UNC Charlotte students discuss legal disparities for Latinos

Posted on May 3, 2014 by crystalogormanwrites

The Charlotte Observer
Lake Norman News (University City News)
Friday, May 02, 2014

At the first Spanish legal panel at UNC Charlotte’s College of Education on April 24, four panelists encouraged UNCC’s Spanish for Law Enforcement students to work in local law and legal positions.

Left to Right: Instructor Susana Cisneros, FBI Ernesto Negrón, FBI Susan Conrad, CMPD Estella Patterson and Mecklenburg Courts Maura Elguera Chavez.

Left to Right: Instructor Susana Cisneros, FBI Ernesto Negrón, FBI Susan Conrad, CMPD Estella Patterson and Mecklenburg Courts Maura Elguera Chavez.

Bilingual skills are in demand in those jobs, according to the panelists: FBI Special Agent Ernesto Negrón, FBI Spanish language analyst Susan Conrad, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Recruitment Director Estella D. Patterson and Mecklenburg County Courts Trial Court Community Support Coordinator Maura Elguera Chavez.

Mecklenburg’s Spanish-speaking population has less access to knowledge about the law because of the language barrier and past experience with different judicial systems from their native country.

“There are only three people who speak Spanish at the courthouse,” Chavez said.

“This creates a huge language barrier for this community.”

Chavez, who speaks Spanish and has been working at Mecklenburg County Courts since 1997, said communication is more than just knowing the language; it’s also understanding the values of those who move here from other countries.

As an example, Chavez discussed a common landlord-renter dispute: When a verbal agreement is reached before the court date, some Spanish-speaking communities believe this agreement voids the legal process, because the situation has been resolved.

Unfortunately, Chavez said, that is not the case. The dispute must be worked out judicially, as well.

“This causes a big misunderstanding and missed appointments, just for lack of knowledge of the way the system works in this country,” Chavez said.

Patterson and Negrón talked about the challenge of getting Spanish-speaking victims to report crimes, the most under-reported of which are robberies and domestic violence. Both Negrón and Patterson said there’s a fear of deportation, which is not a priority in the investigation process.

“At the CMPD, we want to build a partnership with our community,” said Patterson. “Undocumented citizens deserve to feel safe, regardless of status. It’s not our job to know their status, but to protect the whole Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.”

“Victims in Spanish-speaking communities are in fear of deportation, and we need to work to build a better trusting relationship to correct this,” said Negrón.

Negrón and Conrad encouraged students to immerse themselves in local Spanish culture.

Negrón, who works on the Charlotte FBI office’s Safe Streets Task Force, said, “It’s important to be mindful of cultures. … For example, being Puerto Rican, I know most Puerto Ricans need physical space when in conversation, so getting in their face for answers will not work in your favor.”

He also said some Spanish-speaking people come from corrupt societies, where the police and government officials cannot be trusted.

“It’s a fine balance of building rapport and getting answers,” he said.

Conrad said her position with the FBI creates contextual understanding of language, diminishing cultural barriers between Spanish-speakers and FBI agents. She told the students, “You have to be compassionate about their background and their needs by continuing to educate yourself in Spanish every day. … Read the news, engage in conversations and create friendships with people in the local Spanish-speaking community.”

UNCC Spanish Major, Myron McKenzie talks to FBI Spanish Language Analyst Susan Conrad about her job and the life experiences that improved her ability to fluently know and contextually understand a second language.

UNCC Spanish Major, Myron McKenzie talks to FBI Spanish Language Analyst Susan Conrad about her job and the life experiences that improved her ability to fluently know and contextually understand a second language.

During the presentation and question-and-answer sessions, 36 faculty and students took notes and asked questions geared toward internships and the application process. More than half the students stayed to shake hands or get further information and contact details from the panelists.

“It was very important for me to bring this opportunity to my students,” said panel host Susana Cisneros, who has been teaching Spanish at UNCC for five years. “Working together with local legal and law enforcement bridges the gap by connecting professionals with students.

