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Volume 14 Issue No. 15 April 12-18, 2013

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

UNCERTAIN FUTURE Community groups and civic leaders begin to question whether last week’s arrest of State Sen. Malcolm Smith will mean a loss of funding.

By Natalia Kozikowska … Page 10

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

News Briefs State Budget Benefits Small Businesses Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-St Albans) applauded the state assembly for passing an on-time budget as well as some of the gains made final in this year's budget.

According to a press release from Scarborough's office, the assemblyman was elated about the money that was put into economic development and benefits to small businesses enterprises owned by women and minorities.

As part of this budget, a new program was established that allows those businesses to have a certified contract to provide services to New York State and to be eligible for a bridge loan from the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund. This loan, according to the release, can be used to complete a contract given to NYS or it can be used to fill the money gap until an agency makes a payment to a vendor. Scarborough is the chair of the Assembly's Committee on Small Business.

A total of $150,000 was given to the York College Small Business Development Center to create a structure that would administer the school's federal EB-5 program. This program gives a green card to immigrant investors who give at least $500,000 to either American businesses, projects or create/maintain a minimum of 10 U.S jobs.

In addition, a $3 million disparity study, including $600,000 for this year, is also part of the adopted budget. According to the release, a study was done in 2007-2008 and it showed a lack of minority and women-owned businesses being selected for state government contracts. The study highlights the existing gap and tries to level the playing field for those types of businesses. This study was first done around the time David Paterson was governor of New York and it has been revived again under Cuomo's regime.

Howard Beach's NYFAC Center Opens After months of delay due to Superstorm Sandy, the New York Families for Autistic Children center in Howard Beach was finally able to open its doors.

The NYFAC center, located at 164-14 Cross Bay Blvd., near the end of the busy strip close to the Joe Addabbo Bridge, held its opening ceremony Sunday morning with many residents, community leaders and elected officials in attendance to celebrate its grand opening.

The center was originally sched-

uled to open its facility in November, but the damage it received from the storm forced the nonprofit company to repair whatever damage it had and delay the opening.

At Sunday's ribbon cutting ceremony, Baumann was elated that the center finally opened, which was nine years in the making. He also thanked several elected officials who helped make the autism center a reality.

"We had an idea, we said we want to have a one-stop shop for kids with autism to be able to learn, develop and grow," he said. "And it's amazing to me, the elected officials, the community leaders and organizations in the community who got behind us and said 'we're in, count us in.'"

Several elected officials attended Sunday's opening, including Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Ozone Park), Councilman Eric Ulrich (ROzone Park), State Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) and City Comptroller John Liu.

Flushing Celebrates Women of Jazz Flushing Town Hall will hold a celebration of women in jazz this Saturday, starring international recording artist Antoinette Montague.

Taking place on April 13, Montague and her quintet will honor many of the legendary female jazz musicians throughout the years with "Here's To The Ladies Who Bling and Swing!" a tribute concert starting at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for the general public and $10 for members and students with ID. Joined by Danny Mixon on piano, Riza Printup on harp, Nioka Workman on cello, Noah Jackson on bass and Chuck McPherson on drums, Montague will sing songs by artists such as Etta Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Judy Garland and more.

For the past decade and a half, Montague has become a familiar face in the New York City jazz scene. She has sung at the Blue Note, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at the Lincoln Center, the Zebra Room in Harlem's Lenox Lounge, the 35th American Jazz Festival and the Pine Grill Jazz Reunion in Buffalo in front of a crowd of 7,000 people.

To purchase tickets, visit f lushingtownhall.org/events/ or call (718) 463-7700, ext. 222.

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

April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Ruben Wills Launches Barbershop Tour

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA In an effort to reach out to the community in a new and innovative way, Councilman Ruben Wills (DJamaica) will be holding a series of barbershop tours throughout Southeast Queens.

The idea of holding a series of community meetings at barbershops stemmed from a similar successful listening tour the Councilman launched at schools when he was first elected. The tour had so much success, Wills wanted to duplicate it to reach a wider scope of audience.

“So many issues that came out of it that it drew our agenda for constituent affairs for the next year and we wanted to find something else that people could come to where they would express their ideas other than town halls and civics,” Wills said.

“Those are typically during the week and everybody has the winds of light pushing against them in their schedule.”

“The barbershops and the beauty salons and the nail salons in our community have become like that unofficial hub where everybody gets together,” he added. “We can converse on issues and we sometimes have

Councilman Ruben Wills will hold a series of barbershop tours in April.

opposing opinions but it’s that group of people so we are a lot more comfortable.”

The barbershop tour, Wills said, is the perfect opportunity for residents of his district to come out and talk freely to their elected official about the issues that matter most to them in a comfortable, lax environment.

“The barbershops and beauty salons are the places where people actually are more relaxed, they can come in on Saturday and they discuss issues in a matter that they would not discuss in a town hall,” he said. “Any

issue that somebody has that they deal with in their daily life, this is going to be place they can speak to me about it.”

Wills anticipates that the New York Police Department’s use of stop, question and frisk will be a major subject and hopes that the tour will be a productive way to discuss solutions and remedies.

“I’m almost sure that’s going to be one of the major concerns and the reason that we are doing it in a barbershop is that I think we are going to get different perceptions,” he said.

“Where the young men will come in and present one perception, I think the older men that are there will come in and give me a different point

of view which will actually help us roll out a suite of initiatives that will help the police and community relations.”

The Councilman said he also believes that holding a series of barbershop tours will be a good opportunity for parents to learn about what is going on at their children’s schools.

“A lot of the men and women in barbershops have children that are in my school district,” Wills said. “They see a lot of the capital grants and programs that we brought into the schools, so we want to make sure that’s something they understand.”

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

Barbershop Tour Dates Richmond Hill Saturday, April 13, 3-5p.m.

Bacchus Hair Studio, 121-02 101st Ave.

South Ozone Park Saturday, April 27, 12-2p.m.

Pro-Grez Barbershop, 117-43 Lincoln St.

Jamaica Saturday, April 20, 12-2p.m.

The Playaz Den, 106-34 Sutphin Blvd.

Rochdale Village Saturday, April 27, 3-5p.m.

Butter Cutterz Barbershop, 134-18 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Immigration Reform At Top Of To-Do List

BY TRISHA SAKHUJA On April 3, community leaders and elected officials assembled at a town hall meeting to discuss proposals to reform the United States immigration laws.

Approximately 200 community members came to discuss the debate taking place in Washington surrounding the immigration system and the role individuals can play in ensuring the passage of fair immigration reform.

The meeting convened in the auditorium of PS 19Q, located at 98-02 Roosevelt Ave. The key speakers at the town hall included U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside), Jose Tejada, executive director of Dominico-American Society of Queens; Jose Calderon, President of the Hispanic Federation and Julio Hernandez, a member of the Dominico-American Society of Queens.

Aside from the key panelists, mem-

bers of the community spoke about their personal experiences of working illegally and struggling after a member of their family is deported back to their homeland. A young girl came close to tears as she pleaded to see her father come back to the U.S. and reunite with her family.

“Tonight’s event shows that the need for immigration reform stretches far beyond individual ethnic groups and immigrant communities and is really an issue that affects us all,” Crowley said. “I was glad to have the opportunity to discuss the important issue with such a wide variety of passionate advocates, and I look forward to continuing this dialogue with the community as we work to finally address our nation’s broken immigration system.”

The topics highlighted during the debate included the key representatives in Congress driving this debate, the immigration principles, what the reform means to immigrants, how to prevent being victimized by immigra-

tion fraud and how individuals can join the fight to ensure immigrant justice.

Meng spoke to the crowd about her parents immigrating to the U.S. in the early 1970s with only $200 in their pockets.

“According to data, 30 percent of the immigrant families are more likely to start their own business and are capable of starting up to four million jobs a year,” Meng said.

In a statement issued by the Hispanic Federation, Meng stated, “Comprehensive immigration reform is long overdue, but the discussion our nation is finally having about this critical issue is very encouraging. As a daughter of immigrants, I look forward to tackling this vital issue so that millions can continue to achieve the American dream.”

“We are gathering today to push for a new comprehensive immigration reform law that will help immigrant families by granting legal permanent status to the undocumented,

so they can work legally and reunite with their families, while helping generate increased economic activity in states that are in financial crisis,” Tejada said.

“Do not pay anyone who says they will help you with your immigration process,” said Hernandez. He overtly explained to the community that immigration reform is still underway and they should learn English to avoid any immigration scams.

“A central principal in any immigration reform bill must be a broad and generous legalization program that reaches even the most marginalized and vulnerable of immigrant workers by bringing them out of the shadows and onto a clear path to citizenship,” said Valeria Treves, executive director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment in a earlier statement issued by the Hispanic Federation.

Reach Reporter Trisha Sakhuja at (718-357-4000), Ext. 128, or at tsakhuja@queenstribune.com.

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

NBA Supports Breast Cancer Research On Monday, April 8, Knicks legends John Starks and Anthony Mason, along with dozens of business owners scattered across the New York region, came together in support of breast cancer research at the NBA Pink Tie Event in Farmingdale.

The event, which was organized with the help of Rosedale attorney Sabrina Hannam, gave sports fans the opportunity to meet and greet the NBA greats all while benefiting the Find A Cure Today Breast Cancer Foundation – an organization that donates free wigs, pink glove services to those in need, as well as college scholarships.

“It’s more of giving back to the community for the athletes. Most of them come from communities that are not as affluent,” Hannam said.

“These athletes inspire me – the ones that want to give back to breast cancer – male breast cancer, because men suffer from it too, and female breast cancer.”

“Everyone is coming together and supporting this event,” she continued. “This shows the athletes are not just playing ball, this is about them making a difference

in someone’s life.”

