Southeast Queens Press

Volume 13 Issue No. 50 Dec. 14-20, 2012

PAGE 18

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

DEMS’ DESPAIR?

State Sen. Malcolm Smith has joined with the Independent Democratic Conference, taking the majority away from Democrats in the State Senate.

By Natalia Kozikowska … Page 3.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 14-20, 2012

News Briefs Suspect In Manhattan Shooting Linked To St. Albans According to a police ballistics test, the same weapon used to murder a California man earlier this week was used in a shooting in St. Albans three years ago, reports say.

On Dec. 10, Brandon Lincoln, 31, of Los Angeles, was shot point-blank by an unidentified gunman as he was walking near Columbus Circle in Midtown Manhattan. Reports suggest the victim was facing cocaine charges and his death may have been drug related.

Detectives were questioning informants and criminals in Queens, where two men escaped in 2009 after shooting approximately a dozen bullets into a Mangin Avenue home in St. Albans with the same gun.

Photos suggest the suspect in the shooting was following Lincoln and that the gunman and the victim were strangers. This led police to believe the man responsible for both acts is a hitman.

Ozone Park Man Convicted Of Murder Miguel Viruet, 37, of Ozone Park, has been convicted of murder and other charges in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old outside an Atlantic Avenue bar in the early morning hours of May 5, 2010, according to a statement released by District Attorney Richard Brown.

According to trial testimony prior to the fatal shooting just before 4 a.m., Viruet received a phone call from his brother who was upset and said that while standing outside Scooby’s Bar, located at 118-07 Atlantic Ave., he had been punched in the face by an unknown male. A few minutes later, Viruet drove to Scooby’s with two other individuals and approached the bar’s bouncer, demanding to know who punched his brother.

The bouncer told the defendant that his brother was drunk and had been punched outside the bar and was not allowed back. Viruet then drove away but later walked back to the bar. While he stood across the street, he fired approximately nine shots in the direction of the people standing in front of the bar, hitting 19-year-old Christian O’Hara in the lower torso and causing his death.

“The jury’s verdict is a measure of justice for an innocent young man whose life was tragically cut short. It also underscores our need to be vigilant in keeping illegal guns off of the streets of our county and out of the hands of those intent on violently

justifiably faces a lengthy time behind bars for resorting to senseless gunplay,” said Brown in a statement.

Viruet of 97-30 99th St. in Ozone Park, was convicted of second degree murder and two counts of seconddegree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial that began on Nov. 26, 2012. The defendant’s sentencing is set for Jan. 8, 2013. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Officials Fight MTA Over 7 Line Four prominent Queens-based officials have sent a letter of protest to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority over subway service being disrupted during the Lunar New Year.

Diversions along the 7 line are planned for every weekend from Dec. 29 through March 25. The changes will suspend train service between Queensboro Plaza and Times Square.

Both local officials and community leaders have been frustrated by the decision, stating that it will harm the turnout of the Lunar New Year celebrations, which starts Feb. 10, 2013.

As a result, Congresswoman-elect Grace Meng (D-Flushing), State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing), Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) and Assemblyman-elect Ron Kim cosigned a letter to MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota, requesting that service be restored during the celebrations.

One of the officials’ main concerns is that the 7 line changes will cause a decline of visitors to Flushing, economically damaging the businesses during one of the neighborhood’s busiest holidays.

“We hope that you will help make this year’s celebration a robust, festive, and economically successful event for the entire community,” the letter said.

Despite the notice, an MTA spokesman stated that their construction plans have not changed at the moment. The authority is working on installing a state-of-the-art signal system, due for completion in 2016. In addition to installing computer equipment for the system, workers will take advantage of the diversion to rebuild duct banks, increase track panels and perform tunnel and station chemical grouting.

“Because we have such a limited opportunity to perform Flushing Line work during baseball season, these general orders for work must move forward during the remainder of the year,” MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said. “Anyone attending festivities coming from Manhattan simply needs to take the N to Queensboro Plaza

Dec. 14-20, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Sen. Malcolm Smith Leaves Dems, Joins IDC

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans), who announced in August his plans to run on the GOP ticket for the 2013 mayoral race, revealed that he has joined forces with the Independent Democratic Conference – a coalition designed to prevent the Senate Democratic caucus from taking power, even after winning the majority of Senate seats in last month’s elections.

The power-sharing arrangement, announced last week, appeared to have been victory for Republicans.

Under the agreement, the IDC will be formally recognized as a third, permanent Senate conference for the first time and will shift control of the Senate president between the GOP and IDC leaders every two weeks.

The outcome of the election is still unclear as Senate awaits the results of two upstate races which will determine which party will hold the majority. But the Democrats currently hold 31 of the 63 seats and are expected to win in the remaining races.

Smith became the fifth renegade Democrat to break away from the party and join the IDC. He has joined

the likes of State Senators Diane Savino (D-Staten Island), David Carlucci (D-Rockland-Orange), David Valesky (D-Oneida) and leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx).

A sixth Democrat, Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn), has also announced he will work with Republicans, giving the new alliance between the two groups at least 36 votes when Senate reconvenes in January.

A spokesperson for Smith, Hank Sheinkopf, said the Senator joined the IDC for the sake of bipartisanship.

“He believes that bipartisan coalition-style government might produce better results and that it is the model for the nation to get things done,” Sheinkopf said.

The spokesperson also denied that Smith’s move to the IDC was motivated by his plans to run on the Republican ticket for next year’s mayoral race.

“That’s so far off,” Shienkopf said.

“The only thing that mattered in this decision was to see if we can bring bipartisan coalition to government in New York and make it work a little better.”

This will not be the first time in

State Sen. Malcolm Smith history that a group of Senators have split from the Democrats. During the 2008 elections, four Democratic Senators – Ruben Diaz (Bronx), Pedro Espada (Bronx), Carl Kruger (Brooklyn) and Hiram Monserrate (Queens), also broke free of their parties to caucus with Republicans in a similar power struggle. The “Gang of Four” also refused to back Smith as the chamber’s majority leader and sought to make their own agreements.

Some Democrats, like State. Sena-

tor Tony Avella (D-Bayside), have expressed their disapproval with Smith’s move to the IDC, claiming the move will contradict New Yorkers votes.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed in Senator Smith and it’s because voters across the state made a very conscious decision with their votes to put the Democratic Party in charge of the State Senate,” Avella said. “For a Democratic Senator, who ran on the Democratic line, to know and then go to the IDC, and thereby with the Republicans, I think he turned his back on the Democratic voters who have elected him year after year after year.”

Smith is already making moves as a member of the IDC. On Nov. 10, he released a statement announcing his new role as co-chair of a Bipartisan Senate Task Force on Hurricane Sandy Recovery. The task force includes members from all three senate conferences including the IDC, the Senate Republican Conference and the Senate Democratic Conference.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

Overall Crime Down, Thefts Up At 103rd Precinct

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA During the 103rd Precinct’s community council meeting, held on Dec. 11, Deputy Inspector Charles McEvoy was happy to announce that overall crime is down this month.

Despite seeing a drop in some major crimes, McEvoy did reveal that there has been a considerable increase in theft.

“With regard to crime in the precinct, we have been struggling all year long in certain areas. One area in particular, grand larceny, has been a struggle,” McEvoy said. “Whether it’s unattended property, where we put our bags down and we turn around for one minute and the pocketbook is gone and inside the pocketbooks are credit cards which led to unauthorized charges or leaving valuables in the vehicle.”

According to the precinct’s crime report grand larceny went up from 374 in 2011 to 447 cases in 2012, more than a 19 percent increase. The 103 Precinct has also experienced an increase in burglaries this year.

In 2011, the area had reported 236 cases of burglary compared to 346 in 2012 – a 20 percent increase.

rienced a small increase (two percent) in robberies, reporting 388 cases in 2011 and 395 in 2012.

One of the most prevalent crimes in the neighborhoods that the 103rd Precinct patrols – the downtown Jamaica business district, Hollis Park Gardens, Hollis, Lakewood and Jamaica has been cell phone theft, McEvoy said.

“Lately, over the last three weeks or so, we’re experiencing a big problem. It was problematic at one point last year, but its really surfacing now and that is the theft of Apple iPhones,” he said. “People, particularly youths, 15-16, will sit by the bus stop and take people’s phones. In the last three weeks we’ve had 15 incidents where people have had their phone stolen.

Nine of the 15 were Apple iPhones.”

Despite an increase in thefts this year, the deputy inspector was pleased to report that violent crimes are mostly down or close to last year’s number.

The 103rd Precinct crime statistics report that the number of murders has remained the same for the area – 10 in 2011 and in 2012. Rape is also down from 32 in 2011 to 30 in 2012,

Felony assault has slightly increased in 2012 with a reported 346 cases verses 2011’s 332 cases, a four percent increase.

“Assaults are up just a little,” said McEvoy. “But nothing that has spiraled out of control.”

He added that to date, in 2012, there have been a total of 41 shooting incidents with 45 people shot. In comparison, the precinct finished with a total of 37 shooting incidents in 2011.

Because there are a few more weeks in 2012, McEvoy noted that shootings will be up by at least four incidents.

Other statistics from the precinct’s crime report show that grand larceny auto is down significantly from 197 cases in 2011 to 164 cases in 2012 – almost a 17 percent decrease. Petit larceny is down from 1,115 cases in 2011 to 931 in 2012 (a 17 percent decrease) and misdemeanor sex crimes are down from 51 in 2011 to 41 this year – a 10 percent decrease.

To view the 103rd Precinct’s entire crime report, visit www.nyc.gov.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

Club Party: The Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club Annual Christmas Party brought friends and neighbors together. Pictured (from left) are Henry McCoy, Manny Caughman, Assemblyman William Scarborough, Senator Malcolm Smith, Leslie Spigner, Archie Spigner, Joan Flowers, Martha Taylor sharing a moment with Councilman Leroy Comrie and Public Advocate Bill D’Blasio and his wife Chirlane McCray D’Blasio and Jacqueline Boyce.

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 14-20, 2012

One Woman’s Post-Sandy Nightmare

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA After escaping her flooded home when four-and-a-half feet of water rushed through Michelle Moers’ front door, she never could have foreseen that a bigger struggle awaited her after Superstorm Sandy – a battle with her insurance company.

