Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 12 Issue No. 32 Aug. 12-18, 2011

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

Page 18

Peninsula Hospital staff workers and their families rallied in the rain to protest the facility’s planned closing and protect not only their jobs, but the welfare of the people they serve.

By Veronica Lewin‌Page 3

Online at www.QueensPress.com

News Briefs Health Fair Want to know if your blood pressure is too high? The New Covenant Church of Christ in Queens Village is sponsoring a health fair for the community. The church is offering screening for high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and heart disease, as well as nutrition counseling. The free event will be held Saturday, Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church at 206-14 100th Ave, Queens Village. For more information, call (718) 479-7084.

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 12-18, 2011

TD And GJDC The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, has donated $10,000 to the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) for operating support of its Capital Access Program for small businesses in Southeast Queens.

The funds from the TD Charitable Foundation will be used for the organization's highly-successful Capital Access Program - dedicated to promote and facilitate small business expansion through a revolving loan fund that makes term loans of $10,000 to $300,000 for an array of uses including real property purchase or improvement, gap financing, working capital and equipment. The Program provides this critical financing to 'nearly bankable' local small businesses, with an emphasis in low-to-moderate income areas within Downtown Jamaica and Southeast Queens.

"Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is in the community-building business with a long-standing commitment to planning, promoting, and advancing responsible development, expanded opportunities, and quality-of-life improvements for Downtown Jamaica," said F. Carlisle Towery. "With its public and private partners such as the TD Charitable Foundation, GJDC is helping to strengthen local businesses, retain jobs, and expand economic opportunity for the diverse residents and workers in Downtown Jamaica and Southeast Queens."

"Through the TD Charitable Foundation, TD Bank is thrilled to contribute our support to the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation's highly-successful Capital Access Program," says Peter Meyer, Market President at TD Bank.

"The critical financing provided through this program goes a long way towards bolstering economic development and business expansion in Downtown Jamaica and Southeast Queens."

Pair Charged In Arson It was a case of letting him who is without sin cast the first stone - and then trying to set him on fire.

Two men were arrested and accused of setting a fire in a South Richmond Hill building last month that left four people, including two firefighters, with serious injuries.

FDNY Fire Marshals have arrested Imran Ali, 23, and Devindra Ramnaryan, 21, of Queens for setting a fire at 123-11 Liberty Ave. in South Richmond Hill on July 23. The suspects allegedly set fire to the location around 2:30 a.m. on the second floor landing after illegally entering

the building; they believed rocks were being thrown at them from the building's rooftop.

The fire was reported at 2:34 a.m. and the first units arrived on scene in just over two minutes. In all, 12 units comprised of 60 firefighters responded to the all-hands fire, which took more than 30 minutes to bring under control. The fire occurred during the July heat wave and temperatures at the time of the fire were around 90 degrees. The building that went up in flames is two stories, with a store called Anjees on the first floor, and two apartments on the second floor.

The fire extended into the two secondfloor apartments, seriously injuring an elderly couple. Two firefighters also suffered injuries.

Ali was arrested on July 27. Ramnaryan fled the country after the fire, but was arrested shortly after his return on Aug. 1 following surveillance of the neighborhood by Fire Marshals. Ali and Ramnaryan face multiple charges, including arson, attempted murder, assault, burglary, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

Maloney Slavery Bill One Queens Congresswoman has spent her career campaigning against human trafficking and is not about to stop until she sees results.

Last Wednesday, standing on the steps of City Hall, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria), announced the introduction of the Business Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act. If passed, the legislation would require companies earning over $100 million worldwide to disclose an annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, revealing their employment practices to consumers.

According to Maloney, 12.3 million people are enduring "enslavement," working in some form of forced labor worldwide.

"We have seen a global shift in trafficking in weapons and drugs to trafficking in children and humans," Maloney said.

"Drugs and guns can be used only once, but the human body can be used over and over again."

Using the legislation as a tool to topple trafficking, the bill would also oblige companies to be transparent about their employment policies, Maloney said.

Raccoon Round-Up The borough has been suffering from a growing population of unwelcome (and furry) Dept. of Sanitation helpers, according to local legislators who want to kick the vermin out of Queens.

State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) has introduced legislation geared toward the removal of raccoons, which he said have consumed a growing chunk of his constituent complaints.

"It's an infestation," Avella said.

"They're reaching out in every area."

The bill would mandate the City's Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene to remove raccoons on an as-reported basis, with the agency responding to either 311 or local elected officials. The animals would be neutered and re-released, preferably somewhere outside the city.

Presstime Peninsula's Fate:

Smith Demands Inquiry Into Closure

BY VERONICA LEWIN

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

While the future of Far Rockaway's Peninsula Hospital Center remains uncertain, many from around the City and the state are fighting to keep hospital beds in the borough.

State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) has spent the last week fighting to keep the hospital located in his district.

The senator wrote a letter to State Dept. of Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and State Inspector General Ellen Biben, requesting a thorough investigation of the circumstances that have led to Peninsula Hospital Center being in danger of closing.

The news about the potential closure came the day before the trial of former MediSys CEO David Rosen. Rosen is accused of bribing State Sen. Carl Kruger (DBrooklyn) and late Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio for preferential treatment of MediSys facilities. MediSys operates several hospitals in the area, including the atrisk Peninsula Hospital Center, Flushing Hospital Medical Center and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

Smith stressed closing the Far Rockaway hospital will put a strain on healthcare in Queens.

"Up until recent weeks, community leaders have been made to believe that there should not be any concern with the

State Sen. Malcolm Smith (c.) has requested an investigation into Peninsula Hospital's claims of financial distress, along with Councilman Ruben Wills and Assemblywoman Michelle Titus. long-term stability of the hospital and no cause for concern of impending and insurmountable financial shortfalls," Smith's letter said. "This closure can potentially cause irreparable harm to a community already facing many challenges."

The senator, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica), Assemblywoman Michele Titus (D-South Ozone Park) and Councilman Ruben Wills (D-South Ozone Park) joined residents and hospital employees

at a rally last Sunday to protest the closure of the debt-ridden hospital.

On Aug. 1, the hospital submitted a draft closure plan to the State Department of Health for their review and approval.

Before Peninsula Hospital Center can legally close, the Hospital Closure Planning Act requires the State Dept. of Health hold a public forum to determine the closure's impact on the community and measures taken to decrease the impact.

The Act, sponsored by Assemblyman Rory

Lancman (D-Hillcrest), was signed into law last year, after the borough lost Parkway, Mary Immaculate and St. John's hospitals.

Closing Peninsula Hospital Center will bring the number of hospital beds down to 3,593 to serve more than 2 million people in the entire borough of Queens. Losing the hospital will not only impact the welfare of residents, but the City's economy.

According to the Health Association of New York State, City hospitals provide 286,780 jobs and generate $47.4 billion in economic activity.

"As the economic engines of New York City, the contributions of hospitals and other health care providers cannot be overstated," said HANYS President Daniel Sisto. "In New York City, and in virtually every region of the state, the health care sector represents the very foundation upon which a stronger economy can be built and sustained."

Peninsula Hospital Center is located near the Edgemere Projects, which has suffered from a culture of violence for several years. St. John's Episcopal Hospital, which could be left as the lone hospital on the peninsula, announced last week that it plans to accommodate the residents of Far Rockaway and Five Towns of Nassau as much as possible.

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

Mayor Asks: Where Did Queens Go? U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand followed Bloomberg's letter with one of her own in support of the City's challenge.

Last year, Gillibrand expressed concern to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about chronic undercounting in New York's immigrant neighborhoods, particularly in Jackson Heights, Astoria, and Sunset Park. Immediately after the 2010 Census numbers were announced, The protest from the Mayor and New York's two Senators Gillibrand wrote to then- is primarily over the fact that the immigrant neighborhoods Commerce Secretary Gary of Jackson Heights and others that adjoin it along the 7 train Locke urging him to review were dramatically undercounted in the Census. the 2010 Census results and correct any undercount to ensure New York communities get their to ensure accurate censuses."

The Jackson Heights and Corona area fair share of federal resources.

"There is well-documented evidence of, are historically the most diverse locations while well-intentioned, considerable short- in New York City, and home to one of the comings in the efforts to reach racial and greatest densities of new immigrants. ethnic minority populations, including imIf a challenge is won and the Census migrants, during Census 2010," Gillibrand bureau does issue new numbers, it would wrote. "Many of those shortcomings were not change reapportionment or redistrictbased on a deeply-rooted and historic lack ing, but would affect allocations of govof trust between government authorities ernment funding.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at and the aforementioned groups, which I highlighted in my 2010 request for immigra- drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357tion authorities to work with communities 7400, Ext. 125.

Aug. 12-18, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Mayor Mike Bloomberg announced Wednesday that his office is officially challenging the results of the 2010 Census that showed paltry population growth citywide and in Queens, including a drop in the populations of two of the borough's most vibrant neighborhoods.

In a letter to Dr. Robert Graves, the director of the U.S. Census Bureau, Bloomberg singled out two sections of the city, one of them being Astoria and Jackson Heights, both of which Census figures said saw a drop in population since 2000, despite being popular and thriving neighborhoods through much of the decade and remaining a popular and desired place to live. The administration says as many as 50,000 people could have been left out of the count.

"Numerous data sources cited in our submission refute the prevalence of widespread vacant housing units in those areas, which are and continue to be among our most stable, growing and vibrant neighborhoods," the mayor said. "This disproportionate concentration of vacancy suggests that some aspect of the census enumeration went awry in these two offices, with likely processing errors that may have hindered the proper reporting, compilation, and tabulation of census results."

The other location Bloomberg's letter focused on was Bensonhurst and Bay Ridge in Brooklyn.

Bloomberg is contesting the results through the Count Question Resolution Program, which allows elected officials to challenge the results of the Census and present evidence that the counts are wrong. The mayor's office submitted housing unit statistics that show the Census results in those two areas would mean vacancy rates there would be dramatically different than rates the New York Dept. of City Planning found in 2008, whereas the Census results are more in line with those numbers elsewhere in the city, including areas that suffered a foreclosure crisis like Southeast Queens.

Also, the mayor's office said, the high vacancy rates in these neighborhoods would not make sense because rents and pace of new housing construction remain high in Astoria and Jackson Heights.

"To say there are abandoned buildings in growing, bustling neighborhoods is on its face absurd," said U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer. "The City is right to file this challenge."

Some who defended the Census findings say the financial crisis and recession may have had an effect on the results. The economic crisis might have stunted any growth from earlier in the decade.

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

Gennaro Has District Graffiti Covered

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 12-18, 2011

In an effort to beautify his district, Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) grabbed a spray painter and covered up graffiti on a roll-down store gate in Jamaica.

"So long to graffiti on Hillside Avenue," said the councilman, who added the graffiti cleanup program is a good use of the taxpayer money allocated to him.

Gennaro started what he called the "graffiti removal apocalypse" on the corner of 172nd Street and Hillside Avenue in Jamaica July 25.

An increase in funding allows the councilman to partner with local businesses, such as City Solve, to clean up blocks at a time. The cleanup program started out as a complaint-driven program, but has evolved into something more.