“It’s just a good cause. I Both Starks and Mawanted to be able to give back,” son were on board with he said. “I just don’t want it to the cause and noted the be business, business, business importance of giving all the time, I want to know I back to the community, make a difference in the world especially as an influenand a difference in people’s tial figure. lives so I wanted to have a posi“I’m sure everybody tive impact on the world and I has had an affiliation thought this was a positive way with cancer, whether it’s to do it.” a relative or a friend, so The classy affair drew in any time you take a little more than 200 guests and by time out of your schedthe end of the night, raised ule, to help money for more than $60,000 for the research is a great thing Knicks legends John Starks and Anthony Mason sign basket- FACT Foundation. to do,” Mason said. balls for the NBA Pink Tie Event in Farmingdale, which raised The FACT Foundation Carina Tom, a busi- more than $60,000 for the FACT Foundation. was not the only winner of nesswoman and sponthe night. Sixteen lucky sor from Long Island who helped or“One of the main reasons for me guests who purchased raff le tickganize the charity event, said she is that I love to give back and breast ets won prizes ranging from a trip spent more than a year planning the cancer is just so prevalent among us to C a n c u n , a f l a t s c re e n T V, affair. Originally an NFL Pink Tie women,” Tom said. “We’ve met autographed memorabilia and even Event was scheduled for Oct. 29 but Linda Ferrante, she’s a founder of the chance to drive around in a it was rescheduled due to Superstorm the FACT Foundation, and we just Maserati for a weekend.

Sandy.

For more information on how said why don’t we just organize toDespite the setback, Tom and all gether and put something together you can donate to the FACT Founthe other event sponsors never lost within our industry, which is real es- dation, visit sight of their goal to help those suf- tate, where people can give back and www.factfoundation.org/donatefering from the disease. According also able to network with each money. to breastcancer.org, one in eight U.S. other?”

Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska women will develop breast cancer Her husband, Brian Tom, echoed at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or over the course of her lifetime. nkozikowska@queenspress.com similar sentiments.

Photo by Steven J. Ferrari

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Disabled Athlete To Run In Marathon

BY LUIS GRONDA For William Reilly, a disability has not stopped him from accomplishing his goals in life.

Reilly was born with a severe case cerebral palsy, a disorder that causes disability in human development, particularly in muscle tone. He is confined to a wheelchair with his arms and legs having little-to-no function.

Despite the obstacles he has to overcome in his daily life, Reilly, a Kew Gardens resident, has a found a hobby that keeps him active and gets his adrenaline flowing: competitive running.

He has participated in several local races, as well as well-known runs like the Boston Marathon, which he is set to compete in for the third time on April 15. Reilly has also competed in the New York Marathon more than 20 times over the course of his life.

While some might question how Reilly would be able to compete in races, he sees the process as quite simple: he pushes with his feet forward on a specially-designed wheelchair used for racing. Between one and three guides accompany Reilly while he is in the race. They do not push his wheelchair at any point during the race, only making sure that he does

not veer off in another direction.

Reilly’s racing style has earned him the nickname “Backwards Bill.”

Speaking through Harold Chayefsky, one of his guides who helped interpret his speech during an interview with the Queens Tribune, Reilly said that he got into racing back in 1978, when a friend dared him to enter the Riverdale Ramble, a race held annually in the Bronx. He accepted the challenge and ever since, he has become more interested in racing, which he described as a “slow obsession” with racing. Reilly is able to compete in the races through Achilles International, a nonprofit organization that helps disabled athletes.

He trains for the races every Tuesday and Saturday morning with one of the guides. They usually run about five to six miles depending on the day and the weather.

Reilly said that, in addition to getting the daily exercise that he wants, he also likes serving as a role model for other disabled people who may want to be an athlete. He hopes to one day start a program for disabled teenagers between the ages of 15 and 21 that would get them involved in running just like he did.

The Kew Gardens resident also

said that being involved in running helps him in his social life, as he has met many people over the years because of his hobby.

“It adds a lot to my life,” Reilly said about running. “It feels good, it makes you feel better.”

C h a y e f s k y , William Reilly of who has been one Kew Gardens (inof Reilly’s guides set) has competed for the past four in a number of years, said that he marathons, dehas gotten very spite suffering close with Reilly from cerebral over the years and palsy. he considers him one of his best friends.

Wendy Furtado, another one of Reilly’s guides, called working with Reilly on a daily basis an amazing experience that has taught her that no matter what your situation is, you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

“It’s very inspiring, it makes me want to do more,” she said.

As the Boston Marathon nears, Reilly said that he is excited about

participating and confident that he can beat his best time, which is 6 hours and 19 minutes. He said that he also intends to enter this year’s New York City Marathon as well.

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

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

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

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Harley Benson Natalia Kozikowska Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Trisha Sakhuja Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Lianne Procanyn Barbara Townsend Alan Goldsher Director of Marketing Maureen Coppola Advertising Administrator Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Nicole Douglas Shari Strongin

A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2013 Tribco, LLC

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

Last week, two City Council Districts in Queens took part in the participatory budgeting process, with a third vote on the horizon in the storm-ravaged Rockaways. The process gave constituents in these two districts a voice in what is important to their communities and what they believe should be a financial priority.

One of the districts that took part is represented by Councilman Dan Halloran, who was arrested last week on bribery and fraud charges. When questioned about the significance of the arrest, Council Speaker Christine Quinn stressed that the results of the Participatory Budget process were non-binding and the results would be reviewed before any money is allocated.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding Councilman Halloran, giving a voice to residents of the Borough is something in which we wish more Council members would take part.

All too often, Council member item allocations are rife with back-room deals and do not take in to account what matters to the communities they represent. Participatory Budgeting changes that, while also providing accountability and transparency for where and why money is being allocated. In the wake of Halloran and State Sen. Malcolm Smith’s arrests, it is imperative that Queens residents – and residents throughout the City – have more of a voice in where this money goes.

Members of the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center have said that they expected the process to double in size this year and the two Council members who took part in the process last week – Halloran and Mark Weprin – touted the high level of participation of their constituents.

The Participatory Budget process is expected to continue in the coming years. Hopefully, other members of the Council see the benefits of the process and join in. Not doing so would be a disservice to their district, to the City and to the residents they were elected to serve.

Letters Voting Issues To The Editor: As a civic leader in eastern Queens, I made it my business to vote in the Participatory Budgeting Process that my Councilman, Mark Weprin was sponsoring. Last week I traveled to the Samuel Field Y in Little Neck, where the Councilman’s staff was working the tables and providing ballots for those who wished to vote. When I asked for a ballot I was told I must first fill out a short form and provide photo ID. I thought this was odd since Councilman Weprin and so many other NYC legislators are so strongly opposed to a photo ID requirement for voting in real elections. If it’s not OK to ask for photo ID when voting for President or Governor, why is it OK to do so with Participatory Budgeting?

Nevertheless, I presented my driver’s license and filled

out the ballot access form, which asked for my name, address, telephone number and date of birth. As someone who has been victimized by identity theft in the past, I refused to write down my date of birth. There are three pieces of information I do not readily provide: date of birth, social security number and mother’s maiden name. I asked why it was necessary to write down my date of birth since they could easily check it on my driver’s license. I was told it was necessary to prove that I was over 16, which is the minimum age for participatory budget voting. Since I was born prior to 1960, I think it was obvious that I was over 16. I wondered to myself, “Whatever happened to critical thinking skills?”

I asked the Weprin staff member to call the Councilman’s office and get permission to give me a ballot so I could vote for funding of

Letters specific community projects that would help our local schools and the Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The Weprin staffer in charge of the Participatory Budget project for the Councilman said that if I refused to write down my date of birth, I could not vote. Was I the only disenfranchised voter? Later that day, I learned that two other people had also been disenfranchised because they also refused to provide their date of birth. I wonder how many others were disenfranchised?

And I wonder still, why the voting process for participatory budgeting was so much more rigorous then the one put in place for voting in real elections for Mayor, Governor or President. I can’t help but now think that the Participatory Budgeting was being used as a way for Councilmembers to harvest voter data information for their use in upcoming elections. How else to explain being denied the right to vote and the photo ID requirement?

Bob Friedrich, Glen Oaks

Disturbing Trend To The Editor: I found it quite disturbing to read about the elected officials who were arrested for alleged misconduct and bribery. Senator Malcolm Smith was arrested in a plot for the mayoral race who engaged in a scheme with various Republicans, such as Councilman Dan Halloran and others. Dan Halloran was an Eagle Scout and was taught to be trustworthy. Yet what happened? I myself was a Boy Scout and believe in the values the Boy Scouts taught me.

These men and women in State and City government have forgotten why they were elected and that is to serve and protect the people who put them in office. We need to elect those people that are dedicated to those principles and values that best serve the people. If I was elected to office, I would know why I was there and that is to serve the people. I would be dedicated to my fellow citizens who put their trust in me. Too

bad there are a few politicians who don’t think like that.

Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks Village

Serious Question To The Editor: Here is the answer for anyone who asks, what “same sex parents” would say when their child asks who their biological parent is? Answer? The same thing any parents would tell their adopted child. Here is a question for all you homophobes: if it were your child who was gay and wanted to raise a family with their partner, would you deny them or disown them?

Robert La Rosa, Whitestone

Only One Law To The Editor: There is only one law that effectively prevents killing and that is ”Thou shall not kill.” That law adopted by all governments says that you will be punished if you kill.

This law completely covers all the other laws that try to refine it. If you kill someone or many people, the punishment is the same.

It applies completely to: killing with a gun, killing with a knife (a man in China stabbed 22 children with a knife), killing with a car, killing with poison, killing with a bat, killing by choking, killing by suffocating, killing by drowning, etc.

All the other laws passed are for the benefit of the politicians that wrote them as when something bad happens people say “there ought to be a law” so some politician will write such a law to appease the voters and get their votes and that’s it.

When some person decides to kill, no law is going to stop them. All those laws are nonsense as if the ‘thou shall not kill” does not stop someone from killing, nothing else will.

