Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 13 Issue No. 44 Nov. 2-8, 2012

PAGE 18

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

STORM CLEAN-UP

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy’s destruction, Southeast Queens officials begin the process of cleaning up.

By Natalia Kozikowska … Page 3.

Online at www.QueensPress.com

News Briefs Fifteen Charged With Looting Businesses In Rockaways

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 2-8, 2012

More than a dozen individuals have been charged with burglary and other crimes for looting various Far Rockaway businesses, according to a statement released by Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. Among the businesses affected in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy were a liquor store, clothing stores and a Radio Shack.

"The Queens District Attorney's Office, the New York City Police Department, and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg have zero tolerance for looters who would exploit a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy for their own personal gain," said Brown in a statement. "Having personally viewed yesterday the devastation that encompasses the Rockaway peninsula and other areas of Queens, I want to make it clear that such lawlessness will be vigorously prosecuted by my office and that we will seek

appropriate punishment."

The individuals charged with looting are : Catherine Atkins, 19, of 260 Beach 81st St. in Queens, Donnell Wimms, 43, of 353 Beach 43rd St. in Queens, Gregory Gittens, 25, of 84-10 Rockaway Beach Blvd. in Queens, and Anthony Felder, 27, of 1704 Randall Ave. in the Bronx, who are charged with third-degree burglary for allegedly breaking into a Radio Shack store at 87-09 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

Donald Spellman, 22, of 8110 Rockaway Beach Blvd., and Luis Bonilla, 20, of 81-05 Hammels Blvd., who are charged with third-degree burglary and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property for allegedly burglarizing Rock Jetty Wine and Spirits, located at 97-08 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

Dwight Jones, 23, of 82-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd. and Terrance Smalls, 22, of 76-00 Shore Front Pky., both in Queens, who are charged with third-degree burglary for allegedly break-

ing into a clothing store located at 85-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

Michael Pike, 21, of 85-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd., who is charged with third-degree burglary, petit larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property for allegedly burglarizing a clothing store at the intersection of Beach 86th St. and Rockaway Beach Blvd.

Joshua Harris, 23, and Jordan Mohammad, 31, both of 3008 Beach Channel Dr. in Queens, who are both charged with thirddegree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest for allegedly breaking into a Gulf gas station, located at 3801 Beach Channel Dr. Malcolm Wise, 16, of 54-81 Almeda Avenue in Queens, and Roosevelt Patterson, 49, of 407 Beach 37th St. in Queens, who are charged with third-degree burglary for allegedly burglarizing a gas station located at 3801 Beach Channel Dr. Jimmy Gumbs, 42, of 113 Beach 56th Pl., and DaShawn Peay, 16, of 138 Beach 59th St.,

both in Queens, who are charged with third-degree burglary, resisting arrest and third-degree criminal trespass of allegedly breaking into 57 Food Market, located at 57-25 Shorefront Pky.

Queens Judge Denies Sex Offender’s Request To Spend Christmas With Family Queens Supreme Court Justice Richard Buchter has denied Charles Oross' request to lower his prison sentence so that he may spend Christmas with his four children.

According to The Post, Oross, 45, of East Islip, pled guilty in September to having sexual encounters with a 14-year-old student at Hollis school, Susan B. Anthony IS 238. He confessed to having sexual relations with the student in his classroom and in his car more than a dozen times in 2009.

Oross' attorney, Donald

Volgemen pleaded with the judge to give his client a sentence of four months or less so that he can spend Christmas with his 13, 11, 9 and 7-year-old sons, but an unmoved Buchter gave him a sixmonth term.

In addition to his six-month sentence, Oross will serve 10 years probation, register as a level two sex offender and participate in a sex offender program.

Brief Us! Mail your news brief items to:

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

Presstime

Sanders Assesses Damage In Southeast Queens As Superstorm Sandy made way through New York on Monday, several neighborhoods throughout Southeast Queens endured destruction. Thousands experienced flooding, loss of electrical power and massive property damage but for those unfortunate few who resided close to the coast near the Rockaways, the damage was catastrophic.

Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton), whose district encompasses areas including Arverne, Far Rockaway, Bayswater and Edgemere, held a press conference on Wednesday to asses the devastation in and near his territory.

"The worst hit part of the Rockaways will of course be Breezy Point," Sanders said. "The loss of 100 homes [burned down], but the [streets in the] 90's [are] also [devastated]. The boardwalk broke away from the beach and

his district, including Springsmashed into people's homes. field Gardens, Laurelton and You have a series of series of Rosedale were not unscathed. homes that look like these doll "These areas [are also] houses …the front of their hard impacted. They also don't homes smashed away." have lights. Thank God floodSanders noted that there ing was not the main problem. are currently five known deaths The main problem up there, as in the Rockaways as a result of I understand, was wind. A lot the storm and believes that as of trees are down making putmany as two or three of the ting lights back on difficult." victims were from his district.

Michael Lopes, a spokesFrustrated by the City's reperson for Sanders, said that sponse, Sanders is not conCouncilman James Sanders shows areas 50,000 people in the vinced that the people of the of damage on a map during a meeting on councilman's district are withRockaways will receive the Wednesday. out power — 5,000 of which assistance they need in time.

"At the height of the storm, are in Springfield Gardens and "The police are understaffed and cannot do the job. I have on my street, there was five feet 3,500 of which are in Rosedale.

"The big issue here is the trees spoken to the Mayor and re- of water and in my basement, quested the National Guard. The approximately six feet of water that fell on power lines," said Mayor assures me we have enough where my office was. All my good Lopes. "First of all, it depends police power to do the job. I have electronic men-toy stuff that you on whose tree it is. Second of all, not seen many police out there love — my computer, my scanner, it depends on how bad the damage is as a result of the tree falltouring," he said. "The food sup- all of the little gadgets…gone."

Although his first priority is to ing on the power line. If it's the ply, I would argue, will run out before the lights come back on." assist the residents in Rockaways City's tree, the City has to wait Sanders, who resides in Beige who were most greatly impacted for Con Ed to shut the power Water, revealed that he was also by the storm, Sanders did men- down before they can touch the tion that other neighborhoods in tree. If it's your tree, technically a victim of the Sandy's fury.

PRESS Photo by Natalia Kozikowska

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

you're responsible for it."

Because many traffic lights are not working as a result of downed power lines, Sanders also expressed concern for the safety of drivers in his area.

"We are going to have to think of a people strategy of dealing with these things in the future," he said.

"We are going to have to have people direct traffic to make sure which cars go first, second, third."

In an effort to help those affected by Sandy, Sanders said they will open their office in the Rockaways and will be distributing basic necessities.

"Sometimes a tragedy can bring us closer together. We are in the process of sending out help," he said. "We will open up an office in the Rockaways, even if it has to be outside. We will have a table. We'll have whatever they need."

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

Meeks, Jennings Face Off On Election Day

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Gregory Meeks

Allan Jennings

that he is willing to "work with anybody who's going to help this district," — an ideal that he claims set him apart from Meeks.

If elected, Jennings said the first bill he would introduce would grant homeowners one lifetime mortgage modification so they can modify their loans without an income or credit check. Additionally, Jennings would like to see Social Security reform.

In 2005, the candidate was fined by the City Council on sexual harassment charges after five female staff members claimed sexual harassment and discriminatory conduct. The Council overwhelmingly voted to impose sanctions against him.

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

OTHER SOUTHEAST QUEENS RACES A number of Southeast Queens seats will see unopposed elections on Tuesday, including State Senate District 10, which sees Councilman James Sanders running unopposed on the Democratic line. Sanders defeated incumbent State Sen. Shirley Huntley in September's Democratic primary, shortly after Huntley was indicted on fraud charges.

The list of unopposed races in Southeast Queens includes:

ASSEMBLY District 32 - Vivian Cook, Democrat, Incumbent District 31 - Michael Titus, Democrat, Incumbent District 29 - William Scarborough, Democrat, Incumbent District 33 - Barbara Clark, Democrat, Working Families Party, Incumbent STATE SENATE District 10 - James Sanders, Democrat District 14 - Malcolm Smith, Democrat, Incumbent

Nov. 2-8, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

No strangers to each other, U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) and former Councilman Allan Jennings will face off Tuesday for Meeks' seat in the 5th Congressional District.

Gregory Meeks (Incumbent) No stranger to the political landscape, Meeks has served in the House of Representatives since 1998. Formerly representing the 6th Congressional District, Meeks was moved into the new 5th Congressional District during this year's decennial redistricting process. The incumbent's district includes most of the Southeast Queens region, including Jamaica, Springfield Gardens, Far Rockaway, Laurelton, Rosedale, Saint Albans and the John F. Kennedy Airport.

Seeking his eighth term, the Democrat is a large supporter of Medicare and Social Security. He is against the privatization of Social Security and is pro-choice on abortion, supporting Planned Parenthood

throughout his entire career.

Before he became involved in politics, Meeks worked as an Assistant District Attorney and Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City. He attended Adelphi University and obtained his law degree from Howard University School of Law. In late 2009, Meeks was investigated by a House ethics committee on loans with Malcolm Smith and Jamaica Rev. Floyd Flake.

He has also been investigated about his mortgage loans to real estate agent Edul N. Ahmad of Century21, Ahmad Realty and Ace Mortgage, Inc. Despite the investigations in 2010, he was able to defeat Republican Asher Taub and win reelection.

