Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 14 Issue No. 10 March. 8-14, 2013

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

CALL TO ACTION Community leaders and residents of southeast Queens gathered at York College to urge the DEP to find a solution to chronic flooding.

By Natalia Kozikowska ‌ Page 4.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 8-14, 2013

The care you need, when and where you need it, to live well at home.

A New York State Authorized Managed Long Term Care Plan      

More than a name, a promise.   

        

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Donovan Richards Looks To The Future

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Photo by Ira Cohen

Just days after being sworn in, Councilman Donovan Richards (DLaurelton) is already making moves.

Last week, Richards nabbed the 31st District Council seat in the cliffhanger special election that put him neck in neck with Jewish Orthodox candidate, Pesach Osina. The day after votes were cast, both candidates declared victory, separated only by 26 votes, but when counting resumed the following week, Richards came out on top.

“It was a noble challenge,” Richards said. “I always tell people, I never underestimated what Pesach would do and always thought the race would be between us. He ran a phenomenal campaign.”

Now, with the election behind him, Richards is ready to focus his attention to the work that needs to be done in his district. His first order of business in office – flooding.

“Flooding has always been an issue in Rosedale and I’ve already spoken to the commissioner of [the Dept. of Environmental Protection] this morning and requested a meeting so

Donovan Richards

I can get an update on the Brookville Triangle Project.”

The Brookville Triangle Project, a $20 million project funded by the DEP, would help alleviate flooding in the area. It is scheduled for completion in 2016 but Richards said he has been urging the agency to complete it sooner.

“Being that flooding is a constant issue, I’m trying to push it up to 2014, even 2013, because these people need help now – especially

after the storm,” Richards said.

Combating crime and ensuring the safety of his constituents is also among his top priorities, especially in the crime ridden 31st District.

“We sent a meeting request to the 105th Precinct and we will be meeting to talk next week to try and find ways to keep our community safe,” he said.

“It’s a beautiful community but sometimes we see burglaries and I want to make sure we are doing all we can to assist the police department to ensure we can keep the numbers down.”

Richards also feels that incorporating another precinct to his district could be highly beneficial in reducing crime in the area. He plans to speak with all of the mayoral candidates and share his ideas about keeping the streets safer in his community.

“I will certainly be calling on the mayoral candidates to ensure that they know that this community needs another precinct and that would be the 116th Precinct,” he said. “I want to make sure that we are sending a message to them that we desperately need this precinct.”

Although it has been months since Superstorm Sandy devastated New

York, Richards is still concerned with recovery, especially in areas like Far Rockaway.

“I’ve already reached out to the Deputy Mayor’s office this morning and I have a meeting with FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] on Friday to see where we are at,” he said. “There is a lot of money coming down the pipeline and I want to make sure all of our communities have access to this.”

Although Richards’ term will be over at the end of this year, he does anticipate that he will run in the September primaries to continue the work he has already begun.

“I just want to say thank you to all the people who voted for me and all the people who did not vote for me,” he said. “I would also encourage those who did not vote to get out and vote in the primary, but I look forward to serving all of my constituents across the community – no matter the race, ethnicity of the individual – they are all my constituents and I look forward to serving them.”

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

Rosedale Businessman Makes Bid For BP Last week, Rosedale resident Everly Brown, a developer for 501 Manhattan Corporation, filed his campaign papers with the Board of Elections to run for borough president on the Democratic ticket.

Brown joins six other candidates who have already thrown their hat into the race to replace the termlimited Helen Marshall. Other challengers include State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst), Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria), former Councilwoman Melinda Katz, Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Jamaica) and former Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik.

Brown, 60, is no stranger to politics. He ran for the 31st City Council District seat three times, ran for the 29th Assembly District seat, the 14th State Senate District and even the Queens District Attorney seat. Although he was not victorious in those races, he is convinced that he is the man for the job of borough president.

“Queens needs a businessman to be borough president, not a politician,” the Jamaica West Indies native

plans, citing they might jeoparsaid. “This is why politics are dize their effectiveness but he so corrupted. They need a perdoes support gun buyback proson who is not part of the corgrams to take guns off the street. ruption and in it for the status Education is also of utmost and control.” priority for the candidate.

Although Brown plans to Brown even referred to himself run on the Democratic line, he as ‘education’s first candidate’ refers to himself as an “indein a campaign flyer. pendent,” – someone who is “I need to make sure there is willing to work with both para stronger education system in ties for the betterment of Queens,” he said. “This does Queens. not only mean in school, this “The truth is construed by also means in the streets. We the Democratic Party and I’m need to inform people about an independent guy,” he said. what is going on in Queens.”

“Politicians don’t do anything The key to informing people but corrupt the system and they need an independent person Everly Brown shows off his petition to run for Borough about the ongoing struggles of the school system, Brown said, that will go out there and serve President. is to encourage parents and chilthe people in the best possible dren in Queens to communicate and We need the fresh air.” way with no specific interest.”

As a developer, it comes as no As a resident of southeast Queens actively participate.

“I want to kids to have more parental surprise that one of Brown’s top pri- for nearly 40 years, Brown also hopes orities is to tackle land use in the to help eliminate gun violence in the involvement,” he said. “Not the mayor.

I want to bring families together. It’s Borough.

Borough.

“There are a large number of guns about strong family values.”

“I want us to stay the way we are,” The Democratic primary for he said. “There is plenty of property on the street,” he said. “I know what that can be developed. They do not to do to help crime in Queens. It’s Queens Borough President is slated need to go into parkland and develop very simple – you have to be very for Sept. 10, 2013.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska new property there. If I was Borough vigilant and you can not put informaat (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or President, I would make sure they do tion out there.”

He refused to discuss any specific nkozikowska@queenspress.com. not touch any property in Queens.

Photo by John Scandalios

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 8-14, 2013

Leaders Demand Action From DEP

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA A sense of unity could be felt in the room last Thursday night, as politicians and locals each took to the microphone to share their experiences with f looding in southeast Queens.

Frustrated students, teachers, homeowners and local leaders all gathered at York College with the same purpose – to demand that action be taken by the City to remedy the problem that has been plaguing them for years.

At the public meeting, leaders from all areas of southeast Queens claimed the chronic flooding has been only been exasperated by the Dept. of Environmental Protection, which refuses to spend money.

In 1996, the DEP purchased the Jamaica Water Supply and shut down the wells it operated in southeast Queens. As a result, the water table began to rise and from 1996 to 2007, it rose approximately 35 feet.

“They [the DEP] had indicated to us over a decade ago that if that water was not pumped that we were going to have huge flooding problems,” said Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-Jamaica).

And that is exactly what wound

up happening, Scarborough said.

The problem has gotten so out of hand that residents said their quality of life is being severely impacted.

“We suffer at our school from water damage,” said Angela Green, principal at IS 8 in Jamaica. “We need you as a community to come to our school to talk about the water that’s under the ground to help us with this situation for the sake of our children because now we understand why they might have health issues.”

“Water damage causes great losses,” said eighth grader Tyanna Campbell. “Many children have become sick with asthma and other serious health problems. Our school has suffered from water damage for many years.”

Residents from many different neighborhoods in southeast Queens also had their turn to address the audience.

Helene Martello of 202 Street in Hollis said that she has been struggling to combat flooding in her home for years. During her speech, she presented a video of her neighborhood during heavy rainfall – cars submerged and trash pales sweeping with the water.

“You can’t even have people stay

the night when it rains hard,” an emotional Martello said as she pointed to the screen. “You have to move cars at 3 o’clock in the morning…this is what we’ve been living with.”

According to Scarborough, the DEP made a commitment to address flooding by opening up a test site called Station 6 – a well at 108th Avenue and 167th Street that removed seven to 10 million gallons of water out of the neighborhood a day.

But without notice, the City had quietly shut it down.

A spokesperson for the DEP did confirm that the agency owned the property, however, it was not responsible for shutting down the well. Instead, the rep claimed it had shut down the well at the request of the community and leaders.

“The DEP was authorized by the State to purchase the well in 1996 and it was used to supply drinking water to residents of southeast Queens for a number of years,” he said. “But [there was] clammer and request of the community for higher quality tap water from our resources upstate and they wanted the same tap water system everyone else had.”

The spokesperson also said the State Dept. of Environmental Con-

servation was actually responsible for running the Station 6 test site and that groundwater is not their responsibility.

Still, the agency did confirm that it plans to reopen Station 6 in 2018, when the Delaware Aqueduct will be closed and it will have to find other possibilities to provide drinking water to New York City. Until then, the agency claims it does not have the financial burden.

“We don’t collect money for regulating groundwater levels,” he said.

“Groundwater…its not part of our mission.”

He continued to also argue that southeast Queens has been historically prone to flooding because the majority of it is under sea level. He claimed the DEP is looking to help alleviate flooding in other ways it can and that the agency has already funded $1.5 billion in capital projects in Queens, including testing reverse seepage basins.

Many politicians and residents are still convinced that the DEP should be held accountable and vowed to protest at the agency’s headquarters and the steps of City Hall.

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

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Breina Payne Announces Candidacy For D28

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Jamaica resident and community activist Breina Payne has officially announced her candidacy for the 28th Council seat, making her the second woman vying to replace Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) later this year.

Payne, 46, made the announcement just two weeks after Christina “CW’ Winslow, CEO and founder of the nonprofit A Cause, A Concern, A Solution Network, revealed she would be running.

When she was younger, Payne never anticipated that she would one day run for City Council. Originally, the Mississippi native and self proclaimed ‘southern bell’ aspired to be a singer and moved to Queens to pursue her music career.

While she had some success in the industry, as she got older she decided to explore other opportunities and made plans to go back to school.

