Press epaper 022114

Volume 15 Issue No. 8 Feb. 21-27, 2014

CELEBRATI NG

ONLINE AT WWW.QUEENSPRESS.COM

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

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Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH Join the PRESS of Southeast Queens this week as we celebrate Black History Month with members of the Southeast Queens community who have worked to better its residents’ lives.

U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley honors Chirlane McCray, wife of Mayor Bill de Blasio, during a Black History Month event earlier this week.

Photo by Trisha Sakhuja.

TABLE OF CONTENTS The First Black CUNY Student ................. Page 4 Op-Ed: The Importance of Black History .. Page 8 Honorees: Archie Spigner ..................................... Page 10 Erica Ford............................................ Page 12 Kevin Livingston .................................. Page 14 Rev. Phil Craig ..................................... Page 14 Greater Jamaica Development Corp. ..... Page 16 Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning .... Page 18 Panel Special Guests ........................... Page 20

This Week’s PRESS: PRESS Time ......................................... Page 24 News.............................................Pages 25-26 Edit & Letters ...................................... Page 27 Queens Today ...................................... Page 29 Faith / Notebook ................................. Page 30 Profile ................................................. Page 31 What’s Up ........................................... Page 32

Black History MontH

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

William H. Greene

CUNY’s First Black Graduate

By Ron Howell

For decades now, William Hallett Greene has existed as a distant figure in CUNY’s history, with that quality of distance pertaining not only to the passing of time, but to the inscrutability of the eyes gracing his comely image in photos taken for his graduation more than a century ago. They were eyes that suggested a certain tenacity, even as they conveyed a sadness that was perhaps appropriate for a man lost in the dustbin of time.

Breaking Barriers

Greene, slight of build, standing five-foot-seven and weighing only 132 lbs, according to a June 1884 issue of The College Mercury campus newspaper, had long wanted to be in the U.S. Signal Corps. In The Mercury, he listed his favorite person as “Uncle Sam” and his favorite course of study as astronomy.

And so two months before his graduation, Greene, just 19 years old, applied to become the first Black member of the U.S. Signal Corps, the highly competitive U.S. Army unit that tracked weather patterns and was the precursor to the National Weather Service.

The Signal Corps required that applicants pass written examinations, and in May, Greene scored highly on it. But he was rejected, bluntly told by the Signal Corps Commander, Gen. William Hazen, that, according to Hazen’s interpretation of the 1866 Army Reorganization Act, Blacks were restricted to four regiments set aside for them, in the infantry and cavalry.

Young Greene turned to his college president, Alexander Webb, for help.

And Webb, a former army general who had been a hero at the Battle of Gettysburg, responded right away.

He dashed off a letter to Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln (son of assassinated President Abraham Lin-

he was dishonorably discoln), writing: “This missed from the Signal young man is the first Corps and the army. His colored student who superiors charged that has ever passed beGreene gambled, falsified yond the sophomore reports and was in debt. class of this college.

He is the first colored graduate and is, by A Strange election, the secretary Accusation of his class, composed Greene’s most difficult of some of the finest period would come in the young men of this ensuing months, through city.”

1886 and 1887, as he Webb said he beworked there in Rocheslieved Hazen was ter. erring in his interpreOne claim against tation of the Army ReGreene seems especially organization Act. Linunlikely, given that he coln not only agreed had excelled in the militabut in harsh terms orristic environment of City dered Hazen to accept College, where there was Greene or any other a strict code of conduct Black person who met and punctuality in those the qualifications for years. With rules that the position. were later deemed excesThus Greene effecsive, the college gave out tively wrote his name demerits for bad conduct on a bit of military or lateness, and would history. He went on dismiss students who acto attend the Signal cumulated a hundred deCorps training camp merits in a semester, acWilliam Hallet Greene was CUNY’s first Black graduate. at Fort Myer in Vircording a 1907 book “The ginia, where newCity College: Memories of But Greene’s story did not end with Sixty Years,” by Philip J. Mosenthal comers were instructed in the specialized skills of the Corps, which in that happy achievement.

(Class of ’83) and Charles F. Horne Perhaps he might have sensed a (Class of ’89). Given that background, those days had to do with telegraph communications and the tracking hint of lingering ill feelings right there the accusation of Aug. 22, 1886 would of cloud and wind patterns. Greene on his enlistment papers, where it said, seem out of character for Greene. must have felt well prepared for the near the section “Scars and Marks On that day, Second Lieutenant tasks at hand, given his background found upon the person,” the notation: F.M.M. Beall, a Signal Corps inspector, “A colored man, Enlisted for the Sig- charged that Greene had filed a false at City College.

In his 1974 book “Blacks and the nal Corps, U.S. Army by order of the report of his weather observations.

Military in American History, “(pub- Secretary of War.” Beall was effectively accusing Greene The papers were signed by 2nd Lt. of lying by several minutes about the lished by Praeger), historian Jack D. Foner wrote that Greene “opened the B.M. Purssell, a recruiting officer who time on the report. way for the acceptance of a handful of had strongly disapproved of Greene’s Beall says that at 2:59 p.m. he Black enlisted men into other techni- enlistment. went to the office where Greene was Sure enough, soon after his post- supposed to be completing his three cal branches, such as the Hospital Corps, the Ordnance Corps, and the ing in Pensacola, there came a series o’clock report, but that Greene was Quartermaster and Commissary de- of demotions and transfers that ended not in the office. Beall maintained that two years later, in June of 1887, when partments.” (continued on page 6)

I KNEW HIS EYES WERE TELLING A STORY When i became secretary of the board of trustees back in the summer of 2004, I found a number of photographs buried in a closet here at CUNY’s Central Office, including one of a young man, William H. Greene, who was believed by officials of The City College of New York (including their archivist, Professor Sydney Van Nort) to be the first Black graduate of City College, in 1884.

The look in his eyes was sad and somewhat haunting. I had the sense that there was a hidden story of struggle and strength behind them. We dusted off the photo and it now graces the wall of our Trustee Lounge, along with photos of Jonas Salk, A. Philip Randolph, and other alumni luminaries.

In the months after the discovery of the photo, I began asking various people about Greene and learned that he

had applied to the elite United States Signal Corps but had been rejected solely based on his race. Eventually, he became the first African-American to enter the Signal Corps, an extraordinary achievement. As I learned more about his struggle to overcome discrimination, my curiosity grew even stronger and I asked Ron Howell, editor of CUNY Matters, to see what he could learn about this person from our past who so enchanted me.

What you will read on these two pages is the result of that effort.

We are honoring the memory of a “sturdy son” of City College in trying so diligently and with such persistence to uncover and tell his story.

— Jay Hershenson, Secretary of the Board of Trustees and Senior Vice Chancellor for University Relations.

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Black History MontH

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

CUNY’s First Black Graduate (continued from page 4) Greene had therefore lied about filing a three o’clock report and put this in a letter of reprimand to higher-ups.

In his written defense, obtained also from the National Archives, Greene maintained that he had heard a three o’clock bell as he was leaving the office to file the report and believed that was in fact the time; he also maintained that he had completed the report no earlier than 2:56 p.m.

Given the tone of Beall’s threatening letter, Greene apparently felt compelled to add a plea that “I may be given a chance to prove myself, by the strictest obedience to orders and faithful performance of duty in the future, worthy to remain in the service.”

In the coming months, the sergeant who was Greene’s immediate supervisor, Sgt. McGann, would go on to compile a list of people to whom Greene owed money, passing that information on to higher-ups.

Nonetheless, a coup de grace came nine months later, as Sgt. McGann asserted that on the morning of May 19, 1887, Rochester authorities had arrested Greene “in a low colored gambling resort…bringing disgrace on this office and the service …”

Signal Corps authorities said at the time that Greene admitted the offenses and agreed that he was not fit

to remain in the service.

Racial Code Words

The final official document in the matter was written May 21, 1887 by the new Signal Corps Commander, Gen. Adolphus W. Greely.

The letter, addressed to the Adjutant General, is extraordinary in that it states its case against Greene even while opening the door to a belief that Green’s race may have been a factor.

Greely wrote that his predecessor (Gen. Hazen, who had died the previous January) had been afraid to take action against Greene because, having opposed Greene’s enlistment in the first place, Hazen feared he would be accused of race bias.

“The present Chief Signal Officer has no such fears,” he wrote, referring to himself in the third person and adding that he “believes that his four years service as an officer of colored troops renders it certain that any recommendation which he makes in this case cannot be considered as emanating from an officer prejudiced against the colored race.”

It is worthy of mention that Hazen himself, three years earlier, had said virtually the same thing—that his own experience commanding “colored” troops precluded any accusation of racism.

Explaining his position back then against Greene’s enlistment, Hazen had written: “I have never had prejudice on account of color…and was one of the first officers in the regular army commissioned to command regular colored troops.”

In successfully recommending Greene’s dismissal in 1887, the new Signal Corps Commander, Gen. Greely, went on to explain that he “does not recommend a court-martial, on the ground of the expense to the United States and because of the experience the Army has once had in trying a colored cadet, when a degree of public excitement entirely disproportionate to the case was engendered.

The last reference was apparently to the case of Lt. Henry O. Flipper, who in 1877 became the first African-American to graduate from West Point. In 1880, Flipper, serving as quartermaster at Fort Davis in Texas, was charged with embezzlement and court-martialed. Though acquitted on some charges, he was found guilty of “conduct unbecoming an officer.”

After his discharge in June of 1887, Greene returned to live with his father Hallet, his mother Susan and his sisters Cornelia and Lucia back on W. 31st Street. Then, sometime after 1900, he married an immigrant from Guyana named Lillian, with whom he raised at

least one child, a daughter named Louise, according to Census records.

Greene took jobs where he could find them, but it seems he did not secure anything remotely commensurate with the promise he once showed as a student at City College decades earlier.

Greene must have felt somewhat broken, but how much so is a question that his haunting 19-year-old eyes cannot answer. For the rest of his life, Flipper tried to convince the country he was falsely accused. In 1999, more than half a century after his death, President Bill Clinton pardoned him. Of course, it was a particular blow to full disclosure that Gen. Greely chose not to court-martial Greene. That decision had the effect of preventing the public—and history— from judging more fairly the actions taken against Greene. A full military trial would have required both sides to put their cases on the public table.

Little was published about the Greene affair in 1887, other than reports in the Army and Navy Journal and The New York Times citing official statements against Greene, who was only 22 years old as he left the service that he had once so deeply and patriotically wanted to represent.

Ron Howell is the editor of CUNY Matters. The full text of the story appears on the City University of New York website, www.cuny.edu.

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Gregory W. Meeks 5th District

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Black History MontH

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

Op-Ed

The Importance of Black History Month

By John R. Durso and Roger Clayman Nearly a century ago, in 1926, Dr. Carter Woodson launched the first Black History Month celebration to recognize the contributions of African Americans to every aspect of our society, which had been largely ignored in history books and public education up to that point. Celebrating the talents and success of Black Americans and their contributions to politics, science, music, religion and many other fields of endeavor, he believed, contributes greatly to self-respect in the Black community and builds positive relations within our diverse culture.

