Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 13 Issue No. 14 April 6-12, 2012

PAGE 18

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

MLK’S LEGACY

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s last protest, employees and advocacy groups traveled around the City on Tuesday to protest unjust working conditions, including wage violations at the Sutphin Car Wash.

By Veronica Lewin .........…Page 3.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

News Briefs

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Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 6-12, 2012

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Candidates Pile Up Endorsements Though the fire truck’s growl was drowning out Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley’s (D-Middle Village) public safety address, the big red symbol had made its point. Crowley had secured a crucial endorsement, though she still lagged behind her Democratic rivals in the always competitive race to net moneyed supporters.

An unusually short primary season Democrats will choose their 6th District nominee on June 26 - ensures that endorsements and the ability to rapidly line up endorsements and raise funds will play a key role in the election. Crowley’s first endorsement, the Uniformed Firefighters Association, represents a significant type of support that all the candidates will be vying for: organized labor.

On that front, Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) is in the lead. On Monday, the Working Families Party, a progressive labor-oriented party, endorsed Lancman. The Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union, a union representing 100,000 U.S. and Canadian retail and food-processing workers, the Communication Workers of America Local 1182, representing roughly 2,500 traffic and sanitation enforcement agents and the Service Employees International Union Local 32 BJ, all backed Lancman as well.

Former Mayor Ed Koch also announced Monday he was endorsing the Assemblyman.

The district’s labor-heavy enclaves like Electchester make any union support coveted, especially since unions can mobilize Democratic voters in primaries that typically have an overall lower voter turnout than general elections.

EMILY’s List, a political action committee that backs female candidates, recently announced they were endorsing Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing). The Italian American Political Action Committee also declared they were endorsing Meng on Monday. The Independence Party, known for crossing party lines in their endorsements, did the same on Tuesday.

Teachers: Turnaround Doesn’t Work Anyone strolling outside of Flushing High School on Northern Boulevard can look west and see, beyond the Van Wyck Expressway, the skyline of Manhattan. The hundreds of students, teachers and supporters that poured onto the boulevard’s sidewalk could see Manhattan too, and they wanted Mayor Michael Bloomberg to know that they would not accept the increasingly inevitable: 33 schools in New York

City will look very different next year.

Banging plastic drums, ringing cowbells and urging the morning traffic to honk in support, the crowd marched up and down the boulevard on an early, sun-dappled March 30 morning. “Save our school” chants intermingled with whistles and waving signage. Pockets of protesters poured onto the boulevard’s traffic island.

Police patrolled nearby.

At stake for the teachers and students, according to their testimonies, is the integrity of their more than a century-old school. The Dept. of Education recently announced they would close 33 Persistently Low Achieving Schools in the City as a way to secure nearly $60 million in federal School Improvement Grant money. In order to be eligible for the funds, Bloomberg and the DOE had to implement a federally approved improvement plan.

“Close” does not literally mean shuttering a school. Rather, the DOE has used the word “turnaround” to describe the process that would impact eight Queens high schools. Schools classified as “turnaround” would be reopened under new names and with roughly half of its original staff. Teachers, elected officials and parents have denounced the measure as disruptive and counterproductive. At a February town hall meeting at Oakland Gardens’ Nathaniel Hawthorne Middle School, Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said the turnaround model would work.

Flushing students and teachers did not agree. With a public hearing about the high school’s future less than a month away, the rally served as a prequel for what could be a raucous April for high schools across Queens.

The Queens high schools targeted for closure— Flushing, William Cullen Bryant, Long Island City, Grover Cleveland, August Martin, Richmond Hill and John Adams—grapple with similar issues that can depress graduation rates and test scores. Many of the students are immigrants who know English as their second or even third language. They tend not come from affluent families, and researchers have drawn direct correlations between family wealth and the performance of students on standardized tests.

State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing), Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) rallied in February with United Federation of Teachers representatives and the NAACP to protest Flushing’s announced closure. Despite assertions that its graduation rate has been rising over the last three years, the DOE said that its graduation rate, currently at 60 percent, is not high enough. Flushing earned a “D” on its latest DOE report card.

Presstime

Workers Get On The Bus For Justice On the 44th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, a group of employees and activists took a three-borough bus tour to protest poor working conditions.

Members of UnitedNY, New York Communities for Change and Make the Road New York joined workers and elected officials on Tuesday to support fair working conditions for employees throughout the City. The tour began at Sotheby’s in Manhattan before the group hopped on a Brooklyn-bound school bus. Dozens of protesters stopped by Cablevision and Farm Country Supermarket in Brooklyn before arriving in Southeast Queens.

On April 3, 1968, King walked the streets of Memphis with sanitation workers to protest employment conditions. It was that day he gave his “Mountaintop” speech, the speech that would end up being his last. King was assassinated the following day.

“This bus tour commemorates

the legacy and it’s a tribute a wage gap between male to Dr. King’s commitment and female employees. to making sure that there Nearly 75 percent of conis economic justice – and tracted workers earning that’s why we’re here tomore than $10 an hour were day,” State Sen. Jose men. These low wages cause Peralta (D-Jackson one out of 10 airline conHeights) said. tract employees to hold anAround 3 p.m., the bus other job to support themarrived at Sutphin Car selves, in addition to suppleWash, located at the cormenting income with pubner of Liberty Avenue and lic benefits.

Sutphin Boulevard. The “They want so much business is part of a chain from you yet they’re not of car washes operated by willing to pay you more, or Fernando Magalhaes, give you sick days or health who was subpoenaed last benefits,” said Najeeboh month by Attorney GenAbdul, a security officer for eral Eric Schneiderman Air Serv at JFK Airport. following revelations of The group wanted Jawage and hour violations Dozens of employees and community groups protest employee treatment at the Sutphin maica to serve as a backand unsafe working con- Car Wash on Tuesday. drop for the tour because ditions. On March 29, they say it is an example of NYCC went to the car wash to worker Adan Nicolas said report, many of the people a lack of effective community fight for workers who do not have through a translator. trusted to keep passengers and investment. Once a bustling The tour ended at JFK their belongings safe are making middle-class neighborhood, Japaid sick leave, overtime or company-sponsored benefits. Work- Airport’s Terminal 4, where the a median average of $8 an hour maica is now home to one of the ers have since said that their hours group took a stand against low working as baggage handlers, highest foreclosure rates in the had been cut in retaliation for wages paid by airlines for con- maintenance workers and secu- State. tract workers. According to a re- rity officers, among other jobs. complaining.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin “We want to be paid a living cent New York University’s At JFK, LaGuardia and New- at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or wage, a decent salary,” carwash Women of Color Policy Network ark Airports, the report revealed vlewin@queenspress.com.

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

BY VERONICA LEWIN

New Plans Could Stave Off Foreclosures

BY VERONICA LEWIN

When a homeowner falls behind on mortgage payments, a complaint is summoned in county court. New York requires both parties to attend a settlement conference, where a downward modification can be negotiated.

A settlement conference cannot take place until the foreclosure law firm files a Request for Judicial Intervention. When paperwork is filed properly, homeowners are notified about their legal right to a settlement conference within 60 days. A new state law could be the reason for the delay.

The State Court of Appeals realized many banks were cutting corners when proving they had the right to seize a home for foreclosure. In October 2010, Court of Appeals Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman ordered attorneys seeking foreclosure actions file an affirmation with the

RJI attesting to the accuracy of every foreclosure complaint and summons.

Southeast Queens has often been called “ground-zero” by elected officials and non-profit groups. State Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica) announced last week that the Senate passed a bill that could help prevent homeowners from falling into arrears in the first place. Introduced by State Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), the bill (S. 886) would prevent people from being persuaded into loans with higher payments or interest rates they are qualified for due to the commission the lender could receive – a practice also known as yield spread premiums. According to Huntley, the number of YSP’s has exponentially increased over the past 10 years.

“Buying a new home can be a

stressful and agonizing process,” Huntley said. “And the notion that a mortgage broker could get away with by not being completely honest with their client is an injustice that no potential home owner should have to worry about.”

If the bill passes the Assembly, YSP’s would be banned, prohibiting mortgage brokers or lenders from receiving incentives based on the terms of a home loan. This would likely discourage lenders from issuing loans people cannot afford.

“By eliminating YSP’s, we are taking the necessary steps in protecting our future homeowners,” Huntley said. “I am proud that this regrettably common and misleading practice will no longer be tolerated in New York State.”

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.

April 6-12, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

The implementation of new plans could help keep borough homeowners from losing their houses in the event of a foreclosure.

The new plan could expedite foreclosure cases by giving judges additional control and requiring banks to send bank officials to mortgage settlement conferences who have the authority to modify loans, which could allow people to stay in their homes.

Borough President Helen Marshall recently wrote a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman asking them that the plan gets implemented quickly to give those in arrears some relief.

“Given that Queens has been especially hard-hit by the mortgage foreclosure crisis, it is ap-

propriate that this plan is being initiated in this borough,” Marshall’s letter states. “I look forward to the court adopting these new measures to alleviate some of our troubled homeowners’ miseries.”

Queens County has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the state, with failing mortgages concentrated in the neighborhoods surrounding the borough’s airports.

Marshall said that despite the high rate of foreclosure in Queens, cases move slowly, causing backlogs to accumulate in the court system. Meanwhile, homeowners wait anxiously to find out if they can stay in their homes. A study conducted in November by MFY Legal Services, a non-profit law firm, estimated 4,000 homeowners in Queens and Brooklyn are waiting for a chance to plead their case in court.

Cross Bay Bridge Toll Rebate Restored

BY DOMENICK RAFTER The state budget that passed in Albany last week includes a provision to provide some welcome relief for residents of the Rockaways and Broad Channel.

Included in the budget is a provision fully funding the resident toll rebate for the Cross Bay Vet-

erans Memorial Bridge. It requires the state to pay the MTA for costs associated with reimbursement of E-Z Pass tolls paid by residents of Broad Channel and the Rockaway Peninsula for travel over the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Up until last year, the toll was free for Rockaway and Broad Channel residents who use the bridge

daily. But last summer, the MTA changed the toll rebate rules, forcing residents to pay a discounted rate for the first two trips over the bridge. The two communities share a precinct and a community board but are divided by the toll and many Rockaway residents cross the bridge to get to work.

