day and was about to post it to my blog (mybedstuy.blogspot.com) when reality smacked me in the face.

My outrage originated from the fact that voters in our community would rather waist their vote re-electing Tracy Boyland, who in the 8 years she held office, did very little for us and continues to run on her family legacy.

My argument was that Ms. Mealy deserved another chance.

In the past month alone our community has been under siege by gang violence which has claimed the lives of 4 young men, killed in 2 separate gang related shootings. Both tragedies took place in broad daylight with the last young man 18 year old Jahlil Lee, life cut short only 4 days after the 81st Precinct removed the watch tower.

In the midst of these grave tragedies one significant voice has been missing – Council Woman Darlene Mealy. For the last few weeks concerned citizens, civic and community leaders have been working feverishly arranging a meeting with residents, shop owners and elected official with Deputy Inspector, Steven M. Mauriello of the 81st Precinct. All area elected officials were sent updates and agendas requesting their presence including Ms. Mealy whose office forward a response stating that she is on vacation and will be sending a representative in her absence.

During the primaries, candidates seeking the 41st Council seat common complaint was that Darlene Mealy lacked visibility in the community. Her flip flop on term limit; constant hiring and firing of chiefs of staff; and awarding her sister $25,000 were also key points. Needless to say these recent tragic killings were a golden opportunity for Mealy to seize the moment and show true leadership. Yet, she opts to send a representative and take vacation.

After a long election, I am sure Ms. Mealy deserve a much needed rest. However, she owes the families forced to cancel their plans, tap into their savings and life insurance plans to bury a child to put her personal life on hold and do the job she was elected and that our tax dollars pay her to do. She owes it to the traumatized children in our area to negotiate strong, skilled police presence in our community and provide them and their parents with a safe environment to call home.

Ms. Mealy we’re watching.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD HOST FIRST ANNUAL
“Men’s Health Awareness Fair”

By Keith L. Forest

Who said men are not concerned about their health? Whoever it was needed to have attended the International Christian Brotherhood first annual “Men’s Health Awareness Fair” where over 300 men eagerly participated in a variety of free health screenings and tests, while enjoying numerous demonstrations and activities.

The event was sponsored by International Christian Brotherhood and Christian Cultural Center’s health ministry. Held in Brooklyn on Christian Cultural Center’s campus, the event offered free hypertension, diabetes and PSA testing and screenings and provided nutritional counseling and fitness exhibitions. Partakers were also able to pick up the latest health information from various participating health agencies and attending Veterans were able to sign up for additional health services. There were also live Jujitsu, martial arts and personnel weight training demonstrations as well as, yoga and aerobic warm up exercises.

It is a known fact that men are less likely to seek medical help then women. This can lead to delayed diagnosis which hinders the treatment of sickness. Current statistics show that heart disease, cancer and diabetes top the list of leading causes of death among men. Of the 292,000 African American men who die each year, ½ succumb to heart disease and cancer.

Founded by A.R. Bernard, pastor, founder & CEO of the Christian Cultural Center, the International Christian Brotherhood (ICB) is a fraternal organization that seeks to train men in Christ-likeness as the standard for manhood. With its motto, “We Train Men,” ICB is dedicated to establishing a global network of Christian men, who, regardless of race, denomination or nationality, commit their knowledge, influence and affluence to affecting positive change in their society. ICB mission is to establish local chapters in cities and churches around the world.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner and member of International Christian Brotherhood (ICB) who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.

"Bed-Stuy biz district to get an upgradeBy Amanda Fung," - Crain's New York Business

The commercial heart of Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant is getting a major makeover—plus two affordable-housing developments.

Next month, the neighborhood's brand-new business improvement district, called Bed-Stuy Gateway, will officially begin operations with a $675,000 annual budget. Its top priority is to ensure that the stretch of Fulton Street running from Bedford Avenue to Marcus Garvey Boulevard and Nostrand Avenue from Halsey Street to Atlantic Avenue are redone with new sidewalks, benches, trees and bike racks, according to Edmon Braiehwaite, the chairman of Bed-Stuy Gateway. The city awarded roughly $9 million to spruce up the area.

BAINBRIDGE/MALCOLM X BLOCK ASSOCIATION RECLAIMING TERRITORY
Neighbors & Friends Join Forces for Monthly Block Clean Up
By Keith L. Forest

Armed with shovels, rakes, and brooms, members, family and friends of the Bainbridge/Malcolm X Block Association took to the street in a collective force to beautify their block. In their effort to combat the neglect and foster community pride, neighbors’ young and old spent a sunny Saturday morning pulling up weeds, picking up trash and cleaning each other stoops. “I was so excited to see so many people come out to support the cleanup day,” said resident Alexia Biliart. “It especially warmed my heart to see the younger kids.”
Bainbridge Street between Malcolm X Blvd and Patchen Avenue which is nick- named “Bum” bridge has suffered from years of neglect and mistreatment. During the summer months it has an uncanny reputation as being a haven for loitering, loud parties and frequent front-stoop cook outs causing constant clashing with long-time residents. The block, which has 14, four-story apartment buildings and five vacant lots, also has its share of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) dwellings and currently is the home to 3 residential social service agencies. Pet owners also frequent the block leaving trail and often mounds of their pets remains behind.

Unlike most residential blocks throughout the city, the block, which has easy access to the Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue strips, lacks a much needed speed hump. This makes it a major magnet for joy riders who speed down the corridor, music blaring, all hours of the night. This reckless behavior is a growing concern for many parents most of which have young children. During the warmer months, drivers compete with motorcyclist who chose the route to test their dexterity and agility by displaying various speed defying stunts.

Members of the Bainbridge/Malcolm X Block Association plan on holding block clean up every first Saturday. A special family fun day is being planned for October where local politician and community organizations will be invited. Petitions have already been sent to State and city officials requesting tree guards to protect the numerous new saplings along the corridor and signatures were gathered in an effort to having a much needed speed hump installed.

“I have a great deal of respect for my neighbors who have invested their lives to changing the minds of those who can't see the beauty of Bainbridge Street,” stated Rev. DeVanie Jackson, who runs a food pantry and the Malcolm X Farmers Market. “I hope Saturday was the first step in shedding the street’s negative image,” added resident Sandra Stevenson.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.

"Boys & Girls High School Principal Demoted," - New York Post

New York Post is reporting that Boys & Girls High School Principal Spencer Holder has been demoted to Assistant Principal. Mr. Holder succeeded his mentor Frank Mickens who passed away last month.

"Steppers Marching Band strapped for cash,"
BY Elizabeth Lazarowitz - NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

The band is broke.

The famed Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band is in danger of falling silent for good, left scrambling for cash months after its founder stepped down amid a student sex scandal.