Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 13 Issue No. 42 Oct. 19-25, 2012

PAGE 18

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

SHELTER SHOCK

Parents and teachers of PS 124 express outrage with the news that sex offenders may be housed at a homeless shelter just two blocks away.

By Natalia Kozikowska ‌ Page 3.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

News Briefs Jamaica Resident Attempts to Blow Up Federal Reserve Jamaica resident Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis, 21, was arrested on Wednesday, after attempting to blow up the Federal Reserve in Manhattan.

The suspect, a Bangladeshi man, allegedly built a fake 1,000-pound bomb with the help of undercover FBI agents, reports said.

The defendant appeared in federal court in Brooklyn to face charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to provide material to support al Qaeda.

According to statements, Nafis drove the bogus bomb in a van and parked it next to the Federal Reserve on Liberty Street. Agents had alerted the NYPD’s counter-terrorism officers in lower Manhattan not to stop the van or prevent it from parking outside the Federal Reserve.

After the suspect had parked the van, he went to a nearby hotel, Millennium Hilton on Church Street, where he checked into a room and recorded a video, taking full responsibility for the attack he was about to commit.

FBI agents arrested Nafis at approximately 8:12 a.m. in his hotel room. Reports suggest he was repeatedly using a cell phone, which would detonate the bomb.

Authorities are still trying to determine whether the suspect worked alone.

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 19-25, 2012

St. Albans Teen Convicted of Rape A St. Albans teen, Dominicio Fuhrtz, has been convicted of the 2010 rape of a 21-year-old woman he had met through the adult website director y, backpage.com. The defendant, only 17years-old at the time of the rape, was apprehended when he attempted to pick up another female from the same website – not knowing that the victim had shared his information with friends who also advertised on the site and had set up a sting operation.

Fuhrtz, of 173-12 116th Ave., was convicted on Oct. 10 of first-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act following a ten-day jury trial before Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Kron, who set sentencing for Oct. 29. The defendant faces up to 25 years in prison.

According to a statement released by District Attorney Richard A. Brown, in the trial testimony, the victim agreed to meet Fuhrtz, whom she had met through backpage.com. On May 1, 2010, he brought her to a house located at 115-30 175th St. in Queens, which she believed was his residence. Once she entered the house, she realized it was vacant. Fuhrtz

then pulled out a gun and forcibly raped her and engaged in other sexual acts.

Fuhrtz, now 19, was arrested on June 10, 2010, when he attempted to pick up yet another female on the same website.

Not knowing that the victim shared his information with friends, they scheduled a fake meeting. Ultimately, his DNA, as well as the victim’s, matched the profiles on a used condom recovered at vacant house.

“This case once again underscores the effectiveness of DNA as a tool of law enforcement. This defendant is a violent predator who should receive a substantial prison sentence in order to punish him and protect society,” Brown said in the statement.

One Year Later, Casino Touts Success As it approaches its first anniversary, Resorts World New York City Casino officials are calling the last 12 months an “incredible success.”

According to Resorts World officials, the racino, located at the Aqueduct racetrack in Ozone Park, has generated more than $410 million in tax revenue, with more than $263 million of that going to New York State’s education fund.

Since its opening, the racino has outperformed two nearby Connecticut casinos – Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods – to become the top slot revenue generator in the country.

“We’ve had a great result with the casino. We’re thrilled,” Michael Speller, president of Resorts World, said. “Most important, the Queens community has been the beneficiary.”

Speller said the racino has surpassed expectations since it opened on Oct. 28, 2011, and noted that the success would not have been possible without the efforts of the locally-hired workforce. Resorts World has hired 1,790 employees since opening last year. Speller said that 1,116 of those hires have been Queens residents.

“We’re very fortunate to have hired such a dynamic work force,” Speller said.

The company is a big believer in upward mobility and promoting from within, Speller said. “We hope to have these employees with us for decades to come,” he said.

To celebrate the racino’s first anniversary, Resorts World will host a special event on Oct. 25. For information, visit www.rwnewyork.com.

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

Presstime

Men’s Shelter Too Close For Comfort

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Parents and teachers of students at P.S. 124 are outraged after reports surfaced that Skyview Men’s Shelter, a homeless shelter just two blocks away from the middle school, may be housing as many as 27 registered sex offenders at any given time.

According to Councilman Ruben Wills (D- Jamaica), an avid opponent of the homeless shelter, as many as 16 of the 27 level two and three sex offenders registered at the shelter were convicted of priors with children under the age of 16 – a statistic that several parents found alarming.

“Southeast Queens is not antihomeless or anti-shelter but you can’t give one community all of the undesirable land uses, especially if you don’t give that community the same formula for things we need,” Wills said. “I

understand the DHS has a mandate to make sure there is housing provided for people who are homeless, but most of that requirement is in the particular area.

You are requiring this at the detriment of innocent residents.”

Wills also noted that Skyview may be housing more sex offenders than the 27 documented. “We don’t know if there are any level one sex offenders there- that’s a problem,” he said.

Sita Ranouth, parent of a student at the middle school, is concerned that the school’s close proximity to the shelter may be potentially dangerous to students.

“I am very concerned about this shelter. You never know who will be around,” said Ranouth.

“Sometimes I walk around and see a lot of scary people around here. My son is leaving next year but what about all the other kids?

I don’t think it’s safe,” she added.

Katherine Taylor, a concerned mother, echoed Ranouth’s concerns.

“I know they put added security around the school when the kids come out but it’s not enough,” she said. “The kids have to walk home by themselves and there is no one there to help them. I know they have to have somewhere to live but why so close to a school?,” she asked.

Taylor, like many other parents, noted that the men from the shelter also often migrate to the park just a few blocks away from the school where the kids hangout after school.

“There is also a park right here and I see them hanging out over there too, right next to the kids,” said Taylor.

Before Skyview became a men-only shelter, it served as a family shelter and housed several students from P.S. 124. The

change, which occurred in February of 2011, made it difficult for those students to commute and changed P.S. 124’s status to a “priority one” school, calling for additional security.

Heather Janik, a spokesperson from the Department of Homeless Services, said the change from a family facility to a men-only shelter was a result of the declining family census and an increased demand for single adults. She also noted that the shelter has been without incident since its opening.

Although DHS indicated that there have been no incidents involving men from the shelter, a Press of Southeast Queens photographer reported that he was assaulted by two men at the shelter for taking pictures. Luckily, the photographer, who was pushed to the ground by the two men, walked away with just a few scrapes.

In addition, Janik added that DHS is legally mandated to provide shelter to all homeless individuals regardless of their criminal background.

“The agency plans to continue to successfully provide shelter each night to all individuals citywide in need, and work with these men and women to connect them with employment to return as quickly as possible back to the community,” she said.

School officials could not be reached for comment before press time.

Skyview Men’s Shelter is located at 132-10 South Conduit Ave. in South Ozone Park. It is currently the only homeless shelter in South Ozone Park and one of 17 homeless shelters in Queens.

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

Justice Elena Kagan Visits St. John’s a budget of any serious kind. You use more muscles than any job I’ve ever done,” Kagan told students.

In 2009, President Obama nominated Kagan as Solicitor General of the United States.

After serving in that role for just one year, the President nominated her as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. She took her seat on Aug. 7, 2010.

During her visit at St. John’s, Kagan briefly touched upon her experience as a female Supreme Court Justice.

“Sometimes I look out to the audience in the court, and of course there are a lot of school groups, and you think this is kind of a great thing for girls and also for boys to see that women and men can both be active questioners and equally assertive and I like that part of it very much,” Kagan said. “I think it says something about what women could do in our society,” she added.

She continued to argue that she did not feel that being a woman truly made a difference in any of her court decisions.

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan discussed her career at St. John’s University on Monday.

“I don’t think honestly it makes much difference,” she asserted. “I know people sometimes say you see things a certain way because you’re a woman and I think it might be occasionally true that women are sensitive to some kind of issues that men may not be….but I would say the huge majority of the time the way my colleagues and I think about a case and decide a case doesn’t have a whole lot to do whether you are a man or woman.”

Michelle Nicotera, a first year law student at the St. John’s, said that having Kagan speak to students at the university has given her more school pride.

“It’s just really fantastic to have someone of her prestige be here.

It confirms the prestige of the school and my decision to come here,” Nicotera said.

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

Oct. 19-25, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Associate Supreme Court Justice and New York City native Elena Kagan visited St. John’s University this week, where she spoke about her early career as an attorney and some of the biggest challenges of her law career.

Kagan, the Court’s 112th justice and fourth female on the bench, has held a variety of positions before she was appointed to the Supreme Court on May 10, 2010. After briefly practicing law in Washington, D.C., Kagan became a law professor, first at the University of Chicago Law School and later at Harvard Law School. She also served four years in the Clinton Administration, as Associate Counsel to the President and then Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.

Long before she began her career in law, the justice admitted that she was not immediately drawn to the field.

“I didn’t always want to be a lawyer. In fact, I went to law school for all the wrong reasons,”

she said. “My father was a lawyer, so it was part of my childhood, but if you asked me if I thought what my father does was interesting, I would say, no, not really.”

Although her original aspirations may have not been to be a lawyer, Kagan said she grew to love the field when she got to law school.