Moers, who lives in Neponsit, a neighborhood located on the western half of the Rockaway Peninsula, returned to find her home had been completely destroyed.

“We went into the house and everything was just floating. It was a mess,” she said. “Part of my roof was blown off. I had cracks in all my ceilings. My bedroom was leaking on both sides of the roof – one side from the skyline and the other side coming down my chimney.”

When Travelers Insurance made way to her home to assess the storm damage, the adjuster, according to Moers, told her that much of the damage to her upstairs living area was the result of Sandy’s strong wind.

“The adjuster told me that he had felt my foundation was good but all the cracks have led him to believe the wind

was so strong that it pushed my house,” she said.

Under the impression that she would be covered because the damage sustained to her upstairs area was the result of high wind speeds, Moers waited to hear from Travelers Insurance and their estimate.

After placing two calls, she was shocked to learn that Travelers, instead, would be sending another adjuster to assess the damage.

“Travelers claimed that the estimate by the original adjuster was too high and that he has been reassigned,” Moers said.

Days after a second adjuster visited her home, a Travelers agent revealed that their engineer determined the damage to the upstairs area was not the result of high wind speeds but because her home had settled.

“The rep. said that the engineer said the rest of the house’s damage was because it was settling,” she said.

“I said, ‘Isn’t that a coincidence that my house has settled on the same night that Hurricane Sandy hit? I’m in the house for 20 years.”

As a result, the insurance com-

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year!

Congressman

GREGORY MEEKS 6TH DISTRICT 153-01 Jamaica Ave. 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11432 718-725-6000 Paid for and authorized by Friends For Gregory Meeks

pany only agreed to pay $13,269.93, a small portion of the entire damage, which Moers estimates to be in the upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Because the second adjustor claimed the damage was because her home was settling, she is not entitled to receive more money.

“All my walls need to be repaired and taken down completely. I need new carpeting in my bedroom, from where the water came in through the roof. My driveway needs to be fixed.

I can’t do that with the money they gave me,” she said.

In the wake of her on-going insurance feud, Moers was presented with yet another challenge following the storm. Her mother, who lives nearby, passed away after contracting pneumonia when her home lost power.

“Her house was damaged and she didn’t have her oxygen because she didn’t have electricity,” Moers said.

“When we moved her, she caught pneumonia, and shortly after, she passed away.”

To add insult to injury, when Moers had finally received some government assistance from Rapid Repair, she was told she needed to

postpone her mother’s funeral.

“I was told by Rapid Repair that if I was not in my house when they came, I would be put on the bottom of the list and it could be months before they got back to me,” said a tearful Moers. “So I rescheduled the funeral for tomorrow and now Rapid Repair informed they have been working today and will have to come back tomorrow. I am not going to miss my mother’s funeral.”

In an effort to protest Traveler’s second assessment, Moers has sought to hire her own engineer to refute the claim. She is confident that her report will match Traveler’s original adjuster’s report.

“No matter what I’ve done, no matter who I talk to, it’s a nightmare,” she said.

A spokesperson from Travelers could not comment on Moers’ particular case because of confidentiality rules, but did note that the insurance company would be more than happy to send over another adjustor to reassess the damage.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

Dec. 14-20, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Life Expectancy Hits All-Time High

BY MEGAN MONTALVO

Photo by Megan Montalvo

It’s a good day to be a New Yorker, if you ask Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

On Dec. 13, the Mayor headed to the Dept. of Health in Long Island City to announce that life expectancy for New Yorkers has officially surpassed an all-time high.

“Not only are New Yorkers living longer, but our improvements continue to outpace the gains in the rest of the nation,” he said, adding “This is serious. It’s a great day to be a New Yorker.”

In a slide show, the Mayor detailed statistical data showing that from 2001 to 2010, the City’s life expectancy rate at birth increased by three years, far greater than the nationwide increase of nearly 1.8 years.

Additionally, by comparison to nationwide averages, the life expectancy of both men (78.1 years) and women (83.3 years) living in New York City has increased and are better for both sexes.

“Our willingness to invest in health care and bold interventions is paying off in improved health outcomes, decreased infant mortality and increased

life expectancy,” he said. “The mas Farley, who joined rest of the country talks about takBloomberg in the announceing care of their people, but the ment. “The City’s efforts to cut best indicator that you are actusmoking, improve care for those ally doing that is the life expectwith high blood pressure and ancy rate.” high cholesterol and treat HIV While revealing the gathered infection are working.” data, the Mayor placed a particular Supporting Farley’s stateemphasis on Hispanic New Yorkment, Bloomberg reaffirmed that ers, who can expect to live the longCity programs, such as “The est at an average age of 81.9 years, Bronx Knows” and “Brooklyn while white residents trail slightly Knows,” have helped in early behind at 81.4 years and Black resi- Mayor Mike Bloomberg announced that life expect- identification and treatment of ancy for New Yorkers has officially surpassed an HIV infections. dents round off at 77.2.

“The fact that Hispanics live all-time high during a press conference at the Dept.

“The mortality rate from HIV longer than whites is something of Health in Long Island City. He is seen pictured infection is declining at a faster that, if you just look at the eco- here with Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs (left) and rate than other causes of death nomic numbers, you wouldn’t Health Commissioner Thomas Farley (right). in New York City,” he said. “The expect,” he said. “It’s called the rate is down by 53 percent from Hispanic conundrum, or something improvements are seen across all eth- 2001 to 2010.” nic groups. like that.”

Concluding his announcement on By analyzing data from death cerThis number joins a marked decline a high note, the Mayor urged New tificates, officials at the Health Dept. in heart disease, which from 2001 to Yorkers to consider moving their exhave determined that improvements 2010, decreased at 27.1 percent. tended family to New York.

“Life expectancy and infant morin prevention and treatment among “If you want your relatives to live HIV, heart disease and infant mor- tality are excellent measures of the longer and you really care about them, tality contributed the most to the in- overall health of a population, and tell them to come and live in New these statistics show that New York York,” he said. crease in life expectancy.

In 2011, the Citywide infant mor- City is increasingly a healthy place Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at tality rate fell to an all-time low of in which to live, work and raise a fam- (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or 4.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, and ily,” said Health Commissioner Tho- mmontalvo@queenstribune.com.

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 14-20, 2012

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

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Reporters: Harley Benson Natalia Kozikowska Megan Montalvo Joe Marvilli

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Advertising Director Gerry Laytin Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin

A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2012 Tribco, LLC

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

The City’s decision to allow the removal of “The Triumph of Civic Virtue” – a statue that has resided outside Queens Borough Hall since the 1940s – to a cemetery in Brooklyn is a regrettable decision that will rob Queens of a well-known local landmark and an historic artistic piece that is part of the Borough’s landscape.

The statue’s removal is indicative of a greater issue within the Borough, that City would rather replace aging and dilapidated Queens landmarks instead of spending the money to rehabilitate them.

Look no further than the Fountain of Planets in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the area proposed to be replaced by a new soccer stadium. Once a key part of the World’s Fairs that took place there, that section of the park has now been closed off for years. The City has no plans to renovate, other than to build over it.

Outside Borough Hall, the office of the Borough President has already started to make plans to replace “Civic Virtue” with a new monument, honoring the contributions of women to Queens, in response to the controversy over the statue. While the monument to women is a fine idea, why is it a more palatable idea to build a new structure rather than maintain what we already have?

Instead of allowing these historic parts of Queens to be replaced, we should be restoring them, maintaining them and using them to teach future generations what has come before.

Anything less would be uncivilized.

Letters Proactive Help To The Editor: In the past years whenever we hear about violent, horrific acts, it is blamed on someone who just snapped. From the

Aurora shooting, Jovan Belcher killing his girlfriend and himself, Subway Pusher hearing voices, society wonders how this could happen. How can society prevent these acts from occurring? You hear the

Letters friends and relatives of the people who commit these acts say that they were the salt of the earth and so quiet. The quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, Brady Quinn said, “We have to look out for people more and observe and act if a person is having it rough and help them.”

I think this is an excellent point. I could foresee more restrictive settings for people with mental disorders and more isolation. Instead of integrating people with mental disorders into society there will be a push for segregation of people with mental disorders. The treatment for people with mental disorders must be more proactive.

Arthur Wood Jr., Woodhaven

Tobacco Spending To The Editor: Every year, New Yorkers spend $8.17 billion on smoking-caused health-care costs.

The state could help trim those costs if only it would invest more fully in the Tobacco Control Program.

New York ranked No. 21 in spending on its Tobacco Control Program in a Dec. 6 report, “Broken Promises to Our Children: The 1998 State Tobacco Settlement 14 Years Later,”

from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights.

The CDC-recommends investing $254.3 million in the state’s Tobacco Control Program. That’s only a small percentage of the revenue that the state of New York will collect in 2013 between the Big Tobacco Settlement payments and tobacco taxes, $2.3 billion. Yet, only $41.4 million goes to the Tobacco Control Program, a program that has proven successful in getting people to quit smoking.

In addition to the potential savings, funding the Tobacco Control Program would save lives. Each year, 25,400 adults die from their own smoking. It’s projected that 389,000 of the kids alive now will die prematurely from smoking-related deaths.

Please, let’s improve New York’s middling ranking when it comes to tobacco control. Ask your legislator to increase funding to the Tobacco Control Program.

Wendy Mono, Forrest Hills

Former Mayor Celebrates 88th Birthday A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

Some New Yorkers get under your skin; some get on your nerves and some become part of you. Ed Koch has done all three to varying degrees.

When he was mayor of New York City, Edward Koch was not always well liked across the board. He could be caustic, dismissive and stubborn. He still is, as anyone who watches NY1’s “Wise Guys,” will attest.

But you could never accuse him of being boring, uncaring or indecisive about this great city. In fact, he seems to have become a sort of father of the city and a New York institution. To solidify that opinion, the 59th Street Bridge was renamed in his honor last year. It is now the Ed Koch

Queensboro Bridge. It stands as testament to the value of Koch’s contribution to our city.