John Procida, Flushing

WRITE ON: The PRESS of Southeast Queens, 150-40 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357 email editor@queenspress.com

April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Profile

Queens Village Rapper On The Rise At the tender age of 14, Queens Village resident Stephen Mars was rapping. By the age of 16, he was writing his own original lyrics.

“Just from listening to the music, it’s a big part of the culture here,” Mars, also known as “Chief,” said.

“My sisters used to listen to rap, my older brothers. I’ve always liked speaking to people and once I knew I had a nag for words where I can rhyme, I always knew I wanted to be a rapper.”

Unlike many rappers in the music scene, all of Mars’ lyrics are completely original. He also makes a conscious effort to keep his lyrics clean, keeping in mind that often, children and young teens are listening to his songs.

“I like to keep in mind that I have a diverse audience,” Mars said. “I may have lines that refer to sports that the youth would understand and I have lines that refer to work life that the adults understand, but my thing is I would never have you say something that the fans can’t repeat.”

“When you repeat my lines, you’re

Photo courtesy of www.forwardthinkingent.com

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

what you’re going through or what you’re feeling until you put your thoughts down and actually map them out and organize them. As an artist, when we start writing songs, you are putting yourself on that piece of paper.”

While Mars feels that writing the lyrics to his songs is empowering, he loves nothing more than getting the chance to perform on stage and feel the enthusiasm of his audience.

“I love performing on Queens Village rapper, Chief, released his 15-track stage. The energy you feel mixtape, Universal Hip Hop in 2012.

– the energy from the people is amazing,” he not going to sound stupid or feel said. “Even if its three people, if one stupid for saying them,” he added. “I of them are paying attention, you’re put thought into every line.” going to get all the energy you need.”

Mars, 30, particularly enjoys writing Growing up, Mars was influenced by lyrics to his rap songs, saying they help rappers like Jay-Z, Nas, Raquel and DMX, him express himself in a unique art form. but one of the biggest influences in his “Writing music is therapeutic,” the music was the things that we witnessed rapper said. “You don’t really know in the neighborhood around him.

Mars, who was born and raised in Queens Village, said that growing up in Queens has shaped his rapping style and even the way he perceives life.

“The dynamic of Queens Village is diverse. You have businesses around, you have nice neighborhoods around and you have project buildings and its all in one area so I got a little bit of everything growing up,” he said. “I saw blessings, I saw good people but I was also exposed to the negative.”

To listen to Chief’s 15-track mixtape, Universal Hip Hop, you can visit www.soundcloud.com and search for the artist.

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

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Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

Police Blotter 105th Precinct Arrest At 6 a.m. on April 5, members of the 105th Precinct Anti-Crime Team and Field Intelligence Officers executed a search warrant for a residence located at 104-23 210th St., Queens Village. After the NYPD Emergency Service Unit entered the premises, a total of 10 firearms, a large knife with a brass knuckle handle, narcotics and marijuana were recovered inside.

Police arrested six individuals including: Aaron Lyttle, 25; Malika Evans, 19; Lashonda Mitchell, 23; and Michelle Evans, 51, all of the above address; Shaniqua Harris, 22, of Queens Village; and Aneesaa Gray, 20, of Rosedale.

All six were charged with 10 counts of first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, three counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, 10 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, 10 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon: three or more firearms; three counts of fifth-degree criminal pos-

police on a dangerous car chase to avoid arrest.

The defendants were charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, second-degree robbery and possessing an imitation pistol. Dharamshot is additionally charged with first-degree reckless endangerment. They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

According to the The weapons seized during an arrest in the 105th charges, Dharamshot and Precinct.

Farooq robbed a Gulf gas session of a controlled substance with station located at 241-15 Hillside intent to sell, one count of unlawful Ave. at approximately 5:40 a.m. on activity: dangerous weapon, one March 16, and took approximately count of fourth-degree criminal pos- $800. They also allegedly robbed an session of a weapon and three counts Exxon gas station located at 137-21 of seventh-degree criminal posses- Liberty Avenue at approximately 4 a.m. on March 19, and took approxision of a controlled substance. mately $500. Finally, they are accused of robbing a deli, the Braddock Super Bazaar, located at 237-08 Robbery Charges Braddock Avenue at approximately Queens DA Richard Brown an- 3:20 a.m. on March 23 and taking nounced that Ravinder Dharamshot, approximately $200.

Also, on April 3, between approxi32 of Queens Village, and Umair Farooq, 23, of Oakland Gardens, have mately 5:07 a.m. and 5:37 a.m., at the been charged with participating in intersection of Utopia Parkway and the robberies of two gas stations and Cross Island Parkway, a police officer a deli in Queens and then leading saw the defendant Dharamshot op-

Queens DA

erating a blue Mercury Villager minivan which matched the description of a vehicle used in multiple commercial robberies. Dharamshot then allegedly began driving at a high rate of speed, pulled into a driveway and exited his vehicle. When the police officer exited his vehicle to approach the defendant he allegedly jumped back into the minivan, put the car in reverse and nearly struck two police cars.

Finally, Dharamshot is accused of then driving through the streets through several stop signs and red lights, driving onto the Clearview Expressway in the opposite direction of traffic, causing other vehicles to swerve out of the way to avoid being struck by the defendant’s vehicle. It is alleged that the defendant then exited the Clearview Expressway and drove up onto a sidewalk for an entire block, almost striking pedestrians, before finally crashing into a police car at Colden Street and Elder Avenue, causing injuries to two police officers. Farooq, who was allegedly a passenger in the minivan, was apprehended shortly after the crash. Dharamshot allegedly fled the scene and was arrested later that day.

The investigation was conducted by the NYPD’s Queens Robbery Squad.

April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

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Where Excellence Is the Standard

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

Future Of Programs Murky The evening before his arrest on Tuesday morning, The PRESS of Southeast Queens spoke to State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis) about his success in securing $200,000 in funding for the substance abuse program in St. Albans, J-CAP. “Whatever kind of program helps people rehabilitate themselves and become productive citizens as opposed to being a burden to society is worthwhile to be supportive of,” an upbeat Smith said. “J- CAP has a tremendous record for doing that.”

But now, with Smith facing up to 45 years behind bars for an alleged corruption scheme to rig the upcoming mayoral election, the future of JCAP and other programs anticipating funds from the Senator may be foggy.

Although these programs have been already been signed off on by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, it is entirely possible that J-CAP and other organizations and groups relying on this money are subject to review, a political insider explained.

“Anything is possible. Stranger things have happened,” the insider said.

Inf luential Southeast Queens leader and former Congressman Rev. Floyd Flake echoed similar sentiments, claiming that the groups which were allocated money by Smith may experience a few bumps in the road.

“It might be difficult for some of them,” Flake said. “Their future is going to be a question we won’t have an answer to until we get back to Albany.”

This holds especially true for programs and nonprofit organizations that were allocated and promised funding that have not yet been approved.

Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica), whose district falls within Smith’s senatorial district, similarly noted that valuable programs rely on government funding to operate.

“I don’t believe that these groups should be penalized because these groups are the ones that do the work on the ground and they have done nothing wrong,” Wills said. “The people have done nothing wrong, the participants that benefit from these groups have done nothing wrong and funding should stay in tact.”

Wills explained that it was more than probable the money allocated

by Smith to these programs will be frozen until the agencies validate the integrity of the funding. Still, he hopes that no group will fall victim as a result of the alleged criminality.

“I hope that they continue to get the funding,” Wills said. “A lot of these smaller organizations that

could be hurt fall within the minority community. For several organizations in the minority community, this money is like the life-blood for them.”

Wills also noted that if funding were to be taken away or frozen, programs that help the community with social issues, like J-CAP, may not be able to thrive, adversely impacting the district.

“If they drive and die than a lot of the social concerns in our communities will just become more prevalent,” he asserted.

Yvonne Reddick, District Manager of Community Board 12, pointed out that during these troubling economic times, it is already difficult for groups to obtain funding, but the news of Smith’s arrest presents yet another obstacle in the already difficult process.

“Anyone that has a program that is funded – it doesn’t matter if it’s the State or the City, is concerned because programs have been cut as is,” Reddick said. “I think people with programs from different resources are always concerned and even more so now.”

A similar conflict presents itself in Northeast Queens due to the arrest of Councilman Dan Halloran (RWhitestone), who is allegedly the middle man in the same corruption scheme Smith was nabbed for.

The charges against Halloran allege that he promised a cooperating witness posing as a wealthy real estate developer that he would secure money in exchange for his help to get Smith on the Republican ticket for mayor.

Discretionary Concerns After the bribery allegations surfaced last week and Smith and Halloran appeared in court in White Plains, both were stripped of the ability to allocate funds by the City Council and State Senate.

Community Board 11 District Manager Susan Seinfeld said that in the days following Halloran’s arrest, community groups and residents within his district have approached her with their concerns.

“The community was concerned about what would happen to discretionary money,” Seinfeld said. “There are a bunch of nonprofits that have gotten discretionary money from [Halloran’s] offices that count on it.”

While many have questioned the use of discretionary funds, Seinfeld looked at the benefits.

“Unfortunately, discretionary money can be abused, but when done right, it could really help the kind and local, great community groups,” she continued. “Some of the places that

“Council Member Halloran’s arrest should not impede the participatory budgeting process and his constituents should not be punished – especially when participatory budgeting is a proven method for injecting transparency, accountability, and democracy into the budget process, and can ward off the risk of corruption that plagues the member item system,” the statement read.

Quinn’s office did not respond for comment although several reports indicate that she still defends the member item process and does not want to see affected groups “become the victim of an alleged criminal’s activities.”

Photos by Ira Cohen

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

After the arrests last week of State Sen. Malcolm Smith and Councilman Dan Halloran, community members are concerned that allocations to local groups could be in jeopardy. have gotten money are really great places but if they don’t get City Council discretionary money, they really have to rely more on fundraising because there is no other money that they are getting.”