With a new frame of mind, Payne attended York College in Jamaica where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. After earning her Bachelor’s, she attended City College in hopes of earning her Master’s.

She had done so well at York

College that CUNY Cap, a program that helps students financially, was paying for her credits.

Just three classes shy of earning a Master’s Degree, CUNY Cap no longer had the funds to operate and pay for her education, so she had to leave. This experience, Payne said, has made affordable education a top priority if she were elected to City Council.

“I want to fight for people who can’t afford school,” she said. “I want to be able to help them and create programs that will help pay for their schooling.”

Her real interest in politics was initially sparked after Payne said she realized that her community was in desperate need of help.

“Being a part of the community, and knowing that we needed help – that’s the moment that I felt something needs to be done,” she said.

With a new sense of obligation, Payne began to help local politicians with their campaigns. Over the course of the next couple of years, she worked alongside leaders like Assemblywoman Vivian Cook (D-Jamaica), former State Sen. Shirley Huntley, Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica), and her mentor, former Councilman of the 28th

Breina Payne District, Thomas White.

Unsatisfied with the slow progress, Payne made the conscious decision to run for Council.

“I want to be the City Council maintenance person,” she said. “I want to step in, assess the situations and start repairs where they are needed.”

“I think education system fails the students and focuses too much attention on test taking. They are always preparing them for taking tests but they are not preparing them for learning,” she added.

As a mother of a 10-year-old son in the fifth grade, Payne said she witnesses the problem firsthand.

“It’s really stressing the kids out,”

she argued. “It makes me wonder, if this is stressing my kid out, what is it doing to the rest of the kids?”

The scarce number of jobs, especially for convicted felons in the district, is also a concern for the candidate.

“It’s hard for people to trust and hire convicted felons because they feel like it is unsafe,” she said. “Now, they come out of incarceration and on the streets and a lot of them are looking for jobs and go back to their old ways.”

Payne hopes to create a system that would employ convicted felons, give them a sense of purpose which would in turn combat violence that plagues the area.

Stronger communication between police officers of the 113th Precinct and the community would also help reduce crime in the neighborhood, Payne said.

“I think that the community and the people they talk about the police so bad that the kids grow up with resentment and want to retaliate,” she said. “Teach them, tell them. We need to communicate with these cops.”

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

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 8-14, 2013

Editorial Wage War 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

On Tuesday, the New York State Assembly, led by its Democratic majority – passed a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $9 per hour with automatic increases tied to inflation.

The bill now waits on the State Senate for passage, and Senate Republicans have expressed caution that a minimum wage hike could do more harm than good.

Democrats have argued that the current minimum wage $7.25 per hour – is untenable for the working poor and raising the rate would help with the State’s economic recovery from the recent recession. While a hike to the minimum wage would certainly be a boon to many in New York State, the proposal passed by the Assembly certainly would not propel anyone earning it into the upper class.

A wage of $9 per hour for a full-time job equates to roughly just over $18,000 per year – before taxes. In a City as expensive as New York, that kind of annual wage would be tough to live on.

While raising the minimum wage – and implementing automatic raises tied to cost of living increases – is a good first step, we hope that our elected officials make the growing number of New Yorkers living in poverty a priority.

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

Letters A New Idea?

To The Editor: Concerning your article concerning the USTA’s expansion of the tennis center

as well as a soccer stadium, the old idea that keeps popping up in my mind is the renovation of the New York State Pavilion, which is in a

Letters dire state of disrepair. The Queens Museum as well as the Theatre in the Park, which by itself is connected physically to the New York State Pavilion, were both upgraded in recent years, but for reasons unknown to me, the NYS Pavilion is never included in rehabilitation plans when money is found for these other projects. It would be a nice project to undertake and have the balconies re-opened via the elevator that’s already included in the structure and would enhance the beauty of Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Martin Wishnewitz, Jackson Heights

Unfair Hike To The Editor: The MTA has raised transportation costs that affect all of us New Yorkers, which I find quite disturbing. This is not the time with so many out of work and many of us finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet. We the com-

muters are having our pockets picked and it is all legal.

The 1 percent are getting richer while the 99 percent are getting poorer. The billionaire list just came out today and there are those including our own Mayor Bloomberg who are worth more than they were a year ago. Well what’s that all about? Something is really wrong. Now “We the People” are being replaced by “They the People.”

Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks Village

Two Sides?

To The Editor: In an attempt to cater to those who continue to blame Obama despite the “fact” that the GOP controlled Congress is the problem, I submit that your paper should have two editorial columns. The first solely based on facts, science and intelligence.

And the second for Republicans.

Robert La Rosa, Whitestone

Nuts Behind The Wheels: What Havoc They Wreak A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Vehicular deaths happen too often in our city, despite laws to help protect against them. Another one this past week came as a reminder that it is dangerous on the road.

A young Brooklyn couple heading to a hospital because the wife was having premature labor pains perished when a speeding car rammed into the taxi in which they were travelling. Doctors were able to save the unborn baby by emergency C-section but he too would die within 24 hours. The only person in that car who is still alive is the taxi driver, who is expected to be okay.

And yet the driver and passenger in the speeding BMW, which caused all that death and destruction, are unscathed. So unscathed in fact, that they abandoned their car and ran off into the night like the cowards that they are.

The driver, one Julio

Acevedo, 44, initially went into hiding in Pennsylvania but eventually turned himself in on Wednesday, four days after the March 2 wreckage occurred. His pathetic story was that he was speeding because he was being shot at.

Then he said he ran off without trying to aid his victims because he was afraid that whoever was ostensibly shooting at him would catch up and succeed. Wow. This is a guy who had already done time, allegedly for a 1987 killing. He also had a pending court date in a drunken-driving case, according to published reports.

Given all this history, he seems to have a knack for trouble, so it is not too farfetched that some thugs might have been chasing him. But it is probably more realistic that it was something else.

Whatever his excuse, the story remains the same: a young couple and the future of their family have been wiped out because some random guy on the road was reck-

less. It is sad beyond measure. The couple, Nachman and Raizi Glauber, had been married just over a year and were having their first child.

They were only 21 years old.

Mere kids.

Most parents may recall the excitement they felt when they were expecting. I recall the excitement my husband and I felt when we were expecting our first child, who in a couple of weeks will be 19.

For the duration of the pregnancy, she was all we could talk about: names, godparents, schools, and so much more. And yet this young couple’s dream of seeing, naming and loving their baby was wiped out in one fell swoop.

Oddly, you can not help having sympathy for his family as well.

How must his mother and father feel knowing that their son is once again being charged in someone else’s death – three other “some ones” this time? It is a tragedy all around. You can almost bet they tried to raise a

responsible son; but despite their efforts he obviously still “messed up.”

Someone like that had no business behind the steering wheel of a car. The DMV or some other agency must have felt that way too, because the BMW was reportedly a rental secured by someone else. He would not have been able to rent in his own name, which tells us he was not qualified to drive.

What happened to that couple in Brooklyn keeps happening in our communities throughout the city. No matter how strict the laws get, there is always some miscreant who finds a way to drive an automobile when they know they should not be driving even a remote car.

This is a terrible reality of life in our city. Even tougher laws will not completely prevent someone from driving and from doing so recklessly.

There will always be someone who thinks that he or she is not too drunk or too high or too stupid to drive. But the consequences are so high.

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 8-14, 2013

Police Blotter Compiled by STEVEN J. FERRARI

102nd Precinct Fatal Vehicle Accident On Feb. 27 at 4:29 p.m., police responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident at the corner of 80th Street and Jamaica Avenue. An investigation revealed that a maroon Nissan Pathfinder heading east on Jamaica Avenue struck a pedestrian who was crossing the street from the south side to the north side.

The pedestrian, identified as John Eberling, 76, of Richmond Hill, was removed to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The operator of the vehicle, Viveshdyal Thakoordyal, 47, of Jamaica, was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.

Fatal Fire Arrest Police have arrested two individuals in response to a fire at 95-06 116th St., Richmond Hill on Feb. 24, which was responsible for the death of Azeem Ali, 43.

Jason St. Hill, 17, of Richmond Hill, was charged with kidnapping, first-degree arson, second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, first-

degree robbery, second degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property.

Stephen Peters, 22, also of Richmond Hill, was charged with with kidnapping, first-degree arson, second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, second degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Investigation On March 3 at 11:40 a.m., police responded to a 911 call of a fire at the corner of Freedom Drive and Park South Drive. Upon arrival, officers were met by a male walking his dog who stated that the dog came upon an unconscious and unresponsive male wearing blue jeans and brown boots. The male was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

105th Precinct Non-Fatal Shooting The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance locating and identifying the following individual wanted in regards to an assault and non-fatal shooting.

On March 2 at approximately 3:50 a.m., the suspect approached the victim, displaying and discharging a firearm and striking the victim in the buttocks. The suspect fled on foot.

The victim was transported to Mercy Hospital and is listed in stable condition.

The suspect is described as a 2030-year-old Hispanic male, 5-foot11, 200 lbs., with a light complextion.

The suspect was last seen wearing a beige jacket and brown pants.

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.

109th Precinct Accident Investigation On Feb. 28 at 1:57 a.m. on the Whitestone Expressway at the Van Wyck Expressway intersection, police responded to a call of a motor vehicle accident.

Upon arrival, police observed the victim, identified as Gregory Guerrero-Martinez, 26, of Elmhurst, unconscious and unresponsive with

severe body trauma. EMS responded and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Police determined the victim was operating a 2004 Lincoln and struck the guardrail. The investigation is ongoing.

Queens DA Shaken Baby Death Queens DA Richard Brown announced that Hang Bin Li, 28, of Flushing, was sentenced to the maximum term of five to 15 years in prison following his conviction last month on manslaughter charges in the death of his 10-week-old daughter in October 2007.

