Queens Chronicle South 03-08-12

C M SQ page 1 Y K SOUTH QUEENS EDITION Serving Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, City Line and JFK Airport

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER VOL. XXXV NO. 10

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

QUEENSCHRONICLE.COM

FIGHTING DRUGS & TRASH PHOTO BY ANNA GUSTAFSON

Howard Beach residents plead for HELP with problems outside Waldbaum’s PAGE 5 Neil Iovino points to one of the

AXED? Judge would cut Turner’s Congressional district PAGE 2

used needles that residents have begun to frequently find discarded behind the Waldbaum’s parking lot.

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BATTLING IT OUT Eleven Queens acts whittled down to five in the Battle of the Boroughs

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PAGES 32-34

SEE qboro, PAGE 39

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Judge’s plan would axe Turner’s district Could force the pol to face Meeks, pit Ackerman against Lancman

by Anna Gustafson Senior Editor

ueens’ political landscape could dramatically change under a federal judge’s proposal issued this week for new Congressional district lines, which would obliterate U.S. Rep. Bob Turner’s district, representing much of South Queens, as well as parts of the Rockaways and Brooklyn, and likely pit U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) against Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) in a Democratic primary.

While a group of state legislators was tasked with drawing the new Congressional lines, which happens once a decade, they failed to agree on one proposal, prompting a panel of federal judges to become involved in the redistricting process. Judge Roanne Mann, a magistrate, was named the group’s “special master” last week, and she issued her proposal for the Congressional lines on Monday, a week before she was expected to do so.

The state Legislature could avoid the judges’ implementing their own lines if they vote to adopt their own plan before March 15. If the Assembly and Senate do agree on new lines, Gov. Cuomo would still need to give his stamp of approval.

Because the U.S. Census reported that New York’s population grew more slowly than other states, which was widely disputed by legislators and civic leaders in Queens, the state has to lose two Congressional districts. Mann proposed to axe the areas represented by Turner and U.S. Rep. Maurice

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A federal judge released her proposal for new Congressional districts this week, which would likely force U.S. Rep. Bob Turner to run against U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks, and could also pit U.S. Rep. Gary IMAGE COURTESY U.S. DISTRICT COURT Ackerman against Assemblyman Rory Lancman in a primary.

Hinchey, a Democrat from upstate who is expected to soon retire.

“The redistricting plan introduced today by the special master is just another step in the process,” Turner said. “I am prepared to run in whatever district I reside in once the final lines are adopted and signed by the governor.”

If Mann’s lines become reality, Turner’s

house in Breezy Point would be placed in a heavily minority district represented by U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica).

Meeks said he plans to again run for the 5th Congressional District, which would encompass the Republican-leaning portion of the Rockaways under the judge’s plan.

“I’m fine with the district, and I’m ready to run,” Meeks said of Mann’s proposal.

“It’s a democracy, and people can run wherever they want to run,” he said of the possibility that he would be challenged by Turner. “Let him run. I look forward to working in a new part of the district.”

Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), whom has been a longtime supporter of Turner and who the congressman has called his “mentor,” had harsher words for the judge.

“I would call these maps disastrous,” Ulrich said. “The problem with the federal magistrate is there’s little to no regard for the local community. What they’re doing is dividing communities of interest, communities that were united for years. The magistrate’s lines tosses it all out the window.”

The judge’s proposal would also place Ackerman’s home in Roslyn Heights, LI, in the 3rd Congressional District that is represented by U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Suffolk).

Ackerman said instead of running against Israel, he would make a bid for what would be the 6th Congressional District, for which Lancman has said he also wants to run.

“The new 6th CD is a fantastic district in Queens where I grew up, went to public school and college, and started my family and my business,” Ackerman said. “It contains my political base and longtime roots, and I have had the privilege of representing approximately 90 percent of it during my 34 years in the state Senate and U.S. Congress.”

Lancman also stressed his roots in the same district.

“The special master’s lines came out continued on page 38

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QUEENS NEWS

Calls for help amidst drug needles and trash Howard Beach residents say change is needed outside the Waldbaum’s

by Anna Gustafson Senior Editor

From heroin users allegedly shooting up in the Waldbaum’s parking lot in Howard Beach to heaps of trash blowing from the area outside the grocery store into nearby yards, a myriad of problems are plaguing the neighborhood, residents said, and they are pleading for change.

“There are used needles, beer bottles, plastic bags and all this other trash — it’s ridiculous,” said Neil Iovino, a Howard Beach resident who lives on 95th Street behind the Waldbaum’s parking lot. “We’re talking about heroin addicts hanging out here and leaving their needles. I have to tell my kid not to go across the street anymore because of the needles. Whoever thought I’d have to do that in this neighborhood?”

Residents said they have for years been trying to get the store to clean up its act and more quickly pick up the trash that accumulates in its parking lot, the edge of which spans a little more than half of 95th Street between 156th and 157th avenues.

Waldbaum’s manager, who wished not to be named, said he and others from the store have been working hard to mitigate the trash problem, and he said he had not been notified of the drug issue.

Iovino said that since he has been complaining in recent months, the shop has gotten better about removing trash, though he said plenty of it still blows in from the lot onto area properties, leaving numerous plastic bags stuck in trees, and even lining back staircases with garbage.

Still, residents said while the garbage

Neil Iovino, left, points to trash in his staircase that he said blew in from the nearby Waldbaum’s parking lot in Howard Beach. Many residents who live near the supermarket said trash from its parking lot has long been a problem, and they said they are now dealing with drug users gathering PHOTOS BY ANNA GUSTAFSON in the Waldbaum’s lot and leaving discarded needles around the area. has been a severe nuisance — one neighbor even cut down a tree in her yard because so much trash got caught in it so often — they are most concerned about the individuals who they said have recently begun to use drugs in the parking lot and surrounding area almost nightly.

“My son is 7 years old, and I have a newborn on the way,” said Edwin Perez, a police

officer who also lives near the supermarket.

“The whole reason we moved to Howard Beach two years ago is because we thought it would be a better place to live, so to find needles is really disconcerting.”

Perez also said teenagers and car service workers park on the block and “smoke a lot of weed.”

Luricilda Guglielmo, who has lived with

her husband on 95th Street since 1968, said she too has noticed more people coming into the lot long after Waldbaum’s has closed.

“I see many cars going in and out of there around two to three in the morning,” Guglielmo said. “It’s not good.”

Michael Persico, another neighbor, called the situation “disgusting.”

“Our grass, forget it — there’s trash everywhere,” he said. “And a kid even stepped on a needle by the corner of the lot.”

Residents said they’ve tried to contact the 106th Precinct and Department of Sanitation about the problems, but have been blown off.

The precinct did not respond to a request for comment, nor did other city officials.

The store manager who just recently began working at Waldbaum’s, said “this is the first time I’ve heard” about an issue with drug users.

“If people see illegal activity, they need to call the authorities,” the manager said. “If we witness it, we’ll call the authorities. We have camera surveillance, but I don’t know what goes on after hours.”

The employee also said he has been working hard to address concerns about the trash.

“I had a good conversation with Neil, and his complaints are somewhat valid,” the manager said in reference to Iovino.

“We have a cleaning crew that goes out every day and cleans the perimeter of the fence and outside it, but there’s nothing I can do when there’s 35 mile per hour winds that make the trash fly around.”

To combat the drug use, residents said

Page 5 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

SOUTH

continued on page 37

Proof of angels? Pols heap praise on NYFAC Group working with families coping with autism holds annual dinner

by Anna Gustafson Senior Editor

autism spectrum disorder this year.

Autism is a developmental disorder often characterized by social interaction impairment and a general difficulty with communication.

“The better we educate the parents and siblings, the better they will build relationships,” said Baumann, whose son is autistic. “We are parents who understand we must help our children.”

Georgiana Reese-Benatti, who works for New York Community Bank, was awarded with NYFAC’s Lifetime Achievement Award for being what Baumann said was one of his “biggest supporters.”

“You and Pamela have worked so hard for so many years, and now you’re going to have the training center you always wanted,” ReeseBenatti said of the expansion.

Michael Brothers, a licensed insurance broker in Richmond Hill who has focused on fundraising for autism programs, received the Humanitarian Award. Excellence in Special Education awards were given to Debbie Edmonds-Shaddi, the principal of

PS 233 in Forest Hills, and Oswaldo Roman, the principal of PS 256 in Belle Harbor.

“I’m incredibly honored that NYFAC selected me,” said Roman, who runs a special education program that includes numerous students with autism. “They do such amazing work.”

Jack Taravella, a Howard Beach resident who has long supported the Baumanns, was honored with the Community Service Award.

The Autism Advocacy Award went to Scott Badesch, the president and chief operating off icer of the Autism Society of America, the country’s largest grassroots organization helping those affected by the disorder.

“They’re really giving hope to thousands of parents,” Badesch said of the Baumanns.

Legislators also heaped praise on NYFAC, and Borough President Helen Marshall said the Baumanns were “the first people to come talk to us about autism after I was elected.” Other legislators attending the dinner included U.S. Rep. Bob

NYFAC President Andrew Baumann celebrates his organization’s 14th annual dinner dance at Russo’s on the Bay last week. PHOTO BY ANNA GUSTAFSON Turner (R-Queens, Brooklyn), Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (DOzone Park) and Mike Miller (DWoodhaven), Queens County Clerk Audrey Pheffer, and former Borough President Claire Shulman. Q

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Standing in front of a room of hundreds of people, Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) gestured towards New York Families for Autistic Children President Andrew Baumann and his wife, Pamela, and said, “I believe in angels.”

“They are truly doing God’s work on earth,” Ulrich said of the Baumanns, whose organization, NYFAC, celebrated its 14th annual dinner, dance and awards celebration at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach last Thursday evening.

About 350 people attended the event, during which a number of legislators, educators and other leaders were honored for their dedication to the Ozone Park-based nonprofit that works with about 600 families from throughout Queens — and beyond.

Among those recognized was Ulrich, who received the group’s Guardian Angel Award.

“I have two prayers,” Ulrich

said. “One, that someday we’ll identify the root cause of autism, and that we’ll find a way to prevent it. The second prayer will come true in a couple of months when we will all drive down Cross Bay Boulevard and see a gorgeous, much needed center.”

NYFAC will expand its operations and open a new center at 16414 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach in June. The organization, which now has administrative off ices at 95-16 Pitkin Ave. in Ozone Park, will run a number of programs at the new facility, including an adult day program, an after-school program, and speech, occupational and physical therapy.

From offering recreational programs like tennis or swimming to support for the entire family of someone with autism, Baumann said his group is attempting to help those who have been affected by a developmental disorder that affects an ever-growing number of people.

According to statistics from the federal government, one in 100 children will be diagnosed with

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The company that would run a proposed convention center next to its casino in South Ozone Park is trying to win over the hearts of trade show operators, who have recently aired concerns about Gov. Cuomo’s proposal to bring the massive structure to Queens.

“We’re very, very early in this process, and we understand that conventioneers are going to have a lot of questions and a lot of concerns,” said Stefan Fried- The company that would run a convention center in South man, a spokesman for Genting Ozone Park said they are meeting with trade show leaders to Americas, the international try to allay concerns they have about setting up shop at a COURTESY IMAGE company that runs the casino Queens site. and would fund and operate the convention center that Cuomo proposed in draw the conventions we cannot.” his State of the State address in January.

Friedman also noted that the company is “We’re going to make an effort to meet with working with the city to increase accessibiliall of them and talk about, and hopefully ty to Ozone Park from Manhattan. Concerns allay, those concerns.” about traffic have been a major concern for At a forum sponsored by the Crain’s New area residents, who said the area is already York media company last week, several trade congested with the millions of visitors floodshow leaders questioned whether South Ozone ing in to visit the casino.

Park is the ideal spot for a convention center.

“We simply don’t have the transit infraFor example, Mark Scheinberg, president structure in place that would support a conof the Greater New York Auto Dealers Asso- vention center,” Councilman Eric Ulrich (Rciation, which puts on the annual car show at Ozone Park) said. “That’s something that the Javits convention center in Manhattan, Genting and the state have to come to an voiced hesitation about the plan, though he agreement on. We are utterly underserved by did not say whether he would eventually the MTA.” move his event to Queens.

Ulrich continued that there are “a number “Until the trade show industry feels com- of other local concerns that I believe have to fortable that this is a workable plan, you be addressed before we roll out the red carwon’t have any takers,” Scheinberg said at pet for a convention center.” the forum.

Ulrich, state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (DThe $3 billion convention center, which Howard Beach) and Assemblyman Phil would be entirely funded by Genting, is Goldfeder (D-Ozone Park) have all said the expected to hold as many as 3,000 hotel city needs to allocate additional permanent rooms, as well as 3.8 million square feet that officers to the 106th Precinct — both to deal would include gaming and entertainment. with the influx of visitors to the casino, as While Cuomo said he expected the facility well as to prepare for the arrival of a convento essentially replace the need for the Javits tion center.

Center, Friedman said the Queens site “We want two lanes on Rockaway Boulewouldn’t necessarily be in competition with vard, better bus service, a better train or the Manhattan spot. extended air train service, more cops on the “It’s going to compete with other enor- street and for the traffic to flow more freely,” mous convention centers around the country Ulrich said. “If these things aren’t addressed, that are eating New York’s lunch — Chicago, I don’t believe the community will support Q Miami and DC. Just by sheer size, they can the convention center.”

Seawolves awarded first place The Scholars’ Academy Seawolves marching band and cheerleaders received the First Place Youth Group award at the annual Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade in Rockaway Park last weekend.

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Tackling concerns over convention ctr.

Genting says it is addressing issues like transit with trade show leaders

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EDITORIAL

PAGE

DOT: Stop ignoring the people’s will he city Department of Transportation had a great chance to serve the needs of residents but, true to form, it passed it up.

That’s disappointing but not a surprise — they weren’t asking for a bike lane, after all.

The residents in question live in the Flushing neighborhood of Queensboro Hill. There’s a supermarket there, at 59-11 Main St., that could use a loading zone on the street. Delivery trucks don’t like to unload in the small parking lot on 142nd Street, because it’s hard for them to maneuver safely. So they just double park — making it hard for everyone else, from drivers to lone pedestrians to mothers with baby carriages — to maneuver safely.

Everyone in the area agrees the answer is a loading zone on the commercial side of 142nd. Queensboro Hill Neighborhood Association President Don Capalbi says that’s the way to go.

Community Board 7 says that’s the way to go. District Manager Marilyn Bitterman says that’s the way to go. The owner of the store says that’s the way to go.

The DOT says no go.

As Capalbi put it, the decision is “alien to reality.”

But alien to reality is often par for the course for the DOT, an agency whose mission apparently changed somewhere along the line from keeping the streets safe and well maintained to the

T

social engineering of installing bike lanes where they’re not wanted in an effort to Europeanize America’s premier city.

(Not that all bike lanes are bad; of course they’re not. But too many are installed without a hint of regard to the costs — like heightened danger to pedestrians from emboldened bikers who don’t always follow the law; the loss of traffic lanes and parking spaces; and the loss of business due to the reduction of parking.)

The DOT makes changes to traffic and parking rules over the objections of those most affected all the time. In Ozone Park, where the agency tried to make the convoluted corner of Crossbay Boulevard, Liberty Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard safer, it has instead made a bigger mess, one that’s killing a stretch of businesses on Liberty. A bipartisan legislative trifecta — City Councilman Eric Ulrich, state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder — wants the DOT to try again. In Glendale, residents are hoping the agency will change its plans to redo the Cooper Avenue underpass before work begins. In Jamaica, plans for the corner of Hillside Avenue, Home Lawn Street and 169th Street are puzzling at best. The list goes on.

The unelected DOT should listen more to the people it serves, especially in a case like that in Queensboro Hill, where there’s simply no logical reason to not do what the citizens are asking.

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Save power, trees Dear Editor: I heartily agree with Henry Euler’s recent letter about putting all power lines underground (“Bury power lines,” Feb. 2).

Most New Yorkers don’t notice their absence in Manhattan, or know how it came about. In the Great Blizzard of 1888, all electrif ied lines in Manhattan were destroyed, bringing the city to a halt. Communication and other electrical lines were severed; broken poles and live high-voltage wires lined the streets. Surface rail tracks that powered local and long-distance trains stranded thousands of passengers.

After the blizzard, the mayor realized the necessity of preventing another disaster, stating that we can’t control the elements, but we can protect our power lines. All overhead wires were put underground. Nowadays, with the increased need for electrical power, we have even more reason to do so.

Consider also the disfiguration of trees to accommodate power lines. Old, beautiful trees have their limbs chopped off. Twentyyear-old skinny trees in my neighborhood look like beanstalks because the “chain saw gang” comes around periodically to hack off their branches.

It’s time for our borough president and mayor to realize the necessity of protecting power sources and put the lines underground.

Alexis Cantrell Elmhurst

Talk about tobacco ads Dear Editor: There is a killer in our communities hiding in plain sight! Tobacco kills more New Yorkers each year than AIDS, drugs, homicide and suicide combined according to the Department of Health Statistics.

The youth of Queens are under attack from tobacco companies’ advertising and propaganda designed to ensure a continued supply of future tobacco consumers. Tobacco companies spend $12.5 billion annually — 90 percent of that is spent on marketing. Tobacco companies have turned to point-of-sale advertising by plastering stores with highly lit displays and bright ads specifically designed

EDITOR

Endangering children f it’s not the DOT that’s making a bad call somewhere in Queens on a given day, it’s the DOE that’s doing it. And sometimes even those decisions revolve around traffic safety.

When it comes to the Department of Education, however, it can get even worse, because here we’re talking specifically about the lives of children. Children like those who are being forced to walk from the Big Six apartment complex in Woodside to get to PS 229 because the DOE took their school buses away.

Now these students, in grades three through six, must walk across a dangerous corner on Laurel Hill Boulevard just yards from an off ramp for the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. It’s likely just a matter of time until a life is taken by a careless driver.

The DOE must reverse this decision and bring the buses back for these kids.

I

to target young teens. What is the answer to this? How do we fight against companies with such large amounts of money at their disposal? The answer is to start talking.

To get the conversation started, in October 2011 the NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City and the American Lung Association in New York partnered with a group of youths from all five boroughs to provide a tour for decision makers of tobacco advertising in their neighborhoods. This tour provided decision makers with a chance to see the advertising through the youths’ eyes and to walk in their shoes — looking at the images they see every day as they walk through their neighborhoods. Research studies show that tobacco marketing does influence a teen’s decision to smoke. Seventeen thousand youths in New York City are currently smoking, and roughly a third of these children will die prematurely from smoking.

Parents should be encouraged to talk to their children about what the ads are trying to accomplish, talk to policymakers about limiting advertising rights for tobacco companies and start talking to your local businesses that place these ads in plain sight of young children. We need to get our message across: It’s not just a bad habit — it’s a deadly habit. We all have a part to play in keeping our nation’s youth safe. Let’s all join efforts spearheaded

by Mayor Bloomberg and countless public health organizations to put the health of our children ahead of the bottom line of the tobacco industry.

Jennifer Levy Health Educator for Lenox Hill Hospital North Shore-LIJ Health System Manhattan

Patients first at NYHQ Dear Editor: New York Hospital Queens is strongly committed to providing our patients high quality medical care outcomes (results) and to constantly improving the hospital experience for patients and their families—right here in Queens.

Over the years, New York Hospital Queens has implemented performance programs that have resulted in many quality and safety improvements.

In 2011 alone, this hospital achieved results that include but are not limited to: • ranked in the top 10 percent by the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for Orthopedic procedures (for low post-operative morbidity); • reduced readmissions for pneumonia, congestive heart failure and myocardial

SQ page 9

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infection by 5 percent; New that when an individual becomes an York Hospital Queens reduced employee of a Catholic institution, she is readmissions below the New York State aware of company policy, as is any potenaverage of 20.9 percent; tial employee of any company. She there• increased Hospital Consumer Assess- fore agrees to comply with the Church’s ment of Healthcare Providers and Systems stance on not covering contraceptive serratings in each of 10 domains, including vices. This is where correct and appropriate communication about medication and dis- freedom of choice should be applied: If you charge instructions; HCAHPS is the patient don’t like the rules, work somewhere else. satisfaction measurement survey for acute The Obama administration, which has care hospitals and is run by the Center for done so much good for so many, must now Medicare and Medicaid Services; stand up for freedom of religion and issue • met or exceeded quality measures for an across-the-board exemption for the end stage renal disease in our outpatient Catholic Church in this matter. kidney dialysis center; Christine Lotti • improved nursing quality care outBayside comes, such as reduction in falls with injury and central line infections; • achieved nationally recognized ExcelSee the union’s side lence Awards for Maternity Care, and for Dear Editor: Joint Replacement by HealthGrades; and I was amazed at your superficial, sim• became one of the first hospitals in the New York City area to achieve a completely plistic and therefore misleading editorial in electronic health record throughout the the March 1 edition, “Tier 6 pension reform is a must.” emergency room and inpaI am enclosing some material tient care units.

ONLINE from the Public Employee Press The adoption of an elecof District Council 37. After you Miss an article cited tronic health record system have educated yourself fully on by a letter writer? Want provides clinicians a longitunews from our other this subject, you might wish to dinal view — an easier chart editions? Find past publish a revised editorial. view over the span of time Joseph Eaton reports, news from the — that can lead to improved Maspeth rest of Queens and more patient outcomes — both in The writer included three at queenschronicle.com. quality and safety — as well articles on pensions from the as a patient’s satisfaction March edition of the PEP, two by with his or her care. Now, union officials and one by the PEP’s the hospital is in transition to an electronic associate editor. health record system throughout multiple ambulatory care centers in the community as a way to improve continuity of patient care and provider communication.

