Press epaper 011714

Volume 15 Issue No. 3 Jan. 17-23, 2014

Remembering Ira Cohen, 1947-2014

PRESS Photo by Luis Gronda

SWORN IN

See page 6

Daneek Miller holds an inauguration ceremony as he takes over as Councilman for District 27.

By Luis Gronda ‌ Page 3.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

&

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 17-23, 2014 “Not only marvelous but to be marveled at. I dare you not to have a great time.”

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King Court Apartments Accepting Applications

On Tuesday, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz announced that Rufus King Court Apartments, an affordable housing development nearing completion in Jamaica, is accepting applications from low-income families.

“Rufus King Court Apartments will offer quality affordable housing at a location near the Jamaica commercial core just a few blocks from one of the nation’s busiest transportation hubs,” Katz said. “I recommend that eligible families take advantage of this opportunity and begin the process of applying to live in the Rufus King Court Apartments as soon as possible.”

The Rufus King Court Apartments are located at 148-19 90th Avenue in Jamaica. When construction is completed later this year, it will offer four studios, 14 one-bedroom apartments, 23 two-bedroom apartments and five three-bedroom apartments.

Income eligibility requirements will range from $24,515 a year for those seeking to rent a studio to $59,820 a year for those seeking a three-bedroom apartment. Monthly rents for the apartments will range from $659 for a studio to $1,199 for a three-bedroom.

Developed by the Arker Companies of Floral Park, Rufus King Court Apartments will offer all of its units to eligible low-income families.

Applications from interested households are being accepted from now until March 6, 2014. A lottery will be used to determine the winning applications.

Applications from interested households are being accepted online and via mail. Online applications can be filed by March 6, 2014 by visiting www.nyc.gov/housingconnect and selecting “Apply for Housing.” A mail application can be requested by sending a self-addressed envelope to Rufus King Court Apartments, P.O. Box 390, Floral Park, NY 11002. All mail applications must be returned by regular mail and be postmarked

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Community members are mourning the loss of Cardinal Sylvester “Sandy” Sandiford, who died on Dec. 26, 2013 at the age of 84 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sandiford, a congregant at Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church for more than 45 years, served as chairman of the Land Use Committee for Queens Community Board 12. He also formerly served as

Cardinal Sylvester Sandiford, a CB 12 member, died on Dec. 26 at the age of 84.

president of Octagon Neighborhood Association and as a board member for the Elmer Blackburne Democratic Club.

Sandiford was buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens after a ceremony at Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church on Jan. 3. He is survived by his wife, Belle; daughter Sandra Gayle Gooding; son, Scott Sandiford; and many grandchildren, cousins, relatives, friends and colleagues.

Shelter Gets Fundraiser

A month-long fundraiser to help a relatively new business get situated in the neighborhood is underway.

PS 65 in Ozone Park has launched an online campaign to give money to a nearby animal shelter, called the Liberty Avenue Heavenly Angels Animal Rescue, which houses animals from high-kill shelters, puppy mills and pets surrendered by its owners.

There are multiple reasons for helping out the shelter, according to Michelle Stango, a 4th grade teacher at the school among the organizers of the fundraiser.

First, they want to help the shelter get the supplies they need. Stango said the establishment has a wish list on Amazon.com for various items they would like to buy, including food for the dogs and cats it takes care of.

It also teaches the school’s children the “pillars of character,” as Stango called it. The school has been designated a community learning school and has fundraising projects to help out various community institutions.

PS 65 is running the fundraiser online and at the school itself. Go to www.booster.com/ps65q to purchase a $15 T-shirt that will go towards the event.

Fifty-seven T-shirts have been sold as of press time, according to the website, surpassing their goal of selling 50 shirts in one week since it started. It will go on until the end of January.

Jan. 17-23, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

i. daneek Miller Takes over district 27 seat The new Councilman for District 27 is prepared to roll up his sleeves and get right to work.

That was one of the central messages Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) emphasized during his inauguration speech at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center last week.

The new councilman steps in place of now Deputy Borough President Leroy Comrie. Prior to being elected to the seat, Miller was president of the Amalgamated Transportation Union Local 1056, which represents drivers and mechanics who work for the MTA’s Queens Bus Division.

During his speech, Miller boasted that the residents of the 27th Council District had the highest voter turnout in the City and he was elected by those people to work with the new progressive elected officials to move his district and the City forward.

“When they questioned whether or not this progressive agenda could actually work, because there wasn’t a mandate and low voter turnout, I remind them of Southeast Queens because they don’t know what a low

Photo by Luis Gronda

By Luis Gronda

Council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito swears in Councilman i. daneek Miller during his inauguration ceremony last week. voter turnout is,” he said, which drew a wave of applause from the audience.

The Councilman continued that he was chosen by his constituents to advocate what is best for them.

“I go to City Hall with a mandate for change, I go to City Hall with a mandate for equality and I go to City Hall with a mandate to serve all,” Miller said.

Giving labor unions a voice in

City Hall was another theme of Miller’s speech.

He told the story of when he was first asked to run for the seat and become Comrie’s successor.

Miller went into a meeting believing it was about a different subject when the possibility of running for the City Council was brought up.

He initially was reluctant to pursue the job, he said, because of his family and he was happy with his

job. But the family gave him the green light to run for elected office after sitting down and discussing it.

“Everybody said the same thing ‘the working people needed a voice at City Hall,’” Miller said. “No matter how successful we were individually, we still hit walls, we still had limitations, we couldn’t do what we needed to do for the working people.”

Comrie had some complementary words for his successor, saying he has always been a large presence in the community during his tenure as City Councilman and together, with him now working at Queens Borough Hall, they will work together to protect the district Miller represents. He later passed the symbolic torch of the district to Miller during the ceremony.

Council Speaker Melissa MarkViverito (D-Manhattan/Bronx) administered the oath of office to Miller, her first since being voted Speaker. Other notable people to attend were Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) and U.S Sen. Chuck Schumer.

Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.

Clyde Vanel To Challenge Malcolm smith

By JoE MarViLLi Besides dealing with his federal corruption charges, State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis) will have to defend himself against another primary challenger for his seat.

Attorney Clyde Vanel of Cambia Heights has put forward his name for the 14th State Senate District.

He will join attorney Munir Avery in challenging Smith in the Democratic primary.

Vanel is running after coming in second place to Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) in last year’s race to replace the term-limited former councilman Leroy Comrie, who is now Deputy Borough President. Vanel ultimately gained 21.8 percent of the vote, a total of 3,360 people, losing to Miller by less than three percent.

“I just came off of a tough election there. A lot of folks have been approaching me about running for this seat around the neighborhood,”

he said. “We need positive representation in the Senate. I thought I’d be the best person to be able to do that.”

Vanel said that his strong showing in the City Council race last year was noticeable, given that he was outspent 10 to 1, came into the race late and was facing a competitor with strong union backing and Comrie’s support.

“We just had the people. We ran on ideas and we ran on our message.

I believe we have a great collation of support that’s even bigger now,” Vanel said.

While he could not disclose specifics, Vanel did mention that many public officials, organizations and unions reached out to him in support of his State Senate run. He said those endorsements will be rolled out during the course of the campaign.

One of the pillars of Vanel’s campaign platform is job creation, which he said needs to have a higher priority in the State Legislature.

“We need jobs,” he said. “We need to be able to have a state where we have living wage jobs, where people can start businesses and gain employment.”

He added that funding for education and ethics reform in government are two more important issues he will push, particularly given Smith’s switch to the Independent Democratic Conference that flipped the State Senate’s power structure on its head.

“If the process is tied up by a few individuals, that is a problem,” Vanel said. “I will run as a Democrat and I will stay as a Democrat.”

Vanel said he has started up his fundraising campaign and plans to hold a kickoff event at the end of January, with specifics still to come. He added that he thinks the coalition he has built up so far gives him a good chance for victory.

“We’re going to work hard to win back the majority in the State Senate,” Vanel said. “We have to restore

attorney Clyde Vanel will run against state sen. Malcolm smith for the 14th state senate district.

confidence back to the people in the government they elect.”

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 17-23, 2014

Queens Group Rallies In Albany For Education

BY JOE MARVILLI Hundreds of protestors headed to Albany on Tuesday to rally for education equality, including many from the Queens branch of New York Communities for Change.

The “No More Excuses” rally was planned by the Alliance for Quality Education, a coalition of which NYCC is a part. The purpose of the trek was to fight for resources for public school children, especially those in underserved communities.

The various groups of students, teachers, parents and education advocates headed to Albany to demand that Gov. Andrew Cuomo add $1.9 billion to his budget in new school aid, which would reduce the opportunity gap between rich and poor school districts in the State. The rally was also a call for the State government to support Mayor Bill de Blasio’s pre-K proposal, which would increase the City’s income tax on the wealthy to support expanded early education programs.

According to Ondrea Harris, more than 1,500 parents and students from throughout the State took part in the rally. Harris is a mother of three and a grandmother of four children who are attending public school

their case for increased education funding.

Among the people they spoke to was State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (DJamaica), who invited them up to his Albany office.

“The State should learn from our children how to be educated successfully. The NYCC Youth Division spoke with Senator Sanders about their current poor Members of the New York Communities for Change education experience,” Youth Division met with State Sen. James Sanders Harris said. “No school during an education rally in Albany. supplies, no books, no resources. New York in Queens. She lives in Baisley Park Community for Change plans to get Houses in Jamaica and is the head of our children and parents together to the NYCC Youth Division. continue the fight.”

“NYCC Youth Division joins parHarris added that meeting with ent leaders from NYCC and other Sanders, who represents her commugroups in the Alliance for quality ed- nity, was the highlight of the trip. ucation on this trip in support of stu“The best part of the day is when dents,” she said. “Education is cur- the children were welcomed to Senarently lacking. The rally was about tor Sanders office where he listened securing additional funding for our and let the children sit behind his schools instead of giving tax breaks desk,” she said. “The best part was to banks and corporations.” the Senator hearing it from the While they were in the State capi- youth’s mouths.” tal, the parents and students met The parents, students and teachwith various elected officials to make ers attended an address by State

NEWLY CONSTRUCTED APARTMENTS FOR RENT Rufus King Court Apartments is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for 46 affordable housing rental apartments now under construction at 148-19 90th Avenue in the Jamaica section of Queens. This building is being constructed through the Low Income Housing Credit Program (LIHC) and the NYS Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (SLIHC) of the New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) and the Inclusionary Housing Program of New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). The size, rent and targeted income distribution for the 46 apartments are as follows: # Apts.

