Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 12 Issue No. 13 April 1-7, 2011

PAGE 18

'/ &)'52%

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

Though many predicted a dip in Southeast Queens’ overall population, the 2010 Census showed it was other parts of the borough that underwent a surprising decline.

The Mayor and local elected officials have promised to contest the results.

By Domenick Rafter‌Page 8

Online at www.QueensPress.com

News Briefs Cord Meyer Closes Stores More than a half dozen stores along Queens Boulevard just south of 108th Street will not have their leases renewed by their landlord, Cord Meyer Company LLC, as the property, adjacent to the busy Forest Hills/Continental Avenue subway station will be redeveloped.

The stores, including a pharmacy, deli, a convenience store and a jewelry store, have already closed.

On one end of the block is a Sterling National Bank and on the other end, a Key Food that will remain open. Cord Meyer wanted to build a 21-story, mixeduse building on the site five years ago, similar to the Windsor building Cord Meyer constructed across Queens Boulevard, but the developer scrapped the project after the financial crisis and recession paralyzed the real estate market.

Mary Hughes, director of leasing at Cord Meyer, said the tenants had been put on a month-to-month agreement for a few years now since the company planned to develop the site. Some of the stores on the site had existed there for more than 25 years. Hughes said the stores were given 60 to 90 days' notice that their leases would not be renewed.

"We've always been in communications with the tenants there," Hughes said.

"The Key Food on the corner of Queens Boulevard and 71st Road will remain open," Hughes said, because the supermarket is popular with local residents.

Cord Meyer had considered closing Key Food as well in its earlier redevelopment plans, but Borough President Helen Marshall strongly urged the site to remain open at a public hearing in 2006.

"The community told us Key Food was important to them," Hughes said.

The stores between Key Food and Sterling Bank would be demolished to make way for a one-story retailer. Hughes added that there are currently no plans to build a taller structure, but the option could be revisited in the future if and when the market picks up again.

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 1-7, 2011

Hevesi Sentencing On April 4 Alan Hevesi's sentencing has been pushed back yet again after health complications struck the disgraced former State Comptroller.

The sentencing, originally slated for Dec. 16, was pushed back after Hevesi's attorney Bradley Simon revealed his client was in a Virginia hospital on Monday undergoing an endoscopy after suffering from internal bleeding. The severity of the condition was unknown.

State Supreme Court Justice Lewis Bart Stone pushed back the hearing to April 4, though it is largely tentative based on Hevesi's health turning around.

Stone also handed off sentencing duties to Justice Michael Obus, after Simon requested the Judge recuse himself off the case after Stone served as executor of Simon's parents' wills and trustee of their life trusts. Falling short of a recusal, Stone said he passed along duties as a result of mounting media attention, not from any conflict of interest.

The 71-year-old Hevesi pleaded guilty to felony charges of official misconduct on Oct. 7. The plea ended a long string of Comptroller's office officials and Hevesi associates copping to corruption charges

during a three-year investigation by thenAttorney General and current Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The inquiry found the allocation of investment dollars from the state's Common Retirement Fund in exchange for personal and political favors.

Hevesi admitted to reaping nearly $1 million in personal benefits after doling out $250 million in state pension fund investment to Markstone Capital Partners, which was managed by Hevesi's fundraiser and pal Elliott Broidy.

Hevesi faces up to four years in prison.

Court Seeks Willets Answers A lawsuit aimed at stopping the planned redevelopment of Willets Point crossed its first procedural hurdle, as a State Supreme Court Judge ordered the NYC Economic Development Corp. to explain why the dismissal of an earlier lawsuit should not be overturned. The order, filed by Justice Joan Madden, came after the City began condemnation proceedings in a 20-acre Phase 1 area despite lacking an approved traffic ramp plan, as the agency had initially promised the court in a previous suit.

The order set a date for oral arguments on July 20. It gives the City until May 13 to file a brief with the court, then allowing attorneys for the landowners' umbrella group Willets Point United to respond.

"Today our objective was to get a courtordered schedule for arguing all our issues, and we fully achieved that objective," said Michael Gerrard, attorney for WPU. The suit challenges the recently-introduced phased-in procedure for the Iron Triangle's redevelopment, pointing out the gulf between the EDC's promises to the court in a previous suit and its subsequent actions.

The current Article 78's crux lies in the often ballyhooed ramps to be built off the Van Wyck Expressway, which the Federal Highway Administration has yet to approve. In oral arguments before the court during a prior lawsuit, the agency promised the redevelopment would not move forward until the ramps gained approval.

Should Justice Madden decide to reopen the case following the arguments, each side will be allowed to submit detailed technical affidavits.

"We remain confident in our legal position and hopeful that we will resolve this matter quickly," said EDC spokeswoman Julie Wood.

Art Show Comes To Church Woodhaven's Emanuel Church of Christ will be transformed into a museum on Thursday, March 31, for an art show sponsored by the Woodhaven Residents Block Association. The show will feature works from artists native to Woodhaven, or inspired by Woodhaven.

WRBA President Ed Wendell said the idea for the art show came after a Woodhaven resident, Jose Moya, came to the association's office to make a complaint and saw an easel Wendell had placed in the office. Moya, who is retired, decided to start painting again. When Wendell saw Moya's works, it sparked the idea to bring together Woodhaven's talented artists for a single show.

The show is free and will be open to the public from 1-8 p.m. The Emanuel Church of Christ is located at 93-12 91st Ave.

Presstime

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

Some residents of Springfield Gardens are cautiously optimistic that their fight to stop a proposed hotel at 219-05 North Conduit Ave. may be coming to an end.

“I feel very, very good,” said Michael Duncan, an opponent of the hotel. “Early last year and late 2009, we thought [the developer] would have his way.”

Since 2005, Airport Hotels, LLC and Springfield Hotel, LLC has faced opposition in the development of the empty lot across the street from the Springfield Gardens Educational Complex.

“This does not belong there,” said Tanya Giliard, parent coordinator for Preparatory Academy for Writers. “What is the purpose of it?”

Attorney Jordan Most took umbrage to the community’s stance that the hotel would promote prostitution, or that it would become an hourly rate “hot sheet motel.”

Residents like Edward Duzant, Lillian Heard and Dora Crooke said they have been at the forefront of the fight.

Crooke, 97, has attended every protest against the hotel, while sitting in a chair.

“I hate to lose,” she said.

Heard once blocked the entrance to the site so trucks could not finish the concrete foundation. Duzant promises that even if the hotel is built, he would do his best to disrupt business.

“I don’t think it’s going to be built,” Duzant said. “No matter what [the developer] does, he is going to have a problem.

This is not good for our neighborhood.”

In the latest chapter of the community versus the developers, the Dept. of Buildings has revoked building permits because the existing ones have lapsed.

The agency’s decision resulted in both parties deciding to withdraw a lawsuit that kept the project in limbo.

Ryan FitzGibbon, DOB spokesperson, said the agency issued a full stop work order in February.

The case involving the proposed motel escalated into a court battle when the Board of Standards and Appeals granted the developers a variance, though the area was rezoned. The board’s ruling gave developers until October 2009 to finish the foundation. The foundation remains unfinished.

Community members are wary that Airport Hotels, LLC and Springfield Hotel, LLC will once again appeal to Boards of Standards and Appeals for an extension.

“We feel good,” Heard said. “However, having been to the BSA, they seem to approve anything.”

Most said his clients have yet to decide whether or not to apply to the board for an extension.

BSA Executive Director Jeff Mulligan confirmed that developers have not submitted any paperwork for an extension.

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

SEQ Asks BSA To Nix Hotel Plan Community opposition to a planned hotel yards away from the Springfield Gardens High School Complex (above) has reached a fevered pitch, as the Board of Standards and Appeals mulls giving the project a second life.

Residents met on March 24, with the goal of keeping the BSA from granting an extension.

Bryan Block, CB 13 chairman, said the location would be the perfect place to put an additional precinct in the area.

“Not as the chairman, but as Bryan Block, a Cambria Heights resident, I have a problem with a hotel across the street from a high school,” he said. “This wouldn’t be happening in [the developer’s] neighborhood.”

Duncan is also hoping that Southeast Queens’ political clout will stop the BSA from granting the hoteliers an extension.

“The key thing is to get each and every elected official to write a letter to the Board of Standards and Appeals and to call the board,” said Duncan. “I think if all

the elected officials call the board, the board will think twice.”

Jason Hilliard, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks’ (D-Jamaica) aide, pledged the congressman’s “bully pulpit.” He said Meeks’ office would pressure the Bloomberg administration, as well as the DOB, to stop the hotel from being built.

“There is no one we will not reach out and touch,” he said.

Councilman James Sanders (DLaurelton) said he would be willing to write a letter to the board and even make the phone call, but he was unsure whether it would sway the board.

“We have written letters in days gone by,” he said. “It was so noted by the BSA and they acted anyway. If the past is any indication, the BSA often rules against the community 85 percent of the time.”

Duncan is also hoping that local politicians will chip in to purchase the lot from developers. Though no official has given a monetary figure or donation, Duncan quotes Sanders as saying he would double the funds of other elected officials.

Looming budget cuts and has left Sanders unsure of how much money he would be able to donate to the site.

“It is my intention to be the most generous with this project,” Sanders said.

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

Female Political Pioneer Dies At 75 Photo by Walter Karling

In 1984, she rose to national prominence when Democratic Presidential candidate Walter Mondale chose her over a list that included the Governor of Kentucky and Mayor of San Francisco, both women, to be his candidate for Vice President. Ferraro toured the country, criticizing President Reagan's record on issues like civil rights. She attracted larger crowds, sometimes larger than Mondale himself, on the campaign trail.

During the campaign, her gender became an issue in the media, with one reporter once asking her if she was "tough enough" to assume the presidency and another asking her if the Soviet Union would take advantage of her being a woman.

Though the Mondale-Ferraro ticket lost in a landslide and Ferraro left Congress in 1985, she remained a fixture in the political world for the rest of her life. Her husband, John Zaccaro, was indicted as part of the web of corruption that took down Borough President Donald Manes, but he was acquitted. During the late 1980s and 1990s, she helped raise money for women candidates around the country and was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1994.

In 1992, Ferraro ran for the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat held by U.S. Sen. Al D'Amato. She was narrowly defeated in a bitter primary race against State Attorney General Robert Abrams. She refused to endorse Abrams until the weekend before the election, and he lost to D'Amato by less than two percent. She ran again for the same seat in 1998, but

lost by a wide margin to then-U.S. Rep. Charles Schumer in the Democratic primary. Schumer later defeated D'Amato.

During the Clinton administration, Ferraro served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. She later served in an honorary post in Hillary Clinton's 2008 Presidential campaign. Last summer, a U.S. Post Office in Long Island City, one of the neighborhoods Ferraro represented, was named for her.

U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Kew Gardens) called Ferraro a "trailblazer."

"To residents of Queens," he added.

"She was our hometown hero who never forgot her roots."

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside), who served with Ferraro in Congress early in his career, called her "a true inspiration, an amazing person and a terrific friend."

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (DAstoria), who represents some of Ferraro's old district, was a delegate to the 1984 Democratic Convention when she was a first-term City Councilwoman from Manhattan. Maloney was on the convention floor in San Francisco when Ferraro was nominated for Vice President.

"It was electrifying," Maloney said.

"She changed my life and she blazed a new path for American women."

A private funeral service was held Thursday at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer in Manhattan.

