Press epaper 080114

Volume 15 Issue No. 31 Aug. 1-7, 2014

PRESS Photo by Jordan Gibbons

GOODEN GOT MILK

Mets baseball legend Dwight Gooden visited kids in Jamaica to raise awareness of the City’s free summer meals program.

By Jordan Gibbons … Page 3.

ONLINE AT WWW.QUEENSPRESS.COM

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 1-7, 2014

News Briefs Central Library Closing For Renovation

The Queens Library Central branch at 89-11 Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica will be closed on Monday, August 11 to complete work to reopen a newly renovated customer service and circulation area.

The new space will have 10 RFIDpowered self-check-out stations. The renovation is part of a $20.2 million full renovation being phased so that the library remains open for service while work is ongoing.

In the past two years, the library has opened for a new Cyber Center, Adult Reading and reference and teen area. The renovation project is expected to be completed in 2015.

This is the first major renovation that the building has undergone since it opened in 1966.

The Library will reopen for customer service on August 12 at its regularly scheduled time of 1 p.m.

Carnival For Children With Development Disabilities

The Therapists at Queens Centers for Progress, formerly known as the United Cerebral Palsy of Queens will be holding a carnival for their developmentally disabled students that are attending their summer program. Many activities are planned for the students to help them have fun. There will be booths set up with games that will be modified as necessary for the children.

The therapists will have the therapy rooms decorated to look like a real carnival. Tickets will be given out and all the children will receive prizes and special carnival-theme Tshirts that have been donated by carnival supporters.

The Carnival will take place on August 6 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Queens Centers for ProgressChildren’s Center. The center is located at 82-25 164th St., Jamaica.

The QCP exists to provide services for children and adults who have been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and other developmental disabilities.

City Council Preserves Affordable Housing For Seniors

The City Council voted unanimously to extend tax exemptions on more than one hundred low income rental units for senior living in Jamaica on July 24.

In 1981, the Northeastern Towers Housing Development Fund Compa-

ny began construction on a 111-unit supportive housing facility for the elderly. The Northeastern Towers’ support and construction was aided by a 35-year Article XI partial tax exemption by the City and a capital investment loan from HUD under the Section 202 Supportive Housing Program.

The vote adds an additional 35 years for partial tax exemption for the elderly than the one that was granted years ago. Also, the tax exemption will make it possible for a refinance on the mortgage to fund repairs and decrease debt service.

The repairs will include more than $3 million in renovations to flooring, windows and new painting for every apartment and stabilization of the structure.

“We must continue do all in our powers to protect affordability that is necessary for many of our seniors to call New York City home,” Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) said.

“Today’s vote secures an affordable housing option for those who need it most in addition to providing for major capital renovations.”

DA Touts Sex Abuse Legislation

Queens elected officials were elated about a recently-passed law that hopes to crack down on persistent sexual abuse.

According to a press release by Queens DA Richard Brown’s office, persistent sexual abuse would make the conviction of three or more misdemeanor sex offenses in a 10-year period a felony. Before passage of that legislation, time that a suspect already spent in jail was taken into account for that time period.

The loophole was problematic, according to the DA’s office, because it would lead to shorter prison time for those convicted of sexual abuse.

Both State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) and Assembly Member Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) were instrumental in getting the bill passed through their respective government bodies and is now awaiting Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s approval.

“The law must provide protection for the most vulnerable among us, not a shield for predators,” Simotas said. “The legislation’s passage is an important step towards ensuring that individuals who commit persistent sexual abuse face the full consequences of their crimes.”

According to the release, Brown noticed the loophole and brought it to Simotas’ attention, which began the process of changing the law for persistent sexual abuse.

Aug. 1-7, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Doctor K Aims To Strikeout Hunger Former Mets and Yankees pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooden made an appearance at Lyndon B. Johnson PS 223 in Jamaica Wednesday morning to pitch meals to local children and give away Yankees tickets, T-shirts and towels.

The American Dairy Association and Dairy Council and the New York Yankees teamed up with Share Our Strength, the NYC Coalition Against Hunger and NYC School Food to raise awareness of the City’s free summer meals program.

The City Summer Meals Program

provides kids under 18 years old with free, nutritious breakfasts and lunches at more than 1,000 sites throughout the city. Children do not need to be enrolled in summer school to participate in the program, no application is required and meals are available at any of the open sites, regardless of where the child lives.

Children can just walk in and grab a free meal.

Deborah Otto, principal at PS 223, said this summer is the first time her school has been picked and they have been serving around 400 to 500 children a day.

“I wish it went on during the

Dan Halloran Convicted In Fed Trial

BY JOE MARVILLI

“Dan Halloran was the lone defendant in the trial that just ended Dan Halloran was convicted Tues- in his conviction, but he is unfortuday for his role in a political corrup- nately not alone in a crowded field tion scheme. of New York officials who are willThe former northeast Queens ing to sell out their offices for selfcouncilman was found guilty in his enrichment,” Bharara said. “This federal corruption trial office will continue the that began on June 2, the vigorous prosecution of conclusion to a process political corruption to that began when Halloran secure for the people of was arrested in April 2013.

New York – regardless of The jury unanimously party affiliation – what found him guilty for playthey deserve: the honest ing a key role in two dislabors of their elected tinct political corruption representatives.” schemes.

Federal agents arThe jury deliberated for rested Smith and Halonly about an hour-and-aloran the morning of Dan Halloran half before reaching their April 2, 2013, indicting decision. He was found guilty on one them for attempting to rig the thencount of conspiracy, two counts of upcoming mayoral election. Accordwire fraud and two counts of Travel ing to the criminal complaint, Smith Act bribery. The trial, presided over wanted the Republican Party to give

by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. him a Wilson Pakula, an authorizaKaras, lasted about two months and tion by a political party that allows a included six days of Halloran defend- candidate to run on its ticket for an ing himself on the witness stand. election, despite not being registered Halloran is scheduled for a sen- with that party. tencing hearing on Dec. 12. HowevSmith got a reprieve until Jan. 5, er, he said he plans to file an appeal. 2015, due to recently disclosed, unAccording to a release by U.S. At- translated Yiddish recordings that torney Preet Bharara, the jury agreed need to be sifted through. Judge Karas with the prosecution that Halloran declared a mistrial for Smith and the got $20,000 for his willingness to act Queens GOP’s former vice chairman, as a go-between and deliver bribes to Vincent Tabone, because of the intropolitical party officials, as part of a duction of this potential evidence. larger scheme to get State Sen. MalBefore going to trial, Smith faces colm Smith (D-Hollis) on the Repub- a primary challenge for his State Senlican ticket for Mayor last year. He ate seat in September from former also pocketed nearly $25,000 in cash councilman Leroy Comrie. and illegal campaign contributions to Reach Joe Marvilli at (718) 357steer $80,000 in City Council money 7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenstrito other bribe payers. bune.com, or @JoeMarvilli.

school year so my older students can take part,” she said.

“It’s a good asset for the community and it’s a good asset for mommy and daddy who have to work.”

Each site serves breakfast from 8-9:15 a.m. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Dwight Gooden met with children while they enjoyed There are four their free lunch Wednesday morning at PS 223. day camps at PS 223 and the children had no idea that a ing the school year. But during the former baseball player was going to summer, when school is out, only show up. Once they heard, the level about a third of students who eat of excitement in the cafeteria began free or reduced price meals during the school year receive the benefits to bounce off the walls.

Gooden arrived in a pinstriped of free summer meals, leaving a large dress shirt and sat down with children population of children underserved.

To find locations throughout the as they ate their lunch, signing photographs and talking to them about the City, families can call 311, visit www. nyc.gov/311, www.schoolfoodnyc.org importance of a healthy meal.

“I was given a good tool to play or www.nokidhungry.org/summer. baseball so it’s always good to give Parents can also text “nycmeals” to back to the kids,” Gooden said. “If 877-877, or visit www.nycgovparks. they eat healthy, they can pay more org for locations at parks and pools.

Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at attention in class.”

City public schools serve close to (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ 1 million meals a day to students dur- queenspress.com or @jgibbons2 Photo by Jordan Gibbons

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

Jamaica Center BID Searching For Director

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

executive director while the BID searches for a new permanent direcOn July 7, the Jamaica Center tor. Irby already serves as the execuBusiness Improvement District part- tive director for the 165th Street Mall ed ways with its Executive Director, Improvement Association and the Felicia Tunnah, less than a 180th Street Business Imyear after hiring her. provement District.

Tunnah, who took over Greg Mays, founder of A the position last September, Better Jamaica, a nonprofit recently secured $229,000 that engages in activities for pedestrian lights on designed to strengthen the poles along Jamaica Avneighborhoods in Southenue and worked with the east Queens, said he was Dept. of Transportation to caught off guard when he create an outdoor art exhibheard about a week ago. it near the Jamaica Center Felicia Tunnah “We were talking about subway station. working on some projects “It was a mutual decision,” Tunnah not too long ago,” Mays said. “We said. “We had a difference of opinion just talked about the movies in the on the direction for the future.” park program. She also pulled togethTunnah plans to remain in city er the funds for Rufus King Park.” planning, the area in which she The Jamaica Center BID covers earned her masters while at the Uni- the businesses on Jamaica Avenue versity of Pennsylvania. between 169th Street and Sutphin “I’m looking at doing consulting, ur- Boulevard, and Union Hall Street ban planning, economic development from Jamaica to Archer Avenue. and continue working in the field,” Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at Tunnah said.

(718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ Derek Irby will be the interim queenspress.com or @jgibbons2

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 1-7, 2014

Prospect Cemetery Preservation Partners Get Reinforcements

Prospect Cemetery, a colonial burial ground in Jamaica dating back to 1668, has been undergoing preservation efforts for the last 15 years and this week some much needed help arrived from Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Located on York College’s campus, Prospect is the oldest burial ground in the Borough and one of the oldest in the City. It has not been used for burials since 1981 and became so overgrown that it turned into a dumping ground, as well as a hideaway for the homeless.

