Press epaper 042514

Volume 15 Issue No. 17 April 25 - May 1, 2014

PRESS Photos by Luis Gronda and Natalia Kozikowska

HIDDEN INFO

A federal study about the use of the Social Security Administration building in Jamaica comes back mostly redacted.

By Natalia Kozikowska ‌ Page 3.

ONLINE AT WWW.QUEENSPRESS.COM

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 25 - May 1, 2014

News Briefs Suspect In Shooting Of Brooklyn Teen Nabbed

On April 24, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced that a former bookkeeper for the Martin De Porres School, a school for children with special needs formerly located in Springfield Gardens, has been charged with embezzling more than $485,000 from the school’s checking account.

According to a statement released by the DA’s office, Donna Joyce was employed as a bookkeeper at the Martin De Porres School, and among her duties was to issue and sign checks and to make entries in the school’s business records.

It is alleged that between Jan. 15, 2007 and Aug. 28, 2012, Joyce used more than $485,000 in funds allocated for school expenses to pay her personal expenses on several accounts – such as her Macy’s, American Express and Citibank credit card accounts. She reportedly made false entries in the school’s business records, indicating that the checks were being issued for school expenses.

Joyce is presently awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on a criminal complaint charging her with second-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsifying business records. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison.

“As a nonprofit organization, the Martin De Porres School relies heavily on government aid and private donations to provide tuition-free education to scores of children from grade two through grade eleven,” Brown said in the statement. “In an atmosphere of such giving, it is disheartening to see someone, such as the defendant, allegedly use her position of fiscal responsibility to siphon off hundreds of thousands of dollars in school funds for her own personal use.”

Dr. Edward Dana, the executive director of the Martin De Porres School, also offered a statement in response to the charges.

“Immediately after uncovering financial irregularities in our finance office, Martin De Porres fired Ms. Joyce, referred the matter to the Queens District Attorney and notified the appropriate government agencies,” she said. “We also acted quickly to replace the entire financial staff and implement strict new financial controls. Moving forward, we have full confidence in the integrity of our new system.”

City Hall Press Conference Postponed

In light of a new DOI investigation and ongoing talks with Mayor

Bill de Blasio, Donovan Richards’ (D-Laurelton) press conference planned for April 24 has been postponed, as the investigation is underway.

Richards, State Sen. James Sanders (D-Jamaica) and Chair of Public Safety Council Member Vanessa Gibson (D-Bronx) called for the hearings on an improved emergency response system and a permanent FDNY Commissioner.

According to a press release sent out by Richards’ office, the conference was scheduled in response to a series of EMS delays throughout the City that were revealed in media reports.

The latest of these major delays occurred last weekend in Jackson Heights, where a pair of four year olds lost their lives on Easter Sunday in a fire.

Meng Holds Vigil With Bengali Community In Jamaica

On April 24, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, held a vigil with the Queens Bengali community in Jamaica to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the massive factory collapse in Bangladesh that killed 1,129 people.

The event, which featured speakers from several prominent labor unions, commemorated all who lost their lives in the tragedy and highlighted the need to improve the rights of workers.

“A year after the deadly factory collapse, Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi-American community continue to reel from this horrible tragedy,” said Meng in a statement.

“I encourage the public and all members of the Bengali community to join us to remember the victims who were killed, and to stand united for improved working conditions.”

The event also featured a poetry reading from Ramya Ramana, a college student from Jamaica who was named the 2014 New York City Youth Poet Laureate.

After the factory collapse, Meng, on April 29, 2013, urged major American retailers to improve conditions that exist at the facilities that make their products in Bangladesh. The Congresswoman sent letters to the chief executive officers of Wal-Mart, the Gap and the American Apparel Footwear Association, a major trade group, urging them to take leading roles to protect the subcontracted workers they use in Bangladesh’s clothing factories.

April 25 - May 1, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Study On SSA Building Lacks Transparency Last week, the PRESS first reported that the Social Security Administration building in Jamaica was underutilized, with six of its 11 floors being used for the storage of filing cabinets.

Just 25 years after the $92 million custom-designed headquarters was unveiled, it has been revealed that because the SSA’s budget has been significantly reduced, hundreds of employees have been moved out. A source close to the situation has even described the building as a “museum of 1950s filing cabinets.”

Concerned about what this meant for economic growth in Jamaica, in 2012, Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica), along with reps from the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, requested the General Services Administration conduct a utilization study.

Almost one year after the original request, Meeks’ office finally received the GSA report. But in addition to his disappointment with the lengthy wait, the Congressman said he is frustrated with the study’s “alarming” lack of transparency.

The report, which has also been obtained by the PRESS, is missing more than 70 pages and of the few pages available for review, signifi-

cant portions have been there are “three approachwithheld. es to address the need for “Everything is redactimproved utilization.” The ed. The report doesn’t options are to convert the mean anything to me, facility into a multi-tenantbecause it doesn’t say ed building, relocate SSA anything,” Meeks said. “It to larger or smaller spaces, seems as though they are possibly moving workers acting and moving with a out of the SSA offices in code of secrecy and that the Jacob Javits Federal befuddles me and upsets Building in Manhattan to me.” the Jamaica headquarters, According to the reor maintain status quo port’s cover letter, auwith the SSA to remain in thored by Denise Pease, the headquarters. regional administrator Many of the pages included in a GSA study about the Social Although the study exat the GSA, informa- Security Administration building in Jamaica were heavily re- plores the three possibilition from the study was dacted. ties, all of the design opwithheld for security reations have been redacted first opened in 1989. The study also and no possible tenant is listed in the sons.

“I would like to apologize for the reveals that 805,111-square-feet of open report. Meeks said he requested delay in responding to your inquiry, the building’s 923,200-square-feet of the full document, but noted that his however, since OAS is a pre-deci- space were deemed “rentable.” request was denied for similar “conBut when weighing in on the fidentiality reasons.” sional document, it was necessary to ensure that sensitive information GSA’s lack of transparency, Meeks “Enough time has gone by for a was redacted from the OAS prior to said he questions the validity of decision to be made about the utilisharing it,” Pease wrote. “Please be those figures. zation of the building,” Meeks said.

“Because of the lack of transpar- “Its time for the GSA to come to the advised that information has been redacted from pages 1-25 of the OAS. ency, there could be even fewer em- public and say additional tenants will Additionally, pages 25-103 have been ployees than that,” he said. “I have be looked into, or they don’t have the withheld entirely due to the sensitivity to speculate as to anything they say is money to retrofit the facility, and are accurate because they have been secre- looking for a buyer so they can rent contained within.”

According to the report, there tive and not clear and transparent.” the space they need.”

The report, which suggests that are currently 1,303 employees in Reach Natalia Kozikowska at the building – about 1,400 employ- the building is being used at just (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowsees less than when the headquarters over 40 percent, has determined that ka@queenspress.com Photo by Natalia Kozikowska

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Deputy Borough President Comrie Set To Challenge Smith?

BY PRESS STAff The September primary for State Sen. Malcolm Smith’s seat could see a high-profile name enter the field next week.

According to sources within the Queens Democratic Party, former Councilman and current Queens Deputy Borough President Leroy Comrie could announce his intention to run as early as Monday.

Rumors have persisted for several months that Comrie could enter the race for Smith’s seat, as Democrats have discussed ways to challenge the embattled Senator. Just more than one year ago, Smith was arrested and charged in a conspiracy to get his name on the Republican ballot for Mayor in the 2013 election. A judge recently denied a petition to delay Smith’s trial – scheduled for early June – until after the primary.

Forced to step down from his Council seat due to term limits, Comrie was one of several candidates

Deputy Borough President Leroy Comrie

State Sen. Malcolm Smith

looking for the Democratic nomination for Queens Borough President.

He dropped out of the race before the primary, however, and instead backed the eventual winner, Melinda Katz.

When reached for comment earlier this week, Comrie declined to comment on a potential challenge, but did not deny the rumor. Smith’s

office did not return a request for comment as of press time.

If Comrie does enter the race, he would not be Smith’s only challenger. Several people have already declared an intent to run, including Clyde Vanel, Munir Avery and Bernadette Semple.

Vanel, an attorney who has run for a number of elected positions in

Southeast Queens in the past, said he was aware of the rumors about Comrie, and noted that it was important for people to make the right decision when it comes to who they choose to elect.

“Comrie disappointed a lot of people when he dropped out of the last race,” Vanel said, referencing Comrie’s Borough President bid. “I wonder if that is going to happen this time.”

Vanel said that regardless of the participants, the election would be a tough one.

“In this campaign, in this race, I am committed to represent the community with conviction,” he said.

“We need someone that is sure and not on the fence about representing their community.”

Neither Avery nor Semple responded to requests for comment.

The primary election for State Senate and Assembly seats will be held on Sept. 9. The General Election is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 25 - May 1, 2014

THE MAGIC OF

MTA Buys Property To Upgrade, Expand Bus Depot

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The MTA has purchased properties near the Jamaica Bus Depot to alleviate a shortage of bus parking.

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

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In an effort to alleviate a chronic shortage of bus parking in the area, on March 11, Metropolitan Transportation Authority purchased five properties near the Jamaica Bus Depot for approximately $7.75 million.

According to Kevin Ortiz, a spokesperson for the MTA, the City agency has plans to demolish and renovate the existing Jamaica Bus Depot, using the newly purchased lots to expand on its outdated properties located near Merrick Boulevard and 165th Street.

Though reports have surfaced claiming that the MTA currently does not have the funds to begin construction on the project, Ortiz said there is money for design in the agency’s current capital program.

