Queens Chronicle South Edition 02-15-18 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. XLI

NO. 7

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018

QCHRON.COM

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-TED BUS PHOTO BY ANTHONY O’REILLY

SBS ticketing to start soon; some changes made to route PAGES 8, 10 AND 12

“Bus Only” will no longer be a warning starting Feb. 20, as the Department of Transportation announced Monday that the city will start ticketing drivers caught in the Select Bus Services lanes.

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HEALTH

CINEMAGIC

CB 9 backs Hevesi’s homeless plan

FITNESS

2018 Queens World Film Festival will be bigger than ever

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New tax cuts a win for boro commerce? Some say yes; many workers at companies large and small see bigger checks by Ryan Brady Associate Editor

any say the tax bill signed by President Trump is just a gift to the biggest corporations. But in Queens, it’s not only the largest companies that are seeing positive results. Count borough native Tom Clarke as a big fan of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He’s a franchisee of Arby’s locations in Fresh Meadows and Middle Village, along with Burger Kings in Douglaston and Springfield Gardens. “The new tax law is a phenomenal thing,” he told the Chronicle. Clarke said that it’s resulted in his employees getting around $40 and $50 increases in their biweekly paychecks. Before, those funds went to government coffers. For franchisees like him in New York City, the bill is especially welcome after the minimum wage increase bill signed by Gov. Cuomo in 2016. “I will see a small increase myself, but my increase is offset with the governor’s new minimum wage laws for fast-food restaurants,” explained Clarke, a trained certified public accountant. Queens Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tom Grech said in an interview that it’s not exactly clear now what the impact of the tax bill will be on many businesses based in the borough. “Between now and Tax Day, it’s going to be a very interesting time of the year,” he said. The reduction in taxes is a relief “in an environment like New York City where everything is expensive and it’s a very hard place to do business because of the overall expenses,” Grech explained. But he added that the new law’s limiting of

Many in President Trump’s home borough are taking home more in their paychecks because of the tax bill he signed in PHOTO COURTESY WHITE HOUSE December. state and local tax deductions will result in many throughout Queens having to pay more to the government. “I won’t know until my accountant does my taxes,” said Scott Gramlich, owner of SNG Custom Sound in Douglaston. He doesn’t have high hopes for the tax legislation over the long-term. “For eight years, everyone will probably be happy

and then after that, there will be a lot of crying,” said Gramlich, who added that he has heard customers complain about the tax bill. Whatever happens in the future, the happiness for some is very real right now. James Corvino, the manager at the Steps clothing store in Forest Hills, says the tax bill has been a positive, and that he’s had an increase of around $100 in his own check. Depending on their hours, he explained, other employees have been taking home around $50 or $100 more in theirs. “It’s been motivating the staff a little bit,” Corvino said. “Just noticing a little difference in their take-home pay, it gives them an incentive to work harder.” The Steps manager said it’s extra good for the employees who are young and healthy and don’t have to worry about healthcare costs. For some, bringing more pay home hasn’t only been a direct result of the tax cuts. Huge corporations, many of which have employees working in Queens, announced bonuses or raises for their workers in response to the bill Trump signed. Take JetBlue. The airline — which operates at LaGuardia Airport and is based in Long Island City — announced last month that it would be giving a $1,000 bonus by the end of February to its 21,000 crew members, with the exception of executive vice presidents and CEOs. Charter Communications, which owns Spectrum, revealed on Feb. 2 that within the next year it would be paying all of its employees at least $15 an hour (many are now on strike, however). According to the Center for an Urban Future, Starbucks had continued on page 16

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Judge strikes down tax lawsuit amicus Council must use city’s top lawyer; members plan to appeal the ruling by Anthony O’Reilly Editor

A Manhattan state Supreme Court justice ruled Feb. 7 that five Council members, including two from Queens, cannot use a private attorney to file an amicus curiae brief backing a lawsuit challenging the city’s property tax system. Justice Gerald Lebovits said in a four-page decision that the members must use the city’s corporation counsel, who has already said he will not represent them, when acting in their official capacity. “Because the proposed Amici are seeking relief in their official capacity, they may not use anyone but the Corporation Counsel to represent them,” Lebovits wrote. The members plan to appeal the ruling. “We are currently weighing our options, but we are in support of an appeal of the latest ruling by the judge,” Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton), one of the lawmakers to sign on to the brief, said in an emailed statement last Friday. And they have the support of their leader — Cou nci l Sp e a ke r Corey Joh n son (D-Manhattan). “The Speaker is disappointed with the decision and supports the Council Members’ pursuit of an appeal,” Robin Levine, the speaker’s communications director, said in an emailed statement last Friday. Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) also signed on to the brief but did not immediately respond to a request for comment on

A state Supreme Court Justice ruled that five City Council members, including two from Queens, cannot use a private attorney to back a lawsuit challenging the city’s property tax system. FILE PHOTO the judge’s ruling. Tax Equity Now NY, a group headed by former state Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman and Bloomberg administration Finance Commissioner Martha Stark, last year filed a lawsuit against the city alleging the system for taxing properties varies by neighborhoods and has a racial bias that violates the Fair Housing Act. For example, people in minority areas, like Southeast Queens, often pay more than those in more well-to-do neighborhoods, like Park

Slope, according to the plaintiff’s website. The plaintiffs aren’t seeking any direct monetary relief for homeowners, but rather are asking the court to change the way properties are assessed and taxed. Richards, Ulrich and three other Council members in November filed an amicus brief in September, a move that was challenged by the city’s Law Department. Jason Adolfo Otaño, general counsel for the City Council, said in a November motion

that not allowing the members to file the brief would “constitute an impermissible encroachment of the executive branch on the legislative branch.” But Lebovits disagreed, citing a 1991 ruling that stated “only the Corporation Counsel may represent a city official seeking relief in an official capacity,” which includes “a member of the City Council.” The Council members may only use a private attorney if acting in their individual capacities and not as lawmakers. The only exception to that is “where there is a void in representation created by the Corporation Counsel’s disqualification from representation because of, for example, conflict of interest, fraud, collusion, corruption or incompetence.” Lebovits said the Council members did not “claim a Corporation Counsel-created conflict of interest or a void in representation that in some cases might justify independent representation of City Council members.” Nick Paolucci, a spokesman for the city Law Department, said in an emailed statement, “We are not opposed to the effort by these council members to be heard on this important issue to the extent that they represent their views as individuals and not as city officials representing the legal position of the City of New York. Under the City Charter, the responsibility for representing the official position of the City in litigation is vested soleQ ly in the Corporation Counsel.”

Illegal units in house where fatal fire occurred by Anthony O’Reilly

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Editor

The Richmond Hill house that caught on fire, killing one person, last Thursday has a history of illegal conversions and multiple failed attempts to vacate the people living in the units, according to the Department of Buildings and public records. The DOB’s website states there are 37 open Environmental Control Board violations on the property, located at 86-81 102 St., and 29 complaints filed by residents or city officials. An agency spokeswoman said a partial vacate order was first issued on the house in 2008 when inspectors found the cellar had been illegally converted into an apartment. The owner at the time also was cited for turning a two-family house into a three-family and doing electrical, gas and plumbing work with no permit. But the orders were ignored and inspectors found people living in the cellar during several follow-up visits, the spokeswoman said. In 2012, the DOB found the property had been turned into a five-family home, three

more than the zoning allows for, and another vacate order was issued but still ignored. Ines Parra was one of the tenants living in one of the illegal units — according to published reports, she was on the second floor. Parra, 48, was found dead after a fire broke out at the house Feb. 8 just after 11 p.m. Fire officials believe the blaze was set off by a hot plate. The fire caused a partial collapse of the roof, according to the DOB, which put a full vacate order on it and ordered the site sealed off from the public. The New York Daily News said Parra and her husband were in Queens Housing Court that morning fighting an eviction. The News said three of the five tenants had moved out of the building since its landlord, Mohammed Islam, purchased it in October and the two were the only ones left. “It’s very unfortunate and I feel very sorry for her,” Islam told the paper. One person who used to live in the building told reporters Parra lived in a unit that had a bedroom and bathroom and would Q wash dishes in their toilet bowl.

There were several complaints of illegally converted units at the Richmond Hill home where PHOTO BY ANTHONY O’REILLY one person was found dead following a fire last Thursday.

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CB 9 backs Hevesi’s homeless proposal Assemblyman hopes to get the plan approved, despite Cuomo’s opposition by Anthony O’Reilly Editor

Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills) said Tuesday he’s gotten multiple community boards, fellow Assembly members, state senators, city officials and more to support his $450 million plan to replace city and state rental supplements with a single statewide one. But there is one, very important person who does not back it — Gov. Cuomo. “He doesn’t like it because it spends money,” Hevesi said. But the assemblyman is hoping to gain enough support to “go over” Cuomo. On Tuesday, he earned another partner — the members of Community Board 9, who voted to back the plan. “We think it’s great,” said Marian Molina, chairwoman of the board’s Health and Social Services Committee. Hevesi proposed the plan, called Home Stability Support, last year but it was not included in the budget approved by Cuomo and leaders of the Assembly and Senate in April. He’s hoping to get lucky the second time around. “We’re trying to get it done,” he said. The bill is being carried in the higher chamber by Independent Democratic Conference Leader state Sen. Jeff K lein

(D-Bronx, Westchester). More than 30 Council members back the idea, as do Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Letitia James and Mayor de Blasio. “Except de Blasio is like the kiss of death up in Albany,” Hevesi said. “I’ve told him that. He asked, ‘What can I do to help?’ I told him, ‘Well don’t tell anyone you’re in

support of it.’” The original plan, released in late 2016, would fund HSS through federal and state dollars — but following the election of President Trump, who has sought to cut social services programs, only the state will be involved, Hevesi said. The program, which would be phased in

Still no long-term NFIP reauthorization

R. Hill man charged in fatal home invasion

Schumer ‘actively’ involved in talks

Jonathan Jackson arrested in California

by Anthony O’Reilly Editor

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Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi on Tuesday pitched his Home Stability Support plan to Community Board 9, which unanimously voted to support the idea. The panel also approved the co-naming PHOTO BY ANTHONY O’REILLY of a street corner in honor of Maria Thomson.

over the course of five years, is targeted to keep families at risk of becoming homeless in their homes, and give some in the shelter system the opportunity to move out. Asked whether seniors or veterans might benefit from HSS, Hevesi said his focus is at-risk families. “We’re doing triage,” he said. The city is in the middle of the worst homeless crisis since the Great Depression — the Department of Homeless Services said there were 60,754 people in shelters as of Feb. 12. In other news, the board unanimously voted to support co-naming the northeast corner of Jamaica Avenue and Forest Parkway “Maria Thomson Way,” in honor of the longtime board member and late Woodhaven civic leader who died after suffering a massive stroke Jan. 10. Thomson served on CB 9 for decades and was the leader of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corp. and Woodhaven Business Improvement District. Councilmen Bob Holden (D-Glendale) and Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) will carry the legislation to make the co-naming official in the City Council. Both lawmakers represent parts of Woodhaven and their districts are split by Forest Q Parkway.

Federal lawmakers once again failed to agree to a long-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program when they passed a law keeping the government open until March 23. It’s the sixth time in five months Congress has authorized a short-term extension of the program, which had lapsed for a short time both in late January when the government shut down for two days and for a few hours early Feb. 9. “Congress must use the time between now and then to move away from shortterm measures and provide a long-term reauthorization of this program,” Jon Gentile, national vice president of government relations for the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents, said in a statement. “The NFIP is a program that requires certainty.” The program provides coverage to homeowners in coastal communities like Hamilton Beach and Rockaway. If the NFIP were to lapse, real estate

deals in coastal communities that involve mortgage companies would be stalled — as they were in 2010 when the program was not renewed for four weeks. A spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said the Senate minority leader is “actively involved” in negotiations to reauthorize the NFIP. “He is also fighting for reforms to the claims process that became apparent after Sandy,” the spokeswoman said. “Senator Schumer hopes that we will have a long term extension of the NFIP in March and will continue to work with his colleagues to come to an agreement that addresses the priorities outlined here.” The House in November passed the 21st Century Flood Reform Act, which proposes increased premiums for certain homeowners, by 15 percent in some cases, and extends the NFIP for five years and seeks to reduce its more than $20 billion debt by allowing more private companies to provide coverage. The Senate has not yet voted on the legislation, which most Democrats in Q both chambers oppose.

by Anthony O’Reilly Editor

A Richmond Hill man is one of five suspects charged with allegedly breaking into two Sonoma County, Calif. homes last Thursday and killing one person, reportedly in search of marijuana. Jonathan Jackson, 19, was arrested last Friday and charged with murder, robbery, kidnapping, false imprisonment and conspiracy charges. The Queens resident and three other suspects — Tyrone Mcrae of Mississippi, Mussie Himed of California and David Ealey of Virginia — are being held without bail, Sonoma County Sheriff Sgt. Spencer Crum said in a statement. Amber Hembree, of Virginia, is also wanted in connection with the spree but at press time remained on the lam. The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa reported the perpetrators allegedly were looking for “marijuana that could be sold on the East Coast at a premium.” The group allegedly broke into a home at 6:45 a.m. Feb. 8 and shot Jose Luis

Torres multiple times, the sheriff’s office said. It’s not clear who allegedly pulled the trigger. First responders tried to revive Torres, 54, but he died of his wounds at the house, Crum’s office said. The sheriff told reporters there was evidence of marijuana cultivation and sales at the home, according to The Press Democrat, and weapons also were stolen from it. There were prior complaints of marijuana being grown at Torres’ house, the website reported. Jackson and the four others allegedly hit another house two hours prior to that one, shooting a 42-year-old man in the arm and tying up his three children while dema nd i ng ma r iju a na a nd money, Crum’s office said. There was no evidence of drugs at that house, The Press Democrat said. Jackson and two other suspects were arrested following a car crash that sent them and two others to the hospital with Q minor injuries.

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Now, in Howard Beach, NY, one doctor is helping local residents with knee pain live more active, pain-free lives. Living with knee pain can feel like a crippling experience. Let’s face it, your knees aren’t as young as you used to be, and playing with the kids or grandkids isn’t any easier either. Maybe your knee pain keeps you from walking short distances or playing golf like you used to. Nothing’s worse than feeling great mentally, but physically feeling held back from life because your knees hurt and the pain just won’t go away! My name is Dr. Robert F. Gucciardo, D.C., owner of Gucciardo Specific Chiropractic and Natural Health Center. Since we opened seventeen years ago, I’ve seen hundreds of people with knee problems leave the office pain free. If you’re suffering from these conditions, a new breakthrough in medical technology may completely eliminate your pain and help restore normal function to your knees.

Do You Have Any of the Following Conditions? • Arthritis • Knee pain • Cartilage damage • ‘Bone-on-bone’ • Tendonitis • Bursitis • Crunching and popping sounds Finally, You Have an Option Other Than Drugs or Surgery

Before the FDA would clear the Class IV laser for human use, they wanted to see proof that it worked. This lead to two landmark studies. The first study showed that patients who had laser therapy had 53 percent better improvement than those who had a placebo. The second study showed patients who used the laser therapy had less pain and more range of motion days after treatment. If the Class IV Laser can help these patients, it can help you too.

Could This Noninvasive, Natural Treatment Be the Answer to Your Knee Pain? For 10 days only, I’m running a very special offer where you can find out if you are a candidate for cold laser therapy. What does this offer include? Everything I normally do in my “Knee Pain Evaluation.” Just call before February 25, 2018 and here’s what you’ll get… • An in-depth consultation about your problem where I will listen … really listen … to the details of your case. • A complete neuromuscular examination. • A full set of specialized X-rays to determine if arthritis is contributing to your pain (if necessary). (If you have films please bring them for evaluation). • A thorough analysis of your exam and X-ray findings so we can start mapping out your plan to being pain free. • You’ll see everything firsthand and find out if this amazing treatment will be your pain solution, as it has been for so many other patients. Until February 25th, you can get everything I’ve listed here for only $37. The normal price for this type of evaluation including X-rays is $250, so you’re saving a considerable amount by taking me up on this offer. Remember what it was like before you had knee problems – when you were pain free and could enjoy everything life had to offer. It can be that way again. Don’t neglect your problem any longer – don’t wait until it’s too late.

A new treatment is helping patients with knee pain live a happier, more active lifestyle. Here’s what to do now: Due to the expected demand for this special offer, I urge you to call our office at once. The phone number is 718-845-2323. Call today and we can get started with your consultation, exam and X-rays (if necessary) as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule. Our office is called Gucciardo Specific Chiropractic and Natural Health Center and you can fi nd us at 162-07 91st Street in Howard Beach. Tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Knee Evaluation before February 25th. Sincerely, Dr. Robert F. Gucciardo, D.C. P.S. Now you might be wondering…

“Is this safe? Are there any side effects or dangers to this?” The FDA cleared the first Class IV Laser in 2002. This was after their study found 76 percent improvement in patients with severe pain. Their only warning – don’t shine it in your eyes. Of course at our office, the laser is never anywhere near your eyes and we’ll give you a comfortable pair of goggles for safety. Don’t wait and let your knee problems get worse, disabling you for life. Take me up on my offer and call today (718) 845-2323. For more information go to www.drgucciardo.com and click on the laser therapy tab.

