Volume 14 Issue No. 39 Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013
ECONOMIC FIGHT PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen
As the threat of a government shutdown looms, White House aide Don Graves discusses the effects it would have on the country. By Joe Marvilli … Page 13 Graves joins a panel of business leaders to discuss the current economic climate in the City. By Natalia Kozikowska … Page 8
Online at www.QueensPress.com
Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013
News Briefs D27 Race Final, Miller Wins
On primary night, Daneek Miller, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1056, claimed victory in the hotly contested race to replace the term-limited Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans). But attorney Clyde Vanel, who trailed Miller by 396 votes, had not yet conceded. But the Board of Election numbers are up, and Miller has successfully triumphed over his five opponents. With all votes counted, Miller took 3,982 votes, Vanel took 3,521 votes and Joan Flowers trailed Vanel with 3,521 votes. Manuel Caughman came in at fourth with 2,898 votes, Gregory Mays came in with 1,845 votes and Sondra Peeden took 644 votes. Miller will run unopposed on Nov. 5, as no Republican is listed on the ballot. More than 16,000 District 27 residents cast their votes in the Sept. 10 Primary.
South Jamaica Teen Sentenced To 20 Years For Murder
On Sept. 25, South Jamaica teen Stephon Huffman was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the stabbing death of a 17-year-old while trying to steal his iPhone. According to the criminal charges, on Oct. 28, 2011, at about 11 a.m., at the intersection of 142nd Street and 120th Avenue, the defendant, along with a group of males, approached the victim, Patrick Dixon, 17, after following him off of a bus. They placed him in a chokehold while demanding his iPhone and trying to remove it from his pocket. As the victim was struggling, a second teen allegedly grabbed him along with the defendant. When Dixon managed to free himself from the grasp of the defendant and his alleged cohort, a third teen approached the victim and allegedly slashed his neck with a razor blade. As Dixon fled from his attackers, with blood spurting from his neck, the defendant and two others allegedly followed him. Dixon fell to the ground while one of his alleged attackers continued to demand that he turn over his phone. The defendant admitted that as he was running after Dixon, the victim’s blood sprayed on to the defendant’s face, mouth, jacket, sweatshirt and pants. According to the medical examiner, Patrick Dixon died from a stab wound to the neck. Charges are still pending against the three defendants charged in the attack, in-
cluding Jose Heredia, who allegedly cut Dixon on the neck with a razor blade and is charged with seconddegree murder. “This was an incredibly violent attack in which a teenage boy’s throat was slashed with a razor blade as he fought for his life after being chased and restrained by the defendant and several alleged accomplices. A young life was senselessly cut short over a cell phone and the young men allegedly responsible for the death face serious consequences,” Brown said in the statement. “Today’s sentence is necessary to punish the defendant for his active participation in this attack.”
Couple Charged With Sales Tax Theft
Last week, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, along with New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas Mattox, announced that an Old Westbury couple has been charged with a $250,000 State sales tax theft in connection with the operation of Better Body Auto Collision – an auto body repair shop located in Jamaica, Queens. According to the charges, Robert Minott, 56, and his wife, Susan Thompson-Minott, 46, the owners and operators of Better Body Auto Collision on Merrick Boulevard, allegedly stole $250,000 in sales tax that they collected from customers but did not forward to the State Dept. of Taxation and Finance. It is alleged that in conducting an audit of the corporation from December 2007 through February 2011, the State Tax Dept. concluded that the defendants had collected $3,661,875 for vehicle repairs from four insurance companies: GEICO, Ameriprise, Met Life Auto and Home and State Farm. The couple was arrested on charges of second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal tax fraud, third-degree grand larceny, third-degree criminal tax fraud, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, first-degree falsifying business records and first- and second-degree scheme to defraud. “New York State depends on the collection of taxes to operate its government and the honesty of business owners to pay their fair share. The defendants in this case are accused of lining their pockets with monies that allegedly were owed to the State,” Brown said in a statement. “Such behavior, if proven at trial, is not acceptable and must be punished.” If convicted, the couple faces 15 years in prison.
Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3
Presstime
Queens democrats Endorse Bill de Blasio The Democratic Party needs to be united in order to win November’s election. That was Bill de Blasio’s message as he accepted the endorsement of the Queens Democratic Party at Queens Borough Hall on Monday. Queens Dems endorsed de Blasio for Mayor following his primary victory earlier this month. They originally endorsed Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) for the September primary. Flanked by almost every Queens Democrat and District Leader in the Borough, the current Public Advocate said there are six registered Democrats to every one Republican in New York City and uniting the party for this race is paramount. “The unity we’re displaying today, which we displayed previously at gath-
erings in other Boroughs, is something that I hope people understand is going to make a huge impact,” de Blasio said. He added that Queens is the most diverse Borough and while that is to be celebrated, it u.s. rep. Joseph Crowley stands with Public advocate also requires atten- Bill de Blasio on the steps of Queens Borough Hall, as tion from City Hall. members of the Queens democratic Party watch on in “That also means support of their candidate. that Queens has very particular needs that City Hall didate for Mayor earlier this week, has to be sensitive to and has to ad- where he called him a “Democratic dress,” he said. “One of the things is Socialist” for de Blasio’s past activist the Mayor has to spend some time work in Nicaragua and Cuba, he said here on the ground with the people he was not surprised to see Lhota call him a name, describing it as a to understand those needs.” Responding to a comment made “Republican tactic,” and he is proud by Joe Lhota, the Republican can- to be a Democrat and a progressive.
Photo by Ira Cohen
By LuIs Gronda
The endorsement from the Queens Democrats came on the same day that de Blasio received the backing of President Barack Obama. The Queens Democratic Party also endorsed Councilwoman Letitia James (D-Brooklyn) to replace de Blasio as Public Advocate. James and State Sen. Daniel Squadron (DBrooklyn/Manhattan) face a run-off vote for the position on Oct. 1 after the required 40 percent to win the seat outright was not reached during the Primary. “I have the experience, I have the history of accomplishments and we will move the City in a new direction representing everyone at the table of the City of New York,” James said during her brief remarks accepting the endorsement. Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.
By naTaLIa KoZIKoWsKa On Sept. 10, the Jamaica Business Improvement District welcomed Brooklyn resident and native New Yorker Felicia Tunnah as its new executive director. Tunnah has nearly a decade of experience under her belt. She has served in several capacities at various BIDs across the City. She began her career as an intern at the Times Square Alliance while she was in graduate school. Upon graduating from the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania with a degree in Urban Planning, Tunnah went on to work for the Alliance for Downtown New York – the largest Business Improvement District in the country, for more than six years. When she left the Alliance for Downtown New York in 2012, Tunnah moved on to work at the Union Square Partnership, which she said was a significantly smaller BID, but shared a lot of the same qualities and potential as Jamaica. “I feel like I’ve done it all at different levels and I’m excited to come to
James Speaks: Photo by Ira Cohen
Councilwoman and Public advocate candidate Letitia James addresses a clergy breakfast at the robert ross Family Life Center in st. albans on sept. 24. standing behind her (from left) are Councilmen ruben Wills, Leroy Comrie and donovan richards.
Jamaica. I’m learning so much about it every day,” she said. “I just feel like we’re really on the cusp of making a comeback; it can become a place where not only the people of Queens know about, but a place where the whole world will want to come and visit.” Not even a month into her new position, Tunnah has a lot of faith that Downtown Jamaica will only continue to grow. “I would like to see Jamaica be a place where people can be all hours of the day and night,” she said. “You can work here, you can shop here, there is nightlife here, restaurants. I really want it to be more of a 24/7 community.” While she does see the economic climate in Jamaica continuously improving, Tunnah admits that there is still a need for more establishments. “I think definitely more sit-down restaurants and I think that with an increase in the cultural activities in nightlife, it’s going to be a perfect match,” she said. “It’s really an exciting time to be in Jamaica because there are lots of things happening and the momentum is already here. It’s really just taking it that one extra step.” Tunnah hopes that her experience working with City agencies will be instrumental in helping the neighborhood prosper. “I’ve been doing this almost 10 years and I’m committed to the mod-
Photo courtesy of Felicia Tunnah
Jamaica BId Welcomes new Executive director
Felicia Tunnah el. The model works. The Business Improvement District really serves as a very significant intermediary between City government and businesses,” she said. “City government is too big and that’s really why the Business Improvement Districts are here – to really help supplement those services and to better connect businesses and property owners with the services that are offered. I’m definitely in this for the long haul.” “I’m really excited to be here,” she added. “I hope to be doing more types of cultural and arts entertainment-related events in the future.” Tunnah replaced former executive director, Laurel Brown, who left the Jamaica BID to work at the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.
Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013
autistic Children Ease Flight Fear at JFK
Autistic children who may be afraid of flying got a chance to quell their fear at John F. Kennedy Airport last week. JetBlue and Autism Speaks, an advocacy organization that funds research about the disorder, co-hosted more than 300 people as they simulated preparing to board an airplane on Saturday. For families with autistic children, traveling on an airplane can be a difficult experience due to nervousness or being unable to stay still for long periods of time. Michael and Allison Giangregorio have dealt with this many times in the past. Their 12-year-old son, Nicholas, was diagnosed with autism about 10 years ago and while they do fly to Disney World in Orlando, Florida once a year, they have never gone on a longer flight than traveling to Florida. “We’ve never pushed it beyond that two and half-ish hours and we probably won’t because I don’t know what would happen there,” said Giangregorio, who lives on Long Island but grew up in Middle Village. “Sometimes we sit on the plane and if we’re delayed, it’s a problem because he’s not used to that.”
Photo by Luis Gronda
By Luis Gronda
one family who took part in the mock flight hand their boarding passes before going on the plane.
In light of that, Giangregorio said Saturday’s flight simulation presented a great opportunity for them to learn and practice getting on an airplane to ease any fears Nicholas may have of flying when they get on a flight for real in the future. “Families with autism, we like to go on vacation, we like to travel, we want to be able to do things like that,” he said. “And the more practice that our children get, experiencing things like this, the easier it is for us to participate in things.”
InfoFair ad 2012_Wills Queens Tribune 2 9/24/13 10:49 AM Page 1
The families participating in the mock plane boarding were given boarding passes and waited in the airport lobby just like a real flight. Once it came time to get on the plane, the flight attendant called everyone according to their row number and everyone trickled onto the plane. After they put their luggage in the overhead compartment, flight attendees strapped on their seat belts and they turned off their cell phones preparing to take off. The plane never left the ground
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though. Instead, it took a tour around JFK Airport, showing the different views of airport including the JetBlue Airplane carrier, where they repair their aircrafts before taking off for its next flight. After the plane docked at the gate, everyone applauded the pilot after a successful 30-minute flight and left to continue on with their day. Giangregorio said the practice flight went well for his son and the family. He said they pushed the envelope for the plane ride. They did not replace his electronics with books or something to keep him entertained during the flight, just to see how he reacted. They normally would not do this, he said. “I think he was a little upset because we didn’t get out and we weren’t in Disney, but he did okay. He did really well,” Giangregorio said. Lisa Goring, the Vice President of Family Services at Autism Speaks, said families with autistic children who are looking to fly should always inform the airline in advance of the flight that they have a child with special needs so they can be accommodated when it comes time to get on an airplane. Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.
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Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5
Mattone: smart Development helps Through rough Times quisitions and development projects, while managing the long-term finanAs the commercial real estate mar- cial affairs of the company. ket is constantly changing in Queens, Mattone said two factors have so is the Mattone Group’s ability to helped them keep abreast since the adapt to the diverse market condi- collapse of the economy in 2008. tions by expanding their portfolio, “We have faired better than most, ranging from commercial, to residen- only because we have relatively low tial and industrial development. debt levels,” he said. An attorney and Chief Financial The second factor that has kept Officer of the Mattone Group, Mi- the company afloat is their tendency chael Mattone, served to develop in “neighas a panelist at the borhoods where there PRESS Economic is not an oversupply Power Forum Monday of similar products.” morning. He said the One of the real esCollege Point-based tate company’s recent development and conprojects in Queens is struction company Jamaica Center, a survived the downturn 216,000-square-foot of the economy. They mixed-use center that -Michael Mattone is a 100 percent lease see themselves in a position to capitalize on with tenants including tremendous growth a 15-screen National areas, like Brooklyn, Amusements MultiQueens and Nassau County. plex Cinema, Old Navy, Walgreens Since Mattone joined the Mat- and Bally Total Fitness. Another retone Group in 1993, in his capacity cent development was the construcas CFO, he has handled more than tion of the Pathmark Supermarket, $600,000,000 in acquisition, devel- at the intersection of Springfield and opment and refinance transactions. Merrick Boulevards, which was once As CFO, Mattone is responsible for an under utilized warehouse. financial planning for real estate acThrough both developments, Mat-
“Our projects are only as healthy as our tenants are.”
Photo by ira Cohen
BY Trisha sakhuja
Michael Mattone, Chief Financial Officer of the Mattone Group
tone said they have been able to impact the economy by generating 400 jobs at each site. “We look at it this way - we are making money, but we have also proudly created 1,000 jobs in the area,” Mattone said. “We do it by providing retailers that people appreciate.” Since Mattone serves on the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District Board, he understands how
small and big businesses are interdependent on one another. “Our projects are only as healthy as our tenants are,” Mattone said. “The same concerns that tenants have about enough foot traffic, crime, how a shopping district is perceived and the area’s night time activity, all in turn impact how the landlords do.” Mattone said one of the ways downtown Jamaica can see a growth in its economy is by extending the hours of retail businesses to later hours in the evening. He said that is a change that will gradually happen over time. When it comes to starting a business or growing a business, Mattone said “whatever you think it costs, double it.” He said in order to stay safe when hard times face the economy, employers must do all their homework and have more capital than you think you may need. In terms of the future, Mattone said the outer-boroughs are “tremendous growth areas for retail and residential markets because they have become suitable alternatives to Manhattan.” Reach Reporter Trisha Sakhuja at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, tsakhuja@ queenstribune.com, or @Tsakhuja13.
Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013
OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email news@queenspress.com The PRESS of Southeast Queens Editor-in-Chief:
Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:
Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:
Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor
Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen
Reporters: Natalia Kozikowska Joe Marvilli Luis Gronda Trisha Sakhuja
Art Dept:
Rhonda Leefoon Lianne Procanyn Barbara Townsend Alan Goldsher Director of Marketing Maureen Coppola Advertising Administrator Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin Wazeer Ali
A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2013 Tribco, LLC
Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria McPherson Comptroller
Editorial Is It Really Necessary? This coming Tuesday, a very small percentage of voters will turn out to vote in a run-off election for the Democratic candidate for Public Advocate between Councilwoman Letitia James and State Sen. Daniel Squadron. While we are sure that either candidate will do a fine job in the position, we question whether the position – which is seen as largely ceremonial – is even necessary. With an open seat caused by Bill de Blasio’s campaign for Mayor, City Republicans did not even attempt to field a candidate, effectively ensuring that whoever wins Tuesday’s run-off will be sworn into the position. One of the duties of the Public Advocate is to serve as an ombudsman, providing oversight and investigating complaints from City residents. No matter how diligent in the role the Public Advocate is, however, it would be impossible to address the problems facing residents of five very diverse Boroughs that face even more diverse issues. Would it not be best for an advocate for Queens to come from Queens and be elected by Queens residents? The office of the Borough President, whose power has been greatly reduced over the years, would be in a greater position to advocate for the issues affecting its constituents than one individual attempting to address problems City-wide. We imagine that the money allocated to the Public Advocate’s office would come in handy for the Borough Presidents as well. When the City charter was amended 20 years ago, and the office of the Public Advocate created from the ashes of the castaside President of the City Council, many believed the position would be abolished completely. Perhaps it’s time the City acted on that notion.
Letters Help Find A Cure
To The Editor: Did you know that nearly 5.2 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease in 2013? Did you know that Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States? According to the Alzheimer’s Association, this year alone Alzheimer’s cost this country $203 billion dollars and that number is expected to rise to $1.2 trillion by 2050. These statistics should be alarming. The saddest fact about Alzheimer’s disease is that there is no cure. I had never dealt with this disease until my grandmother, Esther Goldberg, was diagnosed with a form of Alzheimer’s disease. My grandmother was an amazing person. Seeing her suffer from this disease broke my heart. My grandmother’s illness was even worse on my mother and my uncle. My grandmother lost her battle with Alzheimer’s three years ago. After she died, I decided
to become an Alzheimer’s advocate. I wanted to inform my community and City about this horrible disease and the impact it has on our society. I also wanted to bring my generations’ attention to this disease. If we don’t do something to stand up to this disease, the numbers are going to get worse. There is something you can do: the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2013 Walk To End Alzheimer’s is this Sunday, Sept. 29, at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Three years ago I started a team, “Esther’s Dreamers… Dreaming For A Cure,” in my grandmother’s honor. All the money raised helps the Alzheimer’s Association keep searching for a cure and provides funding for direct care programs in New York City. If you have some time this weekend, please join me Sunday morning at Flushing Meadows Corona Park and walk to end Alzheimer’s. Matthew Silverstein, Democratic State Committeeman, 26th AD
Letters Weighty Decisions
To The Editor: For too long there has been an unwritten law that, in connection with legislation pending before the New York City Council, the councilmember whose district encompasses the area on which there may be an impact has the say on whether the legislation should be enacted or rejected. Not only does this not comport with legitimate democratic processes, it ignores the fact a single councilmember does not speak for all the residents of a particular district, and also ignores the fact there may be an impact upon an entire borough as well as the City. A case in point is the legislation now before the Council in which Sterling Equities and Related Companies seek to amend the Willets Point plan approved by the City Council in 2008, to construct in Willets Point a parking lot, which is a cover up to allow the Mets ball club to remove its Citi Field parking lot to Willets Point and on the vacated lots, to construct a 1.4 million square foot shopping mall. To allow this deception is to sanction the taking of a huge section of Flushing Meadows Corona Park on which the current parking lot is located and to sanction a significant land use change without ULURP. While I am uncertain as to where Queens 21st District Councilmember Julissa Ferreras stands on the issue, from what I have heard her say, I believe she supports the mall. If she does, I respectfully urge all councilmembers to make an independent judgment and not accord Ms. Ferreras any greater weight. Not only should they give great weight to the attempt
to bypass a mall ULURP and land use change requirements, they should consider the effect a huge shopping mall will have on the hundreds of small merchants and existing malls throughout Queens and the City and the enormous traffic congestion it will cause on the Grand Central Parkway, the Van Wyck Expressway, Northern Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue. If great weight is to be given to a particular area, the Council should take note that Ms. Ferreras’ district contains Community Board 3, which after conducting a ULURP on the amendment to allow a parking lot at Willets Point, rejected the application with a vote of 30 against, with one in favor and one abstention. That rejection made clear the Board was not going to allow a phony amendment to the 2008 plan as a cover up for a 1.4 million square foot shopping mall. It is Community Board 3 that speaks for the community and not Councilmember Ferreras. I believe all of the above is a good reason why allowing a single councilmember to decide if a bill should or should not be enacted, has no place in our City Council. Benjamin M. Haber, Flushing
No Doubts About 112th Precinct
To The Editor: End of August, I’m on vacation and my house gets robbed. I never expect to see any of this again. A month later, the 112th Precinct calls. Thank you, they not only got the crook, but they recovered my lost possessions. Note to myself: Never doubt the 112th Precinct cops! Thanks again. Rich Romski, Ozone Park
SOUND OFF Send your thoughts, ideas, opinions, outrage, praise, observations about our community WRITE ON: The PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357 e-mail:news@queenspress.com fax: (718) 357-9417
Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7
We can stop Medicare/Medicaid Fraud and Abuse! Never give your Medicare/Medicaid numbers to strangers, or show them your card!