This week, he was released from a hospital stay for breathing problems and two days later he celebrated his 88th birthday to great fanfare at Gracie Mansion, his home from 1978 to 1989. Thanks to the medical staff at the hospital, he recovered to attend his party, hosted by current mayor, Michael Bloomberg as we saw on NY1 News.

On “Wise Guys,” Koch matches wits with former US senator, Al D’Amato and former governor, Eliot Spitzer as part of the triumvirate of political wisdom. Sometimes they have guest “wise guys” but the show is never as much fun without Koch’s take on the day’s topics. Like “the fat lady’s” singing,” it ‘ain’t over until Koch has spoken.

The trio, which in the past

has included former public advocate, Mark Green and former New York State comptroller, Carl McCall, comment on political topics in the city, state and nation.

Koch being the eldest of the three elder statesmen of politics, can always be counted upon for a witty, acerbic and occasionally kind word. Interestingly, whichever it is, he’s almost always right. His cognitive reflexes are as sharp as ever and he has stayed relevant as a political voice in this city. Case in point, four years ago then-Sen. Obama sought his endorsement and active support during his Presidential Election against Sen. John McCain.

Bob Turner, with Koch’s support, defeated Assemblyman David Weprin because of the Orthodox Jewish vote.

Flush with that success, Koch

then threatened to use his considerable clout against President Obama, then campaigning for a second term.

Koch, upon defeating incumbent Abe Beam in 1977, took over a near-bankrupt city and not only stabilized it but made it thrive, thanks to his various experiences and his determination to fight for New York. He also had a ready insult for anyone who insulted his city and we loved him for that. The World War II Veteran, turned lawyer, city councilman, congressman and mayor, tuned…. has turned into a beloved figure in our city even when we disagree with his politics.

God broke the mold when he made Ed Koch and I hope we’ll have him as part of the fabric of our city for many more birthdays to come.

Have a happy birthday, Mr. Mayor!

Dec. 14-20, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Borough Beat

Super Accused Of Discrimination

BY MEGAN MONTALVO

identified to himself as “Irfan.”

In search of a one-bedroom rental, On Feb. 23, Bianca Jones left her the woman inquired about availabilBrooklyn home to visit a Sunnyside ity.

Once asked, the superintendent apartment in search of a one-bedtold the woman there was, in fact, a room rental. one-bedroom apartAs she walked towards the 107-unit ment available for rent immediately and building, located at 41- “Regrettably, showed her the va41 46th St., she was race discriminacant unit right away. greeted by the superintion in housing “I have one aparttendent, who at the time ment ready,” he said. referred to himself as remains one of “You look like nice “Mike.” the rawest forms Upon asking Mike people, that’s why I of racism in this show you.” about the available Though both rental, Jones said she City and the women had visible was told that there were nation.” differences, as Jones no units available.

-Elizabeth Saylor is Black and the other “He didn’t seem woman white, Ifran/ rude,” she said. “But, he Mike was unaware that the pair had was definitely short with me.”

Without any indication the super- one striking attribute in common – intendent may be lying, Jones left the they were both “testers” used as a measure to detect housing discrimiscene.

The next day, yet another woman nation.

Hired by The Fair Housing Justice went to the same building and met the same superintendent, who this time Center, both women recounted their

visits with the superintendent for a federal district court complaint filed on Dec. 5 by Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady LLP. The lawsuit alleges that the building’s owner, NASA Real Estate Corporation, and its superintendent, Ifran Bekdemir, engaged in racial discrimination by lying to three Black testers, claiming that no apartments were available for rent and refusing to show them apartments in the building on three separate occasions, while white testers had been shown an apartment on the same day and been offered a discount on rent.

“Testing is the only investigative tool capable of comparing and documenting how similarly qualified renters of different races are being treated in the housing market,” FHJC Executive Director Fred Freiberg said. “Individual renters are often unaware that discrimination is occurring.”

According to the 2010 Census, Black households account for fewer than two percent of all rental housing units within an eight-square-block ra-

dius of the Sunnyside building, while 18 percent make up renter households in the rest of Queens.

Similar to the pending complaint, which seeks to ensure future compliance with fair housing laws, the FHJC settled a case earlier this year for $225,000 against landlords who allegedly engaged in racial discrimination in apartment buildings located in Brooklyn neighborhoods with a comparable racial composition.

“Regrettably, race discrimination in housing remains one of the rawest forms of racism in this City and the nation,” said Elizabeth Saylor, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs. “We are dedicated to eradicating it.”

As of press time, calls made to the superintendent and the building’s owner had not been returned.

Individuals who encounter illegal housing discrimination are encouraged to call the FHJC at (212) 4008201.

Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or mmontalvo@queenstribune.com.

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 14-20, 2012

Prognosis Negative:

Six Queens High Schools Receive Bad Grades The Dept. of Education has released their school progress report for the 2011-12 academic year and the grades are not looking good for six Queens-based high schools.

August Martin High School, Business, Computer Applications and Entrepreneurship High School, Flushing High School, Law, Government and Community Service High School, Pan American International High School and Queens Satellite High School for Opportunity all received overalls grades of D for the previous academic year, indicating that the DOE feels there are serious problems within those locations.

In past years, the grading system has partially determined which schools will be selected for early engagement, a process that can be anything from brainstorming ways to fix the school or preparing to close down the school instead.

According to Deputy Chancellor Marc Sternberg, those conversations with the struggling schools have already begun.

“The goal of these discussions is to gain a better understanding of what’s happening at these schools and give them the opportunity to talk about the challenges they face; the strategies and interventions already underway; and what strategies or interventions will be most meaningful to the school as they move forward,” he said. “We’ll take the feedback that we receive from the school and community into consideration as we explore options to improve performance and support student success.”

Grade Breakdown Every school is reviewed for past performance and demand trends, as well as their plans for school reform, leadership performance and the needs of the district and community. These studies are in addition to previous progress reports, quality reviews, placement on the State’s Priority list and Joint Intervention Team reviews.

The progress report grade is broken down into four main sections, plus additional credit the school can earn based on exemplary outcomes of high-need students.

Student Progress is worth 55 points and rates a school’s ability to help students reach the goal of earning a Regents Diploma. The focus is put on what skills and knowledge students develop from the school, not what they arrive with on day one.

While all students in each school are

Photo by Ira Cohen

BY JOE MARVILLI

ceived F grades for both performance and progress and a D for college and career readiness. It is not all bad news though as the school got a B for environment.

Business, Computer Applications and Entrepreneurship High School, located at 207-01 116th Ave, Cambria Heights, dropped Flushing High School is at risk again, after scoring down from last year’s C grade. It got an F for low grades from the Dept. of Education. progress and a D in perforincluded in this rating, particular at- mance. On the positive side, it retention is given to the one-third of ceived B grades in both environment students who entered at the lowest and college and career readiness.

Flushing High School, located at performance level. There are six metrics focused on credit accumula- 35-01 Union Street, Flushing, stayed tion and six metrics focused on Re- the same when compared to last year, but its D was a drop from the 2009gents exams.

Student Performance amounts to 2010 C grade. It was given F grades 20 points and measures the percent- for both performance and progress, age of students who have graduated D for environment and C for college within four or six years. Emphasis is and career readiness.

The City tried to close Flushing placed on the number of students who graduate with a Regents Di- and August Martin high schools last ploma, which State law establishes year under Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s “turnaround” plan, but the schools as the goal for all students.

School Environment, totaling 15 were saved when a judge blocked the points, takes a look at learning condi- closure after teacher and administrations, student attendance and other tive unions sued the DOE on the plan.

Law, Government and Commuaspects that make for a healthy learning atmosphere. Some of these quali- nity Service High School, located at ties include high expectations, engage- 207-01 116th Ave, Cambria Heights, ment, safety, respect and communi- is another school that escaped clocation. While attendance is gauged sure last year when the City decided directly, all the other requirements are against it. This year has remained the measured through a survey of parents, same as the past two in terms of its D grade. Broken down, it got an F students and teachers.

The category of College and Ca- grade for progress, a D for perforreer Readiness is scaled up to 10 points mance and C grades for environment and quantifies the school’s ability to and college and career readiness.

Pan American International High prepare their students for success in college, vocational programs or public School, located at 45-10 94th St., service. Schools are rewarded for help- Elmhurst, has not received a letter ing their students graduate and for the grade improvement from last year, students demonstrating proficiency in when it was given a D as well. When reading, writing and mathematics as broken down into categories, the defined by the CUNY standards for school got an F performance grade passing out of remedial coursework. It and college readiness grade, but also considers the students’ post-gradu- earned higher scores for progress (C) and environment (B). ation outcomes.

Queens Satellite High School for Closing the Achievement Gap is worth up to 16 points and awards Opportunity, located at 162-02 Jaschools that achieve exemplary out- maica Ave., Jamaica, stands out with comes among high-need students. a score of 39.1, the lowest for Queens This component is only included to high schools in general. The transfer improve a school’s overall score and high school, which is designed to help students who have dropped out or cannot lower it. who have fallen behind in credits, got F’s in all categories except progress, The Six Schools August Martin High School, lo- in which was given a D. cated at 156-10 Baisley Blvd, South Playing Politics Jamaica, had an overall score of 41.7, One loudly critical opponent of notable for being the lowest for any regular Queens high schools. It re- the DOE’s rating system is the

United Federation of Teachers, who believes the progress reports are being manipulated to fit whatever results the administration wants.

“We’ve always had a problem with the way the DOE has rated the school,” UFT Queens High Schools Representative James Vasquez said.

“We know a letter grade does not show what a school is.”

Vasquez also mentioned that the ratings do not take into account the support or lack of support from the DOE and that the engagement system is politically motivated, rather than based on a strict set of guidelines.

“If you look at any of the schools mentioned, they’re struggling in different ways,” he said. “Why are they putting them for early engagement over other schools? It doesn’t make any sense. The only possibility is they’re looking for political reasons.”

Whatever results come from this year’s progress report, the union has stated their intension to work with and stick by the schools.

“If they decide to phase out any school, we’re going to go to that school and see what they want to do,” Vasquez said.

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, or at jmarvilli@queenstribune.com.