Local officials heralded the

rebate, including U.S. Rep. Bob Turner (R-Middle Village) who lives in Breezy Point and often uses the bridge.

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Far Rockaway) went further, calling for the toll’s complete elimination.

The toll is the only one that exists on a crossing entirely

within one borough. Goldfeder and other opponents of the toll said it hamstrings the peninsula’s economy and cuts it off from the rest of the borough and the city.

The MTA said the toll is necessary to fund its capital projects.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125 or drafter@queenstribune.com.

York Cricket Club Wins National Title

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 6-12, 2012

The Cricket Club at York College returned from a midterm break as national champions. Last month the club defeated the University of South Florida to win its first national title.

The Cardinals finished 151-8 over the Bulls’ 129-10 to win the national championship on March 18. York traveled to Florida during Spring Break to play in the tournament of 28 teams, where York was

able to soar to the top and defeat big-name schools in the process.

The club was presented with their championship trophy on Tuesday at the college’s Atrium in the academic core building.

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on a field, at the center of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats and tries to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dis-

miss the batsmen and limit the runs scored by the batting team.

A run is scored by the striking batsman hitting the ball with his bat, running to the opposite end of the pitch and touching the crease there without being dismissed. The teams switch between batting and fielding at the end of an innings.

Cricket was first played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, it had developed into the national sport of England.

The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being played overseas and by the mid-19th century the first international matches were being held.

In the first round, York beat Auburn University. They went on to win against the University of Houston-Clearlake and New York University Polytechnic to reach the quarterfinal round. After defeating Cleveland State, York advanced to the Final Four. In the semifinal round, York took down

previously undefeated Texas A&M University. This set up York to take on the University of South Florida in the final match, a team that has reached the Final Four in three of the past four seasons.

The American College Cricket organization was founded in October 2008 and currently has 50 teams, with the number growing each season.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.

Willets Development Clears Hurdle The Federal Highway Administration has wiped away a significant hurdle for Willets Point development advocates, declaring that the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Van Wyck Expressway ramp plan would have “no significant effect on the human environment.”

Supporters and opponents of the development plan have eagerly awaited the FHWA’s ruling because the NYCEDC had promised a judge that they would not invoke eminent domain to take Willets Point properties until a highway ramp plan was approved by the FHWA and the New State Dept. of Tr anspor t ation.

In the NYCEDC’s multi-phase plan to transform Willets Point into a bustling urban center, new Van Wyck Expressway ramps would be required.

Willets Point United, a col-

lective of Willets Point land owners who oppose the development, have argued that the NYCEDC’s plan would trigger skyrocketing congestion on the Van Wyck Expressway and Grand Central Parkway, traffic that they have called disastrous and unsustainable. WPU hired a traffic engineer, Brian Ketcham — known for helping to slay the Ed Koch-era Westway proposal — to prove this point in a lengthy report.

“The findings and approval from the Federal Highway Administration for the Van Wyck Expressway Ramps is a significant milestone for Willets Point, and the next step in realizing this ambitious project,” said Jennifer Friedberg, a NYCEDC spokeswoman.

In a March 22 letter from the FHWA’s Director of Engineering Chris Gatchell to NYSDOT Regional Director Phillip Eng, Gatchell detailed the NYCEDC’s proposal for a

new off bound ramp from the northbound Van Wyck and a new on bound ramp to the southbound Van Wyck at the existing Van Wyck Northern Boulevard interchange near exit 13. FHWA sided with the NYCEDC, finding that their proposal would not result “in any significant impacts related to land use, zoning, or public policy…”

The NYSDOT has yet to approve the ramp proposal. Joan McDonald, NYSDOT’s commissioner, was also former vice president of transportation for NYCEDC, a fact that WPU contends would create a conflict-ofinterest in any ultimate ruling.

Their appeals to the Inspector General’s office have so far been ignored.

“We think that FHWA violated the National Environmental Policy Act, a federal highway act and other laws in making a finding that is contrary to the clear conclusion of the City’s

PRESS Photo by Ross Barkan

BY ROSS BARKAN

Willets Point workers rally against alleged police abuse in early February. own studies that these ramps would lead to intolerable conditions on the Van Wyck,” said Michael Gerrard, a lawyer for WPU. “The final environment assessment statement the City released several years ago indicated major traffic issues. The record is clear.”

Gerrard said WPU is considering its legal options.

Many local elected officials have lined up in support of a

Willets Point development, a notable exception being State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside).

Last month, the Queens Tribune reported that U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), the Queens Democratic leader, had met with FHWA officials in early January to expedite the ramp approval process.

Reach Reporter Ross Barkan at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127 or rbarkan@queenstribune.com.

Queens Library Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center Proudly Presents

Spectacular Saturdays @ the Library Series Good Vibrations…

A Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron Saturday, April 7, 2012

* program subject to change

Free Admission · All are Welcome 100-01 Northern Boulevard Corona, New York 11368 For more information call: (718) 651 1100 www.queenslibrary.org · www.libraryactioncommittee.org Funding for this program is provided in part through grants received from the New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Council Discretionary Grant from Council Member Julissa Ferreras, Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall, Queens Library, Library Action Committee of Corona-East Elmhurst, Inc., and from private donations and contributions.

April 6-12, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Schedule of Events 12:00 noon The Music and Poetry of Gil Scott-Heron 1:00 a.m. Film Screening: “Black Wax Is That Jazz” Gil Scott-Heron (1998) 2:15 p.m. The Poetry of Gil Scott-Heron David Mills 3:30 p.m. Panel Discussion “The Life and Contributions of Gil Scott-Heron” Herb Boyd, Moderator Panelists: Dr. Keith Gilyard, Dr. Tony Medina, Dr. Aldon Nielsen, Sistah Sonia Sanchez; Nana Camille Yarbrough, Atiba Wilson 4:30 p.m. Professin’ the Blues B 4 Quo’tet

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

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed

Editorial Let’s Go Mets It was a long offseason, filled with bad news for the New York Mets. There isn’t a lot of hope coming into the new season. Many analysts have predicted doom and gloom for the Amazin’s.

But it’s time to put the trials and tribulations that troubled the Kings of Queens throughout the offseason behind them, because our National Pastime is back in the borough. The 2012 season has finally started and fans of the game – and the Mets – have reason to rejoice.

Baseball is a game of patience – and Mets fans may need a lot of it in the coming months. The new season, though, will give fans a chance to see some of the team’s homegrown talent come mature into the stars of the future. Lucas Duda, Ruben Tejada and Jon Niese will all bring talent to the table and set up possible future playoff runs for the team.

The return of Johan Santana should also bring a smile to the face of Mets fans.

So forget about all the bad news that came out in the offseason and let’s root, root, root for the home team.

Queens Today Editor

Letters

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Harley Benson Veronica Lewin Domenick Rafter Ross Barkan Jason Pafundi Interns: Brianna Ellis Joanna Gonzalez Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend Advertising Director Shanie Persaud

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 6-12, 2012

Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2012 Tribco, LLC

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

Not Fracking Worth It To The Editor: There has been much discussion about the use of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, when drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale areas in New York State.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo will have the final say as to whether to allow this controversial technology to be used. Please contact him with your thoughts about this issue.

The gas and oil companies have been blanketing the media with ads proclaiming the safety

Letters of this process and the million jobs drilling supposedly will create. They are spending huge amounts of money, not only for their rosy ads, but also in terms of contributions to the campaign coffers of many of our elected leaders.

Many questions still remain unanswered about fracking and the fluid used in the process. Scientists, environmental and community groups in our state are asking: Why is fracking fluid exempted from being regulated as hazardous waste when it contains many toxic and carcinogenic chemicals?

What will be the impact on public health and safety if fracking fluid seeps into water sources such as wells, reservoirs and waterways?

In other states, fracking fluid has contaminated wells and streams. What contingency plans have been put into place in New York if drinking water becomes contaminated by fracking fluid?

Why hasn’t a cumulative impact analysis and a health risk

assessment been done to determine the effect that fracking will have on residents and communities near where the projected 65,000 wells will be operating?

Where will the billions of gallons of water required in the fracking process come from and what will happen in times of drought?

Does drilling using fracking and/or storage of wastewater from fracking procedures precipitate earthquakes? Areas in Ohio have experienced these events and many believe there is a link to the fracking process.

Natural gas obtained in the Marcellus Shale and other regions contain high levels of radon gas, a known carcinogen.

Governor Cuomo should provide answers to these and other questions. I believe the responses will show that fracking is not worth the risks and that we need to move forward with renewable, safe energy alternatives like solar and wind power! This will create jobs that we need, while protecting our environment.

Henry Euler, Bayside

Tragic Tale Comes To An End A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE After nearly two months we finally have word that indeed singer Whitney Houston’s death was caused by drug abuse even if you cannot technically call it an overdose.

According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office, the singer died from drowning in her hotel bathtub due to “a heart event.” His report adds that the 48 year-old fan favorite “had enough drugs in her system to contribute to the drowning.”

There were traces of a cocainelike substance found all over the bathroom and combined with the coke found in her system, they concluded she had just used shortly before getting into a very hot bath.

Those of us who don’t use drugs cannot begin to imagine what kind of emotional pain would lead a talented, beautiful person to start on a path of selfdestruction the likes of what has

undone Whitney Houston. She abused prescription drugs and she abused street drugs; she drank too. The outcome was inevitable.

You just hope that people will get help and stay helped before it’s too late. Unfortunately, despite going to rehab, Houston was not ready to be helped and it killed her. Jimi Hendrix didn’t die from an overdose, either. He died by choking on his own vomit while too high to help himself. But it is still attributable to the drugs.

His and so many other deaths were also inevitable. The problem is that drugs are dangerous no matter the type. When combined by an alcohol problem, it’s even worse. Whitney and millions of other Americans are killing themselves one day at a time with self-abuse. The message is that drugs kill, don’t start and if you’ve already started, get help and stay helped.

What a sad and lonely way for this “good girl gone bad” to go.

It’s not too often that you hear of anyone beyond the age of four

drowning in a bathtub. The irony is Whitney was quite a swimmer and swam almost daily in her attempt to lose weight. She even swam in the hotel pool at the Beverly Hilton where she died.

And then she drowns in a tub.