Available

Apartment Size

Household Size*

Monthly Rent**

Total Annual Income Range*** Minimum - Maximum

1

Studio

1

$659

$24,515 - $30,100

2

1 Bedroom

1 2

$709

$26,298 - $30,100 $26,298 - $34,400

3

Studio

1

$802

$29,418 - $36,120

12

1 Bedroom

1 2

$863

$31,578 - $36,120 $31,578 - $41,280

23

2 Bedrooms

5

3 Bedrooms

2 3 4 3 4 5 6

$1,044

$1,199

$37,852 $37,852 $37,852 $43,749 $43,749 $43,749 $43,749

-

$41,280 $46,440 $51,540 $46,440 $51,540 $55,680 $59,820

* Subject to occupancy criteria ** Includes gas for cooking *** Income guidelines subject to change Qualified Applicants will be required to meet income guidelines and additional selection criteria.

Households may elect to submit an application by one of two methods: EITHER online OR by mail. To submit your application online now, please visit NYC Housing Connect at www.nyc.gov/housingconnect and select “Apply for Housing.” All online applications must be submitted by March 6, 2014. To request an application by mail, please mail a self-addressed envelope to: Rufus King Court Apartments, P.O. Box 390, Floral Park, New York 11002. All mailed applications must be returned by regular mail only (no priority, certified, registered, express, overnight or oversized mail will be accepted) to a post office box number that will be listed on the application, and must be postmarked by March 6, 2014. Applications will be selected by lottery; applicants who submit more than one application will be disqualified. Disqualified applications will not be accepted. A general preference will be given to New York City residents. Eligible households that include persons with mobility impairments will receive preference for 5% of the units; eligible persons that include persons with visual and/or hearing impairments will receive preference for 2% of the units. Current and eligible residents of Queens Community Board 12 will receive preference for 50% of the units. Eligible City of New York Municipal Employees will receive a 5% preference of the units.

THIS IS A 100% SMOKE FREE BUILDING No Broker’s Fee. No Application Fee. ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor BILL DE BLASIO, Mayor The City of New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development RUTHANNE VISNAUSKAS, Commissioner New York State Homes and Community Renewal DARRYL C. TOWNS, Commissioner/CEO www.nyc.gov/housingconnect

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) about the education rally. They also found another speaker in Pastor Michael Walrond of New Corinthians Baptist Church in Harlem, who gave a speech in the Capitol Building War Room.

NYCC is a group of working families from low and moderate income neighborhoods that are dedicated to fighting for economic and social justice throughout the State. The Queens chapter of the organization focuses on issues in Southeast Queens, such as the foreclosure crisis, getting toxic polychlorinated biphenyls out of schools and improving education.

The Alliance for Quality Education is a coalition that NYCC is a part of. The alliance mobilizes communities throughout New York State to fight for a high-quality public education for all students, no matter where they live. Education policies that it supports includes community schooling, parent and family engagement, equity, positive school climate, engaging curriculum, a reduction in the amount of testing and early childhood education.

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Jan. 17-23, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

JFK airTrain Celebrates a decade

By Luis Gronda The JFK AirTrain turns 10 years old this year and several of its workers were honored this week for a decade of hard work.

Bombardier Transportation, the company that operates the AirTrain under a contract to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, celebrated the decade-long anniversary of the light rail at a gala at Terrace on the Park Wednesday night.

The dinner served as a combination of celebrating the light rail’s birthday, as well as appreciating the employees that keep the system running every day.

The AirTrain services much of

JFK Airport as well as Jamaica and Howard Beach.

Among the dignitaries to attend the celebration were Dr. Marcia Keizs, president of York College; Carlisle Towery, president of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp; and Joseph Osterman, director of systems services at Bombardier.

Osterman said the train has been successful in serving the Southeast Queens area and the commuters since it first opened.

“When we started this process, an AirTrain, there were a lot of skeptics. Well, those skeptics aren’t here anymore,” he said. “This system has proved to be not only effective and ef-

ficient and a model of advanced technology. It is the wave of the future.”

Keizs said the AirTrain has had an enormous impact on Queens since its inception.

“We’ve all become true believers,” she said, also referring to people who questioned the rail when it was proposed.

According to Towery, Jamaica has benefited greatly from the AirTrain because it has allowed for greater mobility for residents in that neighborhood and the surrounding area and will also help in developing Jamaica economically. He added there is potential for more benefits in Southeast Queens and he hopes Gov. Andrew

dr. Marcia Keizs

Cuomo will push renovating the two major airports in Queens.

Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.

Jamaica naaCP To Host Workshop For recently incarcerated

By Luis Gronda The Jamaica NAACP will give people recently released from prison a chance to acclimate back to civilian life.

The organization will host a workshop next month on helping recently incarcerated people transition back to the lives they had before going to jail. This includes knowing all of the rules in society, how to follow the rules of your parole and where

to look for employment after leaving prison and how to pay for your child support if needed.

Leroy Gadsden, president of the Jamaica NAACP for six years, said the point of the workshop is to help those who used to be in prison.

He said many have a difficult time staying out of prison because they are unable to find things to occupy their life so they resort to what they know: criminal activity.

“If you look at society, we don’t do

enough to keep them out of prison,” he said.

Before leaving office, former mayor Michael Bloomberg launched the Data Analytic Recidivism Tool (DART), which allows people to analyze sub-groups of New York City criminal defendants and predict the likelihood of getting arrested once again. Recidivism is the percentage of prisoners who have been re-arrested for a similar crime on multiple occasions.

The workshop will be on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Resurrection Celebration Church in Jamaica. It is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. The church is located at 106-56 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. Refreshments will be served.

For more information on the event, please call the Jamaica NAACP at (718) 723-3653.

Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.

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Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 17-23, 2014

Editorial OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email news@queenspress.com The PRESS of Southeast Queens Editor-in-Chief:

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel

A Better Travel Experience It is difficult to believe that New york City, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, offers such a distinctly negative experience to those flying in to the two airports in Queens. LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airports are consistently ranked as some of the worst in the world for travel experiences, and it is absolutely incredible that these conditions have been allowed to continue for so long.

We are pleased that Gov. Cuomo – himself a hometown Queens native – has decided to speed up renovation projects at the two Borough airports, and we hope that the promises he made during his State of the State speech last week brings some positive changes to the situation.

But while the airport projects show promise from the State, we still need to see a commitment to keeping people in the Borough when they fly in to these airports. Queens has any number of attractions, including a burgeoning arts and entertainment community, cuisine and culture from all over the world and historic landmarks.

With a new Borough President who has vowed to be a vocal proponent for Queens, and a new Mayor who has promised a focus on the outer boroughs, we hope that the time to focus on Queens is now.

Letters

Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Natalia Kozikowska Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Trisha Sakhuja

Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Lianne Procanyn Barbara Townsend Maureen Coppola Advertising Director Alan Goldsher Director of Marketing Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin Brenda Jones

A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2013 Tribco, LLC

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

Time To Clean Jamaica

To The Editor: An open letter to Melinda Katz: So exactly what do you plan to do to move Jamaica forward? Granted I know that the low-class slobs who live here and visit here are a problem, I know that our Jamaica

elected leaders have done very little, I certainly know your predecessor did nothing for Jamaica, BUT a huge problem is any type of enforcement on quality of life issues such as garbage, abandoned cars, illegal apartments, illegal driveways, illegal curb cuts, noise, garbage strewn vacant lots, crime, shootings, murders, you name a violation, it is here in Jamaica

Letters and it does not get addressed.

Your neighborhood of Forest Hills certainly does not have these issues (of course it has a much better class of people, who would not tolerate such nonsense), so when you talk about moving forward, how does Jamaica fit into that plan?

You do know that Jamaica is part of Queens and not an island in the Caribbean like your predecessor thought.

Maybe you need to come out and take a tour of Jamaica, like Senator Tony Avella did (who by the way is not even our elected official) and see the horrible conditions all over. It is not an isolated incident. This is how we live on a daily basis in our community, where according to you, “there is no reason to cross a bridge or go through a tunnel.”

But yes there is, to escape the filth, crime and nonsense that has been going on in Jamaica for way too long.

Joe Moretti, Jamaica

Melinda Katz Is Good For LeFrak

To The Editor: I was fortunate to attend this event last night with some friends to welcome Ms. Katz as our new Borough President. When she was accepting her oath, I thought to myself, “Now, the LeFrak City vicinity has a chance!”

There are at least two pressing matters that we have in our vicinity: 1) We need an afterschool community center. We have so many youths leaving in the confines, but they have nothing recreational to keep them busy.

2) We want a state-of-the-art police precinct erected where they are doing construction across the street from JC Penny. We need it!

Personally, I have known her since 2003; when she asked me to carry petitions for her when she was running for office in Forest Hills. Plus, when I had started an “after-school” aid program from my home, she gave me a contribution of $100 to start!

I know that Melinda Katz will be good for our historic Borough of Queens.

Jim Galloway, Elmhurst

WRITE ON: The PRESS of Southeast Queens, 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357 email news@queenspress. com fax: (718) 357-9417

The Passing Of A Friend, Colleague And Borough Icon A Personal Perspective

By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE I had to disobey doctor’s orders to rest my left hand, because a member of my professional family has died and I simply needed to pay tribute to his beautiful memory.

Ira Cohen passed away unexpectedly late last week and all of us who knew him are still trying to process the news.

Everyone in my community and the rest of Queens may not know the name, but I would bet that almost everyone who has ever gone to a public event in the last 20 or so years has seen him there taking pictures. You can spot him a mile away with his dreadlocked, silver ponytail and assertive photojournalist style.

I met Ira in April 2000,

when the Queens Tribune hired me to help found the PRESS of Southeast Queens. He was still working as an MTA motorman at the time; but he was also the official news photographer for the Trib. We became fast friends and I could always count on him to get me a great shot for my stories.

Ira knew a cover shot when he saw one. I recall peering over his shoulders as he would return to the office from a breaking news story such as was the case of 9/11 and the crash of American Airline’s Flight 587 in Far Rockaway.

Sometimes the coverage was of good news, such as was the case of the pictures he brought back when the Air Train launched 10 years ago.

But our editorial coverage of the events that shape our city and borough were always made

more visceral because of Ira’s great instinct in documenting the tragedies and triumphs of our times. Many times you could even see him in TV news coverage as he sought to capture stills of those events for us. Whenever I’d see him on screen, I would think to myself, “there goes that Ira again!”

Ira was also beloved by politicians for always being there to capture their press conferences and celebrations; and sadly and to their chagrin, in their unfortunate moments as well, those who have had them.

But he was also game to shoot sporting events and concerts throughout the City and Queens. He was just an eclectic photographer who lived to capture the next great shot.

I loved seeing him at these events and if I were involved, I’d always make sure he got

“a plate.” Ira’s palate was as appreciative of diversity as our borough itself. Whatever culture we were celebrating, he would willingly partake of the cuisine unique to them.

He, like me, had an open heart and mind – an unbiased love of people and appreciation of what binds us rather than disdain for what “separates” us.