Allan Jennings Previously having lost on the Democratic ticket to the incumbent, Jennings is running on the Republican ticket for the 5th Congressional District, which now includes part of Nassau County and the Rockaway Peninsula. The former New York City councilman from Queens claims

Hospitals Endure Sandy With Stride

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 2-8, 2012

Photo by Joe Marvilli

As millions sought shelter in the comfort of their homes during Superstorm Sandy, the employees at Queens hospitals were focusing their efforts on preparing for a state of emergency.

Michael Hinck, a spokesperson from Jamaica and Flushing Hospital, explained that both hospitals took several precautionary measures to ensure the facilities were operational as Sandy approached New York.

"We have a department specifically dedicated to situations such as this and they have various functions. That's something we've had in place for over a decade," Hinck said. "We prepare for any type of disaster type situation, whether it be a natural disaster such as this or a terrorist activity or a man made disaster."

Luckily, neither hospital lost power as a result of the storm, but Hinck said that they were prepared for a worst case scenario.

Jamaica Hospital, which ca-

saw a surge of patients tered to more than and the census at the 300,000 patients in hospitals are higher now 2011, had three backthan before the storm. up generators. Like"Some of the patients wise, Flushing Hospithat were ready for distal, which catered to charge could not be dismore than 40,000 charged because of the patients in 2011, had situation outside and we one back-up generawere able to accommotor. date that by reposition"We never lost ing some of our beds," he power, but in the event said. that we did we made Atiyta Butler, a sure all the generators Emergency vehicles stood at the ready during the worst spokesperson from were operational," he of the storm on Monday.

Elmhurst Hospital, exsaid.

In addition to ensuring Flush- them to make sure they have the plained that the staff began preing and Jamaica Hospital had a means to get there and for the staff paring for the storm a number of source of power, Hinck told the that needed accommodations, we days in advance.

"We opened and are currently PRESS of Southeast Queens that made those accommodations," he accommodations were made for said. "The staff did a remarkable still operating a 24-hour internal their employees so that the hos- job. Everyone rose to the occasion Command Center in order to enpitals had a full staff. Much of in a situation like this. People work sure that the needs of our pathese accommodations included extended shifts and stayed over if tients continue to be met despite the weather. Our hospital and setting up air mattresses and en- they needed to."

Although there are no reports emergency room remain open," suring employees had a means of of patients treated as a result of Butler said. getting to the hospital.

While Elmhurst Hospital em"I think we handled it excel- injuries acquired from the storm lently. We made sure we sent out at Jamaica and Flushing Hospi- ployees were prepared for Sandy, warnings to our staff preparing tal, Hinck did reveal that they Butler revealed that emergency

room visits were down 15 percent during the storm. Typically, the hospital treats 240-250 patients a day in the adult ER. Located just a few miles from of the most devastated areas in Queens, Hunters Point in Long Island City, Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens was also prepared for a worst case scenario.

"We are always in preparation and we certainly had everything in high gear and every patient was completely taken care of," a spokesperson from the hospital said. "Every effort to bring staff in, sending out people to pick up staff wherever they were so that we'd have a full compliment of everybody here. Everything in the hospital continued to hum," she added.

The spokesperson was unable to disclose whether Mount Sinai treated any patients as a result of injuries acquired from the storm.

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

Sandy Leaves Thousands In The Dark

BY MEGAN MONTALVO

Workers cut trees to work on power lines. in were close to the shore,” Van Bramer said. “In each case, they house a large number of people who are suffering without heat and power.”

Van Bramer also noted that parts of Maspeth and Sunnyside had experienced electrical fires during Sandy, which are now posing as a potential life threat as the wires lay in the streets.

“We are urging people to not touch the wires,” McGee said.

“Though they may appear dead, chances are they might be live.”

In parts of Zone B, including Howard Beach and Hamilton Beach, intense flooding had sparked fires and caused electrical issues.

The previous record number of storm outages in Con Edison territory occurred last year, when Hurricane Irene caused about 203,000 customers to lose service – a number which Con Ed

Photo by Ira Cohen

While Superstorm Sandy may be out of sight, the after-effects of power loss are still plaguing residents Citywide.

The day after the devastation, Consolidated Edison reported that approximately 780,000 customers were without electrical service, including 116,000 in Queens alone.

Another 7,000 Long Island Power Authority customers were also without power in the Rockaways.

Out of all five boroughs the hardest hit came to Manhattan, which had more than 250,000 customers without electrical service.

According to company officials, customers within Brooklyn and Manhattan served by underground electric equipment should have power back within four days, and restoration to all customers in other areas served by overhead power lines will take at least a week.

“The outages were roughly split between the company’s underground and overhead systems,” Con Ed Spokesman Bob McGee said. “In the overhead areas, such as Queens, many roads are blocked by fallen trees or flooded. Restoration of electrical service to underground equipment demands cleaning all components of sea water, drying and testing to make it safe to restore power.”

Within the Borough, Zone A, which encompassed Far Rockaway, Broad Channel, Breezy Point and Hunters Point, had suffered severe storm damage.

Directly after the storm subsided, Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) toured Hunters Point in Long Island City to survey the affected areas.

In addition to making calls to City Agencies to report fallen trees, Van Bramer said he also asked Con Ed to make three highrise condos in Long Island City a priority.

“The three condos I had called

officials were amazed to surpass.

“The amount of customers affected was higher than we had ever anticipated,” McGee said.

“We are working hard to restore steam generation and electricity.

For the first time in our history, crews from as far as California are working with us.”

While much of the damage from fallen trees has been reported, Con Ed officials said that it is possible further overhead power lines could break.

“Many branches have broken off and are resting on power lines,” McGee said. “It is very important to keep in mind that as crews clean up these branches, more wires could fall.”

As for those driving through areas where street lights may be out, Con Ed said that as soon as power within each neighborhood is restored, the street lights would begin working as well.

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

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Nov. 2-8, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

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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

Editorial Time To Recover Superstorm Sandy has finally passed. While Southeast Queens residents await the restoration of power, public transit and other services that have been interrupted in the storm’s wake, our elected officials have been doing everything in their power to ensure their constituents are safe and have everything they need to get by.

While Sandy’s path left severe damage in its wake, the situation could have been much worse without the great effort provided by City officials. We appreciate the work that has gone on to bring the City back to full power, despite how long it seems to be taking.

Here’s hoping that the area’s recovery is a relatively speedy one and that our readers keep themselves safe in the coming days.

Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie

Letters

Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

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

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

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 2-8, 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

Tree Support To The Editor: A meeting was held at St. Peter’s Church in Rosedale on Oct. 4, under the auspices of Eastern Queens Alliance, to address concerns over the proposed expansion runways at JFK. One of the representatives of the Port Authority stated that a study was conducted whereby a simulation of the flight patterns showed only a change of .7 decibel; therefore, there was no adverse impact. There would only be a negative impact if the decibel level was to reach 1.5 or over.

The problem is an unknown number of trees would be removed.

I questioned him as to whether or not he took into account that the study was conducted while the trees were still there. Once the trees that act as noise buffers are removed the results of the study would be different. He stated that the removal of the trees was not taken into account in the study.

He claims there would not be a change from .7 decibel to 1.5 decibel based on his knowledge of the way noise travels.

Are we, the residents of Laurelton, Rosedale and Springfield Gardens to take him at his word? I think not. According to Earl L. Buts, of healthguidance.com, findings show that reduction of sound values in the order of 5 to 10 decibels are not unusual for wide belts of tall, dense trees. Granted, we are not talking about wide belts of tall trees in the size mentioned by the study; however, if an increase of .8 decibel is possible, the study is rendered null and void. The representative from the Port Authority could not state with certainty that the re-

moval of the trees would not make such a change. Another source, agroforestry.net stated that planting “noise buffers” composed of trees and shrubs can reduce noise by five (5) to ten (10) decibels.

We can then presume that the removal of trees would create the reverse – it can increase the noise level by 5 to 10 decibels.

In light of this, I am calling on the FAA to order the Port Authority to conduct an Environmental Impact Study (EIS), as the community may be negatively impacted by the expansion.

Marie Adam-Ovide, Laurelton

Mind Boggling To The Editor: I note that the PRESS of Southeast Queens has endorsed President Obama in his bid for re-election. No surprise there, but it is a surrealistic experience to read the comments supporting your choice. Along with other nonsense, we are told that “Given the circumstances [namely, an opposition Congress - as if no other president has ever experienced such an outrage], President Obama has had a successful first term.” and that he “...has proved his mettle as president over the course of his term...”

Excuse me, but what feverdream or alternate universe gave rise to such manifest absurdity?

The Democrats held overwhelming majorities in both houses during the first half of this disastrous administration and still hold the Senate to this very moment. The mainstream media obstinately refrain from reporting on the endless stream of blunders, malfeasance and corruption attributable

Letters to this man and his minions. In no particular order of importance, I refer you to the popularly-despised disaster that is Obamacare, the “Fast & Furious” gun-running scandal, the bailing-out of winnable wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while our military is deliberately weakened, the world tours devoted to cozying up with and apologizing to our enemies (for having had the audacity in the past to act in our own national interest apparently) while alienating our traditional allies, the imposition of a colossal financial burden on generations of citizens yet unborn, the attempt to gut constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms, the environmentalist whack-jobs allowed to run amok at the EPA, the unconstitutional appointments of various officials without Congressional consent, the refusal to enforce laws duly passed by the Congress while illegally inventing new laws more to his liking by issuing executive orders, etc. I could extend this list indefinitely, but it gets too depressing to continue. As a final outrage, I call attention to the disgraceful actions (first denial and misdirection, then attempted cover-up) of this administration regarding the recent events at our consulate in Benghazi, Libya. If the mainstream media were doing their job, this dereliction of duty alone would blow this administration out of office and, (just wishful thinking here, of course) into prison where its leaders rightly belong.

