Southeast Queens Press Epaper

New maps proposed … Page 8

Volume 13 Issue No. 4 Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

HOLDING COURT

The NYC Economic Development Corp. is looking to find a new use for the abandoned Rockaway Courthouse in Hammels.

By Veronica Lewin ……. Page 3

Online at www.QueensPress.com

News Briefs CB 12 Chair Chosen As Delegate Community Board 12 Chair Jacqueline Boyce has been chosen as one of the community’s leaders to renominate President Barack Obama for relection. Boyce will be a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., during the week of Sept. 3.

Boyce was elected board chair in May 2011 after serving as interim chair for a month. She said she is excited to go to the convention during this historic time.

“I really deserve to go as long as I’ve been running around this community,” she said with a smile. For more than 15 years, Boyce has been active with the Queens Democratic Party. The Party submits a list of potential delegates to be chosen by the national party.

“It’s such a wonderful, wonderful time and I’m just so grateful that I was selected,” Boyce said.

Others chosen for the convention include Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (DQueens Village), Councilman Ruben Wills (D-South Jamaica), former Councilman Archie Spigner, his wife Roslin Spigner, Valerie West, Taj Rajkumar and Elmer Blackburne.

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012

Teen Male Conference Local young males will have the opportunity to talk “man-to-man” about issues of sexuality as they take part in a workshop sponsored by the Zeta Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The Project Alpha conference will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jean Nuzzi IS 109.

The school is located at 213-10 92nd Ave. in Queens Village.

Project Alpha is a national program designed to help young men make better and more informed choices about their sexual behavior. Since 1980, Alpha Phi Alpha and the March of Dimes have being working together to help young men make the right decisions about the complex issues surrounding sex. This mentoring program offers black men as positive role models for the next generation.

Presenters for the conference will be Dr. Dominick Bioh, Ian Bailey, Rick Thurmond and Teens Helping Each Other.

Topics to be covered during the conference sessions include: abstinence and the consequences of early sexual activity, peer pressure, HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, STDs, relationships, being a responsible father, and what it means to “be a man.”

Project Alpha seeks to create a safe environment where young men can learn about and explore their sexuality, manhood and relationship issues. The program’s three goals are combating ignorance and fear with factual information, providing young men with the motivation they need to make positive changes in their sexual behaviors and creating a sense of empowerment and self-esteem.

For more information, contact Kyle Greene at (931) 205-9577.

Dems Welcome Koo Explaining that he was “always a Democrat at heart,” a smiling Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) joined his new Democratic allies at the Queens Board of

Elections to officially announce he had defected from the Republican Party and joined the Democrats.

The Jan. 23 announcement, coming at the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year, was a culmination of months of speculation that Koo, who was elected in 2009 to the council seat formerly held

by Comptroller John Liu, would jump party lines. Koo was regarded as a moderate in the Queens G.O.P—he endorsed Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) in his failed congressional bid against U.S. Rep. Bob Turner (R-Middle Village). He also stood out for his support of the DREAM Act resolution, a bill that ease the path to citizenship for young illegal immigrants, and his fight to stop Riker’s Island from reporting immigrants to the Immigrant and Naturalization Service.

Koo, an immigrant from Hong Kong, founded a small chain of successful pharmacies and self-financed his City Council campaign. Throughout the press conference, he and Democrats in attendance, including Queens party boss U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), emphasized that Koo’s transition was “natural” because the Democratic Party, in their own words, is the party that better caters to minority and immigrant populations.

“As a Democrat, I will continue to empower our newly emerging immigrant communities and help new Americans to prosper and become productive members of our society,” said Koo in a statement.

The mood at the BOE was jovial. Koo said he did not want to criticize the Republican Party, and would not respond fully to questions based around rumors that he left the Republican Party due to infighting among Party leaders or a lack of support for his campaign.

“I never understood why he was a Republican,” said Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows). “He likes people, he likes the immigrant community.”

Avella Appointment State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) was recently appointed by Senate Minority Leader John Sampson to serve on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. The appointment marks Avella’s sixth committee and provides him with more influence over issues of banking legislation at a time when the public has lost its faith in the banking industry.

As a committee member, Avella will review and provide guidance to his conference on influential bills pertaining to banking, insurance, financial markets, securities, housing, urban development and mass transit, international trade and finance and economic policy.

“I look forward to having additional influence that may ease the path to addressing my constituents’ specific concerns involving mortgage rates, loan modifications and interest rates.”

In addition to his new appointment, Avella will continue to serve as Ranking Member of the Environmental Conservation and Cities Committees while also serving on the Education, Aging, Agriculture and the Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committees.

Presstime

Plans On The Way For Courthouse Redeveloping an 80-year-old abandoned courthouse may be the key to stimulate the struggling economy of the Rockaway Peninsula.

The New York City Economic Development Corp. issued a Request For Expressions of Interest on Tuesday for the rehabilitation and reuse of the 24,000square-foot Rockaway Courthouse in Hammels. The building, constructed in 1932, has been vacant for more than 20 years. The RFEI aims to assess the reactivation options for the vacant building that will revitalize the neighborhood without drastically changing it.

“It will become the latest addition to the continuing Rockaway renaissance that

has brought new housing, recreational and retail development in recent years,” Borough President Helen Marshall said in a statement.

In 2010, Mayor Michael Bloomberg created the Rockaway Task Force, a group of elected officials and community members who brainstorm ideas to improve the area. According to the task force, the peninsula is in dire need to address three major issues: transportation, economic development and beach improvement.

The three-story limestone and marble building is at the foot of the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge and a short walk to multiple bus lines and the A train.

Though the building has been vacant, the city performed stabilization and weather proofing work on the courthouse in 2007.

Cuomo Plans Cross Bay Toll Relief

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

False Claims End Jamaica Daycare

BY VERONICA LEWIN The New York City Administration for Children’s Services was founded in 1996 with the mission to protect children and families. The agency boasts an anonymous hotline New Yorkers can call to report suspected child abuse. While the hotline has saved the lives of countless children, it can also be misused. One woman in South Jamaica claims the safe haven was used to get revenge, resulting in the loss of her business.

Four years ago, Christina Winslow started a licensed daycare in her home called “Kids Are People Too.” According to Winslow, someone made a plethora of allegations to ACS during November 2011.

The allegations ranged from Winslow doing drugs in front of the children to prostituting in the home. “My life is helping kids. I would never hurt a child,” she said. During the same time, Winslow was receiving threatening text messages from an anonymous computer user. Winslow understands ACS has to investigate every claim, but wishes there was something put in place to discourage people wasting city resources on false reports. “If a person is calling somebody four or five times, they should start asking for names because something isn’t right,” Winslow said.

The daycare had been a success for four years until Winslow received the first knock at the door in November. She said she received visits from the 103rd Precinct, ACS and the City Dept. of Health as a result of various complaints. Nearly 20

visits and a drug test later, the claims were unfounded. In the meantime, the allegations caused her to close the daycare, her source of employment. “You can’t have investigators coming through a daycare,” she explained.

Pamela Hight said she is disappointed with the approach ACS takes when investigating child abuse. She said she was accused of child abuse herself after her niece was jumped at school by four other students. The claims were unfounded as well, but Hight still had to undergo an investigation. “Check the person [making the claim] out first. Ask them questions,” she suggested.

Karen June, a licensed psychologist, said she was there four of the occasions ACS came to Winslow’s door. June said preventive measures should be taken to stop false claims from being made. “When you get excessive calls, there has to be something in place,” she said. June added that there should be punishments for individuals who make excessive, unfounded claims.

Though ACS found no wrongdoing on Winslow’s part, the investigation took a toll on her wellbeing and resulted in the end of her business. “My livelihood is down the drain and you’re going to send me a letter saying it’s unfounded,” she said. “That’s unacceptable to me.”

As of printing, ACS did not return requests for comment.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

After 18 months of fighting an MTA decision eliminating toll rebates for residents of the two communities on either side of the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge - with some success, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week that he will include money to reinstate the lost rebate in his upcoming budget.

The two Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget plans restore the lost toll communities,Broad Channel rebate for Rockaway residents at the Cross Bay Veterans and the Rockaway Peninsula, Memorial Bridge, but local officials want the toll elimiboth rely heavily on the nated completely. bridge. Though Broad Channel residents have access to the “main- the many hardworking families and small land” without a toll, they share a commu- businesses in our community.” nity board, police precinct, attend school As the only intra-borough toll in the and often work on the peninsula. Until city, residents and officials on both sides July 2010, residents on the peninsula and complain it is a hindrance to development in Broad Channel had their tolls reim- and growth on the peninsula, much of bursed by the state, but the MTA scrapped which is undeveloped and struggling ecothat in an attempt to raise revenue to close nomically despite its desirable location on its $800 million deficit. Since, those liv- the oceanfront. Goldfeder, who made ing in the communities paid for the first eliminating the toll a major part of his two trips taken daily on the bridge and campaign in 2011, introduced a bill that had any subsequent trip in a single day would mandate the MTA to shut down reimbursed. the Cross Bay Bridge toll. The bill is coAssemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Far sponsored by Titus and Assemblyman Rockaway), Assemblywoman Michele Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest).

“Our families cannot and should not Titus (D-Far Rockaway) and State Senator Malcolm A. Smith (D-Hollis) an- be subjected to a burdensome toll every nounced their support for the governor’s time they need to use the Cross Bay Bridge 2012-13 budget plan that incorporated the – it’s simply unfair,” Titus said.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels said the toll toll discount, but the trio also reiterated their support to axing the toll altogether. is important to fund its capital projects“The residency discount program is a including reconstruction and road upkeep. great first step but our work is not yet done,” The MTA funds all those programs itself Goldfeder said. “Our voices were heard and with no government money.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at we are one step closer to successfully eliminating this toll entirely, lifting a consider- drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400 able financial burden off the shoulders of Ext. 125.

State Sen. Malcolm Smith (DHollis) said the redevelopment of the former courthouse will further build on the efforts to make the peninsula more attractive to businesses and families. The senator took a tour of that portion of his district earlier this month with Ken Adams, president and CEO of the Empire State Development Corp. to showcase the peninsula’s potential for growth. “Rockaway is positioning itself to make a strong economic surge that will bring an increased quality of living The old Rockaway courthouse’s close proximity to the to the Rockaways, and renew con- Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge and mass transfidence in the business sector,” portation make it an attractive site for developers.

