Queens Press 102910

Volume 11 Issue No. 43 Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

PAGE 26

AQUEDUCT VLTS:

PRESS Photo by Brian M. Rafferty

THE TIME HAS COME

U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks speaks to a crowd of hundreds Thursday who showed up for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Resorts World New York, the new video lottery casino opening at Aqueduct Racetrack next year.

By Domenick Rafter…Page 3

Online at www.QueensPress.com

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Presstime Long Time Comin':

Aqueduct Casino Breaks Ground

Nine years, four bid processes, three governors and one frustrated cynical community later, the video lottery casino at Aqueduct Racetrack is finally becoming a reality.

The President and CEO of winning bidder Genting joined Gov. David Paterson, local officials and labor leaders to break ground on the long-awaited project, which will be called Resorts World New York, on Thursday. The global gaming company said the casino would bring more than 2,000 jobs to South Queens.

"What a long, strange trip it has been," Gordon Medencia, director of the New York Lottery, said quoting Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia.

"Who in this room believed this would never happen?" Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Park) asked to the crowd. She has been involved in the process to bring video lottery terminals to Aqueduct since the state legislature approved them in 2001. Genting was awarded the project on Aug. 3 at the end of the fourth bidding process.

Medencia said the final hurdle, the approval of Environmental Approval Process, has been completed and construction should start within days. Genting New York President Michael Speller laid

Photo by Brian M. Rafferty

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

manent jobs to the community, Speller said.

Genting CEO K.T. Lim came to Queens from Malaysia to attend the groundbreaking.

"When you come to America, there is only one place to start, New York City," Lim said. "It has been true of immigrants from all over the world for years and it is true for a company from the other side of the globe."

Paterson, who aimed to have the project underway before he leaves office in January, said the project is key to the revitalization of South Queens and would make Aqueduct "part of the Queens culture."

"We will bring what we promised a decade ago to Genting CEO K.T. Lim, Gov. David Paterson and local Queens," he said.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. officials symbolically break ground at Aqueduct on Thurs(D-Howard Beach) and Counday. cilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone out a timeline of six months before the first Park) welcomed the project.

VLTs are operational and 18 months be"Those of us who grew up here know fore the entire project is completed. how important the racetrack is to the The project brings more than 1,300 community," Ulrich said. construction jobs and more than 800 perC. Steven Duncker, chairman of the

New York Racing Association said NYRA was excited about the project. "[In Genting] we ended up getting the best partner," he said.

Though the shovels are in the ground, some questions still remain, such as the future of the Aqueduct Flea Market.

Outside the track on Rockaway Boulevard, a dozen protestors, employees of the flea market that calls the track's north parking lot home three days a week, asked Genting and local officials to keep the flea market open. Genting has said they plan on working out a deal to keep the flea market, but so far no deal has been made and the flea market's lease on the parking lot runs out at the end of the year.

Some local residents are still concerned about issues like crime, traffic and crowds on the A train, which is expected to bring patrons from Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Addabbo said many of these issues have been addressed. The DOT, planning for increased traffic, has been reconfiguring parts of Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park and South Ozone Park.

"There were issues before and there will be issues in the future," Sen. Addabbo said.

"We will address those issues as they come."

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

Prosecutors To Inspect AEG Swindle

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

A report issued by the state Inspector General on the failed Aqueduct Entertainment Group bid to develop the "racino" at Aqueduct Racetrack casts a dark shadow over Gov. David Paterson and state legislative leaders, blaming them for the failed bid and alleging that favoritism played a role in AEG's selection last January.

The 300-page report concludes that AEG should have never been considered, and called the process a "political free-for-all" marked by unfair advantages and more than $100,000 in campaign donations.

"This process was doomed from the start, and at each turn, our state leaders abdicated their public duty, failed to impose ethical restraints and focused on political gain at a cost of millions to New Yorkers," Inspector General Joseph Fisch said. "Unfortunately, and shamefully, consideration of what was in the public's best interest, rather than the political interest of the decision makers, was a matter of militant indifference to them."

The report, which comes after eight months of investigations, criticized the selection process, created in 2008 by then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer, then-Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), during which Fisch said a statute was removed that restricted lobbying and al-

lowed campaign cash to flow to the decision makers.

According to the IG, Paterson's office ignored expert advice from the state Budget Director and Division of the Lottery, which urged them to disregard AEG's bid, and the governor's assistant David Johnson allegedly advocated for AEG and communicated with AEG principals during the process. Senate leaders leaked bid analyses to AEG lobbyists, which gave them an advantage. The report added that Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) likely pressured AEG to include a New York City contractor in the deal before he would select AEG as the winner. Former Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-St.Albans) still advocated for AEG despite recusing himself from the process. He was kept updated during the process through e-mail correspondence.

The State Inspector General's report into the failed AEG bid blasted legislative leaders and the Sampson admitted that "mistakes bid process. were made," but blamed the chaotic bidding process put in place before he The report may not be the final lative Ethics Commission. became leader of the Democratic caucus, Groundbreaking on Resorts World and said he remained certain further in- chapter in the AEG saga. The Inspecvestigation would reveal no wrongdoing tor General's Office forwarded its re- New York, the result of a later winning on his part. The IG also criticized Silver, port to United States Attorney Preet VLT bid by Genting New York, was exwho was skeptical of AEG, for not being Bharara and Manhattan DA Cyrus R. pected to be held Thursday, Oct. 28.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at more involved in the process, although Vance, Jr. for appropriate action and the report did say Silver was "the best in- referring Sampson, Smith and Senate drafter@queenstribune.com or (78) 357-7400. formed" of those involved in the process. Secretary Angelo Aponte to the Legis- Ext. 125.

Photo by Tania Y. Betancourt

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

Shooting Is No Surprise In Laurelton shop in the area to be robbed.

"There's been a surge of robberies The Laurelton community was shocked around here, on Springfield Boulevard and when a deli clerk was fatally shot as he Merrick [Boulevard]," said Fearon Lindattempted to defend his brother while say, owner of Gift-n-Gadgets, a store next their store was being robbed Oct. 23. door to Lucky Grocery & Deli.

Juan Torres, known as the "sandwich Since he opened in February, he beguy" of Lucky Grocery & Deli on Merrick lieves he has taken the recommended preBoulevard, was gunned down last Satur- cautions to protect his store and that the day during a robbery attempt that only police presence in the area is helpful "but yielded $80 for the criminal. sometimes it isn't enough."

Community merchants say this is Last year, Springfield Grocery just one not the first time this particular store block away was a robbed in a similar fashion. has been targeted, and is not the only The store's manager, Musa Alsaidi, said he fears it will continue to happen, adding the police play an important role in deterring crime in the area.

"The police need to do their job. This is a bad thing. We're scared but what can we do," said Alsaidi.

J o n a t h a n Lawrence of Toomer Liquors, also located on the same block, said he believes the streets are not nearly as bad as the "sheer hell" of the 1980s, when crack plagued Notes and a memorial are set up on the rolled-down gate of Lucky the neighborhood.

Grocery & Deli.

As a local mer-

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

Photos by Tania Bentancourt

BY JASON BANREY

Business owners along the strip where the shooting happened say they have seen the increase in crime. chant and a member of the community, he said he feels each store has to be vigilant of the crowds they attract and be vocal about the suspicious nature of certain individuals.

"You have to be weary of your surroundings," Lawrence said. "You've got to watch what you're doing because the predator and that criminal element is always watching. They're looking for an angle into the circle."

Although it is difficult to tackle this particular crime, Lawrence thinks a joint partnership with the police can help prevent future robberies.

"You could say something needs to be done," he said. "The community and law

enforcement got to work hand-in-hand. If you see something that's happening you have to tell them what's going on. The police aren't mind readers."

Despite the recent spike in robberies, merchants vow to continue their business as usual and not let crime dictate how they operate.

"I'm not going to allow the criminals to put me out of business," Lindsay said.

"I'm not going allow this to stop me from doing business. I put my business here and I'm going to stay here. I'm not going anywhere."

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

Biz Owners Counter Ramp Closure

A proposed plan to close an exit on the Van Wyck Expressway sparked protest from local business owners, who sought a compromise solution from the Dept. of Transportation and the City’s Economic Development Corporation.

As part of a study, the EDC proposed closing the Liberty Avenue exit on the Van Wyck Expressway in an effort to improve traffic on both the notoriously-congestioned expressway and its service road. Residents of Richmond Hill and South Jamaica, as well as students from nearby York College, often use the exit. Richmond Hill Economic Development Council President Vishnu Mahadeo said the proposal to close the exit would hurt businesses and residents of the community.

“They have not consulted the business community nor have they factored in the impact of the local merchants,” Mahadeo said.

During a walking tour of Liberty Avenue from the Van Wyck to Cross Bay Boulevard in Ozone Park last Monday, DOT project manager Andrew Lenton spoke with Mahadeo about the Liberty Avenue exit ramp plan. Mahadeo said the DOT was open to hearing his group’s compromise proposal. “[The walking tour] is one of the baby steps that we are requesting before any changes are made on the Van Wyck,” Mahadeo said.

The RHEDC plan lays out a series of

suggestions that would allow the Liberty Avenue exit ramp to remain open, including removing parking in front of a church that sits on the corner of Liberty and Van Wyck; allowing for a designated right turn lane onto Liberty; putting a traffic light on the service road before the exit; and moving back the entrance ramp from Atlantic Av-

enue so that there is more room for traffic entering the Van Wyck from Atlantic Avenue to merge before the Liberty Avenue exit. The short distance between the two exits is a primary reason why the DOT wants to get rid of the Liberty Avenue ramp.

Mahadeo said the DOT was receptive to the idea and was committed to putting the

traffic light before Liberty Avenue on the Van Wyck southbound service road. He said the RHEDC is pressuring U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) and other local officials to look at making changes on the expressway itself.

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

Queens Cop Lauded For Crimefighting Skill

BY DR. DAN MILLER On Saturday night, Police Officer Feris "Jonesey" Jones was off-duty and having her hair done at a beauty salon in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn when a gun-toting bandit entered Sabine's Hallway Beauty Salon, announced a holdup and forced officer Jones and three other patrons into a bathroom.

When Jones identified herself as a cop, Winston Cox immediately opened fire, sending four bullets her way, but missing the Brooklyn resident.

Jones opened fire and shot the gun out of Cox's hand.

On Tuesday, Jones, who is assigned to the forensic unit in South Queens, was promoted to detective for her heroics by Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

On hand were "Jonesey's" police colleagues from Queens as well as her commander, Chief Detective Aubry, who said he was "very proud" of his new detective.

Photo by Dan Miller

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

Newly sworn-in Det. Feris Jones raises her shooting hand to take her oath before Police Commissioner Ray Kelly (c.) and Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

ROCHDALE VILLAGE THE MOST AFFORDABLE MITCHELL-LAMA HOUSING COOPERATIVE IN NYC THE LOWEST MONTHLY CARRYING CHARGES 2-4 WEEK APARTMENT AVAILABILITY FEATURING:

• PARK-LIKE SETTING 2 SHOPPING MALLS & 2 SUPERMARKETS COMMUNITY CENTER POST OFFICE & LIBRARY • WALK TO LIRR NR JFK AIRPORT, HIGHWAYS, BEACHES AND SHOPPING Purchase Prices, Income Limits, Occupancy Requirements & Monthly Carrying Charges are as Follows:

BILL JACOBS ENSEMBLE Saturday, November 6, 2010 • 7:00 pm $20.00 Adults / $10.00 Students & Seniors

Tickets available at the Box Office located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Call: 718-262-2840 or online at www.york.cuny.edu For more information call 718-262-3750 Free Parking Major funding for this series provided by NYC Councilmembers Thomas White Jr. (28th-CD), Chair of Economic Development, and Leroy Comrie (27th-CD) Deputy Majority Leader New York City Council and Chair of Land Use Committee.

