Queens Chronicle South Edition 02-06-20 by Queens Chronicle

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

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER VOL. XLIII

NO. 6

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

QCHRON.COM

PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN

A S E K A M CR I M E K C A B E M O C January spike brings heat on bail reform

PAGE 6

The year is just a month old but burglary, assault and grand larceny are up citywide, leading some ofﬁcials to question if new bail measures that went into effect Jan. 1 are too lax.

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Moving the bill to end NY puppy mills Legislation to prohibit retail sale of animals passes Senate panel by Katherine Donlevy Associate Editor

enate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) was joined by some furry friends on Feb. 3 to announce that his legislation to prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in retail pet shops passed the Domestic Animal Welfare Committee with 17 co-sponsors, many of whom had originally opposed the bill. “With so many good animals in need of rescue, there is no need for puppy mills that abuse animals to supply pet stores. Our fourlegged companions should be treated with respect, not like commodities,” Gianaris said in a released statement. “I am pleased this important legislation moved out of committee and continues to build momentum with many of my Senate colleagues.” Known as S4234A in the Senate and as A6298A in the Assembly, the bill seeks to prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits by retail pet shops and to authorize collaboration with entities to provide space to showcase animals owned by certain entities for the purpose of adoption. With the Senate committee passing the bill, it now goes to the floor. In the Assembly, it has been before the Committee on Agriculture since March, being amended once in June. “We have all heard the horror stories of the

Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, along with furry friends and bill supporters, announced on Feb. 3 that his legislation to prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in retail pet shops NYS SENATE PHOTO passed the Senate Domestic Animal Welfare Committee. inhumane treatment that occurs at puppy/animal mills. This is just the first step to stop that industry from continuing these barbaric practices,” Assemblyman Brian Barnwell (D-Maspeth), who supported the bill in the lower house, told the Chronicle in an email. “I think it has a good chance of passing the Assembly.”

The goal of the bills is to end the mass production of companion pets at what are referred to as “puppy mills,” which the Puppy Mill Project defines as breeding operations that breed dogs for profit, prioritizing financial gain over the health or well-being of the animals. The Humane Society estimates there are

10,000 licensed and unlicensed puppy mills in the United States, which produce and sell over 2 million dogs each year. Domestic Animal Welfare Committee Chairperson Monica Martinez (D-Hauppauge) had originally opposed the bill, believing that the legislation “would not prevent irresponsible large breeders from operating and instead would ban the sale of cats, dogs and rabbits at retail locations.” She has since changed her stance, becoming a co-signer with three other former bill opponents. “Animals are voiceless and we, as policymakers, are tasked with the responsibility to protect them. This legislation encourages the adoption of animals and encourages a stop to the profit making on the backs of these defenseless animals,” said Martinez at the announcement. “We must be their best friend and rescue them as they rescue us; they provide us with unconditional love which no human can provide another.” “I was absolutely elated to hear the news of the bill passing in the Domestic Animal Welfare Committee in the Senate. We still have a long tough fight ahead of us but we are not giving up!” said animal rights activist Kim Caruana of Our Best Friends Rescue center, who had been pushing for the legislation for years since fostering and rehabilitating multiQ ple puppy mill victims.

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Woodhaven road race at starting line Shutting down Forest Parkway for runners a prelude to marathon by Michael Shain Editor

As a rehearsal for the fledgling Queens Marathon, an upcoming distance race in Woodhaven is being routed through local streets for the first time, organizers said this week. Forest Parkway — the five-block avenue that connects Jamaica Avenue to Park Lane South — is being closed to traffic for the March 8th running of the Forest Park 5 & 10 Mile, Kevin Montalvo, head of the Queens Distance Runners, told the Chronicle. The majority of the race, now in its third year, is run on the roads inside Forest Park. But this year, at the midway point, the race route will swing out of the park onto Forest Parkway, said Montalvo. The Queens Distance Runners sponsors half a dozen road races around the borough every year, including a full-fledged marathon around Flushing Meadows Corona Park in late March. For the Woodhaven race, runners will emerge from the park at Park Lane South and run down Forest Parkway to a barrier just short of Jamaica Avenue. They’ll turn there and make the run back up Forest Parkway into the park, he said. “We want to minimize disruption

A lone jogger on Forest Parkway earlier this week is the harbinger of many more to come next month when, for the first time, the parkway will be shut down to become part of the course for hundreds of runners in the Forest Park 5 & PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN 10 Mile race. for the folks who live on Forest Parkway,” he said. “But it’s important we use a major artery.” The street will be shut down for about two hours starting at 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning, he said. The Woodhaven race is an unofficial warmup for the Queens Mara-

thon, the pinnacle of the local runners’ season, two weeks later. The course for the Queens Marathon, which began in 2016, is completely within the boundaries of Flushing Meadows Corona Park. That’s where the Woodhaven race comes in.

Organizers hope some day soon to expand the marathon from the park to the streets of Queens, like the famous New York City Marathon does. By running a few shorter races through friendly neighborhoods, the group believes it can convince local

officials to grant them the permits needed to turn the Queens Marathon into a boroughwide event. “We can tell the community boards and the [Business Improvement Districts] we know what it takes to be successful,” Montalvo said. The campaign to steer the marathon into the streets began this year with shorter races in Woodhaven, Bayside and Corona, he said. “The idea is that maybe sooner or later we can piece together enough neighborhoods to cover 26.2 miles,” the classic marathon distance, he said. “The Woodhaven BID is excited to partner with the QDR coming to Woodhaven for the first time,” said Raquel Olivares, executive director of the BID. “This will be a great opportunity for us to promote all the amazing things this neighborhood has to offer.” The Woodhaven race began in 2018 with about 100 runners, the organizers said. Some 300 people registered last year. But, Montalvo said, “runners like to run though neighborhoods.” As a result, as many as 1,000 runners are expected to register for the race in Woodhaven, said the Q organizer.

Bad reviews for bus routes roll in Workshop in South Queens pans Woodhaven-Cross Bay redesign by Anthony O’Reilly

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Chronicle Contributor

Maya, a 10th-grader at The Scholars’ Academy who lives in New Howard Beach, admitted she didn’t know when to hop off the Q53 to get to the school when she first started classes there. “I saw other kids in Scholars’ shirts get off and I followed them,” she said. Future students who may have similar problems won’t be so lucky, she fears, if the MTA’s proposed Queens bus route redesign goes into effect. That’s because the transit agency is proposing to eliminate the Q53. The plan would keep the Q52, which follows the same route as the Q53 until it reaches Rockaway — where, as of right now, the former goes east and the latter west on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. But that would be inconvenient for students like Maya and her classmates Amanda and Zoe, all of whom attended a Jan. 31 pub-

lic workshop on the proposed route changes. Close to 50 South Queens residents and officials participated in the session, with most — if not all — speaking against the plan. “I don’t understand why they just can’t keep it,” said Hamilton Beach resident Kathy Torre, who was upset that the Q11, along with the Q21 and Q49, would be consolidated into the Q83 and Q88, spelling the end of a one-bus trip to Queens Boulevard from Howard Beach. Riders would have to transfer to a different route if they wished to get to Queens Center mall. On the way back, they would need to transfer at Rockaway Boulevard and Cross Bay to reach local streets in Old and New Howard Beach. At tables set up in the basement of MS 202 in Ozone Park, many bus riders demanded that lines like the Q53 be kept or that lines be redrawn to avoid multiple transfers. Some accused the MTA of not listening to continued on page 18

At a bus-route redesign workshop sponsored by the MTA last week in Ozone Park, students from The Scholars’ Academy in Rockaway Park spoke about the hardship the elimination of the Q53 PHOTO BY ANTHONY O’REILLY bus would create on their daily commute.

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NYC crime jumps nearly 17 percent Overall index crimes are highest for month of January since 2014 by Katherine Donlevy Associate Editor

New York City saw a 16.9 percent increase in overall index crime in the first month of 2020 — with the highest number of incidents for January since 2014. “That’s cause for real concern. We take it seriously, we are focused on it,” said Mayor de Blasio at the Feb. 4 announcement of January crime statistics. “We can confront it and we can overcome it because that is the history of the NYPD.” There were 1,222 more crimes in January 2020 than in January 2019 across all five boroughs, most notably in five of the seven index crimes. According to NYPD Chief of Crime Control Strategies Michael LiPetri, the crime had begun rising throughout 2019. “We saw rises in robbery, felony assault, burglary, and grand larceny [and auto thefts]. We saw this across the City of New York, not just centered in one borough or one patrol borough,” said LiPetri referring to the NYPD’s eight jurisdictional divisions. Grand larceny of a motor vehicle saw the greatest increase, spiking by approximately 71 percent, or 243 vehicles. Robberies are up 36 percent, equating to 140 in the new yea r. Approx i mately 10 0 i nd iv idu als became victims of felony assault, a result of a 14 percent increase — 43 percent were

An anonymous email threat sent last week to five separate schools in Howard Beach, Lindenwood and Ozone Park appears to have been a hoax, school officials said. A letter to parents posted online at the schools’ official websites last Wednesday assured parents that “every precation was taken” to protect students at PS 232, PS 146 and PS 207 in Howard Beach, MS 202 in Ozone Park and a pre-K center on 79th Street in Lindenwood. “The authorities conducted an investigation and confirmed that the communication was not credible and there is no threat to students and staff,” the letter said. The nature of the threat was not disclosed. A message left at the office of District Superintendent Jennifer Ambert was not returned. In 2017, parents of students at PS 146 said they were not notified about a 13-year-old student who made threats to shoot up the school until hours after the Q incident was over. — Michael Shain

driven by domestic violence. Over 350 individuals were victims of grand larceny in January, a 9.6 percent increase from last year. Burglaries, both residential and commercial, had become a frequent issue for every patrol borough, exclud-

that it was too early to blame bail reform for rising crime. “As the greatest big city, public safety should be one of our highest priorities,” said Adams said in an emailed response to the Chronicle. “While the spike in crime is concerning, it should not be used as a political tool to undermine the new bail laws. We should stay open to any meaningful data and analysis that would substantiate the administration’s claim attributing the increase to the new bail laws, but it is important that we do not succumb to fear mongering.” Opinions on the effect of bail reform have divided elected officials since it was first proposed last April, with many expecting crime to skyrocket as a result. “The increase in crime is very concerning, but many people have predicted that the permissive, radical progressive agenda in politics would cause this,” said City Councilmember Robert Holden (D-Middle Village) in am emailed response to a Chronicle question. “Career criminals are being let out of jail immediately after committing another serious crime, so of course crime is going to increase. The Governor and State legislature need to be held responsible for this fiasco that jeopardizes the safety of all New Yorkers. They must begin working to undo the harm that has Q already been done.”

102nd Pct. gets a new commander by Michael Shain Editor

The 102nd Precinct, which covers Richmond Hill, South Richmond Hill and Woodhaven, has a new boss. Capt. Antonio Fidacaro, a 15-year-veteran of the NYPD and the top officer in Lower Manhattan’s transit district, was named commanding officer of the precinct last week. He replaces Deputy Inspector Courtney Nilan, who had been commander of the 102nd since November 2017. A popular figure in the neighborhoods, Nilan has been transferred to a new post in the NYPD’s Intelligence unit. Fidacaro is not new to South Queens. As a sergeant, he was assigned to the 106th Precinct in Howard Beach and Ozone Park. He also had a stint at One Police Plaza as a captain in the Office of Management and Planning in the NYPD’s administrative bureau. The new appointment comes a week after a change at the top of Patrol Borough Queens South, which oversees the 102nd and seven other precincts.

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South Queens school threat unfounded

Mayor de Blasio announced Feb. 4 that overall index crime for the month of January has risen nearly 17 percent from last year, the highest number for the month since 2014, his first FILE PHOTO year in office.

ing Queens South and Staten Island. While five index crimes rose in January, murder and rape, the remaining index crimes, decreased from last year. There were seven fewer homicides in 2020, as well as 28 fewer reports of rape. The city also saw a 23 percent decline in hate crimes, the majority of which are still driven by anti-Semitic values. Other crimes outside of the five index categories also saw an increase, including a 8.7 percent rise in overall housing crime, 16 percent increase in homeless shelter assaults and 71 percent increase in transit crime. The city also saw the highest number of recorded shootings since 2003 with 67 incidents and 80 victims. Despite the apparent correlation, de Blasio denies that the recently introduced bail reform laws had any impact on the rising crime, a position state Sen. Joh n Liu (D-Flushing) agrees with. “This apparent increase is so far a shortterm blip in a long trend of reduction in crime rate, and is not statistically credible for correlation to any changes in law or procedures,” Liu, who supported bail reform since its proposal, told the Chronicle in an email. “I have every expectation that our law enforcement will continue to keep our community safe.” City Councilmember Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) shared the same opinion as Liu

Not a cop Capt. Antonio Fidacaro is the new commander of the 102nd Precinct. NYPD PHOTO Assistant Chief Ruben Beltran, the for mer com mander of the N Y PD’s School Safety Division, was named to take over late last month for Chief David Barerre, who’d been in charge of the sprawling borough command for six years. Transfers of commanding officers are routine in the NYPD every two to four Q years.

Police say the unidentified man in this photo impersonated a police officer in an attempt to rob a UPS van in South Ozone Park three weeks ago. On Jan. 11, he approached a 41-yearold UPS employee on 118th Street just before 4 p.m., identified himself as an officer and demanded to inspect the inside of the van. When the driver refused, the man struck him on the head with a flashlight and ran off. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto nypdcrimestoppers.com, or by texting 274637 (CRIMES).

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Plans laid for next Carranza town hall Extra seating, TV hook-up arranged for chancellor’s return to Queens by Michael Shain Editor

Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza is set to make his first return appearance in Queens early next month at a town hall meeting in Elmhurst, where he is expected to face a tough crowd. On March 2, Carranza is making up a date he canceled in December to appear at IS 5 before parents in District 24, which also includes Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Corona and Middle Village. The chancellor has been under withering attack by Queens lawmakers and parents since he walked out of a Jan. 16 community meeting in Bayside three weeks ago after being confronted about how he has handled student violence in district schools. He later called the incident “grandstanding” and “a setup.” Last Thursday, two weeks after the uproar, he issued a p u bl ic a p olog y t o t h e parents. The most recent controversy surrounding the schools chief promises to swell attendance at the upcoming town hall. Accommodations are already being made

for an overflow crowd, said Phil Wong, president of the Community Education Council for District 24, the parents advisory group. School officials were “unprepared” for the turnout at Carranza’s last town hall in Bayside Jan. 16, said Wong, who was at the meeting. “Last time, it was so packed, parents were told to leave,” he said. “Terrible.” For next month’s meeting, extra chairs are being added to the IS 5’s 150-seat auditorium and, for those who can’t be seated in the main hall, a TV hookup is being installed in the school gym, he said. Parents were perturbed last December when the chancellor canceled an earlier town hall in El m hu r s t a f t e r it wa s announced that Councilman Bob Holden (D-Middle Village), a prominent Carranza critic, would be at the same council meeting. A spokeswoman for Carranza said at the time that he was forced to reschedule in order to attend the memorial service for a former colleague. “I thought it was bulls--t,” said Wong. “The guy doesn’t know how to lie. It was something he made up at the last minute.”