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

April 1-7, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

and Jackson Heights in the north to Glendale and Ridgewood in the south, was very Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to conservative, commonly referred to as the represent Queens in Congress who later "Archie Bunker district" because it was the rose to become the first woman to run on setting for the TV show "All In The Fama national ticket for Vice President of the ily" and the conservative political views of United States, passed away on March 26 many of the district's residents mirrored those of the lead character's. at the age of 75. She died Democrats looked to a in a Massachusetts hospital stronger, established candidue to complications from date and got behind thenmultiple myeloma, a blood Councilman Tom Manton, cancer she had been fightwho represented Sunnyside ing since 1999. and Woodside. Ferraro ran The only daughter of Italanyway, touting her tough ian-American immigrants, "law & order" credentials Ferraro came to Queens from the Queens DA's offrom her native Hudson Valfice. She soundly defeated ley in the late 1950s to teach Manton in the Democratic at a public elementary school primary, winning 53 percent in Astoria. Eventually she decided to attend law Geraldine Ferraro on the of the vote, and faced popuschool, taking night classes steps of Borough Hall in lar conservative Assemblywhile teaching during the her 1984 bid as the first man Al Delli Bovi in the genday. She was admitted to the female vice presidential can- eral election. Though conbar in 1961. didate on a national ticket. sidered an underdog, Ferraro portrayed Delli Bovi While raising her children in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as part of the establishment who had Ferraro settled in Forest Hills Gardens, turned a blind eye to the problems in the worked as a civil lawyer and began attend- borough, including the rising crime rate.

Delli Bovi also ran a series of personal ing Democratic club meetings. In 1974, she became a prosecutor at the Queens attacks against Ferraro that many felt were DA's office, which sparked her interest in bordering on sexist. Ferraro defeated Delli elected office. She got her chance when Bovi by 10 points.

Quickly rising through the ranks in ConU.S. Rep. James Delaney announced his gress, Ferraro served on the House Budget retirement in 1978.

Delaney's district, which included a Committee and was Secretary of the House wide swath of Western Queens from Astoria Democratic Caucus from 1981 to 1985.

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

East Side Tunnel Project Kicks Off access to high speed rail lines to Boston, Washington D.C., and Albany.

At the ceremony, the two tunnel borWith the blow of a bullhorn and a ing machines were dedicated. They were cheer, construction officially began on named “Tess” and “Molina” by sixth the long-awaited East River Access graders at nearby IS 204 in Long Island project that will bring the country’s City. “Tess” was named by Sangida busiest commuter rail line into Grand Bagum and is an acronym standing for Central Terminal – the largest infraTunnel Excavation Sunny Side. The structure project in the United States. name “Molina” is a play on the name of MTA officials joined a handful of lothe tunnel-digging mole and was submitcal politicians and civic leaders from ted by three students, Mohammad Malik, Queens and Long Island in a giant pit nearly 100 feet below the Sunnyside rail Tess” and “Molina” prepare to cut a path from Sunnyside to Manhattan that the MTA says will Michael Morales, and Angel Peralta.

“Molina” will begin tunneling first in April, yards on March 18 to ceremonially mark shorten commute times for over 100,000 people. followed by “Tess.” Assemblywoman the start of construction. The tunnels will carry the Long Island Rail Road to a second Manhattan and shorter travel times to the the new station at Grand Central more than Grace Meng (D-Flushing), who attended Manhattan terminal at Grand Central, a East Side – making these communities 100 feet below the terminal building and the the ceremony, quipped about the relevance project the MTA said will ease congestion even more attractive places to live, in- four tunnels under Park Avenue, which are of giving the machine female names during at Penn Station and shorten commute times creasing housing values, and unlocking currently being excavated, are slated for Women’s History Month.

“Tess” and “Molina” each have a 22the next wave of economic development completion in early 2016. for nearly half of the LIRR’s customers.

“I look forward to the day when my foot diameter cutterhead and are approxi“This is a huge milestone,” said MTA Chair- potential on Long Island,” Walder said.

Around 160,000 of the LIRR’s daily conductors can say ‘Next Stop, Grand Cen- mately 300 feet long from the cutterhead man Jay Walder. “When this project is completed, it will be the most significant expansion commuters work near Grand Central Ter- tral,’” said LIRR President Helena Williams. to the rear of the trailing gear. In contrast State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. to the tunnel boring machines being used minal. Often, this means they have to switch of LIRR service in more than 100 years.”

The construction of the tunnels begins to a crosstown subway or bus, catch a cab Albans) welcomed the project, noting that to cut through Manhattan bedrock under nearly a century after the tunnels that at Penn Station or walk across town. Some one of his staff members travels from Park Avenue, “Tess” and “Molina” are bring the LIRR to Penn Station were com- commuters switch to the E train at Jamaica Upstate New York to his Southeast designed for the “softer” geological conpleted, leading to an economic boom that or the 7 train at Woodside, further crowd- Queens office. Her commute, and the ditions found in Sunnyside, where the soil changed Queens, Nassau and Suffolk ing the already packed lines at rush hour. commutes of others like her, would be a lot is a mixture of sand, clay and boulders and Counties from a rural exurb to bustling The new LIRR terminal at Grand Central quicker once Metro North and LIRR share the water table is high. The machines will metropolis. Walder said the new tunnels will cut as much as 40 minutes from their a terminal. He added that the project remove soil and install inter-locking conwould connect Long Island with stations crete rings to hold back dirt, creating a will lead to a new economic boom because commutes, the MTA estimates.

The four tunnels between Sunnyside that are planning to serve high-speed rail tunnel as they proceed. the East Side of Manhattan will now be Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at Yards and the already-constructed 63rd as part of President Barack Obama’s top linked directly with Long Island.

“Commuters throughout Long Island Street Tunnels are to be completed by Octo- transportation initiatives, allowing resi- drafter@queenstribune.com or (718)357and Queens will have more service to ber 2012. The entire project, which includes dents of Queens and Long Island easy 7400, Ext. 125.

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

Y O R K

C O L L E G E

P E R F O R M I N G

A R T S

C E N T E R

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 1-7, 2011

V {tÅuxÜ ` âá|v fxÜ|xá

MAIA QUARTET Friday, April 8, 2011 • 7:00 pm Suggested donation: $10.00

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

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

Box Office: 718-262-2840 PAC info: 718-262-3750 www.york.cuny.edu FREE PARKING

Stamp Celebrates Film Titan’s Life Ill., whose current population is a little more than 12,500. He was the fifth of 13 chilIn life, Oscar Micheaux was years dren and moved to Chicago at the age of ahead of his time and in death, he has 16. Before tr ying his hand at f ilm, Micheaux worked as a Pullman Porter. now been immortalized.

He was a film pioneer that attempted With his earnings, he bought about 500 acres of land in South Dakota to change the perception of and became a rancher. blacks in Hollywood. In his The stamp dedication was estimation, blacks were more not the only commemoration than buffoons, mammies and Micheaux received on Friday. servants.

Students Orah Fields and “He was correcting imCairo Felder of Academy for ages of prevalent stereoCareers in Television and Film types,” said Pearl Bowser, unveiled their documentary filmmaker, author and conon Micheaux’s life. sultant. Bowser has written a Both Felder and Fields book and filmed a documensaid they were clueless about tary on Micheaux’s life, legacy Micheaux and his accomand work. “He wasn’t just plishments before they emcorrecting the images for barked on the documentary. whites. He was correcting the “It means a lot to actually images for us. We were not Prominent black filmmaker Oscar Micheaux’s show a prominent figure, not coons.”

Though it was unveiled in commemorative stamp only in the African American October, on Friday, March was unveiled at the community, but the film com24, 60 years after his death, Queens Public Library’s munity,” 17-year-old Felder said.

Fields believes Micheaux an official ceremony for the Central Branch. paved the way for her potendedication of the Oscar Micheaux stamp took place at the Queens tial success.

“From him I learned to never give up Public Library’s Central.

“It is very ironic that today is the 60th no matter what your surroundings are,” anniversary of his passing and we are hon- she said.

In 67 years, Micheaux wrote and dioring him today,” said Bernice Wallace, Jamaica Post Office Customer Service rected 46 movies. His first film, “The Homesteader,” is five hours long and it is Manager.

Micheaux’s story begins in Murphysboro, an adaptation of his first novel, “The ConBY SASHA AUSTRIE

quest: The Story of a Negro Homesteader.”

Actors such as Paul Robesone, Rex Ingram, Robert Earl Jones and Heavyweight boxer Abe Simon made appearances in his films, which bore titles such as the “Son of Satan,” “The Millionaire,” “Murder in Harlem” and “Lying Lips.”

Bowser said Micheaux not only used professional actors to star in his movies,

but many were just ordinary people.

“He explored the community, not because he was cheap and didn’t have the money, but he wanted to engage people in his enterprises,” she said. “People were engaged because it could be their neighbor.”

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

MediSys X-Rays Itself

BY DOMENICK RAFTER In the wake of the indictment of former CEO David Rosen, MediSys, the parent company of Jamaica Hospital and Flushing Hospital, announced it has hired a former U.S. Attorney to give the company's books a good once-over to make sure everything is on the up-and-up.

Zachary Carter, who was U.S. Attorney for the Brooklyn-based Eastern District of New York from 1993 until 1999, will evaluate all of MediSys' compliance, policies, procedures and protocols to make sure they are in compliance with all laws and develop new procedures and policies, as well as organizational structures. Carter will also be responsible for monitoring compliance with those measures.

The organization's policies, programs and procedures will be checked to ensure its operations as well as the staff and man-

agement are "to the highest ethical and business standards and practices," according to a statement released Tuesday.

"The review by Mr. Carter will be invaluable in demonstrating to all of our stakeholders, including the communities we serve, regulators and other public officials, MediSys' commitment to the highest ethical standards at all levels of our organization," said MediSys Board Chairman Neil Foster Philips.

MediSys' former CEO David Rosen was indicted earlier this month for allegedly bribing State Sen. Carl Kruger (DBrooklyn) and Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. (D-Brooklyn). MediSys' Board of Directors immediately fired Rosen and replaced him with Chief Operating Officer Bruce Flanz.

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

April 1-7, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

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

In Our Opinion: Brenda Jones Executive Editor:

Brian Rafferty Deputy Editor:

Joseph Orovic Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Harley Benson Sasha Austrie Domenick Rafter Jason Banrey

Art Dept:

Sara Gold Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend Advertising Director James Mammarella Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 1-7, 2011

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2011 Tribco, LLC

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

Editorial A Deserved Honor In tragedy, just as comedy, timing is everything. The same goes for irony.

Last week, when the City Council voted to rename the Queensboro Bridge for former Mayor Ed Koch, it did so with good intention, despite lacking the will or desire of the people. Speaker Christine Quinn even quipped that she loves to see the expression on the face of a person who is still alive to receive the honor.

Unfortunately, Geraldine Ferraro no longer fits that category. The brilliant former congresswoman from Queens, who was the first woman ever on a national presidential ticket, died of cancer this past weekend mere days after the City Council threw away the name of the Queensboro Bridge to a man whose ties to our borough were less solid.

Gerry was a woman of the people. She met with constituents in their backyards in Maspeth and Forest Hills. She defined class, culture and nobility as a ranking Congress member, vice-presidential candidate - and long into her post-political career.

If the City Council suggested today that the Queensboro Bridge be renamed in her honor, we don't think there would be a fight. Despite the Speaker's continuous reference to Ed Koch as a bridge to this and that, Gerry Ferraro was the real bridge between Queens, the City and the rest of the nation.

We feel it is incumbent upon the City Council to bestow upon our Queens gal an honor befitting her stature. We ask that the Council consider renaming the Brooklyn Bridge for the woman whose blue-collar upbringing prepared her for a life of service to all of Queens, New York and the United States.

