Southeast Queens Press Epaper 020813

Volume 14 Issue No. 6 Feb. 8-14, 2013

DISTRICT 31:

PRESS Photo by INatalia Kozikowska

ELECTION FIGHT

Six of the nine candidates running in the Feb. 19 special election sound off during a candidates forum.

By Natalia Kozikowska ‌ Page 3.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 8-14, 2013

News Briefs Three Teens Stabbed On Subway Platform In Jamaica The police are still on the hunt for two men accused of stabbing three teens during a violent altercation on a Queens subway platform this Monday, Feb. 4.

According to reports, two suspects scuffled with another group at the Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer Avenue Station around 3:30 p.m.

The brawl may have started over a stolen iPhone, although it is not clear who the phone belonged to.

During the fight, two teens from the group were stabbed in the stomach and another was stabbed in the leg. The victims, ages 17, 18 and 19, were transported to Jamaica Hospital in critical yet stable conditions.

Their names have not been released.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by visiting nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to CRIMES (274637) then enter TIPS577.

Springfield Gardens Man Convicted Of Double Homicide A Springfield Gardens man, who strangled his pregnant girlfriend and set her apartment on fire, killing her two-year-old son, was convicted of double homicide last week. The victim was seven-months pregnant with his child at the time.

According to a statement released by the Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, firefighters responded to an anonymous 911 call and came upon a fire on the second floor of 179-56 Anderson Rd. in Springfield Gardens, just after 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July, 13, 2010. Inside, they discovered the burned body of Linda Anderson and her son, Ayden Hayes, lying in the apartment. The toddler

was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

The boyfriend, Jimmy Humphrey, 26, of 179-25 Selover Rd., of Springfield Gardens, was convicted of four counts of second-degree murder and one count each of first-and seconddegree arson, first-degree reckless endangerment and tampering with physical evidence following a fourweek jury trial.

In statements Humphrey made to police, he said he was in the apartment with his girlfriend and her son just prior to the fire and that he had grabbed her by the throat, shoved her, causing her to fall. He also admitted that he hit with a bottle of alcohol and used her lighter to set the coach on fire, knowing her son, Ayden, was in the apartment and aware that she was pregnant with his child.

He further admitted that he ran from the apartment, leaving Anderson behind with her body on fire and her son asleep in the bedroom. He also reported that he went home and rested for a period of time before walking to a phone and calling 911 to report the fire.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Anderson died as a result of neck compression and verified that she was pregnant. “The defendant stands convicted of strangling to death the mother of his unborn child and, without regard for human life, attempting to cover up his crime by intentionally setting fire to her home, thereby taking another innocent life. Under the circumstances, his conviction warrants the imposition of a lengthy prison term to punish him and protect society,� said Brown in a statement.

Humphrey faces 50 years to life in prison.

Brief Us!

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

Feb. 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

D31 Special Election Heats Up At Forum On Tuesday, Feb. 5, six of the nine candidates running in the special election for the 31st District Council seat gathered at Springfield Community Church to address and answer the questions of local residents.

Much to everyone’s anticipation, it did not take more than 10 minutes for a member of the audience to ask Jacques Leandre about his decision to file lawsuits against six of his opponents in State court, challenging the authenticity of their petitions.

The Laurelton-based attorney initially urged the New York City Board of Elections to reexamine the petitions of his challengers, but the board dismissed all cases on Jan. 30 after Leandre’s attorney incorrectly filed the objections.

It was later revealed that Leandre had withdrawn his lawsuits against Donovan Richards, Selvena Brooks, Michael Duncan, Earnest Flowers and Allan Jennings but did not drop his charges against Community Board 8 District Manager Marie AdamOvide.

“You brought allegations at the Supreme Court against all the candidates, you withdrew all the allegations except Marie’s,” said a member of the audience, who was later revealed to be the husband of AdamOvide. “Can you respond why the people of this community should trust you?” His question was followed by a burst of applause.

Photo by Natalia Kozikowska

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

his lawsuit against AdamOvide, the State court dropped all charges against her, finding her signatures were, in fact, mostly authentic. Further into the forum, he apologized for his “passion” in answering AdamOvide’s husband’s question.

After order was restored, the audience had the opportunity to ask each of the candidates about subjects that meant most to them.

Just months after SuperJacques Leandre defended his decision to file a storm Sandy devastated lawsuit against six of his opponents in the special New York, flooding was election for District 31 during a candidate forum among one of the most important issues. Each of the at Springfield Community Church on Feb. 5. candidates expressed their “And I got to tell you, I’m so happy intent to ensure better infrastructure you asked that question,” Leandre to prevent damage in the future. responded, his comment also fol“We have to look at our infrastruclowed by loud applause. “We have ture, which already was an issue bewhat we call a democratic process, fore the storm but now is non-exisand when we have a democratic pro- tent. With taking the funding, you cess, there are rules, regulations and want to look at rebuilding our buildstatues that must be followed.” ings in a way in which that it will limit “When I become the next City the flooding in southeast Queens,” Councilperson with the help of these said Selvena Brooks, a resident of Far voters here, I’m going to fight tooth Rockaway. and nail in the courts, in City Hall, in “What should be done is build the the board room, in the streets, to homes of the future and not keep make sure we get our fair share in this building the same homes that we have community,” Leandre continued. now that will probably not last an“And another thing – I’m a fighter, other hurricane,” said Adam-Ovide. and when in a fight, you can’t send a Earnest Flowers, who was kicked pussycat to the jungle, you got to send off the ballot by the BOE earlier this a lion.” week, and Michael Duncan echoed Although Leandre did not drop similar sentiments, arguing that there

have to be institutions in place that will be able to control funds necessary to alleviate flooding and also rebuild communities already devastated.

Flowers reportedly failed to file a certificate of acceptance along with his required 450 signatures, disqualifying him from the race. He could not be reached before press time, but it is anticipated he will continue campaigning and remain a write-in candidate.

Education was also a top priority for the constituents of District 31.

Each candidate vowed that improving education was at the top of their list should they be elected.

Brooks suggested a solution was to invest more money in the youth; Flowers suggested that parents need to be held more accountable for their children; Adam-Ovide claimed smaller class sizes would help, and Saywalah Kesselly, a candidate who referred to himself as an “ordinary citizen” who is “not a politician,” said introducing computer programs would be highly beneficial.

Candidates Donovan Richards, Allan Jennings and Pesach Osina did not attend the forum. The Rev. Phil Craig, pastor at the Springfield Community Church, which hosted the event, told attendees to remember those names as the candidates “that don’t really care if you vote for them or not.”

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Last week, during a town hall meeting hosted by State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis) at the Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Center in Cambria Heights, the Rev. Charles Norris, head of the Clergy United for Community Empowerment, accused Smith of falsely reporting that he had given the group $5,000 in funding.

The member items, which can be accessed on www.seethroughny.net, indicate that between 2009 and 2010, Smith allocated $5,000 to the civic organization, made up of some of Jamaica’s most vocal community activists, including the Reverend.

“Clergy United for Community Empowerment, Malcolm Smith, $5,000…not so,” Norris said. “We never received it. We have given him

many proposals, but he has never funded them.”

Latonja Richardson, deputy director of the organization, validated Norris’ claims, citing that Clergy United for Community Empowerment has never gotten a dime from the Senator.

“No, not at all,” Richardson said.

“We never received money from him.

We don’t remember receiving any funding from him. He said he allocated [funds], but we never received notice of it or anything.”

While disappointed that the civic organization did not receive the funding, both Norris and Richardson noted that it was possible a staffer made a mistake.

“Maybe somebody in his office in passing out this information gave out incorrect information,” Norris said.

“Somebody in his office could have made the mistake. But either way, it should have been corrected, because we know for a fact Malcolm has never given us anything.”

Norris also pointed out that only a small number of Smith’s member items funding flowed into southeast Queens as opposed to other areas in New York City.

From 2008 to 2010, the reported member items show that Smith allocated funding to 28 organizations across New York, only 10 of which went to organizations from his district.

“I would just say Malcolm has been more concerned about people in other parts of the State than he has about people who have elected him to be senator,” Norris said. “If you look at these reports, you won’t find many of them that are in the Queens area.”

Photo by Ira Cohen

Sen. Smith Falsely Reports Giving Group $5,000

The Rev. Charles Norris, head of the Clergy United for Community Empowerment, addressed State Sen. Malcolm Smith at a Town Hall meeting on Jan. 31.

Smith’s office did not return multiple requests for comment as of press time.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 8-14, 2013

Exclusive:

Joan Flowers Officially Announces Candidacy On Feb. 6, attorney and community activist Joan Flowers told The PRESS of Southeast Queens that she is officially announcing her candidacy for the 27th District council seat currently held by Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), who is termlimited this year. She will be running on the Democratic ticket.

“There are so many things in the community that I see need to be attended to and I believe that with my background as an attorney and also someone who has been very involved with the elected process by working with some of the other electeds in the community, I felt that I am uniquely suited at this point to carry on the good works that Leroy, Councilman Comrie, has started and then also come up with, naturally, my own ideas,” she said.