In Elmhurst, IS 5 is the site of the next town hall for Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza, left, early next month. Carranza has been under fire from parents and local lawmakers since walking out of a heated public meeting in Bayside in January. GOOGLE MAPS IMAGE, ABOVE; PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN The former superintendent of schools in Houston and San Francisco who arrived in New York two years ago, Carranza sparked controversy almost immediately when he came out against the use of the Specialized High School Admissions Test as the sole criterion for admissions to the city’s elite high schools.

Later, he said he planned to end the much sought-after gifted and talented classes for elementary school students. Both changes were necessary, he said, to bring more racial diversity to the programs the schools system offers high-achieving stuQ dents.

Coronavirus cases suspected in Queens Three hospitalized here and in Manhattan — results pending by Katherine Donlevy

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Associate Editor

The coronavirus may have made its way to Queens. Just one day after elected officials held a press conference urging their constituents not to fear the rapidly spreading disease, the first suspected case in New York City appeared. One day after the individual was admitted to a Manhattan hospital, two individuals in Queens were hospitalized for similar symptoms and tested for the novel coronavirus. “Don’t worry ... there’s no need to panic,” City Councilmember Peter Koo (D-Flushing) had said at the Jan. 31 press conference. All three individuals had recently traveled to China and presented symptoms of the disease — fever and cough or shortness of breath without another common cause, such as inf luenza or other cold viruses. None of the cases have been confirmed — the tests take a minimum of 36 to 48 hours depending on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testing capacity. It was revealed on Feb. 3 that the test results of first individual, who was admitted to NYC Health + Hospital/Bellevue in Manhattan, came back negative. The second and third individuals have been hospitalized at Flushing Hospital Medical Center and New

City Councilmember Peter Koo, left, and Dr. Warren Chin look on as Rep. Grace Meng speaks on PHOTO BY KATHERINE DONLEVY the spread of the novel coronavirus at a Jan. 31 press conference. York-Presbyterian/Queens, respectively, where they remain in stable condition and whose results are still pending. “With the best public health system in the world, New York City stands ready to respond to any confirmed cases of the coronavirus,” said Mayor de Blasio, who urged New Yorkers to remain optimistic and stated that cases under investigation should not be presumed as likely to be confirmed in a statement issued Sunday. “I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant, and if you or

anyone you know matches the criteria and have recently traveled to the affected areas of China, please see a medical professional.” Rumors that a case had appeared at NYC Health + Hospitals /Elmhurst were shot down at the press conference, held at Flushing’s Glow Community Center. That individual was tested for the coronavirus, but was found to have the flu. “Let me make it clear — at this time there are no confirmed cases in New York city,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, deputy

commissioner for the Division of Disease Control at the city Department of Health, a statement that remains true. While the results for the two individuals are still pending, there has yet to be a confirmed case of the disease in New York State. There are eight confirmed cases in the United States and over 24,500 worldwide, resulting in the deaths of nearly 500 people. “We are continuing to work closely with our partners at the CDC, state and federal government as the coronavirus situation evolves,” said city Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “If you have traveled to the area affected by the outbreak in the last 14 days and feel unwell, call your doctor or visit a clinic, and you will be cared for. Also, practice everyday precautions like you would during f lu season — wash your hands frequently, and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze.” Other safe practices include avoiding contact with others, not traveling while sick and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. At the press conference, Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) touched upon another important plague that is accompanying the virus. “This is not an excuse to discriminate against Asian-Americans. We will not Q accept that,” Meng said.

C M SQ page 9 Y K Page 9 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 10

C M SQ page 10 Y K

P Reform property taxes EDITORIAL

ity property taxes may be lower than those in the suburbs, but they’re notoriously unfair, especially to middleclass homeowners in places such as Queens. You know the story, because it’s a cliché: the owner of, say, a single-family house in Howard Beach, or a condo in Lindenwood, or a co-op in Glen Oaks has to pay a far higher property tax rate, compared with his or her home’s actual value, than some highflying financier with a pied-à-terre on Park Avenue that gets used seasonally. Or, for that matter, a veteran city politician who owns two nice homes in Park Slope. But now that very politician, Mayor de Blasio, is mulling over a report he commissioned along with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson on how to make the system fair. The key element: basing property taxes on market value rather than assessed value. Basing them on assessed value is one of the key reasons city property taxes have

AGE

been so out of whack for so long. It’s why an $8 million brownstone facing Prospect Park has a tax bill of only $20,165 a year, according to The New York Times. Compare those numbers to the equivalent for a house here and the need for reform becomes obvious. The commission’s report recommends revenue-neutral changes, meaning they would not generate more property taxes for the city but simply spread them out more equitably. If that’s what actually would happen, it’s a plan worth aggressively pursuing. Since it would need both city and state approval to be put into law, there will be many opportunities for analysis and public input before anything changes. The recommendations would affect an estimated 90 percent of property owners across the city. Property tax reform is greatly needed, and this plan sounds like a solid basis to start from. Let’s not forget about it; it’s time to delve into the details and go from there.

No to legal drunk e-bike riding

aniel L. Felker was charged with driving while intoxicated in August 2018 in upstate Oneida County. He was on a riding lawn mower. Barry Adams did the same a month later in Jefferson County and was sentenced to a year in jail. And before either one of them hit the road after allegedly hitting the bottle, Jonathon D. Loomis added a special kind of sparkle to his Fourth of July by getting charged with DWI after being pulled over on a golf cart in Western New York’s Cattaraugus County. It’s long been state law that you can be charged with driving under the influence on any kind of motor vehicle, however it’s powered and however slow it is, including go-karts, snowmobiles and electric wheelchairs, as well as boats. And yet, as the state eyes legalizing electric scooters and throttle-assist bikes

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Weak bus service Dear Editor: The paltry bus service in Maspeth noted by Councilman Bob Holden (“Council members rip redesign routes,” Jan. 30) is detrimental not only to that neighborhood but to residents of Queens and Brooklyn traveling between the burgeoning boroughs. Maspeth lies between the E, F, M and R subway lines on Queens Boulevard and the L, J, Z and the other end of the M in Brooklyn; buses could handily bridge the gap and provide an alternative during service changes. Instead, many a time I’ve headed home after an evening in Bushwick only to see a B57 bus pass by that’s on its way back to Queens — on a route through Maspeth that ends miles away from the subway line on Queens Boulevard. Joel Schlosberg Bayside

Great bus service Dear Editor: Right now, the bus system is perfect. What in Chaos’ name is the MTA doing changing something that works? For the last few years I get a bus going to or from the Woodside train station, Queens Center or Metropolitan Avenue, in short order: either the Q11, Q21, Q52 or Q53. This new jumble of proposed routes is coun© Copyright 2020 by MARK I PUBLICATIONS, INC. All rights reserved. Neither this newspaper nor any part thereof may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, recording or by any information retrieval system without the express written permission of the publishers. This copyright is extended to the design and text created for advertisements. Reproduction of said advertisement or any part thereof without the express written permission of MARK I PUBLICATIONS, INC. is strictly prohibited. This publication will not be responsiblefor errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Bylined articles represent the sole opinion of the writer and are not necessarily in accordance with the views of the QUEENS CHRONICLE. This Publication reserves the right to limit or refuse advertising it deems objectionable. The Queens Chronicle is published weekly by Mark I Publications, Inc.at a subscription rate of $19 per year and out of state, $25 per year. Periodicals Postage Paid (USPS0013-572) at Flushing, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mark I Publications, Inc., 71-19 80th St., Suite 8-201, Glendale, NY 11385.

E DITOR

terproductive to making mass transit easier. Are they trying to isolate Ozone Park, Howard Beach and the Rockaways from the rest of the city? Ray Hackinson Ozone Park

Dezoning schools is no answer Dear Editor: One of the possible outcomes of the District 28 Diversity Plan is dezoning of all middle schools in our district and making a lottery admission system with certain priorities, such as to low-income and temporary-housing students. What that means is that about half of all currently zoned kids won’t be able to attend their zoned middle schools and will be assigned to others in the district, even to those they did not include on their middle school application. Do you know that it takes over an hour to get from Halsey Junior High School in Rego Park to Redwood Middle School in South Jamaica by

— you know, the things your food delivery man terrorized everyone on the road with to bring you dinner — lawmakers and Gov. Cuomo are looking to carve out an exemption. They want to make it so riders of these vehicles can only be charged with DWI or driving while ability impaired if there is a collision. And they’re prepared to do it by sneaking the law through as part of the state budget, just as they did with the disastrous nobail “reform” rammed through last year. Why this exemption? Cuomo and the lawmakers pushing for it refuse to say. Maybe they fear unauthorized immigrants would be charged and get the feds’ attention. It’s impossible to know, as their press offices clammed up when asked. We do not believe it should be legal to ride e-bikes and scooters drunk and hope you’ll tell your lawmakers that you agree.

public transportation? If you live in Rego Park and are assigned to Redwood, your child will spend at least two and a half hours a day on the commute (two hours from Forest Hills). This is even more concerning for Jewish families on Fridays in wintertime, when your child won’t be able to make it home in time for the Sabbath. We should all stand together in our opposition to dezoning. There are other ways to diversify the school district, such as creating unique programs at existing underutilized schools or opening new magnet schools to entice people to apply there. Forcibly sending 11-year-old kids this far from their homes and communities is not the answer. If anything, that would only have the opposite effect on diversification efforts because many families faced with the prospect of a two-hour daily commute would move elsewhere or find some other options for their children. Please make your concerns known to the District 28 Community Education Council as its members are the only ones who can vote to

C M SQ page 11 Y K

dezone our district or to change zoning lines within the district, which essentially would have the same effect as dezoning. Your children’s future is in their hands, not the Department of Education’s. Susan Asatur Forest Hills

No one an island ... ’til now Dear Editor: The way for people to stimulate human interaction is for them to put down their iPhones and go out there and talk to people rather than text strangers in a chat room or on a social site (“Gov’t won’t solve disconnect,” Letters, Jan. 30). The government cannot (and should not) be expected to make people socialize with each other. Join a book club, take a class in something that interests you, go to the park and sit with others. Technology is great, but it has made people islands of one. Linda Sperling Forest Hills

Bravo for the Blue Book Dear Editor: The Yellow Pages vanished from Queens homes in the digital era, but we have the Blue Book, thanks to the great work of the Queens Chronicle staff. The 51-page directory is a valuable Rolodex of resources for readers. Now I know whom to call when I have a problem and whom to criticize when I don’t get a response. I appreciate the Blue Book’s demographic breakdown of Queens’ population, but one statistic jumped off the page. Among our borough’s 2,339,280 residents, only 45,662 are military veterans. I’m proud to be one of them (U.S. Air Force, 1964-68). Queens’ small number of veterans ref lects the national demographic. Only 1 percent of some 320 million Americans ever served in the military or have any direct connection to it. This creates a huge disconnect between civilians and the folks in uniform. We must restore the draft and include women this time. Everyone should serve his or her country. Richard Reif Kew Gardens Hills

My Dem friends can’t add

Clinton’s perjury OK? Dear Editor: The Jan. 30 issue had a cartoon in which Ken Starr states that none of the current charges against President Trump is as serious as lying about sex (which happened when Bill Clinton was under oath). It should be remembered that in 2001 Clinton settled the perjury charges against him by agreeing to have his law license suspended for five years. If one believes that Clinton should not have been removed from office for perjury, that is an implicit admission that the professional standards for being a lawyer are higher than that of president of the United States. If people believe that, we have a much larger problem than Trump’s behavior. Lenny Rodin Forest Hills

Great socialist role models Dear Editor: To all the suburban pseudo-socialists I have eight words: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and National Socialism. Never again! James Dillon Long Island City

Trump’s terrible legacy Dear Editor: Trump, thanks to the Republican-controlled Senate, has changed the presidency and the powers of the office for all times. Henceforth no president will be restrained by Congress. No longer will Congress be a coequal branch of government. Democrats in the run-up to the 2020 election insist upon one qualification for the nominee in that the candidate can stand up to Trump. Trump will have the advantage of incumbency, a base that would forgive him shooting a person or conspiring with a foreign country’s participation in our national election, enhanced by the lies he issues daily without remorse. Unfortunately, regardless of who wins the election the foundations of the Office of the President will no longer be defined by honesty, adherence to the Constitution or civil discourse. Trump and those who follow him will rely upon a Fox News format to convince their supporters that regardless of the outrages the president can do no wrong. Without question if a Democrat wins the election that president will sustain a Republican onslaught. Whatever a Democratic president does Moscow Mitch will state, as he did when Obama won, that his job is to ensure no second term. McConnell and the Republicans who voted to set Trump free will reverse their stand on Trump’s violations, insisting, “This is different!” There would be no difference except that the office will be permanently degraded, disrespected and its occupant nothing more than a social media fanatic fanning division and hatred. The country’s melting pot will become extreme camps trading insults awaiting an explosion that may well threaten the nation. Ed Horn Baldwin, LI

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Dear Editor: I worry that my fellow Democrats do not understand basic arithmetic. First it was the Justice Democrats speaking as if they represent the entire Democratic Party when they won only 26 out of 79 primary races in 2018. Then it was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jimmy Van Bramer and Michael Gianaris not understanding the positive economics of bringing Amazon to Long Island City. Next it was Elizabeth Warren’s inability to explain the numbers behind Medicare-for-All. Now we cannot add caucus numbers in Iowa. We need tech guys like Mike Bloomberg to lead and save the Democratic Party! David Soukup Sunnyside

E DITOR

Page 11 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

LETTERS TO THE

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 12

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MTA sets up more bus plan meetings Vows to get route redrawing right by Michael Gannon Editor

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Three people were taken into custody after police discovered the body of a homeless man on the front porch of a boardedup house in South Richmond Hill early Sunday morning. The dead man was identified as Pawandeep Singh, 27, according to an NYPD media release. Cops were summoned just after 9 a.m.

