Volume 13 Issue No. 15 April 13-19, 2012
PAGE 18
PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen
FUNDING FAIL
The Friendship Center in Jamaica will shut down this summer because the Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene has eliminated funding for the program. By Veronica Lewin ‌....Page 3.
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OF THE 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, April 27, 2012. Enclose a photo of mom, with her kids if possible (sorry they can't be returned).
Mother's Day Prizes Include:
Mail entries to “Mother of the Year” Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357.
Over $1,000 In Prizes Plus
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. We are open-minded about this contest and even mother-in-law 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!)
Mets Tickets
OVER $1,000 IN PRIZES Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 13-19, 2012
Attach this or a facsimile to your entry
CONTEST RULES
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.
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, April 27, 2012. 3. Give your age (18+ acceptable), address, phone number, plus mom's name and address. 4. Enclose a 4x6 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.
Presstime
Lack Of Funding Closes Senior Center After three decades of service, a key senior center in Southeast Queens will shut its doors this summer. The Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults announced last week that the Friendship Center, located at 92-33 170th St., will have to close on July 1 due to a lack of funding. J-SPOA received a letter from the City Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene on April 2 stating that the agency will eliminate funding for the program on July 1. Executive Director Beverly Collier said this reduction would essentially close the center since the DOHMH’s funding pays for
staff and mental health services. Open since 1979, the Friendship Center exclusively serves seniors with special needs who have become socially isolated and partially dependent upon others for their daily living. People affected include seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, developmental disabilities and mental illness. According to Collier, 65 to 75 adults visit the center each day. The Friendship Center’s structured environment enables this senior population to participate in normal daily activities. Funding from the DOHMH pays for these activities as well as food and transportation to and from the center. “Funding for this special population is crucial because they re-
quire special activities and special staff so the funding from the DOH is crucial to keep operating,” Collier said. Without the Friendship Center, older adults with special needs in Southeast Queens will not have a place to maximize their strengths and enhance their functional abilities. There are not similar programs in the area and most of the adult care centers have a waiting list. Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.
PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen
BY VERONICA LEWIN
The Friendship Center helps older adults socialize and stay sharp.
Census Bureau Denies Population Recount BY DOMENICK RAFTER New York City will not get a recount of the 2010 Census numbers that showed the city, and the borough, gained nearly no
population in the last decade, but we did get a consolation prize. The Census Bureau estimated that the city, and the borough, grew dramatically in population in the past year. Queens, which
recorded a mere increase of 1,300 over 10 years in the 2010 Census, gained 17,126 people from April 2010 through July 2011, more than 10 times the number of the past ten years. As
Peninsula Injunction Falls Short BY VERONICA LEWIN Despite a last minute attempt, Peninsula Hospital Center was officially shut down on April 9. After a troubled nine months, the 104-year-old hospital did not
go down without a fight. After the hospital’s closure was announced on March 26, a Peninsula creditor filed an injunction to prevent an abrupt closure of the hospital. The injunction sought to remove the court-appointed Lori Lapin Jones as the
oughs of Brooklyn and Queens,” City Planning Population Director Joseph Salvo said in a statement. Queens remains the second largest borough in the city according to the estimates, second only to Brooklyn, which also saw significant growth in 2010 and 2011, more than 27,000 people. In total, New York City saw a net gain of 70,000 new residents in that time span, a number equal to the entire population of the city of New Rochelle. The 70,000 number falls into the same range the Bloomberg administration said it believed the official 2010 Census numbers are off by in their challenge. The new numbers come too late to help in any meaningful way. It will not effect change in political representation as state and federal lines have already been drawn. And Salvo added that he believed the true population of the city was much higher, at over 8.3 million. The next official Census count will come in 2020. The bureau will release estimations periodically in between. Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125. or drafter@queenstribune.com.
April 13-19, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3
PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen
Despite an injunction filed, Peninsula Hospital Center formally closed on Monday.
sole trustee, on the grounds that she was rushing the hospital through bankruptcy proceedings to return a profit to investors and other stakeholders and ignoring the medical needs of the Rockaways. The efforts fell short and the hospital formally closed on Monday morning. “Peninsula Hospital is Rockaway’s neighborhood hospital,” Councilman James Sanders Jr. (D-Laurelton) said on Monday. “Without it, quite simply, people will die who didn’t have to.” The end of Peninsula means a loss of 174 beds in Queens, putting an even greater strain on the borough’s hospital system. Future uses for the building are being discussed, such as opening a medical center in place of the hospital. Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.
of the 2011 estimates, Queens had a population of 2,247,848, up from 2,230,722 according to the official Census numbers. An increase in immigration and the birth rate as the effects of the financial crisis and ensuing recession wane is credited for the jump, as well as less outmigration - people leaving New York City for elsewhere in the country. The new numbers came just as the bureau rejected a challenge from Mayor Mike Bloomberg to recount the city’s numbers as a result of the 2010 Census. The numbers claimed the city’s population growth in the last decade was minimal and some thriving neighborhoods including Astoria actually lost population, which left city officials scratching their heads. City Planning Population Director Joseph Salvo suggested in a statement that the estimates may be simply endorsing what the city said all along - the city was growing despite the 2010 numbers. “The results of the latest Census Bureau estimates putting the population of New York City at 8,244,910 as of July 2011 confirm our contention that the city is growing, notably in the bor-
Subway Cars Coming From Upstate BY DOMENICK RAFTER New subway cars are coming to our rails via the New York State Thruway. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week that the MTA will purchase 300 new rail cars that will be built and manufactured a mere 300 miles away in northern New York. The $600 million order for the R-179 cars
will be built by Bombardier Transit Corporation in Plattsburgh. The cars are due for testing in 2014 and for delivery in late 2016 and will replace the oldest subway cars currently running. The governor made the announcement last week as work was being completed on the state’s budget, which including financing for the MTA’s capital program. The contract will allow for the
creation of Bombardier’s new Transportation Center of Excellence in Plattsburgh, where the company will both manufacture and assemble the stainless steel rail car shells, which had previously been manufactured elsewhere. It will lead to 300 direct factory jobs, 200 jobs among local suppliers and an estimated 100 other jobs in the Plattsburgh area. Downstate, new subway
cars will hit the rails replacing a fleet that is, in some places, over two decades old. The R-179 cars will feature bright interiors, a stateof-the art climate-control system, digitized voice announcements and route signage, airbag suspension and energy-saving regenerative braking. Robert Furniss, vice president for business development and US sales for Bombardier Transit Cor-
poration said the contract will allow New Yorkers to ride trains built by fellow New Yorkers. The cars will be financed by $306 million in federal funds already in place in the MTA’s recently completed capital plan and other pending and future federal grants. Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125 or drafter@queenstribune.com.
Revamped Eatery Brings Healthy Options BY VERONICA LEWIN
Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 13-19, 2012
Continuing his efforts to remove unhealthy food in his district, Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) took the time last week to praise a neighborhood restaurant. Comrie hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at two-month old Maxine’s On The Boulevard on April 6. According to owner Maxine McBride, Good Friday
is the eatery’s busiest day of the year. “We don’t have a lot of restaurants in this community where people can come and have a healthy meal so it’s good that they are offering an opportunity for people to have a diverse menu,” Comrie said. The restaurant, located at 113-33 Farmers Blvd., was formerly known as Boulevard’s Fish and Chips but eventually closed
down. Maxine McBride, who was the head chef for 16 years decided to rent and refurbish the existing building and reopen the eatery. “This was always a place many people came to eat,” Comrie said. In February, Maxine’s on the Boulevard opened with a healthier menu than its predecessor. Maxine’s boasts a new menu including fresh salads and
steamed vegetables. For those not counting their calories, the restaurant still serves their specialty fish and chicken. Before reopening, McBride also chose to hire employees from the area. Cashier Arlene Burton of Springfield Gardens said she was excited for the reopening of the restaurant. Comrie has long been an advocate for healthier eating in Southeast Queens. Last April,
Comrie introduced legislation that would ban kids’ meals adding up to more than 500 calories from being served with toys. Months later, McDonald’s of the New York Tri-State area unveiled their new, lower-calorie Happy Meal, which will be available nationwide by the end of 2012. Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.