“It will not only benefit my students but the growing Spanish-speaking community, as well.”

Cisneros also collaborated with CMPD to provide ride-alongs and with Mecklenburg County Courts to provide an official tour.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Latinos and Hispanics make up 12.2 percent of Mecklenburg County’s population, making that demographic segment the third-largest in the county.

In North Carolina, the Latino and Hispanic community are 8.7 percent of the total population.

The FBI, CMPD and Mecklenburg County Courts are looking for bilingual applicants, and the CMPD and FBI offer different wages to bilingual employees.

Posted in Charlotte Observer, Education, Events and Galas, Human Rights, Law, Newspaper, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

South Charlotte’s Wag and Wine fundraiser returns for second year

Posted on April 28, 2014 by crystalogormanwrites

The Charlotte Observer
South Charlotte and Pets
Saturday, April 26, 2014

Animals First Rescue of the Carolinas will host its second Wag and Wine fundraiser and adoption event at Cru Wine Shop in Ballantyne, off Johnston Road.

Courtesy of Animals First Rescue of the Carolinas Animals First Rescue of the Carolinas hosts its second annual Wag and Wine fundraiser and adoption event at Cru Wine Shop, 12206 Copper Way, Suite 124, Charlotte, NC 28277. Here’s a picture of attendees last year.

Courtesy of Animals First Rescue of the Carolinas
Animals First Rescue of the Carolinas hosts its second annual Wag and Wine fundraiser and adoption event at Cru Wine Shop, 12206 Copper Way, Suite 124, Charlotte, NC 28277. Here’s a picture of attendees last year.

The event will be 4-7 p.m. May 3; the wine shop is at 12206 Copper Way, No. 124.

The event will include a wine tasting with four to six red, blush and white wines; a raffle of animal-inspired gift baskets; and cats and dogs for adoption. There also will be an Elvis impersonator who will perform and pose for photos.

Proceeds from the raffle and Elvis photos, as well as a percentage of Cru’s sales that day, will go to Animals First. The money helps provide food and medical treatment for the rescued cats and dogs.

Mary Beth and David Zeitlen of Orchard Hill in south Charlotte attended last year’s fundraiser, where they met a rescued boxer mix, Charlie. They fell in love with him, and adopted him shortly after.

Beth described the organization as “more than excellent,” and Charlie as a wonderfully unifying addition to their family.

Susan Fludgate, chairwoman of Animals First, said last year’s fundraiser brought in $4,000. This year, she said, it’s not the total that matters most but how much awareness is generated for the organization and its need for foster families.

Fludgate, who lives in Weddington with her husband, nine rescued cats and one rescued boxer, said, “The more foster families we have, the more lives we can save.”

Animals First has 10 foster families who volunteer to take care of the rescued cats and dogs until they find a permanent home. Fludgate said that Animals First, unlike most other organizations, provides crates, food, litter, flea prevention and all the necessary tools to care for the animals.

Fosters usually house the animal for approximately one month until they are adopted, she said.

Pictured: Theresa Ronayne, founder and secretary of Animals First and rescued Chihuahua, Butch at Wag and Wine 2013.

Pictured: Theresa Ronayne, founder and secretary of Animals First and rescued Chihuahua, Butch at Wag and Wine 2013.

Since 2013, Animals First has adopted more than 100 cats and dogs to families in the Charlotte area. The goal is to work with the local shelters that need the most help, such as Lancaster and York animal shelters, and animals facing death at those shelters.

“Once rescue is in your blood, you can’t get away from it,” said Fludgate, receptionist at Curtsinger Animal Hospital in Indian Land.

Fludgate, Laura Minsk and Theresa Ronayne – the founders of Animals First, who call themselves the rescue sisters – have been rescuing cats and dogs for more than 20 years. They met while working with other local rescue organizations.

In November 2012, the three decided to start a rescue organization in which, Fludgate said, the animals were always the first priority.

