12 “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” 13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on[b] its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar.

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel! Joshua
Walking into the promise land was no small process for Joshua. It was a well fought journey – a journey with many obstacles, hindrances and battles. Yet, GOD remained faithful. He promised Joshua that he would bring His people into the promise land. However, He never told Joshua that it was going to be an easy task. Just like the wilderness experience, GOD gave many signs of wonders elevating His people’s faith in Joshua as he did with Moses encouraging and steering the hearts of His soldiers to fight a good fight for the army of GOD. God is still in the miracle business and His signs are still present. They may not be as grand as splitting a sea or making the moon stand still. However, they are in our everyday existence. As believers we have to seek them out.

"Bed-Stuy Med Volunteers Step Up in Haiti," - The Indypendent

Within 48 hours after the Jan. 12 earthquake hit Haiti, the Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corp had already gathered $30,000 worth of supplies and registered 200 volunteers to travel there as part of the relief effort.

“I’m leaving behind all my bills, all my family, and I had a whole team to worry about,” said Chief Colin Raeburn, who led the group’s relief effort in Haiti. “I thought, ‘What the hell am I getting myself into?’”

"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.

"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.

Brooklyn home values slide, sales up
Despite Slight Increase in Sales Bed Stuy Property Value Waivers
By Gary Buiso - Courier-Life Publications

Home values in Brooklyn continued to slide, but sales activity is showing signs of life, surging for the second consecutive quarter, according to a recent report.

The median sales price of all residential properties in the third quarter fell 6.7 percent to $476,000 from $510,000 last year during the same period last year, according to the report, issued by broker Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate and Miller Samuel Inc., a Manhattan-based appraiser. The number of sales declined 19.6 percent to 1,847 from 2,298 sales from the prior year’s quarter — but increased 29.3 percent from 1,428 units in the second quarter of the year.

“The jump in the number of sales from the prior quarter reflects a release of pent-up demand from an unusually low level of sales activity seen in the early part of the year that began with the Lehman bankruptcy tipping point on September 15, 2008,” said Jonathan Miller, president of Miller Samuel. “The Brooklyn ‘spring’ market was pushed forward and occurred over the summer as a result.With the increase in activity, listing inventory fell sharply but remains above typical levels.The increase in median sales price from the prior quarter caused by the increased level of sales is the first increase after seven consecutive quarterly declines,” he stated in the report.

There was a 1.7 percent dip in condo median sales price to $496,860 borough-wide compared to the same quarter last year, according to the report, released October 14. Compared to last year’s second quarter, condo sales tumbled 29.8 percent to 463 units — from 660 units in the same period last year, but 24.5 percent above the 372 units in the second quarter.
The median sales price of 1-3 family properties dropped 10.6 percent to $536,300. Sales declined 9.4 percent to 944 units, compared to last year. Still, this figure is up 31.8 percent from last quarter.

North Brooklyn, which includes Williamsburg and Greenpoint, saw a median sales price of $564,110, down 12.1 percent than the prior year quarter. Northwest Brooklyn, which includes neighborhoods such as Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens, Red Hook, Park Slope, and Gowanus saw a 14.2 percent decline to $565,000. The number of sales dropped 19.6 percent to 415 units, but surged 69.4 percent above 245 units in the second quarter.
In the southern portion of the borough, sales slipped 4.2 percent to $445,479. Sales fell 14.4 percent to 1,060 units, up 25.3 percent above the 846 units in the prior quarter.

The eastern section of Brooklyn, which includes neighborhoods like Bedford Stuyvesant and East Brooklyn, saw home prices decline 3.5 percent, to $425,962. Sales fell 26.6 percent to 259 units, just 6.6 percent above the 243 units in the prior quarter.

Borough-wide co-op median sales price was up 1.1 percent, to $283,210, compared to last year at this time, while sales fell 26.5 percent, up 29.4 percent from the second quarter.
The median sales price of luxury properties, representing the highest 10 percent of all Brooklyn co-op, condo and 1-3 family home sales, was $1,210,000, down 13.7 percent, according to the report.

BED STUY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM PROVIDES SHELTER & COMFORT TO GROWING POPULATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN

BY Meredith Kolodner - NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Budget cuts forced many schools to ax after-school programs, but almost every child at one Brooklyn school is dancing, cooking, fencing or building robots until 6 p.m.

Parents at Public School 636, where one in five kids is homeless and living at one of 10 area shelters, say the after-school program has transformed their lives.

"This is the best thing that could have happened to us," said Lakisha Samuels, whose third-grade daughter, Jolissann, and first- and fifth-grade sons, Kevin and Ludlow, attend the school.

The year-old after-school program is funded mainly through a federal grant, enabling PS 636 to maintain the extra programming other schools have been forced to trim because of budget cuts.
Hallways once filled with fistfights are now calm, and test scores are rising.

