Southeast Queens Press

Volume 14 Issue No. 8 Feb. 22-28, 2013

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen and Luis Gronda

STILL COUNTING

With Pesach Osina and Donovan Richards separated by only 26 votes, the Board of Elections says final tallies will not be available until next week.

By Natalia Kozikowska … Page 10.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 22-28, 2013

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News Briefs Body Of Missing Woman Washes Up On Beach On Feb. 16, the body of 24-yearold Marisha Cheong of Jamaica washed up on a beach in Breezy Point.

According to reports, Cheong, who had last been seen on Dec. 19, was found dead with trauma and her hands tied.

The victim was supposed to meet with her long time boyfriend, L.J. Balkaran, at a subway station in Forest Hills, but she allegedly never showed up. She lived with Balkaran in a Jamaica home. He denied having any involvement with her disappearance.

The day after she disappeared, her mother received a strange text from her daughter’s phone. It read, “Mom, I’m fine. I just need a little time to think.”

Her mother and the New York Police Department were suspicious of the language in the text, citing it was unlike her to say “mom,” as she always referred to her mother as “mommy.”

No arrests have been made. The incident is still under investigation.

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.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Queens Couple Indicted For Sex Trafficking Charges On Feb. 15, Queens DA Richard Brown announced that a St. Albans man has been indicted by a grand jury on kidnapping, sex trafficking, rape and other charges for allegedly prostituting two young women – a 19year-old runaway from Rockland County and a 20-year-old from New York City.

According to the statement, the defendant, Hikeem Green, 38, committed these acts in a foreclosed house on Springfield Boulevard that he and his girlfriend unlawfully occupied. His girlfriend, Darcell Marshall, 22, also faces sex trafficking charges.

Green allegedly kept the two women imprisoned inside the 11902 Springfield Blvd. location between October 2012 and December 2012, during which time he took photographs of both victims and posted them on the adult website directory, backpage.com, to advertise their services as prostitutes. It is alleged that numerous men responded to the ads and the victims met with them either at the Springfield Boulevard address

or other locations in Queens where they were forced to perform various sexual acts for money, which they had to turn over to Green and Marshall.

It is additionally alleged that Green and Marshall forced them to work as prostitutes at Queens “tracks” and made them ingest pills called “mollies” (a street term given by the DEA to a purer form of an alternative of Ecstasy).

It is further alleged that during this time, Green threatened both victims with physical violence and that, on occasion, he choked and slapped the face of the 19-year-old victim and slapped and punched the face of the 20-year-old victim.

According to the statement, Nov. 30, 2012, Green punched the 20year-old victim in the face more than 20 times, causing her face to swell and her tooth to break. He also allegedly forced her to perform oral sex on him, after which she managed to call 911.

Responding police officers allegedly found Green in a basement bedroom and Marshall and the two victims in the living room. Police allegedly recovered a stun gun, a loaded semiautomatic handgun and a box of ammunition in the basement and two bags of marijuana in the living room.

Green has been indicted on charges of first-and-second degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, firstdegree criminal sexual act, sex trafficking, second-and third-degree promotion prostitution, second-, thirdand fourth-degree assault, third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal trespass, trespass and unlawful possession of marijuana. If convicted, Green faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Marshall has been indicted on charges of sex trafficking, secondand third-degree promoting prostitution, second-, third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal trespass and unlawful possession of marijuana. If convicted, Marshall faces up to 25 years in prison.

Lastly, it is alleged that Green and Marshall unlawfully entered and took up residency in the St. Albans house, which is owned by Flagstar Bank.

“The defendant Green is accused of being a sexual predator and a poacher, who took custody of his two victims by pretending to be a prostitution customer and then forcing them to work for him,” said Brown in the press release. “Together, he and his co-defendant are alleged to have participated in a modern-day version of slavery by holding the two young women captive and coercing them through threats of physical harm to prostitute themselves for the defendants’ financial gain.”

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA During the second Community Board 12 meeting of the year, district manager Yvonne Reddick revealed that a new school will be opening in Jamaica by 2015. Carl Clay, executive director of Black Spectrum Theatre, also approached the board about opening up an arts-focused charter school in the area.

The new middle school coming to Jamaica, PS 314, will take the place of an old Verizon building located at 8808 164th St., near Hillside Avenue and Merrick Boulevard. The resolution to build at that site was approved by the Committee on Land Use and Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) in 2011.

According to Reddick, the New York City School Construction Authority said the construction will begin at the end of this month. Civil Rights Construction, a new construction company based in New York City, will be responsible for its renovation.

"School Construction Authority will begin the construction of a new school, four stories, of an elementary

and intermediate school, the last week of February 2013," the district manager announced.

According to Reddick, PS 314 will accommodate 831 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade.

The proposed opening date for the school is September 2015.

As an alternative to public schools, Clay, one of the founders of Black Spectrum Theatre, approached members of CB12 about a proposed charter school, Spectrum Charter School.

During his first attempt approaching the State regarding Spectrum Charter School, his idea was rejected.

The State had asked Clay to come back to them after he had incorporated more of the community's input in the proposal - his reason for approaching the board.

Clay said that the proposed charter school would accept 375 'troubled' students from the struggling 27th, 28th and 29th school districts using a lottery system. The proposal intends to work in conjunction with the Black Spectrum Theatre and would provide a culturally appropriate theatre arts-integrated program.

"We want to use theatre as a hook

Photo by Natalia Kozikowska

SE Queens To Welcome Two New Schools

Carl Clay, director of Black Spectrum Theatre, talks new charter school. to allow students who are struggling through school, to use it as a hook, so they can academically succeed," Clay said. "We believe, and we know, theatre can be used in a very creative way, to massage the minds of young people."

"We aren't just going to do theatre for theatre's sake," Clay went in to assure CB12. "Imagine the history class - instead of just reading the book, you are living the book, you are acting out the book."

But not everyone was fond of Clay's proposed charter school.

Edith Thomas, a member of CB12, was vocal about what she thought were serious flaws in the charter school system.

"Your program sounds really fine for an after school or weekend, when these kids are hanging around the corner and have nothing to do -that would be perfect. But if I had a child, I would prefer my child learn how to start a business, to learn how to do some technical stuff so they could get a good job," Thomas said. "I'm tired of us dancing and singing for everybody. It's time for us to open businesses."

Clay rebuttled Thomas's concerns, noting that there are plenty of opportunities to start and work in business in the arts.

"There are people working behind cameras, there are people designing sets," he argued.

Thomas seemed unsatisfied with Clay's answer, and even accused him of "trying to get that school money."

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

Overall Crime Down At The 113th Precinct mal, the deputy inspector noted that these numbers are significantly At this week's Community Board smaller than they were 10 years ago.

12 meeting, Deputy Inspector Robberies are similarly down in Miltiadis Marmara the 113th Precinct and proudly announced Marmara attributes the that overall crime at the decrease to the new po113th Precinct was lice officers on patrol in down between 2011 the area. and 2012.

"We had, at the be"It's very important ginning of last year, 70 that we all work tonew police officers asgether [the police and signed to new impact the community] and zones in the 113th Preit's been showing this cinct," he said. "With year," Marmara said. that being said, we are "Last year, I'm happy to down 14 percent in robInspector beries in the 113 - 354 say, we've had a slight Deputy reduction in crime - cer- Miltiadis Marmara talks verses 415, a dramatic tain categories we were crime at the 113th Pre- decrease. A lot of places up and others we were cinct. we put these officers down in, but overall we around school dismissal are down in the 113th Precinct for times, major corridors and it defithe calendar year of 2012." nitely helped."

In the category of murder, Burglaries were also down at the Marmara said the precinct was down 113th for the year. The Deputy Infive percent from 17 in 2011 to 16 in spector said that in 2012, a year of 2012. The precinct is also down three heightened patrol, the area experipercent in cases of rape, with 28 enced 450 burglaries verses 2011's cases last year compared to 29 in 495 incidents.

2011. Although the drop was miniAlthough most major crime expePhoto by Natalia Kozikowska

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

rienced a decrease, Marmara did reveal that felony assaults are up from 482 to 488. Still, he echoed that the numbers do not represent a community that is improving.

"The 113 really drives a lot of domestic violence numbers for all of Queens in general," he said. "We were down in domestic violence assaults last year, but where you see an increase in six assaults, those were actually assaults on police officers, so that's why that number went a little bit high."

The precinct also suffered a 10 percent increase in grand larcenies.

In 2012, the statistics show that grand larcenies were up 10 percent 690 cases in 2011 and 763 in 2012.

These numbers, Marmara argued, only represent a new Citywide trend.

"Part of the grand larcenies that we are starting to see, not only in the precinct, but Citywide, is young children with Apple products - the new iPhone 5, the new iPad…a lot of it was driven kid on kid crime," he said.

The 113th Precinct is also up 11 percent in stolen vehicles. The Deputy Inspector revealed there were 269

cases in 2011 verses 241 last year.

"Again, a small increase but between last year and 2011, we are pretty much at a historical low for stolen cars," he said.

Perhaps the most problematic increase, Marmara said, was the number of shooting incidents at the 113.

"The one category that we were up in last year, we were up seven shootings,' he said. "While we didn't have the highest increase in all of Queens, seven is a bigger number for us. We had 52 shootings last year compared to 45, an increase of 15 [percent]."

Marmara also gave CB12 member a peek at the 2013 crime statistics.

He was happy to announce that to date, the precinct is down 15 percent in crime.

"We're off to a good start," he said. "Last year, while we were up seven shootings, this year we're down 15 percent."

He also revealed that to date, there have been no reported murders at the 113 Precinct in 2013.