Other Schools In Trouble Also included in the DOE’s progress report were several Queens elementary and intermediate public schools that received poor marks. They include: PS 040 Samuel Huntington , 109-20 Union Hall St., Jamaica (D) PS 055 Maure, 131-10 97th Ave., Richmond Hill (D) PS 071 Forest, 62-85 Forest Ave., Ridgewood (D) PS 132 Ralph Bunche, 132-15 218th St., Laurelton (D) PS 138 Sunrise, 251-11 Weller Ave., Rosedale (D) PS 140 Edward K. Ellington, 166-01 116th Ave., Jamaica (F) PS 156 Laurelton, 229-02 137th Ave., Laurelton (D) PS 197 The Ocean School, 825 Hicksville Road, Far Rockaway (D) PS 206 The Horace Harding School, 61-02 98th St., Rego Park (D) Cynthia Jenkins School, 197-37 137th Ave., St. Albans (D) -Joe Marvilli

Dec. 14-20, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Police Blotter Compiled by STEVEN J. FERRARI

101st Precinct Robbery The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the following suspect wanted in connection to a robbery.

At approximately 8 p.m. on Dec. 4, the suspect followed a 58-year-old female victim into an elevator, pushed her and threatened her, simulating a firearm demanding her property. The suspect removed the victim’s purse and fled. The victim was not injured as a result of this incident.

The suspect is described as a Black male, between 25-30 years old, last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with a black leather jacket under it and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577TIPS (8477).

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers’ website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIPS577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

109th Precinct Robbery The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the following suspect wanted in connection with a robbery.

At approximately 11:13 a.m. on Nov. 17, the suspect entered a Home Depot, located at 131-25 Avery Ave., Flushing, removed merchandise from the shelves and attempted to f lee the location before being confronted by a store employee. The suspect then displayed a firearm and f led the location with an unknown amount of merchandise.

The suspect is described as being a Black male, between 5-foot-11 and 6foot-2, 200 lbs. with a bald head.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers’ website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIPS577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

calls are strictly confidential.

112th Precinct

114th Precinct Burglary

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance The NYPD is seekidentifying the following ing the public’s assisindividuals wanted for a tance identifying the folburglary that took place lowing individual on Sept. 16 inside 37-21 wanted for a grand lar- This suspect is wanted for Northern Blvd., Astoria. ceny that took place on a grand larceny.

The suspects entered the Sept. 9 inside of the TD location and removed a Bank, 919 Second Ave. The suspect safe containing money. entered the bank using a stolen bank The first suspect is described as a card and removed money from the Black male wearing a black T-shirt, victims account. blue jeans and a black hat. The secThe suspect is described as an His- ond suspect is a Black male wearing panic female with an unknown tat- a black T-shirt, black pants and a too on the right side of her neck. black baseball hat.

Anyone with information is Anyone with information is asked asked to call Crime Stoppers at to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577(800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public TIPS (8477). The public can also subcan also submit their tips by logging mit their tips by logging onto Crime onto Crime Stoppers’ website at Stoppers’ website at n y p d c r i m e s t o p p e r s . c o m o r b y nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting texting their tips to CRIMES their tips to CRIMES (274637), then (274637), then enter TIPS577. All enter TIPS577.

Grand Larcen

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 14-20, 2012

pix

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

New York Mets R.A. Dickey and Ike Davis greeted kids from PS 43 and Scholars’ Academy in Far Rockaway during the team’s annual Kids Holiday Party on Dec. 11 at Citi Field.

Photo by Ira Cohen

Diverse Reception

Holidays With The Mets

Softball Toy Drive

A Culturally Diverse Reception, co-hosted by Moustafa Elshiekh and Ahmed Shakir, was held at Tikka Garden on Hillside Avenue. Enjoying good food were (from left) Corey Bearak, Moustafa Elshiekh, Jean Persaud, Archie Spigner, Ahmed Shakir, Assemblyman William Scarborough and Bill Briggs.

Members of the Queens College softball team Carla Pennolino (from left), Alex Drago and Melissa Natale, collected Christmas toys as part of the team’s toy drive for children who were displaced because of Superstorm Sandy.

The team collected $575 in donations, six new bicycles and more than 1,000 toys for the children of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Breezy Point. The team will give the toys out to the kids at an upcoming Christmas Party. Additionally, Foot Locker donated $200 in gift cards.

Dec. 14-20, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

www.queenslibrary.org

To renew materials and review account by touch tone phone........1-718-990-8508 Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)..............................1-718-990-0809

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FREE Borrow books, DVDs, videos, CDs, and more.

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www.queenslibrary.org Queens Library is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and is not affiliated with any other library system.

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Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 14-20, 2012

Profile

St. Albans Poet Finds Healing In Writing

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA When Colinda Alridge lost her sister to complications of lupus when she was just 23-years-old, she found herself consumed by her emotions.

Instead of dealing with the loss of her sister in a negative way, the St. Albans woman transformed her inner most thoughts into beautiful pieces of poetry.

“I began to write when my sister passed from lupus,” Alridge said. “Instead of using alcohol or doing drugs, I just decided to vent on paper. I’ve been doing that up until three years ago when my brother suggested we put it in book form.”

After experiencing some difficulty finding a publishing company that would print her series of poems in book form for an affordable price, Alridge struck gold with Dorrance Publishing Co. who released her first book, “Emotions” in 2009.

“Emotions” explores a variety of different topics. In the book, you will find poetry about God, poetry about grieving the loss of a loved one and even poetry dedicated to the men and women who are fight-

ing overseas in Afghanistan.

“The book is called ‘Emotions’ because it is very emotional,” she said.

“It talks about everything that I was feeling. It is the only way I can deal with life.”

The day when Alridge received the first copy of her book was a bittersweet one, she revealed. On a day that should have been filled with celebration, she was given some unexpected sad news.

“Three years ago, when the first book came out, my father passed on the day that the book was delivered to my house,” she said. “My uncle died in June and my father died a month after that.”

Dealing with yet another tragic loss in her life, Alridge once again turned to what she knew best – writing poetry.

It wasn’t long after the author began to write a series of poems for her next book, “Emotions II,” which was published just three years later in August 2012.

Though many similar topics spilled over from her first “Emotions” book to her second series, Alridge said she explored a variety of new

Colinda Alridge topics like romantic relationships and heartbreak. Her third book in the series, “Emotions III,” scheduled to release on Valentine’s Day 2013, will tackle even more topics, she said.

“These books helped me voice my

opinion better,” she said. “I write to express myself and I could voice my opinion now better than I could back then.”

Despite Alridge’s passion for the art of poetry, she hopes to develop her writing skills to write a novel in the near future.

“I am trying to get out of the poetry,” she said. “I am taking courses right now to write a novel.” Alridge said she knows she wants to write a romance novel, but is juggling a few different titles and ideas. “I hope to do that in 2013,” she added.

When asked what message she has for readers, Alridge simply replied, “Do not give up your dreams, regardless of whatever the situation may be, just keep going. Even if others tell you that you can’t succeed, you can. If it’s something you love to do, keep doing it.”

To purchase Colinda Alridge’s “Emotions” or “Emotions II.” you may visit www.amazon.com. You may also follow her on Twitter @lady_emotions.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

People The New York Lotter y announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings and received a cash prize of $10,000 or more.

Claston Chang of South Ozone Park won $10,014 on the Nov. 28 Powerball drawing. Chang’s winning ticket was purchased at Cozy Lanes, 98-18 Rockaway Blvd., Ozone Park.

Kenneth Norman of Springfield Gardens won $10,000 on the Nov. 28 Powerball drawing. Norman’s winning ticket was purchased at the Great Supermarket, 222-16 144th Ave., Springfield Gardens.

Nora Purcell of Jamaica won $26,809 on the Aug. 10 Take Five drawing. Purcell’s winning ticket was purchased at Village Stationery, 18202 Union Turnpike, Flushing.

Nicholas Davis of Rosedale and Kwame Belle of Springfield Gardens are candidates for graduation at SUNY Oswego and will participate in commencement ceremonies on Dec. 15.

Francisco Millwood of Jackson Heights won $10,000 on the Nov. 28 Powerball drawing. Millwood’s

winning ticket was purchased at Vasu Convenience, 118-14 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills.

Claston Chang of South Ozone Park won $10,014 on the Nov. 28 Powerball drawing. Chang’s winning ticket was purchased at Cozy Lanes, 98-18 Rockaway Blvd., Ozone Park.

Davaughn Cunningham of Saint Albans is scheduled to complete his graduate studies in agricultural education with a Master of Science in Education at SUNY Oswego on Dec. 15.

Grequan Carter of St. Albans is a participating member of the SUNY Delhi men’s basketball team. Carter is pursuing an associate’s degree in social sciences.

Whitney Brown of Far Rockaway, a women’s basketball player and sports and recreation management major, was named Female Athlete of the Month at Herkimer County Community College.

Audra L. Anthony of Jamaica took part in the annual First Year Seminar

Exhibition at Cazenovia College and was a member of Karen Steen’s “Knitting: Functional Craft/Social Commentary.” Anthony is a graduate of John Adams High School in Ozone Park.

Air Force Airman Joseph W. Howard graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Howard is a 2011 graduate of John Adams High School in Ozone Park.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (DHoward Beach) has asked residents of Queens to donate new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to children of South Queens neighborhoods affected by Superstorm Sandy. Toys can be dropped off through Dec. 20 at either of Addabbo’s district offices, 159-53 102nd St., Howard Beach and 66-85 73rd St., Middle Village.

The Forest Hills Choir will perform its Christmas Concert, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 at Church of the Redeemer, 30-14 Crescent St., Astoria. Pieces

by Forest Hills resident and composer Bill Ryden will be performed along with other holiday classics.

For information, email info@fhchoir.org or visit http:// fhchoir.org.

Brenda Yee of Arverne is a candidate for graduation at SUNY Oswego and will participate in commencement ceremonies on Dec. 15.

Whitney Brown of Far Rockaway, a women’s basketball player and sports and recreation management major, was named Female Athlete of the Month at Herkimer County Community College.

Audra L. Anthony of Jamaica took part in the annual First Year Seminar Exhibition at Cazenovia College and was a member of Karen Steen’s “Knitting: Functional Craft/Social Commentary.” Anthony is a graduate of John Adams High School in Ozone Park.

