Press epaper 100314

Volume 15 Issue No. 40 Oct. 3-9, 2014

PRESS Photo by Jordan Gibbons

SCAM BOROUGH Assemblyman William Scarborough was arrested on Wednesday, charged with stealing campaign funds and falsely collecting travel reimbursements.

By Jordan Gibbons ‌ Page 3.

ONLINE AT WWW.QUEENSPRESS.COM

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 3-9, 2014

News Briefs Munir Avery Profits From His Loss

Attorney Munir Avery may have lost to State Senate-Elect Leroy Comrie in last month’s Primary election for the 14th District, but the Law Office of Munir Avery made a considerable profit.

According to the campaign finance disclosure reports Avery filed with the State, he siphoned $40,852 into his own law firm during and after the election.

That amounts to about half of the overall money he accrued during his campaign from contributors.

Due to the State’s lax election laws, the move is in fact legal, but raises some moral questions on his intentions in the race.

“I think it shows a level of deception,” Comrie said. “It makes it suspect as to why he was really running.”

Comrie, who won the Primary with 69 percent of the vote, said that the authorities need to look deeper into Avery’s campaign and that he thinks his contributors would be disappointed in backing his run at State Senate.

“I’m sure it’s something that his donors and supporters were surprised and upset about,” he said. “It speaks to the core of a person that they would try to manipulate their campaign for their own benefit. I don’t understand his motivation.”

In addition to his own law firm, Avery also purchased additional legal aid from two other law firms.

Stroock and Strook and Lavan received $12,000 and Aaron Maslow Attorney at Law received $1,000.

Avery did not return several calls for comment.

Peralta Wants Revamped Street Vendor Panel

One Queens official wants to rewrite a smorgasbord of rules and regulations into a clear menu.

State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) has called on the City to revive its Street Vendor Review Panel and to reassess the regulations to which street vendors are subject.

The now-defunct Street Vendor Review Panel, created under former Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1995, existed primarily to decide where street vending should be restricted. The panel has not met since 2001.

“Street vendors are established fixtures in many neighborhoods and critical parts of the fabric of many communities,” Peralta wrote in late September in a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Under the current system, however, street vendors are forced to overcome significant obstacles not faced by their

brick-and-mortar counterparts.”

These obstacles, according to Peralta, include caps on food cart permits that create a black market, confusing zoning regulations that create street congestion and over-fining street vendors for minor infractions.

Diane Macari ran a realty office until last year in an area of Roosevelt Avenue congested with street vendors.

“There’s trucks on the side. They take up all the parking spaces, they’re there from early morning to late at night, they have propane tanks that are scary,” Macari said.

“A new Street Vendor Review Panel with a broad, holistic mandate and representatives of street vendors, business owners and community interests is the right entity to study these issues and make appropriate recommendations,” Peralta said.

Sean Basinski, director of street vendor advocacy group the Street Vendor Project, said, “permits are what we’ve been clamoring for, begging and pleading for.”

To run a food cart, street vendors need a food vendor license and a permit for their cart. The City caps food cart permits at about 3,000, according to Peralta’s office.

Howard Beach’s Vetro Recognized For Its Excellence

A Howard Beach-based restaurant and wine bar received a prestigious award for the second year in a row.

Vetro Restaurant and Wine Bar won the Star Diamond award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences for its unique and personalized dining experience.

“We are thrilled to be honored for the second year in a row,” Frank Russo, Jr., owner of Vetro said. “We pride ourselves on exceptional service and a distinctive dining experience, and this award helps us to continue serving our community and hopefully attract new loyal customers.”

Since 2009, Vetro has offered its customers delicious cuisine, special events and cooking classes all with a waterfront view of Jamaica Bay. The establishment was completely rebuilt last year after Superstorm Sandy destroyed many businesses in Howard Beach and Rockaway, including Vetro.

This past summer, Vetro introduced a new wine bar, expanding its offering of wine to its customers.

The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences gives its Star Diamond award each year on five and six star quality establishments, including hotels, spas, restaurants and golf courses.

Oct. 3-9, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Another Scar For Southeast Queens Politics

BY JORDAN GIBBONS On Tuesday, Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-Jamaica) became the latest Southeast Queens politician to be arrested and indicted.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District Richard Hartunian announced that he allegedly stole campaign funds and falsely collected travel reimbursements.

The 23-count State indictment accuses the Assemblyman of withdrawing and diverting more than $40,000 from the bank account of “Friends of Bill Scarborough” campaign committee and using those funds for personal expenses. The 11-count Federal indictment charges accuses him with improperly claiming “per diem” travel expenses in excess of $40,000 that did not take place.

If convicted on all charges, Scarborough faces 37 years in prison.

“The crimes Mr. Scarborough is accused of committing would represent a shameful breach of the trust his constituents placed in him,” Schneiderman said. “Each time my office arrests a corrupt public official, it sends the message that there must be one set of rules for everyone and no one is above the law, no matter how powerful or well-connected.”

Bank records obtained as part of the investigation showed that between January 2007 and March 2014,

Scarborough made March and they do not numerous withdrawhave any copies of the als and transfers from documents used to inhis campaign commitdict the Assemblyman. tee’s account totalHowever, he does not ing about $38,000. believe the State indictSome of that money ment can be supported was taken out as cash by the evidence that withdrawals and some was obtained. was transferred into “There was no theft his personal account, here,” Jones said. “The according to the indocuments were never Assemblyman dictment and court filed by him. He didn’t William Scarborough papers. Scarborough file them, create them, also deposited five checks made complete them.” payable to “Friends of Bill ScarborJones said that Scarborough’s ofough,” totaling $3,450, into his per- fice filed the paperwork and he did sonal bank account. not sign off on any of it.

The State indictment accuses him Overall, the State indictment of spending that money for his own charges him with two felony counts of personal use, which violates State grand larceny and 21 felony counts of election laws. offering a false instrument for filing.

“Elected officials cannot use taxThe Federal indictment charges payer money or campaign funds as him with allegedly submitting 174 their personal piggy banks,” DiNapo- false reimbursement vouchers for per li said. “Assemblyman Scarborough diem expenses, mileage and tolls betried to game the system, thinking he tween January 2009 and December could get away with it.”

2012. Scarborough was also charged Scarborough is also being accused with seven counts of wire fraud for diof attempting to conceal his illegal recting payment of specific false State conduct by not reporting the with- travel vouchers to his bank account. drawals to the State Board of Elec“Today’s indictments demonstrate tions, as legally required. The money the commitment of State and Federal was reportedly never accounted for authorities to combat fraud and corin the campaign committee’s finan- ruption that have plagued our political cial records. system,” Hartunian said. “Our elected Scarborough’s attorney, E. Stew- officials are expected to safeguard the art Jones, said that the authorities integrity of their office and follow all took every record when they raided the rules. When they fail to do so, law his home, office and hotel room in enforcement will respond.”

Jones said that the Federal indictment will be determined by Scarborough’s schedule and they do not believe the Federal prosecutors considered matching that with the travel expenses.

“He’s quite sure that once they’ve reviewed and explained the documents, he will be innocent,” Jones said. “If there is money due back, he will reimburse it. Nothing was done intentionally.”

Local elected leaders also reacted to Scarborough’s arrest this week.

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) said that he believes people are innocent until proven guilty.

“I think that the cloak of innocence is important,” he said. “He’s a hard-working individual and we’ll let the justice system play out.”

Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) said that Scarborough’s arrest is disappointing for Southeast Queens, but he hopes to see the Assemblyman exonerated once the case unfolds.

“Bill Scarborough is an intelligent, long-serving and dedicated public servant. The incident, which occurred yesterday, is unfortunate and brings grief to our community,” he said. “We must let the facts in this case come out before commenting further. It is my sincere hope that after due process the Assembly member will be absolved.”

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

District 27 Holds First Neighborhood Assembly

BY JORDAN GIBBONS The office of Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) held its first neighborhood assembly, which is the second phase of the participatory budgeting process for Council District 27.

Over the next six months, residents in the community are able to participate in creating proposals on how to spend $1 million in capital funds for the district’s 2016 budget. Projects must cost more than $35,000, but less than the $1 million limit. Up to five projects can be selected through a voting process, which will be held in late March or early April.

More than 30 people attended the assembly Tuesday evening and were broken up into four groups as they brainstormed ideas with facilitators who volunteered to mediate the groups to help steer prospective ideas within

the required parameters.

The groups came up with a range of ideas, such as upgrading computers at local schools, a building for after school programs, bus shelters and benches and green-fitting public buildings.

