Press epaper 031414

Volume 15 Issue No. 11 March 14-20, 2014

HALTING CO-LOCATIONS

PRESS Photo by Luis Gronda

Public Advocate Letitia James files a suit to stop school colocations, including plans in Southeast Queens.

By Natalia Kozikowska … Page 4.

Councilman I. Daneek Miller discusses school issues, including a charter school colocation at IS 59… Page 5.

ONLINE AT WWW.QUEENSPRESS.COM

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 14-20, 2014

News Briefs Wills Introduces Bill To Help Homeless Families

Weill Music Institute Petra Richterova

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On March 12, Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) introduced a resolution to call for the passage of a State budget that does not bar New York City from using State reimbursement for rental subsidy programs for the homeless.

As of January, the homeless population has exceeded 53,000 in the Dept. of Homeless Services’ shelters throughout the City. With the loss of vital services, such as the Section 8 Housing subsidy, lack of affordable housing options and an ever increasing public housing waiting list, New York City’s homeless population has increased and has caused a strain on DHS shelter systems.

The proposed bill calls for a change in the language of the current proposed State budget, which at present prohibits State reimbursements to the type of rental-subsidy program that is needed to drastically lower the recidivism rate for homeless families and adults.

The loss of State funding for the Advantage program due to this language left more than 10,000 families without any affordable housing options. This resulted in affected individuals and families, many of which returned to the homeless shelter systems, being placed on waiting lists spanning between two to five years before being eligible for any subsidized services toward obtaining permanent housing.

“Last year, our homeless population reached a dismal number exceeding 50,000. The severe and rapidly increasing numbers are cause for concern and demand a real solution today,” Wills said in a statement. “Removing State limitations on funding for rental subsidies that allowed for the creation of the Advantage Program will allow New York City the dexterity to take many homeless individuals and families out of the shelter system and provide a pathway towards a permanent housing solution.”

HEAP Deadline Approaching

New Yorkers will have until March 17 to sign up for the Home Energy Assistance Program.

HEAP is a federally-funded program that assists low-income New Yorkers with the cost of heating their homes.

The program also offers an emergency benefit for households in a heat or heat related energy emergency.

A HEAP representative will be in Councilman Donovan Richards’ (DLaurelton) Rockaway office on the upcoming Friday and Monday, as the program ends.

All related paperwork must be postmarked by March 17.

Richards’ office is located at 19-31 Mott Ave., Far Rockaway.

To register for HEAP, visit www. otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/apply.

Community Board 9 Elects New Chair

The new Community Board 9 chairperson was elected without much of the controversy the board has become known for in the past year.

Ralph Gonzalez, an Ozone Park resident who has served on CB9 for eight years, was unanimously elected as the new head of the board Tuesday night, in the same neighborhood he calls home.

Rounding out CB9’s brand new executive board, Raj Rampershad, from Richmond Hill, is now the 1st Vice Chairperson; Woodhaven’s J. Richard Smith was elected as 2nd Vice Chairperson and Marie Turley from Kew Gardens will now serve as Executive Secretary.

In his last meeting as CB9 chairperson, Jim Coccovillo nominated Gonzalez for the position himself, deciding not to run for a second year.

Coccovillo’s time as CB9’s head was marred with controversy, including attempting to remove longtime district manager Mary Ann Carey from that position and trying to kick Sam Esposito off the board for alleged anti-Semitic comments he made towards other members.

The unwanted attention left many board members frustrated and looking to head in a new direction for its leadership.

With Gonzalez running unopposed, every board member raised their hands in support of the selection. The board cheered Gonzalez after it was official and the elated Ozone Park resident received many congratulations from his colleagues and representatives of elected officials through the rest of the night.

“It feels awesome. I’m glad to have the full support of the board,” Gonzalez said.

Coccovillo praised Gonzalez for the work he has put in as chair of the health committee and a board member overall.

“He’s got more talent and everything else than I ever knew, he’s got a ton of information, he’s a professional in his own right,” Coccovillo said.

Reflecting on his time as chairperson, he said one thing he learned was he did not know the kind of power he had because one decision he made would have been made differently. Coccovillo declined to elaborate on what he was referencing when asked.

“There’s no sense of bringing up spilled milk,” he said.

March 14-20, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Participatory Budgeting Comes To D31

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) is giving his constituents a chance to decide how they want their tax dollars spent.

Earlier this year, Richards announced that he will allow Rockaway residents to vote on how they want $1 million of the City Council’s discretionary budget spent. Richards became the fourth Queens pol to adopt the process, joining City Councilmen Eric Ulrich (R-Howard Beach) and Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) and former Councilman Dan Halloran.

“It is a good way to get everybody to get together and get involved and really make the determination of things they would like to see in their own community,” Richards said.

“These are their tax dollars and they should have stake in how their tax dollars are spent. My office wanted to begin the new term with transparency and we want people to be part of the process.”

Because the Rockaway Peninsula

back in a room and start moving the conversation forward in terms of the community. It’s the first time we’re doing it, so we wanted to make sure we understood the mechanics. Of course, after Sandy, the Rockaways certainly needed some infrastructure money.”

Although residents outside of the Rockaways will not be taking part in this cycle’s process, Richards revealed his plans to bring participatory budgeting to constituents in other parts of his district later this year.

“For the first round, because this was a pilot, we are doing the Rockaways. Next year, we are moving it to the mainland, so they will have it this upcoming budget cycle. We will start organizing that sometime in July,” he said. “I’m looking forward to moving it to Laurelton and Rosedale and Springfield Gardens for the community over there. This was a litmus test, but it definitely passed.”

Richards said that he has tried to remain relatively low-key throughout the process to ensure that residents are voting for and listening to proj-

Councilman Donovan Richards was the hardest hit area in Richards’ district after Superstorm Sandy, the Councilman said he wanted to first try participatory budgeting in that part of his district.

“I wanted to start thinking about ways we can mobilize the community in the Rockaways post-Sandy,” he said. “We needed to get everybody

ects that suit their needs.

“I did not remain too engaged in the process,” he said. “One of the things I wanted to do was make sure that they knew it was their project and as government, we would listen to them and let them lead the way.”

According to Richards, more than 100 constituents showed up at the first meeting and close to 20 projects were proposed. Of the 20 projects pitched, residents narrowed it down to three that seemed feasible.

“This thing took more legs than I thought it would,” he said. “The community really is engaged and after the votes are over, we want to figure a way we can keep this process together.”

Residents will get to vote on the proposals from March 29 to April 6 at various polling locations in the Rockaways. For more information about polling sites, call Councilman Donovan Richards’ Far Rockaway office at (718) 471-7014.

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

BY JOE MARVILLI The First Lady of Massachusetts returned to her alma mater last week to speak about her life, career and experiences.

First Lady Diane Patrick, class of 1972, stopped by Queens College on March 7 and spoke to students and participants in the college’s Women and Work program in the President’s Lounge.

One of the most in-depth discussions was on Patrick’s experiences with domestic abuse in a seven-year marriage. She had met and married a man in New York and they went to Los Angeles together, where she went to law school. Over time, a steady stream of mental abuse had built up from him towards her.

“He began to make me feel like I was nothing. I was not attractive, I was not smart, I was incapable of making decisions,” Patrick said.

“Over time, I began to feel like I was worthless and I could do no right.”

While Patrick tried, and failed, to leave the marriage a couple of times, it took the help of a close friend and her future husband, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, to give her the strength to leave the abusive marriage for good.

“Slowly, but surely, [Deval] made me feel like I had a voice I could use, a voice that I should use. I didn’t deserve what I was going through,” she said. “He helped me feel strong enough to say ‘enough.’”

In an effort to help others in similar situations, Patrick fights to end domestic violence, working with families and law enforcement to find the root causes of abuse.

In terms of her career, Patrick said that she learned to cope with being a practicing lawyer, a mother and the First Lady of the state by separating the various aspects of her life.

“There’s my personal life. There’s my work life. There’s my First Lady life. And never the twain meets. I don’t want to be treated any differently in any aspect of my life,” she said. “If you don’t compartmentalize, it becomes overwhelming.”

Patrick also talked about how her time at Queens College helped shape her into the successful woman she is today. When she was at the college, she focused on becoming a teacher, a path that she would follow for five years in the NYC public school system before layoffs led her to go to law school.

Despite missing the community

Photo by Joe Marvilli

First Lady Of Massachusetts Returns To Queens College

First Lady of Massachusetts Diane Patrick stopped by Queens College, her alma mater, to talk about her life and career. factor found in a college with dormitories, Patrick said she had the best professors, people who would not only teach, but were willing to listen to good ideas. In one of her classes, she told the professor that the school visits they were doing only went to white schools. Her professor asked her to find another school and she did, opting for the place her mom

taught at, in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

“That became the first stop on that professor’s classroom trip visits for the next decade or so. Not only did I receive a lot but the faculty that taught me were willing to receive as well,” Patrick said.

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 14-20, 2014

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA At a town hall meeting in Brooklyn last week, Public Advocate Letitia James announced that she is moving forward with a lawsuit against the City in an effort to block the 36 charter school co-locations approved by Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Dept. of Education.

But while James is moving forward with her lawsuit to stop charter co-locations, de Blasio is also getting heat from charter school supporters.

On March 10, Success Academy Charter School CEO Eva Moskowitz announced that she had too had filed a lawsuit against the City in an attempt to reinstate the nixed co-location plans.

At the end of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s term, the Dept. of Education had approved 44 co-locations, but nine were vetoed by the de Blasio administration. Of the nine axed colocations, Success Academy Charter School accounted for three – one of which was slated to open at August Martin High School in Jamaica.

Though James praised de Blasio for rescinding some of the charter co-locations, she is not satisfied.

“When co-locations are jammed through without input from parents,

teachers and our communities – and without properly analyzing the impact they would have on our children – we simply can't stand by,” she said in a statement. “I commend the de Blasio administration for setting the right precedent and blocking some forced co-locations, but we must do more to ensure that every child has access to quality education and that parents’ voices are heard.”

Charter school advocates, on the other hand, argued that by putting a stop to the co-locations, nearly 200 school children will be displaced and crucial programs for disabled students would be compromised.

Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica), the third litigant on James’ lawsuit, praised the DOE’s decision to reverse the Success Academy/August Martin High School co-location, which would have placed elementary-aged school children with high school students.

Despite the DOE’s decision to overturn the co-location of Success Academy into August Martin High School, the administration will instead co-locate the Jamaica school with another public school.

