Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 12 Issue No. 5 Feb. 4-10, 2011

PAGE 22

VA TO QUEENS VETS:

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PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

Despite a fresh round of pleas from Queens Congressmen for a full-service veterans’ hospital to serve a growing need, the Veteran’s Administration said it will not change its plans to develop private housing and what the community deems a lesser facility on the St. Albans VA site.

By Sasha Austrie…Page 3

Online at www.QueensPress.com

News Briefs OTB Patrons On The Bus Since OTB ceased operations in December, The New York Racing Association has provided bus service from former OTB sites to Aqueduct Racetrack on racing days. This week, they announced a change in the route for one of the buses.

Starting this week, Bus 3, which began at 160-38 Northern Blvd. in Flushing at 11 a.m. on live racing days, will add a stop at 136-55 Roosevelt Ave. in Flushing at 11:15 a.m., eliminating its previous stop at 245-19 Jamaica Ave. in Bellerose, due to lack of ridership.

On racing days, the buses run from three routes in Queens. The first route runs from Liberty Avenue and Cross Bay Boulevard in Ozone Park, former site of an OTB parlor, picking up passengers at 11:30 a.m. The second route begins at 6217 Roosevelt Ave. in Woodside at 11:15 a.m. and picks up passengers at O’Neill’s at 64-21 53rd Dr. in Maspeth at 11:30 a.m. The third is Bus 3, which serves the aforementioned Flushing stops.

The buses leave Aqueduct 15 minutes after the final post, board at the clubhouse entrance and drop patrons off at the same pick-up points.

In addition, NYRA offers shuttle service from the Queens Village LIRR stop to the Belmont Café simulcast center at Belmont Park. The bus leaves the Queens Village station at 11:45 a.m. and then leaves Belmont Café for its return trip to Queens Village at 4 p.m., 6:25 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

According to NYRA, the buses will run “until further notice.”

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 4-10, 2011

Tweet Shoveling Needs

KENNY BARRON TRIO Saturday, February 5, 2011

•

7:00 pm

$20.00 Adults / $10.00 Students & Seniors

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

Call: 718-262-2840 or online at www.york.cuny.edu For more information call 718-262-3750 Free Parking

Using a unique mix of social media and old fashioned outreach, New York City is helping seniors get the help they need shoveling this winter’s bounteous snowfall.

An outgrowth of the Christmas weekend snowpocalypse, NYC Service is using its Web site and Twitter to alert potential volunteers to seniors that require help shoveling.

After clicking on a link on the NYC Service Twitter feed, or through their Web site, volunteers can view a list by borough of intersections where help is needed. Unlike other volunteer opportunities, shovelers are not vetted by NYC Service.

“We’re actually super careful because they’re seniors,” said Diahann BillingsBurford, chief service officer for NYC Service.

After calling the contact number, volunteers tell NYC Service which posting they are interested in and are given the senior’s phone number. After the connection has been made, NYC Service removes the listing.

NYC Service reaches out to seniors through local clergy, senior centers and 311.

To request help shoveling snow, seniors can call 311 or contact their local senior center. To volunteer after the next storm, go to nycservice.org. To follow them on Twitter, go to twitter.com/nycservice.

Stavisky New No. 2 Dem Don’t miss GERI ALLEN! Saturday, March 5, 2011 • 7:00 pm. Call for tickets!

Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) has been appointed Vice Chairwoman of the Minority Conference of the New York State Senate.

In this role, Stavisky will work with the chair to make sure all legislators are briefed. “We take our job seriously, we work hard and try to produce results,” she said.

Stavisky works alongside Minority Leader Senator John Sampson to promote issues important to the state such as the economy and job development. “An important issue is unemployment,” said Stavisky. “Many people in Queens are unemployed.”

Stavisky said she hopes to pass an ontime budget that will take into account people’s needs; including students and senior citizens.

Her educational priorities include making sure the tuition does not go up at CUNY and SUNY, and to merge smaller school districts across the state to create efficiencies, a point highlighted Tuesday in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget address.

“If someone is qualified [to go to college], they should not be denied admission because they can’t afford tuition,” said Stavisky.

Along with her recent appointment, Stavisky has also returned to her position as the ranking member of the Higher Education Committee. She has been newly appointed to serve on the State Senate’s Judiciary Committee and re-appointed to the Aging, Education, Finance and Transportation Committees

Lawsuit Against Trash Site A nonprofit group filed a lawsuit in the Queens Supreme Court to stop the construction of the North Shore Marine Transfer Station, a key part of Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s trash management plans.

The suit, filed by Friends of LaGuardia Airport, calls the City’s insistence in building the proposed garbage transfer site close to the airport “unlawful, arbitrary and capricious.”

“Indeed, the FAA and USDA warned of the ‘risk posed to safe aircraft operations by birds’ that ‘would likely occur’ unless ‘the design and operation of the proposed MTS [marine transfer station]’ address these ‘wildlife issues,’” the complaint said.

The garbage transfer facility first drew the ire of local residents after it was found the station would be located less than 2,000 feet from a LaGuardia Airport runway. Aviation safety activists, congressmen and biologists lambasted the plan, claiming it would serve as an attractant for birds.

The City’s Dept. of Sanitation and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation are listed as the complaint’s respondents.

“The North Shore Marine Transfer Station is a key component of the Mayor’s solid waste management plan,” said Christopher King, senior counsel at the Environmental Law Division of the City’s Law Dept. “The plan will equip the City with a more equitable and environmentally sound waste management infrastructure and will reduce truck traffic in the city. It will be totally enclosed and is specifically designed to prevent attracting birds and other pests.”

The State DEC declined to comment, citing the litigation is ongoing.

Presstime

Despite Pleas, VA Plans Unchanged

BY SASHA AUSTRIE Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) has joined the litany of voices calling for a fullservice hospital at the St. Albans Community Living Center.

Ackerman is merely bolstering the views of veterans, the community and U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica). At a town hall meeting in September, Meeks said the project had to be stopped.

"A full-service hospital would benefit veterans in the New York Metropolitan area," Meeks said.

Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said he was excited Ackerman supported the community's need for a fullservice hospital.

Besides Ackerman, Meeks has gathered support from others. He said the two New York Senators, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Chuck Schumer as well as, Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-Rochester) are also supporting the call for a full-service hospital.

"We hope nothing happens," Meeks said. "We hope that we stop the process."

In a letter to Eric Shinseki, Dept. of Veterans Affairs' secretary, Ackerman urged Shinseki to stop the proposed project and "conduct a comprehensive study" detailing the needs of veterans.

"I am concerned that the current St. Albans facility, under the [Enhanced Use Lease], would be inadequate for the burgeoning needs of returning Afghanistan and Iraq veterans," Ackerman wrote. "The EUL process should be suspended until an appropriate study of veterans needs is conducted, and a plan for a full-service Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) at St. Albans is developed."

In response to Ackerman's letter, Jennifer Sammartino, VA public affairs officer, said the process was going to continue as planned.

"The goal of the EUL is to provide new state-of-the art facilities for Veterans at the St. Albans Community Living Center," Sammartino said. "Veterans using the St. Albans campus will continue to receive the same health care services they are currently receiving, but in a modern healthcare facility. The EUL process is ongoing and no further action has been taken."

The EUL allows the VA to lease underutilized land and offer improvements to a selected developer for a term of up to 75 years.

The VA site has been at the epicenter of a tug of war between veterans and the VA. Veterans insist the site should house a full-service hospital and the VA's current plan includes replacing the existing facilities with a new nursing home, psychosocial rehabilitation domiciliary and expanded outpatient facilities.

Including the new digs, the developer, St. Albans Village, LLC, would lease 25 acres of land for 75 years and build nonveteran housing "From the veterans' standpoint the most important thing in this particular process that is happening […] is that you are going to get brand new healthcare facilities," said Edwin Reed, a representative of St. Albans Village, at a town hall meeting in September. "In fact, it literally mirrors what is on the site now, but it is brand new, state-of-the-art and [it will] be able to deliver much better services than what is there now."

The 25 acres garnered by the developer

Queens Center Owners Buy Atlas Park

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

"I do not understand how any rational study could have led to the conclusion that demand for mental-health services will significantly decline in the coming years," Ackerman wrote. "All evidence suggests Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans will require a significant increase in VA mentalhealth services."

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

LPC Gives Addisleigh Landmark Status

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Addisleigh Park, the historic section of St. Albans known for its unique houses and former home of notable 20th Century black icons, received landmark status this week.

The two-dozen block area was given landmark status by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. It contains 426 buildings and is bordered by Linden Boulevard, Merrick Boulevard, Sayers Avenue, Addisleigh Park was given landmark status by the Land112th Avenue and the Long marks Preservation Commission.

Island Rail Road just north of the St. Albans LIRR station.

"Addisleigh Park and Sandy Ground attracted generations of African Americans who influenced the cultural and economic development and history not only of New York City, but also the nation," said LPC Chairman Robert Tierney. "Their contributions were so significant that we thought it was fitting to honor them with these votes at the start of Black History Month."

The landmarking will be finished after an official vote by the City Council later this year.

Originally built as a white neighborhood in the early 20th century, blacks The landmarked area of Addisleigh Park. were not allowed to move into the community, barred from buying homes there until the 1940s, when white neighbors sued Black History Month by beginning the homeowners who had sold their homes to landmarking process to make Addisleigh members of the black community. A 1947 Park an historic district," Councilman court ruling allowed the ban on sales to Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said in a blacks to continue. In 1948, the Supreme statement. "The Southeast Queens comCourt declared restrictions on selling munity takes tremendous pride in the homes to blacks unconstitutional. acknowledgement of this neighborhood The neighborhood is over 90 percent and I am hopeful that the rich history and black today and the average household legacy of Addisleigh Park will be used as a income is one of the highest in the bor- teaching tool in schools across the City." ough. In its proposal to landmark Comrie added that he hoped some Addisleigh Park, the LPC noted its "re- other parts of Southeast Queens would markable history that illuminates African- also be protected.

Americans' struggle for and achievement "I believe it is even more important now of the basic civil right of home ownership." to preserve not only this community, but Over the years, the neighborhood has the areas surrounding Addisleigh Park now been home to icons like Count Basie, John so that overdevelopment doesn't impact Coltrane, W.E.B. DuBois Ella Fitzgerald, this historical neighborhood," he said.

Lena Horne, Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at and Fats Waller. drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357"It's really significant that we begin 7400, Ext. 125.

Feb. 4-10, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

The Shops at Atlas Park, the struggling Glendale mall that has been in foreclosure for the last two years, was sold at auction to a Chicago-based real estate capital firm for $53.7 million; sources close to the deal tell the PRESS that the real owner is shopping mall magnate Macerich, owner of the Queens Center Mall Walton Street Capital, based in Chicago, bought the shopping center at an auction last Friday, Jan. 29. The mall was placed in receivership in 2009 after developer Atlas Park LLC defaulted on a $128 million loan to French banks Calyon and Societe Generale.

Paul Millus, the court-appointed receiver of the mall, confirmed Macerich's involvement in the deal. Millus said Walton Street Capital paid a down payment of 10 percent of the $53.7 million, a little more than $5 million. He said the property will be turned over to the new owners in 30 days, perhaps sooner, but he did not know whether the owner would be Walton Street, Macerich or another entity when the property is officially turned over. Macerich de-

clined to comment on the sale.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (DMiddle Village) also confirmed Wednesday that Macerich will be the owner of the property "Macerich, the owners of Queens Center Mall, will be managing the Shops at Atlas Park by Feb. 28 and, once they fully close on the purchase, we can finally move forward with developing Glendale's own shopping center," she said in a statement. "The community welcomes the new leadership with open arms and is eager to help Atlas become an engine for economic growth."

Macerich, based in Santa Monica, Calif., owns a handful of malls in the New York area, including Queens Center Mall, considered the most profitable retail space the country, as well as malls in Westchester, Freehold, N.J. and Danbury, Conn.

The banks hoped to sell the property for close to the $128 million price of the mortgage, nearly twice what Walton Street ended up paying, and will take a huge loss on the sale.