The coroner also made the point of saying that the temperature of the bath water was 93.5 degrees five hours after she was lifted out of it. Although he does not mention it as a possibility in her “heart event,” I know from experience that very hot baths lead to palpitations even in those of us with healthy hearts.

For someone with a weakened heart and coke in her system, it can and does lead to trouble. She should not have been taking a bath of any kind. A shower would have been much safer given that she was high. The crowd of people she was carrying on her payroll and who were with her when she died failed her.

Somebody got her that coke or let in someone who did and then they left her alone to self-

destruct on it. There was the sister-in-law/manager, the bodyguard who is brother of the sisterin-law/manager, an assistant, a “hair stylist,” an “advisor” from the Netherlands and her daughter who was not too far away.

And even with that crowd around her, Whitney was still lonely enough and in pain enough to use prescription drugs for “anxiety” and street drugs for Lord knows what.

Now her vulnerable young daughter is in the clutches of a manipulative young man whom her mother took in years ago. With all her drug issues we don’t know how much guidance Whitney was able to provide her daughter. But she provided love and affection and that has been snatched from her.

Despite the crowd around her, Whitney was a sad and lonely woman. Like Michael Jackson, she had everything outsiders think she could want. But in the end, they did not value themselves enough to stay clean.

It is sad.

Just Another Chapter: A Spoof, Redistricting, A Crime

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER

GUILTY AS CHARGED Yes, my column of two weeks ago, titled: “Ackerman Act IV: The True Story Of Gary’s Retirement,” was indeed, a spoof.

I wanted to have a little fun with my friend, the retiring Congressman, and continue the longstanding tradition of publishing an April Fool’s gag. Last week’s issue was devoted to celebrating the 42nd Anniversary of the newspaper founded by Gary Ackerman and therefore no April Fools’ space was planned. With Gary’s story and the Mets’ story breaking so quickly, I seized the moment and decided to kid the kidder. I published a story – containing April Fools’ clues – declar ing Gar y was to be a nnounced on April 1, as the new

managing partner and head of a financial combine which purchased the Mets.

The responses were interesting and amusing.

With an interview on John Gambling’s radio show and stories or columns in the New York Times, Forward and more, and the blogs abuzz, all of which appeared to initially accept my column as the gospel, Gary only had a singular reaction to me.

Gary emailed: “I’d rather play shortstop.”

REDISTRICTING FIASCO Some time has passed. I’ve sat back and reflected on Gov. Cuomo’s mega-deal made with the State Legislature in exchange for allowing them to draw their own district lines.

The reformer’s blood that flows through my veins has been boiling. After clearly stating and maintaining he would veto any lines not drawn by an independent commission, how could “Andrew the Amazing” cave? Perhaps he’s not so amazing. Perhaps he’s not so different from the self-serving “public servants” who share that

miserable upstate corruption inducing town, Albany.

Now, we saw the Governor slowly back off his position as deadlines approached and other deals were put on the table.

He publically wanted a “less hyper political” map, a constitutional amendment to fix the problem forever – starting in 10 years, and a back-up law in case the constitutional amendment wasn’t ratified. He became critical of the judicial results on the Congressional lines and laid the groundwork to approve the pathetic self-serving maps drawn to please the Senate Republicans and Assembly Dems.

In the backroom, pension reform, on-time budget, a Constitutional Amendment legalizing gambling, teacher evaluations, a DNA database, and who knows what other deals the Governor may have tied to his threat to use the veto pen on the legislature’s dishonorable maps.

At the end of the day, the Governor got much of his agenda approved by the legislature and/ or leadership.

However, when it came to redistricting, he got a couple of

Budget Disputes Vary In Intensity mass par t icipat ion in school budget hearings declined. Because of years of disappointment, people were less inclined to believe that real change would re sult from their participation. Increasingly, subst itutes were sent to represent elected officials Stern at hearings.

One early memory I have to the contrary is that of Mayor Rober t F. Wagner, in his third term, presiding over the old Board of Estimate. People were encouraged by the fact that this mayor was listening to them in person. And Wagner felt it was part of his responsibility to do that - to listen to requests that he could at best meet only in part. Toward the end of the Boards existence the proceedings took on a mechanical cast.

Neither side had the power to change the balance of the relationships that ossified as quickly as they had developed.

Public hearings were theoretically held for each city agency. By throwing a batch of agencies to-

gether, and scheduling the hearings for Friday afternoon, the bureaucratic schedule makers essentially ended the practice of citizen review of agency budgets except in the most egregious cases which may independently have attracted attention from the media.

For the last four years, Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn have reached agreement on the city budget. With $60 bil lion spent each year, it should not be difficult to find some way in which the funds can be divided to the satisfaction of all the players. If a peaceful settlement is not reached, it will be because personal rivalries trumped legislative goals.

One could call the years from 2002 to 2005 the era of ambition.

That should not exclude other political periods from that signification. The core problem from 2002 may have been that too much of the talent was in their mid-twentie s after senior members were forced to retire in 2001, an issue which has not arisen since.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

PENSION REFORM, HUMBUG Talking about pension reform, here’s something that hasn’t been addressed. Former State Sen. Carl Kruger, one of Brooklyn’s finest example s of why Albany needs change, pleaded guilty to Federal corruption charges. Kruger takes his place in a long line of modern day thieves who used their elected office to enrich themselves.

So Kruger, who served in the State Senate since 1994 and prior to that worked for the Democrats in the State Assembly, had a total of 36-plus years of State service.

According to the generous state pension system, counting his last three years salary of $79,500 plus his last three years “lulus” (the

Congressional Junket?

POSTED ON FACEBOOK

Carolyn Maloney: “I decided to take the afternoon off, borrowed a neighbor’s old bike, and went cycling in Central Park. I love New York.” extra doled out by leadership for committee chairs and the like) – for Kruger, as high as $34,000 for two of the years he served as Finance Chair — plus other calculations, yielded a lifetime pension of about $70,000 annually.

He admitted to abusing his office; he resigned; yet he collects a State pension for the rest of his life.

I wonder why the State legislature doesn’t simply pass a law that anyone who is convicted of or pleads guilt y to abusi ng h is State office sacrifices his State pension?

I wonder?

MSchenkler@QueensTribune.com

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

April 6-12, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

By HENRY STERN Like nature itself, city government deals with different matters in different seasons of the year.

First is the season of the budget, which begins with reque st s for funds by agencies and advocates, most of which are politely Henry ignored because there are insufficient resources to fund them.

The word most heard at budget time is “no.”

Agency budget hearings can be helpful if public attention is called to new issues, or important questions which have been neglected.

Many years ago these hearings, especially those on the education budget, were considered important public events. Hundreds of witne sse s from communit ie s al l around the city would wait hours for their group to be heard at City Hall. The relevant borough president would stay and hear the parents and others who came to testify on overcrowding and school construction.

Over the years, the custom of

tweaks and promises concerning a Constitutional Amendment and signed a bill which continued for another decade, the pathetic selfserving process which betrays the people and defies good government.

Andrew Cuomo was a giant, our hero, who was elected Governor to bring us reform, change and good government. Instead, he played the inside deal-making game – only bigger and better than it has been played before.

Andrew Cuomo was elected Governor to change the Albany culture and at the end of the day, the Albany culture changed him.

And I wonder if it matters that the State and its people may be better off because of the Coumo deals?

2012 New York Mets:

Five Players To Watch In 2012

BY ROSS BARKAN

Photo by Ira Cohen

New York Mets baseball is upon us, and it is hard to remember Mets fans, an already pessimistic bunch, viewing an upcoming season so negatively. The epic late-season collapses of 2007 and

2008 at least lent credence to the illusion that the team, without a few unlucky breaks, could keep contending for years to come.

With the Mets’ finances ranging from precarious to disastrous, depending on which news report you read, and an offseason noted

Mr. Met is excited for the new season.

for its inactivity, the season is looking especially miserable when contrasted with Jose Reyes’ defection to the Marlins, the suddenly-hyped Nationals, the pitching-rich Braves and a Phillies franchise that seemed to do everything right while the Mets did everything wrong.

The grim outlook is justified, but it is not the only reality. Yes, the Mets are cash-starved. Yes, Reyes is gone. Yet this team is not as pathetic as it looks. If a few key players can realize their potential and stave off injury, the Mets could be playing competitive baseball into the summer and maybe, just maybe, make a run at the strange new second wildcard slot. Here are those players: Jason Bay- There are many

Mets Honor Carter In Opener

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 6-12, 2012

BY JASON PAFUNDI The New York Mets open the 2012 season without one of the most beloved members of the franchise’s family - Gary Carter.

The Hall of Fame catcher died on Feb. 16 after a 10-month battle with brain cancer.

Carter’s family — wife Sandy, son D.J. and daughters Kimmy and Christy and their families — will be on the field during a moment of silence and the ceremonial first pitch.

The Mets are wearing a patch on their right sleeve featuring a black home plate with “KID 8” in white lettering to honor Carter during the 2012 season.

Carter was an 11-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner. He was traded to the Mets from the Montreal Expos prior to the 1985 season.

“The genesis of the trade was that we wanted to add a big bat to the lineup,” former Mets general manager Frank Cashen said. “He did that right away, but more importantly was the way he handled our young pitchers. He was the perfect guy for so many reasons.”

One of those young pitchers was Dwight Gooden, who went 17-9 and won Rookie of the Year in

1984 as a 19-year-old. In 1985, his first year with Carter behind the plate, Gooden went 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA en route to winning the Cy Young Award.

“I relied on Gary for everything when I was on the mound including location, what pitch to throw and when,” Gooden said.

“Even when I didn’t have my best stuff, he found a way to get me through the game. He was just a warrior on the field.”

Carter’s help with the young pitchers on the team, including Gooden, Ron Darling, Sid Fernandez and Bobby Ojeda, was a big factor in the team’s success, especially in the 1986 championship season, when the team won 108 games.

“Gary was a one-man scouting system,” said Davey Johnson, who managed the team during Carter’s years and currently manages the Washington Nationals.

“He was the ideal catcher for our young pitching staff.”

The Mets won the World Series in 1986 in a classic sevengame series against the Boston Red Sox. Carter hit two homers in the series and kept the Mets alive with a single in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game Six, which the Mets later won when

Mookie Wilson’s dribbler went through the legs of Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner.

“The one thing I remember about Gary was his smile,” Wilson said.