“I thought the questions that law school posed were so interesting and so fascinating. It was very intellectually satisfying but at the same time it felt as though you could really see how this mattered.”

After working as a professor at Harvard, Kagan was asked to serve as the dean of the school in 2003 – one of the most challenging jobs the justice said she has ever had.

“Truthfully, the job where I walked in and thought I don’t have a clue was being dean. For example, it’s kind of like running a medium sized business – you have lots of employees, we have a very large budget, we’re a very big law school. I never had to do

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

NAACP Complaint To Board Of Elections

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 19-25, 2012

Jamaica’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People recently filed a complaint to the New York City Board of Elections, arguing that minority voters in Southeast Queens experienced irregularities that resulted in the disenfranchisement of numerous African American voters who were unable to vote in the Primary Election.

Earlier this year, the Board of Elections announced they were making necessary changes to several Queens poll sites in an effort to compliment changing district lines. The district lines, which change every 10 years, have since caused a series of confusion among voters who say they were either unaware of the change or misdirected to a wrong polling site.

The complaint from the NAACP, which was written by Leroy Gadsden, President of Jamaica’s branch, echoed many

of the same problems experienced by voters in Forest Hills and Middle Village in the Sept.

13 primary but hit close to home because many of the voters who were unable to cast their vote were minorities.

The letter expressed three major complaints to the Board of Elections: community residents were not informed of their changed polling sites and were therefore denied the right to vote when they appeared at their old polling site; residents who were informed of the new polling site appeared at the new polling site and were denied the right to vote because it was the wrong polling site; and some new polling sites were combined with existing sites, which created a location with inadequate spacing for privacy.

“As you are aware, African Americans are the only Americans where laws were created such as gerrymandering, poll taxes, grandfather clauses, etc., and blood was shed and many

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks lives of all Races were lost in the pursuit of the Right to Vote,” the letter read. “We strongly feel that such practices and misinformation on polling sites as well as insufficient spacing polling sites which cause long lines and frustration is the very prohibition Congress referenced in the Voting Rights Act.” Gadsden, along with 18 Pastors, several community leaders and approximately 60 locals, expressed concern that the con-

fusion minority voters experienced during Primary Election Day may have eerily resembled a time in history where African Americans were denied the right to vote.

“We are the only race in America that was legally denied the right to vote. There are people in our community that remember going to polls with their family years ago that were denied the right to vote. Now, here we are in the modern era of 2012, and they go to vote and they can’t vote not because they’ve done anything wrong, not because they aren’t citizens, but because there have been some administrative and bureaucratic errors by the Board of Elections,” Gadsden said.

Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton), who was on the ballot for the primary election, agreed that Southeast Queens residents experienced major issues while trying to vote.

“I was at a major polling site and I saw one out of five of voters

were being turned away- 20 percent,” Sanders said. “I have not studied New York City, but I do know Southeast Queens had an incredible amount of difficultly finding where we are supposed to be. I believe that there were even more voters who wanted to vote for me who were not able to come to polls.”

Although many argue that the minority community was harmed and targeted on Election Day, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (DJamaica) said that the changes in the poll sites have affected several communities.

“I think that there has been confusion throughout the City of New York. I’ve heard this from people in different areas - some in Manhattan, some in Brooklyn and some in Bronx also complaining about that. I think the Board of Elections needs to get back on its game,” said Meeks.

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

MTA Plans To Hike Fares For Riders For some in Queens, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s latest fare hike proposal is off the rails.

MTA chairman Joseph Lhota unveiled four proposals this week for fare and toll hikes that could raise the base subway and bus fare from $2.25 to $2.50. Other proposals call for the base fare to remain the same, while asking straphangers to pour money into the MTA in other ways, like paying more for a monthly MetroCard.

Long Island Rail Road fares could also jump 9 percent.

“Costs that the MTA does not exercise control over, namely those for debt service, pensions, energy, paratransit, and employee and retiree health care, continue to increase beyond the rate of inflation,” Lhota said.

Indeed, a recent audit of the MTA by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli found that the MTA’s increased pension and healthcare costs are a burden on

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

BY ROSS BARKAN

The MTA has issued proposals to hike fares for City straphangers. the authority’s finances, though the possible repeal of a payroll mobility tax that generates $1.5 billion annually in revenue could also a pose fiscal threat. DiNapoli said the MTA relied on borrowed money to pay for projects and has not identified sources of funding for future capital programs.

If any of the four proposals

were implemented, they would be able to raise $230 million for the MTA, Lhota said. When the MTA board approves one of the proposals, the hikes will go into effect in March 2013. Public hearings are scheduled for the proposals in November.

In one proposal, bus and subway patrons monthly unlimited

MetroCards would cost up to $125, an increase of $21. The price of unlimited weekly MetroCards would increase $5 to $34. The $2.25 fare for single bus and subway rides would remain unchanged, but the 7 percent advance purchase bonus would drop to 5 percent.

A second proposal would increase the base fare to $2.50 but lower increases for weekly and monthly unlimited MetroCards, from $29 to $30 and $104 to $112, respectively. The bonus would remain the same.

A third proposal calls for the $0.25 base fare increase, a rise of $5 for monthly unlimited MetroCards, no change in weekly unlimited fares and no change in the 7 percent bonus.

The final proposal would keep the current base fare, eliminating the bonus entirely and increasing the weekly and monthly unlimited MetroCards to $32 and $119, respectively. Under all proposals, a $1 surcharge for purchasing a new MetroCard, designed to en-

courage straphangers to refill their existing cards and reduce MetroCard production costs, would be implemented.

Transportation Alternatives, a public transit advocacy group, called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to stop the impending fare hikes by using more public money to shore up the MTA’s finances. It does not appear Cuomo will listen to them.

Queens subway and bus riders were distressed to learn they would be digging deeper into their pockets. A Queens College student who did not want to be identified said he already pays $9 a day to commute and does not know how much more he can spend.

“Heck yeah, these hikes are going to hurt,” said Lillian Jones as she waited for a bus on Main Street in Flushing. “I’m a senior citizen, so I assume they’re raising everyone else’s fares, they’re raising mine too.”

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

Oct. 19-25, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

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

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Editorial Taking Its Toll The MTA hopes that the recent proposals for public transportation fare hikes could go a long way in solving the authority’s finances, but it does not solve the infrastructure problems that plague the City’s subway and bus stations.

Unfortunately, a modest fare hike is unlikely to pay for what should be a significant overhaul. In the past, the City had a commuter tax that helped pay for public transportation improvements, but that was done away with in 1999. Since it would require approval from the State Legislature, a return to the commuter tax could generously be labeled an unlikely scenario.

Perhaps the City instead should look within for a solution. Instituting a toll on the various bridges within the City that are now tollfree could begin to fill the coffers for an infrastructure fund.

It would undoubtedly be an unpopular option. Many people go out of their way to save a few bucks by using the Queensborough, Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. But collecting the same $6.50 that drivers using the other City bridges pay may be the City’s last and best hope for finding the money needed to make the necessary – and long-past due – repairs to the subway system.

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen Reporters: Harley Benson Natalia Kozikowska Ross Barkan Megan Montalvo Joe Marvilli

Letters

What Happened?

To The Editor: What has happened to America? Millionaires and billionaires are buying politicians and elections and trying to persuade citizens to vote against their own best interests. If we don’t

have a democracy with some for all, we will have an oligarchy with all for some in a society ruled by the rich for the rich.

Our once-great country no longer offers prosperity for most citizens. Many have lost their savings, homes, jobs, pensions,

Letters affordable health care, quality public schools, etc. Risky 401 (k) plans have replaced pensions, Social Security, Medicare and other social programs are in jeopardy and the privatization of public institutions doesn’t benefit the community at large.

The real question is whether Americans will continue to accept these and other disastrous policies. They include globalization as an excuse to bring down wages and outsource jobs, fracking and drilling that destroy natural resources, giving antibiotics to healthy livestock, low taxes and loopholes for the wealthy, corporate subsidies for big businesses, continuous frauds by banks “too big to fail,” lax regulation instead of consumer protection, corporations that have become people, unlimited campaign spending, costly but ineffective wars and more military spending than all other countries combined, all of which makes the rich richer.

Democracy is bogus when policies that do not benefit the average citizen are promoted by a few and accepted by the rest.

We need to fight for a better

America and the return of our democracy.

Linda Imhauser, Whitestone

No More Lies To The Editor: You should call your paper “The Democrats,” since only their views are published.

In reference to Tyler Cassell’s two-full-column epistle (“Debate Spin,” Oct. 11-17), how dare Hussein O’bama say he didn’t know the guy he was debating; our side says we never knew Hussein O’bama since no one ever properly vetted him, not even the bowing and scraping media!

Not one presidential candidate in U.S. history ever had all his records of his entire life, including schooling, sealed from the public scrutiny. Also, Mrs. Hussein O’bama cannot practice law because her license was revoked – oh, these records are sealed also!

So Mr. Cassell, you want specifics; we do also, for the past four years! You don’t like being lied to, the same with us – if nothing else, reflect on Bengazi!

Rose Raggo, Flushing

Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend Advertising Director Gerry Laytin Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 19-25, 2012

Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2012 Tribco, LLC

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

Debate Dust-up Help Voters Decide

A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

This week’s debate between our two presidential candidates crackled with excitement and showed that the incumbent is in it to win it.