Li has been held without bail since his arrest in March 2008.

“The sentence imposed today is a measure of justice for the defendant’s 10-week-old daughter who was senselessly killed by the person who was supposed to protect and nurture her – her very own father,” Brown said. “Instead, she suffered a violent attack and death at his hands. It can’t be stated too often that infants are fragile and must be handled with care. Never shake a child.”

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

News Briefs York Alum On AIDS Cure Team Deborah Persaud M.D., a member of the York College Class of 1981, is part of the team that may have discovered a way to functionally cure AIDS in infants.

Persaud, a professor of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, once received a large grant from the Elizabeth Glazier Pediatric AIDS Foundation to help fund her research. She was called upon to help study the case of a Mississippi toddler diagnosed with the virus at birth and may have been cured of the disease, even though the mother had suspended treatment.

The baby, said to have been infected by the unsuspecting mother during birth, was given a faster and stronger than usual treatment, with a three-drug infusion within the first 30 hours of birth. The treatment, according to reports, was administered before lab results had confirmed the baby’s HIV status.

Now two and a half years old, extensive tests have found no active signs, other than the traces of the virus’ lingering genetic material.

A Guyanese immigrant, Persaud was a chemistry major at York. Upon graduation, Persaud attended New York University School of Medicine, graduating in 1985 with her medical degree.

“I am delighted to see Dr. Persaud’s cutting-edge research in pediatric AIDS making news for her role in the possible cure for children aff licted with the disease,” Dr. Marcia V. Keizs, president of York College, said. “Dr. Persaud developed her early research skills in the labs of great professors at York and I am honored to call her our alum. Her work is the stuff of Nobel Prizes and I look forward to seeing her life’s work make a difference not only in the United States but across the globe.”

Winslow To Kick Off Campaign Christina Winslow, who recently announced a bid for Council District 28 this fall, will hold a kick-off event for her campaign at noon on March 9 on the front steps of the Queens County Court House on Sutphin Boulevard.

After the announcement, the event will move to Amazura, 91-12 144th Place, Jamaica.

Winslow is the CEO and founder of the nonprofit organization A Cause, A Concern, A Solution Network.

The 28th Council District seat is currently held by Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica).

For information on the event, call (347) 423-4233 or email winwithwinslow@aol.com.

Man Sentenced In Murder Of Girlfriend, Child A 26-year-old Springfield Gardens man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the July 2010 murders of his girlfriend and young child.

The man, Jimmy Humphrey, got the sentence on March 6 and will go to jail on eight charges including four counts of second-degree murder and one count of first- and second-degree arson.

According to a release from Queens District Attorney Richard Brown’s office, Humphrey choked his 25-year-old girlfriend, Linda Anderson, and threw her to the ground. He also admitted that he hit Anderson with a bottle of alcohol.

According to the release, Humphrey then set the house on fire to destroy any evidence that may have been left behind.

Their two-year-old son, Ayden Hayes, was in the bedroom at the time the fire was set and he perished in the house. Anderson also passed away due to the choking and the fire.

She was seven-months pregnant at the time of her death.

According to the release, Humphrey admitted to police that he was in the apartment prior to the blaze and he used Anderson’s lighter to ignite the area in f lames. He also admitted that he knew his son was in the house at the time and that Anderson was pregnant at the time of the incident. He also said that he went to his home for a period of time after he fled the apartment before dialing 911 to report the fire.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s investigation found that Anderson died due to neck compression and Hayes died because of smoke inhalation and various other injuries. FDNY ruled that the fire had not been caused by natural or accidental causes.

Because of Humphrey’s attempt to destroy evidence from the scene of the crime, he was also charged with first- and second-degree arson, firstdegree reckless endangerment and tampering with physical evidence.

District Attorney Brown said that this murder was particularly heinous and Humphrey got a sentence he deserved.

“Under the circumstances, the lengthy sentence imposed is just punishment for the defendant and will serve to protect society from a dangerous man,” he said in the release.

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Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 8-14, 2013

One More Time

PEP to Vote on Proposed School Closures

BY LUIS GRONDA

Proposed Changes The panel will hold a vote on a proposed 2013 amendment to the 2010-2014 capital budget plan, which will see $290 million advanced to this year’s budget. That money was allocated for later years, but would be available to the department this year if approved. The amendment also includes $200 million funded by the City of New York to fix damage to schools because of Superstorm Sandy. A chancellor’s report will also be given to panel members and the public at the meeting.

Regarding the several changes to school utilization, Fedkowskyj said that he is against changes to schools like Flushing and Newtown high schools because they are not beneficial to the facilities long-term.

“I’m convinced that the proposed changes for these two schools will disrupt the continuity of learning in each school. Both schools should be given their space, time and dedicated resources as they move in the right direction,” he said in an email, regarding Flushing and Newtown.

He added that a co-location, which would put a new school inside the same building as the one that currently exists, would overcrowd a school, or in the case of the two high

One of the proposals from the Panel for Educational Policy includes co-locating a new school within Flushing High School. Another co-located school is proposed for Newtown High School.

Photo by Ira Cohen

With the City Dept. of Education looking to implement changes to many schools in Queens and throughout the other four boroughs, the Panel for Educational Policy will discuss and vote on a number of proposals at its upcoming meeting on March 11.

Among the items on the PEP’s agenda include whether to approve or deny a number of changes to schools throughout the city. According to the DOE’s website, the city agency has proposed to either co-locate or phase out several high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. For Queens, this includes colocating two schools, one in Flushing and the other in Elmhurst, and phasing out two schools in Jamaica.

In relation to that, the 11-member panel will also vote on a proposed moratorium on school closures, phase-outs and co-locations of all schools until the public has enough information on how any of these plans would help a school if implemented. That proposal was created by four of the PEP members including Dmytro Fedkowskyj, the Queens representative on the PEP.

schools, worsen their overcrowding problem, adding that programs that the schools offer may have to be cut if there are more students added.

“Both schools risk losing successful programs that are currently offered in each school. These desired programs are borough wide programs that are geared with student interests.

When space becomes unavailable in the building, a building that is already over-utilized, the possibility of losing such programs becomes a reality,” Fedkowskyj said.

Beatrice Chapur, a school aid at Newtown High School for 22 years, said that Newtown does not need another school located within its confines, saying that there are other schools located where they are, on 90 Street off of Corona Avenue, and she is afraid that the new school will get more City funding than Newtown will.

“We don’t need another school, the students are very well served here,” she said. “We need one building with one school and one name.”

Fedkowskyj added that, while the DOE is taking an active approach by creating those proposals, he added that they are making unnecessary changes to those schools.

“I’m of the opinion that some-

times you just need to keep it simple.

Creating unnecessary changes will just do more harm than good and we don’t get a second chance at educating our students,” he said.

Political Games James Vasquez, the Queens high school representative for the United Federation of Teachers, said that he believes the DOE and the City are only proposing these changes for political reasons and are not trying to help these schools. He added that schools like Flushing and Newtown were on the turnaround list last year, and while they were spared closure back then, they have not done anything to improve those schools since.

“This is a classic example of going for the second bite of the apple,” he said.

Two other high schools in Queens are proposed to be phased-out, the Business, Computer Applications and Entrepreneurship High School in Cambria Heights and the Magnet School of Law, Government and Community Service in Jamaica are on the DOE’s list to be closed.

Many residents who have kids who go to the Cambria Heights-based school protested the DOE’s proposal

at a public meeting last week.

A DOE spokesperson said that their proposal to close schools is not one that they take lightly.

“Decisions to phase out schools are the most difficult we make, done only after a thorough and thoughtful review of a school’s performance. We feel that students will be served better with new options and a new start,” DOE spokeswoman Devon Puglia said.

As for the moratorium proposal, Fedkowskyj said that the reason he believes it should be adopted is to give more time to the teachers, students and parents more time and opportunity to hear the agency’s ideas and how it would improve student performance compared to how the school is now.

An example that he uses to talk about this is PS 140, another Jamaica school that is slated for closure. According to Fedkowskyj, that school has had four principals in the last two years and the current one has only been there since the middle of 2011.

With that school being on the DOE’s closure list, he said that principal has not had enough time to fix the problems that the principal inherited, including budget problems that he said forced them to cut teachers, and closing it down would not help them.

“It is important to keep in mind that the situation at PS 140 didn’t happen over-night. The situation developed over time and nothing was done by the Mayor and DOE to recognize it and to fix it,” he said.

The moratorium was also sponsored by Kelvin Diamond, PEP’s Brooklyn Representative, Patrick Sullivan, the Manhattan rep on the panel, and Robert Powell.

The amendment to the capital budget would bring millions of dollars to the City’s school system much sooner than anticipated if adopted.

Fedkowskyj said that Queens will get 22 percent of the total budget and most will be used on projects to build new schools or extensions of existing schools.

According to a Queens Parental Advisory Board presentation from the DOE and the School Construction Authority, over 900 seats will be added throughout every district in the Borough because of the money that has been added.

The PEP will meet on Monday, March 11 at Brooklyn Technical High School at 29 Fort Greene Place in Brooklyn. It will start at 6 p.m.

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

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 8-14, 2013

pix

Talking Hoops

Photo by Ira Cohen

St. Patrick’s Day in the Rockaways

PRESS of Southeast Queens reporter Natalia Kozikowska interviews former New York Knicks forward Larry Johnson as the basketball great held a clinic at IS 238 in Jamaica to stress the importance of exercise and staying healthy. For the full story, see page 16.

Photos by Ira Cohen

Caucus Weekend

Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn are presented T-shirts at the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade held in the Rockaways on March 2. The annual tradition regularly draws thousands of people to the event. Bloomberg was not a popular figure at the parade this weekend, as he had people booing him along the parade route. Photos by Ira Cohen.