Instead of waiting for complaints, if the councilman or a member of his staff sees graffiti on a store gate or building while out in the 24th District, it will be added to the cleanup list. "We're going to see it, we're going to get rid of it," Gennaro said.

City Solve Owner Bruce Pienky said cleaning this block was the largest cleanup to date, as 145 gates were on the to-do list.

The project has also removed graffiti from the Union Turnpike area and Francis Lewis Boulevard and Main Street intersection. The cleanup project is not only limited to gates. The group will also remove graffiti from sidewalls, homes, mailboxes

and traffic control boxes.

In order to prevent property from being retagged by vandals, the group does a monthly inspection of each property they cleaned up, and will remove the graffiti again if necessary. By constantly removing graffiti, Gennaro said it will break the spirit of vandals who may be tempted to recreate their artwork again on private property.

This graffiti removal is free to the busi-

nesses and residents in Gennaro's district, which would otherwise cost them $500 to $1,000 for the service. City Solve's highpowered spray painters allow crews to remove graffiti from an area in just minutes.

Andrew Manshel, executive vice president of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp., said cleaning up graffiti in Queens' neighborhoods is important to the perception of social control in the area. If an area has too much graffiti, people will begin to

have a negative perception of the neighborhood, which could lower property values and increase store vacancy rates. By cleaning up graffiti, a neighborhood can maintain its value.

To make a complaint about graffiti in your area, call the councilman's district office at (718) 217-4969.

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

Verizon Workers Strike In Queens

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Some 35,000 Verizon union employees, including many based in Forest Hills, went on strike after their contract with the telecommunications giant expired on Aug. 6 - and the standoff has turned ugly.

Verizon management claimed strikers vandalized equipment and strikers claimed they were physically targeted by nonunion employees of the company.

At the root of the standoff is Verizon's plan to curb pensions, mandate union workers contribute toward their healthcare expenses, and making it easier for the company to fire union workers. Verizon has also proposed cutting back or eliminating disability benefits and paid sick days. In response, two unions representing more than

45,000 Verizon workers - Communication Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - called a strike and workers have been picketing since Sunday.

"Verizon executives are trying to take money from working people while paying themselves more than ever," said Chris Shelton, Vice President for CWA District 1, which includes workers in Queens.

More than 10,000 workers have picketed across the city, including outside Verizon's building at 107-05 70th Rd. in Forest Hills. They took aim at the company's executive compensation, noting Verizon's CEO took home more than $80 million in pay over the last four years, and charged that the company was trying to prevent workers from unionizing.

In a statement, Verizon refuted the

union's claims, saying its executive compensation promotes a "performancebased culture" and has been approved by 90 percent or more of its shareholders.

Verizon also explained that the reduction of union workers is due to loss of workers through attrition, the spin-off of the company's assets and buyouts.

Verizon also denied it was coercing workers to not join a union, instead saying that has been the choice of the workers themselves.

"Verizon employees have made their own decision not to organize, and that decision is based on a thoughtful analysis of the facts. It was entirely their decision," the company said in a statement.

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

Carey, ‘Greatest Governor,’ Dies At 92

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Former Governor Hugh Carey, who led the state through New York City's fiscal crisis in the 1970s, has died. A service had been planned for Thursday at Manhattan's St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Carey died Aug. 7 at his home in Shelter Island at age 92. The Brooklyn native served in Congress for seven terms during the politically volatile 1960s before being elected governor, where he was praised for his handling of the fiscal crisis that shook New York City in the mid-1970s.

Carey was born and raised near Prospect Park in Brooklyn and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was elected to Congress in 1960; the same day fellow Irish-American politician John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States, representing Western Brooklyn neighborhoods of Park Slope, Red Hook, Sunset Park and Bay Ridge.

In Congress, he served on the Ways and Means, Education and Labor committees; he was there when the Civil Rights Act passed and Medicare and Medicaid were enacted. He was one of the first New York representatives to oppose the Vietnam War. Carey was elected New York's 51st governor in 1974, defeating Republican incumbent Malcolm Wilson after the Watergate scandal swept Republicans from power across the country. In his first

Hugh Carey term as governor, Carey found New York City marred in a fiscal crisis that threatened to engulf the entire state. When the federal government refused to step in, he slashed spending, including axing free tuition at CUNY schools. Former NYC Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. said Carey's leadership during that time should rank him among the state's top governors.

"He's one of the greatest governors, if not the greatest governor, this state has ever had," said Vallone, who was on the City Council Finance Committee during

the city's fiscal crisis while Carey was bold leadership, commitment to public governor. "He saved the city of New service, consummate professionalism and unimpeachable integrity," Brown said.

York."

Carey was reelected in 1978, defeating Vallone added that he thought Carey Republican Assembly Leader Perry Duyrea has been "greatly underappreciated."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose father of Suffolk County, in a close race many Mario Cuomo served as Carey's lieutenant expected him to lose. governor and succeeded him in the The Carey administration saw governor's mansion, also praised his lead- progress in help for the mentally ill, a reaction to the scandal of abuse and ership during the fiscal crisis.

"He called for shared sacrifice and overcrowding in the Willowbrook State asked all New Yorkers to come together. School in Staten Island, and on environment issues, thanks in New Yorkers across the state heard the Governor's part to the ecological dicall to action, followed his “Hugh Carey forged saster at Love Canal in Niagara Falls. He was lead, and the ship was governor when the state righted," Gov. Cuomo a lasting legacy of hosted the 1980 Winter said. bold leadership, in Lake Placid.

Carey was responsible commitment to pub- Olympics for the construction of Carey retired from polim a j o r p u b l i c w o r k s lic service, consumtics when his term ended projects. He also success- mate professionalism in 1982 and he returned fully blocked conservato practicing law. He attended the swearing in of tive legislators from both and unimpeachable Gov. David Paterson in parties from overturning integrity.”

New York's abortion laws —District Attorney 2008.

- a stance he later said he Carey fathered 14 chilRichard Brown dren with his first wife regretted - and from reinstating the death penalty, Helen, who died of canwhich he opposed. Queens DA Richard cer shortly before he was elected goverBrown, who served as Carey's counsel nor. His son Paul served in the Clinton for two years, noted his leadership on administration as a commissioner of the issues of justice, including creating merit- SEC. Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at based selection of judges and changing drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357how the court system was funded.

"Hugh Carey forged a lasting legacy of 7400, Ext. 125.

Aug. 12-18, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

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 Associate Publisher

Brenda Jones Executive Editor:

Brian Rafferty Deputy Editor:

Joseph Orovic Contributing Editor:

Editorial Four Years Later…

The announcement last week of the City's new Young Men's Initiative, designed to offer a greater focus for opportunity for the City's black and Latino populations, is welcome, if not long overdue.

Four years ago, when Harvard professor Dr. Alvin Pouissant and Bill Cosby co-authored a book titled "Come On, People," this newspaper launched an eight-part, in-depth series that painted a picture of the state of affairs for the black communities of Queens. This award-winning excursion into the national issues facing black families and how those issues play out in Queens highlighted the exact issues raised by the Mayor's new initiative.

It seems that four years later, the Mayor's plan follows the basic outline established by Pouissaint and outlined in our series: family structure, the justice system, education and role models.

When we wrapped up our series, we closed with a quote from Dr. Pouissant: "By doing the things we can do, we can make the future much brighter for poor black youth, much brighter for everyone. No more excuses, no more delays. Come on, people."

We're happy to see that the City has picked up the gauntlet that we threw down nearly four years ago.

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Letters

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Harley Benson Domenick Rafter Jason Banrey Veronica Lewin

Malpractice Update To The Editor: The news that the Peninsula Hospital in Far Rockaway is closing is all too familiar. All across New York, hospitals and health care facilities have been forced to shutter their doors, denying many New Yorkers access to basic medical care. One of the principal drivers of these closures is the rising costs of medical liability insurance in New York, and one of the principal drivers of these higher costs is New York's anti-

quated medical liability system.

New York is facing an unprecedented medical liability crisis, and the cost of insurance continues to outpace all other measures.

New Yorkers pay more than $130 million annually in taxes to subsidize the cost of malpractice insurance, yet the premiums paid by doctors and hospitals remains astronomically high when compared to other states. Doctors in some parts of New York pay upwards of $200,000 per year in premiums and some health care

Letters providers cannot get coverage at all. Earlier this year, eight of the 13 obstetricians at the BronxLebanon hospital received notice that their insurer would not renew their coverage.

One proven solution to this problem is to cap non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. Health care professionals and businesses in New York work under constant threat of multimillion-dollar judgments that can destroy their businesses and the jobs they provide, like the 1,100 jobs at Peninsula Hospital. By capping non-economic judgments (that is, judgments above and beyond medical costs or lost wages), we can stem the tide of hospital closures and show doctors and health care professionals we are open for business.

Those who are injured as a result of an accident should be compensated for their medical bills and lost wages. It is the excessive and unpredictable nature of such things as the "pain and suffering" settlements that cause problems for the medical community and serve little or no purpose except to enrich trial lawyers.

Many states, most notably Texas and California, have passed similar limits to great success. New York should join them and end the current "Lawsuit Lottery" system that threatens the economic growth of our state.

By reducing the cost and unpredictability of malpractice in-

surance, New York would increase access to health care and make it more affordable for more New Yorkers.

Governor Cuomo included a non-economic cap in his 2011 budget, but the cap did not make it through the legislature. If we as New Yorkers are going to stop the closures of hospitals, increase access to health care and lower the costs of medical liability coverage, the governor must put the cap in his budget in 2012, but this time, we must pressure the legislature to pass the cap, before there are no hospitals left.

Thomas M. Stebbins, Executive Director, Lawsuit Reform Alliance of NY

Motives To The Editor: It's nice that Mayor Mike Bloomberg and his friend George Soros will help fund a program called The Young Mens Initiative.

It would help Black and Latino men with job placement, education, etc. I don't mind that Bloomberg and friends will put up some money toward paying for this program. I do mind that some of my taxes will be paying for it, too.

I think this program using New York City taxes is illegal because it discriminates against White and Asian men and all women. Where is the ACLU? Charles Sikorski, Ozone Park

Art Dept:

Sara Gold Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend Advertising Director James Mammarella

A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson

The old saying, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" has come to mind with Mayor Mike Bloomberg's announcement of a $100 million plan for programs to help young African American and Latino men with training and job placement.

These are hard times and the state, the city and indeed Washington D.C. are being forced to cut crucial programs that would naturally serve our youth. High schools once offered marketable skills such as carpentry, plumbing, welding and electrical skills for young men who wanted to go directly into the job market rather than going on to college and offered office skills for young women with the same goal.

Today many are still opting out of college but there are no viable alternatives for them, so many of the males end up on the streets; and that is why the pundits are critical of the mayor's plan. He's putting up some of the money from his own fortune and getting a wealthy friend or two

Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2011 Tribco, LLC

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 12-18, 2011

Training Youth For Life Is A Necessity

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

to pitch in as well, but they say the plan does not go far enough.

Too many programs have been cut from our public schools over the decades due to one fiscal crisis after another. Having privately-funded programs that young people can access for training is a good idea in these tough economic times. Having good hands-on programs in the school as part of the curriculum is an even better idea.

As early as elementary school, my schoolmates and I were learning practical skills that are no longer in high schools today, never mind elementary. Every high school should be offering computer repair and programming and the myriad options that will help our young people to be self-supporting.

