Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 14 Issue No. 16 April 19-25, 2013

PRESS Photo by Michael Weschler

FINDING HOPE After coming up through the City’s foster care system, a South Ozone Park man looks to give back with a new campaign to get more teens adopted.

By Natalia Kozikowska … Page 8

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 19-25, 2013

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News Briefs Infamous ‘Sweetheart Swindler’ Nabbed After six years on the run, the infamous “Sweetheart Swindler,” a Hollis woman by the name of Natasha Munchkin Marks, was captured in Oklahoma and brought back to New York City, where she has begun to serve her time.

Marks, 26, was convicted of a hate crime for stealing more than $800,000 from an 85-year-old man in 2007. According to a statement released by Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, she falsely told the elderly man that she needed the money to pay off medical bills and to help start a business. After receiving money from the victim, Marks had skipped town.

According to the criminal charges, an investigation began on Sept. 15, 2006, when a family member of the 85-year-old victim reported to authorities that the man was being financially exploited by a woman known only as “Sandy.” In interviewing the victim, the Queens DA’s Elder Fraud Unit learned that the defendant had befriended him in a supermarket and that during conversations in person and on the telephone, she told him numerous hard luck tales.

The criminal complaint further alleges that between February and June of 2006, she had requested that 85year-old Louis Bruno provide her with hundreds of thousands of dollars for various expenses.

As part of her scheme, Marks had instructed the victim how to write the checks and had obtained numerous checks payable to one of her aliases, “Crystal Smith.” She told the victim that “Crystal” was a friend who would cash the checks which totaled $164,000.

Marks had the victim write out other checks, totaling $85,000, payable to “East West Restoration” – a company owned by a friend of Marks’ deceased mother. She then endorsed

the checks and cashed them at several different check cashing locations.

In March of 2007, Marks pleaded guilty to second-and third-degree grand larceny as a hate crime and agreed to make $150,000 in restitution to the victim. She also signed a waiver of extradition as a condition of her guilty please.

Just a few weeks later, Marks failed to make partial restitution as promised and failed to appear in court. A warrant for her arrest was soon issued.

In May, Marks was sentenced in absentia to two to six years in prison, eventually caught by police six years later.

Cambria Heights Woman Charged With Boyfriend’s Murder Dunasha Payne, a 21-year-old Cambria Heights woman, has been arraigned on murder charges for allegedly running down and killing her boyfriend with her vehicle earlier this week.

According to a statement released

by District Attorney Richard Brown, Rosedale man Kaman Drummond, 26, was fleeing on foot from his girlfriend who was chasing him in her 1994 Honda Accord just before midnight on April 15. It is alleged that she pursued him for numerous blocks before eventually striking and pinning him against a brick pillar, killing him.

“This is a tragic story with no winners,” Brown said in the statement.

“A young man with his whole life ahead of him has been mowed down in the streets, allegedly by his girlfriend. The defendant, who allegedly chased him through the streets of Queens with her vehicle now, if convicted, could spend the better part of her young life in prison.”

Payne, who faces 25 years to life in prison, was held on $250,000 bail and was ordered to return to court on April 19.

April 19-25, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Wills Hopes To ‘Change The Conversation’

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Photo by Ira C ohen

In his first State of the District address, Councilman Ruben Wills (DJamaica) expressed his desires to improve the 28th District with a vast number of anticipated and completed initiatives in 2013.

Elected officials, civic leaders, political candidates and residents of Wills’ district crowded York College last Saturday morning to hear about the new implementations and funding which will be steered to the neighborhood.

The address, titled “Changing the Conversation,” first detailed the success of public schools in the 28th District.

“For far too long, we have heard about the negatives about our schools,” Wills said. “We’ve heard about failing schools, different buildings falling apart – schools that have a reputation that cause parents to send their kids to schools in other districts. I am extremely proud to stand here today and point to you that this is no longer the case.”

Wills went on to reveal that by working hand in hand with principals, parent-teacher associations, community groups and residents, 2013 marked the first year that District 28 had no failing schools.

– a group taking a public The good news was health approach to viofollowed by the anlence by treating it as a nouncement that Wills, psychological disease. in conjunction with “In conjunction with Comrie, had secured $10 our gang task force comillion in capital fundchairs and the leadership ing for technology upof Leroy Comrie, we have grades to every school been able to bring this inihis district.

“This funding has al- Councilman Ruben Wills tiative to southeast lowed us to provide over delivered a State of the Queens,” Wills said. “This 80 percent of our class- District address on April initiative is a life saving program and since rooms with Smart 13.

CureViolence’s implemenBoards, Mac computer labs, bandwidth upgrades, laptops and tation, we haven’t had one shooting or violent crime in the area it services.” new libraries,” he said.

Electeds Respond The Councilman also spoke extenFollowing Wills’ speech, a number sively about another positive change in store for the neighborhood follow- of local elected officials expressed ing the implementation of the Com- their desire to implement similar inimunity Prevention Act legislation, tiatives in their districts.

“I think Ruben Wills laid out a very which will enable elected officials to address violence in their communities progressive and bold agenda and I think the things he laid out in terms of by bringing in additional resources.

“This legislation will establish and fatherhood, the innovations he is dodevelop a plan that will combat the ing in the public schools are a great rise in crime – not just the crime but the model and something we should look rise in crime,” he said. “We will hold at district and citywide,”Councilman the administration accountable for the Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) well being of the community.” His said.

“I’ve been looking into some of the words were followed by loud applause.

To emphasize the importance of things, the models he is using in his having programs that combat crime particular district and I’m looking forin his district, Wills spoke about the successful ventures of CureViolence

IDC Ousts Smith

BY LUIS GRONDA State Sen. Malcolm Smith (DHollis) returned to his job this week with news that he is being kicked out of the Independent Democratic Conference.

Just two weeks after Smith was arrested for allegedly plotting to bribe his way to become a Republican mayoral candidate, the IDC has removed the embattled Senator of his membership of that group.

Eric Soufer, a spokesman for State Sen. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx), the acting head of the IDC, confirmed Monday’s decision to remove Smith.

The decision came during the IDC’s first session since Smith’s April 2 arrest.

In addition to his removal, Klein was also able to block a $9,375 check that Smith was to receive for being the chair of the Senate’s State Social Service Committee. Soufer said that State Senate members get a standard $12,500 stipend for chairing a com-

mittee in the Senate. Twenty-five percent of that money was dispersed in February and March, with the rest to be given out in April.

After his arrest earlier this month, the Queens Senator was removed from all his committees, as well as his position on the Superstorm Sandy Taskforce, which is dedicated to finding out what happened during Sandy and what can be done in the future.

Soufer said it is not yet known where exactly that money will go, but it may go to the next Senator that assumes the position Smith formerly held, as long as that person does not already chair another State Senate Committee.

When contacted by the PRESS of Southeast Queens, Smith’s spokeswoman, Ann Marie Costella, declined to comment on his IDC removal.

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

ward to bringing them into some of my schools. That initiative was a good thing. We have to start moving our children and changing the conversation,” he added.

“He laid out a lot of issues that are in the community and I think he laid out a lot of his thinking about how to provide solutions,” Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-Jamaica) said. “I think he pointed out we do a lot of collaborative work and I think he pointed out what we all know, which is we all have to work together to try and improve this community.”

Meeks, whose congressional district encompasses Wills’ district, was also fond of the initiatives which will serve his constituents as well.

“I think Ruben did an excellent job and he is focused on making a difference and changing the conversation,” U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) said. “Without education you don’t have the foundation to take the job and be creative for today and tomorrow. Schools are always the foundation of the community and the fact that you have no failing schools in the district – that’s amazing.”

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

DEP Proposes Water Rate Increase

BY LUIS GRONDA The Dept. of Environmental Protection announced another increase for the City’s water rates for the 2014 fiscal year.

According to a press release from the DEP, the agency is proposing a 5.6 percent increase in the water rate for next year, which is down from last year’s seven percent increase.

DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland said in the release that the reason for the lowered increase is because of their commitment to cut costs without damaging their quality of service to New York City residents.

“Still, we recognize that any rate increase can be a burden on our customers, and we will continue to look for ways to further tighten our belts and work with our regulators to reduce the burden of unfunded mandates so that New Yorkers get the best possible water and wastewater services at the most affordable rates,” he said in a statement.

This increase would not take effect unless it is approved by the sevenmember Water Board.

If it is approved, a single-family homeowner would see their water bill increase from $939 a year to $991 a year. They would pay $4 a month more than they currently pay. If you live in a multi- family home, you would pay $644 a year as opposed to the $610 you currently pay.

As part of their cutting costs measure, the DEP says that it is cutting their operating budget by four percent, which saves $37 million, according to the release.

