Southeast Queens Press Epaper

Volume 13 Issue No. 48 Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012

PAGE 18

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

FUNDING REPAIRS

FEMA announced this week that more than $176 million will be sent to Queens to help the Borough recover from Superstorm Sandy. ‌ Page 7

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012

Presstime

Increased Security In Southeast Queens

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA With the holidays right around the corner, locals are flocking to the stores for great steals. But while shoppers are looking to nab items at discount prices, crooks and thieves are looking to nab their purchases.

Aware of this problem, Community Board 13 has asked the 105th Precinct to increase patrols near popular shopping centers and transportation hubs in southeast Queens during the holiday season.

“We sent in to Queens south a holiday initiative request for extra police coverage from Queens south, the areas we considered prone to our people being mugged,” CB13 district man-

ager Lawrence McClean said.

“My experience has been that some people decide that they are going to have a good Christmas by ruining everybody else’s by mugging them.”

Together the members of CB13 compiled a list of troubled areas in the Southeast Queens region and ultimately determined that there were seven locations in the district that needed extra security.

“Many of these incidents reported to us are late in the evening as constituents are returning from shopping for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, or making stops at local financial institutions especially at or near transportation hubs,” CB13’s letter to chief

James Secreto. “This is a period when stores are open later, extending the time when our Board 13 residents may be out and about.”

The letter goes on to acknowledge that the board is aware that the 105th Precinct takes approximately 12 percent of the entire Borough; however, this does not preclude them from requesting, as they have in the past, for increased patrol presence from Queens south during the evening hours from 6 p.m. through 11 p.m.

The sites, which have been identified with community input, include; Union Turnpike at the Waldbaum’s Mall at 259th Street, which includes Burlington Coat Factory; MJM Shoes and a series

of banks; the intersection of Francis Lewis Boulevard and Hillside Avenue – a hub for the Q1, Q36, Q43, Q77 and N24 buses; Rosedale at 243rd Street – a hub for the Q85 bus from Jamaica as well at the Q111 from the Rockaways and the Five Town Mall; the Rosedale Long Island Railroad station with a poorly lit parking lot; the Laurelton LIRR station along 225th Street, also with poor lighting; Springfield Boulevard North – the area serviced by the Q27 coming from shopping on Main Street and the Q88 whose starting point is the Queens Center Mall and Springfield Boulevard South, especially by the Pathmark Mall, located near two banks.

“They [the 105 Precinct] agreed that they are going to pick up extra patrols from Queens south and they’ve also asked the precinct to monitor but at least we are going to have additional coverage for the holidays in locations we are worried about and so we’re happy about that,” said McClean.

CB13 encompasses areas which include Bellaire, Bellerose, Cambria Heights, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Laurelton, Meadowmere, New Hyde Park, Parkside Terrace, Queens Village, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens and Warnerville.

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

New Report Details Increase In Queens Hunger

BY MEGAN MONTALVO

“For many New Yorkers, having enough food is a daily concern.”

-Judith Zandwill it, Berg asserts that the government should be consistently working to contribute more than what is currently given to providers.

“One in six children in Queens currently live in households that can’t afford enough food,” Berg said. “During a natural disaster, like Sandy, our government officials emphasize that no one should go a few hours without food. Shouldn’t we agree that is how it should always be?”

To keep in line with the report’s release, NYCCAH launched a campaign to reject plans to further cut federal anti-hunger programs earlier this month.

To join NYCCAH’s campaign to end child hunger, visit www.nyccah.org or call (212) 825-0028.

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

Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Photo by Megan Montalvo

Amidst the loss of dozens of homes, cars and lives, the wrath of Superstorm Sandy put one basic human need at the forefront of volunteer efforts: feeding the hungry.

While many donations have contributed to the recovery process since the storm hit four weeks ago, a new survey issued by the New York City Coalition Against Hunger shows that in terms of total restoration, the City still has a long way to go.

On Nov. 21, NYCCAH Executive Director Joel Berg unveiled data at the Sunnyside Community Services Center from a report titled “The Perpetual Storm,” which detailed the struggles a number of agencies have faced pre-and-post-Sandy.

“Here in Queens, our survey found that even before Hurricane Sandy, 321,000 residents live in households that cannot afford enough food,” Berg said at the center. “Since the storm, that number has considerably risen.”

According to the survey, within the first week after the Sandy, 54 percent of the 100 responding City food providers reported that they had been impacted by the physical ele-

hot meals to combat that ments of the superstorm. concern. But, due to a Additionally, more lack of funding, we also than 60 percent reported face challenges. It’s been an increase in the number difficult.” of people requesting food.

As part of their chal“A lot of our clients lenges, administrators at lost food due to loss of the center said they had power, but most of them to close a small bodega lost work as much as two that sold items, such as weeks - and if they don’t cereal, sundries and variwork, they don’t get paid,” ous perishables, at a said Pedro Rodriguez, a more affordable price respondent from La than grocery stores.

Jornada, based in Oakland Shelves that were Gardens. once in a well-stocked Along with the instore room four months creased demand at food ago now sit bare, holdproviding agencies posting only a sparse number Sandy, the report also of plastic bags. highlighted an overall de“Having the store crease in government used to be wonderful. It funding to anti-hunger would allow us to save a programs this year, comlot of money,” said Ann bined with a Citywide ina local crease in child and senior Due to a lack of financial support, the once well- Harato, Sunnyside resident who citizen hunger. stocked bodega at Sunnyside Community Services frequents the center. “A Out of all five bor- now sits bare. lot of us have to make oughs, findings show that choices between food out of the 1.7 million New Yorkers who live below the fed- 321,655. Both surpassed and medicine among other sacrifices to tighten our belts. We’ve eral poverty line at $18,123 for a Manhattan’s total 229,811. family of three, the Bronx had “For many New Yorkers, hav- made them. We’ve done them. the highest number of food inse- ing enough food is a daily con- We’d like some food.”

Though employees at SCSC cern,” Executive Director of cure residents at 533,825.

In Brooklyn, a total of Sunnyside Community Services have been working to cope with 328,294 food insecure individu- Judith Zandwill said. “Each week- the loss of their bodega with als nearly tied with Queens at day, we serve approximately 200 the hopes of one day reopening

Jamaica Car Wash Workers Join Union

BY MEGAN MONTALVO

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012

Nine months after launching the Citywide Workers Aligned for a Sustainable and Healthy New York campaign to fight mistreatment in the car wash industry, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union has achieved a new milestone.

On Nov. 22, RWDSU announced that workers at the Sutphin Car Wash, located at 9731 Sutphin Blvd. in Jamaica, and Lage Car Wash in SoHo have joined their fight for fair wages and safer working conditions, boosting their total union membership from two car wash locations to four.

“The old way of doing business at these establishments are over. Car wash workers across the city have had enough and are fighting back against abusive conditions,” RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum said.

“The RWDSU is proud of these workers and will continue to support them - whether it be at

the negotiation table or the picket line - as they stand up for a better future for their families.”

In September, employees at the Astoria Car Wash and HiTek 10 Minute Lube, located at 83-01 24th Ave., set a precedent as the first in the City to unionize under RWDSU. After conducting a series of protests and rallies with the New York Communities for Change Coalition and Make the Road New York, a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower Latino and working class communities, the self-titled “carwasheros” at Webster Car Wash in the Bronx became the second to join last month, spurring others in Jamaica, SoHo and the Bronx to follow suit. Last week, more than a dozen workers at Sunny Day Car Wash in the Bronx went on strike after being denied two weeks pay.

“Momentum is building in this industry. Last week, car wash workers at Sunny Day in the

Bronx spontaneously went on strike, and now, Sutphin and LMC Soho workers join the workers at the Webster car wash, making three John Lage-owned car washes in one month that have voted to unionize,” MRNY Co-Executive Director Deborah Axt said. “These workers had to face down threats and intimidation just to make the basic legally guaranteed choice to join a union. That reality is depressing, but the courage they have shown tells us all that their time has come.”

According to NYCC Director of Organizing Jonathan Westin, John Lage has a long-standing history of employee mistreatment and substandard labor practices.

In addition to the alleged mistreatment of workers at his Bronx, Queens and SoHo businesses, Lage was ordered to pay $3.4 million to workers for back pay and damages after a federal lawsuit in 2009.

“Car Wash kingpin John Lage

is notorious for his bad labor practices,” Westin said of Thursday’s union expansion. “Today, he received a clear message that car wash workers throughout NYC will no longer tolerate the mistreatment that has been his standard practice for too long.”

Santos Lopez, a Guatemalan immigrant who has lived in the United States for eight years, worked at the Sutphin Car Wash for four years and was one of the washers to vote pro-union in last week’s vote.

For him, the new formation not only meant an end to exploitation at Sutphin, but also a new respect and dignity for all car wash employees throughout the City.

“These elections are very important for us because we deserve a fair salary, job security, and other benefits,” Lopez said.

“With a union, they will treat us with respect and dignity. I’m very happy for myself and my co-workers because of the changes we think will happen

at our workplace.”

Although their campaign continues to grow steadily, MRNY officials said their goal is far from reach.

