Southeast Queens Press Epaper 020312

Volume 13 Issue No. 5 Feb. 3-9, 2012

PAGE 18

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

POWER OF PROTEST

Parents and teachers call on Dept. of Education to remove the PS 118 principal after almost three years of stagnant scores.

By Veronica Lewin ‌ Page 3

Online at www.QueensPress.com

News Briefs Rachel’s Challenge Lives On The Stephen A. Halsey School in Rego Park plans to bring the Rachel’s Challenge program to the school on Feb. 13. Students will unite with teachers, staff, families and communities to promote safety and the prevention of bullying in schools.

Rachel Scott was the first student murdered at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her family later discovered journals and diaries written by the 17-year-old, which expressed her virtues and missions.

Rachel recommended her peers follow five challenges in efforts to continue a pattern of positive attitudes: accepting and having tolerance for all, writing daily journals, choosing influences, sharing kind words and compassion for others, and finding five important people to start a “chain reaction” with.

On Monday, students and staff at JHS 157, located at 63-55 102nd St., will emphasize the importance of each challenge.

The presentation will consist of a morning assembly to enlighten students about Rachel’s life and writings. Later at 7 p.m., parents, teachers and community members will attend an adult workshop to discuss child safety, health and Rachel’s Challenge.

development and employed approximately 6,300 individuals, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Last season alone, the show hired more than 120 principal actors, 180 crew members and more than 7,000 background actors, the majority of whom are from the City.

Oliver said that while New York City strongly supports films and commercials, the City is “securing its legacy as the birthplace of modern television.”

A production like “Gossip Girl” not only brings more national attention to the area, but it brings a big economic impact to the local Long Island City community. Crew members and staffers spend countless hours in the area, and they eat at local restaurants and shop at local stores. Since its debut, the show has used more than 500 local vendors, including lumber and paint from a business in Long Island City.

Part of the reason for “Gossip Girl” and other shows’ and movies’ continued use of the City for their production is due to the New York State Film Production Credit. According to Alan Suna, CEO of Silvercup Studios, more productions would follow Fox’s “Fringe”, which moved from Silvercup to Canada because of the lack of a tax credit a few years ago.

Hizzoner Honors ‘Gossip Girl’

Let There Be Light

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 3-9, 2012

In a star-studded press conference at Long Island City icon Silvercup Studios, Mayor Mike Bloomberg proclaimed Thursday, Jan. 26, as “Gossip Girl” Day in honor of the show’s 100th episode, while highlighting the success of the film and TV industry in the City and its impact on the local economy.

Bloomberg and Media & Entertainment Commissioner Katherine Oliver were joined at the podium by “Gossip Girl” stars Blake Lively, Penn Badgely, Ed Westwick, Matthew Settle, Kelly Rutherford and Kaylee DeFer, along with executive producers Stephanie Savage and Joshua Safran. Savage said that when the opportunity to make “Gossip Girl” was presented, she was told that filming in New York City would be impossible. But the mission became “New York or bust.”

In the last five years, the show — which premiered on the CW on Sept. 19, 2007, and aired its 100th show on Jan. 30 — has spent more than $200 million on local

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Far Rockaway) is trying to shine some light on a dark and potentially dangerous stretch of path behind St. Helen’s School in Howard Beach.

The parochial grammar school sits adjacent to the Belt Parkway at 84th Street and 156th Avenue. Behind the school is a section of an 8.6-mile pedestrian and bike path that runs alongside the Belt Parkway between Howard Beach and Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Goldfeder said the path, which is used by bikers even after dusk, is not adequately lighted and poses a potential safety problem.

Goldfeder wrote to Queens Transportation Commissioner Maura McCarthy asking the agency to install more lighting along the eastbound side of the Belt Parkway where the path is located.

DOT Spokesman Scott Gastel said the agency is conducting a lighting survey in the area to determine if more lightning is needed and if so, where lighting would be placed.

Presstime

Community Protests Failing Principal

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Pols Call For Smaller Police Precincts

BY ROSS BARKAN

State Economic Chief Touts Cuomo’s Budget

BY DOMENICK RAFTER One year ago, a freshly inaugurated Gov. Andrew Cuomo, still hanging new drapes in the Executive Mansion, had an ambitious plan. New York’s fourth governor in five years wanted to make the muchmaligned state government work againand it would start with the budget.

It had become commonplace that New York’s budget would be late, sometimes comically so. In 2010 the budget, which is due on April 1, passed in August. Gov. Cuomo decided his first budget, which would have to close a $10 billion deficit and have to be agreed on by notoriously dysfunctional state legislature, would come on time. Few believed him. But with a day left to spare, the state legislature approved a budget before the deadline for only the second time in nearly three decades, and New Yorkers’ deep cynicism in the functionality of Albany was dealt a blow.

Now, Gov. Cuomo, still basking in skyhigh approval ratings and coming off a successful push for marriage equality and tax reform, is looking to do it again. Kenneth Adams, President and CEO of Empire State Development, the state’s economic development agency, said this year’s budget would not be as heavy a lift as last year’s.

“This year the process was simplified because of the hard work that was done last year,” he explained.

Adams said the budget reform process last year included changes to the way money was spent by the state, including spending increases mandated by law “It was budget growth on autopilot,” he said.

Gov. Cuomo’s proposed budget this year is $132.5 billion, slightly lower than last year, and there is a $2 billion deficit.

That deficit is down from a projected $3.5 billion because of revenue brought in from the tax reform bill that the governor signed into law in December. Under the law, tax surcharges for millionaires were kept while

other taxes were dropped.

Mandated in the budget is a 4 percent increase in Medicaid spending, a 2.2 percent increase in SUNY/CUNY funding and a 2 percent overall spending increase cap.

The budget also includes a 4 percent increase in school aid which will be dependent on school districts approving a teacher evaluation system by Jan. 17, 2013. Included in the budget is $15 billion for infrastructure projects, including bridges, roads, sewers and the MTA. The governor also outlined a new pension reform package for Tier VI public employees that includes an optional 401k, raising the retirement age, and requiring higher income employees to contribute more to retirement plans.

Cuomo’s budget outlines two ways to close the $2 billion deficit: freezing state agency spending and lowering the increased aid to local government from 3.9 percent to 2.6 percent. Both options would save the $2 billion and close the deficit without any spending cuts, new taxes or borrowing.

The budget needs to be approved by the state legislature, which is in the middle of a fight over redistricting, which would also need to be approved in the next few months.

Reaction from legislators has been minimal so far, as many get their first look at it.

Assemblyman Mike Miller (DWoodhaven) praised the budget, but noted he had reservation about the governor’s planned Tier VI pension reforms.

“Since this year’s budget deficit will be closed by a freeze in the increase of several state agencies, we will not see the dramatic cuts that we have seen in previous years. State agencies will be able to operate with business as usual,” Miller said.

“This will increase the effectiveness of our government while taking away from its overbearing cost.”

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

Feb. 3-9, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

A gathering of Queens civic leaders backed St ate Sen. Tony Avella (DBayside) and Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) in calling for the chopping up of the 105th and 109th precincts into smaller divisions.

In the lobby of the building housing Avella's office on Bell Boulevard, the Democratic duo and the civic leaders argued that geographically the two precincts are too large and police are spread too thin. Avella insisted this was not an indictment of the officers at these precincts, but is instead an issue of providing adequate funding for new precinct buildings.

He announced that he would be introducing state legislation to chop up the precincts into subdivisions.

"The very fact that Commissioner Kelly and Mike Bloomberg are now building a five billion dollar police academy just raises the question that we can't find 20 million dollars, 30 million dollars to build two police precincts?" Avella said. "It is inconsistency."

The Jan. 27 press conference highlighted an issue that has been years in the making for some concerned locals.

Though crime over the past decade has plummeted, both precincts have seen a rise in overall crime from the previous year.

Leaders from civic associations like the Queens Civic Congress, Queens Village

Civic, Queens Colony Civic, Bay Terrace Community Alliance, Bellerose Hillside Civic, and Creedmoor Civic all echoed the general complaint that the 105th Pct, spanning from John. F. Kennedy Airport to Floral Park, runs too far north and south to effectively provide protection for everyone in the precinct. The 105th Pct. covers 12.6 miles, the largest in Queens.

Similarly, the 109th Pct., contended the politicians and civic leaders, cannot adequately cover downtown Flushing and communities like Bay Terrace and Whitestone, which are further from precinct headquarters.

"We were told by police experts that if there actually was an emergency, the difference in response time, if the coverage had to come from the 111th Precinct, which would always have a car sitting here on Bell Boulevard, or had to come from a car somewhere in the 109th, would be 90 second or more," Warren Schreiber, president of the Bay Terrace Community Alliance, said.

In 2007, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelley created a satellite station house at the southern end of the 105th Pct. Avella would like to see this satellite station become an eventual precinct unto itself. The NYPD did not respond to requests for comment as of press time.

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

investigation of OforiFeaster. Parents were then invited inside to voice their concerns to the DOE. The DOE’s investigation is ongoing and no decisions have been made yet.

“I hope that the Dept. of Education does not waste time because an elementary child’s life is too critical to waste,” Comrie said.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. Concerned parents held signs after school on Friday, calling for the ousting of Principal Cynthia Ofori-Feaster.

123.

Photo by Ira Cohen

After 36 months of a lack of progress under Principal Cynthia Ofori-Feaster’s reign, the frustration of parents and teachers reached a fever pitch last Friday. Their voices carried a message from the steps of PS 118 up to the principal’s office: “Save Our Children; Feaster’s Got to Go!” Dozens of concerned parents and teachers protested on the steps of PS 118 after school on Jan. 27, calling on the Dept. of Education for Ofori-Feaster’s immediate termination. During the 200809 school year, PS 118 earned an “A” on its Progress Report. Since Ofori-Feaster took over the St. Albans school two and a half years ago, the grade has been a stagnant “C.” Parents, teachers and staff at the protest blamed the principal’s intimidation tactics as the reason for the elementary school’s decline.

“Look at the data. Look at the facts.

Look at where we were and where we’re at now. Look who put us here and make a decision that does not include the demise of our children,” said PTA President Jasmin Farrier, who organized the protest.

Farrier has two children at the school a son in third grade and a daughter in kindergarten. She said the principal ended a reading and writing workshop and took

away new materials from teachers, forcing them to use outdated materials.

“This woman does not have the capability to run a learning institution by any way, shape or form,” Farrier added.

According to Lelia Clement, OforiFeaster fired a teacher in front of the elementary school students. Clement said she works in the cafeteria and has seen firsthand the unprofessional methods of Ofori-Feaster. She protested for a little more than 30 minutes before having to go back to work at 3 p.m.

“She is so disrespectful. I’m not out here for revenge; I’m out here for change,” Clement said.

Valerie Darby served on the school’s PTA for 25 years, but said she left last year after she grew tired of Ofori-Feaster’s policies.