Through a partnership with Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, the New York Landmarks Conservancy and the Prospect Cemetery Association, the burial ground has been revitalized, but now with the help of Green-Wood’s staff, volunteers and interns, the headstones are being repaired and restored.

Many Revolutionary War soldiers and some of Queens’ most well known families, such as Van Wyck, Sutphin and Brinkerhoff, are buried in the cemetery that is listed in the National Register4:11 of Historic oject1_Layout 1 7/3/2014 PM PagePlaces 1 and is a designated City landmark.

“With a little manpower, we can make something happen here,” Rich-

ard Moylan, president of Green-Wood, said.

“I didn’t realize what a gem this cemetery was. There is so much Queens history here.”

The Prospect Cemetery Association was formed by descendents of people buried in the cemetery. Kate Ludlum, whose ancestors are buried in the building at the entrance to the grounds, the Chapel of the Sisters, was at the forefront of the revitalization.

Volunteers and staff from Green-Wood Cemetery help Andrew Farren, a stones at Prospect Cemetery in Jamaica on Tuesday. board member of the PCA, said that at first, Ludlum was and Green-Wood, we wouldn’t be working all by herself. But since the able to do this.” three nonprofits partnered to form Farren’s great-grandmother was the Prospect Cemetery Revitaliza- buried in the cemetery in 1951 and tion Initiative in 1999, new fencing his eighth great-grandfather is also and street improvements have been buried there. completed, the chapel was restored, Green-Wood brought over some documentation for the more than French preservationists as part of 3000 markers started, overgrown an exchange program sponsored by vegetation was removed and new Preservation Volunteers to help relandscaping was installed to make pair the headstones and markers, the cemetery easier to maintain. which include the Vienot family, a “It’s been an amazing transforma- French family buried at the cemetery tion over the last two years,” Farren in the 1880s. There are also interns said. “Without Richard [Moylan] from Williamsburg High School for Photo by Jordan Gibbons

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

Architecture and Design.

Viviane Normant, 33, is an English as a Second Language teacher in France and is one of the volunteers who is helping to repair the headstones by securing them to their bases with a cement mixture.

“It is great to work on neo-classical stuff,” Normant said. “And it’s always good to be able to film and bring restore head- pictures back to show the kids.”

Peg Breen, president of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, said this is one of the organization’s longest term projects and places like Prospect Cemetery are important to keep New York unique.

“We have constant new immigrants and it reminds you of the people who came before and contributed,” Breen said. “This helps keep everything in perspective. This is an important project, not only for Queens, but for New York as well.”

Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons2

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Aug. 1-7, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

PR WIN IZ ES

Best of Queens 2014 Photos by Luis Gronda

Members of the Local 338 rWdsu/uFCW union have been rallying outside the Key Food supermarket in south ozone Park.

supermarket Workers Look For Higher Pay

By Luis Gronda A union representing workers at a South Ozone Park supermarket said the company does not want to give its employees a fair wage.

Members of the Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW have been rallying outside the Key Food supermarket at 135-46 Lefferts Blvd. the Members of Local 338 stand outside to support past couple of weeks, urg- supermarket workers’ rights for fair wages. ing the company to get back to the negotiating table and agree not like it, the worker said. to pay the workers a higher salary.

“It’s a lot of work, it’s way too According to Jack Caffey Jr., the much. It’s an abuse,” the employee senior field director of the union said. group, Key Food has tried to get rid The worker said there are several of the union on multiple occasions employees who are unhappy about but have been overruled by the Na- the conditions at this Key Food and tional Labor Relations Board each some have already left in pursuit of time. The NLRB is an independent work in other supermarkets. federal agency that advocates improvThe Key Food employee agreed ing wages and working conditions of to speak to the PRESS of Southeast private sector workers.

Queens for this story on condition of Now, Caffey Jr. said the company anonymity due to fear of being discihas been in talks with the union but plined by the supermarket for speakit does not appear interested in rais- ing about the working conditions. ing the $8-per-hour wage most of the The union has also filed a lawsuit workers there currently make. with the NLRB against Key Food “They’re not seriously negotiating for unfair labor practices, accordwith us. They don’t care about their ing to Caffey Jr. He declined to disworkers, they only care about their cuss the charges in further detail as own pockets,” Caffey Jr. said during it is in its early stages, he said. The a recent rally outside the supermar- NLRB did not confirm whether or ket. “These workers come in here not that is true when asked about it every day and they work hard. And as of press time. they don’t want to pay them.”

Multiple attempts to contact the One employee who currently owner of that Key Food location, works at Key Food said the store Sam Hassan, and its corporate headdoes not treat its workers well, often quarters for comment about this situforcing them to work in multiple de- ation went unanswered as of press partments at the same time. If they time. complain about the working condiReach Luis Gronda at (718) 357tions, the response they usually get 7400, ext. 127, lgronda@queenstriis they are told to go home if they do bune.com or @luisgronda.

On Aug. 28, the Queens Tribune/PRESS of Southeast Queens will publish a special edition showcasing the places, people and things readers love about Queens.

The Staff will comb the Borough to find things that make living in Queens so special.

But we need your help!

Fill out our form online at queenstribune. com/best-of-queens-2014.

Lucky winners will be chosen from online submissions to win prizes, including Mets tickets and dinners to area restaurants.

Or, fill out the form

YOur NAmE: YOur AddrEss: YOur EmAIl: Mail To: THE BEST OF QUEENS 2014 C/O The Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone, NY 11357 email us at: bestofqueens@queenstribune.com

FOOd & diNiNg Bagels: Bakery: Breakfast: Burgers: Butcher: Coffee Shop: Deli: Desserts: Diner: Ice Cream: Pizza: Seafood: Steak: ETHNiC FOOd Asian: French: Indian: Italian: Latin: Other Ethnic: RETail Book Store: Clothing Store: Florist: Hardware Store: Jewelry Store: Liquor Store: Mall/Shopping Center: Pharmacy: Supermarket:

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Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 1-7, 2014

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

Editor-in-Chief:

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Reporters: Jordan Gibbons Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Jackie Strawbridge Art Dept:

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A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2014 Tribco, LLC

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

Editorial A Swift Decision On Tuesday, jurors took only 80 minutes to decide that former City Councilman Dan Halloran was guilty on five counts of accepting bribes in a scheme to get Democratic State Sen. Malcolm Smith on the ballot for Mayor as a Republican last year. The swiftness of the jury’s decision should send a message that Mr. Halloran’s actions were not acceptable and that none should follow his lead.

While Mr. Halloran has vowed to appeal the decision, regardless of the outcome it may be hard for him to shake the stigma of the decision.

In his statement after the verdict was announced, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said that his office would “continue the vigorous prosecution of political corruption” to ensure that New Yorkers are represented by honest officials. With the trials of Malcolm Smith and Vincent Tabone pushed back to January – after Smith’s September primary and possible November general election for his seat – obviously the U.S. Attorney’s office still has some work to do.

The people of New York deserve better than to be ripped off by officials who care more for themselves than their constituents.

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

Letters Hard Times Can Fall To Anyone To The Editor: In regards to the story, “Protests Clash Outside Pan Am Hearing” (PRESS of Southeast Queens, July 4-10): Thank you, Ms. Strawbridge, for this article in your paper.

I have to say that I agree with the opinion page of the editor that said, “Show Some Compassion.”

People need to know that homelessness is not only a problem for the “homeless,” but for everyone!

Therefore, those individuals who

are protesting against living quarters for the homeless should take that time and energy and help them to get back on their feet.

As a Christian, and further as a Mormon, I can’t turn my back against these unfortunate brothers and sisters.

Remember that financial hard times can fall upon anyone! As a society, we really need to do better.

Jim Galloway, Lefrak City

Good Things Going On To The Editor: Why do we negate the neighborhood we are living in?

Sure, Briarwood has a lot of things that can create problems lately, but there are also great things.

Hoover park and playground is a wonderful place to be all year around, especially in the summertime.

We have shopping, dining and banking needs right down on Queens Boulevard. We have the Doe Fund that collects trash and sweeps the sidewalks. We have community groups that work to make

Briarwood a better place to live.

The Briarwood Action Network/ BAN is one of the amazing organizations within our community. They, in the past, have donated numerous times to the homeless shelter. They have organized park days which have involved planting, painting and clean-up. They have initiated field trips to King Mansion and Maple Grove Cemetery.

There are good things going on here in Briarwood. Let us open our eyes and only see the positive.

Barbara D’Ambrosio, Briarwood

Death During Arrest: Another Case of Police Misconduct A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Just six months into his tenure and Mayor de Blasio is already dealing with a police misconduct case. That is an unfortunate way to start but unfortunately, police misbehavior toward people of color they consider suspects is not rare in this City.

However, it seems the only “law” that Staten Islander, Eric Garner broke was one many people had never even heard of: selling “loosies.” Yep, loosies – as in loose cigarettes being sold on the streets. If you are not a seller or a smoker, you’re probably not very familiar with this policy.

Officers were trying to arrest Mr. Garner on the sidewalk and he was harmlessly trying to avoid getting handcuffed because he didn’t think he had done anything arrest-worthy.

Reports are that he was trying to break up a fight he witnessed while standing around conducting his business as he considered it.

So in carrying out his own job, Officer Daniel Pantaleo decided to put the very burly Garner in a chokehold that took him to the ground. The problem is, chokeholds are supposedly a no-no. Garner was also asthmatic and kept repeating that he “can’t breathe.”

Civilian cellphone videos show about eight NYPD officers were at the scene and no one offered aide to this helpless man on the ground.

Then an EMT brigade arrived and they also offered no assistance. Why the heck did they bother to come then! That poor man died right there on that sidewalk because he couldn’t catch his breath.

Police Commissioner William Bratton has stripped Pantaleo of his badge and gun and placed him on desk duty.

That does not go far enough.