Prior to Halloran’s arrest, the Councilman also secured $1 million for his district to take part in participatory budgeting – a nonbinding process which allows community members to cast votes and recommend how they would like to see taxpayer money spent.

For the past eight months, dozens of his constituents put in hundreds of volunteer hours to propose and develop capital projects. Just last weekend, more than 1,170 residents from Halloran’s district cast their votes in the experimental process.

The future of these particular member items, however, lies in the hands of City Council Speaker and mayoral candidate, Christine Quinn, as well as Chairman of the Queens City Council Delegation and Borough President candidate, Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans).

In response to the questions on how participatory budgeting will proceed in light of Halloran’s arrest, Community Voices Heard, the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center and the Participatory Budgeting Project released a statement.

Spending Ban But the feelings are mixed in the City’s political landscape. New York City Public Advocate and a political opponent of Quinn’s, Bill de Blasio, called for the outright ban on the spending system.

“Time after time, the discretionary funding system has led to bribery, political blackmail and a boatload of big legal bills paid for by taxpayers,” de Blasio said in a statement. “New York doesn’t need an appropriations process that aids and abets corruption and political gamesmanship in order to invest in our City’s priorities and worthwhile projects.”

Despite the growing concern among public leaders, it is still too early to determine whether the alleged crimes of Smith and Halloran will have an adverse effect on the organizations and programs in their communities.

Neither Smith nor Halloran have stepped down or resigned following their arrests and both of them have fervently denied any wrongdoing.

The future of these programs will depend on a number of factors, particularly a conviction and the actions of key players like Quinn, Comrie and the potential replacements for Smith’s and Halloran’s seats.

Dan Andrews, a spokesperson for Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, agreed that “the dust is still kind of settling” but it is Marshall’s hope that valuable organizations will not suffer as a consequence.

“The Borough President Marshall hopes that any innocent organization is not punished in any way in regard to allocated funding and that will hopefully be the case,” he said.

“Certainly, it is our hope that no organization will loose funding because of who funded the money.”

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

April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

pix The Cos Comes To QC

25th Annual Brandeis Association Phagwah Parade Heads To Washington D.C.

The Hindu community celebrated the festival of colors on March 30 in Richmond Hill. The parade started on 133rd Street on Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill and ended at Smokey Oval Park with a cultural show.

Photos by Ira Cohen

Entertainment legend Bill Cosby performed an exclusive show at the Colden Auditorium at Queens College on April 6 as part of the college’s “Best of the Best” series. More than 2,000 people filled the auditorium as “The Cos” spun stories about parenting and relationships in his signature style.

April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

Mother OF THE Year The Press of Southeast Queens and its advertisers are pleased to once again present our “Mother of the Year” contest. Our Mother’s Day issue will feature winning entries plus thoughts from the children of Queens. This is our small way of paying tribute to the moms out there who help make Queens a better place to live.

The contest rules are simple.

Just submit 250 (typewritten when possible, otherwise legible) words or less as to why your mom is special. You or your mom must be a Queens resident. Entries must be received by Friday, May 3, 2013. Enclose a photo of mom, Mother's Day Prizes Include: with her kids if possible (sorry they can't be returned).

Mail entries to “Mother of the Year” Queens Tribune, 15050 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357, or email them to editor@queenstribune.com Entries will be judged in three age groups: A) 8 and under; B) 9-12 and C) 13 - adult. Judging will be based on content, creativity and sensitivity.

We are open-minded about this contest and even mother-inlaw entries will be accepted.

Don't Delay: get your entry in today and pay tribute to your special "MOM" (and get Mother's Day gifts too!)

Over $1,000 In Prizes Plus

Mets Tickets

OVER $1,000 IN PRIZES Attach this or a facsimile to your entry Age

Your Name Address Phone

Mom's Name Mom's Address Phone

Mail to “Mother of the Year” Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone, NY 11357 editor@queenstribune.com

CONTEST RULES 1. Submit 250 words as to why your mom is special. You or your mom must be a Queens resident.

2. Entries must be received by Friday, May 3, 2013.

3. Give your age (18+ acceptable), address, phone number, plus mom's name and address.

4. Enclose a photo of mom or mom and her kid(s) where possible; put full names on back of photo. Sorry, they can't be returned.

5. Mail entries to “Mother of the Year,” Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone, NY 11357.

6. The entries will be judged in three age groups A) 8 and under; B) 9-12 and C) 13 - adult.

Judging will be based on content, creativity and sensitivity.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

A&E

Queens Author Releases Debut Novel

BY JOE MARVILLI Although Queens-born author Matt Thomas has been writing since he was 10 years old, he had never released a full-length novel. Until now, that is.

Thomas’ debut, “A Breach in Death,” was released last month through Boxfire Press, an independent publisher based in Washington D.C. The book tells the story of Arc, a new Grim Reaper whose first day on the job does not go smoothly.

Throughout the tale, which takes place in Astoria and Manhattan, Arc and his fellow reaper/guide to the underworld, Lucy, learn that something has upset the balance between life and death in a way that threatens everyone.

The idea for this piece of literature came from his time in graduate

school at Syracuse University, where he earned a Master’s Degree in English. He took a fiction workshop with Robert O’Connor, the author of “Buffalo Soldiers,” who asked him to write two polished short stories. Thomas decided to write a third one as well, which was the genesis for “A Breach in Death.”

“I always thought that a realistic take on the Grim Reaper myth would be an interesting angle, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it,” he said.

That writing exercise became a short story called “The Saints That Burnt Crosses,” which was published in 2005. Thomas was not done with that storyline though.

As time went on, he started writing chapters and scenarios to expand the plot into a full-length tale. He found a match with Boxfire Press, who was

SculptureCenter Readies LIC Move

BY TRISHA SAKHUJA The Long Island City SculptureCenter is set for expansion, which includes a new 2,000square-foot addition to the existing structure.

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) joined Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin on April 2 at the sculpture center to break ground on the newly announced renovations and expansion.

With the help of Van Bramer, the City Council secured $125,000 in funding for Long Island City’s cultural space. The ‘Building SculptureCenter Campaign’ will grant $4.5 million in building funds and $1.5 million in working capital and term endowments, which sets the center in a position to play a defining role in the neighborhood.

The additions include a onestory entrance lobby with a bookshop, coatroom, seating area and restrooms. An elevator and stairway to the lower level galleries will be constructed, as well as an

enclosed courtyard for outdoor exhibitions. The electrical and mechanical systems will see an upgrade, and the office and storage spaces will also see improvements.

“The arts and culture of Long Island City is one of the key assets and it’s the reason why we have lots of visitors,” Dan Miner, senior vice president of the Long Island City Partnership, said. “The expansion of the Sculpture Center is a good thing because it brings more focus to LIC and its involvement with the major, international art institutions.”

The project manager, architect Andrew Berman, who has designed award winning projects for institutions like Center for Architecture, The New York Public Library and MoMA PS1, wants to create a stronger presence through the introduction of using new materials including plywood and corten steel.

The center plans to remain open throughout construction with some modification to its exhibition schedule and public hours.

Reach Reporter Trisha Sakhuja at (718-357-4000), Ext. 128, or at tsakhuja@queenstribune.com.

looking to switch from publishing short stories to focusing on novels.

This transition to a full-length novel was a long time coming for Thomas. He wrote his first story as a child, about two brothers running into an escaped convict during a vacation to Mount Rushmore. After finishing college, he worked as a writer and submitted articles for various magazines, websites and newspapers.

“It’s made my writing cleaner, more discipline,.” he said.

From there, the author had a few short stories published, such as “Crossover” and “Happiness, USA,” both of which were nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

Many of Thomas’ works have had a fantastical or science-fiction theme,

an interest that came from years of reading classic literature and graphic novels.

“I look at ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ with as much revere as I do “Of Mice and Men,” so I wanted my own stories to reflect that influence,” he said. “Each piece I write is character driven but usually built within a world that allows for the fantastic.”

“A Breach in Death” is currently available at major retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

“I’m very proud of it, and I want to share it with readers who love character-driven genre fiction as much as I do,” Thomas said.

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

Woodhaven Native Hits Broadway Masha is going dressed as Disney’s Snow White and has brought ‘supportDid Anton Chekhov really cre- ing’ costumes, which leads to some ate a character named Spike in one wonderful visual humor.

Hyde Pierce and Nielsen have of his plays? No - but Christopher worked together for so long Durang did, and Billy that they play off each other Magnussen, who grew up very well. Yet Durang ensures in Woodhaven until the that his two talented comic age of 10, plays the part performers each get a few in the comedy, “Vanya moments to shine alone. and Sonia and Masha Though perhaps more faand Spike.” As Spike, the mous, Weaver is weaker than boy-toy of Masha (played the other two. Comedy does

by Sigourney Weaver), he not seem to be her forte. often cavorts on stage, Magnussen manages to unhesitatingly stripping hold his own opposite far down to his underwear.

Billy Magnussen more experienced actors.

The young man highlights the malaise of the others, who oc- He is extremely physical, hugging or casionally bemoan their situation in pinching other characters suddenly and playfully. Masha has had five life.

Vanya (played by David Hyde husbands and Spike, an aspiring acPierce) and Sonia (the hysterical tor, is her latest boyfriend. He is like Kristine Nielsen) play a middle-aged a rambunctious puppy dog.

It helps to have a passing knowlbrother and his adopted sister who live in an idyllic house in Bucks County, edge of Chekhov and other classic Pa. The house is owned and sup- works. However, one does not need ported by their successful actress sis- to know anything about the genre of ter, Masha. The three are the offspring drama to appreciate Durang’s of two college professors who were themes. He mocks our penchant for community theater actors with a pen- technology and the privacy we have chant for Chekhov, hence the names given up. These are some heavy of their children. Masha comes for a themes, but Vanya and Sonia and visit and announces that she has been Masha and Spike make us laugh and advised by her assistant to sell the laugh and laugh.