Gov. Mitt Romney in his efforts to unseat President Barack Obama, showed up at Hofstra University for round two with the president, whom he bested in Denver some two weeks ago, but President Obama showed up ready to win the night and gave as good as he got this time.

The two men sparred for 90 minutes with neither ceding any point to the other. It was do or die for the president and while some would like to call it “a draw,” most agreed Obama won this one. This time he got Romney on his “not concerned about the 47 percent” speech and many other points with even the moderator fact-checking Mr. Romney.

Debate number two was defi-

nitely Obama’s “comeback kid” moment. Even my 15 year-old son was impressed with his performance this week. We have to be realistic about our expectations of the candidates. They don’t have all the answers and they certainly don’t have all the solutions for our unique times. It is up to us to determine who will do the better job with the cards he is being handed.

The best we can do is trust that each has the best intentions at heart for our country, even if we don’t agree with how some of those intentions will impact us individually. The reality is that a sitting president always knows what our challenges are far better than any challenger ever will. The challenger never sees the full picture of our situation unless he or she wins. And reality bites. That is why when George H.W. Bush back in 1988 told us to, “Read my lips, no new taxes,” we should not have believed him. As soon as he took office, he raised taxes.

So he was either lying to us or he was naive. And there was no incumbent that year. President Reagan was the outgoing president and Bush, his vice president, would have known more than Michael Dukakis, the Democratic nominee, about the state of the budget and everything else. The best we can do as citizens is to “pick sense out of nonsense” and go with the candidate who represents our interests better.

This is not about party affiliation and race as much as it should be about the facts of our times. The issues are what matter and so we have to pay attention to what the candidates are saying and what they have done in the past and what their blue print is for the future of this great nation. And each stage of our lives dictates what issues matter most to us.

Those of us who are baby boomers and will start retiring within the next 10 to 20 years care about Social Security and

Medicare. We also care about education because while we may already have paid off our own education debts, we are now dealing with college costs for our children. Therefore, education tax write-offs are important to us.

Our current and future seniors must be protected by all means as well. These issues will influence how we vote when we go to the polls in less than three weeks.

We are fortunate to have two intelligent, patriotic people running for president. But we the voters also have to show our patriotism by voting intelligently on Nov. 6. This is one of the most crucial elections of my voting life and I am looking forward to helping to make this all important presidential selection.

For anyone who thinks that his or her vote won’t make a difference, think again. For better or for worse, we are all in this together and we all need to exercise this hard-won right in our best interest.

Nobody treats complex neurological conditions like North Shore University Hospital does. Our neurologists and neurosurgeons work in close coordination with multiple physicians from other specialty areas to develop individual treatment plans. That means our patients don’t have to go anywhere else to get a second opinion.

And unlike other hospitals, North Shore University Hospital has a dedicated ICU for neurosurgery patients, because the care needed after complex neurosurgery is just as important as the surgery itself. Our teams also excel in the care of patients with cerebral aneurysms and brain tumors. And we’re one of only 150 hospitals across the country designated as a Level 4 epilepsy center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.

It’s no surprise we’re ranked among the nation’s top 50 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News and World Report, earning the highest possible scores for patient services and technology.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call the Neuro Hotline at 516-562-3822, email us at neuro@nshs.edu, or visit neurocni.com

Oct. 19-25, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

City Redistricting:

Minority Groups Find New Lines Unacceptable

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 19-25, 2012

BY ROSS BARKAN More than the sign-waving or cutting remarks, what characterized Queens’ second and final round in front of the blank-faced Districting Commission was a popular two letter word: “déjà vu.”

While the decennial redrawing of City Council lines may not excite most of New York City’s diverse population, for minority advocacy groups, elected officials and civic leaders, the redistricting process is of paramount importance. Political fortunes can rise or fall based on where a district border not-so-arbitrarily falls. In Queens, groups representing the burgeoning Asian population are furious that a proposed City Council map from the 15-member Districting Commission fails, in their estimation, to account for sweeping racial and ethnic changes in the borough’s many neighborhoods.

One Congressional candidate, likely to be fighting for his political life next year in the City Council, is not too happy either.

“Being divided among different districts – the fracturing or ‘cracking’ of minority populations – is today the greatest problem New York City’s AsianAmericans are facing in our current district lines and in the preliminary map released last month,” said James Hong, speaking on behalf of the Asian American Community Coalition on Redistricting and Democracy. “If it feels a bit like déjà vu when our members and allies make their statements today, it’s for a good reason.”

Indeed, the second and likely last City Council redistricting public hearing was a carbon copy of the first. After piling into Flushing to decry the lines, ACCORD and its allies trekked to Long Island City on Oct. 10 to again reiterate to the commission, appointed by Mayor Mike Bloomberg and the City Council, that the proposed districts were unacceptable. Taking aim at the neighborhoods of Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Bayside and Elmhurst, ACCORD submitted its own “Unity

Map” to the commission, which includes former State Senator Frank Padavan and Councilman Tom Ognibene. After the commission releases a revised map in November, the City Council will have to rubberstamp it.

Rare Opportunity There is a statistic that ACCORD is fond of using: 300. The Asian population of Queens grew 300 times the rate of the rest of the Borough in the last decade. For all of that growth, the City Council in Queens only has one Asian representative, Councilman Peter Koo (DFlushing). Asians now make up almost a quarter of Queens’ population, up from roughly 18 percent a decade ago.

Queens, and New York State, could have its first Asian-American member of Congress in Assemblywoman Grace Meng (DFlushing), but if district lines remain as they are, Koo will not be joined by any other Asian-Americans in the City Council.

The redrawing of City Council district lines has not attracted the same sort of fiery scrutiny that came with State Senate and Assembly redistricting because the process, at least in theory, is more

transparent. State representatives without term limits can draw their own districts, resulting in bizarre, non-contiguous lines crafted with the explicit intent of protecting the incumbent, not representing communities of common interest accurately. State Senate and Assembly districts are allowed to cross borough boundaries, unlike City Council districts.

This makes City Council redistricting a relatively refreshing process, but one that is still somewhat flawed, said Rachael Fauss, policy and research manager for Citizens Union, a good government group.

“One of the challenges, and obligations, of the commission is to address the growing minority population of New York City,” Fauss said.

The average City Council district in Queens contains 158,000 people. Their sizes, by federal law, can be 5 percent bigger or smaller than the average district.

Citizens Union wants this number narrowed.

In their testimony to the commission, Citizens Union and ACCORD identified similar areas for reshaping. Elmhurst, according to ACCORD, is unfairly divided, pulled between the For-

est Hills and Rego Park-based 29th District, represented by Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills), and the Jackson Heights-based 25th District, represented by Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights). ACCORD wants Elmhurst to be placed entirely within the 25th District.

With only two majority Hispanic City Council districts currently, Queens is due at least two more after an uptick in the Hispanic population, Citizens Union maintained in their testimony. A delicate balancing act comes into play with Dromm’s heavily Hispanic 25th District, however—carved last decade as an “opportunity to elect” district for the LGBT community. In 2009, Dromm, who is openly gay, was elected. Citizens Union wants the “opportunity to elect” district kept intact.

The most vocal opposition to the proposed map may have come from South Ozone Park and Richmond Hill. Home to thriving Guyanese and South Asian populations, the neighborhoods are split among four City Council districts that would shrink to two under the commission’s proposal. That has not been enough to quell the rage of community leaders and aspiring elected officials who believe the area’s split representation has led to it receiving less public funding for a variety of essential services.

Residents lament the lack of community or senior centers in the area and some believe the solution to Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park’s status as the “orphan child of Queens,” in the words of Albert Baldeo, a Democratic district leader, is to create a single district for the area. The current proposal divides the neighborhoods at Lefferts Boulevard, splitting them into Councilman Ruben Wills’ (D-Jamaica) Jamaica-based 28th District and Councilman Eric Ulrich’s (ROzone Park) 32nd District.

If the Lefferts Boulevard boundary were moved east to the Van Wyck Expressway, as ACCORD wishes, new political opportunities would be created for South Asian civic leaders to be-

come elected officials.

“The problem here is that Richmond Hill is split down the middle,” Baldeo said.

The South Asian Baldeo, who has ran for City Council and also lost a close election to former State Sen. Serphin Maltese, would be one of several individuals from the area that would see their political fortunes rise with a district boundary shifted eastward.

Bayside Blues The one elected official to testify at both City Council redistricting hearings was Councilman Dan Halloran (RWhitestone). Though he is facing Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) in a Congressional race that will be decided next month, Halloran is not expected to win the overwhelmingly Democratic district. While most City Council members in Queens have been mum on the proposed map, the outspoken Halloran has criticized the proposal for his 19th District, arguing that it splits several neighborhoods and does not keep together areas of similar zoning.

“Three council districts have been chopped up in a manner that does not actually serve the commission’s ends of keeping communities united,” Halloran said.

ACCORD is also pushing for Oakland Gardens, a neighborhood just south of Bayside, to be included in Halloran’s 19th District. This would unite the growing Asian populations of the two neighborhoods, which are not very distinct, and increase the possibility of an Asian candidate winning the district.

In 2009, Halloran defeated the Korean-American Kevin Kim. “I’d like to see communities kept together as much as possible,” said Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens), who represents Oakland Gardens and eastern Queens. “I’d like to see lines not look like Rorschach tests, without clean borders logical boundaries.”

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

Police Blotter Compiled by STEVEN J. FERRARI

108th Precinct Robbery The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the following suspect wanted in connection with robberies that occurred within the 108th and 114th Precincts. In each of the following incidents, the suspect approached the victims from behind and grabbed their iPhones before fleeing. There were no injuries sustained to the victims as a result of these incidents, which occurred on the following dates: Aug. 1 at approximately 9:25 p.m. on the stairwell leading from the northbound E train inside Court Square station.

Sept. 7 at approximately 5:45 p.m. on the southbound E train platform inside Court Square station.

Sept. 11 at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the vicinity of 36th Avenue and 29th Street.

Sept. 15 at approximately 12:40 p.m. on the southbound E plat-

form inside Court Square station.

Sept. 17 at approximately 9 p.m. in the vicinity of Broadway and 31st Street.

Sept. 19 at approximately 3:30 p.m. in the vicinity of 37th Avenue and 31st Street.

Sept. 20 at approximately 3:15 p.m. in the vicinity of 35th Avenue and 28th Street.

The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 20 years old, between 6-foot and 6foot-3 with a thin build.

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

110th Precinct Sexual Assault The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance identifying

the following individual wanted for a sexual assault, which occurred on Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Whitney Avenue and Broadway.

The suspect, who was riding a black mountain bike, approached the victim, an 11-yearold female who was also riding a bike and asked her help to repair his bicycle.

The suspect sexually assaulted her and fled on his bicycle. The victim was not injured.

The suspect is described as a White male, 35-45 years old and approximately 6-foot-2.

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

All calls are strictly confidential.

111th Precinct Attempted Rape The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance identifying the following individual wanted for an attempted rape, which occurred on Aug. 21 at approximately 11:30 p.m. inside of Peck Park.

The suspect approached the victim, a 17-year-old female, knocked her to the ground and attempted to rape her. The victim kicked the suspect in the chest and was able to flee the scene.

The suspect is described as a White male, 40-50 years old, 5foot-11 and 225 lbs. He spoke with an Eastern European accent.

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

Stephen Rasool is wanted in connection to a rape.

113th Precinct Rape The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in locating a male wanted for a rape. The incident occurred on Sept. 27 at approximately 2:15 p.m. The victim, a 26-year-old female was forcibly raped in Jamaica after she was threatened with force.

The suspect was identified as Stephen Rasool, 30. He is described as being 5-foot-6, 140 lbs., with a thin build, brown hair and brown eyes.

Oct. 19-25, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

pix

GJDC Honors Borough President Helen Marshall (right) presents honors to Chancellor Dennis Walcott during the Greater Jamaica Development Corporations’ annual gala, held at eSpace in Manhattan.

Family Literacy Walk

Photo by Ira Cohen

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

Apprenticeship

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 19-25, 2012

Photo by Megan Montalvo

More than 150 students, teachers and friends walked from Rainey Park, along Vernon Boulevard to Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City on Oct. 12 to raise awareness and advocate for the many benefits the Queens Library Family Literacy Program. Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (DSunnyside), State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) and Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) addressed the crowd and received gifts of appreciation from the students, who thanked them for their support.

Bill Rancic (left), author and winner of the first season of the TV show, “The Apprentice,” visited the AT&T store in Astoria to give advice to local small business owners.

Oct. 19-25, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Profile

Former American Gangster Tells His Tale

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Before he was an advocate for peace, Chaz “Slim” Williams was a notorious criminal. Aiming to get back at a racist society, he robbed over 60 banks during the 1970’s and even continued to conduct robberies while incarcerated.

Williams, who was born in Harlem, moved to Jamaica when he was five. Early into his childhood he witnessed many social injustices experienced by African Americans in the 1960s.

“I grew up in a time where the opportunities for African Americans were limited,” he said.

“When I used to travel down south with my family I would often see signs, ‘for whites only.’

A lot of the time we would also get pulled by law enforcement and those stops were extremely disrespectful and blatantly racist’” he added.

Angered by a racist society, Williams wondered why his father, who was a World War II

veteran, could risk his own life overseas and fight equally but could not come back to America and live his life equally.

“I started developing a certain attitude about what it is to be Black in America and what I needed to do to achieve my piece of the American pie by any means necessary and I chose to go that route,” he said.

At just 12-years-old, Williams committed his first crime robbing a drug store. Although he was apprehended shortly after, he was not deterred from a life of crime. Instead, he was determined to make adjustments to the way he was committing the crimes so that he would not get caught.

Just three short years later, Williams upgraded to bank robberies.

“I had my own issues with the government and at the time I thought I wasn’t hurting anybody personally. I felt I wasn’t taking money from people – I was taking money from an insti-

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 19-25, 2012

Haunted House Offers Chills, Thrills

During most of the year, Poppenhusen Institute is a place for life-enhancing culture and education. At the end of October though, the “Doorway of Opportunity” will lead to spine-tingling terror instead, as the locale holds its second haunted house this month.

Advertised as the “scariest one in Queens”, the haunted house will take place at 114-04 14th Road in College Point over two weekends. The dwelling will be open on two Fridays, Oct. 19 and 26 as well as two Saturdays, Oct. 20 and 27.

Of course, it will also bring the horror on Halloween.

Children and adults will be able to walk the halls of the 144-year-old structure in costume, dodging frightening figures that will jump out at them.

The sounds of night will resonate throughout the facility,

adding an eerie edge to the evenings.

There is a light at the end of this spooky tunnel though. Refreshments, souvenirs and pumpkins will be sold after the hair-raising experience ends.

Craft vendors photos with goblins in old village jail cells are also available.

The showtimes are split by age groups. Younger kids between six and eight years old can visit from 5 to 6 p.m. Those who are eight and older will have from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to get their frights.

Tickets are $8 for both children and adults. For more information, call (718) 358-0067 or email poppenhusen@juno.com.

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

-Joe Marvilli

Chaz “Slim” Williams, then and now. tution, the government, the FDIC, which insured that the money taken would be given back to the people,” he said.

After successfully completing a string of robberies in the Northeast, Williams was caught when one of his accomplices cooperated with police. He was removed to a federal corrections institution in Milan, Mich., and sentenced to a five year term.

In 1974, the Milan Federal Corrections Institution offered a program that would allow inmates, who were close to their release date, to take classes at local colleges. Williams and a few friends began to outline the qualifications for the program and eventually were accepted and enrolled at the University of Michigan.

“Through our networking we were able to get our classes scheduled in such a way where we were out all day long,” he said. Because Williams and his colleagues were out all day long and most of the courses he was enrolled in were lectures that did not check attendance, he felt as though he had found a loophole – the perfect alibi.

“I started to rob banks again.

We would go rob the banks, stash the money at one of our apartments and come back to the prison at the end of the day,” he said. “My vision was that when I got out, we would have so much money we wouldn’t have to do anything wrong again. I would have my education, my money, and my freedom.”

After six months and six bank

robberies during his incarceration, Williams’ vision of a lavish lifestyle upon release was jeopardized. A prison bus driver had approached police with his suspicions, but eventually the trial was dropped because the driver refused to testify, fearing for his safety. Williams eventually completed his sentence and was released on parole.

After serving his time, Williams was still not satisfied and continued to pursue his life of crime. He began to perfect his trade and studying military strategy and educating himself on police weaponry. He eventually employed as many as 20 people and together, the group would reenact bank robberies to determine how quickly the crime could be committed.

“We would do these exercises and tried to get it done as fast we could. We were robbing the banks in one minute,” he said.

Carefully calculated, Williams robbed several more banks, but eventually in 1976, he was caught once more. This time, he was not arrested for a bank robbery. Instead, he had strayed out of his comfort zone and decided to commit a payroll robbery in Jamaica. During this robbery several shots were fired, including one at a security guard who was wounded in the head. Apprehended after a car chase, Williams was charged with attempted murder, robbery and assault.

While awaiting sentencing

from the payroll robbery, the bus driver, who had refused to testify against him for the robberies committed while Williams was in jail, had changed his mind. He enrolled in a witness protection program, testified against him and Williams was eventually sentenced to 25 years.

While serving his new prison sentence, Williams had managed to escape from Queens House Detention. This freedom was short lived, as he was caught shortly after. An unsuccessful robbery by one of his subordinates linked him to a string of robberies and eventually Williams was slapped with another 25 years sentence.

While serving his new, elongated sentence, Williams returned to studying and even earned two bachelor degrees- one in human services and one in business administration. Formally educated, he found himself in the law library everyday looking for ways to appeal his sentence.

“I was fighting all the time.

Because I could read, I was fighting my own stuff,” he said. “I helped lawyers win my case and I stayed fighting until the day I got out.”

Eventually, Williams knocked his sentence to 15 years and upon his release he was determined to live a different life. He started networking and began his own business, Black Hand Entertainment. Some of his earliest clients included 50 Cent, Foxy Brown, Ja Rule and Prinz.

He even collaborated with musical talents like Snoop Dogg (Snoop Lion), and Tupac.

Before long, the former gangster had turned his life around.

He began to make visits to federal and state prisons as a motivational speaker. Today, Chaz “Slim” Williams works as a “credible messenger” for Cure Violence, a program created to educate troubled individuals.

