Press epaper 112913 by Queens Press

Volume 14 Issue No. 48 Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013

Thank You!

PRESS Photos by Ira Cohen

Official honors to four individuals who have dedicated their lives to the people of Queens.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013

News Briefs City Council Approves Street Renaming

Last week, the City Council approved a proposal to rename a 1.2mile stretch of South Road in Jamaica to Tuskegee Airmen Way. On Oct. 3, the City Council’s Parks Committee held a hearing on the renaming of the street near York College. That day, Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica), who authored the bill, was joined by two original members of the Tuskegee Airmen in Manhattan– Dabney Montgomery and Wilfred DeFour, to testify on the relevance of the renaming. “We had this [Dept. of War] report behind us stating we could not take it and it was in this atmosphere and in our minds, we said, ‘We will fight, we will fight, we will fight!’ And, we not only fought, we won,” Montgomery said at the hearing. “I support the street renaming…it will be an inspiration to not only Black children but to all children, to be inspired and say I can do it too.” The Tuskegee Airmen are most recognized for the fight against racism to overcome prejudice and segregation by becoming one of the most successful fighter groups during World War II. Both Airmen Dabney and DeFour were part of the Tuskegee Experiment developed by the then Dept. of War to assess whether African American men could function under pressure and operate and maintain combat aircrafts. They proved to not only the Dept. of War, but to the world, that African Americans can pilot and maintain sophisticated combat planes.

First-Ever Ageless Summit Scheduled

On Dec. 5, community leader Tanequa Strong will moderate the first-ever Ageless Summit at the St. Luke’s Cathedral Multi-Purpose Center. The Ageless Summit will explore a number of pressing community issues like Stop and Frisk, Obamacare and education. Guests on the panel will include political commentator Roy Paul, attorney and activist Jacques Leandre and Rev. Phil Craig, who is president of the Queens Chapter National Action Network. The forum seeks community residents of all ages and backgrounds to attend in an effort to create a diverse atmosphere of discussion. Strong has spent over a decade working in the community, providing guidance and counseling to youth and young adults. She came up with the notion of starting a nonprofit

that would assist bridging the gap between members of the community who have common goals and concerns. “My objective moving forward is to engage through targeted community interaction and ignite the fire needed to get all individuals, regardless of age, to come together and speak up and then take action as a community,” Strong said. “My longterm vision is that individuals from all ages and backgrounds collaborate their thoughts on these crucial topics.” The Ageless Summit will be held at the church from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The church is located at 133-24 233rd St., Laurelton. It is free to attend.

Goldfeder, Queens College Team Up For Vacant Rail Line

Transit advocates hoping the defunct Rockaway Long Island Rail Road is revived got a possible glimmer of hope on Monday. Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (DOzone Park) and Queens College announced they will launch a study to determine what is the best use for the vacant 3.5 mile stretch of land running from Ozone Park to Rego Park. The College’s Department of Urban Studies will conduct the study as part of a course. Beginning in February, Professor Leonard Rodberg and Dr. Scott Larson will lead a group of about a dozen students, both undergrad and graduate, to determine the feasibility of the train line and to see what is the best use for the vacant land. The students will do preliminary work throughout the semester and then do the groundwork at every part of the site during the summer. Goldfeder, who has strongly supported reactivating the LIRR line since he took office, said the study will be objective and determine what is best for Queens in the future. “We must have the tools we need to ease the current burden and allow our communities to florish grow and ultimately prepare for future growth,” the Assemblyman said. The students will use existing data about the area as well as come up with new data while doing the survey. The study is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2014, according to Rodberg.

Brief Us!

Mail your news brief items to: PRESS of Southeast Queens, 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Aurora Listed As ‘Top 10’ Company A Jamaica-based construction company, Aurora Electric Inc., was recently selected as a 2013 winner of The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security. The company, which will be celebrating its 20th year anniversary this December, specializes in data, communications and electrical installation and maintenance. An individual panel of employee-benefits experts selected the firm because of its commitment to employee benefits, such as wellness and retirement programs. “When my employees don’t have to worry about their medical insurance [and] they don’t have to worry about a filling or a cavity in their child’s tooth, then it is something they do not have to worry about on my payroll [so] they can focus on the work at hand,” said president and founder, Veronica Rose. “My belief is when the family is taken care of, the people that work for me will take care of the job.” Key features of the company’s retirement plan include automatic enrollment and default-asset allocation into a lifecycle fund. In addition

Photo provided by Rob MacKay

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Seen at the trophy presentation ceremony are (from left) Aurora CFO Amanda Sauls, Principal Financial Group Regional Sales Manager James Cowie, Aurora President Veronica Rose, QEDC Board Chair Gail Roseman and QEDC Executive Director Seth Bornstein. to those retirement benefits, all 20 employees at Aurora have access to a variety of financial and family planning issues. Other employee benefits include tuition reimbursement, leadership development, mentoring, professional certification and industry/trade conference attendance. According to Rose, it is particularly important to offer strong employee benefits in an effort to keep the best employees around – a trend

that his been dying with the newest generation of workers. “In the old days, you would get a job and stay with that company your whole life. But the new generation of employees does not seem to stay at a place for more than a year or two,” she said. “As an owner, you want to keep people longer and the benefits definitely help.” As part of the honor, The Principal awarded $2,500 to the Queens Economic Development Corporation on

behalf of Aurora Electric Inc., which was able to select a nonprofit grantee as part of its prize. For Rose, who sits on the board of the QEDC, selecting the nonprofit was an easy choice. “I’ve never seen a group of people [or] a nonprofit work so hard for the business community as they do for the Queens community,” she said. “They really work with the community and different minority groups in the Queens area to help all of them excel in the businesses and bring them into fruition.” “Aurora has been around for 20 years and it is a well-known fantastic place to work,” said QEDC executive director Seth Bornstein in a statement. “QEDC is delighted that this Queens business has received national recognition and we are extremely grateful for the donation.” As part of the prize package, Aurora Electric Inc., the only New York City company to achieve the honor, will be featured in the December issue of Inc. Magazine, along with the other winners. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska.

De Blasio Appoints Three Queens Leaders To Transition Team BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Last Wednesday, Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio unveiled his 60-member transition team appointed to help select the City’s next administration. Among the names on the list are three prominent Queens leaders – York College president Marcia Keizs, Coalition for Queens founder Jukay Hsu and Queens Council on the Arts executive director Hoong Yee lee Krakauer. “These leaders are volunteering their expertise in every issue and area of municipal affairs,” said de Blasio in a statement. “They will be advising me based on their wealth of experience and knowledge of specific issue areas and government agencies.” Keizs, the sixth president at York College, has been at the college for seven years. Under her leadership, York has increased its full-time faculty by approximately 40 percent and established an Undergraduate Research Program and a collaborative honors program with the Food and Drug Administration while structuring the College into three schools—

School of Business and Information Systems; School of Health and Behavioral Sciences; and School of Arts and Sciences. Student enrollment has also grown by 25 percent, with freshman enrollment experiencing an unprecedented 61 percent growth over five years during which freshman admissions standards were raised and a private fundraising campaign for Merit Scholars was undertaken. By 2011, enrollment continued to climb by 5.4 percent. Hsu, a Flushing native, has always had an interest in economic and community development. When he was in high school, Hsu was a volunteer and chairman of the American Red Cross Queens Chapter Youth Group during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Upon graduating from Harvard College, Hsu also served as a U.S. Army officer, where he commanded a rifle platoon in Iraq and earned the Bronze Star Medal. Fueled by his passion, Hsu led economic development and governance initiatives for two Iraqi districts and founded the first private provincial radio station

Marcia Keizs

Jukay Hsu

with Iraqi reporters. When he was done with his military service, Hsu returned to his home and eventually founded the nonprofit Coalition for Queens – a tech group which seeks to increase economic opportunity and transform the Borough into a leading hub for innovation. Krakauer, a Rockaway Beach resident, has been the executive director of the Queens Council on the Arts since 2000. On a daily basis, the artist/author focused on creating opportunities

Hoong Yee lee Krakauer

and spaces in the Borough where arts and groups can participate as a driving force in reinventing the community. “I am honored to be contributing to the creation of a new administration, a team New Yorkers can be proud of … to be able to bring thoughtful recommendations and strategies to craft a successful base for the City to grow under a new mayor,” Krakauer said in a statement. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.