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and house. Then she tells Vanya and Sonia that they are all going to a costume Spike” is at the Golden Theatre. For visit party given by a neighbor in a nearby information, house once owned by Dorothy Parker. www.vanyasoniamashaspike.com.

BY ELYSE TREVERS

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

Faith

April’s Upcoming Church Events evening of joyful praise at the church.

The mass will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the church located at 178-38 137th Ave., Springfield Gardens. For more information, call (718) 723-2681.

Sunday, April 14 Jonathan Slocumb Visits Jamaica Church The Merrick Park Baptist Church will present a Christian comedian, Jonathan Slocumb, as part of its 85th Church Anniversary celebration. For more information, call Rose at (718) 276-5039. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. The church is located at 120-02 Marsden St., Jamaica. The show begins at 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 20 10th Annual Men’s Health Day The First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica will be holding its 10th Annual Men’s Health Day. The event will feature a number of free health education sessions in topics ranging from prostate health to heart health and diabetes education. Free prostate screenings will be available for

Special Praise The Grace Moravian Church of Springfield Gardens will present an

Word

‘Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.’

-Zechariah 10:1

men 35 and over, regardless of insurance status. Free HIV, blood pressure and blood glucose health screenings will also be available. Breakfast is at 8 a.m. and screenings begin at 9 a.m.

Free parking is available in the Jamaica Coliseum. The church is located at 89-60 164th St., Jamaica.

Tea Time at Spring Time The Daughters of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rosedale will present, ‘Tea Time at Spring Time.’ Admission is $25. The event will be held from 4-8 p.m. at the church. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is located at 137-28 244th St., Rosedale. For more information, call Hyacinth Cameron at (718) 9787647, Linda Fraser at (646) 734-2395 or Dahlia Henriques at (718) 740-4461.

Sunday, April 21 Post Easter Concert The Episcopal Church of St. Alban the Martyr of St. Albans will present a very special post Easter concert to remind residents about the importance of the Easter season. The

concert will begin at 4 p.m. The Episcopal Church of St. Alban is located at 189-28 Turin Dr., St. Albans. For more information, call (718) 528-1891.

Saturday, April 27 Wesleyan Church Tea Party The Jamaica Queens Wesleyan Church will be hosting a WW Tea Party.

All are welcome to join. Tickets are $15 per person. The event begins at 3 p.m. at the church located at 134-49 229th St., Laurelton. For more information, call (718) 341-0097. Free parking will be available in the church’s parking lot.

Sunday, April 28 Heavenly Tones Concert St. John’s Episcopal (Anglican) Church of Springfield Gardens will have a special concert featuring the Heavenly Tones, a band led their very own Ceejay Abenn. Admission is free but donations will be accepted. The concert will begin at 4 p.m. at the church located at 137-67 Belknap St., Springfield Gardens. For more information, call (718) 525-1444.

Notebook York College

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA On Monday, April 15, York College will present its sixth annual Merit Scholars Benefit featuring nine-time Grammy Award winner and this year’s National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master, Eddie Palmieri and the Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra.

To date, 227 scholarships have been awarded to students as a result of these annual benefits and according to Dolores Swirin-Yao, vice president of institutional advancement at the college and one of the event planners, hosting programs like these is a great opportunity to help students who may not be able to afford their education otherwise.

“The purpose is to raise funds for scholarships for our students, many of whom have come from situations with economic challenges,” SwirinYao said.

“We have quite a remarkable student body, an incredibly diverse set of students, many of whom are first generation students to go to college in their families,” she continued.

Photo courtesy of Marcia Moxam Comrie

York College Holds Annual Merit Scholars Benefit are having difficulty staying in their apartment,” she said.

These challenges are particularly more difficult following the devastation of S u p e r sto r m S a n d y, s h e added.

“We had a tremendous number of students who were directly affected by that Scholarship director, Brunilda Almodovar (far [Sandy] and if you don’t have right) poses with York Merit Scholars at last a lot of reserve in terms of reyear’s Benefit Concert. sources, an incident like that can throw students off dra“Even if they receive a fair amount matically. This is why we feel it is of government aide to cover tuition, more important than ever to be there that doesn’t begin pay for their ex- for our students.”

In addition to raising money for penses just to stay in school.”

During these hard economic student scholarships, Swirin-Yao said times, Swirin-Yao explained, it is im- this year’s annual benefit will be a portant for York College, and all great opportunity to reach out to the CUNY schools, to give back to their community and enjoy the smooth musical melodies of Eddie Palmieri – students in a special way.

“It is more challenging than ever a world renowned, Grammy Award for students to find paid work that winning pianist, bandleader and muwill supplement whatever financial sician best known for combining jazz aid they have and we hear from stu- piano and instrumental solos with dents who can’t afford MetroCards, Latin rhythms.

“I think it shows that our performwho can’t afford their books or who

ing arts center is a world-class performing arts space that has a wide range of performances including theater, classical music, jazz – a real wide range,” she said. “For our benefit concert, we think it’s important to bring in a performer that is of that caliber.”

“This benefit is a very special way to recognize our honorees and to include the community in our celebrations,” Swirin-Yao added. “We find that people really want to come to this event, people really want to make the effort to come and stay for the performance.”

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the York College Performing Arts Center located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica. For additional information about the show, call (718) 262- 3750. To become a sponsor, contact Mondell Sealy at (718) 262-3810.

Ticket prices vary. Group rates are available.

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

April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

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

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

DANCE ST. JOSAPHAT Sunday, April 14 St. Josaphat’s Easter/ Swieconka Dance 2-6 in Bayside. $35 includes cocktail hour, dinner and music. 746-5138 tickets.

IMMAC. CONCEPTION Friday, April 19 Annual Spring Dinner Dance at Leonard’s of Great Neck.

739-0880.

ENVIRONMENT HOME HYDROPONICS Monday, April 15 Sunnyside library at 6.

SEEDLING SWAP Thursday, April 18 seedling swap and giveaway at the Woodside library at 4.

GREEN FILM FEST Saturday, April 20 Earth Week Green Film Festival at the Broadway, Woodside and Steinway libraries. Contact library.

POWER FUTURE Saturday, April 20 “Clean Energy.” Jackson Heights library at 3.

FLEA MARKETS SPRING RUMMAGE Saturday, April 13 All Saints Episcopal Church, 43-12 4 6 th Street, Sunnyside 10-3.

FLEA & BAKE Sunday, April 21 flea market plus ethnic Polish bake sale 9-4 at St. J o s a p h a t , 3 5 th A v e n u e Street, and 2 1 0 th Bayside.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS BEGINNERS WORD Saturdays, April 13, 20 Central library. Register.

BEGINNERS EXCEL Saturdays, April 13, 20 C e n t ra l l i b r a r y. 9 9 0 8625.

GOOGLE ACCOUNTS Saturday, April 13 Getting More From Google Accounts at the Far Rockaway library at 2.

GENEALOGY Saturday, April 13 Rochdale Village library at 3.

BALLROOM DANCING Monday, April 15 Forest Hills library at 6:30.

INTER. EXCEL Monday, April 15 Central library. 990-8625.

INTRO COMPUTERS Monday, April 15 intro to computers and the Internet at the Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

JOB READINESS Monday, April 15 Oneon-One Job Readiness ad Computer Assistance at the South Jamaica library.

739-4088.

JEWELRY MAKING Monday, April 15 Art Deco-Inspired at the Baisley Park library. Register.

MAC MONDAY Monday, April 15 iMovie discussed at the Central library. Register.

BALLROOM DANCING Monday, April 15 Forest Hills library at 6:30.

BEGINNERS WORD Tuesday, April 16 Flushing library at 10.

INTRO ACCESS Tuesday, April 16 LIC librar y. Register.

BASIC COMPUTER Tu e s d a y, April 16 McGoldrick library at 11.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tu e s d a y, April 16 Bellerose library. Register.

BEGIN POWERPOINT Tuesday, April 16 LIC library at noon.

FEDERAL JOBS Tuesday, April 16 Federal Job Searching at the Fa r Ro c k aw a y l i b r a r y.

327-2549.

BEADING 101 Tu e s d a y, April 16 Queens Village librar y.

Register.

BALLROOM DANCE Tuesday, April 16 Richmond Hill library at 3.

INTRO WORD Tuesday, April 16 Central library. 990-0769 INTRO EMAIL Wednesday, April 17 Central library. Register.

JOB SKILLS Wednesday, April 17 Job Skills: How Well Do Yo u K n ow Yo u r

Strengths. Central library.

990-8625.

BEGIN EXCEL Wednesday, April 17 Pomonok library. Register.

BEGIN INTERNET Wednesday, April 17 Windsor Park library at 11:30.

BEADING 101 Wednesday, April 17 Briarwood library at 2.

JEWELRY MAKING Wednesday, April 17 Art Deco at the Bellerose library. Register.

SCULPTURE Wednesday, April 17 Carved, Constructed and Cast Sculpture: A Crafts Workshop for the Family from MoMA at the Howard Beach library at 4.

COMPUTER CLASS Wednesday, April 17 Woodside library at 5:45. One-on-one instruction.

CHILDCARE PROVIDER Wednesday, April 17 professional development workshop at the Central library at 6:30.

ONLINE JOB APPLI. Wednesday, April 17 online job applications at the Central library. Register.

MOCK INTERVIEWS Thursday, April 18 Central librar y. Register.

ANDROID PHONES Thursday, April 18 Central librar y. Register.

INTRO EMAIL Thursday, April 18 LIC library at 11.

CODEACADEMY LAB Thursday, April 18 online learning platform you can use to teach yourself computer languages at the Central library. Register.

GREETING CARDS Thursday, April 18 Far Rockaway library at 1:30.

