Queens Press Epaper

Volume 11 Issue No. 48 Dec. 3-9, 2010

PAGE 26

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City Planning is seeking to initiate the largest rezoning in the City, 538 blocks of South Jamaica, which would bring protection and an upgrade to nearly half of Community Board 12’s blocks.

By Sasha Austrie…Page 3

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South Jamaica Rezoning In Prelims The ongoing effort to rezone Southeast Queens is entering a new phase. The City announced preliminary plans to rezone 530 blocks of South Jamaica, which would be the largest rezoning undertaken by the Bloomberg Administration.

“Our largest rezoning […]serves as a legacy for the late Council Member Thomas White Jr., who worked closely with us on this plan and was truly dedicated to and passionate about improving Southeast Queens,” said Amanda Burden, City Planning commissioner.

Since 2002, the city has rezoned 5,000 blocks of streetscape in Queens. Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, St. Albans/Hollis and Jamaica were rezoned within the last three years.

Not only would the rezoning keep the architectural character of South Jamaica,

but it would provide aid to new grocers and expanded full-line grocery stores that participate in the Food Retail Expansion to Support Health program. FRESH offers zoning and financial incentives for grocery stores to set up shop in some of the most underserved neighborhoods in the City.

“FRESH promotes healthy lifestyles and provides more access to fresh produce for residents, which will combat the twin epidemics of obesity and diabetes,” Burden continued.

The proposed rezoning is located in the southern and western portions of Community Board 12. The rezoning area is bound by Liberty Avenue, 108th Avenue and South Road to the north; Merrick and Springfield Boulevards to the east; North Conduit Avenue to the south; and the Van Wyck Expressway to the west.

The proposal has three goals: neighbor-

PRESS photo by Joseph Orovic

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

hood preservation, strengthening major corridors and expanding FRESH, according to City Planning.

Current zoning laws in South Jamaica have remained stagnant since 1961. Zoning changes would limit future residential development to housing types that match existing contexts.

Along wider corridors, the proposal would establish moderatedensity districts to encourage appropriately-scaled new housing and businesses in these locations.

The rezoning would establish contextual building height limits The rezoning of South Jamaica would seek to improve (between 30 and 40 feet) and also commercial strips like Sutphin Boulevard. reduce the depths of the commercial overlays on these streets to prevent Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at commercial uses from encroaching on resi- saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 357dential blocks.

7400, Ext. 123.

Boro School Is One Of Nation’s Best

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Nestled in between the chaos of the Belt Parkway and the teeming vastness of JFK Airport, one public school sits mostly isolated from the neighborhood it serves.

PS 124, the Osmond Church School, on 150th Avenue in South Ozone Park, is easily seen from cars going by on the Belt, or from planes landing at JFK, but inside the walls of this strangely-placed school is a unique way of learning that observers say will place its students ahead of many of their peers.

The uniqueness of the school is profiled in the book "On Purpose: How Great School Cultures Form Strong Character"

by Samuel Casey Carter, the author of the 2000 book "No Excuses: Lessons from 21 High-Performing, High-Poverty Schools."

PS 124 is one of 12 schools nationwide profiled by Carter for what he sees as a successful alternative way of learning.

"This book is meant to remind people across the country what a great school looks like," the author said.

Carter said he looked at more than 3,500 schools nationwide and funneled the list down to a few dozen. He visited 39 schools before narrowing the list to the 12 from very different parts of the country.

"These schools are as a geographically, demographically, programmatically diverse as any 12 schools in America," Carter explained.

PS 124 was one of them. There, Carter learned about the school's "Core Virtues" program, which engages the kids on a personal level.

"He was taken aback," said PS 124 Principal Valerie Lewis. "He became enchanted by the school."

The "Core Virtues" program at PS 124, spearheaded by Lewis more than a decade ago, focuses on the strengths and interests of the individual students. There are no

textbooks at the school; studies focus on art, social studies and sciences; and the students are taught to respect and revere different cultures. The focus is on individual student happiness, which takes precedence over testing. In doing that, teachers give each student special attention, examining his or her strengths and weaknesses and use them to create a learning environment.

The school has more than 1,200 students, much more than it was built to handle; 94 percent of students are from what are deemed "low income" households, 8 percent reside in foster homes, and another 8 percent live in homeless shelters. The school is almost equally split between Asian (mostly from the Indian subcontinent), Hispanic and black students, with a handful of white students as well. It also has a significant special needs population.

"A lot of schools can't handle this type of diversity," Carter said.

But PS 124 can, and does. Lewis said

despite the stigma of schools with lowincome students leading to students who do not learn, many students who graduate from her school go on to finish high school with excellent grades. Some have even finished high school in two years.

"I think this really answers the question 'What is a school for?'" Carter said. "If the answer is anything other than 'It's a place for children to see who they are and make them happy,' you end up with results you don't want" Those results, he said, are going to be important for the next generation of Americans, who will now have to compete in a different world.

"All of the children in America are now going to be competing for jobs on a global scale," Carter said. "PS 124 is a perfect example of a global community."

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 125.

Fight To Feed Hungry Being Lost In Queens

BY JASON BANREY

"[Stimulus funds] were only a one-time payment," said Robb. "I don't see how we're going to be able to continue if things don't change. I don't see how we can go on."

Currently $10,000 over budget, the pantry does not know where additional funding is going to come from, which will inevitably lead to significant cuts - cuts that will lead to the pantry decreasing services to seniors and the disabled, limiting pantry pick-ups to families, the distribution of less food and disallowing anyone from becoming a member of the pantry itself.

Robb is unsure her program can survive on the resources provided by grants and federal programs. "Even though we've been fiscally conservative and have kept a tight leash on our budget, it's still going to catch up to us," said Robb. "With food prices going up, we don't have the resources to do what we need to do."

A startling 45 percent of agencies in Queens reported similar issues, stating that they have either been forced to turn away hungry borough residents, cut portion sizes or cut their hours of operation.

Despite increases in federal funding, The AIDS Center of Queens County has cutback services and is experiencing from dramatic increases in demand at their food pantries in Jamaica and Far Rockaway.

"We have exhausted ways to keep the food pantry stocked. Due to the high rate of unemployment, we are seeing individuals we never saw before," said Rosemary Lopez, Director of Program Services. "Our community members need help now. When children come in and prefer food to a toy, you know the situation is critical."

Reach Intern Jason Banrey at jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

Dec. 3-9, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

From the Great Depression to the Great Recession, the city's soup kitchens and food pantries have tried to keep up with the steady increase in demand.

In 2010 in Queens, 89 percent of soup kitchens and food pantries saw an increase in demand, with almost 60 percent unable to meet the demand, according to the New York City Coalition Against Hunger's annual Hunger Survey.

It highlighted many issues that one local food pantry is experiencing this holiday season.

Christy Robb, Food Pantry and Community Outreach Coordinator for Hour Children Community Outreach, serves 450 people a week at the Long Island City food pantry. Robb is finding it difficult to keep up with demands due to the decline in

grant funding from private and public donors which help keep the pantry stocked.

"Some grants are the either the same, getting smaller or just disappearing altogether," said Robb. "There have always been steady increases in the demand for food, but now we're seeing significant increases - and it has become unsustainable."

Despite increasing in demand, many New Yorkers were able to get by due to federal stimulus funds for emergency food and boosts to the SNAP/Food Stamp Program.

Although the SNAP/Food Stamp Program, and other state and federal funding programs, directly provide funding to food pantries throughout Queens, Robb said the resources she receives have flat-lined, making it difficult to maintain the proper services to cater to the borough's increasing demands.

Even after receiving stimulus funds, Robb found it difficult to make it through 2010.

Off-Duty Cop Arrested In Shooting

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

heard gunshots coming from where McLean had been standing; as he ran down 119th Road toward Sutphin Boulevard, he sustained a gunshot that entered and exited his rear end. The incident ended after Gammons climbed over a fence and hid behind a residence.

Gammons was subsequently taken to Jamaica Hospital for treatment. A bullet was recovered from the fence post located

at 119-26 153rd St. A ballistics test determined the bullet came from a gun registered to McLean.

McLean was ordered held on $25,000 bond or $10,000 cash bail and to return to court on Jan. 5. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 125.

Now Councilman Wills: Photo credit: William Alatriste, New York City Council

A veteran New York City Police Department detective will stand trial next year, accused of shooting an unarmed man during a confrontation in South Jamaica last month.

Leopold McLean, 46, who has been a member of the NYPD for 17 years, was arraigned on Monday in Queens Criminal Court and charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, first- and second-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment.

According to the charges, McLean approached Lepaul Gammons, 39, in the vicinity of 119th Road and 153rd Street near Baisley Pond Park at approximately 12:40 a.m. on Nov. 15 and demanded Gammons explain why he was at the home of a woman who is known to both men. McLean then allegedly pointed a large black handgun at Gammons, who asked if McLean was going to shoot him.

McLean allegedly said that he "had something" for Gammons, and lowered the black handgun and reached down toward his ankle.

As Gammons ran from the location, he

Centenarian Passes Away Mary Louise Gooden, a her death. Lately, Gooden centenarian who lived spoke of hearing a baby's through this nation's tricry and seeing her husband, umphs and tragedies, died who has been dead for more on Sunday, Nov. 28 at than 60 years.

Trump Pavilion nursing McDuffie-Gaitling said home. Gooden reportedly her mother Sarah McDuffie died of natural causes. visited her aunt on Sunday, Gooden was 45 days shy and two hours after her visit, of her 105th birthday, and Gooden passed away. though she didn't have any The viewing will be from children of her own, she 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, at Mary Louise Gooden leaves behind about 100 Mount Zion Baptist Church, grand nieces and nephews. located at 106-60 Union Theresa McDuffie-Gaitling, Gooden’s Hall St. Services will begin at 7 p.m. Gooden grandniece, said although her aunt was will be interred at Pinelawn cemetery on not sickly, the family was not surprised by Saturday.

Councilman Ruben Wills was officially sworn in at the beginning of the Dec. 1 stated Council meeting. A community inaugural ceremony will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 1-3 p.m. at York College Atrium.

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Honoring History With A Scarecrow Japanese Ambassador in New York.

“When we won I was really surprised,” Students at the Immaculate Concep- said 11-year-old Amanda Lallemad. “It’s tion School got more than they bar- an honor.” gained for when they entered the third The winning scarecrow of the middle annual Scarecrow Design Competition. school division depicted a member of the Not only did class 6-1 beat out the com- first Japanese delegation, Samurai Tateishi petition to stand upon the ghostly po- “Tommy” Onojiro, to visit the United dium for the third year in a row, but was States. Carl Ballenas, social studies teacher, also visited by a delegation from the said the students came up with the idea of memorializing the youngest of the group.

“The first week of school we started brainstorming,” Ballenas said. He said it took two weeks to plan and a month for Tommy to come to life.

Including winning their category, “Tommy the Samurai” also garnered the People’s Choice Award.

Hearing about the honor to Tommy and Japan, the ambassador’s delegation presented the class with the “Consulate General of Japan Special Award.”

The four member delegation taught the class about kimonos, samurais and the history of Tommy’s visit in 1860.

Though many of the students knew the basics about Japan and samurais, they garnered a deeper understanding after competing in the contest and the visit from the ambassador’s contingent.

Kimberly Ramcharitar, 11, said she helped her mom stitch the scarecrow’s The Immaculate Conception School’s award- garb. She also helped with the plastering and painting. winning “Tommy the Samurai” scarecrow.

“It was really an honor to see what

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

The Japanese ambassador’s delegation presents the class with the “Consulate General of Japan Special Award.” they were going to teach us,” she said of the delegation. “Because of this, I want to go to Japan.”

Though the contest is open to all scarecrows, Ballenas has kept his class in the realm of history. The previous winners were a mummy and a tribute to Henry Hudson.

“What they are going to take away from

this is a love of history,” Ballenas said.

Though the 2010 contest ended merely a month ago, Ballenas has already told next year’s class to prepare for the contest.

“That’s the best way to teach history, outside the classroom,” Ballenas said.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 3577400, Ext. 123.

Dec. 3-9, 2010 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 Associate Publisher

In Our Opinion: Arnold Thibou Executive Editor:

Brian Rafferty Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie

Editorial Lest We Forget The AIDS epidemic is still real. Yes, the fear may have died down and drug cocktails have given way to better medicine that helps people who are HIV-positive lead longer lives. But the truth is that HIV, for all the science and progress, is still life-changing – and eventually a life-ender.

With the AIDS Memorial Quilt coming to Queens College this week in honor of World AIDS Day, it brings back home the message that this is a disease that tears apart families, striking down people from every walk of life. AIDS kills, and that must never be forgotten.

Organizers of the Queens College event decried the lackadaisical attitude of a younger generation that fails to practice safe sex, which puts itself at risk for catching this horrible disease. Until there is a cure, there must be caution exercised by all.

New York City still has an infection rate three times the national average, and unless we all are wise about our choices, that number will continue to rise. We must all – gay or straight, men or women – take the necessary precautions to stop the transmission of this deadly disease.

To learn more or if you think you may be HIV-positive, call the AIDS Center of Queens County (718) 896-2500 or go to acqc.org.