Household Composition (persons)

Number Rooms

Approximate Monthly Carrying Charges

Equity

Maximum Household Income Range 1-3 Persons

JR 1BR

1-2

3 (No dining)

$525.05 - $713.87

$7,200

1BR

1-2

3.5 (Dining)

$584.47 - $930.44

$8,400

1BR

1-2

4 (Terrace)

$689.54 - $1,030.78

$9,600

2BR

2-4

4.5 (No terrace)

$788.84 - $1,073.00

$10,800

2BR

2-4

5 (w/Terrace)

$729.57 - $1,129.18

$12,000

3BR

4-6

6 (No Terrace)

$1,049.68 - $1,357.46

$14,400

3BR

4-6

6.5 (w/Terrace) $1,131.34 - $1,438.43

$15,600

$44,814$65,506 $55,559$84,623

4+More Persons

N/A N/A

$58,968$93,975 $67,319$96,180 $67,998$104,090 $89,600$125,111

$76,936$109,920 $77,712$118,960 $102,400$142,984

$103,768$129,563

$118,592$148,072

N/A

**Preference is given to all veterans, or their surviving spouses, who served on active duty in time of war as defined in Section 85 of the Civil Service Law, and reside in New York State.

Until June 20, 2011, 1 person can be eligible for a 2BR apt (was 2-4 People) & households of 2-3 people can be eligible for a 3BR apt (was 4-6 people).

TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION IN PERSON, please visit:Rochdale Village Management Office • 169-65 137th Avenue, Jamaica, New York 11434 • Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (718) 276-5700 TO REQUEST AN APPLICATION BY MAIL please send a self-addressed envelope with 84 cents postage to: Rochdale Village, Inc.• Applications Department • P.O. Box 218, Jamaica, New York 11434 TO DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION, please visit: www.rochdalevillage.com, click on the “Apartment Sales” link on the left menu bar.

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

YORK COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Apt Size

PRESS Endorsements OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 174-15 Horace Harding Expwy.

Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email news@queenspress.com The PRESS of Southeast Queens Associate Publisher

In Our Opinion: Arnold Thibou

In the race to replace late Councilman Thomas White Jr. in the 28th City Council District, a field of seven contenders has stepped up to the plate, though none have hit a home run.

In a meeting this week with candidates seeking the seat, we evaluated those who showed up. We were disappointed that the campaign of Nicole Paultre-Bell, who we’ve known for several years, chose not to have her sit for the interview.

This could have been the opportu-

nity for this college sophomore to show us that accusations that she is an opportunist unprepared for the job were not accurate. She did not show.

Likewise, Rueben Wills showed up too late for the interview to convince us that he was the most deserving in the field.

Of the field who attended, there was one candidate who demonstrated the energy level, work ethic and knowledge of the process that is required as a jumping-off point for

serving in the City Council. Albert Badeo has shown that he can adequately work both sides of this divided district. He has been involved in advocacy issues for new immigrants in his home neighborhood west of the Van Wyck, as well as in Rochdale Village and other locations on the eastern side of the district. Though we are still uncomfortable about his conduct in a previous election, Baldeo clearly demonstrated the best mastery and understanding of the job.

The 28th District is a growing and changing community, and we believe Albert Baldeo has the ability to serve all the residents of the district. The PRESS of Southeast Queens endorses Albert Baldeo in the 28th Council District Special Election Nov. 2.

Last week the PRESS endorsed Andrew Cuomo for Governor, Tom DiNapoli for Comptroller, Dan Donovan for Attorney General and both Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer for U.S. Senate.

Executive Editor:

Brian Rafferty

Letters

Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

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 Rebecca Sesny Art Dept:

Tania Y. Betancourt Sara Gold Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend

To The Editor: In the Sept. 24 edition, the Queens Press ran an article about the Jamaica-based nonprofit Safe Space and one of its youth-employment programs, Steps to Success.

Steps to Success helps teens develop the basic skills necessary for locating, securing, and maintaining jobs.

Since the article ran, Safe Space has received numerous calls from Queens Press readers asking to participate in the Steps program.

As Safe Space’s external affairs officer, I thoroughly thank Queens Press for covering our agency, and I certainly notice that people read your publication.

Thank you very much.

Rob MacKay, External Affairs Officer Safe Space NYC Inc.

With Pride To The Editor: I am writing in support of the candidacy of Tony Avella who, I feel, is someone who really cares about his constituents, unlike Frank Padavan. My husband and I have been homeowners in Bayside since 1984, having married in Provincetown, Mass. in 2009 after 30 years together. I find it depressingly ironic to see Frank Padavan’s lawn signs and newspaper advertisements extolling that, “Nobody Cares Like Frank.” It should go on to include, “unless you are a member of the LGBT community.”

In keeping with a list of other outdated and out-of-step positions, particularly on social issues, Padavan is definitely not a friend of those of us who share the same pride and interest in keeping Bayside one of the most livable and desirable neighborhoods in the city, yet continue to be denied the more than 1,300 rights and privileges that our heterosexual neighbors enjoy.

Tony Avella, on the other hand, has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the LGBT community and warmly addressed the supporters of Marriage Equality prior to our walk across the Brooklyn Bridge on Sept. 26. I want to encourage more of my less outspoken neighbors, irrespective of their own sexual orientation, to do the right thing on Election Day and cast a

heartfelt vote to end this bigotry once and for all.

That would truly be a change and a most welcome step in the right direction.

Kenn Agata, Bayside

Correction In a Page 3 story of the Oct. 22 edition of the PRESS titled “”SEQ Town Hall Reveals Complaints,” there was an error. The correct information is that Mayor Mike Bloomberg proposed to slash $8 million from the Department for the Aging that would affect the services provided by the Case Management agency that services CD 12, which would eliminate services for 424 of 900 homebound seniors.

Advertising Director Alan J. Goldsher

An Important Election Cycle Across The Board

Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson

A Personal Perspective

By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

Thank You!

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2010 Tribco, LLC

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

We are now just four days away from the General Election and as then-candidate Barack Obama said in 2008, “It’s silly season.”

One guy in this election cycle even went as far as to say publicly that the president, “can take his endorsement and shove it.”

What kind of language is that for someone to use with regards to the president?

The hothead in this case is one Frank Caprio, a Democrat running for governor in Rhode Island. The president was in the state to support candidates for federal office and decided he would not make an endorsement in the gubernatorial race.

It’s like the classic story of the fox and the grapes. When the fox tried to get the grapes he realized the vines were beyond his

grasp so he slunk away and declared they were probably sour any way.

Caprio couldn’t get the president’s endorsement so he decided it was useless and dismissed the president’s influence as useless.

Well shame on him. What kind of example is that for him to set as a potential governor of a state?

That is not good for the people of Rhode Island.

Should he win the race for governor he will need the president.

Their first term will intersect for at least two years. So how do you go to the president you dismissed so rudely and then expect him to answer your phone call should you become governor?

I guess he’ll have to eat a lot of humble pie. Notice how carefully our own Governor, David Paterson, handled the marginalization the president dished out last year when he

praised Andrew Cuomo and essentially dismissed Paterson by calling him only “a good man?”

Even when the president may be wrong, he is still the president, and we still have to respect him – if not the man, then certainly the office he represents; the Office of the President.

In any case, we have to elect a governor here in New York as well as an attorney general, comptroller and decide if we really want Gillibrand as our senator over the next two years or if we want to give the former Republican congressman, Joseph Dioguardi, a shot at representing us.

Right here in Southeast Queens we also have a race to replace the late Councilman Thomas White, Jr. Those who live in the 28th Council District will know how important it is to get this one right as well.

I don’t personally do endorsements in this space, but I do

know that there are pressing issues in that district – who goes to City Hall impacts not just that district, but the rest of the area as well.

All politics are local, all elections are important, but our neighborhood’s election counts as much as the big ones do. I hope the voters in the 28 th choose the best candidate for their needs. Overall, this is an important election cycle across the board and our Southeast Queens community’s voice needs to be heard in a major way in all the categories this year.

I am also looking forward to the national returns. Predictions are that there will be major losses for the Democratic Party this mid-term, a la the Clinton-era mid-term elections. Chances are it won’t be as bad as predicted.

But if it is, then the impact will be felt here at home as well.

Let’s do this in a big way.

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

NYS State Senate: You Can Bet They’re Up To No Good

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER How much more do we need?

The release last week of the State Inspector General’s 308-page report on the Aqueduct Racino bidding and selection process comes as a surprise to an insider. It should not surprise the people either.

State Senate Democratic leaders manipulated the choice of who would build the Aqueduct Racino by leaking information to and showing favoritism for a troubled bidder that was donating to Democratic candidates and had ties to key polit ical figures – including

Queens power-broker minister former Congressman Floyd Flake, State Inspector General Joseph Fisch said in the report released last week.

The PRESS and the dailies reported regularly during the multiyear process that it was rotten and the people complicit in it clearly had motives other than what was good for the people of the State of New York.

The report conveyed the reality that the Senate Democrats led the Democrat-controlled New York State government with total disregard for honesty, integrity or serving the people. It painted a picture of the Assembly Speaker more intent on political posturing than public service and of a Governor either corrupt or inept.

Because of the bizarre process approved by the legislature delegating the decision making to the “three men in a room,” we have no idea of what is criminal and what just stinks or both.

We hope that those elected

who tried to deal this multi-billion dollar effort to their best financial interests are indicted and face the music. But whether criminal or not, we don’t need those who corrupted the process to remain in government.

And sadly, we don’t need those that allowed the process to be corrupted and sat silently by, to remain in government.

I’m not sure how far-reaching my last statement is.

But anyone in the Senate Leadership is suspect.

Perhaps the entire Democratic Senate caucus knew or should have known.

Perhaps even the Republican Senators knew or should have known.

Perhaps the entire Assembly knew or should have known.

Likewise, the sad, accidental Governor and a portion of his very large staff knew or should have known.

What does this all mean?

Albany is corrupt.

Not maybe but absolutely; and those who are not corrupt remain silent.

Last week, I rejected the candidacy of a member of the State Senate leadership, Eric Schneiderman, who is the Democratic candidate for At torney General. He was stupid, silent or complicit in one of the biggest at tempted hijackings in the histor y of the State of New York.

Inspector General Joseph Fisch – appointed by the Dems – accused those elected to run the State of badly mishandling the selecton of the operator to build and run the Aqueduct Racino. And Eric Schneiderman was one of the boys.

He is now stating that he is returning the $76,000 in contributions to his AG campaign made by the three State Senators most involved in the attempted hijacking: Senate Dem Majority Leader John Sampson, Senator Eric Adams who chaired the Senate Racing, Gam-

ing and Wagering Committee and Queens’ ow n Senate President Malcolm Smith.

The N Y Time s quoted Schneiderman as saying: “The allegations repor ted today are beyond disturbing — they are horrendous.”