Flowers, 65, has her own law practice in Springfield Gardens. She noted that her legal and community experience has been instrumental in some of District 27’s largest victories. She has been involved with the Springfield Gardens Civic Association to

stop the slated hot “The world that we are sheet motel and living in today absobrought a lawsuit in lutely needs thinkers, Queens County Sunot just people who can preme Court to halt answer a multiple the construction of a choice question. Life is slaughterhouse on not a multiple choice Farmers Boulevard. question – it is a thought Aside from her exprocess.” perience in the legal Flowers is also confield, the Jamaican cerned about the prolifmother-of-three has a eration of guns in Southlot of expierence east Queens, an area Joan Flowers working alongside loknown for its violence. cal politicians and leaders. From 2000 “My father retired very high in the to 2007, Flowers worked as a finance police force in Jamaica, West Indies, director for Sen. Malcolm Smith (D- and he taught me a very healthy reJamaica). Flowers also worked as trea- spect for guns,” she said. “We’re not surer for both U.S. Rep. Gregory saying people should not have their Meeks (D-Jamaica) and former gov- right to own and operate a gun if ernor, David Paterson before he was that’s what they are bent on doing elected. either for protection or for sports, If elected, Flowers noted that her but, by the same token just having primary focus will be bettering educa- guns available at the rate that they are tion in her community. is absolutely criminal in my opinion.

“I believe that our children are not There needs to be some checks to being taught to think. If any teaching stop people at this point.” is going on in our school system at all, The candidate also expressed her it is just for them to take tests so that desire to add medical facilities in Souththe school can look good rather than east, an area that has lost three medical the children looking good,” she said. facilities in a short period of time.

PRESS Photo by Natalia Kozikowska

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

“This community definitely demands that proper healthcare be available to everyone who needs it. The fact that we have lost three hospitals in the Queens area is really, really creating a hardship for our people because we now have to go into Nassau County or over to Brooklyn,” she said. “The only hospital that is close by to this neighborhood is Jamaica Hospital and they are overcrowded.”

Although no other candidates have stepped forward to officially announce their candidacy for the 27th council seat, Flowers told The PRESS of Southeast Queens that she has heard of a few names circling around.

“I have heard of Clyde Vanel. I have heard of Manuel Caughman and I am not sure of the others but I am hearing rumors there could be as many as six people in the race,” she said.

Vanel, an attorney, challenged Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (DQueens Village) in 2012 for her seat and Caughman currently works as an aide to Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-Jamaica).

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

Feb. 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Omolara Senior Care Center Opens Its Doors

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Photos by Natalia Kozikowska

Despite the increasing population of seniors in Southeast Queens, there are only a few senior care centers available for elderly locals. But one woman is striving to change that by introducing a new and innovative center that will not only provide health services for those in need, but also give seniors a home away from home.

On Dec. 17, 2012, Salome KingAfuape, a Jamaica resident, opened the Omolara Senior Care. Its mission: to provide an enriching environment that encourages social interaction and community integration that is exciting and fun for the seniors of Southeast Queens.

“I started the center by myself,” King-Afuape said. “Since I work in this field – I work with people with developmental disabilities, I thought it would be nice to have something like this because in that field, a lot of the individuals are getting older. They are aging out from the program so they were saying that they are looking for something like a senior center.”

Omolara Senior Care offers a vast number of services for locals in the neighborhood. Its members can participate in a number of activities ranging from sewing, crocheting, arts and

Frances Brebnor, coordinator at Omolara Senior Care, crocheting, one of the activities for seniors available at the new senior center in Jamaica. crafts to games like puzzles and bingo.

“A lot of seniors are at home, doing nothing but looking at the TV and getting weaker and weaker so we want them to come out to the center, meet other people, converse with them and exercise,” said Frances Brebnor, the center’s coordinator.

The Omolara Senior Care is contracted with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and AmeriCare. Its unique relationship with the companies allows for the center to provide a number of services from health screenings to visiting home aides and even free transportation to and from the center.

“We want to inform the seniors that these services are there for them,” King-Afuape said. “VSNY can give

them home help services – whatever services they need, they are here.”

In addition to its many activities and health services, Omolara Senior Care Center serves hot, nutritious breakfast and lunch for its members and offers workshops on topics ranging from health to immigration and safety.

To become a member, one must have either Medicaid or Medicare.

The insurance company will cover the expenses of all services. If a senior does not have insurance, they need not worry. King-Afuape said the center can help them with that too.

“We will be helping people in the community apply for Medicaid,” she said. “They can also do that here.”

Despite all of the services offered, King-Afuape admitted the center is off to a slow start. With only three members right now, she is looking to expand the center and inform the seniors in the community that their doors are open.

In an effort to promote Omolara Senior Care and introduce it to the community, on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., it will be hosting a free community health fair. The fair, which is sponsored by State Sen. James Sanders (D-Laurelton), Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and District 27 candidate Joan Flowers, will fea-

Jamaica resident Salome King-Afuape recently opened Omolara Senior Care, a senior center that offers medical services and activities for the residents of Southeast Queens. ture free blood pressure screenings, free blood sugar screenings, free prostate screenings, information on home care and sickle cell information.

The Omolara Senior Care is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information about the center or the health fair, contact Salome King-Afuape at (718) 9490048 or email at omolaraseniorcare@gmail.com.

The Omolara Senior Care Center is located at 118-36 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 8-14, 2013

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

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie

A potential step forward in the public acceptance of the LGBTQ community nationwide was stopped dead in its tracks this week, as the Boy Scouts of America announced Wednesday they would postpone a decision on admitting openly gay individuals into its ranks.

The formative years of millions of young men have been helped along by the Boy Scouts, ensuring that several generations of American males lived by the motto of “Be Prepared,” which is and should be a source of pride for the Scouts. The organization’s steadfast refusal to accept openly gay members, however, is nothing to proud of. This institutionalized discrimination does nothing but breed contempt and fear of a group of people that deserve as much acceptance and respect as any other.

The Boy Scouts announced they would revisit the policy again in May, and we hope that in the few months, the organization sees the error in its ways and changes its long-standing policy of discrimination. Otherwise, we hope the group will “be prepared” for more problems.

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Viable Option To the Editor: In recent months, the PRESS has published articles about the old Long Island Railroad Rockaway Beach line, inactive since 1962. Heavy traffic conditions daily on Woodhaven-Cross Bay Boulevards have prompted some to consider reactivating the line.

Others have proposed turning the eyesore into a Queens Way park and bicycle path. A third option is to leave the unused tracks as they are.

Those whose property adjoins the tracks are opposed.

I do sympathize with them to a degree, but there are other considerations that politicians, community boards, and

Letters residents must consider.

Anyone who travels on the boulevards daily knows the traffic conditions. The backup is horrendous, and it has been this way for decades. The combination Woodhaven-Cross Bay is the only north-south road from Queens Center south to the Belt Parkway. In 1962, there was no Queens Center, Aqueduct casino, as well as numerous schools and businesses and most of Howard Beach was not yet built. The populations of the neighborhoods along the route have grown dramatically, and today there are more multiple automobile families than in 1962.

All of these have contributed to the immense traffic.

Projections are that within the next decade or so New York City’s population will increase by one million. A portion of that will affect southern Queens. Along with proximity to JFK Airport, a casino at Aqueduct, and a vibrant shopping strip along Cross Bay Boulevard, the future traffic implications for southern Queens will be a nightmare. Unlike other parts of the city, there are very few traffic alternatives

and choices here. A Queens Way will only produce more traffic. Reactivation of the LIRR line will not solve the traffic problem completely, but it is a partial solution.

I realize the concerns of those near the tracks, but the needs of all communities along the Woodhaven-Cross Bay corridor must be considered.

Reactivation of the line will ease traffic, create jobs, and remove a deteriorated eyesore. Of the three options, it is the most viable and practical.

Steven Aiello, Howard Beach

Correction In last week’s issue of The Press of Southeast Queens, we ran the feature, “D31 Candidate Challenges Six of His Opponents.” The article contained images of candidates Michael Duncan and Donovan Richards that were incorrectly captioned.

Please note Donovan Richards is on the top left and Michael Duncan is on the top right. We apologize for the error.

Death Of A Mayor Of The Greatest City

A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

When former Mayor Edward I. Koch passed away last week, it was more anticipated than surprising. Still, it was sad to see the City say goodbye to one of its most colorful politicians.

Ed Koch, as I wrote late last year, was abrasive and quick to give as good as he got. He wasn’t always the beloved figure as mayor and he didn’t mellow with age either, but earlier this week he was given a sendoff fit for well, a mayor of the greatest city in the world.

Koch, unlike Mayors Lindsey and Beam, stayed in the limelight after leaving office. In fact, he sought it and reveled in it. He stayed in our consciousness and indeed, in our faces with his many TV appearances and his radio show and in news-

paper opinion pieces.

He had his say in every major election that took place since he left office at the end of 1989 and up until the end candidates were still seeking his endorsement for mayor and other races.

It is always sad to see a once vibrant person struggle to do the things they used to do with the alacrity powered by youth and good health. At the end, he was clearly struggling.

But ever the tough New Yorker, he soldiered on and according to his friend Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, he needed help getting up from his green room chair and navigating his way to his NY1 “Wise Guys” chair. True to form, however, D’Amato revealed that his body “was shutting down,” but as soon as the lights came up for the taping, he was on.

Failing health is no picnic, but he handled it with dignity. It’s quite a remarkable

example, really. Some people get a mild headache and call in sick to their job. Koch went to his law office and everywhere else until the very end.

There is something about that generation. The people who served in World War II seem to have been the toughest generation. War will do that to you, and Koch was among the toughest.

Koch’s public persona as a curmudgeon crumbled a little bit as his nephews and a niece spoke of the loving uncle, generous with his time and affection. Who would have thought it….No one ever thought of Koch as “warm and fuzzy” but there it was, “Uncle Ed” was fun and loving.

In life, as in death, people refer to Ed Koch as “the quintessential New Yorker.” And it was on full display during the service. As his body was taken from Temple EmanuEl, for interment in a Washington Heights cemetery, an

organist struck up Frank Sinatra’s indelible hit, “New York, New York.”

