Second Annual
SMALL BIZ AWARDS
Volume 15 Issue No. 12 March 21-27, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 • 8:30-11 a.m. At Queens College For info, call: 718-357-7400
PRESS Photo by Natalia Kozikowska
FIRING BACK
Advocates rally to show support of bringing charter schools to Southeast Queens. By Natalia Kozikowska … Page 3.
ONLINE AT WWW.QUEENSPRESS.COM
Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 21-27, 2014
News Briefs Navy Vet To Challenge Embattled Smith
Weill Music Institute
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERT
Soh Daiko Saturday, March 29 at 3 PM Much more than just percussion, Japanese drumming collective Soh Daiko performs with dynamic choreography, endurance, and explosive energy. LaGuardia Performing Arts Center LaGuardia Community College Mainstage Theatre 31-10 Thomson Avenue | Queens (Alternate entrance at Building E on 47th Avenue and Van Dam Street) RSVP required: rsvp-lpac@lagcc.cuny.edu www.lagcc.cuny.edu/lpac | 718-482-5151 7 E G R | Bus: B62, Q32, Q39, Q60 Carnegie Hall’s Neighborhood Concerts are sponsored by
Free concerts in all five boroughs! carnegiehall.org/NeighborhoodConcerts
Michael Dames
Free !
Earlier this week, a report surfaced that cyber security expert and Navy veteran Bernadette Semple has thrown her hat in the race embattled State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Jamaica), who is presently awaiting trial on corruption charges. Semple joins attorneys Clyde Vanel and Munir Avery, who have already announced their candidacy in the race to unseat Smith. Deputy Borough President Leroy Comrie is also rumored to have an interest in running. The news of her candidacy comes just two weeks after a federal court judge denied Smith’s request to push back trial until after September’s Democratic Primary. His defense attorney, Gerald Shargel, asked the Hon. Kenneth Karas to delay the trial so that Smith could have a “fair election.” Karas, however, denied the motion and the Senator’s trial will move forward as scheduled on June 2. Smith is being brought up on charges of wire fraud and Travel Act bribery conspiracy, wire fraud and Hobbs Act. If he is found guilty of all charges, he faces up to 45 years in prison.
Taxi Dispatchers Nabbed In Sting Operation
On March 19, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, joined by Port Authority Inspector General Robert E. Van Etten, announced that 16 airport taxi dispatchers employed by Port Authority of New York and New Jersey subcontractor Gateway Group One Frontline Services have been arrested in an undercover “sting” operation and charged with unlawfully receiving cash bribes in a taxi-dispatching scheme at John F. Kennedy International Airport. According to a statement issued by
the Queens DA, the alleged taxi dispatcher scheme was uncovered in December 2012 when the Port Authority Inspector General’s Office received an anonymous call alleging that taxi dispatchers at JFK Airport were permitting taxi drivers to respond to airport terminals without waiting in the central taxi holding lot. After a preliminary review, the Inspector General’s Office and the Queens DA Airport Investigations Unit launched an investigation, which included the use of confidential informants and electronic surveillance to substantiate the alleged illegal activity. “Though the alleged bribes paid each time amounted to only a few dollars, on busy days, thousands of cabs pass through JFK’s terminals during an eight-hour shift – giving a dishonest dispatcher the opportunity to illegally make hundreds of dollars on a daily basis,” Brown said in aa statement.
Sanders Ranking On Aging Committee
Earlier this week, State Sen. James Sanders (D-Jamaica) announced that he has been appointed the ranking Democratic member of New York State Senate Standing Committee on Aging. “I am proud to serve as the Ranking Member of the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Aging. I believe my appointment reflects my long-term concern for, and dedication to, seniors in my district and across New York State,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to working for seniors and promoting legislation on their behalf. In addition, I also look forward to informing seniors and their loved ones about issues that impact the lives of seniors including issues of health such as Obamacare and Medicare, retirement, social security, housing and the many other issues that affect the lives of seniors.”
March 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3
Presstime
Meeks Joins Parents To Defend Charter Schools On March 18, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) joined parents and community leaders to defend charter schools and highlight some of the benefits of bringing them into communities like Southeast Queens. The press conference comes just one week after Public Advocate Letitia James announced that she is moving forward with a lawsuit against the City in an effort to block the 36 charter school co-locations approved by Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Dept. of Education. The same week of James’ announcement, Success Academy Charter School CEO Eva Moskowitz announced that she had too had filed a lawsuit against the City in an attempt to reinstate the nixed co-location plans. At the end of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s term, the Dept. of Education had approved 44 co-locations, but nine were vetoed by the de Blasio administration. Of the nine axed colocations, Success Academy Charter School accounted for three – one of which was slated to open at August Martin High School in Jamaica. Though a number of elected of-
ficials have been vocal have to travel to Manhatin their opposition of tan or Brooklyn to have a co-locating privatelychoice and school options. run charters with City We have to make sure there public schools, Meeks are more quality schools for touted the opportuniparents here,” she said. ties such co-locations “That’s why I was so exoffered. cited for the community “In Queens County, when I heard that Success we want to make sure Academy was opening two that all of our kids are new schools in Queens,” educated and all of our she added. “I can’t underkids are treated equalstand why anyone would ly. We have found that want to prevent this great we want the options to U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) joined parents and com- school from opening in Jabe available for all of munity leaders to defend charter schools at a rally sponsored by maica. Parents like me have our kids,” he said. been calling for options like Families for Excellent Schools. “Education today is this.” When asked, Meeks said that he so critically important to every child Shamona Kirkland, whose chilbecause they have to compete with supported co-location plans to bring dren attend Achievement First children all over the globe – not just Success Academy into Jamaica, al- Apollo Elementary Charter School, children in their neighborhood, City though he did not specify whether echoed Rivas’ sentiments. or State,” Meeks added. “The focus this meant he supported the axed “We need to do everything to is to get the best quality education we plan to co-locate the charter school make sure children have access to with August Martin High School, great schools in their community. possibly can for the children.” Meeks cited the success of Eagle which would have placed elemen- Charter schools are facing an uncerAcademy For Young Men, a charter tary-aged school children with high tain future here in New York City,” school in Jamaica, to reiterate the school students. she said. “With the rhetoric around Parents of students who attend charter schools, I am worried about good work charter schools are doing charter schools were also on board her future [and] about her educaacross the City. “In Southeastern Queens, charter to defend the institutions – including tion.” schools have proven that they are suc- Priscilla Rivas, whose daughter atReach Reporter Natalia Kozikowscessful and they work. If they didn’t, tends Success Academy in Harlem. ka at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or “Parents in Queens should not nkozikowska@queenspress.com. they’d be closing,” he said. Photo by Natalia Kozikowska
BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA
CB12 Vows To Challenge Runway Extension On March 6, the Federal Aviation Administration approved the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s request to expand one of John F. Kennedy Airport’s runways. But Community Board 12 members say they are not backing down in their fight to stop the extension. The $500 million project, first proposed by the PA in 2012, would build an additional 728 feet to runway one of JFK’s four runways, 4L/22R – 460 feet of which would be relocated north towards residential neighborhoods like Springfield Gardens, Laurelton and Rosedale. When the runway extension plan was first brought to the community’s attention, it was met with fierce opposition by Southeast Queens residents who argued the project was not only poorly advertised, but would be detrimental to the quality of life. “Once again, the FAA has shown its disregard and negligence to a substantial populous within the borough of Queens. In the past, the FAA and
Port Authority appropriately included the community boards, various civic [groups], clergy and communitybased organizations to offer input and help provide solutions,” chair woman Adrienne Adams said at this week’s CB12 meeting. “Now, they merely go through the notions then conceal their final decisions with zero regard for the neighboring communities.” While residents argued the extension would increase noise pollution and adversely impact the surrounding environment, reps from the PA claimed the project is simply a safety precaution mandated by the FAA and claimed that their studies proved there will be “no significant impact” on the community. “We looked at what would happen to the noise in the community and if the increase in noise is not at a level of 1.5 decibels, it is not seen a significant impact,” Edward Knoesel, Environmental Programs Manager at the PA, said at a November hearing. He claimed that their study, conducted by Landrum and Brown, concluded a noise level change of 0.7 decibels – a
change unperceivable to the human ear. But CB12 members disagree with the PA’s findings. “In spite of numerous community leadership and town hall meetings, the FAA made no adjustments to satisfy the requests On March 6, the FAA approved the Port Authority’s of the area residents,” request to expand one of JFK Airport’s runways, but Adams said. “Resi- CB12 members vowed to do everything in their power dents in and around to keep the project from happening. Community Board 12 live in the direct path of aircraft ar- year, CB12 members vowed to do evriving and departing from JFK and are erything in their power to keep the subjected to constant noise and air pol- plans at bay. lution while we struggle to maintain our “Let it be known that Community precious quality of life.” Board 12 will continue to advocate In addition to added noise pol- and join with any appeal –joining lution, residents expressed concern with the Eastern Queens Alliance that the expansion project would and area residents to oppose this also call for the trimming, and in reckless construction by the FAA some cases the removal, of trees in and JFK Airport,” Adams said. Idlewild Park in Rosedale. Reach Reporter Natalia KozikowsThough the project is scheduled ka at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or to be completed by Nov. 15 of this nkozikowska@queenspress.com or Photo by Natalia Kozikowska
BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA
Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 21-27, 2014
Seminar Examines Gov’t, Media Relations BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA
Photo by Joe Marvilli
On March 18, The PRESS of Southeast Queens sponsored an enrichment seminar with the journalism department at York College, giving students the opportunity to ask media and Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) about the relationship between elected officials and the press. “This is about getting a firsthand take from both the political side and the reporting side – the way you relate to each other, the way you perceive each other [and] the way you use each other,” said Glenn Lewis, director of journalism at York College. “This is something that takes the lessons out of the classroom and makes it practical.” The discussion, led by journalism professor Tom Moore, began by examining the important role media plays in government by serving as a checks and balances to politicians. “You expect the press to be forthright, to remain neutral, but also to be an advocate for truth and justice – getting things out and getting things right,” Miller said. “It’s about uplifting communities, aiding situations and serving as a powerful voice. It’s a real responsibility to be forthright and honest.” PRESS editor-in-chief Steven Fer-
During a seminar for journalism students at York College, PRESS editor Steven Ferrari, Councilman I. Daneek Miller and reporter Natalia Kozikowska discuss the relationship between elected officials and the media. rari echoed Miller’s sentiments, similarly highlighting the important role elected officials play in their communities. “Two of the greatest roles a person can play in his or her society is to serve the public through government, as Councilman Miller is doing now, and informing the public, as we are doing,” Ferrari said. “There are many times that those two services butt heads, but it doesn’t have
to be an adversarial relationship.” Ferrari went on to explain that while politicians and the press often get into scuffles, the two entities rely on one another because they both have the same end goal. “We have very good relationships with some elected officials and we have some very bad relationships with other elected officials,” he said. “The relationship is what you make of it and the more each of us is out
to serve the public, the more hand in hand our jobs go.” In Southeast Queens, Miller, Ferrari and PRESS reporters Joe Marvilli and Natalia Kozikowska said that attracting businesses and shedding light on some of the economic developments was one of the goals both local press and elected officials work towards. “[The PRESS] saw a community in Southeast Queens that was not represented very well in the media at all,” Ferrari said. “A lot of the times, the only news coming out of Southeast Queens, out of Jamaica, out of Springfield Gardens, out of Laurelton, were violence, gang wars, drugs and there is a lot more to this community than just the negative.” “It’s important that we get out the real value of Jamaica so that we can attract new business [and] new development to Downtown Jamaica,” Miller echoed. “We need affordable housing for you right here in the Downtown Jamaica area, we need the commerce and business to support that – but most importantly, we need the arts and culture to attract people here.” Reach Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.