Production Manager:

Letters

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters: Harley Benson Sasha Austrie Joseph Orovic Domenick Rafter Jessica Ablamsky Editorial Intern: Angy Altamirano Jason Banrey Terry Chao Art Dept:

Sara Gold Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend

Thanks, Gary To The Editor: Open Letter to U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman It is with great appreciation and thanks that I am sending you this email. Your promised planting along the Grand Central Parkway service roads (as it passes through Jamaica Estates) has finally taken place. It has exceeded all of our expectations.

You have walked the area with me in the rain and snow. You have worked to get the wording of the bill changed to include trees, from the original wording approving funds for a sound barrier wall. You have held meetings in your office with Parks, Highways and the JEA. You have called me from your car on the way to Washington. You and your staff (Moya and Megan) have patiently put up with my years of

impatient calls.

Gary, thank you for your extreme efforts concerning this matter. In years to come, people will enjoy the beauty of the many hundreds of trees and shrubs as they continue to grow to maturity.

Michael Bookbinder, Jamaica Estates Assoc.

Tax On Sugar To The Editor: A tax on sugar-sweetened beverages can benefit New Yorkers by reducing consumption of empty calories – which could help fight obesity and generate much needed revenue. The November report from the Bipartisan Policy Center called for the state to impose an excise tax of 1 cent / ounce on these beverages to reduce obesityrelated healthcare costs.

Reports from the American Heart Association in 2009 and

Letters 2010 called for controlling excess calories by reducing the contribution of added sugars. Sugarsweetened beverages are the leading source of added sugars in Americans’ diet. An additional report by the USDA estimated that a 20 percent price increase on sweetened beverages could cause a reduction of 37 calories per day, or 3.8 pounds of body weight over a year, for adults and 43 calories per day, or 4.5 pounds over a year, for children.

As New York struggles to balance its budget, the legislature must consider skyrocketing healthcare costs related to obesity. The NYS Health Foundation concludes that imposing a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages could potentially save $5.6 billion in spending on chronic illnesses related to obesity and overweight. Almost 60 percent of New Yorkers are overweight, and 25 percent are obese. The obesity epidemic is a national crisis with obesity rates and sugarsweetened beverage intake being particularly high among low-income groups. This disparity may be related to the beverage pricing. At 99 cents for a two liter bottle, soda is cheaper than bottled water.

I encourage our decision-makers to approve a tax on sugarsweetened beverages as soon as possible.

Judith Wylie-Rosett, Queens

Medicare Worries To The Editor: At the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31, doctors who treat Medicare patients are scheduled to absorb a 25 percent pay cut – a cut that threatens the ability of seniors to see their physicians and receive the care they

need. It is up to Congress to stop this pay cut and ensure that doctors are not driven out of Medicare.

On behalf of the more than 2.3 million AARP members in New York State and all seniors who have earned their Medicare benefits by working hard and paying into the system, I am calling on Congress to take responsibility and act to ensure that older Americans have access to the doctors they trust.

AARP is not alone in believing that the Medicare payment system is broken and requires a permanent fix. But it isn’t the flawed physician payment system that concerns so many of our members here in New York and elsewhere.

It is, rather, the prospect of suddenly being without a physician.

According to a recent AARP poll, more than 80 percent of AARP members are concerned that a Medicare pay cut will threaten access to their doctors.

As people age, they face increasing health issues, so a trusted relationship with their physician becomes increasingly important.

They are also less likely to be able to travel long distances for care.

As the New Year approaches, there is one resolution that Medicare patients would like to see made by Congress: honor the commitment to Medicare patients and the physicians who care for them.

Marilyn Pinsky AARP NY State President

Correction In the Nov. 26 edition of the PRESS, we inaccurately identified the Rev. Dorothy Fentress’ organization in an article titled “Good Samaritan Feeds The Hungry” on Page 19. The correct name is Samaritan Ministries Inc. We apologize for the error.

Advertising Director Alan J. Goldsher Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 3-9, 2010

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2010 Tribco, LLC

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

A New Chancellor And A Deputy To Boot A Personal Perspective

By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

So despite the many protests and polite rejections, Mayor Mike Bloomberg still got his way with the selection of Cathie Black as our next schools chancellor. Anybody who didn’t see the writing on the blackboard for that one needs glasses.

Black, an uber-successful media executive, made the rounds with smiles and handshakes and she won her case. That is always a good strategy.

David Steiner, New York State education commissioner, granted the waiver for Black to take over from Joel Klein on Jan. 1.

The compromise offered by Steiner is to have a deputy chancellor serving under Black. So let’s get this straight: We hire a

chancellor with no education training nor experience and we will add a second salary to our already burdened budget so someone else can shadow the chancellor to make sure she gets it right.

Would we hire a principal for a school who had no prior experience as a teacher and administrator? Please let us know, because there are a lot of unemployed folks out there who have never taught nor worked anywhere near a school and they need jobs.

I’m sure that Black is indeed a fine executive – in publishing. It is also a safe bet that she’s a quick learner and will give this new position her best effort. She’s an executive who clearly enjoys winning. But it was presumptuous on Bloomberg’s part to pick his friend for a job for which she has

no prior knowledge.

Shael Polakow-Suransky will become the senior deputy chancellor and chief academic officer under Black. She currently serves as deputy chancellor for accountability; and will, reportedly, have primary responsibility for supervision of all instructional programs, as well as the development and implementation of major educational policies and practices.

And there you have it folks, two salaries for one job. Okay, fine, the deputy chancellor was already being paid under another title. But you can bet there will be a nice raise involved here.

Let’s hope that she will actually get to be an active participant in the day-to-day management of the system and not some figure head appointed to appease the displeased.

I am yet to meet a teacher who thinks this appointment is a winning idea. And the consensus among parents is the same. If she had attended as a child or sent her own children to public school, Black would at least have something to go on, but nada.

Would you hire a lawyer to be your surgeon? Not unless he was both lawyer and phenomenal surgeon.

And so here we are with a rookie for a chancellor and the best we can hope for is that she’s a quick learner.

I wish Cathie Black the very best. We need her to succeed so that our children can get the best educational experience possible.

It is also in our best interest to support the chancellor as she assumes the job mid-academic year.

Let’s hope it works.

Dec. 3-9, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

Close Insider Term Limit Loophole

By HENRY STERN The Charter Revision Commission was intended, when it was appointed, to offer the public the opportunity to decide the matter of term limits, by offering the choice of a two-term or three-term limit. The Commission did offer that choice, but added a poison pill provision that the two-term limit not take effect until 2021, ten years into the uncertain future.

The effect of delaying the date by a decade was to create a loophole in the system, which would allow every incumbent elected official who is not now on their third term to be eligible for one. In all, this means that 34 City Council incumbents will again wriggle free from the two-term restriction that was thrice approved by the voters (in 1993, 1996 and 2010).

A group of New Yorkers has organized with the goal of closing this loophole and securing “Term Limits Now.” To do this, the Charter must be amended to eliminate the provision which appears in the Commission’s abstract as: “The new law would affect City officials elected after the general election in November, 2010 so that current elected officials

would remain subject to the present three-term limit.”

We believe there is no valid reason to exempt incumbents from the two-term limit. Indeed, they are the principal individuals the referendum was intended to affect in the first place.

Of course, it is entirely logical and predictable that these people want to stay in office as long as they can. We are in a period of high unemployment and many of the legislators’ prior experience is as neighborhood activists, rather than as practitioners of more established professions.

The t wo-ter m standar d is simple and direct. It is part of the Constitution of the United States.

A two-term limit for governors is the law in 36 states.

Without extended discussion of the advantages of term limits, one stands to mind that is rarely mentioned. If there is a defined limit, candidates arise to run for the seat that will be open. If there is no limit, the incumbent is likely to r un unt il he lose s to a challenger, who may not be the best person to succeed him.

For example, when Ed Koch ran for a fourth term, he lost to

David Dinkins. When Mario Cuomo ran for a fourth term, he lost to George Pataki. If term limits had been in effect, others could have competed without attacking the incumbent.

The principal reason for the petition drive, however, is not the difference between two and three terms. The motive is to protest the subversion of the public’s vote for two terms, first by the self-serving Council vote in 2008, in which the incumbents extended their own eligibility, and the poison pill in the 2010 charter revision, in which the two-term alternative presented to the people was saddled with a ten-year delay in implementation.

Twice the insiders have frustrated the public’s desire, expressed at the polls, for a two-term limit. Too often in recent years, governments have expressed their disregard for the public by imposing new regulations and restrictions, while exempting themselves from compliance. There is a national sense that government is growing larger and increasingly less representative of the people and more beholden to the elites and lobbyists, whether on the left or the right.

We are not, however, embark-

ing on an ideological crusade. We also recognize that there are more important issues out there to resolve. We simply want to right a wrong in a situation where we believe that insiders have overstepped, placing their personal interest above the will of the public.

One of the seven founding members of the coalition to enact term limits now is Councilman Eric Ulrich of Queens. Ulrich, a 25year-old reformer, has signed on in support of our referendum, despite that fact that he is one of the 34 incumbents who are the beneficiaries of this loophole.

“No one is indispensable, including yours truly,” said Councilman Ulrich at the press conference announcing our public referendum on the steps of City Hall. “To suggest that I need to be on the City Council for 12 years or the sky is going to fall is ridiculous.”

When was the last time you heard a politician talk like that?

The Term Limits Now coalition will reach out to you and every other voter in the City of New York to gat her suppor t for t his public referendum. If we receive it, the issue will be on the ballot and the public will have the opportu-

Henry Stern nity to see that its will is carried out.

This effort will not be easy. In order to get the referendum on the ballot, we will need 30,000 signatures in the first round of petitioning and 15,000 in the second. If we succeed, it will be only the second public referendum brought before the people in New York City history, after Ronald Lauder’s 1993 initiative that initially established term limits.

However, we are optimistic that the more New Yorkers who learn how they have been duped, the more will join us in righting this wrong. We are optimistic that with your help signing our petition, collecting signatures, and spreading the word to all of your fellow New Yorkers that we will surmount the daunting odds and succeed in our undertaking to restore a little bit of faith in the power of the voter and the rule of law.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 3-9, 2010

Petition to Seek Term Limits Now, No Delay to 2021

By HENRY STERN An effort to restore the twoterm limit for elected city officials this year was launched last week at a news conference on the steps of City Hall.

Speaking as one of the “launchers,” we hope the cause will be joined by tens of thousands of New Yorkers. It is intended to bring about a referendum in November 2011, on whether the t wo-term limit, adopted by a 74-26 last month, will go into effect at the next Council election, in 2013, or will be delayed eight years. If it is, the people who voted to extend their own eligibility will enjoy the fruits of their self-interested tampering with the Charter.

We believe that t wo terms means just that, eight years, and that the will of the public should take effect as soon as practical, at the next election. The incumbents want it postponed eight years, so they will have time to fiddle with the rule and seek its reversal. A lastminute machination on the Charter Revision Commission added the eight-year delay. Our purpose is to secure a referendum, so that the people will have a chance to vote on whether or not they want the restoration of the t wo-term limit to take effect promptly.

Although the principle s involved are simple: fair play and rule by the people, the machinations of the insiders who consider their own incumbency the ultimate public good have given the struggle a lengthy and convoluted h istory.

For those patient souls who are interested in the background, here it is.

The tale begins in 1993, when Ronald Lauder, who had been a mayoral candidate in 1989, funded a petition drive for a referendum on whether elected city officials (the three who run city wide, the five borough pre sidents and t he 51 councilmembers) should be subject to a two-term limit. Lauder’s proposal was approved by the voters, 59 to 41 percent to become effective in 2001.

In 1996, the Cit y Council, concerned with the approaching deadline, placed a referendum on the ballot proposing that the limit of two terms be extended to three terms. Their proposal was defeated at the polls, by a 54-46 margin.

In 2001, the two-term limit took effect. Thirty-seven of the 51 councilmembers were newly elected. Many were chosen only because the t wo-term limit had removed their predecessors. The new members were elected under a City Char ter provision under wh ich they could serve just two terms.

The Charter provides that it can be amended by vote of the people in referendum. The mayor has the power to appoint a Charter Revision Commission, which has the authorit y to submit proposals to the public in a referendum. The mayor and the city council can also propose referenda to amend the charter. But they also have the power to change the Charter themselves, without a ref-

erendum, as long as the change doe s not affect their powers or other immutable provisions.

In 2007, Mayor Bloomberg promised publicly that he would appoint a Charter Revision Commission in the next year to conduct a broad review of city operations and structure. Whatever proposals they made were supposed to go to referendum in 2008, in time to apply to the 2009 elections, at which time term limits could be reconsidered, extended, or modified, if that were the wish of the voters.

However, after it was too late for anything to be put on the ballot, a councilmember, by request of Mayor Bloomberg, introduced legislation into the City Council which would amend the charter to allow elected city officials to serve three terms instead of two. Ever yone whose tenure was supposed to end in 2009 would then be able to serve through 2013.

The Mayor argued that the fiscal crisis that New York City was facing prompted his change of heart, and that his business experience uniquely qualified him to lead in what admittedly were difficult times. They still are.

The mandatory public hearings were held on the Char ter amendment, with a huge majorit y of sp eaker s opposi ng t he change. The Council passed the bill and the mayor signed it on November 3, 2008. At the time, the mayor said that the issue of term limits would be taken up by

a new Charter commission.

The 2010 commission, headed

by CUN Y Chancel lor Mat the w Goldstein, was appointed by the Mayor. It recommended a number of minor improvements. The most controversial issue, term limits, proved difficult to resolve.

In the end, the Commission adopted Charter amendments, including sending to the public a proposal to change the term limit for cit y elected officials from the three that had been added to the Charter by the mayor and council in 2008, under which the 2009 election had been conducted, to two, as the voters had decided in

1993 and 1996.

However, a kicker was added to the draft Charter relatively late in the process. The effective date of the t wo term limit was postponed to 2021, a political lifetime for a generation of candidates. All the councilmembers who voted to extend their own terms in 2008 were made eligible to seek a third term. Those newly elected in 2009 would also be able to serve twelve years. Reformers suppor ted the new Char ter because, if it were defeated, members could serve for three terms forever.

This brings us to today.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

News Briefs Newtown Students Protest With the Dept. of Education eyeing their school for possible closure, dozens of students from Newtown High School in Elmhurst implored Black Friday shoppers at Queens Center Mall, only a few blocks from the school, to help save their 113-year-old home.

"Where will we go?" asked one student, standing in front of the mall entrance, handing out flyers. Another group of students stood along 57th Avenue in front of the Newtown athletic fields, the iconic green cupola of the school in the background.

Another student, who said she immigrated to Elmhurst from Ecuador only a year before attending Newtown, was concerned about others like her. Because of Newtown, she said, she was able to learn English and plans to attend college.

"What will others who were in my position do?" she asked.

The flyers asked passers-by to contact the school's DOE representative, demanding the school remain open.

"What a shame," said one woman looking at the flyers. She promised the students her help.

The DOE pondered closing the school earlier this year after it received a "C" on a 2009 progress report, and the school's graduation rate slipped to around 50 percent.

Students, parents and school officials say the problem is not with the school, but rather with statewide standards, which do not work for Newtown High School, where 40 percent of students were recently-arrived immigrants, most of whom do not speak fluent English. Though many high schools won't accept teenage immigrants who are not English-proficient, Newtown does, and though these students do not graduate on time, they do eventually. That, according to the school's administration, is what affects the graduation rate.

Maurice Ave. Drag Racing

Theater Joins Corridor In recent years, many of Queens' oncefamous historical movie theaters have fallen victim to what some property developers like to call urban renewal. Preservationists view this redevelopment as an unnecessary scheme to demolish an architectural past.

Recently, the Ridgewood Theatre partially lost its preservation battle when it was announced it would stop showing movies. Though theater's interior may become a grocery store, its façade is protected by its landmark status.

Although some preservationists feel the battle was not a complete loss, they continually find themselves defending the borough's relics.

The New York State Movie Theater Corridor (NYSMTC) initiative was created to emphasize the importance of historic theaters to communities throughout New York State.

Creating a path from New York City to Buffalo, "this trail will begin a cultural draw to these historic sites," said Edward Summer, creator of the NYSMTC. "These theaters are unlike any other theaters you will see in the rest of the world."

The initiative's pilot program will kick off in early 2011 with the naming of the participating theaters. Membership will open to prospective theaters throughout the year.

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Ackerman's HIPA-CRIT Bill Taking on the incoming Republican House majority - of which many members ran on promising to repeal the healthcare bill passed earlier this year - U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) said he would introduce a series of bills aimed at forcing the GOP to vote to repeal the most popular provisions of the law.

Ackerman, who voted for the healthcare bill, will introduce six bills, all titled the Health Insurance Protects America-Can't Repeal It Act, or HIPACRIT. The bills would repeal six provisions of what detractors have labeled "Obamacare" that have polled positively with the public.

The bills have little chance of passing, but Ackerman said he wanted to force the GOP to vote on those specific provisions which would put them in a bind; vote for them and risk the ire of the public that supports them, or vote against the bills and look like a hypocrite.

"There's been a lot of tough talk recently about repealing the health-care insurance reform law. Now, it's time to put up, or sit down. So, you want to repeal the health care law? Here's six shots at it," wrote Ackerman in a letter aimed to Republican members of Congress who campaigned on repealing the bill.

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

Dec. 3-9, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Maurice Avenue, the dividing line between Maspeth and Woodside, is wide and newly repaved. It runs along the expansive Mt. Zion cemetery, through a neighborhood that is part residential, part industrial.

By day, it appears unremarkable. But come night, it's a hotspot for drag racers from around the city. Maurice Avenue has been a drag strip for nearly 30 years - a long time for residents to endure the noise and danger the late-night races pose, according to COMET (Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together) President Rosemarie Daraio. She and other residents have been waiting for years for police and the Dept. of Transportation to do something to stop the racing.

Last Monday, Daraio and other Maurice Avenue residents got the attention of New York City Council members Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) and Liz Crowley (D-Middle Village), who held a press conference in front of a crowd of 20 residents on a corner of Maurice and Tyler Avenues, condemning the racing and demanding that something be done.

Van Bramer was adamant that the DOT help make Maurice Avenue less friendly to drag racers by putting in speed bumps and installing cameras.

"People deserve to go to sleep and stay asleep and not get woken up at two in the morning by the screeching of tires on Maurice Avenue," Van Bramer said.

After Three Decades Still Going Strong

BY JASON BANREY For three decades, Concepts of Independence has made its mission to administer and advocate for the independence of the chronically ill or physically disabled individuals in the New York City area.

Celebrating 30 years of independence, the non-profit organization held a gala at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows on Nov. 15 to honor all the clients and personal assistants who have been with them since the beginning.

One of the non-profit organization's most loyal clients is Theresa Parker of Howard Beach. Parker suffers from cerebral palsy, but has never let it hold her back.

The 72-year-old was amazed when she found out she was receiving an award. "I never thought I'd receive an award like this. I can't believe it. I'm extremely happy," she said.

As a client of Concepts of Independence, Parker has taken advantage of their services for the last 30 years. She acknowledges the independence that was given back to her after being diagnosed with her disability.

"I love the feeling that I can hire who I want and get the exact service I need; I've been able to live a normal life and that's the concept," Parker said.

Pioneered by a group of individuals with severe disabilities in 1973, Concepts of Independence was developed as a model to allow disabled individuals with the ability to choose their own care givers and personally dictate their own home care services.

Referred to as the Consumer Directed Personnel Assistance Program (CDPAP), clients hire their own personal assistants after conducting their own interviews, allowing them to personally select an assistant that best fits their needs.

Yves Dupiton is a personal assistant with Concepts of Independence and spent 10 years with one of her clients. As a result, she was taken in as one of the family.

"When you spend so many years with [a client], you build a family relationship. All their family knows you," Dupiton said.

Dupiton has been serving clients for more than 25 years. Over that period of time, she has learned to believe in the importance of independence and the major role it plays in allowing individuals with disabilities to live their own lives. She no longer sees her position as an occupation and enjoys helping. "You're working, but at the same time you're doing a good thing," she said.

Reach Intern Jason Banrey at jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 128.

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 3-9, 2010

New To The Neighborhood:

Apple-Metro, the New York Metro Area Applebee’s franchisee, opened its 33rd Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar location on Monday, Nov. 22, on Jamaica Avenue and 161st Street. This Applebee’s is the third of four set to open locally in 2010, as the franchisee recently opened a location in Yonkers on Executive Boulevard and plans to open an additional location at Sky View Center in Flushing Queens by mid December.

The Jamaica YMCA received $10,000 on Applebee’s opening day, representing 100 percent of the proceeds from the VIP Grand Opening Party, which took place Nov. 20.

The restaurant’s regular business hours will be Sunday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to midnight.

Police Blotter Compiled By DOMENICK RAFTER

105th Precinct

Two Men Shot

On Monday, Nov. 29, at approximately 3:58 p.m., police responded to a 911 call reporting a man shot at 144-35 224th St. in Springfield Gardens. Upon arrival police determined that two individuals were shot at the location. The NYPD is looking for these men who robbed the Both victims were taken to Ja- New Happy Deli Grocery. maica Hospital, where the first, a 30-year-old black man, shot multiple times subsequently arrested and charged with in the torso, was pronounced dead on vehicular assault, leaving the scene of an arrival. The second, a 28-year-old black accident and a license restriction violaman, was shot in the chest and taken to tion. There were no charges against the Jamaica Hospital where he was listed in operator of the second vehicle. critical condition.

106th Precinct

Drag Race Death

On Monday, Nov. 29, at approximately 10:16 a.m., on North Conduit Avenue between 78th and 79th Streets in Ozone Park, a black 2003 Nissan Maxima traveling westbound on North Conduit collided with a light pole and turned upside down.

One occupant, Geraud Gray, 24, of 286 E. 55th St., Brooklyn, was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS. An 18-year-old occupant was transported to Brookdale Hospital in stable condition.

There were no other injuries. The investigation was ongoing.

112th Precinct

Struck Twice

On Saturday, Nov. 27, at approximately 10:30 p.m., police responded to a 911 call of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 63rd Road and 108th Street in Forest Hills.

Upon arrival, police determined that a 31-year-old man was crossing the street at the intersection and was struck by a 2010 Nissan Rogue traveling southbound on 108th Street, which did not remain at the scene. A 1998 Nissan Maxima, traveling northbound on 108th Street, then struck the victim. That vehicle did remain at the scene.

EMS responded and transported the victim to New York Hospital Queens where he was listed in critical condition.

During the course of the investigation, the operator of the first vehicle, Avraham Mullokandov, 17, of 61-35 98th St., was

114th Precinct

Robbery Suspects Sought The NYPD is seeking the public's assistance in identifying four men wanted for a robbery, which took place Saturday, Nov. 20, at approximately 10:22 p.m. inside of the New Happy Deli Grocery, 3202 36th Ave. in Astoria.

The four suspects entered the location and got into a dispute with a worker about purchasing beer. The first suspect then pulled a knife, went behind the counter and removed money from the register. All four fled on foot.

The first suspect is described as a white man, around 18, 5-foot-8, last seen wearing black jeans, a black sweatshirt and mustard yellow sneakers.

The second suspect is described as white man, around 18, 5-foot-8, last seen wearing a Yankees hat (with sticker on the brim) blue jeans, a grey hooded sweatshirt and white sneakers with red tips.

The third suspect is described as white man, 18, 5-foot-10, last seen wearing a black baseball hat with the letter A on the front (sticker on the brim), a black hooded jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers.

The fourth suspect is described as white man, 18, 5-foot-9, last seen wearing a black hat (sticker on the brim), a black hooded jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then entering TIP577.

Dec. 3-9, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Panels Of Hope:

Boro Resident New Horror Queens CollegeEndures Honors AIDS Day After Exposure To Mystery Powder With Memorial Quilt Presentation It was the eve of World AIDS Day when organizer John Carlson made a surprise announcement.

“As a person living with HIV, I take heart that I am not just a statistic,” he said, telling people for the first time of his condition. “Since my diagnosis, I often find myself in a dark and lonely place.

Since this project began, I find myself there much less.”

The camaraderie among activists and volunteers was palpable at the VIP presentation of the AIDS Memorial Quilt at Queens College. The moving revelation prompted spontaneous hugs, tears and words of encouragement, to Carlson’s relief.

“You’re so brave,” was heard more than once.

The revelation was a risk he had to take. A reservations manager at the student union, Carlson was asked by students to help bring The Quilt to Queens College without them realizing his status.

Although he is very open with friends and family, that he is HIV positive was known to few on campus.

PRESS Photos by Jessica Ablamsky

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY

Most of the room on the fourth floor of the Student Union Building at Queens College was draped in The Quilt, which documents more than 92,000 people who have lost their lives to AIDS. “To share my personal story here at Queens College is very liberating,” he said. “It makes me feel more connected to the community.”

Celebration Of Hope

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 3-9, 2010

The mood was somber and quiet as these members of Queens College’s Hilel group scanned The Quilt.

The love and acceptance Carlson found should not be surprising.

After all, that is what the event was about. More than a solemn remembrance, The Quilt is a celebration of life.

Started in 1987 by long-time San Francisco gay rights activist Cleve Jones, today The Quilt is more than 44,000 panels strong, sewn together by friends, family and lovers in memory of those who have died of AIDS.

Greek Orthodox Priest Anthony Gavalos and his family look at the panel he presented to be added to The Quilt on the eve of World AIDS Day.

A student pauses to reflect as she scans the names and faces on the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

In honor of World AIDS Day, Queens College hosted the largest display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in the Northeast, the result of more than six months of work by a dedicated group of students, and college staff.

It was sponsored by a hodgepodge of student groups, including the Catholic Newman Center at Queens College, Hillel at Queens College and the Gay Lesbian and Straight Alliance at Queens College.

A Symbol Of Remembrance “I could have been on one of those panels,” said Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), one of numerous speakers at the VIP presentation.

Although the panels represent lives cut short, Van Bramer explained that he gets a lot of joy from looking at them.

“These are really fun panels, and it reminds us that these were really fun people,” he said. “I think it is really important for people to see these panels. A number can only tell so much of the story.”

The Quilt filled the fourth-floor ballroom of the Student Union from floor to ceiling, in a display that inspired a feeling of reverence.

