Press epaper 080213 by Queens Press

Volume 14 Issue No. 31 Aug. 2-8, 2013

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

ANOTHER WIN

Community members celebrate a victory after a proposed liquor store across the street from Springfield Gardens High School was denied a liquor license. By Natalia Kozikowska â&#x20AC;Ś Page 3.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens August 2-8, 2013

News Briefs Report: Foreign Seniors Spike in Borough

Queens has seen the biggest increase of foreign–born seniors in the City, according to a report released last week. The Borough has seen its foreignborn senior population increase by 42,000, according to the Center for an Urban Future, a Manhattan-based think tank. The report looks at the growing number of seniors not born in this country compared the elderly born in the United States. Every borough saw its foreignborn senior population increase according to this report, which got its numbers from the latest census data measured between 2000 and 2010. Broken down by neighborhood, Flushing and Whitestone placed first in the Borough, with more than 25,000 foreign-born seniors living in those neighborhoods. This change can be attributed to immigrants from Asia migrating to the Borough over the last three decades. Other Borough statistics highlighted in the report include Howard Beach and South Ozone Park seeing their foreign-born senior population increase by 112 percent, the fourth largest increase in the City overall. In addition to that, several other neighborhoods in Queens made the list for the increase in the aforementioned population, including The Rockaways, Bellerose/Rosedale and Bayside/Little Neck. The Rockaways saw an 83 percent increase from 2000 to 2010, 63 percent for Bellerose/Rosedale in the same time period and 52 percent for Bayside/ Little Neck.

Council Passes Nine Sandy Bills

In order to properly prepare for future storms like Superstorm Sandy, Councilman and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) along with the City Council, approved nine bills regarding the City’s response system to emergency situations. The Public Safety hearing, held on July 23 and the City Council hearing held on July 24, allowed for discussion that would require the Office of Emergency Management to develop plans in several major areas. The requirements include, creating fuel, traffic and shelter management plans for when the City has to declare a state of emergency. “These bills are a good first step, but a lot more work still has to be done to ensure we are safe before the next storm,” Vallone said.

Since the storm, the City Council held 12 oversight hearings where they received insight on how the City responded to the storm and what could be done better in the future. From the data collected, the Public Safety Committee developed a list of recommendations. Vallone sponsored five of those nine bills. The plans include a food and water access plan to provide the City with a community recovery plan and emergency shelters, improve the methods by which homebound residents and people with special medical needs are tracked, rescued and evacuated. It would also help small business owners and non-profit organizations recover from future storms. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn stated her support for the nine bills in a statement. “It is imperative that we’re better prepared for future storms in order to keep New Yorkers safe and to protect our infrastructure,” she said.

Co-op/Condo FEMA Coverage Bill Announced

When Superstorm Sandy blew through Queens last October, it damaged homes all over the Borough, from one-family houses to co-ops and condos. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency helped out the one-family houses and many other residencies, co-ops and condos were excluded from assistance. Nearly a year later, U.S. Rep Steve Israel (D-Melville) is introducing legislation to make sure co-ops and condos are covered by FEMA for future storms. As it is, co-ops and condos can only receive loans, not grants, from the agency. The announcement was made on July 29 by Israel in the midst of Bay Terrace Cooperative Gardens, along with the backing of State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) and many co-op homeowners. FEMA does not offer grants to co-ops and condos because it categorizes them as businesses, rather than residential units. Israel’s bill, which was officially introduced on July 30, would allow the co-ops and condos throughout the U.S. to apply for grants in future disasters. “A co-op may have hedges, but it is not a hedge fund.” Israel said. “It is a community of homeowners.” The Congressman said he believed the legislation would be difficult to pass due to the low quantity of coops throughout the country and the general gridlock in Washington D.C. For this reason, the bill is not retroactive and would not apply to damage from Superstorm Sandy.

August 2-8, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Last Friday, Springfield Gardens residents celebrated their victory against a proposed liquor store slated to be built across the street from Springfield Gardens High School. The celebration marks the second time community residents have triumphed over a less-than-desirable establishment near the high school. Just months earlier, locals and elected officials protested and eventually drove out a proposed hot sheet motel at the same site. “Our children are the future and that is something we can never compromise – developing their young minds and constructing them into leaders is very crucial. To do so, the environment in which they occupy must promote their development, not deter it,” said Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton), who led the battle against the liquor store. In an effort to block the approval of a liquor license, applied for by Tarsem Singh, State Sen. James Sanders (D-Jamaica), Richards, Community Board 13 district manager Lawrence McClean and more than a dozen frustrated locals and students rallied

at the site in May to protest. Their efforts proved successful and Singh, who had already signed a lease with Platinum Realty, the owners of the shopping mall, was denied the liquor license by the State Liquor Authority. “Establishing a liquor store against Springfield Gardens High School is an abomination and I’m glad that the community stood up to fight against such a proposal,” Richards said. “This type of organization does not depict who we are as a community and should have never been proposed in an area which encompasses our youth.” According to the regulations of the Alcohol Beverage Control, a liquor store may not be opened within 200 feet of a school. The proposed location for the shop, inside a newly constructed shopping mall on Conduit Avenue, legally exceeded the required distance, although the calculations, Richards said, were subjective. “We want to see how they [the State Liquor Authority] measure because sometimes their measurements are not our measurements,” Richards told the PRESS in May. “They may count the door instead of the sidewalk.”

Photo by Ira Cohen

Springfield Gardens Residents Triumph Again

Cookie Kojak, a Springfield Gardens resident, celebrates the victory over a proposed liquor store.

Richards and other community members applauded the SLA’s decision to ax the plans, highlighting the many potential hazards associated with having a liquor store in such close proximity to an educational institution.

“We know the trick. The minors are going to go to someone who is older and ask them, ‘Can you buy me [alcohol] and I’ll give you money.’ And we cannot afford to take that chance here,” the Councilman said. “I am a neighbor and I’ve seen what alcohol can do to a child’s life,” echoed resident Cookie Kojak. “We want to make sure that this is it.” Richards added that nearly 1,000 signatures were collected for the petition against the liquor store and vowed to continue to fight against any establishment that might have a negative impact on the community. “Let this be an example to any other liquor store that believes they can rightly establish their organization near any schools in our district,” he said. “And that goes for any establishment – if they intend to come into our community and build anything that isn’t going to build this community up – they will not build here.” Neither Platinum Reality nor Singh could be reached for comment. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska

BY JOE MARVILLI The New York City Sergeants Benevolent Association threatened to spend a quarter of a million dollars targeting council members who supported what it saw as a danger to the NYPD and the City as a whole: the Community Safety Act. Dozens of members of the fifth largest police union in the country filled a ballroom at Antun’s Restaurant in Queens Village on July 30 to find out what the CSA would mean for them if it becomes law. Ed Mullins, President of the SBA, said that he would use the full power of the union to make sure the CSA does not become law. If it does, the SBA will dedicate $250,000 to targeting the weakest, pro-CSA Council members in the upcoming election. “It makes us the bad guy. Every member of the NYPD can be sued,” he said. “The City Council is not addressing the issue for what it’s really worth.” The CSA is made up of two separate bills. The first part, called the End NYPD Discriminatory Profiling Bill, would allow anyone to sue the police department if they have been

discriminated against by an officer. The second part, the NYPD Oversight Act, would establish an Inspector General who would oversee the NYPD and publish reports of their findings to the public. The legislation was approved by the City Council in June and has since been vetoed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Council is planning to override the veto. On two screens, Mullins displayed the names and photos of all the council members who supported the CSA. As the images scrolled by, Mullins said Speaker Christine Quinn had a “lack of leadership” and called Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) the “biggest hypocrite of all.” This scene was followed by slides of murder victims from 2013, with Mullins saying, “Who speaks for these people? You think any one of [the council members] called those families?” SBA attorney Andrew Quinn addressed the audience to point out the major flaws of the act. He said that the CSA expands the anti-profiling law, so any member of the NYPD who relies on race, origin, color, creed, age, alienage, citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, dis-

Photo by Joe Marvilli

Police Sergeants Union Slams Safety Act

Sergeants Benevolent Association President Ed Mullins said the Community Safety Act threatens every officer for doing their job. ability, housing status, etc. to stop someone is discriminatory. “You can be found guilty in the absence of direct evidence. This is a law that turns benefit of a doubt on its head. If you are accused, you are presumed guilty,” Quinn said. “I don’t think half the City Council read this law.” Quinn also said that a department branch or the department as a whole can be sued for a policy that has an unfair impact on a certain group in the City. He mentioned Operation Crew Cut as a program that could be targeted, given that it focuses on teenagers in gangs. “Even if the department does

prove that action has a significant relationship to advancing a law enforcement objective, the policy is unlawful if a person produces an alternate method with a less disparate impact,” Quinn added, saying it would lead to outside experts affecting NYPD policy. If the act becomes law, Quinn advised officers to “document every stop” they make. Mullins added that the SBA would look into whether they can make a case in the courts to shoot down the CSA if it becomes law. Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@ queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens August 2-8, 2013

Court: Exxon Must Pay $105 Mil to SEQ BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Last Friday, a federal court ruled that Exxon Mobil must pay $105 million to clean up drinking water wells in southeast Queens that it contaminated with the dangerous chemical, MTBE. Exxon was first ordered to shell out the cash back in 2009 when a Manhattan federal court ruled in favor of the City. Exxon Mobil challenged the verdict, but was once again ordered to pay the $104.7 million in damages. According to court documents, the City accused Exxon of using the gasoline additive MTBE [Methyl tert-butyl ether], knowing its storage systems would leak and eventually contaminate the groundwater collected in the wells. The appeals court rejected Exxon’s defense that it used MTBE under the regulations and guidelines of the Clean Air Act, which required all oil companies to reformulate their gasoline to reduce air pollution. Although MTBE is not characterized as a carcinogen, data supports that consuming high doses of the additive is a potential health hazard. The chemical is no longer used in gasoline.