“My issue is not against charter schools. I think charter schools have a place in our educational communi-

Photo by Luis Gronda

Letitia James Moves Forward With Lawsuit Against City

Public Advocate Letitia James announced her plans to move forward with a lawsuit against the City in an effort to block charter school co-locations approved

by Mayor Bill de Blasio earlier this month. If her lawsuit is successful, plans to co-locate Success Academy Charter School with IS 59 in Springfield Gardens this fall would be axed. ty. My issue is co-locations period,” Wills said. “Co-locations do not work for the most part and the previous administration rushed them through with no community input, no community leadership and no input from elected officials.”

“I’m tired of the administration and other people using minority students as talking points when they have no real concerns about these minority students. If they did, they would have been talking about these minority students going to schools that are falling apart,” he added. “They would have spoken about them not having SMART boards and the technology that they’ve needed for the longest.”

Councilman I. Daneek Miller (DSt. Albans) has also openly spoken out against charter co-locations. Earlier this month, Miller wrote a letter to the Mayor and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, slamming charter school co-locations. In his district, IS 59 in Springfield Gardens is slated to co-locate with Success Academy this fall.

“Every child deserves a quality education and all schools deserve the resources to ensure proper delivery of that education. By allowing privately-run charters to siphon off public funds and receive in-kind contributions through free rent, utilities and janitorial services, we are denying the vast majority of our children the essential resources they need to thrive in the 21st century,” he wrote in the letter. “Instead, public students are crammed into buildings that have become multi-school dwellings while funds are being allocated to the pockets of for-profit charter administrators.”

As for de Blasio, he has remained relatively low-key about his thoughts on the lawsuits against the City. A lawyer representing James in the suit anticipates that the case will be heard before a court sometime in the next two weeks.

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

March 14-20, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

OP-ED

a Closer look at School Decisions

By CounCilman i. Daneek miller As you may have heard, I recently wrote a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña regarding my concern for both school co-locations and charters.

Given their prominence in New York City today, it is only appropriate that we carefully examine each issue.

In 2002, charter schools were a rarity in our City and only 17 populated the five boroughs. After twelve years under the Bloomberg Administration, public funding to privately run charters multiplied by 20 and currently 159 charters are strewn across the five boroughs. Some of these schools do fine work, even here in Southeast Queens, educating our children both inside and outside of the classroom. However, too often the success of a few charter schools has come to the detriment of many public schools. These privately run, for-profit charters siphon off streams of public funding from our public schools and are currently afforded free rent, utilities and building main-

tenance services. Meanwhile, public school students are deserted as funding dries up, forcing them into multi-school buildings – known as co-locations – to share facilities.

Some have turned to State officials for answers. To them, I would like to remind that New York State’s courts have already established that our City’s children are underfunded by Albany. There is currently a $2.7 billion gap between where funding levels stand today and where the State’s obligations require them to be at. Albany has not lived up to this mandate and today we must question the State’s credibility on educational issues.

When we speak of a “tale of two cities,” few issues strike to the heart of this injustice more than the exorbitant amount of funding charter schools receive at the expense of public school students, many of whom are crammed inside of multi-school buildings. Every child deserves the best education we can provide for them. To give in excess to a select few at the expense of many others is wrong. To funnel public money into the pockets of charter school

administrators is unacceptable. To force public school students to share overworked facilities and be marched into “turf wars” against one another as private charters receive public funding and complementary benefits – that is a sin. And it does not value the efforts of our children in their pursuit of a good education.

As I told the Mayor and Chancellor: I oppose this corporatization of our City’s schools – our children are not for sale.

For these reasons I oppose school co-locations and the placement of any new charter schools in our dis-

trict and in Southeast Queens. I have asked the Mayor and Chancellor to reconsider their proposals for a public co-location at Magnet Educational (Andrew Jackson) Campus and a charter co-location at IS 59.

I will be holding an upcoming town hall-style discussion on this subject with leading experts in the coming weeks and look forward to seeing you there. Please make sure to follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/daneek.miller, Twitter at @IDaneekMiller, or e-mail your first and last name to district27@council. nyc.gov in order to get on our mailing list. I will be in touch with the specifics of this meeting.

I look forward to the Administration’s response to my letter request and urge you to reach out to the Mayor’s Office, the Dept. of Education, and hope to see you soon at the town hall.

I. Daneek Miller is the councilman for the 27th Council District, which represents all or parts of St. Albans, Hollis, Cambria Heights, Queens Village, Addisleigh Park, Jamaica and Springfield Gardens.

The Friends of Bill Scarborough Invite you to the Scarborough 2014 Election Kickoff

Featuring honored guests Andrene Williams, and the Ladydoves Self-Enrichment Organization

Thursday, March 20, 2014 6:30 – 9:30PM The Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center 172-17 Linden Blvd; St. Albans, NY (Off Merrick) Tickets: $75. / Friend $250. / Patron $500.

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Terry Ebony DeMendoca, Executive Director of Misunderstood Youth Development Center, and author of “Losing Love, Having Faith, and Finding Hope”.

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Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 14-20, 2014

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 Editor-in-Chief:

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Natalia Kozikowska Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Trisha Sakhuja

Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Lianne Procanyn Barbara Townsend Maureen Coppola Advertising Director Shanie Persaud Director Corporate Accounts/ Events Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin Brenda Jones

A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2014 Tribco, LLC

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

Harlem Explosion Should Lead To Stricter Policies

Editorial Students Pay The Price In the latest of developments in the co-location saga, the City has been slapped with lawsuits from both charter school advocates and concerned elected officials who believe that charter school co-locations will take much-needed resources away from public school students. And it seems no matter which way the court will rule, students will suffer.

While we believe there is most certainly a place for charter schools in our City, co-locating privately-run charters with struggling Southeast Queens public schools is not the best solution.

Children of both schools will be fighting for classroom space, gym space, computers and other valuable resources. This is especially true in the case of August Martin High School in Jamaica and IS 59 in Springfield Gardens, where parents have expressed their concerns with overcrowding long before co-location plans were even proposed.

Though we side with Public Advocate Letitia James in the lawsuit to block charter co-locations, we empathize with the some 200 students of Success Academy who will be displaced as a result.

The nixed plans to co-locate the charter school will not only leave those students unsure of where they will attend school this fall – they have also taken seats away from special needs students.

The fault truly lies in the Bloomberg Administration, which rushed nearly 50 co-locations at the very end of Michael Bloomberg’s term. This left our new mayor, Bill de Blasio, in a lose-lose predicament because students from all over the City – from both public schools and charter schools, are the ones who will pay the price.

A Personal Perspective

By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Every time you think you’ve seen and heard it all living in New York City, something happens to prove otherwise.

The explosion in Harlem that leveled two apartment buildings, killing, injuring and permanently maiming residents this week, has shocked the City.

Reportedly, residents had been smelling a gaseous odor for weeks and either they didn’t think to report it or it was reported without followup action. Either way, by the time an emergency call was registered on Wednesday morning, when the smell became nauseating, it was too late. The buildings blew up within minutes after the call was made.

You wonder how that could

happen in a city like New York. It happened in Queens nearly five years ago this April too.

As Con Edison workers lifted a manhole cover on the street near a Floral Park house, it exploded, causing a woman’s death inside the home and injuring a man in a house next door. Now here we go again, only this time the death toll is at least five and counting.

Somebody must have reported [the gas leak], so why was nothing done to fix the problem?

This was no doubt a preventable tragedy. I hope they will find out the cause soon and that people will be held accountable and policies put in place to ensure this never happens again because someone was careless.

We must demand reform.

The residents of our City deserve no less.

OP-ED

‘We Are Our Brother’s Keeper’

By JOnATHAn QuASH Much is said of the state of Black America, especially young Black males, but there are so few who willing to offer solutions to combat the incarceration rates (one in three Black males born in 2009 will likely be a guest of penitentiary in his lifetime;) or bolster graduation rates (only 52 percent of Black males graduate high school). There is an eagerness to point out the issues, but the zeal is lacking when it is time to mete out solutions.

A few weeks ago, President Barack Obama offered suggestions to some of the ills facing the Black family, “My Brother’s Keeper,” which is aimed at empowering boys and young men of color. At York College, of the City University of New York, we know that we are our brother’s keeper, and understand the importance of providing support and resources to ensure that young men of color are not forgotten and their bright futures become the

norm and not the exception.

For the past eight years, the Black Male Initiative, a CUNY wide endeavor, has been operating in communities across New York City and have tended and nurtured the futures of many young men.

At York College, the programs affiliated with the Male Initiative run the gamut and their common goal is to contribute to the improved enrollment and graduation rates of under-represented populations, particularly Black and Latino male students. Our passion lies in helping students prepare for college, and once here, helping them succeed.

The young men who participate in the program at times come to us unprepared and they do not know or understand their full potential.

There is nothing like watching a young man come into his own and being a witness to something amazing. Untapped potential exists, but at times, these young men do not know nor understand that

their bright beginnings were always within their grasp.

Our slate of programs includes Teachers as Leaders, which serves as a training and mentorship program. Students with interest in becoming educators gain classroom experience while they mentor younger scholars. This program was previously funded by the Deutsche Bank of Americas Foundation and the Schott Foundation for Public Education, but currently, we are in desperate need of financial support to ensure Teacher’s as Leaders will be here for the next generation of scholars.

Another program in our wheelhouse is our structured mentoring program, which shepherds freshman through the ins and outs of their undergraduate years and provides support to post-graduate degrees. The Barbershop program, a monthly forum sponsored by our Men’s Center, allows students to express their opinions about any issue. It is a space that allows them to be

heard without judgment.

We bolster their confidence and pride by giving them shining examples of their possibilities.

We host the Annual Men’s Conference every fall. The seminar highlights the success of members of the college surrounding communities as the gold standard. Attendees share their stories of hardship and triumph; these anecdotes are the basis for inspiration and aspiration.

The beauty of the Male Initiative is that our doors are never closed to anyone seeking help; we try to reach every individual no matter their station in life. Though aptly named, we also serve women.

We think of ourselves as a resource for the community at large.

We at the CUNY York College Male Initiative take pride in our mission to aid anyone who has vowed to change their lives.

Jonathan Quash is the director of the York College Men’s Center and an adjunct lecturer.

March 14-20, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

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Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 14-20, 2014

Jamaica Sees Historic Investment Last week, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) joined members of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation to announce the largest private investment in Jamaica in decades.

BRP Companies, a minorityowned developer, will build a 400unit mixed-income housing complex near the Jamaica Air Train station.

The $225 million project will also feature at least 80,000-square-feet of commercial space and retail space.