Sorry Mr. Schneiderman, it very well may be the job of the next AG to prosecute some of the elected bastards who tried to betray the public trust. And sir, you sat too damn close to the rats and you smell of cheese.

The Republican Senate caucus called the conduct “criminal” and if you ask their former leader Joe Bruno who was allowed to self-deal for years, the Republicans Senators should know.

There is no simple answer.

Albany is corrupt.

Albany is corrupting.

And sending the same jokers back is prolonging the joke on the people.

Shame on us all.

MSchenkler@QueensPress.com

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

Monserrate Indicted For Dragooning Employees Of Nonprofitt

By HENRY STERN The other shoe dropped last week for Hiram Monserrate. The first State Senator to be expelled from that body since 1781, Monserrate was indicted by a Federal grand jury for using employees of a non-profit group he sponsored while a Cit y Councilmember to labor on behalf of his unsuccessful campaign for the Henry State Senate in 2006.

The t wo federal charge s against Monserrate stem from his relationship with the Latino Initiative for Better Resources and Empowerment Inc., (LIBRE), a now defunct social services agency to which Monserrate was closely linked. He secured City funding for LIBRE to operate.

The indictment allege s that Monserrate used employees of the tax-exempt organization to register voters and collect signatures to get him on the ballot in his failed Senate bid against John Sabini.

LIBRE is the latest nonprofit to come under scrutiny for its subordination to the elected official who secured its funding. It joins the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, founded by Vito Lopez, and Espada’s Soundview Health Center in the Bronx.

Monserrate’s relationship with LIBRE was intimate. Over his seven years in the Council, Monserrate steered more than $2.7 million in City discretionary and capital funds to LIBRE, including more than $2 million for a communit y center, which was never built.

Monserrate’s connection with LIBRE ran deeper than money. According to the indictment,

Monserrate “played an important role in selecting LIBRE’s staff and the members of its board of directors.”

The chair of LIBRE’s board of directors alluded to in the indictment is current Councilmember Julissa Ferreras, Monserrate’s former chief of staff and his ha nd-picked succe ssor for his former Council Stern seat which he resigned when he was elected to the Senate. For those who have not followed Queens politics, it would be understandable to overlook the connection between Ferreras and Monserrate. Ferreras carefully distanced herself from Monserrate during her Febr uary 2009 campaign to replace him on the Council, presumably because at the time he was under inve st igat ion for slashing his girlfriend’s face.

Currently, Ferreras lists no mention of her association with Monserrate or LIBRE in her bio on the City Council’s Web site, despite the fact that they were her principal qualifications for election.

Monserrate’s relationship with Ferreras has soured along with his polit ical a nd personal for tune s since he appeared at her 2009 victory party. Last month, Ferreras claimed that Monserrate was responsible for the slashing of her tires, several vulgar notes left on her car, and an assortment of other allegations of harassment.

It does not appear from published reports that Ferreras ever fi led for mal charge s against Monserrate.

Councilmember Ferreras failed to return several phone calls seeking comment and

clarifications for this column, but she did issue a statement to the media saying that she has “been cooperating with authorities from the very beginning.”

The newly unsealed indictment implicates not only Monserrate, who surrendered to authorities, it alleges a conspiracy where others colluded with Monserrate to skirt the campaign finance laws. The coconspirators are unnamed in the indictment, but presumably one of the people involved is former LIBRE executive director Javier Cardenas, who Manhat tan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announced had pleaded guilty to conspiracy and mail-fraud charges and is cooperating against Monserrate.

According to the indictment, around May 2006, Monserrate sent an email from a personal email account to an unnamed member of his Council staff requesting a database of voters LIBRE had newly registered, apparently at Monserrate’s request. A month or two later, “Monserrate stamped numerous LIBRE checks that were thereafter issued to individuals who had participated in LIBRE’s voterregistration and petition-gathering activities with a signature stamp of the person who was then the chair of LIBRE’s board of directors,” The chair of LIBRE’s board of directors at the time was Councilmember Ferreras.

The check stamping allegation, which is detailed in the indictment, raises the question of who really was in charge of LIBRE’s finances.

In an Oct. 18, 2008 Times article about LIBRE’s suspiciously slipshod accounting practices, Monserrate referred all questions about LIBRE’s accounting practices to Ferreras,

saying, “She’s the person to have the conversation with,” he said. “I wasn’t the director. I don’t know what paperwork was there, what books were there.”

Contacted at the time for comment, Ferreras said LIBRE’s records were in the organization’s offices.

“I personally don’t keep the records,” Ferreras told the Times.

As Monserrate’s case advances it is likely that we will learn more about LIBRE and what, if anything, Councilmember Ferreras knew about her former boss’s alleged manipulation of the nonprofit. What is for certain is that no matter how hard Speaker Christine Quinn tries to leave the slush fund scandal in the Council’s past, the investigation is still very much ongoing and just how many of her members were involved is still yet to be determined. Another Coun-

cilman who was elevated to chair the Civil Rights Committee, Larry Seabrook of the Bronx, is currently under a 13-count indictment for a litany of corruption charges, and former Councilmember Miguel Martinez of Manhattan is already serving time in Federal prison.

It gives us no satisfaction to watch one elected official after another done in by their greed and contempt for the law. This parade of corrupt politicians denigrates New Yorkers’ faith in local government, and fur ther degrades the reputation of the City Council.

We continue to encourage our prosecutors, Federal, State and Local, to pursue every elected official who has abused the public trust until all of them are rooted out.

Regrettably, the only way to keep some of our legislators’ hands out of our pockets is with handcuffs.

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

News Briefs Studio LLC The Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning invites artists to apply to participate in our professional development program, Studio LLC. Studio LLC teaches artists to regard their studio as a small business, identify their entrepreneurial and professional goals and create a long-term plan for accomplishing them. Eighteen artists will be selected to participate in a yearlong series of seminars on topics including financial management, grant seeking, filing taxes as an artist, and self-promotion and networking. Three of the eighteen selected artists who are younger than 30 years old at the time of application will be awarded Van Lier Fellowships consisting of a $7,000 stipend, mentorship and free admission to the seminar series. All artists admitted to the program will have to submit a placement-security deposit of $100 in order to demonstrate their commitment to the program. All selected artists will be eligible to include their work in a group show in January of 2012, at which point the deposit will be returned.

JCAL will host a pre-response workshop for interested artists, in order to answer any questions you may have about the program. The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 18 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, 161-04 Jamaica Ave. To attend the workshop, please RSVP to info@jcal.org by Nov. 15 (subject line: Studio LLC).

Program Timeline: Applications are due Dec. 3. Please note that this is NOT a postmark deadline. Applications can be mailed or hand-delivered by 5 pm on Friday, Dec. 3. The announcement of the selected artists will be made by December 17, 2010. The seminar series will be held from January through December 2011.

Seminars will take place once a month, excluding July and August, and will be held Wednesday evenings.

Selection Criteria: Artists will be selected on the basis of the strength of their work. Preference will be given to artists who have not received significant exposure in the form of exhibitions, grants, residencies,or other opportunities. We encourage applications from people of

color, women and other under-represented artists. Van Lier Fellowships will be awarded to those who, in addition to meeting the above criteria, demonstrate sufficient financial need.

Application: Please submit the following materials. Please include your name and contact information in all written documents, i.e., artist statement, statement of intent and image script, as well as CV. A CD with 6 jpeg images. Images should be no larger than 1200 pixels on the longer side, with a file size of no more than 2 MB. Keep in mind your images will be projected. OR a DVD with 2 videos saved in QuickTime format of 3-5 minutes each.

Image script identifying the images on the CD or the video submission on the DVD. For still images, include the title, date, medium and dimensions of each work. For DVDs, include the title, date, duration, whether the video is in black and white or color, and whether the video is silent or has sound. You may briefly describe the work in one or two sentences next to the work captions.

An artist statement not exceeding 250 words.

A statement of intent, describing your goal and expectation of the program and the impact it will have on your professional career (not exceeding 250 words).

One-page CV including only selected relevant information such as past and upcoming exhibition records, awards and grants and educational background.

SASE if you want the CD or DVD to be returned. If you do not provide a SASE, we will be unable to return your materials to you.

For Van Lier Fellowship Applicants: Please also submit the following documents in addition to the above.

Copy of the first page of your most recent Form 1040. Please make sure your social security number is not visible.

Copy of a government-issued document, such as a drivers license, for age verification.

Submit your materials by mail or handdelivered to Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, ATTN: 2011 Studio LLC, 16104 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, NY 11432.

There is a Dec. 3 delivery deadline.

· ·

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Paterson 'Saves' OTB; Mayor Vows To Fight

New York City OTB and Gov. David Paterson have reached a deal that would allow the betting hall operator to emerge from bankruptcy, but some, like Mayor Mike Bloomberg, are blasting the deal.

According to the proposed deal, the 68 OTB parlors will remain open after creditors Yonkers Racing Corporation and New York Racing Association will forgive nearly $65 million in exchange for control of some of OTB's operations and changes in the state law to help VLT operators generate revenue that would have to be approved by the state legislature. "[The deal] will support and stimulate future financial health for the racing industry," said Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn), chairman of the state Senate Racing,

Wagering, and Gaming committee.

The deal would cause the layoffs of 500 OTB employees and force the corporation to give up its telephone and internet betting operations.

Mayor Bloomberg said he would fight the decision.

"The plan requires legislative and legal approvals and we are going to fight, using all available options, to ensure it does not become a reality," the mayor said.

He said he wanted the City to be removed completely from the OTB business and have the state take it over.

"We had a clear agreement that the State could take over the operation, as long as the State assumed all assets and liabilities of OTB," he said.

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

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

Police Blotter Compiled By DOMENICK RAFTER City Police Department's Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. Citizens can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637 (crimes) then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

109th Precinct Burning Murder

The NYPD is seeking the public's assistance in locating these two individuals wanted in connection with a Grand Larceny in Murray Hill.

105th Precinct Deli Homicide On Saturday, Oct. 23, at approximately 9:55 p.m., inside a deli at 220-23 Merrick Blvd. in Laurelton, police responded to a 911 call of a robbery at gun point. Upon arrival, officers discovered Juan Torres, 54, unconscious and unresponsive with a

gun shot wound to the head. EMS also responded to the scene and pronounced Torres dead at the scene. Police are searching for a suspect described as a black man, 40-45 years old, 6-feet to 6foot-2, around 200 lbs, last seen wearing a black sweatshirt.

Anyone with information in regards to this homicide is asked to call the New York

On Saturday, Oct. 23, at approximately 2:49 p.m., inside of 136-79 Roosevelt Ave. in Flushing, police responded to a 911 call of a fire. FDNY responded and extinguished the fire when two men were discovered in a third floor office. EMS also responded to the scene and pronounced the first victim, Chang-Xin Hu, 42, dead at the scene. The second victim, Shao Fan Gong, 27, was transported to New York Hospital Queens where he later died at 8:24 p.m. on Oct. 23. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The Fire Marshal will determine the cause of the fire. The death of the first victim has been classified as a homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

Duane Thieves On Tuesday, Aug. 17 at approximately 7:59 p.m., two black men entered a Duane Reade store at 156-44 Northern Blvd. in Murray Hill and removed an unknown amount of property into a large black plastic bag. The suspects fled the location in an unknown direction.