Youth from southeast Queens accompanied State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) during Democratic Caucus Weekend in Albany on Feb. 17. The students took a tour of the capital and attended a youth summit.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer walks the parade route, which took parade goers down Rockaway Beach Boulevard.

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, Councilman Eric Ulrich and former MTA head Joe Lhota, who recently announced his candidacy for Mayor, attended the parade.

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 8-14, 2013

Borough Beat

Woodhaven Blvd., Danger To Pedestrians A new report released by a transportation group shows that among all the major streets in Queens, Woodhaven Boulevard has had the most fatalities in the last three years.

The Tri-State Transpor tation Campaign, a non-profit advocacy group that petitions for better transportation safety throughout New York and surrounding states, released its annual report on pedestrian safety and lists fatalities for each borough in New York City and town in New York State, as well as New Jersey and Connecticut.

For Queens, the report finds that, in the last three years, pedestrian fatalities has decreased from 48 in 2009 to 35 deaths in 2011. Broken down by avenues, Woodhaven Boulevard has the most pedestrian deaths in Queens with seven during those same three years, including four in 2011. Other Borough thoroughfares on their list include Jamaica Avenue, which runs through Woodhaven and a part of Brooklyn and intersects with Woodhaven Boulevard, which had five fatalities in those three years.

Photo by Ira Cohen

BY LUIS GRONDA

Wendell added that it has long been a problem in the neighborhood and it is something that they have discussed with the community in the past.

At a recent 102nd Precinct Council meeting, Wendell said that the commanding officer, Captain Henry Sautner, discussed with residents about pedestrian and Pedestrians cross Woodhaven Boulevard at Jamaica driver safety around their Avenue earlier this week. A new report finds that both patrol and they would streets are considered some of the most dangerous for look at speed and traffic enforcement in an atpedestrians in Queens. tempt to address the Union Turnpike and Northern Bou- problem. levard also made the list, with four Part of the reason for the problem, fatalities each.

Wendell said, is because people speed Ed Wendell, president of the down Woodhaven Boulevard while Woodhaven Residents Block Asso- driving and they often try to beat the ciation, said that he was not sur- traffic light that sits on the corner of prised that Woodhaven Boulevard Woodhaven and Jamaica, which can finished first in the report for Queens lead to an accident if there is somebecause it has long been a street that one that is trying to quickly cross the has been dangerous to pedestrians, street. especially for the elderly.

“That’s just a road where people “It’s a big, long boulevard and it’s drive too fast,” he said.

One idea that Wendell had to help as dangerous as it gets,” he said.

the issue is to push back where vehicles stop at a red light and increase the length of the pedestrian crosswalk.

This would give people more space between themselves and the car and possibly prevent some accidents, Wendell said.

News of the report came came on the heels of two recent accidents taking place in the neighborhood.

On Feb. 13, a 67-year-old man was struck and killed by a motor vehicle while he was trying to cross the busy intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue. On March 3, a driver in a minivan hit another car and drove into a building on Woodhaven Boulevard and Union Turnpike. According to reports, the driver fled the scene but no one was seriously hurt from the wreck.

Ryan Lynch, associate director of the transportation campaign, said that he hopes the report will bring more awareness to pedestrian safety and the City will take measures to make roads safer for pedestrians and drivers alike.

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

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

A&E

Wuhl’s ‘Hit-Lit’ Set To Debut

BY TAMMY SCILEPPI Writing and directing have always been comedian Robert Wuhl’s first loves. So, he decided to pen a play.

A screwball comedy, “Hit-Lit” echoes the zany spirit of one of the alltime great romantic comedies – the 1982 Dustin Hoffman film “Tootsie.”

“People tell me it reminds them of ‘Tootsie,’ which is incredibly high praise, perhaps because they’re both based on a mistaken identity,” Wuhl said. “Hopefully, it’s because they’re

both real funny.”

In its first Mainstage production for 2013, Queens Theatre, located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, will present the world premiere of “HitLit” running from March 7 through March 17 and co-directed by Steven Wallace and Robert Wuhl.

“We hope audiences will get a healthy dose of pop culture, mixed in with good, old-fashioned romantic comedy,” Wuhl said.

Living in Manhattan and California, the bi-coastal, multi-talented

Restaurant Review

Perfect Old World Classics Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen 211-37 26th Ave., Bayside (718) 229-2367 www.bensdeli.net CUISINE: Deli, Kosher DELIVERY/TAKEOUT: Yes CREDIT CARDS: Yes, All Major Located in the Bay Terrace Shopping Center, Ben’s Deli has been a staple of the Bayside community for more than 20 years, serving the finest in kosher cuisine. Who doesn’t like overstuffed cold-cut sandwiches served with some matzo ball soup coleslaw and pickles?

Though upon entering their establishment and meeting the people who make their restaurant so successful, I decided maybe it was time to try something different.

Hal, the restaurant manager, pointed out the restaurant’s specials of the day, displayed in the front of the dining room for your viewing pleasure. Soon after a conversation with their head chef, Alex, I decided to change up my order and try their steak sandwich special. Ben’s Deli tries to cater to everyone they can while sill providing top notch kosher delights, which can satisfy any persons hunger. The sandwich I tried consisted of sliced rib-eye served with roasted garlic over toasted garlic bread which was so simple yet incredibly flavorful.

Since I strayed from my usual overstuffed sandwich, Hal decided to bring out a small sample of their house cured meats, accompanied by corned beef, brisket, pastrami, and

tongue. Now I have never eaten tongue, so it was a perfect time to try something new (as this was one of Hal’s favorites). With a texture almost similar to bologna, the tongue was saltier and gamier yet surprisingly delicious. The pastrami was my favorite, so delicate and tender; it melted in my mouth leaving me salivating for more.

Of course, one can’t leave this establishment without having a knish. While Ben’s is known for their homemade baked round knishes, I am a square knish connoisseur. Though without knowing it, Hal informed me that their square knishes are the only thing they don’t make in house. They use the famous Coney Island creation bought right from Brooklyn because there is nothing better than the original.

Hal also insisted on having my guest and I try their homemade potato pancakes. Served with apple sauce like any potato pancake should, Ben’s Deli created a giant three-quarter-inch thick pancake, cooked to perfection. On the outside was this golden delicious crunch stuffed with a warm soft potato center, completely different from the knish.

For dessert, our table was presented with their home-baked apple strudel as well as their chocolate rugelach, which had to be some of the best I’ve ever had.

So what are you waiting for? I know your tummy’s already growling for some of their tasty kosher treats, go in, get your food on.

-Eric Jordan

funny man got his start performing stand-up at New York’s iconic comedy clubs: The Improv, Catch a Rising Star, The Comic Strip, Caroline’s, and The Bottom Line, and has also performed at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall.

He says he finds a bit of himself in all the characters of his play: “Each has a different (and valid) point of view. Plus, I love the confrontation of Man vs. Marketing,” Wuhl said, describing “Hit-Lit” as a satire of the publishing world.”

It’s the story of an ambitious young editor, Phoebe Saint-Anne, who is searching for the next best seller.

“Actually, it started out as a screenplay, but the studios said it was ‘too smart’ for today’s movie demographic,

even though it was all about young, smart people,” says Wuhl. “I’ve always loved theater, and I thought, ‘Why not adapt it for the stage?’ Plus, I love working with actors, and not having to worry about acting.”

Celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary in May, Wuhl and his wife have “two kids with four paws each.”

These days, he’s still doing standup…occasionally; performing his “Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl” show around the country, and hosting a lot of charity events.

What does he like about Queens and N.Y.C.?

“Easy,” says Wuhl. “The people.

The honesty. The humor. Like the first line of the play says, ‘In New York, even if you’re one-in-a-million — there’s six others!’”

QC Chamber Music Season Underway

BY JOE MARVILLI If you enjoy choral performances, renowned musical ensembles or opera presentations, then Queens College is the place to be this spring.

The college will hold its 17th Chamber Music Live concert series between March and May, showcasing seven distinct performances in the Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Concert Hall, in the campus’ music building.

All of the concerts are free for students, faculty and staff with QC ID. If you do not have that ID and would like to attend, the subscription for the season is $95 per person. Free parking is available in Field 15 for all concert attendees.

The season started on the first weekend of March with Claudio Monteverdi’s “L’Incoronazione di Poppea,” an Italian opera first performed in 1643. The staging took place on March 1 and 2 at 7: 30 p.m. and on March 3 at 2:30 p.m.

Besides that opera, all other performances are being held on Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon.

The next event will be the Calidore String Quartet, who will perform on March 8. Violinists Jeffrey Myers and Ryan Meehan, violist Jeremy Berry and cellist Estelle Choi formed at the Colburn School Conservatory of Music in 2010 and won first prize at the 61 st ARD Munich International String Quartet Compe-

tition and the 2012 Hamburg International Chamber Music Competition On March 15, the duo of Kim Kashkashian and Lydia Artymiw will take the stage. Kashkashian plays the viola and Artymiw is a pianist.

Next month’s performances will kick off on April 5 with the Quintessential Quintets. John Dalley and Daniel Phillips will play the violin, Toby Appel and William Frampton will play the viola and Marcy Rosen will play the cello. On April 12, Queens College will welcome the Choirs of America for a performance.

Jazz will be in full swing on April 19, with a Tango Fusion act that is cosponsored by the Immigration Studies Working Group and the Latin American and Latino Studies program.

May 3 will feature the Musicians from Marlboro, made up of EmilieAnne Gendron (violin), Bella Hristova (violin), Danbi Um (violin), Hsin-Yun Huang (viola), Gabriel Cabezas (cello), Angela Park (cello) and Matan Porat (piano). The season will end on May 10 with QC’s Year of India, featuring Shirish Korde and the Da Capo Chamber Players.