From Albany to South Ozone Park, officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have been saying they realize the need to radically re-examine the 434-page draft plan to redraw and modernize the bus system in Queens. “We’re going to take a second look, a third look, and as many as it takes to get it right,” Mark Holmes, chief officer of Operations Planning for MTA Bus, told residents Thursday evening at a jam-packed meeting at the Langston Hughes Library in Corona. “We’re here to get this right.” The MTA last week announced an expanded list more public information and feedback sessions to those already scheduled. Several will come as presentations to the transportation committees of community boards. The updated schedule for meetings now includes: • Thu., Feb. 6, 7-8:30 p.m. (community conversation), Rockaway YMCA, 207 Beach 73 St., Arverne; • Tue., Feb. 11, 6-8 p.m. (presentation). Queens Community Board 12 Transportation Committee, York College, Faculty Dining Room, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica; • Wed., Feb. 12, 7 p.m. (presentation), Queens Community Board 6, Kew Gardens Community Center, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road #202, Kew Gardens; • Wed., Feb. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (presentation), PS/IS 49, 63-60 80 St., Middle Village; • Thu., Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. (presentation), Queens Community Board 1 Transportation Committee, 45-02 Ditmars Boulevard, LL suite 1025, Astoria; • Thu., Feb. 13, 7 p.m. (presentation), Queens Community Board 13 Transportation Committee, Jean Nuzzi IS 109. 213-10 92 Ave., Queens Village; • Wed., Feb. 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (presentation), Queens College, 65-30 Kissena

Blvd., Flushing; • Thu., Feb. 20, 7-8:30 p.m. (MTA public workshop), Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, 203-05 32 Ave., Bayside; • Tue., Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. (presentation), Queens Community Board 5 Transportation Committee, Christ the King High School, 68-02 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village; • Tue., Feb. 25, 7 p.m. (presentation), Queens Community Board 14 Transportation Committee, Knights of Columbus, 333 Beach 90 St., Rockaway Beach; • Wed., Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m. (presentation), Queens Community Board 7 Transportation Committee, Union Plaza Care Center, 33-23 Union St., Flushing; • Thu., Feb. 27, 7-8:30 p.m. (MTA public workshop), Cross Island YMCA, 238-10 Hillside Ave., Bellerose; • Wed., March 4, 6-8 p.m. (presentation), NYC Heath + Hospitals, 79-01 Broadway, Elmhurst; • Thu., March 5, 7-8:30 p.m. (presentation), Poppenhusen Institute, 114-4 14 Road, College Point; • Thu., March 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (workshop), August Martin High School, 156-10 Baisley Blvd., Jamaica; • Mon., March 16, 7-8:30 p.m. (presentation), Queens Community Board 8 Transportation Committee, Hillcrest Jewish Center, 183-02 Union Tpke., Flushing; • Wed., March 18, 7-8:30 p.m. (presentation) Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Whitestone, 12-01 150 St., Whitestone; and • Thu., March 19, 7-8:30 p.m. (presentation), North Shore Towers, 272-48 Grand Central Pkwy., Floral Park. The complete draft plan can be viewed and downloaded online at new.mta.info/system_modernization/bus_ network/queensbusredesign/draftplan. An overview, which also has a link to the draft plan, can be seen at new.mta.info/ Q queensbusredesign.

C M SQ page 13 Y K Page 13 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 14

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Ozone Park jeweler closing at age 101 A fixture since 1919, Carter & Co. prepares to sparkle for last time by Michael Shain Editor

All morning long, George Carter buzzed neighborhood friends into his jewelry store on 101st Avenue. Some came to see what baubles were left in his glass display cases. Others came to just shake his hand and wish him luck. Last Sunday morning, Carter posted on his store’s Facebook page that J. V. Carter & Co. Jewelers — which had been in the same spot doing pretty much the same thing since the end of World War II — was closing. “The Carter family has been a part of so many of your families events,” the post said. “It is with a heavy heart that I must close.” George Carter, 69, is the third generation to run the century-old family business that has been a piece of Ozone Park longer than anyone alive can remember. His grandfather, Vincenzo Cartusciello, a teenage immigrant from Italy, started the business in 1919 selling rings and bracelets on credit to the women of the neighborhood. Weekly, he’d make the rounds of his customers’ apartments, collecting 50 cents here

and a dollar there. “That’s how it started,” said Carter. At the urging of George’s father, the store on 101st Avenue and 97th Street was opened in 1946. To commemorate the business’ centennial last year, Carter had T-shirts made up and handed them out to favored customers. The shirts immortalized the store’s slogan — “The best place for your family jewels” — and became a collector’s item in the neighborhood. Carter & Co.’s Facebook page is filled with customers reminiscing about get t i ng t hei r ea rs pierced at Carter’s, then taking their daughters there a few decades later for the same rite of passage. Carter figures he and his longtime sales partner, Bernie Kenjesky, must have pierced 10,000 ears during their time. The store’s closing is a distressingly familiar story of business in the 21st century. “I was done in by the retail apocalypse, the internet” said Carter. “We still have a lot of old customers, but not enough. And I never had the stomach for a web-based business.” As kids, Carter’s three children all worked

George Carter, left, with sales partner Bernie Kenjesky, is closing the family-owned jewelry business in Ozone Park that his grandfather founded 101 years ago, J.V. Carter & Co. Jewelers on 101st Avenue. Left, the store’s centennial T-shirt hangs behind a counter. PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN in the store. But they are grown-up professionals now — in real estate, corporate communications and the law — “and I never wanted them to go into this business,” he said. Carter will miss his customers greatly, he

said, but is looking forward to one thing. “I’ve always dreamed of not having to work on Christmas Eve.” His final day will be April 1, he said, “April Fool’s Day, because you have to put a Q date to it.”

Rooftop garage no longer for speeding Residents complained about noise from loud cars in Union Turnpike lot by David Russell

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Associate Editor

After community complaints, more than 1,300 summonses and a CBS2 report, chains were installed to close off vehicular access to the second-floor rooftop garage of a strip mall on Union Turnpike near the Glendale-Forest Hills border. Residents had been complaining about the noise problem with calls to 311 and 911. “The bass is so bad, it’s shaking,” Glendale resident Lori Diamond told CBS2. “I can hear it from my bedroom.” Forest Hills resident Eugene Pamposa told the station, “After a few minutes that I sleep, I hear again these crazy noises.” The 112th Precinct issued nearly 1,400 summonses at the location last year, the station said, the majority for speeding. Private security for the property, managed by Stop & Shop, has been extended from midnight to 6 a.m., CBS2 said. Capt. Jonathan Cermeli, commanding officer of the 112th Precinct, told the Chronicle there is heavy enforcement in the area with a marked police car visiting hourly at night and the highway safety traffic team “constantly” out there. He also credited his neighborhood coordination officers with getting management to put “no trespassing” signs up.

The rooftop garage of a Union Turnpike mall caused residents to complain about noise after loud music and speeding cars would blare throughout the night. Chains were installed, blocking vehiPHOTO BY DAVID RUSSELL cles from going to the area after business hours. “Before that, they had no signs so we couldn’t really enforce it,” Cermeli said. He said another method of cracking down is through NYPD monitoring of social media sites in groups for drag races and

sports cars. In one instance, an event was shut down before it started because a cop car was placed near the entrance. “They realized they had to go somewhere else. It wasn’t going to work,” Cermeli said.

“And that’s the message that I’m trying to send to them now. That you’re no longer going to be just getting a warning. We have a zero-tolerance policy at this point.” He said there hasn’t been drag racing lately, rather people meeting up to show off vehicles, blaring music and revving engines. The issue has been ongoing for years, even before Cermeli was in charge of the precinct. He said there would be enforcement, months would go by without an issue and then new groups would go to the spot six or seventh months later. “It would be a good place for them to go,” Cermeli said. “On the second f loor they were out of the view of the street.” Community Board 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio said the crackdown will benefit the neighborhood and the drivers who had been showing off atop the garage. “Why learn your lesson the hard way and be in a serious accident? Just obey the law,” he said. A sign at the Stop & Shop alerts customers that the upper-level parking area will be locked from 11:45 p.m. to 6:15 a.m. every day and people needing to access their vehicles should utilize lower-level parking. Cermeli said the precinct and Stop & Shop are looking into putting up a barrier for the entire garage after business hours. Q

C M SQ page 15 Y K Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

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BP hears arguments for Rikers land use Sharon Lee raises participation and public engagement concerns by David Russell Associate Editor

The city’s goal of making Rikers Island a public space after 2026 took another step forward last Thursday as officials went to Borough Hall as part of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. The Borough President’s Office will make its recommendation on the proposal and then it will go to the City Planning Commission. Last October, the City Council voted to close Rikers Island and remap it to not house incarcerated individuals after its jails are shut down. Proponents have cited recidivism and violence reduction efforts are limited by Rikers’ design and location, whereas four borough-based jails, including one in Kew Gardens, could provide more humane facilities and better access to families and social services. Community Board 1 voted to approve the city’s ULURP application to make Rikers Island public land by a 36-0-1 margin in January. What comes next for the island will be part of a separate review process. “We are committed to having a participatory community engagement process that is part of determining what will be the future uses of Rikers Island,” said Dana Kaplan, deputy director for the mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. Acting Borough President Sharon Lee noted that community feedback was an issue when it came to talking about the borough-based jail plan. “You’ll understand that there is trepidation about what that public participation, public engagement looks like because there were some concerns about how the public participation and engagement was handled over the past year,” she said. Lee added, “It almost feels like a kind of blank check, right? Once we determine this to be a public place, a public space, it’s hard to just give that faith and say ‘It will be used for public space’ without definitively outlining what that public participation and engagement would look like.” Kaplan said the Mayor’s Office has been

Retired prosecutor and borough president candidate Jim Quinn spoke out against closing Rikers Island.

The cost of construction of the boroughbased jails is projected to be $8.7 billion. CB 9, whose area encompasses the Kew Gardens jail site, voted against the borough-based jail plan 28-0 with one abstention. A number of rallies were held throughout the last year by unhappy residents in the area voicing objection to the jail plan. There were also hearings at Borough Hall. Groups split into people who wanted to keep Rikers open, those who wanted the borough-based jails built and a third group who wanted Rikers closed without any new facilities to replace it. The issue was also a hot topic in the Democratic primary race for district attorney, with candidates constantly being asked about their views on the jail system. Jim Quinn, a retired assistant district attorTim Farrell, left, of the city Department of Correction and Dana Kaplan of the Mayor’s Office for ney who is running for borough president, Criminal Justice spoke at Borough Hall last Thursday as a plan to turn Rikers Island into a public spoke out against the plan at the hearing last Thursday. PHOTOS BY DAVID RUSSELL space moves forward. “Why is this even necessary other than part committed to engagement, citing changes in Kaplan said there would be outdoor recre- of a political move to make the Rikers Island the jail plan after hearing from groups and ation space within all of the housing units them- project move forward? It’s not necessary to ban holding public meetings. selves as well as outdoor and indoor recreation detention facilities on Rikers Island,” he said. He said with the inmate population at more “I think that we took very, very seriously the space for the facility. concerns that we heard around height and denFarrell said the process is in the middle of the than 5,500, there would need to be 2,200 sity and the smaller size of the facility,” Kaplan design phase and the city is looking at some- fewer inmates to meet the borough-based jail said, adding that it was determined all the city’s where around 700- to 900-square-feet of out- plan numbers. “In order to get it down, they either have to female prison population would be housed in door recreation space for every housing unit, one location after officials heard feedback. with the facilities averaging about 30 housing reduce crime or release defendants charged “We want to make sure that we do as good units each. There would also be a common with serious crimes and with serious criminal records into the gena job as possible in hearing all voices and that standard-sized gym, e r a l p o p u l a t i o n ,” the decisions about what happens on Rikers something that would Quinn said. Island are grounded and informed by that be seen in a high hat if the city ultimately He also pointed out input,” she said. school, Farrell said, that new laws went Asked what the participatory process will with exercise rooms builds 3,600 jail cells into effect on Jan. 1 to look like, Kaplan said details are being and a track. prevent judges from refined but it would essentially be an advisory T he project is and we find that we setting bail on charges board with public meetings and meetings with “design build,” which need to house 5,000 of menacing, robbery, stakeholders including CB 1. allows gover n ment stalking and almost Kaplan noted the application’s timing was agencies to combine inmates.” 400 other crimes, in driven by term limits on Mayor de Blasio and design and construcmost cases. many Council members, who must leave tion project bids into — Retired ADA Jim Quinn “After decades of office in 2021. one contract to save successfully reducing Irving Poy, director of planning and develop- money and time. ment for the borough president, asked what the Farrell said the city is “looking for creativi- crime, crime in New York City is not going future use of the island will be. ty” from a design team that is going to be bid- down, it’s on the rise,” Quinn said. Quinn said NYPD statistics show car thefts Kaplan said it’s “tough to tell now,” adding ding on the project and looking for what other that the ULURP or state processes may be outdoor space can be incorporated into the sites have increased 67 percent, shootings are up 21 percent, shooting victims increased 30 percent, involved depending on what the uses are. based on infrastructure. Lee called Rikers “inhumane” but said He said requests for proposals and qualifica- burglaries are up 15 percent and transit crime is there are problems environmentally with the tions are being prepared for issuance and up 21 percent. “What if the city ultimately builds 3,600 jail island itself. though there’s not yet a date for when they’ll be “I would hate to see a public park there as it released, they are on schedule for the 2026 cells and we find that we need to house 5,000 inmates,” the longtime prosecutor said. “What stands now,” she said. deadline. Though the use of Rikers Island was on the Lee also asked about what power grid will be do we do? They either have to expand the jails that they’re currently building, in the four boragenda, talk switched to the borough-based jails used for the jail in Kew Gardens. themselves. “We’re susceptible to blackouts and outag- ough-based jails, or they have to find additional sites in New York City to build those jails.” The borough-based jail system would consist es,” she said. Quinn called the plan to no longer hold of housing for 3,300 individuals, requiring Farrell said the borough-based jails will 3,545 beds. There are more than 5,500 at Rikers operate off of the local grid they’re connected to incarcerated people on Rikers regardless of Island, compared to more than 20,000 at Rikers and will have full backup generators with 100 what happens with the borough-based jails plan “irresponsible” and added that it is “political and other city jails in the 1990s. When Mayor percent emergency power. de Blasio took office, there were more than He added that ventilation will be “state-of- posturing.” He believes the best way to improve the sys11,000 inmates. the-art” with heating, ventilation and air condiThe Queens site will house the city’s female tioning for climate-controlled facilities. “Very tem is rebuilding the jails on the island, saying inmates with about 250 beds for women, modern, very sufficient and green,” Farrell that would be faster and cheaper. “You are leaving future generations of New according to Tim Farrell of the Department of described it. Correction. The male population will predomiLee added, “Unlike what’s on Rikers. It will Yorkers few options if things go wrong,” Q Quinn said. nantly consist of borough residents. be humane.”