The 26-story development, which is expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2015, will be built at the corner of Archer Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard on six parcels of land that BRP Companies purchased from GJDC. The project site is located just feet away from the biggest transit hub in Queens, where 10 lines of the Long Island Rail Road, two subway lines and dozens of buses meet. Residents of the new building will be just eight minutes from John F. Kennedy Airport and just 22 minutes away from Penn Station in Manhattan. “[This project] makes the most of our unique assets, particularly its proximity and connection to JFK Airport and the access right across the street to the Air Train and the vast transportation infrastructure already in place here,” Meeks said.

looking to the Future

In his congratulatory speech, the Congressman touted the efforts of the GJDC, which has been working to bring the development to the transit-oriented area for more than a decade.

“It has taken them over 12 years since Carlisle [Towery, GJDC president] and the team had this vision.

They recognized the value of a transit development in the station area,” he said. “Many times we had false hopes. We would stop and we would go. Sometimes people thought nothing would happen.”

Despite the delay, Meeks said he is hopeful that the project will enhance retail opportunities and further revitalize Jamaica.

“This is only the beginning folks – the beginning of a new day in Downtown Jamaica,” he said. “These, along with the projects being developed …., we believe is the catalyst for a wave of development that is not only coming – it’s here in Downtown Jamaica. We are making Jamaica Exhibit A for Mayor [Bill] de Blasio for development.”

Assemblyman William Scarbor-

Photos by Natalia Kozikowska

By NatalIa KozIKowSKa

Last January, GJDC and The Bluestone Organization began construction on the 161st Street mixed-income housing apartments in Jamaica. The building, which will also include retail space, is expected to generate over $30 million in local economic activity and construct 100 affordable homes for families and individuals.

The apartments, which will assemblyman william Scarborough (left) praised the efforts of Greater Jamaica in helping to be named Norman bring the largest private investment in Jamaica in decades. Carlisle towery (right), president of Towers, will consist Greater Jamaica, was brought to tears while reflecting on the 12 years it took to bring the his- of 100 units in two toric development to the area. nine-story elevatorserviced towers ough (D-Jamaica), who was also for completion sometime in 2017 – built over a connecting cellar. There will be a total of seven studios, 72 on hand for the celebration, echoed two years after it breaks ground.

Meeks’ sentiments.

Other highlighted amenities in- one-bedroom apartments and 21 two“To see this come together is clude underground parking, a 24- bedroom apartments. Other amenities will include a bicycle room and just wonderful,” he said. “This is a hour doorman and a fitness center. journey – not a destination. We are “We’ll do right by you all with this parking.

In May of last year, GJDC anon the path to making Jamaica the development. Our team is ready to greatest place that you can come to go and we are going to hire the best nounced that it will be pairing up in Queens, and even the City of New and the brightest,” Marshall said. with Blumenfeld Development Group York.”

“We think that this could be our best to transform two parking lots on JaCommunity partproject. If you look at maica Avenue into a large modern ners similarly lauded “This is a journey – all of these boroughs, retail space.

The announcement marked the the investment as a Queens is the largest major step in the revi- not a destination. borough and has a di- first time that Jamaica could potentalization of the com- We are on the path to verse population and tially see a new department store in than 35 years. In the 1970s and munity. making Jamaica the it has all the econom- more “We congratulate ic demographic stats 1980s, big-box retailers left Jamaica Greater Jamaica on greatest place that that you would want Avenue and moved to suburban areas another positive step you can come to in as a development where business was more profitable.

GJDC has also been instrumental forward in the con- Queens, and even the company.” tinuing revitalization The Goldman in spearheading Jamaica’s Brownof the home of the City of New York.”

Sachs Urban Invest- field Opportunity Areas project. The LIRR’s headquarters ment Group is work- project supports aggressive marketing – assemblyman and most important ing with GJDC and strategy to attract private investment william Scarborough BRP Companies to for the redevelopment of the Jamaica hub station. It serves as a gateway for so provide financing for Station Area. It also supports preliminary design studies for infrastructure many domestic and international the development. travelers who use Air Train,” said “We are pleased to work with the improvements, focusing on enhancing LIRR president Helena Williams team to bring this important transit- pedestrian and vehicular routes leadin a statement. “The LIRR remains oriented development to Queens, ing into Station Area.

Other beautification projects incommitted to working with Greater which will provide quality mixedJamaica to benefit an area that is key income housing and retail to an area cluded; Station Plaza, which will create for our customers and for the City of that is in great need of investment,” new subway entrances, canopies, and a New York.” said Diana Powell, head of Goldman roadway realignment which would widSachs, in a statement. “We have seen en the sidewalks; the Atlantic Avenue Building amenities firsthand that strong-public private extension, which will construct a new According to Meredith Marshall, partnerships are an essential tool to street, linking Atlantic Avenue with managing partner and co-founder of further revitalize communities with 95th Avenue and; the rehabilitation of BRP Companies, at least one quarter job opportunities and neighborhood the Long Island Railroad underpass.

For more information about the of the units will be set aside for af- amenities.” projects of the Greater Jamaica Defordable housing, but the figures are velopment Corporation, visit www. one of Many subject to change.

The new mixed-housing, mixed- gjdc.org.

Marshall also revealed that BRP Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowswill aim to construct a “green” build- use project is just one of many that ing, which will feature solar-powered will be coming to the Downtown Ja- ka at nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska. elements. The project is scheduled maica area in the coming years.

March 14-20, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 14-20, 2014

Photo by Joe Marvilli

pix

Mets Anthem Search

City Harvest

Above, vying for a chance to sing the National Anthem on Opening Day at Citi Field was Victoria Labban, an Ozone Park resident who attends Promise Christian Academy in Flushing.

Festival Showing

Resorts World Casino New York City hosted their largest fundraiser, “Mid-Winter Taste for City Harvest,” on Feb. 26. This special tasting event featured food, wine and cocktails from some of the most popular chefs, restaurants and beverage vendors. Miss USA Erin Brady was one of the celebrity guests.

Filmmaker Cyril Mahe with Katha Cato, co-founder of the Queens World Film Festival. Mahe, who produces videos for the PRESS of Southeast Queens, had his film, “The Devil May Care (Don’t Be So Vain)” selected to be shown as part of the event.

High Speed Support

A $100,000 contribution for City Harvest came through Resorts World’s charitable giving program – Resorts World Gives –an organization committed to improving communities and helping those in need throughout the City.

State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis) is a strong supporter and one of the State's leading elected officials reviewing the High Speed Rail and Empire Corridor plan by the NYSDOT and U.S. Dept. of Transportation.

March 14-20, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Police Blotter 105th Precinct

officers observed approximately five pounds of alleged heroin on the taCity Employee Arrested ble in the kitchen. The officers then At 4:47 a.m. on March 10, police placed the suspect under arrest. arrested Alveto Green, 26, an off-duThe courts granted police a search ty EMT with the FDNY, and charged warrant. After further search of the him with criminal possession of a apartment, 1,948 glassines of heroin weapon. were discovered, along with packing materials and packing equipment.

The suspect, Frank Giardina of Fresh Meadows, was charged with Drug Arrest first-degree criminal posAt 11:05 p.m. on session of a controlled March 7, uniformed suspect, amount greater officers assigned to than 8 oz.; second dethe 107th Precinct regree criminal possessponded to a 311 call sion of a controlled of a noise complaint at substance, metham67-11 161st St., Fresh Police seized 1,948 glass- phetamine; third-degree Meadows. Upon arriv- ines of heroin from an criminal possession of a al, responding officers apartment in Fresh Mead- controlled substance, inheard a loud radio com- ows, within the confines tent to sell; and criminal ing from apartment 3B. of the 107th Precinct. possession of marijuana.

The officers knocked on the door and the suspect answered, holding a marijuana pipe. The officers, with the intention of writing the Collision Investigation suspect a summons, asked him for At 10:25 p.m. on March 7, pohis identification. Once inside, the lice responded to a 911 call of a

107th Precinct

114th Precinct

pedestrian struck at Northern the incident is being investigated by Boulevard and 40th Road. the NYPD’s Highway Division, ColUpon arrival, police officers lision Investigation Squad. observed the victim, identified as Kumar Grand Larceny Ragunath, 64, of Kew The NYPD is asking Gardens, unconscious the public’s assistance and unresponsive with identifying the suspect severe head trauma wanted for grand larand a broken leg. EMS ceny. responded and transOn Jan. 13, the vicported the victim to tim’s credit card was Elmhurst Hospital, stolen from his locker where he later died at Retro Fitness, lofrom his injuries. cated at 32-32 49th St., Further investigation revealed that a dark- This individual is wanted Long Island City. Later colored Chevy Blazer in connection to a grand that day, the credit card was traveling in the larceny within the con- was used at Home Deright lane westbound fines of the 114th Pre- pot, located at 50-10 Northern Blvd., to puron Northern Boule- cinct. chase two box drills. vard when the vehicle Anyone with instruck the pedestrian, who was attempting to cross North- formation should call the NYPD’s ern Boulevard outside of any marked Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS, visit www.nypdcrimestopcrosswalk.

After striking the pedestrian, the pers.com or text tips to 274637 vehicle fled the scene westbound. (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All There are no arrests at this time and calls are confidential.

Borough Beat

Five Francis Lewis Robotics Teams Make Regionals

BY JOE MARVILLI Five teams from Francis Lewis High School competed in the NYC FIRST Tech Challenge Championship Tournament, which took place this past Saturday at NYU-Poly in Brooklyn.

Francis Lewis is the only school to have five teams competing in the Regional Championship Tournament.

The Mecha Knights, The Super Troublemakers, Tetricons, Anonymous Autonomous and Titanium Tigers all made the qualifier. Titanium Tigers rose above the competition to make the top eight, advancing to the Eastern Super-Regional Championship on April 3-5 in York, PA. More than 200 teams competed in the qualifier round for a spot in the regionals, with 40 groups advancing.

The FIRST Tech Challenge is for students between the ages of 14 and 18 years old. Teams of up to 10 students design, build and program their robots to compete in a game of skill and strategy against other teams.

The FIRST Tech Challenge robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and uses a variety of programming languages.

The teams put together strategies and build their robots based on sound engineering principles. The robots are put in challenges that test their programming and maneuverability,

between September and April.