To register for the concert or for more information, please contact the Aaron Copeland School of Music at (718) 997-380 0 or email Jane.Cho@qc.cuny.edu.

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

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 8-14, 2013

Faith

Church Celebrates 90 Years of Service The Hollis Presbyterian Church is kicking off 90 years of Christian service with a special choral vesper musical presentation, titled “The Chancel Choir.”

“The Chancel Choir” will feature a choir, a string ensemble and an organ player. Minister of music and organist at the church Hale Thompson also revealed that Ensemble Sepia, a well known string quartet in New York City, will be accompanying their multiple guest soloists during their performances.

Thompson believes that events like these are important for the southeast Queens community because it gives locals the opportunity to embrace and enjoy a style of music that is not normally heard throughout churches and the community anymore.

“We have a great tradition of music in Hollis,” Thompson said. “The community does support events like

Photo Courtesy of Hale Thompson

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

shows like these brings the community together, usually drawing out a crowd of more than 200 people.

“It ties the community together culturally and shows that we have a rich culture in the community,” he said.

“People seem to forget that every community has a core southeast The Hollis Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 90th Year and Anniversary with a special musical presentation later this Queens has a very month. strong musical core and we just like to celebrate that. We these because this type of music is have jazz and hip hop, but there is a dying in the church world because it strong classical music presence in is very classical but people really do southeast Queens too.”

Thompson also hopes these musienjoy it.”

In addition to giving the commu- cal presentations will show locals that nity a taste of music that is rare to they do not need to travel very far for find, Thompson feels that hosting a wonderful performance.

“When we bring classical music to our community, it shows the people that it is not something you have to go downtown to hear,” he said. “You don’t have to go to Carnegie Hall. It’s something the community has right there in their backyard and its something we are very excited to do.”

“The musicians that we are bringing in are very, very skilled musicians,” Thompson added. “They are all conservatory trade musicians that bring a high level of musicality to the event.”

“The Chancel Choir” will be presented at the Hollis Presbyterian Church from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 17. The event is free and open to the general public but donations will be collected.

The church is located a 100-50 196th Street in Hollis. For additional information, you may call the church at (718) 776-4646.

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

Notebook I.S. 23 Susan B. Anthony

Knicks’ Larry Johnson Visits School On Thursday, Feb. 28 New York Knicks legend Larry Johnson visited I.S. 238 Susan B. Anthony in Jamaica to host a basketball clinic, teaching students about the importance of staying healthy and exercising.

The two-hour clinic, organized by Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Jamaica) in collaboration with the Madison Square Garden Company, featured a series of drills in which middle schoolers had the chance to dribble, shoot and pass with the Knicks great.

“This is what we call giving back,” Johnson said. “We enjoy it, we all have passed through what these youngsters are coming from and it is inspirational to us to come out with them and show them we are – show them we’re just not New York Knicks playing basketball in New York, this is our community [and] we are about our community.”

Although the primary focus of the clinic was to encourage children to lead a healthy lifestyle, Johnson said it was also equally important to show

Photo by Ira Cohen

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Former New York Knicks forward Larry Johnson hosted a basketball clinic at IS 238, stressing the importance of exercise. children that they can achieve their dreams if they work hard enough.

“Sports are just one avenue,” said the father of seven. “When I talk to my youngsters, I let them know that this is not for everybody – everybody is not going to go to the NFL or the NBA, but what you can do is use the same sportsmanship, the same work ethic, [that] you apply in sports [and it] will also help you in your life.”

Peter Leddy, principal at Susan B. Anthony middle school, was grateful that his school was chosen to host

the clinic with the NBA star, noting that having someone of Johnson’s influence can teach his students a lot about the importance of charitable work.

“I think it teaches them that success has other components of it,” Leddy said. “It’s not just about being famous and rich but about how people come back and do things – it tells them that it’s great to strive for success but to remember to give back to the community.”

In a neighborhood that is all too

familiar with gun violence and crime, Johnson’s visit also served as a powerful message to the youth to spend their time productively – giving them an alternative to a dangerous lifestyle.

“Many times they [the youth] hear don’t do drugs, don’t do that, but if it comes from an ex basketball player, an ex sports star — that’s just icing on the cake,” Johnson said. “That’s our job. We all have children and we just want to make sure we make it better for the next generation.”

Comrie also saw the clinic as an opportunity to keep children from his district off the streets.

“The more things we can do to showcase that there are other ways instead of being on the streets is important and hopefully we can do program like this and other programs to give kids alternatives to stay off the street,” Comrie said.

After an intense workout, Johnson made himself available for photos and autographs.

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

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

Profile

Major Homes Pres. Invents Safety Device house. The item can be used on both windows and patio doors, is easy to While home improvement com- install and can be brought on vacapany Major Homes has the logo of tion as well.

“4 Generations of Great RenovaKersch came up with the idea tions,” its president, Mitch Kersch, about 10 months ago. His son, Jais also making a move into the field son, revealed that he would soon of innovation. have a child of his own. A 2011 study Forever Safe ‘N’ Sound is a safety found that over 5,000 children fall device meant to prevent children of out windows each year in the from falling out of windows and bur- United States alone. In an effort to glars from forcing their way into the keep his grandchild safe, he made the device which would both alert parents to attempts by their children to go through a window and prevent them from doing so.

“I had to figure out a way to save children’s lives and maybe my own grandchild’s life,” he said.

An added side effect of this product is that it also works as an anti-burglar device, preventing anyone from coming in through an open window or unlocked patio door.

The invention works very easily. You would clean the window Major Homes President Mitch Kersch and and the bottom of the item’s suchis invention. tion cup. You would then affix

BY JOE MARVILLI

Forever Safe ‘N’ Sound to the window, above the frame, at any level you choose. Once it is in place, push the button on the side of the device and the security measure is set. If there are attempts to open the window past the height set, the frame runs into the device and sets off an alarm. The suction cup is also strong enough once the item is locked that it would be very difficult to force the window open further, as it is blocking the frame from moving up.

For those who think that a regular alarm would work just as well, Forever Safe ‘N’ Sound does far more than just alert those around it.

“By the time you get to the window, the child could be outside or the burglar could be in the house. This will literally stop them in their tracks from getting in or out,” Kersch said.

Among the most surprising factor, Kersch said, was how quickly he got got the patent for the item, which took only about five months, a quick pace that he thinks is due to the invention being for safety.

The product is going to sell retail for $24.95 to $29.95 each. For those

Forever Safe ‘N’ Sound interested in purchasing Forever Safe ‘N’ Sound, you can email Kersch at MKersch@MajorHomes.com or call at (718) 229-5741.

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

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 8-14, 2013

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

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

ENVIRONMENT SUSTAIN RAIN Monday, March 11 workshop on NYC’s water at 4 at the Astoria library.

SPRING CLEANING Monday, March 11 Sunnyside library. Register. Green Your Spring Cleaning.

Also on Wednesday, March 13 Broadway library. Register.

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.

COMPOSTING Tuesdays Woodside library 5:15-6:30.

FLEA MARKETS SPRING FLEA/CRAFT Saturday, March 9 Our Lady of Hope, 61-21 71 st Street, Middle Village 94.Over 80 vendors.

INDOOR FLEA Sunday, March 10 St. N i c h o l a s o f To l e n t i n e , Parsons Blvd. and Union Tu r n p i ke , J a m a i c a 9 - 4 .

Over 80 vendors.

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

THRIFT SHOP Wednesday, March 13 9-1 at All Saints’ Church, 2 1 4 - 3 5 4 0 th A v e n u e , Bayside.

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.

ENTERTAINMENT BEIDERBECKE Saturday, March 9 Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222.

IRISH HISTORY Saturday, March 9 Aesthetic Realism presents “Humanit y’s Opposites: Beginning with Ireland” at the Flushing library at 3.

WIZARD OF OZ Saturday, March 9 Central library at 4. Presented

by Plaza Theatrical Productions.

IMMIGRANT VOICES Saturday, March 9 “If It’s Sad, I Don’t Want to See It” at 8 at Queens Theatre in the Park. 7600064.

FASHION SHOW Saturday, March 9 10-2 at Jackson Center, 92-47 1 6 5 th S t r e e t , J a m a i c a . $10 donation. Lunch 11noon.

SLEEPING BEAUTY Sunday, March 10 Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222.

OPEN MIC Sunday, March 10 Central library at 2. Open Mic for Poets.

INTERNATIONAL FILM Monday, March 11 “King of Devil’s Island” shown with subtitles with discussion at the Fresh Meadows library at 2.

THE BIG STAGE Monday, March 11 Woodhaven library at 4.

OPEN MIC Monday, March 11 at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Un i o n Tu r n p i ke , F r e s h Meadows at 7:30.

EAT PRAY LOVE Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 1 2 Queens Village library at 3.

HERE’S TO LOVE Wednesday, March 13 Hillcrest library at 1.

Diane Hoffman sings American Songbook.

MOVIE TRIVIA Wednesday, March 13 Flushing library at 2.

DIVAS Wednesday, March 13 Divas of Our Time at the Richmond Hill library at 4.

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.

AMER. SONGBOOK Thursday, March 14 Diana Templeton sings Great American Songbook at the MitchellLinden library at 2.

HOUSTON TRIBUTE Friday, March 15 4:30 Queens Village library and 7:30 East Elmhurst library.

CHAMBER MUSIC Friday, March 15 10noon at Queens College.

997-3800.

KARAOKE & OPEN MIC Fridays, March 15, 22 Peninsula library at 4.

POP & ROCK CONCERT Saturday, March 16 Flushing library at 2.