Ga$ and gasbags In 2012, we can anticipate that there may Dear Editor: be more quality reporting requirements by As a consumer and someone who depends regulatory agencies and there is a constant on driving to get to work, I am appalled at need for staff education and training regarding patient safety. Managing persis- how we are being ripped off at the pump.

Now I’m not an expert, but I feel the reatent issues such as infections — whether acquired in or out of the hospital — is sons are most troubling. There are the extremely complex and requires constant threats coming from Iran and then there are vigilance and attention from both medical the political policies that do little to stop professionals and patients. An educated and the rising costs at the pump. Than there are aware patient and family are an important the Wall Street speculators who make profits when the price of oil is forced up, all at part of prevention and safety.

Stephen S. Mills the consumers’ expense.

The Democrats and Republicans have President and Chief Executive Officer New York Hospital Queens different approaches, but each does little to keep the price at the pump down. The Flushing Democrats’ answer is more fuel-efficient Editor's note: This letter was written in cars, but that will take years to accomplish. response to a new report on hospital safety.

Than you have the Republicans’ answer — See the article on the report in most drill, drill, drill — which might help in the editions this week or at qchron.com. long run but not in the short term. Through all this the oil companies are alive and well and making millions.

I don’t know the answer but I think the The Catholic view silent majority needs to rise up and say, Dear Editor: Regarding David Fogel’s March 1 letter, “Enough is enough for we are mad as hell “Church, state, sex,” I feel I must comment. and won’t take it anymore!” One way is to First of all, his characterization of Catholic write numerous letters to our elected dogma as “inflexible,” and his assertion continued on page 10 that contraception would prevent abortions, are what have become an irrelevant and somewhat hackneyed slant on the issue of forcing Catholic institutions to provide Letters should be no longer than 400 birth control coverage. words. They may be emailed to First of all, as we have discovered, many letters@qchron.com. Please include of these institutions self insure, and as such your phone number, which will not be would effectively be forced to distribute conpublished, in case of any questions traception. Even if they don’t directly distribabout your letter. Those received anonyute it, the concept of being forced to associmously are immediately discarded. Full ate in any way with a practice that is anathenames are not necessary for posting ma to the Catholic faith is unacceptable. comments on stories at qchron.com The real crux of this situation is the fact

Page 9 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

E

LETTERS TO THE DITOR

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 10

SQ page 10

CB 9 slated to vote on traffic changes Also will say yea or nay to rezoning

by Anna Gustafson Senior Editor

Community Board 9 members are expected to vote at their meeting next Tuesday, March 13, on a controversial plan to redirect traffic on two streets in Woodhaven and Ozone Park, which has been lambasted by a number of civic leaders and legislators.

The city Department of Transportation has proposed to change 84th Street in Woodhaven from one-way northbound to one-way southbound from Liberty to Atlantic avenues and convert 89th Avenue in Ozone Park from a two-way to a oneway street running eastbound between Woodhaven Boulevard and 97th Street.

Additionally, the board is expected to vote on the city’s proposal to rezone portions of Woodhaven and Richmond Hill, which has garnered much support, and some criticism, from residents. City and state legislators who represent the area have also backed the plan, which they say will help to prevent older homes from being torn down and replaced with McMansions and to funnel development to commercial corridors.

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representatives and ask them to do something and not to lie to us — or we the people will remember them when we vote this coming Election Day. Remember, we have the power and we will be listened to.

Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Glen Oaks

Dear Editor: Dear Glass-Steagall Act, Where are you now when we need you? And so badly?

In 1933 Sen. Carter Glass (D-Vt.) and Sen. Henry Steagall (D-Ala.) introduced the legislation which bears their name.

Due largely to unregulated bank market speculation, we had suffered the Great Crash of 1929. The GSA legislation limited the conflicts of interest created when banks are permitted to underwrite stocks or bonds and it established the FDIC. In 1956 the act was further strengthened in order to prosecute banks engaging in nonbanking activity. It also disallowed them to buy banks in another state.

From that time on it has been the lobbyists’ field day in diluting the GlassSteagal Act. In the ’60s banks were allowed to enter the municipal bond market, and in the ’70s they were allowed money market accounts and to offer credit and debit cards. In the ’80s, with the help of Alan “Deregulation” Greenspan and the Federal Reserve Board, they were allowed to underwrite businesses’ mortgage-backed securities. Beginning with

said Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association President Ed Wendell. “We will ask you to raise your hands if you oppose the street changes, or if you favor rezoning, so it is extremely important that you show up if you care about the future of Woodhaven.”

The criticism of the rezoning primarily stems from representatives of the Richmond Hill Economic Development Corporation, who say they are not pleased that homes will be unable to expand in an area that is experiencing an increase in population.

But Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) said the rezoning “will preserve the residential character of those communities” while revitalizing the business strips.

CB 9 had been slated to vote on the street changes at its January meeting, but pushed it back following an outcry from irate residents who said they hadn’t been properly notified about the plan.

A number of civic leaders, including Wendell and Maria Thomson, a CB 9 member and executive director of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation, said the street changes would isolate Woodhaven and Ozone Park by makQ ing it difficult to drive there.

Travelers and Citibank, the merging of banks, security firms and insurance companies was also allowed, creating the huge financial conglomerates we have today — bringing about the “Too Big to Fail” dilemma.

There were numerous neuterings of the GSA but the death knell came on Oct. 22, 1999. After 12 tries in 25 years of a nonstop lobbying blitz in which hundreds of millions of dollars were spent, what was left of Glass-Steagall was repealed, placing our trusted banks in the same position they were in precipitating the Great Crash of 1929. Cliches such as, “History repeating itself ” and “The more things change, the more they stay the same” are certainly apt.

Although it was two Democrats with foresight back in 1933 who realized the danger in allowing banks to set the rules by which they play, the repeal was jointly agreed upon by both parties as well as President Clinton. On Nov. 4, 1999 the final version of the Graham-Lesch-Billey Financial Modernization Act was passed by the House 362-57 and the Senate 90-8.

Clinton signed it into law on Nov. 12.

Although it’s not surprising that it was the Democrats who initialed bank control and Republicans who gave the control back to the banks, there is enough blame to go around. They jointly repealed GSA. If we do not regulate and control the banksters, they will control us. Diametrically opposed, both Gingrich (R) and Clinton (D) now say it was a mistake to repeal the Glass-Steagall Act. Indeed it was, and we have been witnessing and living that mistake.

Nicholas Zizelis Bayside

C M SQ page 11 Y K

Residents praise new Ozone Park sweet shop in area that needs one

by Stephen Geffon

site of the former Sylvan Learning Center, is located between the Crossbay Express LaunScoops Ice Cream store in Ozone Park dromat and the Crossbay Dairy Mill, also flung open its doors last Saturday, ushering owned by the Iqbals and Patti.

Scoops features not only yogurt, ice in numerous South Queens residents who said they were excited to no longer have to cream, shakes and smoothies, but also pastries, crepes, salads, snacks, coffees, teas, look far to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Scoops is a venture of Debra and Frank cakes and other specialties.

“I think that it’s going to be really nice for Iqbal and Benny Patti, who believed there the community, for the children,” Debra was a need for a sweet shop in the area.

The store at 137-20 Crossbay Blvd., the Iqbal said, adding that it has been a long time since there was an ice cream store in the neighborhood.

“The customers are excited to come here,” she said.

State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (DOzone Park), who attended the opening and professed that he loves the Scoops “cookies and cream” yogurt, said he believes that the opening of the sweets store fills a void in the community.

“We certainly don’t have a store of this type in the area,” said Addabbo.

“An opening of any small business in this tough economy is welcome Lauren, left, Joshua, Angel and Alexandria Reyes dive because it does provide a certain into some ice cream during the grand opening of amount of jobs and it contributes to Scoops last weekend. the local economy, and we’re thankChronicle Contributor

Scoops Manager Mark Foche, left, state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr., owner Benny Patti, employees Melissa Chung Hing and Danielle Mauro, and co-owner Debra Iqbal, center front, at the opening of PHOTOS BY STEPHEN GEFFON the sweets shop in Ozone Park. ful,” Addabbo continued. store next door, owner Bart Scibilia popped While the economy hasn’t been kind to in to pick up a chocolate chip cupcake. store owners in Queens, Iqbal said she doesThe Reyes family of Howard Beach — n’t believe that the tough business climate Lauren, Joshua, Angel and Alexandria — will affect her shop since sweets took time out from their busy are beloved by so many — SEE day to sit around a table and something agreed upon by the MORE enjoy their ice cream. customers who streamed into the Scoops prices range from PHOTOS $2.59 for a classic cupcake store soon after it opened.

Many customers stayed in the ONLINE to $6.19 for a banana split, shop to munch on treats, includand the shop is open from 10 View more pictures of a.m. to midnight every day. ing Justyce Quinn, 7, and her mother, Daniela, of Ozone Park.

Although Addabbo's the Scoops opening Justyce had the cake batter ice at qchron.com, your youngsters, Alexis and Aricream with M&Ms and marshsource for news from anna, were unable to join mallows on top, while her mom their lawmaker dad at the 11 all over Queens. had a crepe topped with vanilla a.m. grand opening due to and chocolate ice cream. their karate class at the same Kash Martinez, 3, ate his vanilla ice time, the senator said he would bring them cream as he sat on a stool and looked out a to Scoops later in the day. window at the cars passing by on Crossbay “They are going to love it there,” AddabBoulevard. bo said.

Taking a break from his Animal Pantry “It’s a kid’s heaven,” he said, smiling. Q

Page 11 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

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NYFAC celebrates at Howard Beach dinner

Killian McMahon, left, presents an award to Oswaldo Roman, the principal of PS 256 in Belle Harbor, who runs a program for special education students.

Scott Badesch, president and chief operating officer of the Autism Society of America, was bestowed with NYFAC’s autism advocacy award for running the country’s largest grassroots organization helping those affected with the disorder.

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Jack Taravella, second from right, receives the community service award from Pamela Baumann, left, and Andrew Baumann, as Taravella’s wife, Eleanor, and daughter, Julia, join him.

New York Families for Autistic Children honored supporters of the Howard Beach-based organization, as well as its board members, at its annual dinner at Russo’s on the Bay. PHOTOS BY ANNA GUSTAFSON

PS 233 Principal Debbie EdmondsShaddi was given the excellence in special education award.

NYFAC President Andrew Baumann, left, his wife, Pamela, Lifetime Michael Brothers received NYFAC’s Achievement Award recipient Georgiana Reese-Benatti and her husband, Raymond Benatti.

Humanitarian Award.

NYFAC President Andrew Baumann, fourth from left, and his wife, Pamela Baumann, join the group’s honorary board members: former Borough President Claire Shulman, left, Borough President Helen Marshall, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, Councilman Eric Ulrich and Queens County Clerk Audrey Pheffer.

Andrew Baumann’s son, Anthony Baumann, left, presents one of the group’s awards, as his mother, Pamela Baumann, looks on.

Councilman Eric Ulrich, right, is joined by NYFAC President Andrew Baumann as he holds up his guardian angel award.

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the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Event-goers danced the night away and dined on food from Lenny’s Pizzeria and sodas from Ragtime.

The big turnout helped the club to raise funds for various charities.

The Kiwanis Club is now preparing for its 50th anniversary ball on April 20 at Russo’s on the Bay. For information about tickets, call Bob LoCasio at (917) 805-3115.

Topaz Arts, a nonprofit multi-disciplinary arts organization, is calling on dance choreographers from all five boroughs for its “Dance in Queens 2012: Space Exploration Dance Residency.” As many as six choreographers will be awarded 30 hours of free rehearsal space at Topaz’s center, to be used within a one-month period between April and June. With the residencies, Topaz hopes to “support the creation process within a concentrated time, allowing choreographers a space in which to explore new ideas or new working methods,” according to a statement.

Artists outside of New York City may also apply, though the organization cannot offer any travel stipend or housing. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 9 at 11:59 p.m.

Learn more by visiting topazarts.org/2012/02/announcing-topaz-arts/dance-residency/, Q calling (718) 505-0440 or emailing info@topazarts.org.

Treasure Hunters Club in Howard Beach The Howard Beach Treasure Hunters Club will hold its meeting on Thursday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall at 102-17 160th Avenue. All those who are interested in metal detecting are welcome to attend. The members vary in age and experience.

For more information, contact Keith at (917) 599-6674 or email

C M SQ page 15rev Y K Jack Eichenbaum, a Queens historian, is hosting a tour called “The World of the #7 Train” on Saturday, April 28. The tour will begin at Grand Central Station and includes walks touching on historical topics along several 7 train stops in Queens.

Eichenbaum, who holds a PhD in urban geography from the University of Michigan and teaches at Hunter College, was appointed Borough Historian by Queens Borough President Helen Marshall in 2010.

From Grand Central Station, participants on the tour will head to the Vernon Blvd./Jackson Ave. 7 station in Long Island City. Eichenbaum will then guide a walk around LIC before taking participants to Sunnyside and Flushing, where there will be a group lunch. The last stops on the tour include Corona and Woodside, with a walk around Elmhurst and Jackson Heights.

The cost of the tour is $39 per person; advance registration and payment required. For more information, email jaconet@aol.com, call (718) 961-8406 or Q visit geognyc.com.

The search for a missing father Hamilton Beach man has not been seen since 2004

by Anna Gustafson Senior Editor

For years, all Enrique Vega’s family has wanted are answers.

Where is their brother? Husband? Father? Why has he missed so many holidays and the birth of his granddaughter?

Vega, who lived in Hamilton Beach with his wife, Maribel, and four daughters, disappeared in 2004 after leaving to do what should have been a routine business transaction.

Instead, Vega, then 39, was

never seen after his business partner dropped him off at the corner of 180th Street and Liberty Avenue on Oct. 6.

An auto mechanic, Vega was expected to pick up a vehicle at that spot to bring back to the shop he co-owned, Eastern Collision in Brooklyn. But according to Vega’s sister, he never picked it up, though his partner had told the family he did.

Since then, family members said they’ve been living a neverending nightmare, traveling from

Senior Center raffle The Howard Beach Senior Center has launched its 300 Club Raffle. Anyone is welcome to purchase a ticket, which costs $100, and, depending on how many tickets are sold, the grand prize could be as much as $10,000. There will be a number of other prizes as well.

The drawing will be held on May 1st at 2 p.m. at the center’s Tuesday dance.

For tickets or information, call Mark Q Frey at (718) 738-8100.

Enrique Vega, left, with his sister and brother, not long before he COURTESY PHOTO disappeared in 2004.

hospitals to morgues and psychiatric wards to look for him. Every day, his sister, Carmela Osorio, checks the Internet for anything that could lead her to her brother.

“He’s missed so much of his children’s lives,” said Osorio, who lived in Howard Beach at the time of Vega’s disappearance and now resides in Florida. “He’s already a grandfather, and the baby looks just like him.”

Osorio said she has been especially frustrated with the police’s lack of involvement in the case.

She said the NYPD would not issue a missing person report because Vega had an outstanding warrant for his arrest from 1988, though Osorio said she does not know why the warrant was issued.

After pleading with the police so often to help her, Osorio said she “finally got a call back from a sergeant from a missing persons unit, and he was able to help me a little.”

That sergeant, Osorio said, was able to search through a police database about a year and a half ago to see if there are any records of Vega’s death, but he came up empty-handed.

Vega grew up in South Queens and lived in Ozone Park for years before moving to

Brooklyn for a stint and eventually landed in Hamilton Beach with his wife and children. He had four daughters with his wife , as well as a daughter and a son from other relationships.

“He was just about to buy a house with his wife,” Osorio said. “They were renovating it and everything.”

A “joker” who easily made friends and especially loved Elvis — he even named one of his daughters Lisa Marie — Vega was “a good guy who would help you, no matter if you were homeless or not,” Osorio continued.

And while it’s been years since his children have seen him, his sister said they routinely think of him.

“His kids are always putting, ‘Dad, I miss you, and I love you,’ on their Facebook pages,” she said.

“His family, all they want is some kind of closure,” Osorio continued. “We wish he could come home. If he’s out there and sees this, I hope he understands we don’t care what happened. We just want him to come home.”

Anyone with information can Q call (646) 539-0752.

Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 16

C M SQ page 16 Y K

Mulgrew, Dromm slam mayor at Queens forum Criticize release of teacher data reports, school closings and testing

by Anna Gustafson Senior Editor

Vehement criticism of Mayor Bloomberg’s educational policies, from his release of thousands of teacher evaluations to closing large neighborhood schools, flowed freely at a forum in Jackson Heights last week, when hundreds of people packed the auditorium at PS 69 to listen to United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew and Councilman Danny Dromm slam the city’s leader for what they said amounted to the destruction of public education.

Kassandra Rivera, 10, and Councilman Danny Dromm attend a forum with UFT President Michael Mulgrew in Jackson Heights last week.

“Wherever I go in this city, it’s always the same thing — communities are very upset that parents don’t have a voice anymore,” Mulgrew said at last Wednesday’s forum, which Dromm sponsored. “That’s something that needs to be fixed. When you push parents out of the educational process, you’re damaging the schools.”

As always, Mulgrew had harsh words for the mayor, but his vitriol seemed particularly heavy when discussing the city’s recent release of controversial teacher data reports.

Mulgrew said it has been “demoralizing” for the city to release the rankings for 18,000 public school teachers last week.

The city Department of Education released what are known as teacher data reports — assessments of math and reading instructors on their students’ progress on standardized tests from 2008 to 2010 — after a number of news organizations sued the city for access to the information “They didn’t have to release this data,” Mulgrew said. “We have years and years of freedom of information requests into them, and they never even respond to us.”

After the teacher reports were released, which schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott cautioned are “only a part of the picture,” Mulgrew said teachers who scored poorly have been harassed by members of the media.

For example, he said reporters showed up at one teacher’s parents’ house, and spent much of the weekend outside her home.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew criticized the city’s release of teacher data reports, as well as the mayor’s plan to close 33 schools in the city, at a forum sponsored by Councilman Danny Dromm at PHOTOS BY ANNA GUSTAFSON PS 69 in Jackson Heights last week.

“This is a teacher who had chosen to teach special education English Language Learners, one of the most challenging groups to teach,” Mulgrew said of the teacher who received one of the worst scores from the city. “She’s an amazing woman. On Tuesday I got to walk into school with her, and we walked into the library and she received a standing ovation from everyone at the school.”

Mulgrew also criticized Bloomberg’s plan to close 33 schools in the city, including

eight in Queens, and said the union would not shy away from filing a lawsuit to stop it.

When the city in 2010 proposed closing 19 schools, the UFT and NAACP filed a lawsuit and stopped the city from being able to shutter the institutions that year.

“We’ll look to take any legal recourse that we can,” Mulgrew said following the forum.

Dromm too had harsh words for the mayor and his administration — and his criticism even brought the audience to a standcontinued on page 21

Critics slam plan to close schools City files final paperwork to shutter eight Qns. sites

by Anna Gustafson

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Senior Editor

After hundreds of Queens students, parents, educators and legislators begged Mayor Bloomberg to not close eight schools in the borough, the city has gone ahead and filed the paperwork necessary to move ahead with shuttering the institutions and reopening them this summer with half the staff replaced.

The city on Monday night published its final “education impact statements,” which it is legally required to provide to the public six months prior to closing a school. The city aims to close 33 schools citywide, including August Martin High School in Jamaica, Flushing High School, Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, John Adams High School in Ozone Park, Long Island City High School, Newtown High School in Elmhurst, Richmond Hill High School, and Bryant High School in Long Island City.

“I wish I knew why the mayor came to this conclusion to close the schools because there are so many questions that went unanswered,” said Dmytro Fedkowskyj, who is Borough President Helen Marshall’s appointee on the city Panel for Educational Policy, the group that will vote on whether or not the schools should close. Because the majority of the panel members are appointed by the mayor, the closures are expected to be approved.

Bloomberg said in January that the lack of an agreement between the city and the teachers’ union on annual evaluations for educators prompted his plan to implement what is known as a “turnaround” model, which

amounts to replacing about half the staff at schools that are in a federal improvement program due to low graduation rates and test scores. The move, Bloomberg said, was an attempt to salvage about $60 million in education funding specifically meant for the 33 schools that the state had withheld because of the lack of a deal on teacher evaluations.

However, Gov. Cuomo intervened at the end of last month, and a major sticking point in the negotiations was resolved — that of the appeals process for teachers who receive low marks on the assessments.

Because of this progress, the state education commissioner had said during a phone call with reporters that he expected Bloomberg and the teacher’s union to come to a full agreement on the evaluations.

Despite this progress, the mayor said he did not intend to halt efforts to close the schools.

After the city announced that it had filed its final paperwork to close the schools, the teacher’s union asked the state Public Employment Relations Board to order the city Department of Education to resume talks on a teacher evaluation system. Additionally, UFT President Michael Mulgrew said at a forum in Jackson Heights last week that the union would consider legal action to stop the closures.

“It has become clear that the mayor, the chancellor and the Department of Education never planned to reach an evaluation deal, and the mayor’s only educational strategy is to close more schools than ever in New York City,” Mulgrew said in a prepared statement

issued on Tuesday.

