Queen Press Epaper

Volume 12 Issue No. 6 Feb. 11-16, 2011

PAGE 22

JAMAICA HIGH SCHOOL:

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PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

Despite pleas from students, staff, alumni, parents, elected officials and the community, Jamaica High School was voted out of existence last week.

By Sasha Austrie…Page 10

Online at www.QueensPress.com

News Briefs Property Task Force New procedures announced by Mayor Mike Bloomberg last week will make it easier to track down those committing mortgage frauds.

The program, created by the city's Financial Crime Task Force with help of the district attorneys of all five boroughs, seeks to catch questionable trends that could be signs of fraud taking place.

The Financial Crime Task Force conducted an analysis of mortgage fraud in New York City and nationwide to identify common traits of fraud and develop a search methodology to find fraud in City data, called "digital fingerprints." With input from experienced mortgage fraud prosecutors from the five DA offices, the methodology was improved and refined.

The task force will apply its new tactics to ACRIS, the City's public property records database, and with information accessed from other City databases, compile "Unusual Property Activity Reports" for distribution to law enforcement agencies for follow up.

Examples of what the task force considered "strong indicators of fraud" include: homes or properties that changed owners multiple times in a short period of time at varying sale prices; transfers of title at far below market prices; and properties sold at values just below thresholds for mandatory reporting or tax filings.

"Mortgage fraud has quite literally stolen the American Dream of owning a home from many New Yorkers, especially in Southeast Queens which lies at the epicenter of what has become a national problem," said Queens DA Richard Brown, who joined the mayor and Staten Island DA Dan Donovan last week to announced the new program. "While we have made some headway in prosecuting these cases, the programs which Mayor Bloomberg is unveiling today will be useful weapons to add to our arsenal in the fight against those who prey upon unsuspecting homeowners and lending institutions."

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 11 - 17, 2011

LaGuardia Kept Open If you were able to get a flight out of LaGuardia Airport during or immediately after last month's snowstorms, you can thank modern equipment, hard-working staff and a generous helping of luck.

During the Jan. 26-27 storm that dropped 19 inches of snow on the borough, LaGuardia was the only area airport to function, albeit with some delays, throughout the storm. While JFK and Newark were forced to close for a time, LaGuardia remained open.

Joe Pappalardo, chief maintenance officer at LaGuardia, said his staff and updated equipment should be given credit for keeping the airport open.

"We have exceptional staff," he said.

"That is one of the primary reasons we were open. They showed a lot of fortitude and didn't stop snow removal for the entire storm."

Pappalardo said the airport, like JFK and Newark, has state-of-the-art equipment that came to the airport in 2004 and 2006 capable of plowing, sweeping and blowing snow from the runways. The runway is treated with "anti-icing" chemicals before the storm hits so snow and ice

do not immediately stick to the surface.

Pappalardo noted that LaGuardia, unlike JFK and Newark, only has two runways, which intersect, and it is imperative that both remain operational.

"During most of the storm, the runways were clear. You were able to see blacktop," he said.

The snow was then piled on unused parts of the airport, such as the grass and concrete between the taxiways and runways, unused parts of the airport where the Port Authority stores equipment in the summer, or underutilized parking lots.

Pappalardo said planning for a storm usually begins days before one hits.

"Everything is forecasting," he said.

For this storm, airlines helped a great deal by getting planes out of the airport before the storm hit.

Major Track Work Set The MTA announced two major projects slated for Astoria in 2011 that will affect several weekend and some weekday schedules during off-peak hours.

The first project is track panel installation at 36th Avenue. This work is scheduled for Feb. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, March 5-6, 12-13, Aug. 13-14, 20-21, 27-28, Sept.

3-4, 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25. On these weekends, the Manhattan-bound N train will operate as an express from Astoria Boulevard to Queensboro Plaza bypassing 30th Avenue, Broadway, 36th Avenue and 39th Avenue from 4 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Sunday. The work entails the replacement of 39-foot sections of elevated track including ties, running rails, third rail and walkways - all part of NYCT's Inhouse Capital Construction Program.

Work will also go on during the week on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Feb. 2 to March 18. On those weekdays, Manhattan-bound N trains will run express from Astoria Boulevard to Queensboro Plaza and Q trains will terminate at 57th Street7th Avenue. Manhattan-bound customers should plan for additional travel time as these service changes may add up to 15 minutes to their trip. Customers at the bypassed stations may backride to Astoria Boulevard for Manhattan-bound service or consider taking the R at Steinway or 36th Streets, the F at 21st StreetQueensbridge or walking to Queensboro Plaza.

The second project is structure painting from 40th Avenue to the 60th Street Tunnel portal west of 21st Street, which is planned for some weekends in May, June, July and one weekend in October to be announced at a later date. The work will run through the entire weekend from 12:01 a.m. Saturday to 5 a.m.

Monday.

Finally, during one minor project, on the weekend of March 19-21, there will be no N service between Queensboro Plaza and Times Square. Customers will have to use the 7 line for service into and out of Manhattan. This will be due to track maintenance work at 57th Street and in the 60th Street tube.

Customers can visit mta.info to check for Current Service Status as well as to plan their trip with Trip Planner or call Travel Information at (718) 330-1234, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily.

Presstime

Aqueduct Flea Lives On At Merrick

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

Some vendors from the now-defunct flea market at Aqueduct Racetrack have found a new home in Southeast Queens. The Merrick Flea Market, an indoor site located in a former warehouse at 221-02 Merrick Blvd. in Laurelton, has had success attracting vendors who once hocked their wares at Aqueduct.

Because of the construction of the Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct Racetrack, the flea market that occupied the north parking lot of the racetrack every weekend and Tuesdays from spring through Christmas was shut down permanently on Dec. 31 after more than 30 years at the site along Rockaway Boulevard in South Ozone Park.

Efforts to relocate the flea market to sites like Citi Field or Belmont Racetrack failed, leaving vendors with no place to sell their merchandise.

Until now.

Merrick Flea Market's managers, BP Real Estate Fund, a Philadelphia-based real estate company that manages a few flea markets in Pennsylvania, brought on Brian Baxter, the former manager of the Aqueduct Flea Market, to manage the new market. Baxter said in the month he has been on the job at Merrick, the number of vendors at the site increased from 30 to about 80, half of whom were formerly at Aqueduct, along with other new vendors.

"Local vendors saw the influx of new vendors from Aqueduct and decided to come," he said.

Baxter said the new site is fairly different, but vendors were adapting well. At Aqueduct, vendors were able to drive their trucks or cars up to their site and unload their merchandise. While they can't at Merrick, their sites are permanent because

Landmark Decision, Though Rare, Not New

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY

ing to recruit former Aqueduct vendors.

Merrick, though smaller than the Aqueduct space, is open longer hours. The outdoor flea market at Aqueduct was only open three days a week for about eight months a year, while the indoor Merrick Flea Market is open Thursday through Sunday year-round. For more information on the Merrick Flea Market, call (718) 341-FLEA or go to merrickfleamarket.com Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 125.

Council Debates Wal-Marts In City

BY DOMENICK RAFTER With an eye on opening its first store in New York City, Wal-Mart has become the subject of a heated political debate with many politicians and labor unions aiming to keep the retailer, notorious for its perceived anti-labor practices, out of the city.

The City Council held a hearing on Wal-Mart, taking the corporate goliath to task over its perceived negative influence on a local economy.

Wal-Mart was absent from the hearing, informing the Council that it would not take part as it has not officially confirmed a store would be opening in the city. There has been discussion swirling about the possible location of a Wal-Mart at a new Gateway shopping center, near the Brooklyn-Queens border.

"Since we have not announced a store for New York City, I respectfully suggest the committee first conduct a thoughtful examination of the existing impact of large grocers and retailers on small businesses in New York City before embarking on a hypothetical exercise," wrote Philip H. Serghini, a community affairs liaison for Wal-Mart.

But that wasn't good enough for many members of the Council including Speaker Christine Quinn "Wal-Mart's absence and refusal to attend only leads me to further skepticism about them as a company," she said.

Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (DForest Hills) said Wal-Mart's reputation makes them a special case.

"Wal-Mart is not your ordinary big box retailer," she said. "It is in a category by itself."

Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn) who represents East New York, home to the Gateway Mall, was blunt about his opposition.

"Don't even think about coming into East New York," he said. "We're desperate for jobs, but we're not going to take 'anything.' We want jobs with dignity, jobs with integrity, jobs with self-respect.

We will not be slave workers on your plantation."

Wal-Mart shot back, saying it has polled residents of New York City and 70 per-

cent of citizens they spoke with want to see Wal-Mart here, including large numbers over every demographic. The retailer said the New York metropolitan area is its No. 1 market even without a store in New York City, and many city residents already shop and work at Wal-Marts in New Jersey, Westchester County and Long Island. One Wal-Mart store, in Valley Stream in Nassau County, is literally steps from the county border in Rosedale and is frequented by many Southeast Queens shoppers.

Many Council members were concerned about the possible effect Wal-Mart could have on small businesses.

"The long term effects could devastate New York and everything New York stands for," Councilman Mark Weprin (DOakland Gardens) said.

But Wal-Mart said its stores do not hurt small businesses. They said a store they opened on the West Side of Chicago about five years ago drew additional, new small business to the site to settle around the Wal-Mart anchor.

The company also promoted its new program with First Lady Michelle Obama aimed at selling healthy, affordable groceries at its stores as another reason why it would be good for New York City, noting the rise in popularity of farmers markets in the city.

Wal-Mart has the support of Mayor Mike Bloomberg and did have some allies on the council, including the three Queens Republicans, Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), Peter Koo (R-Flushing) and Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone).

"Wal-Mart wants to come here and provide union construction jobs and permanent positions that offer pay wages equal to or higher than many of their competitors, and allow people to save substantially on their grocery bills," Ulrich said. "Why should my constituents - many of whom are on fixed incomes - pay more for a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread? It's not the job of politicians or special interests groups, especially in today's economy, to block economic development."

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 125.

Feb. 11-17, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

When City Council denied landmark status for the nearly 100-year-old Grace Episcopal Church Memorial Hall, it did not signal an easing of preservation rules for local developers, said Councilman Dan Halloran (RWhitestone), a member of the Landmarks Subcommittee.

While the Memorial Hall landmark was overturned, The denial of landmark status for the Grace Church Memorial the Jamaica Savings Bank Hall should not set a precedent for other landmark cases, Building was landmarked according to insiders. over the objections of its owner.

“In the same session, we voted to go City with landmark status. Many are lowith the owner in one case and against the cated in historic districts, but 1,280 are owner in another,” Halloran said. “It shows individual landmarks, such as Grace Episthat the committee is really looking at it copal Church.

Memorial Hall does not set a negative case by case.”

Grace Church and its cemetery were precedent, de Bourbon said. The Compreviously landmarked. Owners were op- mission enjoys a good relationship with posed to landmark status for the Memorial City Council, and its members are supHall due to the financial burden it would portive of their mission.

“Council has to consider a different set place on the parish, but Halloran said he has no doubt that the church will protect of circumstances,” she said. “We respect that and we respect the process.” the edifice.

The Commission could revisit Memo“This was such a unique set of circumstances,” he said. “When you have the local rial Hall in the future. It took three sepaelected official joining the parish to say ‘no,’ rate votes before the landmark designation of Jamaica Savings Bank “stuck.” The you have to take that into consideration.”

City Council rarely overturns decisions designation was overturned twice, once by the Landmarks Preservation Commis- in 1974 by the Board of Estimate and in sion, said commission spokeswoman Lisi 1992 by City Council.

“I’m not saying that’s going to happen, de Bourbon.

“It has happened only 20 times since the but there is that possibility for any building commission was founded in 1965,” she whose designation is overturned,” de Boursaid. “Those 20 are a pretty small percent- bon said. “We plan to identify and desigage of buildings, which is why we work so nate sites in Queens and around the City hard at the outset of the process to educate that are worthy of landmark designation.”

Reach Reporter Jessica Ablamsky at the owners and help them understand the jablamsky@queenstribune.com or (718) 357implications of designation.”

There are 27,000 buildings in New York 7400, Ext. 124.

the building is locked up at night.

"Vendors make each site like their own store," Baxter said.

Baxter anticipates Merrick will develop with the same sense of community Aqueduct was known for.

"I hope that we'll have the same community love and response that we had [at Aqueduct]," he said.

Many of the vendors who worked at Aqueduct live in Southeast Queens. Another flea market opening March 4 in Downtown Brooklyn is also actively try-

New Tether Law Will Protect Dogs

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY Pay attention, dog owners.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg recently signed into law two bills that will fundamentally improve the lives of animals in New York City, and change the way outdoor dogs are treated.

Legislation introduced by Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr. (D-Astoria) makes it illegal to restrain dogs outdoors for longer than three hours in a continuous 12-hour period of time. Repeat violations within one year carry fines of up to $500 and three months in prison.

When the law takes effect on May 1, dogs restrained outdoors for less than three hours will need adequate food, water and shelter.

It will also be illegal to restrain a dog for any amount of time with a device that is a choke or pinch collar; has weights attached or links that are more than onequarter inch thick; is likely to become entangled; is long enough to allow movement off the owner’s property; or could allow the animal to move over an object or edge that could result in strangulation or injury to the animal.

Chaining as a way of life is something that exists for too many dogs, said Vallone, a lifelong animal rights activist.

“It’s a cruel way of treating an animal,” he said. “If you see something like this, we will be able to do something about it before the animal is injured. It was never

okay to injure an animal, but we had to wait until a chain grew into an animal’s neck. That unfortunately happens.”

Enforcement will be provided by the NYPD and ASPCA. Dogs tethered as a way of life can be more aggressive due to their constant confinement, lack of interaction with humans and inability to escape from perceived threats.