A number of elected officials, have called the court’s decision a victory. “I think that it’s fantastic the courts have upheld the verdict again,” Assemblyman William scarborough (D-Jamaica) said. state sen. Malcolm smith (D-Jamaica) echoed similar sentiments. “Of course it won’t bring back the health of the homeowners, but I hope

it will provide some relief. I’m curious as to how the money is going to be allocated to those affected by the MTBE,” smith said in a statement. But Exxon is not ready to call it a loss just yet. “MTBE was added to gasoline to meet regulatory requirements to solve U.s. air pollution. MTBE has not been used for seven years, cleanup successfully continues and the

myriad of data shows MTBE detections decreasing,” said Todd spitler, a spokesperson for Exxon, in an emailed statement. “We acknowledge the decision out of the 2nd Circuit and will be filing an appeal to the United states supreme Court.” Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska

St. Albans Hosts 9th Annual Jump & Ball Tourney BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA southeast Queens has long been a breeding ground for NBA players. Legends Lamar Odom, Rafer Alston, Kenny Anderson and Duane Causwell have all shot hoops in the neighborhood. And for the ninth year in a row, the Daniel O’Connell Park in st. Albans will be showcasing the City’s newest talent. Last week, state sen. Malcolm smith (D-Jamaica) announced that he will be kicking off the 9th Annual Jump and Ball summer tournament. The event, a basketball and doubledutch tournament, will take place every weekend from saturday, Aug. 3, through sunday, sept. 1.

“I think it’s important because the young people in the community want to get together and bond,” smith said. In 2005, hip-hop artist and actor LL Cool J, who goes to the same church as the senator, approached smith with a desire to give back to the community. “He [LL Cool J] said to me, ‘The community is really good to me and I’d like to do something to give back to the children.’ We met about a week later and we started talking about an idea where we can do some athletic work for the kids and at the same time back sure there was a family component,” smith said. In addition to basketball and double-dutch, there are a number

of other activities for children. The program will also have golf, chess and tennis competitions and a karate showcase. For the younger children, there will be demonstrations featuring area wildlife, a bouncy castle, face painting and a clown. Cowboy Curly Hall will also be on hand with his horses on Aug. 17 and will demonstrate western rope tricks. Winners of the tournaments will not only receive trophies, they will also get a free backpack filled with school supplies. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska

August 2-8, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

CHN Helps Locals Eat Healthy On A Budget In an effort to promote healthy living, the Community Healthcare Network, a nonprofit agency that aims to provide affordable health services to underserved communities, took a group of its patients on a hands-on tour of a Jamaica grocery store to show how a family of four can eat a balanced, healthy diet for just $150 a week. Tuesday morning’s trip to Key Food on Jamaica Avenue is part of CHN’s summer-long, community-based nutrition campaign aimed to curb the obesity and diabetes rates in Southeast Queens and the entire City. “Obesity today is an epidemic. One in five New Yorkers are obese,” said Catherine Abate, CEO and president of CHN. “This campaign is not about looking good or getting into a certain size dress – it’s about staying healthy. We thought this would be a great opportunity to educate people to make good choices if we actually went shopping with our patients.” This campaign, Abate said, was particularly important to launch in Jamaica, where one in five residents are obese and one in 10 residents suffer from diabetes. “This is one of the neediest com-

Photo by Natalia Kozikowska

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

how to shop economically all while picking the proper foods to eat. Families are getting away with fast foods and the foods that are not healthy for them.” CHN nutritionists allotted $150 for the grocery store trip – the maximum amount a family of four gets in food stamps. Equipped with a grocery list, the nutrition specialists walked around with a group of a dozen female patients and gave them a few tips about eating healthy and reading product labels. Bananas, avocados, oranges, sweet potatoes, nuts, whole wheat bread, mini whole wheat bagels, low-fat yogurt, rotisserie chicken and spinach mix were just some of the many items that found its way to the shopA dozen female patients from the Community Healthcare Network in Jamaica joined ping cart. Come check-out time, parnutritionists for a hands-on tour at Key Food to learn how to eat healthy on a budget. ticipants were not only better munities,” she said. “We understand eating healthy may not always be easy educated about eating healthy, the relationship between good nutri- for locals. This is especially true for pa- they were also shown that it can be tion and staying healthy. Whatever you tients like Gwendolyn Little, who lives done on their budgets. When the Key put into your body has a direct link on a very strict budget. Food cashier was done ringing up the “Our group is here for medicinal items, the grand total was $126.60, between whether you are going to develop diabetes or heart disease or can- purposes but we are also family mem- nearly $25 under budget. cers or many of the chronic diseases bers that have a strict budget and a low Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska income,” Little said. “With this partic- at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowspeople face.” CHN nutritionists are aware that ular shopping spree, they are showing ka@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens August 2-8, 2013

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

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed

Last week, the City Council finally approved a series of legislation meant to help New york City in the event of another emergency situation like Superstorm Sandy. The bills’ passage comes after a dozen oversight hearings and nine months after Sandy leveled parts of Queens. As we approach hurricane season once again, many assume that a storm the likes of Sandy will not hit the City again. But with changing weather systems, we can never be sure what Mother Nature will bring. Parts of the Rockaways are still recovering. Full A Train service to that area was just recently restored and many homeowners are still fighting with City and State agencies for help rebuilding nine months later. Superstorm Sandy showed a failing towards the people of Queens and instead of taking immediate action to ensure these failures never occurred again, the City took nine months to discuss new emergency systems. Given the nature of City government, who knows how long it will be before these systems are implemented. Hopefully this year, hurricane season gives the City a pass. We may not be able to take another storm.

Queens Today Editor

Letters

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Natalia Kozikowska Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Trisha Sakhuja Intern: Asia Ewart Art Dept:

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

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

Spending Cuts Needed

To The Editor: I just heard the Secretary of the Treasury complaining about the Republicans’ warn-

ing that they will not increase the debt limit. He said that millions of Americans will not get paid if they can’t borrow money. What he did not say is, why does America continuously

have to borrow money? How much money can we borrow before the lenders realize that we are a bad risk? What is going to happen when no one will lend us money? We now owe 17 trillion dollars and have a contracted debt of 35 trillion dollars. We are currently paying over 500 billion dollars in interest on our current debt and we are borrowing money to pay the interest which any idiot knows can’t continue as the interest payment will soon consume your entire income. There is only $70 trillion in all the countries of the world. Why didn’t he say that we must cut our spending? When you are over your head in debt, the only intelligent thing to do is cut spending. John Procida, Flushing

Why So Angry?

To The Editor: I was just reading the “In Your Opinion” section of the Queens Tribune for July 25-31 and I was very saddened by the letter writer from Briarwood concerning the President and his comments on the Trayvon Martin case. First, I

believe we all have a right to our opinions but the letter writer’s obvious hatred and veiled suggestion that some harm should come to the President of the United States crosses a line for me. Where is this anger coming from? E ve r s i n c e P r e s i d e n t Obama was elected, smallminded people, in and out of Congress, have made it their goal to fight against all of his administration’s policies. It doesn’t even matter that many of Obama’s decisions are based in Republican ideas. As an example, the Affordable Care Act is an almost direct copy of the Mitt Romney health care bill we have now in Massachusetts. Where is this anger coming from? As the first Black President of the United States, Obama has not, until now, spoken about the racial issues in the country. His comments about the Trayvon Martin case were an eloquent and thoughtful beginning to a discussion on race that many people would rather not have, but is long overdue. Perhaps this is where some of this anger comes from. Joseph Tolson, Jackson Heights

Jury Still Out On Spitzer’s Second-Coming A Personal Perspective By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE I was out of town when I heard Eliot Spitzer had jumped into the race for City Comptroller. Naturally, I was teased that our city elections this year was filled with “scandal kings.” One can only imagine that the former governor was inspired by the then-high poll numbers of his sex scandal twin, former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner. Alas, Weiner fell again due to additional revelations of the same sexting behavior. I don’t know what it is about us that when the mighty have fallen they think that we should help them get back up again. But we do exactly that for them because we love a come-back story. It was one of the things that delighted us most about President Clinton. No matter what he did, we forgave and even defended him. But neither Weiner nor