It was a moment chosen by the elderly mayor for his carefully planned funeral. He knew it was inevitable and he wanted it, to borrow from another Sinatra classic, his way. And so the remains of the ultimate New Yorker were borne from his temple to the sounds of a song which celebrates New York City.

How perfect a send-off for the man credited with saving the city from fiscal disaster in the late 1970s. It was a poignant moment as he was carried from the temple of his faith to a non-Jewish cemetery near a subway stop, planned for the convenience of those who wish “to visit me.”

In death, as in life, he refused to leave New York, New York. How very, very Kochian! Rest well, Mr. Mayor!

Feb. 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 8-14, 2013

Queens Remembers Mayor Ed Koch Queens officials have joined the chorus of voices remembering the legacy of former Mayor Ed Koch, who died last week at the age of 88 due to congestive heart failure.

Koch was born in the Bronx on Dec. 12, 1924 to Polish immigrant parents Louis and Joyce Silpe Koch.

After a military career where he earned three medals, including the Combat Infantry Badge, Koch returned to New York, attending New York University Law School. He began his pursuit for public office in 1962, losing out on a race for the State Assembly.

After he won seats in the City Council and the U.S. House of Representatives, Koch joined a crowded field of mayoral candidates in 1977, narrowly defeating Mario Cuomo for what became his most notable position.

While his original run for mayor became marred with ugly politics between Koch and Cuomo, Cuomo’s son, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, said that Koch set the stage for the City’s resurgence.

“No New Yorker has – or likely ever will – voice their love for New York City in such a passionate and outspoken manner than Ed Koch,” the younger Cuomo said. “New York City would not be the place it is today without Ed Koch’s leadership over three terms at City Hall. Mr. Mayor was never one to shy away from taking a stand that he believed was right, no matter what the polls said or what was politically correct.”

During his three terms as mayor, Koch was known for the policies that changed and improved the City after its financial crisis. He was also outspoken and unafraid to speak his mind if he had something to say. Koch would often greet residents while

riding the subway and ask them “How’m I doin’?” – the question he was most known for asking his constituents.

In his first term, he was credited with turning around the City’s financial crisis that he inherited from the Beame administration and saw its deficit turn into a surplus while he was in office. He continued the City’s financial prosperity into his second term as well as building thousands of affordable housing units in low-income neighborhoods through out the City.

After his third term finished, Koch ran for another term as mayor but would lose to David Dinkins, who became New York City’s Hundreds gathered for Mayor Ed Koch’s funeral in Manhattan on Monday. first African-American Mayor. terms of his political career, but still were featured in the Queens Tribune.

In recognition of his public serMayor Mike Bloomberg called remained in the public eye.

While he ran for public office as a vice, the City announced in DecemKoch a “tireless, fearless and guileDemocrat, Koch never shied away ber 2010 it would rename the less civic crusader.”

“He was a great mayor, a great from endorsing Republicans. In 2011, Queensboro Bridge, which connects man, and a great friend,” Bloomberg Koch endorsed Bob Turner in his run Long Island City to Manhattan, the said. “Through his tough, determined for Congress against Assemblyman Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. This leadership and responsible fiscal David Weprin in the special election past week, U.S. Rep. Carolyn stewardship, Ed helped lift the City caused by Anthony Weiner’s resig- Maloney (D-Astoria) proposed reout of its darkest days and set it on nation. naming Koch’s favorite subway stacourse for an incredible comeback.”

Turner praised Koch for his dedi- tion at East 77th Street and LexingFormer City Council Speaker Pe- cation to what he felt was the best ton Avenue to the Mayor Ed Koch Subway Station. ter Vallone Sr. credited Koch for his interest of New Yorkers.

“This honesty and bravado led to “When I remember Ed Koch, I recommitment to the City he oversaw.

“He was married to this City, and the beginning of our unique and cher- member him here at the 77th Street loved it with a passion and devotion ished friendship,” Turner said. “I am 6-train stop reaching out to people from beginning to end,” Vallone said. proud to have called him my friend.” and getting them to respond to him, “Perhaps one of the greatest tributes In addition to his political contri- showing us what a great leader does you could say about any person is butions, in the years after he left of- to make sure he is hearing from the that when you mention his name, a fice, Koch became a newspaper col- people he represents,” Maloney said. smile comes to your face, and that is umnist, a TV commentator and even “He called [the stop] his ‘lucky corhow I will always remember my dear worked as a judge on the TV show ner.’” friend, Ed Koch.”

“The People’s Court” in the 1990s.

Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at In his years after being mayor, A lover of movies, Koch frequently (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127 or at Koch fell into the background in reviewed them. Many of his reviews lgronda@queenstribune.com.

Photo by Walter Karling

BY LUIS GRONDA

Koch is seen here touring Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the early 1980s.

Koch, showing off a 1982 cover of the Queens Tribune.

Feb. 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Police Blotter Compiled by STEVEN J. FERRARI

102nd Precinct City Employee Arrested On Jan. 28 at approximately 12:36 a.m., Jorge Salcedo, 25, an off-duty City traffic enforcement agent, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.

(274637) then enter TIPS577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

109th Precinct Public Lewdness Arrest

On Jan. 31, police arrested Dagoberto Amaya, 32, of Flushing and charged him with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and three Robbery counts of public The NYPD is asklewdness in reing the public’s assisgards to an incitance identifying the dent on Jan. 28. following suspect Amaya allegedly wanted for a bank robapproached two febery. males, ages 12 and On Jan. 17, the 13, as they walked suspect walked into This suspect is wanted in connec- on Bowne Street in the Capital One tion with a bank robbery.

Flushing. He allegBank, located at 155edly exposed him14 Cross Bay Blvd., and demanded self to them after he attempted to money. The teller complied and the engage them in conversation. suspect fled with an undetermined amount of money. There were no reported injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The pub- Child Luring Arrest On Jan. 31, police arrested Angel lic can also submit their tips by visiting nypdcrimestoppers.com or Recalde, 43, of Flushing, on two texting their tips to CRIMES counts of luring a child to commit a

106th Precinct

109th & 115th Precincts

crime, two counts of enThere are no arrests dangering the welfare of and the investigation is a child and two counts ongoing. of harassment in regards to two incidents on Jan. Sexual Abuse 25.

The NYPD is asking At 7 a.m., Recalde the public’s assistance in allegedly drove alongidentifying and locating side a 13-year-old female the following suspect in on Northern Boulevard connection with a sexual and 102nd Street and abuse. attempted to lure the victim into his vehicle. This suspect is wanted in On Jan. 25 at 3:15 Later that same day, connection to a sexual p.m. while inside a groaround 8 p.m., Recalde abuse. cery store in Elmhurst, a allegedly attempted to 25-30 year old Hispanic do the same thing to a 14-year-old male sexually abused a 9-year-old fefemale in the vicinity of Northern and male while she was at the checkout Parsons Boulevards. counter. The suspect fled in an unknown direction.

The suspect is described as 5foot-8 with a slim build, last seen Homicide wearing a black jacket, blue jeans On Jan. 26 at 6:03 p.m., police and a black backpack with an umresponded to a 911 call of a male brella attached.

Anyone with information is asked bleeding the in the basement apartment of 97-28 57th Ave., Corona. to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577Upon arrival, officers discovered the TIPS (8477). The public can also victim, Jahim Campbell, 24, uncon- submit their tips by visiting scious and unresponsive with a gun- nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting shot wound to the head. EMS also their tips to CRIMES (274637) then responded and pronounced the vic- enter TIPS577.

All calls are strictly confidential. tim dead at the scene.

110th Precinct

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 8-14, 2013

pix

Ribbon Cutting

Photo by Ira Cohen

Top Chef

Thomas Galante, president and CEO of Queens Library, dished out food during an Evening of Fine Food, sponsored by Queens Centers for Progress, at Terrace on the Park on Feb. 5. Galante was honored as a “Chef of the Year.�

State Sen. Tony Avella recently presented the Rev. Marc T. Pierre with a Senate Proclamation honoring the Gospel Assembly-Queens on the occasion of its 12th anniversary.

Feb. 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Borough Beat

Recovery For Howard Beach Biz Underway Although many businesses along the busy strip of Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach have reopened in the three months since Superstorm Sandy, there are some that are still picking up the pieces.

Among the storefronts still shuttered due to the devastation are 7Eleven, TD Bank, Petco, Staples and the nonprofit New York Families for Autistic Children center.

Many of those businesses have had to completely gut the inside of their property and start over anew.

The NYFAC location in Howard Beach was set to open its new 10,000square-foot facility in November after a number of delays last year. Sandy forced them to postpone once again.

According to Andrew Baumann, NYFAC’s CEO, the first floor of their Howard Beach center took on about three-and-a-half feet of water, causing about $175,000 in damages.

“Basically, it was a swimming pool,” Baumann said. “We had to start from scratch all over again.”

A video posted on their website showed surveillance footage of flood

water seeping through Bay Blvd., still has its the entrance of the buildmain location on the ing and mentions some boulevard shut down, of the property that they but has been operatlost. ing out of a trailer adBaumann said they jacent to the building. applied for help from the John Spagnuolo, Small Business Adminisvice president at TD tration, but they have not New York Families for Au- Bank Group and store received any help yet. tistic Children Cross Bay manager of the Most of the money re- Boulevard location, which Howard Beach locaceived for their renova- was set to open in Novem- tion, said the building tion has been from an ber, was delayed due to took a little more than emergency loan from a Superstorm Sandy. five-and-a-half feet of bank and through donaflood water from the tions from the public. storm, wiping out computer and phone “That’s the only thing that’s systems, furniture and other property helped me get through this,” he said. inside.