The ideas were Councilman Miller stopped by each group to listen and disvoted on by each cuss their ideas. group to select the top three projects, which were submit“We vet them a little bit,” she said. ted to Miller’s office for consideration.

“More will also get knocked off in Jessica Douglas, Miller’s scheduler, the budget delegate process.” said that their office needs to go over Douglas also said that residents each proposal to make sure it fits the can stop by the district office to drop process and is not already being done off ideas for projects off in a box.

by Miller or another City agency.

There will be six or seven more

neighborhood assemblies during October to try and get as much community input as possible.

The next assembly will be held on Oct. 4 from noon to 3 p.m. at the York College Small Theatre, located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

On Oct. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m., there will be another meeting at Cambria Heights Community Bridge Home, located at 120-50 Springfield Blvd.

The next step in the process will be when budget delegates go over the ideas and develop them into actual proposals. Then the top 10 to 15 projects will be displayed online and at a Project Expo to explain them to the community before the vote.

For more information, contact Douglas at (718) 776-3700 or JDouglas@council.nyc.gov.

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

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 3-9, 2014

Love And Medicine Working Together

One of the most memorable experiences in a person’s life can be their wedding day, but for Jamaica resident Tunicia Hall, remembering that day was not so easy just one month after she married her husband, Raleigh.

Tunicia suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage in her brain in July, was rushed to the hospital and eventually arrived at the Intensive Care Unit at North Shore University Hospital.

Dr. Richard Temes, director at the Center for Neurocritical Care and neuro-intensivist at NSUH, was her physician while she recovered from this brain hemorrhage that is a form of a stroke.

“She came in to us with a very severe headache as well as a lot of brain swelling,” Temes said. “As a result of that, we had to put in a special catheter within the brain to help alleviate the pressure in the brain, but also drain out the fluid, as well as blood from the brain.”

Tunicia was in the ICU for several weeks and when she awoke, her husband realized that she was having trouble with her memory. So Raleigh took their wedding photos and began to post them all over the ICU to help kick start her memory.

While he was plastering the pic-

Photo by Jordan Gibbons

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

Raleigh and Tunicia Hall battled through a few rough months after their marriage but were treated to champagne and cake at North Shore University Hospital to celebrate Tunicia’s recovery.

tures throughout the unit, Tunicia looked up at the photos and asked Raleigh if they were married.

“Tunicia had no recollection of what year she was in,” he said. “After two days, I said I have to do something here. I didn’t panic, but I had to go into overdrive and thank God again for the pictures. Because I started envisioning what I had to do.”

She knew who her husband was, as well as her mother and aunt, but

she did not realize she had lost parts of her memory until nurses and doctors asked her questions that she could not remember the answers to.

“It wasn’t until I was told that I was having some type of memory loss,” she said. “Even though I knew where I was, I didn’t really know what was going on.”

As of Saturday, she has been home for a month and she said she feels great, but is still suffer-

ing from some memory loss.

Adam Cooper, chief photographer at North Shore, also happened to be the couple’s wedding photographer.

He said he was proud to capture their happiness and contribute to Tunicia’s recovery.

“I’m proud to say that my photos in some way, obviously with the medical care and the photos stimulated her memory and brought her back,” Cooper said. “I capture the love and it bursts out with this lovely couple here.”

Raleigh is a musician, producer and composer and during a press conference on Tuesday, his friend and partner on their latest album, former “American Idol” contestant Ian Holmes, sang their song “Love Is,” which was played during their first dance.

Temes credited his staff for their hard work, but said that Tunicia’s family was integral in her recovery process.

“Right now, what we’re learning with the brain, it’s not just medical science that’s bringing patients back,” he said. “Patients’ families are so important and key in terms of neurological recovery.”

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

Oct. 3-9, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Federal Agencies Address SSA Building Space U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) organized a meeting Tuesday morning with the Social Security Administration, the General Services Administration, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation and representatives from U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) to discuss plans on utilizing the empty space at the Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building.

In April, the PRESS of Southeast Queens reported that the building, which serves as the SSA’s Northeastern Program Service Center, was severely underutilized because of staff attrition, transfers and layoffs.

A study on the facility revealed that it holds only half of the nearly 3,000 jobs that it was designed to hold.

Meeks said that he was pleased to get everyone together to find out about the progress being made at the Federal level.

“I think that we have an update on what is going on,” he said. “It was great in regards to communication.”

He said that the GSA and the SSA will provide progress reports every two to three months. The SSA is undergoing a process to find out how much space they will need. Within

the next six months, they soon as possible,” he said. will have a plan on how President of Greater Jathey will use the space. maica, Carlisle Towery, sat If there is leftover room in on the discussion and after the SSA fills its needs, said it was a very productive which Meeks said he expects meeting and he was pleased there to be, they will look with Meeks’ leadership on into other Federal agenthe issue. cies that could be brought He was actively involved into the building to use the in the planning of the buildspace. ing’s original construction Meeks said they will see in the 1980s and he said what other Federal buildthat putting jobs in Jamaica ings have expiring leases so makes sense for the City and they can consolidate their Officials have started discussions on the future of the Jo- its residents. offices and save taxpayer seph P. Addabbo Federal Building in Jamaica.

One point that he said he dollars. made to the GSA and SSA is If all of the Federal agencies are coming up with an estimate within that 80 percent of Federal, State and adequately supplied with space, the next 12 months. GSA will then City jobs are in Manhattan, while State and then City agencies will be be in a better position to have more Queens only has six percent. detailed discussions with interested considered.

He said that creating more jobs in “Should that fail, then they will stakeholders.”

Jamaica would be more convenient Schumer said that the underuti- for Queens residents and specifically look at private partnerships,” Meeks said. “But, there is a lot of sensitive lized setup at the building is not Southeast Queens, because of the only wasteful but hurtful to the local long commute they have to endure to information in that building.”

Schumer became involved in the economy and that is why he pushed get to work. discussion when he sent a letter to the GSA to do more to fully occupy “It really feels good that its going Administrator Dan Tangherlini at the building. to be fully utilized,” he said. “It’s “It’s good news that GSA is be- quite an important employer and the GSA in August, urging the GSA ginning the effort to find new ten- economic generator; not just in Jato address the situation.

Associate Administrator Lisa Aus- ants for a renovated building and I maica, but in Queens.” tin at the GSA responded to him last will push the agency to stay ahead of Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at week in a letter stating that the “GSA their 12-month timeline because we (718) 357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ anticipates developing a strategy and must maximize the building’s use as queenspress.com or @jgibbons2.

Photo by Jordan Gibbons

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 3-9, 2014

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Editorial A Failure To Represent

Letters

Once again, Southeast Queens has been put in the crosshairs of a political scandal, as another elected official has been arrested this week. With the frequency of these indictments, they are unfortunately no longer shocking. We have too quickly become numb to the announcements, but they nonetheless make us sad to see such a blight befall our community.

In the past, we have called upon the community to take a stand against these officials who seek out personal gain at the expense of those they have been tasked with representing. And while we still believe that the residents of Southeast Queens should speak out loudly against this and demand better representation, in this instance, unfortunately, that avenue is currently unavailable.

Assemblyman William Scarborough has been in office for 20 years. The office of the State Attorney General alleges that he has been engaging in illegal activity for the past seven years. In March of this year, Scarborough made the news when federal officials raided his home, his office and a hotel room he uses in Albany searching for documentation of his alleged crimes.

And yet, last month, Scarborough faced no primary challenge for re-election.

Next month, he faces no challenge in the General Election. Regardless of his guilt or innocence, the Assemblyman has been known to be under investigation for a considerable amount of time. Despite this fact, not one person stepped up to challenge him.

The Democratic Party stood by their man in the district. The Republican Party, which one would think would see Scarborough as an easy target while publicly under investigation, made no moves to place a challenger on the ballot. And now, the people who desperately need representation in a state that often seems to ignore them are in the all-too-familiar position of not being represented at all.

The political machines in Queens have once again failed its people. We hope that the district does not suffer too greatly for the folly of its leaders.

Stand Up To DOE’s Cash Grab To The Editor: Public school parents are right to complain about their sky-high, out-of-pocket costs for mandated supplies for their children.

Private schools have always gotten away with a “we can charge whatever we want...take it or leave it” attitude, but government-run schools were until recently almost completely free, except for nominal items like notebooks and pencils.

The Department of Education is rich with cash but poor on priorities.