Spitzer is any Bill Clinton. Far from it! Where Clinton oozes southern charm, Spitzer is pugnacious and Weiner was seen by colleagues as a media-hog without much accomplishments to back it up at the end of the day. Spitzer spent most of his short tenure as governor fighting with then-Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. He fought so fiercely with the Republican leader, it became an annoying distraction. Weiner begged for forgiveness and was welcomed back into the fold -- until we found out he had messed up again. Spitzer is doing well in the Comptroller’s race, even besting his chief rival, Scott Stringer, who thought he’d get a free ride. Are we ready for the second coming of Eliot Spitzer? Well like it or not, he’s here and he could conceivably win the election. It’s not the worst thing that could happen to us. As long as he stays away from hookers and he stops picking fights with Wall Street,

we should be fine under his would-be leadership. Spitzer, like Weiner, missed being “in the game.” By coming back and trying to redeem himself, Spitzer is apparently trying to rewrite the script on his political career. It was a really big fall that he took back in March 2008. He, even more than Weiner, was expected to be a paragon of virtue given how enthusiastically he had prosecuted those involved in prostitution in our state. And then he was discovered to be using the services of high-priced hookers. He was branded a hypocrite and he left office in shame. Spitzer, a Harvard-educated lawyer, is an extremely articulate man with a lot to give. But hubris knocked him off his gubernatorial throne and it will again if he doesn’t get control of his capacity to alienate. His hooker-happy ways are not the only thing we have to worry about. It’s his “steamroller” and “sheriff

of Wall Street” attitudes that will hurt us as New Yorkers, if he becomes comptroller and doesn’t keep those urges under control. He claims he has “absolutely not” consorted with hookers since leaving office and that’s good news. But frankly I’m even more interested in his not causing businesses to flee New York for friendlier pastures if he’s elected and chooses to resume his bully-like ways toward them. Having said all that, I believe that should he win the election, Eliot Spitzer would be as good as or better than anyone else at it. I don’t think its heavy lifting, but it requires knowledge, tenacity and temperance. I can live with either Spitzer or Stringer, but they will have to work for all our votes. And if they don’t serve us well, then we’ll throw ‘em out after the first term. In the meantime, forgiveness and being forgiven are great gifts.

August 2-8, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

PUT CARE ON YOUR CALENDAR IN AUGUST Every month you’ll find new programs to help you stay healthy, get well and live better. All classes are free and open to the public. Come join us at EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care and together we can make our community a healthier and happier place.

206-20 Linden Blvd. Cambria Heights

Thursday

Dining Diversity Nutrition Class 10:30–11:30 am

Friday

EHNC Community Partnership 9:30–11:00 am

Saturday

Monday

Saturday

Wednesday

Monday

Thursday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Friday

Saturday

Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am Sitting Exercise 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am

Dining Diversity Nutrition Class 6:00–7:00 pm Healthy Living with Diabetes 10:30 am–1:00 pm Summer Fitness Workout 5:00–6:00 pm

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am Sitting Exercise 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am Cell Phone Literacy for Older Adults 10:30–11:30 am Meditation 2:00–3:00 pm

Saturday

Healthy Living With Diabetes 10:30 am–1:00 pm Summer Fitness Workout 5:00–6:00 pm

Saturday

Low Impact Zumba 10:30 am–11:30 am Sitting Exercise 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am

Medicare 101 10:30–12:30 pm *A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings call 1-800-447-9169, daily from 8www.EHNC.com am–8 pm. For the hearing and speech impaired, call TTY# 711, daily from 8 am–8 pm. Caregivers Support Group 2:00–3:30 pm

Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am Sitting Exercise 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm Understanding Blood Pressure Medication 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am FREE Community Dental Screening Ages 2-21 For further details give us a call. 2:00–5:00 pm FREE Community Dental Screening Ages 2-21 For further details give us a call. 2:00–5:00 pm Healthy Living with Diabetes 10:30 am–1:00 pm Summer Fitness Workout 5:00–6:00 pm

*HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP) is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Group Health Incorporated (GHI) is a Medicare Advantage organization and a standalone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. HIP and GHI are EmblemHealth companies. Y0026_123535 Approved 5/29/2013 Group Health Incorporated (GHI), GHI HMO Select, Inc. (GHI HMO), HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), HIP Insurance Company of New York and EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC are EmblemHealth companies. EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC provides administrative services to the EmblemHealth companies.

For all events, RSVP: 646-476-1294

ehnc.com

Healthy Living with Diabetes 10:30 am–1:00 pm Sarcoidosis Group Meeting 3:00–4:00 pm Summer Fitness Workout 5:00–6:00 pm

Healthy Living with Diabetes 10:30 am–1:00 pm Summer Fitness Workout 5:00–6:00 pm

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens August 2-8, 2013

Katz seeks To reshape Queens Melinda Katz says she is going to mold the Queens Borough President’s office to fit the vision she has for the Borough. Katz, a Forest Hills resident who has held public offices in the past such as City Councilwoman until 2009, spoke about what she plans to do if she is elected as Queens Borough President, during an editorial board meeting at the PRESS of Southeast Queens. She said that she stands out compared to the other candidates for the seat because she has a history of building coalitions to work on issues during her time as a member of the City Council, State Assembly and her time in private practice “I bring a lot of different perspectives to the job that I don’t believe all the candidates do,” Katz said. “I also think, inherently, people want their Borough President to be a coalition builder, someone who can bring folks to the table and make compromises.” When asked about what her priorities are in the first days of taking office, Katz said that she wants to

Photo by Ira Cohen

By LuIs Gronda

out of the race last month, he has yet to announce which of the remaining candidates he will throw his support behind. Katz said that she and Comrie have been “playing phone tag for a week” and have not yet discussed an endorsement or offering him the Deputy Borough President position, which has been speculated in the past as a possible job for Melinda Katz said her history of building coali- Comrie after his term as tions is one reason she should be a Queens Bor- Councilman is over. She ough President. said an endorsement from Comrie would be a boost to build a staff that will reflect what her campaign. she wants for Queens for her term as “I’d love it if he supported me, Borough President. She said if a BP I’ve worked with him for the last 20 does not have a supporting cast that years,” she said. “I intend, no matter shares her vision, then it could be a what, on working with him for anothproblem. Her vision for the Borough, er 20 years, God willing.” she said, includes creating jobs, imRegarding the agreement last proving education and expanding week to bring $10.5 million dollars health care in Queens. to improve Flushing Meadows CoroOne lingering question in the Bor- na Park, Katz said that she hopes the ough President race is who Council- Borough President’s office will have man Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) a say in where exactly that money will will endorse. Since Comrie bowed go and how it will be allocated, but

she is not sure who will be responsible in deciding where it will go. Katz noted she advocated for replacement parkland in exchange for the USTA expansion. She said she was in favor of a fund for the park provided by the USTA, considering the amount of money brought in from the U.S. Open. “I do like the idea that there is an improvement fund that comes from an organization that will make $58 million dollars a year because of the extra 0.68 acres of land,” she said. “If you’re going to make more money off the park, then you spend more money on it.” When questioned about reviving the Long Island Rail Road line running from the Rockaways to Rego Park or using that space to create an elevated bike path known as the QueensWay, Katz did not take a side on the issue. She said that there are concerns with both projects and she would like to sit down with both sides to discuss their ideas after she takes office. Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.

Vallone Priorities: Public safety, Economy Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (DAstoria) has always been an outspoken advocate for Queens. Running as a candidate for Queens Borough President, he stopped by the PRESS of Southeast Queens to talk about policy, what his Borough Presidency would look like and what makes him stand out from his opponents. Vallone had his priorities centered on two major issues in Queens: public safety and the economy. Touting his experience as the Public Safety Committee Chair and as a small business owner, the Councilman said he was the only candidate with the qualifications for the position. “Everyone wants an area where they can thrive economically. Everyone wants good schools,” he said. “What I’m going to do is represent everyone equally.” On day one as BP, the Councilman said he would focus on hiring the best staff he could find, adding that finding the best means finding diversity as well. “You can’t help but find diversity if you look for the best people,” he said. If elected, Vallone said he would also be more involved in making policy and in working with City Hall and