He also noted that the MTA has not yet finalized the upcoming 20152019 capital program, and that the final cost of the project “cannot be determined until [the MTA has] a final design and it goes out to bid.”

According to the acquisition of fee title, the MTA has “long desired to expand the footprint of the Jamaica Bus Depot.” The newly purchased properties will bring approximately 79,000-square-feet of additional space to the facility, which was first built in 1940. “[The MTA] has been obliged to park significant numbers of buses on City streets surrounding the Jamaica Bus Depot at night and on weekends, both impacting the quality of life in the neighborhood and presenting security concerns for equipment and personnel,” the document read. “As is apparent from the attached site plan, the properties are ideally located for an expansion of the Jamaica Bus Depot.”

Although the City agency has expressed its need for updating and expanding the Jamaica Bus Depot for many years, it was not until recently, when the owner of the surrounding sites passed away, that the properties have been made available for the MTA’s purchase.

“The MTA [was] presented with a unique opportunity to acquire the properties and convert them to transit-related use with little to no disruption of private interests,” the document read.

The MTA hopes that upon completion, there will no longer be a deficit of bus parking that has forced its drivers to park buses on unsecured streets nearby. No start date for construction has been announced as of yet.

Councilman I. Daneek Miller (DSt. Albans), who served as the head of the bus drivers union before he was elected into the City Council, said the acquisition of these properties was long overdue.

“This is something that we’ve been working on from a union perspective for years,” he said. “Their facility is operating at a 75 percent capacity, according to a decade-old survey.

There is a lack of infrastructure that required buses to park on the street, and on every given evening, there are 50 to 60 buses parked on the street.”

“Not only was it an eyesore, but because the buses parked on the street, you had folks who had to walk on the street because they couldn’t walk on the sidewalk,” he added.

“We can’t be sure when they will begin [construction], but it’s a step in the right direction.”

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

April 25 - May 1, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Mayor announces sandy recovery overhaul

By Luis Gronda

Lighting Ravenswood:

Weill Music Institute Gala Narezo

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a major overhaul of the City’s recovery from Superstorm Sandy last week, including several ideas to provide relief for homeowners and businesses still trying to rebuild more than a year after the storm hit.

Since beginning his first term as mayor, de Blasio said he would make the City’s recovery process a priority.

He did not bring back many of the people who ran the Build It Back program under the Bloomberg administration, which was a signal that the Mayor was planning on changes to the Sandy Strategy under his watch.

He did not name a new head of Sandy recovery until late March, appointing Amy Peterson as the director of the Housing Recovery Office, Daniel Zarrilli leading the Office of Recovery and Resiliency and Bill Goldstein as a senior adviser for recovery, resiliency and infrastructure.

The Mayor and his new team were tasked with drafting a new plan that would aim at speeding the recovery process for many homeowners and improve many problems residents had with the Build It Back program.

De Blasio’s plan calls for issuing 500 reimbursement checks and beginning construction to 500 damaged or destroyed properties by the end of this summer. Other parts of the plan include enhancing coordination between City, State and federal entities to provide additional relief for people displaced from their home and expanding eligibility for the Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery Loan and Grant Program.

During a press conference announcing the plan, de Blasio said the City will build back stronger, despite

any challenges that may arise during the process.

“This report gives us a game plan, a road map going forward. We know the will is there. We know the resources are there. It’s about applying all of our abilities and our focus to getting it done, with a lot of partners we know will be great teammates in serving people in need,” he said last Thursday.

Some local community leaders who read through the plan say it is a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen how much faster and better the new plan will be until it is implemented.

Betty Braton, Chairperson of Community Board 10, which represents two areas in southern Queens hit hardest by Sandy, Howard Beach and Hamilton Beach, said there were many problems with how the program was organized. She said she hopes the Mayor’s plan will fix errors associated with it, including streamlining the paperwork process for homeowners applying for relief.

Braton said she is looking to see how it will be enforced.

“My concern is how does it move from the aspirational to the reality,” she said. “It’s a question of what is going to be done.”

Roger Gendron, president of the New Hamilton Beach Civic Association, said their goal of 500 reimbursement checks and construction starts is too low considering the number of people affected by the storm, and he also wants to see the plan in action.

“Until you see the work being done, it’s all talk, which is what Build It Back has been from day one,” he said. “But it is progress and that’s something we haven’t seen before.”

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

Free !

CARNEGIE KIDS

Elena Moon Park and Friends Sunday, May 4 at 1 PM East Asian children’s songs with a contemporary take.

Flushing Town Hall Main Theatre

Photo by Luis Gronda

137-35 Northern Boulevard (at Linden Place) Queens | flushingtownhall.org 718-463-7700, ext. 222 7 | Bus: Q1, Q13, Q25, Q28, Q34, Q44, Q65, Q66 Carnegie Kids is generously supported, in part, by an endowment gift from Linda and Earle S. Altman.

Carnegie Kids is sponsored by

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and nyCHa Chair shola olatoye announced a funding allocation for new lighting throughout the ravenswood Houses in astoria last Friday. The $4 million project will install state-of-the-art lighting throughout the housing development. about $2.5 million of the project will be funded by nyCHa and $1.5 million will come from Van Bramer.

Free concerts in all five boroughs! carnegiehall.org/CarnegieKids

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 25 - May 1, 2014

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

Editor-in-Chief:

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel

Reporters: Natalia Kozikowska Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda

Art Dept:

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

A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2014 Tribco, LLC

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

Time To Focus On Equal Pay More than 50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act of 1963 into law, which sought to abolish wage disparity based on sex. It is unfortunate that, half a century later, that disparity still exists, punishing millions of women with lower wages.

While the wage disparity has improved over time, the fact that it is still prevalent in business is antithetical to the progress this country should have made over the years. According to a study done by Comptroller Scott Stringer, in New York City, women under the age of 35 now make nearly 96 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts. This statistic is a stunning difference to the 78 cents on the dollar women over the age of 35 make.

Maybe this is a sign that the next generation of women will have it better than those that have come before them. But the promise of equality that came with the 1963 law is still far from fulfilled, and that is an insult to millions of women across the nation.

No matter how many bills are signed into law, unless the government enforces a desire to eliminate wage disparity among the genders, it will continue, as it has since the days of JFK. We hope that the day where equal pay is a reality is not that far off, but passing these resolutions will only make a difference if they are enforced and businesses are encouraged to meet a higher standard.

We are happy to see the wage gap closing, but anything less than 100 percent parity should be unacceptable.

Letters A ‘Misguided’ Progressive Policy

To The Editor: Regarding New York City Councilman Daniel Dromm saying that people opposed to homosexual marriage are not welcome in the Big Apple: In a way, weren’t we here a couple thousand years ago?

The ancient and primitive Greeks and Romans crassly valued homosexual relations.

But eventually the people wised up and realized that was a mistake (e.g., Plato condemned homosexual activity), and homosexual activity was again logically deemed unethical and was basically driven underground.

Now, misguided “progressives” are trying to take us back thousands of years to more primitive and decadent times, despite the fact that thinking people have known for centuries that homosexual activity is immoral and a bad legal precedent. (It’s easy to show that all the arguments homosexuals use to try to rationalize homosexual activity

are seriously flawed.)

It may surprise you that some colleges, like Harvard, have officially recognized student groups devoted to promoting the acceptance of BDSM---sexually deviant bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism. That’s right.

If you are a student who gets turned on by smacking people around, some colleges like Harvard now have groups for you!

Bizarre. (Are Neanderthals running that school?)

He who has eyes to see, let them see. The “logic” of heterophobic homosexuals is rapidly leading this society down a slippery slope to a more aberrant, disordered and irrational society. Legal polygamy is coming soon. Maybe down the line, we’ll see “marriage” between straight and homosexual consenting-adult incestuous people! Whoopee! Anyone who thinks this is progress is deluding him/herself. Rome didn’t fall in a day. But it did fall. Let’s not join the race to the bottom.

Wayne Lela, Via Queenstribune.com

Letters Silent Homecoming

To The Editor: I am a Korean War veteran who served in combat as a medic. We lost thousands and thousands more were wounded in the defense of that country.

There are service members to this day that are still missing in action and we have never received a parade.

I still have flashbacks from that “police action,” as President Truman called it. Let all veterans who return from war be honored to a parade. If it’s good for baseball and football, I’m sure it ‘s good for all our veterans. Thanks for everyone concerned.

Michael Liquori, Corona

The Problem With Common Core

To The Editor: In science especially, one must identify the problem, then carefully plan an attack to solve the problem. It would appear that some misguided people think that by raising education standards, (the Common Core Curriculum), the recipients will then respond and elevate themselves to greater achievement!? This is like raising the bar at a track and field high jump competition and expecting kids who can barely go over the very low setting to suddenly excel without considering their innate athletic ability, or their lack of motivation to do better. (Why is it some of the old sayings hit the nail on the head, so to speak, and got right to the nub of a substantial failing of some individuals’ human nature? “You can lead a mule to water but you can’t make him drink!” “We have to see the forest and not just the trees!”)

It’s sad that political motives are so intrusive into the business of education. This often seriously clouds the issues so much, and negates not only finding answers, but seeking proper ways to get answers! Once again, the egalitarian concept has been corrupted to appease certain segments of our society and give them what they want or think they need.

Our entertainment/celebrity driven culture has made

learning, along with responsibility and self-discipline, a thing of the past for too many. The ease with which youngsters today can access fun and entertainment via high tech devices has made the classroom a secondary or tertiary place to be. “If it ain’t fun, it’s boring!” is a mantra heard over and over in schools by too many American kids.

