Back To School

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But five will be in existing buildings, which pols say won’t help crowding

by Anna Gustafson Editor

W

hile six new schools will open in Queens this fall, five of the institutions will be housed in already existing buildings, leaving residents and legislators thirsty for more classroom space in a borough that boasts some of the most overcrowded schools in the city.

“We are maxxed out in every school,” said Community Education Council 24 President Nick Comaianni. “There’s a desperate need to alleviate overcrowding.”

Maspeth High School is expected to bring some relief to District 24, which includes Corona, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Woodside, Glendale and Ridgewood, when its permanent building opens at 54-50 74 Ave. in the fall of 2012.

Though the high school will have its first freshman class this year, the students will be housed at the Metropolitan Campus in Forest Hills until next year because the Maspeth institution is still being constructed.

Maspeth High School will ultimately have around 1,100 seats — about one-quarter of the seats planned for the district in the city’s 2010 to 2014 capital plan. City officials designated more seats in the capital plan for District 24 than anywhere else in Queens.

Rockaway Collegiate High School also opens this fall and will be permanently housed within another building —

Beach Channel High School, which is being phased out and will close in 2014. Rockaway Collegiate will be one of two smaller schools at the Beach Channel campus and will operate an extended school day, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and run a required summer school program.

Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences, which aims to prepare students for careers in the healthcare and medical industries, will open this fall in the Jamaica High School building.

It will be the fourth smaller school located at Jamaica High, which is also being phased out and will be shuttered in 2014.

Gateway students, who will be required to wear uniforms, will have mandatory internships and summer programs. Students there will also have a slightly longer school day, monthly Saturday seminars and required community service.

PS 354 will open at PS 30 in Rochdale Village and will begin educating students in kindergarten through second grade. It will eventually completely replace PS 30, which is being phased out and will close in 2014. PS 354 is expected to be the only school that will be housed in what is now the PS 30 building.

The Collaborative Arts and C o m m u n i t y Vo i c e s m i d d l e schools will both open in the IS 231 building in Springfield Gardens this fall. IS 231 is being phased out and will also close in 2014.

Back To School

Maspeth High School students will be temporarily housed at the Metropolitan Campus in Forest Hills this year. The new Maspeth High School building will open in the fall of 2012.

A new elementary school, PS 354, will open in the PS 30 building this fall. PS 354, which this year will accept students in kindergarten through second grade, will eventually completely replace PS 30, FILE PHOTOS which is being phased out and closed by the year 2014.

At the Collaborative Arts Middle School, sixth grade students will be exposed to a variety of disciplines — music, theater, dance and visual arts, among others, and will then concentrate on one art form in seventh and eighth grade.

Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said southeast Queens, where the two middle schools are opening, need more new school buildings — especially high schools.

“The high schools are horribly overcrowded,” Comrie said.

“We need more high schools, more junior high schools and we believe we’ll need more elementary seats. We have a lot of people that are illegally doubling up in apartments, and there’s clearly an increase in population.”

State Sen. Shirley Huntley (DJamaica) echoed Comrie’s sentiments.

“I’ve been to schools where kids are all over the place,” said Huntley, co-chair of the Senate’s Committee on New York City School Governance. “It’s really sad. A lot of our schools need general upkeep; some of them are falling apart. We’re in dire straits when it comes to school buildings.”

Queens has long been notorious for its overcrowded classrooms, in part because of the immigrant families that have flooded into the neighborhoods in recent years and because of the limited space to find places to build schools.

“You have two major airports in Queens, and the first place people who are trying to settle in this country step foot in is Queens,” said state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights). “They say, ‘where is the area where there are many Spanish speakers?’ So they go to Corona, to Woodside.”

Peralta said school District 24, which he represents, is the epicenter of overcrowding in the city.

“PS 19 in Corona is the most overcrowded school per capita in the country,” he said. “It’s a symbol of what needs to be fixed. You have to end 30 years of overcrowded conditions — conditions you expect to see in underdeveloped countries.”

There, student enrollment has jumped 12 percent since 2005, while citywide it has remained flat.

The city DOE has added more than 8,200 seats in the district since 2003, but it still has the largest class sizes in the city in first through third grades.

Peralta noted the city is looking for places to build new schools in the district, and he expects about five new elementary schools will open within the next five years.

“Parents are upset about the overcrowding, and they need to be vocal about it,” Peralta said.

“Go to council meetings, talk to your elected officials. Participate in hearings and meetings. All Q that makes a difference.”

Two new middle schools will open in the IS 231 building in Springfield Gardens this fall.

Page 5 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2011 ✵ Back To School — Fall Guide

Six new schools will open in boro this fall

Emphasis on testing worries pols, teachers

Back To School

State officials place more weight on exams in teacher evaluations

by Anna Gustafson

ough say is an overemphasis by everyone from Mayor Bloomberg to President s teachers in Queens and through- Obama on standardized tests that have out the city head back to their squelched creativity in the classroom classrooms this fall, they will be because teachers and students have to under more pressure than ever before to spend much of their time on test preparaensure their students do well on stan- tion.

“The problem is, they’ve turned our dardized tests because of a recent decision by state officials to place more schools into test prep factories,” said weight on the exams when evaluating Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens), who has long been a critic of instructors.

The state Board of Regents voted in the mayor’s educational policies. “Eightyear-olds are bringing May to approve the home packets of Stannew evaluation sysley Kaplan test prep. tem, which goes into The city is spending effect this school year ducation has hundreds of millions and stipulates that of dollars on test prep state standardized test become too packets.” results would constipolitical.”

The weight given to tute 40 percent of a standardized tests has teacher’s annual eval— State Sen. Shirley Huntley long been a point of uation — 20 percent contention, with more than what many educators saying union officials and many legislators had said they would it doesn’t take into consideration a host support. The remaining 60 percent would of reasons students do, or do not, perbe based on measures such as principal form well on tests — including socioeconomic status and prior educational expeobservations.

Under the new rules, teachers and riences — and test proponents, including principals would be rated as highly effec- Bloomberg and Obama, arguing it allows tive, effective, developing or ineffective. officials to objectively monitor teachers’ If teachers are slapped with the ineffec- and schools’ progress.

State officials, including Education tive rating for two years, they could face Commissioner John King and Regents dismissal.

The state’s decision highlights what Chancellor Merryl Tisch, have lauded the some legislators and educators in the bor- merits of a testing-intensive system,

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Beginning this year, 40 percent of annual teacher evaluations will be based upon FILE PHOTO how well their students perform on standardized tests.

though King has said it is important to have a system that includes not only testing data but input from principals, and others in the school community, when evaluating teachers.

“Our focus remains leveraging evaluations to drive improved teaching and learning” King said.

The role the exams plays in education has snowballed since former President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind law in 2001 and continued to gain momentum in New York after the state legislature approved mayoral control, dismantling the Board of Education system and effectively giving control over the schools to Bloomberg in 2002.

In Queens, this increased focus on testing has meant the deterioration of arts programs and the loss of teachers who feel they can no longer meaningfully instruct students, according to a number of legislators and educators, including Weprin.

And, this added emphasis on testing in teacher evaluations will more rapidly drive educators from the system, said Judy Rouse, a literacy coach at PS 30 in Rochdale Village.

“There will be a mass exodus of teachers, in our building and the city,” Rouse said. “The old teachers, we knew how it was. We actually were able to teach the children because we were given the leeway to do what we thought was best. The whole thing is so sick, so disgusting.”

State Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica), the co-chair of the Senate’s Committee on New York City School Governance who has long been involved in educational issues in her district, agreed with Rouse, saying “there was a time teachers were excited about teaching.”

“Teachers go into teaching because they want to educate children,” Huntley said. “I’ve spoken to many teachers, young teachers and teachers who’ve been

there for a long time, and they’ve left because they couldn’t take it anymore.

Education has become too political.”

Huntley also said she, like Weprin, is worried that testing preparation has become its own subject in school, edging out subjects like arts and physical education, which are not part of standardized tests.

“It’s more than testing that makes a whole child, that makes a whole school experience,” Huntley said. “There are many other kinds of school activities that make a student better. If we’re going to focus just on testing, that’s not the answer. If you take away gym, cultural activities, arts, that leaves a big blank.”

With the growing importance of testing, people like Weprin and the former Community Education Council District 26 President Rob Caloras have raised questions about the prevalence of cheating on the tests.

Many teachers the Queens Chronicle have spoken to in recent months, who will not speak on the record for fear of retaliation, have said there is significant pressure to manipulate the data so students’ test scores are higher than they should be.