“I was really put down to the ground,” Darby said. “I pulled out because I could not deal with her.” Ofori-Feaster did not return requests for comment as of printing.

City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said a group of faculty, staff and parents went to his office before Friday’s protest to announce plans to make their frustrations public.

While the protest was taking place outside, DOE officials met with school administration and union leaders to aid their

Willets Point Center Plan Still Alive

BY ROSS BARKAN

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he was dropping the nation’s largest convention center in Southwest Queens, the popular logic of the hour was that this meant the death of a convention center at Willets Point.

Not so, said Borough President Helen Marshall and the supporters of development at Willets Point, where some still dream of the sewer-free auto repair-haven as an urban compliment to downtown Flushing.

“The story should be that the EDC [Environmental Development Corporation], Claire Shulman, and New York City government sold the whole entire city that there was going to be a convention center at Willets Point,” Jake Bono said. Bono is a member of Willets Point United, a coalition of Willets Point property owners fighting, in their own words, eminent domain abuse at the Iron Triangle. “It was a big selling point for people to agree to steal people’s land at Willets Point.”

The feasibility of two convention centers in Queens may seem especially questionable in a still-frail economic environment. Despite the Governor lauding convention centers as economic sparkplugs, some experts, like University of Texas at San Antonio economics professor Heywood Sanders, have publically rejected this claim.

Dreams of Willets Point Convention Center have not died yet.

“I’ve looked at these convention centers from one end of the country to the other,” Sanders said. “What happens is, they don’t work the way consultants and forecasters say, and the way promises say.”

Sanders said the convention center building boom has diluted the market, and the recent recession has only hurt attendance further. Overall, national conven-

tion center attendance has dropped precipitously since the early 1990s.

Few politicians seem to acknowledge this, though. The two theoretical Queens convention centers will not compete with one another, said former Borough President Claire Shulman, now president of the City-sponsored Flushing Willets Point Corona LDC. “A Willets Point convention center is

very feasible,” Shulman said. “First of all, we don’t know what will happen with Aqueduct. The governor certainly has a good plan for a major, extraordinary convention center, but it would not be competitive with the one at Willets Point.

Willets Point would have a modest convention center meant to deal with trade shows, small exhibits, and would be a completely different project.”

Shulman estimated the Willets Point convention center would be between 400,000 and 800,000 square feet, much smaller than Cuomo’s 3.8 million square foot proposal. Queens Chamber of Commerce President Jack Friedman, a longtime Shulman ally, agreed that a Willets Point convention center makes as much sense now as it once did in a pre-Aqueduct convention center universe. However, his vision of a convention center would be smaller than Shulman’s.

“The convention centers are two separate concepts; one will happen right away, one won’t happen for a decade,” Friedman said. “What we’re looking for is more a conference center, meeting space, and exhibition space of about 100,000 to 200,000 square feet. Comparing Cuomo’s proposal and the Willets Point convention center is like comparing a brick schoolhouse to a university.”

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

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BY VERONICA LEWIN

With the housing market in Southeast Queens showing little to no improvement over the past two years, elected officials are calling on the governor to include foreclosure prevention funding in the next fiscal budget.

Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) held a press conference on the steps of City Hall Monday with lawmakers and non-profits that represent the districts throughout New York hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. They are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to include $1 million in the 2012-13 Executive Budget for the Foreclosure Prevention Services Program.

“It’s an issue that’s not titillating but it’s critical,” Comrie said.

Since the Foreclosure Prevention Services Program was implemented in 2008, more than 80,000 homeowners have been helped and at least 14,000 homes were saved from foreclosure statewide. The electeds think additional funding could help more people, especially in the hardest hit districts.

Comrie said many people do not understand the foreclosure process, and education could prevent a continuation of the crisis. The Executive Budget proposal includes the creation of a Foreclosure Relief Unit to assist homeowners through outreach, programs and assistance. The Foreclosure Relief Unit will not cost the state additional money.

in New York City. Rochdale, Springfield Gardens and St. Albans made the top 10 list citywide for their pre-foreclosure rate.

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

Southeast Queens’ elected officials and community leaders called on the governor for foreclosure funding on Monday.

Koo Looks Forward To Life As Democrat

BY ROSS BARKAN Seated in a bright conference room facing one of downtown Flushing’s cacophonous arteries, the newest Democrat in the City Council, Peter Koo (D-Flushing), contemplated why he had been a Republican in the first place and how his quest to collaborate further with fellow politicians—and win re-election—would be easier with the overwhelming majority.

He announced his party swap to much Democratic fanfare last week. Because of the Democratic majority within the City Council, Koo’s leadership options were nearly non-existent.

“I could never become a committee chairman (as a Republican) even though I always feel I have a lot of experience

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that I can share with other members. I can be a leader, I advocate for a lot of things, but I had no opportunity.”

An upbeat Koo, now able to more easily work with fellow local politicians like Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing), clarified a much quoted statement made last week that he was always a “Democrat at heart.”

Koo reflected on his life as a first generation immigrant from Hong Kong, saying that he felt Democratic intentions were better than Republican intentions when it came to making life better for immigrants. His support of the DREAM Act, proposed legislation that would ease the path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, has not synced up locally and nationally with GOP rhetoric.

Referring to himself as a “loner” when he was in the Queens GOP, Koo said he still fondly recalls former U.S. President Ronald Reagan as the person who inspired him to become a Republican. Koo’s entrepreneurship has also made him quite wealthy — he owns a chain of pharmacies in Flushing.

“I always remind myself, I’m an immigrant, I have to help myself first,” Koo said. “That’s why I said, ‘Oh, the Republican Party philosophy is nice, almost like my own philosophy.’ It’s like the Chinese philosophy. Confucian philosophy always says take care of yourself and your family.

Once you do those two things, you can help the community, help the country.”

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

Feb. 3-9, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

THE YORK COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

S P E C I A L P R E S E N TAT I O N S E R I E S

Y O R K

The press conference was held the same day the Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project released a new report about foreclosures in the Big Apple.

According to the study, Southeast Queens had the highest number of 90-day preforeclosure notices in the City. As many as 150 mortgages were in distress for every 1,000 units in Southeast Queens. The study revealed the foreclosure crisis has hit communities of color the hardest, accounting for 64 percent of pre-foreclosure notices

Photo courtesy of Councilman Comrie’s office.

Officials Ask For Foreclosure Help

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 Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

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

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2012 Tribco, LLC

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 3-9, 2012

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

Fairness Matters!

It seems that no one is happy with the new State Senate and Assembly district lines proposed by the New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR). The proposals have clearly been drawn to favor incumbent partisan control of the Senate and Assembly. More distressing is how the interests of many minority groups have been ignored in favor of benefiting white incumbents in minority districts.

Gov. Cuomo has already vowed to veto the proposals as they stand, and we hope the Governor stands by that. These new district maps, however, should never make it to Cuomo’s desk for a veto.

Before the proposals make it to the Governor, the State Senate and Assembly must first approve them. The conventional wisdom is that despite almost universal opposition to the plans, the legislature would pass them on with minor tweaking because of the benefit to the incumbent.

Despite appearances to the contrary, the Legislature was elected to serve the interests of the residents of New York State. If the Senate and Assembly vote to approve these maps, they would only be serving themselves and not their constituents.

Instead of waiting for the inevitable veto from Gov. Cuomo, Legislators should listen to the concerns of New Yorkers statewide and send the task force back to the drawing board. Give us maps that fairly represent all of us and stop wasting our time with this partisan nonsense.

We only wish there was time for a truly independent commission to redraw them. Perhaps that will ultimately fall to the courts because the legislature continues to demonstrate they are a dysfunctional, self-serving body.

Letters Wrong Approach To the Editor: The recent efforts to promote the so-called Unity Map Proposal for redistricting Queens’ legislative districts is disturbing in that it seems to presume there is only one kind of common interest amongst citizens: ethnicity.

Like most New Yorkers, I am as ethnically identified as it gets, but what has that to do with the principal issues of my neighborhood? The proposed Senate District 13, running from Flushing to Bayside, is a good illustration of the folly of making any one criterion the only one in drawing the

Letters district map. My neighborhood is one of private homes; the major issues have been zoning, landmarking, teardowns and outof-context McMansions. Downtown Flushing is an urban area of increasingly high-rise apartments, whether rented or owned; the major issues are out-of-control asof-right building, politically-protected developers, shoddy and illegal construction, congestion and density; the Latino and Asian newcomers there also have immigrant issues. There is virtually no overlap of legislative and constituent-service concerns and this would hold true if the entire area was exclusively one ethnic group.

I suspect some of those involved in creating the Unity Map do not know this about our neighborhoods, and could not name the principle issues in other Queens neighborhoods, either.

And they probably don’t care, either; it is a matter of abstract principal for them, not of real, lived lives in a community.

Of course, what the third-rate politicians in Albany will come up with will also completely ignore the shared assortment of conditions and concerns that makes a neighborhood a community, and several communities a natural district. This makes it all the more unfortunate that the alternative presented in the Unity Map Proposal is not a reasonable substitute.

Cheshire Frager, Bayside

Tax Falsehoods To The Editor: During his recent State of the City address, Mayor Bloomberg made a statement which cannot go unchallenged.

The mayor said, “We said we’d… hold the line on taxes. And in partnership with Speaker Christine Quinn and the City Council we did.” This is patently false.

Since Bloomberg has been mayor, he has proposed raising property taxes every single year (and in 2010, actually two times) and like clockwork, the city council has approved all of them. In fact, my property tax has been raised about 150 percent, which works out to an increase of around $3,800.

For the past three years, Mayor Bloomberg has publicly stated that he has balanced the city’s budget without raising taxes. Not true. He has raised property taxes. On Speaker Quinn’s website, she states that she has not raised taxes since she has been speaker, which has been since 2006. This is also not true, as she has, along with the city council, approved every single one of the mayor’s proposed property tax increases since 2006. We must remember this when she runs for mayor in 2013.

Jayson Levitz, Hollis Hills

WRITE ON:

The PRESS of Southeast Queens, 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357 email news@queenspress.com

It’s Time To Raise The Minimum Wage A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE One of this week’s hottest political topics will impact a whole lot of New Yorkers throughout the city and state, whether or not its proposal comes to fruition.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver are in agreement that it is time to raise the minimum wage from the federally-mandated $7.25 per hour to somewhere above $8. It’s about doggone time. Several states have already raised theirs and now Bloomberg and Silver would like to see New York follow suit.

Putting the current minimum wage in perspective, a 40-hour per-week employee makes only about $290 per week. When you consider transportation cost to and from work, food, housing, childcare, etc, you realize that it is keeping our citizens in poverty rather than helping them to achieve their version of the American dream. The cost of living is at an all-time high. If you have a car you know that the price of gas is

nearly $4 per gallon. If you have a house you know that 100 gallons of oil is over $500. Food, cleaning products, laundry supplies and toiletries are outrageously priced. A large tube of toothpaste is now peaking at $4, so how on earth can the minimum wage stay the same? That’s just bad math.