Before the Water Board votes on the proposal, the DEP must hold public hearings in each borough to let the public speak their mind about the water rate hike.

The meeting in Queens will take place on May 2 at 7 p.m. at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City.

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

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 19-25, 2013

Community Board 12 Holds Monthly Meeting CB12 Sees Progress, But Not Enough At Wednesday night’s meeting, Community Board 12 chairwoman, Adrienne Adams, praised a number of improvements the neighborhood has seen in the short month since the board last met.

“We meet this evening in the midst of the spring season, finding ourselves in some aspects, on the wings of change,” Adams said. “Since we last met, residents surrounding the Baisley Park Houses took to the streets to protest at the 113th Precinct. This is a change. We’re usually silent.”

“Since we last met, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall hosted a meeting on Jamaica cleanliness to address constituent’s complaints as a result of the New York 1 report entitled, “The Trashing of Jamaica. This is a change,” she continued. “Some leaders weren’t listening before.”

While Adams boasted some of the community’s achievements, she also made it clear that there was still a dire need for improvement.

“Unfortunately though, since we last met, there was yet another shooting of

Photo by Natalia Kozikowska

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

having pointed out that there have not been any powerful initiative to in to improve these conditions in CB12.

“We stand in need,” she said.

“We deserve the same quality of life that every other tax paying, law abiding citizen deserves.”

Dept. of Sanitation Steps Up Perhaps the biggest milestone celebrated at this week’s CB12 meeting was the efforts focused toward the garbage problem in Jamaica.

Henry Ehrhardt, director of customer relaHenry Ehrhardt, director of tions for the Dept. of Sanitation, addressed customer relations for the Dept.

Community Board 12 Wednesday night to of Sanitation, was pleased to discuss the efforts to cleam up the garbage announce that there has been problem in Jamaica. great progress to address the problem that has been plaguing a teenager on a local bus. Gun violence the community for years. must end. There has to be a change,” “We started in February. The imshe asserted. pact started in the Community Board “We witnessed the fall of not 12 area following the concerns we one, but two elected officials from heard here,” Ehrhardt said. “We are Queens,” she continued. “Ladies and making some progress.” gentlemen – some things never Since Jan. 1, the Dept. of Sanitachange.” tion has cleaned up 44 vacant lots Constant flooding, the NYPD’s within the confines of CB12. Ancontroversial use of the Stop and other 21 vacant lots are in the midst Frisk policy and a lack of health ser- of being cleaned up. vices and after school programs were Despite making improvements, also subjects of discussion with Adams community residents voiced their

concerns about illegal dumping. To address some these concerns, Ehrhardt reassured the crowd that Dept. of Sanitation has an increased presence of workers in problem areas.

Ehrhardt also spoke about one of their policies which would allow locals to report any illegal dumping, even awarding the good samaritans with a money reward.

“We do have an illegal dumping reward program which anybody could take advantage of,” he said. “If you take a license number down and a time and a place and give it to us, we can peruse a case against that individual and the person who reported that is eligible for a reward.”

Other Announcements During Wednesday night’s meeting, the Rev. David Kayode of the Maranatha Baptist Church in Brooklyn, announced that he will be running for City Council.

This will mark the second time Kayode will try to replace Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) for the 28th District Council seat. His first attempt was in 2011.

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

April 19-25, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

St. John’s Hosts Queens Beep Debate

BY LUIS GRONDA

Photo by Ira Cohen

In the continuing marathon towards the Queens Borough President seat, six candidates took part in a forum last Friday morning, with Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) drawing the most support in a postforum poll.

The forum was held at the D’Angelo Center at St. John’s University and was co-hosted by the college and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Each candidate gave a two minute introduction saying why they would want to run for the position, then answered questions from the forum’s moderator, NY1’s Rocco Vertuccio.

The group also answered questions submitted by the audience. Finally, the candidates made closing remarks and results of a poll that the university was running.

One question Vallone was regarding the need for hospitals in the Borough. He responded by saying that he would provide capital funding to area hospitals if elected BP. The Councilman said he gave money to Mt. Sinai in Astoria and he would do the same for other medical centers.

When asked about the proposed

Queens Borough President candidates (from left) State Sen. Tony Avella, Councilman Leroy Comrie, former Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik, former Councilwoman Melinda Katz, State Sen. Jose Peralta and Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. Willets Point development project, Peralta said he supports the project because it would create more affordable housing, which in turn, would boost tourism to the Borough.

Katz was asked how to balance the need to bring jobs and improve the Queens economy while overdeveloping the Borough as a whole. She said that while it is a balancing act, it is important to maintain both of those aspects, adding that the BP has advisory power in terms of land use which can help deter any overdevelopment. She also mentioned the need to improve transportation in the

Borough and commuting to other places in less time.

“You can work, eat and sleep right here in the Borough of Queens, but if there’s no access outside of that, then we have a really large problem,” Katz said.

Grodenchik addressed a question about supermarkets in Queens. He said that there needs to be a push to bring more supermarkets to areas of the Borough that need it so that people can have a more convenient location to go to for shopping.

“Big supermarkets provide a lot of jobs and they provide greater ben-

efits for the community,” he said.

Comrie responded to a question regarding recovery from Superstorm Sandy by proposing the creation of one center, under the BP’s office, which would give people who are in need of help a singular place for the services that they need.

“There are many different people trying to do a hundred different things to help the people in the Rockaways,” the councilman said.

“As Borough President, I would create a centralization to make sure all of those ideas were focused in one place.”

Avella said that he would support legislation that would give small businesses a tax credit each time they hire a new employee or somebody that had been unemployed.

At the end of the debate, the results of a snap poll were announced with Vallone being voted the winner.

Two questions were posed for people to vote on: “Who do you think has the best chance to win the race?” and ““Who were you most impressed by at the forum?” People could send in their choice either via email, text or Twitter.

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

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 19-25, 2013

Editorial Show Of Support OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email news@queenspress.com The PRESS of Southeast Queens Editor-in-Chief:

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

The news that came out of Boston on Monday was nothing short of horrific, and it strikes many as an unthinkable act of malice towards innocent, unsuspecting individuals who came out to watch or participate in the Boston Marathon.

Unfortunately, these acts of malice seem to be an all-toocommon event. In the last year, the nation has seen shootings at a school in Connecticut, in a movie theater in Colorado and countless other tales of terror throughout the City and the country.

Despite the too-frequent nature of these events, it never seems to desensitize us to the violence, chaos and tragedy that follow.

With each hurtful act, we hope and pray that we will not experience a similar situation any time soon. The hope may be naïve, but it shows a faith in our fellow man that at times does not come through.

Our hearts go out to the victims of the bombing at the Boston Marathon, as they did to the victims of the shootings at Sandy Hook and the Colorado movie theater. We will keep them in our thoughts and help in whatever way we can.

Most importantly, we will continue to show faith in our fellow man, and we will continue to hope that we will never again see such senseless acts.

Regina Vogel

Letters

Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Volunteer Week Reporters: Harley Benson Natalia Kozikowska Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Trisha Sakhuja Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Lianne Procanyn Barbara Townsend Alan Goldsher Director of Marketing Maureen Coppola Advertising Administrator Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Nicole Douglas Shari Strongin

A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2013 Tribco, LLC

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

To The Editor: Since 1974, National Volunteer Week has focused attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service. From April 21 to 27, it’s a time to celebrate the

people and organizations that do amazing work through service.

Volunteers are the bread and butter of nonprofit organizations like ours, Breakthrough New York. Over our 14-year history, we’ve been

Letters fortunate to receive the help of countless people who’ve walked through our doors to help our students.

On behalf of our organization, I want to say, “Thank you.”

We want to extend our thanks to the wonderful, passionate, creative, diligent, caring, and compassionate volunteers who’ve mentored, tutored, shepherded and elevated our students, many of whom hail from Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan.

So, dear readers, let’s spread the love on this occasion in these ways: Lend a hand. Find a project in your community where you can devote time. At Breakthrough, we just completed two Interview Days – a feat that could not have been accomplished without dozens of volunteers who questioned more than 200 students.

Lend an ear. Listen to the needs of others - and respond.

As we’ve learned at Breakthrough, many of our students have potential but need more guidance and support. Often, they need to talk with someone who understands the help they need.

Lend a heart. Small actions can yield big results. By showing others that you give selflessly and thoughtfully, they become motivated as well. That’s why many of our Breakthrough students volunteer during high school to tutor and mentor our middle school kids.

To mark National Volunteer Week, I encourage your readers to please consider not only thanking volunteers – but to join in themselves.

Together, we can engender a longstanding commitment to help others achieve a world of success.

