Queens Press Epaper

Volume 11 Issue No. 49 Dec. 10-16, 2010

PAGE 22

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PRESS Photos by Ira Cohen

Jamaica High School (right), this time joined by Beach Channel High and two other Southeast Queens schools, PS 30 (bottom left) and IS 237 (bottom right), is once again on the Dept. of Education’s chopping block for the coming school year.

By Jessica Ablamsky…Page 3

Online at www.QueensPress.com

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Four Boro Schools To Be Phased Out

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY

tinue to fail students when we know we can do better.

We’re now hard at work creating new schools and improving our existing schools, so these communities will have more highquality choices next year that will serve students better than the schools we’re phasing out.”

IS 231 would be closed

by June 2013 and replaced by two unnamed schools.

PS 30 would be closed by June 2014 and be replaced by an unnamed school or schools.

Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) is not surprised that PS 30 is Jamaica High School has once again ended up on the chopping going down. block.

“PS 30 deserves to be closed,” he said. “Their principal is hor- send their children to schools where they rible.” won’t learn basic skills or get a diploma,” Comrie is more concerned about find- said Executive Director Joe Williams. ing alternatives to closure for IS 231 and “Each of these schools should have been his alma mater, Jamaica High School. replaced years ago. The DOE should move Defending the DOE’s decision was as quickly as possible to create better opEducation Reform Now, an advocacy or- tions for families in these neighborhoods.” ganization that supports the DOE’s deciReach Reporter Jessica Ablamsky at sion. jablamsky@queenstribune.com or (718) 357“We can’t continue to ask parents to 7400, Ext. 124.

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

The City Dept. of Education culled its list of 12 possible closures in Queens down to four – two large high schools, one middle school and one elementary school.

If approved by the Panel for Educational Policy at public hearings next January and February, Beach Channel High School, Jamaica High School, IS 231 in Springfield Gardens and PS 30 in Jamaica will not accept new students next year.

Both high schools would be replaced by schools co-located in the building that opened this past fall.

Beach Channel would become the Rockaway Park High School for Environmental Sustainability, while Jamaica would be replaced by two schools: the Hillside Arts & Letters Academy, and the High School for Community Leadership.

During its illustrious 100-year history, the halls of Jamaica High School has been filled with many who found success after graduation, including Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens), who is “very discouraged” by the DOE’s decision.

“I don’t think it’s going to make a hill of beans of difference,” he said. “Even if I’m wrong and it makes a difference, it’s

not going to be a hill.”

Echoing the words of UFT president Michael Mulgrew, Weprin said that the DOE should fix schools, not close them.

“The miniscule results are not worth destroying the history of the City of New York,” Weprin said.

Neither high school is a stranger to closure. A judge last year blocked the DOE from closing 19 schools in the city, including both Beach Channel and Jamaica.

“Because of our lawsuit last year, the courts stopped the DOE from illegally closing 19 schools,” Mulgrew said. “The UFT, our lawyers and the teachers in the closing schools will be closely monitoring the process this year. If we find any substantial violations of the statute that covers school closings, the DOE can expect to see us in court.”

The decision to pursue closure came after weeks of conversation with school communities, and examining academic records, said Deputy Chancellor Marc Sternberg.

“Year after year, even as we provided extra help and support, these schools simply have not gotten the job done for children,” he said. “These are tough decisions, but we cannot afford to let schools con-

No OTB Rescue, ‘N Word’ Ed. Official Parlors Shut Down Gets Fired, To Appeal

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

BY SASHA AUSTRIE A School District 29 parent advocate who used the “N Word” to refer to parents in a school meeting earlier this year has been fired and is appealing his dismissal.

Ron Barfield, the family district advocate for District 29 in Jamaica, was recorded on May 27 using the “N Word” in a number of instances at a parent association executive board meeting at PS 134.

The meeting was held to craft bylaws per the Chancellor Joel Klein’s regulations.

In the meeting, Barfield said the parent association should meet on Fridays because “niggers don’t like to come out on Fridays.”

He closed the meeting with a reminder to the board: “Keep the niggers out.”