In a recent survey of 89 workers at 29 different car washes throughout the City, MRNY found that more than 71 percent of the employees worked at least 60 hours per week, with some totaling 105 hours weekly basis.

Of that number, nearly 75 percent of the workers did not get overtime pay for exceeding 40 hours, according to MRNY. As the WASH campaign continues, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is also investigating the alleged abuses at the Lage-owned car washes in an attempt to bring carwashes into compliance with labor laws.

Calls made to John Lage were not returned as of press time.

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

NY Supreme Court Inducts Queens Native

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

Photo by Ira Cohen

After serving nearly three-anda-half years as Supervising Judge of the Queens Civil Court, Charles Lopresto was inducted as Justice of the Supreme Court in the State of New York on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Lopresto's 30-year-long journey began when he worked as an assistant to a court attorney. He quickly rose through the ranks, serving as principal law clerk to Justice Charles Cohen. Between 1982 and 2006, he moved on to serve other justices like Joseph Risi and Jeremy Weinstein. Later in 2006, he was appointed to be the Supervising Judge of the Civil Court in Queens.

Running on both the Democratic and Republican Party lines for Justice of the Supreme Court just a few years later, he easily nabbed the election as Justice of the Supreme Court and will serve a 14-year term.

"Being a judge is a wonderful thing to accomplish and it's been

a lifelong dream and ambition of mine," Lopresto said. "It is an honor and a great privilege. There is no other position I would want to hold in life. When I first became a judge, I couldn't imagine my career path could get any better."

The Astoria native's impressive resume was praised by many speakers at his induction ceremony, including Presiding Justice Randal Eng. "When one looks at his background and his resume, you knew that this was a person that was destined for great things because Charles Lopresto studied under masters," Eng said. "With a background like that - it's not surprising he became learned in the law and learned in administration.

He will be a tremendous asset to his bench and who knows what horizons await him down the line."

Fernando Camacho, Administrative Judge for Criminal Matters of the 11th Judicial District, also boasted about Lopresto's experience in the judicial system.

Judge Lopresto, alongside his wife and two sons, is sworn in by the Hon. Jeremy Weinstein.

"For those of us who have been around Queens for a few years, we know a few things about Charles Lopresto. We know he is an outstanding judge, we know he is devoted to his beautiful and talented family, we know about his resume and accomplishments," Camacho said.

While many gave mention to the jurist's accomplishments, speakers also pointed out that Lopresto's bipartisan approach to the law as a unique feature,

making him a good candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court.

"He is a bipartisan justice and I say that because he comes from a bipartisan family. His mother has been a long-time member of the Taminent Democratic Club and his brother was an elected Republican assemblyman," said Michael Reich, executive secretary of the Democratic Organization of Queens County. "He has shown his impartiality by being in

that bipartisan family and he was also nominated and supported by the Republican Party led by my good friend, Phil Ragusa."

Following Lopresto's oath of office, the newly elected Supreme Court Justice shared a few closing remarks and sentiments with the audience.

"I am truly humbled, honored and privileged to serve in this very esteemed position," he said.

"These great things do not just happen by accident or coincidence or without the help, support and guidance of many people."

Lopresto went on to thank many of his co-workers, his secretary, his former bosses, and last, but certainly not least, his family - his two sons and wife, for being supportive every step of the way in his journey to becoming a Justice of the Supreme Court of New York.

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

Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 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

Editorial Food For Thought With so many Queens residents still affected by Superstorm Sandy, it was distressing to learn that even before the storm, more than 320,000 residents in the Borough could not afford enough food to live. Not surprisingly, according to the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, that number has risen dramatically in the last four weeks.

Many organizations have come together in response to the storm to donate food and other necessities to those affected by the storm, but the greater issue did not begin with Sandy, and will not go away once all the repairs have been completed.

Hunger is an ongoing issue in the City, and the agencies that provide food to people living below the poverty line face a constant struggle to keep their shelves stocked and their visitors fed.

The people who work and volunteer at food pantries are to be commended for their year-round efforts to feed the City’s hungry. The very least we can do is make an effort to provide something to help on a continuing basis.

For more information on how to help, visit www.nyccah.org.

Queens Today Editor

Letters

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen Reporters: Harley Benson Natalia Kozikowska 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. 30 - Dec. 6, 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 Clean-Up To The Editor: Although fully cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy will be a

lengthy process, it is by no means a slow one. This is largely thanks to preparations that the Parks Dept. makes prior to any major weather event. Several days be-

Letters fore the storm hit, we had our forestry crews ready to go, and activated emergency contracts to have additional private foresters on standby to bolster our staff.

Since the hurricane, the Parks Dept. has inspected each and every one of 14,089 street treerelated 311 requests received in Queens. And, as of [Nov. 27], Queens forestry crews have removed 91 percent of these downed trees and downed or hanging limbs from Queens’ streets. These crews are now working rapidly to address the remaining street tree damage, and beginning to turn their attention to damage inside parks. And we’re working with the Dept. of Design and Construction to expedite repairs of sidewalks damaged during the storm.

We’ve also been fortunate enough to get a big boost during this effort from civicminded volunteers. So far, more than 6,500 people have

participated in clean-up projects around the city and more than 20,000 bags of debris have been removed.

If you’d like to help out, or start your own cleanup project, you can call (718) 520-5900 and ask to speak with a volunteer coordinator.

Dorothy Lewandowski, Queens Parks Commissioner

SOUND OFF Send your thoughts, ideas, opinions, outrage, praise, observations about our community

To the PRESS of Southeast Queens 150-50 14th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357 e-mail: news@queenspress.com

fax: (718) 357-9417

‘Elmo’s World’ Shattered By Accused Pedophile A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Practically every American under the age of 30 has been tickled by the delightful Sesame Street muppet character, Elmo.

He is the most innocent of characters on the groundbreaking show and the most beloved of them all.

Elmo teaches toddlers about kindness, patience and basic skills such as putting on your pants the right way. He is beloved by children and their parents alike. In fact, every once in a while when my now 15-yearold son and I are having breakfast in the mornings, I’ll tune in just for old time’s sake. Elmo is a respite from all the bad we see and hear elsewhere in the world.

“Elmo’s World” is pure.

Then we heard it. While Elmo may be all sweetness and innocence, the puppeteer who voices him with that 3-year-old sounding voice has been the opposite of everything he presents through Elmo.

Kevin Clash, 52, who has been the voice of Elmo since his introduction to the show in

the early ’80s, has been accused by one, then two, then three young men of sexual misconduct while they were in their mid-teens.

Clash, the divorced father of a 19-year-old daughter, has allegedly been trolling gay sites looking for hookups with under-aged boys. According to the accusers, the man old enough to be their father seduced them with sweet talk, “kindness” and modest sums of money to take care of their phone bills and such. Say it ain’t so, please!

That a man three times the age of the alleged victims would do this is pathetic. I recall reading an interview he gave somewhere many years ago where he said he developed the speech pattern for Elmo from the children he observed at his mother’s daycare center when he was growing up.

Armed with that memory, he imbued Elmo not just with his famous age-appropriate high voice, but with an endearing habit of speaking of himself in the third person. Clash is so good at his job that he has won

dozens of awards. But away from the set, apparently he was a pedophile who preyed on pubescent boys. It’s Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde for the 21st Century.

Shame on him! It doesn’t matter that these young men were, in effect, advertising their desire for gay companionship.

They were looking for kids their own age to whom they could relate. It must be difficult enough being a gay teenager without some “old” guy taking advantage of them.

As far as we know Kevin Clash was, and probably still is, the first and only African American puppeteer on the show. It was pretty cool to see him out representing the show with Elmo literally on his arm. One could argue that Kevin Clash is an actor whose role ends at the end of the workday and beyond that, his life is his own private business.

But if the accusers are telling the truth, then his conduct has been deplorable and possibly illegal. He is suffering for it now.

He has had to resign from the show and he will go broke fighting the lawsuits filed against him.

In the old days, he would be defined as someone who has been “corrupting the morals of a minor.” Today it’s known as “endangering the welfare of a minor.” Same result.

“Sesame Street” promotes the innocence of children and fosters their cognitive and social development. Clash’s alleged offset conduct with boys who, just a few years earlier were probably learning their letters and numbers and socially acceptable conduct from its characters, is tantamount to child abuse. If true, then it is appropriate that he leaves the show and the job of representing its most innocent character.

The accusers who are now in their early-to mid-20s have empowered themselves by speaking out against the man they say preyed upon them when they were vulnerable.

With people like Kevin Clash on set, never mind showing us “how to get to Sesame Street,” show us how to get away from that place.

Elmo’s World has been shaken and as a result, so has ours.

News Briefs Residents, Businesses Get Financial Relief

Fatal Crash Claims the Life of St. Albans Woman A 24-year-old St. Albans woman was pronounced dead after failing to stop at a stop sign early Sunday morning.

The victim, Paulina Rodriguez, was taken to Franklin General Hospital in Long Island following the three-car pile up on the corner of 227th Street and 115th Avenue in Cambria Heights. She was pronounced dead upon arrival.