“I guess I transitioned to being somewhat of the poster boy for change,” he said.

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

A&E

‘Three Generations’ Of Art At QCC

BY JOE MARVILLI

One’s hometown is often viewed as a source of inspiration. In the case of Ayamonte, Spain, the city motivated not one, but three generations of painters from the same family. Now, the result of their muse can be viewed at Queensborough Community College.

“Three Generations” is the story of Ayamonte shown through three unique styles, moving between Chencho Aguilera, his father Florencio and his grandfather Rafael. On display at the college Art Gallery, the history of the town lines the hallways and gallery rooms, adding to the culturally diverse makeup of the CUNY school.

“We bring international exhibitions to the college,” said Executive Director Faustino Quintanilla. “This year, we thought bringing a Spanish exhibit would be appropriate.”

Rafael’s art favors expansive scenes of everyday life in Ayamonte. Human interaction is at the forefront of his style,

whether it is a crowd shot at a of a conceptual idea than a religious festival or an average strict narrative. day by the coastline. His “I use the painting as a lanpainting is straightforward guage to communicate to and vibrant, a photograph of people what I want to tell the town without a camera. them,” said Chencho. “Every “On topics, my father is painting has a message. I’m more narrative. He painted looking for the aesthetic of the day-by-day a little history of conversation.” the town,” said Florencio.

Chencho’s artwork looks Rafael passed away in past reality and strives to cap1998. ture the Spanish soul. While it Differing from his father, is not based on any real people, Florencio prefers more abthe youngest of the three still stract work that captures the Artwork by Rafael, Florencio and Chencho Aguilera lines the walls of loves Ayamonte. essence of the countryside the Queensborough Community College Art Gallery.

“It’s one of the most beauand the sea. The use of colors tiful places on Earth,” he said. and lighting brings the landscapes to life, In Chencho’s art, a little bit of both “When you live in a castle, why would showing viewers the beauty of nature his father and grandfather can be found. you want to live someplace else?” through his eyes. His preference is to get Like Rafael, Chencho favors portraits, but The “Three Generations” exhibit will out of the studio and “paint right from is more impressionistic with them. The run until Jan. 5, 2013. life,” the opposite of both his father and people drawn are not citizens of the Reach Reporter Joe Marvilli at (718) 357son. town, coming instead from his imagina- 7400, Ext. 125, or at “Ayamonte is a fount, extraordinary tion. They still tell a story, but it is more jmarvilli@queenstribune.com. for a painter. You have a little bit of everything in there,” he said.

Restaurant Review

Hibachi Heaven AmeriCorps needs you for a care-giving respite program called Willing Hearts-Helpful Hands.

And receive $110 per month for 10 hours per week.

You can also earn $1,468 for an educational voucher.

Limited opportunity. Call now.

(718) 289-2100 Ext. 4296 www.willingheartshelpfulhands.org

It is not often that my boyfriend and I step out of our comfort zone for restaurants, but last week we were on the prowl for a new place we could add to the list of “our spots.” We struck gold at Tokyo Hibachi Steak House, a small quaint Japanese cuisine restaurant with exceptional food and service, conveniently located directly off the LIE. To begin our meal, my boyfriend and I ordered a California Roll sushi appetizer. Although our choice was very basic, the taste far surpassed our expectations. The sushi was incredibly fresh and the rice was the perfect texture. The rice complemented the crab meat well for the perfect rice to meat ratio.

For the main course, I ordered the

teriyaki chicken and shrimp hibachi combination. This $25 combo came with a soup, a salad, a shrimp appetizer, the meal and a cup of ice cream – quite the bang for our buck.

Once again, Tokyo did not disappoint. The delicious appetizers did a great job holding me over until our hibachi chef made his way to our table. My main course was also cooked to perfection. The teriyaki chicken and shrimp were soft and tender with great taste.

The fried rice, for an additional $3, also complimented the meat well.

It is important to note that when going to a hibachi style restaurant, service is almost as important as the meal. Our hibachi chef was extremely pleasant and very entertaining. He interacted with everyone at the table – tossing food in their mouths, singing and of course, performing a variety of neat tricks with kitchen utensils.

This restaurant is perfect for all occasions, whether it be a nice romantic date or a kids’ birthday party. If your taste buds are craving Japanese, Tokyo Hibachi Steak House is definitely worth checking out.

-Natalia Kozikowska

Oct. 19-25, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

Volunteer to help older adults and their families.

Make a difference by helping to ease the burdens of family caregivers of older adult loved ones…

Tokyo Hibachi Steak House & Sushi 184-16 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows (718) 463-2999 www.tokyosteakhousenyc.com CUISINE: Japanese DELIVERY: Yes CREDIT CARD: Yes, all major KIDS MENU: Yes

Faith

‘Sunday’s Kids’ At Our Saviour Lutheran Church Every Sunday, Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Jamaica provides a free Christian education program for children ages 3-12.

The program, “Sunday’s Kids,” focuses on one Biblical story or theme and explores it through interactive games, crafts, music and telling the story together.

Associate Pastor Krista

Word Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

-Proverbs 1:8-9

Vingelis describes “Sunday’s The younger kids enjoy the Kids” as an interactive type interaction with the chilof learning ministry that dren. They enjoy ministergives children the opportuing to the younger brothers and sisters in the congreganity to learn about important life lessons in a fun and lovtion,” said Vingelis. “The ing atmosphere. children love the environAccording to Vingelis, ment because it’s a positive Our Saviour Lutheran place for them to come and Church, which was orgalearn and grow,” she added.

“Sunday’s Kids” is nized in 1923, has always placed an importance on Each week, Our Saviour Lutheran Church fo- open to all children ages teaching the youth about cuses on a Biblical theme and explores the theme 3-12. The program is held God which is why they of- in a fun, interactive way. every Sunday at 10 a.m. fer the program for chilOur Saviour Lutheran dren at no cost. the children who attend, it is Church is located at 90-04 175th “It is a means for us to share also used as a rewarding experi- St. in Jamaica.

God’s love and God’s word with ence for the many teens and For additional information, a new generation so that they adults who volunteer their time call (718) 739-7452 or visit can grow in faith, which then on Sunday mornings to teach www.oursaviourjamaica.org. provides kids with grounding in local children the lessons of the Reach Reporter Natalia life,” said Vingelis.

Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. Bible.

The program is not just a “We have our teenagers who 123 or nkozikowska@queens positive learning experience for help to teach as well as adults. press.com.

Photo courtesy of Robert Fritch.

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Notebook

Campus Magnet Complex

MAST Students Research DNA Of Mushrooms

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

lege credits from the SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry Global Environment program.

The workshop began after Christine Kola, a MAST science

Photo courtesy of Bob Harris

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 19-25, 2012

Students from the Math, Science and Research Technology High School in the Campus Magnet Complex in Cambria Heights

performed complex DNA research on mushrooms from their local supermarkets to determine if the mushrooms were indeed the species on the label. Their research earned them three col-

MAST juniors and seniors from the research group with the board which displays their research. Left to right: Chelsea Lawrence, Remona Richards, Shana Anton, Rosenissa Pierre, Serena Wilson and Annora Moringlan.

teacher, read about the Urban Barcode Project – a project during which students perform DNA research. Kola took the workshop and eventually decided to involve her students.

To perform the DNA research, MAST students visited their local supermarkets and purchased four different species of mushrooms. They did their research at the Harlem DNA Laboratory, sponsored by the Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory. They later extracted the DNA from the mushrooms and compared it to known species and concluded that two of the four mushroom packages were misidentified.

Their research was presented during a two day session at the American Museum of Natural History, along with research from 20 other New York City high schools. Although MAST did not win the contest, students

did not walk away empty handed. They learned about complex scientific methods, how to use high-tech equipment to extract DNA and the many problems with scientific research.

With the help of Kola, students are now brainstorming ideas about doing research on ocean animals or birds at the Jamaica Wildlife Refuge.

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

Is Your School Doing Something Good?

Write The PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

What’s Up OCT. 20 It’s My Park Day at Brookville Park The Friends of Brookville Park will be celebrating its 8th “Its My Park Day.” They will be planting daffodils and participating in a park clean-up. The event is still in need of volunteers to assist in efforts to beautify the park and to decorate for the Halloween Event that will begin at noon the same day. “It’s My Park Day” will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Brookville Park, which is located at Brookville Boulevard and 143rd Ave. The event is free.

Brookville Park Halloween Celebration The Friends of Brookville Park will be hosting its 4th annual Halloween celebration. Bring the entire family for best costume and best dancer contests, and enjoy free goodie bags. The event is sponsored by the Storm Rydaz Motorcycle Club and Councilman James Sanders (DLaurelton). The event will begin at noon and end at 4 p.m. The event is free and will be held at Brookville Park.

What Every New Teacher Should Know

Hands-on History: Harvest!

King Manor Museum will be hosting an afternoon of harvestthemed stories and crafts. This is the last opportunity to visit King Manor’s vegetable garden before autumn’s chill brings an end to this year’s crop. The event is free

The Women’s Ministry of The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York’s 2012 Tennis Clinic

Fitness NYC located at 146-92 Guy R Brewer Blvd. The event costs $10.