Barfield held his post since October 2007 and is one of 32 family district advocates throughout the City. A district family advocate’s responsibility is to assist parents if they still have questions after consulting with their parent coordinators or principals.

Felicia Galy, a former PA board member, who spoke against Barfield’s use of the “N Word,” said her initial reaction was “shock,” which turned into dismay when at a Nov. 18 hearing Galy said three members of the current PA were in support of Barfield’s return. She alleged that Lennon Murray, District 29’s superintendent, also supported Barfield.

As of press time, Murray and members of the PA did not return calls for comment.

William McDonald, a member of the NAACP and Community Educational Council for District 29, said the appeal is part of the process, but that the DOE has no interest in Barfield.

“This is a pattern,” McDonald said of Barfield’s behavior. He said Barfield has been ousted from Districts 16, 17 and now 29. McDonald said he has heard Barfield use the “N Word” on previous occasions.

“He uses it as a term of endearment,” McDonald said. “It disenfranchises parents,” he said. “His job is to empower parents.”

Matthew Mittenthal, a DOE spokesman, said though Barfield was terminated, a successor will not be named until the arbitrator makes a decision at month’s end.

McDonald said he found it interesting that the DOE was “holding the job for him.” He said the lack of a family district advocate is “a huge problem.”

“The parents are disenfranchised,” he said. “The community is disenfranchised.

That is a big loss for the community.”

Though the NAACP is taking a waitand-see stance, McDonald said Barfield would not be reinstated.

“Barfield will not be coming back to the district under any circumstances,” he said.

“And if they are dumb enough to send him back, that is like declaring war on the community.”

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

Dec. 10-16, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

NYC OTB shut down for good at midnight Tuesday night after the State Senate failed to pass a bill rescuing the company that has been in bankruptcy for a year.

The bill fell three votes short of the 32 needed: 10 senators, five each on the Democrat and Republican sides, were absent from the vote, including Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) who is in China for a high-speed rail convention.

“A no vote on this bill lights the wick to a stick of dynamite that will blow up our racing industry,” said Sen. Eric Adams, (D-Brooklyn), chairman of the chamber’s racing and wagering committee. “Today it’s New York City OTB, tomorrow it’s Nassau, Monticello and other regions.”

All 27 Democrats who were present voted for the bill, including Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), who had expressed reservations about any rescue bill.

“We have to be very careful when we give entities like OTB a blank check,” he said at a Community Board 10 meeting on Dec. 2. “I’m not prepared to make cuts to Medicare and cuts to youths and other services to bail out OTB.” Two Republicans, outgoing Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) and Sen. Roy McDonald (R-Saratoga Springs) both voted for the bill. The GOP had proposed a compromise bill that would also allow any bailout to spread evenly over all of the states’ OTBs.

The Assembly passed the rescue bill late last week. Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven), a supported of the bill, said he was disappointed in the Senate vote and warned OTB’s closure would prove costly to New York State.

“The result of this vote will cost the state a tremendous amount of money in severance, unemployment insurance and other related costs,” he said.

Miller said opponents had mischaracterized the bill.

“This bill is not a bailout. It allows OTB to get out of bankruptcy, and satisfy their two major creditors – the New York Racing Association and Yonkers Raceway. It would have given OTB the opportunity to restructure without additional state money,” he said.

The closure leaves 900 people without a job. At O’Neill’s in Maspeth, one of three restaurant OTB locations in Queens, Maitre‘d Jack McDonald said the restaurant would lose some business.

“It would hurt us [if OTB closed]” he said. “We get quite a bit of business from people who come in here for the races.”

McDonald said O’Neill’s would be able to absorb the blow it would take from closing its in-house OTB parlor, but the employees who work behind the restaurant’s OTB counter may not.

“These people are going to be out of a job, at a terrible time,” he said.

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

Nursing Home Hid Poor Care In Suit

BY JASON BANREY A jury awarded a verdict of $305,000 in punitive damages to a Rosedale family after a Queens nursing home was found guilty of not providing adequate care to one of its patients.