March 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5
OP-ED
Poverty stigma shouldn’t Keep Children From Lunch By Letitia James There’s simply nothing more important than the health of our children and families. Recently, I was joined by a consortium of over 120 of the City’s leading food advocacy, health and parent organizations to announce a plan that will provide universal free lunch for all New York City public school students. Today, over 75 percent of city public school students are eligible for
free or reduced-price school lunch — an estimated 780,000 students – and many students from families just above the income threshold but still struggling. Unfortunately, in part because of the poverty stigma associated with school lunch— and understandable fears of undocumented families filling out the significant required paperwork to qualify— an estimated 250,000 income eligible City students do not participate in the school lunch program. That’s a quarter million chil-
dren who are allowed to access free or reduced price lunch but don’t do so largely because of the poverty stigma. We know that universal school lunch works because we already have it in select low-income schools in New York City. The simple fact is that every child must be guaranteed access to healthy food during the school day. We have spoken with Mayor de Blasio and New York City Dept. of Education (DOE) Chancellor Carmen Fariña to secure funding for universal free
lunch. In my opinion, the simplest option is a direct allocation in the Mayor’s proposed budget. Universal free lunch doesn’t require legislative action or approval from Albany. Let’s work with the Mayor, who can institute universal free lunch with a stroke of his pen, and help erase the stigma associated with poverty or immigration status for thousands of New York City children. Letitia James is the Public Advocate for the City of New York.
Queens Library Fires Back at False Reports By NataLia KOZiKOWsKa Last week, media alleged that Queens Library’s Board of Trustees voted to spend $30,000 in taxpayer dollars to boost public image in the week’s following the scandal revolving around CEO Thomas Galante and his six-figure salary. And now, Queens Library is firing back. According to Joanne King, a spokesperson for the Library, the
nonprofit had indeed hired an outside public relations firm, but the firm was hired to ‘promote services,’ such as library programs. King also denied claims that the $30,000 to pay the firm came from taxpayer money. “The Queens Library, like many non profit organizations, utilizes communications firms to promote our programs and services to benefit the community. It is not unusual and
THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY Federal Aviation Administration Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision For Final Environmental Assessment Runway 4L/22R Improvements Project John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, New York Notice is hereby given that a copy of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Federal Aviation Administration Finding of No Significant Impact/ Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for the Runway 4L/22R Improvements Project at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, New York, are available for public review at the following locations: The Port Authority of NY & NJ John F. Kennedy International Airport General Manager’s Office Building 14, 2nd Floor Jamaica, NY 11430 Attn: Jerry Spampanato Hours: 08:00 am to 04:00 pm
The Port Authority of NY & NJ Aviation Department Aviation Technical Services 225 Park Avenue South, 9th Floor New York, NY 10003 Attn: Edward Knoesel Hours: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm
The Final EA and FONSI/ROD documents for this project will be available at these locations until May 14, 2014. In addition, electronic copies of these documents may be viewed at: http://www.panynj.gov/about/pdf/ JFK-Runway-4L-22R-EA-FONSI.pdf
is part of our long standing communications strategy,” she wrote in an emailed statement. “The conversation last week was a continuation of a discussion from the fall with the Board to support the rollout of our strategic plan for 2014 goals and initiatives.” Galante has been under fire by media outlets and elected officials alike for his $391,994 annual salary and $140,000 in office renovations–
perks he referred to as “average” compensation in the nonprofit world last month. Last week, news surfaced that Galante and the library’s construction management consultant, Frank Marino, have also been served subpoenas prompting a federal investigation. Reach Natalia Kozikowska at nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.
Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 21-27, 2014
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
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 Time To Lead, Mr. Mayor Just a few weeks ago, Mayor Bill de Blasio was riding a wave of popularity on the promise of change in the way the City was run. That wave has started to sputter, as poll numbers suggest. While Mayor de Blasio talked a good game while he was campaigning for the position, we feel he is stuck in campaign mode. After he was sworn in, he continued to campaign to ensure Melissa Mark-Viverito was named City Council Speaker. After he won that election, he moved on to campaign for other policies he sees as priorities, including Universal Pre-K and his Vision Zero pedestrian initiatives. Meanwhile, several key posts within his administration are still vacant and he seems to lack direction when it comes to other issues many may find important. Healthcare, the City’s economy and affordable housing are all issues that require immediate attention. The Mayor has repeatedly touted the overwhelming support he received in the Nov. 5 election as a mandate to lead. But as his approval rating continues to slip, it is important to note that his large margin of victory came in an election that saw the lowest voter turnout in decades. As we approach the end of Mayor de Blasio’s first 100 days in office, we hope that he comes to an understanding that he needs to manage a bureaucracy rather than campaign each day. The Mayor has a City Council Speaker willing to push his agenda and a City Council that no doubt will follow suit. New York City needs someone who is ready to lead, to get down to business and govern. We have faith in the Mayor de Blasio’s vision. It’s time to divert that vision towards governing. We hope he realizes this soon.
WRITE ON: The PRESS of Southeast Queens, 150-40 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357 email editor@queenspress.com
Letters Fair Contract Obligations
To The Editor: You get what you pay for. Except with public school teachers. Their worth is greater by far than their wages. Salary is not their sole or even their primary reward. For them, compensation comes in many forms. But they can’t pay their bills with the currency of dedication alone. Decent teachers never hold their students’ education ransom for any reason. Regardless of all frustrations, they do their best in the classroom. But that doesn’t mean they won’t quit if they can’t meet their family needs and maintain a reasonable lifestyle. They’re only human. Over the last five years, the number of teachers with six to 15 years experience who have bailed out of the New York City school system has nearly tripled. It was not because they were not good at their job or had lost interest. After all, they had endured the demoralizing abuses of the Bloomberg administration and still refused to become demoralized by the profession itself. What was the last straw? Working for five years un-
der an expired contract. Singled out among city employees under pattern collective bargaining to be denied wages increases. It’s no coincidence that during those same years, so many of our brightest teachers have fled to areas where the fair market value of their services is respected. Tens of thousands of highlyqualified teachers were forced into exodus. Most of them left with a heavy heart, but they could no longer afford to be stuck on zero. That doesn’t make them greedy. It makes them part of the real world which comes with real price tags. Under Mayor DeBlasio, it seems that good-faith negotiations have been resuscitated after years of lifelessness. Much progress needs to be made. Working conditions have deteriorated and class sizes jumped. The inequities have been identified. Now they need to be addressed and resolved. From a taxpayer’s viewpoint, failure to invest in the teaching force by denying and further delaying what they are justly owed, is an extravagant waste of resource. Ron Isaac, Fresh Meadows
Airliner Mystery Hits Close To Home A Personal Perspective By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Most of us get on an aircraft, whisper some sort of prayer for a safe flight and trust, or at least hope, that it will be for the best. Passengers and unsuspecting crew members of Malaysian Airline’s Flight MH37 no doubt did the same thing more than a week ago, as they settled in for the long flight to Beijing. Their 777 aircraft just seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving the world with all questions and no answers. But finally, there seems to be a pending break in the case of the missing jetliner as two large pieces of mechanical debris have been sighted somewhere off the coast of Australia. An American woman whose fiancé was on the flight summed it up. She said she’s
prepared for hearing the worst, but she’s “not prepared for not knowing.” I believe we can all relate to that. If the craft is found in the water, then it is safe to assume that the passengers and crew perished. Painful a reality as that is, it is probably easier for loved ones to mourn their loss and come to terms with it, than to spend the rest of their lives wondering what happened. There is mounting evidence that the pilot or pilots may have had something to do with whatever has happened. It’s a very strange story. A pilot’s job is to get his passengers and crew from point A to point B in as safe a manner as possible. This would be a rare case where a pilot deliberately sabotaged that mandate. In Queens, most of us live between two airports, so it seems to hit home a little more with us. The “what ifs” are more palpable. Not since the case of Egypt Air’s Flight 990
in 1999 have we faced the possibility that a pilot might have deliberately used the aircraft to commit suicide. Egypt Air 990, which originated in Los Angeles with a schedule stopover at JFK Airport on its way to Cairo, went down in the Atlantic Ocean off Nantucket. American investigators concluded that the first officer, one Gameel Al-Batouti deliberately crashed the plane into the ocean as a means of his own suicide, taking all those innocent lives with him. Egyptian investigators on the other hand, blamed “mechanical failure.” The frightening thing is that neither airline officials nor government agencies can predict which pilots will go nuts and do something insane, nor can they know for sure that any of the passengers will be hijackers. The aviation industry is known for having mental health professionals to help their employees. Some
take advantage of the opportunity. Others do not. You can’t force people to confront mental or emotional issues if they are in denial. The consumer adage, “Let the buyer beware,” applies to everything, it seems. Here it could be said, “Let the flyer beware. “ We fly with trepidation regarding the safety of the aircraft to begin with; now we have to fly wondering if our pilots are going to turn out to be at least one nut job. We’re sitting ducks in these flying tubes. We should know very soon if the pieces being found are from Flight MH37. How the craft came to be in the ocean may prove a much harder question and may take months to answer. If indeed it was a crash caused by flight personnel we may never know why. All we will know for sure is that all those people perished and that there but for the grace of God, go us.