At approximately 2:45 a.m. on Nov. 25, Rodriguez failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection and smashed her 2011 white Hyndai, brining two cars to a halt

Online Courses Provided For Displaced Students With some schools still recovering from Superstorm Sandy, the Dept. of Education has turned to Cyberspace to solve the problem.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott announced last week that the DOE will offer online courses to students grades 6 through 12 who have been displaced from their homes or reassigned to other schools while educational facilities undergo repairs.

“Hurricane Sandy was one of the worst storms our City has seen, and through great effort, we were able to open 96 percent of our schools just one week later and relocate the students and staff from damaged buildings,” Walcott said. “Still, some of our families have not been able to return to their homes, and the impact on students demands more resources to ensure they get the education they need. These online courses will help keep our students on track for their academic success.”

Walcott said the courses were made available through a DOE program that supports online tools for classroom learning. The courses will be taught by teachers experienced in online learning, who will be available to students throughout enrollment.

The New York, Queens and Brooklyn Public Library systems have partnered with the DOE to provide students enrolled in the online courses with internet access at branch locations throughout the City.

The courses can be completed from any computer with internet access. Students who do not have access to the internet at home will be able to access the online courses at branches of the New York, Queens and Brooklyn Public Libraries. The DOE has announced that it will help to match displaced students with library locations if needed.

To enroll, students must complete an interest form by calling (718) 642-5885 or online at www.ilearnnyc.net/ virtuallearning2012. DOE staff will then follow up with each students’ schools to determine eligibility and set up a learning plan.

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

Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

One month after Superstorm Sandy hit, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $690 million for New York State. Out of that amount, $176.6 million will go to Queens residents.

Small businesses will be able to breathe a little easier, as the NYC Emergency Loan Fund has made its grants available.

The money comes from a joint effort between Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and the City. Goldman Sachs is providing $5 million in loans to small businesses affected by Sandy, matching the amount announced by the City.

According to the Mayor’s Office, the grants “are designed to provide critical supplemental assistance to what is being provided through the low-interest loans and will be capped at no more than the amount the business receives in the loans.”

For more information and to apply for the Emergency Loan Fund, go to www.nyc.gov/nycbusiness.

Individuals or homeowners who applied for FEMA funds will start receiving the payments shortly. The money is primarily for disaster-related housing needs, such as repairs or paying for rentals while the owners put their lives back together.

The agency has not provided a breakdown of how the money is being divided among the more than 47,000 Queens residents who have registered as of Nov. 27.

It is a case-by-case basis, according to FEMA spokesman Ed Conley.

If you still need FEMA assistance, you can register at online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smart phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants can also call (800) 621-3362. Once you register, a FEMA inspector will check out your claim.

Once it is approved, the funds will arrive shortly thereafter. You also have the option to put a checking or savings account number for direct deposit, which would speed up the payment process.

in the center of the intersection, reports say.

Moments later, a black 2007 Mercedes Benz hit the victim’s driver side door. A passenger in Rodriguez’s vehicle was taken to North Shore- LIJ in Long Island while the other two drivers, who remained on the scene, refused medical attention.

Holiday Gift Guide

Great Local Gifts For Art Lovers

With the holidays quickly approaching, many store owners throughout the Borough have kept in line with the tradition of displaying seasonal art for all passersby to see.

Though festive window paintings of Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus may put shoppers in the gift-giving spirit, we might as well face it they hardly compare to the creations of Picasso and van Gogh.

To please any true art lover in your life, it may be best to stick with this sure-fire list of gifts that retail from the best local museums in town.

“The Photographer’s Eye,” $24.95 Described as a 20th-century classic, “The Photographer’s Eye” by John Szarkowski is an indispensable introduction to the visual language of photography that will appeal to shutter bugs at any skill level.

Its contents are based on a landmark 1964 exhibition at The

allows you to make edible art, and Test Screen Clock, because nothing really compares to giving the gift of time, especially when it comes with a snazzy iconic design.

Museum of Modern Art, which analyzed the fundamental challenges and opportunities that all photographers have faced. They have long been out of print – until now.

The revitalized book is available for purchase at MoMA PS1’s one-of-a-kind gift shop, ARTBOOK, located at 46-01 21st St. in Long Island City or online at www.artbook.com.

Quad-Cam Camera, $8.95 Sure, reading about photography is fun, but making your own is better.

After browsing through “The Photographer’s Eye,” your gift-getter may have a hankering to snap a few shots of their own.

Why not pair this nifty little camera with your book purchase to turn your good gift into a great gift?

The Quad-Cam captures a second of your life in four frames on a single sheet and uses standard 35 mm film.

It is available for purchase at the Museum of Moving Image Store, located at 36-01 35th Ave. in Astoria or online at www.movingimage.us.

While there, be sure to check out other inventive items such as Pac-Man Cookie Cutters, which

Blue Shovel Akari Print, $50 You will not have to dig deep to strike gold when it comes to the “Blue Shovel” Akari Print from the Isamu Noguchi Museum.

Known for pairing abstract shapes with Japanese aesthetics, Noguchi employed the concept of illuminated sculpture he developed during the 1940s to create a series of works he entitled Akari, meaning “light as illumination.”

With its simplistic symmetry and geometric-inspired pattern, “Blue Shovel” is a well-suited gift for any art connoisseur.

For fans of the more daring designs, the “Orange Bow Tie” and “Red Sun” are sure to make an impression.

The Noguchi Museum Shop is located at 9-01 33rd Road in

Long Island City and online at www.noguchi.org.

5Pointz Novelty T-Shirt With the advent of urban art, there is no other museum that perfectly embodies the graffiti artistic movement as 5Pointz in Long Island City does.

This year, the self-appointed “graffiti mecca” celebrated its tenth anniversary. However, with the celebration came somber news that the iconic building may be demolished to make way for new condos as soon as next year.

As a collector’s item, a 5Pointz T-shirt not only makes for a unique gift, but also encourages the recipient to exercise their creativity by acting as a wearable blank canvas.

Add graffiti of your own before giving the shirt as a gift, or simply wrap it blank and let the artist do what they do best paint!

5Pointz is located at 45-46 Davis St. Merchandise is accessible through www.5ptz.com.

- Megan Montalvo

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012

Something Special For the Sports Junkie Show that special sports junkie in your life that you’re his number one fan this holiday season with any of these sports-related gifts. Whether it’s your dad, your brother, your boyfriend or even a sports fanatic mom – any of these gifts will surely make them cheer!

Mets Tickets With baseball season just a few months away, that special baseball fan in your life will love watching a live Mets game at Citi Field. Located in the heart of Queens and accessible by train, Citi Field is an exciting place to spend a brisk spring afternoon. You can purchase your tickets at newyork.mets.mlb.com. Tickets are anywhere from $20 for nosebleeds, or if you’re willing to cough up the extra cash for better seats, the priciest tickets are in the upwards of $175. Hurry up and get your tickets now as

their website is offering a special holiday sale!

Personalized Jersey, Hat or Shirt Whether he is a fan of the Jets, Giants, Mets, Yankees, Knicks or Nets, Artistic Stitch, located at 79-08 Cooper Ave. in Glendale, has you covered this holiday season. Artistic Stitch offers a vide variety of customized sports gear ranging from polo shirts to jerseys, hoodies to hats and backpacks to tee shirts. Embroider any article of clothing with his/her name.

Customized white tee shirts start at just $4.95! For more information on pricing and select styles, you may reach Artistic Stitch at (718) 416-1380.

Team Winter Gear Keep that special someone in your life warm this winter all while he can represent his favorite team. Modell’s Sporting Goods features a diverse

selection of winter gear for every type of budget and every type of sport! All items can be purchased at store locations or online at www.modells.com.

New York Knicks Logo Hat, $12.99 OKC Thunder Fleece Sweatshirt, $49.99 New York Jets Nike Classic Logo Full-zip Hoodie, $69.99 New York Giants Stripe Scarf, $19.99

Team Pajamas Who doesn’t love pajamas?

For this holiday season, buy that special man in your life a comfy pair of pajamas he can wear in bed while the game is on. Give him something to dream about!

All pajamas can be found at Modell’s Sporting Goods locations or can be purchased online at www.models.com.

NY Jets Pajamas for Youth, $24.99 Miami Heat, $19.99 - Natalia Kozikowska

Police Blotter Compiled by STEVEN J. FERRARI

101st Precinct Homicide At approximately 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 23, police responded to a 911 call of a male shot in front of 43-12 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

Upon arrival, officers observed a Black 21-year-old male, identified as Peren Phillippe, with multiple gunshot wounds about the torso and legs. EMS also responded and transported the victim to Jamaica Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Upon investigation, police apprehended a suspect, Diamonte Alexander, 18, and recovered a 9mm firearm. Alexander has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

District Attorney Shaken Baby Queens DA Richard Brown announced that Isrrael Garcia, 28, of Elmhurst, who admitted to violently shaking his crying in-

fant daughter last May, has pleaded guilty to felony assault and will be sentenced to 14 years in prison. In addition, he has agreed to make an educational video on shaken baby syndrome in the hopes of keeping other parents from making the same mistake. The child, who suffered permanent life-threatening injuries, remains on life support.