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

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 22-28, 2013

Queens Reps Get Green Grades

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA On Feb. 20, the New York League of Conservation Voters unveiled its 2012 Environmental Scorecard for the New York Congressional delegation. Of the 29 U.S. Representatives assessed, 13 had a score of 85 or higher, two of which represent Queens County.

New York’s House average, 65 percent, was significantly higher than the historically low national average at 42 percent. Alex Taurel, deputy director at NYLC, blames Republicans for the low national score.

“Indeed, the Republican leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives continues its war on the environment, public health and clean energy throughout 2012, cementing its record as the most anti-environmental house in our nation’s history,” Taurel argued.

He said the score was even more appalling when one considers the current climate crisis.

“Most of the country experienced extreme heat waves and severe drought throughout the summer of 2012, while the Arctic sea ice reached its lowest extent on record,” he said. “Hurricane Sandy brought even more devastation and destruction and was followed by

97 percent, U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowely (D-Jackson Heights) had a score of 91 percent and U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (DJamaica) had a score of 77 percent.

“In the face of unprecedented attacks on laws protecting water, air, and land, environmental allies like Steve Israel (D-Nassau), Carolyn Maloney, and Maurice Hinchey (D-Hudson Valley) stood U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Joseph Crowley received high marks from the New up for our values and put New York League of Conservation Voters Environmental Scorecard, while former U.S. Rep. Yorkers first,” said Marcia Bystryn, Bob Turner received the lowest score in the State. president of NYLCV, in a statement. “While Americans were seethe news that 2012 was the hottest the Bronx and upstate, three mem- ing the historic impacts of extreme year on record in the United States.” bers of Congress had a score of 85 weather right outside their window, The National Environmental and higher. However, Queens Con- members like Tom Reed (R- Geneva) Scorecard grades members of Con- gress members did have better scores and former members Ann Marie gress on environmental, public health than elected officials from Staten Is- Buerkle (R- Syracuse) and Bob Turner and energy issues on a scale 0-100 – land, Manhattan, Nassau County and continued to ignore the reality of climate change.”

100 being the highest.

Suffolk County.

NYLC also rated U.S. Sen. Chuck To obtain results, NYLC hired Of the 29 council members asseven national environmental groups sessed, five had a score under 15. Schumer, who scored a 93, and U.S. that made up a panel of 20 experts. Former U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, who Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who also Together, they compiled a list of the represented New York’s 9th Con- scored a 93. Both scored significantly most pressing environmental legisla- gressional District, which encom- higher than the national Senate avertion and awarded points for repre- passed parts of Middle Village and age of 53 percent.

To see the entire scorecard, visit sentatives who voted in favor. A the Rockaways, had a three percent missed vote docked the score. score – the lowest of all representa- www. scorecard.lcv.org.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska Queens’ representatives scored tives. comparatively lower than others in By contrast, U.S. Rep. Carolyn at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or areas across New York. In Brooklyn, Maloney (D-Astoria) had a score of nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

BY LUIS GRONDA A section of Cross Bay Boulevard is about to get a much needed cleanup.

Councilman Eric Ulrich (ROzone Park) and The Doe Fund, a Manhattan-based nonprofit organization that provides work to people who are homeless or have been in jail, have teamed up to clean the Broad Channel section of Cross Bay Boulevard that still has garbage and debris leftover from Hurricane Sandy.

At a press conference to announce the initiative on Feb. 15, Ulrich said that the Doe Fund’s workers would do the clean-up of a 1.5-mile stretch between the foot of the Joe Addabbo Bridge and the American Legion Hall.

Ulrich added that he called George McDonald, the president of The Doe Fund, and told him about the garbage that has accumulated on that Boulevard and asked for his assistance.

“It is situated between a beautiful national park and an amazing estuary and yet it looks like a dumping ground,” he said. “We need your help.”

McDonald, who is also one of a

growing field of candidates for Mayor of New York City, said that the men who will work on the land are part of the Doe Fund’s “Ready, Able and Willing” program, one of the organization’s best-known programs.

They will have nine men, cleaning up that section of Broad Channel until the job is complete.

Two community leaders representing that area of Queens have also voiced their support for the project created by the councilman and the nonprofit.

Dolores Orr, Chairwoman of Community Board 14, who attended the Friday afternoon press conference, said that this work will be especially important for the residents of Broad Channel and the Rockaways, who are still picking up the pieces that were destroyed by Sandy.

“It’s equally important for our residents that are recovering themselves that we will recover and become the beautiful and lovely place that we were,” she said.

Dan Mundy, president of the Broad Channel Civic Association, said in a statement provided by Ulrich’s office, that he is elated about the project.

“It is a scenic woodland area that

Photo by Luis Gronda

Broad Channel To Be Cleaned Up

Councilman Eric Ulrich announced a partnership with the Doe Fund last week, which will provide clean-up for the Broad Channel area of Cross Bay Boulevard. is enjoyed by bird enthusiasts, bikers, and hikers. Unfortunately, since the storm the amount of garbage, litter and debris has piled up and created a real eyesore. It is very encouraging to know that due to the

councilman’s efforts and the DOE Fund, that this area will be beautiful again,” he said.

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

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 22-28, 2013

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

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Harley Benson Natalia Kozikowska Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda

Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Lianne Procanyn Barbara Townsend Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin

A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2013 Tribco, LLC

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

As we wait for final results from the Special Election to fill the vacant District 31 City Council seat, we are hopeful that whoever wins the seat will work with all parts of this diverse district once all the votes have been counted.

The race for this seat has seen some divisive comments made about the ethnic backgrounds of the candidates and what it would mean for the district. While race-based politics may have played a hand in the preliminary results, we have no doubt that either of the top two candidates – either Donovan Richards or Pesach Osina – will work towards the best interests of the district as a whole. The distinct divisions of District 31 – the majority Black parts of Southeast Queens and the more Jewish parts of the Rockaways – have specific needs that must be addressed.

With another primary for the Council seat looming in September, we hope that District 31 does not become a victim of the division that comes with racial politics.

Clarification In the Feb. 8-14 issue, the PRESS of Southeast Queens reported Sen. Malcolm Smith had “falsely reported” that he had given Clergy United for Community Empowerment $5,000 between 2009-2010. Sen. Smith reported that, during the 2008-09 fiscal year, his office allocated a $5,000 member item for CUCE

that was subsequently vetoed by Gov. David Paterson, along with 6,000 other member items that year.

The PRESS made repeated attempts to discuss the member item with Sen. Smith before press time, however those calls were not returned. We welcome Sen. Smith to keep in contact with us for future stories.

Letters Helping Others To The Editor: It is now Lent and it is time for Christians to reflect on how we sometimes stray from the teachings of our Lord. It is also a time to remember what Jesus did for us and how he sacrificed for us so we might be saved. It is a time where we think of giving certain things up. I think though it should not only be a time of giving up material things but should be a time where we give of ourselves in helping those in need. Now I think we should take this a step further by volunteering for a faith based organization. One such organization is the Knights of Columbus, open to all Catholic men 18 years old and up. The Knights of Columbus, where I serve as Grand Knight, is dedicated and committed to service to the church, the community and those in need as we did for the victims of hurricane Sandy. Our principles are summed up in four words: charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. We are also a family-oriented organization. You can go to the internet and type in kofc.org, and they

can lead you to the council nearest your home, or you can go to your parish for information on the Knights of Columbus. We have more than 1.7 million members and more than 15,000 councils worldwide. In just New York State alone we have over 550 councils. I have found being a Knight a most rewarding experience that has helped me give a little back for all the Lord has given me in my life. Added to that, it has afforded me an opportunity to help those in need. So please check us out and you will be glad you did.

Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks Village

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

Guard Knocked Up By Locked Up Cop Killer A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE You have to wonder what’s going on in the world when a prison guard has a fling with any prisoner, let alone a convicted cop killer.

Worse yet, when that guard gets pregnant with the convict’s child.

Cop and child killers are usually treated with scorn and yet this woman could allow herself to fall for someone like that.

Ronell Wilson was convicted in the murder of two undercover officers in Staten Island in 2003. He and a fellow gangster were arrested for the crime and from the get-go it was said that his intellectual age did not match up to his chronological age (he was about 21 at the time). Whatever Wilson’s mental profile was and is, he is who he is: a convicted cop killer with supposed mental shortcomings. We can make excuses

that, mentally and socially, he was a disadvantaged young person who fell in with the wrong crowd.

Society often pays a price for what happens to children who grow up with mental deficiencies coupled with poverty. But most don’t grow up to kill people. This young man and his friend chose a dangerous path for their lives and it led to the taking of the lives of people charged to keep us safe.

So the female guard tasked with helping to keep him locked up got knocked up by him instead. Not only could we say she “breached protocol,” but she broke the law.

Now she too is facing jail time.

It boggles the mind that any woman would want to “hook up” with a prisoner under their protection, let alone a dangerous one facing life in prison. In fact, he was initially facing the death penalty as was the law in New York for killing a police officer.

Dedicated NYPD Detec-

tives James Nemorin and Rodney Andrews were working undercover for evidence in a gun selling case when they were murdered in cold blood by two suspects. Wilson still had enough sense to go into hiding and shave off his distinctively styled dreadlocks in an attempt not to be recognized after the crime.

I think if you have enough presence of mind to try to disguise yourself after the crime, you are intelligent enough to stand trial and pay the price of your crime. And yet, a beautiful jailer fell for this guy and got intimate with him, procreating in the process.

Nancy Gonzalez, a beautiful twenty-something woman is now eight and a half months pregnant allegedly with Wilson’s spawn. As a woman, I can either be insulted by Shakespeare’s comment, “A piece of work is woman,” or I can say that indeed the Bard was right when it comes to women such

as Gonzalez.

