Volume 14 Issue No. 32 Aug. 9-15, 2013
PRESS Photos by Natalia Kozikowska and Ira Cohen
PRIMARY BATTLE Mayoral candidates discuss the issues during a forum at York College Wednesday night. By Natalia Kozikowska ..............‌ Page 3.
Online at www.QueensPress.com
Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 9-15, 2013
News Briefs Thompson: Schools Heading In Wrong Direction
On Wednesday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott detailed test results from the new Common Core math and English tests for students in third through eighth grades. The results of the more rigorous testing showed that 29.6 percent of City public school students met proficiency standards in math and 26.5 percent met standards in English. While City officials praised the results showing City students outperforming students state-wide, Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson derided the results, saying the Bloomberg administration’s efforts “are heading in the wrong direction.” “Teaching to the test doesn’t even help on the test,” he said. “And the kids who are being hurt the most are the kids who need help the most – young people in Black and Latino neighborhoods, where the opportunity gap is being compounded with a massive achievement gap.” Thompson noted that students should be taught using a curriculum to prepare for college and careers, not to pass a standardized test. “Tests should only be part of a feedback loop that identifies where students need help and where teachers can improve,” he said. Thompson continues to campaign for his Democratic primary battle on Sept. 10, facing Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Comptroller John Liu, Sal Albanese and former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner.
League of Conservation Voters Backs Caughman
The New York League of Conservation Voters announced earlier this week that it has backed Manny Caughman in his District 27 Council race. The League cited Caughman’s work with the Jamaica Bay Watershed Advisory Committee as a key reason for the endorsement. “Caughman has had a distinguished career as an environmental leader in Southeast Queens,” Marcia Bystryn, president of NYLCV, said. “His involvement with Jamaica Bay, an area of great natural beauty that is very vulnerable to natural disasters, as well as his excellent policy ideas, makes him a standout candidate for the 27th District of Queens.” Caughman said he was pleased to receive the endorsement and would continue to work on environmental issues. “I am pleased to have been a long time leader in the ongoing fight to
alleviate the abominable flooding issued in Southeast Queens,” Caughman said. “I look forward to working in partnership with NYLCV as we move to create a safer, healthier and happier community.” Caughman faces a Democratic primary battle for Councilman Leroy Comrie’s seat, facing Joan Flowers, Daneek Miller, Sondra Peeden, Greg Mays and Clyde Vanel on Sept. 10.
Avella: Bring Back Rockaway LIRR Line
State Senator Tony Avella (DBayside) officially announced his support for reviving the dormant Long Island Rail Road line Monday morning. Standing next to the abandoned train line on the corner of Liberty Avenue and 99th Street in Ozone Park, the Queens Borough President candidate said the infrastructure is there to improve transportation in Queens. “Queens is underserved by mass transit. We have to look for cheap alternatives to increase the options,” Avella said. Increased public transportation to get to and from the Rockaways is another reason why Avella supports revitalizing the train line. “Rockaway needs this line. We need the ability to bring more people to the Rockaways, not only for transportation alternatives, but to revitalize the economy of the Rockaways,” he said. In addition to bringing back the train line, there is a push to turn the empty land into the QueensWay, which would be like The High Line in Manhattan. That effort is being led by The Trust for Public Land, a San Francisco-based non-profit company, and Friends of the QueensWay, headed by Community Board 9 member Andrea Crawford. That project was funded money for a sustainability study by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the nonprofit company put out a Request for Proposal to design the potential bike path.
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Presstime
Mayoral Candidates Talk Smack…and SEQ BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA
CFB denies Liu Matching Funds BY LuIS GrONdA Comptroller John Liu’s mayoral campaign was dealt a major blow earlier this week when he was denied money for his bid. The Campaign Finance Board denied public matching funds to Liu because of alleged violations his campaign made while fundraising. “The Board did not approve a public matching funds payment to John Liu’s campaign for mayor during today’s meeting, because there is reason to believe that violations of the Act and Board rules have been committed by his campaign. The evidence suggests that the potential violations are serious and pervasive across the campaign’s fundraising,” Campaign Finance Board Chairman Joseph Parkes said in a statement. Two Liu associates, Jenny Hou and Oliver Pan, were convicted earlier this year of recruiting people to donate to Liu’s campaign, concealing
their identities and later reimbursing that money given to them. Liu has vowed to continue his campaign despite the funding denial. Liu’s four main Democratic rivals each received funds from the CFB on Monday. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn received the most, $3,357,585. Public Advocate Bill de Blasio received $2,189,283; Anthony Weiner received $1,464,267 and Bill Thompson was given $1,428,686 in matching funds. “I am disappointed in the CFB’s decision to not only deny my campaign but to deny thousands of New Yorkers of their ability to leverage their own dollars,” the Comptroller said in a statement. “The CFB has chosen to make certain characterizations of my campaign. They are absolutely wrong in their characterization and we will utterly dispute and repudiate those kinds of comments.” Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.
Photo by Natalia Kozikowska
As the primaries inch near, the mayoral forums across the City continue to heat up, and Wednesday night’s forum at York College was no exception. At moments, tensions ran high when a number of the candidates began to attack one another, with a great deal of insults directed at Christine Quinn – the only Democratic contender not in attendance. “If I were a voter, I would never vote for someone who didn’t show up at my community forum – that’s just me,” Anthony Weiner said in his opening remarks. “I have to be honest with you, I’m disappointed that [Council] Speaker Quinn is not here,” Public Advocate Bill de Blasio echoed. “It’s an important discussion – people came out from all over the neighborhood surrounding York College to have a discussion on the issues.” The forum, hosted by Project Hope, a Queens Village after-school program, explored a number of Citywide issues like economic development, job creation and pension funds but primarily focused on prevalent local problems like chronic flooding and corruption.
Candidates de Blasio and City Comptroller John Liu both pointed fingers at the Dept. of Environmental Protection and argued the City should be responsible in helping Southeast Queens’ residents combat flooding. “If this was happening in Midtown Manhattan, it would have been solved a long time ago,” de Blasio said. “Bottom line is simple – the DEP took over the Jamaica water system and when it did, it became their responsibility. You Anthony Weiner speaks during a mayoral candican’t take over a water dates forum at York College Wednesday night. system and see people’s homes flooding on a regular basis and de Blasio on their comments. and act like you shouldn’t do any“I’m always tickled pink when thing about it.” I hear some of my opponents talk “It’s a crisis here. Every year peo- about the City of New York not dople’s homes get flooded,” Liu said. ing enough,” he said. “Well, one’s “This has gone on for far too long the Comptroller, one’s the Public and we’re going to correct this situ- Advocate—they’re part of City govation. We are going to maintain the ernment. It’s like they’re outraged sewers so they can carry out water as like John Q. Public.” much as possible.” His comments were followed by Albanese, a self-proclaimed ‘in- sneers and boos from the audience. dependent’ and long-shot candidate, As the forum drew to an end, the took the opportunity to attack Liu audience was encouraged to write down their own questions for the can-
didates. In light of the recent arrests of former State Sen. Shirley Huntley and State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Jamaica), one audience member asked the candidates what they would do to crack down on corrupt politicians. Weiner eagerly seized the chance to fire shots at nearly every single Democratic challenger in the race. “We have to make sure that when you’re giving money to an organization, you are banned from getting contributions from the board of directors of that organization,” Weiner said while not-so-discreetly glaring back at Liu, whose campaign staff has faced fraud charges. “For too long, what’s been going on in the City Council and with the Speaker has been frankly, one hand washing the other,” he continued, this time looking straight at de Blasio. Former City Comptroller and candidate Bill Thompson showed up at the forum just 30 minutes before it forum had ended. At that point in time, many of the other challengers had scurried out to make it to another event in Queens. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska
Candidates receive Matching Funds The Campaign Finance Board doled out more than $23 million to City candidates who qualified for matching funds on Monday. The program provides public funds at a rate of $6 for every $1 contributed, up to $175, for a maximum of $1,050 per contributor. Below is a list of candidates who received funds, with campaign totals, including matching funds, in parenthesis: Borough President .............. Matching ................. Total Tony Avella ..............................$274,620 .......................($345,392.57) Melinda Katz ..........................$480,333 .......................($1,120,071.05) Peter Vallone Jr. ......................$643,918 .......................($1,686,346) district 27 Manny Caughman ...................$87,780 .........................($122,222.56) Joan Flowers............................$0 ..................................($17,777.66) Greg Mays ...............................$0 ..................................($5,435) Daneek Miller .........................$0 ..................................($56,657.50) Sondra Peeden ........................$0 ..................................($5,548.44) Clyde Vanel .............................$0 ..................................($8,666) district 28 David Kayode ..........................$0 ..................................($10,862) Breina Payne............................$0 ..................................($250) Hettie Powell ...........................$87,780 .........................($130,848.81) Ruben Wills .............................$0 ..................................($39,815) Christina Winslow ..................$0 ..................................($2,644.24) district 31 Michael Duncan ......................$0 ..................................($10,235) Donovan Richards ..................$0 ..................................($28,368)
Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 9-15, 2013
BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA On Tuesday, Food Bank for New York City, in conjunction with DNAinfo New York, hosted their fifth of seven forums on hunger and poverty. City Council District 27 candidates Joan Flowers, Gregory Mays, Daneek Miller and Sondra Peeden joined residents at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in St. Albans to discuss their views on challenges affecting the community. In the Borough of Queeens alone, there are 300,000 people who meet the federal definition of ‘food insecure’, meaning they are unsure where they will get their next meal. With important legislation regarding food stamp benefits currently being voted on in Albany, the forum stressed the importance of the role the next council member will play. Because the district’s next council member does not have a congressional vote, Food Bank NYC reps sought to hear how each candidate would help hungry constituents in District 27. “With the discretionary funds which you have in City Council, we have to be sure that where possible, we can provide backup resources where they are needed,” Miller said. “We also need to provide education
on a local level so that people know where they can access resources.” Mays and Peeden echoed similar sentiments. “There are an incredible number of resources in this community that people don’t know about,” Mays said. “There are programs that a lot of people don’t actually know about so the first thing I’m going to do is work on awareness.” “We need to look at supermarkets and other large purveyors of food, who have food that is available that can come back into the community, that’s not being sold or effectively donated to food pantries,” Peeden said. Flowers, however, said the answer to help those affected by hunger is to put pressure on government. “As your City Council member, I will be shouting, I will be carrying your voice, I will let the House of Representatives know, although we do not have anything to do with the Farm Bill – we can make our federal representatives know that we are not going to be accepting this,” she said. Although a majority of the forum was spent concentrating on ideas to help hungry New Yorkers gain access to food, Food Banks NYC and the candidates also touched upon related issues such as the living wages.