With his untimely passing at 66, Ira has left a void not only in his blood family, but in the Tribune/PRESS family and in the heart of all Queens.

He really was an iconic figure for us.

Ira, as Smokey Robinson’s says in his song, “Really Gonna Miss You:” “It’s really gonna be different without you/…I’ll miss you my buddy/I’ll miss you my friend….”

Rest in peace, my friend.

Jan. 17-23, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 17-23, 2014

Melinda Katz Inaugurated

Queens’ Voice sworn in

By Luis Gronda

Hundreds of people were in attendance for the reception following the ceremony.

Mayor Bill de Blasio administered the oath of office to new Borough President Melinda Katz as u.s. rep. Joseph Crowley held the old Testament.

She also spoke of bringing jobs to Queens. Katz said that while we can boost the Borough’s arts and culture, if you cannot find employment in Queens, you may decide to live and work somewhere else.

“Whether it’s the high-tech industry and small businesses that we want to start in Long Island City, whether it’s creating retail in Jamaica, whether it’s making sure in the Rockaways we get economic development and permanent ferry to make sure you can get in and out of the Rockaways,” she said, which drew a loud cheer from the audience in attendance.

The choir from Frank sinatra High school sang “This is our Moment,” during the inauguration ceremonies.

Katz also pledged to create a storm relief task force at Borough Hall, to help areas like the Rockaways and Howard Beach that are still recovering from Superstorm Sandy more than one year later.

“You can come to Borough Hall and trade stories and figure out how we can make things happen faster, better, more efficiently and get people the money that they’re owed in this Borough,” she said.

A host of dignitaries attended Katz’s inauguration, including de Blasio, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Letitia James, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) and every member of the City Council and the State Assembly in the Queens delegation. Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry (D-Corona) served as the master of ceremonies.

Congressman Joe Crowley (DJackson Heights), a staunch supporter of Katz’s campaign for BP, made a little quip during his speech.

“We’re here today, on this very stage, for another woman, of grace, I don’t want to say power because, you know, I’m the county leader,” he said, drawing much laughter from the audience. “[She has] tremendous experience for such a young woman.”

Stringer, who most recently served as Manhattan Borough President, also had complementary words for Katz during his remarks at the ceremony.

“She’s going to be an excellent Borough President, an office I know a little bit about,” Stringer said.

“She’s going to understand how to build affordable housing, how to create and build neighborhoods.”

City Council Speaker Melissa

Photos by steven J. Ferrari

Voters chose Melinda Katz to act as the new voice for Queens on Nov. 5. Last week, Katz officially took over in that role.

The Forest Hills native was sworn in as the 19th Queens Borough President at a ceremony held at Queens College’s LeFrak Concert Hall on Jan. 9.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, speaking before administering the oath to Katz, said he has worked with Melinda during all of her political career and he has seen her stand up for Queens many times in the past.

“She’s going to work hard everyday, she’s going to make this Borough proud and I can tell you, it’ll be my honor to work with her,” he said.

“And when you need a strong voice going down to City Hall and standing up for Queens, I guarantee you that Melinda will be that voice.”

Katz emphatically discussed her plans as BP in a filled-to-capacity LeFrak Concert Hall.

According to Katz, her late father, David Katz, always said “you shouldn’t have to go over a bridge or under a tunnel to get everything you need” and she plans to heed that statement as Borough President.

“You should be able to get anything you need right here in this Borough, and we will make it happen together,” she said.

new Council speaker Melissa MarkViverito and u.s. sen. Charles schumer were two of the dignitaries on hand for the inauguration.

Melinda Katz addresses the crowd at the LeFrak Concert Hall after being sworn in.

Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan/Bronx) also congratulated Katz on becoming Queens BP. “It’s a real pleasure to see her come and arrive at this moment,” she said, adding that the Borough will be well represented with her at the helm as BP. Katz replaces Helen Marshall, who held the position from 2001 to 2013 and is the third consecutive woman to be elected the chief executive of the Borough.

Rabbi Gerald Skolnik of the Forest Hills Jewish Center delivered the invocation at the ceremony and the Rev. Floyd Flake provided the benediction. A performance by the choir at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts preceded the Inauguration.

Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.

Jan. 17-23, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Martin Luther King’s Legacy In Queens

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

King in Queens College Just two years after Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the legendary activist spoke at Queens College following the death of one of their own, Andrew Goodman – one of three young men murdered by the Ku Klux Klan.

In the 1960s, students of Queens College were particularly vocal and active in the civil rights movement.

“Queens College has always been a very politically progressive campus,” Ben Alexander, professor of archival studies, told the Press of southeast Queens. “Certainly, in the 1960s, a generation of very liberal, red diaper babies were present on campus. Their parents had lived through the Great Depression. The college had a large contingent of students who began to exercise interest in social justice, civil rights and resistance to segregation and abuses in the South.”

One of those Queens College students, Goodman, a white Jew from Manhattan, was a civil rights worker who traveled to Mississippi in the summer of 1964, the Freedom Summer, to help Blacks register to vote.

Goodman, along with Michael Schwerner and James Chaney, a young Black man, were coming back from a trip to Philadelphia, Mississippi, when deputy sheriff Cecil Price, a known KKK member, pulled them over for speeding. He held the three in custody while other members prepared for murder. Upon release, they were chased down in their

Jan. 18 Central Library Pays A Tribute to MLK Come to Central Library’s annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 19. Joy Kelley will share amazing tales of the civil rights movement along with stories about her personal connection to this great historical figure. Admission is free and all ages are invited.

The Central Library is located at 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica. The event is co-sponsored by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.

Remembering Rev. Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. Honoring The Dream Among Us Among the people being honored at this event include Bishop John Boyd Jr. of the New Greater Bethel Ministries, Yvonne Reddick, district manager of Commu-

King with a QC graduate and rabbi. Photo courtesy of Rabbi Moshe Shur, former head of Queens College chapter of Hillel. car, secluded in the woods and shot, causing a national outrage.

In response to the murder, King visited the college in May of 1965.

Addressing a packed auditorium, he encouraged students to follow a path of nonviolence and emphasized that, “We’ve come a long, long way, but still have a long, long way to go.”

Just three years later, King was assassinated by James Earl Ray, a fugitive from the Missouri State Penitentiary.

MLK’s Legacy in Queens Although it is often overlooked by historians, King had a strong relationnity Board 12 and Tyra Emerson, executive director of the Cultural Collaborative Jamaica. It will take place at the Presbyterian Church of St. Albans, which is located at 19004 119th Ave. It will begin at 5 p.m.

Jan. 20 UnitedNY.org Hosts A MLK Day UnitedNY.org will host a MLK day event at near LaGuardia Airport.

They will honor his legacy and rally for workers at the City’s airports. It will start at 11:30 a.m. It will take place at Ditmars Blvd. and 94th St.

MLK Chess Tournament Kids between the ages of five and 18 from the five boroughs will be in the chess-in-the-schools tournament in Manhattan. More than 700 players will take part in the tournament with 350 chess boards set up. It will run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The

ship with the most diverse borough in the City – Queens, where legendary Black figures like Louis Armstrong, Malcolm X and Ella Fitzgerald once resided.

During the 1960s, Harlem was a hotbed for activism in New York City, but minority neighborhoods like Jamaica, East Elmhurst and Corona were also key in the civil rights movement.

According to Andrew Jackson, director of the Langston Hughes Library in Corona, King spoke at the Corona Congregational Church on 34th Avenue and 102nd Street. It is

also documented that King showed up at Queens youth programs to educate teens about the civil rights movement.

Although not often referenced, King was also a big proponent of economic justice. Queens’ former Borough President Helen Marshall shook hands with King on Northern Boulevard outside a store dedicated to servicing the poor with free food and clothing.

“I shook hands and started crying.

He hugged me,” Marshall said. “I felt really blessed I was able to touch that man.”

tournament is at PS 11M at 320 West 21st St. in Manhattan.

Other events include a phone bank at the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) headquarters to inform parents about the availability of school breakfast at all 1,600 public schools in the City. The UFT headquarters is located at 50 Broadway, Manhattan. It will run from 9 a.m. until noon.

There will also be projects providing SNAP benefits outreach at the C-Town Food Store, located at 1781 Broadway, Brooklyn, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and then 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Another location for the SNAP benefits outreach will take place at the Food Bazaar, Store #17, 35-60 Junction Blvd. Jackson Heights, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and then 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Food distribution will take place at Part of the Solution, located at 2759 Webster Ave., Bronx, from noon until 4 p.m.

2014 MLK Anti-Hunger Serve-a-Thon The New York City Coalition Against Hunger’s 13th annual MLK Serve-a-Thon will engage feature more 150 volunteers at 12 sites across the City. The MLK Serve-a-Thon commemorates the late Dr. King’s goal of building a sustained social movement recognizing economic opportunity, food security and equality as civil rights. This year, we also honor the legacy of civil rights leader Nelson Mandela.

The kick-off event to feature elected officials and community leaders will take place at Xavier Mission, located at 55 West 15th St., Manhattan, where volunteers will be preparing both the kitchen and shelter facilities to deliver vital services. It starts at 10 a.m.

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 17-23, 2014

Photos by Walter Karling

pix

Downtown Committee Meeting

Standing Taller

Photo by Steven J. Ferrari

The Greater Jamaica Development Corp.’s Downtown Committee met last week. Taking a break from the business meeting (from left) are William Martin, Downtown Committee chair; Dahlia Goldenberg, project coordinator with Partnership for a Healthier Queens; Hector Garcia, government relations specialist with the LIRR; and Marc Alleyne, CEO of Spartan Demolition.

During the inauguration of new Borough President Melinda Katz, Mayor Bill de Blasio and master of ceremonies, Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, debated which of the two was tallest.

Client Excellence Dahlia Goldenberg discussed healthy eating and active living opportunities for the community.

Quite a Pair Photo by Walter Karling

Queens Hospital Center was the recipient of the Client Excellence Award from T-System Inc., which provides emergency documentation for 1,900 hospitals nationwide. Pictured (from left) are Julius Wool, QHC executive director; Livia Santiago-Rosado, MD, FACEP, associate director, QHC Dept. of Emergency Medicine; Dave Holson, MD MPH, QHC director of emergency medicine; Erin Fulton, vice president and general manager of performance solutions, T-System Inc.; and Rodney Preston, regional During her inauguration, Melinda Katz introduced her Deputy Borough sales consultant, T-System Inc. President, Leroy Comrie, to the standing-room-only crowd.

