Press epaper 091914

Volume 15 Issue No. 38 Sept. 19-25, 2014

PRESS Photo by Jordan Gibbons

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE New citizens were sworn in during a ceremony at Rufus King Manor on Wednesday.

By Jordan Gibbons ‌ Page 8.

ONLINE AT WWW.QUEENSPRESS.COM

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 19-25, 2014

News Briefs Street Gang Members Indicted

District Attorney Richard Brown and City Police Commissioner William Bratton announced this week that the Queens County grand jury indicted 31 alleged members of the affiliated SNOW, Loyalty Over Everything and Young Bosses street gangs on charges of conspiring to murder two individuals and conspiring to commit robberies to raise bail money for an alleged gang leader who was incarcerated on Rikers Island on a weapons charge.

“These indictments are another example of police and prosecutors working together to eliminate gang violence that too often plagues our neighborhoods and strikes at the heart of a unified and criminally active group of young people who threaten the lives and safety of innocent bystanders,” Brown said.

The 31 defendants, who range in age from 15 to 22, are alleged to have operated in the confines of the NYPD’s 113th and 105th Precincts, generally in the Rosedale, Laurelton and Rochdale Village neighborhoods.

The criminal charges are related to two separate indictments.

In the first indictment, 17 defendants are variously charged in a 16-count indictment with first- and second-degree conspiracy, second-degree attempted murder, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle, false personation and unlawful assembly.

The defendants are accused of conspiring between March 30 and April 1 to kill two purported members of a rival gang allegedly in retaliation for the shooting death of a SNOW gang member.

In the second indictment, reputed gang leader Daquan Monroe, 17, one of the leaders of the SNOW gang and 15 of his alleged associates, including two individuals charged in the conspiracy to commit murder indictment, are variously charged in a five-count indictment with first- and second-degree robbery, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and third- and fourth-degree conspiracy.

The long-term investigation, which was spearheaded by the NYPD’s Queens Gang Squad, the 113th Precinct’s Strategic Enforcement Team and Brown’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau, used various investigative techniques. They monitored conversations spread out on more than 1.1 million Facebook pages be-

longing to gang members in which gang members allegedly discussed Monroe’s orders to commit robberies and how to go about achieving the goal and by listening to recorded telephone conversations made from Rikers Island by Monroe to his cousin and co-defendant, Michael Paradise.

In the conspiracy to commit murder indictment, the 10 defendants charged with first-degree conspiracy face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Six of the seven defendants charged with second-degree conspiracy face up to 25 years in prison. The seventh defendant is a juvenile offender and faces up to 10 years in prison. In the conspiracy to commit robberies, the two defendants charged with first-degree robbery face up to 25 years in prison, the four defendants charged with third-degree conspiracy face up to seven years in prison and the 10 defendants charged with fourth-degree conspiracy face up to four years in prison.

Jamaica Hospital Advocates Suicide Prevention

In support of Suicide Prevention week, a team of doctors, residents and administrators under the leadership of Jamaica Hospital’s Dr. Seeth Vivek, chairman of the Dept. of Psychiatry, raised awareness by displaying posters, making and distributing yellow ribbons, which represent the dedication to preventing youth suicide through education and public awareness campaigns.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 24 in the United States. It is estimated that 4,600 lives are lost each year. Experts believe that these numbers can be decreased with awareness and prevention.

With the reported average in occurrences and recent high-profile suicides, the question of what is suicide and can it be prevented have become popular topics in conversation.

Proceeds from the group’s efforts will benefit future community outreach campaigns.

The psychiatric staff at Jamaica Hospital is available for consultations, depression screening, assessments and immediate care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The staff consists of a team of caring professionals, which include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, creative arts therapists and nurses.

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

Sept. 19-25, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Discussion On ‘Broken Windows’ At St. John’s To kick off Constitution Week at St. John’s University, Brian Browne decided to organize a discussion about the highly-debated topic of broken windows policing.

Browne, assistant vice president of government relations, said the timing was ideal to discuss the theory, considering the death of Eric Garner in Staten Island and the shooting of Michael Brown in Missouri over the summer.

It also involves the fourth and fifth constitutional amendments, which prohibit unreasonable search and seizures without a warrant and requires that felonies can only be tried upon indictment by a grand jury, respectively.

“We want students to have an understanding of their rights,” Browne said.

Last year, to honor the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, Browne organized a similar discussion about “stop, question and frisk.”

Broken windows is the criminological theory that maintaining order in urban environments in wellordered condition may stop further vandalism and help reduce crime.

Essentially, it is the idea that cracking down on small, petty crimes will

broken windows policy has been effective to where we’ve seen a reduction in crime, but at the same time, we’re seeing more minorities being targeted and feeling somewhat persecuted.”

Daniel Cahill, St. John’s University students (from left) Erica Andria- also a senior and maherimanana, Andrew Taranto, Daniel Cahill and Mat- member of the thew Larkins took part in a panel on “Broken Windows” College Repubto kick off Constitution Week. licans, said that the relationship prevent bigger, more serious crime in between the community and authorities is a key factor in the situation, a community.

The students debating the validity as well.

“Community relations is proband necessity of the policy were representatives of the College Republi- ably the biggest issue when it comes to broken windows in regards to the cans and the College Democrats.

Matthew Larkins, a senior and theory,” Cahill said. “It’s a two-way member of the College Republicans, street. At an early age, in education said that there is not enough commu- they should be teaching to respect nication in the community and that authority. At the same time, authoriwhile the policy may have an effect ties need respect for the community, on crime, there has been an unfair especially for people of different backgrounds.” amount of focus on minorities.

Browne pointed out some sta“I believe the main issue and the main topic, which we need to focus tistics to support the theory, even on, is communication in our neigh- though there are other contributing borhoods and urban communities,” factors to the drastic reduction in Larkins said. “I believe that the crime in the City.

Photo by Jordan Gibbons

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

“Homocide dropped 82 percent, rapes dropped 77 percent,” he said.

“New York City is a laboratory of broken windows.”

Both Andrew Taranto and Erica Andriamaherimanana, sophomores and members of the College Democrats, agreed with the main points presented by the Republicans but added a little more skepticism of the policy.

“We have to figure out to what extent this change in policing has had an effect on this change in New York City,” Taranto said.

Andriamaherimanana said that arresting people for small offenses places an unfair burden on the community that is hard to recover from.

“By going after petty crimes, it is detrimental to the community,” she said. “It is harder for formerly incarcerated individuals to find employment.”

Councilman Rory Lancman (DHillcrest) was just named the Chair of the new Committee on Courts and Legal Services and made an appearance at the discussion.

“We need to put more police officers on the beat interacting with the public in a regular way,” he said.

Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons2.

MLS Looking At Aqueduct For New Stadium

BY LUIS GRONDA Major League Soccer has its eye on Queens once again.

Rumors surfaced earlier this week that the league is reportedly looking to build a new soccer stadium at Aqueduct Racetrack that would be home to its new team, New York City FC, which begins play next year.

This is the second time the league has looked in Queens to build a soccer-specific stadium. It was originally kicking the tires on building the arena at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, but that controversial plan was killed after much protest from elected officials and residents. The stadium proposal drew the ire of many opponents, as it would have forced the City to give up parkland if the stadium was built there.

A deal was later struck to build the stadium in the Bronx, but that fell through as well, as developers were unable to reach a deal with a tenant that owns land needed to build the stadium there.

Now the league may be looking to

South Ozone Park for its new “I have yet to be informed stadium. about any plans, but if City NYC FC has six players on Hall hopes to be successful, its roster as it builds towards any planning must include its first season, including Engthe local community. There lish midfielder Frank Lamare obvious obstacles, includpard, who played at Chelsea ing transportation and access, FC in London prior to signing however I am open to any with NYC FC, and Spanish conversation that will increase forward David Villa, who has economic development and played at prestigious Spanish create jobs,” he said. clubs such as Barcelona and Councilman Eric Ulrich Atletico Madrid. The team (R-Ozone Park), on the other MLS is reportedly looking at putting a new soccer stawill play its home games at hand, looked more positively dium adjacent to the Aqueduct race track.