And, in your minds, this merits a second term? The mind boggles at such wrong-headed partisanship!

E. Christman, Elmhurst

The Very Best To The Editor: We did ride out Hurricane Sandy but now have suffer wide-spread damage to our electrical, property and transportation systems. As reported by Governor Cuomo we have 2 million people without power and many trees down. There are over 4,000 trees down where many are in Queens. But thanks to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Nassau Executive Edward Mangano, who with their mobilizing efforts with various agencies, have tried to keep us all safe. Their safety tips and planned evacuations did save lives. Although

some did not take this situation seriously enough and could have endangered first responders. I do praise our First Responders who went above and beyond the call of duty to protect us. As for myself I live in Glen Oaks Village which is in the Bellerose section of Queens and around the corner from my house on 77 Crescent, there was a very large tree ripped from its roots and fell near a coop apartment. As reported neighbor helped neighbor and stranger helping stranger. New Yorkers proved once again when things were at their very worst we were at our very best.

Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks Village

Disenfranchised To The Editor: Last month, I complained about the sad situation for Kew Gardens Hills voters. No progress has been made since, despite the promise made by our assemblyman, Michael Simanowitz. We now have 2 unacceptable voting sites: St. Nicholas of Tolentine, a Catholic church in Hillcrest which is off limits to most Orthodox Jewish voters and too far away for others without cars; and the Kew Gardens Hills Library, which is too small to handle the large voter turnout expected on Nov. 6. Assemblyman Simanowitz said he’d work with the Board of Elections to restore our traditional polling place, P.S. 164, which the Dept. of Justice cited as unsuitable for disabled voters. That problem can be solved by opening the school’s side entrance on 77th Ave. to allow easy access to the gym. Nothing has been done so far, or at least, nothing that’s been reported.

Our two other elected officials — City Councilman James Gennaro and State Senator Joe Adabbo — have also done nothing to correct this situation. Unless all three step up to the plate, most Kew Gardens Hills voters will be disenfranchised on Nov. 6. That is “not optimal,” to use President Obama’s phrase describing the U.S. disaster in Libya.

Whoever is responsible for this mess must be voted out of office.

But we can’t do that, because we have no place to vote.

Richard Reif, Kew Garden Hills Editor’s Note: Marcia Moxam Comrie’s column will return next week.

Borough Beat

Sandy Slams City’s Public Transit

To prepare for the incoming flooding, the MTA shut down all The Metropolitan Transpor- subway and bus lines on the tation Authority and Port Au- evening of Oct. 28. Once Sandy thority began their lengthy in- hit the City on Oct. 29, storm spection and recovery process surges flooded multiple subway on Oct. 30, after Superstorm tunnels and bus depots. Seven Sandy shut down all public tran- East River subway tunnels sit and flooded multiple tunnels. flooded, as did two Long Island Rail Road tubes between Queens and Manhattan.

On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a partial restoration of the subway system along with limited rail service from both the LIRR and MetroNorth.

As of press time, the Queens subway City buses were the only form of public transporlines that will have tation running in the aftermath of Superstorm limited service on Sandy.

Nov. 1 are the A, F,

BY JOE MARVILLI

J, M and N trains. The E, G, Q, Z and 7 trains remain suspended.

Off-peak fares will be in effect for the LIRR until full service is restored.

While the subways were still shut down on Tuesday, bus service resumed. The bus lines currently running in Queens are the Q4, Q6, Q7, Q10, Q12, Q22, Q23, Q25, Q33, Q35, Q46, Q50, Q58, Q59, Q60, Q65, Q66, Q69, Q101 and Q113. Buses operated at near normal strength on Wednesday, according to the MTA. Of course, detours due to road conditions were plentiful as were the lines of people attempting to use the service since no other public transit options were available.

Access-A-Ride also resumed limited service on Oct. 31, accepting reservations for travel after noon on Nov. 1 as well.

All the City’s bridges and tunnels were shut down over the course of the storm. Most notable was the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, formerly known as the Triborough, which was closed after a 100 mph wind gust Monday night.

At noon on Oct. 30, the first signs of recuperation appeared when the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, the Whitestone Bridge, the Throgs Neck Bridge, the Henry Hudson Bridge and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge reopened. The East River Bridges, which include the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg and Ed Koch-Queensboro bridges, have also reopened.

For access between New York City and New Jersey, the Outerbridge Crossing, George Washington Bridge, Goethals Bridge, Bayonne Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel are open.

As of Oct. 31, only the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, the QueensMidtown Tunnel, the Cross Bay Bridge and the Holland Tunnel were still shut down. The tunnels all sustained heavy flooding.

The challenges still remain immense. The MTA must inspect 5,600 buses, 6,200 subway cars, 600 miles of tracks and 468 subway stations before they can be used again.

Chairman Joseph Lhota was confident the City’s public transit system would recover, saying, “Our employees have never faced a challenge like the one that confronts us now. All of us at the MTA are committed to restoring the system as quickly as we can to help bring New York back to normal.”

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

Nov. 2-8, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Superstorm Slams Queens' Shores

BY ROSS BARKAN AND MEGAN MONTALVO

Cross Bay Boulevard served as a staging area for National Guard vehicles the morning after the storm struck.

The calm before the storm: A view of Manhattan from Gantry State Park just hours before Superstorm Sandy hit.

While overlooking the East River, which would slowly rise to meet his door several hours later, Solier said he "doubted the impending storm would be that bad."

Meanwhile, his friend Memo Acevedo, who resides in Jackson Heights, seemed to share a difference of opinion.

"What we are experiencing is not normal," Acevedo said. "I've experienced several Hurricanes in Florida and in New York, but I've never seen anything like this."

Acevedo said that on Monday he had planned to return home, but was forced to stay with Solier when he did not make it to the subway before they were shut down.

As evacuees in Hunters Point sought refuge at Aviation, Newcomers and Newtown High Schools in western Queens, shorelines along Long Island City flooded, completely submerging Gantry State Park over Monday night.

In the wake of 97 mile-perhour winds, the neighborhood known for its booming commerce and technology scene had experienced severe damage to commercial and residential property.

Within the area closest to Zone A, 100-year-old trees toppled over playgrounds, houses and cars. Several windows on the first floor of the Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene’s high-rise, located at 42-09 28th St. in Long Island City, completely shattered.

Parts of PS 78, located at 48-

09 Center Blvd., experienced f looding and officials at the newly-purchased City University of New York Law School, located at 2 Court Square, reported storm damage, canceling classes for the entire week.

While surveying the affected areas in western Queens, Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (DSunnyside) confirmed that the damage was unlike anything the area had previously experienced.

"It was a rough night," Van Bramer said on Tuesday morning. "Thankfully, the worst of it is over. Right now, we are working hard to report the damage to City agencies."

According to Van Bramer, much of Hunters Point had sustained significant damage.

Several small business owners had reported thousands of dollars lost in merchandise, and chunks of sidewalk were littered

across Vernon and Center Boulevards as a result of uprooted trees.

Reports of more than 50 downed trees, fires, f looding and fallen power lines had been gathered within in various locations of the 26th District, including large portions of Woodside, Sunnyside and Maspeth.

In his continued tour of the Borough, Van Bramer said he had received numerous calls from residents seeking to participate in a volunteer clean-up.

Once the evacuation order has been lifted, he said he hopes to work with residents to coordinate a clean-up team.

"We have had such an amazing response from people wanting to help," Van Bramer said. "It just goes to show how strong our communities are. We can get through this. We will get through this."

PRESS Photo by Ross Barkan

PRESS Photo by Megan Montalvo

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 2-8, 2012

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

As she gazed at the after-effects of Superstorm Sandy, Josephine Carcione of Howard Beach said it best: "It was like a movie."

Standing on Cross Bay Boulevard in her landlord's coat, Carcione echoed what residents there said was most shocking about the storm - floodwater actually reached them.

"The water busted down the doors and went up to the ceiling," Carcione said of her home on 84th Street in Howard Beach's western section.

The morning after the storm, streetlights were out on Cross Bay Boulevard from Ozone Park to Broad Channel.

Residents of Howard Beach looked on as phalanxes of ambulances, police cars, fire trucks and military vehicles raced down the boulevard to the smoldering Rockaways.

Cross Bay Boulevard and 158th Avenue was turned into a staging area for the emergency vehicles. Federal Emergency Management Agency officers patrolled Howard Beach on search-and-rescue missions while military trucks crammed with National Guard Troops stormed by.

Old Howard Beach, much nearer to the Shellbank Basin, was drowned. 95th Street by 158th Avenue was submerged under at least a foot of water the morning after Sandy hit.

"It was a lot worse than ex-

pected," said Paul Belfiore, a resident of 95th Street, who watched firefighters carry his ailing father-in-law from Belfiore's flooded home. "I never could have imagined the storm would be like this."

Frank Spallino, a retired marine, and Paul Marcel, a volunteer with the Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps who lives in Howard Beach, drove Spallino's decommissioned military truck through floodwaters to help people escape a burning home in Old Howard Beach.

In Broad Channel, winds crushed bungalows and water surged through narrow streets. A small boat was blown over a white picket fence.

Unlike Howard Beach, Broad Channel and Hunters Point in Long Island City were in Zone A, meaning they were told to evacuate on Sunday.