March 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7
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Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 21-27, 2014
Borough Board Presents Budget Priorities By Joe Marvilli Borough President Melinda Katz announced on March 12 that the Borough Board had unanimously approved a list of expenses that they would like to see get included in the City’s budget for Fiscal Year 2015. Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council must adopt a budget for the five boroughs by July 1. For the first Borough Board budget assembled by the new Queens administration, the top priorities included creating more affordable housing, boosting the funding for cultural organizations and institutions, securing capital funding for the New York State Pavilion revitalization, creating a 116th police precinct, adding a police substation in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and improving pedestrian and traffic safety in Queens. The Borough Board itself is made up of the Borough President, the Queens members of the City Council and the chairs of the Borough’s community boards. The City Charter requires the Borough Board to submit a package of budget priorities each year to the Mayor, the City Council and the Director of Management and Budget. This year, those priorities are due on March 24. “The budget priorities that my office has prepared and that the Borough Board has approved outline a meaningful approach to solving some of the longstanding challenges faced by the Borough of Queens,” Katz said. “They are aimed at helping our City meet the needs of our Borough’s diverse population in a fiscally prudent manner.” The Borough President’s budget office assembled the list of priorities after reviewing information and requests made by Queens’ 14 Community Boards and by local organizations looking for City funding. An oral testimony was given by all the groups looking for funding during an all-day hearing on Feb. 20. Each year, the community boards come up with a capital expenditure wish list for the budget hearing. The head of the budget committee will make a report by sitting down with the chairs of all the board’s committees. These priorities are then put together and presented to the full board, who will debate and vote on it. The process is open to the public. a New Precinct? One of the most notable items on the list of priorities would be the creation of a new police precinct in Queens, the 116th precinct. The ter-
member Warren Schreiber agreed, saying that the safety measures are particularly important in protecting senior citizens who cannot cross the street as quickly, and children who are not always attentive to their surroundings. “The answer is not to speed up the senior citizen or make the child more aware, but to slow down the traffic,” he said. Cultural improvements With New York City seen as one of the centerpieces of culture in the world, Queens has its own role to play. Many cultural institutions look for financial help from the City each year. This time around, it Borough President Melinda Katz (left) sits at a task force meeting on the New york looks like the Borough Board State Pavilion. Funding for the Pavilion was included in the Borough Board budget means to help them out. priorities. According to Scholl, Queens cultural organizations ritory of the 105th precinct would be park, FMCP has one of the largest have historically received less funding per capita than any other borcut in half and the 116th would be amounts of territory to cover. No location for the station has ough. To help rectify this situation, responsible for the southern half of the Borough President’s release menbeen selected as of yet. that district. tioned that an overall increase in culAs it stands, the 105th precinct is tural funding has been suggested. Traffic Safety the largest in Queens. It runs from Van Bramer mentioned that he One of the biggest pushes in Little Neck Bay to John F. Kennedy Airport, covering neighborhoods that New York right now, from both the had been in conversation recently range from Bayside and Douglaston Borough-wide and City-wide lev- with Katz about cultural funding and to Queens Village and Bellerose to els, is traffic and pedestrian safety. said he was happy to see that the arts Springfield Gardens and Laurelton. With Mayor de Blasio introducing are a priority in this administration. “We are going to make our BorWith such a huge area to cover, an the Vision Zero initiative to reduce added precinct would help take the traffic-related deaths to zero within ough stronger by encouraging folks to pressure off the 105th in getting to 10 years, the Borough budget falls in come by making these cultural offerings better and enhancing the buildline with that goal. everything. Katz’s release mentioned that ings they are housed in and keeping “BP Katz believes a new precinct is needed in order to reduce response improving safety in Queens through them well-maintained,” he said. Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer, the extimes and increase the police pres- more “slow zones,” more pedestrian ence in Southeast Queens,” spokes- countdown signals, speed cameras ecutive director of the Queens Counand increasing police presence, is cil on the Arts, was also cautiously man Michael Scholl said. optimistic about the move and said While there is not a set location one of the Borough’s top concerns. “All Queens neighborhoods de- she hoped the Mayor approved the yet for the new precinct, community leaders were thrilled with the ad- serve to have streets that are safe for budget item. “I just hope it passes muster. It’s dition being included as a priority. both pedestrians and drivers. We are Glen Oaks Village Co-op president working closely with the Mayor on never over until the fat lady sings,” Bob Friedrich said that with a pre- Vision Zero and we have compiled a she said. Alongside the cultural improvecinct large enough that it takes 35 list of problem traffic safety locations minutes to drive through; splitting that were submitted by all Queens ments, the Borough President is aiming to find funding for the restorathe workload between two precincts community boards,” Scholl said. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer tion of the New York State Pavilion, is a needed change. “With a police precinct of that (D-Sunnyside) said that the Borough a project she became involved with size, it stretches resources very thin. President’s move is exactly what is earlier this year. While its infrastructure has gone unattended for 50 As a result, the northern and south- needed for the community. “It’s incredibly important that years, she said she wants to fix up ern parts of the 105th do not get their the Borough President support our the Pavilion in some way, to make it fair share of resources,” he said. Related to that subject, the priori- efforts in the local council district a shining part of Queens’ history. “We’re very excited to see her ties list is looking to create a police to implement traffic-calming measubstation in Flushing Meadows Co- sures,” he said. “We have two slow commitment and leadership in takrona Park. Crime in parks has long zones going to my district this year, ing up this cause and moving it forbeen an issue for Queens, as the but we have so many neighborhoods ward,” Matthew Silva, from People police force does not have enough across Queens crying out for addi- for the Pavilion, said. Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) resources to place a sufficient tional safety measures.” Bay Terrace Community Alliance 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenamount of officers to cover the green spaces. As the Borough’s flagship president and Community Board 7 stribune.com, or @Joey788.
March 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9
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63-27 Metropolitan Ave..............718.497.0212
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• SPRINGFIELD GARDENS 218-01 Merrick Blvd...................718.723.4000
STORE HOURS: • MON-WED 8-6 • THURS 8-8 • FRI 8-7 • SAT 9-6 •SUN 10-5 • SPRINGFIELD: MON-WED 8-6 • THURS 8-7 • FRI 8-6 • SAT 9-6 SUN 10-5 to Starter Wellington cabinets advertised in today’sinad. All sales Notfinal. responsible for type errors or errors omissions. Photos for illustration only. § Manufacturers Sugg. Retail. *Based**Pertains on 60” Oak Set.Ivory **Pertains to cabinets advertised today’s ad. final. All sales Not responsible for type or omissions. Photos for illustration only. § Manufacturers Sugg. Retail.
Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 21-27, 2014
Photos by Walter Karling
pix
Downtown Committee Discusses Future
Katz Honors Women’s History
During the recent meeting of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp.’s Downtown Committee, the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning presented its newly-designed Spring Art Center Workshop brochure. Pictured (from left) are guest speaker Chan Strachan, labor management representative for District Council 9 – the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades; Downtown Committee chairman William Martin and Akua-Akilah Anokye, program and development director at JCAL.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz recently held an event celebrating Women’s History Month at Elmhurst Hospital Center. Pictured (from left) are Mindy Kopit, Senior Associate Executive Director of Ambulatory Care at Elmhurst Hospital Center; Olivia Crum, Co-Chair of the Elmhurst Hospital Center’s Joint Labor-Management Committee; Katz and Chris Constantino, Senior Vice President, Queens Health Network and Executive Director of Elmhurst Hospital Center.
Queens County Bar Meets
The committee also distributed Black History Month awards. Theresa Bishop (center) presented Lifestyle Awards to Melissa Evans (left), second place winner, and Dora Grizell, first place winner.
Photo by Walter Karling
Celebrating Phagwah
Queens County Bar Association recently met to discuss “Labor & Employment Law and Governmental Agencies,” at the Bar Association building in Downtown Jamaica. Pictured (from left) are QCBA President Joseph DeFelice, panelist Karen Fernbach, panelist Carmelo Grimaldi, panelist Barry Peek and moderator Stephen Hans.
Assemblyman David Weprin celebrates Phagwah on Sunday with his constituents in Richmond Hill, home to the largest Phagwah celebration in the U.S.
March 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11
Police Blotter 103rd Precinct
Homicide
At 12:15 a.m. on March 11, police responded to a 911 call of a person shot at the corner of 173rd Street and 105th Avenue. Upon arrival, police observed the victim, identified as Mohamed Hamwi, 48, of Jamaica unconscious and unresponsive with one gunshot wound to his torso and one gunshot wound to the head. EMS responded to the location and transported the victim to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. There have been no arrests at this time and the investigation is ongoing.