Black History Month has special significance for the American labor movement as well. Our movement was born out of struggle for economic justice, as was the history of the Civil Rights movement. Unions champion the rights of those who lack a voice in our society and thus played a critical role in the civil rights struggles of the 1960’s.

The first Black vice-president of the AFL-CIO, A. Philip Randolph, the founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, along with Bayard

Rustin, who helped organize the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, joined with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in planning the 1963 March on Washington at the height of the civil rights movement. A flier for the march carried the following message: “Discrimination and economic deprivation plague the nation and rob all people, Negro and white, of dignity and Roger Clayman John R. Durso self-respect. As long as Black workers are disenfranchised, ill housed and denied education and who would resist any change in the are economically depressed, the fight economic or racial structure of this of white workers for a decent life will country, which would challenge their fail.” resources or status. Conservatives Dr. King pointed out that Blacks did in fact seize every opportunity are mostly a working people and they to block progress in matters of ecocontinue to need what labor needs. nomic security and at the same time Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, conspired to create a white backlash 1968 in Memphis while supporting the against efforts to overturn the imstrike of mostly African American sani- pact of discrimination. tation workers, members of AFSCME Studies by the Economic Policy InLocal 1733. stitute show that we are a long way Bayard Rustin observed that from achieving the goals Randolph, Black Americans were up against a Rustin and Dr. King sought to achieve powerful combination of corporate in the 1960s. Nearly one in five Black elites and Southern conservatives workers was unemployed in 2013, and

the Black unemployment rate is 2-to-2.5 times the rate for white workers. The Black poverty rate is nearly three times the rate for white Americans. According to the BLS in 2010, Black men made 75 percent of the earnings of white men; Black women made 69 percent of the earnings of white men.

In spite of these shortcomings, I remain optimistic that we will one day attain the Dream that Dr. King voiced over 50 years ago. History teaches that the fight for economic justice is a significant aspect of the African American experience in our country. History teaches that progress can continue if we nurture the coalition of those who fight for economic and racial equality. After all, that coalition helped elect an African American President of the United States!

John R. Durso is president of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and president of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW Roger Clayman is the executive director of Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

THE OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER I. DANEEK MILLER PROUDLY CELEBRATES

Black History Month

Remembering the sacrifices and contributions made by African-Americans that uplift our nation

I Am Proud To Congratulate & Thank The Honorees For Their Contributions To Our Community & Salute & Celebrate Black History Month 2014

Council Member I. Daneek Miller

Assemblywoman

27th Council District, Queens 172-12 Linden Blvd., St. Albans, NY 11434 Phone: (347) 618-5979 • Fax: (718) 487-3580 Like us on Facebook • Follow us on Twitter @IDaneekMiller

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Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

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Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

Archie Spigner

Black History MontH

The ‘Godfather’ Of Southeast Queens

By Luis Gronda Archie Spigner is often called the “Dean of Southeast Queens.”

He was the first African American to serve in the City Council, after being elected in 1974, and represented an emerging but underserved area.

During his nearly three decades in the Council, he gained prominence within the body, eventually becoming deputy majority leader, one of the highest positions within the City Council.

As Black History Month concludes next week, Spigner said it is an important time of the year because it allows for an opportunity to review and reflect the struggles of African Americans in the past and to see where they are in terms of equality in this country.

Spigner said that while much progress has been made, including electing Barack Obama as the first African American president of the United States, there is more work that needs to be done to completely eradicate racism in America.

“We have made a lot of progress, but we have not yet reached the point where we can say we are a non-racial society,” he said in an interview with the Press of southeast Queens.

Regarding his work in the City Council, Spigner said what he is most proud of is breaking down barriers that blocked African Americans in his district and paved the way for more opportunities. He said this was accomplished, in part, by speaking out on issues regarding the City budget and programs that benefited his district and the rest of the City.

“I was the spokesman for the African American community and for minority groups,” the former councilman said.

One main accomplishment during

Archie Spigner played a heavy role in spearheading Jamaica’s Guy R. Brewer Club.

its own water supply from the upstate reservoir instead of how it was before the company was sold. He said it ensured that Southeast Queens residents would get clean water to their homes and would not have to question the quality of their water.

“We looked at it as a significant day for Southeast Queens,” he said. “I think it was a major step in the right direction.”

Despite solving one issue of the area’s water supply, it did create another problem of flooding in Jamaica.

The increased water supply sometimes creates flooded streets that still plague that part of Queens to this day and other parts of the Borough as well.

In addition to that, rain storms also cause flooding in Southeast Queens.

Spigner said while they did solve one issue in the area, they did not anticipate the problems it would bring to his former district. He said that even with flooding being a recurring problem, he said it was worth it to purchase the company in the longterm and several current elected officials, including Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-Jamaica), are working to alleviate the flooding.

The former councilman was also an executive member of the Guy R. Brewer Former Councilman Archie Spigner (center) poses with former Queens Borough Presi- Democratic Club and a district leader representdents Helen Marshall (left) and Clare Shulman. his 27 years in the City Council was the role he played in purchasing the Jamaica Water Supply Company.

The company, which was owned by Emcor Group Inc., an industrial and energy infrastructure company based in Connecticut, was sold in 1996 to New York City and the Water Authority of Western Nassau County for $178.8 million. The City paid $148 million as part of the deal, which allowed it to use its infrastructure for the people the company served in Queens. The water supply company was the last privately owned water supplier in the City before it was sold.

Spigner said the move was important because it gave Jamaica residents

ing the area after his time in the City Council ended in 2001.

Spigner said they supported several breakthrough candidates that were elected to represent Southeast Queens, including U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) and Rev. Floyd Flake and that is what they continue to do today. They were also instrumental in getting the Borough’s first Black Supreme Court judge elected.

In an interview with the Press earlier this month, Spigner praised Guy R. Brewer, for whom the club is named. Brewer was elected into the New York State Assembly in 1969 and is credited for having paved the way for a number of Democratic Black politicians in Queens and New York City, including Spigner.

“Guy Brewer had a profound impact on me,” he told the Press this month. “I was an adult when I met him, but his style of activism and his intelligence inspired me. He was outspoken and a great leader. He inspires me and I looked up to him and what he stood for.”

Brewer being elected to the State Assembly signaled a shift in Southeast Queens, where Blacks began to settle from the 1940s to the 1960s.

“I knew the day would come,” Spigner said of the trend. “I saw the trends and knew the Black population was growing. It was inevitable that there would be a Black Assemblyman.

The opportunities were there, but still, the challenges were great.”

As for the future of Southeast Queens, he said the light at the end of the tunnel is bright for the area but there are still issues that need to be addressed, including improving schools in the community, working with the NYPD to make sure crime decreases in Southeast Queens and creating employment for people that need it.

“People don’t have jobs, they’re out of work and that is just not good,” he said.

Spigner added that he has met with new Councilman I. Daneek Miller (DSt. Albans) and he is doing a terrific job almost two months into his new term.

“We have to fight for our fair share for Southeast Queens,” he said.

Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

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Black History MontH

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

Erica Ford

Crime Prevention In South Jamaica A Goal

By Trisha Sakhuja South Jamaica native Erica Ford is a youth advocate that has been dedicated to crime prevention for more than 20 years.

Ford, 48, heads the South Jamaica Cure Violence Program and is the founder of Love Ignites Freedom Through Education Camp, INC., a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing youth violence by providing empowerment opportunities through holistic and therapeutic methods.

She said it is her experiences of growing up in Southeast Queens since the age of five and remembering the constant fear she was surrounded with through the 1980s crack epidemic that has led her to become a powerful voice in the community.

“I have seen, experienced and been part of some of the devastation that took a lot of young people’s lives through treacherous violence,” Ford said. “Seeing that and experiencing that made me want to do something different. That was my motivating force to do what I am doing today.”

A graduate of York College with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Ford began her activist work as the president of the Black Student Caucus

By implementing unique practices and vice president of the Student Govwith the use of music, film and arts, LIFE ernment.

That was only the start, because Camp effectively prevents youth involvethe work LIFE Camp has been doing ment in gangs, and gives them a reason since 2002, either by providing high- to start living their lives positively.

“We want people to think different risk individuals with empowerment opportunities who are educationally, and then by thinking different, you live different,” Ford said. economically and socially Through LIFE Camp, disadvantaged or teachFord said “different young ing violence prevention people have used the in schools, resonates with knowledge or the tools or Ford’s ideals of what a the experiences that I have community activist should shared with them to change do. and save their lives.”

Ford said because many The “I love my LIFE people in the community Campaign” is one aspect are voiceless, this organizaof LIFE Camp that works tion stays committed to the to promote materials and Black and Latino youth who positive affirmations to reneed an extra hand to bring Erica Ford inforce self-esteem and retheir life back on track.

“There has to be an organization spect for life among teens and young and individuals who advocate for adults.

Especially when it comes to reinthem,” she said. “We can show them different ways to change their present forcing positive ideals within girls, Ford said “Don’t allow other people to define conditions.”

She said since a lot of people in this your greatness and to understand your community do not get therapy and re- inner beauty and your worth.”

“Women have become stronger lease all of their inner demons after experiencing acts of violence, “we create and young girls have become stronunconventional therapeutic activities ger in terms of taking up leadership that help them see their pain different positions, but at the same time, young girls are being shot,” Ford said. “There and help them release it.”

BLACK HISTORY IS MY HISTORY So proud to celebrate this time & recognize the wonderful work of the honorees.

Thank you for all that you do.

Let us continue the work!

Patrick B. Jenkins President

877-458-3926

was a time when young girls weren’t touched out of respect. So on one hand there is a high respect and growth, but there is also a tragedy.”

By partnering with many entertainers in the hip-hop world and by receiving proclamations from Rev. Al Sharpton and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, it is safe to say, Ford has become a prime example beyond the community of Southeast Queens.

Ford was featured in “O! The Oprah Magazine” in December as one of five women who have dedicated their lives to taking care of others. She spent the day being pampered for O!’s “Beautiful Inside and Out” photo shoot.

“It was a very touching and beautiful experience,” she said. ”To be in the magazine makes you feel proud and know you are doing the right thing.”

Looking to the future, Ford said she wants to not only reduce the violence, but make Southeast Queens a home, “where we love one another, have compassion for one another and help each other grow.”

As for her personal goals, she said she is “open all for lessons that come my way as I continue to grow and learn.”

Reach Reporter Trisha Sakhuja at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, tsakhuja@ queenstribune.com, or @Tsakhuja13.

A Salute to Black History Month 2014 Heartfelt Congratulations to the Press of Southeast Queens & our distinguished honorees.