Jazz Educational Concerts Presents: Tulivu Donna Cumberbatch

The Women’s Ministry of The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York will be hosting its 2012 Tennis Clinic for female tennis players. All players – beginners, advanced beginners, intermediate, and advanced are welcome to attend.

For more information, visit www.allencathedral.org/ tennisclinic/register.aspx. The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alley Pond Tennis Center located at 79-20 Winchester Blvd. Price is listed on the website.

Tulivu Donna Cumberbatch, a jazz singer who has been compared to artists like Bessie Smith, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughn, Gloria Lynn, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson and Aretha Franklin will be performing live at the Afrikan Poetry Theatre.

She has performed in the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and frequently at jazz clubs and festivals in Brooklyn and New York.

The event will begin at 8 p.m. and end at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door or $17 in advance. The Afrikan Poetry Theatre is located at 176-03 Jamaica Ave.

Elmer H. Blackburne Democratic Club Weekly Phone Bank

OCT. 21 Queens Library Hosts Open Mic for Poets

The EHBDC will be hosting its weekly phone bank. Teams across New York are making calls to the White House. To attend, you must bring your own cell phone, a charger and enthusiasm for the President!

For additional information, contact James Howard at (718) 525-4033. The phone bank will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Elmer H. Blackburne Regular Democratic Club is located at 226-19 Merrick Blvd.

The event is free.

Poet, critic, translator and professor Judith Baumel will read from her works at the Queens Central Library. Other poets who will attend this event include a former director of the Poetry Society of America, who has had her poetry, translations and essays published in Poetry, The Yale Review, Agni Review, The New York Times and The New Yorker. Her books of poetry are “The Weight of Numbers,” for which she won the American Academy of Poets’ Walt Whitman Award; “Now” and “The Kangaroo Girl.” The event will begin at 2 p.m. and is free and will be held at Queens Central Library.

FFN “In The Mix” Networking Event Fabulous Fitness NYC Fabulous Fitness NYC will be hosting a networking event for all business owners. Guest Speakers will include: Richard Calixte, Director, Neighborhood Economic Development, Queens Economic Development Corporation. To attend you must RSVP by emailing info@ fabulousfitnessnyc.com or calling (718)995-4336.

For additional information, contact Candice Woods at (718)995-4336 or info@ fabulousfitnessnyc.com.

The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Fabulous

Winterizing Your Body The Maria Rose International Doll Museum & Cultural Center will be hosting a program and teaching locals how to rebuild, restore, rejuvenate and enhance their total wellness. Light refreshments served. For additional information, contact Nadia NelsonNjoku at (718)276-3454 or naida187@aol.com.

The event will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will cost $7.

To find out where the event will be held, you must contact Nadia Nelson-Njoku.

OCT. 22 Stay Well Learn how special exercises and relaxation techniques can make a difference in your life at the Queens Library Central Branch. The event is free and will begin at 10 a.m.

Government Web Sites at Your Fingertips Locating accurate medical, immigration, or census data can be challenging so Queens Central Library will be hosting a workshop to teach locals how to search for information on New York City services and government officials, health and medicine, neighborhood demographics, immigration and taxation, voting and registration, GED and other subjects relating to education. Space is limited. You must preregister online or by calling (718)9900769. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and is free.

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 20 minutes depending on the size of the group.

For group registration of 10 or more participants or further information, contact the FDNY’s CPR Training Unit at 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.

HIV Awareness Clergy United for Community Empowerment provides intervention and curriculum-based prevention education sessions on HIV/AIDS, to reduce risk behaviors that lead to HIV transmission. Services are located at 8931 161st St., Jamaica. Call (718) 297-0720 to ask about our presentation to adolescents and men/women of color. Services are available Tue.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Merrick Flea Market A flea market has opened at 221-02 Merrick Blvd. On sale are a wide range of items, including household items, jewelry and clothing.

The market is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

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

Oct. 19-25, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Beta Omicron Chapter, will be providing a free interactive workshop for undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in the field of education, recently certified teachers and the professional community. Topics for discussion include: Integrating the Common Core Learning Standards, Avoiding Teacher Burnout, Teaching Evaluations, Classroom Management and more.

Preregistration is required to attend the event. Light refreshments will be served. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will be held at the Queens Library Central Branch located at 89-11 Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica.

and will be held from noon to 3 p.m. King Manor Museum/Rufus King Park is located at 153rd Street and Jamaica Ave.

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!

RELIGIOUS TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM Friday, Oc tober 19 Shabbat Services at 8. Saturday, Oc tober 20 Shabbat Services and Torah Study at 10.

Friday, Oc tober 26 Shabbat Services and Junior Congregation at 8. Saturday, October 27 Shabbat Services and Torah Study at 10. Sunday, Oc tober 28 breakfast and discussion of summer trip to Israel. $3. At 9:30.

Temple Beth Sholom, 171-39 Northern Blvd., Flushing.

463-4143.

CENTENNIAL Sunday, Oc tober 21 Centennial Celebration at 10:30 at St. Luke’s Church, 85 Greenway South, Forest Hills.

DINNER NETWORKING LUNCH Fr i d ay, O c to b e r 2 6 9 0 t h Annual Salute to Commun i t y Le a d e r s N e t wo r k i n g Luncheon in Flushing. 6852802.

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 19-25, 2012

MISCELLANEOUS WALK-A-THON Friday, Oc tober 26 10-1 at Kissena Park in Flushing to benefit Senior Citizen programs. 559-4367.

FARMERS MARKET Fridays 8:30-4:00 at Dahlia Avenue off Main Street, Flushing.

FARMERS MARKET Saturdays through November 17 8-4 at Roy Wilkins Park, Merrick and Baisley Blvds.

TOTTENTROT 5K S u n d ay , Oc tober 28 Bayside Historical Societ y’s run. 352-1548.

GREEN MARKET Sundays through November 18 Douglaston Greenmarket at the LIRR station, 235 th and 41st Avenue.

ENTERTAINMENT MOVING IMAGE Oc tober 19-27 Raya Martin Retrospective. Through December 30 “See It Big” films. Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. 412.

Adults. 777-6800.

AMAZING MAIZE MAZE Weekends through Oc to ber 28 at the Queens Count y Farm Museum, 7350 Little Neck Parkway, Flor a l Pa r k . 3 4 7 - FA R M . $ 9 adults, $5 children.

HALLOWEEN FEST Saturday, October 20 Halloween Blood Fest at the Flushing library at noon.

JUG BAND Saturday, Oc tober 20 The Better Late Than Never Jug Band at 2:30 at the Forest Hills library.

AMERICAN BLUES S a t u r d a y, O c to b e r 2 0 American Blues and More at 3 at the Ridgewood library.

WALKING TOUR S a t u r d a y, O c to b e r 2 0 Greenwood Cemetery: Forg o t te n N Y Wa l k i n g To u r. $25 non-members. Greater Astoria Historical Societ y.

278-0700.

DINNER/THEATRE Saturday, Oc tober 20 interactive theater performance at All Saints in Bayside. $45. 229-5631.

HALLOWEEN EVENT S a t u r d a y, O c to b e r 2 0 strange and unusual walking tour from 2-3:30. Children’s Halloween Festival 3:456:30. 523-1876.

FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, October 20 kids activities, treasures, baked goods, snack bar, thrift shop, books and more 10-4 at Grace Episcopal Church, 1415 Clintonville Street, Whitestone.

HALLOWEEN EVENT S a t u r d a y, O c to b e r 2 0 Maple Grove’s Great Halloween Event and Carved Pumpkin Contest 2-8:30 at Maple Grove Cemetery, 8315 Kew Gardens Road. 917881-3358. $5 donation.

OKTOBERFEST Saturday, Oc tober 20 at Holy Tr i n i t y L u t h e ra n C h u r c h , 2 4 6 - 5 5 8 7 th A v enue, Bellerose 11-3. German food, bake sale, more.

CINEMAROSA Sunday, Oc tober 21 Queer Film Festival 4-6 at Museum of Art. 592-9700.

OPEN MIC Sunday, Oc tober 21 at the Central library at 2.

BUBBLEMANIA S u n d a y , O c to b e r 2 1 a t Queens Theatre in the Park.

760-0064.

CAPITOL STEPS S u n d a y , O c to b e r 2 1 a t

Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

STAMP SHOW S u n d a y, Oc tober 21 Bayside Stamp Show at the Ramada Hotel, 220-33 Northern Blvd., Bayside from 10-4:30. Free admission and parking. 6457659.

LIVE JAZZ & R&B Sundays, Oc tober 21, 28 live jazz and r&b 6-10 at Déjà vu, 180-25 Linden Blvd., St. Albans.

OLYMPIC HIGHLIGHTS Tuesdays, Oc tober 23, 30 Olympic Highlights at 4 at the Seaside library.

ART EXHIBIT Tuesday, Oc tober 23 Chinese Communit y Center of Flushing presents an art exhibition at the Flushing library at 5.

FILM FESTIVAL Thursday, October 25 “Crisis and Leadership: State of the Union” films 2-5 at Queens Museum of Art. 592-9700.

FALL FROLIC T h u r s d a y, O c to b e r 2 5 Court Square Wines and Spirits and Dance Entropy Inc. present a French Wine and Vodka Cocktail Tasting in LIC. $25 advance, 30 at the door. 956-3037.