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Flushing Meadows Corona Park boasts slight decrease by Katherine Donlevy Associate Editor

“What makes Queens livable is the opportunity to go out and use the parks,” said state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing). “We have middle-class families who come to the parks, and I love to see them. Parks are for people.” Queens is home to 284 parks, which collectively saw crime slightly dwindle from 2018 to 2019 while total index crimes in New York City continued to rise. According to NYPD statistics, the total index crimes — murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny of a vehicle — throughout city parks rose by 0.8 percent between the first three quarters of 2018 and the first three quarters of 2019. Queens, however, saw a 1.7 decrease during the same period, which amounts to a difference of three total incidents. The statistics for Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, the final quarter of 2019, are still being compiled by the NYPD — unless Queens parks see a jump from a total of 211 crimes in the final quarter, crime in parks will have off icially decreased between the two years. “Parks are meant for everyone to use,” continued Stavisky, who worries that crime would deter communities from using their parks. “As local legislators, we’ve been pushing for more patrol in all the precincts in order to keep crime down.” Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which lies in Stavisky’s district, is Queens’ largest green space and has the largest total of crime. “It needs its own resources, no doubt about it,” said Stavisky, who acknowledged the disadvantage the park has compared to Central Park,

which is approximately 54 acres smaller than Flushing Meadows Corona Park. “Central Park has its own police precinct ... The Central Park Conservancy provides funding for the park because they have a wealthy tax base. We do not.” Manhattan’s 22nd Precinct is solely dedicated to the green space, while Queens’ 110th Precinct is responsible for the entirety of Flushing Meadows Corona Park in addition to the communities of Elmhurst and Corona. “It’s the fourth-biggest park in the city. It’s visited by all Queens residents. It’s a tourist attraction,” said the precinct’s commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Nicola Ventre. “We would welcome extra personnel ... “We aren’t overwhelmed. We are confident with the personnel that we have ... [but] more personnel always helps.” Following the borough’s suit, Flushing Meadows Corona Park saw a 4.5 percent dip in crime in the first three quarters of 2019, 57 percent of which were grand larcenies, which Ventre says is mainly stolen proper t y that was lef t unattended. “The park comes alive during the summer months — soccer games, runs, volleyball,” said Vent re, who st ated that the 110 increases deployment to the park during the warmer months to correspond with increased activity, which is also the period with the highest reported crime. “[Even] during the off peak months, the museum, catering hall, the zoo are still open, so there is still life.” During the end of her time as borough president before transitioning to district attorney, Melinda Katz provided the 110 with a trailer that acts as a permanent

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The Council member said he grew up enjoying Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which accounted for 42.2 percent of all Queens park crime, but only 4.2 percent of total city park crime in 2019. Rape, robbery, felony assault and grand larceny rates in Flushing Me a dows Coron a Pa rk e a ch accounted for less than 25 percent of Queens total park crime in their respective categories; however, half of Queens burglaries and 100 percent of car thefts occurred in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. “It’s an iconic park,” Moya said. “The World’s Fair is synonymous with Queens and New York City. The Unisphere is recognized all over the world.” Moya developed the Queens Cabinet, which gathers multiple city agencies, such as the Parks Department, NYPD, Department of Build i ngs, Depa r t ment of Homeless Services, State Liquor Authority and more, once a month to discuss various community concerns. The cabinet finds Queens parks to be a recurring topic. “[The cabinet] brings in a more holistic approach to address quality-of-life issues, especially crime in the park,” said Moya. “I want all of the kids in my community to feel the same way I did growing up here. The NYPD has done an excellent job in keeping crime down and we want to recognize that. I want to make sure that we are adding more resources to our parks, and to keep a good working relationship between these agenQ cies and the community.”

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post in the park. Com munity to make it too restrictive. You want Board 7 has been seeking a police people to enjoy it.” facility in the park in it’s budget The trailer was removed to be for the past several years. outfitted with surveillance devices “We have included a request to and police equipment. W hen put an additional police station in returned to the park in approximately a t h e p a r k fo r month, the ye a r s ... It’s trailer will act been in our hat makes Queens as a permanent budget for quite two-person a while,” said livable is the operated post. Community Board 7 Parks According to opportunity to Chairperson Oha n ia n, Kim Ohanian, resou rces for go out and use who also serves N Y P D the parks.” as an executive shouldn’t stop board member with a perma— State Sen. Toby Stavisky of the Flushing nent post. Meadows Coro“When you’re na Park Conservancy. “It’s hard to advocating [on behalf of parks], you police such a big park, especially want to have programs and more without a constant police presence. events, but security is an issue. On the other hand, you don’t want We’re trying to do everything we can do make the park a better place ... Flushing Meadows Corona Park doesn’t have $100 million.” Councilmember Francisco Moya (D-Corona) agrees with Ohanian that securing city and state funding for Queens parks — which saw five rapes, 57 robberies, 35 felony assaults, six burglaries, 68 grand larcenies and two auto thefts in the first nine months of 2019 — would deter crime. “Last year we secured $44 million citywide that brought in additional support, brought in more rangers, officers, more jobs like maintenance workers. Parks need the necessary resources so that we Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the largest park in Queens and home to many attractions such as the Unisphere, don’t see an increase in crime,” said Moya. left. Deputy Inspector Nicola Ventre, right, commands the 110th Precinct, which patrols the park.

Page 17 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

Crime in Queens parks essentially flat

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 18

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Councilman Bob Holden, left, and Mike Papa of the Glendale-Middle Village Coalition rallied PHOTO BY DAVID RUSSELL against a proposed homeless shelter at 78-16 Cooper Ave. last Friday.

Neighborhood rallies against area shelter TWITTER PHOTOS / NATURAL AREAS CONSERVANCY

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Stairs go from sad to glad In Forest Park, volunteers from the Natural Areas Conservancy, a nonprofit group that works with the Parks Department to spruce up the city’s undeveloped wooded areas, showed off their latest project — a new set of stairs near Strack Pond, top. As the before picture, above, shows, stairs leading to the pond were falling apart and treacherous.

After a weekend of the work, 10 new stairs mean the descent from a high trail to the pond below is more accessible to hikers. The conservancy has a 25-year plan to manage the city’s 7,300 acres of urban forests, including what it calls its Strategic Trails Plan to manage hiking trails throughout the park system. — Michael Shain

Bus workshop

redesign is just that — a proposal. There are multiple workshops and town halls planned before any changes go into effect, and changes to the design are planned. Yet that’s done little to allay people’s fears. Maya said she feels many of her Scholars’ classmates are unaware of the plans, adding that very few knew about them when she mentioned them at school. She said she would attend similar meetings in Rockaway this week. Most elected officials, including all 15 members of the City Council’s Queens delegation, have already blasted the redesign. The Council members, in a press release issued in late January, called the plan bad Q for Queens residents.

continued from page 4 riders. One man alleged the transit officials at the tables were “not taking notes” on customers’ complaints, an accusation another MTA official disputed with the man for quite some time. State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) noted that some residents may have a bad taste in their mouths from how the city handled the implementation of the Select Bus Service lanes along Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards, a process that many claimed had little public input. The MTA has stressed the proposed

‘These people are not our problem and they don’t belong in the community’ by David Russell

Holden said the shelter, at a former factory site, doesn’t fit in with the area consisting of As Westhab interviewed potential workers mostly one- and two-story homes. “Work with the community, Mr. Mayor. for a proposed homeless shelter for 200 single men at 78-16 Cooper Ave. in Glendale, com- Work with us,” he said. Holden added, “They can interview all the munity residents again rallied against the site security guards they want but it’s not going to last Friday. “We all know it’s not a homeless shelter,” open right away. And if it does open, we will said Mike Papa of the Glendale-Middle Vil- still be here.” The proposed shelter site has been onlage Coalition. “We know that it’s a halfway house for people that are coming out of incar- again and off-again for years. “Here we are, once again, forced to come ceration. We don’t need these 200 ex-convicts and sexual offenders … living in our commu- together to defend our community against attacks that are brought upon us by none nity, next to our children.” He added, “These people are not our prob- other than the worst mayor that New York City has ever seen,” Papa said, adding, lem and they don’t belong in the community.” Westhab would operate the shelter, which “What is happening here is also nothing short of organized crime and would be located in an old factoMayor de Blasio is the head of ry. The city’s plan to house men the family.” there has been on-again, offyears-old Isabella Cicchinelli, who said again for several years. during a public hearing last Protesters carried signs criticontroversy October she hopes the shelter is cizing the city and the shelter. burned down, also spoke. “They During the hourlong event, on Cooper don’t care about our kids, they passing drivers honked in a disAvenue. don’t care about our safety, they play of encouragement. don’t care about our property. The rally was scheduled to coincide with a job fair hosted by Westhab, as They only care about money,” she said. State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard the company looked to hire a security manager, shift supervisors and security guards for Beach) criticized the process of shelters being placed into neighborhoods. the site. “Not only are the homeless individuals vicCouncilman Bob Holden (D-Middle Village) said he was told the site would become a timized by this mayor’s ineptness, but we are school for special needs children before learn- victimized, too,” he said. Near the end of the rally, Papa, who said ing the shelter plan was back on after years of back and forth between the city and the com- “This facility will single-handedly destroy munity. The lawmaker criticized Mayor de this neighborhood,” spotted Jim Coughlin, Blasio and Department of Homeless Services Westhab’s senior vice president of services, walking out of the building and down the Commissioner Steven Banks. “Here’s what they said: ‘To heck with street. Papa offered him the microphone but them, we’re going to give it to the so-called Coughlin walked away. Coughlin did not respond to a Chronicle not-for-profit guys who are making millions Q email asking for comment. on the backs of the homeless,’” Holden said. Associate Editor

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All say change is needed; de Blasio says it will ‘bring a level of fairness’ by Michael Gannon Editor

Even Mayor de Blasio, according to published exports, supports recommended changes to the city’s property tax system that would have him paying more on two homes he and his wife own in Brooklyn. And while the existing system for assessing and taxing residential property has been assailed for decades as unfair, the 72-page preliminary report from the New York City Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform is getting mixed reviews in the borough. “The Commission’s recommendations are the most significant reforms proposed in forty years, and will bring a much needed level of fairness, transparency and simplicity to the entire system,” de Blasio said in a statement from his office. “I thank them for their hard work tackling these complex issues head-on and look forward to their final report. Together, we can bring our tax system into the modern day.” In some areas, while homes can skyrocket in value, their taxes do not increase proportionately or as quickly as those in lowerincome areas. Co-ops and condominiums, by state law, are asessed and taxed as if they are rental properties, leading to incomparable values

Co-op residents like those in Glen Oaks Village, above, could see both benefits and potential FILE PHOTO difficulties should the city adopt new property tax reform recommendations. with neighboring residential properties. The commission has recommended, among other measures, assessing every residential property by its market value and eliminating caps on assessment growth.

To prevent immediate runaway tax hikes, any increases would be phased in at 20 percent a year for five years, unless a property was sold. There also would be new “homestead exemptions” and circuit breaker provi-

sions that would be tied to a resident owner’s income level. Co-ops, condos and rental buildings with up to 10 units would be placed in a new class with one- to three-family homes. Vincent Arcuri, longtime chairman of Community Board 5, was wary of some of the recommendations, particularly the caps on assessments and tax increases. “If they go to market rate, more than 900 people will leave this city every day,” Arcuri said. He said the more the city can increase valuation, the more money it can charge in property taxes. “What they should really do is set up an impartial commission made of people in the real estate community, homeowners, developers, property owners and businessmen who know what real estate taxes are and how the system should be.” Warren Schreiber, a Bay Terrace resident and co-president of the Presidents Co-Op & Condo Council, said he is “cautiously optimistic” about the proposals. “As they say, the devil is in the details,” he said. “But it’s good start.” Schreiber and Arcuri pointed to existing city measures that cap property assessments at 6 percent per year and at 20 percent over any five-year period. continued on page 26

Page 19 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

Queens awaits tax reform report details

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W Looking past February

PS 63Q

WHAT’S HAPPENING

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

by Lisa Komninos Executive Director, GWDC

PHOTO COURTESY PS 63Q

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 20

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On Jan. 30 and 31, PS 63Q in Ozone Park was transformed into a spectacular Broadway stage, with the school’s fourth-grade students performing “Disney’s Frozen Kids” before a sold-out audience. Students were decked out in elaborate costumes as they sang and danced their way through an hour-long performance of the hit Broadway musical. The performance was the third year that PS 63Q school children have performed a Broadway play through a grant received from the Disney Musicals in School program. In addition to the student performers, special thanks go to their teachers, Ms. Cascino, Ms. Torsiello, and Ms. Tuohey, and Ms. Adams who practiced diligently with the students for months, and Ms. Harvey, and Ms. Panotopoulou for the amazing props and set design. Principal Ms. Marino was very proud of the work the students and teachers put into the show.

Well it’s February and wow, a leap year, so we get that extra day this year. February usually brings us some snow but then we know March is almost here along with the warmer, lighter days. And Valentine’s Day falls in the month of February, so it is not so bad after all. Go out and shop for that special someone on, of course, where else but Jamaica Avenue? I know it is way too soon to be thinking street fair for most people, but the Greater Woodhaven D evelo p me nt C o r p. wo r ke d h a rd throughout December and January collecting petitions from the stores, businesses and residents of Woodhaven to have their support for our 2020 fair. We actually have had a bunch of calls already from our usual vendors and a bunch of locals asking what the date is for this year. Well, I am very pleased to announce that the Community Board 9 monthly meeting at the beginning of January had our Street Fair 2020 on the agenda, and at the end of the night it was approved unanimously. That means the Street Fair this year is a go. It will be held

OODHAVEN

on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 12 to 6 p.m. And now to jump slightly ahead. The American Legion Auxiliary will again hold its St. Patrick’s Day party at the American Legion from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 15, but the deadline to purchase tickets for this event is March 7. I attended this party in 2019 and it was great. Food, drinks, dancing, lots of green and just plenty of people having fun. The tickets for this event are just $30. Spread the word. No tickets will be sold at the door so if you are thinking of going make sure this is on your calendar way ahead of time. Call (718) 805-0202 for more info on this great party. And since we are feeling spring-like weather this week I should mention our annual Easter Bunny Promotion will be held on April 4 with a make-and-take craft event for the kids and a free pic with the bunny too. And one more important fact that you probably already k now that lovely groundhog Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow so spring will arrive much faster. I can’t wait, so I really hope he is correct. Q Happy February to all!

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Richmond Hill High School holds annual community and family night Richmond Hill High School again invited the community, and the students and their family members to an informative and interesting evening. The idea of the evening is to introduce the community, the students and family members to the many academic offerings available at Richmond Hill High School. Principal Neil Ganesh spoke about the many achievements of the school.

Students representing the various Pathway programs at the school told about them: Health Science Academy, Criminalistics and Forensic Institute, Software Engineering Academy, Business Academy (Academy of Hospitality and Tourism), Information Technology & Robotics Engineering Academy, Design Academy, Ninth Grade Academy and the International

Academy for English Learners. Tables had literature describing each academy. The students in the school’s Leadership Association, under the supervision of Coordinator of Student Affairs Ms. Doobay, served dinner to all who attended. The school clubs had tables where students could learn about them and join. By Bob Harris

Student Asssociation heads up school store Richmond Hill High School has a school store in the student lunchroom where about 35 volunteer Student Association members sell things to the general school population during the lunch periods. School Store Supervisor Ms. Hernandez says, “These students are wonderful young adults who are loyal, responsible, committed, and hardworking.” Their community service shows they are developing the qualities which are needed by future members of our nation. (Photo by Bob Harris)

ATTENTION PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS: SCHOOLS : For School Spotlight info: call Lisa LiCausi, Education Coordinator, at (718) 205-8000, Ext. 110.

TO SEE THESE ONLINE GO TO QCHRON.COM.SCHOOLNEWS.

C M SQ page 21 Y K Page 21 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

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Holiday photo contest!