Smith said.

Potential developers with questions about fied Minority and Women Owned Busithe courthouse project can submit them to ness Enterprises. The NYCEDC is hostrockawaycourthouserfei@nycedc.com by 4 ing an information session on Feb. 6 at 10 p.m. on March 2. Answers to all questions a.m. at their Manhattan office, located at will be posted on the NYCEDC’s website by 110 William St. Those interested in atcan RSVP at March 12 at nycedc.com/opportunity/ tending rockawaycourthouserfei@nycedc.com. rockaway-courthouse-rfei.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at As of press time, there are six interested subcontractors and suppliers for the vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Rockaway project, including three certi- Ext. 123.

PRESS Photos by Ira Cohen

BY VERONICA LEWIN

BEEP Highlights Progress in SEQ Queens Borough President Helen Marshall touted her office’s accomplishments, including a number of improvements in Southeast Queens, during the annual State of the Borough address at Queens College on Tuesday.

She also spoke of the financial windfall the new Aqueduct racino has brought — in the tens of millions to education in the State — since its opening in late October.

That comment brought loud cheers from the audience of more than 450.

“I have worked hard to put our borough on a firm footing for future generations,” she said.

Marshall, who is in her third term, spoke for about 90 minutes to a crowd that included elected officials, community leaders and residents. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn spoke glowingly about Marshall and her service to the borough before introducing her.

Bill Prevents Additional Parking Fines

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012

Councilman James Sanders Jr (DLaurelton) said he hopes a new bill he sponsored would relieve New Yorkers of additional penalties that would come from a parking ticket paid 30 days after being issued.

Under the new law, which was passed by the City Council earlier this week, additional late fees would not be able to accrue until 30 days after a guilty verdict is issued by an administrative law judge. Currently, a late fee could be issued on parking tickets 30 days after they are issued, regardless of a verdict.

“We’re working on a less stressful New

York,” Sanders said. “Everyone has their horror story of tickets, and we want to make New York a comfortable place to live.”

Sanders said the law would “provide a greater degree of fairness” to New Yorkers awaiting a decision on a parking ticket.

“It allows time for a full and fair hearing process to play out, without piling additional financial burdens on top of alleged violators until after a decision has been made,” Sanders said. “It’s a simple matter of social, and in these difficult times, economic, justice.”

—Intern Brianna Ellis contributed to this report.

Another thing Marshall highlighted during the speech at her alma mater was infrastructure improvements being made to help traffic patterns in downtown Jamaica.

The improvements — including the new Sutphin underpass expected to be completed in March and the Atlantic Avenue extension and station which will soon begin construction — will provide a new gateway Borough President Helen Marshall delivers her eleventh into the downtown Ja- State of the Borough address on Tuesday. maica area.

Marshall said the imAmong other things mentioned were provements are being made with the cooperation and support of the Greater Ja- the new and renovated parks throughout maica Development Corp. and the City’s the borough, the ongoing development of Long Island City, downtown Flushing and Economic Development Corp.

“Government alone cannot solve the new and soon-to-be renovated libraries. city’s financial crisis,” she said. “But we are She also pledged to continue to fight preparing the local economy for future against school overcrowding.

Marshall ended the speech by honorgrowth by leveraging federal, state, local ing several members of the NYPD and and private dollars.”

She also talked about the importance of FDNY, along with two heroic sanitation historical preservation throughout the workers — Joseph Maneggio and Semi Borough, including the restoration of the Knozi — who saved five children and their roof at the Rufus King Manor Museum in mother by catching them as they jumped Jamaica. King was an outspoken oppo- from their burning house in Far Rockaway.

Reach Reporter Jason Pafundi at nent of slavery who went on to become a jpafundi@queenstribune.com or (718) 357delegate at of the Continental Congress 7400, Ext. 128. and signer of the Constitution.

PRESS Photo by Ira C ohen

BY JASON PAFUNDI

Electeds Praise Immigration Office PRESS Photo by Jason Pafundi

BY JASON PAFUNDI After unofficially opening its doors on Dec. 13, the new Long Island City office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department held its grand opening celebration on Friday, Jan. 20. “Opening the Queens office furthers our effort to become a part of the community and provide services where our customers live,� USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas said. “We are confident that this new office will improve customer service and accessibility and create new opportunities for the Queens community to engage with our agency.�

Mayorkas and USCIS’s New York District Director Andrea Quarantillo were joined by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (DAstoria), Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (D-Sunnyside), Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst), Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing), Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new office, located at 27-35 Jackson Ave., is more than 48,000 square feet of space on two f loors of a four-story building. It is a full-service facility and has the capacity to serve approximately 500 customers per day.

USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas touts the achievement of opening a new office in Queens.

Fatima Shama, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, said that the goal is to make the City the most immigrant-friendly city in the country.

Maloney said the new facility is just another example of the great things happening in LIC. She even made a joke about needing to rest after going to the office. “Queens Plaza Park [down the block] is a nice place to sit and relax after going through the immigration process,� she said.

Before this center opened, residents would have to visit the Garden City location, which is now closed. “Residents will now be able to access the immigration services they need in the comfort of their own neighborhood,�

Maloney said. “With multiple lines of subway and bus access, this center is significantly more convenient for the residents of Queens and Brooklyn.�

That process, from filling out paperwork and submitting biometrics — signa-

ture, photograph and fingerprints — to the formal interview and citizenship exam, will all be done at the new facility.

According to a spokesperson, the facility has 38 immigration officers that will conduct around 120 interviews per day.

During the interview, applicants will be asked questions about their application and background and will also take the citizenship exam, consisting of a 10-question civics test and an English exam with reading, writing and speaking components.

The New York District of the USCIS handled 76,779 naturalizations and 33,012 adjustment of status (green cards) requests during the 2011 fiscal year.

During the ceremony, a portion of the new office was dedicated in honor of former Field Office Director Gwynne MacPherson-Williams, who passed away in March. She worked for 38 years providing service and support to the immigrant community of the City. A plaque was placed in the new naturalization ceremony room in her memory.

The facility consists of waiting rooms, an Application Support Center which offers fingerprinting and photographic services, a naturalization ceremony room and interview and file rooms. The office’s hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Reach Reporter Jason Pafundi at jpafundi@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

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Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

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

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel

Taking Its Toll Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that he would include money to reinstate the rebate for commuters from Broad Channel and the Rockaway Peninsula is a good first step for those that use the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge. Now it’s time to take an extra step and find a way to eliminate the toll altogether.

With so much new development already planned in the borough, now is the time to push for economic growth on the peninsula. The elimination of the toll on the bridge would open up new possibilities for the peninsula, and would no doubt make the undeveloped land more attractive for future plans.

The toll cannot – and should not – be eliminated, however, without a plan to replace the revenue MTA Bridges and Tunnels would lose if the toll at the Cross Bay Bridge was axed. The bill sponsored by Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, State Sen. Malcolm Smith and Assemblywoman Michele Titus features no plan to replace the revenue from the potential loss of the toll.

Calling on the MTA to shut down one revenue stream without a plan in place to replace it is an irresponsible act from these elected officials.

While it is understood that they are trying to help the commuters who frequently use the bridge, it is imperative that they keep in mind commuters throughout the city who would also be affected.

Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Letters Reporters: Harley Benson Veronica Lewin Domenick Rafter Ross Barkan Jason Pafundi Intern: Brianna Ellis Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend Advertising Director Shanie Persaud Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2012 Tribco, LLC

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

Immoral Outrage To The Editor: The recent video of four U.S. Marines urinating on the bodies of Taliban fighters is an immoral outrage! These four marines certainly do not represent the dedicated and brave men and women in our military services. What were these four idiots thinking when they did this outrageous act? Do they have any form of common sense or decency? It is very obvi-

ous that these four marines do not respect any form of decency - they must have their brains in their backsides-if they sat down, they would crush their brains. The Pentagon must take the strongest action within the law - these four men need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and also expelled from the Marines. They are a disgrace to the U.S. Marines and to the United States.

John Amato, Fresh Meadows

Letters Chivalry Is Dead To The Editor: I was appalled with what went on with the cruise ship Costa Concordia, which was grounded off the coast of Tuscany. I could not understand why so many people were out for themselves and sought to save their own lives and didn’t try to help others. In a disaster at sea, I always thought it was women and children first and the captain went down with the ship, or at least was the last one to leave the ship, which didn’t happen here.

Now, I served in the U.S.Navy and if I did what they did, I think I would have experienced a court martial or worse, been shot on the spot.

According to the reports, there were not a lot of brave men on board. Now that goes from the captain to the crew to many cowardly male passengers. I guess chivalry is dead as well as compassion for those in most need of their help. When we abandon mercy and compassion and seek to save ourselves over our fellow human beings in a disaster, we become less than human beings.

Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Glen Oaks Village

Convention Concerns To The Editor: Success of the proposed $4 billion mega convention center to be built at Aqueduct in South

Ozone Park by Genting Americas is dependent upon uninterrupted subway service between midtown Manhattan and the convention center, along with unspecified other government favors and subsidies.

The devil is in the details.

Those are still being negotiated between Governor Cuomo’s office, the Empire State Development Corporation and Genting Americas behind closed doors.

There is no forecasted date when they will be released to the State Legislature, State Comptroller, City Council, City Comptroller or taxpayers for public scrutiny.

Remember all the old proposals for providing direct subway service from the financial district in lower Manhattan to Kennedy Airport as a means to jump start economic redevelopment after 9/11?

The short term gains of construction jobs could be offset by unfulfilled commitments by Genting America for creation of significant numbers of good paying permanent new jobs and tax revenues after project completion. In the past, similar projects have frequently not met either new jobs or increased government tax revenue expectations.

This project may be a winning bet for Genting Americas but a losing one for taxpayers.

Larry Penner, Great Neck

Heroes Get Their Due At The Movies

A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

I am not a film critic, but we all have a sense of what works and does not work in the movies.

The new film, “Red Tails,” George Lucas’ re-telling of the Tuskegee Airmen narrative featuring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terrence Howard and a cast of talented newcomers, is definitely worth seeing.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first black aviators in American military history and they served gallantly in World War II, escorting hundreds of bombers and never losing any. Before the white army brass discovered the talent of the black pilots, they were losing more men than they could replace in a hurry to the German army.

