Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 12 Issue No. 50 Dec. 16-22, 2011

PAGE 18

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

AIR PAINS

Alleged inappropriate searches at JFK airport gives pause to some passengers while some officials call for changes to TSA procedures.

By Jason Banrey ‌ Page 3

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 16-22, 2011

Presstime

Search Snafus Rouse TSA Concerns

BY JASON BANREY

State Sen. Michael Gianaris (DAstoria) is calling on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to designate a passenger advocate at every airport after three women alleged they were inappropriately searched at JFK Airport.

According to reports, on Nov. 29 Lenore Zimmerman, 85, was taken into a private room to remove her back brace for screening after she decided against going through a scanning machine because of her heart defibrillator. While with a female TSA agent, Zimmerman was

asked to lift her blouse and remove her undergarments.

On the same day, after arriving for her flight, Ruth Sherman, 88, was asked about the visible protrusion on her waist band.

Sherman revealed her colostomy bag and was escorted to a room where two female agents made her lower her pants for an inspection.

A third woman also stepped forward after reports of the first two women’s experiences surfaced. Linda Kallish was escorted to a separate room after telling TSA agents she was a diabetic and had an insulin pump in her leg. While there, she was told to remove her pants so

agents could check the pump after not being allowed to collect her belongings at the end of the conveyor belt.

“I appreciate the TSA’s work to keep air passengers safe, but passengers should not be humiliated and degraded during their travels,” Gianaris said. “We must use common sense as we prepare safety. There is no good reason why an individual should be violated in such an outrageous manner.”

The passenger advocate would be stationed at every airport and would be available to passengers to hear concerns if they feel they have been treated inappropriately by TSA screening agents.

Gianaris has also joined with U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and is requesting the TSA conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation of three separate incidents after the women

claimed they were violated by the invasive searches.

In a letter to Dept. of Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano and TSA Adminstrator John Pistole, Schumer and Gianaris stressed the necessity of rigorous passenger screening at airports across the country to provide the greatest level of security possible.

“While the safety and security of our flights is a paramount concern for us, the TSA, and for the American people, an appropriate circumstantial balance is necessary so that flying does not become a fearinducing, degrading, and potentially humiliating experience for many of our most vulnerable Americans,” the letter reads.

Reach Reporter Jason Banrey at jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

York Students Address Gang Problem

BY VERONICA LEWIN

State Sen. Michael Gianaris discusses TSA concerns with other elected officials.

Suspect Still On The Loose In SEQ

Dec. 16-22, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

leaving the issue unresolved for the community. This time around, the crimes An attempted rape in Jamaica last caused the community to band together, week may be tied to the string of sexual with many businesses and homeowners assaults that panicked Southeast Queens posting photos of the suspects to increase awareness. Elected officials held several earlier this fall, the police believe.

On Dec. 7 at 2 a.m., a man was cap- meetings about the growing problem and tured on surveillance taking a woman be- began offering free self-defense classes for residents. hind a residence near 154th The police arrested a 15Street, where he then atyear-old Springfield Gardens tempted to rape her. Police beresident in October in conlieve the suspect is also renection with two sexual assponsible for two rapes that saults that took place in took place on Oct. 13 and Nov. Laurelton that month.

15 in the 103rd Precinct. The Thanks to community help, suspect in the most recent atthe police were able to track tempted rape is described as down the last perpetrator a black male, age 25 to 30, 5 within a week his last attack. foot 5 inches tall, and weighOne victim said her attacker ing 220 pounds. He was last was wearing a distinctive seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a white and The NYPD is looking for jacket with a tiger on the this suspect after an at- back. A store in the area was blue striped scarf.

Six sexual assaults taking tempted rape on Dec. 7. able to capture a male on surveillance wearing the same place in Southeast Queens from Sept. 22 to Nov. 15 had residents in jacket. The police formally charged the a panic. In many of the attacks, victims teen after a witness called and reported were followed from bus stops or train sta- his location. The police are hopeful the tions before being approached. Three community will step up once again.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at years ago, there was a similar pattern of sexual assaults in Southeast Queens. No vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, one was ever arrested for those crimes, Ext. 123.

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Despite a decrease in overall New York City crime in the past 20 years, organized crime remains a staple in city culture.

New York City Police Dept. Community Affairs Officer Keith O’Donnell gave a presentation at York College on the state of gang violence in the City. The presentation was part of the college’s Black Male Initiative program, which hosts a monthly Barbershop Session on a variety of issues. The program is designed to inform the campus on issues that affect the student body.

According to O’Donnell, the NYPD Community Affairs Officer Keith O’Donnell three main gangs in the city are the gives a presentation on the history of gangs at York Bloods, Crips and Latin Kings, College Monday evening. which all started in Rikers Island.

The first documented gang in the city was “jumped-in,” or beaten by gang members reported 300 years ago in 1711. “When to test endurance. Females are often reJesus Christ was walking this earth, we quired to perform sex acts during the inihad gangs walking this earth,” O’Donnell tiation period. Potential gang members said. “So if Jesus Christ can’t solve a gang may also be asked to commit crimes beproblem, the New York City Police Dept. fore becoming an official member. can’t solve a gang problem. They’re goThe City Dept. of Education has tried ing to be here a long time.” to decrease the visibility of gangs at schools O’Donnell said gangs thrive during by banning do-rags and bandannas at pubeconomic downturns. Despite the current lic schools. O’Donnell said there was an economic recession, the NYPD says incident at Jamaica High School where one crime has decreased 80 percent during student wore a rival gang’s bandanna on the last two decades. Still, gangs are his sneaker, the ultimate sign of disrespect. present in New York. According to po- O’Donnell said the student was attacked lice statistics, there are 17,000 confirmed and spent two weeks in a coma. gang members in the five boroughs and The main warning sign that a teen may more than 500 gangs in New York. Ac- be involved with gang activity is a change cording to the NYPD, Bloods frequent the in behavior. Other signs include a sudden 5 train, while Crips use the 6 train. change in friends or new apparel and acO’Donnell recommended straphangers be cessories the teen would not be able to aware of their surroundings when riding afford by himself. O’Donnell stressed the public transportation. importance of parents being aware of In this digital age, the NYPD says what is going on in their child’s life in gangs are using social media to recruit. order to quickly detect any signs of gang Before being accepted into a gang, one activity. must undergo an initiation period to prove Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at loyalty. According to NYPD, the most vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, common way to be accepted is by being Ext. 123.

Safe Space Opens New Media Center

Photo: Dominick Totino Photography

vices and youth development services. In July, Safe Space moved its headquarters from Manhattan to 8974 162nd St. in Jamaica.

The organization also has renovated centers in Far Rockaway and Richmond Hill, making a Safe Space close to nearly all in Southeast Queens.

Safe Space tries to bring as many opportunities to the youth and families in the area as possible. More than 46 percent of the Safe Space staff is bilingual to provide non-English speakers with assistance. According to the American Com- Christine Molnar, president and CEO of Safe Space, celmunity Survey, as of 2006, ebrates the new media center on Dec. 8. nearly 25 percent of adults in Jamaica lacked a high school being open, 800 kids from the commudiploma. One in 10 adults had less than nity came to use the services. The organian 8th grade education. The organiza- zation hopes to serve 1,200 youth this tion currently operates five school-based year. partnership programs in Jamaica and The Space is open to youth ages 13 to Far Rockaway.

21. The Space is open Monday through The organization’s headquarters is Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m., Friday from 2 home to The Space, an after-school hang- to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 6 out destination for teens. The brightly- p.m. For more information, call (718) 526painted walls and comfortable couches 2400. make the area an inviting place for youth.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at The Space also has a television and a quiet vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, study area. In The Space’s first year of Ext. 123.

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software and how to record and edit audio and video projects.

Borough President Helen Marshall, the Youth in Queens are being given the chance to learn how to produce their own keynote speaker at last Thursday’s event, music, a dream some never thought would donated $520,000 in funding to Safe Space for various projects, including the come to fruition.

Safe Space hosted a grand opening cel- new media center. “I am proud to support ebration Dec. 8 in honor of the new Multi- this kind of innovative initiative because Media Arts Center in Jamaica. The new it provides the safe, positive and producMulti-Media Arts Center boasts eight new tive activities that our young people in iMac computers, keyboards and record- Jamaica really need and deserve to reach ing software. Safe Space participants must their full potential,” Marshall said in a earn the right to use the media center be- statement.

Christine Molnar, president and CEO fore entering the eight-week course. Young people learn how to use graphic design of Safe Space, said the new technology at the center gives Southeast Queens youth the opportunity to enjoy themselves through learning. “The Multi-Media Arts Center is an opportunity for our kids to be creative and explore something that is a passion for them,” Molnar said.

Safe Space was founded in 1919 as the Queensboro Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. In the last 92 years, the orgaBorough President Helen Marshall takes a crash course at the nization has expanded to provide family supnew Multi-Media Arts Center in Jamaica. port, mental health serBY VERONICA LEWIN

Clash Over Cultural Center Continues

BY ROSS BARKAN

statement read. “Avella has falsely accused the ICCC of bypassing State proDuring his years of public service, State cesses, which did not exist, to acquire the Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) has been Creedmoor land.” indignant about many things, but he said The statement also asserted that nothing quite compares to how the In- Avella created a law to punish the ICCC dian Cultural and Community Center has rather than “admit his own ignorance.” distorted the truth.

In 2008, the ICCC purchased two parIn the ongoing clash over the construc- cels of land, a total of approximately 4.5 tion of two nine-story senior residence acres, at Creedmoor. According to sevtowers on the campus of the former eral reports, the ICCC purchased the land Creedmoor Psychiatric Facility, the ICCC well below market value, paying $1.8 milreleased a statement on Dec. 5 that criti- lion for land valued at $7.3 million. The cized Avella, and Avella fired back.

State Inspector General has launched an “Recently elected New York State investigation into that land deal orchesSenator Tony Avella has been actively try- trated by former State Sen. Frank ing to thwart the work of the ICCC and Padavan. The Attorney General, Eric T. has used the Inspector General, to harass Schneiderman, is also investigating the seniors and waste taxpayer money,” the ICCC deal.

Community Board 13 and neighboring civic associations have overwhelmingly opposed the ICCC’s plan to build a senior center featuring two nine-story towers, claiming that the towers are out of character with the surrounding area and may not even end up being senior housing. Avella falls into the category of those who do not believe the towers will house The Creedmoor Campus has been a site of conflict in seniors; he said he sees the recent weeks. Many community members and State Sen. project as a purely commercial venture.

Tony Avella oppose a new Indian cultural center.

“The senior project is to-

tal fraud,” he said. “The ICCC invested in the project with the intention of building apartments. That’s not senior housing, that’s private development.”