Federal and Medicare restrictions apply. Dr. Robert F. Gucciardo Upper, Cervical Chiropractor, Master Clinician in Nutrition Response Testing 162-07 91st Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414 • (718) 845-2323

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New research in a treatment called Class IV Laser Therapy is having a profound effect on patients suffering with knee pain. Unlike the cutting type of laser seen in movies and used in medical procedures, the Class IV therapeutic laser penetrates the surface of the skin with no heating effect or damage. Laser Therapy has been tested for 40 years, had over 2000 papers published on it, and has been shown to aid in damaged tissue regeneration, decrease inflammation, relieve pain and boost the immune system. This means that there is a good chance cold laser therapy could be your knee pain solution, allowing you to live a more active lifestyle. Professional athletes like The New York Yankees and team members of the New England Patriots rely upon cold laser therapy to treat their sports-related injuries. These guys use the cold laser for one reason only…

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Page 7 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018

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P Good and bad news on the bus lane mess EDITORIAL

AGE

he Department of Transportation gave South Queens a small bit of comfort last week by allowing people once again to park on Saturdays along the curb on Cross Bay Boulevard between Liberty Avenue and the Belt Parkway. That’s a welcome relief for shoppers and employees of places like the C-Town supermarket in Ozone Park, which has been losing 10 to 15 percent of its Saturday customers ever since the DOT turned the curbside lane into one for buses only. It’s bad enough to worsen traffic and increase danger to drivers by creating bus-only lanes during rush hour so riders can shave a few minutes off their workday commutes. Having the lanes in effect on Saturdays just doesn’t make any sense. Of course, that’s the case with much of the Select Bus Service imposed on Cross Bay and Woodhaven boulevards, as this page has said all along. We’re glad the DOT listened to the public on this element of its redesign of the corridor, and we hope it will do so again on the section between Liberty and Park Lane South. Over there, the bus lanes are in effect 24/7. Why? How is there a need for a bus-only lane at 2 in the morning — or 2 in the afternoon, for that matter? And now, on every section of the SBS route, private vehicle drivers who break the rules by utilizing the lanes are going to start paying a steep price for their transgression. That might make sense in and of itself, but many of the details do not — and many of the peo-

ple who follow the rules are going to find themselves doing things their driver’s ed instructor never would have advised. Cameras have been installed along the SBS route to catch drivers illegally using the lanes. As of Feb. 20, tickets costing from $115 to $150 will be mailed to the owners of cars violating the rules. Fine, but doesn’t that seem a bit steep? For comparison, a truly dangerous practice, texting and driving, can cost you as little as $50 — but up to $143 with surcharges. Priorities would appear to be out of order. And the fact is, the bus lanes encourage dangerous driving. People who don’t know you can go into them to make a right turn are turning from the second lane to the right, often creating havoc. And imagine this: You’re looking to park on, say, Woodhaven somewhere between Cooper Avenue and Dry Harbor Road, where a parking lane remains, to visit some business. Knowing the rules, you enter the bus lane on the block where you wish to park. But there are no spaces. Can you continue along to the next block? Nope. If the camera sees you in the bus lane for two blocks, you’ll get a ticket. How do you avoid this? Why, you pull out of the lane before the next corner and then go back into it after the corner to try again, naturally. Does that sound safe to you? No? Get used to it. Or maybe you should just find a business strip that the DOT hasn’t turned into a social engineering experiment. It would be safer, that’s for sure.

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Willets plan a sham Dear Editor: While a slice of bread is better than nothing, it is a poor substitute for the whole loaf, particularly if the single slice is stale. The Feb. 8 Queens Chronicle editorial “Is the future of Willets Point finally here?” is legitimate in utilizing a question mark. It has been 10 years since approval of the 2008 Willets Point Plan, which involved 23 acres with 5,500 housing units. The current plan is limited to six acres said to accommodate 1,100 affordable units, a 450-seat elementary school, retail and some open space. Six acres is a pittance, hardly enough space to accommodate just a school, let alone what is planned. The bulk of the area consisting of 17 acres is left in political hands, and at this time is left open without the slightest transparency of what and when anything of substance will come to pass. Given the length of time that has transpired since 2008 and continuation of involvement of the Queens Development Group, which consists of the Mets ball club owners, the Wilpons, their Sterling Equities and the Related Companies, one must have deep concern about the current proposal. The QDG’s credibility is so slight it could not be visible even under a powered microscope. It was deceitful in accepting the original plan because what the developers really intended was to build a gambling casino, and when © Copyright 2018 by MARK I PUBLICATIONS, INC. All rights reserved. Neither this newspaper nor any part thereof may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, recording or by any information retrieval system without the express written permission of the publishers. This copyright is extended to the design and text created for advertisements. Reproduction of said advertisement or any part thereof without the express written permission of MARK I PUBLICATIONS, INC. is strictly prohibited. This publication will not be responsiblefor errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Bylined articles represent the sole opinion of the writer and are not necessarily in accordance with the views of the QUEENS CHRONICLE. This Publication reserves the right to limit or refuse advertising it deems objectionable. The Queens Chronicle is published weekly by Mark I Publications, Inc. at a subscription rate of $19 per year and out of state, $25 per year. Periodicals Postage Paid (USPS0013-572) at Flushing, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mark I Publications, Inc., The Shops at Atlas Park, 71-19 80th St., Suite 8-201, Glendale, NY 11385.

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that failed, the project lay dormant until they came up with an even more absurd plan. They claimed they could not proceed with the original plan because they could not afford to do so, and needed to construct a 1.4 million-squarefoot mega shopping mall on the Citi Field parking lot to generate the money they would need. The QDG’s owners had a portfolio of at least $20 billion consisting of many apartments and were in fact one of New York City’s largest landlords, and owned thousands of other properties in the country. While there may well be “nothing rotten in the state of Denmark,” methinks there is something rotten in the City of New York. There has been no explanation for the current plan and no rationale for not including the left out 17 acres — nor any justification for why the original 2008 Willets Point Plan cannot now be accomplished. Mayor de Blasio’s support for an

5Pointz payout

ou might think the owner of a crummy old building could tear it down regardless of how much graffiti he has allowed on it. But not when that building is the 5Pointz street art mecca and the owner is as callous as developer Gerald Wolkoff. The people who covered the Long Island City building with art — not run-of-the-mill graffiti, but real art — had to know it couldn’t last forever. Wolkoff made that clear. But when they protested, he responded by having the place whitewashed, destroying their work. And, a judge ruled Monday, that violated the Visual Artists Rights Act. Now Wolkoff must pay the artists a collective $6.75 million. That’s one pricey reminder that property rights are not absolute. But one must follow the law, and being mean is not good either.

absurd six-acre deal is a sham for which he should be ashamed. The six-acre plan is the epitome of a lack of municipal transparency, and must be rejected. Benjamin M. Haber Flushing

Where’s our subway art? Dear Editor: While the underdog Eagles were barking at the Patriots, channel 13 was showing (from it’s Treasures of New York series) an “Art Underground” visual presentation of the MTA’s Art for Transit. During the past 30 years, the agency has hired 220 artists to give our subway stations a visual experience called: Masstransiscope. We viewed stations located in Manhattan and the Bronx. All had fantastic wall-towall art. Kudos to the MTA!

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Dear Editor: My goal as an educator was not only to educate but to also nurture self-confidence, selfesteem and a sense of self-worth. My concern for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s grandson prompted me to point out the perverse values and mindset expressed by her in her recent speech. Ms. Pelosi stated how proud she was that her grandson’s wish on his birthday was to have “brown skin and brown eyes” — to be something other than himself. To laud the desire to be someone else is strange, if not psychotic. To praise the desire to shed your identity because “the beauty is in the mix” is perverse, if not racist. To illustrate the insidiousness of this mindset, imagine a black grandmother praising her grandson for wishing to be white. Imagine a Jewish grandmother lauding her grandson for wishing to have blond hair and blue eyes to add beauty to the mix. As an educator who strove to instill self-confidence, self-worth and self-esteem, I am troubled by the proliferation of awards for participation and dearth of awards for scholastic excellence. Ms Pelosi has added new parameters for self-loathing: race. Ed Konecnik Flushing

Russia must pay Dear Editor: President Trump has decided not to impose the sanctions that Congress voted on to hold Russia accountable for their interference in our recent election. Given that the president took the list of people he could conceivably sanction in the future from Forbes magazine, it’s clear that he does not take this issue seriously at all. Why he would take such an action is beyond me, although I have my suspicions. Our intelligence agencies have told us that Russian cyber espionage has not stopped and that we are vulnerable for our 2018 and 2020 elections. What action is Congress going to take? I respectfully suggest that Congress pass sanctions a second time that will force the president’s hand and actually punish Russia for its attack on our nation. George Kingsley Forest Hills

Yes to a military parade Dear Editor: As a veteran of the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam era, I feel it is time to honor our military for their service to America. Our brave men and women have put their lives on the line preserving freedom around the world. I favor a parade honoring the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Army Reserves. As reported, we have not done this since the first Gulf War in 1991. I feel this is long overdue. So let’s get it done, so we can truly show appreciation for their sacrifice to America, and let us all wave the American flag on that day. Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Glen Oaks Village

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FAITH TALK Pastor Stephen Roser Stephen Roser is the pastor of Howard Beach Assembly of God Church The source of all joy is God, but you have to be a “people person” in order to receive it, because God usually channels his joy and encouragement through other people. An example of this was when the apostle Paul had gotten depressed because his friends had turned against him. God encouraged him through the visit and the encouraging words of his young protégé, Titus. “God, who encourages the downcast, encouraged us by the coming of Titus,” is how Paul described it in his letter to the Corinthian church. Although it was a simple visit from a friend, to Paul it was a visit from the Lord. Titus merely spoke some encouraging words, but in them, Paul heard God’s voice. The source of all joy and encouragement is God, but Paul received it fully because he was God-focused and other-people focused. Paul was downcast in the first place, not for himself, but for the poor spiritual condition

of his Christian friends in the city of Corinth. But when Titus reported that they had made a turn-around, lining up with the gospel, the great apostle was filled with joy. This kind of encouragement is unique and known only to a caring and other-directed heart. Selfish hearts will never benefit from it. They are incapable of receiving from another or finding joy in another’s success. Shriveled, inwardly-focused hearts can only conceive of encouragement and joy in terms of the improvement of their own situation. But Jesus Christ is the great HeartTransformer. If your heart is small and shriveled, ask him to come into your heart. His love will open you to others and to the floods of joy and encouragement that God has in store for you.

HOWARD BEACH ASSEMBLY OF GOD 158-31 99th Street, Howard Beach • 718-641-6785 w w w.HowardBeachAssemblyofGod.com

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Dear Editor: Re “Shusssssh! Library details still scarce,” Feb. 1, Western Queens Edition: The ongoing problems surrounding the Queens Library’s branch at Hunters Point continue to reflect the project’s history. Developers donated the land in order to increase the density of the residential buildings, albeit the lot is in the FEMA-designated floodplain, with a section subject to wave action and thus erosion. It nevertheless was “capped” in a brownfield program to contain the toxic stew of highly volatile chemicals. Thus, the city (i.e., taxpayers) acquired what developers recognized as a highly problematic building site. The library’s CEO (subsequently fired for corruption) and Board of Trustees (many removed for dereliction of duty by Borough President Melinda Katz), willfully disregarding the site’s limitations and potentially huge costs, proceeded to envision and approve a palace rather than a neighborhood library. Architect Steven Hull designed similar buildings in China (e.g., Cofco Cultural Complex — Shanghai, Tianjin Ecocity and Lu-ze SOHO). How was this design approved given building code requirements? Sandy flooded the site yet parts of the building are about 6 inches above the land’s surface. The Fire Department periodically tests smoke purge systems and given the vast atrium, enormous suction power will easily lift books and journals skyward. And because of the design, staffing requirements will (according to press reports) be a minimum of 20 people. As to costs: The press reports in 2017 indicated $42 million, easily making it on a square foot basis the most-costly public library in the city and probably similar to the costs for highly complex surgical theaters in major hospitals. Costs will continue to mount and only Freedom of Infor mation Law requests to the Department of Design and Construction for all associated documentation will enable this sad history to be properly understood with accuracy rather than “alternative facts.” Key to this investigation is clarity on how the city selects its consultants. As taxpayers and public library users, had this building been a requirement for developers to place in one of their massive glass towers — done easily at less than half the cost — today we would all be enjoying the use of the facility. The structure is an important lesson to LIC and other neighborhoods: The power of real estate developers plus the egos of politicians continue to dictate the fate of our built environment, disregarding, as they consistently do, the site’s ecology, the supporting infrastructure and the implications for the future residents. Peter T. Johnson Long Island City

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However, while riding the E-FM-R line in Queens, the only wall-to-wall displays we see are advertisements. If any Queens Chronicle reader has pull with the MTA, please tell their director of art for transit to give folks in Queens a piece of the pie! Anthony G. Pilla Forest Hills

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LETTERS TO THE

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Trump’s plans could hurt bus, rail projects Calls for grants to be slashed while calling on states to pay for more by Anthony O’Reilly

On top of that, the infrastructure plan proposed by Trump would cap the federal President Trump’s proposed budget and government’s contribution to capital projinfrastructure plans released Monday call ects at 20 percent of the total cost — leaving for a drastic cut in federal dollars that New cities and states to come up with the remainYork City is seeking to fund the second ing 80. The most recent FTA documents on phase of Select Bus Service on Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards, the continuation Woodhaven/Cross Bay SBS shows the DOT of the Second Avenue Subway and other is requesting that Washington pay for 43 percent of the $225.7 projects. million project — The budget would revenue from essentially call for the t is very doubtful that the with the state picking up elimination of the Fe d e r a l Tr a n s i t level of funding would be 14.7 percent and the city taking on the Administration’s Capincreased above what is r e m a i n i n g 41.7 ital Investment Grant program, known as currently being provided.” percent. A DOT spokesNew Starts. m a n on Mond ay Money would be — Larry Penner, retired U.S. DOT official referred all inquiries limited to projects related to the budget with f ull f u nd i ng grant agreements, the last stage of the feder- and infrastructure plans to a City Hall spokeswoman, who did not return a request al approval process. There are no projects in the tri-state area for comment by press time Wednesday with full funding grant agreements, accord- afternoon. The National Association of City Transing to the FTA’s website. The Department of Transportation is portation Officials called the infrastructure seeking $97 million from the FTA for plan “smoke and mirrors” and said, “It is Woodhaven/Cross Bay Boulevard SBS and impossible to square President Trump’s stat$2 billion for the Second Avenue Subway’s ed desire to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure with his proposal released today. second phase. Editor

“I

PHOTO COURTESY STEPHEN FORTE

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President Trump’s proposed budget and infrastructure plans call for drastic cuts to federal grants the city is looking for to fund projects like Select Bus Service on Woodhaven and Cross FILE PHOTO Bay Boulevards.

Trash piles up at SBS stop Neither the Department of Transportation nor the Sanitation Department provided clear answers on when trash cans may be placed at median bus stops along Woodhaven Boulevard, after piles of litter were left behind last Friday. Both agencies were sent the above photo — which shows mounds of garbage at the bus stop on the southwest corner of Woodhaven Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue

— and asked when cans would be placed there. A DOT spokesman said, “We’re looking into this matter” and the DSNY did not respond by press time. Sanitation workers were seen at the stop Friday night cleaning up the mess. There are no bins at the median bus stops along Woodhaven from Park Lane South to Liberty Avenue. — Anthony O’Reilly

“The rules of a new incentive program York, federal leaders will have to prioritize seem to be plucked from thin air, with funds certain projects over others. Penner said it’s likely the Gateway tunnel raised more than 3 years prior to inception arbitrarily disallowed from a local match,” project, which would allow Amtrak to run trains under the Hudson River, and Second the association said in a written statement. It’s unlikely Trump will get everything in Avenue Subway would be the politically the budget or infrastructure plan — he pro- popular projects — but added there probably won’t be enough money for posed limiting New Star ts both of them. funding last year, but nothing “It’ll be like t wo 800 ever came of that plan — as pound gorillas fighting for the Congress will have to negotiate last banana in the tree,” he both in the coming months. said. But one expert said the city Councilman Danny may still have cause to worry Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), about how it will pay for future chairman of the Council’s projects. Finance Committee, said in a “Congress will want to put telephone interview the promoney in and there will be a posals are worrisome, espegive and take and some back cially since the city is facing and forth,” said Larry Penner, DOT Commissioner cuts at the state level too. a retired official at the U.S. Polly Trottenberg “He intends to do this no DOT, who oversaw the review FILE PHOTO matter what,” Dromm said of and approval of grants. Penner predicts there will be some money Trump. “He doesn’t realize what impact this put into the New Starts program, but at a is going to have on the city. I mean, when was the last time this guy rode a subway?” lower rate than there is now. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, Bronx) “There will probably be some sort of compromise between the president and Con- slammed the proposal in a statement. “President Trump’s infrastructure progress concerning maintaining the FTA New Starts program,” he said. “It is very doubtful posal falls far short of the investment our that the level of funding would be increased country desperately needs and deserves,” Crowley said. “It will force states into debt above what is currently being provided.” Elected officials from 50 states will have while robbing critical funds from vital to fight for limited money to pay for projects transportation programs that keep America Q in their respective districts. And in New moving forward.”