Thank you for your amazing contributions and your continued commitment to the development of our community.

Assemblyman

William Scarborough 29th A.D.

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

Greater Jamaica Development Corporation and Press of Southeast Queens Celebrates Black History Month and Salutes

Rev. Phillip Craig Erica Ford Kevin Livingston

Archie Spigner Jamaica Performing Arts Center

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

Kevin Livingston

Black History MontH

Changing The World One Suit At A Time

By Natalia Kozikowska In an effort to combat violence in crime-ridden Southeast Queens, Kevin Livingston is giving gang members and troubled youth in the community an opportunity to trade in their guns for a suit and tie.

“It all started when I realized how young men and women would dress,” Livingston said. “When I was 15 years old, I would put on a suit and just walk around 34th Street. I felt important when I had a suit on.”

Understanding how different a suit made him feel, Livingston decided that he wanted to do something different to help the young adults in Jamaica so, while an employee at Carver Bank, he set up a donation box.

“I took a box and I put it in the lobby of Carver Bank to ask customers to donate a tie or shirt,” he said. “The original plan was to bring it to Parsons [Boulevard] and Archer [Avenue] and just hand them out with hot chocolate.

It since took off.”

Livingston began 100 Suits for 100 Men in December 2011 with the goal of helping troubled youth find their skills and transform it into something positive. Drug dealers, for example, may be particularly good at selling a

product, so in turn, the organization information and GED packages and helps them channel that skill and make gave out suits to them particularly.”

“What stuck out most to me was it useful towards finding a career as an that one of the members of that parentrepreneur.

Having grown up in a violent com- ticular gang was so thrown off from munity with frequent shootings, Liv- me coming to where they were at. He ingston said he was inspired to start was so appreciative,” Livingston addan organization that focused on under- ed. “From that particular effort, two standing gang members rather than of them are currently in school right now and that’s somecondemning them. thing I am very proud “It’s something I’m really of.” passionate about. It feels In its short two years amazing. I know where the of operation, Livingston young men and women are has greatly expanded 100 coming from on the outside Suits for 100 Men. To because I’ve been there,” he date, he has distributed said. “It’s important we don’t more than 3,500 suits condemn them. If it wasn’t Citywide and opened a for a suit and my mother benew location in Brooklyn ing on my neck, I’d be right in September. The nonout there with them. I relate Kevin Livingston profit also operates out to them very well.”

Rather than waiting for the trou- of the Bronx.

But Livingston is not ready to stop bled individuals to come to him, Livingston said he makes it a point to there.

“I am looking at a site in Baltimore find them.

“Back in July, there was a huge and Hartsville, South Carolina,” he drug thing going on [at] Parsons and said. “I’m looking to make 100 Suits Archer. There was a big [gang] pres- for 100 Men a national nonprofit by ence. People walked around them, the end of the year.”

In addition to his work with 100 they were afraid of them,” he said.

“But I went ahead and brought about Suits for 100 Men, Livingston plays a 100 suits out there and brought job very active in the community. Livings-

ton, a domestic violence survivor, has been hosting domestic violence prevention workshops.

“It’s important to the community but it is also important to me,” Livingston said in an earlier interview with the PRESS. “I was in a domestic violence situation in my marriage.

My experiences with my marriage propelled me to start this particular series three years ago. There are people out there that are going through the same situation and I use my talent, which is entertainment through poetry, to bring the spotlight on this very ugly epidemic.”

Though he has a lot on his plate, Livingston said he never loses focus and is committed to giving back to his community.

“Southeast Queens is my home,” he said. “I want to diffuse the myth that walking alone along Jamaica Avenue is dangerous and I will work tirelessly on changing that myth,” he said. “I don’t loose momentum because this is my passion and when you’re working with your passion, you never loose that momentum.”

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska.

Rev. Phil Craig

Faith Leads Former ‘Street Guy’ To God

By Natalia Kozikowska Though try he did, the Rev. Phil Craig said he could not fight his true calling as a preacher.

“I was a street guy,” Craig said. “I never would have even imagined that I would be here, where I am today. God just called me to do something.”

When his mother fell ill and was in the hospital, Craig said that God came to him in a set of three dreams – all of which foreshadowed his destiny as a pastor.

In the first two dreams, Craig said he saw himself preaching to a crowd in church. The third dream was similar to the first two, he said, but this time he was preaching in front of a bright white light.

“I looked behind my shoulder and in the white light, I saw all the times I should have been dead,” he said.

When he was 14, Craig and his friend James went for a swim in the Rockaways when the current became powerful and swallowed the pair.

Though his friend had drowned, Craig miraculously survived.

“I saw an angel pull me out of the water,” he said.

Just a few years later, when he was passionate about politics and the role 18, Craig and another friend were be- clergy played in shaping it.

“You can’t be around Rev. Flake ing robbed of their jewelry and clothes.

Unable to take his jacket off quickly, and Rev. [Al] Sharpton and not be the mugger grew frustrated, pulled out involved in politics,” he said. “I really a gun and tried to shoot him in the wasn’t trying to find politics, politics found me.” head.

“I wanted to be the “But the bullet whizzed change I wanted to see in right past my ear,” he said. my community,” he added.

“In the white light, I saw “This is my home, where the hand of an angel move I grew up and I wanted to the gun.” turn the negative into a It was when he awoke positive. I believe I’ve been from the last dream, he said, called on to make it hapthat his fate was sealed and pen.” he knew he had to answer Adhering to his new callthe call of God. ing, Craig decided to join Faith in hand, in 2003, Queens’ National Action Craig began his journey Rev. Phil Craig Network – one of the couninto the ministry. For two years, Craig devoted himself to study- try’s leading civil rights organizations. ing the Bible on an academic level. Unsatisfied with the way the chapter Shortly thereinafter, he became an was running, Craig decided to run for usher at Greater Allen A.M.E. Church president and won by a landslide.

“I didn’t like the way the organizain Jamaica, under the guidance of former Congressman, the Rev. Floyd tion was running and didn’t think the leadership was doing enough,” he said.

Flake.

It was during his time at Greater “We completely changed the Queens Allen A.M.E., where he was ordained chapter. Membership is up and we offer in 2010, that Craig said he became many more programs than we used to.”

Around the same time he was spearheading Queens’ NAN, the Rev. Flake and clergy at Greater Allen A.M.E. had asked newly-ordained Craig to try his hand at rejuvenating The Greater Springfield Community Church, which had roughly five congregants and was not doing well.

Under Craig’s leadership, The Greater Springfield Community Church transformed.

“When I got there, it was a moldinfested building and the spirit just felt dark. It did not feel welcoming,” he said. “Now, we’ve transformed the entire church. We have music and a little more than 100 people coming to mass. The spirit is different.”

In addition to investing time to enhance the community, Craig said that being able to help residents is what keeps him going.

“I just get joy out of helping people,” he said. “Being able to help someone who has lost all hope, and being able to help them find that hope – it’s the best feeling.”

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

We proudly support Black History Month

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

Greater Jamaica Development Corp.

Black History MontH

Group Works Towards Bettering Southeast Queens

By Joe Marvilli There are few, if any, organizations in Southeast Queens that have done as much to revitalize their neighborhood as the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

The community-building non-profit plans, promotes, coordinates and advances responsible development to revitalize Jamaica and its surrounding regions. Its work centers on expanding economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of the area.

Founded in 1967, the GJDC has played a role in advocating for projects ranging from the educational, with York College, to the economic, with the Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building-Social Security Administration, and the cultural, with Jamaica Market. Although the non-profit has no City authorization, its influence and steadfast reliance on strong partnerships has made it a place that, more often than not, can get things done.

“We believe anything we do in Downtown has a favorable effect on its immediate environment, most of which is residential. It has a real role to play in the quality of life,” Greater Jamaica’s president, F. Carlisle Towery, said.

“Since our founding, we have been focused on rebuilding and restoring and recovering the anchors in downtown.

Those anchors are all kinds of activities that make life better for those 600,000 people.”

The broad mission of Greater Jamaica to mobilize public, private and notfor-profit resources towards improving the neighborhood means that it casts a wide net over an area that primarily runs from Hillside Avenue to Liberty Avenue and the Van Wyck Expressway to Merrick Boulevard. Towery said this strategy reflects the range of experiences that can be found in downtown Jamaica.

“We focus on real projects, but because we don’t have authority to decide what we do, we have a lot of balls in the air,” he said. “There’s what exists there and what needs to exist there to serve the people of the community.”

Growth and Change The decades after Greater Jamaica was founded were a time of transition for both the neighborhood and the organization. White flight took place, with many Caucasian families leaving, along with the big box retailers, to the suburbs, as Black and other minority families settled into the area. According to Towery, the demographic change was more of a cultural shift

from Jamaica Station instead. It was funded in a partnership with U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica).

“We spent a long time a lot of money of just transforming it. We led it but we had great help from the Port Authority and we had money from the federal government, thanks to Greg Meeks,” he said. “Developers are riskaverse, we are not. We’ll stick with something for ten years.”

Future Even with all that Greater Jamaica has done, Towery said there is still a lot of work to do. He said York College would be ideal for Governor Cuomo’s Start-Up NY, which creates tax-free zones for new The Greater Jamaica Development Corp. has advocated for development around Jamaica and expanding businesses.

Station as part of its mission to improve the quality of life in the community.

Given that the college has was a notable achievement as they the space and has the talent, Towery than an economic one.

“The Black families who came in were among the first in the City. The said it would be a great prospect for and replaced the white families, their four BIDs in Jamaica, 165th Street employment.

He added that John F. Kennedy Airincomes were equal or higher than the Mall, 180th Street, Sutphin Boulewhite families they replaced. Neverthe- vard and Jamaica Center, were started port is “under-hoteled” and that there

by Greater Jamaica and then spun off are spots by Jamaica Station’s AirTrain less, it was change,” he said.

Besides the demographic changes, and made independent of the non- stop that could support a hotel. The addition of hotels in downtown Jamaica an economic downturn and the 1980s profit.

“The BIDs are the things we put a would bring people to the area, where crack epidemic created a setback that seemed almost insurmountable lot of energy in. We are really proud of they would in turn support other local in Jamaica. However, the GJDC was those accomplishments and the BIDs,” businesses.

“There are two things that seem looking at the big picture and saw Towery said. “We were among the first. full of potential: York College and the what the neighborhood could offer We were pioneers.”

York College was another colossal AirTrain. It’s the youngest college in once this period of struggle receded.

The challenge was getting other peo- victory for Greater Jamaica, back when CUNY and it’s growing enormously. ple to see these budding prospects it was proposed in 1968. It was instru- All you have to do is go down there mental, along with the Regional Plan and look,” Towery said. “Then you as well.