He should be suspending every single officer who was at the scene. They may not all have put “the suspect” in the chokehold. But they are all culpable in his death since they did nothing to help prevent it.

Some of the TV talking

heads are trying to make the point that this incident was not racially-motivated because there was at least one AfricanAmerican officer in the group.

So what? Just because one person in the group, “looks” like the victim, that makes this incident not about race?

That logic is faulty even if the arrest and neglect were really not about that. But it probably was. If Eric Garner had been a burly blonde guy doing the same thing in the same spot, he would probably not have been attacked and treated in that same manner.

A man is dead because of a questionable arrest technique and then no one tried to help him when he showed signs of distress. And they need to stop referring to him as the “suspect” and start saying, “the victim.” To call him a suspect is stretching the definition. He wasn’t selling illegal drugs and he wasn’t attacking anyone. He was selling a few cigs. And he was certainly not a suspect of anything deserving of death.

We, the public, ought to be collectively outraged regardless of

race or ethnicity. Public outcry is important.

The officer and his colleagues have to be held accountable. And holding this group of officers accountable for this tragedy should not be seen as a moral indictment of an entire police department.

There are more caring officers than uncaring ones; and there are more hero cops than cowards. The good ones perform honorably and go beyond the call of duty to ensure the safety of our citizens every day.

They deserve our respect and gratitude.

But when any member of the police force does something this egregious, we have to cry foul and cry it loudly, regardless of who it offends in the short term.

Shame on the officers on the scene and shame on the EMT responders who did not do their job of trying to save a life!

Mr. Garner deserved better treatment than what we’ve seen on that terribly painful video; his family deserved better and our City deserves better too.

Aug. 1-7, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

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Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 1-7, 2014

Hundreds Gather For Superstorm Sandy Summit

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

Photos by Jordan Gibbons

Many New Yorkers are still recovering from Superstorm Sandy and hundreds of them gathered at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in Jamaica Tuesday night to ask for more help.

Faith in New York, an interfaith multicultural federation of 54 congregations, hosted the summit with City officials, community leaders and residents.

Amy Peterson, director of the Mayor’s Housing Recovery Office, attended the summit to update the public on the progress of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration in the reconstruction efforts and she said his office is committed to partnering with communities to speed up the recovery process.

“For too long, New Yorkers struggling to rebuild were told ‘no,’” Peterson said. “This administration is focused on getting to ‘yes’ so that homeowners who have waited too long finally get the relief they deserve.

We’re beginning to see the results of Mayor de Blasio’s recovery overhaul, ceive the funds we desperately need. with hundreds of homeowners start- I miss my home.” ing construction and cashing checks, Faith leaders throughout the City and local residents being hired.” introduced a blueprint that highAs of July 28, 44 constructions lighted the most important improvehave been completed, 167 construc- ments the City needs to make to help tions have begun, 457 reimburse- the residents who are struggling the ment checks have been submitted to most. the Financial Information Services They said that the City needs to Agency totaling approximately $7.5 create good, local jobs and have job million and 769 design consultations training opportunities for vulnerable have been completed.

New Yorkers, increase At the end of 2013, the supply of affordthose numbers were able housing, increase all at zero. opportunities for imPeterson said that migrant New Yorkers the Mayor promised and reduce barriers to have 500 constructo employment for tions started and formerly incarcerated 500 reimbursement returning citizens. checks by Labor Day. “As part of the Sandy survivors Sandy rebuilding, spoke at the summit we want to see a real to tell their story and workforce developto plead for more asment program, job sistance from the opportunities for the elected leaders who Public Advocate Letitia James formerly incarcerated attended the event. assured attendees their input and new housing in Aracelis and Erik will be considered. our devestated comCabrera were dismunities that resiplaced from their home in Far Rock- dents can actually afford,” Darnel away and now rent an apartment in Lyles, of Christ Church InternationBushwick, Brooklyn that they strug- al in Jamaica and Faith in New York gle to pay for. board member, said.

“Our flood insurance money The leaders from Faith of New helped pay for a contractor to repair York also directly asked Councilour home, but after accomplishing men Donovan Richards (D-Laurelsome initial rebuilding work, the ton), Mark Treyger (D-Brooklyn), contractor disappeared, stealing over Carlos Menchaca (D-Brooklyn) $60,000 from,” Aracelis said. “We and Public Advocate Letitia James applied for Build it Back but we are if they are willing to work with the still waiting to find out if we will re- community and how do they plan

Councilmen Donovan Richards, Mark Treyger, Carlos Menchaca and Commissioner Misha Agarwal, of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, listened and responded to community concerns over Sandy Recovery Tuesday night.

to help the City recover.

“It is the job of a leader to create opportunity,” Richards said. “If contractors are getting taxpayers dollars, they have an obligation to hire you. We will train our people to make sure they are properly trained for these jobs. I look forward to the partnership with Faith of New York.

We can’t do this alone.”

James said that federal dollars must be directed at impacted communities, including jobs for locals and contracting with local vendors who were impacted by the storm, as well as helping those without a home.

“We should not turn our back on the homeless; we should build for the homeless,” James said. “I will make sure the Mayor of New York honors his commitments. It is also paramount that we include faith-based and community-based organizations in the conversation, because these groups understand our neighborhoods better than anyone else.”

Treyger, chair of the Committee

on Recovery and Resiliency, said he is proud of the work done so far, but the job will take more than just speeches and promises.

“The success of this recovery will be judged, not by the number of press announcements or presentations, but our ability to provide every victim with the assistance needed to rebuild their homes and their lives,” he said.

“We still have a long way to go and I will continue to work with and hold the administration accountable until we reach that vital benchmark.”

Cheri Jackson of Far Rockaway shared her story and directed her frustrations at the City while she received a loud, compassionate response from the hundreds of residents in the crowd.

“Our children, elderly and disabled are all still suffering,” Jackson said. “New York City, you are our landlord; help us and restore order.”

Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons2.

Aug. 1-7, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

queens Culture Shines Through Museums

By TRIBUNE STAFF While many museum-goers visit New York City to see some of Manhattan’s well-known cultural institutions, Queens has its fair share of great cultural institutions, especially when it comes to museums. Here is a sampling of some of the great places to visit that Queens has to offer.

Go-ANTIqUES 116-09 queens Blvd., Forest Hills (718) 813-3098 Foresthillsantiques.com Hours: Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed on Saturdays Established in 1987, Go-Antiques specializes in art from all parts of the world, including American, Italian, Russian and much more. You can buy the available art at the store or just look at it if you enjoy artwork.

They also have clocks, jewelry, chandeliers and much more for visitors to check out.

GodwIN-TERNBACH MUSEUM 405 Klapper Hall, queens College 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing (718) 997-4747 qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/godwin_ternbach Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fridays and Sundays: Closed The Godwin-Ternbach Museum is a not-for-profit art institution on the campus of Queens College. It opened in 1980, as a host site for the college’s various works of art it acquired. It is now part of the Kupferberg Center for the Arts. Featuring a permanent collection of 5,000 objects from all cultures, the venue hosts an array of exhibitions as cultural and educational vehicles for students and visitors.

JAMAICA BAy wIldlIFE REFUGE Broad Channel

(718) 318-4340 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Jamaica Bay Wildlife refuge is a bird sanctuary with more than 330 bird species, making it a must-see for bird and animal enthusiasts.

There is also a variety of events ongoing at the Bay throughout August, including the Idlewild Park Paddle on Aug. 20 and the 9th annual Shorebird Festival on Aug. 23. For the paddle, you will be able to explore the salt marsh near the bay in a two-mile trip on the water. There will also be birding activity at the site as well.

The annual shorebird festival allows bird enthusiasts to gather for the peak of the shorebird migration, which is a group of North American birds that return to their birthplace after leaving for the warm weather of Central and South America during the winter months.

(718) 206-0545 kingmanor.org Hours: Thursday and Friday: Noon to 2 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

King Manor Museum is an historic house museum that was founded in 1900 to preserve and interpret the home and legacy of Rufus King.

The museum’s mission is to involve and educate children and adults in local and national history through an innovative presentation of King Manor and its collection queens Museum is one of the Borough’s most in the context of life in popular destinations and features renowned visual Jamaica and the United art and education.

States in the early 19th century.

Days, where visitors can meet arThe museum will be hosting tisans and watch demonstrations Hands-on-History: Play Time on of 19th century crafts. Learn about Aug. 9 from 12-3 p.m. broom making, tinsmithing, woodLearn about and play traditional turning and more. There will also games from the 19th century. Play be traditional music featuring instrusome hoop and stick and graces in ments like the hammered dulcimer, King Manor’s backyard, then cool fiddle and banjo. Tour King Manor off with quiet, indoor games. and see rarely-displayed crafts from On Aug. 15-16 from 12-4 p.m., the collection.

King Manor is having Craftsmen (continued on page 10)

JAMAICA CENTER FoR ARTS ANd lEARNING 161-04 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica (718) 658-7400 jcal.org Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jamaica Center for the Arts and Learning is a nonprofit organization that offers visual, performing and literary arts, arts education and artist programs to encourage participation in the arts and to contribute to the cultural enrichment of Queens and the Greater Metropolitan Area.

The William P. Miller Jr. Gallery at JCAL offers three to four exhibitions each year in its newly renovated gallery. The gallery is open free of charge to the public during operating hours. Visit www.jcal.org/artcenter-workshops for a full listing of JCAL’s Art Center Workshops that run through Aug. 16.

KING MANoR MUSEUM 90-04 161st St., Jamaica

Photo by Jackie Strawbridge

Katrin Sigurdardottir’s “Foundation” at Sculpture Center in long Island City.

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 1-7, 2014

museums

orama of the City of New York, featuring more than 895,000 structures that map out all five boroughs. The exhibit is continuously being updated as new buildings, such as Citi Field, come into existence.