In his first game as a Met, Carter hit a walk-off home run in the 10th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on Opening Day in 1985.

“What he added to the team was character,” said Mets great Darryl Strawberry. “His approach to the game was contagious and it spread to the rest of us. He helped each of us understand what it took to win.”

Carter finished his career with 324 home runs and 1,225 RBI. He was elected to the Mets Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

“No one loved the game of baseball more than Gary Carter,” legendary Hall of Famer Tom Seaver said. “No one enjoyed playing the game of baseball more than Gary Carter. He wore his heart on his sleeve every inning he played. He gave you 110 percent and played the most grueling position on the field and that was something special.”

Reach Reporter Jason Pafundi at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, or jpafundi@queenstribune.com.

players that can lay claim to being a microcosm for the Mets’ recent woes. The oft-concussed Bay is one of those players. Once a Red Sox and Pirates star, his offense has been dreadful since he joined the Mets. Hope springs from the wise decision to make the distance shorter between home plate and Citi Field’s distant fences. A less cavernous park may rejuvenate Bay. If he can shake his concussion aftereffects and play like his old self, the Mets will have a legitimately great left fielder.

Lucas Duda- In limited time last year, the now 26-year-old had a respectable .292/.370/.482 line.

He will be another beneficiary of the slightly smaller Citi Field.

Duda should progress and the Mets could have a strong middleof-the-order power threat, a lefty slugger with 25-homer potential.

Johan Santana- Remember when this guy was the best pitcher in the much tougher American League? That seems like a lifetime ago. Santana did not pitch

in 2011 after undergoing shoulder surgery. At 33, his days as a Hall of Fame-level pitcher are gone, but he appears healthy and is crafty enough to get by on a diminished fastball. If Santana can be among the better pitchers in the National League, the Mets rotation will not look so awful.

Jon Niese- A resurgent Santana and an improved Niese can actually keep the Mets in contention.

Known right now chiefly for his nose job, the left-hander is only 25 and struck out 138 batters last year while only walking 44. That’s a good ratio: look for Niese to take a step forward.

Mike Baxter- Baxter is from Whitestone, he went to Archbishop Molloy and made the roster out of spring training. He is on the bench and not quite as important as Santana, but anytime a Queens boy makes the Mets roster, he deserves a spot in our hearts.

Reach Reporter Ross Barkan at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127 or rbarkan@queens.tribune.com.

2012 Series To Watch April 24-26 Miami Marlins Former Met superstar Jose Reyes returns to Citi Field for his first game as a Marlin.

Reyes signed a six-year, $106 million deal with Miami in December after playing the first nine years of his career in Flushing.

May 28-30 Philadelphia Phillies The rival Phils bring their pitching staff of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, along with slugger Ryan Howard and shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

June 22-24 New York Yankees The annual Subway Series comes to Citi Field, where fans can sing a belated happy 40th birthday to the out-of-retirement Andy Pettitte or jeer any of the other guys in pinstripes.

July 20-25 Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals Magic Johnson brings his new $2.1 billion toy to their original home city, led by 2011 Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw and superstar outfielder Matt Kemp.

Plus, after the game on July 20, ‘80s band Cheap Trick will be in concert. Then, check out the upstart Nationals and flamethrower Steven Strasburg and 19-year-old phenom Bryce Harper.

September 7-9 Atlanta Braves This could be the final chance for Mets fans to say goodbye to longtime nemesis Chipper Jones, the should be future Hall of Fame third baseman who has announced his intention to retire after the season. Jones, who has a son named Shea, has a .318 average with 48 home runs and 154 RBIs in his career against the Mets.

-Jason Pafundi

Police Blotter Compiled by JASON PAFUNDI

110th Precinct Man Shot and Killed On March 25 at 8:33 p.m., police responded to a 911 call of a vehicle accident at Horace Harding Expressway and Junction Boulevard.

Upon arrival, officers determined that a male operator of a 1997 Acura sedan crashed into another vehicle at the location. Police observed that the operator of the Acura, identified as 32-year-old Tesfari Davis, had a gunshot wound to the neck and multiple gunshot wounds to the leg. EMS responded and removed Davis to Elmhurst Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. There are no arrest(s) at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

Elderly Man Killed On March 26 at approximately 8:30 a.m., police responded to a report of an unconscious person located at 95-19 43rd Ave. in Corona.

Upon arrival, police observed 89-yearold Demaso Llano lying inside on his back unconscious with trauma to the face.

EMS responded and pronounced him dead at the scene.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

District Attorney Woman Pleads Guilty Queens DA Richard Brown announced that 24-year-old Dawa Lama pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for having thrown her newborn daughter in the trash and leaving the hospital without alerting anyone.

Lama gave birth in a bathroom of Elmhurst Hospital on May 10, 2011.

Brown said that in pleading guilty, Lama admitted that after registering at the front desk for prenatal care, she experienced a strong pain in her abdomen and back and needed to use the restroom.

While in the restroom, Lama went into labor and delivered the baby — who was later named Mingmar Gurung. Lama then detached the baby from the umbilical cord, threw the baby in a garbage bin and left the bathroom. Before exiting the hospital, she went back to the front desk and retrieved her identification card.

Mingmar, who was born alive and full term with no obvious deformities, was

Best Wishes For A Joyous Easter Season

5th Congressional District

Paid for by Friends for Gregory Meeks

U.S. Attorney Queens Man Guilty Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Patrick Nayyar, a citizen of India who had been living illegally in Queens, was found guilty in Manhattan federal court of five counts related to support he attempted to provide to Hizballah, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Nayyar was convicted after a sevenday jury trial before U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet.

According to the superseding indictment filed in Manhattan federal court and the evidence presented at trial, between July 2009 and Sept. 2009, Nayyar and his co-conspirator, Conrad Stanisclaus Mulholland, agreed to provide weapons, ammunition and vehicles to Hizballah, a U.S. designated terrorist

operation based in Lebanon.

During a series of meetings with a confidential informant working with the FBI, who represented himself as able to deliver materials to Hizballah, Nayyar and Mulholland agreed to sell guns, ammunition, vehicles, bulletproof vests and night vision goggles to the confidential informant. During these meetings, Nayyar and Mulholland provided the informant with a handgun, a box of ammunition and a pick-up truck, believing he would deliver the items to Hizballah in Lebanon.

He was convicted of one count of conspiring to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, one count of conspiring to make or receive a contribution of funds, good or services to, and for the benefits of, Hizballah, one count of attempting to make or receive a contribution of funds, good or services to, and for the benefits of, Hizballah and one count of conspiring to traffic in firearms and ammunition.

Mulholland, who is not a citizen of the U.S. and resides abroad, left the country before charges were filed and remains at large.

Man Convicted In Murder Of Pizzeria Owner’s Son

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

The suspect charged with the shooting of a pizzeria owner’s son that shocked a quiet South Queens neighborhood has been convicted of his murder.

A jury Monday convicted Francis LaCorte, 29, of Ozone Park on a slew of charges including second-degree murder, burglary and conspiracy charges. LaCorte stood trial for the murder of Gerardo Antoniello, the 29-year-old son of Bartolomeo Antoniello, former owner of Romeo’s Pizzeria on Cross Bay Boulevard in Ozone Park. Antoniello was shot and killed during an attempted robbery at his parents’ home on North Conduit Avenue near the Belt Parkway on Sept. 9, 2009. LaCorte was also convicted of orchestrating two other home robberies in Queens in August and September 2009.

Three other individuals arrested in connection with the Antoniello murder have previously pleaded guilty in the case.

According to trial testimony, LaCorte and another man, Vincent Mineo, met in the days before the attempted robbery to discuss and plan the home robbery of Antoniello. During this time period, Mineo

and/or LaCorte identified Antoniello’s home to accomplices and, on Sept. 9, 2009, Mineo and/or LaCorte provided certain accomplices with items that would be used during the robbery – including duct tape and a loaded firearm. As Antoniello arrived home, the robbers approached him and forced their way into his home. A struggle then ensued as Gerardo Antoniello came to his father’s aid. One of the robbers pulled out a weapon and shot Gerardo Antoniello in the head before fleeing empty-handed. He later died.

Mineo, who lived just blocks from the scene of the murder, pleaded guilty in February to first-degree attempted robbery, first-degree burglary and fourth-degree conspiracy and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Two other accomplices – Jason Burrell, 39, of Brooklyn, and Rashod Cowan, 32, of the Bronx – pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and first-degree attempted robbery and are currently awaiting sentence. LaCorte faces up to 75 years to life in prison; he will be sentenced on April 16.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125 or drafter@queenstribune.com.

April 6-12, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

GREGORY W. MEEKS

placed on life support and died seven days later.

Judge Lenora Gerald scheduled sentencing for April 16, at which time she said she will sentence Lama to 10 years in prison. Lama is currently being held in jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

pix

Easter Egg Hunt

Photo by NYPhotoByNick

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

Rally For Trayvon

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 6-12, 2012

At the Rally for Trayvon Martin in St. Albans Park last Saturday, Assemblyman William Scarborough called the fact that neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman was not arrested for killing a 17 year old teenager in Sanford, Fla. a tragedy. Jamaica NAACP President Leroy Gadsden said it was racism that got the unarmed teen shot.

Social Media Meeting During a recent meeting of the Queens County Bar Association , social media guru Hilary Topper, president and CEO of HJMT, gave a presentation on “Using Social Media In Your Law Practice. Pictured (from left) are Kristie Gazvani, executive vice president of HJMT; Topper, Richard Gutierrez, QCBA president; and QCBA Program Chairman Joseph Carola.

Photo by Walter Karling

Photo by Juliet Kaye

Kids and adults gathered for a picture with the Easter Bunny after an Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Ozone Park Tudor Civic Association.

Profile

Modern Flair For Traditional Weddings If long-standing wedding traditions seem a little confining and out of date for your modern nuptial celebration, you’re not alone. Lifestyles are trending toward practical and tasteful simplification. An easy-going elegance and a balance of formality and fun is now the norm. So you might ask, “How can creative couples introduce more contemporary options to their celebrations yet still craft a memorable, classy wedding?”

Here are a few ideas to get you started: Instead of a traditional bachelor or bachelorette party, have a get-together that plugs into everyone’s socially connected and active lives. Combine both parties and consider a hike, beach party, bike ride, cook-out and croquet or an evening of fun at a skating rink or bowling alley.