106th Precinct
Investigation
At 11:24 a.m. on March 15, officers from the 106th Precinct responded to a 911 call of an unconscious female at a motel located at 164-33 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach. Upon arrival, they found a 22-year-old female to be unresponsive. EMS also responded and pronounced the female deceased at the scene.
108th Precinct
Investigation
At 10:12 a.m. on March 15, police officers responded to 47th Road and Center Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers discovered that an Asian wom-
an, identified as Judy Soo Hoo, 51, of Long Island City, was pulled out of the water by FDNY personnel. EMS also responded and pronounced the woman dead at the scene. There were no visible signs of trauma on the body, which was fully clothed.
Collision Investigation
right lane, the second in the left. At this point, it is suspected Kone suffered a health condition, rendering him incapacitated. The vehicle struck the wall area of the ramp before striking the second vehicle towards the bottom of the ramp. The operator of the second vehicle, along with the passenger in the first vehicle were both removed via EMS to Elmhurst Hospital, where they were listed in stable condition.
At 12:20 a.m. on March 19, police responded to a 911 call of a motor vehicle accident on the eastbound upper level of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. Upon arrival, officers observed Attempted Kidnapping The NYPD is asking the public’s the operator of the first vehicle, assistance identifying a 2009 Ford Escape an individual wanted medallion taxi, unconin connection with an scious and unresponattempted kidnapping. sive in the driver’s seat At 2:35 p.m. on of his vehicle. EMS March 14, at the coralso responded to the ner of Colden Street location and transportand 45th Avenue, ed the vehicle operapolice were informed tor, identified as Vadro by the victim, an 11Kone, 50, of the Bronx, year-old male. While to Mt. Sinai Hospital waiting to be picked Queens, where he was up after school, an unpronounced dead. known male in a dark Further investigation revealed that the first A sketch of an individual blue four-door sedan vehicle and a second wanted for an attempted kid- approached the victim vehicle, a 2008 Lincoln napping within the confines and stated, “Get in the car, I’ll take you someTown Car, were both of the 109th Precinct. place nice upstate.” travelling eastbound on the upper level of the bridge and The victim replied “no,” at which time were on the ramp heading towards the suspect exited the car, grabbed the Jackson Avenue/Northern Boule- victim by the hands and attempted to vard. The first vehicle was in the pull the victim into his vehicle. At that
109th Precinct
time, the victim’s father arrived at the scene and the suspect fled in his vehicle northbound on Colden Street. The suspect is described as an Asian male, 40 years old, between 5-foot6 and 5-foot-8 with short black hair, brown eyes, dark skin and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a blue multi-colored sweatshirt and brown slacks. Anyone with information should call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS, visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.
114th Precinct
Arrest
Police have arrested an individual wanted in connection to a case of endangering the welfare of a minor that occurred on March 5. Police were investigating a light-colored SUV that attempted to lure a 12-year-old girl into his vehicle. The victim refused and fled the location. Pursuant to an ongoing investigation, on March 11, police arrested Houshang Hakimi, 69, of an unknown address in relation to this crime. Hakimi was charged with sex offender failure to report change of address and acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old.
CALL CRIME STOPPERS 1-800-577-TIPS
Borough Beat
Local Advocacy Group slows Cars Down By TrIsHA sAKHujA Over the weekend, a local advocacy group traveled to various neighborhoods across the City, including Astoria, Jackson Heights and Jamaica, with large clusters of pedestrians, to hang up signs that read “20 Is Plenty.” As part of his Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities across the City, Mayor Bill de Blasio has called for a rapid expansion of Neighborhood Slow Zones, a process in which neighborhoods will apply to see speed humps, narrower roads, daylighting and 20 mph speed limits. According to representatives from the group Right of Way, while many neighborhoods have applied for Neighborhood Slow Zones, many of them have yet to see any traffic
calming infrastructure from the City, so they took matters into their own hands to install their own warning signs to slow speeding drivers that put the lives of pedestrians in risk. Keegan Stephan, an organizer for Right of Way, said a lot of people were energized by the series of events that took place in 10 local neighborhoods across the City. “If you look at this recent slew of tragic deaths, they all occurred in neighborhoods that had applied for slow zones – Noshat Nahian in Jackson Heights, Coopers Stock on the Upper West Side, Lucian Merryweather in Fort Greene, Sammy Cohen Eckstein in Park Slope and so many more,” Keegan said. “These communities knew their streets were dangerous and asked the City to fix them, but were told no or not yet by the last administration.”
“These rejections and delays are largely due to the last administration granting community boards veto power over slow zones,” he said. Michael Mintz of Right of Way said their grassroots effort also demonstrates support for the DOT’s push to Members of the group right of Way hung up signs lower the speed limit that read “20 Is Plenty” in Astoria as a way to elimiacross all five bor- nate traffic fatalities across the City. oughs. Nicholas Mosquera, Dept. of across the City and in Albany to Transportation’s spokesperson, said lower New York City’s speed limit safety is the DOT’s number one con- and make our streets safer for everyone using them,” he said in a statecern. “As noted throughout the Vision ment. Reach Reporter Trisha Sakhuja at Zero report, DOT is committed to installing additional Slow Zones (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, tsakhuja@ and working with stakeholders queenstribune.com, or @Tsakhuja13.
Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 21-27, 2014
A&E
JCAL’s ‘First Fridays’ Continues To Grow BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA In the last decade, Downtown Jamaica has undergone a commercial makeover by welcoming a variety of developments and new businesses to the area. But while the neighborhood has been thriving economically, the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning still felt there was one thing missing – nightlife. In an effort to fill that void, last November, JCAL, in partnership with the Jamaica Business Improvement District, organized “First Fridays” – a monthly evening dance party infused with arts and culture. “Downtown Jamaica suffers from a lack of things for people to do when they come home from work, especially on the weekends,” said Carl Fields, interim director at JCAL. “So, First Fridays is part overall campaign to try to revitalize Downtown Jamaica, along with other organizations.” JCAL’s “First Fridays” aims to bring young urban professionals to-
gether under one roof, giving locals a place to enjoy music, drinks, food and networking with other professionals in a relaxed artistic setting. “This was our effort to give people an opportunity to come in and see the artwork at JCAL and meet with staff at JCAL,” Fields said. “It’s also an opportunity for locals to network with one another.” Since the series was launched, Fields said that it has grown significantly, attracting a number of locals with different professional backgrounds to the area. “We are slowly gaining recognition and acceptance as something to do and an event to go to in Downtown Jamaica,” he said. According to Fields, the monthly event attracts anywhere from 60 to 90 locals. He also anticipates that this figure will grow as the weather gets nicer. It has been more than 40 years since Southeast Queens attracted crowds for its nightlife. Jamaica Av-
Red Storm Out Of NCAA Tournament The Selection Committee decided that St. John’s was not good enough for the NCAA tournament. Providence sent the Johnnies to the National Invitational Tournament, beating them 79-74 in the Big East quarterfinal last Thursday at Madison Square Garden. “What I shared with the team is that at this stage, things are in the Selection Committee’s hands,” Steve Lavin said after the loss. “If you look at our body of work and a number of criteria the Committee considers, we clearly have pluses. But losing in the first round of your conference tournament is not a good thing when you’re trying to build your resume to play in the NCAA Tournament.” St. John’s entered the 32-team NIT tournament as a 1-seed, but it is tough to miss the NCAAs when winning 20 games in a major conference. Ed Cooley, who led the Friars to the Big East title, felt that St. John’s was worthy of a spot in the NCAAs when asked about the Johnnies chances. “I’d be shocked. I’m not in that
room and selecting anything, but I’ve played them now three times,” said the Providence coach. “They have matchup problems all over the place. They’re a tournament team, deservedly so, because they come out of the Big East and this conference is a monster.” The Red Storm lost to Robert Morris Tuesday night in the first round of the NIT, 89-78. Lavin understood the importance of not getting the automatic bid to the tournament that would’ve come with a Big East title. “You’d prefer to take it out of the Selection Committee’s hands by winning today, winning tomorrow, and winning on Saturday.” Still, the coach spoke fondly of his team. “This group has taken us for a ride that I’ll never forget,” Lavin said. “ To have a team that started the league 0-5 – and at one time had a record of 9-8 overall and 0-5 in the conference – to finish in league 10-8 in a tie for third, that’s no easy task.” -David Russell
enue was once home to a movie theater, a roller skating rink and three clubs. “Years ago there were more and more activities,” JCAL staffer AkuaAkilah Anokye told the PRESS in a November interview. “What we are looking to do is revitalize those opportunities and I think that First Fridays will serve as that springboard. We want people to come back and see the nightlife is building up.” Although JCAL’s primary goal is to encourage networking and promote Southeast Queens nightlife, Anokye said “First Fridays” is a great opportunity to embrace the arts and culture in their facility. “It is extremely important, especial-
ly in the Southeast Queens area where we don’t have many outlets where we allow for local artists to display their visual arts and talents,” she said. “First Fridays” are held first Friday of every month from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning is located at 161-04 Jamaica, Ave., Jamaica. There is a suggested donation of $5 for individuals with a business card and $10 for those without a business card. For more information, call JCAL at (718) 658-7400. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.
