southeast queen press epaper
DESCRIPTION
Southeast Queen Press Epaper 032511TRANSCRIPT
PR
ES
S P
hoto
by
Ira
Coh
en
Volume 12 Issue No. 12 March 25-31, 2011
Online at www.QueensPress.com
Teachers, staff and students at August Martin High School rallied last week to show their support for keeping their school open. The school’s fate – closure or one of several fi xes – will be known by the end of April.By Sasha Austrie…Page 3
PAGE 22
At York College Foundation’s 4th Annual
DAVID USHERY
3 MO’ DIVAS
is pleased to join
YORK COLLEGE
in honoring
Vincent M. Albanese, Esq.
The Honorable Helen M. Marshall
Pa
ge 2
P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s M
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1
PresstimeM
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s P
ag
e 3
BY SASHA AUSTRIE
For months, there have been
whispers in the reeds where Au-
gust Martin High School is con-
cerned. Closure, restructure, reor-
ganization are all words carried by
the buzz floating around the
school.
“We don’t know if they are go-
ing to close it or restructure it,”
said Ruth Bryan, August Martin
High School Advisory Commis-
sion chairwoman.
Unlike other City schools em-
broiled in a phase out process, Au-
gust Martin High School is on the
New York State Dept. of Education
Persistently Lowest Achieving List.
Jack Zarin-Rosenfeld, New
York City Dept. of Education spokesman,
said the state identified 57 schools as
persistently low achieving, with 11 of
them, including August Martin, slated for
transformation. Just what form of trans-
formation that would be remains a mys-
tery.
There are four intervention models:
turnaround, which includes phase out or
redesign; restart, which would either con-
vert or replace August Martin as a charter
school; transformation, which would keep
the school on the PLA List until it demon-
strates an ability to rebound; and the most
drastic measure – school closure, which
would transfer existing students to neigh-
boring, higher-achieving institutions. With
this model, the school would be closed
within a year.
August Martin will know its fate by
April 30.
The school community said August
Martin is undeserving of the flak it is taking
from the DOE and media reports. Accord-
ing to a DOE fact sheet, the school gradu-
ation rate during the last five years has
hovered below 50 percent and in 2009, it
was 49 percent.
Cleavon Evans, August Martin Alumni
Association president, contends that the
Students, Staff Rally To Keep Martin Open
A poster shows the concern for potential loss of the school’s
specialized programs.
school’s 2009 to 2010 graduation
rate was 61 percent. He said the 11-
point increase shows that the
school is a thriving community
staple, gaining support from the
community and public officials.
“Twenty percent of the staff is
alumni,” Evans said. “They have a
vested interest in this school”
He also has a bone to pick with
the [New York Post], which recently
ran a story that Evans said used as
sources students who were no longer
at the school. He said the paper has
been harassing students, trying to
get them to say inflammatory things.
“How is it that the [Post] is com-
ing here and asking students, ‘Why
are you going to a school that is
going to close?’”
In a united stand, students and teach-
ers broke up last Friday’s midmorning lull
by walking their own picket line. The fad-
ing morning dissipated with passing cars
and trunks honking their horns in support
of the protest.
“What we are trying to do is keep the
programs that are doing well,” Bryan said.
“We are taking a proactive stance. We are
going to invite the Dept. of Education to
see what we can do to save this school.”
The school’s most notable programming
is its Aviation Academy, which is the only
of its kind in the City, and the Culinary
Academy, where students prepare food
PR
ES
S P
ho
to
b
y S
ash
a A
ustrie
Council Robs Queensboro Of Its Name
BY JASON BANREY
Queens residents seeking to travel to Man-
hattan will soon get a glimpse of another
name before crossing the Queensboro Bridge.
On Wednesday, after a blunt debate
during a lengthy legislative session, the
City Council voted 38-12 to rename the
only bridge that bears the borough’s name
after former Mayor Ed Koch.
In a vote that altered the way future genera-
tions will forever address the bridge, the so-
named Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, City
Council members voiced their opinion in one
last opportunity to sway the majority vote.
Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) and Jimmy
Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) made one last
stand against the proposition to rename
the bridge.
Holding more than 1,000 petitions re-
ceived from his constituents, Vallone stood
in opposition to renaming the only bridge
that bares the borough’s name.
“This has nothing to do with Koch,”
Vallone said. “It’s about the pride in our
borough and in our bridge. Don’t do this.
The people don’t want this.”
Van Bramer, whose district is at the east
terminus of the bridge, touted the tone of
his constituents as well, while also paying
tribute to the former mayor.
“Everyone in Queens can honor a life of
service that spans a lifetime such as Koch’s,”
said Van Bramer. “But without any doubt,
100 percent of the people in my district
have said they are opposed to this.”
While introducing the proposition,
Council Speaker Christine Quinn fumbled
the bridge’s name, uttering Williamsburg
Bridge instead, before lavishing a lengthy
analogy fit for the proposed honor.
“Today we can look a New Yorker in
the eye and add their name to the city they
love,” said Quinn. “In the midst of the
City’s worst fiscal crisis, [Koch] was the
bridge that brought us back to greatness.”
Many other outer borough councilmen
were also vocal in opposition to the pro-
posed co-naming.
Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brook-
lyn) delivered a rousing monologue, criti-
cizing both those in favor of the renaming
and its honoree.
The person being honored “is not the
Koch the black community remembers.
It’s the Koch that shut down hospitals in
Brooklyn and Harlem,” said Barron. “I
hope the bridge doesn’t come as shaky as
his past did, endangering us all.”
As an alternate, Barron suggested plas-
tering the former mayor’s name on one of
the city more notorious sites. “You should
name Rikers Island after Koch,” said
Barron, “for sending many of the city’s
young black youth there.”
Unhappy about the process by which
the proposition made its way onto the
City Council’s agenda, Councilwoman
Leticia James (D-Brooklyn) opposed the
renaming despite being endorsed by Koch
in her run for City Council.
“With respect to the wishes of the people
of Queens,” said James. “I hope we could
revisit this issue in the future.”
Earlier this month, after the Tribune
polled Queens City Council members,
it was evident that the borough’s local
officials favored the name change. Ig-
noring 70 percent of Queens residents
who wanted to keep the previous name
(according to a Quinnipiac University
poll), the council’s Parks Committee
approved the renaming of the
Queensboro Bridge earlier this week
before the City Council vote.
Initially proposed by Mayor Mike
Bloomberg at Mayor Koch’s 86th
birth-
day last December, the co-naming drew
the attention and outspoken rhetoric of
multiple civic associations and some
elected officials in Queens.
This is not the first time there was a
battle over the bridge’s name, as the cen-
tury-old structure struggled with an iden-
tity crisis. Many Queens residents may
have forgotten that the bridge’s original
name, while it was being built, was
Blackwell’s Island Bridge, named after the
earlier name of Roosevelt Island.
Historians debate how the bridge ulti-
mately came to bear the borough’s name.
City officials and real estate developers,
from both Manhattan and Queens, alleg-
edly disputed over the bridge’s initial name.
But On March 20, 1909, at its ceremo-
nious grand opening, the bridge was chris-
tened the Queensboro Bridge.
Over the decades that followed, the
bridge has taken only one other name.
Known to many Manhattanites and some
Queens residents as the 59th
Street Bridge,
the Queensboro Bridge was thought to be
eternally coveted as the borough’s sole
eponymous structure.
Mayor Koch oversaw the beginning of
the rehabilitation of the Queensboro
Bridge. Despite the fiscal crisis of the
1970s, the City regained control of the
bridges from the State and began revitaliz-
ing the metropolitan area’s transportation
infrastructure.
Developing the fully funded Bureau of
Bridges within the Dept. of Transportation,
Koch helped spearhead a citywide project
which eventually reduced the number of
bridges in poor condition in the city to zero.
Reach Reporter Jason Banrey at
[email protected] or (718) 357-
7400, Ext. 128.
The plaque is no longer valid.
that is then made available for purchase by
teachers. The school also operates the
Business and Law, Media and Technology,
and Communication Arts academies.
Fodaor Sheriff, 17, stood outside with
his colleagues fighting for a school that he
will soon leave behind.
“This school meant a lot to me,” the
senior said. “Everyone achieves in this
school.”
He said though he “messed up” as a
freshman, the staff, especially Principal
Anthony Cromer, himself a graduate of
August Martin, helped him right his failing
high school career. Sheriff said he took part
in Cromer’s Young Men’s Leadership
Group.
Jaime Kneutt, 15, said she choose August
Martin because of its Aviation Academy.
Kneutt is also enrolled in the College
Now Program, which allows her to obtain
up to 12 college credits prior to graduation.
“This school means the world,” she
said.
Zarin-Rosenfeld said he is unsure if the
school’s programming would remain after
the alteration.
A teacher who has been at the school
for eight years said it would be unfortunate
if the school closed. “Students come from
two hours away to [enroll in] the Aviation
Academy,” he said.
Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at
[email protected], or (718) 357-
7400, Ext. 123.
Ph
oto
b
y W
alter K
arlin
g
Pa
ge 4
P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s M
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1
BY DOMENICK RAFTER
In short, Queens is developing at a
natural pace; perhaps not at quite the
speed hoped by some, but according
to a panel of five leaders of com-
merce from different parts of the
borough who met last week at a
Queens College-hosted business fo-
rum, progress is being made.
During the hour and a half presen-
tation, the five discussed problems,
successes and hopes for the future of
development in their part of Queens
and how it affects the rest of the
borough.
Kevin Alexander, executive direc-
tor of the Rockaway Development &
Revitalization Corp., discussed the
Arverne-By-The-Sea development,
which he said has revitalized the eco-
nomically distressed area about half-
way between Rockaway Park and Far
Rockaway, bringing 2,300 new residences
to the area. As a result of the new homes,
just farther east, 20,000 square feet of
commercial space and a new Stop & Shop
has brought jobs and shopping to the com-
munity at Wavecrest Gardens.
Alexander also outlined plans to rein-
vest in Far Rockaway, including renova-
tions of the A train subway station at Mott
Avenue, and creating a better commercial
strip along Beach 20th Street. He outlined
plans to renovate O'Donohue Park on
Seagirt Boulevard to include a new skate-
Slow, Steady Win Boro Growth Race
boarding park and concert space on the
oceanfront.
Gayle Baron, president of the Long
Island City Business Development Corp.,
said Long Island City was undergoing a
major commercial and residential boom
with the completion of new buildings
around Court Square and Queens Plaza, as
well as the recently-announced Hunters
Point South project. The neighborhood,
which will soon be the new home of JetBlue
and CUNY School of Law, is attracting
not only new residents and businesses, but
tourists seeking to stay close to, but
not in, Manhattan.
"European and Asian tourists are
choosing Long Island City as a place
to stay," she said, adding the neigh-
borhood is home to the Toyoko Inn,
the largest hotel in the city outside
Manhattan.
Over in Ridgewood, Theodore
Renz, executive director of the
Ridgewood Local Development
Corp., acknowledged that the neigh-
borhood is more isolated and less com-
mercial-centric than the other sites in
the borough, but that it has also been
experiencing its own revival as an ar-
tisan community.
Most of the apartments at the
redeveloped Ridgewood Times
building at Myrtle and Cypress Av-
enues have been occupied, with a
significant number of new residents
coming from Williamsburg and
Greenpoint, Renz said, noting that the
new Ridgewood transit terminal at
Myrtle and Wyckoff Avenues has helped
spur development. He pinpointed the
area around the Halsey Street L train
stop as one where development has been
occurring.
In Flushing, former Borough Presi-
dent Claire Shulman, president and CEO
of the Flushing Willets Point Corona
Local Development Corp., said there
needs to be better "transportation-orien-
tated development." She avoided most
discussion about Willets Point and fo-
cused her presentation on Downtown
Flushing, including renovating the LIRR
station to make it more accessible. She
also focused on revamping College Point
Boulevard and stressed the need to rede-
velop the waterfront at the Flushing
River.
Shulman discussed ideas to build a pe-
destrian bridge over the Flushing River
connecting Downtown Flushing to Willets
Point, and credited the Asian community
for redeveloping Flushing, which she said
had been stunted in growth until the new
immigrants arrived.
"The Asian community really saved
Flushing," she said.
Carlisle Towery, president of the
Greater Jamaica Development Corp., said
with the economy on the mend, the GJDC
has been "wooing the private sector" into
reinvesting in Downtown Jamaica, espe-
cially in the developing Airport Village
around Jamaica Station. The current na-
tional financial situation, he said, has been
the biggest obstacle in attracting com-
merce to Jamaica, which he said was ripe
for development.
Towery also acknowledged that the
much-anticipated commercial strip along
Sutphin Boulevard below the LIRR was
moving forward and would be completed
soon.
Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at
[email protected] or (718) 357-
7400, Ext. 125.
Carlisle Towery speaks at the forum.
PR
ES
S ph
oto
b
y D
om
en
ick
R
after
March
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s P
ag
e 5
BY JULIET KAYE
One of the most unusual museums in
the city is located in Southeast Queens –
the Marie Rose International Doll Mu-
seum and Cultural Center, is located at
187-11 Linden Blvd. in St. Albans.
This little gem of a museum was
founded by Naida Njoku in 2008, a
woman with a life-long passion for col-
lecting an amazing array of dolls. She is
now in danger of foreclosure and came to
Assemblyman William Scarborough’s (D-
Jamaica) office for assistance.
The retired nurse started collecting
dolls at the age of 14. She had amassed a
large collection when she married and
moved to Nigeria, settling with her hus-
band and doll collection. When civil war
erupted in the country in 1967, she fled
with her husband, Dr. John Njoku to re-
With the support of late Council Mem-
ber Thomas White, Jr., Target, the City Dept.
of Education, the City Dept. for the Aging,
the Allen Transportation Corporation, and
Learning Leaders, A Better Jamaica has
launched Jamaica Reads - an effort that puts
local seniors to work helping local first grad-
ers become stronger readers.
Using active neighborhood seniors
from the Allen Cathedral Senior Resi-
dence on Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica
Reads places five seniors in each of two
first grade classes at PS 48 for three morn-
ings a week from 9:30-10:30 a.m. These
"Senior Reading Buddies" are paired with
the five weakest readers in each class with
the goal of moving the participating chil-
dren further along the reading/decoding
Hobby Turns Into A Prized Collection
Helping Jamaica Read Better
settle in the United States, leaving behind
their home and all their personal posses-
sions, including her vast doll collection.
