Queens Chronicle South Edition 02-12-15 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. XXXVIII NO. 7

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015

QCHRON.COM

PHOTOS BY ANTHONY O’REILLY

CB 9 INVADED

South Ozone residents lambaste board member

PAGE 5

Though they reside in Community Board 10’s district, South Ozone Park residents paid a trip to CB 9 on Tuesday to blast board member Patrick Khan, inset, charging that he leased a property to the city to be used as housing for juvenile delinquents. He denies it.

QUEENS REACHES THE WHITE HOUSE

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE

STITCHING TOGETHER THE PAST

Teen immigrant meets with president

CB 9 to pick new manager March 3

Jamaica Center honors Black History Month

PAGE 12

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SEE qboro, PAGE 39

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 2

C M SQ page 2 Y K

State Senate targets shelter sex offenders Ban passes 55-0; DHS says already ‘moving ahead’ with sought changes by Michael Gannon

2015, which would require that Level 2 and 3 offenders be placed in adult-only shelters he city’s Department of Homeless or those without children. Services is putting children in danger “If the city’s Department of Homeless by placing homeless sex offenders in Services refuses to protect these youngfamily shelters, a state senator charges. sters, we will do so through state law,” A bill written by the legislator, state Klein said. Sen. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx, Westchester), In an email sent on Friday, the DHS would ban the DHS said it has “essenf rom put t i ng sex tially done what the offenders in family bill would do,” statshelters and f rom ing that all Level 2 f the city’s Department “ pl ay i ng mu sic a l or 3 of fenders chairs” by shifting would be referred to of Homeless Services offenders in family the single-adult refuses to protect these shelters in different shelter system. boroughs once they takes safeyoungsters, we will do so ty “DHS receive complaints concer ns in its from the public and shelters very serithrough state law.” elected officials, a ously and, within its — State Sen. Jeff Klein practice he said has legal obligation to landed at least two provide shelter for such offenders in anyone in need, is Queens shelters. mov i ng for wa rd “We don’t let Level 2 or 3 sex offenders with the proposed policy changes regardlive in public housing,” Klein said last Fri- ing sex offenders in shelters housing famiday outside the Lincoln Atlantic shelter on lies with children.” the east service road of the Van Wyck Klein said an investigation has identified Expressway in Jamaica. He was joined by nearly a dozen sex offenders currently in state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-Hollis). family shelters, including four in Queens. continued on page 15 Klein is the sponsor of Senate bill S.851Editor

“I

E X PE R I E N C E

State Sen. Jeff Klein, at the podium, was joined by Sen. Leroy Comrie last Thursday in calling for the city to stop putting registered sex offenders in family homeless shelters that house children. The PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON administration says provisions of a bill in Albany are being implemented.

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They blame member for allowing juvenile delinquent detention center by Anthony O’Reilly Associate Editor

South Ozone Park residents crashed Tuesday night’s Community Board 9 meeting, charging that board member Patrick Khan leased a property to the city to be used as a controversial site to house juvenile delinquents. “It is irresponsible and unethical for you to line your pockets at the expense of our neighborhood,” Cynthia Sorio, who lives right next door to the facility, said to Khan during the public forum portion of CB 9’s meeting. Another resident, Yudraj Tiwari, said the placement of the facility, to be located at 133-23 127 St., in the community is “illegal.” “I think we’re a society of due process and there is no due process here,” Tiwari said, noting the lack of prior notice residents were given about the residence. “This is something we must stop.” But Khan, in an interview with reporters after the meeting, said the residents were going after the wrong guy and that it was not he who leased the property to the city — because he can’t. “I sold the property over a year ago,” he said. “I am not the owner of this property. This is all public information.” According to city records, Khan may be right. The Department of Buildings lists the owner of the house as Milton Derienzo, chief financial officer of Episcopal Social Services, which will oversee the juvenile delinquents staying at the South Ozone Park facility. The residence will house 18 criminal offenders between the ages of 14 and 17 as part of the “Close to Home” program,

which was passed as part of the 2012 state budget and seeks to hold juvenile criminals in residences closer to where they live, rather than in upstate prison facilities. Derienzo did not respond to requests for an interview about his ownership of the property by press time. South Ozone Park resident George DiLieto disputed Khan’s statement that he sold the property, citing public records that show he is still paying taxes on the property. Khan’s sale of the property did not stop frustrated residents from lambasting him for supposedly handing it over to the city Administration for Child Services. A South Ozone Park resident, who wished only to be identified as Carl, said the implementation of the South Ozone Park facility would only allow for other locations to open up across the borough. “First it’s South Ozone Park, then it’s Woodhaven,” Carl said. Mike Duvalle said it was “very upsetting that a community board member is destroying the community.” Duvalle is organizing a march in South Ozone Park on Saturday at 11 a.m. to protest the opening of the facility. The residents’ crashing of the CB 9 meeting comes about three weeks after the South Ozone Park Civic Association West held its own town hall meeting, at which residents blasted representatives from ACS and ESS for the lack of prior notice about the facility and its proximity to a school. Councilman Ruben Wills (D-South Jamaica) has vowed to help residents fight the opening of the facility, going so far as Q threatening legal action against it.

Page 5 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

CB 9 crashed by S. Ozone residents

A resident holds up a sign protesting the opening of a facility to house juvenile delinquents in South Ozone Park. Several people thought CB 9 board member Patrick Khan was the owner of the property where it would go, but he PHOTO BY ANTHONY O’REILLY says he no longer is.

Howard Beach to get recovery center Community-based organization to be site for future disaster relief by Anthony O’Reilly Associate Editor

The governor’s office announced that 10 neighborhoods, including Howard Beach, will receive federal funding to create at least one community center that can be used by residents in the FILE PHOTO event of a future natural disaster. d i ng process, t he gove r nor’s of f ice announced. Groups or entities interested in running a facility will have until March 11 to apply. Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway Park) expressed excitement that a community-based entity, and not the government, would be handling residents’ post-

disaster services, as some did following Superstorm Sandy. “In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, all the government entities that were supposed to be there weren’t,” Goldfeder said. “This is a perfect example of the state learning from their mistakes.” The assemblyman pointed to the example

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Howard Beach will be one of 10 neighborhoods that will each have a federally funded community center for residents to use in the event of a future natural disaster, the governor’s Office of Storm Recovery announced on Tuesday. “In the immediate aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, we witnessed tremendous examples of neighbors helping neighbors,” Jamie Rubin, executive director of the office, said in a statement. “Through the NY Rising Community Center Program, we not only aim to formalize these community-based networks of support, but also to demonstrate the positive change being initiated through our Community Reconstruction Program.” The $40 million program, funded by the federal government, seeks to place 36 centers in communities such as Howard Beach, the Rockaways, Staten Island and South Brooklyn. The facilities will be known as NY Rising Community Centers. The centers will be located in buildings within the respective communities and must be run by groups that have a longstanding relationship with nearby residents. The locations will be picked through a bid-

of Our Lady of Grace opening its doors to those affected by the Oct. 29, 2012 storm. “The donations just piled in,” he said. Goldfeder said he does not know which Howard Beach-based entity should run the center, but added that he would work with all interested parties. “Whatever location ends up receiving this opportunity, it’s going to be a huge benefit for the entire community,” he said. State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said the future center needs to be on high ground and on a main road. “What good is a center if it’s not accessible?” he said. “What good is it if nobody can get to it?” Addabbo added that while having the center is a good idea, he hopes it would never have to be utilized. “We hope it’s something we never have to use but we have it there in case we need it,” he said. Roger Gendron, president of the New Hamilton Beach Civic Association and a member of the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Howard Beach Committee, suggested the Howard Beach Senior Center, located at 155-55 Cross Bay Blvd., to act as the neighborhood’s facility. “They did not flood during Sandy,” GenQ dron said.

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 6

SQ page 6

New CB 9 DM to be picked on March 3 Special board meeting at Boro Hall to determine Carey’s replacement by Anthony O’Reilly Associate Editor

One of three people will be picked as Community Board 9’s district manager during a special board meeting on Tuesday, March 3 at Borough Hall, CB 9 members announced on Tuesday. The three candidates for the position are Lisa Gomes, acting district manager for CB 9; James McClelland, former City Council aide; and Scott Wolff, director of constituent services for Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz (D-Flushing). “We believe all three are equally competent and qualified for this coveted position,” Vincent Evangelista, chairman of CB 9’s district manager search committee, said on Tuesday. The special meeting will take place at Borough Hall, located at 120-55 Queens Blvd., at 7:45 p.m. A room for the meeting was not determined by press time, but will be announced to the public in a few days, Gomes said at Tuesday’s meeting. Board members added that the three candidates will be interviewed by the full board during an executive session, closed to all members of the public including the press. The board will then open the meeting to the public to take a vote on who will get

The CB 9 district manager search committee will meet one more time in Borough Hall before the full board picks a new district manager at a special board meeting on March 3. Three FILE PHOTO candidates are up for the position. the position. Evangelista added that the district manager search committee will be meeting on Feb. 19 at Borough Hall at about 7 p.m. at Borough Hall. That meeting will be open to the public, he said. CB 9 has been seeking a new district

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hand in their resignation. Unlike Carey, her replacement will face an annual evaluation by board members, according to a policy unanimously passed by the board last month. The search committee in January sifted through 11 resumes and shortened that list down to five, which included the three up for a vote next month as well as Joann Ariola, director of Intergovernmental Affairs at Medsys Health Network and president of the Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic Association, and Beryl Nyack, assistant district manager for Brooklyn’s Community Board 3. Both Ariola and Nyack were eliminated from consideration for the position during interviews conducted by the committee in January. Whoever does take over the district manager spot will receive a starting salary of $67,500, a figure that was approved by the search committee last month. In other news, elections for senior positions on the board will be held at the CB 9’s regularly scheduled meeting on March 10, Chairman Ralph Gonzalez announced. It is not known if any board members will be throwing their hat into the ring for oneyear terms as either chairman, first and second vice chairman and executive secretary. Q

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Page 7 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 8

SQ page 8

EDITORIAL

PAGE

The sex offender next door

ou’re down on your luck. You can’t make ends meet and you’ve lost your home. You and the kids are living in a homeless shelter. Things are tough enough already, what with the lack of space, the curfew, the nearby residents who don’t want you there and the fact you can’t afford even the basics much less an occasional luxury for your children — and then there’s the guy next door. Call it a parent’s intuition or just a feeling, but there’s something about him you just don’t trust. You don’t like the way you caught him looking at your child. Something’s not right. Maybe you’re just being paranoid. But maybe not. As revealed by state Sen. Jeff Klein last week, the city has been placing convicted sex offenders in homeless shelters designated for families. If you can think of a more reckless policy, name it.

Klein, who represents parts of the Bronx and Westchester, came to Jamaica last Friday to press the city on the issue, joined by new state Sen. Leroy Comrie. Klein revealed that there were 10 Level 2 or Level 3 sex offenders in family shelters in the city. Those are the ones the state says either have a moderate risk of committing more sex crimes or a high risk, posing “a threat to public safety.” Four of them were in Queens, one each in the Westway, Lincoln Atlantic, Belt Park and Park Family shelters. One of their victims was 29 years old — but the others were 13, 7 and 5. These are very dangerous human beings who should be nowhere near children. Klein is sponsoring a bill that would ban the city from housing homeless sex offenders in family shelters. He’s done it before — it’s passed the Senate several times but has never made it out of the

Assembly. A lawmaker there and Klein both said the Bloomberg administration had always lobbied against it, and they are hopeful de Blasio’s City Hall will be more supportive. The Department of Homeless Services said after the Klein-Comrie press conference that it has “essentially done what the bill would do,” changing its policy to move sex offenders into shelters for single adults. That’s welcome news, but it’s not enough. There’s no reason not to enshrine the policy into law. For one thing, this administration has a history of not always being forthcoming when it comes to where it is housing homeless people. And there’s no telling what some future administration might do. Families in shelters have enough to worry about without the possibility that the guy next door is a child molester.

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Dear Editor: For far too long, the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island have been denigrated as the “outer boroughs” of New York City. The media, the politicians and even the residents refer to these areas as outer parts of our great city. We are in fact, not satellites, but all part of our great city. When one goes to Manhattan from any of these four boroughs, we should not say, “I am going to the city,” because we are already in the city. We should just say, “I am going to Manhattan.” This division manifests itself in many ways. When important hearings are held dealing with land use and other issues, local residents have to trek to Manhattan to express their opinions. The City Planning Commission, the Board of Standards and Appeals, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission all operate from Downtown Manhattan. This makes it difficult for residents of the four non-Manhattan boroughs to appear to testify on matters that affect the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Why can’t these agencies come to the four other boroughs on a regular basis and hold hearings dealing with each borough’s issues, at a time convenient for residents to appear and testify? And why don’t we see our citywide elected officials and agency heads coming to all of the boroughs to listen to the taxpayers who © Copyright 2015 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 responsible for 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., 62-33 Woodhaven Boulevard, Rego Park, N.Y.

E DITOR

pay their salaries? When the mayor makes an appearance in Queens, it is viewed as a great occasion, something out of the ordinary. This applies not only to our current mayor, but to all of the mayors of the past. We need to see the citywide elected people and agency heads on a regular basis, not just at election time or at some grand event. I would strongly suggest that the leaders appear in each of the five boroughs at least once a month to listen to the residents and their concerns. We are concerned about education, transportation, housing issues, crime prevention, healthcare, the environment, taxes, utility rates and all aspects of community life. These leaders should come to a civic or community organization meeting. I am sure these people could appear in almost all parts of all the boroughs over the course of the year. Recently, Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña came to Little Neck, but was only able to stay one hour to listen to and answer questions regarding residents’ concerns about our

A dangerous app

hen psycho Ismaaiyl Brinsley assassinated Police Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos in December, he had a rather interesting app on his phone, one called Waze. Among its uses, Waze allows people to post or find the precise locations of cops. Police say Brinsley came across his victims randomly the day he set out to kill police officers. But if he handn’t seen them, maybe he would have used Waze to find some somewhere. Obviously it can be useful in an emergency to know where the nearest cop is. And it’s hard to argue with citizens sharing the locations of speed traps, another feature of Waze. But we agree with NYPD Sgt. Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, that the cop-finding feature is too risky, and hope Waze owner Google will remove it.

local schools. Her appearance was most welcome. I am sure that citywide elected officials and agency heads would be welcome no matter what part of the city they would visit. So I would urge them to venture out of Downtown Manhattan and meet the locals. We are friendly and don’t bite! Henry Euler Bayside

Ferry needed now Dear Editor: The mayor’s announcement regarding citywide ferry service is not fair or good news. We want ferry service running by this spring. This type of announcement is exactly what happened before Bloomberg’s third election run, which resulted in our getting a slow and inconvenient fishing-boat ferry service! 2017 is a mayoral election year. In the meantime, what happened to the “game changer” money, Weiner money and New York Rising money (approximately $55 mil-

SQ page 9

The price of dying

Condo, co-op concerns Dear Editor: On Feb. 3, Mayor de Blasio delivered the State of the City speech. It was a speech that offered zero relief to the financially overburdened co-op and condo community. A main focus of the address was affordable housing. Unfortunately, as is often the case, it was overlooked that co-ops and condos are the very definition of affordable, middle class residences. However, if these properties continue to experience increasing property taxes, they will soon become unaf-

fordable to working families and those on fixed incomes. The tentative property tax rules published on Jan. 16 have some co-op and condo properties facing increased evaluations of 11 percent to more than 20 percent. The mayor also called for raising the minimum wage. There too, the co-op and condo community already sets a high standard by employing well-paid, unionized workers. As property taxes continue to go through the roof, properties may be forced to downsize staff in order to meet other expenses. No one wants to see that happen. When it comes to the challenge of creating and maintaining affordable housing in New York City, the de Blasio administration must be made aware that the co-op and condo community is a large part of the solution. It’s time to finally end that “Tale of Two Cities.” Warren Schreiber Co-president Presidents Co-op & Condo Council Bayside

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Pipeline prevarication Dear Editor: Re “The GOP loves oil,” Letters, Jan. 29: In what was a knee-jerk reaction to anything any Republican has to say, Anthony Pilla attacked Sen. Jon Ernst for proposing a Keystone Jobs Act, which would employ thousands with good wages. Only someone who’s employed could show as much as contempt for Sen. Ernst’s project because it would produce “only” close to 5,000 jobs. It’s still 5,000 more jobs than currently exist. I would like to hear someone unemployed sneering at it because it isn’t more. Note the old proverb: A bird in the hand (as in the pipeline) is worth two in the bush (as in Obama’s “new” Americans Jobs Act). The XL Pipeline carrying oil from Canada through the U.S. won’t endanger the environment any more than wind machines do with their noise pollution or shipping oil by rail, as it’s done now. Unreliable wind machines only produce energy when the wind blows and kill thousands of birds when they do. Surely, ridding our country of dependency on oil from the Middle East has to be worth something! Hybrid cars were a bust, and since Democrats also drive cars, they have to love oil as much as Republicans do. You can’t lubricate machinery with wind power, nor can these eyesores fuel planes and ships or produce heat for apartments. “Climate change” has been going on since the dinosaurs. There was no “dirty atmosphere” during the Ice Age. Shall we go back to the Ice Age? The primary opposition to the XL Pipeline comes from Warren Buffett, the billionaire with more money than both Koch brothers combined, who supports Obama. The pipeline is stalled because Buffett asked Obama to stall it. What are friends for? Buffett ships oil by rail. The pipeline would put him out of business. So much for Mr. Pilla’s concern about “country first.” How long can one fall for the same song and dance? If you’re a socialist, calling yourself a Democrat? Forever. Janice Wijnen Rego Park