Between April and May of 2005, Sarah Lester was in the Highland Care Center in Jamaica. Prior to being admitted to the nursing home, Lester suffered from numerous medical issues, some of which included pulmonary edema and diabetes.

These conditions, if not properly monitored, can potentially cause bedsores and become extremely painful.

To avoid the development of bedsores, it was necessary for Lester to be turned and repositioned in bed every two hours by care staff, relieving pressure on areas of the body.

After a visit, Lester’s daughter, Lorien Questelles, discovered a bedsore on her mother’s backside and immediately reported the wound to Highland Care’s staff.

She was assured the bedsore would be properly addressed. When the bedsores got worse, Questelles transferred her mother to another nursing home where the condition eventually healed.

Under the New York State Public Health Law, which governs the quality of care at nursing homes, the Lester family was able to file a claim against Highland Care due to the injuries she sustained while in their custody.

Before the trial began in August, the nursing home submitted medical records that were inconsistent with the primary medical records family members received after Lester was discharged.

Scrutiny of Lester’s medical records by attorney John Dalli of Dalli and Marino revealed evidence of Highland falsifying medical records.

During his preparation for the lawsuit, Dalli compared original medical records given to the family with secondary copies he received from the nursing home and noticed alterations were made to give the impression that Highland’s staff was giving Lester proper treatment.

Dalli believes the nursing home knowingly falsified medical records, after Lester passed away, in an effort to cover up the improper treatment. “They did this to cover up,� said Dalli. “These facilities are acting as pseudo-families and [patients] are defenseless.�

This is not the first time Dalli has come across a situation like this in the borough.

Although the injuries Lester obtained while in the care of Highland did not play a role in her death, Dalli says senior patients who are in the care of nursing home facilities are obligated to provide adequate treatment to individuals who cannot take care of themselves.

Dalli now cautions other nursing homes throughout New York that this type of treatment is against the law and expects

the jury’s significant award of punitive damages will serve as a deterrent to a problem that must immediately be addressed. “I hope that the verdict sends the message out to nursing homes operating in New York,� said Dalli.

The Lester family hopes residents of Queens who have family members in nurs-

ing homes will learn from the lesson they suffered. “[Caregivers] are not always going to be there for your family members, so be sure to visit and check them yourself regularly,� said Questelles.

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

SEQ Soldier Loses Life In Tragic Accidental Fall

BY SASHA AUSTRIE On Thursday, Dec. 2, Spc. Andrew Wilson, a New York Army National Guard soldier based in Southeast Queens, fell to his death.

Wilson, assigned to the Jamaica Armory, Company G, 427th Brigade Support Battalion, died shortly after 9 a.m. because of a fall from the armory’s roof.

Wilson and another soldier were attempting to spread a tarp over a section of the roof when he fell through a skylight in the drill shed ceiling. “The New York National Guard is saddened by the loss of this soldier and extend our sympathies to his family, friends and unit at this difficult time,� said Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant Gen-

eral of New York and Commander of the New York Army National Guard. “This is a tragic day for this family, the Guard and the Army. Our thoughts are with his family at this time and he will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.�

Wilson joined the Guard in September 2005. He is a combat veteran, who served two tours of duty in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009.

The accident is under investigation and the New York National Guard is working with the Army Safety Center to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding it.

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

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Giving Women A Place To Feel Safe

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY

"We definitely went through a couple of different landlords that pulled out at the last minute," he said. "I think, personally, that they pulled out because they didn't understand."

Their current landlord is someone whose life was touched by sex trafficking and is completely behind Restore's mission.

"We would like to expand as much as we can," he said. "We really want to be thorough in the services we are providing now. There are other nationalities here that are victims of the crime. We would like to branch out linguistically. If this house fills up, we would

like to branch out to a wider base."

In any major city, sex trafficking is present at some level, Villio said.

"All of these places have storefronts," he said. "Massage, salons, acupuncture."

Villio suggests a stroll through Chinatown and Flushing in the middle of the night.

"These places are open. What's going on?" he asked.

For more information, or to find out how you can help, go to restorenyc.org.

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

Holiday Mixer: Photo by Juliet Kaye

For the women who seek help from Restore, the biggest obstacle to personal safety is fear.