Cirque du Soleil Show Opens At Citi Field BY JOE MARVILLI With the start of spring this week, a Cirque du Soleil show has landed in Queens to welcome the warmer weather. “Amaluna” will hold its first performance on March 20 in its own mobile village outside of Citi Field. With the large tent visible from multiple highways, the yellow and blue spire of the Big Top will draw thousands of fans eager to see this performance piece over the next two months. Written and directed by Diane Paulus, the production tells the story of a mysterious island ruled by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Queen Prospera directs her daughter Miranda’s coming-of-age celebration, in a display of femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance. Later on, Prospera causes a storm that leads a group of young men to land on the island. Her daughter winds up falling in love with a suitor, but their love tested by many challenges and setbacks. Most notable about “Amaluna” is that it is the first female-centric show in Cirque du Soleil’s history. The cast is 70 percent female and the band is 100 percent female. “The show is a reflection on balance from a woman’s perspective,” Paulus said. “I wanted to create a show with women at the center of it, something that had a hidden story that featured women as the heroines.” Publicist Marc Thibodeau said that Cirque du Soleil chose to park
Guitarist Angie Swan is part of an allfemale band for “Amaluna” who will perform outside of Citi Field. their show outside Citi Field again due to its convenience. “It’s a terrific location surrounded by various transportation options, close to all boroughs and Long Island,” he said. As with all of their productions, this Cirque du Soleil show will feature acrobatic feats and inventive sets. Some of the acts you can expect to see at “Amaluna” are aerial straps, uneven bars, a Chinese pole performance and more. Thibodeau said to expect “A terrific, transporting evening of wonder.” Tickets for “Amaluna” are now on sale and can be purchased at tickets. cirquedusoleil.com. You can also call 1-800-450-1480. The show runs until May 11. Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.
March 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13
Queens today
FRIday 3/21 “In BEtwEEn thE LInEs” Calling all writers! Queens Council on the Arts’ 3rd Space is proud to present “In Between the Lines,” an inaugural writing workshop hosted by Queensbased performance collective The In Between People. This workshop encourages lovers of the pen to wean themselves off their computer screens and try writing from a new perspective. Convention tells us that writers put their words on the page, while actors put their bodies on stage. But we want to know: what happens if before writers put their words on the page, they put their bodies on stage? 3rd Space – “In-Between the Lines” takes place from 7pm-9pm at Queens Council on the Arts, located at 37-11 35th Ave. Admission is $5. To RSVP, visit queenscouncilarts.org.
saTuRday 3/22
$10 for members and $8 for children. If you attend this event, you can enter to win four tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s latest show, “Amaluna,” at Citi Field. For more information, call (718) 463-7700.
ChILI Cook-off
Martin Luther School will host its inaugural Chili Cook-Off at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and include a tasting of each of the chili entries, three votes toward the People’s Choice winning chili and a bowl of house chili and chips! The People’s Choice and The Judge’s Choice winners will be announced at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to enter your homemade chili in our competition, please log on to our website, www. MartinLutherNYC.org, to download an entry form. Winners in the People’s Choice category will receive tickets to upcoming events at Martin Luther School; the Judge’s Choice winner will receive a $150 Visa Gift Card.
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK THuRsday 3/15 - sunday 5/11
AMALUnA
The latest Cirque Du Soleil presentation in Queens, “Amaluna,” will run outside of Citi Field from March 20 to May 11. On a mysterious island governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon, Queen Prospera’s daughter goes on an emotional journey of love with a brave young suitor. The couple must face multiple trials and overcome daunting setbacks before they can achieve mutual trust, faith and harmony. Tickets range between $60 and $145. perimental film, interactive works and low-resolution videos to large-scale installations. Campbell integrates and manipulates computers and custom electronics into visually arresting artworks. The exhibition is organized by guest curator Steve Dietz, founder and artistic director of Northern.Lights.mm. At 2 p.m., the Museum will present a public conversation with Jim Campbell and curator Steve Dietz. Tickets are free with Museum admission. For information, visit www.movingimage.us.
MArCh for thE EArth
Celebrate the Earth at the Queens Botanical Garden with a day of volunteering and unity, followed by a festive march to the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Unisphere. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting. Individuals and groups are welcome to volunteer. Advanced registration is required. Email rforlenza@ queensbotanical.org to do so. For more information, call (718) 886-3800.
thE worLD of toMorrow BrUsh Bots
The New York Hall of Science will hold a workshop in the Maker Space on making a brush bot, a simple robot that uses vibration to move. This class runs from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is recommended for ages 5 and up. It costs $5 per adult/child pair. Register on the day of the event at the NYSCI admissions area. The workshop will repeat on March 23 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
wE’rE GoInG on A BEAr hUnt
Michael Rosen’s awardwinning children’s book will be brought to life at Flushing Town Hall. “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” is the story of a father, his three children and their dog venturing off in search of a bear. The show starts at 2:15 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for general admission,
thE ChErry PoPPIn’ DADDIEs
Double-platinum Swing chart toppers, The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, are celebrating and performing the music of the Rat Pack at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center. Starting at 8 p.m., the concert will feature songs such as “Come Fly With Me,” “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head” and “The Lady Is A Tramp.” Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at www.qcc.cuny. edu/qpac or by calling the box office at (718) 631-6311.
rhythMs of PErCEPtIon
Jim Campbell: Rhythms of Perception is the first solo museum exhibition in New York of the San Francisco-based artist Jim Campbell (b.1956), who is best known for his evocative low resolution works. This exhibition at the Museum of the Moving Image features over 20 works, ranging from early ex-
Greater Astoria Historical Society will show this film about the 1939 World’s Fair, 1:30 p.m. at the society, 35-20 Broadway, fourth floor, Long Island City. For information, call (718) 2780700 or visit www.astorialic. org.
sunday 3/23
BALL rUn fUn
At the New York Hall of Science’s Little Makers event, attendees will explore the properties of mass, force and motion as they use cardboard, tubes and other household materials to create an exciting ball run. The workshop runs from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There is an $8 materials fee per family. Register online at ball-run.eventbrite.com.
toyInG wIth sCIEnCE
The Queens Theatre will present “Toying With Science,” a show that combines circus skills, mime, original music, and audience involvement to explore scientific principles of gravity, leverage, fulcrums and simple machines. Presented by Garry Krinsky, the performance will take place at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Single tickets are $14.
UnItED nAtIons EArth DAy Join the United Nations Association – Queens Chapter at the Queens Museum to celebrate Earth Day. During the
event, which runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., a representative of a UN Mission will speak about UN relief aid following environmental disasters. Alley Pond Environmental Center, the Parks Dept., Queens Community Supported Agriculture and other organizations will have demonstrations. The day will also be marked with a performance by folk singer Joel Landy. For more information, call (718) 5929700.
CoMEDy fUEL - frEE show
The Laughing Devil Comedy Club presents the Comedy Fuel. It’s a free show, starting at 8 p.m. The show’s line up includes Drew Michael, Katie Hannigan, Meghan Hanley, Kelly Fastuca, Josh Homer, Joe Pera, Giulio Gallaroti and Taylor Ketchum. For more information, visit www. laughingdevil.com.
st. PAtrICk’s DAy JAzz
The Paul Joseph Quartet will perform inspiring renditions of Irish favorites starting 1 p.m. at Mary’s Nativity Church, 4602 Parsons Blvd., Flushing. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. For information, call (718) 359-5996 or visit www.pauljoseph.com.
Got EvEnts?
send all information to editor@queenstribune.com or mail to: 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, ny 11357
Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 21-27, 2014
Queens Today Section editor: reGinA VoGeL
Send announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina or email to queenstoday@ queenstribune.com Yearly schedules and advanced notices welcome!
COMPUTERS INTER. WORD Saturday, March 22 Central library. Register. INTER. EXCEL Saturday, March 22 Central library. Register. INTER. EXCEL Sunday, March 23 Central library. Register. INTRO EMAIL Monday, March 24 Central library. Register. MAC MONDAY Monday, March 24 Central library. Register. OPEN LAB Mondays 1-5 Central library. DOWNLOAD E-BOOKS Tuesday, March 25 Flushing library. Register. DOWNLOAD E-MAGS Tuesday, March 25 Flushing library. Register. BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesday, March 25 Queens Village library. Register. INTRO COMPUTERS Tuesday, March 25 Ridgewood library. Register. BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesday, March 25 Astoria library at 11:30. BEGINNERS Tuesdays Laurelton and Rosedale library. Register PINTEREST We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 Flushing library. Register. BEGIN WORD We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 Central library. Register. BEGIN INTERNET We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 Windsor Park at 11:30. INTRO E-BOOKS Thursday, March 27 Flushing library. Register. INTER. EXCEL Thursday, March 27 Central library. Register. BUSINESS CARDS Thursday, March 27 Central library. Register. BEGIN COMPUTERS Thursday, March 27 Ozone Park library. Register. BEGIN COMPUTERS Thursdays through April 24 11 Rosedale library.
EDUCATION TASC PREP Fridays, March 21, 28 Baisley Park library at 10. REDUCE ACCENT Friday, March 21 Glen Oaks library at 4:30. KNIT & CROCHET Fridays Fresh Meadows library at 11. CHESS CLUB Fridays at 3:30 at the Auburndale library and 4 at the Woodside library. PERSONAL BRANDING Saturday, March 22 Flushing library. Register. HSE/TASC PREP Saturday, March 22 Cambria Heights library at 10 ADVANCED MATH Saturdays Queensbridge library 12-2. CHINESE FOR TRAVEL Mondays, March 24, 31 Laurelton library. Register. QUILTING WORKSHOP Monday, March 24 Windsor Park library. Register. LACE BRACELET Monday, March 24 Steinway library. Register. BALLROOM DANCING Mondays through April 28 Forest Hills library at 6:30. CHESS TIPS Mondays through April 21 Pomonok library at 1. MATH 4 ADULTS Mondays LIC library 5:308:00. HS PREP HELP Mondays 5:30-7:30 Cambria Heights library.
RESUME/COVER LTR Tuesday, March 25 Central library. Register. LEARN SOCA Tuesday, March 25 Central library at 4:30. BEGIN A BUSINESS Tuesdays, March 25, April 1 Bayside library 2:30. CHESS Tuesdays Rosedale library at 4. SMALL BUSINESS Tuesdays Small Business Workshop at the Central library. Register. NATURE ART Wednesday, March 26 LIC library at 5:30. HSE/TASC PREP We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 Baisley Park library at 10. LACE BRACELET Wednesday, March 26 Ridgewood library. Register. EXAM PREP: WRITING Wednesdays 5:30-7:00 LIC library. HSE/TASC PREP Thursday, March 27 Baisley Park library. Register. CHESS FED-RATED Thursday, March 27 East Flushing library at 4:30. ORIGAMI FUN Thursdays LIC library at 3. LEARN CHINESE Thursdays North Forest Park library at 6. HSE/TASC PREP Friday, March 28 LIC library at 11.