It took her a few years to get over her
despair at losing her doll collection and start
collecting again. She amassed more than
500 dolls from five continents and space
for them in her home was scarce. Upon re-
tiring from her career as a nurse, her hus-
band suggested she share her vast collec-
tion and open a museum because by relo-
cating Njoku’s collection, they would regain
their dining room and the rest of their home,
which was overflowing with dolls.
For the price of admission, Njoku
gives a tour of the charming museum and
information about the origins of the dolls.
You will see a Jackie Kennedy doll; a John
Kennedy Jr. doll as a young child saluting
at the funeral of his father; unique African
dolls; and unusual Asian dolls. There is a
model train set up that comes from En-
gland. Various artworks adorn the walls,
much of it painted by the collector, who
is also an artist.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this
Assemblyman William Scarborough tours
the Marie Rose International Doll Museum
in St. Albans, with Naida Njoku.
incredibly charming and unique museum.
The site hosts school groups and senior
center visits, holds special events and has
craft workshops, including a quilting work-
shop is held every Thursday from 10:30
a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; a sewing workshop on
Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. ; and a
scrapbooking workshop on Wednesdays.
The museum is open Wednesday to
Saturday from 12:30-4:30 p.m. or by spe-
cial appointment. Admission is $2.50 for
children under 12, $3.50 for seniors and
$5 for adults. Call (718) 276-3454.
path than they might oth-
erwise progress.
"I struggled with read-
ing in the early part of my
elementary school career. I
distinctly remember a
classmate's mother coming
in to work with students like
me," said A Better Jamaica
Founder Greg Mays. "As
our society has changed,
there are fewer and fewer stay-at-home
moms available to parachute into class-
rooms to help struggling students at the
beginning of their academic careers. What
we do have is an abundance of seniors who
are ready willing and able to make a differ-
ence in the lives of children. Jamaica Reads
matches the needs of strug-
gling students, with the
community resource of
underutilized seniors."
PS 48 Principal Pat
Mitchell is a fan of the pro-
gram. "We believe in the
potential of all students,
and are happy to have the
additional resource of Ja-
maica Reads seniors to help
all of our children reach their potential," she
said.
A Better Jamaica's other programs in-
clude: Classic Film Fridays, Family Mov-
ies in the Park, and Jamaica311.com. Ad-
ditional information about A Better Ja-
maica can be found at abetterjamaica.org.
One of the senior volunteers reads
with a first grader at PS 48.
Ph
oto
b
y J
uliet K
aye
In Our Opinion:In Our Opinion:
OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS
150-50 14th Road
Whitestone, NY 11357
(voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417
email [email protected]
The PRESS of Southeast Queens
Associate Publisher
Arnold Thibou
Executive Editor:
Brian Rafferty
Deputy Editor:
Joseph Orovic
Contributing Editor:
Marcia Moxam Comrie
Production Manager:
Shiek Mohamed
Queens Today Editor
Regina Vogel
Photo Editor: Ira Cohen
Reporters:
Harley Benson
Sasha Austrie
Domenick Rafter
Jason Banrey
Art Dept:
Sara Gold
Rhonda Leefoon
Candice Lolier
Barbara Townsend
Advertising Director
James Mammarella
Sr. Account Executive
Shelly Cookson
Advertising Executives
Merlene Carnegie
A Queens Tribune Publication.
© Copyright 2011 Tribco, LLC
Michael Schenkler,
President & Publisher
Michael Nussbaum,
Vice President,
Associate Publisher
Editorial Letters
It's Time For A Fair Budget Fix
BY COUNCILMAN
JAMES SANDERS, JR.
Earlier this month, Gov. An-
drew Cuomo released his first
budget. It was designed with
several goals in mind: tighten-
ing New York's collective eco-
nomic belt, reigning in a pro-
jected budgetary deficit of $8
billion dollars for the upcoming
fiscal year, and starting to close
our large and growing budget
gap. I truly believe that the
governor's intent was to return
accountability to an out-of-con-
trol process, and begin to right
New York's economic ship; but
I also believe his priorities in
terms of where he chose to cut
back are out of sync with the
needs of New Yorkers.
There is no doubt that New
York is drowning. As usual, the
pertinent question isn't whether
or not to do something, but what
to do; not whether or not to cut
back, but where to cut back. How
do we divide up a shrinking eco-
nomic pie in the fairest way pos-
sible? How do we ensure that
everyone shares equally in the
burden of bringing our state's fi-
Letters
Pa
ge 6
P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s M
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1
Shame On Them
The City Council voted Wednesday to steal our identity. We will not
let them.
The Queensboro Bridge is now and always will be the Queensboro
Bridge. We love and respect former Mayor Ed Koch, but we refuse to
use his name on our bridge.
The fact that the majority of our own council members voted against
the clear wishes of our residents shows the arrogance of their power and
position. How dare you! To say that it’s already known colloquially as
the 59th Street Bridge is a coward’s position. What happened to fight-
ing to defend what is yours?
The argument that other landmarks are named for historic icons is a
sham – they were never named for Queens in the first place. You have
stolen the little that we have. Why not go ahead now and try to change
Queens College and Queens Borough Hall.
You have stolen our name, our spirit and our pride. Shame on you!
Take A Lesson
To The Editor:
The United States Postal
Service will never issue a stamp
honoring a living person. Other
than a President, they will not
issue a stamp until a person has
been dead for at least 10 years.
Someone should ask the City
Council to follow this policy.
Michael Tuchman,
Ponciana, FL
Protect Vets
To The Editor:
On Feb. 10, the U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs and U.S.
Department of Housing and Ur-
ban Development jointly pub-
lished an analysis of the extent of
homelessness among our nation’s
military veterans. The results were
very troubling.
The analysis reported that as
of 2009 there were 76,000 veter-
ans who were homeless on a given
night and roughly 136,000 veter-
ans spent at least one night in a
shelter during that year. Veterans
now make up 12 percent of our
nations homeless population and
Veterans are 50 percent more
likely to become homeless com-
pared to all other Americans. The
risk of homelessness among our
veterans is even greater if the
veteran is under the poverty line.
Our veterans deserve better
f rom government . Queens
County has a very large veteran
population, and as a grandson
of a World War II Navy Veteran,
with a brother in-law to-be who
is currently serving in Afghani-
stan, and as someone who works
on a day-to-day basis helping
find employment for veterans, I
feel that we are shortchanging
our veterans.
A few weeks ago U.S. Rep.
Gary Ackerman wrote a letter to
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Secretary Eric Shinseki urging the
Secretary to stop plans to rede-
velop the current VA Hospital in
St. Albans. The Congressman
suggested that instead of rede-
veloping the land privately, a new
state of the art full service VA
hospital should be built. I couldn’t
agree more.
As the war in Iraq and Af-
ghanistan comes to an end our
veteran population is soaring and
Queens will become home to
many of these veterans. I urge all
Queens residents to contact Sec-
retary Shinseki and tell him not to
leave any veteran behind. Let’s
honor our veterans by building a
new facility that will serve the
Queens County veteran popula-
tion for years to come.
Matthew Silverstein
Democratic State Committee-
man, 26th AD
nances back in line?
New Yorkers are struggling
to keep up with the demands
of a state and national economy
that are both slowly recovering
from the worst economic melt-
down since the Great Depres-
sion. Unemployment hovers
around 9 percent, and more and
more people are struggling to
make ends meet, even as they
watch Wall Street rake in record
profits and reward their high-
est paid executives with bo-
nuses in excess of half their
annual salary.
Meanwhile, Main Street has
been forgotten; left behind in a
turbulent sea of economic tur-
moil, with fiercely partisan eco-
nomic battles raging in legisla-
tures around the country. Main
Street faces a potent combina-
tion of greed and indifference
that threatens to undermine the
very way of life for working
people in New York City.
It seems to me that we can-
not start by punishing those al-
ready being asked to carry the
lion's share of the burden. We
should not and cannot vilify the
working people who make New
York City run. Cutting benefits,
slashing pensions, lay offs of civil
service workers - these are not
the kind of answers New York
needs in these difficult economic
times. We cannot simply add to
the unemployment roles by reck-
lessly laying off civil service work-
ers; we cannot tell unionized
workers, many of whom carry out
some of the most difficult physi-
cal labor in the City, that they
will see their benefits slashed or
their retirement age raised. Do-
ing so would only add to the long
term burden of the city's health
care costs.
In these difficult economic
times, it is proper and necessary
that we ask everyone to share a
little in the burden in order to put
New York back on sound fiscal
footing. But the Governor's bud-
get calls for the pain to fall dis-
proportionately on those who
can least afford to bear its brunt,
and on those who have already
sacrificed so much in service to
the rest of us.
New York City simply would
not function without its civil ser-
vice work force. They have
opted to take positions in public
service, sacrificing the big checks
and lofty perks they might have
received in the private sector in
service to what most feel is a
higher calling.
Cuts should be borne from the
top down, from those who can
most afford them. We should not
cut workers benefits before with-
out also extending the
millionaire's tax. We should not
raise the retirement age for work-
ers without also asking for more
from Wall Street's top money
earners.
Only by creating a more even
and equal economic playing field
can we hope to create a more
even and equal society. Our state
is facing a fiscal crisis. We must
return accountability and sanity
to the budget process. But we
must also make sure our priori-
ties are straight and that we are
not cutting from the "have-nots"
in order to line the pockets of
the "haves." Straightening these
priorities is the only way to res-
cue our city, and our state, from
the edge of economic calamity.
James Sanders, Jr. represents the
31st District in the New York City
Council.
Send your thoughts,
ideas, opinions,
outrage, praise,
observations about
our community
To the PRESS of
Southeast Queens
150-50 14th Rd.
Whitestone, NY 11357
e-mail:[email protected]
fax: (718) 357-9417
SOUND OFF
March
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s P
ag
e 7
News BriefsEmergency Preparedness
Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation
(CNR) Adult Day Health Care Program
and the American Red Cross will hold a
free emergency preparedness seminar
Tuesday, April 5, 11 a.m., at the CNR lo-
cation, 97-35 Allendale St., Jamaica.
Members of the community are wel-
come to attend the seminar, designed to
prepare individuals and families for emer-
gencies. Attendees will learn how to cre-
ate a family disaster plan, build and main-
tain a supply kit, and keep loved ones safe
and informed during times of disaster.
There will be a raff le for an American Red
Cross Go Bag and additional prizes. Re-
freshments will be served. Attendees will
received free interactive CD that can be
used to create a customized evacuation
plan and other tools that will help any
family prepare for an emergency.
To learn more, call Sheva Turk at (718)
297-4700, Ext. 224, or send an e-mail to
One Mega Prize
The New York Lottery announced the
jackpot for Friday night’s Mega Millions
drawing has been bumped to $312 million.
The New York Lottery credits strong
sales across all participating Mega Millions
jurisdictions for the $8 million jump from
the previously advertised jackpot. Tickets
for Friday’s $312 milloion Mega Millions
drawing may be purchased at more than
16,000 retail locations in New York State
until 10:45 p.m. for the 11 p.m. drawing.
Millionaire Tax
Assemblyman William Scarborough
helped pass an Assembly budget that re-
jects the executive budget proposal to cut
taxes for the state’s wealthiest.
“With a $10 billion deficit and scores
of painful cuts on the tables, including size-
able reductions in critical education and
health care programs, now is not the time
to give mill ionaires a tax break,”
Scarborough said. “That’s why I helped
pass an Assembly budget that doesn’t fa-
vor the state’s privileged few - less than
half a percent of the resident population -
over working families.”
Under the executive budget, millionaire
tax rates would drop from 8.97 percent
to 6.85 percent, the same rate paid by
New Yorkers making $20,000 a year. In-
stead, the Assembly’s budget maintains
the current rate and directs 30 percent of
the revenue - a projected $706 million in
Counci lman Leroy
Comrie (l.) recently at-
tended the History
Makers NYC Speaker
Series sponsored by
AT&T and held at the
World Famous Apollo
Theater in Harlem.
Here, he is greeted by
Grammy-award winning
artist, actor and activ-
is t Common, who
hosted the series.
Common People:
2011-12 – to the Educational Assistance
Fund, with the balance going toward cash-
strapped programs and services.
“We need all New Yorkers - not just
the middle-class and lower-income fami-
lies - to bear the burden of our state’s fis-
cal crisis,” Scarborough said. “If we give
millionaires special treatment, schools,
hospitals and other vital programs and
services stand to suffer crippling cuts.”
The executive budget proposal comes
after the recent renewal of the Bush-era
tax cuts for America’s richest, which took
effect in January. Estimates show that the
average annual federal tax cut for those
making over $1 million is $128,832.
“To provide millionaires yet another tax
break on the heels of their federal tax cut is
not only grossly unfair, it’s fiscally un-
sound,” Scarborough said. “We’re accept-
ing a lot of pain in this budget, but we just
couldn’t accept what boils down to a multi-
billion dollar handout to millionaires.”
7 Service Interrupted
MTA New York City Transit an-
nounces that in order to carry out switch
replacement work in the area of the Mets-
Willets Point 7 station, there will be no 7
line subway service between the Mets-
Willets Point and Flushing-Main Street
stations between 4 a.m. on Saturday and
10 p.m. on Sunday on the following week-
ends: March 26-27, April 2-3, April 16-17
and May 14-15.
Free shuttle buses will operate between
the Mets-Willets Point and Flushing-Main
Street stations on those weekends. Regu-
lar weekend 7 line service will operate
between the Mets-Willets Point and Times
Square-42nd Street stations while this
work is underway.
In addition, during the weekday rush
hours from March 23 until May 13, the
last Manhattan-bound express train will
leave Flushing-Main Street at 9 a.m. rather
than 9:55 a.m.
Posters in four languages (English,
Spanish, Chinese and Korean) will go up
at all 7 line stations. In addition to on-
board train and station announcements,
Transit personnel will be on hand during
the weekend to provide assistance and
direct customers to alternate bus service.
Customers may visit mta.info and click
on “Planned Service Changes” for infor-
mation or sign up for free email and text
message alerts. The Travel Information
line may be reached at (718) 330-1234
daily, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for assistance
with travel plans.
Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato
Kent State, The Beatles Disband & The Trib Is Born
Henry Stern
By HENRY STERNOne of the perennial
quest ions that arises ingovernment is whetherdishonest public officials,if convicted, should for-feit their pensions. Thereis considerable sentimentthat an officeholder,whether elected or ap-pointed, who has be-trayed the people he was paid toserve faithfully, should not be re-warded after he leaves governmentbecause he did not deserve thecompensation he received from thestate or the city while he was en-riching himself.
The pension for feiture hasbeen a powerful incentive over theyears to keep police officershonest. A crooked cop is one ofthe worst enemies of good gov-ernment, since physical protectionis a basic service provided by localgovernment, and officers who takebribes either to protect wrongdo-ers or to enforce the law not onlyviolate their oath of office, but theyundermine both the concept andthe reality of equal just ice underlaw.
The issue becomes murkierwhen we consider the different va-rieties of criminal conduct. For ex-ample, some acts which are clearlycr imes are unrelated to theemployee’s official duties. A cityworker kills his wife, and is sent toprison. All during his career, he hasbeen making contributions to thepension fund. Those savingsshould, in fairness, go to his chil-
dren, whose mother isdead and whose fatheris in jai l. His crimeshould not impoverishthe innocent children,who have already beenvictimized. This leads toquest ions of where todraw the line.
The case of formerSupreme Court Justice
Victor Barron of Brooklyn, whocontinued to collect an $89,094pension during the two years hewas imprisoned for demanding asubstantial bribe from a litigant inorder to settle a case that was be-fore him, was considered particu-larly offensive. While the state waspaying for his room and board inprison, it was also compensatinghim handsomely for what had beencorrupt service. Who knows howmany other bribes Barron receivedbefore one lawyer complained toDistrict Attorney Joe Hynes, whosubsequently launched an investi-gation?
Is a public pension a form ofdeferred income, which vests in thepensioner’s family, or is it a rewardpaid at the conclusion of one’spublic service for faithful perfor-mance of duty? There is a provi-sion under which city employeescan defer income to 401(k) ac-counts, and that money is clearlytheirs, except that it may be usedto pay a fine. As to the justifica-t ion for for feiture of a pension,which is primarily the city’s money,the case is perhaps murkier.
One great advantage of the
city’s right to deny a pension to adishonest employee is that it en-able s lesser set tlements to bemade in cases of misconduct. Thereare some sins or indiscretions orserious errors of judgment forwhich a fine of thousands of dol-lars would be an appropriate pen-alty. That could provide for the re-covery of misappropriated fundsand serve as a deterrent to othersnot to engage in similarmisconduct. If the pension were tobe immune from recapture, therewould be no incentive for the em-ployee to pay or settle the claimagainst him; he could simply retireand collect his ill-gotten gains forthe rest of his life, as could his wife,if she were his beneficiary. Theycould laugh all the way to the bank,or to Florida if they wanted theirincome to go farther.
There is a great variet y ofcrimes that have been committedby public employees, both on andoff the job. For instance, a socialworker or HRA manager maywrongly certify someone as eligibleto receive benefits. If this is donebecause the employee mistakenlybelieves the applicant is entitledto or worthy of benefits, whetherfood stamps, rent reduction,monthly subsidies, or enrollmentin a particular program, that is onekind of error. If the employee him-self receives personal benefit fromthat decision, whether cash, sex orunearned privileges of any nature,the situation is much more serious,and punishment should be moresevere. If the case should justify
dismissal, the issue of pension for-feiture should be considered as apotential part of the penalty, de-pending on the circumstances.
There should not be an iron-clad rule in these cases, where theextent of the penalty should de-pend on the motive of the wrong-doers, the seriousness of the of-fense, the number of people vic-timized, denied their rights, or un-justly enriched or deprived, thelength of time the conspiracy con-tinued, the defendant’s willignessto co-operate with the authorities,the value of that co-operation, towhom pension benefits may beallocated if the defendant’s inter-
Pensions For Crooks: Are They Justifiable?est in receiving those benefits isrevoked, as well as other factswhich may be unique to the situa-tion. No one rule can cover all thecases, but pension forfeiture shouldbe within the range of availableoutcomes, depending on its grav-ity.
Often cases of this sort dealwith people who have alreadymessed up their lives, one way oranother. The rule, “Nobody doesit once” applies here, and peoplewho are apprehended for one spe-cific offense have usually commit-ted others which did not come tothe attention of the authorities.
By MICHAEL SCHENKLERThe year was 1970 and some
of you may remember the worldinto which the Queens Tribunewas born:
The first episode of US soapopera All My Children is broadcaston the ABC television network.
Diana Ross & The Supremesperform their farewell live concerttogether at the Frontier Hotel inLas Vegas
Biafra capitulates, endingthe Nigerian civil war.
The Movie s: M*A*S*H,Patton, Love Story, Airport, Catch22.
Pan American Airways offersthe first commercially scheduled747 service from John F. Kennedy
Internat ional Airpor t to LondonHeathrow Airport.
A jur y finds the ChicagoSeven defendants not gui lt yof conspiring to incite a riot, incharges stemming from the vio-lence at the 1968
The Beatles release their 12thand final album, Let It Be.
The Nuclear Non-ProliferationTreaty goes into effect, after ratifi-cation by 56 nations.
United States Postal Serviceworkers in New York City strike;which spreads to 210,000 out of750,000 U.S. postal employeeswho walk out. President Nixonassigns military units to New YorkCity post offices. The strike laststwo weeks.
The fir st Ear th Day is cel-ebrated in the United States..
The Concorde makes its firstsupersonic flight
The Public Health CigaretteSmoking Act is enacted into law,banning cigarette television adver-tisements in the United States.
The Beatles disband. By year-end, al four members release soloalbums.
Apol lo 13 splashes downsafely in the Pacific.
A first-class stamp costs $.06Tina Fey, Uma Thurman,
Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell,Gabrielle Giffords and Matt Damonare born.
The U.S. invades Cambodia tohunt out the Viet Cong; wide-spread, large antiwar protests oc-cur in the U.S.
Four students at Kent StateUniversity in Ohio are kil led andnine wounded by Ohio State Na-t ional Guardsmen, at a protestagainst the incursioninto Cambodia.
The median household in-come in current dollars: $8,734.
In Washington, D.C., 100,000people demonstrate against theVietnam War.
President Richard Nixon signsa measure lowering the voting ageto 18.
The United States gets its firstfemale generals.
The Women’s Strike for Equal-ity takes place down Fifth Avenue.
The Popular Front for the Lib-eration of Palest ine hijacks fourpassenger aircraft from Pan Am,TWA and Swissair on flights toNew York from Brussels, Frankfurtand Zürich.
Elvis Presley begins his firstconcert tour since 1958.
The first New York Cit yMarathon begins.
The songs: Layla, Derek andthe Dominos; Bridge Over TroubledWater, Simon and Garfunkel; LetIt Be, The Beatles.
Monday Night Football debutson ABC. The Cleveland Brownsdefeat the New York Jets 31-21.
Gamal Abdal Nasser dies; VicePresident Anwar Sadat is namedtemporary president of Egypt.
The U.S. Congress givesPresident Richard Nixon authorityto sell arms to Israel.
The Public Broadcasting Ser-vice begins broadcasting -- heyCongress.
Earl Stanley Gardner, WalterReuther, Vince Lombardi, JimiHendrix, Janis Joplin die -- the lasttwo of drug over doses.
On Oct 12, 1970, U.S. Presi-dent Richard Nixon announcesthat the United States wil l with-draw 40,000 more troops beforeChristmas.
A Chinese nuclear test is con-ducted in Lop Nor.
U.S. unemployment was at3.5%.
Salvador Allende is electedPresident of Chile.
Democrats sweep the U.S.Congressional midterm elections;Ronald Reagan is re-elected gover-nor of California; Jimmy Carter iselected governor of Georgia.
Books, Fict ion: Love Story,Erich Segal; The French Lieutenant’sWoman, John Fowles; Islands in theStream, Ernest Hemingway. Books,Non-Fiction: Every th ing You Al-ways Wanted To Know About Sexbut Were Afraid To Ask, Dav idReuben, M.D.; The New EnglishBible; The Sensuous Woman, ”J”
Lieutenant William Calley goeson trial for the My Lai massacre.
The United States Environ-mental Protection Agency beginsoperations.
The U.N. General Assemblysupport s the isolat ion of SouthAfrica for its apartheid policies.
The Occupational Safety andHealth Act (OSHA) is signed intolaw.
IBM introduces the floppy disk.Gary Ackerman launches the
Queens Tribune from the rear of areal estate office on Main Street inKew Gardens Hills.
Pa
ge 8
P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s M
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1
March
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s P
ag
e 9
Police BlotterCompiled By DOMENICK RAFTER
103rd Precinct
Robber Sought
The NYPD is seeking the public’s as-
sistance in identifying and locating a sus-
pect wanted for a robbery inside a Jamaica
apartment building.
On Sunday, March 20, at approximately
4:55 a.m., the suspect, an unidentified
black man, followed the victim, an 18-year-
old Asian woman, from a nearby subway
station and into a building vestibule at 166-
40 89th Ave. in Jamaica, where he ap-
proached her from behind and repeatedly
punched her. During the assault, the sus-
pect also choked the victim before he ulti-
mately f led on foot in an unknown direc-
tion with her cell phone.
The suspect is described as a heavyset
black man wearing a light-colored cap, a
beige coat, a dark shirt, dark pants and
dark shoes.
Anyone with information regarding
this incident is asked to call Crime Stop-
pers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The pub-
lic can also submit tips by logging onto
the Crime Stoppers Web site at
nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting tips
to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering
TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
108th Precinct
Tractor Trailer Death
On Thursday, March 17, at approxi-
mately 11:22 a.m., police responded to a
report of a motor vehicle accident inside
of Boro-Wide Recycling, located at 3
Railroad Place in Maspeth. Upon arrival,
Anibal Pilataxi, 21, of 237 Stanhope St.
in Brooklyn, was found unconscious and
unresponsive on the ground inside of the
warehouse garage of the location. EMS
also responded to the location and pro-
nounced the male dead at the scene. Fur-
ther investigation revealed that a 2000
Commercial Tractor Trailer, operated by
a 35-year-old Hispanic man was backing
into the garage of the location when it
struck Pilataxi, pinning him between the
trailer and another vehicle
that was parked inside. The
investigation was ongoing.
113th Precinct
Shot Dead
On Sunday, March 20,
at around 2:30 p.m., police
responded to a 911 call of
a man shot at 114-45 199th
St. in St. Albans. Upon ar-
rival, they discovered a 20-
year-old black man with a
gunshot wound to the
head. EMS responded and
pronounced the aided dead
on the scene. There were
no arrests as of printing.
The investigation was on-
going. Identification of the victim was
pending proper family notification.
115th Precinct
Stabbing Death
On Wednesday, March 16, at 10:30
a.m., police responded to calls of a dis-
pute at 104-05 Northern Blvd. in East
Elmhurst. Upon arrival, police officers
discovered Jose Balberas, 24, of 103-01
34th Ave., Corona, with multiple stab
wounds to his body. EMS responded and
transported him to Elmhurst Hospital
where he was pronounced dead at 5:06
Police are seeking the public’s assistance in finding this
man, who is a suspect in a robbery case.
a.m. on Thursday, March 17. There were
no arrests and the investigation was on-
going.
Pedestrian Struck
On Monday, March 21, at approxi-
mately 12:48 p.m., police responded to a
report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle
at 70th Street and 32nd Avenue in Jack-
son Heights. Upon arrival, police found
Margaret Choborka, 82, of 31-41 70th St.,
Jackson Heights, unconscious and unre-
sponsive. It was determined that a 2002
Mercedes Benz was traveling northbound
on 70th Street at the intersection of 32nd
Avenue when it was struck by a 2009
Toyota Sienna traveling westbound on
32nd Avenue. As a result of the collision,
the Mercedes struck the pedestrian, caus-
ing head trauma. EMS also responded
and pronounced the pedestrian dead at
the scene. Both drivers and vehicles re-
mained on the scene. No criminality was
suspected.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO
REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY
TO HELP SOLVE A CRIME.
Pa
ge 1
0 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s M
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1
Electeds, Community Denounce
Proposed Cuts To Daycare Programs
Looming Childcare Crisis:
BY SASHA AUSTRIE
With budget cuts threatening to de-
crease daycare slots across the City,
Southeast Queens launched a preemptive
strike.
“We have a serious issue here,” said
Charles Fisher, founder of the National
Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council. “We
have a crisis. We have a childcare crisis.”
In Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s budget, pro-
posed cuts would affect families mainly
in the priority 5 and 6 categories, who
are working or currently in training pro-
grams. It would also increase parental
fees and about 16,500 vouchers would be
terminated. Families with a child in care
for nine years would no longer receive
service.
“Families [with children] in care the
longest are affected,” said Borough Presi-
dent Helen Marshall.
Painful Cuts and Rules
The City Administration for
Children’s Services spokeswoman Elysia
Murphy said there is a $95 million hole in
the daycare system’s budget. State regu-
lations require that when a locality is re-
ducing subsidies, either the first or most
recent families receiving benefits become
causalities.
“When faced with those two options,
we went with the families that have been
receiving care the longest,” she said, add-
ing that, on average, the families affected
have had a child in the system for about
nine years.
“Unfortunately, this is the only option
to address such a significant deficit,”
Murphy said.
Of the 16,500 daycare slots to be elimi-
nated, 9,700 utilize vouchers, according
to Marshall. Kindergarteners make up 59
percent of the students possible affected
and 14 percent would be preschoolers.
“When you start closing down
childcare centers […] parents are going
to have to make the decision about going
to work or watching their kids,” Fisher
said.
Information listing alternative care
went out to impacted families, according
to Murphy. Some children would be eli-
gible for kindergarten, Head
Start, Out of School Time, a
Dept. of Youth and Commu-
nity Development program;
and Universal Pre-K.
“The mayor doesn’t un-
derstand that going without
childcare is not a viable op-
tion,” said Councilman
Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica).
“We have an uphill battle on
our hands.”
Assemblyman Bill
Scarborough (D- Jamaica)
believes there are financial
difficulties at every level, and
though there need to be so-
lutions, it is unfair to solve
the budget crisis on the back
of the daycare system. Budget
cuts are attacking the “City’s
youngest, city’s oldest and
city’s poorest,” he said.
