NACA at Brooklyn Central Presbyterian Church, Saturday, March 19

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Its no new news that Brooklyn has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the five-borough area. In fact it's the highest in the Metropolitan New York Area.

While valiant efforts on the part of local community based organizations to save homes from foreclosure have been little more than a drop in the bucket, the organization still has yet to find a home in a community where it's needed the most, and can do the most good.

On Saturday, March 19, 2011, Bedford Central Presbyterian Church, 1200 Dean Street, corner of Nostrand Ave, will host NACA's (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America) Home Save Workshop for those who are facing foreclosures, from 4:30 to 6:30; followed by their First Time Homebuyer Seminar, from 6:30 to 8:30, for those who are first time homebuyers and are eligible to take advantage of the free down payment, closing costs and one percent below prime mortgage program. This is a joint effort between The Bedford Stuyvesant Multi-Services Center, Choice2Empower, NAIA, and CitiWorks of New York,

If you, or someone you know, are facing foreclosure, or if you are the victim of a toxic mortgage or predatory lending, this is the place you need to be.

Likewise, for those who have recently completed a HUD approved first time home buyer training program, and have the certification to prove it, this will be of especial interest to you, since most of the preliminary requirements for counseling will have already been completed.

Bruce Marks, founder of NACA, and a native Brooklynite, founded NACA 26 years ago to thwart the redlining taking place in Boston, against many of his fellow union members, most of whom were African American. They were either redlined out of the neighborhoods they wanted to live in, or they were charged higher interest rates for mortgages, even though they had the appropriate credit rating to merit lower rates.

Marks, who coined the phrase "Main Street, Not Wall Street", after the attempted bail out of Bear Sterns, is known for his shock tactics to shake executives out of their remote control attitude towards working class people.

In an effort to make Congress aware of the egregious acts against cash strapped home owners on the part of Chase and other banks, Marks was recently arrested for shouting "Liar! They are not trying to help the home owners; make them tell the truth," at a recently held congressional hearing. He was led out of the chambers in handcuffs. This is the extent to which he will go to defend the rights of the homeowners; and the extent to which his supporters will likewise follow him to ensure that the banks are not allowed to get away with bilking homeowners out of billions of dollars, while they line their pockets with undeserved bonuses.

Below is a partial copy of a letter I received from Bruce today. They are culminating a successful week in Miami Florida, where, as you know, thousands of homes are facing foreclosures. This is an announcement of their week-long Save The Dream for Atlanta, GA. But I thought you might be interested the difference between an organization that takes a perfunctory half-hearted interest in your problems, and one, like NACA, that is vested and dedicated to saving homes.

BRUCE MARKS, CEO/ NACA

Dear Homeowners,

NACA’s Save the Dream Tour is returning to Atlanta after an incredibly successful Miami and the West Coast Tour where thousands of homeowners achieved affordable mortgage solutions. We will be at the AmericasMart Atlanta from Thursday March 3rd through Monday March 7th providing same-day affordable solutions.

NACA is determined to achieve your affordable solution. This is your opportunity to get it done. We strongly recommend that you come from near and far, particularly if you are frustrated with your Lender or Servicer due to lack of response, not getting an acceptable solution, not being satisfied with your solution, being denied a solution, or other issues you have with your Lender or Servicer. In addition, we have made changes to our process. Our lines and wait time are shorter. We have implemented a new Ticket Alert System so homeowners do not have to wait long hours. Most importantly, we have many more same day affordable mortgage solutions coming out of our Events than ever before, and a significant number with a principal reduction.

NACA will not rest until we achieve affordable solutions for our at-risk homeowners We expect many thousands of homeowners with an unaffordable mortgage to attend, with thousands achieving same day solutions during the event. These NACA events have been incredibly successful and have become the only viable solution for large numbers of at-risk homeowners. Many homeowners have had their mortgage payments permanently reduced by over $500 a month, and some by over $1,000, often with interest rates reduced to 3% or 2%, and sometimes a principal reduction.
All of NACA’s services are FREE.

* Bring your most recent 30 days of pay stubs or other verification of income (self-employed members please provide six months of bank statements). If you have been working with NACA, you should also access your Web-File to review the most recent updates and your next steps.

Tell your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. NACA provides the best solution to the mortgage crisis. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose - there is no cost and the major lenders and investors will be on site. Do not miss this opportunity to make your mortgage payment affordable! We look forward in assisting you in achieving your affordable long-term solution.