Photo by Ira Cohen

By JoE MarVILLI

Peter Vallone Jr.’s top two priorities as BP would be getting the economy going and keeping people safe. the City Council. When it came to a deputy BP though, the Councilman would not confirm if he would select Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), who has been rumored to be attached to the job. “Leroy and I are good, good friends and I give him credit for staying independent as long as he has. I’m not sure if that’s going to last forever,” Vallone said. “He and I are close friends, we’ve worked together

a long time and I would love to continue to work with him.” In terms of business and development policy, Vallone said he would have a hands-off approach for the former and wants to limit the latter to appropriate areas. Having been in charge of his family law firm, Vallone & Vallone, he expressed that only those who had never run a business would create over-regulation. “My philosophy is stay the hell away from our businesses,” he said. “We will create the jobs. We will pay the taxes. Just stop hurting us.” Vallone said he would make sure there is no out-of-character development in Queens’ neighborhoods, saying that it would happen only in appropriate locations and only if the infrastructure to support new buildings is there first. “I led the way on that fight to make sure that Astoria retains its character and stays the way it is now,” he said. “I stopped development in inappropriate locations, but I allowed development on areas like 30th Avenue, Broadway, 21st Street, Steinway. When development is appropriate, it can happen. That is going to be my philosophy in Queens.” While Vallone did support the development of Willets Point when it came before the City Council in

2008, he said the current project, which includes a retail center, is nothing like the one that was approved. “I don’t support the current project. When they came to the City Council, they had a plan to develop Willets Point, just Willets Point,” he said. “I think they need to come back to us.” Vallone also touched on the City’s controversial Stop & Frisk policy, along with the Community Safety Act that recently passed and was vetoed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Council is now looking to override the veto. The Councilman attacked both of his Democratic opponents, Melinda Katz and State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), for their views on those issues. “Tony Avella was down in southeast Queens at one of our forums, where he said ‘We need to end Stop & Frisk.’ I was outraged that he would sell out the people he represents like that. I’ve been in his neighborhood many times and they support the NYPD,” Vallone said. “Neither of my opponents have taken a position on the Community Safety Act, which is probably the biggest issue facing Queens today.” Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@ queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

August 2-8, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens August 2-8, 2013

pix

Grand Opening

Meeting With Reshma Elected officials and local leaders gathered to celebrate the grand opening of CityRib last week. For more on the opening, see the story on page 13. Photo by Ira Cohen.

Thinking About It

Assemblyman William Scarborough and U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks hosted a meet and greet with Public Advocate candidate Reshma Saujani on July 27 at the Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center. Pictured (from left) are State Sen. James Sanders, Meeks, Saujani, Scarborough, Archie Spigner and DL June Bunch.

Manny Caughman, a Democratic candidate for the City Council’s 27th District, attended the “Think About It” youth classic tournament in Daniel O’Connell Park on Saturday. Pictured (from left) are Joseph McLaughlin, Jelani Mills, Caughman and Kevin Sennon.

Police Blotter 103rd Precinct

The suspect is described as a Black male, 6-foot tall, weighing 200 lbs. with a scar or skin condition on his left shoulder.

Homicide

At approximately 5:28 a.m. on July 24, police responded to a 911 call of a male shot at Remington Street and Shore Avenue. Upon arrival, police observed the victim, identified as Marcus Wharwood, 28, of Jamaica, with a gunshot wound to the head and gunshot wounds to the torso. EMS also responded and transported the victim to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

107th Precinct

Fatal Collision

At 4:49 a.m. on July 27, police responded to a call of a pedestrian struck in front of 87-07 Van Wyck Expressway. Police observed the victim, identified as Latrisha Been, 31, of Springfield Gardens, unconscious and unresponsive with trauma to the body. EMS responded and transported the victim to Jamaica Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Preliminary investigation determined that a truck traveling northbound on the Van Wyck struck the victim and fled the location. On July

Robbery

The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying the following suspects wanted for a robbery. At 5:15 p.m. on July This individual is wanted for questioning in regards to a forcible touching incident within the confines 23, the suspects, one armed with a black fireof the 115th Precinct. arm, entered a basement 28, police arrested Carl Alvear, 34, apartment through the unlocked of Maspeth and charged him with front door in Jackson Heights and manslaughter – recklessly causing demanded money and property. The suspects then removed an undeterdeath in regards to the incident. mined amount of money and jewelry and fled the location. There were no injuries to the 13-year-old female and 15-year-old male who were inside the Forcible Touching The NYPD is asking the public’s location. The suspects are described as four assistance identifying the following suspect wanted for forcible touching, Hispanic males. in transit. At 7:25 p.m. on July 17, the victim, Kidnapping a 32-year-old female, was exiting the The NYPD is asking the public’s elevator in the Roosevelt Avenue sub- assistance identifying the following way station when the suspect entered suspects wanted for a kidnapping. and grabbed the victim’s buttocks. At 11:25 a.m. on July 20, the vic-

tim, a 52-year-old Hispanic female, was riding her bicycle in front of 73-20 30th Ave., when four or five Hispanic males driving a light green 2002-04 Honda Odyssey struck her and knocked her off her bicycle. The suspects stopped, grabbed the victim and forced her into the van. Once inside the van, the suspects blindfolded and zip tied the victim and began to beat her. The suspect repeatedly asked the victim “where is the money?” until they threw her out of the minivan in front of 32-48 98th St., at approximately 11:40 a.m. One of the suspects was described as a dark-skinned Hispanic male, 35 years old, 5-foot-10, weighing 280 lbs.

115th Precinct

This suspect is wanted in connection to a kidnapping within the confines of the 115th Precinct.

August 2-8, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

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Profile

Political Newcomer Enters D31 Race Ricardo Brown was supposed to run for New York City Comptroller. The Rosedale resident said he even collected 9,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot. “But that takes up so much of my community-minded time,” Brown said. “Comptroller is just about the fiscal and I want to help the community.” So, instead, Brown, 46, decided to take his 17 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant and his newly-found passion for politics to throw his hat in the 31st District Council race, challenging incumbent Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton), Michael Duncan and Republican Scherie Murray. The Costa Rican native is fairly new to the political landscape. His first exposure to politics, he said, was when the Obama grassroots campaign made its way to the heart of Southeast Queens and he joined the team. With a better understanding of the functionality of government, Brown

said he began to notice a number of problems in the district – especially the high rate of foreclosures in District 31. “I understood that there was a great need for financial literacy for people who are undergoing the foreclosure crisis,” he said. “There was a great need for us to get involved to help them. So I got involved and set up a tax practice and was able to help some folks.” “Instead of just signing off on a loan, [accountants] should really advise their clients,” he added. “The key is a lot of folks come here with their family to buy a home and it doesn’t always work that way. The main thing is educating participants in the market.” But foreclosures are not the only problem Brown said he saw the district struggle with. He also feels that the public school system needs to be revamped. “If we don’t think about education and jobs in the proper way, we are going to forego moving a segment of the population from poverty into a successful and productive life,”

Brown explained. “A lot of the time [Dept. of Environmental Protecwe are focusing on textbook education] has pretty much stepped back tion where as some kids might be in their involvement in Rosedale and more hands-on and better I haven’t put my hands off learning a trade. I don’t around the reason why, see the high schools doing but I would imagine it has that anymore. The focus to do with the funding has been just on testing.” that was removed from By improving the pubthere,” he said. “As counlic school system, Brown cilman, I would definitely also believes that the unmake sure the DEP does employment rate will demore there.” crease and the job market Confident that he has Rosedale resident and the skill-set necessary to will begin to prosper. “If you have kids in- accountant Ricardo succeed in representing volved and educated very Brown has thrown the district, Brown also early, they won’t come his hat in the race shared his bigger, longout of school committing for the 31st District term dreams of someday crimes and have a better Council seat. re-entering the race for chance of getting a job beCity Comptroller with cause they are proactive about their ‘councilman’ on his resume. future,” he said. “Jobs for the youth “Before I run for City Comptroller, are key.” I want to have a couple of terms in As a resident of Rosedale, Brown City Council,” he said. “But that absosaid he is also aware of the flooding lutely something I am looking to do in problem that has been plaguing the the future. That is the route for us.” neighborhood for years. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikows“Flooding, at the end of the day ka at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or the responsibility should belong to nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ the DEP – it is their liability. The nkozikowska Photo by Natalia Kozikowska.

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

People the Dean’s List for the spring 2013 semester at Ithaca College. They include: Jamaica: Rudy Outar, Suba Chakraborty, Nicole Godreau, Sade Jones Queens Village: Jasmine Collazo, Davisa Mills. Rebecca Jean-Paul of Cambria Heights and Stacy Toriola of Jamaica were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2013 semester at The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

Bianca R. Joseph Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Bianca R. Joseph graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Joseph is the sister of Le’Shelle Joseph of Jamaica. Local students were named to

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2013 semester at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. They include: Jamaica: Domonique Moody. Queens Village: Terrance McDaniel, Noble Abraham. Jessica Benmen of Queens Village received the Dean’s Award for the spring 2013 semester at Colgate University in Hamilton. The New York Army National Guard recently announced promotion of members in recognition of their capabilities for additional responsibility and leadership.