Taking A Stand
There are those who are
cautiously optimistic that bud-
get cuts will not affect their
centers. The Sheldon R.
Weaver Daycare Center in Far
Rockaway is slated for closure
on June 30.
“It won’t happen,” said
Arlene Cauley, the center’s di-
rector.
Weaver, which is ranked
number one in Queens, was supposed to
close its doors last year, but it was given a
reprieve.
“Do you think God is going to let them
close a number one center, with a num-
ber one director, and a number one staff?”
she asked.
Cauley tempered her confidence with
a message for her fellow daycare direc-
tors. “If they close the 16 daycare cen-
ters, be weary because it will happen to
you.”
Fisher made a bold statement to
Cauley.
“They are not closing your center
down,” he said. “It is what it is.”
Tammy Miller, United Federation of
Teachers representative for 28,000 city
daycare providers, said the proposed
16,500 voucher terminations would mean
devastation to an equal number of fami-
lies.
“Our message is simple,” she said. “We
need to stand together. We cannot allow
the mayor to cut the very fibers holding
this community together.”
Dubious Motivations
A source with knowledge of the sys-
tem said since 1997, there has been a
storm brewing in the childcare system.
There were hints along the way, the
source said, such as when ACS became
the lead agency. Soon after, the certifica-
tion process for early childhood educa-
tion teachers changed. The City relieved
itself of the responsibility and put the
onus on individual daycare advisory
boards, the source said. Another change
included DYCD taking over after school
programs.
“This is something we as a commu-
nity need to ask, ‘What’s going on?’” said
Leroy Gadsden, NAACP Jamaica Branch
President. “We are at war. We are being
attacked at all sides.”
Gadsden claimed the mayor has a tre-
mendous disconnect with the people of
this City and it is evident by the elimina-
tion of the daycare slots.
“New York City is symbolic of the
American dream,” he said. “The mayor is
about to change the concept of New York
City. He might as well put a sign on the
George Washington Bridge, ‘No poor. No
colored.’”
Center for NuLeadership on Urban
Solutions Executive Director Dr. Divine
Pryor and Lance Feurtado of the King of
King Foundation and Operation S.N.U.G.
alluded to a connection between the clos-
ing of daycare centers and the criminal
justice system.
Pryor said when the decision is made
to stunt the growth of children, they are
left to a system that is ripe for their de-
struction.
“They have a method to their mad-
ness,” Feurtado said.
Tapping Unused Resources
Marshall, who has a background in
early childhood education,
said it was “deplorable” to
dismantle education in the
formative years of learn-
ing.
“The interesting thing is
we are struggling to protect
our seniors and babies,” she
said. Marshall vowed to
keep fighting for the centers
to remain open.
Marshall was not the
only elected official who
promised to fight the pro-
posed daycare cuts. As-
semblywoman Viv ian
Cook (D-Jamaica) said it
was time to tell the mayor
that the “we are not going to take it
anymore.
She continued, “You cannot do this
on the backs of our children.”
Another center being closed is the first
center established in Southeast Queens,
dubbed The Originals of Jamaica, which
State Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica)
helped start.
“Sen. Huntley is with the parents [in
believing that] no center should be
closed,” said Huntley’s deputy chief of
staff, Monica Pringle, adding that the cen-
ters provide education, socialization and
foster a love of learning.
“If we start at an early age, we won’t
have to worry about the back end of it,
which is the Juvenile Justice System,” she
said.
To stop the proposed daycare center
closures, Fisher said he is going to use
the resources at his disposal. In terms of
families only being eligible for nine years
in the system, Fisher said a class action
lawsuit could be filed on behalf of the
parents. He said he would tap into his
media, entertainment, and corporate con-
tacts to have them possibly subsidize
daycare centers.
“We are going to leverage corporate
support,” he said. “Nobody gets away, not
even the guy with the bodega on the cor-
ner.”
Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at
[email protected], or (718) 357-
7400, Ext. 123.
Randy Fisher speaks to the audience with community activist Valerie Bell.
Ph
oto
b
y A
. K
elly
Tammie Miller, Chapter Chair of the UFT
Home Childcare Providers speaks to the audi-
ence.
Directors Jamel Coleman and Shelia Willard go
over their notes before they address the crowd.Lance Feurtado (l.) and Councilman Ruben Wills.
Ph
oto
b
y L
. M
oo
re
For more details, come in, call toll-free at 1-877-417-6547 or visit www.ridgewoodbank.com
If we raise interest rates on our Traditional 3 Year or 5 Year CDs, you’ll have the opportunity once, to raise the rate on your Bump-Up CD.*
Member FDIC
You have the one-time option, at any time during the term of this CD, to change the interest rate to the rate then offered by the Bank for the same term for the balance of the original term. **Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are effective February 1, 2011 and are subject to change without notice. Other terms and rates available. FDIC regulations apply. Minimum deposit is $500. There is a substantial penalty and IRS penalty for premature withdrawals. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. †Limit 100 Reward Points per IRA account. Check
www.RidgewoodRewards.com for latest rewards item selection. All items subject to change without notice. Offer available for IRA contributions only. Offer is good through April 18, 2011. Minimum deposit to qualify for Reward Points is $1,500 and CD term must be at least one year.
*
Minimum Deposit is $500
ENJOY A SHORTER-TERM TRADITIONAL IRA 18 MONTH CD
1.25% APY**
5 YEAR BUMP-UP CD
2.50% APY**
3 YEAR BUMP-UP CD
1.75% APY**
OPEN AN FDIC-INSURED IRA CD & EARN RIDGEWOOD REWARDS!Bump Up For A Better Rate! Earn 100 REWARD POINTS† when you open
an IRA with $1,500 by APRIL 18TH!
CURRENT 100 POINT GIFTS
Sunbeam Durant 7–Piece Cutlery Set
Picnic Time® Sunshine Blanket Tote
FisherPrice® Stack Surprise Blocks
Digitech® Sport Binoculars
Black & Decker Travel Iron
Philips Norelco Grooming System
Leapfrog® Scribble & Write
Continental Electric 2Qt. Slow Cooker
CalPak Blue Duffle Bag
Proctor Silex Compact Grill
March
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s P
ag
e 1
1
Borough Beat
Melinda Katz Welcomes Second Child
New Face At Helm Of Queens TheatreBY DOMENICK RAFTER
The Queens Theater in the Park wel-
comed Ray Cullom as its new executive di-
rector this week, as the theater winds down
one season and begins work on the next.
Cullom, a native of Philadelphia, comes
to Queens Theater after two years as man-
aging director of Long Wharf Theater in
New Haven, Conn. Originally on track to
become a stage director, Cullom came to
New York in the late 1980s where he
worked on Theater Row on 42nd Street
gaining experience in performance, light-
ing and production. He later spent some
time working for the Nederlander theater
family group’s Nederlander Worldwide En-
tertainment in Maryland. Altogether;
Cullom has over two decades of both for-
profit and not-for-profit theater experience.
“I bring to the theater a different per-
spective,” he said, having experience in
for-profit theater, where he said the art is
used as a means to create revenue, and
non-for-profit, which he said revenue is
used to create art.
Cullom, who replaced Jeffrey
Rosenstock, who had been with the the-
ater since its rebirth in 1989, said he was
spending his first days learning the names
of his staff and the history of the Queens
Theater. The theater, which sits in the
shadow of the long-abandoned towers of
the New York State Pavilion in Flushing
Meadows Corona Park, both produces its
own material and presents programs pro-
duced elsewhere as a venue. That’s a com-
bination Cullom says he likes.
It was the culture of Queens that
brought Cullom back to New York. He said
he hopes to use social media like Facebook
and Twitter to entice programs to come to
the theater and to help sell tickets.
“The potential for this theater is the
thing that brought me here,” he said. “The
fact that such diverse programs exist
[around the borough] and it’s easier to
find and bring them here more than ever.”
Cullom said one focus will be to promote
local artists, performers and playwrights; the
borough’s diverse and dense population
should make it easy to fill the theater’s 460
seats for just about any performance.
“I guarantee you there is an audience
for anything and everything of quality
that we can put our hands on,” he said.
“There are 460 people in this borough
who will show up.”
Another project on Cullom’s mind is
to get the theater an actual physical street
address. The site, located in the middle
of the World’s Fair grounds, has no ac-
tual address and cannot be found on GPS.
Instead, motorists have to follow small
signs on surrounding highways and in the
park itself to lead to a parking lot a short
distance from the theater.
“Having an address would make this
easier to find,” Cullom said. “If people
can’t get here, they won’t come.”
Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at
[email protected] or (718) 357-
7400, Ext. 125.
BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY
Former Councilwoman Melinda Katz re-
cently welcomed a second child into her life.
Hunter Charles Katz was born nearly
three months premature at Weill Cornell
Medical Center on Feb. 24. The good news
was tempered by the loss of Hunter’s twin.
“Most of my friends knew that I was preg-
nant with twins,” Katz said in a phone inter-
view Tuesday. “It was a difficult pregnancy
for a bunch of reasons. But in the end I gave
birth to one beautiful little baby boy. The
other one unfortunately did not survive.”
Hunter’s middle name is from Katz’s
Zadie (grandfather) from Hungary. “I wanted
to pay tribute to him.” Her first son, Carter
David, is named for her father’s Jewish name.
As for Hunter, you can attribute the
name to ex-football player Fred Dryer for
acting in one of Katz’s favorite TV shows –
“Hunter,” which ran from 1984 to 1991.
Young Hunter was born at 3 lbs 3 oz, and
as of Tuesday morning was up to 3 lbs, 14 oz.
“Thank God, he’s doing well so far,”
Katz said. “I’m looking forward to bring-
ing him home.”
Hunter joins his brother Carter, who
turns 3 on May 3.
Reach Executive Editor Brian Rafferty at
[email protected] or (718) 357-
7400, Ext. 122.
Hunter Charles Katz was born Feb. 24.
Southeast Queens Photos Edited By Harley Benson
pix
Pa
ge 1
2 PRESS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s M
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1
Elected officials and community leaders came together to attend theUnited Black Men of Queens County Legislative Breakfast.
Celebrating A
Holy Centennial
A banner displaying the celebra-tions for the 100th birthday of theDawoodi Bohra community'sspiritual leader, His Holiness Dr.Syedna Mohammed BurhanuddinT.U.S. As part of the celebrations,the community organized a pro-cession and a fun fair at theircommunity center in SpringfieldBoulevard in Queens.
A child from the DawoodiBohra community, dressedin traditional attire, wavesa flag specially designedfor the 100th birthday cel-ebration.
Community memberspray for the long lifeand good health ofHis Hol iness Dr.Syedna MohammedBurhanuddin T.U.S.
Head priest (Aamilsaheb) of theDawoodi Bohra community in NewYork, Janaab Behlul BhaisahebHashemi, thanks NYPD policemenwho helped run security during theprocession.
Children and adults join the paraderoute.
Janaab Behlul Bhaisaheb Hashemi poses with the community's childrenoutside the Jamali markaz (community center) in Queens.
Tennis pro John McEnroejoined Queens Borough Presi-dent Helen Marshall and Youthand Tennis Executive DirectorBill Briggs at the official open-ing of the Roy Wilkins Parktennis bubble in JamaicaMarch 12. Marshall provided$2.27 million for the installa-tion of the bubble, access forthe disabled, a storage shedand new landscaping.
Tennis Bubble Opens
The Taxi and Limousine Com-mission (TLC) and the DesignTrust for Public Space con-gratulate Abdul Mohammedfor winning the grand prize ofa year's worth of free taxicabrides. Pictured (l. to r.): De-sign Trust Executive DirectorDeborah Marton, contest win-ner Abdul Mohammed andTLC Commissioner DavidYassky.
Free Taxis
United Black Men Of Queens
State Sen. Tony Avella was in-vited by the Queens ColonyCivic Association of Belleroseto speak at their monthlymeeting. Pictured (l. to r.):Queens Colony Civic Asso-c ia t ion Pres ident AngelaAugugliaro, Treasurer BrianLong, Sergeant a t ArmsMichael Augugliaro and Sen.Tony Avella.
Queens Colony Civic
WE CAN HELP IF YOU SUFFER FROM….
www.nypaindoc.comPAIN MANAGEMENT Ph: (718) 479 - 3900
Rajesh Patel, MD, FIPP, DABPMNityananda Podder, MD
CHRONIC LOW BACK or NECK PAINSciatica, Pinched NervesHerniated, Ruptured, Bulging DiscDegenerative Disc, Spinal stenosisMigraine and Non-Migraine headache
2270 Kimball Street, Suite 102, Brooklyn, NY 11234196-17 Hillside Ave, Hollis ( Queens), NY 11423
Most Insurance, Worker’s comp & No Fault accepted
More than 20 years of combined experience
March
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s P
ag
e 1
3
Pa
ge 1
4 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s M
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1
Profile
BY SASHA AUSTRIE
For the last five years, Valerie Samuel
has been embarking on the most impor-
tant role in her career - "Mom."
Her entire life changed when her son
Jeremiah was born. Samuel traded in her
daily of 8 a.m.-til-whenever routine as a
financial consultant and a college profes-
sor for diaper changes and bottle feedings.
"That was a hard transition because
you are so used to being around people
and being in the game," she said. "It was
very difficult because I always held ex-
ecutive level positions, but I couldn't do
that now because who is going to watch
the baby."
Samuel weighed her options. She
could resume her post, become a stay-at-
home mom, or reinvent herself. As a
fiercely independent woman, Samuel
chose the latter.
The skills she had deftly put to use for
others were repurposed to start market-
ing herself as "mompreneur."
Samuel has written three books, includ-
ing "The Balancing Act II" and "Frame-
work One Project Management System."
Samuel has also created DVDs to rein-
force the message.
She is currently hosting Mommy
Makeovers throughout the City. From 1
p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 18, Samuel will
‘Busy Mom’ Becomes A Job Title
be at the Harvest Room. If you are seek-
ing immediate financial advice, Samuel
can be heard at 7p.m. Sundays on
Cathleen Williams' "I'm Just Saying" on
Blog Talk Radio.
"I wanted to do something more,"
she said. "I needed the f lexibility and
the income."
Samuel who initially studied broadcast
journalism in college, garnered her busi-
ness experience in her father's store, which
sold Benjamin Moore Paints in Georgia.