But upon noting the expertise of the black pilots trained at the Tuskegee Institute, they reluctantly gave them the opportunity to escort their bombers through enemy territory. “The Tuskegee Experiment” worked and the Airmen became legendary despite segregation at home and abroad.

Officially known as The 332nd

Fighter Group, their heroics were the stuff of military history; and yet they were not given much credit in the history books. They debunked the written and verbal assertion that blacks were of inferior intellectual capacity and therefore, incapable of succeeding in military combat. They were not expected to learn how to fly an aircraft, never mind excel at it.

The whites they were protecting in the air eventually nicknamed them “The Black Angels,” for the protective air coverage they provided.

Most, if not all, of the pilots were young college students from Howard and other historically black institutions who would return to their studies after the war.

But not all the Tuskegee Airmen were actually flyers. Some were mechanics and medics and just regular military men. And they were not all American-born. At least five were born in Haiti and at least one in Jamaica. What they all had in common was a love of this country and pride in being able to protect it.

It is a singular honor meeting a Tuskegee Airman in person. It is

a humbling experience meeting them in groups as I have been privileged to do at local events.

York College honored them at a gala in 2009 and has plans for a permanent gallery on its campus.

Most of those I have met are from the local chapter and as one can imagine, they are no longer young and, in fact, we have been losing one, two or three every year for the past five or so years.

William Samber, a community activist from our area, recently passed away. He too had been a Tuskegee Airman. He had put his education on hold to serve in WWII and would eventually go on to earn several college degrees and enjoyed a successful career in the New York City public school system.

These men did not get their due during and for years after the war.

After winning respect from their white counterparts in Europe while fighting for their country, they came back to said country to more of the same segregation.

One friend, the now-late William “Bill” Wheeler, told me that when they returned stateside, white and black officers were told

to use separate exits. Adding insult to injury, when these expert airmen applied for jobs as pilots with commercial airlines, they were invariably told that there were no openings other than cleaning the aircrafts.

It wasn’t until the new millennium that they started getting acrossthe-board recognition for their bravery and sacrifices. In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded them with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor. I thought they were more than civilians, but that’s just me. I suppose it’s the honor that counts. Many were also on hand when Barack Obama was sworn in as president. It was the closing of a loop, one could say.

“Red Tails,” the movie, is just a snapshot of these men’s sacrifices and it is an enjoyable and poignant film. It is at once American history, African American history, and “Top Gun” quality air maneuvers.

Let’s show Hollywood that we support quality films about black people and starring talented black actors.

“Red Tails” is worth every dime spent on making and promoting it. And every dime a ticket costs at the theater.

A Guide To The Official Guide

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER Some things endure.

The Queens Tribune’s Official Guide to Queens is one of those special creations for a publisher that leaves its mark on the industry and the area and just keeps on going and giving.

More than 20 years ago, in 1991, I sat in my storefront office on Kissena Boulevard and told David Oats and a handful of other staff members that we were the paper of record in Queens and part of our responsibility was recording history and providing for our readers the borough’s information in a usable, reader-friendly format.

The Blue Book you are holding (or the online, iPad, or iPhone edition you are viewing) is the 2012 version of an annual guide which is in its third decade of publicat ion. Year after year, t he a nnual Tribune Guide to Queens has been the most comprehensive working reference book for all who have occasion to navigate through Queens, its information, bureaucracy and life.

As we at the PRESS have entered our fifth decade of publishing, we take note of the Official Guide, just half our age, but our most referenced publication each year.

The PRESS has chronicled the lives of the people of Queens for more than a decade and we continue to try our best to bring some order to the hodgepodge of

County and City officialdom, as well as answering some basic questions about our borough – the most ethnically diverse place anywhere on Earth. We hope our effor ts presented on these page s help our readers cope.

We believe our Official Guide is indispensable to anyone living in, doing business in, researching or even passing through Queens, New York. We use it as a regular phone directory to everything Queens, an elected-officialsnames spell-checker, an atlas (community boards, legislative districts and much more), an emergency contact guide and a mini-encyclopedia/ fact checker. It provides you with contact information for all the resource s to unjangle your chaos, soothe your soul, enrich your mind and get you where you want to go.

We keep a copy of The Queens Blue Book next to our desk at home and one in each of our offices - here in Queens and in Huntington, where we guide the Long Islander newspaper group started by Walt Whitman in 1838. Inheriting the legacy of W h itma n, one of t he greate st American chroniclers in our history, has given me new insight into publishing history and perspectives on the meaning of a newspaper.

When we published our first official guide in 1991, the concept of a newspaper-produced reference book for its readers was unheard of. An ever-increasing number of newspapers throughout the City, State and nation have followed our lead and our Official Guide concept is being embraced by newspaper publishers coast-to-coast. We have created the industr y standard. It’s been imitated by many - but never equaled.

The Tribune has pioneered much more than just the “Official Guide” concept. Community journalism on the east coast saw its first four-color pages in 1988 in

the Trib. The glossy covers first dressed the Trib way back in 1990; our Web site appeared over a dozen years ago and was followed by an “emall,” Queens’ first online shopping portal. Our iPad and iPhone apps have brought new portability to Queens news, and we’re not stopping now.

The Official Guide To Queens 2012, which you have in your hands – at least virtually, is just the beginning of the story. For the past seven years, the Tribune has been publishing regular magazine specials — stitched and trimmed, bound in a glossy wrap with an in-depth Queens-focused theme.

Watch for these specials. They will inform, enter tain and hopefully cause you to think. We’ll provide the official info and the unofficial dope. We’ll compile the information and then push the envelope. Our specials will be found throughout the year, on the coffee tables, office shelves and desks of the decision makers, party goers, businesspeople and families whose daily lives include the excitement of Queens.

Watch for our super March 2012 Glossy Souvenir Edition celebrat ing the Queens Tribune’s 42nd Anniversary.

There will be a lot more excitement in months ahead. Readers, grab your copy - the glossies move fast - or mail in your $12 subscription (see subscription form below - or find it on our website: queenstribune.com). You can go to our website and sign up online to receive a complete email version – including our advertisers which make this all possible. Likewise, our advertisers are included in the iPad and iPhone apps which can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store. Advertisers, call (718) 357-7400, Ext. 132 to be part of the most exciting journalistic effort in the city’s most interesting and vital borough.

Our editorial team has had every phone number, every fact and every comma checked and doublechecked. Still, we are certain that our readers will find something less than perfect. Please let us know. We want to print corrections, correct our online edition and update our files for next year’s Blue Book. You can send ideas, suggestions or corrections to: bluebook@queenstribune.com or fax (718-357-9417) or mail them to the Tribune.

Hundreds of people have contributed to this, the Queens Blue Book. It is the culmination of the effort of journalists, artists, salespersons, office staff and friends who have walked through our doors over the past 41 years. The marvelous staff, which has per fected this edition, has earned my gratitude and respect.

Our readers, who throughout the year emailed, faxed and mailed us advice, suggestions, complaints, omissions and errors, and our advertisers, who loyally support our

effor t because t he y belie ve i n the PRESS and they believe in Queens, are as much a part of our story as anyone else.

There are also my partners: a dozen or so special people - family and friends - who believed in me and in this marvelous product and came up with the funding to enable me and my longtime friend and partner Gary Ackerman — you know the guy — to buy our paper back in 2002 and give it new life and a renewed mission chronicling and advocating for Queens, the most exciting place on Earth. Their commitment has enabled us to grow and explore new and exciting publishing avenues.

And Lil, Allison and Lee, who provide me with the motivation and creative inspiration to help bring what we do at the Trib to a new level each and every year. To all of you, this Blue Book is yours; may it continue to fill your days with Queens information and color.

MSchenkler@Gmail.com

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Fighting For Representation:

As Maps Are Drawn, Redistricting Battle Continues In Queensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Growing Communities including the one represented by We p r i n w h i c h st ret ch e s to Bellerose. The Eastern Queens A map is sometimes a piece of communities will also be split into greenish paper with pretty red lines, four Assembly districts that or an innocuous portrayal of your branch out to Cambria Heights, hometown on Google's bright Flushing, and Bayside. screen. After the U.S. Census, a map However, Weprin's new disbecomes something else entirely-a trict includes significant South fight for just representation, or more Asian and Indo-Caribbean comsimply, a fight for survival. munities that continue to grow in The magic four letter word of Bellerose, Jamaica Estates, Jathe next few weeks will be "maps," maica Hills and Richmond Hill. and the people and politicians of I n Nov. 2 010 , J o h n P r ak ash Queens are preparing for war, even Albert, founder of the group Takas the new legislative maps for the ing Our Seat, dedicated to in2012 election are being releasedcreasing representation in govslowly. The first proposed maps ernment in South Asian and Indofrom the Legislative Task Force on Caribbean communities listed Demographic Research and ReapBellerose, Jamaica Estates and portionment (LATFOR), a body of Richmond Hill as neighborhoods State lawmakers tasked with drawwith similar demographics that ing new district lines, were released could be united in a single district.

Thursday and Queens' growing The Asian community will also Asian communities reaped the benhave a chance to elect a second efits. state Assembly member and a State Aside from Assemblywoman Senator under the proposed mapGrace Meng's (D-Flushing) district, a sign of their growing clout demoDavid Weprin's Assembly district for the 2012 elections under boundaries proposed by LATFOR. a proposed 25th district, now repregraphically in the borough. sented by Assemblyman Rory "My hunch is that Asians are Lancman (D-Hillcrest) will have an Asian Avella," said Jerry Vattamala, staff attor- situation," said Weprin. underrepresented," said Dr. Michael majority. The district will cut out Rich- ney for AALDEF. "We're not for or Queens' Asian community is not the Krasner, a professor of political science at mond Hill, Briarwood and parts of against any representative. We're work- only group looking for more represen- Queens College. "Their population has Hillcrest and add in Asian-majority parts ing for the community so the community tation. Richmond Hill is represented by grown so fast and districts haven't kept of East Flushing and Fresh Meadows. has a meaningful opportunity to elect seven different Assembly members, four up, in part because the districting proceThe district complements a redraw of candidates of their choice. different Council members, two State dure is not driven by fairness and particiState Sen. Toby Stavisky's (D-Flushing) senators and two Congressmen- none patory democracy. It's driven by wanting district, which cuts out her home in of them live in the neighborhood. The to protect the interests of incumbent poliUnited and Divided Beechurst and Jewish parts of Forest Eastern Queens United, a coalition community is home to a large West In- ticians and their parties."