Even those with plans for college could use this type of training so they can find jobs to help pay for college. We have lost so much by taking so much out of the schools. Heck, we've even lost music education, gym and fine arts in some cases. It disenfranchises our young people when their schools have to run

on a shoe string budget. Times are extremely hard but cutting out programs that prepare our young people for life ends up costing our city, state and nation more in the long run.

That the mayor and some of his friends are willing to foot the bill for post-high school training will be helpful. But nothing beats offering it when they are in school and it is a curriculum choice or mandate.

After they leave school, it is more difficult to corral them into programs no matter how well intended. And there ought to be more emphasis on educating kids about the importance of being prepared for life. Handing out packets of condoms is not all there is to know about being responsible.

Being responsible also means preparing to be self-sufficient in the world. It means preparing to be a successful entrepreneur or electrician, physician, teacher, attorney, tradesperson, engineer or military and civic-minded person. I recall when Driver’s Ed was also offered in New York City public schools, but you don't even hear of that anymore.

However, it is not a bad thing that the mayor is doing it in the interim, so let's take advantage of what's on the table at the moment.

The Young Men's Initiative calls for the overhauling of current city agencies that have not really served these communities efficiently. The plan is proposed to start this fall with job recruitment centers to be placed in public housing complexes where many youth from minority groups live with their families. There will also be access to general medical and reproductive health resources as well.

The 16-to-24 age group is said to be most affected by the lack of training and this plan will also encourage them to get a drivers license or state IDs. So let's not knock what's on the table at the moment. Let's make it work for our youth to the extent that it can.

A civilization that does not prepare its youth for life is destined for self-destruction. The mayor knows this and sees it coming, but he needs to take it to the foundation - the local high school.

Let's get it together for our future.

The Government Abyss: How Low Can You Go?

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER I think I may be star ting an argument, but the United States Congress is not the worst legislative body at work in our country today.

Now don’t get me wrong, the performance of Congress over the past month dealing with the nation’s debt ceiling is likely the most pathetic performance on an issue of any legislative body in this state. Shame on them – on all of them – and my President, too.

Although I think blame for the brinkmanship can clearly be affixed to the Republican Party held hostage by an extreme group of Tea

Party extremists, the President and the Democrats caved, and participated in the damaging proce ss with results that not only did not benefit the people they represent, it did harm to the nation.

The President did not lead.

The Democrats did little and the Republicans did damage.

A lengthy Standard and Poor’s statement accompanying the downgrade of long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States to ‘AA+’ from ‘AAA,’ asserted: “We have changed our assumption on this because the majority of Republicans in Congress continue to resist any measure that would raise revenues, a position we believe Congress reinforced by passing the act.”

Yes, my friends “raise revenue” is a euphemism for “tax increase” and in Democratic terms “a tax increase on the wealthiest Americans and Corporations.”

But it is apparent that the Dems in Congress don’t have the collective courage to lay on the table and demand passage of a tax increase of a specific percentage,

based on gross income, so that 95 percent of Americans can understand that they wouldn’t pay more.

For instance, you would not be subject to such a tax unless you were earning (my assumption) $250,000 per year, and then it would cost (assumption again) 10 percent of the gross or $25,000.

And the tax increase would go up from there for people who earn more. I don’t know their formula but the Dems and the President failed to make their tax increase case to the people. And they failed to let the Republicans know that it was a non-negotiable par t of their package.

“We control one House – the Senate – and we have the President” they could have said, “and insist that for ever y dollar cut in spending, we increase revenue by a dollar by taxing millionaires and billionaires and the wealthiest of corporations.”

I am saddened, disappointed and totally unimpressed how my government and my representative per formed for the county on the debt ceiling legislation. And a “no”

vote does not score points in my judgment. The Dems who “broke” with their leadership and the President, in my opinion, were really “yes” votes if they were needed to pass the legislation. While the “no” vote does reflect a bit of principle expressing their dissatisfaction with the legislation and the fact that the wealthiest Americans are not contributing to the solution, I view it as an equal amount of pandering, because if needed they would have voted “yes.” And finally, if done with leadership’s knowledge and approval, you can’t move your caucus.

The Tea Part y didn’t ask John Boehner for permission to draw their line – as a matter of fact, they took control. Progressive Democrats, learn a lesson.

Mr. President, you too have lessons to learn. Taking options off the negotiating table based on your knowledge of constitutional law is no way to win a street fight. T he Progre ssive Democrats are in a brawl with the Tea Par t y Republica ns and the right wing knows how to

fight. And our side just doesn’t.

The results: pathetic.

With all that said and with Congress having the lowest approval rating in memory, I have no problem placing them a rung up from the most abysmal legislative body in the nation: The New York State Legislature.

Hovering just above that black hole leading to the abyss is the New York State Legislature, which has been slightly improved by the leadership of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

In the months to come, as they decide whether redistricting will be done independently or as part of the same ‘ol political self-serving proce ss that has marked t heir years in the abyss, we shall be able to determine if there is any hope for the State and its legislature.

As far as Congress is concerned, they may learn a lesson from their debt ceiling fiasco and the price we and they have paid.

Or perhaps, we New Yorkers will continue to compete with the people of the nation in a game of “how low can you go?”

MSchenkler@QueensPress.com

Clinton Suggested Obama Resist Threats of Default In an interview two weeks ago, former President Clinton said that he would invoke the Constitutional option “without hesitation, and force the courts to stop me” in order to prevent a default should Congress and the President fail to achieve Stern agreement. “‘I think the Constitution is clear and I think this idea that the Congress gets to vote tw ice on whether to pay for [expenditures] it has appropriated is crazy,’ he said.

Lifting the debt ceiling ‘is necessary to pay for appropriations already made,’ he added, ‘so you can’t say, ‘Well, we won the last election and we didn’t vote for some of that stuff, so we’re going to throw the whole country’s credit into arrears.’”

The Constitution and the 14th Amendment authorize the public debt and provide that its validity shall not be questioned. We quote the relevant passages: Amendment 14, Section 4: “The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.”

It clearly state s t hat t he United States must pay its debts.

The pattern of imposing a ceiling on the national debt began with a law passed in 1917, after the Second Liberty Bond act. Since then,

the ceiling has been raised on numerous occasions, in recent years with increasing frequency. Most of these i ncrease s were approved without controversy, since they simply applied to existing obligations.

The authority of the Congress to add to the national debt is specified in the Constitution.

The Constitution of the United States: Article I, Section 8: “The Congress shall have the power: ...

“2. To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; ...”

It is certainly arguable whether the blanket Constitutional authority trumps the frequently amended debt ceiling statute.

If it desired to reduce the national debt, Congress could, for example, repeal Medicare, but it cannot simply refuse to pay the bills that come in pursuant to legitimate appropriations. Congress can refuse to build aircraft carriers, but it must pay for what has already been built. Similarly, it can terminate employee s to reduce headcount, but it cannot fail to pay people for services properly ordered and performed.

Of course, we know from Bush v. Gore (2000) that the law of the land is what five justices of the Supreme Court say it is, and in the current political configuration of the justices, the narrow conservative minority may be influenced by who is on which side in the controversy. Then again, they may not, or take a different view.

A decision by President Obama to follow his predecessor’s advice would, most likely, have provoked what could be called a constitutional crisis, since its outcome would affect the powers of different branches of our tripart ite government. T hat would be unfortunate and unsettling, both to the United States and to world markets. That being said, the markets seem to have been doing pretty badly anyway.

The alternative, however, submitting to the will of the House of Repre sentat ive s, give s t he national legislature the power to reverse public policy and overturn previous commitments to the American people, not by passing legislation to that effect, which is their right, but simply by

declining to raise the debt limit, a maneuver that requires no more than 41 Senators or 218 representatives.

That would result in a major shift in the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. If it were done by legislation, it would face challenge before the judiciary, which would ultimately decide the issue, subject to a Constitutional amendment. To attempt to accomplish such a seismic shift in the American system of checks and balances, simply by one branch being more willing to risk economic disaster than the other, is unacceptable in a mature democracy. It requires leadership, however, to reject such an irresponsible course.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

Aug. 12-18, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

By HENRY STERN Journalism is habitually critical of government officials and bureaucracy.

Most people, when polled objectively, tell us that they hold public officials in modest regard.

Traditionally, legislators rank substantially lower Henry in public esteem than execut ives. Notwithstanding those sentiments, however, voters usually re-elect their local representatives, unless the public mood shifts substantially, as it did in 2010.

The popularit y of the President, a governor or a mayor will vary during his term according to the course of events and the way that elected officials respond to the challenges of the day. Gov. Cuomo rose after his first six months as a result of his success in dealing with the legislature. President Obama, on the other hand, lost public esteem in the wake of the dispute over the national debt ceiling, even though he acted responsibly on that difficult issue.

The President’s decline in voter support came because, in yielding on many points in order to avert default, which he believed would be a national disaster, he was widely perceived as weaker and less effective than Speaker Boehner and Senator McConnell, the Republican Congressional leaders who threatened him, compelling the Democrats to accept substantial budget cuts which, if implemented, would significantly sabotage national programs, many of which are mandated by law.

Young Men’s Initiative:

Boro Reaction Mixed On Mayor’s Plan To Change Futures For Blacks, Latinos produce better outcomes for the young men they serve.

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 12-18, 2011

BY VERONICA LEWIN After years of accepting the fact that it is more likely for men of color to be victims of homicide than to get a diploma, a new City program hopes to change the fate of these youth from tragedy to success.

Young white, black and Latino men are represented almost equally in New York City's population, but the quality of life is unequal. Mayor Mike Bloomberg's Young Men's Initiative seeks to decrease the disparities between men of color and their peers in the Big Apple. The $127 million program is funded by the City, Campaign for Black Male Achievement of the Open Society Foundations and the Mayor himself, who provided $30 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies.

"When we look at poverty rates, graduation rates, crime rates and employment rates, one thing stands out: blacks and Latinos are not fully sharing in the promise of American freedom, and far too many are trapped in circumstances that are difficult to esThe initiative will help reinforce positive outcomes as cape," Bloomberg said.

When the Mayor announced part of a cultural need. the three-year program Aug. 4, he said it was the first of its kind in the na- gram also strives to introduce more littion. Many have said it could be a model eracy programs and mentoring for young for other cities in the future. The program males. is the result of a study conducted by Prior to the launch of the program, Bloomberg's office, which highlighted the Bloomberg and the City have been taking overwhelming inequalities for men of steps to reduce inequalities. Since 2005, color compared with white males. the citywide graduation rate has gone up 13 percentage points. During that same

By The Numbers time period, the graduation rate for black According to the study, the poverty and Hispanic students went up 14 perrate for blacks and Latino men is 50 per- cent, which helped close the black-white cent higher than white and Asian young and Latino-white graduation achievemen. The rate of unemployment is 60 ment gap by 22 percent and 23 percent percent higher. Men of color are two respectively. times more likely not to graduate from high school and even more likely to beShifting The Legal Balance come teen fathers. Most alarming, more Outside of the classroom, the Young than 90 percent of all young homicide Men's Initiative plans to change the crimivictims and perpetrators are black or nal justice system for men of color in orLatino. der to decrease recidivism upon release.