She is not the first woman to fall in love with a convicted killer. Not by a long shot. But this one is especially egregious because it happened right here in our city and the murder of the two officers is still so fresh in our minds. We keep hearing that there’s a “man drought” in our city but this is ridiculous.

What woman in her right mind does that! Gonzalez is facing 15 years behind bars for breaking the rules if convicted at trial. Meanwhile she’s cradling her ready-to-pop belly seeming to be reveling in the fact that she’s Wilson’s “baby mamma.”

But she’s not the only one smitten with Wilson. Oh no, he’s a real “playa” in jail. He has reportedly been getting other action as well. A lover on the outside was seen “pleasuring” him during a visit while his mother and sister literally looked the other way. You couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried.

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

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Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 22-28, 2013

Recognizing Black History In Queens

ment, Robinson had an incredible baseball career. In his 10 seasons in While it is recognized by three MLB, he played in six World Series. countries across the world, Black MLB’s first Black catcher and History Month is greatly embraced three-time National League Most in Queens. The Borough has been Valuable Player, Roy Campanella, is home to some of the most influen- also from St. Albans. Campanella was tial Black leaders and legends, espe- inducted to the Hall of Fame as a cially in the fields of music and Brooklyn Dodger in 1969. sports, making it an area rich with Malcolm X, the controversial Mushistory and culture. lim minister and civil rights activist, Jazz’s very own had a home in Queens. In founding father, Louis June of 1964, the Nation Armstrong, lived in Coof Islam sued to reclaim rona for a good portion the property in the Borof his life. Although he ough, which they claimed was born in New Orleans, to own. The lawsuit was the composer, trumpeter successful and Malcolm X and vocalist lived at 34was ordered to leave.

56 107th St., in North The night before the Corona with his wife scheduled hearing to Lucille. His former home postpone the date of evichas since been turned to tion, the home was Bob Beamon the Louis Armstrong burned down. Malcolm X House Museum and is and his family survived open to the public. and no one was charged The neighborhood of with a crime.

St. Albans is home to sevFounder of Def Jam eral jazz legends includRecords, Russell ing Count Basie and John Simmons, was raised in Coltrane. Basie is best Hollis. Simmons has known for his hits “One done incredibly well for O’clock Jump” and himself, having also cre“Jumpin’ At The ated clothing brands Phat Woodside.” Coltrane Farm, Argyleculture and Russell Simmons helped pioneer the use of American Classics. In 2011, he was the third modes in jazz. He also organized at least 50 recording ses- richest figure in hip-hop with a netsions during his career in the 1950s worth of about $340 million. His brother, Joseph Ward Simmons, and 1960s.

St. Albans is also home to some known as Rev. Run, was also raised of the world’s most famous athletes. in the Hollis home.

Rounding out the Forbes’ five Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in sports, lived in Addisleigh wealthiest hip-hop artists, Curtis JackPark. He was the first African-Ameri- son, more commonly referred to as can player in Major League Baseball 50 Cent, was born and raised in South when he signed with the Brooklyn Jamaica. The famous rapper has Dodgers in 1947. In addition to his come a long way since his days in impact to the Civil Rights Move- the poverty-stricken area selling

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

drugs. Last year, Jackson earned $100 million on the sale of his Vitaminwater stake in 2007.

Onika Tanya Maraj, better known by her stage name, Nicki Minaj, is a Trinidadian-born rapper and singersongwriter. When she was just five years old, she moved to Jamaica. She released three mix tapes between 2007 and 2009 and signed to Young Money Entertainment. She is one of three women signed to the label. On Nov. 19, 2012, the hip-hop star even returned to her old school, PS 45, to surprise students with free Thanksgiving turkeys.

Rafer Alston, a professional basketball player that played for six National Basketball Association teams, grew up in Jamaica and attended Benjamin Cardozo High School in Bayside. Alston stood out for his untraditional basketball moves, which made him particularly good at getting past defenders during a game.

Alston served as an inspiration for the AND1 Mixtape tour, a 1999 videotape of his extreme moves. The video attracted attention from basketball fans across America.

The inspirational Robert “Bob” Beamon, a former track and field athlete best known for his world record in the long jump at the Mexico Olympics in 1968, was also born in South Jamaica. Beamon attended Jamaica High School where he was discovered

by Larry Ellis, a renowned track coach.

Beamon’s record in 1968 remained the world record for nearly 23 years before it was broken in 1991 by Mike Powell. He was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983.

The first Black person to ever receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work at the United Nations, Ralph Bunche, lived in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Queens from 1953 up until his death in 1971. The political scientist, academic and diplomat

Louis Armstrong lived in North Corona with his wife Lucille. His home is now the Louis Armstrong House Museum.

received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize for his late 1940s mediation in Palestine. In 1963, he was also rewarded the Medal of Freedom by President John F. Kennedy. There is an elementary school named after him in Springfield Gardens.

Civil Rights activist Roy Wilkins moved to Queens Village after moving from Minnesota to Kansas.

Wilkins was instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement and famous for his leadership in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, succeeding Walter White as the head. He also helped organize Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington. Today, a park in Queens Village is named in his honor.

Son of jazz musician Olu Dara, multi-platinum rapper Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, better known as Nas, relocated from Crown Heights, Brooklyn to the Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City when he was a young child. Nas released his first album, “Illmatic,” in 1994 and received universal acclaim from the entertainment industry. It is frequently referred to as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.

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

Celebrate Black History Month In New York City Events Calendar Resorts World Casino Exhibition NOW through FEB. 28 Resorts World Casino in South Ozone Park is culminating a monthlong celebration of Black History Month with an exhibit displaying photographic work from the archives of The Daily News. Visitors will have the chance to see a series of classic and recent photographs of notable African-American figures.

FRIDAY, FEB. 22 York C o l l e g e C e l e b r a t e s The York College Performing Arts

Center will feature the band 23rd Son with special guest Camille Thurman. The event will also feature Catarina dos Santos. For additional information, contact Sean White at (718) 262-2555. The event is free and will be held at the performing arts center from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. York College Performing Arts Center is located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

SATURDAY, FEB. 23 United African Dance Troupe The United African Dance Troupe, in association with the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, will

present their 5th Annual Black History Month Celebration. The event will be held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center located at153-10 Jamaica Ave. at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and $10 for children under 12.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27 A Salute to African Americans in the Military From 6 to 9 p.m., the Surrogate’s Court Building, located at 31 Chambers St., Manhattan, will have a reception to salute all African Americans in the military. The event is presented by the Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs.

Reservations are necessary. Call (212) 788-8609 to RSVP. THURSDAY, FEB. 28 “When Harlem Saved A King” Sylvia’s Restaurant, located at 328 Lenox Ave., in Manhattan, will be exclusively screening the trailer for “When Harlem Saved a King,” a documentary chronicling the 1958 stabbing of the Rev. Martin Luther King in a Harlem department store.

The screening will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Reservations are required. To RSVP, send an email to jirehmanage@gmail.com or call (212) 281-0809.

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Pride of New York ®

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Colin Powell City College of New York Former U.S. Secretary of State Former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

The City University of New York Celebrates Black History Month.

VISIT WWW.CUNY.EDU 1-800-CUNY-YES CUNY-TV CHANNEL 75

Walter Mosley City College of New York Award-Winning Author Founder, City College Publishing Certificate Program

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Iyanla Vanzant Medgar Evers College CUNY Law School Best-selling Author, Inspirational Speaker

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Shirley Chisholm Brooklyn College Former Congresswoman and Candidate for Democratic Presidential Nomination In Memoriam Helen Marshall Queens College Queens Borough President, Former New York City Council Member and New York State Assembly Member

Bert Mitchell Baruch College Founder, Chairman & CEO Mitchell & Titus LLP

Ayodele Oti Macaulay Honors College at City College of New York Truman Scholar 2011

Lowell Hawthorne Bronx Community College President and CEO Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill

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Philip Berry Borough of Manhattan Community College Queens College Vice Chairperson, CUNY Board of Trustees President, Philip Berry Associates LLC. Robert T. Johnson City College of New York District Attorney, Bronx County; Former Acting Justice of New York State Supreme Court

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Ruby Dee Hunter College Award-Winning Stage, Film Actress and Screenwriter

Funlayo Easter Wood Bronx Community College CUNY B.A., City College of New York M.A. Fulbright-Hays Scholar 2011, Harvard University

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 22-28, 2013

District 31 Election

Richards, Osina Declare Victory In Close Race The morning after the special election for the 31st District Council seat, two candidates had their heads up high and declared victory. But the race to fill the Council seat vacated

by State Sen. James Sanders (DLaurelton) is still too close to call, with the heavily favored Donovan Richards just 26 votes ahead of Pesach Osina, a Jewish Orthodox candidate.

The New York City Board of Elections ceased counting just after midnight on Feb. 20, with a mere 2.63 percent of votes unread. According to Valerie Vazquez, a spokesperson for the BOE, paper and absentee ballots also need to be counted and it will take at least one week before any official winner is announced.

Vazquez explained that during the counting process, a single USB flash drive from a ballot scanner could not be read. This flash drive will be taken to be read on a different computer so its votes can be read. As it stands, Richards had 2,513 votes (30.05 percent) and Osina has 2,487 (29.73 percent).

But this did not stop both candidates from proclaiming their victory.

The morning of the news, Richards tweeted, “Happy to announce I am the Councilman!” and “Pesach Osina ran a hell of a campaign.”

The former chief of staff to Sanders also hinted to his Twitter followers that the BOE is missing votes from locations like PS 52 in Jamaica, Ocean Village, St. Claire’s in Rosedale and PS 270 in Laurelton – predominately African American neighborhoods. The tweet was quickly removed and the information was not confirmed by Vazquez of the BOE. Richards was unable to be reached for comment as of press time but he also proclaimed victory at his campaign party in Laurelton as well.