Although it has been said, “Great teachers who love teaching can teach youngsters to love learning,” teachers are not magicians, nor are they miracle workers. Sitting in front of them must be learners who are not only motivated to learn, but are responsible partners in the education process.

(We must also ask, what is the role of parents in the education equation?)

Dave Shlakman, Howard Beach

The Devolving State Of America

To The Editor: Ed Konecnik either is unaware or chooses to ignore what’s going on in America. Our nation’s problems were caused by Wall Street and big corps, not as he suggests, the “overbearing government.”

The government haters have no compunction using government when they need to - Ayn Rand took welfare when she was dying of cancer, as did her disciple Paul Ryan when his father died. They are the ultimate hypocrites.

Big money gets more welfare than the poor, but don’t refer to it as welfare as it applies to them. As a diversionary tactic, it is easier to blame the victims than the perpetrators. Our gov’t is representative of the 1 percent, not the 99 percent.

Yes, America has the potential for being the best country, but instead of continuing to evolve, for the past several decades, it has been devolving.

The mettle of a society is best judged not by what it does for those who have much, but by what it does for those who have little. I has been said, “a society that is not concerned with the welfare and happiness of its people, has no reason to exist.”

Joe Brooks, Whitestone

April 25 - May 1, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

The Glass Ceiling:

Queens Women Look to Break Barriers

By Steven J. Ferrari For decades, women have struggled to break through the “Glass Ceiling,” which the U.S. Dept. of Labor defines as “the unseen, yet unbreakable barrier that keeps minorities and women from rising to the upper rungs of the corporate ladder.”

According to the 2010 Census, on average, women in the United States make about $8,000 less per year than their male counterparts, earning about 81 cents to the dollar in comparison.

While the wage gap has shrunk since the 1980s, when women earned about 60 cents to the dollar, the disparity is still notable. In fact, the disparity is even greater in New York City. According to City Comptroller Scott Stringer, women between the ages of 35-65 make only 78 cents on the dollar.

“It’s disappointing to think a halfcentury after the Equal Pay Act, women still face significant financial inequities in the workplace,” Stringer said in a statement earlier this month.

“This kind of discrimination belongs in the history books. It’s time women enjoy their fair share of this economy – they’ve earned it.”

On April 8, fair wage advocates observed Equal Pay Day, which identifies how long women in 2013 would have had to work in order to match the salaries given to men in the same fields.

“Equal Pay Day is a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done before we can put an end to the pervasive pay gap between men and women in our country,” City Council Speaker Melissa MarkViverito said in recognition of the occasion. “Unequal pay doesn’t just hurt women, it hurts families, children and all those who depend on women as household earners. For too long, wage inequality has kept women, particularly those of color, in poverty.”

The State Assembly also took note of the day, passing a resolution “recognizing the value of women’s skills and significant contributions to the workforce.”

Assemblywoman Michelle Titus (D-South Ozone Park), the chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus and one of seven female Assembly members from Queens, acknowledged that there was still a great deal of work to be done in regards to equal pay.

“Although we have made great strides to close the gender wage gap, we still have a long way to go until women are paid what they deserve,” Titus said. “It is our responsibility to ensure that all citizens in New York are treated equally.”

Breaking through Within the pages of this issue, the achievements of nine women who have worked hard to succeed in a tough economic climate are highlighted. These achievements are all the more impressive when you consider the struggles that many of these women have faced when it comes to breaking through the Glass Ceiling.

Mary Ann Mattone, a prominent community leader in Bayside, put it simply when asked about her struggles to rise up.

“I was never paid equally with my male counterparts,” she said. “Never.”

Mattone praised the female workers who have worked with her as “dependable, reliable and smart,” and noted that equality is important, not just in pay, but in responsibilities as well.

“When I was director of nursing, I had 600 people underneath me. I tried to have everyone equal beneath me,” she said. “The leaders should work just as hard as the elevator operator. It should be a team effort. Everything is a team effort in life.”

Dr. Maxine Lubner, who came to America from South Africa during the era of Apartheid, said that she felt that she was taken less seriously than her male counterparts during

her career. As the chair of the Aviation department at Vaughn College in Flushing, despite having her pilot’s license, she noted that she has frequently been asked who the pilot was when chartering a plane.

“It’s definitely something on the devious side of human beings that we have to fight against,” she said.

Veronica Rose, who heads up Aurora Electric in Jamaica, said that she felt that it was “impossible” to gain career advancement as a woman.

“The discrimination in the construction industry is just astronomical,” she said. “I knew the only way I could change it is if I get involved in a leadership position.”

Rose said that people involved with the construction industry have a preconceived notion of who should be putting buildings together.

“First impressions are always the biggest challenges,” she said.

Another woman involved in the construction industry in Queens, Herlema Owens, echoed Rose’s struggles. After discovering a passion for the industry, Owens started the Association of Women Construction Workers of America in 2006, which helps women get involved in the field.

“It is difficult for women to have positions of authority in that industry,” she said. “There are women today who have left the industry primarily because of the harassment or the lack of respect. But this is an ideal type of industry for a woman – it works with our strengths.”

Both Rose and Owens noted that things have improved in the years

since they have joined the construction industry, but accept that the situation could still be improved.

“I would like to say to women, come back into the industry and make the industry strong, because we’re strong in it,” Owens said. “We should be able to do what we want in our own lives and not allow sexism to hold us back.”

Rose suggested that women attempting to make it within the construction industry should find a mentor, to take advantage of the sisterhood that exists.

“I always say, when you’re coming into this industry, you’re standing on the shoulders of all the women who went before you,” she said. “And if you’re standing on her shoulders, you might as well get her to help lift you up.”

Taking advantage of the benefits of a sisterhood is not something exclusive to the construction industry.

It has also proven beneficial to female members of the New York Police Department.

Assistant Chief Diana Pizzuti, the commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens North, spoke of her membership within the New York Women in Law Enforcement, an organization that seeks to develop stronger female leaders within law enforcement.

Pizzuti said that the women coming up through the ranks of the NYPD today are the second generation of high-ranking women within the department, thanks to the efforts of women who came before, including Chief Gertrude Schimmel.

“It made it easier for us,” she said.

“We now are the leaders trying to make it better for the next generation.”

Pizzuti said that working together, women have the power to improve not only their own careers, but the careers of others who may be struggling with the problems of the past and, unfortunately, the present.

“That is part of the spirit of the New York Women in Law Enforcement. We’ve brought the younger generation into the organization,” she said. “There’s still challenges, but I think together, we can work and help each other so everyone can reach their potential.”

Editor’s Note: Staff writers Luis Gronda, Natalia Kozikowska and Joe Marvilli assisted with the research for this article.

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 25 - May 1, 2014

Women In Politics:

Strong Female Leaders Call Queens Home

BY STEVEN J. FERRARI In the 1988 comedy “Coming To America,” Eddie Murphy’s character, Prince Akeem, decides to visit the United States in search of his bride-to-be.

Looking for “a woman with grace, elegance, taste and culture,” Akeem and his advisor search a map for a place in the U.S. where they could find such a woman. To find a future queen, they decide, what better place than Queens?

The scenario in the film is, of course, played for laughs. But over the last few decades, Borough residents have been known to support strong women in politically powerful roles.

One of the best indicators that Queens is a place that is open to having a woman lead is the office of the Queens Borough President.

For nearly three decades, Queens has consistently elected a woman to serve as Borough President. Claire Shulman took over as BP in 1986 when Donald Manes resigned. She was re-elected to the position in 1989, 1993 and 1997, before stepping down due to term limits. Her successor, Helen Marshall, also served three full terms as Borough President before

Geraldine Ferraro, a Queens congresswoman who became the first female running mate for president on a major party line.

stepping down at the end of last year.

The current Queens Borough President, Melinda Katz, was elected last year, after serving as a member of the City Council and the State Assembly.

Perhaps one of the most well-known political women to call Queens home is the late Geraldine Ferraro. After being named as an assistant district attorney in Queens in 1974, Ferraro went on to win an election for a seat in Congress in 1978. She represented a district that stretched from Astoria to Ozone Park,

and quickly rose to power within the Democratic Party in the early 1980s.

Capping off her service in Congress, Ferraro was selected as a running mate for Walter Mondale’s 1984 bid for president, making her the first woman to run on a major party’s national ticket in the United States.

Today, the New York’s delegation within the House of Representatives includes seven women, and four of those seven represent Queens in some way. The districts of U.S. Reps. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Garden City), Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn) and Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) all include a piece of Queens. The fourth woman, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing), finds her district entirely within the Borough.

Meng, who is finishing her first term in Congress, is not only the first woman to be elected to represent a district completely in Queens since Ferraro, but she is also the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress from the East Coast.

Within the State Assembly, only 33 of the body’s members are female, with seven women coming from Queens. With 18 representatives from Queens in total serving in the Assembly, the seven women who come from

the Borough make up one of the highest concentrations of women in any part of New York State.

The women who serve in the Assembly cover all parts of the Borough, from Western Queens – including Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth), Catherine Nolan (D-Sunnyside) and Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) – to the east – with Nily Rozic (D-Hillcrest) and Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village) – to Southeast Queens, represented by Vivian Cook (D-Jamaica) and Michelle Titus (D-South Ozone Park).

In the City Council, only 15 of the Council’s 51 members are female. Of those members, three – Councilwomen Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst) and Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) – represent Queens in full. In the State Senate, Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) has served her constituents since 1999.

Voters in Queens do not hesitate to mark a vote for a strong woman leader. Perhaps Eddie Murphy’s Prince Akeem made the right choice when he came to Queens for a woman with grace, elegance, taste and culture.

Reach Steven J. Ferrari at (718) 3577400, Ext. 122, email sferrari@queenstribune.com or on Twitter @stevenferrari.

