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Monday, August 8, 2016
JASA's upcoming advocacy trainings and seminars
KLEIN ANNOUNCES $100,000 IN FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE CULTURAL PROGRAM TO EDUCATE YOUTH
State Senator Jeff Klein, joined by Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, hosted a free concert, featuring the world-renowned Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble, at Soundview Park on Thursday.
The concert launched a partnership between the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance and local school children. Senator Klein announced $100,000 in state funding to the group which will provide musical education to students in the area and bring cultural entertainment to the community.
“I’m so proud that with my $100,000 in funding our children will benefit from the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance which will bring music and heritage into the classroom. These resources will help our youngsters become proficient in musical instruments, learn about musical theory, and study the rich culture and ancestry of Afro Latin Jazz music. Our local families will enjoy cultural entertainment throughout the year as well,” said Senator Jeff Klein.
“I applaud Senator Jeff Klein leading the way in securing the important funding to expand arts and music education throughout our communities. This initiative responds to the pleas of the parents and more importantly the needs of our children, giving them a fuller educational experience and enhancing their academic outcomes,” said Assemblyman Crespo.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance we thank you and acknowledge Senator Jeff Klein for his contribution to ALJA for programming in the Bronx. The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance is dedicated to preserving the music and heritage of Afro Latin jazz, supporting its performance for new audiences and educating young people in the understanding and performance of this important cultural treasure. We are honored to consider Senator Klein a partner in our efforts to ensure the organization’s mission and long-term goals to move the Latin jazz genre forward. Thank you again for supporting the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance,” said Marietta Ulacia, Executive Director, Afro Latin Jazz Alliance.
The funding, secured by Senator Klein, will be used to provide students with musical instruments, as well as exciting classes focused on Afro Latin Jazz, musical theory, and more. The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance was founded in 2007 by Grammy-award winning, pianist and composer Arturo O’Farrill. This organization’s mission is to preserve the music and heritage of big band Latin Jazz.
(l-r): Arturo O’Farrill, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, and Marietta Ulacia join with Senator Jeff Klein as he announced $100,000 in funding for the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance.
ENGEL ACCEPTING DONATIONS OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AT BRONX OFFICES
Congressman Eliot Engel and the Coalition for the Homeless are once again working together to help New York City's homeless children get ready for school by taking part in "Project: Back to School," a drive to collect school supplies for the more than 23,000 school age children living in the city's homeless shelters.
Donations will be accepted from August 10th to August 31st at Congressman Engel's Riverdale office, located at 3655 Johnson Avenue, Bronx, NY 10463, and at the Congressman's Co-op City office, located at 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 3, Bronx, NY 10475. The Coalition for the Homeless is collecting supplies for students grades K-12. More information can be found on the project's website atwww.coalitionforthehomeless.
"As a former school teacher this great initiative is particularly close to my heart, and I am so proud to support it once again," Congressman Engel said. "My office teams up with the Coalition for Project: Back to School every year, and I am always blown away by the response from the community. The people in my district are incredibly giving and it is through their kindness that so many under privileged kids are given the tools to succeed in the classroom. I have no doubt this year’s drive, much like last year’s and the year before, will be a big success."
Items being collected for this year’s drive include:
Early Years (Pre-K to 1st Grade)
• Backpack
• #2 Pencils
• Hard Pencil Case
• Crayons
• Washable Markers
• Elmer’s Glue
• Glue Stick
• Composition Book
• Eraser
• Safety Scissors
Elementary School (2nd to 5th Grades)
• Backpack
• # 2 Pencils
• Pencil Sharpener
• Soft Pencil Case
• Glue Stick
• Composition Notebook
• Colored Pencils
• Crayons
• Eraser
• Safety Scissors
• Ruler
Middle School (6th to 8th Grades)
• Backpack
• # 2 Pencils
• Pencil Sharpener
• Glue Stick
• Composition Notebook
• 1” Binder
• Eraser
• Safety Scissors
• Ruler
• Pocket Folders
High School (9th to 12th Grades)
• Backpack
• Composition Notebook
• 1.5” Binder
• Ruled Paper
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pocket Folders
• Scientific Calculators
Sunday, August 7, 2016
NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay Returns to New York Comic Con 2016
RETURN OF THE NEW YORK COMIC CON EASTERN
CHAMPIONSHIPS OF COSPLAY
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NYCC Hosts the Largest and Most Prestigious Costume
Contest on the East Coast October 8
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The NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay will return to the Big Apple Saturday, October 8, presented by Autodesk©. The Eastern Championships of Cosplay is the most prestigious costume contest on the east coast and is the 10th stop in ReedPOP’s 2016 Global Championships of Cosplay circuit. Thousands of NYCC Fans will watch in person while Fans from around the world will tune in via the Official NYCC Livestream to cheer on their favorite cosplayers. The winner of the NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay will win cash and prizes as well as a trip to Chicago for C2E2 April 21-23, 2017to compete in the C2E2 Crown Championships of Cosplay, the last stop in the Global Championships of Cosplay.