Avella said members of the ICCC who met with him failed to disclose that the project would include two nine-story towers. He also said most senior housing is not high-rise, and that a lottery system is typically in place to select future residents—Avella said that ICCC has not implemented a lottery system.

He has also maintained virtually all of his constituents oppose the project. In the ICCC’s statement, they claim that constituents critical of Avella’s comments came to his office to express their displeasure with his opposition to the senior center. Several days later, they say agents from the Inspector General’s office arrived to interrogate them. Avella said the ICCC was distorting the truth and that no one is against senior housing or community centers, but are against such projects that are not of “low density.”

The ICCC called on supporters to oppose Inspector General Ellen N. Biben because they said they believe the Inspector General’s office, which investigates corruption and misconduct in State government, does not have the authority to investigate private nonprofit entities. The investigation is focusing on the land deal involving current and former elected officials. In their statement, they accuse the Inspector

State Sen. Tony Avella General and Attorney General of harassment and wasting taxpayers’ money.

Avella is not backing down, either.

“I’d like them to publicly state why they lie to me,” he said. “I think a lot of unethical things went on. Are they criminal? It’s up to the investigations to decide.”

Reach Reporter Ross Barkan at rbarkan@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 127.

Dec. 16-22, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Letters

Editorial 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 Managing Editor:

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel

Stamp Of Approval?

The reprieve given to the U.S. Postal Service processing and distribution facility in College Point is a positive step, but instead of looking for ways to fund the post office, it is time for our elected officials to change a system that can no longer be fixed by throwing money at it.

In the digital age in which we live, the post office faces a number of challenges. Every year, fewer people use the post office, which has led to the latest financial crisis. Closing the College Point facility, however, would most likely cause more delays to mail delivery, which pushes people even further away from the Postal Service. And the cycle continues.

Closing branches and distribution centers seems like the easy fix in this situation, but it does not address the overall problem that the post office faces. If they continue to close facilities and lay off workers, the post office will continue to suffer. Take away from delivery services and more people will look elsewhere. What then, close another facility?

It is time for the U.S. Postal Service to adapt to the new digital age.

If our representatives in government cannot find a way to make the necessary changes, the post office stands to become only a shell of what it once was.

This week’s announcement has bought them time to find another way. We can only hope they use it wisely.

Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Harley Benson Veronica Lewin Domenick Rafter Jason Banrey Ross Barkan Art Dept:

Sara Gold Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend Advertising Director James Mammarella Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Martin Moor Shari Strongin

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2011 Tribco, LLC

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 16-22, 2011

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

Letters Liu For Mayor To The Editor: What’s the matter with Liu? Not a thing! We have in John Liu an outstanding people’s representative who has not shied away from criticizing the Bloomberg administration when necessary. That’s what’s the matter with John Liu. I would challenge any auditor or FBI informant for that matter, to delve into the financial backers of those running for office and find a clean “dot every I” financial report(s).

The wrong-headed decision by his fundraiser Mr. Pan has been denied by Mr. Liu. As he expressed earlier: “If it is true, then the conduct was clearly wrong

and my campaign was not told the truth”. Also reported in the New York Times, Liu said, “We cannot accept these contributions, nor do we need them”.

What is uncommon is the razor point attack on Liu. It is obvious to me and should be to anyone else who has followed Liu’s exemplary career and work as a representative of ordinary working families or his bold attempt to level the playing field for racial equality, we begin to see why the attack on his reputation.

When Mayor Bloomberg made his deal with Speaker Christine Quinn and others on the City Council to overturn term limits so he could run for a third term, he then proceeded to spend a hun-

dred and ten million dollars of his own money on the campaign defeating William Thompson Jr. 51 percent to 46 percent — a difference of less than 51,000 votes and outspending Thompson 10fold plus!

Perhaps we should be looking at the larger picture: election finance reform. Let the candidates rise or fall on the merits of their accomplishments serving the people not on the depth of their pockets.

As someone who appreciates the work John Liu has done on the City Council and now as Comptroller: helping to expose outright extortion through city contracts (the infamous City Time scandal) with private firms contracted by this administration, he has saved and will continue to save millions of our tax dollars.

As a true progressive, Liu has the backing of many city unions and a cross section of this great city, and would make a superior mayor. May I suggest that this is a major reason for the attack on the people’s representative.

Gabriel Falsetta, Glendale

Upside Down To The Editor: The world as I know it is over.

To wit, on some streets, it is forbidden to smoke but permissible to burn a flag; you may post and view porn on the Internet but you can’t pray in school; if we lie to Congress it’s a felony and if Congress lies to us, it’s just politics because members of Congress are exempt from the laws and regulations that apply to ordinary citizens.

The fact that the top 50 per-

cent of wage earners pay 97 percent of all income taxes, almost 50 percent of the population pays no taxes, many millions receive housing and rent subsidies, almost 46 million receive food stamps, 26 million receive EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), which means that half the population has no “skin in the game.”

Calls for higher taxes and more entitlements in the name of “fairness” lead me to ask how much of my private wealth is community property? The number of people dependent on the government’s largess is growing and there is little doubt for what and for whom they will vote. Elections have become public auctions of private property.

I have concluded that politicians have no loyalty to their constituents nor do they see themselves as representatives. They act as masters who are beholden to their biggest contributors and are generous benefactors to those who vote to keep them in power.

I have abandoned any conception that politicians and political parties hold the answer to my future.

It is disheartening to see so many people clamoring for an omnipotent oppressive government with more regulations, higher taxes, spending and borrowing in spite of all that has happened. The results of these policies are a matter of record. If they persist in their delusion that doing more of the same will produce different results, there is little doubt that President Obama will be re-elected in 2012.

Ed Konecnik, Flushing

Another Officer Murdered With Illegal Weapon A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

It never ceases to shock and to hurt our city each time a police officer is shot, whether in the line of duty, off-duty trying to stop a crime or just working an extra job to provide for his or her family.

And at no time does it hurt more than when it happens around the holiday season.

Earlier this week veteran police officer Peter Figoski was shot in the face, of all places, while trying to keep our city safer for us.

The suspect, one Lamont Pride, has been taken into custody where he will eventually have his day in court. According to Commissioner Raymond Kelly, Officer Figoski and a partner were responding to an attempted break in at a Brooklyn basement apartment.

Pride, and a supposed partner in crime, are alleged to have been

trying to steal a drug dealer’s stash when Officer Figoski surprised them and Pride allegedly shot, hitting him in the face.

To call this a tragedy is almost to understate the loss to our city and to a family. This officer had spent the last 22 years of his life protecting the lives of our citizens and as he lived, so he died – protecting New Yorkers.

Officer Figoski’s partner, Officer Glenn Estrada, reportedly gave chase and caught the alleged shooter while his partner got away. There is a reason that no matter how mad we may get at individual cops who misbehave, we cannot help but honor those who do the right thing by our city.

Officers Figoski and Estrada were on duty guarding our city when the unthinkable happened.

And once again, the damage was done with an illegal firearm. Any thug in our city and across the

country can get a gun. Pride, they say, was wanted in the south for shooting someone else. Fortunately for that person, it wasn’t fatal.

Mayor Bloomberg has spent a great part of the last decade fighting against the scourge of illegal guns in our city. But there seems to be no way to stem the tide.

Everyday civilians are gunned down by these wretches with illegal firearms.

Sadly, Officer Figoski’s death comes at a time when many in my particular area are remembering the shooting death of Officer Charlie Davis, who was also gunned down during the holiday season.

Charlie, as I knew him from the neighborhood and church, was killed on Christmas Eve 1996, along with his boss at a Queens check-cashing place, where he was moonlighting. In the eyes of the creator, a cop’s

life is no more and no less valuable than any other human life.

But when those charged with protecting the rest of us lose their life, it really does hurt more than their own family and friends. It hurts the city.

Like Officer Davis, Officer Figoski was a devoted dad.

Figoski had four daughters and postponed his career in the NYPD to earn extra money for their college education. Sadly, he will never see any of them graduate from college. There will be no walking them down the wedding aisle; and he will never hold grandchildren. He will also never save another life in our city and that harms everyone. And all this has been robbed because an illegal gun ended up in the hands of someone with nothing to lose.

May Officer Figoski rest in peace and his killer be taken off our streets for the good of all decent people in our city.

Cuomo The Conqueror; Where Will He Take Us?

By HENRY STERN The agreement reached last week by Governor Cuomo and the legislative leaders of both houses on taxation is an achievement of sorts, in that it shows that somewhere, in some circumstances, and in some fashion, state government is capable of making decisions.

This puts Albany far ahead of Wash ington, where par t isan gridlock has so far prevented action on numerous issues, particularly the Federal government’s lack of financial responsibilit y, which has led to mounting deficits. The United States would be bankrupt today if it did not have the authority to print money.

Last week’s ta x package is essentially a victory for the supporters of more spending by state government, rather than sharp reductions in the budget.

It is better for the public-employee unions than tighter control of expenditure s would be, which would result in reductions in personnel, by far the large st expense item.

Political control in Albany is theoret ical ly divided bet ween a Republican Senate and a Democratic Assembly. However, the age and frailt y of some Republican senators and the shrinking population of their districts (particularly with prisoners no longer being counted as upstate residents), has made the GOP’s slender margin of control more tenuous than it has been and so less likely to survive objective redistricting in 2012.

The Republican Par ty’s half share of the Legislature has endured with the aid of a major gerrymander of Senate district boundaries.

The new lines, constitutionally required to be drawn, will be subject to statewide scrutiny by the courts; the U.S. Department of Justice will review the lines in three downstate counties to protect the interests of racial minorities.

The Senate remains Republican because of the incompetence and the criminality of some of the Democrats who turned the Senate into a shamble s t wo years ago when they took control after 46 years in the minority. The names of Senators Pedro Espada, Hiram Monserrate and Carl Kruger epitomize the interregnum. Nonpartisan observers of state government welcome hegemony divided bet ween the parties as mitigating the outrages that each side would inflict on the other if the cour ts rela x their vigilance.

Democratic senators may be influenced in the intensity of their desires, but only marginally, by the governor, for whom the Republican Senate is a boon that the code of political hypocrisy forbids him to publicly appreciate. Governor Cuomo appears to be more comfortable with moderate Republicans than with some radical Democrats, who may be prodded by their ambitions or their followers to inhabit the left bank of the sea of political correctness.

Since extremists are re-elected by enormous margins in one-party districts, it would be no political

gain for them to moderate their views or their rhetoric. There may even be a competitive advantage to be gained from extreme expressions of opinion and denigration of one’s opponents; a style which often leads to greater press coverage.

Henry Cit y Counci lman Charles Barron of Brooklyn, husba nd of Assembly woma n Inez Barron, has used this tactic to advantage, although his race for Borough President in 2007 was unsuccessful. Barron is expected to run next year for the seat of longterm Congre ssma n Edolphus Tow ns, fat her of Assemblyman Darryl Towns.