Samuel, 46, said the store was forced
to close because the surrounding commu-
nity was being redlined.
She turned misfortune into triumph.
Samuel was employed by the same group
that helped her father launch his business,
Minority Business Development Agency
in Georgia. For three years, she provided
marketing, and wrote and implemented
business plans for corporate companies.
Samuel moved onto the New York City
Small Business Administration where she
conducted market research for compa-
nies. Samuel said the only difference from
the MBDA she encountered was her ad-
ditional duty training entrepreneurs on
how to enact their business plans.
"Whatever they needed, we did it for
them," she said.
It was then, in the midst of an up-
ward trend in her career, Samuel became
an expectant mother. She decided she
would not rejoin corporate America, but
become an entrepreneur, and as a strong
proponent of having it all, she began
teaching other women how to live the
life they want.
Samuel is not only extending her knowl-
edge to the working mom, but se also
teaches at three colleges in the city. Even
with all of her accomplishments, Samuel
Got A Profile?
Send a photo with background
and contact information to:
PRESS of Southeast Queens
150-50 14th Rd.,
Whitestone, NY 11357
Valerie Samuel
is still a work in progress. Like every busy
mom, she is still balancing and toeing a
fine line between work and family.
Last Friday, while sitting in her
beautician's chair, she was multitasking
as usual. On the phone, she was summing
up her life story while occasionally ad-
monishing Jeremiah.
"I'm here with my son because his
school is closed," she explained. "Do you
know any other employer who is tolerat-
ing this kind of stuff?"
Samuel would not change her life path
and would like to have another child.
"I want to be with him," Samuel said
of her son. "I want to have fun with him."
For mothers, she has this parting ad-
vice, "Don't sacrifice your children."
For information regarding Samuel ser-
vices call (212) 292-5127 or e-mail
Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at
[email protected], or (718) 357-
7400, Ext. 123.
A A A A A &&&&& E E E E EM
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s P
ag
e 1
5
Restaurant Review
Queens’ Leguizamo Back On B’way
Boro’s Burger Crown
BY ELYSE TREVERS
The 7 Train was one of actor John
Leguizamo's first theaters. As a teenager,
the former Jackson Heights resident
kicked open the conductor's "boof" and
"riffed" on the subway PA system, before
he was brought to the 110th Precinct.
In his latest Broadway offering,
Ghetto Klown at the Lyceum Theatre,
Leguizamo mines his life and experiences
for material. Starting with his upbringing
in Queens, he talks quite freely about his
stoic, non-demonstrative father and fo-
cuses on the effects his dad had on him.
He enters onstage wearing
sweatpants, a warm up jacket, T-shirt and
backwards Mets' cap. (Unsurprisingly,
several in the mixed theater audience were
dressed in the same way.) Later the work-
out clothes prove useful as he dances,
hustles and runs around the stage, even
climbing up the fire escape.
This is an R rated show, hardly appro-
priate for children, and while many perform-
ers in one-man shows have bottles of water
nearby, Leguizamo drinks openly from beer
bottles. His language gets quite colorful at
times and particularly humorous is his in-
terpretation of the U.S. map, as he details
events where he lived and worked. (Queens
gets a particularly vivid description and
those of us who lived and worked in Queens
laughed the hardest of all.)
He proves himself a master of voices
and accents. Each character has his or
her own distinctive mannerisms, postures
and voice. Leguizamo's first acting
teacher, who he affectionately refers to
as "Tweety," sounds like Katherine
Hepburn in "On Golden Pond."
When he discussed some of the mov-
ies in which he acted, he began to imper-
sonate several familiar actors, including
Steven Seagall, Al Pacino and Kurt Russell.
Many of the encounters were a bit aggres-
sive, but Leguizamo mastered the voice
and mannerisms of the familiar stars.
The show includes some touching mo-
ments, especially when he lovingly imi-
tated his Socialist grandfather. He is able
to inject humor even into poignant mo-
ments. After telling of the passing of his
beloved grandfather, he recalls being told
that when an elder dies, the grandson
should put his ashes into his etch-a-sketch
so he's always with him.
The show is liberally sprinkled with
Spanish, much of which is clear even to the
non-Spanish speakers. Not all, however.
And cognizant of this, Leguizamo focused
on one woman in the audience asking if
she understood. When she said no, he re-
plied, "Call your bank and press two."
He has had other one-man Broadway
shows, some of which received critical
acclaim. He got a nomination for best solo
performance, but he was up against
Elaine Stritch and Bea Arthur, both octo-
genarians. He said he thought he'd win
since he was the only one of the three
able to climb onto the stage to receive
the award. He didn't win; Stritch
did.
The show is a bit cathartic as
Leguizamo discusses his inability
to connect emotionally and form
a strong relationship. However,
these revelations make the second
act a bit overlong and perhaps
overly sentimental.
Leguizamo has an avid vocal
following and after seeing him for
the first time, I can easily see why.
He is energetic, charming and in-
credibly talented. And well worth
the price of the ticket.
Ghetto Klown ends where it
begins: with the Queens boy, now
a successful family man and per-
former, back riding the 7 train
where it all began.
Ghetto Klown is playing at the Lyceum
Theater, 149 W. 45th St. Call (866) 276-
DONOVAN’S PUB
54-24 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside
(718) 429-9339
CUISINE: Irish Pub – Burgers
HOURS: 11 a.m. to midnight, 7 days
PARKING: Street
CREDIT CARDS: Cash only
It was an unusually warm Monday
night for this early in March, and having
just come back from Manhattan at an
event, we were looking for some place
to go that was easy to get to and where
we knew we’d have a good time.
Our first choice was obvious –
Donovan’s.
Arriving just after 7 p.m., we got a
parking spot right in front and headed
inside this dimly lit haven for local Irish
rogues and those seeking out the finest
burger in Queens.
Passing through the bar, as the Irish
eyes smiled upon us, we headed down a
couple of steps to the dining room and
were handed the simple menus. Irish fa-
vorites – from Shepherd’s Pie to a house
special f lounder stuffed with crab meat
– dotted the menu. But really, mostly we
were there for the burgers.
In her thick brogue, our server took
our drink order and hurried off to place
her order at the bar. By the time she re-
turned, we were set – two burgers, an
order of onion rings to share and a fish
and chips platter.
Yeah, we could have had the soup
or ordered off the short menu of spe-
cials, but we have come to love
Donovan’s, consistently rated as the
best burger in the borough, for its hot
off the griddle meaty madness. We were
not disappointed.
The burgers were thick, weighty, juicy
and delicious. They have that perfect bal-
ance with the tenderness of the beef, the
crisp snap of the seared exterior and the
juiciness that, by the time you’re done,
has turned your napkin translucent.
The fish was light and buttery, its
crust simultaneously tender and crisp,
served with lemon and just the right
amount of tartar sauce – malt vinegar is
available if you ask.
Both the burger and the fish were
served with thick, hand-cut fries that are
nearly wedges, well browned and crisp on
the outside, soft and steamy in the middle.
Following our dinner, we sat over
coffee and were never rushed. People
came and went, all greeted by the host-
ess, all having a great time.
It’s a simple meal, a friendly place
and great spot to enjoy a quick bite – or
to linger and enjoy the evening. And for
that Best Burger title? The crown still
resides in Woodside.
—Brian M. Rafferty
The New York Pass, New York City’s
premiere money saving attraction card,
will soon open up a special exhibit on
everybody’s favorite boy wizard, Harry
Potter.
Opening April 5 at Discovery Times
Square, “Harry Potter, The Exhibition”
will give visitors an up close and personal
look at the official artifacts and props that
were used throughout the Harry Potter
films, from Quidditch uniforms, Man-
drakes and Hagrid’s hut to Harry’s wand
and signature glasses.
“The New York Pass is thrilled to add
‘Harry Potter, The Exhibit’ at Discovery
Times Square to its list of attractions. This
highly anticipated exhibit is sure to be a
favorite with New York Pass holders, both
children and adults,” said Brian Scullin,
spokesman for New York Pass.
The New York Pass grants access to
more than 50 of the top sites and attrac-
tions across the Big Apple for a single
price, many with exclusive “fast-track”
entry privileges, allowing card holders to
whiz past long lines.
Most of the time, tourists are the ones
who enjoy the pass, but folks from Queens
and the other borough who want to spend
some time living like a tourist can also get
a great taste of what Mahattan has to of-
fer with the New York Pass.
New York Pass of fers single-day
passes regularly priced at $80 for adults,
$55 for children; two-day passes, $125
for adults, $105 for children; three-day
passes, $155 for adults, $135 for children;
and seven-day passes, $200 for adults and
$160 for children.
Every New York Pass comes with a
free 175-page guidebook that includes de-
tailed maps, hours of operation, tips and
directions to every New York Pass attrac-
tion. The pass can be purchased online
at newyorkpass.com or picked up in per-
son at Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises,
Madame Tussaud’s, New York Skyride,
NBC Experience Store, Planet Holly-
wood, Bike and Roll NYC Bike Rentals
and Radio City Music Hall.
Harry Potter, City Sites
Through Tourist Eyes
Guitar virtuoso and vocalist John
Pizzarelli will perform an evening of jazz
standards and American popular song
with the Swing Seven Orchestra at
Queensborough's Performing Arts Center
(QPAC) on Saturday, April 2, at 8 p.m.
John Pizzarelli - the son of swing gui-
tarist Bucky Pizzarelli - is known by those
in our area as the face and voice of the
popular Foxwoods television commercial.
He has earned the distinction of be-
ing one of the only "second generation"
musicians responsible for preserving the
legacies of many great American compos-
Swinging Guitar Licks
To Flit Through QPAC
ers and musicians. In his recording work
and concert appearances, John has paid
tribute to great singers such as Frank
Sinatra and Nat King Cole, and great
American composers such as Richard
Rogers and George Gershwin.
Tickets are $40 and are available
online at visitqpac.org or by phone at
(718) 631-6311. Tickets are also avail-
able online at visitQPAC.org. The center
is located on the Queensborough Com-
munity College campus in the heart of
Bayside, with ample free parking and 24-
hour security.
John Leguizamo performs on Broadway in “Ghetto
Klown.”
4887 or go to ghettoklownonbroadway.com
for tickets.
NotebookCampus Magnet Complex
Faith
Celebrating A Decade of Leadership
Aspiring Actor Plays Many Roles
BY BOB HARRIS
Jayson Edmund is a senior in the Hu-
manities and the Arts HS in the Campus
Magnet Complex, Cambria Heights, who
is the Senior Council President and also
an actor. This Brooklyn resident entered
the acting program in his freshman year
at HUM HS and has been in more than 14
shows in the past four years. He has been
involved in several school educational
programs and student government.
On Nov. 19, 2010, he played his last
role on the stage of the Campus Magnet
auditorium as Peter in Charles Dickens’
“A Christmas Story.” The school has cre-
ated the HA! Theater Company, which
produces one big name show every holi-
day season. Director Mayna L. Bragdon
has created a HA! Theater company
alumni association and provides alumni
free front row tickets to all future produc-
tions and updates of theater news at the
Humanities and the Arts HS.
Edmund’s acting career started as a
freshman when he auditioned as an un-
derstudy for the Lion in The Wiz, and
within a week was given the part. Bragdon
wrote to Edmund, “Allowing you, as a
freshman, the role of the Lion in The Wiz
in such a lead role was very scary, but you
pulled it off. You showed that you were
responsible and talented. That combina-
tion is always hard to find, especially in
freshmen.
Edmund has been involved in several
different activities, such as the Young
Men’s Alliance, took part in a Toy Drive
with Young Men’s Alliance, is Drum Ma-
jor for the HUM HS Band, a Steel Band
member, Arts Committee Member, Beta
Club representative, played football for
more than eight years, was part of the plan-
ning of all school shows, on the School
Leadership Team, participated in College
Summit Workshops and was a College
Summit Ambassador, participated in High
School Fairs, in Open House Night, Red
Ribbon Week, Stage Crew, the AVID en-
richment program, and was one of sev-
eral student leaders chosen to speak with
alumni Abbe Ravin when she was Princi-
pal for a Day.
Edmund’s philosophy is, “It’s all about
family and friends.” He thanks his best
friend, John, who is Student Council Vice-
President, friend Shaquilla, and his family
for their support and always believing in
him.
Jayson Edmund
BY SASHA AUSTRIE
This month marks the 10th anniver-
sary of the Rev. Craig Scott Brown, Sr.’s
leadership of Bethany Baptist Church.
To celebrate his decade-long stint at
Bethany’s helm, there was a series of ser-
vices throughout March, which will cul-
minate in a banquet on Saturday and a
service on Sunday.
Nancy Scott, church administrator and
a member of Bethany for almost 30 years,
is happy with Brown’s guidance.
“We have a fiery pastor,” she said pre-
viously. “He believes in what he’s doing.
He is passionate about the word.”
Brown is not only celebrating his ten-
ure at Bethany, in May he will graduate
with a Doctorate of Ministry from Drew
University. The academic honor will add
to his already distinguished catalog of de-
grees with a Master of Divinity from Yale
University Divinity School. He also has a
degree in philosophy and religion from
Montclair State University.
Brown answered God’s call to the min-
istry in 1981 and received his license to
preach at the St. Paul Baptist Church New
Jersey, under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr.
Henry Davis, Jr.
Before taking his post at Bethany,
Brown served at Greater Faith Tabernacle
Baptist Church in Connecticut and Mount
Calvary Baptist Church in Illinois.
On Feb. 12, 2001, Brown was called
to pastor Bethany. A month later, he took
his post at the helm of the church.
Since coming to Bethany, Brown has
added to the already rich legacy.
Pa
ge 1
6 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s M
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1
The church did not only
need a new pastor, its physi-
cal walls were crumbling. In-
stead of panicking or shuttling
the responsibility, Brown took
the challenge head on. At the
start of his second year of lead-
ership, Brown started to put
his vision into focus. In 2002,
he established the Leadership
Council & Bible Study Class,
two church vans were pur-
chased, and he assigned a
theme for the year. The first
was, “The Year of Unity.”
To learn more about the
events celebrating his tenure,
call (718)659-6099.
Reach Reporter Sasha
Austr ie at
(718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.
Keepin’ The Faith? The PRESS wants to hear about the
special programs in your faith community. Send your
thoughts, stories, prayers and photos to:
The PRESS at 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357
All stories will be considered. Photos cannot be returned.