Photo by Natalia Kozikowska
D27 Candidates Talk Hunger And Poverty Candidates for City Council District 27 (from left) Joan Flowers, Greg Mays, Daneek Miller and Sondra Peeden at a forum sponsored by the Food Bank for New York City. Miller, a local labor leader, argued it was the government’s responsibility to help New Yorkers. “I think living-wage jobs are the most important thing that’s going on here,” Miller said. “Not only should government provide goods and services to take care of the community, they should provide the jobs that sustain the community. You can’t do more with less.” Peeden, a former staffer for the late Councilman Thomas White, maintained that living wages are reliant on the economic conditions in the district. “Economic development is key,” Peeden said. “We need things in our community that will drive things into our community. Southeast Queens, specifically District 27, can become a retail hub, a manufacturing hub and a destination for commerce and retail.”
Flowers, an attorney, focused on land-use laws. “Once I’m elected, I’m proposing the City use its considerable contracting power to demand a living wage for those contractors who have contracts with the City,” Flowers said. Mays, a political newcomer and founder of A Better Jamaica, highlighted the many issues residents have in finding employment. “People who may be convicted of felonies will find it nearly impossible to just find employment,” he said. “To me, the solution for those folks in particular, is probably entrepreneurship. I would specifically develop programs that are designed to bring those folks into the economic landscape.” Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska
Aug. 9-15, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5
Avella Aims To Be The Borough’s Missing Voice BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA
ping anybody on their way to school ported reviving the Rockaway Beach or church – it’s absolutely disgrace- Long Island Rail Road line. ful and goes against the Avella also said that Constitution.” if elected, he would like He noted that if electto shift away from mayed as Borough President, oral control of public his Deputy Borough Presschool system. ident would likely be a “BP should have person of color, although more power in terms of he would not comment education. We need to on who he would select. have a comprehensive Although Avella arapproach to make sure gued that Stop and Frisk every school has a comneeded to go, he does not State Sen. Tony Avella puter, that every student support the Community has a desk, that every Safety Act, a set of bills that would classroom has a smart board and I create more oversight in regards to think we can do that,” he said. “I’m Stop, Question and Frisk. also going to fight mayoral control. “I think the Community Safety I think the mayor should have input Act went too far because of the way but not total power.” it will interfere with the policing,” he One of the ways he hopes to have explained. “They [police] will not be the financial flexibility to improve able to do their jobs.” conditions in the Borough – pushing Avella expressed concern for a government to allow table gaming at number of other ways Queens has Resorts World Casino in Queens. been short-changed during Helen “We have to start looking outside Marshall’s presidency – parkland, the box to raise revenue,” he said. education, storm preparation and “I do think the Borough President transportation. should be pushing to get table gamHe adamantly opposed bringing ing in Resorts World.” the Major League Soccer Stadium Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowsto Queens – particularly turned off ka at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or by the lack of public engagement in nkozikowska@queenspress.com or its development and he said he sup- @nkozikowska Photo by Joe Marvilli
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), an outspoken pol and self-proclaimed ‘independent candidate’ in the race for borough president, said that Queens has been missing a voice for 12 years. “Helen Marshall may be a nice person, but we’ve had an absentee landlord for the last 12 years. We really need leadership in the Borough of Queens,” Avella said. And with an extensive background in community activism and politics, having served as Councilman for eight years and now, as Senator, Avella is confident he could be that vocal leader Queens needs to turn a new leaf. “I always take my role in government as a community activist and I’ve always wanted to do public service,” he said. “I hate politics – it’s a nasty business, but I always try to separate politics from my public service.” Avella, who admits he is not one to beat around the bush on issues, said he has witnessed Queens get short-changed for far too long and has thrown his hat in the race to make a real change. “Historically, Queens hasn’t gotten its share of City services. We
know we’re getting short-changed. There’s an outer-borough mentality that Manhattan gets all the resources and it doesn’t,” he said. “I don’t think Queens has spoken up enough – especially in the last 12 years.” According to Avella, many of the minority and ethnic communities in Queens, especially in Southeast Queens, are missing representation in government. “I think Southeast Queens needs the most help. I think the Muslim community, the Sikh community and the South Asian community are often ignored. There are parts of this Borough that have significant populations that have been left out of the process,” he said. This holds true to the Black and Latino population as well, which Avella said has been missing an advocate against the NYPD’s Stop, Question and Frisk policy. “I am one of the only candidates that thinks Stop and Frisk should go entirely. Katz won’t even tell you how she feels and Vallone – he won’t even answer the question. I think those communities – communities of color, need to have a straight answer from those running for office,” Avella argued. “I don’t want to handcuff the police but this policy of just stop-
Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 9-15, 2013
Editorial Moving Beyond Corruption OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email news@queenspress.com The PRESS of Southeast Queens Editor-in-Chief:
Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:
Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:
Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor
Just over a month from now, voters will once again be given an opportunity to go out to the polls to decide on the direction of City government and Southeast Queens residents have a number of decisions to make on Primary Day. Over the last few years, too many stories have surfaced of elected officials using their position in government to better not their constituents’ lives, but rather their own. Southeast Queens has seen a number of representatives tagged for questionable activities. State Senators have been arrested on fraud charges. City Councilmen have been under investigation for wrong-doings. Instead of asking what our officials are doing for us, we now question what they have been doing for themselves. Many have lamented that it is just the way things work, that we should simply sit back and hope that worse news does not come. That is certainly not the case. Next month, Southeast Queens residents have the opportunity to set the stage for a better future for the community. The Sept. 10 primary elections will give us all the opportunity to elect representatives who will fight for the community and begin the process of cleaning up a corrupt system. We implore our readers to look closely at the candidates running for City Council seats this year and make a decision based on what is best for the Southeast Queens community.