Hills and adds more of the growing Chi- of more than 10 civic associations, has dian, South Asian and Hispanic popuAALDEF, Avella, Weprin, and a host nese community along Broadway in banded together to exhort LATFOR to lation. of other politicians also support indepenElmhurst to create an Asian majority dis- unite the communities of Glen Oaks, SEVA, a Richmond Hill community dent redistricting, which is all but dead trict with no incumbent. group held a town hall meeting on Jan. now that the maps have been drawn and Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Queens The new maps may intensify an al- Village, and Bellerose into a single As- 16 urging residents to fight for the neigh- released. The real clash then will be beready ongoing skirmish between the Asian sembly and Senate district. At a rally borhood to unite and demand an end to tween politicians straining to keep their American Legal Defense and Education held on Jan. 12, Bob Friedrich, presi- what they view as an unfair redistricting districts intact while also acknowledging, Fund (AALDEF) and State Sen. Tony dent of the Glen-Oaks Village Co-Op process. or failing to acknowledge, a surge in the Avella (D-Bayside). AALDEF, along with and an organizer of Eastern Queens "They divide the neighborhood be- Asian population that has spurred the Center for Law and Social Justice at United, asked Avella and Assemblyman cause we don't stand up, we don't unite," AALDEF to propose a larger Senate disMedgar Evers College, LatinoJustice David Weprin (D-Little Neck), along said Gurpaul Singh of SEVA. trict.

PRLDEF, and the National Institute for with Councilman Mark Weprin (D-OakReach Reporter Ross Barkan at SEVA defined their "community of Latino Policy, came together to create a land Gardens), to sign a pledge that they interest" as the neighborhoods of Rich- rbarkan@queenstribune.com or (718) 357"Unity Map," a proposal for redistricting would vote against any proposal that mond Hill, South Ozone Park, Ozone 7400, Ext. 127.

Congressional, Assembly, and State Sen- would not entirely corral these commu- Park, and Woodhaven, a ate lines in the City. They seek to take nities into a single district.

240,000 person area into account the shifting demographics "We don't want to be sliced and composed mostly of imin the 2010 Census, including the surge diced," said Friedrich. "We want to be in migrants from South Asia, in the Asian population of northeast a single Assembly, State Senate, and Con- Latin America and the Queens. gressional district. We're 75,000 people, Caribbean. Currently only The Queens Chinese population has this can easily be done."

Councilman Eric Ulrich grown by nearly 50 percent since 2000, The communities Friedrich advocates (R-Ozone Park) and State and the Asian Indian population has for do share three Assembly members, Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (Djumped almost 8 percent. Overall, the Weprin, Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside), and Howard Beach) live in Asian population in Queens is roughly 23 Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village), though SEVA's "community of percent, compared to about 7 percent Weprin said he represents about "80 per- interest" borders and repCitywide. cent" of those communities. Friedrich, resent the area.

Avella said AALDEF is "gerrymander- Weprin, and Avella are united, however, ing in reverse," carving up new district in their distaste for the Unity Map proLooking to 2012 lines to fit ethnic enclaves without any posed, which AALDEF has argued is a Under the new maps regard for the existing communities. fairer way to create districts that give rep- however, these commuAALDEF shot back that Avella is mis- resentation to booming Asian voting blocs. nities will remain diDavid Weprin's Assembly district under its current boundreading their maps.

"I don't want to see an Asian district vided. Richmond Hill is "We want to work with Senator at the expense of a crazy gerrymandered split into four districts, aries.

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012

BY ROSS BARKAN AND DOMENICK RAFTER

Police Blotter Compiled by JASON PAFUNDI

101st Precinct

The first incident occurred at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12, Missing Girl at 71-57 161st St. The victim, a 58-yearThe police are seeking the public’s as- old man, was followed into an elevator sistance in locating Martha Alvarado, 12, by Suspect No.1, who punched him in the head, removed an who was last seen leaving unknown amount of her residence at 125 money from the victim Beach 17th St., Apt. 5J, and fled on foot. in Far Rockaway on TuesThe suspect is deday, Jan. 17, at approxiscribed as being between mately 7:30 p.m.

25-30 years old, beShe is described as between 5-foot-8 and 5ing 5-foot-3 and 180 foot - 10, with a muspounds, with a light comtache, and was wearing plexion, black hair and a dark jacket and lightbrown eyes. She was last colored hooded seen wearing a blue shirt, sweatshirt. tan khakis, pink coat and The second incident was carrying a backpack. occurred at approxiAnyone with informaMartha Alvarado mately 6 p.m. on Saturtion in regards to this missing girl is asked to call Crime Stoppers at day, Jan. 12, in front of 160-06 65th Ave. 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can The victim, an 86-year-old man, was apalso submit tips by logging onto the Crime proached from behind by two black males Stoppers website at who assaulted him, broke his arm and renypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting moved his wallet containing an unknown their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and then amount of money and two bank checks, before they fled the scene on foot. They entering TIP577. later deposited the checks.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Suspect No. 1 is described as being in his 20s, medium build and was wearing a dark-colored jacket and gray hooded Robbers Wanted sweatshirt.

Suspect No. 2 is described as a Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating two black men wanted heavyset man in his 30s, wearing a darkcolored jacket and red hooded sweatshirt. in connection with two robberies.

107th Precinct

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637) then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

110th Precinct Attempted Carjacking According to police, at approximately 1:07 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, an 89year-old man was sitting in his 1992 Oldsmobile opposite 102-14 Christie Ave. when a person approached and announced a carjacking.

The suspect, a 46-year-old Hispanic man, then struck the victim with a gun, causing lacerations to his arm. As two witnesses came to the aid of the victim, the suspect fled on foot. The victim was transported to Booth Memorial Hospital in stable condition.

After receiving a description, officers in an unmarked vehicle spotted the suspect, who, after a brief foot pursuit, ran into a driveway located at 96-28 46th Ave. As the officers approached and ordered the suspect to drop his weapon, the suspect turned toward the officers. One officer fired one round, striking the suspect in the lower left torso. He was taken to Elmhurst Hospital in stable condition.

A BB gun powered by a CO2 cartridge and painted black was recovered at the scene. Charges are pending and the investigation in ongoing.

D.A.’s Office Man Sentenced Queens DA Richard Brown announced that 41-year-old John Dixon of Flushing, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 2009 sexual attack on a 19year-old woman after he lured her into his vehicle with an offer to drive her to work.

He was convicted in April of first-degree rape, second-degree assault and firstdegree sexual abuse.

According to testimony, Dixon was driving a red SUV at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 28, 2009, when he approached the victim — who was waiting at a bus stop — and offered her a ride. The victim, who was on her way to work, initially resisted before ultimately agreeing after Dixon’s persistence.

After she entered his vehicle, Dixon drove a short distance and stopped in front of 70-20 Parsons Blvd., where he choked and hit the victim, sexually assaulted her and then raped her. Following the attack, Dixon released her from the vehicle and drove off, but not before the victim wrote down his license plate number.

Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

Backstage Visit

Right: Borough President Helen Marshall presents Arno Heller, a World War II veteran, with a Declaration of Honor for his service in the U.S. Army.

Bellow: Helen Marshall listens as firefighter Ron Daly speaks at the State of the Borough. Daly was given a Declaration of Honor for his part in fighting a fire in Woodside.

Photo by Ira Cohen

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall meet before Marshall's State of the Borough speech Tuesday morning. Quinn introduced Marshall.

Photo by Ira Cohen

I Pledge Allegiance

Elected officials in attendance at the State of the Borough recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Pictured include Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz, Councilmen Jimmy Van Bramer and Leroy Comrie.

JALEEL SHAW QUARTET Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012

Friday, February 3, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ 7:00 pm

$20.00 Adults / $10.00 Students & Seniors

YORK COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tickets available at the Box Office, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Call: 718-262-2840 or online at www.york.cuny.edu

Major funding for this series provided by NYC Councilmembers Leroy Comrie (27th-CD) Deputy Majority Leader NY City Council and Chair of Land Use Committee, and Ruben Wills (28th-CD), Chair of Substance Abuse Sub-Committee.

Helen Marshall presents Declarations of Honor to NYPD Detectives Charles Lopresti and Richard Johnson during the State of the Borough speech.

Photos by Ira Cohen

pix

Honoring Others

Borough Beat

Flushing Nurses Will Go On Strike Without a new contract that they believe they can live with, the registered nurses of Flushing Hospital have overwhelmingly voted to strike.

The 420 nurses, members of the New York States Nurses Association, have been intensely negotiating with hospital management since their contract expired on Dec. 31 of last year. A key point of contention has been the hospital’s reluctance to sign an interim contract that would continue payments to the nurses’ health and pension plans. Payments to the pension plans have already been halted and health benefits will cease in 90 days from the expiration of the contract.

A strike is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 7:15 a.m., though it is still possible for a strike to be averted, according to Mark Genovese, a spokesman for NYSNA. Both sides maintain negotiations may continue before the strike date—national labor law dictates health care workers give at least 10 days notice before a strike. Genovese said the nurses could not accept hospital management’s negotiation tactics any longer.

“They’re trying to play tough now,” Genovese said. “We know from past experience employers find this disturbing. It’s about control. The employer wants to

PRESS Photo By Ross Barkan

BY ROSS BARKAN

Nurses at Flushing Hospital will go on strike a little more than a month after their Jan. 5 picket. keep the employees under their thumbs.”

Michael Hinck, a spokesman for Flushing Hospital, would not comment on the negotiations in detail.

“Flushing Hospital Medical Center will resume its negotiations with NYSNA next week,” read a statement released by the hospital. “Flushing Hospital seeks to reach a fair agreement with its staff who are members of NYSNA.” A proposed plan to eliminate early retirement and discontinue the NYSNA

pension, replacing it with a 401(k) for new hires, has enraged NYSNA. Contract language that restricts floating—the process of reassigning nurses from their regular assignments to short-staffed areas— would also be removed in the hospital management’s contract proposal. Sick leave that can be accrued would drop from 72 to 60 days. No overtime would be paid in a week that a nurse takes sick leave. And no raises during the term of the contract would take place, except for a $1,200

boost on base salary effective the last month of the contract in December 2014.

The contributions nurses make to their health plans would also rise.