“The flight or fight response; you are eliminating the flight option,” said Michelle Villagomez, a spokeswoman for the ASPCA. To a dog, a tether can demarcate a territory line, of which the dog can become very protective.

When somebody enters that area, the dog can react aggressively.

Tethering also exposes that animal to injury from other animals, the tether itself and New York City’s extreme weather conditions.

Taking effect immediately is a law that raises the licensing fee for unfixed dogs from $11.50 to $34. Every dog in New York City must be licensed annually.

The $25 surcharge goes into a special account to fund the City’s Animal Care and Control program, which operates the municipal animal shelter system.

A dog’s life should not be spent chained up all day, according to the City Council.

“It really does have the potential to bring in a lot of revenue,” Villagomez said.

“If we could really increase compliance, we could bring in millions of dollars.”

In addition to licensing being the law, benefits include admission to City dog runs, and the tag itself, which serves as a tracking mechanism for lost pets via the tracking number.

After the tethering law takes effect May 1, to report instances of illegal tethering, call 311 or the ASPCA’s Humane

C O L L E G E

THE MEETING A conversation between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Malcolm X Saturday, February 19, 2011 • 7:00 pm

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 11 - 17, 2011

$20.00 Adults / $10.00 Students & Seniors

THE YORK COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 94-45 Guy Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11451

Major funding for this series provided by NYC Councilmembers the late Thomas White Jr. (28th-CD), and Leroy Comrie (27th-CD), Deputy Majority Leader NY City Council and Chair of Land Use Committee.

Box Office: 718-262-2840 PAC Information: 718-262-3750 Tickets are available online at: www.york.cuny.edu

S P E C I A L P R E S E N TAT I O N S E R I E S

Y O R K

Law Enforcement at (212) 876-7700, Ext. 4450.

To license your dog, call 311 or go to nyc.org/health.

For more information about low cost or free spay and neutering from the ASPCA, call (877) SPAY-NYC, or go to their web site at aspca.org/aspca-nyc/ mobileclinic.

Reach Reporter Jessica Ablamsky at jablamsky@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

Eminent Domain Comes To Willets Pt.

BY JOSEPH OROVIC The City took the first legal steps towards acquiring land via eminent domain in Willets Point in an effort to kick start the controversial redevelopment.

The Economic Development Corp. hopes to acquire the full 20 acres of land needed to begin Phase 1 of the project through negotiations with landowners, as it said it has up until now, according to spokeswoman Julie Wood. It holds the prospect of eminent domain as an effective Plan B it would rather not employ.

It has already initiated the eminent domain process. “As we seek to reach agreements with the nine remaining businesses, we will also begin the legal process that gives us the option to condemn these properties if needed, so that we can continue to move forward,� she said.

The area of Phase 1 rests in the southwest corner of the triangle resting farthest from the Van Wyck Expressway.

The EDC also hopes to put out a Request For Proposals for the project this spring. The first phase will include infrastructure, affordable housing, retail, a hotel and two acres of open space within 1.3 million square feet.

Opponents of the project – largely landowners within the Iron Triangle – cried foul, claiming the EDC was backing out of an earlier agreement to withhold the use of eminent domain until new ramps off the

Van Wyck Expressway were approved.

The plan’s leading opposition group, Willets Point United, successfully gummed up the redevelopment’s gears by calling into question the EDC’s assessment of the proposed ramps’ environmental impact. The City twice promised to not bring about the specter of eminent domain until its ramps were up to environmental par, most recently in 2009.

According to Wood, the EDC’s new phase-in plans divorce it from earlier promises, allowing it to move forward with eminent domain despite not having final

approval on the ramps. “What we said in 2009 was true in 2009,� she said. “Our plan has changed and our current plan doesn’t require the ramps.�

WPU sent a cease and desist letter to the EDC via its attorney, Mike Gerrard, stating “The City represented to the court, in a sworn affidavit, that it would not take my clients’ property by eminent domain until the FHWA has approved the ramps.�

Gerrard promised to take legal action against any eminent domain maneuvers until the ramps are approved.

“I believe [the EDC] are legally bound because they represented this to the court in the course of a litigation,� he said.

The Willets Point Redevelopment Plan was approved in 2008, having navigated the ULURP process with an eminent domain provision intact. It calls for the rejuvenation of an area maligned by some with the creation of a wholly new neighborhood, including some mandatory affordable housing and a school.

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at jorovic@queenstribune.com, or (718) 3577400, Ext. 127.

Genting Hires Local Security Firm

BY DOMENICK RAFTER A Jamaica-based security company has been contracted to head security operations at the Resorts World New York Casino construction site at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Cannady Security, a minority-owned business based in Downtown Jamaica, won a multi-million dollar contract to provide security at the site during its construction phase.

"As the owner of a certified Minority Business Enterprise from the community, I am very appreciative of receiving this contract to provide around the clock se-

curity during construction at Resorts World," said Henry Cannady, president.

"It is encouraging to have such a prominent company in the Queens community to follow through on its stated commitment to diversity."

Hiring among minority and womenowned local businesses was a promise Genting, the parent company of Resorts World, made to the communities around Aqueduct Racetrack when it won the bid to develop the casino at the track last summer. According to Resorts World, since construction began in the fall, Tutor Perini, the general contractor, has awarded $45.8 million - more than a third of its total bids

- to minority and women-owned businesses from the area.

"Resorts World New York is fully committed to providing meaningful and substantial contractual opportunities for minority, women, and locally-owned business enterprises in the construction of our new facility at the historic Aqueduct Racetrack," said Michael Speller, President of Resorts World New York. "From the beginning, we have made MWBE and local participation on this project a top priority."

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 125.

The path to your first home.

The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) offers first-time homebuyers:

For more information, call

1-800-382-HOME (4663) or visit www.nyshcr.org

Feb. 11 - 17, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

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OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email news@queenspress.com The PRESS of Southeast Queens Associate Publisher

In Our Opinion: Arnold Thibou Executive Editor:

Brian Rafferty Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie

Editorial Genuinely Affordable The middle class of Queens has felt neglected for some time. Too often, "affordable" housing that comes to our borough is not. It is either lowincome housing, rife with the bad element that such locations attract, or actually not affordable at all. The latter is known as market rate.

The problem is that our market is set by the people on the other side of the East River. Yes, there is a bone thrown to us to mitigate for the difference in property costs, cost of living and actual income, but it too often seems that the middle class of Queens is on the short end of any savings.

Queens West, and the Hunters Point South plan unveiled this week, seems to be a great first step toward offering the hard-working people of our borough a leg up. To see that quality housing, with short commutes to Manhattan, will be made available to people below or at median income levels is a welcome change from the distant shores of the Rockaways where similar housing has been created.

This is a great first step, and we look forward to seeing more truly affordable housing develop as this project enters its future stages.

Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed

Letters

Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Harley Benson Sasha Austrie Joseph Orovic Domenick Rafter Jessica Ablamsky Editorial Intern: Angy Altamirano Jason Banrey Terry Chao

Tyrannical To The Editor: The Little King has worn out his welcome and the masses can now see that he clearly has no clothes. And what an ugly sight it is.

Bloomberg does not even get our streets plowed properly because he spends all his time trying to figure out how to do away with public school teachers. His oft-stated and long-term goal is to eliminate the pensions of all public employees. Let me remind him that the Civil Service system was created as a direct result of

the favoritism, corruption, nepotism, foul play and treachery of people like Boss Tweed and the outrageous political practices of Tammany Hall. How fitting that this out of control little despot moved his education department and his mindless, gutless, rubber stamp "Panel for Educational Policy" into the building that is the ultimate symbol of corruption.

Bloomberg arrogantly proposes the layoffs of veteran teachers who service children, while he employs hundreds of highly paid consultants whose positions have nothing to do

Letters with children whatsoever. He even employs a second chancellor so he can keep his fellow, Upper East Side millionaire and uncertified Chancellor while nobid contracts are signed off on with impunity in his notorious Tweed Courthouse.

Never forget: it was the workers who built this great nation and it was the Civil Service System that enabled those workers to keep their jobs without the fear of retribution from politicians like the current tyrant. Bloomberg claims new teachers are better only because they are cheaper.

There are thousands of senior firefighters and police officers who are probably not in such solid physical condition as recent graduates of the Fire and Police Academies, but their professional knowledge and many years of experience in the field more than make up for the cost of their higher salaries.

Don't let Bloomberg fool you with his talk of better teachers. It is a charade, as is his whole campaign to eliminate public schools through charter school expansion. Bloomberg has no interest in anyone other than his fellow millionaires. He disguises his argument as a crusade for "Children First," yet neither he nor any of his uncertified chancellors has ever sent their children to a public school. His goal is to divide union workers. Do not allow Bloomberg, nor his allies in the major media, to do away with the Civil Service seniority rights of

teachers, or those of all other Civil Servants will follow.

Remember: America's best days followed the creation of the Civil Service system and job protections from tyrannical politicians like our current third-term emperor.

Mario Scioscia, Richmond Hill

Armed Citizenry To The Editor: There was a study done in 1995 titled "Armed Resistance to Crime" regarding the fact that law abiding citizens use guns to defend themselves against criminals as many as 2.5 million times every year.

Firearms are used 60 times more often to protect the lives of honest citizens than to shoot with criminal intent. Of these defensive shootings, more than 200,000 are by women defending themselves against sexual abuse. Citizens shoot and kill more criminals than police do every year. While the police have an error rate of 11 percent when it comes to the accidental shooting of innocent civilians, the armed citizens rate is only 2 percent, making them five times safer than the police.

These are interesting figures that show that law-abiding citizens should have the right to own guns as indicated in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Janet McCarthy, Flushing

Art Dept:

Sara Gold Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend Advertising Director Alan J. Goldsher Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 11 - 17, 2011

Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2011 Tribco, LLC

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

Hooray For Teachers Who ‘Connect’ A Personal Perspective

By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect....

- E.M. Forster (1879-1970), Howards End, Ch. 22 As the Forster quote above from his 1910 novel suggests, we are all the better for connecting as we journey through life. I have seen it in my own journey and noted it in others as well.

My son came home looking a bit sad the other day, and when I asked why, he told me his math teacher had left that day. We did not know that this new favorite teacher, Mr. Williams, was only filling in for the permanent teacher out on leave for the last several months.

My son, who only last year was disengaged in math class, was now fully engaged and sharing

with me what he was learning each day. Mr. Williams is an amazing teacher who knows how to connect with students. My son plugged into that and excelled in the class.

I’m talking about this because of the proposed “last-hired-firstfired” proposal for our public schools. Like so many others, I tend to disagree with this. Teachers are special, I always say. But some are extra special.

Those who connect with their students and those who inspire connection are an inspiration.

You can’t buy that sort of thing.

It would be a shame to lay off outstanding teachers regardless of how long they have served. I have the highest respect for the people who teach and inspire our children. Those who work hard and those who have a special knack for connecting should be looked upon with singular favor when its time to make decisions about layoffs.

I would hope that no one gets the axe. Teaching has been among

the most stable of professions in our city for decades and the last thing we need is to see layoffs in this most important area of our economy and the future of our city, state and nation.

But it seems there are no sacred cows. The recession is hitting every profession and every industry in some way or another.

Welcome to our nightmare.

Nonetheless, if it must be, then those who make the decisions need to be more strategic as they poise the axe. First-hired-first-fired is draconian. The measure of a professional should be more than about time in. Commitment, accomplishment and the valueadded he or she offers – such as the ability to connect – ought to be important considerations as well.

Each of us has had a special teacher who has made a difference in our lives. Teachers have inordinate power to make or break a person in the formative years. I am glad that I had some of the great ones throughout my formal education. To be sure, I also had

my share of the less-than-wonderful ones as well. But the good ones helped to offset the bad.

We know that some kids – my own included – will come home after the first few days of a new school year to report dramatically, “My teacher hates me.” Or the more common, “My teacher is a meanie.”

Sometimes it is true and other times it is because the kid is not living up to his or her end of the student/teacher arrangement. In either case it has to be monitored and corrected where necessary.

But Mr. Williams is definitely one of the good ones. He knows how to connect and we need more of his kind teaching in fulltime, permanent positions.

The city, the state and the Education officials need to use caution as they negotiate this new reality. We hope that the layoffs get put off, but if they don’t, then proceed with common sense.

Thank you, Mr. Williams for connecting and making a difference in our children’s lives.

Feb. 11 - 17, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Some Chilling Thoughts For Our Time

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER There’s no science or reporting here, just the observations of a guy who has been experiencing Queens for more than half a century – and watching carefully.

There’s more big snow on the ground for more days then I recall -- ever. The piles are higher, the parking more difficult, the intersections less visible and the sidewalks less passable than any other extended period in recent history.

The difficult y caused by the snow seriously impacts small busine ss. Retai l suffer s when their stores are not easily accessible by car and foot. Small business suffers when delivery times increase greatly. And the city and private

business are seeing their snow removal budgets busted.

I’m not complaining, but we’ve had more January lost work hours at the Trib than any other month since I took over the paper in 1979.

Hey the snow costs.

No, I am not complaining about the road clearing. On the contrary, after the December “blizzard,” the Sanitation Department has done a remarkably quick and efficient job. But if they don’t truck the snow away, the problem can’t be solved.

Everyone but the kids seems to have had enough – more than enough.

So what do the kids know or do, that we don’t?

If the snow season is not over, I’m going to look for some much younger friends.

BANANA REPUBLIC ECONOMY Why is there such a chill in New York?

The Gotham Gazette reported that New York has the greatest disparities in income of any major U.S. city, with the top 1 percent

of the population earning 44 percent of the income in the city.