Without being asked, viewers brought their voices down to a whisper. The churchlike atmosphere was a jarring contrast against The Quilt’s bright colors, and the ballroom’s ultra-modern lighting.

Against those colors, it was hard to remember the scope of the tragedy represented – 92,000 lives lost to AIDS. With The Quilt as a background, Anthony Gavalos, Greek Orthodox priest, presented a panel in memory of his friend, known throughout the Orthodox world as “My John.”

“Such was his empathy for all of mankind that I was very proud to call him my friend,” Gavalos said. “As I present this quilt, it does not have very much of the beauty you see here. But what it does have is our hearts.”

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer examinesThe Quilt and reflects on the memories of the people he knew who lost their lives to AIDS.

An Important Reminder For veteran organizer James Robinson, it was his second time bringing The Quilt to Queens College.

“I felt it was very important for the next generation to see the AIDS Memorial Quilt for a couple of reasons,” he said.

“Young people have become promiscuous again, and they are not practicing safe sex.”

As Robinson pointed out, New York City is still the U.S. epicenter of AIDS. More than 100,000 New Yorkers are infected with HIV, and the AIDS case rate is nearly three times the national average, according to the City Dept. of Health. HIV is the third leading cause of death for City residents ages 35-54.

“If we can make one young person think about their choices, then we have probably saved their life,” Robinson said.

“That is why we are doing this.”

Reach Reporter Jessica Ablamsky at jablamsky@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

pix

Southeast Queens Photos Edited By Harley Benson

The 2010 International Men's Day Academy of Kings Awards Program was held at Black Spectrum Theatre. The 2010 New York Regional Co-Coordinators who put together this evening are attorney, author and QPTV personality Cathleen Williams and the Rev. Phil Craig. The Kings Awards were given to honor and celebrate men and their contributions to community, family and marriage. Assemblyman William Scarborough was a recipient of the Kings Award for his contributions to the community and to the single fathers of the community. Pictured: Cathleen Williams, Regional NY Coordinator of the 2010 International Men's Day Academy of Kings Awards congratulates award recipient Assemblyman William Scarborough.

Sen. Malcolm Smith distributed more than 200 turkeys during his annual turkey distribution drive.

Turkeys were donated by Arverne

By The Sea, Farmbria, Food Town, Food World Supermarket, Fresh Direct, Royal Waste Services and Western Beef. Pictured l. to r.: Smith, Janice Clark and Melvin Betts. Clark and Betts both represent the Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center in St. Albans.

Meet The Met Photo by Ira Cohen

Photo by Juliet Kaye

King Of Kings

Turkey Drive

Meet La Hood The New York Mets introduced Terry Collins as the new team manager at Citi Field last Tuesday.

Senate President Malcolm Smith met with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood at the historic High Speed Rail Conference held in New York City last month.

Against Hatred

Men's Day Awards The Center for Jewish Studies at Queens College held a "Commemorating Kristallnacht and Combating Anti-Semitism and Hatred" special event Nov. 21, sponsored by The Resnick Family and Sinai Chapels as part of Sinai Chapel's Community Service Initiative. Pictured l. to r.: Professor Mark Rosenblum, Director of Jewish Studies & The Center for Ethnic and Racial Tolerance at Queens College; Rabbi Michael Strasberg, Director of Pastoral Services at Sinai Chapels; Debra Resnick & Michael Resnick, President of Sinai Chapels of Fresh Meadows.

Latino Law Honors

Photo by Juliet Kaye

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 3-9, 2010

First Presbyterian Church of Springfield Gardens celebrated Men's Day with the Rev. Dr. Henry Simmons, of St. Albans Congregational Church serving as guest preacher. Men's Day Awards were presented. Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning received the Community Service Award. The Community Commitment and Advocacy Award was presented to Assemblyman William Scarborough and the Faithful Service Award went to Deacon William Hayden.

Pictured l. to r.: Juliet Hansen, 1st VP, Board of Dir. JCAL; Anita Segarra, Deputy Director, JCAL; Melva Miller, Dir. of Economic Empowerment, Queens Borough President’s office; First Presbyterian Church of Springfield Gardens’ Pastor Rev. Dr. Elgin Watkins; Community Commitment and Advocacy Award recipient Assemblyman William Scarborough; Faithful Service Award recipient Deacon William Hayden; and guest preacher Rev. Dr, Henry Simmons of St. Albans Congregational Church.

Assemblyman William Scarborough accepts the Community Commitment and Advocacy Awards f r o m R e v. D r. E l g i n Wa t k i n s ( 2 n d r. ) . B r o .

Donald Clarke (l.), Rev. Dr. Henry Simmons (r.).

U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley and Administrative Judge Jeremy Weinstein were honored by the Latino Lawyer's Association of Queens County on Friday, Oct. 15. Pictured l. to r.: Queens Civil Court Judge Carmen Velasquez, Administrative Judge Jeremy S. Weinstein, Congressman Joseph Crowley and Latino Lawyer's Association President Nestor Diaz.

A&E

Ax-Man Shreds His Way To The Top

BY TERRY CHAO Few people can claim to simply pick up a guitar and become one of the youngest contenders to beat in borough-wide regional contest. Yet Victor Vergara, a 19year old college student from Elmhurst, can proudly own up to this little-known fact. Since he picked up his sister’s neglected electric guitar some four years ago, he has gone on to make a name for himself by entering and winning Sam Ash’s “Shred Steve Vai” contest on a whim.

“I had no idea about the contest until my friend Brian, who works at the [Sam Ash] store as a doorman texted me,” Vergara said. “He said there was a new contest going around and that I should try to sign up.

At first I was a little scared because I knew there were a lot of good players in the Bay Area, but then I started to grow into the music and the guitar playing.

“I started listening to various types of music at an early age with things like salsa.

My dad used to be in a band and there was always a guitar around the house. My sister played a little, but it wasn’t a serious thing,” he added. “One day I picked

up her guitar, messed around with it and actually started to like it. The first two months was just a hobby for me, it looked cool and sounded cool. Then I saw people doing auditions who were from my old high school and I got really into the scene. I started taking it more seriously. I think I express myself a lot better through music and guitar.”

Vergara has quite a few influences and inspirations. “I love the music of B.B. King, John Mayer, Carlos Santana and ‘80s Slash Metal. Frank Zappa is an amazing guitar player. Steve Vai was always a great influence on me, and he is well known as one of the best guitar players in the world. In my opinion, you just have to listen to him play and you get sucked in to the music.

God bless Randy Rhoads.”

Was it hard for Vergara to initially learn how to play? “Yes it was, actually! It was a great challenge and a lot of fun.

Even though it’s really hard, I always enjoy doing it.”

He credits his success to his friends and family. “Every time I play, my inspiration is my family, my father, my older sister. I have a great support system at home

Restaurant Review

Check Out The Captain Captain Luna’s Seafood Bar 158-35 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach (718) 659-0935 captainlunasmarina.com HOURS: 4 pm to 2 am Mon-Fri; 3 pm to 2 am Sat; 1 pm to 2 am Sun; Kitchen closes at midnight CUISINE: Seafood CREDIT CARDS: All Major PARKING: Lot DELIVERY: No

Celebrate Boro Talent, Help Queens Hospitals Mayor Mike Bloomberg and New York City Health and Hospitals Corp. President Alan Aviles announced STAT! For New York City’s Public Hospitals, a five-borough Music and Arts Festival created to raise money for the City’s public hospitals.

Presented by the HHC Foundation of New York City, STAT! will run Dec. 5-12 and feature multicultural performances and events throughout the five boroughs with local and internationally-acclaimed Latin music, gospel, jazz, soul and hip-hop artists. Proceeds will be used to help buy new medical equipment, upgrade technology in HHC facilities and raise awareness about the City’s public hospital system.

In Queens, the first event planned is a special performance at the Frank Sinatra School for the Arts: Kids For Kids – a Celebration of Young Genius,” scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. More events will be posted, and a full listing is available at stathhc.org.

“New York City’s public hospital system is one of the largest and best in the world. But just like all other city agencies, our hospitals are facing tough economic challenges,” said Bloomberg. “A growing population and rising medical costs, coupled with an uncertain future in state and federal funding, has left us looking for creative ways to find efficiencies and generate revenues – and STAT! is helping us do it. The money raised during this

festival will help buy much needed equipment, and it’s a great way to give during the holiday season. I hope New Yorkers across the five boroughs will come out to enjoy the performances and join me in supporting our City’s hospitals.”

“New Yorkers need our public hospitals, and at HHC, we’re working in many ways to keep quality healthcare accessible for everyone,” said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. “STAT! will help raise funds for medical equipment that our patients need and that our facilities may be challenged to provide as resources become scarce. All told, STAT! is a musical and artistic tribute to New York City’s public hospitals and facilities at a time when it is most needed.”

In a hospital, when someone shouts “stat,” it is short for the Latin word “statim” or “situation urgent.” Like other City agencies, New York’s public hospitals are facing serious, urgent financial challenges.

While City agencies have taken $1.6 billion actions this year to help close the budget gap for the upcoming fiscal year, New York City is still facing a $2.4 billion budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.

Tickets are now on sale. New Yorkers interested in learning more about STAT! For New York City’s Public Hospitals Tickets are now on sale. New Yorkers interested in learning more about STAT! should call 311 or visit stathhc.org.

Dec. 3-9, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

A gazebo-like bar is lined with football paraphernalia; an adjacent patio has tables; music pumps while the briny comfort food of seafarers covers your plate; and the friendly staff is quick to learn your name.

No, this isn’t your average New York City seafood spot.

You’re more likely to find clones of Captain Luna’s Seafood Bar in Long Island’s seaside towns and lining the New England coastline. But people there tend to be gracious nearly to the point of the absurd.

Who wouldn’t want that? Sit down, eat, and laugh.

The menu largely consists of quickly made, hearty dishes you could find at most clam bars. Captain Luna’s differentiates itself with quality, freshness and atmosphere.

With a beer (though the bar has more to offer), I dove into the “Clamsalicious,” a textbook preparation of stuffed clams, above average because of freshness and ridiculous portions. The accompanying garlic-butter sauce adequately tamed the generous amount of

lemon I squeezed all over the clams. The stuffing wasn’t packed into a giant chunk, and held its shape as I pulled away with the fork. No danger of having the stuffing fall out all over my plate, leaving me to feel like a buffoon. I appreciate food that doesn’t embarrass me.

Next was “Crabmeat Chunks-aLuna,” a palate-refreshing serving of cold crab meat served with your choice of butter garlic or cocktail sauce. The meat was chilled, but the f lavor remained true, and the chunks tender enough to slip off my fork.

Captain Luna’s also offers a range of shrimp, crab, lobster and fish dishes.

And as you eat, one thing becomes clear: This family-owned and run spot knows its seafood. They have a marina and bait and tackle shop right next door to prove it.

Should you not be a fish gourmand, there’s a landlubber menu offering dinerstyle fare – burgers, wings, grilled cheese, fries and mozzarella sticks. It’s the safe route in a seafood place, but it’s also worthwhile.

It’s easy to be underwhelmed by the menu upon first glance. A white-tablecloth joint, it is not. But that’s not the point. Spots like Captain Luna’s are treasured for their atmosphere. Loud but serene, throbbing with life but relaxing.

It’s the type of place where a family of four can peacefully devour crabs at one table as bikers and leather-skinned fishermen down beers at the bar.

No, not every borough has the luxury of a joint like Captain Luna’s.

— Joseph Orovic

and good friends. They are the reason why I play and why I am the great guitar player I am now.”

After completing the store finals and becoming the store borough champion, Vergara is off to compete for regionals and then – he hopes – nationals as the final level of the competition. He said he tells himself to “just keep doing fine, get better and always try to be the best.

“I feel more confident with the support. If it wasn’t for everyone pushing me and helping me out, I Victor Vergara, 19, of Elmhurst, is the Queens would feel very lost,” he added. “If champion of Sam Ash’s, “Shred Steve Vai” contest. it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be able to play guitar let alone play at all; and if it wasn’t for my sister’s fiancé, I back up plan is to do teaching, make YouTube videos and become a studio enwouldn’t even have the guitar.”

Currently, Vergara is invested in win- gineer, a person that works with this and ning the competition. “I want to try to that. My main focus is to hopefully bewin the contest, make a name for myself, come a professional musician who gets keep going. You never know what can to see the world. I want to show the world what I have to give, show people what I happen in the future,” he said.

And how many hours a day does he have and inspire people the way my idols practice? “24/7,” he says with a laugh. “No, have inspired me.” just kidding, my parents would kill me. I You can view Victor Vergara’s do it for maybe three to fours hours a day.” YouTube channel under the name He is taking time off from school to “a7xfiends6661,” which is named after care for his father, who is of ill health at the band Avenged Sevenfold, which he says is “one of the reasons I play.” the moment.

Reach Intern Terr y Chao at Vergara is focused on his future too.

“This is my life. This is what I want to tchao@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, do for the rest of my life,” he said. “My Ext. 128.

Faith

Humanitarian Begins Haiti Mission Institute for the Black World.

The 19-year-old junior and psychology Moved by the horror of the linger- major at Bennett College in Greensboro, ing effects of the earthquake that dev- N.C., was among a 17-person Haiti Supastated Haiti in January, honors stu- port Project, Pilgrimage and Assessment dent Tatiana Walker will prepare a stu- Delegation that traveled to the country dent-run project aiding Haitian or- earlier this month to lay the groundwork phans. Following a recent trip to the to create a support system assisting Haidisaster-stricken country hosted by the tians in developing a self-sufficient infrastructure and sustainable economy.

The Jamaica native’s goal on the trip was to gain an understanding of conditions in Haiti that would inform future community services projects on campus. She spoke of her arrival in Haiti and quick realization that conditions there were as dire as she had been told in pretravel briefings.

“It was definitely different,” Walker Honors Student and Jamaica native Tatiana Walker (front row, l.) said. “Right away, with other humanitarians working to improve conditions in Haiti. there were people approaching me to help

BY NATASHA HAMILTON

me with my bags. It was a means of getting a tip. Even those who didn’t help had hands out. It really opened my eyes to the bad shape that they were in.”

Her hotel in Haiti underscored the problems residents face. “There was a lizard in my room and the water pressure wasn’t great, but we had air conditioning and a TV. There was no soap or wash clothes. I had to remind myself where I was.”

Meeting teenage girls who suffered from extreme malnutrition and other medical ailments, Walker recognized the severity of the conditions in the nation.

“I had an emotional breakdown,” Walker said. “The things that we complain about are irrelevant compared to their loss. We need to be more appreciative.

What we have can be taking away in a minute.”

The missionary trip will serve as the foundation of Walker’s on-campus service project entitled Adopt-A- Child, through which she will pair Bennett Belles with young girls of the Oasis Camp. Her goal is to provide the victims with care packages containing food, snacks, and hygiene products.

With the help of 50 student volunteers, Walker will lead the efforts to continue the outreach to the camp, including letters with words of support. “We are connected,” Walker said. “Certain things are universal. Those students do the same things that we do at home. They are poor but they are human. We need to help across the board.”

Word “Let us revere, let us worship, but erect and open-eyed, the highest, not the lowest; the future, not the past!”

—Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Notebook Wonderful World Award

Successful Deaf Student Honored Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 3-9, 2010

BY BOB HARRIS Kimberley Sue, a resident of Brooklyn, is a senior at Martin Van Buren H.S., Queens Village in the Hearing Education Program. She has to travel two hours by bus to get to the special program she attends at the school, yet she endures, as she has all her life.

On Sept. 20, she was honored at the Fifth Anniversary of the Beth Israel Medical Center’s Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine “What A Wonderful World 2010” event, along with nurse Daphne Ridley and a novel company named CareFusion which is connecting the disciplines of music and medicine.

Kimberley received the Wonderful World 2010 award because, “she is a beautiful, talented young woman who has overcome many difficulties, and never lost her vision during her struggles. Her sensitivity, empathy, alacrity, wisdom, resilience and intelligence have brought her many honors including this one.”

Kimberley, born a two-pound preemie, is the youngest of three children. She was diagnosed with a hearing problem at age

four. She is a patient in the Louis Armstrong Center’s Asthma Initiative Program at Beth Israel. Two and a half years ago, she started taking acting classes at Pier Studios/Biz Kids, NY, a theater school dedicated to the training of young actors. She has taken dance lessons and can play the piano and trumpet.

In 2009, she successfully auditioned for and then participated in the musical theater training program at the Rosetta LenOire Musical Theatre Academy – Amas Musical Theatre, a non-profit, multiethnic theatrical organization dedicated to bringing people together through the creative arts. She studies acting, improvisation, singing, dance, creative writing and stagecraft with professionals. The program concluded with a fully produced musical, “The Pajama Game,” that enjoyed a limited run at the Goldman Y 14th Street Theater.

Her mother, Paulette Sue, has been a guiding light by helping Kimberley obtain scholarships. Her mother nursed her during asthma attacks and even lost her job due to spending so much time taking care of her child. Her mother has helped her

in all of her accomplishments.

Kimberley competed in figure skating at Chelsea Piers with the Ice Skating Institute (ISI) and every year goes to the Special Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged to compete in Shot Put, Long Jump, Track and Table Tennis.

Kimberley won a scholarship to take classes at the Brooklyn Museum of Art and last summer received a scholarship from Foundation Grow that enabled her to participate in a therapeutic horseback riding program offered by Gallop NYC. In June 2010, she was featured in a NY 1 “New Yorker of the Week” segment when Gallop NYC was honored for giving kids a place to learn and heal.

For most of her young life, Kimberley Sue has wanted to be a veterinarian. However, today, her professional aspirations have focused on nursing and, of course, acting, because she wisely knows that she needs a good profession while pursuing

Kimberley Sue

acting and dancing. She is applying to Adelphi, Hunter and NYU with a healthy 85 average. She does have an acting manager and next May will be in another offBroadway show with graduation from Martin Van Buren H.S. coming up fast.

Borough Beat

Willets Point Eviction Causes New Friction Call it a case of misplaced rage, or waking a sleeping dragon, but the City inadvertently drew some unneeded attention to the oft-contentious Willets Point redevelopment when the Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development sent out quasi-eviction notices to two former landowners in the Iron Triangle, whose leases with the City had expired months ago.

The confusion, approaching a resolution as of printing, caused an uproar among long-time opponents of the redevelopment, leaving the City's Economic Development Corporation and HPD saddled with a public relations snafu. The scenario took nearly two years to arise.

According to the EDC, Rafi Koralashvili, owner of a plot of land at 126-93 Willets Point Blvd., agreed to sell his chunk of the Iron Triangle to the City for $3.8 million in early 2009. He then rented the commercial property back from the City through its de facto property management wing, HPD, at a rate of $1 a month. The one-year lease was signed in March 2009.

In a letter from HPD dated Oct. 5, 2010, Koralashvili and any other persons on the property were ordered to vacate the site by Nov. 30. A similar letter was reportedly sent to another "lease back" tenant.

The uproar began when it was discovered Koralashvili was still leasing his prop-

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

BY JOSEPH OROVIC

The businesses at Willets Point all must eventually move out, though the process has become slow and confusing for many shops on the site. erty to tenants E.T. Auto Parts and E.T. Tire Shop. The notice sent to the owner applied to any John and Jane Does also on the property - in this instance, the shops, which had not been offered relocation assistance as the EDC promised during the plan's approval process.

The PRESS was unable to contact Koralashvili.

A visit to the shops revealed little.

After agreeing in Spanish to keep mum on the subject amongst themselves, the employees said they had no recollection of receiving any sort of eviction letter.

One employee of E.T. Tire, who identified himself as Rich, said all issues with the City had been resolved.

Opponents of the plan, who have banded together to form Willets Point United, decried the move, saying it was indicative of an empty promise to help

tenant businesses relocate.

"This is exactly what the City does they lie," said Jake Bono, one of WPU's more vocal members and scion of Willets Point staple Bono Sawdust Supply.

"They're going to try to get the tenant businesses' leases. A lot of these guys don't know their rights."

The EDC and HPD vehemently denied the negative claims, saying Koralashvili declined to extend his lease.

"The tenants who received the 30-day notices have leases that have expired and have not contacted the City to renegotiate a new lease," the agencies said in a joint statement. "HPD is serving notice that as previously agreed upon, they must vacate the property by that date."

The agencies said though Koralashvili turned down the opportunity for relocation assistance, he neglected to mention

tenant businesses still on the property.

For the time being, HPD said it will square away lingering issues with Koralashvili, then negotiate a new lease with the businesses currently on the property. EDC said the E.T. shops may be eligible for their piece of the $3 million set aside to help tenant businesses relocate, should they request it.

Bono claimed the move revealed a more sinister intention to dupe many tenants and property owners into rolling over to the City's demands.

"They're doing it in a fashion where they're trying to feel out who you are, what knowledge do you have of your rights," he said.

The confusion reveals a larger issue how exactly, in the myriad of over 100 lease backs HPD handles, can the EDC ensure all tenant businesses are informed of their chance at relocation assistance, especially if their original landlords have kept them in the dark?

It is a problem the EDC said it will handle on a case-by-case basis.

Which brings us back to Rich and the E.T. shops, now temporary tenants of the City.

When asked about the prospect of relocation, Rich chuckled. Where will the shop move?

"Where I find the cheaper rent," he responded.

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at jorovic@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 127.

Dec. 3-9, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

What’s Up SATURDAY, DEC. 4 Youth & Tennis The Youth and Tennis group meets every Saturday morning at Roy Wilkins Park Saturday. To learn more, call Bill Briggs at (718) 658-6728.

Breast Cancer Screenings Councilman Leroy Comrie announced today he will join the American-Italian Cancer Foundation in hosting breast cancer screening exams for women in his Southeast Queens community from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Mobile Mammography Van will be available in front of Comrie’s office, located at 113-43 Farmers Blvd. , between Murdock Avenue and 113th Street.

Fame the Musical The York College Theatre ends its Fall 2010 semester with Jose Fernandez, Steve Margoshes and Jacques Levy’s musical FAME! Set in New York City’s celebrated High School for the Performing Arts, “Fame The Musical” is a bittersweet but ultimately inspiring story of a diverse group of students as they commit to four years of grueling artistic and academic work. With candor, humor and insight, the show explores the issues that confront many young people today: issues of prejudice, identity, self-worth, literacy, sexuality, substance abuse and perseverance. For additional information, call (718) 262-5375.

This event will be held at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at 4 p.m. Admission is $7.

Monday and Thursday evenings.

The event is held at 6 p.m. every Monday at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.

Find a Job The Job Information Center, in collaboration with New York Cares, will help you find the most useful websites when job hunting. You must have basic computer skills and bring your resume. Seating is limited; preregistration is required.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 7 Job Club Every Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Jamaica Neighborhood Center offers a free service to assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007.

For additional information, contact Lenin Gross, Job Coach, at (718) 739-2060, Ext. 18 or lgrossjnc@yahoo.com.

This free event will be held at the Jamaica Neighborhood Center - 161-06 89th Ave.

Camera Club The Southeast Queens Camera Club welcomes photographers, beginners to advanced. Meetings are held the second, third and fourth Tuesday every month at 7:30 p.m. at Roy Wilkins Family Life Center, 177-01 Baisley Blvd.

Bone Marrow Drive DKMS invites you to become a lifesaver. Here is a chance do so by participating in a bone marrow donor drive. DKMS is the largest bone marrow donor center in the world with nearly 2.5 million registered donors. More information about DKMS can be found at dkmsamericas.org.

For additional information about this particular event, email christina.bennett07@gmail.com.

This free event will be held at Majority Baptist Church, 115-21 Farmers Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Page 20 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 3-9, 2010

SUNDAY, DEC. 5 Fame the Musical See Saturday’s listing.

This event will be held at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at 3 p.m. Admission is $7.

Red Baraat Comprised of dhol (double-sided, barrel-shaped North Indian drum slung over one shoulder), percussion and horns, this New York City-based group plays fresh originals, as well as traditional Punjabi songs and Bollywood numbers with an explosive stage performance and presence.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 3 p.m.

MONDAY, DEC. 6 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on

Fame the Musical See Saturday’s listing.

This event will be held at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at noon. Admission is $7.

Intro to Excel In this two-session workshop, customers will learn the basics of how to create spreadsheets, use formulas, and print tables.

Pre-registration is required in person at Cyber Center Desk. Participants must possess basic mouse and keyboarding skills and must attend both sessions.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8 LUNCH In Church Join us for LUNCH and get refueled, renewed and refilled. This free event is held every Wednesday at noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, 89-60 164th St. For more information, call (718) 526-4775, Ext. 10. Come just as you are.

Intro to the Internet In this workshop, customers will learn the basics of searching and browsing the Web. Pre-registration is required in person at Cyber Center Desk. Participants must possess basic mouse and keyboarding skills.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 10 a.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 9 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on Monday and Thursday evenings.

The event is held at 6 p.m. every Thursday at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217th St., (718) 776-6800.

Your Career Potential Take the Career Exploration Inventory, a self-scored, easy-to-use survey guide to choosing a career based on your interests and experiences.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 11 a.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 10 Senior Theatre Acting Repertory Calling all older adults: Join our galaxy of STARs to perform theatrical works at the library with a great group of people while brightening your life.

Rehearsals are held at 10:30 a.m. Fridays at Queens Village Library, 94-11 217 St., (718) 776-6800.

certification course.

In Queens, the classes will be held the fourth Thursday of every month at EMS Station 54, 222-15 Merrick Blvd. In addition, please visit www.nyc.gov/cprtogo for New York Sports Club locations offering free CPR classes starting in January.

Please visit www.fdnyfoundation.org or call (718) 999-2413 for more information.

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.

MLB CFO at York Jonathan D. Mariner, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Major League Baseball, will be the featured speaker at the next installment of the York College Executive Leadership Breakfast Series, on Friday, Dec. 10, from 8-9:30 a.m.

NAACP’s Dinner Dance Don’t miss the Jamaica Branch of the NAACP’s 56th Annual Dinner Dance.

The Honorable Charles B. Rangel, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, will be the recipient of this year’s Fight for Freedom Award. Additionally, Rangel will be the evening’s keynote speaker.

This event will be held at Antun’s - 9643 Springfield Blvd. from 8 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $90.

Fame the Musical See Saturday’s listing.

This event will be held at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at 8 p.m. Admission is $7.