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river Fund Feeds Thousands In richmond Hill

Thousands of hungry Richmond Hill residents lined up on 89th Avenue looking to get needed food for the Thanksgiving weekend. The River Fund, a food pantry center on Lefferts Boulevard in Richmond Hill, held its weekly food drive at their headquarters last Saturday. This one was more significant as it was the last one to be held before Thanksgiving. The pantry will be closed for the next three weekends while they gather food for the next drive. About 30 tons of food was served during the drive, including carrots, onions, potatoes, cereal and much more. Around 1,000 turkeys were also given out in time for a Thanksgiving meal. A few elected officials were also on hand to help serve food to the needy and bring awareness to food pantries like the River Fund, because federal cuts on these establishments have hampered their abilities to feed those in need. Among the politicians to attend were Queens Borough President-elect Melinda Katz and Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (DForest Hills). Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program went into

Photo by Ira Cohen

By LuIs Gronda

because of this, he said, they try to offer the healthiest food possible as proper nutrition can be a problem among those two groups of people. Residents who were at the drive say they need food banks like the River Fund to feed their families. Howard Keen, a Woodhaven resident, said he goes to food banks because he does not make enough in supplemental security income and in food stamps to afford food every week for him and his wife. “Whatever I get here helps me greatly,” he said. Adelaida Rodriguez, who lives in Richmond Hill, said the cuts will have a negative effect on many people who Thousands lined up at the river Fund on saturday to get much needed food. use food banks like the River Fund. “It would affect not only me, but it “When you take a disadvantaged effect earlier this month and will reduce spending on the program by $5 person and you hit them harder, would affect pretty much everybody, how can that have any kind of posi- [that is] cuts for the poor,” Rodribillion in the 2014 fiscal year. Swami Durga Das, the executive tive effect?” he said. “This is going guez said. “The line, this is around director of the River Fund, said the into a City disaster as far as I’m con- the block,” referring to the long lines waiting outside the River Fund. cuts to the SNAP benefits is just an- cerned.” Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at Durga Das added that the two bigother barrier put in front of people who are hungry and may not be able gest populations to visit the pantry (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ are seniors and children. Especially queenstribune.com or @luisgronda. to afford food on a daily basis.

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Parks Dept. Considers NY State Pavilion Plans BY JOE MARVILLI

cost $43,013,753. Restoring access for the two structures would have a $52,117,080 price tag. A conceptual plan by Perkins+Will architects is also being floated around. “This calls for modification of the site with things like event spaces, multiple stories for the Tent of Tomorrow with landscaped paths connecting them, an observation deck and elevated garden,” Parks Dept. spokesman Zachary Feder said. Community meetings will be held

in the coming months to receive feedback on the different options, with details to come. An advocacy group, People For The Pavilion, would like to see the site become a cultural space. “We’d ultimately like to see it repurposed. Later next year, we’re going to be organizing an ideas competition to bring a new mission to it,” Matthew Silva, one of the group’s co-founders, said. Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@ queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Book Signing: Photo by Ira Cohen

observation towers, with their circular top decks, offered a view of the In the near future, the City will City skyline. The cheapest proposal would be decide what to do with a part of to demolish the entire pavilion, at a Queens’ history. Although the New York State Pa- cost of $14,264,661. Two of the Parks Dept. plans, vilion in Flushing Meadows Corona Park is one of the few structures re- stabilization and restoration, would maining from the 1964-65 World’s demolish the Tent of Tomorrow, but Fair, it has been viewed for decades fix up the observation towers. The as a crumbling ruin. Now, the City destruction of the Tent would cost is trying to figure out whether to $10,613,075. Stabilization would not renovate it, restore it, stabilize it or allow for public access, while restoration would. demolish it. The Parks Dept.’s stabilization Many of the Parks Dept.’s plans split the work between the pavilion’s plan would restore or replace cable two major structures. The Tent of To- hangers and corroded bolts, replace morrow is the circular structure that the stairs and add a roof to each obonce had a fiberglass roof. The three servation tower. Landscape lighting, security lighting and intrusion alarms would be added as well. Stabilization would cost $11,434,803. The restoration plan would bring the towers back to how they were in 1964. This project would A conceptual plan by Perkins+Will architects is one cost $20,538,130. Stabilizing both of the options on the table for the New York State Pavilion. Other choices include stabilization, restora- the observation towers and the Tent of tion to its 1964 design or demolition. Tomorrow would

Former Mayor David Dinkins signed copies of his new book, “A Mayor’s Life” at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center last week.

Wishing You and Your Family a Happy Hanukkah and a Happy Thanksgiving Congressman

gregorY meeks 6th district

Far Rockaway Office: 67-12 Rockaway Blvd. Arverne, NY 11692 347-230-4045

Jamaica Office: 153-01 Jamaica Ave. 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11432 718-725-6000

Authorized and paid for by Friends of Gregory Meeks

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013

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

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Natalia Kozikowska Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Trisha Sakhuja

Art Dept:

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

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

Editorial Another Call To Save A Landmark We’ve written a lot in the past about how the City has left Queens to rot when it comes to parkland, to its historic structures and to its symbols, and it seems as though we will have ample opportunity to continue. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. We cannot imagine what the fair’s attendees would think of what has become to the New york State Pavilion, which was built for the event. The pavilion has shared its fate with any number of historic structures in Queens that has received little or no attention from the City. Given its history, how the New york State Pavilion was never granted landmark status is as baffling as it is negligent. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has always taken great pride in his protection of landmarks throughout the City, but it seems as if he has a blind spot when it comes to Queens, and especially when it comes to the pavilion. He should be ashamed of the condition the pavilion is in. But the blame does not fall solely on Bloomberg. There are 50 years’ worth of Mayors and Parks Commissioners who have allowed the pavilion to fall into disrepair, and each of them shoulder an equal share of the blame for the site’s miserable state. Despite the price tag, we hope the City decides to restore the pavilion. The timing could not be better to announce a renaissance for the structure. We must stop trying to destroy our history, burying it under shiny new objects. It’s unconscionable that we have let the New york State Pavilion fall into such disrepair, and it is time we corrected that mistake.

Letters Reflecting On Life After Kennedy

To The Editor: This is written 50 years to the day after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Doing so I look back with a certain amount of regret and shame at what has happened in this country the last half century. Kennedy’s mantra of “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” seems to be a philosophy long gone. Fifty years ago, Americans subscribed to the belief that they were accountable for their lives. They took responsibility for their and their family’s support, livelihood, educations and futures. Bring a child into the world, and they were responsible for raising that child. Today the illegitimate birth rate for both white and Black babies is three to four times the rate it was in 1963. But no need to worry, today the government assumes responsibility. In 2013, the “gimme-gimmegimme” ethos rules, the belief that someone else is responsible, and the wealthy owe

something. In 1963, only a very small percentage of citizens were drawing from the public till. During the 2102 presidential race, it was stated that roughly 47 percent of the population receives some sort of government assistance. From the direction the country is going, that number is surely to rise. Instead of responsibility and self-support being the guides which control one’s destiny, today it is the credos of resentment, envy and greed. The wealthy, also known as the “1 Percent”, who pay 86 percent of taxes and create jobs, are now seen as another source of support. Since their money can’t be taken from them illegally, now it is the principle that “they must pay their fair share of taxes”. Take from them and give to the so-called “poor,” not as a temporary measure, but forever, simply to give to those who have been dumbed down by the socialist society into thinking that it is perfectly alright to expect others to support them. Edward Riecks, Howard Beach