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DR. MARVIN FELLER ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT Dear Patients, Effective March 31, 2015, I will be retiring from medical practice. It has been my privilege to care for you for the past 50 years. I appreciate the trust you have always placed in me and, at this time, I would like to highly recommend, wherever possible, for your continued medical care, my colleague, a respected cardiologist and internist: Norman Riegel, MD, FACC 149-16 80th Street Howard Beach, NY 11414 Tel. 718.845.4844 email: njriegel@gmail.com (Mindy Rosenthal, Nutritionist, on-premises by appointment, Tel. 718.591.6321) Patient charts will be stored at Storage Quarters, 999 Stewart Ave., Garden City, NY 11530, fax: 516-794-7311, in accordance with HIPPA guidelines. For those of you seeing Dr. Riegel, he will obtain your records immediately after you authorize him to do so. Alternatively, a copy of your records may be sent to any physician you select upon receipt of a record release form. Dr. Riegel’s office can assist with this as well. Thank you for the confidence you have placed in me and best wishes for continued good health. Marvin Feller, MD, PC 86-10 151st Avenue Howard Beach, NY 11414 Tel: 718.843.4545 Fax: 718.835.7271

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Dear Editor: The Jan. 29 I Have Often Walked article about the Fresh Pond Crematory mentions cremations starting at $255, which happens to be the Social Security death benefit. Is there a correlation? Does one go in, ask the price, and they say, “What do you have?” “Well, I’ll be getting $255.” “Fine, we’ll take it.” The heat may be lower, but who notices? Ray Hackinson Ozone Park

OrthoFlex Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation P.C.

lion)? How come Staten Island already received $10 million in additional funding for expanded ferry service and that service is still free? Did SI residents wait three years for this funding? The mayor is telling a tale of two boroughs — one gets to commute for free and one gets nothing. It is also a tale of two countries — even foreign visitors get to ride the SI ferry for free. The money for the Rockaway Ferry is already in place. The ferry service should be implemented immediately. We’ve waited long enough! Specifically, what have our local, state, federal and borough elected representatives done to demand ferry service now? Given the fact that some will stand up and take credit for this “transportation improvement,” why are they not insisting that it be launched immediately? It is very interesting to note that the $55 million total for the new citywide ferry service equals the total of the funds (Weiner, game changer and NY Rising) which is Rockaway’s money for ferry service. Lets have a “thanks for nothing rally”! Why do we have to wait almost three years for improved transportation when there is a bid (RFP for Rockaway Ferry) in place right now? Diesel fuel prices are very low and there are several operators interested in providing the service. Furthermore, there are low-profile vessels that will fit under the train bridge, allowing a ferry service/shuttle to Far Rockaway beginning tomorrow. If any local politician tells any resident that ferry service is not possible by spring ’15, please email me at joehartigan@aol.com. If our local politicians can show up to at least 10 rallies and collect 13,000 petition signatures, surely they should have no problem getting the ferry service operational by this spring. Joe Hartigan Rockaway Park

E DITOR

Page 9 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

LETTERS TO THE

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 10

SQ page 10

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This year, as new leadership in Albany prepares to debate the state budget, the question of improving public transportation in New York City is again a top priority. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the debate over the Rockaway Beach rail line. Some propose that converting this cityowned rail line right-of-way into a 47-acre park is an ideal use for the space. Many others eschew this idea in favor of reactivating the disused right-of-way for public transit, while some prefer to leave the land as it is. After weighing the merits of each option for redeveloping the line, I strongly believe that reactivation is the best choice for Queens. On the surface, both parks and public transportation are similarly associated with safer streets, greater mobility, more walking, lower emissions and increased business activity. But the most meaningful, and often overlooked, difference between the two plans is the potential for increasing access to jobs. Reactivation of the Rockaway Beach Line, which was owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road until 1962, would be far more economically advantageous for the 250,000 people residing within a half-mile of the existing right-of-way. Nearly half of these residents live on the Rockaway Peninsula and experience exhaustingly long commutes. The neighborhoods of Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Far Rockaway, Rockaway Beach and Arverne rank among the thirty New York City communities that have the worst access to jobs via public transportation. Refurbishing the rail line would create an affordable and faster north-to-south public transit option. Notably, the MTA supports reactivation of the right-of-way to provide “non-core based travel,” according to its Twenty-Year Capital Needs Assessment. I would not be so quick to dismiss the reactivation of the Rockaway Beach rail line as too expensive and unrealistic. Notwithstanding the project’s necessity, phase I of the Second Avenue subway has a $4.45 billion price tag. In comparison, rehabilitating the rail’s existing infrastructure will cost about $800 million. This modest investment will significantly raise the quality of life in the far reaches of Queens. Furthermore, as suggested by a recent Queens College study done at the request of Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder, up to 500,000 daily rides may be generated by the reconstructed rail line, and I completely expect ridership to grow over time. This will directly produce the fares needed to sustain its ongoing operations

and maintenance. As MTA and state officials work to figure out how to fund the MTA’s $32 billion fiveyear capital plan, they should consider prioritizing investment in the rail li ne. Residents’ overwhelming demand for public transportation in southern Queens will yield significant farebox revenues, minimizing the strain on the state budget. While it is tempting to choose parkland as the cheaper alternative, I doubt that the proposed park will see reliable income year after year. This plan proposes that the city would own and manage the park. Even if funding is initially available to build the space, perennial budget constraints will force the elevated park to rely on private donations. The High Line in Chelsea, which inspired the present plan, raises nearly all of its operational expenses. I am skeptical that the Queens right-of-way, situated within a number of working-class communities, would attract such a high level of philanthropic dollars and on-site revenues to ensure its long-term viability. Lastly, as a trackworker, I know firsthand that reconstructing the Rockaway Beach right-of-way is much more feasible than opponents claim. Following Hurricane Sandy, TWU Local 100 members rebuilt 3.7 miles of the A line (almost the same length as the Rockaway Beach segment) “from the ground up” within seven months. Restoring the damaged track, signal and electrical infrastructure with in-house labor cost the Metropolitan Transportation Authority only $75 million. In September 2014, we finished restoring the Greenpoint Tube devastated by the storm and resumed G train service within five weeks. If the Rockaway Beach right-of-way is reactivated, I am confident that union workers would complete the construction and repairs on time and within the allocated budget. If New York is serious about creating jobs and improving access to employment for hundreds of thousands of residents, it should invest in the Rockaway Beach right-of-way as a public transit option. Alleviating travel times for residents will better connect the outer borough to economic opportunity. Public transportation Q is the best choice for Queens. John Samuelsen is President of Transport Workers Union Local 100 and International Vice President of Transport Workers Union of America.

C M SQ page 11 Y K

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Page 11 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

L OV E

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 12

C M SQ page 12 Y K

Queens teen meets President Obama Rishi Singh, of South Ozone Park, gets opportunity to talk immigration by Anthony O’Reilly Associate Editor

For years, South Ozone Park resident Rishi Singh worked odd jobs such as construction and babysitting and made well below minimum wage due to his status as a n u n d o c u m e n t e d i m m ig r a n t f r o m Trinidad. But after the implementation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in 2012, Singh was able to apply for better jobs that offered higher pay. “It definitely helped me be better able to support my family and pay bills,” he said of DACA, which allows unauthorized immigrants who immigrated here before their 16th birthday or June 2007 the right to obtain work permits and be protected from deportation. On Feb. 4, Singh met with the man who implemented DACA— President Obama. “It was a very surreal experience,” he said of meeting the president. “I was both very excited and nervous at the same time.” Singh was one of six immigrants who met with Obama to discuss how they have benefited from DACA. “Well, I just had a chance to meet with these six wonderful young people who represent the very best that this country has to offer,” the president said at a press conference after the meeting, according to a pool

President Obama met with immigrants from around the country, including Rishi Singh of South Ozone Park, inset. The group met with the president to discuss how they have benefited from his PHOTO COURTESY THE WHITE HOUSE deferred action program for young people. report. “What sets them apart is that they all came here, were brought here by their parents, and up until recently they had very difficult situations because of their immigration status.” Singh, a member of the immigration advocacy group DRUM - South Asian

Organization Center, said he felt as if he was representing undocumented immigrants across the country. “I wanted to make sure I was able to convey the message of our people,” he said. His family moved to Queens in 1995, when he was just 10 years old, because his father

“wanted a better life for me and my brother.” “My dad was working in the U.S. six months out of the year,” he said. “We decided the best thing to do was move here.” He joined DRUM in 2003 and it was through his work with the group pushing immigration reform that he was able to meet with the president. “We were on the front lines in DC,” he said. “We were the ones fighting for this for so long and that’s how we earned our spot at this meeting.” The Republican-controlled Congress is attempting to defund DACA, and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has threatened to sue the president over that and other actions taken. Twenty-six states have filed suit against the president in an attempt to block the programs, but New York City and State have filed amicus briefs in support of the immigration reforms. The president in November announced an executive order that expanded the deferred action program to immigrants who entered the country before 2010 and eliminated any age requirement. Singh doubted the House and Senate will pass any meaningful immigration reform. “I don’t have any faith in the current congressional makeup to pass any legislation,” Q he said.

Rep. Jeffries stresses affordable housing Pol looks to focus on issue in 2nd term by Anthony O’Reilly Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn, Queens) voiced support for Mayor de Blasio’s initiative to create or preserve 200,000 units of affordable housing across the city in an interview with the Queens Chronicle last Thursday. “We don’t want New York City to become a place simply for the wealthy and the well off,” Jeffries said. “The crisis is so significant right now in terms of affordable housing, we need an all ‘hands-on-deck’ approach.” De Blasio’s tone regarding affordable housing was similar to that of Jeffries’ when he addressed the issue in his State of the City last Tuesday. “If we do not act, and act boldly, New York risks taking on the qualities of a gated community,” the mayor said. “A place defined by exclusivity, rather than opportunity. And we cannot let that happen.” Last year alone, de Blasio announced on Tuesday, the city created 17,300 units of affordable housing, exceeding its goal of

16,000 for the year. De Blasio pointed to several places that could be used for more affordable housing. Many of the sites were in Queens, including Sunnyside Yards, an idea that was met with skepticism by some politicians representing the area. Jeffries, in his interview, did not reference one particular place but said he would look to tackle the issue during his next two years in Congress. “The effort to keep New York City affordable is one of the most important issues we face at this time,” he said. The congressman said he will be working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to allow more middle class families to apply for the units He also said he is seeking to reintroduce legislation that would require developers to set aside 15 percent of new units for affordable housing. There are no existing federal laws that require developers to set aside units for affordable housing. “That is legislation that we will have to Q reintroduce,” he said.

PHOTO COURTESY JOSEPH LEZAMIZ

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Associate Editor

NYSCA helps out the disabled The Queens District of New York State Chiropractic Association on Tuesday presented a check for $3,250 to the Wheelchair Sports Foundation to support sporting programs for people with disabilities. The fundraising was made possible by NYSCA district presidents of Queens, Staten Island and Nassau County.

Seen above are Dr. Joseph Lezamiz, left, who practices out of Howard Beach and is vice president for the Queens district of NYSCA; Victor Calise, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities; and Dr. Anthony Palumbo, who practices out of College Point and is president for the Queens district of NYSCA.

C M SQ page 13 Y K Page 13 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

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C M SQ page 14 Y K

DOE changes applications for pre-K

PHOTOS BY ANTHONY O’REILLY

Applying to prekindergarten will soon be easier for parents across the city. City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fari-ña announced last Thursday that parents can apply for pre-K programs within their district and at city early education centers through one application, rather than two. “The new single application will make it easier than ever for families to find the right pre-K program for their child,” Fariña said in a statement. “Making this process easier will help to welcome parents into classrooms across the City and help build critical parent engagement.” Prior to the change, which will be in effect starting March 16, parents had two separate deadlines, for applying to pre-K programs at district schools and early education centers, respectively. Parents can list up to 12 choices for where they want to send their child to pre-K and will be notified in early June where they can attend. The deadline to apply for pre-K under the new application process for the 201516 school year is April 24. Parents can apply at nyc.gov/prek or by calling 311. Q

Science experiment sends 21 to the hospital A student’s science fair experiment went awry early last Thursday and sent 21 children to the hospital with lung and eye irritations, according to several officials. Stefanie Guttierez, press secretary with the Diocese of Brooklyn, said a student at Holy Child Jesus Academy, located at 11102 86 Ave. in Richmond Hill, was conducting

a science experiment when it started to emit smoke. Guttierez said the teacher escorted the children out of the classroom and Fire Department officials said a call was placed to 911 at 9:37 a.m. An email from City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito’s (D-Manhattan) office said

the experiment “produced hydrogen chloride gas from a glass jar.” Eight children were sent to New York Hospital Queens and 13 were sent to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, the email from Viverito’s office said. The FDNY said those sent to the hospital suffered minor lung and eye irritations and were all discharged later that day.

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He also accused the city’s DHS of playing musical chairs with sex criminals. He said in one case, a sex offender he complained to them about in a shelter in his Bronx district, was moved to a family shelter in Queens. That man, James Bryant, was in the Westway shelter on the Astoria-East Elmhurst border until he moved out last week [see separate story in some additions or at qchron.com]. Klein said that such offenders have an approximate recidivism rate of 48 percent. He a nd st at e Sen. L eroy Com r ie (D-Hollis) said on Friday that it is not an acceptable risk, and not one that homeless families should have to face while they are trying to get back on their feet. Comrie and Klein said the bill is not inconsistent with the legal requirement to provide shelter to all homeless, including sex offenders. Comrie said the bill would not only make it safer for families and children, but also aid those offenders seriously trying to straighten their lives out. “Why make it more difficult for them if they’re trying to stay on the straight and narrow? ” Comrie asked. “Why subject them to that temptation?” The others identified by Klein’s staff to have been in Queens as of last Friday include Joe Doveran at the Lincoln Atlantic; Steven Geraghty at the Belt Park Family Center on Rockaway Boulevard in Jamaica; and Warren Wilder at the Park Family Residences, also on Rockaway Boulevard in Jamaica. The bill recently passed the Senate by a vote of 55-0. Assemblyman Matt Titone (D-Staten Island) has a companion bill in the Assembly, though Klein said the lower house has been the stumbling block for several years, bottling up similar legislation numerous times since 2007. And he said the city itself has been the primary obstacle.

“The previous administration lobbied very hard against it,” Klein said. “We didn’t listen to them. The Assembly did.” He and Titone said they are hopeful that recent talks with the de Blasio administration will produce better results. “In the past, the pushback has been from the Bloomberg administration,” Titone said in a telephone interview on Monday. “My hope is that this administration is able to distinguish the importance of this bill. [The Bloomberg administration] just talked about the numbers — they didn’t want to talk about the ugly details.” Titone, like the senators, acknowledged that homeless sex offenders have to be

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been overly strict about obeying even the city’s own regulations for housing the homeless. In spite of prohibitions against housing families in shelters without kitchen facilities, the DHS last year began housing families in the former Pan American Hotel in Elmhurst. The city has been providing prepared meals to the residents because the building does not have the required kitchen facilities. Klein gave general responses when asked what the state could do to enforce any new regulations should the bill be signed into law. “The state has the authority to regulate them,” Klein said. “We could cut funding, or establish screening panels. These are Q things we don’t want to do.”

Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

Shelter sex offenders

housed somewhere, even when taking the necessary steps might prove politically unpopular in the Capitol and City Hall. “This bill would reasonably accommodate that,” Titone said. “Is it a financial issue, and where do we put them? It’s a legitimate question. But there is no way we should accept putting sex offenders in the same shelters as families with small children. If that housing does not exist, we have to make it exist.” As for placement, Titone said it is proven to be doable within the framework of public safety. He said all areas of the city have registered sex offenders living on or near their neig hborhood s, some i n desig nat ed facilities. The DHS in some recent cases has not

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New lieutenants sworn in The West Hamilton Beach Fire Department held its 87th annual dinner fundraiser at Russo’s on The Bay last Thursday, and bestowed the rank of lieutenant on three of its officers. Above, Lionel Horry, left, Ignazio Tamburello and James McCabe are promoted by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Mitch Udowich, former captain of the department. At the top, Katz is honored by Udowich, left, Frank Gulluscio, president of the

South Queens Democratic Club and chairman of Community Board 6, and Jonah Cohen, chief of the department. The department also honored Martin Grillo and Ryan Gunning, president and vice president of the state Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Association; James Leslie, owner of Howard Beach Florist; Rick and Felicia Lohr of the Hooversville Volunteer Fire Department; and Ricky Byrd of Rockers in Recovery, an organization that seeks to help musicians with addiction problems.

Vallone wants more ferries In response to Mayor de Blasio’s announcement of his plans to expand ferry service across the five boroughs, Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) is again demanding that the city implement ferry service in Northeast Queens. Last May, Council members Vallone, Peter Koo (D-Flushing) and Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst) wrote a letter to the city Economic Development Corp. and the Mayor’s Office stating their support for ferry stops at Fort Totten in Bayside and the World’s Fair Marina at Flushing Meadows.

The members believe those sites have the potential to be successful due to the demand from the area communities, economic viability, lack of transportation options available in Northeast Queens, and the availability of existing docks. Additionally, they say ferry service would provide much needed relief to overcrowding on the No. 7 subway line. In light of the mayor’s proposal on ferry expansion to the Rockaways and Hunters Point, Vallone is sending a follow-up letter Q to the de Blasio administration. — Liz Rhoades

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 18

C M SQ page 18 Y K

Wanted A Howard Beach man is wanted for allegedly violating his parole, according to a Sunday notice sent out by the NYPD. According to cops, Joseph Borelli, seen above, has violated the conditions of his parole release, which stem from a prior arrest in which he burglarized a home. Anyone with information is asked to call the 106 th Pr ecinc t at (718) 845-2211. You may also call 1 (800) 577-TIPS (8477) with any information or call 911 if you spot him. All calls will remain anonymous.