Why should YOU care about Medicare and Medicaid fraud? Medicare and Medicaid lose billions of dollars to fraud every year. Healthcare fraud undermines confidence in the healthcare system and compromises quality of care - possibly your own or that of your family. Medicare and Medicaid fraud is a crime. By identifying and reporting it, you’ll play a key role in improving our country’s health care system, and guaranteeing its solvency.
REMEMBER Ten cents out of every dollar spent on Medicare and Medicaid is lost to fraud and abuse. If you suspect fraudulent practices, call the SMP Medicare Fraud Hot Line:
1-877-678-4697 Don’t let Medicare and Medicaid fraud drive up the cost of healthcare! Report it!
Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013
BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA On Monday, Sept. 23, the PRESS of Southeast Queens and the Queens Tribune held its first-ever Economic Power Breakfast Forum, where business owners across the Borough got a chance to listen to a number of influential leaders talk about the changing economic climate. A packed crowd made its way to Queens College to hear keynote speaker Don Graves, executive director of the President’s Council on jobs and competitiveness at the White House and deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Dept. of Treasury, weigh in on the country’s 2008 fiscal crisis and its related challenges for business owners – both big and small. “We were in the deepest, darkest hole this country has ever seen in two generations,” Graves said. “When the President took office, we were losing jobs at a rate of 800,000 jobs a month – our economy was shrinking at an 8.3 percent annual rate.” “The President, working with Congress, actually got some things done,” he explained. “We were able to put a stop to the recession and lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. The President and Congress started investing in education, investing in our roads, bridges and highways, [and] investing in the young people.” With all these investments, Graves
said, the economy slowly began to stabilize and the changes made it easier for entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow. “Why a focus on small business?” he asked. “Because small business is the engine of our economy. Two out of every three jobs are created by a small business. Small business employs half of our sector employees.” Michael Mattone, chief financial officer of Mattone Group, a development firm based in College Point, echoed similar sentiments. “We think in the current arena, there is capital flowing again,” Mattone said. “We have a track record that seems to be helpful. It’s critically important that we’re an economy that can’t function without capital markets in a good equilibrium. We are encouraged by what we’re seeing.” Immediately following their speeches, the breakfast forum entered its second portion – a panel discussion. Graves, Mattone, former Gov. David Paterson, and Peter Meyer, president of TD Bank’s New York City market, each took center stage to answer questions from members of the audience, while U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Melville) moderated the discussion. A local architect and businesswoman in the audience asked panelists what is halting the government in improving the sewer system in New
Photos by Ira Cohen
Forum Features Guests From White House, Congress
(top photo) Don Graves, executive director of the President’s Council on jobs and competitiveness at the White House (left) and U.S. Rep Steve Israel (DMelville) were guests at the Tribune’s economic power forum.
York City, especially following the destruction of Superstorm Sandy. “Part of the problem in this country is that [flooding] is all over the place – it’s not just in the City. The same thing is going on in D.C. and a number of other major cities,” Graves explained. “It’s a matter of infrastructure investment. Right now, we don’t have the funding to invest in our infrastructure.” A Community Board 12 member in the audience concluded the question portion by asking panelists what could be done to promote economic development in Southeast Queens, where the unemployment rate exceeds 30 percent. “There are financial institutions
Photo by Ira Cohen
across the country that focus on low and very low income communities,” Graves said. “To get by, these financial institutions need to provide the credit and capital that the small businesses in that community need.” “I can’t stress the importance of being organized,” Meyer said. “We need a broad plan for the area. I know the area pretty well and the fact is that there is, you’re right, there is an alphabet soup of a lot that’s available to them – lower-end business to affordable housing to economic development that plays in the area and I think what we really have to do is get a broad base of those who are concerned with that . . . and really have a plan for the area and then look at way you can access [it].” “There have been plans for the area of Southeast Queens for the past 50 years and the neighborhoods continue to fester and you see the children continue to be twisted and wasted, and adult population doesn’t get particularly much assistance from government – even when you’re trying to employ selfhelp,” Paterson said. “But I think what really will change the situation is a true understanding of what innovation really would be and a sense of investing into the individual business that have reached the threshold where they show they can get opportunity,” the former Governor added. Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357(From left) Former Gov. David Paterson, President of TD Bank’s New York City market Peter Meyer and Michael Mattone, CFO 7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ of Mattone Group, sat on a panel discussion about the economy. nkozikowska.
Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9
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Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013
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Senior Appreciation
A New Home State Sen. James Sanders joined more than 300 seniors in his district in recognition of Senior Appreciation Week by taking in a showing of “The Butler� at the Jamaica Multiplex Cinema.
Photo by Ira Cohen
Tossing Strikes
Elected officials celebrated the groundbreaking of a new renovation project spearheaded by Habitat for Humanity New York City on Sept. 21 in Rosedale. Volunteers will transform a vacant home into affordable housing for first-time homebuyers.
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Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11
Police Blotter 108th Precinct
Hospital Queens, where he was later pronounced dead. Preliminary investigation revealed that a Toyota Camry being driven by a 78-year-old male was traveling southbound on the road when it jumped the sidewalk and struck the pedestrian. The driver and passenger sustained minor injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
Investigation
Police responded to a 911 call of a body found in the water in the vicinity of 44th Drive, in the East River, at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Sept. 23. Upon arrival, officers discovered the fully-clothed body of a 30-year-old Asian male submerged in water. Members of the NYPD’s Scuba Team and Harbor Unit retrieved the body from the water. There were no visible signs of trauma observed. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death, and the investigation is ongoing.
110th Precinct
Homicide Arrest
On Sept. 26, police arrested Pedro Silva, 20, of Jackson Heights in connection to a homicide that occurred on Sept. 20. Police discovered the victim, identified as Ivan Rodriguez, 33, of Corona, with a gunshot wound to his neck and head in front of 89-09 Roosevelt Ave. EMS removed the victim to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Silva was charged with seconddegree murder, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree criminal use of a firearm.
109th Precinct
Collision Investigation
At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 23, police responded to a 911 call of a pedestrian struck in front of 1902 Whitestone Expressway service road. Upon arrival, responding officers observed an unconscious male, identified as Michael Munoz, 42, of Whitestone. EMS was on the scene and transported Munoz to New York
112th Precinct
Collision Investigation
At approximately 10:18 p.m. on Sept. 21, police responded to a 911 call of a pedestrian struck in the vicinity of Queens Boulevard and 71st Avenue. Upon arrival, responding officers observed the victim, identified as Nisath Hossain, 58, of Elmhurst, unconscious and unresponsive. EMS was on the scene and transported the victim to North Shore University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian was crossing Queens Boulevard when she was struck by a vehicle traveling westbound. The vehicle subsequently fled the scene. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
114th Precinct
Assault On A Police Officer Arrest
On Sept. 24, police arrested Gary Sarback, 61, of Lake Worth, Fla., in regards to an Aug. 22 incident. Sarback was charged with at-
tempted murder of a police officer, assault, unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property.