“The camaraderie that Laura, Theresa and I have … we feel like we are giving back, with our knowledge and experience, and it helps the community … in honor of the ones we save and in memory of those that have to be put down,” she said.

For more information about Animals First Rescue of the Carolinas by visiting,www.animalsfirstrescue.com.

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Summit at UNCC presents research on issues for women and girls in Mecklenburg County

Posted on April 19, 2014 by crystalogormanwrites

The Charlotte Observer
Lake Norman News (University City News)
Friday, April 18, 2014

Former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe autographs her book, “Fighting for Common Ground: How We Can Fix the Stalemate in Congress” and talks to fans in the ballroom lobby.

Former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe autographs her book, “Fighting for Common Ground: How We Can Fix the Stalemate in Congress” and talks to fans in the ballroom lobby.

In her keynote address at the Women + Girls Research Alliance’s 2014 Summit on April 11, former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe urged women to band together to create policy change that improves the lives of women.

To do so, said Snowe, a Republican from Maine, will require focusing on the facts and electing officials willing to reach out beyond political party lines.

The summit, titled “Convergence: Mapping Success, Well-Being + Empowerment,” drew more than 400 women to UNC Charlotte’s student union, where the Women + Girls organization presented current research on issues for women and girls in Mecklenburg County.

Every two years, the alliance underwrites grants to UNCC faculty for research that concerns the economic and social well-being of women and girls in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. The research – focused on education, employment and economic change; civic and political engagement; poverty and income security; health and safety; and work and family – is presented at the biannual summit.

Suzanne Leland, professor and director of public administration at UNCC, opened by discussing improvements women had made since last year’s summit. She said more women had graduated with bachelor’s degrees and that more were holding management positions.

Leland also said women had narrowed the gender wage gap by 1 percent since 2005. Women still lag far behind in median income, however, which is $51,068 per year for men and $38,823 for women, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Over 400 attendants from diverse backgrounds, including students, government employees, foundations, non-profits, corporations, small business owners, and entrepreneurs.

Over 400 attendants from diverse backgrounds, including students, government employees, foundations, non-profits, corporations, small business owners, and entrepreneurs.

Current research and topics concerning success, well-being and empowerment of women and girls were presented in 25 small groups. Five of the sessions delved into research funded by UNCC in cooperation with the alliance. Among the data findings in those areas:

•  Gender, Race, Ethnicity and Entrepreneurship: Of those working in Mecklenburg County, 11 percent of men and 7 percent of women own businesses. In all gender-ethnicity comparisons except those with foreign-born Hispanics, women own fewer businesses than men, according to the American Community Survey 2006-2011.

•  Domestic Violence and the Workplace: “Fifty-seven percent of domestic-violence survivors disclosed their situation to someone at work, but 77 percent did not tell their supervisors.” This information was calculated from a Web-based survey with 535 respondents.

•  Homelessness and Rapid Re-Housing: The community is doing better at bringing homeless women with children into shelters. According to a report from the N.C. Coalition to End Homelessness, of 667 homeless women in the county in 2013, 360 mothers with children were sheltered. That number has more than doubled since 2009, when 177 women with children were homeless (of 628 total homeless women).

•  The “New” Poverty: In Mecklenburg County, 25.5 percent of households have an annual household income between $20,000 and $44,999, according to the North Carolina Justice Center. These households are identified as the new poverty, because they make too much to qualify for government benefits but less than $45,062, which is the living income standard determined by the nonprofit advocacy group North Carolina Justice Center.

•  Women, Work and Wages Revisited: If Mecklenburg women had the same median earnings as men, their total aggregate earnings would be $1.9 billion higher. The median wage difference for 2011 was determined by the U.S. Census Bureau, men earning $51,068 and women earning $38,823.

To view the full reports from this year’s summit, visit http://bit.ly/1hSuTM1.

For more information about the Women + Girls Research Alliance, visit http://womengirlsalliance.uncc.edu.