Patricia Powell of Jamaica, serving with the 107th Military Police Company, is promoted to sergeant. Daneshwar Sukhra of Jamaica, serving with the 107th Military Police Company, is promoted to sergeant. Damian Sterling of Jamaica, serving with the Company A, 101st Signal Battalion, is promoted to sergeant. Johnny Han of Jamaica, serving with Company A, Recruiting and Retention, is promoted to sergeant first class. Christopher Marshall of Springfield Gardens, serving with Company C, 101st Signal Battalion, is promoted to the rank of sergeant first class. Joel Buenaventura of Jamaica, serving with Company C, 1-69th Infantry, is promoted to private first class. Frank Malvasiocruz of Rosedale, serving with Company D, 1-69th Infantry, is promoted to private first class. Noris Molina of Queens Village, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Signal Battalion, is promoted to sergeant first class. Jerremy Diaz of Hollis, serving with the Headquarters and Head-

quarters Company, 1-69th Ingantry, is promoted to sergeant. Andrea Williams of Jamaica, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted to private. Martha Greene of Laurelton, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted to staff sergeant. Ronella Rodney of Jamaica and Stephanie Windland of Holliswood, students at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus, has been inducted to Phi Omega Epsilon. Danielle Overton of St. Albans was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2013 semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Andrea Ormeno has been named the new director of the Queens Economic Development Corp.’s Women’s Business Center. Her responsibilities center on overseeing individual, group and agency-wide efforts to help female entrepreneurs launch and improve their businesses.

August 2-8, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

A&E

CityRib BBQ Celebrates Grand Opening BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

doors away from a preserved New York City landmark – the Tabernacle of Prayer Church, formerly the Loews Valencia movie theater. Now, families, couples and friends can come to Jamaica to get a taste of the unique historical elements and the delicious food CityRib has to offer. While its ideal location, warm atmosphere and chic décor will surely draw customers into CityRib, it will be the excellent customer service, fair price point and mouth-watering Southern-style dishes that will keep them coming back again and again. I was fortunate enough to sample some of the dishes prepared by their talented chef, Joe Mollol, who has been in the industry since he was just 15. While Mollol admits he is new to Southern-style dishes, he has

Instead, it complimented the flavor for a perfect combination. The good quality of the meat was also evident – it tasted incredibly fresh. CityRib also offers two niche sauces – “the Queens,” a mustardbased recipe with whiskey, and “the Kings,” a tomato-based recipe featuring a hint of bourbon. Both of these sauces worked well with the ribs, especially for those who are seeking the extra kick to spice up the meat. As part of the dinner combo, I also had the opportunity to sample CityRib’s pork shoulder. Much like the ribs, the pork was juicy, tender and easy to chew. No sauce was needed to compliment this meat – any such flavor would have upstaged the taste. I find that often with pork, it is difficult to find the right balance of salt, but this was not the case with CityRib’s meat. Simply put, it was some of the best pork I have ever had and if you are stopping by for the first time, I highly recommend you try this traditional dish with a local twist! CityRib is open from 4 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. On weekends, CityRib also serves brunch for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. CityRib does not take reservations, but makes accommodations for call-ahead seating. To reach CityRib, call (718) 878-3599. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska

Cosmos Set To Return On Saturday BY LuIS GRONdA With opening kickoff drawing closer, the New York Cosmos introduced themselves to the New York media this week. The team held a media day event in Manhattan on Monday evening, which gave its players and coaches an opportunity to speak with reporters ahead of their Aug. 3 season opener, its first since 1984. Players and coaches expressed excitement about getting the season underway. The team has been training for its opener, including playing four preseason friendlies in England last week. The Cosmos have three Queens residents on their squad. Head coach Giovanni Savarese resides in Howard Beach, midfielder Sebastian Guenzatti lives in College Point and forward David Diosa is from Jackson Heights. Guenzatti, who attended Francis

Photo by Ira Cohen

Jamaica residents no longer have to look far to enjoy a good quality meal. Last Thursday, CityRib, a newlyconstructed 200-seat barbecue restaurant, celebrated its grand opening near the heart of Downtown Jamaica. Dozens of locals, elected leaders and even a noble – Lord Hussain, who flew all the way from London, flocked to the establishment not only to enjoy a scrumptious meal, but to recognize a milestone in the community. “We’ve been waiting for you for a long time,” U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) said. “I think you can see the joy in the eyes of the people of this community, how happy they are that you’re there. This is the rebirth of Downtown Jamaica and the spark that will show that Jamaica is back.” “This is just a wonderful day for Downtown Jamaica,” Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-Jamaica) said. “I can remember when Jamaica was on a downward curve – a serious downward curve and the only thing that was holding Jamaica up was an infusion of government money.” “The wonderful thing is we have reached a point where businesses are looking to invest their money in the area and that says to us they see that they can make a profit,” he added. “We believe that Jamaica is on the move.” CityRib has not only paved the way for future investors, boosting the economic engine in Jamaica – it has also chosen to hire locally, employing 75 southeast Queens residents. Even the architect, Robert Gaskin of RCGA Architects, lives just a few blocks away from the restaurant. Before CityRib made its debut, residents who wanted to have a sitdown meal in the neighborhood needed to go to Applebee’s. And many other times, locals simply left the neighborhood for dinner. The restaurant’s location, 89-14 Parsons Blvd., may draw more traffic into the area. New Yorkers from all five boroughs can conveniently take a number of trains – the E, the F, the J and even the Long Island Rail Road – all of which are all less than a five-minute walk from CityRib. CityRib is also just one block away from Rufus King Park and just

most certainly mastered the art. I began my dinner with the grits sticks, a straightforward appetizer that embodies the tradition of good ol’ finger-lickin’ Southern food. The grits, Mollol explained, are cooked with cheddar cheese, roasted garlic and cream. He lets them sit out and when they get cold, he cuts them in blocks and deep fries them. The end result – a delicious creamy inside and warm, crusty outside. But unlike many of the grits I have had before, CityRib’s grits sticks were not overwhelmingly cheesy, nor were they overwhelmingly greasy. This appetizer was also served with a piece of shrimp that did an excellent job contrasting the flavor. The bar was set high for my main course and once again, I was not disappointed. What would a trip to CityRib be without trying the ribs? While I must admit, ribs are not generally one of my favorites, I was truly impressed with the restaurant’s spin on the classic. The Kansas Citystyle baby back ribs, smoked for three-and-a-half hours, were juicy, tender and easy to chew. The meat slid of the bones and melted in my mouth. The zingy sauce did not overpower the flavor of the meat.

The New York Cosmos introduced themselves to the media this Monday in Manhattan, before their season opener on Aug. 3. Lewis High School before beginning his soccer career, said he was looking forward to playing on American soil once again. After high school, he went to Uruguay to play soccer, but came back when he was recruited to the Cosmos. He said that Savarese used to coach him when he was younger and they get along very well. Erik Stover, the team’s Chief Operating Officer, said that their Aug. 3 game is only the first step in the

club’s return to being a franchise once again and they hope to build off of that match. The season opener against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers will begin at 7 p.m. For more information on tickets, call the ticket office 855-71-COSMOS (267667) or email them at tickets@nycosmos.com. Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens August 2-8, 2013

Faith

Cambria Hts. Woman Shares God’s Love Through Song BY ASIA EWART Petula Beckles, who considers herself a “broken vessel chosen” by God, uses her talents to reach the ears of listeners in a new way – through the genre known as gospel jazz. “It’s almost unheard of to mix the two,” Beckles explained.“In my heart was gospel but when I sung, it was jazz. This type of music is really catching on.” She began her professional singing career back in 2008, releasing an album entitled “My Song of Jesus.” Three years later, she was discovered by Christian music label Tate Music Group and has been touring ever since. Success, however, did not just fall into her lap. Beckles, through her musical childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, worked very hard to get to where she is today. Though she lives in Cambria Heights today, Beckles was born and raised into a musical family in Trinidad and Tobago and began singing when she was around four years old. “I have six older brothers. One of the oldest taught me my first song. It

God gave me a song. I learned that he could use anything, in anyone,” she said. She began recording and releasing music two years later. “I released a song called ‘Today I Will Shout’ in 2006. It actually charted four years later. I was so surprised. God really is good,” she said. “A friend of mine Gospel-Jazz singer Petula Beckles is on the rise. would always say that I was ahead of my time. My music was hard to all took off from there,” she said “I play on the radio – the genre [gospel was also known as the ‘karaoke girl’ in jazz] was hard to place.” Today, Beckles and her band are high school. I was always singing.” Beckles eventually attended Na- prepping for the “My Song of Jesus” varro College in Texas on a full tour this fall, beginning on October scholarship, which she credits to 5 in Brooklyn. Also joining her are her good musical ear. She was a fellow Christian artists, Carmen Calmember of the chamber choir and houn and Andre Byrd. “We’re going across the country. even toured with a Zambian vocal group. Beckles soon moved on to We’re covering places like North the next level and began writing her Carolina and Texas. We also want to go further west. At the end of the own music in 2004. “I had never been trained to do day, I’m just looking to be enough for this—singing, writing, anything. But God,” Beckles said.

