Lindsay A Lazarski

Young women venture out on their own

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:54:03 PST

As both the national and New York City economies have hit rock bottom, and the chances of finding rewarding employment has become almost obsolete, a few ambitious, young women have created their own dream jobs, working and answering only for themselves. “We have some data that slightly more younger women (under 35) are moving into entrepreneurships, compared to men of the same age group,” said Gwen Martin, executive director at the Center for Women's Business Research.

Nine Magic Numbers

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:48:56 PST

Blast from Mott Haven’s past recalls an artistic keystone

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:32:37 PST

Hundreds of people pass by Third Avenue and 147th Street each day without a second glance at the storefronts that house a nail salon, a hair braiding salon and, hidden from the street, a training school for security guards. There’s no sign that 30 years ago, this was one of the hippest spots in New York City. For 13 years, the graffiti covered storefront known as Fashion Moda, housed a collective of innovative artists, break-dancers, performers and other creative minds who painted, printed and sculpted, silk-screened T-shirts and sometimes just hung out, feeding on the energy each brought to the spot.

‘Sea Change’ discusses the dangers of ocean acidification

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:33:53 PDT

From New York State to the shores of the Pacific Northwest in the United States, to a Norwegian island north of the Arctic Circle, a new film documents the journey of retired history teacher Sven Huseby as he discovers the dangers of ocean acidification. And some solutions.

West Africa used as transit point for trafficking

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:29:49 PDT

To criminal organizations West Africa is considered an ideal transit route to move illegal drugs, counterfeit medications, firearms, toxic wastes and even human beings, from Latin America to Europe. Unsecured borders and fragile governments create an open playing field for illegal activity and crime networks.

How Leymah Gbowee became a leader of Liberian women

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:27:42 PDT

For 14 years civil war plagued the people of Liberia, until ordinary women said enough is enough and committed extraordinary acts.

Why India needs an international treaty to control small arms

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:25:27 PDT

In parts of Asia armed conflict and an overall lack of regulation make it easy for anyone to get hold of a gun. These small arms can be particularly deadly, and so at the urging of a group of NGOs, the UN has been holding discussions on an international treaty that would regulate the trade in small arms and light weapons. The treaty would aim to prevent the flow of arms to countries where there is a clear risk of human rights violations, crimes against humanity, or genocide.

Cyber Hate on the Rise

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:23:03 PDT

In October of 2003, after months of online taunting from peers at school, a 13-year-old, Vermont native, took his own life. In Hong Kong after a 31-year old woman jumped 24 stories to her death in December of 2007, a mob of bloggers, called the "human flesh search engine," accused her husband, of being responsible for her death. Internet users used his admitted affair as bait to saturate him with harassing messages and death threats. And just this month, an 88-year-old white supremacist opened fire at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC killing a security guard. The connection between these tragedies: each was either a victim or a perpetrator of cyber hate.

NGO stands up for gay rights in Azerbaijan

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:19:02 PDT

Azerbaijan is one of 11 countries reporting to the UN Committee monitoring the Convention to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women at its current session. The government officials reporting to CEDAW, as the committee is known, also expressed concern over trafficking in persons in Azerbaijan, and the low representation of women in decision-making. But there is one issue that was not on their radar: the rights of some 200 lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women.

Mott Haven Bus is on the Chopping Block

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:15:51 PDT

Every Sunday morning for more than 10 years Zena Charin has taken the Bx 4 along Westchester Avenue to attend religious services at the Vishnu Mandir Temple; one of only four Hindu temples in the Bronx. But she may not have that option any more – the Bx 4 is on the chopping block in the latest round of MTA budget cuts.

Rats Plague Seniors in Betances Houses

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:08:01 PDT

For months, residents of the Betances Houses building set aside for senior citizens heard the sound of claws scratching as rats scurried back and forth in the crawl space overhead at night. Rat urine stained the ceiling. The animals gnawed holes in it, then tumbled through them onto the floor. They darted into the radiator vent beneath the mailboxes in the lobby.

Mott Haven Community Center is Reborn

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:04:11 PDT

For years the thumping of fists pounding punching bags, the scuffle of sneakers and the grunts of athletes were the sounds a visitor heard at the Betances Community Center and Boxing Gym. Now, the scratch of pencils and flip of workbook pages fill the newly renovated center. Betances has dropped “Boxing Gym” from its name and has a new mission under new operators.

‘Bronx Swamp’ endangers health

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:01:46 PDT

Gloria Hidalgo likes living in her quiet building on 142nd Street. The rent is reasonable; her neighbors are hard-working people, her sister and two nieces live three floors below her and Hostos Community College, where she is studying to become an accountant, is just blocks away. But a rotten smell, just five stories below her windows may force Hidalgo to move.

Old World Shop in New York City

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:57:52 PDT

Walk into the Village Chess Shop on Thompson Street and you will see graying men huddled over a game and hear classical music in the background. Until midnight regulars strategize on how to protect their king, throw the dice for a game of backgammon, or stop the clock during a move in speed chess.

Cultural Ride in the Bronx

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:42:48 PDT

Living in New York City, there are often people and places I stumble across and think to myself “only in New York.” After a night of gallery hopping via the Bronx Cultural Trolley, I now find myself thinking, “only in the Bronx.”

New field concessions at Randall’s Island, Same community response

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:36:52 PDT

Randall’s Island is considered a haven to New York City sports enthusiasts. With more than 270 acres of public parkland, residents from nearby Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx, can enjoy scenic waterfront views, practice their golf swing at the driving range, or watch world-class athletes compete, like Olympic gold medalist, Usain Bolt, at Icahn Stadium.

Presidential candidates positions on incarceration

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:14:07 PDT

The crumbling economy, taxes, and the Iraq War have soaked up the limelight when it comes to the 2008 Presidential Election. With less than one week left before voters’ caste their ballots, questions about Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama’s positions on incarceration and criminal justice remain unanswered.

Free Tuition – With a Catch

Lindsay A. Lazarski — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:06:53 PDT

A Catholic church in Bushwick that serves many immigrant families is opening a new elementary school with a price that can’t be beat: the tuition is free. The new Pope John Paul II Family Academy, to be part of St. Barbara’s parish, is being funded by a wealthy Brooklyn-born businessman who insists on remaining anonymous. He also is insisting on some conditions: families must attend Mass every Sunday. Students have to provide baptismal certificates from a Catholic church, and parents must sign an agreement promising to keep the faith.