THIS, is a deserved honor.

Letters On VA Hospital To The Editor: Your letter was so appreciated, Matthew Silverstein!

My husband, a World War II veteran uses the really outstanding Veterans facility at St. Albans.

He is a retired physician, and fully appreciates the care he receives from other physicians there. They are thorough in their approach. My spouse receives the necessary blood tests he requires, along with the friendliness from

Letters the doctors, nurses and technicians who service veterans.

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman wrote a letter to Dept. of Veterans Affairs Sec. Eric Shinseki to redevelop the current hospital there, instead of redeveloping the land privately. A new "state of the art" full service VA Hospital should be built. You are so correct Rep. Ackerman. Our honorable veterans fought for us. They must not be left behind, ever!

Leonore Brooks, Whitestone

Koch Bridge To The Editor: There seems to be no end to elected officials legislating changes to familiar landmarks ostensibly to honor other elected officials notwithstanding it is misplaced. 188th Street in Fresh Meadows is now Weprin; The Triboro Bridge is now the RFK Bridge named after Robert F. Kennedy, a good man but with minimal contact with New York City; and now the Queensboro Bridge is to be called the Koch Bridge. Even if we ignore the taxpayer cost for sign changes, all the changes will nevertheless go the way of Avenue of The Americas, which is and will always be called Sixth Avenue, even on MTA trains.

As to the newly christened Koch Bridge, a substantive discussion is in order. The notion

former Mayor Ed Koch was instrumental in pulling New York City out of a serious fiscal crisis is not supported by the facts. Credit does not go to Koch because the heroes were the unions and outside financial experts who volunteered their services.

As to being a good mayor let alone a great one, the Jack Newfield and Wayne Barrett book "City For Sale" demonstrates all the shenanigans that occurred during his terms as Mayor. I am not suggesting Mr. Koch was personally dishonest. What I am saying is that as Captain of the Ship of State, he is administratively and morally responsible for failing to know what was occurring during his tenure, all of which excludes him from the category of either a good or great mayor.

The PRESS editorial in its March 21 issue rightfully takes to task the City Council that approved the Koch Bridge, not surprisingly given the presence therein of too many mediocre members.

Nevertheless, I do not believe Mr. Koch is deserving of being honored, I think the so-called honor has backfired. The Queensboro Bridge is an architectural nightmare, probably the ugliest bridge ever designed and built. Considering that I think Mr. Koch was a poor mayor, it is a good fit with a poor bridge.

Benjamin M. Haber, Flushing

So Long To One Tough Borough ‘Broad’ A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Before Hillary Clinton's historic run for the presidency three years ago, there was Geraldine "Gerry" Ferraro.

She helped pave the way by being on the ticket for vice president to Walter Mondale's run for president in 1984.

She was the first woman candidate for vice president on a major political party ticket and, given how long it took for women to get the vote, it was no mean feat.

Choosing a woman as his running mate was a bold move on the part of Mondale, even in the 1980s.

Family issues dogged the former congresswoman throughout the campaign and the Republican incumbent, Ronald Reagan and his running mate, George H.W. Bush trounced the Democratic duo at the polls.

Nonetheless, history had been made. We had seen a viable female candidate run for VP on a major party ticket 24 years before Sarah Palin became a national joke as John McCain's running mate.

When she died last week from myeloma, Ferraro was once again

hailed as a trailblazer and devoted family matriarch. Perhaps it would be hyperbolic to say that had there not been a Geraldine Ferraro, there would not have been a Hillary Clinton. But it did help Hillary in at least one way: it served notice of what was to come and what did eventually happen.

When Shirley Chisholm ran for president in the 1970s, it was considered a novelty; by the time Ferraro ran for VP, a woman seeking national office wasn't so novel anymore; Carol Mosley Braun, the former Democratic Senator from Illinois, ran for the nomination for president in 2004. By the time Hillary Clinton ran for president in 2008, the novelty had all but worn off. Within the next two decades, we should be seeing a woman president. As Bob Dylan wrote way back in the 1960s, "The times, they are a-changin'."

Ferraro's run emboldened women of the 1980s to dream bigger - and it wasn't just about political office that they were encouraged to dream of. They were preparing to take over the CEO and CFO spots across corporate America as well.

Young New York women had

political role models like Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm and Gerry Ferraro on a larger scale.

But women have always been political power houses, even when they had to do it from behind the scenes. They were choosing clubhouse candidates for local offices and putting their power behind city-wide, state and national candidates. However, those three New Yorkers sort of pulled out from the pack and showed that they could also be out in the front.

None of this is to say they did not face sexist attitudes on the campaign trail. Looking back, it seems the male reporters in 1984 had dozens of "women questions" for Ferraro. "Can you press the button?" was perhaps one of the most infuriating. But her response was classic: "I can pull any switch I need to pull to protect this country." I don't recall anyone asking Mondale or any other candidate that question.

It was also sad to see Barbara Bush, wife of the then-VP candidate Bush, answer a question about what she felt about Ferraro.

"Rhymes with 'rich'," was her tart response. Woman to woman, it was a terrible misstep on the

part of the elder Mrs. Bush; but "Gerry" took it all in stride. She was remarkable in her restraint and an excellent example of grace under pressure.

It's a pity her career in elected politics ended with the VP run.

She seems to have had much more left to give; but it was not to be.

Having given up her Queens Congressional seat to run for VP, Ferraro later ran for U.S. Senate and lost in the Democratic primary; and her footing in the game went with it. But she had proven herself as "one tough 'ol broad," as some called her.

Thankfully, she never really went away. She supported other women candidates such as Hillary Clinton for Senate and president, respectively; as well as Melinda Katz for City Comptroller. In her declining years, she perhaps saw her role as that of wise elder stateswoman, and that is public service also.

She had a lot more to give in that role but our borough, city, state and nation has lost that powerful voice.

She now rests in peace knowing that she fought the good fight professionally and personally.

Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop

By HENRY STERN The Post’s frontpage headline this morning, Pigs Fly, reflected the skepticism and cynicism that some New Yorkers feel at the report that the governor and legislative leaders had agreed on a state budget five days in Henry advance of the April 1 deadline. The Times’ headline was predictably more sedate: Albany Str ike s Budget Accord To Cut Spending. The News’ block head was Hammer Time, a catch phrase used by ’90s rapper M.C. Hammer.

There was some wonderment at the timely bipartisan agreement, considering that the Senate is Republican and the Assembly Democratic. In fact, however, it would have been more difficult to reach agreement if both houses of the legislature had been controlled by the Democrats. In that eventuality, the party leaders would have no one to blame but themselves for their failure to submit entirely to the dema nds of the i nterest groups who contribute so handsomely to their campaigns. This way, they can blame the opposition par ty. Rule 18-X-6 applies here: “The Devil made me do it.”

When one consults experts as to who is telling the truth with regard to financial claims, one is told

that t he t wo set s of numbers are both accurate, but are derived from different baselines, and therefore impossible to compare.

The possibility remains that the deal will fall apart over the next few days, as each party Stern tries to derive maximum advantage under the frame of reference agreed upon. In that event, the high popularity of the governor in the polls, combined with the low regard shown for the legislature, should give Andrew Cuomo the upper hand over the refractory solons, a number of whom are ethically challenged.

Conventional wisdom has it that the outcome is ordained by the fact that the State Constitut ion give s t he governor great power over the budget. Speaker Sheldon Silver and former Senate President Joseph Bruno tried to amend the State Constitution in 2007 to give the legislature power over the governor on the state budget, but their plan was defeated at the polls.

Former Gov. David Paterson had the same authority that Gov. Cuomo has now, but did not make the fullest use of it. There are critical theories as to why this was the case:

l. He was unaware that he had power over the budget.

2. He knew he had the power, but was indifferent to making the effort to use it.

3. He knew he had the power, and he wanted to use it, but did not know just how to do so.

4. He didn’t want to upset any of t he sp ecial i ntere sts i n t he Democratic Party, or be responsible for any budget reductions that would impact negatively any of his perceived communities and supporters.

5. He wanted to use it, but was so grateful to the legislature for not seeking to pursue him for various ethical misjudgments that he did not want to ruffle their feathers by a major disagreement over his authority.

6. Not being a friend and mentor of the Chief Judge, he feared the outcome of litigation over the issue.

7. No longer having available the serv ice s of Fr. Charle s J. O’Byrne, his competent and trusted confidant, he feared that his case would not be adequately or professionally pursued.

8. He thought it might injure the Democratic Par ty to have a public quarrel of this nature with the Speaker.

9. Any combination of the first eight reasons.

At this point, the close of his third month in office, Cuomo is off to a healthy start. “Day One: Everything Changes,” the slogan of the Spitzer administration, is in the dustbin of history. By his third month, Spitzer was at war with the Senate and the Assembly. It was a war he was not destined to win.

With regard to Cuomo, so far the public likes what they have seen of him. He has handled himself well, speaking with both force

and restraint. He was particularly good with regard to the strange intrusion by the Roman factotem into his private life, a 21st century reprise of a 16th century dispute between a pope and a king.

Meanwhile, it is better to see both par tie s on goo d behavior than to watch them snipe. Gov. Cuomo deserves credit for, at least temporarily, restoring good manners to the Capitol. We hope he stays calm.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

April 1-7, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Where Did We Go?:

Despite Surge In Housing, Other Factors Census Claims Miniscule Gains In Boro

BY DOMENICK RAFTER The U.S. Census Bureau released its results of the 2010 Census last week for New York State and the numbers left officials in Queens baff led. Mayor Mike Bloomberg said the city would challenge the results that he said not only undercounted Queens, but Brooklyn as well.

Flat Growth Since 2000 The Census Bureau said Queens' population only increased by 1,343 people since 2000, from 2,229,379 to 2,230,722, a number that left local officials and Queens' residents scratching their heads. The numbers were even far off the Census Bureau's own estimates.

In 2009, they estimated the population of Queens to be 2,306,712, more than 75,000 beyond the number they came out with last week. The Census Bureau uses birth, death and migration records based on previous Census' numbers to record its estimates in off-years.

"The figures released by the Census Bureau are absolutely bizarre," said U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside). "I know of no neighborhood where there are fewer people than there were in the last Census."

Citywide, New York City registered a population of 8,175,133, an increase of over 2 percent and a new record high, but that's still 200,000 less than the 2009 estimates. In that same time, the city gained 170,000 new homes, meaning if the Census numbers are correct, more than 35,000 of those homes are vacant, which officials say is implausible.

"If the Census numbers are correct, Astoria would be home to rapidly expanding construction on every block and a rapidly shrinking population," said Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr. (D-Astoria). "I guess I spent five years rezoning Astoria to stop the overdevelopment of empty buildings."

In the 2000 Census, Queens reported an increase of 60,000 housing units, and a population increase of more than 250,000 from 1990.

Cambria Heights and Springfield Gardens, which came as less of a surprise as the area was hit hard by the foreclosure crisis and there has been a significant migration of African-Americans from northeastern cities to the South. Other areas where the the population dropped included the Queensboro Hill section of Flushing and Richmond Hill, which saw the weakest response rate to the Census last year.

The biggest gains in population were seen in areas where significant developments were constructed in the last decade: Long Island City, Jamaica, Corona, and Arverne and Seaside in the Rockaways. Census figures also show some growth in Elmhurst, Maspeth, Ozone Park and Downtown Flushing.

Neighborhoods like Jackson Heights, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Sunnyside, Bayside and Fresh Meadows saw little to no change in population, despite some of these neighborhoods having desirable real estate markets and developments, even during the housing crisis.