The infant, Maria Gordillo, who was born on March 12, arrived at the emergency room at Elmhurst Medical Center on May 28 in an unresponsive condition and was then transferred to New York University Hospital. Medical tests revealed the infant to be suffering from bleeding on the brain, in the eye, multiple old rib fractures and various bruises on her left foot and back.

Garcia, who is he baby’s biological father, admitted that in early May, he came home from work tired and frustrated, heard the baby crying, forcefully grabbed and squeezed the baby

around her torso and moved her repeatedly in an up and down motion. Garcia said he believed he injured the baby’s ribs at that time but did not tell anyone.

Garcia also admitted that on May 28, he was home alone with the baby and the baby woke up from a nap and started to cry.

Garcia then forcefully grabbed the baby and shook her repeatedly for about three minutes until she stopped crying and appeared to go to sleep. Garcia admitted he saw the baby’s head moving backward and forward and that thereafter, the baby stopped breathing and went limp.

The case was investigated by detectives assigned to the NYPD’s Queens Child Abuse Squad.

approximately 677 cartons of untaxed Asian cigarettes and $132,000 in cash from a grocery store, garage and bank in Flushing.

The defendants were identified as Ying-Jian Lin, 48, and her son, Xiao Lin, 23, both of Flushing. The Lins were arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on a criminal complaint charging them with various violations of State Tax Law 1814 (Cigarettes and Tobacco Tax).

According to the criminal charges, The DA’s office has been conducting an investigation of the Lins and others for several weeks. During the investigation, it is alleged that Xiao Lin was repeatedly observed entering a garage and removing cartons of

untaxed Asian brand cigarettes and transporting them to a small grocery store on Main Street, where Ying-Jian Lin worked and was observed selling the untaxed cigarettes on several occasions.

Detectives allegedly recovered a total of 610.3 cartons of cigarettes from the garage and 66.9 cartons from the grocery store, as well as $2,405 in cash and a safe deposit key. The key led detectives to the China Trust Bank, where a safety deposit box yielded an additional $129,970 in cash.

The Lins, who face up to four years in prison if convicted, were released on their own recognizance and ordered to return to court on Jan. 8, 2013.

Untaxed Cigarettes Queens DA Richard Brown announced that a mother and son have been charged with various violations of the State Tax Laws following the seizure of

Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

pix

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

Turkey Drive

Sandy Relief The staff of Flushing House distributed meals to the residents of the Dayton To w e r s in Rockaway Beach, as well as local law enforcement for Thanksgiving. The three-building apartment complex, home to hundreds of families, had been without electricity since Superstorm Sandy struck on Oct. 29.

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012

Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans, center) hosted a free turkey giveaway at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Jamaica to help families in need before Thanksgiving. Dozens of volunteers from the church, along with local civic groups and community leaders, came together to give out more than 200 turkeys.

Photo by Ira Cohen

Photo by Walter Karling

Community Tribute U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) presented an award to Peter Rebenwursel, chairman of the Raoul Wallenberg Centennial Celebration Commission, honoring Wallenberg’s 100th birthday. Wallenberg is credited with saving 100,000 Hungarian Jews in the Holocaust.

Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Profile

Lawyer Helps Parents Fight For Their Rights

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA As a child, Cathy Middleton was drawn to the legal field because she wanted to use it as a vehicle to fight for people who were voiceless. Today, the Laurelton lawyer and self-published author has more than 12 years of experience litigating challenging family court cases, fighting for the rights of struggling mothers and fathers alike.

“The thing I remember most vividly as a child is the movie ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and seeing Atticus representing the black man who was accused of raping a woman he hadn’t raped,” Middleton said.

“Even though he lost the case, it was the fact that somebody stood up for him and stood up for the truth – that really moved me.”

After she graduated from Temple University with a law degree, Middleton opened a general practice, but soon realized that family law was in high demand.

“I started noticing we were

getting more child support cases and custody cases and paternity cases,” she said. “It’s interesting when you look at the statistics you’re seeing from federal agencies you’re noticing the number of individuals who are getting married is declining and the number of children who are born out of wedlock in all ethnic backgrounds are rising. When you have a phenomenon like that happening, there is a host of problems that come out of that.”

After making the switch to family law, Middleton said she was pleased to give her law degree a purpose.

“I enjoyed it because to me, I felt like there is no better person to give voice to than a parent who felt like they were mistreated by the court or a child in need, so it really fit right into what my goal was in life,” she said.

In October 2006, the lawyer published her first book, “Girl, Get That Child Support,” a howto guide for single mothers who are trying to make the fathers of

their children financially accountable for them.

“It grew out of the issue of a large number of women coming into my office and stating to me, ‘My child’s father has resources, is working, left us and won’t pay me anything to help support the child. As soon as the relationship ends, he thinks he can throw the child away with the relationship.’”

Middleton explains that women who find themselves in legal battles with the fathers of their children are often struggling to make ends meet. One of the biggest mistakes a mother can make, she argued, is waiting too long to file a claim.

“I think the biggest problem facing female clients is that too often, they are letting the fathers of their children get away with failing to get child support – they are waiting too long to file cases for child support and by the time we find them, they have gone underground,” she said.

While she sympathizes with her female litigants who are in

search of financial support, she also acknowledges that fathers are also taken advantage of. In October 2010, Middleton published her second book – “Boy, Drop that Child Support.”

“It is a how-to guide for fathers who are struggling with things like paternity fraud, child support abuse and what they would perceive to be mistreatment at the hands of the office of child support enforcement,” she said.

Her motivation to write both books comes from her experience as a lawyer. Having witnessed so many injustices and f laws with the child support enforcement system, she felt the need to educate the general public about their rights.

“I think in reality, you have so much dysfunctionalism going on within modern relationships that people are failing to understand the other person’s point of view,” she said. “I think the system right now, the child support enforcement system, and the laws that we have in place in New York

State, really have failed to be able to draw a connection between these two entities – fathers who are struggling and mothers who are struggling.”

In the midst of writing her third book about child custody, Middleton hopes to make family law more accessible for parents who are struggling and hopes to give those parents the necessary tools to protect themselves in the court of law.

“I envision myself as possibly being able to make family law more accessible to individuals as opposed to it being some mysterious complicated issue that people are intimidated by,” she said.

For more information about Cathy Middleton or to purchase either of her books, you may visit www.cathymiddleton.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @supportlaw or call her law office at (718) 528-7274.

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

tion or to purchase a ticket, call (718) 939-0647, Ext. 14 or email info@queenshistoricalsociety.org.

Village won $26,023 on the Nov. 9 Take Five d r awing.

Genuino’s winning ticket was purchased at Wang’s Stationery, 236-11 B raddock Ave., Bellerose.

Jesmin Aktar of Woodside won $70,761 on the Nov. 10 Take Five drawing. Aktar’s winning ticket was purchased at Kwanak, 168-17 Hillside Ave., Jamaica.

Mohamed Saleh of Kew Gardens won $10,000 on the Nov. 2 Mega Millions drawing. Saleh’s winning ticket was purchased in North Merrick.

Camille Laguerre of East Elmhurst won $10,000 on the Oct. 10 Powerball drawing.

Laguerre’s winning ticket was purchased at the Lotto Candy Store, 41-92 Bowne St., Flushing.

Juan Yanes of Sunnyside won $10,000 on the Nov. 2 Mega Millions drawing. Yanes’ winning ticket was purchased at VHM Enterprise, 48-17 43rd Ave., Sunnyside.

People

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012

The New York Lottery has announced that Ursula Mason of Far Rockaway won $50,000 on the Lottery’s $5,000,000 Cash scratch-off game. Mason’s winning ticket was purchased in Lawrence.

John Krutiki has been promoted to the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army. Krutiki is a mechanic assigned to Alpha Company, 27th Brigade, Special Troops Battalion at Lockport, N.Y. The new sergeant has served in the military for four years.

Krutiki is the son of John Krutiki of Hollis and Lyndia Meade Jonas of Swift Water, Pa. The New York Army National Guard recently announced the promotion of members in recognition of their capabilities for additional responsibility and leadership.

Anthony Vieira of Jamaica, serving with Company F (For-

ward Support Company, Infantry) 427th Brigade Support Battalion, is promoted to private first class.

Leeroy Evangelista of Richmond Hill, serving with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted to sergeant first class.

Air Force Airman Osiris J. White 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.

White is a 2011 graduate of Springfield High School in Springfield Gardens.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Justin S. Richardson 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.

Richardson is the son of Curtis Richardson of Jamaica and Theresa Richardson of Staten Island.

The Queens Historical Society will present its 25th annual Historic Holiday House Tour from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 9.

Six historic sites in Flushing will celebrate the holiday season, including the Kingsland Homestead, Voelker Oerth House, Lewis H. Latimer House Museum, Friends Meeting House, Flushing Town Hall and the Bowne House.

A trolley will stop at each location to bring visitors to the next destination. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children ages 12 and younger are free. For informa-

The Oratorio Society of Queens will perform portions of Handel’s “Messiah,” as well as traditional Christmas favorites and Chanukah songs at 4 p.m. on Dec. 16 in the Queensborough Performing Arts Center at Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside.

Tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and students.

