Scott Fried did not have the room’s undivided attention as he told a group of teenagers his story about going to a near-stranger’s home in Manhattan 25 years ago for a hook-up. A low din overtook the auditorium at St. John’s University as Fried described realizing he did not bring a condom with him that night but telling himself it would just be this one time. But then he said something that brought silence to the room. “I have HIV,” he said. “I got infected that night.” Fried was a speaker at the Dream Out Loud youth conference held at the school, at 80-00 Utopia...


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By Meredith Webb Welcome to another edition of Hot Noise where this week we will be focusing on the lesser-publicized but just as exciting borough of Queens. Yes, yes we all know Brooklyn is uber-out-of-this-world cool right now and Long Island and New Jersey are home to some of punk rocks finest, but what about Queens people? What about Queens?? This beloved borough has spawned some of the finest musicians in history including  rock’n’roll royalty THE RAMONES, SICK OF IT ALL, hip hop’s RUN DMC and more, and one man is doing his gosh darned best to get this neighbourhood back on track...


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By Dina Wilcox Windows of Opportunity (WOO)—a little not-for-profit with a huge heart and commitment to teens—sponsored its 9th annual DREAM OUT LOUD conference at St. John’s University on March 1st. I was honored to be the first speaker of the day. As always, the young people were amazing, so responsive, so kind, and so present. As I have many times in the past 20 years, I told my story of falling in love and getting caught in the AIDS epidemic. Along the way, I injected some brain science to show how powerful we are, and what’s really going on with our feelings and emotions. As I always...


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By: Tracy Mignone We are a group of people who aim to educate about and prevent eating disorders and erase the stigma that they don't need to be taken seriously... we aim to go into schools and teach classrooms at a time to have a better understanding. While the main focus of the INNER YOU is on eating disorders each week we deal with a broad spectrum of self esteem issues because a self esteem issue of any kind can lead to long term debilitating effects such as drug abuse, alcoholism, and self injury. We teach how to make healthier choices for yourself.... You do not have to have an eating...


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Long Beach... 3 weeks after Sandy. WOO and NY Hope join forces to help clean up Long Beach and bring supplies to area shelters. VIEW ALBUM


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By: Tracy Mignone The pictures say a thousand words, and draw a thousand gasps... the WOO team gets down and dirty to help dig out of the devastation 1 mud flooded structure at a time. Homes, lives and businesses destroyed. The boardwalk is gone. The streets are sand roads but we are NY and the spirit in the area was phenomenal. View Album


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By: Tracy Mignone This is what's it's all about. The children, their smiles that for a time were taken away by Sandy but given back by Santa. This event would not have been possible without so many key people in place, starting w/ Val Jenter, a brave and beautiful soul who put every beat of her heart into this day. A very special thank you to The Shortstack Models (www.wooshortstack.org) and all of our volunteers including Joanna Ianniello (who spent her birthday bringing toys to these children) with Peter Stratis, NY Hope's Doreen Zampaglione who bought and distrubuted $2000.00+ worth of toys...


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Chaske Spencer, who plays the role of Sam Uley in the “Twilight Saga” Films is to be honored for supporting his work creating a positive shift in the lives of many. New York City, NY (PRWEB) June 13, 2012 Chaske Spencer, star of The Twilight Saga film series: New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn pt. 1 & 2 is to be honored on June 22nd, 2012 at the 6th Annual Shortstack™ Charity Fashion Show, an event open to the public. He is receiving the Barbara Harmon Unsung Hero Award, presented annually to an individual in honor of their contribution to the lives of others. Their selfless service...


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by Holly Wilensky You might remember the Shortstack girls back in November as the helping hands and ambassadors of the BQE Design Expo, the local designer fashion event held in Hollis Hills.This teen modeling program sponsored by Windows of Opportunity (WOO), is the dream come reality that lets any girl who isn’t up to modeling industry standards audition for a chance to be a part of the “Shortstack” modeling agency. Girls that are chosen for the program range in all heights and sizes. There are no body specifications or prerequisites to join the group so any girl can participate. Shortstack...


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NYC – Chaske Spencer, who plays the role of Sam Uley in the “Twilight Saga” Films is to be honored for supporting his work creating a positive shift in the lives of many. Chaske Spencer, star of The Twilight Saga film series: New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn pt. 1 & 2 is to be honored on June 22nd, 2012 at the 6th Annual Shortstack™ Charity Fashion Show. He is receiving the Barbara Harmon Unsung Hero Award, presented annually to an individual in honor of their contribution to the lives of others. Their selfless service often goes unrecognized, and the Unsung Hero Award is intended...


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