The teachers union contract, which some blame for all humanity’s problems, proves once again to be the parents’ friend. It requires schools to provide basic supplies and materials. This extends in spirit to children’s needs.

Principals have almost total control over their school’s budgets. But parents have more influence than they realize. Rights that are not exercised in effect do not exist.

Parents must get involved in the operation of their children’s schools. Not just when the principal doesn’t mind but whenever they have a right to be. Such activism is their duty and it will help prioritize resources fairly and keep the cookie jar handlers honest.

Ron Isaac, Fresh Meadows

Another Week, Another Political Leader Falls A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE It seems that every day there is a politician – and mostly in our area, unfortunately – who gets into trouble. We are always disappointed and angry when it happens; but the one that took place earlier this week has floored a lot of people.

I don’t think it would be hyperbolic to say that Assemblyman William Scarborough is among the most beloved of local politicians and that his arrest this week has left many in mourning like it’s a death in the family.

In 19 years in office, Scarborough has never allowed it to go to his head. He has remained as friendly and as caring as he was when he managed Community Board 12. In short, he’s just a nice guy. The truth is, I love Bill and so does the rest of my family. And we adore his wife just as much.

What has befallen him is shocking, maddening and painful. We are all saying, “No, not Bill!” The truth of his indictment for per diem and campaign funds “irregu-

larities” will be brought out at trial, but in the meantime, a family is in despair and everyone who knows and loves them are in pain with and for them. We don’t know how this dedicated public servant could have gotten into this pickle; however, what we do know is that he, like everyone else who gets indicted, is innocent until otherwise proven.

We knew that the Assemblyman’s documents were confiscated during an FBI raid this past spring, but after six months we thought, or hoped, nothing would come of it. Some people don’t keep good records or they forget to file disclosures on time. We just assumed this was what had happened in this case and that nothing would come of it.

It is not my place to judge anyone. A jury will do that in this case, but I cannot help but wonder if this is anything more than an election year opportunity for an overzealous incumbent. The timing comes so close to the General Election on Nov. 4 that you do have to say, “Hmmmm.” Take the case of Ruben Wills, for example.

Is it just me or does anyone

else think that the perp walk image of someone not yet tried and found guilty should not be part of anyone’s campaign commercial?

It seems disengenuous to use this “material” for oneupmanship in an election. We understand that the Attorney General has a right to make the case to viewers that he is tough on crime, but there is something icky about this, regardless of how one might feel about the case.

Our community has become ground zero for corruption arrests.

Everyone is talking about Southeast Queens for these scandals due to the high concentration of them. Time was when Southeast Queens was considered the most politically potent community in New York City.

As a voting block, we remain that way. Our people are engaged and are committed to our hard-earned right to vote. But our elected leaders are falling from grace at warp speed. This is painful and unacceptable. I desperately want to believe that Scarborough, more than anyone else, is innocent of these charges.

But he more than all others will probably retain the good will of

the community as he fights for his freedom and career.

We are tired of corruption in Albany, City Hall and Washington D.C. and we appreciate that those charged with trying to clean it up are doing their jobs. We are just exhausted from seeing so many in our community being caught up in the sweeps.

I’ve said it before in this space, we know that “we” will always undergo more scrutiny than people from majority areas. It therefore behooves us to try to make sure that we are following the law to the letter. And we must keep impeccable records of any public or campaign funds to which we have personal access.

Whatever his shortcomings might have been in this regard, my best wishes are still with the assemblyman and the entire Scarborough family. This is a good man who by some twist of fate has found himself in a most unfortunate situation.

The old saying that you should “say ‘uncle’” when you’ve had enough (usually a drink being poured for you), applies here in that we’ve had enough (of the scandals).

Uncle!

Oct. 3-9, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 3-9, 2014

Delta Joins Habitat In Rebuilding Two Homes Last week, Delta Air Lines and Habitat for Humanity broke ground on the renovation of two neighboring homes in Springfield Gardens.

The two single-family homes, located next door to each other, will be rebuilt and turned into affordable housing for families selected by Habitat for Humanity.

Over the course of a week and a half, more than 120 Delta employees are volunteering to deconstruct and renovate the two-story residences.

“The Habitat relationship works out well for us,” Gail Grimmett, senior vice president at New York Delta said. “They work everywhere.”

These houses will be the 206th and 207th homes that Delta has helped rebuild since 1995 when they partnered with Habitat. This is the seventh built in New York.

Grimmett said that they want their employees to come from the area they help, but the volunteers are normally a mix of people from different areas.

“Our airports are right here in Queens,” she said. “There’s something very comforting about serving the local community.”

Tricia Rumola is in the marketing and community affairs department with Delta and manages the partnership with Habitat.

She said the volunteer spots are very easy to fill whenever they have a build coming up.

“We wanted to build in Queens,” she said. “We have a lot of employees living here.”

Nadia Seebrath works in the tower at LaGuardia Airport and has been on all seven builds in New York.

She said that the

Photos by Jordan Gibbons

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

About 30 Delta employees volunteer each day to help rebuild the homes in Springfield Gardens. local community always appreciates when they come in to help improve homes in the area.

“The 7-11 owner down the street came down,” she said. “He wanted to donate food because we were bettering the neighborhood.”

Elizabeth Wolf, general manager of corporate communications, was working on the site on Wednesday for her first time as a volunteer. She

was excited to get involved with the revitalization of the two residences and even benefited from getting her hands dirty.

“So far, so good,” Wolf said. “It’s

great team building. I learned how to use a drill.”

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

Oct. 3-9, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 3-9, 2014

Police Blotter 104th Precinct

robbery arrest

On Sept. 29, the NYPD arrested an individual in regards to a robbery that occurred on Sept. 25.

Police arrested Kenneth Sudden, 41, of Ridgewood and charged him with attempted murder, robbery, felony assault, grand larceny auto and criminal possession of a weapon. Police allege that Sudden stabbed and robbed a livery cab driver after the driver picked Sudden up in Brooklyn and brought him to Ridgewood. The livery cab driver was taken to an area hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition.

assault

The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying the following suspect wanted in connection to an assault.

At 6:35 a.m. on Sept. 25, the victim, an 82-year-old female, was walking at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Seneca Street in Ridgewood when the suspect came up behind her and struck her with a closed fist to the side of her face, causing bruising and swelling.

The suspect is described as a Black or Hispanic male, approximately 2530 years old, 5-foot-7 and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black T-shirt with a design in white.

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

106th Precinct

robbery

The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying and locating the following individual wanted for a robbery within the confines of the 106th Precinct.

At 1 p.m. on Sept. 21, the victim, a 19-year-old male, was walking at the intersection of 114th Street and 103rd Avenue when two males approached the victim and began to punch him in the face and body. The suspects demanded the victim’s property when one of the suspects removed a knife from his person and slashed the victim’s wrist. The suspects removed a ring from the victim and fled.

107th Precinct

The primary suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 17-19 years old with a slim build.

The second suspect, identified as Joshua Cerna-Gonzalez, 19, of Ozone Park, was arrested on Sept.

25 and charged with first-degree robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers.

Collision investigation

At 4:07 p.m. on Sept. 22, police responded to a 911 call of a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle near the intersection of 73rd Avenue and the Clearview Expressway.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a 24-year-old male motorcycle operator, identified as David Duran, 24, of Forest Hills, lying in the roadway with severe trauma to the body. EMS also responded to the location and transported Duran to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The 54-year-old driver of the second vehicle, a 2009 Mazda Miata, remained on the scene.

Further investigation by the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad determined that the motorcycle was traveling west on 73rd Avenue at the southbound exit of the Clearview Expressway. The second vehicle was stopped on 73rd Avenue, just west of the Clearview, attempting to make a U-Turn to head eastbound on 73rd Avenue. At this time, the operator of the motorcycle began to skid and turned onto its side before impacting the left side of the second vehicle.

robbery

The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying the following suspects wanted in connection with a robbery. At 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 25, the victim, a 45-year-old male, exited the Habibi Deli, located at 134-01 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park, when he observed an unknown male sitting on his motorcycle. When he confronted the male, the suspect displayed a firearm and at that time, a second male approached the victim from behind and struck him on the head with a closed fist. The suspect on the motorcycle fled with the victim’s Honda motorcycle and the second suspect fled in a white four-door sedan.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers.

Borough Beat

City abruptly Closes Lot next To Borough Hall

Photo by Luis Gronda

The City abruptly closed down a parking lot near Queens Borough Hall last week, leaving Queens elected officials wondering why they were not informed of the decision.