Yankee Stadium until it can on a potential soccer stadium find a permanent home. within his district.

MLS did not mention the Aque- to welcome a soccer stadium to the “A soccer stadium would create duct site in a statement about the situ- Aqueduct site. Exact location and size jobs, stimulate economic developof the stadium, traffic patterns, public ment and make Queens the city’s preation.

“NYCFC is looking at sites all over safety and the certain impact on the mier sports destination,” he said. “In New York City. We are working with surrounding neighborhood quality of the days and weeks ahead, I will be the de Blasio Administration to find life are just some of the issues that I working closely with the community a world-class site for a soccer-specific would need answers to in examining and my fellow elected officials to see this proposal,” State Sen. Joe Add- if the proposed site in my district is stadium,” the spokesperson said.

Elected officials representing the abbo (D-Middle Village) said. the right fit before making a final deAssemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D- cision.” area expressed mixed feelings about the plan in statements released this Ozone Park) said he has not been told Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) of any plans to build the stadium at 357-7400, ext. 127, lgronda@queenstriweek.

“Currently, I am extremely hesitant Aqueduct. bune.com or @luisgronda.

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 19-25, 2014

Getting Dads Involved At Springfield Edu. Complex introduced themselves at the beginning of the breakfast and got to Parent coordinators at the Spring- know the 15 fathers who were able field Gardens Educational Campus to attend by engaging them in some organized a breakfast for the fathers icebreakers, such as naming their faof students at the three high schools vorite movies and favorite fictional and one middle school that make up characters. the co-location complex.

The Rev. Corey Terry, who holds The Fathers Initiative Breakfast an “I Am a Man” program at IS 59 happens annually, but this is the first every Saturday, was the guest speaker time that the coordinators decided to for the breakfast and reiterated the bring the four schools importance of partogether to bridge the ent engagement in a “We are 100 percent community with one child’s education, speinvested in our meeting as a part of cifically the father’s. community. We need the State program, “We know that we Dads Take Your Child need more dads to your strength, we need to School Day. be engaged,” he said. your advice and we Terry Gilliard, co“We cannot just walk need your ordinator for the Prearound and expect partnership.” paratory Academy DOE to educate our for Writers, said that – Sandra Dorsett children. Don’t get the City is looking for disconnected from data and numbers on the schools. Every what is successful in making parents one of you are responsible for the be a part of the educational process. change in our community.”

“Each individual coordinator is Sandra Dorsett, coordinator for responsible for their own workshops George Washington Carver High and we figured, why not bring them School for the Sciences, said that all together?” she said. “It’s about bet- of the coordinators live and work in ter parent engagement as well. They the community so they are commitwon’t feel like they’re on the outside ted to working with the parents for a because we let them feel involved.” stronger relationship.

Principals from the four schools “We are 100 percent invested in

Photo by Jordan Gibbons

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

All of the fathers who attended the breakfast received certificates of appreciation.

our community,” she said. “We need your strength, we need your advice and we need your partnership.”

She said that their building has an open door and it works as a community, which has led to its success.

“It’s a building that is not just thriving, it’s excelling,” Dorsett said.

Stephanie Smiley, coordinator for Queens Preparatory Academy, told the attendees that there will be a variety of workshops throughout the year that involve fathers, mothers, grandparents and students.

She also informed them about a variety of resources that they have

available for parents and students, such as tax forms, legal services and green card information.

Marc Haywood attended the breakfast because he grew up with a family that was deeply engaged in his life and education.

“I believe that we need to get involved, because I’ve seen it in my family,” he said. “Any type of activity in schools, I try and be a part of it.

It helps them excel, knowing we’re a part of their education and growth.”

Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons2.

Sept. 19-25, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Parents And Students Rally For Changes At Queens Gateway Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School is under investigation by the Dept. of Education, but several parents, students and alumni gathered in front of the school on Sept. 12 to reaffirm the need for action.

The DOE opened an investigation after Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) wrote a letter following a conversation with PTA President Sandra Clarke-Williams and former Student Body President David Aronov, who allege the school’s declining focus on health sciences and unfavorable administrative practices by Principal Judy Henry.

Aronov graduated from Gateway earlier this year, but felt so strongly about the need for change at the school that he helped to organize the rally with the hopes of seeing the DOE complete a thorough investigation.

“As far as I know, they haven’t interviewed any students,” he said. “I don’t know how they’re going to do a full investigation without hearing from the students.”

Aronov currently works part-time for Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) while he attends Hunter College. He said he is dedi-

Photo by Jordan Gibbons

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

Current students gathered in front of Queens Gateway during first period to speak out against their principal.

cated to pushing for changes at the school and will reach out to whomever he has to for some answers.

“We’ve contacted the Chancellor’s office and heard nothing back,” he said. “If nothing goes, we’re going to the Public Advocate and then the Mayor.”

Michael Carter is a senior at the school and he said that the school offers too many things that students

do not need and not enough of what they do.

“High school is supposed to be fun and we’re supposed to learn new things, but there’s nothing offered after school,” Carter said. “It’s keeping the students from being involved with the school.”

Sandra Clarke-Williams, who has had three of her children graduate from Gateway, said they are not going

anywhere and will see this through to the end.

She mentioned one issue that carried over from last year was the lack of a book return policy. She said that since students were not told when to return textbooks, a lot of them did not and this year, they have a shortage of books.

“Communication is a big issue,” she said. “When the principal speaks, you see the next day that everything was a lie.”

Derek Braithwaite also had three of his children graduate from the school and was co-president of the PTA up until June.

Braithwaite said that Henry’s administrative skills are really poor and that the school has trouble handling very simple tasks, such as sending summer reading packages to former students who have already graduated.

“We can’t control her personality, but we can talk about her administrative abilities,” he said. “This never used to happen. We had issues before Principal Henry, but we would manage. They make no attempt to bring the parties together and talk. Everybody is quiet.”

Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons2.

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 19-25, 2014

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

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Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

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Reporters: Jordan Gibbons Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Jackie Strawbridge Art Dept:

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A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2014 Tribco, LLC

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

More Stadium Games It seems as though the concept of bringing a new soccer stadium to Queens is the idea that just will not die.

A proposal to bring a new Major League Soccer stadium to the Borough’s most-used green space, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, was abandoned after residents, officials and community leaders raised considerable opposition to the proposal. The loss of parkland, the traffic congestion caused by events and the lack of transparency with the proposal was too much, even for those who would champion a new stadium in Queens.

MLS eventually abandoned the idea and skipped over to the Bronx. The new NYC Football Club will play its inaugural season at Yankee Stadium while it searches for a home. While many expected the Bronx to now house the stadium, reports are circulating this week that MLS might want to come back to Queens, this time building the stadium adjacent to the Aqueduct racetrack in South Ozone Park.

While we certainly feel that the Aqueduct location, also close to the Resorts World Casino, would be a better spot for the stadium than in the middle of a well-used and much-beloved park, the concept still raises some concerns. Increased traffic, a need for more public transportation and the impact on the quality of life of surrounding residents could all cause problems.

Soccer is the fastest-growing sport in terms of popularity in the country, and certainly a soccer stadium housing a quality team at the major-league level could be a significant boon for the Borough.

But if a soccer stadium is to be built, MLS and the City must make the process transparent, so we do not feel as though the league is making an end run around the necessary bureaucracy.

Letters Stop Rewarding Bad Behavior

To The Editor: The NFL should be called the National Felons League because a rap sheet is a requirement for landing on team rosters. Those responsible for hiring & harboring violent offenders must pay for their atrocious conduct.

Firing Roger Goodell isn’t enough. Let’s sack the the NFL on the bottom line by ending its tax exemption. This $10 billion money machine, which pays its CEO $35 million annually, is designated by the IRS as a non-profit, tax exempt trade association.

The NFL is the only major professional sports league enjoying this privilege. Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) introduced a bill to end this tax dodge, which drew poor

early support because NFL lobbyists have the best Congress money can buy. But 16 women senators now demand the NFL’s zero tolerance for domestic violence. They must reinforce their demand by backing Sen. Coburn’s bill & urging their colleagues to pass it. This is a chance for Red and Blue state’ legislators to show their true colors. Are they true champions of women’s wellbeing or testosterone-fueled NFL cheerleaders. Contact N.Y. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, and House Representatives Grace Meng and Joe Crowley.