While their robot remained Francis Lewis’ achievement relatively the same between is a rarity. No other school in the qualifier and the regional the regional competition has competition, the team said had five teams qualify, accordit plans to put in extra effort ing to the regional director of and tweak it into top form for NYC FIRST, Pat Daly. She said the next round. the strength and integration of The Super-Regional winthe school’s robotics programs ner will move on to the gave the students an advantage, World Championship, taking as did their maturity. place in St. Louis on April 23 “They are very disciplined. to 26. That round will feature I was surprised there were so teams from other countries many, but not that surprised,” Two advancing teams cheering during a competition as well. she said. “You have to beg [the match during the FIRST Tech Challenge NYC/LI ChamWhile Francis Lewis has students] to leave the school pionship – Team 4995 Titanium Tigers from Francis fully embraced the FIRST because they love what they’re Lewis High School in Fresh Meadows, NY (left in white program, its values are not doing.” team shirts with dark sleeves) and Team 5069 Robogam- just in teaching the students Titanium Tigers is also a ers, an independent team from New York, NY (right in robotics. According to Daly, unique group at Francis Lew- black t-shirts with red, blue, yellow baseball hats). it gives them a whole range is, as it is an all-girl team. The of skills that they build up as team formed in the previous school and trying to program. It’s not just they work together. year and currently has nine mem- about the robots. The program itself “The robot is a catalyst for more. bers. The students and their coach, is about building character.”

It teaches them problem solving, it One of the biggest challenges teaches them team-building skills.

Marlon Anuran, were excited that the Tigers were advancing to the in creating a working robot is the They learn amazing science and programming. Aysha Qureshi, the technology skills,” she said. “I’ve next round.

“This season has been a phenom- team’s programmer, said that she had kids tells me how it’s changed enal one for our team. We are the had to reach a consensus with her their lives. Watching a kid have a only high school in New York City teammates for the robot’s design and robot move for the first time and that had five schools competing. I’m programming to match up. meet one of these challenges is “Overall, the challenge was com- amazing.” very proud of that accomplishment,” Anuran said. “Robotics is all we do. ing up with the robot design,” she Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) They will spend long hours, until said. “You learn more as you go 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queen7:30, 8 at night, fixing their robots along.” stribune.com, or @Joey788.

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 14-20, 2014

A&E

Hip Hop Legends To Perform At Casino

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA In an effort to bring classic oldschool rap and hip hop back to the neighborhood, on March 15, Resorts World Casino will present a “Legends of Hip Hop” concert.

The concert will feature a variety of legendary rappers, including Naughty by Nature, Kurtis Blow, Black Sheep, DJ Kool, Marley Marl and DJ Skribble – all of whom dominated the hip hop sphere in the 1980s and 1990s.

Given Jamaica’s deep roots in hip hop and rap, it comes as no surprise that Resorts World chose to host such a concert for fans. Jamaica is home to a number of popular rappers, including 50 Cent, Salt-n-Pepa and Nicki Minaj.

“Hip hop has deep roots and a tremendous presence in New York City and Resorts World Casino is excited to bring such a high caliber of artists to Queens,” said Michelle Stoddart, director of public relations at Resorts World.

ry, and released the album “Christmas Rappin.” The album sold more than 400,000 copies and its followup, “The Break,” sold over half a million copies. Kurtis Blow was also the first rapper to perform overseas.

Black Sheep is a hip hop duo from Queens, and much Naughty by Nature will perform at “Legends of Hip like Naughty by NaHop” on March 15 at Resorts World Casino. ture, the group rose to fame in the early Naughty by Nature is a Grammy 90s. In 1991, Black Sheep debuted Award-winning hip hop trio from their first hit song, “Flavor of the New Jersey. The group rose to fame Month,” which gave them praise in in the early 90s after releasing their the hip hop community for its unique track “O.P.P.” The song peaked at rhythms and intelligent lyrics. number six on the Billboard Hot 100, DJ Kool is a DJ and a rapper who making it one of the most successful refined rap music in the 1990s. He crossover songs in rap history. recorded creative funk music and In 1979, at just 20-years-old, in 1992, was picked up by CLR reKurtis Blow became the first rapper cords. While with CLR Records, DJ to be signed by a major label, Mercu- released the chart topping single “Let

Bringing Soul To The City

BY JOE MARVILLI A monthly concert series will give New Yorkers a chance to dig deeper and hear old soul legends perform their songs.

“Dig Deeper” is a monthly soul party in Brooklyn, dedicated to featuring live soul music performed by obscure, but fantastic, performers. Started by Richard Lewis (AKA DJ Honky) and Michael Robinson (AKA Mr. Robinson), the series gives not only the audience but also the performer a great experience.

The show’s origin came about when Lewis moved to New York and went to a soul DJ night called Subway Soul. Robinson was a DJ that night. Lewis went up to him and requested “Sugar” by The Isonics, in an attempt to stump Robinson. Instead, the DJ said “Great request!” and put the record on.

“We became fast friends and regularly got together to play each other things we’d discovered since the last time we got together,” Lewis said. “We kept talking about starting our own night, and felt the thing that was most missing in NYC was a night that featured our heroes whose records we cherished.”

The first “Dig Deeper” show took place in June 2008. Since then, the series has bounced around Brooklyn, finding a home in 2013 at Littlefield, a venue in Gowanus. This month’s show featured Lonnie Lester, a soul legend who performed regularly in the Indianapolis area. According to Lewis, the audience was treated to something special that night.

“It was pure magic,” he said.

“He literally owned the stage, and the crowd went totally nuts.”

The next “Dig Deeper” show will take place on April 26 and will feature three original members of Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae group, The Gaylads.

This will be the trio’s first show ever in the City. They will perform under the name The Conscious Minds, which they used in the 1970s.

Littlefield is located at 622 Degraw St. The show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets cost between $20 and $25. To purchase tickets, go to www.littlefieldnyc.com/calendar.

Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queenstribune.com, or @ Joey788.

Me Clear My Throat,” which peaked to number eight in the UK Singles Chart in 1997.

To date, Marley Marl is considered one of the most important and influential producers in the history of hip hop. He was an early innovator in the art of sampling, developing new techniques that shaped rap hooks in the hip hop’s Golden Era. Marley Marl scored his greatest crossover success by helming LL Cool J’s “Mama Said Knock You Out.” Tickets to “Legends of Hip Hop” can be purchased in advance for $25 at Resorts World Casino on the lower level or at www.rwnewyork. com. Tickets can be purchased at the casino on the day of the show before 9 p.m.

Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the concert will begin at 9 p.m. Resorts World Casino is located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica.

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

Five Borough Festival Stops In Jamaica

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA On March 14, Les Délices, a critically-acclaimed French Baroque ensemble, will perform at King Manor Museum in Jamaica for the Five Borough Music Festival’s final stop in Queens.

The concert is part of the nonprofit’s three-month long series that aims to bring affordable world-class chamber music to the outer boroughs.

“Our mission is to present affordable world-class concerts in all neighborhoods throughout the City to encourage people who are used to being a little bit more Manhattan-centric in their chamber music to find new corners,” said Donna Breitzer, executive director at 5BMF. Since 2007, 5BMF has traveled to various parts of the City to partner with cultural organizations in an effort to expose locals to classical music – an opportunity that may not have been granted to them otherwise.

“The other side of that mission is to bring these quality affordable programs to neighborhoods that are traditionally underserved when it

comes to the performing arts,” Breitzer said.

Given Jamaica’s rich musical history, Breitzer said that selecting King Manor Museum as a venue was an obvious choice.

“We’ve never been to Jamaica before, so we’re really excited about this partnership with King Manor Museum,” she said. “It’s a neighborhood we have been hoping to come to for a while to tap into the great audiences that we know are there.

King Manor has their own lovely music series and they have a great reach to the arts in the area. We were just looking for the right opportunity to come to Jamaica.”

To purchase tickets to Les Délices, visit www.5bmf.org. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Discount rates are available for students.

The concert will begin at King Manor Museum at 6 p.m. Wine and light refreshments will be served.

King Manor Museum is located at 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica.

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

March 14-20, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

QUEENS TODAY

FRIDAY 3/14

SATURDAY 3/15

THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE

Flushing Town Hall will present a staged presentation of “The Snail and the Whale,” starting at 2:15 p.m. A tiny snail longs to see the world, so she hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale. But when the whale gets beached, how will the snail save him?

This show, appropriate for those aged 4 and up, will feature live music and lots of laughs. Attendees will be entered into a contest, where they can win four Cirque du Soleil tickets, “The Snail and the Whale” gift bags and more. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for members and $8 for children. For more info, call (718) 463-7700.

BAR CRAWL

It’s time to get shamrocked!

Join the St. Patrick’s Day weekend bar crawls on March 14, 15 and 17.

Register for one day or all three at BarCrawls.com. The fun starts at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, located at 29-19 24th Ave. Admission is $10 and up.

FIVE BOROUGHS MUSIC FESTIVAL

King Manor Museum and Five Boroughs Music Festival partner up to present Les Delices, a Clevelandbased, critically-acclaimed ensemble who will perform French Baroque music on period instruments. The program will feature works by Philidor, Guillemain, Leclair and Rameau. Wine and refreshments will be served at 6 p.m., with the concert starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30 at the door, $25 in advance. For information, visit kingmanor.org/events/ concert.php.

SATURDAY 3/15

PURIM BEGINS AT SUNDOWN

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK DAVID ALAN GRIER

ETERNIDAY FESTIVAL

“ETERNiDAY: Queens Poet Lore Festival of the Language Arts” is a day-long festival at the Queens Museum that will showcase a diverse selection of poets, artists, musicians, performers, educators and publishers from the Borough and beyond. Curated by the current poet laureate of Queens, Paolo Javier, this festival will feature readings, panel discussions, musical performances, live film narrations and screenings, writing workshops and a publishers’ alley. For more information, visit www. queensmuseum.org or call (718) 592-9700.

FIDDLE SERMON

Come hear strings pop and words echo in the Chapel of No Religion installed at the Queens Museum. Peter Schumann has done fiddle sermons for at least 20 years as part of Bread and Puppet Theater’s summertime performance series at their farm in northern Vermont. The sermons, which always merge philosophy and news, are delivered while Schumann vigorously accompanies himself on a fiddle. Each performance will be accompanied by bread-making, and breadserving, by the artist, as he has done since 1963. The admission is free and the event starts at 4 p.m.

SCIENCE WORKSHOPS FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN

Join the New York Hall of Science for hands-on experiments and sensory-rich art projects in workshops specially designed for young children, ages 3 to 5, with autism spectrum disorder and their parents and siblings. In this workshop, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, kids will discover the wonders of outer space as they build and launch their own high-flying rockets. To register, call (718) 699-0005, ext. 341.

David Alan Grier, the comedian best known for his work on “In Living Color,” will bring his standup comedy to the Queensborough Performing Arts Center.