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Lanes, cameras and tickets — oh my! Warning period ends Tuesday; each violation carries $115 to $150 fine by Anthony O’Reilly Editor

Final warning. The Department of Transportation announced Monday that people caught driving in the bus lanes on Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards when not permitted will be issued violations starting Tuesday. The bus lanes went into effect in November and at first drivers in the lanes were given warnings in the mail with no penalties attached, according to state law, which says that must be done for at least 60 days after the service is launched. Beginning Feb. 20, the violations mailed to the owner of the vehicle caught on camera will carry a fine ranging from $115 to $150 per offense. No points are added to a driver’s license, unlike many other trafficrelated violations such as running a stop sign. But the financial penalty is still more than for other, more serious infractions. For example, a person texting and driving may have to pay as little as $50, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicle’s

website and surcharges “can be up to $93.” Even with the full surcharge, a first-time offender may pay $143, still less than the maximum penalty for being in a bus lane. So when are drivers allowed in the lanes? It depends on where one is on Woodhaven or Cross Bay boulevards. W here the lanes are offset, meaning there is room for parking between the bus lane and the curb, as from Dry Harbor Road to Metropolitan Avenue, one can go in them to make a right turn or find parking. Drivers looking to make a right tur n into a driveway are only allowed in the lanes for 200 feet, while those looking to go down a side street can enter anywhere along the prior block. And while state law generally says a car must never cross a solid white line between travel lanes, that’s not the case with the bus lanes. “Even when the bus lane is offset, drivers can cross the bus lane at any point to make a legal maneuver, including parking at the curb or making a right turn at a driveway or the next intersection,” a DOT spokesman

told the Chronicle in November. That means drivers shouldn’t turn from the second-rightmost lane, as many are doing, often cutting off vehicles in the bus lane. Drivers also may cross through the offset lane and to the curb, as you would if you were trying to find parking. The lanes from Park Lane South to Liberty Avenue run along the median, and drivers are not allowed in them at any time. State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said at a press conference last Thursday the DOT will revisit that rule in the spring. With the curbside bus lanes — which run from Union Turnpike to Myrtle Avenue 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from Liberty Avenue to the Belt Parkway 7 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday — drivers may still do drop-offs and pickups, but they cannot park or stand. The city’s website states that a motorist may be in the lane “for the time it takes for a passenger standing at the curb to enter or a passenger to exist the vehicle and get onto the sidewalk,” with no fur-

The grace period is over. Drivers caught in the bus lanes on Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards when not allowed will be issued fines, ranging from FILE PHOTO $115 to $150, instead of a warning. ther explanation. While one may load and unload passengers in the lanes, doing the same with material goods is strictly prohibited curbside while the lanes are in effect. “Many curbside bus lanes have mid-day hours where parking and deliveries are permitted, and many streets with bus lanes have delivery

space on an opposite curb, or on a cross street,” the city’s website states. “You can use these hours and locations for deliveries, or schedule the delivery before or after the bus lanes are in effect.” For more information on the rules, visit the city’s web pages for SBS at on.nyc.gov/2hQkQ7U or Q on.nyc.gov/2hnvHTQ.

DOT eases bus lane parking restrictions Agency to revisit 24/7 car ban on Woodhaven in spring, Addabbo says by Anthony O’Reilly

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Editor

The Department of Transportation will allow motorists to park in the curbside Select Bus Service lanes on Cross Bay Boulevard from Liberty Avenue to the Belt Parkway at all hours on Saturdays, area elected off icials announced last Thursday. “Today is a perfect snapshot of how government should work,” state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said in front of C-Town Supermarket located at 107-66 Cross Bay Blvd. in Ozone Park. “Business owners, residents and others complain to their elected officials about a Select Bus Service that started in November and wanting change and change occurs. And we’re thankful the DOT listened to our concerns and did the change.” Parking in the lanes was previously not allowed from 7 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, with buses and cars making right turns being the only vehicles allowed in the space. The DOT last Wednesday changed the signs along the boulevard to let motorists know parking is now permitted all day Saturday — following pushback from business owners along the strip who said their business was negatively impacted. Rose, the manager of C-Town, said her

The Department of Transportation is now allowing motorists to park in the curbside bus lanes along Cross Bay Boulevard in Ozone Park all day Saturday, after businesses along the strip said PHOTO BY ANTHONY O’REILLY the restriction negatively impacted their businesses. store lost 10 to 15 percent of its Saturday customers since the restriction was put in place in November — when SBS launched on Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards. “People were telling me they weren’t able to stop and they couldn’t come,” said Rose, who did not give her last name. She’s now relieved the five to seven

spots in front of the market will be accessible to her customers during the weekend. “That will really help the community and my business as well,” she said. Area elected officials thanked the DOT for listening to their concerns. “Our local businesses are the heart and soul of South Queens,” Assemblywoman

Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Park) said. “It is great to see the Department of Transportation listen and work with our community to ensure residents can have the ability to access their local business and facilities.” But, they added, there is more work to be done on the issue. Rose said her store still needs additional parking spots — saying the 4 to 7 p.m. restriction on weekdays continues to hurt her business. “When they do find a spot they tell me how happy they are, but it’s very rare,” she said. “These five spots, they may seem like just five but it’s a lot.” And Addabbo said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg has promised to revisit the issue of the bus lanes along much of Woodhaven Boulevard — prohibiting any motorists from driving in them from Rego Park to Ozone Park — around May. “We’re going to look at it six months after SBS has started,” Addabbo said, “and see if we can effectuate some change there.” South Queens leaders told reporters they’re confident the DOT will hear their concerns. “The agency has proven itself that it will listen,” Community Board 10 ChairQ woman Betty Braton said.

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Survey: MTA Queens buses below C level Bus Turnaround Coalition flunks 21 routes traversing through the boro by Michael Gannon Editor

City bus routes in Queens may have to attend summer school based on the latest repor t card from the Bus Tur naround Coalition. The report, released Feb. 8, gave out only one A — to the Q35, which runs between Rockaway Park Beach and Brooklyn College. And 54 of the 83 lines that traverse Queens received a D or F. The Chronicle was unable to reach officials at the coalition, which was funded in 2016. Its website says its members are “a diverse group of New Yorkers determined to run around the poor service that plagues the city’s bus system and the more than 2 million rides taken on it every weekday.” “They get real-time feed back from passengers,” said Stephen Miller, a spokesman for the Montreal-based Transitapp, which works with the coalition. The report cards for bus lines in all five boroughs is available online at busturnaround.nyc. Riders in the coalition survey did give B grades to the Q15 and Q15A between Flushing and Beechhurst; the Q16 between Flushing and Fort Totten; the Q42 between Addisleigh Park and Jamaica; and the Q103 between Astoria and Long Island City.

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The Q43 bus line received a D grade on the most recent report card issued by the Bus Turnaround Coalition. Regular riders are unlikely to be surprised at low scores assessed throughout FILE PHOTO much of the borough. Twenty-one bus routes got Cs. Among the 21 F ratings were the Q6 between Jamaica to the Rockaways; Q8 between Jamaica and the Spring Creek mall;

the Q17 between Flushing and Jamaica; the Q23 between East Elmhurst and Forest Hills; the Q24 between Jamaica and Brooklyn; the Q25 between Jamaica and College

Point; the Q27 between Cambria Heights and Flushing; the Q30 between Jamaica and Little Neck; the Q32 between Jackson Heights and Penn Station; the Q46 between Glen Oaks and Kew Gardens; the Q47 between Glendale and LaGuardia Airport; the Q56 between Jamaica and Broadway Junction; the Q58 between Ridgewood and Flushing; the Q59 between Rego Park and Williamsburg, Brooklyn; the Q60 between South Jamaica and Second Avenue in Manhattan; the Q65 between Jamaica and College Point; the Q66 between Flushing-Main Street and Queens Plaza; the Q111 between Jamaica and Nassau County; and the Q113 a nd Q114 bet ween Ja m aica a nd t he Rockaways. No grades were available for the Q44 and Q70 Select Bus Service lines. In a statement from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Andy Byford, who took over as NYC Transit president in January, said he is well aware of the needs confronting the authority with bus service. “Getting our buses moving again is absolutely essential,” Byford said. “Working with our partners at the city to unclog the streets and improve bus lanes, we are committed to delivering for our riders. In fact, I explicitly made buses one of my four equal Q priorities on my first day in office.”

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C M SQ page 16 Y K

Queens cool to Trump infrastructure plans Crowley, Schumer say proposal shifts the burden to states, municipalities by Michael Gannon Editor

President Trump’s long-awaited national infrastructure initiative delivers a lot less than promised, according to federal and local officials here. A 55-page summary of a plan the president had been promising since he was a candidate would commit $200 billion in federal funds while seeking to leverage an additional $1.5 trillion from state and local governments and private investment. There is a large focus on rural areas of the country, and much of the $200 billion is proposed less to cover direct costs than to secure loans, bonds and other financing that would require repayment with interest. New York City, with bridges, tunnels, mass transit and two airports already vying for existing federal funding, also has a number of large projects under proposal, including reconstruction of a new Long Island Rail Road station in Emhurst and numerous Select Bus Service routes that would be competing for fewer federal dollars.

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President Trump

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Trump tax cuts continued from page 2 40 locations in Queens as of last year. And employees of the coffee chain are also getting in on the action. Last month, the company announced that it would invest around $120 million in wage increases that vary according to state law and the cost of living in different areas. All employees — full- or part-time — working at the chain as of Jan. 1 will also be given stock grants worth at least $500; managers of Starbucks locations will get grants worth $2,000. Additionally, the company has created a new paid six-week parental leave policy for non birth parents. For some businesses in Queens, though,

“For too long, lawmakers have invested in infrastructure inefficiently, ignored critical needs and allowed it to deteriorate,” Trump said Monday in a letter to Congress accompanying the plan. “.... The reforms set forth in my plan will strengthen the economy, make our country more competitive, reduce the cost of goods and services to Americans families and enable Americans to build their lives on top of the best infrastructure in the world.” Among the president’s recommendations for transit funding is requiring transit agencies — the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in the city’s case — to implement “value capture” financing, or recovering money based on increased assessed values on property located near public transportation. Failure to do so would reduce the availability to federal transit funds. The plan also would allow states the “flexibility” to collect tolls on interstate highways in order to use the money for their infrastructure needs. On airports, Trump would limit the need of the Federal Aviation Administration to review airport projects other than critical infrastructure, such as runways, towers and other important safety and navigational equipment. On a broader scope, the president also wants to streamline and shorten the environmental review permitting process; and “eliminate regulatory barriers,” particularly for transportation projects with minimal federal funding involved but that are still required to undergo federal review. Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) gave the plan poor marks. “The president’s infrastructure proposal would do very little to make our ailing infrastructure better, but would put unsustainable burdens on our local government and lead to Trump tolls all over the country, all while undermining important protections like Buy America,” he said in a statement from his office. “It is a plan to appease his political allies, not to rebuild the country.”

Like Trump, House Democrats are calling for investment in roads, bridges, transit, high-speed internet, railroads, airports, waterways and water supplies. But they are calling for a full $1 trillion in direct federal investment. U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, Bronx) said the president’s plan falls far short of the nation’s needs. “At a time when our bridges and roads are crumbling and our schools and hospitals are severely antiquated, the president’s empty proposal lacks vision,” Crowley said. “It will force states into debt while robbing critical funds from vital transportation programs that keep America moving forward.” He said American infrastructure needs “a 21st Century Marshall Plan.” But not too far away from Queens, U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-Staten Island) gave the president the thumbs-up. “I especially support the President’s emphasis on streamlining the permitting process, empowering state and local authorities, and training the American

the new bill is not a major victory. A spokesman for College Point-based manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems said that the company does not expect a big financial boost from the new tax cuts. “It’s structured as an S corporation, so it does not get that reduction in the corporate tax rate,” he said. With just his wife, Ted Han owns Bridge Enterprises, his promotional products company based in Bayside. Though an admirer of Trump’s “conservatism,” he has some mixed feelings about the tax bill. And the businessman says his accountant told him that the new bill will not greatly benefit his firm, owing in part to its small size. “The tax deduction will help middle class including small business owners,” Han said in an email.

But the businessman, whose Korean first name is Tai-Kyuk, worries that the bill could lead in cuts to welfare for the needy to reduce the federal deficit. “It could bring social unrest or deepen social differences,” he explained. “Eventually, it might result in social violence. The rich get richer, the poorer become poorer.” College Point resident James Cervino said that the new law’s minimum corporate tax rate reduction has made his environmental remediation firm Restoration and Conservation Advisory more profitable. “Instead of paying 35 percent, I’m now only paying 21 percent, so I have saved a substantial amount of money in the tax cuts,” said Cervino, a marine biologist who is a visiting scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and has taught at

Queens has infrastructure aplenty in need of upkeep, modernization or replacement. And some elected officials are not liking what they saw Monday in President Trump’s long-awaited national FILE PHOTO, LEFT; PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON funding plan. workforce of the future,” Donovan said in a statement on his website. “By cutting th rough red tape and reforming inefficient processes — which have throttled progress for decades — we will create a stronger and more prosperous country.” Mayor de Blasio’s and Gov. Cuomo’s offices did not respond to requests for comment. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s top infrastructure priority — an increase of the federal gas tax by .25 cents — was not in the Trump plan, but published reports subsequently said the president is willing to consider it. The chamber estimated it would raise $394 billion over 10 years, and would cost the average driver about $9 per month. The chamber did find common ground with Trump on encouraging more publicprivate partnerships; streamlining the federal permitting process; and investing in more training for new technical and vocaQ tional career education. Columbia University. But Cervino is no fan of Trump. He says that he does not want the benefit to his business to come at the expense of cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or Medicaid, which the president has proposed in his budget plan. So, he’s using his money from the new tax cuts to invest in an area he believes the Trump administration is not doing enough about: looking into certain chemicals and possibly harmful effects that they may cause. “My money that I am making, that I’m benefiting from, I’m putting it right back into research,” Cervino explained. He said the new dough has allowed him to sponsor the research of a new graduate student and Q two undergrads focusing on the issue.

C M SQ page 17 Y K

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Page 17 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018

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C M SQ page 18 Y K

State of the city is a ‘fair’ to remember Mayor vows to build on police, education and other gains; tackle opioids, elections by Michael Gannon Editor

Mayor de Blasio’s State of the City address on Tuesday did not have the level of splashy programs that he has unveiled in the past, but instead focused on what he believes defines fairness. “Three years, 10 months and 15 days — that’s how long this administration has to ensure that we become the fairest big city in America,” de Blasio said. “And we will take on that mission and we will do it with speed and we’ll do it with urgency.” He also passed up few opportunities to take a swipe at President Trump, though never by name. “There is a point where extreme inequality makes a mockery of a democratic society,” the mayor said. “That point, sadly, is not far away. De Blasio said the city will build on the already-record success of the NYPD in lowering crime, including murder numbers in 2017 that were at their lowest since at least 1951. “We’ll extend and deepen neighborhood policing ... We’ll keep crime low, while keeping arrests low as well. We’ll use policing, precision policing strategies to focus on the worst crime and the worst problems, and we’ll create more trust and accountability by having body cameras on all of our patrol officers by the end of the year.”

Mayor de Blasio said his remaining days in office and all policy decisions will be geared toward PHOTO COURTESY NYC MAYOR making New York “the fairest big city in America.” On education, he promised, in the coming weeks, plans to have every child reading at grade level by third grade. He also promised a renewed fight for the full amount of state education funding under the Campaign for Fiscal Equity court ruling. To no one’s surprise, the mayor reiterated his call for a new millionaire’s tax to fund subway improvements and discount

MetroCard fares for low-income residents. “As New Yorkers, how do I put it gently, we’re nobody’s fools,” the mayor said. “So we need to guarantee a lock box.” In regard to the opioid epidemic, de Blasio said the fight must be taken to levels the city has reached before. “We will fight the opioid epidemic with

the same zeal, the same intensity with which we’ve taken on homicides and traffic fatalities,” he said. While ThriveNYC, the administration’s wide-ranging mental health initiative, is not new, the mayor promised to keep efforts up until every New Yorker in need of mental health assistance is able to receive it. Hand-in-hand with the crime reduction, the mayor re-emphasized the city’s commitment to closing down the jails on Rikers Island. He also defended the beleaguered New York City Housing Authority, which has sustained scandal and numerous departures of senior officials in the last six months. Included in the former were falsified reports to the federal government regarding lead paint inspections, and tens of thousands of residents suffering through heatless days and nights this winter when building boilers failed. “I want to make it very plain, our public housing residents are a priority for me, they’re a priority for my administration, they’re a priority for our city and our city line officials and borough presidents more than at any point in our history,” he said. Toward the future, de Blasio said he will appoint a charter review commission to examine changes that are needed to the city’s campaign finance laws and to the voting and voter Q registration processes.