Last Tuesday, the Dept. of Transportation sent out an email announcing that it was planning to close the Queens Boro Hall Municipal Garage and Parking Field beginning the next day, Sept. 24, for safety reasons.

“We will continue to work with the local community to help address its parking needs, and Traffic Enforcement Agents have been assigned to the area…” the transit agency wrote in the email.

The DOT ordered the parking lot to close because it needed a renovation due to its deteriorating condition. According to Dept. of Buildings records, the lot has 20 violations still open, dating from 1986 until 2013.

The latest one, dated Sept. 7, 2013, was for “failure to maintain building in compliant manner” including several cracks at all three levels of the

lot. The violation is still open as of press time.

Councilmember Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) said there was no warning that about 500 parking spots would be taken away from that area.

Koslowitz said the lot closure will only worsen the ability to park your car in that area.

“It’s going to be horrible. Some people will take public transportation, but The doT closed the Queens Boro Hall Municipal then you have people who Parking lot last week to fix structural problems can’t take public transit,” with the facility. she said. “If you’re on jury duty and you live in Bayside, it’s go- ing lot because of the 500 spots the ing to take you a while to get here.” area would lose.

She said it was known that the lot “We have been offered no real was deemed unsafe and it was slated alternatives to these spaces,” they for an Oct. 1 closure before the agen- wrote. “Each weekday, hundreds of cy’s decision to close it sooner. vehicles with no parking alternative Last month, Queens Borough will spend hours searching for nonPresident Melinda Katz and District existent parking spaces, clogging loAttorney Richard Brown wrote a let- cal streets and inconveniencing our ter to Mayor Bill de Blasio, urging his local residents.” office to stop the closure of the parkIn a phone interview, Katz said Photo by Luis Gronda

By Luis Gronda

the City is working on a long-term solution for the parking lot, but in the short-term, they are discussing how to further alleviate the parking situation in that area.

Among the ideas discussed, according to Katz, is opening up space in a nearby park for vehicles and then running a shuttle bus to the court house or Borough Hall so residents can get to where they need to be.

A DOT spokesperson said the agency surveyed the area and determined that surrounding facilities can accommodate the lost parking from closing the lot.

“DOT will continue to monitor the area and address conditions as necessary and we encourage users to consider utilizing buses, subways, or other parking facilities to meet their travel needs,” the agency said in a statement.

The exact timeline for demolishing the garage has not yet been determined, DOT said.

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

Walking for a Cure

Participants at the 2014 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Sept. 28 kick off the two-mile event.

Downtown Committee Meeting Kevin Livingston, founder of 100 Suits for 100 Men, explains his organization’s recent activity during the meeting’s information circle.

During the recent Greater Jamaica Development Corporation Downtown Committee meeting, chairman William Martin (left) greets speakers Anthony Williams, financial advisor from Empire Wealth Strategies; Dawn Hutchinson, CEO and founder of H&L Consulting; Camille Cole, Sonia Estick and Khanhai Huggins, branch managers from local Apple Banks; and Jermel Royal, coordinator of the Parent Pledge Program of Community Mediation Services.

Photos by Walter Karling

pix

Oct. 3-9, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 3-9, 2014

A&E

A Cultural Collaboration For Downtown Jamaica

BY JORDAN GIBBONS Courtney Ffrench is bringing his dance opera, “The Hoarde,” to York College later this month to support and bolster the creation of the Jamaica Arts and Cultural District in Downtown Jamaica.

Ffrench, artistic director at Vissi Dance Theater and general manager at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, is the writer, director and choreographer of the show

that was first performed in 2001 at Riverside Church in Manhattan. Now he’s bringing his show to the newly-renamed Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center to open the fall season at York.

“It is my belief that we can have, just like Fort Greene in Brooklyn, the makings of a cultural district,” Ffrench said. “Having a dance opera can really bring in the culture that people can understand and relate to.”

The story focuses on Isis,

Vissi Dance theater has performed “the Hoarde” on international and national stages.

played by Laura Henry, who is betrothed to Min (Ariel Polanco). On their wedding day, their ceremony is disturbed by the coming of the Hoarde and their leader Osiris (Lou Colombo).

Osiris is collecting women to bear him a male heir and he chooses Isis. Unfortunately for her, she bears him a girl, so Osiris throws the baby girl off of a cliff.

This sparks Isis’ motivation for vengeance and redemption, which is the heart of the story.

The dances used in the performance are a collaboration of modern contemporary, jazz, West African, ballet and sometimes a mixture of these styles.

The music is a combination of West African, early jazz, Caribbean folk and classical.

“All of the music is used to propel each scene,” Ffrench said. “It’s a very exciting and forceful show.”

The Jamaica Center for

Arts and Learning also helped to provide artists such as Sheena Vaughn, who is building the set for the show.

The show will be funded

by York College, JPAC, Nomad Marketing and the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District. Ffrench is also contributing his own funds.

The one-time showing will be on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $20 for general admission and $15 for senior

citizens. The Performing Arts Center is located at 94-20 Guy R Brewer Blvd., Jamaica. Tickets can be purchased at the York Box Office or by calling (718) 262-2840.

Ffrench said he is working on his next project that he expects to be completed by fall 2015, which has the working title of “Butch Queen in Pumps.”

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

St. John’s Hoops Stars Dribble For the Cure

Restaurant Review

Sittin’ Pretty MOONStONe 14 Northern Blvd., Great Neck (516) 829-1191 Cuisine: Chinese Reservations: Yes take-out: Yes Delivery: No Credit Cards: Yes Parking: Private Lot Just past the border of Queens County, on the cusp of Great Neck, is a wonderful new restaurant called MoonStone. With a complete renovation of the outside landscaping and the beautiful modern interior, owner Tommy Lee went above and beyond in creating a home for his culinary masterpiece.

My guest and I decided to leave the ordering to Tommy. As we sat back and waited for our first dish to arrive, the staff offered their complimentary crispy

noodles with duck sauce and spicy mustard. Soon after the crispy noodles came a house specialty, crab and sweet corn soup. With a dash of white pepper and some crispy noodles to mix in, the bowl was bone dry before I knew it.

Following the soup, my guest and I enjoyed some of their Dim Sum, combined with their salt and pepper fried squid, and one of their specialties, crawfish lettuce wraps. The lettuce wraps stole the spotlight at this stage of the meal. The crawfish was combined with a vegetable stir-fry and some crushed pistachios, giving the wraps an extra delicious

crunch to them.

Just as I take my first sip of their specialty “Ooh La La” martini, the entrees are placed on the table.

Taiwanese fried rice, lollipopped rack of lamb and red prawn awaited our taste buds. MoonStone’s style of fried rice, served with a special sweet sausage instead of roast pork gave the dish its own unique flavor.

The red prawns had an incredible thin crispy layer to them as they basked in a delectable sweet and spicy sauce. The main star of the evening, though, was the rack of lamb, wok-seared and finished off with a merlot demi glaze. When they were all gone, I was salivating for more!

With fair prices, a great atmosphere, and incredible food, this could possibly be Great Neck’s new hot-spot!

–eric Jordan

Steve Lavin, the head men’s basketball coach at St. John’s University, was joined by several players for the 4th Annual Dribble For the Cure, which supports cancer research.

Steve Lavin missed all but four games of the 2011-12 season while battling prostate cancer. The 4th Annual Dribble For The Cure, held on Saturday, took on added meaning for the head coach of the St. John’s men’s basketball team.

“Dribble For The Cure brings together both the men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as the St. John’s community for the singular purpose of supporting [Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation],” Lavin said. “As we celebrate the start of the basketball season, we take this time to remind each other how important it is to continue the fight against cancer.”

The significance is not lost on players.

“Coach Lavin battled

through cancer so this event is important to him, our team and the University,” senior guard Phil Greene IV said.

“We like to do what we can to help out this cause.”

Fans dribbled basketballs around the university campus in Queens with members of the basketball team.

“It’s great because it’s for the kids,” said Red Storm forward Sir’ Dominic Pointer. “As a team, we come together to support all of those fighting their battles. We do it for them.”

D’Angelo Harrison is one of the few Johnnies who have been on campus for each Dribble For The Cure.

“This is our fourth year doing this event and we learn something new each time,” last season’s leading scorer said.

- David Russell

Oct. 3-9, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

QUEENS TODAY

FRIDAY 10/3

YOM KIPPUR BEGINS AT SUNDOWN

more. It will take place at the outside lounge on the third floor of the casino. It costs $25 for a ticket and it will begin at 8 p.m. Resorts World Casino is located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd. in South Ozone Park.