The Global Championships of Cosplay includes cosplay competitions taking place at ReedPOP events across the globe including France, Australia, India, Austria, Singapore, Indonesia and China. Each regional champion will win a trip to compete in the C2E2 Crown Championships of Cosplay in 2017, the final stop in the Global Championships of Cosplay. There, international cosplay champions will battle it out with local competitors on stage in front of thousands of Fans for ultimate cash prizes as well as the title of Global Champion of Cosplay 2017.
Competitors participating in the NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay will be evaluated on four skill categories for the competition including Needlework, Armor, FX and Larger than Life. Their full cosplay will be assessed regardless of which category competitors select in the application.
- Needlework – Cosplay constructed primarily through sewing, stitching, embroidery, etc.
- Armor – Cosplay constructed primarily by molding and shaping its outer layers using acrylic, EVA foam, Worbla, Wonderflex, cardboard, etc.
- FX – Cosplay that primarily features animatronics, optical effects, mechanical effects, special effects makeup, prosthetics, etc.
- Larger than Life – Cosplay that encloses the maker and extends their limbs by at least 1ft in length. A costume that is REALLY FREAKING BIG.
“Cosplay is an amazing part of our events and the NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay is one of the biggest stages where competitors can show off their unique and incredible skills,” said Lance Fensterman, Global Senior Vice President of ReedPOP. “We are excited to give these cosplayers a chance to be rewarded for all their talents while giving the Fans, both on-site and online, the opportunity to watch in awe and admire these talented individuals.”
The NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay is a celebration of the cosplay community’s passion for pop culture. It is a craftsmanship award show with a pre-judging session and a stage display. All entries must represent a character or element from the pop culture realm. Each entrant will submit an application to be reviewed by the NYCC team. Entrants may only enter one costume into the competition. Accepted contestants will be pre-judged for craftsmanship off stage and then battle it out on the Main Stage for cash prizes and ultimate bragging rights as the NYCC Eastern Champion of Cosplay.
Click on the button below to submit your online application for the NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay. Submissions will close on Friday, September 9, 2016 at 11:59 PM EST.
Ready to apply?
STATEMENT FROM HECTOR RAMIREZ CAMPAIGN AFTER WINNING LEGAL BATTLE TO STAY ON THE BALLOT FOR ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 86
“After fighting yet another attempt by the gatekeepers of the deplorable status quo that keeps impoverishing our neighborhoods by denying the people of District 86 to select their representation to the New York State Assembly, we are happy to inform you that on September 13 Democrat Hector Ramirez will be on the ballot. Despite all the dishonest tactics and effort to keep manipulating the system to benefit a fraudulent incumbent, the Board of Elections and The Supreme Court decided that Ramirez’s signatures are valid, allowing him to move ahead with his candidacy and attempts, once again, to give the voice that the district deserves in Albany. This is a resilient community and we will not rest until we allow the voters of the district to select its own leaders by demanding and participating in fair and free elections.”
The Democratic Primary will be held on September 13, 2016.
News From Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman
Stopping Zika Prevention Scams
Attorney General Schneiderman issued cease and desist letters to 7 companies for deceptively marketing products as “Zika preventive” that do not prevent or protect consumers against Zika virus or mosquitoes. The AG urged New Yorkers to only use products that contain ingredients, such as DEET, that are proven to be effective.
Less than 24 hours after the Attorney General commenced action, six of the seven companies removed misleading advertising or completely removed their products online.
Delivering Justice to Sandy Victims
On Monday, AG Schniederman charged an engineering company with a 50-count indictment for allegedly altering assessment of damage reports of residential properties from Superstorm Sandy. Additionally, the Attorney General released a report that identified fundamental flaws in the National Flood Insurance Program and offered recommendation for reforms to ensure a more transparent insurance claims process for homeowners.