To digress for a moment to the ar t s, the mach inat ions of Brooklyn Democrats and their constant struggle s, the couplet from ‘The Threepenny Opera’ comes to mind.

“For e ven honest men may act like sinners Unless they have their customary dinners.”

To us, that means that legislators may vote against their own principles or their constituents’ interests in order to protect themselves and their posit ions from popular indignation which might jeopardize their privileged life styles.

DEEP THOUGHT ABOUT THE NEW TAX RATES The Times had two fascinating and informative articles about

Gingrich: Liberals’ Nightmare pened. Mr. Gingrich’s skill in facing criticisms head on – sometimes fiercely rebutting them, sometimes apologizing for past errors in judgment - has only swelled his support. And his strong debate appearance in Iowa on Saturday, in which he faced a barrage of at tacks, showed his resiliency.”

Gingrich is now leading the Republican pack in the polls. Romney has not been able to capture more than 25 percent of the Republican Party support. Apparently the conservative base of the Party simply does not trust him.

Democrats who are supporters of President Obama and are hoping that he will face Newt Gingrich as the Republican candidate are mistaken in their belief that he will be easy to beat. Gingrich is appealing to the anger in this country toward all politicians, particularly those in Congress. T he country is looki ng for a leader, unafraid to tell the truth, and many think that Newt Gingrich is that person.

Ed Koch was a member of Congress 1969-1977 and Mayor of N.Y.C. 1977-1989.

forget the national debt, which grows as we speak. Whichever party we elect will face serious difficulties in administering public services in economically difficult times.

There is a case that New York is not ready for participatory democracy, or civilized enough to hear from all sides before acting. Nor is there much reason to believe the results would be different if the legislators had a month, or even a year, to read the bills before them.

Nonetheless, we believe it is a little early in the session to give up on due process, even if the result is the t yranny of nominal Democracy, carefully overseen by the oligarch, as has been the rule for generations.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

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Dec. 16-22, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

By Ed Koch Gingrich is perceived by all as I have watched t he smar te st of t he about a half-dozen eight Republican candievents involving the date s v yi ng for t he Republican presidential presidency. He is also candidates, including the whipping boy of all their appearance this the commentators on week before both the the left, and his philoRepublican National sophical positions and Jewish Coalition and character are at tacked the Iowa debate modwith a glee and a fierceEd Koch erated by George ne ss rarely seen. But Stephanopoulos and Diane Saw- my belief is that Gingrich is not yer. suffering from the attacks. Rather In the beginning of the early than injuring him, he seems to be debates, I was not very impressed gaining new supporters and widwith any of the candidates’ grasp ening his lead. A recent Gallup of the issues being discussed. Ei- poll shows Gingrich leading Romther my standards have lowered ney 37-22 amongst Republican over the passing months, I was not registered voters. really listening, or they have inIn h is Dec. 12 New York creased their comprehension of the Times article following the Iowa issues. I believe it is the latter. debate, columnist Trip Gabriel I intend to vote for the reelec- wrote: tion of President Barack Obama.

“And boy, are there a lot of In the past I have said the only potentially problematic chapters, in credible Republican candidate run- both the public and private ning for president was Mitt Rom- spheres, that Mr. Gingrich’s Repubney. I now believe that Newt lican rivals assumed would evenGingrich is very credible and the tually sour voters on him and halt Republican ticket will end up as his momentum.

Gingrich/Romney.

“But so far, that has not hap-

the legislature’s prompt ratification of the agreement reached by the leaders, which began minute s after the lengt hy bills were printed. The rules require three days before bills can be approved, to provide some opportunity for the pubStern lic and other outsiders to read them before they become law.

But rules are made to be broken, and Albany provides ample opportunities to do just that.

Last year, we read about legislative anarchy; this year the complaint is about tyranny. Government buffs were so disgusted by 2010 that they welcomed the strong leadership of Governor Cuomo. His two immediate predecessors were not shining stars, to say the least, and public feeling remains widespread that a more disciplined, purposeful legislature would accomplish more for the state.

The problem is that the accomplishment may primarily be staving off disaster, or at least postponing what may be inevitable shrinkage. But that is a better outcome than failing to stave off disaster, and in a time of crisis, there should be appreciation for minor blessings.

In the campaign between Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush in 1992, the phrase “It’s the economy, stupid” became a mantra. Twent y year s later, the economy is in worse shape and the slogan has new relevance. When used, it is typically an anti-incumbent line. It can work even though the out-party may have no idea of how to improve the economy and may in fact oppose any rational effort to do so.

If such is the case, it will take another four (or eight) years for the public to find that out and have the opportunity to elect new leadership.

In closing, we ask you not to

Despite Reprieve, Officials Fret Over Possible Closure Of Boro Mail Facility

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

the northern part of the borough, trucks would have to take the already jammed Van Wyck Expressway and pass the Kew Gardens Interchange, which is undergoing a long reconstruction that scheduled to take most of the next decade to complete.

“Anyone who uses the Van Wyck Expressway knows on a good day, it’s a good hour and a half drive,” Halloran said.

The facility in College Point sits directly on the Whitestone Expressway and is less than a mile from the Whitestone Bridge. It also allows direct access to interstate highways, including the LIE, BQE and Van Wyck Expressway without having to use any local roads to make deliveries to post offices in other parts of Queens and in Nassau County sections State Sen. Toby Stavisky and Assemblywoman Grace Meng join other elected officials from around the borough served by the facility. on Dec. 9 to protest the proposed closure of the U.S. Postal Service’s Processing and Distribution facility in College Point.

The Counterattack

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 16-22, 2011

State Sen. Toby Stavisky (DFlushing) called it “unfair.” Assemblywoman Grace Meng (DFlushing) went further, calling it a “slap in the face.” Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) even invoked the U.S. Constitution.

Despite a recently-announced delay in the closure and relocation of the Queens Processing and Distribution facility in College Point to Brooklyn until at least May 15, local politicians and labor officials are fuming at what they call a lack of transparency in the process to decide to close the facility, which they worry will bring lost jobs and service disruptions to borough residents and businesses.

“Hundreds of families in Queens can breathe a sigh of relief, but only temporarily,” Stavisky said when the news of the reprieve was announced Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (DBayside) echoed Stavisky’s cautious optimism.

“We welcome this delay by the Postal Service,” Ackerman said. “In the meantime, we will continue to keep up the fight to save this important facility.”

Jobs, Service In Jeopardy Stavisky joined elected officials from all over the borough last Friday in front of the facility on 20th Avenue, to decry the proposed closing, which the Postal Service said would cut 702 jobs. Stavisky said she believed the real number of jobs lost or relocated would be more than 1,000 once the closure of the College Point facility and consolidation with the processing center in Brooklyn is complete.

“This is a serious loss of jobs,” she said. “It is unfair.”

USPS announced it was eyeing the closure of the facility, which is housed in a sprawling brown building alongside the Whitestone Expressway, at the end of November and scheduled a public meeting on the closure at Bayside High School on Friday Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. The U.S. Postal Service was criticized for calling a meeting on short notice- many businesses who received the notice only got it after Thanksgiving weekend- and for holding the meeting at a time inconvenient to many, on a Friday night during the holiday season. They also took heat for not publicly releasing the report they put together suggesting the facility’s closure before the week of the public meeting, giving only a short time, about two weeks, for public comment.

“Why is it we couldn’t see this study?”

Halloran asked. “Why was the public comment period so short?”

The U.S. Postal Service said the consolidation of the Queens and Brooklyn

facilities is part of a nationwide contraction aimed at saving the cash-strapped organization millions of dollars. The consolidation into one Brooklyn facility, which would serve residents of Brooklyn, Queens and parts of Western Nassau County including Elmont, Great Neck and Port Washington- more than 4 million people- would save USPS $30.8 million.

The U.S. Postal Service said the move is necessary because of a decline in usage, including a 50 percent drop in overnight mail service in the last decade. According to the study, mail volume is moving to a “less profitable mix” with a steady decline in usage of first-class mail.

The study estimates the U.S. Postal Service would save $14.2 million in maintenance costs by closing the facility, another $13.1 million in worker pay and $3.6 million in management pay. That total will be offset by a $1.2 million increase in transportation costs, but the net effect would be savings of just under $31 million according to their projections.

The USPS is facing a shortfall of $14.1 billion.

But officials, including U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) said the number of people served by the facility should be taken into account. The facility serves close to 3 million people in Queens and Nassau County, which is equal to the population of Chicago, Ill., the nation’s third largest city. If combined with Brooklyn, the one facility would serve a larger population than any other city in the country except New York.

“The post office is worried about numbers. I have numbers for them- 4 million,” Crowley said alluding to the combined population of Brooklyn and Queens. “If [Queens] was a separate city unto itself, there would be no question about this.

The fact is there is going to be less service to Queens and Brooklyn.”

Officials were also concerned about the delivery of important packages, including medications, which are often delivered by mail.

“I don’t want to have to tell seniors that they’ll have to wait another two or three days for their medications to come to them,” warned Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Far Rockaway).

“It’s our concern that the level of distribution of mail to Queens, specifically people who are waiting to pay bills, rent and mortgages, are going to find an increased delay,” said Stephen Larkin, executive vice president of the American Postal Workers Union’s local chapter.

The Brooklyn Facility: Inadequate and Overburdened?

Larkin said the Brooklyn facility is already overburdened and that would only get worse when combined with the Queens facility. He also warned that delivery time could increase because mail going from one Queens address to another may have to be routed through Manhattan’s Morgan Processing Facility on the West Side and/or the Brooklyn facility.

The Brooklyn facility is not as convenient as the one in College Point, officials warned. The facility is located in the East New York neighborhood, very close to the Queens border at Lindenwood. Unlike the College Point location, it is not near any major highways that could serve the USPS mail trucks. Trucks would have to take local streets like Linden Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, Rockaway Boulevard, Atlantic Avenue and North and South Conduit Avenues to transport mail to Queens post offices. To access

Though many employees at the College Point facility seemed resigned to the fact that the USPS has made the final decision, many are not giving up without a fight. The USPS announced on Tuesday that it would delay closing any facilities until May 15 to give Congress time to overhaul their operations.

“We’ve beaten them before,” said one worker who attended the Dec. 2 rally. She noted that the post office had recently threatened to close branches in Astoria and Arverne before eventually deciding against it after public outcry.

Stavisky, in an effort to push the U.S. Postal Service into keeping the facility open, is asking people to sign a petition on her website at nysenate.gov/stavisky Halloran took issue with the statistic that overnight and first-class mail usage was down. FedEx and UPS’s overnight business is booming, he said, and there should be no reason for the U.S. Postal Service to not be able to compete. He also reminded the U.S. Postal Service of their Constitutional obligation under Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which authorizes Congress to establish and fund post offices and means of transportation for mail.