Baumann noted that storm reno“It basically had to be rebuilt. It was vations have finished and the non- an expensive undertaking,” he said. profit is now waiting on several inSpagnuolo said that the branch is spections before they can fully open expected to reopen on Feb. 12. its doors. They are also still running As for 7-Eleven, Margaret Chabris, on temporary power from Con a spokeswoman for the convenience Edison, and they are waiting for the store chain, said everything inside utility company to restore permanent the store at the time of the storm was electricity. lost. Its entrance is boarded up with The autistic services center is eye- wood, commonly seen in the days ing its grand opening for the first leading up to the storm. week in April, Baumann said.

Chabris said that the franchise will The TD Bank, at 162-02 Cross remain in Howard Beach and the Photo by Luis Gronda

BY LUIS GRONDA

company expects the store to reopen this May. Petco is also currently closed, but is expected to reopen later this year. A spokesperson for the pet store chain declined to go into the specifics of the damage but emailed a statement from John Drew, vice president of Regional operations for the Northeast.

“Our landlord is currently working on repairs to the building where our Howard Beach store is located. When that’s complete, we’ll go in and begin setting up our store with an eye toward re-opening sometime this spring,” he said.

In contrast to the stores that will return in the future, there is at least one business that will not be coming back to the neighborhood.

The Duane Reade branch appears to have moved out of its location. A sign posted by a real estate company says that the space it used to occupy is available for rent.

Duane Reade and the realtor, Winick Realty Group, did not return phone calls for comment as of press time.

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

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 8-14, 2013

Profile

Childs’ Party Service – Clowns of Color

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA When Jamaica resident Earl Childs was planning his daughter’s birthday party more than 25 years ago, he soon realized that hiring a quality clown for her birthday was not only going be difficult, it was also going to be pricey.

Determined to change the child entertainment landscape in Southeast Queens, Childs founded his own family-owned business in 1987, Childs’ Party Service (Clowns of Color), to give locals an alternative to expensive competitors.

“I started this many years ago when I was trying to plan a party for my daughter because I was a single parent,” Childs said. “We were looking for a clown that had the dedication and wasn’t going to just run in and run out. I decided to throw my hat in it. I try to offer a party service that is unique and that will come in and do everything for the parents so the parents can sit back and relax and enjoy the party with their kids as well.”

With more than 30 years of expe-

rience in social services working social services working directly directly with children, Childs with the children but also, I am a knew that he wanted to create a big kid at heart. My nephews and company that would incorporate nieces – [I’m the] favorite uncle. educational aspects as well.

My passion is seeing them grow In turn, Childs’ Party Service and make great decisions in life.” not only provides entertainment In an effort to give back to his for birthday parties and other celcommunity and to the kids, ebrations, it also caters to schools Childs has even incorporated a and educational groups by offervery special part of training for ing a wide variety of puppet aspiring employees. shows that explore a multitude “Part of training requires that of topics. we do community service and do “Our puppet shows are edufree services,” he said. “It puts a cational. We have ser vices smile on their [the children’s] through schools that include the faces. During the summer, they educational puppets shows that [potential employees] have to do have themes like anti-bullying, two community services a fire safety and health and nutrimonth, where they go out in the tion to combat obesity in kids,” Child’s Party Service offers unique and affordable street and give out balloons and entertainment for your kids. he said. do face painting for an hour.”

In fact, most of Childs’ emFor more information about ployees are former New York City for the sake of his daughter, he noted Childs’ Party Service or to book a school educators that have prior ex- that the reason he is still in the child party, call Earl Childs at (646) 881perience with children. entertainment industry more than 5070 or visit “Most of our clowns are former two decades later is because he loves www.childspartyservice.com.

New York City teachers so we can interacting with children and watchReach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska customize puppet shows based on ing them grow. at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or their lessons,” he said.

“I love children,” he said. “I’ve nkozikowska@queenspress.com While Childs began the business had 30 years experience working in

People Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at the University of Hartford in Connecticut. They include: Queens Village: Puja Bhardwaj.

Rosedale: Danielle D’Anjou.

St. Albans: Kevin Miller.

Springfield Gardens: Carine Derisse.

Arverne: Brandon Mornan.

Belle Harbor: Jacquelyn Chieffo, Amanda Zwirn.

Richmond Hill: Jade Parente, Kevin Ruiz.

N’Dea Hallett of Rosedale was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Tufts University.

Shanice Hinckson of St. Albans received Faculty Honors for the fall 2012 semester at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at SUNY Geneseo. They include: Forest Hills: Sarah Diaz, Joseph Figliolia.

The Queens Historical Society will host a genealogy workshop with Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly, 2:30 to 4:30

p.m. Feb. 17 at Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing.

Cost is $5 for members, $8 for nonmembers.

For information, call Danielle Hilkin at (718) 939-0647, Ext. 14, or email dhilkin@queenshistoricalsociety.org.

Queens Community for Cultural Judaism will celebrate the Purim Holiday Story with songs and costumes at 2 p.m. Feb. 16 at the UUCQ Building on the corner of Ash Avenue and 149th Street, Flushing. For information, call (718) 380-5362.

The Queens Historical Society will host a genealogy workshop with Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing.

Cost is $5 for members, $8 for nonmembers.

For information, call Danielle Hilkin at (718) 939-0647, Ext. 14, or email dhilkin@queenshistoricalsociety.org.

Army National Guard Private Shaun N. Clarke graduated from One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo., which included basic military training and advanced individual training.

Clarke is the son of Shirley and Tiffany Clarke of Queens Village.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. They include: Broad Channel: Helen Henglein, Christina Sullivan.

Richmond Hill: Patricia Jawor.

Rockaway Park: Greg Vann.

Woodhaven: Dana Cubillan.

Local students were recipients of the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence during the fall 2012 semester at Colgate University in Hamilton.

They include: Woodhaven: Andrea Pura.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at The College of Saint Rose in Albany. They include: Breezy Point: Mary Kate Nestor.

Broad Channel: Megan Fuchs.

Rockaway Park: Kyra Meli.

Forest Hills: Marisa Jaross.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Fairfield University in Connecticut. They include:

Belle Harbor: Edward Lynch, Sean Lynch, Danielle Stathis.

Rockaway Park: Deirdre Munday.

Forest Hills: Michelle Cusumano, Hiradean Sadik.

Stephani Roman of Richmond Hill received Faculty Honors for the fall 2012 semester at Trinity College in Richmond Hill.

Air Force Airman First Class Louisa Stephanus graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Stephanus is the niece of Yohana Putro of Corona.

Air Force Airman Taylor Ryan graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is a 2012 graduate of Aviation High School in Long Island City.

Upcoming events at the Kew Gardens Community Center, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road, Suite 202, include: Belly Dancing, noon to 1 p.m.

Wednesday.

Computer Class, noon to 1 p.m.

Mondays and Fridays, with Jody Oliver. Registration is necessary.

Meditation, 10 a.m. Thursdays, with Sy Weber.

Feb. 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

A&E

IndieCade Comes To The East Coast While New York City may be the top metropolis known for its unique plethora of museums, art programs and historic architecture, when it comes to independent video gaming, it is second only to Los Angeles.

As of next weekend, however, that is about to change.

On Jan. 31, the Museum of the Moving Image announced a new partnership with IndieCade, the country’s premier festival for independent games, which will bring its first-ever East Coast edition, “IndieCade East,” to the City from Feb. 15-17.

“We are excited to partner with IndieCade to host the very first East Coast sampler and offshoot of this important and influential festival,” said Carl Goodman, executive director of the museum. “Since its inception 25 years ago, the Museum has embraced video games as part of our mission, and we have since maintained close ties with the game-making community. Hosting the nation’s most significant independent game

Photo Courtesy of Indiecade.com

BY MEGAN MONTALVO

weekend, we’ll spotlight work that provokes thought and conversation, and that pushes the boundaries of interactive entertainment and how we see games.”

Along with a showFrom Feb.15-17, Indiecade will present its first-ever East case of 20 playable Coast edition of its gaming festival at The Museum of the Official Selection games, seminars and Moving Image. w o r k s h o p s , IndieCade will feature presentations festival is a natural next step.”

Founded in 2005, IndieCade is no from top designers, such as Kris stranger to the video game world. Piotrowski, who is most recognized for Based in Los Angeles, it hosts the only his work in Superbrothers: Sword & stand-alone independent-focused Sworcery EP, and Eric Zimmerman, the game festival in the nation on an an- co-founder of the Manhattan-based nual basis and has been dubbed “the game development company, Gamelab, and co-author of the game design textvideo game industry’s Sundance.”

“IndieCade is thrilled to bring the book “Rules of Play.”

“With game creators from the reMuseum audience and the City at large a living, breathing, playing, walk- gion and beyond hosting screenings, ing, talking, game-jamming exhibition giving talks, and presenting their featuring the cutting edge of this in- games for gameplay, IndieCade East novative field,” IndieCade Founder will provide a window to powerful creand CEO Stephanie Barish said. “All ative visions before they become com-

Restaurant Review

Greek Greatness Mediterranean Grill 160-24 Willets Point Blvd., Whitestone (718) 281-4210 CUISINE: Greek, Mediterranean HOURS: Tues. - Sun.: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

CREDIT CARDS: Yes, all major.

There is something about Mediterranean food that makes my stomach growl and my mouth water.

Maybe it’s the combination of flavors from several different countries in the area. Maybe it’s the relaxing atmosphere that seems to come naturally. In any case, this style is one of my favorites. And Mediterranean Grill is one of the best in the game.

Going there with my best friend, we were overwhelmed by the amount of options listed on the menu. Instead of having to make a choice, we let the chef take us on a journey of the best that the restaurant had to offer.