IF YOU HAVE RELATIVES IN ATLANTA, YOU MIGHT WANT TO FORWARD THIS INFO TO THEM:
NACA ATLANTA Save-the-Dream Event:

* Location: AmericasMart Atlanta (250 Spring Street Atlanta, GA)
* Starts: Thursday March 3rd at 8:00 a.m.
* Ends: Monday March 7th at 8:00 p.m.
* Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. everyday

FORWARD THIS ON YOUR FACEBOOK, TWITTER, OR OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE

Sincerely,

NACA Management

In speaking with Bruce Marks, he indicated that a similar Save The Dream Marathon is being planned for New York as well, in the mid to late spring. In the interim, the workshops are being held for those who have immediate issues that can't wait until then. It also make it possible to register early and receive preliminary assistance prior to the marathon.

So spread the word, and save the date: SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2011, 4:30-8:30. NACA is coming to Brooklyn

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

EVENT ALERT AUGUST 2010

August 3- 18
There's a lot to do this month.
August 7th alone has about a million events. If you cloned yourself
ten times you still couldn't make half of them. These are some of the
events you may have overlooked. This is by no means exhaustive. Add them
to your repertoire.


AUGUST 4, 2010
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S 49TH BIRTHDAY
EVERYBODY TAKE TIME TO WISH PRESIDENT OBAMA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - SEND EMAILS, WRITE LETTERS, SEND CARDS
DO A VIDEO - WHAT EVER
LET OUR PRESIDENT KNOW THAT WE LOVE HIM, SUPPORT HIM, APPRECIATE HIM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA - BARACK OBAMA

AUGUST 5, 2010
RAIS E. WILSON (MY HANDSOME SON) BIRTHDAY
I LOVE YOU, SUPPORT YOU, AM PROUD OF YOU & APPRECIATE YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - ONE SON LION RA!!

NEW YORK CitiWorks, INC.
LOCATION: NEW YORK CitiWorks, INC.
THE LAFAYETTE GRILL & BAR
54 FRANKLIN STREET
3 BLOCKS BELOW CANAL - EAST OF BROADWAY
PHONE: 212-732-5600
By Train: A,C,E & # 6 To Canal Street
NETWORK MEETING INFORMATION:
WHEN: THE FIRST " TUESDAY " OF EVERY MONTH
TIME: 7:00 PM TO 10:00 PM
ADMISSION: FREE
FOOD & DRINK: RESTAURANT MENU AVAILABLE
NETWORKING: PRESENT YOUR PROJECT TO A DYNAMIC GROUP OF PEOPLE!
THE MEETING THIS MONTH WILL START AT 7:45 PM SHARP –
THANK YOU FOR ARRIVING ON TIME.

GUEST SPEAKERS CALENDAR 2010:

August 3rd, 2010 – Tuesday
Kevin Bailey Author, President – ANTHONY CARES 4 KIDS
A New York CitiWorks Project)
Motivational Speaker/Author
Email: kevinbaileyspeaks@yahoo.com
Website: www.kevinbailey.info

September 7th, 2010 – Tuesday
Edna Holt – Financial Planner & Advisor, Primerica
Personal Financial Planning, Investing, Mortgage Lending
and Home Saving Programs
Primerica's mission is to "Help People Become Properly Protected, Debt Free and Financially Independent."

October 5th, 2010 – Tuesday
Louiza Patzis MS
LP Enterprises, Athens, Greece and New York City
http://www.louizapatsis.com
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGHNbrlefAE
Books:The Boy in a Wheelchair
Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories
Pocket Guide to Fitness: All You Need to Know to
Start Working Out Effectively
www.authorhouse.com
www.louizafitness.blogspot.com

November 2nd, 2010 – Tuesday
CHINESE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOC. –WWW.C-AVMA.ORG
Dr Lu, Founder & President

December 7th, 2010 – Tuesda
SAVE THE DATE:
DECEMBER 7th, 2010 - Tuesdsay
THE LAFAYETTE GRILL & BAR
NEW YORK CitiWorks HOLIDAY PARTY!!!
@ THE THE LAFAYETTE GRILL & BAR

January 4th, 2010 – Tuesday
RIDERS IN THE STORM
James Simopoulos & Billy Joe Walker