Black and Latino men are less likely The City plans to advocate allowing juto have access to quality early childhood veniles to be sent to community-based procare and education, which causes signifi- grams instead of detention centers far cant achievement gaps that appear as away from home, while expanding proearly as third grade. These students are grams for youth who would otherwise be three times more likely to be in special sent to state facilities run by the Office of education classrooms than their white Children and Family Services. counterparts and less likely to graduate The Mayor's program seeks to elimifrom high school. nate the employment barriers faced after incarceration, which primarily affects Fixing Education Imbalance black and Latino males. "The barriers to Starting next month, school progress obtain work and housing because of crimireports will feature specific statistics on nal records make it extremely difficult to black and Latino students to better mea- re-enter into society and can limit young sure school performance and to ensure men of color to a cycle of instability and schools are working on closing the illegal employment," the report reads.

In order to prevent businesses from achievement gap. Over the next three years, the DOE will develop a strategy pre-screening otherwise qualified candifor suspended students to succeed fol- dates, the City plans to remove the seclowing a return to the classroom. The pro- tion of an application that asks if the ap-

But Is It Positive?

The new initiative will help put a focus on aiding young children. plicant has a criminal background. To help increase chances of employment, the City will enter public-private partnerships to support more jobs for youth.

It Starts At Home NAACP Jamaica Chapter President Leroy Gadsden said youth benefit from having two-parent households, a characteristic that lacks in many black and Latino households. Males are often the absent parent in single-parent households.

According to the Mayor's study, children of color often grow up without a male role model, which can lead to deviant behavior in the future.

In an attempt to break the cycle of single-parent households, the City is launching the Fatherhood Initiative, which strives to reduce barriers to father engagement and create new opportunities for fathers and their children. CUNY will soon launch Project REDRESS, which will strengthen males' parenting skills while giving them education and employment opportunities. The Young Men's Initiative will establish criteria for health clinics that serve teens to help them better serve and understand youth, while making it easier for teens to access care.

As a way to get feedback from the group the Young Men's Initiative intends to serve, the City will establish the Mayor's Youth Leadership Council program in partnership with the Coro New York Leadership Center. The program will give young people leadership skills, who will later give the City advice on youth policy matters.

Before implementing the Young Men's Initiative, the City surveyed its agencies to identify how they are currently serving young men of color and analyzed where and how young men of color were served and underserved in the community. City agencies gave input and helped design interventions that would

The launch of the program has seen mixed reaction from leaders in the borough.

"Good intentions have too often produced little more than lip service," said State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst).

"In the Young Men's Initiative we may finally have an effort where ambitious vision, planning and resources replace platitudes and promises." The senator said his constituents and other communities around the City and country desperately need the Young Men's Initiative to succeed and is willing to help implement the program.

Councilman Ruben Wills (D-South Jamaica) said the fate of men of color in the City is the result of a systemic problem.

"The education system has actually failed our children," Wills said. "We are the greatest city in the world, but for us to have such a high dropout rate among minorities, there's something wrong there."

The councilman supports the Mayor's program if it is executed as written, and if the right stakeholders are at the table.

Wills said too many times people have come to the area who do not understand the unique challenges the City faces, resulting in unsuccessful attempts to change the lives of youth.

Councilman James Sanders (DLaurelton) applauded the Mayor for his Young Men's Initiative, but said it is too early to know of the program will succeed.

"While this tremendous initiative will positively impact over 300,000 youth, many poorly thought out policies, procedures and rules are putting them 10 times more at risk," Sanders said.

Sanders made several suggestions to improve the quality of life for the City's black and Latino youth, including extending the school year to prevent the educational loss that often happens during the summer months, ending hospital closures in the area and improving the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise.

"If people of color do not create businesses, their poverty rate will remain disproportionately high," Sanders said.

Gadsden said the Young Men's Initiative recognizes there is a problem in the City and is looking forward to seeing the effects of the program in his community. Gadsden is hopeful the program will have an impact on the recidivism rate in the City.

He said many people in predominately black and Latino communities have lost their trust in government, which could make it difficult to get people to buy into the program. The NAACP plans to encourage the community to embrace the concept of the Young Men's Initiative and trust in government once again.

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

which of these will not reduce your electricity use? a. replacing light switches with dimmers or motion sensors b. focusing light where it’s needed instead of lighting a whole room c. removing lamp shades d. keeping bulbs and fixtures clean

ceiling fans can improve energy efficiency… a. in the summer b. in the winter c. in both summer and winter

answer: c

an efficient way to keep your home cool in the summer is to... a. close shades or drapes to keep out the sun’s heat b. leave your a/c on all the time so it doesn’t have to cool a warm house

answer: c

what is the recommended setting for your a/c thermostat?

©2011 Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. Ad: Arnell Group

answer: a

answer: b

for 100+ energy saving tips visit conEd.com or find us on Facebook at Power of Green

Aug. 12-18, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

a. 80° b. 78° c. 72° d. 60°

c. leave windows open for a breeze, even when it’s hot out

pix

Sutphin Boulevard BID Free Concerts

For the next few Thursdays, the Sutphin Boulevard BID will hold free concerts from 1-2 p.m. at the Queens County Supreme Court Plaza, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd.

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

JAMS Festival Photos by Sutphin Blvd. BID

Sutphin Boulevard Executive Director Simone Price cuts the ribbon for the first-in-a-series afternoon concert.

Photo by Juliet Kaye

Malcolm Notice, Sutphin Boulevard BID Summer Ambassador; Simone Price, the Executive Director of the organization; and fellow Ambassador Matt Hinojosa welcome Supreme Court visitors and passers-by to the free concerts.

Downtown Jamaica was bustling with people enjoying the diverse cultural and ethnic musical talents, foods, arts and crafts of the Borough of Queens during the Jamaica Arts, Music and Summer Festival (JAMS) along 10 blocks of Jamaica Avenue. Pictured: Assemblyman William Scarborough (r.) presented Tyra Emerson (2nd r.), Executive Director of Cultural Collaborative of Jamaica, with a commendation from U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks for her work on putting together the 15th Annual Jamaica JAMS Festival.

Jazz Band And Jam members, keyboardist Andrea Rohlehr, guitarist James Rohlehr, and bassist Ron Jenkins, entertained the listeners at View of the Supreme Court entry the inaugural concert. plaza during the performance.

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 12-18, 2011

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BEST IN QUEENS 2011

PR WIN IZ ES

The PRESS will publish a special edition showcasing the places, people and things readers love about Queens.

The editors will comb the borough to find that great slice of pizza, that phenomenal rib shack, that beautiful vista or building that is part of what makes living in Queens so special.

But we need your help.

Send in the form below, name your “personal bests” and we’ll print your entry. Need more room? Send as many pages as you'd like or e-mail bestofqueens@queenstribune.com.

YOUR NAME: YOUR ADDRESS:

Mail To: THE BEST OF QUEENS 2011 C/O The PRESS, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone, NY 11357 FOOD & DINING Bagels: Bakery: Bar: Breakfast: Burgers: Butcher: Chinese: Coffee Shop: Cookies: Deli: Desserts: Diner: French: Fried Chicken: Happy Hour Bar: Ice Cream: Italian: Japanese: Pizza: Seafood: Steak: Sushi:

ENTERTAINMENT Local Band: Local Musician: Movie Theater: Nightspot: Theater Group: SERVICES Auto Repair: Cleaning Company: Contractor: Electrician: Handyman: Landscaper: Mover: Painter: Plumber: Roofer: YOUR PERSONAL BESTS:

Please attach any additional comments, photos or information about your entries to this coupon.

For Advertising Information On "The Best Of Queens 2011" Edition Call The PRESS At (718) 357-7400

Aug. 12-18, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

RETAIL Auto Dealer: Bike Shop: Clothing Store: Florist: Hardware Store: Jewelry Store: Liquor Store: Pharmacy: Supermarket: Toy Store:

HEALTH & BEAUTY Day Spa: Dermatologist: Doctor: Hair Salon: Massage Therapist: Nail Salon: Personal Trainer: Veterinarian:

Police Blotter Compiled by DOMENICK RAFTER

101st Precinct Deadly Shooting On Tuesday, Aug. 2, at approximately 5:56 p.m., police responded to a call of a man shot in front of 51-11 Almeda Ave., in Edgemere. Upon arrival, Brian Jones, 34, who lived at the location, was found with a gunshot wound to the head.

EMS responded and transported Jones to Peninsula Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. On Wednesday, Aug. 3, he was pronounced brain dead. Two days later the case was ruled a homicide. There were no arrests at this time, and the investigation was ongoing.

103rd Precinct May Murder The NYPD is seeking the public's assistance for information in regards to a murder that took place in St. Albans in May. On Thursday, May 26, at approximately 7:05 p.m., police responded to a 911 call reporting a man shot at the front of 105-22 188th St. in St. Albans.

Upon arrival, police discovered the victim, Kyle Padmore, 30 of the same address, who had been shot once in the back of the head.

EMS also responded to the location and transported the victim to Jamaica Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. There are no arrests at this time

and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

105th Precinct Cycle Crash On Monday, Aug. 8, at approximately 6:14 p.m., police responded to a 911 call of a motor vehicle accident at 136th Avenue and Brookville Boulevard in Rosedale. Upon arrival police determined that a 2006 Honda Motorcycle operated by a 36-year-old man was traveling southbound on Brookville Boulevard when he struck the side of a 2007 Toyota Camry which was making a U turn at the location.

EMS also responded to the location and pronounced the driver of the motorcycle dead at the scene. The investigation was continuing. Identification of the victim was pending proper family notification.

106th Precinct Pulled From Water On Monday, Aug. 8, at approximately 11:45 p.m., police responded to a call of

an unconscious man at the Joseph P. Addabbo Bridge in Howard Beach. Upon arrival, responding members from the NYPD Harbor unit removed an unidentified white man, 35-40 years old, from the water. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Medical Examiner was to determine the cause of death. The investigation was ongoing.

Cells Snatched Police are asking for the public's assistance in locating a suspect wanted in connection with a robbery pattern that has occurred in Ozone Park.

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, at approximately 7:25 a.m. at the 88th Street/Boyd Avenue A train station at Liberty Avenue and 88th Street a man robbed a 35-year-old Asian woman. Later that morning, at 8:45 a.m., at the Rockaway Boulevard A train station at Liberty Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard, the same robber attacked a 36year-old black woman.

The suspect is described as a black man, 30-40 years old, 6-feet, slim build and wearing a white t-shirt, khaki shorts and reading glasses. He approached the victims, verbally abused them, grabbed

their cell phones, and fled on foot.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

114th Precinct 10-Year-Old Killed On Sunday, Aug. 7, at approximately 6:37 p.m., police responded to a 911 call for a motor vehicle accident at 31st Street and 34th Avenue in Astoria. Upon arrival police determined that a 2009 Nissan Sentra was traveling westbound on 34th Avenue when it struck a 2004 GMC minivan, which was traveling northbound on 31st Street.

A passenger of the GMC minivan, Sabrina Mangas, 10, of Tennyson, Australia, was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital Astoria where she was pronounced dead on arrival Six others in the Nissan were taken to area hospitals in stable condition. The investigation was ongoing.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY TO HELP SOLVE A CRIME.