Children ages 12 and younger accompanied by an adult are $10. For information, call (718) 279-3006 or visit www.queensoratorio.org.

The New York Lottery recently 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.

Homer Genuino of Queens

A&E

Time For Cinephiles To Have Some Fun

BY JOE MARVILLI

If you know anyone who is a big movie buff, chances are high that they have already had a great fall with the large selection of Oscar-worthy films hitting the big screen. Once they get past all of 2012’s great releases, they will need something to hold them over for the “clearance” months of January through March.

These gifts are not just for those who like film, though. After all, given the high quality of some of today’s television programs, season or series box sets are getting to be more popular than ever. Here is a selection of the best new movies and TV shows available this holiday.

(Editor’s Note: Images provided

by Amazon.com. Prices are taken from the list price on Amazon.com,

and do not necessarily reflect onsale prices.)

“Bond 50: The Complete 22 Film Collection,” $299.99 It is almost shocking to think that it has been 50 years since James Bond first appeared on movie screens. Now with the 23rd film, “Skyfall,” currently in theaters, there is no better time to look back at all six actors who have filled the role of the British spy.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD, this collection includes every film from Sean Connery’s first appearance in “Dr. No” to the second Daniel Craig movie, “Quantum of Solace.”

There are also lengthy special features on the entire world of Bond to enjoy, from the cars to the villains and the music.

Downton Abbey Seasons 1 & 2 Limited Edition Set – Original UK Version, $59.99

Restaurant Review

Connolly’s Corner 71-17 Grand Ave., Maspeth (718) 565-7383 Cuisine: American, Ireland, Italy, Germany and Thailand Delivery: NO Credit Card: YES, All Major

the making of “Psycho,” just came out in theaters, the timing for this gift could not be better.

Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season (The Collector’s Edition), $99.97 “Game of Thrones” is one of the most-watched programs on HBO and for good reason. Although the regular DVD has been out for some time, this collector’s edition is filled to the brim with bonus features, such as a dragon egg paperweight. The collection also includes the first season in DVD, blu-ray and digital copy. Whether you belong to House Stark, House Lannister or any of the other groups in the series, this edition will get you hooked instantly.

The Dark Knight Trilogy, $52.99 This summer, director Christopher Nolan said goodbye to Batman and the world he created around him with “The Dark Knight Rises.” Just because the trilogy has ended, it does not mean you cannot relieve the experience. Set to be released on Dec. 3, the special

“Downton Abbey” is one of many popular gifts for the film or TV lover this holiday season. edition of the Dark Knight Trilogy on DVD and Blu-ray contains two discs of bonus features, such as a documentary on the Batmobile. A 64-page shortened version of the book “The Art and Making of The Dark Knight Trilogy” is included as well. With such a great gift, the Joker will not be the only person laughing.

Local Bands Headline Sandy Benefit

BY JOE MARVILLI Two local Queens bands are holding a charity gig at Flushing Town Hall to raise money for Sandy and raise the spirits of attendees with some rock and roll.

Dry Clean Only and Jump for the Sails will perform at the historic building on Nov. 30, starting at 7:30 p.m. For those who would like to attend, the minimum suggested donation is $10.

All of the money raised will go to New York Cares.

For a benefit helping Sandy victims, it is very appropriate to have New York bands take center stage. Both acts are Queensbased groups that have built up a reputation for rocking performances and songs over their multi-year journeys.

DCO is an alternative-punk band from Middle Village that

started in 2005. The band’s three members are Joey Wunsch on vocals and lead guitar, Connor McClelland on bass and back-up vocals and Ronnie Bruno on the drums. Throughout their seven years together, the group has played several famous venues in the City, such as Webster Hall and the Knitting Factory. They also played with well-known artists Andrew W.K. and Hawthorne Heights. The trio is working on their new record, “$W@MP DONK3Y.” Jump for the Sails hail from Astoria, having formed in 2009.

Self-described as “Funk Punk Groove Metal,” the band’s members include Elijah Catrone, vocals and guitar, Hiro Yamao, bass and vocals and Kentaro Moore, drums and vocals. The band recorded their first EP, titled “This Year’s Redemption,” in early 2012. To close out the year, the

band is working to release their first full-length studio album.

In order to ensure that all of the funds go towards Sandy relief, the Flushing Town Hall waived all their rental fees and Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) sponsored the event by covering several of the expenses, such as those for technicians, security and a door person.

“I like to encourage young people to get involved in the community and I always speak about the importance of helping others,” Koo said. “Therefore, when I was asked by the bands to help with the charity concert, I was more than happy to do so. I hope that the concert is a great success and they raise a lot of money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.”

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

Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

Located in the heart of Grand Avenue, Connolly’s Corner has become a local favorite for the residents of Maspeth. Completely renovated in 2005, the family-operated bar/restaurant is the perfect place to sit down, grab a brew, watch the game and munch on some classic food – all at a decent price.

The menu at Connolly’s Corner features a wide selection of food, but the one dish that I simply can not resist is their creamy spinach and artichoke dip with your choice of garlic croutons or nachos. The dip always tastes fresh and when served, it reminds you of something mom would make at home. This appetizer is the perfect selection to compliment the beer of your choice and for $8, you can’t go wrong.

The serving size is fairly large,

making it the perfect plate to split with your friends.

If spinach and artichoke dip is not up your alley, there are plenty of other wonderful menu options for you. Their wings, for example, are always a great choice. Cooked at any level of ‘hotness’ and served with blue cheese, Connolly’s Corner serves up some mean wings. If you happen to stop

by Connolly’s during a Sunday football game, you can snag a special deal – wings and six small Bud Lights for just $13.

Connolly’s Corner does not just specialize in finger foods, it is also known for its fantastic dinner menu. Although I am not personally a rib fan, a good friend of mine is a big fan of Connolly’s Corner signature BBQ ribs. Advertised as the “best ribs in Queens,” my friend described them as being prepared so well, that the tender meat falls right off bone. Served with coleslaw and potato wedges and for just $20, you can’t go wrong at Connolly’s Corner.

-Natalia Kozikowska

The wildly popular British TV drama has been a must-watch for drama historians since it hit the air. Now, fans can watch the lives of the Crawley family evolve and unfurl at the beginning of the 20th century with the original, unedited UK versions. The DVD and Blu-ray packages the first two seasons in a lovely box set jam-packed with extras, including the Downton Abbey Christmas Special. Altogether, this five-disc set contains more than 15 hours of the best British entertainment.

Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection, $299.98 The master of suspense now has a masterpiece collection to go with him. Throughout his career, Alfred Hitchcock created some of cinema’s most unforgettable films and moments. Now you can get the thriller fan you know a collection of the director’s works, from the famous (“Rear Window”) to the lesser known (“Saboteur”).

Given that “Hitchcock,” a film starring Anthony Hopkins about

Faith

Arts In Christian Theatre Presents ‘The Hedge’

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA Arts in Christian Theatre and York College Performing Arts Center will present their annual production, “The Hedge,” next week. The play, directed by Beverly Caesar, follows the dramatic story of Job, a man who undergoes many challenges set forth by Satan in an effort to have him curse God. “When life goes into turmoil, he comes back from it,” said production manager Kwame Clarke.

“The main message of the play is perseverance.”

Hosted by Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Church, the play echoes many of the same struggles that victims of Superstorm Sandy are undergoing. Like thousands across the east coast, Job loses much of his fortune and his love for God is put to the test.

“A lot of it parallels what happened in New York recently. This time around, it really does coincide with what’s going on in New York,” Clarke said.

Word “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.”

-Job 19:25

Their last show, which was scheduled for the month of October, was cancelled because of the storm. In an effort to help victims of Sandy, Clarke revealed that York College Performing Arts Center will be donating proceeds from the show.

The center’s plays are fairly popular among the community and generally bring out a large crowd of anywhere from 800900 people per showing, running about four times.

“It really is a wide variety of different churches. We reach out to a lot of churches, community groups, students and we offer a lot of group rates,” Clarke said.

In a largely Christian-based community like Jamaica, Clarke believes it is important to provide locals with Bible-based productions like “The Hedge.”

“Jamaica has a heavy church community so I think for this community it works very, very well.

Within a 10-15 block radius [to York College] there are at least 1520 churches so I think faith plays in this community work well.”

The play’s message is one that Clarke thinks the audience will appreciate and can learn from – especially during the holiday season.

“I think the people will take away to be grateful for the things they have,” he said. “It ties into both Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

At $20 per ticket in advance, Clarke noted that York College Performing Arts Center is thrilled to have the opportunity to reach out to the community and provide Christian entertainment to the residents of Southeast Queens.

“It’s very good because a lot of the communities we reach out to- the churches, the senior centers, they don’t have the opportunity to go out to Manhattan and spend $100 for a ticket to

see a show or even the means to get there,” he said. “Having something like this in the community, at very good prices, really exposes community to the arts without them having to leave the community.”

“The Hedge” will be presented on two days – Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. The play is not recommended for children under the age of six.

For more information about “The Hedge,” call York College Performing Arts Center at (718) 262-8240.

York College Performing Arts Center is located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. in Jamaica.