New York Cit y has extreme wealth and extreme pover ty, and lots of both, but the share of the wealthiest has increased by four times over the past 30 years. The problem is national – not just local in scope – but New York has the largest share of those at the very top of the wealth pyramid.

New York State is the most polarized among the 50 states, and New York City is the most polarized among the 25 largest cities in the United States.

The report explains that Federal ta x policy has contributed greatly to the disparity.

“The moves to reduce top tax rates and capital gains tax rates — as Presidents Ronald Reagan (Sunday was the centenniel of his birth) and George W. Bush did — and to maintain glaring loopholes have all had a major effect.”

Suggested policies that would both stimulate robust economic growth and reverse excessive income polarization include: increasing the minimum wage, expanding living wage requirements, in-

creasing labor union membership, making investments in economic growth, helping small businesses grow, provide real assistance on home foreclosures, and investing in public higher education.

The most impor ta nt step needed to reverse economic polarization accor ding to the repor t would be enacting progressive tax policies at all levels of government.

In New York Cit y for example, while the top one percent earns 44 percent of city income, they account for only one-third of total New York City tax revenue.

The defense of Wall St. bonuse s a nd exce ssive cor porate compensation packages continue by those who are engineering the economy. But they fail to address the role/import of the worker, professional and small business people – the 99 percent of us who work hard and keep this country going?

In some “Banana Republic” countrie s, dispar it ie s like t h is would be the seeds of revolution.

But it’s cold here in New York.

THE COLDEST WIND OF ALL But the coldest of all winds

continues to blow through Albany.

The frigid chill emanating in the legislative halls of goverment, saps the energy and cultivates the diseases which have resulted in the woeful decline of the once mighty New York State.

The once large and powerful Empire State continues its decline and the members of the State Legislature have sowed the seeds, planted the weeds, and done the deeds that have brought us to this seminal moment.

On its knees and facing the tipping point with a new reforming hand on the controls the legislature faces the Governor. But Andrew Cuomo is neither perfect nor omnipotent.

The legislative leadership has demonstrated in the past that they can upset the best laid plans. . .

The members of the legislature have demonstrated an inability to accept responsiblity for the immobilizing dysfunction.

Sadly, if you’re waiting for a weather change in the New York State Legislature, you might have to wait for hell to freeze over.

MSchenkler@QueensPress.com

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 11 - 17, 2011

Cuomo Takes on Dragons, Can He Win Submission?

By HENRY STERN Governor Cuomo kept his word and presented a state budget of $132.9 billion for Fiscal Year 2011-12, which begins April 1.

This figure, believe it or not, is a sharp brake on spending. He also gave a fine speech, with Henry greatly improved visual aids, to make the state’s financial distress evident to anyone willing to see, including the legislature.

For eight year s, Ne w York Civic has been preaching that state spending is irresponsibly high, a notion that has gradually gained acceptance even though nothing is done about it.

On Sept. 22, 2002, we wrote an article headlined “Drifting from Erie Toward Ontario.” T he geographic reference to the two Great Lakes is intended to imply to readers just what happens to ships that try to drift from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario: they go over Niagara Falls, a natural wonder but a disaster for shipping. Vessels can use the multiple locks of the Welland Canal, which forms the boundary between the United States and Canada.

The point of our 2002 article, which was written when Governor George Pataki was in his second (of three) terms, was that New York State was r unni ng out of money. In the intervening eight years, during the administrations of Pataki, Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson, disaster was postponed

by borrowing billions of dollars in the name of various public authorities which are euphemistically referred to as off-budget entities. That is an Enronian phrase that should rank with ‘collateralized debt obligations’ in the vocabulary of fiscal irresponsiStern bility.

In his remarks Tuesday, the new governor also referenced Enron, once No. 7 in the S & P 500, and now a synonym for fiscal flim-flam. Governor Cuomo said: “When you use reality-based budgeting, as opposed to Albany-based budgeting, which is where Albany meets Enron, in our opinion, the Albany-based budgeting institut ionally assume s a n exorbitant growth rate that is disconnected from fiscal realit y. And this has been going on for many, many years.”

It is too early in the budget season, for us, any way, to offer judgments on the individual appropriations that the governor proposes for agencies. But he is definitely inclined in the right direction. It is ironic that his message has resonated most with Republicans and Conservatives, and least with the Democratic left. That shows that the principal fault line in fiscal policy is not between the t wo par t ie s, but bet ween spenders and savers, with the Democrats evenly divided.

REMEMBERING THINGS PAST

It has been a generation since New York had a governor of whom we could be proud. A swallow does not make a summer, but think of where we were on Groundhog Day four years ago. The new governor had already described himself as “a fucking steamroller,” was preparing for the Troopergate war against Senate Major ity Leader Joe Bruno, and was trying to impose his choice for State Comptroller, Martha Stark, on the state legislature to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Alan Hevesi following his first felony conviction.

The legislature chose one of it s ow n, Assemblyma n Tom DiNapoli, for the plum position. DiNapoli was a bet ter choice than Spitzer’s candidate, who was subsequently compelled to resign as City Finance Commissioner because of sundry irregularities whose details you can find with the aid of Google. DiNapoli is not as bright as Hevesi, but there are more important qualities, like decency and integrity, that high public office demands. The Comptroller is a good man, highly affable and liked by his colleague s. His industry and devotion are unquestioned. Nonetheless, it is ridiculous that he be the sole trustee of a pension fund that exceeds $120 billion. That should be corrected.

MORE THINGS PAST When I was Parks Commissioner, February 2 was the day of an annual ritual, consulting a

groundhog who would advise what the season would bring. If the day were clear, and the groundhog saw his shadow, that meant that winter would continue for six more weeks. In 2011, winter is not over, no mat ter what the groundhog indicates.

The groundhog custom is most closely associated with Punxsutawney, Penn. Its spread to New York zoos (Queens and Staten Island) was flagrantly derivative. The Borough President of Queens, Claire Shulman (park name “Queen Bee”), a good friend of parks, came to the Queens Zoo every year to open the little door behind which the animals hovered,

awaiting their annual fifteen seconds of fame.

We had a difficult experience one year with Claire’s predecessor, the late Borough President of Queens, Donald Manes. On a similar occasion, he saw a pair of otters climbing out of a pond in the zoo, and he threw rocks at them, even when asked to stop. To me, that was as bad as all the money he extor ted from parking meter operators. You can Google him, too, for a sad chapter in New York City history. Who ever heard of a great big borough president stoning an innocent family of otters?

Reach Henry Stern at: StarQuest@NYCivic.org

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

Police Blotter Compiled By DOMENICK RAFTER

105th Precinct Missing Man The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a man missing from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Belleorse.

Alexander Cousley, 26, who resided at 80-45 Winchester Blvd. in Bellerose, part of Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, went missing from the hospital on Feb. 6.

He is described as being 6-foot-1, 215 lbs with brown eyes and black hair.

p.m., police responded to a call of a woman shot inside a security officer’s residence at 14-42 160th St. in Whitestone.

EMS arrived and declared the woman dead at the scene. According to police reports, the woman shot herself inside the residence.

113th Precinct Arrest In Murder

On Sunday, Feb. 6 at 4:22 a.m., police responded to a 911 call of a woman shot inside of 177-48 119th Rd., in St. Albans. Upon arrival, police observed Avalisa Morris, 26, of 189-06 114th Dr., St. Albans, unconscious and Shot In Hotel unresponsive, with a gunshot On Saturday, Feb. 5 at Police need help locat- wound to the head and ab5:10 p.m., police responded ing Alexander Cousley. domen. EMS responded to to an aided case inside of the the location and proFlushing Motel located at 34-50 Linden nounced Morris dead at the scene.

Pl. in Downtown Flushing. Upon arrival, Police have arrested Mairs O’Neil, 23, police found Juan Henao, 139-09 34th of 119-60 178th Pl. in St. Albans on Rd., Linden Hill, lying on the bed with a charges of murder, criminal possession gunshot wound to his head. EMS also of a weapon and reckless endangerment responded to the scene and pronounced him dead at the scene. There have been no arrests made and the investigation was ongoing.

Getaway Ambulance

109th Precinct

From the DA

Suicide Call On Sunday, Feb. 6 at around 12:14

Y O R K

A South Ozone Park man has been convicted of three counts of first-degree robbery for robbing a Hollis Hills nail sa-

lon and its seven occupants in December 2009. Kevin L. Cheeks, 44, of 115-36 125th St., South Ozone Park, who was employed as an ambulance driver at the time of the robbery, used his assigned ambulance – which was equipped with a GPS – as his getaway vehicle Cheeks was found guilty Feb. 7 of three counts of first-degree robbery following two hours of jury deliberation.

According to trial testimony, Cheeks entered the Shinki Nail Salon, located at 212-08 Union Tpke. in Hollis Hills at approximately 1 p.m. on Dec. 12, 2009, and implied to the four customers and three employees inside that he had a gun. He then forced everyone to the rear of the store, telling one customer who was holding her cell phone that if she tried to make a phone call he would kill her.

He then relieved the store’s occupants of their valuables, as well as the money from the cash register.

As Cheeks was about to leave, he realized that he could not find his cell phone

and ran to the rear of the store to look for it. In the meantime, one of the employees ran out of the store and into a nearby diner, where she alerted people that the nail salon had just been robbed. The employee identified Cheeks as he walked past the diner. Several witnesses from the diner then saw Cheeks get into an ambulette marked “Sigma Ambulette No. 16,” which he was hired to drive two months earlier by Sigma Transportation, Inc. of West Hempstead, NY, and speed away before police arrived. He was not on duty at the time of the robbery.

A review of the vehicle’s GPS tracking records confirmed that the ambulette was in the vicinity of the salon at the time of the crime and thereafter had traveled to the Bronx and then to Cheeks’ residence before returning to the Sigma base, where Cheeks was arrested.

Sentencing is set for March 23, at which time Cheeks faces a minimum of 20 years to life in prison as a mandatory persistent violent felon.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY TO HELP SOLVE A CRIME.

C O L L E G E

P E R F O R M I N G

A R T S

C E N T E R

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Feb. 11 - 17, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

ONYX VOCAL CONSORT

Final Bell Tolling?

PEP Votes Again To Shut Jamaica HS

BY SASHA AUSTRIE For Kevin Gonzalez, Jamaica High School is more than a series of intersecting hallways. It is his home away from home. It is a legacy that has spanned 119 years and many supporters of the school fear the end is near.

“The Department of Education is treating Jamaica High School students unequally,” said Gonzalez, 17.

On Feb. 3, the Panel for Educational Policy voted to phase out 12 schools, including Jamaica and Beach Channel High School.

“We knew way before they voted,” said James Eterno, United Federation of Teachers chapter leader. “Everybody knew the votes were preordained.”

A Disgraceful Action?

Before the PEP voted on the proposed phase out, about half of the 2,000 who attended the public hearing walked out en masse.

“The students led the way,” Eterno said. “Personally, I feel like I’m being evicted from my second home.”

Jamaica’s supporters did not get the outcome they fought for, but the battle is not over. He vowed to fight for the school’s survival until the decision is finalized.

Gonzalez was offended by Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s remarks that protestors who attended the public hearings and staged a walkout on Thursday were an embarrassment to their city, state and nation.

“When we didn’t let Ms. Cathie Black speak it just represented how we felt,” said Gonzalez, a senior and member of the school leadership team. “Mr. Bloomberg had the audacity to say we are a disgrace to democracy.”

While members of the PEP did not listen to their voices, Gonzalez hoped they heard their actions.

“I just want them to hear us,” Gonzalez said. “If this is a democracy don’t have hearings because you have to. Have them because you want to listen.”

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 11 - 17, 2011

Fond Memories With the school’s future in limbo, current students are at a loss and alumni are trying to cope with a paused legacy.

Faren Lalchan, a 2005 graduate, called the dismantling of Jamaica sad and ridiculous. She questioned the validity of her high school diploma.

“It was the best four years you could ever have,” the former senior class president said. “It was a great school.”

Lalchan, 23, thought of the lost legacy she would not be able to share with her future children. What of her 10-year high school reunion? Could it still take place though the school may cease to exist?

“There is no history anymore,” she said.

Brenda Jackson-Mobley, a 1977 graduate of Jamaica, remembers her tenure at the school fondly.

“We had hands-on love,” she said.

“The love that I was shown made me the survivor I am today.”

Kenneth Suzan, a 1989 graduate and salutatorian, said though Jamaica High School had a hard-lined reputation it

was a place to excel.

“I am saddened by the fact it will cease to exist,” he said. “It’s a part of my history…an important part of my upbringing in Queens.”

going to happen to these kids,” he said.

The question was put to Chancellor Cathie Black at a town hall meeting for Community Education Council, District 25 on Feb. 8 and Vasquez said her only answer was, “we believe in choice.”

Fait Accompli Thursday was the second time the PEP voted to phase out Jamaica.

“Their minds were made up since November 2009,” Gonzalez said. At that time, the DOE unveiled plans to phase out 19 schools, which included Jamaica and Beach Channel high schools. A lawsuit filed by the UFT and NAACP foiled the proposal to phase out the schools.

Joan Lobis, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge, rendered “null and void.” the PEP vote to phase out the schools.

Neither the UFT nor the NAACP committed to legal action this time around; both organizations said they were exploring their options.

“We are going to take necessary actions to ensure that the students get a quality education,” said Leroy Gadsden, Jamaica Branch NAACP president. “The DOE is neglecting their responsibility to educate all children.”

James Vasquez, UFT Queens High School representative, said the union is “looking at all options.” He said the DOE’s decision is not based on student achievement or instruction, but “about doing what they wanted to do.”