INTRO COMPUTERS Thursday, April 18 Ozone Park library. Register4.

LEARN CHINESE Thursdays North Forest Park library at 6.

BEGIN POWERPOINT Friday, April 19 Central library. 990-8625.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Friday, April 19 Auburndale library. Register.

ACE THE INTERVIEW Friday, April 19 LIC library. 752-3700.

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

JOB SEARCH Saturday, April 20 Job Search Strategies Far Rockaway library at 2.

ENTERTAINMENT MUSICAL CABARET April 13-28 “One More, With Feeling,” A Musical Cabaret” at Colonial Church of Bayside. $18.

347-358-8102.

RUSSIAN FESTIVAL Saturday, April 13 finger puppets at 10:30, violin duet at 1, music, song and dance at 2:30.

Flushing library.

IMMIGRANT VOICES Saturday, April 13 “Vanishing Son” at 8 at Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064.

WOMEN IN JAZZ Saturday, April 13 Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222.

EDDIE LEE ISAACS Saturday, April 13 Eddie Lee Isaacs and His Blues Guitar at the Fresh Meadows library at 3.

TIN PAN ALLEY Saturday, April 13 Ladies of Tin Pan Alley Sunnyside library at 3.

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

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

CHARLOTTE’S WEB Sunday, April 14 at Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064.

CHARO Sunday, April 14 Queensborough Communit y College. 6316311.

SACRED MUSIC Sunday, April 14 Spring Concert at St. John’s Lutheran in Richmond Hill. $15, $12 advance.

Children free. Reception follows.

INSEKTA DANCE Sunday, April 14 Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222.

SALSA ORCHESTRA Monday, April 15 Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra at the York College Foundation Benefit Concert.

212-838-2660, ext. 13 TIN PAN ALLEY Wednesday, April 17 Ladies of Tin Pan Alley Flushing library at 3.

FILM PREMIERE Wednesday, April 17 “Every Day Is a Holiday” shown and discussed at the Flushing library at 6.

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

997-4747 for titles and other info.

BAGEL BINGO Thursday, April 18 St. Josaphat’s Leisure Club will hold a Bagel Bingo.

Doors open 12:30. 35 th Avenue and 2 1 0 th

Street, Bayside.

ARGO Thursday, April 18 a t the Sunnyside library at 1:30.

FILM & TALK Thursday, April 18 “Let’s Make A Movie” shown and discussed at 4 Douglaston library.

FAHRENHEIT 451 Friday, April 19 The Big Read holds special events and activities for Fahrenheit 451 Flushing library starting at 11 with screening and discussion at 2.

BROADWAY TUNES Friday, April 19 Windsor Park library at 1:30.

CHAMBER MUSIC Fridays, April 19, May 3, 10 10-noon at Queens College. 997-3800.

KOREA MEETS GREECE Friday, April 19 Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext.

222.

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

917-817-8653.

BOOK FAIR Saturday, April 20 Spring Book Fair at the Farmers Market Harvest Room, 90-40 1 6 0 th Street, Jamaica. 11-5.

Guests, featured authors, panels, networking, poetry, more. 591-4525.

DANZA FIESTA Saturday, April 20 a t the Flushing library at 2.

RUSSIAN MUSIC Saturday, April 20 Forest Hills library at 2:30.

BIG BAND SOUNDS Saturday, April 20 Jackson Heights library at 3 with a clip from the film “Looking at Jazz: America’s Art Form.”

CARMEN MCRAE Saturday, April 20 a t the Langston Hughes library at 3:30.

SPRING FEST Saturday and Sunday, April 20, 21 Children’s Spring Festival at Queens Count y Farm Museum.

HAITIAN FILM Sunday, April 21 “Kaleb” will be shown Central library at 2:30.

STAMP SHOW Sundays, April 21, May 19, June 16 Ramada Hotel in Bayside 10-4:30.

Free admission and parking. 645-7659.

RICH LITTLE Sunday, April 21 Queensborough Communit y College. 6316311.

FLAMENCO Sunday, April 21 Roots of Flamenco at 4 at Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside. 729-3880.

MISCELLANEOUS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Experienced in community outreach, social media, public relations and assisting in various activities with seniors at the Jackson Adult Center.

657-6692.

IMMIGRATIONSERVICE Saturdays 10-1 at Council Member Leroy Comrie’s district office.

776-3700 to schedule appointment.

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

HEALTH SHAPE UP NYC Monday, April 15 stretch and tone LIC library at 6:30.

INTERNET HEALTH Monday, April 15 Health Information from the Internet at the Langston Hughes library at 10.

CHAIR YOGA Monday, April 15 Broadway library. Register.

RECOVERY INC. Monday, April 15 Recovery Inc is a safe, free and confidential place to get help for issues involving anxiet y, fear, obsessions, temper, stress. Forest Hills library at 5:45.

ZUMBA Monday, April 15 Rosedale librar y. Register.

CHAIR YOGA Tuesday, April 16 Jackson Heights library. Register.

SHAPE UP AEROBICS Wednesday, April 17 C e n t r a l l i b ra r y. F i r s t come, first served at 4.

ZUMBA Wednesday, April 17 Lefferts library. Register.

GENTLE YOGA Wednesday, April 17 Woodside library. Register.

SHAPE UP NYC BODY Thursday, April 18 Body Sculpt Fitness at the Lefrak Cit y librar y at 5:30.

SHAPE UP NYC DANCE Friday, April 19 Richmond Hill library at 5.

MEN’S HEALTH Saturday, April 20 10 th Annual Men’s Health Day. 8-9 breakfa st, 9-1 prostate screenings.

Central library.

April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

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

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

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

KNIT & CROCHET CLUB Monday, April 15 Douglaston library at 4.

EVENING CRAFTERS Monday, April 15 Fresh Meadows library at 6.

TALK OF THE TOWN Tuesdays, April 16, May 7, 21 learn the art of public speaking in St. Albans at 7:15. 6407092.

AMER. LEGION Tuesdays, April 16, May 21, June 18 at 8 the American Legion McKee Post 131 meets at 10-20 Clintonville Street, Whitestone. 767-4323.

BEREAVEMENT Tuesdays, April 16, May 21, June 18 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family in Fresh Meadows at 7:30. 9692448.

KNIT & CROCHET CLUB Tu e s d a y, April 16 Windsor Park library at 2.

CHESS CLUB Tuesday, April 16 at 4 at the Howard Beach library.

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

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

FM CAMERA Tuesdays Fresh Meadows

RELIGIOUS SACRED MUSIC Sunday, April 14 Sacred Music Chorale of Richmond Hill presents their Spring Concert at St. John’s Lutheran in Richmond Hill. $15, $12 advance. Children free.

Reception follows with wine, coffee, tea, cookies and pretzels.

UNITARIAN Sundays services at 11 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens, 147-54 Ash Avenue, Flushing. 3533860.

Camera Club. 917-6123463.

KNIT & CROCHET CLUB Wednesday, April 17 South Ozone Park library at 1.

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

516-785-2532.

EMOTIONS ANON. Wednesdays 7:30 Victoria Congregational th Church, 148 Street and 87 th Avenue, Briarwood.

Support group for a variet y of troubling emotions..

WRITING CLUB Thursday, April 18 Peninsula library at 2.

FDR DEMOCRATS Thursdays, April 18, May

TEENS 16 FDR Democrats meet at the Chabad Center in Bayside at 7:30. 4608285.

KNIT & CROCHET CLUB Friday, April 19 Fresh Meadows library at 11.

CROCHET CLUB Friday, April 19 LIC library at 11:30.

CHESS CLUB Friday, April 19 Woodside library at 4.

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

P-FLAG Sundays, April 21, May 19, June 16 P-Flag, a support5 group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays meet in Forest Hills. 2716663.

SENIORS COMPUTER CLASS Beginning in April Selfhelp Rosenthal Center will hold a variet y of computer classes, including basics, email, internet and advanced classes, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, digital photography and more. 559-4329.

AARP TAX HELP Monday, April 15 Pomonok library at 11:30.

AARP 3334 Monday, April 15 St. Kevin’s Parish Center in Flushing. 224-0478.

LINE DANCING Monday, April 15 line dance and part y mix: dance instruction for seniors at the East Elmhurst library at 1.

BENEFITS CHECK-UP Monday, April 15 W i n d s o r P a r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

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

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

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Tuesday, April 16 AARP class at the Auburndale and Forest Hills librar y.

Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesday, April 16 basic computer class for seniors at 11 at the South Ozone Park library.

ESTATE PLANNING Tuesday, April 16 at the

Baisley Park library at 2.

VISION & AGING Tu e s d a y, April 16 R i d g e wo o d l i b r a r y.

Wednesday, April 17 B ay Te r r a c e l i b ra r y a t 1:30. Keeping an Eye on Your Eye Health.

SELFHELP LATIMER Tu e s d a y s a n d F r i d a y s drawing class 9:30-noon.

Hot nutritious lunch, ESL, Tai Chi, Ballroom Dancing, drawing, ping pong.

Selfhelp Latimer Gardens Senior Center, 3430 137 th Street, Flushing.

559-4395.

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

631-1886.

NUTRITION Wednesday, April 17 Nutrition for Older Adults at the Queens Village library. 464-0084.

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

BAGEL BINGO Thursday, April 18 St. Josaphat’s Leisure Club will hold a Bagel Bingo.

Doors open 12:30. 35 th Avenue and 210 th Street, Bayside.

JACKSON SENIOR F r i d ays t h r o u g h O c t o ber Senior Strollers – walking at 9:30. Breakfast $1, lunch $1.50. Jackson Senior Center. 6576500.

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

COLLEGE FAIR Saturday, April 13 Langston Hughes library starting at 10.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

TEEN ZONE Monday and Wednesday, April 15, 17 Queens Village library at 4.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tuesday, April 16 East Flushing library at 3:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesday, April 16 East Elmhurst library at 4.

