Volume 13 Issue No. 19 May 11-17, 2012
PAGE 18
Thanks See page 8
Online at www.QueensPress.com
News Briefs Vandalism Spree A rash of automobile vandalism hit sleepy Douglaston last week, unnerving residents and spurring an elected official to call for an investigation. On an early April 30 morning, as many as a dozen car windows were smashed and personal items pilfered. The vandalism occurred between midnight and 4:00 a.m. on 4360 and 44-30 Douglaston Parkway. Captain Jason Huerta of the 111th Precinct is investigating the incident, according to State Sen. Tony Avella’s (DBayside) office. The 111th, which covers the neighborhoods of Douglaston, Bayside, Little Neck, Auburndale, Hollis Hills and Fresh Meadows, has seen a small increase in burglaries and grand larcenies, compared to this time last year. Grand larceny autos are also up 17.5 percent this year. The 111th did not respond to requests for comment as of press time. Caroline Lee, a resident of an apartment building on 43-60 Douglaston Parkway, said the passenger side window of car was broken and cash was stolen from her vehicle. Her GPS and sunglasses were not taken, however, leading her to believe the perpetrators were after money alone. Her window cost $250 to replace. “They targeted expensive cars, BMWs, I was told,” Lee said. “Nothing like this has happened for a while. In the building where I am, there are no security cameras. I’m worried.”
Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 11-17, 2012
RKO Site Height Approved The Federal Aviation Authority ruled again that the height of a planned mixeduse building would not interfere with the flight path of LaGuardia Airport planes, clearing the way for apartments to rise on the sight of the famed R.K.O Keith’s theater. Having fallen into disrepair, the once regal theater in downtown Flushing has been a battleground for competing visions over the last decade. Preservationists want the theater restored, while developer Patrick Thompson has successfully pushed to build an apartment building, now with rental units instead of condominium units, on the site of the theater. FAA’s ruling ensures a hurdle is cleared for Thompson: the building, at 195 feet above sea level, will not be hazardous to low-flying planes, according to a letter sent from FAA to Christian Kellberg, a civil engineer and preservationist who was appealing a determination FAA made back in January. “You failed to provide any new facts or information that would change the basis on which the determination was made,” wrote Dennis Roberts, director of airspace services at FAA, to Kellberg. “Accordingly, your request for discretion-
ary review is denied, and the above referenced Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation is final.” Four years ago, FAA originally ruled that Thompson’s development would require certain types of lighting in order to not interfere with flight paths. After returning to the Board of Standards and Appeals for an approval to be re-issued, Thompson finally gained FAA approval.
Cuts May End Pomonok Program The children of Pomonok Houses, one of the oldest and largest public housing developments in New York City, may not have anywhere to go when school doors snap shut for the day. Pomonok Community House will be forced to end all after school services if the budget cuts imposed by the Bloomberg Administration are finalized. Funding has been drying up for several years at Pomonok Community House, though there was always enough public money leftover to continue paying staff and hosting after school programming. Over the past two years, a slew of murders shook the housing development, built 61 years ago, and led to the creation of a nonprofit anti-violence group Let’s Succeed, Empower, and Motivate. One of its founders, Crystal McMoore, a mother of three, believes the cessation of an after school program at Pomonok will lead to more violence. Pomonok Houses is not situated near other after school programs. It is one of 22 sites operated by Queens Community House, a City-funded settlement house that provides an array of social services. In 2006, Pomonok Community House had a budget between $600,000 and $700,000. $400,000 came from the City’s Dept. of Youth and Community Development, which has since seen its meager budget reduced. No money now comes from DYCD. Pomonok Houses’ overall budget, before Mayor Mike Bloomberg announced his City budget, was $300,000. The City Council and Bloomberg will soon negotiate a new budget. If Bloomberg’s budget stands, there will be no money for Pomonok Houses. New York City Housing Authority grants and private foundations used to prop up the after school program, which once included GED classes, fitness classes, summer camps and SAT tutoring. Those grants, in a frail economic environment, are gone. As funding decreased, activity specialists were replaced with minimum wage-earning college students. The Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation will expire on Oct. 30, 2013. Kellberg could not be reached for comment.
Presstime
DOT Eyes New Bus Route To Rockaways BY DOMENICK RAFTER Some big changes are coming to the bus lines that run along Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards. The MTA announced at the May 3 Community Board 10 meeting that the agency is altering two of the three bus routes that use the major thoroughfare between Queens Center Mall and the Rockaway Peninsula. Currently, the Q21, Q53 and Q11 run along Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards. The latter two originate in Rockaway while the Q11 begins in Howard Beach. During peak times, the Q21 also has an express line, the Q21 Limited, which like the Q53 makes limited stops between
Elmhurst and the Rockaways. Under MTA’s new plan, the Q21 will be cut back to Howard Beach and terminate at 164th Avenue and Cross Bay Boulevard. The Q21 Limited will become an entirely new bus line – the Q53 – and run all day from Arverne to Queens Center Mall, making limited stops with the Q53, the current Rockaway ParkWoodside limited route. The MTA moved the Rockaway terminus of the Q21 from Beach 116th Street in Rockaway Park to Beach 67th Street in Arverne to serve the growing Arverne-ByThe-Sea development. The Q11 meanwhile will continue to run to its two terminuses in Old Howard Beach and Hamilton Beach, but the latter
will cease service after 9 p.m. MTA said ridership from the Hamilton Beach terminal at 102nd Street and 165th Avenue is too small to warrant service after that, but members of CB10 disagreed with that assertion, noting some residents work at Queens Center Mall past 9 p.m. and take the Q11 home. The Q11 will still run to its terminal in Old Howard Beach, which is connected to Hamilton Beach by a pedestrian bridge over Hawtree Basin. The plan was met with almost unanimous opposition, especially by board members from Hamilton Beach and Old Howard Beach. “You can expect a letter in opposition to this plan tomorrow morning,” Pat McCabe, a
representative of State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), told the MTA representatives at the CB 10 meeting. The changes to the Q21 and Q11 and implementation of the new Q52 service is scheduled for July 1. The MTA also outlined proposed changes to the Q21 and Q41 terminal in Howard Beach. Currently southbound buses run south on Cross Bay Boulevard before terminating at 164th Avenue, then northbound buses run west on 164th Avenue to 84th Street, the north to 160th Avenue and loop back to Cross Bay Boulevard. Robert Lai, deputy director of Service Design Operations Planning outlined two proposed changes that would
terminate the buses at either 160th Avenue and Cross Bay Boulevard or keep its current terminus, but instead of looping through the neighborhood, would turn around the block and head northbound on Cross Bay Boulevard. The proposed changes, which are not ready to be implemented before September, met stiff opposition to some Howard Beach residents who said 92nd Street, which the buses would use to turn northbound, is a narrow residential street and buses would have a hard time making the northbound turn. No changes will be made to the Q53. Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125 or drafter@queenstribune.com.
Queens Library Funding On Chopping Block The borough’s comprehensive public library system is at risk, once again, for funding cuts that officials say would cripple their ability to serve the people of Queens. Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Executive Budget calls for $26.7 million in cuts to the Queens Public Library system. Manhattan and Brooklyn’s libraries are also at risk, totaling $100 million in cuts to the City’s three public
systems. The loss would be effective at the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1. Since 2008, Queens Library has lost $48.5 million in funding. According to Queens Library, the cuts would force the outright closing of 18 branches. More than 600 jobs would be on the line and Sunday library service would be eliminated boroughwide. The Central Library in Jamaica would be the only library in the system to offer Saturday service. “These are unacceptable con-
Borough President Helen Marshall speaks out against the proposed Queens Library cuts on Tuesday. Galante said in a statement. The Queens Public Library is working on renovations across the borough. One of the projects includes the expansion of the Adult Learning Center at the Rochdale Village branch. The center serves hundreds of adult students each year who are learning to read, write and speak English, as well as students who are taking pre-GED classes. The center is one of seven in the borough. The Cultural Affairs and Li-
braries Committee will hold a hearing on Monday, where people will have an opportunity to testify on the effects of the proposed cuts. A rally is planned for May 31 on the steps of City Hall. Buses will leave from Central Library in Jamaica, Peninsula Library in the Rockaways and Flushing Library in Flushing at 8 a.m. The rally will begin at 10 a.m. Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.
May 11-17, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3
Dozens rally outside of Flushing Library in an attempt to reverse Executive Budget cuts.
sequences of these proposed budget cuts,” Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) said. “They make no sense. They would be bad for our neighborhoods, bad for kids, bad for seniors.” A rally was held Tuesday afternoon at the Flushing branch to speak out against the proposed cuts. “We spoke in a unified and loud voice that a $100 million cut to libraries is unacceptable and cannot happen,” said Van Bramer, who chairs the Cultural Affairs and Libraries Committee. Over the years, the Queens Public Library has evolved into a one-stop shop for the borough. Much like community centers, library branches offer educational classes, entertainment and safe places for young people to hang out. Last month, the library began lending e-readers at the Central Library to allow customers to take multiple books with them at once. “Queens Library connects the community to education, technology, culture and vital services. New Yorkers need public library doors open. Demand for library services continues to stay strong, even with the effects of the past lean years,” CEO Thomas
Photos courtesy of Queens Library
BY VERONICA LEWIN
Bridge Work Will Require Lane Closure BY DOMENICK RAFTER More work to fix the aging Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge will require a lane closure that will last through the summer. One of the three southbound lanes on the bridge will be closed to traffic weekdays between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. starting Monday, May 14, and will last through
the fall. The lane closure is required to accommodate equipment being used for work being done is on the concrete piers beneath the bridge’s span. Besides the southbound lane closure, the Beach Channel Drive eastbound ramp to the bridge will be closed daily from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from May 14 through May 18 for repairs. The bridge, which opened in 1970
and replaced an older bascule bridge, connects Broad Channel to the Rockaway Peninsula. MTA Bridges and Tunnels is undergoing a $13.2 million, 26-month project to renovate the piers under the bridge. The work is expected to be completed in 2013. The bridge’s main roadway and ramps on the Rockaway side were entirely reconstructed in a three-year $57 million
project that was completed in 2010 and required intermittent lane closures during peak travel times. More than 20,000 cars use the bridge daily and it is especially busy during the summer months when it serves traffic heading to Rockaway Beach. Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125 or drafter@queenstribune.com.
Jamaica Nonprofit Receives $300K Grant comprehensive after-school programs for disadvantaged teens living in Queens,� One organization designed to improve said Marlyn Torres, New York Life Founthe lives of young people will be able to dation assistant vice president. “These continue to fulfill their goals for a few programs create a stronger academic founmore years. dation to support learning and also help Safe Space announced last week that build leadership skills and confidence.� “We are extremely grateful to the New they received a two-year, $300,000 grant from the New York Life Foundation. York Life Foundation for the significant The agency anticipates the funding will investment they are making in providing allow them to double the youth they safe and productive programming to help serve each year. Funding will be used to instill thousands of at-risk young people in expand programs at their new Jamaica Jamaica with the hope, confidence and Youth Center, located near the agency’s tools they need to simultaneously expand headquarters. their horizons and expectations of them“We are proud to support Safe Space’s selves,� Safe Space CEO and President Christine Molnar said. Safe Space was founded in 1919 as the Queensboro Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. In the last 92 years, the organization has expanded to provide family support, mental health services and youth development services. In July, Safe Space moved its headquarters from Manhattan to 89-74 162nd St. in Jamaica. The organization also has renovated centers in Far Rockaway and RichOne of Safe Space’s recent additions is the Media mond Hill, making a Safe Space close to nearly anyone in SouthCenter, which opened in December. east Queens.
Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 11-17, 2012
Dominick Totino Photography
BY VERONICA LEWIN
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Safe Space tries to bring as many opportunities to the youth and families in the area as possible. More than 46 percent of the Safe Space staff is bilingual to provide non-English speakers with assistance. According to the American Community Survey, as of 2006, nearly 25 percent of adults in Jamaica lacked a high school diploma and one in 10 adults had less than an eighth grade education. The organization currently operates five school-based partnership programs in Jamaica and Far Rockaway. The organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters is
home to The Space, an after-school hangout destination for teens. The brightly painted walls and comfortable couches make the area an inviting place for youth. The Space also has a television and a quiet study area. In The Spaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first year of being open, 800 kids from the community came to use the services. The space also has special services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in Southeast Queens. Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.
Community Board 10 OKs Living Facility BY DOMENICK RAFTER Community Board 10 held a public hearing at its May meeting to discuss a plan to use a South Ozone Park home as an independent living facility for men with developmental disabilities.
Independent Residences Inc., a Woodhaven-based organization that helps assist people with developmental disabilities such as autism live independently, has acquired a home at 118-05 North Conduit Ave. and is planning on turning it into a home for six young disabled men.
The house, located near the intersection of Lefferts Boulevard and the Belt Parkway, will house the men, who will all be around the age of 20, and will be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by aides. The house was unanimously approved by Community Board
10, who had the authority to either approve the site or suggest another site, but under state law, could not reject it. Board members did not express opposition, but did register concerns, including the issue of traffic and street parking. Representatives from Independent Residences
Inc. said the men living in the house will be supervised by staff when they are out in the public and if they can work, will be assisted in getting jobs in the community. Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125 or drafter@queenstribune.com.
Forest Park Carousel To Open By End Of May BY DOMENICK RAFTER It has been three years since the last person rode the Forest Park Carousel. Since then, the 109-year-old ride has sat boarded up behind tall chain-linked fencing, the land around it unkempt with the fallen leaves of two autumns. But at the end of this month, the music will play again and the horses will spin to the enjoyment of young and old alike. The Parks Department has se-
lected an operator — New York Carousel Entertainment — to operate the attraction, which sits atop a hill only steps from Woodhaven Boulevard and the Seuffert Bandshell. The agency is working on finalizing the agreement. “The carousel is part of our community’s identity. We couldn’t be happier that the Parks Department has done the right thing something we’ve requested for years and gotten a deal done so that our community can enjoy it again,” said
Woodhaven Residents Block Association President Edward Wendell, who has been pushing for the carousel to be reopened since it shut down in 2009. The carousel closed after its previous operator, New York One, did not renew its contract to operate the site. In April, 2011, an audit from Comptroller John Liu’s office accused New York One of overcharging customers, violating health codes and milking city taxpayers out of more than $450,000. New York One
operated the Forest Park Carousel and the one in Central Park until 2009. The Parks Dept. had tried to find a new operator for the carousel last year, but failed to find any bidders. New York Carousel Entertainment will also operate the carousel in Flushing Meadows Corona Park as part of the deal. The carousels are expected to be operational by Memorial Day. Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125 or drafter@queenstribune.com.
With a new operator, the Forest Park Carousel will reopen Memorial Day Weekend.
resents... York College P
$15.00 Gen Admission / $12.00 Seniors / $10.00 Group / $5 Students with ID Suitable for mature audience only YORK COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tickets available at the Box Office, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. Call: 718-262-2840 or online at www.york.cuny.edu Major funding for this series provided by NYC Councilmembers Leroy Comrie (27th-CD) Deputy Majority Leader NY City Council and Chair of Land Use Committee, and Ruben Wills (28th-CD), Chair of Substance Abuse Sub-Committee.
May 11-17, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5
2012 • 7:00pm Friday, May 4, pm 5, 2012 • 7:00 Saturday, May 2012 • 3:00pm Sunday, May 6, , 2012 • 7:00pm & 7:00pm Friday, May 11 , 2012 • 2:00pm Saturday, May 12 , 2012 • 3:00pm Sunday, May 13
Editorial OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email news@queenspress.com The PRESS of Southeast Queens Managing Editor:
Steven J. Ferrari
Saluting Our Moms The PRESS has enjoyed celebrating the Mothers of Queens for more than a decade now, and the participation is always overwhelming. This year was no different, as we received so many great essays from people all over the borough, regaling us with tales about the greatness of their mothers. Our most sincere congratulations go out to not just the moms who won and those who are listed in this special edition, but to all of the mothers of Queens who make life better for their kids, their families and the rest of us. Happy Mothers Day!
Contributing Editor:
Letters
Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:
Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor
Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen
Reporters: Harley Benson Veronica Lewin Domenick Rafter Ross Barkan Jason Pafundi Interns: Brianna Ellis Joanna Gonzalez Art Dept:
Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend
Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 11-17, 2012
Advertising Director Shanie Persaud Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin
A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2012 Tribco, LLC
Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher
No Relief To The Editor: In the April 13 PRESS, there was a letter from Joanna Livingstone relating to the March 29 vote to block legislation which would strip billions of dollars in tax breaks for the biggest U.S. oil companies. It was blocked by all Republican Senators save one brave, Olympia Snowe (R-ME). All Democrats voted to stop the tax breaks. This repeated behavior is hardly shocking. As Ms.
Livingstone stated the obvious, anyone not duped or downright disingenuous must be blind to these repeated facts. As she aptly put it, “Republicans represent their beneficiaries - big oil, the mega wealthy and corporations (Supreme Court Person), and the Democrats the American People (real Person, persons).” It will be interesting to see how Keystone XL will be painted as a benefit to the American real persons when it in fact is just one more give away to big oil. In fact XL is nothing but a
Letters risky viaduct to bring dirty “sands” oil from Alberta, Canada, to Port Arthur, Texas, where it is refined, sold and shipped tax free, overseas. Americans get no relief at the pump, but do get the inevitable oil spills across our country while Big Oil continues to reap additional record profits and is incredulously still being subsidized by the American taxpayers. What’s wrong with this picture?? Nicholas Zizelis, Bayside
Obesity Epidemic To The Editor: The number of Americans considered obese is expected to rise from the current 34 percent to 42 percent by the year 2030, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and discussed at Monday’s “Weight of the Nation” conference in Washington. Diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, and other obesity-related ailments account for countless premature deaths and as much as 18 percent of the $2.6 trillion national cost of medical care. The leading causes of obesity
are consumption of fat-laden meat and dairy products and lack of exercise. This is particularly critical during childhood years, when lifestyle habits become lifelong addictions. A five-year Oxford University study of 22,000 people, published in the International Journal of Obesity in 2006, found that those on a vegetarian or vegan diet gained the least weight. A review of 87 studies in Nutrition Reviews concluded that a vegetarian diet is highly effective for weight loss. The time has come to replace meat and dairy products in our diet with wholesome grains, vegetables, and fruits and to undertake a regular exercise program. Parents should insist on healthy school lunch choices and set a good example at their own dinner table. Felix Britt, Fresh Meadows
WRITE ON:
The PRESS of Southeast Queens, 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357 email news@queenspress.com
Remembering Those Without Moms A Personal Perspective BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE This Sunday families around the world will celebrate Mother’s Day. It is a day every participating mother enjoys. I love it from both ends of the spectrum: as daughter and as mother, I love celebrating my own mother and I love being celebrated as the mother of my children. You get presents, breakfast in bed and quite honestly, it is the one day out of 365 that most of us are able to be lazy with impunity. What’s not to like about that? Well, if former “supermodel” Christy Turlington has her way, no one will celebrate this year. My first thought upon seeing the headline of the article was that she’s rich and can celebrate everyday by having hired help. The rest of us are worked half to death between our outside jobs and our home lives. How dare she tell us we should “disappear” for the day?
Well, it turns out there’s a method to the quirky suggestion after all. Turlington, who has now added Burns to her last name for her husband, filmmaker Ed Burns, has long been an advocate for women’s maternal health. She has produced documentaries on the subject and is founder of the non-profit organization Every Mother Counts. Turlington-Burns is suggesting that this Mother’s Day, women forego phone calls, e-mails, gifts and status updates. She hopes that by doing this, everyone will see the void that a mother’s death creates. She also hopes that this will bring more attention to maternal health so that more mothers can celebrate this very special day in the years to come. Her documentary, “No Woman No Cry,” borrows its title from a Bob Marley song, and follows a group of pregnant women from Tanzania, Bangladesh, Guatemala and the United States.
Turlington-Burns cites a United Nations report ranking the U.S. 50th in the world for mortality rate among women dying because of pregnancy/birth-related complications. We shouldn’t even be on that dubious list. By asking moms to forego the usual pampering, gifts and such, Turlington-Burns and her celebrity friends hope to shed light on this epidemic. It is indeed tragic that women in 2012 are still dying from reproductive complications. Just earlier this year a Brooklyn woman died shortly after giving birth to twins via caesarean surgery. She bled to death. Now her widower is trying to cope with rearing two tiny baby girls without the mother who so desperately wanted them. Eight years ago it happened to my friend’s daughter in Mount Vernon. She bled to death in a hospital following the birth of triplets. Not only did Olivia’s death leave her three newborn babies
without a mom, but her two other daughters as well. One of the ironies was that as a nurse practitioner, she was a healthcare provider as well. It is unacceptable that women in what is arguably the most enlightened country in the world are still dying during or immediately after childbirth. As Turlington-Burns and others point out, there is nothing more devastating to a family than losing its mother. So if a celebrity mom and her famous friends are trying to get the world and the medical community and women in general, to wake up to this calamity, I’m all for it. It doesn’t mean I’m going to cancel being feted, but to the extent that I can be helpful to the cause it behooves me to be. So this Mother’s Day, let’s all take a moment to think of the millions of children without moms and the millions of moms who died needlessly. Have a peaceful Mother’s Day, everyone!
Sex Trafficking, Newspaper Advertising and Leadership By MICHAEL SCHENKLER I met last week with Assemblywoman Grace Meng. She asked for the meeting to discuss an issue of concern to her and concern to women’s groups in Queens and elsewhere.
BASIC AGREEMENTS Although I don’t speak for the Assembly woma n, I belie ve we agree on certain basic issues. 1) We both respect and advocate for the rights of women. 2) We both will take whatever steps that are within our power to end sex trafficking here and/or abroad. 3) We both recognize that “freedom of speech” is a cherished constitutional right that must not be trampled. 4) That “commercial speech” is speech and as such, should be re spected, protected and not trampled. 5) T he re sponsibi lit y of righting societal wrongs rests with the legislature – in New York State, the State Legislature. Therefore, Assembly woman Meng and I agreed to cooperatively develop a legislative solution to address the concerns that some women’s groups have about newspaper advertising and sex trafficking. ONE LIKELY SOLUTION Toget her, we belie ve we
quickly found one clear pathway to have all the diverse parties and diverse opinions come together on one part of this issue. “Massage” in New York State is a profession licensed and regulated by the State Department of Education. And as such, advertisements for “massage” can and should be regulated by the State. In the same manner government jurisdictions – New York State and New York City included – have the right and do regulate advertising for chiropractors, doctors, Lawyers, plumbers electricians, etc., they can for those who offer “massage.” “Plumbers” must put their license numbers in all ads. What if anyone offering a “massage” service (ie: massage, body rub, body work, etc.) had to put the number of their massage license in the ad? Does that eliminate many of the adver t isement s t hat are bei ng pointed to as promoting sex trafficking? I don’t know if there is a direct correlation between such ads and illegal sex trafficking but if the State Legislature acts, not only am I onboard, so are all the newspapers in the State – unless the legislature chooses to exclude adult publications. That’s not my decision.
TAKING IT FURTHER Phase II: Grace and I also agreed on a second and equally important phase of addressing the ads which some groups say result in sex trafficking. Grace will ask Albany Legislative staff to address the “Escort” business and recommend legislative remedie s – including regulating advertising – where “escort” business cross the line and result in activities that may cause sex trafficking. Again, groups would be asked to te stify and exper ts would be called upon to focus the legislation on appropriate regulation of the “escort” business. The legislature would then decide if “escort” services should have their adver tising regulated, and what limitations and controls should be placed on their business. APPROPRIATE ACTION At the end of the day, Assemblywoman Meng will have appropriately picked up the gauntlet and
Grace Meng and Mike Schenkler taken t he regulat ion que st ions about sex trafficking to the State Legislature where it belongs, resulting hopefully in the passage of legislation that would provide a Statewide standard of appropriateness and legality – or illegality. Newspaper publishers, women’s groups and the rest of the community would not have to worry about threats to our First Amendment rights or be concerned about their rolls in infringing upon free speech. Ne w York State would and should lead the nation in correctly addressing the problems of societ y. Finally, it will be demonstrated that leadership can be most effective when intelligent, focused, thoughtful, collegial, and non confrontational. You don’t get that every day. I am happy to follow the leadership of Grace Meng on this issue. MSchenkler@QueensTribune.com
Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato
May 11-17, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7
CREATING A LAW Step one: Grace and I agreed she would ask Albany Assembly staff to draft an appropriate law requiring advertisements for “massage” or any service that would be provided from someone with a massage license, be required to clearly display their license number in the ads. Step two: Appropriate legislation would be drafted and introduced by Assembly woma n Meng after legal and expert staff has vet ted it and assured enforceability and constitutionality. Step three: The groups involved in the stop sex trafficking cause would be asked to lobby Albany for expedited passage. Step four: A large portion of the ads that have been the focus of
those groups opposing sex trafficking would be gone throughout New York State and only those possessing a professional license for massage would be permit ted. Step five: We will have avoided issues of censorship in the communit ies throughout the state preserving our treasured First Amendment rights, while empowering State regulator y authoritie s to oversee and enforce the professional licensing law.
Photo by Ira Cohen
Grace came asking for my input, thoughts and ideas about the role of newspaper advertising and sex trafficking. We’ve known each other for a number of years and she knew without asking I was prepared to join in any effort which would effectively address the problem of sex trafficking. And I knew that she would certainly give considerable thought to avoid any effort which would compromise freedom of the press or freedom of speech. Several years earlier, I met with Ann Jawin, a leader in Queens’ effort to eliminate adult ads from newspapers. I explained to Ann back then that I would cooperate with her effort if the re sponsibi lit y to change acceptable advertising standards was done legislatively but felt that communit y groups a nd newspaper publishers should not censor commercial speech. I told Ann I would accept advertising from groups such as the American Nazi Par ty, the Communist Party, activist Pro Life groups and a large number of other groups I oppose – I even accept ads from Republicans. All kidding aside, one of the important and valued roles of a free press is to provide an outlet of expre ssion for t hose we don’t believe in or agree with – as long as the activity is legal. Sex trafficking is not legal and it should and must be addressed. The question Assem-
bly woman Meng and I discussed: What should the effort be to effectively impact and impede sex trafficking?
Winner Age 8 And Under
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Danbie Moon, 7. Mom: Emma Moon, Woodside My mother, Ms. Emma Moon, should become mother of the year. My mom works very hard for me, my sister and my brother. She goes to LaGuardia Community College Nursing School after she drops us off. She has to go to 54th Street every morning to drop my baby brother off because the Rainbowland is the only place that changes diapers. She looks very tired when we walk back home after we pick up my brother in the evening. My mother is tired every day but she makes delicious cupcakes and brownies for me and my friends. My mom always says yes when I ask her if I can have a picnic with my friends outside of my house. She brings me a big beach parasol, plastic play tables
Winner Age 9 to 12
and chairs. When she is done cooking she calls me from the window. She gives us small paper plates and cups, a big plate of cupcakes and brownies and f ive dollar s to buy juice. My friends say my mom cooks the best and some of them want the recipe. My mother always finds a solution when I have a problem. One time I had a problem with a girl in the Rainbowland after school. Her name is Isabella. Even the principal knows that Isabella is a misbehaved girl. She pushed me in the stairs while I was walking so I tripped over but she did not say sorry. She called me dumb. I started to cry when I got home. My mom worried a lot. She called the teacher and
told what happened because I did not tell the teacher. The next day my mom brought candys for the class and a special gift for Isabella. She was hoping that the days were going to get better for me. A month ago I had a problem with a girl who was 9 years old but in 2nd grade of Ms. Spampondo’s class. She seemed a good friend at the beginning but she started to be bossy on me. I couldn’t stand it so I came back home and tell my mom. Mom said She needed a lesson. She went out and spoke to her that do not talk to me until I feel fine. After two weeks she said sorry to me. She is not bossy anymore. I feel very protected because I have my mom. I feel safe.
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Nayelli Lopez, 10. Mom: Sarah Soria, Jamaica
Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 11-17, 2012
My Mother is my life. She is the best Mom you could ever have. When she smiles I smile. I love spending every minute with her. Her eyes gloom as a new flower blooming. There are many reasons why my Mother is special. She is special to me because she raised me starting as a baby til now. Also she helps me when she can. She
Winner Age 13 and Up
tries very hard for me to keep me fed and well taken care of. She works for my family and myself. My Mother buys me everything that I want. Well, not everything but almost everything. I LOVE my Mom with all my heart. On each of my special events my Mom tries hard to make it the very best event of my life. On Sunday, which is my church day, my family and I always spend the most time together, which helps my family and I bond. My Mother says that I was the best thing that happened to her. She also says
that I’m a great daughter to her. I love my Mother and she loves me. Like I said in the beginning, “Sarah Soria is the best thing that is in my life and of course other family members.” My Mother NEVER treats me wrong. She treats me like an angel, and my Mother cares for me every second. My Mother is my soul that she keeps a memory of me every day. My Mom is part of me that no one is going to keep. She glows like a sparkling diamond. Sarah Soria (who is my Mommy) is my hero!
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Michelle Taormina, 19. Mom: Patricia Taormina, Elmhurst It appears a challenging task to write about my mom and be able to fully embody her spirit in 250 words or less. To illustrate such essence would take novel equivalence. I can go on about her disease, or how she visits her parents every weekend, but instead I’ll talk about something she has morally passed down to me, which is her disposition in
life to put others first: a true curse, yet an exemplifying quality in any person. Praise worthy in the beginning, but inevitable unappreciated after a while. My mom used to work at a school for the severely handicapped, but now she works at a regular school as a para for second graders. But in both instances, her arrival home at 3:45 always followed with complaint and a seldom smile. This wasn’t because of the kids, it was the consequence of stubborn school teachers who looked down on my mom for being older and
not an official teacher. Though well equipped with a masters degree, she has been trying for years to acquire a legitimate position. It’s been a rough few years, but she never gave up. At any point in time she can go to the Principal’s office and put in her two weeks, but she doesn’t – because of the kids. As aggravating as her days may make her, she continues on because she’s not doing it for herself, but for the satisfaction of being a part of the essential developmental stages in these children.
Police Blotter Compiled by JASON PAFUNDI
112th Precinct Grand Larceny The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the following individuals sought in connection with a grand larceny. On April 22 at approximately 2 a.m., while inside 104-08 Metropolitan Ave. (St. James Bar), a 31-year-old female had her pocketbook stolen by an unknown person. The victim’s credit card was then used to purchase various items at a CVS and Duane Reade in Forest Hills. The suspects are a male and female in their twenties. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS(8477). All calls are strictly confidential.
113th Precinct Gun-Point Robbery The NYPD is trying to identify and locate two suspects wanted in connection with a gun point commercial robbery of two locations. On April 21 at approximately 5:10
p.m., two suspects, described as black males between 20-25 years old, entered a barber shop located at 134-18 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. One suspect displayed a firearm and both suspects removed an undetermined amount of money from the establishment as well as from five patrons at the establishment, then fled the location in an unknown direction. Later that afternoon, at approximately 5:40 p.m., the suspects entered a check cashing business located at 114-08 Merrick Blvd. where one suspect displayed a firearm and both suspects approached a patron, a 39-year-old male and removed an undetermined amount of money from his pockets, then fled north onto Linden Boulevard. The first suspect was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, light pants and black and white sneakers. The second suspect was wearing a black zippered sweatshirt, dark pants, a dark baseball cap with a green visor and black sneakers.
114th Precinct Robbers Wanted The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects wanted
for a grand larceny in Astoria. On April 20 at 9:05 p.m., the three suspects entered the Rite Aid Store, located at 32-87 Steinway St., and removed numerous high priced items, such as Rogaine, Zyrtec, Crest White Strips, Allegra and Mucinex, and then fled the location. The first suspect is a black man between 20-30 years old and wearing a black jacket with white jeans and red sneakers. The second suspect is described as a black man who was wearing a yellow hard hat and green traffic vest. The third suspect is described as a black man wearing a white T-shirt and black jogging pants.
115th Precinct Police Impersonation The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects wanted for impersonating a police officer while committing a robbery. On March 9 at 4:50 p.m., the two suspects, armed with switchblade knives, forcibly entered the victim’s apartment in Jackson Heights and, while identifying themselves at police officers, de-
manded money. The victim, a 36-year-old Hispanic man, complied and the suspects fled. Julian Rodriguez is wanted in connection with this incident. He is 25 years old, 5-foot-7 and weighs 169 lbs. He has short black hair.
District Attorney Hate Crime Plea DA Richard Brown announced that a Massachusetts man pleaded guilty to second-degree assault as a hate crime stemming from the stabbing of one of two gay men walking in Jackson Heights last August. Christian Flores, 28, was ordered to return to court on May 16, where he will be sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison and two-and-a-half years of postrelease supervision.
Save 911 For The Real Thing!
Borough Beat
Bill Would Fund Jobs, Public Safety, Teachers BY JASON PAFUNDI
maintain current resources, such as keeping firehouses and police precincts open. State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) said that the most important jobs — teachers, firefighters and police officers — are constantly being put on the chopping block, as unions and public employees are often made the scapegoat for the budget crisis in the State. “This is unacceptable and endangers our public safety and the education of our children,” Avella said. Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz (DCollege Point) echoed the thoughts of his colleagues in government and said that the roles performed by police officers, firefighters and teachers are vital to the community. “It is a common sense solution that brings real job growth to Queens,” Simanowitz said. While some in government, particularly on the right side of the aisle, may see the number of $70 billion to be staggering, the numbers from FDNY, NYPD and UFT are even more so. Captain Alexander Hagan, president
of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, said that there are 1,000 fewer firefighters and fire officers in the city than on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. In the NYPD, the numbers are even more alarming. According to Patrick Lynch, the president of the NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, there are nearly 7,000 fewer police officers patrolling the streets today than just 10 years ago, and many of those who have remained have been diverted from street patrol to anti-terrorism duty. And in education, in the shadows of the Panel for Educational Policy’s decision to close schools across the city and reorganize faculty, the need for any type of educational funding has never been greater. “With our class size numbers in New York City at record levels, this funding is more important than ever,” said Michael Mulgrew, president of the UFT. Reach Reporter Jason Pafundi at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, or jpafundi@queenstribune.com.
May 11-17, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9
Across the city and throughout the country, schools, police stations and fire houses are closing, and teachers, police officers and firefighters are losing their jobs. In front of the under-construction College Point police academy, and flanked by elected officials and leaders from the NYPD, FDNY and United Federation of Teachers, U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) announced his plans to introduce legislation to protect and create thousands of jobs for police officers, firefighters and teachers. The Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act, a part of President Barack Obama’s American Job Act, will authorize $70 billion in federal funding to help states and local governments retain or create much needed jobs in public education and public safety. “When teachers are taken out of the classroom, fewer cops are patrolling our streets and firehouses close, we all pay the price,” Crowley said. “Teachers and first responders are the backbone of our
communities and my bill will give cities like New York the ability to retain these critical jobs and ensure we are meeting the demands of our growing community.” Crowley said despite a similar measure being presented but not even put to a vote in the Senate last year, this piece of legislation is different because it does not call for any additional burden on the taxpayers. He said it is an emergency situation and that the money would come from the federal government. State and local budget cuts around the nation have either eliminated or put atrisk thousands of education and first responder jobs. Crowley’s bill will allocate $70 billion over the next two fiscal years — $30 billion in competitive grants per year to states to help local school districts avoid lay-offs, rehire teachers who have lost their jobs due to budget and hire new teachers to help meet the community’s educational needs. The bill also provides $5 billion in competitive grants per year to support jobs for police officers, firefighters and first responders. The funds can also be used to
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Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson
Immigration Honors
40 Years Queens Library's Board o f Tr u s t e e s r e c e n t l y c o n g r a t u l a t e d Te r r i Mangino on her 40th anniversary serving as a library trustee. Pictured (from left) are Terri Mangino, Queens Library Board Chiar Jacqueline Arrington and Thomas W. Galante, president and CEO.
DREAM Rally Councilman Daniel Dromm recently honored immigration clinics and externship programs at each of the City's law schools for their service to the immigrants of the City.
Just A Taste Photo by Steven J. Ferrari.
NY1 Anchor Rocco Vertuccio and PRESS reporter Veronica Lewin served as judges at last week's Queens Taste event.
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall addresses rally on steps of Queens Borough Hall to support the New York State DREAM Act. Among those on hand were members of the MinKwon Center for Community Action, City Comptroller John Liu (second from right) and Queens College President James Muyskens (right).
Top Awardees
N e w Yo r k M e ts pitcher Manny Acosta plays with a dog he adopted during a recent adoption event at CitiField.
Photo by Ira Cohen
Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 11-17, 2012
Adoption Day
The Queens New York Empire State Chapter Top Ladies of Distinction recently celebrated 35 years of service to the community at its annual spring awards luncheon. Pictured (standing, from left) are honorees the Rev. Dr. Henry Simmons, St. Albans Congregational Church; Steven Epps, Proctor Hopkins VFW; Lady Francine B. Jarvis, Area II Director; Stephan B. Smith, V.P. Vets Helping Vets; Assemblyman William Scarborough, Andrea Scarborough, UCVCR; Lady Belinda Johnston-Briggs M.D., chapter president; Sharen Willis, Renee Hill, UCVCR; Pierre Grace, retired U.S. Army sergeant; (seated) Top Teens Honorees and scholarship recipients Joi Burke, Atiya Johnson and Nicole Brady.
May 11-17, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11
Profile
Jamaica Woman Teaches Holistic Health BY VERONICA LEWIN
One cancer survivor is teaching people all over Southeast Queens the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Jamaica resident Linda Hazel is a certified holistic health counselor. Holistic health counseling brings together nutrition and other forms of nourishment, such as meaningful spiritual practice, positive relationships, an inspiring career and enjoyable physical activity. Hazel’s motto is “let your food be your medicine.” While environmental factors can play a role, many health problems are caused by poor lifestyle habits, she said. Hazel is a 23-year cancer survivor and attributes her success to taking care of herself. She expressed the importance of people sharing their knowledge and past health experiences to educate others who may be having the
same health problems. “We have to be disciples,” she said. Hazel said knowing your blood type could help determine the best nutrition plans. She said there is a specific profile for every blood type. She said type “A” people are cooperative, sensitive, orderly, settled and cultivated. These people adapt well to changes in diet and environment, they have a little need for animal food and their immune systems preserve and metabolize nutrients easier than other blood types. Hazel recommends vitamins B12, C, D and folic acid to stay healthy. “People have to protect themselves,” she said. A New York Lawyers for the Public Interest study focused on Jamaica, where more than 85
Linda Hazel percent of the population are people of color. Residents in Southeast Queens are more likely than others in the borough to have adverse health outcomes. In Jamaica, diabetes
deaths were 55 percent higher than the rest of the city. Jamaica residents have the highest rates of HIV related deaths and a high prevalence of asthma, where children have the second highest rate of asthma-related hospitalizations. “A lot of this stuff could be turned around just by what people put in their mouths,” Hazel said. Hazel said some of these adverse health outcomes are due to the limited access of healthy food in Southeast Queens. For years, she has been fighting for a Trader Joe’s to be put in at the vacant property on the intersection of Archer Avenue and Merrick Boulevard. Hazel said she was told that the community’s demographics would not warrant a Trader
Joe’s. She now travels to Five Towns to shop at Trader Joe’s, a choice she said many in Southeast Queens do not have. “Everybody that I talk to about Trader Joe’s, this is what they’re doing,” she said. She said many of the people she has served have expressed an improvement in their overall wellbeing. “Everybody’s doing well,” she said. “It’s very much a blessing.” Prior to becoming a holistic health counselor, she supervised many daycares in the City, including A Better Day daycare center. Outside of counseling, Hazel has fought to improve her community. Station 6 is adjacent to her home and has been fighting for the well to begin pumping. She hopes the well will be activated soon. Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.
values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills. Williams is the son of Karen Williams of Rosedale and is a 2007 graduate of Thomas A. Edison High School, Jamaica.
Win 4 drawing April 21. Garcia’s winning ticket was purchased in Brooklyn. Ernest Butler of Queens Village won $17,500 on the Win 4 drawing April 17. Butler’s winning ticket was purchased in New Hyde Park. Marion Hicks of Hollis won $10,000 on the Powerball drawing April 25. Hick’s winning ticket was purchased in Valley Stream. Chandra Brijlal of Woodhaven won $10,000 on the powerball drawing April 21. Brijlal’s winning ticket was purchased at Nicky Cigarettes Shop, 119-01 Atlantic Ave., Richmond Hill. Silvano Grech of Whitestone won $250,002 on the Mega Millions drawing April 20. Grech’s winning ticket was purchased at the M&R Newsstand, 30-09 36th Ave., Astoria. Vinson Davis of East Elmhurst won $87,419 on the Take Five drawing April 24. Davis’s winning ticket was purchased in Brooklyn.
People
Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 11-17, 2012
Local students are scheduled to receive degrees during spring 2012 commencement ceremonies at SUNY Oswego. They include: Queens Village: Sidney B. Delince, human development; Damaris C. Dunn, history; Raymond B. Intriago, public justice. St. Albans: Shaniya D. Spencer, finance. Local residents have been recognized for service to SUNY Delhi as resident assistants during RA Appreciation week. They include: Jamaica: Arvin Tangalan, Jatee Kearsley. South Ozone Park: Stephanie Isaacs. Local students were honored during spring 2012 commencement ceremonies at SUNY Institute of Technology in Marcy, N.Y. They include: Hollis: Greta Sukhdeo. Queens Village: Allian Gentille.
Springfield Garden: Omar Thompson. Queens Theatre recently announced that it has elected Linda DeSabato, president of Vallo Transportation Ltd., to its Board of Directors. DeSabato is the owner of an independent school bus company in Whitestone and has been a resident of Queens for more than four decades. In her role as a small business owner, DeSabato will provide guidance and oversight of the operations of the theater and help to raise funds for this local institution. The American Heart Association will host the Queens Go Red For Women dinner 5:30 to 10 p.m. May 15 at Terrace On The Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This year’s chair is Dr. Diane Sixsmith, chairman of the Dept. of Emergency Medicine, New York Hospit al Queens. The dinner program will honor Dr. Chong Park, chief, division of cardiology, New York
Hospital Queens; Victoria Schneps, Schneps Communications; and Patricia Thompson, Bombardier. For information, tickets or sponsorship opportunities, call Jan DiGeronimo at (516) 4509131 or visit www.heart.org/ queensgoredforwomen.
People
New York Hospital Queens announced that Pierre F. Saldinger M.D. has been appointed chairman of the Department of Surgery and surgeon-inchief. Saldinger is a professor of clinical surgery at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He previously held academic appointments at New York Medical College and Harvard Medical School. Air Force Airman Robert L. Williams graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core
Natasha A. Bennett of Jamaica, a member of the class of 2012 at St. Lawrence University in Canton, was presented with the Jeffrey W. Campbell Award at Moving Up Day ceremonies. The award is given to an African-American or HispanicAmerican student who has contributed to a better understanding of diversity issues on the SLU campus. Bennett graduated from Martin Van Buren High School. The New York Lottery announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings. The following winners received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more. Bautista Garcia of South Ozone Park won $25,000 on the
A&E
Psychic Medium Comes To Queens BY BARBARA ARNSTEIN John Edward, a charismatic native Long Islander, has hosted two internationally syndicated television shows, authored New York Times bestsellers and frequently speaks to large audiences worldwide at lecture halls and through radio shows and televised appearances. At every appearance, he apparently demonstrates a talent for rapidly accessing random details about the lives of various
individuals present in the room, or on the phone that he has never met before, such as dates that are important to them, the names of some of their relatives, or how some of them passed on. As he describes visual and auditory details, typically some, but usually not all of them, are verified as accurate by the people he is “reading.” The controversy surrounding his ongoing career concerns his claim that all such information he accesses originates from what he called in a
Restaurant Review
Great Sandwiches At A Great Price Due Fratelli 76-23 37th Ave., Jackson Heights (718) 701-8390 duefratellipizzeria.com HOURS: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. CUISINE: Italian CREDIT CARD: Yes, all major DELIVERY: Yes
dismiss them is to commit the ultimate scientific sin.” In his 2006 book, “Entangled Minds: Extrasensory Experiences in a Quantum Reality,” Dr. Dean Radin (who served as a scientist on a program investigating psychic phenomena for the U.S. government) theorized that “psychic experiences are momentary glimpses of the entangled fabric of reality” and, on the following page, that “a few gifted individuals are able to direct their conscious awareness at will to surf through the entangled unconscious.” Edward believes that he owes his career (and significant times in his life) to the lifelong help of a team of “spirit guides,” disembodied energies that work with him by showing him symbolic mental images (and occasionally conveying sounds) relating to those he “reads,” which he says he must interpret, and sometimes interprets incorrectly. He also believes that every individual can potentially access such a team of helpers.
Giorgio’s Salon Runs Beauty Package Contest BY ROSS BARKAN Bridal season is here. The air is warm, the sun is shining and the Mets are not actually out of contention yet. Getting married can be a costly endeavor—the price to pay for love these days is high. But a few lucky women in Queens are about to be pampered. For free. Giorgio’s Salon and Spa in Whitestone is offering three lucky brides and their maids of honor a complete beauty package, gratis. That includes a hair cut, blow dry, conditioning treatment, up-do, mini facial and make-up. Stella Castriota, owner of Giorgio’s, said she wanted to help brides in this weak economy who may not be able to afford all the pleasures of a wedding. To get the free beauty package,
all you need to do is write a letter between 250 and 750 words stating why the bride in question is deserving to be pampered like a princess. “We decided to do this because, with this economy the way it is, I feel that these young girls getting married, young, old, in the middle, it’s nice to give them something on that special day,” Castriota said. A person who knows the bride may write the letter. Castriota said that an outside panel, yet to be picked, will determine the winner. Brides who have overcome obstacles, are in financial need, or just have a great story to tell will be considered. Letters can be submitted to Wedding Makeover, c/o Giorgio’s of Whitestone, 153-35 Cross Island Parkway,
Whitestone , NY 11357. All letters will become the property of Giorgio’s and will not be returned. Submissions need to include the writer’s name and a phone number where he or she can be reached, as well as the name of the bride. “After more than 30 years in this community, we can’t think of a better way to say thank you to our loyal clients than by offering three new brides and their maids of honor a very special day,” Castriota said. “This is our way of keeping to our mission…to make every woman feel as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.” Free things can indeed be beautiful. Reach Reporter Ross Barkan at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127 or rbarkan@queenstribune.com.
May 11-17, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13
Sometimes, a good sandwich hits the spot like nothing else. When I’m in the mood for a good sandwich, I know I can rely on Due Fratelli to provide a quality dining experience. It doesn’t matter if it’s a dine-in kind of night or waiting on a food delivery, I’ve come to rely on the high quality of the food at Due Fratelli. Sure, it’s a pizza place, but you do yourself a grave disservice if you don’t go outside the pizza box to try one of the many other menu offerings at Due Fratelli. Pastas, paninis, sandwiches, calzones and wraps – even low-carb ones – are all on offer. Listed among the nearly 20 Panini offerings on the menu is what is quickly becoming my favorite sandwich: the Argentina Panini. Filled with Argentina steak, grilled onions, Buffalo mozzarella cheese and steak sauce, the Panini has sated my
appetite on more than one occasion. Among their vegetarian options is a Tuscan Panini that my girlfriend absolutely loves. The Tuscan features fresh mozzarella, plum tomatoes, basil, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Another menu item that comes highly recommended is the grilled vegetable wrap. Filled with eggplant, squash (green and yellow), button mushrooms, peppers and red onion, the veggies are f lame-grilled and covered in a balsamic dressing. Finally, the ingredients are brought together in a spinach tortilla. The wrap came out a little greasy, but sometimes that just makes it all the more delicious. When ordering from Due Fratelli, make sure to save room for some dessert. The cannoli, the ends dipped in chocolate, were a great way to end the meal. In the mood for some zepolle? An order of four – which could fill two stomachs on their own – is only one dollar. You can’t beat that price. I’ve yet to be disappointed by the service at Due Fratelli, either for dine-in or through delivery, and I can’t imagine I ever will be. -Steven J. Ferrari
recent phone interview, “indi- names Joseph and Lawrence” rect voice mediumship.” In other and the bracelet’s owner later words, communicating with the confirmed that the name of the person who gave it to her was dead. Joseph Lawrence. Edward will bring John Edward’s his talents to the apparent ability was Colden Auditorium thoroughly tested for a sold out show 7 and the results were p.m. May 12. documented in a Helen LeGotti, book published in who apparently regu2002 called “The larly demonstrates a Afterlife Experisimilar ability known ments” by Gary E. as “psychometry,” Schwartz (with Wil(believed to be the liam Simon). Dr. ability to pick up Schwartz, who remental impressions ceived his doctorabout people’s lives John Edward ate from Harvard from objects they regularly wear or touch), which and became a professor of psyshe says has nothing to do with chology, medicine, neurology, the deceased, recently appeared psychiatry and surgery at the at the Flushing library. She asked University of Arizona, states, her audience to lend her such ob- “When people ask us, ‘Are you jects (for the record, something advocating survival of consciousEdward never does) and, as she ness?’ we say, ‘No, what we are held them, one by one, relayed a advocating is survival of connumber of random images and sciousness research. It’s true to some accurate pieces of informa- say that the experiments have tion. In one instance, she held a brought forth some remarkable bracelet, saying that she got “the events. So many, in fact, that to
Faith
SEQ Ministry Planning A Comeback BY VERONICA LEWIN Twelve years after being established in Southeast Queens, one ministry is hoping to reestablish its presence in the area. Visions From The Heart Ministries is hosting a Pre-Mother’s Day Celebration May 11 to honor women in the community. “My goal is to give back to these women
Word “Measure not men by Sundays, without regarding what they do all the week after.” - Thomas Fuller
who serve in the community and work hard for Southeast Queens,” Pastor Karen Williams said. Williams founded Visions From The Heart in 2000. She saw the need to brainstorm solutions to issues and various social problems in the Southeast Queens community, with a special focus towards individuals with low self-esteem, who are poverty stricken and those with high risk of HIV/AIDS. In the past, the ministry has donated coats to people in need and donated their time to food pantries. “Visions of the Heart Ministries is just what it is. We do a lot of things from the heart. We try to give back to the community,” Williams said. Williams called the ministry’s Mother’s Day celebration a comeback event because they lost a lot of funding over the years, making it difficult to serve the community. She also hopes the event
Pastor Karen Williams will encourage people within Southeast Queens to collaborate to accomplish goals quickly. Williams has aspirations to open up an accredited school and implement after school programs. “I think if we could be unified, we could get more out of it,” she said. She said she heard a call from God and began doing outreach work before starting a ministry. Williams said out of the hundreds of ministries in Queens, hers stands out more because she does outreach instead of just standing behind a pulpit.
“I wanted it to be more hands on,” she said. Williams is a graduate of Lincoln University with a Master’s Degree in Human Services. She served as a member of the Clergy for Community Empowerment and has received many awards, citations, and recognition for her community involvement. At an early age she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior and became a member of the Brownsville Community Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Harold Burton Sr. She served on the Junior Missionaries and the Young Adult Choir at the church. In September 1999 she said she answered the call of God and was licensed to preach the gospel under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Ernestine Saunders. In 2004, Williams was consecrated, dedicated and installed as pastor of Visions From The Heart Ministries by Bishop Liston Page Sr.,
pastor of the Greater Highway Deliverance Temple Inc. In 2005 Williams became a member of the Cities of Refuge Alliance Inc. under the guidance of the former Apostle Shirley Manigault Bush, where she said the next level of her prophetic gifts were manifested. She now serves under the leadership of Apostle Kendra Manigault. Williams plays an integral part of the organization and serves as the facilitator of the Women’s Fellowship of CORA. Two years later, Williams received the honorary title of Doctorate in Divinity from The Anointed by God’s Ministries Alliances and Seminary. At just 49 years old, Williams is a sought after speaker. Her motto is “Who Did It? God Did It!” She is the mother of two beautiful daughters, who she refers to as angels. Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.
Notebook Unity Garden
Garden Returns To Northeastern Towers
Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 11-17, 2012
BY VERONICA LEWIN
With Spring in full force, residents at the Northeastern Towers are celebrating the return of the Unity Garden. T h i s S a t u rday, M ay 12, “Love Your Block” will welcome the revitalization of the Unity Garden. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Northeaster Towers located at 131-10 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. in Rochdale. The garden was designed to encourage interaction between seniors and students. Mae Machicote is one of the event’s organizers. Machicote has been working towards improving the lives of her neighbors at the Northeastern Towers apartment building for years. Before she stepped
down as Tenant Association president, Machicote helped plan events to strengthen the residential community. A few years ago, the program Changing Tomorrow Today began as a way to connect seniors with a younger generation. The program gives high school students the opportunity to have senior role models, while also counting towards their required community service credits. The pilot program received student volunteers from nearby August Martin High School. “What I liked about that school is that their guidance department is fabulous,” Machicote said. “They’re not there just to reprimand kids, but to lift them up.” During the first year, six students committed to the intergenerational program.
In order to bridge the generation gap, the students were required to interview four senior mentors to learn more about their lives. Machicote said the conversation was influential for both the students and seniors. The student volunteers also provided room service to residents, including shut-in residents who do not get to interact often with others. Machicote said the seniors enjoyed the time with the students as much as the students enjoyed learning about past generations. She hopes the program will take steps to combat issues that affect young people. Machicote said today’s generation has a lack of respect for authority, causing a divide between the two age groups. She said linking youth with seniors helps bring
intergenerational respect. “We need to connect with our youth,” she said. Machicote believes in the poem “Children Learn What They Live” by Dorothy Law Nolte, which says children grow up to be a ref lection of their childhood. “They’re like little seeds,” Machicote said. “If we don’t plant them in fertile ground, they’re not going to succeed.” Machicote said when the students go to senior programs in the future, they are less hesitant to approach them because the gap has been filled. Some students do not have grandparents they can talk to about their family history, and speaking with the seniors can be helpful to understand. Machicote also hopes to im-
prove the foster care system to give children more opportunities and prepare them for when they age out of the system. She hopes children leave the system with independent living skills to succeed in society. Through Changing Tomorrow Today, the students and seniors created a Unity Garden, which is in the back of the Nor theastern Towers. Machicote said the garden is a symbol of the strength of the community. Three years after the first seed was planted, the garden is a thriving success. For more information about this weekend’s event, contact change2morrow2day@gmail.com or (917) 971-6299. Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.
Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL
Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357. Send faxes to 357-9417, IF YOUR ORGANIZATION MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SEND ALL DATES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
DANCE ARMDI June 9 at the Bay Terrace Jewish Center. 224-7989. LINE DANCING Saturdays 2-4 at Holy Family RC Parish Church, Msgr. Mahoney Hall, 175-20 74 th Avenue, Fresh Meadows. Light refreshments. Bring friends!
PARENTS LA LECHE LEAGUE Thursday, May 17 information and support to mothers who breastfeed at 6 at the Forest Hills library.
DINNER
MISCELLANEOUS TOUR OF ST. JOHNS Monday, May 21 tour of St. John’s Universit y at 4. 917376-4496. KUTSHER’S July 20-23 ARMDI trip to Kutsher’s Country Club in Monticello. 224-7989.
POETRY EVENT Saturday, May 12 A Poem as Big as NYC at noon at the Flushing library. CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2. FAMILY WII ZUMBA Monday, May 14 at the Lefrak Cit y library at 6:30. SIGN LANGUAGE Monday, May 14 at 6 at the Pomonok library. Monday, May 21 at 6:30 at the Lefferts librar y. TEEN STUDY Mondays through Thursday s at the Lefrak Cit y library at 4. KNIT & CROCHET Mondays Douglaston/Little Neck library at 4. CHESS & CHECKERS Mondays through May 28 at 3 at the South Ozone Park library. TEEN JEOPARDY Tuesday, May 15 at 4 at the Flushing library. HOMEWORK & GAMES Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays homework help and teen gaming at the Fresh Meadows library at 4. LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4. BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays Windsor Park library at 4. COLLEGE CLUB Wednesday, May 16 information about the college entrance process at 4 at the Central library. CHESS & CHECKERS Wednesdays through May 30 at the South Ozone Park library at 3. SISTER TALK Wednesdays through May 30 at the Pomonok library at 4:30. GAME DAY Wednesdays St. Albans library at 4. CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 Queens Village library. PAINTING & LITERATURE Thursdays, May 17, 24, 31 explore young adult fantasy literature theme through the mediums of watercolor, pencil and collage at 4 at the Langston Hughes library. CHESS & CHECKERS Thursdays through May 31 at 3 at the South Ozone Park library. TEEN THURSDAYS T h u r s d ay s B ay Te r ra c e l i brary at 3. CHESS CLUB Thursdays East Flushing library at 5.Sunnyside library at 5. CHESS & CHECKERS Fridays through May 25 at 3 at the South Ozone Park library.
LOCKER ROOM Fridays through May 25 Life’s Locker Room is for young men in middle school and high school at the Pomonok library at 4. CHESS CLUB Fridays Auburndale library at 3:30. ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays Briarwood library at 4. GAME DAY Fridays Woodhaven library at 4:30. ONLINE LEARNING Saturday, May 19 at the Far Rockaway library. Register 327-2549. SHSAT TEST Saturday, May 19 free practice test. Register 800-2738439. Ridgewood library. YOUNG WOMEN Saturday, May 19 African Center for Communit y Empowerment will kick-off its Girls’ PRIDE Initiative 12-5 in St. Albans. 111-20 Farmers Blvd.
SENIORS STAR Looking for actors to audition for established Senior Repertor y Company. 7760529. KEW GARDENS Mondays Falun Gong (to purif y mind and body) at noon, French class 12-1, get in shape at 1:30, comedy writing 2:30-3:30. Mondays and Tuesdays Get in shape, lose weight and feel good class at 1:30. Wednesdays Spanish conversation at 10 and Building muscle and strength at 11. Thursdays 10-12 Relax and improve your health. Fridays Tai Chi/ Chi Kung classes at 10 and Drawing/Painting at 1 (no experience needed). SENIOR COMPUTERS Tuesday s through May 29 basic computer class at 10 at the South Ozone Park library. DEFENSIVE DRIVING Thursday, May 17 AARP Defensive Driving. Register Auburndale library. AARP DRIVING Friday, May 18 at the C a m b r i a H e i g h t s l i b ra r y. 528-3535 to register. STARS Fridays through May 25 Senior Theater Acting Repertory meets at the Queens Village library at 10:30. FREE LUNCH Saturdays, May 19, June 16 All Saints Church in Richmond Hill. 849-2352 reservations.
QUEENS LIBRARIES Many branches of the Queensborough Library offer toddler and pre-school programs and more. Contact local branches. MOM’S STORY TIME Saturday, May 12 Mother’s Day Story time at 11 at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 U n i o n Tu r n p i ke , F re s h Meadows. STORY BOOK LADY Saturdays 12:30-1:30 reading enrichment program for 6-9 year olds at Maria Rose International Doll Museum in St. Albans. $7.50. 2763454. SCIENCE LAB Saturdays Central library at 11. MATH HELP Saturdays Flushing library at 10. CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2. S TORY TIMES Saturdays at 11 and Tuesdays at 10:30 weekly story times at Barnes & Noble, 1 7 6 - 6 0 Un i o n Tu r n p i ke , Fresh Meadows. YOGA KIDS Monday, May 14 at the Windsor Park library. Register. Learn the basics of yoga, including poses, breathing and relaxation. LEARN TO CROCHET Mondays through May 21 at 5 at the Arverne library. FAMILY WII ZUMBA Mondays through May 14 at the Lefrak Cit y library at 6:30. CHESS & CHECKERS Mondays through May 28 at the South Ozone Park library at 3. CRAFT KIDS Mondays at the Flushing library at 3. KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at 4 Douglaston/ Little Neck library. CHESS & CHECKERS Tuesdays through May 29 at 3 at the South Ozone Park library. TIMELESS TALES Wednesdays at 10 at the Central library. S TORY T I M E Wednesdays through May 30 at the East Elmhurst library at 11:30. HOMEWORK HELP Wednesdays through May 30 at the Far Rockaway library at 3. CHESS & CHECKERS Wednesdays through May 30 at 3 at the South Ozone Park library. CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 at the Queens Village library. LIBRARY BUDDIES
Wednesdays through May 30 at the Auburndale library at 4. HOMEWORK HELP Thursdays at 3 at the Far Rockaway library. CHESS & CHECKERS Thursdays through May 31 at the South Ozone Park library at 3. TERRIFIC KIDS Thursdays through May 24 at the Cambria Heights library. Register. LOCKER ROOM Fridays through May 25 Life’s Locker Room is for young men in middle school and high school at the Pomonok library at 4. HOMEWORK HELP Fridays through May 25 at the Far Rockaway library at 3. CHESS & CHECKERS Fridays through May 25 at the South Ozone Park library at 3. CHESS CLUB Fridays through May 25 at the Auburndale library at
3:30. HOMEWORK HELP Fridays through May 25 at the Woodside library at 3. KIDS ACTIVITIES Fridays at 3:30 at the Briarwood library. GAME DAY Fridays at 3:30 at the Queens Village library. LIBRARY BUDDIES Fridays through May 25 at the Auburndale library at 4. ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays Briarwood library at 4.East Flushing at 4. Ozone Park at 4. GAME DAY Fridays Windsor Park at 4. CHESS CLUB Fridays Auburndale library at 3:30. . CUB SCOUTS 351 Fridays at St. Nicholas of Tolentine. Boys in grades 15. 820-0015. PHOTO WORKSHOP Sunday, May 20 at the Bayside Historical Societ y. 352-1548 to register.
HEALTH WAITANKUNG Sundays at 2. Total-body workout. Flushing Hospital/ Medical Center. Free. Jimmy 7-10pm 347-2156. FAMILY WII ZUMBA Monday, May 14 at 6:30 at the Lefrak Cit y library. Bring a towel and bottle of water. TAI CHI Mondays and Thursdays at 11 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 670-1695. $5. DAY TOP Tuesdays support for family and friends of those affected by substance abuse. 1-8002Daytop. CAREGIVERS Wednesday, May 16 at 10:30 at the North Hills library. Wednesday, May 23 at the Douglaston/Little Neck library at 11. Caregivers Workshop includes understanding emotional dynamics of aging, preventing caregiver burnout and more. NAMI Wednesday, May 16 National Alliance on Mental Illness meets at 7:30 in Sloman Auditorium of Zucker Hillside Hospital, 266 th Street a n d 7 6 th A v e n u e , G l e n Oaks. Support group for families meet at 6. OVEREATERS ANON. Wednesdays through May 30 a t 1 1 a t t h e H o w a r d Beach library. ZUMBA
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 670-1695. $10 class. CO-DEPENDENTS ANON. Fridays 10-11:45 at Resurrection Ascension Pastoral C e n t e r , 8 5 - 1 8 6 1 st R o a d , Rego Park. Women only. WALK/ HEALTH FAIR Saturday, May 19 walk-athon starts at Francis Lewis Blvd. and Linden Blvd., waking west on Linden to Body Connection Health Club on Linden Blvd. 11-3 health fair at Everett and Linden. Register for walk-a-thon at 7234060. MAMMOGRAMS Saturday, May 19 free screenings for eligible women. 1-800-564-6868. EMS CELEBRATION Sunday, May 20 Little NeckD o u g l a s to n C o m m u n i t y Ambulance Corps celebrates National EMS Week 11-5 at their headquarters, 42-18 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck. Free hot dogs, drinks, ambulance tours, equipment demos, health education, raffles and more. 423-1333. ASTHMA/ALLERGY Sunday, May 20 9-1 at Emporis Building, 140-51 69 th Road, Flushing. June 2 10-3 at Immaculate Concept i o n C h u r c h , 2 1 - 4 7 2 9 th Street, Astoria. Asthma and Allergy Screenings. 312558-1770, ext. 140.
May 11-17, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15
SISTERHOOD Tu e s d ay, M ay 1 5 S i ste r hood of Bayside Jewish Center will hold their spring luncheon. LIONS CLUB Thursday, May 17 BaysideWhitestone Lions Club Scholarship Dinner at Verdi’s in Whitestone. 4287285. ELMHURST HOSPITAL Thursday, May 17 180 Years celebrating women’s health.maerkerj@nychhc.org. DISTRICT 26 Thursday, May 31 6 th Annual District 26 Scholarship Dinner Dance at the Floral Terrace.
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CANOPY SWING
The next time you meet Tanya Rios, she may be Agent Rios. The 20-year-old from Bayside, a cashier in the gift shop at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, has her eyes on joining the FBI. Tanya graduated from Benjamin Cardozo High School and is looking for the path least taken, or at least the path that can take her straight to a job nabbing criminals. For now, Tanya enjoys listening to metal, hardcore and techno music. From time to time, she’ll taken in a horror flick. She also loves watching the great Canadian pastime, hockey. Watch out, Henrik Lundqvist. “I love hockey,” Tanya said. “I’m not actually good at it, but I like to watch it” On top of that, Tanya models. It’s not a potential career path, she said, although she considered moving to Los Angeles and pursuing it further, but decided against it. Los Angeles is a tough town. [Modeling]’s a lot of fun,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s something I want to stick with” Her involvement with Shortstack Modeling has been a boon for her self-confidence, she said. At Shortstack, the models that aren’t so tall get a chance too. “Shortstack has helped a lot,” she said. “It’s also a self-esteem program. We also learn how to walk and learning how to pose, take better care of ourselves and our body”
Tanya Rios
LaGuardia Airport came in first.