The lack of growth in Jackson Heights puzzled Councilman Danny Dromm (DJackson Heights), who said there was "significant and irrefutable evidence, both anecdotal and statistical," that some of his constituents were not counted.

"You can tell by walking down the street, getting on the subway, or trying to park your car - that Jackson Heights, like most of Queens, has experienced a large increase in population," Dromm said.

"You can measure that growth directly by looking at the ever-increasing need for school seats, increases in births at local hospitals like Elmhurst, and by the surge in food stamp applications."

Immigrants Undercounted Most of the neighborhoods that saw minimal growth or a drop are immigrantdominated neighborhoods, or those where new or temporary residents live, like recent college graduates, and may have been counted in their parents' Census forms in another county or state. The

Mayor Mike Bloomberg joins elected officials from Queens and Brooklyn in Jackson Heights on March 27 to announce that his administration will officially challenge the Census results for New York City.

Census Bureau had pushed to get immigrants, including those undocumented, to respond; they claimed that in some neighborhoods they saw a good response, but the numbers read differently.

Neighborhoods with immigrant populations, like Richmond Hill, and areas hit by foreclosures, like Springfield Gardens, saw low turnout during last year's Census, which could explain its loss in population. However, turnout in Astoria, Jackson Heights, Corona and Flushing, areas known of their immigrant populations, was at, or exceeded 2000 turnout, leading officials to believe the population loss was a result of an error on the Census Bureau's end, one that will prove costly.

"This year, with all the new technology, there is no excuse for this undercount, and that is the only possible explanation for 0.1 percent growth in Queens," said State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing). "There appears to be no quality control; errors were made that should have been caught, and now

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 1-7, 2011

Strange Population Patterns In Queens, the neighborhood that had the biggest drop in population was Astoria, which decreased by nearly 15,000 people, despite the neighborhood being home to one of the borough's booming real estate markets, and its reputation for being a desirable place to live in Queens.

"The Census people have one job every 10 years and they failed miserably," said State Sen. Michael Gianaris (DAstoria). "The notion that Western Queens lost tens of thousands of people is laughable. If it wasn't so serious an issue, we'd all be laughing."

The Census numbers also showed a loss in population in Southeast Queens, especially in Hollis, Queens Village,

The 2010 Census figures show that while some neighborhoods have gained population since 2000, others have unexpectedly lost residents.

Queens will suffer because of the ineptitude of the Census Bureau."

"These communities are already shortchanged, and while we have made headway over the past 20 years," he said, "this Census count puts us back decades."

Challenging The Census Mayor Bloomberg, at a press conference in Jackson Heights on Sunday, said the city would officially challenge the Census results.

"We believe that errors have occurred in putting together the Census results for Brooklyn and Queens," the mayor said.

"It seems evident to us that something incongruous happened in the Census count in these two boroughs."

Queens' State Senators sent letters to the chairs of the appropriate House and Senate committees demanding an investigation and recalculation of the Census numbers. Gianaris said the Census Bureau is notoriously bad at getting an accurate count in major cities. Other cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Detroit, where the population plummeted nearly a third since 2000, all claim they have been undercounted during the Census. In Atlanta, the final Census numbers came in more than 25 percent below 2009 estimates.

Even if the Census upped Queens' population numbers, it would not change representation or redistricting because the recalculation could take several months, It would, however, affect federal funding to New York City during the coming decade.

"They've never been off this badly," Gianaris said. "An unprecedented failure like this needs an unprecedented response."

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

Police Blotter Compiled By DOMENICK RAFTER

104th & 106th Precincts Would-Be Robber

NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then entering TIP577.

The NYPD is asking for the public's assistance in identifying a suspect wanted in connection with two bank robberies, one in Howard Beach and the other in Middle Village.

Bridge Crash On Wednesday, March On Monday, March 9, at 11:30 a.m., inside of 28, at approximately the Citibank at 156-14 4:05 a.m., police reCross Bay Blvd. in sponded to a 911 call of Howard Beach, the susa pedestrian struck at pect entered and made a Queens Plaza South and verbal demand, but was Crescent Street in Long unable to obtain money Island City. and fled the location.

Upon arrival police On Monday, March determined that a 2007 21, at 11:10 a.m., inside Volkswagen traveling of the Capital One Bank eastbound from the at 74-11 Metropolitan Police are looking for this man, Queensboro Bridge failed Ave. in Middle Village, who has failed to successfully rob to negotiate the curve the suspect entered and two banks in Queens. while trying to exit at made a verbal demand Queens Boulevard, lost and fled the location with an undeter- control and struck the guard rail. mined amount of cash.

The vehicle rolled over and continued The suspect is described as a white southeast along Queens Plaza South, man in his 30s, approximately 6-feet, 190- mounted the sidewalk and struck Anthony 220 lbs and was last seen wearing a black Buscemi, 68, of 46 W. 83rd St., Manhathat with the words "Avon Walk For Breast tan. He was pronounced dead at the Cancer" and a grey shirt. scene. The driver of the car, a 35-yearAnyone with information regarding old white man, was taken to Bellevue these robberies is asked to call the Hospital in stable condition. The passen-

108th Precinct

ger of the car, a 31-year-old white woman, was taken to Cornell Hospital where she was listed in stable condition.

114th Precinct Two Shot On Saturday, March 26, at approximately 2:19 a.m., police off icers responded to an assault in progress at 4007 12th St. in Queensbridge Houses.

Upon arrival, police officers found two individuals with gunshot wounds to the body.

The first, Tara Webb, 27, who lived in the apartment, was shot once to the chest and pronounced dead at Cornell Hospital. The second victim, an unidentified 26-year-old Hispanic man, was shot twice in the torso and was listed in stable condition at Cornell Hospital.

Police arrested Melanie Webb, 24, who also lived in the apartment, and charged her with second degree murder, two counts of second degree criminal possession of a weapon, and one count each of attempted murder and first-degree assault.

From The DA Day Care Provider Sentenced A 30-year-old woman who provided day care to children in her

Ozone Park home has been sentenced to up to three years in prison for the June 2009 death of an 11-month-old infant who drowned in a bucket of water while in her care. At the time of the incident, the defendant was asleep on the sofa in another room after having taken the over-the-counter medication NyQuil.

Krystal Khan, 30, of 101-27 108th St. in the Ozone Park, was convicted last month of reckless assault of a child by a daycare provider and endangering the welfare of a child.

According to trial testimony, Khan took NyQuil at approximately 6 a.m., on June 15, 2009, even though she knew from past use that one of the side effects of the medication was the onset of drowsiness. Sometime later that morning, with 11-month-old James Farrior unrestrained and moving about the room, she fell asleep - despite knowing that a bucket of water she had filled the night before was left unattended in the kitchen could be hazardous to young children. At one point Khan brief ly awoke, did not see the baby in the living room, and rolled over and went back to sleep. When Khan's own four-year-old child woke her later that morning, she discovered the baby in the kitchen with his upper body submerged in the bucket of water, which contained approximately six inches of water.

April 1-7, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

pix

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

City Meets Local Biz

Child Center Thanks Smith Hank Auffarth, Board Member for The Child Center of NY, awards State Sen. Malcolm A. Smith for his continued support of the social services agency at their annual gala this Saturday. The Child Center of NY provides family intervention, youth development, counseling and home visiting services that help keep families healthy and intact.

Serving Up Aces

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 1-7, 2011

Councilman Leroy Comrie (c.) recently hosted the Business Corridor Forum where over 100 local business owners had the opportunity to meet with City agencies. During the forum, Comrie honored Regina WarnerTyson (l.), the proprietor of Regina's Beauty Salon in St. Albans, which is celebrating its 20th year. Joining the presentation was Assemblyman William Scarborough (r.).

State Sen. Malcolm A. Smith, (l. to r.) U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks, State Sen. Shirley Huntley, Exec. Dir. and Founder of Youth and Tennis Academy Bill Briggs, tennis legend John McEnroe, Queens Parks Dept. Borough Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, State. Sen. Tony Avella, Councilman Ruben Wills, President of Southern Queens Park Association Roger Scotland and District Leader Jackie Boyce at the Youth and Tennis Academy ribbon cutting ceremony for their new indoor junior tennis facility.

April 1-7, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Borough Beat

Mayersohn Retires From Assembly

Centering much of her legislation on issues of health, Mayersohn addressed the Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn many concerns faced by victims of crimes, (D-Flushing) is bowing out the rights of individuals afof office after nearly three fected by HIV, and tackled decades of serving the 27th sanitary issues in the food Assembly district, formally service industry.

Enacted in 1996, her retiring from the position on "Baby AIDS" law requires Friday. doctors inform mothers of "I've been the assemblyHIV-infected newborns of woman for 28 years and have the child's condition. passed many significant bills," Mayersohn recalls her Mayersohn said. "But there office being barraged by an comes a point when it is time abundant amount of to leave. Now is that time." women's special interest The announcement has groups who opposed it. set in motion the eventuality Assemblywoman Nettie Even her home was reguof a special election called Mayersohn is retiring aflarly picketed. The law now

by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to ter nearly three decades of stands as one of her most fill the vacant seat later this public service. memorable accomplishyear, with one of her closer ments. aides hoping to succeed her.

In 1998, the state passed her Partner After serving her neighborhood as a community activist for over 30 years, Mayersohn, Notification Law, requiring doctors to 87, was elected in 1982 to the State Assembly. notify the New York State Health DepartMayersohn said she was proud to rep- ment when a patient tests positive for resent her constituents despite occasional HIV. The Food Service Law, enacted in obstacles.

"It didn't matter who disagreed with 1991, requires food service workers use me," she said. "Not always does everyone sanitary gloves and utensils when working agree with you but I certainly had to do with cooked and prepared food.

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) what I did to get [laws] passed for my witnessed much of the dedication constituents."

BY JASON BANREY

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

Mayersohn exhibited towards her constituency, as their districts overlap.

"She's certainly sacrificed countless hours for those she represents while pioneering numerous pieces of legislation," said Ackerman. "We've been political friends and allies for many years. She'll surely be difficult to replace."

State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) recalled a pivotal moment in her life after her husband's death in which Mayersohn helped steer her into a career in politics.

When Stavisky's husband passed away, it was Mayersohn who suggested Stavisky run for his seat.

"It wasn't something I was thinking about," Stavisky said. "I was busy making funeral arrangements."

Mayersohn became the catalyst for Stavisky's tenure in the Senate.

Stavisky acknowledged the loyal friendship the two developed over a dozen years, having regular breakfasts together in Albany.

Former Councilman Morty Povman was shocked when he found out his friend and former colleague was stepping down.

"It is a great loss to the people of Queens, those in her district as well as the Assembly in Albany," said Povman. "I didn't believe it when I was told. She almost gave me a heart attack."

Mayersohn promised to remain active

in Flushing's Electchester Community and is now looking to provide her services to non-profit organizations offering assistance to seniors.

"I am certainly not going to sit at home and twiddle my thumbs," she said.

While the governor has yet to set a special election date, the race to fill Mayersohn's seat already has one candidate - her chief of staff Michael Simanowitz.

"I plan on seeking the Democratic designation and we'll take it from there," he said. "Out of the box, I know I won't be able to fill her shoes but hopefully, someday, I will be able to say I am up to the challenge."

Mayersohn voiced her support for him to succeed her. "[Simanowitz] has been by my side for over a decade," said Mayersohn. "I have seen him grow into a real leader in our community and he cares just as much as I do about good legislation. If he's elected, he will do a terrific job."