When the Bedford-Stuyvesant school replaced the failing PS 304 last year, only about a third of fourth-graders were reading at grade level. Now, 44% of the fourth-graders at PS 636 are reading at grade level.

Unlike many after-school programs, however, academics is not the central focus.
"I just knew that the kids did not have successful experiences academically," said Principal Danika Lacroix.

"They needed to feel good about being at school," added Lacroix, who took over last year.
Still, the after-school workers try to link enrichment activities to what's going on in the classroom.

In one after-school cooking class, the instructor reinforced a reading sequencing lesson by having the kids photograph the steps of making guacamole and arranging the images in correct order.

"When we first started, the kids were extremely aggressive,," said Tameeka Ford-Norville, director of the after-school program at University Settlement, a social service organization that runs PS 636's after-school program.

"Enrichment allows for team-building and respect, and that helps them work in the classroom together."

The school holds biweekly town hall meetings and monthly social gatherings attended by about 60 families. Parents and teachers play volleyball at those gatherings, or watch their children play basketball or perform in the cheerleading squad.

The shift toward a "community school" has changed parents' relationships to the school.
"We have families who come in who need shelter," said Lacroix. "We have mothers who come in and say, 'My husband's beating on me.'

"We make sure they get help."

The after-school program costs $1,700 a year per student, most of which is covered by a federal grant from the After-School Corp. PS 636 also chips in about 10% of the program's costs.

Marilyn Medina had searched for a school for her mildly autistic fourth-grade daughter, Naydene, for two years before she came to PS 636.

"Since she's been here her self-esteem has grown," said Medina. "She's reading at a third-grade level. She's dying to be a cheerleader. I'm at peace."

FIFTH ANNUAL BED-STUY ALIVE! WEEK RETURNS
Culturally Enriched Invitation to “Embrace Our Treasures”
By Keith L. Forest

Brooklyn NY (September 9, 2009) – The Bed-Stuy Alive! Collective is proud to present the 5th Annual Bed-Stuy Alive! Week, celebration scheduled to takes place Saturday, October 10 - Saturday, October 17th. The Collective includes: Bridge Street Development Corporation, Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Inc., Community Board 3, Bedford-Stuyvesant Artists’ Association, Project 17 Realty and Associates, and the Central Brooklyn Community Services Corporation. “We are pleased to be a part of this event, which will showcase our great businesses, restaurants, artists, and homes,” stated Rhonda Lewis, Executive Director of Bridge Street. Themed, “Embrace Our Treasures,” which reflects the history and growth of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bed-Stuy Alive! Week is designed to promote economic development, neighborhood pride, tourism, our fine arts community, and the rich heritage of the people who live here.

Bed-Stuy Alive! Week begins Saturday, October 10, with an annual Gala Kick-off and street festival. This outdoor event, complete with an open vendors market, health fair, kid’s corner and awards program, takes place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Fulton Street between New York and Brooklyn Avenues. It will include a food court, health and wellness screenings; outdoor kid’s activities and games; and the First Bed-Stuy Healthy Heart Community Dance line. Hosted by Community Board 3 and the Brownstoners, this family friendly activity will add excitement and joy, as block associations, senior centers, and groups from all over collectively compete to create the longest Cha Cha Slide line in the City. There will also be various cultural performances from local schools and community organizations and a special live concert featuring some of Brooklyn’s hippest, hottest and funkiest bands. Sponsored by Restoration Rock, patrons can “Rock” to the pulsating sounds from a variety of established and emerging talent.

In addition, Bed-Stuy Alive! Week will also include the first annual Tohma Y. Faulkner Community Award. Named after Bed-Stuy Alive! Week founder this award presentation pays homage to Ms. Faulkner’s unswerving commitment, dedication and service to the people and places of her beloved Bedford- Stuyvesant neighborhood and is presented to individuals that truly embrace Ms. Faulkner’s profound commitment to “serve and not be served.” This year’s honorees include: Hardy “Joe” Long, President of the Fulton-Nostrand United Merchants’ Association; Peggy Alston, Program Director of Restoration’s Youth Arts Academy; Deon Davis Harris, owner of Everything Scratch Café; Catherine Arline, President of the 81st Precinct Council; Frederick Pena, member of the 79th Precinct Explorers; Leroy Darby, owner of Leroy’s Framing Shop, and Bernice Green and David Greaves, publishers of Our Time Press.

A healthy community is a happy community and Bed-Stuy Alive! Week encourages runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages to join them for Restoration Plaza’s annual 10K Run & Fun Walk. This healthy excursion, which takes place Sunday October 11, is for people of all fitness levels, travels along a scenic picturesque route through historic Brooklyn. Participants are encouraged to register on-line www.restorationplaza.org. For additional information, please call Restoration Plaza at: (718) 636-6972.