ENTERTAINMENT CASABLANCA Friday, March 21 film at the Windsor Park library at 1:30. MOVIE MATINEES Fridays through April 25 Rosedale library at 2:30. GAME DAY Fridays 4:30 Woodhaven library. GAME PLAYERS CLUB Fridays 2 Hillcrest library. FISHING FOR WIVES Saturday, March 22 staged reading at the Flushing library at 1:30. CHERRY POPPIN DADS S a t u r d ay, M a r c h 2 2 Queensborough Community College. 631-6311. WORLD MUSIC Saturday, March 22 Fresh Meadows library at 2:30. MULTICULTURAL MUSIC Saturday, March 22 Broadway library at 3. HISTORY ROCK & ROLL Saturday, March 22 Cambria Heights library at 3. FILM Saturday, March 22 screening of “Prince Among Slaves” at the Central library at 3. CONCERT Saturday, March 22 Forest Hills library at 3.
TOYING WITH SCIENCE Sunday. March 23 Queens Theatre in the Park. 7600064. PIANO & ERHU Sunday, March 24 Flushing library at 2. MOTOWN CLASSICS Monday, March 24 Whitestone library at 3. DIVAS OF OUR TIMES Monday, March 24 McGoldrick library at 5. HAPPENED 1 NIGHT Monday, March 24 film at Sunnyside library at 3. TASTE OF QUEENS Monday, March 24 Court Square library at 1. HAPPENED 1 NIGHT Monday March 24 film at the Sunnyside library at 3. SINATRA Tuesday, March 25 East Flushing library at 2:30. VANITY FAIR Tuesday, March 25 film at the Glen Oaks library at 2:30. SCRABBLE Tuesdays Fresh Meadows library at 2 and East Flushing library at 3:30. 12 YEARS SLAVE Wednesday, March 26 film at Central library at 6.
MEETINGS JEWISH VETS Sunday, March 23 Kissena Jewish Center in Flushing. 463-4742. LA LECHE LEAGUE Monday, March 24 Forest Hills library at 2. NY CARES Monday, March 24 volunteer recruiting meeting at the Forest Hills library at 3. SE QUEENS CAMERA Tuesday, March 25 Roy Wilkins. 347-528-7178. FH VAC Wednesday, March 26 Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corp. 793-2055. JAMAICA KIWANIS Thursday, March 27 Kiwanis Club. 527-3678.
HEALTH INTRO PILATES Fridays, March 21, 28 Rosedale library at 6. MOVING & GROOVING Fridays, March 21, 18 Briarwood library at 11:30. CARDIO SCULPTURE Fridays, March 21, 28 Richmond Hill library at 5:30. CALYPSO CARDIO Fridays, March 21, 28 Laurelton library at 6:30. DANCE FITNESS Saturdays, March 22, 29 LIC library at 3. CPR Monday, March 24 Lefferts library. Register. DANCE FITNESS Mondays through April 28 North Forest Park library at 11:30. ZUMBA Mondays through June 23 (except holidays) LIC library at 7. ALZHEIMERS Tuesday, March 25 Caregiver support group in Forest Hills. 592-5757, ext. 237. ZUMBA Tuesday, March 25 Lefrak City. Register. BODY CONDITIONING Tuesdays through April 29 Briarwood library at 5:30 and Ridgewood librar y at 6. INTRO GENTLE YOGA We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 Woodside library at 5:30. ZUMBA We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 Richmond Hill library. Register. WORKOUT WED. Wednesdays South Jamaica library at 5:30. ZUMBA Thursday, March 27 Langston Hughes library. Register. PROTECT VISION Thursday, March 27 Broadway library at 11:30. MEDITATION CLUB Thursday, March 27 Glen Oaks library at 5:30.
TEENS & KIDS FAMILY MOVIES Mondays, March 24, April 7, 28 South Ozone Park library at 5. TODDLER CRAFTS Mondays, March 24, 31 Steinway library at 11. FAMILY STORYTIME Mondays, March 24, 31 Auburndale library at 3:30. PROUD CHOICES Monday, March 24 questions about sex at the Central library at 4:30. 11-19. COMPUTER SKILLS Mondays through April 28 Rochdale Village at 4. Grades 1-6. YOUNG MEN Tuesday, March 25 14-19 empowerment group at the Laurelton library at 3:30. PROJECT ART Tuesday, March 25 LIC library. Register. WII GAMING Tuesday, March 25 Astoria library at 4:30. LEGOS & GAMES
TALKS SALARY NEGOTIATION Friday, March 21 Central library. Register. CLASSICAL MUSIC Saturday, March 22 Flushing library at 2:30. MIDDLE VILLAGE Monday, March 24 “Elizabeth Street” discussed at 2:30. CURRENT EVENTS Mondays through March 31 Sout h Ozone Park library at noon. MCGOLDRICK We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 book discussion at 1:30. HOLLIS Thursday, March 27 Book Lovers Club at 5:30. SOUTH JAMAICA Friday, March 28 book discussion at 11:30.
SENIORS DEFENSIVE DRIVING Friday, March 21 Auburndale and Laurelton library. Register. DRIVER SAFETY Friday, March 21 Cambria Heights library. Register. CREATIVE AGING Monday, March 24 Queens Village library. Register. TAX PREP HELP Mondays through March 31 Pomonok library at 11:30. TAX COUNSELING Tuesdays through April 15 Auburndale library at 1. TAX HELP Wednesdays through April 9 Laurelton library at 11. DRIVER SAFETY Friday, March 28 Glen Oaks library. Register.
Tuesday, March 25 4:30 Po m o n o k l i b ra r y. Age s 6-12. AFRICAN DANCE Tuesday, March 25 East Elmhurst library at 3:30. ZUMBA FOR KIDS Tuesday, March 25 Forest Hills. Register. CRAFY TUESDAYS Tuesdays through April 8 Cambria Heights library at 4. Grades 1-5. TUESDAY CRAFTS Tuesdays through April 29 South Ozone Park library at 4:30. Ages 8-14. SPRING CRAFT We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 Queens Village at 4. PLAYGROUP We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 Steinway library at 11. ANIMALS ALIVE Wednesday, March 26 Briarwood library at 3:30. ENVIRO. TEENS We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 Woodside library at 5. SIGN, READ, PLAY We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 2 6 Douglaston librar y at 3:30. EARTH HOUR Wednesday, March 26 Sunnyside library at 3:30. READ TO A DOG Wednesdays through April 9 North Hills library at 4. CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Thursdays through April 24 Glen Oaks library at 11:30. Preschoolers. DECORATIONS CLUB Thursday, March 27 Poppenhusen library at 4. EASY READER CLUB Thursday, March 27 Central library at 4. Ages 5-7. RECYCLE Thursday, March 27 Woodside library at 3. FLUSHING ANIME Thursdays, March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24 Flushing library at 4. HUNGER GAMES Thursday, March 27 film at the Glendale library at 4. FASHION MAVENS Thursdays through April 24 teens interested in the fashion industry at the Central library at 4:30. DRAMA POSSE Thursday, March 27 Hillcrest library at 4:30. Ages 8-14. CHESS CLUB Thursdays through April 24 Federation-Rated Chess Club for teens and adults at the East Flushing library at 4:30. CREATIVE WRITING Thursdays through April 24 Auburndale library at 5:15. Ages 8-12. CHESS CLUB Thursday, March 27 Astoria library at 4:30. LEARN CHESS Thursdays through April 24 Rochdale Village at 4.
March 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15
Profile
JCAL Welcomes New Executive Director BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA On March 24, the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning will welcome Cathy Hung as its new executive director. Hung joins JCAL after serving as the executive director of The New York Chinese Cultural Center for four years. At NYCCC, she says she has established herself as a proven leader, creating new programs, enhancing financial status and increasing funding. Prior to her role at NYCCC, Hung also spent three years as the Deputy Director of Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts. A classically-trained pianist by trade, Hung said she has always been very passionate about the arts. She looks forward to working at the Jamaica-based cultural institution, where she hopes to build on JCAL’s success. “I’m very excited,” she said. “It’s a wonderful community. There is no other place like Queens. It has such as diverse community. It’s just a won-
The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning will welcome Cathy Hung, former executive director of The New York Chinese Cultural Center, to its staff next week. derful platform for cultural people like me.” The JCAL staff is also excited to welcome Hung to the family. “We are delighted to have Cathy join
JCAL as executive director,” Tonya Cantlo Cockfield, board president at JCAL, said in a statement . “Cathy brings more than 20 years of experience in creative arts programming to the table. Her entrepreneurial spirit [and] expertise will be a great asset as the Board works closely with her to position JCAL and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center for success in the years to come. As the new executive director at JCAL, Hung will be responsible for providing organizational and visionary direction for the cultural institution, as well as serve as an overall leader. She will also be responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies. Though she does not officially start until next week, Hung said she already has some ideas and goals that she would like to work towards. “JCAL has a very successful visual arts program and I would like to be able to continue that,” she said. “In JCAL’s old building, I would also like to develop an enhanced portfolio so that it can become a great education resource for all art forms.”
“I also want the new building to be a presenting house that serves as a gateway for world-renowned artists and to have the local community come together,” she said. “JCAL has tremendous potential to become a leader in arts and cultural education for the community – not just for Jamaica, but all of Queens. It is near a transit hub, the Air Train, the Long Island Rail Road, and we should be able to serve an even broader community.” As part of her effort to reach a wider audience, Hung said that one of her first priorities in her new capacity is to partner with existing cultural organizations. “I think that today, it is very important to work on collaborations,” she said. “I would like to see and do a little research when I start next week to see if there are any other corporations we can reach out to so that we have a wider and broader audience.” Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.