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

Notebook Mary Louis Academy

Mary Louis Girls’ Basketball Coach Steps Down After 11 seasons, Mary Louis Academy girls’ basketball coach Joe Lewinger, is retiring to focus on his obligations as the school’s athletic director. Taking over for Lewinger will be his assistant and former junior varsity coach, JoAnn Arbitello.

“Last year, she won the JV City championship,” said Lewinger in reference to Arbitello. “I think the transition is seen well. All the girls played for her at one point and she is a magnificent coach.”

Lewinger would have been entering his 13th season as coach, only taking a leave of absence in 2010 to take care of his young twins who were both diagnosed with cancer at the same time. Today, the former coach of the year is happy to announce that his son, Jack, is

letes who are very pascancer-free and his sionate about their indidaughter, Madison, is in vidual sports. I just stable condition. thought that it was time,” “We are at a wonderhe said. “I could not split ful place compared to my attention to both powhere we came from,” he sitions and give both 100 said. percent. I thought it was Lewinger said he has time to retire as basketball many fond memories coach so I could tend to coaching the Mary Louis my responsibilities as Hilltoppers. In 2002 and AD.” 2007, he brought his The former coach will teams to victory, clinchbe entering his sixth year ing the state championship, but one of his most Former Coach of the Year, Joe Lewinger, is as the Mary Louis’ athletic memorable moments in stepping down as Mary Louis girls basketball director and also teaches his years was a special coach to focus his attention on his duties as world history and economics. With his new semi-final game. athletic director. time to focus on the posi“In 2009, the girls won a semi-final match that the sure he needed to take to suc- tion, the athletic director has girls dedicated to Madison. That cessfully continue in his role as many plans for the schools athletic department. moment really stands out in my athletic director.

“We are the largest all-girls “I need to assess what areas mind,” he said.

Lewinger admits the decision athletic program. We have 29 of our athletic program need furto step down as coach was not teams and 13 sports and we ther attention,” he said. “The an easy one, but it was a mea- have coaches and student ath- spring sports are already planPhoto courtesy of NY Daily News.

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012

BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA

ning, ideas are popping in their head, and they are months away.

They are started to ask about scheduling and facilities and I just think I need to see what areas we need to assess as we move forward. At the same time, I would like to have a conversation with my fall sport coaches, to see what we need to continue their success.”

Although Lewinger will be stepping down as coach, he still holds the girls he coached in his heart.

“I think that our relationship will not change at all. They always know my door is open and I see them all the time. Trust me, they are not going anywhere and I’m not going anywhere,” he said.

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

What’s Up NOV. 30 La Puce a l'Orielle (A Flea in Her Ear) The York College Perfoming Arts Center will present "La Puce a l'Orielle" (A Flea in Her Ear) an eccentric and hilarious Georges Feydeau masterpiece.

When the beautiful wife of Victor Chandebise suspects him of having an affair, she enlists the help of her dearest friend to entrap him, but their elaborate scheme spectacularly misfires and chaos ensues. Set in Les Années Folles (The Crazy Years) of post-WWI Paris, and enlivened by the rhythms of ragtime jazz, Feydeau's quintessential farce promises to be an exhilarating evening of mistaken identities and comic disaster. Tickets are $5. The event will begin at 4 p.m.

For additional information, call Tom Marion at (718) 262-3705.

The York College Performing Arts Center is located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Citizens Against Recidivism Sixth Annual Awards Program

DEC. 1 Community Health Fair Our Lady of Light Young Adult Ministry of the St. Pascal Baylon R.C. Church will present a community health fair. Come on out for a day of height, weight, blood pressure, Body Mass Index, triglycerides, cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C, blood glucose and HIV screenings. For additional information, contact Marcelle Maxine Dinnall at (917) 593-0051. The event is free and will begin at 10 a.m. St. Pascal Baylon R.C. Church is located at 113th Avenue and 198th Street in Jamaica.

DEC. 3 Stay Well

Skip the mall this year; you need to purchase special gifts the recipients will remember.

You'll be able to do so when you come out to the Teddeez Gifts Shopping Extravaganza. Come check out the best in hand made gifts and crafts. For more information, call Dee at (646) 9965862. The event will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at the Rosedale Showroom, located at 255-44 147th Rd. Peace of Heart Choir: Songs of Joy and Healing in the Languages of the World This singing collective of community members came together in response to the World Trade Center tragedy to promote healing, diversity, community bonding, and mutual understanding through music. Enjoy this concert of holiday and folk songs, original compositions, and more, sung in a variety of languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, and Zulu. The free event will be held at Queens Central Library at 3 p.m.

Queens Central Library will host a free program to teach the public about special exercises and relaxation techniques that can make a difference in your life.

The event is free and will begin at 10 a.m.

Jazz at St. Albans: Gregory Porter The St. Albans Congregational Church wants you to start the Christmas season inspired with a special concert featuring Grammy nominee Gregory Porter. He will sing ballads that evoke influences ranging from Nat King Cole to gospel. He leads this very special Christmas Jazz Vespers after an extensive world tour. For additional information, contact the St. Albans Congregational Church at (718) 657-8282. The concert will begin at 5 p.m. at Saint Albans Congregational Church located at 172-17 Linden Blvd. Donations are welcome.

DEC. 2 Steel Impressions Steel Band The Queens Central Library will host an event featuring Caribbean rhythms like "Hot, Hot, Hot," "LaBamba," "Day-O," "Sugar Boom Boom," "Rock Around the Clock" and more.

The event is free and will begin at 3 p.m.

Business Plan Competition The Queens Economic Development Corporation has begun its 7th Annual Queens StartUP! Business Plan Competition in Sept. 2012. The competition gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to strengthen their business knowledge, learn about business trends, and gain insights about starting and growing a business, as well as offering an introduction to the vast resources at Queens Library.

The free event will be held at Queens Central Library at 11 a.m.

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

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

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

Classes may be approximately 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) 2813888.

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

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

Please call for next group date.

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

Services are available Tue.-Thurs.

9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HIV Awareness Clergy United for Community Empowerment provides intervention and 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 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.

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, please 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.

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.

Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Get ready for Citizens Against Recidivism sixth annual awards program - a black tie affair to commemorate 20 years of service. Contact Citizens Against Recidivism for information about sponsorship opportunities, to place an ad in our journal, or to inquire about purchasing tickets.

The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. You must call for the price. The Alhambra Ballroom is located at 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. in Manhattan.

Teddeez Gifts Shopping Extravaganza

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!

ENVIRONMENT RESCUE SEA TURTLES Saturday, December 1 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. For adults 3-4:30.

Free. 229-4000 register.

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

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012

SENIORS DUPLICATE BRIDGE Mondays Lunch, lesson and c o n g e 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.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesdays, December 4, 11, 18 South Ozone Park library at 10.

FAIRWAY SHOPPING Tuesday s free transportation to and from courtesy Hollis Court Bd. Of Directors. Pickup and drop off on the corner of 213 th Street and 73rd Avenue at 10:30 for 1.5 hours shopping.

CAREGIVERS Tuesdays Caregivers Support group at 3:30-4:30 Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, 208-11 26 th Avenue, Bayside. 631-1886.

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

BRIDGE Wednesdays Reform Temple of Forest Hills. 2612900.

KEW GARDENS Thursdays relax and improve your health 10-11. 8002 Kew Gardens Road, suite 202.

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

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA Through December 16 “Cinema and Its Doubles” at Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. 777-6800.

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

MOVING IMAGE Through December 30 “See It Big” films. Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. $12. Adults. 7776800.

WORLD CASINO 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park. Free admission.

SING-A-LONG Saturday, December 1 sing-a-long to “The Lion King” at Queensborough Community College. $5.

631-6311.

SOUL CONCERT Saturday, December 1 to benefit the Howard Beach Judea Center Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort at the Howard Beach Judea Center. $20. 845-9443.

STEEL BAND Sunday, December 2 (V: at the Central library at 3.

TREE LIGHTING Sunday, December 2 annual tree lighting with the Bowne Park Civic Association at the Park, 32nd Avenue b e t w e e n 1 5 6th a n d 1 5 7 th Streets, Flushing at 4:30.

347-200-1599.

CAMPBELL BROS. Sunday, December 2 African American Gospel music with electric steel guitar and vocals at Flushing Town Hall.

463-7700, ext. 222.

MUSICA REGINAE Sunday, December 2 at Church in the Gardens in Forest Hills. 894-2178 ticket information.

LIVE JAZZ & R&B Sundays, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 live jazz and r&b 6-10 at Déjà vu, 180-25 Linden Blvd., St. Albans.

SALSA Mondays Resorts World Casino holds Monday Night Salsa events. Lessons 7:30.

110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone ark. 215-2828.

Free.

SCRABBLE Tuesday s Fresh Meadows library at 1 and East Flushing library at 3:30.

KOREAN PERCUSSION Wednesday, December 5 at F l u s h i n g Tow n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700.

SOUTH ASIA ON FILM Wednesdays through April 25 at 4:30 at the GodwinTe r n b a c h Museum at Queens College. 997-4747

for titles and other info.

OPEN MIC Thursday, December 6 Open Mic Night with Performance Poets Association at 6:30 at the Flushing library,.