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

is slated for about 1,000 units along which would be entrenched in a jazz-themed neighborhood complete with a jazz plaza and enhanced train station.

We don't want anything," Meeks said.

"We just want a full-service hospital."

Ackerman said the current plan was constructed using Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES), a study that was released in 2006. He also took umbrage to the scaling back of mental health services in the new proposal.

Citizenship Dream Turned Nightmare

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 4-10, 2011

Delio Nunez, now a citizen of the United States, wanted the American dream in its entirety. A legal resident since the age of 7, Nunez wanted to be a citizen. He went through the necessary proceedings and at the final stages of the application process he felt his dream slipping away.

A crime he committed more than 30 years ago held his desire in jeopardy. In 1982, Nunez committed armed robbery and subsequently spent two years and five months in prison for his crime. It came back to haunt the husband and father of two.

Three years after he started the citizenship process, after seemingly endless paperwork and spending more than $500 in application, filing and fingerprinting fees, Nunez was denied.

"They took me through all those steps and they never said nothing," he said.

Nunez said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration officials rejected his application because they never received three references vouching for his moral character.

Nunez and his attorney had the post office receipt proving they sent the letters of recommendation, but the USCI had already contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A little more than a month after he was denied, ICE called him at work. At first he thought they were reviewing his case. To his surprise, they wanted him to come in.

In a little more than 48 "We are going to have to hours, Nunez was being reincarcerate you," the voice leased. He was sitting down on the phone said. to what would have been his "My head was spinning," third dinner in New Jersey.

Nunez said. He said he in"You going to eat that formed the immigration ofcrap or are you going to go ficer that he already served home and get some real time in prison. food?" a guard asked him.

The official answered, Before Meeks' office got "You did your New York involved, he had lost any State time, but you violated hope of gaining citizenship. immigration rights."

"We didn't know if he Nunez said the call came had to go before a judge; we in on a Thursday and he didn't know if he would be turned himself in the followgiven a bond so he could go ing Tuesday. The days leadback to his family," Barnes ing up to his surrender were said. sleepless and fearful. His Barely a month after he only ray of hope was the aswas released, on Dec. 17 surance that he would be reNunez took the Oath of Alleased in 48 hours. legiance.

When he arrived at the Delio Nunez's road to citizenship was wrought with legal wrangling.

"I was overwhelmed with ICE center, he learned that joy," he said. "I felt a presthe person who told him two ence with God. It was like a days may have spoken with"My mind could not shut down," he religious experience." out looking into the penalty. Now he was Though Nunez is happy about his citibeing told his time behind bars may be said.

Unbeknownst to Nunez, U.S. Rep. Greg zenship status, there is a bit of residual longer.

"Once I heard a month, two months, I Meeks (D-Jamaica) and Marilyn Barnes, frustration.

"How does a government […] keep his district office manager, were working panicked," he said.

Now in custody, he was taken to the behind the scenes. She said the office people locked up that don't need to be Varick Street Immigration Detention Cen- received a fax from Nunez's attorney the locked up," he asked. "I can't comprehend ter and then transferred to Monmouth night before he turned himself in and that how the government benefits."

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at County, N.J. Nunez said his heart broke morning, she started to work on his case.

"We reached out to ICE," Barnes said. saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 357when he could not contact his family, 7400, Ext. 123.

"Cases like this are not easy." especially his 13-year-old daughter.

Little Egypt Is United With Homeland Woes As protesters took to the streets of Cairo to demand reform and regime change, Egyptian-Americans in Queens took to our borough's streets in solidarity with their fellow countrymen back home.

Nearly 100 protestors stood on a snowcovered sidewalk on Steinway Street and 25th Avenue in the "Little Egypt" section of Astoria, outside the Al-Imam Mosque after Friday prayers on Jan. 28. Chanting in both English and Arabic, the protestors waved Egyptian flags and held signs decrying the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

"Out, out Mubarak!" chanted the protestors as they waved Egyptian flags and carried signs that read "Dethrone King Mubarak." Some honked horns and joined the chants as they drove by on Steinway Street.

Mubarak, a staunch ally of the United States, has been President of Egypt since 1981, when he took power after the assassination of former President Anwar ElSadat. Egypt has been besot with high unemployment and rising food prices which triggered the revolt, led by young Egyptians, mostly recent college graduates, looking for work and seeking freedoms enjoyed by Western democracies.

Fellow Arab-Americans from Tunisia, which also had an anti-government uprising last month, joined the protestors. One protestor on Steinway Street carried a Tunisian flag.

if he's gone, someone will "I'm here trying to suptake his place," she said. "I port my country," said don't see things changing Nihal Hassan, 22, an there."

American of Egyptian deThe Obama administrascent living in Astoria. tion has begun preparing for "We want to show people a post-Mubarak Egypt. U.S. in Egypt that we support Rep. Gary Ackerman (Dthem."

Bayside), the top Democrat Hassan, whose father on the House Foreign Aflives in Alexandria, said fairs Subcommittee on the citizens in Egypt suffer Middle East, said this was a from police brutality and "historical turning point" in election fraud at the hands the region and warned that of what she called the U.S. could not get directly "Mubarak's thugs." She involved. said Mubarak, who is 82, Protesters in Astoria call for an end to Hosni Mubarak's regime.

"We have to be careful was grooming his son, what we do, what we say, Gamal, to take his place as President when he retires or dies and tian descent, said she was surprised by the how we are perceived," he said. "We don't Mubarak would fix any election to see to it lack of freedoms in Egypt when she visited know who will replace [Mubarak], but we need to be proactive. Whoever they pick, the country two years ago. that his son wins.

"I said something negative about the Egyptian people need to see that we Salah Anwar, 21, an Egyptian-American from Alexandria, pointed to a picture Mubarak and my family shushed me, told are on their side."

Ackerman also warned that the proon a poster of an Egyptian student, Khaled me to keep quiet," she said.

Ali Meleis, an Egyptian permanently tests could spread across the Arab world, Saeed, a 28-year-old who studied in the United States. Saeed died under mysteri- living in New York, said it was important having already made their way to Egypt ous circumstances in Alexandria last June to stand with his country, even if he doesn't from Tunisia. On Tuesday, King Abdullah of Jordan fired his government after some when he was taken by police from an live there anymore.

"If you were living in another country, Jordanians took to the streets in Amman.

Internet cafĂŠ and allegedly beaten to death.

The picture, showing Saeed in a grey you'd still care about what happens in the In the West Bank, Palestinians have begun hooded sweatshirt, appeared on the poster U.S.," he said. "We may not live in Egypt protesting President Mahmoud Abbas' alongside a picture of his dead, beaten anymore, but it's still our home country, government.

"Wildfires don't know boundaries," corpse that appeared on the internet last and we care about what happens there.

Ackerman warned.

We want to see freedom there." year.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at Allam said she was not optimistic about "That is what happens in Egypt," Anwar drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357change in her home country. said.

"Mubarak knows what he's doing; even 7400, Ext. 125.

Mariam Allam, an American of EgypPRESS Photo by Domenick Rafter

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

Feb. 4-10, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

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

In Our Opinion: Arnold Thibou Executive Editor:

Brian Rafferty Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie

Editorial Good For Queens We're not sure at this point what the exact plans are for the Shops at Atlas Park, the beleaguered Glendale mall that has languished in foreclosure for the last two years.

Frankly, it suffers from many ills, not the least of which is its location - fairly inaccessible for the majority of Queens residents.

The fact that Macerich, the company that owns and operates the Queens Center Mall - which has historically been the highest grossing mall per square foot in the United States - will take control of Atlas gives us hope.

The last thing we want to see is the site simply fall apart. We believe it can work. We believe that with the right plan, the right marketing, the right mix of stores and the right partnerships with public transportation (as well as smarter parking options), the Shops At Atlas Park can be not only viable, but successful.

Yes, it is limited by its location, but surely there are smart people out there who can figure out how to make that work. They may very well be at Macerich.

We await their plans.

Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

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

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 4 - 10, 2011

Sara Gold Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend

Letters Atlas Wal-Mart To The Editor: I think Wal-Mart should come to Atlas Park. Wal-Mart appeals to different kinds of people, whether they are rich or working class. They would be an asset to the surrounding communities of Atlas Park.

Wal-Mart offers a wide range of products at reasonable prices.

We are all looking for bargains in this economy.

Also, they would offer jobs to people in the community.

People would be able to work in their own community. A cashier at K-Mart on Metropolitan Avenue told me to let her know if Wal-Mart opens, she would apply for a job there. Wal-Mart

pays their workers more than KMart does, according to this cashier.

Also, there is a lack of affordable supermarkets in this area.

Wal-Mart sells all kinds of food at reasonable prices. Many people are looking for that here.

It is also convenient to reach by bus especially since the Q54, Q45 and Q29 buses now stop at or near Atlas Park.

Also, this is a well populated area. They would never be crying for shoppers. A lot of people like to shop nearby, especially if the prices are right.

I know I live in Maspeth and I would walk out there more often if Wal-Mart opened there.

They have a lot of bargains. I

Letters shop on their Web site a lot, so a store opening up will save me postage.

I hope the local politicians will try to lure Wal-Mart to Atlas Park. It will help the community a great deal, especially in this economy. Please consider this.

Thank you.

Charlene L. Stubbs, Maspeth, NY

Tax Rich For Schools To The Editor: Instead of further cutting education, the Governor should continue the tax on high-earners, which would provide more than $5 billion in critical revenues.

Wall Street bankers can afford to pay a little more to help our kids receive a better chance to learn, especially as their mistakes caused the economy to collapse in the first place.

Competitive grants are a terrible idea. We don't provide health care on the basis of a contest, why should education, a basic human right, be any less important?

Leonie Haimson, Executive Director, Class Size Matters

No To Brotherhood To The Editor: There has been a tendency for our Democratic legislators, as well as liberal columnists, to compare the Tea Party movement in this country to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, each trying to influence their nation's policies through democratic activism.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1927 by a devoted follower of Adolf Hitler.

From that connection can be drawn a straight line to the infamous Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the raising of a Muslim, Waffen SS Division authorized

by Himmler.

After World War II, the Arab world gave sanctuary to many Nazis, f leeing the Allied War Crimes Commission, still intent on killing Jews and the nascent State of Israel. Is it any wonder then, that Hosni Mubarak banned the Brotherhood for the last 30 years?

The thought that the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered for participation in any Egyptian coalition government should bring chills to the soul of every American David Rivkin, Jamaica

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

fax: (718) 357-9417

Advertising Director Alan J. Goldsher

A Prouder Month For A Neighborhood

Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson

A Personal Perspective

By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie

Black History Month opened earlier this week with a historymaking event right here in Southeast Queens.

Addisleigh Park, the “gated” community that was once home to music legends, baseball greats and a Civil Rights icon was assigned official status as a historic district by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Count Basie, Milt Hinton, Lena Horne, Illinois Jacquet, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Brook Benton and James Brown were among the famous musicians who called the area home. W.E.B. Dubois lived and got married there in 1951 and baseball greats Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson called it home well after Babe Ruth had left.

Most, if not all of them, came from other areas of New York

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2011 Tribco, LLC

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

City and from other states, but Addisleigh Park became for jazz what Harlem was to art and literature during the first half of the 20th century.

The “black stars” helped to desegregate the neighborhood and they left their mark. Count Basie, affectionately known as “The Count,” is said to have had a backyard pool and was generous in letting the neighborhood children splash about even as he entertained his celebrity friends.

Today the “stars” of Addisleigh Park are mostly political representatives past and present, along with neighbors from across the professional spectrum. It remains a pristine, treelined enclave with wide streets and a magnificent park.

The folks from that bygone era of glamour and entertainment talent, as well as the ordinary residents, would probably be proud to see their old neighborhood preserved for generations to come.

The landmark designation will protect the past for the future. It means that no developer will ever be able to come back in and tear down a special home in favor of the profit motive.

That is not to say that there is anything wrong with an honest business person making a profit.