He said the only solution DOE has offered is “closure.” For Vasquez the most troubling aspect of the proposal is what happens to special education students.

“They have no answers on what is

United, Yet Unequal Gadsden said the phase out process ensures that the “cream of the crop” is taken care of and the rest of the students are displaced and disregarded. He likened DOE’s tactics as another Tuskegee Experiment – for 40 years the U.S. Public Health Service conducted a study on 399 black men on the effects syphilis has on the body.

“We are not going to accept segregation,” he said. “The DOE is a co-conspirator of the failing school.”

State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) a vocal proponent of Jamaica High School, dubbed the phase out process racist and unfair.

“I have never seen a more blatant example of racism than what is happening in Jamaica High School, and I am sure that this is indicative of other schools facing closure throughout the City,” Avella said.

“Here you have three specialized high schools within the campus. I took a tour of two of those schools. The lowest class size was 14. They had smart boards, flat screen televisions and computers. In Jamaica High School, the class size was 34 and there were no computers, no smart boards and teachers are still writing on a blackboard.”

As of press time, DOE officials did not respond to Avella’s comments.

Even though the schools were given a stay of execution, Gonzalez said Jamaica

Our Children Deserve Better As every good educator knows, a struggling student very often needs a little extra focus, a little extra attention, and at times a somewhat different approach.

Our struggling schools are no different.

The political game the Mayor is playing with our schools needs to be brought out of the shadows into full public view.

To look inside a school that has been stepped away from by the Mayor, and the Department of Education, is to see a shameful and immoral example of blatant educational neglect.

One such example (although there are many) is Jamaica High School here in Queens. What is happening inside those walls is an example of what happens when our leaders turn their back on one of our struggling high schools and leave the children there to flounder, robbing them of some of the most valuable years of their education. Housed in this building, once home to a single Jamaica High School, there are now currently four different schools, each with its own principal, four fully staffed main offices and support systems, all of it paid for by the taxpayer.

Three of these schools exist in the 21st century, while the largest, with twelve hundred students, exists as though left behind in the 19th century. Twelve hundred students, who like so many thou-

sands throughout this city, have been abandoned, left behind in the closed off shadows of their neglected classrooms, the unwitting pawns caught up in this grandstanding game of Improving Our Schools.

It is shameful and it is wrong. These schools share the same corridors. What they do not share are the same resources.

In the three newest schools, each is given the resources to keep classrooms under 24 students, which is conducive to a solid learning environment. Each has the most modern of technology, laptops, smartboards, and in some cases plasma TV’s.

Each of these three new small schools provide afterschool and community involvement programs.

Those enrichment programs are varied, and indeed impressive.

The teachers, school leaders and most importantly, the students all feel a sense of enthusiasm, which we all know is contagious and should be applauded.

Jamaica High School, whose classrooms sit side by side these other small schools, are overcrowded, the smart boards none existent, as are the plasma TV’s, the enrichment programs, and after school tutoring.

There is a shortage of paper, scantron sheets, and all the other assorted supplies that are in abundance in the other schools that share the same roof.

High School has suffered. Since 2009, the school has lost 24 teachers and more than 20 programs and classes.

“The total atmosphere of the school is different,” he said. “It feels like the Department of Education doesn’t give two craps about the students.”

The school has lost its music and engineering programs, AP Spanish and Government, Latin American Literature, Caribbean Studies, creative writing and precalculus courses.

“It’s as if Jamaica High School don’t deserve it or don’t have the privilege,” Gonzalez said.

Throughout the phase-out process DOE officials have been adamant that current students would receive the resources necessary for a proficient education.

“We didn’t believe them last year,” said Vasquez. “We know that the DOE has failed the kids of Jamaica High School and the school community.”

Jack Zarin-Rosenfeld, DOE spokesman, said a school’s total budget is based on its population, which directly correlates to available programming and staff.

He dubbed Jamaica an “unpopular” school with a steady declining population throughout the last 10 years.

Eterno dubbed the students of Jamaica “casualties of school reform.”

“I am firmly convinced that if we had a 98 percent graduation rate and 50 percent of our kids were going to Harvard they would still find [a way to phase out Jamaica,]” he said.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at saustrie@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 123.

In struggling schools such as Jamaica High School, there is a sense among staff that they have been abandoned by the city, and a sense among the students that they were all but forgotten by those outside their classrooms.

Jamaica High School, like all schools in this situation, has the look and feel of a school that has been all but starved of the needed resources that would allow the staff and school leader to turn around what is so often pointed out as being a failing school.

Its educational air has been sucked out of its rooms.

The children in Jamaica High School are learning lessons every day, but often not the lessons they need to be taught.

They are being taught by the city that they are second and third class citizens.

This is not the lesson Department of Education, or our Mayor, should be allowed teach our children, not only in Jamaica High school, but in any of our struggling schools where we see this obvious neglect by the city. We are saying in a collective voice that there has to be a better way of addressing our school needs.

Our children, their parents, our teachers and this city deserve i0t.

Signed by the following Queens City Council members: Leroy Comrie, Elizabeth Crowley, Daniel Dromm, Julissa Ferreras, Peter Koo, Karen Koslowitz, James Sanders, Jimmy Van Bramer, Mark Weprin and Ruben Wills.

Borough Beat

Mayor Unveils Hunters Point Design

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Mayor Mike Bloomberg was on hand Wednesday to unveil the plan for the largest affordable housing development in New York City in more than 30 years – at Hunters Point South in Long Island City.

The first phase of the proposed development will include two mixed-used buildings compromising more than 900 housing units – 75 percent of which will permanently target low-, moderate- and middleincome families – and around 20,000 square feet of new retail space. The development will be constructed along the nowvacant plot of land adjacent to the Long Island City LIRR station, north of Borden Avenue and south of the Queens West development. The plot has sweeping views of Midtown and Lower Manhattan.

“At Hunters Point South, not only will we build the largest new affordable housing complex in more than three decades, we’ll do it on long-vacant waterfront property that has incredible views and sits adjacent to one of New York City’s fastest growing neighborhoods,” said Mayor Bloomberg.

The original Request For Proposals called for 60 percent of units to be affordable. The winning bid, a development team, consisting of Phipps Houses, Related Companies and Monadnock Con-

struction, decided to up will begin next month and is that number to 75 perexpected to be completed in cent. The permanently the spring of 2013. Park conaffordable units will be tarstruction will begin this sumgeted to families with mer. household incomes rangThe two residential building from $32,000 to ings, which will house the re$130,000 per year for a tail space, will begin construcfamily of four; 20 percent tion in 2012 and are expected of the units will be availto take up to 24 months to able to families earning complete. The new school, between 40 percent and which will be built by the New 80 percent of Area MeYork City Schools Construcdian Income (AMI), Looking west from the new development offers a clear view of the U.N. and tion Authority, will open in which as of 2010 was the Chrysler Building. the fall of 2013. The plan around $78,000; 20 perwould also create a vibrant cent to families earning up to 130 percent success story in this second decade of retail corridor along 50th Avenue and AMI; and 35 percent to families earning the 21st Century.”

Second Street. Last week, the NYC Ecoup to 165 percent AMI. Hunter’s Point South is the largest af- nomic Development Corp. announced it “Today, we move forward on the road fordable housing development in the would pour millions into ferry service that leads to the creation of an entirely Bloomberg Administration’s New Hous- that would connect Hunters Point South new community on the East River water- ing Marketplace Plan, and the largest in to various parts of Manhattan and Brookfront,” said Borough President Helen New York City in more than three and a lyn.

Marshall, who joined the mayor and other half decades since the Starrett City and Hunters Point South was originally officials Wednesday at the Waterfront Co-Op City developments in the early planned to be the third and fourth phases Crab House in Long Island City. “This 1970s. of the Queens West development in the community will enjoy the benefits of The first phase, to be completed in 1990s, but those plans later fell through. much-needed affordable housing, retail 2014, also includes five acres of new The site was to be part of the Olympic space and parkland, located in a unique waterfront parkland, a new 1,100-seat Village in New York City’s bid to host the setting. Major infrastructure and surface intermediate and high school, new retail 2012 Summer Olympics. improvements will complement the at- space and parking. Infrastructure work, Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at tractive housing and retail opportunities including the installation of sewers, water drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357and help to make Hunters Point South a mains, roadways, sidewalks and parking, 7400, Ext. 125.

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Feb. 11 - 17, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Use Code: SUB39 TICKETMASTER.COM t Call 800-982-2787 and at the box office

pix

Southeast Queens Photos Edited By Harley Benson

Speaker Hillary Gingold

Speaker Mark Welicky

Tracy Catapano Fox, Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court of Queens County, outlining the administrative status quo of court house foreclosure proceedings.

Home Foreclosure Conference The Queens County Bar Association held a Home Foreclosure Settlement Conferences through its Volunteer Lawyers Project, which has provided assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure through representation at court-mandated settlement conferences.

Speaker Sumani Lanka

Speaker Corry McFarland

A panoramic view of the well-attended meeting of Queens County lawyers and jurists.

Photos by Walter Karling

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 11-17, 2011

Discussing the evening's agenda: featured speakers Corry McFarland, Foreclosure Prevention Coordinator of the Queens Volunteer Lawyers Project; Mark Welicky, panel moderator and Executive Director of the QVLP; Hillary Gingold, Foreclosure Training Supervisor of the QVLP; Sumani Lanka, a staff attorney of the Legal Aid Society; and Chanwoo Lee, President of the Queens County Bar Association.

Audience members listen attentively.

Councilman Wills Listens Colors In Black William West will be one of the artists showing off his work beginning this weekend at SQPA. Especially featured will be his piece on Oprah Winfrey.

On Feb. 3, Councilman Ruben Wills attended his first Listening Tour meeting at MS 226 with the support of Principal Ruschell White and the MS 226 PTA. More than 70 parents attended the open meeting where Wills and his staff addressed city and community complaints one-on-one with constituents. The next stop on the tour is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 15, at PS 223, 125-20 Sutphin Blvd., from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

A&E

A Slice Of Queens In Grown-Up CD cheek kiss offs to Manhattan to an exploration of love, marriage and fatherhood.

“It felt kind of natural to kind of be For a borough used to melancholy artistic interpretations of its status as writing about a theme or have a continuous narrative in the new “one of those other borrecord,” Bacino said. “A oughs,” singer/songwriter couple of tunes in, I realMark Bacino has manized this is what the record aged to scrape together is supposed to be.” enough pride to take The thematic narrative Queens seriously. of the album, as well as its The Glendale native’s inherent heaviness, is a latest album, “Queens Ennoted departure for Bacino. glish,” uses our borough as Before the album, he was the backdrop for a sincere known for lighthearted pop exploration of growing up of a bygone era when soda and growing old – but not fountains and V8 engines disillusioned. were common.

“This is somewhat of a The record’s maturity, very personal record for me,” (Bacino balks at the term Bacino said. “It’s describing “concept album”) has the sort of things I went driven away some of the through for the last seven years, melded together with Glendale native Mark Bacino’s fans expecting more teenage next album “Queens En- love pleas and innocence. the outer borough life.”

Instead, “Queens EnSince the release of his glish” is inspired by the borlast record, 2003’s “Million ough he grew up and now glish” provides a tender glimpse at life for the 42Dollar Milkshake,” Bacino lives in. year-old. swapped his Manhattan There is the man’s realization he is now digs for a Middle Village home, got hitched, started a family and started up an exhausted father in “Camp Elmo” and the sentiment of wearing used threads on his own label, DreamCrush.

“Queens English” follows Bacino’s jour- your wedding day in “Blue Suit.”

The lyrics, at times more melancholy ney from the appropriately tongue-in-

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 11 - 17, 2011

BY JOSEPH OROVIC

than the music lets on, reveal a sly depth bordering on coy.

“Sometimes I wake up crying, must be tears of joy I weep/‘Cause I sit right up and count my blessings like sheep,” he sings in “Happy.”

“I think lyrically this record is probably the closest in sort of realizing that The cover art to “Queens English” includes a creative dream I’ve come,” Bacino said. picture of an iconic brick stoop.

Thankfully, that lyrical maturity has a tendency to promote our borough and downplay the other one… what’s it called via social networking sites, blogs and any other means of technology available. again? Oh right, Manhattan.

“There’s a whole bunch of other things “Make Manhattan disappear/‘Cause no one’s really from here/So give ‘em all a Bronx now to sort of reach out to your fan base cheer/Just for me…/‘Cause the butt of all their or people who might be interested in jokes/Are the wheels and the spokes…of the what you do,” he said. “Even seven years ago, none of the social media stuff was in city,” Bacino sings in “Bridge & Tunnel.”

The album’s cover art even features a play. The interaction is amped up.”

The interaction, however, has not stoop, and the back is a Mr. Softee truck.

“I like turning the idea of ‘bridge and featured much feedback from the Queenstunnel’ on its ear,” he said. “I sort of flip ites themselves.

“I hope that they identify with it, get it over, and make it a point of pride. The hard work, the living and the dying of some feeling of local pride out of it,” Bacino said. “I think they’ll also get the New York City happens here.”

The hardworking nature translates idea that, “Hey, we all are going through into Bacino’s music career as well. Ses- the same sort of things.”

You can check out more of Bacino’s sion work and jingles help pay the bills.

Gone are the days of a vinyl LP or album at markbacino.com or mixed tapes getting passed around. Now, dreamcrushmusic.com.

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at musicians and artists live and die online, full-time. And Bacino has been a hearty jorovic@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357adopter of the new norm, reaching fans 7400, Ext. 127.

A&E

With Art Or Without At Goodwin-Ternbach A retrospective of more than 70 works, organized in conjunction with Queens College’s “Year of China,” reveals the inspiration for Mansheng Wang’s serene, contemplative creations in relation to centuries-old Chinese art, which Wang interprets in a modern idiom.