Rhea Wong, Executive Director, Breakthrough New York

WRITE ON: The PRESS of Southeast Queens, 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357 email news@queenspress.com fax: (718) 357-9417

Tragedy Strikes Boston Marathon A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

It seems like only yesterday that we all watched in unmitigated horror as the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center released plumes of intermingled smoke, dust and debris into the atmosphere before crumbling to the earth taking with them nearly 3,000 innocent lives.

Since then, many other attempted attacks have been thwarted thanks to the vigilance of law enforcement and sharp-eyed everyday New Yorkers. But this week, at the famed Boston Marathon, somebody got through with their plans to terrorize, maim and kill. People, enjoying an event that has become as synonymous with the City of Boston as Fenway Park, ended up dead, injured or

running for their lives.

This time the attacker or attackers did not use an aircraft for their evil deeds. They used a household item – a pressure cooker.

Who knew that a pressurized cooking pot could be used in the building of a bomb! The pots were filled with shrapnel, broken glass and who knows what else, and detonated just as people were starting to come to the finish line.

When the enormous cloud of dust had cleared, three people – including a precious little boy – were dead and nearly 200 injured. With legs blown off of civilians like soldiers in a minefield, blood flooding the streets and screams piercing the crispy afternoon, the town looked – and I’m sure felt – like a war zone.

It is hard to believe this happening in a town like Boston. Who would have thought

that an event as popular and harmless as the Boston Marathon would be taken as the perfect opportunity for such evil to manifest? This is not how we were created to behave and you have to wonder what makes some people want to wreak such havoc.

Aside from the three fatalities, one mother had two young adult sons lose a leg each; and numerous other people also lost limbs. I don’t think the carnage has yet been fully accounted, but when all is said and done, this will go down as perhaps the worst event to have taken place in recent memory.

But this could easily have been New York. The thing is, after 9/11, New York is always on high alert for “suspicious-looking packages.” It has kept us safe since Sept.

11, 2001.

We expect it to happen in

New York and Washington D.C. more than any other place. Now we know that there is no such thing as a safe place. Evil will use any opportunity it gets to seek and to destroy. But whoever is behind this will be caught.

When Osama bin Laden masterminded the attack on the World Trade Center nearly 12 years ago, President George W. Bush promised that we would chase him to the gates of hell if that’s what it took. And we did.

Today his remains twirl at the bottom of the ocean. An equally dismal fate awaits the perpetrator(s) of the Boston bombing.

In the meantime, we as New Yorkers must continue to remain aware of our surroundings at all times. And we will keep the victims and families of Boston in our thoughts and prayers.

April 19-25, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Rebuilding Respect For Our Democracy

BY ASSEMBLYWOMAN NILY ROZIC “Why can’t we get better people to run?” Governor Cuomo asked rhetorically after this month’s scandalous indictments of New York legislators - including some from our own backyard in Queens.

New Yorkers, like all Americans, ought to be able to take pride in the fact that we are governed by our fellow citizens. They are elected by us to represent us, but time and again our process has been undermined and our respect for democracy tested

by the way some conduct the people’s business.

As a newly elected New York State Assemblywoman, I navigated a difficult election and I am now eagerly at work in our state’s capital. I see firsthand how our government creates opportunity and promotes values we all believe in. Unfortunately, it is imperfect and it fails us in at least one way: its susceptibility to corruption.

The root of corruption in politics is money. If we do not do something about the power of big money in our campaigns we will never enjoy the scandal-free democracy we deserve.

An Audacious Plot

BY HENRY STERN Just when we thought it was safe to go back in the waters of full contact politics, two new scandals have emerged, one based on an audacious plot to steal the mayoralty in 2013.

The plotters, six highly placed public and party officials, are alleged to have entered into a conspiracy to grant one of their number permission to enter the Republican primary in September. If he won then and in the November general election, City Hall would be in the hands of a band of lowlifes, a situation that reached its depth during the reign of Boss Tweed in 1870.

This year’s situation has comic overtones; the plotters were unable to detect surveillance technology, even after taking measures to ensure it wasn’t being used. The press has been amused by the bizarre scheme, which, they point out, would have been highly unlikely to implement.

The question that occurs to us is: What were these clowns doing in public office in the first place? How could they have believed that their scheme, which involved multiple crimes of bribery by different officials,

would possibly have succeeded at capturing the mayoralty?

By anyone’s account, Democratic State Senator Malcolm A. Smith had practically zero chance of winning a Republican mayoral primary.

Smith’s plot focused on the general election, where a minority candidate running on the Republican line would probably have implied advantages given the demographic makeup and recent electoral history of our city. But it completely underestimated the difficulty of an Albany Democrat winning the Republican primary.

The method in which these conspirators went about their dubious schemes reminds us of a cheap crime novel. Meeting in restaurants, hotels and parked cars, the conniving cohorts sketched out their far-fetched, shady plot while passing an envelope stuffed with cash which they would use to lubricate their shoddily constructed mechanism meant to subvert legal oversight.

Public corruption is cancer eating at the corpus of the state. It corrodes the legitimacy of government and tears at the moral fabric of a society.

For a public servant, bribery and extortion are forms of treason and should be treated accordingly.

Money hovers over the electoral process from the very first day a prospective candidate decides to run for office. Supporters and experts, friends and enemies alike, bombard you with the same question: “how much can you raise?” Our electoral process can weed out potentially great candidates who do not have the personal wealth or supporters necessary to raise tens of thousands of dollars.

As the campaign becomes more competitive, big money again plays a decisive role in helping to push some to victory - often at the expense of more populist, progressive candidates. During my race last fall, I amassed approximately 500 low-dollar contributions from donors who were new to the process. Now, as an elected official in Albany, big money remains a corrosive force that tempts some officials to sell out their constituents and constrains others from taking up legislation.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

And I don’t think it should.

This week, in the wake of these latest scandals, I’ll be returning to Albany to conclude my first session

as an Assemblywoman. I intend to work with my colleagues to pass the Fair Elections Act, pioneering legislation that would overhaul the campaign finance system in New York State and create a structure modeled on New York City’s public financing system.

We can create a small donor matching fund that encourages every New Yorker to get involved in local campaigns and encourages candidates to fundraise in amounts of $20 and $50 instead of $5,000 and $10,000. This will help open up the process by encouraging people who are underrepresented in state government to get involved. As noted in a recent New York Times editorial, “public financing is the linchpin of the entire reform effort. Without it, there is almost no hope for the infusion of fresh faces the system so desperately needs.”

Fair elections can increase participation, transparency, and accountability in our democracy, and replace the power of big money with the power of the people. That would give us a process we could all respect, and a government we could all take pride in again.

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 19-25, 2013

Former Foster Child Fights for Reform Today, he is the CEO and founder of the Jamel Robinson Child Welfare Reform Initiative, but his journey to success was not always smooth.

Jamel Robinson was born to a drug-addicted mother and just two months later, he was placed in foster care. For the next 21 years of his life, Robinson skipped around from home to home desperately yearning for a sense of stability.

“There were times in which I felt that I just wanted stability and an opportunity to rest and it just wasn’t there,” he said. “Some of the foster homes, unfortunately, were dysfunctional. For me, I felt that with some level of stability, I would have been able to move further along.”

After aging out of the New York City foster care system, Robinson was left with an uncertain future. On his own for the first time, the young man had a difficult time landing on his feet and finding a job, eventually becoming homeless.

“I felt that I had anxiety about what was going to happen next. With the lack of support, was I going to be able to achieve my dreams?” he asked. “Then there was the point in which I was homeless and I experienced sleeping on the trains and buses.”

During this difficult transition, Robinson’s passion to reform the foster care system was ignited, and in 2008, at the tender age of 21, he founded the Jamel Robinson Child Welfare Reform Initiative.

He worked tirelessly to advocate for change, all without a place to call home. During this month, Robinson was also determined to hide his homelessness, ensuring he kept a certain appearance to those around him.

That same year, Robinson caught

Photos provided by Jamel Robinson

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

“We Deserve Love Too!” is the first youth-led campaign of its kind in New York, designed to draw attention to the high number of teens in foster care that are in need of permanent and loving homes with geographic focuses on neighborhoods like Jamaica and Hollis. The group is pictured here at the New York Stock Exchange.

a lucky break. One of his acquaintan- Southeast Queens in November of ces had given him a place to stay, 2011. giving him the chance to completely As his organization earned nonfocus on his goals and work towards profit status in 2011, Robinson, now them for the first time in his life. a resident of South Ozone Park, be“They gave me the opportunity gan looking to expand the JRCWRI’s to rest for a year and that outreach to help orphans level of stability afforded find their place in the me the opportunity to reworld. ally pick up the broken Just seven months ago, pieces in my life and put Robinson began to work it into perspective and on a new initiative, the move beyond the system,” “We Deserve Love Too!” he said. campaign, which helps For the next three teenagers in New York years, his organization City find good foster and grew and strived to ensure adoptive homes. that every child who en- Jamel Robinson spent “The older a child gets, tered a foster home felt the first 21 years of his the more difficult it is to loved and appreciated. life from foster home to find a placement and The initiative also sought foster home but has most foster parents are to help young adults aged used his negative expe- very apprehensive of takout of the foster care sys- riences to create an or- ing in a teen because most tem transition into soci- ganization which seeks believe that they are set to reform the system. in their ways,” he exety smoothly.