Because the eight schools in Queens were part of a federal improvement program, the city had already begun to implement changes at the schools at the beginning of this year.

City officials had told they schools they had three years to implement these changes and to turn their graduation rates and test scores around before the DOE would once again consider them for closure.

“The mayor abandoned policy,” Fedkowskyj said. “He abandoned educational plans that we spent millions of dollars on getting in place in September, and then he walked away from them.”

While the mayor has said closing the schools and reopening them with about half the staff replaced could land the city millions in aid, the city principals’ union estimated that the DOE would have to pay about $180 million annually for the salaries of the teachers that it would replace.

Principals could also be replaced, and the schools may be renamed.

“The costs are exhorbitant,” Fedkowskyj said. “Where we are going to find funding to pay for that, that hasn’t been relayed to the PEP.” Because of these costs, Fedkowskyj said he believes that the city would not hire all new teachers to replace the staff, but instead shuffle existing instructors around.

The city DOE did not respond to a request for comment.

Before the city PEP votes on the closures at its April 26 meeting, the DOE will hold

PEP member Dmytro Fedkowskyj said he did not support the mayor’s decision to close 33 PHOTO BY DOMINICK TOTINO schools in the city. hearings at each of the 33 schools.

Hearings will be held at 6 p.m. at Grover Cleveland on April 2, Bryant High School on April 3, Richmond Hill on April 5, August Martin on April 16, Newtown High School on April 17, Long Island City High School on April 17, Flushing High School on April 18, and John Adams on April 19.

News of the closures has been criticized

by Queens officials, from Borough President Helen Marshall to state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone), who is the ranking minority member on a state education committee.

“Shuttering Flushing High School only to replace the principal and half the staff does not provide a winning formula for our students,” Stavisky said. “Just when Flushing High School has been improving its graduation rate and appears to be on the road to improvement, it’s as if the Department of Education decides to derail it. How can we expect consistent student improvement year to year, with the mayor’s inconQ sistent policies?”

C M SQ page 17 Y K

Congressman proposes tax credit to help with private school tuition

by Kevin Korber Chronicle Contributor

Congressman Bob Turner (R-Queens and Brooklyn) is proposing a bill that he says would help relieve the financial burden of parents who send their children to private schools.

At a press conference held Friday at St. Margaret’s School in Middle Village, Turner introduced the Tax and Education Assistance for Children, or TEACH Act. The bill would provide a $5,000 tax credit to any family who chooses to send their child to a private school.

Turner argued that parents with children who attend religious or nonreligious private schools are subjected to “double taxation” by having to contribute to public schools through income taxes.

“My hope is that this bill will ease the f inancial burden faced by parents who choose to send their children to private schools,” Turner said.

Turner added that the tax credit “would make private schools a more attractive option for parents looking for an alternative to the public school system.”

“This bill is common-sense legislation that will save taxpayers money in the long run,” he asserted.

Asked about the potential negative effects the bill could have on the amount of state aid given to public schools, Turner said that it would be offset by having fewer students in the public school system to pay for.

Congressman Bob Turner, center, with St. Margaret’s School Principal Philip Franco and parents whose children attend St. Margaret’s. Turner was discussing his new bill that would ease the finanPHOTO BY KEVIN KORBER cial burden faced by parents who send their kids to private schools.

Turner was joined by St. Margaret’s Pastor Msgr. Steven Aguggia and Philip Franco, the school’s principal. Both men praised Turner’s bill and the potential effect it would have on schools like theirs.

“I often speak with parents with children in the school and parents who want to send their children to the school, and the financial burden always comes up,” Franco said. “I think this bill presents a wonderful opportunity for faith-based institutions like ours and other private institutions.”

“This bill would be a huge benefit to

schools like ours,” Aguggia added.

Parents from St. Margaret’s School were also present at the press conference and praised the bill. Kelly Redmond of Middle Village, whose son attends first grade there, said the bill is “a win-win proposition” for private schools and parents.

“This bill would be a tremendous help to the many parents like me who wish to send their children to a faith-based school,” Redmond said.

Other religious schools have expressed support for the measure. Rabbi Yaakov Lon-

ner of the Yeshiva of Central Queens said that “a tax break such as the congressman proposes is sorely needed.”

When asked about the bill’s chances of passing both houses of Congress, Turner expressed confidence that it would clear the Republican-led House of Representatives by the end of the year. However, he conceded that the bill’s chances in the Democratmajority Senate could depend on the November elections.

Turner also admitted to expecting some political opposition for the bill from the United Federation of Teachers and other teachers unions, but he expressed hope that a dialogue can be started and an understanding can be reached.

Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) who intends to run for the seat held by Turner, applauded the congressman’s efforts to make religious education more affordable to Queens residents.

“The bill is a more modest version of one that I’m co-sponsoring in the Assembly right now,” Lancman said. “As a parent with three children who have attended religious schools, I know the f inancial burden it imposes.”

“Of course,” Lancman added, “it would have helped the parents of students in religious schools if Congressman Turner and his fellow Republicans hadn’t cut security grant funding for religious nonprofits in half this year.”

Representatives for the UFT could not be Q reached for comment by press time.

Page 17 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

Tuition relief for parents, says Turner

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 18

C M SQ page 18 Y K

Patient safety report is toxic in Queens All area hospitals fail, but Forest Hills and Jamaica fare the worst

by Liz Rhoades

ters for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“We chose those measures because they provide the best colFive Queens hospitals are among the lowest-scoring facilities lection of data available on hospital safety and provide a good in the metropolitan area when it comes to patient safety, based picture of how committed hospitals are to protecting patients,” on a report released last week by Consumer Reports. said Dr. John Santa, director of the Consumer Reports Health The study evaluates 1,045 hospitals around the country that Ratings Center. provided data on four safety measures. Of the 50 worst in the Santa acknowledged that the ratings don’t tell residents country, 30 were in the New York City area. everything they need to know about a hospital, “but a low score, Forest Hills Hospital, an affiliate of the North Shore-LIJ especially in multiple measures, is enough to raise a red flag.”

Health System, ranked third worst; followed by Jamaica HosA statement released by North Shore-LIJ, which runs Forest pital in ninth worst place; Flushing Hospital in 13th; St. Hills Hospital, concerning its poor showing indicated that the John’s Episcopal in the Rockaways in 19th; and New York report may not have up-to-date statistics. It scored 62 percent Hospital Queens in Flushing in 25th. worse than the national average.

The two Queens city-run hospitals, “In the past two years, those numElmhurst Hospital Center and Queens bers [infection rates] have shown signifo patient, no matter Hospital Center in Jamaica, as well as icant, steady improvement — to the Peninsula Hospital in the Rockaways, how poor, should put up point that the hospital’s performance is were not included in the rankings now better than the state average,” the with substandard care.” statement read. because there was insufficient data on all four safety measures.

Forest Hills Hospital officials also — Dr. John Santa, director of the But the two city-run facilities did cited the increased influx of patients Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center poorly on the categories that were due to the closure of other Queens reported. facilities as a factor in the scores, but Consumer Reports examined four measures of patient safety: the statement said that despite that, “Our most recent data hospital-acquired infections, readmissions and how well hospi- shows that Forest Hills has experienced significant improvetal staff communicates with patients about both medications ment in all quality metrics.” and discharge plans.

Santa agrees that having more patients due to closing of The rating on hospital infections is based on data that hospi- other health facilities can make it harder to provide high-quality tals submit to the state on surgical-site infections and blood- care, but added: “They’re no excuse for being unsafe.” stream infections due to mishandling of catheters.

He said other hospitals around the country with similar popThe score on readmissions is based on billing information ulations do better. “No patient, no matter how poor, should put analyzed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. up with substandard care,” Santa added.

The ratings on discharge instructions and medication instrucOff icials from MediSys Health Network, which runs tions come from surveys by the Hospital Consumer Assessment Jamaica and Flushing hospitals, declined to comment on the of Healthcare Providers and Systems. Hospitals are required to report, but sent a response from the Greater New York Hospital give those to a sampling of patients and then report to the Cen- Association, which “strongly asserted” that the report does not Managing Editor

“N

accurately reflect the level of care and successful patient safety programs at area hospitals.

The GNYHA indicated that the state Department of Health pointed out that the report’s claim that area hospitals have higher rates of hospital-acquired infections than elsewhere is misleading and “likely reflects that New York State has a more comprehensive reporting system than most states.”

Jamaica Hospital ranked 57 percent worse than the national average, and Flushing ranked 52 percent worse, on the Consumer Reports study.

NYHQ scored 43 percent worse than the national average.

Stephen Mills, hospital president and chief executive officer, said in a letter to the Queens Chronicle that the facility is “strongly committed” to providing patients with high-quality medical care and to “constantly improving” the hospital experience for patients and their families.

Mills noted that in 2011 NYHQ ranked in the top 10 percent in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for low post-operative morbidity in orthopedic procedures; reduced readmissions for pneumonia, congestive heart failure and myocardial infection by 5 percent; and reduced readmissions below the state average of 20.9 percent.

Santa recommends patients and their families ask questions before being admitted to a hospital, while being treated and before being discharged. They range from what type of catheters are being used to what medical supplies will be needed after discharge.

Last September, another hospital report issued by the Niagara Health Quality Coalition put Jamaica Hospital and Queens Hospital Center on the statewide watch list of facilities with proportionally more safety issues.

Jamaica Hospital was worse than the state average for gastrointestinal hemorrhage mortality and its post-operative respiratory failure rate. QHC was cited for its record in acute stroke mortality, gastrointestinal hemorrhage mortality and Q post-operative hip fractures.

Appeals court finds NY World panel looks at in favor of churches new city information law

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Decision keeps DOE from banning religious groups from using schools The ongoing conflict between religious organizations and the Department of Education took another turn in favor of houses of worship after a judge’s decision to allow a Bronx church to use school facilities after hours was expanded to allow all similar groups that privilege.

On Feb. 24, Chief Judge Loretta Preska of the U.S. District Court granted a preliminary injunction that expanded a previous court decision to allow all houses of worship to use public schools for religious purposes when schools are not in session.

An appeal from the city followed, but the Second Circuit Court of Appeals decided against the city on Feb. 27. A statement from the court said that “the interests of justice were not best served by hearing the appeal” from the city.

The Second Circuit Court’s ruling also included a directive to the District Court to come to a final decision on the case by June.

The decision expands on a Feb. 16 ruling that resulted in the issuing of a temporary restraining order against the DOE’s policy of banning religious organizations from using public schools for religious services.

The DOE’s policy has been in place

since 2001 and was upheld in a June 2011 ruling from the Second Circuit Court on the grounds that allowing religious groups to conduct worship services in public buildings amounted to government endorsement of religion.

Religious groups, many of which do not have the funding to maintain private headquarters, spoke out against the DOE, claiming that the policy infringed on their right to practice their religion freely.

While the DOE has stood firm on this policy with the support of Mayor Bloomberg, members of the City Council have spoken out against it.

The state Legislature has also entered the conversation on the matter after the state Senate approved a bill that would overturn the DOE’s policy. The bill is awaiting consideration in the Assembly.

In a statement issued to the press, Senior Counsel Jane Gordon of the city’s Law Department called the most recent decision “unusual,” but praised the court for calling for “a speedy resolution to this litigation.

“We look forward to concluding this matter in accordance with the Court’s expeQ dited timeline,” Gordon added.

— Kevin Korber

A stream of data coming to the public

by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

When a new flood of raw data comes pouring out of the city, as it soon will under a bill Mayor Bloomberg signed Wednesday, how can journalists and citizen activists use it to better understand government operations? How will they sift through the mounds of information that will be posted in a central online portal to find the wheat in the chaff? What new programs might software developers be able to create with the data?

These were just some of the questions addressed by a panel at Columbia University on Tuesday, in a discussion sponsored by the Queens Chronicle’s partners at The New York World, as well as the Tow Center for Digital Journalism.

The panelists included open government activists and a New York Times columnist, while City Councilwoman Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan), the bill’s prime sponsor, also spoke and took questions from the audience of about 80 people. More queries were submitted online.

The new law will further the goal of opening government data to the public beyond the access afforded by the Freedom of Information Law, panelist John Kaehny of the Reinventing Albany organization

noted, because while FOIL guarantees access to documents that there is no valid reason to keep secret, it does not apply to pure information. The new city law, Intro.

29-A, will do that as agencies comply with its requirements over time.

But one key concern for the panelists is how people will be able to find useful information in the stream of data to come.

“If you have the Mississippi River coming at you, it’s hard to find the barge you want,” said Michael Powell, The Times’ Gotham columnist, who called 29-A a “terrific bill” regardless.

“I guess what I worry about is whether in this great river of data we have time to impose a narrative on it, and to impose an interesting narrative on it,” Powell said.

That, he said, is the key to being able to “interrogate” and understand the data, and to produce from it something that is useful.

Powell noted that although the Bloomberg administration promises a wealth of information to come, it is notorious for defying the FOIL, especially when it comes to requests for information made to the education and police departments.

The New York World, published by Columbia Journalism School, produces government accountability journalism online and, in Queens, in the Chronicle. Q

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SQ page 20

Queens native shoots ephemera For over a decade, Frank Jump has captured the city’s fading ads

by Paula Neudorf Associate Editor

Frank Jump started photographing fading ads in 1997, he told audience members at a lecture he gave at the Greater Astoria Historical Society on Monday. Jump was taking a class on documentary photography, and came across an old advertisement for Omega Oil, painted on the side of a building in Harlem.

“It’s the first sign I took and it’s still alive,” he said after the meeting, explaining why it’s one of his favorites.

With 10,000 images of fading ads under his belt, Jump — whose book “Fading Ads of New York City” was pub-

An ad for Guinness visible in Long Island City, where the company once had a brewery.

lished late last year by History Press — has seen a lot of signs come and go. Some, like the M. Rappoport’s ad featuring an image of a victrola in Jamaica, which Jump dates to 1905, are only revealed when a building is demolished, and can just as quickly get covered up again by new development. Others are so faded as to be easily missed, and still more get painted over or destroyed when a building is demolished.

“I hate to see them disappear,” he said of the signs. “But that’s life.”

Jump, 52, was born in the Rockaways and now lives in Flatbush with his spouse, Vincenzo Aiosa, who also chronicles the ads.

Like the Omega Oil sign, Jump himself is a survivor: in 1986, at the age of 26, he discovered he was HIV positive.

He was told he would probably only live to 30. One of his first reactions, he said, was to go on a “spending binge.”

“I bought a recording studio, camera equipment. When I got depressed, I would go out to LaGuardia Airport and rent a Lincoln Town Car and ride upstate and pick up my grandmother.”

But, still alive over a decade later in 1997 and enrolled at Empire State College, he came upon the Omega Oil sign, and began putting all that photographic equipment to use as a self-described “accidental historian.”

For Jump, an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn since 2000, the act of photographing ads in decay — their lead-based paint touting forgotten products like Fletcher’s Castoria, Reckitt’s Blue, Ruppert’s Beer and Krug’s Bread — is directly linked to his experience with AIDS. “I’ve watched hundreds and hundreds of friends disappear from AIDS,” he said. “A lot of my motivation doing the project has been seeing the world through that lens, seeing these signs as metaphors of survival.”

But rather than preserve the signs, Jump said he would

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Jump captured an ad featuring a victrola, popular in the early 1900s, on a building on Jamaica Avenue before it was blocked PHOTOS BY FRANK JUMP from view by new construction in 1997. prefer to see them left alone.

“Part of the beauty of it is the process of it fading. If you interrupt that process, you’ve stopped this chemical thing that’s been going for, let’s say, 110 years.”

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ing ovation. The councilman, who had been a public school teacher for 25 years before he was elected to office, said the city needed to release its grip on standardized testing.

“The focus on testing is madness,” Dromm said. “We don’t need to create another generation of robots who only know how to fill in a bubble.”

Dromm urged the city to decrease class sizes — a suggestion that brought thunderous applause from audience members — and increase accessibility to early childhood education.

Audience members said they were

Fading ads continued from page 20

chronicled on his blog at fadingads.com, where his upcoming lectures are also listed. Visible on the blog are scores of images of ads from the 1900s (and earlier) through to the 1970s, taken all over New York and often in Queens.

And many of the images he showed to Monday’s audience had stories attached to them. The Ruppert’s Beer sign on 21st Street in Astoria, for example, led to a discussion of Jacob Ruppert Jr., born in 1867, who became a New York Yankees owner and a congressman.

Other signs point to the “dollar and a dream story,” as Jump called it, so com-

pleased to get a chance to interact with Mulgrew, who noted that a recent Quinnipiac poll found that 69 percent of public school parents said they trust the teachers’ union. Twenty-two percent of the same parents said they trust the mayor.

The same poll found that 56 percent of city voters, not just parents, said they place more trust in the teachers’ union to advocate for students, compared to 31 percent who said they have greater faith in Bloomberg.

“All the mayor sees is business, and all a child learns anymore is testing,” said Sandra Rivera, who attended the forum with her daughter, Kassandra Rivera, a 10-year-old student who asked Mulgrew during the forum if she “has a future” in Q the city’s education system.

mon in America in the 1900s.

An image of an ad for J. J. Friel Loans painted on a building in Park Slope, Brooklyn, led Jump to talk about his f indings on Friel, who according to Jump, immigrated to the United States and started out as a ditch-digger in Brooklyn. Friel eventually worked his way into the good graces of a pawn-shop owner before owning the shop outright and starting his own small loan empire, with three branches including one in Jamaica. The story is documented in Jump’s book.

And while he’s already photographed so many signs, Jump doesn’t doubt there are more. “The city is constantly being rebuilt and torn down,” he said. “There’s always going to be a new ad revealed.” Q

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Ice Jewelry: where the owners can relate to their clients

Four major banks agree to speed up settlements, loan modifications

by Michael Gannon Associate Editor

WW W.I CE JEW EL RY BU YIN G SER

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We Pay 15x Face Value For Coins 1964 and Below

Ice Jewelry Buying Service is located on Queens Boulevard in Rego Park.

PHOTO BY DENIS DECK

like it’s a one-shot deal and we don’t do that,” Elias said.

In addition to buying gold, silver, diamonds, Recently, a woman and her boyfriend went into an unassuming gold buying and cash loan watches and coins, Ice Jewelry Buying also shop on Queens Boulevard. She had a $35 offers instant cash loans for jewelry and eBay offer on her ring from another area shop, but selling services.

Their cash loans program is straightforward and was looking to get a better deal. In what may be viewed as poor business acumen, she told simple. “It’s a perfect solution for someone who her new prospective buyer what her previous has a bill due and a check on the way,” Goldberg offer was. Still, after examining her piece, he said. “But we make sure they have a game plan to offered her $1,600. He did so, as he says, buy their jewelry back before the end of the term.

Sometimes these are people’s heirlooms we’re “...because that’s what it was worth.”

The plight of the worker who’s hard-up for talking about and we respect that.”

For those who are less Internet-savvy or cash in today’s economy is something that Arthur Elias and Edward Goldberg can relate to just don’t have the time, Ice Jewelry Buying first-hand, having been laid off from their jobs offers a convenient eBay sales service. If what in jewelry manufacturing. They understand a customer has isn’t an item that Ice Jewelry that people get into situations where they just Buying would purchase, like a handbag or need a little cash fast to make the bills and Ice antique furniture, they can help find a buyer Jewelry Buying Service hopes to help out in on their eBay store. Elias consults with the customer to find a target the most honest way they can. price and let the internet STORE HOURS “For this, I like to think we’re handle the rest. doing the community a service,” MON.-FRI. 11am - 7pm auctioneers For anyone who has Elias said. “We’re in the business SAT. 10am - 5pm ever dealt with the hassle of helping people who are in a SUN. by Appointment of selling and shipping tough spot. They can come to an item on eBay — all the our store and know that we can educate them on what they have and we’ll give forms involved in setting up a user and paypal them what their items are worth. When that account, the 10-15 percent fee that Ice woman told me her previous offer, it made me Jewelry Buying charges to do all the work is wonder how many times this happens — how really a bargain deal.

“At the end of the day, I just want people many people who really need that money get to feel comfortable doing business with us. taken advantage of?”

Elias opened his Rego Park shop with People have this conception of gold buying Goldberg less than a year ago, and already stores as these slimy places with slimy they’re seeing a lot of repeat customers and people, and they’re typically right. But we referrals. This is a sign to them that they’re want to be different. I don’t think it’s cool to doing something right — the pawn business see someone buy a ring for $200 and put it in typically deals in one-time transactions but their counter for $800. We don’t do that.”

Ice Jewelry Buying Services is located at Elias is determined to break that mold, 98-30 Queens Blvd. in Rego Park. Hours of building a reputation on trust.

“Everyone around here is buying gold these operation are Monday-Friday from 11am to days; you can go into the barber shop down 7:00pm and Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sunday the road and sell your jewelry. The problem private appoinments are available. Call for Q with all these places is they treat everything more information (718) 830-0030.

by Denis Deck

Chronicle Contributor

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Queens courts to test foreclosure remedy

- ADVERTORIAL -

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Homeowners in Queens, and particularly in Jamaica, have been among the hardest hit in the state during the housing foreclosure crisis.

And in April, the courts in the borough will begin a pilot program aimed at speeding up the process by which people can rework their loan agreements in an effort to stay in their homes.

The program is being tried in cooperation with Bank of America, Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo, four of the largest mortgage lenders in the country.