Dec. 14-20, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

A&E

Artists Revitalize Empty LIC Bank

BY MEGAN MONTALVO

For 25 years, the Bank of Manhattan building in Long Island City had been abandoned and closed to the public, but as of this week, a threemonth art exhibition will make it “No Longer Empty.”

On Dec. 12, local arts organization No Longer Empty unveiled the revitalized bank, located at 29-27 41st Ave., for the opening night of How Much Do I Owe You?, a site-specific exhibition that asks the public to reflect on their relationship to contemporary systems of exchange.

“We chose the site of the bank because we really wanted to reinforce our mission of revitalization and transformation,” NLE President and Chief Curator Manon Slome said.

“The backdrop of the building’s architecture, combined with the works designed around the theme of exchange, gives audiences an opportunity to really question the notion of money and its role in our society.”

Set within three levels inside the building, the exhibition features pieces from 26 artists whose origins

range from 15 different countries.

Though it is the 14th exhibition to be created by NLE, How Much Do I Owe You? is the first the group has organized in Queens.

“After our last exhibition in the Bronx ended in the summer, we set our sights specifically on Queens,” Communications Manager Lucy Lydon said. “The diversity of the Borough inspired us to represent works from a diverse collection of artists.”

In addition to incorporating a mix of local and international artists, the exhibition also dedicates an entire room to pieces created by students from Queens high schools, including Newcomers High and the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.

Similar to the larger portion of the exhibit, pieces in the room range from mixed media paintings and sculptures to films and immersive and participatory installations.

Highlights include casts of multicolored f loating hands grabbing at a small treasure box and a large scale sculpture of a teen-themed ATM. “Beyond money, the concept of

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exchange is showcased through works focused on social and cultural exchange,” Slome said. “How Much Do I Owe You? is a question that we often use to pay for items, but on a deeper level, it also refers to a philosophical and ethical question of how much do we owe each other?”

Reinforcing the deeper questions of worth, LIC artist Sol Aramendi created a multi-layered installation reflecting the plight of immigrants in America in “Dark Treasure.”

Within the bank’s vault area, Aramendi uses vinyl records to line the walls as miniature oxygen masks illuminate the ceiling and sprouts of corn and wheat grow in the background.

“So many people make the argument that immigrants take away from the American economy,” Aramendi said as the lights from the hanging masks illuminated her face. “By incorporating a symbol of asphyxiation

with the growth of the crops as music plays, I wanted to embody the contributions and silent struggle they face striving for the American Dream.”

In conjunction with its calendar of events, NLE will offer an ongoing series of events and workshops tailored to families, adults and teens.

How Much Do I Owe You? will be on display every Thursday through Monday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Closing night is scheduled for March 13, 2013, and will feature a live performance from Korean artist Jongsun Jay Lee, who will give out bags of rice from her installation “Shifting Landscape.”

For more information about No Longer Empty, visit www.nolongerempty.org or call (646) 645-5506.

Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or mmontalvo@queenstribune.com.

Arm Wrestling Benefit For Sandy

BY JOE MARVILLI While Queens is home to many well-known sports competitions, like the U.S. Open Tennis Championships and the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, one of the longest running is the annual Empire State Arm Wrestling championships.

The competition will return to Queens on Dec. 16.

Held by the New York Arm Wrestling Association, the championship is now in its 35th year. Although it is well into its fourth decade, this year’s tournament is going to be notable because it is also acting as a fundraiser for victims of Superstorm Sandy.

More than 100 men and woman will make their way to Cheap Shots Sports Bar, located at 149-05 Union Turnpike in Flushing, to compete.

The event is open to the public and free for spectators to attend, though the NYAWA recommends making a donation once they are there to the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts.

If you would like to participate rather than watch, you can register the day of the tournament. Weigh-in and registration will take place at Cheap Shots from 9:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. The competition begins at 1 p.m.

There is an entry fee for contestants,

$25 for amateurs, $30 for pros and $10 for women. There are no residency requirements.

There are 17 categories, both pro and amateur, for men and women.

Custom four-and-a-half pound medallions will be given to first, second and third place winners. Those skilled enough to be chosen as the championship’s overall right and left handed MVPs will be given a $100 cash prize.

The NYAWA will also select the New York State Arm Wrestler of the Year. Athletes are said to be coming from as far away as Russia, Puerto Rico and Turkey, according to the NYAWA. The arm wrestlers expected to compete include Brooklyn natives Giorgi Gelashvili and Joyce Boone, the 2011 New York State MVP overall winners.

“The Empire State Arm Wrestling Championships is New York City’s oldest and most prestigious soughtafter title,” Gene Camp, founder and president of the NYAWA said. “This event is a culmination of the NYAWA season and it’s going to be very exciting to watch because it’s loaded with top talent locally, from all over the tri-state area and far beyond.”

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, or at jmarvilli@queenstribune.com.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 14-20, 2012

Faith

Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion Church Gives Back

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA On Dec. 15, Rush Temple A.M.E Zion Church will be distributing free clothes, toys and food to kick off the holiday season. All in attendance at the event can do their Christmas shopping at no cost to them.

“Everybody and anybody is welcome to come,” said chairperson of the sharing and caring outreach ministry, Deaconess Betty Johnson. “We have lots of clothes, food and toys for children. It’s an annual event, and

we enjoy giving back to the community. We aren’t selling anything. Everything is free. You can do your Christmas shopping here. We have plenty of new toys – a whole line of toys for kids.”

Ru s h Te mp l e A . M . E Z i o n Church is no stranger to events like these. This will be the church’s 13th year hosting this type of event. As the years went on, the event has become increasingly popular – something Johnson said she is happy to see.

Word “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

-Hebrews 13:5

“This is our thirteenth year doing this and each year it gets larger and larger,” she said. “Last year we had over 2,000 people coming in the church. The lines get longer and longer and longer and we are expecting it to be even larger this year because people are hit with no jobs. The economical conditions – everybody is hit. This is what God wants us to do. It’s God’s work. If we can help, why not?”

All of the items that the church will be giving away have been collected through the generosity of people in the community, Johnson said.

“I do fundraising and ask for donations. We start with the church for monetary donations and I purchase the items we give away,” she said. “I also have a lot of outside people who give me donations to help with the project. Everything is based on donations. We have new and used items.”

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy and the economic crisis, Johnson

said the event could not come at a better time.

“A lot of people have lost a lot of things after Sandy, so I would love to see its victims there. It’s [the event is] not just geared toward [residents of] Southeast Queens,” she said.

“I’ve sent flyers everywhere, inviting people everywhere to come.

People are in need not just in Southeast Queens; people need help all over.”

Johnson, who played a major role in organizing the event, is happy that the church is helping those in need, particularly during a season of giving.

“I’m just excited to be able to do what we are doing. We just want to be a blessing to someone else. That is our main focus,” she said.

The event will be held at Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion Church located at 119-48 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com

Notebook Thomas Edison High School

Thomas Edison H.S. Hosts Karaoke Night

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Thomas Edison Career and Technical Education High School, located in Jamaica, will be hosting their second annual Karaoke Night on Dec. 14. The event, which is sponsored by the National Honor Society, will give students an outlet to express themselves through song in a fun and friendly setting.

Gary Burley, the school’s coordinator of student affairs, is looking forward to this year’s karaoke night, noting the importance of having such events at Thomas Edison.

“It’s our second year. It’s in keeping up the sprits in the school and it’s a lot of fun,” he said. “We always have some staff members that join – even one or two staff members that can’t sing, so it’s a lot of fun. The kids enjoy the camaraderie of everybody. ” Close to 50 students have already registered to sing on Friday night – some who will be performing alone and others who will be singing in

groups. There will be several genres of music at the event, Burley said. Students will be performing everything from R&B hits, country songs, to pop songs and even Christmas songs.

Tickets to Karaoke Night, will be $5 per student, with all proceeds going back to support the high school’s future events.

“All that money goes back to student activities,” Burley said. “It all goes back to the students.”

Any student who wishes to perform at Karaoke Night is free to do so – despite their vocal talents, Burley said with a chuckle.

“We have many great singers but most of them can’t sing so it’s just meant to be a lot of fun,” he said.

“My favorite part is that it’s just nice to see everybody having a great time.

Every body is positive. It doesn’t matter if you are performing well or your voice cracks – everybody is still applauding. It’s meant to be a very positive thing.”

Because the night was so well re-

ceived last year, Burley said he hopes to keep the tradition alive in the years to come.

“We did it last year and it worked out so well,” he said. “I’m hoping we can do it again and again.”

Thomas Edison High School will be holding its Karaoke Night on Friday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in

the auditorium. The event is only open to students and faculty at the high school. Refreshments will be served.

Thomas Edison Career and Technical Education High School is located at 165-65 84th Ave. in Jamaica.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

Dec. 14-20, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

What’s Up DEC. 15 Toy Drive A Cause A Concern A Solution Network Inc. will host its 8th annual Christmas With Compassion Toy Drive. Contributions and donations to provide gifts for more than 1,000 children ages 1 through 12 are still being sought. For more information, contact Christina Winslow at christinawinslow62@hotmail.com or call (917) 349-1704. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Amazura, located at 91-12 144th Place. For admission, you must bring a new toy.

Decorate the Manor Hands-on History workshops are free drop-in programs designed for families with children. From noon to 3 p.m., Hands-On History will give families the opportunity to decorate the Rufus King Manor located at Rufus King Park in Jamaica. The event is free and open to all.

“The Loves of a Zombie” Queens Central Library will host a free moving screening of “The Love of a Zombie.” Haiti is suddenly tuned in to what seems to be soap opera: an escaped zombie’s love for a woman.

A reporter following the story discovers that a group of politicians are exploiting the zombie’s popularity by propelling him towards a presidential candidacy, but they do so without considering the ambitions of Baron Samedi, lord of the cemeteries. The movie will be screened at 3 p.m.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy Karl Jackson and Eminence will present their first year anniversary concert. With the eclectic sounds of classical, funk, jazz and soul-infused gospel goodness, EMINENCE will wow and woo your soul. Anthony Ponder and Ministry’s Desire will accompany EMINENCE in this anniversary celebration. This brilliant evening of music will feature recording artist Anthony Ponder and Ministry’s Desire. For additional information, call (347) 470-7464. You may purchase tickets at http:// karljacksonandeminence.eventbrite.com.