“My goal is to now plained. “These teens ensure that no other young person have the gifts, talents and abilities has to experience the tremendous and I believe that with the right inhardships that I’ve had to endure,” fluence, their future could change.”

Today, there are nearly 14,000 Robinson told The PRESS of children in foster care in New York City with almost 6,000 new youth entering the system every year.

Approximately onethird of the youth in foster homes are between the ages of 1319, but less than 20 percent of these teens expect to be adopted.

“The goal is not just to raise awareness but to identify homes for teens,” he said. “We also want to dispel the preconJamel Robinson shares his success story with the young adults who take part of his “We Deserve ceived notion that Love Too!” campaign. because a child is

older, they are not lovable or adoptable. I believe these young people are a gift and they just need the opportunity.”

Similarly, approximately 1,100 young adults age out of the foster care system without a permanent family, home or support network, just like Robinson.

“The stability is the framework to productivity,” he continued. “Most folks are not interested in adopting older children because they think they can’t mold them but these young people want to find that level of direction and security.”

“We Deserve Love Too!” is the first youth-led campaign of its kind in New York, designed to draw attention to the high number of teens in foster care that are in need of permanent and loving homes with geographic focuses on neighborhoods like Jamaica and Hollis in Queens, Central Harlem in Manhattan, Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, Highbridge and Concourse in the Bronx, and East New York and Starett City in Brooklyn. These neighborhoods, Robinson said, are five of the 18 high-need communities with youth in foster care.

His efforts have been proven successful, even piquing the interest of big-time sponsors like Haier and Macy’s, which have donated thousands to the cause.

In an effort to continue raising awareness, in the month of May, which also happens to be National Foster Care Month, Robinson will introduce the “We Deserve Love Too!” campaign in Manhattan.

The first launch event is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. on May 1 at the Sky Room Lounge in Times Square.

The Sky Room Lounge is located at 330 West 40th St. Tickets cost $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Dinner will be served. All proceeds will be used for the organization’s outreach efforts.

The second event, a free public c o m m e n c e m e n t c e re m o ny, i s scheduled for May 2 at noon, and will take place at the intersection of 14th Street and Broadway in Manhattan.

Attendees will be given the opportunity to join CEOs, executive directors and celebrities in solidarity to raise awareness for the cause.

For more information about the Jamel Robinson Child Welfare Reform Initiative, or to make a donation, visit www.jrcwri.org or call Jamel Robinson at (516) 451- 0338 ext. 102.

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

April 19-25, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Police Blotter 106th Precinct Investigation At 6:25 p.m. on April 9, police responded to a 911 call of an unconscious person inside 88-14 Liberty Ave. Upon arrival, officers observed Walter Corcoran, 63, lying on the floor within the residence unconscious and unresponsive. EMS also responded to the location and declared Corcoran dead at the scene.

There were no signs of trauma observed and the cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s office.

The investigation is ongoing.

108th Precinct Robbery The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in identifying the following individual wanted for a robbery that took place at 3:15 a.m. on March 16 in front of 45-24 40th St. The suspect approached a male victim, asked him for the time, punched him and then removed his bag. The suspect fled on foot.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 20s.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-

TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by visiting nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to CRIMES (274637) then enter TIPS577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

112th Precinct Burglary The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in locating a white or Hispanic male, between 45-50 years of age, wanted in connection with three burglaries. The suspect enters residential buildings, picks locks on apartment doors and removes money and jewelry.

The first incident occurred on Feb. 14 at 65-09 99th St. The second incident occurred on April 2 at 77-14 113th St. The latest incident occurred on April 8 at 72-72 112th St. The suspect is described as 5-foot8, 250 lbs., is balding and walks with a limp.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by visiting nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to CRIMES (274637) then enter TIPS577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Burglary Pattern The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the following suspect wanted for questioning in connection to four commercial burglaries.

In the four incidents, the suspect gains entry to commercial establishments through the roof or skylight of the locations. No property is removed and there are no reported injuries.

The first incident occurred at 7:30 a.m. on March 27 inside of 91-10A 63rd Drive, a medical office. The suspect attempted to gain entry through the front door and through the vestibule outside the office.

The second incident occurred at 8 p.m. on March 29 inside of Exit Realty One, 91-06 63rd Drive. The suspect caused damage to the rooftop in an attempt to gain entry inside.

The third incident occurred at 8 p.m. inside East Star Medical Center, 91-10 63rd Drive. Again, the suspect attempted to gain entry through the roof.

The fourth incident occurred at 1 a.m. inside Shalomar Diner, 63-38 Austin St., where the suspect entered the location through the skylight and attempted to remove money from the register.

The suspect is described as a male,

20-25 years old, 5-foot-8, last seen wearing a baseball cap and a white jacket with a logo on the back.

114th Precinct Assault The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in identifying the following suspect wanted for assault.

At 10:45 p.m. on April 9, the victim, a 16-year-old female, and the suspect walked into an alley next to 22-63 43rd St., where the suspect assaulted the victim and then fled the scene. The victim was removed to Elmhurst General Hospital, where she is listed in critical but stable condition with head injuries.

The suspect is described as a Black male, 6-foot, last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, black sneakers and dark gloves.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by visiting nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to CRIMES (274637) then enter TIPS577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Save 911 For The Real Thing!

Please Join Student Sponsor Partners for an

Application Day Saturday, April 20th at 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

The Mary Louis Academy 176-21 Wexford Terrace Jamaica Estates, NY 11432 Student Sponsor Partners offers financial assistance to 8th grade students who want to attend non-public high schools. Students must prove financial need and be academically average.

Attend our Application Day to receive an application and learn more about SSP. Questions? Contact Manuela Rodriguez, SSP Student Recruiter mrodriguez@sspnyc.org ∙ (212)-986-9575 x115

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 19-25, 2013

Mother of the Year

pix Shooting Hoops

The Press of Southeast Queens and its advertisers are pleased to once again present our “Mother of the Year” contest. Our Mother’s Day issue will feature winning entries plus thoughts from the children of Queens. This is our small way of paying tribute to the moms out there who help make Queens a better place to live.

Don't Delay: get your entry in today and pay tribute to your special "MOM" (and get Mother's Day gifts too!)

ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY MAY 3, 2013

Over $1,000 In Prizes

Including Mets Tickets

Attach this or a facsimile to your entry Age

Your Name Address

Phone Mom's Name Mom's Address Phone MAIL TO: “Mother of the Year” Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone, NY 11357 editor@queenstribune.com

CONTEST RULES 1. Submit 250 words as to why your mom is special. You or your mom must be a Queens resident.

2. Entries must be received by Friday, May 3, 2013.

3. Give your age (18+ acceptable), address, phone number, plus mom's name and address.

4. Enclose a photo of mom or mom and her kid(s) where possible; put full names on back of photo. Sorry, they can't be returned.

5. Mail entries to “Mother of the Year,” Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone, NY 11357.

6. The entries will be judged in three age groups A) 8 and under; B) 9-12 and C) 13 - adult. Judging will be based on content, creativity and sensitivity. We are openminded and even mother-in-law entries will be accepted.

Photos by Ira Cohen

CONTEST

More than 120 kids and 40 NYPD officers from the Police Athletic League’s Cops & Kids basketball program competed in a day of basketball at York College. Boys and girls aged 14-19 from all over the City competed.

April 19-25, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 19-25, 2013

Profile

Jamaica Author Embarks On New Journey

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA As a child, long-time Jamaica resident Jamee-Marie Edwards recalled the days when her grandfather would take her to Rockaway Boulevard, the two of them sitting on the hood of his car. As the planes flew overhead, her grandfather would often tell her stories, captivating a young Edwards and eventually fueling her passion for writing.

“He used to tell us stories as we watched the planes take off and land.

Starting from there, I just always loved the arts and theater,” Edwards said. “I would definitely say the talent I have is inherited from my grandfather.”

Over the next several years Edwards harvested her inherited skills for storytelling. As a student at Hillcrest High School, she immersed herself into the creative arts, working on her first major writing project for a class comedy skit.