Paul Lewis, an official with the state court system, said the banks have agreed to staff future settlement conferences with officials who have the authority, on the spot, to rework or modify the terms of loans, rather than have homeowners fall farther behind in their payments as court proceedings drag on.

The aim, he said, is to replace an endless paper chase with a settlement conference between two parties ready to go.

“Right now it’s a delay that goes back and forth with people looking for documents,” Lewis said. “We’re going to make sure weeks before a case comes on the calendar that [banks] will have all the documents that they use to review a loan, so that when they come to the table they can put an offer there.”

Lewis said the idea sprang from a task force on foreclosure set up by the New York Bar Association, and April Neubauer, the attorney in charge of civil practice for the Queens Legal Aid Society, said the program is a positive development with a lot of promise.

“The project will be to ensure that cases which appear on the docket for settlement conferences actually get down to settlement and modification,” Neubauer said. “Everyone will have all the right players in the right place at the same time. Someone from the bank will be there to settle the case on the spot.”

Lewis said the agreement of the banks is key.

“What happens right now is that even though both sides attend a settlement conference, it just doesn’t happen,” he said.

“We can sanction the bank, but that just slows the process down. And if you fine Chase $1,000, it’s not going to change the way they do business.”

He said if the program proves successful it will be tried elsewhere in the state.

Neubauer also believes that as bad as foreclosure numbers look now, there are cases where homeowners have received things like notices of default, but have not yet been taken to cour t by their lenders.

“There’s a shadow docket out there with cases that have not yet commenced,” she said. “We’re waiting for the floodgates to open.”

While Legal Aid has been able to assist many clients, New York City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) told the Chronicle in February that up to 67 percent of all city homeowners in foreclosure proceedings were not represented by attorneys in 2011. The figure was up from 63 percent n 2010.

He also said Gov. Cuomo eliminated the line item for the state’s Foreclosure Prevention Services Program from his recent 2012-13 budget proposal.

Comrie and Councilman Al Vann (DBrooklyn) have been leading the city’s charge to get the money restored in the budget negotiation process.

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who also heads President Obama’s national Residential MortgageBacked Securities Working Group, announced on Feb. 9 that the state will receive an estimated $136 million from a $26 billion settlement with five banks.

Some of that money will be earmarked for housing advocacy and legal aid groups that work with homeowners facing foreclosure.

Eligible state residents also will have access to an estimated $13 million in direct payments from the federal settlement with the banks if it is determined their homes Q were wrongly placed in foreclosure.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 22

SQ page 22

SQ page 23 Page 23 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

Party plans start with themes Dark, bold colors trend, but pink still number one

by Maria Fitzsimons Chronicle Contributor

Party planning is big business in Queens and trends in fashion help dictate how sweet sixteens and quinceaneras are styled.

Similar to hot trends this season for dresses and gowns, dark, bold colors are in fashion and not just in the winter months. The most popular hues, however, still tends to be more traditional for today’s young women.

“Pink is always number one,” said Kenny Racktoo, owner of Starz Princess, a catering hall and restaurant located at 107-11 101 Ave., in South Ozone Park. Though it’s not a bold color, pink stands the test of time. “Every girl wants to be a princess,” added his daughter, Philesha Racktoo, who works with her father.

Rich, bold hues that are lush and the monochromatic matching of linens and napkins, another on-going trend, add that extra pop to make a coming of age birthday celebration fashion forward.

Anna Vuividas, one of the managers of La Bella Vita Restaurant and Catering, located at 106-09 Rockaway Blvd. in Ozone Park, knows firsthand what it takes to make a successful party: choosing the right theme to reflect one’s personal style.

“Anything goes,” Vuividas said. “We had a Wonderland theme recently; Hollywood and a nightclub.” The key, Vuividas noted, is to incorporate trends in a realistic way that represent the teen herself. If she’s comfortable, her guests will be too.

Starz Princess recently held a successful Mardi Gras-themed birthday party, with the traditional colors of the annual celebration — gold, green and purple — prominently featured. They also passed out party beads and used Mardi Gras masks adorned with feathers as centerpieces as extra elements to bring the theme together, further adding to the overall feel of the celebration.

In this age of instant downloads and digital music, it’s no surprise that disc jockeys are more popular than live bands. With DJs, current music is available at the click of a mouse. The trend is to have the hottest tracks available so the partygoers feel the most at ease, making them more apt to let loose, dance and have a good time.

Latin teens, however, do show trends of being more traditional and tend to want a flavor of their family’s ethnic roots incorporated in their parties. They achieve this by hiring mariachi bands to perform songs that reflect their heritage. This can also include additional entertainment hired to take a party to another level. “They sometimes

Experts say the key to planning is to let the teen make it her own — her own style of fashion and accessories as well as party theme. bring one or two dancers to do a performance,” Kenny Racktoo said.

Experts say the key to planning successful sweet sixteens or quinceaneras with fashion-forward trends is to let the teen make it her own. Choose an enjoyable and engaging

theme and build on style trends from there.

For more information on the venues noted, and to see their available party spaces, visit starzprincesscateringhalls.com or call (718) 441-9400 and labellavitacaters.com or call Q (718) 835-6161

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Bold fashion trends on display Young women get designer treatment for birthday celebrations

by Maria Fitzsimons Chronicle Contributor

Sweet sixteens and quinceaneras are a turning point for many young women and the elaborate parties thrown are their time to dazzle in front of an audience.

In this age of bigger is better, as seen on MTV’s hit reality series “My Super Sweet 16,” cutting-edge fashion trends play a huge role in making a party memorable for a fashion-savvy young woman.

This idea is not lost on designers either, who capitalize on the niche market of consumers out there who want affordable fashion trends for a teenage girl’s big day.

Wen Wu, of fashion brand House of Wu, caters to this demographic with his on-trend Quinceanera Collection, showcasing bold, striking hues for this season. “Everything is on the dress,” said Marie Racktoo, owner of Da Zone dress store, located at 116-18 Liberty Ave. in South Richmond Hill, noting that Wu’s designs don’t need any bustles or add-ons to stay fashionable.

“He makes something every girl wants to wear; to feel like a princess,” Racktoo said.

The Quinceanera Collection by House of Wu 2011 comes in eye-popping colors such as grape, cobalt, fuchsia, turquoise and royal.

On trend this season are strapless tulle and organza ball gowns with sweetheart necklines, ornate bodices, sparkling beadwork, dramatic

ruffled skirts and lace-up backs. These designs sell for $400 to $600 and are so elaborate and well crafted that no additional accessories are needed.

Racktoo also suggests Quinceanera/Vizcaya by Mori Lee dresses for a trending style this season. These tulle dresses are reimagined classics with full skirts, scalloped lace and sweetheart bodices for extra elegance.

They come in a wide spectrum of soft and bold colors such as ballet pink, light blue, peacock, bubble and watermelon, and are also priced between $400 and $600.

For a more economical and yet still trend-conscious consumer, Racktoo notes that Allure’s two lines have options at a more affordable price. Evenings by Allure and Quinceanera by Allure showcase figure- flattering taffeta gowns, empire waistlines, ruched sweetheart necklines and three-dimensional organza ball gowns. These options start at $250.

Sweet sixteens and quinceanera trends don’t stop at dresses. Elegant tiaras, satin gloves and personalized kneeling pillows, for quinceaneras, can make a current trend more unique to the girl’s personal style, thus making it her own.

Jewelry also plays a big role in making a teenager’s birthday celebration special. In the past it was more common to see personalized pieces, such as name plates and

name rings, as well as hoop earrings and classic hearts.

It does depend on who’s buying and wearing the jewelry, but now the trend is that young woman are looking for lasting items that are timeless to accessorize their dresses and gowns.

“They focus mostly on earrings; hanging earrings and necklaces,” said Danielle Croce, manager of Marlowe Jewelers, which has two locations, 160-55 Cross Bay Blvd., in Jamaica and 116-08 Liberty Ave., in South Richmond Hill, “not so much on rings and bracelets.”

The economy also comes into play, and prices of particular items that tend to fluctuate can cause consumers to be smarter about what they are willing to purchase.

“Less intense gold jewelry, like a diamond piece; gold is expensive,” Croce said.

Regardless of how much a teenager is able to spend on her fashions and accessories for her special day, there are trends available. She just has to be savvy enough to seek them out. Whether the party is on a budget or over the top like those seen on reality TV programs, a trendy sweet sixteen or quinceanera in Queens is possible.

For more information on the brands and styles, visit their websites dazoneprom.com or call (718) 323-2940 and for Marlowe Jewelers go to, libertyavenueonline.com and click on the Jewelry link and scroll to the Sweet sixteens and quinceanera trends don’t stop “Marlowe Jewelers” boxed link, or call (718) at dresses. Elegant jewelr y can also make a Q teenager’s birthday celebration special.

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C M SQ page 26 Y K

Wedding planning: 12-month countdown calendar Party Planner

Just engaged? Starting to envision your wedding? Wondering about all the things you’ll need to do and when? Our month-bymonth snapshot of all your wedding to-do ideas will steer you in the right direction.

12-PLUS MONTHS BEFORE • Envision your wedding and draw up a budget.

• Assemble your “planning team.” Consider hiring a wedding consultant.

• Pick a wedding date and time. Select several options, then check with your venues, off iciant and important guests before finalizing.

• Start planning the guest list.

• Look for and book ceremony sites and reception sites.

• Ask friends and relatives to be in the wedding party.

• Optional: Have an engagement party. You may want to register beforehand for gifts.

8-10 MONTHS BEFORE • Bride: Think about, shop for, and order your gown.

• Envision reception food.

• Decide what type of entertainment you want. A pianist for the cocktail hour, strolling violinists, a DJ, or band?

• Think about your floral decor.

• Research and book your wedding professionals. Interview vendors: photographer, videographer, reception band or DJ, florist.

• Research a wedding insurance policy to protect your deposits.

• Research and reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests.

• Register for gifts.

• Contact rental companies if you need to rent anything for ceremony/reception, such as chairs, tables, and tent.

6-8 MONTHS BEFORE • Book ceremony musicians.

• Order bridesmaid’s dresses.

• Start planning honeymoon.

• Send save-the-date cards. This is a particularly good idea if you’re marrying during a tourist or holiday season or having a destination wedding.

4-6 MONTHS BEFORE • Attend prewedding counseling, if required.

• Shop for and order invitations and wedding rings.

• Shop for formalwear.

• Renew or get passports, if necessary.

• Envision your wedding cake and research, interview, and book a cake designer.

3 MONTHS BEFORE • Order wedding cake.

• Hire a calligrapher, if you want your invitations professionally addressed.

• Attend your shower. (It may be earlier, depending on when hosts decide to have it.)

• Groom: Rent the men’s formalwear.

• Hire wedding-day transport: limousines, other cars.

Look into transportation sooner if you’re considering renting streetcars or over-the-top travel.

2 MONTHS BEFORE • Mail your invitations.

• Write your vows.

• Purchase gifts for parents, attendants, and each other.

• Book your stylist and try out big-day hairstyles.

• Book a makeup artist and go for a trial run.

1 MONTH BEFORE • Apply for a marriage license. Check with the local bureau in the town where you’ll wed.

• Bride: Have final gown fitting. Bring your maid of honor along to learn how to bustle your dress. Have the

dress pressed and bring it home.

• Call all bridesmaids. Make sure they have their gowns ready for the wedding.

• Make last-minute adjustments with vendors.

• Create a wedding program to hand out to guests.

• Order and plan in-room welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.

2 WEEKS BEFORE • Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet sent a response.

• Deliver must-have shot lists to photographer and videographer. Include who should be in formal portraits and determine when portraits will be taken.

• Deliver f inal song list to your DJ or bandleader.

Include special song requests and songs you don’t want played.

• Bride: Get your last prewedding haircut and color.

1 WEEK BEFORE • Give reception site/caterer final guest head count.

Include vendors, such as the photographer or band members, who will expect a meal. Ask how many extra plates the caterer will prepare.

• Supply location manager with a list of vendor requests such as a table for DJ or setup space needed by florist.

• Plan reception seating chart.

• Print place and table cards, or finalize list with the calligrapher you have hired to do so.

• Call all wedding vendors and confirm arrangements.

• Give ceremony and reception site managers a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times, plus contact numbers.

• Groom: Get your hair trimmed.

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NIGHT BEFORE

DAY BEFORE • Provide all wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding.

• Write checks and/or talk to wedding hosts (usually your parents, if not you) about any final balances to be paid at the end of the reception.

• Rehearse ceremony. Meet with wedding party, ceremony readers, immediate family, and your officiant at the ceremony site to rehearse and iron out details.

• Bring unity candle, aisle runner, yarmulkes, or other ceremony accessories to the site.

• Give your marriage license to your officiant.

• Attend rehearsal dinner.

• Present attendants with gifts at the rehearsal dinner. You’ll want to do this especially if the gifts are accessories to be worn during the wedding.

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2-3 DAYS BEFORE • Bride: If you need to, have your gown pressed or steamed.

• Groom: Go for final fitting and pick up your formalwear.

• Groom: Ask the best man to make sure all groomsmen attend fittings and pick up their outfits.

• Determine wedding-party positions during ceremony and the order of the party in the processional and recessional.

• Hand off place cards, table cards, menus, disposable cameras, favors, and any other items for setting the tables to the caterer and/or reception site manager.

• Reconfirm final details with all vendors. Discuss any necessary last-minute substitutions.

• Call the limousine- or car-rental company for pickup times and locations.

• Arrange for guests without cars to be picked up from the airport or train station.

Ask friends, attendants, or relatives to help.

• Deliver welcome baskets to the hotel concierge; make sure to include names and delivery instructions.

Page 27 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

Wedding countdown calendar

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10 ways to make sure your wedding isn’t boring Attending a wedding may be a privilege, but sometimes it’s not always a pleasure. The last thing a bride and groom want is for their wedding guests to spend the reception checking their watches. Here are 10 tips to keep any wedding guest yawns at bay.

Party Planner

1. Make introductions at the rehearsal. A wedding brings together two families and sets of friends — which usually means a big group of people who don’t know each other awkwardly attempting small talk. The solution? Invite relatives and out-of-town guests to the rehearsal dinner to break the ice and introduce those who might have common interests. By the time the wedding rolls around, your guests will have met in a more relaxed atmosphere the evening before and (hopefully) keep the conversations going at the reception.

2. Stick to the schedule. No one expects things to run with military precision (especially when it comes to rushing your older relatives), but you don’t want to force your guests to idle around while you take your formal wedding pictures. This is where the cocktail hour comes in. Set up a lounge or shady courtyard for your guests to mingle, and equip the area with snacks, drinks, plenty of places to sit, and even a little music to set the mood and keep the party atmosphere alive.

3. Don’t let guests go hungry. Two words: hors d’oeuvres. Even if you plan on serving a full dinner at your reception, it’s a good idea to have a few nibbles for your guests to nosh on while they wait for you and your new spouse to make your grand entrance — lest your guests get bored and cranky. Mini empanadas, soup shooters, vegetable skewers, even fried macaroni and cheese balls are all great options (go for one-bite appetizers so guests can chat while they snack). Your guests will be refreshed from the ceremony — and grateful for the sustenance.

4. Plan an exit strategy. If you really want guests to be able to enjoy themselves at your reception, arrange for transportation to get them home safely afterward. Some couples choose to throw their reception in a hotel banquet hall and block off rooms for their guests, while others hire a shuttle service to run throughout the night. This extra consideration gives guests the freedom to relax (drink) without worrying about getting home safely when the party wraps up.

5. Consider your venue. Of course, your budget will be a huge factor in determining where you throw your wedding, but picking an interesting reception site can go a long way toward keeping guests entertained. Many science museums will let you rent out their exhibit areas, and zoos often have banquet areas with the animals in full view. Even an otherwise bland reception space can be dressed up with dramatic decor or specialty entertainment (like a photo booth), so be sure to talk to your site manager about your options.

6. Work your seating chart. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than being the one couple at a table where you don’t know anyone and everyone else went to high school together — particularly if you can see friends laughing it up five tables away. A well-played seating chart is a cost-free way to make sure your guests spend time with people they like — or even to set them up with someone new.

7. Put a time limit on toasts. Yes, it’s nice to hear words of encouragement and well wishes, but unless your friends are moonlighting as stand-up comedians, an overly long toast can easily go from sentimental to excruciating. Limit the number and length of toasts to a few key guests (think: maid of honor, best man, your parents) and let everyone get back to the party.

8. Bring in the ... clowns? Remember that scary clown/magician from your eighth birthday party? Today’s specialty performers are nothing like that. The options for wedding entertainment span from trickedout DJs to belly dancers to singing waiters — these people are pros at making sure weddings aren’t boring.

9. Think beyond wedding cake. Wedding cakes are still a staple, but consider expanding the selection for those with a sweet tooth — we’re talking a full dessert bar with everything from whoopie pies, truffles, cupcakes, candies, along with local delicacies like fried Oreos or blackand-white cookies. The dessert bar can

double as your wedding favor by setting out plastic bags or boxes for your guests to take a snack for the road.

10. Relax — seriously. Planning a wedding can be stressful, but when the day arrives, everyone will have more fun if you can overlook any little mishaps (and there’s always something that goes slightly awry) and let loose. Think about it: Do you have fun at parties where the host is incessantly on edge?

To avoid sabotaging your good mood, assign any last-minute tasks to a bridesmaid, relative, or your wedding planner — and designate a friend who, if they observe you getting stressed, will ply you with a cocktail or two.

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Page 29 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

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Tax news you need to know

by Lloyd Carroll and Harvey K. Man By now taxpayers should have received all the W-2s, 1099s and every other financial reporting that they need to file their individual tax return for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Despite all of the usual political saber-rattling about tax reform, there have been very few dramatic changes to the Internal Revenue Code that will affect either this year’s tax filing or even tax planning for next year.

Here is a quick look at some of the minor changes.

The personal exemption and standard deduction have increased by $50 and $100 respectively for single tax filers, and $100 to $200 for joint filers. If you use your car for business, there is a dual rate system. You can deduct 51 cents per mile for car use for the first six months of 2011 and 55.5 cents for the last six months of the year. The way things are going at the pump, expect that rate to skyrocket next year.

There have not been any changes in capital gains rates but how you report sales of stocks and bonds is now slightly different.

The old form, Schedule D, is still used but now it’s as a summary sheet of all long-term and short-term sales (Short-term is a holding period of anything less than a year and a day.) Individual transactions now have to be reported on Form 8949.

Last year, many taxpayers received a $400 credit ($800 for married couples filing jointly) by filling out Schedule M for something called the “Making Work Pay Credit” which was the result of the payroll tax reduction law passed in 2010. Alas, don’t look for Schedule M or this gift from Uncle Sam this year as it has expired.

The personal exemption phase-out and the limitation on itemized deductions (where your personal exemptions and Schedule

A deductions get reduced if you have a high adjusted gross income) were not in effect in 2010 nor are they this year. Unless Congress passes new legislation however, both will be making comebacks for 2012 personal tax returns.

Speaking of itemized deductions, the alternative minimum tax, which basically recalculates income tax liability by eliminating certain otherwise allowable itemized deductions such as state & local taxes, real estate taxes, unreimbursed employee expenses, and a portion of medical expenses, is still around despite the perennial outcries from nearly every elected official regardless of party affiliation. This year, the income threshold before the AMT kicks in has risen by $2,000 for individuals and married couples from 2010.

Deductions lower taxable income but tax credits are even more valuable because they reduce your tax obligation on a dollar-fordollar basis. They are similar to the way grocery coupons work.

Most families are familiar with Form 2441, which is commonly referred to as the Child Care Credit. If you work you can get a credit on your taxes for after-school activities and day camp costs for children under the age of 13. What is not as well known is that you can also get tax relief for certain costs involved with the custodial care of an elderly parent while you work.

A rather obscure credit that anyone who contributes either to a 401(k) or 403(b) plan, a traditional or Roth IRA should look into is the Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions on Form 8880 which could be worth up to $1,000 in tax savings. The catch, and it’s a big one, is that there are severe taxable income phase-outs that begin at $17,000 for singles. If you are single and earn more than $34,000 you are ineligible. For married couples, the reduction in tax credit begins at taxable incomes of $34,000. If you are married and file a joint return and you

have a taxable income exceeding $56,000 then you are out of luck on this credit.

An excellent and easy-to-read reference book is the Ernst & Young Tax Guide 2012 which provides excellent guidance in the areas of both tax preparation and planning.

One of the biggest stories in New York last year was when Governor Cuomo signed into law the right for gay couples to marry. Gay marriage is a state law and is still not recognized by the federal government. This means that married gay couples in our state can select the “married filing jointly” status on their New York State returns (IT-150 or IT-201) but must file as individuals for the federal (“1040") return.

A final note. Since this is an election year you can expect the usual calls for “tax simplification” and its more draconian cousin, “the flat tax,” as campaign season heats up.

While there are certainly numerous provisions in the bulky Internal Revenue Code that should be less convoluted, the reality is that “one size does not fit all” when it comes to tax Q equity. Simple is not always fair.

Lloyd Carroll and Harvey Man are both Queens residents and full-time members of the Accounting faculty at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Carroll, as longtime readers know, is also a regular contributor to the Queens Chronicle.

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Why parents are sending their kids to camp What makes five million kids leave home every summer? And why are their parents glad to see them go? While every parent and child relationship has its moments when both parties would love to call it quits, these smiling kids are running off to summer camp, where they’ll spend from just a few days to all summer long trying their hands at everything from pottery making to driving a Hummer across 4-wheel drive trails in central Utah.