Primary Races Heat Up In New Districts BY DOMENICK RAFTER Even as the 6th Congressional District race takes top billing in Queens, two other races to represent districts that now include Queens are heating up. Two high ranking Congressional members from Brooklyn are facing primary challengers under new lines which will include parts of Queens. The new 8th Congressional District, centered in Eastern Brooklyn, will now include the neighborhoods of Ozone Park and Howard Beach. There will be a three-way Democratic primary featuring 30-year-incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Towns (DBrooklyn) against Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) and Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn). Jeffries received the support of the Working Families Party and with it, a parade of union support including the Communication Workers of America, United Food and Com-
(Left to right): Incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Towns, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and Councilman Charles Barron are all vying to be the Democratic candidate in the Brooklyn-based 8th Congressional District which now includes parts of Queens.
mercial Workers Local 1500 and the New York State Council of Machinists. He also received the endorsement of the Transit Workers Union of America Local 100. “Hakeem has always stood in solidarity with the working men and women of labor,” John Samuelsen, president of TWU Local 100, said in a statement. “His recent vote against the Tier VI pension proposal is evidence of his support for working fami-
lies and the 99 percent. Hakeem is a champion of transit issues.” Towns, who has faced primary challenges before, has been criticized for being absent on the campaign trail and missed out on Democratic club meetings in politically-important Brooklyn neighborhoods, which ignited rumors that he might retire. Towns’ campaign said they expect he will be “aggressively” campaigning by the end of month.
The district replaces the former 10th Congressional District and, besides the Queens neighborhoods, will also include Mill Basin, Brighton Beach and Coney Island under its new borders. The new 7th Congressional District, which includes Ridgewood and Woodhaven, will feature a Democratic primary between 20-year incumbent U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn) and City Councilman Erik Martin Dilan (D-Brooklyn). Velazquez, who is the ranking member of the House Small Business Committee, has received the support of the Working Families Party. The district is much the same as the old 12th district Velazquez represented with the addition of Woodhaven and parts of Ozone Park and Richmond Hill. The district also includes Bushwick, Williamsburg, Carroll Gardens and Sunset Park in Brooklyn. No Republican has filed in
either race yet, but both districts are overwhelmingly Democratic and gave President Barack Obama and Gov. Andrew Cuomo over 80 percent of the vote in 2008 and 2010 respectively. In the new 5th Congressional District in Southeast Queens, incumbent U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) may face a primary against Rosedale-native Michael Scala, a musician who has been petitioning to get on the June ballot, but so far Scala has not received any institutional support. The incumbents in Queens’ other districts; U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria), Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) and Steve Israel (DLong Island), whose district was redrawn to include parts of Northeast Queens have no announced opponents yet. The Congressional primary election is June 26th. Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125 or drafter@queenstribune.com.
April 13-19, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5
OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email news@queenspress.com The PRESS of Southeast Queens Managing Editor:
Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:
Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:
Editorial Still Growing After All Officials who were taken aback by the low growth estimates in Queens – and City-wide – in the 2010 Census received some validation last week when updated population estimates showed a significant gain in City residents. New York City saw a gain of 70,000 people between April 2010 and July 2011. Queens gained of more than 17,000 people in the new numbers, more than 10 times the increase of 1,300 reported in the 2010 Census. The diversity in the borough has always been one of its greatest strengths, and the revelation that people are still finding a new home in Queens should be an encouraging statistic. It’s unfortunate that the Census Bureau was unable to see the error of its ways when it comes to the 2010 figures, but we’re confident that the borough will continue to grow in the coming decade. Maybe by 2020, the bureau will come to its senses.
Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor
Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen
Reporters: Harley Benson Veronica Lewin Domenick Rafter Ross Barkan Jason Pafundi Interns: Brianna Ellis Joanna Gonzalez Art Dept:
Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend
Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 13-19, 2012
Advertising Director Shanie Persaud Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin
A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2012 Tribco, LLC
Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher
Letters Library Thanks To The Editor: On behalf of Queens Library, I want to thank the voters on the Rockaway Peninsula and Council Member Eric Ulrich for allocating $700,000 in capital funding for improvements to Queens Library at Peninsula and for an automated library vender in Breezy Point. Through the participatory budget process, the community expressed their priorities on how a portion of their tax funds would be spent. We are so gratified that they feel their public library is important enough to merit their consideration. I will be sending regular updates to the community on the progress of their projects and look forward to enriching lives on the peninsula. Thomas W. Galante, President and CEO, Queens Library, Jamaica
Oil Dreams To The Editor: On March 29, Republicans in the Senate, calling the bill a political stunt, blocked legislation to strip billions of dollars in tax breaks for the biggest U.S. oil companies. A last minute entreaty by President Obama wasn’t enough to convince senators to strip the oil and gas industry of tax incentives. The “Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies” bill failed to advance by a vote of 51-47. It
needed 60 votes to overcome a procedural hurdle. “With record profits and rising production, I’m not worried about the big oil companies,” Obama said in the White House Rose Garden. “I think it’s time they got by without more help from taxpayers, who are having a tough enough time paying their bills and filling up their tanks.” Senate Democrats, mostly from oil-rich states, were not supportive of the legislation. They included Sen. Mark Begic, (DAk), Sen. Mary Landrieu, (D-La.), Ben Nelson, (D-Neb.), and Jim Webb, (D-Va). Voting with the Democrats was Sen. Olympia Snowe, (R-Maine). President Obama had argued the tax breaks were more than Americans could afford. “Last year, the three biggest U.S. oil companies took home more than $80 billion in profit. Exxon pocketed nearly $4.7 million every hour,” he said, citing an analysis showing that the big companies pocket another $200 million in quarterly profits every time the price of gasoline goes up by 1 cent. The bill, sponsored by Robert Menendez, a Democrat, would have cut billions of dollars in tax breaks for the “big five” oil companies: Exxon Mobil Corp, BP Plc, ConocoPhillips, Chevron Corp and Royal Dutch Shell Plc. Same old, same old: Republicans representing their benefactors such as big oil, the mega
Letters wealthy and corporations (“Supreme Court Person”) and the Democrats, the American people (“real person”). What boggles the mind is how any middle class American could be so hoodwinked as to vote against their best interests. Perhaps they feel that voting so, somehow makes them a member of the 99 percent or even 98 percent country club. They dream on while they stepped on. Ah, to dream. Joanna Livingstone, Bayside
her husband would not in this day and age be insulted, mortified and even outraged at the arrogance of a group of men neglecting the wants and needs of a woman injecting themselves in what is a woman’s most difficult heart wrenching decision. Has anyone told these guys that women can now also vote? Are they waging a war on women? You bet they are. Nick Zissou, Bayside
What Rights?
To The Editor: Experts without contradiction estimate that 80,000 vehicle trips a day will result from Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Willets Point proposal. The only arteries that can service the area are Northern Boulevard, Grand Central Parkway and the Van Wyck Expressway, roadways that are already choked to capacity and even more so by reason of their proximity to LaGuardia Airport and the Mets and USTA stadiums, and most importantly they cannot be enlarged. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has ruled that a pair of proposed highway ramps would enhance traffic circulation between the proposed development and the Van Wyck Expressway. While it is true ramps would enable vehicles to exit and enter the site, intentionally lost in the shuffle is that the 80,000 vehicles using those ramps will be compelled to deal with roadways incapable of handling them and any claim to the contrary is as absurd as the infamous “bridge to nowhere.” Such shortsightedness can only be attributed to bureaucratic incompetence and political intransigence. An example of the latter is U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), whose heavy hand in the FHWA ruling makes it clear he does not consider the poor, middle class and small businesses his true constituents. Benjamin M. Haber, Flushing
To The Editor: For some the birth of a “Person” is constantly getting earlier. It seems they will not be satisfied until their personal notion of “Person” begins with the gleam in the eye of the participants. Doctors and knowledgeable people have agreed that conception is divided into trimesters: the first comes with the ceasing of the menstruation cycle and lasts for 1-12 weeks; the second with the formation of a fetus during weeks 13 -26 and the third with the further development during weeks 2742, followed by the delivery. Once it has taken place, its first breath, announces the arrival of a living being. That was before our religious zealots decided they were to be self-appointed judges and that they and only they were the interpreters of the will of God; delusional arrogance. As if trying to surpass the idiocy of our 5/4 Supreme Court deciding a corporation is a person, these geniuses decide that their “person” is created when during ovulation a released egg is penetrated by a single sperm creating a singular nucleus called a “Zygote.” In their eyes this zygote is a “person.” Watch out, next they may deem a “person” is created upon insertion or ejaculation or intention or possibly contemplation or other –tions or that gleam in the eye, being a “person.” Does that make the routine disposal of the eggs from a Petri dish with hundreds of eggs, a mass murderer? I am not a woman but I find it inconceivable that any real woman and not a mere lackey of
Highway Hassles
Editor’s Note: Marcia Moxam Comrie’s column will return in next week’s issue.