“That was one of the first things that I wrote and I really got into it,” she said. “We had to write the skit about some of the things that happen at an airport when you are trying to book a flight.”

he meets the characters, The art of playwriting disappointed that he stayed with Edwards into does not posses the her adult life. Just a same abilities but later couple years later, she colearns to embrace his wrote a full-length play own uniqueness. with a few other authors Edwards, who has and she also began to been working in childwrite for her congregahood education for tion, the First Presbytemany years, felt that it rian Church in Jamaica. was important to pass “I think First Church really gave me a platform Jamee-Marie Edwards the message of self acceptance along to kids, to really nurture my writing because I was part of their drama especially in today’s age and society.

“When children read the book, I ministry and I would also write skits for the sermons and I wrote plays,” want them to be able to discover, she said. “I was actually the director embrace and celebrate their unique of the theater arts program when I gift, talent and abilities,” she said. attended the church and I even helped “Self-esteem is one of the most imwrite some of their Christmas plays.” portant building blocks that our chilBut Edwards’ skills are not just dren need today. We just need to limited to playwriting. The Jamaica encourage children to discover who author most recently embarked on they are and embrace it.”

Helping people through the use her newest endeavor as a children’s book author, publishing her first of her writing has always been a goal book, “But I am a Cat!” in February. for Edwards. As an author, Edwards The book details the journey of a particularly enjoys sharing stories cat who meets a variety of different that will empower her readers.

“I like to write stories that encouranimal characters, all of whom have their own unique traits. The dis- age people and that uplift people,” gruntled cat is at first saddened when she said. “I have a passion towards

health education and promotion so most of the things I write about, I try to inspire people. My motto that I live by is to become inspired so you can become an inspiration.”

Edwards is already working on a second children’s book – an extension to the “But I am a Cat!” series and she revealed that in the future, she would also love to use her communications degree from Adelphi University in conjunction with writing talents to one day help or write a television series for children.

“My passion for writing leads me and takes me on an adventure and I’m just in it for the ride,” she said.

“Now, with this book, I’m seeing how all the passions I have are folding into one. I felt like there were a lot of loose ends that are tying into a pretty bow.”

To purchase Jamee-Marie Edwards’ “But I am a Cat!,” visit the publishing company’s website, www.authorhouse.com and search the title, or visit www.amazon.com.

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

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April 19-25, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

A&E

Tribeca Film Festival Returns

BY JOE MARVILLI The Tribeca Film Festival is starting up for its 11th year this week, featuring a variety of movies for any and all cinephiles. There are even a couple of Queens filmmakers listed on the bill, for those looking for a local touch.

The festival runs from April 17 to April 28 and will show 217 films over the course of 12 days. There will also be several Tribeca Talks panels with actors, directors and writers. Family Festival screenings, Meet the Filmmakers discussions and Future of Film conversations are among the

features to be experienced as well.

One of the most notable movies at this year’s festival is “Stand Clear of the Closing Doors,” a 94-minute feature directed by Sam Fleischner, who lives in the Rockaways on Beach 92nd Street. His home was destroyed in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, but he was still determined to get the film finished.

The movie follows the story of Ricky, an autistic teen whose family is facing economic difficulties and who is having trouble fitting in at school. When he is scolded for skipping class, Ricky escapes into the subway and spends days on an un-

Let’s Hear It For Queens!

BY BARBARA ARNSTEIN The Free Synagogue of Flushing Theatre Group will celebrate its 40th anniversary in May with performances of “Let’s Hear It For Queens!,” a show celebrating the history of the Borough through songs, dancing and poetry.

“We are presenting it to entertain The cast of “Let’s Hear It For Queens” people and to let them know about prepares for its performances in May. the wonders of this Borough, and how it became the bustling community it is includes “Wilkommen” from “Cabatoday,” director Mark Lord said. Lord ret” and “It Only Takes a Moment” also wrote the show and the lyrics of from “Hello, Dolly!,” which will be the original songs. “Celebrities con- performed by Richard Weyhausen.

The music for the original songs nected with Queens, including Ethel Merman, Louis Armstrong and Tony was written by Joe Ferrente.

Kieran Larkin, a high school Bennett are portrayed in it, and there are monologues that I developed from teacher with a master’s degree in personal stories stored by Queens resi- theatre who has appeared in many dents in the archives of the Queens shows, is originating the role of Memory Project at Queens College. “Antiquous,” a character more than Some of the people whose stories are 400 years old, who talks about the presented may attend some of the per- evolution of Queens from experience, and links up the segments of formances.”

One of the original songs, “The the show.

Performances of “Let’s Hear It House on the Corner” is a touching tribute to a woman who refused to For Queens!” are set for May 4 and sell her house to developers and May 11 at 8 p.m. and May 5 and May forced them to build around it. The 12 at 3 p.m. at the theater, located at song will be performed by Donald 41-60 Kissena Blvd. Run time for the Gormanly, whose contributions to show is two and a half hours.

Tickets cost $17 or $15 for sethe performance will include an appearance as Teddy Roosevelt. An- niors and children younger than 12 other song is a tribute to the years old. Tickets on May 12, Unisphere, and a third features di- Mother’s Day, will all be priced at rect greetings to the audience in $15. Books about the history of many of the languages spoken in Queens, written by Jason Antos, will Queens. The medley of songs, taken be available at each performance.

For information, call (718) 428from some of the shows presented over the years by the Theatre Group, 8681 or visit www.fsfctg.org.

derground, transit journey. While he moves throughout the subway system, his mother engages on desperate search for her son as Superstorm Sandy swoops in on New York. The film is based on a true story.

Two brothers raised in Queens and Manhattan also have a film at the festival, a documentary about a basketball player whose professional career passed him by.

Joshua and Ben Safdie’s 90minute movie is titled “Lenny Cooke,” who was the most talkedabout high school basketball player in the country back in 2001. Rather than going to college, Cooke opted to enter the draft but was not selected. Even though many of his peers are winning MVP awards and championships, the 30-year-old has not yet played in the NBA. The documentary goes over the last decade of Cooke’s life, including interviews with his family and friends.

Another documentary, titled “In God We Trust,” tells the story of

A screencap from the film “Stand Clear of the Closing Doors,” about an autistic child who goes on a multi-day journey on the NYC subway system. The film is showing at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Eleanor Squillari, the secretary of Queens-born Bernie Madoff. Though she worked for decades with no idea that her boss was the operator of the largest financial fraud in U.S. history,.

If you would like to purchase tickets, go to www.tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets.

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

Queens Celebrates Literary Scene

BY TRISHA SAKHUJA Residents of Queens joined together to sit down and write on April 13-14 at locations in Long Island City, Sunnyside, Corona, Forest Hills and Flushing.

The Newtown Literary Alliance celebrated the growing literary scene in Queens. The non-profit publisher of Queens and literary journal held its first annual Queens Writes! Weekend.

“Everyone is invited—even those who haven’t written anything more than a to - do list recently,” said Tim Fredrick, editor of Newtown Literary. “This isn’t about creating a publishable piece of work; it’s about Queens flexing its literary muscle and celebrating what the residents of Queens have to say and write about.”

The suggested donation of $5 goes towards the journal’s second issue and low-cost writing workshops set to launch this summer, as well as a kids writing contest for the upcoming school year.

The organization’s goal was to bring the Borough together to write, which resonated through the typewriter that traveled the Borough. The residents added their own creativity to the poem

being transcribed on the typewriter at different locations. The $1 donation to add a line of poetry will go towards publishing the large poem in the journal’s third issue this fall.

A group of residents also traveled on the 7 train to seek creative inspiration because the train runs elevated from the ground.

Even though some people were hesitant to write at first, they soon became comfortable knowing they would not be asked to share their thoughts.

Each location was set up differently.

While some groups conversed, others diligently wrote.

“At every event, I was asked, ‘When are we doing this again?’ Participants exchanged emails and were making plans on getting together in the future,” Fredrick said.

Turnout was low at most locations, as expected by the organization, since it was the first celebration of the written word. But Fredrick is pleased with the response and the opportunity it provides for people to meet and share ideas.

It is thrilled to have made a mark in the burgeoning literary scene in Queens.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 19-25, 2013

Faith

The Hindu Culture Celebrates Navratri

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA On April 11, Hindus from across the world began to celebrate Vasant Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratras – a festival dedicated to the Mother Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

Durga, meaning the “inaccessible,” is a popular and fierce Goddess in the Hindu religion. She is depicted with multiple arms, carrying various weapons and riding a ferocious lion or tiger, all meant to symbolize her strength. She is also depicted as Mother Goddess in the spring season.

Navratri is celebrated in a large number of Indian communities and is one of the most important festivals of the culture. The Goddess’ legacy is celebrated for nine nights and 10 days during the special holiday, making Navratri a major festi-

val in the western states of nine days and worshipping Gujarat, Maharashtra and Mother Goddess in all her Karnataka. different forms. Some devoAccording to Hindu practice, tees avoid meat, alcoholic the Mother Goddess is said to drinks, grains, wheat and onappear in nine forms, and each ion during the fast while other one is worshiped for a day.