“What we did most avidly was to Association, in the feasibility study, have the AirTrain going to Kennedy point out Jamaica’s particular poten- planning and decision-making in favor Airport, which is an international tials in the long-range,” Towery said. of the Jamaica site. While the school airport. It could be a gateway devel“Look at the favorable trends that were took many years to come to fruition, it opment. Those two potentials are happening. Look at the region and how has been an essential part of the com- things we are looking at with the long view.” the region’s growth, which was continu- munity since it opened.

Whatever happens next, the Greater “We rolled up our sleeves with our ing, could be focused on Jamaica.” local leaders and worked to get that Jamaica Development Corporation will college. The board had to be convinced do what it can to facilitate smart develRevitalization Growth was exactly what was in that Jamaica was the right place,” Tow- opments that help improve the quality store for Jamaica and the Greater Ja- ery said. “We don’t do anything unilat- of life in the community. With a new maica Development Corporation. Over erally. The York College battle in the City administration settling in, Towery the years, particularly in the 1990s late 60s was a very unifying battle for said the non-profit is set to continue and 2000s, the non-profit advocated an anchor, a real centerpiece in that finding partners that care as much about Jamaica as the GJDC does. for many developments that both im- community.”

“What I’d like to emphasize is our Transportation is one of focal parts proved the quality of life for residents and put a spotlight on what the neigh- of Jamaica as well, given that several middle name is partnership. Everysubway lines, buses, the Long Island thing we do is working with others, in borhood had to over.

Three of the achievements that Rail Road and the AirTrain to John F. part because we have a limited capacTowery made particular note of were Kennedy Airport go through Jamaica ity and because we have no authority. the creation of Jamaica’s Business Im- Station. Therefore, Towery said that fa- We don’t do things that don’t have a provement Districts, the work to bring cilitating developments around the sta- public purpose,” he said. “We couldn’t York College to the community and tion will help bring an economic boom do it without these partnerships.”

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli the involvement in creating an eco- to the area. One such project was the creation of Station Plaza, replacing the at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilnomic and transportation hub.

The creation of BIDs in the region loading docks that were sitting across li@queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

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Jamaica Center For Arts And Learning

Black History MontH

Bringing All Art Forms To Queens

By Natalia Kozikowska Over the course of its history, the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning has been instrumental in bringing arts to Jamaica by nurturing a variety of cutting-edge artists and bringing quality arts education to City residents.

JCAL’s various programs seek to inspire children and adults alike by encouraging them to take an active interest all forms of artistic expression.

In total, the center offers more than 40 different workshops for children, teens, adults and seniors with more than 25,000 members participating in them annually.

Residents from all five boroughs and of all artistic levels have embraced JCAL’s workshop and programs, which range from art forms like theater, dance, ceramics, keyboard and even cartooning.

According to Carl Fields Jr., interim executive director at the center, JCAL was founded in 1972 as part of a largescale effort to revitalize the Jamaica business district. In response to the growing demand, the group acquired the abandoned Queens Register of Titles and Deeds Building, a New York City landmark, and transformed it into a cultural center that has since grown to be a staple in the community.

“It [JCAL] is absolutely critical to the development and continued revitalization of Downtown Jamaica as a whole,” Fields said. “Arts organizations can build communities and we think that JCAL can be that kind of institution for Southeast Queens.”

The center, which was founded by both community residents and local elected officials, also sought to fill an artistic void in Southeast Queens.

“From the folks that I’ve talked to who were here when this facility got started, bringing arts to Queens was the reason that they wanted to have an arts center located in Downtown Jamaica,” he said. “There was a lack of attention and priority given to arts in this area.”

Over the years, JCAL has grown to become one of 33 cultural institutions across the five boroughs that operate out of City-owned buildings.

“We take our mission very seriously, which is to provide arts and arts education to the community at large,” Fields said. “We have a very active Saturday workshop program schedule, where we offer over 40 different classes.”

In addition to its on-site workshops and free community events, such as its

The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning has been key in bringing the arts to Southeast Queens.

Family Fun Day series, JCAL frequently partners with neighboring schools, initiating one of the first arts in education programs in the country. This award-winning program has helped to establish collaborations between schools and community-based organizations.

“We’re in six schools right now in the Queens area with our teachers where we bring arts education into the schools,” Fields said. “We take it as one of our more serious initiatives to get our youngsters involved in the experience of art and arts education because it can help them in other areas of life.”

According to Fields, JCAL operates two programs in schools, called the “21st Century Challenge,” where artists go in with the teachers and, through the use of visual arts, help develop critical thinking among the students to help them in other classes.

“Educating the youth is very much a big part of what we do here at JCAL in terms of exposure and then training and education,” he said.

Over the last decade, JCAL has made significant improvements, making it much more well-known arts facility in Queens and the entire City.

Today, the neo-Renaissance building features a 1,650-square-foot visual arts gallery, a 99-seat proscenium theater, dance and ceramics studios, painting and a sound-proof music studio.

But the most notable improvement came in 2010, when JCAL completed $23 million worth of renovations to the long-vacant First Reformed Dutch Church of Jamaica, transforming it into the Jamaica Performing Arts Center.

The renovated 1858 landmark building now serves as a state-of-the-art 400-seat theater and dance studio that is owned and operated by the group.

“We’ve been getting more folks who are beginning to notice the facility, especially JPAC,” Fields said. “It is not a church, which is what it looks like on the outside. When folks come in they do realize and know it’s a performing arts center.”

JPAC is a multi-use facility that can be used for a variety of functions – including business functions, weddings, sweet sixteen parties and other social gatherings.

“Between them, JCAL and JPAC – they are comparable in many ways to

Lincoln Center in terms of the services provided,” Philippa Karteron, board of directors co-chair at JCAL, said in an October interview with the PRESS. Though JCAL and JPAC have already established themselves as a leading arts institution in the Borough, Fields said he has high hopes for the future ahead.

“We are the only multi-disciplinary arts organization in Queens. We get involved in all of the arts and we’re the only one that does it,” he said. “Our long-term goal is to be the preeminent arts institution not just in Queens, but in the regional metropolitan area.”

The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning is located at 161-04 Jamaica Ave. For more information about the center and its programs, call (718) 658-7400 or visit www.jcal.org.

JCAL is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, Thursday and Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. JCAL is also open on Saturdays, when the majority of its workshops take place.

The Jamaica Performing Arts Center is located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave. For more information about JPAC space rentals or upcoming performances, call (718) 618-6170 or visit www. jamaica-performingartscenter.org.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska.

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

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Page 20 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

Panel To Discuss Healthcare, Water Table in SEQ

Hospital Association’s Coverage and Access Task Force.

Flanz received a Master’s of Business Administration Degree in Health Care Administration from Baruch College and The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from The State University of New York at Oneonta.

MediSys is a not-for-profit corporation that is the sponsor of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Brookdale University Hospital & Medical Center, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Peninsula Hospital Center, three nursing homes and a network of neighborhood family care centers.

By Steven J. Ferrari In addition to honoring individuals and groups that have shown their dedication to the betterment of Southeast Queens and its residents, the panel discussion being hosted by PRESS of Southeast Queens publisher Michael Nussbaum at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center on Feb. 21 will feature a number of speakers addressing important issues about the community.

The event will also feature a panel discussion focused on healthcare and on the water table in the community.

Both issues are hot-button topics that face the Southeast Queens community.

As the healthcare industry adjusts to President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, many in the area are beginning to find access to healthcare more and more difficult. In the last few years, a number of hospitals in Queens have been forced to shutter.

Others have downgraded the quality and quantity of their service because of rising costs. The effect has been a community bereft of emergency care and available beds, forced to look elsewhere when it comes to their medical needs.

Flooding has consistently been a point of contention for residents of Southeast Queens, as the City continues to look for ways to address and improve the situation. The area has suffered through floods and a rising water table since the Dept. of Environmental Protection stopped pumping the wells at the Jamaica Water Supply in 1996.

Since then, the water table has risen significantly.

A panel of experts will discuss these issues, while others will talk about the future of Southeast Queens and the City’s African American community.

The individuals participating in the breakfast panel discussion and forum include:

State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr.

Elected to the New York State Senate in 2008 after serving seven years in the New York City Council, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. continues to proudly carry on the public service tradition of his father, Congressman Joseph P. Addabbo, Sr., who served 13 terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1960 to 1986. A lifelong resident of Ozone Park, Queens, Senator Joe Addabbo represents the 15th Senatorial District encompassing the communities – in whole or in part – of Broad Channel, Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Glendale, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Kew

Douglas Greeley

State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr.

Bruce J. Flanz

Douglas Greeley

Assemblyman William Scarborough

Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ozone Park, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, South Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Woodside and the Rockaways.

In the State Senate, Joe has continued to make constituent service a priority, just as he did as a representative of the 32nd New York City Council District, where he secured millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements, school technology and senior and youth services.

As a member of the Senate, Joe is deeply concerned with the welfare of New Yorkers in all stages and walks of life. His legislative record, which includes bills he has introduced and supported, reflects Joe’s commitment to fighting on behalf of children, the elderly, families, working people, consumers and veterans. He has also devoted himself to efforts to protect the environment, create new jobs and economic opportunities for small businesses, provide tax relief and improve transparency and accountability in New York’s government.

As a State Senator, Joe is well known for organizing and sponsoring

dozens of community events for his constituents each year, including job fairs for local residents and veterans, comprehensive recycling events, informational sessions for seniors and consumers, health screenings and more.

Bruce J. Flanz

Bruce J. Flanz serves as president and chief executive officer of MediSys Health Netowrk and the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, positions he has held since his appointment in 2011.

Flanz, 59, joined Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in 1975 from Montefiore Medical Center. He has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 1980, and has played a key role in establishing Jamaica Hospital as a leader in its market.

He also served as a leading member of the team that established MediSys Health Network.

Flanz was awarded the Hospital Association of New York State (HANYS) Distinguished Service Award in 2006, and he currently serves as the chair of HANYS Emergency Preparedness Task Force. He has served on the American

Greeley is a long-term expert in the management of the extensive water distribution and wastewater collection systems that service metropolitan New York. For 10 years as Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, he managed the City’s water distribution and wastewater systems and most recently, for his last three years with DEP, the operation of the City’s wastewater treatment plants. In this role, he served as a liaison with other government and private entities on all issues concerning the City’s government-operated infrastructure. Each assignment involved the oversight of fiscal, administrative, technical, scientific, and operational staff, as well as setting goals and priorities. Selected areas of experience include the implementation of a full-scale leak detection survey program, several GIS mapping and asset management projects, due diligence of the former Jamaica Water Supply Company which was acquired by the city, implementation of two Environmental Health and Safety compliance programs, participation in climate change and greenhouse gas reduction planning, and the integration of traditional and ecological solutions to waterbody and drainage issues.

Assemblyman William Scarborough

William Scarborough represents the 29th District in Queens County.

Having spent most of his life in the same district that he now represents, Scarborough knows very well the nature of its diverse communities.