SPECIAL EVENTS:
SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2010 - SATURDAY
HARLEM RENAISSANCE ROAD RACE
STARTING TIME: 10:00 AM
STARTING LOCATION: HARLEM YMCA @ 135TH & ADAM CLAYTON POWELL BLVD
FINISH LOCATION: SALEM UM CHURCH @ 129TH & ADAM CLAYTON POWELL BLVD
ENTRY FEE: $ 10 PRE-ENTRY; $ 15 RACE DAY ENTRY;
$ 5.00 SENIORS OVER 60 & FUN WALK (2 MILES)
WEBSITE: WWW.HARLEMRACE.COM - E MAIL: Harlem5Race@AOL.Com
OR CALL (212) 330-8393

SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2010
YOGA FOR PEACE INTERNATIONAL
STARTING TIME: 12:00 N
STARTING LOCATION: BATTERY PARK, MANHATTAN -
108 Sun Salutations and Ceremony with Yoga Music
2) 7:00 pm - Evening: Concert -
http://www.yoga-for-peace.org/

KIDflix Film Festival
EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT IN AUGUST 7:30pm
Fulton Park Harriet Ross Tubman Blvd/ Fulton Street
(Between Stuyvesant & Lewis Avenues)
A/C to Utica- B25 to Stuyvesant- B46 to Fulton
To learn more: 646.208.8214 info@fultonartfair.com
The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) and African Film Fest (AFF) proudly celebrate the 11th Annual KIDflix Film Fest of Bedford Stuyvesant in collaboration with the 52nd Annual Fulton Art Fair this August! This exciting partnership will bring fine art, film, music and dance to the Bedford Stuyvesant community in a brand new way.

Featuring the best of the last ten year's of the KIDflix Festival including:

AUGUST 6th: 
Short: Brian Strongwind and Dirk Joseph: The Origin of Photohealing 
Feature: Kirikou and the Sorceress
Performance: Indoda Entsha Drumming Ensemble
AUGUST 13th:
Short: Blitz the Ambassador: Something to Believe
Feature: Crooklyn
Performance: Kakande Quartet from Guinea
AUGUST 20th:
Short: Ali Santana and Spec Boogie: No Knock and Bed Stuy
Feature: Cornbread, Earl and Me
Performance: Restoration Youth Arts Academy
AUGUST 27th:
Feature: The Wiz
and a Special Tribute to Michael Jackson and Lena Horne (Prior to the film is
The Wiz Costume Contest with awards and prizes)
August 15th at 4PM
2010 Lifetime Dedication Award
To Ms. Dolores I. Carty

ArtCrawl Harlem
DATES/DETAILS:
Sat. August 7th Trolley tour from 12PM to 4PM
Reception following includes dinner, wine and music until 6:00PM

Sun. August 8th Trolley tour from 1PM to 5PM
Reception following includes dinner, wine and music until 7PM
COST: $55 *
SEATING IS LIMITED/BOOK IN ADVANCE AT:
WWW.ARTCRAWLHARLEM.COM or 1 800 838-3006
Galleries include:
Arts Horizon - LeRoy Neiman Art Center
Casa Frela Gallery Chashama
Dwyer Cultural Center
Renaissance Fine Art Gallery
Rio II Gallery
Studio Museum in Harlem
Taste Harlem Food & Cultural Tours Events
*Limited Number of $40 Tickets Available So Book Early!
Reserve your seat at www.artcrawlharlem.com
For more information call 212.866.7427 or tour@tast

SYLVIA'S ALSO
&
C & F Productions Present
Laughing Your *** Off
Poetry & Comedy Wednesdays
M'd By JP Justice
Co-Hosts
Bro Earl & Epiphany Harlem
Happy Hour From 5-7p Drinks 2 for 1
Showtime @ 7:00
Door $7 @ 7:00
You don't want to miss best
After Work Comedy Experience!!!!!
318 Malcolm X Boulevard (Lenox Ave)
Harlem, NY 10027

Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010
JAZZ @ “TWO STEPS DOWN”
Jazz Vocalist,Steve Cromity 6 PM to 6:45 PM
Special Guest, The Enchanting Jazz Vocalist,
Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch 7:30 P.M. TO 8 PM
OPEN-MIC: 8 to 9 pm

Musicians:
Marcus Persiani, piano;
Eric Lemon, bass;
Larry Johnson,drums
Location: 240 DeKalb Ave @ Vanderbilt Ave,(718) 399-2020
Cover: $10.00 - $5.00 for performers
www.stevecromity.com, For bookings: (917) 685-3508 or acorns4u@aol.com
Next performance Dates: Sept 12, Oct 3 (Birthday Party)

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson