Press epaper 062014

Volume 15 Issue No. 25 June 20-26, 2014

PRESS Photo by Joe Marvilli

MISTRIAL FOR MALCOLM The trial for the embattled State Senator gets pushed back to January.

By Joe Marvilli ‌ Page 3.

ONLINE AT WWW.QUEENSPRESS.COM

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens June 20-26, 2014

News Briefs Jamaica’s Farmer’s Market Opens Today

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Down to Earth Farmer’s Market is making its return to Jamaica for the 15th season.

The market will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting June 20 and running until the third week in November.

The market is located at 160th Street off of Jamaica Avenue.

This year, the market will host weekly cooking demonstrations by Cornell Cooperative Extension. Every Friday from June 27 to the end of September, a team of Cornell cooks will inspire shoppers with fun and easy recipes using fresh market ingredients. The market offerings will change all season long as the local harvest changes. Free recipes to take home will also be available.

For four weeks starting on Saturday, July 26, the team at With Food in Mind will create The Fruity Pop Workshop, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

They invite children aged 6-11 to learn how to make simple fruit juices from fresh produce.

E.B.T. will be available at the market for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables with SNAP Benefits.

The market will also accept Health Banks when they are issued by the Dept. Health, starting in July. With this program, shoppers who spend $5 in SNAP Benefits at the market receive an additional $2 in Health Bucks for further purchases.

City Council Progressives Call For Control Of Minimum Wage

On Tuesday, the Progressive Caucus of the City Council gathered to urge the State Senate and Assembly to allow cities and municipalities the ability to set their own minimum wage.

During a press conference in Albany, council members stood by the 1,000 low-wage workers and advocates who were lobbying their representatives to raise the minimum wage as part of #Capitoltakeover.

Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton), co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, asked Albany legislators to make the change and improve the quality of life for thousands of families.

“The cost of living varies drastically across New York State and local salaries must reflect this reality,” he said. “The ability to decide wages on a local level will empower communities across out great state, particularly the hardworking individuals currently earning minimum wage.”

On May 14, the City Council adopted Resolution 189, sponsored

by Councilmen Daniel Dromm (DJackson Heights) and I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans), which called upon the State Legislature to pass a bill authorizing local governments to establish and enforce higher levels of minimum wage. The legislative session ended on Thursday.

“I am proud to stand with my colleagues today in urging the State to empower localities to set their own minimum wage standards. New York cannot afford to undervalue working people,” Miller said. “Low-wage workers are suffering because the minimum wage law has become a ceiling, rather than being a floor, for their earnings. Before the State Legislature session ends, it is imperative that lawmakers take action to enact local wage.”

Maryland, Connecticut, California, Vermont and Hawaii have all recently approved minimum wages of $10 or more. Massachusetts is on its way to $11 and Seattle and San Francisco will hit $15.

As of presstime, the State Legislature had not made any progress.

Community Board Agrees On New McDonald’s

At Wednesday night’s Community Board 12 meeting, a proposal to demolish the old KFC restaurant at 122-21 Merrick Blvd. and build a new drive-thru McDonald’s was unanimously agreed upon.

John Marmora, an attorney for K&L Gates representing McDonald’s at the meeting, said he wanted to “take this eyesore and turn it into something you are somewhat proud of.”

The lot has very limited space, so there will be no indoor seating. The entrance and exit will be on Sunbury Road to avoid disrupting traffic on Merrick Boulevard. Marmora said there will be enough room for 10 cars at the drive-thru and there will be a walk-up window in the front, along with five parking spaces.

Marmora also said the restaurant will create 18-20 new jobs. The Rev. Charles Norris asked if jobs will be given to local residents. Marmora ensured that is the intention and that is what happened when they built a new McDonald’s on Sutphin Boulevard.

“I saw the very same faces that worked at the facility as before,” Board member Jacqueline Boyce agreed.

Mamora also said they intend to open the store for 24 hours with security cameras.

Since the community board agreed to support the new construction, the proposal will go before the Board of Standards and Appeals to get official approval for the construction.

June 20-26, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Presstime

Mistrial Declared For Malcolm Smith

BY JOE MARVILLI A mistrial was announced this week in the corruption case against State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis), pushing proceedings back until next year.

The motion came after the U.S. Attorney’s Office recently disclosed many untranslated Yiddish recordings, which now need to be sifted through. The process would push the trial until mid-July; an extension that the majority of the jury said it could not comply with.

Therefore, Judge Kenneth Karas of U.S. District Court declared a mistrial for Smith and the Queens GOP’s former vice chairman, Vincent Tabone, with a new trial set for Jan. 5, 2015.

The recently revealed information held up the trial, due to the difficulty of translating the Yiddish conversa-

tions recorded by inuntil after this year’s formant Moses Stern. election, where he is Prosecutors said that facing a September the information is not primary from former relevant to the case; councilman Leroy Smith’s lawyer, Gerald Comrie, attorney Clyde Shargel, said that deciVanel, attorney Munir sion is not for them to Avery and Bernadette decide.

Semple.

The defense lawyers Comrie said that for Smith and Tabone the mistrial does not also argued that the change his opinion that conversations might Smith is no longer an add to their case that effective official. their clients were vic“I am running betims of entrapment. cause Malcolm Smith State Sen. “The motion for miscan no longer function Malcolm Smith trial was born of necesas a legislator. What sity given this late disclosure of infor- we’ve learned over the last few weeks mation that we believe is valuable to bolsters everything we’ve known all the defense,” Shargel said. along about the race and the need for The mistrial has inadvertently change,” he said. given Smith what he was asking for Comrie added that the case has earlier this year: a delay in his case not been dismissed and Smith will

eventually have to face the charges against him.

“This election is too important to allow these legal proceedings to distract us,” he added. “Whether it is next week or in two months, one thing we all know is that Malcolm Smith will have to answer for his behavior.”

Vanel stated that he does not know if the mistrial will affect the upcoming election but he is ready to take on Smith.

“I look forward to a spirited debate to make sure we have the best representation we can in New York State,” he said.

Former councilman Dan Halloran chose to continue his case immediately, and he is due back in court next Wednesday.

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

New Storm Sewers Coming To St. Albans

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

bring new storm sewers to reduce the chronic flooding and improve The City Dept. of Environmental resident’s quality of life,” DEP ComProtection announced on Monday missioner Emily Lloyd said. “We that work began this week on a proj- have committed an additional $380 ect to install storm sewers and catch million to continue to build out the basins along 119th Avenue between sewer system through Southeast 192nd Street and 195th Street.

Queens over the next 10 years and we The $1 million will also work with project will add three leaders “This current project community blocks of new storm to identify locations sewers that will con- serves as hope for where complemennect to 18 street level tary, near-term inthe other local comcatch basins and vestments will help drain the stormwater munities in Southeast to bring even faster to an existing storm Queens waiting for relief.” sewer located under The post-World their turn to get such War II commercial 192nd Street.

The project is and residential develexpected to be com- relief.” opment of Southeast pleted in the fall and -Councilman Queens outpaced is one of a number Donovan Richards the extension of the of new initiatives the City’s sewer system DEP is undertaking and many neighborto help manage stormwater and alle- hoods are still not equipped to drain viate roadway flooding in Southeast water from the roadways, according Queens. to the DEP. The DEP teamed up with the Em“Even a minor rainstorm causes powered Queens United in Action water to rise in our basements, yards and Leadership organization to find and streets,” Keisha Phillips-Kong, a a faster, targeted stormwater solution leader for EQUAL and Our Lady of in advance to the ongoing construc- Light Catholic Church in St. Albans, tion of a $6 billion comprehensive said. “Some residents have bought sewer system for the area, according canoes so that they can paddle to to the DEP. higher ground when the rains arrive.

“Local community groups know These are positive first steps and we their neighborhoods best and we are look forward to working with DEP to pleased to collaborate with EQUAL finish the job.” on these important projects that will The DEP consulted with local

elected officials and community groups and analyzed 311 reports to identify the locations most prone to flooding.

Engineers conducted field investigations, analyzing the topography of the neighborhood, hydraulic capacity and location of existing storm sewers, the relative elevations of existing sewers and the nature and severity of the stormwater management challenges. They identified specific areas where the installation of storm sewers and catch basins could help alleviate flooding.

The first two locations where work has already been completed are on 113th Avenue between 156th and 157th Streets and 111th Avenue between 155th and 158th Streets. The DEP said the analysis of additional locations is underway and it expects to approve additional projects in 2014.

As part of the DEP’s capital construction program, there are several other projects that are either ongoing or in the planning and design phase. An upgrade in Springfield Gardens is in the final stages of the $175 million project and will be completed this fall. It will add nine miles of storm sewers and eight miles of sanitary sewers to the area. There are also plans for a $26 million upgrade

for the Brookville Boulevard area, an $18 million project that will bring high level storm sewers to the Twin Ponds neighborhood and a $5 million project to install an additional sewer line under 183rd Street at Jamaica Avenue.

“Southeast Queens has longed for such an investment in its sewer systems for decades,” Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) said. “While there are many more upgrades slated for the near future to upgrade the sewer systems in order to alleviate some of the chronic flooding, this current project serves as hope for the other local communities in Southeast Queens waiting for their turn to get such relief.”

Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons2.

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens June 20-26, 2014

Port Authority Details Plans For Wage Hikes

BY JORDAN GIBBONS

a letter demanding better pay.

Before the Port Authority vote in April, hundreds of airport passenger service workers rallied from JFK to LaGuardia, a 10-mile walk, to protest for higher wages and work benefits.

That was a few weeks after protes-

tors were arrested for civil disobedience on the 94th Street Bridge across from LaGuardia on Martin Luther King Day. Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons2.

PSAL Cricket Champions: Photo by Shiek Mohamed

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey released its new minimum wage policy on Friday for all 12,000 employees under nontrade labor service contracts at all Port Authority facilities and it will be implemented first at LaGuardia, JFK International and Newark Liberty airports.

As of July 31, wages for workers in covered services will be increased by $1 per hour for all workers earning $9 per hour or less. Effective Feb. 1, 2015, wages will be increased to $10.10 per hour. Beginning on Feb. 1, 2016, annual pay increases will be tied to the consumer prices index for urban wage earners.

The Port Authority voted in April to require the salary hikes but did not release a timeline for implementation at the time.

All contractors who fall under this policy must provide its employees a paid holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Port Authority is also forming a plan for the development of enhanced wages and benefits, including health benefits for covered workers, and will release the plan no later than Sept. 30, 2014. The existing policy for wages

and benefits for certain workers, which provides benchmarks for the inclusion of affordable health care, is being looked at as a reference for the plan.

Hector Figueroa, president of 32BJ SEIU, the local union that represents airport workers, acknowledged the policy as a step in the right direction.

“The Port Authority’s move to codify the pay increases proposed earlier this year is a significant step forward on the path that airport workers have been fighting for; those increases will have a real impact in their lives,” Figueroa said in a statement. “We will continue to push that the Port’s plan for enhanced wages and benefits, including healthcare, put these workers on a path to parity with Port-contracted workers who do the same kind of work.”

The new guidelines have not come without a fight, as airport workers have rallied throughout the last year to push the Port Authority to make the changes and ensure that contractors comply with the policy.

In May, hundreds of workers from JFK and LaGuardia marched into the Kew Gardens headquarters of Aviation Safeguard, a contractor who hires airline workers, to deliver

John Adams High School was crowned as the 2014 champions of the Public School Athlete League cricket tournament after defeating Hillcrest High School in the finals last Saturday.

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June 20-26, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

Comrie Gains Endorsements For Senate Run

BY JORDAN GIBBONS Former Councilman Leroy Comrie has been gaining one endorsement after another in the primary election for State Senate District 14.

Last week, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) 1500, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) all publicly endorsed Comrie.

UFCW 1500 represents 23,000 members and promotes progressive policies such as supporting the expansion of supermarkets into underserved communities.

“Leroy Comrie has always been a strong leader and fighter in the community of Southeast Queens,” Bruce Both, president of UFCW 1500, said. “As a City Councilmember, Leroy stood side-by-side with our members to hold Walmart accountable for their irresponsible business practices and fought with us to bring healthy supermarkets to communities in need.”

CWA Local 1182 represents more than 2,500 men and women who are traffic enforcement agents and sanitation enforcement agents.

“As a thoughtful City legisla-

Leroy Comrie is building a strong stable of supporters for his run at State Senate, District 14. tor and key staff member, Leroy Comrie knows what it takes to get legislation passed,” Robert Cassar, president of CWA Local 1182, said.

“Leroy knows the dangers CWA Local 1182 members face each day as they carry out their professional responsibility to keep our city clean and moving.”

RWDSU represents 100,000 working men and women in various

cil of Greater New York includes construction workers, asbestos and hazardous materials handlers, Catholic High School teachers, recycling and waste handlers and office and professional personnel. Michale McGuire, of the Mason Tenders, cited Comrie’s successful track record.

“In Albany, Leroy will not only restore integrity to Senate District 14, but work to strengthen our schools, identify needed infrastructure, transportation and community improvements, foster economic growth and pass legislation to improve the lot of working families,” he said.

He has also secured support from the Working Families Party, the Guy R. Brewer Democratic Club, Democratic Leader Archie Spigner, the Queens County Democratic Organization, Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) and the Rev. Charles Norris.

Comrie will be running against State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis), who is facing charges for allegedly attempting to bribe his way into last year’s mayoral race, attorneys Clyde Vanel and Munir Avery and navy veteran Bernadette Semple.

Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons2.

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“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the hard working men and women of this City,” Comrie said. “Their commitment to our effort to build a coalition to make a difference in the 14th Senatorial District mirrors my own sentiments and I look forward to continuing the partnership I have with the members of RWDSU, UFCW Local 1500 and CWA Local 1182.”

In May, the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) Local 1, the Mason Tenders District Council PAC and the Amalgamated Transit Union Locals 1056 and 1179 also backed the former councilman.

“As a New York City public school student and parent and as a former Community School Board member and president, Leroy has a keen appreciation of the needs and challenges that our children, families and educators face,” CSA President Ernest Logan said. “Leroy Comrie has stood with us on education issues as a City Councilmember and School Board member and CSA will work hard to help elect him to the State Senate.”

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Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens June 20-26, 2014

Editorial 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 Reporters: Jordan Gibbons Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Jackie Strawbridge Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Lianne Procanyn Barbara Townsend Maureen Coppola Advertising Director Howard Swengler Major Accounts Manager Shanie Persaud Director Corporate Accounts/Events Advertising Executives Shari Strongin

A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2014 Tribco, LLC

Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller

Getting Youth Involved It may be a news item that is glossed over this week, but the City Council’s recent support of legislation lowering the age of Community Board members to allow 16 and 17 year olds could be the beginning of a great change within New York City government.

We have been very clear in our belief that there needs to be a change with how our elected officials choose to behave. Preparing a new generation for a life of civic engagement will no doubt open doors for many young people who may not have considered a life of public service. Serving on a Community Board will give teens an appreciation for how local government works in the Big Apple, which could teach them valuable skills for their future development.

Allowing these teens to serve also gives these boards the benefit of a new perspective that might otherwise be ignored. Decisions made at the Community Board level – not to mention at the City Council, State Legislature and above – frequently overlook the needs of teens. If City leaders are serious about wanting the next generation to stay here, raise a family, start new businesses and create new opportunities, they need to see that their opinions matter. Continuing to ignore them runs the risk of sending them off to find a new hotbed for young entrepreneurs.

We look forward to seeing a new generation of Queens leaders get their feet wet in City government as members of their Community Boards, and we hope these groups welcome them with open arms.

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

Letters A Rent Freeze Is Unpractical

To The Editor: All signs are pointing to an unprecedented rent freeze when the Rent Guidelines Board convenes this Monday to vote on the percentage increase building owners of one million rent-stabilized apartments in the five boroughs can charge tenants on one- and two-year lease renewals.

Mayor Bill de Blasio made “rent freeze” a campaign promise, and the RGB – including de Blasio’s five newly appointed members – last month took a preliminary vote calling for a 0 percent increase on one-year leases.

A rent freeze would hurt tenants and neighborhoods throughout Queens. It would also doom de Blasio’s recently unveiled 10-year housing plan, even before it gets off the ground.

A rent freeze, while politically expedient, is not practical.

How can the RGB justify a rent freeze when its own 2013 income and expense study shows the operating costs of building owners of rent-stabilized apart-

ments was 5.7 percent?

A rent freeze would cripple small Queens building owners. That’s because a fair and reasonable rent increase is the sole source of income that enables small building owners to repair and maintain affordable housing.

Queens building owners also support other small businesses in the Borough. They hire local contractors, painters, plumbers, electricians and laborers. All of these companies provide jobs to local Queens residents who then spend at local restaurants and retail shops.

A rent freeze would create massive disinvestment in affordable housing. This would lead to disrepair, loss and eventual abandonment of the quality affordable housing stock in Queens and other boroughs.

There is much riding on a fair and reasonable rent increase – which is why common sense, and not the politics of a rent freeze, must prevail when the RGB takes its final vote this Monday.

Joseph Strasburg, President, Rent Stabilization Association

Jamaica Scholar Makes History At Cardozo A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE There are many great things about the spring season and one of the best by far is graduation. It is the time when great stories abound about the graduates and there is none more uplifting this week than the one coming out of Benjamin Cardozo High School.

Cardozo High School in Bayside is one of our City’s finest high schools. And it’s not even a specialized high school where you have to pass citywide exam to qualify for admission. Still, there are requirements to get in. You have to have good grades and maybe some unquantifiable qualities too.

Founded in 1966, the school is now as diverse as the Borough itself. But in its 48-year history, Cardozo has reportedly never had an African-American valedictorian – until now, that is.

On June 23, Shanelle Davis, who came to the United States as a small child from the island of Jamaica, will break that unfortunate record when she becomes the first Black valedictorian of the school. She has made history at her school.

That is a win not only for Ms. Davis and her family, but for the school itself. You can bet Shanelle Davis, who has been accepted into Harvard University on scholarships, is not the first Black student to have succeeded at Cardozo, so it is unfortunate that in 48 years no one looking like her had ever had the honor of addressing their graduating class.

It is a great thing for Davis and an even greater thing for her classmates and all the other Black students who are currently enrolled there and who will follow in the years to come.

Davis proves what parents and teachers have been telling students since the beginning of formal education: if you work hard and follow the rules, good things can happen.

In an interview with another local newspaper, Davis said she listened to her parents, who instilled the value of education by telling her to always have a book in her hands. The Jamaica, Queens resident also knows the value of a well-rounded school experience. It is to this end that she also became a member of her school’s track team and has participated in various clubs and other extracurricular activities.

She took several Advanced Placement classes, and is a member of the school’s National Honor Society and the Gateway Pre-College Education program, as well as involved in a legal outreach program, which has allowed her to participate in debates as well as internships at area law firms. As if all that weren’t enough, she has also taken time out of her dizzying schedule to help struggling elementary and middle school students prepare for state exams through Future

Educators of New York.

It’s the stuff of legends and this young woman deserves all the accolades being heaped upon her. She has proven that it can be done and she now serves as a role model for those who know her and those who are hearing her story through the media.

The young scholar will be the first member of her family to attend college and it goes to show once again that the American Dream is here for anyone who wants it and is willing to work for it. Too many of our kids take these opportunities for granted and waste their time on frivolous pursuits.

Davis has not yet decided on a career path, so she will enter the university as an undeclared major and explore her options. We can bet that whatever she ends up majoring in, it will benefit not just her and the family that has supported her, but our society as well.

Kudos to Shanelle and to all our young people graduating this season!

June 20-26, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

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Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens June 20-26, 2014

Boosting Business Through Beautification

By Jordan GiBBons

Photo by Jordan Gibbons

This lot on the corner of 99th avenue and Farmers Boulevard in st. albans will get trees and plantings as part of the grant.

towards the installation of energy efficient LED street lights underneath the elevated subway along Jamaica Avenue.

“We’re really delighted with this money and we’re looking forward to a beautified and much better Jamaica,” Maria Thomson, executive director of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation, said.

“The greenery will enhance our community of Woodhaven and the new lighting will improve our safety as well as positively affect our quality of life. I really want to thank the Borough President because we are so grateful.”

comfortable area for shopping.

Felicia Tunnah, executive director of the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District, said that the $229,000 grant will be allocated at the start of the fiscal year on July 1 and go directly to the Dept. of Transportation.

“We’re really excited that Melinda Katz recognizes the importance of having additional lighting in Downtown Jamaica to help business,” Tunnah said. “The idea is to create a safer feel. We hope it will lead more stores to stay open later and more shoppers to shop later.”

downtown Jamaica

st. albans

The project in Downtown Jamaica consists of 102 pedestrian arms and luminaires that will be attached to the current light poles along Jamaica Avenue between 169th Street and Sutphin Boulevard. The new arms will focus more light on the sidewalk to create a safer and more

sunnyside

The Farmers Boulevard corridor will see the addition of trees and plantings in the lot at 99th Avenue and Farmers Boulevard and the creation of a green street at the intersection of Murdock Avenue and Farmers Boulevard.

Isa Abdur-Rahman, executive director of the Farmers Boulevard Community Development Corporation, said the $100,000 will go primarily to the DOT for the construction, but it could get some assistance from the City Parks Dept.

“The visual improvements of the green space will make it more attractive to pedestrians and enhance traffic to the area,” he said. “We are open to and interested in getting ongoing feedback from the community.

We encourage folks to reach out to us if they have any ideas on how to continue to improve the district.”

Photo by Jordan Gibbons

The light poles on Jamaica avenue will get added luminaires to enhance light on the sidewalks.

astoria

Woodhaven There are going to be two separate projects on Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven. At the Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard intersection, a new green street with trees and plantings will be built with a $75,000 grant.

Another $250,000 grant is going

The commercial district in Sunnyside will be getting a consistent tree line along Queens Boulevard between 38th and 50th Streets and on Greenpoint Avenue between 45th and 47th Streets.

The $56,950 project, which will be done in the fall, is being handled by the Parks Dept. and will add 27

The $200,000 project on Steinway Street will consist of building green space around the Steinway Clock between 30th and 31st Avenues and in the municipal lot between Broadway and 31st Avenue.

“It has been a long-time vision of ours to green the surroundings of the landmarked Steinway Clock and add a green space in the municipal lot,” Marie Torniali, executive director of the Steinway Astoria Partnership, said. “We are most grateful to Borough President Katz for enabling us to bring the vision to fruition.”

rockaway Beach The final $200,000 project is on Beach 116th Street where there is going to be improvements to the streetscape, including fencing and directional guides from Beach Channel Drive to the ocean.

“Any money being put towards Beach 116th Street in Rockaway Park is a home run for the betterment of that area,” Danny Ruscillo Jr., president of the 100th Precinct Community Council, said.

Reach Reporter Jordan Gibbons at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ queenspress.com or @jgibbons.

Photo by Jordan Gibbons

Last week, Borough President Melinda Katz announced the allocation of $1.1 million in capital funds to pay for streetscape improvements along commercial corridors in several neighborhoods.

The goal is to create more attractive commercial shopping districts to ensure the development of the surrounding neighborhoods. The improvements are intended to enhance and revitalize the districts to promote business development and encourage residents to shop at local establishments.

The funding of the seven projects totals $1,110, 950. Katz worked with local neighborhood organizations to determine the best ways she could allocate the funding, which will be distributed through several City agencies.

“The commercial corridors found in the diverse neighborhoods throughout Queens are key assets and economic engines for our Borough,” Katz said. “The funds I am allocating to enhance these commercial corridors will help maximize their potential as retail centers and civic gathering places. These capital improvements will help our Borough’s small businesses create jobs and offer quality goods and services for many years to come.”

new trees and tree guards, as well as filling empty tree beds, according to Rachel Thieme, executive director of the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District.

“We want more trees because it looks good and people want to walk along a street with more trees and we believe it will really benefit our businesses,” Thieme said. “We’re only able to do so much incrementally. This is a huge contribution that would’ve taken us years to fulfill.”

Jamaica avenue in Woodhaven is getting new LEd street lights under the elevated subway along with trees and plantings.

June 20-26, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens June 20-26, 2014

Photo by Bruce Adler

pix

50 Cent Comes Home

Time To Play

Queens native 50 Cent performed at Citi Field, kicking off the venue’s summer concert series, on June 14.

Angels Win

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz was joined by some young parkgoers shortly after a ceremony marking the reopening of Laurelton West Park on June 11. The revamped park includes new steel playground equipment, a custom spray shower, ornamental plantings, picnic tables, seating and a steel perimeter fence. Photo courtesy of Malcolm Pinckney/NYC Parks.

Office Opening

Queens-based New York Angels pitchers Christian Nunez (left) and George Psahos were instrumental in the team’s double header victory against the Pirates at Lindsay Park in Brooklyn earlier this month.

Community Boards Sworn In

Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica (NHSJ) held an official grand opening of their newest location in Far Rockaway located at 1526 Central Ave. The site was opened to service the communities of the Rockaways, Broad Channel, Breezy Point and Howard Beach that were affected by Superstorm Sandy and is staffed by local residents who lived through the storm and know first hand the frustrations faced by residents. Pictured include Arthur DeVore, Youth Build Coordinator, Diane McEvaddy, Outreach Coordinator, Simone Thompson, Disaster Case Management, Kimberley McLean, Esq. Staff Attorney, Cynthia Thompson, Office Mgr., Dr. Thomas Ryer, Youth Build Program Director, Demetrius Francis, Youth Build Workshop Instructor.

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz administered the oath of office to 319 new and returning Queens Community Board members during a ceremony on Thursday, June 12, in the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

June 20-26, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Police Blotter 110th Precinct

112th Precinct

Collision

Burglary

At approximately 12:48 p.m., officers responded to the vicinity of Roosevelt Avenue and 126th Street.

Upon arrival, officers determined that a 2000 Mercury Villager traveling westbound on Roosevelt Avenue struck an unidentified male bicyclist also traveling westbound on Roosevelt Avenue. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced the male dead. The driver remained at the scene and the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is investigating.

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted in connection with a burglary.

On June 5, the suspect entered an apartment located inside of 67-38 108th St. through an unlocked and open window and removed jewelry from within. The residents were not home during this incident.

The suspect is described as a 28-year-old male, wearing a multicolored cap, shorts with reflective stripes and a red long sleeve shirt with a backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-tips, visit www. nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637(CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.

111th Precinct

Fatal Collision

At approximately 2:46 p.m. on June 13, police responded to a report of a vehicle collision that occurred at Francis Lewis Boulevard and 48th Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers discovered Ethel Zaremba, 91, unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded to the scene and transported the woman to Booth Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

An investigation revealed that the woman was operating a grey 1990 Toyota Camry, heading southbound on Francis Lewis Boulevard, when the vehicle veered to the left, mounted the center median and struck a light pole after passing 48th Avenue.

There were no other vehicles involved in this incident.

robbery

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a male suspect wanted in connection with a robbery.

At approximately 10:20 a.m. on June 6, a suspect entered a GameStop store located at 107-27 71st Ave. The suspect displayed a firearm and removed $250 from an opened safe that was located underneath the counter and fled in an unknown direction. No injuries were sustained as a result of this incident.

Anyone with information is asked

to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-tips, visit www. nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637(CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.

Burglary

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating and identifying two individuals wanted in connection to two burglaries.

At approximately 2:52 a.m. on May 28, the two suspects entered the dental office located at 94-24 63rd Dr. and fled with no proceeds.

At approximately 3:18 a.m., the two suspects then entered Petland Discounts, located at 94-18 63rd Dr., where they removed birds and bird cages, however, all items were later recovered. Both suspects fled to parts unknown.

Both suspects are described as white males, 17 to 20 years-old, approximately 5’8 to 5’11 in height, wearing light colored t-shirts.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-tips, visit www. nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637(CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.

113th Precinct

arrest

At approximately 11:18 p.m. on June 14, plain clothed officers from the 113th Precinct were on patrol in

the vicinity of Merrick Boulevard and 119th Avenue when they observed a group engaged in a verbal dispute.

As officers drove past the group, they observed a male remove a firearm from his waistband and discharge two rounds towards the group.

As the Sergeant and three police officers exited their unmarked vehicle, the suspect fled the location and threw the gun to the ground in the vicinity of Merrick Boulevard and Victoria Road. Pursuing officers apprehended the suspect at Merrick and Baisley Boulevards, without incident. Officers recovered a loaded .25 caliber Raven Arms gun at the location.

The suspect, Michael Jones, 19, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 2nd, reckless endangerment 1st, criminal possession of weapon 3rd, resisting arrest and obstructing government administration.

Homicide

At 2:38 a.m. on June 14, inside of 125-22 Merrick Blvd., police responded to a call of a male shot.

Upon arrival, police observed the victim, Timothy Tripp, 35, of Jamaica, unconscious and unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his head and torso. EMS responded and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

There are no arrests at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

Borough Beat

residents Protest Pan am Hotel shelter They took over a portion of Queens Boulevard to say “No!” to a homeless shelter.

Around 1,000 residents gathered outside the Pan American Hotel Tuesday evening to protest the shelter the City created last week, much to the surprise of many residents and elected officials.

Droves of residents came out to the protest, chanting in both English and Chinese, demanding that the shelter leave their neighborhood.

“Helter Skelter, we don’t want another shelter,” read one sign hoisted by a protestor. The part of Queens Boulevard in front of the hotel was eventually closed off to pedestrians as more people gathered for the protest.

At the forefront of the rally was Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and Roe Daraio, presi-

Photo by Luis Gronda

By Luis Gronda

homeless families in the hotel, despite previous statements that it was not suitable for a homeless shelter.

“We feel that we’ve been lied to,” the councilman said.

Lisa Black, the Dept. of Homeless Services’ assistant commissioner of government and huCouncilman daniel dromm (right) joined residents man relations, said last outside of the Pan american Hotel on Queens Bou- month that the hotel was levard, protesting the homeless shelter placed there not considered an option by the City last week. for a homeless shelter because of the lack of facilities, including a kitchen, dent of the Communities of Maspeth available at the hotel that would acand Elmhurst Together civic group commodate the homeless. who organized the protest.

A few weeks later, Samaritan VilDromm said he is upset his office lage, who is running that shelter, was not notified in a timely fash- was granted an emergency decree to ion that the City would be placing move some families there because of

a shortage of available facilities.

A DHS spokesperson told the PRESS last week that it would look to relocate the families with children to another shelter as soon as possible and eventually only house families with no children at Pan Am. Daraio said they organized the rally to provide an avenue of protest for the concerned residents in the area.

“If we don’t voice our concerns, we will become part of the problem and not part of the solution,” she said.

The next step is a town hall meeting focusing on this issue. Dromm said he is working with COMET and Community Board 4 to find an exact date for the meeting. He hopes to have the meeting within the next two weeks, Dromm said.

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

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens June 20-26, 2014

A&E

Lauper On ‘Front and Center’ This Month This season of the Public Television music series “Front and Center” will feature one of Queens’ most successful singers.

Cyndi Lauper will take the stage on June 28 for the third season of “Front and Center,” a music performance series that features a variety of excellent musicians in an intimate concert setting. For the Ozone Park native, that meant an appearance at Manhattan’s Highline Ballroom, where she performed her smash debut, “She’s So Unusual,” from start to finish.

“Cyndi Lauper is an incredibly talented musician who continues to reinvent herself with huge successes like her Grammy Award winning Broadway play ‘Kinky Boots,’” Don Maggi, the program’s executive pro-

Photo by Kat Villacorta

BY JOE MARVILLI

the “She’s So Unusu- a great venue with a large stage, but al: 30th Anniversary still has a very intimate feel to it,” Tour,” honoring that Maggi said. “Visually, the space just album’s anniversary. really works for on-camera. Using it With hit songs like also allowed us to accommodate “Girls Just Want To a larger audience for the perforHave Fun,” “Time mance.”

After Time” and Lauper is in good company for the “She Bop,” the re- third season of “Front and Center.” cord made Lauper a Other performers include The Avett star. It won her the Brothers, drummer Ginger Baker, Grammy for Best Christina Perri, the Goo Goo Dolls, New Artist and has James Blunt and Grouplove. gone 6x Platinum “She’s an amazing performer…

Cyndi Lauper performs at the Highline Ballroom for since its release. she just fits. The 30th Anniversary Public Television’s “Front and Center,” which will air During her tour of ‘She’s So Unusual’ is an event we on June 28. last year, Lauper were fortune enough to be part of,” played at the Kupfer- Maggi said. “As with all of our artists ducer, said. “We love having artists berg Center for the Arts at Queens on Season 3, Cyndi brought someon the show that are versatile and College, telling stories to the audience thing unique and all her own to the can, or will, play a major role in the about the recording process behind show.” the album in between songs. Her perThe episode featuring Lauper will entertainment industry.”

Last year, Lauper embarked on formance at the Highline Ballroom air on Saturday, June 28, at 11:10 for “Front and Center” took place p.m. on WLIW. For more informaon Dec. 9, after the tour wrapped up. tion and local listings, visit www.

The venue is a far smaller and more frontandcenter.com/events/307-cynlow-key space than Lauper usually di-lauper. plays, creating a rare opportunity for Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) the artist and the audience.

357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@queen“The Highline Ballroom is such stribune.com, or @JoeMarvilli. cord, “Tha Carter III,” which is his most successful album to date. It sold more than one million copies in the first week of its release.

Other successful albums he has released include 2004’s “Tha Carter” and 2010’s “Rebirth.”

While 1980s and early 90s punk rockers The Replacements may

BY JORdAn GIBBOns of GJDC, said. “What better way to not have the commercial success do that than bringing local musicians that those hip hop superstars have For the first time since 2011, the to entertain people in the streets on a achieved, they have established free Summer Music Festival will be summery Friday.” their own success in the rock returning to Jamaica on June 20.

From 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. there will scene, as they are considered one The Greater Jamaica Develop- be a broad cross section of modern of the pioneers of alternative rock. ment Corporation’s Culture Builds music presented by local musicians, The band reunited in 2012 after Jamaica initiative is using funding including hip hop, jazz, pop and gosdisbanding in 1991. They released provided by the City Council to bring pel-inflected R&B, along with local seven albums between 1981 and back summer concerts. dance troupe, Lush Variety.

1990, including “Let It Be” in 1984 “The idea of our Culture Builds JaThe artists scheduled to perform and “Tim” in 1985, their first mamaica initiative is to bring more and are Dante, One Accord, Joya Bravo, jor label release. more people to celebrate the neigh- Kayla Bliss, Prest4time, Tareq and The band has played at several borhood,” Carlisle Towery, president The Offlift, KolaRai and New Day. well-known festivals since their There will also be some reunion, including the Coachella local businesses, such as Music Festival in California last CityRib BBQ, handing year. out gift vouchers.

The Sept. 19 show will feature The concert will take two opening bands, The Hold place in front of the JaSteady and Deer Tick. maica Performing Arts Tickets for the Replacements Center at 153-01 Jamaishow will go on sale on Saturday, ca Ave. The rain date is June 21 at 11 a.m. You can purscheduled for Thursday, chase your ticket at Ticketfly.com.

June 26.

The Drake/Lil Wayne show is alReach Reporter Jorready on sale at the same website. dan Gibbons at (718)357Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at Joya Bravo and several other artists will perform at 7400 Ext. 123, jgibbons@ (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ the summer Music Festival at the Jamaica Perform- queenspress.com or @ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda. ing Art Center on June 20. jgibbons2.

drake, Lil Wayne Announced For FH Concert

BY LuIs GROndA The summer lineup at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium continues to get stronger, with two more shows announced this week.

Two hip hop giants, Drake and Lil Wayne, will play the stadium on Aug. 19 as part of the nationwide tour the duo are going on. The Forest Hills show is the only New York date currently scheduled, according to the announced tour dates.

Punk rock band The Replacements are also coming to Queens, scheduling a date one month after the Drake/Lil Wayne show, on Sept. 19.

Drake, also known for his role as Jimmy Brooks in the hit TV series “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” is a Grammy-Award winning rapper who has had several hit singles over his short career. Among his most popular songs are “Started From The Bottom,” “Over” and “Best I Ever Had.” His second album, “Thank Me Later,” debuted at number one on the Billboard chart and was certified platinum.

His latest album, which he is touring in support for, “Nothing Was The Same,” was released in 2013.

Lil Wayne is also a Grammy Award winner, picking up the honor in the Best Rap Album category.

He won the award for his 2008 re-

summer Music Festival Returning To Jamaica

June 20-26, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

QUEENS TODAY

FRIDAY 6/20

KENNY BRAWNER

Pianist, vocalist and actor Kenny Brawner will bring the music and story of Ray Charles to life at Flushing Town Hall. In “Kenny Brawner as Ray Charles,” Brawner will portray the legendary musician, leading a 12-piece orchestra and three vocalists.

The songs are interwoven with tales from Charles’ life, including American social history, his battle with drugs and his triumphant return home to Georgia.

The performance starts at 7 p.m. and costs $20. Tickets are $15 for members and $10 for students.

SATURDAY 6/21

LGBTQ CONCERT

LGBTQ Immigrant Voices Flushing Town Hall and Terraza 7 Cafe co-present a LGBTQ-themed concert meant to celebrate Pride Month and showcase the strength of the immigrant communities of Queens. Among the performances will be a headlining set by Mahina Movement, a trinity of women based in New York City. The concert kicks off at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for members and students, $15 for everyone else.

SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION

New York Hall of Science will celebrate the start of summer with a family event

for young children with autism. Between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Rocket Park, autistic kids between the ages of 3 and 8 will explore classic summer activities with a science twist, create designs with sidewalk chalk paint, build a fort, plant a summer garden and much more. Tickets are $15 per family, including general admission and parking.

For more information, call (718) 699-0005.

UNCLE YAO’S CHORUS

The Flushing Library will present a performance by Uncle Yao’s Chorus. Led by renowned Maestro Xue-Yan Yao and director Pei-ping Wang, this Queens-based choral group will offer the audience breezy, refreshing vocal pieces, both familiar and unfamiliar, from feature films from around the world. The free concert starts at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Call (718) 6611200 for more information.

BLOCK PARTY

Queens Council on the Arts is opening up the newly designated Kaufman Arts District for its block party this Saturday.

From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., QCA will showcase artists including Sol Aramendi, Make Music New York and Audrey Dimola. Tickets are $35 and include all day access to artist activities and local eateries, admission to the Best of Queens Film Festivals screening, a signature festival cup and more.

For more information, visit queenscouncilarts.org/qcablockparty.

ART WORKSHOP

From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., channel your mystic energy and be creative in Solstice art-making workshops at Socrates Sculpture Park in partnership with Free Style Arts Association, Materials for the Arts, The Noguchi Museum and Queens Museum. The free workshop is offered in the

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK SUNDAY 6/22

“WORLD FAIR” Queens Museum will air “World Fair,” a short documentary that explores memory and amateur films through the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

The film weaves together the memories of former fairgoers with vibrant archival footage and a textured original score, transporting viewers to the futuristic and hopeful realm of the fair.

The screening starts at 3 p.m. park’s education area on a drop-in basis. For more information, call (718) 9561819.

family, with paid general admission. Visit nysci.org/ little-makers for more information.

CAR SHOW

CROCHERON PARK CONCERT

The Knockdown Center will host a car show starting at 10 a.m. The facility describes the event as a “full-spectrum look at the automobile as our nation’s long standing symbol of manifest destiny and superfluous ingenuity.” It will feature high-end custom and collectable cars. The center is located at 52-19 Flushing Ave. in Maspeth.

The Bayside Historical Society will hold a free, outdoor concert at Crocheron Park, on the sledding hill, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The band, Something In Between, will play hits from the 1960s through today.

Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics.

ART FESTIVAL

The Friends of Diversity Plaza / 37th Road Pedestrian Plaza will host Arts Festival 2014: Summer Solstice Celebration from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the plaza, located between 73rd Street and 74th Street in Jackson Heights.

This event will feature free art workshops, music and outdoor art exhibitions to celebrate the Diversity Plaza, the local art scene and the arrival of summer.

SUNDAY 6/22

The Little Makers program at the New York Hall of Science will hold a workshop on sand play. Mix simple household ingredients to make a batch of moldable sand. The program runs from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and costs $8 per

CALLING ALL PINBALL WIZARDS

This Sunday, Creek & Cave holds its first annual pinball tournament.

Games start at 12:30 p.m. and first through fourth places win cash prizes. Tickets are $10 during pre-sale and $15 day-of. For more information, call (718) 7068783.

TUESDAY 6/24 FILM FOR ALL

UNMAPPING THE WORLD

The Queens Museum invites families to participate in this workshop led

by Brazilian artist Clarissa Tossin. The “Unmapping The World” workshop is a physically dynamic and intellectually stimulating hands-on art making experience that collectively makes a new world map by charting individual or shared territories on a giant ball “planet” made of room–size clumped paper. The event is free and runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

To RSVP, email exhibitions@ queensmuseum.org.

ARTISAN MARKET SENSATIONAL SAND PLAY

Gottscheer Hall is located at 657 Fairview Ave. in Ridgewood.

Aristan market in Ridgewood will feature more than 40 local vendors, food, alcohol, brunch and much more. There will also be live music at Gottscheer Hall’s stage. On this day, The Three-eyed Horseman and Feral Foster will perform during the festival. The festival will run from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Tribeca Film Festival, AT&T and Rooftop Films will present “When Harry Met Sally” at 8:30 p.m. at Socrates Sculpture Garden as part of this year’s Film For All campaign. The movie, selected by voters in the campaign, will be screened at outdoor locations in all five boroughs.

WEDNESDAY 6/25

PENNY SOCIAL

The Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society will hold their annual Penny Social Fundraiser at 1 p.m. at Emanuel United Church in Woodhaven. People who attend buy a sheet of tickets and bid on items by placing the tickets in the container next to the items they like. The event aims to raise money for the cultural and historical society.

GOT EVENTS?

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

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens June 20-26, 2014

Queens today Section Editor: REGINA VOGEL Send announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357. Send faxes to 3579417, c/o Regina or email to queenstoday@ queenstribune.com Yearly schedules and advanced notices welcome!

SENIORS....................

DRIVER SAFETY Friday, June 20 Glen Oaks library. Register.

SNAP OUTREACH Saturday, June 21 Jackson Heights library at 1.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Monday, June 23 Queens Village library. Register.

DRIVING CLASS Tuesday, June 24 Forest Hills library. Register.

BASIC COMPUTERS Wednesday, June 25 Central library. Register.

cOmputERS............

INTER. WORD Saturday, June 21 Central library. Register.

INTRO INTERNET Saturday, June 21 Flushing library. Register.

INTER. EXCEL Saturday, June 21 Central library Register.

INTER. EXCEL Monday, June 23 Central library. Register.

MAC MONDAYS Monday, June 23 Central library. Register.

PUBLISHER Tuesday, June 24 Flushing library. Register.

DOWNLOAD E-BOOKS Tuesday, June 24 Flushing library. Register.

GOOGLE ACCOUNT Tuesday, June 24 LIC library. Register.

CREATE E-MAIL ACCT. Tuesday, June 24 Central library. Register.

ADULTS & COMPUTERS Tuesdays, June 24, July 1 Sunnyside library 11:45.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesday, June 24 Queens Village library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesdays through July 29 Woodside library at 5:45.

TECHNOLOGIST IS IN Tuesday, June 24 Corona library. Register for 30 minute session.

TWITTER Wednesday, June 25 Central library. Register.

MOBILE DEVICES Wednesdays through July 30 Woodside library at 10:30.

INTRO COMP/INTERNET Wednesday, June 25 Hol-

lis library. Register.

ADVANCED EXCEL Thursday, June 26 Central library at 6.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Thursday, June 26 Ozone Park library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Friday, June 27 Middle Village and Auburndale library. Register.

tEENS & KIDS......

47 RONIN Friday, June 20 film at the Lefferts library at 4.

TEEN HAPPY HOUR Fridays, June 20, 27 Flushing library at 4.

REPTILE ADVENTURE Friday, June 20 Glen Oaks library at 4. Monday, June 23 at the Mitchell-Linden library at 4. Tuesday, June 24 South Jamaica library at 3:30.

ACT A STORY Friday, June 20 Queens Village library at 4.

MEATBALLS Friday, June 20 “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” at the Sunnyside library at 4.

AFRICAN DANCE Friday, June 20 South Ozone Park library at 4.

MOVIE TIME Fridays June 20, 27 Laurelton library at 3:30.

SCIENCE LAB Saturday, June 21 Central library at 11. Grades 1-6.

HISTORY OF CINEMA Saturday, June 21 Flushing library for teens at 2.

MAGIC WORKSHOP Monday, June 23 Glen Oaks library at 4.

FAMILY MOVIE Monday, June 23 South Ozone Park library at 5.

PLANNED PARENT. Monday, June 23 for 1119 at the Ridgewood library. Register.

EASY CRAFTS Monday, June 23 Steinway library at 11.

COMPUTER SKILLS Monday, June 23 Rochdale Village library at 4.

AIRBRUSH T-SHIRT Tuesday, June 24 Lefrak City library. Wednesday, June 25 South Ozone Park library. Register.

TEEN GUYS EMPOWER Tuesday, June 24 ages 1419 Laurelton library at 4.

CRAFTY TUESDAYS Tuesdays Cambria Heights library at 4.

Grades 1-5.

KIDS ZUMBA Tuesday, June 24 Langston Hughes library at 5:30. Ages 6-12.

JACK & BEANTALK Tuesday, June 24 Baisley Park library at 4.

MAGIC SHOW Tuesday, June 24 Steinway library at 4. Ages 6+ TEEN CRAFT Tuesday, June 24 Corona library at 5.

KIDS SONGS Wednesday, June 25 Court Square library at 10:30 and 11:30.

DRAMA CLUB Tuesdays Central library.

Register.

TEEN MEDIATION Tuesdays Central library at 4.

WALLFLOWER Wednesday, June 25 “Perks of Being A Wallflower” film at the Queensboro Hill library at 4.

READALOUD Wednesday, June 25 South Ozone Park library at 4. Grades K-3.

KEY CLUB Wednesday, June 25 Forest Hills library at 4:30.

FAMILY MOVIE Wednesday, June 25 Fresh Meadows library at 4.

TODDLER MOVEMENT Wednesday, June 25 Briarwood library at 1.

MAGIC SHOW Wednesday, June 25 Middle Village library at 3:30.

DRAWING CLUB Wednesdays LIC library at 4.

READING FOR FUN Wednesdays Laurelton library at 3:30.

HARRY POTTER Thursday, June 26 “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” at the Richmond Hill library at 3:30.

MAGIC SHOW Thursday, June 26 Flushing library at 2:30 and LIC library at 3.

TWEEN ART Thursday, June 26 Langston Hughes library at 3:30.

ANIME CLUB Thursday, June 26 Flushing library at 4.

FAMLY STORYTIME Thursdays through July 31 Bay Terrace library at 11:30. 18 months to 4 years.

TEEN GIRLS EMPOWER Thursday, June 26 Laurelton library ages 14-19 at 4.

FED-RATED CHESS Thursday, June 26 East Flushing library at 4:30.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Thursday, June 26 Glen Oaks library at 11:30.

TWILIGHT TALES Thursday, June 26 Douglaston library. Register.

JACK & BEANSTALK Thursday, June 26 Bay Terrace library at 3:30.

talKS.........................

ROBERT POLK Saturday, June 21 author talk at the Central library at 2:30.

LOIS SCHAFFER Wednesday, June 25 author talk at the Douglaston library at 4.

ENtERtaINmENt..

WORLD’S FAIR EXHIBIT Through June 30 celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1964-65 World’s Fair at the Central library.

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Friday, June 20 film at the Windsor Park library at 1.

47 RONIN Friday, June 20 film at the Lefferts library at 4.

MOVIE MATINEE Fridays through June 27 Rosedale library at 2:30.

JUNETEENTH Saturday, June 21 Langston Hughes library. Celebration commemorating end of slavery starting at 11.

CHORAL GROUP Saturday, June 21 Flushing library at 1:30.

TOP 40 ROCK Saturday, June 21 Flushing library at 5.

ARTS FESTOVA: Saturday, June 21 Jackson Heights Arts Festival’s Summer Solstice Celebration 11-8 at Diversity Plaza, 37th Road between 73rd and 74th Streets.

CARIBBEAN MUSIC Monday, June 23 Whitestone library at 3.

FAMILY MOVIE Monday, June 23 South Ozone Park library at 5.

GAY PRIDE Monday, June 23 celebrate gay pride at the Jackson Heights library at 5:30.

BUKHARIAN MUSIC Monday, June 23 Forest Hills library at 6.

BROADWAY SONGS Tuesday, June 24 East Flushing library at 2:30.

CLASSIC STREISAND Tuesday, June 24 Middle Village library at 2:30.

CONCERT IN MOTION Wednesday, June 25 Sunnyside library at 3.

BINGO Thursdays McGoldrick library at 1.

MR. SMITH Wednesday, June 25 “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” at the Hillcrest library at 1.

MONUMENTS MEN Wednesday, June 25 film at the Central library at 6.

GAY CELEBRATION Wednesday, June 25 lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month Celebration 6-8 at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens, room 213.

MUSICAL JOURNEY Thursday, June 26 North Hills library at 1:30.

THE APARTMENT Thursday, June 26 film at the Central library at 2.

GREAT MUSIC 30s-70s Thursday, June 26 at the

Mitchell-Linden library at 2.

NY WORLDS FAIR Thursday, June 26 “Peace Through Understanding” documentary shown at the Central library at 6.

OPEN MIC Thursday, June 26 East Elmhurst library at 6.

JAZZ SINGER Wednesday, July 2 film at the Hillcrest library at 1.

CIMARRON Wednesday, July 16 film at the Hillcrest library at 1.

DOUBLE INDEMNITY Wednesday, August 6 film at the Hillcrest library at 1.

MARTY Wednesday, August 20 film at the Hillcrest library at 1.

EDucatION..............

RESUME HELP Friday, June 20 Astoria library. Register.

CHESS CLUB Fridays, June 20, 27 Woodside library at 4.

HSE/TASC SCREENINGS Fridays 11-2 LIC library.

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE Saturday, June 21 Forest Hills library at 2:30.

JEWELRY WORKSHOP Monday, June 23 Briarwood library. Register.

RESUMES/CVR. LETTER Monday, June 23 Flushing library. Register.

BASIC CHINESE Monday, June 23 Laurelton library. Register.

AMER. SIGN LANG. Monday, June 23 Broadway library at 4.

CLASSIC BELLY DANCE Monday, June 23 Corona library. Register.

BALLROOM DANCE Mondays, June 23, 30 Forest Hills library at 6:30.

CREATIVE WRITING Mondays, June 23, 30 Langston Hughes library at 6:30.

SOCA DANCE Mondays, June 23, 30 Laurelton library. Register.

RESUME/CVR. LETTER Tuesday, June 224 Central library. Register.

QUILTING WORKSHOP Tuesday, June 24 Rego Park library. Register.

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE Tuesday, June 24 Hollis library at 5:30.

BELLY DANCE Tuesday, June 24 Bayside library. Register.

SMALL BUSINESS Tuesday, June 24 Central library. Register.

CLASSICAL BELLY DANCE Wednesday, June 25 East Elmhurst library. Register.

RESUME/CVR. LETTER Wednesday, June 25 Central library. Register.

ACCENT REDUC TION Thursday, June 26 Woodside library at 4:30.

FED-RATED CHESS CLUB Thursday, June 26 East Flushing library at 4:30.

HEaltH......................

CAREGIVERS Cancer support services in Western Queens. 2685060, ext. 226.

CARDIO SCULPT Fridays through June 27 Richmond Hill library at 5:30.

CALYPSO CARDIO Fridays through June 20 Laurelton library at 6:30.

FIGHT BLINDNESS Saturday, June 21 group to share information and support at the Forest Hills library at noon.

DANCE FITNESS Saturdays through July 12 LIC library at 3.

MAMOGRAMS Sunday, June 22 call 877628-9090 if eligible.

DEPRESSION & ANXIETY Monday, June 23 Flushing library at 6:30.

YOGA Monday, June 23 Sunnyside library. Register.

CHAIR YOGA Monday, June 23 Woodside library. Register.

ZUMBA Monday, June 23 East Elmhurst library. Register.

ZUMBA Mondays through December Bayside library at 6:30.

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

ALZHEIMERS Tuesday, June 24 Caregiver Support Group in Forest Hills. 592-5757, ext. 237.

TOTAL BODY Tuesday, June 24 Briarwood library at 5:30.

TAI CHI Wednesday, June 25 Fresh Meadows library at 2.

CHAIR YOGA Wednesday, June 25 Richmond Hill library Register.

WORKOUTS Wednesdays South Jamaica library at 5:30.

ZUMBA Thursday, June 26 Queensboro Hill library.

Register.

June 20-26, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Profile

Museum Remembers Life Of Sen. Rufus King As an historic house museum in Southeast Queens, King Manor Museum caters to a community of minorities and immigrants. The museum, which used to be the Jamaica farm of former U.S. Sen. Rufus King until his death in 1827, offers historic tours that serve the needs of its visitors.

The King Manor Museum is run by the King Manor Association of L.I., Inc. The mission of the association is to “involve and educate children and adults in local and national history through an innovative presentation of King Manor and its collection in the context of life in Jamaica and the United States in the early 19th century.”

Guided tours of the museum include discussions of King’s antislavery efforts, his role in writing the Constitution and the home, which was his Jamaica farm. Visitors also learn about Rufus’ son, John Alsop King, who was the second member of the King family to live on the farm and was, like his father, an anti-slavery advocate and avid farmer.

In spring 2014, King Manor Museum partnered with PS 182’s sustainability program to build, plant, maintain and eventually harvest a farm garden at King Manor in Jamaica.

According to Kathy Forrestal, direc-

Third grade students of PS 182 plant a farm garden at Kings Manor Museum as part of a sustainability program.

tor of Interpretation Education and Visitor Services at the museum, the museum studied the letters of Rufus King to decide what would be planted.

“This was a working farm; [Rufus’s] letters are detailed about what he planted,” Forrestal said.

Based on the letters, it was decided that corn, asparagus, squash, beans, cucumbers, strawberries, carrots and peas would be planted in three raised beds. Gotham Orchards also donated a honey crisp apple tree as well as an apricot because Rufus

grew both apples and apricots in the manor as pollinators for trees planted several years ago.

One class of third graders was responsible for the planting of each crop and students have returned to observe the garden’s progress and to measure how the plants are growing.

As one student said, “We did it just like in math class!”

Rufus King’s farm was more than 150 acres and the students pursued the science of agriculture by observing what helped his plants produce better harvests.

Forrestal said these students are learning about the history of the place where they live. She said the school is right across from the museum, which means it is located right on the 150-acre estate that Rufus lived on years ago.

“Students are certainly excited to learn that their busy downtown Jamaica neighborhood was once farmland and are eager for the chance to be responsible for this garden,” Forrestal said. “It really is special for anyone to know what their home looked like in the past. We all live on historic sites; in the case of these students and our other neighbors, they can say that their home once was home to an anti-slavery Senator who helped write the Constitution.”

Other than tours and the sustainability program, the museum has a family-centered program one Saturday per month known as the Handson-History Series. This Saturday, the series falls on the summer solstice; therefore, the museum is hosting a Summer Solstice Festival. The event includes making ice-cream the old fashioned way and creating sun-inspired arts and crafts as well as playing historic games in the King Manor museum backyard.

— Esther Shittu

People Local students were named to the President’s List at Farmingdale State College. They include: Jamaica: Myra Andrews, Luis Guana.

Queens Village: Kenne Frederick Santiago.

Rosedale: Asiya Golden.

South Ozone Park: Diyal Deonarain, Sharudh Majid.

Local students received degrees during spring 2014 commencement ceremonies at The University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. They include: Jamaica: Latrel Citizen, Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

Laurelton: Lindsey Jeanniton, Bachelor of Science degree in biology.

Local residents were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester at SUNY New Paltz. They include: Belle Harbor: Cathryn Brown, Megan LaCognata.

Breezy Point: Chris Newman.

Broad Channel: Alexa Jackowski, Peter Willsen.

Cambria Heights: Ashley Cummins Far Rockaway: Dakota Durant, Francy Hernandez.

Jamaica: Zoe Penina Baker, Jozina Campbell, Luanna Horry.

Laurelton: Sarah Broughton.

Rockaway Park: Michael Carnacchio, Katelyn Gill, Michael McCann, Nicole Tesoriero.

Rosedale: Xavier Avery.

Tristina Bryant of Laurelton received a Bachelor of Arts degree in visual and dramatic arts during spring 2014 commencement ceremonies at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Local students received degrees during spring 2014 commencement ceremonies from Colgate University in Hamilton. They include: Jamaica: Samuel Dabakarov, degree in philosophy; Marvin Vilma,

degrees in sociology & anthropology and French.

Laurelton: Brandon Plass, degrees in Spanish and philosophy.

South Richmond Hill: Parmjit Kaur.

Springfield Gardens: Quandanisha Thompson.

Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester at Hofstra University in Hempstead. They include: Cambria Heights: Jennifer Senat.

Hollis: Eitan Freund.

Jamaica: Rashida Carter, Omar Errar, Mahia Rahman.

Jamaica Estates: Mahalia Lerrebours.

Laurelton: Latifah Turney.

Queens Village: Hillary Alexandre, Guiberly Cadeau, Brandon Dye, Randy Kemraj, Victor Parbat, Neena Punnoose, Ashley Singh, Fariha Syed, Alaysia Williams.

Rosedale: Camille Knight, Cheyenne-Rae Stewart, Richard Theogene.

South Ozone Park: Gabrielle Cestone, Aliya Hussein, Anthony Ramdhani, Ronald Seemangal, Jonathan Serrano, Alyssa Shahzaman.

Sudan Garner of Jamaica was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester at Beloit College in Beloit, Wis. Jessica Jones of Jamaica was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester at Springfield College in Massachusetts.

Toni-Marie Powell of Rosedale and D’Asya Purvis of Jamaica were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2014 semester at SUNY Potsdam.

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Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens June 20-26, 2014

Faith

First Faith Baptist Church Hosts Concert On Friday June 27, Pastor Esther Wiggins of First Faith Baptist Church, Inc. will host a concert called the “Power of Praise & Worship” at 7 p.m.

According to Pastor Wiggins, the idea to have the concert has been pressing on her spirit for a while.

“I had a burden in my spirit that we all come together to a meeting place to worship Christ,” Wiggins said. “God always had a place where he called [his people] to come and worship, and this was a time for the churches to come and worship the lord.”

First Faith Baptist Church Inc. was founded 53 years ago. Wiggins, who has been a pastor of the church for three years, said that the church has relocated many times, and they

are in the process of looking for a new location. The church is looking to make a big impact in their community with this concert.

Wiggins said that the church also tries to reach out to the youth in the community. The church has an umbrella program called a College Youth program. According to Wiggins, the program assists the youth in all boroughs with high school subjects, SAT prep and takes students on college tours in and out of the State. The program takes the students to Georgia during Easter for a college tour as well. She says the program is headed by former Deputy Borough President Leroy Comrie, Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans), the Democratic Club of Queens and a few others.

Other than reaching out to the youth in the community, the church reaches out to the adults as well.

Wiggins says that some mothers in the church prepare meals for the community after service. The church is working on a pantry for the community as well.

Wiggins has invited elected officials such as Miller and Comrie to be prayed for at the concert.

“It is time to pray for the nation.

We’ve been through setbacks for the economy. It is time for the church to rise to begin to pray for our city, families and home,” she said.

The concert, Wiggins says, is a calling for all people to come and worship God. It will feature familiar gospel headliners.

“[The concert is] a calling for people to come and to worship,” Wiggins said. “[We are expecting] praise and worship leaders from televangelist Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollars, McDonald press winners and guest from TBN.” The general admission ticket for the concert is $25. VIP tickets, which include dinner, cost $50. The concert begins at 8 p.m., but doors open at 7 p.m. It will be held at Merrick Park Baptist Church, located at 12002 Marsden St., Jamaica. For more information or to purchase a ticket, call Pastor Esther Wiggins at (757) 319-7385 or Rev. R. Simone Lord of Peoples First Baptist Church at (917) 720-2485.

— Esther Shittu

Notebook

Cambridge School of Weston

Jamaica Resident Accepted To Carnegie Mellon University Kasem Kydd, a resident of Jamaica and a recent graduate of The Cambridge School of Weston, has been accepted to Carnegie Mellon University for the fall of 2014.

Kydd, a student at CSW for the past four years, attributes his success to the school.

“I feel very lucky to have had the opportunities that CSW provided,” Kydd said. “Although I feel prepared for university, I am thankful for the support from my advisor and teachers. They pushed me a lot and it was a turning point for me because their confidence in my skills allowed me to put my soul and passion in my work.”

Kydd was a well-rounded student at CSW, as he played for both the basketball and Ultimate Frisbee teams. He later became the captain of the Ultimate Frisbee team. As captain, Kydd taught the freshmen and led them because he recognized that he once was new to the game when he arrived at CSW. He based his college essay about this leadership position and the cultural experience he received from being a part of the team.

Other than being involved in sports, Kydd performed with the Rock/Pop Ensemble, took up creative writing, experimented with songwriting and learned a few instruments.

Kasem Kydd is taking his leadership skills to Carnegie Mellon University. He also achieved national recognition for his artwork at CSW. “CSW has a great music department that offers support to all interested in private lessons, Rock/Pop Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Music Theory classes. I played the piano, drums, saxophone, guitar and I also did vocals for a band I was a part of junior and senior year,” Kydd said.

Kydd also took several independent studies courses focusing on Outsider Art, Suite of Drawings, Video Interviews and Photo Journalism.

As a sophomore, Kydd became in-

terested in visual art due to a teacher who Kydd says supported and encouraged him. At the beginning of this year, Kydd received an impressive National Gold Medal for his entire portfolio of art, submitted to the 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, sponsored by the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and by a close advisor of Kydd, Todd Bartel. The work consists of four drawn and four Assemblage self-portraits. He also submitted his Indepen-

dent Study Photo Journalism pieces, which is the poster-sized counterpart to his video about “What it means to be a good man/What it means to be a good Black man.”

“It is a profoundly powerful, mature body of work for a high school aged artist to develop,” Bartel said.

Kydd plans on using the financial award towards art materials and his other needs as a Carnegie Mellon student.

As he began his search for college, Kydd looked for a large school with different options. With the guidance of the Director of College Counseling, Davin Bergquist, Kydd applied early decision to Carnegie Mellon, and regular decision to other schools.

Bergquist says that Kydd took the college counseling process seriously and worked hard.

“I watched Kasem grow and change in a myriad of positive ways,” Bergquist said.

Kydd’s hard work was rewarded with an acceptance letter from Carnegie.

“Carnegie is going to be tough, with a heavy work load,” Kydd said.

“But CSW has strongly prepared me academically, and as long as I work hard, I am confident that I’ll be able to handle it. I go with an open mind.”

— Esther Shittu

June 20-26, 2014 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

What’s Up June 20 Documentary Screening

at 7 p.m. at Greater Springfield Community Church, located at 177-06 129th Ave., Jamaica. For more information, call (718) 949-9500 or email queenschapternan@gmail.com.

The Life Light Street and Neon Arts present a documentary screening and panel discussion. The screening is at 6:30 p.m. at Community Mediation Services, located at 89-64 163rd St., Jamaica. For more information, call (718) 523-6868.

June 24 Metastatic Group Exchange information, resources and experiences with others living with metastatic cancer. For more information, call Carolina at (212) 6479700 x245. The group will meet from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Queens Cancer Center of Queens Hospital, located at 82-68 164th St., Jamaica.

June 21 Babies in the Library Babies (18-36 months) with their parents or caregivers are invited to Queens Library for finger plays, nursery songs and early literacy. The program will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Queens Library Cambria Heights Branch, located at 21813 Linden Blvd., Cambria Heights.

For more information, call (718) 528-3535 or visit www.queenslibrary. org/camb.

Make Music new York Make Music New York will be held at several locations in Southeast Queens. MMNY usually occurs twice a year, on June 21 and Dec. 21. It is a festival of more than 1,000 free concerts in public spaces throughout the five boroughs on New York City. A concert will occur at McKinley’s Children’s Garden, located at 108-56 Union Hall St., Jamaica, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with artists Amber Stowell, Benita Charles, Kochguit and Ras Moshe. Another concert will occur at Rufus King Park, located on Jamaica Avenue at 153rd Street from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with artist, Kat Webb, an Austin, Tex.-born soul singer. A third concert will take place at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. It features N’YCE, an up and coming blind rapper. The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, located at 161-04 Jamaica Ave., will also hold a concert from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. with Ms. Reign and Kuf Knotz. Finally, at Parsons Boulevard Pedestrian Plaza, located at Parsons Boulevard (between Jamaica and Archer Avenues), there will be another concert from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. with Ddoyle and Mascot’s Distance.