Herlema Owens

From Beauty School To Construction

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Herlema Owens was going to school for hair and beauty when her husband tragically died. Left alone to raise her three children, she was unsure how she was going to make the money she desperately needed to provide for her family.

When a friend of hers from beauty school got word of her unfortunate predicament, she suggested that Owens, a self-proclaimed ‘girly-girl,’ look into the construction industry.

“She was telling me all about construction and at first, I was not interested,” she said.

It was not until after her friend told her the average salary of a construction worker that Owens began to seriously consider leaving beauty school.

And much to her surprise, when she made the bold decision to give the industry a try, she fell in love with it.

“My first day on the job was the most enlightening and breathtaking experience I ever had. It was the dream of my life that I never even knew I had dreamt,” she said. “It was exciting and on that first day, I knew

this was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Though she truly loved every aspect of working with her hands, as a female minority, she encountered a lot of discrimination. She recalls that on her first job site, she was not the only woman, but also the only Black worker.

“At that time, I was literally a double quota,” she said.

Despite the hardships, Owens’ career in construction began to flourish.

“By my fourth job, I was made a foreman. It was exactly what I wanted,” she said. “Even though I’ve experienced sexism and sexual harassment, I always continued to work.

The foreman harassed me quite often, but having the thick skin I had, I didn’t pay any mind.”

While Owens, now a proud member of Local 731 for 27 years, has accomplished a great deal in the field of construction, she understood that there were many obstacles for women trying to break in to the male-dominated industry.

So, as a means to help women looking to get into construction, in 2006, Owens began the Association of Wom-

en Construction Workers of America – a nonprofit which does just that.

“As a woman construction worker myself, I realized I wasn’t the only one who had the issues I was having, from the sexual harassment to the discrimination,” she said. “I wasn’t the only person feeling like that, so when I started to hear that from other women, I felt like there was a need for a program like this.”

Though Owens and her friend, thelate Joi Beard, began the AWCWA to help women go into construction, the Jamaica-based nonprofit has since continued to expand its efforts to advocate for the advancement of all minority groups looking for a career in the field.

“We realized there were also a lot of young men out there who did not have a place to go for pre-training. And construction is not one of those industries to turn a blind eye to men who have been incarcerated,” she said. “As long as they right their wrong, they don’t hold it against you.

This is a career that can change a person who has been in trouble. It is an industry that creates self-worth.”

Hoping to give locals a life chang-

ing opportunity, AWCWA offers a free 15-week series of workshops, including the basic essentials of construction.

AWCWA offers two sessions – from September to December, and from January to May. Classes are taught Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the State University of New York Equal Opportunity Center, located at 158-29 Archer Ave., Jamaica.

For more information, call (718) 725- 3373, or send an email to info@ awcwa.org.

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

April 25 - May 1, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 25 - May 1, 2014

Veronica Rose

Overcoming Sexism In Her Field

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA From a very young age, Veronica Rose’s interests were different from many other little girls.’ Having grown up near construction jobsites, where her father helped build power plants, she was intrigued by the industry – one of the very few that paid all workers equally.

“In 1977, when I wanted to pick a career path out of the Air Force, I found out that women were only getting paid 49 cents on the dollar of what men were,” Rose explained. “So I spoke to my father and he suggested I look into organized trade unions because they didn’t allow that type of discrimination.”

So, following his advice, Rose did exactly what her father recommended and was among the first class of women accepted into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, following President Jimmy Carter’s executive order that opened up trade unions for women and minorities.

“I finished the apprenticeship pro-

gram at the top of my class, graduated as apprentice of the year and worked in the industry in Phoenix, Arizona, for six years,” she said.

After she gained a few years of experience, Rose took her tools and hardhat with her to New York in 1993, where she worked on massive projects like the Jacob Javits Convention Center and the World Financial Center. But despite her success in the field, she could not quite break through that ‘Glass Ceiling’ because of her gender.

“At that time, I had excelled as far as I could as a woman in the industry,” she said. “The company I was working for valued me, but because of my gender, they basically said we can’t make you supervision because the men aren’t ready for women in leadership yet.”

Yearning to break through the barriers her gender presented in the construction industry, Rose decided to get her Master’s electrician license so that she could start her own business.

“At that time, there were no

women ever in the history of New York City that had obtained that license,” she said. “There were three females in this class and we were the first female electricians to ever receive their Master’s electrician license.”

“But I know for a fact if I had not started my own company, I would not have been able to rise to the top,” she added. “I had gone everywhere I could think of to try and pursue my career, but the world wasn’t ready for me yet.

And after my kids were grown up, I decided I had the time and resources needed to start the company.”

In 1993, Rose, along with her husband, opened Aurora Electric and just three years later, she hired her first employees upon signing an agreement with Local Union 3 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Having always been an advocate for women in the construction field, Rose always welcomed female union workers. She recalls one particular job where all six of her workers were females, and of

those six, three were minorities.

“I wound up receiving an award for that job for the workforce I was able to provide,” she said.

Despite owning and operating one of the most successful electrical companies in the Borough, Rose said that her biggest accomplishment was being able to pave the way for the nearly one dozen women she helped guide.

“I would say the thing I am most proud of is all the women that I’ve mentored and brought into the construction industry over the last 35 years,” she said.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718) 337-7400 ext 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska.

Diana Pizzuti

Teaching And Learning At The NYPD

BY JOE MARVILLI Assistant Chief Diana Pizzuti of the NYPD is not just notable for a long and storied career that has seen her rise through the ranks, but also for using her own life to mentor others.

Pizzuti is the Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens North, the latest step in a career full of highlights. Learning from new challenges, Pizzuti imparts her wisdom on younger officers, creating the next generation of leaders.

Although Pizzuti is first-generation police in her family, she is the second generation to go into public service. Her father spent 40 years with a fire department in New Jersey.

Originally, Pizzuti was on the path to become a reporter at Northwestern University. However, her time covering crime during internships opened up a different road.

“I had internships in college where I covered the police beat. It was there that I thought I would respond to the action in a different capacity,” she said.

Once she got through the Police Academy, Pizzuti was assigned to the

Bronx, followed by Patrol Borough Queens South. These early years on the force gave her a foundation that she could always look back to as her career moved forward.

“You revert back to your training and your experience and you continue to develop as a police officer,” she said. “Every rank, we’re challenged by new assignments and new circumstances.”

One of those challenges came when Pizzuti became the first female commanding officer of the Police Academy in 2002. She had just earned a Master’s in Education from Seton Hall University when she threw herself into a rapidly changing landscape. Pizzuti was in charge of the first class after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The academy assembled a counter-terrorism factor into the NYPD. Pizzuti refocused the academy on team teaching, assessments and created a more connected coursework.

“We tried to do a more integrated approach to training. We took the entire curriculum and put it back together as one curriculum,” she said.

“It was nice to go back after 15 years, to go back in another role.”

Pizzuti’s time transforming and

mentoring at the academy wound up helping to ease her transition into her next and current assignment, which she started in 2007. As the Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens North, Pizzuti presides over a 50-square mile area with an estimated population of 1.3 million residents.

During her time at the academy, 12,000 recruits graduated. As a result, many of the police officers on the street in her district knew her from their time at the academy. Her time as a precinct commander in Manhattan helped as well.

“It’s nice to be back dealing with cops, community and crime,” she said. “At the Borough level, you’re dealing with those three components.”

While she had to overcome an established procedure, Pizzuti’s expertise and strength as a leader helped her to fit her ideas into Queens North. One of her goals was to continue to cultivate a good relationship with the community, particularly with the young people of Queens.

“Every year, I’ve done initiatives with the youth in this community. Last year, we did an anti-bullying project,” she said. “I think a lot of the mark is

left with the youth of the community.”

Besides her work within the NYPD, Pizzuti is a part of New York Women in Law Enforcement, an organization dedicated to strengthening the law enforcement community through education, diversity and the development of leaders.

Even with many years on the job, Pizzuti said she is still learning with every new challenge she faces. She continues to mentor others as well.

At one point, she said a quote that applies as much to her as it does to those who have learned from her.

“Even with the commanding officers, I use the expression ‘good leaders develop new leaders.’ We have some good leaders here in the precinct,” she said.

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

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April 25 - May 1, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Breaking Ground

Clean-Up Time

Officials, including Councilman Ruben Wills, gathered on April 16 to break ground on the renovation of the basketball court and playground at Baisley Park Houses.

Welcome Song Photo by Joe Marvilli

The Richmond HillSouth Ozone Park Lions and Leos Club members got together to clean up Smokey Oval Park and plant more than 50 plants on April 20, in honor of Earth Day.

Announcing that the New York State Pavilion at Flushing Meadows Corona Park is now designated as a National Treasure, U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz croon for an audience at a press conference. The pavilion was opened to the public for tours, and a line quickly extended around the structure and across an overpass, as people waited for a chance to see the structure.

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 25 - May 1, 2014

Police Blotter 102nd Precinct

Homicide

At 11 a.m. on April 19, officers responded to a call at 97-44 104th St., Upon arrival, officers discovered a 40-year-old female, identified as Jessica Canty of Jamaica with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.

EMS responded and transported the female to Jamaica Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. A male suspect, identified as Kevin Canty, 43, of Jamaica, was taken into custody. He was later charged with second-degree murder and criminal use of a firearm.

103rd Precinct

City Employee Arrested

On April 19, police arrested Anil Tageram, 29, an off-duty NYPD officier, within the confines of the 103rd Precinct. He was charged with criminal contempt.