Far from it; commerce is important. It simply means that going forward, they will have to make it elsewhere. As a still-young nation, America needs to protect its special structures, neighborhood integrity and nature-made wonders.

One of the most disgraceful aspects of the current Egyptian uprising is the destruction of some treasures of antiquity: art, mummies and furniture. Thankfully, the military was able to put a stop to that fairly quickly.

Our young civilization doesn’t boast treasures of that magnitude, but unless we determine, designate and protect what we have

now, we won’t have anything to leave behind for generations in the centuries to come. A thousand years from now, Mount Rushmore is our Sphinx, our pyramid, our Stonehenge. And Addisleigh Park will still be a nice neighborhood even if the current homes fall prey to time and the elements.

Being a landmarked neighborhood may present an inconvenience for homeowners in some ways. It means they will not be allowed to make noticeable changes to the exterior of their homes.

Most people who pay mortgage and property tax would rather be free to expand or change the façade if they so desire. But who would want to see anyone desecrate the exquisite façade of the former James Brown house with some sort of “update?” This ruling protects it in perpetuity and that is a good thing for the future.

There’s cache in this decree.

Feb. 4-10, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Vallone: Fluoride – If In Doubt, Keep It Out

By PETER VALLONE Jr. ride in water, at lower levels than Did you know that the govern- what the EPA considers “safe,” to ment is putting toxic chemicals in lower IQ in children. While four our water which come from the out of five dentists may be enough scrubbing systems of to pick a gum, ALL the fer tilizer industry should agree before we and are classified as force-medicate the pub“hazardous wastes” (solic (a practice which dium fluorosilicate and many, including myself, fluorosilicic acid). Are would oppose under alyou concerned? You most any circumstance). should be. Unfor tuFluoride is a toxic nately, when t he se substance which accuchemicals are called mulate s in our bone s “fluoride,” safety conand tissues throughout cerns go down the our lives. Only 50% of Peter Vallone Jr. drain. it is excreted. While all There is a growing body of evi- poisons have “safe” levels, comdence that fluoride does more harm mon sense dictates it is impossible than good. One need only do a to monitor fluoride intake in indimodicum of research to find the viduals when it is in almost everymany ant i-fluoride websites and thing we eat and drink, and the studies. One of the most useful is amount of water and food people “50 Reasons to Oppose Fluorida- ingest varies widely. A 2008 ret ion,” by Dr. Paul Connet t port prepared for Congress by the (w w w.slwebb.org), where the Congressional Research Service sources for much of the medical concluded the allowable amounts information I used can be found. of fluoride should be lowered in orMost recently, a study published by der to prevent children from dethe National Institute of Environ- veloping severe enamel fluorosis mental Health (Dec. 17) linked fluo- and reduce the lifetime accumula-

tion of fluoride in bone which “is likely to put individuals at greater risk of bone fracture and possibly skeletal fluorosis.” This finding has been ignored.

Proponents of fluoride admit it is deadly at certain levels (one teaspoonful can kill an adult), but maintain that its effectiveness at fighting tooth decay offsets any potential harm. However, studies prove that tooth decay has decreased in areas without water fluoridation at the same levels as areas that fluoridate. Additionally, in areas and countrie s that have discont inued fluoridation, dental decay has actually decreased. The main reason for this is, as the Center for Disease Control has now acknowledged, any benefits from fluoride are topical. Fluoride toothpastes are effective and are not meant to be swallowed (because of the fluoride).

Since I recently introduced my legislation to ban fluoridation, the Daily News wants to put a “tinfoil hat” on me, while the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) had called me “hysterical,” “bizarre and unscientific,” and

stated that “the evidence of diminished IQ may be st be observed among certain city Council Members.” More importantly, since my law, the Government just released studies confirming the harm caused by ingesting fluoride and recommending that allowable levels be decreased to an amount lower than what exists in N YC water right now! The Government, and industry funded hacks like the ACSH, cannot now admit they were wrong - because of the huge potential liability - so this is their first step toward a future elimination of this toxin. Expect soon to read a government release saying that fluoride is being removed because of the huge costs involved, and the fact that we can all get enough of it from other sources. There will be no admission of fault, nor any apology to the growing chorus of those “hysterical” voice s which tried to protect the public.

So before the Daily News fits me for my tinfoil hat, they should probably pick up a few extra rolls of foil for the many doctors, scientists, Nobel Prize winners and coun-

tries who support my position (or rather, whose position I support).

France has rejected fluoride for “ethical as well as medical considerations,” Austria and Denmark have stated, “toxic fluorides have never been added to our water,” while Belgium echoed most of Western Europe when it stated, “it is not the task of drinking water to deliver medicinal treatment to the people.”

Even the union representing the scientists at EPA headquarters has said, “The toxicity of fluoride is so great and the purported benefits are so small – if there are any at all – that requiring every man, woman and children in America to ingest it borders on criminal behavior…”

It’s time for an intelligent discussion to be had on this controversial practice. I believe after that occurs, most people will support the City using the “Precautionary Principle,” which says, if in doubt, leave it out.

Peter Vallone Jr. is a New York City Councilmember representing the 22nd District.

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 4-10, 2011

Dean Skelos Iffy On Redistricting Promise He Made

By HENRY J. STERN Word is out that Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos may not intend to comply with the promise he made to New York Uprising t hat the Republicans in the state senate would suppor t an independent commisHenry sion to redraw Senate and Assembly district lines for the 2012 elections. New York Uprising has Skelos’ signed pledge and a copy of his letter to Mayor Koch.

The entire Republican caucus in the Senate endorsed New York Uprising’s proposal for an independent non-political redistricting. The G.O.P. Senators and candidates for seats held by Democrats were recognized for their decision by being authorized to use the New York Uprising logo and the designation “Hero of Reform.” The approval by the group headed by former Mayor Ed Koch was valuable to Republican candidates, who won control of the Senate by the narrowest of margins, 32 to 30. Several of the seats won by Republicans were carried by margins of a few hundred votes. Twenty-nine Republicans agreed to the pledge, the total number of Republicans serving in the Senate at that time. One Republican passed away in July.

Mayor Koch has written several letters to Mr. Skelos, proposing a meeting to discuss compliance with the commitment to an independent commission, but has not received a re sponse. Other politicians say that when the Re-

publicans were in the minority in the State senate, from 2009 through 2010, it was easy to make promise s wh ich would never have to be kept unle ss a nd unt il they won control of the Senate. They did win control in December Stern 2010 when the last race, in Nassau County, was decided in favor of the Republican challenger over the Democratic incumbent, who had lost at the polls and appealed to the courts, which found no reason to inter fere w ith the decision of the voters.

The United States Constitution (Art. 1, Sec. 2) requires a census to be taken every ten years, and the Congress to be reapportioned pursuant to the results of the census. As a result of the 2010 census, New York State will lose two seats in Congress (going from 27 to 25 districts). Under the 1930 and ’40 censuses, New York held 45 of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives. In the following seventy years, the New York delegation shrank by 44 per cent. Since present trends in the movement of population to the south and west and away from the rust belt and blizzard states are expected to continue, it is reasonable to assume that New York will suffer a further loss of House seats in 2020 and the years beyond.

Within the state, the population loss came upstate rather than downstate (New York City and suburbs) so the northern seats should

be vulnerable. In the 111th Congress, there were only three Republicans in the state’s 29-member delegation. In the 112th Congress, which has just begun its work, there are eight Republicans, following a turnover of four seats upstate and one on Staten Island.

It is the State Legislature that draws the lines of the new Congressional districts. Since the Senate is Republican and the Assembly Democratic, it is likely that the results will represent a compromise between the political leaders of both major par ties. Governor Cuomo has stated that he will veto any redistricting legislation that does not contain a provision for an independent districting commission. It will require some tw isting for the three men in a room to reach agreement.

If they do not agree, the state cour ts will eventually take over the redistrict ing process (unle ss federal laws are violated). The cour t w ill bring in independent experts to draw the lines, subject to judicial review and approval. Equitable and reasonable district boundaries are usually unacceptable to both political parties. After the rivals see what the court has done, the Republicans and Democrats scurry to make a deal to create or abolish districts so as to protect their favorites and discommode their known enemies, rivals or potential adversaries.

The leaders of the Assembly and the Senate can use their power of districting to reward or punish legislators who do not obey their

instructions, or who demonstrate undue independence in voting and sponsoring legislation. The leaders also determine the legislative payroll; giving ordinary members more or fewer staff members, depending on their fidelity to the wishes of the powers that be. They also award member items, for local improvement s a nd expenditure s, again on the basis of political subservience rather than community need.

Once in place, speakers or majority leaders are extremely difficult to displace, and a failed attempt at a coup, which happened in the Assembly in 2000, can re-

sult in the political destruction of the plotters, and a period of exile for those aware of their intentions.

This political dance must be performed at the same time as the Legislature grapples with a $10 billion budget shortfall. The fact is that honest, impartial district ing does not cost any more than gerrymandering, so the issues we discuss are not que st ions about money. They are, however, issues of power, and those are often more difficult to resolve than situations where people can simply be bought off, some quite cheaply as a matter of fact.

StatrQuest@NYCivic.org

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

Police Blotter Compiled By DOMENICK RAFTER

105th Precinct Man Missing The NYPD is asking the public's assistance in locating the following man reported missing in Queens Village.

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 12:15 a.m., Robert Hoyte, 62, of 79-25 Winchester Blvd., Queens Village, was last seen leaving his home. He is described as 5-foot-10, 165 lbs. with black eyes and black hair and was last seen wearing a red jacket, green hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577TIPS (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) then entering TIP577. All calls will be kept strictly confidential.

108th Precinct DWI Tow On Jan. 31 at approximately 3:30 p.m., Louis Carbon, 52, an on-duty Traffic Enforcement Agent assigned to the Queens Tow Pound was arrested and charged with DWI.

112th Precinct Mugger Sought

Police are looking for Robert Hoyte.

The NYPD is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the following man wanted for a robbery in the vicinity of Saunders Street and 64th Avenue in Rego Park.

On Monday, Jan. 24, at approximately 5:15 p.m., a 66-year-old white woman was approached from behind by the suspect who punched the victim, removed her pocketbook and fled on foot towards 65th Avenue on Saunders Street.

The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic man, approximately 20 years old, 5-foot-11 or 6-feet, 160 lbs., thin build.

He was last seen wearing a black hat, black

jacket, black scarf and gloves, blue jeans and white sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577TIPS (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) then entering TIP577. All calls will be kept strictly confidential.

114th Precinct Queensbridge Death

He is 5-foot-5, 190 lbs. and was last seen wearing a blue shirt, tan sweater, tan pants and brown boots. He has a tattoo on his right bicep of "Guapo Batman."

Anyone with information is asked to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577TIPS (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) then entering TIP577. All calls will be kept strictly confidential.

On Saturday, Jan. 29 at approximately 1:27 a.m., police responded to a 911 call of a man shot at the corner of 41st Avenue and 12th Street, in Queensbridge.

Upon arrival, police observed Clarence Williamson, 39, of 176-57 133rd Rd., Locust Manor, with one gunshot wound to the left shoulder.

EMS responded and transported the victim to Cornell Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. There were no arrests at this time and the investigation was ongoing.

Missing As Well The NYPD is looking for a missing Astoria man.

Cody Goudeau, 28, of 21-63 36th St. in Astoria, was last seen on Jan. 30 at 1 a.m. inside of 25-01 Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria.

Police are looking for Cody Goudeau.

Feb. 4-10, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Singing For Cake:

Singers, Musicians Dance Their Way Into Waltz-Astoria’s Welcoming Arms

BY ALESSANDRA MALITO Singers and songwriters were lining up through the Waltz-Astoria café on Thursday, Friday and Saturday last week to perform two of their songs to the talenthungry judges and audience members.

It was not your typical contest. The rules included two songs, all original, only piano or guitar, and no electronic help.

You could have one other person perform with you.

Sign-up was at 6 p.m. every day, but often times, Pedro Gonzalez, the coowner and co-creator of this event, had to turn musicians away at the door.

