Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 13 Issue No. 33 Aug. 17-23, 2012

PAGE 22

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

YORK MOURNS

York College said goodbye this week to President Milton Bassin, a leader instrumental in securing a permanent campus for the Jamaica institution.

By Veronica Lewin...Page 3.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 17-23, 2012

Presstime

York Mourns Passing Of Former Prez York College said goodbye to its longest serving president this week.

The college announced Tuesday that former President Milton Bassin passed away on Aug. 13 at the age of 88. The former president had been in failing health in recent years, according to the college.

“All of us at York are very sad to lose our very important leader and he’s going to be missed,” said Dolores Swirin, vice president for Institutional Advancement.

Bassin served as the second president of York College from 1971 until his retirement in 1991.

He is the college’s longest serv-

ing president to date. During the struction of an official campus City fiscal crisis of the 1970s, the began in 1980. The first classes were held in the future of York ColAcademic Core lege was in jeopardy.

Under Bassin’s leadbuilding in 1986.

“The York Colership, the new senior lege campus here in college was able to survive and grow.

Jamaica, Queens would not have Bassin was a been built without strong advocate for a Milton Bassin’s leadcampus to be built in ership,” Swirin said.

Jamaica. When he Bassin was born first assumed the presidency at York, in Williamsburg, the college was Brooklyn, to Russian immigrants in housed in classrooms Milton Bassin 1923. He was a on the campus of Queensborough Community staunch advocate of a tuitionCollege. York stayed at QCC for free City University of New York three years before moving to a on behalf of the students who, former department store and like himself, came from humble other buildings in Jamaica. Con- beginnings. Bassin took advanPhoto courtesy of York College

BY VERONICA LEWIN

tage of CUNY’s free tuition and attended City College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1944.

He later went on to earn a master’s degree from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1954. Bassin also served in the United States Navy.

His professional career with CUNY began when he was offered a job to teach mechanical technology at New York City Community College, now called the New York City Technical College. He worked his way up in the college’s administration from instructor to dean, dean-incharge and eventually president of the college.

Under Bassin’s leadership at York College, the institution

graduated thousands of students who now serve as physicians, researchers, New York City judges such as Jeremy Weinstein and George Grasso and college professors – some of whom now teach at York College.

In 2007, York showed its appreciation for his service with an honorary doctorate degree. Last fall Bassin was also honored at York during the college’s 45th year anniversary celebration.

“He never stopped being dedicated to York and to the students who are served here, who have opportunities for a higher education that they might not have anywhere else,” Swirin said.

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

Community Leaders Sponsor Gun Buyback

BY VERONICA LEWIN

District Attorney Squad will be on hand at the church to accept the firearms. People are encouraged to bring unloaded weapons in paper or plastic bags or shoe boxes when brought to the New Jerusa-

lem Baptist Church. If transporting firearms by car, they must be in the trunk of the car.

Funding for the event is being provided by the Queens District Attorney's Office, the NYPD

and Senator Malcolm Smith's P3 Foundation, as well as other public and private sponsors.

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

New Polling Sites Cause Voter Confusion

BY MEGAN MONTALVO

Voting is not only an American tradition, it is a right. While many take pride in casting their vote, often very little focus goes behind how Americans arrive at the location wherein they may exercise this right.

As local primaries approach in September, the issue of polling site placement has become a plaguing concern for many borough residents.

For 36 years, Astoria resident Richard Zanella has been voting at his local polling site at PS 2 on 21st Avenue. In a recent notice issued by the Board of Elections, Zanella was informed that he will now be required to vote for the September primary at PS 84 on 41st Street, which is nearly a mile

away from his original polling site.

At the age of 68, Zanella worries about the time and distance it could potentially take him to arrive at the new location.

"At my age, it is not very easy to get around and going to PS 2 was always so convenient for me," said Zanella.

To address growing public concerns, Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) and State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) issued a letter to BOE President Maria R. Guastella on Aug. 9. The letter outlined the issues that the change of locations may cause, such as confusion among voters who might not check the BOE notices and the burden of traveling for the elderly and disabled.

"We must protect access for all voters," Simotas said. "Redistribu-

tion of polling sites should increase, not limit, voters' access to the polls."

Although the BOE has yet to make a comment regarding the letter, it has acknowledged that several borough-wide location changes were made for the upcoming election due to the redistricting that occurred in March.

According to spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez, some of the polling sites were also changed to make voting locations more in line with the American Disabilities Act. While Zanella says he is uncertain as to whether he will be able to find transportation to his new poll location, Simotas and Gianaris urge voters to monitor their mail for the BOE polling site notices.

Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or mmontalvo@ queenstribune.com

Aug. 17-23, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

After a violent summer citywide, local officials are taking action to get illegal firearms off the streets.

State Sen. Malcolm Smith (DHollis), Queens District Attorney Richard Brown and the NYPD are sponsoring a gun buyback program this Saturday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Firearms can be dropped off at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church, located at 122-05 Smith St. in Jamaica.

"Gun Buy-Back programs have demonstrated results from state to state and have proven to be an effective tool to cease the inflow of guns and lower the number of homicides," Smith said. "Illegal guns are responsible for thousands of deaths across the country every year. There have been an overwhelming number of shootings in Southeast Queens by illegal firearms."

Those willing to surrender illegal firearms can drop them off this Saturday with no questions asked. In exchange, a $200 bank card will be issued. The bank cards can be used as a debit card or money can be withdrawn at any ATM. There is no limit to the number of guns people can surrender, but bank cards will only be

issued for the first three firearms.

Violence with illegal guns has filled the streets of Southeast Queens this summer. One incident with an AK-47 left three people in Springfield Gardens dead last month. After the July 7 triple homicide, Councilman James Sanders Jr. (D-Laurelton) called on Brown to sponsor a gun buyback program. At the time, Brown said reducing crime was a priority in his office and he would sponsor a gun buyback when deemed appropriate.

"Getting guns off the street and reducing crime has always been, and remains, a top priority of my office," Brown said in a statement. "The ultimate goal of this law enforcement initiative is to get as many guns as possible off the streets of Queens County in order to reduce firearm violence and bring about safer neighborhoods for all residents."

Handguns, rifles and shotguns will be accepted this weekend. Functional BB guns and air pistols can be exchanged for a $20 bank card. The guns must be functional. Guns will not be accepted from active or retired law enforcement officials.

Plainclothes police officers, QDA Detective Investigators and members of the NYPD Queens

Immigrants Celebrate Deferred Action

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 17-23, 2012

On July 15, the Obama Administration announced that the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) would offer protection from deportation for young undocumented immigrants. By offering a grant of deferred action, the DHS would allow undocumented immigrants ages 16 to 30 a temporary work permit for up to two years.

In celebration, community leaders, clergy members and local elected officials joined a large group of undocumented young people to rally in front of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Queens Field Office at 2735 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City on Aug 15.

Several of the young immigrants, like Juan Fernandois of Corona, expressed gratitude to the President and announced their plans to sign up for deferred action consideration.

"I just want to set an example," said Fernandois. "We don't have

the country unlawfully to be afraid. As long as before June 15, 2007 or you're not committing a been in the US without crime, there is nothing lawful status on June 15, to worry about. Apply.

2012; been present in the Apply so you can make U.S. continuously since your dream come true June 15, 2007 and be and go to school." currently in school or Fernandois has been have graduated from in the country for 16 school or have a GED years and said that if certificate or have been granted deferred achonorably discharged tion, he plans on enrollfrom the U.S. Coastguard ing in college to become or Army. a nurse.

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer vowed to help In addition, they must Members of the nonstrengthen immigration reform at Wednesday's rally also not have been conprofit organization outside of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration victed of a felony, sigMake the Road New nificant misdemeanor, York (MRNY) orga- Services Queens Field Office. multiple misdemeanors nized the rally and were on site to assist undocumented are going to be able to walk down offenses or otherwise pose a youths like Fernandois with the the street without fear," said threat to national security or pubArchila. "Many of them are going lic safety. application process.

The grants will be determined Ana Maria Archila, co-execu- to be able to call these streets, tive director of MRNY, declared these neighborhoods and this based upon economic necessity and can be renewed. the day a historic victory for im- country home."

While MRNY and several unIn order to qualify for deferred migrant communities throughout action, applicants must have ar- documented residents heralded the nation.

"For the first time after today, rived in the U.S. when under 16 the day as a victory, the rally also young people who grew up in this years old, been under the age of brought attention to the thoucountry that are undocumented 31 as of June 15, 2012, entered sands of immigrants who would PRESS Photo by Megan Montalvo

BY MEGAN MONTALVO

not be able to meet application requirements.

"I came to this country from Colombia two years ago with my parents in search of the American dream, as so many of us have done," said 17-year-old Katherine Tabares. "Many undocumented students like me want to be the future doctors, engineers, activists and artists of the country. We derserve that opportunity."

The Corona resident said she looks forward to achieving her dream of becoming an environmental engineer and urged the community to push for stronger immigration reform.

"This is a great day for our community, but we need to remember that it is not over," said Tabares. "We need to keep on fighting and keep on going."

For those interested in applying for deferred action, contact MRNY at (347) 766-2712 or dream@maketheroadny.org.

Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or mmontalvo@ queenstribune.com

Downzoning Raises Economic Concerns

BY ROSS BARKAN

Photo by Ross Barkan

While a recent rezoning of portions of Richmond Hill and Woodhaven was hailed by elected officials and numerous community leaders, the downzoning of residential areas could depress property values and hinder future economic growth.

Long-term analyses of zoning trends may back the concerns of a vocal Richmond Hill minority that has fought against the downzoning of swaths of real estate in their community. Approved by the City Council on July 25, the rezoning was spearheaded by Community Board 9, which represents Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and Kew Gardens. While the 229block rezoning - bounded to the west by Eldert Lane, Park Lane South to the north, Liberty Avenue to the south and the Van Wyck Expressway to the east will upzone portions of Atlantic and Jamaica Avenues, both of which are commercial corridors,

Richmond Hill property owners believe a neighborhood rezoning will hurt their property values. it caps the sizes of houses throughout Richmond Hill and Woodhaven in order to ensure that larger, "out of character" homes are not constructed on the land of once smaller homes.

According to New York University's Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, downzoning properties so only one- or two-family homes can be constructed will preserve the essence or "character" of a community, but can also limit its economic capacity.

"You're limiting the ability of what the owner of the property

can build on their land, which should reduce the value of the property, especially if it means reducing the density of the property," said Josiah Madar, research fellow at the Furman Center.

"The flipside of downzoning is, everyone around you is being downzoned, so that is protecting your land from unwelcome development around you."

Madar said that it is plausible, if there is demand in a neighborhood like Richmond Hill for multifamily housing, that downzoning can cost property owners thousands of dollars.

For the majority of CB 9 members from Woodhaven and Richmond Hill, potential declining property values will not hit them directly: 17 of the 28 CB 9 members from Richmond Hill and Woodhaven do not own property or reside within the downzoned areas, according to Dept. of Finance records and phone directories.

The seemingly mundane rezoning, praised by elected offi-

cials like Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), has created a distinct clash of visions between long-time homeowners and a new Guyanese, South Asian and Indo-Caribbean immigrant class that dreams of Richmond Hill as a boomtown like downtown Flushing, where soaring hotels, ultra-modern shopping malls and sleek condominiums have made many Chinese and Korean immigrants wealthy.

Vishnu Amadeo, executive director of the Richmond Hill Economic Development Council, has been a consistent thorn in the side of CB 9, vehemently decrying the rezoning. One business owner associated with Syntech Global Energy and Development, an energy company in Richmond Hill, worried that his neighborhood would never be able to reach its potential.

"We bought property for five hundred, six hundred, seven hundred thousand," the business owner, who did not wish to identified, said. "Based on the zon-

ing, that property is worth less ‌ Look at Flushing, look at Jackson Heights, those communities can build upward. We cannot go upward."

During the past decade, the Dept. of City Planning has undertaken an unprecedented rezoning of Queens and New York City, changing the zoning codes of more than one-fifth of the City.

The Bloomberg Administration has sought to plan neighborhood development block by block in order to more closely manage growth and keep new construction within the "context" of the area it is taking place. Andrea Crawford, chair of CB 9, said that critics of the rezoning do not understand the neighborhoods.

"The people who are complaining, they don't come home to that neighborhood," Crawford said. "Not a single resident complained. Residents came up to us and said, 'finally, thank you.'"

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

Aug. 17-23, 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 Deputy Editor:

Veronica Lewin Contributing Editor:

Editorial Dreams To Reality Immigrants have been the backbone of this country since its inception. Its successes have come on the backs of people who made their way here from other parts of the world, and their cultures have left an indelible mark on all of us.

Nowhere is that mark more apparent than in Queens, which is the most diverse county in the world thanks to the immigrants that have settled here and made the borough their home.

The start of President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals program will give a new generation of immigrants the chance to leave their mark here in Queens, just as previous generations of immigrants were given the same opportunity.

Deferred Action, however, is just the first step. Immigration reform is an issue that likely will not go away soon, but it is one that needs to be addressed. Elected officials from Queens – home to more and more immigrants every year – should be on the front lines of the discussion, making every effort to make permanent immigration reform a reality.

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Letters

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen Reporters: Harley Benson Ross Barkan Megan Montalvo Intern: Asia Ewart Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend Advertising Director Gerry Laytin

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 17-23, 2012

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

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2012 Tribco, LLC

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

Model Thanks To the Editor: Compelled to share thoughts with you regarding the photos & write- up of Diana Pinto (Model of Queens, Aug. 2-8, 2012): Natural beauty … she’s got it,

which seems to start from within.

Intelligence with multiple interests ... Blessings to her. She’s already a winner!

(Opinion expressed here from an 80-year-old woman who appreciates true beauty... no need

Letters for embellishments).........

Thanks for choosing her in “Models of Queens” Gladys Carlino Forest Hills

Pants On Fire To The Editor: GOP presidential candidate Willard Mitt Romney loves to tout the message that Barack Obama promised to bring unemployment below 8 percent by the end of his first term as president.

Romney is correct to say the national rate has been above 8 percent for the past 41 months!

Hey folks! Look what I found.

Urban areas where unemployment is between 8.5 and 10.3 percent are all voting for Obama! They are: San Francisco – 8.5; Philadelphia – 8.9; Chicago – 9.3; Atlanta – 9.3; New York – 9.6; Detroit – 10.2; Los Angeles – 10.3!

Urban areas with unemployment rates between 5.7 and 7.8 percent are both Obama and Romney country! They are: Washington – 5.7; Boston – 5.8; Minneapolis – 5.8; Dallas – 7.4;

Houston – 7.5; Phoenix – 7.5; St. Louis – 7.6; Seattle – 7.8; Baltimore – 7.8! Remember folks, all politics is local!

It appears to this liberal Truman Democrat that President Obama’s promise is closer to the truth than what Mitt Romney claimed. Hey Romney, pants on fire!

Anthony G. Pilla Forest Hills

Live In Peace To The Editor I have just watched the closing ceremony of the London Olympics and music and face of the late John Lennon was singing his song,” Imagine,” as the world athletes march in together as one in peace. They laughed, smiled and took pictures of one another. Too bad our world leaders could not do the same and try to get along with one another.

For would this not be a better world? To live in love and peace, what a concept.

Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Glen Oaks Village

Death Of A College President A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE For many younger people in our community and for newcomers to the area, York College as a campus has always been there as part of the community. They have no idea that both the campus and the very existence of the entity it houses were once threatened.

Chartered in 1967, York College opened its doors to students in the fall of 1967 in leased space on Queensborough Community College. The founding president, Dr. Dumont Kenny, resigned four years later at about the time of the first commencement.

Enter Milton G. Bassin, an electrical engineer by training, who had been president of New York City Community College, now a senior college known as New York City Technical College.

Bassin must have either been the bravest of men or just someone who thrived on seemingly lost causes. As the newest CUNY senior college, York had no money, no home of its own and not a

whole lot of people who wanted it to succeed.

He took the challenge, telling the New York Times upon his appointment in 1971 that his plan was to engage the external community to enhance the success of the college just as he had done at his previous college.

He agreed with the community that York should be in Southeast Queens. He recognized that this side of Queens was underserved in higher education and formed the strongest of collaborative bonds with the community around the issue of where York should be located and indeed that it should exist.

Soon the college’s headquarters was moved to the old Montgomery Ward building on Jamaica Avenue.

But the fiscal crisis of the 1970s threatened to shutter the college’s doors forever. Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and the city’s mayors just wished York and its external supporters would simply go away.

They had no idea how determined Bassin was and how fired up his students, faculty and staff were and

how insistent the external community was. So not only is York the house that Bassin built academically and administratively, it is literally the house he built by building a coalition around the issue.

By the time he retired in 1991, after 20 years as president of York, Bassin was in a position to say, “mission accomplished.”

This week Mr. Bassin passed away at the age of 88. And we can look back at his leadership and agree.

More than 22,000 alumni (including this writer) and the 8,000 students currently enrolled can all say, “Job well done, President Bassin.”

Dr. Robert Parmet, a founding and current professor at York, spoke on the college’s behalf and recalled a humble man who cared about students and who fought tirelessly for York and who helped design a curriculum that would serve the population of our community.

He wanted to offer “practical” majors such as business, community health, journalism, ger-

ontology and other programs that would guarantee employment for his graduates in addition to the outstanding pre-law and pre-med programs for which the college is known.

Bassin identified with his students. He came from very humble beginnings as the son of Russian Jews in Brooklyn. He has said, “…money was tight.” Like many generations before and after him, Bassin took advantage of a CUNY education at City College when CUNY was still free. That is why he lobbied hard to keep it that way, but that wasn’t to be. However a CUNY education is still the best buy in higher education. I know. I have two of their degrees.

President Bassin leaves us to mourn his loss, his wife Bernice, his two adult children, grand children and other family members and our sympathy goes out to them. But he also leaves a legacy at of students and colleagues at York College who mourn his passing as well.

May he rest in peace and reap his just award.

E-ZPass.

The cash version.

The MTA Reload Card is the only card that lets you use MTA E-ZPass and refill your account with cash.

Your commute will be quicker, you’ll use less fuel, and you’ll save money with MTA E-ZPass discounts.

To order or for more information call 1-800-333-TOLL (8655), or visit ezpassny.com.

©2012 Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Aug. 17-23, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

You get all the benefits of MTA E-ZPass, but you control the amount of money in your account by reloading it with cash at hundreds of merchants in the metro area.

Police Blotter Compiled by STEVEN J. FERRARI asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers’ website a t nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly John Thomas confidential.

103rd Precinct Officer Shot

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating an individual wanted in connection with the attempted homicide of an NYPD sergeant at 167-12 Union Hall St. At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, a 24-year-old Black male shot and wounded Sgt. Craig Bier. The suspect has been identified as John Thomas, 24, 5-foot-11, 180 lbs., with long hair.

A $22,000 reward has been offered leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the attempted homicide - $2,000 from Crime Stoppers for arrest and indictment; $10,000 from the NYPD for an arrest and conviction and $10,000 from COPSHOT for an arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information is

110th Precinct Sexual Abuse The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the following individual wanted for three incidents of sex abuse.

The most recent incident occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. on Aug. 6 in the vicinity of Seabury Street. The suspect walked beside the vic-

ing the following sustim, a 13-year-old female, pect wanted for sexually and exposed his genitaassaulting a 24-year old lia. The suspect then Black female in the vifled the location. cinity of Astoria BouleTwo previous incivard and 18th Street. dents occurred in NoThe suspect has vember, each involving been identified as James pre-teen females. The suspect showed the James Peeples Peeples, 27, approximately 6-foot-6, 230 other two victims a lbs., with brown eyes piece of paper with numbers on them and then touched and brown hair with blond-highthe victims before fleeing. None lighted dreadlocks.

Anyone with information is of the three victims were injured.

The suspect is described as an asked to call Crime Stoppers at Indian male, 6-foot and approxi- (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logmately 40 years old.

Anyone with information ging onto Crime Stoppers’ website is asked to call Crime Stop- at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by pers at (800) 577-TIPS texting their tips to CRIMES (8477). The public can also (274637), then enter TIP577. submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers’ website at nypdcrimestoppers.com.

District Attorney

Attempted Murder

This suspect is wanted in connection to three sex abuse cases.

114th Precinct Sexual Assault The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in locat-

Queens DA Richard Brown announced that Miguel Mata, 19, of Jamaica was indicted on attempted murder and other charges for the shooting of the wife of a

Sudanese diplomat who was hit by a stray bullet as she stood outside her Astoria apartment building with her children in April.

Mata, who has been held in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail since his arrest, was arraigned on a seven-count indictment, charging him with one count each of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, seconddegree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Mata faces up to 25 years in prison, if convicted. He is set to return to court on Sept. 17.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY TO HELP SOLVE A CRIME.

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 17-23, 2012

News Briefs Lectures On EPIC Changes

Brinckerhoff Gets Landmark Status

The New York State Dept. of Health and State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) will co-sponsor a lecture series to educate seniors about the changes to New York's Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage prescription-drug program.

When the 2012-2013 State Budget restored $30.6 million, co-payment assistance was reinstated for almost 300,000 EPIC enrollees, returning the EPIC program to two plans. In Jan. 2012, more than a quarter of a million seniors around New York State were affected by major cuts to EPIC. Addabbo and State Dept. of Health representative Gema Diaz already hosted two lectures in August and will continue to host them through October.

For more information, call Addabbo's two district offices at Howard Beach 718-738-1111 and Middle Village 718-4971630.

After a lengthy fight to prevent development, Fresh Meadows civic leaders scored a victory Tuesday when the City Landmarks Preservation Commission granted landmark status to Brinckerhoff Cemetery.

Local preservationists stepped up efforts to preserve and protect the cemeter y on 182nd Street in 2010, when the property was purchased in 2010, although preservation efforts date back to the 1950s, when the City auctioned off the property to pay off tax debts.

The commission voted unanimously to preserve the site, which was used as a private graveyard for members of early European settlers into the borough.

According to surveys of the site, graves at the location date back to the 1730s, and the last recorded burial occurred in the late 19th Century.

"It is a crown jewel in the pantheon of Queens' rich histori-

cal treasures and I applaud the Landmarks Preservation Commission for reviewing the case and making the proper decision," Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) said.

Gennaro noted that he has been an advocate for preserving the site since he took office 10 years ago.

While elected officials have praised the decision, some have vocalized concern over the next steps in the process. The City Council now needs to approve the designation, and then find a group capable of purchasing and maintaining the property.

Business Workshop The New York Small Business Outreach Initiative will hold a workshop for small business owners at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Flushing branch of the Queens Library, 41-17 Main St., Flushing.

The workshop will include presentations by Empire State Development, Dept. of State, Worker's Compensation Board,

Dept. of Labor, State Liquor Authority and the Dept. of Taxation and Finance. Representatives from the six agencies will give information on how to start, grow or simply function efficiently as a business in New York State.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet with agency panelists for individual consultation following the presentations.

The workshop will also give information on available grants for small businesses and free programs on hiring, recruitment and training.

To register for the event, email smallbusinessRSVPQueens@exec.ny.gov or visit www.nyopenforsmallbusiness.com.

Bill Fights Religious Garb Discrimination Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) is looking to protect religious belief in the workplace with the introduction of a new bill.

Weprin announced on Aug. 12 that he introduced a bill to protect employees against discrimi-

nation based on religious dress.

Motivated out of a desire to alleviate discrimination against Sikhs specifically, the bill would amend the New York civil rights law, labor law and executive law.

After the Aug. 5 shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, renewed attention was given nationwide to the discrimination that Sikhs face in the workplace.

Practicing Sikhs wear turbans and beards.

"An individual should never have to choose between their place of employment and their religious observance," said Weprin at the Sikh Cultural Society in Richmond Hill Weprin echoed Comptroller John Liu, who has criticized the NYPD for not accommodating Sikhs in their ranks due to a strict dress code. Turbans and beards are not necessarily barred from the NYPD, but they must be of a certain size and length. Weprin is running for reelection in the redrawn 24th Assembly district, which now includes a much larger South Asian population.

Aug. 17-23, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Arbor Issues

Chopped Cherry Trees Anger Watchdog

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 17-23, 2012

George Washington and the City of New York have at least one thing in common: they chop down cherry trees.

From a slit in a chain link fence now cloaked in blue, Queens Borough Hall’s courtyard of dirt and grime is barely visible. Two dozen cherry trees have disappeared, all for the sake of a new atrium project set to be completed, by latest estimates, next year. Yet these cherry trees were not originally supposed to disappear.

Some environmental advocates are now taking aim at City Hall and Queens Borough Hall, where an “arborcide” in April was promised only to be temp o rar y. B o rough President Helen Marshall had said the apparently healthy trees — they were originally labeled as diseased, though pictures showed them to be cherry blossoms in bloom —would be transplanted to the new atrium. But Geoffrey Croft of NYC Park Advocates, a City parks watchdog group, was abruptly informed that the trees would not be transplanted.

“They said they didn’t have the money for transplanting and maintaining trees, that was it,” Croft said. “It’s the Bloomberg Administration that came up with this plan.

The Dept. of Citywide Administrative Services, they came up with this plan too. Obviously, they couldn’t care less that they were destroying healthy trees.”

Croft’s ambivalence, and even resentment, of Bloomberg Administration environmental policies is striking because the environment is one of the rare arenas where Mayor Mike Bloomberg has experienced nothing short of adulation.

Glowing profiles of his outgoing Parks Dept. Commissioner Adrian Benepe have appeared in various papers, likening his stewardship of City parkland to Robert Moses, New York’s master builder. As par t of his PlaNYC 2030 initiative,

port by David Nowak and Eric Greenfield of the U.S. Forest Service in the international journal Urban Forestry and Urban Greening revealed that U.S. cities are still losing four million trees a year. Between 2005 and 2009, New York City lost a little over 1 percent of its tree cover, a relatively small amount. It remains to be seen how much the MillionTreesNYC program will contribute to a net gain.

“While these individual campaigns are helping to increase or reduce the loss of urban tree cover, more widespread, comprehensive and integrated programs that focus on sustaining overall tree canopy may be needed to help perverse the trend of declining tree cover in cities,” Nowak and Greenfield Cherry trees in the courtyard at Borough Hall were chopped down in April and have not been replaced. wrote.

Bloomberg has sought to com- cherry trees and decided it New York Deputy Director Highway projects, like the bat climate change and make would not be financially fea- Nelson Villarrubia. ongoing construction at the Kew the nation’s largest city into an sible. The money existed to do “The City has been consis- Gardens interchange — where environmentally-sustainable it, Andrews said, but trans- tent reaching out to us and other the Van Wyck Expressway, model for metropolises world- planted trees would have had volunteer groups,” Villarrubia Jackie Robinson Parkway, Grand wide. much shorter lifespans and been said. “They’re very aware these Central Parkway and Union TurnSeveral years ago, the City more expensive to maintain. He new street trees require volunteer pike all converge in a concrete began its MillionTreesNYC pro- promised 24 new cherry trees care,” he added in reference to ribbon — pose a particular threat gram to plant one million trees would be planted to replace MillionTreesNYC. to tree cover. The chopping throughout the five boroughs. them.

Trees, beyond their aesthetic down of trees to make room for According to its website, Trees New York, a nonprofit value, play a crucial role in urban the next phase of the Kew Gar612,277 trees have been planted urban forestry organization, con- ecosystems. Large trees cast dens interchange has incensed thus far. firms Borough Hall’s perspec- shade along buildings, reducing Croft.

Croft is unmoved.

“Not to be unreasonable that tive. According to Trees New energy overload, like the need York, transplanting the cherry for constant air-conditioning in yes, some trees may require retrees would have been expen- the summer time. Trees reduce moval because of the rebuilding ‘Cherry’ Expensive In April, Marshall spokes- sive, perhaps prohibitively so. the amount of stormwater flow- of infrastructure, but the State man Dan Andrews said that the Each tree could cost more than ing into sewers as well: when it Dept. of Transportation has reatrium project “is effectively $2,000 to transplant and long- rains heavily, sewers are backed peatedly shown to be insensitive stopped,” but it is now under- term survival is not guaranteed. up and water empties into rivers to the needs of the community way. The $13 million project will Transplanted trees require extra and waterways. And perhaps by not preserving trees within the be completed in 2013, though water and their roots must be most importantly, trees serve as urban forest,” Croft wrote in a carbon sinks, combating climate follow-up email. “Yes, trees can original estimates had put the meticulously maintained.

At first glance, City-spon- change by reducing the amount be protected amid construction completion date at 2014. The Dept. of Design and Construc- sored initiatives also seem to re- of carbon dioxide in the atmo- with the right planning, methodology, arboricultural care and aption is overseeing the project. ject NYC Parks Advocates’ claim sphere. propriate oversight and enforceWhile Croft paints a picture of that bureaucracy is indifferent to No Cover ment.” anti-environmental negligence, arboreal death. In other areas of Reach Reporter Ross Barkan at governance, the City can seem Nationwide, tree cover is acAndrews argued Marshall and the City closely studied the pos- distant, but not when it comes tually declining, and New York 718) 357-7400, Ext. 127 or sibilities of transplanting the to the environment, said Trees City is not exempt. A 2012 re- rbarkan@ queenstribune.com

PRESS Photo by Ross Barkan

BY ROSS BARKAN

Borough Beat

Obama’s Car Czar Visits Whitestone

The White House's "Car Czar" arrived in Whitestone on Aug. 13 to tour the Center for Automotive Education and Training with U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) and auto dealership owners, discussing the impact of President Barack Obama's auto industry bailout and trumpeting the auto industry's health nationwide.

Jay Williams, executive director of the federal government's Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers, toured with Crowley and Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association President Mark Schienberg through the GNYADA's Queens Training Center and Lincoln Technical Institute off the Whitestone Expressway. Observing in-session classrooms, the group took time to praise the training center and cel-

ebrate the relative resurgence of the American auto industry after decades of struggling against international competition.

"People want to call it a bailout, people call it a gamble, but it was an investment not only in American manufacturing, but an investment in the American worker," Williams said. "As a direct result of that, we've seen over 250,000 jobs added in the auto industry."

Williams emphasized the 2009 bailouts of Chrysler and General Motors in Detroit had an economic ripple effect, adding jobs, beyond the plants themselves, at auto dealerships and maintenance shops. The U.S. Treasury Dept. announced on the same day of Williams' visit that the bailout would actually cost taxpayers $3.4 billion more than previously thought. The Treasury Dept. now estimates the bailout will cost the government $25.1

billion, up from $21.7 billion.

Despite skepticism, the bailouts have allowed Chrysler and GM to turn profits. The Treasury has recouped about half of what was extended in grants and loans to GM and Chrysler, related retail financing arms and suppliers. Republicans have contended that the bailout was at least partly aimed at salvaging

union jobs in Michigan and Ohio, both swing states that Obama hopes to recapture in this fall's election. New York is solidly Democratic, but Williams and Crowley sought to burnish Obama's image as the presidential election draws near.

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

PRESS Photo by Ross Barkan

BY ROSS BARKAN

Jay Williams and U.S. Rep. Crowley visit an automotive training center in Whitestone.

Art Program Receives $10K Grant

BY MEGAN MONTALVO On Aug. 2, Con Edison awarded a $10,000 check to Queens Council on the Arts in support of its High School to Art School Portfolio Development Program (HS2AS).

The presentation took place at the HS2AS Summer Exhibition Reis Studios, 43-01 22nd St., Long Island City in front of a

group of 100 high school parents, students, alumni and faculty.

HS2AS Program Coordinator Won Cha said the money will directly support the program's mission of providing a completely free arts education aimed at helping high school students in the City gain admittance to top tier art colleges and programs throughout the country.

According to Cha, in the past two years, 30 HS2AS graduating high school seniors had been admitted to some of the nation's most prestigious art colleges and programs, such as the Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons School of Design and California Institute College of Art. Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or mmontalvo@ queenstribune.com

Aug. 17-23, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

pix

Dominican Day

Southeast Queens Photos Edited By Harley Benson

Graduation Day

Photo by Ira Cohen

State Sens. Malcolm A. Smith, Adriano Espaillat and Jose Peralta recently took part in the Dominican Day Parade.

Corn Roast Photos by Walter Karling

The Flushing YMCA Youthbuild graduation class of 2012 celebrates during a ceremony at Flushing Town Hall on Aug. 10.

The Greater Jamaica Development Corp. and the Jamaica Market held their annual corn roast on Aug. 11 on 160th Street. Pictured (from left) are Christian Uteras, Franco Gonzales, Lani Wong, Pono Wong, Spencer Wong, Angela Lin, Steve Johnson, Angela Mohan and Ana Mosquera.

Photo by Juliet Kaye

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 17-23, 2012

Night Out

The 105th Precinct recently held its National Night Out Against Crime event at Cabbell Park in Cambria Heights, featuring free food, cotton candy and bouncy rides. Pictured, from left, are LaSandra Middleton, New Greater Bethel Ministries; Det. Jovoda Cooper, 105th Precinct; Dep. Insp. Joseph Courtesis, 105th Precinct commanding officer; the Rev. John Boyd and Joshua Boyd, New Greater Bethel Ministries.

Joy Elliot of Cambria Heights flashes an ear-to-ear smile with her ear of corn.

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A&E

Musical Beginnings Lead To Gospel Album

BY ASIA EWART “Just because one goes down another route doesn’t mean they can’t achieve their dreams.” This is the philosophy Isaiah Grigg has lived by since recording gos-

pel music has become a more serious aspect of his life. After a youth of learning instruments and playing in the church, Grigg went on take a very different path, job-wise. However, he always knew in his heart that mu-

Restaurant Review

Fine Dining At Its Best

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 17-23, 2012

TRATTORIA35 213-15 35 h Ave., Bayside (718) 352-3800 www.trattoria35.com CUISINE: Italian PARKING: Street, valet DELIVERY: Yes CREDIT CARD: Yes I had heard great things about Trattoria 35 – the former Gino’s Trattoria – so I was excited for the opportunity to try it out recently. Growing up in an Italian family, I have high expectations for an Italian dinner.

From the bread to the dessert, Trattoria 35 did not disappoint.

Overwhelmed by a full menu that sounded too good to choose from, my dining companion and I allowed our server to make recommendations.

What followed was an amazing dinner that satisfied every possible taste bud I had.

To start, we had the classic Freddo antipasti – an assortment of cured meats, cheeses and Mediterranean olives – and grilled marinated octopus. I had never had octopus before, so I was a little hesitant when it was brought out, but one taste alleviated any reluctance I had. The combination of the two starters went perfectly together and set the stage nicely for the rest of the meal.

A pasta dish came out next.

On the recommendation of the staff, we had a taste of the parpadelle con funghi selvatici – homemade pasta in a mushroom sauce. Served with it was a plate of osso bucco ravioli

topped with the mushroom sauce and peas. As great as the overall meal was, the pasta course was the star of the evening. Had it been any other night, the pasta would have made for a perfect entrée. But there was still more to come.

The main meat course came next, a rib-eye steak topped with grilled peppers and onions for me and seared baby lamb chops for my companion. As the waiter placed the plates in front of us, our eyes grew wide. After the two previous courses, the sight of such a huge portion of meat presented a challenge for our already-taxed stomachs. The well-prepared presentation of the plates in no way did the meal justice. The steak was cooked just right. The lamb was well-seasoned. Our eyes may have been too big for our stomachs, but I certainly appreciated having some leftovers for the next day.

I thought we were finished after the main course. How could we possibly fit more food?

No dessert, we said. But I was curious as to what was on their dessert menu. And then our waiter said the magic word: cannoli. I couldn’t pass it up.

With a cup of coffee to wash it down, the cannoli was the perfect cap to the evening.

With an attentive staff and an impressive dinner menu, Trattoria 35 made for a memorable night out. I’m already planning my next trip to try the rest of the menu.

–Steven J. Ferrari

sic was his first priority.

“I always knew that this was what I wanted to do,” Grigg said “I was and still am really focused on being a musician. But, I went to school for economics. Though I love music, I believe that you have to be financially stable.”

With that in his mind, Grigg graduated from Northeastern University with his bachelor’s degree, and chose to incorporate music into his new position: a teacher.

“My teaching style is teaching, setting a goal, and discovering how much you want it. Knowledge wise, I know just as much as one who went to school for music. I’ve had vocal training, formed and sang in choirs, went to seminars; it’s a great experience.”

Grigg’s beginnings were musical, coming from a family of musicians and singers. He began playing the drums at 4 and the piano at 6; this soon led him to playing in his church.

“My pastor, who was also my godfather, said to me that ‘Music would be [my] focal point … my life’s work.’ This really motivated me to hone my craft.”

The Jamaica Estates resident that and do what you’re meant directed his first choir in the to.” tenth grade, and put all of his Recording began in Novemtime into composing ber 2010 and alterand directing. nated between Brook“In church, people lyn and Boston. The would come to me and outcome is reminissay that my music is a cent of Grigg’s musiblessing and inspiring; cal inspirations, it’s my art form. Of among them Shirley course, I crashed and Caesar, Sam Cooke burned a few times, and Kirk Franklin, as but it’s only motivated well as Coldplay, me more.”

Michael Jackson, and Isaiah Griggs Grigg’s motivation Bono. led to him befriending “Gospel music musicians while in Boston; they should be for everyone,” said would later go on to become his Grigg “Not just one direction.” band and producer.

In support of the album, Grigg “I met my mentor [musician has travelled extensively along the Leroy Streat] while in college. It East Coast and down south; he also was with him and the friends who hopes to get to California and Jaare now my band that the idea pan. Today, Grigg is working greatly for ‘Ready to Win’ came about.” with his organization, the “Ready to Win” is Grigg’s de- MusicBreathes Foundation, which but album, released in May 2012. musically educates those who wish “[It is] based on the jour- to learn. Writing for his next record ney to be able to put every- will begin in November and he thing in my life out there for hopes to release it in the spring of the world to hear. If you expe- 2013. “Ready to Win” is available rience failure after failure, you at tatemusicgroup.com and on need to be able to overcome iTunes.

Middle Village Native Helms Horror Flick

BY MEGAN MONTALVO Fans of classic horror movies like “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th” now have a new movie they can add to their list of favorites.

On Aug. 7, “Mr. Hush” dropped nationwide with the release of the film on DVD and Blu-ray.

Filmed in rural Pennsylvania, “Mr. Hush” offers all the gore and violence as the fan favorites when lead character Holland Price collides with a terrifying figure one Halloween night.

As the movie progresses, the plot develops to reveal that Price has become a marked man and follows his suffering in an epic struggle between good and evil as he and his family are taunted by the hellish Mr. Hush and his henchman.

While we will withhold any spoiler alerts about the ending,

it is safe to say that the film is sure to tickle the senses of any true horror flick fan.

Middle Village native David Lee Madison wrote and directed the film, and stated that his inspiration for the script came from his own family.

“The movie is what I would imagine how I would react if my family was in a similar situation,” said Madison.

Much like Madison, Holland Price is also a doting father and husband, whose ultimate idea of torture is losing everything he loves.

Price is played by Brad Loree, former stuntman of blockbusters “House of the Dead” and “Final Destination 2.”

Loree leads viewers on a thrilling ride of suspense and fright in his performance of Price. As anticipation mounts, so do heart

rates. Though not meant for the faint of heart, the movie does deliver on its promises of gory torture and epic nightmare scenes.

For Madison, the nationwide release has not only given a chance to share his vision with the world, but also fulfills a childhood dream.

“When I was a kid, I always dreamt of becoming a filmmaker,” Madison said. “To know my film will be in every Redbox across the country is just amazing.”

Although the film is not rated, Madison says he would classify it as a “soft R” for language and violence.

“Mr. Hush” is now available for rental and purchase from Amazon, Redbox, Netflix and Walmart.

Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or mmontalvo@ queenstribune.com

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Faith

St. George’s Gets Grant For Repairs

BY ASIA EWART Two years after the Sept.

16, 2010, tornado that caused damage in Queens and Brooklyn and left many homes and businesses destroyed, one New York City landmark is being granted the funds to help re-

Word

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

-Matthew 16:18

build what has been lost.

St. George's Church, located in Flushing, is one of the four recent recipients of the Robert W. Wilson Sacred Sites Challenge Grant. Given on behalf of The New York Landmark Conservancy, the grant has awarded St. George's Church $25,000, which will provide the institution with a portion of the money they need to repair the wooden steeple on top of the church's stone tower.

"You don't have to be religious to understand that religious institutions contain some of our finest art and architecture," said Peg Breen, President of The New York Landmarks Conservancy."

St. George's Church was completed in 1854 by Henry C. Dudley and Frank Willis. Located on Main Street, the structure is composed of brokenrange ashlar-faced granite with

a brownstone trim, and has served as the congregation's third building since 1746. A chancel wing was added in 1894 by architect J.King James, greatly complementing the stain glass windows and overall interior design. St. George's Church not only serves as a place of worship, but a hub for musical events, art exhibits, after school activities, and English classes.

What stood so tall as a center of diverse activity was affected by the 2010 twister, when the steeple, the spire, large parts of the masonry and smaller details around the church were greatly damaged. The congregation used the grant money to, first "stabiliz[e] and temporarily repair" the steeple. Following that, they worked with preservation architect and Flushing local Kai Woo to restore the spire, with was covered by insurance.

Not covered parts of the project include the masonry and the excess details of the church, among those the brownstone trim and window tracery. The Landmarks Preservation Commission has also called for four past finials in the stone tower to be restored. This is one of two parts of the church restoration that is drawing inspiration from the past, as Woo is constructing the spire off site and drawing inspiration from historical photographs of St. George's.

St. George’s Church will receive a grant to repair damage caused by the 2010 twister.

Notebook Ronald mcdonald Scholar

Richmond Hill Student Gets Scholarship Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 17-23, 2012

BY VERONICA LEWIN One recent grad from Richmond Hill is the lucky recipient of a Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarship.

Mariam Bhatti, 18, was awarded a $17,000 scholarship to pursue higher education. She was one of five students in the tri-state area to be selected.

Bhatti recently graduated from the Baccalaureate School for Global Education in Astoria with a 3.9 GPA. She will begin her first semester at Syracuse University later this month.

"Mariam is an extremely intelligent young woman whose motivation and hard work have certainly set her apart as a model student," said Diane Koury, president of Ronald McDonald House Charities New York TriState Area. "Mariam is sure to be

successful in all of her future endeavors, and Syracuse University will be lucky to have her."

Bhatti grew up in New Jersey before living in Pakistan for two years. When she returned to the United States at the age of 12, she began attending the Baccalaureate School for Global Education. Bhatti said living in Pakistan gave her the opportunity to learn more about her culture and gain a different perspective. She said moving around a lot as a child also helped her social skills.

"I kind of adjusted to meeting new people all the time, which is good, because I used to be shy when I was younger," she said.

Bhatti will study biology at Syracuse University. She said she made this decision after she became interested in the human

Mariam Bhatti body and genetics. After graduating, Bhatti plans to attend med school.

"I'm not sure exactly what I want to do, but I know I definitely want to be in that field," she said.

Award recipients were selected based on academic achievement, community involvement and financial need.

To be eligible, applicants had to be graduating high school seniors with plans to attend a college or university with an intended course of study.

RMHC began its scholarship program in 1985 by committing $50,000 towards the Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources program.

The organization's New York Tri-State Area branch has given more than $85,000 this year to local students. To date, the national and global chapters have awarded more than $44 million in college scholarships.

The charity has four scholarships available to students of various ethnic backgrounds: the Asian-Pacific Students Increas-

ing Achievement Scholarship, African-American Future Achievers Scholarship, the Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources and the RMHC Scholars Scholarship, which is available to students of all backgrounds.

The charity strives to better the lives of children and families in the communities they serve by creating programs to improve health, education, social services and exposure to the arts. Since 1992, the local chapter of the Ronald McDonald House Charities has donated more than $10 million to local non-profit organizations. For more information about the scholarship program, visit www.rmhcnytristate.org.

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

Profile

South Jamaica Native Helps Women In Need

BY VERONICA LEWIN One Queens woman who has dedicated her life to helping women in trouble is now looking for a permanent place to do her work.

Last November, Sabrina Lewis founded Safe Anointed Buildings Raining In New Atmosphere, an acronym for her first name. The organization is known as Sabrina's House for short and works to help women in need. The Flushing resident said Sabrina's House was a project that took nine years to come to fruition.

Sabrina's House is hosting their second fundraiser next month in the hopes to raise enough money to purchase a building in time for the organization's anniversary. On Sept. 22, a fashion show will be

about supporting themheld at PS 48, located at 108-29 155th St., from 3 selves.

In addition to founding to 7 p.m. Lewis said the Sabrina's House, Lewis is 32 models that will be featured in the fashion show also the author of "Only The Strong Survive," a book deare domestic violence surtailing the abuse of her past. vivors, women in shelters and rehab, as well as youth When she was 9 years old, she was first abused by from the community. Tickher mother's godfather; the ets for the fashion show abuse continued with her are $20 for adults and $10 mother's boyfriend. She for children. said her mother allowed the Because Sabrina's House does not have a abuse to take place, leaving permanent place to call Lewis with a great deal of anger. home, Lewis helps "I had to really forgive women in trouble gain access to services they Sabrina Lewis (c.) with her children and grand- and get into who I was, and once I did that it was a difneed, including shelter. In children. addition to domestic vioferent world for me," Lewis lence victims, Sabrina's House young women in abusive rela- said.

This school year, Lewis is helps homeless women, tionships. She said many women being released from women who have been victims implementing the Circle for Real prison who do not have a per- of domestic violence want to Sisters mentoring program. The manent address, as well as leave, but they are worried program will work with children

from area schools and match them with nursing homes and other organizations that deal with seniors. The goal of the program is to give seniors a young person to mentor as well as giving young people someone a positive role model before it is too late.

"Sometimes these kids are lost, they're really lost, and if we don't get ahold of them, the future is very sad," she said.

Lewis stressed that she does not run Sabrina's House alone and has help from various people and groups in the community, including the Sean Elijah Bell Community Center.

"There are other people that are involved and have a big part in it as well," she said.

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

People tional Guard recently announced the promotion of members in recognition of their capabilities for additional responsibility and leadership.

Sequena Clarke of Jamaica, serving with the 133rd Quartermaster Support Company, was promoted to private first class.

Rushain Parker of Cambria Heights, serving with the 14th Finance Detachment, is promoted to specialist.

Nicholas Vassell of Jamaica, serving with Company B, 1-69th Infantry, is promoted to private.

Jimel Fraser of Jamaica, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-258th Field Artillery, is promoted to staff sergeant.

Gullit Etienne of Jamaica, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2108th Infantry, is promoted to specialist.

Khemelek McGann of Laurelton, serving with the Signal Network Support, 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted to private.

The New York Lottery announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning scratch-off ticket and received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

William Lee of Jamaica won $100,000 on the Douple Triple Cashword scratch-off game.

Lee’s winning ticket was purchased in far Rockaway.

Alice Hyppolite of Rosedale won $15,000 on the $3,000,000 Bonanza scratch-off game.

Hyppolite’s winning ticket was purchased in New Rochelle.

The New York Lottery announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s love drawings and won a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Mirlande Bouzy of Cambria Heights won $25,000 on the Win 4 drawing on July 29. Bouzy’s winning ticket was purchased at La Cayes Grocery Store, 221-17 Linden Blvd., Cambria Heights.

Radcliffe Simpson o f Rosedale won $20,928 on the

Take Five drawing Aug. 3.

Simpson’s winning ticket was purchased in Saratoga Springs.

Tonika Forrester of Queens Village was named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for the spring 2012 semester at Binghamton University.

Forrester is a member of the women’s track and field team.

Local students received degrees during spring 2012 commencement ceremonies at SUNY Delhi. They include: Hollis: Errol Samuels, associate’s degree in accounting.

Jamaica: William Hart, BT degree in construction technology.

Adrienne-Amber Alexander of Springfield Gardens has enrolled at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., for the fall 2012 semester.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Roberto Munoz graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman

completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Munoz is the son of Michelle Munoz of Woodhaven and a 2008 graduate of Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Bayside.

Anna Weintraub of Woodside received a degree during spring 2012 commencement ceremonies at DePaul University.

Lauren Leonardson of Glendale was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2012 semester at SUNY Delhi.

Tell The PRESS Send notices of graduation, awards, anniversaries, engagements and honors to: PRESS of Southeast Queens,150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357 All announcements will be considered for publication without fee.

Aug. 17-23, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

New York Air National Guard has announced the completion of training for members of the New York Air National Guard.

Airman 1st Class Jose Clavijo of East Elmhurst completed training for the Communication/ Navigation/ MissionSystems course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

Airman 1st Class Bryan Fuss of Ridgewood completed training for the Security Forces Apprentice course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Airman 1st Class Curtis Grimes of Jamaica completed training for the Security Forces Apprentice course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Senior Airman George Liandrakis of Astoria completed training for the Airman Leadership course at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.

Airman 1st Class Ricardo Narainsingh of Jamaica completed training for the UH-60 Helicopter Repairer Course at Fort Eustis, Va. The New York Army Na-

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.

FLEA MARKETS OUTDOOR FLEA Sundays, August 26, September 23 Outdoor Flea Market 10-5 at the Free Synagogue of Flushing, 4160 Kissena Blvd., Flushing.

OUTDOOR FLEA Saturdays and Sundays through November 25 94:30 at St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Parsons Blvd. and Union Turnpike, Jamaica.

FLEA MARKET Thursdays-Sundays MFM flea market at 221-01 Merrick Blvd., Springfield Gardens.

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 17-23, 2012

HEALTH ZUMBA Mondays, August 20, 27 Briarwood library. Register.

ZUMBA Mondays, August 20, 27 at the LIC library. Registe4r.

CPR TRAINING Monday, August 20 CPR Training at the Rochdale Village library. Register.

ZUMBA Wednesdays, August 22, 29 at the Richmond Hill library.

Register.

BLOOD DRIVE Wednesday, August 22 2-8 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to schedule an appointment.

OA Wednesdays Overeaters Anonymous at the Howard Beach library at 11.

MEDITATION CLUB Thursday, August 23 Meditation Club for Adults at 5:15 at the Bellerose library.

INTRO CHAIR YOGA Thursdays, August 23, 30 Lefrak City library. Register.

ZUMBA Thursdays, August 23, 30 South Jamaica librar y. Register.

ZUMBA Friday, August 24 Howard Beach library. Register.

ENTERTAINMENT 1962 Saturday, August 18 photos and lecture at the Greater Astoria Historical Societ y, 35-20 Broadway, 4 th floor. $5. 278-0700.

ASTRONOMY Saturday, August 18 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000.

HANSEL & GRETEL Saturday, August 18 opera at the Flushing library at 2.

MILLION $$$ Saturday, August 18 Million Dollar Quartet features music of Elvis, Cash, Lewis and Perkins at 2:30 at the Forest Hills library.

LATIN BEATS Saturday, August 18 at the Ridgewood library at 2:30.

NEW PLAYS Sunday, August 19 “Size Matters.” Sunday, August 26 “The Confession.” “The

MEETINGS PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, August 18, September 1, 15, 22 learn how to communicate effective 10-12 at the Elmhurst Hospital Conference Room A-115. 646-748-8290.

ART CLUB Mondays, August 20, 27 at the Seaside library at 1:15.

CHESS CLUB Mondays, August 20, 27 at the Bayside library at 6.

KNIT & CROCHET Monday, August 20 at the Douglaston library at 4.

PHOTO CLUB Tu e s d ay s , Au g u s t 2 1 , 2 8 Southeast Queens Camera Club meets at Roy Wilkins Park, 177-01 Baisley Park, Jamaica. Bring camera and manual. 7:30. 516-3283776.

AMERICAN LEGION Tu e s d ay , Au g u s t 2 1 Po st 131 meets at 8 at 10-20 Clintonville Street, Whitestone. 767-4323.

BEREAVEMENT Tuesdays, August 21, September 18 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family in Fresh Meadows. 7:30.

969-2448.

FH VAC Wednesdays, August 22, September 26 Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corp.

793-2055.

WRITING GROUP Wednesdays, August 22, 29 Seaside Writing Group at the library at 3.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Thursday, August 23 public speaking and leadership workshop at the Briarwood library at 6:15.

Ladder Series: A Staged Reading Series Aimed at Getting New Plays to the Next Rung” at the Creek and Cave, 10-93 Jackson Avenue, LIC. $7. www.ThePlat formGroup.org LIVE JAZZ & R&B Sundays, August 19, 26 live jazz and r&b 6-10 at Déjà vu, 180-25 Linden Blvd., St. Albans.

KARAOKE NIGHT Monday, August 20 at the Seaside library at 6.

CHESS CLUB Tuesday, August 21 at the Woodhaven library at 2.

JEOPARDY TRIVIA CLUB Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Seaside library at 3:30.

OUTDOOR CINEMA Wednesday, August 22 at the Socrates Sculpture Park in LIC at 7. 956-1819.

OPEN MIC Thursday, August 23 at the East Elmhurst library at 6.

MOVIES UNDER STARS Thursday, August 23 “Happy Feet 2.”

Cunningham Park at 8.

THOSE WERE THE DAYS Thursday, August 23 songs

by Crosby, Sinatra, Day and more at the Auburndale library at 6:30.

DIONNE WARWICK Thursday, August 23 music of Dionne Warwick at the Far Rockaway library at 6:30.

PASSPORT FRIDAYS Friday, August 24 Puerto Rico. Dance and music program begins at 6:30, films at 8. Queens museum of Art. 592-9700.

SUMMER IN GARDEN Fridays, August 24, 31 explore the galleries of the Noguchi Museum in LIC 5:30-8:00. 204-7088.

CHESS CLUB Friday, August 24 at the Auburndale library at 3:30.

EID S a t u r d a y , A u g u s t 2 5 Afghanistan: A Celebration of Eid at noon at the Langston Hughes library.

CHINESE OPERA Saturday, August 25 Best of Chinese Opera at the Flushing library at 2.

RAMADAN Saturday, August 25 Ramadan celebration with Tu r k i s h m u s i c a n d fo o d Broadway library at 2:30.

EID Saturday, August 25 E i d Ananda Mela: Eid Celebration with dance, music and hand painting at the Central library at 3.

FAMILY DAY Saturday, August 25 11 th Annual Detective Keith Williams Liberty Park family Day 12-4.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, August 18, 25 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital.

646-748-8290.

POWERPOINT Saturday, August 18 at the Central library. Register.

INTER. MICROSOFT Saturday, August 18 at the Central library. Register.

SOUND EDITING Saturdays, August 18, 25, September 8 at the Jackson Heights librar y. 592-9700, ext. 135.

PHOTOGRAPHY Saturdays, August 18, 25 at the Langston Hughes library at 11.

KNIT & CROCHET Saturdays, August 18, 25 at the Peninsula library at 10.

SEWING CLASSES Saturdays 12-3 at Maria Rose International Doll Museum in St. Albans. 2763454.

SCRABBLE CLUB Saturdays at 10 at Count Basie Jr. HS. 886-5236.

BASIC CANOEING Sunday, August 19 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park Lake 11-2. 760-3141.

INTRO COMPUTERS Monday, August 20 at the Flushing library. Register.

METRIX Mondays, August 20, 27 at 1 at the Central library. Free online training through Metrix Learning.

BALLROOM DANCING Mondays, August 20, 27 at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

INTRO EMAIL Monday, August 20 at the Central library. Register.

ARTIST WORKSHOP Monday, August 20 at 2 at the Forest Hills library.

JEWELRY MAKING Monday, August 20 at the Baisley Park library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Monday, August 20 at the Ozone Park library. Register.

BRIDGE Mondays except holidays 12-4 at Pride of Judea in Douglaston. Lesson & play $10. Partners arranged. 4236200.

DRAWING CLASS Mondays National Art League in Douglaston. 3610628.

ADULT CHESS Mondays and Thursdays Queens Village library at 5:30.

BASIC COMPUTERS Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Rosedale library at 10:30.

LEARN CHESS

Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Rosedale library at 4.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Seaside library at 4.

MASTER EXCEL Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the LIC library at 10.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at t h e Po p p e n h u s e n l i b r a r y.

Register.

INTRO COMPUTERS Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at t h e O z o n e Pa r k l i b r a r y.

Register.

INTRO DIGITAL PHOTO. Tu e s d a y s , A u g u s t 2 1 , 2 8 introduction to digital photography classes at the Southeast Queens Camera Club, Roy Wilkins Park, 17701 Baisley Blvd., Jamaica at 7:30. 516-328-3776.

SMALL BUSINESS Tu e s d a y s , A u g u s t 2 1 , 2 8 small business workshop at 7 at the Central library.

INTRO WORD Tuesday, August 21 at the McGoldrick librar y. Register.

WEARABLE ART Tuesday, August 21 at the Maspeth library. Register.

LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays Windsor Park library at 2.

GET YOUR YARNS OUT! Tu e s d a y s a f t e r ev e n i n g Minyan at 8, knitters, crocheters, needlepointers, and others meet at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 2637000, ext. 200.

DOWNLOAD E-BOOKS Wednesday, August 22 at the Flushing library. Register.

JUST WRITE Wednesday, August 22 writing cover letters, personal statements, business letters and more at the LIC library at 1:30.

COWRIE SHELL Wednesday, August 22 jewelry making workshop at the McGoldrick librar y. Register.

BEGIN POWERPOINT Wednesday, August 22 at the Central librar y. Register.

JOB SEARCH Wednesday, August 22 at the Far Rockaway library at 10:30.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesdays, August 22, 29 at the South Ozone Park library at 1.

RESUMES & COVER LTS Wednesdays, August 22, 29 at the Central library at 10.

TABLE TENNIS CLUB Wednesdays, August 22, 29 at the Seaside library at 4.

WATERCOLOR Wednesdays all techniques and subjects at the National Art League.969-1128.

BUSINESS CARDS Thursday, August 23 at the Central library. Register.

WIRE SCULPTING Thursday, August 23 at the Poppenhusen library. Register.

BEADING 101 Thursday, August 23 at the St. Albans library. Register.

INTRO WORD Thursday, August 23 at the Central library. Register.

EVENING CRAFTS Thursdays, August 23, 30 at the Fresh Meadows library at 6.

MOCK INTERVIEWS Thursdays, August 23, 30 at the Central librar y. Register.

COMPUTERS Thursdays, August 23, 30 at t h e O z o n e Pa r k l i b r a r y.

Register.

LEARN CHINESE Thursdays, August 23, 30 at the North Forest Park library at 5:30.

BASIC COMPUTERS Thursdays August 23, 30 at the Rosedale library at 6:15.

E-BOOKS AND MUSIC Thursday, August 23 download at the LIC library at 6:30.

QUILTING CLASS Thursdays 11-3 Maria Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans.

276-3454 East Elmhurst library at 12.

WEARABLE ART Friday, August 24 at the Jackson Heights library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Fridays, August 24, 31 at the Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

METRIX LEARNING Fridays, August 24, 31 at the Central library at 1.

Learn about free online training through Metrix Learning, including certifications in Office, Quickbooks, Adobe.

KNIT & CROCHET Fridays, August 24, 31 Peninsula library at 12:30.

METRIX LEARNING Saturday, August 25 at 4 at the LIC library. Free online training through Metrix Learning.

INTRO INTERNET Saturday, August 25 at the Central library. Register.

INTRO EMAIL Saturday, August 25 at the Central library. Register.

BOATING SAFETY Sunday, August 26 at Fort Totten with Flotilla 12-01 of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. 917- 952-7014.

Queens Today YOUTH JEOPARDY TRIVIA Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Seaside library at 3:30.

READ AND SEED Tuesday, August 21 at the Central library at 4.

LEARN CHESS Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Rosedale library at 4.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Seaside library at 4.

STORY TIME Wednesday, August 22 at the Seaside library at 10:30.

CARTOONING CLUB Wednesday, August 22 at the Corona library at 11.

GAME DAY Wednesdays, August 22, 29 Howard Beach library at 4.

TABLE TENNIS CLUB Wednesdays, August 22, 29 at the Seaside library at 4.

WII GAMES Wednesday, August 22 at the Ridgewood library at 2.

READER BOYS Wednesdays, August 22, 29 at the St. Albans library at 2.

REPTILE EDVENTURE Wednesday, August 22 at the Rosedale library at 2.

BOOK CLUB K-2 Wednesday, August 22 at the Woodhaven library at 2.

BULLETIN BOARD Wednesday, August 22 at the Auburndale library at 3.

SUPERHERO ROLES Wednesday, August 22 at the Bayside library at 3.

MATHLETES Wednesdays, August 22, 29 at the Corona library at 3.

DRAGON STORY Wednesday-Friday, August 22-24 Korean Culture Camp at Flushing Town Hall.

463-7700, ext. 241.

FAMILY STORY TIME Wednesday, August 22 at the Bay Terrace library. Toddlers 18 months to 4 years at 10:30.

FAMILY FUN Wednesday, August 22 at 10:30 at the Broadway library.

READ TO ME Wednesday, August 22 at the Rosedale library at 10:30.

CRAFTERNOONS Wednesday, August 22 at the Ridgewood library. Register.

ARTS & CRAFTS Wednesday, August 22 at the Seaside library at 4.

TODDLER CRAFT Wednesdays in the summer at the Briarwood library at 10:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Thursday, August 23 at the Ridgewood library at 1.

TWILIGHT TALES Thursday, August 23 at the Douglaston library at 6:30.

THEATRICKS Thursday, August 23 at the Hillcrest library at 2.

MAKE A BIRD CRAFT Thursday, August 23 at the Flushing library at 3:30.

TALENT SHOW Thursday, August 23 at the Seaside library at 6.

GAME DAY Thursday, August 23 at the Bay Terrace library at 1:30.

PRIMARY COLORS Thursday, August 23 at the Seaside library at 2.

GAME TIME Thursdays, August 23, 30 at the Bayside library at 3.

ART & LITERATURE Thursdays, August 23, 30 at the Corona library at 3:30.

SHSAT MATH PREP Thursdays, August 23, 30 at t h e M c G o l d r i c k l i b r a r y.

Register.

S TORY T I M E Friday, August 24 at the Hollis library at 10:30.

BUBBLE TROUB LE Friday, August 24 at the Central library. Register.

MOVIE DAY Friday, August 24 at the Corona library at 3.

MAD LIBS CLUB Fridays, August 24, 31 at the Corona library at 1.

RANDOM FUN Friday, August 24 at the Corona library at 2.

FAMILY FUN TIME Friday, August 24 at the Jackson Heights library at 2.

MANGO MATH Friday, August 24 at the R i d gewo o d l i b ra ry. Re g i s ter.

OUTDOOR LITERACY Friday, August 24 at the R i d gewo o d l i b ra ry. Re g i s ter.

GAMING FRIDAYS Friday, August 24 at the Rosedale library at 3.

WII FRIDAYS Fridays, August 24, 31 at the Woodside library at 3.

BOOK BUDDIES Friday, August 24 at the Bayside library at 4.

CHESS FOR KIDS Fridays, August 24, 31 at t h e W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

BOOK CLUB Friday, August 24 at the Corona library at 5.

GAME DAY Fridays, August 24, 31 at the Queens Village library at 3:30. Grades 1-6.

READ TO ME Fridays in the summer at 3 at the Briarwood library.

KIDS ACTIVITIES Fridays at 3:30 at the Briarwood library.

GAME DAY Fridays at 3:30 at the Queens Village library.

TENNIS PROGRAM Tu e s d a y s a n d T h u r s d a y s through August at Pomonok Park. 347-4178156.

YOUTH SPEAK OUT Saturday, August 18 11-3 at York College’s Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica. Topics include gang violence, politics, arts, religion and business. Learn about jobs and internships.

SAVING PENNIES Saturday, August 18 at the South Jamaica library at 4.

HATRED Monday, August 20 Breaking the Cycle of Hatred at 2 at the Flushing library.

HARRY POTTER BOOK Monday, August 20 at the Woodhaven library at 2.

SCIENCE LAB Monday, August 20 at the South Jamaica library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Mondays, August 20, 27 at 6 at the Bayside library.

YU-GI-OH! Mondays, August 20, 27 at the Seaside library at 2.

KARAOKE NIGHT

Monday, August 20 at the Seaside library at 6.

ART CLUB Mondays, August 20, 27 at the Seaside library at 1:15.

BOARD GAMES Mondays, August 20, 27 at the Astoria library at 2.

MOVIEMAKING Monday, August 20 at the Woodhaven library at 4:30.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays Douglaston/Little Neck library at 4.

TEEN TUESDAYS Tuesday, August 21 at the Bay Terrace library at 3.

JEOPARDY TRIVIA Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Seaside library at 3:30.

TEEN GAMING Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

ORIGAMI Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Seaside library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Tuesday, August 21 at the Woodhaven library at 2.

KINDLE BOOK CLUB Tuesdays, August 21, 28 read “The Hunger Games” at 3 at the Ridgewood library.

CRAFT TIME Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Ozone Park library at 4.

LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays Windsor Park library at 4.

SEWING BOX Wednesdays, August 22, 29 at the Pomonok library at 3.

CARTOONING CLUB Wednesday, August 22 at the Corona library at 11.

LAPTOP TIME Wednesdays, August 22, 29 Ozone Park library at 4.

TABLE TENNIS CLUB Wednesdays, August 22, 29 at the Seaside library at 4.

SUMMER BLOGS Thursdays, August 23, 30 at the Ridgewood library at 3.

TEEN GAMING Thursday, August 23 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

OPEN MIC Thursday, August 23 at the Flushing library at 6:30.

PLAN EVENT Thursday, August 23 Learn how to plan a part y or special event at 4 at the South Jamaica library.

Aug. 17-23, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

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

TENNIS PROGRAM Tu e s d a y s a n d T h u r s d a y s through August at Pomonok Park. 347-4178156.

FUN IN THE SAND Saturdays, August 18, 25 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000.

MOVIEMAKERS CLUB Monday, August 20 at the Woodhaven library at 4:30.

HARRY POTTER BOOKS Monday, August 20 at the Woodhaven library at 2.

Ages 8-15.

MOVIE MONDAYS Monday, August 20 at the Ridgewood library at 1.

DINOUSAR STORY TIME Monday, August 20 at the Seaside library at 1:30.

READ WITH ME Mondays, August 20, 27 Broadway library at 2. K-4.

PRESCHOOL STORY Monday, August 20 Corona library at 2. Ages 2-5.

BOOST MATH CRAFT Monday, August 20 Hollis library at 2. Ages 7-11.

BEDTIME STORIES Monday, August 20 at the Ridgewood library at 6.

READER BOYS Mondays, August 20, 27 at the St. Albans library at 2.

BOOK CIRCLE Monday, August 20 at the Ridgewood library at 3.

BOARD GAMES Mondays, August 20, 27 at the Ozone Park library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Mondays, August 20, 27 at the Bayside library at 6.

SCIENCE TEAM Monday, August 20 at the Corona library at 6.

SHSAT MAT PREP Monday, August 20 McGoldrick librar y. Register.

PJ STORY TIME Monday, August 20 at the Central library at 7.

READ TO ME Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Broadway library at 2.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesday, August 21 at the Ridgewood library at 1.

EXPLORING PLANTS Tuesdays, August 21, 28 at the Astoria library at 1:30.

READING CLUB Tuesday, August 21 at the Astoria library at 2.

FASHION DESIGN CLUB Tuesday, August 21 at the Corona library at 2.

LEARN THE DRUMS Tuesday, August 21 at the LIC library. Register.

TEENS

What’s Up be hosting Youth Speak Out. AUG. 18 Walkers For Wellness Club Topics will include gang violence, 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.

Line Dancing Do you like to do dances like the Electric and Cha Cha Slides?

The Eastern Queens Alliance invites you to join other dancers as you learn some fun Line Dances to all kinds of music, or just come to exercise with instructor Barbara Fraser. No prior experience necessary. For additional information or directions, call ( 3 4 7 ) 8 2 4 - 2 3 0 1 o r e m a il info@easternqueensalliance.org.

This free event will be held at Idlewild Cricket Field in Idlewild Park Preserve, 223rd Street and 148th Avenue, from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Thomas White Jr. Ceremony

Youth Speak Out Council Member Leroy Comrie, the Worldwide Association of Small Churches, and the New York City Council Faith Based HIV/AIDS Initiative, will

Marcus Garvey Celebration Craftsmen Days It's time for Craftsman Days at the King Manor Museum. Meet craftspeople as they demonstrate crafts from the 1800s. Enjoy a tour of the house and see historic crafts from our collection. Listen to folk music on fiddle and hammered dulcimer. Come experience tinsmithing, woodturning, and broom making demonstrations. House tours are $2 for adults, $1 for students and seniors. Visit www.kingmanor.org or call (718) 206-0545 for additional information.

This event will be held at King Manor Museum,153 Street at Jamaica Avenue, from noon to 4 p.m.

Summer Super Fun Day Future Grads is hosting its annual Summer Super Fun Day. Come on out for a day of food, games, and prizes. Backpacks and school supplies will be distributed. Children must sign up and attend the event to receive a free backpack and school supplies.

Children can be registered by calling (347) 915-4372. For additional information, including start time, call (516) 495-6722.

This free event will be held at Cambria/Cabbell Park, Francis Lewis Boulevard at 120th Avenue.

AUG. 19 Collectible Car Show Come on out for cars, more prizes, more titles and a lot of fun. The show will feature domestic, European, Japanese, classic, vintage and custom cars and trucks. Eight classes with 17 awards will be presented including "Best in Show". If registering a vehicle for the show you must complete a vehicle registration form which you may obtain by emailing events@sqpa.org. Vehicle display is $15 with registration; $20 day of show. Admission is $5.