“Teachers will proctor the tests that judge them,” Weprin said. “For example, they’ll walk around the room, checking students’ answers, go to the front of the room and say, ‘you may want to look at number 15 again.’”

Weprin, Caloras and others aren’t placing the bulk of the blame on the teachers, but rather on the system, which Weprin said “encourages cheating.”

“There’s always been shenanigans with testing, but now it’s more widespread because the stakes are greater,” Caloras said. “People will do what they can to make sure the tests show them in a good Q light. That’s just human nature.”

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City urged to support schools as they close Pols, educators worry there will be few resources for the institutions

by Anna Gustafson

A

Editor

s four Queens schools are phased out over the next several years, borough legislators and educators are urging the city Department of Education to support students in the institutions they worry will get the short end of the stick.

City officials will close Jamaica and Beach Channel high schools, PS 30 in Rochdale Village, and IS 231 in Springfield Gardens in June of 2014, which the DOE has said is necessary because of the schools’ low test scores and graduation rates.

The city will operate smaller schools in the buildings and has already opened one or more schools that will replace J a m a i c a a n d B e a c h C h a n n e l . Tw o schools are expected to be opened at IS 231 and one new school will be located at PS 30.

“The DOE should be doing everything possible to ensure the children in the schools that are closing have the exact same resources that the new schools have,” said Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans). “There’s no reason, with all the changes teenagers have to already go through and the low self-esteem many of them have to deal with, that they should be made to feel less by the city because other children, who are in the same building as them, have more resources than they do.”

Jamaica High School is one of four Queens schools being phased out over the next FILE PHOTO several years. It will close in 2014.

Comrie and state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) have been loud critics of the resources available to Jamaica High

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students compared to their peers in the three smaller schools in the century-old institution. According to Comrie, Avella, and students and teachers, Jamaica High School has far more students in its classrooms but has little technology and other resources, while the new schools boast many new Smart boards and computers.

For example, Doreen Mohammed, who graduated second in her class at Jamaica High School in 2011 and is attending Columbia University on a full scholarship this fall, said she was unable to conduct lab experiments in her advanced placement biology class last year because of “budgetary restrictions.”

“Or we needed music to graduate, but we couldn’t take it because there was no money for a music teacher, so we had to take double period art,” Mohammed said. “The city deprived us of things other got, and yet they’re calling us failures.”

City officials did not respond with a comment for this article, though in the past they said on this issue that Jamaica had less money in its budget because it had fewer students opting to go to the school.

“Struggling schools like Jamaica see decreased enrollment because parents are choosing better options for their kids,” a spokesman said in a previous statement.

“And smaller schools naturally have smaller budgets.”

The city originally attempted to begin closing the four schools last year but was temporarily stopped after it was sued by the United Federation of Teachers and the NAACP. A state judge ruled the city had not sufficiently explained to communities the impact of the closure on the surrounding neighborhoods, and the city had to hold public hearings earlier this year on the closures.

Following those hearings, the city Panel for Educational Policy voted earlier

this year to approve the phase outs, which begin this fall.

Jamaica and Beach Channel high schools will not accept freshman beginning this year — meaning the only students that will go through Jamaica and Beach Channel all four years were the freshmen that began in the 2010-11 school year.

There are now three smaller schools at Jamaica — the High School for Community Leadership, the Hillside Arts and Letters Academy and Queens Collegiate.

The High School for Community Leadership and the Hillside Arts and Letters Academy opened last year, and Queens Collegiate has been at Jamaica for a few years.

There will be two smaller schools at Beach Channel High School, including Rockaway Park High School for Environmental Sustainability, which opened in September 2010, and Rockaway Collegiate High School, which will open in this school this fall.

City officials said two newly zoned middle schools, IS 355 and IS 356, will be located at IS 231, which had educated students in sixth through eighth grades.

The Springfield Gardens school will not accept sixth grade students this fall.

PS 30, which includes students in prekindergarten through fifth grade, would be replaced by PS 354, also a zoned school that would educate students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. PS 30 will no longer have students in prekindergarten through second grade this fall, but will educate pupils in the third through fifth grades. Students in kindergarten through second grade will attend school at the new PS 354, which will be co-located in the PS 30 building.

Judith Rouse, a literacy coach at PS 30, said she is concerned that students and teachers at her school will not receive the necessary support from the DOE as it closes.

“I’m ver y disappointed that the Department of Education claims they gave us support because that’s a lie,” Rouse said. “The DOE has never proved to PS 30 that they have ever helped them. There are no dates, no time, there’s nothing. The DOE wants teachers to be held accountable for everything and they’re accountable for nothing.”

The DOE again did not respond to a request for comment on Rouse’s statement, though at the public hearing held earlier this year city officials said they repeatedly worked with teachers and literacy and math coaches between the time officials announced they wanted to phase out the school and the vote on the plan — which Rouse and other teachers said never happened.

According to a statement on the DOE’s website, the city will support each of the four schools being phased out by providing teacher training on curriculum planning, improving teaching practices and tailoring instruction to individual student needs. The DOE also states it will help the schools by “fostering opportunities for teachers and administrators to connect with colleagues in other more successful schools, allowing them to learn from one another, improve teachQ ing and better support students.”

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The Children’s Discovery Center at library is hit with kids and parents

by AnnMarie Costella Assistant Editor

Back To School

Zubair Ashby, left, and his brother, Shakief Harris, play with an interactive exhibit on optical illusions and the human eye while Brianna Scott, far left, reads a book PHOTOS BY ANNMARIE COSTELLA about toothpaste.

CRYW-055141

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n a large room on the second floor of the Central Library in Jamaica, a group of about 50 children eagerly listen to librarian Tracy Cao as she reads them a Mexican folktale titled “Cuckoo” by Lois Ehlert.

After storytime, the youngsters make two arts and crafts projects that were related to Hispanic culture — an aluminum ornament, which they have the option of decorating with a drawing of a sun or a fish, and papel cortado — creatively cutting patterns into colored paper.

The class is just one of the myriad of enriching activities to keep kids busy at the new Children’s Discovery Center, a $40 million, 22,000-square-foot facility located on two floors within the Jamaica library.

“It’s our job to keep them busy and encourage them to read more books,” Cao said. “Reading is everything. They learn a lot from books, so reading is a basic skill they need to have from a very young age.”

The center has many features to intrigue young minds. Near the first-floor entrance there is an interactive map painted on the floor, which features numerous borough icons, and when one steps on a given symbol, it plays a sound associated with that place.

There are several interactive tabletop exhibits to encourage children to explore scientific questions through sight and touch. Exhibit plazas located in the library’s open areas contain reading materials grouped together by themes. The library also has an early childhood center complete with a faux waterfall that leads to a large fish tank.

Mom Sabrina Scott has been coming to the Jamaica Library since she was a child, fostering a love of reading at an early age, that carried over to adulthood. So, it’s no wonder that she takes her daughter, Brianna, 8, to the center to encourage her to appreciate the printed word.

“She’s an excellent reader. She’s actually one of the top readers in her class,” Scott said, adding, “It’s important to start early because they have so many things to distract them. They have the computer. They have video games. It’s really good to have a center like this where they can come and learn and sit down and read and be comfortable.”

Brianna enjoys mysteries, scary books and those on hygiene. She picked up one called “Toothpaste,” which touted the importance of brushing one’s teeth.

“I like that there are so many books and games and that I can go on the computer,” the youngster said. continued on page 10

Page 9 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2011 ✵ Back To School — Fall Guide

A whole new world of learning in Jamaica

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2011 ✵ Back To School — Fall Guide Page 10

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Beyond, beneath the city: York geology program Popular Jamaica college curriculum mentors and helps students find careers

by Bud Taylor

B

Chronicle Contributor

eyond and beneath the city, York College’s geology program opens students up to the world “It was life-changing,” said Zarine Ali, 29. “It was an absolutely crazy class.”

Sixteen students and four professors took part in a three-week geological boot camp in the Hudson Valley town of Rosendale, the site of natural cement mines and dramatic exposed rock formations.

The task for students?

Create a professional geological map and report in daily after traversing wild terrain with compass in hand.

“For most of the students, it was the hardest thing that they’d ever done in their lives,” said Stanley Schleifer, chairman of the Jamaica school’s Department of Earth and Physical Sciences.

Every year, Schleifer, a professional geoscientist for more than 40 years, and fellow faculty lead the course in field mapping, the most important test for any geology major before graduating.