WordReligion is the belief
in an ever-living God,
that is, in a Divine
Mind and Will ruling
the Universe and hold-
ing moral relations
with mankind.”
—James Martineau
Rev. Craig Scott Brown, Sr.
Is Your School Doing
Something Good?
Write The PRESS of
Southeast Queens
150-50 14th Rd.,
Whitestone, NY 11357
March
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s P
ag
e 1
7
Queens TodaySECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL
Send typed announcementsfor your club or
organization’s events atleast TWO weeks in
advance to “Queens Today”Editor, Queens Tribune,174-15 Horace HardingExpressway, Fresh Mead-
ows, NY 11365. Send faxesto 357-9417, c/o Regina.
IF YOUR ORGANIZATIONMEETS ON A REGULARBASIS, SEND ALL DATESFOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
YOUTH TEENS
FUTURE WRITERSSaturday, March 26 bookclub at the LIC library at 11.CHESS CLUBSaturdays at the Flushinglibrary at 2.TEEN TUTORINGSaturday, March 26 at theBayside library at 10.TEEN TUTORINGMonday, March 28 at theBayside library at 3:30.LAPTOPS FOR TEENSMonday, March 28 at theHollis library at 4.CHESS CLUBMonday, March 28 at theLefferts library at 6.TEEN CHESSMonday, March 28 at theBayside library at 6.SAT STRATEGYMonday, March 28 SAT FreeS t ra tegy Ses s ion w i thP r ince ton Rev iew a t theRichmond Hill library. Reg-ister 800-273-8439.TEST FESTMonday, March 28 Test Festwith Princeton Review at theQueens Village library. Reg-ister 800-273-8439.CRAFT CLUBMonday, March 28 at theLIC library at 6.KNIT & CROCHETMondays at the Douglaston/Little Neck library at 4.BOOK BUDDIESTuesday, March 29 at theHillcrest library at 3:30.LAPTOPS FOR TEENSTuesday, March 29 at theHollis library at 4.TEEN GAME DAYTuesday, March 29 at theRochdale Village library at 4.DUNGEONS & DRAGONSTuesday, March 29 at theBaisley Park library. Register.CATSTuesday, March 29 Councilof Advisory Teens meet atthe Flushing library at 4.CRAFTTuesday, March 29 at theQueens Village library at 4.SHSAT PRACTICEThursday, March 31 prac-tice test with Kaplan at theBayside library at 3.TEEN POETRYThursday, March 31 cornyteen poetry craft at the Flush-ing library at 3:30.DUCT TAPE WALLETThursday, March 31 at theWindsor Park library. Regis-ter .YOGA FOR YOUTHThursday, March 31 at theRidgewood library. Register.TIME TRAVELThursday, March 31 talk atthe Hillcrest library at 6.POETRY SLAMFriday, April 1 Poetry SlamWorkshop at the Pomonoklibrary. Register.TEEN HAPPY HOURFriday, April 1 at the Flush-ing library at 3.COOL CROCHETFriday, April 1 at the EastElmhurst library at 3:30.TEEN DRAMAFriday, April 1 Teen DramaClub at the Central library at4 .LEARN MAGICFr iday , Apr i l 1 a t thePomonok library at 4.WII SPORTSFriday, April 1 Wii SportsChallenge at the Lefrak Citylibrary at 4:30.
STORY TIMESaturdays, March 26, April2 Ridgewood library at 11.TEEN TUTORINGSaturdays, March 26, April2 Bayside library at 10.SCIENCE LABSaturdays, March 26, April2 Central library at 11.TALONSSaturday, March 26 at Al-l ey Pond Env i ronmenta lCenter. 229-4000.CHESS CLUBSaturdays at the Flushinglibrary at 2.KNIT & CROCHETMondays a t 4 a t theDouglaston/Li t t le Neck l i -b ra r y. B r ing need les andyarn.AFTERSCHOOL TIMEMonday, March 28 at theArverne library at 3.CRAFT KIDSMonday, March 28 at theFlushing library at 3.TEEN TUTORINGMonday, March 28 at theBayside library at 3:30.CUDDLE-UP TIMEMonday, March 28 RussianCuddle-Up Story Time at theForest Hills library at 3:30.CHESS CLUBMonday, March 28 at theLefferts library at 6.CUDDLE UP STORYTIMEMonday, March 28 ChineseCuddle-Up Story Time at theForest Hills library at 2.WRITING WORKSHOPMonday, March 28 at theCambr ia He igh t s l i b rar y.Register .LITTLE TOTMonday, March 28 at theHillcrest library at 4.SPRING ARTSMonday, March 28 at theHillcrest library at 6.CHESS CLUBMonday, March 28 at theLefferts library at 6.CIRCLE OF FRIENDSTuesday, March 29 at theGlen Oaks library at 11.BOOK BUDDIESTuesday, March 29 at theHillcrest library at 3:30.DUNGEONS & DRAGONSTuesday, March 29 at theBaisley Park library. Register.READING CLUBTuesday, March 29 withBOOST at the McGoldricklibrary at 5.AFTER SCHOOLTuesday, March 29 at theBellerose library. Register.CHESS CLUBTuesday, March 29 at theLIC library at 4.ELA PREPWednesday, March 30 6th
Grade ELA preparation work-shop at the Cambria Heightslibrary. Register.MATH ACTIVITYWednesday, March 30 withBOOST at the McGoldricklibrary at 5.CHESSWednesdays at the QueensVillage library at 3:30.CRAFTSWednesday, March 30 atthe Steinway library at 11.First come, first served.FAMILY COLORINGWednesday, March 30 atthe Queensboro Hill libraryat 11:15.CHESS & CHECKERSWednesday, March 30 at
the Woodside library at 3.FUN READINGWednesday, March 30 BayTerrace library at 3:30.CROCHETINGWednesday, March 30 atthe Bayside library. Register.CHESS CLUBWednesday, March 30 at theRidgewood library at 4.FAMILY STORYTIMEWednesday , March 30Queensboro Hil l l ibrary at11.BABY CRAWLWednesday, March 30 For-est Hills library at 1:30.WEATHER ACTIVITYWednesday, March 30 EastFlushing library. Register.CRAFTSWednesday, March 30 atthe Seaside library at 4.DISCOVER SCIENCEThursday, March 31 withBOOST at the McGoldricklibrary at 5.AFTERSCHOOL TIMEThursday, March 31 at theArverne library at 3.SKATEBOARD CRAFTThursday, March 31 MiniSka teboard Cra f t a t theCambr ia He igh t s l i b rar y.Register .YOGA FOR YOUTHThursday, March 31 at theRidgewood library. Register.CHESS CLUBFridays at the Poppenhusenlibrary at 3:30.GAME DAYFr idays a t 3 :30 a t theQueens Village library.GAME PLAYERS CLUBFridays Hillcrest library at 4.GAME TIMEFridays at the Windsor Parklibrary at 4.CHESS CLUBFridays at the Douglaston/Little Neck library. Register.ACTIVITY TIMEFridays at the Briarwood li-brary at 3:30.FAMILY STORY TIMEFriday, April 1 at the Sea-side library at 11.CRAFTERNOONSFr iday , Apr i l 1 a t theRidgewood library. Register.GAME DAYSFriday, April 1 at the BayTerrace library at 2:30.RAISING READERSFriday, April 1 at the Penin-sula library at 10:30.FAMILY PLAYTIMEFriday, April 1 QueensboroHill library. Register.STORY TIMEFriday, April 1 Family StorytimeSeaside library at 11.PRESCHOOL CRAFTSFr iday , Apr i l 1 a t theSunnyside library. Register.YUGI OHFr iday , Apr i l 1 a t theQueensboro Hill library at 4.ARTS & CRAFTSFr iday , Apr i l 1 a t theMcGoldrick library at 5.FAMILY STORYTIMESaturday, Apri l 2 a t theFlushing library at 11.POETRYSaturday, April 2 Poetry inyour Pocket Story time at 11at Barnes & Noble, 176-60Union Turnpike, Fresh Mead-ows.SCIENCESunday, April 3 Science andStructures at the NoguchiMuseum. 204-7088.
PARENTS
SINGLES
TALKS
SINGLES SOCIAL & DANCESundays, March 27, April10, June 12 singles socialand dance from 2-6. $10.Over 45. Rego Park JewishCenter, 97-30 Queens Blvd.,Rego Park. 459-1000.
COLLEGE LOANSMonday, March 28 CollegePrep: Loans , Scholarsh ipsand Grants at the Pomonoklibrary at 5.YOGA FOR PARENTSThursday, March 31 at theRidgewood library. Register.SYLVAN LEARNINGSaturday , Apr i l 2 parentworkshop from Sylvan Learn-ing Center at 2 at the Cen-tral library.STORY TIMESaturday, Apri l 2 a t theRidgewood library at 11.
WOMEN MOVERSSaturday , March 26Women Making Moves: TheThree Ps: for Success: Plat-form, Power, Publishing at10 :30 a t the Langs tonHughes library.DIE FREESaturday, March 26 CherylWills speaks about her book“Die Free: A Heroic FamilyHistory” at 1:30 at Barnes &Noble, 176-60 Union Turn-pike, Fresh Meadows.WOMEN & FOODSunday, March 27 “Mom’sHome Cooking: Women &Food in Queens History” lec-ture 2:30 Queens HistoricalSociet y. $8 non-members,$5 members. 939-0647.STEINWAY BOOKMonday, March 28 adultbook c lub a t 6 :30 a t theSteinway library.LIFE COACHINGThursday, March 31 l i fe -coaching seminar at the BayTerrace library at 6.TIME TRAVELThursday, March 31 TimeTravel Time: Fact and Fictionat the Hillcrest library at 6.BLACK INDIANSThursday, March 31 BlackIndians lecture at 6:30 at theLangston Hughes library.FLUSHING BOOKFriday, April 1 “To Kil l AMockingbird” wi l l be d is -cussed at the Flushing libraryat 1.
SENIORS
FREE LUNCHSaturday , March 26 a tChurch of the Resurrectionin Kew Gardens. 847-2649reservations.TAI CHI CLASSESMondays a t 9 a t thePomonok Senior Center, 67-09 Kissena Blvd, Flushing.591-3377.TAX HELPMonday, March 28 free in-dividual income tax counsel-ing for low- income o lderadults at 1 at the Sunnysidelibrary.CLEARVIEWMonday, March 28 MusicAppreciation at 12:45. Tues-day, March 29 Trip to the99 cen t s to re . Reg i s te r .Thursday , March 31Jokercise at 1 and “HSBC:Maximize What You LeaveYour Loved Ones” at 10:15.C learv iew Sen ior Center ,208-11 26th Avenue, Bayside.224-7888.CAREGIVERSEvery Tuesday CaregiversSupport group at 3:30-4:30at the Se l fhe lp Clearv iewSenior Center, 208-11 26th
Avenue, Bayside. 631-1886.TAX HELPTuesday, March 29 AARPfree individual income taxcounseling for low-incomeo lde r adu l t s a t 1 a t theBayside library.STAY WELLWednesdays at 10:15 at theEast Elmhurst library for ex-ercise and other health re-lated programs.WOMANSPACEWednesdays Womanspace,a discussion group devotedto i s sues concern ingwomen, meets 1 -3 at theGreat Neck Senior Center,80 Grace Avenue . Newmembers welcome.TAX HELPWednesday, March 30 freetax help for low and middleincomes at the Broad Chan-nel library at 1.TAX HELPThursday, March 31 AARPfree individual income taxcounseling for low-incomeolder adults at 1 at the FreshMeadows library.STARSFriday, April 1 at 10:30 atthe Queens Village library.Senior Theater Acting Rep-ertory meets.DANCE LESSONSFridays, April 1, May 6 freedance l e s sons – t ango ,pasodoble, cha cha, etc. –from 1-2:30 at the PomonokSenior Center. 591-3377.LUNCHEON & DANCESaturday, April 2 RockawayBlvd. Senior Center will holda luncheon and dance. 657-6752 ticket information.
FLEA MARKETS
RELIGIOUS
SPRING BOOK SALESunday, March 27 9-3 at theBe l l e rose Jew i sh Cente r .Books, records, DVDs andmore. 254-04 Union Turn-pike, Floral Park.FLEA MARKETSunday, March 27 at HolyCross Ukra in ian Catho l icChurch, 31-12 30th Street,Astoria from noon to 5.SPRING RUMMAGE SALETuesday, April 5 9-5 at theBe l l e rose Jew i sh Cente r ,254-04 Union Turnpike, Flo-ral Park. Also from 9-2 at theJewish Center of Kew Gar-dens Hills, 71-25 Main Street,Flushing.THRIFT SHOPSSaturdays 11-4 at BargainBout ique Th r i f t Shop ,Queens Baptist Church, 93-23 217th Street, Queens Vil-lage.465-2504.
GLENN MOHR CHORALESunday, March 27 at 4 atthe Immaculate ConceptionCenter in Douglaston. Sun-day, April 10 at Our Lady ofMercy Church in Fo res tHil ls. Glenn Mohr Choralepresents an original produc-tion highlighting the eventsof the Lenten Season. 516-488-0600.REGO PARK JC
Sunday , March 27 l i gh tbrunch, make col lage art ,appreciate poetry and joinin singing Yiddish songs. $5.11:30am. Saturday ShabbatServices at 9. Wednesdays12:30-2:30 Yiddish Vinkel.Wednesday even ings a t6:30 Torah Discussion aftereven ing Minyan Se rv i ce .Rego Park Jewish Center ,97 -30 Queens B lvd . 459 -1000.SHOLEM ALEICHEM DAYTuesday, March 29 celebra-tion of Yiddish culture at theCentral Queens Y in ForestHills. 268-5011, ext. 151.ST. THOMASMarch 29-31 Lenten ParishMission. April 16 AnnualBreak fas t wi th the Eas terBunny. May 7 Mother’s DayConcert. May 14-15 Home-coming Mass, brunch andtour s . 100 th Ann ive r sa ryEvents for St . Thomas theApostle, 87-19 88th Avenue,Woodhaven.LUTHERAN REDEEMERWednesday, March 30 Mid-week Lenten Service at 7:30.Sundays regu la r worsh ipservice with Holy Commun-ion at 8:30 and 10:30. Sun-day School, Adult Bible Classand Friendship Hour at 9:30.Yout h Group a t 12 :30 .Wednesday prayer groupand B ib le S tudy a t 7 .Lutheran Church of the Re-deemer , 157 -16 65 th Av -enue, Flushing. 358-2744.CULTURAL JUDAISMSaturday , Apr i l 2 t heQueens Community for Cul-tural Judaism will present thestory of one man who foundhis Jewish ident i t y at theUnitarian Congregation ofQueens , Ash Avenue and149th Street, Flushing. At 2.%4 non-members.EMANUEL UNITEDSaturday, April 2 “Voicesof Victory,” a gospel choirwill perform at 4. $10 sug-gested donation. Sunday,Apr i l 3 Len ten Vesper sPrayer Service at 5. EmanuelUn i ted Church o f Chr i s t ,Woodhaven Blvd. and 91st
Avenue. 849-1153.WOMEN’S SEDERSunday, April 3 at 12:30 atTemple Tikvah of New HydePark. 516-746-1120.