Hindus take a more lax apThe holiday is celebrated in proach to fasting, refraining three different segments in honor from just meat. of the different reincarnated Although Vasant Navratras forms of the Hindu Goddess. is marked by fasting, the holiThe first three days, the Godday is a very happy time for dess is separated as the spiritual Hindus. Often, the holiday is force Durga in order to destroy All across the world, Hindus are celebrating Vasant celebrated with dance and evil. The next three days of wor- Navratri, a holiday which celebrates the Mother song. The Garba, for example, ship is devoted to Lakshmi, who Goddess, Durga. is a popular dance to see on is considered to have the power the holiday. The dance is perof bestowing on her devotees inex- blessings of all three aspects of the formed around a centrally lit lamp or haustible wealth, as she is the God- divine femininity, hence the nine picture of the Goddess and both men dess of wealth. nights of worship. and women usually wear colorful cosThe final three days are spend Navaratri is celebrated in differ- tumes while it is performed. worshipping the goddess of wisdom, ent ways throughout the world. In Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska Saraswati, in order to have all-around North India, the festival is celebrated at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or success in life, believers seek the with much fervor by fasting on all nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

Notebook August Martin High School

Program Helps Youth, Police Relationship

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA In an effort to improve the relationship between the New York Police Department and the youth in southeast Queens, members of the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council visited August Martin High School, bringing officers of the 113th Precinct and students together in an open forum.

The program, “Rap 2 Bridge the Gap,” was inspired by Charles and Randy Fisher, a father-son team who founded the HHSYC in 2001 after witnessing a deteriorating relationship between the police and the community.

“Being that there’s an unofficial code on the streets that ‘snitches get stitches,’ no one really cooperates with the NYPD,” Charles Fisher said.

“There is a cold war between the community and the NYPD that needs to be broken for the interest of all parties but especially young minorities.”

The initiative, which began on April 17 at August Martin, drew in more than 100 students and will be extended to additional schools citywide.

New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, Hip Hop Summit Youth Council Founder Charles Fisher and Chief of Department Philip Banks III announce the new Rap 2 Bridge the Gap Initiative to connect police with minority youth at August Martin High School.

During this open forum, students were given the opportunity to candidly ask police officers about a number of sensitive issues ranging from legal definitions to police-involved shootings and the highly controversial use of the stop and frisk policy. “‘Rap 2 Bridge the Gap’ will be that initiative to give young people a direct line to law enforcement to ask all their questions about stop, question and frisk and to get to know of-

ficers in their community so we can have better policing and to motivate young people to take back there community,” Fisher said.

In a statement, NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the police and the community working together have already made this a far safer city. Crime is down by more than 80 percent from 20 years ago, following a year in which New York saw the fewest murders in 52 years.

Shootings and shooting victims also are down 25 percent this year and New York has the lowest ratio of teenagers carrying guns of any major city in the country, according to a recent report from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

August Martin is the first high school to try out the new initiative and is already bringing back positive feedback from the community.

“It is important that our youth know that their voice matters,” Principal at August Martin High School, Gillian Smith, said in a statement.

“We all carry the responsibility of making our schools and community safe. Silent voices and bystander behavior must shift.”

Fisher’s idea to bring this program to Jamaica school August Martin was strategic, he revealed.

“The violence in the 113th Precinct – they have the most homicides in the borough of Queens,” he said.

“We chose the 113th Precinct area we are trying to improve the relations there.”

‘Rap 2 Bridge the Gap’ also seeks to change the negative influence of rap lyrics that promote violence and drug use. The initiative is even sponsored by the popular record label, Island Def Jam Records.

“We want socially responsible companies, like Island Def Jam, who understand their obligation to the community and who have some of the top artists of the world who will reinforce our message and show young people the importance of education,” Fisher said. “So often rap music is depicted as a negative inf luence on our kids but we want to reverse that trend and show how hip-hop can be a positive force.”

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

April 19-25, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina or email to queenstoday@ queenstribune.com Yearly schedules and advanced notices welcome!

PARENTS READ WITH CHILD Wednesday, April 24 “Find the Feeling Story Hour” for children 5 and younger and parent.

Arverne library at 4.

ALUMNI IMMACULATE CONC. April 27 Immaculate Conception School in Astoria will host a reunion for all graduates. icsastoriaalumni@gmail.com

P-FLAG Sundays, April 21, May 19, June 16 P-Flag, a support5 group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays meet in Forest Hills. 2716663.

KNIT & CROCHET Monday, April 22 Douglaston library at 4.

EVENING CRAFTS Monday, April 22 Fresh Meadows library at 6.

KNIT & CROCHET Tu e s d a y , April 23 Whitestone library at 2 and Windsor Park library at 2.

DEBATE CLUB Wednesday, April 24 first-time callers register 464-0084. Queens Village library.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesday, April 24 South Ozone Park library at 1.

FH VAC Wednesdays, April 24, May 22, June 26 Forest H i l l s Vo l u n t e e r A m b u lance Corp. 793-2055.

WRITING CLUB Thursday, April 25 Peninsula library at 2.

TOASTMASTERS CLUB Thursday, April 26 Advance for Excellence To a s t m a s t e r s C l u b a t

ENVIRONMENT

SENIORS PARTY MIX Monday, April 22 line dance and par t y mix at the East Elmhurst library at 1.

BASIC COMPUTERS Tuesday, April 23 South Ozone Park library at 11.

DRIVING CLASS Tuesday, April 23 Forest Hills library. Register.

MATURE SEXUALITY Wednesday, April 24 “We’re Sexy and We Know It: Healthy Sexualit y for Mature Adults” at 1:30 at the Flushing library.

VISION & AGING Wednesday, April 24 Vision and Aging at the Richmond Hill library at 3.

MEN’S CLUB Wednesdays 10-noon Men’s club for those over 65 at the Central Queens Y in Forest Hills. 4230732.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Friday, April 26 Cambria H e i g h t s l i b r a r y. 2 7 6 6790./ GOSPEL CELEBRATION Saturday, April 27 4-8 at the Rochdale Village Senior Center. 5252800.

ENTERTAINMENT

MEETINGS

BEAUTIFICATION Saturday, April 20 Jackson Heights Beautification Group’s spring project to clean up the area next to the parking lot at Food Bazar on 34 th Avenue and Junction Blvd. Equipment supplied. Meet at the corner at 10-noon.

GREEN FILM FEST Saturday, April 20 Earth Week Green Film Festival at the Broadway, Woodside and Steinway libraries. Contact library.

POWER FUTURE Saturday, April 20 “Clean Energy.” Saturday, May 4 “Wind Power.” Thursday, May 18 “Energy Efficiency.”

Jackson Heights library at 3.

WINDOWFARM Monday, April 22 Hydroponics at Home at 6 at the Steinway librar y.

FRACKING & MORE Saturday, April 27 “Connect the Dots: Fracking, Pipelines, Boilers and Radon” at 3 at the Broadway library.

SEEDLING SWAP Saturday, April 27 Steinway library at 1.

5:45 at the Briarwood librar y.

CDEC 26 Thursday, April 25 MS67, 51-60 Marathon Parkway. Business meeting at 7, public meeting at 8.

JAMAICA KIWANIS Thursdays, April 25, May 9, 23 Kiwanis Club of Jamaica meets. 5273678.

CROCHET CLUB Friday, April 26 LIC library at 11:30.

CHESS CLUB Friday, April 26 Woodside library at 4.

KNIT & CROCHET Friday, April 26 Fresh Meadows library at 11.

HEALTH MEN’S HEALTH Saturday, April 20 10 th Annual Men’s Health Day. 8-9 breakfa st, 9-1 prostate screenings.

Central librar y.

HEALTH INFO Monday, April 22 Health Information from the Internet at 10 at the Langston Hughes library.

CHAIR YOGA Monday, April 22 Broadway library. Register.

RECOVERY INC. Monday, April 22 get h e l p f o r a n x i e t y, f e a r, obsessions, temper and more at 5:45 at the Forest Hills library.

ZUMBA Monday, April 22 Rosedale librar y. Register.

STRETCH & TONE Monday, April 22 LIC l i b ra r y. L i m i te d s p a c e .

6:30.

ALZHEIMERS Tu e s d a y, April 23 Caregiver Support Group in Forest Hills.

592-5757, ext. 237.

AEROBICS Wednesday, April 24 Central librar y. Limited space at 4.

GENTLE YOGA Wednesday, April 24 Woodside library. Register.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Thursday, April 25 MS Societ y Suppor t Group at 1 Howard Beach library.

MEDITATION CLUB Thursday, April 25 Bellerose library at 5:30.