Book a local attraction such as an art museum, university facility, park or historical building to serve as a unique setting for the rehearsal dinner or the wedding reception itself.

Find a vintage dress or off-

the-rack model and seek out a creative local designer or dressmaker to turn out a truly individual, inspired bridal dress.

Grooms can do the same with a vintage, never-out-of-style tuxedo, having a local tailor alter it for an impeccable red-carpetworthy fit.

Stretch your dollar and earn style points by supplementing pricey florist’s roses, lilies and stephanotis with native wildflowers, leaves, twigs, fruits and herbs from a local grower or farmers market.

Provide the wedding party with a budget and suggestions for color, style and theme. Then trust them to put their own spin on their wedding attire. Don’t worry, they’ll likely invest in something that’s stylish, fits and flatters their frames - and can be worn more than once.

Prime rib, chicken breast and salmon are popular go-to options for the reception meal, but consider hiring a local chef, favorite eatery or culinary school program to put a unique spin on expected menu items. Think about

marrying treasured family culinary traditions from both sides in the food you offer. If an elaborate sit down meal is hard on your finances, consider offering a reception of small plate foods, limited cocktail menu and cake.

Your guests will enjoy it just as much.

Rather than a costly and extravagant open bar, consult a local mixologist to create a simple menu of two or three custom cocktails and soft drinks that reflect your personalities, wedding theme and season.

If a full band, disc jockey or orchestra are straining your budget but you still want to dance, plug your smartphone into a good sound system and use a service, like Pandora, to create a custom stream of music.

Take the time to craft truly personalized gifts for your honored friends in the wedding party or as table favors for your guests.

Tom Havran, aromatherapy expert at Aura Cacia, suggests choosing a natural body care theme and filling a basket with homemade personal care items

such as an aromatherapy spritzer to calm nerves, a foot soak to soothe tired and sore dancing feet, and a bath and body oil for takeaway skin care.

Weddings aren’t what they used to be for many reasons, from tighter budgets to a contemporary desire for a celebration that

is elegant yet simple. Couples can apply these ideas and be confident of breaking out of the mold to create a unique and memorable wedding. Visit www.auracacia.com to learn more ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your modern lifestyle.

Make Your Own Gifts Calming Aromatherapy Spray Ingredients: 4 ounces water 18 drops lavender essential oil 6 drops sweet orange essential oil Directions: Place ingredients in a spray mister bottle. Shake and lightly mist face, or use as a room spray.

Fizzy Foot Soak Ingredients: 1 tablespoon sea salt 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 tablespoon citric acid powder 6 drops lavender essential oil 3 drops peppermint essential oil Directions: Mix ingredients and place in a fancy glassine envelope.

Dissolve in a basin of warm water and soak feet.

Lite and Natural Bath and Body Skin Care Oil Ingredients: 2 ounces sweet almond or apricot kernel oil 1 ounce jojoba oil 1 ounce grapeseed oil 12 drops lavender essential oil 6 drops sweet orange essential oil 6 drops patchouli or sandalwood essential oil Directions: Mix ingredients in a nice bottle and include directions for use: Add 2 tablespoons to bathwater, or apply a thin layer to nourish skin after shower or shaving.

People Local students received academic honors from the School of Management at Binghamton University. They include: Bayside: Alexander V. Zoitos, Chris J. Caron.

Bellerose: Jash K. Mathuria.

Douglaston: Wilson Lin. East Elmhurst: Kenneth Chan.

Forest Hills: Tiffany Choi.

Flushing: Puyan Zhu, Justin K. Chernow, Yang Qiu Q Zhou,

New York State Bar Association Presidentelect Seymour W. James Jr. (right) recently presented the 2012 NYSBA Angelo T. Cometa Award to Queens County Bar Association Past President and Queens Volunteer Lawyers Project board member David Louis Cohen, who accepted the award on behalf of the QVLP at the NYSBA delegates meeting in Buffalo.

Martin Luther School recently crowned spelling bee, Bible Challenge, geography challenge and mathematics challenge champions in the second annual Academic Challenge for students in grades 3-8. Winners from Queens include: Bible Challenge: Theodora Armanios, Woodside, grade 7, second place.

Spelling Bee: Pedrojade Torino Lopez, Elmhurst, grade 8, first place; Luigi dePalma, Ozone Park, grade 8, second place; Vincent Pruchnick, Glendale,

grade 6, second place; Alyssa Santos, Glendale, grade 3, second place.

Mathematics Challenge: Luigi dePalma, Ozone Park, grade 8, first place; Skye Foy, Jamaica, grade 8, second place; Sally Kremer, Woodhaven, grade 6, first place; Ryan Boettcher, Middle Village, grade 5, second place; Anthony Davis, Glendale, grade 4, first place.

Geography Challenge: George Yankey, Springfield Gardens, grade 5, first place; Anthony Davis, Glendale, grade 4, second place.

Local students received academic honors from the College of Community and Public Affairs at Binghamton University. They include: East Elmhurst: Rebecca L. Allison.

Forest Hills: Jessie R. Heller.

Jamaica Estates: Madalyn L.

Lesman.

Rego Park: Taylor J. Arluck.

Rosedale: Stephanie T. Omezi.

Anira Figueira, a 12th-grade student from St. Albans, was named to the honor roll for the spring semester of the 2011-12 school year at the Kent School in Kent, Conn.

Air Force Airman Landel X. Thorman graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, 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 Wendell and Terresalyn Thorman of Jamaica and is a 2011 graduate of Bayside High School.

April 6-12, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

QVLP Honored:

Kenneth J. Eng, Christine Wong.

Fresh Meadows: Meng Meng Zhu, Yenis Hung.

Queens Village: Elie S. Woolf.

South Richmond Hill: Ikram Hoque.

Whitestone: Hilary A. Ramirez.

Woodside: Chi Hyung Lee, Kevin Hsu.

Faith

Ways To Celebrate Easter In SEQ

BY VERONICA LEWIN Residents of Southeast Queens will have their pick of ways to celebrate Easter this weekend.

Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and Affinity Health Plan are hosting the 11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. This free event will take place this Saturday, April 7 from noon to 5 p.m. at St. Albans Memorial Park, located at the corner of Merrick

and Linden Boulevards. The event will be held rain or shine.

The egg hunt will feature amusement rides, coloring contests, music, an appearance by Rex, Affinity’s mascot.

Healthplex will be on site to give out toothbrushes and provide free dental screenings for children. The New York Knicks Groove Truck will be distributing prizes and there will be a variety of performances, including R&B singer/songwriter Monifah.

Word

All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!

Lucy Van Pelt, Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz

“Doctor” Bob Lee, radio personality at WBLS-FM, will host the festivities.

“For 11 years, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Affinity Health Plan to bring smiles to the faces of Queens’ children,” Comrie said. “It is through these types of partnerships – where community members and local businesses work together – that collectively we will plant the seeds of improvement for the betterment of our neighborhoods and the future of Queens.”

The egg hunt will begin at 1:30 p.m. All children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent. For more information call (888) 543-9070.

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the

year for Christian churches.

Christians believe, according to the Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday before Easter. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Easter marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in preparation for the holiday. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.

For those looking to try a new church during Easter Weekend, churches in Southeast Queens are offering a plethora of ser-

vices at various times throughout the day. At 11 a.m. on April 7, the South Ozone Park Seventh-day Adventist Church is hosting a worship service. The church is located at 120-02 140th St. On Easter Sunday, the Presbyterian Church of Saint Albans, located at 190-04 119th Ave. is hosting three services – 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The Annointed Praise and Worship Center, located at 182-25 Jamaica Ave. in Hollis is holding a service beginning at 11:15 a.m.

For people on planning to attend service after their holiday dinner, the St. Albans Community Church of God in Christ is holding a service beginning at 7 p.m. The church is located at 109-09 Farmers Blvd.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.

Notebook PS 181

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 6-12, 2012

BY VERONICA LEWIN The students of Brookfield’s PS 181will soon have a new playground to enjoy during their free time.

The school, located at 14815 230th St., broke ground on a brand new playground for students in grades first through sixth on March 29. Councilman James Sanders Jr. (D-Laurelton) joined faculty, staff, students and members of the Eastern Queens Alliance to celebrate the upcoming playground.

“I believe that swing sets, slides and seesaws are as much a part of the elementary school experience as reading, writing and arithmetic,” Sanders said.

“Every student deserves a safe place to take a break from what has become a rigorous academic day, even for elementary school children, to play, relax, and enjoy the outdoors for a little while.”

The councilman added that social skills, an equally important part of education, are mainly learned on the playground during recess. Sanders secured $250,000 worth of funding from the City to go towards the construction of the new playground space and equipment, which will make up for the lack of playground equipment on site.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.

Junior Knicks League: Photo by Craig Roberts

New Playground

On March 30 Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Rochdale) hosted the Junior Knicks League Championship Game at August Martin High School. Wills was joined by Knicks Legend John Starks, Jamaica YMCA Executive Director Cedric Dew and all eight of the Junior Knicks teams to enjoy PS 40 and MS 226 battle it out for the crown. PS 40 came out on top in a hard game. Afterwards, both teams were presented with trophies for their participation in the game and PS 40’s Antonio Jenkins was awarded with the Most Valuable Player Award.

A&E

BY JASON PAFUNDI

Residents of Queens are used to having their lives disrupted by movie and television crews who take over their neighborhoods and line the streets with trucks, trailers and equipment.

Recently, it was Sunnyside’s turn as CBS’ “Unforgettable” took over 43rd Avenue around 43rd Street to film a couple of scenes.

The hour-long drama, starring Dylan Walsh and Poppy Montgomery, is wrapping up its first season. The show follows a female detective with an unusually detailed memory.

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) and State Sen. Mike Gianaris (D- Astoria) — who championed the legisla-

tion giving the film industry a tax credit — have long supported any endeavor that brings people and new business to their districts.

But despite the thoughts of Van Bramer, Gianaris and other elected officials, not everyone likes having Hollywood in Queens. And though having film crews on local streets brings nice attention to the community, it certainly also adds some inconvenience to the lives of residents in the area.