Borough Beat

Zheng Dynasty Takes On The World

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 12-18, 2011

BY MARLENA MATUTE While actual emphasis on the oncepopular animated show has died down in the past few years, Pokémon is still held in high esteem in the form of trading cards and video games. This passion for the cartoon animal gladiators is shared by children and enthusiasts - and even more so by participants of the Pokémon Video and Trading Card Game Championships.

These events are part of Play!

Pokémon, and are an international affair consisting of players from countries across the world. The idea of the competition is similar to that of the show; when trainers battle against opponents with their Pokémon, health points are depleted. The competition is structured within three divisions according to age: Junior, Senior and Masters.

At this time the team to represent the United States has been chosen following the three-day National Championships at the Indiana Conventions Center last month. Of the champions crowned, two are brothers, Aaron Zheng, 13, and Brendan Zheng, 8, from Fresh Meadows, each at top positions of their respective divisions. "It's pretty awesome," Aaron said, "having a team of two brothers finish in the top two in the country."

kids in the country to qualify for both the card game and video game World Championships."

While Aaron enjoys playing the trading card game as much as the video game, he is focusing on the video version this year. Moreover, he is also the one responsible for his brother's role in the Junior Division of the same competition.

"My brother talked me into competing because he thought I could do well," Brendan said. "I've had a lot of fun and met a lot of new Brendan and Aaron Zheng at Nationals. people." Aaron said he knew that Dubbed the Zheng Dynasty, a name his brother would do well, yet he is still created by fellow players of an online fo- impressed by Brendan's performance at rum, the boys have indeed created a his- Nationals this year.

"He only picked up the game last year tory for themselves in competition. Aaron began playing the card game very early in and plays really well for someone so the third grade, then moved on to com- young and in his second year of competpete in 2008 before being introduced to ing," Aaron said. "Most of the kids he the video game competition via the had to compete with were 11 or 10, he is Internet by a friend. only 8."

This year the rules were changed "I played the card game a lot more competitively that year, and had already slightly, resulting in a more challenging secured an invitation to Worlds, but de- stage for competitors; including limiting cided to go check out the video game tour- the Pokémon to that of the Unova nament just to see what it was like," he pokedex - the recently released black and said. "I built a team the day before the white versions of the video game. The tournament and actually managed to fin- iconic yellow Picachu character from the ish in the top four, earning a free trip to game and TV show is nowhere to be Florida for Worlds. I was one of the two found. The players are forced to choose

Pokémon that they are not familiar with, bringing it all down to strategy. "Playing under these new rules was confusing at first, because I had to learn all the new Pokémon and rules," Brendan added, "but I eventually got used to it."

The World Championship will be held in San Diego Aug. 12. As this is his first year competing at Worlds, Brendan is both nervous and excited; Aaron jumps at the chance to make new friends. "To me, that was my favorite part. Regardless of if I do well or at Worlds, I'm just really excited to be representing the U.S. and to see my friends again, along with meeting people from around the world."

The brothers have been training for the next round soon, with Aaron helping Brendan with his team as he has done since introducing him to the game. The Zheng Dynasty intends to continue participation in the tournaments well after Worlds, as it is something they both enjoy.

"Pokémon is just something that I do for fun when school is over, but I've gotten to travel to a ton of places, compete and meet people. It's a great experience, and I'm really happy I got into it." Aaron said, "It's been a great four years."

Reach Intern Marlena Matute at mmatute@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

A&E

Going Hip To Hip For Shakespeare

BY BARBARA ARNSTEIN Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," as performed this summer by the touring Hip to Hip Theatre Company, is a joy, pure and simple.

Directed by co-founder and actor Jason Marr, the nonstop 90-minute performance emphasizes the elements of farce as pranks are pulled, dancers prance, and sweethearts fight a merry war of wits. Every main character eventually fools another and is fooled in turn.

On Aug. 5 the comedy, set mostly in a garden, was presented in its most appropriate venue, the beautiful Victorian garden behind the restored gingerbread-style mansion in Flushing known as the Voelker Orth Museum, amidst twining vines, dangling bunches of grapes and all types of colorful blooms.

The story begins as soldiers Benedick (Damon Kindard) and Claudio (Tim Dowd) return home from war to tackle the challenges of love. Claudio hopes to

Performers from “Much Ado About Nothing” entertain borough residents. marry Hero (co-founder Joy Marr) while Benedick claims he never wants to marry but is secretly attracted to the one woman he seemingly can't attract: Beatrice (Elizabeth Alice Murray). Calmer than Kate in "Taming of the Shrew," the selfassured Beatrice is just as witty. She and Benedick endlessly war with words, neither revealing their real feelings, until six

Restaurant Review

North Meets South DELHI PALACE 37-33 74th St., Jackson Heights (718) 507-0666 HOURS: Sun-Thurs 11:30am to 10:15pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am to 10:45pm.

PARKING: Street CREDIT CARDS: Yes

trayal of Hero is spirited and charming.

The actors demonstrate their versatility by each acting out two very different parts, some originally of the opposite gender.

Headquartered in Woodside, Hip to Hip is a five-year-old non-profit company dedicated to presenting free Shakespeare in various parks (and Voelker Orth's garden) including Fort Totten Park, Forest Park and the Socrates Sculpture Park. Find them at hiptohip.org or call (718) 7298567 to see their remaining summer schedule. To join their mailing list, email contact@hiptohip.org.

The Voelker Orth Museum is located at 149-19 38th Ave in Flushing. For information about tours, special events and exhibits, go to vomuseum.org or call (718) 359-6227.

Dragons On The Lake In Flushing Meadows In Celebration of the Year of the Rabbit, the 21st Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York will be held this weekend, Aug. 13 and 14, at Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

The festival will feature cash and prizes for competitors in this year's US Dragon Boat Open Championship. The 21st Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival will Other festival events consist of commence Aug. 13. two special Cup races, The Hong Kong Cup and the Municipal Cup featuring various teams from Dragon Boat Open Championship will be our elected officials. This year's Corpo- held on Sunday, with the teams vigorously rate Invitational looks to be a good one, competing for their share of the cash and with many Corporate Teams joining us to prizes. race for their company. The festival will Racing starts at 9 a.m. and events last be held rain or shine; admission is free. throughout the day until approximately 5 Dragon Boat, a multicultural celebra- p.m. each day. Other festival events contion and sporting event, is the largest sist of the media invitational, corporate multicultural festival in New York and the youth, charity race, women's invitational, largest festival of its kind in the U.S. The and sponsors challenge, a photo contest festival keeps up the age-old tradition of and raff le as well as presentation on the Dragon Boat Racing in colorful, custom Verizon Stage of traditional Chinese arts, made teak boats, which are virtual works martial arts demonstrations, the tradiof art gliding on water. tional dragon dance, musical and other Custom made by a small coterie of diverse performances and demonstrations craftsmen in Hong Kong, weighing one of folk arts and crafts. ton each, colorfully painted with a dragon An ethnic food court and booths head at the front and dragon tail at the staffed by sponsors of the event many of rear, the boats are piloted by up to 20 whom will be giving away promotional crewmen, including 18 paddlers, a drum- items, and many community-based orgamer and steers person. For 20 successful nizations participating help make for a years HKDBF-NY has attracted a diverse, unique, action packed, multi-cultural, New multi-cultural audience of more than York weekend.

60,000 attendees throughout North The tradition of Dragon Boat Racing America. is an annual Chinese rite commemoratWith more than 165 well-trained ing the idealistic poet and reformer Qu teams, involving more than 2,000 partici- Yuan who drowned himself in the third pants competing from across the U.S. and century B.C. to protest his emperor's poliCanada, this year's festival is expected cies. The locals raced in their boats in an to be notable in its scale and fierce com- attempt to rescue the poet. To prevent petition. fish and water dragons from eating his An opening day parade will be held at body, the locals beat their drums and noon on Saturday, followed by the New splashed their paddles. This was the beYork City Championship Races. The U.S. ginning of Dragon Boat Racing.

Aug. 12-18, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

There's a lot to discuss at the Delhi Palace. This beautiful restaurant is serious about options and combines north and south Indian food in their authentic form. The menu may be intimidating for someone not well versed in Indian food, but the staff is happy to help navigate you through the curries, the meats, the breads and the vegetarian options. With such quality ingredients, you can't go wrong.

The concept of the Delhi Palace is to combine different types of Indian food in one place. Southern Indian food is prepared with a lot of coconut milk, exotic spices, Indian curry leaves and mustard seeds.

The highlight of the southern Indian food was the dosa, which is a large crepe made from coconut milk filled with a variety of meats and vegetables.

These light pockets are the perfect vehicle for the Delhi's Palace's rich spices and complex flavors, and my guest and I am could not stop until the entire dosa was gone.

Northern Indian food is probably more familiar to a New Yorker and includes such chicken dishes as the Murg Hara Masala, the Murg Balchao and the lamb-based Gosht Vinaloo. The Hara Masala is a green mixture of unique spices and is a must taste. Likewise, the

Balchao, which is chicken cooked in coconut milk and sauce, sautéed with curry leaves, dry chilies and mustard seeds, is a requirement.

The meat filled bread we tried was called Keema Paratha and it reminded my guest and I of the variety of naan (Indian bread) that we could chose from. The bread is traditionally used to scoop the rest of the food, but it is a treat in itself.

We stuffed ourselves with the boneless Murg Kabuli Tikka, which is chicken on a skewer that has been cooked over charcoal with onions, spices and lemon. This minimalist dish is a nice counterpoint to the rich, warm spices of the saucier dishes.

For vegetarians, there is a plethora of options, but lets focus on one: the Kadai Bhindi Masala. If you like okra, do not miss this dish, which consists of that infamous vegetable cooked with herbs and spices in a traditional fry pan.

If you haven't had the best experience with okra, this dish will change your mind if anything could - the okra has no hint of its sometimes slimy and flavorless incarnations. Instead, it features a dry and smoky curry quality and has a crisp texture somewhere between eggplant and zucchini.

By the end of the meal, we were too full to adequately sample the sweet shop, but the variety available combined with the top quality of the preceding meal made it just one more reason to come back to the Delhi Palace time and time again.

One hint: if you order a lassi, ask to have it without ice.

of the other characters conspire to trick them into doing it.

Claudio's romantic dreams are almost sabotaged by the scheming Don John (Rafael Miguel) and his follower Borachio (Cristina Carrion) until the bumbling constable Dogberry (Kevin Shimko) saves the day. The cast expertly handles the entertaining twists and turns of trickery in "Much Ado" as identities are exchanged, eavesdropping is enacted and seeming tragedy turns to triumph.

Kindard brings great dignity to his role (he alternates as the title character in this year's other Hip to Hip production, "Othello") along with excellent comic timing; Murray's Beatrice is wonderfully confident and comical; and Joy Marr's por-

Faith

Honoring 35 Years of Delish Food

BY MARLENA MATUTE This summer, Transitional Services of New York Inc. recognized many of its employees who spent most of their adult life caring for others. Among those honored was Bruce Plair, who has been cooking lunch and dinner everyday for thousands of clients for 35 years.