Osina, a former staffer for Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder (D-Ozone Park), who held his campaign party in his Far Rockaway office, also declared himself the winner to a group of supporters, whom were mostly Jewish Orthodox.

“While we are still uncertain of the total numbers, when every vote is counted, we will be victorious,” he said. He went on to thank his opponents for all they have done and said he was “looking forward to working with them in the days and weeks ahead.”

Osina has been a relatively low-

Photos by Ira Cohen and Luis Gronda

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Both Donovan Richards and Pesach Osina (pictured with Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder) declared victory in the special election for Council District 31. Richards led Osina by just 26 votes. key candidate with limited media contact. Still, in the weeks before the election, locals expressed concern that the votes for Black candidates would be split and Osina might be able to pull out a win.

Even New York City elected officials butted heads on the issue.

City Comptroller John Liu, who was at Richards’ campaign party the night of the special election, told The PRESS of Southeast Queens that he was confident Richards would nab the win.

Meanwhile, Phillip Goldfeder (DOzone Park), Osina’s former boss, had a differing opinion.

“Once every vote will be counted, I am confident that Pesach will be victorious,” he said.

On Feb. 5 at the first candidate’s forum for the seat, the outspoken Rev. Charles Norris of the Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Jamaica asked each of the candidates if they would be willing to drop out of the race so a Black candidate would win.

“You have one white person from Far Rockaway that’s in the race. Jews vote in a block,” he said. “They will knock every one of you out. Which one of you thinks you are best to run to beat the Jew that’s running in Far Rockaway?” he continued to ask.

None of the six candidates in attendance offered to drop out of the race and all but one, Saywalah Kesselly, said they would be running again in the September primaries.

More than 8,500 of the 84,000 registered voters in District 31 came

out for the election and votes are still being counted. A 2012 report shows that the district has more than a 65 percent African American population and just slightly fewer than 12 percent of white constituents.

With about 98 percent of precincts reported, Laurelton attorney Jacques Leandre accumulated 1,160 votes (13.87 percent) and community activist Michael Duncan came in with 962 votes (11.5 percent).

Selvena Brooks took 817 votes (9.77 percent), Marie Adam Ovide had 159 votes (1.9 percent), Kesselly had 152 votes (1.82 percent) and Allan Jennings took 114 votes (1.36 percent). The number of votes for write in candidate Earnest Flowers have not been counted yet.

Leandre, who came in third, admitted defeat before the unofficial results were posted by the Associated

Press. During his concession speech, the attorney thanked his supporters and God and expressed his desire to see the district improve.

“I am happy in the sense that we have a community that really came together, that believed in what we wanted to represent, that fought hard as heck to bring a new vision to this community, to bring a new life to this community, to bring a different way of doing things in this community,” he said. “Of course, whoever wins this race, we’re going to have to support 100 percent.

Irrespective of who occupies the City Council seat, we know that this is a community that we love. This is a community we want to see better.”

Reporters Luis Gronda and Joe Marvilli contributed to this report.

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

Election Results Donovan Richards.................................. 2,513 (30.05 Pesach Osina............................................ 2,487 (29.73 Jacques Leandre....................................... 1,160 (13.87 Michael Duncan ............................................ 962 (11.5 Selvena Brooks ............................................... 817 (9.77 Marie Adam-Ovide ........................................... 159 (1.9 Saywallah Kesselly ....................................... 152 (1.82 Allan Jennings ............................................... 114 (1.36

percent) percent) percent) percent) percent) percent) percent) percent)

Editor’s Note: Results provided by the Board of Elections, but are not official until the remaining paper ballots have been counted.

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Police Blotter Compiled by STEVEN J. FERRARI

100th & 103rd Precinct Investigation On Feb. 16 at about 8:40 a.m., police responded to 149 Bayside Ave., within the confines of the 100th Precinct, for a body recovered from the beach area. The body was identified as Marisha Cheong, 24, who was reported missing from her residence in Jamaica, within the 103rd Precinct, on Dec. 19. The medical examiner will determine cause of death.

103rd Precinct Assault The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance identifying a suspect wanted in connection to an assault.

On Feb. 4 at 3:30 p.m., police responded to a 911 call of a male stabbed inside the Jamaica Center subway station at Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered three individuals stabbed. One victim was stabbed in the leg and two in the torso. All three were transported to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition.

The suspect is described as teen-

aged Hispanic male.

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.

All calls are strictly confidential.

105th Precinct Investigation On Feb. 17 at 7:41 a.m., police responded to a 911 call of an unconscious female at 245-07 135th Ave., Rosedale. Upon arrival, officers discovered a Aeisha Sarooqui, 15, of 7532 Parsons Blvd., unconscious and unresponsive. There were no obvious signs of trauma. The investigation is ongoing.

107th Precinct Fatal Fire On Feb. 19 at 4:50 a.m. at 182-30 Wexford Terrace, in Jamaica Estates, police responded to a call of a residential fire. Upon extinguishment of the fire, responding officers observed the victim, Henry Schwan, 62, of the above address, uncon-

scious and unresponsive. EMS responded and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Another victim was removed to New York Hospital Queens and is listed in stable condition.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but the fire is not considered to be suspicious in nature at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

113th Precinct Fatal Accident On Feb. 15 at 12:28 a.m. at the intersection of Rockaway Boulevard and 137th Avenue, police responded to a call of a pedestrian struck.

Upon arrival, police observed the victim, identified as Carlos Carlo, 65, of Jamaica with trauma about the body. EMS responded and transported the victim to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Upon further investigation, police determined that a dark-colored sedan traveling northbound on Rockaway Boulevard struck the victim as he was crossing west to east.

The suspect’s vehicle fled the location before police arrived to the scene.

The investigation was ongoing.

115th Precinct Grand Larceny The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying the following suspect wanted for grand larcent, in transit.

On Feb. 5 at 11:30 p.m., the victim, a 36-year-old female, was on the 7 train in the vicinity of 111th Street, when the suspect grabbed the victim’s iPhone out of her hand and fled the train. There were no reported injuries.

The suspect is described as an Hispanic male, 18-20 years old, 5-foot-9 with a stocky build.

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.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Save 911 For The Real Thing!

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 22-28, 2013

pix

Be My Valentine

Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Assemblyman Mike Miller and volunteers from the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 32 distributed hundreds of Valentines, sugar free snacks, toiletries and other supplies to veterans who visit the St. Albans VA Day Rehab program and the NYS Veterans Nursing Home. The Valentine's Day cards were hand made by school children from P.S. 65, 254,62 68, 210, I.S. 93, 77 Divine Mercy, St. Elizabeth's, St. Thomas the Apostle and St Mary Gate of Heaven.

Task Force Assembles

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (left), with Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade organizer Mike Benn. Goldfeder was recently named deputy grand marshal for this year's parade, which will be held March 2 in Rockaway.

Lunar New Year

Photo by Ira Cohen

Queens officials helped to celebrate the 2013 Lunar New Year during the parade held in Flushing on Feb. 16.

State Sen. Malcolm Smith, co-chair of the NYS Bipartisan Task Force on Sandy Recovery, was joined by members of the task force to host a roundtable discussion on Super Storm Sandy recovery in Albany during the NYS Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators Inc. caucus weekend.

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

YORK COLLEGE

DRAMA SERIES

EARTHA and

ME

Written & Performed by Vanessa Shaw

SATURDAY MARCH 2, 2013 3:00pm & 7:00pm

$20.00 Adults / $10.00 Students & Seniors For more information call 718-262-3750 FREE PARKING

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

Call: 718-262-2840 or online at www.yorkpac.com

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 22-28, 2013

Borough Beat

Community Boards Discuss USTA Expansion

BY LUIS GRONDA

Several Queens Community Boards have sounded off on the proposed expansion of the United States Tennis Association’s Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Community Boards 6 and 9 both hosted a presentation by the USTA last week and its plan to acquire 0.68 acres of land in the park, where it hosts the U.S Open every summer.

The USTA hopes to buy the small sliver of land, in part, so that it could build a brand-new Grandstand stadium on the southwest corner of the property. The plan also includes renovating Louie Armstrong Stadium, which USTA officials say is in need of a modernization, and shifting down a section where some of the smaller courts are located, to allow more walking space for people while attending matches.

“What we want to do is use this opportunity to improve the site, make it a world-class facility and make sure it continues to have a positive economic impact for Queens and the City,” said Gordon Smith, USTA’s executive director and chief operating officer.

Opponents of the plan were concerned over the amount of trees that could be lost as a result of the project, as well as the green space it would take up.

“Somewhere along the line, they’re going to have to put a moratorium on building in Flushing Meadows Park,” said Maria Thomson, a member of Community Board 9. “They’re eating up the park. Enough is enough.”

Ed Westley, a member of Community Board 3, said he is concerned about the number of extra people the expansion would bring to the area, arguing that the transportation options may not be able to handle the extra thousands of people that would go to the games. He added that the amount of time needed for the construction would also be a problem.

“We know that that’s going to affect us,” he said. “It’s not something that’s going to be easily done and turned over.”

Another concern was the number of trees that would be lost while construction is taking place. Westley said that some of the trees are types that are considered in danger and would be difficult to replace. As many as 422 trees could be lost, according to the

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Gregory W. Meeks 6th Congressional District

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USTA’s presentation on their plan.

In response to that, Joshua Laird, assistant commissioner for Planning and Natural Resources for the City Parks Dept., said that trees lost in the project would be replaced, either by planting several smaller trees to take place of a large one, or it could be transplanted in a way that would not kill the tree.

Sarah Nikolic, who lives in Rego Park, said that the potential longterm damage to the park and its land outweighs short-term benefits, such as the construction jobs, that it would bring to that part of the Borough.