We started off with an excellent dish of fried calamari. This wasn’t your usual appetizer, though. In a nice touch of fusion dining, the calamari was dipped in a spicy and zesty Asian sweet chili sauce.

From there, we were treated to Mediterranean Grill’s homemade pasta, served with roasted tomatoes and shrimp. Homemade pasta certainly ranks near the top of the excellent food chart and this was no exception. The pasta tasted incredibly fresh and was cooked perfectly. The flavoring of the shrimp and tomatoes added uniqueness to every bite.

After going through a salad with a secret homemade dressing, the main course arrived. We both had salmon with orange-miso sauce and black rice.

The sauce enhanced the already delectable taste of the salmon, as each piece seemed to melt in my mouth.

The black rice was delightful as well, making for a healthy side dish. The restaurant’s signature lemon potato ended dinner excellently.

After all of this great food, the two of us were stuffed. But once the dessert came out, we knew we had to try it. It’s not every day that you come along a dish like apple crisp with homemade cinnamon ice cream. While we may have felt very full once we were done, this meal was worth every bite.

- Joe Marvilli

mercial successes,” Barish said.

An ongoing rollout of festival games will include Armada d6, Blindside, Bloop, Chroma Shuffle, Dyad, Find Me A Good One, Gorogoa, Guacamelee, Hokra, The Stanley Parable, Thirty Flights of Loving, Unmanned, and Vornhiem – to name a few.

In addition to the IndieCade lineup, all attendees are also welcome to visit “Spacewar! Video Games Blast Off,” an exhibition that commemorates the 50th anniversary of video games, which is on view at the museum through March 3.

Festival passes are available for the full weekend or for each day or evening session and will range in price depending on time and day. For a complete schedule of the three-day event, visit www.movingimage.us or www.indiecade.com.

The Museum of the Moving Image is located at 36-01 35 Avenue in Astoria. For general inquiries, call (718) 777-6888.

Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or mmontalvo@queenstribune.com.

QCA Moves West

BY MEGAN MONTALVO After a much anticipated wait, the Queens Council on the Arts will finally be getting a place of their own in the western region of the Borough.

Early last month, QCA Managing Director Lynn Lobell revealed that the 47-year-old organization expects to occupy its new location at 37-11 35th Ave. in Astoria by sometime in February.

Although the space, which is part of the Kaufman Astoria Studios complex, is near completion, Lobell is now saying that it may not be until early March that Council members will be able to make the move.

“We had initially hoped that by this month, we would be able to move in,” she said earlier this week. “But, after facing a few issues, it may not be until early March.”

Despite facing some delays, Lobell said that the QCA staff members cannot wait until they christen their new facility.

Currently, their offices are headquartered at One Forest Park in Woodhaven – the site that the group has occupied for nearly two decades.

“Where we are now is essentially in the middle of Forest Park,” Lobell

said. “Sometimes, the location can be difficult for the public to get to.

Considering that our new offices will be central to transit, in the middle of Astoria, we hope to get a lot more foot traffic.”

In addition to providing workshop seating for up to 45 people, the Council’s new location will also allow artists of all mediums to display their work within their walls.

Among other benefits, the space will also serve as a one-stop-shop for many of their programs, such as the High School to Art School Program.

“It’s a big deal for us,” said Won Cha, administrator to the High School to Art School program. “The space is fairly big and can accommodate a good amount of people. I feel that our new location will help us make our mission more reachable.”

Though an official move in date has yet to be confirmed, Lobell said that she hopes to make an announcement within the coming weeks. For information on QCA’s latest updates, visit www.queenscouncilarts.org.

Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or mmontalvo@queenstribune.com.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 8-14, 2013

Faith

Jazz At St. Albans Presents Camille Thurman The Saint Albans Congregational Church will kick off the month of March with a special concert featuring the multi-talented saxophonist, vocalist and composer Camille Thurman.

Home to several jazz legends including Count Basie, Lena Horne and John Coltrane, St. Albans is known for its musical talents. As a tribute to the genre and its rich history in the neighborhood, St. Albans Congregational Church hosts the free Jazz Vesper series on the first Saturday of every month for the community of Jamaica.

Thurman, a St. Albans native, will return to her hometown to showcase her impressive musical skills. The 2012 ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award winner is most renowned for her lush, velvety sound on the tenor saxophone but also has the rare ability to sing four octaves that evoke melodies reminiscent of Minnie Riperton, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.

As an accomplished performer

Photo courtesy of www.camillethurmanmusic.com.

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

The multi-talented musician and St. Albans native, Camille Thurman, will be performing at the St. Albans Congregational Church next month. and composer, Thurman has shared the stage with jazz and R&B greats Dr. Billy Taylor, Benny Golson, George Coleman, Russell Mallone,

George Benson, Charli Persip, Valery Ponomarev, Lew Tabackin, Dave Valentine, Anothony Hamilton and Eric Benet. She has also worked with Alisters like Alicia Keys, Brandy, Ciara and Missy Elliot.

Thurman leads her own quartet, which has performed in the 2009 International Women in Jazz Festival, the 2010 Super Jazz Ashdod Israel Festival and many other jazz venues across the world.

The St. Albans native can also be seen performing regularly with a number of well known bands like the Nicholas Payton Television Studio Orchestra, the Mimi Jones Band, Charli Persip and Supersound, the Valery Ponomarev Big Band and the UMOJA Sextet.

Thurman grew up singing and listening to the magical sounds of legends like Stevie Wonder and Sarah Vaughan. Inspired by her junior high school teacher, she began playing the flute at age 12 and switched to the tenor saxophone when she was just 14.

The talented musician received a full scholarship to CPSM Preparatory

Music School at Queens College and really began to pursue her dreams but it was not until she entered college that she began singing and playing with the school jazz band, which led to her working with people in the jazz industry.

Thurman currently lives in New York City and will release her debut album, “ORIGINS,” this year on the Hottone Music label. She is excited about exploring the new possibilities and making beautiful music she can share with the world.

Thurman will be performing at the Saint Albans Congregational Church on Saturday, March 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are free however, donations will be accepted. Space is limited so it is recommended residents who wish to attend arrive early.

St. Albans Congregational Church is located at 172-17 Linden Blvd. in Jamaica.

For more information about Thurman, visit her website at www.camillethurmanmusic.com.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com

Notebook Humanities and the Arts H.S.

High School Celebrates Black History Month

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA On Feb. 14, Humanities and the Arts High School in Cambria Heights will host its second annual Black History Month presentation, “The Journey Through the Eyes of a Dancer,” which will feature a number of performances meant to transform history into a beautiful dance.

The show, coordinated by Ronda Brown, a teacher at the school, will feature more than 170 students, both male and female, who have been preparing for the event throughout January.

“The journey is going to be a dance production through the eyes of a dancer and it’s going to be a production by our high school students, ninth through twelfth grade,” Brown said. “They are going to be doing tap, lyrical, two choral dramas and modern dance.”

The program, Brown said, is important to enhance the education of

students and give them a better understanding African American history.

“We were collaborating with the core teachers and as they went through Black History Month, they realized a lot of kids didn’t know about slavery other than what they read in books,” she said. “Through this, our dancers become the actual characters and put the story of the lives of the people they read about into movement.”

As a teacher, Brown feels that it was beneficial for students to learn about the history behind slavery, especially in such a fun and expressional way.

“To me, they can understand the history better if they become the character,” she said. “We took something like the Emancipation of Proclamation and then the students would study it. This way, they know what it is and understand how the slaves would react. Not only are they dancing, they are learning the history be-

hind it. The students did not just read the history, they internalized everything and than they had to take what they learned and turn it into movement on stage.”

At a time when many young teens are drawn to the realm of hip-hop and rap, Brown feels that the audience will particularly enjoy seeing the students enjoy a different type of music.

“A lot of the times, this generation of students enjoy hip-hop, so I think if they [the audience] would see that not only are they learning different genres, but they are also putting dance into a different per-

spective, they would enjoy it,” she said.

“The Journey through the Eyes of a Dancer” is open to the general public. The event will begin at 6:45 p.m. at the school’s auditorium. Tickets are $5 for students with identification and $10 for general admission.

Humanities and the Arts High School is located at 207-01 116th Ave., Cambria Heights. For more information about the show, contact Ronda Brown at (718) 978-2135 ext.

5080.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

Is Your School Doing Something Good?

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

Feb. 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

What’s Up FRIDAY, FEB. 8 Blaze Craze 10 The Afrikan Poetry Theatre is calling all poets rappers, singers, business people and vendors to come on out for an evening of networking and more. The featured poets will include Dr. Gerald Deas and Monique Nazon.

The featured rapper will be Rahim.

The open mic time limit will be three to five minutes. In addition to the open mic, there will be light refreshments, music, and drumming. For further info, call Ja-Man at 646-5715589. Tickets are $10 or $7 with a flyer. The Afrikan Poetry Theatre is located at 176-03 Jamaica Ave. The event will begin at 7 p.m.

Of Ebony Embers York College Performing Arts Center will host Chamber Music Theatre in a unique performance format created by the Core Ensemble. It features a marriage of theatrical narrative and chamber music performance.

In Ebony Embers, the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance is brought to life with music via multiple characters which interact onstage with a musical trio of cello, piano and percussion.

Celebrating the music and poetry of the Harlem Renaissance era in New York City, “Of Ebony Embers” examines the lives of three outstanding but very different African American poets - Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Claude McKay, as seen through the eyes of the great painter and muralist Aaron Douglas. For additional information, call (718) 2622281. Tickets are $20. The event will be held from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. York College Performing Arts Center is located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

SATURDAY, FEB. 9 J.S.P.O.A. Luncheon Dance J.S.P.O.A. will hold a luncheon dance to support all of their centers.