The summer camp phenomenon can trace its roots to early 1900s American culture, and according to Jeffrey Solomon, executive director of the National Camp Association, “Camps of all types continue to flourish.

We’re finding a growing interest in adventure camps, specialty camps, and those that cater to both older campers and a more international crowd. We first reported on this trend several years ago and we’re delighted to see the role that summer camps are now playing in the new global economy. Children from all over the world are coming together to enjoy activities, gain an appreciation for the diversity of the world’s many cultures, and to learn and improve communication while developing new friendships.”

Parents, too, are excited about the fresh opportunities found in modern day camps.

“We could never find anything to get our kids off the couch,” say Pat and Leland Kidd, parents with three camp-aged kids from 11 to 16 years old. “We’d never been to camp ourselves, so the idea of sending them off for two weeks of high adventure never dawned on us. We’d resigned ourselves to their chorus of woe and boredom

Kids and Camp • 2012

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 32

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every summer and frankly, we were beginning to hope for year ‘round schools so we wouldn’t have to deal with keeping them occupied and out of trouble.”

Pat and Leland eventually selected two different camps for their children, with the youngest opting for a nearby nonprofit facility with traditional summer camp fare. “Our 11 year old is tough to keep focused and he enjoyed the variety this camp had to offer.

The older kids, on the other hand, are at that age where unless they can engage in something that has wheels and a motor, they’re simply not interested.

We found a camp that specialized in off-road driving skills, and they not only came back as better drivers, they also gained a sense of responsibility behind the wheel. That’s something we’ve struggled to teach them, yet we all know it’s vital for their safety and the safety of others while they’re out on the road.”

“This is precisely what parents are looking for,” points out Solomon. “You’ve heard the phrase ‘It takes a community to raise a child.’ It’s a very true statement and the summer camp community can play a starring role in our young people’s lives. Our kids today are the first generation to grow up with the Internet, a virtual cyber-community where they can explore for hours on end.

That’s all well and good, but they need to learn from a multitude of venues, and summer camp lets them trade their big blue

computer screen for some good old fashioned big blue sky. Camp is a living, breathing, hands-on experience,” continues Solomon. “Some of what they need to learn just can’t come off a computer — they need to be there, live and in person.”

Delayne Lolohea, a single parent with three teenage kids, sighs relief when camp time rolls around. “It’s a break for me, too. I like letting someone else take charge and dream up the activities that will keep them busy, and where they can try so many things under just one roof.”

When her house goes empty and there’s time to reflect, Delayne notes, “Trading in the chaos for two full weeks of living in a library takes some getting used to. But it gives me a chance to regroup, and when they return, we can talk about camp for weeks on end. They’ll gush on and on about the many different things they tried, and they’ll keep me, grandma, grandpa and all their friends laughing with stories of camp. It’s hard for me to generate this kind of enthusiasm, and with teenagers, I’m often grateful for any kind of positive conversation starter.”

The kids seem just as grateful, too. Casey, a veteran summer camp attendee, states, “I can’t do this kind of stuff around home. I kind of like getting out on my own, and I think this will help me when I get older. You get to meet lots of different people, and you see they’re not always that much different than you. For instance, other kids’ parents

have funny rules, too. Sometimes I’ve learned that maybe I’m better off with the parents (and rules) that I already have.”

Jesse, who’d never been to summer camp before, agrees. “I had no idea what to expect; I just knew I was a little nervous, plus I’m shy anyway. After about three days, though, you realize you’re all in this together and that everyone else is a little nervous, too. Then you just start having fun, and looking forward to a bunch of neat things to do and places to see that you’ve probably only read about. I think camp helped me grow up a lot, and my friends there helped me learn about myself and gave me confidence that I could do things I hadn’t tried before.”

Jesse’s parents cite an overall improvement in his self esteem, noting, “Jess just keeps talking about his experience, from some of the daily activities to camping out with his new friends. He felt like ‘one of the guys’, and this probably meant more to him than anything else. Summer camp was the best way, as parents, we could do that for him.”

Camp enrollments continue to grow and as long as there are parents with busy schedules and kids with widely diverse interests, these icons of American culture should host many new generations to come. Summer camps are fast becoming fundamental fare for today’s active youth sporting appetites for more experienced-based learning. Parents seeking creative and stimulating opportunities for their children are adding camps to their cache of tools for developing confidence, building valQ ues, and improving self-esteem Randy Faris, director, Hummer Camp — National Camp Association

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SQ page 33

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Your child is already in school and you are considering a summer camp, but how to choose? There’s a camp that is ideally suited for every child, providing a summer of growth and fun whether your child attends a day or overnight camp, a specialized or traditional camp. With a little help from the camp professionals at the American Camp Association, here’s some sound advice that helps parents sort through the choices and benef its that camp delivers. As spring arrives, parents and children can look forward to planning for the future — a future that includes opportunities for exploration and discovery at summer camp.

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Benefits of special needs camps • Activities geared to campers’ abilities • Knowledgeable staff with expertise to understand campers’ strengths and challenges • Supportive and fun atmosphere to share with others

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Camps offer widely varying options to help parents and children reach their goals for summer fun and exploration. Talking with your child about the goals you both share helps determine which choice is right for you.

The value of camp for every child What happens when you make the decision to choose camp? You open up a world of discovery and learning for your child, a world that values children for who they are and who they will become.

Benefits of short sessions (one to three weeks) • First-time or younger campers have a chance to learn new skills

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As spring arrives parents and children can look forward to Deciding when your child is ready planning for the future — a future that includes exploChildren are ready for new expe- ration and discovery at summer camp. riences at different stages. Parents PHOTO COURTESY AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION know their children best and these • Bonds develop with other campers and questions can help gauge whether this is the summer your child will start camp. staff • What is your child’s age? Children • Great exposure to camp experience under age seven may not adjust easily to with less expense being away from home. Consider the day • Can minimize homesickness camp experience to prepare them for future Benefits of longer sessions (four to 12 overnight camp.

• How did your child become interested weeks) • Strong sense of belonging to camp in camp? Does your child talk about camp community on a sustained basis? How much persua• Chance to learn new skills sion is necessary from you?

• Development of specialized skills • Did your child have positive overnight • Multiple opportunities for learning and experiences away from home? Visiting relatives or friends? Were these separations enrichment • Lifelong friendships easy or difficult?

• Opportunities to con• What does your child tribute to camp culture expect to do at camp?

Learning about the camp Benef its of traditional experience ahead of time camps allows you to create posi• Wide variety of activitive expectations. ties • Are you able to share • Chance for campers to consistent and positive try new activities messages about camp? Your • Exposure to more conf idence in a positive campers and staff at varying activities experience will be contagious.

Benefits of specialty camps A camp for every child — the perfect fit • One or two specialized activities (often Camp can last for just a few days or all summer long. It’s well worth the trouble to combined with traditional offerings) • Expectation for increased proficiency investigate the variety of choices offered by camps before your child packs a backpack. during camping session • Deepens knowledge and skill in particTwo questions can help you consider the ular area of interest or ability options.

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Parents and camps foster children’s self-reliance Camp is a steppingstone to self-reliance. It is one community in which children can learn to navigate on their own without well-intentioned parental course-plotting to avert choppy waters. Most parents, I confess to the compelling desire to negotiate smooth sailing for their own children.

Yet, over the years, camp directors witness firsthand, the incredible journeys of children who come to recognize their own power in steering their destinies.

Opportunities for decision making and problem solving at camp, which foster a culture of success, allow children to discover their strengths and their abilities to make good choices and to influence positive outcomes for themselves.

After all, coaching kids to feel capable is what camp directors do. Not quite so obvious but just as central is their proficiency to coach parents to support their children with just the right combination of backup and encouragement. Kids learn quickly to rely upon themselves and the adults they trust at camp instead of their parents, who could be 100 miles away or more!

Ariel, a second-year camper, casually asked her counselor during camp, “Does my mom still call every day?”

She and mom had fallen into a predictable pattern: Ariel would tell her mom about “what was wrong” (we know that kids tend to “save” things for their parents!) and mom would dutifully call the camp to “fix” the problem. They were each doing their “jobs.” Carefully and slowly, with appropriate guidance, mom came to understand that she was perpetuating a cycle that was preventing her daughter from being independent. As trust increased, she started redirecting her daughter’s pleas, encouraging her to speak

with someone at camp who could more quickly and efficiently help her resolve the situation — yet still validating Ariel’s feelings.

I was gratified to answer Ariel’s query: “Actually, no,” to which Ariel quickly responded: “That’s because I stopped complaining to her!” Lessons learned for both parent and child! “Aha’s” like this happen every day at camp. How can parents and camps cooperate to help children gain just the right degree of independence?

• Many camps have a designated contact person. During the decisionmaking process of “which camp,” ask questions that give you an idea of the partnering and communication philosophy of the camp and learn who the primary contact person is — build rapport early.

• Remember that camp directors have a reservoir of experiences to back their counsel to you. Know, too, that they have your child’s best interests at heart and the skill to guide your child towards an appropriate level of independence, self-confidence and success.

• Keep in mind that kids often triumph over their adjustment to a new environment before their parents can accept the next stage of their development! Do not offer to rescue your child; that only confirms that you believe he or she cannot cope with something that is difficult.

• Get on board with the notion of supporting kids to solve their own problems or asking a trusted counselor for help; let your child experience the real world in the camp setting, not the one that you sculpt for him or her during the rest of the year. Picture success.

Admittedly, it is a leap of faith to let your baby bird fly from the nest; it is the greatest gift you can bestow. The key is to build the nest in a tree that gives you a sense of security, so do your homework to find the right fit — there is a camp for every child and a feeling of comfort for every Q parent.

Maria Coleman — American Camp Association

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that his head was too small to let anyone stand next to him on screen.

Han is also noted for trying to keep the team morale up throughout the performances.

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HeeJun Han, 22, of Flushing has made it into American Idol’s top 13. PHOTO COURTESY FOX NEWS

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Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordan Sparks, Lee DeWyze — HeeJun Han? Han, 22, of Flushing, is an aspiring singer who traveled to Pittsburgh last July to audition for TV’s “American Idol” and now has landed himself a spot as one of the 13 finalists on this season’s show.

According to Han’s Twitter account, when he’s not busy infiltrating the ears of judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, he lives with his parents and siblings in Flushing.

Han’s brother, Heeseung, said from the family home that they’re proud and amazed at his brother’s success.

When here, Han works at Milal Mission, a nonprofit group that works for the social equality of disabled children. There, he is a mentor in the afternoon youth program.

“I wanted to prove to them that if you really, really want something and you really really believe in it, you can be someone,” Han said after his first audition.

His song of choice was “How am I Supposed to Live Without You” by Michael Bolton, a song he said has real meaning to him and his work.

“HeeJun is very creative and very caring with the children he assists in our afterschool programming,” said Kyle Wang, the grant manager of Milal Mission’s Flushing location. “He has always been outgoing and we hope he will come back in a few months after all his success.”

Wang said that everyone at Milal Mission watches the program together, and of course, votes for their coworker as soon as Han’s voting number hits the screen.

Han’s television persona has made an impression on rockstar Tyler, according to the American Idol website.

“You’re a better star than you are a singer, so we’re gonna put you through, pal,” Tyler said after Han’s first show.

Han’s reputation has grown to become the funny guy of this season. He made national headlines from an on-air segment involving Ryan Seacrest, the show’s host.

During the auditions, Han said to Seacrest

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 36

SQ page 36rev

Whites blackballed at FDNY prep class Vulcan leader calls dispute a stunt, blasts crowd for mocking civil rights movement

by AnnMarie Costella Assistant Editor

Controversy continues to surround the FDNY entrance exam. This time, white candidates are blasting the fraternal organization of black firefighters, claiming they were not allowed to attend test prep classes it had scheduled at locations throughout the city.

And the black organization is hitting right back, criticizing some of the candidates for using the language of the civil rights era.

The Vulcan Society, which has long lamented the lack of diversity in the Fire Department, and joined a Justice Department lawsuit against the city, claiming that the FDNY tests are biased as demonstrated by how few minorities pass, is now itself being accused of racism.

The group got a list of black firefighter candidates, about 12,000 of them, from the federal judge overseeing the case, and sent them an email invitation to attend the classes. In the past they had gotten the names from the city, but due to the litigation the municipality was uncooperative this time, according to Paul Washington, immediate past president of the Vulcan Society.

Washington, who has overseen the content of the prep classes for the last 15 years, added that they have always been conducted in this way. The Vulcans give priority to black candidates, and any white candidates who show up are allowed in, provided there are the resources to accommodate them, Washington said. He added that the Vulcans have tutored more than 200 white candidates in the last week.

But a large group of Caucasians, who

showed up for a class at MS 72 in Rochdale Village on Thursday, were turned away. Video footage captured the angry individuals shouting at an African-American fire official — a lieutenant representing the Vulcan Society, according to the YouTube description of the film — stationed at the door.

“You should be ashamed to wear that badge,” yelled one man. Others shouted statements like “No justice, no peace,” “What would Martin Luther King do?” and “No white people were allowed in.”

Washington said the email, intended for black candidates only, was intercepted by FDNY Deputy Chief Paul Mannix, the founder of Merit Matters, a group that opposes racebased hiring, and sent to as many white candidates as possible in an attempt to “sabotage” their classes and try to depict them as racist — something Mannix denies.

“They should have made it clear right away,” Mannix said. “To think in this day and age that you are going to send an email out and it’s not going to be forwarded is ridiculous.

“I would not be sending my supporters on a wild goose chase to someplace where I knew they were going to be made to feel uncomfortable,” he continued.

Washington also blasted the crowd at Rochdale for what he considers making light of the black civil rights movement.

“They were out there singing, “We shall overcome,” Washington said. “They can’t possibly believe that not being let into a prep class is the same thing as being lynched, forced to sit at the back of the bus, or not being allowed to

vote. It was pure mockery.”

Washington also accused Mannix of planting people at the sites, ones who were clearly too old to be candidates, or ones that the Vulcan members recognized to already be firefighters.

“It’s a compliment that he thinks I have this vast power over these kids,” Mannix said sarcastically. “I don’t know who these kids are. I don’t know where he’s getting this from.”

He did say, however, that a few firefighters, himself included, tried to enter the classes to pick up materials for relatives who planned to take the test but could not attend the tutorials.

The fire official stationed at the Rochdale Village location told the crowd that people had to be on a special list to be admitted, but would not elaborate on who created the list and how one got on it, even though those who were shut out pressed him for answers.

“All I saw in the videos was a bunch of rowdy people, trying to cause a riot,” Washington said. “It was a prank, a stunt, by Paul Mannix.”

The city’s Law Department would not comment on the issue, instead deferring to a statement by FDNY spokesman Jim Long, who would only say, “The department is offering its own tutorial and prep classes, and all applicants are welcome.”

Among the people who couldn’t get into the Vulcan’s Rochdale class was John Guarisco, 25, of Long Island. He is white and of Italian descent. He said he definitely felt he was being discriminated against.

“The only people who were getting in were

Video shows whites being turned away at a Vulcan YOUTUBE IMAGE prep class in Rochdale Village. the African Americans,” he said Tuesday, adding, “I’ve never experienced racism like that before. We were made to feel like we weren’t worthy.”

Martin Tubridy, 32, of Arverne, who is of Irish descent and spent two hours outside MS 72 waiting to get in, expressed similar sentiments. “It was blatant racism,” he said Wednesday. “It was sad. I actually told them that I would pray for them.”

Mannix said he disseminated the Vulcan email announcement because he believes the group’s test prep classes are even better than the ones offered by the city.

“They present ways of answering unique and subjective questions that are on the test — ones with answers like ‘agree, strongly agree, neutral, disagree and strongly disagree,’” continued on page 37

Bill pushed that targets scammers Bellerose woman killed after her car was hit for insurance money

by Liz Rhoades Managing Editor

For the latest news visit qchron.com

A quiet, residential neighborhood in Bellerose no longer looks like a crime scene, but nearly nine years ago a grandmother lost her life there as an innocent victim of an insurance scam.

Alice Ross, 71, was on her way to visit her family when the car she was driving was struck by Waurd Demolaire, 25, of Brooklyn. Ross lost control of her car, hit a tree and was killed.

Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) doesn’t want that to happen again

Alice Ross

FILE PHOTO

and is sponsoring Alice’s Bill, which would impose tougher criminal penalties on those who stage accidents and make it a class D felony.

At a press conference Friday at the crash site on Commonwealth Boulevard, Weprin was joined by David Schwartz, spokesman for New Yorkers Stand Against Insurance Fraud. The bill has passed the Senate but is stalled in the Assembly.

“A study shows that 20 percent of nofault insurance claims had elements of fraud,” Weprin said. “We want momentum on the bill.”

Schwartz called the measure “a commonsense piece of legislation to combat an epidemic.” He estimated that bogus claims cost New York drivers $1 billion a year “I don’t see what the problem is,” he added.

“We want the bill acted on immediately.”

Schwartz noted that the district attorneys from all five boroughs support the measure, as do those on Long Island, and he believes that if the bill were enacted, it would deter criminals from creating fake accidents.

Criminals who try to pull off the scams complain of back and neck injuries and work with shady doctors on thousands of dollars of false insurance claims, according to the industry.

In the 2003 case, Demolaire and his three accomplices feigned injuries and went to the hospital, but sneaked out after learning that Ross had died.

Insurance officials say the elderly and

Assemblyman David Weprin, left, and David Schwartz, spokesman for New Yorkers Stand Against Insurance Fraud, at a press conference in Bellerose on Friday where an innocent woman was killed due to a fake auto accident by scammers in 2003. The two are pushing for stronger legislation.

PHOTO BY LIZ RHOADES

women are often targeted by the scammers because they are usually not confrontational.

Demolaire was convicted of second degree manslaughter and conspiracy and received an indeterminate sentence of five to 15 years in prison.

Weprin pointed out that if Alice’s Bill is passed, it would make staging such a crime a felony, whether anyone was hurt or not.

Schwartz indicated that the bill has been stalled because it’s part of a reform package. “This bill shouldn’t be lumped in it,” he said. “They should just pass it separately.”

Both men pointed out that the Justice Department last week busted an alleged $275 million auto insurance fraud ring in the state, sending a strong message to Q scammers.

SQ page 37

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Nabbed following ‘Most Wanted’ show Danny Williams, a Jamaica fugitive, by the NYPD’s Fugitive Task Force and featured on the television show “America’s local police following two appearances on Most Wanted,” has been sentenced to 50 “America’s Most Wanted.” years to life in prison for a 2002 shooting “Violence such as this will not be tolerthat killed one man and injured another. ated on the streets of Queens County,” DisWilliams, then 34, and another man, trict Attorney Richard Brown said in a preReginald Artis, then 21, approached the pared statement. “The defendant fled the two victims in front of 87-22 148 St. in jurisdiction and was able to delay justice Jamaica at around — but ultimately he midnight that May 28, was captured with the according to the help of ‘America’s iolence such as this Most Wanted,’ and Queens District Attorney’s Office. now begin servwill not be tolerated will Both opened fire, ing a lengthy prison Williams with a shotsentence.” on the streets of gun and Artis with a Williams was conhandgun. The victims victed last month of Queens County.”

Roshawn Tate, 22, and second-degree mur— Queens DA Richard Brown Mark Belizaire, 21, der, second-degree were both hit by fire attempted murder and from Williams’ gun. Tate was killed and first-degree assault. He received a sentence Belizaire left permanently disabled. of 50 years to life on Feb. 29, with an addiWilliams and Artis had been robbed ear- tional 1 1/3 to four years in prison for a lier that day and believed their targets were probation violation. somehow involved.

Artis was arrested on Oct. 10, 2003 and The defendants were indicted for the held without bail. On April 11, 2006, he shooting by a Queens County grand jury pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal on July 22, 2004. But it wasn’t until he had possession of a weapon and was sentenced spent years on the lam that Williams was on Jan. 7, 2008, to nine years in state Q arrested on July 19, 2010, in Jackson, NJ, prison.

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they’d like to see a police crackdown. As for the trash problem, neighbors said it would be a huge help if Waldbaum’s replaced the chain-link fence now lining the perimeter with a wall.

“Obviously everybody would love to see more cops on the block,” Perez said. “I’d like to see the specialized teams crack down on the drugs.”

Joe Barretta, who has lived in the neighborhood for 54 years, said he’d also like Waldbaum’s to hire overnight security to patrol the lot.

“They used to have security,” Barretta said. “Now the gates are always

continued from page 36

Mannix said. “They are victims of their own success.”

Mannix claimed he never imagined the Vulcans would try to prevent anyone from attending, and that at the first class in Brooklyn, it didn’t appear that they were.

“We applaud them for this inclusion and embrace of diversity,” Mannix wrote in an email to the members of his group. “In the first paragraph [of the Vulcan’s invitation] it does say ‘Black firefighters like yourself,’ but we can’t believe this is meant to exclude anyone based on race.”

But at the Manhattan location on Feb. 28, Mannix said, individuals complained to him

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open, and there’s no security. There was a guy who was just taking a bath in the parking lot the other day. What’s going on there?”

Whatever happens, residents said, all they want is for someone to pay attention to them.