“The construction jobs, which we realize are important to a lot of people here and in our community, would come and then be gone, but the park won’t be able to come back,” she said.

In contrast, people who support the USTA’s plan say that it will boost the Borough’s economy and help bring jobs to the area as well.

“The visiting teams and their families stay at hotels in Corona, Flushing, East Elmhurst and elsewhere, they dine at local restaurants, they shop at local businesses,” said Jack Friedman, executive director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Andrew Eichenholz, a Forest Hills resident who goes to Townsend Harris High School, was one of a few young adults to attend both meetings in support of the USTA. Like Eichenholz, they all said that the USTA gives them a chance to use the courts year-round and play their tournament games there as well.

“I’m forever grateful to the USTA because, thanks to them, I’ve had the ability to take tennis lessons for most of my life,” he said, adding that he has also served as a ball boy at the U.S Open in 2010.

Joseph Hennessey, Chairman of Community Board 6 said that while the USTA probably needs to renovate the stadiums and area that encompass the tennis center, he would like to see more money made from the tournament go back into Flushing Meadows Park and Queens.

“If they’re getting all this money from USTA, the city should be pushing some of that money back into the Borough of Queens so that we can maintain that park,” Hennessey said.

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

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

A&E

Corrao Goes From Classroom To Comedy

BY STEVEN J. FERRARI It started as something she considered a “really cool hobby” while she taught sixth graders in South Florida, but even then, Lisa Corrao knew she wanted to make people laugh.

“The first time I was on stage, I was like, ‘I never want to do anything else,’” she said.

On Feb. 28, Corrao will headline at the Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City, her third appearance at the club.

Proud of the fact that she has always been considered a funny person, Corrao would tell her students that she was going to be a comedian someday. Now, about eight years into her comedy career, some of those same students are starting to be familiar faces when Corrao is on stage.

“Now they’re old enough to come to shows,” she said. “They follow me.

It’s kind of weird.”

When she started to take the career more seriously, Corrao started to appear at The Improv in Miami. The

Restaurant Review

Spain Just Around The Corner

Marbella Restaurant 220-33 Northern Blvd., Bayside (718) 423-1000 www.marbella-restaurant.com CUISINE: Spanish CREDIT CARD: Yes, all major.

DELIVERY: Yes

If you’re like me, someone who yearns to travel the world in search of great food and places to visit, look no further for your traditional Mediterranean Spanish food than Marbella Restaurant in Bayside.

This cozy restaurant wisps you halfway across our world just to bring you the finest Spanish cuisine. Upon entering, I was greeted by Servando Cid, who has been in charge of his restaurant for more than 35 years. The mastermind behind the restaurant’s great menu is executive chef Esteban Barroso, an originator of the tapas restaurant, which is slowly growing more popular in the Borough.

We started out with a glass of their homemade Sangria, which delicately coated my pallet as our first course arrived. In Spanish tapas tradition, I decided to share everything I ordered with my guest. The first dish to arrive at our table was an avocado seafood salad, a half sliced avocado stuffed with a ceviche style seafood salad, full of lobster and shrimp and bay scallops. The f lavors of this dish were a perfect way to start out our meal, a great starter from their specials of the day. Next was the Mejillones al Whiskey, mussels in a whiskey cream sauce. The restaurant used

New Zealand mussels, which are some of the best.

For entrees, we shared their most popular dish, Paella Valenciana con Langosta, which is a traditional Spanish dish combining a saffron yellow rice over lobster, shrimp, bay scallops, chicken, and chorizo, served on a hot skillet which Paulino split and served out for us to enjoy. As we were digging in to all the delicious colors and flavors in front of us the next dish arrived, one of their specials, Lamb shank Osobuco in a Rioja Wine Demi Glaze. Talk about fall off the bone good. The meat slid right off with little effort, and the flavor of the Rioja sauce paired perfectly with this braised lamb shank. This dish was accompanied with boiled red potatoes, steamed carrots and string beans, which were seasoned ever so nicely, not take away from the f lavor of the lamb.

For dessert, I decided to order their homemade hot pecan pie, which I’m a sucker for, though I would have liked to try their signature Crepes “Marbella” which is a dish for two, but my guest was full from the delicious Mediterranean cuisine we had just enjoyed.

From great attentive service, to a wonderful array of food, Servando and his crew really know how to cater to his guests. Willing to accommodate anyone who steps in their door with or without a reservation.

Their calling is to go above and beyond for their guest’s satisfaction.

- Eric Jordan

club took her under its wing and helped her develop her routine. Now, Corrao has travelled all over the country and was even featured on Nick Jr.’s “NickMom Night Out” comedy show.

A single mother, Corrao said her act is not centered around that fact, although it is a part of her routine.

The comedian is hesitant to define her act, however.

“Don’t ask me what kind of comedy I do,” she warned. “Basically, I make fun of stuff. I’m a terrible person.”

While she was born on Long Island, her parents moved to Florida not long after. Regardless, Corrao said she still had a Long Island accent until she was 8 or 9 years old.

“My dad was always trying to get me and my brothers to lose our accents,” she said. “’You’ll never meet a doctor or a NASA scientist with that accent,’ he’d tell us. Really, dad, that’s what you thought we’d do with our lives?”

Set for her third appearance at the

Laughing Devil next week, Corrao said she is grateful to have caught the eye of owner Steve Hoffstetter, who she called a tough guy to impress in terms of comedy. Corrao took part in the club’s She-Devil Festival last year, an event featuring female comedians from around the country. In January, she made her second appearance as a featured performer. Next week, she will headline her own show at the club.

Having been born in New York, Corrao said she was expecting to see some family next week.

“I’ll probably have a lot of cousins at this show,” she said. “Hopefully they won’t embarrass me. And hopefully I don’t embarrass them.”

Corrao’s show on Feb. 28 begins at 8 p.m. For tickets and information, visit the Laughing Devil’s website at www.laughingdevil.com.

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

Sky View Partners With Botanical Garden

BY JOE MARVILLI While Queens Botanical Garden is usually focused on what is happening and growing out of the ground, they have recently formed a new relationship with the sky. Sky View Center, that is.

The environmental nonprofit has formed a community partnership with the Flushing-based retail developer for four holiday-themed events throughout the year.

This new collaboration follows Sky View Center’s continuous goal to integrate itself into the Flushing community since the retail shopping space was created in 2010. The mall plans to bring new activities to its patrons through the use of various partnerships similar to the one established the Queens Botanical Garden.

“Supporting the local community has always been incredibly important to us, which is one of the reasons we make such an effort to partner with established organizations like the Queens Botanical Garden,” Michael Dana, president of Onex Real Estate Partners which owns Sky View Center, said.

Queens Botanical Garden was equally enthusiastic about its new partnership.

“I would sum this up as a win-winwin. Everyone benefits; QBG, Sky View

and the public who visit Sky View to enjoy the programming,” Darcy Hector, director of marketing and development, said. “We always seek to educate and inspire, however to be able to do so off-site in a new environment allows us to further integrate ourselves in the Flushing community and meet the many visitors that come to shop and dine at Sky View Center.”

The first such experience occurred on Feb. 10 to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Taking place at Sky View Center and hosted by the Botanical Garden, the fun-for-all-ages festivity featured a special Compost cookie bake, which includes a mix of ingredients such as chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, pretzels and potato chips.

Additionally, live jazz music was supplied by Marsha Heydt and the Project of Love. The band’s appearance was organized by CenterStage: The Queens Center.

The three other holiday events will take place on May 12, where Mother’s Day cards will be made with pressed flowers, June 16, which will see the creation of origami wallets for Father’s Day, and Oct. 27, during which either green haired monsters or origami pumpkins will be assembled for Halloween.

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

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 22-28, 2013

Faith

The History Of Lenten Season

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

For much of the Christian and Catholic community, Lent is a special time of prayer, penance and sacrifice in preparation of Easter. While many are taught the biblical story behind Lent, where Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert continuously tempted by Satan, its etymology is not as universally known.

In Latin, the term quadragesime, the 'fortieth' day before Easter is used.

This name was preserved in Romance, Slavic and Celtic languages.

It was not until the late Middle Ages, when masses were not commonly given in Latin anymore, that the English word 'lent' was adopted. This word simply meant 'spring,' deriving from its Germanic root.

Traditionally, there are 40 days in Lent which are marked by fasting, both from foods and activities. Christians believe that exercising restraint and giving up a vice of theirs will bring

them close to God. It is meant to represent a season of grief that will end with the great celebration of Easter - the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

Since the earliest times of the Church, there is evidence that people observed Lent to prepare for Easter.

St. Irenaeus of the 2nd century wrote to Pope St. Victor I commenting on the celebration of Easter and the differences in practices in the East and West. In this letter, Irenaeus made a reference to a 40 day period believed to be Lent.

Lent, however, was not practiced by the whole Church in the 2nd Century. It was not until the legalization of Christianity in 313 A.D. that it became more common. Over the course of the next 100 years, the Church began to establish rules and guidelines on how fasting during the season should be done.

Fasting during Lent was much more extreme in ancient history.

Socrates Scholasticus, a Greek Christian church historian, wrote that in some places, all animal products were strictly forbidden. Other communities permitted fish, others fish and fowl, others prohibited fruits and eggs and still, others only ate bread.

In Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Easter Catholic churches, it is still common to abstain from all animal products. In the Roman Catholic Church, it is customary to refrain from eating meat and eat less on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday during the season.

The traditional celebrations, which precede Lent in many cultures, have become associated with the season of fasting, if only because it is a last opportunity for excess before the Lent season begins. The most famous Pre-Lenten carnival in the world is celebrated in Rio de Janeiro. Other famous carnivals are held in Trinidad, Venice, St. Louis, New Orleans and Los Angeles.