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To The Editor: Recently, legislation (Intro 1098) was introduced by City Councilman Donovan Richards of the 31st District. This bill would require a change in the building code to make it mandatory to install backwater valves/check valves in special flood hazard areas. This is to prevent sewer backup or backflow of sewage. While well intentioned, I wonder if he considered the cost to his constituents. Such a device cost about $4,000 to install. Has he considered the seniors on a fixed income who cannot afford this? Has he considered the working families who are still living paycheck to paycheck and had to spend so much money while being displaced from their homes? How about the middle-class families who are now living on one income due to the economy? At a recent candidate forum at St. Luke’s Cathedral in Springfield Gardens, he stated, in error, that he was standing in flood zone B. Is he not aware that the flood zone designations have changed from A, B and C to 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. For the record he was standing in flood zone 3. Maybe, he is not aware that most of his district is now within a flood zone. For decades, many areas of
Southeast Queens have been neglected in terms of sewer projects. Other areas have sewers that are inadequate. Where is the responsibility of our City government in all of this? Why should the homeowners shoulder all the responsibility? Councilman Ulrich in a neighboring district is fighting for his constituents by standing up against mandates that will negatively affect his constituents. Who is fighting for the residents of Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Arverne and the Rockaways? I urge all the other City Council Members with a conscience to stand-up and vote against this bill if it comes to a vote. Instead, I am urging them to draft legislation that would offer incentives for those homeowners who install the backwater valve. This could be a $2,000 property tax break spread over a five year period. The City should meet the homeowners half way, while fighting to get more resources from the State and the federal governments. It is not enough for one to tout how many bills were introduced. What count is, how these bills benefit one’s constituents and the City of New York. Sincerely, Marie Adam-Ovide Laurelton
Fixes Needed
To The Editor: Queens Boulevard and numerous roads in Forest Hills among other NYC neighborhoods are unsafe without a doubt. On Sunday, August 4th, I witnessed a 31-year-old woman fall into a section of a caved-in road at the corner of 68th Road on the north side of Queens Boulevard, with her baby carriage in hand. She intended to take a leisurely early Sunday evening stroll with her husband and baby, but wound up fracturing her ankle and cutting her leg. It is the mission of the NYC Department of Transportation to repair sink holes and pave roads, but why wasn’t this issue addressed in advance? My family and I remained by the woman’s side, as she was on the ground, crying and chattering from the immense pain. I got ice from the corner 7-11 shop, and then called 911. The paramedics arrived within minutes. I borrowed her husband’s iPhone to photograph the scene of the accident. A pedestrian came to the scene shortly after and said he witnessed another injury at that spot two days prior. I am sure this is more than two injury accounts too many. As citizens, we should not wait for an accident waiting to happen, but survey our area and call 311 proactively. Our elected officials and Community Boards should join us in prioritizing on such issues. I filed a service request with 311, and I urge the city and my fellow citizens to follow through on my call, to make sure this time-sensitive issue is addressed. This is one of many roads which need to be repaved, originating with the sink hole. Michael Perlman Forest Hills
Prophetic Statement?
To The Editor: What with today’s political morass I thought back to my introduction to voting and political parties. Back in the early 50s there was a “conflict” involving Korea. It was labeled such but it was no
different than all the following “conflicts” called wars, the last real conscionable one being WWII. Back then, young people were not as politi-savy as they are today, at least not in my Lower East Side (since gentrified to East Village). I questioned Democratic President Truman’s wisdom concerning the atom bombings in Japan and it was upsetting. Although I admired FDR, I decided that I would always be an Independent voter. But then I heard this introspective proclamation which embodied the very essence of America’s greatness. Corny no doubt, but it was as though the Statue Liberty could talk. It stated: “Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man and they are stupid.” T hat was Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower, what a guy. I thought to myself at the time, “his party is my party.” Ah, but that was then, a long, long time ago, and this is now and the party’s over. It seems as though that “splinter” he mentioned has festered and has sadly infected the once Grand Old Par ty. As for those “Texas oil millionaires and an occasional politician or business man,” stupid as suggested or not, their greed more than compensates for any intelligence they may or may not lack. They have put our country up for sale to the highest bidder in the process of their goal: “for profit” privatization of America. Hopefully Ike was prophetic about the demise of any party who would destroy the very tenets, the foundation of what had made this country great and the envy of the world. Nicholas Zizelis Bayside
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Lhota Starts Small Biz. Tour In Queens BY JOE MARVILLI
Republican Mayoral hopeful Joe Lhota visited two small businesses in Queens on Monday, JAD Corporation in College Point and Mini Star Restaurant in Astoria.
College Point since 1977, is also energy-efficient, having installed solar panels on its roof two years ago. These types of incentives were something that Lhota would like to continue if elected.
Photos by Ira Cohen and Joe Marvilli
Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota kicked off his Citywide small business tour on Monday by visiting a manufacturing company and a deli. The only connection? Both are based in Queens. Lhota spent Aug. 5 speaking with the owners of the JAD Corporation in College Point and the owner of Mini Star Restaurant and Gourmet Deli in Astoria. He discussed how New York could become a better place for small businesses by encouraging start-ups and cutting down on bureaucracy. “I want to make sure small businesses are treated well in New York and the best way for me is to go and listen to all the folks who run small businesses here,” Lhota said. The day started with a tour of the JAD facilities in College Point. The corporation provides janitorial and building maintenance supplies. One of the owners, Joe Dussich, showed Lhota the 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse, where JAD creates rodent-repellent garbage bags called Mint X. The mayoral candidate was pleased that nearly everything used in the warehouse was made in Queens. The success of JAD was something that Lhota felt Queens, and New York City as a whole, needs more of. “Find areas that are not going to be residential and make them into commercial space. Make them available for businesses in New York,” Lhota said. “We’re exporting a product from New York, made by New Yorkers. We need more of that.” The company, which has been in
“A lot of people don’t like change, but one of the ways you can induce change is using our tax policy to con-
vert over to environmentally-friendly and better ways to get energy,” he said. In terms of policies Lhota would get rid of, he said that taxing capital would discourage start-ups from staying here. The candidate also said incentives should be given to companies that hire New Yorkers and that small businesses can help facilitate entrylevel positions. “We’re not just a white collar City. We never were meant to be,” he said. “We’re also a City of immigrants. We need to find lots of entry level jobs.” Dussich felt that Lhota understood the obstacles that were in the way of growth. “He gets what it takes to keep small businesses healthy,” he said. Later that afternoon, Lhota met with Maria Pakkou, an owner of Mini Star Restaurant and Gourmet Deli. While the restaurant is doing well with three A ratings, the deli has been under renovation for two years. Not helping matters, according to Pakkou, are the large amounts of regulations, fines and tickets imposed by the City. “They’re looking for everything, whatever they can find to write a violation of,” she said. “It shouldn’t take two years to get the first dollar in revenue. It’s too much bureaucracy,” Lhota said. “We need to make sure there are jobs for New Yorkers. Let the government get out of their way.” Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@ queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.
LaGCC Will Expand Its Muslim Awareness BY TRIShA SAkhuJA LaGuardia Performing Arts Center will expand its awareness and understanding of Muslim societies through a grant awarded by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. LaGuardia Community College is the only community college in the nation to receive a $5,000 grant that will enable LPAC to develop artistic projects, which will open avenues for intellectual conversation about the Muslim religion, culture and its stereotypes. Through APAP’s Building Bridges: Campus Community Engagement Program, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation for Is-
lamic Art, LPAC is among the nation’s 15 arts organizations that will apply the grant towards community building. The first grant could lead to a second grant of up to $200,000 to eight of the 15 recipients in December. Steven Hitt, LPAC’s managing director, said the campus and the surrounding community of the college is culturally diverse with Muslim men and women, who consider themselves a part of the City, but they face daily prejudice and disenfranchisement in connection with their faith and background. “Our goal is to change people’s perspective and behavior surrounding the Muslim religion by partnering the arts with education,” said Hitt.
LPAC’s focus is on social justice, which ties in well with the grant’s goal to explore and develop academic discussions pertaining to the Muslim culture. Hitt said, post Sept. 11, the misunderstanding, misrepresentation and fear of the Muslim faith and culture has grown, which calls for partnership with LaGCC and the CUNY network to host a wide range of cultural events that include visual art exhibitions, panel discussions, photography exhibitions, live musicals, a playwriting development program and dance pieces. If LPAC receives the second grant, the proposed project concept, titled Beyond Sacred: Unthinking Muslim Identity, is a year-long interdisciplinary program from July 2014
through July 2015, in collaboration with Ping Chong + Company and PCC’s Undesirable Elements program. The collaboration will further the program’s goal to explore the multifaceted perspectives and experiences between diverse Muslim cultures from the South Asian, African, Indonesian and Middle Eastern communities in Queens. Hitt said the key question that the program hopes to answer is, how have Muslim-identified City residents had to redefine their identities because of post Sept. 11 attitudes towards Muslims in the United States. Reach Reporter Trisha Sakhuja at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, tsakhuja@ queenstribune.com, or @Tsakhuja13.