Scarborough was raised in Jamaica, Queens, and has since lived in St. Albans and Rosedale, where he attended local schools. Graduating from Public School 140, Shimer J.H.S. 142, and Andrew Jackson High School, he is also a graduate of Queens College of the City University of New York, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science.

Assemblyman Scarborough has an (continued on page 22)

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 21

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Panel Discusses Healthcare, Water Table in SEQ (continued from page 20) extensive background in community involvement. He was District Manager of Community Board 12, where he coordinated and monitored the delivery of municipal services to residents of the Community Board. During his tenure as District Manager, he was also Chairman of the Board’s Human Services Cabinet, increasing the availability of primary health care in the area.

He served as Chairman of Area Policy Board 12 and was a member from 1983-1994. During his chairmanship, his duties included allocating funds of half a million dollars annually to community-based programs to provide housing, job training, senior citizen services, education and tutorial services, and many other types of services to residents below the poverty line.

Assemblyman Scarborough has membership and affiliations in a number of organizations and committees.

He has also received numerous awards and honors commending him for his dedicated service to the community.

Melinda Katz

Melinda Katz has been a dedicated public servant for nearly 20 years, serving in key governmental positions on both the city and state level.

Melinda represented the neighborhoods of Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew

The Edge School of the Arts will perform a special dance at the panel breakfast and discussion hosted by the PRESS of Southeast Queens.

Gardens and parts of Maspeth, South Elmhurst and Richmond Hill as City Council Member for the 29th Council District from 2002 to 2009. As a City Council Member, she rose to Chair the influential Land Use Committee. Under her leadership, the committee secured private-sector partnerships that lead to the creation of over 15,000 units of affordable housing.

Last year, Katz was elected to the position of Queens Borough President, and was sworn in during a ceremony at Queens College in January.

Scott Stringer

Scott Stringer was elected Comptroller last year, now serving as the City’s Chief Financial Officer.

After serving in the State Assembly representing Manhattan from 1993 to 2005, Stringer was elected Manhattan Borough President, serving two terms in the position.

As Borough President, Stringer transformed the office into a watchdog of government waste and mismanagement, issuing more than 50 reports on issues ranging from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s deficient funding to

the need for fundamental reform of the New York City Housing Authority.

Throughout his career, Stringer has been a strong advocate for open government and community engagement.

He implemented sweeping reforms to the appointment process for Manhattan Community Boards, and launched initiatives to promote greater transparency in the budget process, giving New Yorkers a stronger voice in how government spends their tax dollars.

A longtime champion of equal rights and opportunity for all New Yorkers, Stringer has fought hard for immigrant rights, speaking out on behalf of the DREAM Act and creating the first ever Immigrants Rights and Services Manual – published in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Russian. He was one of the first co-sponsors of a 1995 bill in the state assembly to provide marriage equality, and passed landmark legislation protecting victims of Domestic Violence.

Edge School of the Arts

The Edge School of the Arts (ESOTA) was founded in 1996 and modeled after the prominent Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center, which stood as a beacon of cultural and artistic excellence in Southeast Queens for almost 50 years.

Edge School of the Arts students will perform a special dance during the ceremony.

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23

Weill Music Institute Emra Islek

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Jamaica Performing Arts Center 153-10 Jamaica Avenue (at 153rd Street) Queens jamaica-performingartscenter.org 718-618-6170, ext. 300 EFJ

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Page 24 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

Presstime

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Though she has only been in office for six weeks, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said she has hit the ground running and is committed to ensuring that Southeast Queens gets its fair share of resources.

Katz visited Wednesday night’s Community Board 12 meeting to speak with constituents and board members, highlighting some of her progress with the two of the district’s biggest issues – flooding and school co-locations.

The Borough President, who recently celebrated her 21st year in government, said that her first six weeks in office have been “unbelievable” and credited much of her early success to her dedicated staff.

“We have accomplished a lot in our office so far. We have a staff that is aggressive, that is a team [and] that understands the pride of Queens,” Katz said. “They understand that to make this Borough the destination to come to when you visit the New York City area, we have to work as a cohesive branch together.”

Adhering to her theme of unity, Katz said she has been working with local elected officials to ensure that Southeast Queens gets a portion of the State money it is entitled to so that proper measures can be taken to alleviate flooding.

“We are working with the assemblymen and the councilmen and elected officials in order to make sure we try to deal with the flooding issue in a cohesive, effective manner,” she said. “There is money on a State level that we are trying to get in Southeast Queens that can be disseminated. All of us have been working together already, even before the election, just to make sure we get a jump start on it.”

Katz again stressed the importance of “speaking as one voice” so that Southeast Queens, and the entire Borough, is not swept under the rug.

“I am telling you that if Queens does not speak as one voice, when it comes to State money, federal money, and sometimes even City money, we are going to lose out,” she said. “I believe it is part of my job to bring folks together so that we’re speaking as one voice and bringing as much money as we possibly can to the Borough of Queens.”

Katz also took the opportunity to express her disapproval with the Dept. of Education’s management of failing schools through co-locations.

The DOE has proposed some 23 colocations in Queens within the next four years – many of which are in the confines of CB12.

“We have dealt with co-location issues [and] I have a problem with that,” she said. “If you limit the mon-

Photo by Natalia Kozikowska

BP Katz Vows To Fight For Southeast Queens

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz visited Wednesday night’s Community Board 12 meeting to discuss her recent progress with the district’s flooding and school co-locations. ey you give to schools, you don’t have the resources to educate our children [and] then you’re running a school that is going to fail.”

“They [the DOE] take that [failing] school and say, you know what, ‘we’re going to push the entire school down one floor and, great idea. –

we’re going to bring a second and third school into that school because the first one worked so well,’” she sarcastically added. “It doesn’t work.”

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.

Vincent Tabone Asks For Court Date Delay

BY JOE MARVILLI Another accused member of the federal corruption scandal plaguing State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis) is asking for a reprieve until after this year’s election cycle.

Former Queens Republican Vice Chairman Vincent Tabone has asked for his federal corruption trial to be pushed back until after the November elections, claiming that key GOP campaign strategies would be exposed if it proceeded any earlier. While the prosecution is looking for a trial start date around June 2, Tabone’s lawyer, Deborah Misir, wants it delayed for at least six months.

Smith had made a similar request two weeks ago, asking that the trial be pushed back until at least October, so he can get through the Primary in his mainly Democratic district.

Misir sent a letter on Feb. 14 to the Hon. Kenneth Karas to argue her case for the continuance of trial. Besides saying that campaign policies would be revealed, she said that the complexity and uniqueness of the case means that the defense should have more time to prepare for the case. Two legal issues of first impression are in question in this scenario, according to Misir.

The first is whether a political party volunteer breached a duty of honest services allegedly owed to the Republican Party county committees and members. The second is whether a political party volunteer violated the New York Penal Code prohibition on bribery for appointment or nomination for public office, by communicating with people who are seeking a Wilson-Pakula Authorization. That approval is given by a political party to a candidate for public office, allowing him or her to run

under that party line, despite the fact that the candidate does not belong to said party.

“Our number one issue for asking the trial to be delayed is it’s a complex set of issues that has never been tried before in the U.S.,” Misir said. “My client was not an elected official. He was a volunteer of the party. In all the cases related to honest services, the federal government said it’s going to come in and try the volunteer as being disloyal to his party. This is shocking for anyone who follows law.”

If Tabone is tried regarding these questions to his honest services with the Republican Party, members of the Queens GOP would have to testify on what Tabone did for them. As a result, they would have to discuss their campaign plans, without the same repercussions for the Democratic Party.

“If we have to find out what would

constitute honest services, they would ask what was your strategy in the election cycle,” Misir said. “It gives the other side an unfair advantage. You cannot use the courts to advance one party’s political interest over another. The courts have to be fair-balanced.”

Tabone has been accused of taking a $25,000 bribe as part of Smith’s failed plan to get his name on the GOP ballot for mayor. In light of the indictment, Tabone resigned as vice chairman of the Queens GOP. Misir also said that she has requested that her client be tried separately from Smith and former councilman Dan Halloran, rather than being packaged as one conspiracy.

“Each conspiracy should be tried separately,” she said.

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 25

Queens College Is ‘Freedom High’ For Staged Readings

BY JOE MARVILLI

were kidnapped and murdered outside Philadelphia, Miss. The case Early next week, Queens College wound up drawing national attention will celebrate Black History Month and played a large role in the Civil by being transformed into “Freedom Rights Movement. This story is told High.” from the perspective of Jessica KuThe college will hold a new, free plevsky, a white woman who signed production of “Freedom High,” with up to register Black voters without staged readings on Sunday, Feb. 23 understanding the dangers she might at 2 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 24 at confront.

10 a.m. in the Goldstein Theatre at “The college has a long history the Kupferberg Center for the Arts. connected to the Civil Rights MoveNot only will the performance have ment. And it’s the 50th anniversary a multiracial cast of eight students of the Freedom Summer,” Einhorn from the school, but it will also fea- said. ture six Equity actors, professionals Given the anniversary, the show that the students can learn from. was revived for these two perfor“They’re talking to each other, get- mances at Queens College, plus a ting life advice. It’s a very different third one on Monday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 relationship than teacher-student. p.m. at Theater for the New City in They’re learning just by example, Manhattan. It originally premiered at just by having lunch toQueens College in 2007, gether,” Susan Einhorn, a “The college has a with subsequent shows Queens College professor long history connect- at Queens Theatre in the and the show’s director, ed to the Civil Rights Park. said. “It’s like an intern- Movement. And it’s With hundreds of ship but better. In this the 50th anniversary high school and college instance, they’re up there of the Freedom Sum- students and faculty set with them. They’re equal mer.” to see the staged read-Susan Einhorn ing, Einhorn said she in a sense. There’s no safe place for the students to hopes “Freedom High” be watching from.” will let the audience reflect on how Cassandra Price, Rina Dutta, civil rights have grown in the past 50 Alexa Politis, Aaron Orlov, Tony years, as well as what still needs to Scheer, Gael Seraphin, George Pe- be done. draza and Steven Wody are the eight “It’s a very moving story. When students who will join the Equity ac- the play was first done and written, tors for a staged reading of the story Obama was not president. The play

by Adam Kraar. was about just getting people regis“Freedom High” is about the tered,” she said. “For me, it heightimpact of the deaths of civil rights ens everything. It shows we’ve come workers James Chaney, Michael a long way. On the other hand, the reSchwerner and QC student An- ality’s also of how we haven’t come a drew Goodman in June 1964. Their long way. There’s still racism, there’s deaths happened during Freedom still inequalities in many ways. It’s a Summer, an effort by hundreds of very interesting time to re-examine Black and white volunteers from the story.” all over the country to help African Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) Americans register to vote in the 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queensegregated South. The three men stribune.com, or @Joey788.

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LaGCC Celebrates Black history Month Through art trum of what contemporary art can be,” he said.