Having been recruited by an administrator who knew Plair's family, Plair took the job believing it would be something temporary. He ended up staying, working well into his sixties.

"He's a good chef and he could have

gone on and do other things like with corporate but it shows you the kind of person he is," said TSINY spokewoman Sandra Delson. "He chose to stay on and work for the less fortunate."

According to TSINY, many of the residents think of Bruce as a friend as he often stops to chat with them and knows their likes and dislikes in terms of food.

During his time at TSINY, he has made some changes, managing to push more balance meals on the menu, even creating bigger salads that has even gotten the attention of the other employees.

Plair will be given greater responsibili-

Notebook

ties come September as he menus and work alongside will be supervising the others with this new set up. kitchen which has been Transitional Services for spilt into four separate New York Inc. is a nonprofit kitchens. The plans for corporation that deals with this remodel have been mental health. They provide around for a couple of community based services to years but due to a lack of individuals with mental disfunds, the plans could not abilities that range from illbe realized until now. nesses such as schizophreThe kitchens will connia and manic depression; tinue to service the same they currently serve over residences in Queens and 2,500 individuals annually. will allow clients to prepare For more information on Bruce Plair meals themselves, allowing TSINY and their services, for a much different environgo to tsiny.org. ment than that of a standard cafeteria for Reach Intern Marlena Matute at people to be waited upon. Clients will now mmatute@queenstribune.com or (718) 357be able to participate in the creation of 7400, Ext. 128.

Rikers Reading

Word Women Behind Bars "Religion either makes men wise and virtuous,

Get Hope From Books

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 12-18, 2011

By JASON COHEN Isolation, loneliness, depression and boredom are only a few of the things that can affect a person in prison. But Michelle McGowan, a volunteer at the women's prison at Rikers Island, has given a glimmer of hope to these women by bringing books into their lives.

McGowan, 23, of Bushwick, Brooklyn is a recent graduate of Columbia University with a Master's in social work, who interned with Steps to End Family Violence, an Alternative to Incarceration, for a year and a half. The program addresses the needs of domestic violence survivors who have been charged with crimes related to the abuse they have experienced. In February, McGowan started volunteering at the prison where she holds support groups for women who are incarcerated for domestic violence.

"No one is more upset about what happened than they are," she said.

Once she got to know her clients, she decided to broach the idea of bringing a few books in for them. The women were receptive to the suggestion of having the opportunity to read. While not all of them read on the same level, everyone agreed to help each other, McGowan said.

"I wanted to bring the books in there," McGowan said. "I noticed a lot of women couldn't read."

McGowan realized she couldn't afford to keep bringing books in; she needed donations. A system of inmates and pen pals corresponding was established: inmates send letters asking for books; the letters and books are delivered to a bike shop that her friend owns a few blocks from her house so she can screen them making sure everything is okay.

"People are writing out of their kindness of their heart," she said.

Because many of these women do not get visitors, and they suffer from sub-

stance abuse and mental health issues, reading books is often the highlight of their day, McGowan said. Not only has she bonded with her clients, but reading has brought them even closer.

"They look forward to me coming," she said.

Besides their prison uniforms and tennis shoes, these women have no belongings; by receiving books they now have possessions, McGowan said. As news spread throughout the prison about the flood of books, this humble volunteer was coined the "domestic violence book girl."

Because of the backgrounds of the women, the majority of the books they read are urban fiction, which deals with violence, prostitution and drugs. Her clients "pay it forward," passing the books on to other inmates once they are done with them.

"The people that help each other really feel good," she said.

Lucia Rivera, the director of Steps, said she knows how important it is to help women in the program. What she is doing with the women is remarkable and she should be recognized.

"Being able to use books to spur discussion and share experiences has been very helpful," Rivera said.

Sharman Stein, the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information of the NYC Department of Corrections, said McGowan is making a difference in the women's lives.

"Providing opportunities for self-improvement to inmates is one of the Department's key priorities," Stein said.

"We support all initiatives to bring books and other helpful materials to incarcerated men and women, to help them make the most of their time in jail, and to help prepare them for life after their release."

Reach Intern Jason Cohen at jcohen@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

or it makes them set up false pretences to both."

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Profile

Future Virtuoso Grows In St. Albans

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Photo by Troy Hughey

Staying up after her parents put her to bed is the reason Camille Thurman is a jazz musician today.

Thurman said her mother learned how to play the piano at a young age, and would always play after she thought her daughter was sound asleep. Thurman said she would stay awake listening to her mother play at night.

"Sometimes, when she wasn't looking, I'd get up and play what she played the night before, until one day she caught me," she said.

After getting caught, Thurman not only mastered the piano, but took it upon herself to learn as many instruments as possible. At PS 251, Thurman took violin lessons for two years. She learned the violin through the Suzuki method, which teaches musicians to learn by hearing instead of reading music.

Thurman said one of the benefits of the method is mastering the perfect pitch.

When she left the school for PS 132, it did not have a music program at the time.

With the help of one of her teachers and her mother, she was able to start a recorder program at the elementary school.

Born and raised in St. Albans, the 24year-old appreciates the strong jazz culture in her community and does not plan to move anytime soon.

"This is the best place on Earth because there's so much rich history here," she said. "You can just walk down 10 blocks, you're at Fats Waller's house. You get to see Ella Fitzgerald's house; you see James Brown's house; you see Sarah Vaughan's house. There's so many people from that era that lived here at one time."

Thurman got involved with band while she was in middle school. Her teacher allowed her to practice in the band room during her lunch period, where she perfected her skills. "I just loved the flute and then found the saxophone and I stuck with it," she said.

She plays the tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones, and the bass, alto and regular C flute. When asked what her favorite instrument was, she said she likes them all because they each have a distinct character and sound. On top of that, she sings and writes her own songs.

Thurman said she was not sure what she wanted to do as a career until she left the City for Binghamton University, where she studied geographical and environmental science.

"I knew I loved Earth Science, but I knew that wasn't what I really wanted to do. It wasn't my passion," she said.

During her time at college, Thurman continued to practice music as much as she could. Her music professor introduced

Camille Thurman her to many musicians, including Tia Fuller, who is the saxophonist for Beyonce's band.

Her music career has brought her all over the world, including a trip to Israel last November. "It's a cultural melting pot, just like New York City," Thurman said.

She said she experienced history and had an opportunity to see where Jesus was laid to rest. Thurman would love to have a performance in Hawaii someday.

Somewhere in between practicing four hours a day and writing music, Thurman can be found spending time with her two cats - Munchkin and Ginger - and her family. She also enjoys exploring the earth science at Central Park, such as the metamorphic rocks and remnants of glaciers.

In the future, Thurman sees herself being an educator, like her parents. During the school year, Thurman enjoys going into classrooms and playing songs for children or helping young saxophonists master the instrument. This is important to her since music programs are often one of the first programs cut when a school is having budgetary problems.

"A lot of kids are really missing out on what music can bring to their lives," she said.

She is currently working on an album that she plans to release next Spring.

Thurman and her band performed at last weekend's Jamaica Arts Music Summer Festival. They will be performing next at Miles' Cafe Jazz Club in Midtown East on August 27. For more information, visit camillethurmanmusic.com.

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

People received a degree in Computer Information Systems.

Beryl Moyo, a resident of East Elmhurst received a degree in Financial Planning; Cecilia Torres, a resident of Ridgewood received a degree in Veterinary Technology; Jazmin Gonzalez, a resident of Ozone Park received a degree in Entrepreneurship; Nya Hinton, a resident of Jamaica received a degree in Individual Studies; and Codi-Anne Hopwood, a resident of Jamaica received a degree in Human Services.

SUNY Oswego has awarded merit scholarships to more than 600 incoming students, including Alison P. Sito of 238th Street in Bellerose. Sito received a $5,000 Dean’s Award. The award recognizes past academic achievement and potential for success.

She has reserved a place in the incoming freshman class for the fall semester.

Classes will begin Aug. 29.

Outstanding first-year students entering Oswego are offered $17,600 Presidential Scholarships ($4,400 a year for up to four years), $5,000 Dean’s Awards ($1,250 a year for up to four years) or $2,000 Merit Awards ($500 a year for up to four years).

The awards are part of more than $2.5 million in merit scholarship money offered at SUNY Oswego. These funds are in addition to the more than $66 million in need-based grants, loans and workstudy awards that SUNY Oswego students receive annually.

Army National Guard Pfc. Kerwin A. Koylass has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Koylass is the son of Carmen Trotta of 97th Ave., Jamaica.

The following area residents have been named to the Dean's List at Providence College for the Spring 2011 semester: Christine McGrory of Beechhurst, a member of the class of 2011; Jessica Ho of Bayside, a member of the class of 2014; Mark Hakim of Forest Hills, a member of the class of 2012; Gabriella Carbone of Bellerose, a member of the class of 2013; and Nolan Mahoney of Breezy Point, a member of the class of 2013.

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

Aug. 12-18, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

applied science degree Air Force Reserve through the Community Airman Mark A. McInCollege of the Air Force. tosh graduated from baHe is the nephew of sic military training at Pauline Jarvis of 164th Lackland Air Force Base, St., Queens.

San Antonio, Texas.

The airman comFairleigh Dickinson pleted an intensive, University's Metropolieight-week program that tan Campus has reincluded training in milileased the names of tary discipline and studNew Jersey students ies, Air Force core valwho qualified for the ues, physical fitness, and Honors List for the basic warfare principles Spring 2011 semester. and skills.

To qualify for the HonAirmen who comMark A. McIntosh ors List, a student must plete basic training earn carry a 3.5 or better four credits toward an associate in applied science degree gradepoint average out of a possible 4.0 through the Community College of the and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 letter-graded hours(four courses). The folAir Force.

He is the son of Charles and Joan lowing have qualified: Jonah Zweig of Flushing, Jose Gonzalez McIntosh of 204th St., St. Albans. McIntosh graduated in 1999 from Hillcrest of Corona, Jose Castellanos of East High School and received an associate Elmhurst, Marie Edwards of Laurelton, degree in 2007 from Kingsborough Com- Ana Molinar of Queens Village, Hidalgo Montano of Queens Village, Ronella munity College, Brooklyn.

Rodney of Jamaica and Efua Otoo of Far Air Force Airman Xavon T. Smith gradu- Rockaway. ated from basic military training at Lackland Nearly 800 two- and four-year degree Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, candidates received diplomas from Alfred eight-week program that included train- State College this spring. Associate and ing in military discipline and studies, Air baccalaureate degrees were awarded in Force core values, physical fitness, and fields of agriculture, health, business, vocational, and engineering technology, as basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training well as the arts and sciences.

Daniqua Bright, a resident of Astoria earn four credits toward an associate in

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.

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

Tjhs1961@aol.com

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

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

Light refreshments. Bring friends!

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.

RELIGIOUS BIBLE SCHOOL August 22-26 Vacation Bible School at the First Reformed Church of College Point.

359-3956.

ICE CREAM & DOGS Saturday, August 27 ice cream social and dog show at 1. Sundaes and floats 1.5.

Dog show at 2 with Blessing of the Animals. First Reformed Church of College Point, 118-17 14 th Avenue, College Point.

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 12-18, 2011

FLEA MARKETS FLEA MARKET Saturdays and Sundays through Oc tober 1 at Faith Mission, 114-40 Van Wyck Expressway.