Business sector wary of trash pickup zones Critics cite trouble-plagued plan in LA; city says public input will count by Michael Gannon

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Editor

Anyone opening a brick-and-mor tar business in New York City must factor in the cost of selecting a private garbage collection service. But the city and the Department of Sanitation are working on a five-year plan in which officials would divide all five boroughs into zones, each with a single, cityselected commercial carter. Business interests, including those in the waste carting industry, are sounding the alarm over a recent series of meetings in which they say city officials and a task force with little or no concern or input from the people and businesses that would be affected are meeting in secret. In a recent op-ed article for Crain’s New York, Thomas Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and Kendall Christiansen, executive director of an organization representing 17 commercial carters in the city,” said city-selected monopolies are not the way to go. “A similar system now being implemented in Los Angeles is a disaster; tens of thousands of service disruptions, prices to customers doubling, tripling and quadrupling — along with myriad extra charges,” they wrote. Multiple published reports state

that the Los Angeles City Council is are scrambling for cover while pondering possible remedies. “Armed with a team of consultants and an $8 million taxpayer-funded budget, the de Blasio administration is committed to proving that it’s smarter than a well-regulated open market,” the article said. “It created an advisory board, but a request to open the meetings to the public was denied, and the debate has been limited to how to design a zoned system, not whether it even makes sense.” They also fear many carters could go out of business, with many workers losing their jobs. Grech declined to discus the article further when asked last week, but the DSNY sent the Chronicle a letter from Commissioner Kathryn Garcia and Daniel Brownell, commissioner and chairman of the city’s Business Integrity Commission to the Commercial Waste Advisory Board., The letter said the board has met three times and has more than 40 members representing property owners, carting businesses, unions, business improvement districts, environmental organizations and others. The project team has met with 97 stakeholders on 86 separate occasions. A major component aim is to reduce the

amount of garbage truck traffic, which the DSNY letter said could be cut between 49 and 68 percent under a zoned system. “Our goals in establishing commercial waste zones are simple: to create a safe, efficient system to manage waste from New York City businesses; to establish highquality, low-cost service with fair, transparent pricing and to set the city’s commercial sector on a pathway to zero waste.” Garcia and Brownell also wrote that over the next five years there will be numerous hearings before legislative and administrative bodies. Cou ncil ma n Da neek Miller (D -St. Albans) is more than a casual observer on all things involving the city’s waste problems. He is working on his own bill, Intro. 495, or the Waste Equity Act. Miller’s 27th Council District is one of four in the city that handle more than 8 percent of the city’s trash hauling and sorting operations. His bill would put a cap on the percentage of the city’s trash that can be processed in a single district. Miller and a spokesman for Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) both said it is far too early in the zoning process to draw hard conclusions. Miller admitted that he would like to avoid the pitfalls that Los Angeles has encountered; and that there was

The city’s commercial carting industry could be revolutionized — for good and for bad — in FILE PHOTO the next five years. the possibility that some carters could go under and many workers would lose jobs. But Miller also said experiences elsewhere can be helpful. “Sometimes, there’s an advantage to not being the first one to act,’ Miller said. “I’m sure the city will look to employ the best practices. We’ll have the advantage of Q hindsight.”

C M SQ page 19 Y K Page 19 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018

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C M SQ page 20 Y K

Graduation rates are up, city says Queens had second-highest number of kids walk across the stage in 2017 by Anthony O’Reilly Editor

Mayor de Blasio and the Department of Education announced last Wednesday that 2017 saw the highest four-year high school graduation rate on record, with 74.3 percent of children earning their diploma on time. The year also saw the lowest dropout rate on the books, 7.8 percent. “New York City is showing that when we invest in our students, they rise to the challenge and do better and better,” de Blasio said in a statement. “Our kids are graduating high school and going to college at record rates, while dropping out less than ever before. If we are going to make New York City the fairest big city in America, it starts with giving our kids the education they deserve, and we are executing this vision every day.” Queens had the second-highest graduation rate in the city, with 77.8 percent of students moving on to college after four years, a 1.7 jump from last year — the highest improvement out of the five boroughs. It also saw the second-lowest dropout rate, 6.4 percent. Staten Island had the highest graduation rate, 80.3, and lowest dropout rate, 6.0. Asians had the highest graduation and lowest dropout rates, 87.5 and 4 percent,

More students are graduating on time, and fewer are dropping out, Mayor de Blasio announced last Wednesday. But targets at most renewal schools were not met and there is still a big disparFILE PHOTO ity among races. respectively. White students were in second for graduation, 83.2 percent left on time, and had the second-lowest rate for dropouts, 4.4 percent. Despite strives to close the achievement gap between different races, Hispanic and black students remained behind. For His-

panics, 68.3 percent graduated in 2017 and 70 percent of black students did the same. The dropout rate for Hispanic students was 10.7 percent and black students were at 7.9. Still, DOE officials said there was much to celebrate. “Our graduation and dropout rates con-

tinue to improve steadily and show that we’re on the right track,” Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said in a statement issued by City Hall. “This is a day to recognize the incredible impact our educators have on our children’s lives, and to celebrate their dedication to their craft. We need to keep improving, redoubling our commitment to our Equity and Excellence for All agenda to ensure that every child gets a high-quality education.” The graduation rate at the city’s 28 renewal schools — institutions which have received additional resources to improve academics and other factors — was 65.7 percent, a 5.7 jump from 2016. The dropout rate was 16.4 percent, a 2.2 decrease from the previous year. But The New York Times estimates half of those schools missed the graduation goals set by the DOE. The city did not provide figures for college readiness. “Our students and teachers have done amazing work,” said Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers. “By giving our children the resources they need, we are putting them on the path to success. New York City is doing the hard work, and it is paying off for our students Q and our city’s future.”

Jets honor Qns. Metro for anti-bullying work Pro Bowler Tony Richardson offers life lessons, team donates $200K by Christopher Barca

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Editor

Long before Long Island City resident Tony Richardson was named to the NFL’s 2000s AllDecade Team or inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame, he was just a kid with an afro who changed schools every two years. The son of a soldier, Richardson was born on a military base in Germany and frequently moved around the world with his family. And each move brought with it a new town, a new school and a new set of challenges. Speaking to a group of 200 students at Queens Metropolitan High School in Forest Hills on Tuesday, the three-time Pro Bowl fullback said he knows first-hand what it’s like to be bullied during his formative years. “I always had to walk into a new classroom and reintroduce myself in the middle of school. Sometimes they would say my shoes are too small or my jeans were too tight or I had a big afro,” Richardson said. “It wasn’t fun and it never felt good. I was always hesitant to walk into school.”

Having four older brothers and a strong family bond helped lessen the pain of being bullied, he said. A few years later, he was starting for Auburn University’s football team. And after his tenure with the Tigers came a stellar 17-year NFL career across stints with the Cowboys, Chiefs, Vikings and Jets. Richardson retired in 2016 as one of the best fullbacks of all time. But he told the students on Tuesday that not only has he never forgotten what happened to him as a child, he hopes to spread as much awareness to the dangers of bullying as he can. Helping him with the initiative is the Jets organization and the Municipal Credit Union, which jointly announced at the school that they are contributing $200,000 toward the purchase of an online anti-bullying training model for the Department of Education. Developed by health simulation compa ny Kog n ito, “Bu ild i ng Respect: Respect for All Conversation Skills” will, according to the DOE, be used by educators and administrators to “build their skills and self-confidence in using best

practices for creating bias- and bullying-free school environments.” Jets President Neil Glat, who presented a $200,000 novelty check to school and agency officials, said the model will be used in 1,800 schools by more than 100,000 staff members. “This is a critical issue, you guys live it every day,” Glat said to the students. “It’s important for us to try and do more in our community to help eradicate this problem.” Three years ago, the Jets partnered with the nonprofit STOMP Out Bullying to launch the team’s “Tackle Bullying” initiative, which includes the Jets Upstander of the Week award — where one tri-state area student is honored at each home game. Since her hiring, library teacher Katherine Stalford, who leads Queens Metro’s anti-bullying programs, has helped her students apply for and win the award. In recognition of her efforts and that of her pupils who have so eagerly par ticipated in school events such as “Unity Day,” Glat said the Forest Hills facility was the obvious choice when it came to

Former Pro Bowl fullback Tony Richardson, left, shares his stories of when he was bullied to about 200 Queens Metropolitan High School students on Tuesday, while New York Jets President Neil Glat, right, surprised them with PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BARCA free tickets. pick i ng a venue to ma ke its announcement. “It is our honor to be here today to congratulate Queens Metro,” he said. “Your participation in Jets Upstander of the Week has been terrific and the environ-

ment you’ve created in this school is outstanding.” It wasn’t the DOE that was on the receiving end of a Jets gift, however, as Glat announced that every student at the assembly will continued on page 25

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Join NYC in opposing Trump’s refugee policies The Georgia Diner, which opened in 1978, will be closing its doors for good on March 25. The property was sold for $14 million in January and a demolition permit was filed last week. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BARCA

Georgia Diner set to close March 25 Lot sold for $14 million in January; demolition permit filed last week by Christopher Barca

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The Georgia Diner in Elmhurst will be closing for good on March 25 after 40 years of serving hungry customers. Management confirmed the pending closure to the Chronicle last Friday, one week after a demolition permit for the structure was filed with the Department of Buildings. “Some of our customers are in mourning. They feel sick in their stomach,” diner general manager John Singh told the Chronicle in a phone interview. “They’ve grown up here, they’ve been coming for 30 or 40 years. But what are you going to do?” The 86-55 Queens Blvd. plot the diner sits on was sold on Jan. 22 for $14.25 million. The buyer, Justice Ave. Tower LLC, is the same entity that purchased a portion of the eatery’s parking lot for $26.5 million on Nov. 1, 2014. Permits were approved for an 18-story, 181-foot-tall mixed-use tower at that site, and Singh told the Chronicle that demolition of the diner is to make way for the structure — which has been under construction for months. The general manager added that about 50 people work at the Georgia Diner, and the most senior employees will be transferred to its sister eatery, the Nevada Diner — which will be rebranded with the Georgia name — a few blocks away at 80-26 Queens Blvd. “Some of them are going to transfer to the new location, depending on how many we need there, and some will get laid off. We can’t keep everyone,” he said. “The folks who have worked here very long will stay, but the new ones, they’ll have to find another job.” In a Monday interview, Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) said he was upset to hear the rumor of the diner’s pending closure was true. “It was one of the best diners in Queens. I

held many a meeting in there,” Dromm said. “It was a great meeting place as well as a great eating place.” Newtown Civic Association President Tom McKenzie said on Monday that the news “hurt big time.” “When you lose a diner as great as that, you lose a part of the neighborhood. “I’m sorry it’s going. I had many a good dinner there,” McKenzie said. “It hurts so much. If only we could pick it up in its entirety and move it somewhere, but at least we have the other location. “Every time I went in, I would always meet and chat with people from the neighborhood. I can’t help but think of all the good people that work there.” State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) said that, like Dromm, she’s had more meetings with constituents, colleagues and community leaders there than she can count over her tenure in government — in addition to simply going there for dinner with her family. “The portions were large and the prices were not. What else could you ask for?” she said Tuesday. “The variety was so amazing. Anything you could possibly want, they had on the menu. I’m so sorry to see it leave.” The Georgia Diner is the latest in a long line of similar restaurants in Queens to close, something Dromm and Stavisky said is incredibly disappointing for those in the borough who grew up eating at such venues. “It’s a shame that we’re losing these momand-pop diners, where you walk in and see so many familiar faces,” Dromm said, adding he’ll miss ordering the cheeseburger deluxe. “It’s sad to see, but these are the times we live in.” “The number of diners in Queens is going down and they’re being replaced by high-rises,” Stavisky added. “I’m disappointed, but Q that’s the story of this part of Queens.”

door on. A man perby Bitta Mostofi America since its founding has been a secuted for reportnation of migrants. Not long ago, our fore- ing a crime in his mothers and forefathers fled oppressive home country, desregimes hostile to the rights of political perately seeking to and religious minorities to seek refuge on re-establish himself our shores. Recognizing this heritage and in a new one that core national value, following the after- will bring him safemath of World War II, we’ve admitted mil- ty. Or the woman lions of refugees from across the globe. We w h o p e r s e ve r e d embrace people seeking safety from th rough repeated oppression and violence, because that’s in genital mutilations and passage through many countries to finally start her life over the DNA of who we are as Americans. Refugees need our support no matter in the United States. And a family that fled where they were born, whether fleeing domestic abuse, gang initiations and sexuabuses from political regimes or threats al violence, who finally managed to settle from local persecutors. The UN agency here and cling to their piece of the Amerithat leads refugee efforts recently recorded can dream. Through the city’s premier free and that over 65 million people were forcibly displaced from their homes, the highest confidential immigration legal services figures since World War II. Despite this, program, ActionNYC, we have been able this president has decided to slash refugee to help these New Yorkers seek legal proresettlement to the United States to the tections under international refugee law. In lowest level that a president has ever set. each of these cases, we have evidence of what our global leadership The president has tried to has represented for generjustify this step backward ations of our proud histoby purporting it is a secuhe president’s ry, but also what we stand rity measure, but refugees to lose by permitting the not only go through extenattacks on the president to close the door sive background checks, like them. these are people often refugee program to others When admitting Syrian f leeing violence rather refugees into the U.S. than the perpetrators of it. have reduced became a political football The results of federal admissions 70 in 2015, Mayor de Blasio cuts to the refugee prostood firm and offered the gram are having an even percent in NYC. support of the city to these greater impact in NYC people in need. In the ultithan nationwide. At the national level, as a result of the president’s mate city of immigrants and refugees, we attacks on the refugee resettlement pro- provide city resources and services regardgram, admissions of refugees nationally less of a resident’s country of origin or have dropped by nearly 60 percent so far in immigration status. All New Yorkers have fiscal year 2018, compared to the same the right to live, work, and pray free from period last year. It’s worse in New York harassment or discrimination, and the city City, where fiscal year 2018 refugee vigilantly enforces that right through the admissions have seen a 70 percent drop City Commission on Human Rights. In addition, New Yorkers have access to pubover the same period last year. But it gets even worse: For countries like lic safety, education, healthcare, emergenSyria that were targeted by the travel or ref- cy food and shelter, immigration legal serugee bans, not a single person was placed vices, our municipal ID program and in the five boroughs. By contrast, 28 per- more, by virtue of living in our great city. But city leaders cannot singlehandedly cent of refugees placed in NYC during the same time last year were from countries force the White House to return refugee that had been targeted by the travel bans, admissions numbers to what they ought to such as Syria, Iran or Iraq. This abrupt be. Alone, we can’t stop the Trump adminchange has nothing to do with public safe- istration from discriminating against Musty. This kind of policy is plain discrimina- lim-majority countries. But if these issues are important to you, then we encourage tion on the basis of ethnicity and religion. These statistics themselves will be a you to make your voice heard. Call the shameful stain on our country’s history White House at (202) 456-1111, call the and international reputation. But we can- Department of Homeland Security at (202) not forget the kinds of individual harms 282-8000 and call the State Department at that we consign people to if we fail to (202) 647-4000. Demand that they treat all Q refugees with dignity. admit them to the United States. Bitta Mostofi is Acting Commissioner of Consider the stories of just a few people, the kinds of people we’ve nearly shut the the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

C M SQ page 23 Y K Page 23 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018

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Heroic Glendale boy is laid to rest PHOTO BY MILLA CHAPPELL / @REALHAPPYDOG

A doggone honor for Schiff Inspector Jeffrey Schiff, commanding officer of the Queens Village-based 105th Precinct, was honored at New York Fashion Week on Feb. 10 by the St. Rocco Foundation, an organization headquartered in Israel that advocates for animal rights. The groups says Schiff, who previously led the 106th Precinct in South Queens, has the best record in the NYPD of getting his officers to respond to animal cruelty and missing dog cases.

Schiff is seen here with members of his family and Neglah Sharma, left, who is spearheading the inception of the group in New York and is a Queens Chronicle freelance contributor. Awards were also presented to awardwinning fashion designer Anthony Rubio, New York Bully Crew Rescue, former Brooklyn Councilman Sal Albanese and Urgent Dogs of LA, a California-based national dog rescue group.

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Glendale youngster Anthony Perez should have spent Monday morning at school at PS/IS 113 and the afternoon playing with friends. Instead, his family was laying their 11-yearold relative to rest, six days after Perez died saving a friend who had fallen through the ice at Forest Park’s Strack Pond. More than 100 mourners gathered at St. Pancras Church in Glendale to say a somber goodbye to the boy, who fell through the ice himself last Tuesday afternoon while pulling his buddy out of the frigid water. “Could Anthony have known how much love he had to give? Perhaps not. But he certainly did not know the fear of giving that love,” the Rev. Francis Hughes said during the funeral Mass, according to the Daily News. “If Anthony was blessed with many years on this Earth, I think he would have been a first responder. Maybe a fireman or policeman. “Not just helping another person. Not just loving them. But risking and laying down his life for another person. That’s how great his love is.” A day earlier, hundreds of people gathered at the Walsh-La Bella & Son Funeral Home in Glendale for observing hours.