Forty-four artists, including stuLaGuardia Community College is celebrating Black History Month dents and faculty, took part in the through a faculty and student art ex- exhibition.

Simms said they have all come hibition, until March 7.

The artwork reflects the show’s together around this universal theme universal theme, “Advancing the to show divergent interpretations of Dream: Social Justice in the 21st the social justice in the 21st century Century,” in divergent interpreta- through art.

“It is not an easy undertaking betions and forms.

Arthur Simms, arts program coor- cause art is such a personal and selfdinator, said the exhibition is the first indulgent endeavor,” he said.

As for the artwork presented at the of its kind at the college and serves as one part of the month-long series of exhibition, Simms said often times events for LaGuardia’s annual Black people bring themselves in what they are creating.

History Month celebration.

“When you ask an artist to create Simms said the month-long celebration “speaks of we as a people something, you will get something coming together to ensure no one is back, and there are some really good things at the show,” he said. “There left behind.”

“This notion has been played out is no right way or wrong way, its just throughout history in the form of Af- the artist’s way.”

Overall, Simms said the exhibirican American struggle for civil and economic rights,” he said. “In honor tion shows “the strength of what Laof the courage of our forefather and Guardians can do.”

Even though this is the first art exhiforemothers, we have this celebrabition of its kind at the college, Simms tion.”

The exhibition consists of paint- said it could become an annual part of ings, photographs, sculptures, videos the Black History Month celebration.

“It’s a really good experience,” he and drawings that speak to the gensaid. “It also gives students a chance eral theme, Simms said.

“It tries to touch the entire spec- to exhibit their work. It shows possibilities of articulating an idea.”

The exhibition is being held at the Skylight Gallery and the Presidential Gallery on the fifth floor of the Ebuilding at LaGuardia College, located at 3110 Thomson Ave., LIC. Reach Reporter Trisha Sakhuja at (718) 3577400, Ext. 128, tsakhuCindy Bencosme’s photos will be featured in the exja@queenstribune.com, hibit at LaGuardia Community College. or @Tsakhuja13.

By Trisha sakhuja

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 27

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 Editor-in-Chief:

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Natalia Kozikowska Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Trisha Sakhuja

Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Lianne Procanyn Barbara Townsend Maureen Coppola Advertising Director Shanie Persaud Director Corporate Accounts/ Events Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin Brenda Jones

A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2014 Tribco, LLC

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

Editorial No Trial Delay Needed News surfaced this week that the attorneys of both State Sen. Malcolm Smith and Vincent Tabone, former Queens Republican vice chair, have asked for a delay in their trials. Smith wants to be able to run for re-election without worry of a trial on the side. Tabone’s attorney said that Republican strategies would be compromised if the case went to trial, possibly hurting others up for election.

We hope these requests are laughed out of the courtroom.

While the main players in last year’s alleged scheme to put Malcolm Smith on the ballot for Mayor as a Republican have declared their innocence, the truth should be revealed as soon as possible. If that means that certain individuals are damaged during the upcoming election season – Smith’s State Senate seat will be up for re-election, likely facing a primary challenge – then so be it. Voters deserve to know what their representatives had up their sleeves.

They are guaranteed a right to due process, not a process to dupe voters. Pushing their trials back after this election season is nothing but an attempt to gum up the election process.

And what good does it do for any district who votes for a candidate, only to find months after the election that candidate is going to jail?

It has been close to a year since the arrests of Smith, Tabone, Dan Halloran and others. Let’s not delay the trial any longer.

It’s time these individuals faced the charges against them. Let the voters go to the polls, knowing they are voting for a qualified individual.

Letters An Ongoing Battle

To The Editor: Growing up in a protective family, I used to think drugs and alcohol are vices that are only shown in movies. It was not until I entered middle school that I realized how to many people, drugs and alcohol is a way of life. Progressing to high school, I met many people who had their life and future sucked out of them by these drug-vampires.

We are taught in school to get A’s in all subjects and to study hard and be the best students we can be so that we can be successful in life.

After all, we are the future of America. But can we truly be successful without being taught morals and knowing right from wrong?

Only recently I realized how blessed I am to have received moral teachings from my devoted Muslim grandmother. Her constant reminders helped save me from the negative influences around

me. Not everyone is lucky to have someone to guide them, but I feel it is essential for one to be taught these things starting at a young age.

How can someone dealing drugs not understand that they are literally destroying someone else’s life? It baffles me to think that they don’t have a parent, a sibling, a friend, or anyone to teach them the value of a human life. Unless we take moral teachings as seriously as calculus or any other subject, we will lose this battle against drugs. And if we lose, then the future of America will lose.

Nabila Kermani, Jamaica Hills

WRITE ON: The PRESS of Southeast Queens, 150-40 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357 email editor@queenspress.com

Black History-Makers And Our Mandate A Personal Perspective

By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE E ve r y B l a ck H i s t o r y Month, we are reminded of how important AfricanAmericans have been to the development of the United States.

Despite being brought here as slaves, Africans and their descendants have contributed tremendously to the success of and its superpower status.

It is by far the most desirable immigrant destination as every year, tens of thousands of new immigrants arrive to pursue the American dream.

What started out as Negro History Week by Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) in 1926 would become Black History Month 50 years later in 1976. Because African Americans had been so deliberately left out of the history books, Dr. Woodson took it upon himself to teach us -and everyone else who cares to know – that indeed, we too have contributed to the United States.

Contrary to what the slave masters and political enforc-

ers wanted the world to know about us, as we gained freedom, we would also contribute with our intellect and talents in engineering, research and development, medicine, education, the arts, literature, maritime exploits….

Booker T. Washington founded a university (Tuskegee Institute, now known as Tuskegee University) and George Washington Carver created farming methods such as crop rotation and fallow technique that are still in practice today by farmers all over the world. His inventions are too numerous to list here; and his food and household products developed in his lab are still with us today. A small sampling would include buttermilk, milk flakes, mayonnaise, shoe polish, talcum powder and the ever famous peanut butter.

In more contemporary times, Queens has also had its share of luminaries who have contributed to the history of our people. Ralph Bunche (1903-1971) a diplomat, was the “first person of color” to win the Nobel Peace Prize (in 1950 for mediations he

conducted in the 1940s in Palestine). A Harvard-educated political scientist, Bunche received the Medal of Freedom from President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Bunche, who lived in Kew Gardens, was also a professor at Howard University. About eight years ago, the Queens Museum housed a magnificent exhibition of Bunche’s life and career – including his Nobel Prize and briefcase. This exhibition is a must-see if it ever returns.

Roy Wilkins (1901-1981) was executive director of the NAACP and an unapologetic Civil Rights activist, who received the Medal of Freedom from President Lyndon B. Johnson. Wilkins will long be remembered in our community, thanks in large measure to the Southeast Queens park named in his honor.

Politicians such as Archie Spigner, who became the first African-American Councilmember from Queens and Andrew Jenkins, who created and served the old 10th Senate District have also added to our rich legacy. Guy R. Brewer (1904-1978) was also among the first African-

Americans elected to public office in Queens (New York State Assembly – 1969 to 1978); and served as the Assembly’s first majority whip of color. Brewer will long be remembered not only for his public service and the boulevard named in his honor, but for the Democratic Club he co-founded. The United Democratic Club was renamed the Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club and remains one of the largest political clubs in the Borough and City.

Black History isn’t just about a past where accomplishing great things was done against much greater odds.

Black History is also about what we are doing right now to add to our rich heritage.

We cannot afford to rest on our laurels and celebrate the greats of a painful past, we must add to the legacy so that 50 or 100 years from now, we, and our era will also be celebrated. It behooves all of us to leave something good behind for those who will come after us.

Here’s to the past, the present and the future. Here’s to Black History Month!

Page 28 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

“MORE THAN A BROADWAY SHOW, A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC THAT TRANSFORMED AMERICA!” –CBS SUNDAY MORNING

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Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 29

Queens today

FRIDay 2/21 thE Jazz aGE

Vocalist Barbara Rosene and her musicians will transport Flushing Town Hall back to the Jazz Age of the 1920s.

Starting at 8 p.m., “The Jazz Age & The Charleston - 1920s Speakeasy Music” will explore the era of Prohibition and speakeasy clubs, when “The Charleston” dance craze spread across America.

Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for members and students. For more information, call (718) 463-7700.

exhibiting raw physicality mixed with human vulnerability. The evening will feature two premiere works; Hinge accompanied by original music played lived on stage in collaboration with MuSE, Multicultural Sonic Evolution, and Womb, a dance/video work in collaboration with artist Rodney Zagury. Admission is $15 advance, $20 at the door, $10 students. For more information, call the LPAC Box Office at (718) 482-5151, Monday – Friday, 10 a.m.

- 4 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center. The Little Theater is located at 31-10 Thomson Ave.

sUNDay 2/23

livE from thE PoEmoBilE

QuEEns CounCil on thE arts PrEsEnts “a niGht with DanCErs”

To see an evening with Queens-based dancers and choreographers who will be performing works-in-progress, check out 3rd Space’s event, starting at 7 p.m. Artists and the culturally curious are invited to participate in an evening of movement and discussion, to help workshop works-in-progress and gain unique insight into the artistic process. Dancers are especially encouraged to join for a unique networking and community building opportunity. Admission is $5. The QCA is located at 37-11 35th Ave., Astoria.

For more information, visit www.licpartnership.org/ events/queens-council-onthe-arts.

satURDay 2/22

BEGin. aGain. valEriE GrEEn DanCE EntroPy Valerie Green’s work is bold, rich in texture and visually theatrical, which intertwines an extreme exploration of human behavior, while

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Flushing Town Hall with performances

by Korean poets and traditional musicians and dancers. At 6:30 p.m., the readings will start and will be accompanied by projections from the POEMobile of original Korean poems with English translations, onto Flushing Town Hall’s garden wall. The event is free. Flushing Town Hall is located at 137-35 Northern Blvd.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

sUNay 2/23

thE BEauty of BallEt Queens Theatre will host the world-famous School of American Ballet to introduce children to the dance style.

A member of the school’s faculty and advanced male and female students will illustrate how talented youngsters develop into accomplished classical ballet dancers.

The free event will take place at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call the box office at (718) 760-0064 to reserve your seats.

per family. Advance registration is recommended.

For more information, visit nysci.org/little-makers or call (718) 699-0005.

music, promising listeners an “instantaneous cure for all afflictions.” For information, visit www.dbrielly.com.

Early animatED Cartoons

tUEsDay 2/25

The Voelker Orth Museum will present a family-friendly program consisting of several cartoons from the silent era, from 2:30-4 p.m. Tom Stathes will dim the parlor lights and invite the audience to share in the glow of the fantastic animated world of yesteryear. Suggested donation is $5. For information, visit www.vomuseum. org.

oPEration sPy GaDGEts From periscopes to invisible ink, design and make spy gadgets at the New York Hall of Science as part of its Little Makers series. The workshop will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

There is an $8 materials fee

moNDay 2/24

musiC PErformanCE

Musician D.B. Rielly will perform from 9-11 p.m. at Sweet Afton, 30-09 34th St., Astoria. Rielly will perform a collection of Americana

School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center will present a Mardi Gras celebration from 6-10 p.m. at Roma View Catering, 160-05 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach.

