School partners David Tolani Foundation for Summer Basketball camp

Polaris Christian Academy in partnership with the David Tolani Foundation, Columbus, Ohio has opened registration for a Summer Basketball Camp holding between July 10 and 13, 2017 for Incoming 2^nd to 8^th grades, Girls and Boys. 

Tagged “Keeping David’s Passion Alive through the game of basketball, “the camp will have a mix of fundamental skills and fun competitive games to enhance each player's basketball skills.”

Registration deadline has been fixed for July 3^rd and the camp fee at $65. However, “scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the fee.”

The participants are expected to work on shooting, dribbling, ball handling, proper footwork and team concepts.

Polaris Christian Academy is located at 2150 E. Powell Road, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035.

YMCA opens New American Welcome center in Columbus

The YMCA has opened a New American Welcome Center at its North YMCA facility, 1640 Sandalwood Place, Columbus, Ohio to help immigrants – also referred to as newcomers – fully integrate into American society and prepare receiving communities to be welcoming and inclusive. 

The Executive Director, Social Responsibility for the YMCA of Central Ohio, Malik Moore said ”the New American Welcome Center will achieve this through a combination of integration services, collaborations with community leaders and businesses, and strategies to connect and build cross-cultural understanding between immigrants and U. S-born residents.   

“We believe communities are at their strongest when everyone feels valued, has support to reach their potential and can fully participate in society,” he added. 

In his speech, Ohio House Representative David Leland commended the YMCA for the project. He presented a commemorative certificate to YMCA "to memorialize the day and the wonderful welcome center”.

Also Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce  said “the ‘Y’ (YMCA) is really a macrocosm of what central Ohio and America look like. We are a nation of immigrants and it’s really the root of why the United States was founded. This says a lot about the mission and the direction of the ‘Y’.

“The dedication of the room shows the investment in that effort, investment in our community and that is something that is unique, valuable and is something that we all should embrace as part of our community,” he said.

The CEO of YMCA, Central Ohio, Steve Ives said that “People chose to come to the U.S. because this is where they want to be. They come to central Ohio because they heard something. The ‘Y’ is blessed and that blessing should be shared and put to use. Our purpose in the community is changing and evolving. This is meant to be a model for what we will have in other of our facilities.”

U. S. Taxpayers abroad get June 15 deadline

The Internal Revenue Service, IRS has issued a reminder to taxpayers living and working abroad that they must file their 2016 federal income tax return by Thursday, June 15.

The special June 15 deadline is available to both U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad, including those with dual citizenship, the IRS statement said. 

It noted however that "for those who can’t meet the June 15 deadline, tax-filing extensions are available and they can even be requested electronically.

In addition, a new filing deadline now applies to anyone with a foreign bank or financial account required to file an annual report for these accounts, often referred to as an FBAR. 

 An income tax filing requirement generally applies even if a taxpayer qualifies for tax benefits, such as the Foreign Earned Income exclusion or the Foreign Tax credit, which substantially reduce or eliminate U.S. tax liability. These tax benefits are only available if an eligible taxpayer files a U.S. income tax return.

ETSS registers 120 for Summer Youth Employment Program

Dr. Seleshi Ayalew addressing the students

The Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services, ETSS Friday, June 9, 2017 concluded a three-day training of the first batch of 120 students registered for the 2017 Summer Youth Employment Program at the Ohio State University African-American and African Studies Community Extension Center, Columbus.

Students playing Pong Game at the end of training

The students in the first batch, between 17 and 20years old, will be placed at their various work places from Monday, June 12 and are expected to end their summer job when the schools resume.

Also training of the second batch, 14 to 16years old, is expected to follow this week.

Training facilitator, Solomon Ayalew told TheNewAmericans that the students were taught basic work ethics and codes, appearance and communication skills.

 The Executive Director of ETSS, Dr Seleshi Ayalew told the students to apply all that they learned during the training at their work places, adding that the experience they will gain on the job will go a long way in preparing them for future endeavors.  

According to him, “this Program is supported by  Franklin County Commissioners and administered by Franklin County Job and Family Services.”

Community celebrates Purna festival June 12 - 19

The Bhutanese-Nepali (Hindu) community will hold a week-long  Purna festival in Columbus, Ohio from Monday, June 12 to Monday, June 19, 2017 at 2821 Gravenhurst Ct., Columbus.

Spokesperson for the Columbus event, Ran Khadka told TheNewAmericans that “it is purely a peaceful event that focuses on spiritual enlightenment of devotees, staying calm and listening to preaching from a Guru,” adding that “it is a self-soul purification and enlightenment event.”

According to him, “devotees are expected from within the State of Ohio and outside.”

Purna is the shorter term of "Purnamaitrayaniputra" which means boundless preaching and compassion. It is on record that among thousands of Buddha's disciples, Purna was well-known as, "preeminent in preaching.”