Sad to see his mentor leave, Simanowitz recalled the 15 years he served under the assemblywoman.

"It's definitely the end of an era," said Simanowitz. "What she did in Albany, some people could only dream of accomplishing in their lifetime."

Reach Reporter Jason Banrey at jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718)3577400, Ext. 128.

Profile

Comrie Recognizes Local Heroines In celebration of Women's History Month, Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) hosted his Annual Unsung Heroine Awards.

Among the 10 honorees was the first female and African American air traffic control specialist in the New York City/ Long Island area, a chief clerk for the Queens County Board of Elections and a press secretary for a state senator.

"All of our honorees are symbols of what can be accomplished when one never allows their talent to be overlooked on the basis of gender," Comrie said. "I believe that if we neglect to acknowledge the historical contributions of women - both past and present - then we jeopardize the potential of future generations of women."

The Rev. Dr. Edith Lazenby has the distinction of being a pioneer in her field.

She was the first female and African American air traffic control specialist in the New York City/Long Island area. Lazenby worked for the federal government for 31 years, including 20 years as a visual flight rules controller in New York and California. Now retired, Lazenby serves as associate minister at Majority Baptist Church.

Other honorees included Deborah Carney, who has worked with the Dept. of City Planning since 1988. Carney is now the deputy director of the agency's Queens office. In her

many years in the New more than two decades at the agency, Carney has been York City Adult and a part of many zoning Continuing Education projects including the rezonprogram, where she teaches basic education, ing of South Jamaica. computer technology Jacqui Williams-Fields and more. Previously, is a principal owner of 99 Solutions LLC, a governshe was a special educament relations and contion teacher in the New sulting firm. Her expertise York City public school system. Spigner is also a is in creating economic opmember of CB 12. portunities for Tai White is State underutilized businesses and communities. Her cliSen. Malcolm Smith's ents include the Greater (D-Jamaica) press secJamaica Development retary and has previously worked at News 12, Corp., the New York Jets, NY1 and CW11.

IKEA, Cablevision and "It is critical that, as a Delta Airlines.

Barbara Flatts is a court community, we acknowlattorney and adjunct proedge the contributions of fessor at York College. these heroines, who conCouncilman Leroy Comrie (2nd right) observed Women's History Month on tinue to make our borPreviously, she worked as March 26 by hosting his annual Unsung Queens Heroines awards program at ough such a unique and a trial attorney for the U.S. York College. Each honoree was presented with a New York City Council special place," Comrie Dept. of Justice and is Proclamation during the festive ceremony, which featured a diverse group of now a nationally-recogsaid. "They are heroines heroines from across the borough. Honorees included (seated l. to r.) Rev. Dr. nized expert on consumer because so often their Edith Lazenby, Lee Fiorino, Deborah Carney, Tai White, Barbara Conacchio, law. work goes unrecognized (standing l. to r.) Connie Turner, Michelle Keller, Paula Brown-Edme and and the only gratification Michelle E. Keller is Barbara Flatts. they seek is serving the State Sen. Shirley neighbors."

Huntley's (D-Jamaica) constituent services director and Commu- 115th Precincts, as well as the Applicant Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at nity Board 12 member. Keller has served Investigation Unit. saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 35720 years with the NYPD in the 113th and Leslie Adorn Spigner has worked for 7400, Ext. 123.

Photo Brent Denoon

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 1-7, 2011

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

A&E

The '11 Mets Bring Hope To Queens The hope is always the same. This year will be better. Don't mention 2006 or 2000 for that matter. I'm plugging my ears and saying "la la la la" loudly when you mention Carlos Beltran's legs or second base, or starting pitching or Jose Reyes' contract year.

None of that matters. We have hope.

The Mets have never been New York City's team of destiny; our Flushing Amazin's have always taken their fans on a roller coaster ride of mixed emotions, ascending to high peaks only to fall, or puttering along and suddenly lurching forward.

The life of a Mets fan is not easy, but it is one of commitment, of community, of big league dreams and of camaraderie. We don't puff out our chests, but we hold our heads high, proud of our oft-maligned Mets.

The season is upon us, baseball fans.

Spring training is nothing more than a memory at this point. We've run some drills, shed some dead weight and are packing the bags for the move back to the big stage.

The cast of characters is both familiar and new. Our tenured position players are Third Baseman David Wright, Shortstop Jose Reyes, newly-moved Right Fielder Carlos Beltran and Pitchers Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and Jon Niese, who have each logged a few years.

Some returning favorites include First Baseman Ike Davis, Left Fielder Jason Bay, potential Second Baseman Daniel Murphy, Pitchers R.A. Dickey and Bobby Parnell and Catcher Josh Thole.

New to us this year or fighting for a legitimate spot in the lineup (and on the roster) are Outfielders Lucas Duda and Scott Hairston; Infielders Nick Evans, Brad Emaus, Luis Hernandez and Chinlung Hu; and Pitchers Taylor Buchholz, Chris Capuano, Chris Young, Tim Byrdak, Pedro Beato and D.J. Carrasco.

Some will stay, some will go - but all will work their bottoms off to help make this team make it to October.

Spring training was a time to get new Manager Terry Collins familiar with what works and what doesn't Luis Castillo and

Restaurant Review

An Italian Wonderland LUIGI'S RESTAURANT AND BAR 265-21 Union Tpke., New Hyde Park (718) 347-7136 CUISINE: Italian HOURS: Lunch Mon-Sat 11 am to 4 pm; Dinner Mon-Thu 4-10 pm, Fri-Sat 4-11 pm, Sun 2-10 pm PARKING: Street/Valet CREDIT CARDS: All Major

Auditions Coming Up For Budding Actors Theatre Arts Center, celebrating its 10th anniversary in Queens training students in musical theatre, dance and acting, is auditioning talented students ages 7-19 to join their summer performing arts workshops.

Located in summer residence at the Professional Performing Arts Center at Queensborough Community College in Bayside, the staff includes many Broadway professionals. Karen Mason, starring as the Queens of Hearts in the upcoming Broadway musical, "Wonderland," has taught at the Center for several years. "I love working with young singers and actors because they are on the brink of their careers, and are eager to share and learn," she said.

Talented youth learn professional skills at a Musical Theatre & Dance Camp and a Teen Acting Ensemble. In keeping with their professional approach, all students must audition to participate. Auditions are being scheduled through April.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what TAC has planned for this Summer," said Emmy Award winning television designer Dennis Size. "My daughter not only had an incredible learning experience last summer, but also a fabulous time. Having seen the level of discipline and professionalism, plus how much my daughter matured, and her talent developed, I will definitely want her to audition."

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, the Center has created a new Teen Audition Workshop, designed for those performing arts students preparing auditions for college or high school. "It is probably the question I get most from parents and students: 'What should I do for my audition?'" noted Artistic Director Robert Laconi. "This new five-day workshop will provide all the tools needed to give a solid audition."

Many graduates have been successful in landing roles On and Off-Broadway, at HBO Family, PBS Reading Rainbow,

Nickelodeon, a developmental project for Disney and Music Theatre International, The American Girl Theatre, Live at the Apollo and The Soprano's.

Long Island alumni Crystalyn Wynter was a 2009 finalist at Live at the Apollo, Melissa Goscinski was selected by Jennifer Hudson to sing a duet from Dreamgirls with her on NBC's Today Show, and longtime alum Samantha Kronenfeld was accepted to the prestigious summer program at Yale.

Many of their students attend the LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, Frank Sinatra School for the Performing Arts, NYC Professional Performing Arts School, and other local Performing Arts programs.

When the camp was looking for a home base, the 800-seat Professional Performing Arts Center at Queensborough Community College in Bayside was the perfect fit. "This is an excellent match," said Susan Agin. Executive Director of Queensborough's Professional Performing Arts Series. "Our theatre, already the home of the Queens Symphony Orchestra and host to major artists like Chita Rivera, Joel Grey, Ben Vereen and Frankie Avalon, is a wonderful professional learning laboratory for budding talent."

The Teen Acting Ensemble begins June 27 and the Musical Theatre Workshop for ages 7-19 begins July 5. Both workshops are four weeks of serious fun.

The fruit of all the hard work are public performances at the 800-seat Professional Performing Arts Center and the Shadow Box Theatre in late July.

Talented young performers interested in auditioning for the camp should call (718) 5952905 or email TheatreArtsCtr@AOL.com for an appointment. You can also find information and request an audition at TheatreArtsCenter.com.

April 1--7, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

Stepping into this romantically-lit Italian haven in New Hyde Park, you are immediately transported to another world.

Leather booths and chairs sit nestled along the walls; the subway tiles provide the feel of being in a Tuscan kitchen.

Menus are delivered, and that's when the fun starts. Your range of choices to kick off the experience swings from a selection of bruscetta, various imported cheeses and a diverse menu of locallymade salami. Pick one or a few - they all look fantastic.

We chose to begin with the fried calamari - a good judging dish to test the chef's mettle. This was by far the best-prepared version I've had in a long time. Served alongside a simple marinara and a red pepper aioli, the rings and tentacles were breaded and cooked to tender perfection. There was no chew that so many others seem unable to avoid each piece was tender to the tooth.

We also select the Rucola salad, which was one of the most creative I've had in a while. Baby arugula is served atop Parma prosciutto and dotted with maple-dusted pecans and fresh goat cheese, all with a truff le honey and light balsamic vinaigrette. The blend of the peppery leaves, tangy cheese, salty ham, sweet and earthy honey and nutty pecans made for a symphony on the palate.

The Caesar salad was a classic, minus the anchovy, which is often mishandled; Luigi's has the wherewithal to avoid the potential faux pas altogether.

Moving on to our main dishes, we enjoyed a varied trio. My first guest had the Gnocchi with Parma, peas and gorgonzola dulce. The fluffy gnocchi pillows were as light as cotton balls and the creamy sauce gave a good punch in the back of the throat.

My second guest went with a classic Chicken Parmesan, which was as you would imagine; the chicken was pounded thin and fried to perfection; the sauce was rich, sweet and flavorful; and the cheese was plentiful, browned just enough.

I ordered off the special menu for the night, and was served a massive veal chop, pounded thin on the bone, breaded, fried and served with prosciutto and cheese over a bed of spinach with a champagne reduction. Typically, I'm wary of cooked prosciutto - it loses its texture and turns bitter. This was not the case at Luigi's, and I fear they have reawakened my desire to seek cooked prosciutto, though I doubt I will find another on par with what was served atop my veal.

We closed out our meal with dessert, each more magnificent than the last. The lemon sorbet was sinful; the warm molten lava cooked in the wood-fired oven brought a new definition to a classic and then there was the strawberry and banana Napoleon. The layers alternated between light sheets of dough and perfectly fresh fruit, all with a whipped pastry cream. Heaven.

I'll be going back - this coming Sunday as a matter of fact. You should make the trip as well. — Brian M. Rafferty

of Jimmy Rollins' face; Oliver Perez were both the ability to tag a line handed their walking padrive so hard it makes pers (and quickly swept up Chipper Jones want to by other teams in our diviretire; the opportunity to sion, in what were characprove to those guys in the terized as "baseball deciBronx that we are New sions." Never mind the fact York's team. that the fans and media had And would it be so more disdain for the pair wrong to hope for pennant than the anger heaped or even - dare I suggest - a upon such recent stars as trophy?

Aaron Heilman or even Hope springs eternal Bobby Bonilla. when it comes to the No, we're not looking Mets. They are capable of back. We want to look forward. We look forward to a The hopeful Mets fans are anything.