Experts are predicting that if it is not raised, people will lose their incentive to work “because a job is the single most effective antipoverty tool ever created.” But if the salary from that job is not worth the time and expense it takes to get there, people won’t want to go. Minimum wage, they say, was created to help those who are trying to help themselves and cut down the number of people who would otherwise be on welfare. However, reports say that New York’s minimum wage has increased by only five cents over the past five years. Yep, you read it right. Five cents.

You can’t even buy a mint with five cents anymore. We have to do better by our workers who toil in jobs that so many of us have pulled ourselves up from with

experience, skills training and higher education. Not everyone is in a position to further their schooling. Not everyone wants to. But we need those jobs done.

The people who clean the offices, pick the fruits, make the pizza, wash the dishes and answer the phone at any organization are as valuable to the running of our cities, states and nations as the people at the top of the corporate ladder – sometimes more so. They should be compensated in a manner that makes them feel valued. After 40 hours of labor, a man should be able to afford dinner and a movie with his wife or girlfriend. A mom should be able to treat her child to a special gift for a great report card. Working is about dignity as much as it is about eating. However, when we poorly compensate someone for his or her labor, we undervalue them not only as employees but as human beings as well.

Many companies do voluntarily pay their low-level employees more than the state minimum wage, and kudos to them. A clean environment is of great value to the aesthetics of an organization, so

let’s pay the cleaning people like their efforts matter to us. The guy who arranges the fruits and vegetables at the green grocer’s plays an important role in the success of that business; so pay him enough to be able to afford to buy and take some home for his family. He shouldn’t have to rely on cutting off the bad parts of the apple and give the good part to his children.

This is not to say that an additional 50 cents or dollar per hour is going to suddenly change anyone’s life. Far from it. But it is a bit of an incentive to get out of bed at five or six o’clock in the morning. Any movement in the upward position is going to be good for morale and good for the economy. Childcare costs are upwards of $125 per week in Queens, so if a mother is offered $290 per week at work and the baby-sitter is getting nearly or half of it, then what’s the point in going to work?

It is time to help those who want to help themselves. A raise in the minimum wage has no downside.

Kudos to those who are in support of this idea, it’s time has definitely come.

Truth Is The First Casualty In Redistricting, As In War

By HENRY STERN The political issue of the year in New York State is redistricting following the 2010 census. New lines for legislative and Congressional districts must be drawn in time for the 2012 elections. New York is on the path to being one of the slowest states to adopt new lines.

Money may be the mother’s milk of politics, but district lines are the arteries through which blood flows to nourish the body. They define the playing field, and the tilt. The result is likely to be a doubletilted field, advancing the interests of the leadership of both parties at the expense of independents, dissidents, freethinkers and outsiders.

In a generally liberal and humane state like New York, it is useful for elected officials to be perceived as reformers, supporting honest and competitive elections, and rejecting rigged scenarios for suppressing dissent. The legislators try to achieve the result of limiting free choice and Henry suppressing dissent while appearing to do the opposite.

That is why this is one of the more interesting issues that the powers that be deal with. The issue arises every ten years, which is when the Constitution of the United States requires redistricting. Distasteful as it may be, there is no way to avoid redistricting totally. But insiders, lobbyists and political machines can help to minimize its effects.

A classical proposal made by reformers is for an independent commission, preferably of academics or jurists, to draw district lines. Although such a blue-ribbon panel would also be subject to manipulation, it would be more difficult to manipulate than a panel of politicians, which is what the incumbents would generally prefer. Standards for population parity, contiguity and compactness, respect for physical boundaries, attention to political boundaries, and consideration for ethnic groups are part of the medley for considering the delineation of boundaries of electoral districts.

The incumbents who control the drawing of the lines have a primary interest in self-preservation, which is truthfully described as the first law of nature. As a result, lines

drawn by the participants or their proxies should be viewed with a high degree of suspicion.

Politics is not a field of human enterprise with a high reputation for probity. The public is correct in its dim view of the ethics of some, but not all, elected officials. The desire to win the approval of constituents, many of whom have conflicting economic interests and moral values, brings about a level of deception in public statements and private undertakings, wherein candidates wish to appear as reflecting the views of a majority of their constituents, whether or not this is actually the case.

We are fast approaching the throes of political redistricting, a process which determines the influence and even the tenure of elected officials. If a redistricting bill passes both houses, it will go to Governor Cuomo. If he signs it, the matter will go to the Federal courts for review. If he vetoes it, the Legislature will have to adopt another bill or Stern over-ride the veto, which would require a twothirds vote of both houses. That would be difficult to obtain unless the fight is fixed. A proud governor is not likely to take a dive. But a high-stakes negotiation can yield the same result, if the media gives the governor a pass on his public commitment.

LATFOR, the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research, has offered proposals which are particularly egregious, in terms of good government and community values. Although the governor is highly unlikely to approve its odious proposals, which are contrary to every principle he has supported, the substitute that is likely to be offered will be less offensive. Nonetheless, if it is adopted, it will put off fair and honest districting for at least a decade.

Whatever mess of pottage is offered deserves the veto that it has been promised.

The Federal courts have set June 26 as the date for a Congressional primary, though it has yet to be decided when the primary for state and local races will be. In an unprecedented turn of events, it now appears likely that there will be three statewide primary dates in New York

State this year: the first on April 24, when Republicans will select their nominee for President; the second on June 26th; and the third most probably in September. These three primaries are almost cer tain to lead to confusion among the electorate and diminish voter turnout to levels even lower than the currently abysmal numbers, in which New York ranks 48th in the nation in voter participation.

Considering the time needed for adoption of the new district lines, for consideration if there is a veto, for court challenges, for mailing ballots to soldiers overseas and receiving them, the schedule is tight as it is. Further proceedings will lead to additional delay.

We predict that the next four months will see a political circus, as both par ties circle around to protect their members from their constituents while appearing to be advocates of change, reform and progress. We are highly skeptical of anything the participants say on the subject, particularly when they discuss their motives.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

Feb. 3-9, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

New District Maps Raise Concerns On All Sides

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 3-9, 2012

What do Lindenwood and Astoria have in common? How about Breezy Point and Jamaica Estates? If Senate Republicans have their way, one thing these neighborhood pairings from far sides of the borough will have in common is a State Senator.

A sigh of relief devolved into a whistle of disbelief when the state legislature’s map-drawing commission, New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR), finally released their proposed new district maps Jan. 26. The maps, drawn as a result of the 2010 Census numbers, would be the districts represented in Albany for the next ten years- if they are approved.

But the reaction to the maps has been almost unanimously negative, ranging from furious surprise to cynical resentment. A multi-year battle to change the way the state redraws its district never even got hot and any hope that this would finally be the time for a new way to draw maps were quickly shattered into a million pieces shaped like the jagged districts that LATFOR drew.

Assembly Most of the borough’s State Assembly districts remain similar, with some minor changes.

However, the districts in Eastern Queens have been changed significantly to accommodate the growing AsianAmerican population. The 22nd district, represented by Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing), currently the only Asian-American in the state legislature, shifts north to include not only Downtown Flushing, but also Linden Hill.

Assemblyman Rory Lancman’s (DHillcrest) 25th district, which previously stretched from Bowne Park to Richmond Hill, has been completely reconfigured.

The new 25th runs along the Long Island Expressway in Flushing between Queensboro Hill and Douglaston, including Queens College and Fresh Meadows.

The new district has an Asian-American majority. Though Lancman can run again in the district, he has been hinting at a possible run for Congress against U.S. Rep. Bob Turner (R-Middle Village), which could open up the district for an AsianAmerican candidate. David Weprin’s (DLittle Neck) 24th district was also altered.

It now runs from Bellerose to Richmond Hill, straddling the Grand Central Parkway and including Hollis Hills, Weprin’s home in Holliswood, St. John’s University, Briarwood and a portion of Richmond Hill. The new district would have significant — and growing — South Asian and Indo-Caribbean populations.

Senate Queens’ Senate districts did not fare as well as its Assembly districts. Two sets

nificant Hispanic population.

Some communities who found themselves divided in the maps are fuming and not taking it quietly. Woodhaven, which had previously been entirely located within the same Assembly and Senate districts, is now divided into three different Senate districts including one based in Astoria and another based in South Jamaica.

“When it comes to the Senate lines, the people of Woodhaven are being treated as pawns in Albany’s gerrymandering games,” said Woodhaven Residents Block Association spokesman Alexander Blenkinsopp.

“The new legislative maps are an abomination and are gerrymandered to break up our communities that have simply asked to remain united,” said Bob Freidrich, president of Glen Oaks Village. Though Glen Oaks, Floral Park, New Hyde Park and Bellerose ended up in one Senate district, the neighborhoods were divided into two Assembly districts — the 24th, which stretches to Richmond Hill, and the 26th, which goes to Whitestone. The district boundaries slice Glen Oaks in half.

of Democratic incumbents have been thrown into the same districts and another is placed in one that is Republican-leaning. In order to do that, Senate Republicans drew districts where they connected Astoria Park to the Belt Parkway, Forest Park to Rosedale and Bay Terrace to the intersection of Broadway and Northern Boulevard in Woodside.

State Sens. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing), who both live in Whitestone, were drawn into the same district - the 11th - which includes most of the district Avella Just The Beginning currently represents. The Senate Democrats have al11th district would also gain ready filed a lawsuit against the Electchester, which could Senate plan, calling it unconstiput it out of reach for a Retutional. At the base of their arpublican challenger. gument is the creation of a 63rd State Sens. Jose Peralta Senate district, which Senate Re(D-East Elmhurst) and publicans say was created to acMichael Gianaris (Dcount for population shifts. The Astoria), a longtime outspocurrent Senate has 62 seats. The ken supporter of indepenlawsuit, filed by State Sen. Mardent redistricting, were tin Dilan (D-Brooklyn), calls the drawn into the same district, creation of the district “blatantly based in Jackson Heights The proposed map for Senate District 12 which stretches from unconstitutional” because the and Corona. The district Astoria to Howard Beach. reasons used by LATFOR to jussplits Northern Astoria in tify it are paradoxical. The State half at approximately Ditmars Boulevard, Bay Terrace, Downtown Flushing, Fresh Constitution allows for districts to be throwing the Steinway section into Meadows and Broadway in Elmhurst, is added when population grows, but the Peralta’s district and the rest of the neigh- 50.4 percent Asian-American. lawsuit alleges that LATFOR applied difBut not far outside the borough bound- ferent methodologies in different areas borhood in a district that includes much of Gianaris’ current territory in Long Is- aries, groups pressing for representation of the state to justify the creation of a land City and Ridgewood, plus sections of minority communities are saying the new district. of Woodhaven, Ozone Park and reasoning for the gerrymandering — proJosh Vlasto, spokesman for Gov. AnLindenwood along the Brooklyn border. moting minority districts — does not fly drew Cuomo, called the maps “simply unState Sen. Joe Addabbo’s (D-Howard statewide. Nassau County Legislator Car- acceptable” last week and reaffirmed a veto Beach) 15th district has been dramatically rie Solages said minority votes on Long threat. A veto would throw the maps to the altered, taking out parts of Sunnyside, Island, including his community of courts, which could then draw the lines.

Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park and Elmont, which has demographics similar Senate Republicans have offered the replacing them with the conservative west- to Southeast Queens, are being split into possibility of an amendment to the state ern end of the Rockaway Peninsula, Re- different districts to help incumbent Re- constitution to change the redistricting publican-leaning Kew Gardens Hills and publican legislators. process, but any amendment would go “The proposed lines further dilute into effect during the next redistricting, Jamaica Estates. The district would be far more Republican than its predecessor- Elmont’s vote to the point of irrelevance, which will be in 2022. drawn into 2002 to protect former State ensuring that the community will have no “We’re engaged in a little theater right Sen. Serphin Maltese, a Republican whom chance of electing a candidate of their choice now,” said Gianaris, who said he was confiAddabbo defeated in 2008. State Sen. in the State Senate,” he said. “With this plan, dent Gov. Cuomo would follow through Shirley Huntley’s (D-Jamaica) 10th district the Republicans have effectively eliminated with his threat to veto LATFOR’s maps. would take Far Rockaway from State Sen. any chance of Long Island having a minor- Gianaris added that while most of the disMalcolm Smith (D-Hollis) and much of ity senator for at least the next 10 years.” dain has been saved for the Senate maps, it Gianaris said Peralta’s 13th district is unlikely the legislature approves the maps Richmond Hill and Woodhaven from Addabbo, ceding to him Broad Channel could be drawn with a Hispanic majority for one body and not the other, meaning and Lindenwood. Smith would lose the without adding the part of Astoria where the Assembly maps may also be vetoed.

Rockaway Peninsula, his district would he lives and forcing a primary.

Congressional maps still have not He added that the maps did not sur- been released. Last week a judge upheld end at Sunrise Highway in Rosedale and he would gain Kew Gardens, Briarwood prise him. a primary for Congressional races in late “I fully expected this product,” he said. June, meaning those maps would have and a section of Forest Hills.

“Those of us calling for reform had been been finalized in a few months. As of now, telling anyone who listened that this state legislative primaries will held in SepSwift Reaction Senate Republicans said new Senate would be the product if you let the legis- tember, and if that stays put, maps would districts are drawn to accommodate the lature draw the lines” need to be finalized by early summer.

According to Census numbers, the borough’s changing demographics and Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at strengthen minority representation. The Northeastern portion of Astoria placed drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357proposed new 16th district, which includes into Peralta’s district does not have a sig- 7400 Ext. 125.

Police Blotter Compiled by JASON PAFUNDI

101st Precinct City Employee Busted Alfred Walcott, a 46-year-old black male high school paraprofessional, was arrested on Jan. 25 and charged with multiple counts of rape and criminal sex acts after it was learned he was having a relationship with a 16-year-old female.

Prosecutors said he had consensual sex with the girl five times in his car between March and June 2011.

Walcott has worked in City schools since 1985. He has been suspended without pay and faces up to 20 years in prison.

102nd Precinct Check Forgery The NYPD is seeking the public’s help in identifying four suspects wanted for grand larceny.

According to authorities, on Nov. 2122, 2011, the four suspects visited several Chase banks in Queens and cashed 25 forged checks totaling more than $40,000.

Anyone with information in regard to this investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-80 0-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by tex t i n g t h e i r t i p s to 274637

(CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Suspect Wanted The police is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the an individual wanted for a grand larceny which took place on Jan. 11, 2012 in front of 80-16 97 Ave. in Jamaica. The suspect entered the victim’s parked automobile and removed credit cards, a radio and a GPS. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crimestoppers website, nypdcrimestoppers.com, or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637) and then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

105th Precinct Missing Children The NYPD is asking for the public’s help in locating two missing children who were last seen Jan. 26 at 137-17 234th Rd. in Laurelton.

The first missing is Darnell Williams, who is described as an 11-year-old black male, approximately 4’10” tall, weighing 80 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a red Old Navy hooded sweatshirt, black Air Jordan sneakers and blue jeans.

The second missing is Chelsea Williams, a 13-year-old black female, approximately 5’3” tall, weighing 155 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a black pea coat, dark sweat pants, brown Polo boots and a gray scarf.

Both missing children live at 137-17 234th Rd. in Laurelton.

Anyone with information in regards to this missing 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) and then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

109th Precinct Bank Robbery The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted in connection with a robbery at a Chase bank in Flushing.

According to police, the male suspect entered the bank, located at 57-27 Main St., on Jan. 20 at 5:22 p.m., approached a teller and demanded cash. The teller complied and handed the man an unknown amount of cash before he f led.

Anyone with information in regard to this investigation 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 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

115th Precinct Christmas Robbery The NYPD is asking for assistance in identifying a man wanted for questioning in regards to a robbery/criminal impersonation of a police officer on Christmas Day. According to police, on Sunday, Dec. 25, at approximately 8:20 a.m., an unidentified male suspect approached a 50year-old Hispanic man in the rear of 3538 96th St. The suspect identified himself as a police officer, proceeded to search the victim and removed the victim’s watch and wallet before fleeing the location.

The suspect is described as a black man approximately 5-foot-6.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident 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) and then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Borough Beat

BY JASON PAFUNDI

Christine Sweets. “The staff is great, the equipment is well maintained and there is plenty of room for our business to grow.”

Marshall and the other elected officials in attendance — Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), Assemblywoman Grace Meng (DFlushing), State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Forest Hills), Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst), all touted the facility’s impact on the lo- Patrons explore the offerings of over 30 vendors during the E-Space’s first birthday celcal economy.

“It’s 170 new entrepreneurs start- ebration. ing new businesses and they are all creating jobs,” Van Bramer said. “There is The birthday party ended with an overno city without small businesses and the the-top presentation of a frozen slice of creation of food is the beginning of so cake from Elizabeth Taylor’s 60th birthmany small businesses that make up this day party held at Disneyland in 1992. important sector of the economy. We The cake, which lasted twice as long need to invest more in places like this.” as the longest of Taylor’s eight marriages, In her recent State of the Borough ad- was donated to the E-Space by author dress, Marshall spoke of the need for con- Jane Scovell, who helped Taylor write the tinued economic development, and the book “Elizabeth Takes Off.” E-Space, she said, certainly helps with “It was just so cute and thought that I that plan. don’t need to eat it,” Scovell said. “I “When we wrote the proposal for it, wrapped it up, took it home and stuck it this is exactly what they were supposed in the freezer.” to do,” Marshall said. “We understood For more information on the E-Space what the message was, and today it’s a and its available services, call (718) 392little easier because there is more respect 0025. for people opening up small businesses.

Reach Reporter Jason Pafundi at And they are all young and what they are jpafundi@queenstribune.com or (718) 357doing is unique.”

7400, Ext. 128.

Feb. 3-9, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Mitchell Greenberg loves marshmallows. And if not for the Entrepreneur Space and their commercial kitchen, Greenberg would just be known as a guy who loves marshmallows, not as the founder and owner of a marshmallowmaking company.

The Queens Economic Development Corp. and executive director Seth Bornstein celebrated the Entrepreneur Space’s first birthday with a food-tasting event at the facility in Long Island City on Jan. 25. The event was attended by elected officials from across the borough, including Borough President Helen Marshall, who saluted the E-Space for the work it does.

The E-Space, located at 36-46 37th St. in LIC, is an innovative incubator that provides a home to emerging businesses and organizations seeking a commercial kitchen, small office or classroom. Clients also receive business counseling, technical assistance and networking opportunities, all at a reasonable cost.

In yeoman’s terms, the E-Space provides an opportunity for upstart businesses, mostly food-related, to rent time in a commercial kitchen to make their products. In order to sell food in New York City, it must be made in a commercial kitchen and that is an expensive un-

dertaking, so the E-Space provides the entrepreneurs the chance to produce their product at a low cost.

Without the E-Space, the majority of the businesses that make up their clientele — nearly 200 — would not be able to survive.

Count Greenberg and his Mitchmallows company as one of the businesses that depends on the E-Space and its kitchen. Greenberg sells interesting f lavors of marshmallow, including beer and pretzel and watermelon margarita, and without the kitchen space to test his ideas, he’d have no business.

“Because of the kitchen, Mitchmallows has a home,” Greenberg said. “I’m celebrating my first birthday right along side the kitchen.”

Greenberg currently sells his product online at mitchmallows.com, but with the help of the E-Space’s kitchen along with their business training services, he hopes to one day have his own storefront.

The E-Space birthday party featured tasting stations by more than 30 of the group’s clients. Joining Mitchmallows was Christine Sweets (christinesweets.com), NYC Hot Sauce (nychotsauce.com) and the Sans Bakery (sansbakery-nyc.com), which makes a wide assortment of glutton-free desserts.

“Baking here instantly doubled our production,” said Christine Goldfuss of

Tribune Photo by Jason Pafundi

E-Space Celebrates First Birthday

pix

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

Required Reading Clayton Kirking chief of art information services, reads Rochdale resident William West’s art book on the Occupy Wall Street movement at the New York Public Library.

Photo by Ira Cohen

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall helped to honor famed Tuskegee Airmen at a fundraiser for The Learning Tree in Corona Jan. 28. The Tuskegee Airmen, a legendary African American squadron that fought and won fame in World War 2, were feted by the school at a restaurant in Long Island City. A new film, “Red Tails,” tells the story of the Alabama-based, 332nd Squadron. Pictured (from left) are George Watson Sr., Dabney Montgomery, Marshall, fighter pilot Roscoe Brown and Wilfred DeFour.

College Bound Brown Sworn In

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 3-9, 2012

Tuskegee Airmen Honored

The Hon. Milton Mollen (left), former presiding judge of the Appellate Division, second department, administered the oath of office to Queens DA Richard Brown. Brown’s wife, Rhonda (center), is also pictured.

The You Can Go To College Committee recently celebrated its 15th Annual Achievement Awards and sending more than 4,200 students to college.

Pictured (seated, from left) are honoree Detective Mary Woods, Sister Shirley Dye, Executive Director Dorita Clark, Honorees Monique Meyers, Dr. Charlene Smith.(standing, from left) honoree Charles Billups, Councilman Leroy Comrie, honorees John Crow, Eric Green, Lt. Dennis Mitchell, Assemblyman William Scarborough, Honorees Donovan Richards, Eric Sanders, Esq. Anthony Quarless.