HELLO DOLLY Saturday, March 16 sing-a-long Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

TALKS APPLY FOR FUNDS Saturday, March 9 Fullness of Joy Ministries in St. Albans at 2. Discretionary funding workshops for 2014.

INVESTMENT SEMINAR Monday, March 11 Briarwood library at 3:30.

PENINSULA BOOK Monday, March 11 “Tender Is The Night” discussed at the Peninsula library at 6:30.

BOOK DISCUSSION Tuesday, March 12 “The Alchemist” discussed at 2 at the Whitestone library.

PROPOSAL WRITING Tuesday, March 12 Central librar y. Register.

HILLCREST BOOK Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 1 2 “State of Wonder” discussed at 3 at the Hillcrest library.

BETTY DOPSON Wednesday, March 13 “Shared Secrets of Elder Sisters Who Prove That Age Is Just a Number author discusses her work at 2 at the Pomonok library.

BOOK CLUB Wednesday, March 13 “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time” discussed at 2 at the Queens Village library.

INVESTOR EDUCATION Wednesday, March 13 at the Hollis library at 5:30.

NIGHT BOOK CLUB Thursday, March 14 “The Night Circus” discussed at 5:30 at the Windsor Park library.

BOOK DISCUSSION Thursday, March 14 “ M o u n t Ve r n o n L o ve Story” discussed at 6 at the Glendale library.

ALUMNI IMMACULATE CONC. April 27 Immaculate Conception School in Astoria will host a reunion for all graduates. icsastoriaalumni@gmail.com

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS LESSEN ANGER Lessen anger through creating art at the Communit y Learning Center in Jamaica. 291-1094.

CREATE WEALTH Learn How to Create Wealth at the Communit y Learning Center in Jamaica. 291-1094.

WRITE SCRIPT Write a Book or Movie Script at the Communit y Learning Center in Jamaica. 291-1094.

MORE FROM GOOGLE Saturday, March 9 Far Rockaway library at 2. Gmail account required.

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

BEGIN EMAIL Monday, March 11 Central library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTER Monday, March 11 Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

METRIX LEARNING Mondays, March 11, 18, 25 Central library. Register.

WEARABLE ART Monday, March 11 wearable art jewelry design Rosedale librar y. Register.

JOB READINESS Mondays, March 11, 18, 25 South Jamaica library.

Register.

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

MAC MONDAYS Mondays, March 11, 18 Central library at 6.

BELLY DFANCE Mondays, March 11, 18, 25 Flushing library. Register.

EVENING CRAFTS Mondays, March 11, 18, 25 F r e s h M e a d o w s l i brary at 6.

SMALL BUSINESS Monday, March 11 Jackson Heights library at 6.

BUSINESS BASICS Mondays, March 11, 18, 25 LIC library at 6.

BALLROOM DANCING Mondays, March 11, 18, 25 Forest Hills library at 6:30.

EDIBLE MUSHROOMS Monday, March 11 Steinway library at 6:30.

KATHAK Mondays, March 11, 18, 25 dance instruction at the Lefferts library. Register.

GED Tuesdays, March 12, 19, 25 Are You Ready for the GED? 480-4300 appt.

Central library.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 1 2 Flushing library. Register.

POWERPOINT Tuesday, March 12 LIC library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesdays, March 12, 19, 26 Rosedale library at 11.

BEGIN INTERNET Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 1 2 Steinway librar y. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesdays, March 12, 19 Glen Oaks library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesdays, March 12, 19 South Jamaica library at 11:30.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesday, March 12 Far Rockaway library at 2.

TECHNOLOGIST IS IN Tuesdays, March 12, 19, 26 receive personalized instructions on iPads, smartphones, more.

Pomonok library. Register.

JOB READINESS Tuesdays, March 12, 19, 26 Woodside library at 5:45.

BEGIN EXCEL Tuesday, March 12 Central library. Register.

JOB SKILLS Wednesday, March 13 Central library. Register.

INTRO COMPUTERS Wednesdays, March 13, 2 0 , 2 7 H o l l i s l i b r a r y.

Register.

INTRO INTERNET Wednesday, March 13 Windsor Park library at 11:30.

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

ONLINE TEST PREP Wednesdays, March 13, 27 LIC library. Register.

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

WORD FOR RESUMES Wednesday, March 13 Central library. Register.

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

COMPUTER TIPS Thursday, March 14, 28 Central library. Register.

MOCK INTERVIEWS Thursdays, March 14, 21, 28 Central librar y.

Register.

BUSINESS CARD Thursday, March 14 Central library. Register.

COMPUTER TIPS Thursdays, March 14, 28 Central library. Register.

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

INTRO COMPUTERS Thursdays, March 14, 21

Ozone Park library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Thursdays, March 14, 21, 28 Rosedale library at 6.

LEARN CHINESE Thursdays North Forest Park library at 6.

INTRO COMPUTERS Friday, March 1 Central library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 Auburndale library.

Register.

INTERNET INTRO Friday, March 15 Hillcre st librar y. Register.

METRIX Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 Central library. Register.

JEWELRY MAKING Friday, March 15 art deco jewelry making at t h e L a u r e l to n l i b r a r y.

Register.

BUTTON JEWELRY Friday, March 15 Lefferts library. Register.

JOB APPLICATIONS Saturday, March 16 Flushing library. Register.

METRIX Saturday, March 16 LIC library. Register.

THEATER OUR TOWN Through March 9 “Our To w n ” at Queensborough Communit y College. 6316311.

HIT LIST Through March 17 a t Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064.

PAJAMA GAME Through March 17 weekends at Marathon Little Theatre Group in Douglaston. 229-4644.

RELIGIOUS WEEK OF PRAYER Sunday, March 10 call for times. 917-254-7970.

All Saints Episcopal in Sunnyside.

WOMEN’S SEDER Sunday, March 10 Te m p l e T i k va h i n N ew Hyde Park. 516-7461120.

PASSOVER SEDER Monday, March 18 at the Central Queens Y in Forest Hills. 268-5011, et. 160 by March 11.

REGO PARK JC Monday, March 25 Passover Seder. Reservations. Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd. 459-1000.

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

Queens Today HEALTH Health Meetings CHAIR YOGA Mondays, March 11, 18 Broadway library. Register.

VISITING NURSE Monday, March 11 for those who might be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. Central library at 11:30.

Tu e s d a y , March 12 Howard Beach library at 2.

SHAPE UP NYC Mondays, March 11, 18, 25 stretch and tone LIC library at 6:30.

ZUMBA Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 1 2 Flushing library at 5.

ALZHEIMERS Tuesdays, March 12, 26, April 9, 23 C a r e g i v e r Support Group in Forest Hills. 592-5757, ext. 237.

HYPERTENSION Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 1 2 Healthy Living with Hypertension or Diabetes Central library at 2.

SHAPE UP NYC Wednesdays, March 13, 20, 27 Aerobics for adults Central library at 4.

GENTLE YOGA Wednesdays, March 13, 2 0 Wo o d s i d e l i b ra r y.

Register.

WELL SPOUSE Wednesdays, March 13, April 10 Well Spouses or Partners of the Chronically Ill and Disabled meet at St. Charles Rehab in Albertson. 516829-8740.

MAMMOGRAMS Wednesday, March 13 at the Courts in Jamaica.

877-628-9090 appointment.

MS SUPPORT Thursdays, March 14, 28 National Multiple Sclerosis Societ y Support Group meets at 1 at the Howard Beach library.

MEDITATION Thursdays, March 14, 28 Bellerose library at 5:30.

SHAPE UP NYC Thursdays, March 14, 21, 28 Body Sculpt Fitness at the Lefrak Cit y library at 5:30.

ZUMBA Thursday, March 14 Corona library. Register.

CHAIR YOGA Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 McGoldrick library.

Register.

SHAPE UP NUC Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 Dance Fitness for Adults at the Richmond Hill library at 5.

ZUMBA Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 with Wii at the South Jamaica library at 6.

MEETINGS

SENIORS

KNITTING CIRCLE Mondays, March 11, 25 6-8 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. $5. 2294000 to register.

VFW 4787 Monday, March 11 Whitestone VFW Post 4787 meets at 19-12 149th Street, Whitestone at 8.

746-0540.

CATHOLIC VETS Monday, March 11 American Martyrs Cathol i c Wa r Ve t e ra n s Po s t 1772 in Bayside. 4689351.

TELEPHONE PION. Tu e s d a y s , M a r c h 1 2 , April 9 Telephone Pioneers of America meet in College Point. 463-4535.

CHESS & SCRABBLE Wednesday, March 13 Peninsula library at 4.

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

WRITING CLUB Thursdays, March 14, 21 Peninsula library at 2.

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

98 TH STREET ASSN. Thursday, March 14 at the East Elmhurst library at 6.

KNIT & CROCHET CLUB Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 F r e s h M e a d o w s l i brary at 11.

CROCHET CLUB Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 LIC library at 11:30.

CHESS CLUB Fridays, March 15, 22 Woodside library at 4.

KNIT & CROCHET CLUB Saturdays, March 16, 23 Peninsula library at 11.

P-FLAG Sunday, March 17 PFLAG, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays meet in Forest Hills.

271-6663.

FASHION SHOW Saturday, March 9 10-2 at Jackson Center, 92-47 1 6 5 th S t r e e t , J a m a i c a . $10 donation. Lunch 11noon.

STARS Monday, March 11 STAR presents a variet y of scenes and musical numbers at JASA Holliswood Senior Center, 86-25 Francis Lewis Blvd., Jamaica at 1.

Free.

JACKSON SENIOR Mondays, March 11, 25 Tai-Chi at 10:30. March 14, 21 Zumba Gold 10:45. Fridays 1:30 ESL classes. Breakfast $1, lunch $1.50. Jackson Senior Center. 6576500.