“I pay a lot in taxes, and this is what we get?” said Iovino. “We were so excited to buy this house eight m o n t h s a g o . T h e n , j u s t a f t e r we bought it, we were going to have family over for Christmas. When my mother came over, she saw all the trash and was so upset. So I cleaned it up myself, on Christmas. We shouldn’t have to do this. I shouldn’t have to watch my son to make sure he doesn’t Q play near needles.”

that they were told, “If you did not get a special invitation, and you know who you are, you are not supposed to be here.” He added that those applicants were also warned not to try and attend other Vulcan prep classes and were not refunded the $20 they paid.

After the dispute at MS 72, Vulcan classes which were to be held in Staten Island, were canceled without warning, according to Mannix. Those who showed up were greeted by a sign that read: “The Vulcan Society — FDNY registration and trainings have been canceled indefinitely at this site.”

Washington said the class was canceled due to a lack of interest and that the Vulcans felt their resources would be better directed serving the larger numbers of interested Q parties in the other boroughs.

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Jamaica man gets 50 to life for murder

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 38

SQ page 38

Judge’s Congressional lines continued from page 2

PHOTO BY BOB SHEINER

Championship title reclaimed

one of the only Queens neighborhoods to be in a predominantly Brooklyn-based district.

The 7th District, where much of Woodhaven would end up, is also made up of Williamsburg, Bushwick, Red Hook, and a number of other Brooklyn neighborhoods. The new lines would separate it from the neighborhoods with which residents said they feel akin, such as Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Middle Village and Kew Gardens.

“I understand that the special master needed to work in a hurry, but this proposal sloppily tosses Woodhaven into a district that includes almost none of the neighborhoods we’ve shared a district with for decades,” WRBA Director Alexander Blenkinsopp said. “ … It will be extraordinarily difficult, and unlikely, for a member of Congress from this district to represent Woodhaven well.”

Other groups said they were pleased with the lines, including the Asian American Community Coalition on Redistricting and Democracy and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

The two organizations said they were pleased to see Asian-American communities kept together in the proposal.

ACCORD officials noted that the 6th District would have the highest concentration of Asian Americans ever created.

“At nearly 40 percent of the district, the Asian-American community of northeast Queens would have major influence on a Congressional seat,” ACCORD said Q in a prepared statement.

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Are you among those who think this way? If so, consider the fact that overuse of OTC analgesics not only leads to so-called “rebound headaches,” but regular use of aspirin; ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and generic); and

naproxen (Aleve and generic) increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding twofold. Higher doses or more frequent use hikes the risk even further.

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To avoid dangerous drug-drug interactions, you should consult a pharmacist or doctor before taking prescription drugs and OTC drugs at the same time. We’re committed to providing a higher level of customer care. We continuously strive to find ways to better serve the people of our communities, and we’re devoted to providing the kind of personal attention you can’t find anywere else. For your family’s prescription needs, please call WOODHAVEN PHARMACY at 718-846-7777. We are located at 86-22 Jamaica Ave., and our hours are weekdays 9 to 8; Saturdays 9 to 6 and Sundays 9 to 2. We accept most major insurance.

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Cheerleading Squad.

“The boys and girls worked extremely hard this season. They practiced almost every day after school and on Saturdays in the weeks leading up to the competition to perform at a championship level,” said coach Maria Micioni.

“The highlight of the cheerleading competition is the team dance. It’s just like something you would see on ESPN with stunts, lifts and flying cheerleaders. They were awesome!”

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Cheerleaders at Lexington School for the Deaf in Jackson Heights cheered their way to the top and reclaimed the championship title at the Eastern School for the Deaf Athletics Association Division 1 Tournament.

They beat out five other teams to regain the title, which they held back in 2004.

Additional honors went to two team members, Kathy Nieves and Isatou Sankanu, who were named to the All Tournament

today, and while I canÕt predict what the final lines will ultimately look like, the special master’s district six is centered around my home and communities that I have represented in the Assembly, on the community board, and as a civic leader for over 20 years,” Lancman said. “I look forward to the opportunity to run for Congress when the lines are finalized.”

The new 6th District would run from Maspeth and Ridgewood throughout Forest Hills and Flushing and up to Bayside and Whitestone. It would not include Jamaica Estates or Holliswood, which are similar demographically to the other communities. Instead, those neighborhoods are now in Meeks’ district.

As for the rest of Queens, U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, Bronx) would retain many of the same neighborhoods, though he would gain a little more of the Bronx, thereby increasing the Hispanic population in his area.

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (DQueens, Manhattan) would retain a 12th District based in the Upper East Side and Astoria, though she would gain Greenpoint in Brooklyn — which does not represent any significant shift in demographics for her.

Civic leaders have expressed concerns with the lines, and members of the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association said they are opposed to the judge’s proposal to split the neighborhood into two districts. Additionally, the lines would make Woodhaven, currently in the 9th District,

PHOTOS BY SCOTT ELLISON SMITH

ARTS, CULTURE & LIVING

Page 39 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012

C M SQ page 39 Y K

BATTLING BATTTLING IT OUTUT

by Paula Neudorf

Eleven Queens acts whittled down to five in the Battle of the Boroughs For the latest news visit qchron.com

Clockwise, from top: the Great Apes, Shelly Bhushan and Cate Song were among the 11 acts who performed Friday at the Greene Space in Manhattan, competing to secure a spot in New York Public Radio's final, borough-wide competition on June 29.

The Battle of the Boroughs heated up on Monday, when five Queens acts out of 11 were chosen as the borough’s top picks based on a live show all 11 participated in on Friday.

During the show, held at the Greene Space in lower Manhattan and produced

by New York Public Radio, acts performed one song each, and a live audience as well as online viewers voted for their favorite. A tally of those votes and more made over the weekend yielded the five Queens semifinalists: the Great Apes, Shelly Bhushan, Cate Song, Sinner Man and SWEET Fix. To help pick the borough’s top band, watch the performances the five gave online, then vote, either online or via text (more information is available at the Web page listed in the box inside).

The Queens winner, to be announced on March 19, will have to wait until June 29 to compete with the winners from other boroughs. And the ultimate winner will get a headlining show at the Greene Space, in addition to a free recording session in one of NYPR’s studios and iPads and other electronic goodies from Tekserve.

But if Friday’s Queens show proved anything, it was that bands in this competition are so vastly different in terms of genre and mood that judging them against each other seems almost impossible.

Continuedonon page continued page 43

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 40

C M SQ page 40 Y K

qb boro EXHIBITS

ters. Tickets are $12/$10 members; $8 children/$6 member children. Call (718) 463-7700 ext. 241

An art exhibition with the Mardi Gras theme will run through March 31 at the National Art League, 44-21 Douglaston Pkwy., Douglaston. Gallery hours: Monday through Thursday and Saturday 1-4 p.m.

Admission is free.

CLASSES A beginner’s Hebrew class is held on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. through March 29 at the Free Synagogue of Flushing, 41-60 Kissena Blvd. Registration required.

Cost for nonmembers is $5 per session. Prepayment of 10 classes is $40. Free onsite parking. For more information call (718) 961-0030 or freesynagogue.org.

An exhibit titled “Interwoven Worlds: Exploring Domestic and Nomadic Life in Turkey,” organized

by Queens College’s Godwin-Ternbach Museum, will be on view at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. from March 9 through April 30. Exhibit hours are Wednesday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m. An opening reception with traditional Turkish music and cuisine and a special lecture by Belkis Balpinar, founding director of the Vakiflar Carpet and Kilim Museum in Istanbul, will be held Friday, March 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Urte Schaedle, the horticulturist on staff at the Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38 Ave., Flushing, will discuss houseplant care on Wednesday, March 14 at 2 p.m. The class will cover the basics of watering, feeding, soil and light requirements for houseplants.

Participants are welcome to bring in an ailing plant for a diagnosis and everyone can take home a new plant with care instructions. Registration $10 and $8 for museum members. Call (718) 359-6227.

Ralph Weiss Photographs are on view through April 22 at the Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38 Ave., Flushing. Gallery hours: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Reception: Saturday, March 24 from 2-4 p.m.

Alula, along with other musicians, will perform at the Forest Hills Jewish Center on Sunday, COURTESTY PHOTO March 18th.

Continuing through April 24 the second of a twopart exhibition on the evolution of art will be on view at the Queens College Art Center, Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library, Level Six, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing. Gallery hours are: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free and open to the public.

“Cat Lady Without a Cat,” a hilarious and heartfelt story of one woman’s journey from a painful divorce to her new life in New York, will be presented on Friday, March 9 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Secret Theatre, 44-02 23 St., Long Island City. Tickets are $18. Go to goingtotahitiproductions.com.

Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, will exhibit the photography of documentary photographer Audrey Gottlieb now through May 19. “Vignettes from the Queens Project” is a photo collection that celebrates the diversity of the Queens community.

Marathon Jewish Center, 245-37 60 Ave., Douglaston, presents the musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” March 10, 17 and 24 at 8:30 p.m. and March 11, 18 and 25 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors and children under 13. For tickets, call (718) 229-4644.

Joseph LoGuirato’s sketched collection of historic structures around the city will run through June 30 at the Poppenhusen Institute, 114-04 14 Rd., College Point. Call for hours: (718) 358-0067.

Dorsky Gallery, 11-03 45 Ave., Long Island City, announces that “Video<>Object,” will remain on view through March 18. It explores the relationships between video-art and narcissism. Gallery hours are Thursday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Tuesday and Wednesday), and by appointment. For further information contact David Dorsky at (718) 937-6317 or via email: david@dorsky.org.

AUDITIONS For the latest news visit qchron.com

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G

The AARP Queens Chorus performs at Queens nursing homes and rehab/senior centers. If interested in joining call (718) 523-1330 for audition dates.

The Forest Hills Symphony Orchestra has openings in oboe, bassoon, violin, viola, cello and bass sections.

Auditions will be held during the regular rehearsals of the orchestra on Wednesday from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Forest Hills Jewish Center, 106-06 Queens Blvd. Interested players should contact the conductor, Franklin Verbsky at (718) 374-1627 or (516) 785-2532.

THEATRE “Tear Jar, the Blues Musical” will be presented March 9-18, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. at the LeFrak Concert Hall, Queens College in Flushing. Tickets to the premier showing are $23-25. For tickets, call (718) 793-8080.

the United Methodist Church, 112-14 107 Ave., Richmond Hill.

HEALTH No-cost digital mammograms and clinical breast exams will be held Wednesday, March 14 at 9 a.m. at the Queens County Civil Court, 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica. An appointment is necessary. Call 1-(877)-628-9090.

Flushing Letter Carriers - Branch 294 will sponsor a blood drive on Wednesday, March 14 from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the K of C Joyce Kilmer Hall, 35-79 160 St., Flushing.

MUSIC

MEETINGS

The original Kyrkostas Quintet with Ivy Adrian, pianist, will perform on Friday, March 9 at 7 p.m. at the Armenian Society Center, 39-03 Little Neck Pkwy. Tickets are $10.

Queens Best Toastmakers Club meets the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Elmhurst Hospital Center, Conference Room, 79-01 Broadway.

Alula, Ethiopian-born singer/songwriter, accompanied by Alicia Svigals, top Klezmer violinist and a band, will perform an Sunday, March 18 at 6 p.m. at the Forest Hills Jewish Center, 106-06 Queens Blvd.

Tickets are $22 at the door, online (bakerdan.com) $20, and seniors and children under 13 (door and online) are $15.

Benefits and services provided to senior citizens by the Department for the Aging will be described by a representative at a meeting of Horizons, a club for those 55 and over, on Thursday, March 15 at 12:30 p.m. at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112 St. Attendees are invited to bring lunch. A charge of $3 will include coffee and cake.

A Blues Brothers revue will be presented on Saturday, March 17 at 8 p.m. at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center on the Queensborough Community College campus, 222-05 56 Ave., Bayside.

Tickets are $35-$39. Call (718) 631-6311 to reserve.

North Flushing AARP Chapter 4158 will meet on Tuesday, March 13 at noon at Church On The Hill, 16707 35 Ave., Flushing. First year’s chapter membership free and visitors are always welcome.

The Queens College Orchestra will perform on Friday, March 9 at 8 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. Donation $20/$10 members. Call (718) 463-7700 ext. 222.

You Gotta Believe, a community-based older child adoption agency, is looking for families who would be willing to provide love and nurturing to a child in the foster care system. To learn more join the agency every Sunday at 4 p.m. at Little Flower Children’s Services, 89-12 162 St., Jamaica.

FLEA MARKETS A flea market will be held on Saturday, March 10 at Italian Charities of America, 83-20 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

A rummage sale will be held on Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at

FOR KIDS “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” a puppet show, will be held on Saturday, March 10 at 2:15 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. Children will watch the cultural and bilingual English/Spanish blend of dialogue, songs and surprising new charac-

Bayside Historical Society will present a three-part Sunday lecture/workshop series on “The Art of Victorian Flower Arrangement,” featuring guest speaker Natalie Carbone. The series will begin March 11 with a lecture and demonstration on “the Art of Drying Flowers” ($15 per person and $12 for BHS members). On March 18, Carbone will offer a workshop on “Dried Pressed Art,” while on March 25 she will cover the “Victorian Bouquet and the Language of Flowers” (both $20 per person and $18 for BHS members, which includes materials). All three events will be held at 2 p.m. at the Officers’ Club in Fort Totten, and pre-registration is required. For more information, call (718) 352-1548 or visit baysidehistorical.org.

Bayside Historical Society, Fort Totten Park, Bayside, will offer a family craft workshop to decorate stick puppet characters and make origami baskets on Sunday, March 18 from noon-2 p.m. This program is suitable for children 5-8 years old accompanied by an adult. Fee: $5 per child; $2 per adult. RSVP

by March 15 to info@baysidehistorical.org or call (718) 352-1548.

The Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal-Prince Street Senior Center at 45-25 Kissena Blvd. in Flushing offers a series of computer classes geared towards seniors. Whether you are a beginner or more advanced computer user, there is a class for you.

Sign up now for winter classes. For information call John at (718) 559-4329.

Dance with instructions at the Italian Charities of America, 83-20 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst, every Monday and Friday, 7:15 to 8 p.m., followed by a dance social. Music by Sal Escott. Admission $10.

The Jackson Heights Art Club offers art classes, all mediums. Daytime and evening adult classes are offered Monday-Friday; daytime children’s classes are offered during the weekend. Classes are held at St. Mark’s Church, 82nd Street and 34th Avenue. Cost: $75 for adults, for four sessions, $75 for children for eight sessions. Membership available. For information, call Geraldine at (718) 446-4709.

The Flushing Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Flushing Hospital, enter at 45th Avenue and Burling Street on the first, third and fifth Wednesday of the month. For information, visit flushingcameraclub.org.

To submit a theater, music, art or entertainment item to What’s Happening, email artslistingqchron@gmail.com

C M SQ page 41 Y K

Silent Barn looking for space, holds panel

by Kevin Korber Chronicle Contributor

The Silent Barn in Ridgewood used to be a place to go if you wanted to hear music or see something strange, but not spend a ton of money. Now, the people who ran (and lived in) the space are looking to make it something much more than that.

Last Friday, the people behind Silent Barn held their first public meeting on the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future at Gottscheer Hall in Ridgewood. The event, which also featured live music and art installations, focused not only on the future of Silent Barn, but on the notion of how to keep a space like it functioning after suffering a misfortune similar to one that befell the hosts.

Silent Barn used to run shows and art exhibitions out of a building on Wyckoff Avenue that also served as the home of the people who took care of the space.

However, the unconventional (and illegal) nature of the building led to a number of run-ins with the law over licensing and occupancy issues. The group also suffered what appeared to be a fatal blow in July 2011 when several pieces of recording and musical equipment were stolen during a break-in.

Out of adversity, though, comes hope.

A Kickstarter campaign to raise money for

From left, Christina Vassallo and Jason Eppink, both of Long Island Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flux Factory; Yung Oh Le Page, of Rubulad in Broolyn; and G Lucas Crane, former curator-in-residence at the PHOTO BY KEVIN KORBER Silent Barn, discussed the Silent Barnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future at a panel on Friday. the Silent Barn and its displaced curatorsin-residence netted $40,000. While the group is still looking for a space to both live in and host events at, the overall mood among the crowd at Gottscheer Hall was optimistic.

While the live show, featuring Long Island pop band Twin Sister and Brooklynbased band Ava Luna, was a major draw for many of the young attendees, the event was designed to be something more than just a rock show. An experimental

sonic art project using hidden microphones in the hall was featured, and the event also included a panel discussion with members of various art collectives throughout the city on the nature of do-ityourself live and work spaces in an everchanging New York. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Something that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve noticed is that once a space like that is gone, the community around it disbands,â&#x20AC;? said Jason Eppink, a panel speaker and a member of the Flux Factory group in Long Island City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes

a lot of time and energy to recover from that and to rebuild that community.â&#x20AC;?

The panel speakers also touched on why spaces like the old Silent Barn are important for encouraging creativity within a community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to realize that you have to create,â&#x20AC;? Eppink said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just get angry about the world you want that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist; make that world for yourself.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It amazes me that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;DIYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is considered this genre tag when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really just the most basic concept in the world,â&#x20AC;? said G Lucas Crane, a member of the Silent Barn collective who also spoke on the panel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People ask me what â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;DIYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sounds like or what it is all the time, but they seem to forget that it stands for something: you do it yourself.â&#x20AC;?

Noting the collaborative efforts of everyone involved in the nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proceedings, Crane corrected himself: â&#x20AC;&#x153;More accurately, you do it with others.â&#x20AC;?

Plans for a new, improved â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and legal â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Silent Barn include experimental sound equipment, art and other cultural projects. The group is looking at spaces in neighborhoods including Long Island City, Ridgewood and Corona.

Anyone who wants to get more involved can visit the Silent Barn Facebook page or email the group at Q silentbarn@gmail.com.

Page 41 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

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A still from the video art piece “Tracking Happiness” by Mircea Cantor, on view at the PHOTO COURTESY MOMI Museum of the Moving Image through May 6.

A quieter video exhibit opens in Astoria

by Paula Neudorf Associate Editor

Last weekend the wildly popular Jim Henson show at the Museum of the Moving Image officially closed, while an exhibit of a very different sort opened on the floor below it.

“Restless: Films and Other Works by Mircea Cantor” debuted on Saturday with an installation that includes the 11-minute “Tracking Happiness,” screening in the amphitheater of the museum’s second floor through May 6.

The film played on a continuous loop as children and other Jim Henson last-comers climbed up and down the stairs next to the open theater on their way to and from the puppeteer’s exhibit.

In an adjoining room, two videos on TV screens as well as other works by Cantor, a Romanian artist, did little to draw attention away from “Tracking Happiness,” which offered a respite from the activity elsewhere.

In the film, seven women dressed in white gradually come into focus. Walking over a wide expanse of white sand, the women follow each other single file with brooms in hand, each one brushing away the footsteps of the woman in front of her.

Alternating between closeups of the women’s feet and their footprints being brushed away, and wide shots allowing the viewer to see the empty space the women inhabit as they continue seemingly forever on their silent march, the film is quiet and hynoptic, and perfectly suited to the all-white room with curving benches that it’s displayed in.

The two other videos in the exhibit, one featuring a boy saying, “I decided not to

save the world” on repeat, and the other showing what could be the same boy trying to cut a stream of water pouring from a faucet with scissors — also on repeat — lack the raw magnetism of “Tracking Happiness.” Elements around the TV sets playing these videos include a drawing of a length of barbed wire stretching across the room’s walls, created with Cantor’s fingerprints, and a mirror with lipstick scrawled across it, called “Unpredictable Future,” made onsite by the artist.

In addition to the second-floor exhibit, different selections of films by Cantor, who won the Marcel Duchamp Prize in Paris in 2011, will screen in the museum’s Bartos Room on the ground floor. Selections rotate every Saturday the exhibit is open, so that from March 3 to March 9, for example, people can view the films “The leash of the dog that was longer than his life” and “Dead Time.” A different selection will begin screening on Saturday, March 10.

The show is a joint effort with the Romanian Cultural Institute, though in a statement issued by the museum, Cantor Q said simply, “art is my country.”

‘Restless’ When: Through May 6.

Tues-Thurs 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fri 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Weekends 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: Museum of the Moving Image 36-01 35 Ave., Astoria Tickets: $12, $9 for seniors and students (718) 777-6888 movingimage.us

C M SQ page 43 Y K

Queens musicians: And then there were five continued from page 39 00 on from page

Bhushan’s husband, drummer John Salitano, Several of the night’s highlights, for example — bassist Harry Cordew and keyboardist Ben Hofincluding a heartfelt performance by country-folk singer stein, who played on the Greene Space’s lovely Jefferson Thomas, as well as the shows put on by Latin Fazioli piano. act Una Via and singer-songwriter Tatiana Kochkareva Bhushan’s coworker, Woodside resident — didn’t make it to the final five. Once all 11 acts were Debbie Barlok, who was in the audience with done, the crowd at the Greene Space had noticeably her husand, Joe, noted she and her husband thinned, pointing to a fact common to many “battle” had first seen Bhushan perform at LIC Bar. competitions: namely, supporters come in knowing “We became instant fans,” Barlok said. whom they’ll vote for, before a single note is sung.

“She’s very talented. Her voice is a gift.”

Which is not to say the five semifinalists didn’t deserve Among the other top five picks, Cate Song, the nods. Definitely among the best on Friday was the the only artist to appear on stage completely top-five pick the Great Apes, who alone, gave an almost were first up with their song painfully vulnerable per“Bones.” of “HalfVote for best of Queens in formance The band genuinely energized Hearted,” touching on the crowd with the catchy funkthemes of love and loss.