Starting at 3 p.m., the show will feature Grier’s unique brand of humor that is guaranteed to have audiences laughing all day long.

For more information, call (718) 631-6311.

CONCERT

Musica Reginae Productions presents a concert of works by Brahms and Schumann, performed by the Musica Reginae Chamber Players. The program includes Brahms Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano, op.

78; Brahms Piano Quartet in C Minor, op. 60; and Schumann Piano Quartet in E flat Major, op. 47. It will be held at The Church-inthe-Gardens at 50 Ascan Ave. in Forest Hills. It will begin at 7 30 p.m. A reception will follow the performance.

LEGENDS OF HIP-HOP

See several classic hip-hop artists perform at Resorts World Casino. Those scheduled to perform include Naughty By Nature, Kurtis Blow and Black Sheep. It costs $25 for an advance ticket. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. To buy tickets, go to rwnewyork.com.

SUNDAY 3/16

ASTORIA TANGO CLUB

Come with friends and be transported to the 1950’s.

Learn how to dance with the friendly Astoria Tango School team leaded by dancer and instructor Mariana Fresno. Enjoy Spanish dishes and wines from Centro Español’s Restaurant in a relaxed atmosphere while dancing to the rhythm of the most sensual dance in the world Tango. The lesson starts at 6 p.m. and admission is $10. The Centro Español de Queens is located at 41-01 Broadway, Astoria.

TASTE OF THE WORLD

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs is hosting the “Taste of the World” food festival from 2:30

p.m. to 5 p.m. The food fest showcases local restaurants.

Foodies can expect lots on the menu, with samplings of many different cuisines that reflect the multi-ethnic character of the parish and the Forest Hills community it serves. Restaurants participating include Uno Chicago Grill, Portofino and Tuscan Hills. Tickets are $25. Our Lady Queen of Martyrs is located at 72-55 Austin St. in Forest Hills.

Grace Lee Boggs, an activist and philosopher in Detroit who has dedicated her life to the next American Revolution and a better future for all of humanity. The screening of this documentary will run from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 3/19

SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

The Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City will offer a unique take on the film festival format, dedicated to promoting the art of the short film and connecting film lovers with filmmakers with this monthly event. The Short Film Fest will screen five to 15 short films, interspersed with Q&As with creators, followed by a cocktail party. The event costs $10 and begins at 8 p.m. For information, visit www.laughingdevil.com.

MONDAY 3/17 HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY! “AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY”

The Queens College Center for Teaching and Learning will show a free screening of “American Revolutionary” as part of its Civil Rights Film Series. The film tells the story of

ARTISTS’ TALK

Nancy Cohen, Glenn Goldberg, Matt Nolan, Debra Priestly, Gregory Sholette and Tommy Mintz will appear for a discussion at the GodwinTernbach Museum at Queens College. Starting at 5:30 p.m., the talk will accompany the gallery’s current showing, an art faculty exhibition. For more information, call (718) 997-4747.

ONGOING ROCKAWAY ARTISTS ALLIANCE - MIXED MEDIA EXHIBIT

Saturdays and Sundays 12-4 p.m. Ongoing until March 23. Multiple Mediums by local artists on display: watercolor, oil painting, sculpture, photography, etc.

GOT EVENTS? Send all information to editor@queenstribune.com or mail to: Queens Tribune 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 14-20, 2014

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!

SENIORS DEFENSIVE DRIVING Friday, March 14 McGoldrick library at 11.

INTRO INTERNET Monday, March 17 Camb r i a H e i g h t s l i b ra r y a t 9:30.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Monday, March 17 Windsor Park library. Register.

TAX PREP HELP Mondays through March 31 Pomonok library at 11:30.

TAX COUNSELING Tuesdays through April 15 Auburndale library at 1.

TAX HELP Wednesdays through April 9 Laurelton library at 11.

MEETINGS 102ND PRECINCT Tuesday, March 18 council meeting at the Richmond Hill library at 7.

SE QUEENS CAMERA Tuesdays, March 18, 25 Roy Wilkins Family Center.

347-528-7178.

TALK OF TOWN Tuesday, March 18 learn the art of public speaking in St. Albans at 7:15. 6407092.

ENTERTAINMENT CELLO & PIANO Saturday, March 15 Flushing library at 1:30.

SAXOPHONE SOUNDS S a t u r d ay, M a r c h 1 5 sounds of King Curtis, Junior Walker and more at the Rochdale Village library at 2:30.

CON BRIO ENSEMBLE Saturday, March 15 Langston Hughes library at 3.

SWEET CYANIDE Saturday, March 15 concert at the Flushing library at 5.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE Sunday, March 16 Iris Ornig Jazz Ensemble at the Flushing library at 2.

EDUCATION HSE/TASC PREP Fridays, March 14, 21, 28 Baisley Park library at 10.

ACCENT REDUCTION Saturday, March 15 Jack-

HEALTH INTRO PILATES Fridays, March 14, 21, 28 Rosedale library at 6.

MOVING & GROOVING Fridays, March 14, 21, 18 Briarwood library at 11:30.

CARDIO SCULPTURE Fridays, March 14, 21, 28 Richmond Hill library at 5:30.

CALYPSO CARDIO Fridays, March 14, 21, 28 Laurelton library at 6:30.

DANCE FITNESS Saturdays, March 15, 22, 29 LIC library at 3.

HYPERTEN./DIABETES Monday, March 17 Healthy Living with Hypertension or Diabetes at the Central library at 1.

DANCE FITNESS Mondays through April 28 North Forest Park library at 11:30.

ZUMBA Mondays through June 23 (except holidays) LIC library at 7.

ZUMBA Tuesday, March 18 Poppenhusen library at 5.

ZUMBA Tuesdays, March 18, 25 Lefrak City. Register.

BODY CONDITIONING Tuesdays through April 29 Briarwood library at 5:30 and Ridgewood librar y at 6.

SUGARED DRINKS Wednesday, March 19 Rethink Your Drink: Decreasing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages at 4 at the Woodside library.

INTRO GENTLE YOGA Wednesdays, March 19, 26 Woodside library at 5:30.

ZUMBA Wednesday, March 19 Ozone Park library. Register.

ZUMBA Wednesdays, March 19, 26 Richmond Hill library.

Register.

WORKOUT Wednesdays South Jamaica library at 5:30.

HIV/AIDS Thursday, March 20 talk at 5 at the Corona library.

INTRO YOGA Thursday, March 20 Central library. Register.

ZUMBA Thursdays, March 20, 27 Langston Hughes library.

Register.

ALZHEIMERS Tuesday, March 25 Caregiver support group in Forest Hills. 592-5757, ext.

237.

son Heights library at 6.

HSE/TASC PREP Saturdays, March 15, 22 Cambria Heights library at 10 ADVANCED MATH Saturdays Queensbridge library 12-2.

KNITTING 101 Monday, March 17 Central library at 4:30.

MAKE HANDBAG Monday, March 17 Astoria library at 4:30.

BALLROOM DANCING Mondays through April 28 Forest Hills library at 6:30.

CHESS TIPS Mondays through April 21 Pomonok library at 1.

MATH 4 ADULTS Mondays LIC library 5:308:00.

HS PREP HELP Mondays 5:30-7:30 Cambria Heights library.

LEARN DANCE SOCA Tuesday, March 18 Central library at 4:30.

BEGIN A BUSINESS Tuesdays, March 18, 25 Bayside library 2:30.

CHESS Tuesdays Rosedale library at 4.

HSE/TASC PREP Wednesdays, March 19, 26 Baisley Park library at 10.

EXAM PREP: WRITING Wednesdays 5:30-7:00 LIC library.

HSE/TASC PREP Thursdays, March 20, 27 Baisley Park library. Register.

CHESS FED-RATED Thursday, March 20 East Flushing library at 4:30.

QUILTING WORKSHOP Thursday, March 20 Poppenhusen library. Register.

ORIGAMI FUN Thursdays LIC library at 3.

LEARN CHINESE Thursdays North Forest Park library at 6.

COMPUTERS E-BOOKS & E-READERS Saturday, March 15 Flushing library. Register.

BEGIN EXCEL Sunday, March 16 Central library. Register.

INTRO COMPUTERS Monday, March 17 Central library. Register.

MAC MONDAY Monday, March 17 Central library. Register.

BEGIN WORD Tuesday, March 18 Flushing library. Register.

INTER. EXCEL Tuesday, March 18 Flushing library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesdays, March 18, 25 Astoria library at 11:30.

TWITTER We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 1 9 Flushing library. Register.

TEENS & KIDS LAURELTON TALENT Weekdays in March grades 6 and under Laurelton library at 4:30.

TEEN HW HELP Weekdays Central library at 3.

TEEN ZONE Weekdays 3:30 at Queens Village library.

HW HELP Monday Bayside library at 3:30.

MOVIE MATINEES Fridays through April 25 Rosedale library at 2:30.

MOVIE TIME Fridays through April 25 Laurelton library at 3:30.

FUN FRIDAY Friday, March 14 Central library at 4. Ages 6-12.

PROJECT ART Friday, March 14 Corona library. Register.

TEENS GOT TALENT Friday, March 14 Rosedale library at 3:30.

ANIMALS ALIVE Friday, March 14 Queens Village library at 3:30.

COLLEGE RESUME Friday, March 14 Lefrak City library at 4.

ECO-JEWELRY Friday, March 14 Broadway library at 5.

TEEN HAPPY HOUR Fridays, March 14, 21, 28 Flushing library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays, March 14, 21, 28 Woodside library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays through April 25 Bayside library at 4.

YOUTH ADVISORY Fridays Laurelton library at 5.

BOARD/VIDEO GAMES Fridays Rochdale Village at 4. Grades 1-6.

BOARD GAME Fridays Windsor Park at 4.

Ages 5-12.

GAME DAY Fridays 5:30 McGoldrick library and South Ozone Park library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays Auburndale library at 3:30 and Laurelton library at 3.

WII GAMES Fridays Poppenhusen librar y and Hollis librar y at 4.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

COMPUTER SKILLS Mondays through March 31 Rochdale Village library at 4. Grades 1-6.

COMPUTER HW HELP Mondays Auburndale library at 5:30. Ages 8-12.

TODDLER CRAFTS Mondays, March 17, 24, 31 Steinway library at 11.

FAMILY STORYTIME Mondays, March 17, 24, 31 Auburndale library at 3:30.

PROUD CHOICES Mondays, March 17, 24 questions about sex at the Central library at 4:30.

11-19.

COMPUTER SKILLS Mondays through April 28 Rochdale Village at 4.

Grades 1-6.