The suspects are described as two black men, 20-25 years old, one last seen wearing a blue polo shirt, blue jeans and white hat and the other last seen wearing a green t-shirt, blue jeans, and blue Yankee cap.

Anyone with information in regards to this robbery is asked to call the New York City Police Department's Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. Citizens can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637 (crimes) then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

114th Precinct Knife Point Robbery The NYPD is seeking the public's as-

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

sistance in locating a suspect wanted in connection with a robbery in Queensbridge.

On Saturday, Oct. 9, at approximately 9:40 p.m., inside of 41-03 10 St. in Queensbridge, the suspect followed a 34yer-old Asian woman into an elevator.

When the victim exited, the perpetrator forced the victim into the stairwell at knifepoint and removed her wallet.

The perpetrator is described as a black woman, approximately 5-foot-2 with black, short, pulled-back hair. She was last seen wearing eye glasses, a white longsleeve shirt with an abstract picture on the front, red pants and white sneakers.

Anyone with information in regards to this robbery is asked to call the New York City Police Department's Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. Citizens can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637 (crimes) then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Police are looking for this woman in connection with a knife-point robbery.

Replacing Tom White:

Seven On Ballot For Open Council Seat

BY DOMENICK RAFTER On Tuesday, seven candidates will face each other in a heated, wide-open battle to replace the late-Tom White Jr. in the City Council. The 28th Council District seat, which covers a swath of South Central Queens including South Jamaica, Rochdale, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park and parts of Downtown Jamaica and Ozone Park, has been vacant since White's death in August.

The line-up of candidates for the seat include a former councilman, a well-known attorney, the chief-of-staff to a local state legislator, three community activists, and the widow of Sean Bell, whose death made national news when he was killed by police officers in Jamaica in 2005.

Ozone Park attorney Albert Baldeo, who nearly knocked off former State Sen. Serphin Maltese in 2006 despite tepid support from local Democrats, is running for the seat. Baldeo, who is Guyanese, lists jobs and racial profiling as the major issues affecting the district. Though he lives in the western portion of the district, which has a mainly white, Hispanic and West Indian population, Baldeo said he can and has been a representative for the eastern half of the district, which is largely black.

"I'm well positioned to bring resources to this district," Baldeo said.

He pointed to his work against racial profiling and his advocacy for residents of Rochdale Village as examples of what he has done for the district already. Baldeo has raised more than $400,000 for his campaign. He ran for the seat in 2005, finishing third in the Democratic primary behind White and then-incumbent Allan Jennings.

Nicole Paultre Bell surprised many when she jumped into the race in September. Bell, who grew up in Long Island, attended York College.

She has the support of U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica), Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton), as well as the

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, 1199 and 32BJ SEIU unions. The latter two were instrumental in the victories of Council members Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and Debi Rose (DStaten Island) over incumbents in primaries in 2009.

Charles Bilal, a chaplain at Rikers Island, is a life-long resident of South Jamaica and ran for the seat twice, losing in 2001's Democratic primary and in 2005 on the Independence Party line.

Bilal has been enveloped in some controversy over unpaid parking tickets and a $14,000 debt he owes the City for campaign funds from his past Council run.

Bilal said he was negotiating how to pay that debt and has paid the parking tickets.

The district, he said, has been underserved for a long time and he is the guy to represent the district.

"For 35 years, the conditions of this neighborhood have not changed," he said.

"We need someone who cares about this community."

After nearly getting tossed off the ballot on technicalities, Martha Taylor Butler, chief of staff to Assemblywoman Michele Titus (D-South Ozone Park), is a candidate in Tuesday's election. Butler said she often disagrees with Speaker Christine Quinn, though she respects Quinn's independence. But Taylor Butler doubts she would have supported her for Speaker.

"She sides with [Mayor Mike Bloomberg] too often," Butler said.

Butler said there were parts of the district that were underserved by White that need more attention. She said her focus would be to create a way for her constituents "to lobby for fixes."

Allan Jennings is the only candidate in the race with experience on the job.

Jennings represented the district from 2001 until 2005 before being defeated

by White in the Democratic primary after he was fined by the City Council for "creating a hostile work environment."

Jennings refused to pay the fine and said he was innocent of the charges. Now, he hopes to make a comeback for the seat he lost.

Jennings said he wanted to restore funding to after school programs he funded on the council but were not funded under White's tenure.

Besides education and attracting jobs and business, Jennings also listed crime as an important issue in the district.

Newcomer Harpreet Singh Toor, a resident of Richmond Hill for more than 25 years, is running for the first time. He said White had not adequately served the entire district and constituents often had to repeatedly ask for help to get attention from his office.

Toor said education is his main focus and criticized the Aqueduct video lottery casino project, suggesting that a school would have been a better option for the site.

With support from State

Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica), Assemblywoman Vivian Cook (D-South Jamaica) and Councilman Leroy Comrie (DHollis), Ruben Wills is making his second run for the seat. Wills finished far back in a hotly contested 2009 Democratic primary and then won 11 percent of the vote as the Conservative nominee.

Wills was the subject of controversy after f lyers were distributed around Rochdale Village accusing him of not paying child support for a daughter he had long ago. Wills, who blamed Jennings for the flyers, told the PRESS that he had a daughter when he was 17 that he did not know about her until 2002. He showed documentation that indicated that he has made consistent child support payments for her.

Wills is touting his experience starting two community-based organizations, the Christian Basketball League and New York 4 Life, an organization aimed at helping single mothers, in his campaign.

Whoever wins on Tuesday will have to face a primary next September and next November would run for the remainder of White's term, which is up in 2013.

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

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

The 28th Council District

Clockwise from top l.: Albert Baldeo Allan Jennings Harpreet Singh Toor Nicole Paultre-Bell Ruben Wills Martha Taylor Butler Charles Bilal

KaBOOM:

Photos by Tania Y. Bentancourt

Boro Endures New Resident Playground PopsNew UpHorror In SEQ After Exposure To Mystery Powder

Workers scan over their progress in the late morning.

A DJ provided music to keep the workers in rhythm.

By the end of the day on Oct. 21, hundreds of children who come to The Child Center of New York in South Jamaica had a great new place to play.

The new 2,544-square foot playground was fully assembled from scratch in less than eight hours with the help of more than 200 volunteers from Warner Music Group, The Child Center of New York, organizers from KaBOOM! and residents of the local community. Volunteers started work at about 10 a.m. and wrapped up by 4 p.m.

The playground provides an exciting place to play for the more than 600 children who are served at the Center’s South Jamaica location, which provides individual and family counseling, substance abuse treatment, child abuse prevention, and after-school tutoring. Previously, these children did not have a playground within walking distance to enjoy.

“We are thrilled that our children have access to this wonderful playground,” said Sandra Hagan, executive director of The Child Center of New York.

“Playing together with other children is an essential part of healthy childhood. We are grateful to Warner Music Group and KaBOOM! for partnering with us on our mission of helping at-risk children to succeed in life.”

Planning for the playground began at a Design Day event held in August when children who attend The Center’s programs and community leaders met with Warner Music Group and organizers from KaBOOM! to design their dream playground. The children’s drawings were then used to create the final playground design.

“KaBOOM! is dedicated to saving play and our vision is a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America,” said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! CEO and co-founder. “Thanks to the partnership of Warner Music Group, The Child Center of New York and volunteers from the community, we’re moving one step closer to that vision by providing something that every child deserves – a great place to play.”

Volunteers sign up to help build a playground.

A climbing wall is already set in place.

Finishing touches are put on the slide.

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

A creaky bridge is in place.

Passersby check out what’s happening.

Good, old-fashioned labor helped make the day a success.

The playground was made possible by KaBOOM!

The KaBOOM finale.

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

pix

Southeast Queens Photos Edited By Harley Benson

GJDC Annual Gala On Oct. 21, the Annual Gala of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation was held at the Jamaica Market in Downtown Jamaica. The soiree saluted honorees Sue Ling Gin of the Flying Food Group (a supplier of world-class airline cuisine) and City Comptroller John Liu. Photos By Walter Karling

Photos by Walter Karling

Greater Jamaica Development Corporation President Carlisle Towery (l.) welcomes aboard honoree City Comptroller John Liu.

York College President Dr. Marcia Keizs (l. to r.), former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman and Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning Executive Director Phillip Willis.

Lawrence Cormier (l.), president of the Cormier Group, presenting a special acknowledgement award to William Laraia, the former chairman and board member of the GJDC.

Sharing a light-hearted moment: Gala Chairman David Cotton, the Chief Financial Officer of the Flying Food Group (l. to r.); honoree Sue Ling Gin, CEO of FFG; honoree Comptroller John Liu; and William Laraia, former GJDC Chairman and current board member.

GJDC Chairman Lamont Bailey (l. to r.), Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and Councilman Leroy Comrie.

John Liu addressing the gathering.

Flying Food Group CEO Sue Ling Gin (c.) enjoys posing for the camera with staff members of the organization.

Day School Fun On Oct. 9, St. Joseph's Parish Day School held an event to help the children at 217-55 100th Ave. Queens Village, with all the food they could eat and enjoy. The sounds of DJ Michael filled the event. The sponsors of the event were Harlem Magic Machine, the Gridlock Organization, The 105th Precinct, C Town, Key Food, Sapienzia Bakery, Nigel Dunkley The Ventriolquist, MOTC Truck Club, and Derrick Jones of Black Cartel Photography of Queens. The event was to raise money for the newly-opened school to purchase furniture for the students.

Photo by Juliet Kaye

Photos by Claude Jones

Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

Senior Bowling

Sue Ling Gin addressing the gathering.

Assemblyman William Scarborough held his Senior Bowling Challenge at Dani's Strike Zone Bowling Alley in Elmont. The popular annual senior event had been deferred with the closure of County Lanes Bowling Alley in Rosedale. Scarborough was extremely happy to be able to reinstate this annual event for the seniors in the community. Pictured: Assemblyman William Scarborough (c.) with Diane Horowitz (on his r.), owner of Dani's Strike Zone Bowling Alley in Elmont, site of this year's Senior Bowling Challenge. Manny Caughman, Scarborough's Senior Liaison and Bob Crooms coordinated the event.

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Profile

Avella Aiming For Padavan’s Post

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY In what has shaped up to be a tough race, State Sen. Frank Padavan will seek to defend his seat against former City Councilman Tony Avella on Nov. 2.

In 2008, Padavan faced the toughest election of his 38-year career in the Senate, when he narrowly defeated Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) by 483 votes. Here is a look at what this year’s candidates would do to get New York back on track.

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

Tony Avella The 58-year-old lifelong Queens resident currently resides in Whitestone. The two-term District 19 Councilman and mayoral candidate said his biggest issues are dysfunction in Albany, education and job creation.

“I don’t think there’s a person in New York State does not know how dysfunctional Albany is,” he said.

In his quest to fix Albany, he would introduce legislation that would mandate a balanced budget on time every year by law; establish term limits; and reform the pay-to-play politics and the lulu system, whereby Assembly members and Senators receive extra income for committee chairmanships and administrative duties.

“I would be willing to introduce legis-

lation on all of those items and I would such as legalized sports betting and tax incentives for small then work to get [them businesses to hire new passed],” he said. employees, he said.

The City’s public State legislators should educational system realso lobby the federal quires more parental ingovernment to extend volvement, a chancellor unemployment insurwho is not a bureaucrat ance. and an end to teaching to the test, with more Frank Padavan oversight by City CounThe 73-year-old cil, educators, state legwidower has lived in his islators and parents, district since childAvella said. There is a hood. His main priorirole for mayoral control, State Sen. Frank Padavan ties are improving the but not total control, he economy, including job said. creation and cutting After knocking on taxes, and improving more than 7,000 doors, education.

Avella is surprised at “Over the last two how many people are years, there were 126 out of work. new taxes, which for “We need to really an average family of sit down – the new state four came to $5,500,” legislature with the new he said. “In any recesstate governor – to figsion, the last thing you ure out how to get want to do is take people back to work,” he money away from famisaid. lies to pay their bills, to The state needs commercial rent con- Democratic challenger Tony Avella feed their children.

That has to be untrol, more infrastructure improvement projects, new industries done.”

To encourage job creation, state legislators must reduce the “sky-high cost of doing business,” he said. Padavan supports a $3,000 tax credit for small businesses that hire an unemployed person.

“We also believe that there should be a constitutional state spending cap,” he said. “It would tie the increase in state spending to normal inflationary increases, and it would stop this runaway spending by the state.”

The state could save money through consolidation and fighting Medicaid fraud, he said.

“In New York State we have about 7,000 different water districts, sewer districts, and they all cost money,” he said.

“Half of them could be eliminated. The rest could be consolidated.”

One example of consolidation is in education. Statewide, there are more than 770 school districts, some with only a few hundred kids, he said.

“That hurts people two ways, not only the money that comes in from state aid, but also property taxes,” he said.

Although teachers are doing their job, New York State’s educational system needs more parental involvement, accountability and transparency, he said.

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

A&E

Mason: He’s Rude, But What A Mensch The incomparable Jackie Mason, the ageless rock star of comedy, visited Queens this past weekend for two shows at Queens Theatre in the Park and did not disappoint the hundreds of laugh seekers who attended one – and in some cases both – of his performances.

Mason was one of the super stars of comedy in the early 1960’s, until he made the mistake of ticking off Ed Sullivan on a live television broadcast of the Ed Sullivan Show in front of a national television audience.

The two Jackie Mason showcase performances were filled with brand new material. In fact Mason, handsome in his

formal black tux, held a list of new material he said he wanted to try out for customers who pay big money to hear him perform.

Mason was very funny, although also a bit filthy. The number of F words could fill up a book that would make Lenny Bruce proud, if he were still alive. This is quite surprising since he comes from a family of rabbis that date back four generations, including his father, grandfather, great grandfather and great, great grandfather – as are his three brothers. It is no surprise that Jackie was also ordained as a rabbi at the age of 25. Three years later he left the synagogue saying, “Somebody in the family had to make a living.”

Scary Fun At Ft. Tilden

“Boo!” is the word from the Rockaway Artists Alliance as they prepare for their Grimm and Scary Tales, a three-day interactive Halloween extravaganza.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday Oct. 29-31, from 6-9 p.m. RAA will open the doors to a winding and dark haunted forest maze, all conjured up within the walls of their T-7 gallery building at Fort Tilden.

The event is free and open to children of all ages. (Donations are welcomed.) Parking is also free and available.

The likes of Little Bo Creep, the Big Bad Wolf, the Two or Three Little Pigs, Hansel and Gretel and Little Dead Riding Hood will roam the spooky twists and turns in the woods. Sights, sounds, music and special effects will bedazzle visitors and bring to life the Ginger Bread House and Mother Hubbard’s sinister Shoe.

Brave souls should not be surprised, according to RAA president Geoff Rawling, to come face to face with an ominous Toll Troll or scuttling spiders, or feel the brush of a mysterious large Crow as it soars over their heads.

Noting the “amazing amount of

volunteerism,” Rawling describes how 3040 enthusiastic Halloween helpers have been working to bring this dazzling fright to light. With appropriate clangs and bangs and bumps in the night, this haunted host have spent weeks constructing, inventing, improvising, imagining and stirring “their own ideas and creativity” into the turning caldron that is the Grimm and Scary Tales extravaganza.

Ghoulish guides, petrifying performers, creepy costumed characters, hidden hands and even live musicians will add to the illusion and breathe it into ghostly life.

Previous Rockaway Artists Alliance events have drawn thousands into the likes of a scary circus, a dank and haunted ship and an Egyptian tomb complete with secret passages, descending ceilings and flying boulders.

Like its predecessors, the RRA’s Grimm and Scary Tales promises thrills, chills, spills and haunting fun. For all who dare to enter, a scary time is guaranteed for all.

For further RAA information and directions call (718) 474-0861, e-mail info@raa116.org , go to rockawayartistsalliance.org or visit RAA on Facebook.

Restaurant Review

A Grand Old Time

The Grand Café tries to be all things to all people – so long as the word casual is in there somewhere. The restaurant bills itself as high end casual food and it certainly delivers, serving great food to someone in shorts or a suit. The interior of the restaurant is split among many different zones, including booths, large tables and more intimate tables for two, but all of these disparate elements are held together by the tasteful interior design, which is both creative and not overwhelming.

But do yourself a favor and sit outside if the weather is worth it. The breeze, the

bustle of 30th Avenue and the ample space around this street corner café is charming and there’s something about the outdoors that make digesting easier – and you’ll be doing plenty of that.

Get the skirt steak, made from silver medallion black angus meat from the local butcher; it is definitely a specialty.

The rest of the food was tasty and there is plenty of variety on the menu. Being in Astoria, the Grand Café offers good eggplant, hummus and artichoke spinach, as well as a wide variety of desserts and great specialty drinks. The salads were fresh and robust as well.

The prices are “casual” as well, in that they are no deep discounts, but the high quality food makes the cost reasonable.

The Grand Café also features a private room with a separate side entrance, which is perfect for baby showers or corporate functions.

—Brian Rafferty

A Museum Halloween

This Saturday, the Queens Museum of Art has some scary fun lined up for families with a great bargain as well.

For $75 per family, from 2-5 p.m., some out to the museum and join the artists, ghouls and guests who will transform the museum for a Halloween spooktacular benefit, guaranteed to “scare the art out of you.”

Families are encouraged to come in costume to take part in the fiendish fun, which includes artist-led spooky tours of museum’s biggest and smallest exhibitions; the opportunity to embellish and accessorize your own costume or start from scratch; a chance to learn unearthly skateboarding tricks with Zoo York skate pros; a chance to create your own candy collecting carryall; a hair-raising photo booth with spine chilling backdrops; tempting tricks and treats for kids and adults; and a chance to show off your ghoulish good looks in a costume parade.

The ticket price is good for a family of up to six with two adults – it’s only an extra five bucks per adult or child.

In addition to the day’s fun, the ticket gets you a one-year family membership, 20 percent discount at the gift shop, entry into a raffle for a week of QMA summer camp, and a signed Rodney Torres skateboard.

Come early to the Flushing Meadows Skate Park at 1 p.m. to catch a skateboarding demonstration with professional skateboarder Rodney Torres and the Zoo York crew.

For more information call Debra Wimpfheimer (718) 592-9700, Ext. 141 or email dw@queensmuseum.org.

Mets Trick Or Tweet!

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY

The New York Mets will actually be doing something positive for their fans this October, though perhaps not in the way most would wish.

No, our Boys of Summer may not have made it to the big dance this year (or even the junior prom), but pint-sized Mets fans will have a chance to hang out with their favorite walking bobblehead, Mr. Met, as he travels through parts of Queens in the late morning and early afternoon of Halloween.

Though our favorite mascot is keeping mum about his exact location, he’s urging fans to follow him on Twitter @NewYorkMets to get tweets giving away his exact locations in Northeastern Queens, where he’ll join kids for trick-ortreating and Halloween fun.

Want to see Mr. Met on Halloween? Follow him on Twitter.

Oct. 29 - Nov.4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

Grand Café 37-01 30th Ave., Astoria (718) 777-7321 Cuisine: Modern Diner Hours: Mon-Thurs 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., FriSun 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Parking: Street

Mason made fun of President Barack Obama as well as Jews and Puerto Ricans in particular, relying on the Catskills shtick. Having heard Jackie Mason over the years, I couldn’t stop laughing, although much of his show was off-color and very disrespectful to certain parts of the community He was generously apologetic for his remarks, explaining that it was all humor and not intended to insult anyone.

We had a chance to speak with some of the theater goers, and not one left Queens Theater in the Park without a big smile on their faces including, 90year-old Rose Hurwitz of Forest Hills, who was brought to the theater by her daughter, granddaughter and niece, Dawn Ackerman, Miriam Berfas and Debbie Hurwitz. Jackie posed for a birth- Jackie Mason at Queens Theater in the Park. day photo with the three generations of breathtaking choreography of Robert Hurwitzes just before he left the stage.

Starting this weekend and running Royston, the man behind QTIP’s through Nov. 7, Queens Theatre in the “Swango!”

Tickets are $34-$40 (with varying Park will present “One Ride,” a rip-roaring, spanking-new dance musical from the multi-show, senior, and student discreators of “Swango!” The powerful and counts), and are available at passionate story is told through the songs queenstheatre.org or by phone at (718) of country legend Chris LeDoux and the 760-0064.

Photo by Brian M. Rafferty

BY DAN MILLER

Faith

All-Faiths Welcomes Veteran Memorial Veterans from all Queens veterans organizations joined Senate candidate Anthony Como, Assembly candidate Tony Nunziato, President of All Faiths Cemetery Dan Austin and former State Sen. Serphin Maltese for a ceremony commemorating the relocation of a veterans monument and a bronze memorial plaque to All Faiths Cemetery last Friday.

Originally in front of VFW Post 123 on Catalpa Avenue in Ridgewood, the monument was placed to honor all members of

the armed forces who served their country, wherever they may be, and the bronze memorial plaque to honor doughboys lost in WWI. After the building was sold, the VFW sought to find an appropriate venue for the monument and plaque.

Como and his veterans’ advisor Gene Burch, worked with VFW Post 123 officers and Austin to come to an agreement to move the memorials to the cemetery.

A ceremony commemorating the placement was held last Friday in collabora-

tion with All Faiths Cemetery and veterans groups with a bugler and detail provided by Christ the King High School.

“All Faiths Cemetery is always honored to provide a place where people in the com-

munity can come and remember those who have passed,” said Austin. “When we are able to provide this space to honor and remember our nation’s veterans, it becomes even more important to do.”

Word “Bart Giamatti did not grow up (as he had dreamed) to play second base for the Red Sox. He became a professor at Yale, and then, in time... president of the National Baseball League. He never lost his love for the Boston Red Sox. It was as a Red Sox fan, he later realized that human beings are fallen, and that life is filled with disappointment. The path to comprehending Calvinism in modern America, he decided, begins at Fenway Park.”

David Halverstam

Veterans stand in front of the relocated monument at All-Faiths Cemetery.

Notebook Hillcrest High School

VP At Hillcrest H.S. An Active Volunteer Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

BY BOB HARRIS

Sanjeev Baldeo, a resident of South Richmond Hill, is the Vice President of the Student Organization (S.O.) at Hillcrest H.S., Jamaica, where he helps organize the many student activities. He is in the Public Service and Law Institute where he was on the Junior Law Committee and now the Senior Law Committee and Leadership team.