ONGOING CPR Training The FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit will hold regularly scheduled free CPR classes in all five boroughs. The first Tuesday through the fourth Tuesday and the fourth Thursday of every month there will be Borough CPR training sessions in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens.

Training is free to anyone over the age of 14. The goal of this program is increase the number of people in New York City trained in bystander CPR Each class lasts 1 hour and participants in the class learn basic CPR skills from a member of the FDNY Emergency Medical Service.

Volunteers for the class follow along using the CPR Anytime Personal Learning Kit, which features an instructional DVD and an inflatable mannequin. All participants are able take home the kit at the end of class and asked to pledge to use the kit to show five of their family members and friends how to perform CPR. This class teaches basic CPR technique and is not a

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

Located at 89-31 161 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 89-31 161st St., Jamaica. Call (718) 297-0720 ask about our presentation to adolescents and men/women of color. Services are available Tue.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Laurelton 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 Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CPR Class Learn to protect yourself and others at Heron Care Inc. For more information, please call (718) 291-8788. Heron is located at 168-30 89th Ave., Jamaica.

What’s Up With You?

Send your community events to the PRESS for a free listing at 150-50 14th Rd, Whitestone, NY 11457 All events will be considered for publication, without a fee.

Profile

Marrow Donors May Save Sick Duo

BY SASHA AUSTRIE For Ahtyana Johnson, 17, and Luis Danvers, 5, the future is uncertain. Days are planned in increments of hours. The longing for the mundane is everpresent.

There are few certainties in their lives.

Since being diagnosed with aplastic anemia, Johnson, a high school senior, is missing the subtleties of high school.

Danvers missed school for a year as he began his fight against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) pre-B cell.

Though both are on an intricate medical regimen, there is a possibility they will need bone marrow. In conjunction with DKMS America, their families are hosting a bone marrow drive from 10 a.m. to 4p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Majority Baptist Church, 115-21 Farmers Blvd. For those unable to attend the marrow drive, visit getswabbed.org to register.

“In general, finding a match is hard,” said Katharina Harf, DKMS executive vice president. “Six out of 10 patients don’t find a match.”

In the minority community, the prospect of finding a match is even grimmer.

Contributors to the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry are 74 percent white, 10 percent Hispanic and 7 percent black, Harf said. Even with the limited donors,

is a bone marrow transplant.”

Harf said only 57 percent of Johnson, an active teenager, people tested will actually was diagnosed in October 2010. donate marrow.

Her symptoms began with leg “Some are simply not incramping. Initially, she was not terested or are unavailable,” worried. She merely thought her she said. “We encourage extracurricular activities—track, people who are only interdancing and a personal trainer— ested in going through the were taking their toll. process to be tested.”

“I was trying to get back in Testing is a mere cheek shape,” she said. “I though I was swab. Harf said if a donor is fatigued.” matched to a recipient, the Johnson’s symptoms worsbenefactor bears no cost. ened. She had trouble walking Donor requirement includes up a flight of stairs, her heart an individual in general Luis Danvers Ahtyana Johnson raced and head pounded. good health between the What she thought was dehydration ages of 18 to 55. Harf said after bone “They were thinking heart, virus,” she quickly became life altering. Johnson’s life marrow extraction, most people resume said. normal activities within days of the proAbout 15 doctors and a social worker has hung in limbo since Sept. 21, the last cedure. filed into the room for the bone marrow day she attended school.

“I was always pretty active my whole “We have [assisted] in 25,000 trans- test. plants. We have never seen long term “They didn’t have to tell me; I just life,” she said. “Now all I can do is walk.”

The high school senior is hoping to reconsequences for the donor,” Harf said. knew,” Turnage said. “My whole world turn to school in January, be recruited by a Danvers’ battle began last summer. was turned upside down.”

“He had fevers that lasted all summer,” She did not have time to understand top college and go to prom in June. Her plan said Sharon Turnage, his mother. what leukemia was before she had to make hinges on a medical cocktail. If that fails, Initially, doctors thought he suffered decisions. Danvers is currently on a three she will need a bone marrow transplant.

“To have a bone marrow donor as a from a virus, but in early September, Danvers’ and a half year chemotherapy regimen to neck tilted to the side. Turnage said doc- eradicate the disease. The bone marrow backup means a lot,” Johnson said. “It could save my life.” tors were still not thinking leukemia. It was drive is a preemptive strike.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at a week after he was admitted to Schneider’s “As a parent, I don’t want to sit back and Children’s Hospital that doctors tested his let this disease conquer us,” she said. “No- saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 357marrow to rule out cancer. body should have to die when all they need 7400, Ext. 123.

Dec. 3-9, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 21

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 174-15 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365. Send faxes to 357-9417, c/o Regina.

IF YOUR ORGANIZATION MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SEND ALL DATES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

SINGLES SINGLES SOCIAL & DANCE Sunday, December 12 singles social and dance from 2-6. $10. Over 45. Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd., Rego Park.

459-1000.

TALKS WOLF OF KREMLIN Sunday, December 5 Michael Kahan speaks on “Lazar Kagonovich, “The Wolf of the Kremlin: The Jews and Stalin During WWII” at 1. Sunday, January 9 “Escaping From the DP Camps of Europe: The Bricha, The Secret Operation to Smuggle Jews Out of Europe at the End of WWII Into Israel” with Steve Berger, Holocaust survivor at 1. Kupferberg Holocaust Center and Archives at Queensborough Communit y College. $5 donation.

281-5770.

TRAVEL & HEALTH Tuesday, December 7 Karl Neumann will speak on Travel and Health at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112 th Street at 8:30.

Free. 261-2900.

Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 3-9, 2010

THEATER SHAKESPEARE Through December 10 “Words, Words, Words,” a collection of scenes and monologues from the Bard’s comedies will be presented at t Queensborough Commun i t y C o l l e ge . $ 1 0 , $ 5 s e niors, QCC facult y and students $3, Wednesday matinee $1. 631-6311.

IRMA VEP Through December 12 the Greek Cultural Center presents the comedy “The Mystery of Irma Vep” in Astoria. $20 adults, $15 children and seniors. 726-7329.

THE BIKINIS Through December 12 The Bikinis, a new musical beach part y, will be performed at Queens Theatre in the Park.

760-0064.

I_NY Saturday, December 18 lives of immigrant NYers intersect at Queens Theatre in the Park at 8. Free tickets; reservations required. 7600064.

YOUTH

FLEA MARKETS WINTER SALE Saturday, December 4 from 10-2 at the Ladies Guild of Steinway Reformed Church, Ditmars Blvd. and 41st Street.

CHRISTMAS FLEA Saturday, December 4 from 9:30-4:30 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 36-01 Bell Blvd., Bayside.

HOLIDAY GIFT SALE Saturday, December 4 from

RELIGIOUS REFORM TEMPLE Friday, December 3 Chanukah dinner served at 6, followed by holiday service. $25 adults, $15 child ren 3-12. Register. Tuesday, December 7 Karl Neumann will speak on Travel and Health at 8:30.

Free. Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112 th Street.

261-2900.

BELLEROSE JC Saturday, December 4 Club Chanukah Cabaret at 7. $12 includes light refreshments.

Advance registration needed. Saturday, December 11 Winter Celebration from 8-midnight. $22 includes DJ, light supper, door prizes.

Reservations needed. Tuesdays at 7:30 “Journeys in Judaism.”

Bellerose Jewish Center, 254-04 Union Turnpike, Floral Park. 343-9001.

ST. THOMAS Sundays, December 5, 12, 1 9 S u n g Ve s p e r s d u r i n g Advent. St. Thomas the Apostle, 87-19 88 th Avenue, Woodhaven.

SENIORS STAY WELL Mondays at 10 at the Central library. Tuesdays at 2 at the Flushing library and Wednesdays at 10 at the East Elmhurst library. Special exercises and relaxation techniques.

AARP 1405 Monday, December 6, 20 Flushing AARP 1405 meets at the Bowne Street Communit y Church, 143-11 Roosevelt Avenue at 1.

AARP 3698 Wednesday, December 8 AARP 3698 meets at the Zion Episcopal Church, 24301 Northern Blvd., Douglaston at 1. Refreshments and social hour at noon. New members welcome.

AARP DRIVING CLASS Thursday, December 9 at the Forest Hills library at 1.

STAR Friday, December 10 Senior Theatre Acting Repertory at the Queens Village library at 10.

AARP 4158 Tu e s d a y, D e c e m b e r 1 4 North Flushing AARP chapter 4158 meets at noon at Church on the Hill, 167-07 35 th Avenue, Flushing.

FREE LUNCH Saturday, December 18 at All Saints Church in Richmond Hill. 849-2352 reservations.

5:30-6:30pm and Sunday, December 5 from 8:30-2:00 at St. Clare’s School Auditorium, 241 st Street between 1 3 7 th a n d 1 3 8 th A v e n u e s , Rosedale.

CHRISTMAS FAIR Saturday, December 4 from 10-6 and Sunday, December 5 from 9-4 at American Mart yrs Church, Union Turnpike and Bell Blvd., Bayside.

THRIFT SHOP Tuesday, December 7 from 9-2 at the Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills, 71-25 Main street, Flushing.

FLEA MARKET Saturday and Sunday, December 11, 12 at St. Thomas the Apostle, 87-19 88 th Avenue, Woodhaven.

HOLIDAY GIFT SHOP Sunday, December 12 from 1-5 at Flushing Town Hall.

463-7700, ext. 222.

BAZAAR Sunday, December 12 from 10:30-3:00 at the Bay Terrace Jewish Center, 13-00 209 th street, Bayside.

MISCELLANEOUS PEARL HARBOR Tuesday, December 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at the memorial field, 149 th street and 15 th Avenue, Whitestone at 10.

Sponsored by the Whitestone Vets Memorial Association.

DINNER WASSAIL PART Y Sunday, December 5 the Communit y House at Church in the Gardens in Forest Hills will celebrate. $65 adults, $15 children.

894-2178. Join Musica Reginae with music, raffle prizes, visit from Santa.

Dress in Victorian garb for the costume contest. 4-7:30.

DANCE COUNTRY WESTERN Saturday, December 11 Gunsmoke performs at the Christmas Dance. The NY Metropolitan Country Music Association. $12. Glendale Memorial Bldg, 72-02 Myrtle Avenue at 7:30. 763-4328.

EXHIBIT NO. IRELAND Through December 23 “Voices Envisioned: Memories Made in Northern Ireland,” at the Queens College Art Center. 997-3770.

AMER. CIVIL RIGHTS Through December “Marching the Dream: American Civil Rights” with American photographer Dan Budnik.

Through Januar y “A Journey I Stone and Wood,” sculptures by Gladys Thompson Roth. QCC Art Gallery. 6316396.

HOLIDAY ART Through January 1 at the National Art League, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway. Free.

QUEENS LIBRARIES Many branches of the Queensborough Library offer toddler and pre-school programs. Contact your local branch for dates.

ALLEY POND Alley Pond Environmental center in Douglaston presents Sunny Bunnies for those 3-4, Wee Sprouts for those 18-23 months, Toddler Time for those 24-35 months and Fledglings for those 3-4 Through December. Call 229-4000 for exact schedule.

LEARN TO DANCE Saturday, December 4 Taylor 101 and 102 at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext.

222. $6 and $12.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

S TORY TIMES Saturdays at 11 and Tuesdays at 10:30 weekly story times at 7 at Barnes & Noble, 1 7 6 - 6 0 Un i o n Tu r n p i ke , Fresh Meadows.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at 4 at the Douglaston/Little Neck lib ra r y. B r i n g n e e d l e s a n d yarn.

SEWING CLUB Monday, December 6 at the LIC library. Register.

CROCHET Monday, December 6 at the Rosedale library at 4.

TWEEN TIME Monday, December 6 at the Arverne library at 4:15.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Monday, December 6 at the Baisley Park library. Register.

LITTLE TOT Monday, December 6 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

HOLIDAY ART Monday, December 6 at the Steinway library at 5.

HOLIDAY TRIVIA Monday, December 6 at the Steinway library at 6.

POND POWER Tuesday, December 7 at the Central library. Register.

YOGA FOR KIDS Tuesday, December 7 at the Bellerose librar y. Register.

HOLIDAY CRAFT Tuesday, December 7 at the LIC library. Register.

ARTS & CRAFTS Tuesday, December 7 at the Auburndale library at 4.

POWER OF THE PEN Tuesday, December 7 writing and vocabulary workshops at the Briarwood and Sunnyside libraries. Register.

MATH THRU ART Tu e s d a y, We d n e s d ay a n d Thursday, December 7, 8, 9 at the Pomonok library. Register.

STORY TIME Wednesday, December 8 at the Steinway library at 10:30.

STORIES & CRAFT Wednesday, December 8 for toddlers at the Bay Terrace library at 10:30.

STORY TIME Wednesday, December 8 at the Broad Channel library at noon.

HOLIDAY ORNAMENT Wednesday, December 8 at the Cambria Heights library at 3:30.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Wednesday, December 8 at the Flushing librar y. Register.

CRAFTS Wednesday, December 8 at the Steinway library at 11.

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

MATH THRU ART Wednesday, December 8 at the LIC library. Register.