Recollection Of A Husband’s Public Service A Personal Perspective By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Throughout his 12 years in office, I have not directly written about Leroy Comrie and his accomplishments. But as his tenure draws to a close, I cannot help but reflect on what it has meant to share the tremendous opportunity that the voters of the 27th Council District gave him when they voted him into office on three separate occasions. He was, to paraphrase a James Brown description, “the hardest working man in politics.” Many people wondered where Leroy gets the stamina to go on and on like the Energizer Bunny. I say it is passion. When you love what you do, the energy supplies itself. No one can ever please everyone or solve every problem, but he has tried. He is someone who loves people and has enjoyed being in a position to help where possible. As his wife, I have deferred to his need for time and space

to serve to the best of his ability. He has always said he prefers to be called a community advocate than a politician, and boy, did he advocate for our community at City Hall. I will not get into the tens of millions of dollars in capital funding he has brought in to build, expand or renovate our libraries, schools, parks, cultural centers or colleges. I also won’t detail his success as the member who has consistently brought in the most discretionary funds into Queens. Some of that will be addressed elsewhere in this issue. I mostly want to talk about the man I know behind the scenes. For 12 years, Leroy has carried two cell phones as he goes about his job every day. He’s always on call and the only real vacation he has taken in 12 years was a cruise I booked in 2004 where there was no cell phone service. Not everyone should or will keep their phone on overnight and no one should expect them to, but he has always wanted to be accessible in case there is an emergency in the dis-

trict or City. He also wanted to be reachable by the police precincts at all times and to the principals of our schools. As far as he was concerned, he was married to me and to our community and I had to be fine with that. His offices in St. Albans and Manhattan have also been places of learning for high school and college students seeking internships, with several turning into long-term employment. The district office even became a place where some younger school children who live on the block or around the corner, have taken refuge after school. They kind of just showed up and did their homework without question. Done right, public service is a noble calling. It’s not about any imagined glamour. It is about getting to work on behalf of the people. We all pay a lot of taxes and deserve to be served with honor and dignity. If you let it go to your head, you are bound to fail. And so on behalf of our children, I say thanks to all

the staff members both past and current, and to all the wonderful volunteers who contributed to his success and the voters for putting their trust in his candidacy. Thanks also goes to Councilman Archie Spigner who gave him a shot when he hired a then-22 year-old kid who rode a bicycle to the interview; and an additional thanks to Joe Goldbloom, who took the kid under his wings and helped to mentor him; to his colleagues in government who have supported his efforts; the countless pastors, civic leaders who “had his back,” and to this wonderful publication for all the coverage and for this special issue, which attests to so many of the accomplishments. And whatever the next iteration of Leroy’s career might be, I know that he will continue to act in the best interest of our City, Borough and community. As Rocky Balboa says to Adriane at the birth of his first child, “You done good!”

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Helen Marshall By Luis Gronda

The 12 years Helen Marshall spent as Queens Borough President will have an impact much longer than the three terms she served. Marshall will finish out her last term as the 18th Queens Borough President on Dec. 31st, completing more than a decade of service as the cheerleader of the Borough. She was elected in 2001, netting 68 percent of the vote that year. Marshall will be succeeded by Melinda Katz, former City Councilmember and State Assemblymember. Before becoming BP, Marshall served in the City Council from 1991 to 2001, representing the 21st Council District that covers Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights. While in the Council, she founded the Higher Education committee and fought against the privatization of remedial programs at CUNY. Her involvement in community started before she was an elected official. She was an activist in her native East Elmhurst neighborhood. She advocated for youth programs, libraries and economic development. She was also a parent activist in the public school system for 15 years and a member of Community Board 3 for 13 years. Marshall backed the upgrading and expansion of every library in her district and restored funding that rebuilt a children’s clinic in Corona. She also led the protest to prevent the sale of the Elmhurst and Queens

Hospital centers and gave funding for two senior centers and vans to transport the elderly. “Helen has brought a unique, very human perspective to the office that resonates in everything she does,” Alexandra Rosa, Marshall’s chief of staff, said. The work she did for libraries and children continued when she took over for Claire Shulman, and perhaps is what she will be most remembered for during her time as BP. Over the last 12 years, she has secured more than $132 million for expansions and additions to libraries, as well as building new libraries and technology improvements for those facilities. Examples of her work include allocating more than $23 million for a new library branch in Far Rockaway, providing $16 million to create a Children’s Discovery Center at the Central Library in Jamaica and founding the Langston Hughes library in Corona. “Helen has a great mix of passion and compassion,” said Dan Andrews, Marshall’s press officer. “She’s been heavily involved in issues that do not attract a lot of attention.” Marshall also helped ensure more than 90,000 new seats for schools in the Borough. This work was done through “war room” meetings she held with school and elected officials in Queens. She also funded more than $63 million to the CUNY institutions in the Borough: Queens College, Queensborough Community College and York College. Marshall has secured more mon-

Marshall, at a presentation of a $50,000 check to the Langston Hughes Library in 2006, from u.s. rep. Joseph Crowley. Marshall provided more funding to libraries in Queens than in the other four Boroughs combined.

Photo by ira Cohen

12 years as Queens BP remembered

Borough President Helen Marshall receives a plaque from PRESS publisher Michael nussbaum at a reception last week at Vivaldi restaurant in Bayside. ey for libraries than the City’s other borough presidents combined, according to the Center for an Urban Future. Because of her heavy involvement in libraries, Marshall received the Daniel Casey Library Award in 2005. She has also funded cultural programs and institutions in the Borough with more than $117 million of discretionary money used during her time as BP. Marshall founded a task force on sexual abuse and domestic violence, which was expanded to include child maltreatment and elder abuse. Additionally, she created the annual pride celebration at Borough Hall. This celebration is now a yearly event. A recent project she has worked on is the Forum at Borough Hall. It is a new location at Borough Hall, designed for hosting community meetings and events at their headquarters in Kew Gardens. The project was fully funded by Marshall and provides a convenient area for residents to gather for events. Earlier this month, Marshall sat down with the PRESS of Southeast Queens editorial board to reminisce on her time in office, all of her accomplishments and the future of the Borough.

When asked about her proudest achievement as BP, Marshall said creating the Queens General Assembly was one of her best moments. The Assembly is a center that streamlines understanding and cross-cultural exchanges for the many ethnic groups that exist in the Borough. Marshall said the different groups in Queens needed a place to meet and exchange ideas. It provided an avenue for these people to discuss issues affecting their neighborhood and the whole Borough. She said the Assembly was like the United Nations, as it brought people of many backgrounds together in one room. “This is the most multi-ethnic county in the United States of America,” she said. Another highlight of her civic career she mentioned was the establishment of the Higher Education Committee while in the Council. This committee focuses on the City’s universities and has continued to have a positive effect on Queens and the rest of the City, according to Marshall. She said she wanted to provide kids who come to New York from Continued on page 9

Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Continued from page 8 other countries a chance to go to college and get a degree that will lead to success in whichever field they choose. Establishing this committee allowed them to break down the barriers for these children. “What good does it do to say ‘no, you can’t do this?’” she said. “We want you to be educated.” When asked how Queens has changed over the years, she said many of the residents are more welcoming to each other now. “The Borough is a much friendlier place now,” Marshall said. “We are the people’s entrance to the United States.” She was also very complementary towards her replacement, Melinda Katz. Marshall publicly supported her campaign and said she is ready and able to take over for her, because of her past experience in public office, including being in the City Council and working under Shulman before that. “She’s smart and I like her,” Marshall said. To help prepare Katz for her transition to office, Marshall and her staff created a 135-page transition

book highlighting everything there is to know about being Borough President and the many issues going on in Queens. The book has about 65 to 70 images and graphs to enhance what is written in the guide book. Many people who have worked alongside Marshall, and have known her for a long time, had some complementary words for the outgoing Borough President. Barry Grodenchik, the Deputy Borough President and Director of Community Boards, said she had a tremendous career and she has helped a lot of people during her tenure. He said she will be remembered by how much she gave towards libraries and how much she helped children while in public office. “Her legacy is going to be her dedication as somebody who talked to the young people of the county,” Grodenchik said. “Nobody else in the history of New York City has pumped more money as a county executive than Helen Marshall did into libraries.” Katz said Marshall has given her plenty of advice as she enters her new position, including how to create goals while in office and how to

Photo by steven J. Ferrari

Helen Marshall

Marshall behind her desk at Borough Hall earlier this month. accomplish those goals going forward. She added she will always be remembered for her 30 years of public service “I think it’s a great legacy to leave and I wish her well,” she said. Marshall said she has not stopped working for about 70 years. She said she started when she was around 14-years-old and is now 83-years-old,

and is looking forward to settling down and relaxing. Although she was not specific on what her plans are after she leaves office, Marshall did say she will continue to live in Queens because it is the Borough that she loves. “I’m going to say I miss it and I’m glad I’m missing it,” she said jokingly. “I’m not going to be a slave to my schedule.”