(continued from page 9)

momA Ps1 22-25 Jackson Ave., Long island City (718) 784-2084 momaps1.org Hours: thursday through monday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

MoMA PS1 is one of the nation’s largest contemporary art institutions. PS1 formally merged with New York’s Museum of Modern Art in 2000, and today remains dedicated to displaying the most experimental art from across the globe.

Exhibitions currently on display include surveys of work by James Lee Byars and Maria Lassnig, as well as Gavin Kenyon’s first museum solo exhibition. museum oF tHe moving imAge 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria (718) 784-0077 movingimage.us Hours: Wednesday and thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. saturday and sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Photo by Jackie strawbridge

Louis Armstrong House museum 35-56 107th st., Corona (718) 478-8274 louisarmstronghouse.org Hours: tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. saturday and sunday noon to 5 p.m.

Louis Armstrong settled in Corona with his wife Lucille in 1943.

No one has lived in the house since Satchmo, and the house remains largely in the same state it did during his lifetime.

Visitors to the Louis Armstrong House Museum will hear clips from the trumpeter’s homemade recordings, view his Japanese-inspired garden and examine artifacts such as his gold-plated trumpet. The museum gives historic house tours every day, every hour on the hour.

Pawel Althamer’s “Queen mother of reality” socrates sculpture Park.

During World War II, when Kaufman Astoria Studios was owned and operated by the U.S. Army, the building currently housing the Museum of the Moving Image was used to process film and repair cameras. Today, with the mission to explore every phase of film production, the museum displays artifacts from this early period as well as regular screenings and exhibitions on film technique, design and history. neW York HALL oF sCienCe 47-01 111th st., Corona (718) 699-0005 nysci.org Hours: monday to Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. saturday and sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Queens’ premiere science museum is the New York Hall of Science, located on the edge of Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It was established as part of the 1964 World’s Fair. Besides including unique sculptures from that period, the museum is also home to the Mercury-Atlas and Gemini-Titan rockets, relics of the Space Age. Two of the biggest programs are the museum’s Design Lab and its outdoor science playground. Both allow attendees to experiment and learn how things work, particularly concerning the STEM subjects.

tHe noguCHi museum 9-01 33rd road, Long island City (718) 204-7088 noguchi.org Hours: Wednesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., saturday and sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This museum was founded and designed by Isamu Noguchi, the renowned 20th century artist whose work spanned several mediums and schools of thought and brought him across the globe.

Today, the museum holds the most extensive collection of the artist’s work, which includes not only sculpture but also architectural models, stage designs, drawings and decor.

Queens CountY FArm museum 73-50 Little neck Pkwy., Floral Park (718) 347-3276 queensfarm.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day This 47-acre site, where the museum now sits, dates back to 1697. It is the City’s largest remaining tract of undisturbed parkland and the longest continuously farmed site in the State.

The site also features a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles and implements, planting fields, an orchard, herb garden and vineyard.

Queens museum new York City Building Flushing meadows Corona Park (718) 592-9700 queensmuseum.org Hours: Wednesday through sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Located in the heart of the Borough, the Queens Museum presents high-quality visual arts and educational programming, with many of its exhibits meant to appeal to the diverse residents of Queens. The building the museum is in has a storied history, as it was built for the 1939 World’s Fair and hosted the United Nations General Assembly from 1946 to 1950.

While you are there, visit the museum’s best-known exhibit, the Pan-

soCrAtes sCuLPture PArk 32-01 vernon Blvd., Long island City (718) 956-1819 socratessculpturepark.org Hours: 10 a.m. to sunset, every day Socrates is a nearly five-acre outdoor space dedicated to sculpture.

Works on display that end their run Sunday include Zilvinas Kempinas’ “Scarecrow,” a shimmering installation of poles and ribbons, and the park’s largest installation to date.

Besides its collection, Socrates offers wide-ranging educational and cultural programming, from outdoor movies, to kayaking at Hallets Cove, to free Yoga, to sculpture workshops.

For a full calendar of events and classes, visit www.socratessculpturepark.org/programs/all. tHe vAnder ende-onderdonk House 1820 Flushing Ave., ridgewood, (718) 456-1776 onderdonkhouse.org Hours: saturdays 1 – 5 p.m.

Also open by appointment.

The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, located in Ridgewood, is the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house in New York City. Back in 1709, Paulus Vander Ende bought the land and built the house that sits there today. It served as a marker in a 1700s boundary dispute between Newtown in Queens and Brooklyn’s Bushwick areas.

Exhibits that are ongoing at Onderdonk include “Unearthed at the Onderdonk House - Artifacts from the 1970 Archaeological Investigations.” It shows photos of artifacts found at Onderdonk and from other colonial houses on Flushing Avenue. voeLker ortH museum 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing, (718) 359-6227 vomuseum.org Hours: Wednesday, saturday, sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. monday, tuesday, thursday, Friday: Closed The Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden is located in the former home of Conrad Voelcker, who emigrated from Germany in 1881. More than a century old, this house has been the home of a single family for nearly its entire history and has changed little since the days of Conrad Voelcker. Today, the museum preserves the cultural and horticultural heritage of Flushing and its continuous changes.

Among the programs that the museum holds are concerts, science and history programs for students and Shakespeare in the Garden.

Aug. 1-7, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Police Blotter 108th Precinct

Homicide

At approximately 1:01 a.m. on July 26, officers responded to 3727 57th St. for a 911 call of a shot male.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that a 25-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and back and a 24-year-old male sustained blunt force trauma to his head. EMS responded and removed both victims to Elmhurst General Hospital, where the 24-year-old male was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing.

The identification of the deceased is pending family notification.

109th Precinct

Grand Larceny

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted in connection with Grand Larceny.

At approximately 1:42 p.m. on July 20, a 56-year-old female was approached by the suspect and asked to model scarves for her in a retail store located at 41-43 Main St. Both the victim and the suspect entered the store and as the suspect was placing scarves on the victim’s neck, the suspect removed a gold necklace from the victim’s neck.

The suspect is described as an Asian female with black hair and a thin build, about 40 years old, 5’4” in height.

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

113th Precinct

Fatal collision arrest

At 12:25 a.m. on July 27, police responded to a 911 call for a vehicle

collision involving a motorcycle at the intersection of Farmers Boulevard and 109th Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers discovered Pastor De La Cruz, 45, of Corona, with severe trauma to the body. EMS responded and pronounced Cruz dead at the scene.

A preliminary investigation by the NYPD’s Highway Collision Investigation Squad determined that Cruz, driving a 2004 Suzuki GSXR 750 motorcycle, was traveling eastbound on Liberty Avenue as it becomes 109th Avenue, lost control and struck a 2000 black Jaguar operated by a 57year-old male as he was stopped at a red light heading northbound on Farmers Boulevard. Cruz slid on the pavement and came to rest against a 2009 Nissan Frontier operated by a 59-year-old female also stopped at the red light behind the Jaguar. Both drivers remained on the scene.

The driver of the Nissan Frontier, Pauline Shepherd, was taken into

custody and charged with DWI first Offense. The investigation is ongoing.

114th Precinct

collision

At approximately 4:46 p.m. on July 27, police responded to a 911 call of a vehicle collision in the vicinity of 35th Avenue and 21st Street.

Officers observed a 2002 Kia Sedona resting on its passenger side on the sidewalk of 35th Avenue. The driver of the Vehicle, Anthony Boyd, 45, of Jamaica, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Five passengers were transported to Elmhurst Hospital in stable condition.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was traveling westbound on 35th Avenue when it struck the curb and a fire hydrant, causing it to come to a rest on its passenger side.

Borough Beat

dHs: one week advance notice For shelters

By Luis Gronda and Jackie strawBridGe The Dept. of Homeless Services will now give one week advanced notice before opening a homeless shelter in your neighborhood.

The agency announced the change in policy last week in a letter signed by its commissioner, Gilbert Taylor, sent to elected officials and community leaders.

In the letter, Taylor writes the agency has created the notification process as part of its mandate to find shelter for the homeless and to give the community notice before it opens a shelter in the future.

“DHS will do its best to make community and elected officials aware of all shelter sites under consideration as early as possible. Once a proposed site is deemed acceptable, the sevenday notification process will begin and the agency will proactively engage the community and elected officials in discussion about the site,” he wrote.

The policy change comes after the DHS has caught a lot of heat for three shelters in Queens, in Astoria, Elmhurst and Rockaway, with community members and elected officials saying they were given little to no notice about the shelters. The DHS has also been attempting to

open another facility in Glendale for the past couple of years.

The letter breaks down, day by day, what the agency plans on doing once they identify a property for a shelter, including notifying the local police precinct and all citywide officials seven days before it opens and scheduling meetings with community leaders as well. The letter also said they may need to abbreviate the notification process if necessary.

Reaction to the new policy was negative among the community leaders who have been vocal about the opposition to the homeless shelters the agency has created throughout the Borough.

Bob Holden, president of the Juniper Park Civic Association, called the policy “lip service” and said it does not change the fact that the agency has not listened to the community’s concerns.

“We know they’re not listening,” he said. “They’re not addressing specific questions.”

Kathy Masi, who heads the Glendale Civic Association, said there should be a 90-day advance notice of a shelter opening instead of just one week.

Jennifer Chu, a member of the Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together Civic group and one of the organizers of the protests

against the Pan Am Hotel shelter, echoed a similar sentiment.

“If the Pan Am was incorporated in 2013 and purchased in February, then why would seven-days notice suffice? We should know what they’re planning to do before any contract is signed and not after the decisions have all been made,” she said.

The letter also delineates scheduling of town hall and community meetings at day four.

Last week, at one such town hall meeting organized by the United Community Civic Association, hundreds of Astoria residents expressed their outrage over the high capacity shelter recently installed at the Westway Motel, operated by Women In Need (WIN).

One speaker, who received a standing ovation from the crowd, asked whether the neighborhood’s recently raised property taxes would go back down. She added that the population of homeless men in the area has left her feeling unsafe when jogging, and she questioned why the WIN Westway shelter is lodging men as well as women and children.