“This is the class that makes you a geologist,” said Ali, who graduated from York magna cum laude this summer. “It tests you as a person.”

Schleifer recently took students to visit the MTA tunnel construction site near Grand Central.

“The chief geologist told the students, ‘if you successfully complete [York’s] field course with a high grade, I’ll hire you’,” Schleifer said.

Such fieldwork and trips are integral to the geology program at York, he believes, giving students the chance to leave the confines of the classroom and dive into the working world of a professional geologist.

Faculty have also involved students in their work outside academia, helping them find jobs or graduate schools.

Geology has the greatest enrollment —between 30 and 40 students — in the Department of Earth and Physical Sciences, which also offers programs in environmental health science, physics, pre-engineering and astronomy.

And aspiring teachers can take a certificate program in earth science education.

“There is a pressing need for qualified earth science teachers in the school system in New York, so students … are pretty much ensured of employment,” Schleifer said. “As the straight geology majors are too. We put a lot of them directly into jobs, and some into graduate school.”

York geology alumni have gone on to work for government agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection, as well as private contractors and multi-national firms.

Schleifer and Professor Nazrul Khandaker worked for the DEP as consultants on the construction of the Manhattan portion of the New York City Water Tunnel No. 3.

“We also got a number of students involved in the project, and some are still working in and around the city as

Back To School

Discovery ctr. continued from page 9 “I like to read a lot.”

Tameka Ashby of Jamaica was spending her day off from work at the center with her two sons, Zubair Ashby, 11, and Shakief Harris, 3, who were busy playing with an interactive exhibit on optical illusions and the human eye. It was the trio’s first trip to the center.

“It’s very nice — one of the nicer libraries that I’ve been to in awhile,” the mother said. “First, we went downstairs for lunch, because they serve lunch between one and two, then we got some DVD’s and now we are about to get some books out.”

Ryan Hussain, 6, was using one Tracey Cao reads a book to the children durof the center’s many computers to ing story time.

PHOTOS BY ANNMARIE COSTELLA play a Spongebob Squarepants game. “It’s fun,” he said, all the while books and he reads them at home. It’s not taking his eyes off the screen. It was good. He’s going into first grade now.”

The Children’s Discovery Center at the first time his father, Mohammad Hussain, had taken him to the center — the Central Library, located at 89-11 usually Ryan travels there three times a Merrick Blvd., is open from 10 a.m. to week with his mom — and the proud 8:45 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and dad said he was very impressed by the Thursday; Tuesday 1 to 8:45 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.; Saturday space.

“It’s very nice — beautiful,” Hussain from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday said. “He likes to read. He picks up the from noon to 5 p.m.; except holidays. Q

York College geology Professor Nazrul Khandaker and his students study on-site at the Manhattan section of the DEP’s City Water Tunnel No. 3, which is slated for PHOTO COURTESY NAZRUL KHANDAKER completion in 2013.

geologists on tunnel construction jobs,” Schleifer said.

One such alum is Luis Sepulveda, 36, of Elmhurst, who emigrated from Colombia after his degree in petroleum engineering failed to get him hired there.

Schleifer told him at York that he’d find him a job, “which was very unusual for me,” Sepulveda said, “because I already had my degree before and no one ever said ‘Hey, I’m gonna help you find a job.’” “[Schleifer] has a very good reputation in the field, and when he refers someone, it’s very likely to get them hired,” he said.

Sure enough, Kelly Engineering, a private contractor working with DEP on the tunnel, hired Sepulveda before he graduated in 2004. It became his job to monitor the rock conditions on site to ensure the safety of workers.

He now is affiliated with Parsons Brinckerhoff, where he works on construction of the 2nd Avenue subway line.

Sepulveda says many city tunnel jobs exist with more on the horizon, citing the 7 train line construction and plans for an alternative to the terminated Trans-Hudson Express ARC Tunnel project.

“It’s not a job that anyone can do …You use your knowledge and that’s the beauty of it,” he said.

Schleifer says geologists have career prospects in petroleum too. “The truth is, in terms of exploration and oil field development, it’s going to be big probably through the end of the century,” he said.

Some alumni opted for graduate school after York, like Ali, who will study sedimentology at Stony Brook starting next spring.

Ali and Sepulveda both knew they wanted to study geology before entering college, but Schleifer says that’s not usually

the case. Many students come after taking geology as a general education course.

“Urban students don’t tend to think of geology as a career field. It’s not the kind of thing a city kid thinks about, but through this contact with the gen ed courses, we’ve actually recruited a lot of our majors,” Schleifer said.

Ali called the department “a tight-knit community” and said Khandaker was especially helpful as her mentor. “I remember when I graduated I gave him a big hug,” she said.

“I try to convey to my students a sense of understanding and appreciation for what we have, and be an informed citizen in relation to our fragile earth,” Khandaker said.

Faculty encourage students to present original research at conferences and find funds to cover travel expenses. When Ali traveled with a group to Denver for the 2010 Geological Society of America annual meeting, she realized presenting work while still an undergraduate was unique and impressive to colleagues, including geologists from China.

With thousands in attendance, including York alumni, GSA meetings offered her a great networking opportunity too, Ali says.

On that trip, one local alum rented a 15-passenger van and took the group into the Rocky Mountains. “So we had these city kids who had never seen anything like this. We had them all at Loveland Pass, just short of 12,000 feet above sea level,” Schleifer said.

“One of the most satisfying things about what we do is that we introduce city kids to a whole new world. We literally open up the world to them,” he added. “It’s a great way of life. It’s a wonQ derful thing to be doing.”

C M BTS page 11 Y K

Queens College celebrates diversity ‘Year of’ program is dedicated to discovering the culture of Turkey

by Dana Taddeo

Q

Chronicle Contributor

ueens College’s “Year of” program is dedicated to teaching its students about different countries and this year the school chose to celebrate the diversity of the borough and its campus by exploring Turkey.

The program, which focuses on the history, art, culture and contributions of a different country each year, first began after the Princeton Review cited the school as one of the more unique campuses in terms of interactions between people of various cultures and socio-economic status.

“They recognized that the campus interacts in a very rich way,” Sue Henderson, chief operating officer and vice president for institutional advancement at QC, said, “and the administration thought ‘how can we capitalize on our diversity?’”

What they came up with was the “Year of” program, which was launched last year with China.

The college’s population is made up of 40 percent foreignborn students and its largest minority group is Asian, which

was partly the reason for the selection of China last year and Turkey this year.

“We thought we should start exploring the Silk Road,” Henderson said, which starts in China and ends in Turkey.

The country was ultimately chosen by the faculty after a series of open campus meetings, and after a group of administrators and faculty visited Turkey in 2009 and met with community and academic leaders.

“Wherever I went I could feel the energy and confidence of a people who have a long, rich history to look back at,” QC President James Muyskens said in an announcement of the program.

While events, including Islamic art exhibits, music, dance and drama programs, and appearances by guest speakers, will not begin until the start of the fall semester, some members of the college community have already started learning more about the country by exploring it themselves.

A group of faculty members and students are now in Turkey doing archeological work and plan to incorporate what they find into educational programs.

The university also plans to send more students to the country by starting an exchange program, as they did last year in China, which sends faculty and students to Sichuan University.

In addition to culture, the college will also have programs that look into both the past and present politics of the country.

“The ‘Year of Turkey’ will give Queens College the opportunity to explore some major controversies that far too often have been pushed out of sight and continue to fester,” Muyskens said in the announcement.

The school also plans to get Turkish students and surrounding communities involved, according to Henderson, who said there has been a positive response to the country’s selection and to the program in general.

“I’m amazed at who we’ve gotten to come and speak in the past,” said Henderson on the success of the program, which has already been green-lighted to continue for the next three years with the selection of India, Brazil and South Africa.

In fact, the university has already sent faculty members to India in preparation for next

Turkish-born violinist Selim Gray and pianist Gulimina Mahamuti will be performing at the first “Year of Turkey” event on Sep 21.

PHOTO COURTESY QC

year’s celebration.

“My hope is that the students can learn to better appreciate other cultures and their contributions to society,” Henderson

said, “and also that they can better understand them because the greatest weapon of mass destruction is ignorance about other Q countries.”

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China Jude laughs out loud when asked to describe the start of a typical day in her new job as athletic director at Queens College.

“I could be meeting with an athlete who has a problem,” she said. “I could be meeting with the college president, or a booster, or a coach who wants to pursue a hot recruit. Even talking to the staff here has been an education. There is no typical day.”