Board of Directors & Staff Wishes to Congratulate Helen M. Marshall, President, Borough of Queens On A Job Well Done As The “Queen of Queens”

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Leroy Comrie BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA “He is the kindest and most compassionate man. When you walk down the streets with him, he’s like a rock star,” said Councilman-elect Daneek Miller. “The community just appreciates him and loves him so much.” In his 12 years serving District 27, Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) has established himself as a leader who fought for a community which he believes has often been swept under the rug. Since he took office in 2002, the fruits of his labor have been visible – crime is down, the unemployment and foreclosure rates have dramatically decreased and parks have been restored to their original beauty. Under Comrie’s leadership, the economic conditions of his district have greatly improved and the opportunities for community residents have grown. It has always been particularly important for Comrie, a Southeast Queens native and Jamaica High School alum, to ensure that the quality of life in his district is the best that it can be. “There were definitely times I had to go bang on the table and let people know that I thought we weren’t getting our fair share,” Comrie said. “We still have deep pockets of poverty and major needs. People would see well-kept lawns and think that ev-

erything is okay, but it’s not so.” Among his many accomplishments, Comrie secured millions of dollars in capital funding for schools in District 27. The funding went toward upgrading libraries, building computer and science labs, establishing Internet connectivity, building or upgrading playgrounds and upgrading gyms and auditoriums. In an effort to relieve overcrowding, Comrie also fought to bring a new school to his district, which is in the process of being built on 198th Street in St. Albans. Under his guidance, the district has also seen an influx of new businesses and investment opportunities. In 2011, the City Council approved the rezoning of Downtown Jamaica, which rezoned 368 blocks in Community Board 12 and 8. Subsequently, affordable housing units, restaurants, stores, businesses and hotels have made their way to a community in need. “I’m proud of being able to start an economic realm,” Comrie said. “We worked hard to create opportunities for businesses.” Although the Councilman is proud of bringing several new resources into his community, he said that his biggest accomplishment can be seen right in his office. “I think my greatest accomplishment was all of the people that have interned in this office and moved on to other opportunities,” Comrie said.

Photo by Ira Cohen

Reflects On His Three Terms In Office

Councilman Leroy Comrie received a plaque for his service from PRESS publisher Michael Nussbaum last week at a reception at Vivaldi Restaurant in Bayside.

“We were able to influence so many of them to be in government and to want to be participatory in government as well. We interned well over 500 people that had the opportunity to come into this office and understand how we service them.” When walking the streets of District 27, many of Comrie’s constituents can point out the Councilman’s tangible accomplishments. But when asked what he hopes his lasting legacy will be after 12 years in office, Comrie believes it was opening a better line of communication between his residents and City government. “[I hope my lasting legacy will be that] I focused on being responsive to people’s needs and that I helped people understand that government is something that is accessible to people – they should aspire to be more active to ensure things happen,” he said. “I think that Comrie was the first City Councilman to strongly come out against the use of racial slurs within my largest legacy is that we were able to the Black community. show people how to

get things done and show them how they can get things done as well.” Those closest to him echoed similar sentiments. “The 12 years of my dad being in City Council has been productive. He’s done an amazing job – not just as a City Council member, but as a father. He’s been in public service for as long as I can remember. It really speaks to his character. Not just what he does, but how he does it,” said his daughter, Liana Comrie. “There are so many things that my dad has done in such a short amount of time. Twelve years does sound like a long time, but it really just flew by. He’s done a lot not just for Queens, but the City in general and I think that’s something he is going to be remembered for.” “Leroy Comrie has always served the truth and not opinion,” said Comrie’s former Chief of Staff, Joseph Goldbloom. “He always did what he thought was right—no matter the consequences. And he had the gift of making government altogether sincere in its contact with the people.” “He’s done great work in the community and I just want to be able to enhance that in whatever what I can. Hopefully, I can be as successful as he was,” said Miller, his successor in City Council. “The people really recognize him as a really fantastic lead(Continuned on page 11)

Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Leroy Comrie (Continuned from page 10) er who has some really big shoes to be filled. I’ve had the honor and the privilege to work with him his entire 12 years in office. I’m privileged and proud to be his friend and to know him.” Though Comrie knows there will be a lot that he will miss about being representing the 27th Council District, he said the thing he will miss most is debating and coming up with solutions with his fellow councilmembers. “There’s a lot to miss. I think the thing that I will probably miss the most is working with my collegues at City Hall – arguing about issues and coming up with solutions,” he said. “As part of my time in City Council, I was able to impact a lot of major things.” He enjoyed working on problems so much so that when asked what his most memorable moment in City Counil was, he said it was being able to pass the first budget. “I think my most fondest memory is when we sat down as a group of legislators and had a four-hour argument about what the future of the City would be. But it was focused, deliberative [and] it was cordial,” he said. “It was loud and heated at times but we needed to come to an

agreement on what we needed to do to move the City forward and we realized that the only way we could do it was raise the revenue base [by raising taxes].” Looking back at his three terms in City Council, a term-limited Comrie said he does not wish he had done anything differently. While he has helped stimulate the economy, he admits that there is room for improvement in District 27. “I’m never satisfied, but I’ve done a lot to make sure that opportunities are better. A lot of the things we wanted to achieve we did and there are other things that as you move forward, you still want to do,” he said. “My biggest thing that I would have liked to see done is to have another community center on the eastern end of my district.” “[What] we need to do is continue to improve transportation for the area [and] improve opportunities for people to get housing,” he added. “We need to continue to work in keeping the community clean and finding ways to create more business opportunities to get people to invest directly into the community.” His constituents need not worry, however. No matter what Comrie’s next move is, Southeast Queens resi-

Comrie stands with comedian Bill Cosby. dents can rest assured that he will continue to fight for the community that has embraced him for more than a decade. “We have done a lot in my time just in City Council and being able to impact the City on a Citywide basis is something that I’ll definitely miss in an elected role, but I know whatever I do, I’ll make sure my opinions and opportunities to work on those issues still remains,” Comrie said. “I’m not going to say goodbye because I’m not going away,” he add-

ed. “I will just say that it’s been and honor and a privilege for me to serve as a councilmember. I am going to stay committed in making sure that the 27th Council District is the best Council district in Queens and I will be working with people to do whatever I can do ensure that this district continues to get everything it needs and more.” Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013

James Gennaro BY JOE MARVILLI

Councilman James Gennaro (DFresh Meadows) has dedicated his professional life to making New York City a better place to live. By passing landmark smoking legislation, helping the environment and making sure his district’s streets are clean, Gennaro has spent more than a decade making sure we can enjoy longer, healthier lives. In the last 12 years, the Councilman has done more than any other to improve the quality of New York City’s air, water and land, setting the five boroughs on a more green path. While helping the City environmentally has been one of his top priorities, Gennaro has also been a good councilman for his district, supporting and improving his community. One of Gennaro’s furthest-reaching and most significant pieces of legislation was just signed into law by Mayor Michael Bloomberg last week. That bill changed the smoking age in New York City from 18 to 21. For Gennaro, the incentive behind his multi-year push for the age increase

came from a personal loss. “My mother died of lung cancer. My father-in-law died of lung cancer. That was a real impetus for me to try to do whatever I could to help those suffering from tobacco-related illness and death,” he said. “It gave me a different insight to the destruction caused by tobacco and the profound difference I feel we had the obligation to make.” New York is the first major city in the United States to ban the sale of cigarettes to people younger than 21. The issue drew national and international attention to the City and to Gennaro’s cause. Even before he was on the City Council, Gennaro was involved with drafting the City’s environmental policy, spending more than a decade as a policy analyst for its environmental committee. That committee is the same one he wound up becoming the chair for after he was elected. “It certainly was a sea change, but I was still doing the same thing in that increased capacity.” Gennaro said. “So far, we’re up to 45 bills and before all is said and done, we should

Thank You

Hon. Helen M. Marshall Hon. Leroy Comrie Hon. James Gennaro Hon. Peter Vallone Jr. Thank you for your friendship, leadership, dedication and years of selfless service to Queens and the City of New York.

Assemblyman

WiLLiAM SCArborouGH

129-32A Merrick Blvd. Jamaica, NY 11434 718-723-5412 • Fax: 718-723-5465

Photo by Ira Cohen

Improved New York City’s Health

Councilman James Gennaro receives a plaque from PRESS publisher, Michael Nussbaum, in honor of his 12 years of service. be around 50. I feel very honored and privileged that some of the bills I’ve passed and some of the work that I’ve done has national implications and has received national recognition.”