Tell them to stop pro football from ripping off taxpayers and rewarding greedy owners and officials for bad behavior.

The NFL deserves a penalty flag for its failures.

Dick Reif, Flushing

WRITE ON: The PRESS of Southeast Queens, 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357. email news@queenspress.com Fax: (718) 357-9417

Ray Rice’s Fall From Grace Is A Teachable Moment A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Domestic violence is in the news again and this time more people are paying attention than we have seen given to the matter since the OJ Simpson trial for the murder of his former wife and her friend.

Once again, the man at the center of the debacle is a football player, this time, Ray Rice formerly of the Baltimore Ravens. Unlike the Simpson case, no one died and there is a video clip showing the abuse underway. And what a scene!

The victim of Rice’s fists of fury was his then-fiancé, now wife, Janay Palmer. It would seem that Palmer threw the first, seemingly light punch before they got on an elevator in an Atlantic City casino. Rice seemed to take it in stride until the elevator doors closed and that’s when he retaliated with a punch to the fact that sent the poor woman sprawling.

To add insult to injury, Rice dragged her seemingly unconscious body out of the elevator like a heavy rag doll.

It’s heartbreaking to see any

human treated that way.

It’s not hard to imagine that a punch that could render someone unconscious could very easily have killed the victim if it had landed a few inches higher. What Rice exhibited in the assumed privacy of that elevator was rage unbridled. In that elevator, the charismatic athlete transformed into something his fans would never have imagined.

Every day in this country – not to mention around the world -- women are being beaten, dragged, killed or in some other way abused and degraded. Most men get to do it privately, just as Rice thought no one would know that he had punched out his woman’s light in an elevator, countless other men – and some women too – abuse their “romantic” partner.

The camera in that elevator has done abused women everywhere a great favor. It has once again put the spotlight on this epidemic. Rice’s punishment when the Ravens saw the video was a two-game suspension. Now that it has been seen everywhere, he has now been cut from the team

and faces indefinite suspension from the NFL. Does the punishment fit the crime? Maybe it does; and maybe it’s not the right way to go on a permanent basis. But whatever the right answer is to that question, one thing seems certain: Rice needs counseling and so does Ms. Palmer-Rice.

She needs to have her head examined for marrying a man who could treat her that way.

She has taken responsibility for her role in the elevator incident.

Victims of domestic violence often do that. It is how they justify forgiving and staying.

What women need to understand is that their abuser is only sorry for as long as the latest beating still hurts the body that took the brunt of it. You can’t change the problem by marrying the guy or by forgiving him over and over. I saw it happen to two of my own aunts until they finally woke up and left the monsters.

The actor and former football player, Terry Crews spoke out on the matter last week divulging that the horrifying scene the world saw in the Rice video is what he (Crews) grew up with as the

norm. Crews seems to have broken the cycle in his family, and many do. Rice needs to take note.

At this point, it’s easier to condemn Ray Rice than to extend any generosity of spirit toward him. However, with his secret out of the elevator, he and his wife may end up doing more good for battered women than they ever thought possible. Mortified as they are by the video going public; and panicked as they may be by the obliteration of his career and financial picture, they may in fact save some lives.

This is a teachable moment for people on every side of this issue: the abusers, victims, prospective abusers and prospective victims, employers and supporters. This incident has started the conversation again. Let’s keep it going and let’s learn something of value from it.

As a society, we hero-worship athletes way too much.

We put them upon pedestals from which they are bound to fall because they are humans.

But if only they would not do such stupid things to fall so hard!

Sept. 19-25, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Dear Residents of Queens and Friends of the Queens Borough Public Library: We are the six former Trustees of the Queens Library who Melinda Katz, the Queens Borough President, recently removed.

Since she took office, Ms. Katz embarked on a campaign to improperly discredit and dismantle the Library Board of Trustees for her own ends. Ten of the Trustees who were on the Board at the beginning of the year are no longer there. We write this letter to explain who we are and what we have fought to preserve in this wonderful institution.

We brought a federal lawsuit to preserve the Library’s independence from an individual politician.

Ms. Katz removed us from the Library Board when we refused to agree to her political demands. But that is not what she told the public. Ms. Katz claimed that our actions were not in furtherance of the Library’s educational purpose. That is simply false.

Ms. Katz’s actions have been harmful to the people of Queens. She manufactured a crisis by spreading false accusations about the Library. She threatened to, and then did, withhold City money from community libraries in need of repairs because we refused to vote her way. She misled the public by claiming that the Board had refused to allow the City Comptroller to audit taxpayer funds, when in fact the City Comptroller had been auditing Library records for City taxpayer funds since February 2014. In fact, the City has always had complete access to audit the Library’s City funds. What Ms. Katz really wanted was access to private donations - information that we believed we had an obligation to protect.

Ms. Katz’s tactics to disparage the Library and our stewardship were so egregious that they sparked a whistleblower complaint under New York law. We supported that investigation. Six days later she removed us from the Board.

Library independence preserves Freedom of Thought, or your library is Katz’s political poker chip.

Andrew Carnegie founded the Library on the principle that a public library must be free of undue political influence. For over 100 years, the Queens Library has operated as an independent, self-governing private corporation. Ms. Katz decided to unravel that. She engineered a new law that allowed her to remove trustees at will. She then used her power to remove us because we refused to be bullied. We obeyed our duty to follow our best judgment - not her political agenda. She responded by maligning us in the press and misleading the public.

The American Library Association called Katz’s law a “dangerous precedent for libraries and library boards around the nation,” and warns that “[f]reedom of information and freedom of thought cannot exist in a system where undue political influence can be brought to bear arbitrarily.”

We faithfully and successfully worked to further the Library’s educational purpose.

We six served the Library for a collective 120 years. We are long-time residents of Queens. We volunteered countless hours to the Library because we cared. During our tenure, the Library was awarded the prestigious “Library of the Year” award, selected as the best library in the nation, and won over 50 national and local awards. It was the first library in NYC to lend patrons e-readers and Google tablets. We opened doors to immigrants by providing information, English classes, and cultural literacy. We secured a $6 million private grant to perpetually fund an Adult Learning and English as a Second Language program, and built the world’s largest 24/7 auto book return system.

Success like this does not just happen. It was cultivated through years of responsible stewardship, strong leadership and smart management. Queens Library employees are committed to our mission and are the best anywhere in the world. Our President & CEO for the last 11 years has been critical to our success, and our decision to compensate him at par with his peers was appropriate.

It has been an honor and privilege to serve you and it is unfortunate the Borough President has decided to disregard our dedicated years of service.

Sincerely, JACQUELINE E. ARRINGTON WILLIAM JEFFERSON

TERRI C. MANGINO JOSEPH R. FICALORA

GRACE LAWRENCE GEORGE L. STAMATIADES

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 19-25, 2014

King Manor Ushers In New Citizens Jamaica resident Judith Aqui immigrated to Queens from Trinidad and Tobago, but now she can proudly say she is officially an American citizen.

On Wednesday, Aqui was one of 62 new U.S. citizens who were sworn in at King Manor Museum on the 227th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution, which is also nationally recognized as Citizenship Day. She is looking forward to finally bringing her children to her new country and is anticipating being an active member in the community.

“I’m anxious to get involved in the politics in this country,” she said.

“I’m happy that the ceremony is here, because I live in this area and I always saw this building but I never knew what it was about.”

King Manor, the former home of one of the original signers of the Constitution, Rufus King, hosted the annual naturalization ceremony in Jamaica.

Emily Melchin, manager of public programs at King Manor, said that the location of the event was a perfect fit for the new citizens.

“It’s just really exciting that they are becoming citizens here at the home of one of the founders of the Constitution,” she said.

Local officials, such as Borough President Melinda Katz, Councilmen Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) and Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) attended the event to congratulate the newest members of the U.S. and thank them for their dedication.

“Just so all of you know, you are in the Borough that is the most diverse in the entire world,” Katz said. “You gave up a lot; you worked very hard.