But that, she says, was part of the challenge that attracted the former three-sport star and successful collegiate volleyball coach to the business side of the athletics desk.

Jude, 44, started at the Flushing campus the first week of August. She came from four years as athletic director at China Jude dons her new school jacket Cheyney University in Pennsylvania, in her new office at Queens College. the oldest of the traditionally black colPHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON leges in the United States, after a national search. the community service sector, such as Not yet settled in, the native of working with low-income families to Waukegan, Ill., declined to compare the get them into housing. virtues of Chicago-style pizza vs. the Then one day she decided to roll the real kind available in New York City. dice.“I moved to Florida,” she said.

“I haven’t had New York pizza yet,” “Cold turkey without a job.” she said.

But some volunteer work and her Jude has a bachelor’s degree from background attracted the attention of Alabama State University and a master’s the sheriff of Seminole County, who from the United States Sports Academy. created a position to direct Police AthShe has an honorletic League recreable discharge ation programs. from the U.S. Then through an Naval Reserve, acquaintance, she and has a 21-yearlearned of an guess I do serve as a role old son serving in opening at Rollins model to young women the Army.

College in Winter She lettered in Park, for a director of color. But I also want track, basketball of recreational and to be seen as a successful and volleyball club programs. while growing up And an opening athletic direcor. I want in the Chicago for an assistant someone to be able to suburbs. volleyball coach.

“I liked track — Since then she sit across the table from I was a long has served as head me and see me as a jumper —but I coach at Rollins, the decided to switch University of West businesswoman” to volleyball full Florida and the Uni— New Queens College time because I versity of North CarAthletic Director China Jude didn’t want to olina-Wilmington, have a hamburger where she was head and have to feel coach and athletic guilty about it.” director. She was head coach and assistant It proved an excellent choice, as she AD at Coppin State in Baltimore and the went on to be an All-Southwest Athletic University of the District of Columbia.

Conference honoree in volleyball at Her office is adorned with portraits Alabama State University. of famous African-American sports pioIt would be volleyball that would neers, including Jackie Robinson, bring her back into the collegiate ranks Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe, Leroy down the road.

“Satchel” Paige and Wilma Rudolph.

She pursued a degree in broadcast “I’ll be living in Forest Hills, so I want communications with the intention of to see the old tennis center,” she said getting into radio and television, and of the landmark stadium where Gibfound behind the scenes to be just as son broke down barriers in the 1950s, interesting as in front of a microphone and Ashe first rose to prominence for or camera. his performances on and off the court. continued on page 26 Her experiences there led her into

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C M BTS page 14 Y K www.queenslibrary.org

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C M BTS page 15 Y K Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2011 ✵ Back To School — Fall Guide

LIBRARY Central Library Arverne Astoria Auburndale Baisley Park Bay Terrace Bayside Bellerose Briarwood Broad Channel Broadway Cambria Heights Corona Court Square Douglaston/Little Neck East Elmhurst East Flushing Elmhurst Far Rockaway Flushing Forest Hills Fresh Meadows Glen Oaks Glendale Hillcrest Hollis Howard Beach Jackson Heights Kew Gardens Hills Langston Hughes Laurelton Lefferts Lefrak City Long Island City Maspeth McGoldrick Middle Village Mitchell-Linden North Forest Park North Hills Ozone Park Peninsula Pomonok Poppenhusen Queens Village Queensboro Hill Rego Park Richmond Hill Ridgewood Rochdale Village Rosedale St. Albans Seaside South Hollis South Jamaica South Ozone Park Steinway Sunnyside Whitestone Windsor Park Woodhaven Woodside

ADDRESS 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica 11432 312 Beach 54 Street, Arverne 11692 14-01 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria 11102 25-55 Francis Lewis Boulevard, Flushing 11358 117-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica 11436 18-36 Bell Boulevard, Bayside 11360 214-20 Northern Boulevard, Bayside 11361 250-06 Hillside Avenue, Bellerose 11426 85-12 Main Street, Briarwood 11435 16-26 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel 11693 40-20 Broadway, Long Island City 11103 218-13 Linden Boulevard, Cambria Heights 11411 38-23 104 Street, Corona 11368 25-01 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City 11101 249-01 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck 11363 95-06 Astoria Boulevard, East Elmhurst 11369 196-36 Northern Boulevard, Flushing 11358 86-01 Broadway, Elmhurst 11373 1637 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway 11691 41-17 Main Street, Flushing 11355 108-19 71 Avenue, Forest Hills 11375 193-20 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows 11365 256-04 Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks 11004 78-60 73 Place, Glendale 11385 187-05 Union Turnpike, Flushing 11366 202-05 Hillside Avenue, Hollis 11423 92-06 156 Avenue, Howard Beach 11414 35-51 81 Street, Jackson Heights 11372 72-33 Vleigh Place, Flushing 11367 100-01 Northern Boulevard, Corona 11368 134-26 225 Street, Laurelton 11413 103-34 Lefferts Boulevard, Richmond Hill 11419 98-30 57th Avenue, Corona 11368 37-44 21 Street, Long Island City 11101 69-70 Grand Avenue, Maspeth 11378 155-06 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing 11354 - off Northern Blvd.

72-31 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village 11379 29-42 Union Street, Flushing 11354 98-27 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills 11375 57-04 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck 11362 92-24 Rockaway Boulevard, Ozone Park 11417 92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Beach 11693 158-21 Jewel Avenue, Flushing 11365 121-23 14 Avenue, College Point 11356 94-11 217 Street, Queens Village 11428 60-05 Main Street, Flushing 11355 91-41 63 Drive, Rego Park 11374 118-14 Hillside Avenue, Richmond Hill 11418 20-12 Madison Street, Ridgewood 11385 169-09 137 Avenue, Jamaica 11434 144-20 243 Street, Rosedale 11422 191-05 Linden Boulevard, St. Albans 11412 116-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Park 11694 204-01 Hollis Avenue, South Hollis 11412 108-41 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica 11433 128-16 Rockaway Boulevard, South Ozone Park 11420 21-45 31 Street, Astoria 11105 43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City 11104 151-10 14 Road, Whitestone 11357 79-50 Bell Boulevard, Bayside 11364 85-41 Forest Parkway, Woodhaven 11421 54-22 Skillman Avenue, Woodside 11377

*Transportation routes subject to change without notice

Mobility Accessible

PHONE (718) 990-0700 634-4784 278-2220 352-2027 529-1590 423-7004 229-1834 831-8644 658-1680 318-4943 721-2462 528-3535 426-2844 937-2790 225-8414 424-2619 357-6643 271-1020 327-2549 661-1200 268-7934 454-7272 831-8636 821-4980 454-2786 465-7355 641-7086 899-2500 261-6654 651-1100 528-2822 843-5950 592-7677 752-3700 639-5228 461-1616 326-1390 539-2330 261-5512 225-3550 845-3127 634-1110 591-4343 359-1102 776-6800 359-8332 459-5140 849-7150 821-4770 723-4440 528-8490 528-8196 634-1876 465-6779 739-4088 529-1660 728-1965 784-3033 767-8010 468-8300 849-1010 429-4700

*PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION = subway = bus F Across from the Jamaica bus terminal A Q22 N, Q Q18, Q19, Q69, Q102, Q103 Q16, Q76, Q31 Q6 Alternates: Q40, Q7 Q13, Q28 Q12, Q13, Q31, LIRR Q43 F Q20A, Q20B, Q44, Q60 A Q21, Q53 M, R Q101, Q104 Q4, Q27, Q77 7 Q23, Q48 E, M, 7 B61, Q39, Q69 LIRR Q12, N20/21 Q19, Q49, Q72 Q12, Q13, Q76 M, R Q29, Q53, Q58, Q59, Q60 A N31, N32, N33, Q22, Q113 7, LIRR Q12, Q17, Q19, Q25, Q27, Q34, Q44, Q66, QBx1 E, F, M, R Q23, Q60, Q64 Q17, Q30, Q88 Q46 Q55 Q17, Q46 Q1, Q36, Q43, Q77 Q11, Q21, Q41, Q53 7 Q19, Q32, Q33, Q66 Q20A, Q20B, Q44, Q64 7 Q23, Q66, Q72 Q5 A Q8, Q10, Q112 M, R Q38, Q72, Q88, QM10, QM11 F Q66, Q69, Q101, Q102, Q103 Q18, Q58, Q59, Q67 Q13, Q28 M Q29, Q38, Q54 Q16, Q20A/Q20B, Q44 Q23, Q54 Q30 A Q7, Q8, Q11, Q41, Q53, Q112 A Shuttle Q21, Q22, Q53 Q25, Q64, Q65 Q20A, Q20B, Q25, Q65 Q1, Q27, Q36, Q88, LIRR Q20A, Q20B, Q44, Q74, Q88 M, R Q11, Q38, Q53, Q60, Q72 J, Z Q10, Q55, Q56 M B13, B20, Q39, Q58 Q3, Q85, Q111, Q113 Q85, Q111 Q3, Q4 A, S Q21, Q22, Q35, Q53 Q2, Q77 Q111, Q113 Q7, Q9, Q10 N, Q Q19, M60, Q69, Q101 7 B24, Q32, Q39, Q60 Q15A, Q76 Q46 J Q56 7 Q18, Q32, Q60