People Air Force Airman 1st Class Jordane R. Taylor graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Taylor is the son of Susan WintTaylor and Dalkeith Taylor, both of Jamaica. He is a 2012 graduate of Andrew Jackson High School in Cambria Heights. Air Force Airman Ronny M. Merchanramos 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. Merchanramos is the son of Fanny and Eddy Merchan of Jamaica and is a 2013 graduate of Bayside High School. Zephaniarh Jacob of Rosedale was named to the Dean’s List for the fall
2013 semester at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. The New York Army National Guard has announced the promotion of members in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership. Melanie Rodriguez of Queens Village, serving with the 442nd Military Police Company, is promoted to private. Marise Serastis of Jamaica, serving with the 107th Military Police Company, is promoted to private. Davesha Taylor of St. Albans, serving with the 133rd Quartermaster Support Company, is promoted to specialist. Roshawn Constantine of Springfield Gardens, serving with the 145th Maintenance Company, is promoted to specialist. Janiece Matheny of Laurelton, serving with the 442nd Military Police Company, is promoted to private. Audrey Alexispeacock of Jamaica, serving with the 466th Medical Company Area Support, is promoted to sergeant. Jelryk Leon of Jamaica, serving
with the Company C, 1-69th Infantry, is promoted to private first class. Joel Buenaventura of Jamaica, serving with the Company C, 1-69th Infantry, is promoted to specialist. Andrea Saenz of South Ozone Park, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted to private first class. Andrea Williams of Jamaica, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted to private first class. Kevin Hill of Cambria Heights, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted to specialist. Judith Williams of Springfield Gardens, serving with the Intelligence and Sustainment Company, 42nd Infantry Division, is promoted to major. Lascelles Lagares of St. Albans has been named a member of the baseball team at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Two local athletes from Berkeley College in Manhattan were named to
the Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball All-American and Academic All-American lists during the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball National Tournament banquet. New York Women’s Basketball: Aiyesha Brown of Jamaica, Second Team All-American. New York Men’s Basketball: Jovan Bovell of Jamaica, Honorable Mention All-American. Laquanique Lake of Jamaica was inducted into Phi Omega Epsilon senior honor society at Farleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. Manuela Gallon-Palacio of Hollis was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at Molloy College in Rockville Centre. Edgar Gonzalez and Kahmia Moise, both of Jamaica, were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. Alvin Hill of Jamaica was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2014 semester at Ohio Christian University.
Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 21-27, 2014
Faith
First Church Embraces Women’s History BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA In recognition of Women’s History Month, First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica is dedicating the entire month to honor the contributions of women, both in the Bible and the congregation. As part of the celebration, every Sunday in March, female preachers will lead the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services. Many of the sermons will center around women’s issues and highlight important female figures in the Bible. Brunhilda Sanders-Lane, lay pastor at First Church, is just one of 10 women chosen to lead services during Women’s History Month. Her sermon, which is scheduled for the morning of March 23, will focus on the story of the ‘Woman at the Well’ from the Book of John.
“She was a woman who had been widowed five times and she was living with a man who was not her husband. She was shunned by the other women in her village because they considered her immoral,” SandersLane explained. “Despite all of that, the Lord Jesus Christ chose her as the first Evangelist.” Sanders-Lane said she strategically chose the story of the ‘Woman at the Well’ because it speaks to many of the struggles of women today. “Many women today judge themselves too harshly and believe that they are unworthy because of mistakes they have made,” she said. “I am there to say that this is not true because Jesus Himself chose a woman to be the first Evangelist.” According to Sanders-Lane, honoring the contributions of women
during March has long been a tradition at First Church, though this is the first time the church will have women preach every Sunday of the month. “Women are a very important part of the church and they contribute in time and money,” she said. “They are also leaders at the church as well. This is why we felt that it was important to highlight the many contributions of women.” As a female, Sanders-Lane said she is grateful that First Church is honoring women during Women’s History Month. She said she is also grateful that she is partaking in the celebration in such a special way. “To me, it’s very important as a woman that my contribution is recognized,” she said. “It is also important to recognize that women in our
church are leaders and contribute to every aspect of the church. We are not there to be adornments – we are there as true equal instruments of the Lord to do His work.” According to Sanders-Lane, this year’s month-long Women’s History Month celebration has been very successful with congregants. “The people seem to enjoy it and we’ve had a terrific response,” she said. “Our attendance has increased because women and men invite their friends to come to church.” Female-led sermons will be held at the church at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. until the end of March. First Presbyterian Church is located at 89-60 164th St., Jamaica. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com
Notebook
Hillside Arts and Letters Academy
South Ozone Park Student Receives Great Honor BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Earlier this month, South Ozone Park resident Sarah Murslim was announced as a recipient of the 2014 Coro Alumni Impact Award – a prestigious honor given to outstanding New Yorkers who aim to create positive changes in the City. For 30 years, the Manhattanbased activist group has been building on the nation’s first green-collar training programs, offering the City’s youth a chance to better understand how policies are shaped. The skills learned at Coro help its participants productively engage with the community to make New York City a better place to live. “I am very excited to have won the award. Because of Coro, I’ve been able to expand my horizons and learned to develop my skills,” Murslim said. “This has helped me make positive changes for my school to lead them down a better path.” Murslim is an alumna of the first cohort of the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council 2013 and is the first recipient of the award from one of Coro’s youth programs. MYLC is a two-year program preparing young
“It is a goal of mine to make sure that the voices of the youth are heard,” she said. “I believe very strongly that the youth have a powerful voice but are scared that no one will listen. They need the chance to make a difference in the world.” After graduating from MYLC, Murslim said that she used the skills she learned at Coro to continue her work by organizing youth voices around shared concerns. Most recently, she helped plan and facilitate the first youth-led New York City mayoral debate with the Resiliency Advocacy South Ozone Park resident and senior at Hillside Project. Arts and Letters Academy, Sarah Murslim, was “I want to see more named as one of the recipients of the 2014 Coro youth empowerment and Alumni Impact Award. I want to see more youth get involved, especially in povertypeople to serve as a critical advisory stricken neighborhoods,” she said. resource to City Hall. Murslim said “I think we, the youth, should she applied to MYLC because of her start developing these skills at a desire to help bring youth concerns younger age, that way we will be to the table with those making policy more effective in the goals we try to achieve.” decisions.
Her hard work and persistence landed her an internship at RAP, where she continues to design workshops and conferences around issues important to the youth, such as finding alternative solutions to school suspensions and the controversial Stop and Frisk policy. Murslim is a senior at Hillside Arts and Letters Academy in the Jamaica Campus and hopes to attend New York University to major in public policy in the fall. Her ultimate goal is to one day start a nonprofit organization that will serve the needs of disconnected youth. “I have a very big drive to see change and I feel like I’m slowly accomplishing it,” she said. “I just love what I do and I love making a difference. I love pushing positive attitudes, so that is what keeps me going.” To honor Murslim’s achievements, Coro will hold an Awards Gala on April 22. For more information about the Gala, call Coro at (212) 248-2935. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.
March 21-27, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17
What’s Up MARCh 21 Good Nutrition on Your plate In this free workshop, open to cancer patients of all types, you will learn how to turn dietary recommendations from your doctor into simple, healthy meals you can cook at home. To preregister, or for more information, call Jordan Patinkin at (212) 647-9700 ext. 239. The workshop will be held at the Queens Cancer Center, located at 82-68 164th St., Jamaica, in Room A-540. The event will begin at 1:30 p.m.
An Evening of Durang The York College Theatre has selected a duo of Christopher Durang’s short comedies for an evening of laughter. In “‘Dentity Crisis,” Jane collides head-on with her father, brother, grandfather, her mother’s lover and her psychiatrist. “In The Actor’s Nightmare,” Durang has his hapless characters move in and out of plays by Noel Coward, Beckett, Shakespeare and Robert Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons, enough to keep the actors frantic and the audience in stitches. The show will begin at 4 p.m. at York College’s Performing Arts Center. General admission tickets are $10 and tickets for students are $7. There will be another showing on March 22 at 7 p.m., March 23 at 3 p.m. and March 25 at 12 p.m.
Black people Show The adult acting class of 2014 will present a work in progress, “Black People Versus N******: The Final Showdown.” The country is up in arms over this issue and this production examines why. The show is meant to challenge stereotypes, myths and perceptions. The show will be held at the Black Spectrum Theatre at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. Black Spectrum Theatre is located at the intersection of Baisley Boulevard and 177th Street, in Roy Wilkins Park. There will be another showing on March 22 at 8 p.m. and March 23 at 4 p.m.
MARCh 22 Saturday Science Lab Children ages 6-12 and their families will get the chance to explore the world and have hands-on science fun at this free workshop held at Queens Central Library. The workshop will begin at 11 a.m.
Women And Music Celebrate Women’s History Month at this free program for the family, with songs and melodies written, performed and inspired by women through the ages. From “Miss
Kewl Skewl Club
Mary Mack” to “America the Beautiful,” Broadway show tunes to opera arias, join for a sing along. Space is limited; first come, first served. Tickets will be distributed prior to the program. The event will begin at 1 p.m.
On the last Friday of every month, the Afrikan Poetry Theatre will morph into the Kewl Skewl Klub. The series will feature live music and some of the best DJs. Call (718) 523-3312 to find out who will be performing live. Tickets are $10. The event will begin at 8 p.m.