Have a question, comment, or complaint? Click here. You can also learn more about the various initiatives of the Attorney General's office by visiting our website at ag.ny.gov. You can also call our General Hotline: 800-771-7755.
NYC Council 12th District Community Engagement Service Day Parade.
Hundreds of proud Bronx residents and elected officials were out on Saturday to celebrate their community at the first annual NYC Council 12th District Community Engagement Service Day Parade.
With scattered clouds, it didn’t rain on Saturday’s parade. The summer breeze and 80-degree weather made it ideal for parade marchers to walk from the intersection of Boston Road and East Gun Hill Road, westward to the Evander Childs High School field on Barnes Avenue, Williamsbridge.
“It was a wonderful day. We had a small sprinkle of rain after the parade was over, then the sun came out bright for everyone to also enjoy the festivities along Barnes Avenue with our mobile vans and community organizations as well as the concert and exhibitors on the football field,” said Council Member Andy King, who organized the parade, which featured more than 500 participants. Elected officials joining him were NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and Council Members Andrew Cohen.
The parade included Ronald McDonald of McDonalds and marching bands. Several public schools and local organizations marched with banners, signs and flags waving during the parade.
Following the parade was a spiritual devotion service by local ministers, music performances, congratulation wished to 2016 Summer graduates of the High School for Contemporary Arts and a gospel concert featuring Grammy award-winning Gospel artist Pastor Donnie McClurkin.
The free Community Engagement Service Day Concert, which was attended by more than 2,000 people, was sponsored by the High School of Contemporary Arts, NYC Council Member Andy King and Fun in the Son as a part of Council Member King’s third annual Community Engagement Service Day.
Saturday, August 6, 2016
A.G. Schneiderman Announces $100K Settlement With E-Retailer After Data Breach Exposes Over 25K Credit Card Numbers
EZcontactsUSA.com Must Pay $100K In Penalties And Reform Business Practices Following Massive Breach
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a settlement with Provision Supply, LLC, d/b/a EZcontactsUSA.com, involving a data breach resulting in the potential exposure of over 25,000 credit card numbers and other cardholder data. EZcontactsUSA.com has agreed to pay $100,000 in penalties and to shore up its data security practices.
“New Yorkers deserve an Internet marketplace that secures their personal information,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “No one should be exposed to identity theft or financial fraud by simply buying something over the Internet. My office will continue working to help protect hardworking New Yorkers from credit card fraud.”
On August 7, 2014, a third party infiltrated EZcontactsUSA.com website, which is based in Brooklyn, New York. On June 05, 2015, EZcontactsUSA.com's merchant bank notified it that fraudulent charges were appearing on customer credit card accounts. Shortly thereafter, EZcontactsUSA.com engaged a company to conduct a forensic investigation, which discovered and removed all the malware on the EZcontactsUSA.com website.
EZContactsUSA.com never provided notice to its customers or law enforcement about the breach, in violation of General Business Law § 899-aa, which requires notice be provided to affected individuals and various government agencies including Schneiderman’s office, in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay.
Schneiderman’s office also found that EZContactsUSA.com violated Executive Law § 63(12) and General Business Laws §§ 349 and 350 by misrepresenting the safety and security of its website. EZContactsUSA.com advertised its website as “100% safe and secure,” and “utilizing the latest security technology available.” However, a forensics investigation revealed that EZcontactsUSA.com’s website contained numerous security vulnerabilities. In particular, the investigation revealed that EZcontactsUSA.com did not maintain a written security policy addressing information security problems; deploy effective web server and host based firewall configurations designed to prevent unauthorized access and exploitation of commonly known vulnerable outgoing computer network port(s); implement anti-virus and anti-malware software on any computer systems; monitor and/or review the site’s performance and security configuration, or otherwise conduct vulnerability and penetration testing; or maintain firewall logs, which prevented investigators from determining the frequency of attacker visits and related information.
The settlement requires EZcontactsUSA.com to conduct thorough and expeditious investigations of any future data security breaches, provide prompt notice of data security breaches to affected New York residents and to New York law enforcement, maintain reasonable security policies and procedures designed to protect the personal information of consumers in accordance with New York State General Business laws, and to remediate the many security vulnerabilities contained in its website. EZcontactsUSA.com must also train employees with the most up-to-date data security practices, and pay a $100,000 penalty.