THRIFT SHOPS Saturdays 11-4 at Bargain Boutique Thrift Shop, Queens Baptist Church, 9323 217 th Street, Queens Village.465-2504.

THEATER STOP THE WORLD Saturday, August 13 at 7 and Sunday, August 14 at 3 at Trinit y Reform Church in Ridgewood. 894-8654.

WEST SIDE STORY Through August 14 at St. Gregory Theatre Group in Bellerose. 989-2451

ENTERTAINMENT ANTIGONE Saturday, August 13 at 3 at the Broadway library.

MENTALIST Saturday, August 13 D r .

Mike performs at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Flushing. Doors open 7, show 8. $10. 15716 65th Avenue.

FILMS Saturday, August 13 “Notes on a Scandal.”

Church in the Gardens in Forest Hills. Pot luck dinner at 6. 268-9142 information.

LITTLE BRASS Saturday, August 13 Little Brass Band 4-6606-1800.

AMERICAN SONGBOOK Saturday, August 13 at the Forest Hills library at 2:30.

OPENING RECEPTION Saturday, August 13 opening reception for “Going Green” exhibit 3-6 at Crossing Art, 136-17 39 th Avenue, ground floor, Flushing.

DIVAS OF JAZZ Saturday, August 13 at the Rochdale Village library at 3.

BIG BAND Saturday, August 13 music of the big band singers at 2 at the Flushing library.

SUMMER FUN Sunday, August 14 Los Chamanes (South American fusion). Sunday, August 21 Swedish Cottage Mario n e t t e s . 5pm at the 78 th Street Play Street, 78 th Street between Northern Blvd. And Avenue, Jackson 3 4 th Heights.

MUSIC IN GARDENS Sundays, August 14, September 11 Music in the Barden, resented with Bang on a Can at Socrates Sculpture Park at 3.

MOVIE NIGHTS Monday, August 15 at the Arverne library at 5.

GAME NIGHT Monday, August 15 monthly family game night at 6 at the South Jamaica library.

CUNNINGHAM MOVIES Monday, August 15 Despicable Me. Thursday, August 18 Grown Ups. Cunningham Park at 8. Bring blankets and chairs.

DANCING Monday, August 15 Dancing the American Song at 6:30 at the Richmond Hill library.

SINATRA Monday, August 15 at 7 at the Arverne library.

FAMILY FILM Tuesday, August 16 family films at the Pomonok library.

Register.

SCRABBLE Tuesdays, August 16, 23, 30 at the Fresh Meadows library at 1.

FAMILY FUN Tuesday, August 16 at 2 at the Pomonok library.

BIG BANDS SOUNDS Tuesday, August 16 at the Auburndale library at 2:30.

GOLDEN AGE Tuesday, August 16 Golden Age of Radio and Television: A Retrospective at 2:30 at the Maspeth library.

HARRY POTTER TRIVIA Tuesday, August 16 at the LIC library at 4.

FILM FESTIVAL Tu e s d a y, A u g u s t 1 6 a n d

Thursday, August 18 Asian American International Film Festival at 5 at the Flushing library.

OUTDOOR FILMS Wednesday, August 17 Cultural Diversit y of Quee4ns with Outdoor Cinema 2001 at 7 at Socrates Park.

JEWISH MUSIC Wednesday, August 17 Yiddish Fest.

7pm at Cunningham Park, Union th Turnpike and 196 Street.

Free.

MY THS & MONSTERS Wednesday, August 17 at 2 at the Hillcrest library.

READING PARTY Wednesday, August 17 at 3 at the Broad Channel library, JAZZ Thursday, August 18 MioSotio Latin Jazz. 7-9:30.

70 th Road between Queens Blvd. and Austin Street.

GAME DAY Thursday, August 18 at the Woodhaven library at 4:30.

JAPANESE DANCE Thursday, August 18 Japanese performance and dance workshop at the Briarwood library at 6.

SCRABBLE GAME DAY Thursday, August 18 at the Bellerose library at 6:30.

SUMMER MOVIES Friday, August 19 “Of Gods and Men.” St. Joseph Pari s h , 4 3 - 1 9 3 0 th A v e n u e , Astoria. 278-1611. BBQ begins at 7, movie at sundown.

PASSPORT FRIDAYS Fridays through August 26 the Queens Museum of Art will hold its 7 th International Outdoor Film, dance and music series. 592-9700.

READING PARTY Friday, August 19 End of Summer Reading Part y at 2 at the Arverne library.

STAMP SHOW Fridays, August 19 Bayside3 Stamp Show at the Ramada Inn on Northern Blvd., Bayside. 10-4:30 Free.

BOARD GAMES Friday, August 19 at the Broad Channel library at 1.

READING PARTY Friday, August 19 at the Arverne library at 2.

WII GAMING Fridays, August 19, 26 at the Woodside library at 3.

BANANAGRAMS Fridays, August 19, 26 Windsor Park library at 2.

EASTERN US MUSIC Saturday, August 20 at 2 Eastern US Music and Dance celebration of the Centennial Commemoration of the Republic of China at the Flushing librar y.

SUMMER RECITAL Saturday, August 20 summer recital by young artists at 2 at the Forest Hills library.

DUKE ELLINGTON Saturday, August 20 evening of Ellington and Billy Strayhorn at 3 at the Bayside library.

VETERANS BBQ Saturday, August 20 Veterans BBQ 12-3 at 160 th Ave n u e a n d 1 0 2 nd S t r e e t , Howard Beach. RSVP required. 497-1630.

SUMMER RECITAL Saturday, August 20 summer recital by young artists at 2 at the Forest Hills library.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS KAYAKING Week e n d s t h r o u g h O c to ber 9 (weather permitting) kayaking from Socrates Sculpture Park Beach at Hallets Cove. 228-9214.

LANDSCAPE/FLORAL Charcoal and pen and ink classes. 969-1128.

JH ART CLUB Classes in all art forms days and evenings for children and adults. 454-0813.

WOODBLOCK PRINTING Easy method in full color at the National Art League.

969-1128.

CRAFT 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.

SCULPTURE WORKSHOP Saturdays through September 24 children and families at the Socrates Sculpture Museum. 956-1819.

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

FM POETS Saturday, August 13 Fresh Meadows Poets meet to discuss their work at the library at 10.

BIKE COMMUTING 101 Saturday, August 13 save money – ride your bike to work at 11 at the Steinway library,.

BOAT SAFETY Sunday, August 14 the US Coast Guard Auxiliary will give an 8 hour About Boating Safely class. 1201@verizon.net to register.

SKYPE CHAT Mondays, August 15, 22, 29, September 12, 19, 26 at the Queens Village library at 2.

COVER LETTER Monday, August 15 writing your best cover letter at 6 at the Central library.

BALLROOM DANCING Mondays, August 15, 22, 29, September 12, 19, 26 at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

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.

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.

SCRABBLE CLUB

Tuesdays at the East Flushing library at 3:30.

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.

TOUR THE WORLD Tuesdays, August 16, 23, 30 at 10:30 and Thursdays, August 18, 25 at 6 adults tour the world via the internet at the Rosedale library.

INTRO INTERNET Tuesday, August 16 at 10:30 at the McGoldrick library.

INTRO COMPUTER Tuesdays, August 16, 23, 30 at the Queens Village library.

Register.

INTRO POWERPOINT Tuesdays, August 16, 23, 30 at the Steinway library at 10:30.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesday, August 16 at the LIC library at 11.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesdays, August 16, 23 at the South Hollis library. Register.

COMPUTER TRAINING Tuesdays, August 16, 23, 30 at the Bellerose library. Register.

INTRO EXCEL Tuesdays, August 16, 23, 30 at the Steinway library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays, August 16, 23, 30 at the Windsor Park library at 2.

POETRY WRITING Tuesdays, August 16, September 20, Oc tober 18 poetry writing workshop at Barnes & Noble, 176-70 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows at 7:30.

NOOK NIGHT Wednesday, August 17 at 7 at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows.

MY THS & MONSTERS Wednesday, August 17 Myths and Monsters Around the World at the Hillcrest library at 2.

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.

TANGO CLASS Wednesdays, August 17, 24, 31 at Buenos Aires Tango in Forest Hills. 347-642-4705.

COVER LETTER Wednesday, August 17 writing the best cover letter at the Central library at 10:30.

INTERNET SEARHING Wednesday, August 17 at t h e W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesday, August 17 at the South Ozone Park library at 1.

PLASTIC SCRAP Wednesday, August 17 transform plastic bottles into objects of design at the Woodside library. Register.

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.

BASIC COMPUTER Wednesdays, August 17, 24 basic computer at the Windsor Park library. Register.

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.

COMPUTER TUTORIALS Thursdays, August 18, 25 at the Woodside library at 6:30.

BALLROOM DANCING Thursdays, August 18, 25, September 8 ballroom dancing for beginners at the Woodside library at 6:30.

INTERMED. COMPUTER Thursdays, August 18, 25 at 10:15 at the LIC library.

INTRO WORD Thursdays, August 18, September 1 at the Steinway library. Register.

EXPLORE CAREERS Thursday, August 18 at the Central library at 3:30.

JOB SEEKERS WRITING Thursday, August 18 at 6 at the Central library. Basic writing for job seekers.

NAKHACHITRA Thursday, August 18 learn the art of Indian nail art at the Queens Village library.

Register.

CRAFTSMEN DAYS August 19, 20 1-5 meet craftspeople as they demonstrate crafts from the 1880s at King Manor in Jamaica.

KingManor.org.

KNITTING CLUB Fridays at the Maspeth library at 10.

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

ADULT GAME PLAYERS Friday, August 19 at the Hillcrest library at 2.

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

CHESS CLUB Fridays, August 19, 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at the Auburndale library at 3.

WOODSIDE CHESS Fridays, August 19, 26 at the Woodside library at 4.

JOB SEARCH BOOT CAMP Saturday, August 20 at the Central library at 10:30.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, August 20, September 3, 17 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital. 646-4367940.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, August 20 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Franklin Square.

516-872-8062.

What’s Up SATURDAY, AUG. 13 Youth & Tennis The Youth and Tennis group meets every Saturday morning at Roy Wilkins Park Saturday. To learn more, call Bill Briggs at (718) 658-6728.

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) 553-1089 for more information.

Stay Fit Through Capoeira Stay fit and have fun with a series of free fitness activities at Idlewild Cricket Field in Idlewild Park Preserve. All classes are weather permitting. There are no rain dates.

Learn the basics of this exciting Martial Art form from ancient Brazil with Eric Fungo. He will focus on some of the basic movements including escapes and attacks.

Capoeira helps you develop core strength, tone muscles, improve reflexes, flexibility and agility. No prior experience necessary.

This free event will be held at Idlewild Park, Brookville Boulevard at 149th Avenue, at 9:15 a.m.

This free event will be held at Liberty Park – Liberty Avenue, between 172nd Street and 173rd Street – from noon to 4 p.m.

For full details, visit seqcc.org or (718) 723-6849 or (516) 328-3776.

The Divas of Jazz The Rochdale Village branch of the Queens Library is pleased to present an afternoon of jazz featuring The Divas of Jazz. Don’t miss this musical tribute to 12 of the most dynamic female jazz vocalists.