Many of the bills he authored drew from his experience on environmental policy, a subject he has pursued since arriving at SUNY Stony Brook. Gennaro said that knowing what he Continued on page 13

Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

James Gennaro Continued from page 12 wanted to do from such a young age was “a gift.” That gift has led to a bevy of accomplishments. One of the biggest and most impactful pieces of legislation he authored was the New York City Climate Protection Act, which passed in 2007. The law commits the City to a 30 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. To help move this process along, the act created a voluntary global warming emissions reduction program. It also makes the City file an annual inventory of emissions for the entire City and a yearly report describing initiatives undertaken to meet the law’s goals. Gennaro said New York is ahead of schedule to meet this deadline. “Most greenhouse gas emission laws that you see are like goals, targets. If we get there, it’ll be nice,” he said. “We did our bill with mandates. We don’t meet them, we get sued. That was something significant about the bill, which I insisted be in there.” Some of those additional laws to help the City reach its goal were also authored by Gennaro. Local Law 17 made the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability a permanent

City agency, ensuring that it would remain dedicated to bettering New York’s environment long after its founder, Mayor Bloomberg, ends his term. A big part of this improvement effort is to make the City’s buildings more energy-efficient. According to Gennaro, 79 percent of New York’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings. To make a dent in emission reductions, Gennaro authored Local Law 87, which mandates that buildings over a certain height must conduct energy audits. The audits will show the building owners their energy usage, what they can do to reduce energy and how much they will wind up saving over a number of years. “To make a major renovation, through energy savings, you’re going to get your money back in three or four years. You’d be crazy not to do it,” he said. “The City buildings have to do the retrofits if they pay back in five years or less. We didn’t force the private buildings to do that, but they’re doing it because we force them to do the math and the energy audit.” Gennaro has also been working with the Bloomberg administration to push some of the City’s bigger in-

stitutions to invest in combined heat and power. By using this program, these structures can wind up with entities that create their own electricity and heat, taking them off the grid. This means they will still be running in case of a blackout and it will take pressure off the City’s grid. New York University’s campus and hospital are examples of this program in place. The process of finding and accessing all of these upgrades was difficult, as they were spread out through different websites and agencies. To make it easier and encourage people to look into energy-saving, Gennaro wrote a law that required the City to launch a renewable energy web portal, designed to provide owners a one-stop shopping center to study the feasibility and economic benefits of installing these systems. “There are all kinds of government programs out there and I believe the City has the obligation to serve it up to people,” he said. Gennaro’s accomplishments in the City Council have garnered the respect and appreciation of many of his fellow colleagues, who said his good nature and immense environmental knowledge made him one of Queens’ key players. “Gennaro is a very amiable guy. He helped me and introduced me to a lot of people in the northern part of Queens,” Councilman Leroy Comrie

(D-St. Albans) said. “He’s someone that you can depend on and he was a person of his word.” Although he contributed a vast amount of laws to the City Council, Gennaro’s role was not just that of a legislator. He has also done his best to make life better for the people of his council district. During his term, he made sure to contribute funding to Queens College, where he taught for eight years, Queens Hospital Center, which he said has the best cancerfighting equipment in the City, all of his parks and all of the district’s schools, of which he gave advanced learning technology. As for Gennaro’s future, the Councilman said he would want to do something that continues his environmental work. He said he admired Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s response to Superstorm Sandy and would like to be involved with the New York Storm Recovery Resources Center, which looks past the recovery and is devoted to keeping the State safe from the next storm. “That’s going to be a consortium of New York State academic institutions, looking at how we make the State more resilient going forward,” he said. “It would be my hope, if I’m fortunate enough, to be able to be involved in that initiative.” Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@ queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Salutes its good friends

Leroy Comrie James Gennaro Peter Vallone, Jr. and

Helen Marshall for their years of dedicated service.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013

Peter Vallone Jr.

Remembers His Time In The Council

By TRISHA SAKHUJA It is not common to see a City Councilman riding around town on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, rocking out with his guitar at Astoria Park or speaking his mind via social media. In Astoria, however, that is the norm because Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) is well known for all those traits and much more. He sat down with the PRESS of Southeast Queens at his favorite spot in Astoria, the Igloo Cafe, where he reminisced about his 12 years in office as the Councilman for district 22. “It is so hard to sum up 12 years and what makes public service such a noble cause when done right,” Vallone said. Even though Vallone was a prosecutor for years leading up to him becoming a councilman, he said helping others through public service is more rewarding. He said his father, former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. and his grandfather, the late Judge Charles Vallone, have been his guid-

ing light and inspiration to help others. “It wasn’t something I was sure I wanted to get into; but when I did, I loved it,” Vallone said. “As a public servant, you are helping people, serving the public, trying to make it a better place for you and your kids,” he added. Vallone’s priority in the Council has been public safety, which is no surprise, as he has been Chair of the Council’s Public Safety committee for all three of his terms. “It is something I am most proud of, because crime is down 35 percent,” Vallone said. “People forget what it was like when we started.” Vallone has fought against cuts to the NYPD and has demanded that Albany pass tougher laws against sexual offenders, especially those that threaten children. In order to keep the neighborhood safe, since cuts to the police dept. have been on the rise, Vallone created the Neighborhood Watch program in Astoria, which he said is an absolute necessity in Queens. “The neighborhood has to be the

Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. with his father, former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. eyes and ears when the police can’t be,” Vallone said. Just like the topic of safety resonated very well with Vallone, so does the topic of graffiti. Vallone was coined as “The Man Who Hates Graffiti,” by the New York Times in 2006. He said it took him five years to pass tough laws against vandals that make it illegal to carry or sell graffiti tools to anyone under the age of 21, forcing large businesses to remove graffiti from their premises and the phased-in elimination of solid roll down gates across the City. “It’s a gateway for kids to enter in the life of crime because if you are out with like-minded people at two in the morning,” Vallone said. Graffiti and litter go hand-in-hand for Vallone. Vallone wrote the Plastic Bag Recycling Act, which established plastic bag recycling in the City. “I hated graffiti and litter since I was four,” he said. Through the years, Vallone said he has worked to pass legislation that would double the fines for store owners and residents who use the City’s garbage cans for residential and commercial uses. On the topic of health issues, Vallone has fought several battles to bring awareness to the hidden dangers in our food and water. He sponsored the law that enforces the Dept. of Health to ban harmful trans fats in City restaurants, which passed in 2007. That law has recently received national recognition, as other cities nationwide are following suit. “I am just a kid from Astoria, but I wrote the trans fat bill, which the

whole country is now looking into,” Vallone said. Even though Vallone’s Director of Communications, Michael Pantelidis, said it was hard to pick just one accomplishment of Vallone’s to highlight, he spoke about the Councilman’s push to add a skate park to Astoria Park. Vallone said the skate park, which was constructed in 2010 by the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, and funded in part by Vallone and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, accommodates all levels of skating and now the kids have a safe place to skateboard. “That is an example of something that most elected officials wouldn’t have done because most of the people surrounding the park opposed it,” Vallone said. “But when I go there now, the kids thank me.” As for the future, Vallone said he does not know where he will end up, but he plans on spending a lot of time with his two daughters, who study at Notre Dame University. “I can not imagine staying out of public service for a long period of time and hopefully there will be a way to continue it,” he said. With his term ending in January, Vallone said it was bittersweet to see his staff members take on other great jobs. Pantelidis said Vallone made working in government fun. “He was so involved and took care of his district while passing meaningful legislations,” he said. As for the future of council district 22, Vallone said he is at the full disposable of the newly-elect Councilman. He said Constantinides is a hardworking and nice man. Reach Reporter Trisha Sakhuja at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, tsakhuja@ queenstribune.com, or @Tsakhuja13.

Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013

Melinda Katz, New Borough President A former City Councilwoman and State Assemblywoman has big shoes to fill come Jan. 1. Melinda Katz will take the reigns as Queens Borough President from Helen Marshall next year after winning the seat in November. She won comfortably in November, defeating little-known Republican challenger Tony Arcabascio with just over 80 percent of the vote. Katz has a wealth of experience that she will take with her to Borough Hall. She was in the City Council from 2002 to 2009, representing several neighborhoods in central and western Queens, including Forest Hills, Rego Park and Kew Gardens. Katz also served as chair of the Council’s Land Use Committee, which is considered one of the top positions within the Council. Before that, she worked in the Queens Borough President’s office as Director of Community Boards under Claire Shulman. She was also a member of the State Assembly from 1994 to 1999.