HOLIDAY PARTY Friday, December 7 Friends of Maple Grove Holiday Part y. 523-1876.

VENEZUELAN MUSIC Friday, December 7 members of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Vene z u e l a a t F l u s h i n g To w n Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222.

MUZIO CLEMENTI Friday, December 7 Clementi’s compositions performed on the King family’s fortepiano. King Manor. 206-0545.

GAME DAY Fridays 4:30 Woodhaven librar y.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Fridays 2 Hillcrest library.

ST. NICHOLAS DAY Saturday, December 8 at Church of the Resurrection, 8 5 - 0 9 1 1 8 th S t r e e t , R i c h mond Hill. 6:30 St. Nick Prayer Service. 7 parish Center food and fun, music, tree decorating and a visit from St. Nick with gifts. 8472649 reservations.

JOE BATAAN Saturday, December 8 King of Latin Soul at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222.

KLEZMER DANCE PART Y Sunday, December 9 at F l u s h i n g Tow n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700, ext. 222.

HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR Sunday, December 9 Flushing Historic Houses with F l u s h i n g Tow n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700, ext. 222.

MESSIAH Sunday, December 9 Sacred Music Societ y of Our Lady Queen of Mart yrs performs “Messiah” and Christmas favorites at 4 at the church, Ascan Avenue and Queens Blvd. $25, children 12 and under free. 2686251.

SACRED MUSIC CHORALE Sunday, December 9 Sacred Music Chorale of Richmond Hill presents their Winter Concert at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 8 6 - 2 0 1 1 4 th S t r e e t , R i c h mond Hill at 3. $15, $12 seniors and students, children free Reception with wine, coffee, tea, cookies and pretzels.

WINTER CONCERT Sunday, December 9 Children’s Orchestra Societ y at Queensborough Communit y College. $15.

516-869-9696.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, December 1 at Blessed Sacrament in Valley Stream. 516-872-8062.

SOCIAL MEDIA Saturday, December 1 Far Rockaway library. Register.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, December 1 at Our Lady of the Blessed Church in Bayside. 631-3609720.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, December 1, 15, 22 at Elmhurst Hospital at 10. 646-748-8290.

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

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

KNITTING CIRCLE Mondays, December 3, 17 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. $5 adults. 6-8pm.

229-4000.

OPEN COMPUTER LAB Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 at the Arverne library.

634-4784 info.

METRIX TRAINING Mondays, December 3, 10, 17 31 free online training through Metrix Learning at t h e C e n t ra l l i b r a r y. 9 9 0 5148 register.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION Mondays, December 3, 10, 17, 31 at the Douglaston librar y. Register.

OPEN LAB Mondays, December 3, 10, 17, 31 Central library at 2.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays, December 3, 10, 17 Douglaston library at 4.

BEGIN CROCHET Mondays, December 3, 10, 17 Arverne library at 5.

MAC MONDAYS Mondays, December 3, 10, 17 at the Central librar y.

Register. 990-5148.

START UP BUSINESS Mondays, December 3, 10 business plan competition at the Central library at 6:30.

BALLROOM DANCING Mondays, December 3, 10, 17 Forest Hills library at 6:30.

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

DRAWING CLASS Mondays National Art League in Douglaston. 3610628.

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

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays, December 4, 11,

18 Windsor Park library at 2.

COLLEGE PREP SERIES Tuesdays, December 4, 11, 18 at the Far Rockaway library at 5. 327-2549 register.

SMALL BUSINESS Tuesdays, December 4, 11, 18 at the Central librar y.

990-8625 register.

JOB READINESS Tuesdays, December 4, 11, 18 Woodside library at 6.

LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

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

RESUME/COVER LETTER Wednesdays, December 5, 19 at the Central librar y.

990-5153.

BASIC COMPUTER Wednesday, December 5 Woodside library at 10:30.

COMPUTER BOOT CAMP Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19 at the Far Rockaway library. 327-2549 register.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19 at the South Ozone Park library at 1.

RESUME WRITING Wednesday, December 5 at the LIC library. 752-3700 to register.

OFFICE SUITE Wednesdays, December 5,12, 19 Microsoft Office Suite for Entrepreneurs at t h e Fa r Ro c k away l i b ra ry.

327-2549.

START UP BUSINESS Wednesdays, December 5, 12 business plan competition at the Central library at 6:30.

CHILD CARE PROVIDER Wednesdays, December 5, 19 professional development workshop for child care providers at the Central library at 6:30.

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

MOCK INTERVIEWS Thursdays, December 6, 13, 20, 27 at the Central library. 990-5148 register.

MICROSOFT OFFICE Thursdays, December 6, 13, 20, 27 at the Arverne library at 10:30.

CRIMINAL RECORD Thursday, December 6 Job Searching with a Criminal Record at 1:30 at the Far Rockaway library,.

FEDERAL RESUME Thursdays, December 6, 13 at the Central library. 9908625 to register.

COMPUTER BOOT CAMP Thursdays, December 6, 13, 20 at the LIC library at 4:30.

ORIGAMI WORKSHOP Thursdays, December 6, 13, 20, 27 at the Seaside library at 5:30.

INTRO COMPUTERS Thursdays, December 6, 13, 27 at the Ozone Park library. Register.

COMPUTER TRAINING Thursday, December 6 with NY Cares Woodside library.

Register.

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

276-3454 East Elmhurst library at 12.

MICROSOFT EXCEL Friday, December 7 at the Hillcrest library. Register.

RESUME WRITING Friday, December 7 resume writing and mock interviews at the Arverne library at 1 METRIX TRAINING Friday, December 7 free online training through Metrix Learning at the Central library. 990-5148.

OPEN COMPUTER LAB Fridays 2-5 LIC library.

JOB SEARCH HELP Fridays 1-2 one-on-one help with your search for employment at the Astoria library.

990-8625 register.

JOB STRATEGIES Saturday, December 8 Job Search Strategies and Resume Writing at noon at the Far Rockaway library.

SINGLES SIMCHA SINGLES Saturday, December 15 C h a n u k a h Pa r t y m i x a n d mingle, dinner, dreidels and dancing with live music at 8 at the Oakland Little Neck Jewish Center, 49-10 Little N e c k Pa r k w a y. 5 1 6 - 4 8 7 0674. $20, $25 at the door.

TALKS HOLOCAUST DISPLACED Sunday, December 2 “Idiots, Imbeciles and the Loathsome Diseased” – The Hidden History of Post-Holocaust Displaced Persons at 1 at the Kupferberg Holocaust Center at Queensborough Communit y College. 2815770.

AUDIO BOOK CLUB Mondays, December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 at the Seaside library at 11.

FLUSHING BOOK Friday, December 7 “The Sunday Philosophy Club.”

Flushing library at 1.

Borough Beat

Groups Condemn Redistricting Proposal

BY STEVEN J. FERRARI Since the release of final proposed City Council district maps earlier this month, some organizations have been vocally opposed to certain parts of the proposal.

Both the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association and the Asian American Community Coalition on Redistricting and Democracy have blasted the City Districting Commission's proposal because it splits communities within the Borough.

The Districting Commission is a bipartisan group comprised of eight members appointed by party leaders and seven members appointed by Mayor Mike Bloomberg to draw district lines in response to the 2010 Census.

Both groups contend that earlier drafts of the proposal had been more beneficial to their communities and that the final proposal was not in line with

what they were expecting.

The WRBA contends that the proposal splits the neighborhood into three parts divided into two districts. An earlier draft of the proposal placed nearly all of Woodhaven in a single Council District.

"The commission decided to throw Woodhaven under the bus.

It should be embarrassed about how its final proposal treats our community," WRBA Director of Communications Alex Blenkinsopp said. "We want all City Council members to know that a vote in favor of this gerrymander is a vote against Woodhaven."

While ACCORD has praised many of the decisions in the final redistricting proposal, the group has expressed concern over the division of Bayside into two Council Districts - the 19th and 23rd and the separation of Briarwood and Jamaica Hills into the 24th and 29th Council Districts.

A map, provided by the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association, shows how the residential area would be divided in the final District Commission proposal.

Briarwood and Jamaica Hills is home to a growing population of South Asian Americans, ACCORD asserted, and the community was not given any notice about the change before the final proposals came out.

"The two neighborhoods were kept together and substantially whole in the 24th District through

the entire process, including the first set of hearings," a statement from ACCORD read.

The group has also expressed concern over the continued separation of South Ozone Park, which is split along Lefferts Boulevard into the 28th and 32nd Districts.

The separation, the group said, negatively impacts the IndoCaribbean community.

"Our community's advancement will be significantly constrained due to the division of South Ozone Park," Richard David, executive director of the Indo-Caribbean Alliance, said.

Both ACCORD and the WRBA have publicly called on the City Council to take responsibility for its role in the matter.

"We don't know why the Commission decided to split and scramble Woodhaven's representation, but we won't just sit there quietly as the City Council rubberstamps this awful proposal,"

WRBA President Edward K. Wendell said. "This is an opportunity for City Council Members both our current representatives, as well as those who might want Woodhaven's support in the future - to show whether they actually care about our community."

ACCORD has requested the City Council hold a hearing on the matter.