Feb. 3-9, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Profile

Woman As Interesting As Her Name

BY VERONICA LEWIN It is believed that Queens is named after Catherine of Braganza, the Queen of England when the county was created in 1683. Not many people can say they share any similarities with the name of the county they call home, except one woman in Queens Village who spends her free time helping people in her namesake, the borough of Queens.

Karen Queensborough was born and raised in South Ozone Park. She now lives in Queens Village and works for the federal government. With the exception of attending Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan, Queensborough has lived in the county her entire life. While growing up in the borough, her last name has spiked the curiosity of strangers and peers.

“It’s a constant question. ‘Your last name is Queensborough and you live in Queens,’” she said people often point out.

People often joke with her and ask if borough landmarks are named after her, including the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and the public library system. Even after a lifetime of jokes about her last name, Queensborough said she plans to keep her maiden name after she gets married.

After 36 years of living in Queens, her last name may be one of the least interesting things about her.

Karen Queensborough has plans to help youth by becoming a juvenile defense attorney.

Queensborough has been an active member of Community Board 13 for nearly three years. She wants CB 13 to combat the ongoing crime in the area this year.

“I think there’s a lot of crime still going on,” she said. Queensborough said the economic recession is not the sole reason for the spike of crime, but a lack of police presence and activities for youth contribute as well. She hopes her community board will help fight for an in-

creased police presence in the area.

Queensborough would like CB 13 to partner with local schools and courts to increase the number of after-school programs. She said there are not enough programs for young people from 3 to 7 p.m., a time where many students are not supervised because parents are still at work.

“Kids need more things to do instead of getting in trouble and not focusing on their studies,” she said.

Outside of the community board, Queensborough is a member of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral. She said she does whatever she can to reach out to struggling youth. She enjoys working with kids and adolescents and has plans to become a juvenile defense attorney within the next year. Queensborough currently volunteers for the prison ministry at Rikers Island. Once a year she participates in the Hope Festival, a religious based approach to reforming the mindsets of inmates.

“I love going there, especially when I’m working with children,” she said. According to Queensborough, there is an alarming amount of young offenders being detained at Rikers Island.

When she visits Rikers Island, she said her first question is “Why are you here?”

The question often results in adolescents telling her they do not have enough support from family and friends or they are in an environment that prohibits a life outside of crime. Many of the teens turn to a life of crime because they do not know what else to do. She said she hopes a career as a juvenile defense attorney will help prevent youth from entering a lifetime of recidivism.

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

People Toluwalope Fasan and Sheldon J. Williams, both of Jamaica, were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at Herkimer County Community College, a unit of the State University of New York, in Herkimer.

Abeje Leslie of Jamaica recently received a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history during December 2011 commencement ceremonies at SUNY Potsdam.

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 3-9, 2012

Lorenzo Sewanan of Hollis and Shanice Hinckson of St. Albans received faculty honors for the fall 2011 semester at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.

Chanel Weeks of St. Albans and Maya Orr of Jamaica were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at the University of Delaware in Newark, Del. Brittany Daughtry of St. Albans was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at St. Bonaventure University.

Daughtry is a senior biology major.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. They include: Corona: Jennifer Jimenez.

Hollis: Lorenzo Sewanan.

St. Albans: Shanice Hinckson.

The New York Lottery recently announced the names of area Lottery play-

ers who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings Jan. 15-21.

The following winners each received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Dimitrios Karakekes of Bayside won $10,000 on the Powerball drawing Nov. 2. Karakeke’s winning ticket was purchased at Village Apothecary, 346 Bleeker St., New York.

Carlos Robles of Jackson Heights won $10,000 on the Powerball drawing Nov. 19. Robles’s winning ticket was purchased at the 7-Eleven, 146-26 Northern Blvd., Flushing.

Randy Heeralall of South Ozone park won $10,000 on the Powerball drawing Jan. 14. Heeralall’s winning ticket was purchased at 111 Deli Grocery, 127-01 111th Ave., South Ozone Park.

Francis Mulligan of Long Island City won $35,866 on the Take Five drawing Jan. 11. Mulligan’s winning ticket was purchased at Cronin & Phelan, 38-14 Broadway, Astoria.

Devon Napier of Jamaica won $10,000 on the Win 4 drawing Dec. 4. Napier’s winning ticket was purchased at the S&F Petro, 148-12 Rockaway Blvs., South Ozone Park.

Daniel Gilliard of St. Albans won $36,460 on the Take Five drawing Jan. 17. Gilliard’s winning ticket was purchased at Mejia Deli & Grocery, 113-27 Farmer’s Blvd., St. Albans.

Melissa Munnelly of Middle Village won $25,000 on the Win 4 drawing Dec. 22. Munnelly’s winning ticket was pur-

chased at Pramukh 71, 107-36 71st Ave., Forest Hills.

Giovanna Ragusa of Jackson Heights won $69, 609 on the Take Five drawing Jan. 18. Ragusa’s winning ticket was purchased at Jackson Heights Stationery, 7523 31st Ave., East Elmhurst.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at Herkimer County Community College in Herkimer. They include: Jamaica: Kamora Leann Dow, Toluwalope Fasan, Sheldon J. Williams.

Rego Park: Julian Munera.

The New York Lottery recently announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning scratch-off ticket Jan. 15-21 and received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Aaron Levynajjar of Forest Hills won $25,000 on the Triple Million scratch-off game. Levynajjar’s winning ticket was purchased at the 7-Eleven, 103-01 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills.

Carlton Morgan of Rosedale won $25,000 on the Hot Cash scratch-off game. Morgan’s winning ticket was purchased at Jo An, 294 7th Ave., Brooklyn.

Nellie Robinson of Jamaica won $25,000 on the Magic 8 Ball scratch-off game. Robinson’s winning ticket was purchased at S&D Deli Plus Grocery, 115 E. 148th St., the Bronx.

Vincenzo Chianetta of Glendale won $10,000 on the Money Match scratch-

off game. Chianetta’s winning ticket was purchased at Godson Brothers, 246-02 Jericho Turnpike, Floral Park.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, N.C. They include: Astoria: Francisco Bencosme.

Jackson Heights: Przemyslaw Wilczewski.

Queens Village: Muhammad Siddiqui.

Hawa Omar of Jamaica was named the the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va. New York Lottery recently announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings Jan. 18-22. The following winners received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Edwin Santiago of Springfield Garden won $10,000 on the Powerball drawing Jan. 18. Santiago’s winning ticket was purchased at the Hess Mart, 159-10 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach.

Darrell Rhodes of Jamaica won $32,433 on the Take Five drawing Jan. 16. Rhodes’s winning ticket was purchased at S&S News Stand, 554 86th St., Brooklyn.

Pablo Quinones of Jamaica won $10,007 on the Mega Millions drawing Jan. 17. Quinones’s winning ticket was purchased at T&N Liberty Deli, 171-42 Liberty Ave., Jamaica.

A&E

Brewer Brings New Flavor To Ancient Drink “I was just doing it as a hobby, but it came out so good,” Theofilatos said. “My Five years ago, Spiro Theofilatos was friends started loving it and told me that I should sell it.” a musician and visited the In January 2010, he West Coast, where he tried bottled his first sample Kombucha for the first time. and took it to Café Bar on He said he liked the way it 34th Avenue in Astoria, made him feel but did not which became the first necessarily like the taste. place to have his Now he is the proud Kombucha on the menu. owner of Beyond “They couldn’t stop Kombucha, a company that selling it,” Theofilatos makes and bottles a form of said. “Eventually I started the ancient artesian drink. making enough that I Theofilatos, 39, founded started selling to a health the company in Astoria in food store nearby and reJanuary 2010 and does all the experimenting, brewing Spiro Theofilatos experiments, alized that I could make a and bottling in the basement brews and bottles Kombucha in company out of this.”

For the first year, of Theo and Theos clothing the basement of Theo and Theos store on Steinway Street in clothing store on Steinway Theofilatos said he had partners that helped offAstoria. His family owns the Street in Astoria. set the workload, but he building, so not paying rent has surely helped the business side of bought them out in September 2011.

“We had different visions of where we things, he said.

After trying the drink for the first time wanted the company to go,” he said.

Theofilatos said that Kombucha has on the West Coast, Theofilatos had an idea. He compared the taste of it to car- been around for more than 2,500 years bonated vinegar, and after finding out that and is very popular in Siberia and Russia. the basis for all Kombucha is tea, he won- In June 2010, the government said that dered what it would be like to make the Kombucha had enough alcohol per bottle that they could collect excise taxes. Some drink using extremely high-quality teas.

BY JASON PAFUNDI

Restaurant Review

A Home Run For Straw Strawberry’s Sports Grill 42-15 235th St., Douglaston (718) 517-8787 www.strawberrysgrill.com CUISINE: Sports bar fare HOURS: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.; FridaySaturday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

CREDIT CARDS: All major

print from the business would be lessened, while the local economies would receive a boost.

He said that Kombucha, in a 16-ounce bottle, contains about 75 calories, making it a far healthier drink than a regular soda or beer. Theofilatos added that the drink contains 17 percent of the daily recommended amount of B-vitamins and is great for digestion.

Theofilatos is producing a couple hundred bottles of Kombucha a week but is planning on ramping up production in order to accommodate a deal with a new distributor, Union Beer, who according to Theofilatos has a craft beer portfolio that is “second to none.”

The new agreement should find Beyond Kombucha in Whole Foods, Dean and Deluca and Fairway.

For more information on Beyond Kombucha, visit beyondkombucha.com or call (718) 274-2747.

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

Comedian Offers ‘Cocktails’ At Theatre

BY STEVEN J. FERRARI

Larry Miller is no stranger to performing. In addition to his more than 100 movie and TV appearances, the comedian frequently travels the country doing a stand-up routine. This weekend, Miller comes to the Queens Theatre for “Cocktails With Larry Miller: Little League, Adultery & Other Bad Ideas,” a special performance that he says “brings together everything I love about show business.”

“I love acting. I love writing. I work steadily,” Miller said. “This is going to be different. This will be the thing that holds up the beam of my house for the rest of my life.”

Shifting away from a traditional standup comedy routine, Miller said he came up with the idea for “Cocktails” and brought the idea to Pat Hazell, a writer and producer who has worked on “Seinfeld” and the movie “Waiting…”.

Hazell serves as the producer and director for “Cocktails,” which Miller has taken on tour for the last two years. The oneman show will feature more than a traditional comedy set.

“A good one-man show is as different from stand-up as a flute is from a trumpet,” Miller said.

The incorporation of music into the show, he said, came from someone outside of show business.

“My mother used to say, ‘Why don’t you bring music into your act.’ Now I have,” he said.

Miller said he plays piano during the show. It’s not the only instrument he’s played during previous incarnations of “Cocktails,” however.

“There were a couple of shows where I played a cello,” he said. “But it’s hard to bring it around with me.”