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National Night Out
Honoring Secreto Queens Borough President Helen Marshall presented a certificate of appreciation to NYPD Assistant Chief James Secreto on July 31, in recognition of his service as commander of the NYPD’s Patrol Borough Queens South, a post he left on July 30 after he was assigned to take command of Patrol Borough Manhattan North.
Talking Hoops with ‘Melo Police precincts across the City held community events in celebration of National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday night. Pictured at the 102nd Precincts event are Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows), Deputy Inspector Henry Sautner of the 102nd Precinct, District Attorney Richard Brown of Queens County, Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) and members of the Sikh Cultural Society Center and the Richmond Hill South Civic Association.
New York Knick Carmelo Anthony (center) meets with Queens College President James Muyskens and his wife, Alda, before Anthony’s youth basketball camp at Queens College on Saturday. For more on the camp, see the story on Page 13.
Police Blotter 102nd Precinct
Assault
The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying and locating the following suspect wanted in connection with an assault. At 11:25 p.m. on July 29 in the vicinity of 85th Street, a male suspect wearing a hooded sweatshirt approached a female victim and stabbed her multiple times in the torso and back. The victim is in stable condition at Jamaica Hospital.
103rd Precinct
Homicide
At 5:11 a.m. on Aug. 3 in front of 89-32 163rd St., police responded to a call of a male shot. Upon arrival, police observed the first victim, a 33year-old Hispanic male with a gunshot wound to the chest and a second victim, a 32-year-old Hispanic male, with a gunshot wound to the ankle. Both victims were removed by EMS to Jamaica Hospital, where the first victim was pronounced dead. The second victim was listed in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing.
105th Precinct
Investigation
At approximately 5:10 a.m. on Aug. 1, police responded to a 911 call of an aided male at 230th Place and Lansing Avenue. Upon arrival, police observed an unidentified Hispanic male, in his 20s or 30s, with multiple injuries about the body, who was bleeding heavily and unconscious. EMS also responded and pronounced the male dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
109th Precinct
Assault
The NYPD is asking the public’s
This suspect is wanted in connection to a stabbing within the 109th Precinct.
assistance identifying the following individual wanted for a stabbing that took place at 10 p.m. on Aug. 3 inside of 147-21 Barclay Ave., Flushing. A 24-year-old male victim was stabbed in the stomach by the suspect and taken to New York Hospital Queens, where he was listed in stable condition.
110th Precinct
Forcible Touching Pattern
The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying a suspect wanted in connection to five forcible touching incidents within the 110th Precinct. Five separate incidents occurred between Feb. 5 and July 30 at the Broadway and Queens Boulevard and Broadway and Elmhurst Avenue subway stops. In each of the five incidents, the suspect approached Asian females, between the ages of 19-47 years old and forced his hand underneath the
victims’ pants and skirts to touch the victims inappropriately. The suspect was described as an Hispanic male, between the ages of 25-40, 5-foot-7 and between 150-160 lbs. He was last seen wearing a navy or black baseball cap.
113th Precinct
Bank Robbery
The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying the following individual wanted for a bank robbery on July 27 inside of Capital One Bank, 189-02 Linden Blvd. The suspect demanded money from the teller verbally and fled with an unknown amount of money.
Got info? Call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-tiPS (8477) or text tips to CRiMES (274637) then enter TIPS577
Aug. 9-15, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11
Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 9-15, 2013
Profile
Former Jamaica Resident Hits The Stage BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA When she was a student at Jamaica High School many years ago, Gloria Rosen was very outspoken about politics, but ironically, she said she never even cared for the subject. “My history teacher knew I didn’t really care about politics. I just loved the drama of the whole thing,” Rosen said. “So instead of encouraging me to go into political science, he said, ‘Why don’t you join the drama class?’ and I thought it was an excellent idea.” At first, Rosen maintained acting as an extracurricular activity – mostly because her parents gave her the impression that it was not a career choice. “In my house, that kind of stuff was called a hobby,” she said. “That never was something that you did for a living.” It was not until the former Jamaica resident entered college that she really decided to pursue acting and the arts as full-time career. “When I went to college, I studied to be a teacher and that was some-
thing I really didn’t want to do. For- very secret,” she said. “I had never spotunately, I was dating a fellow who ken about anything in my family or my encouraged me to go into the arts,” house since nobody related to it.” she said. “And that’s Eventually, Rosen when I walked out and said, her perceptions never looked back. I began to change and started taking acting she really got into it. lessons and that was it After attending a writfor school.” ing workshop in 2007, For many years, she was one of three Rosen bounced around playwrights selected from gig to gig, makby an experimenting ing a name for herself director and her play, as an actress until one ‘Listen…Can You Hear conversation with her Me Now,’ was born. beloved acting coach What began as a changed her path once 20-minute solo-perforGloria Rosen more. mance eventually blosRosen shared her somed into an hourexperiences growing up as the hearing long show that has been embraced child and sole interpreter for her two all across the nation by critics and deaf parents. play enthusiasts alike. “My acting coach had never heard Rosen was humbled by the sucof anything like that,” she said. “He cess of her funny, yet serious, onehad never spoken to somebody who woman show but also stressed the had deaf parents and he just kept say- importance of the play’s theme of ing, ‘you have to write this down.’” being an outsider. But Rosen admits she was hesi“On the surface, this show is tant at first. about deaf and hearing and that very “Everything in my house was very, ridiculous circumstance, but there is
a more universal theme for me and hopefully for the audience,” she said. “I was an outsider in my parents’ world – we grew up in two different places.” “And that can happen to anyone,” she continued. “You can grow up gay, you can grow up too big or too little. The point is we are all very unique in our own way. We can all find our voices and our place, no matter how out of place you feel. The most important thing is finding who you are and accepting that. That’s what I want people to take away from this.” Rosen’s ‘Listen Can You Hear Me Now’ will be showing at The New York International Fringe Festival from Aug. 9 through Aug. 25. All tickets are $15 more than 24 hours before the show and $18 on the day of the performance at the venue box office. You may also buy your tickets online at www.fringenyc.org or by calling (866) 468-7619. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska
People Cambria Heights: Esosa Uwadiae. Hollis: Kathleen Christman. Jamaica: Trecia Jansen, Michael Jaquez, Roberto Joachim, Brianna Palmer, Steven Ramnanan, Shanice Saunders. Queens Village: Ashley Martinez, Angela Medel. St. Albans: Amani Beauzile, Thalia Clerveau, Jai Lynn, Kiara Reeder. Amani Beauzile received a $3,000 Merit Scholarship. Springfield Gardens: Demitri Malone.
Antonio M. Shoy Air National Guard Airman Antonio M. Shoy graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. Shoy is the son of Monica Shoy of Jamaica. Local students have reserved placement as freshmen at SUNY Oswego for the fall 2013 semester. They include:
Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2013 semester at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, N.J. They include: Cambria Heights: Ajah HawleyAlexander, Ashley Davis. Holliswood: Stephanie Windland. Jamaica: Laquanique Lake, Ronella Rodney. St. Albans: Michael Telesford. Adedolapo Adebayo of Jamaica received a diploma during commencement ceremonies on June 2 at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Conn.
Local students received degrees during spring 2013 commencement ceremonies at SUNY Oneonta. They include: Queens Village: Kamalia Fray, Bachelor of Science degree in child and family studies. Springfield Gardens: Andrew Tejada, Bachelor of Science degree in theatre. Tatiana Wilson of Rosedale was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2013 semester at St. Bonaventure University. Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2013 semester at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy. They include: Cambria Heights: Saidat Audu. Jamaica: Sean Chen, Tanzim Imam. Queens Village: Erica Hoey. SUNY Oswego has awarded an $18,800 Presidential Scholarship to Roberto M. Joachim of Jamaica. The award recognizes past academic achievement and potential for success.