After Perez fell in, his 12-year-old friend was able to run home and call 911. But by the time first responders arrived a few minutes later, the Glendale boy was already stuck below the surface. Three firefighters had to physically punch through the ice and dive into the water to retrieve the unconscious Perez, who had been under water for several minutes. Attempts to revive him failed. Those first responders — Perez wanted to be one when he grew up — were among the attendees at his funeral. A page on the fundraising website GoFundMe was established last Thursday by PS/IS 113 PTA President Jennifer Bonowitz in order to help Perez’s family afford the funeral. And in the first 24 hours the fundraiser was open, more than $11,000 was raised. By press time on Wednesday, 564 people had given a combined $23,717. Individual donations ranged from $10 to $500. “The PTA of PS/IS 113, the school Anthony attended, is asking for your help to assist his family with the expenses of burying this sweet boy,” Bonowitz wrote. “Anything you can donate along with any memories you have of this good boy are Q greatly appreciated.”

Blood drive at PS 207 on Feb. 28 The New York Blood Center will host a blood drive at PS 207, located at 15915 88 St. in Howard Beach, on Feb. 28 from 2:30 to 7 p.m. Donors who have children or siblings at PS 207 will receive a No Uniform Today card that the student can use on March 1. The cards will be handed out even if a person is determined ineligible to donate. Those wishing to donate must be

between 16 and 75, weigh at least 110 pounds and must not have gotten any tattoos in the past year. Donors must eat well and drink plenty of fluids before giving blood. Anyone with questions concerning medical eligibility can call 1 (800) 6880900. For inquiries related to the blood drive, contact Dorothy Baran at (718) Q 848-2700.

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The Met ropolitan Transpor tation Authority is continuing intensive Fastrack cleaning and maintenance operations overnight on the E, F, M and R lines between its Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue station and the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Operations that began last Monday will continue from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Feb. 15 and 16, and again from Feb. 20 to 23. During the interruptions, E train service will be suspended in both directions between Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue and the World Trade Center. Trains will operate at local stops between Jamaica Center and Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue. F trains will be suspended in both directions between Roosevelt AvenueJackson Heights and 21st Street-Queensbridge and will make local stops between Ja maica-179 t h St reet a nd Jack son Heights-Roosevelt Avenue. M Train ser vice will be stopped between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Essex Street. R Train ser vice will be stopped

between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Whitehall Street. Free shuttle buses will run in Queens between Queensboro Plaza, where riders can transfer to and from the No. 7 and N lines, and Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue, where they can transfer to and from the No. 7, E and F lines. As alternatives, the MTA is making the following suggestions: â&#x20AC;˘ taking the No. 7 or N train into Manhattan; â&#x20AC;˘ transferring in Manhattan to the F at Fifth Avenue, or Seventh Avenue/42nd Street-Bryant Park; the No. 7 or N train at Times Square-42nd Street; the A or C lines at the Port Authority or the F or N train at 34th Street-Herald Square; â&#x20AC;˘ taking the A local or C train for Eighth Avenue line stations; â&#x20AC;˘ taking the D train for Seventh Avenue tations; â&#x20AC;˘ using No. 6 or N stations as substitutes for the nearby Lexington Avenue53rd Street or 5th Avenue-53rd Street stations. More information can be found online Q at mta.info.

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Jets anti-bullying discussion continued from page 20 receive free tickets to a home game next season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh, lit!â&#x20AC;? one kid shouted out. Richardson also had some gifts for students, but not before he spoke of the best ways to not only prevent bullying, but ways to stand up to it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was, once upon a time, a running back. All of a sudden, I would be running the football and I see six people running at me,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the same thing that happens when you see a young person getting bullied. If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s five or six people laughing, you want to just go down, just like on the football field. In addition to the free tickets, Queens Metroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 16 nominees for Jets Upstander of the Week last season went away with their own personal prize. One by one, they were called up to the stage, where a grinning Richardson shook each of their hands, signed a Jets football and took a picture with them. One student wearing an Atlanta Falcons sweatshirt even got a little ribbing from Richardson, who asked where his Jets hoodie was. More than 20 minutes after the program had ended, the Pro Bowler was still in the auditorium, signing autographs and taking pictures with anyone who asked for one â&#x20AC;&#x201D; students and staff alike. Asked why he stuck around, Richard-

Richardson signs a football and poses for a picture with one of Queens Metroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jets Upstanders of the Week.

Page 25 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018

Fastrack continues on Queens subways

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BARCA

son said he knows exactly what some of them are going through, adding that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to show kids that even the most famous of stars were once in their shoes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This means everything. They see us professional athletes on TV and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize that we went through the same struggles they did,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dealing with an issue as seriously as this, they need to know that someone has their back. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is real in our schools and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something we need to get a grasp on.â&#x20AC;? Q

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Iconic SFP coach Tim Leary dies of cancer The Breezy Point resident led the Terriers on the court for 43 years by Christopher Barca

He was 73. A native of Brooklyn, Leary’s Prep career New York State’s high school basketball began well before he ever picked up the history is long and storied, with many of the coach’s clipboard. As a player, he helped lead the Terriers to most iconic names in the history of the sport the 1963 Catholic High School Athletic Assocoming from the Empire State. But men like St. Francis Prep head coach ciation city championship game, where his squad lost to Power Memorial and star Lew Tim Leary were few and far between. For 43 years, he roamed the sidelines at the Alcindor — who would later change his name Fresh Meadows school. By the time he retired to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and retire as the last year, the Breezy Point resident had NBA’s all-time leading scorer. A few years later, Leary would be hired by amassed a staggering 646 victories — the second-most among Catholic school coaches and his alma mater to coach not just the junior varseventh-most among all coaches, public or pri- sity basketball team, but the varsity baseball squad as well. Over 10 years vate, in state history. on the diamond, Leary’s But those who played for units won 199 games, five him say Leary’s prowess on Queens titles and a city the court was nothing comchampionship. pared to the love and respect In 1973, he was elevated he showed his players off it. to the varsity basketball The clock ticks not just on head coaching position, plays, quarters and games, but where he quickly earned a lives too. However, the legacy reputation for his sharp Leary leaves behind is timehoops acumen and his devoless, his friends and coltion to his players and felleagues say, even in death. low coaches. After a battle with cancer, It wasn’t until 1992 when the St. Francis Prep legend Leary avenged his loss in died on Tuesday morning — exactly one year after he Leary during his playing days at the city title game, as he delivered St. Francis Prep coached his final home game. St. Francis Prep. Editor

its first CHSAA championship in 35 years. It would be the only one he would win. Upon his retirement last February, the school honored him with a lengthy ceremony before his final home game. Dozens of former players returned to their old stomping ground to present their former coach with plaques, a framed SFP jacket and other mementos. Leary left the sport he loved second only to Archbishop Molloy icon Jack Curran and his 972 victories — the gold standard of high school coaching in New York City — on the state CHSAA all-time wins list. News of Leary’s death rocked the city’s sports world, with St. Francis Prep canceling its game against Xavier set for Wednesday. “Please pray for the repose of the soul of coach Tim Leary,” the school said in a statement. “Coach Leary was also a teacher and administrator for 30 years, a proud father and grandfather, and a devoted husband to his late wife, Claudia.” Numerous hoops luminaries took to social media to mourn the loss of their colleague. “So sad to hear the news of the passing of legendary St. Francis Prep Coach Tim Leary,” said Cardozo’s Ron Naclerio, the second-winningest coach in state history regardless of public or private school. “A great coach and even better human being!” Observing hours will be held Thursday

Legendary St. Francis Prep basketball coach Tim Leary died of cancer on Tuesday, one year after he retired. PHOTOS COURTESY ST. FRANCIS PREP from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Joseph G. Duffy Funeral Home in Brooklyn. His funeral Mass is set for 9:30 a.m Friday at St. Thomas More Church in Breezy Point. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Coaches vs. Cancer or the TEAL Walk Brooklyn, which focuses on ovarian cancer — the Q cause of his wife’s death two years ago.

Astoria fighter beat more than opponents Jared ‘Flash’ Gordon fought drug addiction too; big bout is Sunday by Andrew Benjamin

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In the ever-crowded 155-pound lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, one fighter is quietly climbing up the ranks. Astoria’s Jared “Flash” Gordon (14-1) is on a four-fight win streak, two of them in the UFC. He is set to face Brazilian Carlos Diego Ferreira on Fox Sports 1 Sunday night in Austin, Texas. Gordon, 29, is becoming a fighter to look out for among fans, earning praise for his aggressive and brutal bouts. However, the road to the UFC was not an easy one for him. Gordon started off boxing and wrestling in high school but after he graduated in 2006, he said, life for him was “directionless.” He wanted to challenge himself physically but not just lift weights at the gym. “At the time the UFC was really getting popular,” Gordon recalled. “I came out of the subway on Steinway Street in Astoria and I looked up and there was a martial arts gym. It was the home of Rhino Fight Team.” Four months later after he started training, he had his first amateur fight. Before making it to the UFC, he amassed a record of 12 wins and 1 loss. “Fighting is not the most stable career,” he said. “But I loved it and I didn’t have the passion for anything else.” After turning pro, he fought in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (where he became the Cage Fury Fighting Featherweight champion) — and in a 16-man tournament in Mexico. “That was pretty wild,” he said about his excursion to Mexico. “I fought four times in one month every weekend. The grand prize was a hundred grand and I never got paid.” Though Gordon was winning battles in the cage, he would

Jared Gordon vows to “crush this guy” in his next fight, to be PHOTO BY ANDREW BENJAMIN televised Sunday night. soon start losing battles in his personal life. He became addicted to drugs at 19, after being offered Vicodin by a friend for pain in his neck due to a training injury. He then became hooked on Percocet, OxyContin and eventually heroin. He chronically relapsed, getting clean but then reverting back to his drug addiction after rehab. During that time, he had been in rehab 10 times, been arrested eight times due to drugs and overdosed three times.

His last overdose was on Dec. 25, 2015. “I woke up in the hospital about a day and half later and I decided that was it.” He committed to going to AA meetings and used his good record as a fighter as motivation to stay clean. He now leads a life free of alcohol and drug use. “For me it came to a point where it was black and white,” he said. “Living that lifestyle clearly gets you nowhere. There is no light at the end of the tunnel when you’re doing that. There’s only three different options and that’s jail, other kinds of institutions and death ... You have to make a decision whether you want to live a healthy lifestyle or a life of chaos. You need to take a step back and look at what you’re really doing,” he said. His golden opportunity as a fighter came in 2017. While fighting in New Jersey, Gordon was featured on the web series “Dana White: Looking for a Fight” in the second season. The show features UFC President Dana White scouting for fighters to sign. In the episode, Dana says Gordon was “the guy I’m really there to watch.” After seeing him defeat his opponent, White said, “I loved his attitude, I loved how he pressed the action.” He not only won the fight but a UFC contract. Gordon’s tenure in the UFC has so far seen him TKOing Michel Quiñones and pummeling Hacran Dias for three rounds for a unanimous decision win. For his upcoming fight he said he is working on all the basics: wrestling, jiu-jitsu boxing and kickboxing. He looks to continue on his streak of success to become the champion. “I’m going to crush this guy,” he said, referring to his opponent. Gordon will be fighting on “UFC Fight Night 126: Cerrone vs. Medeiros” Sunday, Feb. 18, in the main event preliminary Q bouts, which start at 7 p.m. on FS1.

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Heart disease may be something most commonly associated with men, but it can be deadly for women as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is to blame for one in every four female deaths in the United States. Recognizing the threat that heart disease poses is a great first step for women who want to avoid becoming one of the hundreds of thousands of women who lose their lives to heart disease each year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers the following advice to women looking to prioritize their heart health. 1. Consume a heart-friendly diet. Thanks to food labels, it’s easier than ever for women to consume hearthealthy diets. When examining labels, look for foods that are low in sodium and sugar. When planning meals, avoid foods that are high in trans fats. In 2015, the FDA ruled that trans fats were not recognized as safe for use in human foods and gave manufacturers three years to remove them from their products. The Cleveland Clinic advises consumers to check labels for “partially hydrogenated oils,” which are a hidden source of trans fats. In addition, the Cleveland Clinic notes that foods such as cakes, pies, cookies, biscuits, microwavable breakfast sandwiches and many types of crackers contain trans fats. 2. Take existing conditions seriously. Certain conditions can increase a woman’s risk for heart disease. While women may not be able to turn back

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3. Discuss aspirin intake. The FDA notes that many physicians prescr ibe aspi r i n to lower patients’ risk of heart disease, clotrelated strokes and other problems related to cardiovascular disease. However, there are risks associated with long-term aspirin use, and such risks should be discussed with a physician. According to the FDA, bleeding in the stomach, bleeding in the brain, kidney failure and certain types of stroke are some of the potential side effects of long-term aspirin use. Such side effects may never appear, but the risk that they might makes discussing the pros and cons of aspirin well worth it. Women can learn more about heart disease by visiting the FDA website where they have created the “Heart Health for Women” site to connect women to FDA resources to support heart-healthy living. Visit: fda.gov/ Q womenshearthealth. — Metro Creative Connection

Having their blood pressure routinely checked is one way women can protect the longterm health of their hearts.

the clocks and prevent these conditions from developing, they can take them for the serious threat they are and do their best to manage them. High blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol can increase a woman’s risk for heart disease. Take medications as directed, monitor blood sugar levels if you have diabetes and routinely have your blood pressure and cholesterol tested to ensure any pre-existing conditions are not increasing your risk for heart disease.

Page 27 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018

Recognizing the threat heart disease poses

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018 Page 28

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Fun ways to teach kids about dental health by Anthony O’Reilly Editor

Did you know February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? It’s true. The American Dental Association and Crest + Oral-B uses the second month of the year to focus on teaching people the importance of keeping young ones’ mouths healthy, and making it fun for them. The celebration started as a one-week event in Akron, Ohio in February 1941 and eight years later, the first Children’s Dental Health Day was observed on Feb. 8. It became a nationwide and month-long program in 1981, aimed at reaching millions of people across the country and at armed service bases. Many of the events include children’s events, health fairs, free dental screenings, museum exhibits, classroom presentations, dental office tours and more. The ADA believes it’s important to teach children about oral care as early as possible. “Attitudes and habits established at an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout life,” the organization states on its website. “By participating in the annual celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, members of the dental team, parents, teachers and others can help keep children’s smiles beautiful now and for years to come.” But there are also fun things to do at home. Mouthhealthy.org/babies-and-kids has material especially for children, including a poster of the “Tooth Team” with lessons on how to care for their teeth and gums. There are also crossword puzzles, coloring sheets, connect

Dental hygiene doesn’t have to be a boring topic, especially during National Children’s Dental Health Month, which is celebrated during February. the dots and a brushing calendar — which children color in when they’re done cleaning their teeth every morning and night — available on the site that can be printed. Unfortunately, not everything about dental hygiene can be fun and games. Mouthhealthy.org offers advice on issues from teething to your child’s first dentist visit. Speaking of the latter, the website suggests bringing your child to the dentist not too long after the first tooth appears, and no later than the child’s first birthday. Why so early? “As soon as your baby has teeth, he or she can get cavities,” mouthhealty.org states.

It’s also a good idea to prepare them for what might happen there. “Have your child practice opening his or her mouth to get them ready for when the dentist counts and checks their teeth,” the site tells parents. “Reading books or watching videos about first dental visits may help your child be less fearful and more confident.” Tooth decay can start when an infant is six-months-old, but there are ways to prevent it from happening. Parents might instinctively share utensils or clean a pacifier by putting it in their own mouth. The ADA says not to do this, as it could transfer cavity-causing germs to the child. Another easy tip is to never put your baby to bed with a bottle in their crib. Sealants can also be applied to their teeth to help prevent or slow down decay, but you should brush their mouth with fluoride toothpaste every day for two minutes, twice a day. The ADA states “Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by close to 80 percent in molars.” They can last for several years before they have to be reapplied by a dentist. How much toothpaste should you use? For newborns to 3-year-olds, put a squeeze the size of a grain of rice on the brush and after three, use a pea-sized amount. Make sure to floss, too. The ADA says flossing should start as soon as a child has two teeth that touch. Children, like adults, should avoid sugary snacks to ensure their teeth and gums are healthy. Mouthhealthy.org/ babies-and-kids also has a “Fact or Fiction” section where parents can take a quiz to find out Q how much they know about dental hygiene.