Comedian Larry Miller The use of different musical instruments is just one example of the adjustments to the show made regularly, Miller said. While the two performances on Feb. 4 will be “fundamentally the same,” the comedian said the show is different from his first performance two years ago.

Miller, who grew up in Valley Stream, said the show at the Queens Theatre would run about 90 minutes without an intermission.

“About 90 minutes feels good to me,” he said. “Some people can go three or four hours, but I think that’s too much.”

As he continues to do “Cocktails,” the show will continue to change, he said, because he writes every day and new ideas are always coming to him.

“Two years ago, it was different than it is now,” he said. “In another year, there might be a lot more music, there might be other changes, you just never know.”

Tickets to “Cocktails With Larry Miller,” 5 and 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at Queens Theatre, start at $44 and are available at www.queenstheatre.org.

For information on Miller, visit www.larrymillerhumor.com.

Reach Managing Editor Steven J. Ferrari at sferrari@queenstribune.com or call (718) 357-7400, Ext. 122.

Feb. 3-9, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

I should probably begin this review with the disclaimer that Darryl Strawberry is my all-time favorite athlete.

That being said, I’d have no problem criticizing his restaurant if a criticism was warranted — but it’s not.

Strawberry’s Sports Grill, like its namesake, continues to hit a home run each and every time I visit.

This particular occasion, a cold and crowded Friday night, saw the man himself in attendance, holding court at his round booth signing autographs and posing for pictures with patrons.

This is a sports bar, so when you walk into the establishment, the memorabilia from Strawberry’s career with the Mets and Yankees — not a lot of memories of him playing for the Dodgers and Giants — is everywhere. And so are the HDTVs, 16 to be exact.

The menu features what you’d expect from a sports bar, from chicken wings and burgers, to gigantic three-cheese nachos and beer (16 on draft). But the menu also strays from standard bar fare to offer entrees like filet mignon,

salmon, crab cakes, fish tacos and BBQ brisket.

In my visits to Strawberry’s, I’ve had the nachos and I’ve had the “1969” burger with American cheese, onions and sauce, and I’ve even tried the “1986” lamb burger. On this night, I started with an appetizer of savory house-made meatballs with a dollop of ricotta, and boy, were they good.

For my entree, I went completely outside of my normal food zone, ordering the “1950,” a turkey burger with herb mayonnaise, avocado and radish sprouts. I’ve only had one other turkey burger in my life — at Mickey Mantle’s in Manhattan of all places — because I could not imagine it tasting the same as a ground beef burger. But this one did not disappoint. It was cooked just how I wanted it, a little crispy but with some pink. And instead of fries, I ordered my old elementary school favorite, tater tots.

The service is usually stellar and this night was no different. My friendly server engaged in conversation, which is important to me because I love to talk, was knowledgeable about the menu, and gets bonus points for recommending the meatball appetizer.

The restaurant is conveniently located right next to the Douglaston Long Island Rail Road station, and if you choose to drive, parking in the LIRR lot is only $3 with restaurant validation. It’s Like he did 335 times in his career, with his restaurant, Strawberry hits a home run.

-Jason Pafundi

Kombucha makers began using a formula to produce the drink without any alcohol, while other brands shut down entirely.

“I didn’t want to remove the alcohol, Theofilatos said. It takes away the buzz and the fizz. I love my sparkles and love my bubbles.”

Theofilatos spent his early years in Astoria, moved to Long Island, and came back to Astoria in 2001. His business has the distinction of being the East Coast’s first alcohol-positive Kombucha brewery.

Beyond Kombucha is available in bars and cafes throughout the City, mostly in Queens, and if his plan comes to fruition, Theofilatos would love to see his drink in other major cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

“As soon as I started making labels and got serious about it, I said I’m going to sink my teeth into it,” he said. “Immediately, my vision was huge.”

Theofilatos is concerned about the environment and also with helping local businesses, and by having mini-breweries in different locations, the carbon foot-

Faith

Ministry Helps Boost Self-Esteem

BY VERONICA LEWIN After two years of serving the community, one church in Jamaica is branching out and creating more ways to serve people beyond Southeast Queens.

The Victory Faith Christian Center, located at 157-11 Rockaway Blvd., celebrated its second anniversary last Saturday, praising the church’s mantra: to raise people of value, purpose and destiny.

Pastor Curtis Norton Jr. and his wife, Pastor Tina Norton, have been in ministries for more than 25 years. In honor of the church’s second anniversary, the church hosted “A Time of Celebration,” a

reflection on the congregation’s achievements since 2010. Norton said a young woman at the church overcame challenges with cancer, while another member started a program for women in transition.

One of the congregation’s biggest accomplishments is Tina’s new partnership with the March of Dimes. This spring, the Norton Ministries will begin an outreach program. The church will mentor young girls and teens in an attempt to teach them self-worth before it is too late. “It’s a pretty exciting program,” Tina said.

A study by the March of Dimes revealed the majority of pregnancies citywide are teen pregnancies. Tina said

Word “Religion did not exist for the saving of souls but for the preservation and welfare of society, and in all that was necessary to this end every man had to take his part, or break with the domestic and political community to which he belonged.”

—William Robertson Smith

“We’re looking to build young women she plans to combat this by helping girls aspire to do more with their lives and who won’t apologize for the journey that introduce the young women to activities they’ve made as a teenager,” she said.

Norton said the Vicand goals they may have tory Faith Christian Cennever thought about doter and its ministries are ing. The three-session part of what he and his mentoring program will wife believe they were be offered in Queens and called to do and to bring Brooklyn and will conto the community. Norton clude with a graduation serves as head pastor afceremony. The inaugural ter his father, Bishop class will have the opporCurtis Nor ton Sr., tunity to become junior stepped down after more mentors and help lead than 43 years of serving future mentoring sesSoutheast Queens. Two sions. years ago, the Nortons The program will be opened the Victory Faith offered for two age Christian Center, a more groups: 9 to 12 and 13 to 18. Tina said it was im- Pastors Tina and Curtis Norton. contemporary church with a focus on building portant to teach elementary and middle school girls self-respect ministries.

Tina recently wrote a book, “Vanilla Now before they reach the child-bearing age.

She said she hopes the program will be a and Later,” expressing the importance of lifeline for young women in the area sur- women having self-worth. There will be a rounding the Victory Faith Christian Cen- book signing for the new release on Feb. ter. Tina said the church’s passion is to 18. The event will be held at the Rebirth help children and teens realize what a Christian Store in Valley Stream. For more great joy it is to be a girl and prevent them information, contact (877) 575-4580.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at from making any choices that would hinder complete enjoyment of their ado- vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123. lescent years.

Notebook Campus Magnet

High School Track Star Sprints To Success

BY VERONICA LEWIN

stacles get in the way.

Outside of school, Green’s interests are photography and theater. She said she wants to study physical therapy in college.

Some of the schools she has applied to include Texas Southern University, Georgetown University and the University

of Maryland. She said the people who influenced her most to achieve her goals are her parents and her eighth-grade teacher Gloria Panton at IS 72 in Queens Village.

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

Lady Bulldogs: Photo by Karima Saladeen

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 3-9, 2012

Photo by Bob Harris

Heights high school any way she can. She tutors her peers, files papers in the school One high school athlete hustles not office and helps organize and shelve only on the track, but in the classroom as books in the Campus Magnet Library. She well. is also the editor of the high school’s magaMonique Green of Jazine, “Student Permaica is a senior at the Camspectives.” Still, she pus Magnet Complex’s Law, maintains a grade Government and Commupoint average of 86. nity Service High School.

During her first seaSince September 2009, son as captain of the Green has been the captain track team, Green was of the Campus Magnet Girls named most valuable Track Team. She serves as player. She also holds Student Council president the school record for and is also on the School the 100 and 55 meter Leadership Team. dash, which she set in In her role as Student 2008. At last year’s Council president, Green is State Championship responsible for working in Rochester, she was with the school administrathe record holder for tion to organize and coorthe 100 meter dash. dinate student activities.

Green recently learned The School Leadership that she and four of her Team is a group of parents, teammates qualified faculty, staff and students for the Millrose who are responsible for Games at The Armory Monique Green evaluating the functionality on Feb. 11. She said of the school and making her role models are suggestions to improve the educational track stars Asafa Powell and Shelly-Ann experience.

Fraser, because they are both determined Green said she helps out at the Cambria to achieve their goals no matter what ob-

The Lady Bulldog Volleyball Team of the Campus Magnet Complex in Cambria Heights had another outstanding season both on the court and scholastically. This past season, the Lady Bulldogs went 8-3 and reached the quarterfinals in the post season. The team also strives to be the best in the classroom. The Lady Bulldog Volleyball Team’s academic average is well above other teams at the school.

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 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.

SINGLES SINGLES Wednesday, February 8 “ W h a t ’ s L ove G o t To D o With It?” Wednesday, February 22 “Is There Such A Thing As Perfect Love?”

Wednesday, March 14 New member open house and “Make New Frie4nds & Keep The Old.” Wednesday Night Singles Group of the Samuel Field Y in Little Neck.

7-9. $7 Adult Center members, $9 others. Hot beverages and bagels. 225-6750, ext. 236.

EXHIBIT NAL STUDENTS Through February 4 National Art League Students’ Art Exhibition 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.

THEATER

INTERNET DATABASE Saturdays, February 4, March 3 Internet Database Sessions for teens at 2 at the Langston Hughes library.

JOB SEARCH Saturdays, February 4, 11, 18, March 3, 17 at the Central library at 10:30.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

HENNA PAINTING Monday, February 6 Henna Hand Painting at the Astoria library at 6.

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

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

TEEN CHESS Mondays at 6 Bayside library.

GLASS-BEAD JEWELRY Tuesday, Februar y 7 glassbeaded jewelry workshop t the Sunnyside library at 2.

PLASTIC BAG CRAFT Tuesday, February 7 at the Astoria library at 4.

TEEN BINGO Tuesday, February 7 at the Flushing library at 4.

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

LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays Windsor Park library at 4.

3D ECO ART Wednesdays, February 8, 15 create an environmentally themed painting at the LIC library. 752-3700.

COLLEGE PREP Wednesday, February 8 free college prep workshop at LaGuardia Communit y College. 482-7244.

RESUME WRITING Wednesdays 4 Arverne library.

GAME DAY Wednesdays Howard Beach and St. Albans libraries at 4.

CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 Queens Village library.

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

KNITTING CLUB Wednesdays at the Bayside library. Register.

MANGA DRAWING Thursday, February 9 at the Windsor Park library at 4.

KARAOKE NIGHT Thursdays, February 9, 23 at the Arverne library at 5:30.

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

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

BLOODY HEART TEE Friday, February 10 splatter fake blood on t-shirts in celebration of your favorite paranormal book, T V show or movie. LIC library at 3.

AFRICAN-AMER EXP. Friday, February 10 at the Broadway library at 3:30.