I want to congratulate you, but most of all, I want to thank you for making the Borough of Queens your home.”

Judge Kiyo Matsumoto of the U.S. Federal Court’s Eastern District was at the ceremony to deliver the Administration of Oath to complete their citizenship into the country.

As the attendees and their family members stood and raised their right hands, Matsumoto swore them in and encouraged them to make the most of their new home.

“The United States is now just as much your country as it is our country,” she said prior to the oath. “I urge all of you to become active in this Democracy of ours.”

That is exactly what Aqui plans to do now that she can call herself an American. She is also looking forward to bringing her two children to America, even though she said they are very successful back in Trinidad and Tobago.

Photos by Jordan Gibbons

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

The naturalization ceremony consisted of 62 new Americans being sworn in as citizens and allowed them to sign their name under a replica of the original Constitution.

“When they come here, I know they will do well,” she said. “I just want to give them the opportunity to come and see America for themselves.”

The attendees were also treated to a recording of President Barack Obama officially welcoming them into America with an inspirational statement that commended them for the hard work that helped them achieve their citizenship.

Another Jamaica resident, Maria Goursahab, came to America from Greece, but now she is happy to call herself an American.

She currently works in insurance, but she is looking towards the future where she would like to help other immigrants, such as herself, go through the same process so they can feel the same way she did when she received her certificate.

“I’m very proud; I worked very hard and I want to work even harder,” she said. “Hopefully, one day I will work for the USCIS.” Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons2.

Judge Kiyo Matsumoto (bottom) delivered the Administration of Oath, officially completing the citizenship process.

Sept. 19-25, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 19-25, 2014

718-690-7340

PlazaCollege.edu/info

118-33 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, NY 11375

Sept. 19-25, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Police Blotter 102nd Precinct

Robbery

The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance with the location and identity of the following individual wanted in connection to a robbery.

At approximately noon on Sept.

11, an unknown male entered the Prime Convenience Store, located at 78-21 Atlantic Ave. The suspect displayed a silver-handled gun and demanded money from the store worker. The suspect received about $2,500 and fled the store westbound on Atlantic Avenue.

The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 25 years old, 6-foot, 175 lbs. The suspect was last seen wearing a black and gold baseball hat, black sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-tips, visit www. nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637(CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.

105th Precinct

Pedestrian Struck

At 8:26 p.m. on Sept. 12 on Rockaway Boulevard just west of Brookville Boulevard, police responded to a 911 call of a male struck by a vehicle.

Upon arrival, police observed the aided, a 24-year-old male, unconscious and unresponsive with severe blunt force trauma to the body. EMS responded and pronounced the victim dead at the scene. The collision investigation determined that the aided was operating a motorcycle when it became disabled in the right lane of Rockaway Boulevard. The aided was met by several individuals to assist in loading the motorcycle on a pickup truck parked in front of the motorcycle.

While doing so, a Chevy van traveling east on Rockaway Boulevard struck the rear of the pickup truck and the pedestrians. A second vehicle traveling behind the van then struck the rear of the van. Four additional pedestrians and the operator of the

van were all removed to Jamaica Hospital, where they were listed in stable condition.

The investigation is ongoing.

109th Precinct

Robbery

The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying the following individual wanted for a robbery of a livery cab that took place at 2 p.m. on Sept. 1 at 131-25 Avery Ave., within the confines of the 109th Precinct.

The suspect was picked up at 85th Avenue and Parsons Boulevard and asked the driver to make numerous stops in Queens. When they got to the above location, the suspect simulated a firearm and demanded money from the driver before fleeing the scene on foot.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 5-foot-6, 200 lbs., with a scar on his forehead.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-tips, visit www.

nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637(CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.

110th Precinct

Rape Arrest

On Sept. 11, the NYPD arrested an individual in connection to an attempted rape that occurred within the confines of the 110th Precinct on Aug. 16.

According to a police report, officers arrested Jorge Chabla, 31, of Elmhurst, and charged him with firstdegree attempted rape, second-degree robbery, sex abuse and third-degree assault in regards to an incident where the suspect allegedly approached a 23-year-old female, punched her and attempted to grab the victim while she was on the ground.

Got info?

Call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-tiPS (8477) or text tips to CRiMES (274637) then enter TIPS577

Borough Beat

Quinn Carey Talks About The Library’s Future

BY JOE MARVILLI It is a new day at the Queens Library, as Bridget Quinn Carey has taken over as interim president and CEO. Quinn Carey, who served as the library’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, moved up after the Board of Trustees, featuring several new members, approved a motion on Sept. 11 to put Thomas Galante on paid administrative leave.

Galante had been at the center of controversy surrounding the Queens Library this year, due to his salary and outside activities.

Before joining the Queens Library, Quinn Carey was the director of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System. She is also a former member and chair of the New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries.

Quinn Carey said she was happy to be named as the interim CEO for the Queens Library, stating that she plans to move the library past its troubles by promoting all the programs it offers for Queens residents.

“This is an amazing institution and a library I’m passionate about.

To be asked to lead is an honor and a privilege,” she said. “I think we really

are looking forward to focusing on all the wonderful programs we offer for the community. By introducing things like expanded early-learning opportunities, that really demonstrates that the library is moving forward. We’re looking to a bright future.”

Those early learning programs are for both children and their families, applying mainly to those younger than 5 years old. The Queens Library is part of the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative, along with the Brooklyn Public Library and the New York Public Library systems. It is also launching new programs like Family Place, an interactive learning experience that kids and parents/caretakers can share.

“Parents and caregivers are the first teachers, so we want them to know not only what the library has to offer, but what the community has to offer,” she said.

One of Quinn Carey’s stated first goals is to look at increasing transparency and communication between the library and the public. At the same meeting where Galante was put on leave, the Board of Trustees voted in favor of giving Comptroller Scott Stringer full access to all financial documents he requested for his audit.

Bridget Quinn Carey

A more open library is something that Quinn Carey plans to look into.

“We can certainly look to provide more information about what we do.

I’m looking at how to enhance access to that information,” she said.

“That’s one of my first orders of business, to take a comprehensive review of how we [reveal information].”

In terms of technology, Quinn Carey said that the library’s mobile tablet application and platform have been very successful so far. She added that the Nexus tablets available for rent at eight south Queens and Rockaway locations will soon spread to all of the Borough’s branches, hopefully by the end of the year.

The renovation of existing branch-

es and the construction of new ones will continue under Quinn Carey’s leadership. She said that many branches need upgrades or expansions to serve their communities.

“A lot of libraries are on the small side. A lot of those facilities aren’t big enough to serve. Some of them are complete renovations or new builds,” she said. “The capital program is still ongoing. That not only enables us to better serve our community, but it makes our buildings more energy-efficient.”

Quinn Carey added that the Queens Library also plans to discuss the needs of each neighborhood with civic leaders, such as the community boards and friends groups, to make sure it is serving Queens residents the best it can. She said the library is looking forward to continuing its important role as part of the Queens community.

“The future of the Queens Library is bright and we look forward to continuing to bring world-class services to the community and welcome them in to our community libraries with open arms and give them what they’re looking for,” she said.

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

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 19-25, 2014

pix Airport Workers Rally

100 airport maintenance workers went on strike at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday to protest unfair labor practices, with charges filed by workers against Alstate Maintenance over the last year.

The Champs Are Here

Members of Big Apple Cricket Club posed with their trophy after they were crowned champions of the Eastern American Cricket Association Power-40 tournament last Sunday, when they defeated Atlantis Cricket Club at Baisley Pond Park in Southeast Queens.

Councilman Ruben Wills along with Mohammed Hack, from the office of the Queens Borough President, stand with officials and captains of the game.

Sept. 19-25, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

A&E

‘Talk Radio’ Revived At Chain Theatre

BY STeven J. FeRRARI The show may be set almost 30 years ago, but the message that resonates throughout “Talk Radio” is just as pertinent today as it was during the Me Decade of the 1980s.

The new show by Variations Theatre Group, on stage at the Chain Theatre in Long Island City, tells the tale of Barry Champlain, a Cleveland talk radio host, on the night he discovers that his show will soon be picked up nationwide. “Talk Radio” follows Champlain, played

by Kirk Gostkowski, over the course of a two-hour broadcast where things slowly begin to unravel for him.