Among Beckles’ musical influences are Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Cece Winans and Babbie Mason, who is a personal friend of the singer. “[Mason] visited me on tour last year. She is a great musician and vocalist. She taught me different writing techniques and how to bind family and ministry together. Herself and so much of the old school music that exists; they’re great role models,” she said. Though she sings for God, Beckles considers the talent a therapy on its own. “Growing up, my mom and grandma always sang. Whatever feelings they had, they sang. I pick up my guitar and sing if I’m sad, happy, frustrated; it helps me. People always thank me for my songs. Music is just a whole other language,” she said. Beckles will perform on Aug. 10 at Summer Streets 2013, located at 51st St. and Park Avenue, and on Aug. 17 at the Calvary Tabernacle, located at 78 N Franklin St. in Hempstead. For more information, visit www. petulabeckles.com.

Notebook York College

York College Sees Recent Changes In Administration BY ASIA EWART When one person in power shifts, everyone else soon follows. That has been the case recently at York College in Jamaica. A number of professors have answered the calling of moving up in academic ranks and will take on the titles of president and dean, respectively. President Marcia Keizs explained the changes in a recent address to the college on the school’s website. “As you are aware, Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith assumed the presidency of Fort Valley State University in Georgia effective July 22, 2013 thus requiring new leadership in Academic Affairs at York College,” she said. Dr. Griffith previously served as the provost and senior vice president of York alongside Keizs. “I recommended Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith for the position of president

of Fort Valley University,” Keizs explained. “I know that as president of FVU, he will take that institution to new levels of excellence. We at York all wish him the very best in his exciting new venture.” With Dr. Griffith’s position being open, someone needed to step in and fill his shoes. Keizs’s nomination of Dr. Panayiotis Meleties was recently accepted, therefore making him the new acting provost and senior vice president of York College. “I am…pleased to confirm that upon my recommendation, the Board of Trustees has approved the interim appointment as Provost and Senior Vice President of Dr. Panayiotis Meleties, who has served York since 2006 in various titles and most recently as Dean of Arts and Sciences,” the address stated. “Dr. Panayiotis Meleties’ stewardship of the School of Arts and Sciences over the past four years has been phenom-

enal and we now look forward to his leadership in this new role as Acting Provost.” “Dr. Meleties joined York in 2006 from Bronx Community College where he was professor of Chemistry and chair of the Chemistry Department. During his time at York, Dr. Meleties has been a key partner with Provost Griffith in leading the academic revival at York College including but not limited to restructuring the college into three schools; recruiting and orienting new faculty; creating new majors and programs; developing grants to support students in their undergraduate research and other enterprises; and most recently and importantly, providing leadership on the CUNY Pathways and CUNY first transitions. All of these experiences and more are a platform that provides the college with a seamless leadership transition for the upcoming academic year

while York launches a search for a permanent provost,” the release stated. Dr. Donna Chirico, who previously served as a professor in the Psychology department and a chair in the Behavioral Sciences Department since 2009, among other various titles and achievements, is now the Dean of Arts and Sciences. A proud York alumna, Dr. Chirico started her academic career in 1993 as a lecturer in the Psychology Department and achieved the rank of full professor during fall 2012. An active scholar and a campus leader, she facilitated the smooth passage through the curriculum process of the college’s ROTC program and served as the York College chair of the Pathways Committee. CUNYwide, Dr. Chirico is a member of the Faculty/Staff Advisory Council of the John D. Calandra Institute for Italian American Studies, serving as co-chair of that body since 2008.

August 2-8, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

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Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens August 2-8, 2013

Queens Today Section editor: reGinA VoGeL

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

tALKS UrBAn BooK cLUB Sunday, August 4 Central library at 2:30.

HeALtH ZUMBA Saturdays, through August Ridgewood library at 10. YoGA Saturdays through September 8 9:30-10:30 and 11-12 and Sundays 10-11. Socrates Sculpture, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., LIC. tAi cHi Sundays through September 9 11-12 at Socrates Sculpture, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., LIC. BreASt cAncer Mondays Women Newly Diagnoses and Post Treatment 10:30-noon and Young Women with Breast Cancer 7-8:30 at Adelphi Breast Cancer Program. 516-877-4314. YoGA StretcH tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27 Richmond Hill library at 5:30. tAi cHi Wednesday, August 7 Poppenhusen library at 3. AUtiSM thursday, August 8 Friendship Workshop for families affected by autism. Register. Howard Beach library. YoGA cLASSeS through thursday August 22 yoga class at the Hillcrest Jewish Center. 646250-5379. SHAPe UP nYc Friday, August 9, 16, 23, 30 Briar wood librar y at 11:30. dAnce FitneSS Fridays, August 9, 16, 23, 30 Richmond Hill library at 5:30.

ALUMni BLAnd HoUSeS Saturday, September 7 reunion of former Bland Houses residents. 8156697.

MeetinGS creAtiVe WritinG Mondays, August 5, 19, 26 Hollis library at 5:30. cHeSS cLUB Mondays, August 5, 12, 19 Woodhaven librar y at 2:30. Knit & crocHet Mondays, August 5, 12, 19, 26 Douglaston library at 4. Knit & crocHet tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27 Whitestone library at 2 and Windsor Park library at 2. tALK oF toWn tuesdays, August 6, 20, September 3, 17 learn the art of public speaking in St. Albans at 7:15. 640-7092. cHeSS For ALL tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27 Rosedale library at 4. cHeSS cLUB tuesdays Windsor Park library at 5:30. SUMMer SeWinG Wednesdays, August 7, 21 Central library at 11:30. Knit & crocHet Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 21, 28 South Ozone Park library at 1. BereAVeMent Wednesdays, August 7, September 4 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family in Fresh Meadows at 7:30. 969-2448. 98tH Street thursday, August 8 East Elmhurst library at 6. JAMAicA KiWAniS thursdays, August 8, 22, September 12, 26 Kiwanis Club of Jamaica. 527-3678. WritinG cLUB thursdays, August 8, 15, 22, 29 Peninsula library at noon. cHeSS cLUB Fridays, August 9, 16, 23,

enVironMent JH ScrAPS tuesday 6-8pm and Saturdays 10-2 35 th Avenue between 69th Street and the BQE. Bring coffee, tea, fruit, veggie scraps. WorMS! Wednesdays, August 7, 21, 28 Steinway library at 3. Food WASte droPoFF Saturdays 1-3 at the Broadway and LIC library. coMPoStinG tuesdays Woodside library 5:15-6:30.

PArentS PArent edUcAtion Mondays, August 5, 12 Lefrak City library at 11:30. Upon completion of at least 8 sessions and passing the final, participants receive a certificate.

30 Woodside library at 4. onGoinG MeetinGS GArdeninG cLUB Saturdays in the Steinway library courtyard at 4. orAtorio SocietY Mondays at 7:45 at Temple Beth Sholom in Flushing. 279-3006. Auditions required. coMMUnitY SinGerS M o n d a y s Communit y Singers start rehearsals for their spring concert at 8 at Messiah Lutheran in Flushing. 658-1021. GLee cLUB tuesdays Bayside Men’s Glee Club rehearses at 7:30 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 214-35 40 th Avenue, Bayside. 961-6852. ScrABBLe cLUB tuesdays at the East Flushing library at 3:30. Men’S cLUB Soccer tuesday evenings Forest Hills Jewish Center 8-9:30. 263-7000. FM cAMerA tuesdays Fresh Meadows Camera Club. 917-6123463. FH SYMPHonY Wednesdays the Forest Hills Symphony Orchestra rehearses at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 516785-2532. eMotionS Anon. Wednesdays 7:30 Victoria Congregational Church, 148 th Street and 87 th Avenue, Briarwood. Support group for a variety of troubling emotions. WoMen’S GroUP Fridays Woman’s Group of Jamaica Estates meets at noon. 461-3193.