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2011 ✵ Back To School — Fall Guide Page 16

C M BTS page 16 Y K

School Calendar For 2011-2012 Sept. 8

Thursday

School sessions begin for all students*

Sept. 9

Friday

Early dismissal for kindergarten students only* (PreK*)

Sept. 12 (13)

Monday (Tuesday)

First full day for all kindergarten students (PreK)

Sept. 29 & 30

Thursday & Friday

Rosh Hashanah

Oct. 6

Thursday

PreKindergarten non-attendance day

Oct. 10

Monday

Columbus Day

Nov. 8

Tuesday

Election Day (staff development day)

Nov. 11

Friday

Veterans Day

Nov. 24 and 25

Thursday and Friday

Thanksgiving Recess

Dec. 26-Jan. 2

Monday through the

following Monday

Winter recess (Includes Christmas and New Years Day. Students return to school Monday, Jan. 3, 2011)

Jan. 16

Monday

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan. 27

Friday

PreKindergarten non-attendance day

Jan. 30

Monday

Fall term ends for high school students.

High school students will not be in attendance.

All other students will be in attendance.

Jan. 31 Feb. 20-24

Tuesday Monday through Friday

Spring term begins for high school students Midwinter recess

March 23 April 6-13

Prekindergarten non-attendance day Spring recess

May 28 June 7

Friday Friday through the following Friday Monday Thursday

June 27

Tuesday

Last day for all students

Memorial Day observed Chancellor’s conference day

* Early dismissal for kindergarten students only and partial school time for prekindergarten students.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2011 ✵ Back To School — Fall Guide Page 18

C M BTS page 18 Y K

Fall’s curtain rises on Queens theater Professional entertainment set throughout the borough in autumn

by Paula Neudorf Associate Editor

arodies of Broadway hits; experimental dance and performance art; adventurous genre pieces featuring everything from tango to Colombian music to soul; and famed comedian Joan Rivers are all among the highlights of the upcoming fall season at Queens’ professional theaters.

Fall Guide

P

Blood, Sweat and Tears. Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. $35. Jazz rock act Blood, Sweat and Tears, together since the ’60s, have three Grammy Awards and multiple gold albums under their belt. Find out why as they bring their biggest hits to Queens.

“Forbidden Broadway.” Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. $35. A comedy revue whose spoofs of Broadway hits including “Annie,” “Wicked” and others earned the production a Tony Award in 2006.

THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY QUEENS THEATRE

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Flushing Meadows Park (718) 760-0064, queenstheatre.org “Chix 6.” Sept. 27-Oct. 30. $42-$49. A musical by indie rocker and Queens native Lourds Lane, about a comic book artist whose superheroines jump off the page and into real life. “‘S Wonderful: The New Gershwin Musical.” Nov. 3-13. $39-$44. Featuring more than 40 of the Gershwins’ greatest hits, including “I Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” this homage to George and his brother Ira also includes dancing.

Melissa Manchester. Nov. 19 at 2 and 8 p.m. $44. Grammy Award winner Manchester sings during this special concert event.

QUEENSBOROUGH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside (718) 631-6311, qcc.cuny.edu/qpac “Let’s Hang On!” Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. $35. America’s premier tribute band to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will play a number of the group’s greatest ‘60s and ‘70s hits, backed by a full band.

Joan Rivers with Dick Capri. Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. $45. Comedian Joan Rivers comes to Queens. The show, for mature audiences only, will feature a special guest appearance by Dick Capri, a Catskills veteran.

Three Mo’ Tenors. Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. $35 and $40. Featured on PBS’ “Great Performances” and most recently seen on Broadway, “Three Mo’ Tenors” presents three artists singing everything from opera to gospel to the blues.

“Jose Porcel’s Compania Flamenca.”

Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. $35-$42. Straight from Madrid, Spain, the dance company Compania Flamenca, led by director Jose Porcel, features live musicians, singers and of course, flamenco dancers.

5-49 49th Ave., Long Island City (212) 352-3101, chocolatefactorytheater.org “Shy Show Off.” Sept. 21-24 at 8 p.m. $15. Dancer Heather Olson performs her latest work, an examination of meaning and movement, with sound design by James Lo and additional performances by Levi Gonzales and Erin Gerken.

“Throw.” Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 6; check for times. $15. Audiences get an upclose look at how a variety of artists make their work.

“All the Way.” Oct. 19-22 at 8 p.m. $15. Lyndsey Carr examines the experience of love from a woman’s perspective through a dance performance that invites audience members to become active participants.

An evening with Marya Wethers, Daria Fain and Samita Sinha. Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. $15. Dance, visual art and a live original score with bassoon, violin and percussion combine in “TARGET::furnace,” inspired by martial arts and eastern thought. The act is followed by “Cipher,” a solo work featuring sounds from Indian classical music.

“Intuition is Preceding Over My Understanding.” Nov. 16-19 at 8 p.m. $15. Created and performed by Chase Granoff, this solo dance act examines politics and environmental practices, like eating locally.

THALIA SPANISH THEATRE 47-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside (718) 729-3880, thaliatheatre.org “Sounds of /Son de Colombia.”

Sept. 30-Oct. 30 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m. $30; $25 Fridays only. A program of music and dance from Colombia, including currulao, porro, cumbia, mapale and salsa Colombiana.

“Lorca Flamenco.” Nov. 11-Dec. 11 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m. $30; $25 Fridays only. A flamenco tribute to the famed Spanish poet, Federico Garcia Lorca, commemorating the 75th anniversary of his assassination during the Spanish Civil War.

THE SECRET THEATRE

A dancer from Aszure Barton’s company will be appearing at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center this fall.

PHOTO BY JULIETA CERVANTES

44-02 23rd St., Long Island City (718) 392-0722 secrettheatre.com “Ghosts.” Sept. 14-18 and 21-24 at 8 p.m. $18.

Family disfunction and mental illness are at the heart of this classic Ibsen play.

“Salome by Oscar Wilde” Oct.12-15; times

The Mestizo Dance Company, who are performing “Sounds of/Son de Colombia,” at PHOTO COURTESY MESTIZO DANCE COMPANY the Thalia Spanish Theatre this fall.

and ticket prices TBA. “Salome” depicts a spoiled teenage princess in ancient Judea who is fascinated by the power she wields over men.

“Othello.” Oct. 25-29 at 8 p.m., Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. $10. The Wandering Bark Theatre Company offers a modern take on Shakespeare’s “Othello,” setting the play in present-day America and casting Othello and his comrades as returning veterans from the war in Afghanistan.

“Our Country’s Good.” Nov. 11-12; times and ticket prices TBA. The Adirondack Shakespeare Company gives their take on Timberlake Wertenbaker’s 1988 play, set in an Australian British penal colony in the late 1700s.

Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing (718) 793-8080, kupferbergcenter.org “Taipei Folk Dance Theatre.” Sept.

24 at 8 p.m. Free. Dance from Taiwan at the LeFrak Concert Hall.

“The Marriage of Bette and Boo.” Oct. 27-30 and Nov. 3-6. Thursdays through Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. $12. Christopher Durang’s dark, absurdist comedy, first staged in 1985, moves at a quick clip through its 33 scenes depicting three generations of family disfunction.

Queens College Orchestra in Concert. Oct. 28 and Nov. 18. at 7:30 p.m. $20. With eight public performances a year, the Queens College Orchestra showcases student musicians and a wideranging repertoire.

Kupferberg Center Performances: The Ahn Trio. Nov. 6. at 2p.m. $36. This trio of three Korean American sisters on classical piano was featured on the cover of Time Magazine.

LaGuardia Performing Arts Center 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City (718) 482-5151, lagcc.cuny.edu/lpac “Aszure Barton and Artists.” Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. $15 advance, $20 at door.