106th Precinct

Homicide

At 5 a.m. on April 19, police responded to a 911 call of an unconscious male in the vicinity of 103rd Avenue and 108th Street, within the

confines of the 106th Precinct.

Upon arrival, EMS transported a 20-year-old male identified as Branden Santiago of Jamaica to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

After further investigation, it was determined that the victim sustained two apparent gunshot wounds to his head.

There have been no arrests at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

107th Precinct

Aggravated Harassment

On April 16, police arrested Perry Germano, 50, of Jamaica, and charged him with attempted assault, aggravated harassment and menacing in regards to an incident that occurred on April 7 aboard a Q88 MTA Bus, which was traveling on the Horace Harding Expressway.

According to a police report, Germano allegedly approached a 15-yearold female victim, made anti-Muslim statements, spat on the victim and raised his fist while threatening to punch her.

109th Precinct

Robbery Pattern

The NYPD is asking for the pub-

lic’s assistance locating the following suspect wanted in connection with one robbery, three attempted robberies and five grand larcenies that occurred within the confines of the 109th Precinct, dating back to Nov. 3, 2013.

The most recent incident occurred on March 17, at approximately 6:30 a.m. The suspect approached a 40-year-old female victim, who was walking in the vicinity a Franklin Avenue and Bowne Street. The suspect snatched the victim’s purse from her shoulder and fled the location.

On Feb. 12, at approximately 5:20 a.m., the suspect approached another 40-year-old female victim, who was walking in the vicinity of Maple Avenue and Main Street, snatched her purse from her shoulder and fled the location.

Following the Feb. 12 incident, the suspect entered a CVS Pharmacy, located at 157-05 Cross Bay Blvd., and used the victim’s credit card to purchase items. The pharmacy captured a photo of the suspect upon entry.

According to a police report, the suspect is tied to a number of other incidents of taking or attempting to take property from victims within the confines of the 109th Precinct.

Anyone with information should call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS, visit

www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.

112th Precinct

Assault

The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying and locating the following suspect wanted in connection with an assault within the confines of the 112th Precinct.

At 4 p.m. on April 9, in the vicinity of 62nd Avenue and Yellowstone Boulevard, a male suspect slashed an 18-year-old male victim and fled.

The victim sustained lacerations above his right ear, requiring stitches. He was treated and released from an area hospital.

Anyone with information should call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS, visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.

115th Precinct

City Employee Arrested

At 4:28 a.m. on April 18, police arrested Jose Vanderpool, 30, an offduty NYPD officer, and charged him with DWI.

Borough Beat

August Martin Named Worst HS In Queens

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Queens is home to a number of the City’s most beautiful landmarks.

Citi Field Stadium, Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the Queens Botanical Garden are just a few of the Borough’s most popular attractions, alluring tourists from all over the world.

But for as many great places that can be found in Queens, a recent report has revealed that it is also home to the City’s worst high school.

According to the report, August Martin High School in Springfield Gardens is the least popular school in all of the five boroughs, with fewer students applying than any other school in the City.

Under the Dept. of Education’s open-enrollment system, middle school students have the option of applying to the high schools that pique their interest. For prestigious institutions like Townsend Harris and Stuyvesant, the number of incoming

freshmen seats available is far less than those who apply.

But in the case of August Martin, a school which has long been under scrutiny for its consecutively poor performances and its reputation for violence-related incidents, the opposite is true.

DOE records show that the Southeast Queens school still has room to accept 774 students this fall – a figure that nearly doubles the 445 available seats in previous years.

According to the DOE’s progress, August Martin scored a letter ‘F’ for overall student progress for the 2012-2013 school year. The high school similarly scored a letter ‘D’ grade for student performance and school environment – scores signifi-

cantly lower than the Citywide average.

These marks have dropped from the 2011-2012 school year, with August Martin scoring an overall letter grade of ‘D’ on the progress report.

In an effort to turn the school’s reputation around, late last year, under the Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Administration, the DOE approved to colocate the troubled school with Success Academy, a charter school.

The DOE eventually overturned the proposal and instead, have decided to co-locate August Martin with another public school.

The name of the public school proposed for co-location has not yet been announced.

When considering that 10 percent of City students will be left without a high school once acceptance letters have been mailed, officials at August Martin said they believe that they will receive more applications for the 20142015 school year.

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

April 25 - May 1, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

A&E

Artists Without Walls Schedules Show

BY JOE MARVILLI This weekend, Queens residents will have the chance to celebrate Irish culture in Long Island City.

New York Irish Center will present an Artists Without Walls showcase of several musicians for a night of entertainment. With acts running the gamut from classical to jazz to spoken word, there will be something for everyone the evening of April 26.

Founded by County Leitrim native, singer/songwriter Niamh Hyland, and videographer Charles Hale, Artists Without Walls is an organization dedicated to uniting people and diverse communities through the pursuit of artistic achievement. It does this by cultivating creative talent, promoting edu-

cation and building a multicultural community.

Part of that creativity will be put on display at the New York Irish Center, located at 10-40 Jackson Ave., Long Island City. Six different acts will take to the stage on Saturday night, following a cocktail hour at 7:30 p.m.

Complimentary tea, soda and coffee will be available.

One of the artists is Hyland herself, performing solo rather than with her rock band, Lily Sparks. As a child in Ireland, she sang traditional Irish tunes, joined choral groups and took part in musical theater. As a member of Lily Sparks, though, she cuts loose with an energetic stage presence.

Songwriter Michael Brunnock, classical violinist Annette Homann, spoken word artist Koro Koroye, jazz singer

Antoinette Montague and actors Jack O’Connell and John Duddy will perform in the show as well.

Advance tickets can be purchased via PayPal or credit/debit card. Tickets cost $22 for the general audience, $15 for Artists Without Walls members and $11 for students, seniors or unemployed attendees.

Visit www.newyorkirishcenter.org to purchase tickets.

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

Classical violinist Annette Homann

Newtown Literary Holds Writing Weekend

BY JOE MARVILLI It is time to put pen to paper.

The Newtown Literary Alliance is having its second annual Queens Writes Weekend from April 25 to 27.

During this event, Queens authors are invited to sit down with like-minded individuals at locations across the Borough and just write.

Now in its second year, Queens Writes Weekend’s purpose is to raise funds for Newtown Literary. Published in electronic and paper formats, the semi-annual journal covers fiction, creative nonfiction, essays and poetry. Participants in the writing weekend can donate money to decrease the costs of publishing Newtown Literary’s fourth edition.

“I hoped that we could hold an annual fundraiser that engaged as much of the Borough as possible, rather than privilege one neighborhood over others,” Tim Fredrick, editor of the Newtown Literary Alliance, said. “Because Queens is such a large geographic area, having multiple sites allows as many people to participate as possible.”

Last year, the organization raised $500, a number they want to surpass this year. Given that the event has doubled in size, Fredrick said they hope to raise $1,000.

The weekend kicks off with a reading at the Astoria Bookshop, located at 31-29 31st St., on April 25 at 7 p.m. The open reading will feature contributors to the third issue of Newtown Literary.

On Saturday and Sunday, writing exercises will take place at several venues throughout the Borough. The first event will take place at Diversity

Plaza in Jackson Heights at 10 a.m.

Titled “Shut Up & Write (in the sunshine),” the event is co-sponsored by Social Uplift, Knowledge and Hope Initiatives. The next segment will start at 1 p.m. at Enigma Bookstore in Astoria, with a combination of “Shut Up & Write” and an open mic. Next up is Astor Bake Shop in Astoria at 3 p.m., for speed writing exercises.

Also at 3 p.m. is “Writing about the Past, Present and Future of the NYS Pavilion.” The writers will meet in front of the Queens Theatre and then make their way over to the Pavilion.

For this stop, Newtown Literary is

collaborating with People for the Pavilion, the group looking to preserve the World’s Fair attraction.

“It is the first partnership we’ve had with a non-literary group and we are excited to be making these connections with other community organizations,” Fredrick said.

The final Saturday writing event starts at 4:30 p.m. at Bean and Bean in Bayside. The theme is Surrealistinspired prompts.

Sunday’s writing prompts begin at 10 a.m. at Odradeks Coffee House in Jamaica. From there, the writing moves to a private residence in Forest Hills at

1 p.m. To find out the address, email events@newtownliterary.org. The last three writing exercises take place in Astoria, at Waltz Astoria at 2 p.m., the Astoria Bookshop at 2 p.m. and Love Café at 3:30 p.m. The Astoria Bookshop event is for children ages 7 and up.

To wrap up the weekend, there will be a free open mic at Terraza 7 at 6 p.m. The venue is located at 40-19 Gleane St., Elmhurst.

For more information, visit www. newtownliterary.org.

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

Hip To Hip Theatre’s Summer Fun This summer, the free plays presented by the Hip to Hip Theatre Company are William Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” a slapstick comedy involving love, friendship, betrayal and forgiveness; and “Cymbeline,” an adventure combining comedy, tragedy and romance.

“Two Gentlemen” will be performed in hilarious Commedia del’Arte style, using funny masks, and it features one of Shakespeare’s funniest clowns, who will be played by the company’s managing director, Guy Ventoliere.

“It’s like Saturday Night Live with classic characters,” Jason Marr, the play’s director and Hip to Hip’s artistic director, said. “It’s about two young friends who fall in love with the same girl.”

In “Cymbeline,” Marr will play

both leading male characters, Posthumous and Cloten, and his wife Joy, Hip to Hip’s other co-founder, will play the female lead, Imogen.