Jan. 17-23, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Police Blotter 102nd Precinct

At 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 10, police responded to a call of a male shot on 108th Avenue, between 226th and 227th Streets. Upon arrival, police observed the victim, identified as Jeffery Ragland, 50, of Jamaica, with a gunshot wound to the chest. EMS responded and transported the victim to Long Island Jewish Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing.

dividuals who had been wanted in connection to a burglary inside of JK Deli, at the corner of 71st Avenue and Kissena Boulevard in Kew Gardens Hills. Subsequent to the arrest, officers recovered more than $12,000 in cash removed from an ATM, 3,518 Lotto scratch-off tickets, 162 packs of cigarettes and 49 boxes of cigars.

In regards to the above incident, police arrested Robert Martin, 27, of Woodhaven; Jose Rosario, 25, of Woodhaven; Christopher Aulet, 21, of Brooklyn; and a 15-year-old suspect, and charged them with third-degree burglary and possession of burglar’s tools. A fifth suspect, Sean Martin, 19, of Woodhaven, was charged with third-degree burglary, criminal possession of stolen property and possession of burglar’s tools.

107th Precinct

108th Precinct

19, of Brooklyn, and Jeremy Cautin, 21, of Jamaica, and charged them with third-degree criminal mischief, making graffiti, 15 counts of possession of graffiti instrument and thirddegree criminal trespass.

Vandals Arrest

Just after midnight on Jan. 11, plain-clothed members of the Transit Bureau’s City-wide Vandals Task Force were on patrol in the vicinity of Jamaica Avenue and the 111th Street subway station when they observed two individuals seated on a subway bench in close proximity to fresh graffiti vandalism on a J train car.

As the officers approached, Det. Christopher Diaz observed a knap sack with spray paint cans next to a 19-year-old suspect, who attempted to close the bag to hide its contents.

Diaz also observed another suspect with a green latex glove and gray spray paint can sticking out of his left jacket pocket. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the first suspect painted the word “FEAL” on a subway car while the second acted as a lookout.

Police arrested Tommy Martinez,

105th Precinct

Homicide

Burglary

On Jan. 3, police arrested five in-

Robbery

The NYPD is asking the public’s

assistance identifying and locating two suspects wanted in connection with a robbery.

At 9 p.m. on Dec. 19, two male suspects entered a T-Mobile retail store, located at 46-01 Queens Blvd., Woodside, which was closed for business, displayed firearms and ordered employees to the rear of the store, where they were zip-tied. The suspects then removed cash and electronics and fled the location. No injuries were reported.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should call Crime Stoppers, at (800) 577 TIPS (8477), visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.

Got info?

Call Crimestoppers at

1-800-577-tiPS (8477) or text tips to CRiMES (274637) then enter TIPS577

Borough Beat

QJCC Reaffirms Commitment To Borough The Queens Jewish Community Council held a legislative breakfast over the weekend, pledging to continue its support of the Borough, with the help of elected officials.

Taking place at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, the breakfast was an opportunity for the organization to welcome new members of the City government and to touch base with some long-time supporters. Besides discussing its own commitments to the neighborhoods that were listed on each table, the QJCC had elected officials take part in a Q&A with the audience.

The Community Council, led by president Warren Hecht and executive director Cynthia Zalisky, has been committed to serving the needs of the people of Queens since 1968.

It provides social services, cultural programming and educational forums for seniors, immigrants and low-income residents of the Borough. As part of its fight against hunger, the QJCC distributes more than 1,300 Kosher packages per month through its food pantry and 2,400 Kosher prepared food packages per month through Meals-on-Wheels. It also helps individuals apply for medical insurance, Medicare, immigrant services and food stamps.

“Our highest value is what it

Photo by Steven J. Ferrari

BY JOE MARVILLI

Queens Jewish Community Council president Warren Hecht addresses the audience at the group’s legislative breakfast over the weekend.

means to care for those most needy,” Roberta Leiner, vice president of agency relations at the UJA Federation of New York, said. UJA is an affiliate of the QJCC. “The diversity of Queens and the challenges ahead of us really demands that there’s a coordinated and a collaborative effort.”

The elected officials who attended the breakfast praised the QJCC for its community efforts and recommitted themselves to helping Queens.

“I am committed to working in this Borough and in this community to make sure our audits are razorfocused on the issues that impact people,” Comptroller Scott Stringer said.

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz was equally committed to

fighting for Queens and continuing the office’s strong relationship with the QJCC. “There are different needs, different resources, different communities, different traditions and I am proud of that,” she said. “My relationship with the Queens Jewish Community Council goes back two decades. As I continue in that office, it will be open to every single one of you.”

Two of the Borough’s new councilmen also promised to keep their doors open for the QJCC. “It’s so important to have an organization like the Queens Jewish Community Council to be a voice for the Jewish community here in Queens,” Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) said. Lancman is a former board member of the QJCC. “We’ll show the strength of not only the Jewish community but of Queens,” Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Whitestone) added.

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) spent her time at the podium discussing what she had done during the past year to better serve the people of Queens. She expressed her opposition to the interim six-month deal that President Barack Obama’s administration struck with the Iranian government. The agreement would have Iran curtail its nuclear enrichment in exchange for eased sanctions.

“I have not been a supporter of

this deal. I think that it will lead to further enrichment by Iran and potentially destroy a powerful sanctions regime that has taken years to build,” she said.

Several councilmembers took part in a Q&A session with written questions being submitted by the audience. Two of the biggest topics were the state of member items in the City Council and how to prevent antiSemitism.

On the former, both Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) and Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) said they do not think member items should be eliminated. Rather, they said they want the system to have further protections against abuse and for the distribution to be equal for all council districts.

On anti-Semitism, Dromm said the topic was important to him, due to the hate crimes struck against the LBGT community as well. While he did work on the education committee to push the Dept. of Education towards a curriculum that teaches equality and respect for all, the only class available at the moment is optional.

“We need a comprehensive tolerance curriculum in our New York City public schools,” he said.

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 17-23, 2014

A&E

By Trisha sakhuja A three-day festival celebrating independent video games is returning to the Museum of Moving in Astoria for its second year.

The East coast edition of the nation’s video game festival, IndieCade East, will run from Feb. 14-16.

“We are excited to build on the success of last year’s IndieCade East, and to welcome game makers and players to the Museum to celebrate the art, technology and business of independent game design and production,”

said Carl Goodman, executive director of the Museum of the Moving Image.

Stephanie Barish, founder and CEO of IndieCade, which supports independent game development globally through a series of international events, said last year’s collaboration with the Museum was a success, so they decided to return for year two.

“IndieCade East will provide a window to powerful creative visions from around the world,” Barish said. “All weekend we’ll spotlight work that provokes thought and conversation, and that pushes the boundaries of interactive

king Manor keeping Busy in Coming Months By jOE MarViLLi Residents of Jamaica and Queens will find plenty of informative and fun events at King Manor Museum throughout the next couple of months.

The historic house, which was home to Continental Congress member and anti-slavery advocate Rufus King, will spend Les délices, a French Baroque ensemble, will play February and March entertain- at king Manor Museum on March 14. The coning and educating patrons with cert is part of the Five Boroughs Music Festival. occurrences that range from a Valentine’s Day workshop to a lecture wine and light refreshments at 6 p.m., a half hour before the band takes the on social satire.

The next item on King Manor’s stage. Tickets are $25 in advance and agenda is a hands-on history work- $30 at the door.

To wrap up March, King Manor shop that should please historians, romantics and creative people alike. will head off-site for a free lecture at This free drop-in program on Feb. 15 York College. “Poking Fun: Political is designed for families with children Puns and Social Satire in the Genre and will start its 2014 listing with Paintings of William Sidney Mount” a Tiny Valentine workshop. Those is a discussion that will be presented who attend will learn how to create a by Elizabeth Kahn Kaplan, from the miniature self-portrait inside a locket New York Council for the Humaninecklace, along with other 19th cen- ties. While it may first seem that tury Valentines gifts. One month lat- Mount was painting basic scenes of er, on March 22, the hands-on series country life on Long Island, his work will host a program on the history of was full of subtle humor about 19th weaving. Both events run from 12 to century relations between men and women, Abolitionist preaching and 3 p.m.

Those workshops are not the only political deception.

Admission to the museum in genseries due to start up again in the next couple of months. King Manor’s eral has a suggested cost of $5 for chamber music concerts, known as adults and $3 for students and seniors.

“The Music of Friends,” will partner The museum is free for members and with Five Boroughs Music Festival for children who are 16-years-old or to present Les Délices on March 14. younger.

King Manor Museum is located This Cleveland-based group performs French Baroque music on period at 150-03 Jamaica Ave. in King Park. instruments. Some of the classical For more information, call (718) 206artists they will cover include André 0545 or send an email to contact@ Danican Philidor, Louis-Gabriel Guil- Kingmanor.org.

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) lemain, Jean-Marie Leclair and Jean357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenPhilippe Rameau.

The concert will be preceded by stribune.com, or @Joey788.

entertainment and how we see games.”

The weekend will feature more than 30 talks, workshops and panels headlined by a group of game makers, academics, artists and journalists.

Seminars and workshops for budding creators, an eSports tournament, Night Games East, party-style gameplay, Show and Tell Showcase and opportunities to experience new games will all be available for visiting patrons.

One of the workshops, led by the New York-based Code Liberation Foundation, will encourage female participation in game development, plus an inside look at the creation of a new indie gaming conference in Japan.

The Show and Tell Showcase will consist of emerging game developers with the opportunity to present their latest creations to an audience of game makers and avid gamers.

This year’s keynote speakers include New York-based game maker and New York University professor Bennett Foddy, developer of the Flash-based physics simulation game “QWOP” and Auriea Harvey, co-founder of the Belgian company Tale of Tales, creator of the gothic story game “The Path.”

Both games are featured in the exhibition “Indie Essentials: 25 Must-Play Video Games,” along with 24 other independent game titles from the last

Photo by Lauren naefe / Museum of the Moving image

indieCade Game Festival returns To astoria

at indieCade East last year, attendees played kaho abe’s “hit Me!,” a two-player, hyper-interactive, physical game that tests speed, agility and the ability to take good snapshots.

decade, which will be on view at the Museum through March 2.

Festival passes are on sale now with an early-bird special. Regular tickets are $100 and $80 for students, seniors and Museum members. Beginning Feb. 1, festival passes will be $125 for the public and $100 for students, seniors and Museum members.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.movingimage.us/films/2014/02/14/detail/indiecade-east-2014 or call (718) 777-6800.

Reach Reporter Trisha Sakhuja at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, tsakhuja@ queenstribune.com, or @Tsakhuja13.

Baseball Convention Occurs This Weekend

By Luis GrOnda

Thousands of baseball fanatics will flock to McFadden’s this weekend for a convention centered on America’s pastime.

The first-ever Queens Baseball convention will take place this Saturday at McFadden’s Citi Field, the bar and restaurant located adjacent to the home of the New York Mets.