Enjoy an afternoon of music made great by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Noncy Wilson, and many more.

This free event will be held at Rochdale Village Branch of the Queensborough Public Library, 169-09 137th Ave., at 3 p.m.

The York College Observatory is open to the public every second or third Wednesday of the month - rain or shine - at 8:30 p.m.

Gather in room 2E01 and then proceed to the fourth floor terrace off G corridor if it’s clear. For additional information, contact Tim Paglione at paglione@york.cuny.edu or (718) 262-2082.

This free event will be held at the York College Academic Core Building (AC 2E01), 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. from 8:30-9:30 p.m.

Dog Days of Summer

Strategies For Your Job Search

Rufus King and his family owned several dogs - but were they pets? Learn about the King family dogs and their importance on the farm, enjoy stories, see what Rufus’s dog’s collar looked like, and make a very special dog craft!

For additional information, visit kingmanor.org, call (718) 206-0545, or send an e-mail to contact@kingmanor.org.

This free event will be held at the King Manor Museum – Rufus King Park, 153 Street at Jamaica Avenue. Call for the time of the event.

MONDAY, AUG. 15 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.

Free Roasted Corn Free roasted corn (while supplies last) is the order of the day at the Farmers Market Jamaica. If you have a corn fetish, then by all means stop by.

This free event will be held at 90-40 160th St. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Collectible Car Show

Detective Williams Park Family Day The Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City Councilman Leroy Comrie, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica are pleased to present the 10th Annual Detective Keith Williams (Liberty) Park Family Day – featuring Impact Repertory Theater from Harlem.

Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy a day of free games, rides, health screenings, BBQ, live jazz, face painting, arts and crafts, access to community services such as HPD, DEP, KOF, NYPD, NYFD, and much more. For additional information, call (718) 776-3700 or go to leroycomrie.com.

Are you ready to apply for specific jobs and need to know how to craft the perfect cover letter? Participants will learn: how to set up a cover letter; how to avoid common errors; how resumes a cover letters work together in an application; tips for making your cover letter stronger; how to send a cover letter by email.

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

TUESDAY, AUG. 16 Job Club Every Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Jamaica Neighborhood Center offers a free service to assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007.

For additional information, contact Lenin Gross, Job Coach, at (718) 739-2060, Ext. 18 or lgrossjnc@yahoo.com.

This free event will be held at the Jamaica Neighborhood Center - 161-06 89th Ave.

Camera Club The Southeast Queens Camera Club meets at Roy Wilkins Park, Administration Bldg., 2nd Floor, 177-01 Baisley Blvd. Summer photography classes occur on the second, third and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. Classes are free - bring camera manual.

See Monday’s listing. At 10:30 a.m.

Writing A Cover Letter Are you ready to apply for specific jobs and need to know how to craft the perfect cover letter? Participants will learn: how to set up a cover letter; how to avoid common errors; how resumes a cover letters work together in an application; tips for making your cover letter stronger; how to send a cover letter by email.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10:30 a.m.

Assistance for Haitian New Yorkers In this free TPS clinic, lawyers will provide free, confidential assistance preparing applications for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and re-registration for those who already have TPS. Bring all your (and your children’s) relevant documents: passport, birth certificate, any correspondence from the Immigration Service, and any other documents that may be helpful in the application process! Haitian Creole interpreters will be available on site.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 5:30 p.m.

Third World The Margert Community Corporation and Councilman James Sanders Jr. are pleased to present another great concert in their Garvey-Tubman Music Series. Join them as they wish a happy birthday to Marcus Garvey with a concert featuring the inimitable “Third World.” Also featured on the music bill will be International Reggae Star Ed Robinson. A complimentary Caribbean meal will be served! Call or stop by the Councilman’s Laurelton Office (718)-527-4356; 234-26 Merrick Blvd. or Far Rockaway Office (718) 471-7014; 1526 Central Ave., for two free tickets.

This free event will be held at the Springfield Gardens Educational Complex - 14310 Springfield Blvd., from 6-10 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 18 Walkers for Wellness Club See Saturday’s listing. At 7 p.m.

Rico Vibes The Sutphin Boulevard BID invites you to join them for their free summer concert series. The concerts will take place every Thursday until Thursday, Aug. 18, from

Career Exploration Take the Career Exploration Inventory, a self-scored, easy-to-use guide to choosing a career based on your interests and experiences. After taking the CEI, participants will: learn about different resources for further career exploration; explore training and education opportunities for career development. Job Information Center staff will be present to assist and answer questions.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 3:30 p.m.

Basic Writing for Job Seekers In a tough job market, spelling, punctuation and grammar errors in a resume or cover letter can mean that a potential employer will toss your resume in the trash.

Brush up on essential writing skills: sentence and paragraph construction; proper grammar; proper use of punctuation; basic structure of a cover letter.

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

FRIDAY, AUG. 19 Senior Theatre Acting Repertory Calling all older adults: Join our galaxy of STARs to perform theatrical works at the library with a great group of people while brightening your life.

Rehearsals are held at 10:30 a.m. Fridays at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.

Raging Bull A Better Jamaica is pleased to present Classic “Boxing” Film Fridays. Fourth in the series of five Classic “Boxing” Film Fridays is “Raging Bull.” Nothing matters to middleweight boxing champ Jake La Motta (Robert De Niro) except winning.

The “Bronx Bull’s” intense pursuit of the championship damages his life outside the ring, eventually causing his teenage wife (Cathy Moriarty) to leave him, and his devoted younger brother (Joe Pesci) to hate him. Please note that this film is rated R. This free event will take place at Rufus King Park – Jamaica Avenue at 153rd Street – 8 p.m.

Laurelton Flea Market A flea market has opened at 221-02 Merrick Blvd. On sale are a wide range of items, including household items, jewelry and clothing.

The market is open every Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CPR Class Learn to protect yourself and others at Heron Care with a CPR class that includes a certification from the American Heart Association. Please call (718) 291-8788 for more details. Heron is located at 16830 89th Ave., Jamaica.

Aug. 12-18, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

Corvettes, Low Riders and various exotics to be featured; awards for Domestic, Foreign and Exotic. For more information on vehicle registration and vendor participation, go to sqpa.org or call (718) 276 4630, Ext. 100.

All proceeds from the SQPA Collectible Car Show will support the maintenance of Roy Wilkins Park and youth programming.

This event will be held at Roy Wilkins Park – Merrick Boulevard at Baisley Boulevard – from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.50.

Writing A Cover Letter

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 17 York Observatory Open Night

1:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Up this week is Rico Vibes. For more information about the Summer Concert Series, please contact the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District office at (718) 291-2110.

This free event will be held at Supreme Court Plaza, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., from 12 p.m.

One Of Our Own It’s not often we see the Mets sign a lifelong fan. Better yet, a borough native. But thats just what the Amazins did when they picked up left fielder Mike Baxter from the San Diego Padres.

The 26-year-old Whitestone boy enjoyed a fruitful career at Archbishop Molloy High School before heading on to Columbia and eventually Vanderbilt University.

Baxter enjoyed a fruitful stint in the minors, but given the Mets knack for injuries, it did not take long for us to see him roaming the Citi Field dugout.

Models Of Queens

Queens kid, Met fan and now a Met, Mike Baxter

Christine Roman has seen much tougher times but it definitely doesn’t show.

From being homeless to being turned down at modeling gigs because of her weight, Roman has held her head high.

In 2008, Roman entered the modeling scene optimistic her alternative, real look would wow photographers. Little did she know, the industry just wasn’t ready. “[Photographers] wanted me to lose weight,” said Roman after Macy’s and Express didn’t run her pictures in a catalog she posed for. “I’m not going to lose weight because someone else wants me to. I’m the type of girl who has curves.”

And she now wears those curves with pride.

Branching out on her own, Roman has landed a litany of glamour gigs since, fitting her alternative goth style to the tee.

For those who are more familiar with the unconventional goth scene, you might recognize Roman by her stage name ‘Dead N Drippin.’

Featured in this year’s ‘Dead’ Gorgeous Hatchet Girlz Calendar, Christine Roman sporting two bright cotton Home: Glendale candy-colored ponytails, RoAge: 23 man says her modeling career seems to be taking off.

Height: 5’7" “It keeps getting better and Weight: 155 lbs. better for me,” Roman said as Stats: 34-44-37 she readies for shoots which will debut her own section on Brooklyn MC Big Hodge’s Web site and sporting recycled jewelry on Earthmona.com.

Despite her recent success, Roman says she’s been through a lot. Grateful for the opportunities she has been given, she holds tight to her motto and hopes others would follow the same mantra.

“No matter what the situation is in life,” Roman says, “You have to keep on being strong.”

Slinging No More

Queens Idol, Pia Toscano

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 12-18, 2011

Remember Her Pia Toscano? Remember her?

It’s been a while since the Howard Beach songstress was voted off of American Idol, so you’re forgiven if you already forgot her.

The nation will get a refresher on Pia’s golden pipes, as Interscope Records signed the singer to a record deal. An album is slated to be released by the end of the year.

Hopefully it does better on the charts than her stint on Idol.

Queens' Peter Parker We are told that as we get older, we lose our heroes. Those who were important to us as children are not seen in the same light as they had been when we were starryeyed and impressionable.

Sometimes, the meaning is more literal.

Queens lost a hero recently when Marvel Comics decided to kill off the original Spider-Man. The man behind the mask, Peter Parker, was a bright kid from Forest Hills who was bitten by a radioactive spider and underwent a fantastic transformation. He died this

Brooklyn's Miles Morales month in an epic battle with the Green Goblin, only to be replaced by a new hero for a new era.

Miles Morales of Brooklyn, half black, half Latino, has taken over for our white bread Parker.

Though we appreciate the comic’s jump into diversity – despite the fact that the new Spidey is certainly not either the first black or Latino hero – we’re disappointed to see him swinging through the alleyways on the other side of the city.

Farewell, Peter Parker. You’ve slung your last web.

One Man’s Trash Want a good New York souvenir? Don’t get a stupid snowglobe with the Empire State Building, an Ellis Island key chain or one of those foam Statue of Liberty crowns.

How about something more authentic? Like garbage?

For ten years artist Justin Gignac has been selling New York City garbage in a box, and has sold over 1,300 lucite boxes filled with discarded MetroCards, Starbucks cups and Mets ticket stubs to people as far away as Siberia. Each box is handpicked and labeled from where in the city the garbage came from. For $100, you can get garbage from Citi Field’s opening day, or from Shea Stadium’s last opening day.

So you threw away that napkin with a girl’s number on it? Perhaps it’ll turn up in some Peruvian’s birthday gift.

Garbage: A New York gift

Hall Of Famer

St. John's superstar and now NBA Hall of Famer, Chris Mullin

St. Johns University’s Alum Chris Mullin has had a career filled - literally and figuratively - with gold.

Over his career, the Golden Boy was drafted by the Golden State Warriors and grabbed two gold medals all while sporting a his signature golden crew cut.

Mullin now has finally been inducted to the NBA Hall of Fame.

Although the Golden Boy never won an NBA championship, his career will always be cast in gold.

With a hairdo as glistening as his, who needs a shiny ring?

Confidentially, New York . . .