SATURDAY 10/4

COMIC CON AT KATCH

If you just can’t get enough of the fun at Comic Con, Katch Astoria is the place for you.

Arrive in costume for live music from the Blues Brothers, raffles with great comic book giveaways and Comic Con tickets, drink specials and more. The fun begins early and ends late, 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. Happy Hour runs til 9 p.m. For more information, call (718) 777-2230.

NEW EXHIBITION AT MOMA PS1

“Retrospective,” the inaugural U.S. museum survey of French artist and choreographer Xavier Le Roy, opens at MoMA PS1. Realized in the galleries by a team of performers who continuously recycle and transform Le Roy’s past solo work, the exhibition opens up expanded opportunities for interaction within the museum. “Retrospective” will be on view until Dec. 1.

For information, call (718) 784-2084.

CARNIVAL OF LOVE FUNDRAISER

The Carnival of Love Foundation will host its seventh annual “Carnival of Love” Fundraiser at Central Lounge in Astoria, to support children in the areas of wellness, nutrition and fitness, with a special focus on obesity and diabetes. Staying true to the “Carnival of Love’s” diverse and enchanting themed fundraisers, the theme of the evening will be Roaring Twenties. For more information, visit www.carnivaloflove.org.

CIGARS UNDER THE STARS

Resorts World Casino will host a “Cigars Under the Stars” event featuring Vinny Pastore from “The Sopranos.”

This will be an evening of cigars, jazz, drinks and

M.A.K.U. SOUNDSYSTEM

M.A.K.U. SoundSystem puts on an explosive party, embodying an active quest for identity through sound.

With hints of Colombian folklore, psychedelicrock, jazz and Caribbean grooves, the band’s lyrics talk about love, hardships, culture and the immigrant experience.

You can catch them at Flushing Town Hall at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for members and $10 for students. To learn more, call (718) 4637700.

HARVEST TIME SCREENING AT BROADWAY LIBRARY

The summer festival has come and gone, and now it’s time to go pick apples, harvest crops and break out autumn sweaters. Come celebrate fall with us at The Queens Library Broadway Branch for a double feature of “Growing Cities” and “Growing Farmers,” 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Event is free. For more information, call (718) 721-2462.

TROLLEY RIDE

The Woodhaven Business Improvement District has funded a trolley that will be running through the neighborhood on Oct. 4. The trolley will be in the area from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Woodhaven BID at (718) 805-2929.

PET BLESSING

The Emanuel United Church of Christ in Woodhaven will host their annual blessing of the pets on Oct. 4. Bring your pets such as dogs,

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK SUNDAY 10/5

DRUMMING WORKSHOP Celebrate the Harvest Moon with a drum circle in Flushing Town Hall’s garden at 7 p.m. with master drummers from Brazil.

Begin with workshops led by Afro-Brazilian master drummer, Dende, then jam with the entire group under the Harvest moon.

All are welcome from beginner to professional.

Space is limited to 20 participants.

Call (718) 463-7700 to reserve your drum. Tickets are $25. cats, birds and turtles to be blessed by the church. The blessing will begin at 11 a.m. The church is located at the corner of Woodhaven Boulevard and 91st Avenue.

SUNDAY 10/5

CORINA BARTRA

Corina Bartra will present tunes from the great Peruvian composer Chabuca Granda, as well as works by other Peruvian composers and her own original music.

The concert begins at 2 p.m. at Flushing Library in the lower level.

The library is located at 4117 Main St.

HUANG TIANGE

In celebration of the Golden Season in Beijing, Flushing Town Hall presents a concert with 10-year-old composer and pianist Huang Tiange. A renowned music prodigy, he has presented an annual Huang Tiange Festival since age 5 and he composed his first orchestral work at age 6. He will perform three Mozart Sonatas and his Xinjiang Suite. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for members and $10 for students. The concert starts at 3 p.m. Call (718) 463-7700 for more information.

PAINT PARTY

At the New York Hall of Science, mix up your own batch of washable paint from everyday ingredients to make a work of art. This workshop is recommended for children ages 18 months and older and will be held in the museum’s Maker Space. There is an $8 materials fee per family. For more information, visit nysci.org/little-makers or call (718) 699-0005.

PUDDLE, POTHOLE, PORTAL

Sculpture Center holds its grand opening for “Puddle, Pothole, Portal,” a new exhibition on view until Jan. 5. Incorporating a sense of wonder and humor, concepts surrounding animation and cartooning are expanded into an exhibition that enacts a similar sort of hysteria around flatness and depth in relation to technologies, real and illusory spaces— physical, virtual, internal, and external. The opening reception runs from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call (718) 361-1750.

SHALOM BROADWAY

Celebrate Broadway’s rich Jewish musical legacy at the Queensbor-

ough Performing Arts Center. Starting at 3 p.m., four Broadway veterans, along with a live band, will perform the works of Bernstein, Gershwin, Hamlisch, Hammerstein, Rodgers, Sondheim and others. Tickets are $35. Visit www.qcc. cuny.edu/qpac/index.html or call (718) 631-6311 for more information.

STREET FAIR

The Maspeth Street Fair will take place on Oct. 5. There will be plenty of food, drinks, music and fun for residents who attend. The fair will be along Grand Avenue between 69th Street and 72nd Place. It is slated to run between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

GOTTSCHEER HALL ANNIVERSARY

Gottscheer Hall will celebrate its 90th anniversary all day Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. It will feature traditional German food like Gulasch, Sauerkraut, Brotknellen and more. There will also be live music by Herb Morscher, Gus Sengenberger and their band. For information, call Gottscheer Hall at (718) 366-3030.

THURSDAY 10/9

‘LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS’

Head to Flushing Library for a free screening of “Little Shop of Horrors” at 6:30 p.m. This PG-13 film stars Rick Moranis as Seymour, a florist shop worker who raises a vicious, raunchy plant that feeds on human blood. The library is located at 41-17 Main St.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 3-9, 2014

Profile

Southeast Queens Advocate Dies At 73

BY JORDAN GIBBONS Rosedale resident and community advocate Sheila Pecoraro passed away last Saturday after battling cancer for the last five years.

Sheila began her passion in life as a voice for the community back in the 1970s when she was fed up with the lack of a traffic light at the five-way intersection where Huxley Street, 147th Avenue and 243rd Street meet.

She organized a protest at the corner to get the City’s attention and shortly after, a traffic light was installed, according to her son David Pecoraro.

“She was a big woman in spirit,” David said. “But, her caring for the community was also big.”

Sheila started getting involved in the local school system by joining the PTA at three different schools that used to be known as PS 138, JH 231 and Springfield Gardens High School.

Since JH 231 was dealing with overcrowded classrooms, Sheila wanted to combine two schools into

David Pecoraro, former Councilman Sal Albanese and Sheila Pecoraro during Albanese’s first run for Mayor.

a K-8 program by adding an annex at PS 138. Her plan did not come to fruition until years later, when they were combined into PS/MS 138 Sunrise.

“Eventually, they did it anyway,” David said. “It’s exactly what Mom wanted to do in the late 1970s, early 1980s.”

Sheila also stepped in to support

the local library in Rosedale when the City tried to close it down.

“She led the sit-in to keep it open,” David said. “She was central in a couple of fights in the 1970s.”

During school board elections, Sheila took the time to train the community how to use the ballots to help make it an efficient and orderly process.

In 1989, she was elected to the School Board, where she served until 1993. It did not take her long to find her new role in the community, as she became the president of the 105th Precinct Community Council. She held the position for nearly a decade when she decided to leave to take care of her sick husband who was fighting cancer.

“She had quite the reputation of being a community activist,” David said. “She was the last mayor of Rosedale.”

Sheila is survived by her four sons, David, Jim, John and Michael; and her six grandsons, Danny, Sam, Michael Ryan, Timmy, Liam and Shaun.

Her husband passed away on the Sunday after Rosh Hashanah in 2010; Sheila passed on the Saturday after Rosh Hashanah this year.

“They will always be together on the Jewish calendar,” David said.

“And now, they’ll be together in Pinelawn [Cemetery].”

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

People The Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation will hold its 34th annual Wonderful Woodhaven Street Festival from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 19 on Jamaica Avenue from 80th Street to Woodhaven Boulevard. There will be pony rides, games, food and a variety of vendors. For information, call (718) 805-0202.

The New York Army National Guard has announced the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard.

Michelle Lendore of Queens Village, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted to sergeant first class.