Profile
Rosedale Attorney Rises To The Top BY VERONICA LEWIN Less than 10 years after being licensed to practice law, one Southeast Queens native has made a life as a nationally recognized attorney. At just 34 years old, Sabrina Hannam has become one of the top corporate lawyers in New York and runs her own Rosedalebased law firm. Some of her accomplishments include helping to close deals with Lowe’s, Yankee Stadium and the Madison Square Garden Company. Still, the humble attorney cites her greatest accomplishment as having the ability to open doors for people less fortunate than herself. She grew up in the Rosedale area and initially planned to study criminal justice. While growing in the neighborhood, Hannam said she witnessed a lot of injustices taking place. One in-
cident she mentioned was when an unarmed man was shot because police thought his 3 Musketeers bar was a weapon. “You shouldn’t get shot over a 3 Musketeers bar. That was as problematic back then as the Skittles is problematic now,” Hannam said, referring to the February shooting of unarmed Florida teen Trayvon Martin. Hannam graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in legal studies, a minor in sociology and a certificate in dispute resolution from John Jay in 2000. Some of her achievements at John Jay College include having her work published and receiving the Thurgood Marshall scholarship. While studying criminal justice, Hannam met her mentor – Johnnie Cochran, who was involved with the famous O.J. Simpson trial at the time. “He
Sabrina Hannam was absolutely amazing,” she said. Though she enrolled at John Jay with aspirations to become a criminal justice lawyer, Cochran challenged her to explore other opportunities. Hannam said what struck her the most about Cochran was how he made the time to give support to up-and-coming attorneys like herself. “He completely
had my best interests at heart.” After graduating from John Jay, Sabrina attended University of Pennsylvania’s Law School, where she received her J.D. in 2003. It was then she gave corporate counsel a try and landed internships at firms such as J.P. Morgan. She soon found her new career path. “This is what I want to do. I want to represent huge organizations and companies,” she said. After some hands-on experience, Hannam was ready to branch out on her own. “After I built clients, I knew I wanted to move on to my own practice because I was always an entrepreneur,” she said. In 2009, her office opened in Rosedale, just off of the Cross Island Parkway. Hannam is often asked to showcase her expertise at seminars hosted by companies and organizations.
She has a range of experience in securitizations and structured finance transactions, private placements, mergers and acquisitions and securities law. One thing she enjoys most about her profession is being able to have a hand in someone’s ideas coming to life. “It’s just a rewarding feeling,” she said. Outside of law, Hannam contributed to the production of the book “Caribbean Currents: Caribbean music from rumba to reggae.” She also speaks on one of AM 1190 WLIB’s radio programs and participates in philanthropic work, including providing opportunities for underserved youth throughout the city. “I always like to take the road that’s not taken,” she said. Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.
April 13-19, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7
7 Train Renovations:
Businesses Slammed By Service Shutdown PRESS Photos by Ira Cohen
BY JASON PAFUNDI
Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 13-19, 2012
After 11 consecutive weekends without service between Queensboro Plaza and Times Square, the 7 train was back up and running over Easter weekend, much to the delight of residents and business owners in Long Island City and throughout the borough. The MTA shut down the 7, which has had various service disruptions in recent years, starting on Jan. 21, from Fridays at 11 p.m. to Mondays at 5 a.m., to repair and upgrade the line. Because of the shutdown, Queensboro Plaza was the first and last stop — there was no service at Court Square, Hunter’s Point, Vernon-Jackson, Grand Central Terminal and Bryant Park. Long Island City is in the middle of a renaissance and rebirth into one of the most vibrant business and residential neighborhoods in the city, so a shutdown in public transportation for any amount of time, let alone 11 consecutive weekends, had a significant impact on the community, especially businesses. The MTA said during town hall meetings with the community that they appreciated the concerns of the residents, but stated emphatically that the work was “absolutely necessary” to improve the performance of the 7 train. Businesses Were Big Losers Steve Hofstetter opened Laughing Devil LIC — Queens’ only comedy club — in December and said that his business suffered tremendously during the shutdown. “For almost the entire life of our business, we did not have the 7 train running on the weekend,” Hofstetter said. “But what is incredible is that in the one weekend the 7 train has been running (Easter weekend), we already saw a spike in business.” Hofstetter said that he had to refund tickets because customers could not get to the club — he even had a comedian miss his scheduled show because of the out-of-commission train, so all the patrons who bought tickets to see that comic perform were
Commuters await the arrival of the 7 train at the Court Square station, which reopened after months of construction work on April 2. refunded as well. To help combat the shutdown, the Laughing Devil ran a promotion offering $2.25 off per ticket — the cost of a ride on the subway — by using the offer code “7 train.” The Laughing Devil, on Vernon Boulevard just steps away from the Vernon-Jackson station, was just one of many businesses hit hard by the shutdown. Dunkin Donuts, on the corner of Vernon Boulevard and Hunter’s Point Avenue, said their business was significantly less on those 11 weekends, and restaurants such as Testaccio lost customers, including a party of 20 that had to cancel, because they just could not get to the location. “It was so inconvenient,” said Ashleingh Coleman from P.J. Leahy’s. “It was a double-edged sword because people who could not get out of the city were stuck here, and people who can’t come in from the city were kept out.” John Butera of Dominie’s Hoek, a Vernon Boulevard bar and lounge that has been open for nine years, said that he and his employees thought that residents being unable to get into the city would hang around and visit his place. “We all thought that the 7 train being shutdown would actually help us, because we don’t have
customers coming from outside of the area,” Butera said. “We thought because people were kind of stuck without service into Manhattan, that they would come to us, but it really did not happen.” Butera added that because his place has been open for nine years, they are used to the train being shutdown, though he did think that 11 straight weekends was extreme. But not all was lost among businesses in Long Island City. Some told the Tribune that people forced to drive into LIC spent time walking around the area and visiting their stores and restaurants, including Papo’s Fried Chicken and Zack’s Pizzeria on Vernon Boulevard. “Weekend visitors came less,” said Shamin Islam. “But we had extra customers from the construction workers who were working on the train.” Court Square Reopens In addition to the ending of the 11-week shutdown of the 7 train, Long Island City residents can breathe a sigh of relief with the reopening of the 7 train station at Court Square. The station had been closed since January 21 as it underwent three months of upgrades.
“I work in Times Square and live right around the corner from the Court Square station, so believe me at this was a major hassle getting to and from work,” LIC resident Martina Schonberg said. “After working a full day, you just want to go home, but I couldn’t because the station was closed.” Schonberg said she did not want to ride the MTA-provided shuttle buses to another station — like Hunter’s Point or Queensboro Plaza — so she just had a friend pick her up and they rode into the city together. The station, which the MTA says will be fully ADA-accessible in June, received significant improvements during the construction. A new platform was constructed as a composite of fiberglass and resin formed into panels. A number of commuters said that the platform does not shake as much when a train enters or leaves the station. The platforms are corrosion resistant and will not suffer any damage from de-icing salt, meaning that they should stay in better shape longer. In addition, the station received new windscreens and staircases. “For the average rider, the
changes made to the station are noticeable but were they necessary,” said LIC resident Thom Perrot. “But the fact that the station will soon be 100 percent accessible is significant for those customers with disabilities, like myself.” Perrot said that being in a wheelchair is hard enough, so he did not appreciate having to do even more work to get around in his home subway station. He added that the City needs to continue to do all they can to ensure the accessibility of all stations. Solutions Needed With the New York Mets having recently started their season, the 7 train will remain open on weekends since it is the only train that goes to Citi Field. But once the season ends in early October, residents and businesses in Long Island City can expect the shutdowns to resume as track work continues. The MTA is doing crucial repairs and upgrades to the 7 line’s infrastructure — including the installation of a new signal system to allow for the introduction of new train cars — especially in the tunnel underneath the East River, and the tunnel is too small to allow workers and trains inside at the same time. The inconvenience and loss of business will return and Long Island City will have to adjust accordingly. State Sen. Mike Gianaris (DAstoria) said that he has collaborated with Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (D-Sunnyside) in working with the MTA for solutions. “The biggest hinderance to the ongoing growth of Long Island City has been the inconsistent 7 train service,” Gianaris said. “We’ve tried very hard to work with the MTA to find creative alternatives, but they have been very resistant. We just have to keep trying until we get the bureacracy to yield. “We have to continue to let that area thrive.” Reach Reporter Jason Pafundi at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, or jpafundi@queenstribune.com.
News Briefs Queens Library will be lending 50 ereaders pre-loaded with e-books at the Central Library in Jamaica. It is a pilot program. It is the first time the service has been made available in one of NYC’s public libraries. The e-readers have books on one of five themes: best sellers, romances, mysteries, teen or children’s books. There are also 50 works of classic literature loaded onto each reader. Library users may present a Queens Library card and photo ID to check out the devices free for 7 days, with the option to renew twice. E-readers are compact, lightweight and hold many volumes simultaneously. Because the size of the text and the lighting are adjustable, they are easy to view for a wide range of readers. As the pilot is evaluated and funding becomes available, e-readers will be introduced to other library locations.
time of the Titanic and years prior, will also note the historical significance between the Kew Gardens cemetery and the disaster. Buried at Maple Grove is Julius Lang and his family. Lang is the cofounder of Fuchs and Lang Lithographic Manufacturing Company, which lost a number of cargo crates to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in the disaster. The incident triggered a notable lawsuit filed by Fuchs and Lang against White Star Lines, the company that operated the Titanic. At the Tea, Maple Grove will have a display of artifacts related to the Langs and the 1997 film. There will also be props from the film; a dinner plate and crystal stemware glass and even a small fragment of the movie set ship, showing the steel rivets. The display will include exact replica of the Heart of the Ocean and the jewel necklace featured in the film that was worn by Kate Winslet.