Starting at noon and ongoing for most of the day, the QBC will feature a number of events and panels for the Queens baseball fan.

The highlight of the convention is a question and answer session with two Mets legends: Ron Darling and Ed Kranepool. The two will take on all inquiries from fans for about one hour and then sign autographs after that finishes for an additional hour.

The Darling Q & A will begin at 1 p.m. and the autographs at 2 p.m. The Kranepool Q & A session starts at 3 p.m. and he will sign autographs at 4 p.m.

Other events at the convention

include “The New Media” panel discussion, a presentation on the most unusual victories in Mets history and a panel on Fantasy Baseball for the upcoming season.

The New Media panel brings together writers from various Mets blogs to discuss baseball in Queens.

It includes Matt Cerrone from MetsBlog, Greg Prince and Jason Fry from Faith and Fear in Flushing and Ed Ryan from MetsFever.com.

Mark Simon from ESPN New York will host the presentation on all the unusual victories throughout the Mets’ 52-year-history.

Fantasy Baseball experts and Queens natives, Larry Melnick and Scott Engel, will host a Q & A to get fans prepared for the upcoming fake baseball season.

You can buy tickets for the convention at queensbaseballconvention.com. Tickets cost $35 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.

Jan. 17-23, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

QUEENS TODAY

THURSDAY 1/16 MAC WELLMAN W/ STEVE MELLOR – MUAZZEZ

Watch Steve Mellor in an act that is intentionally staged in the simplest of terms, employing a chair, an actor and a microphone.

He performs a collection of short stories written by Mac Wellman, entitled “A Chronicle Of The Madness Of Small Worlds.” All of the stories in the book take place on various asteroids or planetoids. This particular offbeat tale is written in Wellman’s trademark playful/experimental style. The result is an intimate, unforgettable encounter with the words of one of our country’s leading playwrights performed by one of our great actors.

The show will take place at 8 p.m. at the Chocolate Factory Theatre, located at 5-49 49th Ave., LIC. To purchase a ticket or for more information, visit www.chocolatefactorytheater.org/redesign/ event/mac-wellman-w-stevemellor-muazzez.

FRIDAY 1/17

THE DIVAS OF JAZZ

Jazz vocalist Gabriele Tranchina and pianist/ husband Joe Tranchina will provide a musical tribute to 12 dynamic female jazz vocalists, including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae and Nancy Wilson, at the Whitestone Library. The concert will run from 3 to 4 p.m. Whitestone Library is located at 151-10 14th Rd. Its phone number is (718) 767-8010.

THE SECRET THEATRE & QUEENS SECRET IMPROV CLUB PRESENT A FULLISH DECK Join the fun on Friday nights at The Queen’s Secret Improv Club. The roster of house-formed and veteran indie improv teams

from all over the subway map get on stage to show you a good time. Six improv comedy sets will feature two shows every hour between 7:30-10:30. Tickets are just $7 for the whole night, one show or all six! Current teams are: Butter High, Monster Monster, Perfect Stranglers, Petting Zoo (musical improv), Sister Sex Wolf, Funkle Todd, Mercury, and Goose. The Secret Theatre is located at, 44-02 23rd St., LIC. For more information, visit www.web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9861448.

SATURDAY 1/18

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

THURSDAY 1/16

ROBOTICS WORKSHOP The Queens Library’s branch at Poppenhusen Institute will hold a robotics workshop for kids between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Led by Yvonne Shortt, this hands-on class, using a laptop and robot parts, will inspire creativity and teach kids important engineering concepts.

Registration is required and can be done by phone or in person. Poppenhusen Library’s phone number is (718) 359-1102. It is located at 121-23 14th Ave., College Point.

the day of the event at the NYSCI admissions area. For more information, call (718) 699-0005.

ASTRONOMY ADVENTURE

AT LONG LAST LOVE

Singer Jean McClelland and her husband, pianist Bill McClelland will perform music of the Great American Song Book at Flushing Library’s lower level auditorium, Starting at 1:30 p.m., the concert will feature classics from George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Kern and Richard Rodgers. Admission is free.

Flushing Library is located at 41-17 Main St.

WILDCARD WEEKEND

The New York Hall of Science will hold a workshop in the Maker Space from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees will get the chance to make a brush bot, which is a robot that uses vibrations to skitter, spin and dance around. The class will repeat on Jan. 19 at the same time. It is recommended for children who are 5 years old and above.

The workshop costs $5 per adult/child pair, $3 for NYSCI members. Register on

The Alley Pond Environmental Center will present a night of stargazing for adults and children ages 9 and up. See the moon up close and learn about and view the Orion Nebular, the Pleiades Star Cluster and Deep Space Phenomenon from professor/astronomer Mark Freilich. The event will run from 7 to 9 p.m. and costs $16 per person.

Pre-registration is required and can be completed by calling (718) 229-4000.

APAC is located at 228-06 Northern Blvd.

ISRAELI PERFORMANCE

Congregation Machene Chodosh in Forest Hills will host a singing and dancing performance

by Avi Peretz at 7:30 p.m.

Peretz is a well-known Israeli performer and he will bring his act to Queens.

Tickets for the event are $22 for members, $25 for nonmembers, $10 for students and $28 the day of the show. For more information, please call the congregation at (718) 793-5656. It is located at 67-29 108th St. in Forest Hills.

SO GET THIS... A STORYTELLING SHOW

The Laughing Devil Comedy Club puts on a storytelling show where the comedians have one job: to tell you one hilariously true story. The funniest comedians NYC has to offer gather to make you laugh, cringe and laugh some more in a unique format. The comedy club is located at 47-38 Vernon Blvd., LIC. The show

starts at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www. laughingdevil.com/tickets. cfm?ShowID=1391.

SUNDAY 1/19

LITTLE MAKERS

Mix everyday household ingredients at the New York Hall of Science to make polymers like silly putty and oobleck. There is an $8 materials fee per family, with paid general admission. The cost is $5 per family for NYSCI members.

This program is supported in part by funding from the Liu Foundation and the Lily Auchincloss Foundation. For more information, call (718) 699-0005.

TUESDAY 1/21 NAOMI ZEITLIN

Hillcrest Library will present Naomi Zeitlin for a concert of pop standards, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Hear pop standards that were covered

by Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Bette Midler and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as songs sung by more modern, international artists such as Linda Eder, Pat Benatar, Linda Ronstadt, Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, La India and Olga Tañon.

Hillcrest Library is located at 187-05 Union Tpke.

WEDNESDAY 1/22 INTERVIEW WORKSHOP

Philo4Thought will host a workshop focusing on improving your interview skills. They will teach you common interview practices to follow as well as “bloopers” you should stay away from. It will be held at the Grill Mediterranean Restaurant at 107-02 70th Rd. in Forest Hills. It will begin at 5 p.m.

U2 TRIBUTE

A U2 Tribute band will play Resorts World Casino in South Ozone Park.

They will play classics such as “The Fly,” “One,” and “Even Better Than The Real Thing.” The show will start at 8 p.m.

NETWORKING NIGHT AT DUTCH KILLS CENTRAAL

Meet others in the community while networking at Dutch Kills Centraal, located at 38-40 29th St., LIC, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Many businesses and community neighbors will attend to enjoy refreshments, craft beer and full bar at this newly opened gastopub. Admission is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Ticket includes one complimentary drink and hors d’oeuvres.

A cash bar will be available to purchase additional drinks. All attendees will receive a $5 gift certificate to use for lunch at the restaurant, and several business cards will be selected in a (free) raffle to receive $25 gift certificates. Partnership Perks cardholders get 10 percent off anytime. To purchase tickets, contact Indra Smith at ismith@ licpartnership.org or (718) 786-5300 x21.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 17-23, 2014

Queens Today Section editor: reGinA VoGeL

Send announcements for your club or organization’s events at least tWo weeks in advance to “Queens today” editor, Queens tribune, 150-50 14 road, Whitestone nY 11357. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o regina or email to queenstoday@ queenstribune.com Yearly schedules and advanced notices welcome!

FLEA MARKETS THRIFT SHOP T h u r s d ays 1 0 - 1 a t A l l Saints church, 214-35 40 th Avenue, Bayside. Saturdays 12-4 at the Queens Baptist church, 93-23 217th Street, Queens Village.

465-2504.

COMPUTERS BEGIN COMPUTERS Fridays, January 17, 24, 31 Auburndale library. register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Friday, January 17 Middle Village library. register.

INTER. WORD Saturday, January 18 central library. register.

INTER. EXCEL Saturday, January 18 central library. register.

BEGIN EXCEL Sunday, January 19 central library. register.

OPEN LAB Mondays 1-5 at the central library.

BEGIN WORD Tuesday, January 21 Flushing library. register.

TECHNOLOGIST IS IN Tuesdays, January 21, 28 personal instruction on devices. Pomonok library. register.

BEGIN INTERNET Tuesdays, January 21, 28 Queens Village librar y. register.

BEGINNERS Tuesdays Laurelton and ro s e d a l e l i b r a r y. re g ister BEGIN COMPUTERS Wednesday, Januar y 22 Po m o n o k l i b ra r y. re g ister.

BEGIN INTERNET Wednesday, Januar y 22 Windsor Park and central library. register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Thursdays, Januar y 23, 30 ozone Park librar y. register.

MASTER EXCEL Thursday, January 23 central library. register.

TEENS & KIDS

TALKS

ENVIRONMENT

QUEENS LIBRARIES check local libraries for toddler, pre-school, youth and teen programs.

TEENS TUTORED Weekdays at the central library. register.

HW HELP contact Laurelton, McGoldrick, Bayside and Auburndale libraries.

THEATER PERFORM. Friday, January 17 east elmhurst library at 4. Ages 7-14.

GAME DAY Friday, January 17 Woodhaven library at 4:30.

CRAFTS Fridays ozone Park library at 3, Briarwood and east Flushing at 4, Pomonok library at 4:30.

STORYTIME Fridays Hollis library at 11:15.

BOARD/VIDEO GAMES Fridays rochdale Village at 4. Grades 1-6.

BOARD GAME Fridays Windsor Park at 4.

Ages 5-12.

GAME DAY Fridays 5:30 McGoldrick library.

MATH HELP Saturdays, January 18, 25 Flushing library at 10.

GAME DAY Tu e s d ays , J a n u a r y 2 1 , 28 McGoldrick library at 5:30.

GARDEN PROJECT Tuesday, January 21 Whitestone library at 4.

YOUNG MEN Tuesdays, January 21, 28 Laurelton library. Ages 1419. 3:30.

DRAMA CLUB Tuesdays, January 21, 28 central librar y. Grades 7-12. register.

PLAYGROUP Wednesday, Januar y 22 Steinway library at 11.

FASHION MAVENS Thursdays, January 23, 30 central library.4:30. Ages 13-18.