We’re declaring a tie in our 12th annual Holiday Photo Contest, but we imagine the winners won’t mind. They’re an item. Richard Melnick and Donna M. Van Blarcom both tried their hand at close-up shots of Christmas ornaments on their donated family tree at St. Joseph Church in Astoria, and both succeeded. Richard’s is at center right, top, and Donna’s at far right. They’ll get to enjoy tickets to a family-friendly show in or around the city. We had so many wonderful entries, and one

thing this year’s contest demonstrated is how much people love their pets! At top left is Ices, who loves her Milk-Bones, taken by Rosemarie Italico. Next to her is rescue cat Apollo, in a shot taken by Richard O’Connell and sent in by his wife, Marie. Below Ices are Lexi and Piper, taken by Maureen Lowery. Joining Santa are Debbie, Anne and Lucy; and then the old elf is joined by Chase, a patient at Dr. Matthew McCarthy’s Juniper Valley Animal Hospital, in a photo taken by Jackie Bayer. F.E. Scanlon shot

the Bayside Village holiday lights. Kathleen Ruggiero caught her kitten Kiwi under the tree. Claudia DeSimone got closeup with her dog, Biscuit. Angela Riker snapped her cat, Summer, in her holiday gear, and her sons, Colin and Luke, at Our Lady of Hope’s Christmas tree lighting. Mike McGevna shot a decorated rig at the Ladder 128/Engine 259/Battalion 45 house in Sunnyside. Michael Gottlieb snapped Electchester’s holiday display. Linda Silverman photographed her grandchildren, twins Arya and

Lucas, when they celebrated Chanukah with her and her husband, Steven. Next time we hope to have more space to tell you some of the great stories behind all these photos! Our congratulations to Donna and Richard and our thanks to all who entered! — Peter C. Mastrosimone

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These are your grandparents’ video games by Michael Gannon Editor

A study released by the AARP in December says that seniors above age 50 are starting to give younger generations a run for their money when it comes to playing video games. And, as game creators no doubt have taken note, AARP estimates that gamers 50 and over spent $3.5 billion in the first six months of 2019, an exponential increase over the $523 million

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If you think video games are just for kids consider that Asteroids, the classic arcade offering, made its debut in 1979. Pac Man will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in May. America’s youngest senior citizens grew up playing them at least occasionally at an arcade or the corner candy store. And if you think Wii and other electronic games available on phones or Playstation aren’t your grandparents’ video games, a recent study conducted by AARP would say you would be quite wrong. The organization in December released “Gaming Attitudes and Habits of Adults Ages 50-Plus.” The 48-page study says that video games have never been more popular. Among the study’s findings are that 44 percent of adults over 50 played video games at least once a month in 2019, as opposed to 38 percent, growing from 40.2 million to 50.6 million in the same time period. Forty-nine percent of all women, and 40 percent of the men. play, and they are averaging five hours per week. The AARP also found that older adults today are using their phones more often, transitioning away from computers, tablets and laptops.

Center has offered video games such as Wii for recreation, as do other senior centers in Queens. Judy Ascherman, program director at the center, said they also have been used to examine therapeutic effects for numerous phycical conditions or illnesses. The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the website for Parkinson’s News Today, and other published sources cite multiple studies from 2012 through present day. The A ARP study also delved into uses beyond entertainment, including the ability of the games to help older adults create communities, using them to have fun, relieve boredom and stay mentally sharp. They also tend to enjoy the competition of playing with or against others, with family members considered to be good partners. It states that the games provide relief from stress and anxiety, though a graph on the same page also shows that of survey respondents felt they are addicted to the games or that family members or friends felt that they were. Puzzle/logic games, as well as card/time games are the favorites, according to the study. And yes, said the AARP, children and grandchildren were found to have various levels of P influence on senior gamers.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 24

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CDC warns: Heart disease can happen at any age Heart disease doesn’t happen just to older adults. It is happening to younger adults more and more often. This is partly because the conditions that lead to heart disease are happening at younger ages. February is Heart Month, the perfect time to learn about your risk for heart disease and the steps you need to take now to help your heart. Heart disease — and the conditions that lead to it — can happen at any age. High rates of obesity and high blood pressure among younger people (ages 35-64) are putting them at risk for heart disease earlier in life. Half of all Americans have at least one of the top three risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking). You could be at risk On average, U.S. adults have hearts that are 7 years older than they should be. Many of the conditions and behaviors that put people at risk for heart disease are appearing at younger ages: • High blood pressure. Millions of Americans of all ages have high blood pressure, including millions of people in their 40s and 50s. About half of people with high blood pressure don’t have it under control. Having uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the biggest risks for heart disease and other harmful conditions, such as stroke.

• High blood cholesterol. High cholesterol can increase the risk for heart disease. Having diabetes and obesity, smoking, eating unhealthy foods and not getting enough physical activity can all contribute to unhealthy cholesterol levels. • Smoking. More than 37 million U.S. adults are current smokers, and thousands of young people start smoking each day. Smoking damages the blood vessels and can cause heart disease. Other conditions and behaviors that affect your risk for heart disease include: • Obesity. Carrying extra weight puts stress on the heart. More than 1 in 3 Americans — and nearly 1 in 6 children ages 2 to 19 — has obesity. • Diabetes. Diabetes causes sugar to build up

in the blood. This can damage blood vessels and nerves that help control the heart muscle. Nearly 1 in 10 people in the United States has diabetes. • Physical inactivity. Staying physically active helps keep the heart and blood vessels healthy. Only 1 in 5 adults meets the physical activity guidelines of getting 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity. • Unhealthy eating patterns. Most Americans, including children, eat too much sodium (salt), which increases blood pressure. Replacing foods high in sodium with fresh fruits and vegetables can help lower blood pressure. But only 1 in 10 adults is getting enough fruits and vegetables each day. A diet high in trans-fat, saturated fat and added sugar increases the

risk factor for heart disease. Four ways to take control of your heart health You’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to your heart. Learn how to be heart healthy at any age. Don’t smoke. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, learn how to quit. Manage conditions. Work with your healthcare team to manage conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This includes taking any medicines you have been prescribed. Learn more about preventing and managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Make heart-healthy eating changes. Eat food low in trans-fat, saturated fat, added sugar and sodium. Try to fill at least half your plate with vegetables and fruits, and aim for low-sodium options. Learn more about how to reduce sodium. Stay active. Get moving for at least 150 minutes per week. You can even break up the 30 minutes per day into 10-minute blocks. Learn more about how to get enough physical P activity. Courtesy CDC website cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/

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Social Security will not: • Tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended. • Contact you to demand an immediate payment. • Ask you for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. • Require a specific means of debt repayment, like a prepaid debit card, a retail gift card or cash. • Demand that you pay a Social Security debt without the ability to appeal the amount you owe. • Promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information or money.

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If there is a problem with a person’s Social Security number or record, in most cases Social Security will mail a letter. If a person needs to submit payments to Social Security, the agency will send a letter with instructions and payment options. People should never provide information or payment over the phone or internet unless they are certain of who is receiving it. P Nilsa Henriquez is a Social Security Public Affairs Specialist located in Queens.

356

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The Social Security Administration launched a new public service announcement campaign to continue warning people about the ongoing nationwide telephone impersonation scheme. The PSAs feature a message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul. Social Security and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) continue to receive reports about fraudulent phone calls from people falsely claiming to be Social Security employees. The scammers mislead victims into making cash or gift card payments for help with purported identity theft, or to avoid arrest for bogus Social Security number problems. “I want every American to know that if a suspicious caller states there is a problem with their Social Security number or account, they should hang up and never give the caller money or personal information. People should then go online to oig.ssa.gov to report the scam call to Social Security,” said Commissioner Saul. People should also be on the lookout for a new version of this scam. Fraudsters are now emailing fake documents in attempts to get people to comply with their demands. Victims have received emails with attached letters and reports that appear to be Nilsa Henriquez from Social Security or the OIG. The letters may use official letterhead and government jargon to convince victims they are legitimate; they may also contain misspellings and grammar mistakes. The new PSA addressing the telephone impersonation scheme is available online at www.youtube.com/socialsecurity. Social Security employees do occasionally contact people — generally those who have ongoing business with the agency — by telephone for business purposes. However, Social Security employees will never threaten a per-

son, or promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information or money. In those cases, the call is fraudulent and people should just hang up. Generally, the Be aware, scammers are agency mainly always trying to mislead calls people who individuals into releasing h a v e r e c e n t l y their personal information. COURTESY PHOTOS applied for a Social Securit y benefit, people who are already receiving payments and require an update to their record, or a person who has requested a phone call from the agency. If a person is not in one of these situations, they normally would not receive a call from the agency.

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Albany not talking about scooter DWI Cuomo talk cited ‘DUI protections’ after Rozic cited possible exemption by Michael Gannon Editor

On Jan. 21, less than a month after vetoing a bill that would have led the way to legalized electric scooters and throttle-assist bikes, Gov. Cuomo announced his intention to get similar legislation passed in his annual executive budget address. The announcement was met with particular delight by state Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) and state Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-East Elmhurst), who were the primary sponsors of the vetoed bills in their respective chambers. They had been advocating especially hard for people such as food delivery drivers, many of whom are immigrants, who prefer the speed and performance of the as-of-now prohibited vehicles while on the job. Under existing law, NYPD officers are able to ticket operators of the vehicles and sometimes impound them, costing the workers fines and lost wages. Rozic that day even sent out a press release stating long negotiations with Cuomo’s staff and others had paid off, including the addition of safety provisions Cuomo had sought. But Rozic’s statement also included mention of “provisions that would establish DWI penalties only in the event of a collision.” Drivers of cars, trucks and other classes of

While it appears that new legislation will pave the way to legalizing electric scooters and throttle-assist e-bikes, few details are available about how DWI laws would be enforced against PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON them. motor vehicles can be stopped and hit with significant penalties without first hitting or getting hit by something or someone. Two days later Cuomo in a statement said safety precautions for e-bikes and e-scooters both would have “DUI protections.” DWI is the standard abbreviation for driving while intoxicated, or having a .08 blood alcohol content reading. DUI, short for driv-

ing under the influence, is formally known in New York State as driving while ability impaired, meaning a BAC reading of at least .05 but not in excess of .07. Both have varying degrees based on substances and circumstances involved. Neither Rozic nor the governor went into additional specifics. But the language did not escape the attention of Richard Mallow, exec-

utive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving New York. He said there should be no distinction among vehicles when it comes to drunk driving. “In my opinion, if you are operating any motor vehicle, a car, a truck, a moped under the influence of alcohol or drugs and get pulled over you have violated the law,” he said. “You shouldn’t have to wait until someone is injured before you decide that it’s a crime.” A reading of Rozic’s and Ramos’ bills — A7431-B and S5294-A, respectively — found no specific mention of driving while intoxicated or impaired, but the legislation did make general references to existing state motor vehicle laws and regulations. The Chronicle contacted Rozic’s office by email on Jan. 31 with six questions seeking to determine if she still wants an exception to be carved out for scooter and e-bike operators, and its possible effect on public safety. A spokeswoman replied that Rozic, who was in Albany in session, would comment on her prior bill but that there was not yet any specific language for new legislation, and referred questions on specifics to Cuomo’s office. Neither the governor’s press office nor Ramos’ office responded to emailed requests Q for comment.

Property tax reform proposal

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PHOTO COURTESY CB 9

Moritorium on street work For observant Jews, the aggravation of street repaving or tree-trimming on their blocks is complicated by the prohibition against driving on cer tain religious holidays. Last fall in Central Queens, notices telling car owners to move or get towed were posted 24 hours before five Jewish holy days, including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) summoned city officials to her office to work out a schedule that avoids disruptive work in Community Districts 8 and 9 on holy days “to make sure it doesn’t

happen again,” her spokesman said. At the meeting were, clockwise from front center, Tommy Lin, Department of Environmental Protection; Michael Cohen, spokesman for Koslowitz; Aaron Cyperstein, the Met Council; Rabbi Daniel Pollack, community liaison for Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing); John O’Neill, Department of Transportation; Koslowitz; Cornelius Rosario and Michael Micieli of the Parks Department; James McClelland, district manager of Community Board 9; Kenichi Wilson, chairman of CB 9 and Jessica Douglas, Department of Design and Construction. — Michael Shain

continued from page 19 “They’re saying if those are eliminated that there will be circuit breakers, and homestead exemptions based on income thresholds, but no one knows what those are going to be or what triggers them,” Schreiber said. He said the proposal to start new rates upon the sale of a home immediately after a sale rather than in a five-year transition could prove problematic for condo and coop boards. “If you have a 200-unit co-op, what triggers the changeover to new rates? Is it one sale? One hundred?” On the other hand, Schreiber said the proposed changes would result in wealthier property owners, such as those in certain areas of Manhattan, paying a fairer share of property taxes. Bob Friedrich, president of the Glen Oaks condominium complex, shared information from an analysis he prepared for the Presidents Co-op & Condo Council. The group agrees with the proposal to place co-ops, condos and small rental properties in the same classification. The group also is OK with elimination of caps on assessed valuation “provided that the new Homestead Exemption is set at levels that will insure there are no increases on middle class coop and condo property taxes over current levels.” The existing condo abatement program

also would be eliminated. For that the council also offered conditional support. “This is an essential component of the Commission’s Report that will have the greatest impact on middle-class coopcondo owners,” the document states, “The income levels set for recipients of the Homestead Exemption will determine Winners and Losers of this proposal. If the threshold for the Homestead Exemption relief is not set at proper levels to capture middle class co-op/condo owners, then these owners will be among the BIG LOSERS of the Proper t y Tax Reform proposal.” Arcuri told the Chronicle that ending the five-year phase-in upon the sale of a house could dampen the market by increasing the costs for new owners. The Presidents Council agreed. “This will inevitably put downward pressure on sale prices since new homeowners will immediately be subject to significantly higher property taxes,” the group said. “Since property tax deductions are now limited by the IRS, this will be a double whammy for new buyers and will decrease sale prices for those selling their homes.” A link to the full report from the New York City Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform is available at www1.nyc.gov/site/propertytaxreform/ Q report/preliminary-report.page.

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February 6, 2020

Page 27 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

ARTS, CULTURE TURE & LIV LIVING NG

How an all-black troupe staged Shakespeare in the 1820s Long before Ethel Waters, Sidney Poitier and James Earl Jones, three modern-day African-American performers often referred to as theatrical legends, there was The African Co. Now all but forgotten, this group of pioneers is considered the first black theater troupe in America, beginning its operation out of a tea garden in Lower Manhattan some 40 years before the Civil War. Organized by one William Henry Brown, who would go on to become a celebrated playwright and viewed as an intellectual and visionary, the company was short-lived, the victim of racial intolerance. How appropriate that an intriguing historical drama based on the story of the company and some of its

members comes to town just in time to help kick off Black History Month. Called “The African Company Presents Richard III,” it’s the latest offering from Titan Theatre Co. at Queens Theatre, where it runs through Feb. 9. Written in 1994 by Carlyle Brown, and directed here with a knowing hand by Marcus Denard Johnson, the play (actually, a play-within-a-play), believed to be an amalgam of historical and fictionalized characters, offers a glimpse into the struggle faced by black performing artists, providing a still-timely message. It focuses on an all-black production of the Shakespearean play of the title, being put on by The African Company. At its center is a young man named James Hewlett,

a real-life actor who played the pivotal title role in Brown’s production about the hunchbacked ruler. Embodied here by the resourceful Darius Aushay, he is dignified and passionate, a waiter by day who finds escape from reality every night on stage. Hewlett can also be arrogant, as becomes clear throughout the course of the play. It’s obvious that Aushay, undoubtedly like Hewlett, has the chops to deliver energized — and much lauded — performances. While the play focuses to a great extent on the black-vs.-white conflict, a romantic subplot emerges, involving Hewlett and a young, innocent woman named Ann, played with an unbridled gamut of emotions by Psacoya Guinn. continued on page 31

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by Mark Lord

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 28

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boro EXHIBITS

performing Shakespeare in 1820s NYC, by the Titan Theatre Co. Thu.-Sat., Feb. 6-8, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 9, 4 p.m., Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. South, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. $20. Info: (347) 738-5602, titantheatrecompany.com.