"It was jam-packed every night," said Gonzalez, who owns the venue with his wife, Song. "We had to send people home."

The Acts

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 4-10, 2011

Some performers were not new to the environment, having played contests or performed during the café's weekly Tuesday- and Wednesday-night open mics. But others were new to Queens, let alone Waltz-Astoria.

"I played once before," said Meika Pauley, one of Sunday's 10 finalists. "I barely play in Queens. It's a nice community [Pedro has] been fostering. It's nice in the City to feel it's a community supporting each other."

Pauley, who has been performing live since 2002, played two songs on Saturday night, one a cappella with just the rhythm of her fist against her guitar, and another strumming its strings. While attending Harvard University, she realized that performing was something she wanted to do, after having made some money doing street performances.

All types of talents were seen throughout the three-day contest. Whether it was a musician strumming his guitar or banging the keys of a baby grand, audience members, as well as judges, were bobbing their heads back and forth and clapping at the end of each performance. Lyrics

revolved around a medley of topics, like songs about picking the worst guy in the world or even being a bad Catholic school boy.

Artists ranged from teenagers to seniors.

Some musicians even used both instruments.

Eric Contractor, a regular at the Waltz-Astoria, played "Visions of Aphrodite" on the piano and "Driving Down the Coast" on the guitar.

"I like the attention everyone will be paying to everyone's music," said Contractor, who hails from New Jersey, but now lives in Brooklyn.

He displayed the same mentality as so many other musicians from the contest - to play his music and show everyone else what he can do.

"I just want to play for a lot of people," he said. "That's what I like, regardless of the outcome.

The more people I can play for, the better."

His album, "Night Escape," will be released in the spring.

Catherine Lena Stephani, singing along to her brother Nicholas Stephani’s guitar playing, was the firstplace winner for the Waltz-Astoria’s Ultimate SingerSongwriter Contest.

And The Winners Are… Gonzalez joked that some people seemed more interested in the trophy than the $500 cash award for taking first-place.

Eventually, after four nights of performances and 60 contestants, the finalists were chosen by an audience vote. The first-place winner was Catherine Lena Stephani. Second-place was Bryce Larsen and third place went to Robinson Treacher. The other seven finalists included Pauley, Erin Lindsay Dragan, the band August Glory, Justin Bohr, Elizabeth Devlin, Stephanie Nash and Jeff Jacobs.

Larsen was the one wild card.

"People just want to get involved and get more exposure," Gonzalez said.

Singers and songwriters line up for sign-up at 6 p.m. on Saturday for Waltz Astoria’s Third Annual “Ultimate Singer-Songwriter Contest.”

The contest brought out musicians from Connecticut, New Jersey, Staten Island and Long Island.

"I'm really glad they're out there in Astoria," said Valeria Mize, a guitarist from Washington Heights who performed on Friday.

Waltz-Astoria is constantly supporting live music and the musician's community, she said.

A Piece Of Cake

Finalist Meika Pauley performed two songs for a chance to win $500. will happen in about seven months. Until then, they plan on having a comedian's contest, as well as their regularly scheduled open mics and shows.

Overall, the contest was well-received.

And like Gonzalez says at the end of every night, "The show is over, have a drink."

Waltz-Astoria is located at the corner of 24th Street and Ditmars Boulevard.

To learn more call (718) 95-MUSIC (68742) or go to waltz-astoria.com.

"My wife is a classical musician," said Pedro. "It's a struggle to put yourself out there. [The contest] actually helps them for their albums and EPs." Musicians got all the help they could, while the audience watched from the intimate seating area, drinking lattes and eating sandwiches and cake.

In fact, that's how the contest came to be: with a piece of cake.

"It was an open mic, maybe six performers," said Gonzalez, reminiscing about that night, with its bad snowy weather and all. Because of the inclement weather, he and his wife decided the person who received most of the audience's votes would get a free piece of cake. "That's how the idea began."

Since then, of course, the contest has expanded and it's only con- Eric Contractor, a Waltz-Astoria regular, performed “Vitinuing. Another contest sions of Aphrodite” on the piano.

Borough Beat

Book Emergency Leads To Novel Ideas

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY In what it has dubbed a book emergency, the Queens Library system has stopped buying new books using capital funds until the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

This unprecedented step in the library's history kept doors open - and has volunteers from across the borough coming together to raise money so book buying can continue.

"When a child is having trouble in math and reading, having enough books on hand is pretty important," said Tienya Smith, library manager for the Long Island City branch. "There are a lot of people who are out of work and are having a hard time finding new positions. They come here for test booklets. And when we don't have them people are at a loss."

The Queens Library Foundation is the private fundraising arm of the library. Featured on its Web site is the buy-a-book campaign, which started on Jan. 1. With Foundation employee salaries paid for out of the Queens Library budget, 100 percent of donations go towards book buying.

Friends of the Library are volunteer groups formed to support individual library branches. While there are 62 branches, 40 have Friends groups. Using private donations, the Foundation is offering matching grants to Friends groups, up to $500.

Several have already hit that target.

"Say you live in Cambria Heights and you give a $5, $10, or $25 donation, it goes right into that library," said Jennifer Manley, spokeswoman for the Queens Library." I think it is something that communities could really get behind because of that."

A $25 donation buys one book, and brings the donor acknowledgment in the form of a book plate inside that book that includes the donor's name.

Some Friends groups have come up with creative ways to raise funds, like Kew Gardens Hills, which makes a cookbook every year. This year, funds from the sale will go towards buy-a-book.

Other groups are setting up information tables in local branches, and going around to local businesses and asking for funds and a place to put donation envelopes.

"That is a very big part of the campaign," Manley said, of support from local business.

In Long Island City, the seven active members of the newly formed Friends group have already raised $600, Smith said. While $600 may not sound like a lot of money, it represents one new shelf of books, with an additional shelf from the matching grant.

In addition to working with local schools and businesses, LIC Friends has held bake and brownie sales.

"They've been really popular," Smith

said. "The Friends group has also set up a table in the library. Those customers have really been helping out too."

Going above and beyond is PS 111, which is donating proceeds from their Valentine's Day dance to the buy-a-book campaign.

"All the other schools have equally contributed," she said.

Local businesses have also been very receptive.

"They've been very open to it," she said. "They are very shocked about the state we are in."

For their part, the Foundation is pleased with response so far, said Diana

Chapin, executive director of the Queens Library Foundation.

"I have been getting individual donations from people who are responding to the fact that there is this emergency," she said. "It's been going well, but obviously it has just begun."

Ever y little bit helps. To donate money, go to your local branch, call the Queens Library Foundation at (718) 4804273 or go to their Web site at queenslibraryfoundation.org and click donate now, or buy-a-book.

Reach Reporter Jessica Ablamsky at jablamsky@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

Helping Out: Devon O'Connor, 19, of Welcome to Whitestone presents a $750 check to support innovative programs and services at St. Mary's Hospital for Children, one of the region's premiere providers of postacute pediatric care for children with special needs.

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Friday, February 11, 2011 • 7:00 pm Suggested donation: $10.00

THE YORK COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 94-45 Guy Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11451

Major funding for this series provided by NYC Councilmembers the late Thomas White Jr. (28th-CD), and Leroy Comrie (27th-CD), Deputy Majority Leader NY City Council and Chair of Land Use Committee.

Box Office: 718-262-2840 PAC info: 718-262-3750 www.york.cuny.edu FREE PARKING

Feb. 4-10, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

ONYX VOCAL CONSORT

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

Public Safety Briefing

Photo by Ira Cohen

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 4-10, 2011

Welcoming Liu State Committee Member John Dorsa, Assemblyman Ed Braunstein, District Leader Mary Ann Dorsa, Assemblyman Rory Lancman, City Comptroller John Liu, Former Council Speaker Peter Vallone, Sr. and President Paul Vallone at the Clinton Democratic Club's first meeting of 2011.

A Towering Project Photo by Dominick Totino

Joining Queens DA Richard Brown (c., at podium) at his annual public safety briefing to elected officials from Queens County were (l. to r.)

Councilman Eric Ulrich, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, Assemblywoman Grace Meng, Councilman Mark Weprin, Assemblyman Ed Braunstein, Assemblyman Francisco Moya, Assemblyman Jeff Aubry, Assemblyman Mike Miller, Assemblyman Mike DenDekker, Councilman Dan Halloran, Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr., Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz, Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer, Councilman James Sanders, Jr.'s Chief of Staff Donovan Richards and Councilwoman Diana Reyna.

Chin-Lung Hu, the first MLB player to have a two-letter last name on his jersey, was introduced by the New York Mets last week at Citi Field as a back-up shortstop and utility infielder. We can't wait for him to play first base.

Queens Churches Mayor Mike Bloomberg stopped in at Terrace on the Park last Friday night to pay tribute to the Queens Federation of Churches.

Photo by Ira Cohen

pix

Hu's At Short?

FAA officials joined U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Boro President Helen Marshall and other local politicians to cut the ribbon at the new Air Traffic Control Tower at LaGuardia Airport last month.

Profile

Giving Back Despite A Tough Life

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 4-10, 2011

Emily Ernau is mature beyond her 18 years. She has no hesitation answering questions about her future. But the most stunning aspect of Ernau is her kindness to others in the face of her abusive childhood.

Though she is a resident at a Safe Space group home, Ernau used her own money to volunteer in Haiti. From Jan. 516, she volunteered with All Hands Volunteers in Leogane, Haiti.

“I really, really wanted to help out,” she said.

Ernau said she took a week and a half off from her job at Starbucks.

“They knew how really important it was to me,” she said. “It didn’t really hit me until I was in Haiti.”

While there, she visited orphanages, mixed cement to build water filters and helped lay a foundation for a new school.

She said though the people in Haiti are blessed with little, the small things in life mean the world to them.

“They are more tolerant,” she said.

“What’s beautiful about it is it would be rude not to say ‘bonjour’ to everyone.”

The New York City teenager said though she did not speak the language, there were gestures that were beyond words.

“I don’t know French, I don’t know day behind bars. She said her grandCreole, but a smile transcends language,” mother then forced her to lie about the abuse. she said.

She tried living with her father, but his This is not her only instance of volunnew wife was not acteer or charity work. To cepting; person who was the chagrin of an supposed to protect her unsuppor tive family, pushed her away. At the amidst a troubled childage of 14, she went to hood, she still donated live with her grandher time to worthy mother and though the causes. physical abuse ended, By her account, the mental abuse ate Ernau’s life took a perilaway at her self-worth. ous turn at the age of 4.

“I have acne and she This began a childhood would tell me that I’m a and adolescence rife monster, disgusting and with both physical and no one would love me,” emotional abuse. she said. “My grand“My mom would kick mother was a whole me in my stomach and other case of crazy.” bang my head against the Ernau contends the wall,” she said. abuse not only targeted Ernau said every childish infraction was Emily Ernau has devoted her life her physical appearance, an excuse for her to giving back despite suffering but her grandmother harped on her educamother’s abuse. For through an abusive childhood. tion. She said her grandyears, she said she sufmother encouraged her fered in silence, but at 10, she finally told her school guidance to drop out of school, but she refused. counselor. Her mother was arrested, but Time and again, Ernau said her grandthe reprieve did not last. Ernau said her mother asked her to leave the home.

At 17, she took her grandmother’s step-father, a police officer, ensured that her mom would not spend more than a advice and left.

“I was just tired […] too much drama,” she said.

Her first stop was Covenant House, a shelter for runaways. Though Ernau was technically homeless during her senior year of high school at Bronx Leadership Academy, she found family in the people she met at Safe Space.

“I love the environment,” she said. “I love the staff. They make it like family. I feel more secure at Safe Space. I don’t have to worry about someone putting me down.”

Her dreams are beyond any borders.

She is currently a freshman at Lehman College, with a double major in English and sociology. She wants to be an English teacher, but first she wants travel the world as an ESL teacher. She plans to spend her summer vacation volunteering in Haiti and hopes to attend the State University of New York at New Paltz in the fall.