‘Battle of the Boroughs’ rock song, while lead singer and Afterwards, she told the When: Through Sunday, March 18.

East Elmhurst native Joe Trombino audience she’s an SWEET Fix is among the top five you can vote for to represent Queens Where: thegreenespace.org impressed with his dance moves, accountant by day and in New York Public Radio’s Battle of the Boroughs. giving shout-outs to Queens considers Mariah Carey, PHOTO BY SCOTT ELLISON SMITH (“Astoria, Whitestone, East Elmhurst, Whitney Houston and Jamaica, Forest Hills, Ridgewood — it’s all good!”). In the Boys II Men — “all the classic voices of the ’90s” — her top and very tight, blue and black jeans — lead singer immediate post-show interview with MC Terrance McK- influences.

Tommy Walker had energy to burn onstage, channeling night, of WQXR, Trombino cited Prince, James Brown, Rounding out the semifinalists, Sinner Man created the Billy Idol and David Bowie in a performance that did not Michael Jackson and Jamiroquai as major influences. evening’s most elaborate and enjoyable harmonizing lines lack for confidence.

Long Island City-based singer and top-five pick toward the end of the upbeat, grooving pop song Speaking over the phone after finding out they were Shelly Bhushan also impressed with her soulful song “Everybody Move,” and the Killers-esque dance-rock act in the top five, Great Apes members Zach Abramson “All the Time,” giving one of the strongest vocal perfor- SWEET Fix (emphasis on the capitals) gave the most out- (bassist), Dominick Magnotta (drummer) and Joe Scatmances of the evening. The love song had a slow burn landish performance with the track “Make a Move,” assa (guitarist) commented that they liked the other topthat built up to a great crescendo, underscored by which closed the evening. With his cropped platinum hair five picks, but refused to see them as obstacles on the Bhushan’s three backing vocalists. Also onstage were and entrance-making coat removal — revealing a tank 45 continued on page 00

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Page 43 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 44

C M SQ page 44 Y K

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I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

CLASSES

The story of Mays on Union Tpke. in Glen Oaks

Italian Charities of America at 83-20 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst, offers Italian classes for adults and children.

Adult classes are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. Children’s classes are on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon. The course is for 14 weeks. Price: adult — $80, children — $75 for first child, $50 for second and third child. Call (718) 478-3100.

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

Joe Weinstein, born in Galicia, the historic region that straddles today’s Polish-Ukrainian border, came to the United States and founded Mays in 1924. In 1927 it was incorporated as JW Mays Inc. — JW for the founder’s initials and Mays for the month because it reminded him of the countryside and the flowers of spring.

Mays’ discount department Nighttime shopping at Mays Department Store, 258-01 stores catered to moderate- and Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks, 8:51 p.m., Feb. 2, 1970. low-income customers, with the flagship headquarters on Fulton Street in Korvette’s, Alexander’s and TSS — started downtown Brooklyn. In 1953 he boldly closing. The great Glen Oaks Mays closed opened a branch in the brand-new commu- in 1987, leaving just three stores in the nity at the northeastern tip of Queens chain. Those were shut on Dec. 31, 1988.

But on Jan. 1, 1989, JW Mays Inc. reincalled Glen Oaks. Located at 258-01 Union Turnpike, the store was a great suc- corporated as a real estate company. Today cess, something attributed to the mush- it owns 10 properties in and around new rooming population of easterly Queens. York City, mostly former Mays stores, and And it was unique in that its employees employs 31 people.

The old site on Union Turnpike today is reported that 40 to 70 percent of their busihome to big retailers including Burlington ness was done after 4:45 p.m.

At its peak in the early 1970s, JW Mays Coat Factory and Baby Depot.

Weinstein passed away in 1963. His had nine stores that employed over 5,000 people. Eventually, in the late 1980s and son-in-law, Max Shulman, took over as 1990s, discount department stores like CEO and passed control to his son, Lloyd, Q Mays — along with Ohrbach’s, EJ in the early 1990s.

The Greek Cultural Center, 26-80 30 St., Astoria, offers classes in Greek folk dance for adults and teens every Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-noon. The fee is $20 monthly or $150 for the whole year. Bouzouki lessons are also available every Saturday from 12:30-2 p.m. Registration is open to beginners as well as advanced players of all ages. Students are recommended to bring their own instruments to class. The fee is $40 to enroll and $60 monthly. For more information, call (718) 726-7329.

Yoga with Lorain at the Forest Hills Jewish Center, 106-06 Queens Blvd. Drop in and start anytime. Six week series $60 members/ $80 nonmembers. Single class $15 members/ $20 nonmembers. Classes are held on Wednesdays, one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. The first class will be complimentary. Call (718) 263-7000 ext. 200.

Ongoing drawing class every Wednesday 1-4 p.m. at the National Art League, 44-21 Douglaston Pkwy, Douglaston. Instructor, Marc Jasloff. Call (516) 2237659. Fee: $25 per class.

A one-hour auto clinic for women is held the third saturday of every month at 3:30 p.m. at Great Bear Auto Repair Shop, 164-16 Sanford Ave., Flushing.

Call to reserve at (718) 762-6212.

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The Wednesday Night Singles Group of the SFY Adult Center, 58-20 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck, invites you to social evenings with special guest speakers on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 7-9 p.m. Fee: $7 Adult Center members, $9 nonmembers.

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Queens Theatre in The Park in Flushing Meadows Park presents “Bubblemania” on Sunday, March 11 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Come see the beauty, wonder and fun of bubbles as bubble performer Casey Carle brings his one-man show. Tickets are $14. To reserve go to queenstheatre.org/bubblemania.

The Fresh Meadows Poets will host a free reading on Saturday, March 10 at 2 p.m. at Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St. in Flushing, followed by an interactive poetry workshop for beginners.

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Sacred Heart School at 84-05 78 Ave. in Glendale will host a 50’s/60’s Dinner Dance on Saturday, March 10 from 7-11:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 and include a hot buffet, soda, cake and coffee (BYOB). Adults only. No ticket sales at the door.

Call (718) 366-5234.

“The Glee Shpiel,” a sing-along Purim inspired by the music from the “Glee” television show, will take place at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112 St., on Sunday, March 11 at 10 a.m. A Purim carnival will follow offering games and food. As part of the tradition of Purim, all are invited to attend the celebration in costume.

A St. Patrick’s Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 17 at 7 p.m. at Nativity Church Hall, 101-41 91 St., Ozone Park. Cost for adults is $25, children (12 years and younger) $15. Ticket deadline is Mon-

day, March 12. Call Don Curran (718) 843-1046 or Ed Boes (718) 845-7914.

Maspeth Town Hall Community Center, 53-37 72 St., is sponsoring an Irish celebration on Sunday, March 11 from 3-7 p.m. at St. Adalbert’s Parish Hall on 84th Street off Grand Avenue in Elmhurst. Tickets are $25 for adults. Children 6-12 - $12 and under 6 - $7.

Includes hot buffet, Billy Hickey’s band, Emigrant Eyes and Irish Step Dancers. Free arts, crafts, games and a magic show in the lower cafe offered for the children. Call MTH to reserve (718) 335-6049.

A women’s Pre-Passover Seder Learn-In and Luncheon at Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd. will take place on Sunday, March 11 at 12:30 p.m. featuring Cynthia Zalisky, executive director of the Queens Jewish Community Council, speaking about “Honoring the Contribution of Women to the Exodus from Egypt.” The cost is $16.

Call to reserve, (718) 459-1000.

The Queens Alliance Baseball League and the Queens Kiwanis Baseball League have combined to provide recreational baseball, as well as tournaments in the RBI, Pony, Federation and Greater N.Y. Sandlot. Any teams or players looking to play baseball in a local competitive league can call (718) 3667717 or (718) 821-4487 for more information.

SUPPORT GROUPS The Queens Counseling services and LISUN of the Foundation of Religion and Mental Health announces a new mourning and bereavement group to be held on Saturdays form 1-2 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 14-15 Clintonville St., Whitestone. For further information call (718) 461-6393.

The Queens Counseling Services of the Foundation for Religion and Mental Health announces a free Women’s Support Group on alternate Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. at the Kissena Jewish Center, 43-43 Bowne St., Flushing. If you are experiencing anxiety, fear or stress and are searching for a venue that can provide understanding, compassion and respect, call to register at (718) 461-6393.

Free caregiver support groups at Queens Community House, Kew Gardens Community Center, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road. Call (718) 226-5960 Ext. 226 for details.

Problem with cocaine or other mind-altering substances? For local Cocaine Anonymous meetings call: 1-(212) COCAINE. Drug problem? Call Narcotics Anonymous Helpline at (718) 962-6244 or visit westernqueensna.com.

Meetings are held seven days a week.

Co-dependents Anonymous (women only) meets every Friday at 10 a.m. at Resurrection Ascension Pastoral Center, 85-18 61st Road, Rego Park.

Nar-Anon is a self-help support group or anyone affected by a loved one’s use/abuse of drugs. The group meets every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the basement lounge at the Church in the Gardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills. For information, call 1(800) 984-0066, or go to nar-anon.org.

Schizophrenics Anonymous meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at L.I. Consultation Center, 97-29 64th Road, Rego Park.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES Calling all seniors to a St. Patrick’s day celebration on Friday, March 9 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 45-18 Broadway in Long Island City.

RSVP (718) 721-9046.

C M SQ page 45 Y K

King Crossword Puzzle ACROSS 1 Rotating part 4 Existed 7 Deep-sea predator 8 Move to one side 10 Adversary 11 The external world 13 News crew member 16 Work with 17 Judicial apparel 18 “- was saying, ...”

19 Sheepish comments 20 A long time 21 Choir’s rendition 23 Cheney’s successor 25 Salamander 26 Sell 27 Raw rocks 28 Irving Berlin’s “Blue -” 30 Afternoon social 33 13-Across’ offering 36 “A Streetcar Named Desire” role 37 Bracelet adornment 38 Short fishing line 39 Slight amounts 40 James Bond, e.g.

41 Pigpen

continued from from page page 00 43 continued

road to the ultimate battle.

“We wish the best of luck to everybody,” Magnotta said, adding that all the band can to do is “our thing as hard and as well as we can.” Magnotta, who is originally from Whitestone, pointed out that in addition to himself and lead singer Trombino, Abramson has a Queens connection, since he lives in Astoria.

“We’re taking it home for Queens,” he said. The band will try Sinner Man produced some of the night’s to get votes in the coming days by most impressive harmonies. reaching out to fans on Twitter, FacePHOTO BY SCOTT ELLISON SMITH book and via email, Abramson said.

“We’ve been considering renting a skywriter plane to fly over Manhattan and Queens and Brooklyn every three hours — Staten Island if there’s enough skywriting fluid in the plane,” Magnotta jokingly added.

For her part, Bhushan said she’d be reaching out to supporters as well, and that she wouldn’t put it past any of the top five to win.

“I’m afraid of any of them on the ballot. You just never know,” she said. “Everybody is good at what they do, and music is the most subjective thing in the world.”

But, like the other acts, she’s still looking to the big prize: “I love to have the opportunity to represent the borough and it would be really Q cool.”

Crossword Answers

DOWN 1 Minotaur’s home 2 Pinnacle 3 Pertaining to a city election 4 7-Across, e.g.

5 Jam ingredients?

6 A size too small, maybe 7 Individuals 8 Uppity sorts 9 Battlefield

prioritization 10 Ostrich’s cousin 12 Ruhr Valley city 14 Wander 15 “- the season ...”

19 Cudgel 20 Toss in 21 Shimon of Israel 22 Workout garb 23 Milwaukee product 24 Entomologist’s subjects 25 Promptly

26 Spreading fast on YouTube 28 Drag (Var.) 29 “An American in Paris” star 30 Sycophant 31 Blunders 32 $ dispenser 34 Sawbucks 35 Terrific, in rapspeak Answers at right

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CRYW-056615

Queens finalist almost chosen

Page 45 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

boro

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 46

C M SQ page 46 Y K

Commercial & Residential

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SQ page 47

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REPAIRS

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 48

SQ page 48

Eric Clyde

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12

SQ page 49

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325 $475 $625

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Page 49 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

LOMBARDI

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 50

SQ page 50

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SQ page 51

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: SAKZEN44, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/09/12. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 31-44 48th Street, Long Island City, NY 11103.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

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Notice of Formation of limited liability company. Name: LAW OFFICES OF JJAIS A. FORDE, ESQ., ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR-AT-LAW, PLLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/18/2011. Office location is Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 115-63 232nd STREET, CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, NY 11411-1432. The general purpose: For any lawful purpose.

CW FAMILY REALTY LLC a domestic LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/6/11. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 75-36 65th Dr., Middle Village, NY 11379. General Purposes.

Notice of Formation of limited liability company. Name: MARINA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/23/2012. Office location is Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Joel Bondy, 29-44 215th Place, Bayside, NY 11360. The general purpose: For any lawful purpose.

CHELSEA CONSTRUCTION LLC a domestic LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/15/11. Office location: Queens County.

SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 64-70 Maurice Ave., Maspeth, NY 11378. General Purposes.

HILLSIDE 218 MULTI SERVICE LLC, a domestic LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/12/2012.

Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 21814 Hillside Ave., Queens Village, NY 11427. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

PHYSIOMOTION PHYSICAL THERAPY PLLC, a Prof. LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/01/2011. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 221-59 Horace Harding Exp., 2nd Fl., Oakland Gardens, NY 11364.

Purpose: To practice the profession of physical therapy.

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File No.: 2011-187/A CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

BY THE GRACE OF GOD, FREE AND INDEPENDENT To: NYC Human Resources Administration Department of Social Services, Attorney General of the State of New York, The unknown distributees, legatees, devisees, heirs at law and assignees of GOLDIE JACOBSON, deceased, or their estates, if any there be, whose names, places of residence and post office addresses are unknown to the petitioner and cannot with due diligence be ascertained.

Being the persons interested as creditors, legatees, distributees or otherwise in the Estate of GOLDIE JACOBSON, deceased, who at the time of death was a resident of 69-70 Grand Central Parkway, Forest Hills, in the County of Queens, State of New York.

SEND GREETING: Upon the petition of LOIS M. ROSENBLATT, Public Administrator of Queens County, who maintains her office at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens County, New York 11435, as Administrator of the Estate of GOLDIE JACOBSON, deceased, you and each of you are hereby cited to show cause before the Surrogate at the Surrogate’s Court of the County of Queens, to be held at the Queens General Courthouse, 6th Floor, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, City and State of New York, on the 5th day of April, 2012 at 9:30 o’clock in the forenoon, why the Account of Proceedings of the Public Administrator of Queens County, as Administrator of the Estate of said deceased, a copy of which is attached, should not be judicially settled, and why the Surrogate should not fix and allow a reasonable amount of compensation to GERARD J. SWEENEY, ESQ., for legal services rendered to petitioner herein in the amount of $13,890.84 and that the Court fix the fair and reasonable additional fee for any services to be rendered by GERARD J. SWEENEY, ESQ., hereafter in connection with proceedings on kinship, claims etc., prior to entry of a final Decree on this accounting in the amount of 6% of assets or income collected after the date of the within accounting; and why the Surrogate should not fix and allow an amount equal to one percent on said Schedules of the total assets on Schedules A, A1, and A2 plus any additional monies received subsequent to the date of this account, as the fair and reasonable amount payable to the Office of the Public Administrator for the expenses of said office pursuant to S.C.P.A. §1106(4); and why the claim from NYC Human Resources Administration, Department of Social Services in the amount of $352,214.98 should not be paid to the extent of the net residuary estate, Dated, Attested and Sealed, 10th day of February, 2012, HON. PETER J. KELLY, Surrogate, Queens County; Margaret M. Gribbon, Clerk of the Surrogate’s Court; GERARD J. SWEENEY, ESQ., (718) 459-9000, 95-25 Queens Boulevard, 11th Floor Rego Park, New York 11374 This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not obliged to appear in person. If you fail to appear it will be assumed that you do not object to the relief requested unless you file formal legal, verified objections. You have a right to have an attorney-at-law appear for you. Accounting Citation 25-05 24TH AVENUE REALTY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/24/2012.

Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 25-05 24th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11102, which is also the principal business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of limited liability company.

Name: WONDERLAND ARCHIVES, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/30/2011.

Office location is Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to BOYD SHROPSHIRE, 35-27 62nd Street, First Floor, Woodside, NY 11377. The general purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of limited liability company.

Name: FERNEL REALTY LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/18/2011. Office location is Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 161-40 Normal Road, Jamaica, NY 11432. The general purpose: For any lawful purpose. Latest date upon which LLC is to dissolve: No specific date.

Soukkary Realty LLC filed Articles of Organizatgion to be an LLC on November 17, 2011. The Secretary of State is designated as agent upon whom process may be served. The address of the LLC in NY is 108-16 63rd Road, Forest Hills, NY 11375 in Queens County. The purpose of the LLC is real estate investment and management.

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Page 51 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 52

SQ page 52

LEGAL NOTICES To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

At an I.A., Part 22g of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Queens, held at the Supreme Court located at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York, on the 2 day of February, 2012.

Index No. 22331/08 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE PRESENT: HON. LEE A. MAYERSOHN, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS In the Matter of the Application of MICHAEL DAVIDOV, as Guardian of the property of REGINA BARRY, an Incapacitated Person to sell certain real property belonging to said Incapacitated Person Upon the annexed petition of MICHAEL DAVIDOV, ESQ. duly verified the 30th day of January 2012 and upon all other papers grid proceedings heretofore had herein and due deliberation having been had, it is in the discretion of the Court, ORDERED, that the Incapacitated Person, REGINA BARRY, JOSEPH SCHAD, co-owner, the Administrator of New Glen Oaks Nursing Home, WESTERN SURITY COMPANY, the Surety on the property guardian’s bond, VERONICA SCHAD, ANN BURKE, CAROL POWELL, RICHARD SPIVAK, JAY WEINSTEIN, the COURT EXAMINER, ELLIOT S. SCHLISSEL, Esq., attorney for Joseph Schad, and JOHN SCHAD, show cause at a I. A. Part 22G for the 11th Judicial District of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, held in and for the County of Queens at the General Courthouse, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY on the 20th day of March, 2012 at 9:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, why a judgment should not be rendered: 1. Granting the relief prayed for in the petition; 2. Authorizing and directing the sale of the REGINA BARRY’s real property described in the petition in accordance with the statute and rules of this court by way of an auction at the Courthouse; 3. Granting permission to Petitioner as Property Guardian to make the conveyance and carry out these proceedings; 4. Direct that a hearing be held before the Court as to the merits of the application; 5. Granting such other and further relief, both cumulative and in alternative, as to the Court may seem just and proper, and it is further, ORDERED, that Brian McCaffrey, 73-26 263rd St., Fl. 2, Glen Oaks, NY 11004, (516) 445-4447, a licensed Real Estate Appraiser, be and is hereby appointed to go upon the premises and to make an appraisal thereof, reporting the same under oath, in writing to the Court and orally by testimony before the Court, and is further ORDERED, that the Property Guardian comply with section 1722 subdivision 5 of the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law, advertising once a week for four consecutive weeks, except that the posting of a “For Sale” sign is waived, and it is further ORDERED, that service of a copy of this order and the papers on which it is based be made upon REGINA BARRY, JOSEPH SCHAD, co-owner, the Administrator of New Glen Oaks Nursing Home, WESTERN SURITY COMPANY, the Surety on the property guardian’s bond, VERONICA SCHAD, ANN BURKE, CAROL POWELL, RICHARD SPIVAK, JAY WEINSTEIN, the COURT EXAMINER, ELLIOT S. SCHLISSEL, Esq., attorney for Joseph Schad, and JOHN SCHAD either personally or by certified mail at least thirteen (13) days prior to the return date herein, be deemed sufficient service.

Enter, Hon. Lee A. Mayersohn, J.S.C.

At the SURROGATE’S COURT of the County of QUEENS on the 15th day of February, 2012 Order for Publication File No. 2012/123 HON. PETER J. KELLY, Surrogate In the Matter of the Probate Proceeding, Will of CLARETTA FREEMAN KING a/k/a CLARETTA KING, Deceased A citation having been issued or to be issued in the above entitled proceeding, and the petitioner having produced proof to the satisfaction of the Surrogate that the heirs at law, next of kin, and distributees of CLARETTA FREEMAN KING, a/k/a CLARETTA KING, deceased, if living, and if any of them be dead to their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, legatees, executors, administrators, assignees and successors in interest whose names are unknown and cannot be ascertained after due diligence are persons required to be cited upon the above entitled proceeding of said deceased, and that the case is one of those specified in Section 307 of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act, and that personal service of the citation cannot with due diligence be made upon him/her/them within the State, it is ORDERED that the service of the Citation herein upon said heirs at law, next of kin, and distributees of CLARETTA FREEMAN KING, a/k/a CLARETTA KING, deceased, if living, and if any of them be dead to their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, legatees, administrators, assignees and successors in interest whose names are unknown and cannot be ascertained after due diligence be made by publication thereof in one newspaper, to wit: The Queens Chronicle, being a newspaper published and/or circulated in the County of Queens, State of New York, once in each of four successive weeks, which is the time the Surrogate deems reasonable.

HON. PETER J. KELLY, Surrogate Affidavit of service with copy of publication to be filed with the clerk of the court at least 48 hours prior to the return date.