An alleged graffiti tagger who goes by the name “Sonik,” inspired by the video game character, has been caught after scrawling his name across Richmond Hill, police said last Friday. Mohamed Rasul, 24 and a resident of Queens, is charged with tagging more than 20 sites, including the walls of businesses and homes, gates and utility poles around South Richmond Hill since Oct. 20, mostly on Liberty Avenue, according to a news release sent out by the 106th Precinct.

He allegedly told police that he was tagging the area so that his ex-girlfriend, who lives in Richmond Hill, would see his name, according to the release. Rasul, who has three prior arrests for other offenses, was charged with 22 counts of criminal mischief and making graffiti, police and the Queens District Q Attorney’s Office said.

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Mohamed Rasul

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SQ page 20

Mayor de Blasio urges caution on ’16 budget $77.7 billion spending plan boosts EMS, education, homeless help by Michael Gannon Editor

In presenting his preliminary budget for fiscal year 2016 on Monday, Mayor de Blasio, as he did last year, used the words “fiscally responsible,” “progressive” and “honest.” But he also described it with another word not commonly used in City Hall vernacular these days — “conservative.” De Blasio said his $77.7 billion proposal — a modest $2.8 billion increase from last year’s initial figure of $74.9 billion —does not have a lot of new big-ticket items such as start-up costs for universal prekindergarten. And the mayor said much of his spending plan is an attempt to build off the successes of his first year in office, achieved in an economic rebound, while guarding against unknown economic variables. “So I think we have here, a bit of a tale of two economies,” he said. The new budget will go into effect on July 1. De Blasio said his proposal is balanced, eliminating a $1.8 billion shortfall that was forecast last fall. Projected “out-year” deficits now are running at $1 billion, $1.3 billion and $2 billion for fiscal years 2017-19. On the expenditure side, de Blasio is asking the City Council for $11.3 million to add 45 new EMS ambulance tours and $6.7 mil-

Mayor de Blasio outlines his preliminary budget proposal for fiscal year 2016. It includes more EMS personnel, an expansion of universal pre-K and more funds to combat and prevent homePHOTO COURTESY NYC / FLICKR lessness. lion for 149 new dispatchers. He said Western Queens in 2014 suffered call response times higher than the city average for EMS [see related story in some editions or at qchron.com]. He wants $4.2 million next year on top of $7.3 million this year to replace all bullet-

resistant vests worn by police officers that are more than five years old. Continuing with the NYPD, the mayor is seeking $10 million to expand the police cadet program by 600 slots. He also is asking for $3.2 million for the Law Department to better weed out and defend against frivo-

lous lawsuits filed against the city’s police officers. “We understand that the standard assumption of economics was why fight the case when you could spend $5,000 and end it, cut your losses and call it a day,” de Blasio said. He said when appropriate, the city is ready to begin trying more such cases. “We’ll spend what it takes,” he said. “Bluntly, we believe the fact that we’re willing to do that — we’re going to make it very, very visible — will cause some of those bringing the frivolous lawsuits to cease and desist.” The mayor also is open to funding a dedicated anti-terrorism task force. But he is not sold yet on adding 1,000 new officers to the NYPD. “That’s something the Council wants, and I think Commissioner [Bill] Bratton wants,” said Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows. The Council was unsuccessful last year in its attempt to add the new officrs in its first budget go-round with de Blasio. The mayor said this year, as he has in the past, that a budget reflects an administration’s priorities. He said his goals for education and expanding the social safety net drive that point home. continued on page 31

Sandy recovery top priority, Jeffries says Congressman looks to unite reps to help constituents affected by storm by Anthony O’Reilly

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Associate Editor

A little more than a month into his second term, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn, Queens) said helping his constituents recover from Superstorm Sandy remains the top priority for him. “Over the next two years, we will be making sure that every individual homeowner is in a place where they’re financially capable of living as comfortably as they were prior to the Superstorm Sandy experience,” Jeffries said in an interview with the Queens Chronicle. But he won’t be able to do it alone and the New York delegation of federal representatives is not enough to push forward legislation to help affected homeowners, he said. He’ll need the help of his colleagues from across the country and political aisle. “It will be important to pull together a diverse political and geographical coalition,” he said. Jeffries, who represents parts of Queens including Howard Beach, is looking to have this coalition tackle issues such as f lood insurance hikes and the recoupment of postSandy aid by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Escalating flood insurance could present a risk of pushing homeowners out at a rate we cannot tolerate,” he said.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries at his Brooklyn office. Although Congress last year passed legislation that delayed premium increases in flood insurance rates mandated under the Biggert-Waters Act of 2012, Jeffries said many homeowners still face the looming threat of increased premiums because the 2014 law mainly applies to those who had flood insurance prior to its passing. The law also required FEMA to conduct

FILE PHOTO

an affordability study to determine how the Biggert-Waters rate hikes would affect homeowners in food zones. “I look forward to the receipt of that affordability study,” Jeffries said. The Biggert-Waters Act would’ve rolled back subsidies for those with flood insurance, in an effort to stop the National Flood Insurance Program from going into

bankruptcy. At the time, the program was $24 million in debt. He added that a similar coalition of federal representatives he seeks to form this year was established in 2014 to delay the hike in flood insurance rates — the House voted in favor of the law 306-91 and the Senate by a vote of 67-32. “That effort last year was bi-partisan,” he said. The congressman also said he plans on hosting town hall meetings, including several in Queens, to provide his constituents with the latest infor mation on f lood insurance. Jeffries also said he would look to support his colleague Rep. Gregory Meeks’ (D-Queens, Nassau) proposed legislation that would give FEMA the power to forgive the overpayment of emergency aid to victims of natural disasters, if they were given the funds due to a clerical error. “If FEMA made a clerical error, that is not the responsibility of the homeowner to reimburse the federal government for funds erroneously given,” he said. “I’m confident the entire New York delegation will stand behind Meeks on this issue.” He said he has received several calls from his constituents, mostly in Howard Beach, who have received letters from FEMA seekQ ing the recoupment of money.

SQ page 21

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Sex offender leaves Westway James Bryant removes himself after officials’ outcry by Cristina Schreil Associate Editor

Soon after reports revealed that a registered sex offender was recently moved into the Westway Motor Inn homeless shelter in East Elmhurst, the man was t r a n sfe r r e d out of t he fa ci l it y la st Thursday. State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) confirmed to the Queens Chronicle that he was told the man, James Bryant, 49, voluntarily removed himself from the shelter. Peralta said that as soon as reports surfaced that Br yant — who, as conf i r me d by on l i ne Cr i m i n a l Ju s t ic e records, is a Level 2 registered sex offender who sexually assaulted a 7-yearold girl in 2003 — was at the shelter, he and fellow area officials Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria), Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Bronx, Queens) and city Cou ncil man Cost a Const anti n ides (D-Astoria) were infuriated. They called the Department of Homeless Services and city officials demanding to k now why there was no broadcast information of Bryant’s placement and why Bryant, who served a 10-year term in state prison, was moved into a shelter used primarily by women and children. Within a day of the officials’ first phone

Sex offender James Bryant briefly lived at the Westway shelter. NYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES PHOTO

calls, Bryant vacated the shelter, which is managed by Manhattan-based Women in Need, an organization known for providing services for homeless mothers. “Thankfully they actually came to their senses,” Peralta said. “The DHS has to understand that this community deserves to have the right to know ... Without the com munity’s input, it’s just going to become a nightmare.” On Jan. 15, there was a public hearing in Manhattan, at which residents spoke

against the DHS’s plan to make the 121-family facility into a permanent shelter. It was standing room only, according to Peralta. He said that was the only time area residents were given a chance to be directly involved in the process, and that he and Simotas are looking into introducing legislation that ensures the community is more informed and involved. “The Department of Homeless Services assured us that they will be more sensitive when they relocate individuals in the future and that they will be considerate to the needs of our residential neighborhoods,” Constantinides said in a statement. “We will keep working to ensure that our neighborhood’s concer ns are addressed in this process.” Simotas said in a statement that the DHS had used procedures to avoid oversight when it turned the Westway into a shelter. “This continued disregard of the public and the people DHS is supposed to serve is why I am suing the City and DHS,” she said. “DHS must review their policies to ensure that families in shelters are safe from predators instead of merely moving sex offenders around the city.” Attempts to reach a DHS spokesman Q were not successful.

A Train work at Rockaway Blvd. The Far Rockaway/Lefferts Boulevard-bound platform at the A subway train’s Rockaway Boulevard station will be closed for an estimated 14 weeks as the station u ndergoes renovation. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced that during this period, scheduled to end in May, Far Rockaway/Lefferts Boulevard-bound A trains will skip the Rockaway Boulevard station. Service notices are being posted in all stations along the Liberty Avenue line and announcements are being made on trains. Planned improvements include replacement of the mezzanineto-platform stairs, mezzanine floors, doors and windows and new lighting. The station will be painted, and canopies, windscreen panels and railings will also be replaced. Customers may log on to mta.info and click on Planned Service Changes for the most up-to-date information. Remember that TripPlanner+ provides travel information that takes all service diversions into account. In addition, customers can receive customized alerts via email or text message by Q signing up at mymtaalerts.com.

Queens GOP club defends the SHSAT Those opposing controversial test cancel their panel appearance by Laura A. Shepard

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Chronicle Contributor

True to its stated values of promoting high standards in education, the Queens Village Republican Club last Thursday hosted a panel discussion on why the single entrance exam policy for the city’s eight specialized high schools ought to remain intact. The Specialized High School Admissions Test is a three-hour exam with 45 multiplechoice verbal questions and 50 multiplechoice mathematics problems. It is the only way for students to gain admission into Bronx High School of Science, Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Tech, Staten Island Tech, Queens High School for the Sciences, Brooklyn Latin School, High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College or High School of American Studies at Lehman College. The test has come under criticism for being unfair to black and Latino students, who underperform as a share of the population, leading to proposals to broaden the factors considered for admission. Professor Jerry Matacotta, a former eighth-grade social studies teacher and UFT member, moderated the panel, which consisted of Dennis Saffran, a former GOP City Council candidate; David Lee, an education

Professor Jerry Matacotta, a former teacher, moderates a discussion on the Specialized High School Admissions Test at a meeting of the Queens Village Republican Club. The group argued PHOTO BY LAURA A. SHEPARD the test should stay, despite criticism from minority communities. expert and founder of Coalitionedu, an advocacy group on the testing issue; Michael Benjamin, a former assemblyman from the Bronx; Mary Vavruska, a freshman at Brooklyn Tech; her father, Charles Vavruska, a member of the club; Phil Gim, a former candidate for the Assembly; and Romeo Alexander, an alumnus of Stuyvesant and Harvard. Matacotta insisted that the panel contain

members with positions on both sides of the issue, but those who were invited to support the NAACP and UFT position, that the admissions policy ought to be altered to include broader criteria such as grades, state exam scores and attendance, canceled. Instead, the club opted to present that side’s point of view by showing videos of the two organizations speaking at hearings before the City Council and up in Albany.

Matacotta explained that the admissions policy first came under fire during the 1960s and ’70s when the schools were overwhelmingly white and the student bodies were primarily Jewish. The then-city schools chancellor, Harvey Scribner, said that any test is inherently culturally biased, prompting a negative reaction from students, parents, alumni and the UFT, which was then in favor of testing. Thus, the state Legislature passed the Hecht-Calandra Act in 1971, preserving the SHSAT as the sole criteria for admission for three of the schools, with the other five later follow i ng su it. T he opposit ion t hen dissipated. The current movement to change the admissions policy cites the fact that black and Latino enrollment at Stuyvesant, Bronx Science and Brooklyn Tech is lower than ever and is still declining. Panel members largely attributed low enrollment among African-American and Latino students to the poor quality of kindergarten to eighth-grade schools in minority neighborhoods. Lee compared the UFT’s opposition to “a canary in a mine,” an indication that the union is afraid that state assessment tests will show how poorly the teachers are teaching continued on page 32

SQ page 23

Obama’s efforts make it easier for some Queens residents to make trip by Anthony O’Reilly Associate Editor

Some Queens residents may soon be able to hop on a nonstop flight to Cuba. Following President Obama’s announcement that the United States is easing its diplomatic relationship with the Cuban government, California-based travel company Cuba Travel Services announced it will be offering flights to the island out of John F. Kennedy International Airport starting on March 17. “We’ve been eyeing it for a while and we thought now was a good time to do it,” Michael Zuccato, general manager of the company, said. “All of the cultural connections between California and Cuba did well and I always thought New York was an even better fit.” Zuccato said New York and New Jersey have a heavy concentration of Cuban Americans, who prior to Obama’s announcement either had to go through Canada or stop in Miami to head back home. “This particular nonstop flight provides them with the opportunity to check in through JFK for the three hour and 40 minute flight,” he said. The president in December announced that some, but not all, Americans would be allowed to visit Cuba, along with a string of other reforms. Those wishing to go to Cuba

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President Obama’s efforts to ease relations between the United States and Cuba has made it easier for a Cuba Travel Services to offer nonstop flights to the island from John F. Kennedy PHOTO COURTESY THE WHITE HOUSE International Airport, starting on March 17. must fit into one of 12 categories, which include traveling to visit family, religious purposes, journalistic activity, business trips and research. The president also announced U.S. credit cards and debit cards would be accepted for use on the island. Travel between the two countries had been

banned for all Americans due to the United States policy against Fidel Castro, a dictator who took over the country in the 1950s and began nationalizing thousands of commercial properties, including those owned by the U.S. Obama has sought to ease those tensions. “Neither the American, nor Cuban people are well served by a rigid policy that is rooted

in events that took place before most of us were born,” he said in a statement posted on the White House website. “With the changes I’m announcing today, it will be easier for Americans to travel to Cuba, and Americans will be able to use American credit and debit cards on the island.” But not everyone agrees with the president’s policy to let some citizens travel to Cuba. Eric Garcia, a Cuban American from Jackson Heights, does not think allowing Americans to travel in and out of Cuba is a great idea. Garcia worried that Americans who would visit the island might get into trouble. “[Cubans] aren’t really friendly toward Americans,” he said. “It may or may not happen but God help you if you get into any problem.” Garcia also worried about people lying their way into the country, saying he’s overheard travel agents tell people about how they could skate their way past the travel restrictions. His mother, Maria Garcia, worded her concerns little more bluntly. “President Obama is an idiot for letting these flights in and out of Cuba,” she said, according to her son who was acting as a Q translator.

Page 23 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

Flights to take off from JFK to Cuba

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PS 97Q - THE FOREST PARK SCHOOL SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT CELEBRATES DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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PARENTS HELPING PARENTS The parent community at The Forest Park School has always been supportive of its members and this year, the support continues. Using materials from Materials For The Arts and Title I Parent Involvement Funding, Mrs. Wanda Velez-Chadee, PTA secretary, facilitated a workshop teaching the parents how to make push-boards to hold their important school notices! She also shared the many ways in which she recycles regular household items. She shared how she removes the wax from a burnedout jar candle and uses it in a wax warmer because the wax still has the fragrance! She also uses the tops of the jar candles as paperweights after she decorates them with photos of her children and family or fabric and ribbon! The parents enjoyed their time together learning new crafts!

In observance of Black History month and the many wonderful things Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. accomplished in his short life, Ms. Sharon Washington and Class 5-401 join the parents for a celebration. Together they read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learned many facts about this great man’s life. They also reviewed many who have contributed to making Black History what it is today.

MR. RANDY KESSLER, PS 97 PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER

GETS EVERYONE INVOLVED

On any given day, Mr. Randy Kessler, the physical education teacher at The Forest Park School can be found reviewing colors with preK and kindergarten students and really getting into exercising with our upper grade students. It is very common to pass the Multi-Purpose

room and hear little voices shouting, “CHOP, CHOP, CHOP” as they follow the direction of Mr. Kessler and do their lumber jack exercises! It always looks and sounds like so much fun, so Mrs. Marilyn Custodio, the principal, joins Mr. Kessler and Class K-219 and has a great time!

ATTENTION PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE FEATURED ON A SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT PAGE, CALL LISA LICAUSI, EDUCATION COORDINATOR, AT (718) 205-8000, EXT. 110.

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C M SQ page 26 Y K

BRT bus supporters gain in City Council Bill would call for a citywide system

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Support for increased Bus Rapid Transit service has been gaining steam in recent weeks. And supporters appear to have found sympathetic ears in the City Council. On Tuesday, the Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Transportation Committee heard repeated support for a bill that would require the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of Transportation to develop plans for expanding the service on a citywide scale. The bill, Int. 211, ponsored by Councilman Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn), would require that any final plan include extensive input from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and members of the community where routes would be located. Mayor de Blasio in his State of the City address backed expansion. Lander and other supporters said the routes are needed to help city residents with extreme commutes between different parts of the city that sometimes require multiple transfers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Expansion of a robust, citywide Bus Rapid Transit network would quickly improve transportation access in the parts of the city that need it most, at a cost we

can easily afford,â&#x20AC;? Lander said in a statement issued by his office on Tuesday. The routes set aside dedicated bus lanes with special stops along the route. Fares are paid off-site rather than at a bus fare box. The MTA already is working on plans for a route that would run along the Woodhaven-Cross Bay Boulevard corridor. There also has been discussion of a route connecting commercial districts in Flushing and Jamaica. While supporters said such a route would make it far easier to commute between southern and northern Queens, it has become controversial in recent weeks. Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows), who represents residents and business owners located along a prospective route, said opposition is picking up among those who live and work in between Flushing and Jamaica, residents and merchants who fear that taking out dedicated lanes on busy streets would increase local traffic, snarl already-crowded streets and take away parking along their business corQ ridors.