Written by playwright Eric Bogosian and inspired by the 1984 murder of shock jock Alan Berg, Champlain spends

the show going back and forth not just with his coworkers but with a variety of off-the-wall characters who call in to harangue the host. Discussions run the gamut from politics to pets, a bomb scare and a drugaddled admirer appearing to join the host as he tries to finish the show.

Bogosian, a staple of the New York theatre scene, was nominated for a Pulitzer for the show.

In an intimate setting like the Chain Theatre, a small space that puts the audience just feet away from the characters as they interact, it is easy to be drawn in to the drama unfolding in front of you. Just a one-act play, the show’s 90 minute running time flies by. Several of the show’s characters – Champlain’s co-workers – address the audience in asides to give

Restaurant Review

more insight into Champlain’s personality.

Gostkowski, who is on stage for most of the show, has an undeniable charisma and an impressive presence that easily captivates the audience. Champlain is a larger-than-life character and Gost- Kirk Gostkowski in the Chain Theatre’s kowski plays him “Talk Radio.” with a swagger that would be familiar to many with Gostkowski and the of the talking heads featured show’s director, Greg Cicchion radio and television. no, the pair told the PRESS That swagger begins to fade of Southeast Queens that Varias Champlain faces a series ations Theatre Group chose of increasingly volatile con- “Talk Radio” to capitalize on frontations, and Gostkowski the buzz created by their predraws you in as the cracks in vious show, “Hurlyburly,” anChamplain’s façade become other show set in the 1980s, more evident. also starring Gostkowski.

During a conversation “We hit something with ‘Hurlyburly’ and we wanted to see if we could keep it going,”

40 Years Of Fantastic Food Portofino Ristorante 109-32 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills (718) 261-1239 www.portofinonewyork.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week Cuisine: Italian Takeout: Yes Alcohol: Yes Forest Hills’ familyowned Italian restaurant Portofino has been in business for 40 years. Given the quality of food, the delightful ambiance and the impeccable service, that should come as no surprise.

My girlfriend and I were instantly taken with the cozy feel and low-key decor of the restaurant. An accordion player offered music that was pleasant and not the least bit intrusive to our dining experience. As soon as we sat down, we were cared for by our attentive waiter, who always made sure we had everything we needed.

Of course, what makes or breaks a restaurant is the

food. Portofino exceeded every single expectation I had.

The quality and portions from start to finish were absolutely fantastic.

We started with hot antipasto and bruschetta to whet our appetites. The former featured shrimp, clams, mussels, stuffed mushrooms, eggplant rollatini and zucchini oreganata in a light red sauce. Each item was delectable, blending wonderfully with the sauce. It was a great serving for two to share.

When it comes to dinner, it’s all about the entrée, and Portofino’s were perfect in nearly every way. I ordered the Veal Della Casa, intrigued by its mix of veal scallopini, shrimp and asparagus in a light cream sauce. The veal was beyond tender, slathered

in a sauce that invigorated all of my taste buds. The shrimp and asparagus were excellent companions to the veal, throwing in a whole new world of flavor.

My girlfriend, who is not big on hyperbole, ordered the pork ossobuco in a brown sauce over rice and called it one of the most delicious things she has ever eaten. From the bite I tried, I was in complete agreement.

After a delicious dessert of coffee and chocolate cake, my girlfriend and I were left completely satisfied with every aspect of our evening at Portofino.

Maybe next time, we will try the Tuesday night buffet, which runs from 6 p.m. until closing, or the restaurant’s Sunday brunch, which goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Either way, I know we, and anyone else who enters Portofino’s doors, will end their experience with a meal to remember.

–Joe Marvilli

Gostkowski said.

The actor noted that the themes in the show were still relevant today and credited the playwrights in the 1980s for being daring.

“A lot of these guys kind of hit their stride writing about the present day, and revival of it just happened to be in the 80s,” Cicchino said.

Variations Theatre Group’s production of “Talk Radio” will continue at the Chain Theatre, 21-28 45th Road in Long Island City, through Sept. 27. For information, or to purchase tickets, visit variationstheatregroup.com.

Reach Steven J. Ferrari at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 122, email sferrari@queenstribune. com or @stevenferrari.

Art Transforms nYSCI entrance

BY JOe MARvILLI For the next year, the entrance to the New York Hall of Science will look a little different.

As of Sept. 12, the entrance to the science museum now features Scattered Light, an exhibit by artist Richard Esterle. It is made of 528 pieces of 26-foot long strips of fluorescent orange and pink flagging tape. Due to the nature of the tape, the exhibit will look different throughout the day, as the sunlight hits the circular entrance to the museum from different angles.

Esterle is an artist, architect and the inventor of the Nobbly Wobbly ball, the Klackeroo, Space Chips, and the Amazing Geometry Machine. He often combines science and art for his exhibits.

“He has done some beautiful work in other museums, and we had the opportunity to create a new installation for our entrance rotunda,”

the museum’s director and chief content officer, Eric Siegel, said.

Esterle said he was drawn to the design of NYSCI’s entrance rotunda and open space, with large windows letting the sun through and allowing his exhibit to constantly change.

“The NYSCI rotunda’s shape geometry, windows and skylights offer a great space to expand on my Light series, providing a place to observe the rotation of the Earth and its relationship to the sun, and by association, our relationship to the world,” he said. “Since the art piece is in a science hall, it offers the added chance to think about the origins of science and quest for understanding and ‘seeing’ the world.”

Scattered Light will be on view until Sept. 13, 2015 and is free with NYSCI admission.

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

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 19-25, 2014

QUEENS TODAY

FRIDAY 9/19 ARTURO O’FARRILL QUARTET

There will be two sessions, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Flushing Library is located at 41-17 Main St.

Come to Flushing Town Hall for a night of hot Latin jazz with Grammy award winning pianist, composer and educator Arturo O’Farrill. He will perform with his quartet featuring Zack O’Farrill on drums, Adam O’Farrill on trumpet and Walter Stinson on bass. $25 for general admission, $20 for members, $10 for students. Music starts at 8 p.m. For more information, call (718) 463-7700.

SATURDAY 9/20

QUEENS COUNTY FAIR

The Queens County Farm Museum will hold its 32nd annual Queens County Fair on Saturday and Sunday. Taking place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the fair will feature blue ribbon competitions in livestock, home crafts, arts & crafts, pie-eating and corn-husking contests, pig races, hayrides, carnival rides, midway games and kids’ entertainment

by Big Apple Circus To-Go. Visit the Bavarian Garden for Irish music on Saturday and German music on Sunday.

Admission is $9 per adult and $5 per child.

VILLALOBOS BROTHERS

Blending the indigenous rhythms and melodies of their native Veracruz with the intricate harmonies of jazz and classical music, the Villalobos Brothers deliver an intoxicating brew of musical virtuosity that awakens the senses as it redefines notions of Latin music. The concert at the Flushing Library will include a question-and-answer session with the artists.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK FRIDAY 9/19

JASON MRAZ Two-time Grammy award winner Jason Mraz will perform at Queens College’s Colden Auditorium at 8 p.m.

Best known for songs like “I’m Yours” and “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry),” Mraz is touring in support of his latest album, “YES!” He will be accompanied by pop band Raining Jane.

Tickets cost between $25 and $75. To buy tickets, visit http://kupferbergcenter.org or call the box office at (718) 793-8080.

WORLD MAKER FAIRE

A festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, the fifth World Maker Faire will arrive at the New York Hall of Science.

Highlighting what people are making, it provides a forum to learn by sharing knowledge and experience. Around 600 makers will exhibit their projects in addition to performances, demonstrations and a speaker roster including authors, innovators and leading thinkers in the Maker movement. The faire will take place on Saturday and Sunday, opening at 10 a.m. To learn more, visit http://nysci.org/event/worldmaker-faire-2014.