"It is offensive to the Asian Americans in our City to have this kind of map passed with [the City Council's] blessing," James Hong, ACCORD spokesman, said. "The City Council should hold hearings now or reject this map and bring about another round of hearings that gives the Districting Commission a chance to correct its mistakes."

The City Council is required to vote on the new maps by Dec. 10.

Reach Managing Editor Steven J. Ferrari at (718) 357-7400 or sferrari@queenstribune.com.

Queens Today MEETINGS librar y.

BEREAVEMENT Wednesday, December 5 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family in Fresh Meadows at 7:30.

969-2448.

TRAVEL CLUB Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Seaside library at 3:15.

KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS Wednesday, December 5 Queensview Lodge 433 in Whitestone.

917-7543093.

TOASTMASTERS Wednesdays, December 5, 19 learn the art of public speaking at the Voices of Rochdale Toastmasters Club in Jamaica. 978-0732.

CONVERSATION CLUB Wednesday, December 5 at the Seaside library at 5:30.

FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesdays, December 5, 19 Flushing Camera Club at Flushing Hospital. 7490643.

MEN’S PRIDE GROUP Thursdays, December 6, 20 Queens Pride House Men’s group 7-9. 429-5309.

GIANT BAZAAR Saturday, December 1 5:30. Sunday, December 2 11-8. Monday, December 3 4-8. New merchandise, toys, children’s clothes, one of a kind, book sale, raffles, food, more. Temple Beth Sholom, 172 nd Street and Northern Blvd., Flushing. 463-4143.

FLEA MARKET Saturday, December 1 9-4 at Our Lady of Hope, Eliot A v e n u e a n d 7 1 st S t r e e t , Middle Village.

CRAFT & BAKE Saturday, December 1 104 and Sunday, December 2 9-3 Christmas Craft Sale plus Ethnic Polish bake sale at St. Josaphat’s, 35 th Avenu3 and 210 th street, Bayside.

HOLLY BAZAAR Saturday, December 1 All Saints’ Holly Bazaar 9-4. Photos with Santa, lunch, white elephant table, collectibles, more. 214-35 40 th Avenue, Bayside.

FLEA MARKET Sunday, December 2 at American Mart yrs Church, B e l l a n d Un i o n Tu r n p i ke , Bayside 9-4.

YOUTH NATURE PHOTO Saturdays, December 1, 8 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000.

FURRY FRIENDS Sunday, December 2 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000.

TUNEY TOTS Mondays, December 3, 10 at t he Douglaston librar y.

Register.

STORY TIME Mondays, December 3, 10, 17 Hollis library at 11:30.

PICTURE BOOK TIME Mondays, December 3, 10, 17 Hillcrest library at 2.

FAMILY STORY TIME Mondays, December 3, 10 Auburndale library at 4.

CRAFT KIDS Mondays Flushing library at 3.

CRAFT TUESDAYS Tuesdays, December 4, 18 Forest Hills library at 3:30.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Tuesdays, December 4, 18 G l e n O a k s l i b r a r y a t 11:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, December 4, 11, 18 at the Windsor Park librar y. Register.

TIMELESS TALES Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19 at the Central library. Register.

TODDLER STORY TIME Wednesdays, December 5, 12 at the Court Square library at 10:30.

TODDLER STORY TIME Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19, 26 LIC library at 11.

TODDLER TIME Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19 at the Poppenhusen library at 11.

PICTURE BOOK Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Rosedale library at 11.

TODDLER STORY TIME Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19 at the Forest Hills library. Register.

TODDLER STORY TIME Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19 at the Broadway library at 11:30.

ARTS & CRAFTS Wednesday, December 5 at the Auburndale library at 4.

PICTURE BOOK Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

TEENS LAPTOPS Mondays, December 3, 10, 17, 31 Hollis library at 3.

LEARN TO CROCHET Mondays, December 3, 10, 17 Arverne library at 4.

COLLEGE PREP SERIES Tuesdays, December 4, 11, 18 Far Rockaway library at 5. 327-2549 register.

LAPTOPS Tuesdays, December 4, 11, 18, 25 Hollis library at 3.

LAPTOPS Tuesdays, December 4, 11, 18 Arverne library at 4 CROCHET CLUB Tuesdays, December 4, 11, 18 McGoldrick library at 5 LIC CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays Windsor Park library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19 at the Poppenhusen library at 4.

RESUME HELP Wednesdays at 3 at the Arverne librar y.

LAPTOPS Thursdays, December 6, 13, 20 at the Hollis library at 3.

Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, December 1, 15, 22 learn how to communicate effectively from 10-12 at Elmhurst Hospital. 646748-8290.

GARDENING CLUB Saturdays in the Steinway library court yard at 4.

TABLE TENNIS CLUB Mondays, December 3, 10, 17 at 1:30 Seaside library.

ACADEMY CHARTER Mondays, December 3, January 7 Central Queens Academy Charter School Board of Trustees meeting 7-9:30 at 55-30 Junction Blvd., Elmhurst. 212-4378351 to register.

HAM RADIO CLUB Tuesday, December 4 Emergency Communications Service meets in Briarwood.

357-6851.

TALK OF THE TOWN Tuesdays, December 4, 18 learn the art of public speaking at 7:15 in St. Albans.

640-7092.

WRITING CLUB Wednesdays, December 5, 12, 19, 26 Seaside Writing Group at 1 at the Seaside

FLEA MARKETS

Models Of Queens

What a Fake!

Many people say that anything can be art. It looks like a Long Island City foundry owner took that lesson to heart. Unfortunately, no one told him that forgery doesn’t count.

Empire Bronze Art Foundry owner Brian Ramnarine was arrested on Nov. 15 on charges of trying to pass off a worthless sculpture as a piece of art from contemporary artist Jasper Johns. He

tried to sell the bogus bronze work for $11 million.

Titled “1989 Bronze Flag,” the piece depicted an American flag, created from a mold Johns made to go with a flag sculpture he made in 1960. Johns gave Ramnarine the mold in 1990 for a wax cast.

In 2002, Ramnarine got in trouble for trying to pull a similar scam. Let’s hope he’s finally learned his lesson.

Meter Cheater Parking on any City street is often a hassle. But, instead of spending hours driving around the block looking for a spot, why not do as this ingenious citizen did? While walking on 14th Avenue in Whitestone, we spotted a glaring “Fail” sign written in Sharpie on the pictured parking meter. Too bad it did not fool the meter maid.

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2012

iPad Heist Port Authority Police reported last week that an employee at John F. Kennedy International Airport was arrested in connection to a heist of 3,500 iPad mini tablets from the airport’s cargo area.

The suspect, Renel Rene Richardson, was arrested after he allegedly made suspicious inquiries to coworkers about the shipment, as well as where he might be able to access a forklift. He had two helpers and worked at the Cargo Air Services building, according to the criminal complaint filed in Brooklyn. He allegedly acted as a lookout while two others loaded two pallets of iPad minis onto a truck.

The total value of stolen iPads is estimated to be around $1.9 million.

Some people will do anything to avoid going to the store on Black Friday.

"FAIL"

Getting Her Game On A big fan of video games, this beauty from Jackson Heights has a lot on her plate, including a double course of study at City College and work in addition to her budding modeling career. But don’t ask her to head down the runway.

With dreams of someday working in catalogs for JC Penney, modeling clothes, or maybe even Victoria’s Secret (though she knows she’s probably too short), Keillein knows one thing for sure: “I don’t like runway.”

While studying as a double major at City College of bilingual education and art, Keillein works

What's In A Name?

At a press conference in late November to affirm her solidarity with Israel, Beep Helen Marshall gave quite the performance. She was energetic, aggressive and willing to show everyone that no one was messing with Israel on her watch.

There was one small problem with her speech: the reading of the names of elected officials who were showing their support for Israel.

All was good until she came to the name of Assemblyman Mike Simanowitz, forever a tonguetwister.

“Sim…simano…simowitz,” Marshall sputtered. She wasn’t the first person and won’t be the last to mispronounce the Flushing assemblyman’s name.

But, the longtime Mayersohn

Assemblyman Mike Simanowitz chief-of-staff replaced her well over a year ago, hasn’t the Beep introduced him before?

For the record, it is pronounced Sih-man-o-witz. Take note, future press conference speakers.

Keillein Quiceno Age: 21 Home: Jackson Heights Height: 5’ 4" Weight: 128 lbs Stats: 32-25-36 at Best Buy and enjoys getting back into Queens for home, work and friends.

But also for her mom.

“I normally go to the gym with my mom, walk around with my friends or go to the bowling alley,” she said of her free-time hobbies.

She’s fairly partial to 34th Avenue Lanes in Jackson Heights.

As for her future, “I definitely want to do something in modeling,” she said. “I want to see myself on the cover of JC Penney or Vogue. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll stick with graphic design.”

A huge fan of video games, Keillein has all the systems – Xbox 360, Wii and a PS3 – and likes the Xbox the best.

“It has awesome graphics, can play Blu Ray and I can go online in my room with it,” she said. For family fun, she sticks to Wii in the living room.

Can we come over for a game of Mario Kart?

Confidentially, New York . . .

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