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n February 3, PS 90 held an event centered around literacy. The theme of the evening was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Under the Seaâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Explore an Ocean of Books.â&#x20AC;? Many families participated in a variety of activities throughout the evening. Some activities included cre-

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ating â&#x20AC;&#x153;Under the Seaâ&#x20AC;? hats and bookmarks, face painting and tattoos, games, music and dancing. The children were very excited to shop for books and win books at the games during Literacy Night. At PS 90, diving into books is a lot of fun!

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C M SQ page 27 Y K

Tax preparation help available around city PHOTO BY ANTHONY Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;REILLY

Mysterious vandalism An unknown vandal left his mark on a window of the Knights of Columbus hall, located at 135-45 Lefferts Blvd. last Wednesday night or Thursday prior to Community Board 10â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting there. Neither District Manager Karyn Petersen nor a maintanence worker at the hall knew what time the graffiti was scrawled on the window. A source in the 106th Precinct said this was the first known instance in which the words â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hindu Gangâ&#x20AC;? were written on visible property and said they did not know of any such gang.

A 34-year-old Flushing man has been charged with murder and other charges for the shooting death of an acquaintance in the early morning hours of January 2 at the Pomonok Houses. The shooting marked the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first homicide in the borough. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The defendant is accused of shooting his 30-year-old victim at the entrance to his own home in what was the first reported homicide in Queens County this year.â&#x20AC;? The defendant is Shyron T. Kearse, 34, of Kissena Boulevard. Kearse was arrested last Friday and arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Ernest Hart on a criminal complaint charging him with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The defendant was remanded without bail. His next court appearance is Feb. 20. If convicted, Kearse faces up to 25 years to life in prison. According to the charges, the defendant knocked on the door and then rang the doorbell at the Flushing, home of Troy Grant, 30, at approximately 2:30 a.m. When Grant answered, shots were fired. He was struck in the head and shoulder and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation was conducted by detectives assigned to the New York City Police Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 107th Precinct DetecQ tive Squad.

Low-income, disabled, elderly eligible City officials and agencies are urging residents to take advantage of tax preparation and filing services â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in many cases for free â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that are being offered before the federal and state filing deadlines on April 15. Mayor de Blasioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, in a statement sent out last week, said the city has invested more than $3 million to help city residents prepare and file their taxes; and to apply where eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. The city this year has increased the number of tax preparation sites from 140 to nearly 200. De Blasio said call centers will have more than 2,000 volunteers who will steer eligible callers to the proper services. An interactive map showing site locations is available at nyc/gov/taxprep. Help will be available in multiple languages. Preparation services will include help from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program, which uses volunteers certified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. De Blasio and state Sen. Leroy Com-

rie (D-Hollis), in separate statements last week, said about one in five city residents eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit fails to apply. Comrie said an EITC refund can average $2,300. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those are hard-earned dollars our families should be keeping in their pockets,â&#x20AC;? Comrie said. He also urged people to take advantage of the free services, and said EITC help also is available online from the IRS at irs.gov/eitc. York College is offering free help to low-income, disabled and elderly residents. Information and appointments are available online at york.cuny.edu /centers-institutes /vita. Photo identification is required, as are social security numbers for all people listed on a return and all required paperwork, including W2 forms and other income statements. The office of Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) is setting up appointments for tax preparation and other financial assistance through Urban Q Upbound at (718) 784-0877.

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C M SQ page 28 Y K

Queens filmmakers gear up for fest 16 directors part of March’s event are World’s Borough residents by Cristina Schreil Associate Editor

After focusing their lenses outward, Queens filmmakers have their own special spotlight. The 5th annual Queens World Film Festival, taking place March 17 to 22 at three locations in Western Queens — the Museum of the Moving Image, PS 69 and The Secret Theatre — will feature films created by filmmakers living in 30 countries. Eight of the 16 filmmakers who call Queens home united last Friday evening — the day tickets went live — first visiting City Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), a supporter of the event. “The festival was always such a source of fun,” QWFF Executive Director Katha Cato, who runs the festival with her husband, Don, said. “We want it to eventually be so that people say, ‘Did you get into Queens?’” Money raised mainly goes to projectionists, equipment and venues, Cato said. She added a big focus this year is to keep the films accessible to the community, saying it’s vital to support storytellers in the World’s Borough. She reinforced that the diverse borough has built-in audiences who already speak the languages of international films. She said the borough helps during filming, too, with many locations in Queens neighborhoods that could stand in for places around the globe. Three of the filmmakers who gathered Friday shot scenes within Queens neighborhoods, grounding their characters’ journeys against the backdrop of their home borough. Conrad Stojak, director of “Paradise Found, Paradise Lo$t,” was born in Jackson Heights, raised in Woodhaven, and now lives in Jackson Heights again. When Queens started to get attention as a tourist destination over recent months, his reaction was, “Finally!” “To me, it was like, ‘Duh.’ We have the best food here, the best going on, for years. I felt like everyone else just woke up to it,” Stojak said. He added that those in Jackson Heights love film “in a big way.” Stojak’s film is based on a contractor he met on Long Island, who encountered a synagogue in Port Washington that wanted to get rid of a three-ton mural by an Austrian Jewish painter who is an icon in Austria, but is relatively unknown in America. The contractor became attached with it. “He’s basically homeless and he has a multimillion dollar mural in a warehouse and he can’t get rid of it,” Stojak said. Laura Aguinaga, who was born and raised in Woodside, said she has witnessed a changing Queens that still has its relatable, homey appeal. She still waxes nostalgic over momand-pop shops or familiar alleyways. Aguinaga, who directed a short narrative, attended last year, where she told herself, “I need to be a part of this film festival.” Her film, “Short Steps,” in which the protagonist strives to move on from a past tragedy, takes place in Astoria. Aguinaga said the film may challenge younger generations or those who may see a Hispanic cast and jump

to certain assumptions. “Being a Latina, a lot of people already come to a conclusion of the kind of movie we want to put together,” Aguinaga said. “Diwali Dram Garage,” directed by Astoria native Johnny Pik, was also filmed in Astoria. The narrative short is an oddball comedy, Pik said. Pik, who is of Greek-American descent, said he’s seen a lot of artists coming into the area over the years. He captures Queens in his film, having filmed a scene in a now-closed Indian restaurant in Jackson Heights. Nearby Woodside is the setting of another film, by Christina Raia. In the opening shot of “Juice It,” which was inspired by her failed attempt at a seven-day juice cleanse, the No. 7 train rattles overhead. Other scenes occur in a nearby park, and in her Woodside apartment. Raia, whose mother immigrated to Queens from Trinidad, said there’s a grounded feeling to Queens that appeals to certain filmmakers. QWFF also features documentaries. “The docs that come to us are really culturally centered, or speak to things that people in Queens can really relate to,” Cato said. Eddie Venegas, who spotlighted the Manhattan-based Crime Victims Treatment Center, which was founded by his mother-in-law in the 1970s, witnessed the borough’s melting pot while attending Queens College. He agreed that residents might welcome documentaries addressing tough social issues. “Sometimes the conditions are not so good, so you can tell these people endure a lot,” Venegas said. “I wouldn’t be surprised that people can digest a lot of things.” Venegas, whose wife, Karin, directed the documentary, said the couple took classes and bought equipment to make the documentary, which was their first film. They spotlit a time before use of forensic evidence became standard practice. “I think it’s natural for [Queens residents] to be open and receptive,” Jennica Carmona, director of “Millie and the Lords,” said. The film, a narrative based on true issues, follows a young woman as she joins The Young Lords, an activist group that fought for Puerto Rican civil rights in the 1970s. “We really wanted to create a piece that would make it relevant today,” Carmona said. Carmona’s twin sister, Jessica, who has lived in Jamaica, Astoria and Jackson Heights, was the lead actress. Director and Astoria resident Lydia Darly, whose short film, “The Way You Love,” is set in a hair salon and revolves around the theme of self-love, was in 10 festivals last year and is impressed by the QWFF’s organization. “You want to be part of it and you want to be acknowledged as a filmmaker,” she said. “You want to feel you’re part of a family. Michael Chmiel, who lives in Astoria, is director of “Clean Break,” a genre-bending comedy. He’s ecstatic his film will be shown in the Museum of the Moving Image. “These are places that are in the public view,” Chmiel said. He added that the Catos offer constant support to the borough’s artists. For details, visit queensworldfilmfestival. Q com.

With ticket sales underway for QWFF, many are drumming up support for the festival, including, from top, Queens-based filmmakers, who met with City Councilman Danny Dromm; Laura Aguinaga, left, Johnny Pik and Christina Raia; Executive Director Katha Cato, who manages the festival from her Jackson Heights apartment; Eddie Venegas, Jessica Carmona, Jennica Carmona and PHOTOS BY CRISTINA SCHREIL Conrad Stojak; and Lydia Darly and Michael Chmiel.

C M SQ page 29 Y K Page 29 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

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C M SQ page 30 Y K

Health Dept. disputes subway bacteria study Trace amount of plague and anthrax-causing microbes discovered: report by Christopher Barca Associate Editor

The approximately 5.5 million people who swipe their MetroCards at a subway station turnstile each weekday aren’t the only species waiting on a platform or squeezing into a packed train. In addition to cats, rats or even the occasional shark that commute along with humans, a recent study has shown thousands of kinds of bacteria, even those that have been known to cause diseases such as the bubonic plague, also accompany straphangers, something the city Department of Health is casting serious doubt on. Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College in Manhattan spent the summer of 2013 swabbing handrails, turnstiles, MetroCard vending machines, garbage cans, subway car seats and poles in all 466 subway stations in order to create the first “pathogen map” of the New York City subway system. In their report, released last Friday, Weill Cornell revealed that 1,688 known species of bacteria were discovered throughout the system, with 48 percent of the DNA recovered during the survey not matching any known organism, human or microbe. However, nearly all of the known species found are harmless to humans, and those that are were only seen in trace amounts. “These potentially infectious agents are not creating widespread sickness or disease,” the report says. “Instead, these data indicate that the subway, in general, is primarily a safe surface.” According to Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Kevin Ortiz, the agency agrees with the medical college’s assessment that riding the subway does not pose a

health risk for commuters. “As the study clearly indicates, microbes were found at levels that pose absolutely no danger to human life and health,” Ortiz said. “The subway environment is no different than the environment above ground.” However, two samples containing trace amounts of Bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax, and three samples of Yersinia pestis, which causes the bubonic plague, were discovered. The report, authored by assistant professor Christopher Mason, the study’s senior investigator, and almost two dozen others, says that because microbes are not actively causing disease, they may just be “normal cohabitants of a shared urban infrastructure.” “Although evidence of Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis and other CDC infectious agents was found in the subway system in multiple stations,” the report says, referencing the Centers for Disease Control, “the results do not suggest that the plague or anthrax is prevalent, nor do they suggest that New York City residents are at risk.” The DOH, in a statement issued Monday, ripped the school’s findings as “deeply flawed” and said there is no chance the anthrax- or bubonic plague-causing microbes exist in the subway system. “The interpretation of their results is misleading,” the DOH said. “We don’t know what bacteria they found, but for a number of reasons, we’re convinced that it wasn’t the plague or anthrax.” According to a source, the DOH believes one of the thousands of unknown DNA samples could prove similar enough to the DNA of the bubonic plague and anthrax microbes to cause confusion.

Commuters wait to get on the No. 7 train at Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, where a recent study by the Weill Cornell Medical College found 62 known forms of bacteria, including one that causes meningitis, living on various surfaces. FILE PHOTO “Nearly half of the DNA sequences identified are unknown,” the source said. “Instead of detecting Yersinia pestis and Bacillus athracis, which don’t occur naturally in this part of North America, the authors likely detected DNA from unknown or other bacterial species or from other organisms continued on page 35

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C M SQ page 31 Y K federal funds for transportation. De Blasio said another 9/11 or Hurricane Sandy could go a long way to thwarting progress made since the recession. But he also said the economy could upset the bestlaid plans. “[This] economy is now 68 months into this expansion,” de Blasio said. “We are now past the average [since World War II]. “A lot of people look at this and recognize it as a warning sign,” he said. “Economic expansions do not go on forever, and we have to prepare for when things turn.” In a statement issued by her office, Public Advocate Letitia James praised the address, but said the city cannot do it alone.

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The Howard Beach Senior Center has a list of activities for seniors age 60 and over who wish to become members. The center is holding an exercise class at 1 p.m. on Friday that will consist of stretching, balance and aerobics for seniors age 60 and over. On Tuesday’s from 9:30 to 10 a.m., tap dancing lessons will be held, followed by an acting workshop from 10 to 11 a.m. On Fridays, two kinds of bridge games are held: supervised bridge from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and duplicate bridge 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. The Howard Beach Senior Center is located at 155-55 Cross Bay Blvd. For more Q information call (718) 738-8011.

continued from page 20 On education, de Blasio said universal pre-K and afterschool middle-school programs can be expanded this year because the city no longer has the one-time start-up costs from a year ago [see related story in some editions or at qchron.com]. De Blasio is recommending: • a combined $37 million for measures to prevent homelessness, including rental assistance and outreach programs; • $5 million to deal with the unanticipated rush to apply for IDNYC cards; • $1.8 million for children’s health initiatives; and • $16.5 million over three years to expand community health centers in places underserved by hospitals. He also is ordering all city departments to do a top-to-bottom review in order to weed out programs that are no longer fiunctioning in an effort to find some savings. On the economic development front, he wants to cut t axes for 45,000 small businesses. De Blasio said much of the financial success this year and the next is due to a growing economy with numerous positive signs. T he cont i nued recover y led to i n increased in jobs; but he said the majority are in low-paying fields such as hospitality and retail. “We’re glad these jobs are being created,” he said. “We’re glad people are getting these jobs. But in so many cases, it’s not enough for people to make ends meet here in New York City.” The mayor said income tax revenue is up, and a report from Moody’s Investors Service last month said the city’s sales tax revenue in 2014 increased well above the state county average. But he also said there are concerns in the coming year about the availability of state funding for education and both state and

Lancman also was critical that there was no mention of addressing rising rater rates, though he generally gave the mayor’s speech high marks. “I think he’s mindful that the economy can’t keep going on forever,” Lancman said. “I think he was tr ying to show some restraint.” Under the city charter, de Blasio must present a more detailed executive budget to the City Council in April. From there the Council will hold public hearings and begin negotiations with Gracie Mansion in an effort to get its own funding priorities — such as the 1,000 new officers for the NYPD — into the mix. A new budget must be in place prior to the start of the new fiscal year, which begins Q on July 1.

Page 31 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

De Blasio preliminary budget

“In areas like education, the state must finally meet its obligations and ensure the city is no longer shortchanged,” James said. The mayor said he has similar concerns about transportation. “The MTA at this point has a $15 billion capital shortfall,” the mayor said. “The state has not put forward a plan to address this yet, the state has not met its obligations in terms of some of the other infrastructure — roads and bridges — that are obviously aging.” He has the same fear over a more Republican Congress in Washington, which he said seems geared toward cutting spending and aid, while the national Highway Trust Fund, he added, could become insolvent by the end of May. “We see Congress turning away from those,” de Blasio said.

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Mayor wants faster EMS Mayor de Blasio hopes increased funding for ambulance tours will improve emergency response times in areas throughout the city, including in Western Queens, he said in his budget address Monday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Fire Department has added more than $11 million for 45 new ambulance tours and $6.7 million to add 149 new EMS dispatchers,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To keep the citywide average response time at a level thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acceptable, we needed to make these investments.â&#x20AC;? One goal is to improve the average response time in Western Queens, which is

around 7 minutes and 9 seconds. The city average is 6 minutes and 50 seconds. Parts of Staten Island and the South Bronx also have response times deemed â&#x20AC;&#x153;unacceptableâ&#x20AC;? by the mayor. City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Glendale), chairwoman of the Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice, said in a statement following the mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s address that more action is needed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to go a step further,â&#x20AC;? Crowley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We cannot wait for response times to get even higher before taking appropriate Q action.â&#x20AC;?

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es the best high achievers no matter their race or nationality to be in these good environments where they get the best opportunities and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re given the greatest benefits they could get from the city.â&#x20AC;? Benjamin, who is black, then opined that the feeder system of gifted and talented programs in the Bronx, Harlem and parts of Brooklyn is broken, so highachieving students are not identified early and encouraged to pursue admission to the specialized high schools. He said he was struck by the UFT representativeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim that minority students arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t getting the opportunity to prepare Q for the SHSAT.

continued from page 22 city students. He cited a statistic that only 17 percent of black and Hispanic students are high-school ready, with only 2 percent of black and Hispanic students considered â&#x20AC;&#x153;highly proficientâ&#x20AC;? in math or English. Mary Vavruska explained that being in gifted and talented programs since kindergarten provided support and learning environments conducive for students of all races to succeed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why the SHSAT is important,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s objective. It choos-

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To celebrate Catholic Schools Week, which ran from Jan. 25 to 31, students at St. Mary Gate of Heaven School in Howard Beach went global. Ever yone created a cultural theme throughout the school that incorporated

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Another tower set at Sky View Parc High-end housing will add 800 units with two additional buildings by Liz Rhoades Managing Editor

Downtown Flushing’s skyline is once again changing with the construction of the first of three glass towers at the Sk y View Pa rc development. Work is underway on the first building, known as The Grand at Sky View Parc, which is set for completion in the fall of 2016, to be followed by the other two in 2017. The trio will add 800 high-end units to the location that borders College Point Boulevard and Flushing Creek. Sky View Parc already includes three towers with 448 units, which opened in 2011 atop The Shops at Sky View Center, an 800-squarefoot shopping mall with parking for 2,500 cars. Officials at Onex Real Estate Partners, which owns the project, say the demand for luxury apartments is great and pointed to 50 percent or 120 of the first Grand One tower units already being sold during a recent preview event. The Grand will include studio, one-, t wo- and th ree-bed room

homes, ranging in size from 492 to 1,965 square feet. Prices range from $489,000 to more than $2 million. Onex officials told the Queens Chronicle that Asian Americans for m a majority of the buyers because they are more familiar with the area and like the many offerings of the neighborhood. They went on to say that the profile of Queens has grown in the past few years as a “highly indemand residential destination, and the neighborhood of Flushing in particular has come into its own as a first choice for dining, shopping and living today in New York City.” Developers describe the typical Sky View Parc buyer as young professionals, those who are married with small children and empty nesters. “We’re committed to answering the demand for full-service, exceptionally designed homes in Flushing by bringing the next level of lu x u r y l iv i ng t o t h is world r e n ow n e d d e s t i n a t io n ,” s a i d Michael Dana, president of Onex in a prepared statement.