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Index No.: 18835/11 D/O/F: February 2, 2012 Block: 09299 Lot: 0033 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS NYCTL 2010-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN FOR THE NYCTL 2010-A TRUST, Plaintiffs, -against- ANTHONY LAINO; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANACE; UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THE LATE PHYLLIS LAINO, IF THEY BE LIVING OR DEAD, THEIR SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES OF RESIDENCE ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, if living, or if either or all be dead, their wives, husbands, heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, assignees, lienors and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THE LATE PHYLLIS LAINO, IF THEY BE LIVING OR DEAD, THEIR SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES OF RESIDENCE ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, of any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and the respective husbands, wives, widows or widowers of them, if any, all of whose names are unknown to plaintiff; “JOHN DOES” and “JANE DOES”, said names being fictitious, parties intended being possible tenants or occupants of premises, and corporations, other entities or persons who claim, or may claim, a lien against the premises, Defendants.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Amended Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your Answer, or, if the Amended Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiffs’ Attorneys within twenty (20) days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service, where service is made by delivery upon you personally within the State, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner, and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Amended Complaint.

YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable Diccia T. Pineda-Kirwan of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, signed on January 11, 2012, and filed with supporting papers in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens, State of New York.

The nature of this action is to foreclose a tax lien certificate recorded against said premises. The Tax Lien Certificate was dated August 5, 2010 and recorded on August 12, 2010 as CRFN: 2010000272817.

Said premises being known as and by 87-87 109TH STREET, RICHMOND HILL, NY 11427, which is more fully described as Block: 09299; Lot: 0033.

Dated: November 18, 2011, Batavia, New York, Virginia Grapensteter, Esq., OSICKI, ROSICKI & ASSOCIATES, P.C., Attorneys for Plaintiffs, Batavia Office 26 Harvester Avenue, Batavia, NY 14020, 585.815.0288 Help For Homeowners In Foreclosure New York State Law requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully. Mortgage foreclosure is a complex process. Some people may approach you about “saving” your home. You should be extremely careful about any such promises. The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. There are government agencies, legal aid entities and other non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about foreclosure while you are working with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANKNYS (1-877-226-5697) or visit the Department’s website at www.banking.state.ny.us. The State does not guarantee the advice of these agencies.

Public Notice New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Notice of Complete Application March 8, 2012 Applicant: Waste Management of New York, LLC 123 Varick Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11237 Application: No. 2-6304-00029/00001 Approvals: Renew and Modify a Permit to Construct and Operate a Solid Waste Management Facility State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permits for Stormwater Discharges From Construction Activity and From Industrial Activity Project: In Queens County, at 38-22 Review Avenue, Long Island City, increase an existing transfer station’s current maximum daily throughput of 958 tons per day (TPD) of putrescible solid waste (PSW) to 2,100 TPD PSW. Increase the current maximum facility storage of 1,916 cubic yards (CY) PSW to 4,185 CY PSW in the facility’s new PSW Building, plus 1,440 CY PSW in 40 rail containers. Load all PSW into rail containers. By private roadway, transport PSW-filled rail containers by truck for 1,625 feet to the Blissville Rail Yard for subsequent transport by train. Increase the facility’s current daily collection vehicle traffic on public streets from 96 trucks to 210 trucks. Eliminate the facility’s current daily 44 tractor trailers that travel on public streets. Eliminate facility truck parking and queuing on the private drive between Review Avenue and the facility. Regrade site; construct a new PSW Building; use the current PSW Building for equipment repair and storage; and isolate and treat any leachate from filled rail containers with a bioretention system that discharges to Newtown Creek. No change in the facility’s current operating hours of 24 hours a day Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday.

State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Determination: Project is an unlisted action and will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. A Negative Declaration is on file.

SEQR Lead Agency: New York City Department of Sanitation State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination: Based on an assessment, the proposed project will not impact any registered, eligible or inventoried archaeological sites or historical sites.

Coastal Management Determination: This project conforms to the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

DEC Commissioner Policy 29, Environmental Justice and Permitting (CP-29): The proposed action is subject to CP-29. An enhanced public participation plan was submitted by the Applicant and has become part of the complete application.

Public Comment: The application file may be reviewed by the public at the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation’s Long Island City office. Call the Sunnyside Library at 718-784-3033 to arrange to review the file at the library during their normal operating hours (43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11104). Written comments may be submitted to the NYSDEC contact person no later than 4 April 2012.

Contact Person: Jeffrey Rabkin, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, 47-40 21 Street, Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 482-4997 Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company. Name: COUTIQUE LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/03/2011. Office location is Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 11 Soundview Drive, Bayville, NY 11709. The general purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Prime Development 194 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/12/11. Office location: Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 25-77 Francis Lewis Blvd., Flushing, NY 11358.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

C M SQ page 53 Y K

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: TIAN NIAN HEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/09/11. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 41-61 Kissena Boulevard, Concourse Level, Suite 35, Flushing, New York 11355.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

RNG ENTERPRISES, LLC, a domestic LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 9/14/11. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 4721 41st St., Apt. 1D, Sunnyside, NY 11104. General Purposes.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF OTX NEW YORK LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/10/12. Off. loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Harald Oechsner, 90 SW 3rd St., Unit 3604, Miami, FL 33130.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of limited liability company.

Name: LAWRENCE HOLDINGS LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/18/2012.

Office location is Suffolk County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to John Lawrence, 300 Wheeler Rd., Ste. 101, Hauppauge, NY 11788. The general purpose: For any lawful purpose.

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

Real Estate EQUAL HOUSING. Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, familial status or disability in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate.

Queens Chronicle does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination call the Open Housing Center (the Fair Housing Agency for the five boroughs of New York) at 212-941-6101, or the New York City Commission of Human Rights Hotline at 212306-7500.

The Queens Chronicle reserves the right to alter wording in ads to conform with Federal Fair Housing regulations.

Apts. For Rent JERRY FINK R.E. HOWARD BEACH 3BR, 2BA, 2ND FL, TERR, NEWLY RENOV, ASKING $1500, AGT. JOSEPHINE #917-680-6243 3 BR, 1 BA, NEW FRIDGE, STOVE AND D/W, GRANITE COUNTERS AGT. MARIA #718-757-2394 1 BR, 1 BATH, WALK- IN, ASKING $1000 BROKER JERRY #917-774-6121

OZONE PARK $1500 , 2 BR, 1 BA, 2nd fl., EIK, LR/DR , Bonus RM can be used as an office, No pets/smoking AGT. Carol #917-693-8235 2 BR, 1Ba, 2nd fl, $1575 Terrace and Wood floors AGT. MARGARET #917-861-5037

Apts. For Rent

Condos For Sale

HOWARD BEACH/LINDENWOOD, 3 BRs, 1 1/2 baths w/terr, close to all, MINT, MOVE-IN COND, credit ck req, $1,650/mo. Owner, 917-626-9355 Old Howard Beach, 3 BR, DR, LR, newly renov, near all trans. No pets/smoking, credit ck req w/refs, $1,675/mo, heat/hot water incl. Call owner 718-641-3915 Ozone Park, 2 BRs, no smoking/pets. Call 718-835-0582 Ozone Park/Lafayette St, 1 fl, 3 BRs, 1 & 1/2 baths, granit counter top kit, $1,600/mo, heat/hotwater incl, no smoking, 718-843-4564 Richmond Hill North, 2 BR, pvt ent/house, new windows, $1,300/mo, incl gas/heat/hotwater, no smoking/pets, refs, parking avail, 347-254-9633 Woodhaven, 2 BRs, also Ozone Park, garage avail, 1 BR, $850/mo, refs req. Owner 917-520-7902

Rooms For Rent Maspeth, 59 St, 1 fl, 2 rms, sep ent/pvt bath, $2,000 deposit, $800/mo, utils incl. Refs req, owner occupies house, gentleman pref. David 845-807-8600

Furn. Rm. For Rent Flushing, 1 lg furn room, share kit & bath, $600/mo, incls all. Call 347-545-8041

Co-ops For Sale

Houses For Sale

WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH?

HOWARD BEACH Fabulous 3 BR Condo, 2 Full Baths, Utra-Mod. Kitchen, Large Rooms Thruout, Washer/Dryer, Front & Rear Terrace. Listed: $319,000

Elizabeth Caruso, Realtor

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Howard Beach/Lindenwood, 3 KRISCH REALTY BRs, 1 1/2 baths, w/terr, close to Call 718-386-4680 all shops & trans, no pets/smoking, credit ck req. Call owner, 917- HOWARD BEACH, CO-OP FOR 855-7390 SALE 3 1/2 rms, 1 BR, top fl, new Howard Beach/Lindenwood, mod- kit, updated bath, hardwood fls, ern 3 BR, 2 baths, balcony, EIK, all new appl, maint only $506/mo, LR/DR combo, credit ck & refs. move-in cond. Asking $114,900.

CALL NOW! 516-298-7422 Owner, 718-738-4013

SUN, 3/11, 2-4pm 86-27 107 St. Det Renov 1 Family, 3 BRs, 1½ Baths, 2 Car Garage.

Asking $479K

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718-846-3008 www.ParksideRealtyofQueens.com Howard Beach/Rockwood Park, Sat 3/10, 12-2, 163-13 91 St; Howard Beach, Old Side, Sat 3/10, 12-2, 164-31 96 St; Richmond Hill, Sun 3/11, 1-3, 104-58 91 Ave.

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2,300 sq ft, Beautiful High Ranch. Renovated 3 BRs, 2 Baths, Columns, Molding, Roofed Patio, Garage, Movein Condition. Asking $625K ForSaleByOwner.com 11414

Corner Property, 10 Garages for sale, great income!

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Howard Beach/Lindenwood, studio apt, full bath/kit, no pets/smoking, $850/mo, heat incl NAPLES FLORIDA AREA! Bank w/1 mos sec, 631-588-4822 Acquired Luxury Condos. Brand Howard Beach/Lindenwood, 2 fl, 3 new 2BR/2BA, only $239,900.

BRs, 2 full baths, balcony, refs Same unit sold for $624,771. Own PAT 917-418-0415 req, no smoking. Owner, 718-309- for below builder cost in warm, Broker/Owner sunny SW Florida!

High-end com9325 munity - walk to over 20 restauHoward Beach/Lindenwood, 3 rants/ 100 shops! Must see. Call Delaware: 1 Family Ranch Homes.

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BRs, 2 baths, terr, credit ck, no 1-866-959-2825, x 43 Close to shopping, beach,bay & Ipets, call owner, 646-645-5357 95. Low 100’s, low taxes. Call 302Howard Beach/Lindenwood, 1 BR, 659-5800 or bonayrehomes.com no smoking/pets, credit ck & refs req, $1,000/mo, incl G&E, 917- OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best Having a garage sale? selection of affordable rentals.

496-8305 Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE Let everyone know about it by Howard Beach/Old side, studio, brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real advertising in the Queens near buses/trans, credit ck, no Estate. 1-800-638-2102. Online Classifieds. Call 718-205-8000 pets/smoking, 718-736-4345 reservations: www.holidayoc.com and place the ad!

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RICHMOND HILL HOWARD BEACH NORTH LINDENWOOD

CO-OP FOR SALE LOVELY HOUSE GARAGES FOR SALE KEW GARDENS GREAT VALUE IN OZONE PARK PRIME LOCATION NEW HOWARD ON ATLANTIC AVE.

Queens Blvd & 82nd Ave. Excellent Condition 1 Bedroom Co-op, 4th Fl, Howard Beach, exclusive agent Newly Finished H/W Fls. for studios & 1 BR apts, absentee Maintenance $499/mo.

L/L. Call Joe Trotta, Broker @ 718843-3333 Asking Only $92K.

Houses For Sale

• 2 BR Garden Co-op,1st Fl, Diamond Cond! FDR, Tile & Wood Floors Thruout, Pets Allowed, $179K • 1 BR Garden Co-op, Mind Cond, Wood Fls Thruout, Freshly Painted, $125K • Extra Lg 1 BR Condo, Hi-Rise, New Bath, Updated Kitchen, Many Extras, 33’ LR, $149K • 2 BRs, 2 Bath Garden Condo, Tiled Thruout, W/D, Pets OK, $195K Agent Anna Maria 917-682-5222

Legal Notices NOTICE is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 11/30/2011, bearing Index Number 802/2011, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, New York, in Record Room 357, grants me the right to assume the name of David Nathaniel Stewart. My present name is Bjorn Devonte Lindo. My present address is 90-05 161st Street, Apartment 8H, Jamaica, New York 11432. My place of birth is Dade County, Miami, Florida.

My date of birth is July 22, 1996.

Notice of Formation of limited liability company. Name: LITTLE TREASURES-PETITS TRESORS, SLP & PSYCHOLOGY, PLLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/22/2012.

Office location is Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 21207 102nd Ave., Ste. B-4, Queens Village, NY 11429. The general purpose: For any lawful purpose.

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Notice of Formation of IBON GROUP LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/06/2012. Office Location: NASSAU County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 25 TOWNSEND RD., GLEN COVE, NY 11542.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

Chronicle REAL ESTATE

Page 53 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

Notice of Formation of limited liability company. Name: OKFOCUS LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/27/2011. Office location is Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to OKFocus, 4332 22nd Street, #401-2, Long Island City, NY. The general purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Ensuring the job is done right

Housing Rehabilitation Assistance program thrills another home improvement client Neil Andrews and his wife, Althea Saunders-Andrews, bought their home two years ago knowing full well that it was a fixer upper.

And fixing it up is just what they’ve been doing — nearly every inch of it.

It’s a work in progress. All over the house, floors are covered by heavy paper or plastic as remodeling goes on. Outside, there is no facade on the first-floor front wall, and there’s just dirt where the stoop should be. The contractor disappeared before the job was done.

But there’s one room that ’s completely done, and one project outside that is too. Those are the projects that were handled through the Housing Rehabilitation Assistance program — so not only are they done, they’re done right.

HRA is the organization that’s helping homeowners all over the city and on Long Island do the home renovations of their dreams — using the best, most reli able contractors. Not only does HRA find the right company to do a project, it also works with banks to get the loans for major renovations, finds extra financial assistance for clients who qualify, explains the tax breaks that come with energy-efficient door and window treatments and new insulation — and ensures the job is always done right by holding contractors’ payments in escrow until clients certify that they’re absolutely satisfied.

Neil and Althea are quite happy with the work that HRA-approved workers did at their home in Levittown, LI, completely remodeling a second-floor bathroom and adding a concrete pad and walkway all around the outside of the house. “ You can accomplish your dreams through Housing Rehabilitation Assistance, and I really appreciate that,” Althea said. “It’s

a good program. The economy is not that great, things are expensive, and it’s a good way to get things done. These people are reliable, and they went out of their way for me.”

When she mentioned that HRA’s representatives went out of their way for her, Althea was specifically talking about the time her car broke down — on the very day she had to get some important paperwork to the bank for her project. Her rep drove to Long Island from the Bronx to pick her up, take care of the paperwork and then bring her to her job in Manhattan.

That ’s how far above and beyond the call HRA will go for its clients. And the organization puts just as much care into its oversight of remodeling projects, giving homeowners the peace of mind that comes with knowing the job will always be done right.

For Neil and Althea, the HRAapproved contractors took everything out of the entire bathroom and gave them a modern, sparkling one with matching porcelain tile on the floor and walls, a granite sinktop, a curved vanity that maximizes usable space in the small room, real wood cabinetry, a solid wood door — and hot-tub jets in the bath tub for maximum comfort.

“They gutted everything and put in real quality stuff,” Althea said. Pointing out the built-in shelves in the shower walls, she

added, “I like the little details.”

Behind the tiled walls are new insulation and new pipes. One had been leaking — a major reason Althea and Neil wanted to do the project in the first place. The mechanicals for the hot-tub jets can be reached through a panel in the hallway.

The other HRA project was the outside concrete work, which the organization recommended to keep soil away from the house. It has totally transformed the couple’s side yard.

“This was all mud,” Althea said.

“You couldn’t do anything here.

Now you can entertain, get a barbecue grill and get some friends over, or just put a couple chairs out and enjoy a summer breeze.”

When they put down the concrete, the contractors made sure to leave one strip of soil against the fence, away from the house, as it was. That’s where Althea has her roses.

One of the guys even made sure to tie one wandering limb to the fence to ensure it wouldn’t get damaged.

“It’s the little things,” Althea said.

It ’s no surprise that HR A– approved workers are that careful. Just take a look at the program’s requirements for contractors. They all must be: • licensed, bonded and insured for at least $100,000 per incident; • registered with the Better Business Bureau, with a rating of an A or higher, and on file with Consumer Affairs; • in business for at least 10 years with no name changes on their corporate filings; • able to provide the names and addresses of eight clients t h ey h a v e p e r f o r m e d h o m e improvement projects for in the past year such that HRA will be able to inspect these projects to

Althea looks forward to entertaining in her side yard, where HRA-approved contractors installed a new concrete pad, and were careful around the roses.

The new sinktop and curved vanity are made of granite and real wood.

“Youyourcandreams accomplish through Housing Rehabilitation Assistance, and I really appreciate that.”

— Althea Saunders-Andrews

One feature of her new bathroom that Althea Saunders-Andrews really appreciates is the solid wood door. ensure that they meet its standards; and • able to perform four test projects for the HRA prior to working for any clients.

“The services offered by the HRA extend beyond just financial assistance for home improvement projects,” an administrator with the program explains. “We have implemented numerous processes to ensure that projects completed by HRA-approved contractors are done to the homeowner’s satisfaction.”

While they continue to do the rest of the work on their house, Neil and Althea are staying at their apartment in Manhattan, along with their 2-year-old son — whose arrival is what decided them on a

house in the suburbs in the first place.

Like many HRA clients, Althea found out about the program through a card that came in the mail. Though skeptical at first, she checked it out and found that it was the right program for her.

Now she’s recommending HRA to her sister, who’s planning some remodeling — and anyone else with home improvement work to get done.

To find out if you qualify for the Housing Rehabilitation Assistance program, just call HRA toll-free at 866-791-6302. Tell them you read about the great job they did for Althea and Neil, and they’ll be sure to give you the same level of excellent service..

The bathtub-shower features glass doors and hot-tub jets.

Little details like built-in shelving in the shower mean a lot to Althea.

HOUR-057617

For the latest news visit qchron.com

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012 Page 54

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— ADVERTISEMENT —

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A ‘Magic’ March

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

The story of the rivalry and friendship between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, the subject of a terrific HBO documentary a couple of years ago, will become a Broadway show this month as “Magic/Bird” starts previews at the Longacre Theater on March 21.

The same creative team behind “Lombardi” are responsible for this show.

I’m not sure if the timing is coincidental but ESPN is broadcasting “The Announcement” this Sunday night at 9. The title refers to Magic Johnson’s press conference of Nov. 7, 1991 held at the Forum in LA, where he announced to the world that he had HIV. Although this documentary was directed by respected director and critic Nelson George, there is little doubt that Magic called a lot of shots, and he serves as the film’s narrator.

Johnson talks a lot about his childhood and confesses that he is not proud of the carousing he did in the 1980s. To his credit, he has spent much of the last 20 years raising money for AIDS research in a very public way.

Magic is seen throughout the documentary meeting with women and children who have the virus, and it’s hard to hold back a tear when you see him talking to the late Elizabeth Glaser, who fell victim to AIDS from an unfortunate blood transfusion. On the other hand, you hardly see him interacting with the group most affected by this insidious disease, gay men. The only conclusion I can draw is that he is trying to ward off speculation that he

may have contracted the disease from a man.

Of course, how he got HIV is irrelevant.

What counts is the good work he’s done raising funds and awareness. Still, it’s disingenuous for Magic, George and NBA Entertainment, which financed the film, to pretend AIDS is mainly a heterosexual problem when perception and reality are the polar opposite.

Valley fever, a disease that weakens your immune system a la influenza, and is common in Arizona, is certainly not as grave a condition as the HIV virus. You wouldn’t know that, however, from the tabloid backpage hysteria last Sunday, after a test revealed that Mets first baseman Ike Davis tested positive for it.

Given all the health woes that have befallen our Flushing heroes in recent seasons — injury-plagued Davis in particular — pessimism is somewhat expected. Thankfully, Ike has not had any severe reactions so far.

Mets fans should be more concerned about David Wright’s strained rib cage.

I confess I hadn’t seen an Islanders game in nearly two months, until I went to Philadelphia last Thursday to watch them lose to the Flyers 6-3 despite a pair of Josh Bailey goals.

The Isles are anesthesiologists on the ice as they put everyone to sleep with their lethargic play. Even the normally raucous Flyers fans barely cheered when their guys scored a goal.

By the way Philly’s Wells Fargo Center, which opened in 1996, looks as if it just opened. It will be interesting to see if we’ll be able to say the same thing about the Barclays Q Center in 2028.

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HOWARD BEACH CO-OPS • Studio, Move-in Cond ..... $65K • Hi-Rise 1 BR Co-op ......... $89K • Hi-Rise, 1 BR ................. $100K • 1 BR Garden "Courtyard" $100K • 1 BR w/Terrace .........$114,900 RICHMOND HILL • Beautiful Sunny 1 BR Garden Great Location, 2 Family, Co-op in Courtyard Setting, 2 BRs/3BRs, Basement, W/D, H/W Flrs, Dogs OK $117K Conveniently Located Close to • JR4, Hi-Rise ...................$119K Transportation & Shopping.

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Page 55 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 8, 2012

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