Emily Lozado of Ozone Park, serving with the 37th Finance Detachment, is promoted to specialist.

Juan Lopez of Far Rockaway, serving with the Company A, 101st Signal Battalion, is promoted to sergeant.

Gobin Raghunath of Richmond Hill, serving with Company B, 1-69th Infantry, is promoted to staff sergeant.

Adam DeJesus of South Richmond Hill, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 427th

Brigade Support Battalion, is promoted to sergeant.

Marise Serastis of Jamaica, serving with the 107th Military Police Company, is promoted to private first class.

Darwin Haughton of Cambria Heights, serving with the 37th Finance Detachment, is promoted to private first class.

Rovin Seosankar of South Ozone Park, serving with the 4th Finance Detachment, is promoted to sergeant.

Clement Simon of Hollis, serving with the Company D, 1-69th Infantry, is promoted to private.

Joseph Mattew of Jamaica, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-142nd Aviaiton, is promoted to specialist.

way of expressing one’s origins.

The application deadline is Oct. 1. For more information or to download the application, go to www. crossingart.com.

Queens Library Foundation and the Crossing Art Gallery of Flushing invite submissions for “The View Over here,” an international juried exhibition which will be on view from Nov. 14 to Dec. 13. The exhibition seeks to view aesthetic expression through an international lens, highlighting the interactions of nationalities, and expounding upon the use of art as a

The Theatre Street School is an academic institution for grades one through eight that has been endowed with four academic scholarships for children between 6-8 years of age.

These scholarships will be awarded through auditions conducted by the Board of Trustees, which is also responsible for a semester-by-semester review of the awardees’ progress. The

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for Construction and General Building Laborers, Local Union No. 79, will conduct a limited recruitment from Oct. 10-23 for 100 skilled construction craft laborer apprentices.

The recruitment will be offered online from 9-10 a.m. each business day during the recruitment period and will be offered for 10 business days or until 1,000 applicants are reached, whichever comes first. For information, visit www.mttf.org.

audition will consist of a cold reading of a script and a ballet class. The parents of children chosen at these auditions must agree to actively participate in the fund raising activities conducted by the school. The auditions will be held at the school, 87-61 111th St., Richmond Hill, on Oct. 4 at 12:30 p.m. Changing facilities will be made available. For information, call Teresa Cassese Aubel, headmistress at (718) 846-9182.

District Council 16 Cement and Concrete Workers Training and Education Fund will hold a recruitment Oct. 1-15 for 12 skilled construction craft labor apprentices. Applications can be obtained from the DC 16 Training Center, 29-18 35th Ave., Long Island City, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays during the recruitment period, excluding Columbus Day. Only the first 300 people to respond will receive an application. For information, call (718) 392-6970.

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

Oct. 3-9, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Faith

The Sabbath Of The Sabbaths

BY JORDAN GIBBONS Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, begins tonight at sunset and ends tomorrow at dusk. It is the holiest day of the year for Jewish people.

Its central themes are atonement and repentance. According to Jewish tradition, God inscribes each person’s fate for the coming year into the Book of Life on Rosh Hashanah and waits until Yom Kippur to seal the verdict.

During the Days of Awe, which is in between the two holidays, Jewish people try to amend their behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God and other human beings.

The evening and day of Yom Kippur are for public and private petitions and confessions of guilt. At the end, Jewish people hope that they have been forgiven by God. Repentance in Judaism is done through a process called Teshuva, which consists of regretting having

Yom Kippur

committed the sin, resolving not to commit that sin in the future and to confess that sin before God. Confession in Judaism is called Vidui, which is part of the prayer services. In keeping with the requirement to repent on Yom Kippur, the Vidui is recited 10 times.

Traditionally, the holiday is observed with an approximate 25hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, spending most of the day in synagogue services.

In Hebrew, Yom means day and Kippur comes from the root that means to atone.

Unlike a regular day, which has three prayer services, or a Shabbat or Yom Tov, which have four prayer services, Yom Kippur has five prayer services: Ma’arive, Shacharit, Musaf, Mincha and Ne’ilah, the closing prayer.

Yom Kippur is one of the most culturally significant Jewish holidays and is observed by many secular Jews who may not observe other holidays.

Many secular Jews attend synagogue on this day, which causes attendance to increase.

Five prohibitions traditionally observed on Yom Kippur, in addition to being a day of rest, are no eating and drinking, no leather shoes, no bathing or washing, no perfumes or lotions and no marital relations.

Refraining from these activities symbolically represents a return to a pristine state, which is the theme of the day. By refraining from these,

the body is uncomfortable but can still survive, which makes the soul uncomfortable. By feeling pain, one can feel how others feel when there are in pain.

Total abstention from food and drink usually begins 20 minutes before sundown and ends after dusk the following day. Although the fast is required of all healthy adults over 12 or 13, it is waived in the case of certain medical conditions.

Since Yom Kippur involves fasting, Jewish law requires a large festive meal the afternoon before Yom Kippur, following the afternoon prayer.

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

Keep’n The Faith Then it’s time to share...The PRESS wants to hear about special programs in your faith community. Send your thoughts, stories, prayers and photos to: The PRESS at 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357. All stories will be considered.

Photos cannot be returned.

Notebook

Hillcrest High School

Senior Wins Scholarship In Great Britain Hemrani Kalicharan is a senior in the Academy of Media, Arts and Music in Hillcrest High School in Jamaica. Using initiative, the Richmond Hill resident researched for scholarships as college advisor Ms. Gordon tells all her students. Hemrani found a business scholarship available at the University of Ulster, Birmingham, in the United Kingdom, which included a Master’s degree in international business. She applied, went to visit with her mother and was immediately accepted.

Hemrani has an impressive history of community service and has dedicated more than 1,000 hours to non-profit organizations including Junior Sikh Coalition, SEVA, Desi Rising Up and Moving and Kuriyan Involved in Rising Punjab Awareness. She worked with the junior Sikh Coalition, which was a group of high school students who helped younger students in middle school

who were being bullied.

She makes presentations at Sikh Camps around the East Coast, helps plan anti-bullying workshops at Hunter College and has been involved in legal cases protecting the rights of teenagers being harassed in Queens schools.

Hemrani has been a Sikh Day Parade volunteer leader for the last four years, she participated in Stand Up Against Hate conferences, won a Queens College scholar- Hillcrest senior Hemrani Kalicharan in a phone ship in 2013, was a Har- booth in England. vard Student intern in the summer of 2013 and tutored middle of the dance team and working in the school students in academic subjects leadership class, playing on the handwhile preparing them for the City ball team and representing Hillcrest at the annual High School Fair.

ELA test.

Academically, she has a 95 averSome of her activities at Hillcrest have included being named captain age, is in the Honor Program of the

Academy of Media, Arts and Music, has taken a college-level English class, was awarded the highest average – 99 percent – in the school’s Social Studies Dept., is in Arista, on the school’s Honor Roll and was second place in the OCA-NY’s fifth annual Hate Crimes Prevention Art Contest.

During the summer of 2013, she was a waitress at Au Bon Pain in Cambridge, Mass., where she served children who visited the Boston Children’s Museum. She currently works as a customer service representative in accommodations at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where she provides accommodations for employees and passengers.

She said her future goal is to become an international business woman, a CEO in her own company where she will be doing what she wants and loves.

– Bob Harris

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 3-9, 2014

What’s Up OCt. 3 the Pink Party The Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning presents The Pink Party as part of its First Fridays evenings.

This event will be commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., enjoy food, music, drinks, “Sip N’ Spin” class, open mic, live art and networking, while supporting this important cause. Register on-site for the “Walk” in honor of family, friends and breast cancer survivors. JCAL is located at 161-04 Jamaica Ave.

troop 351 Open House The Boy Scout Pack and Troop 351 will hold an open house in the school gym of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Kids from 7 to 10 years old can join as cubs. Boy Scouts range in age between 11 and 17. Those who are 18 years old or older can apply for a leadership position. St. Nicholas is located at 80-22 Parsons Blvd., Jamaica.

OCt. 4 Heart Healthy Certificate Program The Greater Springfield Community Church, in conjunction with The Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute at New York-Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical Center, offers a free, faith-based education and outreach program that empowers people to become teachers in their communities. Become “ambassadors of health” with this 10-week certificate course on how to adopt a hearthealthy lifestyle. The program starts at 10 a.m. The church is located at 177-06 129th Ave., Jamaica. All are invited but must RSVP for seat confirmation, by calling (718) 527-0100.