Lisa Letizia was among several residents who challenged the DHS’ assertion that Westway is guarded with 24-hour security. Letizia said she lives across the street from the

shelter, and has seen families leaving and reentering the building throughout the late evening.

“If you are saying to me that there are some issues [with security], we’re going to work with the Community Board…to make sure that we’re answering those questions for you,” responded DHS Deputy Commissioner Camille Rivera.

Anthony Aldorasi, a lifelong resident of Western Queens and a former teacher and principal, asked “the children of the center, where are they going to be educated, and are they going to displace the children that have a normal place at schools within the community?”

According to the DHS, there are 129 children at the site, 21 percent of whom are teenagers who will return to the schools they currently attend.

Thirty-nine percent are between the ages of 6 and 12. Rivera said they would work closely with WIN to ensure the same is true for them.

Community Education Council 24, which covers schools in the potential Glendale homeless shelter, will have a meeting regarding the impact of homeless shelters on the schools in that district on Aug. 6.

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

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 1-7, 2014

pix

Craft Time

Bratton Meets With NAACP

Actress Jamie Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos) and Anjana Persaud, 10, from Jamaica, enjoy some arts and crafts at Sunrise Day Camp. Sigler made a surprise appearance at the camp for its Carnival Day.

Celebrating Eid

Police Commissioner William J. Bratton met with Mr. Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO of the NAACP, and representatives from the New York branch to discuss the concerns of the community and how to move forward after the tragic death of Eric Garner.

Inspired Meals

Acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson inspired children from United Neighborhood Houses at the Citi Kids event at Citi Field on July 30 before throwing out the first pitch at the Mets game. Samuelsson is the celebrated chef behind Red Rooster Harlem, Ginny’s Supper Club and American Table Cafe and Bar in Lincoln Center.

Photos by Luis Gronda

United Bangladeshi-American Youth Association and the Queens Borough Democratic Club co-hosted an Eid al-Fitr celebration on the Queens-Brooklyn border near Ozone Park. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of the Muslim holiday, Ramadan. At the celebration, kids converged to have fun and celebrate the holiday.

Aug. 1-7, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

A&E

BY JOE MARVILLI They came from near and far to Flushing, riding the 7 train to Citi Field for an event like no other.

While many who attended were baseball fans, the attendees arrived at the stadium for a different reason. They were there for the Bacon and Beer Classic.

The Bacon and Beer Classic stopped by Citi Field on July 26, with dozens of vendors lining the halls of the stadium to give out samples to any passersby. With two sessions, one in the early afternoon and one in the evening, hundreds of people got a chance to taste delicious wares from all over the country.

From the moment the doors opened to the long lines that had formed outside for the first session, everyone knew they were in store for

a truly special event. With a complimentary souvenir tasting glass in hand, attendees moved from booth to booth, trying a variety of beers, ales, ciders and more. From smaller companies like Stone Brewing Co., Ithaca Beer, Sly Fox and Smuttynose, to big names like Samuel Adams and Woodchuck, there was something for everyone. Of course, some of the most popular tables were local businesses, such as Queens Brewery.

There was even an up-and-comer from Long Island City, called Frava, giving attendees a delicious fruit energy drink.

While all these beverages were great, the bacon stands had the longest lines by far, and for good reason.

Each stand had a tastier and more creative use of bacon than the last, giving everyone a new list of favorites to check out in the City. Bareburger

Queens Pride House Holds Book Festival

BY JACkIE StRAwBRIdgE A World War I romance, a coming-of-age memoir and an AIDS-era odyssey are among the works that Jackson Heights’ Queens Pride House will feature at their first book festival next week.

The free and public Book Fest, organized by Queens Pride House executive director Pauline Park, will showcase LGBT authors and their books, with discussions, author presentations and Q & A sessions.

Participating authors will include Mariette Pathy Allen, a photographer who documented the Cuban transgender community in her book “TransCuba,” and Leslie Smith, whose novel “Sally Field Can Play the Transsexual” covers life and loss during the AIDS crisis.

Park said that the goal of the book festival is to introduce readers to the established and emerging authors who are covering a wide range of LGBT topics.

“The books as well as the presenters are diverse in so many different ways,” Park said, adding that the featured works come from both established and emerging authors, members of the LGBT community and straight allies, fiction writers and non-fiction writers.

Jackson Heights resident Nancy Agabian will attend the event to

speak about her book, “Me as Her Again,” a memoir about coming of age as bisexual in a traditional Armenian family.

“Queens Pride House has a prominent place in the neighborhood and I’ve come to know just from living in the neighborhood how many writers live in Jackson Heights, so I think it’s great that we’ll get to find each other through their space,” Agabian said.

Park said that, growing up as a transgender woman during the 60s, literature was a crucial component in her coming out process.

“From personal experience, my first connection to the LGBT community came when I found a book in the library,” Park said. “They didn’t even use the term ‘LGBT’ in the 1960s, they didn’t even use the term ‘transgender.’

“And so now we have a book called ‘Trans Bodies, Tran Selves,’” Park continued, referring to the resource guide edited by Dr. Laura EricksonSchroth, which will also be presented at the festival.

The Queens Pride House is located at 76-11 37th Ave. in Jackson Heights. The Book Festival will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Reach Reporter Jackie Strawbridge at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, jstrawbridge@queenstribune.com or @JNStrawbridge.

Photo by Steven J. Ferrari

Beer, Bacon And Baseball At Citi Field

Bacon vendors kept busy as dozens of attendees stopped by for tastings at the Bacon and Beer Classic at Citi Field.

gave out small elk burgers with a bacon spread. F. Ottomanelli Burgers and Blackbird’s Bar, located in Woodside and Astoria respectively, made sure that every bite of their burgers were filled with delicious bacon flavor as well. American Whiskey served up a mouth-watering bourbon-glazed piece of bacon. John’s of Times Square gave out bacon and cheese pizza, an item that will surely be a popular going forward.

Then there were the desserts. If you think bacon and dessert do not go together, think again. Come N Get It Gourmet BBQ had bacon and chocolate chip cookies, Robicelli’s had the bacon brownie and Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts came in a bacon-flavor.

When attendees needed a break from all the food options, they had several activities to take part in. In addition to classes on how to make some bacon delectables, there was a dunk tank, whiffle ball and an extralarge version of Jenga for fans. Those with VIP passes got a chance to walk around the field’s warning track and sit in the Mets dugout, an opportunity that many fans could not pass up. Towards the back, a batting cage let people practice their swing, knocking out a few softballs before heading back upstairs for more beer and bacon.

The Bacon and Beer Classic’s next stop is Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, on Sept. 27. For more information about food festival, visit www.baconandbeerclassic.com.

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

Bliss Plaza Opens In Sunnyside

BY JACkIE StRAwBRIdgE The underbelly of the 7 train in Sunnyside got a little brighter this week.

Bliss Plaza, the first of two new public plazas coming to the neighborhood, officially opened Tuesday afternoon. Cutting the ribbon were Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (DSunnyside) and Rachel Thieme, executive director of Sunnyside Shines BID, as well as DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Dalila Hall and Community Board 2 chair Joe Conley, among others.

Following Bliss will be Lowery Plaza at the 40th Street stop.

Sunnyside Shines will manage these plazas, which are made possible through the DOT’s Plaza Program. Through the program, organizations throughout the City can apply to have sites in their neighborhoods transformed into open pedestrian spaces.

The DOT could not immediately confirm the cost of building the plaza.

According to Thieme, maintenance will run the BID around $15,000 this year, after help from a Neighborhood Plaza Partnership subsidy.

This cost does not include cultural programming or installing Wi-Fi,

which Thieme said the organization is interested in accomplishing in the future.

Bliss Plaza is located under one of the City’s busiest turnstiles, at the 7 train’s 46th Street stop. According to Conley, approximately 4.7 million people – twice the population of the Borough – pass through there every year.

“It’s transforming a place that tens of thousands of Sunnysiders and Woodsiders come to every single day,” Van Bramer said.

“People are embracing it, they like it,” Conley said. “It really sets an identity in the neighborhood.”

At the ribbon cutting, many of the plaza’s 24 seats were already filled.

Harriet Cummings has been a Sunnyside resident for 35 years. She said that the spot used to be dirty, littered with garbage and bird droppings.

Now, she said, “I think it’s beautiful.”

Cummings added, “people come off the subway, they can sit down, they can have coffee, they can relax before they go home. And the people that used to sit outside in the sun, they can come here and sit down and relax.”

Reach Reporter Jackie Strawbridge at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, jstrawbridge@queenstribune.com or @JNStrawbridge.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 1-7, 2014

Queens today

FRIDay 8/1

to 6 p.m. Call (718) 888-1805 for more information.

ELVis sTARRiNG GREGG PETERs

PARTy TiME

Level Royal nightclub will present a night of electronic dance music. Dance the night away with club anthems by DJ Epitone and a high-end light show. Attendees must wear something white. Level Royal is located on the roof of 2007 127th St., College Point. Call (800) 971-4064 or email info@levelroyal.com for more information.

BAckyARd POOL iN ThE LOT

A new Socrates Sculpture Park offsite exhibition opens this weekend at The Lot, 43-29 Crescent St. in Long Island City. “Backyard Pool” by artist Tamara Johnson, the second public art presentation at The Lot, transforms an asphalt parking lot into a temporary green space.

Details from ceramic tiles to a full-sized diving board offer a moment of intimacy and serenity to the bustling urbanity of Long Island City.

The opening runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, and the piece will be available for view through next summer, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (718) 361-1750.

BON JOuRNEy AT kATch Bon Journey is back at the Katch Koncert Series once again. Join for a great night of music, food and drink with no cover charge.