“Labor unrest in hospitals has increased over the last few years because of economic pressure,” said Rebecca Givan, assistant professor of collective bargaining at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. “There have been cutbacks in patient care and cutbacks in benefits.”

NYSNA first held a picket on Jan. 5 to raise awareness about their interim contract not being signed. Nurses draped in red exuberantly and angrily rallied in front of the hospital—the word strike was not yet on their lips. Negotiations at the time were strained, and have only devolved since.

Hinck would not comment on what precautions the hospital is taking for the strike. NYSNA nurses will have the option of working at other hospitals. Labor strife has plagued other City hospitals recently, though they all averted strikes.

The last NYSNA strike occurred in the fall of 2001 and lasted until early 2002 at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown, Long Island.

Reach Reporter Ross Barkan at rbarkan@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 127.

Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Profile

Jamaica Mom Selected For Panel

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Photo courtesy of Disney

One mom from Jamaica has been chosen to spread her knowledge about planning family vacations to people across the globe.

Malanie Rivera has been chosen to be a panelist for the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, an international online forum where guests can get traveling tips from parents who frequently take Disney vacations. Rivera beat out 20 thousand applicants to become one out of 15 panelists. She is also one of three first-ever bilingual panelists, offering tips in Spanish. “I thought it was really interesting and intriguing that they had different people from all walks of life being able to give their tips,” Rivera said.

When the Disney Moms panel was created in 2008, participants were only allowed to ask questions in English. Social Media Director Leanne Jakubowski said the company always envisioned having panelists be able to answer questions in various languages, but it took them four years to make it a reality. “As Walt once said, ‘You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world.

But it takes people to make the dream a reality,’” she said. “The Walt Disney World Moms Panel is living proof of that statement and we believe Walt would be proud of the magic our panelists are making for families around the world.”

During the day, Rivera is an occupational therapist who specializes in geriatric rehabilitation and pediatric early intervention. She enjoys reading, singing and doing crafts in her spare time.

Rivera was born in Manhattan but raised in California, where she had her first Disney experience. When she was 3 years old, she visited Disneyland and said she has been hooked ever since. In 2004, Rivera and her children had their first experience at Walt Disney World in Florida, a trip she described as “magical.”

She said the best part of the trip was seeing her son and daughter wide-eyed from wonderment. “It definitely took me back to being a kid,” Rivera said.

She now takes her two children to Disney World at least once a year, sometimes taking family members with them. She said one of her most memorable moments was helping to plan her brother’s marriage proposal at Cinderella’s Royal Table. “It still brings tears to my eyes to recall how special and romantic that was,” Rivera said.

The single mother of two said her children enjoy Disney vacations as much as she does. Her daughter, 12, enjoys reading and watching 80s movies. Rivera said she even writes her own songs. Her daughter enjoys shopping in Downtown Disney and meeting all of the characters.

Rivera said her son, 14, is a Yankees fan and enjoys playing sports. Both of Rivera’s children wish to attend the Disney College Program in a few years, a semester-long experience at Walt Disney World. Rivera said her favorite thing to do with her children at Disney World is to identify new features at the amusement park.

She recommends that families who take a Disney vacation to take the time to enjoy everything fully. She is looking forward to helping families across the

Malanie Rivera of Jamaica was chosen as one of the first bilingual panelists on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel. world plan their Disney vacation. “The fact that I can be apart of it is really awesome.”

For more information about the World

Moms Panel, visit disneyworldmoms.com.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

People

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012

The New York Lottery recently announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings between Jan. 8-14. The following winners each received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Pauline Francis of St. Albans won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing Aug. 5. Francis’s winning ticket was purchased at the Pathmark at 134-40 Springfield Blvd., Springfield Gardens.

Leroy Beckwith of Cambria Heights won $23,429 on the Take Five drawing Jan. 9. Beckwith’s winning ticket was purchased at the 237 Linden Gas, 23601 Linden Blvd., Elmont.

Local residents were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.

They include: St. Albans: Latia Rowland.

Jamaica: Syed Salim, Amanda Alford and Lisa Powell.

Staff Mentoring Students: Photo by Bob Harris

Jamie Gross of Rosedale was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Gross is in the Liberal Arts: Humanities and Social Science academic program.

Horace Samuels of Laurelton has been admitted to the Doctor of Ministry program for the spring 2012 semester at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. The seminary is affiliated with the United Methodist Chirch.

Local residents were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at SUNY Oneonta. They include: Jamaica: Felicia Magnan.

Rosedale: Tiffany Squire.

Springfield Gardens: Andrew Tejada.

Stephanie Windland of Holliswood, a sophomore at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, N.J., will spend the spring 2012 semester studying at Wroxton College, FDU’s overseas campus in Oxfordshire, England. Windland is enrolled in the musical theater undergraduate program.

A semester at Wroxton is designed to provide an integrated study abroad experience, giving students the opportunity to travel and experience new cultures.

The Math, Science, Research Technology High School in the Cambria Heights Campus Magnet Complex has introduced counseling between staff and students to help students to develop skills and understanding to graduate and pursue higher education.

Shown are staff and students at a recent group meeting. One student who wants to become an engineer is being guided weekly by a math teacher. Principal Jose Cruz is mentoring yet another student. Improvements are being accomplished one student a time a week after week.

A&E

Site Helps TV Viewers Give Feedback

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Restaurant Review

Land At The Nest THE NEST 125-17 101st Ave., Richmond Hill (718) 847-4035 CUISINE: Caribbean-Chinese Fusion HOURS: 11am-11pm Mon-Thurs; 11 am1 am Fri-Sun PARKING: Street CREDIT CARDS: All Major

Savethatshow.com also gives viewers the chance to give direct feedback to the network. The website features links to each of the top networks and savethatshow.com will send the letter on the user's behalf within 24 hours. The website also as a "What's On Tonight" link where users can check to see if their favorite shows are new that night.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Immigrant Voices Project In The Theatre

BY TAMMY SCILEPPI It's an experience like no other on stage: real, dark, sexy, forbidden. It's a story told like no other - with many voices blending into an interesting "hum," as life goes on in the wee hours of a Jackson Heights day. What happens here and who's up doing what, when folks who work during the day are sleeping?

Picture insomniacs, gamblers, taxi drivers, police officers, sex workers, Colombian drag queens, ER doctors, Ecuadorian waitresses - each real-life character has a colorful story to tell.

A livery cab driver working the midnight shift yearns for a woman who rises at dawn to bake bread, but he doesn't speak her language. A beloved dog disappears without a trace. A policeman from Long Island comes to Queens for a date.

These are among the unique people whose experiences are chronicled in this multilingual (English, Spanish, Bengali) production which features a multicultural ensemble cast of 24.

Through late-night research and interviews in the 'hood, scenes are weaved and painted by multiple authors into an edgy, sassy production that wowed audiences at PS 69 in Jackson Heights.

Now you can experience “Jackson

Indika Senanayake and Sergey Nagorny in a scene from the show.

Heights at 3 AM” as super-talented actors bare their souls and speak their individual truths, on stage at the Queens Theatre.

Eight playwrights with director Ari Laura Kreith joined their collective genius in creating this one-of-a-kind work.

The performance schedule at Queens Theatre is as follows: Jan. 27-Feb. 5, Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets for this special production are $20. The box office number for information and tickets is (718) 7600064. Queens Theatre is located at 14 United Nations Avenue South, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

Tickets are also on sale now at www.queenstheatre.org.

Arlene Chico-Lugo and Rajesh Bose in Jackson Heights 3AM.

Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

This is not the place for the pretentious, High Tea crowd. This is for those not ashamed to lick their fingers in public, unafraid of a food adventure.

The ticker on the awning shone brightly on the street and purple lights were strung up on a huge tree out front.

Welcome to The Nest.

The eatery is divided into a bar and restaurant. It boasts a well-stocked bar with clever lighting that sets the atmosphere and tempo. The décor is simple. A few booths dot the right side of the restaurant and tables flow on the left.

Dave Kadarnauth, the owner, guided my date and I through a meal that made my palette do figurative back flips.

The first order of business: drinks.

Our waitress brought a small trio of samplers, which included sorrel, mauby and a mango drink. Kadarnauth said all the drinks are made at the restaurant. As a girl with deep Caribbean roots and a love for sorrel juice, I was poised to call them out if a hint of flavor was out of place. I held my tongue. The sorrel rivaled my mother's.

Never having had Mauby, I was open to the flavors. It had a slight taste of sweet cinnamon and at the very end a slight bitter taste. My date gave it the thumbs up. If it's an acquired taste, I have acquired it. The mango drink

rounded out the trio. Its delicate flavors f lood the taste buds.

After drinks, a parade of dishes vied for space at the table. First was the shrimp sambala, seasoned in an array of spices and lightly fried. The shrimps, which gained color from the seasoning, popped out from a bed of red onions and pepper. I resist making this bold of a statement, but it was the best thing I have eaten all year. When I thought the sambala could not be further enhanced, Kadarnauth suggested I try the pepper sauces made in-house.

Currently, The Nest makes three pepper sauces - classic, mango and mustard - which boosted the flavor of every dish on the table, but my favorite is the mustard pepper. Kadarnauth has hopes of bottling the flavors.

After the sambala, we tried the Banga Mary, which is a delicately fried fish. I tried it with and without the mustard sauce; either way, it was finger licking good.

A small platter of boneless jerk chicken followed. It is not the traditional idea of jerk chicken. It was not overwhelmed with pepper to the point where you can't taste its flavors. There is a subtle hint of sweetness that is chased by a delicate peppery taste.

There was bhunjal goat, lamb curry fried rice, dhal puri, oxtail, rice and beans, lobster with ginger and scallions.

There is something for everyone here.

Whether you are in the mood for Chinese with a Caribbean flare of vice versa, there is a dish with your name on it at The Nest.

And if after the healthy portions, there is room for dessert. Ask for the homemade custard. I promise; you won't be disappointed.

give users a chance to voice their opinion about the shows they like while they are still on the air. He said most viewers felt they were left out of TV ratings process and wanted to have a way to give their feedback on the show. Burrell pointed out that "Family Guy" and "Futurama" ended up returning to primetime television and suggested that the shows would have remained on the air if the networks took more viewer feedback into consideration.

Photos by Joel Weber

A Queens man is giving viewers an opportunity to give feedback on their favorite new shows before they go to the land of cancelled television.