Despite the evacuation orders being in effect, several residents were seen walking throughout Long Island City and the Gantry State Park just hours before the storm hit.

Among the small crowd of passersby, Fernando Solier, who lives in a condo just steps away from the shore, said that he had no intentions of leaving due to the less-than-terrifying effects of last year's Hurricane Irene.

"Last year, everyone thought Hurricane Irene would be devastating, but it wasn't," Solier said.

"With Hurricane Sandy, I didn't want to go through the evacuation process, so I thought I would just stay and wait it out."

An NYPD vehicle carried residents through Breezy Point, where Superstorm Sandy caused massive flooding and fire damage.

Police Blotter Compiled by STEVEN J. FERRARI

Borough-wide Bank Robberies The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance locating the following individuals wanted for three bank robberies and one attempted bank robbery within the confines of the 115th, 104th, 108th and 114th precincts. In the following incidents, the suspects enter the bank and pass a demand note to the teller.

The first incident occurred on July 17 at 3 p.m. at the Amalgamated Bank, 78-01 37th Ave. The suspect demanded money and the teller complied. The suspect fled the bank with an undetermined amount of money.

The second incident occurred on Aug. 10 at 5:50 p.m. at a Chase Bank, 74-03 Metropolitan Ave. The suspect demanded money and the teller did not comply. The suspect f led the bank without any money.

The third incident occurred

on Aug. 20 at 1:52 p.m. at the HSBC Bank, 22-15 43rd Ave. The suspect demanded money and the teller complied. The suspect fled the bank with an undetermined amount of money.

The fourth incident occurred on Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Chase Bank, 28-56 Steinway St. The suspect demanded money and the teller complied. The suspect fled the bank with an undetermined amount of money.

No injuries were reported at the above incidents.

The suspect is described as a Black male, last seen wearing a striped shirt, jeans, sunglasses and a N.Y. Yankees cap.

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 TIPS577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

107th Precinct Forcible Touching The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance identifying the following individual wanted for forcible touching, which took place on Oct. 13 at 4:50 p.m. at Home Lawn Street and Aspen Place. The suspect approached the victim from behind and forcibly touched her.

The suspect is described as an Hispanic male in his 20s, approximately 6-foot-2. He was last seen wearing a white shirt with black stripes, grey sweatpants and white sneakers. He also has a large scar from the top of his head to his neck.

108th Precinct Grand Larceny The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect wanted for grand larceny.

On Oct. 2 at 2 p.m., a female victim was inside PJ Horgan’s

bar, 42-17 Queens Blvd., when she left her seat to go outside.

While the victim was outside, the suspect reached down into her bag, removed her wallet, placed it inside his bag and then f led the scene. The wallet contained money, credit cards and debit cards.

The suspect is described as an Hispanic male, 5-foot-6, 250 lbs.

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 TIPS577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Homicide On Oct. 20 at approximately 2:16 a.m., police responded to a call of an assault in progress at the corner of 42nd Street and Queens Boulevard. Upon arrival, they ob-

served a 62-year-old white male unconscious and with blunt force trauma to the head. An investigation revealed the victim was struck in the head with an unknown object by three suspects. EMS responded and removed the victim to Elmhurst General Hospital in serious condition. The victim, Louis Rispoli, was pronounced dead on Oct. 25.

A $12,000 reward has been offered leading to the arrest and conviction for the persons responsible. The NYPD is offering $10,000 for an arrest and conviction. Crime Stoppers is offering $2,000 for an arrest and indictment.

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 TIPS577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Nov. 2-8, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

pix

Scenes From A Storm

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 2-8, 2012

Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage throughout Southeast Queens, including the damage in Jamaica shown in these pictures, provided to the PRESS of Southeast Queens by Roi.

Nov. 2-8, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Profile

YMCA Of Greater New York To Serve Disengaged Youth The YMCA of Greater New York has recently announced that it will open its first of three “Y- Road” centers in Jamaica.

The Y-Road Center will aim to help the disengaged youth of the Southeast Queens community obtain the skills they need to succeed in life.

Senior Executive of Youth

“Some young people just need a little hand holding to get back into a GED program… That’s the type of support we are going to be offering.”

-Marty Forth

and Community Engagement at the YMCA, Marty Forth, explains that this new program will focus on helping disconnected youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are either not in school or not working, and in some cases both.

“The idea is to stabilize them and redirect them into their next success - getting them back to school, helping them get their GED and offering counseling services and mediation. We pinpoint whatever it is that disconnected them and hopefully help them get them the education credential to get them into a job or school,” Forth said.

Although the YMCA has offered extensive counseling services throughout NYC, including drug, alcohol and stabilization counseling, this is the first time that it is creating a program in this type of manner.

“A young person will come in

and we interview them ship to the local Y and do a formalized in[YMCA] so they can work out. We’ve learned take to assess what type of skills and services over the years that the they need,” he said. “At recreational side of things is just as importhe same time we are tant for retention. Just trying to understand coming in and getting a why they have become service is not personal,” disconnected. Is it a Forth said. falling out with the Forth reveals that its family? Is it money? Is location in Jamaica was it they just didn’t try in a traditional education Jamaica's YMCA, located on Parsons Boulevard, strategically planned.

“Percentage wise, Jasetting? Based on that, located near where the YMCA of Greater New York we will provide a work plans to open its first Y-Road Center in January 2013. maica has the third highest percentage of program for them.” disconnected youth in Forth explains that in many cases, a program like emergency housing or need the City so it’s definitely a comthis is important to give troubled counseling – something reason- munity that needs the assisyouth resources they need for ably simple. That’s the type of tance,” he said. “There are a success. support we are going to be offer- number of small service agencies in Jamaica but not one that’s do“Some young people just ing,” he said.

In addition to emergency ing this inclusive holistic version need a little hand holding to get back into a GED program. There counseling and housing, Y-Road of this.”

Reach Reporter Natalia are a lot of 16 and 17-year-olds will offer free recreational serKozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 that are mostly graduated, they vices.

“We will give them a member- or nkozikowska@queenspress.com. just for whatever reason, need Photo by Jim Henderson.

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

People The New York Lottery announced Ralph Milone of East Elmhurst won $10,000 on the Lottery’s $5,000,000 Cash scratch-off game. Milone’s winning ticket was purchased at the Queens Pizza and Deli Grocery, 90-46 161st St., Jamaica.

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 2-8, 2012

Four Broadway stars and the Queens College Orchestra will perform at a memorial concert

for alumnus and legendary stage and screen composer Marvin Hamlisch at 3 p.m. Nov. 4 in the newly-renovated LeFrak Concert Hall at Queens College.

General admission seating costs $25 and VIP reserved seating costs $75.

For information or to purchase tickets, call (718) 793-8080 or visit www.kupferbergcenter.org.

Queens Botanical Garden

Storm Damage:

Sections of Queens experienced downed trees, power lines and traffic lights in the wake of Superstorm Sandy on Monday.

will host a conversation with biographer Barbara Paul Robinson about her book “Rosemary Verey: the Life and Lessons of a Legendary Gardener,” from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 in the QBG’s Visitor and Administration building.

For more information, call Darcy Hector at (718) 8863800, Ext. 330 or email dhector@queensbotanical.org.

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

C Rupert of St. Albans won $36,056 on the Oct. 13 Take Five drawing. Rupert’s winning ticket was purchased at the L&J Mini Market, 118-65 Farmers Blvd., St. Albans.

Xin Qu of Corona won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing Oct. 9. Qu’s winning ticket was purchased at the Elis Grocery, 102-01 37th Ave., Corona.

Richard Hill of East Elmhurst won $10,013 on the Quick Draw drawing Oct. 15. Hill’s winning ticket was purchased at Joey’s Place, 84-14 Astoria Blvd., East Elmhurst.

Queens residents Devon Kiernan and Lourdes Mosquito were chosen to be a part of a fivemember private client banking team with Signature Bank, working out of the office in Garden City.

Posters as History, Politics, and Art: Teaching with Primary Sources, opening on Nov. 12 at the Godwin-Ternbach Museum, will display more than 30 Vietnam War protest posters from the museum’s permanent col-

lection as well as photographs and archival materials from the Queens College Archives. The exhibition demonstrates how art can be used as a dynamic device to teach and bring history and politics to life for students and public audiences alike. At the same time, alumni who donated and created the posters will return to celebrate the college’s 75th anniversary and recall their experiences during the Vietnam War years.

For further information, details about the exhibition and programs, or to schedule a tour, call (718) 997-4724 or visit the museum website at w w w.qc.cuny.edu/ godwin_ternbach/.

Tell The PRESS

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

A&E

Museum Hosts A Night of Learning

BY MEGAN MONTALVO

Restaurant Review

An American Classic

The Original American Chicken 78-07 37th Ave., Jackson Heights (718) 651-0800 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11a.m.10:30p.m.; Sun. noon-10:30p.m.

Delivery: Yes Credit Card: Yes, all major

Alexandria Rodriguez of Jamaica.

The 13-year-old said she had just recently joined Teens Take the City Program at her local YMCA and after participating in the Ad Lab event, looks forward to the many opportunities the civic-minded program offers.

Students visited the Museum of the Moving Ad Lab is the first Image for a lesson on interactive learning and collaboration be- political media literacy. tween Museum of the Moving Image and the YMCA New York City government of Greater New York. works,” said Dana Mantella, direcIn addition to teaching teens tor of citywide teen programs for about New York City government the YMCA. “By participating in and giving participants the chance debates and projects, such as ‘Ad to research and debate topics of Lab,’ they begin to grow and realtheir choosing, the Teens Take the ize that everyone has a voice.”