Homicide Arrest
On Sept. 25, police arrested Jose Martinez, 20, no known address, in connection with a homicide that occurred in July 2009 within the confines of the 114th Precinct. Police responded to a call of an unconscious person on July 12, 2009, where they discovered the victim, identified as Carmen SaldanoMundo, 23, of Astoria. The Medical Examiner’s office classified the incident as a homicide due to asphyxiation. Martinez was charged with kidnapping, second-degree murder, predatory sexual assault, first-degree criminal sex act, burglary, unlawful imprisonment and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
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Borough Beat
Metta World Peace Celebrates Homecoming NBA superstar Metta World Peace, who was recently signed to the New York Knicks, celebrated his homecoming at CANZaciti Roadhouse in Astoria Monday, just a few miles away from his hometown of Queensbridge. Dozens flocked to the popular Queens sports bar for a chance to mingle with the St. John’s University grad, sporting their favorite Knicks gear to show their support for the newest addition to the team. “I’m a big Knicks fan and am excited to see Metta World Peace,” said Christopher Badilla of Jamaica. “He’s going to bring the defense we need to the team. I always liked him – he’s from Queens, he went to St. John’s and I’m a big fan of St. John’s. It’s great to see him come home.” “It’s really exciting to see Metta come back and celebrate right here in Astoria,” echoed Knicks fan Casey Rodriguez of Long Island City. “He grew up just a few blocks away from me. He could be celebrating anywhere so it’s great to see that he chose to do this in Queens.” But while a good portion of the
Photo by Natalia Kozikowska
BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA
NBA player for the New York Knicks, Metta World Peace, celebrates his homecoming with his fans at CANZaciti Roadhouse in Astoria on Monday.
crowd could be seen wearing their Knicks jerseys and hats, a number of Los Angeles Lakers fans, the team World Peace played for the last five
years, could also be spotted. “I’m not a Knicks fan, I’m a Laker fan,” said Jason Haggerty of Astoria, who was wearing a Laker jer-
sey. “I loved watching him play for the Lakers, but if he was going to have to leave my team, I’m glad he left for New York, his hometown.” The CANZ franchise is no stranger to famous athletes, said part-owner Steven Ferraro. The bar has partnered with New York Yankees player CC Sabathia and former Milwaukee Bucks basketball player Drew Gooden. “It seems like every year at CANZ, we’re doing things with professional athletes,” Ferraro said. “It feels good. It’s a pleasure and honor for us being that a New York sports bar and brand to have one of the new New York athletes come and have his welcome home party here – it means a lot for the brand. It’s a good thing to give to the fans and to the people of the neighborhood.” “He’s been a good friend of ours for years. It was just a natural fit,” he added. “I just feel like [Metta] is a big sports guy and he’s a big Queens guy. He’s about the fans, he’s about the people.” Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.
Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013
A&E
Queens Restaurant Week Kicks Off BY JOE MARVILLI
Photo by Ira Cohen
It is time to chow down, eat up and enjoy the diverse flavors found in Queens as part of its very own Restaurant Week. The Borough’s version of New York’s popular Restaurant Week held its kick-off in front of Queens Borough Hall on Sept. 23, with nine restaurants giving out samples to the 500 individuals that stopped by once the announcement was made. The 10th iteration of the popular food festival will run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 and from Oct. 7 to Oct. 10. During those eight days, $14 three-course lunches and $28 threecourse dinners with prix fixe menus will be available to patrons of select establishments. More than 60 eateries will participate in the event, with Queens Economic Development Corporation executive director Seth Bornstein hoping to get that number up to 100 restaurants by the weekend. He said the restaurants that were selected either approached him about Restaurant Week or vice versa. “In other boroughs, you get expensive food. Here’s the real thing with great prices,” he said. “We urge
Queens Borough President helen Marshall enjoys some of the selection at the kick-off of Queens Restaurant Week on Monday. everyone to enjoy the great food in Queens.” For those who wanted a preview of what Restaurant Week will hold, Uncle Peter’s Restaurant from Jackson Heights, Forest Hills’ Haveli and The Family Restaurant, Christos Steak House in Astoria and Bayside’s Tequila Sunrise all offered some delicious delights that had lines stretching down the steps of Borough Hall.
Astoria Art Festival Is Back For Its second Year BY TRIshA sAKhuJA If you are looking for artistic inspiration, look no further than your local restaurants and bars in Astoria, which will showcase the work of local and emerging artists for one week, from Sept. 27 until Oct. 6. With more than 20 venues and 30 artists, the Astoria Art Festival is back for its second year. The week long series of events will feature a mixture of photography, paintings, illustrations and mixed-media creations from local Queens artists. Local community leader and photographer Lizabeth Nieves and designer Christine Haber have dedicated themselves to establishing Queens as a thriving art community. Since partnering with local business owner George Rallis, together they curate art shows, host interactive events and live shows. “New Yorkers will have a chance to explore a wealth of innovative and thought-provoking artwork from Queens’ artists – except in-
stead of traditional studios and galleries, they will be on display in Astoria’s eclectic bars, restaurants and stores as a true reflection of the neighborhood’s community spirit,” Nieves said. The works will be hung on the walls of local restaurants and bars, including Queens Comfort, Sweet Afton, Hell Gate Social, Sparrow, Astoria Park Wine & Spirits, Lockwood and William Hallet. Newcomers, including the Single Cut Beer and Milkflower, will also participate in celebrating the neighborhood’s art scene. There is no set schedule for viewing the artwork, because attendees are welcome to wander into the venues. The Festival will kick-off at Hell Gate Social at 12-21 Astoria Blvd. on Sept. 27 at 9 p.m. until midnight. For more information, visit www. astoriaartfestival.com. Reach Reporter Trisha Sakhuja at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, tsakhuja@ queenstribune.com, or @Tsakhuja13.
Queens Brewery was on hand as well, letting patrons wash down the food with a cup of Queens Lager. Participating restaurants can be found in neighborhoods from Long Island City to Jamaica, from Howard Beach to Whitestone. According to Bornstein, the food is just as diverse as the communities where they are found. “I think it represents Queens, with everything. Indian, Chinese, Kosher, Italian, Mexican; it’s the Borough,” Bornstein added. “It’s really everything that makes the Borough so unique.” Among those enjoying samples
was Borough President Helen Marshall, who said a few words about the event. “I’m proud to share with you in sponsoring this wonderful, wonderful program,” she said. “One of my sayings is ‘Visit Queens, see the world.’ Not only will you see the world, but you can taste the wonderful foods that are found here. No matter where your hometown is, you can find your hometown cooking here in Queens.” A representative from Melrose Credit Union, one of the event’s sponsors, also praised the culinary program at the kickoff. “It is the foods of the many different cultures and ethnicities that create the common bonds between all New Yorkers,” Director of Marketing and Public Affairs Robert Nemeroff said in a statement. “Food is one of the things that makes Queens the unique and wonderful a place that it is and Restaurant Week exemplifies that thought.” Queens Restaurant Week is a program of the Queens Tourism Council and is sponsored by Melrose Credit Union, JetBlue Airways, Queens Brewery, Resorts World Casino, Restaurant Depot and Tequila Sunrise. For a complete list of all participating restaurants, visit www.itsinqueens. com/restaurantweek/Queens. Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@ queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.
Flushing BID Photo Contest underway BY JOE MARVILLI The Downtown Flushing Photo Contest officially kicked off on Aug. 1, though many of the details were announced on Sept. 20 at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel. With a theme of shooting positive images of downtown Flushing and what the neighborhood means to them, photographers are invited to have their photos displayed and possibly win a prize. The contest runs until Dec. 31, 2014, giving photographers a year and a half to find the right shot. Once the submission period ends, winners will be announced on or by Feb. 15, 2015. Whoever comes in first place will win the latest edition of Apple’s iPad. The second prize winner will receive an iPad Mini. Third place will be given an iPod Touch. The photos will be judged by a
panel of five individuals, including a professional photographer and the executive director for the Queens Museum of Art, Tom Finkelpearl. They will be graded on their creativity and photographic quality. Photographs may be taken with any type of camera, with adjustments to exposure, ISO and lighting allowed as long as it is before the picture is taken. Photo-editing, photo manipulation and photo collages are not acceptable. You may submit your photos and release form either by U.S. Postal Mail to the Flushing BID at 135-20 39th Ave., Flushing or you can email them to flushingbidphotocontest@gmail.com. The contest is open to all residents of the United States and its territories. Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@ queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.
Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13
Profile BY JOE MARVILLI At the PRESS power breakfast forum Monday morning, Don Graves, the deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Small Business, Community Development and Housing at the Dept. of the Treasury, used his keynote speech to review where the nation’s economy had been, where it is now and where it may go in the future, particularly if there is a government shutdown in the next week. In a one-on-one conversation with the PRESS, Graves outlined what President Barack Obama’s administration had done to help right the ship after the economy sank during the Great Recession of 2008, leading to slow, steady growth in the last couple of years. Graves mentioned that since President Obama took office in 2009, there have been seven and a half million private sector jobs created over a 42-month period of employment growth. This increase is not rising fast enough for the administration however, leading to multiple proposals by the President to further jumpstart the economy. These proposals have hit a roadblock in Congress, he said. “Congress has not been able to find a way to act on those propos-
als to invest in our schools, in our infrastructure, in our first responders, to invest in new technologies, to support greater investment in small businesses,” Graves said. Looking back, Graves said the recession was the result of multiple bad decisions in the financial services industry, with many risky moves accompanying those choices. “There wasn’t enough oversight in the system to make sure that type of activity didn’t get out of control,” he said. Since 2008, the federal government has taken steps to make sure such a scenario could not be repeated, such as the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. This legislation aimed to improve accountability and transparency in the financial system. An effect of the Dodd-Frank Act was the creation of the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau, an independent federal agency responsible for regulating consumer protection for financial products and services. Another piece of legislation Graves highlighted was the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which supports small businesses by raising the loan levels.