Tickets are $25 for orchestra and $20 for balcony. The concert will be held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave., and will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Kwanzaa Music and Poetry Concert Join Atiba Kwabena-Wilson, a musician, poet and storyteller and his exciting ensemble of musicians for a

night of music, poetry and cultural celebration. He is the founder and artistic director of both Songhai Djeli and the Befo’ Quotet and was the recipient of a full Scholarship for voice and flute, earning his B.A. in Music from Long Island University. Mr. Kwabena-Wilson studied arrangement and orchestration for jazz ensembles with Calvin Hill (bassist with Max Roach and faculty advisor for L.I.U.).

This event will also feature special guest poet – John Watusi Branch. The event will be held at the Afrikan Poetry Theatre at 176-03 Jamaica Ave. You must call the theatre at (718) 5233312 for price and time.

DEC. 16 Meet Dr. Isabel Dr. Isabel, best-selling author and host of Univision WADO Radio’s most popular advice show, will share words of enlightenment and spirituality through 100 of her favorite stories at Queens Central Library at 2 p.m. on Dec. 16. Her book will be available for sale and signing.

Stay Well Queens Central Library will host a free program to teach the public about special exercises and relaxation techniques can make a difference in your life. The event is free and will begin at 10 a.m.

DEC. 17 Dreamgirls Auditions York College Theatre announces auditions for “Dreamgirls,” with music

by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book

by Tom Eyen. What to Prepare: Please prepare one fast song and one slow song (16 bars each), in the style/genre of Motown, but no songs from the show. The selections should show your vocal and acting skills as well as your ability to move to the music. Please bring your printed sheet music (in the key you plan to sing) and a current performance resume. Prepared monologues are not necessary, but the audition may require a cold reading. Callbacks take place on Dec. 20 from 5-8 p.m. and those who are called back should be prepared to perform a song from “Dreamgirls.” For additional information, contact Timothy J. Amrhein or Jessica Morales at (718) 262-3707. The auditions will be held at the York College Performing Arts Center at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. from 3-6 p.m. It is free to audition.

DEC. 19 An Afternoon of Theater Queens Library and Senior The-

ater Acting Repertory (STAR) present “An Afternoon of Theater,” presenting scenes from works of modern playwrights. The free event will be held at Queens Central Library at 2 p.m.

Professional Development Workshop for Child Care Providers Queens Central Library, in partnership with the ACS/CUNY Informal Child Care Project, will host interactive workshop providing information and resources to informal (license-exempt) child care providers throughout New York City. Topics include: building relationships and nurturing social and emotional development; how children learn; physical well-being and development; language and literacy. The event will be held at the library at 6:30 p.m. and is free.

DEC. 20 SAT Practice Test Queens Central Library will offer teenagers the opportunity to take a half-length practice SAT test. It is being given in partnership with Kaplan testing services. Preregistration is required. The event will be held at the library at 4 p.m. and is free.

ONGOING Mobile CPR Program FDNY EMS instructors will come out to your site to conduct the CPR training using your facilities. The Be 911 Compressions Only CPR Program is brought to you free of charge

by FDNY and NYC Service. The goal of the program is to train as many people as possible in basic CPR skills.

In addition, participants will be briefly educated on the automated external defibrillator (AED) used to try and revive a person suffering from cardiac arrest. Though this program does not certify any participants, the FDNY and NYC Service believe increasing the knowledge of how to save a life is far more beneficial.

The program welcomes all ages, as long as the individual can demonstrate competency in retaining the required skills.

Appointments can be made Monday through Friday during the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Classes may be approximately 20 minutes depending on the size of the group.

For group registration of 10 or more participants or further information, contact the FDNY’s CPR Training Unit at (718) 281-3888.

Group Sessions Clergy United for Community

Empowerment, Inc. Group Sessions are located at 89-31 161st St., 10th Floor, Jamaica, for the community on various topics such as domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse intervention, decision making, condom use, high risk behaviors leading to HIV, and self – esteem awareness.

All group sessions offer light snacks and beverages. Group sessions are open to the public.

Round-Trip Metro Card reimbursement is available at the end of each completed session. For further information call (718) 297-0720. All services are free. Please call for next group date.

Infant Mortality Clergy United for Community Empowerment’s Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative program provides the following services free of charge: case management services, parent skills building, crib care, breast feeding education, health education, nutritional information/education, referral for HIV testing, confidential one-on-one counseling, workshops, and women support groups. IMRI provides referrals for Food stamps, GED, GYN, Emergency Baby Formula (qualifications required) and more. Call (718) 297-0720. Located at 89-31 161st St., 10th floor, Jamaica. Services are available Tue.Thurs. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HIV Awareness Clergy United for Community Empowerment provides intervention and curriculum-based prevention education sessions on HIV/AIDS, to reduce risk behaviors that lead to HIV transmission. Services are located at 89-31 161st St., Jamaica. Call (718) 297-0720 ask about our presentation to adolescents and men/women of color. Services are available Tue.Thurs., 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Merrick Flea Market A flea market has opened at 22102 Merrick Blvd. On sale are a wide range of items, including household items, jewelry and clothing.

The market is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

What’s Up With You? Send your community events to the PRESS for a free listing at 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11457 All events will be considered for publication, without a fee.

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 14-20, 2012

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina or email to queenstoday@ queenstribune.com Yearly schedules and advanced notices welcome!

HEALTH BLOOD DRIVE Sunday, December 16 at the Queens Jewish C e n t e r , 6 6 - 0 5 1 0 8 th Street, Forest Hills 8:301:00.

HATHA YOGA Monday, December 17 Flushing library. Register.

INTRO YOGA Tuesday, December 18 at the Hollis library at 2.

RELAX/MEDITATION Tuesdays, December 18, 25 5:30 Seaside library.

OA Wednesdays Overeaters Anonymous Howard Beach library at 11.

VISITING NURSE Thursday, December 20 at 2 Far Rockaway library.

RECOVERY INT. Thursdays, December 20, 27 2:30 at the Forest Hills library.

RELIGIOUS TEMPLE BETH Friday, December 14 Tot Shabbat at 6, Family Shabbat Services at 7:30.

Saturday, December 15 Shabbat Services and Torah Study 10, Chanukah Celebration 6-9:30. $10 adults, $5 children. Reser vations. Temple Bet h Sholom. 463-4143.

REGO PARK JC Saturday, December 15 Parashat and Haftarat Club at 12:30 following Shabbat services. Sunday, December 16 Women in Judaism: Chanukah Lecture and Luncheon. $10. Reservations. Rego Park Jewish Center. 459-1000.

LITTLE NECK JEWISH Wednesday, December 19 “Israel Advocacy: What Does it Mean to be P ro - I s ra e l To d a y ? ” a t 7:30. Little Neck Jewish Center, 49-10 Little Neck Parkway.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, December 15, 22 at Elmhurst Hospital at 10. 646-748-8290.

OPEN COMPUTER LAB Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 at the Arverne library. 634-4784 info.

KNITTING CIRCLE Monday, December 17 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. $5 adults.

6-8pm. 229-4000.

ENGLISH CONVERSA. Mondays, December 17, 31 at the Douglaston library. Register.

OPEN LAB Mondays, December 17, 31 Central library at 2.

KNIT & CROCHET Monday, December 17 Douglaston library at 4.

BEGIN CROCHET Monday, December 17 Arverne library at 5.

MAC MONDAYS Monday, December 17 a t t h e C e n t ra l l i b ra r y.

Register. 990-5148.

BALLROOM DANCING Monday, December 17 Forest Hills library at 6:30.

CRIMINAL RECORD Monday, December 17 Job Searching with a Criminal Record at the Arverne library at 5.

INTRO COMPUTERS Monday, December 17 at the Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

DRAWING CLASS Mondays National Art League in Douglaston.

361-0628.

SMALL BUSINESS Tuesday, December 18 Central library. 990-8625 register. Also Flushing library at 6.

PUBLISHER Tuesday, December 18 LIC 10.

JOB READINESS Tuesday, December 18 Woodside library at 6.

DOWNLOAD E BOOKS Tuesday, December 18 Flushing library 10.

INTRO INTERNET Tuesday, December 18 Queens Village library.

INTRO COMPUTERS Tuesday, December 18 Central library at 6.

MICROSOFT EXCEL Tuesday, December 18 Flushing library 10.

LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

CREATE EMAIL Wednesday, December 19 Central library.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesday, December 19 South Ozone Park library at 1.

OFFICE SUITE Wednesday, December 19 Microsoft Office Suite for Entrepreneurs at the Far Rockaway li-

brary. 327-2549.

RESUME/COVER LTR Wednesday, December 19 at the Central library.

990-5153.

CHILD CARE PROVIDER Wednesday, December 19 professional development workshop for child care providers at the Central library at 6:30.

INTRO COMPUTERS Wednesday, December 19 at the Pomonok librar y. Register.

ACING THE INTERVIEW Wednesday, December 19 LIC library at 1:30.

BUSINESS CARDS Wednesday, December 19 Central library. Register.

WATERCOLOR Wednesdays all techniques National Art League.969-1128.

MOCK INTERVIEWS Thursdays, December 20, 27 at the Central library. 990-5148 register.

MICROSOFT OFFICE Thursdays, December 20, 27 at the Arverne library at 10:30.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Thursdays, December 20, 27 at the Seaside library at 5:30.

COMPUTER TIPS Thursday, December 20 Keyboard commands.

Central library. Register.

VETERANS Thursday, December 20 Job Searching for Veterans at the Far Rockaway library. 327-2549.

LEARN TO DRAW Thursday, December 20 Hillcrest library.

ORGANIZED TECH Thursday, December 20 Getting Organized with Technology at 9:30 at the Central library.

FAMILY CRAFTS Thursday, December 20 Astoria library at 5:30.

COVER LETTERS Thursday, December 20 Microsoft Word at the Flushing library. Register.