City program also encourages The Musuem of Moving Imcommunity involvement by giving age is located at 36-01 35th Ave. students the tools needed to uti- in Astoria. For more information lize the democratic process to af- about the YMCA of Greater fect change on a local level.

New York or the Teens Take the “Teens Take the City gives stu- City program, visit ymcanyc.org dents the opportunity to see how or call (212) 630-9600.

Superstorm Sandy Causes Halloween Havoc

BY JOE MARVILLI

Superstorm Sandy not only impacted the City’s citizens and businesses, it also hurt Halloween celebrations across Queens.

Although the holiday is usually one of the busiest of the year for New Yorkers, the combination of flooding, high winds and power outages greatly limited the number of options for kids and adults alike.

The first signs of the storm’s effect on the holiday came early Monday when officials advised taking down decorations, as they could be turned into dangerous projectiles by the high wind.

After Sandy blew through New York City, a large number of festivities were cancelled. All events that were to occur in City parks, playgrounds, beaches and recreation centers were quashed because those areas remained

closed due to the high risk of falling tree branches.

Among the celebrations cancelled in Queens were Shocktoberfest in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the Seniors Halloween Dance at the Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center at 93-29 Queens Blvd. Queens County Farm Museum was forced to close their Haunted House, corn maze and hayride.

All libraries across the five boroughs were still shuttered on Wednesday, cancelling any Halloween events at those locations.

While it does not take place in Queens, the incredibly popular Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, which attracts attendees from all over the City, was rescheduled for the first time in its history.

Despite the setbacks, a number of Halloween events either

went on or rescheduled their celebrations.

Flushing Town Hall was open for its free Halloween Re-mixed event, which was rescheduled to Oct. 31. At LIC Kids, there were not any classes, morning enrichment or after school programs.

Instead, the children enrichment center offered a day of open play. Young children also celebrated the holiday out in Astoria with a Gym-Azing Halloween Party at 27-14 23rd Ave. Consolidated Edison offered some helpful tips for children trick or treating in the post-Sandy City. They told people to avoid any downed electrical wires of equipment and to avoid standing in any water or puddles, in case they contained an unseen electrical current.

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

Nov. 2-8, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

After spending much of my day prepping for Superstorm Sandy’s arrival, I suddenly realized I had forgotten to prepare a meal for dinner.

With many of the stores in my neighborhood already closed, I doubted I would find anything last minute.

But, with my stomach growling, I knew I had to find something fast.

As I rushed down 37th Street in Jackson Heights, just hours before Sandy was predicted to hit, I stumbled across a familiar sight: American Chicken.

To my surprise, the quaint little eatery was open and ready for business.

Though the menu offers many delightful choices, many of which I had tried in less hectic situations, I thought it would be best to stick with a classic half chicken dish.

At an affordable price under $9.00, the meal came with my choice of two sides, pita bread and an ample serving of chicken.

Under normal circumstances, I might have been more adventurous and tried the honey mustard potatoes or garbanzo bean salad for my sides, but see-

ing as this was not an ordinary circumstance, I went for the mashed potatoes with gravy and mac and cheese instead.

While waiting for my meal, the friendly staff took their time to speak with me and a few other patrons who were seeking last minute sustenance.

Their smiles and laughs reassured me that everything would be alright. The comical décor of decorative chickens from around the world proved to be a fun, stress-relieving environment.

Just as my meal made its way to my table, I soaked in the savory aromas exuding from my plate.

The chicken was well-seasoned and charcoal broiled just the way I like it – crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside.

The restaurant’s homemade salsa and barbecue sauces perfectly complimented the meat, and as I savored every bite, the mashed potatoes and mac and cheese comforted me at a time I needed it most.

Despite the strong winds gusting past the window front, I could not help but notice how calm the staff and my fellow patrons were.

For a few moments of time, it felt as if we were a tight-knit community who came together during a time of crisis.

I could not have helped but think this is what America, and American Chicken, was all about.

–Megan Montalvo

the Moving Image partnered with the YMCA of Greater New York to host a night of fun, interactive learning and civic awareness with the launch of “Ad Lab,” a new after-school workshop in political media literacy and media-making.

Throughout the evening, more than 100 students from the YMCA’s Teens Take the City program used the Museum’s website, “The Living Room Candidate,” as the main resource and tool to view, discuss, and remix ads from the previous Obama/McCain campaigns.

Prior to editing their own ads, the teens explored the Museum’s exhibits and learned the deeper history of filmmaking.

Tour guides stressed the importance of music, editing and sound to illustrate emotions – a notion which many of the children in attendance responded to.

“Learning about ads and the power of editing really helped me realize what goes into making commercials and movies,” said

Photo by Megan Montalvo

As the presidential election slowly approaches, many heated debates have ensued over whether the country should vote Romney or Obama.

Though high school and junior high students may not be old enough to vote, many of them had the opportunity to engage in a debate of their own last week.

On Oct. 26, the Museum of

Faith

Hollis Presbyterian Church Celebrates 90 Years

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Hollis Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 90th year of Christian service with a special classical music presentation, “Evensong.”

“Evensong” will feature a choir, a string ensemble and an organ player. Music director at the church Hale Thompson re-

vealed that Ensemble Sepia, a well known string quartet in New York City, will be performing.

Thompson, also an organ player at the church, said he will be the event’s organist conductor.

Thompson believes that events like these are important for the Southeast Queens community because it gives locals the opportunity to embrace a style

Word “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.”

-Ephesians 5:19

of music that is not normally heard throughout churches anymore.

“It reaches out to everybody because the music we are presenting is very familiar to people.

The music will be enhanced with the string ensemble and give it a fuller sound and presence,” he said. “People really respond to that because a lot of these anthems are not sung anymore, but when they hear them, they remember them. It touches the heart in a very spiritual and personal way.”

According to Thompson, similar musical presentations have brought in more than 250 locals, and this year is no exception.

“Some communities don’t really have that and don’t know a lot about classical music, so the community is interested. This community in Queens particularly enjoys classical music a

Hollis Presbyterian Church great deal so they usually come and support us really well,” he said.

“Evensong” will be presented at Hollis Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. The church is located a 100-50 196th St. in Hollis. For additional in-

formation, you may call the church at (718) 776-4646. The event is free and open to the general public.

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

Notebook Humanities And The Arts

Humanities PTA President Generous With Her Time Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 2-8, 2012

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Described as “indefatigable”

by Principal Rosemarie O’Mard, PTA President of the Humanities and the Arts High School in Cambria Heights, Melissa Hubbard, dedicates an unprecedented amount of time volunteering for the school.

Hubbard, elected as President of the PTA for the 20122013 year, spends an extraordinary amount of time volunteering for the high school. She has spent three years on the PTA and is a member of the Campus Magnet Steering Committee, which includes people from all four schools and is chaired by Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village), who has had a long positive relationship with the building.

PTA President Melissa Hubbard.

Hubbard is also on the School Leadership Team which is the body of parents, teachers, supervisors, students and other staff members who meet monthly to evaluate the curriculum and accomplishments in the school with the ability to make necessary changes. She also acts as a liaison from the four schools in the Campus Magnet Complex to the 21st Century Program of Queensborough Community College, which gives students the opportunity to take classes at their campus all year long.

The PTA President has also been an educator and guidance counselor for 20 years so she can effectively help the Humanities and the Arts High School.

When asked about Hubbard, Principal O’Mard said in a statement that she is, “Indefatigable

and generous with her time. She helps not only HUM but the other schools in the Campus.

She attends all meetings and is a liaison between the community and the school.”

Is Your School Doing Something Good?

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

What’s Up Editor’s Note: In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, be sure to check in advance if programs have been cancelled.

NOV. 3 Business Plan Competition The Central Branch of the Queens Library will hold a meeting on the Queens Economic Development Corp.’s seventh annual Queens StartUP! Business Plan Competition 11 a.m. at the library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd.

Black Wall Street York College will present “Black Wall Street,” a play about a small Black community in Tulsa, Okla., in 1921 called Greenwood, consisting of Blacks who fled the oppression of the south to carve themselves out a place in the Indian nation in Oklahoma.

When some of these individuals settled on oil-rich land and became incredibly wealthy, the town soon became known as Black Wall Street.

The show will be performed at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. Tickets cost $20, $10 for students and seniors.

Curtis Brothers Quartet

NOV. 4 A Capella Soul This New York City-based ensemble is a powerhouse of doo wop, R&B, gospel and soul that performs classic hits from the 1950s through the 70s. The band will perform at 3 p.m. at the Central Branch of the Queens Library.

Fundraising Affair The Afrikan Poetry Theatre will present Creative Cuisine/

NOV. 6 Billing Assistance Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) will host a free financial and billing assistance session sponsored by National Grid from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at his district office, 113-43 Farmers Blvd. The session will provide help with past-due bills, enrollment in HEAP and the Neighborhood Heating Fund, the OnTrack Program that provides up to $400 of forgiven bills and the Energy Assistance Program.

For more information or to make an appointment, call Councilman Comrie’s office at (718) 776-3700.

Showcase Boogie Down, the York College Music Club showcase, will take place at 7 p.m. at the York College Illinois Jacqut Performance Space at the Chapel of the Three Sisters, 94-15 159th St.

and resources to informal (license-exempt) child care providers throughout the five boroughs of the City.