YOUNG REFORMERS

Fridays, February 10, 17, 24 at the Laurelton library. Register WII GAMING Fridays, February 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.

CHESS CLUB Fridays Auburndale library a t 3 : 3 0 . Tu t o r i a l a t t h e Woodside library at 4.

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays Briarwood library at 4.

GAME DAY Fridays Woodhaven library at 4:30.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Every Friday at 4 Hillcrest library.

TEEN FRIDAYS Fridays Seaside library at 4.

SELF DEFENSE Saturday, February 11 teens and moms self-defense introduction 4-6 at Martin Luther High School in Maspeth. 8944000, ext. 133.

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

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

COMETS CIVIC Monday, February 6 Comets Civic meets at 7 at Bethzatha Church of God, 85-20 57 th Avenue, Elmhurst.

ACADEMY CHARTER Monday, February 6 Central Queens Academy Charter School Board of Trustees meeting 7-9 at SAYA, 54-05 Seabury Street, Elmhurst.

651-3484.

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 7:30 Clearview Golf Course Clubhouse.

LEADD CLUB Recreation Socialization Program for Learning Disabled Adults. Arn310@aol.com 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.

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

CAMBRIA HTS LIB. Saturday, February 11 Friends Board of Directors of Queens Library at Cambria Heights meet 4-5:15. 5283535.

QUEENS LIBRARIES Many branches of the Queensborough Library offer toddler and pre-school programs and more. Contact local branches.

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

FAMILY STORY TIME Saturdays, February 4, 18 at the Flushing library at 11.

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

SCIENCE LAB Saturdays Central library at 11.

MATH HELP Saturdays Flushing library at 10.

HOMEWORK HELP Saturdays 10-noon Bayside library.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays 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 , F re s h Meadows.

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

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

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

HOMEWORK HELP Mondays 3:30-5:00 Bayside library.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Tuesdays, Februar y 7, 21, 28 at the Glen Oaks library at 11.

VALENTINE CRAFT Tuesday, February 7 at the Bay Terrace library at 3.

ORIGAMI Tu e s d a y, February 7 Origami for a Snowy Day at the Cambria Heights library.

Register.

MIXING IN MATH Tuesday, February 7 at the Hollis library at 4:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesday s, Februar y 7, 14, 21, 28 at the Hillcrest library at 3:30.

BOOST WORD Tuesday s, Februar y 7, 14, 21, 28 BOOST Word of the Week at the McGoldrick library at 5.

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

LIBRARY BUDDIES Wednesdays, February 8, 15, 22, 29 at the Auburndale library at 4.

VALENTINE’S DAY Wednesday, February 8 Valentine’s Day Picture Book Time at the Rego Park library at 3:30.

PAPER LANTERN Wednesday, February 8 at the East Flushing library. Register.

HAPPY HAPPY STORY Wednesdays, February 8,

15, 22, 29 story time at the LIC library at 10:30.

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

FAMILY COLORING Wednesdays, February 8, 15, 22 family coloring and story time at 10:30 at the Bay Terrace librar y.

S TORY T I M E Wednesdays, February 8, 15, 29 at the East Elmhurst library at 11:30.

KNITTING Wednesdays Bayside library at 4.

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

GAME DAY Wednesdays Poppenhusen library at 4.

WINTER CRAFTS Thursday, February 9 at the Seaside library at 4.

AFRICAN-AMER HERITAGE Thursday, February 9 at the Hillcrest library at 5. For those 6-14.

READ TO A DOG Thursday, February 9 at the Briarwood librar y. Register.

BOOST READING Thursdays, February 9, 16, 23 BOOST Reading Buddies at 5 at the McGoldrick library.

DRAMA POSSE Thursdays, February 9, 16 at the Hillcrest library. Register.

CRAFT TIME Thursdays 3:30 Ozone Park library.

COLOR & CRAFT Fridays, February 10, 17, 24 Kids Coloring and Craft at 11 at the Queensboro Hill library.

ACTIVITY TIME Fridays, February 10, 17, 24 at the Briarwood library at 3:30.

LIBRARY BUDDIES Fridays, February 10, 17, 24 at the Auburndale library at 4.

PRE-SCHOOL CRAFTS Fridays, February 10, 17 at the Sunnyside library. Register.

TWEEN ZONE Fridays, February 10, 17, 24 Tween Zone activities at the LIC library at 2:30.

READ TO ME Fridays, February 10, 17 at 3 at the Briarwood library.

WII GAMING Fridays, February 10, 17, 24 at the Astoria library at 4:30.

BLOODY HEART TEE Friday, February 10 splatter fake blood on t-shirts in celebration of your favorite paranormal book, T V show or movie at the LIC library at 3.

AFRICAN-AMER STORIES Friday, February 10 at the South Jamaica library at 3.

For those 5 and up.

VALENTINE CRAFT Friday, February 10 heart shaped animals t the Lefrak Cit y librar y at 3:30.

Valentine’s Day crafts at the Maspeth library at 3:30 and the Peninsula library at 4 and Poppenhusen library at 4 and McGoldrick library. Register.

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays, February 10, 17 at

the East Flushing library. Register.

TODDLER CRAFT Fridays Briarwood library at 10:30.

READ TO ME Fridays Briarwood library at 3.

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays at 2 Queens Village and LIC libraries. Briarwood library at 4.

GAME DAY Fridays Queens Village library at 2.

FLASH FRIDAYS Every Friday at 3 Ozone Park library.

GAME PLAYERS Every Friday Hillcrest library at 4.

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

GAME DAY Fridays Rochdale Village and Windsor Park libraries at 4.

TWEEN ZONE Fridays LIC library at 2:30 for those in grades 5-8.

BOOST GAME DAY Fridays Central library at 4:30 and at 5 McGoldrick library.

CUB SCOUTS 351 Fridays at St. Nicholas of Tolentine. Boys in grades 15. 820-0015.

SENIORS SOCIAL WORKER Monday, February 6 social worker answers questions for older adults and caregivers about long-term care, benefits and more at the Sunnyside library at 11.

AARP 3654 Tu e s d a y s , F e b r u a r y 7 , March 6 AARP 3654 meets in Bayside. 423-4237.

HOWARD BEACH Tuesday, February 7 Home Safet y for Seniors lecture at 11. 6 week computer classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced. $25.

Wednesdays mah jongg at 10 and Zumba Gold 1:302 : 3 0 . 1 5 6 - 4 5 8 4 th S t r e e t .

738-8100.

TAX HELP Tuesday s, Februar y 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27 at t he Hollis libra r y. 4657355.

STARS Wednesday, February 8 Senior Theater Acting Repertory meets at 10:30 at the Hollis library.

TAX HELP Thursday, February 9 for low-income older adults at the Fresh Meadows library at 1.

AARP 29 Thursdays, February 9, March 8 AARP 29 meets at noon at Grace House, 15502 90 th Avenue, Jamaica.

SOCIAL SECURITY INFO Thursday, February 9 social securit y informational meeting at 11 at the Middle Village Senior Center, 69-10 75 th Street.

STARS Friday, February 10 Senior Theater Acting Repertory meets at the Queens Village library at 10:30.

Feb. 3-9, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

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 16+ needed. 516-354-5210.

CHERRY ORCHARD Through February 11 LaGuardia Performing Arts Center presents Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard in two versions – classical and experimental. $5, $8 both performances. 482-5151.

HENRY V Through February 18 TITAN Theater Company presents “Henry V” at the Secret Theatre in LIC. 392-0722. $15 advance, $18 at the door.

TUPAC February 17, 18 Black Spectrum Theatre in Jamaica presents “The Tragedy of Tupac or Who Shot Me?” 7231800, ext. 14.

YOUTH

TEENS

Queens Today EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS

ENTERTAINMENT

hand painting workshop t the Astoria library at 6.

OWN BUSINESS Monday, February 6 Starting Your Own Business at the Flushing library at 6.

BALLROOM DANCING Mondays, February 6, 13, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays crochet 6-7 Rosedale library and knitting circle at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000.

Mondays knit and crochet Douglaston/Little Neck library at 4. Register.

BRIDGE CLUB Mondays except holidays 12-4 at Pride of Judea in Douglaston. Lesson & play $10. Partners arranged. 4236200.

DRAWING CLASS Mondays National Art League in Douglaston. 3610628.

LINE DANCE Mondays beginner to intermediate lessons in Bayside.

917-886-0519.

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

INTRO WORD Tuesday, February 7 at the McGoldrick library. Register.

BASIC COMPUTERS

Tu e s d ay , F e b r u a r y 7 a t the Rosedale library at 1 0 : 3 0 . S u n ny s i d e l i b ra r y.

Register JEWELRY WORKSHOP Tuesday, Februar y 7 glassbeaded jewelry workshop at the Sunnyside library. Register.

INTRO WORD Tu e s d a y s C e n t r a l l i b ra r y.

990-0700 to register.

OWN BUSINESS Every Tuesday Owning Your Own Business: The Nuts and Bolts of Getting Started 6:307:30 at the Central library.

LI CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays Windsor Park library at 2.

PRACTICE LABS Tuesdays Arverne librar y at 10:30.

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

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

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

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.

QUEENS INTERN’L Saturday, February 4 Queens International 2012: 3 Points Make a Triangle Opening Party at Queens Museum of Art. 7 – Brian Zegeer and Baby Copperhead. 8:30 Rachel Mason at the Unisphere. 8-10 DJ Dan Fox. Snacks by food truck winners.

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.

LIVE JAZZ & R&B Sundays, February 5, 12 live jazz and r&b 6-10 at Déjà vu, 180-25 Linden Blvd., St. Albans.

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SOJOURNER’S TRUTH Monday, February 6 at the Laurelton library at 6.

SINATRA & GARLAND Monday, February 6 Naomi Zeitlin performs music by Sinatra and Garland at the Middle Village library at 6:30.

FUNKATEERS Monday and Wednesday, February 6, 8 Funkateers perform at York College. 2622412.

LOVE SONGS Tu e s d a y, February 7 “Spanglish” love songs at the North Hills library at 1:30.

Love songs from rock to classical and more at 2 at the Re go Pa r k l i b r a r y. N a o m i Zeitlin sings love songs at the Douglaston library at 3.

BINGO Tu e s d ay s 7 : 1 5 A m e r i c a n Mart yrs Church in Bayside.

4 6 4 - 4 5 8 2 . Tu e s d ay s 7 : 1 5 (doors open 6) Rego Park Jewish Center. 459-1000. $3 admission includes 12 games.

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

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

BANANAGRAM/SCRABBLE Fridays Windsor Park library at 2.

Autos Wanted

BLOOD DRIVES Saturday, February 4 at the Seventh Day Adventist church in Corona. Sunday, February 5 at St. Avellino in Flushing and Holy Family in Flushing. 1-800-933-2566.

Sunday, February 12 Forest Hills Jewish Center, Hollis Hills Jewish Center, Our Lady of Fatima in Jackson Heights. LI Blood Services.