Choreographer Aszure Barton’s innovative productions have toured around the world.

Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre. Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. $15 advance, $20 at door. Yaa Samar!, a New York City based dance company, presents “Bound,” a collaboration with artists in the Middle East.

“One Armed Man.” Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. $15. A fresh take on the true story of labor activist Joe Hill, whose controversial trial and execution in Utah in 1915 inspired several songs and one film.

Fly-by-Night Dance Theater. Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. $15 advance, $20 at door. Music by Handel accompanies a variety of dancers — and even a trapeze duo — who depict the Greek myth of Apollo and Daphne.

Flushing Town Hall 137-35 Northern Blvd.

(718) 463-7700, flushingtownhall.org “Say You Heard My Echo.” Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. $15. Three Asian American women narrate their fictional stories, combining spoken word, dance, installation and live art.

Aurora Flores y Zon Del Barrio and Yomo Toro. Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. $25.

Aurora Flores and his 13-piece orchestra take listeners on a journey through Latin music history, with salsa, plena, boogaloo and more.

“The Princess and the Pea.” Nov. 5-6 at 2:15 p.m. $12 ($8 for children).

German pupeteer Matthias Kuchta tells Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale using life-size puppets. Great for the whole family.

“Five Borough Songbook.” Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. $25. A Queens premiere, “Five Borough Songbook” presents the original compositions of 20 New York composers who were commissioned to write songs inspired by the city.

The Charlie Porter Jazz Quartet. Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. Free. Charlie Porter and his quar tet appear in Queens as par t of Carnegie Hall’s Neighborhood Concert Series.

“Nea Jazz Masters Concert: Armstrong and Beyond.” Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. $40. Special guest Jeremy Pelt, a master trumpeter, appears with National EndowQ ment for the Arts musicians.

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We will dedicate the monument honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters lost at the WTC on 9/11

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!

Sat., Sept. 24, 2011•2 P.M. Come And Offer Yo Supportur

y r o m e M In Of Thotse Los

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Made possible by the financial support of the Christopher Santora Family!

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Fall Guide

Fall family fun for the young and old Museums and cultural institutions offer programs to delight all ages

by Liz Rhoades Managing Editor

lthough fall seems weeks away, the opening of the school year on Sept. 6 heralds the new season. But don’t let that date put an end to family fun in Queens.

The weather will remain mild, at least through the end of October, and there are numerous indoor and outdoor events to please everyone. Museums, parks and various cultural institutions throughout the borough are offering educational and fun activities. Here is a sampling: The Alley Pond Environmental Center at 228-06 Northern Blvd. in Douglaston, offers nature programs for children and adults. On Sept. 3, join APEC and the Parks Department for a morning of freshwater fishing in Alley Pond Park beginning at 10 a.m. It’s free. Pre-registration is recommended by calling APEC at (718) 229-4000.

On Sept. 17, take part in an APEC astronomy class at 7:30 p.m., featuring an indoor lecture and outdoor viewing with a professional telescope. The cost is $10 for members, $12 for non-members and $7 for children. Call to register.

The nature center will celebrate National Estuaries Day with a festival on Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be exhibits, interactive booths and free boat rides on Little Neck Bay. The Parks Department is sponsoring three fall family events. On Sept. 10, from noon to 3 p.m., a Back to School Festival will be held at Little Bay Park in Bayside.

There will be games, crafts and rides. On Oct. 22, from noon to 3 p.m., there will be a Halloween Festival at either Fort Totten or Crocheron Park, yet to be decided.

And on Oct. 28 and 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Parks will sponsor haunted lantern tours at Fort Totten in Bayside.

The Queens County Farm Museum at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park is a good bet for family fun, especially in the fall. Start out at the 29th annual Queens County Fair, running Sept. 17 and 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is a traditional country fair with blue-ribbon competitions in livestock, produce, crafts and more. Participate in the Amazing Maize Maze, a walk through a specially designed cornfield, and plenty of entertainment.

Admission is $8 for adults; $5 for children.

The corn maze will run through Oct. 30 on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Oct. 8 and 15. The cost is $9 for adults; $5 for children.

In October, there is an Apple Festival on Oct. 2, a Children’s Fall Festival for Halloween on Oct. 30 and a Halloween Haunted House Oct. 29-31. Prices vary, call for details at (718) 347-3276.

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Youngsters take a boat ride on Little Neck Bay during past National Estuaries Day festivities held in September FILE PHOTO and sponsored by the Alley Pond Environmental Center.

In November, don’t miss the wildlife weekends at the farm on Nov. 5-6 and 12-13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring birds of prey, frogs and animal shows. Admission is $9.

History always comes alive at King Manor, located in King Park on Jamaica Avenue at 153rd Street in Jamaica.

It was the home of Rufus King, one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution,who bought the house in 1805 and whose son became governor of New York State. Tour the house and then stay for fall activities, which are all free.

On Sept. 17 from noon to 3 p.m. youngsters can practice writing with a feather pen and enjoy stories and crafts and on Oct. 8 at the same time, kids can learn about trains.

King Manor will sponsor an open-hearth cooking demonstration on Oct. 15 from noon to 4:30 p.m. with a lecture at 5 p.m. Reservations are only required for the lecture. On Oct. 22 from noon to 4 p.m., enjoy a fall festival and on Nov. 19 from noon to 3 p.m. learn about apples and make a special apple craft.

For information on any of the programs, call (718) 206-0545.

The New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Park offers hands-on programs throughout the year. From now until Sept. 4, youngsters can learn about science under the circus tent.

A World Maker Faire will be held Sept. 17 to 18 to create, learn and be inspired. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for children. On Oct. 22, celebrate Chemistry Day with various programs inside the museum.

And while the weather cooperates, don’t miss the science playground and the Rocket Park mini golf, both open daily through December, weather permitting. The playground costs $4, plus general admission, while the golf is $6 for adults and $5 for children.

General admission to the Hall of Science is $11 for adults and $8 for children. For additional information, call (718) 699-0005.

The Queens Botanical Garden at Chariot races by Brooklyn’s Madagascar Institute brought some quirky 43-50 Main St. in Flushing will host a harvest festival on Oct. 16 from noon mayhem to last year’s World Maker’s Faire at the NY Hall of Science. to 4 p.m. It will feature the popular PHOTO COURTESY NY HALL OF SCIENCE

pumpkin patch, workshops, demonstrations and other family activities.

Over at the Queens Zoo, also in Flushing Meadows Park, look for a special Boo at the Zoo weekend event for Halloween. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children.

For information, call (718) 271-1500.

Looking for more artistic family programs? Flushing Town Hall at 137-35 Northern Blvd. has it all for the fall.

On Oct. 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. celebrate Colombian music during a festival featuring food and crafts, workshops, dance activities and more.

A Halloween celebration will be held on Oct. 29 from 2 to 5 p.m. Costumes are encouraged and the event is free.

And on Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. an interactive arts workshop will be held with master puppeteer Matthias Kuchta. The cost is $6 for adults; $3 for children.

That will be followed by a puppet performance of “The Princess and the Pea” at 2:15 p.m. The price is $12 for adults and $8 for children. For all reservations, call Q (718) 463-7700.

Colorful fall produce is judged at the annual Queens County Fair in September at the Queens County Farm FILE PHOTO Museum in Floral Park.

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Zoo, museums, aquariums, spooky Halloween activities and much more Halloween is right around the corner and those looking for some spooky holiday-themed activities may want to check out the Halloween Family Fun Day at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook.

Attendees are invited to come in costume for trick-or-treating. There will also be pumpkin painting, storytelling and crafts. Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy a special interactive flamenco performance by Sol Y Sombra.

The kids can also enjoy circus arts with Marvelous Marvin. In his workshop he teaches kids different types of tricks that are performed in the circus like plate spinning, juggling and stilt walking.

Julie Diamond, a spokeswoman for the museum, said the Halloween Family Fun Day is in its 10th year and is extremely popular.

Children can paint pumpkins at the Long She expects 300 to 400 people will Island Museum’s Halloween Family Fun Day. partake in this October’s festivities.

COURTESY PHOTO “This event is one of our most popular among families since it appeals to such a wide range of age

by AnnMarie Costella Assistant Editor groups,” Diamond added. “There is really he summer may almost be over, something for everyone even Mom and but that doesn’t mean the fun Dad.” has to end. There are plenty of The free event will take place on Oct. 31 exciting adventures nearby on from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Long Island MuseLong Island. Take a day trip with the fami- um, located at 1200 Route 25A. For more ly enjoying wildlife, history, seasonal information, call (631) 751-0066 or visit activities and much more. them online at longislandmuseum.org Fans of the wild and wooly can get a For more Halloween fun, families can closer look at both by visiting the Long visit Benners Farm in East Setauket, which Island Game Farm. Now in its 42nd sea- offers pumpkin picking, haunted hayrides son, the facility is the largest combined and other attractions. children’s zoo and wildlife park in the area.