Photo by Ira Cohen
White House Aide Talks Economy’s Past And Present
Don Graves said the U.S. economy has slowly been improving since President Obama took office. “It created the Small Business Lending Fund at the Treasury Dept., which provided $4 billion worth of investment in community banks, the very banks that do the lion’s share of lending to small businesses. That’s led to $9 billion of new small business lending above and beyond the levels that banks had been doing, at no cost to the taxpayer,” Graves said. “The banks are actually paying both the taxpayer back at rates higher than the original investment
and they’re increasing their lending to small businesses.” Despite the progress made with these acts, the federal government is approaching a possible government shutdown, due to conflicting ideologies between Republicans and Democrats on how to proceed with a national budget. Graves made it clear that a government shutdown should not be on the table at all. “First off, we can’t go into a shutdown. We can’t be in a place as a country where we aren’t willing to live up to our obligations,” he said. “If we can’t find a way to raise the debt limit, it’ll have a huge impact on the financial markets. Our bond rating in the financial markets will likely take another hit like it did a couple of years ago.” If the various government bodies cannot come to an agreement by Oct. 1 and the shutdown happens, Graves said the effects would impact the lives of everyday Americans. “If you have millions of government workers not able to fill their functions and getting checks cut and the like, people will feel it very, very quickly,” he said. Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125, jmarvilli@ queenstribune.com, or @Joey788.
People Sean Hintzen of Rosedale was among the members of a SUNY Institute of Technology introduction to engineering class that toured the Quad-C construction site in Utica. Kharina Rivera of Queens Village spent the first full day at SUNY Oneonta volunteering in the community as part of Freshman Service Day. The New York Army National Guard has announced the promotion of members in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership. Darrol Anderson of Rosedale, serving with the Headquarters and Support Company, 42nd Infantry Division, is promoted to private first class. Andrea Saenz of South Ozone Park, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted to private. The National Guard has also announced the reenlistment of members. Sergeant Patricia Powell of Ja-
maica has reenlisted with the 107th Military Police Company. Specialist William Campos of Jamaica has reenlisted to continue service with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-258th Field Artillery. Staff Sergeant James Haynes of Richmond Hill has reenlisted to continue service with the 24th Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction). Staff Sergeant Abismael Gonzalez of Richmond Hill has reenlisted to continue service with the Headquarters, 10th Regiment (Regional Training Institute). Stephanie Ellis-Gibbs of Queens Village graduated from Cornell University’s summer college program. The Corona Branch of the Queens Library was one of five winners in the first-ever NYC Neighborhood Library Awards. The library received $10,000 during an awards ceremony in Manhattan. The Queens Village library branch
was also named a finalist, and received $5,000. Two Queens immigrant support services received funds from the USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. Emerald Isle Immigration Center in Woodside, received $248,800 to help the center continue to provide citizenship instruction and naturalization application services to clients through fiscal year 2013. EIIC expects that hundreds of permanent residents will receive instruction and services. Queens Legal Services in Jamaica has received $249,714 to provide citizenship instruction. QLS expects to provide at least 220 permanent residents with services. Local students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2013 semester at Binghamton University. They include: Hollis: Maureen Mullarkey. Hollis Hills: Ethan Malamed.
Jamaica: Nyisha Nate Edwards, Mehjabeen Hassan, Jessica Lasak, Nafis Ahmed, Keren Orr, JunHa Joung. Laurelton: Astrid Zuleyma Beza. Queens Village: Swagato Bhattacharyya, Goyal Umadar, Alyssa Joyce Layug Zabala, Nayan Jaishri Naidoo, James Edouard. Richmond Hill: Stephanie Diaz. Rosedale: Ramel Devontae Mc Intosh. Saint Albans: Kristina Smith, Kasir Watkins. South Ozone Park: Kurnvir Singh, Rain Rashid. South Richmond Hill: Stephanie Ann Michael. Springfield Gardens: Latania Christie, Jason Barrett.
Send notices of graduations, awards, anniversaries, engagements & honors to: PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357
Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013
Faith
Rev. James Quincy III Says Goodbye After nearly two decades of service, the Rev. James Quincy III, executive minister at the Cavalry Baptist Church, will be leaving to work as the new pastor at Lee Road Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Quincy has ministered across the world and is most known for his hands-on work with the youth. He was often spotted in the church parking lot playing basketball and chatting with the children in the community. “That’s really what most people knew of me. I did a lot in terms of teaching and preaching but most people know me for my work with the youth,” Quincy said. “They used to call me the Pied Piper because every time I would come into the environment, I would be with the young people.” For 15 of the last 20 years, the Reverend has made it his mission to inspire and help the youth in Southeast Queens – a community that he has seen suffer. “A lot of times they are looked at as trouble but they really are great kids. They just don’t really know that there is more beyond the borders of
Photo courtesy of Cavalry Baptist Church.
BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA
Having spent nearly two decades in Queens, the Rev. James Quincy III of the Cavalry Baptist Church will be leaving to work as the new pastor at Lee Road Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio.
Queens,” he said. “Their life does not have to be a life of poverty. A lot of times they get caught up in the small stuff and the next thing you know, they have bigger issues to deal with.” Despite the many challenges the youth in Southeast Queens have faced, Quincy said that it was most fulfilling to see the children that had no hope rise above their struggles. “There were so many moments of
seeing young people who really didn’t think they had a future – seeing them graduate and go off to college, seeing them come back with degrees – that’s huge for me,” he said. “So many of those young people didn’t think much of themselves and they came out above it.” Although he is excited to see what he can do for the community in Cleveland, he holds Queens near and dear to his heart. “It’s been so incredible. The people of Southeast Queens have taught me so much. I started my ministry career in Jamaica and so really got my feet wet and mostly learned everything I know from that community,” he said. “I think one of the things I will miss most about Southeast Queens is the diversity,” he added. “Queens is the most diverse county in the country. I will miss the chance to have various cultures in the mix. I will miss the interaction and engagement with so many different cultures and people.” With this part of his journey behind him, he hopes to bring a similar energy to the congregants of Lee Road Baptist Church in Ohio, where he was sought out by the ministry to help the church grow.
“I’m very excited. I have a lot of support from the people of Queens. A lot of them are sad to see me go but pushing me on and encouraging me,” he said. “I’m excited because it’s a different opportunity. It’s something new. I’m excited to see what they have for me and the people of Lee Road Baptist Church.” Quincy does have plans to come back and visit, and hopes that when he returns, the community that he has grown to love will do more to help the youth. “I would love to come back and see that Southeast Queens has done a better job embracing our young people – educationally, spiritually and economically,” he said. “I would love most to come back and see that there has been energy to help our youth.” And for the people of Jamaica, Quincy had one final message to share. “I love you and my prayer is that we keep investing in the young people,” he said. “I will miss Queens. That has been my heart and soul for so many years.” Reach Reporter Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @ nkozikowska.
Notebook
Long Island Business Institute
LI Business Institute Adapts For Changing Conditions BY LUIS GRONDA The Long Island Business Institute adapts its services to the changing economic climate. LIBI has two campuses, including one in Flushing. That location was chosen as it is one of the most diverse areas in New York City with many students hailing from different parts of the world such as South America, the Caribbean and East Asia. The school has about 1,000 students attending the institute with about 87 percent of that number enrolled in the Flushing campus. Their other campus is based in Commack, Long Island. While the economy has affected many businesses negatively, Monica Foote, the school’s president, said while the economic downturn affects every business in some way, educa-
tion does tend to fair better as many people may choose to go back to school if they cannot find employment. “That’s not to say that all colleges prosper when hard economic times hit. Many colleges, particularly those with high tuition costs, have seen a much lower freshmen class this fall,” she said. “LIBI is a career college, so we have seen a very steady stream of students come through our doors. We prepare students for in-demand careers so our college has seen many individuals come to us after being furloughed or laid off.” There has been some impact to LIBI from the recession, though. According to Foote, the school needed to adjust their programs to respond to the new economy as quickly as they could. “People looking to retrain can’t
afford to waste their money, so we needed to deliver the kind of education that would make our graduates employable and in demand. That takes a lot of effort, resiliency and hard work,” Foote said. The school did not have to raise its tuition when the economic crisis hit back in 2008 and this has remained the case since Foote arrived five years ago. “We have not raised tuition since I arrived in 2008, and our graduates in seven of nine programs have zero student loan debt,” she said. “We have written eight new and already launched four new programs in the past year alone.” They also have not had to apply for any type of financial assistance during the long recession because they have garnered much interest from the public while the economy has been down.