While in the Council, she oversaw many rezoning projects throughout the City, including one in Jamaica. While in the Assembly, she wrote 16 bills that were passed into law and was the chairwoman of the Assembly’s sub-committee on urban health. Her campaign focused on promising to bring more resources and money back to Queens as well as continue to boost the emerging arts and technology scene in western Queens. -Luis Gronda

Rory Lancman Returns To Work While the residents of district 24 may be losing a councilman with 12 years of work under his belt, they have voted in an experienced official to replace him. In January, Rory Lancman will replace Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), for the district that includes Briarwood, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest and Jamaica Estates. Lancman is no stranger to this part of Queens, as he has lived in the 24th Council District for 38 years. He attended Hillcrest High School and Queens College, both of which fit in the district’s borders. He served on Community Board 8 for 16 years and chaired the Queens Hospital Center Community Advisory Board for five years. Elected to the State Assembly in 2006, Lancman focused on keeping the citizens of New York safe, whether the threats came from the workplace, crime or terrorism. He was the author of the Juvenile Justice Worker Protection Act, which requires private juvenile justice programs and facilities to comply with

the State Workplace Violence Prevention Law. He issued reports and held hearings on H1N1 flu in the workplace. In terms of homeland security, Lancman’s legislation included the Freedom to Report Terrorism Act, which shields citizens who report suspicious behavior from lawsuits, and the Public Servant Soldier Salary Act, which makes the City to pay employees called to active military duty the difference in salary between their military pay and city pay while deployed. -Joe Marvilli

Constantinides Will Serve Astoria

In January, Costa Constantinides will replace Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria). As the deputy chief of staff for Councilman James Gennaro (DFresh Meadows), Constantinides is no stranger to constituent services, and how legislation is written and passed. Constantinides has assisted on key legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to protect wetlands and to improve the quality of drinking water. Now the first Greek-American City Councilman, Constantinides said District 22, which encompasses

Astoria, Long Island City, Rikers, Randalls and Wards Islands, “is a very beautiful place to love and a neighborhood that is a reflection of the world.” Even though Constantinides spent many years serving the northern part of Queens with Gennaro, he has lived in Astoria his whole life. He said when it comes to issues pertaining to northern and western Queens, there are some differences, but “everyone wants the same things - making sure there kids have good schools, the neighbors wants quality of life and for every neighborhood to grow with a business district.” One of his top priorities is to expand and improve healthcare for Astoria by adding small community health clinics in the district. Other priorities on Constantinides’ list include adding more police officers and firefighters to the public service taskforce. In talks about the past and future, Constantinides said “the Vallone family served us with distinction.” -Trisha Sakhuja

Daneek Miller To Replace Comrie

Though he admits that he has some big shoes to fill, Daneek Miller, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1056, said he is ready to replace the term-limited Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) next year. “I plan on continuing some of the great work that he [Comrie] has done,” Miller said. “I just want to be able to enhance what he’s done. I am excited and really anxious to begin the actual work. We are already working on transition.” Miller’s road to victory was not always a smooth one. On Primary night, the union head beat out five

Democratic challengers in the hotly contested race. In a March interview with the PRESS, Miller said he hopes to become the missing voice for the working families in the redrawn council district. “We are a community of working people who by and large struggle, like working people across the City,” he said. Miller, who said he never really thought about entering the political landscape, did so at the suggestion of Comrie. Honored by the suggestion, Miller made the decision to run for council last summer. His predecessor has all the faith that Miller will do a great job serving the constituents of Council District 27. “I think the future under Councilman Miller will be spectacular. I have every confidence that he has the abilities to be an effective and aggressive councilmember,” Comrie said. “He has the skill set to be a great councilmember. He’s a great listener, a tireless worker, he likes to engage people and understands this is a 24/7 job.” -Natalia Kozikowska

pix PRESS Hosts Honorees Night Friends and family gathered at Vivaldi Restaurant on Nov. 19 to honor outgoing Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and Councilmen Leroy Comrie, Jim Gennaro and Peter Vallone Jr. Here are some photos from the event, by Ira Cohen.

Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

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Profile

Museum Embraces Culture Through Dolls Naida Njoku developed a passion for dolls when her mother and a dear friend presented her with her first doll – a Dutch-style Ginny. It was then, she said, she began to collect dolls from all the different countries she traveled to as a hobby. Years later, in 1961, when Njoku married a Nigerian man and moved to his native country, she took her entire collection of 26 dolls with her. Much to her despair, six years later in 1967, Nigeria found itself in a civil war and her love for the hobby would be put to the test. “I lost my dolls,” she said. “We had to leave in the middle of the night and I left all these dolls in a little red hatbox in Nsukka, where we were living.” Having lost many of her dolls, a heartbroken Njoku, who was working as a nurse at the time, was hesitant to start a new collection from scratch. “My husband had told the sisters that I lost my dolls and Sister Gabrielle Mary, one of the nuns I was working with, told me to start again,” she said. “At the time, I had to say to her, ‘no Sister, I’m not going to do this.’”

Photo courtesy of www.mariarose.biz

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

husband’s words literally and established the Maria Rose Doll Museum and Cultural Center – the only doll museum of its kind in Queens. The museum, located on Linden Boulevard in St. Albans, has more than 500 dolls acquired by Njoku in her 40 years of world travel on display. Her In Oct. 2007, Naida Njoku opened the Maria Rose Doll motivation to open Museum and Cultural Center – a museum which seeks the museum, she to educate the public about the different cultures of the said, was not only because she loved world. dolls – she also But it was not long before Njoku wants to educate the public, especialrealized how much she missed her ly children, about different cultures. “The purpose of it was to introhobby. When she moved back to Queens a year later, she began to duce people to other people’s tradicollect once more. Soon, Njoku’s tions and culture and make them facollection grew to be so big that her miliar with the way other people do entire dining room was consumed by things,” she said. “I thought by opening the museum and having dolls the dolls. “I had all these dolls in the dining from all seven continents, that would room and my husband was always make the children interested in other jokingly saying, ‘my house is not a people’s way of life.” The other important goal in esmuseum,’” she chuckled. In October 2007, Njoku took her tablishing the museum, Njoku said,

is to bring all the different cultures together. She holds this particularly close to her heart, even giving the museum a motto, “love connects us all.” Upon visiting the museum, guests take an informational tour around the globe complete with maps and a presentation. The dolls, which are divided by continents and themes, represent hundreds of different countries and significant historical moments. A few times a year, Njoku even redecorates the museum’s window to reflect important moments or holidays – such as Christmas, Black History month and Women’s History month. Also on display at the museum is a Hollywood exhibit with plenty of celebrity dolls, like Marilyn Monroe. For more information about the Maria Rose Doll Museum and Cultural Center, visit www.mariarose.biz or call (718) 276-3454. The museum exhibit is open on Wednesdays through Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.

Blotter 107th and 109th Precincts

Robbery Pattern

The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in locating two suspects wanted in connection with robberies within both the 107th and 109th Precincts. The first incident took place on Nov. 23 at 12:25 a.m. The victim, a 22-year-old male, was walking in the vicinity of 58th Road and 138th Street when the suspects approached him, placed him in a choke hold and displayed a firearm before removing the victim’s Samsung Galaxy cell phone and wallet. The victim did not request medical attention as a result of the incident. The second incident took place approximately 20 minutes later. The victims, a 31-year-old male and a 38-year-old female, exited their vehicle in the vicinity of 84th Drive and 148th Street when the suspect approached them, displayed a firearm and removed the victims’ iPhone, purse and wallet before fleeing. The

victims did not request medical attention as a result of this incident. The suspects are described as being males, approximately between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-9, between 18-20 years old with thin builds.

108th Precinct

Burglary Pattern

The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the following suspect wanted for questioning in connection to five burglaries within the confines of the 108th Precinct. In each incident, the suspect throws a rock through windows from the adjoining roof to gain entry to the locations and removes property. The first incident occurred on Oct. 14 between 7:35 and 8 p.m. at 30-30 47th Ave., eighth floor. The second incident took place on Oct. 23 between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., at 47-00 33rd St., second floor. The suspect removed eyeglass frames. The third incident took place on Oct. 26 between 1:30 and 2 p.m. at

29-10 Thomson Ave., sixth floor. The suspect removed watches. The fourth incident took place on Nov. 5 between 7:20 p.m. and 5 a.m. at 47-00 33rd St., second floor. The suspect removed eyeglass frames. The fifth incident took place on Nov. 16 between 3:37 p.m. and 9 a.m. at 30-30 47th Ave., eighth floor. The suspect removed jewelry. The suspect is described as a Black male in his late-40s or early-50s with a bald head and medium build.

and withdrew funds in the amount of $7,490. The suspect is described as a heavyset Hispanic female in her 20s or 30s.