Ernau’s life is far from storybook, but she seems to see the silver lining in every dark cloud. The relationship with her mother is tentative and she and her father are trying to build theirs.

“My dad has been really supportive,” she said.

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

A&E

QC Exhibit Asks: Does Home Matter?

For many New Yorkers, one's zip code determines the pizza they eat, the baseball team they cheer, and their general attitude about life. But can it influence the art they make? By bringing New York-area artists to the Queens College Art Center in Flushing for a month-long residency, EXPRESS+LOCAL: NYC AESTHETICS explores the possible effect of locale on their work.

A total of 15 artists from diverse disciplines, divided into three groups, will share gallery space for one month at a time (Jan. 28-Feb. 28; March 1-31; and April 1-29). The public will have the opportunity to view the works-in-progress and talk with the participants during an Open Studio one night each month, and at varied times during their residency. A free culminating exhibition (May 5-June 30) will showcase pieces created during their time in Queens and feature artists' talks with the curator, Tara Mathison.

Depending on their chosen resi-

“Lady With Earmuffs” from photographer Tommy Mintz’s “Cheap Shots” exhibit in 2009. He will photograph life at the Queens College campus through Feb. 28 as part of the exhibit. dency, the visual artists, writers, musicians and curators will work separately or together within the gallery space to respond to the idea of place. EXPRESS+LOCAL aims to offer insight into the varied studio practices documenting their creative

Southern BBQ On Bell our taste buds and lightly spiced corn Jambalaya that reminded us of our last meal on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

The quality, high-grade meats were slow-cooked to perfection, from anywhere between 10 to 12 hours, resulting in tender and delicate delights that melted in our mouths.

Done with a different twist, the Three Brothers’ style evolved from a Southern tour across BBQ country.

Yielding an interest in the ancient art of ’cuing, the three brothers brought home an equation which now results in one of the borough’s best BBQ joints.

Sucking down an authentic Boylan Birch Beer, I jiggled in my seat after our hearty starter, trying to make room for more while swaying to the sounds of soft blues playing in the background.

Next, our eyes danced around the second course of our evening; the 3 Bros. Famous steak sandwich, accompanied by double smoked bacon, a small cup of chipotle mayo and what seemed like a traditional Italian link.

More than your father’s summer Saturday afternoon weenie roast, this “Boutique Butcher” gives the Italian favorite a special twist, resulting in a slowsmoked link with a subtly-spiced quality that kicks.

The double-smoked bacon, charred to perfection, did not last long. I devoured the savory swine, pouring chipotle glaze on each bite, putting every slice of bacon I ever ate to shame.

Last but not least, the three brothers made our evening, breaking our belts with their signature homemade bread pudding.

I greedily grabbed the fresh, warm, gooey and daily made dessert before my partner had a chance. Lost in edible ecstasy, my stomach thanked my mouth and mind for choosing a meal from delectable menu that made a difference.

— Jason Banrey

States and internationally. Her work is in collections around the world. During her 10 years of curating experience, Mathison has focused on contemporary artists and visual culture. At the Queens College Art Center, she has worked with more than 25 artists and 15 exhibitions since 2007.

The Jan. 28-Feb. 28 participants include Ellis Avery, a Manhattan-based novelist who teaches fiction writing at Columbia University and focuses on writing haiku inf luenced by the city. Becky Franco, a large-format muralist from Brooklyn now living in Port Washington, Long Island, explores extravagance within domestic life. Erin Hanke, a harpsichordist working in New York City, will webcast her daily practice sessions for viewers. Tommy Mintz, a photographer whose work captures the day-to-day life of city dwellers, will photograph the Queens College community to showcase the borough's diversity. The Open Studio will be held Thursday, Feb. 17, 5-8 p.m.

The March 1-31 participants all live in Brooklyn. Their Open Studio will be held Thursday, March 24, 5-8 p.m.

The April 1-29 participants include Manhattan-based painter Anne Sherwood Pundyk, who strips away the pretenses of painting and art-making in a studio, hidden from those who see the final productcreating new work centered on the private vs. public. The Open Studio will be held Thursday, April 14, 5-8 p.m.

Bayside Historic Opens A Castle Just For Kids

Bayside Historical Society has created an inviting space within its headquarters, The Castle, where children can learn about everyday life in Queens, circa 1906.

A grand opening reception and Victorian Valentine workshop will be held on Sunday, Feb. 6 from 2-4 p.m. to mark the occasion.

Geared for those ages 3 and older, the newly dedicated room gives children an opportunity to learn about their community at the turn of the 20th Century through photographs, toys, tools, kitchen utensils, puzzles and literature. Visitors can also dress up in the styles of the time and view a Victorian dollhouse.

"The whole idea behind designating an area just for children stems from experiences I had with children who visited this building on class trips," said Denise Johnson, BHS Vice President of Education. "They would come in and marvel at the beauty of the place, the size of it, but there wasn't much here for them to do.

They loved the building, but that wasn't enough. We wanted to create an area where children could be engaged. And we now have that - a place where they can explore history through play, because after all, that is how they learn."

Focusing on the turn of the century as a point in history was an easy decision, according to Johnson, because many of BHS's educational programs for

children concentrate on that era. Also, she noted, 1906 seemed the perfect year to paint the stark comparison of rural Queens with its modern-day counterpart.

"If we would have chosen a year, say, a decade later, things changed drastically in terms of fashion, music, inventions," said Johnson. "This was the perfect year to teach children about the simple life, the rural life in Queens. By engaging in self-exploratory activities in this room, they'll have some concept of what life was like for children at that time[...] working in the kitchen, they'll know what mama did, for instance. History begins at home, and in order to understand the present, we have to know about the past and where we came from."

The children's room will be open on selected weekends during the spring. Call (718) 352-1548 in advance, or visit baysidehistorical.org for hours. Special programming and activities will be announced. There is a $5 fee per child for the Victorian Valentine workshop ($10 per family) on Feb. 6, which will include the Valentine workshop, period games, activities, crafts, cross-stitching, costumes and more. Call in advance to register.

The Bayside Historical Society is located within Fort Totten Park, in Bayside, and is accessible by both public transportation (Q13 or Q16 bus to Fort Totten) and car.

Feb. 4-10, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

THREE BROTHERS BUTCHER 40-21 Bell Blvd., Bayside (718) 224-7753 CUISINE: Southern BBQ HOURS: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; SatSun 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

CREDIT CARDS: All major (except American Express) DELIVERY: Yes Finding an authentic BBQ joint in Queens that rivals the legendary smoke houses of Memphis may seem like trying to find a white bunny rabbit in last December’s snowstorm.

At last, your quest for quality spicerubbed grub can be put to rest. Paying respect to classic BBQ of the South, Three Brothers Butcher on Bell Boulevard appeals to all backgrounds, giving Bayside a selection of eclectic tastes that will make your heart sink.

On entr y, the enormous deli counters stretching to the end of the slender, sauce-slinging establishment fooled me. Encased behind the vast glass fridges, I was tantalized by the wide selection of smoky, meat-laden creations lying before me.

Sitting for a late dinner with my guest, I looked over the lengthy list of luscious barbecued meats. Glad I had only eaten a box of raisins for lunch, my guest and I ordered a medley of meats we knew would not disappoint.

First, we were served a three-meat combo of pulled pork, pulled chicken and chopped brisket. Treated with just the right amount of homemade barbecue sauce, I scooped up a hardy selection of each, leaving just enough for my guest to try.

My guest and I fell immediately in love with the brisket. Not playing favorites, we washed back each bite with a mixture of homemade honey cornbread, which crumbled around our palettes, creamy spinach that tickled

response to New York and specifically, the borough of Queens. While some of the artists are very familiar with Queens and Queens College, others have had no direct experience before the residency; EXPRESS+LOCAL may lead each artist to forge a new sense of place.

"This exhibition is a curatorial experiment investigating whether or not artists are affected by New York City and the borough of Queens, and, in turn, whether Queens and Queens College will be affected by them," says Mathison.

"EXPRESS+LOCAL will also try to learn whether a collective effort to explore Queens will reveal a regional New York City aesthetic."

Through EXPRESS|LOCAL, the Queens College Art Center continues its support of contemporary artists living and working in New York City. The featured artists range in age, medium and scale of work, with their New York residencies extending from the present to a lifetime, but each has a constantly evolving artistic relationship with the city. Given the borough's size, diversity and proximity to Manhattan, Queens may be able to offer unique insights on the contemporary art world.

An artist herself, Mathison received an MA and MFA in printmaking while teaching drawing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A member of the Brooklyn artist collective 3rd Ward, she has exhibited extensively in the United

Faith

Trading The Streets For The Pulpit

BY SASHA AUSTRIE Corey Terry does not sugarcoat or hide his past. He is an example that God can touch anyone’s life and use them for His purpose.

“I didn’t think God would need someone like me,” he said.

Terry, a Southeast Queens resident since he was young, remembers his troublesome childhood years.

“I was difficult,” he said. “I loved the streets.”

His troubled childhood turned into rambunctious teenage years. He attended three high schools before graduating from Elmont High School. Though he admits to a checkered past, his mother and the Rev. Dwight Jackson continued to encourage and discipline Terry.

After high school, Terry said he wanted to be an outside engineer repairing phone lines and he did just that until he became injured. Throughout his turmoil, he never turned his back on the church.

His faith helped him achieve and he

became a successful real estate broker, but there was a higher calling in his life. Terry became closer to God when his mentor and friend, Jackson, became ill.

“I was his caregiver until he passed,” he said. “He was that driving force that always told me that I could be somebody.”

Once he turned his life around, Terry took what he learned and applied it to his community.

“I’m 41 years old now and I started getting myself together at about 25,” he said. “At about 50, I’ll be 50 percent [closer to heaven].”

For about three years, he and friends raised funds to outfit PS 176 with a sound system and drop down projection screens.

In 2006, God told Terry, “I need you to do something for me.”

His response was, “Anything, Lord.”

Terry said he believed that he had done his part to serve God. “I thought if I just threw some money on it, I would be good,” he said.

Terry thought wrong.

God asked him to “go to school and

Word “Many people think they have religion when they are troubled with dyspepsia.”

– Robert G. Ingersoll

study my Word.”

Terry was hesitant.

“I didn’t want to preach,” he said. “It is not something that I thought I should be trying to do.”

Terry thought his past disqualified him from standing at the pulpit.

“I thought He will forgive me, but He surely will not employ me,” he said.

God warned that if he did not follow His will that everything that Terry had would dissipate. At first, Terry said he ignored God’s caution.

Terry relented after a few business deals soured.

He said God made it easy for him and told him to attend New Greater Bethel Institute. Terry will graduate in June. He is an associate minister at Antioch Baptist Church.

“I learned from the Word that God can use anybody,” he said. “He has used me to build ministries for young people.”

Before you call him minister, read 2 Timothy 2:15. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Terry believes in the scripture wholeheartedly and tries to better himself every day. He does not want nor need the title of reverend.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at saustrie@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Corey Terry’s dicey past has translated into a future as a minister.

Notebook Campus Magnet Complex

MAST Prez Taking Duties Seriously Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 4 - 10, 2011

BY BOB HARRIS Rochelle Brown, a senior in the Mathematics, Science Research & Technology High School in the Campus Magnet Complex, Cambria Heights, is taking her duties seriously.

She works with Mr. Eskander, the Coordinator of Student Affairs and Ms. Shaker, the senior advisor. She is involved with all the events in which the students at this small school take part. She works to organize fund-raising activities so senior activities can take place, involves the students in the decision-making process and works to get donations for the school.

Some of the past activities she has taken part in at MAST HS are representing the school at high school fairs, volunteering at the Homecoming Campus Magnet Football celebration and representing the school at a meeting of other COSAs and Borough Student Advisory Council Members (BSAC) in

the Campus Magnet Building.

Brown took Tech Prep college courses, has been in Arista for two years and has a 93 percent grade average. She is a member of the Youth and Tennis group based at Roy Wilkins Park and hopes to join the Campus Magnet tennis team, which has students from the four schools in the Campus Magnet Complex.