Queens Community House offers assistance to those applying for benefits including Medicaid, Medicare and public assistance. Locations include: Forest Hills Senior Center, 10825 62nd Drive, Forest Hills. Social workers available include: English and Mandarin Mondays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; English and Russian Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and English and Spanish, Thursdays 1 to 2:30 p.m. For information, call (718) 6991010. Pomonock Senior Center, 6709 Kissena Blvd., Flushing. Social workers available include: English and Russian Mondays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; English and Spanish Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and English and Mandarin Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call (718) 591-3377. Rego Park Senior Center, 93-29 Queens Blvd., Rego Park. Social workers available include: English and Spanish Thursdays 9 a.m. to noon; English and Mandarin, Fridays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Russian speakers available as well. For information, call (718) 896-8511.
Aug. 9-15, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13
A&E
Knicks’ Melo Comes To Queens College When he was a kid, New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony said he did not have a basketball camp he could go to when he wanted to shoot hoops. This is why, Anthony said, it was important for him to give back to the kids in New York by offering them an opportunity he wishes he had growing up. “I like to be in an intimate setting with my campers – laugh and joke with them and show some humor and personality with them,” Anthony said. “This is a moment they will never forget and something I wish I had when I was young.” For nine years, Anthony has been directing Melo Camp – his own
youth basketball camp that aims to promote a healthy lifestyle through basketball. And this year, on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, Anthony launched the camp at Queens College. “It helps kids keep active. Nowadays, it’s kind of hard to get kids out of the house because of video games and technology, so for me to be able to help these kids with basketball – that was a no-brainer.” This year marks the first time Anthony has used Queens College’s Fitzgerald Gym as the venue. Last year, St. John’s University hosted the camp. “This setting is a little more intimate than it was at St. John’s – a lot more courts,” Anthony said of Queens College. “St. John’s was separated into two gyms, so hopefully, we can
Restaurant Review
Classic Greek Food With a New World Twist Ovelia 34-01 30th ave., astoria (718) 721-7217 Ovelia-ny.com CUiSiNe: Greek CReDiT CaRDS: Yes DeliveRY/TaKeOUT: Yes OUTDOOR SeaTiNG: Yes Ovelia has become one of Astoria’s best eateries over the last seven years. Family-owned and operated by the Giannakas family, chef Peter and his brother Chris always look to take traditional Greek dishes they grew up with and blend them with today’s new culinary flavors. For starters, we decided to share a few dishes. Chris recommended their Xtapodi Stin Folia: balsamic and maple-glazed octopus with sweet potato chunks, candied quince and smoked ham served in a filo nest. The flavors of this dish were complex, yet so sweet and delicate it left me yearning for more. The best appetizer we both tried was the Myelo Ton Oston: buttery roasted beef bone marrow in lemon oregano brine, accompanied with diced spiced red onions and sea salt. Paired with their homemade grilled pita points, this was the perfect combination to kick off the meal. As for the entrées, my guest and
I decided to share two dishes and have a Greek surf and turf. We ordered their lamb and fig kebob accompanied by their prosciuttowrapped grilled scallops. The scallops were served with sautéed asparagus in a light butter citrus reduction, perfectly balancing out the flavors of the scallops and the prosciutto. The cubed lamb was glazed a beautiful smoky char flavor and cooked to perfection. For dessert, I had to try their homemade fried chocolate bar, a beer battered chocolate bar-infused with caramel and peanuts. Did I really have a choice here? Chris then wanted us to try a traditional homemade Greek pastry, portokalopita, a moist orange filo cake served with vanilla ice cream. The Giannakas family has created something special in a town known for its Greek food. They really set themselves apart from their competition. -eric Jordan
“Just seeing how happy figure it out and come the kids are – just when I back next year.” walked in, you could see More than 640 chilthe excitement and you dren were registered for could feel the energy from the camp and were given the parents and from the the opportunity to take kids too. Not a lot of kids pictures, ask questions have that opportunity.” and of course, play with Reach Reporter Natalia the NBA superstar. Kozikowska at (718)357When asked what he Carmelo anthony 7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowsloves best about directka@queenspress.com or ing the youth basketball camp, Anthony simply responded, @nkozikowska Photo by ira Cohen
BY NaTalia KOZiKOWSKa
Comrie Hosts His last Family Fun Day BY NaTalia KOZiKOWSKa On Saturday, Aug. 10, Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Jamaica), in conjunction with the Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, New York City Dept. of Parks and Recreation and the Haitian-Americans United for Progress, will host his last Family Fun Day in Liberty Park. “The Family Fun Day is a bittersweet event, since it will be the last one I will be co-sponsoring as a member of City Council,” Comrie said in an emailed statement. “It also happens to be my birthday and I cannot think of a better way to spend the day with the community that helped me grow and gave me the privilege of representing them these last 12 years,” he added. Much like the last 12 summer Family Fun Days sponsored by Com-
rie, families, friends and neighbors will get the chance to come out to hear great music, play lots of different family-oriented games and enjoy a free barbecue, free rides and free face-painting for the children. This year’s Family Fun Day at Liberty Park will feature music from the popular radio station WBLS. Residents will also be given the opportunity to learn about job openings in the area, how to refinance their mortgage and how to save money on their electricity bills. Family Fun Day will be held at Liberty Park from noon to 4 p.m. Liberty Park is located at 106-16 173rd St., Jamaica. It is free to attend. For more information, call Comrie’s district office at (718) 776-3798. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska
$10,000 Cricket Tournament Set For labor Day Weekend Bedessee Sports announced this week that they will sponsor the inaugural national T20 cricket tournament in New York City, in association with the New York Cricket Region, American Cricket League, Brooklyn Cricket League, the Metropolitan District Cricket Association and the USA Cricket Umpires Association. The tournament will be held between Aug. 30 and Sept. 2, with the majority of games being played at Marine Park in Brooklyn. The winning team will net a grand prize of $10,000, with the runner-up receiving $2,500. Top performing players will also receive cash and equipment prizes. Chubb Bedessee, president of
Bedessee Sports, said he was approached by several leagues and clubs to stage a cricket tournament in the Tri-State area, as it lacks a private national tournament. Bedessee said he hopes the tournament will contribute to cricket development while building a stronger foundation for the game in New York. The tournament is open to all clubs, groups and leagues. Entrance fee is $1,500 per team and rosters must be supplied by Aug. 23. For information, or to enter a team, visit www.newyorkcricket.com or call Bedessee at (718) 272-1300, option 4, or Lester Hooper of the New York Cricket Region at (347) 538-2696.
Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 9-15, 2013
Faith
New Hope Lutheran Church Celebrates 40 Years BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Next month, New Hope Lutheran Church in Jamaica will celebrate its 40th Anniversary in ministry with a special gala at a popular Queens Village restaurant, Antun’s. “Every five years, we always like to do something big to celebrate the church’s rich history,” said Grace Cohen, one of the organizers of the event. “Hopefully, a lot of people will come out to support us.” In addition to the much-anticipated delicious food and dancing, New Hope will honor an elected official – a tradition at their galas. “This year, on our 40th anniversary, we decided that we would honor Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-Jamaica) for his work in the Borough of Queens,” she said. The reason for honoring Scarborough, Cohen said, is to allow the church to serve as a platform for communication between parishioners and local elected leaders in Southeast Queens. “A lot of people do not know their Queens officials and this event will give parishioners the opportunity to get to know him [Scarborough] and what he does,” she said. “Hopefully, they will get the opportunity to talk to other officials and improve that communication.”
New Hope Lutheran Church in Jamaica will be hosting a gala to celebrate its 40th anniversary and to help raise funds for church on Sept. 15. Photo courtesy of www.newhopejamaica.com. Cohen said the church also hopes that the gala will help congregants get to know one another better, especially outside of the church atmosphere. “These events help people get to know each other outside of church,” Cohen said. “This will just be a great opportunity for the community to come together, to reach out and learn about the community as well.” “This event will also help people know that we are in the area and maybe this will encourage people to join our church,” she added. “There
are people in the neighborhood that may not know we are in the area and this will get ourselves out there and if they want to come and worship with us, they are more than welcome to do so.” New Hope Lutheran Church will hold their gala at Antun’s on Sept. 15 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $100 for adults, $75 for children ages 12-17 and $50 for children ages 5-11. All proceeds and donations will go towards helping New Hope with its renovations and mortgage payments.