113th Precinct

City Employee Arrested

At 3:09 a.m. on Nov. 23, Corinne Harrigan, 34, an off-duty NYPD traffic enforcement agent, was arrested and charged with third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment.

110th Precinct

Grand Larceny

The NYPD has released a second notice in seeking the public’s assistance identifying and locating the following suspect wanted in connection to a grand larceny that was reported within the confines of the 110th Precinct. At 7:37 p.m. on July 31, inside of 650 Pelham Parkway South, the suspect opened a bank account and deposited a check belonging to a 20-year-old female victim from within the confines of the 110th Precinct

Corinne Harrigan, an off-duty NYPD traffic enforcement agent, was charged with third degree criminal mischief in the 113th Precinct.

Page 20 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013

A&E

Electeds Act Out At Queens College Show Queens elected officials took part in “Legislative Acts,” a fundraiser for Big Buddy and Women and Work, performing at Lefrak Concert Hall at Queens College on Nov. 23. Some of the highlights of the show included Borough President-elect Melinda Katz singing “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning;” former Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. and former Borough President Claire Shulman decked out as Superman and Wonder Woman in a skit called “Save the World;” and Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer serving as host of “Jeopardy!” to contestants Councilman-elect Rory Lancman, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley. Photos by Ira Cohen

Food Crawl Highlights Queens Eateries To celebrate the integration of food and technology, Verizon Wireless organized an event that put local Queens eateries on the map through a food crawl on Nov. 23. The new flagship Verizon Wireless store, located at Steinway Street in Astoria, was the starting point of a five-hour foodie-adventure, as a select group of reporters, bloggers and foodies received smartphones to use throughout the day. Bianca Ogando, directing manager of Verizon Wireless at the Queens/ Bronx retail locations, said their mission is to put their customers’ mobile lifestyles front and center, whether it be fitness, music or food. “Verizon provides mobile solutions to meet your lifestyle,” she said. “With the Verizon Wireless Food Crawl, we wanted to demonstrate how technology is intrinsically involved in the way consumers engage with food,” Ogando added. “As the epicenter of ethnically diverse cuisine, Queens offers a perfect setting to explore the food scene through technology.” We traveled to the chosen restaurants via UberX taxis and along the way to each eatery, our stomachs were nearly full, but we savored the rich flavor while anticipating the new ones. Before eating, we took to our smartphones to capture the delicacies via Twitter, by taking photos and commenting on the various dishes.

To highlight the growing food scene in Queens, the food crawl consisted of four ethnically diverse restaurants, starting with Greek sweets at Artopolis Bakery in Astoria. We started on sweet tooth at the bakery that offers an array of traditional baked goods, from Greek Village bread and honey cookies, to baklava, Koulourakia, Kourambiethes and passion fruit mousse. The baklava, a filo pastry with chopped nuts and honey, was my favorite of them all – not too sweet, so I gobbled up seconds. The next stop on the route was a refuge to those searching for authentic Thai food. In the shadow of a Thai Buddhist Temple in Elmhurst, Ayada

offers traditional family recipes with a pork heavy menu. After indulging in a papaya salad with crab, a crispy Chinese watercress salad, crab rolls and pad see ew with chicken, we opted to walk to Uncle Zhou’s in Elmhurst. Uncle Zhou’s is based on a foundation of hand-made wheat noodles with staples such as pork, ginger, garlic, chili and Sichuan peppercorn. “Uncle Zhou’s spicy crispy rabbit is one of my favorite things to eat in Elmhurst’s Chinatown,” Joe DiStefano, a Queens-based food writer and the founder of Chopsticksandmarrow.com, said. It was my first time trying spicy rabbit, but my favorite dish at Uncle Zhou’s was the eggplant with spicy garlic sauce and lots of nuts. Lastly, we indulged in a blend of Quebeco and American cuisine at a cafeteria-style restaurant, M. Wells Dinette, which is housed within MoMA PS1 in Long Island City. Jonathan Forgash, founder of Starstruck Catering, said M. Wells was an epiphany. “The oatmeal with seared foie gras, dry fruits, nuts and maple syrup was the most original dish I’ve had in a long, long time,” he said. The poussin chicken was so rich and tasteful, but the black forest charlotte dessert was the best way to end the day. -Trisha Sakhuja

MOMI’s Holiday Weekend With a long Thanksgiving weekend upon us, Queens residents may be looking for a fun, relaxing indoor activity to do after stuffing themselves with turkey on Thursday. The Museum of Moving Image has packed the days from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 with films and activities for children and adults alike. The Museum, located at 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, is taking advantage of the long weekend by holding several events between Friday and Sunday. A retrospective on the career of actress Julianne Moore will be the centerpiece. For the kids, there will be a screening looking back at Rowlf the Dog as well as a puppet party workshop on Friday. Moore’s film series will kick off on Friday, Nov. 29 at 3:30 p.m. with “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” directed by Steven Spielberg. Later than evening at 7 p.m., Moore will appear as the avant-garde artist Maude in the Coen Brothers’ cult classic, “The Big Lebowski.” On Saturday, Nov. 30 at 4 p.m., Moore will appear in “Far From Heaven,” a film directed by Todd Haynes that features her as a 1950s housewife who falls in love with her Black gardener. Moore received an Oscar nomination for her performance. At 7 p.m., another one of Moore’s Oscar nominated roles, as seasoned porn star Amber Waves in “Boogie Nights,” will be screened. The series will wrap up on Sunday, Dec. 1, starting with “Safe” at 4 p.m. Moore stars as Carol White, a housewife who becomes allergic to the chemical toxins in her environment. The final film, shown at 7 p.m., will be “The Kids Are Alright,” which features Moore as a lesbian parent whose teenage children seek out their biological father. For the kids, there will be two events about puppets and puppetry for them to enjoy. On Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1, at 1 p.m., there will be a screening of “A Dog’s Life: A Rowlf Retrospective.” As part of the monthly series “Jim Henson’s World,” the film will celebrate the greatest moments of Rowlf the Dog, from commercials to “The Muppet Show.” At 1:15 p.m. all three days, kids will become puppet makers and performers in an hour-long holiday workshop.

Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 21

Faith BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Using her nonprofit, Women Impacting the Next Generation of Sisters, as her platform, Tasha Baston, the assistant pastor at St. Luke Cathedral in Laurelton, has sought to empower and educate women in her community. Founded in 2009, W.I.N.G.S. offers a number of free community events, workshops and revivals intended to guide women of all ages. Together, the diverse group of women that make up the organization speak with a unified voice on issues of health, sisterhood, love, family and relationships to help women live a “Godly lifestyle.” W.I.N.G.S. provides women with valuable resources, ensuring a level of compassion for those who are struggling with financial, health, relationship and family issues. The nonprofit regularly hosts seminars, conferences and outreach programs, with “opportunities for growth in Christ Jesus.”

“I just was thinking about giving back to the community and I wanted to do something for women of all ages – not just the next generation,” Baston said. “I wanted to impact all women of all walks of life, so that they can be empowered to do everything that they put their minds to.” “There is always someone we can help and there is always someone we can lead and guide into the right direction,” she added. “It’s important that all women have hope and it’s rewarding to see that we have fulfilled that, helping someone along the way.” Using her spiritual and religious beliefs as the foundation for the Laurelton-based nonprofit, Baston said she felt it was important to give back to the women of her community, following the examples set forth in the Bible. “Just as Jesus went into the community to help – that’s what pushed me and all the women that work with me to go back and encourage women to let them know they can

accomplish anything they set out to do,” she said. “We have faith in our religion and the way that we walk as a Christian and we share that in this particular organization.” Although W.I.N.G.S. uses faith as its driving force, Baston said that the nonprofit is open to women of “all walks of life” – no matter their age and religious background. And since the organization was founded, more than 100 women have walked through their doors seeking services. Baston said that she hopes that the many women who have attended the nonprofit’s workshops and events can walk away feeling a sense of unity. “When they come in, I believe that they see there is a sisterhood and that we believe in the betterment of people – not just in our community but in the world,” she said. For more information about how you can donate, join or participate in W.I.N.G.S.’ community programs, visit www.wesoar.org or call toll free at (888) 941-3384.