Fresh Meadows Camera Club Retrospective, with photos by members and group officers such as Joe Kramer, left, Bernard Lebrun and Richie Taub, as they celebrate their 73rd anniversary. Through Sat., Feb. 29, Glen Oaks Library, 256-04 Union Tpke. Free. Info: (718) 831-8636, queenslibrary.org, freshmeadowscameraclub.org.

“Divas de España,” a comedic musical review on what it takes to be a diva, celebrating Rocio Jurado, Sara Montiel, Charo and Lola Flores. Each Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 4 p.m., through Feb. 14, Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside. $35. Info: (718) 729-3880, thaliatheatre.org.

“Jay Jaxon: 40 Years of Fashion Design Brilliance,” celebrating the Queens native and fashion designer with artifacts from his personal archives and primary sources from researcher and curator Rachel Fenderson. Sat., Feb. 8 (opening reception 3-5:30 p.m.)-Dec., Queens Historical Society, Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37 Ave., Flushing. $5 (reception); $3 seniors, students. Info: (718) 9390647, queenshistoricalsociety.org. “Race and Revolution: Home/Land,” with works by several artists that pair true stories of slaves facing the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act with the control of Immigration and Customs Enforcement over immigrants and refugees today, in a look at systemic American racism. Sat., Feb. 8 (opening reception 5—7 p.m.)-Sun., June 14, Lewis H. Latimer House Museum, 34-41 137 St., Flushing. Free. Info: (718) 961-8585, latimernow.org. “My Blue Window,” with works in various media that explore anti-blackness as it operates algorithmically within systems, focusing on predictive policing technologies intended to help dispatch officers to high-crime areas before incidents are reported. Through Sun., Feb. 16, Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. $8 suggested; $4 seniors; free students, children. Info: (718) 592-9700, queensmuseum.org. “A Good Beginning, Here,” honoring Lunar New Year with works by eight artists with roots in East Asia, all embodying life stories and ideas rooted in the East and evolved in the West. Through Sun., Feb. 16, Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. $5 suggested; free students, teens. Info: (718) 4637700, flushingtownhall.org.

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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G

“Nicolas Moufarrege: Recognize My Sign,” with embroidered paintings created in Beirut, Paris and New York City, mixing classical and Baroque references with comic book heroes, Arabic calligraphy and more. Through Sun., Feb. 16, Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. $8 suggested; $4 seniors; free students, children. Info: (718) 5929700, queensmuseum.org. “Dreamscapes by Carol Crawford,” with drawings based on photos of refugees on the move enlarged to life size; and “Life Interrupted,” with photos by 13 photographers focusing on how life is altered by unexpected changes in political, economic and familial circumstances. Both through Sun., Feb. 16, The Plaxall Gallery, 5-25 46 Ave., Long Island City. Free. Info: (347) 848-0030, licartists.org. “The Art Work of Meagan J. Meehan,” with abstract works by the artist, author and journalist who coined and defined “conscious perceptional-

DANCE Take Root, with Project 44 and Annalee Taylor. Fri.-Sat., Feb. 7-8, 8 p.m. $17; $20 cash at door; $22 credit card. Fertile Ground, featuring multiple dance troupes and post-performance discussion with wine, moderated by Valerie Green. Sun., Feb. 9, 7 p.m. $17. Both part of monthly series at Green Space, 37-24 24 St., Long Island City. Info: (718) 956-3037, greenspacestudio.org. The lines between artist and audience will be blurred away Friday when Guitar Mash brings its interactive Urban Campfire show to Flushing Town Hall, inviting anyone with an acoustic stringed instrument to join in the show. See Music. PHOTO COURTESY GUITAR MASH ism” as a genre. Through end of Feb., The Center at Maple Grove Cemetery, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens. Free. Info/RSVP (requested): (347) 878-6614, friendsofmaplegrove.org. “Relative Fields in a Garden,” a multimedia collaboration between portraitist Heidi Howard and her mother, sound sculptor Liz Phillips, that combines fantastical flora with field recordings to depict three generations of women and Phillips’ garden in Sunnyside. Through Sun., Feb. 16, Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Free with admission: $8 suggested; $4 seniors; free students, kids. Info: (718) 592-9700, queensmuseum.org.

CALL FOR ART Long Island City Artists, with art in media of all types and sizes sought for upcoming exhibit reflecting on social transformation, in response to the centennial of women’s suffrage in the U.S., with a focus on feminism but inclusive of adjacent movements and concerns; deadline Mon., Feb. 10. $25. Info: (347) 848-0030, licartists.org.

MUSIC Jazz Vespers, with hymns and other songs including “Down by the Riverside” and “Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider,” by Bill Gati & Friends. Sun., Feb. 9., 4 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 103-15 Union Tpke., Forest Hills. Freewill offering. Info: (718) 268-6189, gracefhny.org. PHOTO COURTESY BILL GATI

Guitar Mash Urban Campfire, an immersive participatory concert with audience members bringing acoustic guitars and other string instruments to play along with the musicians and singer-songwriters on stage. Fri., Feb. 7, 7 p.m. (warmup); 8 p.m. (concert), Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. $10; $8 students, free teens. Info: (718) 4637700, flushingtownhall.org.

FILM See It Big! Outer Space, with more than a dozen films of all kinds set in the cosmos, including “Solaris,” “Barbarella” and “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” Fri., Feb. 7-Sun., April 19, various times, Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Ave., Astoria. $15; $11 seniors, students; $9 kids 3-17; $10 more for admission to “Envisioning 2001” exhibit. Info: (718) 777-6888, movingimage.us.

Carl Bartlett Jr. Quartet, with the saxophonist and composer and his band performing jazz classics and originals, presented by the Newtown Historical Society in honor of Black History Month. Sat., Feb. 8, 1 p.m., Neir’s Tavern, 87-48 78 St., Woodhaven. Free (food and drink available for purchase). Info: (718) 296-0600, carlbartlettjr.com. Paragon Ragtime Orchestra: “The Mark of Zorro,” with the silent 1920 Douglas Fairbanks action-adventure film accompanied by its original score played live, presented by Musica Reginae as “a program dedicated completely to love.” Sun., Feb. 9, 5 p.m., The Church-in-the-Gardens Community House, 15 Borage Place, Forest Hills. $20; $10 students; free kids under 12. Info: (718) 894-2178, musicareginae.org.

THEATRE “Jump,” the NYC premiere of a show about two sisters and their father grappling with loss while an unexpected friendship blooms, shining a light on finding peace after trauma, presented by the Astoria Performing Arts Center. Fri.-Sat., Feb. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22, 8 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 15 and 22, 3 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 9, 16 and 23, 3 p.m., 28-21 Steinway St., Astoria. $25; $20 students, seniors. Info: (718) 706-5750, apacny.org. “The African Company Presents Richard III,” a play-within-a-play about an all-black theater troupe

“The Mark of Zorro,” the silent 1920 Douglas Fairbanks action-adventure film accompanied by its original score played live. See Music. UNITED ARTISTS

KIDS/FAMILIES New York Philharmonic Orchestra For Very Young People, with music-making games and storytelling by Philippe the Penguin and NYPO performers; best for ages 3-6. Sat., Feb. 8, 2-3 p.m., Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave. $6. Info: (718) 658-7400, jcal.org, jamaicapac.org. “Alice in Wonderland,” a live performance of Lewis Carroll’s beloved children’s story about a girl entering a fantasyland, but this time set in a library of pop-up books. Sun., Feb. 9, 1 and 4 p.m., Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park. $15. Info: (718) 760-0064, queenstheatre.org. continued on page 32

Send theater, music, art or event items to What’s Happening via artslistingqchron@gmail.com

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Environmentally conscious art at the Dorsky by Katherine Donlevy

mental issues, social issues, the general idea that we are all connected on this planet. The Dorsky Gallery’s newest exhibition, Plants, animals, people, everything — that “Poem of the Earth: From Ego to Eco — An it’s all one ecosystem and that it’s the only intergenerational exhibition of Ecopoetic planet that we have.” Curator Nadine Braquetti selected the Art,” wants you to pause your daily rush and artists based on their “appreciation of the focus on the present if just for a moment. The exhibition, which opened in Long interdependence between human and nonIsland City on Jan. 26 and will remain on human, as well as an awareness of the view until April 5, presents artwork with an cycles of life and nature.” The title of Braecocentric approach and explores themes of quetti’s show comes from Walt Whitman’s cyclicality and time, as well as humanity poem “The Voice of the Rain.” “It’s about the rise of rain and the cycle of and nature. Through their ecopoetic works, the featured artists aim to stimulate a con- water, so the rain would rise as vapor out of nection with nature and imply the idea of the sea and form the clouds and go back as rain into the soil to give life to the seed and rhythm and the concept of a cycle. “This idea is extremely timely,” said complete the cycle,” said Braquetti. “This David Dorsky, chairperson of the selection idea of cycle is important and what these committee. “That it has to do with environ- pieces are all about ... it’s a return to nature.” A sculpture by Lena Miskulin, “Ancestry“ (2018-2020), is the first piece visitors see upon entering. A lace dress created from organic and recycled When: Through Sun., April 5 materials stands suspended above living Where: Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, plants that grow into the piece and 11-03 45 Ave., Long Island City onto the floor. The figure is based on a Entry: Free. (718) 937-6317, dorsky.org synergy between the artist and natural elements — the plants depend on Associate Editor

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Sonfist’s second featured work is “For Rock Monument of Manhattan” (1980). Sonfist collected stratified stone that was drilled from between zero and 120 feet below ground level in various locations across Manhattan to show the geological history of the city. Both of Sonfist’s works aim to allow for a direct encounter with nature within the gallery and to have visitors contemplate the continued on page 33

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Miskulin for care, but they are of their own autonomy and can grow to transform the sculpture, potentially overtaking the dress. The gallery features two separate works by Alan Sonfist, the first of which is a 1971 series, “Leaf Met the Paper in Time” Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Each piece features a single real leaf placed on a sheet of dyed paper. Over time, the leaves shrivel and lose color, but the manmade paper remains intact.

‘Poem of the Earth’

The exhibition, curated by Nadine Braquetti, above, features work from six artists, includPHOTO BY KATHERINE DONLEVY ing Erin Turner’s “Ephemeral Streams and Waters of the U.S.”

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 30

C M SQ page 30 Y K

boro

At Thalia, viva las divas! by Mark Lord qboro contributor

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a moment that comes late in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Divas de EspaĂąa,â&#x20AC;? a one-woman musical homage to four of Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most talented female artists that comes as a complete change of pace and a most pleasant surprise. Stripped down to her undergarments, wrapped in a shawl, and barely visible under the dimmest of stage lighting, Inma Heredia, a multiple-threat entertainer who has been singing and dancing for nearly an hour and a half, bares the soul of a performer who has been the victim of jealousy and loneliness and still can refer to herself as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Queen of Positivity.â&#x20AC;? How ironic that in a show that pays trib-

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Divas de EspaĂąaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; When: Each Fri., Sat., 8 p.m.; each Sun., 4 p.m., through Feb. 14 Where: Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside Tickets: $35; $40 at door. (718) 729-3880, thaliatheatre.org

ute to iconic women of the stage and screen, the portrait Heredia paints of herself â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the simplest and most heartfelt â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is the one that proves the most memorable. The show runs at the Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside through Feb. 14. Heredia explains that the evening is to be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;magical journey into Divaland.â&#x20AC;? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tribute to silver screen glamour girl Sara Montiel, flamenco legend Lola Flores, classic chanteuse Rocio Jurado, and, the only living member of the quartet and the most familiar to American audiences, the coquettish Charo. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designed as a competition to select the greatest diva of them all, the outcome of which will be left to the spectators. Heredia, who also wrote the show, which was directed by Adolfo Vazquez, brings to vivid life each of the four contestants; donning gowns, hairstyles and appropriate attitudes, she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do outright impersonations but conveys the essence of each. The show is an ideal vehicle for its starâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s various talents: singer, dancer, actress, comedienne. Heredia has an easy rapport with her audience, occasionally joining the spectators in the house and, at one point, inviting several willing volunteers on stage

Inma Heredia portrays Charo, above, joined in one number by some willing audience volunteers. She also performs as Rocio Jurado, far left, and Sara Montiel, as well as Lola Flores, in her show PHOTO BY MARK LORD dedicated to divas. to join her in a number. A show like this, in which one performer aims, at least to a certain extent, to become others, benefits greatly from illusion, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lost here, as Heredia changes costumes in full view of the audience. It would be much more effective to have her emerge

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fully in character as each of the women. The show is geared toward bilingual audiences, with much of the dialogue presented in English and most of the songs sung in their original Spanish. Familiarity with each of the subjects, whom Heredia obviously Q adores, is not necessary but beneficial.

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continued from page 27 Ann is employed as a maid. Unlike Hewlett, she finds little solace on stage. She feels trapped in her role as the submissive Lady Anne, and fears audiences might confuse her with her character. She is madly in love with Hewlett, but much to her chagrin, he remains oblivious to her feelings. Mario Haynes offers a sturdy portrayal of Brown, while Rachel Davenport brings more than a touch of levity to the proceedings as Sarah, the no-nonsense confidante to Ann and a company actress and seamstress.

‘The African Company Presents Richard III’ When: Thu.-Sat., Feb. 6-8, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 9, 4 p.m. Where: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. South, Flushing Meadows Corona Park Tickets: $20. (347) 738-5602, titantheatrecompany.com

Hefty in figure and personality, Anthony Michael Stokes makes a memorable Papa Shakespeare, so mockingly nicknamed, he says, because of his inability to express himself eloquently. As portrayed by Stokes, he is majestic and a definite paragon of wisdom, putting to tremendous use (and to great comic effect) his abilities as a griot, or African tribal storyteller, in one of the play’s pivotal scenes. The two white characters — the villains of the piece — are less well drawn than the others. Tristan Colton does what he can with Stephen Price, a producer who sees to it that Brown’s production gets shut down. Doing his actual

Page 31 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

Shakespeare so white? One troupe said nay to that.