SISTER TO SISTER Tuesday, April 16 weekly discussion group at the Pomonok library at 4:30.

SPRING READING Tu e s d a y, April 16 Arverne library at 5.

KNIT & CROCHET Tu e s d a y, April 16 Rochdale Village library at 5.

CRAFTS WORKSHOP Wednesday, April 17 Carved, Constructed and Cast Sculpture at the Howard Beach library t 4.

WII GAMING Wednesday, April 17 Queens Village library at 4.

ORIGAMI Wednesday, April 17 Flying Machines Origami Pomonok library at 4:30.

COMPUTER CLASS Wednesday, April 17 Woodside library t 5:45.

ORIGAMI Thursday, April 18 Briarwood library t 4.

ANIME CLUB Thursday, April 18 Flushing library at 4.

POEM IN POCKET Thursday, April 18 Hollis library at 4.

TEEN ADVISORY Thursday, April 18 Cambria Heights library at 5:30.

MANGA DRAWING Thursdays South Ozone Park library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays Rochdale Village library 4:30.

MAGIC TRICKS Friday, April 19 Douglaston library. Register.

HAPPY HOUR Friday, April 19 Flushing library at 4.

WII GAME DAY Friday, April 19 Poppenhusen library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Friday, April 19 Woodside library at 4.

WII GAMES Friday, April 19 McGoldrick library at 6.

WORLD OF WARCRAFT Saturday, April 20 Flushing library at 2.

YOUTH TLC READING Monday, April 15 early literacy program at the Auburndale library at 11:30.

S TORY T I M E Monday, April 15 Hollis library at 11:30.

FAMILY STORY TIME Monday, April 15 Auburndale library at 4.

EBOOK STORY TIME Monday, April 15 Central library at 4.

EARTH DAY Monday, April 15 McGoldrick library at 5.

ECO CRAFTS Monday, April 15 Sunnyside library at 4.

BUGS AS PETS Tu e s d a y , April 16 Mitchell-Linden library at 3:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesday, April 16 East Elmhurst library at 4 and Windsor Park. Register.

ORIGAMI MATH Tuesday, April 16 Lefrak Cit y library at 4:30.

HEALTH & SCIENCE Tu e s d a y , April 16 McGoldrick library at 5.

TIMELESS TALES Wednesday, April 17 Central librar y. Register.

ECO CRAFTS Wednesday, April 17 Broadway library at noon.

S TORY T I M E Wednesday, April 17 Maspeth library at 12:30.

PRESCHOOL CRAFT Wednesday, April 17 W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

ECO CRAFTS Wednesday, April 17 Steinway library at 2.

ARTS & CRAFTS Wednesday, April 17 Auburndale library at 4.

BOOST SCIENCE Wednesday, April 17 Central library 4:30.

WRITE A POEM Wednesday, April 17 McGoldrick library at 5.

FAMILY STORY TIME Thursday, April 18 Bay Terrace library at 11:30.

S TORY T I M E Thursday, April 18 East Elmhurst library at 11:30.

S TORY T I M E Thursday, April 18 Hollis library at 11:30.

ECO CRAFTS Thursday, April 18 Woodside library at 11:30 and 12:30.

STUFF A TEDDY Thursday, April 18 Arverne library at 3.

KIDS CRAFT TIME Thursday, April 18 Howard Beach library at 3:30.

POEM IN POCKET Thursday, April 18 Hollis library at 4.

READ TO A DOG

Thursday, April 18 North Hills library at 4.

PLANTS & ANIMALS Thursday, April 18 Poppenhusen library at 4.

CRAFTS Thursday, April 18 Steinway library at a4 for those 4-6.

BOOST MATH Thursday, April 18 Central library 4:30.

COMETS Thursday, April 18 Corona library at 4:30.

ZUMBA KIDS Thursday, April 18 Forest Hills library. Register.

ECO CRAFTS Thursday, April 18 for those 6-12 at the Broadway library at 5.

NATURE KIDS Thursday, April 18 Steinway library at 5.

TERRIFIC KIDS Thursday, April 18 Cambria Heights library at 5:15.

MANGA DRAWING Thursdays South Ozone Park library at 4.

PRESCHOOL CRAFTS Friday, April 19 Sunnyside library. Register.

SPRING CRAFT Friday, April 19 Bellerose librar y. Register.

SHSAT PREP Friday, April 19 LIC library at 3:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Friday, April 19 Douglaston library. Register.

BOOST MATH EXAM Friday, April 19 Central library at 4.

COMETS Friday, April 19 Flushing library at 4.

TALKS GODDESSES Saturday, April 13 Aspects of Celtic, Egyptian and Indian Goddesses: at 2 Flushing library.

NYC LANDMARKS Monday, April 15 Woolworth and Flatiron Buildings. Flushing library at 6:30.

CLASSIC BOOKS Monday, April 15 “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn” discussed at 6:30 Peninsula library.

CENTRAL BOOK Wednesday, April 17 “The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal and the Real Count of Monte Cristo” 11:30 Central library.

QUEENS VILLAGE Wednesday, April 17 “Still Alice” at 2 at the Queens Village library.

CLASSIFIEDS

Page 20 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

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April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 21

People Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy. They include: Jamaica: Sean Chen, Tanzim Imam.

Queens Village: Erica Hoey.

Breezy Point: Briana McLoughlin.

Forest Hills: Brian Chin, Andrea Lai, Arpana Sabu, Nomita Vazirani, Charles Yueh.

Ozone Park: Chantel Columna, Aktarer Zaman.

Rego Park: Rachel Guan, Natasha Lo, Raymond Tse. The New York Army National Guard recently announced reenlistment of members in recognition of their continuing commitment to serve community, state and nation.

Staff Sergeant Virginia Waldon of Springfield Garden has reenlisted to continue service with the 14th Finance Detachment.

Sergeant Jeremy Lee of Cambria Heights has reenlisted to continue service with the Company A (Distribution), 427th Brigade Support Battalion.

Sergeant Donny McKay of St. Albans has reenlisted to continue service with the Company D, 1-69th Infantry.

Specialist Johan Dominique of

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Cambria Heights has reenlisted to continue service with the Company D, 1-69th Infantry.

Sergeant Clayton Smith of Jamaica has reenlisted to continue service with the Company E (Forward Support Company Infantry), 427th Brigade Support Battalion.

Kyle Flowers and Joshua Flowers of Jamaica were named to the Honor Roll for the second trimester at the Portledge School.

Air Force Airman Akel R. Leith graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Leith is the nephew of Erica Laroach of Queens Village.

Army Pvt. Krystle A. Forrest has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic

combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Forrest is the daughter of Livia Forrest of South Ozone Park.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester at Binghamton University. They include: Hollis: Eric Rosner.

Hollis Hills: Rachel Kupferberg.

Jamaica: Brian Lee, Jaspal Baling, Alexis Tashiro, JunHa Joung.

Laurelton: Olukolapo Adebowale Alli.

Queens Village: Sekou Georges, Goyal Umadat, Abigail Surujballi, Ellie Woolf, Kathleen Zabala, James Edouard.

Rosedale: Isaiah Jamal Knight, Amenzesiofo Uzamere, Ramel McIntosh.

Saint Albans: Kristina Smith, Jedidiah Wang.

South Ozone Park: Rain Rashid.

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Yanbing Xia of Woodhaven received a Doctor of Philosophy degree during fall 2012 commencement ceremonies at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. The New York Army National Guard recently announced reenlistment of members in recognition of their continuing commitment to serve community, state and nation.

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Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 12-18, 2013

Keeping it 'Qool'

One Queens native has launched a campaign to tell everyone how “Qool” the Borough is.

According to published reports, Fred Cantor, a 59-year-old retired attorney who lived in Fresh Meadows, has created a baseball hat to change how people perceive Queens and the level of its coolness.

Cantor created the campaign to combat the perception that Queens is not as hip as its burgeoning neighbor, Brooklyn, which has seen its arts and culture scene in places like Williamsburg spike in recent years.

He created caps that say “Queens = Qool” on it and is donating part of the proceeds. The hats cost $21.90 in total and $2 out of that sale will go to the Queens Library Foundation, which supports free programs for Queens Library.

While we at QConf love Queens as much as the next person – and we happen to support raising awareness to the Borough – our spellchecker is going crazy with that logo.

JFK's 5K, OK? On April 14, there will be something far slower and far smaller on JFK’s tarmac than the usual airliners landing and taking off.

Instead, the airport’s rotary club will hold the JFK Runway Run 5K, a 3.1 mile course that gives runners a change of scenery from their usual paths.

While such a run may seem a little odd, it has grown since 1972 to have more than 1,000 attendees in recent years. It helps that proceeds from the race go to charitable organizations such as Gift of Life, a bone marrow disease group. There is also the thrill factor to be running alongside 747s, though we at QConf imagine that it might get quite loud out there on the tarmac.

Still, running next to the planes must be better than running late for a flight!

Who's Got Talent?

QConf is looking for some talented Queens residents to feature. If you are a model, a musician, a chef or an artist, we would love to hear from you!

Send an email to editor@queenstribune. com Who we are: QConf is edited by Steven J. Ferrari.

QConf Contributors: Luis Gronda, Natalia Kozikowska, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Mike Nussbaum, Trisha Sakhuja.

Kevin Afuwah Royal Kulture Channeling his life story through his lyrics and music is Kevin Afuwah’s goal. He says most hiphop artists rap about money, cars and girls, but his new independent music label, Royal Kulture, represents much more than that. It represents the history and glory of his ancestors, who were kings and queens, and it also aspires to be in-tune with the new global culture of music.

Afuwah, 23, is of Nigerian descent and a proud resident of St. Albans. He is an upcoming recording artist and song writer with a background in finance and business.