ZUMBA FITNESS T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 2 3 Windsor Park library. register.

ARTS & CRAFTS Thursdays, January 23, 30 4:30 at the Auburndale library.

DRAMA POSSE Thursdays, January 23, 30 Hillcrest library at 4:30.

CREATIVE WRITING Thursdays, January 23, 30 Auburndale library at 5.

Ages 8-12.

TEENS & ORIGAMI T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 2 3 Queens Village library at 3:30.

NEW YEAR CRAFT Thursday, January 23 Lunar new Year craf t for those 7-11 at the McGoldrick library. register.

SALARY NEGOTIATIONS Friday, January 17 central library. register.

FINANCIAL LITERACY Saturday, January 18 Jackson Heights library at 3. credit, saving and budgeting, getting out of debt, preventing fraud.

QUEENS VILLAGE Wednesday, Januar y 22 “Life of Pi’ discussed at the Queens Village library at 2.

FRESH MEADOWS T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 2 3 “Beautiful ruins” discussed at 2:30 at the Windsor Park library while the Fresh Meadows library is being renovated.

FOOD WASTE DROPOFF Saturdays 1-3 at the Broadway and Lic library.

COMPOSTING Tuesdays Woodside library 5:15-6:30.

JH SCRAPS Tuesday 6-8pm and Saturdays 10-2 35 th Avenue between 69th Street and the BQe. Bring coffee, tea, fruit, veggie scraps.

SENIORS STAY WELL Mondays at the central library at 10 and Wednesdays at 10:15 at the east elmhurst library. Learn how special exercise and relaxation techniques make a difference in your life.

CAREGIVERS Tuesdays caregivers Support group at 3:30-4:30 Selfhelp clearview Senior center, 208-11 26 th Avenue, Bayside. 631-1886.

EDUCATION BARRIERS TO JOBS Fridays, January 17, 24, 31 overcoming Barrier to employment at the central library. register.

KNIT & CROCHET Fridays Fresh Meadows library at 11.

CHESS CLUB Fridays at 3:30 at the Auburndale library and 4 at the Woodside library.

ADULT CHESS Mondays and Thursdays Queens Village library at 5:30.

JOB SKILLS Tuesday, January 22 central library. register.

CHESS Tuesdays rosedale library at 4.

SMALL BUSINESS Tuesdays Small Business Workshop at the central library. register.

MOCK INTERVIEWS Wednesdays, January 22, 29 central library. register.

MOCK INTERVIEWS Thursdays, January 23, 30 central library. register.

HOLA! Thursdays, January 23, 30 learn Spanish at the central library. register.

LEARN CHINESE Thursdays north Forest Park library at 6.

ENTERTAINMENT DIVAS OF JAZZ Friday, January 17 Whitestone library at 3.

GAME DAY Fridays 4:30 Woodhaven library.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Fridays 2 Hillcrest library.

ML KING TRIBUTE Saturday, January 18 central library at 1.

LOVE SONGS Saturday, January 18 Flushing library at 1:30.

LOVE MAKES WORLD… S a t u r d a y, J a n u a r y 1 8 Love Makes the World Go ‘round at the Broadway library at 3.

WESTERN MUSIC Saturday, January 18 talk on Western classical Music Flushing library at 2:30.

STAMP SHOW Sunday, January 19 Bayside Stamp Show at the Adria Hotel, northern Blvd 10-4:30. Free admission and parking. 6457659.

DIVAS OF OUR TIME Tuesday, January 21 Hillcrest library at 2 and McGoldrick library at 4:30.

SCRABBLE Tuesdays Fresh Meadows library at 2 and east Flushing library at 3:30.

CHESS Tuesdays 4 rosedale library.

MUSICAL JOURNEY We d n e s d ay, J a n u a r y 22 Glen oaks library at 2:30.

WHITE HOUSE DOWN Wednesday, Januar y 22 movie at the central library at 6.

SUNSET BLVD. Thursday, January 23 movie at noon at the central library.

MUSIC TRIBUTE Thursday, January 23 tribute to Bobby darin, neil diamond and Paul Anka at the Hollis library at 2:30.

ROMANIAN DAY Thursday, January 23 celebrate romanian Unification day with food and music at the Sunnyside library at 4.

OPEN MIC Thursday, January 23 east elmhurst library at 6.

ONGOING & WEEKLY MEETINGS GARDENING CLUB Saturdays in the Steinway library courtyard at 4.

ORATORIO SOCIETY Mondays temple Beth Sholom in Flushing. 279-3006.

Auditions required.

COMMUNITY SINGERS Mondays community Singers at Messiah Lutheran in Flushing. 658-1021.

GLEE CLUB Tuesdays Bayside Men’s Glee club at All Saints episcopal church, 214-35 40th Avenue, Bayside. 9616852.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tuesdays at the east Flushing library at 3:30.

MEN’S CLUB SOCCER Tuesday evenings Forest Hills Jewish center 8-9:30.

263-7000.

FM CAMERA Tuesdays Fresh Meadows camera club. 917-6123463.

FH SYMPHONY Wednesdays the Forest

MEETINGS KNITTING CLUB Fridays, January 17, 24, 31 Glen oaks library at 11.

P-FLAG Sunday, Januar y 19 PFLAG, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays meet in Forest Hills. 271-6663.

QUILTING CLUB Mondays Alley Pond environmental center 2:30. $5.

229-4000.

SE QUEENS CAMERA tuesdays, January 21, 28 roy Wilkins Family center.

347-7178.

CHESS CLUB tuesdays Windsor Park library at 5:30 and Howard Beach library at 4.

7:30. 969-2448.

AMER. LEGION tuesday, January 21 American Legion McKee Post 131 at 8 at 10-20 clintonville Street, Whitestone. 7674323.

BEREAVEMENT tuesday, January 21 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family in Fresh Meadows. 7:30. 9692448.

TALK OF TOWN tuesdays, January 21 learn the art of public speaking in St. Albans at 7:15. 6407092.

KNIT & CROCHET tuesdays, January 21 Whitestone library at 2.

FH VAC Wednesday, Januar y 22 Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance corp. 793-2055.

JAMAICA KIWANIS thursday, January 23 Kiwanis club of Jamaica.

527-3678.

Hills Symphony orchestra rehearses at the Forest Hills Jewish center. 516785-2532.

WOMEN’S GROUP Fridays Woman’s Group of Jamaica estates meets at noon. 461-3193.

HEALTH CAREGIVERS SUPPORT do you provide care to a family member, friend or neighbor? could you use some help yourself? 2685960, ext. 226.

SHAPE UP NYC Fridays, January 17, 24, 31 Briarwood library at 11:30.

CALYPSO CARDIO Fridays, January 17, 24, 31 Laurelton library at 6:30.

ZUMBA Saturdays, Januar y 18, 25 ridgewood library at 10:15.

TAI CHI Tuesdays, January 21, 28 Bayside library. register.

ZUMBA Tuesday, January 21 north Forest Park library. register.

INTRO YOGA Tuesday, January 21 Poppenhusen library. register.

HOLISTIC THERAPY Tuesday, January 21 Sunnyside library at 2:30.

TOTAL WORKOUT Tuesdays, January 21, 28 Briarwood library at 5:30 and ridgewood library at 6.

CHAIR YOGA Wednesdays, January 22, 29 Jackson Heights library. register.

HEALTH CARE Wednesday, Januar y 22 Langston Hughes library at 3.

C H A N G I N G H E A LT H CARE Thursdays, Januar y 23, 30 McGoldrick library at 1:30.

MEDITATION CLUB Thursday, January 23 Glen oaks library at 5:30.

DANCE FITNESS M o n d ay, J a n u a r y 2 7 north Forest Park library at 11:30.

ALZHEIMERS Tuesday, January 28 caregiver support group in Forest Hills. 592-5757, ext. 237.

SUPPORT GROUPS Alcohol, drugs, domestic violence, martial issues, depression, anxiet y, phobia, etc. Woodside clinic.

779-1234.

DOMESTIC VIOL. 24 hour domestic Violence Hotline. 657-0424.

WAITANKUNG Sundays 2-5. total-body workout. Flushing Hospital/Medical center. Free.

Jimmy 7-10pm 347-2156.

Jan. 17-23, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Profile

BY JOE MARVILLI Records are made to be broken and a York College junior guard took down a long-standing basketball statistic this week.

York College junior guard Michael Woods scored 44 points Wednesday night, when the Cardinals men’s basketball team took on Medgar Evers College, setting a new single-game scoring record for the school.

Woods, who is originally from Brooklyn and transferred this year from St. Thomas Aquinas College, broke the record set by Elliot Bruce, who scored 43 points more than two decades ago against Purchase College on Jan. 16, 1987. Bruce happened to be in attendance for the game.

John Scarinci, the director of sports information at York College, said that Woods getting such a high score is a remarkable feat that is rarely seen during games.

“It’s very impressive. I’ve been working here seven years,” he said.

“Just someone to crack 30 points is hard to do.”

According to the director, the score might have even been higher if Woods had not been taken out of the game after hitting the achievement.

“It’s impressive especially given that he came out of the game after he broke the record with six minutes left,” Scarinci said.

The accomplishment came during a 103-68 win over Medgar Evers.

Woods shot 17-of-24 from the field and 8-of-11 from the free throw line.

He also took advantage of his seven steals to go on several fast breaks.

Each week, the National Collegiate Athletic Association updates its player leaderboards. For the rankings though the games of Jan. 12, Woods game in second for Division III in points per game and total points scored.

Scarinci said he expects Woods’ ranking to go up after his recordbreaking performance.

It was a strong night for the rest

of the Cardinals as well, as they shot 56 percent from the field. Thirty of their points came from turnovers forced by their strong defense. Medgar Evers had 26 turnovers over the course of the game. This game marked the Cardinals sixth win in a row and their record stands at 9-5 overall.

The Cardinals will return to the court this Saturday, when they visit Lehman College, with a tip-off set for 3 p.m.

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Michael Woods, a junior guard, broke York College’s record for points scored in a single game.

Photo Credited to Verity Rollins

Woods Breaks York College’s Record

People Isaiah Henderson and Fayoni Olusesi, both of Jamaica, were named to the Honor Roll for the fall term at the Pomfret School in Connecticut.

Randy Neckles of Springfield Gardens was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at Providence College in Rhode Island.

Air Force Airman Nadjhi S. Williams

Air Force Airman Tianah D. Roberts

Air Force Airman Nadjhi S. Williams graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San AntonioLackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Williams is a 2010 graduate of Jamaica High School.

Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Roberts is the daughter of Andre Roberts of Jamaica and Patricia Blanks of Mississippi.

Air Force Airman Tianah D. Roberts graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-

Rashed Alhamra and Turki Almubarrazi, both of Springfield Gardens, were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico.