Clorinda Antonucci and Nick Mascia will be crowned Queen and King. Tickets cost $75. For information, email ssndec@aol.com or call (718) 738-0588.

tHURsDay 2/27

livE musiC thursDays

shE-DEvils

A showcase of the funniest people in the world without a Y chromosome, presented by the Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City.

The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets include two glasses of wine, champagne or soft drink. For information, visit www.laughingdevil.com.

marDi Gras CElEBration

E.l. DoCtorow

National Book Award-winning author E.L. Doctorow will read from his work during a literary event at LeFrak Concert Hall at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts. Starting at 7 p.m., the author of “The Book of Daniel” will also be interviewed Leonard Lopate.

WEDNEsDay 2/26

miD-wintEr tastE

Come try food from more than 30 local restaurants at Resorts World Casino. It will feature guest appearances by celebrity chef Todd English, Miss USA Erin Brady and more. The show starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.

It costs $100 for general admission and $150 for VIP admission. To buy tickets, log onto rwnewyork.com/ mid-winter taste or call 1-888-888-8801.

Visit the Rest-au-Rant for some live music and fun.

A very special appearance by one of RaRbar’s favorites, an Astoria local, Aaron LaVigne, will perform his original tunes! If you like to support local artists, this is an awesome guy to start with.

Admission is free. The bar is located at 30-01 35th Ave., LIC. For more information, visit www.rarbarlic.com

DEvil sCiEnCE thEatEr 3K

Cult films, alcohol and comedians at the Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City. Each Thursday at 10:30 p.m., the club encourages patrons to talk at a theater and heckle at a comedy club. Cost is $6.

For information, visit www. laughingdevil.com.

Got EvEnts?

send all information to editor@queenstribune.com or mail to: 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, Ny 11357

Page 30 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

Faith

Celebrating Black History Month As A Catholic

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA When Father Alonzo Cox of St. Clare’s Roman Catholic Church in Rosedale was flying back from a clergy conference in Atlanta, he was approached by a stranger while waiting for his flight.

“A person came over to me and referred to me as Reverend because he saw the collar,” Cox said. “We began to have this conversation about God and faith.”

As the conversation drew to an end, the stranger had asked him what denomination of faith Cox was.

“When I said Roman Catholic priest, he looked at me like I had two heads,” he said. “He said, ‘wow, I didn’t even know Black and Catholic could be used in the same sentence.’”

Though taken back by the stranger’s words, Cox said he was not offended by the remarks.

“I was in Atlanta and there aren’t many Black Catholics in the South.

There aren’t many of us. There aren’t many young African Americans who are Catholic and who are in the priesthood,” he said. “My grandmother grew up in South Carolina and she was one of the very few Black Catholics in the neighborhood.”

As St. Clare’s celebrates Black History Month, Cox recanted the story to his parishioners in a letter, sharing the significance of the Catholic faith during such an important part of the year.

“During Black History Month, it’s important that we live as one body, one spirit and one church in the same way Jesus told his disciples to do,” he said. “It’s really important for Catholics here, in Rosedale, to be able to put their faith on display. We are Catholics and we are Catholics that just so

happen to be African American.”

In his four years at St. Clare’s, Cox said that being a Black Roman Catholic priest has not been without its barriers.

“One of the challenges that I have faced over the last four years is that when people see me, especially when they see me, and I tell them I am a Roman Catholic priest,” he said.

“They have in their minds that I have to act a certain way or be a certain persona that exemplifies this Black Catholic priest, when in all reality, I just want to be me.”

Cox went on to say that during Black History Month, it is important for all African Americans to give honor to those who were courageous in breaking the barrier of racism, using Catholic ex-slave Pierre Toussaint as a prime example.

“He was born into the slavery and overcame so many hardships,” he

said. “When he was sent to New York and his slave master set him free, he was able to give all the money that he made from his slave master back to the church and really relied on God throughout all of his struggles.

He believed that God set him free.

He gave everything he had to back to God and that it is a great example of what we as Catholics can do for Black History Month.”

In honor of Black History Month, St. Clare’s will hold a special screening of the Jackie Robinson-inspired movie, “42.” The screening will take place at the school auditorium at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.

St. Clare’s Roman Catholic Church is located at 137-25 Brookville Blvd., Rosedale.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska

Notebook

Hillcrest High School

Hillcrest High School Principal Retires After 18 Years After nearly two decades at Hillcrest High School, Principal Stephen Duch has retired.

Duch, who retired earlier this month, is often credited for changing Hillcrest High School’s bad reputation for violence. During his tenure, he transformed the school’s shaky past and even earned Hillcrest a National Blue Ribbon– an award given to high schools that have made significant improvements.

In addition to making Hillcrest one of the safest large public schools in the City, he also transformed the school academically. For the past couple of years, Hillcrest has earned all A’s and B’s on the New York City Progress Report. The school’s graduation rates and college readiness exceed public school averages. Last year, Hillcrest students earned five million dollars in scholarships. The school has also shown great progress on Regents exams.

Before he came to Hillcrest High School in 1997, Duch was a kindergarten teacher. His work as a teacher distinguished him in the field of education to the point where he was eventually offered an assistant principal position at Hillcrest. Shortly thereaf-

ter, Duch was promoted so graciously led,” said to principal and has been Norma Feriz-Gordon, serving in that capacity a teacher at the school. before many of his cur“Your footprint remains. rent students were even The family environment born. is so apparent as stuDuch is very proud dents graduate only to of his accomplishments return to become an inand said that he thortegral and daily part of oughly enjoyed working the Hillcrest family.” at Hillcrest High School “In today’s Dept. of for the past 18 years.

Education, a typical “It’s like I’m the may‘shelf life’ for a princior, but being the principal is around five years. pal also comes with a lot Mr. Duch has exceeded of responsibilities and that four times. This there is no space for misalone is a testament Stephen Duch retired as principal at Hillcrest High School after to fact that unlike so takes,” he said.

In addition to chang- 18 years. many others, he did ing the school’s reputasomething right,” said Duch admits that his departure Russel Wasden, a staffer at Hilltion, the faculty often credit Duch for improving communication. It is is a bittersweet moment in his life. cret. “Hundreds of teachers and felsaid that Duch has never made any Though he loved his job, he knows low administrators have benefited decisions without carefully weighing that he can leave the school with a from the right choices made by this “clear conscience” – knowing he did principal — not to mention the tens the options of staff first.

Duch has now been in education everything he could for the better- of thousands of students, parents, for 37 years and has no plans to stop. ment of the school. And many seem and families who have benefited as Though he is not entirely too sure of to agree. well.”

“The impact you have made and his plans after retirement, Duch reAs Duch’s retirement is the end of mains committed to the field and said the path you have paved will con- an era, Hillcrest has already begun a he to hopes to help train inexperi- tinue to inspire and lead us forward new chapter in its book with David enced principals or work at a college. as we continue the work you have Morrison as its new principal.

Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 31

Profile

Jamaica Woman Brews Beer With A Hint Of History

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA When Jamaica resident Celeste Beatty first sought to start her own brewing company in 2000, she wanted to do more than just make beer – she wanted to craft a beverage that celebrated the rich culture in neighborhoods like Harlem and Southeast Queens.

“When I decided to go beyond just making 12 batches and creating an actual company, Harlem Brewing Company, that rich history and that story resonated with what I wanted to do with the brand, which was celebrate those communities,” Beatty said.

The brewmaster has spent 15 years perfecting her recipe for Sugar Hill Golden Ale, inspired by the artistic history in Harlem and neighborhoods like it.

“There were a lot of musicians and writers and singers that gravitated to Sugar Hill, that part of Harlem,” she said. “I wanted to capture that culture with my beer.”

Beatty said her love for cooking developed at a young age. She recalls her mother and her grandmother stirring up concoctions in the kitchen

similarities and I fell in love with it – the fact that it was so similar.”

As Harlem Brewing Company began to expand and Sugar Hill Beer began to gain notoriety, Beatty said she never lost sight of her goal to embrace her roots in both Harlem and Southeast Queens.

“Whenever we go out to have people sample our beer, we’ll have material on our table about what’s happening in the culture of music in Harlem and Southeast Queens,” Jamaica resident Celeste Beatty has craft- she said. “It gives us a very ed a beer that embraces Harlem and South- interesting opportunity to make sure that part of the east Queens’ unique cultural history. message of the brand is not just enjoying great beer, but celebrating that culture and and being captivated by the way they sharing that information and enmixed different flavors together.

When she first tried her hand at couraging people to come and visit.”

Harlem Brewing Company has crafting a beer, she was excited by its grown significantly in its 14 years. similarities to cooking.

“It was so similar to the soups that Today, Sugar Hill Ale is found all my mom and grandmother made as over the City and in multiple states a child growing up. You always had across the country. Sugar Hill Ale these large pots and spiced up the is sold at the Apollo Theatre and ingredients like a soup,” she said. “I many other venues like Jamaica’s started to connect the dots and the own Black Spectrum Theatre and the

newly-opened restaurant, City Rib. And Beatty is not stopping there.

She recently launched a campaign to open her own brewery in Harlem on 126th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. She has also been in talks with Southeast Queens’ State Sen. James Sanders (D-South Ozone Park) about opening up a brewery in Jamaica.

“I’ve looked at a number of spaces on Sutphin Boulevard and all over Downtown Jamaica,” she said. “It’s definitely something I’ve been looking into. We even have a name already- Jamaica Brewing Company.”

Though she admits her journey to the top was difficult, Beatty said she truly enjoys being able to share the “culture of craft beer” and looks forward to operating her own breweries.

“We want to make a difference by embracing the community and letting people know what’s happening in our neighborhoods,” she said.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska

People Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at SUNY Brockport. They include: Far Rockaway: Nicole Simpson.

Hollis Hills: Morgan Hasson.

Jamaica: Rachel Francis, Kamnolu Okolo.

Gabrielle Beckford of Laurelton was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. Muhammad Siddiqui of Queens Village was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, N.C. Local students received degrees during fall 2013 commencement ceremonies at Hofstra University in Hempstead. They include: Cambria Heights: Sara Jean-Baptiste, Master of Science degree in community health.

Hollis: Alicia Persaud, Master of Arts degree in mental health counseling.

Jamaica: Ezekial Arrington, Master of Business Administration degree in sports and entertainment

marketing; Nerissa Prescott, Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling mental health.

Queens Village: Ayokunnumi Alabi, Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance.

St. Albans: Alia Atwaru, Master’s degree in health administration.