Topics will include building relationships and nurturing social and emotional development; how children learn; physical wellbeing and development and language and literacy.

The free program will begin 6 p.m. at the library.

Operation Safe Southeast Group Sessions Queens State Sen. Malcolm Smith’s (D-Hollis) crime prevention initiative, Operation Safe Southeast Queens, will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. at Sen. Smith’s district office, 205-20 Jamaica Ave. For information, call Tai White at (718) 454-0162.

NOV. 9 Eddie Allen Trumpeter Eddie Allen will perform 7 to 9 p.m. at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Allen is one of the more versatile musicians on the New York scene. He’s called upon to play everything from jazz to R&B and pop to Latin to Broadway and everything in between. He’s worked with jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Weston and many more.

Tickets cost $20, $10 for students and seniors.

ONGOING Mobile CPR Program FDNY EMS instructors will

come out to your site to conduct NOV. 7 the CPR training using your faResumes And Cover Letters cilities. The Be 911 CompresThe Central Branch of the Queens Library will host a free session on resumes and cover letters at 10 a.m. Participants will learn how to get started, types of resumes, what to include and tips for making a stronger resume.

For information or to register, call (718) 990-5153.

Professional Development Workshop The Central Branch of the Queens Library and the ACS/ CUNY Informal Child Care Project will host an interactive workshop providing information

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.

sions 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

Clergy United for Community Empowerment, Inc. Group Sessions are located at 89-31 161st St., 10th Floor, Jamaica, for the community on various topics such as domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse intervention, decision making, condom use, high risk behaviors leading to HIV, and self – esteem awareness. All group sessions offer light snacks and beverages.

Group sessions are open to the public.

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

Please call for next group date.

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

Call (718) 297-0720. Located at 89-31 161st St., 10th floor, Jamaica. Services are available Tue.-Thurs. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HIV Awareness Clergy United for Community Empowerment provides intervention and curriculum-based prevention education sessions on HIV/AIDS, to reduce risk behaviors that lead to HIV transmission. Services are located at 89-

31 161st St., Jamaica. Call (718) 297-0720 ask about the 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.

PAL Volunteers The Police Athletic League (PAL) is looking for volunteers to continue its mission of serving New York City’s young people by donating their time and talents to help serve Queens youngsters at PAL’s Redfern Cornerstone and Far Rockaway Beacon in Arverne-Far Rockaway, PAL’s Edward Byrne Center in South Jamaica and PS 214 in Flushing.

PAL Centers in Queens offer a wide range of opportunities for volunteers of all talents. PAL’s Redfern Cornerstone and Far Rockaway Beacon are looking for people to participate in a center clean-up day. Volunteers are needed to tutor and mentor young people during the After School Program’s daily homework help sessions. In addition, individuals can also donate their time assisting the many special events held at PAL’s Centers throughout the year. PAL is also seeking professionals to give career advice and talk about their own careers to young people, as well as guest speakers who can share information on a specific hobby of interest to the youngsters.

To become a volunteer with the Police Athletic League or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit palnyc.org.

Volunteers will go through an application process that includes an interview, screening and an orientation.

For more information, please contact PAL’s Volunteer Coordinator, Alexandria SumpterDelves, at (212) 477-9450, Ext. 390 or volunteer@palnyc.org.

Nov. 2-8, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

St. Albans Congregational Church, 172-17 Linden Blvd., will host the Curtis Brothers Quartet. Led by Zaccai and Luques Curtis. The group performs a dazzling array of AfroCarribean rhythms, distinguished by tightly-played serpentine arrangements that memorable melodies and sophisticated harmonies.

The quartet will perform from 5 to 7 p.m. For information, call the church at (718) 657-8282.

Brothers Who Cook, a popular fundraiser, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Harvest Room at the Jamaica Market, 90-40 160th St. The evening will feature dishes from the Caribbean and Africa, plus soul plates and vegetarian delights. The event will also feature poet, playwright and activist Amiri Baraka, classic funk and R&B and an African fashion show.

Tickets cost $35, $30 in advance. For tickets, reservation and information, call (718) 5233312.

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!

SINGLES POST ELECTION PARTY Thursday, November 8 Singles party at Sly Fox Inn, 177-23 Union Turnpike. 35 and over, free admission.

7:30. 339-4256 to register.

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 2-8, 2012

HEALTH BLOOD DRIVE Sunday, November 4 92:15 at Young Israel of New3 Hyde Park, 264-14 77 th Avenue. 552-6449.

CHAIR YOGA Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 i n t r o d u c t i o n t o c h a i r yoga at the Broadway library.

Register.

ZUMBA EXERCISE Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 at the LIC library. Register.

CANCER SUPPORT Mondays, November 5, December 3 Franklin Hospital’s Cancer Support Group 2-4 in the cafeteria. 516-2566478.

RELAX/MEDITATION TIME Tuesdays, November 6, 13, 20, 27 relaxation and meditation time at 5:30 at the Seaside library.

INTRO YOGA Wednesdays, November 7, 14 Astoria library. Register.

CANCER AWARENESS Wednesday, November 7 at the Queens Village library at 1:30.

MEDITATION Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29 Bellerose library at 5:30.

CANCER ACTION Thursday, November 8 Northern Queens Regional Cancer Action Council meeting at 10 Corona library.

MEDITATION CLUB Thursday, November 8 at the Bellerose library at 5:30.

RECOVERY INT. Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29 Recovery International meets at the Forest Hills library at 2:30.

YOUTH

TEENS CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

LAPTOPS Mondays, November 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Hollis library at 3.

ORIGAMI Monday, November 5 at the Baisley Park library at 4.

TEEN MANNERS Monday, November 5 at the Flushing library at 4.

FREE SAT/ACT Monday, November 5 at the St. Albans librar y. 800273-8439 to register.

WHO MOVED CHEESE? Monday, November 5 at the Pomonok library at 5.

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

FREE PRACTICE SAT/ACT Tuesday, November 6 at the Queens Village library at 2:30.

LAPTOPS Tuesdays, November 6, 13, 20, 27 at the Hollis library at 3 and the Arverne library at 4.

FUN WITH FABRIC Tuesdays, November 6, 13, 20, 27 at the Douglaston library. Register.

COLLEGE PREP Tuesdays, November 6, 13, 20, 27 at the Far Rockaway library. 327-2549 to register.

HIV/STDS Tuesday, November 6 t the Arverne library at 5:30.

HEALTH SERIES Tuesday, November 6 at the Central library at 3:30.

LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays Windsor Park library at 4.

FREE SAT/ACT Wednesdays, November 7, 14 at the Briarwood library.

800-273-8439 to register.

JAPANESE MONSTERS Wednesday, November 7 at the Far Rockaway library at 3:30.

TEEN MANNERS Wednesday, November 7 at the Flushing library at 4.

JEWELRY MAKING Wednesday, November 7 at t h e W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

RESUME HELP Wednesdays at 3 at the Arverne library.

GAME DAY Wednesdays St. Albans library at 4 and the Howard Beach library at 4.

CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 Queens Village library.

TOTE BAGS Thursday, November 8 at the LIC library at 4.

Wednesday, November 14

at the LIC library at 4.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Thursdays, November 8, 15, 22, 29 at the Seaside library at 5:30.

LAPTOPS Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29 at the Hollis library at 3.

FUN WITH FABRIC Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29 at the Douglaston library.

Register.

TEEN THURSDAYS T h u r s d ay s B ay Te r ra c e l i brary at 3.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays intermediate level at the East Flushing library at 5. Sunnyside library at 5.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, November 9, 16, 23, 30 at the Bayside and Fresh Meadow libraries at 4.

HAPPY HOUR Fridays, November 9, 16, 23, 30 at the Flushing library at 4.

WII GAME DAYS Fridays, November 9, 16, 23, 30 at the Poppenhusen library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays Auburndale library at 3:30.

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays Briarwood library at 4.

WII FRIDAYS Fridays at the Hollis library at 3:30.

GAME DAY Fridays Woodhaven library at 4:30 and the Windsor Park library at 4.

THEATER LEARNED LADIES November 3-11 Gingerbread Players of St. Luke’s Church presents Moliere’s “Learned Ladies” at the church, 85 Greenway South, Forest Hills. $12. 268-7772.

MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S November 2-10 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

PARENTS OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, November 7 Magnet School of Global Communication and Foreign Language in Astoria. Thursday, November 8 The Magnet School of the Arts in LIC. Wednesday, November 28 the magnet School of Multimedia, Communication Arts and Journalism in Queens and the Magnet School of Health and Wellness in LIC. 759-4977. All grades can apply.

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

HOMEWORK HELP McGoldrick library. Call for hours and days.

FAMILY STORY/CRAFT Saturday, November 3 Central library. Register.

THANKSGIVING Saturday, November 3 How People Celebrate Around the World at 3 at the Ridgewood library. Also on Monday, November 5 at the Jackson Heights library at 5.

STORY BOOK LADY Saturdays 12:30-1:30 reading enrichment program for 6-9 year olds at Maria Rose International Doll Museum in St. Albans. $7.50. 2763454.

SCIENCE LAB Saturdays Central library at 11.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays Flushing library at 2.

SHABBAT SCOUTS Sundays Shomer Shabbat B oy S c o u t Tr o o p 6 1 3 a t Yo u n g I s ra e l o f W i n d s o r Park. 969-1571.

LEARN TO CROCHET Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 Arverne library at 4.

DRAWING CLUB Monday, November 5 at the Glendale library. Register.

FAMIY STORY TIME Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 Auburndale library at 4.