The 90-minute performances will be presented in parks all around Queens, including Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Crocheron Park in Bayside, Cunningham Park, St. Albans Park, Gantry Plaza State Park and Agawam Park. The Voelker Orth Museum, a restored Victorian house at 149-19 38th Ave. in Flushing, will welcome “Cymbeline” at 7:30 p.m. on July 30, and “Two Gentlemen of Verona” at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 13.

A half-hour before every performance, an entertaining interactive session, “Kids and the Classics,” will be conducted. Every child who partic-

ipates will receive a special diploma with an illustration of Shakespeare.

Now in its eighth summer, Hip to Hip has more diversity in its casts.

Its new board member, Gabourey Sidibe, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her acting debut, in the 2009 movie “Precious.”

This year, you can print out flyers from their website, www.hiptohip. org, to share with your friends. If you would like to volunteer to help out with your local production, email contact@hiptohip.org or call (718) 729-8567.

Information about the times and locations of the performances is available on the website. Most performances start at 7:30 p.m., except for Socrates Sculpture Park, where they begin at 5 p.m.

-Barbara Arnstein

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 25 - May 1, 2014

Queens today

FRIDay 4/25

more information, call (718) 463-7700. The venue is located at 137-35 Northern Blvd.

JOuRNEy TO THE WEST

KING LEaR

TITAN Theatre Company will present “King Lear” at the Queens Theatre, starting on April 25 and running until May 11. Broadway veteran Terry Layman takes on the title role in this searing new production of Shakespeare’s epic masterpiece. Tickets are $18. For more information, call (718) 760-0064.

saTuRDay 4/26

13 MOST WaNTED MEN

The Queens Museum will hold an opening night party for its World’s Fair anniversary exhibit, “13 Most Wanted Men.” The display, by Andy Warhol, was originally created and ultimately rejected for the fair in 1964. The party will feature performers Kembra Pfahler, Lafawndah and Fluct as well as DJs Juliana Huxtable and Michael Magnan. It will run from 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call (718) 5929700.

Jazz OvERGROuND FESTIvaL

Taking place at Flushing Town Hall, the Second Annual Queens Jazz OverGround Spring Jazz Festival features performers from around Queens, from jazz legends to rising artists.

The afternoon will also include master classes by top music educators, and performances by local middle and high school jazz ensembles. The free event kicks off at noon and runs until 10 p.m. For

The Tribeca Film Festival will show Tsai Ming Liang’s “Journey to the West” as an installation in the VW Dome at MoMA PS1. This groundbreaking new interpretation brings the legendary pilgrimage of a Buddhist monk into the present tense. The installation will run from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call (718) 784-2084.

STEvE SOLOMON

Join Steve Solomon for “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m In Therapy,” an evening of comedy topped off with the voices of almost 30 of the most hilarious characters and situations you have ever seen. The show starts at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., with another on April 27 at 3 p.m.

Tickets range from $25 to $35. For more information, call (718) 760-0064.

WaLKING TOuR

The Greater Astoria Historical Society will host a walking tour of the Astoria Park and pool starting at 11 a.m. The tour will touch upon geology, facts and trivia, anecdotes, and tales as you enjoy waterfront vistas. The tour will also discuss 100 years of Astoria Park. The tour will start at the main gate of Socrates Sculpture Park. Fee is $15 for members, $20 for the public.

suNDay 4/27

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK suNDay 4/27

THE OSMOND BROTHERS For more than five decades, the Osmond Brothers have been impressing crowds with their warm tones and comedy. The brothers will make their way to the Queensborough Performing Arts Center for their “Up Close and Personal Tour.” Starting at 3 p.m., the concert will feature music from throughout their career, moving from rock and pop to jazz to country.

Tickets are $35. For more information, visit www.qcc.cuny.edu/qpac or call (718) 631-6311.

Tirella has been invited by the Queens Museum to read from his new book, “Tomorrow-Land: The 1964-65 World’s Fair and the Transformation of America.” The reading will be accompanied by a tour of World’s Fair memorabilia.

Tirella will sign copies of his book at the Museum shop.

EIGHT DIaGRaM POLEFIGHTER

As part of its celebration of the life and work of the late Lau Kar-leung and Run Run Shaw, the Museum of Moving Image will screen “Eight Diagram Pole-Fighter” at 7 p.m.

After a group of marauding Khitans ambush the imperial Yang family, Yang Wulang - one of two sons to survive the attack - retreats to a monastery to train and develop the eight-diagram pole fighting technique.

Reserve tickets in advance at (718) 777-6800.

GLaSS PaINTING WORKSHOP

Join Christina Cipriani and the Bayside Historical Society from noon to 2 p.m. for an introductory glass paint-

BOOK WaLK aND TaLK

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the 1964-65 World’s Fair, author Joseph

ing workshop. You will learn how to trace a design, color it with transparent, water-based paints and make a shiny and joyful decoration to hang at your window. Admission costs $25.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling (718) 352-1548.

CaNONIzaTION

At 5 p.m. on Divine Mercy Sunday, St. Josaphat’s Parish, 35th Avenue and 210th Street in Bayside, will celebrate the canonizations of John XXIII and John Paul II. Additionally, a painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa will be dedicated.

HISTORIC TOuR

The Poppenhusen Institute will host an historic tour of College Point, aboard a vintage trolley. Learn about the people and events that helped develop the area into the vibrant community it is today. The tour will start at 12:30 p.m. and costs $8 for the general audience and $5 for seniors, students and members. Registration is required. Call (718) 3580067 for more information.

The show is free, but tickets are required. Call (718) 7938080 for more information.

GaRaGE SaLE

American Martyrs CWV Post will host a garage sale at the Parish Hall, on Bell Boulevard and Union Turnpike in Bayside from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WEDNEsDay 4/30 aBDIaS NaSCIMENTO

The free, opening reception for a showcase on the work of Abdias Nascimento at the GodwinTerbach Museum will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. It will include a roundtable on “Abdias Nascimento and Candomblé, Santería and Afro-Latino Politics in Brazil and Cuba.” The exhibit itself opens on April 28 and runs until June 21.

ONGOING

WENDy DaRLING

First Acts: New Plays in Development will present this dark take on the Peter Pan story at Queens College’s Colden Auditorium at 2 p.m. Mrs. Darling wants her 12-year old daughter Wendy to remain young and adorable forever.

Peter Pan promises he can make that happen. But in Neverland, Wendy discovers that Peter and Captain Hook are actually stealing her youth for themselves and making her age rapidly. Mrs. Darling comes to understand that she must let her daughter grow up naturally.

MExICaN DaNCE

Calpuli Mexican Dance Company will bring its celebrated repertoire to Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside, for four weekends, beginning April 25 through May 18. Tickets cost $35, or $32 for students and seniors Fridays only, all tickets are $30. Performances on Fridays and Saturdays are at 8 p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m. For information, call (718) 7293880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.

April 25 - May 1, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Dr. Uma Mysorekar

Profile

Promoting South Asian Culture

By LuiS GrondA Dr. Uma Mysorekar migrated from India and has become a prominent member of the South Asian community both in Queens and beyond.

After coming to the United Sates in 1970, she continued her medical studies, which she started in her native Bangalore, practicing obstetrics and gynecology in New York City.

Although she does not practice gynecology full-time anymore, only seeing long-term patients and not taking on any new ones, she has switched gears to promoting the South Asian community and its culture in Queens.

On July 4, 1977, she opened the Hindu Temple Society of North America in Flushing. It was the first of its kind in the United States and it gave Hindus, with a smaller population back then compared to what it is now, its first place to gather and practice their religion.

Mysorekar said that in those days, not as many Hindus were over in the United States, but she saw the need for that population to open the temple not ready as a place of worship, but as a community center as well.

The Hindu Temple, sometimes referred to as the Ganesh Temple, after its main deity, Ganesh, remains one of the most well-known Hindu temples in New York and the country, even though thousands of temples have opened up since then.

The temple plays host to activities and events that educate residents about the Hindu religion and culture and promote togetherness within the community.

Mysorekar also promoted the Hindu religion on a popular TV show, making an appearance on “The Colbert Report,” hosted by comedian

Steven Colbert, in 2008. During the interview, Colbert asked her if many people convert to Hinduism.

She said that Hindus do not believe in conversion, but that people can follow the religion if they choose to.

“So you guys do the soft sell?”

Colbert joked, which drew laughter from the studio audience.

“No, we don’t do any sell. We are born Hindus, we are proud to be Hindus, we practice our faith and that’s it,” she said in response.

Mysorekar said she had to face some challenges that many immigrant women dealt with when assimilating in a new country. She said that, when living in South Carolina, she was not immediately accepted because of her different appearance and the religion she practiced. Mysorekar said she would get remarks for wearing a saree, a traditional outfit that many women in India wear and would get questions like “Do you have telephones in India?”

“It was like we came from a different planet down there,” she said, referring to her time in South Carolina.

But that has not been the case in

New York, she said. Its diverse population allows for people of different cultures to be accepted quicker into society.

This also occurred, to a lesser degree, when she was training to become a doctor, according to Mysorekar.

While specializing in Gynecology allowed her to avoid some scrutiny in that field, she said she would read in between the lines and could often tell some people who had a negative attitude towards her as she made her way up the ladder.

Despite facing challenges like that, Mysorekar said she has persevered to carve out a successful career in the United States.

She said she attributes that to her religion for getting her through that struggle. Her main advice for people who may face a conflict like that is to just ignore it and continue working towards whatever goal you set out for yourself in life, whatever profession you are trying to be successful in.

“You’ve got to have faith and strongly believe in what you do,” Mysorekar said.

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

People ness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Ragoobir is the daughter of Beesundat and Bebie Ragoobir of Ozone Park and is a 2009 graduate of Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical High School in Jamaica.