The exhibit, “Art and Artlessness,” on view at the Godwin Ternbach Museum Feb. 15 to May 27, includes landscapes, botanical studies, iconic Buddhist imagery and calligraphy, as well as Wang’s ink and color works on paper and canvas. It explores the ways in which Buddhism and Chinese tradition have influenced Wang’s form and content, and shows how he transforms classical subjects and conventions into personal interpretations that intersect with Western culture.

Chinese objects from the Godwin-Ternbach Museum’s collections, chosen by Wang, will help to contextualize the artist’s sources and inspirations, as will objects from his personal collection of material related to China’s traditional arts.

Related public programs include an opening reception with a talk and exhibition walk-through with France Pepper, executive director of Shen Wei Dance Arts and former director of arts and culture programs at the China Institute; a talk and calligraphy demonstration by Mansheng Wang; and a film series on the “old” and “new” China.

For information about the exhibition and programs, call (718) 997-4747 or visit qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/ godwin_ternbach. Exhibition entry and public programs are FREE.

Restaurant Review

Fall In Love With Arturo Restaurant ARTURO’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO ADDRESS: 246-04 Jericho Tpke., Floral Park (516) 352-7418 CUISINE: Italian HOURS: Mon-Thu, 12-3 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; Friday 12-3 p.m., 5-11 p.m.; Saturday 5-11 p.m.; Sunday 3-9:30 p.m.

PARKING: Lot RESERVATIONS: Accepted CREDIT CARDS: All Major Arturo’s is meant for lovers. With apologies to her boyfriend, I was half in love with my own guest by the end of our meal. I blame the dessert.

A hidden gem across the street from our beloved borough, the feel of old fashioned luxury comes complete with gilt chandeliers, tuxedo clad waiters and formal paintings that line the walls. Soft Italian music sets the atmosphere.

Quickly seated, we are offered a basket of warm, crunchy bread and a plate of bruschetta. Not normally a tomato lover, I nonetheless loved theirs. Dripping with olive oil and tasting of basil, we requested seconds.

From the cold antipasto cart we chose the Torta Primavera, layers of red pepper, spinach, mortadella, tomato, salami and provolone with a touch of mayo.

Plated with eggplant, artichoke, roasted red pepper and zucchini, this appetizer is nearly a meal.

Delicious on its own, the eggplant complimented perfectly a forkful of primavera, with each bite highlighting a different flavor.

Arturo’s features four different kinds of homemade pasta. We tried them all.

The highlight of our meal, Fettuccini Alfredo, should always be so good it makes you moan. This did.

In the words of my guest, “I could fall in love over this pasta.”

Pappardelle Bosco, shitake, portabella and porcini mushrooms in a cream sherry sauce, had a flavor I could not identify. Although uncertain at first, by the third bite it had grown on me.

A match made in heaven, Gnocchi Bolognese brings homemade gnocchi and a thick meat sauce together.

One of their most popular dishes, the tart meat sauce grew on me. A few bites in, I was a believer.

Still, we could not stop talking about the Alfredo.

“I may name my first child fettuccini,” said my guest.

Well stuffed by this point, we powered through the shrimp scampi, the meaty flesh of which was perfectly cooked, and fall-off-the-bone tender Veal Arturo, veal in a wine sauce, topped by prosciutto and melted fontina.

Informed that we were not to leave without trying the ever-popular Zabaglione Per Due (For Two), hot marsala custard served on vanilla ice cream with strawberries, we placed our order— along with a slice of chocolate brownie cake that sounded too good to resist.

A little dish of pure happiness, the zabaglione is prepared tableside with the aid of a small hot plate.

After forcing my already full-to-brimming self with cake, I sat back and enjoyed the glow that comes from a truly great meal. Under Arturo’s spell, I vow now to return.

— Jessica Ablamsky

Feb. 11 - 17, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Faith

New Covenant Spreads Valentine Love munity. The church was born in Springfield Gardens in the home of Beatrice Tanner, with the Rev. Emory Johnson as the organizing pastor. Within a week, members of the church secured a building in South Ozone Park. In a year the members banded together to purchase the building and they started making plans for a future building. The church moved into the Queens Village community 14 years after it opened its doors.

In its more than five-decade history, New Covenant has served the community in a multitude of ways. The church has implemented ministries that encouraged both the Boy and Girl Scouts, performing arts, charm school, senior citizen food pantry and a scholarship, among other programs.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at saustrie@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

but filial and familial love will be celebrated at the event.

“It’s fun, it’s uplifting, it’s focused on Still looking for a way to impress your love this Valentine’s Day? How about a love,” said Dolores Knight, New Sweetheart Luncheon?

Covenant’s administrative assistant.

New Covenant Church of Christ is hosting its annual SweetKnight has been a member of heart Luncheon at 1 p.m. on Feb. the church for 40 years.

“I started when I was in high 12 at 206-14 100th Ave. The lunschool,” she said. The bond becheon includes dinner, play, prizes and family fun. There is a donatween her and Providence goes tion of $20 for individuals, $35 for back to the beginning of her tentwo people and children under 12 Rev. Muriel ure at the church. are free.

“Since then I have been under Providence “It is in support of our Kitchen her tutelage,” she said.

Knight credits her longtime memMinistry,” the Rev. Muriel Providence said.

“We are trying to raise money to renovate bership to “solid” leadership at the and fix our kitchen.” church.

New Covenant is ushering its 52nd Providence said the luncheon is not only for those experiencing marital love, year of service to the Queens Village comBY SASHA AUSTRIE

Word “Only barbarians are not curious about where they come from, how they came to be where they are, where they appear to be going, whether they wish to go there, and if so, why, and if not, why not.”

– Isaiah Berlin

New Covenant Church of Christ will celebrate Valentine’s Day a little early this year.

Notebook St. Kevin’s School

New Ideas Promote Science Lessons

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 11 - 17, 2011

BY JOSEPH OROVIC

Have you ever found yourself staring at your shovel, mid-lift, wondering how to spare your back?

What a pain!

Does buttering corn on the cob make your fingers a slippery mess?

Yuck!

Is your garbage can just too far away?

Well say hello to Flushing's St. Kevin School, where problems unknown and common were solved last week with the school's first ever "Invention Convention."

The grammar school brainiac session produced high quality products and some bright ideas, according to sixth-to-eighth grade teacher Barbara Graham, whose own invention was the convention itself.

The idea for the convention came from the Klutz Book of Big Inventions, which was delivered to the school for free.

"The kids got so pumped from the books and the inventions with these books," Graham said.

Graham took the message of the book to heart, and applied it on a school-wide level. She thought an "Invention Convention" in lieu of a science fair would be a welcome change of pace. She had no idea how popular the idea would become.

"I've never seen them so excited about

anything before," she said.

The students took to their assignments with particular fervor, Graham said. The goal of the assignments was to use the scientific method to develop an invention, test it and gauge the results. Kids were allowed to make a completely new prod-

uct or improve an existing one.

They were eventually graded on their adherence to the scientific method, creativity, appearance, presentation and organization.

Nursery through third grade students participated as a class, while fourth through

Students show off the design for the remote controlled trash can.

eighth graders could work solo or in groups of up to three.

The inventions themselves were of a particularly high quality.

"I was so blown away by how ingenious they were and how creative they were," Graham said.

So, to complete the pitch...

Your aching back tired of shoveling?

Try "shoe-vels," the wonderful product that lets you shovel with your feet.

Is your kid getting soaked on rainy days?

How about the umbrella backpack, keeping your hands free while you walk home.

There was also an adult variation, with a clear shower curtain wrapped around to keep your work clothes dry.

A lot of this stuff should be on the market. At least Graham would buy it.

Her particular favorite was the butter stick - a retractable stick of butter similar to a glue stick, which would allow corn on the cob lovers to keep their hands tidy for at least a little bit longer.

When you're done with this paper, have your remote trash can come to you.

Don't have one? Give it some time. The kids at St. Kevin School have you covered.

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at jorovic@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 127.

Profile

West Captures An ‘Oprah Moment’

BY SASHA AUSTRIE A spotlight shines brightly on a face that cannot be mistaken. She is renowned worldwide as an influential humanitarian, a television personality and an entertainer - and she can be summed up in one name: Oprah.

In what may have been a few fleeting moments, artist William West was able to capture the media mogul and immortalize her image on canvas.

This week, at the Southern Queens Park Association Ninth Annual Art Exhibit "Colors in Black," West will unveil one of his portraits. The exhibit will be open to the public Feb. 11-21. The painting is of Winfrey and a woman she met after the taping of her season premiere.

"It is the only painting ever done of [Winfrey] at Madison Square Garden," he said. "To me it is rare and a very grand opportunity to capture a moment of history about a person that is extremely influential."

A little more than three years ago, West, a Jamaica resident, joined the masses for the season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at Madison Square Garden.

"There were tons of women," he said.

West waited, but was turned away along with hundreds of others; the two tapings were completely booked.

As many of the crestfallen The moments of that Sepwent about their day, West tember morning will come to life hung around the arena hoping in a seven-painting collection to catch a glimpse of any notitled, "Oprah's Moment of table celebrity. With his camCompassion," though only one era slung around his neck he of the seven will be shown at stood at the back entrance of the exhibition. the Garden.

The collection is unique, "I thought about going West said, because they are the home," he said. "I was there only ones of Winfrey at the for a good hour just standing Garden and West uses his sigin the back." nature style of peinture photo West said NYPD officers giclee, a blend of photograph approached him and asked and computer design with an him for identification. He proacrylic paint finish. duced his license and his card, Though there is only one finwhich read, "William West Artished painting, West is currently ist & Chronicler of Historic in talks to debut the collection Events." at a synagogue. Anyone lookA short while later, the ing to display the collection at "suits" emerged from the back a gallery can contact West at door. Following his instincts, (718) 527-8050 or E-mail at he started taking pictures of William West stands in front of one of his Oprah-inspired pieces. historicwest54@yahoo.com. what he now dubs a historic "Oprah's Moment of Compasevent. Gayle King, Oprah's best friend and there is no other media," West said. sion" will be completed in early spring. editor-at-large for "O," Winfrey's magazine, West was out of earshot when he Including his latest work, West will emerged. snapped the tender moments between the also exhibit two other paintings titled, The talk show queen was not far behind. women and Winfrey, who then turned "Eyewitness News Comes to Brooklyn" West continued to shoot every frame. He and winked at him. When she got to her and "The Day of the Last Debate" at "Colsaid two women asked King if they could waiting car she said, "You got some great ors in Black." speak to Winfrey. He captured the moment shots."

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at He answered, "I'm going to turn them saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 357King beckoned the women forward.

"I looked to my left and my right and into paintings."

7400, Ext. 123.

Feb. 11 - 17, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 174-15 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina.

IF YOUR ORGANIZATION MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SEND ALL DATES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

ALUMNI ST. JOHN’S PREP Saturday, March 26 for the classes of 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001. 721-7200, ext. 686.

DANCE COUNTRY WESTERN Saturday, February 12 Mary Lamont performs at the Valentine’s Day Dance. Saturday, March 12 St. Patrick’s Dance. The NY Metropolitan Country Music Association. $12. Glendale Memorial Building, 72-02 Myrtle Avenue at 7:30. 7634328.

ISRAELI FOLK Mondays 7:30-10:00 at Hillcrest Jewish Center, 18202 Union Turnpike. $10 session. 380-4145.

LINE DANCING Mondays 6:30-9:30 at Kowalinski Post 4, 61-57 Maspeth Avenue. $7. Cake and coffee. 565-2259.

FLEA MARKETS THRIFT SHOPS Saturdays 11-4 at Bargain Boutique Thrift Shop, Queens Baptist Church, 9323 217 th Street, Queens Village.465-2504.

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 11 - 17, 2011

THEATER INDEPENDENCE Fridays and Saturdays, February 25, 26, March 4, 5 at 8 and Sunday, February 27 and Saturday, March 5 at 2. The Douglaston Commun i t y T h e a t re p re s e n t s t h e drama “Independence” at the Zion Episcopal Church in Douglaston. $15. 4823332 reservations.

OTHELLO March 4-12 at Queensborough Community College. 631-6284. $10, seniors $5, facult y and students $3.

IN ARABIA May 6-13 “In Arabia We’d All Be Kings” by Stephen Adly Guirgis at Queensborough Communit y College.

631-6284. $10, seniors $4, facult y and students $3.

KILLING KOMPANY The Killing Company performs mystery dinner shows.

1-888-SHOOT-EM for information.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS AWARENESS One-on-one discussion on Awareness Building (Get Back to Work ASAP) with the C Network in Forest Hills.

263-3501.

CRAFT CLASSES Saturdays 11-3 at Maria Rose International Doll Museum in St. Albans. 2763454.

POETS Saturdays, February 12, 26 the Fresh Meadows Poets meet to discuss and critique their work at 10 at the Forest Hills library.

INTERACT WITH ART Saturdays, February 12, 19, 26 Interact with Art: Create, Lecture, Trip at the Flushing library. Register.

SIGN LANGUAGE Saturday, February 12 at Alley Pond Environmental Center for all ages. 229-4000 to register.

US CITIZENSHIP Saturday, February 12 Pathway to US Citizenship at 2:30 at the Jackson Heights library.

SCRABBLE CLUB Saturdays at 10 at Count Basie Jr. HS, 132 nd Street and Guy R. Brewer Blvd. 8865236.

PET OWNERS Sundays (not on holidays) from 1-4 free workshops on pet behavior at Crocheron Park in Bayside (weather permitting). 454-5800.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at the Douglaston/ Little Neck library at 4.