Brown hopes to attend Temple University in Philadelphia or Penn State and study Journalism. She has volunteered to write stories about her school, which will be sent to the local newspapers.

Among the things she is thinking of doing are charity work, starting a foundation or joining the Peace Corps. Special quotes she likes are “Nowhere does success come before work except in the dictionary,” uttered by Vince Lombardi, and “You can’t expect to get anywhere if you don’t put in the work,” said by her parents. Her mother, Donna, is a third grade teacher.

MAST Student Council President Rochelle Brown has spent the better part of her high school career being an extraordinarily busy student.

Feb. 4-10, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 174-15 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina.

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

TALKS HOMEOWNERSHIP Saturday, February 5 Basics of Homeownership: What You Need To Know To Get Started at 11 at the Sunnyside library.

SEASIDE Monday, February 7 “Giovanni’s Room” will be discussed at the Seaside library at 6:30.

GLENDALE Thursday, February 10 “Gone with the Wind” will be discussed at the Glendale library at 6:30.

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 4-10, 2011

PARENTS OPEN HOUSE Sunday, February 13 Temple Tikvah’s Early Childhood Education Program will host an Open House from 11-12:30 at 3315 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park.

OPEN HOUSES Tuesday, Februar y 15 at 6 and Tuesday, March 15 at 9 at the Renaissance Charter School. 803-0060, ext.

106 BOARD OF TRUSTEES May 4, June 1 the Renaissance Charter School’s Board of Trustees meet at 6:30. 803-0060.

ADHD OR PDD Daily after school programs to meet the needs of elementary school aged children who have learning disabilities and ADHD or PDD at the Bay Terrace Center, 212-00 23 rd Avenue, Bayside from 2:30-6:00. 225-6750, ext.

266.

ANIBIC Association for Neurologically Impaired Brain Injured Children, Inc. sponsors programs including Saturday Play Group (5-17), Tutorial (5 to adult), Weekend Respite (17+), Young Adult Program (17+) and Adult Respite Program (21+). 423-9550, ext.

243.

PLAYGROUP The CUMC Playgroup is accepting registration for its preschool parents’ cooperative program in Middle Village. Children 18 months to 4 years eligible. 894-2293.

TOUGH LOVE Tu e s d a y s at 7:30 p.m.

Toughlove International Parent Support Group for parents of out-of-control children (teens, pre-teens and adult children) meet at IS158 in Bayside. 393-7788.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS AWARENESS One-on-one discussion on Awareness Building (Get Back to Work ASAP) with the C Network in Forest Hills.

263-3501.

RESUME WORKSHOP Saturday, February 5 at the LIC library at 10:30.

INTERACT WITH ART Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26 Interact with Art: Create, Lecture, Trip at the Flushing library. Register.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, February 5, 19 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital.

646-436-7940.

US CITIZENSHIP Saturdays, February 5, 12 Pathway to US Citizenship at 2:30 at the Jackson Heights library.

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

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

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

DRAWING CLASS Mondays at the National Art League in Douglaston. 3610628.

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

BALLROOM DANCE Mondays, February 7, 14 Standard Ballroom Dance and Waltz Class at the Flushing library. Register.

BALLROOM DANCE Mondays, February 7, 14, 28 Ballroom Dancing with Jing Chen at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesdays, Februar y 8, 15, 22 at the Arverne library at 10.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesdays at the Sunnyside library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays at the Windsor Park library at 2.

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

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.

CRAFT CLUB Tu e s d ay s , F e b r u a r y 8 , 2 2 LIC Craft Club at 1 at the LIC library.

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

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

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

263-7000.

ZUMBA Wednesdays, February 9, 16 Latin Dance Fitness program for adults at the Briarwood

library. Register.

QUILTING CLASSES Thursdays 10-2 at the Maria Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans. 276-3454 or 917817-8653 to register.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays at the East Flushing library. Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Thursdays at the Queensboro Hill library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Thursdays at the Fresh Meadows library at 6.

JIC ORIENTATION Thursday, February 10 and Saturday, February 26 career resources, assistance with job searching and more at 1 at the Central library.

ENGLISH Thursday, February 10 register for classes at the Astoria library.

WRITER’S WORKSHOP Thursdays, February 10, 24 at the Bayside library. Register.

KNITTING CLUB Fridays at the Maspeth library at 10.

KNIT & CROCHET Fridays at the Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

SCRABBLE Fridays Bananagrams and Scrabble at the Windsor Park library at 2:30.

PLANT PROJECT Friday, February 11 Intergenerational Plant Project at the Hollis library. Register.

POETS Saturdays, February 12, 26 the Fresh Meadows Poets meet to discuss and critique their work at 10 at the Forest Hills library.

SINGLES SINGLES SOCIAL & DANCE Sundays, February 13, 27 singles social and dance from 2-6. $10. Over 45. Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Q u een s B l v d . , R eg o P a r k .

459-1000.

FLEA MARKETS FLEA & BAKED GOODS Sunday, February 6 F l e a Market plus Ethnic Polish Bake Sale from 9-4 at St. Josaphat, 35 th Avenue and 210 th Street, Bayside.

DANCE COUNTRY WESTERN Saturday, February 12 Mary Lamont performs at the Valentine’s Day Dance. The NY Metropolitan Country Music Association. $12.

Glendale Memorial Building, 72-02 Myrtle Avenue at 7:30.

763-4328.

ISRAELI FOLK Mondays 7:30-10:00 at Hillcrest Jewish Center, 18202 Union Turnpike. $10 session. 380-4145.

LINE DANCING Mondays 6:30-9:30 at Kowalinski Post 4, 61-57 Maspeth Avenue. $7. Cake and coffee. 565-2259.

SENIORS AARP 4158 Tu e s d a y s , F e b r u a r y 8 , March 8, April 12 AARP Chapter 4158 meets at Church on the Hill, 167-07 3 5 th A v e n u e , F l u s h i n g a t noon.

STARS Wednesdays, February 9, 16, 23 at 10:30 at the Hollis library and Fridays, February 4, 11, 18, 25 at 10:30 at the Queens Village library. Senior Theater Acting Repertory meets.

MISCELLANEOUS FREE TAX PREP Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Langston Hughes library at 11. 6511100.

ORATORIO SOCIETY Mondays through April the Oratorio Society of Queens rehearses at the North Presbyterian Church. 279-3006.

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

BARBERSHOP Wednesdays t h e Q u een s chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Societ y meets at the school hall, 175-20 74 th Avenue, Flushing. 381-8689.

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

New members welcome.

658-1021.

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

FH VAC The Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps needs volunteers. They will sponsor you for a NYS EMT course at no cost to you once you qualif y. 793-2055.

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

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

GLEE CLUB Tuesdays the Bayside Men’s Glee Club rehearses at 8 at All Saints Church, 214-33 40 th Avenue. 424-5769.

MEMORY LOSS? Caregivers need a break?

631-1886.

SALVATION ARMY Weekdays food pantry by appointment. Groups include AA Day Group, Jolly Seniors, Bible Study, ESL, Guitar, Band, Choir, Fellowship Dinner, Arts and crafts and more. Salvation Army, 69-23 Cypress Hills Street, Ridgewood. 497-4356.

ST. MEL’S CHOIR Wednesdays 7:30-9:00 rehearsals at St. Mel’s in Flushing. 393-7580.

STAY WELL Wednesdays at 10:15 at the East Elmhurst library for exercise and other health related programs.

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

AARP 29 Thursdays, February 10, March 10 AARP Chapter 29 meets at Grace House, 15502 90 th Avenue, Jamaica at noon.

AARP 4977 Wednesdays, February 16, March 16 the Corona/E. Elmhurst AARP 4977 meets at 1:30 at Corona Congregational Church hall, 102-18 34 th avenue. 458-7429.

FREE LUNCH Saturdays, February 19, March 19 at All Saints Church in Richmond Hill.

849-2352 reservations.

FREE LUNCH Saturdays, February 26,

MEETINGS BEREAVEMENT New bereavement group forming at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 223 for information.

FRESH MEADOW CAMERA Tuesdays the Fresh Meadows Camera Club meets.

917-612-3463.

LIONS CLUB Tu e s d a y s , F e b r u a r y 8 , March 8 the Lions Club of Ravenswood meets at 6:30 at Riccardo’s by the Bridge, 21-01 21 st Avenue, Astoria.

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

COMM. BD 6 Wednesdays, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, Thursday, June 16 at 80-02 Kew Gardens Road at 7:45.

QUEENS CENTRAL ROTARY Thursdays 6:30-8:30 Come learn if Rotary is for you.

465-2914.

JEFFERSON DEMS Thursdays, February 10, March 10, April 14 the Jefferson Democratic Club meets at the Clearview Golf Course Clubhouse at 7:30.

202-12 Willets Point Blvd., Bayside.

ILION BLOCK Fridays, February 11, March 11, April 8 Ilion Area Block Association, Inc. will hold a general membership meeting at the African Center for Communit y Empowerment, 111-92A Farmers Blvd., St. Albans at 7:30.

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

BELLA ITALIA MIA Sundays, February 13, March 20, April 10 Bella Italia Mia will meet.4574816.

March 26 at Church of the Resurrection in Kew Gardens. 847-2649 reservations.

AARP 3654 Tuesdays, March 1, April 5, May 3 AARP chapter 3654 meets in Bayside. 423-4237.

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

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

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

Call 969-1128.

BAYSIDE CENTER Tuesdays line dancing 9:30 and Thursdays 10:00. Fridays ballroom instruction at 10:15, ballroom and social dancing 1-3. Bayside Center for classes in movie, ping pong, bridge instruction, healthy lifest yle, card games, Wii bowling, painting, ESL, computer, exercise, dance, wellness workshops, etc.

Lunch at 11:30. 225-1144.

BEN. ROSENTHAL Wednesdays and Fridays dancing from 1-4. Line dancing, bingo, sing-a-Long, ballroom dancing, computers, Alert & Alive Discussion Group, Israel Today Discussion, Social Action, News & Views. Daily hot Kosher lunch from 11:30-12:30. $1.75 contribution. Cards and games at 1. Benjamin Rosenthal Senior Center, 45-25 Kissing Blvd. Flushing.

886-5777.

BFFY ALZHEIMER The BFFY Alzheimer’s Adult Day Care Center offers a socialization program to those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia. 358-3541.

BRIDGE Wednesdays bridge at the Re fo r m Te m p l e o f F o r e st Hills, 71-11 112 th Street from 11-3. $10. 261-2900.

CERC Crafts, canasta, bridge, line dancing, shape-up, quilting, discussion group, movies, dancercise, current events, singles chat, shape-up, couples club, duplicate bridge, dancercise, recently retired group. Lunch at 11:30 ever y day. Reser vations 423-8174.CERC, 51-60 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck.

CUNNINGHAM PARK Monday-Friday 9:30-4:30 sit, relax or socialize at the Cunningham Park Field House, 196-10 Union Turnpike. 740-1999.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE Mondays 12-4 $9. Lunch, lesson and congenial play.

Partners arranged. Pride of Judea Communit y Services, 243-02 Northern Blvd., Douglaston. 423-6200.

Queens Today YOUTH ARTS & CRAFTS Thursdays, February 10, 17, 24 at the Auburndale library.

AFTERSCHOOL TIME Thursdays, February 10, 17, 24 at 3 at the Arverne library.

NUTRITION WORKSHOP Thursdays, February 10, 17, 24 at the Cambria Heights library. Register.

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

GAME DAY Fridays at 3:30 at the Queens Village library.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Fridays at the Hillcrest library at 4.

PLANT PROJECT Friday, February 11 Intergenerational Plant Project at the Hollis library. Register.

GAME TIME Fridays at the Windsor Park library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays at the Douglaston/ Little Neck library. Register.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, February 11, 18 at the Bayside library at 4.

MAGNET CRAFT Friday, February 11 Glass Stone Magnet Craft at the C a m b r i a H e i g h t s l i b r a r y.

Register.

LANGSTON HUGHES DAY Saturday, February 12 at the Langston Hughes library starting at 11.