Air Force Airman Jenny ragoobir Air Force Airman Jenny ragoobir graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San AntonioLackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fit-

Army Reserve Pvt. raul F. Lopez 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.

Lopez is the son of Raul Lopez of Queens and Jacqueline Martinez of the Bronx.

Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village) is holding the 20th annual spring clean-up and beautification day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10. The group will meet

at Clark’s district office, located at 97-01 Springfield Blvd., Queens Village.

The office is in the process of putting together locations in need of being cleaned up and beautified. They are also looking for suggestions within the 33rd Assembly District (Cambria Heights, St. Albans, Hollis, Bellerose, Queens Village and parts of Glen Oaks and Floral Park).

For information, or to suggest a location, call Maylene Thurton at (718) 479-2333.

The New York State Army National Guard recently announced the reenlistment of members in recognition of their commitment to serve community, state and nation as part of the Army National Guard.

Sgt. daneshwar Sukhra of Jamaica has reenlisted to continue service with the 107th Military Police Company.

Sgt. ricky Tyson of Springfield Gardens has reenlisted to continue

service with the 107th Military Police Company.

Spec. Shadiyah Taylor of Hollis has reenlisted to continue service with the 1156th Engineer Company.

Spec. Pascal Mcdonald of Hollis has reenlisted to continue service with the 442nd Military Police Company.

Sgt. Veronica Medina of Queens Village has reenlisted to continue service with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade.

Sgt. First Class Abismael Gonzalez of Richmond Hill has reenlisted to continue service with the Headquarters, 106th Regiment (Regional Training Institute).

Staff Sgt. Jean Johnson of Far Rockaway has reenlisted to continue service with the Camp Smith Training Site.

Staff Sgt. roan Barnes of Arverne has reenlisted to continue service with the Company A, Recruiting and Retention.

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 25 - May 1, 2014

Faith

Greater Springfield Spreads Easter Joy On April 12, the Greater Springfield Community Church, in conjunction the Kareem D. Sapp Foundation, the Jamaica NAACP and the Queens National Action Network, hosted its first-ever Easter Extravaganza to remind Southeast Queens’ youth about the true meaning of the religious holiday.

According to Rev. Phil Craig, the Kareem D. Sapp Foundation reached out to his church to express an interest in hosting the Easter event, and given the nonprofit’s mission to educate the youth about violence, he accepted the offer without hesitation. “[The founders’] son was gunned down in Long Island, so they’ve made it their goal to have a lot of events to try to put a stop to the violence by empowering kids of the next generation,” he said. “They came to me, and I was all for that.”

Approximately 300 Southeast Queens residents, about two-thirds of which were children, came out to

Photo by William McDonald

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

can come together to stress the importance of events like this.”

In addition to the activities available for the kids, Craig said the church distributed more than 150 donated toys, most of which were given to children of low-income families in the community.

“Churches are preaching the same In an effort to spread Easter joy, the Greater Spring- Word – and that is field Community Church hosted a special event geared hope through a hopeless situation, much towards children. like Jesus rising from the celebration. There were plenty of the dead. You have a lot of these kids activities for the kids to enjoy, includ- that don’t have an outlet,” he said. ing face painting, games and even a “A lot of parents don’t even have clown show. the money to buy their children new “The people told me it was just outfits or gifts. So this is a way that an amazing event and it’s definitely parents can send them somewhere something that we want to do on a where they can have a good time and yearly basis now,” Craig said. “Events be kids.” like this should be a must. I pray Given the event’s timing right that more and more organizations around Easter, Craig said it was espe-

cially important to remind the community’s youth about the message of love.

“The news is riddled with violence.

So, when you are able to have things like this, it’s not about the violence and the negativity surrounding our community. The people that put this together wanted to make sure our children are exposed to the positive,” he said. “It was quite fitting that we had the event around Easter. It fits into the message of the season.”

He added that, even though Lenten season is meant to be a time of sacrifice and reflection, Easter can also be a joyous time.

“We don’t have to wait for Christmas to do something like this. These kinds of things shouldn’t be once a year. On Christmas, we say ‘tis the season to be jolly’, but every season should be jolly,” he said. “Although Lent is considered to be a time of sacrifice, it can also be a season to be jolly as well.”

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

Notebook Prom Season

High School Seniors To Gear Up For Prom

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA As yet another school year draws to an end, students from all over the country are gearing up for one of the most important social events in their high school careers – prom.

Although high school yearbooks did not start covering proms until the 1930s and 1940s, historians believe that the tradition has been around in schools as early as the late 1800s.

The earliest account of a prom appears in the journal of a male student at Amherst College in 1884.

While the real origins of formal prom gatherings in the United States are widely debated, one thing remains accepted – for high school students, the celebration is a milestone event and an evening to remember for many years to come.

When weighing the significance of the prom, short for promenade, it is important that students plan in advance to ensure they look and feel their best on the special day.

For many businesses, prom season is one of the busiest times of the

ors, it is tradition for the boy year. This is especially true in the to purchase a corsage for his case of hair and beauty salons, date. If the pair has decided where many girls and boys have to forgo color coordinating, made their appointments months it is still important that the in advance. boy ask his date what color If you have not already scheddress she is wearing, so that uled a date for your appointments, he can match the flowers to be sure to call the salons to make her outfit. Flower shops are one. Because these types of estabalso busy during the prom lishments are swamped during the May and June months, anticipat- High school seniors from all over the country are season, so to guarantee that your date gets a corsage that ing a walk-in may be a long-shot. preparing for prom season. matches her dress, place the Similarly, when going in for a beauty treatment like a facial for the or rent a room - do their research order in advance and ask to pick it first time, give yourself a few days to first. Many times, this means plan- up on the same day as prom so that heal. Sometimes, when going in for ning accordingly with parents to en- the flower does not wilt.

Above all, the most important these types of treatments, girls will sure there are no problems.

Once you have confirmed all your thing to remember on your big day is experience allergic reactions, so it is important that you go in a few days appointments and made all the ap- to have fun. While preparing for prom in before the big day in the unfortu- propriate reservations, you can start can be stressful, it was designed to be nate event you experience such a re- thinking about the most important a magical evening filled with memopiece of the puzzle – your outfit. In ries for the seniors who are preparaction.

Much like beauty salons, hotels the United States, it is very common ing for the next chapter in their lives. and limo companies also experience to coordinate colors with your prom So to preserve these moments, bring an influx of business around prom date. If matching attire is on your your camera and take lots of pictures season. Because many hotels and car list of priorities, be sure to discuss all throughout the night.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowsservices have strict policies in deal- the options with your date well in ka at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or ing with minors, it is important that advance.

In addition to coordinating col- nkozikowska@queenspress.com. students who wish to arrive in style

April 25 - May 1, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

What’s Up APRIL 25 Annual Recognition Gala The Friends for U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) will hold its Annual Recognition Awards Gala.

This year’s honorees will include Clayton Lawrence, Julius Free, Patricia Edwards, Dan Mundy Senior and Junior, Rev. Dr. Leslie Mullings, Mark Tenzer, Lamont Bailey, Vivian McMillian, Beverly Folkes-Bryant, GL Tyler and James Heyliger.

To purchase tickets, or to learn more about the event, call Janella Wesby at (347) 889-2626 or Patsy Simmons at (718) 673-1508. You may also send an e-mail to friendsforgregorymeeks05@gmail.com.

Tickets range in price from $100 to $1,000. The Gala will be held at Antun’s at 7 p.m. Antun’s is located at 96-43 Springfield Blvd., Queens Village.

Kewl Skewl Club On the last Friday of every month, the Afrikan Poetry Theatre will morph into the Kewl Skewl Klub.

The series will feature live music and some of the best DJs. Call (718) 5233312 to find out who will be performing live. Tickets are $10. The event will begin at 8 p.m.

giveaway. For additional information, contact Pamela Damon (718) 530-8935. Donations of gowns or services are welcomed. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, located at 87-24 162nd St., Jamaica.

Rufus King Reading In London Learn how Rufus King’s commonplace books reflect his desire to understand the quickly changing social, political and cultural landscape wrought by the French Revolution at this free event, which will be held at the King Manor Museum at 4 p.m. To reserve your spot, call King Manor Museum at (718) 206-0545 or email programs@kingmanor.org. The museum is located at Rufus King Park, located at 153rd Street and Jamaica Avenue in Jamaica.

The Magic Of Rob Lake Named the “Top Illusionist in the World” by Caesars Entertainment, Rob Lake is internationally-renowned for his mesmerizing and award-winning illusion spectacular. The event will be held at Resorts World Casino in Jamaica at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $30. For more information, call (888) 888-8801.

APRIL 27 Pet Wellness And Adoption Learn how to create presenta- Event

APRIL 26 Beginners PowerPoint

tions and slideshows with PowerPoint 2010 at this free workshop at Queens Central Library. Topics covered will include creating and editing slides, changing the design and colors, inserting pictures and illustrations and presenting your slide show. Register online at jobmap. queenslibrary.org. Basic computer skills are required. Class Code: CC190. The event will be held at the library at 9:30 a.m.

All pet lovers are invited to a Queens Village pet wellness and adoption event. Come on out for free vaccines, microchips and ID tags.

There will be cats available for adoption. You must bring dogs on leashes and cats safely contained in a carrier. If you are concerned about your pet or do not have a leash, collar or carrier, request assistance from the greeter. This event will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 92-08 222nd St., Queens Village.

The Pitfalls Of Living For Today

ONGOING NCNW Queens County Section Clergy United Programs

will present “The Pitfalls Of Living For Today” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a free brunch and discussion about how to be assured of your financial future. Highlights include learning the truth about savings accounts and learning about 401k’s. The event will be held at the Marantha Center, located at 112-50 Springfield Blvd., Jamaica.