SeniorS BAYSide SeniorS Movies, health presentations, Zumba, chair yoga, Wii bowling, strollers, line dancing, duplicate bridge, Senior Sing, duplicate Bridge, low-impact aerobics, tai chi, basic computer, advanced computer, social dancing and more. CCNS Bayside Senior Center, 221-15 Horace Harding Expressway, Bayside. 225-1144. MoVie dAY tuesday, August 6 Far Rockaway library at 11. driVinG cLASS tuesdays, August 6, 13 Forest Hills library. Register. StAY WeLL Mondays at the Central library at 10 and Wednesdays at 10:15 at the East Elmhurst library. Learn how special exercise and relaxation techniques make a difference in your life.

edUcAtion/GAMeS/crAFtS BeGin internet Saturday, August 3 Far Rockaway library at 2. Line dAncinG Saturdays, August 3, 17, September 7, 21 ongoing mixed level, coed line dance classes at Cambria Heights Community Church. $10. 646-229-0242. crAFt cLUB Mondays, August 5, 19 Broadway library at 12:30. JoB reAdineSS Mondays, August 5, 12, 19, 26 Sout h Jamaica library at 2. eco crAFtS Monday, August 5 Steinway library at 6. BALLrooM dAncinG Mondays, August 5, 12, 19, 26 Forest Hills library at 6:30. crAFternoon Mondays, August 5, 12, 19, 26 Rosedale library at 4. JoB reAdineSS Mondays Job Readiness and computer assistance 2-6 at the South Jamaica library. JoB SeArcH Mondays free job search and computer help every Monday 11-2 at the Astoria library. BridGe Mondays except holidays 12-4 at Pride of Judea in Douglaston. Lesson & play $10. Partners arranged. 423-6200. AdULt cHeSS Mondays and thursdays Queens Village library at 5:30. BeGin Word tuesday, August 6 LIC library. Register. BeGin coMPUterS tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27 Rosedale library at 11. WAtercoLor cLASS tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20 Flushing library. Register. criMinAL record tuesday, August 6 Job Searching with a Criminal Record at the Far Rockaway library at 2. tecHnoLoGiSt iS in tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27 Pomonok library at 2. GUitAr LeSSonS tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20 Woodhaven library. Register. BeGin GUitAr tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27 Central librar y. Register. cHeSS tuesdays Rosedale library at 4. SMALL BUSineSS tuesdays Small Business Workshop at the Central library. Register. Get YoUr YArnS oUt! tuesdays after evening Minyan at 8, knitters, crocheters, needlepoint-ers, and others meet at the

Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 200. coMPUter BASicS We d n e s d a y, A u g u s t 7 10:30 at the Woodside library. BeGin coMPUterS Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 21, 28 Hollis library. Register. WAtercoLor Wednesdays all techniques and subjects at the National Art League.969-1128. reSUMe WritinG thursday, August 8 Far Rockaway library at 1:30. BeGin coMPUterS thursdays, August 8, 15, 22 Ozone Park library. Register. BeGin coMPUterS

thursdays, August 8, 15, 22, 29 Rosedale library at 5:45. LeArn cHineSe thursdays North Forest Park library at 6. BeGin coMPUterS Friday, August 9 Middle Village library. Register. JoB SeArcH Friday, August 9 LIC library. Register. Knit & crocHet Fridays Fresh Meadows library at 11. cHeSS cLUB Fridays at 3:30 at the Auburndale library and 4 at the Woodside library. SociAL MediA Saturday, August 10 Far Rockaway library. Register.

entertAinMent ZiKrAYAt Saturday, August 3 Arabic music and dance 2:30-3:30 at the Ridgewood library. eASt reALM oF ArtS Saturday, August 3 calligraphers and painters will create artwork on the premises 2-5. Free. Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222. nU UrBAn cAFÉ Saturdays live jazz, r&b, open mic 8-midnight. Free. 188-36 Linden Blvd., St. Albans. 917-817-8653. ecUAdoriAn PArAde Sunday, August 4 11:30 60 th street and Northern Blvd., Jackson Heights. trAVerS PArK Sunday, August 4 Issa Cabrera at 3.. Sunday, August 11 R-Tronika at 3.. Sunday, August 18 Calpulli Mexican Dance Company at 3. Sunday, August 25 City Parks Puppet Show at 11. Travers Park, 78th Street between 34th and Northern Blvd. SYMPHonY orcH. Sunday, August 4 Queens Symphony Orchestra performs at the Forest Park Bandshell. Free.5pm. GAMe tiMe Mondays, August 5, 12 North Hills library at 3:30. BinGo tuesdays 7:15 American Martyrs Church in Bayside. 464-4582. tuesdays 7:15 (doors open 6) Rego Park Jewish Center. 459-1000. $3 admission includes 12 games. ScrABBLe tuesdays Fresh Meadows library at 2. cHeSS tuesdays 4 Rosedale library. JAZZ JAMS Wednesday, August 7 professional jazz musicians, graduate students and edu-

cators perform at 7 at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222. $10. rocK & roLL MUSic thursday, August 8 Flushing library at 6:30. cUnninGHAM PArK thursday, August 8 “The Lorax” film at 8. August 15 “North by Northwest” film at 8. August 22 “Les Miserables” film at 8. August 29 “Kinky Boots” film at 8. Cunningham Park, 196 t h Street and Union Turnpike, Flushing. Bring chairs/blankets nU UrBAn cAFÉ Fridays live jazz and r&b 9-midnight. Free. 188-36 Linden Blvd., St. Albans. 917-817-8653. GAMe dAY Fridays 4:30 Woodhaven library. GAMe PLAYerS cLUB Fridays 2 Hillcrest library. LiBertY PArK Saturday, August 10 Libert y Park Family Day at Liberty Avenue and 173rd Street from 12-5. HiP HoP Sunday, August 11 Kool Herc at 5POINTZ celebrating the 40 th anniversar y of hip-hop at 45-46 Davis Street, LIC at 5. Morocco MUSic Sunday, August 11 Music from Morocco at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222.

dAnce iSrAeLi FoLK Mondays 7:15-9:45 at Hillcrest Jewish Center, 182-02 Union Turnpike. $10 session. 380-4145. Line dAncinG M o n d ay s 6 : 3 0 - 9 : 3 0 a t Kowalinski Post 4, 61-57 Maspeth Avenue. $7. Cake and coffee. 565-2259.

August 2-8, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

What’s Up AUG 2 Calling All Young Dancers Audition for a spot in the newly formed Distraction Dance Company. DDC is looking for teens and young adults who are experienced in various forms of dance including hip-hop, ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, African and more. If chosen, you must be available Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you have a headshot, bring it. Be prepared to learn new choreography in modern/ contemporary and hip-hop. If you would like, you may display a piece of your own. For additional information, contact ahutchinson@jcal.org. Auditions will be held at the Jamaica Perfoming Arts Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Jamaica Performing Arts Center is located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave. It is free to audition.

JAMS Festival All are invited to the 17th annual Jamaica Arts and Music Summer (JAMS) Festival. The JAMS Festival is a two day (Aug. 2 and 3), openair event that highlights the multicultural fabric of the Borough of Queens and provides a vehicle for tourism and economic development for downtown Jamaica and the surrounding areas. Friday, Aug. 2, will feature JAMS Under the Stars, an evening outdoor concert that kicks off the next day of festivities. The concert features talented up and coming local arts putting their own spin on the musical genres of Jazz, R&B, Rock, Funk and much more. Saturday Aug. 3, will be a day of multi-cultural family fun, shopping, community resources and entertainment. JAMS is host to one of the largest tourist destinations in Queens. It is free to attend. The festival will take place at the Rufus King Park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3.

AUG 3 Church Coed Mixed Level Line Dance These low impact, calorie -burning line dance sessions are designed to address the lack of recreational and social outlets in Southeast Queens. Taught in a relaxed manner, participants will experience the joy of line dances such as the Electric Slide, Wobble... as well as non soul line dances. Ongoing, this mixed level line dance series requires no dance experience. For additional information, contact Barbara at (646) 229-0242 or bof115@yahoo.com. Sessions cost $10 for one. The lessons will be held at the Cambria Heights Commu-

nity Church located at 116-02 220th St. from 9:30 a.m. to 10:40 p.m.

AUG 4 Book Review QUBC reviews books from various genres, both fiction and nonfiction. Many of the books reviewed are urban-themed. Books are voted upon by club members. Supplementary activities are also incorporated into club meetings on a regular basis. Main Floor Meeting Room. First Sunday of every month. All are welcome to join. The book club is free and will be held at the Queens Central Library at 2:30 p.m.

AUG 5 Movies in the Park - “Sherlock Holmes” In a dynamic new portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters, Holmes and Watson are sent on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country. Catch the free showing of this movie at the Cambria/ Cabbell Park at 8:13 p.m.

AUG 6 Coed Mixed Level Line Dance for the Mature Adult Yearn to know the latest line dances? If so, come take this six-week stress-free series. Dance experience nor a partner is required. Loose-fitting clothing, medical clearance and supportive shoes are highly recommended. No refunds or discounts. For additional information, contact the Robert Couche Adult Center at (718) 978-8352. Classes will be held from 1:40 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. at the Robert Couche Adult Center located at 137-57 Farmers Blvd. It is $20 for six consecutive sessions.

Movies in the Park - “Sherlock Holmes” In a dynamic new portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters, Holmes and Watson are sent on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country. Catch the free showing of this movie at Brookville Park at 8:12 p.m.

AUG 7 Mayoral Candidates Forum Project Hope, The New Direction,

Inc., Misunderstood Youth Development Center and the law offices of Audrey Thomas and Jacques Leandre will host a mayoral candidate forum at York College at the York College Atrium. The forum will begin at 7 p.m. and is free. There will be open seating. For more information, call Ray Cameron at (718) 208-0802. York College is located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica.