He has performed volunteer activities while in the Council for Unity class in school. Some of his community service activities have been with the school Lupus Walk, Blood Drive and helping set up Spirit Week. He attended the High School Law Institute at Columbia University. He has volunteered at the Queens Botanical Garden, where he acted as a greeter who also patrolled the Garden, supervised the wedding garden and coordinated gifts at the gift shop.

Baldeo is interested in such colleges as Stony Brook, Hunter, Elmira and Binghamton with plans for a career in Health and Medicine. In Hillcrest H.S. he works with the Coordinator of Student Affairs (COSA) Haydee Recinos. The Principal of the school is Stephen M. Duch.

Sanjeev Baldeo has plenty going on.

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

What’s Up SATURDAY, OCT. 30 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.

Seido Karate Japanese system Seido Karate emphasizes building of spirit, mind and body, using hand, elbow, and foot techniques.

Adults can learn how to defend themselves in a safe and friendly atmosphere every Tuesday and Saturday until Oct. 30 at the Jamaica YMCA, 89-25 Parsons Blvd.

All levels are welcome. The fee to participate is $120.

Classical Ballet Studying ballet is one of the most effective and elegant ways of improving posture, grace, flexibility, and strength. No experience needed for these classes. Students are taught at the barre and must be 6-15 years old.. Learning ballet is a good foundation for all other dance styles.

The class will be held every Saturday until Oct. 30 at the Jamaica YMCA, 89-25 Parsons Blvd. at 11:30 a.m. The fee to participate is $110.

Belly Dancing Kids between 6 and 15 years old will learn basic and traditional belly dancing movements. Movements will be built into a choreographed routine. The class is a great way to build self-confidence, balance and coordination.

No prior belly dance experience required.

The instructor was featured on “America’s Got Talent.”

The class will be held at the Jamaica YMCA, 89-25 Parsons Blvd. at 2:30 p.m.

The fee to participate is $110.

Page 20 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

Brookville Park Halloween Councilman James Sanders, Jr., the Friends of Brookville Park, Victorious Organization of Women, the Rosedale Little League Baseball, the Rosedale Civic Association, Jeremiah Gaffney Enterprises, Nationwide Cleaners, Sports Mania, Queens Community PTSA present A Holloween Day of Family Fun. Come on out for treats for the kids, hot dogs, music, fun and games. Come early while there are still treats to be had!

This free event will be held at Brookville Park, Brookville Boulevard at 143rd Avenue from noon to 4 p.m.

MONDAY, NOV. 1 Adult Chess Club Practice your chess skills weekly, on 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.

Grantseeking Basics Are you a representative of a nonprofit organization? New to fundraising? Come and learn how the Foundation Center’s resources can help you become an effective grantseeker.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 2 p.m.

St., (718) 776-6800.

Diversity Visa Lottery Queens Library is making computers available for customers who want to fill out the online application for the Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery. Applicants who need help to scan photos can get assistance.

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

TUESDAY, NOV. 2 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 ever month at 7:30 p.m. at Roy Wilkins Family Life Center, 177-01 Baisley Blvd.

Intro to Computers In this workshop, customers will learn the basics of using the computer: how to log on and off; use the keyboard and mouse; open and close windows and use toolbars and scroll bars. Preregistration is required in person at Cyber Center Desk.

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

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3 Intro to Computers In this workshop, customers will learn the basics of using the computer: how to log on and off; use the keyboard and mouse; open and close windows and use toolbars and scroll bars. Preregistration is required in person at Cyber Center Desk.

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

Commissioner Hamburg at York York College President Marcia V. Keizs invites you to a special presentation: “The New FDA in the Global Age,” featuring Margaret Hamburg, MD, Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For more information, or to RSVP, call (718) 262-2357 or visit york.cuny.edu/commissioner-hamburg.

This free event will be held at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at 10 a.m.

THURSDAY, NOV. 4 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, 94-11 217

Excel En Espanol Three computer classes in Spanish will be held. Preregistration is required in person at the Cyber Center Reference Desk on Nov. 4 starting at 10 a.m.

Attendees should have basic computer skills, such as being able to use the keyboard and the mouse, and to open and close applications. These programs are made possible by funding from the Starr Foundation.

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

FRIDAY, NOV. 5 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.

Job Fair New York City Council Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie will sponsor a Job Expo on at York College, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This employment fair will give constituents an opportunity to explore job opportunities with the numerous companies that will be in attendance. All expo attendees should bring copies of their resumes and come dressed for success.

Scheduled to participate in the Job Expo are representatives of the following companies: Costco Wholesale; Non-Traditional Employment for Women; Jamaica Workforce 1 Career Center; The Fortune Society; New York Urban League; St. Nicks Alliance Workforce Development; U.S. National Guard; State Farm Insurance; Con Edison; Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corp.; First Step Program Coalition for the Homeless; FDNY; NYC Board of Elections; Queensboro Council for Social Welfare; Dress For Success; Social Security Administration and others.

The New York State Comptroller’s Office will also have a representative in attendance to assist constituents with searching for any personal unclaimed funds that may be available.

For more information about the job fair, call Councilman Comrie’s office at (718) 776-3700.

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 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.

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.

Borough Beat

Battle Simmers In Right To Not Tell

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY AND REBECCA SESNY

It would also require signage if there are not licensed medical professionals at the center, and would extend perNew York City has earned the ignoble sonal and health-related confidentiality title of “Abortion Capital of America,” to clients.

“By requiring these centers to clearly according to Chris Slattery, President of EMC Frontline Pregnancy Centers, a net- state their available services, women can work of pro-life, limited service pregnancy make a more informed decision on the centers whose goal is to convince women services they seek,” Quinn said. “Nobody has the right to prevent a woman from that abortion is not an option.

Known as a crisis pregnancy center, taking care of her health.”

Support for the legislaEMC, and other organization is not universal among tions like it, operate the Council. Standing throughout the borough, firmly behind EMC, and serving thousands of other organizations like it, women every year. is Dan Halloran (RCritics charge that criWhitestone). sis pregnancy centers use “The requirements viodeceptive advertising to late the First Amendment hide their pro-choice – Marey Sarosick and impose an “abortion agenda and offer inaccurate information to Executive Director first” mentality on New women who are seeking Bridge to Life York City, already the abortion capital of unbiased medical advice.

America,” Halloran said.

Legislation recently in“This regulation would troduced by Speaker require them to list serChristine Quinn and Councilwoman Jessica Lappin (D-Man- vices they do not offer – an absurd law hattan) would require signs posted on that does not apply to any other business their advertisements, entryway, waiting or organization in New York.”

Operating with only one fulltime emroom and Web site that they do not provide abortions, FDA approved contra- ployee at locations in Astoria and Flushing, crisis pregnancy center A Bridge to ception or referrals for those services.

“Terminating the baby is not an option.”

Life offers anti-abortion counseling, baby supplies for low-income mothers, free pregnancy tests and referrals for adoption, post-abortion counseling and temporary shelters.

The lobby on a Wednesday is full of women with young children coming in as early as 10 a.m. to the Flushing location to receive material assistance. “The need is great,” said Virginia Gallo, Director of Material Assistance, “I come in early to try to get a jump, but was you can see [the lobby is full].”

Volunteers spend their time sorting through donations of clothing, making care packages for the mothers when they leave the hospital and assisting the mothers and children when they stop by to receive clothing and other materials.

Every week, Mary Boyd volunteers her time to knit sweaters for children born to mothers who cannot afford to care for them. Turning out one new sweater a week, Boyd makes sure that the care packages given to new mothers by Bridge To Life have her personal touch.

So far this year, the organization has counseled 20-30 women with crisis pregnancies and gave donations to about 4,000 women and families, said Executive Director Marcy Sarosick.

“We counsel them that this is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and that terminating the baby is not an option,” she said. “We do everything we can to convince a woman to carry a baby to term.”

Counselors go through a weekendlong course at The Life center of Long Island. Sarosick is worried that, if the legislation were passed, that they would lose potential clients who would otherwise seek their counsel.

“That’s what we are afraid of,” she said.

“We would lose that baby.”

Ask NARAL Pro-Choice NY, and that very concern proves its point, said Samantha Levine, a spokeswoman.

According to an investigation by NARAL of crisis pregnancy centers in the City, 75 percent did not disclose their pro-life agenda on their Web site, 89 percent gave out incorrect information about potential complications from abortion and 100 percent either gave no information about contraception or inaccurate information.

Levine is confident that City Council will approve the legislation.

“I think it has definite support among New Yorkers,” she said.

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

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 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.

SENIORS FREE LUNCH Saturday, Oc tober 30 a t Church of the Resurrection in Kew Gardens. 847-2649 reservations.

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 Mondays, November 1, 15, December 6, 20 Flushing AARP 1405 meets at the B ow n e Str e e t C o m m u n i t y Church, 143-11 Roosevelt Avenue at 1.

AARP 3654 Tuesday, November 2 AARP chapter 3654 meets in Bayside. 423-9416.

STARS Wednesday, November 3 at 10:30 at the Hollis library.

Friday, November 5 at 10:30 at the Queens Village library.

Come join this theatrical group.

Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

THEATER MILKMILK LEMONADE Through November 13 at Good Shepherd, 30-44 Crescent Street, Astoria. $18 adults, $12 students and seniors. 212-352-3101.

ONE RIDE Through November 7 dance musical at Queens Theatre. 760-0064.

CROSSINGS Saturday and Sunday, October 30, 31 based on real life interviews with NYC immigrants at Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064 reservations. Free.

DINOSAURS Saturday, November 6 “Dances with Dinosaurs” will be performed at 8 at Queens Theatre in the Park. 7600064. Free tickets; reservations required.

SWEET CHARITY Saturdays, November 6, 13, 20 at 8 and Sundays, November 7, 14, 21 at 3. FSF Communit y Theatre Group presents the musical “Sweet Charit y” Free Synagogue of Flushing. $16. 229-8547.

MAME Saturdays, November 6, 13, 20 at 8 and Sundays November 7, 14, 21 at 3 at Bay Terrace Jewish Center, 130 0 2 0 9 th S t r e e t , B a y s i d e . $18. 428-6363.

MEETINGS SIBLINGS BEREAVEMENT Mondays, November 1, December 6 St. Adalbert’s bereavement group for the loss of a sibling in Elmhurst. 4292005.

TOASTMASTERS Mondays, November 1, 15, 29, December 13, 20 learn communication and leadership skills in Kew Gardens.

646-269-1577.

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.

TALK OF THE TOWN Tuesdays, November 2, 16, December 7, 21 learn the art of public speaking in St. Albans. 527-5889.

AMERICAN LEGION Tuesdays, November 2, 16, December 7, 21 Edward McKee Post 131 meets in Whitestone. 767-4323.

HAM RADIO CLUB Tuesdays, November 2, December 7 the Emergency Communications Service meets in Briarwood. 3576851.

TOASTMASTERS Wednesdays, November 3, 17, December 1, 15 learn the art of public speaking at the Voices of Rochdale Toastmasters Club in Jamaica. 9780732.

FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesdays, November 3, 17, December 1, 15 Flushing Camera Club meets at Flushing Hospital. 441-6210.

KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS

RELIGIOUS SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE Friday and Saturday, Oc tober 29, 30 the Young Israel of New Hyde Park will feature Rabbi Moshe Tessone on “Sephardic Communities in America: Their History, C u sto m s a n d Tra d i t i o n s . ” 343-0496.