“FedEx doesn’t have the constitutional mandate to be here. UPS doesn’t have a constitutional mandate to be here.

The Postal Service does have a constitutional mandate to be here,” he said.

The public comment period for the proposed closing is open until Dec. 19.

All comments can be mailed to Manager, Consumer & Industry Contact, Triboro District, 1050 Forbell St., Brooklyn, NY 11256-9621. Comments must be postmarked by Monday, Dec. 19.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400 Ext. 125.

News Briefs Final Casino Floors Open

Tower At North Shore LIJ

The final two floors of the Resorts World New York City Casino at Aqueduct Racetrack will open Friday.

The Fifth Avenue Casino f loor and the Central Park event f loor will open to the public at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16. The new f loors will add 2,240 new video lottery terminals, 270 new electronic table games, and two restaurants - RW Prime Steakhouse and Genting Palace, which will serve Chinese cuisine. The floor will also feature a bar that will overlook the f irst f loor’s Bar360 and the borough’s largest television screen, and a quick-service food station. The Central Park level, on the third f loor, will feature 70,000 square feet of event space that will be used to host banquets, concerts, trade shows and other events. The space can be divided.

Also opening on Friday is Crockford’s Casino, a special section for VIP guests that will feature 64 VLTs and 14 electronic table games.

The skybridge, a covered walkway connecting the casino to the A train subway, will not be ready by Friday, but will open in a few months, Resorts World NYC President Mike Speller said.

The casino’s first floor, the Times Square Casino, opened on Oct. 28 and had 60,000 visitors in its first weekend.

In its first month, the casino has been pulling in $600 per machine per day, double that of any casino on the east coast.

Inside the soaring tower of glass, Cheryl Lampasona fought back tears as she recalled in front of hundreds of people the most frightening moments of her life.

Lampasona was 21 years old when she found out she had a rare form of ovarian cancer; she thought she would die, but nine years later she is alive and able to tell her story.

“I was told I was only the twelfth person in the world to be diagnosed with this form of cancer,” Lampasona said.

“Everyone here was warm, compassionate, and made sure I got everything I needed.”

When Lampasona said “here,” she was talking about the medical staff of North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital. North Shore-LIJ—which straddles the QueensNassau County border—recently celebrated the opening of its $300 million, 10-story inpatient tower, the largest expansion project in the hospital’s history.

Featuring the Zuckerberg Pavilion and Katz Women’s Hospital, the tower will open to the public in January, after more than three years of construction.

“I cannot tell you what an incredible joy it is to walk this campus and see what is happening,” said Saul Katz, a former North Shore-LIJ chairman and current president of the New York Mets. Katz Women’s Hospital was named in honor of him and his wife Iris’ efforts to make the expansion a reality. “It is my great joy

and honor to see the Zuckerberg name and the Katz name on the same building as a new part to this great campus,” he said.

Roy Zuckerberg is a former North Shore-LIJ chairman as well as the senior director of Goldman Sachs. The Zuckerberg Pavilion, floors eight and nine of the tower, will have 30 beds on each floor and will handle orthopedic, urologic, and cardiothoracic surgeries. Downstairs, on floors three through six, the Katz Women’s Hospital will feature, among other amenities, 14 labor and delivery rooms and 12 gynecological surgical beds. Many floors, each the length of a football field, will have patient rooms equipped with flat-screen televisions, private baths, and refrigerators.

“What you’re actually looking at is a new philosophy of care,” Michael Dowling, president and CEO of the North Shore-LIJ health system, said. “It represents a new atmosphere of caring. It represents a new way to welcome families, patients, and members of the community.

It’s a new front door to the community.”

At 300,000-square-feet, the new tower permanently alters the landscape of the hospital. A women’s garden, reflecting pool, mediation center, and wellness boutique will be among the other perks that North Shore-LIJ patients will receive. The hospital also has added 75 employees to its staff.

“Women are unique, and they require specific medical services,” Iris Katz said.

“Today is the culmination of the hard

work of people who have had a part in making this day special.”

Plans At ‘A’ Train Stop Community Board 10 will get a preview next month of the MTA’s proposal to install elevators at the Lefferts Boulevard “A” train subway station.

The MTA plans to install an elevator at the station- the terminus of the A train.

The station is elevated over Liberty Avenue just west of Lefferts Boulevard in the heart of the main commercial strip in South Richmond Hill and served an average of more than 7,300 weekday commuters in 2010.

The elevator would be installed on the north side of the station on the north curb of Liberty Avenue because the sidewalk there is larger and the elevator would not take up too much of the existing sidewalk.

The area under the subway station is lined with busy mom and pop stores.

CB 10 Chairwoman Betty Braton said the elevators are part of a larger plan by MTA to renovate stations along the Liber ty Avenue elevated line between Lefferts Boulevard and the Brooklyn border. There are six stations along the line, including the busy Rockaway Boulevard station, where the A line divides and the main line heads south toward JFK Airport and the Rockaway Peninsula.

The MTA was scheduled to show CB 10 the plan for a long-awaited elevator at the station at the December meeting, but the presentation was postponed until Jan. 5.

Police Blotter Compiled By ROSS BARKAN

103rd Precinct Information Sought

where he was pronounced dead. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

106th Precinct

107th Precinct

Rape

Cash Murder

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the following individual suspected of rape. On Thursday, Nov. 24 at approximately 5:15 a.m., the victim was sexually assaulted by the suspect near 117th Street and Liberty Avenue. He then fled on foot in an unknown direction. The suspect, Arturo Navarette, is a 23-year-old Hispanic man, 5-foot-8 and 165 lbs. His last known address is 188-01 Liberty Ave. 3rd Fl. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-(800)-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

On Saturday, Dec. 10 at 11:09 p.m. inside of 143-41 84 Drive, Apartment 8B, police officers discovered the victim, Tracey Young, a 42-year-old woman, shot in the torso and the head. EMS also responded to the location and pronounced her dead. Clarence Cash, 49, has been arrested and charged with murder.

Jamaica Avenue Murder

Shot In The Torso

On Monday, Dec. 12 at approximately 12:10 a.m. a man was shot at 171st Street and Jamaica Avenue. Upon arrival, police observed a 37-year-old man, Joe Nash, lying in the street with a gunshot wound to his hip. EMS responded and transported the victim to Jamaica Hospi-

On Sunday, Dec.11 at approximately 4:44 a.m., a man was shot at 109-34 132nd St. Upon arrival, officers observed Frank Keith, 20, with a sustained gunshot wound to the torso. EMS also responded to the location and transported the victim to New York Hospital Queens,

Game Over The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in identifying three suspects wanted for a robbery in the subway system. On Tuesday, Nov. 15 at approximately 3:10 a.m., the victim, a 37-yearold man, was on the Manhattan bound “F” train at the Van Wyck station when three suspects approached him, allegedly punched him the face, took his Sony Playstation Portable video game system and fled the scene. The first suspect is a black man between the ages of 18 and 20 and between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-7. The second suspect is a Hispanic man between ages of 18 and 20 and is 5-foot-7.

The third suspect is a black man between the ages of 18 and 20 and is 5-foot-7.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s

Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

108th Precinct Restaurant Shooting The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in finding a suspect wanted for a shooting. On Saturday, Dec. 10 at 5:37 a.m. the victim, a 32-year-old man, was inside 47-16 Greenpoint Ave,, a Mexican Restaurant, when he became involved in a verbal dispute with the suspect, Eladio Espejo, a 26-year-old Hispanic man who is 5-foot-9 and weighs between 160 and 200 lbs. A short time later, the victim left the location and the suspect allegedly shot him in the thigh and the arm. The victim was removed to Elmhurst General Hospital where he was treated and released.

Anyone with information in regards to this shooting is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

Dec. 16-22, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect wanted for two rapes. On Oct. 13 at 3 a.m. near Merrick Boulevard, the suspect allegedly grabbed the victim, a 20-year-old woman, from behind, forced her behind a dumpster at the location and raped her.

The suspect is a black man between the ages of 25 and 30. He is 5-foot-5, 220 lbs. and was last seen wearing a black pullover hooded sweatshirt and a white and blue striped scarf.

On Nov. 15 at 1 a.m. near 142nd Street the suspect told another victim, a 27-yearold woman, that he had a gun and then allegedly forcibly raped her. On Dec. 7 at 2 a.m. near 154th Street, the suspect allegedly placed a sharp object to another victim’s back pulled her behind a residence and attempted to rape her.

Anyone with information in regards to any of these incidents is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS.

tal, where he was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 16-22, 2011

Borough Beat

Detained Dad Causes Problems For Family Few Americans suffer from having a family member detained by immigration authorities. When the situation hits home, it can disrupt the lives of the family members left behind, deteriorating a household once capable of holding itself together.

When nine-year-old Sanjana Hussain’s father disappeared, she was told he was at work. But the next time she and her sister, Sabreena, 13, saw him, they were separated by a plexiglass window at the Delancey Detention Center in Elizabeth, N.J. After arriving in the U.S. from Bangladesh on a visitor’s visa 16 years ago, their father, Taimur, applied for political asylum but was denied and ordered to be deported. Despite the order he remained in the country, holding several low-income jobs to support his family.

In 2009, he filed a motion to reopen his case but was denied once again and was served a “bag and baggage” letter, an order from the Immigration Customs and Enforcement agency informing a non-citizen to bring one bag or piece of luggage containing personal property before being deported.

Taimur was detained by ICE on March 10 and has been in custody ever since.

PRESS Photo by Jason Banrey

BY JASON BANREY

Sabhia comforts her daughter, Sanjana who is awaiting the return of her father who has been detained.

According to the family’s attorney, Naresh Gehi, the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment, ICE is allowed to detain an alien for six months – Tamiur has been held for nine.

“ICE has subjected Mr. Hussain to indefinite detention without presenting any evidence of the reasonable foreseeability

for his removal,” Gehi said. “ICE failed to present evidence that it has attempted to expedite the removal process, and there is no reason to believe that Mr. Hussain is any closer to being removed than he was on the day that ICE first detained him.”

Since then, his family has suffered without their fathers support. Now they are asking for federal authorities to show them mercy and return their father.

“I haven’t been able to concentrate on school since my daddy left,” said Sanjana, who attends school in Astoria with her sister. “All I can think about is where he is at. It’s a scary place.”

Sabreena said she also has found it difficult to keep up with her school work.

Since her father was taken away, she has helped her family with a loss which she says has sent her mother, Sabhia, into a deep depression.

“We’re all afraid of being deported to Bangladesh,” Sabreena said as her mom clutched her hand, wiping the tears from her eyes. “All she does now is cry a lot. Its very difficult to see my family in this situation.

Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) said he is familiar with Taimur’s case. After the City Council Committee on Immigration held an oversight hearing on the treatment of New York City immigrants in detention centers on Dec

13, Dromm, chair of the committee, was convinced the “nation was suffering from a broken immigration system.”

“We feel the current situation with [Taimur] is a violation of his due process rights,” said Dromm after Gehi testified before the committee. “It seems he is in a detention center being treated as a criminal rather than some one who is being held as an immigrant waiting to be deported. A resolution has been introduced to address the overall treatment of detainees in centers such as that and we’re looking to alter the current situation.”

Although Taimur is currently being detained outside of the City Council’s jurisdiction, some are optimistic of his return.

Family friend, Rashid Mohammad has been coordinating community efforts to provide the family with food and finances to get by since Taimur was their only source of income. Although time continues to tick Mohammad says he is hopeful federal authorities will release him soon.

“Deporting Taimur will have disastrous effects on his two daughters, who will become a burden to the state,” Mohammad said. “America has always championed for the cause of humility, so why can’t they help us with our cause.”

Reach Reporter Jason Banrey at jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

Dec. 16-22, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Profile

Seniors Bond With Mail-A-Book Program One Flushing woman is putting a smile on the faces of homebound adults in the borough through the use of technology.

The Queens Library Mail-A-Book service offers books, videos and music by mail, free of charge, to customers who cannot travel to the library.

“It is absolutely a lifeline to society,” said Flushing resident Mary Ann Boroz, who has been using the program for more than a year. The program keeps 100 books in circulation at a time, rotating the selection every six weeks.

Though the program has existed nearly 30 years, the Mail-A-Book program expanded under the leadership of Madlyn Schneider, who works at the Queens Village public library. When Schneider took over three years ago, the program began offering teleconference calls at least twice a week.

“It’s like social networking an old fashioned way,” she said.

Each chat usually lasts about two hours, but if the participants are enjoying themselves, the chats will continue longer, Schneider said. During some calls, nursing students from Pace University and York College will address participants’ health concerns. For the past year, participants have been occasionally using

ropolitan Museum of Art creates handouts and binders, and sends them out to the program participants. Participants also have the pleasure of listening to local theatre groups performing scenes from classic plays once a month.

Schneider said she was inspired to improve the MailA-Book program because of her late mother. She said during her final days, her mother was lonely and could have Madlyn Schneider hosts a conference call during Hurri- benefited from the interaction the program provides cane Irene in August. homebound seniors in the Skype to communicate with each other. area. Each holiday season, participants The program also has a Facebook group, receive Christmas cards from elementary “Mail-A-Book at Queens Library,” where school children in the borough. homebound adults can stay up to date When Tropical Storm Irene drenched about future events. the borough, many residents were unsure “She’s really expanded this whole pro- of how severe the storm would be. More gram,” Boroz said of Schneider. “It’s not than a dozen people called in during the call up and get a book. It’s call up and get “Hurricane Party” to share their storm exa friend.” periences and provide comfort to each In addition to coordinating the Mail- other. One couple who called in lost A-Book program, Schneider writes news- power; another resident experienced letters, where she will include poems, reci- flooding problems. Being able to share pes and book reviews from program par- their experiences helped the participants ticipants. “I try to keep them thinking and weather the storm. remembering,” Schneider said. The Met“It gave people a sense of security that

Photo courtesy of the Queens Library

BY VERONICA LEWIN

they are not alone,” Boroz said.

Two group chats are scheduled for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, a time that could be lonely for those who do not have anyone to share the holiday with. The Dec. 31 online chat is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m., and the New Year’s Day teleconference is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon the next day. “That way, they have something to look forward to and it’s not a lonely time for them,” Schneider said.

Boroz said the program is “absolutely phenomenal,” and she hopes Schneider’s Mail-A-Book program stays at the Queens Village library for a long time. Boroz said she sells bookmarks every year to be able to send $25 to the library so they can purchase a new book for the program.

Schneider said she enjoys coordinating the program for homebound adults. “It all comes from my heart and my will to do it,” she said.

Schneider said the next step for the program is reaching out to homebound children and teens. Any homebound individual who lives, works, owns property or goes to school anywhere in New York State is eligible for the Mail-A-Book service. For information, contact (718) 776-6800.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

A musical journey of African-American women from Bessie Smith to Mary J. Blige

WINNER 2011

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 16-22, 2011

Midtown International Theatre Festival

“Sistas dares and succeeds in exploring a woman’s experience with humor, humility and sass.

I LOVE IT!” -Hinton Battle

3 Time Tony Award Winner

ST. LUKE’S THEATRE, 308 W 46th St Thur 8 pm, Sat 4:30 pm, Sun, 4:30 pm TELECHARGE.COM 212.239.6200 sistasthemusical.com

A&E

Artist Draws On Queens For Exhibit

BY TAMMY SCILEPPI

The Panorama of the City of New York, built by Robert Moses for the 1964 World’s Fair, played a significant and unexpected role in “Wonderstruck” (Scholastic), a new children’s book writ-

An image from Brian Selznick’s work, “Wonderstruck.”

ten and illustrated by best-selling author and storyteller Brian Selznick.

Selznick, 33, who got his start as an accomplished illustrator, is known for his beautifully-rendered black and white pencil illustrations, which also grace the pages of his acclaimed 2007 debut children’s novel “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” for which he received the 2008 Caldecott Medal.

Showcasing Selznick’s 19 never before seen original graphite drawings, Wonderstruck in the Panorama: Drawings

by Brian Selznick, is an extraordinary exhibit at the Queens Museum of Art, which runs through Jan. 15, 2012.

In “Wonderstruck” the author describes scenes from the Panorama through delightful text and drawings.

Obsessed with its lifelike depiction of New York City, Selznick spent almost

Restaurant Review

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Artist and storyteller Brian Selznick. recalled traveling to Manhattan with his parents to visit one of his favorite destinations – The Museum of Natural History, which also played a major role in “Wonderstruck’s” plot. Selznick’s family knew someone who worked behind the scenes, so their son was able to get a rare glimpse into the museum’s inner workings - secret rooms and hidden corners that the public never saw.

“In ‘Wonderstruck,’ I write about museums, I write about deaf culture, and I write about New York in 1927 and in 1977. I did as much research as I possibly could on all of those things, and I learned so much, and I loved so much of what it was I discovered,” Selznick said.

As with all of Selznick’s books, there’s a sense of a child’s awed delight, and with his unique visual language, you can see an adventure unfolding at every turn - art and writing in perfect balance. His stories possess a special quality, which can capture the imagination of children, teens and adults alike. Perhaps it’s the stuff that dreams are made of.

For more information about the exhibit, you can visit: www.queensmuseum.org/wonderstruck.

Holiday Woks And Lox

BY JASON BANREY

During the holiday season in a borough as diverse as Queens, coming across different culinary combinations can be difficult. Typically, each ethnic eatery the borough has to offer often sticks to one type of cuisine. That won’t be the case Christmas Eve. On Dec. 24, in celebration of combining two heritages, Queens Kickshaw, located at 40-17 Broadway, will host Woks and Lox, a dinner and nosh party celebrating both Jewish and Chinese cultures.

“I wanted to help people who don’t have anything to do on the Holidays,” said Jeff Orlick, one of the organizers of the inaugural event.

After venturing out alone one cold Christmas Day for Chinese take out, Orlick noticed how empty the streets were in his neighborhood. After that day, Orlick, who is Jewish, began to brainstorm an event for others who were spending Christmas all by themselves. Since then, he said he discovered an undeniable bond between Jews and Asians.

“That’s the beauty of this event,” he said.

In a city of eight million people, Orlick

said he believes it is possible to find at least 40 others who have similar interests.

“By bringing both cultures together, people will be able to experience them without formally getting educated,” said Orlick who joined forces with his girlfriend, Veronica Chan to put together the one-of-a-kind event.

Attendees will be able to take advantage of not only specially-prepared dishes

by Chinese chef Chichi Wang but also participate in activities including a party, which promises to put the “bar” back in Bar Mitzvah.

Those who are not able to attend can take advantage of Ch’aliday grams, which include ChiChi’s recipe for wonton and matzo ball soup, Chopsticks and Tchotchkes to-go boxes filled with all you need to have your own party at home, limited edition Woks and Lox money clips created by Hail the Right Brain as well as various other items from local shops.

Tickets for the dinner are limited to only 40 guests for those interested in the attending the event. For information, visit woksandlox.com.

Reach Reporter Jason Banrey at jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

Dec. 16-22, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

With the winter months creeping up on us the last thing many of us want to do is venture out in search of a restaurant to fulfill our tummy’s needs. Summoning others to come over and provide you with a meal fit for a king has never been this easy and Palermo Salumeria does so in style.

Different from your typical restaurant’s delivery service, Palermo Salumeria supplies a wide selection of eats on time with the presentation your local pizzeria could only cry over.

Palermo Salumeria advertises itself as a deli and fine Italian cuisine. How can it be both? The Penne Vodka will tell the story.

Pink, creamy and full of flavor, the penne vodka is definitely of fine restaurant quality. You’ll wonder which high class Italian eatery this pasta dish came from. While many catering places deliver penne vodka that is often watery or overcooked, Palermo Salumeria brought us a pasta dish so exquisite, you almost felt wrong for not eating it while wearing a dinner jacket.

The pasta is cooked to perfection; not overdone, not too al dente. You can even get a slight taste of vodka in the sauce. The penne does not fall apart on the fork, as is often the case in more watery sauce. The creamy thickness of the vodka sauce sticks to the pasta, giv-

ing the penne the full f lavor of the sauce. When the past is gone, try dipping some bread in the sauce, you won’t be disappointed.

For the meat lover, there’s an excellent stuffed loin of pork dish. The pork was cooked to perfection. A tender slice stuffed in the middle with a tangy mix of spices. It comes with a creamy mushroom sauce that only adds to the pork’s flavor.

For a good lunch, try a panini.

Palermo Salumeria offered us a selection of eggplant paninis. The eggplant panini was toasted to perfection, crispy on the outside yet gooey within; the light bite crunches in the mouth revealing warm innards fit for anyone with veggies on the mind.

The pasta salad is chilled and fills your palate with an array of different exotic flavors. You may be able to find pasta salad almost anywhere in Queens, but you need to try the one at Palermo Salumeria.

Your lunch or dinner would not be complete without a good side dish.

Palermo Salumeria has an assortment of those.

Ah, the rice pilaf was quite a treat.

Peas, mushrooms, and cheeses were littered throughout, allowing for the variety of tastes that make any pilaf a success. The green peas had that special sweet kick, treating the mouth the way it deserves to be treated. Cooked just right, the rice had a pleasurable texture.

It was the type of meal that wasn’t too heavy or too light.

The rice dishes don’t end there. Try the rich primavera or the rich balls, sliced in two and topped with a layer of cheese.