DRAWING CLASS Mondays at the National Art League in Douglaston. 3610628.

ADULT CHESS Mondays and Thursdays at the Queens Village library at 5:30.

BEGIN ENGLISH Mondays and Wednesdays free Beginners English Classes 10-11:30 at the Pomonok Senior Center, 6709 Kissena Blvd., Flushing.

591-3377.

BALLROOM DANCE Monday, February 14 Standard Ballroom Dance and Waltz Class at the Flushing library. Register.

BALLROOM DANCE Mondays, February 14, 28 Ballroom Dancing with Jing Chen at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesdays, Februar y 15, 22 at the Arverne library at 10.

WATERCOLOR 101 Tuesday, February 15 at the Hillcrest library. Register.

POETRY WRITING Tu e s d a y s , F e b r u a r y 1 5 , March 15, April 19 Poetry Writing workshop at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows at 7:30.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesdays at the Sunnyside library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays at the Windsor Park library at 2.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tuesdays at the East Flushing library at 3:30.

GET YOUR YARNS OUT! Tuesdays after evening Minyan at 8, knitters, crochet-

ers, needlepointers, and others meet at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 200.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE Wednesdays 10:30-3:00 at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills. $12 session, includes light lunch. 261-2900.

WATERCOLOR CL ASS Wednesdays at 9:30 at NAL. Traditional and contemporary, all levels. 969-1128.

INDOOR SOCCER – DADS Wednesday evenings at the Forest Hills Jewish Center.

263-7000.

ZUMBA Wednesday, February 16 Latin Dance Fitness program for adults at the Briarwood library. Register.

QUILTING CLASSES Thursdays 10-2 at the Maria Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans. 276-3454 or 917817-8653 to register.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays at the East Flushing library. Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Thursdays at the Queensboro Hill library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Thursdays at the Fresh Meadows library at 6.

KNITTING CLUB Fridays at the Maspeth library at 10.

KNIT & CROCHET Fridays at the Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

SCRABBLE Fridays Bananagrams and Scrabble at the Windsor Park library at 2:30.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturday, February 19 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital. 646436-7940.

BOATING SAFELY Sunday, February 20 the About Boating Safely class will be taught by qualified US Coast Guard Auxiliary instructors from Flotilla 12-01 at Fort Totten, Bayside. 917952-7014 to register.

RELIGIOUS REFORM TEMPLE Friday, February 11 Father Jean-Pierre M. Ruiz in a dialogue with Rabbi Perelmuter at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112 th Street during the Shabbat service at 8. 261-2900.

WOMEN IN JUDAISM Sunday, February 13 Women in Judaism at the Rego Park Jewish Center at 12:30 features Cynthia Zalisky with a discussion on the novel “ The Red Tent.” $10. Reservations 459-1000.

REGO PARK Saturday, February 19 Parashat and Haftarat Club at the Rego Park Jewish Center at 12:30. 97-30 Queens Blvd., Rego Park. 459-1000.

CULTURAL JUDAISM Saturday, February 19 at 2 the Queens communit y for Cultural Judaism will present a DVD of Rabbi Sherwin Wine at the Unitarian Congregation of Queens, 149 th Street and Ash Avenue, Flushing. $5 includes dessert and coffee. 380-5362.

ENTERTAINMENT LIONS CLUB Friday, February 11 the Lions Club of Ravenswood will host a free event from 7-9 at the Variet y Boys and Girls Club of Queens, 21-12 30th Road. Find out how the Lions benefit thousands and see and hear from those helped locally. Door prizes, entertainment, light refreshments.

OLDIES DANCE-ORLEANS Saturday, February 12 St. Francis Prep Fathers’ Guild presents the 70s band Orleans (“Still the One”) with contests, dj, food and more. $35. 423-8810, ext. 324.

LANGSTON HUGHES Saturday, February 12 annual Langston Hughes celebration starting at 11 at the L a n g s to n H u g h e s l i b r a r y.

11am – film screenings of “Langston Hughes Working Toward Salvation.” Noon author talk with Sharifa RhodesPitts. 1pm “Langston’s Simple Stories.” 2:30pm lecture “The Relevance of Langston Hughes in the 21st Century.” 3:30pm Music for the Soul for Jah Makin’ F u n k y. 4 : 3 0 Po e t r y o f Langston Hughes. 6:30pm Jazzin’ in the Key of Langston with Goussy Celestin Ensemble.

CHINESE NEW YEAR Saturday, February 12 starting at noon at the Flushing library.

KRIK KRAK Saturday, February 12 at the Cambria Heights library at 3.

ASTRONOMY Saturday, February 12 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register.

CLASSICS FOR KIDS Sunday, February 13 Classic Hits for Kids: Percussion at LeFrak Concert Hall, 3pm. $12. 793-8080.

MADELINE Sunday, February 13 “Madeline and the Bad Hat” at Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064.

OPEN MIC Sunday, February 13 at the Central library at 2.

FILM SCREENING Monday, February 14 “The Drummer” will be shown at the Fresh Meadows library at 2.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Monday, February 14 at the South Jamaica library at 6.

OPEN MIC POETRY Mondays, February 14, March 14 at 7:30 at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows.

MOVIE & TALK Mondays the Friends of Pomonok present a movie and discussion. Bring lunch.

1 at the Pomonok library.

BINGO Tuesdays at 7:15 at American Mart yrs Church, church basement, 216-01 Union Tu r n p i k e , B a y s i d e . 4 6 4 4 5 8 2 . Tu e s d ay s at 7:15 (doors open 6) at the Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd. 459-1000.$3 admission includes 12 games.

JONATHAN FRANZEN Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 6

Jonathan Franzen reads at the Music Building at Queens College at 7. $20 at the door.

LIVE JAZZ Fridays through December 13 at 180-25 Linden Blvd.., St. Albans. 347-262-1169 ticket information.

INKSPOTS Saturday, February 19 Bill Godwin’s Ink Spots: A Concert of Hits That Span the Decades at the Central library at 2.

TANGO BUENOS AIRES Sunday, February 20 at Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

OPEN MIC Thursday, February 24 at the East Elmhurst library at 6.

PHAT LITERATURE Saturday, February 26 starting at 10 at the Langston Hughes library.

CHARLES MOORE Saturday, February 26 Charles Moore Dance Theater: Across the African

Diaspora at the Flushing library at 2.

SATCHMO Saturday, February 26 at 1 and 3 Louis Armstrong & Race will be explored at the Louis Armstrong House. 4788274 reservations.

STAMP SHOW Sundays, February 27, March 27 at the Ramada Inn, 220-33 Northern Blvd., Bayside. Free. 10-4:30.

MOVIE BASED ON BOOK Friday, March 4 “The Painted Veil.” Friday, April 1 “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Watch a movie based on a book at 2 at the Flushing library.

GERI ALLEN Saturday, March 5 at York College at 7. $20, $10 students and seniors. 262-3750.

INCREDIBLE ACROBATS Saturday, March 6 Incredible Acrobats of China perform at the Kupferberg Center at Queens College. $18, $12 children 12 and under.

793-8080.

HEALTH CAREGIVER SUPPORT Queens Communit y House at 268-5960, ext. 226. Counseling, support groups, education, respite services, referral services, more.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 7 days a week. 932-6244.

WAITANKUNG Sundays at 2. Waitankung is a great total-body workout.

Join these ancient Chinese exercise classes in the Flushing Hospital/Medical Center auditorium on 45 th Avenue between Parsons and Burling. Free. Jimmy 7-10pm 347-2156 information.

NICOTINE ANONYMOUS Mondays 6:45-8:00 at the Center for Tobacco Control, 2 2 5 C o m m u n i t y D r i ve , Great Neck. 516-510-7826.

TAI CHI Mondays and Thursdays at 11 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows.

670-1695. $5 a class.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT E ve r y Tu e s d a y We ste r n Queens Caregiver Network in Sunnyside. 5:30-6:30.

784-6173, ext. 431.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT Every Tuesday 3:30-4:30 at the Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, 208-11 26 th Avenue, Bayside. 631-1886.

ZUMBA Wednesdays the Sisterhood of Bay Terrace Jewish Cent e r , 1 3 - 0 0 2 0 9 th S t r e e t , bayside, will hold Zumba Fitness classes from 7:30-8:30. $8 members, $10 others.

428-6363.

YOGA Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 6701695. $10 class.

OA Thursdays at the Howard Beach library at 10:30.

OA Fridays 6:30-8:30 at Unit y Center of Flushing, 42-11 1 5 5 th S t r e e t . S a t u r d a y s 10:30-noon at Resurrection Ascension, Feely Hall, 85-18

61 st Road, Rego Park. Beginners meeting except the last Friday of each month, which is a writing meeting.

CO-DEPENDENTS ANON. Fridays 10-11:45 at Resurrection Ascension Pastoral C e n t e r , 8 5 - 1 8 6 1 st R o a d , Rego Park. Women only.

ALZHEIMERS Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 2 , Caregiver Support in Forest Hills. 592-5757, ext. 237.

TALKS WOMEN IN JUDAISM Sunday, February 13 Women in Judaism at the Rego Park Jewish Center at 12:30 features Cynthia Zalisky with a discussion on the novel “ The Red Tent.” $10. Reservations 459-1000.

NOGUCHI MUSEUM Sunday, February 13 “Woodstock Artists’ Colony.”

Sunday, March 13 “American Muralists in Mexico in the 1930s.” Sunday, April 10 “INTERsections.” Sunday, May 8 “Best of Friends.” Noguchi Museum, 32-37 Vernon Blvd., LIC. $10 admission. 204-7088.

LIC BOOK CLUB Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 5 “Piece of Cake” will be discussed at 10 at the LIC library.

SASANIAN BABYLONIA Tuesday, February 15 Sasanian Babylonia: Backdrop to the Talmud will be discussed at 1:30 at the Kew Gardens Hills library.

GEORGE WASHINGTON Saturday, February 19 “George Washington’s Long Island Spy Ring” will be discussed at 10 at the Poppenhusen Institute in College Point. 358-0067 to register.

PARANORMAL Saturday, February 19 the Paranormal/Mystery Book Club meets at the LIC library at 3:30.

Queens Today YOUTH

MEETINGS Sundays, February 20, March 20 PFLAG, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays, meet in Forest Hills.

271-6663.

FRIENDS OF RH Thursday, February 24 Friends of the Library meet at 6:15 at the Richmond Hill library.

LA LECHE LEAGUE Thursday, February 24 at the Forest Hills library at 5:30.

ADVANCED TOASTMASTER Thursdays, February 24, March 17, 31 learn the art and science of public speaking in Queens. 525-6830.

ST. ALBANS CIVIC Sundays, February 27, March 27 St. Albans Civic Improvement Association meets at St. Albans Lutheran C h u r c h , 2 0 0 th S t r e e t a n d 1 9 9 th A v e n u e in the undercroft at 1:30.

JEWISH VETS Sundays, February 27, March 27 Jewish War Veterans of the USA Lipsky/Blum Post meet at the Garden Jewish Center. 463-4742.

JEWISH WOMEN Sunday, February 27 the National Council of Jewish Women will meet at the Palace Diner in Flushing. Free vouchers for a Queens College concert available. 3439029.

SENIORS COMPUTER CLASSES The Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal-Prince Street Senior Center in Flushing is offering a series of computer classes. 445-3864 for information.

TAI CHI CLASSES Mondays at 9 at the Pomonok Senior Center, 6709 Kissena Blvd, Flushing.

591-3377.

CLEARVIEW Monday, February 14 Music Appreciation at 12:45.

Friday, February 18 Current Events at 12:45. Thursday, February 24 shopping trip to Trader Joe’s at 9:30 and “Foods That Help Your Digestion” at 10:15. Friday, February 25 “Up in the Air” movie at 12:45. Monday, February 28 Music Appreciation at 12:45. Clearview Senior Center, 208-11 26 th Avenue, Bayside. 224-7888.

SENIOR SINGLES Monday, February 14 Senior Singles of the National Council of Jewish Women will hold a current events discussion. 343-9029.

CAREGIVERS Ever y Tuesday Caregivers Support group at 3:30-4:30 at the Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, 208-11 26 th Avenue, Bayside. 631-1886.

STARS Wednesdays, February 16, 23 at 10:30 at the Hollis library and Fridays, February 18, 25 at 10:30 at the Queens Village library. Senior Theater Acting Repertory meets.

STAY WELL Wednesdays at 10:15 at the East Elmhurst library for exercise and other health related programs.

WOMANSPACE Wednesdays Womanspace, a discussion group devoted to issues concerning women, meets 1-3 at the Great Neck Senior Center, 80 Grace Avenue. New members welcome.

AARP 4977 Wednesdays, February 16, March 16 the Corona/E. Elmhurst AARP 4977 meets at 1:30 at Corona Congregational Church hall, 102-18 34th avenue. 458-7429.

FREE LUNCH Saturdays, February 19,

March 19 at All Saints Church in Richmond Hill.

849-2352 reservations.

FREE LUNCH Saturdays, February 26, March 26 at Church of the Resurrection in Kew Gardens. 847-2649 reservations.

AARP 3654 Tuesdays, March 1, April 5, May 3 AARP chapter 3654 meets in Bayside. 423-4237.

AARP 4158 Tuesdays, March 8, April 12 AARP Chapter 4158 meets at Church on the Hill, 16707 35 th Avenue, Flushing at noon.

AARP 29 Thursday, March 10 AARP Chapter 29 meets at Grace House, 155-02 90 th Avenue, Jamaica at noon.

PARENTS OPEN HOUSE Sunday, February 13 Temple Tikvah’s Early Childhood Education Program will host an Open House from 11-12:30 at 3315 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park.