QCNAN’s Domestic Violence Workshop Members of the community are invited to attend the first of many workshops to combat domestic violence with representatives from city agencies. The keynote speaker of this meeting is Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and takes place at the Greater Springfield Community Church, located at 177-06 129th Ave., Jamaica.

Safety First Crime Prevention Fair The 103rd Precinct Community Council will host its Annual Safety

First Crime Prevention Fair in Detective Keith Williams Park, located on Liberty Avenue and 173rd Street in Jamaica. The free fair runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free bicycle helmets will be given to the first 25 to register in the bike antitheft program. There will be several agencies and NYPD Units the photography of Mario Picayo (above) and Mariaavailable with lots of no Hernandez is on display at York College. information regarding safety, crime prevention and health. ONgOiNg For more information, call Detective Airtrain Jazz Festival Rick Lowe at (718) 657-8194.

The Sutphin Boulevard BID, A Better Jamaica, and the Jamaica Arts OCt. 7 Council will present eight consecutive Thursday evenings of jazz from Fugitive Art and Fugitive Oct. 2 to Nov. 20, between 6 p.m. to testimony King Manor Museum’s “Talking 8 p.m. They will take place on the About History” series will present mezzanine level of the Jamaica Aira discussion on “Slave Narratives Train Station to provide a cultural Then and Now.” This lecture brings hello to AirTrain travelers. If you are together contemporary “visual slave interested, please send a link to your narratives” and classic slave narra- website, Facebook and/or Soundtives from the 19th century to exam- Cloud to Simone Price at (516) 770ine the way Black artists and writers 7859 or sutphinblvdbid@verizon.net, respond to institutional constraints or to Greg Mays at (718) 657-2605 or placed on their cultural production. greg.mays@abetterjamaica.org.

The free event will take place at York College, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Food Pantry Greater Springfield Community in room 3B04. For reservations, email programs@kingmanor.org or Church distributes food every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., while call (718) 206-0545, Ext. 13. supplies last at the church located at 177-06 129th Ave., Jamaica. For inMusic Of the Caribbean Join the Carnival Trio in this formation, call (718) 527-0100. highly interactive program for kids.

Swing and sway to the music of the Jamaica Farmers’ Market The Jamaica Farmers’ Market is islands. Learn about the culture of the Caribbean, the origins of steel open every Friday and Saturday from drum music and how the steel drums 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 20. The are constructed from recycled ma- market is held on 160th Street just terials. The program takes place at outside the entrance of the Jamaica the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, Market between Jamaica Avenue and located at 161-04 Jamaica Ave., with 90th Street. Free one hour parking shows at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. To is provided for Farmers Market customers only. book a school field trip, please call (718) 658-7400, Ext. 153.

Photo Exhibit York College just opened their monthOCt. 8 long photographic Movie Night exhibit, “Caribbean Wednesday Carnival Portraits: The Queens Central The Photography of Library will screen two Mario Picayo and films as part of Movie Mariano Hernandez,” Night Wednesday. which pays homage Head to 89-11 Merrick to Caribbean carniBlvd., Jamaica and vals. It features phoenjoy “Think Like A tos from Picayo and Man” at 3 p.m. and its Hernandez, two of the sequel, “Think Like A “think Like A Man” will Caribbean’s most proMan Two,” at 6 p.m. air at Central Library on lific photographers.

The screening is free.

Oct. 8.

They have chased the excitement of Caribbean carnivals for more than 25 years and their work has been featured within the pages of books, magazines and brochures.

game Day The Queens Library Queens Village branch invites children in grades 1 to 6 to join them every Friday afternoon to play their favorite card and board games from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

game Club/Movie time The Queens Library Laurelton branch youth counselors play games and watch educational movies with teens every Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Movie days are every second and fourth Friday of the month.

Game days are the first and third Friday of the month. The Laurelton branch is located at 134-26 225th St.

Calypso Cardio Every Friday, the Queens Library Laurelton branch hosts ShapeUp NYC: Calypso Cardio from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Instructor Debra Brown offers a total body workout that improves muscle strength, endurance and keeps the heart rate up to burn calories and strengthen the cardiopulmonary system. Space is limited and participation is on a first-come, first served basis. The Laurelton branch is located at 134-26 225th St.

Health Walk Join Council Member I. Daneek Miller for the 14-week Walking for Health Program starting at 7:30 a.m. every Saturday at St. Albans Park (173 Street and Sayres Avenue). Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and all participants will receive a water bottle and knapsack! Also, BMI, blood pressure and height check-up will be available.

Please RSVP by calling Ms. Denson at (718) 776-3700.

immigrant Freud Protection If you or someone you know is a former client of the International Immigrants Foundation, Inc. (IIF) or the International Professional Association, Inc. (IPA), and believes they have been defrauded by either of these organizations, you may submit a claim form online or a printed form via mail, fax, or email. The deadline to submit a form is Oct. 23, 2014.

For more information, please visit http://nylag.org/ipa.

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.

Oct. 3-9, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK – COUNTY OF QUEENS INDEX# 703131/2014 FILED 8/14/2014 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND NOTICE Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial.

Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgage premise is situated. PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSCIATION, Plaintif f against CHAND KASODATT if he be living and if he be dead, the respective heirs-at-law, nextof-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant(s) who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the Complaint, VICKRAM, CHAND, FIRST FRANKLIN FINANCIAL CORPORATION, NYC ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD, and “JOHN DOE” and “JANE DOE”, the last two names being fictitious, said parties intended being tenants, or occupants, if any, having or claiming an interest in, or lien upon the premises described in the complaint, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Defendant(s). TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEYS FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOU CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTEC T YOUR PROPERTY. SENDING A PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not serviced with this summons, to serve a notice

of appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorney within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may appear within (60) days of service thereof and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT: THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a mortgage in the sum of $340,000.00 dated April 28, 2005, executed by defendant(s) VICKRAM CHAND, to FIRST FRANKLIN, A DIVISION OF NAT BANK OF IN, recorded on June 8, 2005 in CRFN: 2005000332751 in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens. FIRST FRANKLIN, A DIVISION OF NATIONAL CITY BANK OF INDIANA assigned all of its right, title and interest in the Mortgage by way of an assignment executed July 28, 2005 to FIRST FRANKLIN FINANCIAL CORPOR ATION. The assignment was duly recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on September 12, 2006, in CRFN: 2006000512908. FIRST FRANKLIN FINANCIAL CORPORATION assigned all of its right, title and interest in the Mortgage by way of an assignment dated March 5, 2013 to PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. The assignment was duly recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the Count y of Queens on May 14, 2013, in CRFN: 2013000197909, covering premises known as 114 27 135th Street, South Ozone Park, NY 11420, (Section 51 Block 11661 Lot 54).

The relief sought within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt described above. To the above named Defendants: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Hon. Thomas D. Raffaele, a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, filed along with the supporting papers in the Office of the Clerk of the Count y of Queens on 8/13/2014. This is an action to foreclose on a mortgage.

ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and

State of New York, (Section 51 Block 11661 Lot 54). Said premises known as 114 27 135th Street, South Ozone Park, NY 11420. YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. By reason of the default in the payment of the monthly installment of principal and interest, among other things, as hereinafter set forth, Plaintiff, the holder and owner of the aforementioned note and mortgage, or their agents have elected and hereby accelerate the mortgage and declare the entire mortgage indebtedness immediately due and payable. The following amounts are now due and owing on said mortgage, no part of any of which has been paid although duly demanded: By reason of the aforesaid, plaintiff has elected to declare the unpaid principal sum of the Adjustable Rate Note and Mortgage in the amount of $313,208.09 with accrued interest at 6.500% per annum, from June 1, 2012 to be immediately due and payable. UNLESS YOU DISPUTE THE VALIDITY OF THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER YOUR RECEIPT HEREOF THAT THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, IS DISPUTED, THE DEBTOR JUDGMENT AGAINST YOU AND A COPY OF SUCH VERIFICATION OR JUDGMENT WILL BE MAILED TO YOU BY THE HEREIN DEBT COLLECTOR. IF APPLICABLE, UPON YOUR WRITTEN REQUEST, WITHIN SAID THIRTY (30) DAY PERIOD, THE HEREIN DEBT COLLECTOR WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A DISCHARGE FROM THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT, YOU ARE NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR THE UNDERLYING INDEBTEDNESS OWED TO PLAINTIFF/CREDITOR AND THIS NOTICE/DISCLOSURE IS FOR COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE New York State requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT You are in danger of losing your home.