Check 'em out. They'll winning record; we look ready for the 2011 season. be here at least through forward to enjoying games September. Get tickets by at Citi Field; we look forward to a summer of fun, joy and fantasy calling (718) 507-TIXX or by going to as we mull the fall fate of our furiously nymets.com.

Reach Editor Brian Rafferty at fighting friends.

And we look forward, with some trepi- brafferty@queenstribune.com or (718) 357dation, to the chance to wipe that smirk 7400, Ext. 122.

PRESS Photo by Brian M. Rafferty

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY

Faith

Day of Healings at New Jerusalem New Jerusalem Baptist Church will host its 2nd Annual Day of Healings and New Beginnings.

“It is just a communing event for people to come and feel like they are a part of something,” said Iris Shamery, a longtime church member.

New Jerusalem will hold the event

from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 16 at 12205 Smith St. The event is free and open to the public.

She said the event came out of the church wanting to reach out to the community.

“We found that so many people are lonely,” Shamery said. She said the day would not only foster fellowship, but it can also build self-esteem.

Word

Why not let people differ about their answers to the great mysteries of the Universe? Let each seek one’s own way to the highest, to one’s own sense of supreme loyalty in life, one’s ideal of life. Let each philosophy, each world-view bring forth its truth and beauty to a larger perspective, that people may grow in vision, stature and dedication.

Algernon Black

“It will get rid of the feeling that you are alone,” she said. “We embrace anybody.”

She said last year’s event was a success.

“It was just absolutely fantastic,” she said. “It was well-attended. It was an event that introduced people to the church to express their needs.”

Shamery said the same qualities that made her a member almost 11 years ago can be found at the Day of Healings and New Beginnings.

“I like the message the minister delivers,” she said. “It is very uplifting to my spirit. It keeps me calm and grounded.”

She said the event made her more open to service.

“I do what I can to make others feel comfortable in life,” Shammery said.

The church, which was founded in 1988, has always opened its doors and welcomed the masses. The church was initially led by the Rev. James C. Kelly with 300 members. It has since grown, and now accommodates 3,500. When Kelly resigned, he chose his successor, the Rev. Dr. Calvin Rice. Under his leadership for the past six years, Rice has developed a number of new ministries that seek to enhance the body, mind and spirit of New

PRESS Photo By Ira Cohen

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

The New Jerusalem Baptist Church will host its 2nd Annual Day of Healings and New Beginnings on April 16.

Jerusalem and the surrounding community.

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

Notebook HOSA

EMT Student Hopes To Heal Others

its when she graduates from high school.

Vasquez praised those who have supported her, especially “my mother, who came from the Dominican Republic, my father who came from Puerto Rico, and My EMT teacher Ms. Brink, who inspired me to become involved with helping people, to become ambitious and to achieve what I have accomplished.” She plans to attend Hofstra University or St. Francis College to become a Physicians Assistant so she can earn enough money to attend medical school and become a Pediatrician.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 1-7, 2011

BY BOB HARRIS

Janette Vasquez, a resident of Brooklyn, is the Vice President, Historian and Secretary of the New York Chapter of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), which is a national organization for health career students which stresses career development, community service, leadership skills and testing skills. In April 2010, she was elected to these positions at the annual convention in Syracuse, where she and her fellow students won many awards.

Within her position, Vasquez helps the president run meetings, makes a record of events at the meetings and as Historian keeps a scrapbook of all newspaper articles about HOSA. She has been involved with the Hillcrest HS chapter of HOSA for two years and will again be part of a team going to the April HOSA Convention in Syracuse. EMT teacher Lorraine Brink is the advisor of the chapter.

She is captain of the Hillcrest HS Dance Club, which will take part in the Hillcrest HS International Festival at the end of April, has taken part in school blood drives, volunteers at the Buena Vida

Janette Vasquez, an active member of HOSA in Hillcrest HS, with one of her study buddies.

Nursing Home in Bushwick, Brooklyn, is a volunteer Peer tutor and Homework Helper in the Athletic Program at PS 96, Manhattan. By being in the EMT program

of the Health Careers Institute in Hillcrest HS, Vasquez is in the Career Pathways Program of Queensborough Community College and will earn eight college cred-

Is Your School Doing Something Good?

Write The PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone NY 113572809. Send faxes to 3579417, c/o Regina.

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

ALUMNI ST. AGNES Saturday, April 16 St. Agnes Academic HS in College point for all years, especially those ending in 1 or 6. 3536276.

DANCE COUNTRY WESTERN Saturday, April 9 Stoney Creek performs at the Easter Dance. $12. Glendale Memorial Building, 72-02 Myrtle Avenue at 7:30. 7634328.

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

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

ENVIRONMENT WORK IN WETLANDS Saturdays, April 2, 23, 30 help eradicate invasive plant species from the wetland of Alley Pond Park with a volunteer crew. 229-4000.

TREE CARE Saturday, April 9 Million Trees NYC Tree Care Workshop at the Broadway library.

SPRING BIRD WALKS Sunday, April 10 with Alley Pond Environmental Center. $5 members, $7 others. 2294000.

DINNER

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 7 days a week. 962-6244.

CHAIR YOGA Saturdays, April 2, 16, 30 Introduction to Chair Yoga at the Fresh Meadows librar y. Register.

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

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

CANCER SUPPORT Monday, April 4 Franklin Hospital’s Cancer Support Group meets 2-4 in the cafeteria. 516-256-6478.

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

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

670-1695. $5 a class.

GAM-ANON Tuesdays Free Synagogue of Flushing and Zion Episcopal Church. Wednesdays All Saints Episcopal Church in Bayside, First Presbyterian Church in Forest Hills, Church on the Hill in Flushing and United Methodist Church in Middle Village.

Thursdays Free Synagogue of Flushing and Zion Episcopal Church. Call 1-877-6642469.

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

784-6173, ext. 431.

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

CANCER Tuesday, April 5 Cross-Cultural Care & Cancer: Communit y Visions for Equit y & Equalit y at the Flushing library at 8:30am.

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

428-6363.

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

CANCER ED. Wednesday, April 6 Cancer Training 101: Cancer Prevention Education at 10 at the Central library.

MEDITATION Thursday, April 7 Breath of Change: Meditation Techniques at 5:30 at the Flushing librar y.

HATHA YOGA Thursdays, April 7, 14 at the Queensboro Hill library at 6.

Wear comfortable clothing; bring a mat.

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

OA Fridays 6:30-8:30 at Unit y Center of Flushing, 42-11

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS

1 5 5 th S t r e e t . S a t u r d a y s 10:30-noon at Resurrection Ascension, Feely Hall, 85-18 61 st Road, Rego Park. Beginners meeting except the last Friday of each month, which is a writing meeting.

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

RELIGIOUS REFORM TEMPLE Friday, April 1 Thanassis Cambanis speaks after the 8pm Shabbat service on “A Privilege to Die: Inside Hezbollah’s Legions and their Endless War Against Isra e l . ” Tu e s d a y , A p r i l 5 “Darwin’s Disciple: George John Romanes, a Life in Letters” with Joel S. Schwartz at 8:30. Sunday, April 10 “Access to Justice: Are Some Courthouse Doors Closing?” with Professor Arthur Miller at 1. Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112 th Street.

261-2900.

CULTURAL JUDAISM Saturday, April 2 the Queens Communit y for Cultural Judaism will present the story of one man who found h i s J ew i s h i d e n t i t y a t th e Unitarian Congregation of Queens, Ash Avenue and 149 th Street, Flushing. At 2. %4 non-members.

EMANUEL UNITED Saturday, April 2 “ Voices of Victory,” a gospel choir will perform at 4. $10 suggested donation. Sunday, A p r i l 3 L e n te n Ve s p e r s Prayer Service at 5. Emanuel United Church of Christ, Woodhaven Blvd. and 91 st Avenue. 849-1153.

WOMEN’S SEDER Sunday, April 3 at 12:30 at Temple Tikvah of New Hyde Park. 516-746-1120.

BOXING LECTURE Sunday, April 3 Mike Silver, noted Boxing historian, will speak on the prevalence of Jewish Boxers during the first half of the 20 th century at 10:30 (9:45 breakfast) at the Flushing-Fresh Meadows Jewish Center. 357-5100.

WOMEN’S SEDER Tuesday, April 5 the Sisterhood of the Bay Terrace Jewish Center Women’s Seder. $5. 428-6363.

JEWISH MEDITATION Thursday, April 7 a t t h e Hillcrest Jewish Center. $10.

380-4145. 7:30.

SHABBATON Friday-Sunday, April 8-10 the Congregation, Sisterhood and Men’s Club of the Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills will hold a Shabbaton. 263-6500.

GLENN MOHR CHORALE Sunday, April 10 at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Forest Hills. Glenn Mohr Chorale highlights the events of the Lenten Season.

516-488-0600.

ST. THOMAS Saturday, April 16 Annual Breakfast with the Easter B u n n y.

St. Thomas the Apostle, 87-19 88 th Avenue, Woodhaven.

JH ART CLUB Classes in all art forms days and evenings for children and adults. 454-0813.

CRAFT CLASSES Saturdays 11-3 Maria Rose International Doll Museum in St. Albans. 276-3454.

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

IMPROV WORKSHOP Saturday, April 2 learn the basic techniques involved in improvisational theater at the Rochdale library at 3.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, April 2, 16, 30 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital.

646-436-7940.

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

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

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

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

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

591-3377.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesdays at the Sunnyside library. Register.

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

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

GET YOUR YARNS OUT! Tuesdays after evening Minyan at 8, knitters, crocheters, needlepointers, and others meet at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 200.

POWER POINT Tuesday, April 5 Introduction at the McGoldrick library. Register.

COMPUTER BASICS Tuesdays, April 5, 12, 10, 26 at the Astoria library. Register.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Glendale library. Register.

COMPUTER BASICS Tuesday, April 5 at the LIC library at 11.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE Wednesdays 10:30-3:00 at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills. $12 session, includes light lunch. 261-2900 INDOOR SOCCER – DADS Wednesday evenings at the Forest Hills Jewish Center.

263-7000.

BASIC COMPUTING Wednesdays, April 6, 13 at the Woodside library at 10:30.

SCRABBLE Wednesdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27 at the Forest Hills library at 2.

QUILTING CLASSES Thursdays 10-2 at the Maria

Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans. 276-3454 or 917817-8653 to register.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays at the East Flushing library. Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Thursdays at the Queensboro Hill library. Register.

FINANCIAL SEMINAR Thursdays, April 7, 14 at the Central library at 10:30.

FINANCIAL SEMINARS Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 at the Steinway library at 6.

PHARM TECH Thursday, April 7 LaGuardia CC will host an information session for its pharmacy technician program. 482-5125.

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

INTER. COMPUTER Thursday, April 7 at the LIC library at 10.

E. ELMHURST QUILTERS Thursday, April 7 at the East Elmhurst library at 12:30.

JOB READINESS Thursdays, April 7, 14, 28 Job Readiness Workshop Series at the Central library

at 2.

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP Thursday, April 7 a t t h e Bayside library. Register.

RESUME WRITING Thursday, April 7 a t t h e Lefferts library at 6.

PAINTING WORKSHOP Fridays through June 24 N e w C re a t i v i t y a n d A d vanced Painting Workshop at National Art League. 1-646546-2296.

KNITTING CLUB Fridays at the Maspeth library at 10.

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

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

GAME DAY Fridays, April 8, 15, 22, 29 at the Bay Terrace library at 2:30.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, April 9 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Franklin Square. 516-828062.