The Grand will feature top-of-theline amenities including a washer and dryer in each residence, floorto-ceiling windows and a balcony, stainless steel appliance packages and spa-like bathrooms. The tower will also feature a club for residents with a lounge, a fitness center and a full-service spa. In addition there will be outdoor yoga areas, meditation gardens and a pool. Those amenities are in addition to the existing features at Sky View Parc, including roof-top tennis and basketball courts, a running track, a four-acre rooftop garden and more. The popularity of the development stands in contrast to the project’s beginnings. In 2008 ground was broken for Sky View Parc, but there were delays and the housing component opened two years late, angering several who had bought units there and demanded their money back. After opening, the development recovered and became popular. Onex and Muss Development, a Queens firm, were partners in the project until Muss’ share was bought Q out by Onex last year.

An artist’s rendering of Tower 1 at The Grand at Sky View Parc in Downtown Flushing. Two more towers will follow, for a total of 1,248 units in the IMAGE COURTESY ONEX REAL ESTATE PARTNERS development.

Parents should run for CEC, Fariña says Education advocates seek diverse group of candidates for councils by Victoria Zunitch

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Chronicle Contributor

City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña and elected officials visited PS 191, the Richard Arkwright School in Glendale, on Wednesday to launch a campaign encouraging parents with children in city public schools to run for a spot on either a community or citywide education council. “We’re here to celebrate parents and parents who know how to get involved in their children’s schools,” Fariña said. “Parents are the customers,” said PS 191 principal Victoria Catalano. The press conference was also attended by Cou ncilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Glendale), Public Advocate Letitia James, Make the Road NY Parent Organizer Placida Rodriguez and parents and CEC members. The Department of Education will be running advertisements in multiple languages on subways and buses in an effort to increase the number of parents running for CEC positions. The goal is to raise the quality of the CECs, increase the diversity of their members and fill positions that often remain vacant. “We do have vacancies despite tremendous outreach,” said Ricky Chan, first vice president of District 26’s CEC. Chan thinks part of the reason many

City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, at podium, encourages parents to run for community and citywide education councils. She is joined by Public Advocate Letitia James, second from left, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, center right, and Jesse Mojica, executive director of the PHOTO BY VICTORIA ZUNITCH DOE’s Division of Family and Community Engagement, far right. parents don’t run for CEC is that they are intimidated because of their lack of English language skills. Fariña stressed that parents whose first language is not English are not only welcome, but strongly encouraged to run for CEC positions and that translation help is

available at CEC meetings. CEC’s are educational policy advisory bodies that review educational programs for kindergarten through eighth-grade students in a district. Citywide councils perform similar functions for programs for special education,

h ig h s cho ols a nd Eng l ish la ng u a ge learners. Elections for both councils take place every two years. “I’ve learned the critical importance of parent involvement through having a son who had speech issues,” said Jesse Mojica, executive director of the DOE’s Division of Family and Community Engagement. “We don’t just want functional councils. We want high-functioning councils.” While all parents are eligible to run for CEC, only a select few are eligible to vote. For example, for general education community education councils, only the parent association president, secretary and treasurer of each school in the district will be eligible to cast votes. Parents who wish to run for a CEC can apply now through March 11. Elections are April 19 and May 8. Applications and information are available at NYCParentLeaders.org. Fariña noted that CEC members provide a voice for many parents who are working two jobs or have other reasons why they can’t participate in parent association or CEC meetings. “I wanted to have a voice advocating not only for my own children, but also for the parents across our district,” said Arlenis Q Morel, a member of CEC 24.

SQ page 35

by Maria A. Thomson Executive Director GWDC

Being so preoccupied by this brutal weather, we almost forgot about our day for lovers, Valentine’s Day, which will ar rive on Saturday. There are still many gifts and tokens of love available on our “Everything Avenue” from Dexter Court to 100th St. As I have stated before, you can buy cards with loving sentiments in our many stores as well as roses at our local florists. Most of our stores are family-owned and operated, and offer personalized and warm attention to their shoppers. So buy that perfume, a gift certificate, jewelry, special outfit and especially the homemade delicious box of chocolates for that loving lady in your life. And for that special guy, buy him a shirt, a special manly cologne and if you really want to show your love, let him have some Valentine homemade chocolates from Schmidt’s Confectionery. All, of course, purchased on our Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue for Valentine’s Day and on Presidents’ Day, too. So, please always shop locally and, especially now in these difficult times, keep your money in Woodhaven. I hope that you will have a very loving day with many appreciated gifts. Remember, Woodhaven store owners and business owners care about the community,

because they contribute to the WBID. So shop locally, when you come home from work or when you can get down to Jamaica Avenue before the next snowstorm. Hopefully, we will have clearing of these snowstorms by Saturday so even if your Valentine’s Day gift is late, please buy it in one of our Jamaica Avenue stores. Our businesses are hurting because of our difficult economy and the brutal weather. Important information: Remember our children will be safe in New York because of our Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown who is prosecuting all child abuse cases to the fullest extent of the law. If you suspect child abuse call (800) 342-3720. You may remain anonymous. Attention Doo Wop aficionados, the Doo Wop Benefit Show is back by popular demand. It will take place this Sunday, Feb. 15 from 12:30-5 p.m. at the Tropical Restaurant, located at 88-18 Jamaica Ave. Enjoy great 50’s music, great food, good company and great ambience. Come by and enjoy. Our new library hours (24/7 self-check-in) Monday and Thursday 12-8 p.m., Tuesday 1-6 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 10-6 p.m. The library is closed on Saturday and Sunday. May God bless our armed forces, may God bless our disabled veterans, may God bless our NYPD and most of all may God bless our Q America.

Page 35 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

WOODHAVEN EVELOPMENTS Get your Valentine’s gift on Jamaica Ave.

City disputes bacteria report continued from page 30 t h at h app e n t o sh a re some ge ne sequences.” The source added that rats are highly susceptible to bubonic plague, and the fact that no infected rat has ever been found in the city leads the agency to believe the illness-causing microbe does not exist in the subway system. The Weill Cornell report also lists the number of individual forms of known bacteria discovered at each station, as well as what illnesses they are associated with. The Grand Central Terminal-42nd Street station, which serves the 4, 5, 6 and 7 lines, had the highest number of known microbes of any stop in the city with 128, including those that can potentially cause meningitis, sepsis and urinary tract infections. The bacteria that causes meningitis was discovered at others stations throughout the city, but it was only present at one Queens stop, the Roosevelt Avenue E, F, M, R and No. 7 train station in Jackson Heights, which had 62 different known microbes. The Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues station, which serves the L and M lines, featured the most known forms of bacteria in Queens with 79, including the organism that causes staph infections. The Court Square 7, E, G and M station in Long Island City was a close second with 78 forms, while the Ditmars Boulevard N and Q stop in Astoria had 69 forms.

The Forest Parkway J train station in Woodhaven and the 30th Avenue N and Q line stop in Astoria rounded out the top five with 63 and 62 for ms of bacter ia, respectively. Many of the “cleanest” stations are along the southern end of the M line in southwest Queens, with the Seneca Avenue stop featuring just 10 known bacteria species. The No. 7 train’s 69th Street station, the Woodhaven Boulevard J and Z line stop and 65th Street along the M and R lines all had 14 recorded types of bacteria. In addition to Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues, staph infection-causing bacteria were found at the Queens Plaza E, M and R train station in Long Island City, the 52nd and 61st Street stops along the 7 line in Woodside and the Elderts Lane J and Z train station in Woodhaven. The bacteria that causes dysentery, a disease causing intestinal inflammation most commonly found in developing countries or tropical climates, was found at the Beach 36th St reet A t rai n st ation i n the Rockaways. The most unique environment for bacteria was the South Ferry 1, N and R station in Lower Manhattan, which has been closed since it was flooded with seawater during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Researchers found 10 unique species of bacteria there, including one strain normalQ ly found in the waters off Antarctica.

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SQ page 36

Borough Board hears new pre-K regulations Prospective students will be placed in sites based on priority grouping by Christopher Barca Associate Editor

It may only be the middle of February, but it’s already time to start planning for the 2015-16 academic year. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Borough Board, the Depar tment of Education’s Division of Early Childhood Education chief of staff, Jessica Pavone, ran down what both parents and elected officials need to know regarding year two of the city’s pre-K program. The application period opens on March 16 and closes on April 24, and no longer will parents have to submit separate applications for full-day pre-K sites based in d ist r ict schools or com mu n it y-based organizations. Instead, the process will be consolidated into one request. On the application, parents can choose from any pre-K program in the city’s directory and list up to 12 sites, ranked from the most to least desirable. “All of the work that has happened is pretty historic and really demonstrates what happens in a city when we all work in unison,” Pavone said. “It represents a really exciting move for the city and brings pre-K into alignment with the K-12 system.” Placement is dependant on which of five

Department of Education representative Jessica Pavone, left, gives a presentation on guidelines regarding the city’s second year of universal pre-K to Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz and the PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BARCA rest of the Borough Board on Tuesday. priority groups the child is in, with the top priority being for those already enrolled in and ready to matriculate from the city’s early development prog ram for three-year-olds. The second-highest priority is for siblings of children already enrolled, with youngsters whose families already receive

free or subsidized social services from organizations that operate pre-K programs being grouped in the third-highest priority level. The fourth tier is for prospective students who speak a native language other than English that pre-K programs specialize in serving, with the fifth-tier being for

all remaining children. “This is really intended to give a fair shake to families to list, in one place, all of their preferences regardless,” Pavone said. “The algorithm on the back end controls for whether it’s a district setting or a community-based setting and matches the student according to priority.” Placement offers will be distributed to families in early June, with preregistration running from June 1 to June 19. When asked by Community Board 10 Chairwoman Betty Bratton about the possibility of using basement space as a pre-K site, Pavone said the area would be considered as long as it was at garden level with at least two points of egress. The board also voted unanimously to approve a zoning text amendment which would exempt floor area added for safety purposes in nonresidential structures 420 feet or taller, including hotels, offices and mixed-use buildings. The amendment, born from an investigation into the collapse of the Twin Towers in 2001, would allow developers to either design all passenger elevators to run on emergency generators in case of an unexpected evacuation, increase the width of fire exit stairwells by 25 percent or add Q additional exit stairwells.

Melva Miller tapped as new deputy Queens BP She also serves as Borough Hall’s economic development director by Christopher Barca

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Associate Editor

Borough President Melinda Katz has a new right-hand woman. In a speech at the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s annual breakfast on Tuesday at St. John’s University, Katz announced that Melva Miller, the Borough President’s Off ice’s director of economic development since 2007, will succeed new state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D -Hollis) as deput y borough president. Many of the over 100 attendees of the breakfast stood up and openly cheered for Miller, who sheepishly smiled in her seat and waved after Katz introduced her. “I’m honored to be deputy borough president,” Miller said after the breakfast. “The borough president and I have talked about it for some while now, but I’ve also known there were some very good candidates she was looking at for deputy borough president. I’m just happy that she chose me.” Katz said she told the Laurelton resident on Saturday night that she had been chosen, but the process of selecting a successor for Comrie,

who defeated former state Sen. Malcol m Sm it h la st fall a nd assumed office last month, was a “very long one.” But she noted it was Miller’s experience at Borough Hall and as the founding executive director of the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District among other organizations that helped her come to such a conclusion. “Economic development has been such a priority to me and my administration since the minute I came in,” Katz said. “She has a reputation in the business community of knowing how to achieve things and move things forward, and that was important to me.” Miller said she will continue overseeing economic development at Boroug h Hall, thoug h she expects her new role will see her act as an even more hands-on leader. “My primary responsibility will still be economic development,” she s a id . “ Now t h at role is ju st enhanced as deputy borough president, so I’ll just step in more for the borough president.” While the new title wasn’t some-

thing she sought out in her seven years at Borough Hall, Miller said once she was approached by Katz, she knew it was a challenge she wanted to accept. “Once I had the conversations with the borough president, it became very appealing to me,” she said. “I love government, I love policy work. Stepping into this role was just a natural fit for me.” In a statement issued on Tuesday, Comrie congratulated Miller on her new position and said he expects great things from his successor. “Having known Ms. Miller for many years,” Comrie said. “I’ve seen her speak to the heart of the com munit y’s needs: executing strategies that grow businesses and encourage investment while ensuring the character and integrity of our neighborhoods are preserved. “I admire her abilities,” he continued, “and am confident that she is more than capable of ushering the World’s Borough forward.” Miller received her bachelor’s degree at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and her master’s degree at Hunter College’s School of Q Social Work.

Melva Miller grins as Borough President Melinda Katz announces to the Queens Chamber of Commerce that the Laurelton resident has been chosen as her new deputy borough president, replacing state Sen. Leroy PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BARCA Comrie.

SQ page 37

500 students to be temporarily moved to make room for expansion by Anthony O’Reilly Associate Editor

PS 19 was overcrowded when Assembly m a n Fr a ncisco Moya ( D -Ja ck son Heights) was a student there. As a temporary solution in 1994, the Department of Education placed trailers at the school located at 98-2 Roosevelt Ave. in Corona. But the trailers are still there and the issue of the school’s overcrowding has not been addressed. Until now. Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, education and elected off icials announced last Friday that the school would be getting an extension as part of the School Construction Authority’s 201519 capital plan and that the trailers would be removed from the campus next year. “By next summer, these trailers will be a memory,” Katz said at a press conference at the school. Parents and education advocates cheered the news, saying “Today is a victory.” “I am so happy that today we are announcing that these trailers will soon be gone, and that future students at PS 19 will learn in a permanent building, with the space that they deserve,” Rafaela Vivalo, the mother of a second-grader at the school, said. The SCA has allocated $4.5 billion of its $13.5 billion 2015-19 capital plan for new

Borough President Melinda Katz and state Sen. Jose Peralta at PS 19. school construction to create 33,000 new seats throughout the city in an effort to address overcrowding and increased enrollment in public schools. That includes the planned extension of PS 19, which is expected to be completed by the 2018-19 school year. A DOE spokesman said 47 trailers, including 14 in Queens, have been removed since

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PHOTO BY ANTHONY O’REILLY

October 2013 and the department is in the process of removing another 92. During the construction of the extension, about 500 students being taught in the trailers will be transferred to the newly constructed PS 315 at 96-18 43 Ave. The trailers themselves will be removed from the campus in summer of 2016 to make room for the construction, according to Katz.

“The SCA is investing in the future of our schools, our students and our city,” Lorraine Grillo, president and CEO of the SCA, said. State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) praised the work of parents and advocates who worked to get rid of the trailers, and also lauded the work of the teachers who had to work in the units for years. “Even with these conditions, PS 19 has been an A-grade school,” Peralta said. Nick Comaianni, president of District 24’s Community Education Council, praised schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña for working to address overcrowding at the school. “Eleven years later and four chancellors later, we’re finally getting an extension to the building,” Comaianni said. “It never should be such a long fight for parents to see relief, but this is absolutely wonderful that this generation of parents will actually see it.” Moya and Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst), an alumna of the school, also expressed excitement for the future expansion of the building. “Today, we can finally say that we have set a plan in motion that will provide our students with the classrooms they need to succeed,” Moya said. “We have worked long and hard to end overcrowding in Corona, and the expansion of PS 19 is a milestone in our progress,” Q Ferreras said.

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Trailers soon to be removed from PS 19

★ ★

★ ★ Happy Presidents’ Day! CONGRESSMAN

GREGORY W. MEEKS Washington D.C. Office

GREM-066291

2234 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20215 PH: (202) 225-3461

Jamaica District Office

Rockaway District Office

153-01 Jamaica Avenue Jamaica, NY 11432 PH: (718) 725-6000 FX: (718) 725-9868

67-12 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Arverne, NY 11692 PH: (347) 230-4032

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U.S. House of Representatives 5th District – New York

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 38

SQ page 38

Ice Jewelry: where the owners can relate to their clients

Borough President Melinda Katz addresses the Queens Chamber of Commerce at its annual breakfast on Tuesday at St. John’s University. She teased a coming revitalization of Jamaica and lent her support to affordable housing atop Sunnyside Yards, among other issues. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BARCA

Katz touts bright future of Queens Ice Jewelry Buying Service is located on Queens Boulevard in Rego Park.