Antun’s is located at 96-43 Springfield Blvd., Queens Village. For more information about the event, you may contact Grace Cohen at (718) 658-0270. New Hope Lutheran Church is located at 167-24 118th Ave., Jamaica. For more information about mass services or the church, call (718) 528-0453 or visit www.newhopejamaica.com. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska
Notebook Back To School
Beatin’ The Back To School Slump BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA It’s that time of the year again. College students are gearing up for the school season. Some will be just beginning their college experience and others will be faced with the reality that post-college life is right around the corner. But no matter what stage in their academic careers students are in, experts agree making the transition from summertime to the start of a new school semester is not always so easy. “Students of all ages tend to view summer vacation as a well-deserved reprieve from the demands of a regimented school year. However, no matter how well deserved or welcome summer break is, it always ends,” said Monica Foote, president of the Long
Island Business Institute. “The shift from summer break to the school year represents a transition phase for all children.” The biggest challenge for students, Foote said, is getting back on track after the summer. Summer vacation habits, like staying up late, need to be curbed. “Obviously, going from a relaxed and easygoing momentum of the summer to having to be in homeroom by 8:15 a.m. has to take place gradually or else it will be a dreadful experience for all involved,” she said. Foote suggests the best way to prepare to for the school season is to adjust a student’s bedtime before they have to. “Two weeks before the first day of classes start the bedtime routine 10
minutes earlier each night, so if your child has extended summer bedtime by an hour, you will need at least a week to get her/him back on a school –friendly bedtime,” she said. This advice, Foote said, is also great for college students who wish to be prepared and ready to tackle the new school semester. She also noted it was just as important for higher-education students, especially freshman, to know about the school. “Although less concerned about bedtimes and eating schedules, college students must also transition to a new and unfamiliar environment. That transition can be extremely nerve-wracking,” she said. “Orientation assists students in learning more about the campus, which courses to take and how to get help from vari-
ous departments on campus.” “Failure to attend, or participate in, the orientation program can jeopardize proper academic advising and course enrollment, so I can’t be emphatic enough about the importance of going through this process to ensure a successful transition to college,” she added. This may be good advice for the more than 1,000 students enrolled in LIBI’s two campuses. Anyone interested in pursuing a career education at LIBI can contact the admissions office at (718) 9395100 to schedule a tour of the campus. Those looking for more information can also visit www.libi.edu. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska
Aug. 9-15, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15
Queens Today Section editor: reGinA VoGeL
Send announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina or email to queenstoday@ queenstribune.com Yearly schedules and advanced notices welcome!
MiSceLLAneoUS KidS tooLS Bring donations of new school supplies or cash to purchase supplies to any of Astoria Federal Savings’ 85 branches.
enVironMent Food WASte droPoFF Saturdays 1-3 at the Broadway and LIC library. coMPoStinG tuesdays Woodside library 5:15-6:30. 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 21, 28 Steinway library at 3.
ALUMni BLAnd HoUSeS Saturday, September 7 reunion of former Bland Houses residents. 815-6697.
dAnceS Line dAncinG Mondays 6:30-9:30 at Kowalinski Post 4, 61-57 Maspeth Avenue. $7. Cake and coffee. 565-2259. coUntrY Line Wednesdays 7-10 at the STARS Building, 8 Coleman Square, Howard Beach. $10.
PArentS PArent edUcAtion Monday, August 12 Lefrak City library at 11:30. Upon completion of at least 8 sessions and passing the final, participants receivecertificate. KidS MUSic cLASS Wednesdays newborn to 4 with guardian at the JCC in Jackson Heights. 609-0066.
YoUtH/teenS
MeetinGS centrAL AcAdeMY Mondays, August 12, September 9 Central Queens Academy Charter School Board of Trustees meeting 7-9:30 at 55-30 Junction Blvd., Elmhurst. 261-6200 to register. VFW 4787 Mondays, August 12, September 9 Whitestone VFW Communit y Post meets. 746-0540. cAtHoLic VetS Mondays, August 12, September 9 American Martyrs Catholic War Veterans Post 1772 in Bayside. 4689351. cHeSS cLUB Mondays, August 12, 19 Woodhaven library at 2:30. Knit & crocHet Mondays, August 12, 19, 26 Douglaston library at 4. Knit & crocHet tuesdays, August 13, 20, 27 Whitestone library at 2 and Windsor Park library at 2. cHeSS cLUB tuesdays Windsor Park library at 5:30. Knit & crocHet Wednesdays, August 14, 21, 28 South Ozone Park library at 1. cHeSS cLUB
Fridays, August 16, 23, 30 Woodside library at 4. P-FLAG Sundays, August 18, September 15 P-FLAG, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays meet in Forest Hills. 271-7773. 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 Mondays Community 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 40th Avenue, Bayside. 961-6852. ScrABBLe cLUB tuesdays at the East Flushing library at 3:30. FM cAMerA tuesdays Fresh Meadows Camera Club. 917-6123463.
entertAinMent
HeALtH
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 anniversary 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. trAVerS PArK Sunday, August 11 RTronika at 3.. Sunday, August 18 Calpulli Mexican Dance Company at 3.. Sunday, August 25 Cit y Parks Puppet Show at 11. Travers Park, 78 th Street between 34 th and Northern Blvd. oPen Mic Mondays, August 12, September 9 Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows at 7:30. MoVieS tuesday, August 13 “Lincoln” at the Queens Village library at 3. 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.
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. MetAStAtic BreASt Second and Fourth Mondays 1:30-3:00 at Adelphi Breast Cancer Program. 516-877-4314. Men BreASt cAncer Second Mondays 7-8:30 at Adelphi Breast Cancer Program. 516-877-4314. ALZHeiMerS tuesdays, August 13, 27 Caregiver Support group in Forest Hills. 592-5757, ext. 237. YoGA StretcH tuesdays, August 13, 20, 27 Richmond Hill library at 5:30. YoGA cLASSeS through thursday August 22 yoga class at the Hillcrest Jewish Center. 646-250-5379.
QUeenS LiBrArieS M a ny b ra n c h e s o f t h e Queensborough Library offer toddler and pre-school programs and more. Contact local branches. cHeSS cLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2. eco crAFtS Monday, August 12 LIC library at 11 and Steinway library at 4:30. SUMMer crAFtS Mondays, August 12, 19 Howard Beach library at 2. ScrAPBooKS Monday, August 12 Pomonok library at 4:30. BABY & Me Mondays, August 12, 19 Bayside library at 11. MAGic oF ActinG Mondays, August 12, 19 Pomonok library. Register. SteM cLUB Monday, August 12 Richmond Hill library at 2:30. cHeSS cLUB Mondays, August 12, 19 Woodhaven librar y at 2:30. cHeSS cLUB Mondays, August 12, 19 Poppenhusen library at 3. GAMe tiMe Monday, August 12 North Hills library at 3:30. reAd to A doG tuesdays, August 13, 20 North Hills library at 4. nAtUre KidS tuesdays, August 13, 20, 27 Woodside library at 4:15. drAMA cLUB tuesdays, August 13, 20 Corona library at 5. ArtS & crAFtS tuesdays at the North Hills library at 2:15. nAtUre KidS tuesdays Sunnyside library at 3:00. FAMiLY FUn tiMe Wednesdays, August 14, 21, 28 Broadway library at 11:30. ArtS & crAFtS Wednesday, August 14 North Hills library at 2:15. Science cLUB Wednesday, August 14 Astoria library. Register. diG into reAdinG Wednesdays, August 14, 21 Lefrak City library at 2:30. ArtS & crAFtS Wednesday, August 14 Richmond Hill library at 2:30. BooK cLUB Wednesdays, August 14, 21 Woodhaven librar y at 2:30. reAd to Me Wednesday, August 14 Poppenhusen librar y at 11:30. eco crAFtS Wednesday, August 14 LIC library at 4.
diG into reAdinG Wednesday, August 14 Lefrak City library at 4:30. reAdY reAderS Wednesday, August 14 Corona library at 5. BULLetin BoArd Wednesdays, August 14, 21 Auburndale librar y at 3. WritinG cLUB Wednesdays, August 14, 21 Corona library at 3. StorYtiMe Wednesday, August 14 LIC library at 5. MAnGA cLUB Wednesdays, August 14, 21 Corona library at 5:30. FAMiLY StorYtiMe thursday, August 15 Bay Terrace library at 11:30. Word FUn thursdays, August 15, 22 Pomonok library at 11:30. nAtUre KidS thursdays, August 15, 22, 29 Astoria library at 1:30. GAZette thursday, August 15 North Hills library at 2:15. PUZZLeS, LeGoS thursday, August 15 Rich-
mond Hill library at 2:30. KidS crAFt tiMe thursday, August 15 Howard Beach library at 3:30. BoArd GAMeS thursday, August 15 Auburndale library at 3. ArtS & crAFtS Fridays Briarwood library at 4. East Flushing Register. Ozone Park at 3. cHeSS cLUB Fridays Auburndale library at 3:30 and Windsor Park library. Register. BooK BUddieS Monday, August 12 Pomonok library at 11:30. Knit & crocHet Mondays, August 12, 19, 26 Douglaston librar y at 4. MAKinG MoVieS Monday, August 12, 19 Woodhaven library at 4. cHeSS cLUB Mondays, August 12, 19, 26 Bayside library at 6. teen tiMe Wednesday, August 14 North Hills library at 4. Knit & crocHet thursdays, August 15, 22 Corona library at 5:30.