February is American Heart Month

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Heart disease is a formidable foe. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounti n g fo r a p p r ox i m a t ely 800,000 deaths every year. W h i le he a r t d i s e a s e exacts a devastating toll on the United States and Canada, its reach extends far beyond North America, as the American College of Cardiology notes that cardiovascular disease accounts for 31 percent of all deaths across the globe. In spite of the prevalence of heart disease, men and women are not helpless against it. In fact, there are many ways for men and women to reduce their risk for heart disease. 1. Maintain a healthy weight. The American Heart Association reports that between 60 and 70 percent of Ameri- Exercise is a great way to keep your heart healthy, and so are cans are overweight or obese. keeping your weight in check, managing your blood pressure Carrying around extra weight and controlling cholesterol levels. takes a toll on the body, 3. Control cholesterol levels. increasing a person’s risk for heart disease High levels of low-density lipoprotein, and stroke. Overweight or obese men and women can work with their physicians to often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, can develop a plan for effective, long-term increase a person’s risk for heart disease. weight loss, a plan that will likely include a The AHA notes that excessive amounts of cholesterol can be deposited into the combination of diet and routine exercise. arteries as plaque. When that happens, it leads to a 2. Understand and condition known as athmanage blood pressure. erosclerosis, or a narrowThe AHA notes that ing of the inside of the high blood pressure, a artery walls. That narcommon condition affectrow i ng lea d s t o a n ing roughly one in three increased risk for heart A mer ica n s, is of t en attack and stroke. Men referred to as “the silent and women should get killer” because it does not their cholesterol levels necessarily produce sympchecked at least once toms. Blood pressure measures the force pushing outward on the every four to six years beginning at age walls of blood vessels as they carry blood 20. Men and women who have been diagoxygen to the body’s organs, and the force nosed with high cholesterol should recogcreated as the heart rests between beats. nize that cholesterol is only found in aniOver time, the arterial walls of people mal products, so a diet that is rich in with high blood pressure may become fruits, vegetables and whole grains and stressed and develop weak spots or scar- low in animal products can provide a simring that makes them vulnerable to the ple way for men and women to lower their buildup of plaque. Plaque buildup can cholesterol. A more thorough and detailed increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. plan to lower cholesterol levels should be Blood pressure can rise as a person ages, discussed with a physician. More information about heart disease so managing blood pressure involves routinely checking it and making certain and how to combat it can be found at Q changes, such as eating healthier foods heart.org. — Metro Creative Connection and exercising more often, if it is high.

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C M SQ page 32 Y K St. John’s has seen its fair share of legends walk through the doors of its on-campus venue, Carnesecca Arena, over the years, going back to the days when it was known as Alumni Hall. Chris Mullin. Mark Jackson. Malik Sealy. Walter Berry. Felipe Lopez. Ron Artest. Marcus Hatten. Moe Harkless. Dwight Hardy. D’Angelo Harrison. I can go on and on. If you ever watched any of those guys in their college prime, you know just how lethal they were with the ball in their hands. But what else do they have in common? They never did what Shamorie Ponds did last Saturday in the Red Storm’s 86-78 win over Marquette, an NCAA Tournament contender. Just when you thought Ponds couldn’t impress more, he went out and hung a ridiculous 44 points on just 23 shot attempts (16 makes), breaking the Carnesecca Arena scoring record of 43 set by Sealy in 1990. To put that in a different perspective, the late, great Sealy did that seven months before this columnist was born. If Saturday’s game were a painting, you would have thought it was Picasso who put brush to paper, as Ponds was simply masterful in every way. Feeding off the energy of the sold-out crowd, the sophomore guard sliced and diced the Marquette defense at will. He scored from beyond the arc, hitting four three-pointers, including back-to-back bombs midway through the second half to put the game out of reach. He blew past overmatched, slower forwards for easy layups every time Marquette foolishly failed to switch after a pick. He converted from the free-throw line, nailing eight of his nine attempts.

RM WARNING by Christopher Barca

And he did it while playing all 40 minutes. “I’m just like you guys. I get caught up watching him instead of going for an offensive rebound or getting back on defense,” fellow guard Justin Simon told me after the game. “He’s played amazing basketball these past couple games. It’s hard to describe.” During the last few minutes of the game, the crowd got to its feet and roared whenever Ponds so much as touched the ball. And Ponds couldn’t help but smile after the game. “It’s a blessing. All the great players who came through this university, for my name to be up there, it is a dream come true,” he said, when told of the record he broke. “A blessing.” I went to St. John’s from 2009 to 2013 and experienced first hand how doting the Red Storm faithful can be toward the team’s star player. Hardy, whose repeated buzzer beaters led St. John’s to the NCAA Tournament, was an icon. The fan base’s love affair for Harrison, one of the best shooters and people the school has produced, could simply be described as hero worship. But man, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player

become as popular as Ponds in such a short period of time. Who knows, there is a little bit of room next to the new statue of famous coach Joe Lapchick. Maybe St. John’s should put some money away for a Ponds bust now. Even the stoic Mullin, who rarely smiles, couldn’t help but laugh over his fellow Brooklyn native’s game. “No comparisons,” the Basketball Hall of Famer said, when asked if he ever played like that in his days at the school. “Not even close.” Oh, and have I mentioned that Ponds and the Johnnies took down the top-ranked team in the country since we last spoke? Because beating Duke at Madison Square Garden 10 days ago wasn’t shocking enough, the Red Storm traveled to Philadelphia and straight up punched Villanova in the mouth on Saturday, knocking off the title-chasing Wildcats 79-75. Sure, Villanova was missing star defender Eric Paschall due to injury, but not even he might have been able to slow down Ponds, who dropped a team-high 26 points. It was the Red Storm’s first win over the No.

1 team in American since 1985. And how about this? It’s the first time since the AP began its weekly college basketball poll in 1949 that a team with an 0-10 record or worse in conference play beat the top-ranked team. This season has been a complete roller coaster ride. The Red Storm started 10-2 and looked like the NCAA Tournament contenders so many thought they would be. Then came an ugly 11-game losing streak that seemingly ruined the season. But now, after three straight wins — including two against top-four teams — can the Johnnies get some momentum heading into next month’s Big East Tournament? Honestly, who knows? This is still the same team that lost at home to lowly DePaul by 17 points. But hey, this has been the best 10-day stretch in a long time for St. John’s basketball. If Q they keep rolling, just sit back and enjoy it.

Raise your hand if you took down Duke, Villanova and Marquette in the span of just seven PHOTO COURTESY ST. JOHN’S ATHLETICS days.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL GANNON

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The strong arms that built Armstrong

Built for the 1964 World’s Fair, the original Louis Armstrong Stadium had not been intended to last 50 years, or to host some of the greatest tennis layers in the world from 1978 to 2016. Last Thursday, the workers building the new stadium joined the United States Tennis Association for a topping-out cere-

mony, with the hard hats signing the last steel I-beam that will go into place before the rest of the building is fitted out. The new stadium will seat 14,000, while the former venue’s capacity was reduced from 18,000 to just over 10,000 when Arthur Ashe Stadium opened in 1997. Armstrong, the legendary jazz trumpeter and bandleader,

was a New Orleans native who moved to New York and lived on 107th Street in Corona until his death in 1971. And while the names of the workmen who built the stadium may not be visible again for another 100 years, USTA officials said the new stadium will see you this summer. — Michael Gannon

ARTS, CULTURE & LIVING

by Victoria Zunitch

we’ve ever had,” she noted. There are fictional, documentary and short films on topics ranging from nuclear weapons to love. “We have a film called ‘Black Cop,’ and this cop is t ired of profiling and he decides to reverse all of the profiling for an entire day. And it’s disturbing and terrifying,” Cato said, later adding, “Art is supposed to cause friction.” Showings will be at the Museum of the Moving Image and Kaufman Astoria Studios. Among the offerings on opening night are “Atomic

Mother,” which director L.E. Salas says is the first of a series of seven documentaries on the human condition, and “Bricklayer’s Poet,” a short film by Flushing actor and director Gino Catarelli. “A bricklayer walks into a bar and meets a poet. No cell phones. Two people just randomly talking,” Catarelli said. The message? “Don’t forget love.” Catarelli has a cameo in Martin Scorcese’s in-progress film “The Irishman.” continued on page 37

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Wouldn’t you like to rub elbows at an international film festival celebrating the wide range of earthly experience? Then bop on over to Astoria in March for the eighth annual Queens World Film Festival. “There are films that will break your heart and will make you laugh out loud and feel good,” said Katha Cato, executive direc tor of the festival. The public’s also welcome to a “Trailer Party” scheduled for Feb. 24

at The Local Hostels on 44th Avenue in Long Island City. Details on that, and much more, are posted on the festival’s website. This year, the festival has expanded to 11 days from five last year, with 189 films from 36 nations. The lineup was introduced to press and festival supporters at a Wednesday morning event at the Museum of the Moving Image. “We’re screening 31 films by Queens filmmakers, 65 films by women,” Cato said. “We have the most LGBT films

ens e u Q 8 1 0 2 val i t s e F m l World Fi igger w i l l b e br than eve

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February 15, 2018

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EXHIBITS

AUDITIONS

Night Regulation, “Storytelling in the Land of Text, Identity and Pictures,” with abstract works in various styles that include letters, words or phrases. Thru Fri., April 6, Radiator Gallery, 10-61 Jackson Ave., LIC. Free. Info: (347) 677-3418, radiatorarts.com.

Belle’s Players, the Kew Gardens Community Center theater group, seeks new members. Each Tue., 1-3 p.m., 80-02 Kew Gardens Road. Info: (718) 268-5960.

LECTURES/TALKS

“Waging Peace: 100 Years of Action,” a showcase of stories by those who have fought injustice, with historical artifacts, a print of the Rev. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and interactive media, organized by the American Friends Service Committee. Thru Sat., March 17, Godwin-Ternbach Museum, at Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing. Free. Info: (718) 997-4747, gtmuseum.org.

Immigration Community Conversation, a chance for thoughtful discussion on immigration and shared American values. Sat., Feb. 17, 12:30-2 p.m., Maple Grove Cemetery Victorian Administration Building, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens. Free. Info/registration (req’d): (347) 8786614, friendsofmaplegrove.org.

“The Sculpture of Gonzalo Fonseca,” with roughly 80 works, most in stone, with some drawings and sketches, by the major figure in developing modern Latin American art. Thru Sun., March 11, Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33 Road, Long Island City. $10; $5 seniors, students; NYC HS students, kids under 12 free. Info: (718) 204-7088, noguchi.org.

Jamaica Bay History Series, with three topics remaining, each Thu., 7-8:30 p.m. Island communities past and present, Feb. 15; who were Bennett, Charles, Riis and Tilden?, Feb. 22; Robert Moses and reshaping the bay, March 1; Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Center, 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd., Broad Channel. Free. Info: (718) 318-4340.

“Never Built New York,” with images and models of infrastructure projects that did not come to pass, including apartments enveloping a bridge and a dome over much of Manhattan. Through Sun., Feb. 18, Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. $8 suggested; $4 seniors; free students, children. Info: (718) 592-9700, queensmuseum.org.

Pianist Philipp Petkov and violinist Olga Turkina will take classic rock into classical territory Saturday when they perform songs by the Beatles in a free concert at St. Michael’s Cemetery. See Music. PHOTO BY RICK MAIMAN “Science Inspires Art: Ocean,” with works depicting the seas, many with an ecological focus. Thru Sun., Feb. 25, New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111 St., Corona. Free with admission: $16; $13 seniors, kids, college students with ID. Info: (718) 699-0005, nysci.org.

THEATRE

“Gypsy,” the musical based on the memoirs of striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, focusing on her mother, Rose, known as the ultimate show biz mother. Thru Sat., March 3, each day but Mon. and Tue., varying times, The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23 St., Long Island City. $18. Info: (718) 392-0722, secrettheatre.com.

“Patty Chang: The Wandering Lake, 2009-2017,” a multimedia meditation on mourning, caregiving, geopolitics and landscape, partly inspired by Sven Hedin’s 1938 book “Wandering Lake,” about a migrating body of water in China. Thru Sun., Feb. 18, Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. $8 suggested; $4 seniors; free students, children. Info: (718) 592-9700, queensmuseum.org.

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Liquid Light Lab, a “mind-blowing psychedelic light show” with works in various media by Astoria artist Steve Pavlovsky, whose art has accompanied Grateful Dead side projects, psych rock band The 13th Floor Elevators and more; with items available for sale. Thru June, QED, 27-16 23 Road, Astoria. Free. Info: (347) 451-3873, qedastoria.com. “World Amigurumi Exhibition vol. 4: Dolls for Daily Life!,” taking the Japanese art of crocheting dolls, stuffed animals and other creatures in a new direction, with items that can be used as everyday objects, by artists from all over the world. Thru Sat., March 31, Resobox, 41-26 27 St., Long Island City. Free. Info: (718) 784-3680, resobox.com. The Game: The Game, a dating simulation video game that flips the script on the world of pickup artists, pitting players against several seduction coaches, with situations based on artist Angela Washko’s research into the PUA community. Thru Sun., March 25, Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Ave., Astoria. Free with museum admission: $15; $11 seniors, students; $7 kids 3-17. Info: (718) 7776888, movingimage.us.

“Queens of the Night” (“Reinas de la Noche”), an LGBTQ musical cabaret story about resilience, love and inclusion. Each Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; each Sun., 4 p.m., thru Feb. 25, Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside. $40; $45 at door; $37 students, seniors; $42 at door. Info: (718) 729-3880, thaliatheatre.org.

MUSIC “The Gruffalo Live,” a play based on the kids’ book about a mouse’s adventures in a forest and the monster he meets there; followed by an interactive workshop on storytelling in theater, for ages 3 and up. Sat.-Sun., Feb. 17-18, 2 p.m. (play); 3:45 p.m. (workshop), Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. Play: $14; $8 kids; workshop: $8; $5 kids. Info: (718) 463-7700, flushingtownhall.org. COURTESY PHOTO

Intersecting Identities, readings of works in development, all exploring how friction among overlapping cultures affects people’s identity, held by the Astoria Performing Arts Center and Beehive Dramaturgy Studio. “Dessert,” about a place where many are dying lately, Wed., Feb. 21; “Purgatorio,” about migrations, journeys and life and death, Fri., Feb. 23; and “The More They Stay,” following a pair of gay lovers over decades, Tue., Feb. 27; all 7 p.m., Zukor Theatre at Kaufman Astoria Studios, 35 St. between 34 and 35 Aves. Free with reservation. Info: (718) 706-5750, apacny.org.

Concert of Classics by the Beatles, with selections from the Fab Four performed by violinist Olga Turkina and pianist Philipp Petkov. Sat., Feb. 17, 3 p.m., St. Michael’s Cemetery, 72-02 Astoria Blvd., East Elmhurst. Free. Info: (718) 278-3240, stmichaelscemetery.com. Come Over For Coffee, a monthly storytelling home concert with four performers telling nonfiction stories or folktales, in the hosts’ living room, with refreshments and space for about 20. Sun., Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m. (doors open 6), Jackson Heights (RSVP for address). $15. Info: heightshub@gmail.com

DANCE “Jennifer Monson: bend the even,” a performance designed to “leave the audience at the edge of perceptual comprehension.” Tue.-Sat., Feb. 20-24, 8 p.m., The Chocolate Factory Theater, 5-49 49 Ave., Long Island City. $20. Info: (718) 482-7069, chocolatefactorytheater.org.

A Literary Afternoon with Malcolm Boyd & Sherese Francis, with the NYC novelist and Southeast Queens poet reading from their works and saxophonist Leonardo Love performing. Sat., Feb. 17, 2:30-5 p.m., Lewis H. Latimer House Museum, 34-41 137 St., Flushing. Free. Info/RSVP: (718) 961-8585, latimernow.org. COURTESY PHOTOS World War I: Free reading & discussion program, several sessions on readings from books about the conflict, led by Jo-Anne Raskin. Each Sat. thru March 17, 10-11:30 a.m., Maple Grove Cemetery Victorian Administration Building, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens. Free. Info/registration (req’d): (347) 878-6614, friendsofmaplegrove.org. Jaguars, Jabirus and Pao de Queijo: The Wonders of Brazil, with veteran birders Donna Schulman and Ian Resnick of the Queens County Bird Club presenting photos and videos of the birds, including the jabiru stork, above, and other animals they saw on a journey in Brazil. Wed., Feb. 21, 8 p.m., Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston. Free. Info/pre-registration (req’d): (718) 229-4000, qcbirdclub.org. PHOTO BY DONNA SCHULMAN

continued on page 38

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C M SQ page 35 Y K Page 35 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018

Echoes of the self by Neil Chiragdin

less ways, and are the subject of meditation at a new art exhibition. “In Practice: Another Echo” is a recently Who amongst us has not felt the inclination to shout into a large hollow space? The opened exhibition at the SculptureCenter in call and response between man and nature Long Island City that asks: “How do we, in is innate and mammalian, like wolves howl- an ailing and unaccommodating society, extend ourselves out into the world, particing at the moon. As humans, we project ourselves out- ularly when what we need so often is sancward into our surroundings, and onto those tuary?” The artists of this exhibition — in around us. We do this impulsively; the abili- total, 12 artists or artist teams — use sculpty to communicate and the urgent need for ture, video, live sound and drawing to social contact distinguish us from many examine the ways that consciousness other forms of life. In what ways do our shapes human habitats. Some of the artists approach the exhibactions shape the social world around us? What do we hope to receive from the world it’s theme by concrete methods. Juliana in exchange? The intangible ripple effects Cerqueira Leite’s sculptures capture the of the mere act of being manifest in count- gestures made by reporters and those they’ve interviewed about humanitarian crises. A three-dimensional collage of hands, Leite’s stream of consciousness titles hint at the dialogue that was playWhen: Through Mon., April 2 ing out while her chosen hand motions Where: SculptureCenter, were onscreen. Often inflected with 44-19 Purves St., Long Island City great emotion while recounting traumatEntry: $5 suggested; $3 students. ic encounters with acts of God, the (718) 361-1750, works capture these individuals’ hand sculpture-center.org motions. In casting them in clay, the sculptor solidifies their experiences, creqboro contributor

‘In Practice: Another Echo’