Understanding the IEP Each child in public school who receives special education and related services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is the cornerstone of a quality education for children with disabilities. Queens Library and the Queens Special Education Parent Center present a workshop to help you understand how the IEP helps your child and, if necessary, how you can obtain an IEP for him or her. This workshop will be held at the Queens Central Library at 10 a.m. It is free to attend.

hood Housing Services of Jamaica are pleased to present the 12th Annual Family Day. Bring the whole family out for a spectacular day of fun! Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy a day of free games, rides, health screenings, BBQ, live jazz, face painting, arts and crafts and access to community services provided by HPD, DEP, DOH, NYPD, NYFD and more. For additional information, visit www.leroycomrie.com or call (718) 776-3700. The event is free and will be held at Liberty Park from noon to 4 p.m. Liberty Park is located at the intersection of Hollis Avenue and Robard Lane.

Hands-on History Rufus King had a special glass beehive so he could watch bees make honey. Learn about bees and why they are so important on a farm and make your own beeswax candle. The free event will be held at the King Manor Museum from noon to 3 p.m. The King Manor Museum is located at the intersection of 153rd Street and Jamaica Avenue.

AUG 8 Movies in the Park - “The Blind Side”

OnGOInG SUMMER PROGRAMS This film is the remarkable true new York City Parks Green story of Michael Oher, a homeless Teens African-American youngster from a broken home. Michael was taken in by a wealthy white family who helped him fulfill his potential as a person and as an athlete. He worked hard on the field and in the classroom and became an All-American in college and was picked in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, changing his life and the lives of the loving family who were there to watch him succeed. This free showing will be held at the Saint Albans Park at 8:09 p.m.

AUG 9 Classic Film Fridays “GoldenEye” In this 17th installment of one of the most durable motion picture franchises ever, Pierce Brosnan makes his debut as the always debonair James Bond, and once again 007 has his hands full with international villains set on wreaking havoc on the free world. Sean Bean co-stars as one of Bond’s chief nemeses in this action-packed tale of good versus evil. The free showing will begin at 8:08 p.m. at the Rufus King Park.

AUG 10 12th Annual Family Day Liberty Park The New York City Dept. of Parks and Recreation, Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Jamaica) and Neighbor-

If your teen is interested in earning school community service credit this summer, they can earn it with the New York City Parks by keeping parklands green and clean. As a ‘Green Teen,’ you will remove litter from neighboring parks, collect recyclables, take care of trees and encourage the public to do the same. To find out what the Green Teens are doing in Jamaica, call Mr. McClain at (718) 276-8686, or visit http:/greenteensnews.blogspot.com.

Springfield Rifles & Riflettes Youth Sports Registration The Springfield Rifles and Riflettes Youth Sports Program is now registering for their 2013 season. They are looking for both football players and cheerleaders. Boys ages five and a half to seven meet on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Boys ages seven and a half to 15 meet on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Girls ages six to 15 cheer every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Roy Wilkins Park gym. For additional information, contact Chris Spaulding at (718) 525-2499. The football team meets at Roy Wilkins Park Field.

WHAT’S UP WITH YOU? Send your community events to the PRESS for a free listing at 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, nY 11357. Call (718) 357-7400 or email editor@queenspress.com. All events will be considered for publication, without a fee.

Separated At Birth?

Can you ﬁgure out who's who? These two have confused some at events throughout Eastern Queens. Paul Graziano, a Democrat running in the City Council District 19 primary, has been to a number of events in the district since he decided to run for office, but some people are seeing him when he is not even there. A number of individuals throughout the District have mistaken reporter Joe Marvilli - who covers that area - for the candidate. People, including

other elected officials, have come up to him, saying "Hey Paul!" and asking how his campaign is going. At one event, Marvilli was even offered a chance to speak on issues affecting voters. He politely declined. The potential mix-ups could make for a great sitcom. If Graziano is able to win the seat in the fall, he could always call on Marvilli to be his stand-in.

A New Pig In The City Last Thursday, people walking on College Point Boulevard may have noticed an unusual site, even by New York’s standards: a pig was wandering down the street. While this could possibly end in disaster, this pig prevailed against the odds. Although the pig is a breed commonly used for pork, he ran into a Parks Department worker instead, saving him from the dinner table. Instead, the worker named him Wilbur, after the hog from “Charlotte’s Web,” and got him sent to Farm Sanctuary in the Finger Lakes. There is a contest on Twitter to rename Wilbur, which can be

found by following @FarmSanctuary. We here at QConf are pulling for Wilbur to be renamed Babe, since he was a "Pig in the City." Although, we can't help but wonder why the little guy was sent to a farm upstate, when he could have spent his time at the Queens Zoo, letting City kids enjoy his company.

Where You At, G? As New Yorkers know, going by subway from Queens to Brooklyn is more annoying than it should be. You either have to take a long train ride through Manhattan or you can wait for the G train. Given the extremely long wait times for G trains and the amount of times a year they are not running at all, this QConf reporter is pretty sure the G stands for “gigantic pain.” Gov. Andrew Cuomo has tossed G train riders a bone this week, though. He said arrivals will increase from every 10 minutes to every eight minutes during evening rush hour, which lasts from 3 p.m.

to 9 p.m. on weekdays. A small improvement, but something is better than nothing! Of course, given that this is the MTA, the change will not be implemented until June 2014. Until then, we recommend that you bring a book if you are going to take the G train. Possibly a novel the length of “War and Peace.”

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens August 2-8, 2013

Another Apology? Salgado, a long-shot Erick Salgado mayoral candidate of Puerto Rican decent, has demanded Anthony Weiner apologize to Latinos for using the handle “Carlos Danger” in his latest sexting scandal involving a 22-year-old Indiana woman. “For Anthony Weiner to hide under a Spanish name to do his bad behavior is very insulting to the Spanish community,” Salgado reportedly said. “I believe he has to apologize to the Latino community. Every time, many people do wrong behavior, it’s always a Carlito, a Pedrito, a Miguelito. But behind that name, it was really not a Carlito. It was a ‘Anthony Weiner.’ You have to apologize to the Latino community. It’s an insult.”

Slumber Time

The New York Mets are inviting everyone over for a slumber party! On Saturday, Aug. 10, fans will have the opportunity to sleep on the field at Citi Field in tents and sleeping bags. According to a team press release, the all-day event will feature the TV broadcast of the Mets game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the stadium’s Citi Vision Board. It will also feature a dinner buffet, a late-night snack, breakfast and non-alcoholic drinks. Mr. and Mrs. Met will also attend the party and meet with stadium guests. Fans who attend the sleepover will get a ticket to the team’s Sept. 28 game against the Milwaukee Brewers. We guess many people are eager to not sleep in the comfort of their own bed for a night in exchange for the hard surface that is Citi Field.

COMEDIANS OF QUEENS

Jeff Lorber Despite being on QPTV, the public access television channel in Queens, for 10 years, Bayside native Jeff Lorber still considers himself a comedian on the rise and his show to be a “breakthrough comedian show.” “Being in showbiz is tough,” Lorber admitted “At the end of the day, it comes down to who you know. But being on QPTV all this time, I feel like I’m an actual part of Queens. This is who I am; I love doing shows.” Lorber describes himself as being a comedian since birth. “Right out of the womb, I was making my mom laugh,” he said. During his childhood, he dabbled in the arts; playing the piano, attending theatre camp, etc. Comedy was the one interest that stuck. He looks to the classics for what he considers to be truly funny. “You want to know how to do comedy right? Look at Woody Allen, or Jerry Lewis. Today a lot of people want gross out humor; it’s all instant gratification. Nobody wants to take the time to come up with a really good joke, or listen to one.” Lorber takes a lot of pride in his show, even if it is on public access television. That alone means he does not always have the finances to shoot it, but when he does, he goes above and beyond for the fans he has around Queens.

“Since I started, I’ve shot about fifty episodes,” he explains. “Each show is different. Sometimes, I’m on Internet radio, and I shoot that. Or I collaborate with other QPTV people. I’ll go out into the community and see if people know who I am; I shot an episode in Forest Hills like that,” he said. As difficult as being a fairly unknown comedian can be, Lorber says that he would love to eventually be New Yorker of the Week, do a live show or be on CBS. “You want to know who I am? Watch my show,” he said. Viewers can catch the Jeff Lorber show every Thursday and Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. on QPTV, channel 34. They can also visit www.lorbz.com or call (212) 636-9823 for a chance to be on it.

Finding Cold Hard Cash A Queens woman was taught a hard lesson, never keep your life savings inside of your refrigerator. Better yet, do not discard your old refrigerator if your life savings are hidden inside. It is hard to believe that Magda Castillo, a resident of Kew Gardens, realized she never took out $5,020 from the refrigerator until after it made its way to the Atlantic Recycling lot in South Ozone Park. She hurried to the lot on

Thursday morning, but left thinking she may never retrieve her life savings. Castillo will always be thankful of employee Mike Downer, who found the refrigerator amid the leftover scrap and metal. Downer did not know how to reach Castillo, so he alerted the media. And to Castillo’s surprise, her life savings were waiting for her at the lot. We here at QConf are happy to know that the media was able to save the day!

Who's Got Talent Got Talent? Performers and artists should email editor@queenstribune.com.

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Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on MAY 22 2013 bearing Index Number NC-001184-12/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435, grants me the right to:

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