Savethatshow.com has recently expanded to allow visitors to give real-time feedback on their favorite shows while they're watching - also known as StaTus. During 30minute shows, participants can update their sentiments every two minutes; when watching an hour-long show, sentiments are updated every 5 minutes. The latest reactions to a show are displayed in graph form, allowing users to see how their peers feel about their favorite show. CEO Christopher Burrell said more than 100 people have signed up for StaTus so far and hopes more will join soon.

According to the website, the top new shows are "Prime Suspect," "Terra Nova" and "Pan Am." Viewers were devastated to learn that "Prime Suspect" is on the chopping block. "My wife and I are terribly depressed about the cancellation of Prime Suspect. It is by far the best written show on American Television," Tom from Kansas posted on the website. Another commenter thanked NBC for airing two new episodes this week despite the show being axed.

Burrell founded savethatshow.com in 2001 in Jamaica. "People like to vent, they want to have their say," he said.

Burrell got the idea after several seemingly popular shows were cancelled by their networks, including "Jericho," "Family Guy" and "Futurama." At the time, he hoped savethatshow.com would

Faith

Clergy Unite Against Indictments

BY VERONICA LEWIN Three months after the indictments of four non-profit leaders in Southeast Queens, including two with close ties to State Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica), religious leaders throughout the City plan to band together to protest what they say is an attack on the area.

The Clergy United For Community Empowerment will rally outside of the Nassau County Supreme Court on Feb. 1 to show support for Patricia Savage, David Gantt, Roger Scotland and Lynn Smith during their hearings. The four were indicted this past December following an investigation

by State Attorney General Eric

Schneiderman for allegedly pocketing member item money directed to a nonprofit organization. The four pleaded not guilty at the time. Bishop Charles Norris, Sr., president of CUCE, called the indictments a “grave injustice.”

“Our community has been under attack for some time now, but to implicate people who have committed their professional careers to serve our community is unacceptable,” Norris said. “It is very important that we come together and let the Attorney General know we will not stand by and allow his office to criminalize these people.”

Savage, president of the Parents Workshop, Inc., a non-profit founded by Hunt-

Word

“God answers sharp and sudden on some prayers, And thrusts the thing we have prayed for in our face, a gauntlet with a gift in it.”

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Patricia Savage

Lynn Smith

ley that received nearly $30,000 in state funding through member items she secured. Smith, Huntley’s niece and the organization’s treasurer, shares an address with Huntley. Both were indicted on charges that they allegedly engaged in a fraudulent scheme to steal member item funds planned for the non-profit, which was founded to hold workshops for and educate on the workings of the public school system. The indictment alleges that those events were never held and the two suspects instead pocketed $29,950 allocated by Huntley. Savage has worked on Huntley’s staff as an assistant and as Director of Community-Based Programs.

Smith served as special counsel on Huntley’s staff. Gantt and Scotland,

president of the Southern Queens Park Association are charged with falsifying business records.

CUCE will bus supporters to Mineola on the day of the hearing. The Rev. David Kelley II of the Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Brooklyn is the pastor of Savage and Smith and said he was shocked by the accusations. “This does not appear to be a criminal case and I believe that the state government should do more to help not-for-profits rather than make attempts at prosecuting individuals who try to build up the community.”

According to the website SeeThroughNy.com, Huntley has allocated $125,000 for the Parents Workshop, Inc. during her time in the State Senate, but only $29,950 of that money is eyed under the indictment. The senator herself has not been indicted or accused of any wrongdoing, but her office has been the target of both federal and state investigators for more than a year. The day following the indictments, Huntley said she is confident that the legal proceedings will prove she acted appropriately.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Notebook A Better Jamaica

Elders Help Students Learn To Read PRESS Photos by Greg Mays

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012

BY VERONICA LEWIN Seniors in Jamaica are being given another opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life.

A Better Jamaica, a non-profit organization, is launching its second season of Jamaica Reads, a program that helps elementary school children become stronger readers. A kick-off celebration was held Tuesday morning at PS 48, located at 108-29 155th St. Jamaica Reads picks seniors from the Greater Allen Cathedral Senior Residence on Merrick Boulevard to participate in the program. Three times a week, 10 adults spend two hours with 20 first grade students in an attempt to improve reading and comprehension skills. Greg Mays, founder of A Better Jamaica, said the program uses seniors because there is an abundance of them in the neighborhood when compared with the number of stay-athome parents who would be available during the school day.

According to Mays, less than half of elementary school students in Southeast Queens reach or exceed proficiency on the State English Language Arts exam.

Mays hopes the senior reading buddies will help the students become better readers. Eventually, A Better Jamaica plans to extend their reach to every first grader

A Better Jamaica hopes to help all students in Southeast Queens excel on their English exams. struggling with reading in Southeast Queens.

PS 48 Principal Patricia Mitchell is excited to have the Jamaica Reads program back for a second year. “Last year’s connection between the students and the senior-citizens was tremendous,” she said.

“That connection is the foundation for learning.”

A Better Jamaica was established in 2007 to strengthen the community. Some of its other programs include Family Mov-

Seniors visit PS 48 three times a week to help first graders improve their reading skills.

ies in the Park and Classic Film Fridays.

For more information, visit abetterjamaica.org.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Is Your School Doing Something Good?

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

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357.

Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina.

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

MISCELLANEOUS

MOVING IMAGE Through March 4 Jim Henson Screenings and Programs. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 th Avenue, Astoria. 777-6800. $15.

TANGO Through March 18 world premiere musical at Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside. 729-3880.

ADVANCE MAN Through January 29 part 1 of Mac Roger’s sci-fi epic “The Honeycomb Trilogy” at 3 and 8. $15 students and seniors, $18 general admission. Secret Theatre, 44-02 23 rd Street, LIC. MUSIC ANDINA Saturday, January 28 sounds of the Colombian Andes at 2:30 at the Sunnyside library.

VINTAGE QUEENS Saturday, January 28 “Queens The Way It Was.” Ta ke a ste p b a c k i n t i m e through vintage film footage, photos and personal memories, including actor Carroll O’Connor, Donald Trump, Henry Steinway and more. Free at the Greater Astoria Historical Societ y, 35-20 Broadway, 4 th floor, LIC. 278-0700. Free.

LUNAR NEW YEAR Saturday, January 28 starting at 10:30 Flushing library.

URBAN TANGO TRIO Saturday, January 28 at the Broadway library at 2.

EDITH PIAF Saturday, January 28 Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich movie clips, anecdotes and more at the Forest Hills library at 2:30.

BEATLES TRIBUTE Saturday, Januar y 28 “Yesterday,” a tribute to the Beatles at Queensborough C o m m u n i t y C o l l e ge . $ 3 5 .

631-6311.

QUINTET Saturday, January 28 “Freedom – Expanding Horizons” with the Quintet of the Americas, who present a program of music and readi n g s , i n c l u d i n g Va l e r i e Coleman’s Afro-Cuban Concerto. Free at the Langston Hughes library, 100-01 Northern Blvd., Corona.

LIVE JAZZ & R&B Sundays, January 29, February 2, 12 live jazz and r&b 6-10 at Déjà vu, 180-25 Linden Blvd., St. Albans.

WORLD MUSIC Tuesday, January 31 World Music Maspeth library at 2:30.

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

SCRABBLE Tuesdays at the Fresh Meadows library at 1 and at the East Flushing library at 3:30.

CHESS Tu e s d ay s a t 4 : 3 0 a t t h e Rosedale library and at 4 at the LIC library.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Thursday, February 2 learn about Chinese culture and history and make an origami craft at the LIC library at 4.

LOVE SONGS Thursday, February 2 “Spanglish” Love songs at the Ridgewood library at 6.

FABLES Friday, February 3 Fables From Around the world at Martin Luther School in Maspeth. 894-4000.

FILM & TALK Friday, February 3 Flushing book Discussion group and film Screening at 1 at the Flushing library.

GAME DAY Fridays at 4:30 at the Woodhaven library.

BANANAGRAM/SCRABBLE Fridays at the Windsor Park library at 2.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Fridays at 2 Hillcrest library.

LOVE STORIES Saturday, February 4 Love Stories from Beyond at the Lefferts library at 3.

RIGOLETTO Saturday, February 4 at Queensborough Communit y College. $35-42. 6316311.

SUNDAY CONCERT Sunday, February 5 Martin Atangana and African Blue Note perform at 3 at the Central library.

RELIGIOUS CONG. MACHANE Sunday, January 29 “Insights and Experiences of an Israeli Diplomat Representing the State of Israel in Countries Throughout the World” with Israeli Consul Shahar Azani. 7:30. Tuesdays “ Tea and Tales From the Talmud” at 7:30. Congregation Machane Chodosh, 67-29 108 th Street, Forest Hills. 793-5656.

CULTURAL JUDAISM Saturday, February 4 Queens Communit y for Cultural Judaism presents a joyous celebration of the Jewish New Year for the Trees: Tu B’Shevat Seder and more in Flushing. 380-5362. $5.

EXHIBIT CELEBRATION Through January 29 Celebration of the Arts is a mixed-media art exhibition at the Bayside Historical Soc i e t y, F o r t To t t e n P a r k , Bayside. 352-1548.

BARBARA LEVEN Through January 31 “Enchanted Earth 2.0,” a photography exhibit by Barbara E. Leven will be on display at the Queens Botanical Gardens, 43-50 Main Street, Flushing. Tuesday through Sunday 8-4:30.

NAL STUDENTS Through February 4 National Art League Students’ Art Exhibi5tion 1-4:30 Monday through Thursday and Saturday at the NAL, 44-21 D o u g l a sto n Pa r k way. Fre e admission.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS COVER LETTERS Monday, January 30 Tips on Cover Letters at the Central library. 990-5102.

MOTIVATIONAL Monday, January 30 motivational workshop at 6 at the Laurelton library.

POWER POINT Monday, January 30 at 6 at the Maspeth library.

INTRO COMPUTERS Monday, January 30 at the Central library. 990-5102 to register. Also at the Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

Limited seating.

COMPUTER TIPS Tuesday, Januar y 31 tips and tricks to using computers Maspeth library at 1.

ONLINE LEARNING Tuesday, January 31 learn about online learning opportunities LIC library at 1:30.