RESUME WRITING Saturday, April 9 at the LIC library at 10:30.

ENTERTAINMENT FLAMENCO & INDIAN Friday and Saturday, April 1, 2 at 8 and Sunday, April 3 at 4 the Thalia Spanish Theatre in LIC presents Flamenco and Indian Music and Dance. 729-3880.

COOL BEATS JAZZ Fri.-Sun. April 1-3 at LeFrak Concert Hall. 544-2996.

BRAZILIAN DOC. Saturday, April 2 film screening of Brazilian documentary “Rhythmic Uprising” Broadway library at 2:30.

SYMPHONY 101 Saturday, April 2 performance workshop for the entire family at the Lefferts library at 1 and the Bayside library at 3.

ROB CROWE Saturday, April 2 Rob Crowe Situation performs at the Flushing library at 2.

CHARMED CIRCLE Saturday, April 2 Pablo Picasso and Paris in the Early 1900s at 2:30 at the Forest Hills library.

IRISH CONCERT Saturday, April 2 for the benefit of the People of Haiti with Mary Courtney and Morning Star at Our Lady of Mercy in Syosset. 454-9804.

JOHN PIZZARELLI Saturday, April 2 Swing Seven in Concert at Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

AFRO-SEMITIC Saturday, April 2 Queens Theatre in the Park. 7600064.

GREEK CULTURE Sunday, April 3 at the Central library at 3 with Grigoris Maninakis and the Mikrokosomos Ensemble.

LAUGHS Monday, April 4 with Mark Brier Flushing library at 6.

ART Tuesday, April 5 Around the World in 20 Artworks at the

Bay Terrace library at 1:30.

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

SCULPTURE Saturday, April 9 Modern & Contemporary Sculpture at 3 Fresh Meadows library.

JERSEY BOYS Saturday, April 9 at Queens College. 793-8080.

FM POETS Saturday, April 9 Fresh Meadows Poets meet at 10 at the Forest Hills library.

JEWISH SITES Saturday, April 9 J e w i s h Sites in the Middle East at the Flushing library at 2.

MAMMA MIA Saturday, April 9 sing-a-long at Queensborough Communit y College with “Mamma Mia!” $5. 631-6311.

CLASSICAL WORKS Saturday, April 9 Classical Masterpieces: Works for Violin, Oboe and Piano at 2:30 at the Forest Hills library.

RIOULT Saturday and Sunday, April 9, 10 Rioult Dance Company at Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064.

KIDS’ CARNIVAL Saturdays and Sundays, April 9, 10, 16, 17 Queens Count y Farm Museum from 11-6. $10. 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park.

STORY TIME CONCERT Sunday, April 10 Story time Concert with Auricolae at the Communit y House at Church in the Gardens in Forest Hills. $10. 894-2178.

BETTY BUCKLEY Sunday, April 10 at Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

OPEN MIC Sunday, April 10 at the Central library at 2.

TAKACS QUARTET Sunday, April 10 at Queens College. 793-8080.

April 1-7, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

LUNCH & BRIDGE Monday, April 11 National Council of Jewish Women.

343-9029.

CHRIST THE KING Saturday, April 16 Christ the King Regional HS Alumni Association will induct individuals into their Hall of Fame at an Induction Ceremony and Dinner Dance. 366-7400.

SONS OF ITALY Friday, April 29 29th Annual Golden Lion Awards Dinner.

800-322-6742.

WOOD-HEIGHTS DEM. Thursday, May 5 WoodHeights Democratic Club w i l l h o l d t h e i r 8 th A n n u a l Wood-Heights Democratic Club at Dante’s Caterers in Jackson Heights. 457-0733.

HEALTH

People The New York Lottery announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning instant game ticket from Feb. 27 through March 5, and received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more. The past week’s winners include: Angel Baez of Corona who won $200,000 on the Double Triple Cashword instant game. Baez’s winning ticket was purchased at the V & M International Deli Groc at 98-20 41st Ave. in Corona.

Paul Townes of Springfield Garden who won $25,000 on the Lemon Twist instant game. Townes’ winning ticket was purchased at the Pmp Convenience Corp at 118-20 Liberty Ave. in S. Richmond Hill.

Anthony Jenkins of Long Island City who won $21,000 on the 7-11-21 instant game. Jenkins’s winning ticket was purchased at the 41st Avenue Candy & Deli at 10-40 41st Ave. in Long Island City.

Three Queens residents are among this year’s six Sloan Public Service Award winners whose job performance and commitment to public service are unparalleled.

The leading independent honor for City employees, the Sloan Awards are presented annually by the Fund for the City of New York.

This year’s six winners, combined, have more than a century-and-a-half of exemplary public service and hail from six different agencies – the Department of Education, Health and Hospitals Corporation, Law Department, Parks and Recreations, Queens Library and Depart-

ment of Transportation.

The Queens recipients are Susan W. Dalmas of Forest Hills, Director, Queens Library Adult Literacy Programs – honored for her 25- year career helping adult learners and her tireless efforts developing new and innovative library programs that are replicated throughout the U.S.; Gabriel Taussig of Queens Village, Chief, Administrative Law Division, New York City Law Department - honored for his distinction as a renowned litigator and mentor and his significant role in shaping countless programs and policies that have yielded better results for every citizen of this City over the last 37 years; and Emmanuel Thingue of East Elmhurst, Senior Designer, Brooklyn Team, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation – honored for his more than two decades of distinguished service and for improving the landscape of the City through his elegant and thoughtful designs for many of New York’s signature public parks.

On March 10 at the Cooper Union’s Great Hall in Manhattan, Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Mary McCormick, president of the Fund for the City of New York, Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan, chair of the Sloan Public Service Selection Panel and Paul Joskow, president of the Sloan Foundation will presided over a celebration attended by City commissioners, past Sloan winners, civic leaders, and hundreds of the winners’ family members,

friends and colleagues.

McCormick noted, “The Sloan Public Service Award winners are representative of the thousands of truly remarkable men and women who make up the backbone of our City. In honoring these six extraordinary New Yorkers who demonstrate an unparalleled selflessness and commitment to improving the world around them, we recognize the critical contributions of all career public servants.”

Each Sloan Public Service Award winner received a cash prize of $7,500.00 and an original drawing by artist Niculae Asciu.

Winners are selected from among more than 250,000 eligible workers in the mayoral agencies, the Transit and Housing Authorities, the Health and Hospitals Corporation, The City University of New York, the district attorneys’ offices and the public libraries. Winners come from all levels and ranks of New York City’s government and are selected by a diverse and independent panel chosen on the basis of their standing in the community and their knowledge of City government.

ing; SangEun Yoon of Bayside; Fanny Chu of Elmhurst; Deborah Helene Duke of Forest Hills; Gabriella Ruth Duke of Forest Hills; Sian Goldofsky of Forest Hills; Daniel J. Waters of Forest Hills; Kristina C. Smith of St. Albans; Steven M. Lange of Howard Beach; Brian P. Lee of Jamaica; and Madalyn L. Lesman of Jamaica Estates.

Army Pvt. Cristina E. Espinoza has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.

She is the sister of Evelyn Espinoza of Richmond Hill, and daughter of Esther Teran of Jamaica. Espinoza graduated in 2008 from John Adams High School, Ozone Park.

Tell The PRESS

The following students enrolled at Binghamton University, State University of New York, were inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, the nation’s oldest and largest honor society for first-year students Lifan Hsu of Flushing; Nuoya Zhang of Flushing; Diana Buchhalter of Whitestone; Daniel M. Rossman of Flush-

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

CLASSIFIEDS Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Sewer & Drain

Sewer & Drain

Urology

Urology

PROSTATE & POTENCY CENTER

Advertising Sales Account Executives Wanted

a Viagivren

Most Ins., HMO’s accepted

Sales@QueensTribune.com

Tutoring

CAMBRIA HEIGHTS

House for Sale SPRINGFIELD GARDENS Legal 2 Family. Det. w/garage, 1 BR upstairs, 2 BRs dwnstairs, finished basement, 3 full baths, $315K. Call Realty Plush.

718-276-1255 or 347-489-0450

BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND ADVERTISE WITH TAKE YOUR

SOUTH EAST QUEENS PRESS

Wanted To Buy

♫

Old Records

♪

Doo-Wop - Rock & Roll Soul - 70’s Disco - Lattin Reggae/Calypso - Blues - Jazz - Gospel Blue Grasss - Middle Eastern & Otheer Ethnn ic Music Chaarlie

516-612-2009 Tree Services Jose Landscaping & Tree Services -Spring Cleaning & -Lawn Maintenance-Stump Grinding-Land ClearingAll Tree Services Provided FREE ESTIMATES Licensed & Insured

917-442-8482

Kris K. Jhaveri, M.D., F.A.C.I.P., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.P.E. SONOGRAM ON PREMISES Rego Park Office (718) 271-2800 Se habla Emergency 24 hours (800) 846-8991 Español

Construction NUNEZ CONSTRUCTION Sheetrock & Painting We Specialize In Crack Repairs

EXPERT WORK ON STOOPS BRICK, BLOCK & CONCRETE Full Remodeling For Bathrooms And Kitchens 7 Days, Lowest Prices Free Estimate License & Bonded - All CCs Accepted

718-219-1257

Facebook: nunezconstructioninc

Tree Services ARNOLDO’S TREE SERVICE • Pruning • Stump Grinding • Planting • City Permits Obtained • Prompt Storm Service 149-57 Beech Ave. • Flushing New York 11355 Ph: 718-463-7829 Cell: 917-337-4062

Take Your Business To The Next Level and Advertise with us!

718-357-7400 Ext 151

April 1-7, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

1 Family Detached Brick 40x100. 4 Bdrms, 3 Baths, EIK, Huge Basement, Priv Driveway Garage, Nice Backyard, Low Down Payment. Any Credit.

Call Owner - Rep 347-499-2599

MUSE treatment for erection TUINA, Indigo Laser-latest outpatient treatment TUMT MICROWAVE for prostate surgery BRACHY THERAPY–Seed Implant, no surgery for prostate cancer Kidney stones without surgery, including laser surgery Complete Urological Center for Males & Females Stress Incontinence for Females Over 20 years in Queens Area

Pill G with FREE ltation Consu

for the Press of Southeast Queens,serving the southeast Queens predominantly African-American community. Experience a plus, but bright beginners are urged to apply. Great work environment. Salary + Commision + Expense + Bonus + Health Benefits and 401(k). Car necessary. Fax resume to 718-357-9417 or email

House for Sale

UROLOGIST

COMPLETE IMPOTENCE CENTER

Models Of Queens

Fresh From ATL A sign on the Triboro (RFK) Bridge lets you know that it’s going to take a while to get to the LIE. Surprised?

Shirletha Jordan

Sign Of The Time(s) The bridge and tunnel crowd is getting a little more information.

New signs have begun to pop up at the City’s bridges and tunnels to give drivers some idea of how long it would take them to reach their destination – specifically when they have choices.

Similar signs exist on Long Island, like the one by the LIE/Northern State interchange, that tells how long each route would take to get to the Cross Island Parkway.

Soon to be added to New York: signs telling drivers if the upper or lower level at the Verrazano will get you to the toll booth faster, or how long it will take you to get to either the LIE or Grand Central from the Triboro (RFK) Bridge.

Our favorite? The sign in Queens that will tell you the quickest route to the GW Bridge from the Triboro – is it via the Cross Bronx or the Harlem River Drive?

We’re guessing that sign is for tourists; Queens drivers who travels to New Jersey on a regular basis already know that the Harlem

River Drive is almost always the right choice. The Cross Bronx?