AARP DEFENSIVE DRIVE Monday, March 11 Hollis library 465-7355.

Auburndale librar y. Register.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Mondays, March 11, 18 Queens Village librar y.

Register.

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

SENIOR COMPUTERS Tuesdays, March 12, 19, 26 South Ozone Park library at 10.

AARP TAX HELP Tuesdays, March 12, 19 Auburndale library at 1.

AARP 4158 Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 1 2 noon at Church on the Hill, 167-07 35 th Avenue, Flushing.

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

HEALTHY SEXUALITY Thursday, March 14 Healthy Sexuality for Mature Adults at 2 at the Sunnyside librar y.

RESOURCE DAY Thursday, March 14 C o m m u n i t y R e s o u rc e Day 10-3 at JSPOA Friendship Center, 92-33 170 th Street, Jamaica.

AARP 29 Thursdays, March 14, April 11 Grace House, 155-02 90 th Avenue, Jamaica at noon.

AARP DEFENSIVE DRIVE Friday, March 15 South Ozone Park library. 4798914.

AARP TAX HELP Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 Pomonok library at 11:30.

SELFHELP LATIMER Friday, March 15 Falls Prevention workshop at 10:30. Selfhelp Latimer Gardens Senior Center, 34-30 137 th Street, Flushing. 559-4395.

PARENTS PARENTING Saturdays, March 9, 16, 30 parenting classes for possible behavioral and emotional disorders.

Register LIC library.

PARENTING Monday, March 11 Lefrak Cit y librar y at 11:15.

OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, March 12 9-noon at the Renaissance Charter School, 35-39 81 st Street, Jackson Heights. K-8. 8030060, ext. 106 information.

YOUTH YOUNG CHEFS Saturday, March 9 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000.

NATIVE AMERICANS Saturday, March 9 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000.

WIZARD OF OZ Saturday, March 9 a t the Central library at 4.

S TORY T I M E Mondays, March 11, 18 Hollis library at 11:30.

JEWELRY MAKING Monday, March 11 Far Rockaway library at 4.

CHESS & SCRABBLE Mondays, March 11, 18 Peninsula library at 4.

LEGOS Mondays, March 11, 18 Ridgewood library at 4.

ECO CRAFT Mondays, March 11, 25 Sunnyside library at 4.

KATHAK DANCE Mondays, March 11, 18 Lefferts library. Register.

LEGOS Tuesday, March 12 Far Rockaway library at 3.

SCIENCE CLUB Tuesdays, March 12, 19 Peninsula library at 3.

COMPUTER FOR KIDS Tuesdays, March 12, 19, 26 Ridgewood librar y.

Register.

GREEN CRAFTS Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 1 2 Hillcrest library at 4:30.

MUSIC Tu e s d a y, M a r c h 1 2 Pomonok library at 4:30.

MATH GAMES Tuesdays, March 12, 26 McGoldrick library at 5.

GEORGE W. CARVER Tuesday, March 12 East Elmhurst library at 4.

ECO CRAFTS Wednesday, March 13 Sunnyside library at 11:30.

ST. PAT CRAFT Wednesday, March 13 Fresh Meadows library at 3:30.

ARTS & CRAFTS Wednesday, March 13 Auburndale library at 4.

CRAFTY FUN Wednesdays, March 13Briarwood library at 4.

ORIGAMI MATH Wednesday, March 13 Rochdale Village library.

Register.

JEWELRY CRAFT Wednesday, March 13 Pomonok library at 4:30.

FELT FRIENDS Wednesday, March 13 McGoldrick library at 5.

PHYSICS OF TOYS Thursday, March 14 at 3 at the North Hills library.

GAME ON Thursday, March 14 Central library at 3:30.

ST. PAT CRAFT Thursday, March 14 Richmond Hill library at 4.

ORIGAMI MATH Thursday, March 14 Rosedale librar y. Register.

LUCKY CHARM Thursday, March 14 St. Albans library. Register.

ECO CRAFTS Thursdays, March 14, 28 Steinway library at 4.

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

READING BUDDIES Thursdays, March 14, 21, 28 McGoldrick library at 5.

PRESCHOOL CRAFT Friday, March 15 W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

ST. PAT CRAFT Friday, March 15 Cambria Heights library at 3:320.

SHSAT PREP Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 LIC library at 3:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 Douglaston librar y.

Register.

ST. PAT CELEBRATION

Friday, March 15 at 4 at the Central library.

ARTS & CRAFTS Friday, March 15 East Flushing library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 F r e s h M e a d o w s l i brary at 4.

WII GAME Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 Poppenhusen library at 4.

BOARD GAMES Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 Windsor Park library at 4.

WIZARD OF OZ Friday, March 15 Plaza Theatrical Production at Langston Hughes library at 4:30.

VIDEO/BOARD GAMES Fridays, March 15, 22, 29 Rochdale Village library at 4:30.

GAME DAY Friday, March 15 Woodhaven library at 4:30.

WII TOURNAMENT Friday, March 15 McGoldrick library at 5.

TEENS LESSEN ANGER See Education.

CREATE WEALTH See Education.

WRITE SCRIPT See Education.

KNIT & CROCHET Saturday, March 9 Peninsula library at 11.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays, March 11, 18 Douglaston library at 3.

CHESS & SCRABBLE Mondays, March 11, 18 Peninsula library at 4.

TEEN ZONE Mondays, March 11, 18, 25 Q u e e n s V i l l a g e l i brary at 4.

WII GAMING Monday, March 11 Queens Village library at 4.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tuesdays, March 12, 19 East Flushing library at 3:30.

CHESS & SCRABBLE Tuesdays, March 12, 19 Peninsula library at 4.

CHESS FOR ALL Tuesdays, March 12, 19, 16 Rosedale library at 4.

TEEN CHESS Tuesdays, March 12, 26 South Hollis library.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays, March 12, 19, 26 Rochdale Village library at 5.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesday, March 13 intro to Drama at 4 at the Hollis library.

CHESS & SCRABBLE Wednesdays, March 13,

20, 27 Peninsula library at 4.

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

ONLINE TEST PREP Wednesdays, March 13, 27 LIC library. 752-3700 to register.

CHESS CLUB Wednesday, March 13 Poppenhusen library at 4:30.

ANIME CLUB Thursdays, March 14, 21 Flushing library at 4.

VIDEO CLUB Thursdays, March 14, 21, 28 Peninsula library at 4.

CROCKET Thursdays, March 14, 21 Ridgewood library at 4.

TEEN CHESS Thursdays, March 14, 21, 28 South Hollis library. Register.

LUCKY CHARM Thursday, March 14 St. Albans library. Register.

TEEN SPACE Thursday, March 14 Windsor Park library.

READING BUDDIES Thursdays, March 14, 21, 28 McGoldrick library at 5.

TEEN ADVISORY BD Thursday, March 14 Cambria Heights library at 5:30.

CHESS CLUB Friday, March 15 Auburndale library at 3:30.

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 21

People Army Pfc. Shanell L. Chablal has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Chablal is a 2012 graduate of Hillcrest High School in Jamaica.

The New York Army National Guard has announced the promotion of members in recognition of their capabilities for additional responsibility and leadership.

Davesha Taylor of St. Albans, serving with the 133rd Quartermaster Support Company, is promoted to private.

Norma Vegapacheco of Jamaica, serving with the 187th Signal Company, is promoted to private first class.

Sheldon Scarlett of Jamaica, serving with the Company A, 1-69th Infantry, is promoted to the rank of private.

Joel Buenaventura of Jamaica, serving with Company C, 1-69th Infantry, is promoted to private.

Shadika Haye of Jamaica, serving with Company F (Forward Support Company Infantry), 427th Brigade Support Battalion, is promoted to specialist.

Juan Rodriguez of Queens Village, serving with the Headquarters a n d H e a d qu a r t e r s C o mp a ny, 369th Sustainment Brigade, is pro-

moted to specialist.

Jonathan Hart of Jamaica, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-69th Infantry, is promoted to specialist.

Damaris Quinnones of Rosedale, serving with the Headquarters, 106th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), is promoted to staff sergeant.

Army Spec. Favour C. Awuzu has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Awuzu is the nephew of Quentin Nwafor of Jamaica.

Rachel Hunte of Laurelton was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester.

Krupa Patel of Jamaica was named to the Dean’s Honors List for the fall 2012 semester at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.

Jessica Gillespie of Cambria Heights was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass.

Chatea Lindsay of Jamaica received an associate’s degree in liberal arts – general studies during December 2012 commencement cer-

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Rachel Kallicharan of Hollis was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Boston University.

Local residents were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Syracuse University. They include: St. Albans: Ronique Ellis, Sabrina Cammock.

Springfield Gardens: Michelle Desir.

Claudia Maria Azevedo of Jamaica was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at SUNY Fredonia.

Jennifer L. Hebner of Forest Hills received a Master of Fine Arts-Theatre degree in design during January 2013 commencement ceremonies at Boston University.

Local residents were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Syracuse University. They include: Forest Hills: Alexander King, Carly Nevis, Lyle Weston, Rachel Gewirtz, Stephanie Yee, Christopher Shepherd, Amy Michelle Augello, Yohanna Kim, Tanya Niesvizky-Kogan.

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Army Pvt. Walberto Flores has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. Flores is the son of Gladys Flores of South Richmond Hill and is a 2006 graduate of Christ the King Regional High School, Middle Village.

Angel Rachel Roopnarine of South Richmond Hill was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at SUNY Fredonia.

Our Lady of Martyrs R.C. Church will host its second “Taste of the World” food fair from 3 to 5 p.m.

March 10 in McLaughlin Hall, OLQM auditorium, 72-55 Austin St., Forest Hills.