SeniorS BAYSide SeniorS Movies, health presentations, Zumba, chair yoga, W i i b ow l i n g , s t r o l l e r s , 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. driVinG cLASS tuesday, August 13 Forest Hills library. Register. AArP4158 tuesdays, August 13, Septe m b e r 1 0 , o c tober 8 Nor th Flushing chapter 4158 meets at noon at Church on the Hill, 16707 35 th Avenue, Flushing. New members and visitors welcome. deFenSiVe driVinG tuesday, August 13 Auburndale librar y. Register. onGoinG eVentS SoUtH ASiAn Alternate Saturdays Selfhelp BR-PS Senior Center in Flushing. Indian-st yle activities, lunch. 8865777. dUPLicAte BridGe Mondays Lunch, lesson and congenial play. Pride of Judea. 423-6200. cAreGiVerS tuesdays Caregivers Support group at 3:30-4:30 Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, 208-11 26 th Av-
enue, Bayside. 631-1886. Men’S cLUB We d n e s d ay s 1 0 - n o o n Men’s club for those over 65 at the Central Queens Y in Forest Hills. 423-0732. ALZHeiMerS Adult Day Care MondayThursday 9-4 in Flushing. 358-3541. cLeArVieW Senior M o n d ay s Q i G o n g a t 1 0 : 4 5 , c a rd p l ay i n g a t 1 2 : 3 0 . tu e s d ay s a n d thursdays Wii Time at 1 2 : 4 5 . tu e s d a y s a n d Wednesdays drawing and painting at 9:30. Wednesdays bingo at 12:45, tai chi at 2. thursdays scrabble at 12:45. Fridays dance f itness at 10:45. Movies, computer classes, more. Clear view Senior Center, 208-11 26 th Avenue, Bayside. 224-7888. FriendSHiP center Breakfast and lunch. Friendship Center for the Mentally and Physically Frail, 92-33 170 th Street. Trips, music, dance, computer skills, arts and crafts, exercise, conversation, independence. 657-6500, ext. 1593. SeLFHeLP LAtiMer tu e s d a y s a n d F r i d a y s drawing class 9:30-noon. Hot nutritious lunch, ESL, Tai Chi, Ballroom Dancing, drawing, ping pong, mah jong. Selfhelp Latimer Gardens Senior Center, 34-30 137 th Street, Flushing. 559-4395.
Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 9-15, 2013
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Qualifications Qualifications ê Be a professional age 55+ ê Have experience as a classroom Qualifications ê Be a professional age 55+ teacher or academic tutor ê Have experience as a classroom ê Able to serve at a age NYPL branch 2-4 Be a professional 55+ teacher or academic tutor days per week (6-8 hours) for the ê experience a classroom ê Have Able to serve at aas NYPL branch 2-4 2013-2014 school year. teacher academic tutor for the days peror week (6-8 hours) ê Able to serve at a NYPL 2013-2014 school year. branch 2-4 Learn daysHow per week (6-8 hours) for the 2013-2014 Learn How school year. To learn more, register for an upcoming “Teaching & Tutoring” information Learn How To learn more, register for an upcoming session by sending an email to: “Teaching & Tutoring” information tutoring@reserveinc.org. To learnby more, register for an session sending an email to:upcoming “Teaching & Tutoring” information tutoring@reserveinc.org. Questions? session by sending an email to: tutoring@reserveinc.org. Questions? Learn more at www.reserveinc.org or call 212.727.4260. Questions? Learn more at www.reserveinc.org or call 212.727.4260. Learn more at www.reserveinc.org or call www.reserveinc.org 212.727.4260.
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Aug. 9-15, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17
What’s Up AUG 9 A Better Jamaica’s Classic Film Fridays Come with your family and friends to watch a film for free, titled “Goldeneye,” starring Pierce Brosnan, who plays James Bond. Once again, 007 is full of international villains set on wreaking havoc on the free world. This time, Bond is fighting to prevent an arms syndicate from using a satellite weapon against London, in order to cause a global financial meltdown. The film will start at 8:10 p.m. at Rufus King Park, located at 153rd Street and Jamaica Avenue.
“Les Miserables” A production of “Les Miserables” will be held at the Immaculate Conception Center Theatre at 7200 Douglaston Pkwy., Douglaston. Tickets are $25 and the show starts at 8 p.m. All proceeds go to benefit the Josephine Foundation. For tickets, call (516) 650-3231 or visit www.thejosephinefoundation.org. This performance will also take place on Aug. 10.
AUG 10 Hangs-on History: What’s Buzzing at the Manor Learn about bees and why they are so important on a farm at King Manor Museum, located at 153rd Street and Jamaica Avenue starting at noon. Make your own beeswax candle for free!
Family Fun Day Councilman Leroy Comrie (DJamaica), in conjunction with the Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, New York City Dept. of Parks and Recreation and the Haitian-Americans United for Progress, will host his last Family Fun Day in Liberty Park. Family Fun Day will be held at Liberty Park from noon to 4 p.m. Liberty Park is located at 106-16 173rd St., Jamaica. It is free to attend. For more information, call Comrie’s district office at (718) 776-3798.
AUG 13 “Madagascar 3” Head to Crocheron Park in Bayside at 8 p.m. for a free screening of the animated film, “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.” In the film, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo and Melman the Giraffe are trying to get back home to New York City. Their journey takes them through Europe, where they join and reinvent a traveling circus. Feel free to bring your own chairs or blankets.
AUG 14 “Little Red’s Hood”
Learn all about the crafts from the 1800s, like tinsmithing and broommaking. Enjoy traditional music performed on hammered dulcimer and fiddle. Take advantage of discounted guided tours at the King Manor Museum at Rufus King Park, located at 153rd Street at Jamaica Avenue. Craft demonstrations are free and start at noon and run till 4 p.m.
AUG 24 Ride 4 Justice “When It’s Real, It’s Forever” is pleased to present “Ride 4 Justice,” a motorcycle, car and SUV motorcade. All auto clubs are welcome. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at Baisley Pond Park Extension, located at 150th Street (at North Conduit Avenue). Tickets are $5. For more information, contact Susan Parker at susanparker@wirif.org or (516) 924-2902.
City Parks Foundation will present this modern retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood” at Alley Pond Park, Oakland Gardens. Starting at 10:30 a.m., this free production will feature a dozen hand-made marionettes crafted by the expert puppeteers from the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre. In this case, Little Red is a smart city girl too focused on her smart phone to notice the world around her. Wulfric is a misunderstood wolf with a sweet tooth. When Little Red travels from New York City to the country to deliver cupcakes to her Grandma, she winds up facing off with Wulfric. “Little Red’s Hood” is directed by Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre’s artistic director Bruce Cannon and written by Liam Hurley.
AUG 25 St. Albans Annual Picnic
AUG 15 “North by Northwest”
6th Annual Sean Bell Family Day
Friends of Cunningham Park will present will present a screening of “North by Northwest” from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film tells the story of an innocent man chased across the country by agents of a mysterious organization. The free event will take place in the Main Park House of Cunningham Park, located at 196th Street and Union Turnpike. Free popcorn will be provided, though attendees have to bring their own lawn chairs. For more information, call (718) 217-6452.