OPEN HOUSES Tuesday, Februar y 15 at 6 and Tuesday, March 15 at 9 at the Renaissance Charter School. 803-0060, ext.

106

MISCELLANEOUS FREE TAX PREP Saturdays, February 12, 19, 26 at the Langston Hughes library at 11. 651-1100.

SINGLES SINGLES SOCIAL & DANCE Sundays, February 13, 27 singles social and dance from 2-6. $10. Over 45. Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Q u een s B l v d . , R eg o P a r k .

459-1000.

SINGLES 35+ Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 5 Havurat Yisrael Singles 35+ w i l l h o l d Te q u i l a a n d Mariachi, Mexican Food.

Rabbi Algaze will speak on “Marriage! Do We Really Need It?” $20, $25 at the door. 261-5500.

QUEENS LIBRARIES Many branches of the Queensborough Library offer toddler and pre-school programs. Contact your local branch for dates.

KIDS’ THEATER Through Saturday, April 9 LaMicro Children’s Theater Workshop at the Sunnyside library. Register.

LANGSTON HUGHES DAY Saturday, February 12 at the Langston Hughes library starting at 11. See “Entertainment” for full listing.

CHINESE NEW YEAR Saturday, February 12 at the Flushing library starting at noon.

KRIK KRAK Saturday, February 12 at the Cambria Heights library at 3.

TEEN TUTORING Saturdays, February 12, 19, 26 at the Bayside library at 10.

ART FOR FAMIIES Saturdays, February 12, March 5, April 23 for families with children 5-11 at the Noguchi Museum. 204-7088 to register.

MATH HELP Saturdays at the Flushing library at 10.

SCIENCE LAB Saturdays, February 12, 19, 26 at the Central library at 11.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

S TORY TIMES Saturdays at 11 and Tuesdays at 10:30 weekly story times at 7 at Barnes & Noble, 1 7 6 - 6 0 Un i o n Tu r n p i k e , Fresh Meadows.

STORY OF MITTEN Saturday, February 12 for those 5-6 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 2294000.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at 4 at the Douglaston/Little Neck lib ra r y. B r i n g n e e d l e s a n d yarn.

TEEN TUTORING Mondays, February 14, 28 at the Bayside library at 3:30.

HOMEWORK HELP Weekdays at the Lefrak Cit y library at 3. Call 592-7677 to confirm.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Monday, February 14 at the South Jamaica library at 6.

AFR. AMER. DANCE Tuesday, February 15 at the South Jamaica library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, February 15, 22 at 3:30 at the Hillcrest library.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Tuesdays, February 15, 22 at the Baisley Park library.

Register.

CHESS Wednesdays at the Queens Village library at 3:30.

ORIGAMI FUN Wednesday, February 16 at t h e W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

AFR. AMER. DANCE Thursday, February 17 at the Rochdale Village library at 3:30.

AFR. AMER. CRAFTS Thursday, February 17 at the Hillcrest library at 4:30.

ARTS & CRAFTS Thursdays, February 17, 24

at the Auburndale library.

AFTERSCHOOL TIME Thursdays, February 17, 24 at 3 at the Arverne library.

NUTRITION WORKSHOP Thursdays, February 17, 24 at the Cambria Heights library. Register.

CHESS CLUB Fridays at the Poppenhusen library at 3:30.

GAME DAY Fridays at 3:30 at the Queens Village library.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Fridays at the Hillcrest library at 4.

GAME TIME Fridays at the Windsor Park library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays at the Douglaston/ Little Neck library. Register.

BOOK BUDDIES Friday, February 18 at the Bayside library at 4.

ANIMAL CARE TRAINEE Saturday, February 19 for those 8-12 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 2294000.

ART FOR TOTS Saturdays, February 19, March 19, April 16, Sundays, February 27, March 27, April 10 Art for Tots 2-4 at the Noguchi Museum.

204-7088.

ART FOR FAMILIES Sundays, February 20, March 13, 20 for families with children 5-11 at the Noguchi Museum. 2047088.

RECESS – POPPENHUSEN

Monday and Tuesday, February 21, 22 “Let Your Fingers Do The Walking,” an introduction to Sign Language through storytelling.

Wednesday, February 23 “Crafting a Collage.” Friday, February 25 “Freedom Quilts by the LI Children’s Museum.” Register 3580067. Poppenhusen Institute in College Point.

AFR. AMER. SONGS Wednesday, February 23 at the Central library at 2.

ORIGAMI FUN Wednesday, February 23 at the East Flushing library. Register.

AFR. AMER. DANCE Wednesday, February 23 at the Laurelton library at 4.

ORIGAMI FUN Thursday, February 24 at the Steinway library. Register.

BOOK TALK Thursday, February 24 at the Poppenhusen library at 3:30.

TALENT SHOW Friday, February 25 at the East Elmhurst library. Register.

PHAT LITERATURE Saturday, February 26 at the Langston Hughes library starting at 10.

PJ STORY TIME Monday, February 28 at the Pomonok library at 7.

AFTERSCHOOL TIME Monday, February 28 at the Arverne library for those 7 and over.

TEENS CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

TEEN TUTORING Saturdays, February 12, 19, 26 at the Bayside library at 10.

LANGSTON HUGHES Saturday, February 12 annual Langston Hughes Day Celebration starting at 11 at the Langston Hughes library.

CHINESE NEW YEAR Saturday, February 12 starting at noon at the Flushing library.

KRIK KRAK Saturday, February 12 at the Cambria Heights library at 3.

OPEN MIC Sunday, February 13 at 2 at the Central library.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at the Douglaston/ Little Neck library at 4.

TEEN TUTORING Mondays, February 14, 28 at the Bayside library at 3:30.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Monday, February 14 at the South Jamaica library at 6.

LAPTOPS Monday, February 14 at the Hollis library at 4:30.

TEEN CHESS CLUB Mondays, February 14, 28 at the Bayside library at 6.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, February 15, 22 at the Hillcrest library at 3:30.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Tuesdays, February 15, 22 at the Baisley Park library.

Register.

LAPTOPS Tuesday, February 15 learn how to use a laptop at 4:30 at the Hollis library.

LAPTOPS Wednesday, February 16 learn how to use a laptop at 4:30 at the Hollis library.

CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 at the Queens Village library.

DRAMA POSSE Thursdays, February 17, 24 at the Hillcrest library at 3.

LAPTOPS Thursdays, February 17, 24 learn how to use a laptop at 4:30 at the Hollis library.

HAPPY HOUR Fridays, February 18, 25 at the Flushing library at 3.

GAME PLAYERS Fridays at the Hillcrest library at 2.

BOOK BUDDIES Friday, February 18 at the Bayside library at 4.

TEEN TUESDAY Tuesday, February 22 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

TALENT SHOW Friday, February 25 at the East Elmhurst library. Register.

PHAT LITERATURE Saturday, February 26 at the Langston Hughes library at 10.

DANCE THEATER Saturday, February 26 Charles Moore Dance Theater: Across the African Diaspora at 2 at the Flushing library.

Feb. 11 - 17, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

BEREAVEMENT New bereavement group forming at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 223 for information.

BELLA ITALIA MIA Sundays, February 13, March 20, April 10 Bella Italia Mia will meet.4574816.

CATHOLIC VETS Mondays, February 14, March 14 American Martyrs Catholic War Veterans Post 1772 meets in Bayside. 4689351.

VFW 4787 Mondays, February 14, 28, March 14, 28 Whitestone V F W C o m m u n i t y Po s t meets. 746-0540.

POMONOK Monday, February 14 Friends of Pomonok meet at 1 at the library.

CATHOLIC VETS Mondays, February 14, March 14, April 11 American Mart yrs Catholic War Veterans Post 1771 meets in Bayside. 468-9351.

AMERICAN LEGION Mondays, February 14, March 14, April 11 American Legion Post 510 meets at St. Robert Bellamine in Bayside Hills. 428-2895.

FRESH MEADOW CAMERA Tuesdays the Fresh Meadows Camera Club meets.

917-612-3463.

BEREAVEMENT Tuesday, Februar y 15 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family Catholic Church, 175-20 174 th Street, Fresh Meadows t 7:30. 969-2448.

AMERICAN LEGION Tu e s d a y s , F e b r u a r y 1 5 , March 1, 15 Edward McKee Post 131 meets in Whitestone. 767-4323.

AUBURNDALE Tu e s d a y s , F e b r u a r y 1 5 , March 15 the Auburndale Improvement Association meets at St. Kevin’s Church, 4 5 - 2 1 1 9 4 th S t r e e t . E n t e r through parking lot. Meet neighbors and address communit y concerns.

FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesdays, February 16, March 2, 16, 30 F l u s h i n g Camera Club meets at Flushing Hospital at 7:15. 4790643.

TOASTMASTERS Wednesdays, February 16, March 2, 16 learn the art of public speaking at the Voices o f Ro c h d a l e To a st m a ste r s Club in Jamaica. 978-0732.

KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS Wednesdays, February 16, March 2, 16 Queensview Lodge 433 meets in Whitestone. 917-754-3093.

WOMANSPACE Wednesdays Womanspace, a discussion group devoted to issues concerning women, meets 1-3 at the Great Neck Senior Center, 80 Grace Avenue. New members welcome.

QUEENS CENTRAL ROTARY Thursdays 6:30-8:30 Come learn if Rotary is for you.

465-2914.

WOMAN’S GROUP Fridays the Woman’s Group of Jamaica Estates meets at noon. Call 461-3193 for information.

P-FLAG

People The following local residents are among 1,507 students from SUNY Oneonta who earned Dean’s List honors for the fall 2010 semester.

Charlotte Barrett, a resident of Bayside; Katherine O’Brien, a resident of Bayside; Cynthia Restrepo, a resident of College Point; Stacey Castillo, a resident of Corona; Curtis Walker, a resident of Corona; Justin Greene, a resident of Douglaston; Nickeema Cox, a resident of Far Rockaway; Joseph Prio, a resident of Flushing; Joshua Slifkin, a resident of Flushing; Alyssa Bryant, a resident of Fresh Meadows; Gia Nigoghossian, a resident of Fresh Meadows; Michael Hodgins, a resident of Glendale; Dana Weingart, a resident of Oakland Gardens; Monica Feldman, a resident of Rego Park; Katherine Lawrence, a resident of Rockaway Beach; Corina Tolamaa, a resident of Rockaway Park; Tiffany Squire, a resident of Rosedale; Jennifer Sanders, a resident of St. Albans; Andrew Tejada, a resident of Springfield Gardens; Angela Amedeo, a resident of Whitestone; Danielle Davaros, a resident of Whitestone; and Jose Confesor, a resident of Woodside.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced her nominations of three outstanding Queens residents to the nation’s leading service institutions – the United States Military and Naval Academies. A selection committee formed by Senator Gillibrand chose the nominees from a large group of

qualified applicants. Decisions were based on a criteria including academic record, leadership potential and overall achievement. Final acceptance is determined solely by the service academies.

“Our service academies are distinguished by a devotion to honor, courage and commitment,” Gillibrand said. “I am honored to nominate these young, talented New Yorkers who exemplify these core values. It is my hope that these accomplished nominees have the chance to live their dreams and serve in our country’s armed forces with distinction.”

Lauren Ng of Flushing was nominated to United States Military Academy at West Point. Lauren, 17, a senior at Stuyvesant High School, competes on the varsity swim team and serves as Vice President of the Badminton Club. She is also an accomplished violinist who plays with Interschool Orchestras of New York. A National Honor Society member and participant in the Columbia University Science Honors Program, Lauren has earned a letter of acceptance from the U.S. Military Academy.

Andrew N. Paige of Jamaica was nominated to the United States Naval Academy. A black belt in Shotokan karate, Andrew, 17, teaches karate on Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park, Queens and has been practicing Shotokan and Kyokushin karate for more than a decade. For the past three years, Andrew was awarded full scholarships to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene, Brook-

lyn. He is currently Vice President of the National Honor Society and helped create a student mentoring program for the freshmen class. Andrew also serves as Vice President of his school’s student government. The U.S. Naval Academy assured Andrew a seat in July pending a completed application by March.

Kenneth R. Sumsky of Middle Village was nominated to the United States Military Academy at West Point. A senior at Xavier High School, Kenneth, 17 plays on the varsity baseball team, mentors through the Big Brothers program, and is a member of the Honor Society. Kenneth has earned the rank of 1st Lieutenant at Xavier’s competitive Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC). Kenneth currently awaits a decision from the U.S. Military Academy.

The following students are participating in St. Lawrence University’s International Study Program for the spring 2011 semester.

Richard Bohan, of Maspeth; Bohan, a Sophomore at St. Lawrence, is studying in England. He is majoring in English.

Bohan graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood.

Jennifer I. Nweji, of Jamaica; Nweji, a Junior at St. Lawrence, is studying in England. SLU Objection! is among the activities that Nweji has participated in on campus. She is majoring in Global Studies. Nweji graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood.

Natasha A. Bennett, of Jamaica;

Bennett, a Junior at St. Lawrence, is studying in Trinadad. Black Student Union, Hispanic Society, and Student Judiciary Board are among the activities that Bennett has participated in on campus.

She is majoring in Government with a minor in Caribbean Latin Am Stud.

Bennett graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in Queens Village.

The following local residents were among the 278 students who graduated from SUNY Oneonta following the fall 2010 semester. Graduates were honored at a December recognition ceremony hosted by College President Nancy Kleniewski and held in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House. They also are eligible to participate in the college’s commencement on May 21.

Lawrence Meyers of Forest Hills earned a BS degree in Communication Studies; Tenika Isaacs of Jamaica earned a BS degree in Mass Communications; Samantha Cunningham of Little Neck earned a BS degree in Communication Studies; Jennifer Sanders of St. Albans earned a BS degree in Sociology; and John Small of St. Albans earned a BS degree in Business Economics.