–PRESS Staff

three years at the QMA, doing research for his book. He was given free rein to walk around and explore every nook and cranny within the 9,335 square-foot architectural model.

“I was always intrigued by the Panorama and saw it for the first time a couple of years ago. I was spellbound,” Selznick said.

“I wanted to write a love letter to New York,” he added. “‘Wonderstruck,’ in many ways is a valentine to New York City.”

A child’s sense of magic and a world of wonder are themes that intertwine throughout Selznick’s stories. In “Wonderstruck,” his captivating art form works like a camera, zooming in on details, and following his characters around on their journeys.

In the book, the reader gets a child’s eye view of NYC, as the author weaves together the unique tales of two children: Ben’s story is told in words, and Rose’s story is told in pictures.

Fascinated with film, Selznick wanted to combine what the cinema can do with panning, zooming in and out, and edits, and what a picture book can do with page turns.

“I had this idea to try to tell two different stories - one just with pictures, and then another story that was set 50 years later - with words,” he said So, as the story unfolds, Ben travels from Minnesota to N.Y.C. in 1977, in search of his father, and winds up hiding inside the Museum of Natural History - roaming its great halls at night, rifling through files and inspecting dioramas, storage rooms and scale models. He then meets Rose, a deaf girl, who had set off on her own adventure to the city in 1927, and is also longing for something missing from her life.

Growing up in New Jersey, the author

Faith

Group Advocates For Small Churches Opening a church can be a daunting process for a brave individual. In addition to finding a location, getting the word out and building a congregation, there are piles of paperwork. Smaller churches that do not have an established network may not know where to turn for guidance. One worldly network is trying to make things easier for those interested in establishing a house of worship.

The World Wide Association of Small Churches hosted a conference at York College Wednesday morning for church leaders and community members. Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) sponsored the event. Dozens of diverse faith-

Word “In the faces of men and women I see God.”

—Walt Whitman

based organizations learned how to run a successful small church and increase their visibility in the community.

Queens is home to nearly 1,000 churches, with hundreds in Southeast Queens. The area has a variety of denominations and congregation sizes to serve practically anyone in the borough looking for a place to worship.

The keynote speaker at Wednesday’s event was Ebony Kirkland, president and CEO of Ebony Marketing Research. In addition to specializing in multicultural research for agencies across the country, Kirkland also runs the World Wide Association of Small Churches, providing mentoring services and training to pastors looking to improve.

Kirkland graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Queens College before furthering her education with a master’s degree in administration from New York University and a business degree from Harvard Business School.

Kirkland also earned a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry degree from the Union Theological Seminary.

Kirkland said it is important for small churches to stay in existence because so many people enjoy being apart of a small, family-like congregation.

Notebook Hillcrest High School

Students Go Virtual For Enterprise Contest

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 16-22, 2011

BY VERONICA LEWIN Hillcrest High School’s aspiring entrepreneurs took their talents to the other side of the borough to compete in the annual Virtual Enterprise competition.

Long Island City’s Academy of Finance and Enterprise hosted the 14th Annual Queens Virtual Enterprise competition on Monday. The program is designed to encourage entrepreneurship among young people and give them a sense of what the business world is like.

“It helps me a lot because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do until I took this class,” said Areesa Twaheel, Hillcrest senior and CEO of Virtual Enterprise company Build Your Future.

Classes throughout the city create a product to sell to other Virtual Enterprise classes in the city. In addition to creating a business, each Virtual Enterprise group had to create a marketing plan, profit projections and identify the strengths and weaknesses of their business model.

Each school’s Virtual Enterprise team gave an eight-minute presentation Monday, with serious point deductions for teams that went over the time limit. The student presentations preceded a question

and answer session by the panel of judges.

Written plans submitted prior to the Dec. 12 competition counted for 40 percent of the score, while the oral presentation accounted for 60 percent of score.

More than a dozen schools across the borough traveled to Long Island City in hopes of representing Queens in January’s citywide competition. The top 20 teams throughout the five boroughs will qualify for the city challenge on Jan. 8. The scores have been tabulated throughout the week and the top 20 will be announced soon.

The Hillcrest High School students created “Build Your Future Institute,” an online institution. Build Your Future said the institute modeled their available curriculum after colleges in the area to be able to better compete in tough economic times.

To get the word out about Build Your Future, the students planned to sell Tshirts for $15, in addition to distributing flyers, brochures and catalogues to people in the community.

Build Your Future’s website is being launched soon, and will be able to be accessed through hillcrestweb.com/biztek.htm Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

“People tend to come into small churches quicker because there’s no barriers there,” she said. “The doors are always open. They’re open to the needy, they’re open to the malfunctioning in society. They’re open to souls that are not wanted by the larger churches.”

The conference included two panels to help small churches navigate their finances. Deborah Levine of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS expressed the importance of filling out the necessary forms and keeping records to prevent being audited by the government. This can Keynote Speaker Bishop Ebony Kirkland speaks about the be a problem for many importance of small churches working together. small churches that do not know the technicalities of running an to accomplish the task quicker. When organization, such as the necessity of shopping around the borough for buildcompleting property tax exemption ings to use as churches, splitting the lease or mortgage with another church in the forms.

Kirkland said small churches could be neighborhood could keep both congregamore successful in the future if they col- tions content. laborated to stay in business. Instead of Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at struggling to finance a large project, work- vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, ing with another small church may help Ext. 123.

PRESS Photo by Veronica Lewin

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357.

Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina.

IF YOUR ORGANIZATION MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SEND ALL DATES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

THEATER KILLING KOMPANY Friday, February 3 “Murder

by Marriage” at Riccardo’s in Astoria. The Killing Company performs mystery dinner shows. 1-888-SHOOTEM for information.

SINGLES CHANUKAH DANCE Sunday, December 25 at 8 at the Little Neck Jewish Center, 49-10 Little Neck Parkway. 516-487-0674.

PARENTS FIT KIDS Saturdays, December 17, 31 4:30-5:30. Tuesdays, December 20, 27 4:30-5:30. Thursdays, December 22, 29 4:30-5:30. 174-03 Horace Harding Expressway. Fit Kids Nutrition and Exercise Program. 661-7687.

YOGA Monday, December 19 Yo g a f o r Pa r e n t s a t t h e Cambria Heights library at 4.

SCRAPBOOKING Fridays, December 23, 30 Scrapbooking for Preemie Parents. 670-2920.

HOLIDAY BREAK KIDS December 26-30 parents looking for a holiday break for their children should contact the Hall of Science at 699-0005 for sculpting, science and more.

ALUMNI

DANCE LINE DANCING Saturdays 2-4 at Holy Family RC Parish Church, Msgr.

Mahoney Hall, 175-20 74 th Avenue, Fresh Meadows.

ISRAELI FOLK Mondays 7:15-9:45 at Hillcrest Jewish Center, 18202 Union Turnpike. $10 session. 380-4145.

LINE DANCING Mondays 6:30-9:30 at Kowalinski Post 4, 61-57 Maspeth Avenue. $7. Cake and coffee. 565-2259.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, December 17, January 7, 21 public speaking and effective communication 10-12:15 at the Elmhurst Hospital Center Conference Room. 4249754.

HIKING CLUB Monday, December 19 at 7 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT Tuesday, December 20 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 175-20 174 th Street, Fresh Meadows at 7:30.

AMER. LEGION 131 Tu e s d a y, D e c e m b e r 2 0 American Legion, Post 131, meets at 8 at 10-20 Clintonville Street, Whitestone. 767-4323.

TALK OF THE TOWN Tu e s d a y, D e c e m b e r 2 0 learn the art of public speaking in St. Albans at 7:15. 6407092.

MEN’S CLUB SOCCER Tuesday evenings at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 2637000.

FRESH MEADOW CAMERA Tuesdays the Fresh Meadows Camera Club meets.

917-612-3463.

ADVANCED WRITERS Tuesdays Advanced Bayside Writers’ Group meets at 6:30 in the Terrace Diner, 212-97 26 th Avenue, upper level. Get feedback on your writing and develop your skills.

WOMANSPACE Wednesdays Womanspace, a discussion group devoted to issues concerning women, meets 1-3 at the

HEALTH MARROW REGISTRY Saturday, December 17 103 at IS93, 66-56 Forest Avenue, Ridgewood. 8214882, ext. 2183. Drive for bone marrow transplant for IS93’s 12 year old Gabriela.

BLOOD DRIVE Saturday, December 17 102 at Knights of Columbus, 6960 Grand Avenue, Maspeth.

ZUMBA Monday, December 19 Latin dance fitness program at the Glendale library. Register.

MASSAGE THERAPY Mondays, December 19, 26 at NYHQ. 670-1695.

BLOOD DRIVE Tuesday, December 20 37:30 at Electchester. 6617987.

ZUMBA Tuesday, December 20 at the Ridgewood library. Register.

MASSAGE THERAPY Wednesdays, December 21, 28 10-2 at HYHQ Cardiac Health Center 670-1695.

ACS-2345.

STRESS MANAGEMENT Wednesdays, December 21, 28 stress management for heart patients. 670-1695.

ZUMBA Wednesdays, December 21, 28 at NYHQ. 670-1695.

MASSAGE THERAPY Fridays, December 23, 30 at NYHQ. 670-1695.

Great Neck Senior Center, 80 Grace Avenue. New members welcome.

FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesday, December 21 Flushing Camera Club meets at 7:15 at Flushing Hospital.

479-0643.

TOASTMASTERS Wednesday, December 21 learn the art of public speaking at the Voices of Rochdale To a s t m a s t e r s C l u b i n J a maica. 978-0732.

KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS Wednesday, December 21 Queensview Lodge 433 meets in Whitestone. 917754-3093.

STAMP CLUB Thursdays, December 22, 29 Queens Stamp Club at 5:45 at the Forest Hills library.

LEADD CLUB Thursday evenings and one Saturday afternoon. Recreation Socialization Program for Learning Disabled Adults. 18+, able to travel on public transportation.

Arn310@aol.com information.

WOMEN’S GROUP Fridays the Woman’s Group of Jamaica Estates meets at noon. Call 461-3193 for information.

P-FLAG Sunday, December 18 PFLAG, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays, meet in Forest Hills. 271-6663.

JEWISH VETS Sunday, December 25 Jewish War Veterans of the USA Lipsky/Blum Post meet at the Garden Jewish Center. 4634742.

VFW 4787 Monday, December 26 Whitestone VFW Community Post meets. 746-0540.

FH VAC Wednesday, December 28 Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corp meets. 793-2055.

TOASTMASTERS Thursday, December 29 Advance for Leadership/ To a s t m a s t e r s at the Briarwood library at 5:45.

CAMBRIA HTS LIBRARY Saturday, January 14 Friends Board of Directors of Queens Library at Cambria Heights meet 4-5:15.