CHESS CLUB Mondays Pomonok library at 5.

FAMILY STORYTIME Mondays Auburndale library at 3:30. Pre-K to 2.

GAME DAY Mondays McGoldrick library at 5:30.

CREATE COMIC HERO Tuesday, March 18 Sunnyside library at 4.

MAGIC WORKSHOP Tuesday, March 18 Bayside library at 4.

YOUNG MEN Tuesdays, March 18, 25 14-19 empowerment group at the Laurelton library at 3:30.

WII GAMING Tuesdays, March 18, 25 Astoria library at 4:30.

LEGOS & GAMES Tuesdays, March 18, 25 4:30 Pomonok library. Ages 6-12.

AFRICAN DANCE Tuesdays, March 18, 25 East Elmhurst librar y at 3:30.

ZUMBA FOR KIDS Tuesdays, March 18, 25 Forest Hills. Register.

DRAMA CLUB Tuesdays Central library.

Register.

TEEN MEDIATION Tuesdays Central library at 4.

LANYARD CLUB Tuesdays Richmond Hill library at 4.

CRAFY TUESDAYS Tuesdays through April 8 Cambria Heights library at 4. Grades 1-5.

GARDEN PROJECT Tuesdays 4-6 Whitestone library. Call for details.

TUESDAY CRAFTS Tuesdays through April 29 South Ozone Park library at 4:30. Ages 8-14.

TEEN JEOPARDY We d n e s d ay, M a r c h 1 9 Flushing library at 4.

PLAYGROUP Wednesdays, March 19, 26 Steinway library at 11.

CHESS CLUB Wednesdays through April 16 Pomonok library at 5.

Over 10.

CRAFTIVITIES Wednesdays East Flushing library. Register.

DRAWING CLUB Wednesdays LIC library at 4.

GAME DAY Wednesdays McGoldrick library at 5:30.

READING FOR FUN Wednesdays Laurelton

library at 3:30.

READ TO A DOG Wednesdays through April 9 North Hills library at 4.

READ-ALOUD Wednesdays South Jamaica library at 4. Grades K-3.

DECORATIONS CLUB Thursdays, March 20, 27 Poppenhusen library at 4.

EASY READER CLUB Thursdays, March 20, 27 Central library at 4. Ages 5-7.

EARTH HOUR Thursday, March 20 Broadway library at 4:30. Environmental science.

ANIME CLUB Thursday, March 20 Flushing library at 4.

POETIC TEXTILES Thursday, March 20 10-14 year olds create textiles.

Pomonok library at 4.

ARTS & CRAFTS Thursdays through April 24 Auburndale library at 4:30. Ages 5-12.

FAMILY STORYTIME Thursday, March 20 Bay Terrace library at 11:30.

FASHION MAVENS Thursdays through April 24 teens interested in the fashion industry at the Central library at 4:30.

DRAMA POSSE Thursdays, March 20, 27 Hillcrest library at 4:30.

Ages 8-14.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays through April 24 Federation-Rated Chess Club for teens and adults at the East Flushing library at 4:30.

CREATIVE WRITING Thursdays through April 24 Auburndale library at 5:15. Ages 8-12.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays, March 20, 27 Astoria library at 4:30.

LEARN CHESS Thursdays through April 24 Rochdale Village library

TALKS BAY TERRACE Friday, March 14 “The Secret Keeper” discussed at 11:30.

ENERGY WORKSHOP Friday, March 14 Elmhurst library at 2.

CURRENT EVENTS Mondays through March 31 Sout h Ozone Park library at noon.

CENTRAL LIBRARY Wednesday, March 19 “And the Mountains Echoes” discussed at 11:30.

QUEENS VILLAGE Wednesday, March 19 “Longbourn” discussed at 2.

ST. ALBANS Thursday, March 20 “Ada’s Rules: A Sexy Skinny Novel” discussed at 5:30.

March 14-20, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Profile

Lady Doves Looks To Help Neighborhood Kids

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Having witnessed her mother struggle to provide for her as a single parent, Andrene Williams always aspired to be able to give back to her community in some way.

Seeing her dreams through, in 2008, the Jamaica resident founded Lady Doves – a nonprofit that seeks to help locals find resources in their community and offer services for neighborhood children.

“Lady Doves is a concept that I came up with as a result of being a product of a single parent,” Williams said. “I realized that there are people out there like my mom who require services for their children but didn’t know these services existed or if they existed, they cost too much.”

As part of its mission, Lady Doves offers a vast number of educational services and workshops for children ages 6-21. The nonprofit offers tutoring, afterschool programs, mentoring, career advice and even offers college scholarships for students in the area.

“I always told myself when I had the opportunity, I was going to open

up my own nonprofit and nary citizens getting tooffer some of these servicgether to give back to the es for these children,” she community.” said.

Williams said she is Williams also said it most fond of being able was important to bring the to help the neighbornonprofit to an area like Jahood’s students pay for maica, where she believes college tuition and books resources for residents are through Lady Doves’ lacking. fundraisers.

“I want to do so much, “I think that’s one of but I can’t because it all my biggest rewards. When costs so much money,” she you work so hard to get a said. “The people don’t fundraiser together and have resources and if the raise money and help a resources are there, people child go to college, and don’t know about it.” that child comes back to In addition to its services The Jamaica nonprofit Lady Doves offers a slew of activi- you and thanks you for for kids, Lady Doves also ties and afterschool programs for the children of Southeast what you’ve done – it’s holds a number of forums Queens. amazing,” she said. for women in the commuTo learn how you can nity, giving them an open outlet to has helped hundreds of Southeast volunteer for Lady Doves, email AnQueens’ youth. Though the group is drene Williams at LadyDoves_1@ speak and vent about motherhood.

“It gives them the opportunity to small and has less than 10 volunteers yahoo.com. talk about the things they are going at any given time, Williams is proud To donate to Lady Doves, you may through with their kids,” Williams of the impact the nonprofit has had send a check or money order to PO said. “Sometimes you can’t treat the on Jamaica.

Box #313172, Jamaica, NY, 11432.

“We are a small group, but we do child without treating the family – it’s Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska so much,” she said. “We just want to at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or a unit.”

Since it was founded, Lady Doves make a difference – just regular, ordi- nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

People Domonique Moody of Jamaica and Ciara Nestor of Rockaway Point were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Pa. Iajhiah Lucas of Jamaica received a Master of Science degree in criminal justice during January 2014 commencement ceremonies at the University of New Haven in Connecticut.

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Carlos Juarez Garcia graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

He is the son of Ana Patricia Garcia of Queens Village.

Local students were recognized for their academic achievement during the fall 2013 semester at Berkeley College in New York and New Jersey. They include: President’s List Cambria Heights: Zarifah Dixon.

Jamaica: Kern Alcindor, Mamoudou Diallo, Deja Harris, Yvonne Job, Richard Johnson, Hifza Naureen.

Queens Village: Sabrina Tulsee.

St. Albans: Fatima Hall, Mikell Richards.

South Ozone Park: Ginero Gordon, Shadika Haye, Deonarine Ramnarine.

South Richmond Hill: Andy Delgado, Maninder Kaur, Melissa Rivera.

Dean’s List Cambria Heights: Jonelle Francis, Mireille Gnoleba, Maleika Phillips.

Hollis: Joanne Urena, Makeba Ward.

Jamaica: Catalina Agudelo, Kawther Azzouz, Ahlem Azzouz, Rudyard Burke, Thomas Church, Kyrillos Davidson, Ahoinsou Djogbessi, Michelle Dunn, John Franklin, Terrance Harry, Bryan Johnson, Jessenia Marmolejos, Candace Mitchell, Tanaka Mundangepfupfu, Sean Persaud, Sophia Shand, Alma Ynoa.

Queens Village: Christopher Cintron, Racquel Furbert, Latoya Ming, Nalesha Narine.

Rosedale: Darryl Bayard, Natalee Beaufort, Ethan Joseph, Shaniqua McIntosh.

St. Albans: Raphael Blankumsee,

Kevin McKenzie, Patrice Nathan.

South Ozone Park: Adrian Humes, Vanessa Martinez, Aliyah Mohammed, Narissa Persaud, Salome Shivrattan, Mariah Singh, Karla Toala.

South Richmond Hill: Darshanie Naul.

Springfield Gardens: Tracey Hazelwood.

Four children from Queens were named winners of the 2014 Police Athletic League Art Contest. The winning artwork was featured in the 2014 PAL Calendar, which showcases artwork from children from PAL centers throughout the City.

For the month of February, Navae Moise, a seventh grader from PAL’s Edward Byrne Center, illustrates her dream to own her own clothing store.

For May, eighth grader Elemni Nkanta, from PAL’s Golden Maple Academy, aspires to be an architect.

For July, Golden Maple Academy eighth grader Blade Delgado illustrates her passion for photography.

For October, fourth grader Tyarrie Brown of Golden Maple Academy, depicts her dream to travel to new places.

For

information,

palnyc.org.

visit

www.

United Adult Ministries announced its Spring Gala, set for 6 p.m. May 8 at Flushing Town Hall. The gala will feature a performance by tenor Daniel Rodriguez. The event will also honor three individuals with the Rose Kryzak Senior Leadership Award.

The honorees include: State Sen. Toby Stavisky, Dr. Steven Goodman, head of the Samuel Field YM & YWHA; and Alan Weinberg, social work manager at Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation.

Also featured will be presentations of the Older Adult Ministry Award to Doris Walker, an Elder at Hollis Presbyterian Church; and Dorothy Ramsey, Deacon of the Valley Stream Presbyterian Church.

For information or to RSVP, call Robert Salant at (347) 532-3025 or email rsalant@uam.org.

Quality Services for the Autism Community will host a job fair on March 18 at 25-09 Broadway, Astoria, to recruit and fill multiple positions. Interested applicants can register online for an interview time at www.qsac.com/jobfair.

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 14-20, 2014

Faith

St. Patrick’s Day Has Religious Roots

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA St. Patrick’s Day is now observed as a time to drink and hang out with friends, but what many people who celebrate the holiday do not know is that it has deep religious roots.

St. Patrick’s Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century as a means of commemorating St. Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by a number of Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Lutheran Church.

St. Patrick was an admired missionary and bishop in Ireland during the fifth century. He is generally

credited with being the first bishop of Armagh, Primate of Ireland. When he was just 16 years old, St. Patrick was captured from his home in Great Britain and taken to work as a slave in Ireland. He lived there for six years before escaping and returning to his family.

After becoming a member of the clergy in Great Britain, St. Patrick returned to Ireland, where he served as an ordained bishop. By the seventh century, he had already come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland.