Members of Titan Theatre Co. enjoy a post-opening night performance reception. At left, Rachel Davenport as Sarah and Anthony Michael Stokes as Papa Shakespeare. On the cover: Darius Aushay as James Hewlett playing Richard III. PHOTOS BY MARK LORD, ABOVE, AND LLOYD MULVEY dirty work is John St. Croix as the bumbling, corrupt Constable, a cartoonish figure who invades the production in mid-performance. A line read aloud from a review of Brown’s production opines that the per-

formance features “ebony interpretations of the Bard,” suggesting that Shakespeare’s words should not be spoken by actors of color. The current penchant for colorblind casting sheds light on the very Q issue.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 32

C M SQ page 32 Y K

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

The Queens teen idol, Astoria’s ‘Kookie’ Byrnes by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

Augustus “Gus” Breitenberger Jr. married Mary Katherine Byrnes on July 3, 1932 — both only 20 years old. She gave birth to a son, Edward, less than three weeks later on July 20. Another son, Paul, followed in 1934. Life was very hard for the boys as their father could not hold down a job, being affected with alcoholism. The 1940 Census listed their home at 21-78 35 St. in Astoria and Gus’ occupation as chauffeur omnibus driver. A baby girl, JoAnn, was born in June 1946. On June 23, 1948, at age 36, Gus was found dead in the basement of an apartment building. At age 16, Edward decided to take care of the family and never be poor again. Dropping his real last name and taking his mother’s maiden name, he became Ed Byrnes. He headed out to Hollywood and hooked up with agent Jack Donaldson. He would adopt “Edd” in the late 1950s after some success. He took a job parking cars, but after a series of small parts, became famous combing his pompadour hairstyle for the TV show “77 Sunset Strip,” becoming a teen idol. His

The childhood home of Edd “Kookie” Byrnes at 21-78 35 St. in Astoria, as it looks today. INSET FACEBOOK PHOTO new nickname was “Kookie.” In 1996 he shocked fans in his autobiography about his early life as a male prostitute, his drug and alcohol problems. His died on Jan. 8, 2020 at age 87, clean and sober for many years. He still has a page on Facebook with many vintage photos from his heyday. Q

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TOURS/HIKES Full Snow Moon Sunset Walk, a nighttime hike around West Pond with a national park ranger, focusing on nocturnal animals. Sun., Feb. 9, 5-6:30 p.m., Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Center, 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd., Broad Channel. Free. Info/reservations: (718) 3184340, nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit.

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Book Talk and Signing: “Those Were the Days: Why All in the Family Still Matters,” with author Jim Cullen discussing the groundbreaking, popular TV show set in Queens and its impact on American culture. Mon., Feb. 10, 7 p.m., Rocco Moretto VFW Post 2348, 31-35 41 St., Astoria. $5; books available for sale. Info: (718) 278-0700, astorialic.org.

Live Drawing with Models, for those 18 and over, with a nude model, music and nonjudgmental environment. Mon., Feb. 10, 6-9 p.m., Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. $16; $10 students; free teens. Info: (718) 463-7700, flushingtownhall.org.

CLUBS Israeli folk dancing, with instruction for beginners, in a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Each Mon., 7:30 p.m. (beginners’ instruction); 8:30-10 p.m. (intermediate dances), Hillcrest Jewish Center, 183-02 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows. $10. Info: (718) 380-4145, hillcrestjc.org. Knit & Crochet Club, with participants meeting up to share techniques and patterns and bringing their own supplies. Each Fri., 10:30 a.m., Howard Beach Library, 92-06 156 Ave. Free. Info: (718) 641-7086, queenslibrary.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

Queens World Film Festival Pot-Luck KickOff Party, with attendees bringing homemade, store-bought or takeout meals to celebrate the annual event set for March. Fri., Feb. 7, 6:309:30 p.m., The Living Artist Gallery Space, 38-02 61 St., Woodside. Free. Info: (718) 429-2579, queensworldfilmfestival.com.

Della Monica-Steinway Senior Center. Serving adults 60 and over. 23-56 Broadway, Astoria. Exercise classes daily, 10 a.m. Social dancing every Mon. and Thu., 1 p.m. Daily lunch served 11:45 a.m. Info: (718) 626-1500.

CLASSES/WORKSHOPS The Vietnam War Reading and Discussion Program, with Jo-Anne Raskin of the Friends of Maple Grove moderating conversations related to books loaned by Humanities New York. Each Sat. through Feb. 29, 10-11:30 a.m., Maple Grove Cemetery Victorian Administration Building, 83-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens. Free. Info/RSVP (requested): (347) 878-6614, friendsofmaplegrove.org. Adult Crafting with Jane Austen: Read-Aloud & Crafting Circle, with participants making Valentine’s Day crafts including their own projects brought from home while some read passages from Austen’s 1817 novel “Persuasion” aloud. Sat., Feb. 8, 12-5 p.m., King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica. Free. Info: (718) 206-0545, kingmanor.org. Building a Relationship with God, each Mon., 10-11 a.m., through May 18; The Book of Job, each Wed., 10-11 a.m., through May 20; Introduction to Judaism, each Thu., 7-8 p.m., through May 21; all taught by Rabbi Daniel Wolpe, Flushing-Fresh Meadows Jewish Center, 193-10 Peck Ave. Free. Info: (718) 357-5100. Tiger & Magpie: Good Luck Painting from Korea, with participants painting the big cats and birds 19th-century style and taking their work home, in a tradition said to bring good luck in the Lunar New Year. Sun., Feb. 9, 2 p.m., Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. $10; $5 kids; free teens. Info: (718) 463-7700, flushingtownhall.org.

Queens AARP Chorus, which sings at nursing homes and AARP events, seeks retired people to join. Meets each Fri., 11 a.m. (new people asked to come 10 a.m.), Clearview Selfhelp Center, 208-11 26 Ave., Bayside. Info: joroosume@verizon.net. Knitting and crocheting class, to learn a new skill or share an idea for a craft project, by Jamaica Senior Program for Older Adults. Each Thu., 10:30-11:30 a.m., Theodora Jackson Adult Center, 92-47 165 St. Info: (718) 6576500, jspoa.org. Medicare specialist consultations, by appointment, every other Wed., 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Catholic Charities Bayside Senior Center, 221-15 Horace Harding Expwy. Info: (718) 225-1144.

SUPPORT GROUPS Monthly bereavement group, for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one, with informative handouts and light refreshments provided. Each second Wed. of the month, 2:30-4 p.m., Maspeth Town Hall, 53-37 72 St. Free. Info: (718) 335-6049, maspethtownhall.org. Anxious, nervous, depressed? Recovery International can help. Meetings every Thu., 2:30 p.m., Fri., 3:30 p.m. Forest Hills Library, 108-19 71 Ave. Info: recoveryinternational.org. sonheightsalanonon@gmail.com. Community mental health support group, held by Recovery International. Each Thu., 6-7:45 p.m., Howard Beach Library, 92-06 156 Ave. Free. Info: Certified Peer Specialist Holly Weiss, (347) 906-1260.

Friday, February 14th

ACROSS

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4 Mansion and its surroundings 5 Sleeping 6 Opposed 7 Outer 8 Start the PC up again 9 Bread spread 10 Savings institution 11 Make -- meet 13 Faction 19 Prejudice

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Steven Siegel’s “Tiles,” left, and “Paper #3” stand in Dorsky’s main gallery. PHOTO BY KATHERINE DONLEVY

36 Commandment starter 37 Commanded 38 On the rocks 39 Chess or checkers 40 Use scissors 43 Historic time 44 Wall climber 45 Can metal 46 Joan of --

Gif t Cer ti ficate A Great G s if t Idea!

Answers below

materials such as stone, tile and wood sticks, these works reflect Siegel’s questioning of the boundaries between natural and manmade. Siegel’s methodical and repetitive activity that went into the pieces pay homage to nature’s own methodology. Furen Dai’s 10-minute video installation was made specifically for the exhibition and closes the gallery. “One Hundred Thousand Whys” takes the audience through an intimate walk through the city, closely focusing on the landscape, its inhabitants and their interactions. A voiceover questions everything from the sky color to human behavior to encourage the audience to reflect on Q their own their sensory perceptions.

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continued from page 29 human impact on the environment. A giant sculpture made of recycled newspapers, chicken wire and reflective material, “Ephemeral Streams and Waters of the U.S.” (2020) by Erin Turner takes a political stance. It acts as a response to the Trump administration’s new Clean Water Act rules, which exclude rainfall streams from consideration as Waters of the U.S., which perpetuates the idea that waterways are individual and separate entities. Turner visually links the stream and the cloud as inseparable entities, and invites the audience to be aware of the power relationship that the government has with the environment. In the main gallery stand three works by Steven Siegel, “Loom,” “Tiles” and “Paper #3.” All made from newspaper and various

20 Tavern 21 Line of symmetry 22 -- gin fizz 23 Stop, at sea 25 Hints at 26 Shrek is one 27 Bellow 29 Medal earner 31 Coloring agent 33 Idea 34 Gas bill units

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1 Move like molasses 5 High card 8 Judicial garment 12 Place for sports reporters 14 Vivacity 15 Aware 16 Flex 17 Do sums 18 Kindle downloads 20 Sew loosely 23 Liveliness, in music 24 Wheelbase terminus 25 Obama’s old title 28 -- de Janeiro 29 Hawaiian dances 30 Deity 32 Dakar’s country 34 Salver 35 Bacchanalian blast 36 Yonder 37 Hallux, more commonly 40 That girl 41 ”Superfood” berry 42 Mexican miss 47 Showroom sample 48 One of three rulers 49 Paradise 50 Tree fluid 51 Harmonization

te a r eb

Page 33 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

King Crossword Puzzle

C M SQ page 33 Y K

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 34

C M SQ page 34 Y K

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Tug of War Productions LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/9/19. County: Queens. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 217-19 Rockaway Point Blvd, Breezy Point, NY 11697. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of VIND COMPANY LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/20/2019. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: VIND COMPANY LLC, 4212 28TH STREET APT 14H, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

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Call-A-Head Corp. 304 Crossbay Blvd., Queens, NY 11693 Help Wanted. JOB OPPORTUNITY: $18.50 P/H NYC—$16.00 P/H LI up to $13.50 P/H UPSTATE NY. If you currently care for your relatives or friends who have Medicaid or Medicare, you may be eligible to start working for them as a personal assistant. No Certificates needed. (347) 462-2610 (347) 565-6200

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Notice is hereby given that a Liquor License, serial number 1320126, for beer and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to permit the sale of beer and cider at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 3 IN 1 DELI GROCERY INC located at 131-11 Jamaica Ave, Richmond Hill, NY 11418 for on-premises consumption. 3 IN 1 DELI GROCERY INC

Notice of Formation of 13101 40th Road 10Y LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/07/2019. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: Olivia Cheung, 16 Melbourne Road, Great Neck, NY 11021. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

NOTICE is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 01-16-20, bearing Index Number NC-000441-19/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11435, grants me (us) the right to: Assume the name of (First) YOUGMATTIE (Last) SAMMY. My present name is (First) YOGMATTI (Last) SAMMY AKA YOUGMATTIE SAMMY RAMNAUTH AKA YOUGMATTI RAMNAUTH. The city and state of my present address are Saint Albans, NY. My place of birth is BROOKLYN, NY. The month and year of my birth are September 1987.

Notice of Formation of Art in Public, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/13/19. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 4705 Center Blvd., Apt 3014, Long Island City, NY 11109. Purpose: any lawful activity.

NOTICE is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 12-10-19, bearing Index Number NC-001154-19/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11435, grants me (us) the right to: Assume the name of (First) DWAYNE (Last) HOLLOWAY. My present name is (First) DWAYNE (Middle) HOLLOWAY (Last) WEAVER AKA DWYANE WEAVER AKA DWYANE H. WEAVER. The city and state of my present address are Corona, NY. My place of birth is Brooklyn, NY. The month and year of my birth are July 1985. Assume the name of (First) DANIELLE (Middle) MELANIE (Last) HOLLOWAY. My present name is (First) DANIELLE (Middle) MELANIE (Last) WEAVER (infant). The city and state of my present address are Corona, NY. My place of birth is QUEENS, NY. The month and year of my birth are April 2012. Assume the name of (First) ROSEMARIE (Last) HOLLOWAY. My present name is (First) ROSEMARIE (Last) WEAVER (infant). The city and state of my present address are Corona, NY. My place of birth is QUEENS, NY. The month and year of my birth are September 2015.

Real Estate EQUAL HOUSING. Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, familial status or disability in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate. Queens Chronicle does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination call the Open Housing Center (the Fair Housing Agency for the five boroughs of New York) at 212-941-6101, or the New York City Commission of Human Rights Hotline at 718722-3131. The Queens Chronicle reserves the right to alter wording in ads to conform with Federal Fair Housing regulations.

Houses For Sale Howard Beach/Rockwood Park, Sun 2/9, 1pm-3pm, 158-19 78 St. Mint AAA all new Raised Ranch on 38x113. Top fl features all new kit, granite countertops, SS appli, new cherry cabinets, new full bath, HW fls & attic, lower level fin laundry rm, utility rm, sitting rm w/FP. Lg pantry, slides to lg backyard. Asking $799K. Connexion RE, 718-845-1136

Real Estate Misc. Career Workshop on 2/14/20 at 11:30am. Call us to RSVP today at 347-450-3577.

Sebastian, Florida (East Coast) Beach Cove is like paradise; 55+ Community with maintenance-free living, where friends are easily made. Sebastian is an “Old Florida” fishing village: quaint atmosphere,excellent medical facilities, shopping, restaurants. Direct flights from Newark to Vero Beach. Custom manufactured homes from 772-581-0080; Howard Beach/Lindenwood, 3 BR. $114,900. No smoking, no pets. By owner. www.beach-cove.com 718-521-6013

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Houses For Sale Howard Beach/Rockwood Park. Mint AAA Corner Hi-Ranch, 4 BRs, 2 new full baths. Lg foyer, LR w/FP. New gas furnace & hot water heater. Sliding doors to paved yard w/IGP. 45x100 lot, 2nd fl, LR, dining area, EIK, 3 BRs, new bath, PVC fencing, Andersen windows, 3 yr old roof. shed w/electric. Asking $869K. Connexion RE, 718-845-1136

Legal Notices

Notice of Formation of 3Cords Enterprises, LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/11/2019. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: EVA SINGLETARY, 121-09 LINDEN BLVD 1FL, SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY 11420-2007. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Mint AAA Hi-Ranch, 3 BRs, 2 full baths. 3 zone radiant heat, porcelain tiles in 1st fl, gas Heat Glo FP, quartz countertop, top fl all GE Cafe series kit, SS appl. granite counter. All new kit & bath, tankless water heater, sec. cameras, hi-hats throughout, ductless AC, Pella sliding doors. Asking $879K Connexion RE, 718-845-1136

4305 REALTY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/6/2020. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 43-05 31st Ave., Astoria, NY 11103, which is Open House also the principal business Howard Beach, Sat 2/8, location. Purpose: Any lawful 12:30pm-2:30pm, 161-26 96 St. purpose. Mint Brick/Stone Colonial. upstairs 5 BRs, 2 full baths, 40x100, 1st fl. Den updated EIK, FDR, full bath, sliding doors to yard, new concrete, half in & out heated pool. Custom built brick outdoor pizza oven & BBQ. New pavers, pvt drive for 3 cars. 1 yr old roof. Enclosed carport, CAC. Asking $798K Connexion RE, 718-845-1136

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Notice of Formation of 786 GREENE HOLDINGS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/11/2018. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The Limited Liability Company, 211-53 Jamaica Ave., Queens Village, NY 11428. Purpose: any lawful activity.