AUG 13 Learn New Line Dances
AUG 17 Attention all mature adults: if Mixed Level Line Dance Series
you no longer want to be a wallflower at parties, take a six week line dancing course. No dance experience is required or a dance partner. Wear loose-fitting clothing; bring medical clearance and supportive shoes. For additional information, contact the Robert Couche Adult Center at (718) 9788352. Classes will be held at the center from 1:40 p.m. till 2:55 p.m. The center is located at 137-57 Farmers Blvd. It is $20 for six consecutive sessions.
Craftsmen Days
Enjoy a recreational and calorieburning activity at the Cambria Heights Community Church by learning how to do the Electric Slide, the Wobble and some non soul line dances. Classes will be held at the Church from 9:30 a.m. till 10:40 a.m. The church is located at 116-02 220th St. and each session is $10. For additional information, contact Barbara at (646) 229-0242 or bof115@yahoo.com.
Bring your family and friends at the St. Albans Veterans Domiciliary and NYS Veterans Home, located at 179th Street and Linden Boulevard. The picnic includes food, fun and refreshments. Entertainment is by The Wrenditions. The picnic will take place from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. To RSVP, call (718) 746-3160.
“When It’s Real, It’s Forever” is pleased to present the 6th Annual Sean Bell Family Day at Baisley Pond Park Extension, located at 150th Street (at North Conduit Avenue) Bring the whole family out for a day of free activities including basketball, video games and inflatables. For additional information, contact Susan Parker at susanparker@wirif.org or (516) 924-2902. Activities start at noon.
SePt. 15 Sickle Cell Community WalkA-thon The Queens Sickle Cell Advocacy Network, Inc presents its Annual Sickle Cell Community Walk-A-Thon, where we all come together to walk to help raise awareness and education for Sickle Cell Disease. Come and support this worthy cause because by walking together, we can make a difference! To register, visit http://www. eventbrite.com/event/6873852879/ efblike and check out their Facebook page – www.facebook.com/Qscan. For further information, contact Gloria Rochester at (718) 712-0873 or email sicklecellwalk@verizon.net.
ONGOiNG SUMMeR PROGRAMS St. Albans Hosts 9th Annual Jump & Ball tourney State Sen. Malcolm Smith announced that he will be kicking off the 9th Annual Jump and Ball summer tournament. The event, a basketball and double-dutch tournament, will take place every weekend from Saturday, Aug. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 1. 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. For more information, call Smith’s office at (718) 454-0162.
New York City Parks Green teens 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 9:00 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.
Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 9-15, 2013
SuperVallone To The Rescue?
We at QConf have to say, this is a pretty fresh approach to campaign material. But if Vallone is elected as BP, he should take a lesson from
Weiner Hates On Hipsters Everybody likes to give hipsters a good drubbing from time to time and Anthony Weiner is no exception. According to a published report, the disgraced pol who is running for mayor criticized the Parks Dept. last week for repairing the “hipster” concession stands along Rockaway Beach’s boardwalk in their response after Superstorm Sandy. “The City came in and for reasons that maybe you understand, but I don't, was obsessed with concessions, was obsessed with their own idea for a hipsterlooking concessions on the beach, rather than really giving some real thought to the community about how to restore the
boardwalk and how to restore the community,” Weiner said during a candidates night in Far Rockaway, according to the article. The Rockaways have become a popular hangout for the younger demographic with popular stands like Rockaway Taco becoming all the rage and shuttle buses from Brooklyn running to the peninsula for hipsters from another borough looking for a change of scenery. Perhaps he was just taking an easy pot shot at hipsters, but Weiner should know that the problems the Rockaways are facing run much deeper than what the concession stands at the beaches look like.
Dan's At It Again The recently indicted Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) is hard at work…just not in City Council. Ha l l o r a n recently posted a listing on the website www.normannii.com – a website dedicated to the practice of the religion known as Theodish Belief. Under the pseudonym, Dan O’Halloran, the Councilman writes it is his “turn to kick back in life after politics and discuss the things that matter” to him.
Dan Halloran, in easier times for the embattled Councilman. But isn’t Mr. O’Halloran still on public payroll? This QConf reporter can’t help but think that he might have too much time on his hands.
another Queens superhero: Forest Hills’ Spiderman. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility!
Q
CONFIDENTIAL
Faster than a disappearing Civic Virtue statue! More powerful than the City Council! Able to leap the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge in a single bound! It’s Super Vallone! Recently, Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria)’s campaign for Borough President sent out fliers displaying the candidate as a superhero for Queens. In one panel, there is even a drawing of him ripping his shirt open like Superman. Instead of the famous S symbol though, there was a V on his hidden costume. “Police respect him. Criminals fear him. He’ll keep our neighborhood safe,” the flyer said. “Queens has its own crimefighter.”
Too Sexy
Queens students from public school PS/MS 114 in Rockaway Park will have one less book to read on their summer reading list. Parents were furious to learn that their 11-year-old children would read passages about masturbation in a book, titled “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” Author Sherman Alexie’s award-winning young adult book is about a young Native American boy who transfers to an all white-town high school. The book not only talks about masturbation, but also goes into detail about issues relating to racism and sexism. This is not the first time parents were outraged by their children reading Alexie’s. It was pulled off from the shelves in a classroom in Oregon in 2008. However, the author defended the book by saying 11 year olds deal with these issues in their every day lives, so they should be able to read about it. We here at QConf wonder if the students were actually looking forward to reading this one or are they just relieved they have one less book to worry about over the summer?
MUSICIANS OF QUEENS
The Lucky Tones
Queens based musical trio the Lucky Tones are slowly making a name for themselves around the Borough, playing original and cover songs in unique genres. Members Steven, Jack and Nemo have played gypsy jazz, classical rock, American roots and well known standards for two years, but have all known each other longer. “We’ve all known each other for about 12-13 years. We just decided to get together one afternoon and jam,” explains member Steven Peppas. “My neighbor is also a musician. He introduced me to Jack. Jack knew Nemo, who plays bass.” At first, the men got together to write and play original music; with that notion came a few gigs around Queens. However, the reception wasn’t always positive. “People like songs they know, and they didn’t know us. Today, we incorporate standards into our gigs because they’re well known songs,” he said. The members disbanded for a while after that, playing in other side projects, but they never lost touch. One day, they all got together to try gypsy jazz and American
roots songs, the latter being a mix of western and folk music songs. They enjoyed what they heard. “Hank Williams and Django Rhineheart, who is a gypsy guitarist, are some big influences. [Rhineheart] is legendary, the best there was. We’re inspired by him,” Peppas said. The Lucky Tones has been able to book an impressive amount of gigs around New York and accompanying states for a band only around for two years. They’ve played in coffee shops, restaurants, wine bars and bazaars. They’ve also auditioned for Music under New York, which is a subway performer series sponsored by the MTA. “We didn’t make it, but we did get a call back from one of the judges. They suggested we audition for ‘Music that Heals’, which is a hospital and hospice performance series. We were selected for that one,” Peppas explained. For the future, the Lucky Tones would love to play at cocktail hours and private parties, but are enjoying the nice weather park sessions they have now. Catch them on Aug. 17 at the Clovis Point Winery, located at 19-35 Main Road, in Jamesport.
Who's Who at QConf QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari Contributors: Asia Ewart, Luis Gronda, Natalia Kozikowska, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Michael Nussbaum, Trisha Sakhuja, Michael Schenkler.
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 JUN 12 2013 bearing Index Number NC-000444-13/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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Assume the name of (First) Joslyn (Middle) Dominique (Last) Brown My present name is (First) Joslyn (Middle) Dominique (Last) Lowe (infant) My present address is 153-08 132nd Ave., Jamaica, NY 11434 My place of birth is Queens, NY My date of birth is December 28, 2009
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ALL ROADS LEAD TO JAMAICA HOSPITAL
The many roads that make up our community are the same roads that lead to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. As your neighbor, our wide variety of clinical services are always available to you and your family. Learn More About our Many Quality Services Including Emergency Medicine • Cardiology • Pulmonary Medicine • Ambulatory Care Advanced Radiology Services • Sleep Center • Obstetrics and Gynecology • Pediatrics By Calling us at 718-206-6000 or Visit our Website at www.jamaicahospital.org