VOCABULARY Wednesday, December 8 vocabulary and writing workshop at the Ridgewood library. Register.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB Thursday, December 9 at the Astoria library at 4:45.

KIDS CLUB Thursday, December 9 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

IMPROVISATION

Thursday, December 9 a t the Hollis library. Register.

BOOK BUDDIES Friday, December 10 at the Bayside library at 4.

CRAFT Friday, December 10 at the Broad Channel library at 3:30. First come, first served.

GAME DAY Friday, December 10 at the Queensboro Hill library at 3.

FLASH FRIDAY Friday, December 10 at the Ozone Park library at 3:30.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Friday, December 10 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

HOLIDAY CARDS Sunday, December 19 Making Holiday Cards with Korean Painting at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext.

222. $7.

TEENS CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

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

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Monday, December 6 at the Baisley Park library. Register.

HOLIDAY ART Monday, December 6 at the Steinway library at 5.

HOLIDAY TRIVIA Monday, December 6 at the Steinway library at 6.

VOCABULARY Tuesday, December 7 at the Briarwood and Sunnyside libraries. Writing and Vocabulary Building Workshops.

Register.

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

POETRY CLUB Wednesday, December 8 poetry club for teen girls at the Langston Hughes library.

VOCABULARY Wednesday, December 8 Wr i t i n g a n d Vo c a b u l a r y Building Workshops at the Ridgewood library. Register.

CRAZY CROCHET Thursday, December 9 at the Laurelton library at 3:45.

TEEN NIGHT Thursday, December 9 at the Arverne library at 5:15.

B’NAI B’RITH YOUTH Thursdays for high school s t u d e n t s a t Te m p l e B e t h S h o l o m , 1 7 2 nd S t r e e t a n d Northern Blvd., Flushing at 7:30.

GAME DAY Friday, December 10 at the Bellerose library at 4.

WII SPORTS Friday, December 10 at the Lefrak Cit y library at 4:30.

GAME PLAYERS Fridays at the Hillcrest library at 2.

OPEN MIC Sunday, December 12 at the Central library at 2.

ACQC SUPPORT AC Q C Te e n Pe e r S u p p o r t Group - information, support, skills development training for those “touched by HIV/AIDS.” Ages 14-16. 8962500.

ART CLASSES Fridays the Alliance of Queens Artists in Forest Hills

offers teen workshops. 5209842.

BOY SCOUTS 138 Thursdays Boy Scout Troop 138 meets at 7:30 at 19215C 64 th Circle, basement, Fresh Meadows. For those up to 17. 454-2391.

BUKHARIAN LOUNGE Bukharian Teen Lounge, for those 15-18, at the Central Queens YM-YWHA in Forest Hills. 268-5011, ext. 202.

CATALPA YMCA Saturdays recreation, Weight room and fitness center available. 69-02 64 th Street, Ridgewood. 8216271.

COUNSELING Call 592-5757 for free counseling at the Forest Hills Communit y House.

DROP IN CENTER Mondays-Thursday from 47 the Queens Rainbow Comm u n i t y C e n t e r, 3 0 - 3 7 4 Steinway Street, 2 nd floor, Astoria, holds a Drop-In Center for LGBTQQ youth up to 22. 204-5955.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICE Sunnyside Communit y Services Youth Employment Services available. 784-6173, ext. 129.

GAY GROUP Mondays the AIDS Center of Queens Count y has a Gay/ B i / L e s b i a n Yo u t h G r o u p (ages 16-21) meeting designed to support young people in exploring feelings about sexualit y and other issues. 896-2500.

GENERATION Q The Queens Lesbian, Gay, B i s e x u a l a n d Tra n s ge n d e r Pride Communit y Center hold a Generation Q Youth Service program. Call GAY2300.

POMONOK TEENS Teen Council addresses teen i s s u e s i n th e c o m m u n i t y.

591-6060.

SAMUEL FIELD Y Basketball, SAT Prep, more at the Samuel Field Y’s Teen Center at PS169. 423-6111.

SCOUTING The Rego Park Jewish Center will offer boy and girl scouting. 516-526-2492.

SCOUTING Join Scouting in Queens.

212-651-2897.

Queens Today HEALTH brary.

MEMORY LOSS Fridays Couples with one partner experiencing memory loss meet at the Samuel Field Y. 225-6750, ext. 236.

OA Fridays 6:30-8:30 at Unit y Center of Flushing, 42-11 1 5 5 th S t r e e t . S a t u r d a y s

10:30-noon at Resurrection Ascension, Feely Hall, 85-18 61 st Road, Rego Park. Beginners meeting except the last Friday of each month, which is a writing meeting.

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

MEETINGS SIBLINGS BEREAVEMENT Monday, December 6 St. Adalbert’s bereavement group for the loss of a sibling in Elmhurst. 429-2005.

FRESH MEADOW CAMERA Tuesdays the Fresh Meadows Camera Club meets.

917-612-3463.

ADVANCED WRITERS Tuesdays at 6:30 at the Terrace Diner at Bay Terrace Shopping Center and also t h e l a s t Tu e s d ay o f t h e month in the Communit y Room in Panera Bread at Bay Terrace Shopping.

HAM RADIO CLUB Tuesday, December 7 the Emergency Communications Service meets in Briarwood.

357-6851.

TALK OF THE TOWN Tuesdays, December 7, 21 learn the art of public speaking in St. Albans. 527-5889.

AMERICAN LEGION Tuesdays, December 7, 21 Edward McKee Post 131 meets in Whitestone. 7674323.

COMM. BD. 6 Wednesday, December 8 CB6 meets in Forest Hills.

263-9250.

COMM. BD. 6 Wednesday, December 8 Communit y Board 6 meets at 80-02 Kew Gardens Road at 7:45.

PARENTS BEREAVEMENT Thursday, December 9 St. Adalbert’s bereavement group for the loss of a parent in Elmhurst. 429-2005.

STAMP CLUB Thursday, December 9 the Long Island Stamp Club meets at 5:45 at the Forest Hills library.

QUEENS CENTRAL ROTARY Thursdays 6:30-8:30 Come learn if Rotary is for you.

465-2914; me1nc@aol.com CIVIL AIR PATROL Fridays 6-10 at Vaughn College of Aeronautics, 86-01 23 rd Avenue, East Elmhurst.

Academy WOMAN’S GROUP Fridays the Woman’s Group of Jamaica Estates meets at noon. Call 461-3193.

ILION AREA BLOCK Friday, December 10 Ilion Area Block Association meeting in St. Albans. 454-0947.

POETS Saturday, December 11 the Fresh Meadow Poets meet at the Forest Hills library at 10 to discuss/critique poetry.

AMER. LEG. AUX. Saturday, December 11 Leonard Unit 422 American Legion Auxiliary meets in Flushing. 463-2798.

TOASTMASTERS Mondays, December 13, 20 learn communication and

leadership skills in Kew Gardens. 646-269-1577.

VFW 4787 Mondays, December 13, 27 Whitestone VFW Community Post meets; ladies auxiliary meets the 2 nd Monday.

746-0540.

TOASTMASTERS Mondays, December 13, 27 learn the art and science of Public Speaking in Queens.

525-6830.

CATHOLIC VETS Monday, December 13 American Mart yrs Catholic Wa r Ve t e r a n s Po s t 1 7 7 2 meets in Bayside. 468-9351.

AMERICAN LEGION Monday, December 13 American Legion Post 510 meets at St. Robert Bellamine in Bayside Hills.

428-2895.

WATCH Monday, December 13 Woman at the Chapel Hall (WATCH) meets at the Communit y Church of Little Neck. 229-2534.

LIONS CLUB Tu e s d a y, D e c e m b e r 1 4 Ravenswood Lions Club meets at Riccardo’s by the Bridge, 21-01 21 st Avenue, Astoria at 6:30.

FH CIVIC Tuesday, December 14 Forest Hills Communit y and Civic Association meets. 9977014.

COMM. BD. 9 Tuesday, December 14 CB9 meets. 286-2686.

TELEPHONE PION. Tuesday, December 14 Telephone Pioneers of America meet in College Point. 4634535.

TOASTMASTERS Wednesday, December 15 learn the art of public speaking at the Voices of Rochdale To a s t m a s t e r s C l u b i n J a maica. 978-0732.

FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesday, December 15 Flushing Hospital. 441-6210.

KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS Wednesday, December 15 Queensview Lodge 433 in Whitestone. 746-4428.

DINING FOR WOMEN Thursday, December 16 Dining For Women, a group that supports women in povert y areas, meets for dinner and friendship at 7 in Flushing. 516-770-1704.

REPUBLICAN WOMEN Thursday, December 16 Women’s Republican Club meets in Glendale. 5263987.

P-FLAG Sunday, December 19 PFLAG, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays, meet in Forest Hills. 271-6663.

ENSEMBLE Saturday, December 4 Songs of the Season with the St. Luke Contemporary Ensemble at 2 at the Flushing library.

PINEY FORK PRESS Saturday, December 4 a Holiday Afternoon with the Piney Fork Press Theater as they present 3 new comedies at the Forest Hills library at 2.

AMER. SONGBOOK Saturday, December 4 Naomi Zeitlin and the Great American Songbook at the Hillcrest library at 2:30.

HOLIDAY MUSIC Saturday, December 4 at the Bayside library at 3 with soprano Teresa Mazzilli.

HOLIDAY CONCERT Saturday, December 4 at the Sunnyside library at 3 with Linda Ipanema.

RED BARAAT Sunday, December 5 comprised of dhol, percussion and horns, Red Baraat plays traditional Punjabi songs and Bollywood numbers at 3 at the Central library.

SACRED MUSIC Sunday, December 5 the Sacred Music Chorale of Richmond Hill performs their Holiday Concert at 3 at St. John’s Lutheran in Richmond Hill. $15 adults, seniors/students $12. 86-20 114th Street, between Myrtle and Jamaica Avenues.

ALICIA SVIGALS TRIO Sunday, December 5 a Klezmer Hanukkah Part y at 2 at Flushing Town Hall. 4637700, ext. 222. $16.

HOLIDAY TRIVIA Monday, December 6 at the Steinway library at 6.

BINGO Tuesdays at 7:15 at American Mart yrs Church, church basement, 216-01 Union Tu r n p i k e , B a y s i d e . 4 6 4 4 5 8 2 . Tu e s d ay s at 7:15 (doors open 6) at the Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd. 459-1000.$3 admission includes 12 games.

DANCE CONCERT D e c e m b e r 9 - 1 2 Fa c u l t y Dance Concert at the Performance Space, Rathaus Hall, M-11, Queens College. $14, $12 senior and QCID. 793-8080.

LIVE JAZZ Fridays through December 24 live jazz at 180-25 Linden Blvd., St. Albans. 347262-1169.

LATIN JAZZ COALITION Friday, December 10 AfroCuban fire, spiritual oil and Greek cookin’ at 8 at Flushi n g Tow n H a l l . 4 6 3 - 7 7 0 0 , ext. 222. $15.

BRASS CONCERT Saturday, December 11 performance/workshop Bring on the Brass at 1 at the Forest Hills library. Also at the Sunnyside library at 3.

HOLIDAY CONCERT Saturday, December 11 U n c l e Ya o ’ s C h o r u s a n d United Star of America Chorus performs at 2 at the Flushing librar y.

HOLIDAY MUSIC Saturday, December 11 at the Jackson Heights library at 3.

MESSIAH Saturday, December 11 at Colden Center, Queens College. $20, $18 seniors, students, alumni, $5 students with valid QCID. 793-8080.

OPEN MIC Sunday, December 12 open reading at the Central library at 2.

DINO ROSI Sunday, December 12 Dino Rosi, the Voice of Napoli, performs at 1 at the North Hills Country Club, 200 LI Expressway, Manhasset for a “Christmas in Italy” concert.

516-627-8380.

NUTCRACKER

Sundays, December 12, 19 at Flushing Town Hall. 4637700, ext. 222. $16.

FH SYMPHONY Sunday, December 12 the Forest Hills Symphony Orchestra performs at 2 at the FH Jewish Center, 106-06 Queens Blvd. $5 adults.

HISTORIC HOUSE TOUR Sunday, December 12 tour Flushing’s historic sites. 9390647, ext. 17. $10, children under 12 free.

WINTER CONCERT Sunday, December 12 Children’s Orchestra Societ y performs at 4 at Queens College. 516-869-9696 ticket information.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS SCRABBLE CLUB Saturdays at 10 at Count Basie Jr. HS, 132 nd Street and Guy R. Brewer Blvd. 8865236.

KNIT AND CROCHET Saturdays at the Seaside library at 2:30.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, December 4, 18 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital.

646-436-7940.

HOLIDAY CARDS Sunday, December 5 Making Holiday Cards with Korean Painting for adults at F l u s h i n g To w n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700, ext. 222. $12.

PET OWNERS Sundays (not on holidays) from 1-4 free workshops on pet behavior at Crocheron Park in Bayside (weather permitting). 454-5800.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at 4 at the Douglaston/Little Neck library, 249-01 Northern Blvd.

INSTRUCTION & DANCE Mondays and Fridays 7:158:00 dance lessons, dance from 8-11. Italian Charities of America, 83-20 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst. $10.

ADULT CHESS Mondays at 6 at the Queens Village library.