The tribute band will be playing your favorite rock songs from Bon Jovi and Journey. With a second show on Aug. 2, concerts start at 9 p.m. For more information, call (718) 777-2230.

saTURDay 8/2 FLushiNG BLOck PARTy

The Flushing Business Improvement District will hold a block party in downtown Flushing. Taking place between 40th Road and Prince Street, including Bland Playground, the festival will run from 11 a.m.

Gregg Peters, who is an Elvis Presley impersonator, will perform at Paradise Bar in Ridgewood.

The show will begin at 9 p.m. The bar is located at 678 Woodward Ave.

suNNysidE sTROLLs

A walking tour of 46th Street in Sunnyside, between Greenpoint Avenue and Queens Boulevard. The event, hosted by Sunnyside Shines, runs from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

sUNDay 8/3

AsTORiA ROcks FOR sT. JudE kids

One Note at a Time proudly presents the inaugural “Astoria Rocks for St. Jude Kids” live musical performances by Deemohaus, Darkstar, Spitfire and Acoustic Soul Rebels.

Money raised from this event will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. This is a great opportunity to bring friends together to help a worthy cause. The show will take place at Cavo, 42-18 31st Ave. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the show runs until 9 p.m. Minimum donation is $35. For more information and tickets, visit www.stjude. org/astoriarocksforstjude.

cOMMuNiTy dAy AT ThE NOGuchi MusEuM Friends and neighbors are invited to visit the Noguchi Museum this Sunday free of charge, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for the summer’s second Community Day. A free public tour is offered at 2 p.m., and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. there will be a special Center of Attention conversation focusing on a single work of art. For information, call (718) 204-7088.

shORE FEsT

The Astoria Park Alliance presents the Astoria Park Shore Fest, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Shore Boulevard, between Astoria Park South and Ditmars Boulevard.

moNDay 8/4

chAiN Nyc FiLM FEsTiVAL

An international film festival

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK WEDNEsDay 8/6

‘TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA’ Hip to Hip Theatre Company is celebrating its eighth season of Free Shakespeare in the Park with “Two Gentleman of Verona.”

This slapstick comedy about love, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and a dog will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Bring blankets, low chairs and picnic fare. Seating is first come, first served.

If you have children, stop by at 7 p.m. for an interactive workshop about Shakespeare. opens Monday at Long Island City’s Chain Theatre and runs until Aug. 17. Screenings will feature new work, personal stories, documentaries, shorts and web-series. Tickets are $10. For more information and a full schedule of screenings, visit chain-theatre.org.

Monday of every month.

Come impress the audience with your awesome singing voice. The fun will begin at 9 p.m. Queens Tavern is located at 6869 Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood.

‘dEsPicABLE ME 2’

The Central Astoria LDC continues its Movies on the Waterfront 2014 series, with “Despicable Me 2,” starting at 8:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn of Astoria Park.

WEDNEsDay 8/6

‘dOuBLE iNdEMNiTy’

Head to the Hillcrest Library at 1 p.m. for a free screening of “Double Indemnity.” This 1944 film noir is part of the library’s awardwinning films series. Call (718) 454-2786 to learn more.

‘ThE BuTLER’

The Parks Dept.’s Movies Under The Stars will screen “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” in Cunningham Park for free, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. In this PG-13 film, Cecil Gaines (played by Forest Whitaker) serves eight presidents during his tenure as a butler at the White House. The screening will take place in the Main Park House.

BAcON EVERyThiNG

Every first Monday of every month, Astoria wine bar Rest-au-Rant holds a beer and bacon all night happy hour. The happy hour – with deals on everything bacon – runs from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information, call (718) 729-9009.

kARAOkE NiGhT

Queens Tavern hosts karaoke night the first

THURsDay 8/7

discO uNLiMiTEd

Boogie down to the sounds of the hottest disco show and dance band on the East Coast!

The 90-minute show is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. The disco show is free and it is organized by Forest Park. For more information, call (718) 235-4100.

‘shREk ThE MusicAL’

The HCJ Teen Drama Group will debut “Shrek the Musical” at 7 p.m. at M. Murray Hall, 111-02 86th Ave., Richmond Hill. Tickets cost $10 or $8 for seniors and children. Shows continue Aug. 8-9 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 10 at 3 p.m. For information, call (718) 847-1860 or email hcjteendrama@ gmail.com.

PAssPORT ThuRsdAys

Bring a picnic blanket out to Flushing Meadows Corona Park right next to the Unisphere for this free weekly presentation of live music, dance and film from one of the many international locales that fuel Queens’ cultural and artistic vitality. This week’s focus is on Brazilian music and film. The event runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is free.

For information, call (718) 592-9700.

WOOdsidE suMMER cONcERT sERiEs

The Northern Woodside Coalition and Goliard Concerts present Irish band Two For The Road during the Woodside Summer Concert Series, starting at 7 p.m. at Sgt. Collins Park on 58th Street and Broadway in Woodside.

WATERFRONT cONcERT sERiEs

The Central Astoria LDC will host Michael Patrick’s Ring of Fire Band at 7:30 p.m. as part of the 2014 Waterfront Concert Series, on the Great Lawn of Astoria Park on Shore Boulevard, between Hell Gate Bridge and the Astoria Pool.

sALuTE TO hOLLyWOOd

Concerts in the Park will present a free, all-new show at the Main Park House of Cunningham Park. Join Mitch Kahn in concert with a musical salute to Hollywood. The performance will run from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For information, call (718) 217-6452.

Aug. 1-7, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Profile

A Day In The Garden Keeps The Doctor Away Marian Dolphus, 83, of South Jamaica, spends her days doing what she loves to do: spending hours in her vegetable garden.

Dolphus said that she became involved in gardening in 1975. It was during that time that she took classes that led her to compete for the New York City Housing Authority’s Gardening and Greening Competition.

But for Dolphus, gardening was more than something that she did for competition.

“I’ve been involved since 1975.

It’s something that I like to do,” Dolphus said. “I really like taking care of trees and vegetables. I love to see things grow.”

It was her passion for gardening and the many trophies she took home at NYCHA’s Gardening and Greening Competition that attracted York College to Dolphus.

Dolphus did the lettering of the college in 2000. She said that the college gave her charge over several other people and many donated flowers to the garden, which she used to make each of the letters that

spell out YORK COLLEGE. “I started with Y… you have to take your time,” Dolphus said.

After her work, Dolphus was given an award at a luncheon that the college had. Dolphus said that being awarded at the luncheon was the best experience for her. She added that she was so proud of her work and the fact that York College did not want anyone else but her to do the beautification of the name of the college. She said that designing the York College letters and cleaning up the design was a learning experience for her because the college made the process easy by providing the tools she needed.

“I learned a whole lot,” she said.

“Everybody said that they want me to do that again, I wouldn’t mind going through that again.”

While being proud of the success that came from winning so many awards for the Garden and Greening Competition and the York College project, Dolphus is even more proud of her own garden, especially her vegetable garden. She has planted

Marian Dolphus’ love of gardening led her to do the beautification of York College’s name on the campus. collard greens, celery, sweet potatoes, lima beans and peanuts in her garden.

Dolphus began her work on the vegetable garden as well as got involved with the competition when she first came to the community

many years ago. She said that she always wanted a vegetable garden because she recognized the health benefits vegetables had. Therefore, seeing an unkempt garden, she asked the housing authority at South Jamaica Houses if she can use it and they informed her that she will need to sign up for the contest to use it.

Therefore she signed up, took classes and began a work that makes her feel younger than she is.

She said working in the garden day and night is her own form of exercise; it is an exercise that makes her feel healthy and young again.

She added that even her doctor recognizes the strength in her, telling her that she should continue to do what she has been doing because it is working.

“I feel great. I feel like I’m 16. This is my exercise. Everybody says that God gave me a gift,” Dolphus said.

“When you are doing something, you have to maintain, I like to see things grow and I love beautification, I am very proud and blessed.”

— Esther Shittu

People Air Force Reserve Airman Maghje S. Brown graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Brown is the daughter of Latoya Brown and Delton Richardson of Jamaica.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester at SUNY Brockport. They include: Hollis Hills: Morgan Hasson.

Jamaica: Rachel Francis, Kamnolu Okolo, Rashana Lydner, Malaysia Jackson.

Springfield Gardens: Amanda Badal.

Local students received degrees during spring 2014 commencement ceremonies at SUNY Delhi. They include: Jamaica: Clinton Smith, Associate of Occupational Studies degree in automotive technology; Devante Wallace, Associate of Occupational Studies degree in automotive technology.

Queens Village: Connie Calix, Bachelor of Business Administration degree in business and technology management; Ashley Hill, Bachelor

of Business Administration degree in hotel and resort management.

the spring 2014 semester at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Pa.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester at SUNY Fredonia. They include: Jamaica: Jonathan Batres, Claudia Azevedo.

South Ozone Park: Sarah Itwaru.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester at Caldwell University in Caldwell, N.J. They include: Queens Village: Alexandra Coupet.

Rosedale: Vanessa Ulysse.

Springfield Gardens: Alyssa James.

Kahmia Moise of Jamaica received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English during spring 2014 commencement ceremonies at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester at SUNY Buffalo State. They include: Cambria Heights: Solomon Johnson.

Jamaica: Sydney King.

Laurelton: Kerby Marcelin.

Rosedale: Yusef Griffin.

St. Albans: Terron Grant.

South Ozone Park: Antia Constable.

South Richmond Hill: Carol Reyes.

Springfield Gardens: Mariam Lawal.

Domonique Moody of Jamaica and Noble Abraham of Queens Village were named to the Dean’s List for

Khadijat Audu of Cambria Heights was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Local students received degrees during spring 2014 commencement ceremonies at the University at Albany. They include: Jamaica: Tolulope Bamwo, Master of Public Administration degree in public administration; Christen Clark, Bachelor of Science degree in human biology; Leonard Gordon, Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology; Kourtney Martin, Master of Science degree in information science; Tenaya McDaniel, Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, magna cum laude.