“As a provider of education, we are lucky to be sought out by students. We have been very fortunate not to have to apply for assistance during this very long recession,” Foote said. The school offers programs based on the demands of the job and it has introduced new programs based on intense research it has done, including Digital Marketing, Elder Care and Homeland Security. “To adjust to the changing economy we have also made decisions to update curriculum to better reflect the current needs of the employers,” she said. The Long Island Business Institute’s Flushing campus is located at 136-18 39th Ave. For information, call (718) 939-5100 or visit www.libi. edu. Reach Reporter Luis Gronda at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127, lgronda@ queenstribune.com, or @luisgronda.
Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15
What’s Up Sept. 27 Couperin and eau de Vie: Brooklyn Baroque
place at the American Legion Hall at 209 Cross Bay Boulevard. It will start at noon.
The King Manor Museum will hold a special concert, celebrating the music of 18th-century French composers performed by David Bakamjian, cello, Andrew Bolotowsky, flute and Rebecca Pechefsky, harpsichord. All guests will get to sample fruit brandy and hard apple cider. King Manor Museum is located at the intersection of 153rd Street and Jamaica Avenue, at Rufus King Park. Tickets $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information, call (718) 206-0545.
Jefferson Diggs Way Street Co-Naming
teen and Young Adult Job Fair The Law Offices of Jacques Leandre, the Local Development Corporation of Laurelton, Rosedale and Springfield Gardens, Our Brothers Mentoring Program and the Misunderstood Youth Development will present a Teens and Young Adults 2013 Job Fair. Bring plenty of resumes, dress to impress and bring a friend. Meet job recruiters from various city, state and federal agencies as well as the corporate retail companies. Participating retail establishments will include Old Navy, Verizon, Bath & Body Works, Applebee’s, Subway, Labor Ready, DYCD, Pathmark, New York Power Authority, XXI Forever, and Victoria’s Secret. The job fair will take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at IS 59 in Springfield Gardens. IS 59 is located at 132-55 Ridgedale St., Jamaica. It is free to attend.
Sept. 28 Community Dialogue Join the Farmers Boulevard Community Development Corporation this Fall for community dialogue and social networking on Farmers Boulevard. Planned topics include health and wellness, youth empowerment, arts and culture and an investor’s forum. Fourth Saturday on Farmers will take place on Sept. 28, Oct. 26 and Nov. 23. “Wellness for Seniors” will focus on activities designed to enhance senior wellness. The event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the African Center for Community Empowerment. The African Center for Community Empowerment is located at 111-20 Farmers Blvd., Jamaica. It is free to attend.
Stop FeMA Now Rally Residents of Broad Channel and other neighborhood in southern Queens will host a rally to protest the possible increases of their flood insurance rates. The rally will take
Jefferson Diggs was one of the young heroes of the Civil Rights movement, leading fellow students at Winston-Salem Teachers College in sit-ins at the local Woolworth and Kress Department store lunch counters. He was arrested with his fellow students, but the lunch counters were de-segregated. He became one of the first African-American reporters hired by the New York Daily News. He served the City of New York first in the office of the Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau and later as an Administrator at the Human Resources Administration. He became well known in the Southeast Queens community as an enthusiastic and highly respected aide to both Council Members Archie Spigner and Leroy Comrie of the 27th Council District. He attended meetings of both Community Boards 12 and 13, the Borough Board, the Eastern Queens Alliance and the Empire Zone as well as many civic and community events and he joined in key campaigns for justice in Southeast Queens. Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) invites all to the ceremonies that will take place for the co-naming of 88th Avenue and 178th Street in Jamaica, Queens to “Jefferson Diggs Way” The ceremony will be held at the intersection from 1 to 2 p.m. It is free to attend.
intermediate Microsoft Word Learn how to format a document and bibliography and insert tables, charts, headers and footers. The free class will take place at the Queens Central Library from 9:30 a.m. till 10:30 a.m. Prior knowledge of Microsoft Word is required. Register online, in person at the Job Information Center or by calling (718) 9908625. The class code is CC200.
Financial Literacy The Queens Central Library will hold a free seminar, in partnership with New York Cares, that will cover the basics of financial literacy. The event will be held at the Library at 10 a.m. No registration is required. All are welcome to join.
Sept. 29 Worship encounter The Springfield Gardens Church
of the Nazarene will hold its annual “Worship Encounter” – a combination of songs, scripture and prayer with a heavy focus on simply worshipping God. The “Worship Encounter” will take place at the Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene from 4:59 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Springfield Gardens Church of the Nazarene is located at 145-01 Farmers Blvd., Jamaica. For additional information about the event, you may contact the church office at (718) 528-0983.
Sunday Movies at Central The Queens Central Library will have a free screening of the movie, “Now you See Me.” The movie will begin at 2 p.m. All are welcome to join and no registration is required.
hispanic Celebration The Latin American Cultural Center of Queens will honor the Latino community in Queens with its 15th annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at 2:30 p.m. at El Paraiso Tropical, 102-11 42nd Ave., Corona. The event will include soprano Rosa Betancourt, classical guitarist David Galvez and violinist Romulo Benavides. To RSVP, call (718) 261-7664 or email laccq@aol.com.
Sept. 30 Knitting 101 Learn basic knitting skills and information, including knit and purl stitches, yarn and needle types and how to read a simple pattern. Supplies will be provided. Space is limited. Preregistration is required online or by calling (718) 990-0728. The free workshop will be held at the Queens Central Library from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
introduction to Computers Learn the basics of computer technology, including how to use a mouse and touchpad, basic keyboarding skills and how to use folders and program files. Registration is required for the workshop. To register, call (718) 990-8625 or visit the Job Information Center, or do so online. The class code is CC110. The course starts at 2 p.m. at the Queens Central Library.
oCt. 6 orphans Benefit Light For Orphans will present “Arabian Nights,” a fundraising event for orphans in Eqypt from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 6 in the D’Angelo Ballroom, fourth floor at St. John’s University. Tickets cost $25 for youth and $50 for adults. For information, call Nancy Ashamalla at (917) 913-8911 or Mina Salib at (516) 270-4806.
oCt. 7 Becoming a Mystery Writer The Queens Library and the Mystery Writers of America will present “How I Became a Mystery Writer” At the Queens Central Library. Terrie Farley Moron, Laura Jon Rowland, Nancy Bilyeau and Joel Gomez-Dossi will all attend the event and discuss how they got into the genre of mystery writing. The event will take place at the Queens Central Library at 89-11 Merrick Blvd in Jamaica. Admission is free. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. For more information, call the library at (718) 990-0700.
oCt. 12 Annual Luncheon All are cordially invited to People United for a Better Community’s first annual luncheon. Join them as they pay tribute to Adrienne EadieAdams – Chair, Community Board 12; Dorrin Ferguson - Detective, 113th Precinct; Charles Norris – Bishop, Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church; Jo-Ann Gonzalez – Sergeant, 113th Precinct and Tanya Duhaney, Police Officer, 113th Precinct. For tickets, contact Bishop Melvin Artis at (718) 551-2575. Tickets are $65. The Luncheon will be held at La Bella Vita from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. La Bella Vita is located at 106-09 Rockaway Blvd., Ozone Park.
oNgoiNg early exposure to tennis tryouts
Mac Mondays: Learning the Basics
Youth and Tennis Inc. will present their “Early Exposure to Tennis Program” for children ages 4-8. The tryouts will be held at the Roy Wilkins Tennis Courts located at the intersection of 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard. Scholarships and partial scholarships will be available for the talented youth. For more information, call (718) 658-6728.
Learn the fundamentals on MacBook Pro laptops in this free session of the Queens Central Library’s weekly Mac labs. Preregister online, at the Job Information Center or by telephone at (718) 990-8625. The free workshop will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.
Send your community events to the PRESS for a free listing at 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357. Call (718) 357-7400 or email editor@queenspress.com. All events will be considered for publication, without a fee.
WhAt’S Up With YoU?
Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013
Queens today
FRIDay 9/27
more information, call (718) 358-0067 or email poppenhusen@juno.com.
ThE GREAT WOODhAvEN yARD sALE 2013
DON ByRON
Jazz clarinetist and saxophonist Don Byron will perform at Flushing Town Hall with his New Gospel Quintet at 8 p.m. Titled “Love, Peace and Soul,” the concert will run the gamut from jazz to blues to gospel music. The New Gospel Quintet features Carla Cook on vocals, Nat Adderley Jr. on piano, Brad Jones on bass and Pheeroan akLaff on drums. The performance costs $20 for the general public, $15 for members and $10 for students. For information, call (718) 463-7700.