BODY SCULPT FITNESS Thursday, April 25 Lefrak Cit y library. Limited space at 5:30.

DANCE FITNESS Friday, April 26 Richmond Hill library. Limited space at 5.

MUSICAL CABARET Through April 28 “One More, With Feeling,” A Musical Cabaret” at Colonial Church of Bayside. $18. 347-358-8102.

DE NOVO Saturday, April 20 at 7 at Elmhurst Hospital auditorium 79-01 Broadway.

Play about a young boy’s immigrant experience.

793-8080 for free tickets.

BOOK FAIR Saturday, April 20 Spring Book Fair at the Farmers Market Harvest Room, 90-40 1 6 0 th Street, Jamaica. 11-5.

Guests, featured authors, panels, networking, poetry, more. 591-4525.

DANZA FIESTA Saturday, April 20 a t the Flushing library at 2.

RUSSIAN MUSIC Saturday, April 20 Forest Hills library at 2:30.

BIG BAND SOUNDS Saturday, April 20 Jackson Heights library at 3 with a clip from the film “Looking at Jazz: America’s Art Form.”

CARMEN MCRAE Saturday, April 20 a t the Langston Hughes library at 3:30.

SPRING FEST Saturday and Sunday, April 20, 21 Children’s Spring Festival at Queens Count y Farm Museum.

CARROLL GARDENS Sunday, April 21 forgotten NY walking tour at noon with the Greater Astoria Historical Societ y. 278-0700 for ticket information.

HAITIAN FILM Sunday, April 21 “Kaleb” will be shown at the Central library at 2:30.

STAMP SHOW Sundays, April 21, May 19 Ramada Hotel in Bayside 10-4:30. Free admission and parking.

645-7659.

RICH LITTLE Sunday, April 21 Queensborough Communit y College. 6316311.

FLAMENCO Sunday, April 21 Roots of Flamenco at 4 at Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside. 729-3880.

RODGERS, HAMMER… Monday, April 22 tribute to Rodgers, Hammerstein and Hart at 2 at the Middle Village library.

CHICAGO BLUES Monday, April 22 405 Blues Band performs at 5 at the South Ozone Park library.

FRENCH MUSIC Monday, April 22

Kanako at the Flushing library at 6.

BIG BAND SOUNDS Wednesday, April 24 North Hills library at 1:30.

SINATRA… Thursday, April 25 Sinatra Duets, Bobby Darin and the Great Ladies of Jazz at the

Poppenhusen library at 2:45.

OPEN MIC Thursday, April 25 East Elmhurst library at 6.

DYSTOPIAN FILMS Friday, April 26 “Pleasantville.” Screening and discussion of film at 2 at the Flushing library.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS JOB SEARCH Saturday, April 20 Job Search Strategies and Resume Writing at the Far Rockaway library at 2.

BEGINNERS WORD Saturday, April 20 Central library. Register.

BEGINNERS EXCEL Saturday, April 20 Central library. 990-8625.

INTRO COMPUTERS Monday, April 22 Central library. Register.

JOB READINESS Monday, April 22, May 6, 16 resumes, cover letters, going through the job interview and beyond at 1 at the Queens Village library.

MAC MONDAY Monday, April 22 Garageband discussed at the Central librar y. Register.

BEADING 101 Monday, April 22 Rochdale Village library.

Register.

BALLROOM DANCING Monday, April 22 Forest Hills library at 6:30.

INTRO ACCESS Tuesday, April 23 LIC library at 10.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesday, April 23 11 at the McGoldrick library, Bellerose register, LIC library at noon, Far Rockaway at 2.

ART DECO JEWELRY Tu e s d a y , April 23 Maspeth librar y. Register.

BALLROOM DANCE Tuesday, April 23 Richmond Hill library at 3.

JOB SEARCH Tuesday, April 23 Job Search Strategies and Resume Writing at the S o u th J a m a i c a l i b r a r y.

990-0769.

INTRO WORD Tuesday, April 23 Central library. 990-0769.

INTRO EMAIL Wednesday, April 24 C e n t r a l l i b r a r y. 9 9 0 0769.

JOB SEARCH Wednesday, April 24 C e n t r a l l i b r a r y. 9 9 0 8625.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Wednesday, April 24

Windsor Park. Register.

ONLINE TEST PREP Wednesday, April 24 LIC library. 752-3700.

COMPUTER CLASS Wednesday, April 24 Woodside library at 5:45.

BEADING 101 Wednesday, April 24 S o u th J a m a i c a l i b ra r y.

Register.

IPHONE Wednesday, April 24 C e n t ra l l i b r a r y. 9 9 0 8625.

MOCK INTERVIEW Thursday, April 25 Central library. 990-8625.

FACEBOOK Thursday, April 25 Central library. 990-8625.

BEGIN WORD Thursday, April 25 LIC library at 11.

CODEACADEMY Thursday, April 25 Cent ra l l i b r a r y. Re g i s te r .

Learn computer languages.

INTRO INTERNET Friday, April 26 Central librar y. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTER Friday, April 26 Auburndale library. Register.

RESUME WORKSHOP Friday, April 26 LIC library. Register.

FLEA MARKETS FLEA & BAKE Sunday, April 21 flea market plus ethnic Polish bake sale 9-4 at St. J o s a p h a t , 3 5th A v e n u e Street, and 2 1 0 th Bayside.

GARAGE SALE Sunday, April 28 American Mart yrs church basement, Bell Blvd. and Union Turnpike, Bayside 9-5.

DINNER EVERYDAY WOMEN Saturday, May 4 Everyday Women, Everyday Voices Conversation & Brunch. 917-620-6590.

Four dynamic women speak to empower, uplift and motivate.

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Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 19-25, 2013

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People

Open Call For Under-19 Cricket Players The New York Region will hold youth trials at Gateway Oval on Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21.

This is in preparation for a quadrangular two day tournament with the Atlantic and Northeast Regions and two teams from New York. At that tournament, USACA officials will be present to observe candidates for possible selection to the USA Under 19 squad.

The trial game will begin at 11 am but players are expected to be there at 10 am. Trials will be conducted with white balls and colored pads, so

players are asked to wear their white pants and colored tops as indicated below. Players should be born after Sept. 1, 1993.

If there is a player, not listed, who knows he is qualified, has the required cricket skills and wants to participate, please contact Youth Coordinator Nigel Harper 516-3158472, Linden Fraser 646-235-3243 or Clifford Hinds 732-397-8032 or come to Gateway Oval in Brooklyn.

Red team : Zafar Yusuf, Omar Afridi, Trevis Ross, Rafeek Nazeer, Bjorn Brown, Chetram Singh, Zaheb

Tariq, Surrendra Singh, Lakshmidat Chaitram, Javon Blackmon, Sarim Mahmood, Jason Rooney, Pakid Hazan, T. Khan, Gurbhev Singh, Rigo Mazhuvarchery and Mohib Tariq.

Blue team: Amarnauth Persaud, Clifford Hamilton, Waqas Shah,

Photo by Shiek Mohamed

Some of the kids that participated in last weekend trials.

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Army Reserve Pvt. Samantha M. Bacon has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rif le marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Bacon is the daughter of Michelle Bacon of Rochdale.

Queens DA Richard A. Brown

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announced today the appointment of nine law school graduates as Assistant District Attorneys. The new prosecutors and the law schools from which they graduated are: Jamie-Lynn Burns, Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center; Hannah Collins, University of North Carolina School of Law; Brian Kennedy, Pace University School of Law; Ashley Morris, St. John’s University School of Law; Sean Murphy, Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center; Jasmine Rowe, Columbia University School of Law; Elizabeth Speck, St. John’s University School of Law; Fred Wyshak III, The George Washington University Law School; and Kenneth T. Zawistowski, Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.

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Musicians Of Queens - Nicole Zuraitis Jazz songwriter Nicole Zuraitis’ interest in music was sparked at a very young age, from the moment her mother heard her sing Disney’s “Zip-aDee-Doo-Dah.” Fast forwarding to her high school years, Zuraitis was taking voice lessons while teaching herself how to play piano.

After studying classic opera at New York University and traveling the world after graduation, the Astoriabased musician got to work and formed a jazz trio.

“As a jazz band, the group is always changing, but my core trio has been together for three years,” she said.

Zuraitis’ music contains classic, effortless piano melodies and a fluid rhythm section that can move between laid-back and frantic over the course of one song. The strongest point though is her vocals, which can soulfully sweep over the landscape, switch octaves on the fly or be pulled back to a subtler,

gentle approach.

“I love Queens for numerous reasons, both fun filled and logistical,” she said. “As a full time musician, I am constantly traveling, and my neighborhood is easy access from the highway, other boroughs and the TriBorough Bridge.”