BUSINESS BASICS Thursday, December 20 Flushing library 6.

MICROSOFT EXCEL Thursday, December 20 Central library. Register.

JOB SEARCH Friday, December 21 free computer and job search help at the Astoria library. 990-8625.

RESUME WRITING Friday, December 21 at the Arverne library at 1.

CRIMINAL RECORD Friday, December 21 Job Searching with a Criminal Record at the LIC library at 3:30.

INTRO EMAIL Friday, December 21 Central library. Register.

ENTERTAINMENT ASTRONOMY NIGHT Saturday, December 15 an evening with the stars at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register. $12 adults, $7 children.

SPAM V.3.0A Saturday, December 15 experimental performance at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222.

CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA Saturday, December 15 at Queens College. 7938080. $20-30.

GREEN FILM Saturday, December 15 “Queen of the Sun” at 3 at the Broadway library.

HAITIAN FILM Saturday, December 15 “The Loves of a Zombie” Central library at 3.

FLAMENCO Saturday, December 15 The Art of Flamenco: A Dance and History Workshop for the family. Register Fresh Meadows library.

LATIN AMERICAN Saturday, December 15 Journey Through the Sounds of Latin America at 3 at the Jackson Heights library.

ASTORIA SYMPHONY Sunday, December 16 at 5 St. Josephs Church, 43-19 3 0 th a v e n u e , Astoria. 917-460-4289.

ORATORIO SOCIETY Sunday, December 16 at 4 at Queensborough Communit y College. $30. 279-3006.

KWANZAA Sunday, December 16 for all ages at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext.

222.

AFRICAN ENSEMBLE Sunday, December 16 Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble at Flushing Town Hall. 4637700, ext. 222.

ARMWRESTLING Sunday, December 16 24 th Annual Empire State Arm wrestling Showdown at 1 at Cheap Shots Sports Bar, 149-05 Union Turnpike, Flushing. 5444592.

WINTER SOLSTICE Sunday, December 16 11-4:30 children’s crafts, vendors, refreshment, merchandise. Queens Botanical Gardens, 43-50 Main Street, Flushing. $5 car parking. 886-3800.

STAMP SHOW Sunday, December 16 Bayside Stamp Show at the Ramada Hotel, 22033 Northern Blvd., Bayside 10-4:30.

FH CHOIR Sunday, December 16 Forest Hills Communit y Choir sings at Church of

the Redeemer in Astoria. $10 at the door. 6:30. 3014 Crescent Street.

HOLIDAY CONCERT Sunday, December 16 at 4 at Cardozo HS, 5700 2 2 3 rd S t r e e t , B a y s i d e .

Youth Orchestra, CYCNY presents its 15 th Annual Christmas Concert. Free.

LIVE JAZZ & R&B Sundays, December 16, 23, 30 live jazz and r&b 6-10 at Déjà vu, 180-25 Linden Blvd., St. Albans.

JINGLE BELL SWING Monday, December 17 Ridgewood library at 6.

Also Wednesday, December 19 North Hills library at 1:30.

THEATRE Wednesday, December 19 STAR presents an Af-

ternoon of Theater at the Central library at 2.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC Wednesday, December 19 at the Middle Village library at 2.

SOUTH ASIA ON FILM Wednesdays through April 25 at 4:30 at the G o d w i n - Te r n b a c h M u seum at Queens College.

997-4747 for titles and other info.

KWANZA A Thursday, December 20 Hollis library at 4:30.

CHRISTMAS KARAOKE Thursday, December 20 Lefferts library at 4:30.

XMAS RECITAL Thursday, December 20 Allegro Students Christmas Recital at the Flushing library at 6.

MEETINGS PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, December 15, 22 learn how to communicate effectively from 10-12 at Elmhurst Hospital. 646-748-8290.

SCRABBLE CLUB Saturday, December 15 at 3 Peninsula library.

P-FLAG Sunday, December 16 PFlag, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays meet in Forest Hills.

271-6663.

TABLE TENNIS CLUB Monday, December 17 at 1:30 Seaside library.

NY CARES Monday, December 17 meeting to recruit new volunteers at 3 at the Forest Hills library.

AMER. LEGION Tuesday, December 18 Post 131 meets at 8 at 1020 Clintonville Street, Whitestone. 767-4323.

BEREAVEMENT Tuesday, December 18 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family in Fresh Meadows at 7:30.

969-2448.

TALK OF THE TOWN Tuesday, December 18 learn the art of public speaking at 7:15 in St. Albans. 640-7092.

WRITING CLUB Wednesdays, December 19, 26 at 1 at the Seaside library.

TRAVEL CLUB Wednesday, December 19 Seaside library at 3:15.

CONVERSATION CLUB Wednesday, December 19 Seaside library at 5:30.

KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS Wednesday, December 19 Queensview Lodge 433 in Whitestone. 917-

754-3093.

TOASTMASTERS Wednesday, December 19 learn the art of public speaking at the Voices of Rochdale Toastmasters Club in Jamaica. 9780732.

FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesday, December 19 Flushing Camera Club at Flushing Hospital.

749-0643.

DEMOCRATS MEET Thursday, December 20 the FDR Democrats meet at the Chabad Center, 2 1 2 - 1 2 2 6th A v e n u e , Bayside. 460-8285.

MEN’S PRIDE GROUP Thursday, December 20 Queens Pride House Men’s group 7-9. 4295309.

AFRO-AMER.CORVETTE Thursday, December 20 the National Afro-American Corvette Club meets at Roy Wilkins Park, 17701 Baisley Blvd., Jamaica at 7:30. 347-744-0819.

CDEC 26 Thursday, December 20 at MS67, 51-60 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck.

Business meeting at 7, public meeting at 8. Rom B44A. PUBLIC SPEAKING Thursday, December 20 Briarwood library at 5:45.

FLEA MARKETS FLEA MARKET Saturday, December 15 9-4 at Flushing House, 38-20 Bowne Street, Flushing.

FLEA MARKET Sunday, December 16 9-4 at St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Parsons Blvd. and Union Turnpike.

Dec. 14-20, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

Queens Today YOUTH KIDS PART Y Saturday, December 15 Al Saints Episcopal C h u r c h , 4 3 - 1 2 4 6 th Street, Sunnyside, will host a free children’s Christmas part y for those 3-9 from 2-3:30 and 35:30. Tickets required so arrive early.

FAMILY STORY TIME Saturday, December 15 Flushing library at 11:30.

STORY & CRAFT Saturday, December 15 at the Central library at 3. Space limited.

APEC SAFARI Saturday, December 15 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 2294000.

YOUNG CHEFS Saturday, December 15 Gingerbread House at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000.

STORY BOOK LADY Saturdays 12:30-1:30 reading enrichment program for 6-9 year olds at Maria Rose International Doll Museum in St. Albans. $7.50. 276-3454.

MATH HELP Saturdays for grades 48 Flushing library at 10.

SCIENCE LAB Saturdays Central library at 11.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

SHABBAT SCOUTS Sundays Shomer Shabbat Boy Scout Troop 613 at Young Israel of Windsor Park. 969-1571.

STORY TIME Monday, December 17 Hollis library at 11:30.

WORD OF THE WEEK Mondays, December 17, 24, 31 at the McGoldrick library at 5.

BABY & ME Monday, December 17 Bayside library at 11.

ORIGAMI POP UP Monday, December 17 at the East Flushing library. Register.

LEGOS Mondays December 17Ridgewood library at 4.

SCIENCE DAY Monday, December 17 Central library at 4:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesday, December 18 at the Windsor Park library. Register.

READING PRACTICE Tuesday, December 18 for grades K-2 Bellerose librar y. Register.

DRAWING Tuesday, December 18 at the Langston Hughes librar y. Register.

BUGS AS PETS Tuesday, December 18 at 4 at the Sunnyside li-

brar y. Live Animal Program.

COMPUTER LITERACY Tuesday, December 18 at the Ridgewood library.

Register.

CRAFT TUESDAYS Tuesday, December 18 at the Forest Hills library at 3:30.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Tuesday, December 18 Glen Oaks library at 11:30.

CURRENT EVENTS Tuesday, December 18 McGoldrick library at 5.

COMMUNITY WORD Tuesday, December 18 Central library at 4:30.

SEA CREATURES Tuesday, December 18 Briarwood library at 3:30.

WINTER SKATERS Tuesday, December 18 at the Poppenhusen library at 4.

HOLIDAY CRAFTS Tuesday, December 18 Queens Village library at 4.

WINTER CRAFTS Tuesday, December 18 Hillcrest library at 4:30.

HAIR ORNAMENT Tuesday, December 18 McGoldrick library. Register.

BUGS AS PETS Wednesday, December 19 at 3:30 at the Wo o d s i d e l i b ra r y. L i ve animal program.

CRAFTIVITIES Wednesdays, December 19, 26 at the East Flushing library. Register.

ALPHABET CITY Wednesdays, December 19, 26 at the Laurelton library. Register.

CHESS CLUB Wednesday, December 19 at the Poppenhusen library at 4.

READING FOR FUN Wednesday, December 19 Laurelton library at 5.

MATH GAMES Wednesday, December 19 at the McGoldrick library at 5.

HOLIDAY CRAFT Wednesday, December 19 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

GINGERBREAD TREE Wednesday, December 19 at the Ridgewood library. Register.

MATH DAY Wednesday, December 19 Central library at 4:30.

READING BUDDIES Thursdays, December 20, 27 at the McGoldrick library at 5.

MOTHER GOOSE Thursday, December 20 at the Windsor Park library. Register.

FAMILY STORY TIME Thursdays, December

TEENS 20, 27 at the Bay Terrace library at 11:30.

S TORY T I M E Thursday, December 20 at the East Elmhurst library at 11:30.

ZUMBA FOR KIDS Thursday, December 20 Lefrak Cit y library. Register.

S TORY T I M E Thursdays, December 20, 27 at the Hollis library at 11:30.

PICTURE BOOK Thursday, December 20 Lefferts library at 1:15.

S TORY T I M E Thursday, December 20 Pomonok library at 1:30.

PRESCHOOLERS Thursday, December 20 Forest Hills library at 3:30.