If you fail to respond to the summons and complaint in this foreclosure action, you may lose your home. Please read the summons and complaint carefully. You should immediately contact an attorney or your local legal aid

office to obtain advice on how to protect yourself.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid, there are government agencies, and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by New York state Banking Department at 1-877-Bank-NYS or visit the Department’s website at www.banking.state.ny.us FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you

until they have completed all such promised services. Section 1303 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving the copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you may lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING AN ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Kozeny, McCubbin & Katz, LLP. Attorneys for the Plaintiff, 395 N. Service Road, Suite 401, Melville, NY 11747 Our File 20607 ________________________ NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR DEUTSCHE ALT-A SECURITIES INC., MORTGAGE PASS-

THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-AR3, Plaintiff, against ANDRE BAKSH, et al., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 4/24/2014 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Courthouse in Courthouse #25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on 10/24/2014 at 10:00AM, premises known as 197-17 100TH AVENUE, Hollis, NY 11423 All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Hollis, in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, BLOCK: 10844 LOT: 19. Approximate amount of judgment $650,805.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 15598/09. Joseph F. Defelice, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC, Attorney for Plaintiff, P.O. Box 540, Getzville, NY 14068 Dated: September 3, 2014 1110498

You Can E-Mail Your Legal Copy to legals@queenstribune.com to Place Your Legal Advertisement or

Better Luck Next Year While the Mets ended the 2014 season with two wins over the Houston Astros - the celebration of Saturday's 2-1 win is pictured above - the team finished tied for second with Atlanta in the National League East with a losing 79-83 record. And while their Bronx counterparts were saying farewell to their retiring captain, the Mets were honoring a player who spent half a season playing in Flushing. Photo by Bruce Adler.

Saying Goodbye To ... Abreu?

While the Yankees were honoring a retiring legend all last week, the Mets honored a player who only played half a season with the team.

The team’s bench outfielder, Bobby Abreu, announced that he was retiring at the end of this season, which ended on Sunday.

Abreu, 40, played for six teams during his 18-year career, including a three-year term with the Yankees.

Abreu announced his intention to retire at a press conference with manager Terry Collins by his side. He started the last game of the season and was pulled to a standing ovation during the contest.

On WFAN's morning radio show, Boomer and Carton poked fun at the Mets for

honoring Abreu, even though he had a long career. They went through his career stats with the Mets. He had 133 at-bats with the Metropolitans, batting .248 with one home run and 14 RBI’s.

“Thank you for that one home run,” Carton said jokingly.

On Twitter, several people started tagging their tweets with the “#re5p3ct” hashtag, similar to that of the “#re2pect” hashtag when talking about Derek Jeter.

We can certainly see why the Mets celebrating Abreu is a bit comical, but he did have a good career, posting much better numbers in his prime.

Maybe he’s not at the level of a Derek Jeter, but that should be recognized as well.

Starving For More Freedom Former NYPD officer Gilberto Valle, also known as the cannibal cop, said that he should be allowed to leave his mom’s home in Forest Hills.

After serving time in prison, Valle was released in July after a judge overturned his conviction for fantasizing and planning to kidnap and cook women on the Internet. The judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence for a jury to have convicted him last year.

He has been placed under house arrest until his case has gone under the appeal process.

While Valle never acted on his fantasies, sentencing him to life may have been biting off more than the original judge could chew.

But, we here at QConf are content knowing that Valle will have to settle for getting his food delivered for the time being.

Switching Focus In Government Moving on to a new position in government is not an unusual step for political staffers. Switching parties, however, is not as common.

Eben Bronfman, who helped run Republican John Catsimitidis' bid for mayor last year has recently

taken on a new position.

While also serving as an adjunct lecturer at NYU, Bronfman recently took a position as a Councilmatic aide to Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley.

The switch is a bit strange, but we wish him all the best!

Q

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 3-9, 2014

Musicians OF QuEEns

Vessio

QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari

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

QCorrection That’s egg on our face.

QConf would like to apologize for some misinformation in last week’s column. In our excitement about the awesome street food options available in the Borough, we mistakenly listed some finalists of the 2014 Vendy Awards as winners.

While Ricas Botanas Mexicana, El Rey Del Taco, King of Falafel & Shawarma and Bolivian Llama Party all deserve high praise for their excellent offerings, the ultimate winners of the contest were Cinnamon Snail (Vendy Cup), Nuchas (People’s Choice,) Calexico (Master Cup), Snowday (Rookie of the Year) and Zha Pan Asian (Best of Market).

Ice and Vice did win Best Dessert, as listed last week.

What can we say – we just expect everything from Queens to trounce everything else!

Follow us on your favorite social media platform!

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ QueensTrib facebook.com/ QueensPress Follow us on Twitter: @QueensTrib @SEQueensPress On Instagram: @queenstribune On Tumblr: tumblr.com/blog/ queenstribune

While the brother-sister duo of Misia and Dante Vessio split their music between drums and guitar, respectively, the siblings both started with drum lessons when they were children. They first started learning to play when Dante was 4 years old and Misia was 7 years old. Now, more than a decade later, the musicians are a two-piece band modeled after the White Stripes, called Vessio. Do not think of them as a tribute act though. Instead, these two put their own twist on the formula Jack and Meg White created.

Generally, Dante handles the guitar and vocals in the band, while Misia plays the drums. But both of the siblings can play more than one instrument, bringing their various talents to create a dynamic, powerful sound. Listen to a song like “Ricochet Blues” or “Change The World” and you will be knocked back by punishing percussion, fuzzed-out guitar riffs and passionate vocals. Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and the White Stripes are some of their major influences.

Based in Astoria, Vessio started in 2010, but the siblings have been playing together for many years. As they have grown older, they have advanced from covers to original songs, which have relatable messages and strong structures. Their ultimate goal is to become a major, worldwide benefit band that tackles global issues.

“Our songwriting has evolved from rock-pop to more serious subjects as world hunger, sexual harassment, the blues and the musical compositions have become more complex as we have gotten older and more experienced,” the duo said.

Even though there are only two of them, Vessio has a huge sound. Their relationship allows them the freedom to practice whenever they want.

“We have a music room with three complete drumsets and all other equipment in our home. ‘Disciplined practice’ is a must,” they said. “Our sound is so powerful that people go into shock when they see only the two of us.”

Vessio’s experience in front of a crowd came from gigs at open mics in local bars and venues like Cronin & Phelan and Shillelagh Tavern.

These live shows helped the duo develop their talent as performers, while retaining a disciplined, focused attitude in the studio.

“The studio is where we work on our craft and playing live is where we express ourselves musically and physically knowing that we are entertainers trying to please a crowd that usually knows music,” they said.

The band got a chance to please a TV crowd during their appearances on “The Groove Masters Show” and “Next Great Family Band.”

Vessio is putting the finishing touches on their nine-song, self-titled debut album. For this record, they stayed in their home borough, working with Carmine Gonzalez of Loss4 Words Productions in Bayside.

Once it is out, you can expect to see Vessio at a venue near you, as they plan to tour in support of their debut effort.

To keep up with the latest news from Misia and Dante Vessio, visit www.vessiomusic.com or www.facebook.com/VessioOfficalBand.

- Joe Marvilli

Help Wanted

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THOSE W/LTC EXP ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR MORE INFO (INCLUDING PAY) CALL: 718-834-1911 OR EMAIL: HR@SAMARITANSERVICES.COM We are a Christian owned organization serving all needs.

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Oct. 3-9, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

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IN THE MARKET FOR HEALTHIER CHOICES? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. At EmblemHealth, we understand that good nutrition is the cornerstone of healthier living. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor local farmers’ markets that offer access to farm-fresh produce, making living healthier in the neighborhood easy and delicious.

And, we’ll be at every market, so stop by our kiosk for FREE health care tips, screenings, giveaways and more!

Mark your calendars for the following farmers’ markets — we hope to see you there!*

GrowNYC Friday, October 24 8 am–3 pm Corona Greenmarket Roosevelt Ave & 103 St

GrowNYC Sunday, October 12, 19 8 am–3 pm Jackson Heights Greenmarket 34th Ave & 78th St

Check out the enclosed insert to learn more about events and activities that are happening in the neighborhood. For a full listing of farmers’ markets, visit smallsteps.emblemhealth.com or download the Small Steps to a Healthier You app.

*Dates and availability subject to change. Group Health Incorporated (GHI), 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.

Neighborhood Care is a division of EmblemHealth. ©EmblemHealth Inc. 2014, All Rights Reserved.