South Ozone Park: Saira Moosai, Master of Business Administration degree in finance.

Marshall is the son of Neal Marshall Sr. of Jamaica and Harriette Goodridge-Seymour of Spring Valley.

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Emmanuel S. Rene graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Rene is the son of Sulica Rene of Hollis and is a 1007 graduate of August Martin High School in Jamaica.

Justin Romo of South Ozone Park has been named to the Honor’s List for the fall 2013 semester at SUNY Delhi.

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Neal A. Marshall graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

Local students have been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at SUNY Fredonia. They include: Jamaica: Courtney Stewart, Claudia Azevedo.

Gregory Davis of Jamaica was named a members of the men’s soccer team, playing forward, at Marist College in Poughkeepsie.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at SUNY Buffalo State. They include: Far Rockaway: Shanice Patterson.

Jamaica: Liza Yan. Laurelton: Kerby Marcelin.

Ozone Park: Anthony Maldonado.

Queens Village: Ashleigh-Ann

Sutherland, Felecia Malcolm.

Richmond Hill: Jordan Silva.

Rosedale: Yusef Griffin.

St. Albans: Simone Dawson.

South Richmond Hill: Carol Reyes, Cindy Chattoo.

Springfield Gardens: Mariam Lawal.

The Alley Pond Environmental Center Board of Directors have announced a wine tasting fundraiser to benefit APEC, 6:30-9:30 p.m. March 3 at Pappazzio Restaurant, 39-38 Bell Blvd., Bayside. Tickets cost $65 and must be purchased in advance.

For information or to register, call (718) 229-4000.

New York Army National Guard recently announced the promotion of members in recognition of their capacity for additional responsibility and leadership.

Devonna McCutcheon of Jamaica, serving with the 107th Military Police Company, is promoted to specialist.

Stephen Pritchett of Jamaica, serving with the Company A, 101st Signal Battalion, is promoted to specialist.

Page 32 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

What’s Up FEB. 21 tribute to Chantal Legros The Southern Queens Park Association invites one and all to attend a tribute to Chantal Legros, former CEO of SQPA who suddenly passed away several weeks ago. The free event begins 6:30 p.m. at JHS 8 Richard S. Grossley School, 108-35 167th St., Jamaica. To RSVP, email thankerson@sqpa.org or call (718) 276-4630, Ext. 100 or 138.

FEB. 22 Cultural Gala The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning will partner with Jamaica’s United African Dance Troupe for the “Sixth Annual Black History Cultural Gala,” occurring at 7:30 p.m. and repeating on Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. The dance troupe will work with the African Love Institute on a tribute to Nelson Mandela. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 12.

The Jamaica Performing Arts Center is located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave. For more information, call (718) 618-6170 or email Jpac@Jcal.org.

FEB. 23 the Clean Up Woman The Black Spectrum Theatre in-

vites you to join them for an exclusive movie preview of JD Lawrence’s hit national stage-play “The Clean Up Woman,” which was rescheduled from Feb. 14th. Tickets are $10 to attend. The movie begins at 8 p.m.

Black Spectrum Theatre is located at Baisley Boulevard and 177th Street, inside Roy Wilkins Park. For additional information, call (718) 7231800.

FEB. 25 African American heritage Month Celebration Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and The African American Heritage Month Planning Committee cordially invite you to the annual African American Heritage Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony.

Come out for an evening honoring the past and looking to the future by awarding student scholars and recognizing outstanding community members. RSVP at (718) 286-2857. The event will be held at Queens Borough Hall, located at 120-55 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens, at 6 p.m. For more information, call (718) 236-3000.

Can’t Get Right The Theatre of the Oppressed

NYC cordially invites you to “Can’t Get Right” – a play created by young adults on probation and parole based on their experiences of racism and discrimination in the criminal justice system. Since January 2014, TONYC has been working in partnership with the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services to develop this production in response to the Trayvon Martin verdict and the current discourse on profiling.

Please bring your voice and expertise to the room, and participate in the interactive forum after the play. The show will be held at the Afrikan Poetry Theatre at 7 p.m. The theater is located at 176-03 Jamaica Ave. It is free to attend.

FEB. 26 Mid-Winter taste for City harvest Don’t miss this special tasting event featuring food, wine and cocktails from some of New York’s hottest chefs and restaurants. Appearances by celebrity chef Todd English, Miss USA Erin Brady and many other surprise guests. All proceeds will benefit City Harvest, the world’s first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding New York

City’s hungry men, women and children. Don’t miss this exciting evening with live music from the Rakiem Walker Project, fantastic giveaways and delicious food, all to benefit a great cause. Tickets range from $100 to $150. The event will be held at Resorts World Casino, located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica. For more information, call (888) 888-8801. The event begins at 7 p.m.

WhAt’S Up With YoU? Send your community events to the PRESS for a free listing at 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357.

Call (718) 357-7400 or email editor@queenspress.com.

All events will be considered for publication, without a fee.

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Crowley Staying Up Late?

Q

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Page 34 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 21-27, 2014

Musicians OF QuEEns

Aram Bajakian

QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari

Late night television is in a transition state this month, as Jimmy Fallon took over the Tonight Show from Jay Leno on Monday. The former Late Night host is being replaced by fellow SNL alum Seth Meyer, who invited Queens' own U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley to take part in a test show earlier this week. Since Fallon took the Roots with him as his house band, maybe Crowley, notorious for his musical proclivities, was auditioning for a new gig?

One Great Severance In case there was not enough evidence that Queens Library CEO Thomas Galante has a cushy gig, more revelations this week have revealed just how much more he can screw over the City’s taxpayers.

It has recently come to light that making the Galante problem go away is not as easy as simply firing him - not unless the City wants to pay out the nose to get rid of him. The CEO’s employment contract guarantees him a $2 million severance package if he is dismissed.

This is just the latest revelations of the ridiculous

contract that has given Galante a $391,594 salary to run the taxpayer-funded library system which has gone under massive budget cuts in the last five years, with more than 100 employees being laid off.

But what does that matter? Galante needed $140,000 worth of office renovations.

That is exactly where the taxpayer money should have gone. At least that’s what Galante seems to think.

So here’s some advice from QConf. If you have the chance to lead a nonprofit, you should take it. You’ll get more perks than you could have ever dreamed of!

Saving a Quiet Threat?

We must save the beautiful mute swans!

Have you ever wondered what life would be like without the white, elegant swans you see at local ponds throughout Queens?

State Sen. Tony Avella, advocate for animal rights, is making sure the Dept. of Environmental Conservation does not eradicate all 2,200 wild mute swans in the state by 2025.

The State wants to declare the swans a “prohibited invasive species,” but Avella is out to the rescue.

He filed a bill on Feb. 10, which requires DEC to demonstrate that actual damage to the environment or other species have been caused by the mute swan population across the State.

“I was horrified to learn that our State wildlife agency would make such an extreme, unfounded proposal, and do not believe that the DEC has provided evidence to justify the elimination of these beautiful swans,” Avella said.

According to Friends of Animals, an animal rights organization rallying support to stop the plan since it was announced in December, DEC tries to justify the eradication by claiming that the swans can cause a variety of problems in spite of their small numbers, which equal to about one half of one percent of all waterfowl in New York.

No one wants to see the mute swans go; after all, they are mute. How much damage can they do?

Contributors: Luis Gronda, Natalia Kozikowska, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Michael Nussbaum, Trisha Sakhuja, Michael Schenkler.

Follow us on Twitter: @QueensTrib Like us on Facebook facebook.com/ QueensTrib

Talks With A Side of Fries Following the McDonald’s controversy in Flushing last month, there is more trouble cooking at another Queens fast food establishment.

Staffers from Assemblyman David Weprin’s office recently visited the Richmond Hill Burger King at Liberty Avenue and 120th Street, to attempt to discuss seniors who like to keep away from the cold weather.

The Assemblyman is hoping to make a deal, similar to the “McCompromise” Assemblyman Ron Kim made at the Flushing McDonalds, with the southern Queens Burger King that would allow the seniors to stay inside the location when it is not busy.

At the Community Board 9 meeting last week, a Weprin staffer said two of his aids visited the location, attempting to discuss the situation.

The restaurant’s manager was not available to speak when they visited, according to the staffer.

We certainly hope this can be resolved before it becomes a Whopper of a situation like what occurred in Flushing.

We’re sure both parties would like to have it their way, but we see no reason why another McResolution can’t be reached.

Aram Bajakian’s career as a musician has been one of experimentation. Having played in multiple groups and with a few music legends, the guitarist’s distinctive playing style stands out no matter what genre he is exploring.

Part Hendrix, part jazz-rock fusion, his technique can range from absolute chaos to catchy riffs to beautiful, icy notes.

While music has always been an essential part of his life, Bajakian named Led Zeppelin and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as two different sounds that inspired him during his formative years.

“All my life, there was music. There was no first.

But I loved Jimmy Page. I had a picture of him on my desk when I was in 5th grade,” he said. “And I’ll never forget hearing the overture for ‘Don Giovanni’ the first time. That is punk rock.”

Fast-forwarding to the present day, Bajakian decided to look back to his interactions with blues music for his new album, “there were also flowers in hell,” which was released on Feb. 1. The instrumental record opens with “Texas Cannonball,” a homage to blues guitarist Freddie King.

According to Bajakian’s artistic statement on the album, it was motivated by thinking back to his youth, when he listened to his uncle play the blues on a 1940s Steel guitar and going to see blues masters like B.B. King and Clarence Gatemouth Brown. While he had set out to make a blues record, bassist Shahzad Ismaily’s and Jerome Jennings’ unique styles transformed it into something else:

a melding of dense, chaotic sounds and moments of fragile beauty.

“They have a different energy. It’s beautiful. Obviously, I chose to play with them because of their musicality, but what’s more important is the energy and presence of each member,” Bajakian said. “They really honor the music and where it’s going.

It’s spiritual.”

Besides his solo work, Bajakian played on “Abraxas: Book of Angels Volume 19,” an album of John Zorn compositions by Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz. He is also a member of Kef, a chamber string trio playing fresh arrangements of traditional Armenian songs.

“Well, Kef has no drums.

So that’s a big difference.

And we’re playing punked-out Armenian dance songs. So you think you would need drums, but in fact that’s what makes the group great,” he said. “It has the exact opposite of what you’d expect.”

Bajakian has drawn the attention of well-known artists like Zorn, Lou Reed and Diana Krall, all of whom he has performed with. While these gigs are special, it comes as part of Bajakian’s goal to continuously play music.

“I take every gig I can get.

All the memories of playing are great. There’s no favorite because if you really love playing music, it’s all a joy,” he said.

“That being said, playing in Taormina, Sicily with Lou Reed while Mount Etna is erupting in the background was pretty awesome.”

For more information about all of Bajakian’s projects and shows, visit his website at http://arambajakian.com.

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Feb. 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 35

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