INTRO E-MAIL Tuesday, Januar y 31 at the M c G o l d r i c k l i te ra r y. 4 6 1 -

HEALTH YOGA & MEDITATION Saturday, January 28 free yoga, meditation and relaxation classes 9-5 at the Yogashakti Yoga Center, 11441 Lefferts Blvd., S. Richmond Hill. 529-2153 for schedule.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLE. Monday, January 30 at the Pomonok library at 6:30.

“Understanding Today’s Nutritional Supplements.”

ZUMBA Mondays, January 30, February 6 Latin Dance Fitness Program at the Corona library. Register.

WILLING HEARTS Tuesday, Januar y 31 at 1:30 at the St. Albans library. “Willing Hearts, Helpful Hands” provides elderly with care and supervision.

CHOLESTEROL Wednesday, February 1 W h a t Yo u r D o c to r H a s n ’ t Told You About Cholesterol at the Flushing library at 6.

HEALTHY HEART Thursday, February 2 Cardiac Arrhythmia. Thursday, February 9 Coronary Artery disease diagnosis and treatment. Thursday, February 16 Healthy Diet for the Family: How to prevent Obesit y.

Thursday, February 23 Cardiac Risk Factors. Healthy Heart lectures at the Flushing library at 2.

CHAIR YOGA Thursdays, February 2, 9 at the Hollis library. Register.

LEARN CPR Thursday, February 2 Learn CPR at the South Ozone Park library. Register.

HEALTHY HEART Friday, February 3 healthy heart screenings 12-2 at Forest Hills Hospital. 830-1964 reservations.

BLOOD DRIVES Friday, February 3 at St. Demetrio in Astoria. Saturday, February 4 at the Seventh day Adventist church in Corona. Sunday, February 5 at St. Avellino in Flushing and Holy Family in Flushing. 1800-933-2566. LI Blood Services.

1616 and the Queens Village library. 776-6800.

LEARNING LAB Wednesdays, February 1, 8 engage in self-paced learning on library laptops at the LIC library at 1:30.

RESUME WRITING Wednesdays, February 1, 8 for those under 24 at the Arverne library at 4.

RESUMES Wednesday, February 1 at the Central library at 10:30.

BASIC COMPUTER Wednesday, February 1 basic computer training at the Woodside library at 10:30.

INTRO EXCEL Wednesdays, February 1, 8 introduction to Excel at the central library. 990-5102.

INTRO COMPUTERS Thursday, February 2 at the Pomonok library. Register.

COMPUTER BASICS Thursday, February 2 at the Glen Oaks library. Register.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Thursday, February 2 Customer Service trailing at the Central library. 990-5102.

BASIC COMPUTERS

Thursday, February 2 at the Rosedale library at 6.

WRITING GROUP Thursday, February 2 Shut up and Write Meet-Up Group at the Broadway library at 6:30.

INTRO WORD Friday, February 3 at the Hillcrest library. Register.

INTRO COMPUTERS Friday, February 3 at the Central library. 990-5102.

BASIC COMPUTERS Fridays, February 3, 10 at the Auburndale library. Register.

BOOT CAMP Fridays through March 30 at the LIC library at 2.

JOB SEARCH CAMP Saturday, February 4 at the Central library. Register.

URBAN CHICKENING Saturday, February 4 how to raise and keep chickens i n N YC a t 2 : 3 0 a t t h e Sunnyside library.

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

646-436-7940.

MEETINGS MEN’S CLUB SOCCER Tuesday evenings at the Forest Hills Jewish Center 89:30. 263-7000.

FRESH MEADOW CAMERA Tuesdays the Fresh Meadows Camera Club meets.

917-612-3463.

ADVANCED WRITERS Tuesdays Advanced Bayside Writers’ Group meets at 6:30 in the Terrace Diner, 212-97 26 th Avenue, upper level. Get feedback on your writing and develop your skills.

TOASTMASTERS Wednesdays, February 1, 15, March 7, 21 learn the art of public speaking at the Voices of Rochdale Toastmasters Club in Jamaica. 9780732.

FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesdays, February 1, 15, 29 Flushing Camera Club at Flushing Hospital.

479-0643.

KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS Wednesdays, February 1, 15, March 7, 21 Queensview Lodge 433 in Whitestone. 917-754-3093.

BEREAVEMENT Wednesdays, February 1, March 7 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family in Fresh Meadows. 7:30. 9692448.

WOMANSPACE Wednesdays Womanspace, a discussion group devoted to issues concerning women, meets 1-3 at the Great Neck Senior Center, 80 Grace Avenue. New members welcome.

MEN’S PRIDE GROUP Thursdays, February 2, 16, March 1, 15 Queens Pride House Men’s group 7-9. 4295309.

LEADD CLUB Thursday evenings and one Saturday afternoon. Recreation Socialization Program for Learning Disabled Adults. 18+, able to travel on public transportation.

Arn310@aol.com information.

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

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, February 4, 18, March 3, 17, 31 learn how to communicate ef fectively.

10-12:15 at Elmhurst Hospital. 424-9754.

HAM RADIO CLUB Tu e s d a y s , F e b r u a r y 7 , March 6 Emergency Communications Service meets in Briarwood. 357-6851.

TALK OF THE TOWN Tuesday s, Februar y 7, 21, March 6, 20 learn the art of public speaking at 7:15 in St. Albans. 640-7092.

UNITED 40S Thursdays, February 9, March 8 United Forties Civic Association, Inc. meets at 7 at St. Teresa Parish Cent e r , 5 0 - 2 2 4 5 th S t r e e t , Woodside.

JEFFERSON DEMS Thursdays, February 9, March 8 Jefferson Democratic Club meets 7:30 at the Clearview Golf Course Clubhouse.

ILION BLOCK Fridays, February 10, March 9 Ilion Area Block Association meets t the African Center for Communit y Empowerment, 111-92A Farmers Blvd., St. Albans at 7:30.

CATHOLIC VETS Mondays, February 13, March 12 American Mart yrs Catholic War Veterans Post 1772 in Bayside. 468-9351.

VFW 4787 Mondays, February 13, 27 Whitestone VFW Community Post meets. 746-0540.

LIONS CLUB Tu e s d a y s , F e b r u a r y 1 4 , March 13 Lions Club of Ravenswood at 6:30 at Riccardo’s by the Bridge, 2101 21 st Avenue, Astoria.

Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

METRO CARD VAN Wednesday, February 29 M e t r o C a rd Va n a t t h e Howard Beach Senior Center 10-noon and at Stop & Shop on Myrtle Avenue, Glendale 1-3.

AUDITIONS Wednesday, February 1 auditions for new members of the Queens College Choral Societ y 6-7:15 in room 246 of Queens College’s Music Building. 997-3818 to schedule an audition.

AUDITIONS Tu e s d a y a n d We d n e s d a y, February 7, 8 FSF Community Theatre Group in Flushing will hold auditions for “Gypsy”. Dancers, singers 10+ needed. Stage Crew needed 16+. 516-354-5210.

COMMUNITY SINGERS Mondays through May the Communit y Singers of Queens, Inc. rehearses at Messiah Lutheran Church, 42-15 165 th Street, Flushing.

New members welcome.

658-1021.

AUXILIARY OFF. The 105 th Precinct Community Council invites all interested in becoming an Auxiliary Police Officer to contact 776-9268.

BARBERSHOP Wednesdays the Qu ee ns chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Societ y meets at the school hall, 175-20 74 th Avenue, Flushing. 381-8689.

FOOD PANTRY Fridays Grace Episcopal Church, 14-15 Clintonville Street, Whitestone, from 1011. 767-6305.

FH VAC The Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps needs volunteers. They will sponsor you for a NYS EMT course at no cost to you once you qualif y. 793-2055. Monetary donations also needed PO Box 750617, Forest Hills 11375.

FH SYMPHONY Wednesdays the Forest Hills Symphony Orchestra will rehearse at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 374-1627.

FREE FLAGS The Lipsky-Blum Post #764 of the Jewish War Veterans offers free flags to all families of deceased veterans for use at cemeteries. 4634742.

MEMORY LOSS? Caregivers need a break?

631-1886.

ENTERTAINMENT

Queens Today TEENS

YOUTH 8-12 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000.

PICTURE BOOK Saturday, January 28 at the Broadway library at 1:30.

ANIMAL CARE Sunday, January 29 for those 8-12 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 2294000.

BOOST HOMEWORK HELP Weekdays at 3 at the Cambria Heights library.

BOOST MATH Mondays, January 30, February 6, 13, 27 Math games McGoldrick library at 5.

LEGOS BUILDERS Mondays, January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27 at the LIC library at 6:15.

PJ STORY TIME Monday, January 30 at the Central library at 7.

PRE-SCHOOL CRAFTS Monday, January 30 at the Windsor Park library at 1:30.

CRAFT KIDS Monday, January 30 at the Flushing library at 3.

ORIGAMI Monday, January 30 origami Lefferts library at 3:30.

STORYBOOK EXPLORERS Monday, January 30 at the Central library at 4.

LEGOS Monday, January 30 at the Ridgewood library at 4.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at 4 at the

Douglaston/Little Neck lib ra r y. B r i n g n e e d l e s a n d yarn.

HOMEWORK HELP Mondays 3:30-5:00 teen tutors available at the Bayside library.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, Januar y 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28 at the Hillcrest library at 3:30.

BOOST WORD Tuesdays, Januar y 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28 BOOST Word of the Week at the McGoldrick library at 5.

ARTS & CRAFTS Tu e s d ay, J a n u a r y 3 1 fo r those 5-12 at the Auburndale library at 4.

SPIN N PAINT Tuesday, Januar y 31 at the Briarwood librar y. Register.

BOOST WORD Tu e s d a y, January 31 B O O S T C o m m u n i t y Word Project at the Central library at 4:30.

CHESS CLUB Tuesdays at the LIC library at 4 and the Rosedale library at 4:30.

HAPPY HAPPY STORY Wednesdays, February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 story time at the LIC library at 10:30.

BOOST HEALTH Wednesdays, February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 BOOST health and science at 5 at the McGoldrick library.

CHESS CLUB Every Saturday at the Flushing library at 2.

LAPTOP USE Weekdays at 3 at the Laurelton library.

HOMEWORK HELP Weekdays LIC library at 3.

3-D ECO ART ON CANVAS Monday, January 30 at the Broadway library. Create an environmentally themed painting. Register.

COMIC BOOK Monday, January 30 writing and creating comic books Astoria library at 4.

TEEN STUDY Mondays through Thursdays Lefrak Cit y library at 4.