MARCh 24 introduction to Email
In this free introductory workshop, you will learn MARCh 29 how to create an email account, log on, navigate the Community health account, send and receive Fair messages and attach docu- pedrito Martinez, havana-born drummer and singer, will IS 59 in Springfield Garments. Preregister online at perform at Jamaica performing Arts Center on March dens, The Queens Chapter jobmap.queenslibrary.org or 28. of Links and EmblemHealth call (718) 990-8625. While Neighborhood Care invite this is an introductory class, it is Queens Central Library at 3:30 p.m. all to participate in a Community recommended that you have basic Linkages to Your Health and Educamouse and keyboarding skills before tional Resources Fair. Their goal is Community Conversations the workshop. The workshop will be Renaissance man Isa Abdur-Rah- to serve over 100 adults and children held at the Queens Central Library man is hosting a series of community by providing diabetic screenings and at 9:30 a.m. conversations designed to stimulate counseling, blood pressure screenprogressive talk in the heart of Jamai- ings, cholesterol screenings,, prosMaking proud Choices ca. Join Abdur-Rahman and Jamaica trate screenings, glaucoma screenIf you are between the ages 11 residents for dinner and a chance to ings, HIV/AIDS counseling, dental and 19, have questions about sex and participate in these conversations oral screenings, pediatric screenings, would like to learn how to be healthy with neighbors, co-workers, class- mammograms and breast examinaand safe, don’t miss this free pro- mates and friends. The event will be tions. The day will also feature mogram at Queens Central Library. The held at Applebee’s Neighborhood bile no-cost breast cancer screening program will begin at 4:30 p.m. Grill and Bar at 5 p.m. Applebee’s conducted by the American-Italian is located at 161-21 Jamaica Ave., Cancer Foundation. This program Jamaica. The discussion will also be is for women age 40 and over who the Blue Note Sound The York College Cultural Diver- held on April 8, April 22 and May 6 reside in New York City and have sity Center and Male Initiative Pro- at 5 p.m. It is free to attend. Food is not had a mammogram in the last 12 months or women with no health gram will present, “The Blue Note not included. insurance ages 50 and above. The Sound” to celebrate 75 years of Blue Note Records with the Epistrophy Kenny Burdier’s Senior Recital health fair will be held at IS 59, loEnsemble. For additional informaKenny Burdier takes stage for a cated at 132-55 Ridgedale St., Springtion, contact Sean White at swhite@ senior recital at the York College Il- field Gardens, and will be held from york.cuny.edu. The event will be held linois Jacquet Performance Space at 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Chapel of the Three Sisters. The show is free and will begin at 7 p.m. Disco inferno Concert MARCh 25 Resorts World and Casino in Jamaica will present a Disco Inferno the Magic Crown MARCh 26 concert with performances by EvThe Black Spectrum Theatre will “twelve Years A Slave” elyn Champagne King, Anita Ward, present its hit play seen by over 20,000 France Joli, Harold Melvin’s Blue children — “The Magic Crown.” Tick- Screening Queens Central Library will have Notes and many more. Doors will ets are $8. Black Spectrum Theatre is located at the intersection of Baisley a free screening of the Academy open at 8 p.m. Tickets range from Boulevard and 177th Street, in Roy Award-winning film, “Twelve Years $25 to $80. Resorts World is located Wilkins Park. The show will begin A Slave.” The movie will begin at 6 at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica. at 10:30 a.m. There will be another p.m. showing on March 26 at 10:30 a.m., March 27 at 10:30 a.m. and March MARCh 28 29 at 8 p.m. the pedrito Martinez Group
Finding Scholarships through Foundations Susan Shiroma, Senior Librarian of the Foundation Center in New York, will discuss tools and techniques for locating scholarships for your education from foundations and other grantmakers. Preregister online or by calling (718) 990-0714. The free workshop will be held at
Havana-born drummer and singer Martinez and his group play AfroCuban music with precision and power. Other than leading his own group, Martinez has played with Paquito D’Rivera, Eddie Palmieri, Edie Brickell and Sting. This free concert will be held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. JPAC is located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica.
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.
Judge To Trump: 'You're Fired!'
Queens' favorite businessman got a little of his own sass thrown back in his face during a trial down in Florida earlier this month. According to a report published in the Sun-Sentinel newspaper last week, Donald Trump was brought in as a witness in a lawsuit over a land deal that went sour in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. As he testified during the trial, Trump twice borrowed the glasses from the Hon. Jef-
frey Streitfeld, the presiding Circuit Court judge, to read documents. But Streitfeld managed to get one up on Trump. As Trump finished testifying, Streitfeld dismissed the mogul in a familiar way. "You're fired," the judge told Trump, eliciting a laugh from the Queens billionaire. The judge followed it up with an aplogy. "I had to," the paper quoted the judge as saying.
Separated At Birth While QConf reporter Joe Marvilli and Paul Graziano take the cake as far as doppelgangers in Queens are concerned, there looks to be another pair that could challenge them for that coveted title. The resemblancebetween Assemblyman Mike Miller and deceased WWE manager Paul Bearer is uncanny. Both usually wear an all-black suit flanked by a black jacket. Miller slicks his hair to the side, like Bearer used to do in his heyday while accompanying the Undertaker or Kane to the squared circle. The two men also never smile when they have their photo
taken, something that has quietly become a Miller trademark. While we don’t see a sevenfoot giant traveling with the Assemblyman any time soon, we hope he keeps the Bearer look as it serves as a small reminder of an oldschool wrestling manager that isn’t seen as often anymore. Marvilli and Graziano better watch out as they are coming for the doppelganger title they are so fond of. May we suggest not getting rid of the hair, maybe they should grow it out even more, and keeping the glasses. That will further solidify their grip as the Borough’s number one look-alikes.
Queens Needs A Little Love We can’t deny our love for the Borough of Queens, but what happens when it’s constantly being slammed for its faults? So what if the five of the nine worst maintained highways in New York City belong to Queens? The Center for an Urban Future’s report also shows that nine percent of the Borough’s bridges are structurally deficient and that the Borough’s public housing developments are in the worst physical condition of any borough. It is okay, we don’t need any extra attention from the State. Why would we? Apparently, our only purpose is a rest stop for tourists and dignitaries to come in from our airports and drive out to the City. The same highways they use to leave Queens, including the Jackie Robinson Parkway, the Shore Front Parkway, Cross
Bay Parkway, Route 25A, more commonly known as Hillside Avenue, and Route 24, Hempstead Avenue, are the same ones that have been deteriorating in recent years. According to the report, in 2012, 52 percent of the Borough’s highways were rated “fair” or “poor,” up from 38 percent in 2008. Our highways may not be up to par, our airports may be referred to as “third-world countries” and the historic Pavilion may see destruction, but Queens still has more to offer than other Borough in the world. We’ve got the diversity, culture, language, heritage, history, ethnic food and lots of love from every nation of the world. Now if only someone would give us some money to repair our crumbling infrastructure…
Q
CONFIDENTIAL
Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 21-27, 2014
Musicians OF QuEEns
Side Saddle
QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari
Contributors: Bruce Adler, 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
Ulrich vs. Richards
Things got a little heated between two Queens Councilmen last week. While celebrating the opening of a new YMCA in Far R o c k a w a y, a neighborhood encompassed in both their districts, Councilman Eric Ulrich challenged Councilman Donovan Richards to a oneon-one basketball game. A lt houg h it is unclear whether Ulrich was actually serious or not, we here at QConf think it would be a game worth seeing. We’ve got five bucks on Richards.
Got Talent? We want to feature you! E-mail editor@ queenstribune.com for inclusion in a future edition.
Ian McGuiness records his music under the name Side Saddle, initially a side project he started from his band This Old Ghost. The folk singer/ songwriter lived and worked on a farm while writing his upcoming EP, so the name fit its creation well. Side Saddle’s music also follows this narrative of working on a farm, as the upbeat folk music seems made for walking through nature on a beautiful spring day. McGuiness’ infectious melodies on songs like “Don’t Wait For Him” get stuck in your head with ease. The main focus is on his rhythmic guitar and smooth vocals, though there are touches of other instruments in the background. A music career as folk guitarist did not seem to be in the cards at first for McGuiness. As a kid, he played the drums for a little, stopping and then starting again when he put together a band in his freshman year of high school. “I went on to play drums in a few bands in high-school and in my senior year, I started singing a little bit,” he said. “I fell in love with singing. Then I picked up a few chords from the guitarist in my band at the time and from there, I started writing songs.” When he was living in Los Angeles a few years ago, McGuiness wrote a song called “This Lifeboat is for Gold, Not People.” This experience gave him the confidence to pursue a career in music. His first record as Side Saddle, “The Postcard EP,” will be released on March 25
through major retailers, like Amazon. The four-song piece was recorded with McGuiness’ friend, producer/engineer TJ Dumser. McGuiness said the process of putting this EP together was very easy and fun. “It was a super relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. We had a great time building the songs together, trying to give each song the treatment it deserved,” he said. “The songs came together relatively quickly and were written during some highly emotionally charged moments.” Besides “Don’t Wait For Him,” the EP will feature “When It’s All Done,” “Reverie” and “On the Road in a Storm.” McGuiness is based in Astoria, a neighborhood he said was inspiring and exciting to live in. He said he discovered that people in Astoria had a great pride for their community. It is also beneficial space for musicians to find themselves in, he said. “It's a really supportive and nourishing place for artists. There are studios, rehearsal spaces and venues at your disposal,” McGuiness said. “As you can imagine, I'm very much looking forward to spring and summer in Astoria and the kind of songs that will come out of my experiences here.” You can find out more about Side Saddle’s upcoming release as well as any future tour dates or news by visiting http://sidesaddlemusic.tumblr.com and www.facebook.com/thisissidesaddle.
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NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: QUEENS COUNTY. NYCTL 2011-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Pltf. vs. BMSL MANAGEMENT LLC, et al, Defts. Index #14901/12. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Jan. 10, 2014, I will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY in Courtroom #25, on
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Friday, April 4, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., prem. k/a 131-09 Hillside Ave., Richmond Hill, NY a/k/a Block 9252 and Lot 0028 on the Queens County Tax Assessment Map. Approx. amt. of judgment is $89,477.90 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. ZENITH TAYLOR, Referee. SHAPIRO, DICARO & BARAK, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 105 Maxess Rd., Ste. N109, Melville, NY. – File No.12-019607 - #83833
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