“This place is like stepIt features a wide array of animals includ- ping back in time,” said ing an 18-foot giraffe, red kangaroos, kinka- Jane Benners, who has jous, cougars, sheep, peacocks, monkeys, owned the farm with her buffalo, colorful parrots, zebras, aoudads, husband since 1977. camels, ostriches, alligators, and the only “The farm dates back to lemurs born and bred on Long Island. the 1700s before electriciThe farm has several petting zoo areas ty and modernization. It’s where the motto is “Please Touch.” Young- a small, intimate beautisters are invited to pet, cuddle, and bottle ful place. We have gotten feed the baby animals. At Old MacDon- nothing but good comald's Farmyard, for example, pigs, chick- ments from the people ens, ducks, rabbits and ponies are all with- who visit year after year.” in arm’s reach.

They have a number of animals that Those seeking a bit more adventure and visitors can pet and feed including pigs, excitement can enjoy chickens, ducks, geese, the farm’s carnival-style sheep, goats and rabbits. rides including the spinThere is also a lovely 15ning teacups, Rio Grande acre gardens and wooded mini train or the antique areas to explore. carousel. There are also One popular attraction pony rides and other for the kids is the “big animal-related activities. swing,” a one-person tire The farm is located at swing attached to a 95 to 638 Chapman Blvd. in 100 foot cable and hanging Manorville and is open from a an oak tree overfrom 10 a.m to 5 p.m. looking a hill. on weekdays and 10 The farm will open for a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekthe fall season beginning ends. Admission is free Oct. 2. Its hours are from for children ages 2 and noon until 4 p.m. on under, $15.95 for chilweekends and the farm is dren ages 3 to 11, $17.95 located at 56 Gnarled Holfor adults and $15.95 for low Road. For more inforseniors over the age of mation, call (631) 68962. For more informa8172 or go online to bention, call (631) 878-6644 Get close to the cute and fluffy nersfarm.com. or or go to longis- at Benners Farm in East Set sail for a deep sea COURTESY PHOTO Setauket. landgamefarm.com adventure filled with

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One young kid feeds another at the Long Island Game Farm.

COURTESY PHOTO

colorful fish, sharks, penguins, sea lions, purchase at the site so it is advised that a living coral reef and more at Atlantis visitors bring their own food and beverMarine World. There are over 80 exhibits, ages. touch tanks and a variety of shows in the Admission to the Roosevelt home is by outdoor amphitheater. For an extra fee, guided tour only, which are offered on the one can take a trip on hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admisthe Atlantis Explorer sion is $5 for adults and free for children Tour Boat down the ages 15 and under. Sagamore Hill is locatPeconic River to a beach ed at 20 Sagamore Hill Road in Oyster Bay. on Flanders Bay where a For more information, call (516) 922-4788 closer look at more sea or visit nps.gov/sahi/. creatures is provided.

Adventure takes flight at the Cradle of Atlantis Marine World Aviation Museum in East Garden City is located at 431 East where visitors can learn about Long Main St. in Riverhead. Island’s contributions to the history of aviTickets are $31.50 for ation. There is a large collection of planes adults, $27.50 for seniors including the sister aircraft to Lindbergh’s over age 62 and chil- “Spirit of St. Louis” and the Grumman dren ages 3 to 7. Those Lunar Module built in Bethpage in 1972. under age 2 are admitted free. For more Visitors can also view exhibits chronicling information, call (631) 208-9200 or visit Long Island’s first flight in 1909.

Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for longislandaquarium.com.

What better way to appreciate the rich children. It is located at Charles Lindbergh history of our nation than to visit Sagamore Boulevard. For more information, call (516) Q 572-4111 or visit cradleofaviation.org.

Hill, the home of Theodore Roosevelt, former NY governor and the 26th president of the United States? He called the dwelling his summer White House.

The site features a well-preserved 19th century house — the only presidential site on Long Island — 83 acres of forested areas, meadows and a salt marsh and beach.

The house is filled with Roosevelt’s hunting exploits and a museum on the grounds includes his Nobel Peace Prize.

There are also scenic paths and nature trails where families can take a leisurely walk. A picnic area is available for visitors to Thousands of people visit Sagamore Hill, the enjoy an outdoor meal, but only home of President Theodore Roosevelt, every PHOTO COURTESY WIKIPEDIA small snacks are available for year.

Fall Guide

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Tykes to teens kickin’ it across Queens O

by Daniel Scarpati Chronicle Contributor

ne of the most popular ways for kids to have fun and stay healthy this fall is soccer.

Instead of sitting around indoors, hanging out at a local pig-out spot or plopping down in front of a television to game on, youngsters can get fit in the fresh air by playing a sport that tones all parts of their bodies.

From motor skills and hand-eye coordination to socialization skills and teamwork abilities, soccer strengthens everything.

One of the greatest benefits soccer has is improved bone mineral density. Put simply, the more BMD a child’s skeletal system has, the stronger the child’s bones are. And soccer provides youth with the perfect amount of weight-bearing skeletal impact needed to promote maximum BMD. Besides kicking a soccer ball around with friends and family for fun after school, Queens kids can join a large variety of programs available at soccer clubs and centers across the borough.

Parents may enjoy spending time with their toddlers at Soccer Rockets, a program where kids ages 2 to 8 can learn fundamental skills in sports such as soccer, basketball, hockey, baseball and lacrosse.

Located at 75-34 Bell Blvd. in Bayside, Soc-

cer Rockets has two classes on Tuesdays, from 4 to 4:50 p.m. and from 5 to 5:50 p.m., and two on Sundays, from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. and from 1:30 to 2:20 p.m.

Soccer Rockets welcomes parents to join their children during the classes. It can be hard to find time to spend with family, and this is a perfect opportunity to do so. The program also welcomes young children with special needs. Call (347) 693-8997 for more information.

At the Modern School of Soccer, children of all ages can take classes at any of the seven locations the school operates. Classes are held at Con Edison Field on the corner of 20th Avenue and 31st Street in Astoria, Sunnyside Gardens Park, Flushing Meadows Park, Astoria Park, Forest Park in Woodhaven, Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village and Cunningham Park in Fresh Meadows.

Call (718) 204-8534 to learn about the various times, packages and dates the school has to offer.

The Auburndale Soccer Club, located at 198-08A 33rd Ave. in Flushing, has created a wide variety of programs that toddlers, tweens and teens can attend.

The first kick program is offered to toddlers ages 3 to 5. It’s an introductory soccer class where players can get a feel for the sport.

Fall Guide

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Soccer tykes learned about the importance of working together as a team last summer.

PHOTO COURTESY SUPER KICKERS

The interim program is offered to youth ages 5 to 16. Students in this class play against other members of the club in a pressure-free environment.

The pre-travel program, available to kids ages 6 to 10, is an introduction to travel soccer. It helps students and parents get the feel of traveling around the area and visiting the club’s home fields.

The travel program, open to youth ages 8 to 18, is the most extensive offered by the club. The main goal students try to reach is becoming region one players, which is the highest level of the game below professional soccer.

In the past, students have traveled to Boston, Florida, Wisconsin and Italy.

Auburndale also offers a special needs program every Sunday from 9 to 10 a.m., free of charge. Call (718) 961-2582 for more information.

Super Kickers is another program that sets up at multiple locations. Classes are held in Woodside at 33-57 58 St., in Jackson Heights at 77-02 37 Ave., in Middle

Village at 63-70 Dry Harbour Road and in East Elmhurst at 25-02 80 St. Super Kickers is open seven days a week to youth ages one and a half to 14.

Students learn about the rudimentary skills of soccer in a non-competitive environment.

Classes are themed differently each week ranging from cartoon characters, like Dora the Explorer, to firefighters.

Each week is its own adventure. Call (718) 350-1535 for more information.

The Our Lady of Grace teams play Catholic Youth Organization soccer all year long. All programs offered are for children ages 5 to 13.

There’s an instructional program which is separate from the rest. It’s held every season for 3 and 4 year-olds. In the fall, the program runs 10 weeks from September to November.

An indoor soccer camp is held at the Aviator Sports Complex at 3159 Flatbush Ave in Floyd Bennett Field from January to March.