Her second album, “Pariah Anthem,” was released this past January, using an assortment of musicians throughout the record. Since then, she has hit the touring

circuit heavily, playing shows all over New York City. If you want to see her in her home borough, she will be playing at The Astor Room in Astoria on April 19 and May 3 as well as the LIC Bar on May 1.

“I self-produced both my albums, wrote the music, book all my gigs and tours, hire my musicians and work tirelessly as a pianist and jazz vocalist in event bands, restaurants and bars almost every day of the week,” Zuraitis said.

Mind Your Business

Park goers at Kissena Park have been tirelessly fighting for a public bathroom since 1981.

The fact that people were pushing for a public bathroom at a public space for more than 30 years is hard to believe.

The park is home to lots of playgrounds, baseball diamonds, tennis and handball courts, plus the Kissena Lake, but not a public restroom.

Playing catch with a few friends and suddenly having to hide behind a tree to do your business is not the ideal park experience.

Nowadays, most public restrooms have toilets that flush on their own – so, there should be no reason as to why Kissena Park lags behind.

If you need to hold it in or let it all out in public during this era – well, that’s one sad story.

But, congrats to all those who now have the luxury of privacy!

KEEP ON RUNNING - Each morning, QConf classified manager Mitch Kronenfeld gets out the door and goes for a run. The run is a long-standing tradition and last week, Mitch celebrated his four-year anniversary of daily runs. Photo by Ira Cohen.

April 19-25, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

What’s Up APRIL 19 Jamaica Revealed Looking to open a business in downtown Jamaica? Then attend “Jamaica Revealed” — an inside look at available retail spaces along the hottest destinations in southeast Queens: Jamaica Avenue, 165th Street, and Sutphin Boulevard. If you are a business owner interested in retail, restaurant, boutique, and/or office space, then you should attend Jamaica Revealed. Learn about retail market opportunities including incentive programs to save you thousands. Available spaces range from 100-squarefeet to 75,000-square-feet. The morning will end with a special trolley tour that will give you an exclusive look inside available spaces in the downtown district. For additional information, contact (718) 291-0282.

To RSVP, visit http:// jamaicarevealed.eventbrite.com. The event is free but requires a reservation. The event will take place at the JFK Corporate Square Marketing Center located at 93-43 Sutphin Blvd.

Friday Night At The Movies Finzan (A Dance for the Heroes) is a passionate and convincing plea for the emancipation of African women. The film raises one of the most important issues of African rural life by following the story of two female rebellions. The free movie presentation will be held at the Afrikan Poetry Theatre located at 176-03 Jamaica Ave. at 7:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted.

“Scenes from Classic Black Theatre Of The 20th Century” The Black Spectrum Theatre Company’s teen acting class will present “Scenes from Classic Black Theatre of the 20th Century.” Be there to experience scenes from: Raisin in the Sun; Home; Fences; and Zoo Man and the Sign. For additional information, call (718) 7231800. Tickets are $15 and $7.50 for children 12 and under. The show will be held at the Black Spectrum Theatre located at 177 Baisley Blvd. at 8 p.m.

APRIL 20 10th Annual Men’s Health Day The Queens Central Library will present their 10th Annual Men’s Health Day. From 8 to 9 a.m., breakfast will be served. Residents can also take advantage of the free prostate screenings for men aged 35-75 as well as free health education information sessions.

The event is free and will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica located at 89-60 164th St.

There will also be prizes and giveaways.

“Scenes From Classic Black New York City Dept. of Finance, will an information session on Theatre Of The 20th Century” present the City’s tax lien program. If you are The Black Spectrum Theatre

Wills’ Barbershop Listening Company’s teen acting class will present “Scenes from Classic Black Tour Councilman Ruben Wills is hosting a “Barbershop Listening Tour” throughout April. He and his staff will be on hand at a barbershop near you in Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica and Rochdale Village. The idea of this listening tour is to seek direct input from you and your neighbors who may find it too difficult to attend civic and town hall meetings.

Wills wishes to speak to you in the relaxed setting of your neighborhood barbershop, and engage in meaningful dialogue on the many issues that are of concern to you. For additional information, contact Wills’ office at (718) 206-2068. This tour will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at The Playaz Den, located at 106-34 Sutphin Blvd.

“Gazing Through Time: Portraits at King Manor” The collection of portraits at King Manor Museum spans 200 years and through its subjects and artists, embraces both academic and folk art painting in likenesses of King family members, notables of the day and unidentified people. Artist Hannah Barrett will introduce the characters portrayed in several of these paintings, along with the histories and mysteries of each. Reserve a seat for this free lecture by calling (718) 2060545 ext. 13 or by emailing programs@kingmanor.org.

For more information, visit www.kingmanor.org. Refreshments will be served following lecture. There is a suggested $5 donation for refreshments. This lecture will be held at 3 p.m. at the King Manor Museum located at 150-03 Jamaica Ave.

Theatre of the 20th Century.” Be there to experience scenes from: Raisin in the Sun; Home; Fences; and Zoo Man and the Sign. For additional information, call (718) 7231800. Tickets are $15 and $7.50 for children 12 and under. The show will be held at the Black Spectrum Theatre located at 177 Baisley Blvd. at 8 p.m.

APRIL 21 Haiti Cultural Exchange Presents: “Kaleb” In collaboration with Haiti Cultural Exchange, Haitian-American director Kervan Barthelemy screens and discusses his first full-length feature film, “Kaleb,” about a young man accused of rape and the frictions in his strict Haitian family. There will time for questions and answers (in English) after the film. This free event will be held at the Queens Central Library at 2:30 p.m.

Author Panel Three authors will discuss their work. Ethiopian novelist Maaza Mengiste takes us to 1970s Africa in Beneath the Lion’s Gaze, Chinese author Ruiyan Xu explores communication in modern China in The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai, and Indian-American writer Tejas Desai will uncover secrets and lies within a Hindu religious organization in contemporary Queens in The Brotherhood. This free event will take place at the Queens Central Library at 6 p.m.

APRIL 25 “Race, Class and Violence: The New York Draft Riots of 1863”

Whistle in Mississippi: The Understanding the social and economic causes of the riots, as well as Lynching of Emmett Till The Rochdale Village Youth Planning Committee will present “Whistle In Mississippi: The Lynching of Emmett Till.” Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the life and brutal murder of Emmett Till and the powerful ripples of change that transformed America. For tickets, contact: Mario Turner at (718) 810-3724; RV Board Office at (718) 276-5700 ext. 336; Velony Smith at (718) 2765700 ext. 339; or Carolyn Jackson at (718) 949-3499. Tickets are $15 and $10 for students. The showing will be held at the Rochdale Village Grand Ballroom located at 169-65 137th Ave.

Let The Blessing Rain Down APRIL 24 On You Spirits in Motion Dance Ensemble Online Job Search Strategies will present “Youthful Praise: Let the Blessing Rain Down on You”. This performance will feature the young people of Brooks Memorial including Spirits in Motion Dance Ensemble, Heavens Entrance Dance Ensemble, Youth for Christ Choir and more. For more information, contact Tanya Tavaris at (718) 807-8387 or email Brooks.Spirits@gmail.com. The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the Brooks Memorial Church located at 143-22 109th Ave. Tickets are $10 for persons aged 12 and up, $7 for children aged 4-11 and free for children three and younger.

at risk of losing your home, owe a lot in property taxes, water/sewer tax, or HPD repair debt, than this event is for you. For additional information, call (718) 527-4356. The information session is free and will be held at PS 156 located at 229-02 137th Ave. from 5 to 7 p.m.

Conducting an online job search can be overwhelming. This workshop, hosted by the Queens Central Library, will make it easier. They will cover: how to get started; differences between general and career-specific websites; how to find and apply for jobs; how to post and email your resume; and how to follow up. Call (718) 990-8625 for more information. This free workshop will be held at 10 a.m. at the library.

Tax Lien Program Information Council Member Donovan Richards, in conjunction with the

the effects of the riots on subsequent New York history, helps people appreciate that even in the North, support for the Union cause was not unanimous but a bitterly contested issue. The riots illustrate that the nation’s conflicts over race and labor were not on sectional grounds alone.

This lecture will also discuss the draft riots that took place in Jamaica on July 14, 1863. The program is free and open to the general public. To reserve a seat for this lecture, call (718) 206-0545x13 or email programs@kingmanor.org.

For more information, visit www.kingmanor.org. This lecture will be held at St. John’s University, St. John’s Hall Room 309 at 5 p.m.

ONGOING Lincoln Park Basketball Association The Lincoln Park Basketball Association is looking for volunteers to coach baseball for 5-14 year olds, and youth football for 9-10 and 11-12 year olds. LP’s Fam’s Association is assembling teams to participate in organized youth athletic leagues for the spring, summer and fall of 2013.

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