Funding Restored To EPIC Program
Bridge Project Moves Forward
Library Offers e-Readers
New York’s Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program has seen some of its funding restored in the 2012-13 State budget, a relief to seniors across Queens. Northeast Queens and its higher concentration of senior citizens will benefit from the restoration of funds to the EPIC program. Under the new budget that restores a portion of the funding, $31.4 million, seniors on EPIC will go back to paying no more than $20 for each prescription instead of paying 25 percent of the cost of the drug. State Sen. Toby Stavisky (DFlushing) and Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) hailed the return of the funds.
Society Commemorates Titanic
Think Again!
Free Homebuyers’ Workshop at Ridgewood Savings Bank 205-11 Hillside Ave. Hollis, NY 11423
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April 13-19, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9
This month marks a century since the R.M.S. Titanic struck an iceberg and sunk in the North Atlantic Ocean on its maiden voyage from Europe to New York. More than 1,000 people died in the disaster which has become one of the most iconic events of the 20th Century, most recently memorialized in a popular 1997 film that was re-released in 3D this year. And while many people will commemorate the anniversary by donning 3D glasses at movie theaters, others will be marking the occasion with throwbacks to early 20th Century life. The Richmond Hill Historical Society will be hosting an Edwardian Tea on April 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Maple Grove Cemetery’s Celebration Hall at the Center. The tea, which will be fashioned after teas that were common during the
The busiest route between Brooklyn and Queens is slated for replacement, and this year’s early state budget is allowing it to move forward faster. Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget allocated an additional $460 million in investment toward a replacement for the aging Kosciuszko Bridge, which carries the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway between the two boroughs. The project is the largest in the $1.2 billion statewide program that will accelerate infrastructure projects statewide. The program, called New York Works, was signed into law by Gov. Cuomo two weeks ago. The bridge is the only project of its kind that received additional funding under the governor’s budget in New York City. The bridge project has been in the works for several years. In early 2010, New York State Dept. of Transportation held a series of town halls in Brooklyn and Queens featuring proposed designs for the new bridge. DOT featured four possible replacement designs for the bridge. A final design has not been chosen as of yet, but with the injection of more funding from the governor’s New York Works program, the final design phase is scheduled to be completed with construction starting this fiscal year. That would move up the completion date of the project to 2017, up from 2020. The bridge, which carries more than 181,000 vehicles a day, was built in 1939 and has long been a problem. Its steep incline causes issues with tractor-trailers that use the bridge and it often requires extensive maintenance. The current bridge has six lanes of traffic and the new bridge will have nine.
Think you can’t afford a home?
pix
Happy Easter
Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson
Congratulations Photo by NYPhotosByNick
Raymond Browne and D r. Larry Grubler of Transitional Services for New York congratulate Jessica Glass, Jamaica Clinic Director for an award presented to her by Queens Council of Social Work’s Executive Director Joan Laufer.
The Easter Bunny visited with kids at Charles Park in Howard Beach.
Opening Day!
Photos by Ira Cohen
Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 13-19, 2012
The family of the late Gary Carter honored the Mets legend before the game.
One of the New York Mets’ biggest fans sits outside Citi Field before the game.
“American Idol” contestant and Queens resident Heejun Han took in the first game of the season.
I have a question about my child’s medicine.
We are here to help. NEW YORK CITY
1-800-222-1222 or call 311 and ask for the Poison Control Center
Free • Confidential • Interpretation Available Lynda D. Curtis Sr. V.P. and Executive Director Bellevue Hospital Center
April 13-19, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11
POISON CONTROL CENTER
Police Blotter Compiled by JASON PAFUNDI
112th Precinct Robbers Wanted
Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 13-19, 2012
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying three suspects wanted for a robbery. On March 31 at approximately 12:41 p.m. inside of Kinara Jewelers at 72-03 Austin St., three suspects entered the location. Suspect No. 1 held the door while simulating a weapon, Suspect No. 2 stood by the door and Suspect No. 3 entered inside. While inside, No. 3 broke the showcase with a hammer and removed approximately 12 watches. The suspects then fled in a blue Chrysler 300 in an unknown direction. No injuries were sustained as a result of this robbery. Suspect No. 1 is described as black man in his 20s and approximately 5-foot-8; Suspect No. 2 is described as a black man in his 20s and approximately 5foot-10; Suspect No. 3 is de-
scribed as a black man in his 20s and approximately 5-foot-8. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stopper s Website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
113th Precinct Man Shot and Killed On April 6 at 6:40 p.m. inside of 158-4 137th Ave., 2nd floor, police responded to a 911 call of an unconscious male. Upon arrival, responding officers discovered the victim, 30year-old Kareem Bandy, unconscious and unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. EMS also responded to the scene and pronounced the victim dead.
There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.
114th Precinct Suspects Wanted The NYPD is asking for help in identifying the two suspects wanted for burglaries. Between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. March 27-28, the suspects broke the front door lock of the Unisex Fany’s Plaxe, located at 22-05 35th St., and removed an undetermined amount of money from the location. Between the hours of 11:50 p.m. and 2 p.m. March 27-28, the suspects broke the rear door lock of Okeano’s Greek Seafood restaurant, located at 35-02 Ditmars Blvd., and removed an undetermined amount of money and computer equipment from the location. Between the hours of 3:45 and 8:45 a.m. on March 28, the suspects broke the side door lock
of Bar 30 Lounge, located at 3419 30th Ave., and removed the register and an undetermined amount of money. And on March 30, at approximately 3:45 a.m., the suspects broke the front door lock of the Burger Club, located at 32-02 30th Ave., and removed the register, an undetermined amount of money, checks and a motor scooter. The suspects are described as two males, either white or Hispanic and between 16-22 years old. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
Burglar Sought The NYPD is asking for the
public’s assistance in identifying and locating a Hispanic male wanted in connection with a burglary. On April 4 at approximately 5 a.m., the individual entered the rest aurant located at 40-19 Broadway through the rear window and removed cash from inside a safe. The individual, who is described as a Hispanic man between the age of 20-30, approximately 5-foot-1 and 120 pounds, fled to parts unknown. Anyone with information in regards to this missing person is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
Save 911 For The Real Thing!
A&E
Janis Ian Comes To Queens Theatre
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
During the “make love, not war” era, a rebellious new singersongwriter burst on the scene. At 15, Janis Ian was breaking all the rules and making sure her voice was heard. Eventually, she would
stand beside Bob Dylan as his songwriting equal. Ian is best known for writing legendary hits like “Jesse,” a song recorded by so many singers that few remember she wrote it; and “Stars,” possibly the best song ever written about the life of a per-
Restaurant Review
A Good Burger In Astoria Burger Club 32-02 30th Ave., Astoria (718) 777-7788 www.burger-club.com CUISINE: American DELIVERY: Yes, to the local Astoria area CREDIT CARD: Yes, all major HOURS: Sun. – Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Sat. 11:30 a.m. to midnight.