For additional information, call (718) 657-6752. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Choice of chicken or fish. DJ Darney will provide the music. Tickets are $10. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 12310 143rd St., South Ozone Park.

Young Leaders Youth Fair Young Leaders Institute, Inc. is pleased to present their Youth Fair.

Don’t miss a fun day of activities for children ages 4-18. There will be games, music, arts and crafts, and more! For parents, there will be informational sessions for on numerous youth programs, both fun and educational. Light refreshments will be provided. For additional information,

contact Lorin McFarlane at (516) 244-9319. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rochdale Village Community Center located at 169-65 137th Ave.

Hands-on History: I Love Rufus and Mary Celebrate love this February at King Manor. Learn about the King family and how much they loved their family and friends. Enjoy crafts, stories, and more at this fun, free family event. Hands-on history workshops are free drop-in programs designed for families with children. The free event will be held from noon to 3 p.m.

King Manor Museum is located at Rufus King Park, near 153 Street at Jamaica Avenue.

Valentine’s Family Fun Day Looking for a little family fun?

Then don’t miss the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning’s Valentine’s Family Fun Day. For more information, visit www.jcal.org or call (718) 658-7400 ext 123. The event will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. and is free. Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning is located at 161-04 Jamaica Ave.

HIV / AIDS Awareness Event Council Member Leroy Comrie, Clergy United and The National AIDS Foundation will conduct an AIDS awareness event to highlight the ongoing epidemic and shine light on the progress that has been made in combating this disease and to discuss the challenges that still remain. For updates and more information, call (718) 776-3700 or visit www.leroycomrie.com. The event is free and will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the York College Performing Arts Center located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Writing and Literary Translation, where she won the Giro S. Cestaro III Award for her thesis, “Barefoot in the Package Store,” and served as editorin-chief of “Ozone Park,” an MFA-run literary journal. She has published her work in The Minetta Review and Sister Psychosis and has read her work around New York City in venues such as Cornelia Street Cafe and KGB Bar. The event is free and will begin at 2 p.m. at the library.

MONDAY, FEB. 11 Stay Well Learn how special exercises and relaxation techniques can make a difference in your life at the Queens Central Library. The event is free and will begin at 10 a.m.

TUESDAY, FEB. 12 Fundraising Planning Susan Shiroma, Senior Librarian of the Foundation Center in New York, will show how to analyze your non-profit organization’s situation and develop a fundraising plan that includes a variety of revenue sources.

Preregister online or by calling (718) 990-0714 or (212) 620-4230. The event will be held at Queens Central Library at 3 p.m. and is free.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13 York College Observatory Open Night The York College Observatory is open to the public every second or third Wednesday of the month - rain or shine. Gather in room 2E01 and then proceed to the 4th floor terrace off G corridor if it’s clear. For additional information, contact Tim Paglione at paglione@york.cuny.edu or (718) 262-2082. It is free to attend. The event will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Council District 31 Candidate’s ONGOING Night Lincoln Park Basketball The World African Diaspora Association Union will host a candidate’s night for candidates in the 31st New York City Council District in Queens. All challengers will be invited to discuss how their candidacy will raise the quality of life in the district. The event is free and will be held at the Afrikan Poetry Theatre located at 176-03 Jamaica Ave., from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, FEB. 10 Open Mic for Poets The Queens Central Library will present a special guest – Sarah Stetson Stetson studied poetry at the Queens College MFA program in Creative

The Lincoln Park Basketball Association is starting its winter/spring basketball program. Boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 15 are welcome. The registration fee is $50.

It includes insurance, weekly training sessions and a t-shirt. Full payment must be made by Feb. 9, with no exceptions. Parents or guardians must bring proof of their child’s age. Birth certificates, passports or school records are all valid forms of ID. All participants must remember to bring sneakers and shorts to the gym.

Coaches are needed as well. The basketball clinic will take place at the

Queens Transition Center on 142-10 Linden Blvd. in South Ozone Park.

The entrance for the program is in the school yard in the rear of the school.

The clinic lasts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It is ongoing until March 23.

Mobile CPR Program FDNY EMS instructors will come out to your site to conduct the CPR training using your facilities. The Be 911 Compressions Only CPR Program is brought to you free of charge

by FDNY and NYC Service. The goal of the program is to train as many people as possible in basic CPR skills.

In addition, participants will be briefly educated on the automated external defibrillator (AED) used to try and revive a person suffering from cardiac arrest. Though this program does not certify any participants, the FDNY and NYC Service believe increasing the knowledge of how to save a life is far more beneficial.

The program welcomes all ages, as long as the individual can demonstrate competency in retaining the required skills.

Appointments can be made Monday through Friday during the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Classes may be approximately 20 minutes depending on the size of the group.

For group registration of 10 or more participants or further information, contact the FDNY’s CPR Training Unit at Telephone Number (718) 281-3888.

Group Sessions Clergy United for Community Empowerment, Inc. Group Sessions are located at 172-17 Linden Blvd.

Second Floor, St. Albans, 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.

What’s Up With You? Send your community events to the PRESS for a free listing at 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11457 All events will be considered for publication, without a fee.

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 8-14, 2013

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina or email to queenstoday@ queenstribune.com Yearly schedules and advanced notices welcome!

PARENTS PSYCHOLOGICAL CTR Family and child therapy, parent management training and more. 5700500 sliding scale.

KIDS KORNER Weekdays Central Queens YM-YWHA in Forest Hills. For K-6. 2685011, ext. 203.

PARENT WORKSHOP Mondays, February 11, 25, March 1 at the Lefrak Cit y librar y at 11:15.

OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, February 13 6-9 and Wednesday, March 12 9-noon at the Renaissance Charter School, 35-39 81 st Street, Jackson Heights. K-8.

803-0060, ext. 106 information.

ANIBIC Association for Neurologically Impaired Brain Injured Children, Inc. sponsors programs for those through adulthood.

423-9550.

DANCE ISRAELI FOLK Mondays 7:15-9:45 at Hillcrest Jewish Center, 182-02 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. 5652259.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD WASTE DROPOFF Saturdays 10:30-noon at the Sunnyside library and 1-3 Broadway library.

GARDENING CLUB Saturdays help with our vegetable and shade garden Steinway library at 4.

YOUTH

TEENS BUKHARIAN LOUNGE Central Queens Y in Forest Hills. 268-5011, ext.

202.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays, February 11, 18, 25 Douglaston library 3.

TEEN ZONE Mondays, February 11, 25 Q u e e n s V i l l a g e l i brary 4.

DRUM WORKSHOP Monday, February 11 at 4 at the Ridgewood library.

TEEN ZUMBA Monday, February 11 P o p p e n h u s e n l i b r a r y.

Register.

TEEN SPACE Monday, February 11 create a photo frame.

Windsor Park. Register.

LAPTOPS Mondays-Thursdays Hollis library at 3.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19, 26 East Flushing library 3:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19 Hillcrest library 4.

CHESS FOR ALL Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19, 26 Rosedale library 4.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19, 26 Rochdale Village library 5.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesdays, February 12, 26 South Ozone Park library 1.

TEEN ZONE Wednesdays, February 13, 20, 27 Queens Village library 4.

COMPUTER CLASS Wednesdays, February 13, 20, 27 Woodside library 5:45.

VALENTINE JEWELRY Wednesday, February 13 create your own Va l e n t i n e ’ s J ewelr y St .

Albans library 4.

ONLINE TEST PREP Wednesday, February 13 LIC library. Register 7523700.

GAME DAY Wednesdays Howard Beach library at 4.

CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 Queens Village library.

FLUSHING ANIME Thursdays, February 14, 21, 28 Anime Club Flushing library 4.

GREEN VIDEOS Thursdays, February 14, 21 Astoria library 4:30.

DRAMA POSSE Thursdays, February 14, 21 Hillcrest library 4:30.

ADVISORY BOARD Thursday, February 14

Teen Advisor y Board at the Cambria Heights library 5:30.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays Rochdale Village library 4:30.

TEEN MOVIES Fridays, February 15, 22, March 1 Central library 3:30.

FUN WII Fridays, February 15, 22 Hollis library 3:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, February 15, 22, March 1 Douglaston librar y. Register.

HAPPY HOUR Fridays, February 15, 22 Flushing library 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, February 15, 22 Fresh Meadows library 4.

WII GAME DAY Fridays, February 15, 22, March 1 Poppenhusen library 4.

TEEN ZONE Fridays, February 15, 22 Queens Village library 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays, February 15, March 1 Woodside library 4.

CROCHET & KNIT Fridays, February 15, 22 Langston Hughes library 4:30.

GREEN VIDEO Fridays, February 15, 22 Steinway library 4:30.

GAME DAY Fridays, February 15, 22, March 1 Woodhaven library 4:30.

WII FRIDAYS Fridays at the Hollis library at 3:30.

TALKS BUYING A HOME Monday, February 11 Buying a Home: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started at 5:30 at the Jackson Heights library.

PENINSULA Monday, February 11 “Main Street” discussed at the Peninsula library at 6:30.

WHITESTONE Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 2 “One Hundred Years of Solitude” discussed at 2 at the Whitestone library.

HILLCREST Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 2 “The Glass Room” discussed at 3 at the Hillcrest library.

GLENDALE Thursday, February 14 “Call of the Wild” discussed at the Glendale library at 6.

BAY TERR ACE Friday, February 15 “The Sense of an Ending” discussed at 11:30 at the Bay Terrace library.

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

YOUNG CHEFS Saturday, February 9 for those 7-12. $24. Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register.