In Lebanon and Syria, the last Thursday before Lent, Catholics celebrate Khamis el sakara, a day to indulge in alcohol. In Poland, Catholics celebrate Fat Thursday on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. It is tradition to eat a pastry called "paczki," made with the ingredients lard, sugar, eggs and fruits, because their consumption was forbidden during Lent. These pastries have since become popular in the United States as a result.

Since it has been formally recognized, moderations have been made to Lenten observances in the Christian and Catholic communities. It has evolved to include restraint from more modern vices. Some choose to give up things like chocolate, while others give up the Internet. Still, Lent's meaning and value holds true in the religious community.

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

Notebook PS 108/St. John’s

Book Drive For Rockaway Schools

BY LUIS GRONDA PS 108 in South Ozone Park will host a book drive early next month that will aim to help schools that have been affected by Superstorm Sandy.

The school will be collecting books from March 4-8. On Monday and Wednesday of that week, the drive will be from 3:15 until 4:30 p.m. so that parents who may be working earlier in the day may also donate books. On the other three days, books will be collected from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. during normal school hours.

Melissa Levine, a second grade teacher at the school who will help run the drive, said that the reason that they are doing this is to help out people who are still recovering from the storm and to give young students like the ones in her class a chance to do community service.

"It's good for those kids because it shows that other kids are thinking about you." Levine said. "You can do community service at any age."

She added that several students in the school wrote letters to get the word out about the drive and they have gotten a tremendous response from it so far, with people offering posters and flyers to spread the word.

Five schools in the Rockaways

have expressed interest in getting some of the books from the drive, Levine said. The schools include; PS 43, PS 104, PS 105, PS 183 and PS 197. She added that it will not be known how many books each school will get until after the drive is over.

PS 108 is located at 108-10 109th Ave. in South Ozone Park. For more information, call the school at (718)558-2700.

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

St. John's Set For Academic Meet

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

St. John's University's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will partner with Catalent Applied Drug Institute for the Second Annual Global Academic Competition for Life Sciences Leaders of Tomorrow to encourage academic research and accelerate drug delivery application.

Students from the Jamaica school will be competing against top Pharmacy schools across the world.

The program aims to encourage students' interest and knowledge of drug delivery technologies. The competition is open to all university students enrolled

in graduate programs in pharmaceutical science, industrial pharmacy, drug delivery or any related field.

In 2012, 12 students from St. John's entered the competition from the Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The school had two win-

ners - an Industrial Pharmacy Ph.D. student from the Research Proposal category and an Industrial Pharmacy Masters student from the Research Ar ticle category. This year, they hope to nab even more winners.

Is Your School Doing Something Good?

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

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

Profile

Attorney Hosts 'Know Your Rights' Workshop

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA In an area that has a comparatively high Stop and Frisk rate, Laurelton attorney Jacques Leandre felt it was necessary to provide workshops to the young adults of southeast Queens, educating them about the correct protocol in dealing with police officers.

For nearly eight years, Leandre, who recently ran in the Feb. 19 spe-

“It was a very de-humanizing feeling, especially because we all felt we were doing the right thing. The way I dealt with it then is definitely not the way I would react now because at the time I really felt I was totally being violated and I went off.�

-Jacques Leandre

cial election for the 31st District City Council seat, has been hosting a variety of programs for locals, training them on how to interact with law enforcement. Former police officers, judges and detectives also take part as speakers during the seminars.

His motivation to have such workshops, he said, was fueled by the massive number of unjust police stops, and in some cases, unjust police brutality.

"I think you would be hardpressed to find a Black person or person of color in southeast Queens who hasn't been stopped by the police," he said. "In fact, when we polled the participants in the audience at our stop and frisk workshops and posed the question, it was rare to find someone who has never been stopped."

The youth of southeast Queens, Leandre argued, does not always have the tools necessary to deal with police officers. Even Leandre admitted that before he attended law school, he was not properly equipped to deal with a stop.

In 1991, Leandre said that he and two of his friends were wrongfully

stopped by the New York City Police Dept. on his way back from a winter vacation.

"Me and two friends of mine were stopped for what we felt was no reason at all. We were ordered out of the car, eagle-spread in the middle of the winter on a cold ground - they searched us, searched the vehicle and of course found nothing and gave no explanation, except that we fit 'the description.'"

"It was a very de-humanizing feeling, especially because we all felt we were doing the right thing," he continued. "The way I dealt with it then is definitely not the way I would react now because at the time I really felt I was totally being violated and I went off."

Now, equipped with his law degree, Leandre hopes to teach the youth more effective and positive ways to stand up for their rights.

Leandre has held these "Know Your Rights" workshops at a number of different venues across Queens.

While he generally holds them at housing developments community centers, churches and schools, he is also not afraid to expand its reach,

even taking it to the streets.

"Sometimes we even have them outside, right on the basketball courts," he said.

Other times, Leandre and his group of volunteers provide training at basketball tournaments for players prior to playing their basketball games.

"We've found that to be extremely effective," he said.

Despite the fact that Leandre has witnessed, heard and even endured cases of unjust stops by the police, he finds it crucial to teach the community about the importance of law enforcement.

"There are a ton of officers that are risking their lives to protect our community and we have to recognize that," he said. "I think these workshops are really designed to create a harmonious relationship between the community and the police."

For more information on having Leandre and his team of volunteers host a free workshop at a facility near you, call (718) 341-4377.

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

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 22-28, 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!

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 at the Broadway librar y.

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

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.

EXHIBIT NAL Through March 2 Small and Big Works exhibition at the National Art League, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway. Free 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 adults. 917-817-8653.

ENTERTAINMENT WORLD CASINO 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park. Free admission.

LUNAR NEW YEAR Saturday, February 23 starting at 10 at the Flushing library.

LATIN AMERICAN LOVE Saturday, February 23 Love Songs from Latin America at 3 at the Jackson Heights library.

SNOWFLAKES Saturday, February 23 Science of Snowflakes includes a nature hike and live animal demonstration. Alley Pond Environmental Center. 2294000. $24 adults.

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

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

BEAUTY OF BALLET Sunday, February 24 School of American Ballet at 1 and 3 at Queens Theatre in the Park. 7600064.

SALSA Mondays Resorts World Casino holds Monday Night Salsa events. Lessons 7:30.

110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone ark. 215-2828.

Free.

BINGO Tuesdays 7:15 American Mart yrs C h u rc h in Bayside. 464-4582. Tuesdays 7:15 (doors open 6) Rego Park Jewish Center. 459-1000. $3 admission includes 12 games.

AFR-AMER/JEWISH Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 African-American and Jewish Poetry: From Images of Despair to Images of Hope at 5:30 at the Langston Hughes library.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 East Flushing library at 3:30.

SCRABBLE Tuesdays Fresh Meadows library at 2.

CHESS Tuesdays 4 Rosedale library.

SCRABBLE CLUB Wednesday, February 27 Forest Hills library at 2.

SOUTH ASIA ON FILM Wednesdays through April 25 at 4:30 at the G o d w i n - Te r n b a c h M u seum at Queens College.

997-4747 for titles and other info.

OPEN MIC Thursday, February 28 East Elmhurst library at 6.

FILM & TALK Friday, March 1 “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Friday, April 5 “The Other Boleyn Girl.”

Book discussion and film screening at 1 at the Flushing 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.

GAME DAY Fridays 4:30 Woodhaven library.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Fridays 2 Hillcrest library.

MUSICA REGINAE Saturday, March 2 New Music Composers’ Forum featuring composers and artists from NYC at Church in the Gardens.

894-2178.

BEL AIRES Sunday, March 3 Bel Aires perform tunes from the 50s-80s at the Central library at 3.

FH SYMPHONY Sunday, March 3 at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 374-1627.

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.

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

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.

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

423-9550.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS POWERPOINT Saturday, February 23 Central library at 9:30.

CITIZENSHIP Saturday, February 23 Pathway to US Citizenship at the Forest Hills library at 3.

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

METRIX LEARNING Monday, February 25 Central library. Register.

990-8625.

BUSINESS BASICS Monday, February 25 LIC library at 6.

BROADWAY CR AFT Mondays, February 25, March 1 Broadway library at 12:30.

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

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

COMPUTER/INTERNET Mondays, February 25 basics at 10:30 at the Fresh Meadows library.

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

MAC MONDAYS Mondays, February 25 at the Central library. 9908625.

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

BRIDGE Mondays e x c e p t h o l i days 12-4 at Pride of Judea in Douglaston. Lesson & play $10. Partners arranged. 423-6200.

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

SMALL BUSINESS Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 C e n t r a l l i b r a r y. 9 9 0 8625.

MICROSOFT EXCEL Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 LIC library at 10.

BEGIN EXCEL Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 Flushing library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 Baisley Park library at 11.

COMPUTER BASICS Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 Queens Village librar y.

Register.

DOWNLOAD E-BOOKS Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 Flushing library. Register.

INTRO FACEBOOK Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 McGoldrick library. Register.

GET YOUR YARNS OUT!

Tuesdays after evening Minyan at 8, knitters, c r o c h e t e r s , needlepointers, and others meet at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 2637000, ext. 200.

COMPUTER CAMP Wednesday, February 27 Far Rockaway library at 11.

INTRO COMPUTERS Wednesday, February 27 Hollis library. 465-7355.

WORD FOR RESUME Wednesday, February 27 Central library. Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Wednesday, February 27 Woodside library at 5:45.

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

MOCK INTERVIEWS Thursday, February 28 Central library at 9.

LEARN CHINESE Thursday, February 28

North Forest Park library at 6.

COMPUTER QUICK TIP Thursday, February 28 C e n t r a l l i b r a r y. 9 9 0 8625.