DANCE CLASSES Mondays through Decemb e r 2 7 Ta p f ro m 6 - 7 : 3 0 , Partnering (including aspects of Jazz) 7:30-8:30. $15 per session at the Astoria Center of Israel. 278-2680.

LIC CRAFT CLUB Monday, December 6 at the LIC library at 1.

JOB INFORMATION Monday, December 6 at the Middle Village library at 4.

HOLIDAY ART Monday, December 6 at the Steinway library at 5.

JEWELRY MAKING Monday, December 6 at the LIC library. Register.

BEGIN CROCHET Monday, December 6 at the Rosedale library at 6. Bring yarn and hook.

SEARCH FOR JOBS Monday, December 6 How to Search the Internet to Find a Job at the Central library at 6:30.

BALLROOM DANCING Monday, December 6 at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

OPEN BRIDGE Tuesdays at 8 at the Forest

Hills Jewish Center. Call 2637000 for fees.

CHAIR YOGA Tu e s d a y s , D e c e m b e r 7 , January 4 at the East Elmhurst library. Register.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesday, December 7 at the LIC library at 10.

INTRO EXCEL Tuesday, December 7 at the McGoldrick library. Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesday, December 7 at the Astoria library at 11.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesday, December 7 South Jamaica library. Register.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE Wednesdays 10:30-3:00 at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills. $12 session, includes light lunch. 261-2900.

WATERCOLOR CL ASS Wednesdays at 9:30 at NAL. Traditional and contemporary, all levels. 969-1128.

INDOOR SOCCER – DADS Wednesday evenings at the Forest Hills Jewish Center.

263-7000.

BUSINESS SUCCESS Wednesday, December 8 Business Success Series at 6 at the Flushing library.

INTERMEDIATE COMP. Thursday, December 9 at the LIC library at 10.

DISCOVER CAREER Thursday, December 9 at the Central library at 11.

SCRABBLE/CHESS Thursdays at 4 at the Windsor Park library, 79-50 Bell Blvd., Bayside.

QUILTING CLASSES Thursdays 10-2 Maria Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans.

917-817-8653 to register.

KNIT/CROCHET Thursdays (not holidays) at 6 and Fridays at 10:30 at the Fresh Meadows library.

QUILTERS Thursdays at 1:30 at the East Elmhurst library.

ADULT CHESS Thursdays at 6 at the Queens Village library.

OPEN BRIDGE Thursdays from 8-10pm at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. $12. 275-6615 register.

COMPUTERS Friday, December 10 at the Ozone Park library. Register.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, December 11 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Bayside. 631-3609720.

Dec. 3-9, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 7 days a week. 932-6244. www.westernqueensna.org.

REDUCE STRESS Saturday, December 4 at the Poppenhusen Institute.

Tea and talk. 358-0067.

WAITANKUNG Sundays at 2. Waitankung is a great total-body workout.

Join these ancient Chinese exercise classes in the Flushing Hospital/Medical Center auditorium on 45 th Avenue between Parsons and Burling. Free. Jimmy 7-10pm 347-2156 information.

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

670-1695. $5 a class.

CANCER SUPPORT Monday, December 6 Franklin Hospital’s Cancer Support Group meets at 2 in the Cafeteria. 516-2566478.

PARKINSON Monday, December 6 at the Re fo r m Te m p l e o f F o r e st Hills. 440-4200.

DANCE FOR HEALTH Monday, December 6 at the Baisley Park library at 6. Nutrition education and Zumba dance class.

CANCER ACTION Monday, December 6 Baisley Park Cancer Action Council at the library at 6.

EZ YOGA Monday, December 6 at the Flushing library. Register.

ZUMBA Monday, December 6 at the Hollis librar y. Register.

YOGA DANCE Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 670-1948. $10 class.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT E ve r y Tu e s d a y We ste r n Queens Caregiver Network in Sunnyside. 784-6173, ext.

431.

CHAIR YOGA Tu e s d a y s , D e c e m b e r 7 , January 4 at the East Elmhurst library. Register.

ZUMBA Tu e s d a y m o r n i n g s a n d Wednesday evenings through December 8 at the Bay Terrace Jewish Center. $8 members, $10 others.

428-6363.

PARKINSON Wednesday, December 8 Parkinson Support Group at Peninsula Hospital. 7342876.

WELL SPOUSES Wednesday, December 8 Well Spouses or Partners of the Chronically Ill and Disabled at St. Charles Rehab Center, 201 IU Willets Road, Albertson. Free. 516-8298740.

PROSTATE CANCER Wednesday, December 8 “Man to Man” program in Flushing. 1-800-ACS-2345.

OA Thursdays at the Howard Beach library at 10:30.

CAREGIVERS Friday, December 10 Caregivers Workshop at 11 at the Peninsula library.

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT Friday, December 10 signs and symptoms of vision loss at 1:30 at the Rego Park li-

ENTERTAINMENT

People

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Kelvin C. Mills.

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Kelvin C. Mills 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.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Hahhah King of South Ozone Park. Mills graduated in 2003 from Bethel Christian Academy High School, Queens Village.

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Daryl J. Tiller graduated from the Utilities Systems Apprentice Course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas.

The course is designed to train students in water processing, analysis, operating principles of water treatment plants, maintenance of water and waste water, fire suppression and backflow prevention systems and components; and maintenance and repair of water supply, waste, fuels, and natural gas systems. The training included monitoring systems operation to ensure efficiency and compliance with safety and environmental regulations for hazardous materials; performing inspection, recurring maintenance, and seasonal overhaul on systems and components; troubleshooting malfunctions and removing, repairing, and replacing defective components; and modifying equipment for specific missions or to increase efficiency.

Tiller will be assigned to the 512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del. He is the son of Sheila F. Bryant of Valley Stream, and grandson of Doretha Henry of Jamaica. In 2004, he graduated from Valley Stream Central High School.

Major General Patrick A. Murphy, the Adjutant General, announces the recent reenlistment of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their continuing commitment to serve community, state and nation as part of

Rivas from Jamaica has reenlisted to conthe Army National Guard.

Staff Sergeant Myung Lee from tinue service with the 145th Maintenance Astoria has reenlisted to continue service Company; Sergeant Lashima Turner from with the Company C, (Medical) 427th Rockaway Beach has reenlisted to conBrigade Support Battalion; Staff Sergeant tinue service with the Headquarters and Jorge Lopez from Whitestone has reen- Headquarters Company, 369th Sustainlisted to continue service with the Head- ment Brigade; and Specialist Pedro quarters, 53rd Troop Command; Special- Martinez from Rockaway Park has reenist Fernando Febus from Woodside has listed to continue service with the Comreenlisted to continue service with the pany A, 1-69th Infantry.

Company A, 1-69th Infantry; Private 1st Class Air Force Airman 1st Class Ruchelle T. Austin Raymond Fuentes from Maspeth has reenlisted to graduated from basic milicontinue service with the tary training at Lackland 442d Military Police ComAir Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. pany; Master Sergeant Amable Arboleda from The airman completed an intensive, eight-week Ridgewood has reenlisted to continue service with the program that included Headquarters and Headtraining in military discipline and studies, Air quarters Company, 369th Sustainment Brigade; SpeForce core values, physicialist Pablo Rivera from cal fitness, and basic warSouth Ozone Park has reen- Air Force Airman 1st Class fare principles and skills. listed to continue service Ruchelle T. Austin Airmen who complete basic training earn four with the Headquarters and credits toward an associHeadquarters Battery, 1258th Field Artillery; Staff Sergeant ate in applied science degree through the Celeste Brevard from Bellerose has reen- Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Bernadette Austin of listed to continue service with the Headquarters, 27th Finance Mgmt Company; Jamaica, and nephew of Roxanne Russel Sergeant Kenneth Matthews from Queens of Brooklyn. Austin graduated in 2004 Village has reenlisted to continue service from Sheepshead Bay High School, with the Company G, (Forward Support Brooklyn, and received a bachelor's deCompany, Field Artillery) 427th Brigade gree in 2008 from The College of New Support Battalion; Specialist Ronald Rochelle.

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Fran’s Tawk Audiences in New York and five other lucky cities across the country are getting treated to one of the most… uh… unique voices in entertainment, as Queens native Fran Drescher takes to the airwaves with “The Fran Drescher Tawk Show,” signed on for a threeweek test run.

The cancer survivor and outspoken liberal plans to pull no punches, have a great time and bring up hard-hitting issues.

“It’s gonna be a little bit of everything, I’m gonna come out and do a monologue. I’ll do a little Q&A. I’ll have my Fran Brand. I’m gonna have family and friends as peripheral characters and guests,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “I wanna have experts on. I wanna make the audience laugh and cry and grow and be moved and inspired.”

Drawn To It Models A graduate of Art & Design High School, Nathalie Gonzalez Of began posing for photography projects while in school, and has kept her eye on the modeling busi- Queens

Flushing's Fran Drescher And yes, she said gonna, wanna and tawk.

The show kicked off on Black Friday, and can be found on Fox in New York at noon weekdays. Let’s just hope she’s better than Chevy Chase.

The Dog Wins The board of a Middle Village condo learned you don’t mess with dogs the hard way, when it tried to kick out an adorable Teacup Yorkie named Charlie.

His owner Donata Forman took the case to court, and initially lost.

But an appellate court ruled in Charlie’s favor, saying the condo’s bylaws prohibit pets that are a nuisance – a term that does not fit this doggone resident.

Not only is Charlie allowed to stay, but the condo board lost $100,000 fighting the case, a bill which will be footed by all residents in the building.

Let this be a warning to all: Charles is always in charge.

Donata Forman and her Teacup Yorkie Charlie.

ness ever since.

“I started with drawing, but then people would ask sometimes Nathalie Gonzalez if I could help them with a project,” Home: Astoria she said. That was about five years Age: 19 ago, and she’s been enjoying her time in front of the lens ever since. Height: 5’ 2" She’ll also be the first to admit Weight: 135 lbs that modeling is not where her Stats: 34-31-40 truest passion lies. As a cartoonist and illustrator, she has always had a fascination with how color and shading work, and what better canvas on which to work, but the human face? Yes, she’s into makeup.

Nathalie is currently unemployed but looking for a job so she can afford to put herself through cosmetology school in hopes of someday working at a Fifth Avenue salon.

Though she’s lived all over the City and calls Astoria home, Nathalie admits that ever since high school she has found herself more drawn to Manhattan rather than staying in Queens, though she definitely is enjoying hanging out with her neighborhood friends.

A fan of the girly stuff – be- ent fashions, into ideas for her a bit of a secret most don’t know about her. sides makeup – Nathalie has future as a stylist.

“I just think [the dolls] are so Your secret’s safe with us… turned a love for dolls, and the ability to dress them up in differ- pretty,” she said, noting that it’s or not.

QConfidential: Who We Are

QConfidential, a selection of local celebrity, politics and gossip edited by Michael Schenkler. Contributors: Jessica Ablamsky, Sasha Austrie, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Mike Nussbaum, Joseph Orovic, Brian Rafferty, Domenick Rafter. You can reach us by email at Conf@QueensTribune.com

Today’s Special We have always known Queens is special, and it’s time the rest of you got the memo. To aid in the spread of Queens love is a new movie set in Jackson Heights.

The movie, “Today’s Special,” tells the story of a Manhattan chef taking over his dad’s Indian restaurant.

Though the script was written in 2000, the movie was released two weeks ago. Capturing perfection takes time.

(Left) Aasif Mandvi stars as Samir in “Today’s Special,” which could only be set in Jackson Heights.

Page 26 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 3-9, 2010

Drive You’ve seen those commercials for Hillside Honda, the one featuring the dude with the really thick Brooklyn accent and the Snooki-wannabe who shop for cars at Hillside Honda’s Web site and tell the audience about the car dealer’s great prices while flirting with each other.

Well you’ll see more of them soon. The Brooklyn duo, Bryan Ecock and Michelle Rabbani, will be featured in at least three new commercials for the dealership that may feature the two getting married and having a baby. If you remember, the two characters met in the first commercial where Ecock found Rabbani standing outside the dealership’s Jamaica showroom in the rain before dawn holding her laptop (who hasn’t done this?). Though the conversation gets flirty, the commercial ends with Ecock more interested in Hillside Honda’s deals than Rabbani’s phone number.

Further commercials revealed the two characters did get together, and continued their relationship

Buying cars or is there more to Bryan and Michelle? with the car dealership.

Joe Shuster, the general manager of Hillside Honda said the characters have “branded” his store and improved business, so the characters’ storylines will continue.

Look on the bright side, at least we’ll have something to entertain us during Mets and Giants games.

Leo Is Caught Just in time for the holiday season, Canada Geese around the borough have reason to celebrate. Birds are off the hook for the engine failure that caused a Moscow-bound plane to make an emergency landing at JFK two weekends ago.

A special QConf thanks goes out to the pilot DiCaprio didn't have trouble flying in "Catch and flight crew for preserving the plane’s preMe If You Can." cious cargo – Leonardo DiCaprio. To prove no good deed goes unpunished, the aging heartthrob was on his way to a Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg.

Perhaps he could convince federal agents to grant a special pardon to the geese in Alley Pond Park.

Confidentially, New York . . .

Happy Holidays at EXTENDED SHOPPING HOURS!

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Enjoy!

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