For more information on vehicle

World Afrikan Diaspora Union (WADU) New York invites one and all to a celebration of the birth of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey. The celebration will include a special report on the Diaspora conference in South Africa by Dr. Leonard Kweku Jeffires. The celebration will also feature WADU speakers on economics, politics, and cultural affairs of African people in Africa and the United States.

This free event will be held at Afrikan Poetry Theatre, 17603 Jamaica Ave., from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

AUG. 20 Stay Well Learn how special exercises and relaxation techniques can 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.

NAACP Meeting The Jamaica Branch of the NAACP will be holding a meeting. Learn about their efforts in the community.

This free event will be held at the NAACP Jamaica Chapter, 189-26 Linden Blvd., at 7 p.m.

AUG. 21 Walkers For Wellness Club See Aug. 18 listing. At 7 p.m.

AUG. 22 Summer Movie Series Pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and gather up your family for an outdoor showing of "Winnie The Pooh" at Pomonok Park. Sponsored by the NYC Parks Summer Movie Series.

This free event will be held at Pomonok Playground, Kissena Boulevard and 65th Avenue, from 8 to 10 p.m.

20 minutes depending on the size AUG. 23 Walkers For Wellness Club of the group.

See Aug. 18 listing. At 7 p.m.

Summer Afternoon Concert Come on out on Thursday afternoons in August from 1 to 2 p.m. for the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District's Summer Concert Series. Performing this week will be the jazz band AndJam. This free event will be held at Queens County Supreme Court Plaza, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., from 1 to 2 p.m.

AUG. 24 Outreach and Assistance Are you a young woman between 17-24 years of age and need assistance in applying for housing, completing college applications, financial aid or just need assistance and don't know where to turn? The Daughters of Isis Foundation is available for support. For additional information, visit thedaughtersofisisfoundation.org, or contact Simone Williams at (347) 731-1721 or isis.staff@gmail.com.

This free event will be held at Young Queens Loft, 148-14 Liberty Ave., 2nd Floor, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

ONGOING Mobile CPR Program FDNY EMS instructors will come out to your site to conduct the CPR training using your facilities. The Be 911 Compressions Only CPR Program is brought to you free of charge by FDNY and NYC Service. The goal of the program is to train as many people as possible in basic CPR skills. In addition, participants will be briefly educated on the automated external defibrillator (AED) used to try and revive a person suffering from cardiac arrest. Though this program does not certify any participants, the FDNY and NYC Service believe increasing the knowledge of how to save a life is far more beneficial.

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

Appointments can be made Monday through Friday during the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Classes may be approximately

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

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

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

Please call for next group date.

Infant Mortality Clergy United for Community Empowerment's Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative program provides the following services free of charge: case management services, parent skills building, crib care, breast feeding education, health education, nutritional information/ education, referral for HIV testing, confidential one-on-one counseling, workshops, and women support groups. IMRI provides referrals for Food stamps, GED, GYN, Emergency Baby Formula (qualifications required) and more. Call (718) 297-0720. Located at 8931 161 St., 10th floor, Jamaica.

Services are available Tue.Thurs. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HIV Awareness Clergy United for Community Empowerment provides intervention and curriculumbased prevention education sessions on HIV/AIDS, to reduce risk behaviors that lead to HIV transmission. Services are located at 89-31 161st St., Jamaica. Call (718) 297-0720 ask about our presentation to adolescents and men/women of color. Services are available Tue.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aug. 17-23, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 21

Council Member Ruben Wills, State Senator Shirley Huntley, Assemblywoman Vivian E. Cook, Bryan D. White and Family, and Community Board 12 cordially invite you to join them for the conaming of Sutphin Boulevard as "Thomas White Jr. Blvd." Don't miss this street co-naming ceremony and reception in honor of the late Council Member Thomas White Jr. This free event will be held at Thomas and Marie White Health Center - 116-30 Sutphin Blvd. at 10 a.m.

politics, the arts, religion and business. There will also be opportunities for participants to learn about jobs and internship opportunities.

This free event will be held at York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

registration and vendor participation, call (718) 276-4630, ext.

105. All proceeds from the SQPA Collectible Car Show will support the maintenance of Roy Wilkins Park and youth programs.

This event will be held at Roy Wilkins Park, Merrick Boulevard at Baisley Boulevard, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Models Of Queens

Newfound Passion Modeling for Shortstack is the latest achievement Cassandra can add to her growing repertoire. The high school junior and newbie to the modeling world began her run with the agency in October 2011, and has been on a roll with their recent fashion show and various shoots ever since.

“I have a friend in Shortstack [model Nicole Gim]; she inspired me to try out. One of her pictures on Facebook was a head shot, and I really liked it, so I looked them up. I tried out and I got in,” she said.

Cassandra describes becoming a model as something almost farfetched.

“I read about models and fashion all the time in magazines, but I never thought that I’d be in that position. Being with Shortstack has really inspired me to get into fashion. I love trying my hand at new things.”

Fashion has joined the list of interests for the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School student – a school which specializes in the arts.

Cassandra attends with a specialty in wood printing. When she isn’t with her Shortstack crew, she creates wood designs for stamps and does realistic drawing.

“Shortstack is my favorite part of living in Queens; all of my friends are together.

But I also grew up here, so it’s really familiar. I also love going to Whitestone and hanging out with my non modeling friends.”

To any person looking to get into the modeling business, she stresses “Completely ignore what magazines say about weight loss and ideal beauty. Always try to make it. You will one day.”

Cassandra Del Percio-Evans Home: Flushing Age: 16 Height: 5’4" Weight: 107lbs.

Stats: 30-24.5-37

Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens Aug. 17-23, 2012

Fast Fingers Call him Crazy Fingers Augustine! Kent Augustine, 16, a native of Jamaica, Queens took home second place in the sixth annual LG U.S. National Texting Championship in Times Square on Wednesday, Aug. 8. No stranger to the competition or massive amounts of text time, the speed texter came in second to Austin Wierschke, 17, of Wisconsin, who was also last year’s victor.

“I practiced about up to an hour a day, minus the regular Speed texter Kent Augustine texting that I do with my friends…it can go up to all day. It’s a lot of speed and accuracy…to get to where we are,” said Augustine.

Though not sour about losing, Augustine is more than likely to be competing next year. He’s constantly getting quizzed by friends, and honestly: who wouldn’t want to win $50,000? Hopefully, he’ll take a break behind the wheel of that Mustang convertible he’s putting his winnings toward.

Sign Of The Times

Literacy is Fun Opening a new business is never an easy task. With permits, logos and promotional signage to plan, who has time to worry about spelling? Clearly not the owners of a new café on in

Whitestone. Displayed for all the world to see, the store proudly proclaims they are “Comming Soon.” We hope whoever they plan to “hirre” knows how to use spell check.

A Different Kind Of No-No When police officer Eduardo allowed inside to see the Mets at Cornejo was caught illegally upgrading his seat at Citi Field during a Mets-Reds game in May, he was unofficially banned from the stadium for a year. Now, a judge has made it official.

The Brooklyn cop who lives in Staten Island was told by a Queens judge last week that he was not

home for one year after he pleaded guilty to taking the vacant seat.

Cornejo was also fined and must perform community service.

The timing couldn’t be worse – with Cornejo’s early-August oneyear ban, he won’t be able attend the All-Star Game in Queens on July 16, 2013.

Shine On Streetlamp dice, so far. The poor woman must

In Briarwood, a street lamp will not stop glowing.

Sara Loewenberger said she first noticed that the four lamps on 84th Road were on constantly more than three weeks ago and called DOT to try to fix the problem. No

suffer in a world of too much light.

This little light of mine, Sara’s not going to let it shine.

Confidentially, New York . . .

Annie: The wandering Corona dog

A ‘Ruff’ Trip

Send your cartoons to MSchenkler@Gmail.com

When Jessica Ortiz of Corona lost her dog 14 months ago, she thought she would never see her again. Everything changed when she received a call last week. Annie, a Maltese/Westie mix, was found 544 miles south on a highway in Liberty, N.C. The pooch was linked back to Ortiz thanks to a microchip, and Annie will soon be on her way back to the Big Apple.

Annie told reporters that she was just taking a sabbatical.

BEST IN QUEENS 2012

PR WIN IZ ES

The Press will publish a special edition showcasing the places, people and things readers love about Queens.

The editors will comb the borough to find that great slice of pizza, that phenomenal rib shack, that beautiful vista or building that is part of what makes living in Queens so special.

But we need your help.

Send in the form below, name your “personal bests” and we’ll print your entry. Need more room? Send as many pages as you'd like or e-mail bestofqueens@queenstribune.com.

YOUR NAME: YOUR ADDRESS: YOUR EMAIL:

Mail To: THE BEST OF QUEENS 2012 C/O The Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone, NY 11357 http://queenstribune.com/bestofq2012.html

ETHNIC FOOD Asian: French: Indian: Italian: Latin: Other Ethnic:

RETAIL Book Store: Clothing Store: Florist: Hardware Store: Jewelry Store: Liquor Store: Mall/Shopping Center: Pharmacy: Supermarket: Toy Store: HEALTH & BEAUTY Hair Salon: Doctor: Massage Therapist: Day Spa/Nail Salon: Personal Trainer: Veterinarian:

Local Musician: Movie Theater: Theater Group: Park: SERVICES Auto Repair: Cleaning Company: Contractor: Electrician: Handyman: Landscaper: Painter: Plumber: Roofer: YOUR PERSONAL BESTS:

ENTERTAINMENT Bar/Nightspot: Local Band: Please attach any additional comments, photos or information about your entries to this coupon.

For Advertising Information On "The Best Of Queens 2012" Edition Call The PRESS At (718) 357-7400

Aug. 17-23, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23

FOOD & DINING Bagels: Bakery: Bar: Breakfast: Burgers: Butcher: Coffee Shop: Deli: Desserts: Diner: Ice Cream: Pizza: Seafood: Steak:

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