METRIX LEARNING Friday, March 1 Central l i b ra r y. R e g i st e r 9 9 0 8625.

INTRO COMPUTERS Friday, March 1 Hillcrest library. Register.

ACING INTERVIEWS Friday, March 1 LIC library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Fridays Fresh Meadows library at 11.

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

COMPUTER BASICS Saturday, March 2 LIC library at 10.

SOCIAL MEDIA Saturday, March 2 Social Media for Beginners at the Far Rockaway library. Register.

HEALTH SUPPORT GROUPS Alcohol, drugs, domestic violence, martial issues, d e p re s s i o n , a n x i e t y, phobia, etc. Woodside Clinic. 779-1234.

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

PSYCHOLOGICAL CTR Individual and group counseling, family and couple therapy and more. 570-0500 sliding scale.

WAITANKUNG Sundays 2-5. Total-body workout. Flushing Hospital/Medical Center. Free.

Jimmy 7-10pm 347-2156.

SCHIZO. ANON. Sundays in Rego Park.

896-3400.

SHAPE UP NYC Monday, February 25 stretch and tone at the LIC library at 6:30. First come basis.

BREAST CANCER Monday, February 25 begins an 8 week Breast Cancer Program at Adelphi Universit y. 516877-4314.

GROUP NUTRITION Mondays at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 670-1695.

TAI CHI Mondays and Thursdays 11-12 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 670-1695. $5.

ALZHEIMERS Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 Caregiver Support Group in Forest Hills.

592-5757, ext. 237.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT

Tu e s d a y s We st e r n Queens Caregiver Network in Sunnyside. 5:156:30. 784-6173, ext. 409.

Also, 3:30-4:30 Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, 208-11 26 th Avenue, Bayside. 631-1886.

SHAPE UP NYC Wednesday, February 27 aerobics for adults at the Central library at 4. First come.

NUTRITION TALK Wednesday, February 27 Corona library at 5:30.

GENTLE YOGA Wednesday, February 27 Woodside library. Register.

OA Wednesdays Overeaters Anonymous Howard Beach library at 11.

MASSAGE THERAPY Wednesdays and Fridays half and one hour massages at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 670-1695.

SHAPE UP NYC Thursday, February 28 body sculpt fitness at the Lefrak Cit y librar y at 5:30. First come.

MS Thursday, February 28 National Multiple Sclerosis Societ y Support Group meets Howard Beach library at 1:15.

MEDITATION CLUB Thursday, February 28 Bellerose library at 5:30.

SHAPE UP NYC Friday, March 1 Dance Fitness for Adults at the Richmond Hill library at 5.

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

Queens Today MEETINGS GARDENING CLUB Saturdays in the Steinway library courtyard at 4.

JEWISH VETS Sundays, February 24, March 24 Jewish War Ve t e r a n s o f t h e U S A Lipsky/Blum Post meet at the Kissena Jewish Center in Flushing. 4634 7 4 2 . Ko re a n Wa r Ve t Soccer Team also meets.

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

NY CARES Monday, February 25 New York Cares meets to recruit new volunteers at the Forest Hills library at 3.

HIKING CLUB Mondays, February 25, March 25 Hiking Club and Trail Crew meets at 7 at Alley Pone Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register.

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

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

COMMUNITY SINGERS M o n d ay s C o m m u n i t y Singers start rehearsals for their spring concert at 8 at Messiah Lutheran in Flushing. 658-1021.

KNIT & CROCHET Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 Windsor Park library at 2.

CDEC 26 Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 CDEC 26 meets at MS67, 51-60 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck. Business meeting at 7, public meeting at 8.

GLEE CLUB Tuesdays Bayside Men’s Glee Club rehearses at 7:30 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 214-35 40 th Avenue, Bayside. 9616852.

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

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

FH VAC Wednesdays, February 27, March 27 Forest H i l l s Vo l u n t e e r A m b u lance Corp. 793-2055.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesday, February 27 South Ozone Park library at 1.

FH SYMPHONY Wednesdays the Forest Hills Symphony Orchestra rehearses at the For-

TEENS

est Hills Jewish Center.

516-785-2532.

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

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

527-3678.

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

THEATER OUR TOWN March 1-9 “Our Town” at Queensborough Comm u n i t y C o l l e ge . 6 3 1 6311.

MARISOL May 3-11 “Marisol” is an apocalyptic urban fantasy which urges societ y to ‘wake up.’ Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

KILLING KOMPANY The Killing Company performs mystery dinner shows. 1-888-SHOOT-EM for information.

TALKS STEINWAY Monday, February 25 “At Home: A Short History of Private Life” discussed at 6:30 at the Steinway library.

FRESH MEADOWS Wednesday, February 27 “ Wa s h i n g t o n S q u a r e ” discussed at the Fresh Meadows library at 2:30.

EAST FLUSHING Thursday, February 28 book club meets at 11 at the East Flushing library.

ST. ALBANS Thursday, February 28 “ T h e Twe l ve Tr i b e s o f Hattie” discussed at 6:30 at the St. Albans library.

THEATER OUR TOWN March 1-9 “Our Town” at Queensborough Comm u n i t y C o l l e ge . 6 3 1 6311.

MARISOL May 3-11 “Marisol” is an apocalyptic urban fantasy which urges societ y to ‘wake up.’ Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

KILLING KOMPANY The Killing Company performs mystery dinner shows. 1-888-SHOOT-EM for information.

LUNAR NEW YEAR Saturday, February 23 starting at 10 at the Flushing library.

ANIME Saturday, February 23 Final Fantasy with the Anime Anthropologist at the Flushing library at 2.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

TEEN ZONE Mondays, February 25 Queens Village library 4.

KNIT & CROCHET Monday, February 25 Douglaston library 3.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 East Flushing library 3:30.

CHESS FOR ALL Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 Rosedale library 4.

POETRY Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 African-American and Jewish Poetry: From Images of Despair to Images of Hope at the Langston Hughes library 5:30.

KNIT & CROCHET Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 Rochdale Village library 5.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesday, February 27 South Ozone Park library 1.

GRAPHIC NOVEL Wednesday, February 27 make your own graphic novel at the Queens Village library at 4.

ONLINE TEST PREP Wednesday, February 27 online test prep. LIC lib ra r y. R e g i st e r 7 5 2 3700.

TEEN ZONE Wednesday, February 27 Queens Village library 4.

COMPUTER CLASS Wednesday, February 27 Woodside library 5:45.

TEEN SPACE Thursday, February 28 scrapbooking at the Windsor Park library at 4.

GIRLS MET Thursday, February 28 Attraction or Distraction for girls 11-21 to talk about their teen years Rosedale library 3:45.

FLUSHING ANIME Thursday, February 28 Anime Club Flushing library 4.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays Rochdale Village library 4:30.

TEEN MOVIES Friday, March 1 Central library 3:30.

WII GAME DAY Friday, March 1 Poppenhusen library 4.

CHESS CLUB Friday, March 1 Woodside library 4.

GAME DAY Friday, March 1 Woodhaven library 4:30.

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

LUNAR NEW YEAR Saturday, February 23 starting at 10 Flushing library.

ANIMAL CARE Saturday, February 23 for those 8-12. $21. Animal Care Trainee. Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register.

PET SHOW Saturday, February 23 for those 5-6. $21. Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

MATH HELP Saturdays for grades 48 Flushing library at 10.

SCIENCE LAB Saturdays Central library at 11.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

FAMILY STORY TIME Monday, February 25 preK-2 at the Auburndale library at 4.

ROBOTICS Monday, February 25 Robotics for Families Forest Hills library. Register.

KIDS JEWELRY Monday, February 25 Far Rockaway library at 4.

WORD OF WEEK Monday, February 25 McGoldrick library 5.

GAME NIGHT Monday, February 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.

CHESS FOR ALL Tu e s d a y , F e b r u a r y 2 6 Rosedale library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tu e s d a y , F e b r u a r y 2 6 W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

BOARD GAME Tu e s d a y , F e b r u a r y 2 6 Far Rockaway library at 4.

ORIGAMI FUN Tu e s d a y , F e b r u a r y 2 6 McGoldrick library. Register.

SENIORS 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.

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

AARP 1405 Mondays, February 25 Flushing AARP Chapter 1405 meets at the Bowne St r e e t Communit y Church, 143-11 Roosevelt Avenue at 1.

Identity Fraud discussed DRIVING SAFETY Monday, February 25 AARP defensive driving course at the Windsor Park library. 468-8300 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.

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 21

People

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at SUNY Canton. They include: Jamaica: Lovell Braud and Amanda Johnson.

Laurelton: Fatizjah Burnett.

St. Albans: Adriana McFarlane.

Springfield Gardens: Hakim Jeffrey.

Jody Ann Robinson of St. Albans and Terri Massenberg of Jamaica were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at SUNY Buffalo State.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. They include: Cambria Heights: Ajah HawleyAlexander.

Jamaica: Ronella Rodney.

Laurelton: Kyle Matthews.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at SUNY Buffalo State. They include: Cambria Heights: Felesha Miller.

Jamaica: Philicia Montgomery, Liza Sang Yan and Robert Womble.

Queens Village: Asiria Cornielle.

Rosedale: Michelle Imafidon.

St. Albans: Sonya Vernon.

South Richmond Hill: Khushal Mathon and Carol Reyes.

Springfield Gardens: Simone Dawson.

Roshell Ross of Rosedale and Kane Frazier of Jamaica were named to the Dean’s List for the f all 2012 s e m e s te r a t S U N Y Morrisville.

Timothy Kearney of Jamaica was awarded the C. Delores Tucker Award for Community Service at Central Penn College in Pennsylvania.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Ithaca College. They include: Astoria: Tamal Rahman.