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ating a visual echo of their stories. Other artists have curated totems of individuals who have expressed themselves in a visual format, and presented them as a collection within the exhibition. Nobutaka Aozaki has assembled a wall of graffiti tags that have been made on U.S. Postal Service

label stickers. Perhaps overlooked on the street lamps and crosswalk signs they once adorned, as an assemblage, they command the audience’s attention and seem to memorialize their taggers. Carmen Winant’s “Looking Forward to continued on page 39

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 | NOON – 4PM LEVEL 2 CENTER COURT

“Passage,” by Priyanka Dasgupta and Chad Marshall, has visitors duck below a low ceiling to reflect the way slaves and Bengali sailors came to the United States — within PHOTO BY NEIL CHIRAGDIN ships’ holds or their boiler rooms.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018 Page 36

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From Broadway with love, no acting required by Mark Lord qboro contributor

They each found their path to the lights of Broadway, and now six talented veterans of the Great White Way are about to take to the stage — in an exclusive concert — in celebration of the holiday of love. “Broadway Valentine” spotlights three real-life married couples who have been brought together for the first time by producer Stephen DeAngelis. Running Feb. 17 and 18 at Queens Theatre, it promises to be a unique entertainment that will not only offer an earful of music but will allow audiences to interact with the performers, who will share insight into their lives and careers. DeAngelis will also serve as host. “Whatever I create for a venue, it’s not a stop on a tour,” DeAngelis said. “It’s created specifically for the venue, from scratch.” And so it is with this latest production which, with little more than a week to go before opening night, was still in the formative stage. The performers have their own reasons for looking forward to the show. “I’m so excited to sing with my husband,” said Erin Dilly, who met Stephen Buntrock 20 years ago in a national touring production of the musical “Martin Guerre.” While it might not have been love at first sight, Dilly recalled, “I knew the moment I met him, he was going to be one of the most intensely important people to me. When we get the chance to sing together on stage, it’s a very special experience.” Dilly, whose credits include “Into the Woods,” “Follies” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” for which she was nominated for a Tony Award, says of sharing the stage with Buntrock, who has appeared in shows ranging from “Grease” to “The Phantom of the Opera,” “It’s like watching something extraordinary. He brings a beautiful mystique to the stage. He embodies John Raitt.” Raitt, as theater aficionados know, was a leading man who frequently found himself front and center on Broadway during its Golden Age. Alysha Umphress met her future husband, Cody Williams, while they performed in a Broadway revival of the classic musical “On the Town.” While Umphress admit s she wa s “always indifferent” to Valentine’s Day, calling it “a Hallmark holiday,” the couple, who married in November, will cele-

brate the day as husband and wife with a fancy dinner the evening before. But, Umphress noted, people should cherish their loved ones every day, allowing that the annual February occasion serves as “a nice reminder.” In addition to the show that brought them together, Umphress, who lived in Queens for several years upon arriving in New York, in both Woodside and Sunnyside, has been seen in “American Idiot” and “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” among other Broadway shows. Williams’ credits include “Cinderella” and the recent “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Taylor Frey, who hails from Utah, is perhaps looking forward to sharing the stage with the love of his life more than anyone else. Married to fellow actor Kyle Dean Massey for a little over a year, Frey said the upcoming concert should be “really special,” particularly for one com- Married couples and Broadway performers Kyle Dean Massey and Taylor Frey, above; Steing from a background where acceptance phen Buntrock and Erin Dilly, below, with their children; and Cody Williams and Alysha doesn’t often come easily. COURTESY PHOTOS Umphress will together put on a unique show at Queens Theatre. “Singing love songs together on stage around Salt Lake City, I’m not sure ...” he and “Xanadu,” agrees, saying, “I love will “take advantage of all the talents and said. He is thrilled to live in a city where that we get to do stuff like this, to cele- unique chemistries between each couple.” And, he adds, “I like to have audiences “people embrace all kinds of couples,” brate all kinds of love.” where he can feel completely himself. After years of living in Manhattan, the feel they’re participants.” A question-and-answer session will “We’re no different from any normal couple now resides in Long Island City, which they both love. “It’s our dream allow spectators to do that. “I want to heterosexual couple,” he said. n e i g h b o r h o o d . give them insight into the performers,” Frey, known on Ever yone is our DeAngelis said. “I want to give audiences Broadway for his age, everyone has an experience.” a pp ea ra nce s in The evening promises to be filled with dogs, as we do,” “Hairspray” and When: Sat., Feb. 17, 8 p.m.; plenty of romantic music, many of the said Massey, 36. “Finia n’s R a in Sun., Feb. 18, 3 p.m. bow,” believes it In his younger numbers culled from the performers’ onWhere: Queens Theatre, is impor tant to days, Frey wanted stage careers. Each performer will sing 14 United Nations Ave. S., take every chance to be “in the cen- solos and pair up with his or her spouse, Flushing Meadows Corona Park to keep a marter of it ,” a nd and then, according to DeAngelis, they’ll Tickets: $20-$30. (718) 760-0064, r iage excit ing. found life in Mid- all come together for an encore. queenstheatre.org “Life can get town exciting. Dilly spoke about one particular song h u m d r u m ,” h e “But it changed that perhaps most epitomizes the day, “My said. Valentine’s Day is a good opportuni- for me as I got older. I needed to get out Funny Valentine,” which she first sang in a ty “to go over the top.” of Manhattan. It didn’t feel good anymore. production of the musical “Babes in Arms.” Calling it “one of the greatest songs Massey, who starred in the title role in Here we have space, wide sidewalks. We ever written,” she originally sang it as her the recent Broadway revival of “Pippin” have windows. It’s nice out here.” DeAngelis said he hopes the concert character to another character in the and appeared in shows including “Wicked” show. Once she had children of her own, she started singing it to them. Having recently lost her father, she now sings it as a tribute to him. “It ’s one of those p i e c e s t h at m ove through your life,” she said. And chances are quite good that she’ll be singing it, once a g a i n, at Q u e e ns Q Theatre.

‘Broadway Valentine’

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continued from page 33 “Yesterday Last Year,” by Jackson Heights husband-and-wife team Amelia Mathews and Adam Bradley, is science fiction about the effect of time travel on a love triangle. “Oatmeal” focuses on a Queens woman who spends a “sick” day reconnecting with herself before a big meeting for her business. Actor and director Alex Webb of Jackson Heights will premiere at the festival his noir thriller “To the Flame,” about a community college student who gets entangled with an intriguing but disturbed couple. Webb has been cast in Netflix’s “The Good Cop,” due out later this year.

“Fragments 83” by Richard Millen is a meta-film, a documentary revisiting his 1983 experimental film about a gay man who breaks up with his boyfriend and goes looking for sex. “Omé: Tales from a Vanishing Homeland” is about a tribe in the Ecuadorian Amazon fighting oil companies for its land. The festival this year is honoring Jan Oxenberg, who attended Wednesday’s event. Oxenberg is known for her work on “Pretty Little Liars,” for a documentary about the death of her grandmother called “Thank You and Good Night,” which will be shown at the festival, and for including LGBTQ themes in her television and film writing. The Bayside native told about a dream that she, whose grandmother had lived in the era of the Holocaust, once had to illustrate what she called “the When: Thu.-Sun., March 15-25 soul of an independent filmmaker.” Where: Museum of the Moving Image, “I had a dream that Hitler was still 36-01 35 Ave., Astoria; Kaufman alive and I had his phone number. So I Astoria Studios, 34-12 36 St. called him up.” Tickets: $15; $100 for 10 ticket package; Also honored this year is Vincent $200 for 20. (718) 429-2579, Gagliostro, whose 2017 film “After queensworldfilmfestival.com Louie” starring Alan Cumming focused on an artist and activist who

Queens World Film Festival

Queens World Film Festival honoree Jan Oxenberg speaks at its kickoff press event. At right, a scene from “To the Flame,” one of many films made by Queens residents. On the cover: Filmmakers, festival organizers and supporters. PHOTOS BY VICTORIA ZUNITCH AND, RIGHT, COURTESY QFF

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Queens World Film Festival: extended edition

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018 Page 38

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continued from page 34 00

FILM “Call Me Madam,” the 1953 musical starring Astoria native Ethel Merman, about a wealthy socialite given a diplomatic post; first in a series on area residents who went on to Hollywood. Sat., Feb. 17, 1 p.m., Greater Astoria Historical Society, 35-20 Broadway, Long Island City. Free. Info: (718) 278-0700, astorialic.org.

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“13th,” the 2016 documentary on race and criminal justice that contends the mass incarceration of people of color is a continuation of slavery. Sun., Feb. 18, 2:30-5 p.m., Lewis H. Latimer House Museum, 34-41 137 St., Flushing. Free. Info/RSVP: (718) 961-8585, latimernow.org.

LUNAR NEW YEAR Flushing Lunar New Year Parade, with thousands filling the streets to ring in the Year of the Dog. Sat., Feb. 17, starting 11 a.m., Union St. and 39 Ave. Info: bit.ly/2ElXnpb.

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Queens Center mall Lunar New Year celebration, with traditional Asian cultural performances, crafts, store specials and more. Sat., Feb. 17, 12-4 p.m., Level 2, Center Court, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst. Free. Info: (718) 592-3900, shopqueenscenter.com/events. Queens Botanical Garden Lunar New Year celebration, with crafts, story time, lion dance performance, “lucky plants” for sale and more. Sat., Feb. 17, 12-4 p.m. (certain events at certain times only), QBG, 43-50 Main St., Flushing. Free. Info: (718) 886-3800, queensbotanical.org.

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Get on board. LaGuardia Gateway Partners, LLC – the operator and developer of LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B – is launching a Request for Proposals (RFP) for wheelchair services. ,QWHUHVWHG Ƭ UPV VKRXOG FRQWDFW purchasing@laguardiacentral.com or visit our website for more information. www.laguardiacentral.com/supplier-diversity

KIDS/TEENS APEC Animals Around the World, with kids in grades K-4 meeting live animals as they “travel around the world” and get a handsome souvenir book to take home. Wed., Feb. 21, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston. $16. Info/pre-registration (req’d): (718) 229-4000, alleypond.com. “Maya the Bee,” the 2014 3-D animated comedy adventure about a bee banished from the hive to the meadow. Part of “Farmy Flicks” series, with chance to visit farm animals before the show. Wed., Feb. 21, 2 p.m., Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Floral Park. Free. Info: (718) 3473276, queensfarm.org. Family Farm Crafts, with kids making art with materials found in nature; geared toward ages 4-10. Thu., Feb. 22, 12-3 p.m., Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Floral Park. $5 child; free adults. Info: (718) 347-3276, queensfarm.org. Lego Building Club, where children grades K-6 have fun being creative with Legos. Most Wednesdays, 4-5:30 p.m., Bellerose Library, 250-06 Hillside Ave. Free, no registration required. Info: (718) 831-8644, queenslibrary.org/bellerose.

CLASSES/WORKSHOPS Art Makers Group, with novice and pro artists at all levels bringing their sketchbooks, small projects or works in progress and a snack to share, in a supportive meet-up. Wed., Feb. 21; March 7 and 21; April 4 and 18; May 2, 16 and 30; June 13 and 27; 6-9 p.m, Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. $10; $5 students; free 13-19 with ID. Info/RSVP: (718) 463-7700, flushingtownhall.org. Hands-On at Noguchi, with participants 18 and over studying and discussing the sculptures of Gonzalo Fonseca and then creating their own with soft stone. Sun., Feb. 18, 1-5 p.m., Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33 Road, Long Island City. $20; includes museum admission. Info: (718) 2047088, noguchi.org. The Art of DJ’ing 101, with DJ PlayPlay (Jess Dilday) teaching techniques to keep the dance floor going and talking about the history behind DJ technology and artistry. Thu., Feb. 15, 7-9 p.m., Flux Factory, 39-31 29 St., Long Island City. Free. Info/RSVP: (347) 669-1406, fluxfactory.org. Beginner’s Spanish, so you too can say, “Yo hablo el Español.” Each Tue., Fri., 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Kew Gardens Community Center, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road. Free. Info: (718) 268-5960.

SOCIAL EVENTS Saturday night dance, with a live DJ playing classics, oldies, Italian and Spanish music, food and more. Sat., Feb. 24, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., Italian Charities of America, 83-20 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst. $12. Info: (718) 478-3100. Israeli folk dancing, with instruction for beginners, in a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Each Mon., 7:30 p.m. (beginners’ instruction); 8:3010 p.m. (intermediate dances), Hillcrest Jewish Center, 183-02 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows. $10. Info: (718) 380-4145, hillcrestjc.org.

CLUBS “Hooks & Needles” Crochet & Knit Club, with participants bringing projects, hooks, needles and yarn, or working on charity projects. Every Thu., 6:30-9 p.m., Big 6 Shopping Center, 60-10 Queens Blvd., Woodside (entrance inside shopping center, up one flight, down hall to left of 99-cent store). Info: Lorraine, (917) 817-4037.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES Defensive driving class for seniors, sponsored by AARP. Sat., Feb. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Howard Beach Senior Center, 155-55 Crossbay Blvd. Info: Rosalie (718) 738-8100. Queens AARP Chorus, which sings at nursing homes and AARP events, seeks retired people to join. Meets each Fri., 11 a.m. (new people asked to come 10 a.m.), Clearview Selfhelp Center, 208-11 26 Ave., Bayside. Info: joroosume@verizon.net.

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ACROSS 1 Tiny bits 6 “I, Robot” writer 12 Catch in a net 13 Household 14 Treeless Asian plain 15 Bach piece 16 Corn recipe 17 Experts 19 Ultramodern 20 Reverberate 22 Kiwi’s extinct cousin 24 -- Khan 27 Get better 29 “Two and a Half Men” role 32 Arguably, best-known line from Shakespeare 35 Still 36 Peacenik 37 Performance 38 Blushing 40 Iodine source 42 Pitch 44 Spud’s buds 46 Scored 100 on 50 Hard to find 52 Guarantee 54 Yearly 55 Tradition, perhaps 56 Forward a story 57 Leg parts

DOWN 1 Grooving on 2 Portent 3 Reservation residence

4 Nile slitherer 5 One often seen with a crook? 6 Bullets etc. 7 Quake 8 Hostel 9 Hawaiian volcano 10 Curved molding 11 Kill a bill 12 Sixth sense 18 Virginia city

21 Comedian Margaret 23 Feedbag tidbit 24 Noshed 25 Head of st. 26 Straying 28 Smitten, maybe unrequitedly 30 Jimmy Kimmel’s employer 31 Lepidopterist’s prop 33 Away from WSW 34 -- Aviv

39 Sticker 41 Old hat 42 Despot 43 Dermatology subject 45 Holler 47 Adorable 48 Cupid’s alias 49 Rep.’s rival 51 Regret 53 Sister

Answers at right

continued from page 35 Being Attacked” is a concrete-like block adorned with found images of women engaged in self-defense poses. Winant notes that she began the archive subconsciously throughout 2016, as a response to the political environment of the presidential election. Several of the pieces are of a more experiential nature, such as Priyanka Dasgupta’s and Chad Marshall’s “Passage.” Their work addresses the history of immigration in America “by revisiting the paths that blacks and early 20th century Bengali sailors took to the United States, through the holds of slave ships and steamship boiler rooms.” The installation is housed within SculptureCenter’s central corridor, which has been walled off from another installation on the other side. To experience it, audience members must crouch-walk below a cedar ceiling that gradually decreases in height. After the uncomfortable journey, visitors emerge into a small space where they can stand normally. Throughout the art piece, the Emma Lazarus sonnet “The New Colossus,” which is engraved on the Statue of Liberty’s base, echoes in Yoruba and Bengali. The show includes a diverse wealth of art media, including the “leather totems” of Elena Ailes and Simon Belleau, which are meant to “push against their surroundings

with quiet, expressive force” in the manner of fungi, whose growth process is one of nature’s slowest. Carey Denniston has created private viewing booths set across from video screens that play edited Facetime conversations with her 13-year-old niece. Denniston’s work offers commentary on the digital realm which now accounts for a massive amount of human communication, and within which her niece is already comfortable. “In Practice: Another Echo” is a fascinating way to spend an afternoon, and may make you consider the reasons and ways in which you assert your own consciousness Q in the world.

Crossword Answers

Page 39 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018

King Crossword Puzzle

‘Another Echo’

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Notice of formation of MAMMOTH & MINNOW LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on DECEMBER 7, 2017. Office in Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC. 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 202, BROOKLYN, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NESH HOLDINGS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/01/2018. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Vasilios Miliopulos, 277 Broadway, Ste 510, NY, NY 10007. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

NOTICE is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 02-02-18, bearing Index Number NC-001173-17/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) AERIELL (Last) ARMAS. My present name is (First) AERIELL (Last) MANSELL. My present address is 43-14 147TH STREET, Flushing, NY 11355. My place of birth is QUEENS, NY. My date of birth is September 17, 1997.