AsTORIA BEER FEsTIvAL
The Astoria Downtown Historic District Association is hosting a celebration of all things beer-related during the Pacific Northwest Brew Cup through Sept. 29 at the Historic Train Depot, just east of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, along the Astoria waterfront. The beer festival will feature 36 brewer selected beers, live music, food and family games during the three day festival. The event is scheduled to run from noon to 10 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Entrance to the festival is free. For information, visit www.astoriadowntown.com.
saTURDay 9/28 OKTOBERFEsT
Poppenhusen Institute will hold a fundraiser from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., featuring entertainment, beer, wine and German-American food. German singers and dancers will perform at the event between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Other activities include Bill Popp and the Tapes, David Kincaid, a pumpkin patch, face-painting, Cido the Clown, games and tours of the institute. Admission is $15. Poppenhusen is located at 114-04 14th Rd., College Point. For
Come browse the various yard sales in Woodhaven during the Great Woodhaven Yard Sale. Residents in the neighborhood will be hosting their yard sales at the same time between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. during that day. If you would like to register to sell or want to know more information on the sale, please call the Woodhaven Residents Block Association at (718) 2963735 or email them at info@ woodhaven-nyc.org.
FLIcKs IN ThE GARDEN
Nearly an hour of vintage cartoons will be shown during the third annual Flicks in the Garden at Sunnyside Gardens Park from 6 to 8 p.m., with the films beginning at dusk. Pizza, small plates and vintage cartoon cookies will be available. Suggested donation in $10.
FLux FAcTORy PREsENTs: uNTITLED (As OF yET)
This group exhibition will take you from events that first appear to be disruptive, even catastrophic, but it eventually opens the door to new thoughts, practices and opportunities. The performance will take place every weekend for the month of September at 39-31 29th St. in Long Island City. For more information, email christina@fluxfactory.org.
‘ThE 40-yEAR-OLD vIRGIN’
The Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City will present the comedy “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” as part of its classic movie series, starting at 11 a.m. and running all weekend. Watch the flick on a brandnew 110-inch screen with some food and your favorite
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
saTURDay 9/28 ROBERT KLEIN
Stand-up comedian, singer and actor Robert Klein will appear at Queens Theatre at 8 p.m. to get the audience laughing once again. Klein, most recently seen on HBO’s “Robert Klein: Unfair & Unbalanced,” will spend the night telling jokes about culture, life and romance. Standard seating costs $35. Rear seating costs $25. There will also be a show on Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. For more information, call (718) 760-0064. beverage. The screening is $7. On Oct. 2 at 10 p.m., the club will show “Spaceballs.” For information, visit www. laughingdevil.com.
sUNDay 9/29 hIsPANIc cELEBRATION
The Latin American Cultural Center of Queens will honor the Latino community in Queens with its 15th annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at 2:30 p.m. at El Paraiso Tropical, 102-11 42nd Ave., Corona. The event will include soprano Rosa Betancourt, classical guitarist David Galvez and violinist Romulo Benavides. To RSVP, call (718) 261-7664 or email laccq@aol.com.
ence in this event running from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Experiment with prisms, flashlights and filters and create your own sun catcher to take home. The Hall of Science recommends wearing old clothing as the workshop involves ink and paint. There is an $8 materials fee per family. Register on the day of the event at the NYSCI admissions area. For additional information, call (718) 699-0005, ext. 341 or email dmeza@nysci.org.
WEDNEsDay 10/2
FALL FEsTIvAL
The Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce will hold a fall festival on Austin Street between 69th Road and 72nd Road in Forest Hills. The event will feature food, crafts and rides for the children. Many stores on Austin Street will be open for business and more than 200 vendors will be a part of the festival. The festival will start at noon and end at 6 p.m., rain or shine. For more information, please call the FH chamber at (718) 268-6565 or email them at fhchamber@aol.com.
LITTLE MAKERs: suN cATchERs
Explore light and color at the New York Hall of Sci-
JAsON KAO hWANG
Flushing Town Hall will present violinist/composer Jason Kao Hwang and his band mates, Andrew Drury (drums) and Ken Filiano (string bass), for a jam session at 7 p.m. as part of its Monthly Jazz Jam series. All instrumentalists are welcome to come by for Hwang’s conducted improvisations, which he calls a “Spontaneous River.” The concert costs $10 for the general audience and is free for performers, members and students. For more information, call (718) 4637700.
ORchEsTRA REhEARsALs
The Forest Hills Symphony Orchestra will present the first of its weekly rehearsals and auditions for their three concerts later this year. The orchestra will
practice for three concerts celebrating its 50th season, with the first show on November 17 of this year. The rehearsals take place every Wednesday at the Forest Hills Jewish Center at 10606 Queens Blvd. starting from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The practice on Oct. 2 will begin at 2 p.m. For more information, contact the orchestra’s business office at (718) 374-1627.
ONGOING AsTORIA sEcOND ANNuAL ART FEsTIvAL
The second annual Astoria Art Festival is back to feature the work of artists in various restaurants and shops, starting from Sept. 27 until Oct. 6. All of the featured works will be exclusively from Queen’s and Long Island City based artists. Works will hang on the walls of neighborhood restaurants, bars and shops including Queens Comfort, Sweet Afton, Hell Gate, Sparrow, Astoria Park Wine And Spirits, Lockwood and William Hallet. There is no set schedule for viewing the art because attendees can wander into venues and linger at their leisure while enjoying some the local food and cocktails. For more information, visit www.astoriaartfestival.com/2013/09/09/ astoria-art-festival-eventdetails-from-september-27october-6.
Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17
Queens Today Section editor: reGinA VoGeL
Send announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina or email to queenstoday@ queenstribune.com Yearly schedules and advanced notices welcome!
dAnce iSrAeLi FoLK Mondays 7:15-9:45 at Hillcrest Jewish Center, 182-02 Union Turnpike. $10 session. 380-4145. Line dAncinG M o n d ay s 6 : 3 0 - 9 : 3 0 a t Kowalinski Post 4, 61-57 Maspeth Avenue. $7. Cake and coffee. 565-2259. coUntrY Line Wednesdays 7-10 at the STARS Building, 8 Coleman Square, Howard Beach. $10.
edUcAtion/GAMeS/crAFtS MAtH For AdULtS Mondays, September 30, october 7, 14 LIC library at 5:30. BALLrooM dAncinG Mondays, September 30, oc tober 7 Forest Hills library at 6:30. deFenSiVe driVinG Monday, September 30 Laurelton and Windsor Park libraries. Register. JoB SeArcH Mondays free job search and computer help every Monday 11-2 at the Astoria library. BridGe Mondays except holidays 12-4 at Pride of Judea in Douglaston. Lesson & play $10. Partners arranged. 423-6200. AdULt cHeSS Mondays and thursdays Queens Village library at 5:30. BeLLY dAncinG tuesdays, oc tober 1, 8 North Forest Park library. Register. tecHnoLoGiSt iS in tuesdays, october 1, 8, 15 Pomonok library. Register for 30 minute appointment. coMPUter cLASS tuesdays, oc tober 1, 8, 15 sponsored by NY Cares
at 5:45 at the Woodside library coMPUter BASicS We d n e s d ay, o c to b e r 2 Woodside librar y at 10:30. BeGinnerS eMAiL Wednesday, oc tober 2 Windsor Park librar y at 11:30. LeArn crocHet Wednesdays, october 2, 9 Rosedale library. Register. WAtercoLor Wednesdays all techniques and subjects at the National Art League.969-1128. BeLLY dAncinG thursdays, october 3, november 7, december 5 7:30 at the JCC, 10-31 Jackson Avenue, LIC. 609-0066. MicroSoFt oFFice thursdays, oc tober 3, 10 Poppenhusen library at noon. BeGin coMPUterS thursdays, oc tober 3, 10 Ozone Park library. Register. LeArn cHineSe thursdays North Forest Park library at 6. Knit & crocHet Fridays Fresh Meadows library at 11. cHeSS cLUB Fridays at 3:30 at the Auburndale library and 4 at
the Woodside library. Line dAnce Saturdays, october 5, 19, november 2, 16, december 7, 21 Coed Mixed Level Line Dance for Adults at the Cambria Heights Communit y Church. $10 per session. 646-229-0242. Gre PrActice Saturday, october 5 Central library. Register.
MiSceLLAneoUS Food PAntrY thursdays, oc tober 3, november 7, december 5 Corona Congregation Church’s Food Pantry 10noon at 102-18 34 th Avenue, Corona. To register, bring photo ID and proof of family size. reHeArSALS S a t u r d ays , Sa c re d M u sic Chorale of Richmond Hill holds rehearsals at St. John’s in Richmond Hill. www.richmondhillny.com/ ArtsSMC. KidS tooLS Bring donations of new school supplies or cash to purchase supplies to any of Astoria Federal Savings’ 85 branches.
entertAinMent coMedY/dinner tickets available for Saturday, october 19 fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at Ben’s in Bayside. $50. 229-2367. AMAZinG MAiZe MAZe Weekends September 21 through oc tober 27 114:30. $9. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park. 347-FARM. AUtUMn FeStiVAL Saturday, September 28 Au t u m n M o o n F e st i va l Concert with the Haiyan Chorus at t he Flushing library at 1:30. MUSicAL & dinner Saturday, September 28 Emanuel Church in Woodhaven is offering a complete chicken Dinner with dessert and Musical Show at 5:30. $15 adults, $9 children. 849-1153. LincoLn center S a t u r d ay, S e p te m b e r 28 Lincoln Center Local Streaming Live at 2:30 at the following libraries: Central, Bayside, Broadway, Cambria Heights, Far Rockaway, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Langston Hughes, Lefferts, Ridgewood, Rochdale Village and Sunnyside.