Tell The PRESS

Send notices of graduation, awards, anniversaries, engagements and honors to: PRESS of Southeast Queens,150-50 14th Rd.,Whittestone, NY 111357 All announcements will be considered for publication without fee.

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Models Of Queens

Watchin' Steph “Ever since I was a little girl my two sisters and I always loved the camera,” Stephanie said. “We were in beauty pageants.’

But Steph and her family moved to Tampa, the modeling was on hold and she was miserable.

“I love Queens; I live in Bayside, which gets kinda boring, but I would never trade Queens to go back to Tampa.”

A senior at Bayside High School, Steph is thoroughly enjoying being back in town, hanging out at Cherry Valley in Whitestone and walking the Franny Lew drag in good weather.

And she’s taking a stab at modeling, “When I moved back to New York I signed up for Model Mayhem and just started doing it,” Steph said.

It might not be a career that I want to do forever – maybe until my mid 20s – but it’s really good experience.”

Steph sees herself as a medical technician or nurse some day, and is looking forward to going to college in the fall, which would be a first for her family.

“I find out about school in a week or two,” she said.

“I might stay around for a while,” but she really has her eye set on Penn State. “I really don’t think my mom wants me to leave yet.”

Say what you will about Steph, but for a girl who’s got an idea of her future, she’s doing all right. Just don’t mention tomatoes to her.

“They are my worst fear,” she said. “I hate them.”

Stephanie Home: Bayside Age: 18 Height: 5’ 2" Weight: 90 lbs Stats: 34-23-32

Face Time Science Fiction and reality have been inching closer to one another for years. After all, the communicator, phasers and cloaking technology that started as science fiction in “Star Trek” have all become reality.

Unfortunately, now we’re talking about reality TV, and instead of Science Fiction, its SyFy, the Science Fiction channel.

In the network’s premiere reality show, “Face Off,” special effects artists – specifically those who deal with creating alien faces – are… well… facing off against one another for a $100,000 prize and a chance to be loved by “Dr. Who” and “Battlestar Galactica” fans everywhere.

Anthony Pepe, a 35-year-old from Queens, is one of the dozen contestants and was able to make it past the first round.

Adrien Sings To Stella Sundays, as the commercials that provided the real entertainment between football plays were beamed into the brains of millions of beer-loving consumers, an offbrand put out by Anheuser-Busch made a local star even more famous.

Oscar winner Adrien Brody, who hails from Woodhaven, sang for his supper in a commercial for Stella Artois, taking on the look and allure of a 1960s lounge singer.

The ladies swooned, but they were not the object of his affection. He was more interested in the bubbly blonde named Stella.

“It pushed me past my own comfort lines with singing, because I’ve never done that before,” Brody said. “That was very exciting.”

Hey Brody, if you’re as into the beer as you were into Halle Berry when you picked up your Oscar, we might give this brew a try.

I (Heart) New York’s CityStore Quick, somebody buy a Love Lotto ticket before the City shuts down a firehouse!

To shore up empty coffers, CityStore, New York City’s official store, is selling Valentine’s Day themed swag, featuring must have items like Sweetie and Hubby Stats (never forget a bra size Love Lotto tickets might get you a or anniversary again), To- romantic night at the $9.95 price tag but gether Forever Toasting don’t expect to win big money – it’s not part of the New York Lottery.

Flutes (the couple that imbibes together thrives together?) and a Love Always Paperweight (because nothing says ‘I love you’ like desk accessories).

Husbands, beware of the “Do You Know Your Wife” quiz book.

What you don’t know may get you in trouble.

Mets great Mike Piazza will Go: www.nyc.gov/citystore address all of the mysteries and

Mike Tells All

Anthony Pepe works on a project for the SyFy Channel’s “Face Off.”

That’s The Ticket!

Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 11 - 17, 2011

Adrien Brody sings to his true love.

Hey you, yes, you with the pen and summons pad in hand.

Make sure that is a legitimate ticket because if not, Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (DJackson Heights) is hoping to make the City pay.

DenDekker is working on legislation that would fine all municipalities – including NYC – $100 for doling out an erroneous parking ticket.

DenDekker got the idea after his 74-year-old mother reHey, you writing the ticket. You’d ceived a summons for violatbetter be right if Mike DenDekker ing alternate-side of the street gets his way. Photo by Ira Cohen parking. Allegedly, she received the ticket on a Thursday, even though the regulation is in effect on Friday. She sent the Department of Finance pictures of the sign and a copy of the ticket only to be told to send more pictures of the street sign.

Though the legislation came out of his mother’s fight with the City, we here say thank you, Assemblyman.

Now what can we do about those broken meters?

Confidentially, New York . . .

rumors that surrounded his baseball career in a memoir.

The undoubtedly greatest offensive catcher of all time has reportedly promised to keep all subjects on the table – from his turbulent exit out of L.A. to his stint at Shea Stadium – while also finally addressing the steroid rumors that quietly dogged his statistics.

We’re hoping the 42-year-old doesn’t forget three other very important issues: 1) How hard is it to throw from home plate to second base?

2) How can one hit a career .300 average and 400 homeruns without once stepping into his swing?

3) How to stop a Roger Clemens fastball with your head?

What’s Up SATURDAY, FEB. 12 Youth & Tennis The Youth and Tennis group meets every Saturday morning at Roy Wilkins Park Saturday. To learn more, call Bill Briggs at (718) 658-6728.

York Vs. City College Be there when the Lady Cardinals face off against the ladies from City College, from 1-3 p.m. at the York College Gymnasium, 160-02 Liberty Ave. Stick around for the men’s game against City College, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, FEB. 13 Open Mic For Poets Featured Reader, Pete Vanderberg served as an officer in the US Navy from 1999 - 2003 and earned an MFA from Queens College, CUNY. His work has appeared in “The New York Times,” “Hunger Mountain,” “Four and Twenty” and other journals. He is currently a high school teacher in Astoria. Program in partnership with Queens College.

The event will be held at 2 p.m. at the Queensborough Public Library, Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd.

own email account. Preregistration required in person at Cyber Center Desk.

Must possess basic mouse and keyboarding skills. Class runs from 6-7:30 p.m.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. at the Queensborough Public Library, Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd.

Job Club Every Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Jamaica Neighborhood Center offers a free service to assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007.

For additional information, contact Lenin Gross, Job Coach, at (718) 739-2060, Ext. 18 or lgrossjnc@yahoo.com.

This free event will be held at the Jamaica Neighborhood Center - 161-06 89th Ave.

Camera Club The Southeast Queens Camera Club welcomes photographers, beginners to advanced. Meetings are held the second, third and fourth Tuesday every month at 7:30 p.m. at Roy Wilkins Family Life Center, 177-01 Baisley Blvd.

MONDAY, FEB. 14 Big Band Loves You!

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 16 Lunch In Church

Celebrate Valentine’s Day Cardinal Style! The York College Big Band will be playing love songs in the Performing Arts Center Lobby. Dance and have fun after class or work as the York College Big Band plays some of your favorite love tunes.

The event will be held 5-7 p.m. at the York College Performing Arts Center, 9445 Guy R. Brewer Bled.

Join us for lunch and get refueled, renewed and refilled. This free event is held every Wednesday at noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, 89-60 164th St. For more information, call (718) 526-4775, Ext. 10. Come just as you are.

Polish Your Resume

The Morningside String Trio, made up of Manhattan School of Music alumni, performs in New York City’s most prestigious venues including churches such as St. Paul’s and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, St. Paul’s Chapel, and Riverside Church.

They have also played in famous Central Park locations including Tavern on the Green, Conservatory Gardens, and Terrace on the Park. The Morningside String Trio prides themselves in striving for the highest quality of service and artistry possible for their clients. The trio consists of a violin, a viola, and a cello player.

They will play at York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., on Thursday from 12:30-1:45 p.m.

Bring a copy of your resume on a flash drive; volunteers will guide you through editing and producing a professional quality resume using Cyber Center computers. Must have keyboard and mouse experience. Preregistration in the Job Information Center.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Queensborough Public Library, Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd.

Valentine’s Night Concert

Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

The event is held at 6 p.m. every Monday at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.

TUESDAY, FEB. 15 Create an Email Account In this single session workshop, customers will learn how to set up/open their

FRIDAY, FEB. 18 Senior Theatre Acting Repertory Calling all older adults: Join our galaxy of STARs to perform theatrical works at the library with a great group of people while brightening your life.

Rehearsals are held at 10:30 a.m. Fridays at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.

SQPA Annual Art Exhibit SQPA (A Place to Grow) is pleased to present Colors in Black IX, an art exhibit featuring the work of Danny Simmons. For additional information, call (718) 276-4630.

This free event will be held at Roy Wilkins Family Center, 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, at 7 p.m.

ONGOING CPR Training The FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit will hold regularly scheduled free CPR classes in all five boroughs. The first Tuesday through the fourth Tuesday and the fourth Thursday of every month there will be Borough CPR training sessions in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens.

Training is free to anyone over the age of 14. The goal of this program is increase the number of people in New York City trained in bystander CPR Each class lasts 1 hour and participants in the class learn basic CPR skills from a member of the FDNY Emergency Medical Service.

Volunteers for the class follow along using the CPR Anytime Personal Learning Kit, which features an instructional DVD and an inflatable mannequin. All participants are able take home the kit at the end of class and asked to pledge to use the kit to show five of their family members and friends how to perform CPR. This class teaches basic CPR technique and is not a certification course.

In Queens, the classes will be held the fourth Thursday of every month at EMS Station 54, 222-15 Merrick Blvd. In addition, please visit www.nyc.gov/cprtogo for New York Sports Club locations offering free CPR classes starting in January.

Please visit www.fdnyfoundation.org or call (718) 999-2413 for more information.

Group Sessions The York College Provost Lecture Series continues with a discussion entitled: “Can I Grow Old Here?: Aging In New York City”. Featuring: Alex Costley, Assistant Professor, Health and Physical Education, “Urban Renewal and Aging”; and Beverly P. Horowitz, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, School of Health & Behavioral Sciences. For additional information, contact Holger Henke at hhenke@york.cuny.edu or (718) 2625338.

The event will be held 2-4 p.m. at the York College Academic Core Building, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Clergy United for Community Empowerment, Inc. Group Sessions are located at 89-31 161st St., 10th Floor, Jamaica, for the community on various topics such as Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Substance Abuse intervention, Decision Making, Condom Use, High Risk Behaviors leading to HIV, and self – esteem awareness. All group sessions offer light snacks and beverages. Group sessions are open to the public.

Round-Trip Metro Card reimbursement is available at the end of each completed session. For further information call (718) 297-0720. All services are free. Please call for next group date.

Adult Chess Club

Infant Mortality

Aging In New York City

Practice your chess skills weekly, on

Clergy United for Community

Empowerment’s Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative program provides the following services free of charge: case management services, parent skills building, crib care, breast feeding education, health education, nutritional information/education, referral for HIV testing, confidential one-on-one counseling, workshops, and women support groups. IMRI provides referrals for Food stamps, GED, GYN, Emergency Baby Formula (qualifications required) and more. Call (718) 297-0720.

Located at 89-31 161 St., 10th floor, Jamaica. Services are available Tue.-Thurs.

9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HIV Awareness Clergy United for Community Empowerment provides intervention and curriculum-based prevention education sessions on HIV/AIDS, to reduce risk behaviors that lead to HIV transmission. Services are located at 89-31 161st St., Jamaica. Call (718) 297-0720 ask about our presentation to adolescents and men/women of color. Services are available Tue.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Laurelton Flea Market A flea market has opened at 221-02 Merrick Blvd. On sale are a wide range of items, including household items, jewelry and clothing.

The market is open every Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CPR Class Learn to protect yourself and others at Heron Care with a CPR class that includes a certification from the American Heart Association. Please call (718) 291-8788 for more details. Heron is located at 16830 89th Ave., Jamaica.

PAL Volunteers The Police Athletic League (PAL) is looking for volunteers to continue its mission of serving New York City’s young people by donating their time and talents to help serve Queens youngsters at PAL’s Redfern Cornerstone and Far Rockaway Beacon in Arverne-Far Rockaway, PAL’s Edward Byrne Center in South Jamaica and PS 214 in Flushing.

PAL Centers in Queens offer a wide range of opportunities for volunteers of all talents. PAL’s Redfern Cornerstone and Far Rockaway Beacon are looking for people to participate in a center clean-up day. Volunteers are needed to tutor and mentor young people during the After School Program’s daily homework help sessions. In addition, individuals can also donate their time assisting the many special events held at PAL’s Centers throughout the year. PAL is also seeking professionals to give career advice and talk about their own careers to young people, as well as guest speakers who can share information on a specific hobby of interest to the youngsters.

To become a volunteer with the Police Athletic League or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, please visit palnyc.org. Volunteers will go through an application process that includes an interview, screening and an orientation.

For more information, please contact PAL’s Volunteer Coordinator, Alexandria Sumpter-Delves, at (212) 477-9450, Ext. 390 or volunteer@palnyc.org.

Feb. 11 17, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23

Councilman James Sanders, Jr. and U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks are proud to present a free Valentine’s Night Concert. This memorable evening will feature The Manhattans, and Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes.

Hosted by “The Duke” Johnny Allen.

Comedy by Wayne and Charlie. For free tickets, call (718) 527-4356.

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at the Springfield Gardens Educational Complex, 143-10 Springfield Blvd.

THURSDAY, FEB. 17 Morningside String Trio

Monday and Thursday evenings.

The event is held at 6 p.m. every Thursday at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.