VIDEO GAME ACAD. Thursday, December 20 Pomonok library at 4:30.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Thursdays, December 20, 27 at the Seaside library at 5:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Thursday, December 20 at the South Jamaica library at 3:30.

FAMILY CRAFTS Thursday, December 20 Astoria library at 5:30.

REPTILE EDVENTURE Thursday, December 20 at the Far Rockaway library at 3:30.

EDIBLE HOLIDAY TREE Thursday, December 20 at the Richmond Hill librar y. Register.

WINTER CRAFT Thursday, December 20 Central library at 4:30.

KWANZAA Thursday, December 20 at 4:30 Hollis library.

KARAOKE Thursday, December 20 Lefferts library at 4:30.

FAMILY CRAFTS Thursday, December 20 Astoria library at 5:30.

ARTS & CRAFTS CLUB Thursdays at the Seaside library. Register.

DUNGEONS/DRAGONS Fridays, December 21, 28 at the Ozone Park library at 4.

VIDEO/BOARD GAMES Fridays, December 21, 28 at the Rochdale Village library at 4:30.

PRESCHOOL CRAFTS Fridays, December 21, 28 at the Sunnyside librar y. Register.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, December 21, 28 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

TOTE BAG Friday, December 21 at the Steinway library at 4.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE Friday, December 21 at the McGoldrick librar y.

Register.

EDIBLE CRAFT Saturday, December 15 Edible Holiday Craft at the Langston Hughes library. Register.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

LAPTOPS Mondays, December 17, 31 Hollis library at 3.

LEARN TO CROCHET Monday, December 17 Arverne library at 4.

TEEN ZONE Monday, December 17 at the Queens Village library at 4.

TEEN CRAFT Monday, December 17 Central library at 4.

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

COLLEGE PREP SERIES Tuesday, December 18 Far Rockaway library at 5. 327-2549 register.

LAPTOPS Tuesdays, December 18, 25 Hollis library at 3.

LAPTOPS Tuesday, December 18 Arverne library at 4 CROCHET CLUB Tuesday, December 18 McGoldrick library at 5 KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays, December 18, 25 at the Rochdale Village library at 5.

DRAWING Tuesday, December 18 at the Langston Hughes library. Register.

COLLEGE PREP Tuesday, December 18 at the Far Rockaway library. 327-2549.

LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays Windsor Park library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Wednesday, December 19 at the Poppenhusen library at 4.

ONLINE TEST PREP Wednesday, December 19 LIC library at 5.

HOLIDAY JEWELRY Wednesday, December 19 Create your own holiday jewelry at the St. Albans library at 3.

RESUME HELP Wednesdays at 3 at the Arverne librar y.

GAME DAY Wednesdays St. Albans library at 4 and the Howard Beach library at 4.

CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 Queens Village library.

LAPTOPS Thursday, December 20 at the Hollis library at 3.

VIDEO GAME ACAD. Thursday, December 20 at the Pomonok library at

4:30. For those 10-14.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Thursdays, December 20, 27 at the Seaside library at 5:30.

TEEN ZONE Thursday, December 20 at the Queens Village library at 4.

ANIME CLUB Thursdays, December 20, 27 at the Flushing library at 4.

RAP SESSIONS Thursday, December 20 Laurelton library at 5.

FAMILY CRAFTS Thursday, December 20 Astoria library at 5:30.

SAT PREP Thursday, December 20 SAT Prep at the Central librar y. 990-0767.

THEATER ARTS Thursday, December 20 Action Racket Theater Whitestone library at 4.

TEEN SPACE Thursday, December 20 Gingerbread House workshop at the Windsor Park library. Register.

TEEN THURSDAYS Thursdays Bay Terrace library at 3.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays intermediate level at the East Flushing

SINGLES SIMCHA SINGLES Saturday, December 15 Chanukah Part y mix and mingle. Oakland Little Neck Jewish Center. 516487-0674. $20, $25 at the door.

SENIORS FREE LUNCH Saturday, December 15 All Saints Church in Richmond Hill. 849-2352 reservations.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Monday, December 17 at the Queens Village library. 776-6800.Hollis library 465-7355.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesday, December 18 at the South Ozone Park library at 10.

POMONOK CENTER Tuesdays and Thursdays free ESL classes 9-10:30.

Thursdays Dear Abby Group at 11 and Knitting and Crochet Club at 1 and Chinese Language Classes at 1. Pomonok Senior Center, 67-09 Kissena Blvd., Flushing.

591-3377.

STARS Wednesdays Senior Theatre Acting Repertory Hollis library 11:15. Fridays Queens Village 1.

library at 5. Sunnyside library at 5.

WII GAME DAY Fridays, December 21, 28 at the Poppenhusen library at 4.

HAPPY HOUR Fridays, December 21, 28 Flushing library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, December 21, 28 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

TEEN MOVIES Fridays at 3:30 at the Central library.

BOARD GAMES Fridays at 4 at the Windsor Park library.

CHESS CLUB Fridays Auburndale library at 3:30.

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays Briarwood library at 4.

WII FRIDAYS Fridays at the Hollis library at 3:30.

GAME DAY Fridays Woodhaven library at 4:30 and the Windsor Park library at 4.

HOLIDAY JEWELRY Saturday, December 22 create your own holiday jewelry at the Forest Hills library at 2.

PARENTS

PARENTING WORK. Monday, December 17 Lefrak Cit y librar y at 11:15.

TALKS ED UNDER FIRE Saturday, December 15 “Education Under Fire” screening and discussion at the Forest Hills library at 2:30.

AUDIO BOOK CLUB Monday, December 17 Seaside library at 11.

SEASIDE BOOK CLUB Monday, December 17 “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.”

5:30 Seaside library.

POMONOK Wednesday, December 19 “Winter Garden” at 2 at the Pomonok library.

HILLCREST Wednesday, December 19 “The Story of a Beautiful Girl” at 3 at the Hillcrest library.

FRESH MEADOWS Thursday, December 20 “Sarah’s Key” 2:30 at the Fresh Meadows library.

BAY TERRACE Friday, December 21 poetry read from “A m e r i c a n Po e t r y : T h e Tw e n t i e t h C e n t u r y ” a t 11:230 at the Bay Terrace librar y.

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 14-20, 2012

Lily Cheung Home: Briarwood Height: 5’5 Weight: 115 lbs.

Stats: 34-26-36

Photo by John Scandalios

Models Of Queens

Lily Cheung has spent most of her modeling career – which spans the last five years or so – doing photo shoots. Up until three months ago, she had never done a fashion show. Once she got her first one out of the way, though, the offers started pouring in.

Now, she’s done nearly 20.

“My friends have all been asking me what’s going on,” she said.

“They’re wondering if I’m quitting my day job to become a model.”

She isn’t. Lily said she loves her job as an IT professional and she isn’t looking to make a career out of modeling, even though she has lots of fun doing it.

“I’m very practical,” she said.

“And I really like my job.”

In addition to modeling and her IT job, Lily also teaches advanced Chinese at a school in Chinatown.

“I’m so passionate about teaching,” she said.

In her free time – if you can believe she has any with everything else in her life – Lily likes to go to Flushing to sing Karaoke or head out to Forest Hills to eat.

While she decided to start modeling on a lark, it’s led to many doors opening. In the works, Lily said, are a TV pilot, magazines and a reality TV series.

“There have been a lot of opportunities,” she said. “It’s something I never thought could happen.”

Ho Ho Hos? Out with the art, in with the nudity.

Last week, the Long Island City-based art collective Flux Factory published a 2013 calendar, which features a year’s worth of racy shots of its artists and staff as models.

Among the risqué photo spreads are portraits of the factory’s own executive director, Christina Vasallo, who poses as a sultry Ms. April railing against the IRS by ripping up her tax bills, and Artist-in-Residence Adrian Owen who nearly skips down to his skivvies - with the exception of a Santa hat - as Mr. December.

While ironically the pho-

Pictures of staff from the Flux Factory Calendar tos were taken by a group of coworkers, the calendar should be considered anything but work friendly. Order yours online at: http:// www.fluxfactory.org.

What Kind Of Policy?

The Public Policy Institute, a research organization based in Albany that promotes public policy, sent out an email before the storm announcing the postponement of a new report on workers’ compensation until later in the week. Unfortunately, someone forgot to spell check the subject line, which announced “Due to Hurricane Pubic Policy Institute to Postpone Report Release.”

We’re not sure what kind of reports the Pubic Policy Institute would release, but it might have something to do with Vito Lopez…

Rockaway Whalemina

Rockaway is not the same without Whalemina For years, Rockaway residents took pride in their boardwalk and the elaborately-decorated fiberglass whale that stood at Beach 94th Street.

But the sculpture, commonly referred to as “Whalemina”, was washed away in Superstorm Sandy along with large portions of the sidewalk.

Now, as park officials are

searching for ways to reopen parts of the boardwalk, the sculptor of “Whalemina,” Geoff Rawling, has vowed to make another.

“I think it will kind of help Rockaway get back to normal,” Rawling said. “We would want to dedicate it to the first responders and volunteers who were there for everyone in the community.”

Almost Grammyless We here at QConf are very enthusiastic about the wealth of musical talent found in Queens. Unfortunately, it looks like the Grammy voters disagreed!

The borough was almost completely shut out of all the major categories for the 2013 music awards. Scott Ian, the rhythm guitarist of metal band Anthrax, was one of the exceptions. The Bayside-born musician was nominated along with the rest of the band for the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance for their song, “I’m Alive.”

Let’s hope the Queens

Confidentially, New York . . .

Bayside's Scott Ian of Anthrax rocker comes home on Feb. 10 with a Grammy to his name. As for the rest of the borough’s musicians, better luck next year!

StealingXmas He’s a mean one, Mr. Grinch, stealing iPads from people’s luggage.

A TSA screener at John F. Kennedy International Airport was busted last week for nabbing laptops and tablets from checked baggage at the airport. Port Authority cops got their guy when the 32-yearold decided to take “bait iPads” as part of a sting operation to catch the thief.

When the news hit that the crook was caught, the hearts of passengers grew three sizes that day.

Dec. 14-20, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

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