JULIE AND JULIA AT HUNTER’S POINT

Saturday on the Long Island City waterfront, the Hunters Point Park Conservancy, NestSeekers International and LIC Landing present the Oscar winning movie “Julie and Julia.” The Hunters Point Park Conservancy selected this movie because much of the movie was filmed in Long Island City and it was inspired by Long Island City resident Julie Powell, who will attend the movie and answer questions. The movie starts at 7:30 p.m. on the oval by the NY Waterways Ferry, at Borden Avenue and 2nd Street. For more information, email robbasch@hunterspointparks.org.

LIVE MUSIC IN CORONA

Stop by the Florence E. Smith Senior Center in Corona this Saturday afternoon for some live music. Patrick Poladian will be performing on piano with David Shaich on bass and drums. Performance from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more

RIDGEWOOD MARKET

information, call Teresa or Annette at (718) 899-0553.

VIVA LA COMIDA!

Viva la Comida! is a festival presented by the 82nd Street Partnership, highlighting Queens culture with food and food trucks, music, art, dancing, entertainment and more. The open air festival will take place Saturday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call (718) 335-9421).

PASTA DINNER PARTY

The WRBA is hosting a fundraiser for the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Beginning at 5 p.m., the theme for the event will be a ’50s pasta dinner party.

All proceeds raised from the event will go towards the ambulance corps, which has come under financial trouble.

“Anonymous: Contemporary Tibetan Art.” Video screenings, a gallery walkthrough and “Offerings,” an artistic performance by Tenzing Rigdol, will all take place during the ceremony, which runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

To learn more, visit www. queensmuseum.org/events/ opening-reception-foranonymous-contemporarytibetan-art.

KAYO DOT

Kayo Dot will perform a set at Trans Pecos in Ridgewood. Supporting them will be Islaja and III Convoy. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets for the performance cost $10. Trans Pecos is located at 915 Wyckoff Ave.

CAPTAIN FAUST

The Amazing Captain Faust will perform two shows to entertain the kids at the Forest Park Carousel. The shows are part of the weekly live entertainment that perform at the merry-go-round. Captain Faust’s shows will take place at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SUNDAY 9/21 ANONYMOUS OPENING RECEPTION

Join the Queens Museum for its opening reception for

PRESERVING THE HARVEST

At Flushing Town Hall at 1 p.m., a hands-on workshop will demonstrate the basics of canning and lacto-fermentation in foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi. Learn to preserve local, seasonal produce in healthful ways.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for members and $5 for children.

ST. LUKE’S CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble will appear at Flushing Library as part of its five-borough library tour.

The group is performing music for wind quintet by Barber, Bach, Bozza, Ligeti and Paquito D’Rivera. The concert takes place in the lower level auditorium, starting at 2 p.m.

The Ridgewood Market will take place at Gottscheer Hall. There will be plenty of food, pastries and alcohol for everyone to enjoy. There will also be live music and other forms of entertainment at the market.

It is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

MONDAY 9/22

AUTUMN BEGINS

TUESDAY 9/23

POETRY READING

Some Queens-based poets will perform at Neir’s Tavern. Come have a beer, eat some food and listen to some terrific poetry. The show will begin at 7 p.m.

Neir’s Tavern is located at 8748 78th St. in Woodhaven.

WEDNESDAY 9/24

ROSH HASHANAH BEGINS AT SUNDOWN

GOT EVENTS?

Send all information to editor@queenstribune.com or mail to: 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

Sept. 19-25, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Profile

Local 16-Year-Old Begins Early College Career

BY JORDAN GIBBONS South Ozone Park resident Cheyenne Simpson is not your typical 16-year-old. She recently started her first year of college, opting out of her last two years of high school to pursue her dreams at Bard College at Simon’s Rock.

Simpson’s academic and personal achievements helped her to secure a spot at the early college campus in Great Barrington, Mass.

The former Mary Louis Academy student is now one of 350 motivated students who are on track to graduate from college one or two years ahead of their peers.

“Simon’s Rock receives a number of impressive applications every year,” Chandra Joos deKoven, director of admission, said. “After a thorough and holistic review, Cheyenne’s readiness to engage in a highly rigorous college curriculum, potential for academic and personal success and ability to enrich our campus community were evident in her application.”

Simpson has been on campus for about a month and said she has

loved her experience thus far.

“I feel like I have more freedom,” she said. “In high school, you had to stay on the teacher’s task. I have more freedom in taking notes and it’s pretty straight forward.”

Simpson said that her work as a volunteer at hospitals, such as Mt. Sinai Beth Israel and New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, helped her stand out to get accepted for her scholarship.

She worked over the summer at Columbia University’s Neurology Dept., where she studied the MRIs of brain tumor patients.

“I’ve always wanted to be a doctor of some sort,” she said. “That made me lean more towards neurosurgery.”

Simon’s Rock is a campus that is strictly for early college students, according to Karen Anderson, associate director of communications at Simon’s Rock.

She said that SAT scores are not required and they base their scholarship selection process on a broad range of criteria, such as understanding their character, the interview pro-

Cheyenne Simpson

cess and their application essays.

“Students who come here are a part of intellectual peers their own age,” Anderson said. “They have a lot of freedom to explore a number of subjects and topics.”

Students have access to Bard College’s broader network of resources such as Bard’s International Center of Photography in Manhattan.

After two years at the school, students can receive an associate degree and transfer to another school or they can stay for four years and earn a bachelor’s degree.

Anderson said that half of the students at Simon’s Rock receive their Bachelor’s.

“We’re really looking for bright, motivated students,” Anderson said.

“It’s not always reflected in their grades. What most of these students have in common is they’re very motivated to learn and they’re very inquisitive by nature.”

Gillian Simpson, Cheyenne’s mother, said that they were slightly hesitant to the idea of her daughter going to college at such an early age, but they did their research on the school and they knew she was capable of doing the work. Now that Cheyenne is settled in, she is excited for her daughter.

“She has her independence and she’s doing all her work,” she said. “It made me feel better that she adapted well and it was a smooth transition. And it’s only two and half hours away.”

Applications for Simon’s Rock can be filled out at www.simonsrock.edu.

Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons2.

SAVE 40%

People Local students have been awarded $3,000 Merit Scholarships to attend SUNY Oswego beginning fall 2014.

They include: Richmond Hill: Kim Brian Fadul.

St. Albans: Roger Greenidge.

South Ozone Park: Bakari Morria.

Springfield Gardens: Shane Francis.

Jeharra Charles of Jamaica has received a $1,000 Merit Scholarship as a new transfer student to SUNY Oswego for the fall 2014 semester.

Local students were given the Dean’s Award for academic excellence for the spring 2014 semester at Colgate University in Hamilton.

They include: Jamaica: Samuel Dabakarov.

Queens Village: Jessica Benman.

St. Albans: Allana Edwards.

Army Pvt. Tristan Barrington has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received

On The Joyful Musical Celebration Of Life, Love & Family!

instruction and practice in basic combat skills Barrington is the son of Judith Barrington of Jamaica and is a 2007 graduate of Martin Van Buren High School in Queens Village.

2ND H S SMA R! YEA

Army Pvt. Mark Mills has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills Mills is the son of Byrel Melford of Rosedale and is a 2013 graduate of Academy for Careers in TV and Film in Astoria.

Army Pfc. Shado Caesar has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills Caesar is the sister of Seon Caesar of Jamaica and is a 2007 graduate of Hillcrest High School in Jamaica.

“A Winner!” -NY Beacon

WINNER 2011 Midtown International Theatre Festival

“Sweet & Sassy!” -NY Times

St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W 46th St •Broadwayoffers.com 212.947.8844 and use code: SIEMAIL39 Special rates for groups call 212.977.5925 SistasTheMusical.com *Offer subject to availability. Tickets reg. $69.50.

Regular service charges apply to phone and internet sales. Other restrictions may apply.

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 19-25, 2014

Faith

church Hosts westway Shelter residents

By Jackie StrawBridge Astoria’s Trinity Lutheran Church hosted a Community Supper for residents of the neighboring Westway Motel homeless shelter last Friday.

The supper was the second that Trinity Lutheran has held for Queens shelter residents, having also hosted families from Elmhurst’s Boulevard Family Center, and was open to residents of any religious affiliation or background.