WORD OF THE WEEK Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 McGoldrick library at 5.

CRAFT KIDS Mondays at the Flushing library at 3.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Tuesdays, November 6, 13, 20, 27 at 11:30 at the Glen Oaks library.

SCIENCE TELLERS Tuesday, November 6 at the Central library at 2.

FAMILY GAME DAY Tuesday, November 6 at the Bay Terrace library at 3.

FUN WITH FABRIC Tuesdays, November 6, 13, 20, 27 at the Douglaston library. Register.

CRAFT Y TUESDAYS Tuesdays, November 6, 20, December 4, 18 at the Forest Hills library t 3:30.

ELECTION DAY Tuesday, November 6 at the Central library at 4:30.

CRAFT TUESDAYS Tuesdays, November 6, 20, December 4, 18 at the Forest Hills library at 3:30.

PLAY DOH PART Y

Wednesday, November 7 at the Fresh Meadows library at 3:30.

ARTS & CRAFTS Wednesdays, November 7, 14, 21, 28 at the Auburndale library at 4.

CRAFTIVITIES Wednesdays, November 7, 14, 21, 28 at the East Flushing library at 4.

MATH DAY Wednesday, November 7 at the Central library at 4:30.

READING FOR FUN Wednesdays, November 7, 14, 21 Laurelton library at 5.

MATH GAMES Wednesdays, November 7, 21 McGoldrick library at 5.

CHESS Wednesdays at 3:30 at the Queens Village library.

TIMELESS TALES Wednesdays at 10 at the Central library.

S TORY T I M E Wednesdays at the Seaside library at 11.

GAME DAY Wednesdays at the Howard Beach library at 4.

CRAFTERNOONS Wednesdays Ridgewood library. Register.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Thursdays, November 8, 15, 22, 29 at the Seaside library at 5:30.

FUN WITH FABRIC Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29 at the Douglaston library.

Register.

KIDS ZUMBA Thursdays, November 8, 15 Seaside library at 3:30.

CREATE YOUR STORIES Thursdays, November 8, 15 Central library. Register.

TOTE BAGS Thursday, November 8 at 4 at the LIC library. Wednesday, November 14 at 4 at t h e L I C l i b ra r y. B a c k to School Tote Bags.

PRESCHOOL SCIENCE Thursday, November 8 at the Central library at 10:30.

FAMILY STORY TIMES Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29 at the Bay Terrace library at 11:30.

HANDS ON FARMING Thursday, November 8 at the Woodside library at 3.

GO GREEN ANIMAL Thursday, November 8 at the Astoria library at 3:30.

TOTE BAG Thursday, November 8 at the LIC library at 4.

WEBSITE DEMO Thursday, November 8 at the McGoldrick library at 4.

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

ARTS & CRAFTS CLUB Thursdays at the Seaside li-

brary. Register.

BUGS AS PETS Friday, November 9 at 4:30 at the Pomonok library.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Fridays, November 9, 16, 23, 30 at the Ozone Park library at 4.

VIDEO/BOARD GAMES Fridays, November 9, 16, 23, 30 at the Rochdale Village library at 4:30.

TIGER TOTS Fridays, November 9, 16, 30 kung fu at the Briarwood library. Register.

ORIGAMI POP UP Friday, November 9 at the L a n g st o n H u g h e s l i b ra r y.

Register.

S TORY T I M E Friday, November 9 at the Astoria library at 4:30.

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

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

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

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays Briarwood library at 4.East Flushing Register.

Ozone Park at 4.

GAME DAY Fridays Windsor Park at 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays Auburndale library at 3:30 and at the Windsor Park library. Register.

CUB SCOUTS 351 Fridays at St. Nicholas of Tolentine. Boys in grades 15. 820-0015.

SCOUTING Join Scouting in Queens.

212-651-2897.

CUB/TROOP SCOUTS Fridays September through June Pack 357 and Troop 357 in Flushing. 591-9514 Cubs, 279-9085 Scouts.

SLIME TIME Tu e s d a y , N o ve m b e r 1 3 Briarwood library. Register.

MANGA Tu e s d ay s , N ove m b e r 1 3 , 20, 27 at the Baisley Park library at 4.

READ TO A DOG Tu e s d ay s , N ove m b e r 1 3 , 20, 27 North Hills librar y.

Register.

GO GREEN ANIMAL Tuesday, November 13 a t the Sunnyside library at 4.

HEALTHY THANKSGIVING Tuesday, November 13 at the Central library at 4:30.

PRESCHOOL CRAFT Wednesdays, November 14, 28 at the Windsor Park library. Register.

THANKSGIVING CRAFT Wednesday, November 14 at the Fresh Meadows library at 3:30.

Queens Today TALKS PRES. ELECTION PROCESS Saturday, November 3 at the Langston Hughes library at 11.

BOOK SIGNING Sunday, November 4 Dr. Naftali Moses, author of “Mourning Under Glass: Reflections on a Son’s Murder” at 7 at the Young Israel of New Hyde Park, 264-15 77 th avenue. 343-0496. Talk and book signing and collation follows.

FOR ATTORNEYS Sunday, November 4 Fall CLE Weekend for Attorneys Only at St. Johns. 990-6044, ext. 6028.

CLASSICS BOOK Monday, November 5 “Invisible Man” discussed at 6:30 at the Peninsula library.

MOVING IMAGE Through December 30 “See It Big” films. Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. 412. Adults. 7776800.

ASTORIA JAZZ BAND Saturday, November 3 with the 16 piece Astoria Big

SENIORS ZUMBA GOLD Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 at the East Elmhurst librar y. Register.

AARP 3654 Tuesday, No vember 6 in Bayside. 423-4237.

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

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

AARP 29 Thursdays, November 8, December 13 AARP 29 meets at noon at Grace House, 155-02 90 th Avenue, Jamaica.

ZUMBA GOLD Thursdays, November 8, 15 at the Hollis and Woodhaven libraries. Register DEFENSIVE DRIVING Friday, November 9 at the M c G o l d r i c k l i b ra r y. 4 6 8 8300 to register.

STARS Fridays Senior Theater Acting Repertory at the Queens Village library at 11.

FLEA MARKETS CRAFT & VENDOR SALE Saturday, November 3 104 in the school gym at P S 1 1 3 , 7 8 - 2 3 8 7 th S t r e e t , Glendale. Visit Santa, refreshments.

RUMMAGE SALE Sunday, November 11 10-3 and Monday, November 12 9-12 at Temple Tikvah, 3315 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park.

RELIGIOUS ZIONISM Saturday, November 3 “Jewish Alternatives to Zionism” at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Ash Avenue and 149 th Street, Flushing. $5. 380-5380.

BOOK SIGNING Sunday, November 4 Mourning Under Glass: Reflections on a Son’s Murder at 7 Young Israel . 264-15 77 th Avenue.

Band at Steinway Reformed Church at 3. 917-667-5331 ticket information.

CHINESE FOLK DANCE Saturday, November 3 at the Flushing library at 2.

BELLE’S PLAYERS Saturday, November 3 scenes and monologues Forest Hills library at 2:30.

BEJING OPERA Sunday, November 4 at F l u s h i n g Tow n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700.

MULTINATIONAL PROG. Sunday, November 4 at St. George’s Church, Main Street, Flushing at 4. $20 adults, $10 Youth.

ACAPELLA SOUL Sunday, November 4 doo wop, r&b, gospel and soul at the Central library at 3.

ASTORIA SYMPHONY Sunday, November 4 at 5 at St. Joseph’s Church, 431 9 3 0 th A v e n u e , A s t o r i a .

917-460-4289.

LIVE JAZZ & R&B Sundays, November 4, 11, 18, 25 live jazz and r&b 610 at Déjà vu, 180-25 Linden Blvd., St. Albans.

KOREAN MUSIC/DANCE Monday, November 5 at the Flushing library at 6.

FAMILY GAMES Tuesday, November 6 at the Bay Terrace library at 3.

SOUTH ASIA ON FILM Wednesdays through April 25 at 4:30 at the G o d w i n - Te r n b a c h Museum at Queens College.

997-4747 for titles and other info.

KOREAN PERCUSSION Wednesday, November 7 at F l u s h i n g Tow n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700.

HOLLYWOOD MUSICAL Thursday, November 8 Windsor Park library at 2.

COLOMBIA-BRAZIL November 9 through December 9 celebration of Carnival traditions at Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside. 729-3880.

STORY TELLING Saturday, November 10 native American storytelling workshop at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700.

LATIN MUSIC Saturday, November 10 at F l u s h i n g Tow n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700.

BANGLADESHI AUTHOR Saturday, November 10 celebration in honor of Humayun at 2 at the Central library.

OLDIES Saturday, November 10 at the Flushing library at 2.

AMERICAN ART 19201960 Saturday, November 10 Forest Hills library at 2:30.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS START UP! Saturdays, November 3, 10, 17, 24 business plan competition at the Central library at 11.

SOCIAL MEDIA Saturday, November 3 at th e Fa r Ro c k away l i b ra ry.

Register.

MICROSOFT EXCEL Saturdays, November 3, 10 Central library. Register.

WORD Saturdays, November 3, 10 Central library. Register.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, November 3 at Holy Family Church in Flushing 9-3:30. 631-360-9720 to register. $45.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, November 3, 17, 24 public speaking and effective communication at Elmhurst Hospital. 646-7488290 information.

BEGINNERS FRENCH Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 at 5 at the Woodhaven library.

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

MICROSOFT EXCEL Monday, November 5 at the Central library at 9:30.