Free Parking Available or by Train M or R to 63rd Drive Station they treat everything like it’s a one-shot deal and we don’t do that,” Elias said. Chronicle Contributor In addition to buying gold, silver, diamonds, watches Recently, a woman and her boyfriend went into and coins, Ice Jewelry Buying also offers instant cash an unassuming gold buying and cash loan shop on loans for jewelry and eBay selling services. Queens Boulevard. She had a $35 offer on her ring Their cash loans program is straightforward and from another area shop, but was looking to get a simple. “It’s a perfect solution for someone who better deal. In what may be viewed as poor business has a bill due and a check on the way,” Goldberg acumen, she told her new prospective buyer what said. “But we make sure they have a game plan to her previous offer was. Still, after examining her buy their jewelry back before the end of the term. piece, he offered her $1,600. He did so, as he says, Sometimes these are people’s heirlooms we’re “...because that’s what it was worth.” talking about and we respect that.” The plight of the worker who’s hard-up for cash For those who are less Internet-savvy or just don’t in today’s economy is something that Arthur Elias have the time, Ice Jewelry Buying offers a convenient and Edward Goldberg can relate to firsthand, eBay sales service. If what a customer has isn’t an having been laid off from their jobs in jewelry item that Ice Jewelry Buying would purchase, like manufacturing. They understand that people get a handbag or antique furniture, they can help find into situations where they just need a little cash fast a buyer on their eBay store. Elias consults with the to make the bills and Ice Jewelry Buying Service customer to find a target price and hopes to help out in the most STORE HOURS let the Internet auctioneers handle honest way they can. “For this, I like to think we’re MON.-FRI. 11 am - 7 pm the rest. For anyone who has ever dealt doing the community a service,” SAT. 10 am - 6 pm SUN. by Appointment with the hassle of selling and Elias said. “We’re in the business of helping people who are in a tough icejewelrybuyingservice.com shipping an item on eBay — all the forms involved in setting up a user spot. They can come to our store and paypal account, the 10-15 percent fee that Ice and know that we can educate them on what they Jewelry Buying charges to do all the work is really a have and we’ll give them what their items are worth. bargain deal. When that woman told me her previous offer, it made “At the end of the day, I just want people to feel me wonder how many times this happens — how comfortable doing business with us. People have many people who really need that money get taken this conception of gold buying stores as these slimy advantage of?” places with slimy people, and they’re typically right. Elias opened his Rego Park shop with Goldberg But we want to be different. I don’t think it’s cool to in 2009, and already they’re seeing a lot of repeat see someone buy a ring for $200 and put it in their customers and referrals. This is a sign to them that counter for $800. We don’t do that.” they’re doing something right — the pawn business Ice Jewelr y Buying Ser vice is located at typically deals in one-time transactions but Elias is 98-30 Queens Blvd. in Rego Park. Hours of operation determined to break that mold, building a reputation are Monday-Friday from 11 am to 7:00 pm and on trust. Saturday 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday – private “Everyone around here is buying gold these days; appoinments are available. Call for more information you can go into the barber shop down the road and Q (718) 830-0030. sell your jewelry. The problem with all these places is

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by Denis Deck

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BP teases ‘Jamaica Initiative,’ lends support for Sunnyside Yards housing by Christopher Barca Associate Editor

Borough President Melinda Katz was all over the map on Tuesday morning. In a speech to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at the group’s annual breakfast, she touched on issues specific to nearly every Queens neighborhood, from the Sunnyside Yards affordable housing proposition to an upcoming “Jamaica Initiative,” to a potential LaGuardia AirTrain. “Queens is really taking off, as many of you know,” Katz said. “The world is starting to notice, by the way.” A little over two weeks after broaching many topics during her State of the Borough address, Katz took a more business-oriented approach in her speech to a crowd of about 150 people at St. John’s University. While scant on exact details, she touted the upcoming announcement of her office’s expansive Jamaica Initiative, which she and Mayor de Blasio will officially unveil within the next two weeks. Headed by new Deputy Borough President Melva Miller, the head of Borough Hall’s Office of Economic Development, the initiative kicked off in earnest with a series of well-attended public meetings and over 30 private meetings with area elected officials last November. In that time, Katz said, numerous ideas regarding affordable housing and investment in area businesses were discussed, with the goal being a full-scale rejuvenation of the greater Jamaica area. “We want folks to live there,” she said in her speech. “To the folks that have businesses there, the folks that want to invest there we said, ‘What do you want? What is it you see for the future of your children?”’ When asked for more details after the

breakfast, Katz would only say that the focus would be on “infrastructure, support systems and all the things that we need in order to build that community right.” “It’s going to involve affordable housing, it’s going to involve investments in marketing,” she said. “There’s a bunch of stuff we’re really excited about.” Mayor de Blasio’s controversial idea to build affordable housing on top of the 200acre Amtrak-owned Sunnyside Yards, which would be relocated underground, was also addressed by the Borough President. She said she cautiously supports the plan, but that many more details have to be ironed out before moving forward. “We need to figure out how to utilize the property in a good way and I think housing is a great way,” she said. “Figuring out how to pay for it is the follow-up. ... But it needs to be done carefully and it needs to be done in tandem with the community.” Gov. Cuomo opposes the plan, which calls for a 11,250-unit residential complex, and City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) had previously come out against it, but has since modified his position. In summarizing her wishes for the borough, Katz said characteristics such as the potential restoration of the aging New York State Pavilion, the renovation of the National Tennis Center, the possible addition of express bus and ferry service and the growth of the technology industry in Long Island City will help Queens truly take off in the years to come. “We have it all here,” she said. “We have exactly what we need in order to make this borough the number one economic generator and the number one tourist attraction in Q the City of New York.”

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ARTS, CULTURE C U LT CU LTURE T U RE R E & LIVING L IV IVING IIVIN V N NG G

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning honors by Doran Miller-Rosenberg

Burrow into this history and you’ll become engulfed in an ocean of 150-year-old information that lights up present biases. Within a fastidiously constructed recreation of a 26th pup tent proudly sits a Qur’an. Balan examined the characters of the 26th, discovering its Islamic tradition. He displays it proudly, while celebrating the independence of 200,000 black soldiers who fought in the Civil War. “The 26th USCT has a very interesting history,” Balan said, adding that USCT regiments often were run by white officers who were killed very quickly, resulting in black second commanders acting as superiors. The 26th did the meat of its campaign in South Carolina and returned to New York after 1865. One member of the 26th, David Carll, was a free black man who had his own business before and after the war. He was actress Vanessa Williams’ great-great-grandfather, Balan added. He is buried in Oyster Bay, LI in a plot of land his descendents still own. Continued onpage page continued on 43

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Black History Month

mid new developments and businesses that have been taking Jamaica by storm, the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning captures and preserves a vital living history of New York. The center is honoring Black History Month with several educational exhibits that memorialize an intersection between memory, forgotten history and utility. Inside, artist Ludger Balan mourns the loss of contemplative thought in film as he shows me his ode to the medium’s predecessor, a diorama depicting the Raid of the Grevais Plantation by the 26th United States Colored Troops. The 26th was a black New York regiment that fought in the Civil War, emancipating a slave plantation in South Carolina and then smashing through a critical section of the Confederate railroad. Its troops scorched South Carolina with “Sherman neckties,” heating up train tracks and twisting them into uselessness to foil the enemy.

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 40

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boro EXHIBITS Abstract artist William Mastrogiulio, Austin Ale House. Mastrogiulio’s paintings, on display until March 22, explore the visual contradictions between harmony and dissonance. Opening reception: Wed., Feb. 25, 6-9 p.m., 82-70 Austin St., Kew Gardens. Free. Info: Vikki Jensen, (908) 578-5005, vikkidroid@gmail.com. “An Aesthetics of Slowness,” Work from eight different artists challenge viewer’s ways of observing and interpreting art. Thurs.–Mon., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. until March 29. “The Instability of Perception.” Panel discussion with scholar Gabrielle Starr and artists Ashley Billingsley and Paul Qaysi. Sun., Feb. 15, 2-3:30 p.m. Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, 11-03 45 Ave., Long Island City. Info: (718) 937-6317, info@dorsky.org. “The Moon in My Heart,” by Taiwanese Pi-Chou Cheng at the Hwang Gallery. The Moon, which symbolizes reunion, is Pi-Chou Cheng's inspiration. Open Tue.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 39-10 Main St., Suite 303, Flushing. Info: (212) 225-8400. “Polit-Sheer-Form!” China-based art collective tackles the question of “we” in a “me” world. Atrium and Skylight gallery exhibits close Sun., Feb. 8; Galleries 1 and 2 thru March 8 at the Queens Museum, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Corona. Info: (718) 592-9700, info@queensmuseum.org. Collection of Violet and Les Payne and Next Generation: Emerging South African Photographers. Highlighting political and social shifts from the Soweto Uprising in 1976. Godwin-Ternbach Museum, Klapper Hall, Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, thru March 21. Info: qc.cuny. edu/godwin_ternbach.

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“Literary Devices,” a collection of literaryinspired sculpture, paintings and more by more than 30 artists. Fisher Landau Center for Art, 38-27 30 St., Long Island City, thru March 15. Info: (718) 937-0727, flcart.org. Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook showcases over 20 artworks including video, sculpture and photography spanning two decades of work. “In Practice: Under Foundations” features collected works that speak to unconscious desires, or seek to examine the past. SculptureCenter, 44-19 Purves St., Long Island City thru March 30. Info: (718) 361-1750. “Art in the Garden—Paul Lin: Botanical Therapeutic Art.” Paul Lin transforms natural materials such as petals, feathers, twigs and dried leaves into stunning landscapes and portraits. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, until April 12. Info: (718) 886-3800, queensbotanical.org. “Isamu Noguchi, Patent Holder,” featuring inventions and designs created in the years leading up to the 1939 World’s Fair. Dr. M. T. Geoffrey Yeh Art Gallery, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Pkwy.,

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G KIDS/TEENS

Jamaica, thru March 19. Info: stjohns.edu/about/events/ isamu-noguchi-patent-holderdesigning-world-tomorrow.

Career Week at Queens Library. Teens are invited to meet and network with a variety of professionals and learn about unique careers on Feb. 23-26, 4-5 p.m., Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica. Info: queenslibrary.org.

THEATRE Midwinter Reading Series, supported by the Dramatist Guild Fund and Department of Cultural Affairs. “Carefully Taught,” an African American and a white school teacher whose friendship is affected by race, by Cheryl L. Davis, Fri., Feb. 13, 7 p.m. “Love, Always,” a musical that follows a 100-year love story by Bill Connington and Michael Cooper. Queens Council on the Arts, 37-11 35 Ave., Astoria. Free. Info: queenscouncilarts.org.

February Jeopardy. Teens are invited for a February Jeopardy game, for African-American history and civil rights trivia. Wed., Feb. 25, 4-5 p.m., at Pomonk Library, 15821 Jewel Ave., Flushing.

Preschool children’s programs: Monday Magic Learn & Play, every Mon., 3-4:30 p.m., Bay Terrace Center, 212-00 23 Ave., Bayside. Gym and Creative Explora"Thinking Moon," a piece by Taiwanese artist Pi-Chou Cheng, is part tion, every Wed., 3-4:30 p.m. Little “The Sound of Music” by of a Flushing exhibit exploring the moon. Neck Site: 58-20 Little Neck Pkwy. PHOTO COURTESY HWANG GALLERY $5 per family. Info: Amanda, (718) Theatre By The Bay, the community theatre group of Bay 423-6111 x242, ASmith@sfy.org. Terrace Garden Jewish Center, 13-00 209 St., especially tenors and basses, every Mon., 8 p.m., Bayside, Sat., March 7, 14, 21 at 8:30 p.m. Messiah Lutheran Church, 42-15 165 St., Flushing. Engineering Week at NYSCI: Celebrate the and Sun., March 8, 15, 22 at 3 p.m. Tickets: Call: Ruth Amsterdam (718) 658-1021. importance of engineering with hands-on activi$22 adults, $20 seniors and children under 12. ties, demonstrations and screenings highlighting Info: (718) 428-6363, theatrebythebayny.com. Bayside Glee Club is looking for new members for civil, nano and machine engineering. Feb. 16-20, upcoming Spring Concert in May. No prior music New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111 St., Corona. training required. Rehearsals, 7:30 p.m., Tue., All $15 adults, $12 seniors/children. Info: nysci.org, Saints Church, 214-33 40 Ave., entrance on 215 St., (718) 699-0005. rehearsals 7:30 p.m. Info: (718) 961-6852. Friday Night Teen program sponsored by the VariAfrican American History Month at Queens ety Boys and Girls Club of Queens. Every Fri., 6-7 Library. “African-American Contributions to U.S. p.m. for middle school students and 7-9 p.m. for Industry,” documentary and discussion, “Louis high school students, Maurice A. Fitzgerald P.S. 199, Armstrong on Film” and discussion by archivist Ricky Riccardi, Thurs., Feb. 19, 6-7:30 p.m., 118-14 Hands-on History: Be My Valentine, King Manor 39-20 48 Ave., Sunnyside. $10 registration req’d. Hillside Ave., Richmond Hill. Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica. Decorate Info: (718) 728-0946, www.vbgcq.org. a picture frame and create 19th century-inspired Classic movie series. Queens Central Library, valentines to give to your sweetheart, Sat., Feb. Free art classes: Latin American Cultural Center of Queens at ARROW Community Center, ages 88-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, every Thurs., 2 p.m.: 14, noon-3 p.m. Free. Info: kingmanor.org 8-16, 35-30 35 St., Astoria, every Tue. & Thurs., “Romeo and Juliet,” Feb. 19; “To Sir, with Love,” Feb. 26. Info: queenslibrary.org. Special Valentine’s evening, with love songs, 4:30-6 p.m. and Sat., 10-11:30 a.m. Info: (718) refreshments and a candlelit tour of the Onder- 261-7664, laccq@aol.com. The Month of Sci-Fi: Science fiction-themed donk House, 18-20 Flushing Ave., Ridgewood. radio, film and parody includes “War of the Sat., Feb. 14, 6-9 p.m. $10 donation. Info: (718) Karaoke pizza party for kids 10-15 and guests. $10 admission includes a slice of pizza, a drink, Worlds,” Fri., Feb. 13, 8 p.m., Sun., Feb. 15, 456-1776. onderdonkhouse.org. participation in karaoke. Sat., Feb. 21, 1-3 p.m. 2 p.m.; “This is Heavy: Back to the Future,” Sat., Feb. 21 at 8 p.m., 21+ over, and “20,000 Valentine’s Day dance, live music, food, raffles, A Night of Music and Laughs, hosted by the Leagues Under the Sea,” Fri.-Sun., Feb. 27, 8 p.m., on on Sat., Feb. 14, 8 p.m.-midnight, The Rainbow St. Gregory's Theatre Group. Ages 16+ invited to Feb. 28 and March 1, 2 p.m. Chain Theatre, Room at Italian Charities, 83-20 Queens Blvd., perform and attend. $10, includes participation in karaoke contest. Sat. Feb. 21, 8 p.m. Both at the 21-28 45 Road, Long Island City. $10-15. Info: Elmhurst. $15 per person. Info: (718) 478-3100. Oak Room, 242-20 88 Ave., Bellerose. Info: (718) variationstheatregroup.com. Valentine’s Day blood drive, Wed., Feb. 18, 989-2451, sgtgproductions@gmail.com. Irish Movie Night, Run & Jump, at the New York 1:30–6 p.m. Alley Pond Environmental CenIrish Center, 10-40 Jackson Ave., Long Island City. ter, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Flushing. PreFri., Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m., showtime 8:15 p.m. Reg- registration required. Info: Liz (718) 229-4000, ular admission $11, students/seniors/unemployed emcglinchey@alleypond.com for an app’t. $8. Info: nyirish.org, (718) 482-0909. Benefit for Benjamin: Benjamin was diagnosed “The Lure of Love” with Janet Restino, an with leukemia last year when he was just 3 years afternoon of heartfelt music and poetry for love, old. The benefit is in place to help his family with about love, and for lovers of love. Sun., Feb. 15 expenses. Sat., Feb. 28, 3-7 p.m., inside the shopat the Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38 Ave., ping center, 60-10 Queens Blvd., Woodside. Info: Community Singers of Queens is looking for Flushing. $12 regular admission; $10 members/ Victoria Panos, benefitforbenjamin@yahoo.com new members for rehearsals for Spring Concert, students. Info: (718) 359-6227. continued continued on on page page 00 44

FILM

VALENTINE’S DAY EVENTS

COMMUNITY

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

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Exhibit by Thai artist spotlights the unseen by Cristina Schreil qboro editor

Subtle yet haunting sounds, reminiscent of chants in a Buddhist temple, are apparent before even entering Thai artist Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook’s exhibit at the SculptureCenter in Long Island City. The meditative sounds reverberating around the cavernous exhibit, which investigates subjects including women, animals, the mentally ill, rural villagers, monks and the

Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook When:

Until March 30, Thurs.-Mon., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Where: SculptureCenter, 44-19 Purves St., Long Island City Tickets: $5 suggested Website: sculpture-center.org

deceased — members of society who are alienated and pushed to the sidelines, Rasdjarmrearnsook says — almost creates a rare shrine to her subjects. The pieces presented span more than 10 years of the artist’s work. The space is calming and frenetic at once; upon walking in, viewers see a large projected grayscale film of a dog, legs bound, attempting to trot around a backyard. On the ground, a projected video shows a woman who appears to be adorning a dead body with layers of dresses. Another video rapidly transitions between scenes of happiness, with a rescued dog being prepared for a party, and scenes of travesty, in which Thai men hurl dogs into trucks with caged beds. There is also a series of videos wherein one woman stands in a stark, sterile-looking room and delivers a “lecture” to a group of blanketed corpses, who are either arranged in a semicircle or in rows. The bodies look unrecognizably inhuman, more like aliens or mummies. The word “DEATH” is scrawled on a blackboard. There is also a series of three photographs wherein three works of classic