Posted in Business, Charlotte Observer, Civic and Government News, Education, Events and Galas, Health and Wellness, Human Rights, Law, Newspaper, Philanthropy, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Ballantyne Chorale prepares for first performance

Posted on April 12, 2014 by crystalogormanwrites

The Charlotte Observer
South Charlotte News
Sunday, April 2014

Pictured far left, Jane Russell, one of the founding members of The Ballantyne Chorale Group. Russell said, “I love to sing and I like that this group started with Hawk Ridge and has become a part of Ballantyne’s community arts.”

Pictured far left, Jane Russell, one of the founding members of The Ballantyne Chorale Group. Russell said, “I love to sing and I like that this group started with Hawk Ridge and has become a part of Ballantyne’s community arts.”

In a small music room at Hawk Ridge Elementary School, 13 voices joined together in melodious harmony. Men and women, ages 17-70, from various backgrounds and cultures sang, joked and embraced one another for over an hour at rehearsal on Thursday, April 3.

17-year-old Onastasia Ebright of Fort Mill said, “I’ve never been in a chorus with people other than my peers. It’s been interesting to sing with older people whose voices are more developed and also learning that adults are not that much different than teenagers. We are all just people.”

Vince Librizzi, 44-year-old Medical Device Sales Specialist from Blakeney said this is his first time performing with a choral group. “I’m nervous but excited,” he said.

: Pictured left to right: Director Beverly Warkulwiz and Pianist Amber Faulhaber work with the singers to improve sections of songs.

: Pictured left to right: Director Beverly Warkulwiz and Pianist Amber Faulhaber work with the singers to improve sections of songs.

The Ballantyne Chorale officially developed in January, but the idea for the group was a long-time coming. Founder, Music Director and Co-Facilitator of The Ballantyne Chorale Beverly Warkulwiz said, “I needed music back in my life.”

From the late 80s until 1998, Warkulwiz performed in choir groups at Scranton High School and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. She also worked as a music director from 2002-2006 at Christ United Methodist Church in Selinsgrove, Penn. and Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church in Lewisburg, Penn.

Warkulwiz, 38-year-old freelance editor and website manager said she hadn’t been involved with a choral group since moving to Charlotte in 2006, until she joined Hawk Ridge Elementary School’s first and only Parent-Teacher Choir during the 2011-2012 school year.

The Parent-Teacher Choir was co-created by Karla Williams and Amber Faulhaber, music teacher at Hawk Ridge Elementary. The choir inspired Warkulwiz to create a permanent community chorus in Ballantyne.

With the help of Amber Faulhaber—Co-Facilitator and Pianist of The Ballantyne Chorale — as well as other members from the original Parent-Teacher Choir, Hawk Ridge’s Physical Education teacher Jane Russell and former PTA President Julie Yakoboski, The Ballantyne Chorale was formed and formally held auditions in late January/early February.

18 singers made the final cut to perform as a part of thegroup this year — filling soprano, alto, tenor and base parts. However, the group will have yearly audition and hopes to grow with time.

13 of those singers, while enjoying one another’s company, also worked studiously to improve their parts at rehearsal on April 3. Pencils in hand, each marked notes on their sheet music as Warkulwiz pointed out parts that needed work. She said, “We’ve come a long way, but we need fine-tuning. We’ll get there.”

Singers practice “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” one song that will be performed this year as part of their water-themed collection.

Singers practice “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” one song that will be performed this year as part of their water-themed collection.

The group’s first mini-performance will be at Hawk Ridge Elementary School’s Night of Music on May 1. Their first event is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. at Light of Christ United Methodist Church on Bryant Farms Rd. Saturday, May 17.

This year, the group plans to perform water-themed songs across several musical genres, including songs “Africa” by Toto, “Orinoco Flow” by Enya, The Little Mermaid’s “Under the Sea”—to be performed with Hawk Ridge Elementary children’s choir, “The River of Dreams” by Billy Joel and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel.

To find out more about The Ballantyne Chorale and upcoming performances, visit www.facebook.com/theballantynechorale.