CHINESE NEW YEAR Saturday, February 12 at the Flushing library starting at noon.

KRIK KRAK Saturday, February 12 at the Cambria Heights library at 3.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Monday, February 14 at the South Jamaica library at 6.

AFR. AMER. DANCE Tuesday, February 15 at the South Jamaica library at 4.

ORIGAMI FUN Wednesday, February 16 at t h e W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

AFR. AMER. DANCE Thursday, February 17 at the Rochdale Village library at 3:30.

AFR. AMER. CRAFTS Thursday, February 17 at the Hillcrest library at 4:30.

AFR. AMER. SONGS Wednesday, February 23 at the Central library at 2.

ORIGAMI FUN Wednesday, February 23 at the East Flushing library. Register.

AFR. AMER. DANCE Wednesday, February 23 at the Laurelton library at 4.

ORIGAMI FUN Thursday, February 24 at the Steinway library. Register.

BOOK TALK Thursday, February 24 at the Poppenhusen library at 3:30.

TALENT SHOW Friday, February 25 at the East Elmhurst library. Register.

PHAT LITERATURE Saturday, February 26 at the Langston Hughes library starting at 10.

PJ STORY TIME Monday, February 28 at the Pomonok library at 7.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

TEEN TUTORING Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Bayside library at 10.

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

TEEN TUTORING Mondays, February 7, 14, 28 at the Bayside library at 3:30.

LAPTOPS Mondays, February 7, 14 at the Hollis library at 4:30.

TEEN CHESS CLUB Mondays, February 7, 14, 28 at the Bayside library at 6.

DESIGN JEWELRY Monday, February 7 design and create your own jewelry at the Rosedale library. Register.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, Februar y 8, 15, 22 at the Hillcrest library at 3:30.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Tuesdays, Februar y 8, 15, 22 at the Baisley Park library.

Register.

LAPTOPS Tu e s d ay s , F e b r u a r y 8 , 1 5 learn how to use a laptop at 4:30 at the Hollis library.

LAPTOPS Wednesdays, February 9, 16 learn how to use a laptop at 4:30 at the Hollis library.

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

DRAMA POSSE Thursdays, February 10, 17, 24 at the Hillcrest library at 3.

LAPTOPS Thursdays, February 10, 17, 24 learn how to use a laptop at 4:30 at the Hollis library.

HAPPY HOUR Fridays, February 11, 18, 25 at the Flushing library at 3.

GAME PLAYERS Fridays Hillcrest library at 2.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, February 11, 18 at the Bayside library at 4.

PLANT PROJECT Friday, February 11 Intergenerational Plant Project at the Hollis library. Register.

LANGSTON HUGHES Saturday, February 12 annual Langston Hughes Day Celebration starting at 11 at the Langston Hughes library.

CHINESE NEW YEAR Saturday, February 12 starting at noon Flushing library.

KRIK KRAK Saturday, February 12 Cambria Heights library at 3.

OPEN MIC Sunday, February 13 at 2 at the Central library.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Monday, February 14 at the South Jamaica library at 6.

TEEN TUESDAY Tuesday, February 22 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

TALENT SHOW Friday, February 25 East Elmhurst library. Register.

PHAT LITERATURE Saturday, February 26 Langston Hughes library at 10.

DANCE THEATER Saturday, February 26 Charles Moore Dance Theater: Across the African Diaspora at 2 at the Flushing library.

COFFEEHOUSE Saturday, February 5 at the Forest Hills Jewish Center.

263-7000.

MENTALIST Saturday, February 5 internationally acclaimed mentalist David Levitan will entertain at 7:30 at Temple Tikvah in New Hyde Park. $20 advance, $25 at the door. 516746-1120.

KENNY BARON Saturday, February 5 at 7 at York College. $20, $10 students, seniors. 262-3750.

AMER. SONGBOOK Saturday, February 5 Arnie Gruber and the Great American Songbook – Porter, Kern and Gershwin at 2 at the Forest Hills library.

HARLEM Saturday, February 5 Harlem on My Mind with the Xoregos Performing Company at 2 at the Peninsula library.

MARACATU NY Sunday, February 6 concert at the Central library at 3.

CONCERT ORGANIST Sunday, February 6 concert organist Katherine Meloan performs at 4 at the Communit y Church of Douglaston. 229-2169 tickets.

MOVIE & TALK Mondays the Friends of Pomonok present a movie and discussion. Bring lunch.

1 at the Pomonok library.

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

OLDIES DANCE-ORLEANS Saturday, February 12 St. Francis Prep Fathers’ Guild presents the 70s band Orleans (“Still the One”) with contests, dj, food and more. $35. 423-8810, ext. 324.

LANGSTON HUGHES Saturday, February 12 annual Langston Hughes celebration starting at 11 at the Langston Hughes library.

CHINESE NEW YEAR Saturday, February 12 starting at noon at the Flushing library.

KRIK KRAK Saturday, February 12 at the Cambria Heights library at 3.

CLASSICS FOR KIDS Sunday, February 13 Classic Hits for Kids: Percussion at LeFrak Concert Hall, 3pm. $12. 793-8080.

MADELINE Sunday, February 13 “Madeline and the Bad Hat” at Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064.

OPEN MIC Sunday, February 13 at the Central library at 2.

FILM SCREENING Monday, February 14 “The Drummer” will be shown at the Fresh Meadows library at 2.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Monday, February 14 at the South Jamaica library at 6.

OPEN MIC POETRY Mondays, February 14,

March 14 at 7:30 at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows.

INKSPOTS Saturday, February 19 Bill Godwin’s Ink Spots: A Concert of Hits That Span the Decades at the Central library at 2.

TANGO BUENOS AIRES Sunday, February 20 at Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

OPEN MIC Thursday, February 24 at the East Elmhurst library at 6.

PHAT LITERATURE Saturday, February 26 starting at 10 at the Langston Hughes library.

CHARLES MOORE Saturday, February 26 Charles Moore Dance Theater: Across the African Diaspora at the Flushing library at 2.

STAMP SHOW Sundays, February 27, March 27 at the Ramada Inn, 220-33 Northern Blvd., Bayside. Free. 10-4:30.

MOVIE BASED ON BOOK Friday, March 4 “The Painted Veil.” Friday, April 1 “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Watch a movie based on a book at 2 at the Flushing library.

GERI ALLEN Saturday, March 5 at York College at 7. $20, $10 students and seniors. 262-3750.

HEALTH CAREGIVER SUPPORT Queens Communit y House at 268-5960, ext. 226. Counseling, support groups, education, respite services, referral services, more.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 7 days a week. 932-6244.

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

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

NICOTINE ANONYMOUS Mondays 6:45-8:00 at the Center for Tobacco Control, 2 2 5 C o m m u n i t y D r i ve , Great Neck. 516-510-7826.

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

670-1695. $5 a class.

CANCER SUPPORT Mondays, February 7, March 7, April 4 Franklin Hospital’s Cancer Support Group meets 2-4 in the cafeteria.

516-256-6478.

ALZHEIMERS Tuesday s, Februar y 8, 22, March 8, 22 Caregiver Support Group in Forest Hills.

592-5757, ext. 237.

WELL SPOUSES Wednesdays, February 9, March 9 Well Spouses or Partners of the Chronically Ill and Disabled meet at 7 at St. Charles Rehab Center, 201 IU Willets Road, Albertson. Donation. 516829-8740.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT E ve r y Tu e s d a y We ste r n Queens Caregiver Network in Sunnyside. 5:30-6:30.

784-6173, ext. 431.

ZUMBA Wednesdays the Sisterhood of Bay Terrace Jewish Cent e r , 1 3 - 0 0 2 0 9 th S t r e e t , bayside, will hold Zumba Fitness classes from 7:30-8:30. $8 members, $10 others.

428-6363.

YOGA Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 6701695. $10 class.

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

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

CO-DEPENDENTS ANON. Fridays 10-11:45 at Resurrection Ascension Pastoral C e n t e r , 8 5 - 1 8 6 1 st R o a d , Rego Park. Women only.

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

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

AMER. CIVIL RIGHTS February through April “Bindu Masks from the Imperato Collection.” February through June “QCC Art Gallery: 20 Years of Collecting.” May through June “Department of Art and Design’s Juried Student Exhibition.” QCC Art Gallery.

631-6396.

SMALL WORKS Through February 26 at the National Art League, 33-21 Douglaston Parkway. Monday-Thursday and Saturday 14. Free.

CULTURAL BLENDING Through March 31 “Culture Blending in Ceramic Arts” at F l u s h i n g To w n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700, ext. 222 NY REGIONAL AESTHETICS Through June 30 “Express: L o c a l / N ew Yo r k Re g i o n a l Aesthetics” at the Queens College Art Center. 9973770.

Feb. 4-10, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

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

FAMILY STORY TIME Saturday, February 5 at the Flushing library at 11.

KIDS’ THEATER Saturdays, February 5-April 9 LaMicro Children’s Theater Workshop at the Sunnyside library. Register.

TEEN TUTORING Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Bayside library at 10.

MATH HELP Saturdays at the Flushing library at 10.

SCIENCE LAB Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Central library at 11.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

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

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

AFTERSCHOOL TIME Mondays, February 7, 28 at the Arverne library for those 7 and over.

TEEN TUTORING Mondays, February 7, 14, 28 at the Bayside library at 3:30.

HOMEWORK HELP Weekdays at the Lefrak Cit y library at 3. Call 592-7677 to confirm.

JEWELRY Monday, February 7 design and create your own jewelry at the Rosedale library. Register.

PJ TIME Monday, February 7 story time at the Pomonok library at 7.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, Februar y 8, 15, 22 at 3:30 at the Hillcrest library.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Tuesdays, Februar y 8, 15, 22 at the Baisley Park library.

Register.

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

FAMILY COLORING TIME Wednesday, February 9 at the Queensboro Hill library at 11:15. For those 18-36 months.

FAMILY STORY TIME Wednesday, February 9 at the Queensboro Hill library.

For those 12 months to 3.5 years. Register.

STORY TIME Wednesday, February 9 at the Hollis library at 10:30.

STORY TIME Wednesday, February 9 at the East Elmhurst library Register.

WINTER CRAFT Thursday, February 10 at the Pomonok library at 3:30.

KIDS CLUB Thursday, February 10 at the Hillcrest library at 4:30.

AFR. AMER. DANCE Thursday, February 10 at the Far Rockaway library at 5.

ENTERTAINMENT

TEENS

People Army National Guard Pvt. Rochelle L. Harriott has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

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

Harriott is the daughter of Errol S. and Elaine C. Harriott of Rosedale.

New York Air National Guard Col. Thomas J. Owens II, commander of the 106th Rescue Wing, announces the recent completion of training for members of the New York Air National Guard here at F.S. Gabreski Airport.

Technical Sergeant Sean G. Cummins from Rockaway Park, completed the Emergency Management Apprentice course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. “The 106th Rescue Wing is very proud of the achievements of our Airmen,” Col. Owens said. “The various training courses they complete improve not only their skills but they are then able to better our entire wing in the mission of personnel recovery, ultimately saving lives, both here at home and abroad.”

The 106th Rescue Wing operates HH60 Pavehawk rescue helicopters and HC130 Hercules search and rescue aircraft

from its base in Westhampton Beach on eastern Long Island. The wing’s wartime mission is to rescue American and Allied personnel lost behind enemy lines, and members of the wing have been deploying regularly to Afghanistan to support military operations there. The wing’s pararescue jumpers are trained to drop behind enemy lines to secure friendly troops, or into the ocean to rescue crewmen from a sinking ship.

The wing has a peacetime mission of providing search and rescue in the North Atlantic when requested by the United States Coast Guard and also deploys regularly to provide rescue capability in support of Space Shuttle launches. The wing’s efforts to rescue a yacht crew in a storm at sea are portrayed in the movie “A Perfect Storm” and in 1998 the wing made the longest over-water rescue in history.

“That Others May Live” is the motto of the Air Force Rescue community and is appropriately chosen, since it is the motivating force of those involved in the wing’s rescue mission.