OPEN MIC Thursday, October 25 East Elmhurst library at 6.

OKTOBERFEST Saturday, Oc tober 27 7-10 at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 147-57 Ash Avenue, Flushing. $10 includes beer samples, refreshments and entertainment.

HALLOWEEN Saturday, October 27 Halloween fun for adults and children at St. Luke’s, 85 Greenway South, Forest Hills. $10 adults, $5 children under 12. 4-8pm.

CHEMISTRY DAY Saturday, Oc tober 27 National Chemistry Day at the Hall of Science. 699-0005.

WALKING TOUR Saturday, October 27 The Haunted Waters of the East River walking tour with the Greater Astoria Historical Societ y. $20 non-members.

278-0700.

AUTUMN CONCERT Saturday, October 27 with t h e N Y Vo c a l A r t i s t s Re search Center at 2 at the Flushing library.

AUTUMN LEAVES Saturday, Oc tober 27 Forest Hills library at 2:30.

BROADWAY ROX! Saturday and Sunday, October 27, 28 Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, Oc tober 20, 27 public speaking and effective communication at Elmhurst Hospital. 646-7488290 information.

HISTORY OF PHOTO Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29 History of Photography: A M o M A Te l e c o n fe re n c e a t the Queens Village library.

Register.

RESTAURANT CAMP Mondays, Oc tober 22 Restaurant Boot Camp at the Corona library at 5.

WRITE SHORT STORY Monday, Oc tober 22 Writing Your Shor t Story, Creation to Publication at the Steinway library. Register.

US CITIZENSHIP Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29 Pathway to US Citizenship at 5 at the Rego Park library.

BEGINNERS FRENCH Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29, November 5, 19, 26 at 5 at the Woodhaven library.

START UP! Monday, Oc tober 22 Business Plan Competition at 6:30 at the Central library.

BALLROOM DANCING Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29, November 19, 26 at 6:30 at the Forest Hills library.

INTRO EMAIL Monday, Oc tober 22 Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

BEGIN CROCHET Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29, November 5, 19, 26 at the Arverne library at 5. Bring hook and yarn.

GOV’T WEBSITES Monday, Oc tober 22 government websites at your fingertips for searching on N YC s e r v i c e s , o f f i c i a l s , health, medicine, more.

Register Central library.

SMALL BUSINESS Tuesdays, Oc tober 23, 30 Central library. Register.

JOB READINESS Tuesdays, Oc tober 23, 30 at the Woodside library at 6.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesdays, Oc tober 23, 30 Sunnyside library. Register.

DOWNLOAD E-BOOKS Tuesday, October 23 at the Flushing library at 10.

INTRO POWERPOINT Tuesday, O c tober 23 McGoldrick library. Register.

BEGIN EXCEL Tuesday, October 23 at the Flushing library at 10.

COMPUTER BASICS Wednesdays, Oc tober 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21 at 10:30 at the Arverne library.

INTRO WORD Wednesdays, Oc tober 24, 31 at the Lefrak Cit y library at 11.

COMPUTER BASICS Wednesday, Oc tober 24 at

the Windsor Park library at 11:30 Space limited.

START UP! We d n e s d ay , O c to b e r 2 4 Business Plan Competition at the Central library at 6:30.

LEARN TO DRAW T h u r s d ay , O c t o b e r 2 5 Hillcrest library. Register.

DOLL MAKING Thursday, Oc tober 25 at the Arverne library at 5.

EMAIL MARKETING Thursday, Oc tober 25 at the Flushing library at 6.

MEDITATION CLUB Thursday, Oc tober 25 at the Bellerose library at 5:30.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Thursday, October 25 at the Briarwood library at 6:15.

MICROSOFT OFFICE T h u r s d ay s , O c t o b e r 2 5 , November 1 at the Arverne library at 10:30.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Thursday, Oc tober 25 7-10 at t he Bay Terrace Jewish

Center. 423-6426. $50.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP T h u r s d ay s , O c to b e r 2 5 , November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Seaside library at 5:30.

INTRO COMPUTERS T h u r s d ay s , O c to b e r 2 5 , November 1, 8, 22 Ozone Park library. Register.

COMPUTER TUTORING T h u r s d ay, O c t o b e r 2 5 Woodside library. Register.

MOCK INTERVIEWS Thursday, Oc tober 25 at the Central library. Register.

INTRO INTERNET Friday, Oc tober 26 at the Hillcrest library. Register.

INTER. WORD & EXCEL Fridays, Oc tober 26, November 9, 23 at the Arverne library at 1.

HALLOWEEN CRAFT Saturday, October 27 Halloween Craft workshop at the Louis Armstrong House Museum from 1-4. 9095271.

HEALTH WAITANKUNG Sundays at 2. Total-body workout. Flushing Hospital/ Medical Center. Free.

Jimmy 7-10pm 347-2156.

INTRO YOGA Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29 at the Baisley Park library.

Register.

TAI CHI Mondays and Thursdays at 11 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows.

670-1695. $5.

HEALTHY FOODS Tu e s d a y , October 23 Healthy Foods, Healthy Families at Lucille Rose Daycare

ENVIRONMENT IT’S MY PARK Saturday, Oc tober 20 Girls Scout Troop 4491 and residents will landscape, clean and plant at McDonald Park, Queens Blvd. at Yellowstone Blvd. 997-7014 if you want to help!

INDOOR COMPOSTING Saturday, Oc tober 20 Putting Your Kitchen Scraps to Good Use at 10:30 at the Steinway library.

GARDENING CLUB Saturdays help with our vegetable and shade garden at the Steinway library at 4.

COMPOSTING Mondays through November Steinway library 6-7:30.

INDOOR COMPOSTING Tuesday, Oc tober 23 putting your kitchen scraps to good use at 4:30 at the Astoria library.

Center. 990-5197.

MS Tuesday, Oc tober 23 National Multiple Sclerosis Society meets at 1 at the Howard Beach library.

ALZHEIMERS Tuesdays, Oc tober 23, November 13, 27, December 11 Caregiver Support Group in Forest Hills. 5925757, ext. 237.

AUTISM Tuesdays Qualit y Services for the Autism Communit y holds workshops for families and friends of autistic children and adults. 7-AUTISM, ext. 1219.

DAY TOP Tuesdays support for family and friends of those affected by substance abuse. 1-8002Daytop.

GLUTEN-FREE We d n e s d ay , O c to b e r 2 4 Living a Gluten-Free Lifest yle at 2 at the Flushing librar y.

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

RECOVERY INT. T h u r s d ay s , O c to b e r 2 5 , November 1, 8, 15, 29 Recovery International meets at the Forest Hills library at 2:30.

MEDITATION CLUB Thursday, Oc tober 25 at the Bellerose library at 5:30.

CO-DEPENDENTS ANON. Fridays 10-11:45 at Resurrection Ascension Pastoral C e n t e r , 8 5 - 1 8 6 1 st R o a d , Rego Park. Women only.

People Air Force Airman Christopher Torres graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

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

Torres is the son of Ana Rodriguez of Corona and is a 2011 graduate of Thomas Edison High School in Jamaica.

Air Force Airman Phillip A. Whitley graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

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

Whitley is the son of Myrna Whitley of Fresh Meadows and is a 2009 graduate of Jamaica High School.

Army National Guard Pvt.

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Adam M. Militar 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.

Militar is a 2004 graduate of Jamaica High School.

ning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings and received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Donna McDonald of Springfield Garden won $10,003 on the Mega Millions drawing Sept.

21. McDonald’s winning ticket was purchased at SNS Wines & Liquors, 90-69 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica.

Leonard Joseph of Cambria Heights won $23,171 on the Take Five dr awing Oct. 1.

Joseph’s winning ticket was purchased in Elmont.

Gerald Nicolas of Cambria Heights won $250,000 on the Mega Millions drawing Sept. 7.

Nicolas’ winning ticket was purchased in Brooklyn.

Luis Pocasangre of Hollis won $23,638 on the Take Five drawing Oct. 3. Pocasangre’s winning ticket was purchased at the Franhill Pharmacy & Surgical, 204-19 Hillside Ave., Hollis.

The New York Lottery announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a win-

Quinten Carter of Cambria Heights has enrolled at Ferrum College in Virginia for

Frank Malvasio Cruz has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions.

Malvasio Cruz is the son of Carlion Malvasio of Rosedale.

the fall 2012 semester.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Tiffany R. Walker of Queens, serving aboard the USS Farragut, recently competed in the ship’s Damage Control Olympics along with fellow sailors. Farragut is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Walker is a 2007 graduate of John Adams High School in South Ozone Park.

St. John’s University’s Board of Trustees recently appointed Martha K. Hirst as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Hirst joined St. John’s in February 2011 and has provided oversight for the areas of business affairs and information technology, facilities and construction, branch campuses, conference services, global programs, enrollment management, marketing and com-

munications and public safety.

New York State Bar Association President Seymour W. James, Jr. extended his congratulations on behalf of the New York State Bar Association to the Hon. Randall T. Eng, who was designated presiding justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department. The Appellate Division, Second Department, based in Brooklyn, covers 10 counties: Kings, Queens, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Richmond.

“Justice Eng has had a distinguished legal career spanning nearly four decades, dating back to his days in the Queens County DA’s office through his service in the state’s busiest appellate court,” said James.