WAITANKUNG Sunday s at 2. Total-body workout. Flushing Hospital/ Medical Center. Free. Jimmy 7-10pm 347-2156.

ZUMBA Monday, February 6 Latin Dance Fitness Program at the Corona library. Register.

CANCER SUPPORT Mondays, February 6, March 5 Franklin Hospital’s Cancer Support Group 2-4 in the cafeteria. 516-256-6478.

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

670-1695. $5.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT Tuesdays Western Queens Caregiver Network in Sunnyside. 5:30-6:30. 7846173, ext. 431. Also, 3:304:30 Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, 208-11 26 th Avenue, Bayside. 6311886.

Autos Wanted

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Feb. 3-9, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

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.

SEWING CLASSES Saturdays 11-3 at Maria Rose International Doll Museum in St. Albans. 2763454.

SCRABBLE CLUB Saturdays at 10 at Count Basie Jr. HS. 886-5236.

PET OWNERS Saturdays (not on holiday weekends) from 1-4 free Doggie Boot Camp at Crocheron Park in Bayside (weather permitting). 4545800. Reservations required. Donations accepted.

JOB SEARCH Monday, February 6 j o b search strategies at the Central library. 990-5102.

INTRO INTERNET Monday, February 6 at the Central library. 990-5102.

RESUME WRITING Monday, February 6 at the Arverne library at 5:15.

HENNA Monday, February 6 henna

HEALTH

Have you been wanting to live at the Steinway Mansion but just couldn’t bring yourself to spend more than $3 million? Good news: the price has dropped on the mansion in Astoria. Now buyers can live at the historic abode for a cool $2.995 million. The owners are optimistic the home will fly off the market at the bargain price. Here at QConf, we’ll keep trying our luck with the lottery!

Lost Borough

Helen Marshall probably had some other things on her mind, like the State of the Borough.

Priorities

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 3-9, 2012

Councilman Peter Koo recently announced he was joining the Democratic team, to the delight of his new Democrat allies. His press conference at the Queens Board of Elections drew Democratic heavyweights from across Queens, including party boss U.S. Rep Joe Crowley. One notable missing bigwig was Borough President Helen Marshall, a Democrat herself.

An intrepid QConf contributor, on his way back from the press conference, walked past an inauspicious deli on Queens Boulevard.

Inside was Helen Marshall, seemingly unaware of the somewhat monumental press conference that had just taken place. She waved and continued her errands.

Sometimes, you just gotta take care of the important stuff first.

Apparently Queens’ diverse streetscape is too tough to navigate - so no one should attempt traveling in the borough.

According to an article published on the Wall St. Journal’s Website last year, the borough is lost and there is nothing we can do about it.

Sumathi Reddy, the article’s author, says you should do “yourself a favor: Avoid driving in Queens.”

Never, Reddy; compared to Brooklyn and the Bronx (we won’t even comment on Staten Island) Queens is a dream to navigate.

The Indian journalist even goes on to interview some of the borough’s own who do not even know how to get their way around the many streets that criss-cross our great landscape.

It’s definitely got to be easier than navigating New Delhi.

In the age of smart phones, GPS systems and just plain ol’ Google, you would think finding your way around the best borough in the city would be easy for those who are quick to judge.

Without one, Ave and Roads in number order cross with Streets, also in number order, created a perfect understandable grid – well, almost perfect.

Reddy, if you have a problem with our criticism you know where to find us – that is if you can.

Since she can remember, Vanessa Bueno has wanted to be a model. Two years ago, she started taking professional pictures and then had them posted on a modeling site.

A casting director found her on the site and emailed her to be in a music video. That’s how she started making industry contacts.

Since being discovered, Vanessa has done fashion, lingerie, swimwear, hair and makeup, glamour and promotional modeling. She hopes to make it a full-time career.

Meantime, she works full-time, takes dance classes and loves listening to music.

When she’s with her friends, she is usually going out to dinner, seeing a movie or enjoying a day at the spa.

She said Queens is full of new restaurants, more lounges and clubs and the Queens Center Mall is bigger with more options. She likes hanging out there and also spends time at Astoria Park, Gantry State Park in the summer and Steinway Street in Astoria.

Her favorite modeling story was when she did a photo shoot with a snake. The photographer told her not to be scared and that the snake would just move around her body. She was instructed to relax so that the snake could get comfortable being on her body.

Well, Vanessa said the snake kept slithering right between her legs.

“I guess the snake was getting a little too comfortable with me at that point,” she said.

Home: Glendale Age: 28 Height: 5’4" Weight: 110 Stats: 30-23-37

Muy Bueno Break Down The Walls Things just keep getting worse

On The Road Upset over Time Warner Cable dropped the MSG Network? Still want to watch Knicks games? Time Warner is offering a solution.

Two weeks after the cable company made the decision to drop MSG Network, they announced a contest, giving 10 tickets to fans from New York City to watch the Knicks play the Bobcats… in Charlotte. Coincidentally, the ‘Cats play in the Time Warner Cable Arena.

Sending Knicks fans on allexpenses-paid trips to watch the team on the road may end up being costly for the cable company in the long run. How many people would get to see games if Time Warner ended up paying the 53 percent price increase the MSG Network is seeking?

Made Where?

John Liu speaks at the Peter Cardella Senior Center.

Vanessa Bueno

Models Of Queens

House Hunting In Queens?

New York City Comptroller John Liu spent a whole day last week visiting different senior citizen centers throughout Queens and the Bronx.

His first stop was at the Peter Cardella Senior Center in Ridgewood. Liu spent about 20 minutes speaking to a room full of seniors about the work he is doing as manager of the City’s finances.

After discussing his work as an elected official, Liu discussed his own background and said that he himself was not born in the U.S. He said he was born in Taiwan. He then added that actually he was “Made in Taiwan” and joked that it even said so right on the back of his neck.

The crowd might have struggled when he was talking about City’s finances, but they got a laugh when Liu joked about his birthplace.

for the financially strapped New York Mets. It’s so bad that the Wilpons are auctioning off pieces of three-year-old Citi Field.

If you happen to have an extra thousand dollars lying around, why not invest in a panel from the outfield fence from Citi Field? Among the pieces available are the Wheat Thins ad, the Delta ad and the Verizon ad. But just like the Mets So far, the auction's hot item ownership is going to have a tough time selling fans on the prospects for this upcoming season, they are going to have to do some convincing to get somebody to want these items.

If anything, the portions of the 1988 NL East Division banner, the 2006 East Division banner and the 2000 NL champion banner might actually have people interested in them.

The opening bids on the items are between $800-$1000, which probably isn’t going to raise enough money to sign Prince Fielder or re-sign David Wright.

As days go by, it’s becoming clearer that the Wilpons need to sell more than just pieces of the wall. They need to sell the Mets.

Check the auction out: http://mets.auction.mlb.com

Confidentially, New York . . .

What’s Up SATURDAY, FEB. 4 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.

Job Search Boot Camp Spend one day at the library and learn all the best strategies for finding a job. By the end of the day, you and your resume will be “fit” to find your best job. The sessions that will be covered are: Winning Resumes and Cover Letters, 10:30 a.m. to noon Effective Job Search Strategies, 12:30 to 2 p.m. and Acing the Interview, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lover’s Rock Lovers Rock, often dubbed ‘romantic reggae’ is a uniquely black British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems. Lovers Rock developed into a successful sound with national UK hits and was influential to British bands (Police, Culture Club and UB40). These influences underline the impact the music was making in bridging the multi-cultural gap that polarized the times. The film sheds light on a forgotten period of British music, social and political history. Admission is $11.

This event will be held at the Black Spectrum Theatre, 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Enjoy a variety of African rhythms including juju from Nigeria, soukous from Congo, bikutsi and makossa from Cameroon and hi-life from Ghana.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 3 p.m.

National Black Theatre of Harlem. Written by Jackie Jefferies. Admission is $7.

This event will be held at Black Spectrum Theatre - 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, at 10:30 a.m.

call Simone Williams at (347) 731-1721 or email isis.staff@gmail.com.

This free event will be held on the second floor of the Young Queens Loft, 148-14 Liberty Ave., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Online Learning Job Interview Prep Are you ready for your next job interview? Participants will learn: How to prepare for the interview; interview body language and etiquette; how to handle difficult questions; how to project yourself as the best fit for the job. To register, call (718) 990-5102.

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

Interested in upgrading your skills, practicing for a test, or learning more about computer software? Attend this informative session about free online learning opportunities. 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.

Autism Awareness and Assistance

Observatory Open Night

Councilman Leroy Comrie is hosting a discussion on autism and how to get autism help and resources including: education and daily living skills programs; how families can facilitate their child’s growth; making connections, establishing friendships and learning from each other; navigating the system-accessing programs and services.

For more information, contact Gregory Rose at (718) 776-3700 or grose@council.nyc.gov.

This free event will be held at York College Performing Arts Center - 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. from 7 to 9 p.m.

The York College Observatory is open to the public every second or third Wednesday of the month, rain or shine. Gather in room 2E01 and then proceed to the 4th floor terrace off G corridor if it’s clear. For additional information, contact Tim Paglione at paglione@york.cuny.edu or (718) 262-2082.

This free event will be held at York College Academic Core Building, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

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

Accept “Except” Accept “Except” is told through the meeting of two fugitives – one from the plantation era, the other from 2011 – the era of penitentiaries. This play is presented in in cooperation with Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre of Harlem. Written by Jackie Jefferies. Admission is $7.

This event will be held at Black Spectrum Theatre - 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, at 10:30 a.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.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8 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.

MONDAY, FEB. 6 Intro to the Internet

Accept “Except”

After this two-part workshop, you will be able to take advantage of everything the Internet has to offer. Participants will know how to search for and browse websites and how to navigate the Internet safely. To

Accept “Except” is told through the meeting of two fugitives – one from the plantation era, the other from 2011 – the era of penitentiaries. This play is presented in in cooperation with Barbara Ann Teer’s

THURSDAY, FEB. 9 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.

Entrepreneurial Thursdays The Financial Ministry of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York is hosting six workshops focusing on entrepreneurship/small business owners and individuals looking to start a business. This workshop will focus on franchises. The topics discussed will include: what is a franchise; how to select a franchise; how to start a franchise; and how to fund a franchise. What personal assets are evaluated to start a franchise. Hosted by FranNet. 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) 2064600 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. 10 Outreach and Assistance Are you a young woman 17-24 years of age and need assistance in applying for housing, completing college applications, financial aid or just need assistance and don’t know where to turn? The Daughters of Isis Foundation is available for support!

Contact the foundation for information or to schedule an appointment.

For additional information, visit www.thedaughtersofisisfoundation.org,

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) 2970720. All services are free. Please call for next group date.

Feb. 3-9, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

SUNDAY, FEB. 5 Sunday Concert

register, 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.