Army Pvt. Christopher M. Barclay has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional

training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

He is the son of Abigail Sebro and Donaldson Barclay of Jamaica.

Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jennifer L. Barry is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn, or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.

The soldiers return to Joint Base DixMcGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to their regularly assigned Army Reserve or National Guard units.

Operation New Dawn transitions and signifies a formal end to U.S. military combat operations in Iraq. The transition shifts the U.S. emphasis from predominantly military to predominately civilian as the U.S. officials assist Iraqis in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement. The three primary missions of U.S. Forces include advising, assisting, and training the Iraqi Security Forces; conducting partnered counterterrorism operations; and providing support to provincial reconstruction teams and civilian partners as they help build Iraq’s civil capacity.

Operation Enduring Freedom is the

official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces have been deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South, Southwest and Central Asia, the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific, and Europe.

Barry, a senior financial management analyst with 12 years of military service, is regularly assigned to the 1128th Finance Management Detachment, based out of Nashville, Tenn.

She is the daughter of Gene and stepdaughter of Susan Wise of Bonham, Texas.

Her mother, Patricia A. Walker, resides in Carrollton, Texas. The staff sergeant’s husband, James, is the son of Dorothy Barry of Queens Village. In 1993, Barry graduated from Berkner High School, Richardson, Texas.

Tell The PRESS Send notices of graduation, awards, anniversaries, engagements and honors to: PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357 All announcements will be considered for publication without fee.

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Feb. 4-10, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 21

Legal 2 Family. Det. w/garage, 1 BR upstairs, 2 BRs dwnstairs, finished basement, 3 full baths, $315K. Call Realty Plush.

160-29 Baisley Blvd. Perfect for Hair Salon.

This is the main road to Kennedy Airport, Belt Pkwy.

One block from large public school.

Plenty of parking. By Baisley Park.

Reduced to $1,100/m. Call Frank.

We’re No. 4?

Where can you get the best Chinese food? Sure, many local favorites may come to mind, but according to Chinese Restaurant News, only one from Queens made the nationwide Top 10.

With 6,000 Chinese restaurants in New York City only two made the cut. Szechuan Gourmet in Flushing ranked fourth and Congee Village on the Lower Eastside took the ninth spot.

There was only one other NYC restaurant that made the top 100 list. China Sun Asian Cuisine on West 39th Street – Who doesn’t like Queens Chinese food? placed 98th.

The top dog was Yangming’s in Bryn Mawr, Penn.

Really? Pennsylvania? We refuse to believe that only three restaurants in this City made the list. This is a snub, a farce, a downright slap in the face. We demand a dim sum throwdown to settle this lunacy!

Jillian Bernstein Home: Forest Hills Age: 25 Height: 5’ 4" Weight: 105 lbs Stats: 32-26-32

It’s All About The AAAs

The Artist As Models Of Queens As a child, Jillian Bernstein grew up with a mother who enjoyed taking her picture.

It’s a long story – her mom as a child was a photographer – was born with cleft lip.

“She liked to photograph me, and with bizarre theatrical things; she would wrap ivy around me,” Jillian said.

The eye for figure and form rubbed off, and Jillian found herself in art school where she was drawing models.

“And I said, ‘Hey, I can do this.’”

After seeing an ad at her school, she started posing for art classes, and after a few years realized that maybe she could do the same thing

for photographers. After all, “they pay more and I can run my own show.”

So Jillian set up her portfolio on a bunch of Web sites, answered some ads and has been modeling professionally for the last five years.

“Even though I do mostly nudes – and winter’s not great for that – it’s been working out fine,” she said. “I’m very expressive and I have a certain look about me that people like. I do go through periods when I’m poor.”

But between the work, teaching art classes and selling her own art pieces, Jillian is able to make a living as a model.

Originally from Huntington, she has lived in Astoria the last few years and just moved to Forest Hills in the last week or two.

“I love it here,” she said. “It’s a melting pot – and so different from Long Island.

She enjoys hanging out at Flo and the Grand Café in Astoria, but also enjoys the shopping of Austin Street.

As for her future, modeling and art will soon go hand-in-hand.

“I see myself as a live canvas,” she said as she described the cellohole tattoos on her back that accentuate her feminine form. “I’ll probably be doing a lot more performance pieces.”

Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 4-10, 2011

Not Fay Da Way be a hit and make the weary trav-

A popular Chinese bakery with seven locations in Queens and three in Manhattan is moving to a place where the money flows freely and the Asian market is very strong – Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.

Fay Da Bakery, which has shops in Bayside, Forest Hills, Flushing and Elmhurst, has now taken a spot in Rainmaker Square, inside the home of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe.

Joining neighbors Junior’s Cheesecake of Brooklyn and the Hard Rock Hotel, Fay Da is sure to

Why Did The Chicken?

Why did the chicken cross the road? Go to Jamaica and find out.

A reader sent us this picture last week of an inquisitive and brave rooster jaywalking across Jamaica Avenue near the busy intersection of Sutphin Boulevard in Downtown Jamaica. The chicken appeared from behind a snow pile, and walked across the street without an ounce of fear, before scurrying away from oncoming traffic.

Our reader tried to catch him, but told us the rooster charged at her so she had nothing to crow about.

eler from our borough feel right at home as he or she loses money by the wheelbarrow full.

The rapper whose “Mama Said Knock You Out” doesn’t pull punches or take chances when it comes to his investments, it seems.

Hollis native Todd Smith, aka LL Cool J, helped Jeff Schacter launch Cedarview Capital a few years ago with a $150 million investment, and has turned around some serious profits since then for himself and his partners.

Turns out that they were on a flight from LA to New York and happened to be sitting next to each other and reading the same book – “Think and Grow Rich,” by Napoleon Hill. The 1937 book profiled the business magnates of the day, describing how they approached money.

“I invest only in AAA munis. I look at duration and I don’t reach for yield,” Cool J told his future business partner, according to businessinsider.com.

The partnership is highlighted in a new book coming out by Katherine Burton, titled “Hedge Hunters,” and talks about the relationship between our Queensbased multi-talented artist and Jeff Schachter.

LL knows all’s well with his dollars.

Spring Chicken

Confidentially, New York . . .

The Mets are hopin’ that Pelf will be Amazin’.

Someone should remind Mets manager Terry Collins of that saying about counting your chickens before they hatch.

The Amazins’ new skipper named his opening day starter, Mike Pelfrey, almost three full months before opening day.

Can someone remind Collins the Mets’ awful health history during spring training?

You’re our guy now Terry, and we hope you do nothing but the best. But read up on a little bit of history and understand that you’re now at the helm of the most jinxable club in baseball history, then act accordingly.

What’s Up SATURDAY, FEB. 5 Youth & Tennis The Youth and Tennis group meets every Saturday morning at Roy Wilkins Park Saturday. To learn more, call Bill Briggs at (718) 658-6728.

Black History Month Celebration The African-American/Caribbean Education Association, Inc. is pleased to present an afternoon of jazz, gospel, poetry and empowerment -- a Black History Month Celebration. Food and soft drinks will be served. For additional information, visit aaceainc.com, or contact Rosalind O'Neal at (718) 949-6733 or aaceainc@yahoo.com.

This event will be held at The Harvest Room at the Jamaica Market, 90-40 160th St. from 2-6 p.m. Admission is $40 for adults and $20 for children.

Cambria Heights Dev. Corp. Awards The Cambria Heights Development Corporation invites you to attend its annual Business Awards and Theater Party.

Come out if you are interested in supporting businesses and the arts in the Queens community.

This event will be held at Black Spectrum Theatre, 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard at 6 p.m. Admission is $55.

Kenny Barron Trio The York College Performing Arts Center Jazz Live series is pleased to present the Kenny Barron Trio. Be there when this nine-time Grammy Nominee and 2010 NEA Jazz Master takes the stage. For additional information, contact Jacqueline Bailey via e-mail at jbailey@york.cuny.edu or (718) 262-3750.

This event will be held at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. from 7-9 p.m. Admission is $20.

ResurGENTS Experience ResurGENTS at the Black Spectrum Theatre. This Choreopoem explores the rise of the renaissance black man. ResurGENTS is a celebration of life, love and freedom, and takes you on a spiritual journey from slavery to the present through the eyes of five black males.

For tickets and info, call (718) 723-1800.

Tickets are available at BSTC and online at blackspectrum.com and are $25.

This event will be held at Black Spectrum Theatre - 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard at 8 p.m.

Be there when York's Men's Basketball team faces off against the City College of New York in a doubleheader. For additional information, visit yorkathletics.com.

This free event will be held at York College Gymnasium, 160-02 Liberty Ave. from 1-6 p.m.

Maracatu New York Maracatu New York is New York's first and only Maracatu ensemble dedicated to the performance and knowledge of traditional Maracatu de Baque Virado and other musical styles from the northeast of Brazil, while fusing these rhythms with New Orleans second line rhythms.

MONDAY, FEB. 7 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

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

TUESDAY, FEB. 8 Job Club Every Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Jamaica Neighborhood Center offers a free service to assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007.

For additional information, contact Lenin Gross, Job Coach, at (718) 739-2060, Ext. 18 or lgrossjnc@yahoo.com.

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

A Tribute to "Mae Jemison" See Tuesday's listing. At 10:30 a.m.

York Observatory Open Night The York College Observatory is open to the public every second or third Wednesday of the month - rain or shine - at 7:30 p.m. Gather in room 2E01 and then proceed to the fourth floor terrace off G corridor if it's clear. For additional information, contact Tim Paglione at paglione@york.cuny.edu or (718) 262-2082.

When: Wednesday, November 9th 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm This free event will be held at York College Academic Core Building (AC 2E01), 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEB. 10 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

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

A Tribute to "Mae Jemison" See Tuesday's listing. At noon.

Camera Club

JIC Orientation

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

Don't miss an interactive orientation to learn about the Job Information Center's services: career resources including workshops; assistance with your job search; the center's resources, including books, newspapers, pathfinders, bookmarks and brochures; resume/cover letter reviews; and Queens Workforce 1 information.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library's Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 1 p.m.

A Tribute to "Mae Jemison" An African-American physician and a NASA astronaut, Dr. Mae Jemison was the first woman to travel in space. Don't miss what promises to be a fantastic piece of theatre.

For tickets and info, call (718) 7231800. Tickets are available at BSTC and online at blackspectrum.com and are $7.

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

Gas Terminal Hearing At the request of U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, the Coast Guard has agreed to hold a public hearing for residents on the proposal to build a liquefied natural gas terminal 23 miles off the Rockaway shoreline.

The formal hearing begins at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at Beach Channel HS. It is preceded by an open house at 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9 Lunch In Church Join us for lunch and get refueled, renewed and refilled. This free event is held every Wednesday at noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, 89-60 164th St. For more information, call (718) 526-4775, Ext. 10. Come just as you are.

Cambria Heights Civic Association Join the residents and friends of Cambria Heights at the next Cambria Heights Civic Association general membership meeting.

The guest presenters will include representatives from the NYC Department of Finance, the PTA President of PS 176, the President of the Queens Community PTA, and the President of the Cambria Heights Library Friends Group. It will be an informative session. For additional information, please contact (917) 922-4136.

This free event will be held at Community Bridge Home, 120-50 Springfield Blvd. from 7-9 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 11 Senior Theatre Acting Repertory Calling all older adults: Join our galaxy of STARs to perform theatrical works at the library with a great group of people while brightening your life.

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

SQPA Annual Art Exhibit PCs for Older Adults In this two-session workshop, customers will learn the basics of using the computer; the keyboard and mouse; and use the Internet. Pre-registration is required in person at Cyber Center Desk. Participants must possess basic mouse and keyboarding skills.

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

SQPA (A Place to Grow) is pleased to present Colors in Black IX, an art exhibit featuring the work of Danny Simmons. For additional information, call (718) 276-4630.

This free event will be held at Roy Wilkins Family Center, 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, at 7 p.m.

ONGOING CPR Training The FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb. 4-10, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23

SUNDAY, FEB. 6 York Basketball Doubleheader

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