There is no need to travel outside the neighborhood for fine dining and unique shopping, when Bed-Stuy has everything you need within walking distance. In celebration of the 5th Annual Bed-Stuy Alive! Week, local merchants in association with Bridge Street Development Corporation; participating shops on Lewis Avenue; Tompkins Avenue and Malcolm X. Merchants’ Associations; are joining forces to offer the ultimate shopping and dining experiences while providing a variety of discounts and special offers. Visitors and neighbors will have a golden opportunity to pick up the latest fashion and gift items from numerous boutique an shops; taste a variety of mouth watering dishes and delectable treats from special eat-in and take-out menus. Patrons are encouraged to look for the Bed-Stuy Alive! Week posters which will be on display at participating venues.

In addition to the abundant shopping and entertainment opportunities, on Saturday, October 17th, the Bedford-Stuyvesant Artists’ Association (BeSAA) will host its 6th Annual Studio Strut. This festive community affair honors Bed-Stuy’s culturally rich artistic talent with an outdoor art exhibition at Junior High School 35, located at (number) MacDonough Street, on the corner of Lewis Avenue.

Bed-Stuy Alive! Week culminates with the Brownstoner’s 31st Annual House Tour of Bedford-Stuyvesant, which takes place, Saturday, October 17th. The theme for this year’s event is “The legacy Continues: Restore, Revitalize, Rejuvinate. ” The self guided tour will begin at 10:00 AM with a free homebuyers’ seminar at at Old Boys High School, (number) Marcy Avenue at Putnam Putnam Avenue. Tickets for the house tour are $15.00 (until October 15th), and $20.00 on the day of the tour. Proceeds benefit scholarships for graduates of Boys and Girls High School and the programs in the “Old Boys High School” building.

Bed-Stuy Alive! is funded by New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, New York State Assemblymember Annette Robinson, and New York City Councilmember Albert Vann. Sponsors include: Our Time Press, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Central Brooklyn Lions Club.

Bedford Central Community Development Corporation
Presents Its 4th Annual Home Buyers Seminar Series
Program provide participants with tools to secure & sustain homeownership
By Keith L. Forest

Purchasing a home in today’s current economy seems like a long shot. With banks strict lending policies and foreclosures abound, the American Dream seems more like a nightmare. However, according to Wayne Devonish, Executive Director of Bedford Central Community Development Corporation now is the perfect time.

“There is no better time to become a homeowner than today,” affirms Mr. Devonish. “Mortgage rates are at an all time low, purchasers have more negotiating power and there are grants and funding available for qualified first time home buyers.”

On October 20, Bedford Central Community Development Corporation will host its 4th annual Home Buyer Seminar. The courses will take place at Bedford Central Presbyterian Church, 1200 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY. The workshops, which are co sponsored by Assemblywoman, Annette Robinson and Assemblyman, Karim Camara, includes a comprehensive 16 week program designed to turn qualified potential home shoppers into financially secure homeowners. “Homeownership is an excellent community stabilizer that provides an excellent incentive for homeowners to take an active role in their community,” says Mr. Devonish, who is a Bedford-Stuyvesant homeowner.

As part of its Literary Institute, which takes a holistic approach to educate Central Brooklyn residents in money management, Bedford Central Community Development Corporation instituted its Home Buyers Program. The 16 week workshops, which are sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, Carver Federal Savings Bank, Nau Corp Properties, HSBC, Wells Fargo, Home Market Realty, Flateau Realty, and Delta Sigma Theta Brooklyn Alumnae Chapter, are divided into four- four week courses covering such topics as: Getting Ready for Home Ownership – which goes over the financial qualifications and the role of realtors, attorneys and home inspectors; Repairing Your Credit – covers budgeting, saving and paying down debt; Budgeting for Your Home Purchase & Getting Pre-Qualified or Approved – addresses contracts, applications, predatory lending and insurance; and Minor Repair & Maintenance of your Home or Apartment - which covers basic repairs and upkeep.

The goal of the workshops, which are taught by a team of seasoned professionals, is designed to provide participants with comprehensive training in debt management while placing them on a managed savings program in an effort to help them secure prequalification for a low-interest rate loan. In addition, participants received home maintenance training and are able to network with housing professionals. Each graduate receives a certificate upon completion. “This program helps get them into a home in a structured and safe manner that ensures success,” states Mr. Devonish.

Bedford Central Community Development Corporation (BCCDC) is a non-profit agency that aspires to strengthen the lower and middle income populations in the Central Brooklyn areas. This specific population continues to endure tremendous adversities and often lack the resource and opportunities afforded to more affluent New York neighborhoods. Bedford Central Community Development Corporation recognizes the importance of empowering these neighborhoods in the hopes of fueling the local economy and fostering relationships within the community, participants of (BCCDC) programs and funders. (BCCDC) aims to combat the stereotypical phenomenon by assisting individuals with tangible assistance on realizing their dreams and ultimately living to their fullest potential.

Photo Caption – Left to Right – Josh Lockwood, Executive Director, New York City Habitat for Humanities(left) and Rodheyse Bichotte, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Alumnae Chapter (right) congratulate a 2008 Home Buyer Graduate.