A spring program is available from the second week of March to the end of June.

There’s also a summer camp held for two weeks in July.

OLG Soccer is also the home of four students who were selected for tryouts by the United States Soccer Federation. They were part of a group of 40 students throughout the northeast United States.

The four were invited to try out for the U.S. national team in Lancaster, Pa. Two were asked to return for a second tryout, and they continue to work toward becoming part of the national team.

For more information on OLG Soccer visit their website at olgsoccer.com Students of the Super Kickers programs in western or call Dr. Jerry AntoniQueens learned the basics of soccer last summer. no, the director, at (718) Q PHOTO COURTESY SUPER KICKERS 845-5252.

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Hearty fall fare to please all palates Recipes offer best of the season

by Liz Rhoades

tomatoes, broth, pepperoni and herbs. Cook until heated through.

Ladle into soup bowls.

Top with mozzarella.

Cook i n m i c r o w a v e until cheese is melted.

Makes four to six servings.

The next recipe for pot roast is sheer comfort food for fall and winter. Using buttermilk and Dijon mustard makes it special.

Managing Editor

oon, cooler weather will prevail and more stick-to-yourribs meals will be on menus for the fall.

If you’ve run out of ideas in the kitchen, look no further. The Queens Chronicle has compiled a menu from soup to dessert that is sure to please.

And many of the recipes feature fall vegetables available in supermarkets and farmers markets. Take advantage of seasonal produce. It’s fresh and flavorful.

What better way to start off a meal than combining two fall favorites: pizza and soup? This pizza soup recipe would also make a great lunch served with Italian or garlic bread or as a filling snack.

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Fall Guide

PIZZA SOUP Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef or turkey 1 small onion, chopped 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms, optional 1 medium green pepper, cut into strips 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes 1 cup beef broth 1 cup sliced pepperoni, optional 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon oregano shredded mozzarella cheese Cook the beef, onion, mushrooms and pepper in large pan over medium heat until meat is cooked and vegetables are almost tender. Drain. Stir in undrained

BUTTERMILK POT ROAST Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 boneless beef chuck roast, about 31/2 pounds 4-1/2 teaspoons onion soup mix 1/4 teaspoon pepper 8 medium potatoes, peeled and halved 8 medium carrots, halved 8 small onions, cut into wedges 1 cup buttermilk Spread mustard over roast. Place in a Dutch oven. Sprinkle roast with soup mix and pepper. Arrange vegetables around meat and pour buttermilk over top. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 2-1/4 to 2-3/4 hours, or until all is tender. Transfer meat and vegetables to a platter and keep warm.

Meanwhile, skim fat from drippings, bring to a boil. Cook until liquid is reduced to 1 cup. Serve with beef and vegetables. Makes eight servings.

If you’re looking for a fall vegetable to add to your repertoire, try turnips. This recipe is a great accompaniment to the pot roast.

Surprise prize cupcakes are sure to please the youngest palate, especially when put PHOTO COURTESY NESTLE in a school lunch bag.

WHIPPED TURNIP PUFF Ingredients: 8 medium turnips 4 large eggs, lightly beaten 2 cups breadcrumbs 1/2 cup butter, melted 2 tablespoons sugar 2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper Peel turnips and cut into 1-inch cubes.

Arrange turnips in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam 25 minutes until tender. Mash turnips, stir in eggs and remaining ingredients. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 11- by 7-inch baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees for one hour.

Serves 8.

Native to China, the persimmon is now cultivated in the United States and available throughout the fall. This recipe should appeal to all.

sweet surprises in their school lunch bags?

Nestle provides this cupcake recipe with a surprise in the middle.

SURPRISE PRIZE CUPCAKES Ingredients: 1 package (18.25 ounces) plain chocolate cake mix 1 1/3 cups water 3 large eggs 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 package (16.5 ounces) Nestle Toll House refrigerated chocolate chip bar dough 1 container prepared chocolate frosting Semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels

PERSIMMON PUDDING Ingredients: 2 cups persimmon pulp 1/2 cup better, melted 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs 1 cup all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup buttermilk cinnamon-butter sauce

Pizza soup is a great fall treat, served with Italian bread.

PHOTO COURTESY TASTEOFHOME.COM

Peel persimmons. Stir together first four ingredients until blended. Persimmons are a fall fruit that can be used in Add flour and next five ingredients, tasty desserts, such as puddings.

PHOTO COURTESY WIKIPEDIA stirring well. Batter will not be smooth. Pour into a greased and Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line floured 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes. Serve with muffin tin with paper cups. Beat cake mix, water, eggs and oil in large mixing bowl cinnamon-butter sauce. Serves six. on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for two minutes or until CINNAMON-BUTTER SAUCE smooth. Spoon about 1/4 cup batter into 1 cup sugar each cup, filling about 2/3 full. Cut cookie 1/2 cup butter dough into 24 pieces; roll each into a ball.

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Place one ball of dough in each muffin 1 cup hot water cup, pressing it to the bottom. Bake for 19 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Cook first four ingredients in a pot over to 22 minutes or until top springs back medium heat, stirring occasionally for six when gently touched. Let stand for 15 to eight minutes or until thickened. Stir in minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool comcinnamon. pletely. Spread with frosting and sprinkle Q What youngster doesn’t like getting with chocolate morsels.

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Fall Guide

Learn how to ride a horse this fall season Forest Park’s and Jamaica Bay’s stables provide equestrian fun

by Dana Taddeo Chronicle Contributor

he diversity of Queens not only lies in its people, but also in the unexpected activities available to them in and around the borough, one of which is horseback riding.

Tucked away among the bustle of the city, lay trails that can take residents away from the noise and can provide them with a breath of brisk fall air this upcoming season, and they are even closer than you think.

Lynne’s Riding School at 88-03 70 Road and Dixie Dew Stables at 88-11 70 Road are both located near Forest Park in Forest Hills and have been for more than 100 years. Both use the four-mile equestrian

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path that meanders through the park’s oak forest to take first-time and experienced riders away from reality for a few hours.

Lynne’s offers lessons to children as young as five, as well as pony rides for kids under five. The school offers instruction to anyone who wants to ride.

Those just starting off first practice in the indoor riding ring until they are good enough to take on the trails.

“We won’t put anyone out there who isn’t ready,” said Lynne Holzhauser, whose father once ran the stables.

The school offers one-hour group lessons for $45 and 30-minute private lessons for $30.

Lynne’s also often helps Girl Scout troops earn horse-related badges and allows John Bowne High School’s students to visit to experience caring for horses.

Dixie Dew Stables allows anyone over the age of seven to join the groups of riders on the trails.

They offer private lessons for $50 an hour and group lessons for half that price.

Other city parks equipped with stables are Pelham Bay Park and Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, Central Park and Staten Island’s Sequine Equestrian Center, which offers a variety of riding opportunities throughout the borough.

For those looking to travel outside Queens for horseback riding, there is also Jamaica Bay Riding Academy located at 7000 Shore Parkway, entrance on Belt Parkway

continued from page 12

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near Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn in the Gateway National Wildlife Preserve.

The family-owned facility offers 40minute group trail rides seven days a week, including ones that take riders on the nearby beach, for anyone 13 years of age and older, private 50-minute rides for kids as young as six, and pony rides for children eight and younger.

The academy also has a summer camp

Athletic director

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She admits she is sort of a trailblazer herself in a field where there are very few women, and fewer still who are African-American.

“I guess I do serve as a role model to young women of color,” she said. “But I also want to be seen as a successful athletic director. I want someone to be able to sit down across the table from me and see me as a businesswoman.”

She also has high expectations for the men and women who play for and coach the school’s 19 NCAA Division II teams.

There are 11 teams for women

for kids ages five to 15 that meets Monday through Friday, and the recently formed Metropolitan Equestrian Team.

The team gives students from grades six through 12 the opportunity to compete both locally and nationally.

For more information on the riding academy call (718) 531-8949, for Lynne’s call (718) 261-7679 and for Dixie Dew call Q (718) 263-3500. and eight for men. And Jude has inherited two nationally-ranked tennis teams with high expectations of their own.

The 24th-ranked women and the 25th-ranked men are both defending East Coast Conference champions.

She said players and coaches will be expected to attend and conduct youth clinics, participate in campus and community events and to be a part of the community.

“It’s the IFF principle,” she said.

“Institution, faith, family.”

The trip, she says, has been worth it.

“A lot of people take a direct route to being an athletic director,” said Jude.

Q “I took a lot of detours.”

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