Photo provided by Tasha Baston

Pastor Seeks To Empower, Educate Women

In 2009, Tasha Baston, the assistant pastor at St. Luke Cathedral in Laurelton, founded W.I.N.G.S. – a nonprofit which seeks to empower and educate women in the community. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.

Notebook

Queens College

Smoking Ads High Around Queens College BY JOE MARVILLI A new study has found tobacco marketing in several stores around Queens College, which the report says is meant to increase youth smoking. The New York Public Interest Research Group released a report earlier this month on tobacco marketing throughout Flushing, along with Flatbush, Brooklyn and Tremont, The Bronx. The report, called “Overexposed,” goes over the amount of advertisements for tobacco products, finding that more than 50 ads are displayed at stores near Queens College and its high school, Townsend Harris. NYPIRG worked with the NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City on a pilot membership project that was launched at Bronx Community College, Brooklyn College and Queens College. The program had high school and college students who were interested in public health complete a local mapping survey, which mapped out tobacco advertisements and displays they found within a

three to six block radius around the school. In Flushing, volunteers covered an area around Queens College’s campus that included the Horace Harding Expressway, Reeves Avenue, Melbourne Avenue and Jewel Avenue all from Kissena Boulevard to Main Street, as well as Main Street and Kissena Boulevard between the Horace Harding Expressway and Jewel Avenue. Between April and June 2013, NYPIRG staff and volunteer students surveyed 45 stores, nine of which are in Flushing. For a store to be surveyed, it had to have at least one example of tobacco marketing. Traditional cigarettes, hookah, cigars, cigarillos and electronic cigarette ads were all included. In surveying the area, they discovered that 14 smoking ads were present on the exterior of store buildings. Forty-three ads were found in the interiors of the stores observed in Flushing. Adding in Flatbush and Tremont, the numbers increased to 136 exterior ads and 209 interior ads.

Flushing had the most even split between the type of stores with tobacco marketing. Four corner stores/ bodegas, three gas stations and two pharmacies were surveyed. While there was a large amount of advertising, there was only one health warning about smoking observed at a store in the Flushing survey. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that the amount of exposure to tobacco advertisements and products during the teenage years has an effect on the number of addicted smokers as adults. To combat this finding, Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently moved forward to ban the display of cigarettes and tobacco products in stores. Retailers would have been forced to hide the products in cabinets, drawers or behind a curtain. The idea was retracted towards the end of August after negotiations with the City Council. Instead, legislation was passed that raised the smoking age to 21. Out of the almost 10,000 licensed

tobacco retailers in the City, 75 percent are within 1,000 feet of a school. According to the report, the tobacco industry spends $213.5 million each year on marketing in New York for its products. Legal restrictions mean that these ads cannot be seen on billboards or on TV, making their display in bodegas, pharmacies and other stores their main form of advertising. “It is no accident retailers close to schools are filled with tobacco ads, and it’s no surprise why nearly 90 percent of adult smokers start before the age of 18,” Yvette Buckner, Borough Manager of Queens SmokeFree Partnership, said. “We cannot sit idly by while Big Tobacco attracts new replacement smokers, costing both lives and millions of dollars in healthcare costs in New York.” Buckner added that the best way to combat this marketing is with education. Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@ queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2013

Musicians OF QuEEns

Matt Sucich

CONFIDENTIAL

Got Talent?

Talented individuals of all kinds should email editor@ queenstribune.com.

While Matt Sucich has been writing songs and performing on-and-off for a long time, he somewhat recently had a realization that music was a career he wanted to dedicate himself fully to. “A few years ago, I had that ‘you-know-it-when-you-find-it’ moment where certain things suddenly made sense and I just got busy,” he said. The music of this singer/ songwriter from Astoria is soothing, emotional folk rock, with his voice and acoustic guitar creating strong melodies with a delicate touch. Those two factors may be the first sounds that catch your attention, but his music includes touches of electric guitar and percussion. Sucich has found that living in Astoria allows him to use his apartment as a recording studio and gives him a chance to connect to a lot of great experiences found in no other city. “I haven't had to travel very far to experience what some people leave everything behind for and that certainly has

affected how I look at certain things,” he said. That home studio gave him a place to put together his second full length album, “Layers,” which was released last year. In the time between this release and his first album, “Jubilation & Jealousy,” Sucich immersed himself in the City’s music scene, making friends that would wind up playing on “Layers.” Although he puts the work in when he is at the studio, Sucich said he definitely prefers playing live, due to the different inflections he puts on each song. He also greatly enjoys getting a positive reaction from an attentive audience. “When it's just me and a guitar, the song has potential to go someplace new every time,” he said. “So far, most of my studio experience comes from being my own producer in my own environment, which is fun and detrimental at the same time. I'm happy to have done all that, but I'm looking to bigger and different things in the future” One of those bigger things

that he has already experienced was performing at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, TN. Considered to be one of America’s “Big Four” music festivals, the show was a unique and unforgettable high of his career so far. “It's staggering how much good music is there for a weekend and to be counted among them was an honor,” Sucich said. Sucich just wrapped up a West Coast tour and is set to play a few concerts in New York in the next couple of weeks. He will play an acoustic set at Pete’s Candy Store with Rocket & The Ghost on Nov. 30 and will perform at Rockwood Music Hall on Dec. 7. He also just started a performance series called “Novelty Organ Sessions,” which features live arrangements of his songs, both new and old. For more information on that series, his shows and more, visit Sucich’s website at www.esmatteo.com.

Jay Z Laying Low From Barneys

Jay Z did not decide to part ways with Barneys after two Black people were racially profiled for shoplifting, but he did decide to cancel the kick-off party to celebrate the collaboration between the hip-hop star-turned-mogul and the high-end retailer. Both shoppers - including one from Corona - claim they were racially profiled by the NYPD and Barneys' employees

after buying pricy items for the store. The party was to take place on Nov. 20 at the Madison Avenue flagship store in the City, but Barneys issued a statement that said the event has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. No one is sure if the party was canceled due to the hefty legal mix up or if Jay Z just isn’t in the mood to party.

Regardless, it seems many are still fired up about Jay Z’s clothing line venture with Barneys, so maybe this is just another way to lay-low. Being that Jay Z is from Brooklyn and he continuously reps New York City, this isn’t a good look for him. While Jay Z may not be popping molly, but rocking Tom Ford, we hope he can also stand true with his Black fans.

Holidays Kick Off With MTA

With the holiday season inching closer, you will once again be able to ride trains and buses that were used prominently a long time ago. The MTA will launch a special series of holiday trains and buses on the first four Sundays in December. The first of the nostalgic trains will run on Dec.

1 and will operate on the three Sundays following that date. The M train will be one of the trains running the classic MTA lines during this period. The M runs between Long Island City and lower Manhattan. It will run between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during that month. The buses will run from Dec. 2 to the 20,

between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The nostalgia cars are trains that were used between the 1930s and 1970s for the lettered subway lines. The transit agency stopped running these type of train cars more than 35 years ago. The cars were considered state-of-the-art back then, with its ceiling fans and padded seating. It is interesting that the MTA chooses to run the trains on what is typically the slowest train schedule day of the week. While we imagine it will give riders a sense of what the subway was like back then, we hope these 80-year-old trains won’t cause any headaches for commuters as many will surely be traveling to get their holiday shopping finished.

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic and U.S. Rep. Grace Meng attended the opening of A to Z Liquor in Fresh Meadows. Photo by Joe Marvilli

Right Back To Work Not even an attack can keep this elected official down for long. Just days after she was assaulted and robbed in Washington D.C., U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) was back on the job. On Tuesday, Meng was hit over the head and robbed of her handbag while she was out for a walk, with the incident resulting in a CAT scan. But on Thursday night, she was attending the grand opening of a liquor store

in Fresh Meadows, along with Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. After the obligatory photo op, our intrepid QConf reporter went up to Meng, wished her well and asked her how she was doing after the harrowing experience. "I don't even remember it, really," she said. "So, I'm not even traumatized by it." Meng then went on her way to another event. Sometimes, you just can't keep a good elected official down.

QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari Contributors: Luis Gronda, Natalia Kozikowska, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Michael Nussbaum, Trisha Sakhuja, Michael Schenkler.

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