PET SHOW Saturday, February 9 for those 3-4. $21. Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

TODDLER ADVENTURE Sunday, February 10 for those 18-36 months with parental participation. $16. Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register.

MATH HELP Saturdays for grades 48 Flushing library at 10.

SCIENCE LAB Saturdays Central library at 11.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

BUGS AS PETS Monday, February 11 East Flushing library 4.

READING & CRAFT Monday, February 11 North Forest Park library at 4.

FAMILY STORY TIME Mondays, February 11, 18, 25 preK-2 at the Auburndale library at 4.

JEWELRY MAKING Monday, February 11 Far Rockaway library 4.

WORD OF WEEK Mondays, February 11, 25 McGoldrick library 5.

GAME NIGHT Mondays, February 11, 25 Richmond Hill library 5.

CRAFT KIDS Mondays Flushing library at 3.

BEGIN CHESS Mondays at 3:30 Windsor Park library.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays Douglaston library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19 Hillcrest library 4.

TIE DYE Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 2 Far Rockaway library at 4. Bring a t-shirt.

VALENTINE CRAFT Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 2 Poppenhusen library at 4 and Queens Village at 4.

CHESS FOR ALL Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19 Rosedale library 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19, 26 Windsor Park li-

brary. Register.

WRITING WORKSHOP Tu e s d a y , F e b r u a r y 1 2 Langston Hughes library 4:30.

MATH GAMES Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 26 McGoldrick library 5.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays at 5 Rochdale Village library.

ARTS & CRAFTS Wednesdays, February 13, 20, 27 Auburndale library ages 5-12 at 4.

PRESCHOOL STORY Wednesdays, February 13, 20, 27 Maspeth library 12:30.

CRAFTIVITIES Wednesdays, February 13, 20 East Flushing library. Register.

VALENTINE CARD Wednesday, February 13 Briarwood library 4:30.

FAMILY STORY TIME Wednesday, February 13 Astoria library 3:30.

VALENTINE CRAFT Wednesday, February 13 Far Rockaway library 4.

CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 Queens Village library and 4:30 Poppenhusen library.

GAME DAY Wednesdays Howard Beach library at 5.

CRAFTERNOONS Wednesdays at the Ridgewood library. Register.

YOUNG LEADERS Wednesdays and Fridays Young Leaders Institute of Laurelton at the Laurelton library at 3:30.

PRE-SCHOOL STORY Thursdays, February 14, 21 Bellerose library. Register.

DRAMA POSSE Thursdays, February 14, 21 Hillcrest library 4:30.

FAMILY STORY TIME Thursday, February 14 B a y Te r r a c e l i b ra r y 11:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Thursday, February 14 South Jamaica library 3:30.

VALENTINE CARD Thursday, February 14 Richmond Hill library 4.

VALENTINE CRAFT Thursday, February 14 W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

GAME ON Thursdays at the Central library at 3:30.

BOARD GAMES Fridays, February 15, March 1 Windsor Park library 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays, February 15, March 1 Woodside library 4.

CROCHET & KNIT Fridays, February 15, 22

Langston Hughes library 4:30.

GAMES Fridays, February 15, 22, March 1 video and board games Rochdale Village library 4:30.

GAME DAY Fridays, February 15, 22 Woodhaven library 4:30.

CHESS FOR KIDS Fridays, February 15, 22 W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

KIDS ACTIVITIES Fridays at 3:30 Briarwood library.

CRAFT TIME Fridays at 3 at the Ozone Park library.

GAME DAY Fridays at 3:30 Queens Village library.

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays Briarwood library at 4. East Flushing Register. Ozone Park at 3.

GAME DAY Fridays Windsor Park at 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays Auburndale library at 3:30 and W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

FLEA MARKETS THRIFT SHOP Saturdays 12-4 at the Queens Baptist Church, 9 3 - 2 3 2 1 7 th S t r e e t , Queens Village. 4652504.

FLEA MARKET Sunday, February 10 flea market plus Ethnic Polish Bake Sale 9-4 at St. Josaphat’s, 35 th Avenue and 2 1 0 th Street, Bayside.

RUMMAGE SALE Sunday, February 17 103 and Monday, February 18 9:30-noon at Te m p l e Ti k va h o f N ew Hyde Park, 3315 Hillside Avenue.

MISCELLANEOUS IMMIGRATE SERVICE Saturdays 10-1 at Council Member Leroy Comrie’s district office.

776-3700 to schedule appointment.

REHEARSALS Saturdays, Sacred Music Chorale of Richmond Hill begins rehearsals at St. John’s in Richmond Hill. www.richmondhillny.com/ Art sSMC. FH VAC The Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps needs volunteers. 7932055.

Feb. 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

Queens Today SENIORS ALZHEIMERS Caregivers Support Group for Alzheimer’s caregivers and other services at Queens Communit y House, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road. 2685960, ext. 226.

VALENTINE DANCE Saturday, February 9 Rockaway Center’s Valentine Dance, 123-10 143rd Street, South Ozone Park. 657-6752. 10-2 luncheon and dance. $10.

SOUTH ASIAN Alternate Saturdays Selfhelp BR-PS Senior Center in Flushing. Ind i a n - st y l e activities, lunch. 886-5777.

ALZHEIMERS Adult Day Care MondayThursday 9-4 in Flushing.

358-3541.

ATRIA FH Sunday, February 10 Musical Delight with Julliard students at 2:15.

Tu e s d a y , F e b r u a r y 2 6 Mardi Gras music celebration with a Louisiana dinner starting at 3:15.

RSVP. Atria Forest Hills, 112-50 72nd Avenue. 2615300.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Monday, February 11 Queens Village librar y.

776-6800.

AARP TAX HELP Mondays, February 11, 18, 25, March 1 Pomonok library at 11:30.

AARP 3334 Monday, February 11 at St. Kevin’s Parish Center in Flushing. 224-0478.

COMPUTER BASICS Monday, February 11 Computer Basics. Tuesday, February 19 Email and the Internet classes for seniors at the Rosenthal Prince Street Senior Center in Flushing. 559-4329 to register.

MEN’S CLUB Mondays 10-noon Men’s club for those over 65 at the Central Queens Y in Forest Hills. 423-0732.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE Mondays Lunch, lesson and congenial play. Pride of Judea. 423-6200.

STAY WELL Mondays at the Central library at 10 and Wednesdays at 10:15 at the East E l m h u r st l i b ra r y. Le a r n how special exercise and relaxation techniques make a difference in your life.

BASIC COMPUTERS Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19, 26 class for seniors at 10 at the South Ozone Park library.

POMONOK CENTER Tuesdays and Thursdays

MEETINGS

free ESL classes 9-10:30.

Thursdays Dear Abby Group at 11 and Knitting and Crochet Club at 1 and Chinese Language Classes at 1. Pomonok Senior Center, 67-09 Kissena Blvd., Flushing.

591-3377.

CAREGIVERS Tu e s d a y s C a r e g i ve r s Support group at 3:304:30 Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, 208-11 2 6 th A v e n u e , B a y s i d e .

631-1886.

AARP TAX HELP Wednesdays, February 13, 20, 27 Windsor Park library at 1.

NUTRITION CLASS Wednesdays through March 27 Nutrition and Health classes for seniors 2-4. 657-6500, ext. 1581.

STARS Wednesdays Senior Theatre Acting Repertory at the Hollis library at 11:15.

BRIDGE Wednesdays Reform Temple of Fore st Hills.

261-2900.

AARP 29 Thursdays, February 14, March 14 AARP chapter 29 meets at Grace House, 155-02 90 th Avenue, Jamaica at noon.

TAX HELP Fridays, February 15, 22, March 1 Pomonok library at 11:30.

STARS Fridays Senior Theater Acting Repertory at the Queens Village library at 11.

AARP 1405 Monday, February 25 Bowne Street Commun i t y C h u rc h , 1 4 3 - 1 1 Roosevelt Avenue at 1.

Identity Fraud discussed

EXHIBIT NAL Through March 2 Small and Big Works exhibition at the National Art League, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway. Free admission.

SHANGAA February through May Shangaa: Art of Tanzania at Queensborough CC. 631-6396.

DOLL MUSEUM Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 12:30-4:30 the Maria Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans. 2763454. “”Love Connects Us All” and international doll collection. $2.50 youth, $3.50 seniors, $5 a d u l t s . www.mariarose.biz. 917817-8653.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays, February 11, 25 Douglaston library at 3.

VFW 4787 Mondays, February 11, March 11 Whitestone VFW Post 4787 meets at 1 9 - 1 2 1 4 9 th S t r e e t , Whitestone at 8. 7460540.

CATHOLIC VETS Mondays, February 11, March 11 American Mart yrs Catholic War Veterans Post 1772 in Bayside.

468-9351.

KNITTING CIRCLE Mondays, February 11, 25, March 11, 25 6-8 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. $5. 229-4000 to register.

ORATORIO SOCIETY Mondays at 7:45 at Temple Beth Sholom in Flushing. 279-3006. Auditions required.

COMMUNITY SINGERS Mondays Communit y Singers start rehearsals for their spring concert at 8 at Messiah Lutheran in Flushing. 658-1021.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19, 26 Windsor Park library at 2.

FM CAMERA Tuesdays Fresh Meadows Camera Club. 917-6123463.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesdays, February 13, 20, 27 South Ozone Park library at 1.

FH SYMPHONY Wednesdays the Forest Hills Symphony Orchestra rehearses at the Forest Hills Jewish Center.

516-785-2532.

TOASTMASTERS Thursdays, February 14, 28 Advance for Excellence Toastmasters Club at the Briarwood library at 5:45.