Army Pvt. Jhon C. Jean-Louis has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training.

Jean-Louis is the son of Jocelyne Metellus and stepson of Raquel Metellus, both of Rosedale.

Sudan Garner and Athiththan Selvendran, both of Jamaica, were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at Beloit College in Wisconsin.

Eunice-Rose Soljour of Queens Village was named to the President’s List for the fall 2013 semester at SUNY Institute of Technology.

Christopher Constantino, executive director of Elmhurst Hospital Center, has been named the senior

Christopher Constantino

vice president of the Queens Health Network, which includes Elmhurst Hospital Center, Queens Hospital Center and several primary care clinics.

He will retain his position at Elmhurst Hospital.

Daniel Recker of Rosedale and Nathan Thomas of Jamaica were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C. Send notices of graduation, awards, anniversaries, engagements & honors to: PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 17-23, 2014

Faith

a Day For Empowerment in 2014

By TriSHa SakHuja The eighth annual Empowerment Gathering is back to encourage those who may not see the light at the end of the tunnel.

S.O.W. International Ministries will present the Empowerment Gathering 2014 on Jan. 25 at the Sheraton JFK Airport Hotel, located at 132-26 South Conduit Ave., from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Evangelist Robin Smith, who is also the host of the annual conference, said the Empowerment Gathering is where “we open the doors for people who are overcoming various challenges.”

“Its one thing to be in a facility for a person overcoming addiction, but being that this event is at a hotel, it’s a different atmosphere,” she said.

The main purpose of the gathering “is to encourage all people, but with a heart and compassion for the people who are going through life changing experiences,” Smith said.

In addition to the representatives from various churches who attend the gathering, Smith said the common factor for the others who attend has to do with overcoming an addiction of some sort.

Dr. Gail Johnson, an elder at the New Greater Bethel Ministries in Jamaica and a principal at the Greater Bethel Learning Center/Academy, is one of the guest speakers at the gathering.

She said the event is meant to be a very powerful and enriching session.

“When it’s over, their faith will be ignited and their passion will be caught on fire,” she said. “They will

go after the assignment God has given them with the desires they want to complete in 2014.”

Johnson said Smith “reaches out to the community because she is out to change the world and enlightens them to know there is hope, peace and joy in the world.”

Johnson said the people who attend the conference come with a wide range of problems relating to family issues, finances, addiction and jobs.

Some come to find answers for their questions.

“It’s a cross-section of concerns that they come to the conference with, but when they leave, they leave fulfilled,” she said. “I feel that they leave with a sense of hope.”

Johnson said the topic she will speak about during the conference, titled “The Big Pay Back: Claiming Your Award,” is a scripture reference

from Isaiah 61:7 from “The Amplified Bible.”

“The year of 2014 is for believing in God,” she said “You must have faith and believe in God that it is going to happen.”

Johnson said her goal for the conference is “to get their mindsets thinking in the positive zone.”

As for the future of the event, Smith said she wants to travel with this gathering to different parts of the City.

An all day pass for the event is $75 for the general public and it is free of cost for those affiliated with a facility. For more information about the event or to register, visit www. sowintlministries.com/upcomingevents.html.

Reach Trisha Sakhuja at (718) 3577400, Ext. 128, tsakhuja@queenstribune.com, or @Tsakhuja13.

Notebook

Queens Satellite High School

Mentoring Program Shows Students a Path

By TriSHa SakHuja The College and Career Mentoring program at Queens Satellite High School in Jamaica gives students a chance to gain real world experience by speaking to professionals in various fields.

Kristy Nguyen, the school’s business manager and director of the College and Career Mentoring program, said it is designed to have mentors work with students in a group capacity, where they talk about various topics, but a lot of it has to do with career exploration.

Since the students at Queens Satellite are transfer students, Nguyen said many are working towards accumulating credits to regain the time they have lost, but the mentoring program “gives them resilience to work towards their goals.”

Various groups of students meet on a weekly basis, either for seven or 14 weeks, depending on their course load, Nguyen said. Each week, the students travel to nearby colleges for tours or workshops. Some travel to the New York Times production department or Marathon Ventures, a full service advertising sales company in the City to learn about careers in journalism and marketing.

Representatives from the to college, Nguyen said.

Ritz Carlton come in ev“They may be the first ery other week to discuss to go to college and may the ins-and-outs of the hosnot know about financial pitality industry. aid,” she said.

By making relationships One of the mentors with various professionals, for the program, Michael organizations, companies Connors, the managing and colleges, Nguyen said director at the production they have been able to ledepartment for the New verage those resources as York Times, said he wants a benefit to their students the students to identify because solely funding a with hope. program like College and Connors said because Career Mentoring is hard he has been clean and soto do. ber for the past 24 years, he Nguyen said she has seen can connect with these stuThe Mentoring Program at Queens Satellite High School the mentoring program dents and encourage them. helps students become college and career ready. grow tremendously since it Every week when a started four years ago. group of students visits the “We have increased the number of have not gone to college right after production department, Connors students applying and going to col- high school. said he likes to have a different type “It gives them a little bit confidence of journalist come speak to them lege by 600 percent,” she said.

“We have a great relationship that although they are a little behind, about their lives and careers. with Queensborough Community it’s not a forever thing,’ she said.

“They come in and meet adults who “Our students have a lot of chal- talk to them and not at them,” ConCollege,” she added. “We work with their college students, so that type of lenges, societal, family, you name it, nors said. “We stress life principals like college access helps our students see they have it,” Nguyen said. “If I were trust, teamwork and cooperation.” themselves as college students and them, I would find it easy to give up.

Connors said he likes to reinforce as a result, our students are applying They find the will to not give up” the Nike-type of mentality, “Just Do The goal of the program is to help It.” and going on to college.”

As for professional mentors, them find a path that they can tread on Reach Trisha Sakhuja at (718) 357Nguyen said they give the students after high school and also try to help 7400, Ext. 128, tsakhuja@queenstrihope because some of them may them find the funding they need to go bune.com, or @Tsakhuja13.

Jan. 17-23, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

What’s Up JAN. 18 Scholarship Roundtable

the coat drive, call (718) 523-7309 or email the church at gkfocm@gmail. com.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will host its annual scholarship college roundtable from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority-Epsilon Pi Omega Day Care Center in South Ozone Park. The program will include registration, a light breakfast and lunch, interactive workshops and a forum on topics related to this year’s theme, “Creating Your Own Formula for Success.” High school students will have the opportunity to meet with first-year college students who are also past scholarship recipients.

Healthy Living With Diabetes EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Center, located at 206-20 Linden Blvd. in Cambria Heights, will host this mind/body/spirit approach to diabetes management, developed

by Stanford University, which offers research-proven success for those who complete it. The workshop runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To RSVP, call (646) 476-1294.

MLK Day: Building On The Dream Habitat for Humanity NYC will host this event honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by helping to bring hope and provide opportunities to others. Building activities throughout the day will culminate with a community dinner on Sunday for all participating volunteers and community members.

The event will take place from 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Roy Wilkins Park Family Center.

Homework Help The Laurelton Library will provide free homework help for children in grades 1-6. The library offers after school homework assistance in math, writing and other subjects. The program runs every day after school, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays. The library is located at 134-26 225th St., Laurelton.

For more information, call (718) 528-2822 or visit www.queenslibrary. org/branch/Laurelton.

A number of events in Southeast Queens focus on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Church of St. Albans, 190-02 119th Ave., St. Albans.

The event costs $5 and proceeds will be used to make a donation to the Trayvon Martin Foundation in the name of the children from the community.

RSVP is needed by Jan. 18. To RSVP, visit http://mlkdream2read. wufoo or www.queensptsa.org.

JAN. 21 Permanent Opportunity The Central Branch of the Queens Library, located at 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, will present “Permanent Opportunity: You Have A Green Card; Get More!,” from 4-5 p.m. The workshop will explain how to get the full benefits of citizenship, including how to vote in upcoming elections and other opportunities.

For information, call (718) 9900700.

JAN. 19 Beginners Microsoft Excel

JAN. 23 Medicare 101 EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Center, located at 206-20 Linden Blvd. in Cambria Heights, will host a workshop giving information on Medicare to make informed health decisions. The workshop will run from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

To RSVP, call (646) 476-1294.

Classic Movies at Noon The Central Branch of the Queens Library, located at 89-11 Merrick Blvd., will feature the classic 1950 flick, “Sunset Boulevard,” as part of its weekly film series. For information, call (718) 990-0700.

Hola!

Improve your productivity with Microsoft Excel with this free program, starting at 2 p.m. at the Central Branch of the Queens Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica. Learn what a spreadsheet is and how to navigate one; how to create workbooks, charts and graphs; and how to enter and edit data. Basic computer skills are required.

Registration online is required.

Visit jobmap.queenslibrary.org to RSVP.

This introductory class, led by a certified Spanish-language instructor, focuses on practical conversational skills for non-Spanish speakers who wish to improve their Spanish. The group will be kept small and space is limited.

The class will take place from 6-7 p.m. at the Central Branch of the Queens Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaia.

ONGOING: Coat Drive

JAN. 20 Dream to R.E.A.D. The Queens Community PTSA presents the fourth annual Dream to R.E.A.D. event. Dads will read and share in the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will take place at 11 a.m. at the Presbyterian

House Down,” starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx, from 6-8 p.m. as part of its Wednesday evening film series.

For information, call (718) 9900700.

JAN. 22 Movie Night Wednesday The Central Branch of the Queens Library, located at 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica, will show “White

The Greater Fellowship Church will host an ongoing coat drive. The church is now accepting coats for the entire family. It is requested you donate a jacket in new or clean and mint condition. The church is located at 106-01 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica. For more information about

Learn How To Play Chess Every Thursday, the Rochdale Village Library will offer a free program to learn chess for kids and teens. The program is open to beginners, advanced players and everyone else in between. The program is held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Rochdale Village Library is located at 169-09 137th Ave.

Overcoming Barriers To Employment Every Friday, the Queens Central Library in Jamaica helps residents experiencing barriers to employment. A Job Information Center case manager is available on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to discuss potential problems you may have regarding child care, housing, immigration, degree evaluation, healthcare, goal and career planning, former incarceration, education and training and more.

To schedule an appointment, call (718) 480-4222 or stop by the Job Information Center. No registration is required and the service is free.

Queens Satellite High School And College Mentoring Program Queens Satellite High School is seeking volunteers to provide students with the skills and experiences that will support their personal growth.

Mentors can participate in oneday sessions or teach a seven-week seminar on a topic of their choice.

Technical assistance for lesson planning will be provided throughout your experience. For additional information, contact Kristy Nguyen at (718) 657-3920 ext. 4031.