REFORM TEMPLE Wednesday, November 3 Rabbi David Ellenson, President of Hebrew Union College, will speak at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112 th Street at 7:30.

261-2900.

MISCELLANEOUS PICK PUMPKINS Through Oc tober 31 pick your own pumpkin at the Queens Count y Farm Museum on weekends from 114. 73-50 Little Neck Parkway. $5 grapefruit size, larger can be decorated. Free admission. 347-FARM. PET BLESSING S a t u r d ay, O c to b e r 3 0 a blessing of the pets will take place on the front steps of Emanuel Church, Woodhaven Blvd. and 91 st Avenue at 11.

ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesdays, November 3, 17, December 1, 15 Queensview Lodge 433 meets in Whitestone. 7464428.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT Wednesday, November 3, Tu e s d a y, N o ve m b e r 1 6 , Wednesday, December 1, Tuesday, December 21 Bereavement Support Group at Holy Family, 175-20 174 th Street, Fresh Meadows. 9692448.

CATHOLIC VETS Thursdays, November 4, December 2 St. Margaret’s Post 1172 meets in Middle Village. 326-1135.

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

465-2914; me1nc@aol.com HORIZONS CLUB Thursday, November 4 Horizons Club, for those 55 and over, meet for a lecture on “The World of Opera and Broadway” at noon at the Re fo r m Te m p l e o f F o r e st Hills, 71-11 112 th Street. $3 includes coffee and cake.

261-2900.

NAL Friday, November 5 the National Art League meets for a demonstration on Painting Fall Landscapes at 8 at the league, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway. Free.

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

ALUMNI CARDOZO 84-85 Saturday, November 6 at the Marriott in Melville. 800655-7971.

CARDOZO 90 Saturday, November 13 at the Marriott in Melville. 800655-7971.

FLEA MARKETS OUTDOOR FLEA Saturdays and Sundays until November 28 St. Nicholas of Tolentine from 9-5 at the intersection of Parsons Blvd. and Union Turnpike, Jamaica.

RUMMAGE SALE Friday, Oc tober 29 from 79pm and Saturday, October 30 from 10-2 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 42-15 165 th Street, Flushing.

FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, Oc tober 30 a t the Salvation Army, 45-18 Broadway from 12-3. Thrift sale, kids’ performance, raffles, games, food, fun and more.

RUMMAGE SALE November 3 from 9-4 at the Bellerose Jewish Center, 254-04 Union Turnpike, Floral Park.

HARVEST FESTIVAL Saturday, November 6 108:30 and Sunday, November 7 12-3:30. Church of the Resurrection Annual Fair, 85-09 118 th Street, Kew Gardens. Dinner Saturday 5:30-8:00. 847-2649 information.

AMAZING MAZE Through Sunday, November 7 a 3-acre corn maze at Queens Count y Farm Museum. $8 adults, $5 children.

347-3276 information and times.

COSTUME PART Y Saturday, Oc tober 30 1 st Annual International Halloween Remixed Costume Part y at Flushing Town Hall. 4637700, ext. 222. $35. Adults only.

FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, Oc tober 30 a t the Salvation Army, 45-18 Broadway from 12-3. Thrift sale, kids’ performance, raffles, games, food, fun and more.

GOTHIC ROCK S a t u r d a y, O c t o b e r 3 0 Imbolg performs at 2 at the Flushing library.

HAUNTED HOUSE Saturday and Sunday, October 30, 31 from 4-7 at the Queens Count y Farm Museum. Hayrides, mulled cider, pumpkins and apples. $4, $2 hayrides. 347-3276, ext. 304.

BELLA ITALIA MIA Saturday, Oc tober 30 13 t h Annual Celebration with entertainment and food. $25 members, $35 others. $10 11-18, free under 11. Call 426-1240.

HALLOWEEN MUSIC Saturday, Oc tober 30 Halloween Music for Organ, Costume Parade and Food at the Communit y Church of Douglaston. Free for costumed participants, $5 others. 11am. 229-2169.

HALLOWEEN FEST Sunday, Oc tober 31 Halloween Fest-On-Mall on the grass mall on 203rd Street and 42 nd Avenue in Bayside from 4 - 7 . Fre e . Tre a t s , st o r i e s , mask making, fun and more.

KIDS’ FALL FEST S u n d a y, O c to b e r 31 Children’s Fall Festival at the Queens Count y Farm Museum from 11-4. $5. 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park. 347-FARM. STAMP SHOW Sundays, Oc tober 31, November 21, December 26 Bayside Stamp Show at the Ramada Hotel, 220-33 Northern Blvd., Bayside 10-4:30.

645-7659.

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 a y s a t 7 : 1 5 (doors open 6) at the Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd. 459-1000.$3 admission includes 12 games.

CYNTHIA OZICK Tu e s d a y, N ove m b e r 2 Cynthia Ozick reads at 7 at Queens College. 793-8080.

RECEPTION Thursday, November 4 curator’s talk and opening re c e p t i o n 5 - 8 fo r “ Vo i c e s Envisioned: Memories Made in Northern Ireland” at the Queens College Art Center.

997-3770.

ADULT STORY TIME Thursday, November 4 at 1 at the Steinway library.

RUSSIAN CLASSICS

Thursday, November 4 at 6:30 at the Forest Hills library.

SONGS OF NY Friday, November 5 Broadway and Nightclub Songs of NY at 2 at the Whitestone library.

SONG HEE LEE Friday, November 5 Song Hee Lee Dance Company and Yien at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222. $20.

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

BILL JACOBS ENSEMBLE Saturday, November 6 jazz at York College Performing Arts Center in Jamaica. $20.

262-3750.

DEEPAVALI Saturday, November 6 12:30 Indian crafts featuring Mehendi. 2:00 folk and contemporary music with live musicians. Jackson Heights library.

KUAN YIN Saturday, November 6 Kuan Yin’s Compassion at the Flushing library at 2.

FILM SCREENING Saturday, November 6 at 3 Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee’s film screening of “8: The Mormon Proposition” at the LIC library.

BROADWAY MUSIC Saturday, November 6 “Broadway Musicals: The Biggest Hit and the Biggest Flop of the Season 19592009” at 3:30 at the Broadway library.

CLASSICAL CONCERT Saturday, November 6 at 2 at the Forest Hills library.

VIJAY IYER Saturday, November 6 one of today’s most acclaimed young jazz composers and pianist at 7:30 at Flushing Town Hall. Reservations 4637700, ext. 222. Free.

CARACUMBE Sunday, November 7 AfroPeruvian ensemble at 3 at the Central library.

A FAR CRY Sunday, November 7 selfconducted chamber orchestra performs at Queens College at 2. $36. 793-8080.

ORGANIST Sunday, November 7 Dr. David K. Lamb, international concert organist performs at the Communit y Church of Douglaston. 229-2169 tickets.

GLENN MOHR CHORALE Sunday, November 7 “Jeanne Jugan: The Hidden Heart” will be performed at Queen of Peace Chapel in Queens Village at 3. 4641800.

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

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.

CANCER SUPPORT Mondays, November 1, December 6 Franklin Hospital’s Cancer Support Group meets at 2 in the Cafeteria.

516-256-6478.

PARKINSON Mondays, November 1, December 6 at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills. 4404200.

RECOVERY, INC. Monday, November 1 anxiet y, fear, obsession, temper and more at 5:45 at the Forest Hills library.

DANCE FOR HEALTH Monday, November 1 at 6 at the Baisley Park library.

CANCER ACTION Monday, November 1 Baisley Park Cancer Action Council at the library at 6.

ZUMBA Mondays, November 1, 8, 15 at the Lef ferts librar y.

Register.

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

670-1695. $5 a 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.

ZUMBA Tuesday, November 4 at the Bellerose librar y. Register.

CAREGIVER WORKSHOP Wednesday, November 3 at the Briarwood library at 2.

MEDITATION Wednesday, November 3 The Ultimate Peaceful Experience at 6 at the Flushing library.

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

HATHA YOGA Thursday, November 4 at the Queensboro Hill library at 6:30. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a mat.

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.

REDUCE STRESS Saturdays, November 6, December 4 at the Poppenhusen Institute. Tea and talk. 358-0067.

BLOOD DRIVE Sunday, November 7 from 9-2:15 at the Young Israel of New Hyde Park, 264-15 77 th Avenue.

Queens Today YOUTH

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS WOMEN & WORK Free job training program for women at Queens College.

997-4899.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturday, October 30 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital. 646436-7940.

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.

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.

ADULT CHESS Mondays at 6 at the Queens Village library.

COMPUTER CLASS Monday, November 1 at the Douglaston/Little Neck librar y. Register.

GET YOUR YARNS OUT! Tuesdays after evening Minyan at 8, knitters, crochet-

ers, needlepointers, and others meet at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 200.

OPEN BRIDGE Tuesdays at 8 at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. Call 2637000 for fees.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesday, November 2 at the Baisley Park library. Register.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesday, November 2 at 10 at the LIC library.

ESOL CLASS Tuesday, November 10 biweekly intermediate instruction at 10 at the Queens Village library.

COMPUTER CLASS Tu e s d ay, N o ve m b e r 2 i n English and Spanish at the Arverne library.

BEGINNERS PC Tuesday, November 2 at the Bellerose librar y. Register.

E-MAIL Tuesday, November 2 at the McGoldrick library. Register.

COMPUTER BASICS Tuesday, November 2 at the Astoria library at 11 and at the Queensboro Hill library.

Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesday, November 2 at the Rosedale library at 11.

TEENS TEEN GAMES Wednesday, November 3 at the Central library at 4.

TEEN GAME DAY Wednesday, November 3 at the Kew Gardens Hills library at 4.

GAME DAY Wednesday, November 3 at the St. Albans library at 4.

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

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 th 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.

WII Thursday, November 4 at the Bayside library at 3:30.

CRAZY CROCHET Thursday, November 4 at the Laurelton library at 3:45.

GIRL SCOUTS Thursday, November 4 at 4 at the Queens Village library.

TEEN NIGHT Thursday, November 4 at the Arverne library at 5:15.

CHESS CLUB Thursday, November 4 a t the East Flushing library. Register.

GAME DAY Friday, November 5 at the Bay Terrace library at 2:30.

GAME DAY Friday, November 5 at the Bellerose library at 4.

GAME TIME Friday, November 5 at the Seaside library at 4.

WII Friday, November 5 at the Lefrak Cit y library at 4:30.

GAME PLAYERS Fridays at the Hillcrest library at 2.

WRITING WORKSHOP Saturday, November 6 at the Steinway library. Register.

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.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

SCIENCE LAB Saturday, October 30 at 11 at the Central library.

MATH HELP Saturdays, October 30, November 6 at the Flushing library at 10.

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

BABIES Saturday, Oc tober 30 Babies in Queens library at 10:30 at the Cambria Heights library.

PUMPKIN PATCH Saturday, Oc tober 30 for those 5-6 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register.

HALLOWEEN Sunday, Oc tober 31 Halloween part y at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext. 222.

TRICK O’TREATERS Monday, November 1 for those 18 months-4 at Alley Pond Environmental Center.

229-4000.

PICTURE BOOK Monday, November 1 Circle of Friends: Picture Book Program for 3-5 Year Olds at 11:15 at the Glen Oaks library.