The church has been holding a monthly community supper for about a year. Pastor Paul Milholland said that the shelter’s opening at Westway coincided with a sermon he was preparing on Mark 6:30-44, in which Jesus feeds a crowd of 5,000, which inspired him to invite the shelter residents to the event.

“I had read in the paper about how the community was so upset with the Westway,” Milholland said. “It happened that Sunday, the lesson had

Jesus saying when he was feeding the 5,000, ‘you give them something to eat.’”

“It was just an epiphany. I said, ‘that’s it – we’re called to feed them,’” Milholland added.

In July, the Dept. of Homeless Services opened the shelter in the Westway location without prior notification to the community, to the outrage of residents and elected officials.

Milholland has since been active in addressing shelter issues as a member of a Community Advisory Board convened on the subject. He said he hoped the Community Supper in particular would help welcome the shelter residents themselves into the surrounding area.

“My job is to see that our guests – even though they’re a mile and a half a way – they’re part of our Trinity family, and to give dignity to them,” Milholland said.

Volunteers at the dinner said they

came to learn about and interact with their new neighbors at Westway.

“This [community supper] is a way of reaching out to people who may not be Lutheran or have any religious leaning, but they’re members of our community and we’re just trying to demonstrate an openness and a welcome to people in the community,” said John Simmons.

Kathy Resnick said she was particularly glad for the opportunity to meet the children of the Westway shelter.

“It’s nice that we have these families here, that we can talk to them and learn about them a little bit, learn about the children, how they’re doing,” Resnick said. “The children are really wonderful, very sweet, very nice.”

“I’m so glad that Pastor Paul is doing this,” she added.

Dolores Webb is a resident of the shelter and a mother of a Kindergartener. She said she came to the

dinner to meet and interact with her new community.

“I chose to come to be a voice for the people who really feel like their voice doesn’t matter,” Webb said.

“First impressions are everything.

Maybe the first impression just hearing about us wasn’t what [the Astoria community] wanted to hear about.

But the idea and the reality of it is that we are human beings too and everybody goes through a hardship.”

Milholland said he wants to provide opportunities for fellowship and worship for the shelter residents in the future, and that he would like to expand the Community Supper to a weekly event.

For information about volunteering at Trinity Lutheran Church, located on 37th Street in Astoria, call (718) 278-0036.

Reach Reporter Jackie Strawbridge at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, jstrawbridge@queenstribune.com or @JNStrawbridge.

Notebook SONYC

Middle School afterschool Seats to double this year Middle school afterschool in New York City will see its biggest expansion in history this school year.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña and Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong announced last Friday the launch of School’s Out New York City, which will nearly double the total number of middle school afterschool seats to more than 78,000 throughout the course of the 20142015 school year.

SONYC is a DYCD model that brings sixth, seventh and eighth grade students out of the classroom to learn about topics of their choice, with activities ranging from cooking to dance to fashion design to sports.

The SONYC expansion will put $145 million in new funding towards creating 271 new programs and extending programs to be open Monday through Friday, 36 weeks per year.

SONYC programs are offered at no cost to students and are strategically located throughout communities in public and private schools,

community centers, religious institutions, public housing and recreational facilities.

There are more than 70 SONYC sites in Queens, according to the DYCD website.

“These high-quality SONYC programs come at a time in a young person’s development when they become ‘consumers’ and make their own life choices about what – and how – they learn. It is our responsibility to offer youth positive programming that is engaging, educational and fun, so they can make the transition from early adolescence to becoming responsible young adults,” Chong said in a statement released last week.

“Adolescence is such a critical and challenging period for our students, and enriching and engaging after-school programs give them the support they need during this time,” Fariña said. “This historic expansion of after-school is going to open new doors for our middle-schoolers, and bring us closer to our goal of meeting the whole needs of every child.”

Two middleschoolers from Jackson Heights’ IS 230 voiced their approval

of expanded afterschool at the launch as well.

“Afterschool gives us a safe place to be when the streets can seem scary.

It feels like a family to me,” said one student named Justin in a statement released last week.

His classmate, Stevan, added, “the after-school program has been my favorite part about school. I couldn’t wait for this new year to start with SONYC.”

Applications for middle school and elementary school afterschool programs are ongoing and available at nyc.gov/afterschool. Interested parties can also contact DYCD Youth Connect at (800) 246-4646 for further information.

Reach Reporter Jackie Strawbridge at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, jstrawbridge@queenstribune.com or @JNStrawbridge.

School Honors

Photo by Bob Harris

By Jackie StrawBridge

Pan american international High School in elmhurst recently honored dr. Pedro Noguera, a sociologist and teacher who helped to design the school. Noguera’s works are also read by the students at Pan american.

Noguera is pictured with parents and officials from the school.

Sept. 19-25, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

What’s Up Sept. 19 ‘the Godfather’ The Queens Library Central branch is having a screening of the Academy Award winning film, “The Godfather.” The 1972 film is based on the novel and screenplay by Mario Puzo and directed and co-written by Francis Ford Coppola. The story is a tale of an Italian-American family in the middle of an organized crime war in New York City. It stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton. It is rated R and the screening is from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The library is located at 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica.

Book Signing C. Alex Hortis will be on hand at the Queens Library Central branch for an author talk and book signing for his first full-length book, “The Mob and the City,” Friday evening from 4:30 to 6 p.m.. The informative, authoritative and eye-opening book is devoted exclusively to uncovering the hidden history of how the mafia came to dominate organized crime in the City from the 1930s to the 1950s. Books will be available for sale and signing after the discussion.

The branch is located 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica.

Senior Acting The Queens Library Queens Village branch is calling all older adults for their STARs: Senior Theater Acting Repertory on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Join their galaxy of STARs and perform theatrical works at the library with a great group of people. The branch is located at 9411 217th St., Queens Village.

Magic Workshop The Queens Library Laurelton branch will have internationally-acclaimed magician Seth Dale in the building on Friday for a workshop from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dale will shock and amaze in this magic workshop.

The Laurelton branch is located at 134-26 225th St.

Sept 20 Hands-on History Happy Constitution Day! King Manor Museum will be hosting “We the People,” from noon to 3 p.m.

Create American flags in 19th century designs and practice writing with a quill and ink on fancy paper. Tour the museum and learn about Rufus King’s role in writing and signing the Constitution. This is a free event located at King Manor Museum, King Park, Jamaica Avenue between 150th

ONGOiNG Food pantry

and 153rd Streets, Jamaica.

For more information, visit www.kingmanor.org.

Greater Springfield Community Church distributes food every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m., while supplies last at the church located at 177-06 129th Ave., Jamaica. For more information, call (718) 527-0100.

Fight Night New Legend Boxing presents a night of professional boxing with Frank Galarza as the main event. Tickets cost $50. The fight is located at Resorts World Casino New York City, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica.

For more information, visit www.rwnewyork.com.

Jamaica Farmers’ Market

Call to Action Rochdale Village Community Relations Committee is hosting The Fatherhood Call To Action meeting this Saturday from the Jamaica Farmers’ Market 1 to 4 p.m. The goal is to empower adults and children with the necessary tools and Sept. 20-21 resources they may not know are Breast Cancer Screening available. Literature and informaThe American-Italian Cancer tion will be provided to attendees. Foundation mobile, No-Cost Breast This is a free event to the public Cancer Screening Program, which and includes poetry readings, the- provides mammograms and clinical ater performances and food. There breast exams to uninsured and mediwill be several guest speakers at the cally underserved City women is event including Tunette Powell and scheduled to conduct screenings in a Tulane Holder, co-authors of “Dad- variety of areas in Southeast Queens dyless to Destiny” and co-founders over the next few weeks. They will be of The Turth Heals, and Devon at New Jerusalem Baptist Church on Bandison, father, speaker and CEO Saturday, which is located at 122-05 and founder of NowLegacy. The Smith St., Rochdale Village. On Sunevent will be located at 169-65 137th day, they will be at the Queensboro Ave., Jamaica in the Rochdale Vil- Temple, which is located at 96-50 lage Community Rooms 12/13.

222nd St., Queens Village.