Pa
ge 1
8 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s M
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1
Queens Today
MEETINGS
MISCELLANEOUS
ST. ALBANS CIVICSunday, March 27 St. AlbansCivic Improvement Associa-t ion meet s a t S t . A lbansLu the ran Church , 200 th
Street and 199th Avenue inthe undercroft at 1:30.JEWISH VETSSunday, March 27 JewishWar Veterans of the USALipsky/Blum Post meet at theGarden Jewish Center. 463-4742.VFW 4787Monday , March 28Whitestone VFW Commu-nity Post meets. 746-0540.MENS CLUB SOCCERTuesday evenings at the For-est Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000.FRESH MEADOW CAMERATuesdays the Fresh Mead-ows Camera C lub meets .917-612-3463.WOMANSPACEWednesdays Womanspace,a discussion group devotedto i s sues concern ingwomen, meets 1 -3 at theGreat Neck Senior Center,80 Grace Avenue . Newmembers welcome.FLUSHING CAMERAWednesday, March 30 Flush-ing Camera Club meets atFlushing Hospital at 7:15.479-0643.WOODHAVEN CULT.Wednesday , March 30Woodhaven Cu l tu ra l andHistorical Society, Inc. meetsat Emanuel United Church ofChr i s t , 91 st Avenue andWoodhaven Blvd. 845-3385.ADVANCED TOASTMASTERThursday, March 31 learnthe art and science of publicspeaking in Queens. 525-6830.QUEENS CENTRAL ROTARYThursdays 6:30-8:30 Comelearn i f Rotary is for you.465-2914.WOMAN’S GROUPFridays the Woman’s Groupof Jamaica Estates meets atnoon. Call 461-3193 for in-formation.
CLOTHING DRIVEThrough April 24 at the For-est Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000.WALK-A-THONSunday, March 27 ForestHills Jewish Center walk fortheir shul. 263-7000.TAX PREPSaturday, April 2 free taxpreparation at the LangstonHughes library at 11.
EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS
JH ART CLUBClasses in all art forms daysand evenings for chi ldrenand adults. 454-0813.DEFENSIVE DRIVINGSaturday, March 26 at theKnights of Columbus in Val-ley Stream. 341-0452. Alsoat St. Margaret’s Church inMiddle Vi l lage. 326-1911.Also at Holy Family Churchin Flushing. 631-360-9720.INTERVIEW PREPSaturday, March 26 Inter-view Preparation Workshop
for Adults at 3 at the Broad-way library.FM POETSSaturday, March 26 FreshMeadows Poets meet to dis-cuss and critique their workat 10 Forest Hills library.BECOME A CITIZENSaturday, March 26 at theLIC library.AN ARTIST IN YOUSaturday, March 26 917-494-3572. All ages.CRAFT CLASSESSaturdays 11 -3 at Mar iaRose Dol l Museum in S t .Albans. 276-3454.SCRABBLE CLUBSaturdays at 10 at CountBasie Jr. HS, 132nd Street andGuy R. Brewer Blvd. 886-5236.PET OWNERSSundays (not on holidays)from 1-4 free workshops onpet behavior at CrocheronPark in Bayside (weather per-mitting). 454-5800.BOAT SAFETYSunday, March 27 AboutBoating Safety with the USCoast Guard Auxiliary in FortTotten. 917-952-7014. AlsoWednesday, March 30 atQueensborough Commu-nity College. 281-5538.DRAWING CLASSMondays at the National ArtLeague in Douglaston. 361-0628.ADULT CHESSMondays and ThursdaysQueens Vi l lage l ibrary a t5:30.BALLROOM DANCEMonday, March 28 BallroomDancing with Jing Chen atthe Forest Hi l l s l ibrary at6:30.CHESS CLUBMonday, March 28 at theLefferts library at 6.LIC CRAFT CLUBMonday, March 28 for adultsat the LIC library at 1 and 6.CREATIVE WRITINGMonday, March 28 creativewriting workshop at the Sea-side library at 2.JOB INFORMATIONMonday, March 28 MiddleVillage library. Register.POWERPOINTMonday, March 28 Intro-duction to PowerPoint at theMaspeth library at 6.BASIC COMPUTERTuesday, March 29 at theAstoria, LIC and Glendale li-braries. Register.SCRABBLE CLUBTuesdays at the East Flush-ing library at 3:30.COMPUTER CLASSTuesday, March 29 at theArverne library at 10.INTRO COMPUTERSTuesday, March 29 at thePeninsula library. Register.MICROSOFT EXCELTuesday, March 29 at theMcGoldrick library. Register.COMPUTER BASICSTuesday, March 29 QueensVillage library. Register.CHESS CLUBTuesday, March 29 at theLIC library at 4.MEDITATIONTuesday, March 29 FindingInner Peace Through Medi-tation at 4 at the RichmondHill library.GET YOUR YARNS OUT!Tuesdays after evening Min-yan at 8, knitters, crochet-
ers, needlepointers, and oth-ers meet at the Forest HillsJewish Center . 263-7000,ext. 200.DUPLICATE BRIDGEWednesdays 10:30-3:00 atthe Reform Temple of For-est Hi l l s . $12 sess ion, in -cludes light lunch. 261-2900.WATERCOLOR CLASSWednesdays at 9:30 at NAL.Tradit ional and contempo-rary, all levels. 969-1128.INDOOR SOCCER – DADSWednesday evenings at theForest Hills Jewish Center.263-7000.SCRABBLEWednesday, March 30 atthe Forest Hills library at 2.GOOGLE TIPSWednesday , March 30Google Tips and Tricks at theCentral library. Register.JIC ORIENTATIONWednesday, March 30 ca-reer resources at the Cen-tral library at 11.QUILTING CLASSESThursdays 10-2 at the MariaRose Dol l Museum in S t .Albans. 276-3454 or 917-817-8653 to register.COMPUTER CLASSThursdays at the Queens-boro Hill library. Register.EXCELThursday, March 31 Intro-duc t ion to Exce l a t thePomonok library. Register.FINANCIAL SEMINARThursdays, March 31, April7, 14 at the Central libraryat 10:30.CAREER POTENTIALThursday, March 31 at theCentral library at 1.JOB SEARCHThursday, March 31 JobSearch and Networking Strat-egies at the Lefferts libraryat 6.FINANCIAL SEMINARSThursdays, March 31, April7, 14, 21, 28 at the Steinwaylibrary at 6.KNIT & CROCHETThursdays a t the F reshMeadows library at 6.KNITTING CLUBFridays at the Maspeth li-brary at 10.KNIT & CROCHETFridays at the Fresh Mead-ows library at 10:30.SCRABBLEFridays Bananagrams andScrabble at the Windsor Parklibrary at 2:30.GAME DAYFriday, April 1 chess, check-ers and other board gamesat 2:30 at the Bay Terrace li-brary.COMPUTER CLASSFriday, April 1 at the MiddleVillage library. Register.BASIC COMPUTERFriday, April 1 basic com-pu te r l e s sons a t theAuburndale library. Register.SILENT LIBRARYFriday, April 1 play gameson being “Silent In Our Li-b ra ry” a t the Cambr iaHeights library at 4.IMPROV WORKSHOPSaturday, April 2 learn thebasic techniques involved inimprovisat ional theater atthe Rochdale library at 3.PUBLIC SPEAKINGSaturdays, April 2, 16, 30learn to communicate effec-tively at Elmhurst Hospital.646-436-7940.
ENTERTAINMENT
ABBAMANIASaturday , March 26 a tQueensborough Commu-nity College. 631-6311.DOO-WOPSaturday, March 26 annualfundraising Doo Wop con-cert at Beach Channel HS.755-6262.RUSSIAN FESTIVALSaturday, March 26 at theFlushing l ibrary start ing atnoon.WOMEN’S HISTORYSaturday, March 26 ce l -ebrating Women’s HistoryMonth with New Voices inF i c t ion a t the Langs tonHughes library at 1.SYMPHONY 101Saturday, March 26 at 1 atthe Lefferts library and at 3at the Bayside library.MERCERSaturday, March 26 tributeto Johnny Mercer at the For-est Hills library at 2.ART IN EUROPESaturday, March 26 Pro-vocative Fin de Siecle: Artin Europe at the End of the19 th Century at the FreshMeadows library at 3.LATIN/AFRO-CARIBBEANSaturday, March 26 at theLangston Hughes library at3:30.PET THEATRESunday, March 27 GregoryPopovich Comedy Pet The-atre at Queens College. 793-8080.KAROAKESunday, March 27 at theCommunity House in ForestHills. 279-3006 for ticket in-formation. Fundraiser for theOratorio Society of Queens.RAGTIMESunday, March 27 ParagonRagtime Orchestra at Flush-ing Town Hall. 894-2178.STAMP SHOWSunday, March 27 at theRamada Inn, 220-33 North-ern Blvd., Bayside. Free. 10-4:30.THE MUSIC MANMonday, March 28 Car l“The Music Man” and Teri-Ann perform at the Laureltonlibrary at 6:30.JAZZ FESTIVALMonday, March 28 Lat inJazz Fes t i va l a t the Eas tElmhurst library at 7.MOVIE & TALKMondays the F r iends o fPomonok present a movieand discussion. Bring lunch.1 at the Pomonok library.BINGOTuesdays at 7:15 at Ameri-can Martyrs Church, churchbasement , 216 -01 Un ionTurnp ike , Bays ide . 464 -4582. Tuesdays at 7:15(doors open 6) at the RegoPark Jewish Center, 97-30Queens Blvd. 459-1000.$3admis s ion inc ludes 12games.LOVE STORIESTuesday, March 29 Long Is-land Love Stories from Be-yond at 1:30 at the Bay Ter-race library.GREAT MUSICTuesday, March 29 greatmusic from the 30s to 70s atthe Douglaston/Little Necklibrary at 2.DINO ROSIWednesday, March 30 at 2Concer t o f In te rna t iona lSongs with Dino Rosi at the
Briarwood library.SONGS OF 60SThursday, March 31 at 3:30at the Ozone Park library.MOVIE BASED ON BOOKFriday, April 1 “To Ki l l aMock ingb i rd . ” Watch amovie based on a book at 2at the Flushing library.FLAMENCO & INDIANFriday and Saturday, April1, 2 at 8 and Sunday, April3 at 4 the Thalia SpanishTheatre in LIC presents Fla-menco and Indian Music andDance. 729-3880.COOL BEATS JAZZFriday-Sunday, April 1-3 atLeFrak Concert Hal l . 544-2996.LIVE JAZZFridays through December13 at 180-25 Linden Blvd..,S t . A lbans . 347-262-1169ticket information.BRAZILIAN DOC.Saturday , Apr i l 2 f i lmscreening of Brazilian docu-mentary “Rhythmic Upris -
DANCE
ALUMNI
ST. AGNESSaturday, April 16 St. AgnesAcademic HS in Co l l egepoint for all years, especiallythose ending in 1 or 6. 353-6276.
SQUARE DANCESaturday, March 26 AlleyPond Environmental Center’ssquare dance . $12 . 229 -4000 to register.ISRAELI FOLKMondays 7:30 -10 :00 a tHillcrest Jewish Center, 182-02 Union Turnpike. $10 ses-sion. 380-4145.LINE DANCINGMondays 6 :30 -9 :30 a tKowal insk i Pos t 4 , 61 -57Maspeth Avenue. $7. Cakeand coffee. 565-2259.
ing” at the Broadway libraryat 2:30.SYMPHONY 101Saturday, April 2 perfor -mance workshop for the en-tire family at the Lefferts li-brary at 1 and the Baysidelibrary at 3.ROB CROWESaturday , Apr i l 2 RobCrowe Situation performs atthe Flushing library at 2.CHARMED CIRCLESaturday , Apr i l 2 Pab loPicasso and Paris in the Early1900s at 2:30 at the ForestHills library.IRISH CONCERTSaturday, April 2 fo r thebenefit of the People of Haitiw i th Mary Cour tney andMorning Star at Our Lady ofMercy in Syosset. 454-9804.GREEK CULTURESunday, April 3 at the Cen-tral library at 3 with GrigorisMan inak i s and theMikrokosomos Ensemble.
ENVIRONMENT
HEALTH
GOING GREENSaturday, March 26 green-ing , educat iona l and net -working conference in Flush-ing. 341-1395.BIRD OF PREYSaturday, March 26 hawks,fa lcons and owls at Al leyPond Environmental Center.229-4000. $15. 2pm.FREE TREESSunday, March 27 free treesto the first 200 people at Al-l ey Pond Env i ronmenta lCenter. 229-4000 to regis-ter .TWILIGHT WALKFr iday, Apr i l 1 Tw i l i gh tSpring Peeper Walk at AlleyPond Environmental Center.229-4000. $5 members, $7others.WORK IN WETLANDSSaturdays, April 2, 23, 30help eradicate invasive plantspecies from the wetland ofAlley Pond Park with a vol-unteer crew. 229-4000.