Posted in Charlotte Observer, Entertainment/Creative Arts, Events and Galas, Human Interest, Newspaper, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

SHIFT Charlotte presents natural living options

Posted on March 22, 2014 by crystalogormanwrites

The Charlotte Observer
Lake Norman News (University City News)
Friday, March 21, 2014

The smells of essential oils drew visitors into a large room, where spiritual healers, health practitioners, jewelry and candle makers, yoga teachers and many other businesses showcased their services.

Participants browse vendor booths at SHIFT Charlotte 2014

Participants browse vendor booths at SHIFT Charlotte 2014

At the fifth annual SHIFT Charlotte health and wellness event, a variety of Charlotte-based alternative healing businesses, as well as local integrative health practitioners, presented their work to the public March 15-16 at the Oasis Shrine Temple off J.W. Clay Boulevard.

“One of my imperatives is to show the larger population good complementary practices to the other things we do,” said Lori Ives-Godwin, owner of Your Community Connector, which hosted the event.

Ives-Godwin became interested in alternative medicine after suffering from a chronic back condition in 2001. She said her condition improved with chiropractic care and Reiki energy healing.

Reiki healing is a Japanese technique for stress-reduction and relaxation that is said to promote healing, according to www.reiki.org, the website of the International Center for Reiki Training. Reiki is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through people.

Ives-Godwin started Your Community Connector in 2006, she said, to put natural-living devotees in Charlotte in touch with the businesses and service providers who align with their ideals and needs.

She said her experience as an industrial engineer and business consultant helped create the social-professional network that convened for the event.

More than 450 people of various ages, income levels and lifestyles attended classes, interacted with healers and perused the 80 exhibition booths during the event.

Some wept in the arms of loved ones and healers; others smiled as they moved from booth to booth. Many studied their information packets and planned itineraries for the day: class, lunch, spiritual/medium session, chair massage, class, Reiki session, booth visits and more.

Pictured Dr. Leslie Wells and Michael Carnes

Pictured Dr. Leslie Wells and Michael Carnes

One woman coaxed her granddaughters to meet spiritual healer Leslie Wells for a five-minute reading after listening to her talk, “Be the Author of Your Own Life.”

Wells is a chiropractor, ordained minister, medicine woman certified in the Native American Nemenhah tradition and owner and facilitator of Bridge Holistic Healing. She grew up in Charlotte, left for 30 years and moved back three years ago, she said, to share her passion for healing and spiritual ascension with her hometown.

“Being a part of the natural-living community here is such a blessing and is so refreshing,” Wells said. “It means that the city I grew up in is moving from the surface layers of life into the heart of itself. … Charlotte is going deeper to self-awareness, interpersonal connections and connections to God.”

Robyn Albaum, business development and marketing manager at Elemental Healing Charlotte, said the wellness center and event venue has served 25 independent practitioners for four years. She said their work and events like this “expose people to the possibilities” beyond traditional medicine.

Elemental Healing Charlotte’s website – http://elementalhealingcharlotte.com – says it offers guidance in creative artistic expression, energy medicine, hypnosis, massage therapy, meditation, mental/emotional health, metaphysical/spiritual/intuitive healing, movement, nutrition/health coaching, sound therapy and women’s health and wellbeing, among other services.

Ives-Godwin, 49, of Davidson, the host of SHIFT Charlotte, said the event was a “toe-in-the-water, lighthearted experience” for those who are unfamiliar with natural living practices.

Joanna Lindenbaum, a life coach and owner of Soulful Coaching for Busy Women, gave step-by-step instruction on overcoming negative self-talk. Wendy Swanson, acupuncturist and co-owner of Be Yoga and Wellness, discussed the elements of Chinese medicine.

Visit www.shiftcharlotte.com to learn more about the event, Your Community Connector and the presenters and businesses involved in the natural-living community.

Posted in Charlotte Observer, Events and Galas, Health and Wellness, Newspaper, Spirituality and Religion, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment