Queens Press E-Paper

Volume 11 Issue No. 47 Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010

PAGE 26

SHUT DOWN

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

Due to the Resorts World Casino construction, the Aqueduct Flea Market, a staple in the Southeast Queens community, will shut down at the end of this month with no plan in place for its vendors to relocate.

By Domenick Rafter…Page 3

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Creating Hope Out Of A Tragic Death

BY JASON BANREY Heartbreaking situations can often cast a dark shadow over the communities where they occur. On Oct 15, after tragedy struck home, the loved ones of one slain victim decided to cast aside the murky veil that has engulfed the Fresh Meadows community.

Residents of Pomonok Houses in South Flushing have recently become no stranger to gun violence and are fed up with seeing the youth of their neighborhood lethally settle scores with firearms.

In an effort to take a stand against violence in their area, Crystal McMoore, a friend, and Andrea McGowan, mother

of recently slain Laseam Hogan, have began the process of creating a foundation that they hope will turn a vicious cycle into a future revival for generations to come.

“We need to grab a hold of our kids before the rage does.” said McMoore.

“Little boys with anger turn in the men with rage, and nobody can control a man with rage.”

In an effort to unite the housing community and residents of surrounding areas, McMoore and McGowan quickly put together a rally to let potential violent offenders know “we’re not going to take it anymore.”

In the end, more than 175 people at-

tended the Saturday afternoon March Off The Madness rally. Put together in only a week through the use of social network Web sites such as Facebook and Craigslist, McMoore noticed the potential to create a catalyst for change within the community that was suffering.

The crowd of chanting activists was the exact audience for the women to announce the creation of their foundation, Let’s All Succeed Empower And Motivate (LASEAM), in front of locals that are also afflicted by the same violence that took Hogan at the young age of 27.

Getting not only residents of the community to be a part of the change, McMoore is soliciting local businesses to donate to her cause, and seeks to develop a youth center that will provide activities. Within the facility, youth would be able to congregate as opposed to “hanging out in the court yard at all times of the day,” McMoore said.

During the rally, McMoore asked local businesses to donate towards their cause and was met with mixed reactions.

Some stores willingly donated, others turned her away.

Before Hogan was shot, an incident occurred at the Subway sandwich shop across the street from the where the crime took place.

McMoore’s philosophy of community support is one she believes area stores also need to grasp.

“Does there have to be gunfire in [their] stores for them to realize this is happening to [them] too,” McMoore asked.

She acknowledges the saying, “It

Aqueduct Flea Market Given Notice To Leave

BY DOMENICK RAFTER The Aqueduct Flea Market, which has been a staple in the north parking lot of Aqueduct Racetrack for decades, will shut down after the holiday season because of construction of the new Resorts World New York casino, according to a statement released by Resorts World New York on Nov. 22.

“Having heard from the vendors that they wanted an answer quickly in order to make their future plans, Resorts World New York expedited its review process,” the statement read. “Since the Aqueduct facility will be a construction site for several months, the Division of the Lottery determined that the continued presence of the flea market would raise safety concerns, in addition to being incompatible with the future use of the property.”

“As a result, we have informed the Aqueduct flea market operator, Plain & Fancy Shows, Inc., that the contract permitting the operation of a flea market at Aqueduct will not be renewed after the

contract’s Dec. 21, 2010 expiration date, although the market will be allowed to operate through the holidays, until Dec. 31, 2010,” the statement continued.

Resorts World said any future retail activity on the site would fall under the purview of the Division of the Lottery, which would need to approve and regulate any further retail activity on the site.

Borough President Helen Marshall has been involved in finding an alternate site for the vendors, when their future was in doubt in recent months. Dan Andrews, spokesman for the borough president, said sites such as Belmont Racetrack and Citi Field were being considered, but in light of Monday’s statement, finding an alternate site, Andrews said, would be a “heavy lift.”

“We encourage [the vendors] to reach out to the Dept. of Parks and see if they can help locate a site,” he said.

Andrews said Marshall wanted the Division of the Lottery to explain its reasons in writing.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 125.

takes a village to raise a child,” and believes this the essence of creating a foundation to bring the community together again.

Although McMoore said her recent activism has been criticized, with some saying “it’s a waste of time,” she is going to continue keeping the faith because “the kids are taking the hit during these tough times.”

McMoore is reaching out to city councilmen and the Mayor’s office for guidance in forming her start-up foundation.

She is also creating an itinerary for 2011 that she hopes will be packed with events to keep the youth engaged and off the streets.

Reach Intern Jason Banrey at jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

Cleanup Renews Unsightly Trestle

BY SASHA AUSTRIE With the Long Island Railroad roaring above, a group of nonviolent offenders sentenced to community service meticulously added a new coat of paint to the underpass.

"Graffiti as we know it is a scourge on any neighborhood and a scourge on the Long Island Railroad property here," said Joe Calderon, a LIRR spokesman.

The LIRR is partnering with the NYC Community Cleanup organization, which targets litter and vandalism, with nonviolent offenders performing community service. The offenders are aged 16 and up.

According to Alicia McFarlane, deputy district attorney director of alternative sentencing, the offenders have committed petty larceny and in some cases graffiti.

The trestle at 195th Street and 99th Avenue received a facelift on Tuesday from 25 people sentenced to community service.

At weeks' end, NYC Community Cleanup's Queens crew transformed 11 sites, mostly in Jamaica. Calderon said 200 cubic yards of trash has been cleaned

from LIRR property.

"What you see today is part of a larger effort," Calderon said. "We are committed to being good neighbors."

Benjamin Smith, NYC Community Cleanup deputy director, said since last year the organization picked up 15,000 bags of trash from 172 locations. Though the organization deals mainly in community cleanup, nonprofits such as the Food Bank of New York and Material for the Arts has benefited from NYC Community Cleanup's services.

Carlton Parks, a neighbor to the graffiticovered trestle, said it has been a disfigured dumping ground for a decade. Parks, a sanitation worker, said he has cleaned the site on his lunch breaks.

"It means at least they are looking at it, monitoring it," he said of the new coat of paint. "It means that they care."

Though he is enthused about the strides made to clean up the graffiti, Parks said he wants a deterrent. He suggested dummy cameras and signs warning dumpers.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 3577400, Ext. 123.

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

The Aqueduct Flea Market, a staple in South Queens, whose days are numbered.

Laseam Hogan was killed Oct. 15, and his family is trying to get the community to learn from his lesson.

New Playground Has Kids' Imprint

BY JASON BANREY

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010

PRESS Photo by Jason Banrey

Many children are rarely given the opportunity to have a say in how a $1 million project is materialized into a useful play space for them.

Through a partnership with the city's PlaNYC initiative, along with help from the Trust for Public Land, students at PS 50 can start padding their resumes after implementing some creative ideas into a project that has altered "a wasteland of concrete" into a colorful and eclectic playground.

The children's' intricate blueprint came out of a three-month design process and was unveiled last Thursday, bringing life and laughter to a community that was starving for a local recreational facility.

Parents saw their children's confidence level "sky rocket" as the design process took off and began to materialize with the help of teachers and members of the community.

Sean Edwin, parent of one of the children responsible for the design, witnessed his daughter come out of her shell.

"My daughter was shy but this project helped her further her confidence when she realized she was able to make a differ-

Dozens of children helped cut the ribbon to a new playground they helped create.

ence," Edwin said. "After she recognized her voice was being heard by [developers], she was able to get her ideas out, debate and interact more."

The multi-faceted playground will not only cater to the 900 pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students, but also to the entire surrounding community.

"I think that children have a right, not only to a strong education but also a right to be children," said Principal of PS 50 Rina Manjarrez. "[This playground] will give them a chance to run, to play, to jump and be happy."

Other parents of children in Jamaica know the playground was an essential addition to an area where a local playground was difficult to come by.

"We always had to walk miles just to find a playground that's decent enough for them to play in," said Nilsa Roman. "Now we have one right in our back yard."

Roman takes pride in her child's involvement in the project. Helping them to actively participate in civic service "is going to contribute greatly to our community," she said.

The once-vacant lot now houses an artificial turf field, running track, basketball courts, pingpong tables, gazebo, open planting beds, outdoor classroom, performance area and play equipment modeled after the famous ocean liner the Titanic.

The newly unveiled playground will be open to the public after school hours and on weekends.

Reach Intern Jason Banrey at jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

Small Donations Add Up To Cheer

BY SASHA AUSTRIE Bernie Brown, Rosedale Little League president, is asking for $5 donations to brighten a child’s Christmas this season.

“Me personally, I don’t think that any child should not have a toy for Christmas,” Brown said.

The little league is hosting its traditional toy drive, which has been ongoing for about 55 years. The organization donated to Toys for Tots until six years ago, when she expanded it to include “every child in need.”

Brown has collected $505 and is hoping to accumulate $1,500 by mid-December. The amount of money amassed has already exceeded last year’s total of $500,

which came from Brown’s employer, Woodtronics.

Brown has already made inroads in Toys ‘R’ Us sales. She has bought Candy Land, Mr. Potato Head, dolls and a few other items.

PS 253 in the Far Rockaway will get a third of the toys. Andrea Sanders, Councilman James Sanders’ (D-Laurelton) wife recommended the school to Brown because of its great need. Brown will begin delivering toys on Dec. 23.

“I am still looking for two other organizations to give toys to,” she said.

Brown’s criteria for toy donations are simple – children in need and children who would otherwise not get a toy this Christmas.

Including the $1,500 in toys Brown hopes to purchase, parents of little leaguers will also bring a new toy to Rosedale Little League’s Annual Little League Celebration. The festivities will be held from 6-10 p.m. on Dec. 17 at St. Clare’s Hall, 137-25 Brookville Blvd. It is free to Rosedale Little League members and their parents and $5 for everyone else.

Though Christmas 2010 has yet to arrive, Brown is thinking about next year.

Instead of delivering toys, she wants to bus children into the Rosedale Little League’s Christmas party.

Brown said this is her concept of paying it forward.

To donate $5 or a new toy call, Brown at (917) 561-6921.

Bernie Brown has helped bring cheer to underprivileged children in the past with the Rosedale Little League’s toy drive.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 3577400, Ext. 123.

High Rent Leads To Scobee Closing

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY One of a dying breed, the Scobee Diner in Little Neck is closing its doors at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 28, after more than 50 years in business.

Manager Sandee Winder, whose family co-owns the diner, has been working in the restaurant since she was 13.

“To come by the corner of Northern Boulevard and Little Neck Parkway next week will be hard,” she said, moved nearly to tears. “I can’t even begin to

express the heartache.”

The restaurant’s staff and customers are like family, Winder said. Echoing the sentiment was Gus Xikis, who has been a co-owner for more than four decades.

“Over the years you build up a relationship with people,” he said. “We had people coming here for 50 years, now they have to find someplace else to eat.”

The majority of the customers are aware of the impending closure, said Harry Pallas, who has been an owner for every one of those years.

“They are very, very sad and upset,” he said.

Owners said that they could not obtain a new lease; according to multiple reports, the landlord wanted to double or even triple the rent.

The Scobee Diner is the latest example of an ongoing problem in Queens, said State Sen.-elect Tony Avella, who advocated for commercial rent control during his election.

“It’s a shame that we’re going to lose what is almost a landmark in the community, a family owned business, because of

money,” he said. “This is not progress.

This is pushing out neighborhood institutions because of ever-increasing greed.

Yes, they’re entitled to an increase, but does it have to be so much that it forces the existing business out of business?”

Avella said he will work hard to enact legislation that will stop this from happening in the future. Unfortunately, it will come too late for Scobee customers Reach Reporter Jessica Ablamsky at jablamsky@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

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 Associate Publisher

In Our Opinion: Arnold Thibou Executive Editor:

Brian Rafferty Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Harley Benson Sasha Austrie Joseph Orovic Domenick Rafter Jessica Ablamsky Editorial Intern: Angy Altamirano Jason Banrey Terry Chao

Editorial Let’s Focus, People The American public has begun talking about a lack of security – not the kind that was exacerbated by the attacks of Sept. 11, but the sort caused by those who are granted the role of protector – the Transportation Security Administration agents who are now patting down flyers and causing discomfort and embarrassment.

Going into the Thanksgiving weekend, there is a growing buzz about a massive boycott of electronic scanners – forcing the TSA agents to do what is uncomfortable.

This is a dramatic change from a previous age when travelers just hoping to board a plane at the holidays were only focused on one thing – getting home to their loved ones. As we sit around our Thanksgiving tables this Thursday, let’s remember that feeling and not focus on the negative – the embarrassing ordeal that travel has become. Let us remember the purpose of this uniquely American holiday – to be thankful.

We are thankful for our friends, our families, our extended network of people and things that touch our lives on a daily basis.

Let us focus on the good in this world, on the joy of the season and the peace that it brings. This is our chance to leave all the other nonsense behind. Eat, drink and be merry.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Letters Security Theater To The Editor: Lo’ how this mighty nation has fallen.

Purely out of an abiding and superfluous concern for political correctness, we continuously increase the humiliation of our citizens for “security theater,” not security. We know from an intelligence perspective what needs to be done, yet we still dare not do it - that is, until the whole fake system collapses.

We know that we are respond-

ing to the previous terror attack, while with ever-new tricks, the jihadists stay a step ahead of us.

We know that they watch as the agents at TSA, trained by their idiot superiors (no doubt the same types who coordinated the threat evaluations which led to 9/11) radiate or strip-search pilots (until they were stopped), not even registering that a pilot who has evil intention need only crash his plane. Who is the TSA kidding?

We know that we are utilizing methodologies which detect

Letters bombs, but NOT bombers.

We know that we will hear of more indignities visited upon our citizens as the price not for safety, but for political correctness. Breast cancer survivors must reveal prostheses; hernia survivors must display surgical mesh repairs.

With an attempted bomber in Saudi Arabia having attempted murder with explosive material in his rectum, shall we hire proctologists for all of our airports?

We’ve been conditioned this far, we’ve acquiesced, so why not?

Jeffrey S. Wiesenfeld, Great Neck

The Eyes Have It To The Editor: The eternal quest to determine who among us is evil and capable of inflicting death and destruction is being played out by the TSA agents at our airports.

The TSA is employing technology with the hope that x-rays and scanners will weed out the “bad” from the “good.” The reality is that scanners cannot detect evil intentions any more than they can detect the latest explosive devices. The TSA admits scanners cannot detect all available explosive components.

Humans for eons have interacted, bonded and judged one another based on personal contact. Our technology and digitized culture has minimized person-to-person contact and we now have come to depend on

electronic circuitry to communicate, shop, date and keep us safe.

We Twitter, Facebook, chat, email and avoid live personal human interaction.

We have abandoned common sense and slavishly extol the dogma of political correctness to our peril. We are of different and diverse cultures yet the human heart and its manifestations are universal. We express love, hate, frustration, anger in countless familiar ways: facial expressions, eye motions, muscle twitches, anxiety and erratic behavior.

Israel’s airport security agents rely less on technology and more on human psychology, personal contact and interaction. Their success is a matter of record.

It is a commonly held belief that our eyes are the windows to our souls yet we learn most TSA agents are too busy examining our “junk” to look into our eyes.

Ed Konecnik, Flushing

SOUND OFF Send your thoughts, ideas, opinions, outrage, praise, observations about our community To the PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357 e-mail:news@queenspress.com

fax: (718) 357-9417

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Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010

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The New Airport Security: Do Or Die? A Personal Perspective

By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Scottish poet, Robert Burns wrote in his poem, “To a Mouse,” that “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men/Gang aft.” More commonly we know the phrase as, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

That is how it is starting to feel about Homeland Security and the TSA’s latest airport security measures. It meant well but it has gone awry.

Safety has to be priority number one, but who wants to be X-rayed or have their person invasively patted down?

It seems offensive that people have to submit to what many of us see as tantamount to being “felt-up,” with at least one agent going as far as to have a woman remove her prosthetic breast to convince security she was not concealing a potential bomb.

It’s bad enough that the poor woman had breast cancer and needed a mastectomy, but how humiliating that what’s meant to conceal that fact in

public was exposed in public. The woman wasn’t just stripped of her original breast; and then the prosthetic meant to conceal that fact. The search also stripped her of her dignity.

And she’s not the only one.

A young veteran with both legs amputated below the knee was wearing two modern prosthetic legs with seemingly no place to hide weapons of any kind, but he too was scrutinized.

One man was stripped of a prosthetic arm. One of the overzealous agents punctured someone’s urinary catheter bag. The poor man was standing there with urine leaking out onto his clothes and worried about the odor.

There has to be a better way to keep us safe.

Oh yes, there is. There’s the X-ray option. But at what price do we chose that option? The jury is still out on the safety of that choice. Officials would have us believe it does not emit enough radiation to cause harm.

It is too early to say definitively that these machines won’t cause harm in the long run. If you

fly only once a year or once every two, three or five, you may not have to worry about the exposure to the machine. But if you are someone racking up the frequent flyer miles, you may want to consider the “pat down.”

But that is not a pat down.

That is someone doing to you some of what a gynecologist or urologist would do as they check for signs of cancer.

Trying to protect the flying public and employees is a necessary and noble cause. It was a “best laid scheme.” But it seems to be going awry. It’s a bit overthe-top. It’s easy to teach someone how to use a scanning machine; and it’s simple enough to demonstrate how to do this newfangled pat-down.

But you simply cannot teach common sense. Having someone take off a prosthetic breast seems horribly invasive and insensitive. I get that the agent was erring on the side of caution but wow. Sometimes a judgment call has to be made. You don’t want to be accused of profiling, but does a middle-aged or elderly white

woman or man with a urinary bag look like they may in fact blow up an aircraft on which they were traveling? Most likely the answer is no.

So here I am now, getting ready for a short trip by air and having the internal debate a la Shakespeare’s “Hamlet:” to get X-rayed or have some stranger’s hands going where no stranger’s hands have ever gone before?

For sure this indignity has crossed into new category. Those charged with protecting us in the post-9/11 era have done a magnificent job. But as our protectors try to keep us safe, those who would destroy us are driven to find alternate ways of destroying us.

Who can forget the shoe bomber or the underwear bomber of last Christmas? That is why innocent people are now being made to suffer these indignities.

All the best laid plans have already gone awry and this is the latest effort to protect us.

It’s unfortunate that this latest safety method has become necessary but that is where we are now in world. It’s “do or die” time, so we “do” in order not to die.

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Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

School Days: Touch Black, No Backs

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER “Touch Black, No Backs.”

A childhood street phrase takes on new meaning as Mayor Mike Bloomberg appoints Cathie Black as Chancellor of the New York City School system.

The Mayor does not take the word “no” very well and is clearly one of the richest and most powerful figures in our country.

By now everyone knows that Publishing Executive Black does not have the Educational credentials needed to assume leadership of the complex and challenging New York City school system and requires a waiver from State Education Commissioner David Steiner in order to assume the job.

The logical argument implicit in the Mayor’s appointment is a system as large as New York City’s schools must be run by a skilled

executive who can hire professionals to provide the professional leadership.

The snipes appear to be personal at either Ms. Black or the Mayor – cer tai nly per sonalit ie s and political preferences should not enter into such a weighty decision.

I have lit tle knowledge of Black and no strong feelings on her selection. I have intimate knowledge of the NYC school system, having been a product of a fine public education and then spending 15 years working as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, serving in both regular and special education plus a brief st int at t he now forgot ten hallowed halls of 110 Livingston Street where bureaucracy was the stuff legends were made of. My family was and is filled with educators – mom and dad logged some 70 year s employed by t he “N YC Board of Ed.” It is pretty clear to me that over the past four-plus decades since I graduated from the public New York City school system (and went onto a New York City public college) the system has been in decline – yes, for some forty years, the once outstanding educational system spiraled downhill, failing our

children, city and future.

That is until Mike Bloomberg took control. I do not credit the Mayor with success or victory with the schools. I credit him with stopping the downhill spiral. Fine mayors before him failed. Fine education leaders before him failed.

Bloomberg reversed the decline but the system still has a long way to go.

Because of his effective leadership, the State Legislature granted Mayoral control of the City school system. Yes, the appointment still needs a waiver from the State Commissioner.

I have been involved in a number of discussions with some pretty sav vy people about the Mayor’s appointment of Black. Surprisingly, I have run into many progressive folks hung up on qualifications – even though they knew present Chancellor Joel Klein performed effectively during Bloomberg’s administration without the proper credentials – he was granted a waiver. Some have pointed out that Klein did have limited experience as a product of and a brief stint in the system.

Black has none. Zero, zip, zilch.

The argument that seems to

have won the day in support of the Mayor’s right to appoint a competent executive has been: “What if he appointed Bill Gates?”

Would this college dropout, with no education background have your support to lead the troubled school district? Nebraska’s Warren Buffet? Would he have your backing?

Are there other non-credentialed individuals who would have your support to lead the Department of Education? Can you name some?

Bill Clinton? Hillary Clinton?

Rudy Giuliani (I just put that down for balance). Any leaders of industry? Finance? Can’t you come up with a list of possibles who you would like?

Wel l, sor r y; it is not your choice.

The law says it’s the Mayor’s pick.

Let’s let him do his job.

PATERSON’S LEGACY In the closing days of his embarrassing Governorship, David Paterson has done what he has done so many times before. He has acted stupidly.

The latest faux pax has farreaching consequences and again

calls into question Mr. Paterson’s ethics.

On the heels of the greatest embarrassment of his administration – make that his lengthy career of public service – the backroom deal awarding Aqueduct Racino to AEG which had to be reversed – he negotiates in secret and springs a new Casino deal on the people of New York.

He has made a deal with a Wisconsin-based Indian tribe which considers New York as its ancestral home, to build a Casino in the Catskills.

Astonishment, to say the least, will greet the Governor’s effort to promote another backroom negotiated Casino deal.

The proximit y to t he Cit y could attract competition for customers with the State’s existing gambling venues and the soon-to be built Aqueduct Racino.

There are still hurdles – including Federal approval – for this deal.

And perhaps the Governorelect can convince Governor Paterson that the appearances and secrecy surrounding this deal allowing a Wisconsin Tribe to build a Casino in New York is the cheesiest move of his career.

MSchenkler@QueensPress.com

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010

Senate Control In Doubt As 3 Recounts Continue

By HENRY STERN “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...” Jaws 2 (1980) Just when you thought the State Senate’s inability to function could be resolved, three weeks after the Nov. 2 election, we do not even know which par t y will organize the chamber.

As of this writing, the Republicans have won 30 seats and the Democrats 29. Three seats remain undecided Henry because the margin of the leader is very small, and absentee, military and emergency ballots have not been completely tallied.

In a neighboring Nassau district, Jack Martins, the Republican mayor of Mineola, declared victory t w ice since Elect ion Day over Democratic incumbent Craig Johnson after the County Board of Elections concluded its count of all the absentee ballots with Martins ahead by 403 votes. Johnson, has complained of discrepancies.

The rivals are due back in State Supreme Court on Nov. 29th.

In Westchester, 13-term incumbent Dem Suzi Oppenheimer is currently in court against her Republican challenger Bob Cohen, a developer. Oppenheimer leads Cohen by 626 votes, as officials at the Board of Elections continue to count the 2400 emergency, absentee, and affidavit ballots.

Upstate, in an Erie-Niagara district, incumbent two-term Dem Antoine Thompson trailed GOP challenger Mark Grisanti, a lawyer, by 579 votes. When we called for numbers, Erie Count y Board of Elections Commissioner Dennis Ward informed us that he was with representatives of the two candidates counting ballots and he didn’t anticipate the counting to be completed for another week.

The First Congressional district race in SufStern folk County between fourterm Democrat incumbent Tim Bishop and challenger Randy Altschuler is similarly undecided. But that contest will not affect control of The House of Representatives.

Once the votes are counted, the lawyers for each side will proceed with the tedious business of challenging voters. When a person has voted who was not entitled to do so, we are likely not to know for whom that person voted, or what effect the disqualification of such persons’ votes would have on the results.

Even where irregularities are discovered, they may or may not have been intentional. If they are unintentional, which is most often the case, it is difficult to find a remedy. To hold another election is expensive and time consuming. It is likely that the number of voters will be much lower in a special elec-

tion, and the result less representative of the district. It is more practical to determine that the candidate who has received the most valid votes is the winner.This process takes a lot of time, especially when many ballots are in dispute.

After the various Commissioners of Elections determine the winners in the three disputed Senate contests, the losers have the right to appeal to t he state cour t s, which will grant expedited hearings because of the immediacy of the disputes. Nonetheless, the judicial process is likely to take weeks.

Justice Jonathan Lippman, chief judge of the state Court of Appeals, set December 20 as the deadline to conclude all appeals, so that the contests will all be resolved before the Legislature convenes, with its new members, on Jan. 5, four days after the inauguration of Governor Cuomo.

At this moment, the odds favor the Republicans in their effort to regain control of the State Senate. However, the process is definitely fluid and the outcome is by no means assured.

Democratic partisans will certai nly be distressed to lose the Senate after finally regaining control in 2009 after 43 years in the wilderness of a legislative minority. However, the party should not be too surprised with the probable outcome of this election after two disastrous years in the majority that began with the “Four Amigos,”

continued through the Espada coup and Monserrate slashing and explusion, and ended with the Aqueduct racing scandal.

Not every Democrat is likely to mind a G.O.P. Senate. In some ways, a Republican victory would be helpful to Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo, because he will have a foil in negotiations with Dean Skelos as Senate Majority Leader, while being freed of the burden of dealing with John Sampson, who, along with Senator Malcolm Smith, has been touched by the unfolding Aqueduct mess.

Of course, Cuomo must profess to desire Democratic control, but some political observers believe the GOP legislators’ views may be closer to Cuomo’s than those of the Working Family Democrats who suppor t substant ial tax increase s. T he ne w governor is aware of the reality of the states fiscal situation and the $9 billion deficit for FY 2012, with the budget due on March 31.

How he meet s the se challenges will determine the success of the new administration.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

News Briefs Go To College The You Can Go To College Committee (YCGTCC) celebrated their 14th Annual Achievement Awards Luncheon recently at Antuns. Since its inception 15 years ago, the program is responsible for over 4,000 students being enrolled in colleges and universities across the nation.

Many of these students would not have gone to college without the help of the organization. Executive Director Dorita Clarke and educator Sister Shirley Dye started the YCGTCC because they were deeply committed to helping students get a higher education. Sister Shirley has said one of the reasons the program was started in Southeast Queens was as a support system for the public schools because they are not doing what needed to be done to prepare students for college.

Monique Meyers, Chief Financial Officer for hip-hop megastar Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s G-Unity Foundation, announced they would be awarding YCGTCC $25,000 to continue their program. The G-Unity Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on improving the quality of life for low-income and under served communities. At the Moving Up Ceremonies in June for YCGTCC high school graduates on their way to college, the G-Unity Foundation gave seven students scholarships and four students laptops.

The honorees were Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who received the Image Award.

Though he could not personally accept his award, two aunts and his grandmother accepted the award for him. Valerie Bell received the “Peace in The Community Award.” Renee Buford, former Greater Queens Link President, received the Distinctive Community Service Award. Jamaica Branch NAACP President Leroy Gadsden received the Unity in the Community Award. Manuel Caughman received the Humanitarian Award. Philippa Karteron, Executive Director of the Council for Airport Opportunity, received the

Outstanding Community Service Award and announced she was establishing two scholarships for YCGTCC students. Educator Larry Gaither was recognized with the Save The Children Award. The Save The Community Award went to NYPD Chief James Secreto and P.O. Felicia Richards received the Stop The Violence Award. Gina Fletcher received the Helping Hand Award. Brenda K. Nealy was awarded the Christian Achievement Award and the Unsung Hero Award went to firefighter Tracey Lewis.

Every Saturday morning, classes are held at Hillcrest High School, and though the majority of the students are from the Queens community, some students travel from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Long Island. Students from the 9th through the 12th grade are schooled in PSAT and SAT exam preparation, helped with college essays, applications, getting scholarships and navigating the complexities of getting into some of the finest colleges, particularly historically Black colleges in the country. They also offer annual college tours, where students interview and receive immediate acceptances, parents financial aid workshops, paid and non paid internships, scholarships and a financial assistance finders program. Once the graduates get to college, they won’t be forgotten. They’ll receive calls and gift packages from YCGTCC. For information on how to enroll for this free program, call the Committee at (718) 297-8802.

Students from any high school will be considered.

Brief Us! Mail your news brief items to: PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357

Delta Groundbreaking:

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Senate President Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) was joined by Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Assemblywoman Michele Titus (D-South Ozone Park), Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica) and U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) at a groundbreaking ceremony for Delta Airlines Terminal 4 at JFK Airport.

Police Blotter Compiled By DOMENICK RAFTER

101st Precinct Found Dead On Tuesday, Nov. 23, at approximately 2:35 a.m., police were led to the beachfront at 32nd Street and Far Rockaway Boulevard, in Far Rockaway, by a man who had just been pulled over for erratic driving. Upon arrival at the beach, police observed Athea Lewis, 41, of 14533 231st St., unconscious and unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. EMS responded and pronounced her dead on the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

107th Precinct Octo-Robberies

Police are seeking the public's assistance in finding these three men, who are suspects in a string of robberies in Fresh Meadows.

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying three suspects in regards to eight robberies that have occurred between 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20 and 9:50 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15, around Fresh Meadows.

Anyone with information in regards to these incidents are asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577 TIPS. Citizens can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting

their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are kept strictly confidential.

112th Precinct Pedestrian Struck On Tuesday, Nov. 16, at approximately 5:52 p.m., police responded to a 911 call reporting a pedestrian struck at the intersection of 63rd Road and Yellowstone Boulevard in Forest Hills. Police deter-

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mined a 58-year-old Hispanic woman was crossing from the northwest corner to northeast corner of 63rd Road when she was struck by a Toyota Camry, operated by a 63-year-old white man. The vehicle was traveling eastbound on 63rd Road and then turned left onto northbound Yellowstone Boulevard when the pedestrian was struck. EMS responded to the location and transported the victim to LIJ Forest Hills Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene. There appeared to be no criminality. The investigation was ongoing.

113th Precinct Dual Shootings On Friday, Nov. 19, at approximately 9:27 p.m., police responded to a 911 call of two males shot in front of 111-34 159 St. in South Jamaica. Upon arrival, police found the first victim, Isidro Francis, 26, of 280 Crown St., Brooklyn, with a gunshot wound to the head. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced the victim dead.

Upon further investigation, police responded to Logan Street and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, in regards to locating the second victim. There, police found the second victim, an 18-year-old black man, with a gunshot wound to the torso.

EMS transported him to Brookdale hospital and listed him in stable condition.

There were no arrests. The investigation was ongoing.

114th Precinct Bad Parking On Tuesday, Nov. 16, at approximately 1:55 p.m., police responded to a report of a pedestrian struck at 37th Street and Broadway in Astoria. Upon arrival of police, it was determined that a 73-year-old white man was attempting to park a gold 2008 Lexus R35 when he mounted the sidewalk and struck a 32-year-old white woman who was pushing her seven month old son in a stroller. The infant was not injured. The injured woman was transported to Elmhurst General Hospital where she was listed in stable condition with a hip injury and a laceration to her face. There was no criminality.

Save 911 For The Real Thing!

Borough Beat

Push To Move Wires Below Queens Streets

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

PRESS Photo by Domenick Rafter

In the hours after the September macroburst and tornado tore Queens apart, the streets of Middle Village became a sparking-dangerous-impassable mess. The community’s overhead power lines tangled with fallen trees, blocking many streets and took a long time to repair, making Middle Village the last neighborhood to have power restored after the storm.

Now, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) and U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Kew Gardens) are calling for Con Edison to move those lines underground, something the rest of the City has been doing for more than 100 years.

Gathering with residents on the corner of Juniper Boulevard South and Dry Harbor Road, which was blocked by fallen trees and live wires after the Sept. 16 storm, Crowley and Weiner said the neighborhood, and the surrounding neighborhoods like Glendale, Maspeth, Ridgewood and Rego Park, are being underserved by the utility.

“The overhead Con Edison power lines in various parts of Middle Village are outdated, unreliable and unsightly,” Crowley said. “It’s not just the September macrobust and tornado, every time there’s a storm,

U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley and local residents gather on Dry Harbor Road in Middle Village to demand Con Edison move overhead powerlines underground. my office is inundated with calls of power outages and complaints about service.”

She, Weiner and State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Middle Village) drafted a letter to Con Edison President and CEO Kevin Burke asking for the lines to be moved below the street.

“Our business and our residents pay the same price for power as those in other

neighborhoods with underground lines, yet they suffer more outages, safety hazards and must deal with ugly wires looming over local streets,” the letter read.

“Imagine if these power lines overhead ran along Park Avenue,” Weiner said.

“This wouldn’t stand.”

He said the City began putting power lines underground after an 1888 blizzard

wrecked havoc on the area, but Con Edison has not done so for Middle Village, even though the areas power grid was constructed after 1888 and repaired numerous times since.

“The time has come that we become a modern community,” he said.

Con Edison has said the cost of moving the lines underground is an issue, but Weiner disagreed. He said the cost Con Edison endured in fixing the downed lines after the tornado, as well as overtime paid to the workers, and maintenance of the above ground lines, including repairing poles and trimming trees, costs more than just moving them below ground.

“I don’t think is the equivalent of building an intricate highway system,” Weiner said.

Crowley said if Con Edison wouldn’t oblige, she would look into proposing legislation mandating the lines be moved underground. Weiner noted there might already be a legal requirement for them to do it under the Public Utilities Act, which he said requires them to give the same quality of service to all customers who pay equal rates.

“I want to give Con Edison a chance to do what’s right first,” he said.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 125.

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

40 Years Strong:

Boro Resident Endures New Horror Black Spectrum Theatre Sets Tone After Exposure To Mystery Powder

For African American Performance tions of new plays, African American classics such as “Raisin in the Sun” and some original company collaborative works.

The theatre also has two mobile stages that get used throughout the tri-state area in parks and street fairs, providing outdoor shows free to the public. “When people can’t come to theatre, we bring the theatre to them,” Clay said. These mobile stages also help the performers get a taste of a different audience, and encourages them to try to hold audiences, especially in a free performance.

Clay won the 2003 Producer of the Year award at the National Black Theatre Festival, an event held in North Carolina every two years to honor African American performers from around the world. His first feature film, “Let’s Get Bizzee,” featured performers like Doug E. Fresh and Starletta DuPois, and was shot in Southeast Queens.

The theatre has succeeded throughout the years with help from Bob Law, their Chairperson, and local politicians such as Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica), U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) and The renovated theatre can seat 325 guests. many others. “They have been very supportive and we enjoy the good reperformances, awards and recognitions lationship with them,” Clay said.

Many famous names have come in of all those who have helped and been and out of the theatre, some as students involved in the theatre throughout the and others as admirers of the produc- years.

The Black Spectrum theatre is located tions. Performers like LL Cool J, Ella at 119-07 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica at Roy Joyce and Lisa Nicole Carson have been involved in the theatre. The theatre has Wilkins Park. For more information and also seen productions by screenwriters for future shows or performances, go to such as Levy Lee Simon and Richard blackspectrum.com.

Reach Intern Angy Altamirano at Wesley.

The Black Spectrum theatre will hold aaltamirano@queenstribune.com or (718) its 40th Anniversary on Dec. 11, with 357-7400, Ext. 128.

The theatre set and most of the second floor, where the theatre is located, Every star begins somewhere, and for was redesigned when the Black Spectrum many African American performers, a Theatre came to the facility. The theatre blast of good luck that launched their ca- now holds 325 seats and produces and reers came from a theatre that through puts on theatre, films and videos that ex40 years has flourished in cultivating the amine the issues concerning the African art of the performing.

American community, mainly aimed toThe Black Spectrum Theatre in Ja- ward youth. maica started in 1970 in the basement of “Black Love” was the title of the Carl Clay, executive producer of the the- theatre’s first production, and it proatre, when he was just a teenager. It be- vided the community with food for gan with the inspiration of a group of thought. At the time there were images highly motivated young people who on TV and the movies that portrayed wanted to say what was going on in the African Americans in a negative light. late 1960s, especially concerning African “The film took people from tears to a Americans in the United States. smile,” Clay said.

The theatre began as a summer workClay, along with all those who are inshop program and moved around through volved in the theatre, hold an optimistic the years. For 10 years, it was located in look on the future, with a focus on aiding a converted drugstore on Linden Boule- the community that surrounds them. “We vard in Jamaica, and since 1986 has been want to preserve the tradition of live thein its current location in Roy Wilkins Park atre,” he said. “It is unique to maintain on Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica. It grew and preserve live theatre and the history from a small theatre group to a commu- and legacy of African American legacy,” nity based theatre institution. said Clay.

The Black Spectrum now serves as a theatre for productions; a children/youth institute; works with four public schools in New York; and has had 25 films, based on issues affecting urban teens, produced and distributed in South America and Africa. Their Summer Theatre Camp has been running for 15 years and takes in 7-12 year olds who are then trained in Comedians Mark Overton (l.) and John Smooth (r.) provided theatre arts and hold the laughs at a Black Spectrum Theatre Off the Hook Comedy p r o d u c t i o n p e r f o r Night. Carl Clay (center) is executive director and founder of mances at the end of the summer. The theBlack Spectrum Theatre. atre puts on produc-

Photos by Angy Altamirano

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010

Photo by Juliet Kaye

BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO

A sign in Roy Wilkins Park welcomes visitors to the Black Spectrum Theatre.

An example of some of the African American art hanging on the walls in the theatre.

9.75”

”

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

pix

BIDs' Wine & Cheese Bash On Nov. 18 the Second Annual Wine & Cheese Networking Symposium was held, at the what's-happening cutting-edge JFK Corporate Square Marketing Center and was attended by numerous area movers and shakers. The event was sponsored by the Sutphin Boulevard and Jamaica Center Business Improvement Districts.

Photos by Walter Karling

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

Vishnu Mahadeo, President of the Richmond Hill Economic Development Council (c.), speaks with guests.

Simone Price, Executive Director of the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District (l. to r.); keynote speaker, State Sen. Shirley Huntley; Director of Operations of the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District, Laurel Brown.

Queens Borough Historian Jack Eichenbaum (c.) tells tales.

Yvonne Reddick, District Manager of Community Board 12 (l.), and Greater Jamaica Development Corporation's Director of Economic Development Justin Rodgers.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010

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A&E

Red Storm Rising In Fresh Meadows day night at Carnesecca Arena in Fresh Meadows.

St. John’s, in spite of looking a bit slugAfter a season-opening loss in California to St. Mary’s, the St. John’s Uni- gish in the first half, led by as much as 15 versity Men’s Basketball team overcame points and trailed by as much as six when the long overnight red-eye return flight leaving the floor at the end of the half, from the west coast to face Ivy League trailing Columbia 39-35. rivals Columbia University last WednesThe second half was a different story as the Red Storm picked up the pace, outscored the Columbia Lions 44-27 and went on to send the Lions back to their den, 79-66, presented new head coach Steve Lavin his first win with the team.

Following the game, Coach Lavin told the press that he did not know if he was more nervous in the team’s season opener, or in front of the home crowd at Carnesecca Arena.

The Red Storm were Former Christ the King star Malik Boothe defends against led by D.J. Kennedy 18 points (tied for game high Columbia in the home opener victory.

Photo by Victoria Canore

BY DAN MILLER

Restaurant Review

Japanese Joy At Umi UMI 96-05 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills (718) 261-3484 CUISINE: Japanese HOURS: Mon-Thu 11 am-10 pm; Fri & Sat 11 am-11 pm; Sun 12:30-10 pm PARKING: Street RESERVATIONS: No CREDIT CARDS: Yes

(home of the New York Jets) hit for 10 points with one assist and two steals.

The Red Storm are now 1-1 and look forward to their next home games at Carnesecca Arena. Wagner will visit Queens on Wednesday, Dec. 1, and St. Bonaventure makes the trip on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.

St. John’s then plays at Madison Square Garden, their second home court, in the Holiday Festival that begins Dec. 20.

To get tickets for and more information on upcoming Red Storm games, go to redstormtix.com or call (718) GOSTORM.

World Famous Dance Leaps Into Boro Space Queens Theatre in the Park will present the Paul Taylor Dance Company on Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Dec. 19 at 3 p.m.

This legendary company will present a program featuring the best from their brilliant repertoire. Renowned for their radiant and fluid musicality and their continuous flow of energy, Paul Taylor Dance Company never fails to live up to the high standard they have set for modern dance companies everywhere.

On Sunday, May 30, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower was in the midst of a counteroffensive against Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his charges that communists had infiltrated the highest levels of American government. The United States, Great Britain and France were discussing an accord that would divide Vietnam into two countries, North and South. Gil Hodges homered to lead Brooklyn to a 53 victory at the Polo Grounds. And at 8:40 p.m. at the Henry Street Settlement in Manhattan, a 23-year-old dancer and five colleagues gave the first public performance of his choreography, a dance called “Jack and the Beanstalk.”

While the dance soon faded from memory, the choreographer became a giant - the youngest member of the pantheon that created American modern dance, and one of history’s most celebrated artists.

Laura Shapiro once wrote in Newsweek, “Short course in modern dance: in the beginning there was Martha Graham, who changed the face of an art form and discovered a new world. Then there was Merce Cunningham, who stripped away the externals and showed us the

heart of movement. And then there was Paul Taylor, who let the sun shine in.”

The Paul Taylor Dance Company and Taylor 2, created in 1993, have traveled the globe many times over, bringing Taylor’s ever-burgeoning repertoire to theaters and venues of every size and description in cultural capitals, on college campuses and in rural communities - and often to places modern dance had never been before. The Taylor Company has performed in more than 520 cities in 62 countries, representing the United States at arts festivals in more than 40 countries and touring extensively under the aegis of the U.S. Department of State.

In 1997, the Company toured throughout India in celebration of that nation’s 50th Anniversary. Its 1999 engagement in Chile was named the Best International Dance Event of 1999 by the country’s Art Critics’ Circle. In the summer of 2001, the Company toured in the People’s Republic of China and performed in six cities, four of which had never seen American modern dance before. In the spring of 2003, the Company mounted an award-winning four-week, seven-city tour of the United Kingdom.

The Company’s performances in China in November 2007 marked its fourth tour there.

The performances will be held at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Tickets are $24$40 and are available at queenstheatre.org or by phone at (718) 760-0064.

The Paul Taylor Dance Company will come to Queens Theatre in the Park in December.

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

When looking for a good Japanese restaurant, often the only thing on the menu that gets any attention is the sushi.

Overlooked are some hidden treats that can make you completely forget about the uncooked staple of Japanese cuisine.

Umi in Forest Hills, the latest addition to army of eateries along Metropolitan Avenue, brings more than just sushi to the neighborhood known for its diverse food.

Located at 96-05 Metropolitan Ave., near the intersection of Selfridge Street, only steps east of Woodhaven Boulevard, Umi has only been open for two and a half months.

Umi is easy to recognize among the storefronts. Outside, two distinct Japanese lanterns hang from the awning. The wood-panel storefront gives a feel of a private home more than a restaurant.

Inside, you are greeted with a simple but attractive design. Wooden wainscoting layers the walls the whole way around. On the right wall, the sushi bar with Corian countertops is inviting.

I took a seat at the sushi bar where Ling, the daughter of the owner, brought me a cup of piping hot green tea and an appetizer of seaweed salad.

Light on the dressing, the chilled, fresh seaweed mixed well with the iceberg

lettuce. Though an appetizer, I kept the salad on the side for the remainder of the meal.

Next came the sushi. I ordered a la carte; two salmon, two tuna, yellowtail, f luke, two eels and two pieces of octopus along with a spicy salmon roll.

The highlight of the dinner was the BBQ Squid. Drenched in a tangy teriyaki sauce, the entire squid body is sliced like a loaf of bread, barbecued and presented on a platter. I started from the tip of the body and worked my way down to the tentacles. Each slice was the right consistency, not too tough or chewy, but not charred.

Going back and forth between the sushi and the squid, I added some wasabi to the squid, giving it an extra kick.

Though full, Ling convinced me to have a little dessert. I opted for the mochi ice cream. Though experienced with Japanese food, mochi ice cream was new to me. Ling brought me three balls of green tea ice cream inside a shell of pulverized sticky rice, which seemed more like uncooked dough, topped with some powdered sugar. Mochi ice cream is a contemporary addition to Japanese cuisine, first appearing only 30 years ago. I savored the ice cream with a fork and knife, a strange way to eat dessert.

I was no longer too full for dessert.

Umi has a special lunch menu, if you happen to be in the mood for sushi and be nearby in Forest Hills, Rego Park, Glendale or Middle Village, and if you can’t get out, Umi delivers for free for a $10 order minimum, but with the number of items on the menu, that shouldn’t be too difficult a threshold to reach.

– Domenick Rafter

with Columbia’s Noruwa Agho). Kennedy added six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Justin Brownlee added 15 points, four rebounds and one blocked shot.

Malik Stith, the 5-foot-11 guard from Hempstead chipped in 11 points, one rebound, two assists and one steal.

For the Columbia Lions the leading scorer was Noruwa Agho, a 6-foot-3 junior guard from New City, pumped in 18 points and added six rebounds, five assists and one blocked shot to his resume.

Dyami Starks added 15 points and one assist and Steve Frankoski, a 6-foot-2 freshman guard from Florham Park, N.J.

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Faith

Good Samaritan Feeds The Hungry As is customary on Tuesdays, Good Samaritan Outreach Ministries hosted its weekly soup kitchen.

“This is what I was ordained to do,” said the Rev. Dorothy Fentress. “I learned how to be a missionary since the age of 5.”

Fentress has operated a soup kitchen for the last 20 years. The current soup kitchen operates from noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays at United Baptist Church of Truth at 221-01 Merrick Blvd. She said her ministry serves between 120 and 140 people on a weekly basis, but on Tuesday, she expected 160.

Ruth Davis, a volunteer, said she loves

working with the people.

“I look forward to doing this,” she said.

“They keep coming back so it must be something good,” she said.

In preparation for Thanksgiving, this week’s menu consisted of the traditional fixings – turkey, stuffing, ham, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, corn bread, macaroni and cheese, string beans and greens and pound cake for desert. Patrons were able to take two plates home, along with a bag of groceries, while supplies last.

Nikki Williams, Fentress’ goddaughter, took a day off from work to help out.

“I actually asked her to do it,” Williams said. “I enjoy doing it.”

Fentress said food preparation begins on Sunday and Monday, when she and

Word “The essence of religion consists in the feeling of an absolute dependence.”

– Friedrich Schleiermacher

her volunteers cook. They arrive at the church as early as 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday to set up and iron out last minute kinks and wait for their customers. Though Fentress was allotted discretionary funds, the money has yet to make it to Good Samaritan because of a late budget. She is asking the public to donate food or money to Good Samaritan Outreach Ministries. For information, call (718) 276-2975.

Including food, patrons can also walk away with new or gently used work clothing. Jeanne LeGrande mans a table with shoes and clothes. She gently reminds each customer that they are only allowed four pieces of clothing. She also baked the cornbread and cakes.

Though LeGrande has The Rev. Dorothy Fentress and Jeanne LeGrande helped only worked with the soup make the day a success. kitchen a year, she said this is the best. is not in vain.”

“It means so much to me that I am Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at able to do something for God’s people,” saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 357she said. “It makes me feel that my living 7400, Ext. 123.

PRESS Photo by Sasha Austrie

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

Notebook Ties That Bind Us

Connecting Clothes And Success

PRESS Photo by Sasha Austrie

pline,” Raymond Bond said. “It also tells the world that you are a professional.”

For Jordan Lodge, 9, the lesson came from his grandfather.

Principal Lynn Staton said the idea for “Ties That Bind US” stemmed from last year’s ballroom dancing season. She said the school participates in ballroom dancing and the process was tedious with only three men on staff.

“None of them knew how to tie a tie,” Staton said of the students.

Staton’s goal is that every boy in the school will learn to tie a tie by June. Since September, the school has collected more than 400 ties and counting. Staton said “Ties That Bind US” was not a single event. The school will host events once a month, which would require the boys to wear a button down shirt and tie.

Nearing the end of the program, a YouTube video depicting a lesson in tying a tie came on the screen. The boys fumbled with the brightly colored cloth.

Staton implored the audience to get involved. The auditorium erupted in talk of instruction.

Rasch held court with four boys as he untied his own tie and gave step by step instruction.

“I love ties,” said Dennis Wallcot,

deputy mayor and a graduate of PS 36. “I cannot walk through a store without stopping by the tie counter. Ties make you look better.”

Men in the audience gave the boys bullet points for continued success.

“Practice makes perfect,” said Jermaine Wright, Associate Director of CUNY’s Black Male Initiative. “The more you do it, the better you become at it.”

Another gentleman advised the boys to never fold a tie, but to roll it so that it will lay flat.

Don’t worry girls, a finer womanhood event will be held in January. Staton is asking the community to donate scarves.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 3577400, Ext. 123.

Is Your School Doing Something Good?

Write The PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

from grades two to five strutted up the auditorium pathway with ties slung around A steady stream of gentlemen donning their necks. The audience of mostly men suits and ties flowed into PS 36’s audito- greeted them with applause. rium on Friday. Soon after, boys ranging This commenced the first “Ties That Bind US.” It was created as an event to spark leadership and teach young boys to dress for success.

Reginald Rasch, general counsel for LinkShare and PS36’s Principal of the Day, said he remembers the transition from a clip-on to sporting a “regular tie.”

“How you guys look, how you present to the world…people may not treat you worse by how you are dressed or how you act,” he said. “But they will certainly treat you better.”

During the hour-long program, the boys gave the audience a dose of the finer points of success and leadership.

“When a person dresses as a leader, he sets an example,” said Devon Johnson, a fifth grader.

Tyler Bond, who recited the poem “Excuses,” said his dad was the first person who showed him how to tie a tie.

Raymond Bond said it felt good to show his sons how to tie a tie.

A young child prepares his tie at the event. “[Wearing a tie] shows disciBY SASHA AUSTRIE

What’s Up SATURDAY, NOV. 27 Youth & Tennis The Youth and Tennis group meets every Saturday morning at Roy Wilkins Park Saturday. To learn more, call Bill Briggs at (718) 658-6728.

MONDAY, NOV. 29 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

The event is held at 6 p.m. every Monday at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.

TUESDAY, NOV. 30 Job Club Every Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Jamaica Neighborhood Center offers a free service to 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 Lenin Gross, Job Coach, at (718) 739-2060, Ext. 18 or lgrossjnc@yahoo.com.

This free event will be held at the Jamaica Neighborhood Center - 161-06 89th Ave.

Camera Club The Southeast Queens Camera Club welcomes photographers, beginners to advanced. Meetings are held the second, third and fourth Tuesday every month at 7:30 p.m. at Roy Wilkins Family Life Center, 177-01 Baisley Blvd.

NAACP Scholarship Deadline

Page 20 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010

Tuesday, Nov. 30 is the deadline to apply for Jamaica Branch NAACP Scholarships. Candidates must submit a two hundred word essay indicating why they should be awarded the scholarship, along with a letter of reference attesting to applicant's community involvement, and a high school transcript. Candidates or his/her immediate family must be a member of the Jamaica Branch NAACP. Candidates must be a high school senior or a college freshman.

All materials must be submitted or postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 30 to Jamaica Branch NAACP, 189-26 Linden Blvd., St. Albans, New York 11412.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1 LUNCH In Church Join us for LUNCH and get refueled, renewed and refilled. This free event is held every Wednesday at noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, 89-60 164th St. For more information, call (718) 526-4775, Ext. 10. Come just as you are.

Job Center Orientation What is the Job Information Center and what does it do? Find out at an interactive orientation about its services: career resources including workshops in English and Spanish; assistance with your job search; Job Information Center resources of books, newspapers, pathfinders, bookmarks and brochures, resume/ cover letter reviews; and Queens Workforce 1 information.

This free event will be held at the

Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 1:30 p.m.

Know Your Rights The vast majority of New York City police officers perform their duty with respect for their communities and in compliance with the law. What do you do when an officer doesn't? Learn what the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) can do and how it can help you, your family, and neighbors when needed.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6 p.m.

books and layout. Attendees should have basic computer skills, such as being able to use the keyboard and the mouse, and to open and close applications. These programs are made possible by funding from the Starr Foundation.

This free event will be held at The Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6:30 p.m.

ONGOING CPR Training

In this workshop, customers will learn the basics of using the computer; how to log on and off; use the keyboard and mouse; open and close "windows"; and use toolbars. Preregistration is required in person at Cyber Center Desk.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10 a.m.

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 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.

Jackson Adult Center Ceremony

Group Sessions

Theodora G. Jackson Adult Center is proud to announce that our computer literacy program, "Generations on Line," will be celebrating its second year of free basic computer training. We will mark this occasion with our second Annual Certificate Ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 2. All adult learners who have completed at least three sessions on or before June 30 will receive a Certificate.

Join us at the Theodora G. Jackson Adult Center for lunch from 12-1 p.m.

(Requested donation $1.50) at 92-47 165th St. Please RSVP to Annette Robinson (718) 657-6673.

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.

FRIDAY, DEC. 3 Senior Theatre Acting Repertory

Infant Mortality

Create an Email Account In this workshop, customers will learn how to set up/open their own e-mail account. Preregistration is required in person at the Cyber Center Desk. Participant must possess basic mouse and keyboarding skills.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 2 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

The event is held at 6 p.m. every Thursday at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.

Intro to Computers

Calling all older adults: Join our galaxy of STARs to perform theatrical works at the library with a great group of people while brightening your life.

Rehearsals are held at 10:30 a.m. Fridays at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.

Excel En Espanol Three computer classes will be held in Spanish. Preregistration in person is required at the Cyber Center Reference Desk. The day's class will focus on work-

Clergy United for Community Empowerment's Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative program provides the following services free of charge: case management services, parent skills building, crib care, breast feeding education, health education, nutritional information/education, referral for HIV testing, confidential one-on-one counseling, workshops, and women support groups. IMRI provides referrals for Food stamps, GED, GYN, Emergency Baby Formula (qualifications required) and more. Call (718) 297-0720.

Located at 89-31 161 St., 10th floor,

Jamaica. Services are available Tue.-Thurs.

9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HIV Awareness Clergy United for Community Empowerment provides intervention and curriculum-based prevention education sessions on HIV/AIDS, to reduce risk behaviors that lead to HIV transmission. Services are located at 89-31 161st St., Jamaica. Call (718) 297-0720 ask about our presentation to adolescents and men/women of color. Services are available Tue.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Laurelton Flea Market A flea market has opened at 221-02 Merrick Blvd. On sale are a wide range of items, including household items, jewelry and clothing.

The market is open every Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CPR Class Learn to protect yourself and others at Heron Care Inc. For more information, please call (718) 291-8788. Heron is located at 168-30 89th Ave., Jamaica.

PAL Volunteers The Police Athletic League (PAL) is looking for volunteers to continue its mission of serving New York City's young people by donating their time and talents to help serve Queens youngsters at PAL's Redfern Cornerstone and Far Rockaway Beacon in Arverne-Far Rockaway, PAL's Edward Byrne Center in South Jamaica and PS 214 in Flushing.

PAL Centers in Queens offer a wide range of opportunities for volunteers of all talents. PAL's Redfern Cornerstone and Far Rockaway Beacon are looking for people to participate in a center clean-up day. Volunteers are needed to tutor and mentor young people during the After School Program's daily homework help sessions. In addition, individuals can also donate their time assisting the many special events held at PAL's Centers throughout the year. PAL is also seeking professionals to give career advice and talk about their own careers to young people, as well as guest speakers who can share information on a specific hobby of interest to the youngsters.

To become a volunteer with the Police Athletic League or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, please visit palnyc.org. Volunteers will go through an application process that includes an interview, screening and an orientation. For more information, please contact PAL's Volunteer Coordinator, Alexandria Sumpter-Delves, at (212) 477-9450, Ext. 390 or volunteer@palnyc.org.

Tots-2-Seniors Drive During this holiday season, join MAG and State Sen. Shirley Huntley in donating a token of love to our Tots-2-Seniors Toy, Book, Clothing and Coat Drive.

Donations can be taken to the office of Senator Huntley at 133-24 233rd St. in Laurelton. Items can also be dropped off at the Rochdale Village Senior Center located at 169-65 137th Ave., Jamaica.

For more information, please call Senator Huntley's office at (718) 949-1601, or the MAG office at (718) 712-2061.

Profile

Nur Ul Islam Broadens Perspective For 10 years, Nur Ul Islam has been operating behind the scenes.

“It really started as a magazine, as literature to educate and update about what’s going on in the community,” said the magazine’s president Ahmid Hamid.

Though the magazine was making its way to its audience, it lacked the desired effect. Two years ago, members of Nur Ul Islam decided to branch out.

Hamid said Nur Ul Islam has a broad purpose unlike many Muslim organizations that are concerned mainly with general religious issues.

“They confine their activities to the Muslim communities,” he said. “They are highly limited.”

Hamid said Nur Ul Islam is extending its reach by delving into issues that stretch beyond religion.

“Right now, we are concerned with social services,” he said. Hamid said the organization advises on education, health care, women’s issues, youth leadership, political involvement and assimilation to American culture. To espouse Nur Ul Islam’s message, he hosts a radio program on WEE Radio 87.7 FM from 7-8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

On the radio broadcasts, Hamid discusses the mounting pressure students

face to succeed in the educational system. He said the stress is driven by the structure, along with peers and teachers. Hamid is in the process of organizing SAT prep classes at a discounted rate.

To touch on the medical needs of the community, the organization is hosting a health care outreach event from 2-6 p.m. on Nov. 28, at the Al Ihsan Academy, located at 130-08 Rockaway Blvd.

On his radio broadcast, which has a wide audience, he also discuses the importance of women in Islam. Hamid said contrary to popular belief, Islam dictates that women are treated as equals. Muslim society has categorized women as second class citizens, he said, but Islamic teachings hail women as tantamount to men. Hamid said currently Muslim women do not have the same freedoms as their male counterparts.

“There is no opportunity for women to be in the forefront,” he said. “We are concentrating on women. We are going to take care of our women.”

He also addresses youth leadership, saying elders are entrenched in their post at times and refuse to relinquish power to spur the new generation.

“The cliché that youth are the leaders of tomorrow is true,” he said. “What are we doing to push them in the forefront?

We need educated people to run our affairs and that can be found with the youth.”

Where politics is concerned, Hamid said people need to attach themselves to a politician “because you need their influence in certain areas.”

The organization has even taken to feeding the hungry in its community.

Hamid said 152 food hampers were distributed to participating masjids in Queens.

The organization wants to further its reach into the Mohamed Hack and Ahmid Hamid of Nur Ul Islam. community. Hamid said every year Muslims send thousands of dollars to their native land, but and be all inclusive.

To that end, all are welcome to the what of the Muslims here who are strugorganization’s events, such as an Evening gling?

“The money could be used here,” he of Islamic Songs on Dec. 4 and a sportsaid. “Why are you taking money away ing event on Dec. 18. For information regarding upcoming events or Nur Ul Isfrom Muslims in New York?”

He said the organization is looking to lam, call (646) 807-2359 or visit nur-ulcreate a trust fund to help the poor and islam.org.

“Part of our reaching out is interactneedy. ing with everyone,” said Mohamed Hack, “Charity begins at home,” he said.

Though Hamid concedes that Nur Ul a member of Nur Ul Islam.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at Islam footprints are most noticeable in the Islamic community, its purpose is to saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 357reach beyond the parameters of religion 7400, Ext. 123.

PRESS Photo by Sasha Austrie

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 21

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, 174-15 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina.

IF YOUR ORGANIZATION MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SEND ALL DATES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

ALUMNI ST. JOHN’S PREP/LEWIS Saturday, November 20 alumni are invited to a reunion. 721-7200, ext. 686.

INCARNATION SCHOOL Saturday, November 27 Homecoming 2010 for grads 5-11pm at 89-43 Francis Lewis Blvd. 465-5066.

ST. CLARE’S SCHOOL Saturday, November 27 Homecoming Celebration from 5-11pm in the school at 137-25 Brookville Blvd. 5287174.

DINNER WASSAIL PART Y Sunday, December 5 the Communit y House at Church in the Gardens in Forest Hills will celebrate. $65 adults, $15 children.

894-2178. Join Musica Reginae with music, raffle prizes, visit from Santa.

Dress in Victorian garb for the costume contest. 4-7:30.

NEW CHINA Saturday, November 27 Blue Pipa, Inc. “Celebrate the New China: Traditional Chinese Music and Beloved Folk Songs” at 2 at the Flushing library.

MOTOWN Saturday, November 27 greatest Motown oldies at 2:30 at the Bayside library.

IT’S BROADWAY

FLEA MARKETS OUTDOOR FLEA Saturdays and Sundays until November 28 St. Nicholas of Tolentine from 9-5 at the intersection of Parsons Blvd. and Union Turnpike, Jamaica.

FLEA MARKET Saturday, November 27 105 at Grace Episcopal Church, Clintonville Street and 134 th Avenue, Whitestone.

WINTER SALE Saturday, December 4 from 10-2 at the Ladies Guild of Steinway Reformed Church, Ditmars Blvd. and 41 st Street.

CHRISTMAS FLEA Saturday, December 4 from 9:30-4:30 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 36-01 Bell Blvd., Bayside.

HOLIDAY GIFT SALE Saturday, December 4 from 5:30-6:30pm and Sunday, December 5 from 8:30-2:00 at St. Clare’s School Auditorium, 241 st Street between 1 3 7 th a n d 1 3 8 th A v e n u e s , Rosedale.

CHRISTMAS FAIR Saturday, December 4 from 10-6 and Sunday, December 5 from 9-4 at American Mart yrs Church, Union Turnpike and Bell Blvd., Bayside.

RELIGIOUS

Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010

THEATER IRMA VEP Through December 12 the Greek Cultural Center presents the comedy “The Mystery of Irma Vep” in Astoria. $20 adults, $15 children and seniors. 726-7329.

THE BIKINIS December 2-12 The Bikinis, a new musical beach part y, will be performed at Queens Theatre in the Park. 7600064.

SHAKESPEARE December 3-10 “Words, Words, Words,” a collection of scenes and monologues from the Bard’s comedies will be presented at the Department of Speech, Communication and Theatre Arts at Queensborough Commun i t y C o l l e ge . $ 1 0 , $ 5 s e niors, QCC facult y and students $3, Wednesday matinee $1. 631-6311.

I_NY Saturday, December 18 lives of immigrant NYers intersect at Queens Theatre in the Park at 8. Free tickets; reservations required. 7600064.

KILLING KOMPANY The Killing Company performs mystery dinner shows.

1-888-SHOOT-EM for information.

YOUTH

ENTERTAINMENT

JEWISH WOMEN Saturday, November 27 the National Council of Jewish Women will meet to celebrate Chanukkah. Recreation Center at Clinton Martin Park at noon. 347-0742.

ST. THOMAS Sundays, November 28, December 5, 12, 19 Sung Vespers during Advent. St. Thomas the Apostle, 87-19 88 th Avenue, Woodhaven.

REFORM TEMPLE Friday, December 3 Chanukah dinner served at 6, followed by holiday service. $25 adults, $15 child ren 3-12. Register. Tuesday, December 7 Karl Neumann will speak on Travel and Health at 8:30.

Free. Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112 th Street.

261-2900.

BELLEROSE JC Saturday, December 4 Club Chanukah Cabaret at 7. $12 includes light refreshments.

Advance registration needed. Saturday, December 11 Winter Celebration from 8midnight. $22 includes DJ, light supper, door prizes.

Reservations needed. Tuesdays at 7:30 “Journeys in Judaism.” Bellerose Jewish Center, 254-04 Union Turnpike, Floral Park. 343-9001.

Saturday, November 27 show-stoppers at 2:30 at the Forest Hills library.

OPEN MIC Monday, November 29 at the East Elmhurst library at 6.

SRI LANKA Monday, November 29 Eranga and Prianga, Songs of Sri Lanka and Around the World at the South Ozone Park library at 6:30.

BINGO Tuesdays at 7:15 at American Mart yrs Church, church basement, 216-01 Union Tu r n p i ke , B a y s i d e . 4 6 4 4 5 8 2 . Tu e s d ay s at 7:15 (doors open 6) at the Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd. 459-1000.$3 admission includes 12 games.

CHAMBER MUSIC Tuesday, November 30 at LeFrak Concert Hall at 10.

997-3802 ticket reservations.

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM Tuesday, November 30 author Cunningham reads from his books at 7 at Queens College. 793-8080. $20.

S TORY T I M E Thursday, December 2 for adults at the Steinway library at 1. Bring your lunch and listen to a story!

LIVE JAZZ Fridays through December 24 live jazz at 180-25 Linden Blvd., St. Albans. 347262-1169.

ENSEMBLE Saturday, December 4 Songs of the Season with the St. Luke Contemporary Ensemble at 2 at the Flushing library.

PINEY FORK PRESS Saturday, December 4 a Holiday Afternoon with the Piney Fork Press Theater as they present 3 new comedies at the Forest Hills library at 2.

AMER. SONGBOOK Saturday, December 4 Naomi Zeitlin and the Great American Songbook at the Hillcrest library at 2:30.

HOLIDAY MUSIC Saturday, December 4 at the Bayside library at 3 with soprano Teresa Mazzilli.

HOLIDAY CONCERT Saturday, December 4 at the Sunnyside library at 3 with Linda Ipanema.

RED BARAAT Sunday, December 5 comprised of dhol, percussion and horns, Red Baraat plays traditional Punjabi songs and Bollywood numbers at 3 at the Central library.

SACRED MUSIC Sunday, December 5 the Sacred Music Chorale of Richmond Hill performs their Holiday Concert at 3 at St. John’s Lutheran in Richmond Hill. $15 adults, seniors/students $12. 86-20 114 th Street, between Myrtle and Jamaica Avenues.

ALICIA SVIGALS TRIO Sunday, December 5 a Klezmer Hanukkah Part y at 2 at Flushing Town Hall. 4637700, ext. 222. $16.

FACULTY DANCE CONCERT December 9-12 Queens College. $14, $12 senior and QCID. 793-8080.

QUEENS LIBRARIES Many branches of the Queensborough Library offer toddler and pre-school programs. Contact your local branch for dates.

ALLEY POND Alley Pond Environmental center in Douglaston presents Sunny Bunnies for those 3-4, Wee Sprouts for those 18-23 months, Toddler Time for those 24-35 months and Fledglings for those 3-4 Through December. Call 229-4000 for exact schedule.

SCIENCE LAB Saturday, November 27 at the Central library at 11.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

MATH HELP Saturday, November 27 at the Flushing library at 10.

S TORY TIMES Saturdays at 11 and Tuesdays at 10:30 weekly story times at 7 at Barnes & Noble, 1 7 6 - 6 0 U n i o n Tu r n p i ke , Fresh Meadows.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at 4 at the Douglaston/Little Neck lib ra r y. B r i n g n e e d l e s a n d yarn.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Monday, November 29 for those 3-5 years old at the Glen Oaks library at 11:15.

CRAFT KIDS Monday, November 29 a t

the Flushing library at 3.

MATH Monday, November 29 at the Hollis library at 3:30.

SEWING CLUB Monday, November 29 at the LIC library. Register.

CARIBBEAN ARTS Monday, November 29 at the LIC library. Register.

CROCHET Monday, November 29 at the Rosedale library at 4.

TWEEN TIME Monday, November 29 at the Arverne library at 4:15.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Monday, November 29 at the Baisley Park library. Register.

LITTLE TOT Monday, November 29 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

STAINED GLASS M o n d a y, Tu e s d a y a n d Wednesday, November 29, 30, December 1 at the Pomonok library. Register.

OPEN MIC Monday, November 29 at the East Elmhurst library at 6.

MOTHER GOOSE Tuesday, November 30 at the Forest Hills library at 2.

ENGLISH GRAMMAR Tuesday, November 30 at the Hollis library at 3:30.

ARTS & CRAFTS Tuesday, November 30 at the Auburndale library at 4.

POWER OF THE PEN Tuesday, November 30 writing and vocabulary workshops at the Briarwood and Sunnyside libraries. Register.

TEENS CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at the Douglaston/ Little Neck library at 4.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Mondays, November 29, December 6 at the Baisley Park library. Register.

COLLEGE PREP Monday, November 29 College Prep Workshop at 4 at the Far Rockaway library.

BOOK CLIQUE Monday, November 29 at the Queens Village library at 4.

OPEN MIC Monday, November 29 at the East Elmhurst library at 6.

VOCABULARY Tu e s d a y s , N o ve m b e r 3 0 , December 7 at the Briarwood and Sunnyside libraries. Writing and Vocabulary Building Workshops.

Register.

Queens Today EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS ADULT SCRABBLE Tuesday, November 30 at 1 at the Fresh Meadows library.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tuesdays in November 3:305:30 at the East Flushing library.

CREATE EMAIL ACCT. Tuesday, November 30 at the Central library. Register.

COMPUTER BASICS Tuesday, November 30 at the Glen Oaks library. Register.

INTRO INTERNET Tuesday, November 30 at the Queens Village library.

Register.

INTERNET TIPS & TRICKS Tuesday, November 30 at the Maspeth library at 1.

LEARN TO DRAW Tu e s d a y, N o ve m b e r 3 0 learn to draw or learn to draw better at the Hillcrest library. Register.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE Wednesdays 10:30-3:00 at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills. $12 session, includes light lunch. 261-2900.

WATERCOLOR CL ASS Wednesdays at 9:30 at NAL. Traditional and contemporary, all levels. 969-1128.

INDOOR SOCCER – DADS Wednesday evenings at the Forest Hills Jewish Center.

263-7000.

BASIC COMPUTER Wednesday, December 1 at the Woodside library at 10:30.

SCRABBLE/CHESS

Thursdays at 4 at the Windsor Park library, 79-50 Bell Blvd., Bayside.

QUILTING CLASSES Thursdays 10-2 at the Maria Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans. 917-817-8653 to register.

KNIT/CROCHET Thursdays (not holidays) at 6 and Fridays at 10:30 at the Fresh Meadows library.

QUILTERS Thursdays at 1:30 at the East Elmhurst library.

ADULT CHESS Thursdays at 6 at the Queens Village library.

OPEN BRIDGE Thursdays from 8-10pm at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. $12 per player. 2756615 to register.

WRITER’S WORKSHOP Thursday, December 2 at the Bayside library. Register.

COMPUTER COURSE Friday, December 3 at the Ozone Park library. Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Friday, December 3 at the Middle Village library. Register.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, December 4, 18 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital.

646-436-7940.

HOLIDAY CARDS Sunday, December 5 Making Holiday Cards with Korean Painting for adults at F l u s h i n g To w n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700, ext. 222. $12.

SENIORS FREE LUNCH Saturdays, November 27, December 25 at Church of the Resurrection in Kew Gardens. 847-2649 reservations.

STAY WELL Mondays at 10 at the Central library. Tuesdays at 2 at the Flushing library and Wednesdays at 10 at the East Elmhurst library. Special exercises and relaxation techniques.

HORIZONS CLUB Thursday, December 2 Horizons, a club for those 55 and over, will hold a special program on Chanukah at the Re fo r m Te m p l e o f F o r e st Hills, 71-11 112 th Street at noon. $3 includes coffee and cake. 261-2900.

STARS Friday, December 3 at 10:30 at the Queens Village library.

Come join this theatrical group.

AARP 1405 Monday, December 6, 20 Flushing AARP 1405 meets at the Bowne Street Communit y Church, 143-11 Roosevelt Avenue at 1.

AARP 3698 Wednesday, December 8 AARP 3698 meets at the Zion Episcopal Church, 24301 Northern Blvd., Douglaston at 1. Refreshments and social hour at noon. New members welcome.

AARP 4158 Tu e s d a y, D e c e m b e r 1 4 North Flushing AARP chap-

ter 4158 meets at noon at Church on the Hill, 167-07 35 th Avenue, Flushing.

FREE LUNCH Saturday, December 18 at All Saints Church, Richmond Hill. 849-2352 reservations.

ALLEN COMMUNITY Keyboard lessons, Spanish, crocheting and knitting, art lessons, computer classes for beginners and advanced, Allen Singers, Drama Club, Hair Care, Aerobic, Beginners Bridge, Advanced Bridge, Creative Design, storytelling and rap sessions.

Allen Communit y Senior Center, 166-01 Linden Blvd., Jamaica. 658-0980.

ALZHEIMERS SUPPORT Every other Wednesday Alzheimer Support Group meets at the Elmhurst Senior Center. 478-7171, ext. 27 ART CLASSES Thursdays free craft classes, general arts and crafts, at the Middle Village Adult Center.

Call 969-1128.

BAYSIDE CENTER Tuesdays line dancing 9:30 and Thursdays 10:00. Fridays ballroom instruction at 10:15, ballroom and social dancing 1-3. Lunch at 11:30.

225-1144.

BEN. ROSENTHAL Wednesdays and Fridays dancing from 1-4. Daily hot Kosher lunch from 11:3012:30. $1.75 contribution.

Cards and games at 1. Benjamin Rosenthal Senior Center, 45-25 Kissing Blvd. Flushing. 886-5777.

FM POETS Saturday, November 27 the Flushing Meadows Poets meet to discuss and critique their poetry at 10 at the Forest Hills library.

JEWISH VETS Sundays, November 28, December 26 Jewish War Veterans of the USA Lipsky/ Blum Post meet at the Garden Jewish Center. 4634742.

ST. ALBANS CIVIC Sunday, November 28 the St. Albans Civic Improvement Association meets at 1:30 at the St. Albans L u t h e r a n C h u r c h , 2 0 0 th Street and 119 th Avenue in the undercroft. 276-4263.

TOASTMASTERS Mondays, November 29, December 13, 20 learn communication and leadership skills in Kew Gardens.

646-269-1577.

FRESH MEADOW CAMERA Tuesdays the Fresh Meadows Camera Club meets.

917-612-3463.

ADVANCED WRITERS Tuesdays at 6:30 at the Terrace Diner at Bay Terrace Shopping Center and also t h e l a s t Tu e s d ay o f t h e m o n t h i n th e C o m m u n i t y Room in Panera Bread at Bay Terrace Shopping.

EXHIBIT QUEENS HISTORICAL Tu e s d ay s , S a t u r d ay s a n d Sundays 2:30-4:30 new exhibit “For Love of the Games: A History of Sports in Queens,” with other exhibits, “Unraveling History: Using Textiles to Date the Past,” “Kingsland: From Homestead to House Museum,” “Persistence: A Celebration of Landmarks in Queens – Past, Present, Future,” and “The Civil War’s L a sting Memory.” Queens H i s to r i c a l Societ y at Kingsland Homestead, 1443 5 3 7 th a v e n u e , F l u s h i n g .

939-0647, ext. 17. $2 seniors and students, $3 adults.

NATIONAL ART LEAGUE Through November 27 80 th Fall Members’ Exhibition at the NAL, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway. 428-1859.

NO. IRELAND Through December 23 “Voices Envisioned: Memories Made in Northern Ireland,” at the Queens College Art Center. 997-3770.

AMER. CIVIL RIGHTS Through December “Marching the Dream: American Civil Rights” with American photographer Dan Budnik.

Through Januar y “A Journey I Stone and Wood,” sculptures by Gladys Thompson Roth. February through April “Bindu Masks from the Imperato Collection.” February through June “QCC Art Gallery: 20 Years of Collecting.” May through June “Department of Art and Design’s Juried Student Exhibition.” QCC Art Gallery.

631-6396.

HOLIDAY ART Through January 1 at the National Art League, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway. Free.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT Wednesday, December 1, Tuesday, December 21 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family, 175-20 174 th Street, Fresh Meadows. 9692448.

TOASTMASTERS Wednesdays, December 1, 15 learn the art of public speaking at t he Voices of Rochdale Toastmasters Club in Jamaica. 978-0732.

FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesdays, December 1, 15 V: Flushing Camera Club meets at Flushing Hospital.

441-6210.

KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS Wednesdays, December 1, 15 Queensview Lodge 433 meets in Whitestone. 7464428.

CATHOLIC VETS Thursday, December 2 St. Margaret’s Post 1172 meets in Middle Village. 326-1135.

QUEENS CENTRAL ROTARY Thursdays 6:30-8:30 Come

learn if Rotary is for you.

465-2914; me1nc@aol.com HORIZONS CLUB Thursday, December 2 Horizons, a club for those 55 and over, will hold a special program on Chanukah at the Re fo r m Te m p l e o f F o r e st Hills, 71-11 112 th Street at noon. $3 includes coffee and cake. 261-2900.

FLORAL DEMO Friday, December 3 painting colorful florals in pastels will be demonstrated at the National Art League meeting at 8 at 44-21 Douglaston Parkway. Free. Public is invited.

CIVIL AIR PATROL Fridays 6-10 at Vaughn College of Aeronautics, 86-01 23 rd Avenue, East Elmhurst.

Academy WOMAN’S GROUP Fridays the Woman’s Group of Jamaica Estates meets at noon. Call 461-3193 for information.

HEALTH NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 7 days a week. 932-6244. www.westernqueensna.org.

ZUMBA Saturday, November 27 fitness program at the LIC library. Register.

WAITANKUNG Sundays at 2. Waitankung is a great total-body workout.

Join these ancient Chinese exercise classes in the Flushing Hospital/Medical Center auditorium on 45 th Avenue between Parsons and Burling. Free. Jimmy 7-10pm 347-2156 information.

ALEF REIKI Sunday, November 28 UNIT Y Center of Flushing, 42-11 155 th Street will hold a free Alef Reiki healing program. 2-4.

ZUMBA Monday, November 29 at the Hollis library. Register.

HEALTHLINK CORONA Monday, November 29 HealthLink Corona Communit y Cancer Action Council Meeting at 10:30 at the Corona library.

CORONA CANCER Monday, November 29 Corona Cancer Action Council Meeting at 6 at the Corona library.

TAI CHI Mondays and Thursdays at 11 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows.

670-1695. $5 a class.

YOGA DANCE Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 670-1948. $10 class.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT E ve r y Tu e s d a y We ste r n Queens Caregiver Network in Sunnyside. 784-6173, ext.

431.

CHAIR YOGA Tuesday, November 30 at the North Hills library. Register.

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT Tuesday, November 30 at 2 a t t h e B e l l e r o s e l i b ra r y.

Workshop on the signs and symptoms of vision loss.

ZUMBA

Tu e s d a y m o r n i n g s a n d Wednesday evenings through December 8 at the Bay Terrace Jewish Center. $8 members, $10 others.

428-6363.

CAREGIVERS WORKSHOP Wednesday, December 1 Understanding emotional dynamics of aging, preventing caregiver burnout and more at 11 at the Queens Village library. Also on Friday, December 3 at the Bay Terrace library at 11.

OA Thursdays at the Howard Beach library at 10:30.

AUTISM WORKSHOP Thursday, December 2 informational workshop at 6 at the Broadway library.

MEMORY LOSS Fridays Couples with one partner experiencing memory loss meet at the Samuel Field Y. 225-6750, ext. 236.

OA Fridays 6:30-8:30 at Unit y Center of Flushing, 42-11 1 5 5 th S t r e e t . S a t u r d a y s 10:30-noon at Resurrection Ascension, Feely Hall, 85-18 61 st Road, Rego Park. Beginners meeting except the last Friday of each month, which is a writing meeting.

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.

REDUCE STRESS Saturday, December 4 at the Poppenhusen Institute.

Tea and talk. 358-0067.

CANCER SUPPORT Monday, December 6 Franklin Hospital’s Cancer Support Group meets at 2 in the Cafeteria. 516-2566478.

PARKINSON Monday, December 6 at the Re fo r m Te m p l e o f F o r e st Hills. 440-4200.

PARKINSON Wednesday, December 8 Parkinson Support Group at Peninsula Hospital. 7342876.

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23

ART CLASSES The Jackson Heights Art Club offers art classes for children and adults, day or evening, 7 days a week in Drawing, Watercolor and Oil and Acrylic. 926-9821.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, November 27 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in East Elmhurst from 9-3:30. $45. 631-360-9720.

SCRABBLE CLUB Saturdays at 10 at Count Basie Jr. HS, 132 nd Street and Guy R. Brewer Blvd. 8865236.

KNIT AND CROCHET Saturdays at the Seaside library at 2:30.

PET OWNERS Sundays (not on holidays) from 1-4 free workshops on pet behavior at Crocheron Park in Bayside (weather permitting). 454-5800.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at 4 at the Douglaston/Little Neck library, 249-01 Northern Blvd.

INSTRUCTION & DANCE Mondays and Fridays 7:158:00 dance lessons, dance from 8-11. Italian Charities of America, 83-20 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst. $10.

ADULT CHESS Mondays at 6 at the Queens Village library.

DANCE CLASSES Mondays through Decemb e r 2 7 Ta p f ro m 6 - 7 : 3 0 , Partnering (including aspects of Jazz) 7:30-8:30. $15 per session at the Astoria Center of Israel. 278-2680.

BALLROOM DANCING Monday, November 29 at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

POWERPOINT Monday, November 29 at the Maspeth library at 6.

CREATIVE WRITING Monday, November 29 at the North Hills library. Register.

BEGIN CROCHET Monday, November 29 at the Rosedale library at 6.

Bring yarn and hook.

CLAY ORNAMENTS Monday, November 29 holiday ornaments at the Lefrak Cit y library at 6:30.

GET YOUR YARNS OUT! Tuesdays after evening Minyan at 8, knitters, crocheters, needlepointers, and others meet at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 200.

OPEN BRIDGE Tuesdays at 8 at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. Call 2637000 for fees.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesday, November 30 in English and Spanish at the Arverne librar y.

BEGINNERS PC Tuesday, November 30 at the Bellerose library. Register.

INTRO EXCEL Tuesday, November 30 at the McGoldrick library. Register.

COMPUTER BASICS Tuesday, November 30 at the Astoria library at 11 and at the Queensboro Hill librar y. Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesday, November 30 at the Rosedale library at 11.

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People Army Pfc. Antoineque B. Davidson has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.

Davidson earned distinction as an honor graduate.

She is the daughter of Antoinette B. Davidson of 116th Ave., Jamaica, and niece of Leslie-Ann Bailey of Lefferts Ave., Brooklyn. The private graduated in 2004 from Hillcrest High School, Jamaica, and received an associate degree in 2010 from Nassau Community College, Garden City.

Army National Guard Pvt. Chamtel A. Tyrell has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness,

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PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

York College women's tennis coach Greg Jackson capped off a very successful 2010 season Thursday, when he was named the CUNY Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Freshman Anna Ko (Elmhurst, NY/ Newtown) was also named to the CUNYAC Second-Team All-Stars.

Jackson took a Lady Cardinals squad who was just in its second year of existence to the semifinals of the CUNYAC Championships. York went 6-3 in conference play and earned the third seed in the playoffs. From there, York won its first-ever quarterfinal match by defeating Brooklyn College 5-4 on October 19.

"It's not difficult to coach when you have student-athletes who want to learn," said Jackson. These girls gave 100 percent and worked together as a team all year long. We all made sacrifices this season and it paid off." I'd like to thank the York Athletics staff for their support

throughout the season, as well as the other coaches in the league who were great competitors all year long."

Ko was an instrumental part of the Lady Cardinals success. At singles play, she held an 8-7 record, splitting time between fourth and fifth singles. However, it was her doubles play which really paved the way for York's success. Ko, along with partner Tenzin Kunchok, went a perfect 7-0 in doubles play during the regular season against conference opponents. Their only blemish against a conference opponent came in the semi-finals, when they narrowly lost 9-7 to Baruch College.

Allstate Insurance Company is proud to announce the opening of a new office in Bellerose, located at 247-13 Jamaica Avenue, which is independently owned and operated by agent Pasqualy Destefano.

This new Allstate agency will also include the refined look-and-feel of the "Good Hands."

Destefano's office will open its doors with the new Allstate Branded Retail Environment.

"We're committed to helping Bellerose residents protect the things that are important to them, whether it's their car, life, home or business," says Destefano, who has worked in the insurance industry for the past 10 years. He resides with his wife and two daughters in North Babylon, and enjoys restoring classic cars in his spare time.

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Air Force Airman George D. Fileas graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

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Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

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Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 25

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and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

She is the daughter of Collette Cummings, and granddaughter of Winnifred Champagnie, both of 130th Ave., Jamaica. Tyrell is a 2009 graduate of Baldwin Senior High School.

Nina Caraballo

Models Of Queens

Ozone Park Age: 29 Height: 5' 1'’ Weight: 120 lbs Stats: 34-25-36

You may be tempted to approach Nina, but do so at your own risk – she can kick your butt.

It has been about a month since this Long Islander transplanted her lovely self to Ozone Park – it’s their loss and our borough’s gain. And she’s already leaving a mark.

She first began modeling in her native Puerto Rico at age 11.

“I would love to do modeling again,” she said.

She is also taking up kickboxing as an alternative, and her trainer sees a solid chance at the Golden Gloves.

Both offer a viable career alternative to her current job: working in the highway toll administration’s customer service wing.

Translation: Her entire workday consists of contentious conversations about EZ Pass tolls.

“All day. Every. Day,” Nina said in an exasperated deadpan.

The goal, aside from letting off some steam, is to show her kids their single mom can still thrive.

“I want them to see me do as much as I can on my own,” she said.

But modeling, she admits, is still off their radar. In fact, this page may be the first time they see mom in that light.

“I haven’t said anything to them yet,” she said.

Well congratulations kids, mommy is a beauty with plenty of fight.

Parnell’s Pooch Is this the Mets’ rabbit foot?

Pitcher Bobby Parnell, whose season ended early with elbow problems this year, found a new love while he waits for Spring Training; an adorable golden retrieveryellow lab mix he named “Abby” The two met during an event at CitiField held four days after he was pulled for the season because of elbow problems. He later adopted the puppy and brought her home to North Carolina, where he lives with his fiancée.

Parnell hopes Abby will be a good-luck mascot like Homer, the beagle who would be seen scurrying around the Polo Grounds during the Mets’ first seasons, when they Bobby Parnell’s Abby could be just the kind of mascot Mets fans have been looking for. repeatedly failed to crack .500.

“She definitely can’t be a bad luck charm,” Parnell told the Daily News.

Confidentially, New We’ll be the judge of that around next September, Bobby.

Page 26 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010

Rising Star What we must assume is one of America’s top legal minds is originally from Queens.

Cathy Bissoon, 42, a magistrate judge in western Pennsylvania, who grew up in our fair borough, was nominated by President Barack Obama to become a District Court judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania .

Bissoon, who is married with two children, received her law degree from Harvard in 1993. The daughter of an auto glass installer, she was named a “Pennsylvania Super Law- Western PA., Federal District Court yer” by Philadelphia Magazine and Judge designee Cathy Bissoon won the Thurgood Marshall award from Minorities in Business Magazine.

She still needs to be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Pssst… Chuck Schumer… you’re on that committee. Help out one of our own, wouldya?

Think Pink Queens emcee Nicki Minaj is the new it girl to hit the music scene. Minaj has not only set her sights on conquering the music industry, she is lending her name and image to fight cancer.

The “Harajuku Barbie,” who insists on wearing everything pink, and has named her new album “Pink Friday,” has teamed up with Susan Komen for the Cure.

Minaj will participate in a 12-hour webcast from noon to midnight Nov. 26 Our darling Nicki looks great in pink. to raise money for Susan G. Komen alongside CompUSA and Tiger Direct. The date, officially known as Black Friday, will definitely be a Pink Friday this year.

Visit pinkfriday.org for details if you want to let your pink shine.

iFlushing We’re always proud when a Queens resident gets bitten by the entrepreneurial spirit, and smartly soars to fiscal stardom.

That’s exactly what 17-yearold Fei Lam did. The teen saw a gaping hole in the white iPhone 4 market – one left by the phone’s manufacturer, Apple. The company has been pushing back the latest version of the white iPhone’s release for months, building up a furious gang of Apple-philes frothing at their mouths for the same phone everyone already has, but in white.

Lam took advantage of a connection with an Apple parts maker in China, and had the currentlyunavailable phone’s shell shipped to his house. He then peddled the goods through his Web site whiteiphonefournow.com.

Business was slow at first, but eventually media coverage helped the teen net $130,000 in revenue over a few months.

But like any good idea, there seem to be jealous hyenas crying foul legal issues – namely, some have accused Lam of selling stolen goods.

York . . .

The still-as-yet-unpurchasable white iPhone 4.

We hope all works out well for the Mac prophet’s profit – he has become a cult hero in the Applefanatic world. His new influx of dough should help pay for that degree from NYU he’s aiming for.

Abbott Metropolitan Paisios Loulourgas

Greek Gold Why did a priest stuff $260,000 and 100 gold coins in a bag before leaving the country?

We don’t know, but that’s not the plot of the next James Bond movie – it’s what happened at St. Irene’s Church and Monastery in Astoria.

Summoned to Greece earlier this month by the head of the Greek Orthodox Church, Abbott Metropolitan Paisios Loulourgas left the bag in the safe keeping of a nun.

After discovering the loot, she turned it over to police.

Loulourgas has since resigned, citing health reasons. No criminality is suspected, but a delegation from the Greek Orthodox church is investigating.

Maybe “Borat” star Sacha Baron Cohen will play Loulourgas in the movie.

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 27

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$12.00 Monthly*

* Financing for qualified buyers, on select single item purchases of $399 or more. Financing and prices valid until 11/28/10. See store for financing requirements. See store for details on rebate offers. Not responsible for typographical errors. Some photos may be used for illustrative purposes and may not be exact replication of item. With Payments/Deferred Interest: On Purchases of [$399 or more] with your promotional financing card. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional balance, including optional charges, is not paid in full within your selected financing program/period or if you make a late payment. Minimum Monthly Payments Required.* *If promo and debt cancellation are not paid in full [within selected financing program/period, interest at 28.99% will be assessed from purchase date.

If account goes 60 days past due, promo may be terminated early and accrued interest will be billed. As of 02/16/2010, Purchase APR 28.99%; Penalty APR 29.99%. Minimum Interest $2. Subject to credit approval.

Equal Payment/No Interest: No Interest for selected financing program/period*. On Purchases of $399 or more with your promotional financing credit card made until 11/28/10. Equal Fixed Minimum Monthly Payments Required. Penalty APR may apply if you make a late payment.* *Selected program monthly payments equal to promo purchase divided equally by number of months in promo period are required until expiration but no interest will be assessed if all minimum monthly payments on account, including debt cancellation, paid when due.

If account goes 60 days past due, promo may be terminated early and standard account terms will apply. As of 02/16/10, Purchase APR 28.99%; Penalty APR 29.99%. Minimum Interest $2. Subject to credit approval. See store for details. Offer valid until 11/28/10. ** THIS PRICE GUARANTEE APPLIES TO A LOCAL STOCKING RETAIL STORE. PRICE GUARANTEE DOES NOT APPLY TO LIMITED QUANTITY/LIMITED SPECIAL TIMING AND CLOSE-OUT ITEMS. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS.

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Serving The Tri-State Area For Over 75 Years!

DEPENDABILITY SINCE 1934

* FINANCING FOR QUALIFIED BUYERS, ON SELECT SINGLE ITEM PURCHASES OF $399 OR MORE. FINANCING AND PRICES VALID UNTIL 9/30/10. SEE STORE FOR FINANCING REQUIREMENTS.