There are many legends about St. Patrick that have become recognized symbols during the holiday – most notably the shamrock. Historians credit St. Patrick with teaching the Pagan

Irish about the doctrine of the Holy Trinity by showing them a shamrock, a three-leafed plant. He used it to illustrate the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – three persons in one God. For this reason, shamrocks are a central symbol for the holiday. This is also why the color green is associated with St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17, the date of St. Patrick’s death. It is celebrated both inside and outside Ireland as a religious and cultural day of observance. In Ireland, the day is also a holy day of obligation, requiring Christians to go to church. Many also recognize St. Patrick’s Day as a celebration of Ireland itself.

The holiday falls during the Lenten season. During Lent, Christians generally have restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol, but the Church lifted the fast for St. Patrick’s Day. This ‘exception’ to Lent has in many ways encouraged and propagated the

holiday’s tradition of alcohol consumption.

St. Patrick’s Day became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903.

This was thanks to the Bank Holiday Act 1903, an act of the United Kingdom Parliament introduced by the Irish Member of Parliament, James O’Mara. O’Mara later introduced a law that required that bars be closed on March 17 after drinking got out of hand, but that provision was later repealed in the 1970s.

Though St. Patrick’s Day is primarily an Irish holiday, it is observed by people of many different religious and cultural backgrounds. Argentina, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Malaysia, Montserrat, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States are all known to partake in the holiday’s festivities.

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

Notebook

Thomas Edison High School

Queens Students Take First In Auto Competition

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Thomas Edison High School students Navin Indardeo and Vernon Surujbali placed first in the Greater New York Automotive Dealer Association State Finals Competition, which was held in Whitestone on March 7.

The students, both seniors at the Jamaica high school, were judged on performing tasks ranging from precision measurements to diagnostics. Participants were assigned a car that was rigged to malfunction in a number of ways. Using a repair order with customer complaints, the student teams had to diagnose and repair the problem.

In addition to being able to identify and fix problems, the participants also had to exhibit knowledge of emissions control systems, alignment, electrical test equipment and airbag components.

“This amazing competition is unique in that it brings together our area’s schools, auto dealers and the automakers who encourage, support and train these young students so that they can well-prepared for

the exciting, technologically although they have not yet deadvanced, well-paying jobs cided where they would like to available to them in the auto go. The duo also won a donaindustry when they gradution vehicle for their school’s ate,” said GNYADA chairautomotive workshop. man Neal Kuperman in a Thomas Edison High statement.

School is one of a handful of Indardeo and Surujbali’s schools in the Borough that ofteacher, Miguel Sierra, has fer technical programs like the been training the pair at the one taught by Sierra. In addiStar Toyota dealership in Baytion to the auto repair class, side after hours so they could the school offers courses in get the real-world experience electrical repair, auto body needed to win the State Firepair, computer networking nals. and computer repair. In total, “They are very dedicated Thomas Edison offers 12 techstudents. They get here early Thomas Edison High School students Navin Indardeo nical courses, making it one of in the morning and there are and Vernon Surujbali placed first in the Greater New the biggest technical schools times they get here before me. York Automotive Dealer Association State Finals in New York City.

They are always available af- Competition held earlier this week.

“It’s very important for our ter school to continue trainyouth to have programs like names and neither did the students,” ing,” Sierra said. “Both of this to grow their skills,” Sierthem are exceptional students. They he said. “We literally had to pinch ra said. “Thomas Edison is definitely each other to make sure we weren’t one of the few schools that offer aualways go above and beyond.”

Though Sierra said he never dreaming.” tomotive [classes], but aside from As first place winners, Indardeo that, it’s actually one of the biggest in doubted Indardeo and Surujbali’s mechanical skills, he admits he was and Surujbali won scholarships to the City because they offer multiple still shocked when GNYADA an- their choice of Lincoln Technical In- technical programs.” stitute, Universal Technical Institute, nounced them as winners.

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikows“It’s such an honor. I couldn’t Ohio Technical Institute or New ka at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or even believe when they said our England Institute of Technology – nkozikowska@queenspress.com.

March 14-20, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

What’s Up March 15 Line Dance Interested in a different kind of exercise, then think about joining Barbara Fraser for her coed, adult, mixed level line dancing. Loose fitting clothing, water and supportive shoes are highly suggested. No high heels or sandals. Medical clearance is advised. No checks. Please bring exact change.

The event runs from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Cambria Heights Community Church. For info, call (646) 229-0242 or email bof115@yahoo. com.

Ladies of Distinction Luncheon The Top Ladies of Distinction, Gotham Chapter will host The Salute to Excellence Luncheon. Among the honorees will be the late Community Board 12 member, Marguerite Barrett, who was also a member of the Top Ladies of Distinction.

Tickets to the event cost $60. The luncheon will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at Antun’s, 96-43 Springfield Blvd., Queens Village.

Film Screening Ray Guarnieri is an award-winning director and producer from Buffalo, NY. His current project, “Harvard on Hudson,” is a surrealist drama about a young man who must confront himself before he can break free from the world as he envisions it. His first feature film, “Buffalo Boys,” won the “Best Coming of Age Film” award at the 2013 Manhattan Film Festival.

The free event will take place at 3 p.m. at the Central Branch of the Queens Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica.

March 16 Women’s history Month Internationally renowned Italian singer and percussionist Alessandra Belloni, Artist in Residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and her ensemble Daughters of Cybele perform the “pizzica tarantata,” a women’s healing trance dance, and sacred chants and drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, at the Central Branch of the Queens Library in Jamaica, starting at 2 p.m.

March 17 Magnet School Open house Three new magnet schools are opening in Jamaica in the fall. Mag-

net Schools are New York City public schools. All have specialized, themed curriculums to engage and inspire your child. All integrate the latest technology into the classroom. All have an academic focus on science, technology, engineering, mathematics and art. All serve students in kindergarten through fifth grades.

The Open House for PS 354 – STEM Magnet Institute of Queens, 126-10 Bedell St., Jamaica, will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. To tour these schools and learn more about their enrollment process, please attend an open house or call (718) 759-4977.

celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Children ages 6-12 years will learn about and celebrate Irish culture with stories and a craft, 4 p.m. at the Central Branch of the Queens Library in Jamaica.

NYPD Youth Summit Youth Summits are held in communities to inform the public about potential dangers and consequences of Social Media. Also addressed are topics on Youth Crews and trends in their respective neighborhoods.

Teenagers, community leaders, representatives of communitybased youth organizations, teachers, administrators, clergy and concerned citizens are invited to attend.

The forum, planned from 5-7 p.m. at Campus Magnet High School, 207-01 116th Ave., Cambria Heights, is free and open to the public.

For additional information, call (212) 343-3707.

March 18 The Magic crown The Black Spectrum Theatre Company is pleased to present the hit play seen by over 20,000 children — the Magic Crown. Written by Bob Law, directed by Bette Howard, with music created and arranged by Derek Galloway — The Magic Crown has been described as: “The yellow brick road set in Africa”.

Tickets cost $8 for the 10:30 a.m. event. For information, visit www. blackspectrum.com.

ONGOING: Youth Sports

Forestdale STYa Youth Mentor

Through March 29, the Lincoln Park Basketball Association will hold a winter basketball clinic for boys and girls ages 8-15. The clinic will be held at the Queens Transition Center, located at 14210 Linden Blvd., South Ozone Park, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents or guardians must bring proof of age. Registration fee is $40 and includes insurance, weekly training sessions and tshirt.

For more information, call David Reid (646) 241-4211 or Mike Glasgow at (917) 442-0479.

LP FAM youth baseball registration is also open each Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. for boys and girls ages 5-14. Registration takes place at Dunton Presbyterian Church, 109-29 135th St., South Ozone Park. The organization is also looking for volunteer youth baseball and football coaches.

For information, call Derick Braswell at (917) 692-4775 or Paul Cox at (718) 835-8416.

Forestdale, Inc., an organization with a great history of supporting families in need and committed to empowering children in foster care and in the local community, launched a new mentoring program in January 2014. This new program, called “Future Prep: Successfully Transitioning Youth to Adolescence,” or STYA, is designed to attract community-minded people who may not be able to commit to foster parenting, but nevertheless want to make a significant investment in the lives of children and their better future. We are looking for mentors (18 or older) to work with children ages 9-12 for one year.

Starting in January, there will be four 10-week sessions throughout the year, each running for three hours on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program will take place at the Hollis Community Center at 203-09 Hollis Ave. This is an excellent opportunity to truly make a difference is someone’s life, build meaningful relationships and be part of an enthusiastic, compassionate and supportive environment, in addition to a great learning experience with the opportunity to learn about a multitude of issues facing underprivileged youth in New York City today.

For additional information, contact Mirzya Syed, Youth Volunteer Coordinator, at Msyed@forestdaleinc.org or (718) 263.0740, ext.

365.

homework help The Laurelton Library will provide free homework help for children in grades 1-6.

The library offers after school homework assistance in math, writing and other subjects.

The program runs every day after school, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays. The library is located at 134-26 225th St., Laurelton.

For more information, call (718) 528-2822 or visit www.queenslibrary. org/branch/Laurelton.

Overcoming Barriers to Employment Every Friday, the Queens Central Library in Jamaica helps residents experiencing barriers to employment. A Job Information Center case manager is available on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to discuss potential problems you may have regarding child care, housing, immigration, degree evaluation, healthcare, goal and career planning, former incarceration, education and training and more.

To schedule an appointment, call (718) 480-4222 or stop by the Job Information Center. No registration is required and the service is free.

Queens Satellite high School and college Mentoring Program Queens Satellite High School is seeking volunteers to provide students with the skills and experiences that will support their personal growth.

Key to the institute is the active participation its volunteers in the private sector and community members who wish to provide real world connections for their students through weekly seminars.

Mentors can participate in oneday sessions or teach a seven-week seminar on a topic of their choice.

Technical assistance for lesson planning will be provided throughout your experience.

For additional information, contact Kristy Nguyen at (718) 657-3920 ext. 4031.

Puerto Rican Police Want Peter Ever since former Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. has left public office, rumors have been swirling about his next move.

While he has remained relatively secretive of his future endeavors, he has had at least one interesting job offer.

A source close to Vallone told QConf that while the former Public Safety chair was vacationing in Puerto Rico, he was asked to help former NYPD Chief

and new Superintendent of the Puerto Rican Police Department James Tuller bring crime rates down on the island.

Responding to the rumor, Vallone said he loves Puerto Rico and is good friends with Chief Tuller, but has no plans on leaving the Borough where he grew up.