“These shows come in and take over the entire neighborhood,” said Philipe Martinez, a resident of a building on 43rd Street and 43rd Avenue. “They end up taking up more than just one block, usually stay all day and then whatever they film ends up on screen for just a brief minute.”

Stars Dylan Walsh (left) and Michael Gaston spent time filming “Unforgettable” in Sunnyside.

“Unforgettable” filmed in a couple of different spots in Sunnyside. They filmed inside a

Restaurant Review

Memorable Mediterranean Dining devour most of the hummus. I have been duped by many a weak hummus in my day, but this hummus was thick, fresh and roaring with flavor. A nice piece of lettuce lay beneath and I gladly used it to scoop up the last bits. Perhaps I looked like a ruffian to observers, but I was enjoying myself. That is all that matters.

With the hummus dispatched, and Craig shooting me one of his particularly intense yet dazed looks, we embarked on the fried calamari tossed in sweet chili glaze. Craig wished we were literally eating a giant octopus and I too mused about the feat of consuming a sea monster; we soon realized that the calamari was zesty and crunchy enough to make us forget about any fearsome octopi For entrees, I had the mushroom crusted salmon with parsnip puree, sautéed spinach and black truff le sauce. Craig was given the pan roasted pork loin stuffed with spinach, artichoke, red roasted peppers and mozza-

rella. The salmon’s f lavor drenched my mouth, recalling the delectable salmon my mother cooks for me at home.

In a world of mediocre-tasting salmon, Mediterranean Grill’s salmon stands above, occupying rarified air with my mother’s salmon.

As for Craig’s dish, it too pleased my palette. Usually I am not a pork enthusiast. Mediterranean Grill won me over. Each pork loin rocketed through me like the tastiest of spaceships.

It was a brave new world for Mediterranean dining. Our hosts capped our meal with dessert. Since Craig’s meal had been partially devoured by yours truly, I, in my endless benevolence, allowed him the dessert pick. He chose the larger and more decadent of the desserts, ice cream topping a cinnamon roll, while I settled for classic cheesecake.

Luckily, I love cheesecake.

Luckily, I was at Mediterranean Grill.

- Ross Barkan

pizzeria on 43rd Avenue and inside an apartment building on 43rd Street. But the scene that got the most attention from the locals involved a stunt driver, a suped-up Dodge Charger and a couple of guns.

Montgomery spots blood dripping out of a parked van and calls Walsh and Michael Gaston to help her investigate. The Charger sped down 43rd Street and slammed on its breaks — the three then drew their weapons and opened the back doors of the van.

You’ll have to watch the show to see what was inside.

“It was pretty interesting to watch them film,” said Louisa Palmero, who watched with her two young children after picking them up from school. “My kids were focused on all the activity from the actors and the crew. They thought it was really cool.”

“Unforgettable” airs on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. on CBS. Reach Reporter Jason Pafundi at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, or jpafundi@queenstribune.com.

Gingerbread Players To Present ‘Annie’ The Gingerbread Players will cap the 2011-12 season with six performances of “Annie,” the Broadway hit based on the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie,” at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Forest Hills. The tale of a little orphan girl who wins the love of a tycoon in Depression-era New York was a smash hit during its premiere run in the 1970s.

A cast of 45 children and adults is headed by Caroline Rosenblum, making her Gingerbread Players debut as Annie.

She is joined by David H. Friedman as Daddy Warbucks, Ngan Ping Chiang as Miss Hannigan, Terri Matassov as Grace Farrell

and Andrew Dinan as F.D.R. Kenneth Eckert and Joanna Guinther play the villainous duo Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis.

The production will debut April 21 with shows at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Other performances are planned for April 22 at 2:30 p.m., April 27 at 7:30 p.m., April 28 at 2:30 p.m. and April 29 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $12 with a discount rate of $10 for groups of six or more.

For information or to make reservations, call (718) 2687772 or visit www.gingerbreadplayers.org.

April 6-12, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

Mediterranean Grill 160-24 Willets Point Blvd., Whitestone (718) 281-4210 CUISINE: Mediterranean DELIVERY: Yes HOURS: Monday Closed, TuesFri 11:00 a.m. to 10 p.m., SatSun 11:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Mediterranean food is invariably a good bet. Souvlaki, fish, hummus, pasta and a host of other staples make up a Mediterranean diet. At Whitestone’s Mediterranean Grill, great taste and a classic touch combine to make any dining experience memorable.

Though my long-time food reviewing companion, Craig, showed up late, the dining unfolded smoothly. Our gracious hosts recommended several dishes and I agreed, glad to be freed of the burden of picking my meal.

We opened up with pita bread and hummus. Though Craig and I split the pita bread, my appetite and overbearing eating manner ensured I would

PRESS Photo by Jason Pafundi

TV Show Disrupts Sunnyside Streets

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357.

Send faxes to 357-9417, IF YOUR ORGANIZATION MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SEND ALL DATES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

PARENTS FIT KIDS Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21, Tuesdays, April 10, 17, 24, Thursdays, April 12, 19, 26 Kit Kids Nutrition and Exercise Program in Flushing.

661-7687.

PREEMIE SCRAPBOOK Fridays, April 13, 20, 27 Scrapbooking for Preemie Parents in Flushing. 6702920.

PARENTING Friday, April 13 Attachment Parenting at the Forest Hills library at 10:30.

THEATER RENT April 11-14, 18-20 at LaGuardia Performing Arts.

482-5151.

ANNIE April 21-29 “Annie” pre sented by the Gingerbread Players at St. Luke’s. $12.

268-7772.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 6-12, 2012

TALKS ARCHITECTURE Monday, April 9 “The Column, Arch, Door…” at 6:30 at the Flushing library.

SEASIDE Monday, April 9 “Let the Great World Spin” at the Seaside library at 6:30.

BELLCOURT Wednesday, April 11 Know Your Neighborhood at the Bayside Historical Societ y, 208 Totten Avenue, Bayside. $12 non-members.

GLENDALE Thursday, April 12 “Mrs. Astor Regret: The Hidden Betrayals of a Family Beyond Reproach” at 6:30 at the Glendale library.

PAX ETHNICA Saturday, April 14 “Pax Ethnica” author at 2:30 at the Forest Hills library.

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

FAMILY STORY TIME Saturdays, April 7, 21 at the Flushing library at 11.

CHILDREN’S THEATER Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21 LaMicro Children’s Theater a t t h e S u n ny s i d e l i b ra r y.

Register.

MANY ANIMALS Monday, April 9 meet animals from around the world at the Baisley Park library at 3. Tuesday, April 10 at the South Ozone Park library at 3. Thursday, April 12 at the Rochdale Village library at 3:30.

APRIL ACTIVITIES Monday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 11 and Thursday, April 12 and Friday, April 13 at the Poppenhusen library at 3.

COMPUTERS Monday, April 9 at the Hillcrest library at 10. For grades 3-6.

ETIQUETTE Mondays, April 9, 16, 23, 30 Etiquette and Character Education at 4:30 at the Hollis library.

LEARN TO CROCHET Mondays through May 21 at 5 at the Arverne library.

PAPER CRAFTS Mondays through April 30 at the McGoldrick library at 5.

FAMILY WII ZUMBA Mondays through May 14 at the Lefrak Cit y library at 6:30.

CHESS & CHECKERS Mondays through May 28 at the South Ozone Park library at 3.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Tuesdays, April 10, 17, 24 at the Glen Oaks library at 11.

JEWLERY MAKING Tuesday, April 10 at the Briarwood library at 2.

ASTRONOMY Tuesday, April 10 at 3:30 at the B ro a d wa y l i b r a r y.

Wednesday, April 11 at the Langston Hughes library at 4.

BOOST MATH DAY Tuesday, April 10 at the Central library at 4:30.

BASIC GUITAR Tu e s d ay, A p r i l 1 0 a t t h e Woodhaven librar y. Register.

CHESS & CHECKERS Tuesdays through May 29 at 3 at the South Ozone Park librar y.

WORD OF THE WEEK Tuesdays, April 10, 24 at the McGoldrick library at 5.

SEWING GROUP Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 11, 12, 13 at the South Ozone Park library at 3.

RAINFOREST BUTTERFLIES Wednesday, April 11 at the Lefrak Cit y library at 3:30.

Thursday, April 12 at the R i d gewo o d l i b ra r y. Re g i s ter.

KIDS ACTIVITY Wednesday, April 11 at the Bellerose librar y. Register.

PAPER BUT TERFLIES Wednesday, April 11 at the Middle Village library. Register.

BOOST MATH Wednesdays, April 11, 25 at the McGoldrick library at 5.

COMPUTERS Wednesday, April 11 at the Hillcrest library. Register.

BINGO Wednesday, April 11 at the Central library at 2.

POETRY Wednesday, April 11 at 2:30 at the Flushing library.

SPLAT THE CAT Wednesday, April 11 Splat the Cat Story time at 11 at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 U n i o n Tu r n p i k e , Fr e s h Meadows.

FAMILY STORY TIME Wednesdays, April 11, 18, 25 at the Bay Terrace library at 10:30.

FAMILY COLORING Wednesdays, April 11, 18 at t he Bay Terrace librar y at 11.

DESIGN DAY Thursdays, April 12, 19, 26 at the Central library at 4.

COLORS IN NATURE Thursday, April 12 at the Queens Village library at 4.

CREATIVE ARTS Thursday, April 12 at the Windsor Park library. Register.

ORIGAMI BUGS Thursday, April 12 at the Flushing library. Register.

TERRIFIC KIDS Thursdays through May 24 at the Cambria Heights librar y. Register.

WII GAMES Thursdays through April 26 at the McGoldrick library at 5:30.

NYS PRACTICE ELA Friday, April 13 at the Central library at 4.

LEARN TO CROCHET Fridays, April 13, 20, 27 at the McGoldrick library at 4.

MAGNETS Friday, April 13 at the Rego Park library. Register.

GAME DAY Fridays, April 13, 20 at the McGoldrick library at 5.

COMPUTERS Friday, April 13 at the Hillcrest library. Register.

TEENS INTERNET DATABASE Saturday, April 7 Internet database sessions for teens at the Langston Hughes library at 2.

SOCIAL MEDIA Saturday, April 7 learn about social media at the Far Rockaway library at 10:30.

ESSAY WRITING Saturdays, April 7, 14 at the Far Rockaway library at 2.