His lyrics tell a story, but at first, Afuwah was only writing and rapping for fun. His father’s sudden death changed the direction of his life, and to cope with his sudden loss, he began to channel his sadness and emotions through his music.

“After my dad passed away, I needed an outlet and I came to an epiphany to share my life story with the world,” said Afuwah. “Music is universal, you can relate to it no matter where you come from, and that’s why I want to share my thoughts, my life and my Nigerian culture.”

Afuwah’s first official song, “Just Smile,” is dedicated to his father, Christopher Afuwah, who is the reason he launched Royal Kulture.

“Even though I was at a low point in my life, the song says to keep smiling, regardless of our pain and loss because it is a way to deceive others and yourself by thinking ‘Everything will be fine,’” Afuwah said. “The song is an introduction to my story and my own struggles.”

Royal Kulture is made possible because of Afuwah’s dedicated friends, who bring their unique talents to the sets of his video productions. His friend from high school, Najee Parks, co-founder and brand manager of Royal Kulture, shares Afuwah’s vision to sign new artists from all over the world with their music label.

Along with Parks, Afuwah’s production team consists of a stylist, camera man, designer and blogger. He hopes to take his label to the next level by connecting with a couple of marketing agencies in Los Angeles and New York.

His second music video, “Up & Up,” premiered on April 5, in remembrance of Afuwah’s father’s birthday. “'Up & Up’ marks a new chapter in my life,

Artists Of Queens

and the song is a reflection of how I feel about the music industry,” Afuwah said. “I made the song out of frustration because there is no substance music playing on the radio right now. I also don’t want to be categorized as a ‘sad artist,’ since my first song is all about my father. All my songs will not be about him, even though he is my inspiration.”

The music label also finds inspiration from music conglomerates “that are able to transcend their brand well, and you see their full package, from their visual, lyrics, interviews, concerts, and style,” Afuwah said.

Afuwah is hard at work growing Royal Kulture to the next level in the next five years by transitioning from singer and song writer to take on a more executive role, by managing the brand and signing new artists.

For more information, including schedules and music videos, visit www.RoyalKulture.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @ thatafricankev.

Springstime It's good to get out of the city sometimes, even for QConf.

On a break from last week's New York Press Association conference, reporters Natalia Kozikowska and Joe Marvilli took in some of the sights in Saratoga Springs, including the spouter in the state park, located just a short 45-minute hike from the site of the conference.

If only they were wearing more comfortable shoes...

April 12-18, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23

What’s Up APRIL 12 Interested In Learning More About The Affordable Care Act? Learn how the “Affordable Care Act Impacts Your Healthcare.” The President of York College, Marcia Keizs hosts an Executive Leadership Breakfast featuring Julius Wool, executive director of Queens Hospital Center. The breakfast will take place at York College Academic Core Building, located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. (between Liberty and Archer Avenues). The free breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

“Drums Over Guns” The Afrikan Poetry Theatre, located at 176-03 Jamaica Ave., will host the monthly Blaze Craze Open Mic., from 7:30 to 11 p.m. The $10 entrance fee includes light refreshments. For additional information, visit facebook.ja.man9822.com, or contact Ja-man Bayete at 646-5715589 or infobronet@yahoo.com.

Road (Elmont), from 3 to 7 p.m. All styles of poetry are welcome. If you would like to express your poetry skills, contact Tammie Williams at (516) 945-5230 or email prideaffairs@yahoo.com.

APRIL 17 Exhibition Workshop For The Outsider Artists An Inclusive World features an inclusive horizontal social model by blurring the lines of artists’ identities. The workshop will focus on artists from various populations that embrace the diversity of contemporary global citizens. The free workshop will take place at the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning Gallery, located at 161-04 Jamaica Ave. (between 160th & Union Hall Streets), from 9 to 11 a.m. For additional information, call (718) 658-7400, ext 2132.

Do You Know Your Rights As A Woman?

APRIL 13 A Conference in CommemoraThe Meanings Behind Portraits tion of the Equal Pay Act for Women Make your own portrait and learn about the people and meanings behind portraits at King Manor, located at King Park (153rd Street at Jamaica Avenue). Attend a free hands-on History Workshop from noon to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.kingmanor.org or call 718-2060545 Ext 13.

APRIL 14 Meet Author L. Lloyd Stewart Join author, genealogist and researcher L. Lloyd Stewart’s book signing for his latest work, “The Mysterious Black Migration 1800-1820.”

It is a continuing byproduct of a genealogical research begun by the author in 2000. His latest work focuses on the geopolitical and economic conditions that began the migration of thousands of “free” African Americans from various New York State counties and New England States to Washington County.

The book singing and lecture will take place at the Afrikan Poetry Theatre, located at 176-03 Jamaica Ave. The event is free of change and will start at 2 p.m.

Are You A Teen Poet?

The African Center for Community Empowerment (ACCE) is cosponsoring a free teen poetry slam for a chance to win cash prizes and bragging rights. The Teen Poetry Slam welcomes performers between the ages of 13 and 19 years old at Mixed Notes Cafe, located at 333 Elmont

will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act for Women, The Association of Women Construction Workers of America (AWCWA), in partnership with JCAP Foundation, will host a Know Your Rights Conference at the Hilton New York, JFK Hotel, located at 144-02 135th Ave. Following the breakfast and seminar, the conference will honor the women of today, who have demonstrated their continued dedication in ensuring the presence of women in today’s workforce. Awards will be presented by Vicki Schneps-Yunis, CEO of Schneps Communications.

Awardees include: Cassandra Hill, Delta JFK / IAT Redevelopment Program; Lenore Janis, Professional Women in Construction; Connie De Laigle, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and Tara BrooksSmith, New York State Dept. of Labor. The keynote speaker is Shandeeyaky Shabazz from Dress for Success Worldwide and moderator Stephanie Burns of Turner Construction Co. To become a sponsor or to participate as a vendor at this event, visit www.awcwa.brownpapertickets.com or call (888) 434-5303. Tickets are $25 for the general public and $15 with Union Book; $10 for students.

All proceeds will go towards funding to continue AWCWA’s pre-constriction training program, which strives to enrich the lives of the program’s students. This conference helps the

students attending AWCWA, as well as provides a networking opportunity to expand your business.

APRIL 19 Want To Open A Business In Jamaica?

Attend “Jamaica Revealed” for an inside look at available retail spaces in downtown Jamaica. If you are a business owner interested in retail, restaurants, boutique, and/or office space, then you should visit the retail spaces on Jamaica Ave., 165th Street and Sutphin Boulevard. Property owners, brokers, retail consultants and New York City government reps should also visit Jamaica Revealed.

The event will teach you all that you need to know about retail marketing opportunities including incentive programs that potentially could save you thousands. A special trolley tour will give you an inside look at all the available spaces, which range from 100 square feet to 75,000 square feet.

The event will take place at the JFK Corporate Square Marketing Center, located at 93-43 Sutphin Blvd. (94th Avenue).

The event is free, but you must RSVP. For additional information, contact (718) 291-0282 or visit http:/ /jamaicarevealed.eventbrite.com.

“Scenes From Classic Black Theatre Of The 20th Century” The Black Spectrum Theatre Company’s teen acting class presents, “Scenes from Classic Black Theatre of the 20th Century.” The show will take place at the Black Spectrum Theatre; located at 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard (Roy Wilkins Park) and it will start at 8 p.m.

Director Gerald vanHeerden directs scenes from Raisin in the Sun; Home; Fences; and Zoo Man & the Sign. The tickets are $15 for the general public and $7.50 for children ages 12 and under.

ONGOING Lincoln Park Basketball Association The Lincoln Park Basketball Association is looking for volunteers to coach baseball for 5-14 year olds, and youth football for 9-10 and 1112 year olds. LP’s Fam’s Association is assembling teams to participate in organized youth athletic leagues for the spring, summer and fall of 2013. The coaches will receive nominal reimbursement for travel expenses. If you are interested in coaching, contact Paul Cox at (917)-607-2421 or Derik Braswell at (917)-692-4775.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Group Sessions Clergy United for Community Empowerment, Inc. Group Sessions are located at 172-17 Linden Blvd. Second Floor, St. Albans, for the community on various topics such as domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse intervention, decision making, condom use, high risk behaviors leading to HIV, and self – esteem awareness. All group sessions offer light snacks and beverages. Group sessions are open to the public.

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

What’s Up With You? Send your community events to the PRESS for a free listing at 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357 Call (718) 357-7400 or email editor@queenspress.com All events will be considered for publication, without a fee.

206-20 Linden Blvd., Cambria Heights

THIS APRIL CARE IS HERE

At EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care, you’ll find a new way to stay healthy, get well and live better. Each month we’re bringing you events and activities that help make your community — and our community — a healthier, happier place to be. Enjoy a variety of free health and wellness programs this April, and keep a look out for more to come.

©EmblemHealth Inc. 2013, All Rights Reserved.

MOVEMENT MONDAYS

COME T TALK TO GREG

“Walk Away the Pounds” Mon, April 8, April 22 - 10:30am-11:30am

“Resource for Caregivers” Fri, April 19 - 11:00am-6:00pm

“Low-Impact Zumba Gold” Mon, April 15, April 29 - 10:30-11:30am

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN

HEALTHY LIVING WITH DIABETES Sat, April 13, April 20, April 27 - 10:30-11:30am

DINING DIVERSITIES FOR DIABETICS Thurs, April 11 - 10:30-11:30am Thurs, April 18 - 6:00-7:00pm

Teen Group Sat, April 20 - 2:00-4:00pm

PEACEFUL ME-MEDITATION Mon, April 22 - 2:00pm

CAREGIVERS’ SUPPORT GROUP Thurs, April 25 - 2:00-3:30pm

MEDICARE 101 “What You Need to Know” Thurs, April 18 - 10:30-11:30am

For all events, RSVP: 646-476-1294

NEIGHBORHOOD CARE

emblemhealth.com/EHNC