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Ruth J. Morrison

Ruth J. Morrison

Congress Mulling Over Sales Tax for Internet Purchases

If you purchase online to avoid paying sales taxes on your merchandise, then your party will be over if the Congress has its way.

Congress is considering a bill that could result in a sales tax of five-to-ten percent on purchases made via the Internet, bringing prices on such buys in line with those at brick-and-mortar stores.

The tax itself is not new. The only difference is that online retailers could soon be required to collect it — just like their traditional bricks-and-mortar peers — instead of trusting customers to pay it on their own to the state, which is a requirement few heed, according to the Washington Times.

The problem is most online shoppers don't realize they are required to pay sales tax.

The movement to step up the collection of online sales tax is gaining momentum from traditional retail stores that want to level the playing field and, more recently, state governments that are desperate for money.

In the Senate, the Marketplace Fairness Act would allow states to require online retailers to collect sales tax. In the House, the Marketplace Equity Act, which has a hearing next week, would essentially do the same thing.

Todd Jones Owner of Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts Brings the Sweet to Brooklyn Beer and Wine Fest

On one of the hottest days of the summer, What's The 411TV's correspondent, Stacy Narine, was out at the 2013 Brooklyn Beer and Wine Festival held at The Lab in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

At the festival, Stacy caught up with the one and only Todd Jones, owner of Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts. A donutologist, Todd has been in the donut business for 40 years; first working with Dunkin Donuts for 25 years to now the owner of Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts.

Even at a beer and wine festival, Todd brought his professional donut making equipment, which is capable of making 1200 donuts in an hour with precision. What makes Sweet Dreams' donuts unique are that they are mini donuts and that Todd uses his donutologist's techniques to come up with unique flavors.

So what's in Todd's creative bag of flavors? How about buttermilk and donuts for grownups: White Hennessy and Ciroc donuts. He is even introducing salty caramel and strawberry shortcake donuts.

Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts are popping up everywhere. They have found their way into the halls of Google and many a celebrity wedding.

Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts is soon to be dispensing its confectionary greatness at a new location, in the heart of Brooklyn's corporate park at 2 MetroTech Center.

Can't make it to Brooklyn? You can always reach Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts online at www.SweetDreamsMiniDonuts.com and on Facebook. You can also call them at 347-724-6200.

Videography by Jesse Whitehead

 

Jamal Joseph and Impact Repertory Theatre at Launch of Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education

At the launch event for the Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education, What's The 411Sports reporter Chris Graham had the great fortune to catch up with one of his heroes, artist, poet, director, producer, educator, and founder of Impact Repertory Theatre, Jamal Joseph.

Impact Repertory Theatre is a Harlem-based leadership training and creative arts organization open to young people in Harlem and all over the city. The organization gives free training in leadership, music, dance, drama, creative writing, and spoken word so that young people can create stories around their own lives. The performance and written materials are created by the young people from their own life experiences. The emphasis at Impact Repertory Theatre is on leadership and community service.

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Members of the Impact Youth Repertory Theater at the Walter thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education. Photo Credit: Alexis Williams/What's The 411 Networks

According to Jamal Joseph, "the goal of Impact is not just to get every young person on stage, but to get every young person into college."

Joseph says, "we really think that when you combine that kind of activism with the creative arts that you are creating 'artivists' and that's the goal of Impact."

"Wow, creating something that's new, something that's different, something that's refreshing!", exclaimed Chris Graham.

Jamal Joseph introduced the leaders of Impact that help to operate the organization, as well as co-founder, Raymond Johnson.

A motto that runs through Impact is "Keep a positive thought because a positive thought cannot be denied, PEACE!"

WATCH VIDEO: Jamal Joseph and the Impact Repertory Theatre

 

New York Giants Safety Quintin Demps Shows Support for the Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education

New York Giants safety Quintin Demps stopped by the launch of the Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education to support his friend and teammate, Walter Thurmond.

What's The 411Sports reporter Chris Graham couldn't let Demps get by without asking him about the NFL preseason.

"Preseason is cool, man" Quintin Demps responded. "I think it went well. I did some good things, there are some things that I could have done better, but it's over with now, it's time to get down to the regular season."

"You beat the (New England) Patriots last week," Chris stated.

"That's good man," Demps responded. "We went five and O in the preseason so that's always a good thing."

If you're wondering if Demps is working with the Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education, Demps made it very clear, it's all about support.

Demps said: "I don't really have a part, I'm here to support him, my teammate and my good friend...I'm here to support."

We heard you loud and clear, it's all about support.

That's a good thing.

WATCH VIDEO: Quintin Demps at Launch of Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education

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