The New York Army National Guard has announced the reenlistment of members in recognition of their continuing commitment to serve.

Specialist Rashawn Townsend of Jamaica has reenlisted to continue service with the 107th Military Police Company.

Staff Sergeant Atasha Gurahoo of Queens Village has reenlisted to continue service with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade.

Staff Sergeant Kara McNoughton of Jamaica has reenlisted to continue service with the 719th Transportation Company.

Private First Class Jean Joseph of Cambria Heights has reenlisted to continue service with the Company A, 1-69th Infantry.

Specialist Tyesha Green of Jamaica has reenlisted to continue service with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Signal Battalion.

Mia Sanchez of South Ozone Park received a Master of Science degree in secondary education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing during spring 2014 commencement ceremonies at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Send notices of graduation, awards, anniversaries, etc., to: PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 1-7, 2014

Faith

Eid-ul Fitr Marks The End Of Ramadan On Monday, July 28, many wished Muslims all around the world an Eid Mubarak or a Blessed Eid. Eid or formally Eid-ul Fitr is a celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. Ramadan is a period of 29 or 30 days when Muslims commit to fasting from sunrise to sundown. During this month, Muslims abstain from food, alcohol, smoking, sexual relations, swearing, backbiting, arguments and procrastinating. During Ramadan, food and drinks are served before dawn and after sunset.

“Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating tonight,” Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) said in a statement. “Over this past month, Muslims across our City, country, and globe have fasted and exercised the virtues of patience, steadfastness and tolerance. Through sacrifice, we have found strength to continue in our individual pursuits to become closer to Allah.”

Eid begins the day after Ramadan, when the crescent moon is sighted after sunset. Once Eid begins, Mus-

lims are no longer required to fast.

Eid-ul Fitr consists of two units of Islamic prayer that are offered in an open space. For Muslims, the day originated from the Muslim Prophet Muhammad. The day is meant as a period to thank God and remember him.

“And as Eid begins, we are assured that our fasts have been as beneficial to our bodies as they have been to our souls,” Miller, the City Council’s lone Muslim member, said. “We will miss Ramadan, for it has enabled us to reflect inward, shown us humility, and renewed our understanding of life. With this knowledge we will make our communities and countries stronger moving forward.”

Muslims wake up on this day, clean, pray, clothe and eat a small, sweet breakfast. During Eid, Muslims traditionally pay money to the poor, greet other Muslims, donate food to the poor, sit down for meals and pray together for three days. This is a period to forgive people and overlook past wrongs.

“In an era which tests our faith,

The Jamaica Museum Center Masjid Al-Mamoor is a center in Jamaica where thousands of Muslims attend and pray during Ramadan.

the month of Ramadan is a reminder and assurance that this faith is well placed,” Miller said. “We are empowered to see a brighter future to come for all. Once again, Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating, may your celebrations be filled with love, peace and Allah’s blessing.”

Miller is also joining with other councilmembers for the Eid-ul Fitr Celebration on Aug. 7 at Surrogate’s Courthouse, located at 31 Chambers St., New York. For more information about the event or to RSVP, call (212) 442-1649.

— Esther Shittu

Notebook

Back To School

Annual Back To School Giveaway Summer is not yet over, but parents can start preparing for when their kids return to school. On Aug. 2, parents are invited to bring their children to the 10th Anniversary for A Cause A Concern A Solution Network, Inc. at the Annual Back To School Giveaway & Family Fun Day. The Back to School Giveaway is hosted by the Kareem D. Sapp Foundation. The Kareem D. Sapp Foundation is an organization that travels to different communities to help young people. The organization works with schools, teens, community organizations and leaders to make sure that there is a positive impact in the lives of children.

The organization began in 2007 when 19-year-old Kareem was killed by a young man when he tried to assist a friend. According to Sapp’s father, Thomas Sapp Jr., the murderer of his son was not caught until nine months after his son’s death.

“I knew who the murderer was.

Instead of retaliating, I started a ser-

The Back to School Giveaway will take place on Aug. 2 at Baisley Pond Park. vice committee,” Thomas said.

Sapp began the Kareem Sapp Foundation as a way to help young people in the community. He said that the goal of the organization is to give young people something to do instead of hanging out on the streets.

“Since 2007, the foundation has been doing events, utilizing younger people… [We] want to help build [young people’s] self-esteem and their self-worth so they have something else to do,” Sapp said.

He said that the foundation goes

to any community where they are solicited to help. Right now, with collaboration with organizations such as the National Action Network, ACACAS, Guns Down Life Up and the 4 MC’s, the foundation has been focusing more on the Southeast Queens Region.

“We believe in collaboration because there is power in numbers,” Thomas said.

For the past few years, the organization has handed out back to school supplies to children in the community. Thomas said that since they have been doing it, they have been servicing about 400 to 600 people each year.

This year, the organization solicited people from the community to donate as well as raised additional funds from a previous trip that they sponsored for kids to Six Flags Great Adventure. Organizations such as Bridge the Gap Ministries, Larry’s Photos and Health First sponsored the event and also donated 450 backpacks.

Thomas said that registration for the School Supply Giveaway will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Supplies such as pencils, rulers, pens, highlighters, calculators, glue, notebooks and folders will be handed out. The giveaway is for children that range from 4 years old to 12 years old. The children must be accompanied by an adult.

While receiving school supplies, children can enjoy ACACAS’s anniversary with Minnie The Clown, face painting, balloon animal designs, cotton candy and other goodies.

Adults can celebrate with ACACAS by enjoying performances by Cloza & Forever, Charisa the Violin Diva and sounds from Ms. DJ Royale & Team. Food will be provided for the event.

The Annual Back to School Giveaway will be at Baisley Pond Park located on 150th Street (at Sutphin Boulevard). For more information or to volunteer for the event, call (516) 642-1276 or (917) 349-1704. The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

— Esther Shittu

Aug. 1-7, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

What’s Up August 1 Preschool summer Reading Caregivers are invited to bring children up to age 5 to this interactive early reading program. The program is from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The program will take place at Queens Library-Cambria Heights Branch, located at 218-13 Linden Blvd., Cambria Heights. For more information, call (718) 528-3535.

First Fridays in Downtown Jamaica Join other young urban professionals who work, live, shop and dine in downtown Jamaica and are age 25 and up. Enjoy an evening of music, drinks, networking and great art. The dress attire is business casual. Hats and athletic wear are prohibited. The feature will be the opening reception for the exhibit “Local Color.” All are requested to RSVP. The event will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, located at 161-04 Jamaica Ave. For more information, call (718) 658-7400 or email info@jcal.org.

August 2 Birding by Canoe All are invited by the Eastern Queens Alliance to join the Urban Park Rangers for a birding by canoe adventure through the waterways of Idlewild Park Reserve. The adventure is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Idlewild Park Reserve Canoe/Kayak Launch. For more information or to register, call (718) 352-1769.

August 3 4th Annual Collectible Car show

August 6 Participatory Budgeting Info session

All are invited to the Queens Classic Car Club’s 4th Annual Collectible Car Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 per car and $5 for walk-ins and car passengers. The event includes food, fun and trophies.

The show is at Roy Wilkins Park, located at Merrick & Foch Boulevards, St. Albans. For more information, call (718) 206-4444.

All interested in playing a role to determine how capital funds are spent are invited to come to Councilman I. Daneek Miller’s Participatory Budgeting Info Session. The session is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church, located at 172-70 106th Ave., Jamaica. For more information or to RSVP, call Jessica Douglas at (718)776-3700 or email jdouglas@council.nyc.gov.

August 4 ‘transformers’ The movie “Transformers” will be shown at Cambria/Cabbell Park as part of ABJ’s family movies in the park. The movie will begin at 8:10 p.m. The park is located at Francis Lewis Boulevard at 120th Avenue.

For more information, call (718) 657-2605 or email greg.mays@abetterjamaica.org.

August 5 National Night Out The 103rd Precinct Community Council presents National Night Out. The night includes a barbeque in the park at Rufus king Park, located on Jamaica Avenue between 150th and 153rd Streets. Enjoy music, rides, entertainment, face painting and lots of giveaways while receiving crime prevention information. The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There is a candle lighting ceremony at 9 p.m.

For more information, call Mary Lawrence at (718) 657-8195.

‘star trek’ The movie “Star Trek” will be shown at Baisley Pond Park at 8:05 p.m. The Park is located on Foch Boulevard (at Long Street). For more information, call (718) 6572605 or email greg.mays@abetterjamaica.com.

August 7 summer science for tweens Children entering grades four to six are invited to Queens LibraryCambria Heights Branch from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. to conduct science experiments. The Library is located at 218-13 Linden Blvd., Cambria heights. For more information, call (718) 528-3535.

‘star trek’ The movie “Star Trek” will be shown at Saint Albans Park at 8:05 p.m. the Park is located on Merrick Boulevard (at Sayres Avenue). For more informa-

tion, call (718) 657-2605 or email greg. mays@abetterjamaica.com.

August 8 No Cost Mobile Mammogram The Queens Chapter of the National Action Network presents free mammograms at Greater Springfield Community Church, located at 17706 129th Ave., Jamaica. The mammograms and clinical breast exams will be taken from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To make an appointment, call (877) 628-9090. For more information, call 9718) 949-9500 or email queenschapternan@gmail.com.

‘Alien’ ABJ’s Classic (Monster) Film Friday will show the movie “Alien’ at 8 p.m. at Rufus King Park, located on Jamaica Avenue (at 153rd Street).

For more information, call (718) 657-2605 or email greg.mays@abetterjamaica.org.

ONgOINg Jump & Ball 2014 LL Cool J & Senator Malcolm A. Smith are pleased to present the 10th annual Jump & Ball Basket Ball tournament. The tournament begins August 1st and will hold every Saturday and Sunday until August 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, call (718) 528-4290. The tournament will be at Daniel O’ Connell Park, located at Murdock Avenue at 195th Street, Hollis.