FLEA MARKETS SNOWFLAKE BOUTIQUE Saturday, December 17 handmade items, holiday crafts and new and used items at the Ridgewood library starting at 10.

ARTISAN MARKET Sunday, December 18 12-6 at Bohemian Hall, 29-19 24 th Avenue, Astoria.

HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE Sunday, December 18 seasonal music, children’s activities and unique gifts starting at 11 at the Queens Botanical Gardens in Flushing.

HANUKKAH FEST/CRAFTS Sunday, December 18 12-5 holiday shopping, children’s activities, entertainment. $5 children, adults free. Central Queens Y, 67-09 108 t h Street, Forest Hills.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS JOB SEARCH Saturday, December 17 Job Search Boot Camp at 10:30 at the Central library.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturday, December 17 Learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital.

646-436-7940.

INTRO FACEBOOK Saturday, December 17 introduction to Facebook at the LIC library at 10.

HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS Saturday, December 17 holiday clay ornaments at the Cambria Heights library at 2:30.

SEWING CLASSES Saturdays 11-3 at Maria Rose International Doll Museum in St. Albans. 2763454.

SCRABBLE CLUB Saturdays at 10 at Count Basie Jr. HS, 132 nd Street and Guy R. Brewer Blvd. 8865236.

PET OWNERS Saturdays (not on holiday weekends) from 1-4 free Doggie Boot Camp at Crocheron Park in Bayside (weather permitting). 4545800. Reservations required.

Donations accepted.Ne: BALLROOM DANCE Mondays, December 19, 26 ballroom dancing at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

BASIC COMPUTER Monday, December 19 at the Douglaston library at 10.

INTRO MICROSOFT Monday, December 19 at the Central library at 10:30.

INTRO MICROSOFT Monday, December 19 at the Central library. 990-5102 to register.

WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE Monday, December 19 Workplace Etiquette and Behavior at the Central library at 6.

HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS Monday, December 19 holiday clay ornaments at the Ozone Park library at 6.

POETRY WORKSHOP Monday, December 19 at the Woodhaven library at 6:30.

POLISH YOUR RESUME Monday, December 19 at the Central library. Register.

KNITTING CIRCLE Monday, December 19 Knitting Circle at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 2294000.

CROCHET Mondays 6-7 at the Rosedale librar y.

BRIDGE CLUB Mondays except holidays 12-4 at Pride of Judea in Douglaston. Lesson & play $10. Partners arranged. 4236200.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at the Douglaston/ Little Neck library at 4. Register.

DRAWING CLASS Mondays at the National Art League in Douglaston. 3610628.

LINE DANCE Mondays beginner to intermediate lessons 6-9 in Bayside. 917-886-0519.

KNITTING CIRCLE Mondays at Alley Pond Environmental Center. Register

229-4000.

ADULT CHESS Mondays and Thursdays at the Queens Village library at 5:30.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesdays, December 20, 27 at the Rosedale library at 10:30.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesdays, December 20, 27 at the Arverne library at 10:30.

BASIC COMPUTERS Tuesday, December 20 at the South Ozone Park library at 10.

PRACTICE LAB TIME Tu e s d a y, D e c e m b e r 2 0 computer practice lab time at the Far Rockaway library at 4.

INTRO INTERNET Tuesday, December 20 at the Queens Village library.

Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesday, December 20 at the Sunnyside library at 10:30.

INTRO INTERNET Tuesday, December 20 at the Maspeth library at 1.

OWN BUSINESS Every Tuesday Owning Your Own Business: The Nuts and Bolts of Getting Started 6:307:30 at the Central library.

LI CHESS CLUB Tuesdays at the LIC library at 4.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tuesdays at the East Flushing library at 3:30.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays at the Windsor Park library at 2.

GET YOUR YARNS OUT! Tuesdays after evening Minyan at 8, knitters, crocheters, needlepointers, and others meet at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 200.

TANGO CLASS Wednesdays, December 21, 28 at Buenos Aires Tango in Forest Hills. 347-642-4705.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesday, December 21 at the South Ozone Park library at 1.

CREATE E-MAIL Wednesday, December 21 at the Central library. Register.

KNITTING CLUB Wednesdays at the Bayside library. Register.

INTRO COMPUTERS Wednesdays at 10 at the Central library. Register.

LANGUAGE CLASS Wednesdays Conversational Hebrew 2:30-3:30 and Torah Stories in Yiddish 3:30-4:30 at the Bayside Jewish Center. 352-7900.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE Wednesdays 10:30-3:00 at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills. $12 session, includes light lunch. 261-2900 COMPLETE DRAWING Wednesdays 1-4 Complete Drawing class at the National Art League. $25 per class.

516-223-7659.

INDOOR SOCCER – DADS Wednesday evenings at the Forest Hills Jewish Center.

263-7000.

OIL PAINTING CLASS Wednesdays 6-8 adult classes, all levels. Grace Lutheran Church in Forest

Hills. 472-4055.

WATERCOLOR CL ASS Wednesdays at 9:30 at NAL. Traditional and contemporary, all levels. 969-1128.

BOOT CAMP Thursdays learn computer programs at the Arverne library at 10:30.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Thursday, December 22 Providing Great Customer Service in Any Job at the Central library at 4.

COMPUTER BASICS Thursdays at the Glen Oaks library. Register.

BASIC COMPUTER Thursdays at the Rosedale library at 6.

QUILTING CLASS Thursdays 10-2 at the Maria Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans. 276-3454 or 917817-8653 to register.

QUILTERS Thursdays at the East Elmhurst library at 12:30.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays at the East Flushing library. Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Every Thursday at the Queensboro Hill library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Thursdays at the Fresh Meadows library at 6.

CROCHET Thursdays at the South Hollis library at 6:30.

BASIC COMPUTER Friday, December 23 at the Auburndale library. Register.

BOOT CAMP Fridays through January 27 Computer Boot Camp at the LIC library at 2.

CHESS CLUB Fridays at the Auburndale library at 3:30.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Fridays at the Poppenhusen library at 10. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Fridays at the Middle Village library. Register.

COMPUTER LAB Fridays computer practice lab time at the Arverne library at noon.

KNITTING CLUB Fridays at the Maspeth library at 10.

CHESS TUTORIAL Fridays at 4 at the Woodside library.

KNIT & CROCHET Fridays at the Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

COMPUTER COURSE Every Friday at the Ozone Park library. Register.

RELIGIOUS TEMPLE BETH Friday, December 16 Shabbat Services at 8. Saturday, December 17 Chanukah Family Service.

Friday, December 23 Chanukah Family Service at 7:30. Temple Beth Sholom, 172 nd Street and Northern Blvd., Flushing. 464-4143.

GRECCIO SERVICE Saturday, December 17 Conventual Franciscan Friars and Secular Franciscans of St. Adalbert’s Fraternit y will hold a Greccio Service at 6 in the lower cafeteria, 84 th Street in Elmhurst.

Dec. 16-22, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

THOMAS JEFFERSON Sunday, January 15 class of 1961 will meet in Florida.

Tjhs1961@aol.com

MEETINGS

People Ihsaan Davis, a junior business management major from Jamaica, is a thirdyear member of the Lycoming College men’s basketball team. He is the son of Veronica Wilson.

Westminster School in Simsbury, Conn., recently announced that Alemante Tedla of Flushing and Angelo Hunt of Rosedale received academic honors for the fall 2011 term.

MediSys Health Network announced the appointments of William Lynch, 55, as Chief Operating Officer of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, and Robert Levine, 54, as Chief Operating Officer of Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Linda Vila, 45, was named Vice President and General Counsel of MediSys. “With these appointments, MediSys brings the collective decades of these individuals’ experience and expertise to key positions in our organization, thus enhancing our ability to continue to provide quality health care to the communities we serve,” said Bruce J. Flanz, President and Chief Executive Officer of MediSys. William Lynch joined Jamaica Hospital in 1987 as Director of Quality Assurance and was promoted to Vice President—Regulatory Affairs at Jamaica in 1992. Since 1999 he has served as Vice President—Regulatory and Professional Affairs at MediSys Health Network. Pre-

viously he served at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center in Brooklyn.

He holds a Master of Public Administration in Health Administration from New York University and a BS in Medical Technology from St. John’s University in Queens.

“Bill Lynch has demonstrated leadership skills over nearly 25 years serving our organization, focusing on quality, safety and patient satisfaction for the Network,” said Flanz.

Robert Levine had served at Flushing Hospital Medical Center as Senior Vice President for Administration in the early 1990s before joining Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan as Vice President for Operations in 1993. In 1996 he was recruited as President and Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Hospital Center in Queens.

Earlier in his career he held administrative positions at NYU Medical Center, Long Island Jewish Medical Center and University Hospital in Stony Brook, Long Island. He holds a Master of Public Health Degree in Hospital Administration from Yale University School of Medicine and a BA in Political Science and Communications from Queens College, City University of New York.

Linda Vila joined MediSys in 2009.

She previously served as Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Care and Public Administration at Long Island University, CW Post Cam-

pus, as well as Associate Dean of its College of Management. Previously she was an Assistant Vice President at Long Island College Hospital, responsible for risk management, quality improvement and legal issues. Earlier she held Director positions with the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and its St. Barnabas Hospital affiliate’s Correctional Health Services. She holds a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School and a BA in English from Hunter College of City University of New York.

MediSys Health Network is the notfor-profit parent organization of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Flushing Hospital Medical Center and Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center.

The New York Lottery announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings Nov. 13-19. The following winners each received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Sean Mangan of Bayside won $28,389 on the Take Five drawing of Sept. 13.

Mangan’s winning ticket was purchased at the Him Sen at 47-01 Francis Lewis Blvd. in Bayside.

Miro Kornego of Maspeth won $92,479 on the Lotto drawing of Nov. 9.

Kornego’s winning ticket was purchased at the Mala Polka Deli at 151 Norman Ave. in Brooklyn.

Making Therapy Fun:

Representatives of The Home Depot and the Colgate-Palmolive company and American Carpet South recently visited Queens Centers for Progress’ Children’s Center. Colgate-Palmolive donated a Wii Fun Center, used for physical and occupational therapy. American Carpet South donated materials for new carpeting in the school.

Carl Elliott of Jamaica won $25,000 on the Win 4 drawing of Nov. 17. Elliott’s winning ticket was purchased at the Guru Hari Stationers at 165-84 Baisley Blvd. in Jamaica.

Tell The PRESS

Send notices of graduation, awards, anniversaries, engagements and honors to: PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whittestone, NY 111357 All announcements will be considered for publication without fee.

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recognition.