150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357

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Local students were named to the President’s List for the fall 2012 semester at SUNY Canton. They include: Jamaica: Rochelle Carter and Jonelle Williams.

Laurelton: Randolph White.

Springfield Gardens: Nigel Lang and Inez Cofield.

Cub Scout Pack 390 and their den mothers recently visited the NY Transit Museum. Pictured (from left) are Orion Herrera, Kazuki Russo, Michael Tonns, Isamu Russo, Emmanuel Jeffcoat and Aurelius Herrera.

Corona: Ruby Benn and Jazmin Menijvar.

East Elmhurst: Gary Chin.

Floral Park: Sarah Czwartacky.

Flushing: Samantha Yu. Fresh Meadows: Carissa Tom. Jamaica: Rudy Outar.

Queens Village: Taylor Savary.

Local students were named to the Honors List for the fall 2012 semester at Fairleigh Dickinson University

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Flushing: Benjamin Kanowitz and Moshe Kopelowitz.

Jamaica: Eliyahu Levin.

Rego Park: Moises Corilloclla.

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Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 22-28, 2013

Where's The Party?

On Feb. 19, while most candidates in the special election for Council District 31 held Election Night gatherings at their respective offices, with what could be considered lowkey affairs, Donovan Richards went a different way.

Richards, who at press time led the close contest by just 26 votes, held his party at Clippers II, a bar on Merrick Boulevard in Laurelton.

The profile photo on the bar's Facebook page (pictured at right) featured an advertisement for "Freaky Flirty Thursday," a weekly event at the establishment.

Perhaps it's for the best that elections are held on Tuesdays and not Thursdays.

Otherwise, Southeast Queens may have had an entirely different issue to talk about after the election.

Donovan Richards (left) and Clippers II's Facebook profile (above)

Fashionable Pooch

Former State Sen. Shirley Huntley

Designer labels, spa treatments and lavish clothing – and that was just for her dog.

Earlier last week, reports surfaced that the former State Sen. Shirley Huntley, who pled guilty to embezzling close to $90,000, used tax payer money from a sham nonprofit to go on shopping sprees for her pet poodle.

While on a shopping spree at the Tanger Outlets in Riverhead, the embattled legislator helped herself to taxpayer’s dollars, showering herself and her dog with lavish presents.

Rhino Removal A Queens man was busted last week for his alleged involvement in a Rhino smuggling ring.

Qing Wang, a Queens resident, was among the three men arrested for their alleged involvement in the ring.

According to a release from the U.S Department of Justice, Wang had a role in smuggling libation cups carved from rhinoceros horns from Hong Kong to New York.

Wang would purchase the cups in the United States and send them to Zhifei Li, another person who was ar-

rested for being in the ring, in Hong Kong.

According to the release, there is a tradition in China that drinking from a cup made out of the horns would bring good health and is highly coveted by people who collect the cups.

The population of Rhinoceros has steadily decreased since the 1970s because of the demand and premium that are placed on its horn.

The species is considered endangered and are protected under the U.S. and international law.

Rhinos everywhere are safer now...

Best Dressed

Bella Mia, a not yet 2-year-old Maltese, came away with the top award at the fifth annual New York Pet Fashion Show held in the Penn Top Ballroom at the Hotel Pennsylvania on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. Bella Mia won "NYPFS Best Dressed in Show 2013," wearing a beautiful green and purple "Roaring 20s" themed gown by Chattanooga, Tenn., doggie fashion couture designer, Linda Higgins, who also was a big winner as she was awarded NYPFS Fashion Designer

of the Year 2013.

Bella Mia, who was born in South Korea, is a New Yorker now, living in Little Neck with her proud owners, Roseann and Walter Bolasny.

The posing puppy is in high demand for doggie couture fashion, but her greatest accomplishment is helping ill people in hospitals, as she is a licensed therapy and service dog. Bella Mia is a proud graduate of The Good Dog Foundation, class of 2012, and she promises to continue to help people across the world.

Photos and text by John Scandalios

Flag On The Plane When a defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tried to board a flight this week, it looked like all of his muscles were working fine after a grueling football season.

All of them, except for maybe his brain.

NFL lineman Da’Quan Bowers was stopped at LaGuardia Airport for attempting to bring a .40-caliber handgun onto the plane in his carry-on bag on Feb. 18. Needless to say, he was stopped by police and flagged for holding.

As a result, Bowers was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, a felony that carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years, if convicted. Bowers said he had legally bought the weapon in Florida, but

Da'Quan Bowers

conceded that he didn’t have a license to carry it in New York.

We think the problem was less about the fact that he didn’t have a New York gun permit and more about the fact that he tried to bring a gun onto an airplane. That sort of thing tends to annoy the TSA!

Help Wanted Last week, the Queens Tribune and Press of Southeast Queens advertised for an open reporter position here.

Despite a stated preference for "local candidates" in the job ad, resumes quickly began to come in from all over the country, but two emails in particular caught the eye of our hiring manager.

Over the weekend, we received two resumes from reporters from MuscatDaily, a daily newspaper in the Sultantate of Oman's capital city.

We imagine the daily commute to Queens from the Southwest Asian nation may be a bit rough.

And you thought the Van Wyck was bad...

Who We Are @ QConf QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari. Contributors: Luis Gronda, Natalia Kozikowska, Joe

Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Mike Nussbaum, Mike Schenkler, John Scandalios.

Email: Conf@QueensTribune.com.

Feb. 22-28, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23

What’s Up FEB. 22 City Council Application Training Session The Fiscal Year 2014 New York City Council discretionary funding application is now available. The deadline to complete this application is March 29, 2013. This year’s application is now online, and can be found at www.council.nyc.gov/html/ budget/application.shtml.

To make the application process easier, Councilman Leroy Comrie’s office will be providing the following training session in the district on how to navigate and apply to the online application.

This training is mandatory for first time applicants. Please RSVP to Richard Lee, rlee@council.nyc.gov. The free event will be held at Queens Central Library at 3 p.m.

able Growth will present a Sustainable Peace Seminar – understanding, tolerating and respecting PeaceUnity.

Meet the center’s new directors, network with the community and connect with different faiths. Call to RSVP at (718) 742-0092 or (917) 440-7714. The event is free. It will be held at 195-15 McLaughlin Ave., Holliswood from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

FEB. 26 STOP D.O.E. Phase Out Don’t miss the public hearing regarding the New York City Department of Education’s proposed plan to close the Business, Computer Applications and Entrepreneurship High School. The public hearing will be held at the high school located at 207-01 116th Ave., at 6 p.m.

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 14210 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

mation 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 17217 Linden Blvd. Second Floor, St. Albans. Services are available Tue.Thurs. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FDNY EMS instructors will come FEB. 27 out to your site to conduct the CPR Sewing Circle for Women In training using your facilities. The Be 911 Compressions Only CPR Pro- HIV Awareness The York College Performing Arts Bengali

Black History Month Celebration

Center will feature the band 23rd Son with special guest Camille Thurman.

The event will also feature Catarina dos Santos. For additional information, contact Sean White at (718) 262-2555. The event is free and will be held at the performing arts center from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. York College Performing Arts Center is located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

FEB. 23 United African Dance Troupe The United African Dance Troupe, in association with the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, will present their 5th Annual Black History Month Celebration. The event will be held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center located at153-10 Jamaica Ave. at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $10 for children under 12.

A Night of Comedy The Black Spectrum Theatre will hold a comedy show featuring comedian Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, among many others. To purchase tickets or for additional information, visit www.blackspectrum.com or call (718) 723-1800. The show will begin at 8 p.m. The Black Spectrum Theatre is located at 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard. Tickets are $30.

FEB. 24 Sunday Movies at Central

Learn how to turn your sewing skills into a career and make money working for yourself at Queens Central Library. The discussion will be in Bengali. Bring your friends. The workshop is free and will begin at 10 a.m.

Resumes and Cover Letters Learn how to write a proper resume and cover letter at a free workshop at the Queens Central Library.

Make the best resume by learning how to get started and what to include and not include. For more information, visit the Job Information Center or call (718) 990-8625. The workshop will begin at 10 a.m.

Aerobics for Adults Aerobics for Adults provides a moderate workout that burns calories and improves cardiac function. Space is limited. Participation is on a firstcome, first-served basis. The free class will begin at 5 p.m. at the Queens Central Library.

FEB. 28 Flooding in Southeast Queens If you are interested in learning what we can do to battle flooding in Southeast Queens, then you will want to attend this community forum at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at the York College Academic Core Building located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Enjoy an afternoon at the library watching Men in Black 3. The Queens Central Library will be showing the movie for free at 2 p.m. Rated PG-13.

ONGOING Lincoln Park Basketball Association

Interfaith Symposium

The Lincoln Park Basketball Association is starting its winter/spring basketball program. Boys and girls

The Interfaith Council for Sustain-

gram 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 infor-

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 172-17 Linden Blvd. Second Floor, St. Albans. 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.

Merrick Flea Market A flea market has opened at 22102 Merrick Blvd. On sale are a wide range of items, including household items, jewelry and clothing.

The market is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

PAL Volunteers The Police Athletic League (PAL) is looking for volunteers to continue its mission of serving New York City’s young people by donating their time and talents to help serve Queens youngsters at PAL’s Redfern Cornerstone and Far Rockaway Beacon in Arverne-Far Rockaway, PAL’s Edward Byrne Center in South Jamaica and PS 214 in Flushing.

To become a volunteer with the Police Athletic League, visit palnyc.org. Volunteers will go through an application process that includes an interview, screening and an orientation. For more information, please contact PAL’s Volunteer Coordinator, Alexandria SumpterDelves, at (212) 477-9450, Ext. 390 or volunteer@palnyc.org.