Page 41 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

boro

Twenty-one glass jars filled with photographs of dogs and their hair are on display PHOTO BY CRISTINA SCHREIL throughout Thai artist Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook’s exhibit. impressionist art, Van Gogh’s “The Midday Sleep,” Renoir’s “Dance at the Moulin de la Galette” and Millet’s “The Gleaners,” are placed within resplendent gold frames and then plopped in the middle of the Thai countryside. The photos capture groups of villagers gazing upon the paintings, their backs to the camera. Rasdjarmrearnsook

thrusts modern day viewers into the point of view of her subjects, strengthening a connec tion with these of t-forgot ten beings while still not making the link as strong as it could be. We only see their backs, after all. The exhibit, which incorporates digital continued on page page 00 45

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Photos of a new South Africa, coming of age by Tess McRae qboro contributor

When one thinks of South Africa, images of apartheid and Nelson Mandela most likely appear. But with the countr y’s legendar y leader now dead and segregation abolished, a new generation that never experienced the prior dominating and oppressive government is coming of age. As par t of the “Year of S o u t h A f r i c a” e x h i b i t , Queens College is featuring a number of ar t series, the most compelling of which is “Next Generation: Emerging Photographers from South Africa,” in the Godwin-Ternbach Museum mezzanine. Ar tis t s Musa Nxumalo, S a n e l e M oya a n d S i p h o M p o ng o e a c h p o r t r aye d present-day South Africa as A photograph by Musa Nxumalo, part of the exhibit he or she sees it. “Next Generation” at the Godwin-Ternbach Museum. The series is small, consistPHOTO BY TESS MCRAE ing of four walls that make up the catwalk-like mezzanine. Below it where one layer ends and another are much larger and more traditional begins, forcing the viewer to really look South African paintings that use rich at each and every piece. Nxumalo’s series is, by far, the most reds, browns and greens to illustrate the interesting. He focused on a specific subcountry’s terrain. Still, there is something particularly group of black South Africans who identicompelling about the photographs. fy with counterculture, rock ’n’ roll, lots of black clothing and Mpongo, the only darkened sunglasses. photographer who The images lack used color print s, the sharpness of most focused on white modern-day photos, South Africans. He When: Until March 21, creating a vintage removed the stereoMon.-Thurs., feel, even though t ype one might 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. they were shot in have of this demo2013. The subjects graphic by displayWhere: Godwin-Ternbach Museum, feel real and Nxumaing a wide spectrum Queens College, lo is wise not to shove of people, both rich 65-30 Kissena Blvd., any message or and poor. Flushing theme down viewers’ M oya’s p h ot o s Tickets: Free throats. He lets the are of a South AfriWebsite: qc.cuny.edu/ prints stand alone, ca most are familiar godwin_ternbach leaving viewers to with. She pointed come up with their her lens at the own story for each. streets of JohannesThough the gallery might have beneburg, capturing the countr y’s more urban environment. What makes Moya’s fitted from showcasing more young prints interesting, though, is her use of South African artists, the three selected layering. No photo stands on its own do stand well on their own. The lack of and each is layered with any number of wall space dedicated to “Next Generaother photos, creating a chaotic and dis- tion” may leave the viewer wanting Q orienting sensation. It’s difficult to tell more.

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‘Next Generation’

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Entwining memory, forgotten history, utility continued from continued from page page 00 39

quilts and military history, explaining that The room pulsates mystery to the unin- during the Civil War, women would quilt formed visitor, provoking questions such as, to fundraise for the USCTs. There were “What’s the relationship between black mili- coded quilts that beamed information to runaway slaves. Her grasp of the artform’s tary history and the quilted walls?” significance is limitless. Quilts are storytelling pieces. “Bringing it back to today, we’re still “It’s really an assembly of untold stotelling the same ries,” Balan said. s tor y,” Pr yor- HolRobert Smalls, who land said. “We were freed himself, his fampriv y to see some ily and other slaves quilts based on the during and after the killing of young black Civil War, is depicted When: Until Feb. 21, boys. And some of in a quilt created by Mon.-Fri., t h e wo m e n mad e descendent Thadine 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. beautiful quilts that Wormly-Herndon. Where: Jamaica Center for Arts t o l d a ve r y g r i m Wormly-Herndon and Learning, story, but they were is one of three mem161-04 Jamaica Ave., just so beautiful … it b e r s o f Q u i l t- N Jamaica made people s top Queens, a Southeast Tickets: Free; jcal.org and think.” Queens-based group A wide range of of African-American quilt s nestle the quilters who are preroom, radiating color, paring for the opening reception of “Quilting Our Personal warmth and community from the walls. Shirley Beckwith, another member of Expressions,” an upcoming JCAL exhibit. QNQ’s founder, Diane Pryor-Holland, QNQ, shared her inspiration. “I’m new to quilting,” she said. “I’m elucidates a direct connection between the

Black History Month Celebration

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Labor Day/Back to School Sidewalk Sale..............................................Sept. 4-7 Columbus Day Sidewalk Sale ............. October 9-12 Ridgewood Seneca & Catalpa Ave. Stroll .. October 24 Fall Sidewalk Sale ......................... November 25-29 Small Business Saturday ....................November 28 Holiday Sale...................................... December 4-24

STREET FESTIVALS ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD, GAMES, RIDES & MORE!

SPRING STREET FESTIVAL Sunday, April 19th (on Myrtle Ave from Wyckoff Ave to Forest Ave.)

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*Watch for other events at our plazas throughout the year!

Visit the New Ridgewood website: www.ridgewood-ny.com Myrtle Avenue BID Store Directory • About the BID • BID News • Calendar For more information, call the Myrtle Avenue BID at 718-381-7974

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inspired by color … one of the quilts was inspired by my great-grandmother … So when I think of family I think of my

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SIDEWALK SALE DAYS & EVENTS: Spring Sidewalk Sale ...........................March 19-22 Easter Sidewalk Sale ...................................April 2-5 Mother’s Day Sidewalk Sale ...................... May 7-10 Memorial Day Sale .................................. May 22-25 Father’s Day Sidewalk Sale ................... June 18-21 Make Music New York ..................................June 21 Fourth of July Sidewalk Sale .......................July 2-5 Ridgewood Youth Market .......July 11-November 21 Summer Sidewalk Sale .............. July 30 - August 2

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

A recreation of a Civil War-era pup tent that would have been used by the 26th United States Colored Troops is on display until Feb. 21. On the cover: a diorama by artist Ludger Balan and PHOTOS BY DORAN MILLER-ROSENBERG a quilt depicting African-American icon Robert Smalls.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Page 43 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 44

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COMMUNITY Lunar New Year at Queens Library. Several branches celebrate Lunar New Year with cultural crafts and activities. Floral arranging: Fri., Feb. 13, 1-3 p.m., North Hills branch, 57-04 Marathon Pkwy., Little Neck. Chinese calligraphy demonstration: Sun., Feb. 15, 1-4 p.m., Flushing branch, 41-17 Main St., Flushing. Celebration with stories, crafts, music, a lion dance and treats, ages 6-12: Central Library Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Discovery Center, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica. Tickets distributed at 3:30 p.m., a half-hour before, Wed., Feb. 18, 4-5 p.m. ASPCA mobile unit dog & cat spay/neuter clinics. Petland Discounts, 147-17 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica. Sun., Feb. 15, begins at 7 a.m. Info: petlanddiscounts.com. Animal Care & Control Mobile Adoption Center, hosted by City Councilman Paul Vallone. Fri., Feb. 20, 1-5 p.m., outside of Valloneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s District Office, 42-40 Bell Blvd., Bayside. Info: district19@council.nyc.gov. English Conversation Club: Improve your grammar and pronunciation talking about holidays, cooking, shopping, art, music, family and other topics of interest with Lucette and Arline. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Mon., Feb. 23. Free. School-age kids welcome in Reading Room during club. Douglaston/Little Neck Library, 249-01 Northern Blvd., Little Neck. Info: (718) 225-8414, queenslibrary.org/events. Free Dental Day, a day of no-cost preventative dental care for new adult and child patients. Fri., Feb. 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Steinway Family Dental Center, 32-50 Steinway St., Astoria. Info: alldentalneeds.com.

Tickets Start at $15! Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. Subject to availability. Pricing varies by performance.

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Free immigration services. First and third Wed. of each month, City Councilmember Elizabeth Crowleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s district office, 71-19 80 St., Glendale. Make appt. for help with naturalization and deferred action for childhood arrivals. All services are confidential and open to the public. Info: (718) 366-3900. Ballroom dancing lessons by instructor Jing Chen. Beginner to advanced, Forest Hills Library, 108-19 71 Ave., 6:30-7:30 p.m., every Monday. Free. Info: (718) 268-7934, queenslibrary.org/events.

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Job fair hosted by Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, City Councilman Rory Lancman and the Bangladeshi American Advocacy Group. Thurs., Feb. 19, 11 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Tolentine Hall, St. Nicholas of Tolentine R.C. Church, 150-75 Goethals Ave., Jamaica. Info: celiadosamantes@gmail.com, (646) 852-7758.

RINB-066034

Queens County Bird Club Presentation: Rick Wright presents a tour of the earliest literature of the toucans, aracaris and other big-nosed birds of the American tropics, Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston, Wed., Feb. 18, 8 p.m. Free. Info: qcbirdclub.org. Chautauqua in Astoria: Participants chose a figure from New York history, write a 20-minute script and learn how to present their material to live audiences, Greater Astoria Historical Society at QED, 27-16 23 Ave., Astoria, Thurs., Feb. 19, 7 p.m. Info: (718) 278-0700, astorialic.org. Defensive driving course, for insurance and point reduction, sponsored by the National Safety Council. American Martyrs Parish, 79-43 Bell Blvd., Bayside, Sat., Feb. 21, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $45. Info/reg.: (631) 360-9720. Free English classes for Spanish speakers, every Sat., South Asian Center, 72-26 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights. All levels available. Register: (646) 727-7821. Watercolor classes, National Art League, 44-21 Douglaston Pkwy., Douglaston, Wed., 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. All techniques, beginner to advanced. Call: (718) 969-1128.

FLEA MARKETS Richmond Hill, 117-09 Hillside Ave., every Sun., 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Largest flea market in Queens. St. Benedict the Moor Church, Merrick Blvd. at 110th Ave., Jamaica, every Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Vendors welcome. Call: (718) 332-0026.

MEETINGS AARP meetings, open to the general public: Chapter 1405, Flushing, Bowne Street Community Church, 143-11 Roosevelt Ave., 1st and 3rd Mon. each month, 1 p.m; Chapter 2889, Maspeth, American Legion Hall, 66-28 Grand Ave., meets 1st and 3rd Wed. each month, noon; contact: (718) 672-9890; Chapter 4163, Ozone Park, Christ Lutheran Community Center, 85-15 101 Ave., meets last Tue. each month, noon. United Forties Civic Association, Thurs., Feb. 19, 7 p.m., St. Teresaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parish Center, 50-20 45 St., Woodside.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

CLASSES

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Healthy Nutrition,â&#x20AC;? a presentation by Mary Ann Rosa, R.N., Tues., Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m. and Great American Songbook: Singing classic songs by Sal Armeo, Wed., Feb. 25, 1:15 p.m. Both at the Howard Beach Senior Center, 15555 Crossbay Blvd., Howard Beach across from Waldbaumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Info: (718) 738-8100.

Italian for Beginners, every Tue., 7-9 p.m., 10-week course. $60. Dance with Instruction, every Mon. and Fri., 7:15-8:15 p.m. $10. Italian Charities of America, 83-20 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst. Contact: (718) 478-3100.

Senior Theater Acting Repertory group, Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St. Fridays, 11 a.m. Older adults invited to join STAR and perform theater at the library. Info: queenslibrary. org, (718) 776-0800.

C M SQ page 45 Y K

King Crossword Puzzle

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and glance at me.” The effect, heavy with broad strokes of emotion, reinforces how viewers cannot get the whole picture of what each woman goes through. The dance between material mainstream society and a moral under tow is also explored. In one video, monks discuss Western art. In another, Rasdjarmrearnsook watches an opulent Thai soap opera-like program in a barren white room alongside two of her Q dogs.

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continued from from page page 00 41 prints, sound, sculpture, found objects such as bandages and dog hair collected in 21 glass jars, is intriguing, elegiac and disorienting. The 14 videos operating simultaneously around the exhibit can cause overwhelming feelings in trying to decipher what’s going on. But, perhaps this is Rasdjarmrearnsook’s way of elucidating the difficulty in truly understanding the perspectives of these marginalized subjects. The exhibit might make less open visitors feel thrown off, confused, or even frightened. A particularly intense part of the exhibit is a rear room playing three projected films of female mental hospital patients. They speak about their lives simultaneously. The women are blurred, to obscure their identities — though one can surmise their identities are unclear to begin with. Captions that flash across three fuzzy screens make it hard to grasp all three stories at once. “I have no father and no mother,” one woman says. “I only have my grandmother.” “They don’t accept me as their daughter,” another one says. “You met a girl of higher rank and forgot about me,” says a third woman, her blurred frame slouched over. “You don’t even turn

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 46

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Page 47 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

PETE’S PAINTING

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 48

SQ page 48

Chronicle CLASSIFIEDS To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

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1656 STEPHEN ST. LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 12/2/14. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Eaton & Van Winkle LLP, Attn: Robert N. Swetnick, Esq., 3 Park Ave., 16th Fl., NY, NY 10016. General Purposes.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: COMMERCIAL FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/10/2014. 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 THE LLC, C/O MR. SCOTT LOVETRO, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

420 CLINTON STREET LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/13/15. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Joseph Mattone, Esq., Mattone Mattone Mattone LLP, 134-01 20th Avenue, College Point, NY 11356. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: DFWCOMP, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/02/2014. 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 JAROSLAW PAZDRO, 6453 MADISON STREET, FLOOR 2, RIDGEWOOD, NY 11385. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 66-76 FRESH POND ROAD, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/22/14. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 3 Timber Dr., N. Caldwell, NJ 07006. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: IDA DESIGN LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/02/2015. 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 IDA DESIGN LLC, 29-09 137TH STREET, 1G, FLUSHING, NY 11354. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

9039 MK Realty Group LLC Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/11/14. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail process to 1393 N Jerusalem Rd, East Meadow, NY 11554. Purpose: General.

Notice is hereby given that an on-premises liquor license, #1283301, has been applied for by IRENE CORP for on-premises consumption under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 16216 UNION TPKE., FLUSHING, NY 11366.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: BALCOM 390 LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/29/2014. 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 THE LLC, 13614 NORTHERN BLVD., APT. 2F, FLUSHING, NY 11354. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Kayam Cab LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/20/15. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Aharon Kayam, 67-48 198th Street, Flushing, NY 11365. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Page 49 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

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SQ page 50

LEGAL NOTICES To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

LASTCO 28-28/30 STEINWAY LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/20/14. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 30-32 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY 11103. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice is hereby given that an on-premises liquor license, #1283443, has been applied for by MINH AND JIMMY COMPANY INC. For on-premises consumption under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 84-20 37TH AVE., JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY 11372.

LEGACY INSULATION LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 12/5/14. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC, 83-40 72nd Dr., Glendale, NY 11385. General Purposes.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: MK INSIGHTS, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/12/2014. 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 UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC., 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 202, BROOKLYN, NY 11228. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

LIVING CITY PROPERTY GROUP LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/2/2015. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 1554 146th St., Whitestone, NY 11357, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qual. of Cadre Astoria 21-81 38th LLC, Auth. filed Sec’y of State (SSNY) on 1/6/15. Office loc: Queens County. LLC org. in DE 1/5/15. SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom proc. against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of proc. to 666 Fifth Ave., 15th Fl., NY, NY 10103. Reg. Agt. upon whom proc. may be served is NRAI, 111 Eighth Ave., NY, NY 10011. DE office addr.: 160 Greentree Dr., Ste. 101, Dover, DE 19904. Cert. of Form. on file: SSDE, Townsend Bldg., Dover, DE 19901. Purp: any lawful activities.

LUCKY ARNOLD LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 1/14/15. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to De Sena & De Sena, 9611 101st Ave., Ozone Park, NY 114162521. General Purposes.

Notice of Qual. of Sun and Fun Florida Condo Rentals LLP, Auth. filed Sec’y of State (SSNY) on 11/10/14. Office loc: Queens County. LLP org. in NV 6/23/14. SSNY desig. as agent of LLP upon whom proc. against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of proc. to c/o Hart & Assoc., 31-01 Vernon Blvd., Astoria, NY 11106. NV office addr.: 1445 American Pacific Dr., Henderson, NV 89074. Cert. of LP on file: SSNV, 202 N. Carson St., Carson City, NV 89701. Purp: any lawful activities.

MARIC 1867 LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/4/14. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 19-53 46th St. Astoria, NY 11105. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: NOURISH PULSE, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/19/2014. 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 EMILY MOORE, 75 ASCAN AVE., FOREST HILLS, NY 11375. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWABS, INC., ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-4, Plaintiff, vs. any unknown heirs to the Estate of JAMES FEARON, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, creditors, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest, as well as the respective heirs at law, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest of the aforesaid classes of persons, if they or any of them be dead, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff; Defendants. Filed: 2/4/15 Index No.: 18457/11 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND NOTICE Mortgaged Premises: 194-17 116th Road Saint Albans, (City of New York) NY, 11412 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of: Mortgage bearing the date of April 7, 2007, executed by James Fearon to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as nominee for Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. to secure the sum of $441,000.00, and interest, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Queens County on April 30, 2007 in CRFN: 2007000223202. That Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as nominee for Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. duly assigned said Note and Mortgage to THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-4 by Assignment dated July 1, 2011 and recorded on September 13, 2011 in the Office of the Clerk of Queens County in CRFN 2011000324558. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the County in which the Mortgaged Premises is situated. Block: 11065 Lot: 58 DATED: January 29, 2015 Rochester, New York NOTICE: YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the Mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your Mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DAVIDSON FINK LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 28 East Main Street, Suite 1700 Rochester, New York 14614 Tel: (585) 760-8218 WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. SCHEDULE A: LEGAL DESCRIPTION ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Queens, City and State of New York known and designated as Lot 26 and 27 in Block 19 on map entitled, “Map of property at Hollis 4th ward, Borough of Queens, New York City surveyed and drawn November 1907, by Thompkins and Lenter, surveyor and Engineer and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on May 29, 1912 as Map # 892 (New Map# 1775) more particularly bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point on the northerly side of 116th Road, Distant 160 feet easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly side of 116th Road and the easterly side of 194th Street; Running Thence northerly parallel with 194th Street 100 feet; Thence easterly parallel with 116th Road 40 feet; Thence southerly again parallel with 194th Street 100 feet to the northerly side of 116th Road; Thence westerly along the northerly side of 116th Road 40 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING.