JH BeAUtiFicAtion Saturday, September 28 Jackson Heights Beautification Group’s buffet dinner and music at the Community Methodist Church. $50 at the door. roBert KLein September 28, 29 comedian Robert Klein appears at Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064. FALL FeStiVAL Sunday, September 29 Fall Festival on Austin Street in Forest Hills. PAt Boone Sunday, September 29 at 3 at Queensborough Community College. 6316311. MotoWn reVUe Monday, September 30 Howard Beach library at 2. HArMonicA Monday, September 30 Harmonica Player Jai-Yi He at 6 at the Flushing library. ScrABBLe tuesdays Fresh Meadows library at 2 and East Flushing library at 3:30. oPen Mic thursday, october 3 Flushing library at 6:30. GAMe dAY Fridays 4:30 Woodhaven library.
Pitcher's Awkward Pitch Despite going down with an elbow injury to prematurely end his season, Mets pitcher Matt Harvey has been in the news recently. Harvey did a series of radio interviews promoting a Qualcomm pro duc t, including an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show that turned into a painfully awkward discussion. When Patrick asked Harvey to talk about his plans for his injured arm, the Mets pitcher declined to speak about it, saying he was only there to make the pitch for Qualcomm. “We can set up another call, if you’d like to, about that subject, today we’re honoring and supporting Qualcomm,” Harvey said. Patrick let him get his pitch
in and the interview promptly ended. Harvey later apologized for the awkward interview and returned to Patrick’s show to chat about his arm later that week. “I’ve had a few rough outings on the mound, that was a rough outing on the radio this morning...” the pitcher tweeted. “Been an exhausting couple of days. Apologies to @dpshow and @Qualcomm.” We’re not sure why Harvey got criticized for the interview, surely there are millions of people dyng to hear about a product from a company almost no one has ever heard of. We at QConf were at the edge of our seats waiting to hear about Qualcomm.
Green Pol Saves Her Green Lynne Serpe is all about the Green Party! Maybe it’s because she’s saved a lot of “green.” Although Serpe’s campaign voices a commitment to Astoria’s cleanliness, affordable housing, sustainable development, expanded library service and good jobs in a green economy, she is paying her taxes to New Orleans instead of New York. Her taxes currently go to "The Big Easy" because that's where she has claimed her residence. Since she must live in City
What's In A Name? Recently called-up Mets outfielder Matt DenDekker's name may be unusual to some, but it's a familiar one to many in Queens, as it belongs to a Queens elected official. In recognition of their shared surnames, Assemblyman Michael DenDekker presented the outfielder with a certificate of merit and a State Assembly baseball jersey with DenDekker embroidered across the back. Are the two related? The Assemblyman said he wasn't sure, but he planned to research the geneology.
Council District 22 by Election Day, Serpe says she plans to update her information. The Green Party candidate is vying for term-limited Peter Vallone Jr.’s seat along with Democrat Costa Constantinides, who won the Democratic nomination earlier this month, Republican Daniel Peterson and Independent Danielle De Stefano. If Serpe wins in November, we can only hope she doesn't try to pass any legislation focused on New Orleans...
Q
CONFIDENTIAL
Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013
COMEDIANS OF QUEENS
Moody McCarthy
A Reason To Paws
Last week, SquareWine and Spirits, a wine store in Long Island City, threw their second annual “Puppy Party,” where residents were encouraged to bring their pups out for an evening of drinks, treats and socializing. The humans were served a variety of wines and whiskeys as well as hors d’oeuvres, but, like at any good party, there was something served for all guests. The pooches were served special dog-themed cupcakes from local bakers, The Written Cupcake. The event also featured a “doggy treat buffet,” fully-equipped with doggie snacks. The free celebration was to raise money for charity, with all proceeds going to the Humane Society and the animal nonprofit, Positive Tails. We’re sure that everyone in attendance was happy to bring home their doggie bags after the event.
Moody McCarthy has always loved listening to jokes. When he was younger, he would watch “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” waiting for a comic to take to the stage. “I grew up watching Johnny Carson and was most excited when a comedian came out,” he said. “But I didn't get the nerve to try telling [jokes] myself until my mid-20s, after my side-gig playing guitar in a cover band dried up.” Once he started performing, McCarthy did not want to stop. He plays a couple of shows per week and feels like the more he is onstage, the more relaxed he is the next time around. “If I go too long (like half a week) without performing, it gets scary again,” McCarthy said. “But if you're onstage constantly, it becomes less uncomfortable.” Although he started his career in his home town of Syracuse, he moved to Astoria 15 years ago. According to his bio, he lives in the neighborhood with his wife and his “step-dog.” Living in such a wellknown region has helped him out with comedy bits, as there is less he has to explain to the knowledgeable audience. “I'm always surprised at how many people both in and out of NYC are familiar with it. That helps comedywise because I don't have to
explain the place,” he said. “I do a joke about how safe it is ("If there's any yelling at night that means Greece scored") that is based on a true story - the only time I've heard a lot of commotion is during the World Cup.” Having worked as a comedian for 21 years, McCarthy feels his style has changed to become more conversational. “I've become more biographical and less concerned with racing to the punch line. And my forehead is bigger,” he said. “The best feeling is when a new joke works. It's always fun to tell the first handful of times because it's like I'm hearing it, too.” One of the highlights of McCarthy’s career was when he performed on “The Late Show With David Letterman” in July 2012. Letterman is one of the comic’s inspirations. “My favorite moment (don't tell my wife) of my life was being on Letterman last year,” he said. “That was an unspoken goal since I started in 1992. He (along with Bill Murray) is the entertainer that's defined what's funny to me.” To find out if McCarthy is performing near you, visit www.moodymccarthy.com. In the meantime though, here is one of his favorite jokes. “Me and my wife met online, but we didn't know how our parents would react to that, so we told them we met at the University of Phoenix.”
Who's Got Talent Got Talent? Talented individuals of all kinds should email editor@queenstribune.com. QConf is edited by: Steven J. Ferrari Contributors: Luis Gronda, Natalia Kozikowska, Joe Marvilli, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Michael Nussbaum, Trisha Sakhuja, Michael Schenkler.
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At an IAS Part 7 of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, held in and for the County of Queens, at the Courthouse at 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, State of New York on the 9th day of September 2013 PRESENT: HON. DAVID ELLIOT INDEX NO. 10657/13 JESSE C. DAVENPORT III, JOHN RIVERS, STEPHANIE MCCRAE, NICOLE FRIDAY, and CYNTHIA ABRAHAM, Trustees of BIBLE WAY CHURCH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, INC., Petitioner, To Dissolve BIBLE WAY CHURCH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, INC., Pursuant to New York Not-forProfit Corp. Law § 1102(a)(2)(A) UPON reading and filing the petition of BIBLE WAY CHURCH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, INC. verified by JESSEE C. DAVENPORT III, JOHN RIVERS, STEPHANIE MCCRAE, NICOLE FRIDAY and CYNTHIA ABRAHAM all Trustees of BIBLE WAY CHURCH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
Legals
INC., and the affidavit JESSE C. DAVENPORT III, the affirmations of EVERETT HOPKINS, ESQ. affirmed the 9th day of August 2013 and ANDREW P TUREAUD ESQ. affirmed the 12th Day of August 2013, all annexed hereto, and upon all prior pleadings had herein; LET, all persons interested show cause at the Centralized Motion Part of this Court, to be held in and for the County of Queens, at the Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, NY on the 7th day of November, 2013, at 2:15 in the afternoon of that day, or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard WHY an order should not be granted dissolving BIBLE WAY CHURCH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, INC., Inc. and authorizing petitioners to sell the real property known as 109-50 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica, New York, 11434 residing in the County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 10189, Lot 8 & 19 pursuant to a contract of sale dated February 25, 2011 and
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WHY an order should not be granted immediately authorizing petitioner, a religious corporation organized and existing under Article 10 of the Religious Corporations law of the State of New York, to hereby sell the property known as 109-50 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica New York, 11434 residing in the County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 10189, Lot 8 & 19 in accordance with the provisions of the Contract of Sale of One Million Five Hundred Thousand ($1,500,000.00) Dollars and no cents, and to pay all closing costs and fees; and SUFFICIENT CAUSE appearing therefore, let service of a copy of this order giving notice of the petition upon all interested parties by publication once per week for four consecutive weeks in Southeast Queens Press 718-357-7400 a newspaper published in the County of Queens on or before October 24, 2013, be deemed due and sufficient service hereof. ENTER DAVID ELLIOT Justice of the Supreme Court
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Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2013 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19
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