Gown Giveaway Junior and high school seniors are invited to attend Highland Church Young Ladies of Characters’, Queen Esther’s Prom Impact and free gown

Clergy United for Community Empowerment offers group sessions at 172-17 Linden Blvd., second floor, St. Albans. Topics covered include domestic violence, substance abuse intervention, decision-making and self-esteem awareness. Group sessions are open to the public, but it is important to call ahead for the next group session.

Other programs offered by Clergy United include: Early Intervention Services, a simple and accurate way to find out if you have HIV. No needles, no blood test. On-site testing walk-ins welcome

Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Infant mortality reduction initiative program provides free services, including case management, parent skills building, crib care, breast feeding education, health education, confidential counseling and more.

Free summer vacation for your child, through enrollment with the Fresh Air Fund, for kids ages 6-12.

Contact Ms. Richardson at Clergy United for more information.

For information on programs offered through Clergy United, call (718) 297-0720.

Youth Organizations LP FAM’s Youth Organization is holding youth baseball registration for boys and girls ages 5 to 14 every Saturday, 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Dunton Presbyterian Church, located 109-29 135th St., South Ozone Park. Call Derick Braswell at (917) 692-4775 or Paul Cox at (718) 8358416 for more information.

The organization is also holding registration for its basketball program. Boys and girls between 8 and 16 years old can register every Satur-

day from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Queens Transition Center, located at 142-10 Linden Blvd., South Ozone Park. For more information, call Mike Glasgow at (917) 442-0479, Paul Cox (718) 835-8416, or David Reid at (646) 241-4211.

LP FAM is also looking for volunteer youth baseball and football coaches. Please call Paul Cox at (917) 607-2421 or Derick Braswell at (917) 692-4775 for more information.

Overcoming Barriers To Employment Every Friday, the Queens Central Library in Jamaica helps residents experiencing barriers to employment. A Job Information Center case manager is available on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to discuss potential problems you may have regarding child care, housing, immigration, degree evaluation, healthcare, goal and career planning, former incarceration, education and training and more. To schedule an appointment, call (718) 480-4222 or stop by the Job Information Center.

No registration is required and the service is free.

Waking From A Nightmare?

Q

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 25 - May 1, 2014

Musicians OF QuEEns

Rick Rocker

QConf is edited by:

Queens' elected officials show up in the weirdest places.

Last week, eagle-eyed viewers could catch some prominent Southeast Queens officials on FOX. During last week's episode of "Kitchen Nightmare," which focused on Kati Allo Greek restaurant in Auburndale, viewers caught glimpses of Councilman Ruben Wills and Deputy Borough President Leroy Comrie, along with his wife, Marcia (a contributing editor here at QConf). All three were seen seated for meals at the restaurant.

Steven J. Ferrari

Screenshots from last week's "Kitchen Nightmare" on FOX show Leroy and Marcia Comrie and Councilman Ruben Wills enjoying a meal.

The appearances take place in the later portion of the show, so hopefully their meals were less of a nightmare.

The full episode is available on the show's YouTube page.

High School of Horrors?

When it comes to picking a high school for their kids, one location sits head and shoulders below the competition.

According to statistics by the Dept. of Education, August Martin High School in Springfield Gardens is the least popular in all of New York City. With the City’s open-enrollment system, students in middle school can apply to any location they want in the five boroughs. And the overwhelming majority have decided that anywhere is better than August Martin.

The DOE’s stats reveal that the

amount of students looking to be enrolled at that school is so small that there are 774 seats open. It is unknown how many students will head to Austin Martin for the fall semester, but chances are high that it won’t come close to filling that number.

Of course, given the ‘F’ performance rating it received in 2013 and its reputation for violence, it should not come as a surprise.

We at QConf hope that August Martin can turn it around, but so far, the numbers are not in its favor.

They're Not Horsing Around Ironically, the same people who are fighting to protect the New York City horses against animal abuse by banning horse carriages are now urging the Mayor to kick some [human] ass.

While Bill de Blasio was making a guest appearance on the Hot 97’s popular Morning Show, host Peter Rosenberg had the opportunity to ask the Mayor about his recent beef with horse carriage vocal advocate and actor Liam Neeson.

"Once upon a time, I thought this was a quaint, nice part of New York City," de Blasio said. "And then I did the research and talked to people...and also, it's just com-

mon sense. It became clear to me that this isn't humane and it isn't right."

Not satisfied with de Blasio’s safe answer, Rosenberg continued to press him about the Liam Neeson drama.

"But what's up with this guy Liam Neeson? He's an animal,” he asked. "You're way bigger than him” – referring to de Blasio’s massive 6 foot 5 stature, We here at QConf think that DJ Rosenberg may be underestimating the ‘Taken’ star. He is, after all, only one inch shorter than the Mayor.

Perhaps Hot 97 should schedule a celebrity boxing match. But knowing Mayor de Blasio, he’d probably be late to that.

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

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

Taking A Shot At Mr. Met? We imagine it must not be easy being Mr. Met. He's an icon for a bumbling baseball club that can barely attract fans from its home Borough.

Not to mention that wearing that costume during the dog days of summer must be grueling.

But we never thought that Mr. Met would be threatened by the Secret Service.

According to a new book about sports mascots, the Amazin's affable mascot was told by secret service to stay away from President Bill Clinton when the former leader of the free world visited Shea Stadium in 1997.

Because of his massive head, Mr. Met was unable to go through security. The mascot was told to do his routine as he normally would, but to stay away from Bubba at all costs.

"Approach the president, and we go for the kill shot. Are we clear?"

We can't imagine too many sports mascots can say they were threatened by federal agents via sniper. We can't imagine many who would want to say that, either.

Although, given the current fortunes of Queens' baseball club, perhaps a sniper shot would have been a mercy killing.

Rick Rocker is the type of musician that anyone can get behind. He writes songs that are near-instant anthems, made for shouting from rooftops, an arena or just your own bedrooms. His music should be played loud, with enough subtleties to keep you coming back for more.

The origin of his music career came from his time at William Cullen Bryant High School.

Rocker started playing guitar in his sophomore year and joined a jazz band in his senior year, giving him his first live experience. His songwriting abilities developed through school as well, where he wrote poetry.

“I loved writing poetry and many people enjoyed reading what I wrote,” Rocker said.

“My uncle gave and still gives me a lot of support. He was a huge part in my upbringing as a musician, along with my sister who sings in a band called L Train.”

When it comes to playing live, Rocker said there is nothing better than playing rock and roll and making a face-to-face, person connection with an audience.

“Playing music is all about reaching people and connecting and there's no way better way to connect to people than being in the same place as them and really sharing a moment...that's what I live for.

Studio recordings are great because you can connect on a general scale but nothing will ever top the intimacy and rush of a live show,” he said.

“It's pure joy and happiness when you give it everything you got on stage.”

Most of the songs off Rocker’s first album, “Spend

The Night,” were written in high school and college, with the exception of the acoustic closer, “Chelsey.” The debut was released on April 5 and was preceded by the lead single, which shares its name with the album title.

“It was a blast! I had written and composed all my songs before I went to Killingsworth Studios in Los Angeles, where I met producers Tomas Costanza and David Baker. First, we edited the songs to make them more commercial, mostly shortening verses or music parts,” Rocker said. “I had taken some classes in college on music electronics so I was familiar with the recording process and that helped me a lot. There was still much I didn't know about recording but I learned even more while I was at Killingsworth.”

Although he recorded his debut on the West Coast, Rocker lives in Astoria, which he called a great place to be a musician.

“I'm right next to the City and there's always a show or event or something interesting going down! There's also the luxury of space away from the City when I need it and that's what I love about Astoria,” he said.

Rocker will play a few post-album release concerts in New York before going out on his first full-length tour this summer. He will play at the Ding Dong Lounge at 929 Columbus Ave. in Manhattan on April 26, followed by a performance on May 31 at Spike Hill in Brooklyn.

To purchase Rocker ’s album and keep up with his career, visit his website, rickrockermusic.com.

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ORDER OF PUBLICATION No. CH-14-0536-3 In the CHANCERY COURT of Shelby County, Tennessee JACQUELINE P. WYNSTITT Plaintiff(s) VS. UNKNOWN HEIRS OF EDDIE WOODS Defendant(s) It appearing from the complaint in this cause which is sworn to that the true identities and whereabouts of the heirs of Eddie Woods are unknown. It is therefore ordered that they make their appearance herein at the Court House of Shelby County, in the city of Memphis, Shelby

Legals

County, TN on May 29, 2014, and answer plaintiffs’ complaint to Quiet Title and for Adverse Possession or the same will be taken for confessed as to defendant(s), and set for hearing ex parte, and that a copy of this order be published once a week for four successive weeks in the Daily News. This 4th day of April, 2014 A True Copy Attest: Donna L, Russell, Clerk & Master By Paul Bryant, D.C. & M. John A. Stevenson (BPR# 28242) Attorney for Petitioners Publish: April 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2014

VISIT US ONLINE @ QUEENSPRESS.COM

Since our contract expired in 2010, New York City police officers have continued to bring crime down to record low levels.

We’ve made this city livable again, and we’ve done it with 6,000 fewer officers on the street.

But we are still the lowest paid police officers in this area.

And now the city is offering us zero raises for three years.

Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association

125 Broad Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10004 • 212-233-5531

Patrick J. Lynch, President

of the City of New York

www.nycpba.org Contract 1 - v1

QUEENS TRIBUNE 8.75 x 11.5