Really?

Like we need a sign for that.

Doctor Cleared A few months ago we gave you the low down on Dr. Robert Rho, a Queens doctor who creates designer vaginas. He was accused of sexually harassing two ex-employees, including Jiyeon Byun, who alleged in a lawsuit that the good doctor groped and kissed her.

His touches and kisses were allegedly a trade-off for lipo-suction, laser treatments, and invites to dinner and Atlantic City hotels.

Supposedly, the alleged sexual harassment happened under the nose of the office manager, Rho’s wife.

A six-person jury didn’t take long to see their way clear in this confusion, and rejected Byun’s claims.

Perhaps they thought that the good doctor was entitled to get a little quid pro quo – or tit for tat.

Outta Here!

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 1-7, 2011

Mets fans finally have something to cheer about. Their boos have registered at last. Second baseman Luis Castillo’s bum knees and starting pitcher Oliver Perez’s erratic arm were released by the club.

The move ends a paltry output from a duo that will still suck up $18 million in salary from a franchise dogged with high-profile financial troubles.

Castillo, 35, slapped (you can’t say “hit”) .235 with 17 RBIs last season. We’re omitting a home run statistic because he did not hit any.

Perez was 3-9 over the last two seasons and posted an 8.38 ERA in spring training.

Home: Richmond Hill Age: 23 Height: 5’ 3" Weight: 115 lbs Stats: 34-27-30

Are You A Model Of Queens?

Call 718 357-7400 & ask for Brian Shirletha Jordan has always been adventurous. Having grown up in Atlanta, on a whim she followed a friend up to New York.

That was about six months ago, and she hasn’t looked back.

“I’m single and I wanted to do something different,” Shirletha said. “I had another friend who moved here a couple of years ago, and she suggested I go for it.

‘You’re young, not committed,’ she said. And she was right.”

Shirletha got into modeling just as nonchalantly. She’d been told for some time that she has a good look, and had a friend who had been told that he had a good eye

with a camera. The two decided to help each other out, and were surprised by the outcome.

“It was just to kinda play around, find something to do,” she said. “But when I saw the photos I was like, ‘Wait a minute, these are really good.’”

Modeling is just the latest in a line of challenges Shirletha has established for herself.

With an undergrad degree in marketing, she figured finding a job in Manhattan would be a breeze – not so much, it turns out. She’s now working toward her Masters in international business and working as a

freelance personal assistant.

She is also trying to find the right church. A woman of faith, Shirletha says, “I am an avid visitor of good ministries . . . I love to attend bible studies.”

When she gets a free moment, Shirletha usually heads over to the movies in Fresh Meadows.

“It’s very small and quiet, and I don’t have to worry about major lines or being sold out,” she said.

“And if I’m hungry after, I can go next door (Hooters) to get some wings.”

Want to know more? Be sure to look her up on Model Mayhem or One Model Place.

For The Little Guy

The Mets had enough of Oliver Perez.

Adding to the joy, both went to division rivals, with Castillo landing in Philly while Perez joined the Nationals.

Not to ruin the party, but knowing the Mets’ luck, Castillo will win a silver slugger and Perez will throw a perfect game.

Could it be real? Is there really a politician who cares about fairness?

It seems State Sen. Tony Avella is on a one-man mission to restore our faith in the people we elect to represent us.

Avella wants to feel our pain.

The real Maverick tore up his parking placard, which had given him the privilege to park in “no parking” zones and without paying meters.

“Elected officials should park legally like everyone else,” Avella said. “You should only use ‘offi-

Trump Drinks Tea? Now it’s his turn.

Our borough-born billionaire, Donald Trump, hinted again at pursuing the White House in 2012, while making an appearance on “The View,” but he also decided to pull the Tea Party card.

“I want him to show his birth certificate,” the real estate magnate said of our current president. “There’s something on that birth certificate that he doesn’t like.”

Whoopi went wild, calling accusations that President Obama was not born in the United States “the biggest pile of dog mess” she’s ever heard.

According to a new poll of likely voters by Newsweek/Daily Beast, Trump trails Obama by just 3 points.

Fueling his over-the-top ego, Trump seems to

Whoopi Goldberg rips into Trump as Barbara Walters looks on. have the beginning of a voter base.

The Queens kid with big successes and some failures in real estate may find the White House one piece of property way beyond his reach.

cial police business’ placards when you are, in fact, a police officer, operating under official police business.”

This is not Avella’s first instance of standing up for the little guy. In his former position as a City Councilman, Avella declined a pay increase and refused to run for a third term.

Tony Avella shows off his neatlycut, easy-to-mend parking placard.

Confidentially, New York . . .

What’s Up SATURDAY, APRIL 2 Youth & Tennis The Youth and Tennis group meets every Saturday morning at Roy Wilkins Park Saturday. To learn more, call Bill Briggs at (718) 658-6728.

Bulldogs Registration Open It's registration season for the Jamaica Bulldogs and the Jamaica Lady Bulldogs.

Just in case you don't know, the Jamaica Bulldogs - where they breed champions on and off the field - is home of the 2010 Jr. Mite and Mighty Mite football champions.

Boys ages 5 through 13 can register for the Jamaica Bulldogs.

The Lady Bulldogs Cheer/Dance/Step Squad is open to girls ages 5 through 15. The Lady Bulldogs have been ranked No. 1 in dance nationally for the second year in a row.

Additional information on both programs is available by visiting jamaicabulldogs.net; sending an e-mail to jamaicabulldogs@aol.com; or calling (718) 554-0987. Applications for both programs are available for download at the Bulldogs Web site.

This event is taking place at Liberty Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit the Web site for registration fees.

Avoid Report Card Surprises Learn how using two tools - communication and organization - can help you help your child bring home a better report card.

This free event is taking place at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 2 p.m.

Spanish; assistance with your job searching; Job Information Center resources of books, newspapers, pathfinders, bookmarks and brochures, resume/cover letter reviews; Queens Workforce 1 information.

This free event is taking place at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 1 p.m.

Polish Your Resume Bring a copy of your resume on a flash drive; volunteers will guide you through editing and producing a professional quality resume using Cyber Center computers.

Participants must have keyboard and mouse experience. Pre-registration is required at the Job Information Center.

This free event is taking place at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, April 5 Job Club Every Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Jamaica Neighborhood Center offers a free service to assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007.

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

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

Camera Club Community Mediation Is your neighbor driving you crazy stamping on the ceiling over your head?

Are you ready to send your teenager to another state because of the way he talks to you? Do you want a divorce and don't want to fight in court? Do you need to know: How to negotiate with the school?

What to do when you find out you just bought a 'lemon' of a car? What to do when your child has a fight with a neighbor?

Then you'll want to attend the Community Mediation Services Resource and Information Fair. The Resource and Information Fair will be hosted at CMS' Center for Community Peacemaking, located at 89-64 163 St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3 Grigoris Maninakis & The Mikrokosmos Ensemble

MONDAY, APRIL 4 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

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

Job Center Orientation What is the Job Information Center and what does it do? Find out at an interactive orientation about its services: career resources, including workshops in English and

Intro to Computers In this single-session workshop, customers will learn the basics of using the computer; how to log on and off; use the keyboard and mouse; open and close "windows"; use toolbars, and scroll bars. Preregistration is required in person at the Cyber Center Desk.

This free event is taking place at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6 p.m.

Traffic Safety Info Session Councilman James Sanders Jr. and Queens Dept. of Transportation Commissioner Maura McCarthy invite you to attend a Traffic Safety Information Session.

Come out and learn the process of obtaining speed bumps, stop signs, traffic lights, and street repaving. Co-sponsors include the Community Board 13 Transportation Committee, Rosedale Civic Association, Laurelton, Rosedale, and Springfield Gardens Local Development Corp., SpringGar Civic Association, 148th Drive Block Association, 149th Avenue Block Association, and 229th Street Block Association. For more information contact, Councilman Sanders Office at (718) 527-4356.

This free event is taking place at Evangel Temple, 227-10 Merrick Blvd., from 7-9 p.m.

CNR Adult Day Members of the community are welcome to attend a free seminar, sponsored

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 Lunch In Church Join us for lunch and get refueled, renewed and refilled. This free event is held every Wednesday at noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, 89-60 164th St. For more information, call (718) 526-4775, Ext. 10. Come just as you are.

Intro to Computers In this single-session workshop, customers will learn the basics of using the computer; how to log on and off; use the keyboard and mouse; open and close "windows"; use toolbars, and scroll bars. Preregistration is required in person at the Cyber Center Desk.

This free event is taking place at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10 p.m.

Cancer Prevention Education Come learn more about prostate, breast and colon cancer prevention. This program is in collaboration with the Borough of Queens Ecumenical Advisory Group Cancer Task Force and American Cancer Society. For further information, please contact Sheri Meikle (646)-253-5704.

This free event is taking place at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10 a.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

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

Women's Leadership Colloquium The Women's Leadership Colloquium seeks to inspire leaders to become more consciously aware of their potential in taking leadership roles in educational settings.

Colloquium discourse will explore how women leaders define perspectives and values while effectively inculcating diversity, leadership, service, spirituality and wellness into work and life. Participants will gain knowledge and have discussions that will help with self-discovery, define potential action plans for the future and inspire service to local and global communities as this relates to struggles in higher education. For additional information, contact Tanagra Bledman womlead2010@york.cuny.edu or (718) 262-5245.

This free event is taking place at the

York College Academic Core Building, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Education Townhall Assemblyman William Scarborough and Councilman Leroy Comrie are hosting an Education Townhall on at the Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center, 172-17 Linden Blvd., from 7-9 p.m.

Parents of school age children have many concerns about the NYC Public School system, including not being notified in advance about school closures, such as IS 231. Educators, principals, NYS and NYC Academic officers, NAACP President Leroy Gadsden and education activists will be participating. There will be a question and answer giving parents an opportunity to address their concerns and questions.

For information, call Scarborough's office at (718) 723-5412 or Comrie's office at (718) 776-3700.

FRIDAY, APRIL 8 Senior Theatre Acting Repertory Calling all older adults: Join our galaxy of STARs to perform theatrical works at the library with a great group of people while brightening your life.

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

Maia Quartet Since its formation in 1990, the Maia Quartet, Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Iowa, has established itself nationally as an ensemble of innovation and versatility.

The Maia Quartet's commitment to the work of living composers has led to premieres of compositions by Pierre Jalbert, Dan Coleman, Vivian Fung and Ronn Yedidia. In addition, the Quartet's commitment to reaching new adult audiences has led to collaborations with the Aspen Music Festival and with musicologist Robert Winter. For additional information, contact Jacqueline Bailey at jbailey@york.cuny.edu or (718) 262-3750.

This free event will take place at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., from 7-9 p.m.

Job Expo Councilman Leroy Comrie and Assemblyman William Scarborough will sponsor the annual Queens Job Expo on Friday, April 8 at York College, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

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

April 1-7, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

Greek culture takes center stage in this performance of traditional Greek music and song.

This free event is taking place at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 3 p.m.

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

by CNR and the American Red Cross, designed to prepare individuals and families for emergencies. Attendees will learn how to create a family disaster plan, build and maintain a supply kit, and keep loved ones safe and informed during times of disaster. Raffle for American Red Cross Go Bag and additional prizes. Refreshments will be served.

Attendees will receive free interactive CD that can be used to create a customized evacuation plan and other tools that will help any family prepare for an emergency.

To RSVP or for more information, call Sheva Turk, (718) 297-4700, Ext. 224.

This free event will take place at 97-35 Allendale St. at 11 a.m.