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Index No.: 13847-13 Date of Filing: November 14, 2014 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF QUEENS JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, -against- LAURO RENE PINOS, if living, or if either or all be dead, their wives, husbands, heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, assignees, lienors and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said LAURO RENE PINOS, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, of any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and the respective husbands, wives, widow or widowers of them, if any, all of whose names are unknown to plaintiff; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; STATE OF NEW YORK; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; “JOHN DOES” and “JANE DOES”, said names being fictitious, parties intended being possible tenants or occupants of premises, and corporations, other entities or persons who claim, or may claim, a lien against the premises, Defendants. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorney(s) within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service, where service is made by delivery upon you personally within the State, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner, and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable Janice A. Taylor of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, signed on January 28, 2014, and filed with supporting papers in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens, State of New York. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by LAURO RENE PINOS to OPTION ONE MORTGAGE CORPORATION, in the principal amount of $562,500.00, which mortgage was recorded in Queens County, State of New York, on November 4, 2005, as CRFN 2005000618273. Thereafter said mortgage was assigned to WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA by assignment of mortgage dated March 16, 2007 and recorded on May 17, 2007 in CRFN 2007000258467. A second mortgage from LAURO RENE PINOS to WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA was made on March 23, 2007 and recorded in CRFN 2007000258468 in the County of Queens on May 17, 2007. Said mortgages were thereafter consolidated by agreement dated March 23, 2007, and recorded in the County of Queens on May 17, 2007 in CRFN 2007000258469, creating a single lien in the amount of $570,000.00. JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is successor by merger to WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA and therefore the plaintiff is the real party in interest. Said premises being known as and by 32-18 GREENPOINT AVENUE, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101. Date: November 12, 2014, Batavia, New York Virginia C. Grapensteter, Esq. ROSICKI, ROSICKI & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorneys for Plaintiff Batavia Office 26 Harvester Avenue, Batavia, NY 14020 585.815.0288 Help For Homeowners In Foreclosure New York State Law requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully. Mortgage foreclosure is a complex process. Some people may approach you about “saving” your home. You should be extremely careful about any such promises. The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. There are government agencies, legal aid entities and other non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about foreclosure while you are working with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANKNYS (1-877-226-5697) or visit the Department’s website at www.banking. state.ny.us. The State does not guarantee the advice of these agencies.

SQ page 51

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RNR GUYS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/08/2015. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 97-45 Drew St, Ozone Park, NY 11416. Rge Agent: Shaharia Rahman, 97-45 Drew St., Ozone Park, NY 11416. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

SUKI REALTY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/6/2014. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Zraick Nahas & Rich, 303 5th Ave., Ste. 1201, NY, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Principal business location: 25-59 Francis Lewis Blvd., Flushing, NY 11358.

Notice of Formation of NYCBCH, LLC, Art. of Org. filed with Sec’y of State (SSNY) on 11/7/14. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Michael Lagudis, 44-20 Francis Lewis Blvd., Flushing, NY 11358. Purpose: any lawful activities.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: SANITIZE-IT LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/25/14. 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 UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC., 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 202, BROOKLYN, NY 11228. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of W 129 LLC. Articles of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/29/2015. Office located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to: Ridgewood Realty Group LLC, 451 Seneca Ave., Apts. For Rent Ridgewood, NY 11385. Purpose: Any lawful activity or purpose. Howard Beach, 1,200/sq ft, 3 lg

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: POLITAN GROUP, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/05/2015. Office location: New York 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 WANTING FENG, 21528 47TH AVE., #2A, BAYSIDE, NY 11361. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: SELL BY CODE PROPERTIES, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/08/14. 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 CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ, 87-09 34TH AVENUE, SUITE 4D, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY 11372. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

W & B PROSPERITY REALTY LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 11/5/14. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Bei Ye Lin, 248-37 Thornhill Ave., Douglaston, NY 11362. General Purposes.

QLAB SOLUTIONS, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/16/14. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to C/O Libo Qiu 42-18 162nd St 2nd Fl Flushing, NY 11358. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SHIMBO II LLC Articles of Org. Filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on Dec. 11, 2014. Office in Queens Co. SSNY Desig Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 39-07 Prince Street, Ste 5D, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: Any lawful purpose or activity.

RIVER BING LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 9/30/14. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the Registered Agent: Incorp Services, Inc. 99 Washington Ave, Ste. 805-A Albany, NY 12210. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 12/19/2014, bearing Index Number NC-001045-14/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) SOPHIE (Middle) QINGNING (Last) XU. My present name is (First) QINGNING (Last) XU AKA QING NING XU. My present address is 5636 136th Street, Flushing, NY 11355-5029. My place of birth is CHINA. My date of birth is May 18, 1964.

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 212306-7500. The Queens Chronicle reserves the right to alter wording in ads to conform with Federal Fair Housing regulations.

BRs, 2 new baths. New light fixtures, stove, DW, kit cabinets. LR, DR, HW fls. Roomy closets. Near JFK, School District 27, close to St. Helen Catholic School, church & synagogue. $2,220/mo, immed occupancy. Call broker Peter 516-445-4134 or e-mail: peternk13@hotmail.com

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op Garden apt located on 1st Fl, entrance right in the middle of beautiful courtyard. 5 rooms, 3 BR, updated kit & bath, hardwood fls throughout, owners motivated! Asking $179,999.00. For appointments or for any Real Estate related questions please contact: Marly Gurino Associate broker, cell 917-838-5893 or by email MarlyGurino@gmail.com

Open House Howard Beach, Sun 2/15, 12-2pm, 98-01 165 Ave. 3 BR, 2 bath Colonial on 50x100, complete renovation. Asking $599K. DeNiro Realty, 917-892-9558 Our Classifieds Reach Over 400,000 Readers. Call 718-2058000 to advertise.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: NURATIK, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/06/2014. 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 C/O UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC., 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 202, BROOKLYN, NY 11228. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Page 51 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015

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Playing to the whistle: Tom Pugh steps down Holy Cross football coach calls it quits after 42 years on the sideline by Christopher Barca

When asked what he planned to do with his newfound time off, he said he wasn’t sure. It’s the end of an era at Holy Cross High But he did know what he had no plans of doing ever again. School in Bayside. “I know I won’t be eating chicken sandAfter spending the last 42 years of his life patrolling the sidelines, New York City high wiches at Dunkin’ Donuts across the street at school sports icon Tom Pugh is stepping 9 p.m. at night,” he said. “That’s for sure.” He also had no interest in any possible cerdown as head coach of the Knights’ varsity emony the school might hold in his honor. football team. “I’m not going,” he said jokingly. “I’m a “You walk away when you feel it’s time,” Pugh told the Chronicle in a phone interview k ids g uy. T hat k i nd of st uf f, I get embarrassed.” on Monday. “Don’t wait too long.” While he won’t miss the daily grind, Pugh The legendary signal caller is retiring after one of the more storied coaching careers in did confess he would miss the competitiveness football brings out in him, as well as the the borough’s history. In his tenure at the Bayside school, where rivalries Holy Cross maintains with high he will retain his position as a guidance coun- schools such as St. Anthony’s and Chaminade selor, Pugh recorded 215 career victories, won in Nassau County. As a young man, Pugh played football at the New York Catholic High School Football League championship in 1977, has coached Elmont High School and at Emporia State dozens of players who went on to enjoy suc- University in Kansas. He went on to coach for cessful collegiate and professional careers four years with Chaminade as an assistant and was elected to the Catholic High School before becoming the head coach of Holy Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame, among Cross in 1973. He was offered multiple positions with other accomplishments. Pugh said the decision to step down from other high school and college programs over the position he’s had so much success in has the last few decades, but he always declined been lingering in his mind for the last two to prevent uprooting his family. “It would have taken a couple of tractor years, but the continuous hard work and dayto-day duties associated with being a coach trailers to pull me out of there,” he said. Since the school announced he was retiring made him realize it was time to hang up the in a release last Friday, Pugh said he’s whistle. “It’s a long grind. And that has more to do received countless phone calls, texts and with it than anything else,” he said. “But for- emails from past players wishing him well. “I can’t even tell you how many phone get the coaching, it’s the dealing with parents, the press and being vice president of the [New calls and emails I’ve gotten from guys from York Catholic High School Football League]. the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s,” he said. “It’s amazing how many guys I’ve heard from.” It’s a lot of work.” Despite all of his success, Pugh says none of that matters to him. It’s all about the success of his players both on the field and in the game of life. “I ca n’t remember what I had for breakfast, but I remember what my players did,” he said. “These are the best kids ever.” Pugh said he’ll always be rooting for his kids from the stands come the fall, but he’ll keep his distance from the team. “Once the season gets going, I won’t be anywhere near practice,” he said. “I’ll let coaches coach. But I’ll be watching from the crowd.” The Bayside school Holy Cross High School head football coach Tom Pugh, center, pictured with former and current players of his, announced his retirement has yet to name Pugh’s Q PHOTO COURTESY HOLY CROSS replacement. after 42 years on the sidelines last Friday. Associate Editor

RM WARNING by Christopher Barca

PHOTO BY ST.JOHN’S ATHLETICS

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 12, 2015 Page 52

SQ page 52

hen a team is st r uggl i ng, like St. John’s has b e e n i n r e c e nt weeks, arguably the best way to build some confidence and get some momentum going is to blow out an inferior opponent. Just look at my New England Patriots for example. They looked relatively terrible through their first four games this season, culminating in a humiliating evisceration at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs. So after a week of questions about Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady’s job security and the like, the Patriots used the Cincinnati Bengals as a piñata the next Sunday, blowing them out 43-17. And we all know how this past NFL season turned out for New England. To borrow a line from my brother, a faithful citizen of Patriots Nation himself, I still replay Malcolm Butler’s Super Bowl-winning interception in my head about 800 times a day. Now, I’m not necessarily comparing St. John’s to the most dominant football franchise of my lifetime. Just that maybe last Saturday’s home game against Creighton, the bottom feeder of the Big East conference, can be the Red Storm’s version of the Bengals. The Johnnies must be readers of my column, because after I ripped them last week for not matching the importance of each game with a proper level of intensity, the Red Storm mauled the Bluejays 84-66 at Madison Square Garden, with St. John’s, who now sits at 15-8 and 4-6 in the Big East, sealing the all-important victory by halftime. “It was a spirited effort and a win that we needed to have,” head coach Steve Lavin said after the game. “I just think our kids really played well. Tonight, we made shots.” And made shots they did. The Red Storm tickled the twine relentlessly in the first half, shooting 66 percent from the field and nailing seven of 12 threepoint attempts on their way to a stunning 52-point stanza. I would say the Johnnies kicked it into fifth gear, but they came out with the pedal

to the medal, finally playing with a sense of urgency that’s been missing since the calendar flipped to 2015. And no one was hotter in the first half than sophomore Rysheed Jordan, who drilled five shots from beyond the arc on his way to 19 points in as many minutes, while also grabbing three rebounds and distributing three assists. “It’s hard to guard him when he’s hitting shots and dunking the ball,” star senior D’Angelo Harrison said. “Everyone ended up playing well and we fed off his energy.” Creighton, which surprisingly beat St. John’s in Nebraska on Jan. 28, had absolutely no answer. Coach Greg McDermott said he deployed a multitude of defenses to try to slow the Storm down, but to no avail. “It didn’t matter whether we were trying to go man-to-man or 2-3 zone a couple of possessions,” McDermott said, “they hit jump shots against that as well. “Jordan was outstanding,” he continued. “He was without question the best player on the floor today.” The sophomore guard definitely had the flashiest game, ending with a game- and career-high 25 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists, but Harrison had yet another tremendous contest. The senior, in his third-to-last regular season home game at the Garden as a member of the Red Storm, finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and zero turnovers. He’s battled calf and shoulder injuries for much of the last month, but he says he’s 100 percent healthy and that became pretty obvious on Saturday. There’s zero chance the Red Storm do anything special this year without him, and it looks like Harrison is in for a big last month of the regular season. No one wants to win more than this kid. Speaking of injuries, center Chris Obekpa played just six seconds against Creighton. He was benched for the first half for intentionally elbowing an opponent last week before spraining an ankle in the second half. Lavin said his status is probable for Wednesday’s scheduled tilt against DePaul, and he should be good to go for Saturday’s road contest against Xavier.

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BEAT

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

SPORTS

MidVille’s floral royalty

Nets: prognosis negative

by Ron Marzlock

by Lloyd Carroll

Chronicle Contributor

Florist Row was a section of Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village opposite the cemeteries that boomed for more than 60 years starting in the late 19th century, as f lowers were the proper way of honoring and respecting the families of the deceased. The Siedentopf, Gamper and Haufe families all had a piece of this lucrative business, but one of the Wackenhut Florist, circa 1910. Note the flags: Was it biggest players was the Wackenhut the Fourth of July or another holiday? family, who emigrated to Middle Village in the 1800s. They were devout thriving, siblings Fred, George and ElizaLutherans who were active in Trinity beth opened another at 72-19 Metropolitan. Lutheran Church — note the cross next to Their cousins Christian and Lottie Wackenhut sold out of their property at 69-26 66 their name on the storefront in the photo. George (b. 1865) and Elizabeth (b. 1867) Road, where they had gardens on the adjoinWackenhut had six children, three boys and ing lots. And a directory of florists from three girls: Charlotte (b. 1893), Martha (b. 1900 lists an F. Wackenhut and Sons in Mid1896), Elizabeth (b. 1897), Frederick (b. dle Village, but does not include the address. The last Wackenhut property to fall was 1890), Henry (b. 1894) and George (b. 1895). Their shop at 66-64 Metropolitan Ave., the spot where George had his greenhouses seen here, flourished. But it was taken down at 66-41 69 St. Today it’s home to the Vilwith all the other stores on the block in 1974 lage Mews condos, one of which recently when construction started on the Metro sold for $440,000. Sadly, the Wackenhut empire has come to Mall, originally called Robert Hall Village. Q Decades earlier, while the store was an end in Middle Village.

HB y t l a e R

While the Knicks’ poor record this season, combined with the arrival of president/general manger/savior Phil Jackson have made them a daily backpage story, the Nets’ disappointing season has largely gone under the radar. In many ways the Nets have bigger problems. GM Billy King badly mortgaged their future by trading for veteran Joe Johnson in 2012 and for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry in June 2013. The result was that the Atlanta Hawks, who have the best record in the NBA’s Eastern conference, and the rebuilding Boston Celtics basically have the Nets’ top draft picks for four out of five upcoming years. Garnett still can play; unfortunately he can only do so in small batches of minutes at a time in a game. Pierce only played a year for the Nets before leaving as a free agent for the Washington Wizards while Terry, once one of the most feared three-point shooters in the league, lost his touch once he wore a Nets uniform and was dealt to the Sacramento Kings. I asked King at the time if he was concerned about mortgaging the future by trading a lot of tomorrow for a very small window of opportunity today when he made the deal in June 2013. King concurred with that assessment but also stated that he felt Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov would not be hampered by such

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pedestrian concerns as budgets or NBA salary caps. Of course back then the ruble was strong, as were Russian oil prices. Things haven’t been so rosy, however, in Putin-land since the Red Army attacked Ukraine. In retrospect, King’s headline-grabbing trade with the Boston Celtics now looks as smart as Seattle Seahawks’ head coach Pete Carroll’s decision to pass on the Patriots’ one-yard line with 20 seconds to go in the Super Bowl. I finally got to watch the Islanders play in person for the first time this season two weeks ago, venturing back to Philadelphia on a bonechilling night to see them defeat the Flyers 3-2 in a shootout as Cal Clutterbuck was able to put a shot past Philadelphia goalie Steve Mason. This was a big game as the Islanders had lost three straight. It sure looked as if the hockey gods weren’t going to be kind to them that night as Mason stopped countless Josh Bailey breakaway shots. The Isles found themselves down 2-0 midway through the second period even though they had outshot the Flyers by a wide disparity. In an indication that these aren’t the same old Islanders, the guys rallied to tie it up by the time the second period ended. They kept their composure and Isles goalie Jaroslav Halak kept Q the Flyers scoreless the rest of the way. See the extended version of Sports Beat every week at qchron.com.

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Nutrition, Health and Fitness Programs

are speciﬁcally designed to meet the physiological needs of adolescent and pre-adolescent bodies, in a fun, exciting environment. Members and their parents report improved academic and athletic performance, positive social behavior, increased self-esteem and healthy weight management.

Unlimited Classes for as low as $70 per month! Discounts on multiple sign-up.

JMP

PHYSICAL THERAPY, PC Dr. John M. Pantaleo 718-641-8700 JMPphysicaltherapy.com We Accept Most Insurance Programs. Let us help you with your Worker’s Compensation cases.

718-845 - GOLD (4653) 157-05 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach, NY 11414

THE AUTHORITY SINCE 1965