NOTICE is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 01-30-18, bearing Index Number NC-001115-17/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) DAMIAN (Last) FLORIMONTE. My present name is (First) DAMIAN (Middle) AUGUSTO (Last) BARRIOS AKA DAMIAN A. BARRIOS (infant). My present address is 5230 62ND STREET, Maspeth, NY 11378. My place of birth is MIAMI, FLORIDA. My date of birth is December 03, 2005.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: NEMA-2 REALTY, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/27/17 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 the process to the LLC, c/o Magriples & Associates, LLC, 21-71 Steinway Street, Astoria, New York 11105. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

NEW YORK YHC LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/19/2017. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: True CPA Group LLC, 6 Jason Drive, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

NOTICE is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 12-04-17, bearing Index Number NC-000768-17/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) AMNA (Middle) SYED (Last) AHMED. My present name is (First) RAHEEN (Middle) SYED (Last) AHMED (infant). My present address is 115-104 SPRINGFIELD BLVD, Cambria Heights, NY 11411. My place of birth is QUEENS, NY. My date of birth is May 30, 2010.

NOTICE is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 01-29-18, bearing Index Number NC-001037-17/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) KIANA (Middle) CHANTE (Last) HAZEL MARTIN. My present name is (First) KIANA (Middle) CHANTE (Last) HAZEL. My present address is 102-39 188th Street, Hollis, NY 11423-3111. My place of birth is QUEENS, NY. My date of birth is August 31, 1982.

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Notice of Formation of 150 BEAVER ROAD, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/17/18. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State Street, Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity

ALLURE NAIL SALON LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/20/17. 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, 5132 48th Street, Woodside, NY 11377. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Having a garage sale? Let everyone know about it by advertising in the Queens Classifieds. Call 718-205-8000 and place the ad!

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Public Notice

First IC Bank, a state banking association headquartered at 5593 Buford Highway, Doraville, GA 30340, plans to submit an application to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and to the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance for authority to establish a full service banking of fice at 147-50 Nor thern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11354. Any person wishing to comment on this application may file his or her comments in writing with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 10 Tenth Street, NE Ste. 800, attn. Michael Dean, Regional Director, Atlanta, Georgia 30309 and to the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, 2900 Brandywine Road Ste. 200, Atlanta, Georgia 303415565, attn. Murali Ramachandran, Supervisory Manager. Comments must be received by March 2nd, 2018. The comment period may be extended or reopened by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for good cause. The non-confidential portions of the application are on file in the Atlanta Regional Office of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and are available for inspection during regular business hours. Photocopies of the application file will be made available upon request

Notice of formation of EONS RESTAURANT HOLDING LLC Articles of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/06/2017. Office located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against LLC to: EONS RESTAURANT HOLDING LLC, 254-55 Horace Harding Exp., Little Neck, NY 11362. Any lawful activity or purpose.

Huo Realty M18 LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 12/01/17. Office Location: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 33 Stratton Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of JAMAICA CHIROPRACTIC & PHYSICAL THERAPY, PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/29/18. Office location: Queens County. Princ. office of PLLC: 144-31 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, NY 11435. SSNY designated as agent of PLLC upon Subscriptions are only $19 for a whom process against it may be full year!!! Call 718-205-8000 served. SSNY shall mail process to the PLLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Practice the professions of chiropractic medicine and physical therapy.

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Notice of Formation of M&S 2124 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/23/18. Office location: Queens County. Princ. office of LLC: 52-14 241st St., Douglaston, NY 11362. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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

Houses For Sale Howard Beach/Rockwood Park, lg Brookfield (26x52) on 40x100 lot, 5 BR, 3 full baths. Walk-In features 2 BR, LR, DA, kit & full bath, brick & siding, new roof. Asking $859K. Connexion I RE, 718-845-1136 Rockwood Park, mint, immaculate 40x100 Hi-Ranch, 4 BR, 3 full baths, newly renov walk-in with granite & S/S kitchen, granite floors throughout, IGP. A must see! Asking, $879K. Connexion I RE, 718-845-1136

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Glen Cove, 47 Viola Dr. Luxurious 1 family. Asking $999K. Capri Jet Realty Corp, 718-388-2188 Howard Beach, 160-48 92 St. New to market! Beautiful 1 family. Asking $695K. Howard Beach, 160-44 96 St. 2 family 80x100 lot. Asking, $899K. Capri Jet Realty Corp, 718-388-2188 Howard Beach/Rockwood Park, custom lg Colonial, huge MBR with luxury bath, premium fls, radiant heat, CAC unit on each fl, gourmet kit, hi-end appli, 3 more BR, 3 baths, study. Connexion I RE, 718-845-1136 Howard Beach/Rockwood Park, exclusive listing. Lovely corner Colonial, 4 BR, 2 full baths, 40x100. MB with balcony, family room with wood burning fireplace. Asking, $875K. Connexion I RE, 718-845-1136

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Notice of Formation of LI MING MANAGEMENT LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State (SSNY) on 03/27/2014. 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: 57-36 75TH Street, Middle Village, NY 11379. Purpose: any lawful activity.

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

Page 43 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018

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INDEX NO. 705661/2017 Order To Show Cause. Filed April 28, 2017 County Clerk Queens County. In the Matter of the Application of Fran Stemmler and Lorraine Parente, holders of 33.33% of All Outstanding Shares Entitled to Vote in the Election of Directors of Axel Spring and Brake, Inc., Axel Spring and Welding Corp., and Parente Associates, Inc., Petitioner, against. For the Dissolution of Axel Spring and Brake, Inc., Axel Spring and Welding Corp., and Parente Associates, Inc., Domestic Business Corporations duly formed pursuant to the laws of the State of New York, Vito Parente, Margaret Parente, Gracene Gardella and NEW YORK STATE TAX COMMISSION. Respondents. Upon reading and filing the annexed verified petition of FRAN STEMMLER, affidavit of LORRAINE PARENTE and affirmation of DANIEL TANON, ESQ. all sworn to this 26th day of April, 2017, and all the pleadings had herein and all of the exhibits annexed hereto, LET the Respondents, show cause at an lAS Part 33 Room 122 to be held at the Queens County Supreme Court located at 88-11 Sutphin Blvd. Jamaica, New York 11435 on the 20th day of June, 2017, at 9:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, WHY an order should not be made and entered: • Directing the corporations, Axel Spring and Brake, Inc., Axel Spring and Welding Corp., and Parente Associates, Inc., be dissolved pursuant to BCL §1104-a; and • a preliminary injunction should not be granted herein restraining and enjoining the individual Respondents from seizing and/or wasting and/or disposing of and/or transferring and/or dissipating and/or encumbering the assets of and/or entering into leases and/or hiring and/or firing employees of Axel Spring and Brake, Inc., Axel Spring and Welding Corp., and Parente Associates, Inc., under the control of the individual Respondents, and • that all petitioners and all respondents shall be restrained and enjoined from withdrawing funds from any bank accounts of the respondent corporations pending the further order of this court and • that any and all checking accounts and bank accounts held in the name of the respondent corporations shall require two (2) signatures on any check and/or withdrawal, one signature from one of the individual petitioners and one signature from one of the individual respondents, and • for such other and further relief as to this Court may seem just and proper; and it is further ORDERED, that pending the hearing determination of this motion, the individual Respondents & Petitioners, their agents, servants, and/or employees herein, be and hereby are enjoined and restrained from seizing and/or wasting and/or disposing of and/or transferring and/or dissipating and/or transferring and/ or dissipating and/or encumbering the assets of and/or entering into leases and/or hiring and/or firing employees of Axel Spring and Brake, Inc., Axel Spring and Welding Corp., and Parente Associates, Inc., under the control of the individual Respondents, ORDERED that neither Respondents & Petitioners not remove, hypothecate ant equipment, tools, inventory or corporate assets pending the determination of the within motion. ORDERED, that any and all checking accounts and bank accounts held in the name of the respondent corporations shall require two (2) signatures on any check and/or withdrawal, one signature from one of the individual petitioners and one signature from one of the individual respondents, and for such other and further relief as to this Court may seem just and proper; and it is further ORDERED, that a copy of this order to show cause, verified petition and papers upon which it was based shall be served upon Axel Spring and Brake, Inc., Axel Spring and Welding. Corp., and Parente Associates, Inc., Vito Parente, Margaret Parente, Gracene Gardella and the New York State Tax Commission, in the manner, and within the time, prescribed in BCL § 1106 which shall be deemed good and sufficient service. Pursuant to NYCRR § 202.7(f), counsel for the Petitioner has given 24 hour notice to the respondents of petitioner’s intent to bring this Order to Show Cause.” ENTER, Hon. Leonard Livote, A.J.S.C. Service of a copy of this application and all papers its based to be made by overnight mail on all named parties by May 5, 2017. Filed April 28, 2017. County Clerk Queens County.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018 Page 44

C M SQ page 44 Y K

Activists, U.S. agency wary of FAA decision 1966 law central to dispute over Broadway-Flushing Historic District by Ryan Brady Associate Editor

Like many other quiet skies advocates in northeast Queens, Maria Becce of BroadwayFlushing is far from a fan of the TNNIS climb flight procedure from LaGuardia Airport. The noisy NextGen departure procedure, which was created to spare the US Open tournament in Flushing Meadows Corona Park of irritating airplane noise, became frequent in northeast Queens in 2012. It has led residents of Bayside and Flushing to heavily criticize the Federal Aviation Administration. Becce’s neighborhood is recognized by New York State and the U.S. as a historic district. When making decisions that affect areas with that designation, the federal government is required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 “to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties” and provide “a reasonable opportunity to comment” to the national Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. According to the Broadway-Flushing resident, the TNNIS climb may never have become standard procedure throughout the year if the Section 106 study was done. “They would have gone back to the drawing board and they would have developed better NextGen flight patterns,” she said. Now, the Broadway-Flushing resident said, she is waiting for the FAA to respond to the AHCP’s advisory opinion. Former Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association President Arthur Viviani, who now lives in Whitestone, took a look at the law in 2015. “I went to the U.S. courthouse in Brooklyn and used their library and looked up the law and read the law,” he said. “And I said, ‘Oh my gosh.’” He reached out to the federal government about the issue with the 1966 law in April 2015. And in the following months, northeast Queens elected officials wrote their own letters about the situation to the ACHP. In November of that year, the Advisory Council wrote to the FAA inquiring about the situation. The aviation body responded that it

A low-flying plane in Queens.

A disagreement between the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, an independent U.S. government agency, and the Federal Aviation AdminPHOTO BY RYAN BRADY istration involves the TNNIS climb plane navigation procedure over the Broadway-Flushing Historic District. “issued a categorical exclusion (CATEX) under the National Environmental Policy Act” for the TNNIS climb’s impact on the BroadwayFlushing Historic District that it projected. “The CATEX in my opinion was somewhat of a shortcut for the FAA,” said Becce, who represents Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) on the New York Community Aviation Roundtable and is a member of the Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association. “And what happens with shortcuts? They never work.” In a letter responding to the ACHP, the FAA’s Office of Environment and Energy said that the agency found that TNNIS wouldn’t result in the historic district experiencing major noise increases. The letter from the agency defines “significant” increases as those in which areas that receive a 65 decibel day-night average sound level — the maximum degree of airplane noise allowed in residential areas — get an increase of 1.5 DNL. The FAA added that though it did not complete a consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA, “had we done so we would have proposed a finding of ‘no historic properties

FILE PHOTO

affected’ for two reasons. “First, we would have proposed this finding because FAA relies on its land use compatibility guidelines to evaluate impacts to historic properties that are used as residences,” FAA Federal Preservation Officer Katherine Andrus wrote in the letter. “Second, even where there are project-related noise impacts, this does not constitute an ‘effect’ under Section 106 unless it directly or indirectly alters the characteristics that qualify the property for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.” After two years, the ACHP sent a pointed letter with an advisory opinion to the FAA about the situation. The “changes in air traffic patterns should have been determined to be an undertaking as defined in the Section 106 regulations,” the agency said. The Advisory Council added the FAA issuing a CATEX did not absolve it of the obligation to “comply with Section 106,” and that “the revised air traffic patterns could directly or indirectly alter the characteristics” that would qualify it for placement on the National Register of Historic Places. Becce agrees. “Tranquility and gracious beauty,” she explained, are characteristics of the neighborhood that are important to its historic status. Queens Quiet Skies President Janet McEneaney agrees with the Advisory Council’s assessment about the FAA’s categorical exclusion for TNNIS. “Simply issuing a CATEX for the new [Area Navigation, or RNAV] did not absolve them of their responsibility to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act,” she said. McEneaney said that the issue with the TNNIS climb and the 1966 preservation law is analogous to the FAA’s approval of flight procedures at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Ariz. that planes started to use in September 2014. The City of Phoenix and a group of neighborhood associations sued the FAA in 2015 over the controversial paths.

According to the Airplane Noise Report, a federal court ruled in August that the agency could not have depended solely upon its land use compatibility guidelines when weighing how procedures affect residentially used properties on the National Register of Historic Places. “They’ve done exactly the same thing here,” the Queens Quiet Skies president said. In response to an order from the court, the FAA halted its controversial NextGen flights at Sky Harbor, put temporary ones in their place and is having meetings with the community about what will permanently replace them. “They were told they had to roll back all of the NextGen RNAVs; they put it back to where it was pre-NextGen,” McEneaney said. “It would be great if that happened here; it would take away all this noise,” she said. “We don’t know what they would do after that.” To Becce, the Arizona city’s win is good news. “I congratulate Phoenix for doing that,” she said. There may be a big obstacle to a similar lawsuit being launched by stakeholders in Becce’s neighborhood, though. “The expense would be prohibitive for a private action,” the Broadway-Flushing resident said, speaking as an individual. An ideal outcome from the Advisory Council’s intervention, she added, would be the FAA “recognizing very similar circumstances to f light patterns that were changed in Phoenix.” Were the agency to go back to the drawing board, stop regularly using the TNNIS climb and come up with a new procedure, the historic district would not be the only neighborhood impacted. That’s because the controversial path also flies over Downtown Flushing and Bayside. The FAA told the Chronicle that it “will respond directly to” AHCP’s letter from November. The agency did not send an answer prior to deadline after being asked if it would conduct a Section 106 consultation under the Q National Historic Preservation Act.

C M SQ page 45 Y K Page 45 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 15, 2018

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Forest Hills welcomes former President Roosevelt

Mets hope Fraze pays by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

It’s hard to quibble with the Mets’ signing last week of free agent third baseman Todd Frazier to a two-year deal, reportedly valued at $17 million. Let’s face it. Even though David Wright’s spirit is very willing, his body isn’t and so it’s safe to say that he’s never coming back. Yes, Todd is prone to the strikeout, but he does hit for power; knows how to take the extra base; can field with aplomb and has proven over the years that he can deliver in the clutch. He is also a leader in the clubhouse who enjoys talking to reporters. To borrow a famous Yiddish expression, Frazier is a mensch. Mets ownership has long been knocked by their fans, the media and agents like Scott Boras for their unwillingness to spend money. This offseason, which has been eerily quiet, the Mets have arguably been more active than every other team — bringing in free agents Anthony Swarzak, Jay Bruce and Frazier. While those moves won’t bridge the talent gap with the Washington Nationals, they should help the Mets improve in the standings. The annual Thurman Munson Dinner — named after the late Yankees captain who died in a 1979 plane crash and which has raised over $15 million to assist people with cognitive disabilities — was held last Tues-

by Michael Gannon Editor

One can still go to the Long Island Rail Road station in Forest Hills and stand exactly where former President Theodore Roosevelt did on July 4, 1917. The United States was at war, having entered what would later would be called World War I on the side of the Allies three months earlier. Covering what became known as Roosevelt’s “100 Percent American” speech, The New York Times reported that he had no patience for half-hearted patriots, conscientious objectors or foreign nationals with dual loyalties in a time of war — “fifty-fifty allegiance,” he called it. He believed that foreign language press at the time should include English translations; and that English must be the country’s language. But he also castigated those such as the Red Cross, which he accused of discriminating against those of German or Austro-Hungarian birth or heritage. The U.S. was fighting both countries. The Times reported he believed all foreign residents or those of foreign-born par-

Theodore Roosevelt did not exactly speak softly addressing a crowd in Forest Hills on July 4, 1917. PHOTO COURTESY LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ents “must in good faith, in soul and in body, become an American ... On the other hand, if he thus in good faith, in soul and body, becomes an American, he stands on a full and entire equality with everybody else, and must be so treated without any mental reservation, without any regard to his creed or birthplace or descent. One obligation is just as binding as another.” Q

day at the Grand Hyatt. Mets infielder TJ Rivera said that he was happy with his recovery from a torn muscle in his throwing arm. He said it occurred because of wear and tear going back to childhood. “I shouldn’t have thrown those curveballs in Little League!” he said with a chuckle. He feels that his arm will be good as new but admitted that he will be nervous when he has to make his first throw across the diamond. Carlos Beltran, who just retired after a 20-year major league career, stated that he is not happy with how the federal government has responded to helping rebuild his native Puerto Rico following last fall’s hurricanes that wrecked the island. He then added that he would not attend the White House gathering when the 2017 World Series champion Houston Astros, of which he was a member, visit President Trump. Former Giants defensive end Justin Tuck was a Munson honoree as well. He certainly is not wallowing in memories of his Big Blue glory days as he will be receiving his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in May. Tuck will be earning more than he did as a very well-compensated NFL player, as he’ll be Q joining Goldman Sachs after graduation. See the extended version of Sports Beat every week at qchron.com.

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