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL I INC. TRUST 2006-HE2, Plaintiff, against LIZ BUITR AGO, et al., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 3/3/2014 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Courthouse in Courtroom #25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on 08/08/2014 at 10:00AM, premises known as 179-39 144TH ROAD, Springfield Gardens, NY 11434 All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, BLOCK 13089 LOT 91, FORMERLY PART OF, LOT

38. Approximate amount of judgment $737,657.71 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 22987/12. Gregory M. Laspina, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC, Attorney for Plaintiff, P.O. Box 540, Getzville, NY 14068 Dated: May 19, 2014 1094746 ________________________

spouses, widows, grantees, m0ligagees, lienor, heirs, devisees, distributes, or successors in interest of such of the above as may be dead, and their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributes and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residences are unknown to Plaintiff, Fleet National Bank, New York City Environmental Control Board, New York City Parking Violations Bureau New York City Transit Adjudication Bureau United State of America-Internal Revenue Service, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Defendants.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attor-

neys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons if not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgement will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $100,000.00 and interest, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County of QUEENS on June 30, 1992 in Book 3346, Page 906, which was consolidated with the mortgage recorded on October 15, 1996, in Book 4443, at Page 1523 in the amount of $38,750.00 by a Consolidation, Extension and Modifica-

tion Agreement dated August 20, 1996, recorded October 15, 1996 in Book 4443 at Page 1535, which created a single lien in the amount of $138,750.00, covering premises known as 149-35 12th Avenue, Whitestone, NY 11357. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the Mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case if pending

for further information on how to answer the Summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your Mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: WILLIAMSVILLE, New York JUNE 26, 2014 By: Stephen J. Wallace Esq. Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100 Our File No.: 01-033536-FOO TO: Charis Sachtouris 149-35 12th Avenue, Whitestone, NY 11357 and/or 116 East 83rd Street, New York, NY 10028 United State of AmericaInternal Revenue Service New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NE W YORK COUNT Y OF QUEENS Index No. 22641/2013 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Queens Count y as the place of trial. Venue is based uponthe County in which the Mortgage premises is situated. RECEIVED 7/18/2014 COUNTY CLERK QUEENS COUNTY Capital One, N.A. –against- Charis Sachtouris, if living and if any be dead, any and all persons who are

Bacon Assault

Q

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 1-7, 2014

Musicians OF QuEEns

Black Tie Brass

QConf is edited by:

When attending an event filled with bacon and beer, you have to expect some tomfoolery revolving around bacon and beer. When chef Lawrence Rosenberg of New Jersey-based Bacon Bites caught this gentleman in the black T-shirt trying to snag a full-body pig costume behind his table at the Bacon and Beer Classic at Citi Field on Saturday, he responded by going after the would-be thief with a stuffed bacon doll. At least it wasn't a pan full of scaldinghot bacon grease...

Parking Makes People Nuts Is this the hero we deserve?

A Glendale vigilante armed with a can of black spray paint and a profane vocabulary has been hitting the streets in the name of Parking Righteousness.

According to published reports, this Peter Parking has been attacking cars that lie askew or leave little space in their spots, with such eloquent reprisals as “Hey s*** bag park right!” and

“Learn to park S bag.”

A number of Glendale residents have expressed their frustration with the vulgar vandal to the press.

There have been other recent events in Glendale that might inspire ire – namely the installation of a homeless shelter despite residents’ and electeds’ protests – we here at QConf suggest this sidewalk stalker take up a new, less illegal cause.

Why So Serious, NYC? Turn that frown upside down, New York City.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia and Harvard University found that NYC is the unhappiest city in America.

The two universities conducted a survey taken from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention that asked the question, “how satisfied are you with your life?”

They also organized that

data by race, education, marital status and family to conclude which cities are the most beleaguered. After NYC, Pittsburgh and Louisville round out the top three.

One may be able to understand why those other two cities would make that list, but NYC? The Greatest City in the World? The “City That Never Sleeps?” Cheer up everybody.

You could have it so much worse than living in NYC.

An Odd Sight

Last week, a QConf contributor noticed this odd sight: Carlos Aquirre of Woodside, a children's entertainment specialist, had his bounce house in the driveway, getting a hosedown. We can't help but wonder how many kids on the street thought that there was a carnival on their block that weekend. Photo by Walter Karling.

Steven J. Ferrari

Contributors: Bruce Adler, Jordan Gibbons, Luis Gronda, Walter Karling, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Michael Nussbaum, Michael Schenkler, Jackie Strawbridge.

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

New Job For Kevin Kim

He may not be representing Queens' 19th City Council District, but Kevin Kim is now working for New York State.

Last month, Kim became the first Asian American to serve as a Commissioner of the New York State Liquor Authority.

Back in 2009, Kim ran as a Democrat for the Council seat, losing a contentious race to Dan Halloran.

While he briefly flirted with the idea of running for the seat last year, after Halloran declined to run to focus instead on his court case on corruption charges, he finally decided against another try. Paul Vallone won the seat last year.

Kim will now serve as one of three commissioners to the SLA, which is charged with the regulation and control of the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages throughout the state.

The new commissioner also serves on the Board of Directors for two non-profits: the Korean-American Community Foundation and the International Student Conference.

From the moment you put on one of Black Tie Brass’ songs, you are transported to a world of jazz and funk.

This is not your typical genre band though. The sevenpiece incorporates rock and hip-hop into its sound as well, creating a fresh chemistry that will keep you coming back for more.

Although the band itself only started in May 2013, its musicians have been playing together since September 2008. Trombonist Ryan McNulty, trumpeter Randolph Smith, saxophonist Mike Alvarez, guitarist Al Marino, keyboardist Jason Reese, bassist Charles Jourdan and drummer Glenn Chiarello all met at Long Island University C.W. Post through a jazz band.

The band’s unique blend of genres allows it to spread its wings and create a tight energy that any music lover can enjoy. It also gives them flexibility when putting together their live set, a mix of covers and originals.

“Our group sound has evolved from very straight forward jazz to an amalgamation of so many different styles,” McNulty said. “In one set, we can jump from Miles Davis to Stevie Wonder to Bruno Mars. In our own compositions, those changes happen in one song.”

Those compositions slowly evolve from the bare bones version that McNulty puts together. Each member of the band brings his personal style to the song, adding layer after layer until the track is complete.

Songs are also recorded as one take, rather than using the multi-track recording method. Black Tie Brass does

this to capture the spontaneity of their sound.

“We actually want to capture the organic nature of the music we create,” Jourdan said. “Funk is not created in the studio. Funk is created on the spot as we go.”

That level of improvisation also comes through when the band plays live, with extended jams pushing the songs beyond their natural run time.

“Our favorite covers are definitely Stevie Wonder's ‘Superstition’ and Average White Band's ‘Pick Up the Pieces.’ They really show off our horn section and style,” McNulty said. “Each song sometimes takes 10 minutes live. I guess you can say that we really like to play!”

Black Tie Brass set up a Kickstarter to support the creation of their first full-length album. The record will have five tracks, with four originals and a cover of “Red Clay” by Freddy Hubbard. The money they raise will go towards studio time, mastering and packaging. Any leftover cash will be dedicated to promotion.

As of press time, the Kickstarter, which ends on Aug. 1, has raised $2,041, closing in on its goal of $2,300.

The members of the band grew up in Queens and were influenced by the Borough’s diversity, particularly in terms of music.

“It has affected our careers by being around so many different styles of music,” McNulty said. “For example, sitting in traffic on the LIE, you will hear different music from every car you are near.”

For more information on the band and news about its Kickstarter and tour dates, visit blacktiebrass.com.

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Aug. 1-7, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

To Advertise in the Southeast Queens Press Classifieds Call (718) 357-7400 • Fax (718) 357-0076

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RAY INC.

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J A M A I C A C E N T E R F O R A RT S & L E A R N I N G

Broadway

Jamaica soiree

IN

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10th 2014

7:00pm – 9:00pm Wine & Hors d’oeuvres

You are cordially invited by Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) Board of Directors

to a Fundraiser for JCAL’s Art & Education Program @ Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Avenue

CONNECTING THROUGH THE ART

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tonya Cantlo-Cockfield, President Michael A. James, 1st Vice President Peter Magnani, 2nd Vice President Shanqua Harrison, Treasurer Philippa L. Karteron, Secretary Doreen Clark-Williams

Karen Dawkins D’Chivon Gooding Dawn Kelly Andrew Manshel Dolores Swirin-Yao

Support our program and help students and young adults reach their creative potential (company name listed in promotional materials and website)

PRODUCER LEVEL $20,000 • Defray ticket costs for 8,000 students for our School Assembly Series, or, • Artist Fees for Sunday Afternoon Concert Series

DIRECTOR LEVEL $15,000

BOARD EMERITUS Juliette A. Hansen

Carlisle Towery

ADVISORY BOARD William M. Gianakos Constance Maltese Victoria Schneps-Yunis

Cathy Hung, Executive Director

Honorable Melinda Katz, Borough President of Queens

PLAYWRIGHT LEVEL $10,000 • Artist Fees for Making Move Dance Festival, or, • Family Day Series

COMPOSER LEVEL $5,000 • ACW Open House and Annual Student Recital, or, • First Friday Series

ACTOR LEVEL - SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM $2,500

EX-OFFICIO Honorable Bill de Blasio, Mayor, City of New York

• Artist Fees for School Assembly Series, or, • Artist Fees for 6 Visual Arts Exhibitions

Honorable Tom Finkelpearl, Commissioner, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs

• Help JCAL provide financial support to qualified registered students

CHOREOGRAPHER LEVEL $1,500 • Sponsor one artist in our residency program

TICKET INFORMATION Patron Tickets .............................................................................. $100 161-04 Jamaica Avenue Jamaica, NY 11432 www.jcal.org

Individual Tickets ..........................................................................$50 Children Tickets .............................................................................$25