SAT PRACTICE TEST Monday, April 9 at the Auburndale library at 3:30.

TEEN GAMING Mondays, April 9, 23, 30 at the Fresh Meadows library at 3:30.

LAPTOPS Mondays, April 9, 16, 23, 30 laptops for use at the Hollis library at 4.

ART LESSONS Mondays, April 9, 16, 23, 30 learn drawing techniques at the Langston Hughes library. Register.

FAMILY WII ZUMBA Mondays, April 9, 16, 23, May 7, 14 at the Lefrak Cit y library at 6:30.

CHESS & CHECKERS Mondays through May 28 at 3 at the South Ozone Park library.

MANGA MY THOLOGY Tuesday, April 10 at the Poppenhusen library at 3:30.Thursday, April 12 at the Ozone Park library at 2.

Explore the mythology of manga.

JEWELRY MAKING Tuesday, April 10 at the Briarwood library at 2.

TEEN GAMING Tuesdays through April 24 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

LAPTOPS Tuesdays through April 24 at the Hollis library at 4.

CHESS & CHECKERS Wednesdays through May 30 at the South Ozone Park library at 3.

YU-GI-OH Wednesday, April 11 at 1 at the Flushing library.

SEWING GROUP Wednesday-Friday, April 11-13 at the South Ozone Park library at 3.

TEEN SPACE Wednesday, April 11 at the Windsor Park library at 3.

TEEN GAMING Wednesdays, April 11, 18, 25 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

LAPTOPS Wednesdays through April 25 at the Hollis library at 4.

SISTER TALK Wednesdays through May 30 at the Pomonok library at 4:30.

SIGN LANGUAGE

Thursday, April 12 at the LIC library at 6.

CREATIVE ART Thursday, April 12 at the Windsor Park library. Register.

CHESS & CHECKERS Thursdays through May 31 at 3 at the South Ozone Park library.

TEEN GAMING Thursdays, April 12, 19 at the Fresh Meadows library at 3:30.

ANIME CLUB Thursdays, April 12, 19, 26 at the Flushing library at 4.

LAPTOPS Thursdays through April 26 at the Hollis library at 4.

COOL COMICS Friday, April 13 at the Hollis library at 3:30.

BOOK TALK Friday, April 13 monthly book talk at the Broadway library at 4.

LEARN TO CROCHET Fridays, April 13, 20, 27 at the McGoldrick library at 4.

CHESS & CHECKERS

Fridays through May 25 at 3 at the South Ozone Park librar y.

MAH JONGG Fridays, April 13, 20, 27 at the Woodside library. Register.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, April 13, 20, 27 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

LAPTOPS Fridays through April 27 at 4 at the Hollis library.

LOCKER ROOM Fridays through May 25 Life’s Locker Room is for young men in idle school and high school at the Pomonok library.

COLLEGE FAIR Saturday, April 14 at the Langston Hughes library at 10.

CRAFT FOR A CAUSE Saturday, April 14 decorate a tote bag to be given to HIV/AIDS patients at 2 at the Central library.

OPEN MIC Sunday, April 15 at the Central library at 2.

SENIORS SENIOR EXERCISE Saturdays at SNAP of Eastern Queens in Queens Village. 453-2100 information.

AARP 4158 Mondays, April 10, May 8, June 12 North Flushing Chapter 4158 meets at noon at Church on the Hill, 16707 35 th Avenue, Flushing.

TAX COUNSELING Monday, April 9 Hillcrest and Sunnyside libraries at 1.

KEW GARDENS Monday, April 9 American Architect and designer Stanford White program at 1. Fridays tai chi/Chi Kung at 10 and Chorus at 11. Kew Gardens Communit y Center, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road, suite 202.

SENIOR COMPUTERS Register Tuesday, April 10 at the Selfhelp Maspeth Senior Center, 69-61 Grand Avenue at 10.

TAX COUNSELING Tuesdays, April 10, 17 at 1 at the Auburndale librar y.

Tuesdays, April 3, 10 at 1 at the Hollis library.

TAX COUNSELING Wednesday, April 11 at 10 at the Laurelton and Windsor Park libraries.

COMPUTER BASICS Wednesday, April 11 basic computer use at the Central library. Register.

AARP 29 Thursday, April 12 AARP 29 meets at noon at Grace

House, 155-02 90 th Avenue, Jamaica.

HORIZONS CLUB Thursday, April 12 Horizons Club for those 55 and over, meets at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 711 1 1 1 2 th S t r e e t a t 1 2 : 3 0 .

Passover program. $3 includes coffee and cake.

AARP 29 Thursdays, April 12, May 10 AARP 29 meets at noon at Grace House, 155-02 90 th Avenue, Jamaica.

TAX COUNSELING Thursday, April 12 at 1 at the Fresh Meadows and North Forest Park libraries..

AARP 3698 Fridays, April 13, May 11 AARP Chapter 3698 meets at Zion Episcopal Church, 243-01 Northern Blvd., Douglaston at noon for social hour, meeting at 1, program at 2. 229-3394.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Friday, April 13 at the M c G o l d r i c k l i b ra r y. 3 3 5 7547 DRIVER SAFETY Friday, April 13 at the C a m b r i a H e i g h t s l i b ra r y.

276-6790.

INTRO COMPUTERS Friday, April 13 at the Far Rockaway library at 10:30.

STARS Fridays through May 25 Senior Theater Acting Repertory meets at the Queens Village library at 10:30.

Queens Today HEALTH

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS SOCIAL MEDIA Saturday, April 7 at 10:30 at the Far Rockaway library.

ESSAY WRITING Saturday, April 7 at the Far Rockaway library at 2.

LEARN TO SAIL Saturday, April 7 free open house at the Boathouse, Flushing Meadows/Corona Park 11-3. 347-438-1863.

INTERMEDIATE COMP. Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 at the LIC library at 2.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, April 7, 21 learn to communicate at Elmhurst Hospital. 646-436-7940.

LIC CRAFT CLUB Mondays, April 9, 23, 30 at noon at the LIC library.

MEDICAL OFFICE Monday, April 9 Center for the Women of NY trains medical office assistants at 1 at the Forest Hills library.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays, April 9, 16, 23, 30 at the Douglaston/Little Neck library at 4. Bring your own needles and yarn.

JOB READINESS Mondays, April 9, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 28 at the

Arverne library at 5:30.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesday, April 10 at the Sunnyside library. Register.

RESUME WORKSHOP Wednesday, April 11 at the Far Rockaway library at 10:30 and at the Flushing library at 6.

ACING THE INTERVIEW Wednesday, April 11 at the LIC library at 1:30.

LEARNING LAB Thursdays, April 12, 19 Far Rockaway library at 10.

COMPUTER BASICS Thursdays, April 12, 19 Glen Oaks library. Register.

INTRO EXCEL Thursday, April 12 at the Pomonok library. Register.

INTRO COMPUTERS Thursdays, April 12, 26 Pomonok library. Register.

CREATIVE ART Thursday, April 12 Windsor Park library. Register.

INTRO COMPUTERS Wednesdays, April 11, 25 Windsor Park library. Register.

US CITIZENSHIP Thursdays through April 26 at the Forest Hills li-

brary at 5:30.

SMALL BUSINESS Thursday, April 12 at the Jackson Heights library at 6.

SIGN LANGUAGE Thursday, April 12 LIC library at 6.

RESUME WRITING Thursday, April 12 at the Steinway library at 6.

WRITING GROUP Thursdays, April 12, 19 at 6:30 at the Broadway library.

EVENING CRAFT Thursdays, April 12, 19, 26 Fresh Meadows library at 6:30.

MAH JONGG Fridays, April 13, 20 at the Woodside library. Register.

LEARN TO CROCHET Fridays, April 13, 20, 27 at the McGoldrick library at 4.

FAMILY RESOURCE DAY Saturday, April 14 at the Flushing library. Information about a variet y of communit y resources and summer programs at 11.

CRAFT FOR CAUSE Saturday, April 14 at the Central library at 2. Decorate a tote bag to be given to people living with HIV/AIDS.

ZUMBA FITNESS Mondays, April 9, 16 Latin dance fitness program at the East Elmhurst library. Register.

FAMILY WII ZUMBA Mondays, April 9, 16, 23, May 14 at 6:30 at the Lefrak Cit y librar y. Bring a towel and bottle of water.

ZUMBA Mondays, April 9, 30 at the Corona library. Register.

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

670-1695. $5.

HEALTHY COOKING Monday, April 9 healthy cooking with spices at the Far Rockaway library at 6.

FEMALE CANCER Monday, April 9 Look Good – Feel Better, female cancer support group. 800-ACS2345.

ALZHEIMERS Tuesday, April 10 Caregiver Support Group in Forest Hills. 592-5757, ext. 237.

CHAIR YOGA Tuesday, April 10 introduction Douglaston/Little Neck

library. Register.

NATIONAL MS SUPPORT Tuesday, April 10 Nationall MS Societ y Support Group Howard Beach library at 1.

BLOOD DRIVE Tuesday, April 10, Thursday, April 12, in Flushing.

670-6324. Saturdays, April 14, 28 in Jamaica. 6701211.

INTRO CHAIR YOGA Tuesdays, April 10, 17 at the Ridgewood library and Rego Park library. Register.

MASSAGE THERAPY Wednesday, April 11, Friday, April 13 at NYHQ Cardiac Health in Flushing. 670-1695.

ZUMBA Wednesdays, April 11, 18 at the Astoria library. Register.

YOGA INSTRUCTION Wednesday, April 11 at the Woodside library at 4.

WELL SPOUSES Wednesdays, April 11, May 9 Well Spouses or Partners of the Chronically Ill and Disabled meet at the St. Charles Rehab Center, 201 IU Willets Road, Albertson at 7. Free. 516-829-8740.

YOGA CLASS

Wednesdays, April 11, 18, 25 a t t h e C a r d i a c H e a l t h Center in Fresh Meadows.

670-1695.

MALE CANCER Wednesday, April 11 Mant0-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group in Fresh Meadows. 670-1695.

ZUMBA Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 670-1695. $10 class.

RELIGIOUS PASSOVER SEDER Friday, April 6 the Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills will host a Passover Seder. 263-6500. Reservations required.