“The jobs I’m considering now don’t involve me leaving Queens,” he said. “That’s something I can’t do.”

Ready For Spring

Q

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens March 14-20, 2014

Still Under Construction

We here at QConf understand that creating a website may take some time, but at some point, the wait becomes unbearable.

While we are trying not to keep count, it has now been more than two months since Borough President Melinda Katz took office, and the website for her office, www.queensbp.org, is still not updated.

The old website used to be a one-stop reference for governmental information throughout

the Borough - a mini-version of our own Official Guide to Queens, if you will. But that is no more, replaced by a stopgap placeholder.

The temporary website asks us to be patient, but quite frankly, the time for patience may have finally passed.

The Borough President does boast about the fancy technological efforts she wants to pursue, but it needs to start with a new website.

Charity Mania Who said pro wrestlers can't be philanthropic? A World Premier Wrestling show at Resorts World New York City Casino over the weekend donated a portion of its proceeds to Safe Haven for Babies, a charity to prevent newborn abandoment. Pictured above (from left) are The Big O, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, Timothy Jaccard of Safe Haven, legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Guido Salvo Sr., CEO of WPW. No word yet if Goldfeder is looking for a spot at WrestleMania 30 next month.

Jon Christopher

QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari

Contributors: Bruce Adler, Luis Gronda, Natalia Kozikowska, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Michael Nussbaum, Trisha Sakhuja, Michael Schenkler.

Follow us on Twitter: @QueensTrib Like us on Facebook facebook.com/ QueensTrib

As we await warmer weather here in Queens, the Mets are enjoying some better temperatures down in Spring Training at Port St. Lucie, Fla. QConf photographer Bruce Adler is down there with the Mets and snapped some shots, including this one of slugger David Wright readying for a pitch. Baseball season - and warmer temperatures can't come fast enough.

Musicians OF QuEEns

Forest Park Frolics

A Saturday Night Live short that aired last weekend featured a familiar Queens park.

The scene, called “Ooh Child,” featured SNL cast members and guest host Lena Dunham (pictured), star of HBO's "Girls," driving through Forest Park and parts of Woodhaven singing along to the 1970s song “O-o-h Child” by the Five Stairsteps.

The group is singing the tune when the GPS leads them astray. Scenes of Woodhaven and Forest Park can be seen as the crew drives around in the three-minute video.

A fifth person appears out of nowhere in the car with his hands tied and his mouth taped shut. The others tell him to quiet down as they try to restart the sing along.

It’s always terrific to see Queens featured in any type of film. While Forest Park does not get mentioned among other popular parks in the Borough, namely Flushing Meadows Corona Park, production companies should use Forest Park more often as there is a lot of untapped potential for films there.

Jon Christopher’s songs have a pulse to them that make you want to move. He does not write dance music, but his work definitely has a groove.

It should come as no surprise then that the first instrument he picked up was not a guitar, but the drums.

Although Christopher started banging on a kit around the age of 12, it was when he started playing acoustic guitar at the age of 15 that his creativity was really sparked.

He wrote a song before he even knew how to play.

“I felt like I had the world in the palm of my hands and it was the most natural things that I had ever done in my life to that point. I have been pursuing that feeling and music ever since,” the Astoria musician said. “The percussive style that I have developed while playing the guitar is a legacy of banging on the drum set at an early age.”

That groove and percussive touch is in full-force on Christopher’s self-titled third album.

The songs stride between blues rock and funk, with as soulful vocals singing out vulnerable lyrics that deal with people and places in his life.

While the tracks were written in any different ways, Christopher did not perform any of them until it was time to record.

“I never performed the songs prior to recording them.

If I had, I would have put them together differently,” he said.

“Songwriting, like any art form, is about energy flow and you can’t know about that flow unless you are performing that song in its entirety in front of a live audience.”

To fill out his sound, Christopher works with many different musicians, with people moving in and out of his music career.

While the challenge of keeping a band together for a long time is partially why he in drawn to multiple collaborations, Christopher also likes the different viewpoints he gets from fresh faces.

“Everybody has a slightly different take on things and you learn from another’s perspective,” he said.

Originally from Glen Cove in Long Island, Christopher moved to Astoria nine years ago. Since then, the loyal audience he has found in the area has given his career a significant boost and has shown him which direction to grow in.

“I have a community that really believes in me, that is at my shows, that knows my lyrics. They are the foundation on which I have started to build,” Christopher said.

“For the most part, I have always been someone that has kept to themselves. Music, however, I have learned is a communal art.”

Christopher’s career is looking brighter than ever in 2014. He just signed with Sojourn Records, an independent label based in Elmont.

He added that this year is dedicated to getting his new record out to the people.

“In the coming weeks, we plan on recording one of the greatest blues, rock, soul records ever made,” he said.

For more news on his albums and shows, visit http:// ats.jonchristophermusic. com.

Got Talent?

If you have any talents and live in Queens, be sure to e-mail editor@queenstribune.com for inclusion in a future edition.

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Condos 4 Sale

Tele Serv.

HHAs

CNAs

Psychic

Heating Oil

Heating Oil

Condos 4 Sale

Installations • Water Heaters Repairs • Basement Heat Conversions • Separarte Zones Oil Tanks • Air Conditioners Household Renovations

516-815-8510 Tree Service ARNOLDO’S TREE SERVICE

• Pruning • Stump Grinding • Planting • City Permits Obtained • Prompt Storm Service

149-57 Beech Ave. Flushing NY 11355 Ph: 718-463-7829 Cell: 917-337-4062

Want 2 Buy

Records ♫ Old 33s-45s-78s ♪

Doo-Wop - Rock & Roll - Heavy Metal - Punk Disco - Latin - Blue Grass - Reggae/Calypso Soul - Blues - Jazz - Gospel - Ethnic Music Foreign Film soundtracks No Top Hitmaking Artists or Classical Charlie 516-612-2009

LOOK

HHAs

HHAs

Old Clocks & Watches Wanted

By Collector, Regardless of Condition - Highest Prices Paid 917-748-7225

CASH FOR RECORDS R&B, Jazz, Rock & many other styles.

Top Dolla Paid!

1950’s - 1990’s Vinyl ONLY.

Call Tom 718-360-1965 We drive to you

Psychic

GOD GIFTED SISTER LYNDSAY

Honest Answers. Reveals All! Protection from evil. Removes witchcraft.

Reunites lovers. Job/money blessing.

Free Reading - Fast Help!

Call: 1-405-574-4105

Construction

NUNEZ CONSTRUCTION

We Specialize In Crack Repairs also Ceiling, Wall Repairs & Painting

EXPERT WORK ON STOOPS BRICK, BLOCK & CONCRETE

7 Days, Lowest Prices Free Estimate Licensed & Insured

718-219-1257 nunezforu.com Member of Angie’s List A Rating

Legals

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: QUEENS COUNTY. NYCTL 2011-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Pltf. vs. BMSL MANAGEMENT LLC, et al, Defts. Index #14901/12. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Jan. 10, 2014, I will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY in Courtroom #25, on

Psychic

AMERICAN GYPSY READER START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT- Call Now Tells PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

Removes all Evil, Darkness & Negativity Finds & Restores Love Helps with Love, Marriage, Career & Finance

832-236-0189 Legals

Friday, April 4, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., prem. k/a 131-09 Hillside Ave., Richmond Hill, NY a/k/a Block 9252 and Lot 0028 on the Queens County Tax Assessment Map. Approx. amt. of judgment is $89,477.90 plus costs and interest.

Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. ZENITH TAYLOR, Referee. SHAPIRO, DICARO & BARAK, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 105 Maxess Rd., Ste. N109, Melville, NY. – File No.12-019607 - #83833

JASMINE

Reunites Lovers Remove Obstacles & Curses Promotes Good Luck, Love Cleansings.

Helps w/career, worry & sorrow.

Call for 1 Free question by phone Call 24/7

316-587-7025

FREE READING

2014 New Year Blessings

316-618-4322

Mother Hope Spiritual Healer, Solves impossible problems! Reunites lost love! Finds Soulmate!

Restores passion. Clears negativity. Removes Obeah Guaranteed Results

Visit us at the Neighborhood Room 206-20 Linden Blvd.

Cambria Heights

15 Saturday

Relaxing Massage 1:00–4:00 pm Winter Workout 5:00–6:00 pm

17 Monday

Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am Sitting Exercise 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm The National Alliance on Mental Health For Caregivers 4:30–7:00 pm

18 Tuesday

Shopping Matters Nutrition Class 10:00–11:00 am Healthwise Handbook: Self Care For You & Your Family

11:30 am–12:30 pm

(EmblemHealth members only)

Rhythm & Flow Yoga 6:00–7:00 pm

19 Wednesday

Healthy Living With Chronic Conditions 1:30-4:00 pm

PUT CARE ON YOUR MARCH CALENDAR At EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care you’ll find new programs every month to help you stay healthy, get well and live better. All classes are FREE and open to the public.

20 Thursday

26 Wednesday

21 Friday

27 Thursday

(Call for appointment)

Group Support for the Family Caregiver

A1C Diabetes Information Class 2:00–3:00 pm Come Talk With Greg— One on One FREE Caregiving Session 11:00 am–4:00 pm Low Impact Zumba 11:30 am –12:30 pm Workout Asthma - Zumba Style 1:00–2:00 pm

22 Saturday

National Council of Negro Women Young Women’s Group 2:30–4:30 pm Winter Workout 5:00–6:00 pm

24 Monday

Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am Sitting Exercise 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm The National Alliance on Mental Health For Caregivers 4:30–7:00 pm

Healthy Living With Chronic Conditions 1:30-4:00 pm Understanding Diabetes Medications 10:30–11:30 am Caregiver Empowerment— 2:00–3:30 pm YAI - How To Navigate

The Service System For Individuals With Developmental Disabilities

4:00–5:00 pm

28 Friday

Low Impact Zumba 11:30 am–12:30 pm Workout Asthma - Zumba Style 1:00–2:00 pm

29 Saturday

Winter Workout 5:00–6:00 pm

31 Monday

Low Impact Zumba 10:30–11:30 am Sitting Exercise 12:00 Noon–1:00 pm

Group Health Incorporated (GHI), HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), HIP Insurance Company of New York and EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC are EmblemHealth companies. EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC provides administrative services to the EmblemHealth companies.

Neighborhood Care is a division of EmblemHealth. ©EmblemHealth Inc. 2014, All Rights Reserved.

For a full calendar of events and to RSVP visit us at ehnc.com or call 1-866-539-0999