Curryfest Come on out and be a part of various competitions and exhibitions, including a food competition/display, live entertainment, cricket, a fashion show, a car and bike show, the Tassa Drummers, a kiddie carnival and vendors. Admission is free and the gates open at 10 a.m. There will also be the 20/20 Inter-County Softball Finals.

The fest will be at Roy Wilkins Park, located at 119-08 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica. The entrance is on Merrick and Foch Blvd. Potential vendors can call (718) 659-6162, (347) 6450046, (518) 346-2443 or (718) 7384600 for booth reservations.

Memoir Mapping The Queens Library Central branch will have authors TS Bradley and Emmanuelle (Laura Torres) in the building on Saturday to host a memoir-writing workshop that will help release the inner voice you’ve been longing to hear. The workshop is from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 22 Defensive Driving The Queens Library Laurelton branch is having a six-hour AARP course designed for seniors, but drivers of all ages are welcome. AARP is offering the course so there is a minimal fee to attend. AARP members pay $20 and nonmembers pay $25. Checks or money orders must be payable to AARP only. The class will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Preregister with Ms. Downing at (718) 479-8914. The Laurelton branch is located at 134-26 225th St.

Sept. 26 Senior Acting The Queens Library Queens Village branch is calling all older adults for their STARs: Senior Theater Acting Repertory on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Join their galaxy of STARs and perform theatrical works at the library with a great group of people. The branch is located at 9411 217th St., Queens Village.

The Jamaica Farmers’ Market is open every Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 20. The market is held on 160th Street just outside the entrance of the Jamaica Market between Jamaica Avenue and 90th Street. Free one hour parking is provided for Farmers Market customers only.

photo exhibit York College just opened their month-long photographic exhibit, “Caribbean Carnival Portraits: The Photography of Mario Picayo and Mariano Hernandez,” which pays homage to Caribbean carnivals. It features image from Picayo and Hernandez, two of the Caribbean’s most prolific photographers. They have chased the excitement of Caribbean carnivals for more than 25 years and their work has been featured within the pages of books, magazines and brochures.

Game Day The Queens Library Queens Village branch invites children in grades 1 to 6 to join them every Friday afternoon to play their favorite card and board games from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Game Club/Movie time The Queens Library Laurelton branch youth counselors play games and watch educational movies with teens every Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Movie days are every second and fourth Friday of the month.

Game days are the first and third Friday of the month. The Laurelton branch is located at 134-26 225th St.

Calypso Cardio Every Friday, the Queens Library Laurelton branch hosts ShapeUp NYC: Calypso Cardio from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Instructor Debra Brown offers a total body workout that improves muscle strength, endurance and keeps the heart rate up to burn calories and strengthen the cardiopulmonary system. Space is limited and participation is on a first-come, first served basis. The Laurelton branch is located at 134-26 225th St.

The New King of Queens?

Q

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 19-25, 2014

Musicians OF QuEEns

Billy Conahan

QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari

State Sen. James Sanders and his wife, Andrea, at the Sept. 9 Primary victory party, from Sanders' Facebook page.

Incumbent State Sen. James Sanders (D-South Ozone Park) easily defeated his opponents in the 10th District Primary election on Sept. 9, but he may have his sights set on a bigger title.

After his win over Everly Brown and Gian Jones, Sanders showed up to his victory party at Liberty Palace party hall in his usual dapper attire along with his wife, Andrea.

After they were embraced

by their supporters the couple kicked back and relaxed on what can only be described as "his and her thrones."

While Sanders has already made the jump from City Councilman to State Senator, we here at QConf think the Senator may be setting the stage for his run at being the King of Queens.

We wonder if Kevin James has anything to say about that.

Contributors: Bruce Adler, Jordan Gibbons, Vladimir Grjonko, Luis Gronda, Walter Karling, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Michael Nussbaum, Michael Schenkler, Jackie Strawbridge.

Follow us on Twitter: @QueensTrib @SEQueensPress Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ QueensTrib facebook.com/ QueensPress

Queens On Candid Camera

Photo by Inaki Vinaixa, from Lincoln Center Local Facebook page

Quiet Dance Party In LIC Last Friday evening, while much of the Borough was enjoying after work drinks, heading out to a movie or packing for a weekend trip, a number of Queens people – including some elected officials – could be found quietly boogying at a park in Long Island City.

“Silent Disco,” an outdoor dance party thrown by Lincoln Center Local, brought two DJs to spin some tunes at Hunter’s Point South Park.

Instead of blasting the music through speakers, the partiers enjoyed it through

headphones, so dancing could go through the night without disturbing the surrounding area.

Participants included Borough President Melinda Katz, Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski.

Sounds like a lot of fun, but we here at QConf can only wonder what the scene - with hundreds of people in strange headwear shaking, jumping and shimmying in the quiet evening - must have looked like to an uninformed passerby.

Got Talent?

Email us at editor@queenstribune. com for inclusion in an upcoming edition of QConfdential!

The classic TV show Candid Camera brought its cameras out to Queens this week, filming segments in two different areas in the Borough.

First, it stopped at a house in Jamaica Estates, delivering eight color-coded trash cans to confuse residents.

During that segment, they explained to the residents that a new law requires them to use all the cans to dispose of their trash.

There was even a violetcolored can that the person from the show said to use if you have any toxic waste.

“In the occasion that you have any toxic waste, that goes in the violet [can],” he said, with a laugh track playing in the background.

Eventually, they tell them they are on Candid Camera, ending the seven-minute segment.

“You want to get a good reaction to a garbage routine, go to Queens, New York,” the cohost said after the segment.

Unfortunately, the show failed in its second stop, at the Silver Barn in Middle Village, which they mistakenly identified as being in Brooklyn.

Astoria’s Billy Conahan has one of the stranger path transitions out there, but one that feels classically New York. Born and raised in the City, Conahan got his start as a stand-up comedian when he was 13 years old. Playing several comedy clubs, the experience gave him the first taste of the live stage.

Flash forward to today and Conahan is still dominating the stage, this time as a rapper and songwriter.

As a student at Talent Unlimited High School For The Performing Arts, Conahan was writing verses and prose in every spare moment. After receiving his first guitar, he started putting his words to music. When he reached the senior year, Conahan started unveiling his talents in a rap collective called K.O.P. “K.O.P. was a rap group I formed in high school for a school project. It was an outlet to have fun with some friends,” he said. “One summer, we started writing a song a day. So, it definitely kept me on my toes. Trying to show up with the best piece created a friendly competition amongst us.”

That competitive attitude found its way onto Conahan’s mixtapes, where he mixes live instrumentation with samples to form an ear-grabbing platform to share his rhymes.

The mash-up lets Conahan combine his favorite parts of rock and rap music.

“I always wanted to be a frontman for a band. Love the energy and messing with arrangements. It also creates an exciting dynamic to work with, which leads into my use of samples,” Conahan said.

“I am a hip-hop purist, and a band allows for recreating

songs I cannot loop or sample without rearranging.”

The rapper’s latest mixtape, “Episode III: Illation,” is the conclusion of his “Episode” series, which he said matched with changing aspects of his life. Describing the theme of 2014 as a time of growing pains, Conahan wrapped the series with the strong, hungry 11-track effort.

His recent efforts have paid off as well. Conahan was a finalist at the 2013 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival Show and Prove.

Conahan’s time in standup gave him a foundation and lessons for life on stage in front of an audience. Engaging and connecting with a crowd are some of the most important elements of a live performance, he said.

“The stand-up comedy scene provided a space to improvise, experiment, interact with an audience and constantly engage the fourth wall,” he said. “The people are right there. You cannot only hear them, you can feel them.

Having a sense of humor is also a great way to make an audience feel comfortable. Be genuine, humble, human.”

Now that the “Episode” trilogy is behind him, Conahan said the future holds new songs, music videos and bigger, better concerts. If you want to see his stagecraft at work, you can catch Conahan at Hostel International on Sept. 21, Spike Hill in Williamsburg on Sept. 23, 220 South Bronx on Oct. 3 and Tantra Lounge in Astoria on Oct. 26.

For the latest on the Astoria rapper, visit http://billyconahan.com www.facebook. com/billyconahan.

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