Tell The PRESS Send notices of graduation, awards, anniversaries, engagements and honors to: PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

Queens Today SENIORS

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, Oc tober 20, 27, November 3, 17, 24, December 1, 15, 22 learn how to communicate effectively from 10-12 at Elmhurst Hospital. 646-748-8290.

P-FLAG Sundays, October 21, November 18, December 16 PFlag, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays meet in Forest Hills. 271-6663.

VFW 4787 Mondays, Oc tober 22, November 12, 26, December 10, 24 VFW Post 4787 meets at 19-12 149 th Street, Whitestone at 8. 746-0540.

BONE DIGGERS CLUB Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29, November 5, 19, 26 Oceanus Bone Diggers Club Seaside library at 5:30.

TABLE TENNIS CLUB Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Seaside library at 1:30.

NY CARES Monday, Oc tober 22 NY Cares will hold a meeting to recruit new volunteers at the Forest Hills library at 3.

CIVIL AIR PATROL Mondays Falcon Senior Squadron at 7 at JFK Airport.

781-2359.

ORATORIO SOCIETY Mondays at 7:45 at Temple Beth Sholom in Flushing.

279-3006.

GREATER WOODHAVEN Tu e s d a y, O c to b e r 23 Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation meets at 7:30 at St. Thomas the Apostle, 87-49 87 th Street, first floor, Woodhaven.

MEET THE CANDIDATES Tuesday, Oc tober 23 Bay Terrace Community Alliance Meet the Candidates Night at t he Bay Terrace Jewish Center, 13-00 209 th Street, Bay Terrace at 7.

GLEE CLUB Tu e s d ay s Ba ys i d e M e n ’ s Glee Club rehearses at 8 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 214-35 4 0 th Avenue, Bayside. 961-6852.

FH VAC Wednesdays, Oc tober 24, November 28, December 26 Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corp. 7932055.

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

FAMILY STORY TIME S a t u r d a y, O c t o b e r 2 0 Flushing library at 11:30.

STORYBOOK DISCOVERY Saturday, Oc tober 20 1112 at the Voelker-Orth Museum. 359-6227.

BAYSIDE HISTORICAL S u n d a y, Oc tober 21 Bayside Historical Societ y will host a Kids Walk-in Craft Workshop “A Step Back in Time” for those 6-12 from 12-2. 352-1548. $5 per child. 208 Totten Avenue, Fort Totten.

BABY & ME Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29 at the Bayside library at 11.

SEASIDE CRAFT Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29 Seaside library. Register.

IPAD STORY TELLING Mondays, Oc tober 22, 29 at the North Forest Park lib ra r y.

Re g i s t e r at autisminitiatives@queensmuseum.org to register.

POP-UP CARDS M o n d ay, O c to b e r 2 2 a t 4:30 at the Central library.

Monday, Oc tober 29 at 4 at the East Flushing library.

Origami Pop-Up Cards and Books.

BOOST MATH DAY Tuesday, October 23 at the Central library at 4:30.

MONSTER MAKER Tuesday, October 23 at the Hillcrest library at 4:30.

FALL CRAFT/ACTIVIT Y Wednesdays, Oc tober 24, 31 at the East Flushing library. Register.

EARTH STORIES Wednesday, Oc tober 24 at 4 at the Astoria library. Friday, November 2 at 3 at the Woodside library. Earth Stories from Long Ago. HALLOWEEN CRAFT We d n e s d ay , O c to b e r 2 4 Fresh Meadows library at 3:30.

FAMILY STORY TIME Thursday, Oc tober 25 Bay Terrace library at 11:30.

ANIMAL SCULPTURES Thursday, Oc tober 25 at 4 at the Steinway library.

HALLOWEEN CRAFT

Thursday, Oc tober 25 Windsor Park library. Register.

PING PONG… Every Thursday ping pong, board games and coloring at the Seaside library at 4.

WHO TOOK CHEESE? Thursday, Oc tober 25 8-12 year olds will read “Who To o k my C h e e s e ? ” a t t he Central library at 4:30.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Thursday, Oc tober 25 at the Seaside library at 5:30.

TOTE BAGS Thursday, October 25 at 4 at the Ridgewood librar y.

Back to School Tote Bags.

ARTS & CRAFTS CLUB Thursdays at the Seaside library. Register.

BOOK BUDDIES Friday, Oc tober 26 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

INTRO FASHION PRO Friday, October 26 at the Central library. Register.

POLYHEDRON ORIGAMI Friday, Oc tober 26 at the Pomonok library at 4:30.

READ TO ME Fridays this autumn for those 3-7 at the Briarwood library at 3.

Oct. 19-25, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

SENIOR FITNESS Through November 2 tennis, yoga, fitness walking at Astoria Park, Cunningham Park, Flushing Meadows and Roy Wilkins Park. Call 7606999 for times and activities.

FREE LUNCH S a t u r d ay s , O c to b e r 2 0 , November 17, December 15 All Saints Church in Richmond Hill. 849-2352 reservations.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE Mondays Lunch, lesson and c o n ge n i a l p l ay. P r i d e o f Judea. 423-6200.

STAY WELL Mondays at the Central library at 10 and Wednesdays at 10:15 at the East Elmhurst librar y. Learn how special exercise and relaxation techniques make a difference in your life.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesdays, Oc tober 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27 at the South Ozone Park library at 10.

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

YOUTH

MEETINGS

The Beatles first U.S. Tour begins in Queens

A Ticket To Ride

It was the summer, 48 years ago, in the borough of Queens, when those boys from Liverpool, England walked out onto the stage in the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium and began the first tour of The Beatles in America, a love affair that continues even after the death of two of the four members of the band.

It was a year before their historic concert at Queens' Shea Stadium and to some of our oldtime readers, a highlight of their summer youth growing up in Queens.

And the price, $5.95, for one of the best evenings of your life.

Queens Bikers: (L. to r.): NYC Comptroller John Liu and City Council Public Safety Chair Peter Vallone Jr.

Born To Be Wild!

If you asked anyone what City Comptroller John Liu and Queens Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) had in common, it seems doubtful that the answer would be motorcycles.

But as the image shows, Vallone and Liu set out on their hogs for a ride in Astoria Park. The trip likely made for a fun venture One nightmare is apparently after several other political meet- over for animal lovers. After feelings Vallone had earlier in the day. ing the heat from animal lovers, a As Vallone put it on Facebook, Queens restaurant has finally taken “Bfast with bill Diblasio at Igloo, horse meat off the menu. marched with Scott Stringer in The New York Times reports Astoria Columbus Day parade, that the owners of M. Wells Dithen riding at Astoria park with J nette, a Long Island City restauLiu - good times :)” rant that recently opened inside The Facebook prolific Vallone PS 1, had planned to serve horse frequently posts bike pics. tartare. Chef and co-owner, Hugue

Diana Scherillo is a modeling pro.

Now living in Glen Oaks, Diana knows a thing or two about modeling and dancing. At 32, she’s been modeling since her early teens, won a beauty pageant and launched a career that has taken her to television, commercials and award shows.

This summer, Diana wrapped up filming eight episodes of the George Lopez-hosted dating show, “Take Me Out.” This month, Diana will be on the red carpet for the VHI Save the Music benefit, which helps raise money for music education. She will also be appearing on an American Breast Cancer Society calendar.

Now working as a sales manager, Diana, who grew up in Elmont, is glad to be back in Queens. After going to high school in Floral Park, she lived near Bell Boulevard for a while and worked in the night club business.

“In Long Island, the people could be a little stereotypical,” she said. “In Queens, the crowd is a little more fun, a little more down to earth. One of the perks of working in Queens is that I got to see people from all over, from the City, Queens, Long Island and everywhere. It’s a better blend.”

She got her start in the night club business at Metropolis on 20th Ave. in Flushing and later worked in Astoria.

Besides modeling, dancing and nightclubbing, she also considers herself “very artsy and creative.” Partyplanning is her thing and she’s worked in the catering business as well.

Despite her active lifestyle, she doesn’t mind sleepy Glen Oaks.

“It’s very peaceful at night,” Scherillo said. “When you crack the windows, you hear every tree blowing, every bit of rain. It’s very special.”

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 19-25, 2012

Quit Horsing Around

Models Of Queens

Diana Scherillo Home: Glen Oaks Age: 32 Height: 5’1 & 1/2 Weight: 101 Stats: 34-24-34

Artsy & Creative Confidentially, New York . . .

Dufour, had announced his plans in a magazine interview.

Dufour had made the decision to take the horse meat off the menu after 1,300 animal-welfare advocates signed a petition on Change.org, demanding he do so.

In a statement, Dufour and the other owners said they was surprised the idea had sparked so much controversy.

Blame Brooklyn As the warm weather wanes and hurricane season returns, the swelling shorelines of Rockaway Beach are getting surprisingly busier.

Locals who normally flock to the beach during the high-tide time are now competing with hoards of hipster surfers. Resident surfers say the biggest problem is that

these novices simply do not know the surfer code. So who’s to blame for the large number of newbies?

None other than Williamsburg. A yellow school bus has been crediting with routinely taking BK shore seekers from Williamsburg to Rockaway. Guess Coney Island just is not good enough.

Email submissions to MSchenkler@gmail.com.

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