For the latest news visit qchron.com

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Page 37 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

ADMINISTRATION CITATION File No. 2019-4939 SURROGATE’S COURT QUEENS COUNTY CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK By the Grace of God Free and Independent, TO Suthell A. Beaulieu, Ashely Beaulieu, Sashel Beaulieu, Queens County Public Administrator, the heirs at law, next of kin and distributees of Suthell Beaulieu deceased, if living, and if any of them be dead to their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, legatees, executors, administrators, assignees and successors in interest whose names are unknown and cannot be ascertained after due diligence. A petition having been duly filed by Blaze Randazzo of Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Champion Mortgage Company, who is domiciled at 8950 Cypress Waters Blvd., Coppell, Texas 75019 c/o Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC, 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14624. YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, QUEENS County, at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Room 62, Queens County Courthouse, Jamaica, NY 11435, on March 12, 2020 at 9:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day why a decree should not be made in the estate of Suthell Beaulieu lately domiciled at 50-13 15 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaway, New York 11691, in the County of Queens County, State of New York, granting Limited Letters of Administration upon the estate of the decedent to Suthell A. Beaulieu or Ashely Beaulieu or Sashel Beaulieu, distributees of the Decedent, and upon their default or failure to qualify, then to the Queens County Public Administrator, and if they are permitted to renounce, then to Deborah A. Case, Esq., the nominee of the Petitioner, or to such other person as may be entitled thereto; and That the authority of the representative under the foregoing Letters be limited as follows: To receive service of process on behalf of the Estate of Suthell Beaulieu, relative to a mortgage foreclosure action commenced in the Suffolk County Supreme Court to foreclose the mortgage dated March 24, 2008 that was recorded in the Suffolk County Clerk’s Office on April 8, 2008 in Liber M00021693 of Mortgages, page 486, relative to real property located at 17 Summer Lane, Amityville, NY 11701. HON. Peter J. Kelly, Surrogate, James Lim Becker, Chief Clerk, Dated, Attested and Sealed, January 24, 2020, Name of Attorney for Petitioner: Steven M. Palmer, Esq., of Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC, Address 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14624, Telephone No. (585) 295-6308. Note: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney-at-law appear for you. #98328

Howard Beach Realty, Inc. Thomas J. LaVecchia, Broker/Owner 718-641-6800

Ozone Park, NY 11417

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

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XC OU R E

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HOWARD BEACH HOWARD BEACH HOWARD BEACH ROCKWOOD PARK ROCKWOOD PARK Garden Co-op, 1st fl., 3 bedrms, Cape, 7 rms, 3 bedrms, 2 bths, granite kit. with quartz island, pool deck, alarm system, sec. cam., mint condition. CALL NOW!

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HOWARD BEACH HOWARD BEACH ROCKWOOD PARK HOWARD BEACH ROCKWOOD PARK Charming Split Ranch on beautifully 1 bedrm, 1 bth, 1st floor,

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In 2018, Mets vice president of media relations Jay Horwitz announced he was leaving after 39 seasons. He did not retire but focused on devoting his energy to the area of alumni relations which had long been an organization weak spot. Horwitz made it clear he took his new mission very seriously as Mets players from past years greeted fans and talked with the media about what they have been up to since leaving baseball. The team announced last week that there will be a Mets Hall of Fame induction ceremony taking place on May 17, with former infielder Edgardo Alfonzo and pitchers Jon Matlack, Ron Darling and the late Al Jackson being honored. This will be the first such ceremony since catcher Mike Piazza was honored in 2013. The induction of Jackson, who passed away last summer, has long been overdue and it’s a shame it didn’t take place when he was alive. Jackson was an original Met who lost 20 games in both 1962 and 1965. There’s an old counterintuitive saying in baseball that you have to be a really good pitcher to lose 20 games because it shows that your manager has faith in your abilities. Jackson also served as a longtime pitching coach in the organization. Matlack pitched for the Mets from 1972

through 1978 and has kind of been overlooked when top pitchers in their history are being recalled even though he was a Rookie of the Year winner. Although he was a very effective pitcher, hitters frequently went AWOL when he was on the mound and thus he didn’t achieve the stellar win-loss record he deserved. Jacob deGrom can certainly relate. Matlack also pitched in a rotation with Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, and few hurlers can compare to either one. Darling was a good though far from great pitcher for the Mets du r ing h is 1983-through-1991 tenure. The fact that he won 99 games and couldn’t get to 100 kind of sums things up. He would have been a true Mets hero had he pitched well in Games 7 of the 1986 World Series and 1988 National League Championship Series but he got bombed in both. Nonetheless, he has long been a beloved team announcer and merits this honor. Infielder Edgardo Alfonzo was a terrific hitter and always seemed to come through in clutch situations during his Mets career which spanned from 1995 through 2002. He was strangely fired as the manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones after leading them to a NY-Penn League title last season. This might be the Mets Q form of an apology. See the extended version of Sports Beat every week at qchron.com.

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SUNDAY 2/9 • 3:00 - 4:30pm 296 Leonard St., Williamsburg, NY $2,599,000 Mixed-Use 2 Family + Commercial

OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY 2/9 • 2:30 - 4:00pm 483 Humboldt St., Greenpoint, NY $1,395,000 2 Family / 4 Levels

• Old Howard Beach •

OPEN HOUSE

630 Lafayette Ave., Bedford-Stuyvesant, NY $1,199,000 1 Family / 3 Levels

SUNDAY 2/9 • 12:30 - 2:30pm 162-34 99th St., Howard Beach, NY Detached 1 Family w/Garage & Pvt. Drwy. Call for asking price

243 Devoe St., Williamsburg, NY $2,299,000 6 Family in Good Condition

522 Metropolitan Ave., Williamburg, NY $4,990,000 Mixed-Use 19 Units + 2 Stores

This lovely Waterfront Home has lots of potential. 3 bedrooms, baths. Features very large rooms, porch in front and sunroom in back. Great for boat lovers offering dock space and 2 boat slips. Located in Old Howard Beach on quiet block. Must see!! Also near schools and transportation to Manhattan- express bus and A train.

• Lindenwood • Lovely 1 bedroom Garden Apartment on the 1st floor. Walk to buses and shopping. Park and schools nearby. Hardwood floors, excellent condition, lots of closets.

• Lindenwood • • Rockwood Park •

CAPJ-075503

For the latest news visit qchron.com

OPEN HOUSE By Appt.

Lovely Hi-Ranch features: 1st floor open studio, laundry rm, tiled floor, bath, 1 car garage, door to year. 2nd floor has 3 bdrms, bath, EIK with granite countertops, SS appliances, updated cabinets, formal DR, LR, hardwood floors. 3rd floor- attic. Close to shopping, gym, public transportation to Manhattan and schools. ©2020 M1P • CAMI-077349

Introducing 151-36 79th Street. A 3 bed 2 bath Condo, bursting with charm and plenty of style. An open concept features living room, dining room and kitchen perfect for entertaining. Access to bedroom and terrace right off the living room is delightful. The master bedroom, main bath and 2nd bedroom are tucked away down the hall. Master bedroom includes a full bath and terrace for extra outdoor space. As a bonus there is also a deeded garage and an extra parking space. Convenient and close to all.

Lovely all brick 2 family on water. Features semi in-ground saltwater pool (12x24) and full deck to dock. Dock space and boat slips. Master bedroom features Jacuzzi tub. Large master bedroom with 2 additional rooms and center all bathroom. EIK features deck with sliding doors just lovely for your morning coffee overlooking the water. Walking distance to Charles Park and close to shopping and transportation.

• Lindenwood • Large updated L-shaped One Bedroom Cooperative In Prime Lindenwood Section converted to Junior 4 giving you a bonus room for a second bedroom or office. Plenty of storage and natural light. Intercom & buzzer vestibule entrance. Park benches thruout common grounds. Low flip tax only $5.00 A share /235 shares. Monthly maintenance: $758.79 plus $14.00 security; total $772.79 Includes heat, hot water cooking gas and real estate taxes.

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Connexion Get Your House SOLD!

ARLENE OPEN PACCHIANO 7 DAYS Broker/Owner

REAL ESTATE 161-14A Crossbay Blvd.,

Howard Beach

(Brother’s Shopping Ctr.)

718-845-1136 CONNEXIONREALESTATE.COM

OPEN HOUSE • Sat. Feb. 8 12:30 - 2:30 • 161-26 96 St.

OPEN HOUSE • Sun. Feb. 9 1:00 - 3:00 • 158-19 78 St.

HOWARD BEACH

HOWARD BEACH/ROCKWOOD PARK

Sell For More Money In Less Time

Call for a FREE Market Evaluation HOWARD BEACH/ROCKWOOD PARK

HOWARD BEACH/ROCKWOOD PARK

Large Hi-Ranch, Brookfield-style home, on 40x100, house 27x55, 4 BRs, 3 full baths. X-large eat-in-kitchen, sunken living room with hardwood floors, formal dining room. 1 car garage, pvt. dr., half brick, half frame. Reduced $879K

Mint AAA all new Raised Ranch on 38x113. Top floor features, all new kit., granite countertop, SS appl., new cherry cabinets, new full bth, hardwood floors throughout and attic, lower level finished, laundry room, utility room, sitting room with gas fireplace. Large pantry, slides to lg. backyard. Asking $799K

HOWARD BEACH

HOWARD BEACH/ROCKWOOD PARK

HOWARD BEACH

Mint Cape on 50X100. Featuring 4 BRs, 3 full baths. Partial dormer, extended family room, finished bsmt. and garage.

Asking $949,500

Beautiful Low-Ranch, 3 BRs, 2.5 baths. Manicured property with in-ground sprinklers. Pavers front and back yard. Extra large bath with shower and Jacuzzi. Granite tiles in living rm., large bsmt., side ent. Move-in condition. Asking $739K

Waterfront, amazing views with boat slip and slip for jet skis. Large Colonial with 9 rooms, 3/4 BRs, 3 full baths, 53x100. Huge living room and dining room, 2 decks overlooking yard. Half in-ground pool on separate deck with water slide. 2 car garage, pavers in front, walk-in area leading to magnificient water view. Asking $1,098,000

HOWARD BEACH/ROCKWOOD PARK

Cape on 50x90 lot, 4 BRs, 2 full baths. 1st floor, hardwood floors, living room w/fireplace, formal dining room, kitchen, 2 BRs, full bath, access to enclosed sunroom. 2nd floor, 2 BRs, full fin. bsmt., new gas furnace & hot water heater (4 yrs old), large den. Owner Motivated! Reduced $718K

Lovely High-Ranch (well taken care of) 5 BRs, 2 full baths, on 40x100. Priced to sell. Asking $799K

Mint AAA Corner High-Ranch, 4 BRs, 2 new full baths. Large foyer, living room with fireplace. New gas furnace and hot water heater. Sliding doors to paved yard with heated in-ground pool. 45x100 lot, 2nd fl., living room, dining area, EIK, 3 BRs, new bath, PVC fencing, Andersen windows, 3yr. old roof. Shed with electric. Asking $869K

Mint AAA Brookfield style High-Ranch, featuring 4 BRs, 3 new full baths. 44x100, Pella windows and doors. Inground sprinklers, cathedral ceiling in LR, wood floors, gas F.P. with built in recessed T.V. and surround sound. Beautiful kitchen w/marble countertops and SS appl., Sec. system and alarm. Sound system, crown moldings. Asking $919K

HOWARD BEACH/LINDENWOOD

MASPETH (Close to Juniper Valley Park)

HOWARD BEACH

All brick, legal 2 fam, 2 BR, 1 bath over 2 bed, 1 bath. Full finished basement with sep entrance, 40x100 corner property. Reduced $939K

HOWARD BEACH/ROCKWOOD PARK

Co-ops & Condos For Sale

CONR-077330

Hi-Rise - 2 Bed, 2 Baths updated kitchen...Reduced $239K Hi-Rise - Mint AAA, 2 Bed, 2 Baths, custom kit., new baths. .......................................................................Asking $305K Garden Co-op - 3 Bed, 1 Bath, freshly painted, Hi-hats, new closet doors, w/dryer in apt, updated kit. Asking $299K One-of-a-kind Janet Ann Duplex Condo - 2 Bed, 1 1/2 baths. Renovated, granite, SS appl., washer and dryer, terrace, .......................................................................Asking $365K

Apartments For Rent OZONE PARK Updated, 2 Bed, 1 Bth. incl. parking, heat, elec. & gas. ................................................................$2,200

Commercial Space For Rent HOWARD BEACH Cross Bay Blvd., commercial space for rent, 2nd fl., 850 sq. ft., all new tiled office w/bath. ............................. $2,750/mo., plus electric HOWARD BEACH Cross Bay Blvd., 2nd fl., 350 sq. ft. .............................$1,500/mo., plus heat & electric Both good for attorney, mortgage company, accountant, trucking company, etc.

Lovely all brick, very well-maintained home. 3 BRs, 2 full baths, formal dining room, EIK. Hardwood floors throughout, handicapped accessible, finished basmt., w/ outside rear entrance, covered patio off dining rm., det. 1 car garage w/ 1 pk. space. Close to express buses to Manhattan.

Beautiful Townhouse, 2 terraces, 3 BRs, 2 full baths, 2 half baths. Kitchen with SS appl., granite counters and table. Deck, AG pool, tiled floors, all renovated, 2 car driveway, garage, view of water from front balcony.

Ready To Sell Your Greatest Asset?

List With Us!

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Mint Brick/Stone Colonial. Upstairs 5 BRs, 2 full baths, 40x100, 1st floor. Den, updated EIK, formal dining room, full bath, sliding doors to yard, new concrete, half in and out heated pool. Custom built brick outdoor pizza oven and BBQ. New pavers, pvt. drive for 3 cars. 1 yr. old roof. Enclosed carport, CAC. Asking $798K

Mint AAA Hi-Ranch. 3 BRs/2 full bths. 3 zone radiant heat, porcelain tiles in 1st floor, gas Heat Glo fireplace, quartz countertop, top floor all GE Cafe series kitchen, SS appl., granite counter. All new kitchen and bath, tankless water heater, sec. cameras, hi-hats throughout, ductless AC, Pella sliding doors. Asking $879K

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LOW LOW Interest Rates

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 6, 2020 Page 40

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ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC ACADEMY WOODHAVEN, NY

2020-2021 OPEN HOUSE & REGISTRATION SEASON BEGINS Kindergarten to Grade 8 and Pre-K For All 4-Year-Old Students

GIVE YOUR CHILD A GREAT START! SCHEDULE A SCHOOL TOUR TODAY! Call 718.847.3904 Early Drop Off and After School Care Provided.

Seeing is believing! 87-49 87th STREET, WOODHAVEN, NY 11421 • (718) 847-3904 Website:

www.sta-catholicacademy.org

Email:

admissions@sta-catholicacademy.org

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Financial Aid Scholarships are Available.