Newcomer Nicki Minaj was one of the top nominees with three for her solo work and one as part of a group. She has been nominated for Best New Artist, Best Rap Album for “Pink Friday” and Best Rap Performance, along with Drake, for “Moment 4 Life.” She also shares a nomination with dozens of other artists who participated in Rhianna’s “Loud,” which has been nominated for Album of the Year.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, crooner Tony Bennett scored two nominations; one for Best Traditional Pop Album, “Duets II,” and another for Best DuoGroup Pop Performance for “Body & Soul,” a track he recorded with the late Amy Winehouse, also found on “Duets II.” On the Latin side, Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz orchestra was nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for “40 Acres & A Burro.” O’Farrill is a grad of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College.

On the bluegrass side, boro banjoist Bela Fleck got a nod for Best Instrumental Composition, for “Life In Eleven.” Old School Queens hip-hop stars A Tribe Called Quest round out the local nominees (that we know of) with their selection for Best Long-Form Music Video, “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest.”

The Grammys will be held Feb. 12 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and aired on CBS. Tune in to see Queens stars shine.

Top down: Nicki Minaj and Drake; Tony Bennet; Arturo O'Ferrill; Bela Fleck; A Tribe Called Quest.

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 16-22, 2011

Charity, Yes; Baseball, No

Models Of Queens

Queens Grammy Nominations Hello Last week the nominees for the 54th Grammy Awards were listed, Nurse! and Queens got its fair share of

Ciara Sockwell Home: Jamaica Age: 18 Height: 5’ 7" Weight: 125 lbs Stats: 32-27-35

Good Morning Long Island City Consider it New York City’s version of a rooster crowing.

Residents of Long Island City were awakened last Monday morning by a deafening noise coming from the fog outside. The blaring sound made many think they had woken up on a runway at LaGuardia.

For two hours, from about 6 a.m. until 8 a.m., the ear splitting noise blared through Long Island City, Astoria, and Roosevelt Island and was heard as far away as Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The source of noise was discovered to be steam being released from the Ravenswood power plant on Vernon Boulevard.

TransCanada, who operates the plant, said there were no explosions, fires, injuries or service disruptions from the venting of steam, neither from the power plant nor from the angry sleep-deprived residents who got a rude Monday morning wake-up call.

As North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital opened its new $300 million inpatient center, a prominent face that a lot of frustrated baseball fans would recognize sat in the audience—New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon.

No one booed, no one jeered. Wilpon smiled, glad to see his friend and business partner Saul Katz honored for donating a large chunk of dough to have the center built. For once, no one wanted to point out how Katz and Wilpon had mismanaged the team so badly.

If this reporter were brave enough, he would have told Wilpon not to worry too much because Jose Reyes, the prized shortstop who got away, will probably blow out his hamstring in May anyway. And the Mets, the poor Mets, may someday escape their malaise.

Saul Katz & Fred Wilpon

Sanders Claus

Councilman James Sanders Claus

Sockwell was ready to take the modeling world by storm. She had met some girls in school who called themselves “The Pretty Girls,” and they were all trying to get into modeling.

“The CEO of the group was my best friend at the time,” Ciara said, so she joined up. The plans came to a screeching halt when, as a young teen she became pregnant and had her first child. Two years later she had another, and now, raising a 3-year-old and 6-month-old as a single mom, this 18-year-old is ready to take another crack at the modeling world.

“As of now I’m into anything except nudes or Xrated things,” she said. “I’d like to do print work, maybe runway. I do a little bit of acting too.”

Just the day before her interview to be a Model of Queens, Ciara had auditioned for a role in an upcoming Adam Sandler film and was excited to be heading back for a follow-up meeting.

But really, modeling isn’t what it’s all about for Ciara – and certainly is not her greatest dream.

“I’m going to be staring at Queensborough Community College in January to work on my nursing degree,” she said. “The modeling will be a side career.”

Ever since she was little, Ciara has dreamt of being a nurse, even dressing up as one last Halloween.

When she’s not taking care of her children, Ciara spends a lot of her free time trying to get her foot in the door for her modeling career.

“I like to network a lot, go to little auditions,” she said. “I go to parties a little, but only if it has to do with modeling.” She also does a lot of “time for print” shoots, where she is the subject for photographers looking to build portfolios in exchange for good resume-building pieces for her to show around.

“Besides that I like cooking and spending time with my kids,” she said. “I like to take them to the park and the malls and movies.”

As a single mom and a teen mother, Ciara has advice for girls who land in her situation: “I’ve been through a lot,” she said, “but you just have to keep on going.”

Tired of waiting for Santa to put presents under the tree?

No need to worry, Sanders Claus has already come to town!

A series of press releases out this month, praise Sanders Claus – Councilman James Sanders Jr. – for donating funding to schools in his district. While securing $2 million for students is a feat, all we at QConf can picture is a jolly Sanders sliding down school chimneys handing out checks to children.

We hope you’ve been good this year, Sanders Clause has a list, and only those who have been nice get checks.

Ravenswood power plant

Confidentially, New York . . .

What’s Up SATURDAY, DEC. 17 Walkers for Wellness Club Looking for a fun way to improve your health? Join the Walkers for Wellness Club at New Hope Lutheran Church of Jamaica. Under the guidance of a Walking Leader, you will walk two to three times each week at a comfortable pace with others along routes throughout Southeast Queens. The club is open to walkers of all ages and abilities. The walking schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Walkers meet at New Hope Lutheran Church, located at 167-24 118th Ave. T-shirts and pedometers will be provided.

Contact Thurkessa Brown at (917) 5531089 for more information.

Tree Lighting Councilman Leroy Comrie, Neighborhood Housing Services, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, No Doubt, Corner Store Magazine, and the Women’s Information Network are pleased to present the 10th Annual Tree Lighting and Toy Drive. Please open your hearts and donate a toy to a child in need. We are accepting donations until Dec. 17th. All donations may be dropped off at the office of Council Member Leroy Comrie at 11343 Farmers Blvd. For more information, contact (718) 776-3700.

This free event will be held at Liberty Park from 2 to 5 p.m.

Winter Swing The York College Blue Notes is a

high school big band in residence at York College/CUNY. Members of the Blue Notes are New York City public high school musicians who are alumni of the York College Summer Jazz Program. Come on out for a little Winter Swing.

When: Saturday, Dec.17 - 7:00 pm This free event will be held at Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., at 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 18 Market Shopping

Caribbean Christmas Carol

The Nutcracker

It may be hot outside, but that doesn’t mean that Christmas isn’t just around the corner. The Black Spectrum Theatre Company is pleased to present. “A Caribbean Christmas Carol.” Tickets are available for $25. For tickets and additional information, call (718) 723-1800.

This free event will be held at Black Spectrum Theatre - 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, at 8 p.m.

Camille Thurman Concert Camille Thurman, multi-talented saxophonist, flutist, vocalist, composer and educator is a young musician emerging on the horizon who is acquiring an impressive list of accomplishments that extend well beyond her years. Join her and guest poet and author, A&N. Come be a part of this music and poetry jam! Food will be available. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15; $17 at the door.

This free event will be held at Afrikan Poetry Theatre, 176-03 Jamaica Ave., at 8 p.m.

Finish your holiday shopping at Astoria Market, an artisan market filled with handmade, baked, and vintage goods. The market is based out of the Main Hall of the famous Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria.

This free event will be held at 29-19 24th Ave., from noon to 6 p.m.

The perfect introduction to the perennial holiday favorite The Nutcracker is back by popular demand. Brighton Ballet’s original version—featuring dazzling Russian-trained dancers, exquisite costumes and the beloved music by Tchaikovsky— has been created and priced especially for family audiences. Adult tickets can be purchased for $18, tickets for children under 12 are $12.

This event will be held at Queens College’s Colden Auditorium, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., at 3 p.m.

child in need. Don’t forget to bring your favorite holiday snack, dessert, or drink!

Talk of the Town Toastmasters Club has members from all walks of life who share the desire to learn how to be better leaders and communicators. All guests interested in improving speaking or leadership skills, while meeting fun friends and neighbors are welcome!

This free event will be held at Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center, 172-17 Linden Blvd., at 7:15 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21 JSPOA Christmas Party Calling all seniors and seniors at heart!

JSPOA’s Rockaway Adult Center is pleased to invite all seniors to its Christmas Party. Come get your party on. For additional information, call (718) 6576752.

This free event will be held at JSPOA Rockaway Boulevard Senior Center, 12310 143rd St.

Sanders Claus Holiday Blast MONDAY, DEC. 19 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

The event is held at 6 p.m. every Monday at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.

You are cordially invited to Councilman James Sanders’ 1st annual holiday blast. Bring one canned good for admittance. RSVP at (718) 527-4356 or jsanders@council.nyc.gov.

This event will be held at Clippers Restaurant and Lounge - 234-36 Merrick Blvd., from 6 to 9 p.m.

Stay Well Learn new ways to take charge of your health and help your friends do the same.

Learn how special exercise and relaxation techniques make a difference in your life.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10 a.m.

Polish Your Resume Bring a copy of your resume on a flash drive and volunteers will guide you through editing and producing a professional quality resume using Cyber Center computers.

Must have keyboard and mouse experience. Register in advance at the Job Information Center.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 20 Walkers For Wellness Club See Saturday’s listing. At 7 p.m.

Learn how to develop your idea into a business plan. Participants will learn how to create demand for your product or service, set goals and objectives, budgeting and timelines, and identifying resources and networks. To register, call (718) 9905102.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6:30 p.m.

Holiday Meeting and Party Talk of the Town Toastmasters Club invites you to come celebrate the season.

Please bring a new unwrapped toy for a

See Saturday’s listing. At 7 p.m.

JSPOA Holiday Luncheon Calling all seniors and seniors at heart!

JSPOA’s Theodora G. Jackson’s Adult Center is pleased to invite all seniors to its holiday luncheon, program and party.

Come join the fun. For additional information, call (718) 657-6581.

This free event will be held at JSPOA Theodora G. Jackson Adult Center, 92-47 165th St, at 11:30 a.m.

Christmas Showcase 2011 Future Grads cordially invites you to their annual Community Christmas Showcase. There will be a gift for every child who registers to receive one in advance.

Donations will be accepted. For additional information, call (516) 495-6722.

This free event will be held at 122-14 Montauk St., from 4 to 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 23 Movie Night “Xica” is an outrageous comedy based on the life of a legendary black woman in the 1700s in Brazil. The slave Xica uses her iron will and her unique sexual talent to seduce her way into becoming the unofficial Empress of Brazil, while emptying the crown’s treasury. Xica is played by the lean, fiery Zeze Motta, who is described as a combination of Eartha Kitt and Carmen Miranda. A discussion follows the film.

109 minutes in color. Directed by Carlos Diegues.

This free event will be held at Afrikan Poetry Theatre, 176-03 Jamaica Ave., at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 16-22, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

Own Your Own Business

THURSDAY, DEC. 22 Walkers For Wellness Club