INTRO COMPUTERS Mondays, November 5, 12, 26 at the Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

COMPUTER Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 at the Poppenhusen library t 11:30.

CRAFT CLUB Mondays, November 5, 19 at the Broadway library at 12:30.

METRIX Monday, November 5 at t h e C e n t ra l l i b ra r y. Fre e online training through Metrix.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION Mondays, November 5, 19, Douglaston library. Register.

BEGIN FRENCH Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 Woodhaven library at 5.

BEGIN CROCHET Monday, November 5 at the Arverne library at 5.

EVENING CRAFTS Mondays, November 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Fresh Meadows library at 6.

BALLROOM DANCING Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesday, November 6 at the Flushing library at 10.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays, November 6, 13, 20, 27 at the Auburndale library at 2 and the Windsor Park library at 2.

LIC CHESS CLUB

Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

COMPUTER BASICS Wednesdays, November 7, 14, 21 at 10:30 at the Arverne librar y.

BASIC COMPUTERS Wednesday, November 7 Woodside library at 10:30.

RESUMES/COVER LTRS Wednesday, November 7 at the Central library at 10.

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

INTRO COMPUTERS Wednesday, November 7 at the Hollis library. Register.

CHILD CARE PROVIDERS Wednesdays, November 7, 21 Professional Development Workshop for Child Care Providers at 6:30 at the Central library.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesdays, November 7, 14, 21, 28 at the South Ozone Park library at 1.

RESUME WRITING Wednesday, November 7 at the LIC library. Register.

EXCEL Wednesday, November 7 Central library. Register.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Thursdays, November 8, 15, 22, 29 at the Seaside library at 5:30.

COMPUTER TUTORING Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29 computer tutoring with NY Cares at the Woodside library. Register.

MICROSOFT OFFICE Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29 Arverne library at 10:30.

INTRO COMPUTERS Thursdays, November 8, 22 Ozone Park library. Register.

MOCK INTERVIEWS Thursdays, November 8, 15, 22 at t he Central librar y.

990-5148.

COMPUTER QUICK TIPS Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29 at the Central library at 12:15.

MICROSOFT OFFICE Thursday, November 8 at 10:30 at the Arverne library.

MEDITATION Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29 Bellerose library at 5:30.

ETSY BASICS Thursday, November 8 Central library. Register.

FEDERAL JOB SEARCH Thursday, November 8 Far Rockaway library at 1:30.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION Fridays, November 9, 16, 23, 30 at the Windsor Park library. Register.

METRIX LEARNING Fridays, November 9, 16, 30 at the Central library. Free online training through Metrix. Register.

INTRO EMAIL Friday, November 9 at the

Hillcrest library. Register.

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

INTRO INTERNET Friday, November 9 at the Central library. Register.

JOB SEARCH HELP Friday, November 9 at the Astoria library. Register.

MEETINGS PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturday, November 3 learn how to communicate effectively 10-12 at Elmhurst Hospital. 646-748-8290.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 Douglaston library at 4.

CTL QUEENS ACADEMY Monday, November 5 Central Queens Academy Charter School 212-437-8351 to attend.

COMET CIVICS Monday, November 5 at 7 at Bethzatha Church, 85-20 57 th Avenue, Elmhurst.

COME WRITE IN Tuesdays, November 6, 13, 20, 27 at the Pomonok library at 5.

SEASIDE WRITING Wednesdays, November 7, 14, 21, 28 at the Seaside library at 1.

FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesdays, November 7, 21, December 5, 19 Flushing Camera Club at Flushing Hospital. 749-0643.

BEREAVEMENT Wednesdays, November 7, December 5 Support Group at Holy Family in Fresh Meadows at 7:30. 969-2448.

KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS Wednesdays, November 7, 21, December 5, 19 Queensview Lodge 433 in Whitestone. 917-754-3093.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesdays, November 7, 21, 28 at the South Ozone Park library at 1.

TOASTMASTERS Wednesdays, November 7, 21, December 5, 19 Rochdale Toastmasters Club in Jamaica. 978-0732.

TRAVEL CLUB Wednesdays, November 7, 14, 21, 28 at 3:15 at the Seaside librar y.

JEFFERSON DEMS Thursday, November 8Jefferson Democratic Club meets 7:30 at the Clearview Golf Course Clubhouse.

STAMP CLUB Thursday, November 8 Queens Stamp Club at 5 at the Forest Hills library.

ILION BLOCK Friday, November 9 11192A Farmers Blvd., St. Albans at 7:30.

Nov. 2-8, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

WINDSOR PARK Monday, November 5 “Salvage the Bone” discussed at 2 at the Windsor Park library.

DISABLED RIGHTS Monday, November 5 The Rights of Individuals with Disabilities at 5:30 at the LIC librar y.

ARCHITECTURE AND YOU Monday, November 5 at the Flushing library at 6:30.

AUDIO BOOK CLUB Mondays, November 5, 19, 26 Seaside library at 11.

FINANCE & BILLING Tuesdays, November 6, December 11 free financial and billing assistance courtesy Councilman Leroy Comrie. 776-3700.

AUTHOR TALK Wednesday, November 7 “ True Love” author Margaret Gruen at 5:30 at the Seaside library.

CHILD CARE PROVIDERS Wednesdays, November 7, 21 Professional Development Workshop for Child Care Providers at 6:30 at the Central library.

NIGHT BOOK CLUB Thursday, November 8 “Still Alice” discussed at 5:30 at the Windsor Park library.

PARTNERS IN CHANGE Thursday, November 8 for individuals receiving services from the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities at 6 at the Central library.

GLENDALE BOOK Thursday, November 8 “The Paris Wife” discussed at 6 at the Glendale library.

YOUR CUSTOMERS Thursday, November 8 Understanding Your Responsibilities to Your Customers at 6 at the Langston Hughes library.

ENTERTAINMENT

Mets Woes Last week on WFAN’s Boomer and Carton Show, host Craig Carton made a little crack at the Mets’ expense in the wake of the Islanders moving to Brooklyn.

“I have spoken with high placed sources that said Mets owner Fred Wilpon is in talks to bring a Major League Baseball team to Queens,” Carton said.

Allegedly, Queens already has an MLB team, those New York Metropolitans. Unfortunately, they played more like minor leaguers, so Carton may have a point.

Let’s hope that in 2013, with the All-Star Game on the way, the Mets can compete with all the Brooklyn hype — and the other major league teams.

Luciann Berrios Home: Astoria Age: 28 Height: 5’ 6" Weight: 115 lbs.

Stats: 34-26-34

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 2-8, 2012

Loving It! Models Of Queens Into the Trees Queens’ Characters For years, 82-year-old Marjorie Christian feared

When it comes to taxi drivers, they do not get any better than New York City. This week, Middle Village’s own John McDonagh got to show off his driving skills on an episode of Richard Hammond’s “Crash Course,” aired on BBC America. The long-time driver works for the taxi company 55 Stan Operating Corp. in Long Island City, and in his spare time, moonlights as a stand-up comedian. Executives of the show say the Richard Hammond with John McDonagh on "Crash Course" reason they hand-picked McDonagh was because of his “unique personality.” Guess Brits have not taken enough time riding around Queens.

This Astoria girl has had a good deal of success behind the camera, being a featured model on the product box of Redken’s Urban experiment line, using the experience to jumpstart modeling into a full-time gig.

The success has not let up. This past year, she scored a role in the short film, “The Deep,” about a man who keeps having the same haunted dream, which gets increasingly dangerous.

Luciann said that she was proud of her repertoire; having worked for custom designers and in fashion shows has grown her love for her chosen profession.

“I love modeling and thoroughly enjoy partaking in photo shoots and fashion shows,” she said.

A graduate of Hunter College, Luciann said that she loves to write poetry, read and listen to music, and she enjoys nothing more than hanging out in Astoria.

“Of course, Queens has changed over the years, but it will always be a family neighborhood to those of us who grew up here,” she said. “It was and still is a little get away from the rush and manic of Manhattan. It has a different kind of life to it.”

that a giant tree on the edge of her property would someday break and fall, having watched it bend and sway worse and worse over time.

On Oct. 18, her worst fears were realized when, following a heavy rainstorm, the tree and a neighboring telephone pole had crashed into her Hollis home.

After getting the runaround for a few days from It took almost a week, but the tree is finally gone. various City agencies – the Dept. of Forestry said the tree was not on City property – the Confidentially, New York . . . tree was finally determined to be the responsibility of the Dept. of City Administrative Services.

DCAS promptly removed the arborial offender on Oct. 24.

Some people just don’t want to live in a treehouse.

No Hoots for Hooters Change has come to Fresh Meadows. Whether it is good or not depends on how much you like chicken wings and buxom waitresses. The only Hooters restaurant in Queens was replaced last week by Bud’s Ale House, a sports bar and eatery.

The changeover at the Fresh Meadows location happened after Hooters of America sued Strix Restaurant Group for not making franchise payments.

Strix plans to file a countersuit before Nov. 7.

Despite the switch, Bud’s Ale House does not look like it will have any trouble drawing a crowd. The restaurant has 20 beers on tap, a menu based on wings and burgers and flat-screen TVs for your favorite sporting events.

Plus, we’re sure the uniform of jeans and loose t-

GOOD OL' DAYS: The staff from when Hooters first opened in Fresh Meadows shirts will be far more comfortable for waitresses in the coming winter months.

Wanna be the next Trib cartoonist?

Send your toons to mschenkler@aol.com