Braata Folk Singers The Braata Folk Singers present their “A Likkle Braata…Goes a Long Way” concert in celebration of their fifth anniversary. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica. General admission is $30 with $25 in advance.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call (917) 668- 2209 or visit www.braataproductions.org.

Summer Solstice Festival Celebrate the Summer Solstice at the King Manor Museum. Make ice cream the old-fashioned way, create sun-inspired art and crafts and play historic games. The King Manor Museum is located at Rufus King Park on 153rd Street and Jamaica Avenue.

The festival will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (718) 206-0545 ext. 13.

Massage Enjoy a 15-minute chair massage at EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Center, located at 206-20 Linden Blvd., Cambria Heights. Massage time begins at 12 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, call (866) 539-0999.

Gospel Cruise The Caribbean Explosion Ministry and the Presbyterian Men of the Presbyterian Church of St. Albans presents a Gospel Cruise down the Hudson aboard the Paddle Wheel Queen. The cruise will include music

by DJ Magic. Boarding will begin at 2 p.m. at The Paddle Wheel Queen World’s Fair Marina, located at 1 World’s Fair Marina, Flushing. The cruise will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. For ticket information, call (718) 528-2495. For more information, call (718) 712-3575 or (917) 301-8827 or email preschurch@ gmail.com.

June 22 Rites of Passage Ceremony The National Council of Negro Women, Queens County Youth Section presents their first Rites of Passage Ceremony. The ceremony will take place at Maranatha Church Rev. Dr. C. W. Mixon Center, located at

112-50 Springfield Blvd., from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. General admission is $10.

For additional information or tickets, contact Sakinah Black at (516) 2418800.

June 23 Social Media Fundraising Presentation Join the Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic for a presentation on Fundraising Using Social Media.

The program will include opening remarks from Dr. Valerie Oliver-Durrah, Dr. Marcia Kelzs and Council Member I. Daneek Miller. Naina Nakagawa, constant contact authorized local expert and founder of www.freeworkshopsnyc.com, will host a workshop on building marketing toolbox.

Refreshments will be served. The presentation will occur at York College Academic Core, located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. (between Liberty and Archer Avenues), Jamaica from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (718) 776-3700.

Jamaica Center BID Meeting All are invited to the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District’s 35th annual meeting with keynote speaker, Kyle Kimball, president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

The district will give Dalila Hall, Queens Borough Commissioner of the Dept. of Transportation a public service award. The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica. For more information, call (718) 526-2422 or visit www. jamaicacenter.org.

QCnAn Meeting Interested in having a positive impact on the community? Join the Queens chapter of the National Action Network. The meeting will begin

June 26 nHSDC Ceremony Neighborhood Housing Services Development Corp. (NHSDC), a nonprofit organization, invites all to their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. A light breakfast will be served. Come and tour an “Affordable Two-Family Home” that is completely remodeled to sell to a community resident. The ceremony will be located at 145-26 South Road, Jamaica. All are encouraged to RSVP by June 23. For more information, call (718) 517-6656. The event begins at 9:30 a.m.

June 27 Book Launch Delicia Davis will launch her young adult fiction, “Dear Diary, The Bullying Won’t Stop,” at CityRib BBQ from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant is located at 89-14 Parsons Blvd., Jamaica. For more information, call (917) 518-0720.

‘Despicable Me 2’ Showing The movie “Despicable Me 2” will be shown at Smokey Oval Park, located at 127th Street and Atlantic Avenue, Jamaica. The movie night is free and will be shown from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call (718) 206-2068 or visit council. nyc.gov/d28/html/members/home. shtml.

Praise and Worship Concert First Faith Baptist Church, Inc. presents The Power of Praise & Worship concert, hosted by Roy Gordon.

The concert features Trey McLaughlin & Sounds of Zamar, Sistaz and many more. General admission is $25, VIP admission (dinner included) is $50. The concert will take place at Merrick Park Baptist Church, located at 120-02 Marsden St., Jamaica, at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. For more information, call Pastor Esther Wiggins (757) 319-7385 or Rev. R. Simone at (917) 720-2485.

Mets Not Horsing Around

Q

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens June 20-26, 2014

Musicians OF QuEEns

Jessica Rowboat

QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari

While Mets players typically hustle around the field during a game, two players had to use their quick reflexes for a peculiar reason.

According to reports, the team’s outfielder Matt den Dekker and relief pitcher Vic Black had to run away from a horse that got loose from its carriage.

The duo was hanging out in Central Park last week on an off-day for the team when den Dekker saw the horse racing towards him.

He noticed that the horse

was coming at a fast speed and no one was driving the animal.

Reports say the horse was detached from the carriage and ran towards the park. It is unclear how that happened or what scared the horse.

The animal was caught on a taxi door, ripping it off the car. Black took a photo of the damage (pictured above) and tweeted it out to his followers. A group of horse carriage drivers were eventually able to catch the horse and stop it from causing more havoc.

Police Work Made Easy Crime is not something that should be taken lightly in our city, but we here at QConf cannot help ourselves when the perpetrators make it this easy.

Kareem Mohammed, 22, of Ozone Park robbed a clerk at gun point at the Sleep Inn Hotel on Liberty Avenue in Jamaica on May 23.

Mohammed was arrested within hours because he had been a guest at the hotel for four days before the robbery and used his credit card to pay for the room, police said.

Mohammed returned to the hotel around 4 a.m. and was buzzed in by the clerk, who recognized him. Once inside, he pulled out a pistol and said to the clerk, “give me all the big bills.”

He ran off with $635. The room cost approximately $100 per night, according to the hotel website.

Mohammed, who had several prior arrests, allegedly told investigators, “I can’t believe I did this to myself.”

Neither can we, Mohammed, neither can we.

The Bear Necessities

Earlier this week, the Queens Zoo enthusiastically sent out this picture of Bouba, a young Andean bear, enjoying the summer weather by going for a swim. We're sure that after his swim, Bouba was cleaner than a good number of elected officials in the Borough...

Contributors: Bruce Adler, Jordan Gibbons, Luis Gronda, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Michael Nussbaum, Michael Schenkler, Jackie Strawbridge.

Follow us on Twitter: @QueensTrib @SEQueensPress Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ QueensTrib facebook.com/ QueensPress Got An Item?

Email editor@ queenstribune.com

Amphibian Politics As the bill to have yogurt the State snack churns towards Cuomo's desk, a bill sponsored by Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse) proposes making the wood frog the official State amphibian. The idea leapt from a fourth grader named Lili Winkelman, who offered this eloquently adorable argument in favor of the bill: “Number 1: Fast. Number 2: Awesome. Number Three: Frogtastic.”

Nevertheless, some senators were not convinced. Sen. John Bonacic (R-Hudson Valley) took issue with “empowering a particular species [because it] dilutes property rights in the name of overregulation.”

Ultimately, the bill hopped easily through the Senate, passing 53-4, according to published reports.

Still waiting to be passed by the Senate: raising the municipal minimum wage, a woman’s right to choose, the DREAM Act…

Jessica Rowboat’s music, with her low-key acoustic work and beautifully gentle vocals, is the very definition of feather-light. That doesn’t mean she’s fragile though.

Her songs feature strong melodies and conversational lyrics that make her easy to listen and relate to.

Rowboat, whose real name is Jessica RozarioOspino, has been surrounded by music since she was a toddler.

She grew up in Jackson Heights and Woodside, with parents and a brother who are classical musicians. Still, it took a few years for her to decide to pursue a career in music.

“My first time on stage was around the age of four, which left me sufficiently terrified for a few years. Though I've always been drawn to it, I didn't necessarily fall in love with a career in music at the time,” she said. “I attended LaGuardia High School, where I began to write and compose more seriously, but it wasn't until a few years into college that music really caught up to me.”

Although Rowboat has embraced her career, she still finds the songwriting process to be grueling, at least until she falls into a groove.

“I have a terrible time sitting down to write, but once I get going, it's difficult to do anything else,” she said.

“If someone told me they could hole me up in a cave to write for the rest of my life, I wouldn't hesitate.”

Lyrically, Rowboat said she writes and sings about anything she cannot forget, with her material ranging from songs about God to

numbers about her husband.

Growing up in the immigrant community of Jackson Heights had an impact on her writing as well in that the neighborhood has heavily influenced her character and her writing. Plus, she said she just loves the area.

“I'll always have a heart for the immigrant experience,” Rowboat said. “Jackson Heights is known for having an eclectic immigrant feel and it’s fostered in me this incredible love and curiosity for different cultures. A neighborhood with Empanadas and Kulfi within walking distance? Brilliant.”

Rowboat put her songwriting to use on 2013’s “Pears,” an album that she wrote, recorded and produced herself.

The record tells her story over the course of eight songs.

“It's definitely more personal,” she said. “About falling in love, and deciding to spend your life with someone.”

Her latest release, “Camera Song,” only came out a month ago. The song is about her Canon 7D camera that was stolen about a year ago from her car on the Lower East Side. “[It] left an irrevocable hollow in my heart,” Rowboat said. “But really, I just wrote it in hopes that the thief would someday hear it and know that I understand. That there are no hard feelings.”

For the second half of 2014, Rowboat will release “Seven Painters,” an album about the experiences of artists like Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh.

She is also putting together a northeast U.S. tour for the fall.

For her latest updates, visit jessicarowboat.bandcamp. com or www.facebook.com/ jessicarowboat.

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