SEDER Saturday, April 7 Seder at 5:30. Reservations. Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 7111 112 th Street. 261-2900.

EASTERFEST Sunday, April 8 11-3:30 at Ascension Church in Forest Hills. Egg hunt, band, games and more. 575-0024.

April 6-12, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Adventurous Atlanta

Shirletha Jordan Home: Richmond Hill Age: 23 Height: 5’ 3" Weight: 115 lbs Stats: 34-27-30

Models Of Queens

Shirletha Jordan has always been adventurous.

Having grown up in Atlanta, on a whim she followed a friend up to New York.

“I’m single and I wanted to do something different,” Shirletha said. "I had another friend suggested I go for it. You’re young, not committed,’ she said. And she was right.”

Shirletha got into modeling just as nonchalantly.

She’s been told for some time that she has a good look, and had a friend who had been told that he had a good eye with a camera. The two decided to help each other out.

“It was just to kinda play around, find something to do,” she said. “But when I saw the photos I was like, ‘Wait a minute these are really good.’”

Modeling is just the latest in a line of challenges Shirletha has established for herself. With an undergrad degree in marketing, she figured finding a job in Manhattan would be a breeze – not so much, it turns out. She’s now working toward her Masters in international business and working as a freelance personal assistant.

She is also trying to find the right church. A woman of faith, Shirletha has hooked up with a couple of churches. “I am an avid visitor of good ministries,” she said. “I love to attend bible studies.”

When she gets a free moment, Shirletha usually heads over to the AMC theater in Fresh Meadows.

“It’s very small and quiet, and I don’t have to worry about major lines or being sold out,” she said. “And if I’m hungry after, I can go next door (Hooters) to get some wings. There’s also Kohl’s and Nine West.

That’s my little quiet spot.”

They're blue at the L.I.C. Corporate offices of Jet Blue due to another staff malfunction.

Pilot Problems meltdown. Passengers told media

Clayton Osborn, the JetBlue pilot who went berserk last week on a flight from JFK Airport to Las Vegas, has been suspended by the Long Island City-based airline as a multi-agency investigation begins.

The pilot was restrained by passengers at the urging of the copilot, who gave instructions over the plane’s loudspeaker. Apparently Osborn left the cockpit to use the restroom and was locked out by the co-pilot, triggering a

She Got Game?

Queens Idol Idled Queens can’t catch a break.

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 6-12, 2012

Francis Lewis H.S. Yearbook pic of American Idol finalist Hee Jun Hun

Past contestants like Howard Beach’s Pia Toscano and Astoria’s Michael Lynche gained the support of the borough’s American Idol fans, but both failed to make it into the finals. Now, Queens lined up behind another one of its own on the talent show, now in its eleventh season.

Hee Jun Hun, a Francis Lewis High School grad, found himself in the top 10 finalists after making through the first weeks of the season impressing the judges with his renditions of Stevie Wonder’s

Bad Timing A day after Peninsula Hospital announced its closing, things took a turn for the worse. Beep Helen Marshall was traveling with members of her staff when they were struck by a Channel 4 news van carrying reporter Roseanne Colletti in the Rockaways. No one was hurt – thankfully, since Peninsula’s doors were already locked.

The Beep and company were on their way to St. Dan Andrews John’s Episcopal Hospital to check the condition of the emergency room due to Queens’ ever-decreasing number of hospitals. In response to police at the scene who inquired if all were okay, Dan Andrews, Marshall’s spokesperson, a passenger in the Beep’s car, told NY’s Finest they were on the way to the hospital.

Oooops . . .not quite what Andrews meant to suggest.

“It’s so foolish to say to the responding police officers, ‘We’re going to the hospital, all of us,’” Andrews later explained, according to a published report.

“All In Love Is Fair” and Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting.”

But it was his version of Donny Hathaway’s “A Song For You” that despite rave reviews from the judges - including fellow New Yorker J Lo - got him voted off the show, leaving Queens with a third heartbreak on 10 years of American Idol.

outlets that Osborn ran down the aisle of the plane screaming “say your prayers” and was reportedly ranting and raving about Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2010, JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater claimed he was attacked by a passenger on a flight and after the attack, deployed the emergency slide and slid down it after the plane landed.

What do they put in the water at JetBlue?

Karen "Fleet of Foot" Koslowitz?

Confidentially, New York . . .

Somebody wants Karen Koslowitz to buy some pretty awesome sneakers.

Councilman James Sanders Jr.’s chief of staff Donovan Richards is selling his Air Jordan 11 Retro sneakers for only $100 on Facebook. This same fellow has tagged more than 40 people in just one photo of such sneakers -- and the scam seems to be spreading.

One of the tagged people is Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz.

Has she, who does not seem like the baller-type, taken an interest in the shoes? Will she be showing up at her next press conference in large red and black sneakers?

We like the sound of "Air Koslowitz."

A Bad Call?

It’s one of our basic instincts to call 911 when we’re in danger.

However, drug dealers should probably clean up first before calling the cops. One Queens man learned this lesson a little too late.

As most would do, Michael Cokley called the police to report a gunpoint home invasion. When the cops arrived, he became a suspect himself when police found 34 grams of heroin, envelopes, marijuana grinders and an electronic scale. He now faces federal heroindistribution charges.

What’s Up mation contact Queens Library APRIL 7 (718) 465-7355.

Walkers For Wellness Club at Hollis, This free event will be held at Looking for a fun way to improve your health? Join the Walkers for Wellness Club at New Hope Lutheran Church of Jamaica. Under the guidance of a Walking Leader, you will walk two to three times each week at a comfortable pace with others along routes throughout Southeast Queens. The club is open to walkers of all ages and abilities.

The walking schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Walkers meet at New Hope Lutheran Church,167-24 118th Ave. Tshirts and pedometers will be provided. Contact Thurkessa Brown at (917) 553-1089 for more information.

Queens Library’s Hollis Branch, 202-05 Hillside Ave., at 1 p.m.

APRIL 11 Online Learning Interested in upgrading your skills, practicing for a test, or learning more about computer software? Attend this informative session about free online learning opportunities. Registration is not required. Call (718) 9900746 or visit the Job Information Center for questions.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10:30 a.m.

Job Readiness Workshops Easter Egg Hunt Affinity Health Plan and Council Member Leroy Comrie are presenting their annual Easter Egg Hunt. The hunt begins at 1:30 pm. Hosted by Dr. Bob Lee with performances by C.P. Lacey, Monifah, and Jeff Redd — plus child star Breje and Dylan Collins.

This free event will be held at St. Albans Memorial Park from noon to 5 p.m.

APRIL 8 Happy Easter!

Join us for these interactive workshops. The topics are: Resumes/cover letters on April 4; Preparing for the interview on April 11 and Job search techniques on April 18.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6 p.m.

See the April 7 listing. At 7 p.m.

Join Maestro Kitsopoulos for a lecture and musical demonstration about the upcoming QSO Arts and Music Festival concert at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center. Meet the concert’s guest artists and gain insight into the art of music making and composing. Light refreshments will be served after the presentation.

This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6 p.m.

APRIL 10 Walkers For Wellness Club Flooding in Rosedale See the April 7 listing. At 7 p.m.

AARP Tax Help Free tax help for seniors and low income adults. Participants must bring photo identification and all other necessary tax information, including taxes from the previous year. For further infor-

Are you a young woman 1724 years of age and need assistance in applying for housing, completing college applications, financial aid or just need assistance and don’t know where to turn? The Daughters of Isis Foundation is available for support.

Contact the foundation for information or to schedule an appointment. For additional information, visit www.thedaughtersofisisfoundation.org, call Simone Williams at (347) 731-1721 or email isis.staff@gmail.com.

This free event will be held on the second floor of the Young Queens Loft, 148-14 Liberty Ave., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Councilman James Sanders Jr., the 149th Drive Block Association and the Rosedale Civic Association cordially invite you to a community meeting on flooding in Rosedale. Join them as they welcome special guest Mark Lanaghan, assistant commissioner of the Dept. of Environmental of Protection. Be there

The Jamaica Neighborhood Center offers a free service to assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007. For additional information, contact Ethan Chazin, Job Coach, at (718) 739-2060, Ext. 18 or echazin67@gmail.com.

This free event will be held at the Jamaica Neighborhood Center, 161-06 89th Ave. Services are available Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

CPR Training The FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit will hold regularly scheduled free CPR classes in all five boroughs. The first Tuesday through the fourth Tuesday and the fourth Thursday of every month there will be Borough CPR training sessions in Manhattan,

Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please call for next group date.

Infant Mortality Clergy United for Community Empowerment’s Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative program provides the following services free of charge: case management services, parent skills building,

crib care, breast feeding education, health education, nutritional information/education, referral for HIV testing, confidential one-on-one counseling, workshops, and women support groups. IMRI provides referrals for Food stamps, GED, GYN, Emergency Baby Formula (qualifications required) and more.

Call (718) 297-0720. Located at 89-31 161 St., 10th floor, Jamaica. Services are available Tue.-Thurs. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HIV Awareness Clergy United for Community Empowerment provides intervention and curriculum-based prevention education sessions on HIV/AIDS, to reduce risk behaviors that lead to HIV transmission. Services are located at 8931 161st St., Jamaica. Call (718) 297-0720 ask about our presentation to adolescents and men/ women of color. Services are available Tue.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Merrick Flea Market A flea market has opened at 221-02 Merrick Blvd. On sale are a wide range of items, including household items, jewelry and clothing.

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

CPR Class Learn to protect yourself and others at Heron Care with a CPR class that includes a certification from the American Heart Association. Call (718) 291-8788 for more details. Heron is located at 168-30 89th Ave., Jamaica.

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

For more information, contact (212) 477-9450, Ext. 390 or volunteer@palnyc.org.

April 6-12, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

Learn new ways to take charge of your health and help your friends do the same. Learn how special exercise and relaxation techniques make a difference in your life.

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

APRIL 13 Outreach and Assistance

ONGOING APRIL 12 Walkers For Wellness Club Job Club

Meet the Maestro APRIL 9 Stay Well

for updates on the 148th Drive Project and other upcoming projects in Rosedale. For additional information, call Donovan Richards at (718) 527-4356 or send him an email at drichards@council.nyc.gov.

This free event will be held at Rosedale Library, 144-20 243rd St., at 7 p.m.