I wouldn’t say there’s any kind of “versus”– it’s all music. Really, I don’t think I’d be able to say I liked one better than the other, in any respect. There are differences, sure, but some things don’t change. It always comes down to a good song and a passionate singer and performer. Please tell our readers about your newest song and what inspired you to write it. My latest project is called “The Tiny Mouse” – part of a project for the [2012 London Summer] Olympics. The song and the little carving of a mouse that inspired it will go down the Thames River on a boat built of wooden objects that are precious to other people, while the songs of the 12 songwriters they invited, will play. What do you like to do in NYC? When was the last time you performed here? I think the last time I played New York for a concert was
Janis Ian about four years ago, and I think it was for City Winery, where I’ll be returning in the fall. When I’m in New York for work, I’m usually in and out. Most of my friends have moved away, and it’s just too expensive to stay in hotels! If someone else was paying, though, I’d go for a vacation, and visit places like the Cloisters, Bronx Botanical Gardens, museums. See a bunch of shows. There are a lot of things you can do in the New York area that you can’t do anywhere else. I love it! Tickets are on sale for $44 and $60: http://queenstheatre.org/
Cult Classic Takes The Stage BY ELYSE TREVERS No newspapers for Queens! In 1899, the Newsies, street urchins who hawked the daily newspapers on the street, went on strike and stopped the paper delivery. The strike quickly spread through Queens and to the other boroughs. Once again, “Newsies” are striking, but now they are also singing and dancing nightly at the Nederlander Theatre. The musical is loosely based on a true event when greedy newspaper publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, seeking to increase their profits, raised the cost of the papers for the young people who sold them. The Newsies actually did strike for two weeks and, ultimately, won a compromise, forcing the publishers to buy back unsold papers. In 1992, Disney made a movie of the story which, despite unflattering reviews, developed a cult following. (Some of those young followers are now old enough to buy their own tickets. The 26year-old lawyer next to me and
his friend were singing along to the songs. He expressed some frustration that words to some of the songs had been changed, but loved the show, nevertheless.) With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, the songs are simple, derivative and catchy. Five of the movie songs have been replaced by five others by the same songwriting team. Some of the melodies are repeated and you leave the theater humming. The real leaders of the strike have been combined into one role, an artistic, creative 17-yearold artist named Jack Kelly (played by Jeremy Jordan). The movie has Jack romantically involved with the sister of one of the other newsies, while the show has him fall in love with a young, female reporter whose true identity defies belief. Eventually, Kelly and his followers mount a Children’s Crusade that highlights unfair child labor practices and forces the publishers to give in. With a book by Harvey Fierstein (“Hairspray”), “Newsies” is a sweet, clean love
story (two kisses and a hug) and even the vaudeville scenes, led by the irrepressibly talented Capathia Jenkins, are squeaky clean. The musical is satisfying, fun and energetic. Although it began as a limited run, “Newsies” has found its audience and has already been extended twice. It’s the type of show that encourages young repeat visitors, namely young girls. In “Newsies,” Jordan, fresh off the lead of the failed “Bonnie and Clyde,” firmly establishes himself as leading man material with his good voice and magnetic personality. One of the major highlights is the group dance numbers choreographed by Danny Troob. The streets of New York at the turn of the century were a harsh place to grow up, but in Disney’s show, the underdogs win and the bad guys are put in their place. A girl proves that she can be a reporter and youngsters fight against their elders to redress society’s wrongs. Even Governor Theodore Roosevelt makes an appearance. But more importantly, the papers are back on the streets in Queens!
April 13-19, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13
A good burger can be hard to find. Any number of things can ruin a burger experience when eating out at a restaurant. My burger experience was not ruined in any way when I ate at Burger Club. Walking in on a Friday night, every table was taken and I was worried we would be forced to wait an excessive amount of time before we were seated. When a waitress walked by me, showing off a couple of very thick burgers, my fears were compounded. So, we sat at the bar, taking in the ambience and having a drink to pass the time. Halfway through the drink, we were directed to our table and handed menus. Not long after that, I was overwhelmed by indecision. What should I have? So many of the menu items sounded delicious. Having seen the size of the coming main course, I decided to skip the appetizer, although I was tempted by the both the buffalo wings and the quesadillas – the latter stuffed with gourmet cheeses and braised short ribs. No, I was certain a burger
would be enough of a meal. After some back-and-forth, I finally decided on the Bison Burger – covered with barbecue sauce, jalepenos, onion strings and pepper jack cheese – and a side of hand-cut fries. My girlfriend, a vegetarian, went with the Farmer’s Market Burger, which featured marinated portabello mushrooms, avocado and goat cheese. We hadn’t been seated very long, but the anticipation for our meal had grown steadily from the moment we walked in the door. We weren’t required to wait long for our meal, and when the waitress finally put our food in front of us, we weren’t disappointed. I was glad we didn’t order any appetizers, because we would have likely left a lot of food on the table. My burger was thick and juicy, the onion strings and barbecue sauce hitting the spot. The hand-cut fries accentuated the main course perfectly. Across the table, my girlfriend seemed to be enjoying her burger, getting through it even faster than I got through mine. The only downside to the meal was the ending – we were too full for dessert. I stared at the menu listing for the Ice Cream Burger. I had a waitress describe it to me – two pieces of cookie bun with vanilla ice cream in the middle – and was very much interested in ordering one. But my stomach just couldn’t handle it. Oh well, maybe next time. -Steven J. Ferrari
former, recorded by artists as diverse as Cher and Mel Torme. Ella Fitzgerald once called her “the best young singer in America.” Chet Atkins said, “Singer? You ought to hear that girl play guitar; she gives me a run for my money!” Decades later, Ian has never stopped performing, doing about 150 tour dates a year. Headed to New York City, she’ll be making her debut at the Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, for two special concert performances on April 21, at 2 and 8 p.m. How do you feel about performing in Queens? Very excited! To my memory, I’ve never done a solo show in Queens. Also, my best friend Janey Street is from Flushing; we used to meet under the clock all the time. So, a lot of good memories. What do you like about today’s popular music genres versus the ones that were cool when you were finding your voice?
Faith
Church Ministries Plan Walk-A-Thon BY VERONICA LEWIN
One Jamaica-based church is helping Southeast Queens make strides to stay healthy. In partnership with York College and The Health Services Center, the Greater Fellowship Church Ministries and Godian Outreach is hosting its second annual Walk-A-Thon and Health Fair on April 28. The event will be held at York College, located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.,
Word “A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.” -Carl Sandburg
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to receive crucial health information, as well as enjoy music and games for all ages. There will also be giveaways during the upcoming event. “We’re always trying to reach out to the community,” Evang. Elizanne Russell said. The Greater Fellowship Church Ministries and Godian Outreach are nonprofit organizations located at 106-01 Guy R. Brewer Blvd in South Jamaica. The ministry’s mission is to enhance and improve the quality of life for individuals and their families in the area by providing community services that will progress the area into a safer environment and invigorate those who seek change. The Godian Church and Outreach Center was founded in 1981 by the late Rev. Carl Baldwin, who served as a member of the Southeast Queens
Angie Jones (left) walks 20 laps with Pastor Karen Williams at a previous Walk-A-Thon. Clergy for Empowerment. Godian Outreach Center was one of the first food pantries in the New York City area that doubled as a soup kitchen. After the loss of Baldwin, who committed more than 20 years of service to the outreach then became the responsibility of his loving
wife, Mother Helen Baldwin, who moved forward with prayer and faith that the vision and work continued until her passing in November 2011. Under the leadership of Kendra Manigault the church continues make strides in serving the community. In addition to planning com-
munity events, the Greater Fellowship Church Ministries has outreach ministries, a pantry and soup kitchen. The church’s motto is “to help meet the needs of the people of God in our community with the guidance and help of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Greater Fellowship Church Ministries serves as a place of worship to bring healing, deliverance and restoration of the mind, body and soul emotionally physically, spiritually and socially. Enabling men, women and youth to realize that they are somebody in Christ Jesus through His Living Word.” The Walk-A-Thon and Health Fair will be held rain or shine. The walk begins at York College’s track on 160th Street, between Liberty and South Avenues. For additional information, contact Russell at (516) 233-0476. Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.
Notebook
Hillcrest High School
Virtual Enterprise Class Attends Trade Fair Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 13-19, 2012
BY VERONICA LEWIN Aspiring entrepreneurs at Hillcrest High School had the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of peers from around the world. The Virtual Enterprise team from the Biz Tek Institute participated in the 15th annual Virtual Enterprises International Trade Show on March 29 in Manhattan. The students joined 142 schools from other states and countries to display their virtual products. Each team created a product to sell to other Virtual Enterprise classes. In addition to creating a business, each Virtual Enterprise group had to create a marketing
teams that went over the time limit. The student presentations preceded a question and answer session by the panel of judges. The Hillcrest High School students created “Build Your Future InstiHillcrest High School’s Virtual Enterprise team tute,” an online inat the March 29 trade show. stitution. Build Your Future said the instiplan, profit projections and iden- tute modeled their available curtify the strengths and weak- riculum after colleges in the area nesses of their business model. to be able to better compete in Each school’s Virtual Enter- tough economic times. prise team had to give an eightThe students said the purminute presentation Monday, pose of the Build Your Future Inwith serious point deductions for stitute is to offer higher educa-
tion at an affordable price. Their target demographic is children whose parents were a part of the Baby Boomer generation. In order to bridge the language barrier, Build Your Enterprise Institute said they would offer translations of their course materials online. During the presentation, the Hillcrest students said they would not offer courses for more than $500 online, which is competitive with public institutions in the area. To get the word out about Build Your Future, the students planned to sell T-shirts for $15, in addition to distributing f lyers, brochures and catalogues to people in the community. Last fall, five students from the Build Your Future Institute
participated in the Ad Council’s advertising contest. The students created an ad aimed at reducing obesity in teenagers. The Hillcrest High School Virtual Enterprise class came up with the slogan “Let’s Move” to encourage exercise. “Teens often come home from school and just sit at a computer,” said Twaheel. The students traveled twice a week to Manhattan to meet with ad agency Tribal DDB about their ad campaign. Build Your Future can be accessed through hillcrestweb.com/ biztek.htm Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at vlewin@queenspress.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.
Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL
Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357. Send faxes to 357-9417, IF YOUR ORGANIZATION MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SEND ALL DATES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
ENVIRONMENT GARDEN Starting April 21 the Queens Botanical Garden invites gardeners to cultivate their own plots. Contact bsaunders@queensbotanical.org. SEEDLING SWAP Saturday, April 21 swap seeds, seedlings and ideas with local gardeners at 3 at the Broadway library.
SENIORS
ESSAY WRITING Saturday, April 14 at the Far Rockaway library at 2. COLLEGE FAIR Saturday, April 14 Langston Hughes library at 10. CRAFT FOR A CAUSE Saturday, April 14 decorate a tote bag to be given to HIV/AIDS patients at 2 at the Central library. OPEN MIC Sunday, April 15 at the Central library at 2. SAT PRACTICE Monday, April 16 at the Briarwood library at 3:30. CULTURAL ENRICH. Mondays, April 16, 30 Ms. B’s Cultural Enrichment Corner at the Pomonok library at 4:30. LAPTOPS Mondays, April 16, 23, 30 laptops for use at the Hollis library at 4. ART LESSONS Mondays, April 16, 23, 30 learn drawing techniques at the Langston Hughes library. Register. FAMILY WII ZUMBA Mondays, April 16, 23, May 7, 14 at the Lefrak Cit y library at 6:30. COOL COMICS Tuesday, April 17 Langston Hughes library at 3:30. CREATE POETRY Tuesday, April 17 create poetry and art at the Briarwood library at 4. TEEN JEOPARDY Tuesday, April 17 at the Flushing library at 4. TEEN GAMING Tuesdays through April 24 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4. LAPTOPS Tuesdays through April 24 at the Hollis library at 4. COLLEGE CLUB Wednesday, April 18 at the Central library at 4. TEEN MOVIE MAKERS Wednesday, April 18 at the Flushing library at 4. MAKE MAGIC Wednesday, April 18 at the Windsor Park library at 4. CHESS & CHECKERS Wednesdays through May 30 at the South Ozone Park library at 3. TEEN GAMING Wednesdays, April 18, 25 Fresh Meadows library at 4. LAPTOPS Wednesdays through April 25 at the Hollis library at 4. SISTER TALK Wednesdays through May 30 at the Pomonok library at 4:30. SIGN LANGUAGE Thursday, April 19 American Sign Language workshop at the East Elmhurst li-
brary at 4. MECHANICAL TOYS Thursday, April 19 Physics o f M e c h a n i c a l Toy s w i t h LEAP at the Jackson Heights library at 4. ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Thursday, April 19 at the Windsor Park library at 4. FINANCIAL AID Thursday, April 19 College Preparation: Financial Aid Assistance, College Admission, Scholarships and more at the Arverne library at 5. CHESS & CHECKERS Thursdays through May 31 at 3 at the South Ozone Park librar y. TEEN GAMING Thursday, April 19 at the Fresh Meadows library at 3:30. ANIME CLUB Thursdays, April 19, 26 at the Flushing library at 4. LAPTOPS Thursdays through April 26 at the Hollis library at 4. SOLDIERS Friday, April 20 cards for soldiers at the Douglaston/ Little Neck library at 3:30. TEEN FRIDAY Friday, April 20 movie at the Broadway library at 4. LEARN TO CROCHET Fridays, April 20, 27 at the McGoldrick library at 4. CHESS & CHECKERS Fridays through May 25 at 3 at the South Ozone Park librar y. MAH JONGG Fridays, April 20, 27 at the Woodside library. Register. BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, April 20, 27 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4. TEEN MOVIE NIGHT Friday, April 20 at the Hollis library at 4. LAPTOPS Fridays through April 27 at 4 at the Hollis library. LOCKER ROOM Fridays through May 25 Life’s Locker Room is for young men in idle school and high school at the Pomonok library.
RELIGIOUS REFORM TEMPLE Friday, April 13 Thanassis Cambanis speaks at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112 th Street at 8 during the Shabbat service. YOM HASHOAH 5772 Wednesday, April 18 commemoration for the 6 million victims of the Holocaust at Temple Torah of Little Neck, 54-27 Little Neck Parkway at 7. In conjunction with Little Neck Jewish Center and Marathon Jewish Center.
CHILDREN’S THEATER Saturdays, April 14, 21 LaMicro Children’s Theater Sunnyside library. Register. CULTURAL ENRICH. Mondays, April 16, 30 Ms. B’s Cultural Enrichment Corner at the Pomonok library at 4:30. PJ TIME Mondays, April 16, 23, 30 at the Central library at 7. LITTLE TOT Monday, April 16 at the Hillcrest library at 4. EARTH DAY CRAFT Monday, April 16 at the Queens Village library at 4. ETIQUETTE Mondays, April 16, 23, 30 Etiquette and Character Education at 4:30 at the Hollis library. LEARN TO CROCHET Mondays through May 21 at 5 at the Arverne library. PAPER CRAFTS Mondays through April 30 McGoldrick library at 5. FAMILY WII ZUMBA Mondays through May 14 Lefrak Cit y library at 6:30. CHESS & CHECKERS Mondays through May 28 at the South Ozone Park library at 3. ORIGAMI BUGS Tuesday, April 17 South Jamaica librar y. Register. MATH DRILLS Tu e s d a y s , A p r i l 1 7 , 2 4 McGoldrick library at 4:30. CARIN BERGER Tuesday, April 17 meet author/illustrator Carin Berger at 4:30 at the Pomonok library. POETRY OUT LOUD Tuesday, April 17 at the Central library. Register. CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Tuesdays, April 17, 24 at the Glen Oaks library at 11. CREATE POETRY & ART Tuesday, April 17 at the Briarwood library at 4. CHESS & CHECKERS Tuesday s through May 29 at 3 South Ozone Park library. REPTILE EDVENTURE Wednesday, April 18 at the Woodside library at 3. RAIN ROBOTS Wednesday, April 18 East Flushing library. Register. DEWEY SCAVENGER HUNT Wednesday, April 18 at the Windsor Park library at 4. BRAIN FUN Wednesday, April 18 Woodhaven librar y. Register. FAMILY STORY TIME Wednesdays, April 18, 25 at the B ay Terrace librar y at 10:30. HEALTH & SCIENCE Wednesday, April 18 at the McGoldrick library at 5.
FAMILY COLORING Wednesday, April 18 at the Bay Terrace library at 11. BOOK BUDDIES Thursday, April 19 at the Hillcrest library at 3:30. SPRING CRAFT Thursday, April 19 at the Bellerose librar y. Register. READ TO A DOG Thursday, April 19 at the Briarwood library. Register. DESIGN DAY Thursdays, April 19, 26 at the Central library at 4. CHESS & CHECKERS Thursdays through May 31 at the South Ozone Park library at 3. TERRIFIC KIDS Thursdays through May 24 at the Cambria Heights library. Register. WII GAMES Thursdays through April 26 McGoldrick library at 5:30. PRESCHOOL STORY Friday, April 20 story and craft at the Bellerose library. Register. ORIGAMI BUGS Friday, April 20 at the Maspeth library. Register. PRACTICE MATH Friday, April 20 NYS Practice Math Exam at 4 at the Central library. MAKE A BUTTON Friday, April 20 make your own buttons Poppenhusen library. Register. GIRL SCOUTS Friday, April 20 at the Central library at 4:30. LEARN TO CROCHET Fridays, April 20, 27 at the McGoldrick library at 4. GAME DAY Friday, April 20 at the McGoldrick library at 5. HOMEWORK HELP Fridays through May 25 at the Far Rockaway library at 3. Through April 27 at the McGoldrick library at 3. CHESS & CHECKERS Fridays through May 25 at the South Ozone Park library at 3. CHESS CLUB Fridays through May 25 Auburndale library at 3:30. HOMEWORK HELP Fridays through May 25 at the Woodside library at 3. LIBRARY BUDDIES Fridays through May 25 at the Auburndale library at 4. BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, April 20, 27 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4. GAME DAY Fridays, April 20, 27 at the Woodhaven library at 4:30. TOTS & TOYS Fridays, April 20, 27 at the McGoldrick library at 10:30. PRESCHOOL CRAFT Fridays, April 20, 27 at the Sunnyside library. Register.