Send your community events to the PRESS for a free listing at 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357. Call (718) 357-7400 or email editor@queenspress.com. All events will be considered for publication, without a fee.

A Grand Old Time By all accounts, Melinda Katz's inauguration as Borough President was a successful event that filled the LeFrak Concert Hall at Queens College. Close to 200 people were reportedly turned away to the hottest ticket in town, with appearances from Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer.

While everyone in attendance seemed to have fun, the children of Katz and her partner, Curtis Sliwa, seemed to be having the best time.

After getting some time in the spotlight on stage, Hunter and Carter were brought up to the balcony, where they watched mom get sworn in, smiling and waving the whole time.

A Rare Sight

Q

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 17-23, 2014

Steven J. Ferrari Contributors: Luis Gronda, Natalia Kozikowska, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Michael Nussbaum, Trisha Sakhuja, Michael Schenkler.

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/ QueensTrib

Time For A Change

Hoops Diplomacy Queens was well-represented in a recent "diplomatic" mission to North Korea.

Ten former NBA players made a trip over to North Korea last week to play a basketball game against a team from the third world country.

Among the American players on hand was Queens native Kenny Anderson, who graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School. Others included organizer Dennis Rodman, Vin Baker and former New York Knick Charles Smith.

The point of the trip was to provide a birthday present to North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un. Clips seen from the game first show Rodman awkwardly singing “happy birthday” to Kim Jong Un while the North Korean citizens clapped along in perfect harmony.

Watching the game action, the height of the NBA players made it look like they played against an elementary school team. These players are well past their prime though, losing to the North Korean team 47-39.

The players may have been compensated for the game, but it does nothing to change what is going on in a country that remains isolated from the world.

Zachary Alexander

QConf is edited by:

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It's not often that you catch a glimpse of Curtis Sliwa without his red beret. The noted Guardian Angel and Queens' new first gentleman slipped to the back of the room during the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem at Melinda Katz's inauguration, but was seen by a QConf reporter. Who knows when you will see a shot like this in the wild again.

Designers OF QUeens

It’s a new year, with new elected officials taking over, but government voicemails and letterhead say otherwise.

According to the message when QConf called State Sen. Jose Peralta’s office late last week for comment on a story, his staff is currently away on holiday break.

Over in Flushing, Community Board 7 sent out its agenda for its Jan. 13 meeting, which proudly proclaimed Helen Marshall as Borough President and Barry Grodenchik as Deputy Borough President.

We hope they won’t be too surprised if they call Borough Hall and instead get Melinda Katz and Leroy Comrie.

To top it all off, a call in to City Hall more than a week after Bill de Blasio was sworn in as the City’s 109th Mayor discovered former Mayor Mike Bloomberg welcoming the caller to City Hall. We know that de Blasio said he would be a Mayor that represents the outer boroughs, but maybe he should spend some time recording a new greeting.

Maybe everyone is just waiting for the annual Blue Book – The Official Guide to Queens (set to be released Jan. 30) to come out before they make any changes.

Zachary Alexander’s interest in fashion design started at the age of 13, while watching designers create outfits in a short amount of time on the first season of “Project Runway.”

“After those few episodes I then started to begin teaching myself to sew and after years of trying to perfect my craft, I then began to start designing and finding my niche at the age of 16,” he said.

Fast forward a few years and Alexander, a modern dancer and former costume designer, is getting his name and his designs out there by continuously creating new outfits and looking to get involved with some flea markets in Queens. After reaching out, he got a response from one of the organizers of LIC Flea. He met with the organizer, showed his work and began selling in the middle of July 2013.

“I was nothing but ecstatic, nervous and glad that someone had been interested in my clothing and wanted to meet with me,” Alexander said. “After that moment, I had found my home for selling my work and getting Zachary Alexander out to the public.”

The Forest Hills designer said that growing up in a suburban neighborhood in such an urban hub as New York City was inspiring for his designs. Walking through the neighborhood’s gardens, Alexander passed by many of the Tudor and Gregorian-style homes and came up with stories about the day-to-day life of a girl living in one of those houses. This would kick off his design process.

Once that creative process gets going, Alexander settles on a few themes he likes to focus on, which are nature, femininity and Americana.

He said the experience of growing up New York leads him to think about what it is like to grow up in a rural place, like the mountains of New England or the Great Plains.

“Nature is a very organic, ever changing aspect of the world and I feel because it is so different and can be very surprising at times; that is very inspiring to me,” he said. “Also as a man, I have a strong connection to feminine shapes and drawn to very classic lines. I'm not too much of a fan of restriction and conformity and I feel that should be the same for the human body. I am also formally trained as a contemporary modern dancer and I have always loved seeing the body move and the flow of the garment, so that also plays into most of my designs.”

Alexander and his designs will return to LIC Flea in April 2014, though he plans to reach out to Brooklyn and Manhattan flea markets as well. He also wants to work with some textile designers in the late fall so he can create his own fabrics from images of flowers and trees.

“I don't know what the future holds for me but I stay optimistic and hope for the best,” he said.

CLASSIFIEDS

HHAs

CNAs

Attorney

Attorney

Funeral

Services

House 4 Sale

Awnings

JAMAICA 1 FAMILY RANCH BRICK

2BR, pool, 40x140 lot, full bsmt, Nice quiet area. Ask $365K. Call owner

917-705-7152 917-690-2274

Want 2 Buy

Records ♫ Old 33s-45s-78s ♪

Astrologist

Psychic

Doo-Wop - Rock & Roll - Heavy Metal - Punk Disco - Latin - Blue Grass - Reggae/Calypso Soul - Blues - Jazz - Gospel - Ethnic Music Foreign Film soundtracks No Top Hitmaking Artists or Classical Charlie 516-612-2009

LOOK

Old Clocks & Watches Wanted

By Collector, Regardless of Condition - Highest Prices Paid 917-748-7225

Boiler Service

BOILER MAN

Installations • Water Heaters Repairs • Basement Heat Conversions • Separarte Zones Oil Tanks • Air Conditioners Household Renovations

Psychic

Psychic

516-815-8510 Tree Service ARNOLDO’S TREE SERVICE

• Pruning • Stump Grinding • Planting • City Permits Obtained • Prompt Storm Service

149-57 Beech Ave. Flushing NY 11355 Ph: 718-463-7829 Cell: 917-337-4062

ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICE IN THE

VISIT US ONLINE

QueensPress.com

PRESS

CLASSIFIEDS! 718-357-7400 ext 151

Jan. 17-23, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

To Advertise in the Southeast Queens Press Classifieds Call (718) 357-7400 • Fax (718) 357-0076

150-50 14th Road, Whitestone NY 11357 Bathrooms

Bathrooms

Gutters

Gutters

Roofing

Roofing

Legals

Legals

CLASSICAL CUSTOM

AWNINGS ALUMINUM • LEXAN RETRACTABLE

FREE ESTIMATES SINCE 1980

718-528-2401 CLASSICAL-IRON.COM

LIC#1069538

Construction

NUNEZ CONSTRUCTION

We Specialize In Crack Repairs also Ceiling, Wall Repairs & Painting

EXPERT WORK ON STOOPS BRICK, BLOCK & CONCRETE

7 Days, Lowest Prices Free Estimate Licensed & Insured

718-219-1257 nunezforu.com Member of Angie’s List A Rating

Contracting

COST RITE CONTRACTING

Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured

• Kitchens • Tile Work • Painting • Doors

• Bathrooms • Sheetrock • Wood Floors • Carpentry • Windows

Ken LIC# 1210212

718-945-6612 917-676-0021

Floors

J&S FLOOR SERVICE •Scraping •Polyurethane •Staining •Bleaching White Floors •Waxing •Stripping •Repairs & Installation We also do Painting, Wallpaper Removal, Tiling & Dry Wall Reasonable Prices • Free Estimates

91 7 - 4 5 9 - 2 4 2 1 71 8 - 4 6 4 - 4 5 3 5 24/7

SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF QUEENS PNC MORTGAGE, A DIVISION OF PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO NATIONAL CITY MORTGAGE, A DIVISION OF NATIONAL CITY BANK 3232 NEWARK DRIVE, MIAMISBURG, OH 45342, Plaintiff against LILLIETH THOMPSON, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on September 23, 2013. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County General Court-

house, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Court Room # 25, Jamaica, N.Y. on the 14th day of February, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Said premises known as 120-36 199th St., Saint Albans, N.Y. 11412. Tax account number: SBL #: 12686-21. Approximate amount of lien $ 673,273.02 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 8989-10. Gregory Jay Newman, Esq., Referee. McCabe Weisberg & Conway Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 145 Huguenot Street - Suite 210 New Rochelle, New York 10801 (914) 636-8900

PUT CARE ON YOUR CALENDAR IN JANUARY

Visit us at the Neighborhood Room 206-20 Linden Blvd.

Cambria Heights

At EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care you’ll find new programs every month to help you stay healthy, get well and live better. All classes are FREE and open to the public.

15 Wednesday

22 Wednesday

16 Thursday

23 Thursday

Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am Cell Phone Literacy For Older Adults 10:30–11:30 am

17 Friday

Low Impact Zumba 11:30 am–12:30 pm Healthcare Reform (Obama Care 101) 2:00–3:00 pm

18 Saturday

Healthy Living Diabetes Class 10:30 am–1:00 pm Winter Workout 5:00–6:00 pm

20 Monday

Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am Sitting Exercise 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm

Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am

Medicare 101* 10:30–11:30 am Understanding Asthma 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm Caregivers Support 2:00–3:30 pm

24 Friday

Low Impact Zumba 11:30 am–12:30 pm Come Talk With Greg— One on One FREE Caregiving Session 11:00 am–4:00 pm (Call for appointment)

25 Saturday

Healthy Living Diabetes Class 10:30 am–1:00 pm Family Fitness and Winter Workout 3:00–6:00 pm

21 Tuesday

Healthwise Handbook: Self Care for You & Your Family 11:30 am–12:30 pm (EmblemHealth members only) Group Health Incorporated (GHI), HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), HIP Insurance Company of New York and EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC are EmblemHealth companies. EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC provides administrative services to the EmblemHealth companies.

Neighborhood Care is a division of EmblemHealth. ©EmblemHealth Inc. 2013, All Rights Reserved.

For a full calendar of events and to RSVP visit us at ehnc.com or call 1-866-539-0999

27 Monday

Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am Sitting Exercise 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm

29 Wednesday Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am

30 Thursday

Understanding Asthma Medications 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm Diabetes Education 2:00–3:00 pm

31 Friday

Low Impact Zumba 11:30 am–12:30 pm *HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP) is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Group Health Incorporated (GHI) is a Medicare Advantage organization and a standalone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract.

HIP and GHI are EmblemHealth companies. Y0026_123535 Approved 5/29/2013