HOMEWORK HELP Monday-Friday, November 1-5 at 3 at the Astoria library.

And at the Baisley Park library.

CRAFT KIDS Monday, November 1 at the Flushing library at 3.

MATH Monday, November 1 at the Hollis library at 3:30.

SEWING CLUB Monday, November 1 at the LIC library. Register.

STORY TELLING Monday, November 1 at the Rosedale library at 4.

TWEEN TIME Monday, November 1 at the Arverne library at 4:15.

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.

ENGLISH GRAMMAR Tuesday, November 2 at the

Hollis library at 3:30.

YOGA FOR KIDS Tuesday, November 2 at the Queensboro Hill library. Register.

ARTS & CRAFTS Tuesday, November 2 at the Auburndale library at 4.

CROCHETING Tuesday, November 2 at the Bayside librar y. Register.

INTERNET SAFETY Tuesday, November 2 at the Forest Hills library. Register.

WATER COLOR Tu e s d ay, N ov e m b e r 2 a t the L aurelton librar y. Register.

VOCABULARY WORKSHOP Tuesday, November 2 at the Sout h Ozone Park librar y.

Register.

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

BABY CRAWL Wednesday, November 3 at 1:30 at the Forest Hills library.

YOGA FOR KIDS Wednesday, November 3 at the North Hills library. Register.

ANIMALS ALIVE Wednesday, November 3 at the Flushing librar y. Register.

STAINED GLASS Wednesday, November 3 at the LIC library. Register.

KIDS TIME Wednesday, November 3 at the Seaside library at 4.

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

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

HOMEWORK HELP Monday-Friday, November 1-5 at 3 at the Baisley Park library.

TEEN GAMING Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, November 1, 2, 3, 4 at the Fresh Meadows library at 3:30.

COLLEGE BOUND CLUB Monday, November 1 at 4 at the Central library.

LAPTOPS FOR TEENS Monday-Thursday, November 1-4 at the Hollis library.

Register.

COLLEGE CLUB Monday, November 1 – Paying for College at 5 at the Pomonok library.

TEEN BOGGLE Tuesday November 2 at the Arverne, Briarwood, Flushing, Lefrak Cit y, Pomonok and Sunnyside libraries.

Register.

CROCHETING Tuesday, November 2 at the Bayside librar y. Register.

INTERNET SAFETY Tuesday, November 2 at the Forest Hills library. Register.

BOGGLE Tuesday, November 2 at 4 at the Pomonok library.

TRAIN BRAIN Tuesday, November 2 at the Queens Village library at 4.

TEEN TUESDAY Tuesday, November 2 at 4 at the Seaside library.

VOCABULARY BUILDING Tuesday, November 2 at the Sout h Ozone Park librar y.

Register.

JEWELRY Tuesday, November 2 at the St. Albans library at 4.

BEGINNERS PC Tuesday, November 2 at the Bellerose librar y. Register.

ADULT SCRABBLE Tuesday, November 2 at 1 at the Fresh Meadows library.

CHAIR YOGA Tuesdays, November 2, December 7, January 4 at the East Elmhurst library. Register.

SCRABBLE CLUB Tuesdays in November 3:305:30 at the East Flushing library.

INTRO COMPUTERS Tuesday, November 2 at the Central library. Register.

BASIC COMPUTERS Wednesday, November 3 at the Woodside library at 10:30.

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

QUILTING CLASSES Thursdays 10-2 at the Maria Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans. 917-817-8653 to register.

KNIT/CROCHET Thursdays 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 per player. 2756615 to register.

INTER. COMPUTER Thursday, November 4 at the LIC library at 10.

INTRO COMPUTERS Thursday, November 4 at the Pomonok library. Register.

BASIC COMPUTER Thursday, November 4 at the Queensboro Hill library.

359-8332 to register.

CHESS & BOARD GAMES Thursday, November 4 at 2 at the Seaside library.

WRITER’S WORKSHOP Thursday, November 4 at the Bayside library. Register.

HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS Thursday, November 4 at the Cambria Heights library at 6.

COMPUTER CLASS Thursday, November 4 at the Rosedale library at 6.

KNIT & CROCHET Friday, November 5 at 10:30 at the Fresh Meadows library.

COMPUTER CLASS Friday, November 5 at the Middle Village library. Register.

GAMES Friday, November 5 at 11 at the Rosedale library.

COMPUTER COURSE Friday, November 5 at the Ozone Park library. Register.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, November 6 at St. Mel’s in Flushing. 3609720.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, November 6, 20, December 4, 18 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital. 646-4367940.

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Air Force Airman 1st Class Sharlisse Landers

Allstate agency owner Yanick Cadet was recently named an Agent Hero by Allstate Insurance Company’s New York Region, and awarded a $500 grant for a local youth program. Cadet donated the grant to Kickers Youth Sports Association of Southeast Queens, based in Laurelton.

“As an Allstate agent, I believe it is my responsibility to demonstrate the Good Hands Promise in the Queens community every single day,” said Cadet, whose office is located at 190-17 Linden Boulevard in Saint Albans. “It is an honor to be able to donate this grant to Kickers Youth Sports Association and hopefully touch the lives of the youth who are involved.”

Air Force Airman 1st Class Sharlisse Landers 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.

She is the daughter of Ivelisse Roman of Spring Valley, and granddaughter of Diane Landers of Jamaica. Landers is a

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. David Monzon is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, respectively.

The soldiers return to Joint Base DixMcGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to their regularly assigned Army Reserve or National Guard units.

Monzon, a petroleum supply specialist, is assigned to the 716th Quartermaster Company, located at the Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J. He has served in the military for eight years.

Allstate agent Yanick Cadet (l.) presents check to Fritz Casimir of Kickers Youth Sports Association.

He is the son of Maria A. Monzon of Queens Village. The staff sergeant graduated in 2000 from Bayside High School.

Army Reserve Spec. Mdmahbubur R. Bhuiyan is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, respectively.

The soldiers return to Joint Base DixMcGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to their regularly assigned Army Reserve or National Guard units.

In addition, Spec. Bhuiyan was decorated with the Army Achievement Medal.

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He is the son of Sahara Begum of Jamaica. The specialist graduated from a high school program in 2001 from Kingsborough Community College, and is currently a student at the City University of New York-Queens College.

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Bobbling Balls

Jared and Jay Macchierole etched their name among the list of infamous baseball fans interfering with plays at the wall.

The duo fumbled a deep shot by second baseman Robinson Cano, helping it over the wall and away from the glove of Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz. Or not.

It depends on who you ask.

The homer gave the Yankees an early 1-0 lead, but the Yankees lost in the end, 10-3.

The duo swore the ball had cleared the wall without them giving it a hand. We hope they’re right.

Two brothers from Queens shouldn’t be helping the Yankees in any way.

Or they had to do a lot better than they did.

Brothers Jared and Jay Macchierole get in the way.

Fitty Rocks!

Reby’s Return Let’s face it, we love Reby Sky. She’s a gal from Queens who has made a name for herself in the pages of this paper, national magazines, on TV, on radio, playing in the Lingerie Football League, as the football “Giant Girl”, and just being an all-around fun girl to hang with.

Most recently, she worked on a special project with DAZ Productions, which generates computerized rendering for video games, to create a 3-D version of herself from a compilation of hundreds of photos. The CGI Reby can be downloaded by video game de-

velopers and integrated into their on the popular Mexican wrestling games. show. “I follow a lot of wrestling And this gal has always been and have never seen some of the into having the kind of fun you’d things these guys can do.” expect from a college- Reby Sky While training to perage guy, but with much Rego Park haps enter the ring herbetter clothing (or lack self one day, Reby is takAge: 24 thereof). ing her love of wresting “I think I have a lot in Height: 5’ 6" to another set of airwaves. common with the typical Weight:105lbs “I’ll be working as a American man,” she Stats: 34-24-36 manager in a few indy said in a July 2010 Playboy inter- shows with Connecticut Wresview, citing her love of pro wres- tling Entertainment and you can tling, football and video games. hear me every Wednesday from 2“That, coupled with my eager- 4 p.m. on Sirius XM satellite raness to please, makes me a pretty dio on the pro wrestling show, fun chick to be around.”

‘Busted Open.’”

Today, she’s a backstage inWant to know more? C’mon, terviewer and commentator for who doesn’t? Check her out at MTV2’s Lucha Libre USA, based Rebysky.com.

Page 26 PRESS of Southeast Queens Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010

Our Unholy Lady Of Corona’s newest boy toy, Brahim Rachiki

On The Prowl Former Corona resident Madonna was recently spotted in Manhattan’s Meatpacking district getting cozy with choreographer Brahim Rachiki, who is either 33 or 24, depending on your source.

After shaking her groove thing for at least an hour, the two were caught holding hands and kissing in a private area of trendy nightclub SL. This isn’t Madge’s first foray into cougar habitat. The Material Girl recently called it quits with 23year-old Brazilian model Jesus Luz, whose mother is 14 years her junior.

We applaud Madonna’s success both on, and off, the billboard charts.

Despite all the complaining and whining and threats to move, a new survey found that 84 percent are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the city as a place to live. Only 4 percent said they were not at all satisfied. Also, 82 percent said they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their neighborhood in the city where they live, so you can have your Don’t mind the 7 train stare.

McMansions, Howard Beach – Confidentially, New York . . . we’re happy in our four-room Elmhurst walkup.

Yes, okay, the fact that the Belt Parkway is always backed up for eight hours a day is annoying, but having a multitude of radio stations in the biggest city in the country makes life in traffic much more enjoyable.

Yes, we don’t wake up looking forward to staring at someone’s crotch on the 7 train as they stand in front of us the whole way from Flushing to Grand Central, but at least we got a seat, right?

Yes, it is annoying to have to move our car because of alternate side parking, but it gives us a reason to run those errands we probably wouldn’t normally do.

So to the 4 percent that doesn’t like it here, don’t let the toll booth gate on the George Washington Bridge hit your car trunk on the way out.

Photo: Ira Cohen

We Love This Place Guess what? New Yorkers like New York.

Back in March, 50 Cent revealed that his world travels with the GUnit inspired him to experiment with new styles of music, most notably rock, for his upcoming album Black Magic. Eager fans may have to wait a little bit longer to hear those musical stylings.

Ensconced in America, 50 canned the new stuff in favor of the same old thing.

“There are some pieces that are really exciting to me, so I want to put them out as soon as possible. But the whole body of work, the whole concept of that actual album, it may not be my next album,” he told the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone.

The chart-topping Queens native scored his last No. 1 hit with 2004’s Candy Shop, including the memorable chorus “I’ll take you to the candy shop. I’ll let you lick the lollipop.”

Don’t ever change, 50.

Queens blogging juror Bruce Slutsky

Always On Social media is all the craze.

People are twittering and facebooking every aspect of their lives. Nothing is off limits or too sacred. How about legal proceedings?

Bruce Slutsky, a Queens juror, documented his courtroom experience on his blog.

Slutsky, a Flushing resident, gave the details of the legal proceedings and at times lamented the process.

John Clark, a law professor at the University of Texas at Tyler, stumbled across the blog and alerted the courts. Slutlsky was called in for questioning and was kept on as juror as he didn’t give up the specifics.

Is this merely the beginning?

Could you imagine being a juror on an OJ Simpson-size trial in the era of blogs, Twitter and Facebook?

We’ll be following.

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 27

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