Worst U.S. Ariport: We Win Put this in the not-so-shocking file. A new poll by Travel & Leisure Magazine rated LaGuardia Airport as the worst in the United States. Baggage handling, check-in time and security procedures were among the reasons as to why the airport rated so poorly. The poll also showed LaGuardia as the worst when it
comes to staff communication and lack of WiFi hotspots. The two other major airports in the area, JFK and Newark Liberty, were not much better. JFK, despite its new terminals and fancy AirTrain, was ranked fourth worst and Newark Liberty was fifth worst. Minneapolis-St. Paul International was voted as the best in the nation.
Apples Everywhere
Home: Bayside Age: 20 Height: 5’ 4" Weight: 128 lbs Stats: 32-22-31
Keep It Clean, Boys
Setting An Example: Avella and Halloran
Dan Halloran and Tony Avella each want credit for cleaning up an “eyesore” in Whitestone. An empty lot at 24-19 Francis Lewis Blvd. became another battleground between the two political mavericks when both pols sent out releases trumpeting their efforts to clean up the lot. Then they took digs at each other in the Daily News. Politics can be a dirty game, kids, but Halloran and Avella are cleaning it up, one lot at a time. Well, not quite. Maybe we could find a sandbox for the two rivals to play in?
Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 11-17, 2012
Bad Timing The man who captured video
Grant Cardone
Birthday Bash A group of teens took the phrase “bring the house down” a little too seriously recently. The third floor of a Rockaway home came crashing down while 100 teens were at a 13th birthday party. No one was seriously injured, but the entire house was ordered to vacate. Congratulations, your 13th birthday did end up being the talk of the town.
of birds clogging a plane engine at JFK has been getting a lot of national attention. However, not all of it has been positive. The FAA has slapped Grant Cardone with an official complaint, saying his iPad video shouldn’t exist in the first place. As most know, electronic devices are supposed to be turned off during takeoff and landing for everyone’s safety. “If there is even a minute chance that an iPad could take a plane down then it is the FAA’s obligation to ban the devices from flights or require the airlines to confiscate them,” Cardone said. He must have been too busy playing Fruit Ninja to catch the FAA announcement made on every flight.
Confidentially, New
Queens College students do their best Johnny Appleseed. Maybe it is easy being green. York . . . At least, it is at Queens College. Not long after being named in the Princeton Review’s list of 322 Green Colleges, students came together to plant 75 apple trees in front of Rathaus Hall. Eventually, the college hopes to rival the apple orchard that existed on campus in 1937, when the college was founded. The trees were donated through an initiative that looks to bring the historic Newtown Pippin apple – first grown 300 years ago in what is now known as Elmhurst – to public spaces throughout the City. Other varieties included in the orchard include Burgundy, Hudson’s Golden Gem, King of Tompkins County and Dutch Colonial Swaar, among the many others. Not a bad apple in the bunch.
What’s Up MAY 12 Walkers For Wellness Club Looking for a fun way to improve your health? Join the Walkers for Wellness Club at New Hope Lutheran Church of Jamaica. Under the guidance of a Walking Leader, you will walk two to three times each week at a comfortable pace with others along routes throughout Southeast Queens. The club is open to walkers of all ages and abilities. The walking schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Walkers meet at New Hope Lutheran Church, located at 167-24 118th Ave. T-shirts and pedometers will be provided. Contact Thurkessa Brown at (917) 553-1089 for more information.
Play Days Tennis Play Days are events that give kids a chance to play tennis and have fun with other kids in a comfortable, non-threatening environment. They are a great way for kids to be introduced to competition, allow kids to play in a non-elimination format, provides a fun atmosphere with refreshments, prizes and awards, and take place over a 23 hour period. $5 per hour. This event will be held at Brookville Park Tennis Courts, Brookville Boulevard at 143rd Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
RENT: No Day Like Today
Artist Laura James The most recent work of
MAY 13 Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch The St. Albans Congregational Church invites you to celebrate this great day for honoring mothers with fine food, fellowship and great jazz by Antoinette Montague and The Jack Jeffers Big Band. For additional information or to purchase tickets, contact Janice Clark at (718) 657-8282. Tickets are $60, $20 for children 3-10, and free for children under 3. This event will be held at Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center, 172-17 Linden Blvd., from 1 to 4 p.m.
RENT: No Day Like Today In what is the first-ever collaborative effort among the Theatre Discipline and the York College Performing Arts Center, York College Theatre presents “RENT,” with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Bohème. “RENT” tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive in New York’s Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City. Tickets are $15; $12 for seniors; $5 for students. To purchase tickets, visit www.rentatyork.com/ tickets.php. This event will be held at York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., at 3 p.m.
MAY 14 Stay Well Learn new ways to take charge of your health and help your friends do the same. Learn how special exercise and relaxation techniques make a difference in your life. This free event will be held at Queens Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10 a.m.
pants with basic computer skills. MAY 15 free event will be held Walkers For Wellness Club at This Queensborough Public See May 12 listing. At 7 p.m.
MAY 16 Google Tips and Tricks In this single-session workshop, customers will learn about the different tools in Google including how to share documents online, how to organize your medical records and much more. Basic mouse and keyboarding skills are needed for this course. Preregistration is required by phone at (718) 990-0769 or in person at the Cyber Center desk. This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 9:30 a.m.
Job Workshop Series Join us for this interactive workshop. On May 2 and June 6, we will teach tips for writing resumes and cover letters. On May 9 and June 13, our experts will cover preparing for the interview. On May 16 and June 20, the library will equip you with even more job-searching techniques. This free event will be held at Queens Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6 p.m.
Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6:30 p.m.
MAY 18 Umar’s Magic Oven Bring the whole daycare center to the Black Spectrum Theatre’s daycare center theatre series. This month’s offering is “Umar’s Magic Oven.” Admission is $7 per child; $6 a person for groups of 50 or more. This event will be held at Black Spectrum Theatre, 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
57th Annual Dinner Dance The Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club will hold their 57th Annual Dinner Dance at Antun’s. The Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club will hold their 57th Annual Dinner Dance at Antun’s. For ticket information or for more information call (718) 809-6354, (917) 4531995, or (718) 291-4050, or send an e-mail to grbudc@aol.com. This event will be held at Antun’s, 96-43 Springfield Blvd., at 8 p.m.
ONGOING Job Club
MAY 17 The Jamaica Neighborhood Walkers For Wellness Club Center offers a free service to See May 12 listing. At 7 p.m.
Umar’s Magic Oven Bring the whole daycare center to the Black Spectrum Theatre’s daycare center theatre series. This month’s offering is “Umar’s Magic Oven.” Admission is $7 per child; $6 a person for groups of 50 or more. This event will be held at Black Spectrum Theatre, 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
LinkedIn Tutorial Want to set up a LinkedIn account? Have questions about how to use your LinkedIn account? Interested in creating or joining LinkedIn networking groups? Want to set up a LinkedIn page for your business? Then preregister online (required) for our LinkedIn tutorial, led by Queens Library’s Social Media Manager. Limited to 15 partici-
assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007. For additional information, contact Ethan Chazin, Job Coach, at (718) 739-2060, Ext. 18 or echazin67@gmail.com. This free event will be held at the Jamaica Neighborhood Center - 161-06 89th Ave. Services are available Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
training sessions in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens. Training is free to anyone over the age of 14. The goal of this program is increase the number of people in New York City trained in bystander CPR Each class lasts 1 hour and participants in the class learn basic CPR skills from a member of the FDNY Emergency Medical Service. Volunteers for the class follow along using the CPR Anytime Personal Learning Kit, which features an instructional DVD and an inflatable mannequin. All participants are able take home the kit at the end of class and asked to pledge to use the kit to show five of their family members and friends how to perform CPR. This class teaches basic CPR technique and is not a certification course. In Queens, the classes will be held the fourth Thursday of every month at EMS Station 54, 222-15 Merrick Blvd. In addition, please visit www.nyc.gov/ cprtogo for New York Sports Club locations offering free CPR classes starting in January. Please visit www.fdnyfoundation.org or call (718) 999-2413 for more information.
Group Sessions Clergy United for Community Empowerment, Inc. Group Sessions are located at 89-31 161st St., 10th Floor, Jamaica, for the community on various topics such as Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Substance Abuse intervention, Decision Making, Condom Use, High Risk Behaviors leading to HIV, and self – esteem awareness. All group sessions offer light snacks and beverages. Group sessions are open to the public. Round-Trip Metro Card reimbursement is available at the end of each completed session. For further information call (718) 297-0720. All services are free. Please call for next group date.
CPR Class CPR Training The FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit will hold regularly scheduled free CPR classes in all five boroughs. The first Tuesday through the fourth Tuesday and the fourth Thursday of every month there will be Borough CPR
Learn to protect yourself and others at Heron Care with a CPR class that includes a certification from the American Heart Association. Please call (718) 2918788 for more details. Heron is located at 168-30 89th Ave., Jamaica.
May 11-17, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19
In what is the first-ever collaborative effort among the Theatre Discipline and the York College Performing Arts Center, York College Theatre presents “RENT,” with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Bohème. “RENT” tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive in New York’s Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City. Tickets are $15; $12 for seniors; $5 for students. To purchase tickets, visit www.rentatyork.com/ tickets.php. This event will be held at York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
award-winning artist Laura James is “Nannies and Other Mothers,” about women who leave their families to come to the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom as domestic workers in search of a better life. This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 3 p.m.