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS7 days a week. 962-6244.WAITANKUNGSundays at 2. Waitankung isa great total-body workout.Join these ancient Chineseexercise classes in the Flush-ing Hospital/Medical Centerauditorium on 45th Avenuebe tween Pa r sons andBurling. Free. Jimmy 7-10pm347-2156 information.TAI CHIMondays and Thursdays at11 at the Card iac Heal thCenter in Fresh Meadows.670-1695. $5 a class.ZUMBAMonday, March 28 at theSt. Albans library. Register.MARROW REGISTRYMonday, March 28 join theMarrow Registry at the Flush-ing library at 2.CAREGIVERS SUPPORTEver y Tuesday We ste rnQueens Caregiver Networkin Sunnys ide . 5 :30 -6 :30 .784-6173, ext. 431.CAREGIVERS SUPPORTEvery Tuesday 3:30-4:30 atthe Selfhelp Clearview Se-
nior Center, 208-11 26th Av-enue, Bayside. 631-1886.CHAIR YOGATuesday, March 29 Wood-haven library. Register.CHAIR YOGATuesday, March 29 at theRego Park library. Register.YOGAWednesdays 5:30-6 :30 atthe Cardiac Health Centerin F resh Meadows . 670 -1695. $10 class.ZUMBAWednesday, March 30 atthe Flushing library at 6.OAThursdays a t the HowardBeach library at 10:30.COOK WITH SPICESThursday, March 31 at theFlushing library at 6.HATHA YOGAThursday, March 31 at theQueensboro Hill library at 6.Mat, comfortable clothing.CHAIR YOGASaturdays, April 2, 16, 30Chair Yoga Fresh Meadowslibrary. Register.
March
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s P
ag
e 1
9
CLASSIFIEDS
TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE
NEXT LEVEL AND ADVERTISE WITH
SOUTH EASTQUEENS PRESS
Sewer & Drain Sewer & Drain
Old RecordsDoo-Wop - Rock & Roll Soul - 70’s Disco - Lattin
Reggaee/Calypsso - Blues - Jazz - Gospel Blue Grass - Middle Easstern & Other Ethnic Music
Charrlie
516-612-2009
♫ ♪
Wanted To BuyTutoring
Tree Services
ARNOLDO’S TREESERVICE
• Pruning• Stump Grinding
• Planting• City Permits Obtained• Prompt Storm Service
149-57 Beech Ave. • Flushing New York 11355Ph: 718-463-7829 Cell: 917-337-4062
SPRINGFIELD GARDENSLegal 2 Family. Det. w/garage,
1 BR upstairs, 2 BRs dwnstairs,
finished basement, 3 full baths,
$315K. Call Realty Plush.
718-276-1255 or 347-489-0450
House for Sale
CAMBRIA HEIGHTS4 Family Detached Brick
40x100. 4 Bdrms, 3 Baths, EIK,High Basement, Priv Driveway
Garage, Nice Backyard, Low Down Payment. Any Credit.
Call Owner - Rep 347-499-2599
House for Rent
Help Wanted Help Wanted
Take Your BusinessTo The Next Level
and Advertise with us!
718-357-7400 Ext 151
Advertising SalesAccount Executives Wanted
for the Press of Southeast Queens,serving the southeast Queens
predominantly African-American community. Experience a plus, but
bright beginners are urged to apply. Great work environment. Salary +
Commision + Expense + Bonus + Health Benefits and 401(k). Car
necessary. Fax resume to 718-357-9417 or email
MUSE treatment for erectionTUINA, Indigo Laser-latest outpatient treatment
TUMT MICROWAVE for prostate surgeryBRACHY THERAPY–Seed Implant, no surgery for
prostate cancerKidney stones without surgery, including laser
surgeryComplete Urological Center for Males & Females
Stress Incontinence for FemalesOver 20 years in Queens Area
Kris K. Jhaveri, M.D., F.A.C.I.P., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.P.E.SONOGRAM ON PREMISES
Rego Park Office (718) 271-2800Emergency 24 hours (800) 846-8991
PROSTATE & POTENCY CENTERUROLOGIST
Se hablaEspañol
COMPLETEIMPOTENCE
CENTER
Most Ins.,HMO’saccepted
ViagraPill Given
FREE with
Consultation
Construction
NUNEZ CONSTRUCTIONSheetrock & Painting
We Specialize In Crack Repairs
EXPERT WORK ON STOOPSBRICK, BLOCK & CONCRETE
Full Remodeling For Bathrooms And Kitchens7 Days, Lowest Prices Free Estimate
License & Bonded - All CCs Accepted
718-219-1257Facebook: nunezconstructioninc
Urology Urology
Tree ServicesJose Landscaping& Tree Services
917-442-8482
-Spring Cleaning &
-Lawn Maintenance-
-Stump Grinding-
-Land Clearing-
All Tree ServicesProvided
FREE ESTIMATESLicensed & Insured
March
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s P
ag
e 2
1
PeopleLaGuardia Community College hon-
ored six newly elected New York State
Assembly and New York City Council
women at its inaugural “New Women Lead-
ers of Queens” luncheon on March 4. Rec-
ognized at the Women’s History Month
celebratory event were Assemblywomen
Grace Meng, Aravella Simotas and Michele
Titus and Councilwomen Elizabeth
Crowley, Julissa Ferreras and Diana Reyna.
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan,
who served on the Assembly since 1984
and officiated the event, was joined by
a host of legislators, which included
Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney and
Nydia Velazquez, Council member
Jimmy Van Bramer, former Senator
Serph Maltese and members of the col-
lege community, that came to recognize
the women.
In her remarks, Nolan said that his-
torically, Queens County has always
had a very strong tradition of women in
legislative positions. “It is wonderful that
there is a new group of women stepping
up and assuming that leadership mantle
and taking it further,” she said. “They are
extremely accomplished and come to the
job with a strong skill set.”
Assemblywoman Meng, who serves
Flushing, is the youngest Asian Ameri-
can ever elected to the New York State
Legislature, and is currently the only
Asian American serving in the entire leg-
islature. Eight of Meng’s bills on issues,
ranging from extending unemployment
insurance to providing new incentives for
property owners to commit to providing
affordable housing, have been signed into
law.
Assemblywoman Simotas, who comes
to the Assembly with a law degree, is the
first woman to represent District 36
(Astoria) and the first Greek American
woman to be elected in the Assembly.
Simotas is a longtime member of Queens
Community Planning Board 1 and has
served on the boards of the United Com-
munity Civic Association and the Hellenic
Times Scholarship Fund.
Assemblywoman Titus represents the
communities of South Ozone Park,
Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, Far
Rockaway and Laurelton. She has intro-
duced and supported policy for
afterschool programs in every public
school, expanding early childhood edu-
cation, providing access to quality
healthcare, and lowering senior prescrip-
tion costs.
Council member Crowley is the first
Democrat and the first woman to repre-
sent the 30th Council District—Maspeth,
Middle Village, Glendale, Ridgewood,
Woodhaven and Richmond Hill. The new
council member is interested in stopping
overdevelopment, improving local
schools, strengthening services for se-
niors, improving healthcare and improv-
ing parks.
Council member Ferreras serves Co-
rona, East Elmhurst and parts of Jack-
son Heights. Ferreras is a vigorous de-
fender of the rights of victims of sexual
and domestic violence, an impassioned
fighter for the working people of her dis-
trict, and is committed to the rights of
New York’s large and growing immigrant
community.
Council member Reyna, the first
woman of Dominican descent elected to
office in New York State, represents com-
munities stretching from Williamsburg and
Bushwick in Brooklyn to Ridgewood,
Queens. Reyna chairs the Council’s Com-
mittee on Small Business and has been
an advocate for affordable housing as well
as initiatives to stem obesity and asthma
rates in her community.
During the ceremony, the young legis-
lators jointly praised Nolan, who repre-
sents Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Long Is-
land City, Queensbridge, Ravenswood,
Astoria, Woodside, Maspeth, Dutch Kills
and Blissville, as having charted a course
for women politicians.
“Cathy has been a trailblazer for
women not only in Queens County but in
New York State,” said Crowley.
Dr. Gail O. Mellow, President of
LaGuardia Community College, echoed
their accolades saying, “Cathy is a real
leader who leads with her head and her
heart, and whose feet always stay rooted
in this community.”
Dr. Mellow added that the College will
honor these legislators with the
LaGuardia Wall of Fame—a gallery of
photos and bios of the newly elected pub-
lic servants and Assemblywoman Nolan—
which will be placed in the LaGuardia
and Wagner Archives.
The honorees of LaGuardia Community College’s inaugural “New Women Leaders of
Queens” luncheon.
Conf ident ia l ly, New York . . .
Clowns – you either love ’em or hate ’em.We’ve got least one person on staff herewho’s petrified of them. Perhaps he saw“Poltergeist” one time too many.
Good thing he wasn’t out covering the2011 World Clown Convention last week-end at the LaGuardia Plaza Hotel in EastElmhurst. From March 14-18 more than 200clowns from across the country emergedfrom a tiny car parked outside the hotel tolearn the latest techniques in pratfalls, make-
Viper ReturnsWe here are excited
about the second install-ment of Kung Fu Panda.The cast for sequel tothe goofy blockbusterwas recently unveiledand Lucy Liu will onceagain reprise her role asViper, a member of TheFurious Five.
The Queens beautywill bring as much of hersexiness to the slitherycharacter that is allowable in animation. If you cannot wait until May 26 to satiate your Liu appetite, youcan hear voice on the Bullitts new single. The newsong, dubbed “Close Your Eyes” is due for releaseApril 18.
The song is not part of your everyday conven-tional album. It seems, “They Die By Dawn and OtherShort Stories” is a concept album that follows thenarrative of Liu’s character Amelia Sparks. Sparks isa convicted murderer awaiting execution.
Sounds interesting.
Lucy Liu is reprising a
role that makes us
squirm - in a good way.
Clown Conventionup design and shoe sizing.
Seriously, though, we’re a little creepedout and unsure of just how LaGuardia Air-port was able to handle the security whenthey arrived. Were the x-ray machine con-tainers big enough to hold the shoes? Werethey allowed to have their water-sprayingflowers loaded as they boarded the plane?
Perhaps for the TSA's sake, these ques-tions are best left unanswered. Only a realBozo would ask them anyway.
Washed UpMayday, mayday. The
captain’s lost control again.Attempting to row across the
Atlantic Ocean for the third time,Victor Mooney, of Forest Hills,was rescued after only two weeksat sea.
In an effort to raise HIV/AIDSawareness, Mooney believed histhird attempt at crossing thetreacherous waters, would proveto be successful.
His first attempt, in 2006, endedwhen his handmade boat sank justhours after departing from Senegal,in West Africa. In 2009, the sec-ond attempt went bust when hiswater purification system brokedown and ended in another searescue.
Apparently the third time wasnot a charm.
After his state-of-the-art row-boat wouldn’t stop taking on wa-ter, Mooney decided to bail on the5,000-mile voyage back home.
While floating aimlessly at sea,Mooney was ignored by the firstship that sailed by before eventu-ally being rescued by a Greek mer-chant vessel.
The dangerous rescue mission,which took nearly five hours,“saved my life,” said Mooney.
Now bound to land, but notbroken, Mooney vows to continueraising HIV/AIDS awareness.
And promises his wife, his mis-sion will stay as dry as possible.
Red noses invaded East Elmhurst as a Clown Convention came to Queens.
The season didn’t even startyet, and already one New Yorkcompany has thrown in the towelon the Mets.
In the their latest ad campaign,Manhattan Mini Storage, the com-pany that brought New York suchsarcastic ads as “Can’t SqueezeAnother Thong in Your Closet”and “You’re Just Not Meant ForThe Suburbs” has unveiled theirlatest ad campaign aimed at con-vincing city dwellers it’s better tostore their extra junk in their stor-age centers rather than buy a bighouse and paying astronomicalproperty taxes. In it, they take acynical swipe at the city’s less-storied baseball team.
On subways, bus shelters andtelephone booths (the few that artleft) around the city, you might
have seen the ad that reads “Why leave a city that has six professionalsports teams and the Mets.”
Real nice Manhattan Mini Storage. Why don’t you just go ahead andhire John Rocker to be your celebrity spokesman?
No Love For Mets Are You A Model Of Queens?Call 718 357-7400 & ask for Brian
The company’s caustic campaign
Terezia, who hails fromSlovakia, was first featured in ourpages in 2008, and her sharp looksenthralled us enough to revisitthis gal who is still making herimpression in the modeling world.
Since last we spoke, Tereziawon second place in MissDiaspora International, hasworked on commercials and hasdone print modeling in a variety ofplaces, including some work forthe New York Giants.
This past December she cameback to the Miss Diaspora annualcontest as a judge and was moreof a knockout than some of thecontestants.
Speaking of knockouts, watchout – this gal is a master at karate,studying for a decade and enter-ing in national competition, wherein 2006 she was a world championfor her class. Great looks and asolid uppercut to boot.
Glendale Gal
Terezia RevesovaHome: GlendaleAge: 24Height: 5’ 4"Weight: 114 lbs
ModelsOf
Queens
Victor Mooney’s boat hits the
water – at least for a little while.
Pa
ge 2
2 P
RE
SS
o
f S
ou
th
ea
st Q
ueen
s M
arch
2
5-3
1, 2
01
1
Visit xsre.com and follow us on
Copies not accepted. Limit one coupon per transaction. Coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. The discount cannot be applied to giftcards or sales tax. Discount expires April 30, 2011. $1,000 Shop-ping Spree: No purchase necessary. This of-fer is not available to employees and their families. Winners drawn on Saturday, May 7, 2011 and announced on our Facebook page.
Palisades Center1282 Palisades Center DrWest Nyack NY 109941st fl oor next to Best Buy
Bay Harbour Mall345 Rockaway TurnpikeLawrence NY 11559next to Bed Bath & Beyond
COMING SOONParamus Towne Square240 Route 17 NorthParamus, NJ 076521 mile north of Route 4
off20%any one item
one per store
plus enter to win a
$1,000 shopping spree!
The biggest accessory superstore in the world.
You’ve never seen anything like XSRE (say “ak-sess-uh-ree”).
We’ve gone to great lengths, widths, and heights to create the biggest accessory superstores in the world and fi ll them with anastounding selection of shoes,
bags, bangles, beads, belts and more in the styles, colors, and textures you love.
From classic essentials to this season’s sizzling must-haves, XSRE has everything you need to show off your style IQ or maximize
what’s already in your closet. Only a store this big would give
you a coupon this size. Get 20% off any one item, plus enter to win a $1,000 shopping spree!
See it for yourself! Spend a week at the XSRE near you!
As if you neededan excuse to visit the biggest accessory store in the world!
QT