KIWANIS CLUB Thursdays, February 14, 28, March 14, 28 Kiwanis Club of Jamaica meets. 527-3678.

98 TH STREET BLOCK Thursday, February 14 East Elmhurst library at 6.

KNIT & CROCHET CLUB Friday, February 15 Fresh Meadows library at 11.

KNITTING CLUB Fridays, February 15, 22 Maspeth library at 11.

CHESS CLUB Friday, February 15 Woodside library at 4.

P-FLAG Sundays, February 17, March 17 P-FLAG, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays meet in Forest Hills. 271-6663.

ENTERTAINMENT MIGRATION Saturday, February 9 MoMA Presents Jacob Lawrence and the Migration Series at the Langston Hughes library at 1.

PIANO GREATS Saturday, February 9 Piano Greats From the 40s-60s at the Fresh Meadows library at 2:30.

TRUMPET Saturday, February 9 Music from the Mind of the Trumpet at 4 at the Langston Hughes library.

HATE MAIL Saturday, February 9 “You’ve Got Hate Mail” at Queensborough Communit y College. 6316311.

GRASS ROOTS Saturday, February 9 The Grass Roots perform at St. Francis Prep in Fresh Meadows. $40.

423-8810, ext. 324.

MERCER MAGIC Saturday, February 9 That Old Mercer Magic at the Flushing library at 2.

NU URBAN CAFÉ Saturdays live jazz, r&b, open mic 8-midnight.

Free. 188-36 Linden Blvd., St. Albans. 917817-8653.

UGLY DUCKLING Sunday, February 10 at 1 and 3 for the entire family at Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064.

CON BRIO ENSEMBLE Sunday, February 10 at 4:30 at Church in the Gardens. 459-1277 or 894-2178 for ticket information. $12, $10 seniors and students.

OPEN MIC Sunday, February 10 Central library at 2.

OPEN MIC Mondays, February 11, March 11 at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Tu r n p i ke , Fre s h M e a d ows at 7:30.

FILM & TALK Monday, February 11 “Hospitalite” shown in Japanese with English subtitles plus discussion at the Fresh Meadows library at 2.

JEWISH LOVE SONGS Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 2 Forest Hills library at 2:30.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19, 26 East Flushing library at 3:30.

SCRABBLE Tuesday s Fresh Meadows library at 2.

CHESS Tuesdays 4 Rosedale library.

LANGSTON HUGHES Wednesday, February 13

Langston Hughes in Harlem at the Flushing library at 2.

HOLLYWOOD MUSICAL Friday, February 15 The MGM Hollywood Musical featuring vocalist Wendy Kimball at 1:30 at the Windsor Park library.

AFRO TANGO

Fridays through March 17 Fridays through Sunday Afro Tango at Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside. 729-3880.

NU URBAN CAFÉ Fridays live jazz and r&b 9-midnight. Free. 188-36 Linden Blvd., St. Albans.

917-817-8653.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS COMPUTER BASICS Saturday, February 9 LIC library at 10.

MICROSOFT EXCEL Saturday, February 9 Central library at 2.

GOOGLE ACCOUNT Saturday, February 9 Getting More from Google Accounts Far Rockaway library at 2.

TANGO WORKSHOP Saturdays in February and March at Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside. 729-3880.

METRIX LEARNING Mondays, February 11, 18, 25 Central librar y.

Register. 990-8625.

ENGLISH CONVER. Mondays, February 11, 25 English Conversation Class at the Douglaston library. Register.

BEGIN BUSINESS Mondays, February 11, 25 Jackson Heights library at 6.

COMPUTER/INTERNET Mondays, February 11, 25 basics at 10:30 at the Fresh Meadows lib ra r y.

BALLROOM DANCING Mondays, February 11, 25 Forest Hills library at 6:30.

MAC MONDAYS Mondays, February 11, 25 at the Central library.

990-8625.

EVENING CRAFT Mondays, February 11, 25 at the Fresh Meadows library at 6.

SMALL BUSINESS Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19, 26 Central librar y.

990-8625.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 2 Flushing library. Register.

MICROSOFT EXCEL Tuesdays, Februar y 12, 19, 26 LIC library at 10.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 2 Glen Oaks library. Register.

COMPUTER CAMP Wednesdays, February 13, 27 Far Rockaway library at 11.

INTRO COMPUTERS Wednesdays, February 1 3 , 2 7 H o l l i s l i b r a r y.

465-7355.

INTRO INTERNET

Wednesday, February 13 Windsor Park library at 11:30.

LINKEDIN Wednesday, February 13 Central librar y. Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Wednesdays, February 13, 20, 27 Woodside library at 5:45.

WATERCOLOR Wednesdays all techniques and subjects at the National Art League.9691128.

MOCK INTERVIEWS Thursdays, February 14, 21, 28 Central library at 9.

LEARN CHINESE Thursdays, February 14, 21, 28 North Forest Park library at 6.

COMPUTER QUICK TIP Thursdays, February 14, 21, 28 Central librar y.

990-8625.

BUSINESS CARDS Thursday, February 14 Central librar y. Register.

CREATE FLYERS Thursday, February 14 Far Rockaway library at 1:30.

WORD/COVER LTRS Thursday, February 14 Word for Cover Letters at the Flushing librar y.

Register.

METRIX LEARNING Fridays, February 15, 22 C e n t r a l l i b r a r y. 9 9 0 8625.

CHESS CLUB Friday, February 15 Woodside library at 4.

METRIX LEARNING Fridays, February 15, 22, March 1 Central library.

Register 990-8625.

CROCHET & KNIT Fridays, February 15, 22 learn how to crochet or knit at the Langston Hughes library at 4:30.

ART DECO JEWELRY Friday, February 15 Hollis librar y. Register.

Art Deco Design bracelet.

RESUME WORKSHOP Friday, February 15 LIC librar y. 752-3700 register.

INFO TECHNOLOGY Friday, February 15 CompTIA Network and Certification at the South Jamaica library. Register.

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 8-14, 2013

Clowning Around

While any past Borough President candidate will tell you that campaigning for the seat is no easy task, Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (DAstoria) seems to be taking a more creative approach than some of the other contenders.

On Jan. 20, Vallone attended a children's festival sponsored by Cesar Ordonez’s New York Tele-Prensa at La

Boom in Woodside.

The event, which attracted more than 500 people, featured free food, a toy giveaway, performances by local artists and a clown show.

Vallone was pulled on stage and assisted the clown magician during her show, joking that he had a new career option if his campaign for Queens Borough President doesn’t work out.

Super (storm) Heroes In terms of superheroics, Queens has historically been the home of Marvel’s flagship hero, Spider-Man. But in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, another Marvel Comics character has recently stepped up to help those affected by the storm.

In the January issue of “Hawkeye,” which went on sale Jan. 30, the titular hero travels to storm-battered Far Rockaway to help out a resident of the area slammed

by Sandy.

The comic book’s writer, Matt Fraction, said the issue was “inspired by the heroism of real people, and stuff that was actually happening, and the amazing reports coming out, in real time, as the hurricane was hitting… It seemed the least I could do to contribute in my way.”

Back In the Game

Model Of Queens

Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (left) possibly practicing for a new profession?

After being in the entertainment business for a while, then leaving it for a different career, Scarlett Marmolejo is now back to her original career for good.

The Flushing-based entertainer is in multiple areas of the business - she’s a model, an actress and a dancer.

She’s done a few magazine spreads, such as Urban Connections and Urban Latina. She also was in the music video for the song “Put Your Drinks Down” by the rapper Drag-On, and finally, Marmolejo starred in an independent film called “Rebel,” in which she played a CIA agent.

But at one point in her life, she had to make an important decision that would decide what career the entertainer would be in for the rest of her life.

Marmolejo said that while she been participating in the arts since the age of 12, her family had been uncertain about the occupation that she chose because of its instability when she was first starting out.

Seeking to satisfy another one of her interests, animals, she studied to be a veterinary technician. Marmolejo graduated from LaGuardia Community College and from 2009 until last year, she worked at Bellerose Animal Hospital.

But Marmolejo felt that she needed to go back to her first love, sparking her decision to get back into acting and modeling.

“I had a gut feeling and I

Scarlett Marmolejo Home: Flushing Age: 29 Height: 5’7” Weight: 139 Ibs just went for it,” Marmolejo said. “I didn’t want to look back in 10 years and say what would have happened.”

Although she spends much of her time in Manhattan because of her job and school, Marmolejo said that she like often goes to Congas bar and lounge in Bayside, because of the warm and welcoming nature of the people that frequent that place. She described them as “my second family.” Marmolejo also likes to hang out

in Astoria and Elmhurst.

For people who are aspiring to be an actor, model or dancer, Marmolejo said that to do your research and don’t jump at the first offer that you get.

She added that you must make sure the company you would be doing business with is legit and is sincere about furthering along your career.

“Follow your dreams, be smart about it and never give up,” she said.

The Devil Keeps On Laughing "Hawkeye" No. 7 Fraction isn’t just helping by writing the story. The writer said he has pledged his entire royalty check from the issue – No. 7 – to the American Red Cross.

“Hawkeye” No. 7 is available now at comic book stores.

Who We Are @ QConf QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari. Contributors: Luis

Gronda, Natalia Kozikowska, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Megan Montalvo, Mike Nussbaum, Mike Schenkler.

Email: Conf@QueensTribune.com

While Queens straphangers continue to be frustrated by the constant weekend disruptions of the 7 train, Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City is offering some laughs at the situation.

The club placed a sign promoting weekend shows, offering patrons a $2.25 discount to anyone that showed their Metro Card upon entering.

At least someone is able to have a sense of humor about it all.