MEETINGS CAMBRIA HTS LIB. Saturday, April 14 Friends Board of Directors of Queens Library at Cambria Heights meet 4-5:15. 5283535. P-FLAG Sundays, April 15, May 20 P-FLAG, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays meet in Forest Hills. 271-6663. BRANDEIS Monday, April 16 Brandeis National Committee Nassau North Chapter meets at the Great Neck library at 10:30. COMM. DISTRICT ED Monday, April 16 Communit y District Education Council 26 meets at 7 at MS67, 51-60 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck for a public meeting, followed by a business meeting. REGO HILLS REPUB. Tuesday, April 17 Rego Hills Republican Club meets at 7:30 at the Sizzler on Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills. 275-6005. AMER. LEGION Tuesday, April 17 Post 131 meets at 8 at 10-20 Clintonville Street, Whitestone. 767-4323. AUBURNDALE CIVIC Tu e s d a y , April 17 Auburndale residents meet at St. Kevin’s, 45-21 194 th Street at 7:30. BEREAVEMENT Tuesday, April 17 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family in Fresh Meadows at 7:30. 969-2448. TALK OF THE TOWN Tuesday, April 17 7:15 in St. Albans. 640-7092. 102 PRECINCT Tuesday, April 17 102 nd Precinct Communit y Council meets at 8 at Moose Hall, 8734 118 th Street. FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesday, April 18 at Flushing Hospital. 479-0643. KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS Wednesday, April 18 Queensview Lodge 433 in Whitestone. 917-754-3093. TOASTMASTERS Wednesday, April 18 in Jamaica. 978-0732. CLINTON DEMS Wednesday, April 18 7 at 25-59 Francis Lewis Blvd., Flushing. 428-7285. LA LECHE LEAGUE Thursday, April 19 at 6 at the Forest Hills library. MEN’S PRIDE GROUP Thursday, April 19 Queens Pride House Men’s group 79. 429-5309. FDR DEMOCRATS Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 at the Chabad Center, 2121 2 2 6 th A v e n u e , B a y s i d e . 460-8285.
April 13-19, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15
SENIOR EXERCISE Saturdays at SNAP of Eastern Queens in Queens Village. 453-2100 information. POMONOK SENIORS Mondays, April 16, 23 mental health workshop. Mondays tai chi at 9, piano at 9, walking club at 10. Wednesdays free blood pressure screening, health and wellness workshop 9-3. 591-377. AARP 1405 Monday, April 16 Flushing AARP chapter 1405 at the Bowne S treet Communit y Church, 143-11 Roosevelt Avenue at 1. Living Wills discussed. AARP 3334 Monday, April 16 AARP chapter 3334 at 1 at St. Kevin’s Parish Center, 45-21 194 th Street. Jerry Cardone performs. Free. SENIOR COMPUTERS Tuesdays through May 29 basic computer class at 10 South Ozone Park library. TAX COUNSELING Tuesday, April 17 at 1 at the Auburndale library. DEFENSIVE DRIVING Thursday, April 19 AARP course at the Auburndale library. 849-1010 to register. STARS Fridays through May 25 Senior Theater Acting Repertory meets at the Queens Village library at 10:30.
YOUTH
TEENS
People Local students received academic honors from the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences at Binghamton University. They include: Jamaica: Alyssa H. Lowenwirt, Brian P. Lee. Jamaica Estates: Madalyn L. Lesman. Queens Village: Kathleen A. Zabala, Christine M. Hernandez, Goyal Umadat. Rosedale: Shannon M. Green. South Ozone Park: Kurnvir Singh, Ibrahima Balde. Springfield Gardens: Samuel Opoku-Acheampong. Ozone Park: Deviani Umadat, Geoffrey Yip, Elizabeth Munde. Woodhaven: Bonnie Li Forest Hills: Ariel R. Friedman, Andrew J. Topal, Jiayi Ma, Karoline M. Kaon, Eric S. Lee, Daniel Wu, Gabriella R. Duke, Viral M. Patel, Norwich Mungkalaton. Rego Park: Brendan Ho. South Richmond Hill: Cynthia Chiduku. Local students have been in-
Plumb./Heat
ducted into national honor societies at Berkeley College. They include: Queens Village: Christopher Cintron, Phi Theta Kappa. The New York Lottery announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings March 25-31. The following winners each received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more Sonica Thomas of Hollis won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing March 16. Thomas’ winning ticket was purchased at the Hillside Avatar at 202-06 Hillside Ave., Hollis. Haitram Ramlall of Queens Village won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing March 20. Ramlall’s winning ticket was purchased at the 7-Eleven, 21917 Hillside Ave., Queens Village. Georges Rousseau of Cambria Heights won $10,000 on the Powerball drawing March 21. Rousseau’s winning ticket was purchased at 237 Linden Gas,
Violations
236-01 Linden Blvd., Elmont. Crystal Barnes of St. Albans won $10,002 on the Mega Millions drawing March 27. Barnes’ winning ticket was purchased at Lucky III Deli, 207-22 Hollis Ave., Queens Village. Brian Aber of Richmond Hill won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing March 23. Aber’s winning ticket was purchased at the 7-Eleven, 112-“ Liberty Ave., South Richmond Hill. Wadood Abdul of Richmond Hill won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing March 23. Abdul’s winning ticket was purchased in Manhattan. Berta Astete of Forest Hills won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing March 20. Astete’s winning ticket was purchased at 108 Stop & Go Convenience, 63-77 108th St., Forest Hills. Justin Prieto of Forest Hills won $250,002 on the Mega Millions drawing March 27. Prieto’s winning ticket was purchased at 113 News, 113-27a Queens Blvd., Forest Hills.
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Cool Inventions:
Students from I.S. 59 in Springfield Gardens and JHS 189 in Flushing presented cool inventions and ideas for Time Warner Cable’s “Wouldn’t It Be Cool If…” contest at the recent Youth Leadership Contest at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
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April 13-19, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17
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Joey Abs
Models Of Queens
Joseph Chisholm Home: St. Albans Age: 25 Height: 5’7 Weight: 191 Stats: 44-29-36
Joseph Chisholm, or a selfproclaimed “Joey The Gym Animal,” does more than break a sweat when it comes to his body. He uses his fit physique to model “sexy and casual fitness,” Chisholm said. Joseph got into the modeling industry three years ago, when business acquaintance, Beverly Love, introduced the idea to him. Soon after, she invested in Joseph’s newfound hobby as he grew passionate about it. However, modeling stands second to his first love, fitness.
“Full time? I think that’s possible, but as of right now, I do a lot of things besides modeling, “ he said. When Joseph isn’t posing for pictures, he dedicates his time as a body builder and personal trainer. He trains at several gyms, including Bally’s Total Fitness on Jamaica Ave. Chisholm even wrote a book called Body, which is publicized for readers on the internet. As far as content, “It shows everyone the art of loving and wanting a beautiful body and valuing the
Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens April 13-19, 2012
Old School Rivalry When it comes to Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s plan to close schools, most of the time, the local officials fighting to keep schools open have the full support of the community, the parents, teachers and students. But for a couple of moments at a rally for Bryant High School, Astoria’s own State Sen. Mike Gianaris Mike Gianaris heard the boo birds as he was introduced. Not because he wanted to close Bryant High — which he of course he opposes — but because he is a graduate of Bryant’s rival, Long Island City High School. Even more ironic is that LIC High is also on the mayor’s chopping block. Maybe it’s time the two schools mended fences.
Gentle Giants Over Easter Weekend, the Queens Zoo held its annual Spring Egg-stravaganza, giving kids the opportunity to take part in an egg hunt and meet the Easter Bunny, among other spring-themed activities. Featured during the event are the zoo’s 20-pound Flemish Giant rabbits – Ruby, Herman and Olivia. The Flemish Giants are an old breed of domesticated rabbits that have Flemish Giant rabbit been around since the 16th Century. Flemish Giants are reported to be one of the most docile breeds of domestic rabbits. Of course, when you’re that much bigger than everyone else, who needs to be mean?
craft,” Joseph said. His hobbies include reading, writing and poetry. He independently started his own cleaning and painting companies, and aspires to turn his fitness passion into revenue next. Joseph favors his borough. “I love Queens. It’s the best place to be in NYC besides Manhattan, especially the landscapes,” he said. His focus overlooks fun. “I don’t hang out. In my spare time I try to learn more about what I do,” Chisholm said. QConfidential is edited by: Michael Schenkler. Contributors: Ross Barkan, Steven J. Ferrari, Veronica Lewin, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Mike Nussbaum, Jason Pafundi, Domenick Rafter.