Tickets cost $20 in advance, $15 for seniors and $10 for children ages 10 and under. Cost at the door is $25 and $20 for seniors. The fee includes samplings of cuisines from participating local restaurants.

For information, call the rectory at (718) 268-6251.

To Advertise in the Southeast Queens Press Classifieds Call (718) 357-7400 Fax (718) 357-0076 Deadline for Classified Ads is Monday at 2 p.m. prior to publication on Friday Call for Rates

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Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 8-14, 2013

The Gentlemen Brawlers On The Gentleman Brawlers’ single, “I Ain’t No Brian Wilson (I Was Made For These Times),” singer Becca Fox croons over a groovy, psychedelic guitar riff while the bass and drums pound out an afro-funk rhythm. The whole song simmers smoothly, sounding upbeat and fun but relaxing as well.

Having fun and combining influences is partially what The Gentleman Brawlers are about. The five-piece band made of Fox, guitarists Jim Thomson and Matt “CK” Walsh, bassist Alexis Arkus-Duntov and drummer David Ashkenazy came together in 2011.

“This combination creates a sound that seems pretty original, and people seem to be connecting with it and to us, that's what music culture is,” Walsh said.

The Ridgewood-based band records a lot of their music in their apartment, something they say Queens’ spread-out nature allows for. Their debut EP, “We Were Made For These Times,” came out on Dec. 18, 2012.

The Gentleman Brawlers prides themselves on their energetic live performances. They are currently weighing offers to play in Japan, Scotland and other international destinations, even though multiple band members have other jobs. Part of what makes their stage presence captivating is Fox, who uses her skill as a professional dancer to connect with the crowd.

“The band just gets better and tighter each night, and you can move beyond worrying about simply playing the right notes, and take it to a more

Musicians Of Queens creative level where you're adding those extra touches that really make music come alive for the audience,” Walsh said.

While 2013 holds many upcoming touring plans, the band also feels it is in the midst of another sweeping shift in music and couldn’t be more eager about the possibilities that await them.

“Music is always changing, because our lives are always changing, and music changes right with it,” Walsh said. “We in the Gentleman Brawlers are excited to be swept up in this wave of change.”

Time To Say Cheese!

For those of you in or near Forest Hills, there’s a new store coming that should delight your taste buds and maybe give you a nice alcoholic buzz.

Mr. Vino’s Cucina, a gourmet store, is expected to open sometime this March. The shop will carry more than 100 types of cheese from around the world. Manchego, gouda and mozzarella are all on the menu, as well as selections from France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Greece, Eastern

Europe and Israel.

If you like beer, you’re in luck as well. The Austin Street sort will have the largest selection of beers in the area, over 100 different selections from Belgium, Germany, Japan, Greece and domestic microbreweries.

Mr. Vino’s Cucina also plans to have cheese tastings every weekend.

A store for both cheese coinsures and beer lovers? Looks like this company has found a winning formula!

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.

Ponzi-ing At The Bullpen Gate The New York Mets have entered a business relationship with a company that many have been saying is too close to some of the legal troubles the baseball team has experienced in recent years.

Amway, a multi-billon dollar company that uses independent business owners to distribute various products, has opened its first store front on 126th Street in

Flushing, a short walk from Citifield’s Bullpen Gate entrance.

While we all know about the Mets’ trouble with ponzi schemes, Amway has had similar problems it dealt with in the past.

In 2010, Amway settled an approximately $150 million lawsuit with one of its subsidiaries, Quixtar, which alleged that Amway, and distributors it employed, participated in a

pyramid scheme.

The Mets have gotten some press out of this deal, with unhappy Mets fans calling into various WFAN shows and expressing their concern for Amway being involved with the Mets.

Perhaps this was just a strange coincidence, but maybe the Mets should have partnered with a company that doesn’t have such a checkered past.

Senior Center Scam In S. Ozone Park They’ll steal your lunch money, but not in the way you’d expect…

On Feb. 26, two nonprofit execs and a food vendor were charged with stealing more than $50,000 in City funds by inflating the number of lunches served at a South

Ozone Park senior center.

Chan Jamoona and his daughter, Veda, of the United Hindu Cultural Council, were reportedly arrested along with Steven Rajkumar, owner of Sonny’s Roti Shop.

The trio has allegedly been

stealing lunch money since July of 1999, until a whistleblower informed police about the trio's long running food scam.

Fifty thousand dollars?

This QConf reporter wants to know what kind of food those seniors were ordering…

March 8-14, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23

What’s Up MARCH 8 HIV Awareness Join Queens Library as they raise awareness about the impact of HIV/ AIDS. From 3-4 p.m., find out how to prevent the spread of HIV. Free and confidential HIV testing, provided by ACQC, will take place in a van parked outside the library from 3-7 p.m. Wear your red pumps or red tie in solidarity, and take control of your health! The event is free. Queens Central Library is located at 89-11 Merrick Blvd.

MARCH 9 Roy Wilkins Park Atlantic City Fundraiser As a fundraiser to benefit Roy Wilkins Park, the organization will be giving locals a chance to take a trip to Atlantic City Resorts Casino. If you are not a gambler, the trip will also be a great opportunity to shop. For additional information about the trip, call Ernest Darby at (718) 978-6546, Mary Ramseur at (917) 863-1728, Andrew Straker at (917) 863-7356 or Wendy White at (917) 916-6891. The bus will leave from the corner of Merrick Boulevard and Foch Boulevard at 9 a.m.

Tickets are $35 with a $15 rebate.

JSPOA Pre-Spring Fashion Show The Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults will host its Pre-Spring Fashion Show. This fundraiser will benefit JSPOA and its programs.

Come out and party. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to noon. Tickets are $10. The JSPOA Theodora G. Jackson Adult Center is located at 92-47 165th St.

Hands-on History: Pastime Fun & Games Learn about the games and activities that would take place in a parlor.

Enjoy, crafts and stories at this fun, free family event. Hands-on History workshops are free drop-in programs designed for families with children.

The entire event is free and will begin at noon at the King Manor Museum located at 153rd Street and Jamaica Avenue.

Your Child in the NYC Public School System Learn about the rights of your child, special education services, how to speak up for your child and more at the Queens Central Library at 2 p.m.

The event is free.

Plaza Theatrical Productions Presents The Wizard of Oz Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the

Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion in this sure-to-please adaptation complete with costumes, sets and the music of the MGM movie. The movie screening will take place at the Queens Central Library at 4 p.m. and is free.

MARCH 10 Ladies for Leroy: An Evening of Live Jazz Ladies for Leroy is pleased to present An Evening of Live Jazz to benefit Leroy Comrie’s campaign for Queens Borough President. Come for an afternoon/evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live jazz performances. Make checks payable to Comrie for NYC. For more information contact (917) 737-2415 or email comrieforqueens@gmail.com. To purchase tickets online, visit www.comrieforqueens.com/donate.

The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center located at 172-17 Linden Blvd. Ticket prices vary.

MARCH 11 Stay Well Learn how special exercises and relaxation techniques can make a difference in your life. This free event will be held at 10 a.m. at the Queens Central Library.

Visiting Nurse Service Program This program is for families, caregivers, older adults and anyone 18 years and older who might be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.

The Visiting Nurse Service will talk about Choice Health Plans, prescription plans and a variety of services, as well as helping to determine eligibility and facilitating paperwork. Free blood pressure screenings will also be offered. The free event will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Queens Central Library.

Are You Ready for the GED? Are you ready for the GED? The Queens Central Library is offering a free GED assessment for kids ages 17 and up. Call (718) 480-4300 to schedule an appointment. This free program will be held at the Adult Learning Center located 91-14 Merrick Blvd., 6th Floor, Jamaica at 9:30 a.m.

MARCH 12 Healthy Living with Hypertension or Diabetes Did you know that hypertension and diabetes can lead to kidney disease? Find out how to prevent or slow its progression. Free blood pressure and blood glucose screenings will also

be available. The free event will be held at the Queens Central Library at 2 p.m.

Proposal Writing Seminar Susan Shiroma, Senior Librarian of the Foundation Center in New York, will review the basics of writing proposals and how the proposal fits into the overall grant seeking process. Space is limited. Preregister online or in person or call (718) 9900714 or (212)620-4230. The event is free and will be held at the Queens Central Library at 3 p.m.

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.

NYC Comptroller John Liu The 103rd Precinct Community Council is pleased to present Comptroller John Liu. All are invited. For additional information, call (718) 657-8195 or (917) 861-4960. The event will be held at the Saint Benedict the Moor Church located at 171-17 110th Ave., at 7:45 p.m. and is free.

MATCH 13 Aerobics for Adults Keep that New Year’s resolution with free weekly fitness classes through ShapeUp NYC. Aerobics for Adults, a free class offered at the Queens Central Library, provides a moderate workout that burns calories and improves cardiac function. Space is limited. Participation is on a firstcome, first-served basis. The class starts at 4 p.m.

MARCH 14 A Taste of Queens The Queens Fellowship is pleased to present “A Taste of Queens”. Come sample the food and enjoy live music and entertainment. The event will also feature the introduction of “One Queens” grant and auction. All proceeds will support the efforts of Queens-based nonprofits that education and advocate for a healthier Queens.

To RSVP, contact Hannah Weinerman at weinermanh@jcrcny.org or call (212) 983-4800 Ext. 144. Tickets are $20. The event will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica from 6 to 8 p.m. The church is located at 89-60 164th St.

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

It includes insurance, weekly training sessions and a t-shirt. Full payment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Second Floor, St. Albans, for the community on various topics such as domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse intervention, decision making, condom use, high risk behaviors leading to HIV, and self – esteem awareness. All group sessions offer light snacks and beverages.

Group sessions are open to the public.

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