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

TEEN CHESS Mondays at 6 Bayside library.

HOMEWORK & GAMES Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays homework help and teen gaming at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

WORK WITH ANIMALS Tuesday, Januar y 31 working with animals, careers with critters at the Sunnyside library at 3:30.

SPIN & PAINT Tuesday, Januar y 31 at the Briarwood librar y. Register.

PLASTIC BAG CRAFT Tuesday, Januar y 31 at the Broadway library at 4.

TEEN ADVISORY Tuesday, Januar y 31 at the Flushing library at 5.

LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays at the Windsor Park library at 4.

CROCHET & KNIT Wednesday, February 1 Far Rockaway library at 2:30.

RESUME WRITING Wednesday resume writing for young adults at 4 at the Arverne librar y.

GAME DAY Wednesdays at the Howard Beach library at 4.

GAME DAY Wednesdays at the St. Albans library at 4.

CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 at the Queens Village library.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesdays at the South Ozone Park library at 1.

KNITTING CLUB Wednesdays at the Bayside library. Register.

CHINESE NEW YEAR Thursday, February 2 learn about Chinese culture and history and make an origami craft at the LIC library at 4.

TEEN THURSDAYS T h u r s d ay s Ba y Te r ra c e l i brary at 3.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays 4-5:30 at the Douglaston/Little Neck library.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays at the East Flushing library at 5.

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays crafts at the Briarwood library at 4.

GREEN COMIC Friday, February 3 make a green comic at the Woodside library at 3:30.

CROCHET & KNIT Friday, February 3 ten week course at 2:30 at the Far Rockaway library.

CRAFTS Friday, February 3 bead making and paper cutting at 4 at the Flushing lib ra r y.

YOUNG REFORMERS Fridays, February 3, 10, 17, 24 at the Laurelton library.

Register WII GAMING Fridays, February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 wii gaming at the Astoria library at 4:30.

TEEN HAPPY HOUR Fridays at 4 Flushing library.

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays at the Briarwood library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays at the Auburndale library at 3:30.

CHESS TUTORIAL Fridays Woodside library at 4.

GAME DAY Fridays at the Woodhaven library at 4:30.

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Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

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

APEC PROGRAMS February and March Alley Pond Environmental Center will hold Toddler time Nature Programs, Sunny Bunnies and Fledglings (for those 34). 229-4000.

STORY BOOK LADY Saturdays 12:30-1:30 reading enrichment program for 6-9 year olds at Maria Rose International Doll Museum, 187-11 Linden Blvd., St. Albans. $7.50. 276-3454.

SCIENCE LAB Saturdays Central library at 11.

MATH HELP Saturdays at the Flushing library at 10.

HOMEWORK HELP Saturdays 10-noon teen tutors available at the Bayside library.

CHESS CLUB Every Saturday at the Flushing library at 2.

S TORY TIMES Saturdays at 11 and Tuesdays at 10:30 weekly story times at Barnes & Noble, 1766 0 Un i o n Tu r n p i ke , Fre s h Meadows.

YOUNG DISCOVERERS Saturday, January 28 Watching Weather for those

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012

What’s Up SATURDAY, JAN. 28 Walkers For Wellness Club Looking for a fun way to improve your health? Join the Walkers for Wellness Club at New Hope Lutheran Church of Jamaica. Under the guidance of a Walking Leader, you will walk two to three times each week at a comfortable pace with others along routes throughout Southeast Queens. The club is open to walkers of all ages and abilities. The walking schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Walkers meet at New Hope Lutheran Church, located at 167-24 118th Ave. T-shirts and pedometers will be provided. Contact Thurkessa Brown at (917) 553-1089 for more information.

Enrichment Classes The Queens Baptist Church is offering free reading and math enrichment classes every Saturday. Stop by the church and ask for Barbara Montgomery or Linda Day to register, or call (718) 465-2504.

This free event will be held at the Queens Baptist Church, 93-23 217th St., from 10 a.m. to noon.

Winter Basketball Program The Lincoln Park Basketball Association is offering a Fall/Winter Basketball Clinic for children ages 8-16 on Saturdays from Oct. 22 through Jan. 28. The $50 registration fee includes insurance, weekly training and a T-shirt. For more information, contact (347) 234-6833 or (718) 682-6938.

This event will be held at the Queens Transition Center, located at 142-10 Linden Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Focus on Ovarian Cancer The Flushing-North Shore Branch of the National Association of University Women is pleased to present a panel Discussion on the “Key to Survival: Focus on Ovarian Cancer.” Don’t miss a discussion led by Share: Self-help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer. For additional information, contact Tai White at (917) 683-1274 or taiwhite14@gmail.com.

This free event will be held at the Langston Hughes Community Library, 100-01 Northern Blvd. from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

SUNDAY, JAN. 29 Amilcar Cabral

MONDAY, JAN. 30 Stay Well Learn new ways to take charge of your health and help your friends do the same.

Learn how special exercise and relaxation techniques make a difference in your life!

This free event will be held at Queens Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10 a.m.

Intro to the Internet After this two-part workshop, you will

TUESDAY, JAN. 31 Walkers For Wellness Club See Tuesday’s listing. At 7 p.m.

Laptops For Students Laptops are available Monday through Thursday for teens and children to use from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, call (718) 528-2822.

This free event will be held at the Queens Library Laurelton Branch, 134-26 225 St. from 3 to 5 p.m.

Own Your Own Business Learn how to develop your idea into a business plan. Participants will learn how to create demand for your product or service, set goals and objectives, budgeting and timelines, and identifying resources and networks. To register, call (718) 9905102.

This free event will be held at Queens Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6:30 p.m.

God, Love & Romance Be there when Fred Hammond is presented live in concert at the Allen A.M.E. Cathedral. The price of the $20 ticket includes a copy of Fred Hammond’s new CD - God, Love & Romance.

This free event will be held at Allen A.M.E. Cathedral, 110-31 Merrick Blvd., at 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1 Picture Book Storytime Enjoy picture books, stories, songs, finger plays and crafts with your toddler.

Recommended for ages 18 months-preschool.

This free event will be held at the Queens Library Rosedale Branch, 144-20 243 St., at 10:30 a.m.

Learn About Resumes Are you ready to apply for jobs? Are you avoiding common errors? Does your resume stand out? Participants will learn how to get started, types of resumes, what to include and what not to include on your resume, and tips for making your resume stronger.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10:30 a.m.

THURSDAY, FEB. 2 Walkers For Wellness Club See Saturday’s listing. At 7 p.m.

Laptops For Students Laptops are available Monday through Thursday for teens and children to use from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on a first

come, first serve basis. For more information, call (718) 528-2822.

This free event will be held at the Queens Library Laurelton Branch, 134-26 225 St. from 3 to 5 p.m.

Customer Service Training Learn how to provide superior customer service in any job. Participants will learn about the essentials of customer service, etiquette for excellent customer service, understanding customer needs, serving difficult customers, and building relationships. To register, please call (718) 990-5102 or visit the Job Information Center.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 4 p.m.

Entrepreneurial Thursdays The Financial Ministry of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York will be holding six workshops focusing on entrepreneurship/small business owners and individuals looking to start a business. This workshop will discuss taxes, allowable write-offs and why you need to separate business funds from personal funds. Other topics include: business structures, sole proprietorship, C-Corp, S-Corp, LLC and the pros and cons of each. The workshop is hosted by Rodger Miller Tax Services.

At the end of these workshops you will have viable, useful tools and information to start and grow your business. For additional information, call 718-206-4600 Ext. 3104.

This free event will be held at Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York 110-31 Merrick Blvd. from 7 to 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 3 Jaleel Shaw Quartet Shaw provides a wonderful example of how jazz is done right. The Philadelphiabased and Grammy nominated alto saxophonist delivers a level of maturity and awareness inspired by his long tenure with the Mingus Big Band and most recently, the Roy Haynes Quartet. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For additional information, call (718) 262-2559.

This free event will be held at York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., from 7 to 8 p.m.

ONGOING Job Club The Jamaica Neighborhood Center offers a free service to assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007.

For additional information, contact Ethan Chazin, Job Coach, at (718) 7392060, Ext. 18 or echazin67@gmail.com.

This free event will be held at the Jamaica Neighborhood Center - 161-06 89th Ave. Services are available Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

CPR Training The FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit

will hold regularly scheduled free CPR classes in all five boroughs. The first Tuesday through the fourth Tuesday and the fourth Thursday of every month there will be Borough CPR training sessions in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens.

Training is free to anyone over the age of 14. The goal of this program is increase the number of people in New York City trained in bystander CPR Each class lasts 1 hour and participants in the class learn basic CPR skills from a member of the FDNY Emergency Medical Service.

Volunteers for the class follow along using the CPR Anytime Personal Learning Kit, which features an instructional DVD and an inflatable mannequin. All participants are able take home the kit at the end of class and asked to pledge to use the kit to show five of their family members and friends how to perform CPR. This class teaches basic CPR technique and is not a certification course.

In Queens, the classes will be held the fourth Thursday of every month at EMS Station 54, 222-15 Merrick Blvd. In addition, please visit www.nyc.gov/cprtogo for New York Sports Club locations offering free CPR classes starting in January.

Please visit www.fdnyfoundation.org or call (718) 999-2413 for more information.

Group Sessions Clergy United for Community Empowerment, Inc. Group Sessions are located at 89-31 161st St., 10th Floor, Jamaica, for the community on various topics such as Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Substance Abuse intervention, Decision Making, Condom Use, High Risk Behaviors leading to HIV, and self – esteem awareness. All group sessions offer light snacks and beverages. Group sessions are open to the public.

Round-Trip Metro Card reimbursement is available at the end of each completed session. For further information call (718) 297-0720. All services are free. Please call for next group date.

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

Located at 89-31 161 St., 10th floor, Jamaica. Services are available Tue.-Thurs.

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

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

Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

The National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO) is pleased to present a film showing and discussion, “Amilcar Cabral: Leader of the Revolution in Cape Verde and Gunnea-Bissau.”

This free event will be held at Afrikan Poetry Theatre, 176-03 Jamaica Ave., from 3 to 5 p.m.

be able to take advantage of everything the Internet has to offer: You will know how to search for and browse websites and how to navigate the Internet safely. To register, please call (718) 990-5102 or visit the Job Information Center.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10:30 a.m.