Uh, Malcolm? In a recent Page Six item in the New York Post, State Sen. Malcolm Smith, who was about to receive the Historic Leadership Award at the 100th Anniversary Gala for the Boys And Girls Club, showed his lack of Shakespeare knowledge when talking about Club board member and former Fordham roommate, Denzel Washington. Smith said that when Denzel told his roommates he would one day play the role of Othello at Lincoln Center, “we laughed at him,” but according to Page Six, when Smith and friends caught their roommate’s performance, he reacted: “I was shocked. Here’s this African-American guy doing Othello, with that Old English pronunciation. I was blown away.” Hmmm… where to start… First, Othello is described by
Malcolm Smith; Denzel Washington Shakespeare as a Moor, one of the black Muslims of North Africa. Indeed, Othello was a black man. Second, Old English is a defunct language of Geoffrey Chaucer that was replaced by modern English, due in large part to its greatest writer – William Shakespeare… who wrote Othello. Oh, and that pronunciation? It’s called a British accent. So Malcolm, if you want to be impressed by Denzel’s acting chops, just wait for his soon-tobe-released “Flight”.
Tony Who? Quick: Who was the other guy who ran for Mayor 3 years ago? Perhaps you want a souvenir of his mayoral run. While living in the best borough, one may want some strange swag to brag about it to the rest of the City. Luckily, there’s zazzle.com. During a recent visit to the website, we found “718” tees, subway iPhone cases and something special – Tony Avella for Mayor buttons. In case you forgot about the State senator’s failed mayoral run in 2009, someone’s selling but-
Confidentially, New York . . .
The Other Guy was from Queens tons to jog your memory – at a website low price of $2.45. Avella dons a crown in one button, making him look like a real king of Queens. Maybe this will become a collector’s item?
Safety First Correcting your coworkers may be something best left to the bosses. An off-duty TSA worker flying through JFK overheard a fellow TSA officer on duty, pass an unflattering remark about her job. “I’ve been stuck in this hellhole for eight years,” the worker supposedly said, with a few vulgar things thrown. The off duty worker, Steven Trivett of Tennessee asked her to be more professional, which allegedly resulted in even more vulgarity. He then tried to get the woman’s name off her ID to report her and ended up with a cup of hot coffee thrown all over him. If a TSA lady at JFK with a cup of hot coffee tells you to take off your shoes…do it and don’t ask questions.
What’s Up bullying and a workshop for APRIL 14 Registration for next Walkers For Wellness Club parents. month’s event ends March 31. Looking for a fun way to improve your health? Join the Walkers for Wellness Club at New Hope Lutheran Church of Jamaica. Under the guidance of a Walking Leader, you will walk two to three times each week at a comfortable pace with others along routes throughout Southeast Queens. The club is open to walkers of all ages and abilities. The walking schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Walkers meet at New Hope Lutheran Church, located at 167-24 118th Ave. T-shirts and pedometers will be provided. Contact Thurkessa Brown at (917) 553-1089 for more information.
Prostate Cancer Screening The First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica is pleased to present free Prostate Cancer Screening. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and is treatable with early detection. Are you between the ages of 35 and 75 years old? Share the news with your buddies and get a free prostate cancer screening. Screenings will also include blood pressure, hearing and HIV/AIDS testing. Free breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m. For more information, contact (718) 526-4775 or (718) 526-4775. This free event will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, 89-60 164th St., from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Girls Empowerment Conference
Stop Youth Violence Youth violence brings chaos to families, and entire communities to the brink of ruin. By now, we have all figured out that no one of us can do it alone. Other members of the village – clergy, school personnel, police, social workers and psychologists – also have key roles to play in quelling youth violence. The Eastern Queens Alliance is inviting you to join them for a roundtable on youth violence. The expected outcome will be a Youth Violence Prevention Coalition. This free event will be held at Saint John’s Episcopal Church 137-67 Belknap St., from 10 a.m. to noon.
Universoul Circus Returns It’s time again for clowns, animals and great music. Your family is invited to return to Roy Wilkins Park to take in the Universoul Circus. This time, the clowns will be around for just under two weeks. Prices vary for each show. For additional information, visit http:// universoulcircus.com. This event will be held at Roy Wilkins Park at noon, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
APRIL 15 Open Mic Featuring Hoyt Jacobs. His translations from the original Russian include Anna Akhmatova’s long-form classic “Requiem” as well as numerous works by Nicolay Gumilev and the biography-in-interviews of a Gulag survivor named Anna. His original works include poetry, prose, and re-imagined micro-fiction variations on traditional ghost stories from Europe and Japan. This free event will be held at Queens Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10 a.m.
Microsoft Word In Spanish
The Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center will be hosting its first bridal showcase in Southeast Queens. The Bridal Showcase will feature wedding products and services to brides and grooms prepared to make planning decisions for the 2012-2013 wedding season. Admission is $8. For additional information, contact Loleta Nicholson at SgntrEvent@aol.com, (718) 657-8282 or (646) 250-7556. This event will be held at Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center - 172-17 Linden Blvd., from 2 to 6 p.m.
This week’s class will focus on creating and saving documents. Attendees should have basic computer skills. Register in advance at the Reference Desk. This free event will be held at Queens Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6:30 p.m.
APRIL 16 Stay Well Learn new ways to take charge of your health and help your friends do the same. Learn how special exercise and relaxation techniques make a difference in your life. This free event will be held at Queens Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10 a.m.
APRIL 20 L’April Concertante The York College Chamber Music Series is presenting L’April Concertante. Her performance awards include an Urban Artists Initiative/NYC Fellowship and a Queens Council on the Arts Individual Artist Grant. In addition to the article in the Times, articles featuring her have appeared in the New York Daily News, Time Out New York and other publications. Tickets are $10. This event will be held at York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., from 7 to 8 p.m.
ONGOING APRIL 17 Job Club Walkers For Wellness Club The Jamaica Neighborhood See April 14 listing. At 7 p.m.
APRIL 18 Resumes and Cover Letters Are you ready to apply for jobs? Do your resume and cover letter stand out from the crowd? Participants will learn how to get started, what to include and not include in a resume; and tips for making your resume and cover letter stronger. Advance registration is not required. Call (718) 990-0746 for more information. This free event will be held at Queens Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 10:30 a.m.
Center offers a free service to assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007. For additional information, contact Ethan Chazin, Job Coach, at (718) 739-2060, Ext. 18 or echazin67@gmail.com. This free event will be held at the Jamaica Neighborhood Center - 161-06 89th Ave. Services are available Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Job Readiness Workshops Join us for these interactive workshops. The topic is job search techniques on April 18. This free event will be held at Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 6 p.m.
APRIL 19 Walkers For Wellness Club See April 14 listing. At 7 p.m.
CPR Training The FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit will hold regularly scheduled free CPR classes in all five boroughs. The first Tuesday through the fourth Tuesday and the fourth Thursday of every month there will be Borough CPR training sessions in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens.
Training is free to anyone over the age of 14. The goal of this program is increase the number of people in New York City trained in bystander CPR Each class lasts 1 hour and participants in the class learn basic CPR skills from a member of the FDNY Emergency Medical Service. Volunteers for the class follow along using the CPR Anytime Personal Learning Kit, which features an instructional DVD and an inflatable mannequin. All participants are able take home the kit at the end of class and asked to pledge to use the kit to show five of their family members and friends how to perform CPR. This class teaches basic CPR technique and is not a certification course. In Queens, the classes will be held the fourth Thursday of every month at EMS Station 54, 222-15 Merrick Blvd. In addition, please visit www.nyc.gov/ cprtogo for New York Sports Club locations offering free CPR classes starting in January. Please visit www.fdnyfoundation.org or call (718) 999-2413 for more information.
Group Sessions Clergy United for Community Empowerment, Inc. Group Sessions are located at 89-31 161st St., 10th Floor, Jamaica, for the community on various topics such as Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Substance Abuse intervention, Decision Making, Condom Use, High Risk Behaviors leading to HIV, and self – esteem awareness. All group sessions offer light snacks and beverages. Group sessions are open to the public. Round-Trip Metro Card reimbursement is available at the end of each completed session. For further information call (718) 297-0720. All services are free. Please call for next group date.
CPR Class Learn to protect yourself and others at Heron Care with a CPR class that includes a certification from the American Heart Association. Please call (718) 2918788 for more details. Heron is located at 168-30 89th Ave., Jamaica.
April 13-19, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19
Every year, A Cause, A Concern, A Solution Network Inc., a non-profit founded by Christina Winslow, hosts a one-day Girls Empowerment Conference. The conference teaches young women from 11 to 21 self-esteem, etiquette and personal development. Winslow said it is important to educate young girls before it is too late. The conference also informs participants on post-graduation options, including college and the workforce. Breakfast, lunch and dessert will be included. The all day event will feature giveaways, workshops, guest speakers, a rap session about
Those interested in attending can register by emailing docjune607@aol.com. This free event will be held at York College Academic Core Building - 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2012 Bridal Expo