A nonprofit that serves Chinese and Korean victims of sex trafficking, Restore recently opened the first safehouse in the city for international victims - at a secret location in Queens.

Only coined about 10 years ago, the term "sex trafficking" can be hard to define, much less agree upon.

According to the United Nations, sex trafficking is the use of force or other forms of coercion for the purpose of exploitation. It includes the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people.

Since opening their doors two years ago, Restore has worked with more than 100 women. Most came to them through the court system, ordered to receive services by a judge, but women have also arrived through word of mouth.

After two years of planning and a year of fundraising, Restore opened its first safehouse for clients a little more than a month ago. With eight beds for residents and two for house coordinators, one who speaks Chinese and another fluent in Korean, there is plenty of space.

"Right now we had our first client move in," said Lanci Villio, operations director for Restore. "Our job is to earn these people's trust because they've been so

misled. There are women who are scared to open up with their story because they are really afraid of their sex trafficker."

Most of the women get sold into sexual slavery after hearing in their home country about a job opportunity in the United States, one that comes with a hefty fee for the appropriate legal documents.

"They sometimes get here with fake visas, or it's a smuggling case," Villio said.

"We work with lawyers. Once they have a visa, the government recognizes them as a victim of sex trafficking."

The first resident was afraid to move into the house.

"We said, 'Why don't you check out the house and see if you feel comfortable.'

When she saw the house and saw that there was someone who speaks the language, she was immediately like, 'Yes, I would love to move in,'" Villio said.

He describes the house as "a very pleasant place to be. These women have meals cooked for them. We are purchasing a piano, so they will have music lessons. There's art easels where they can learn to paint."

There is also a computer station where they can learn how to create a resume.

Through a project called Hello Rewind, the women make custom laptop sleeves.

"We are still in the process right now of thinking of more ideas," he said. "If they can't make money, then the long-term aftercare is going to be difficult."

Although they had a location in mind, finding the right rental was not easy.

At William Scarborough's Holiday Mixer held Sunday, Dec. 5, Councilman Leroy Comrie (l. to r.), Hon. Archie Spigner, Councilman Ruben Wills, Assemblyman William Scarborough, D. L. Uma Sengupta and Assemblyman Rory Lancman were among the many guests.

Dec. 10-16, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

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Editorial Schools Closing Jamaica High School has joined a list with Beach Channel High, an elementary and middle school in Queens that will be “closed” by the Dept. of Education, pending the outcome of expected lawsuits, the likes of which were able to forestall closings last year.

The Dept. of Education has failed to engender good will with the affected communities simply by a choice of words. The reality is that these schools won’t be “closed” – they will merely be renamed, re-staffed and given new curriculum to help solve persistent problems. Restructuring would probably be the best term. Conceptually, very few people oppose the so-called closings if the result is an improvement in the education of our children.

And there have been improvements. Mayoral control is a dramatic step forward from the morass of the Bd. Of Education and its essentially autonomous school boards. In the great strides made, there have been a few small steps backwards, but we believe that the Dept. of Education is headed in the right direction.

They just need a thesaurus.

Letters Immigrant Vote To The Editor: I am writing to encourage all Queens residents to support Intro 410, a bill introduced by the City Council’s Committee on Governmental Operations on Nov. 17, which would allow all documented immigrants to vote in New York City’s municipal elections. We at Queens Community House see this legislation as the right step toward fulfilling the promise of democracy in our city, and we hope that others will join us in urging the Council to bring to a vote and pass this bill.

Currently, over a million taxpayers in this city are barred from choosing who will stand up for him or her in government affairs.

In several City Council districts in Queens, the most ethnically diverse county in the world, more than one in three of our neighbors cannot vote. Legally documented noncitizens, who pay income and sales taxes at the same rate as citizens, send their children to public schools, fight in our military, and contribute one fifth of the total New York State Gross Domestic Product, are excluded from participating

Letters in the democratic process.

Up until 1926, when a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment racked our shores and some were displeased with the expansion of voting rights to African Americans and women, noncitizens in many states had the right to vote in city, state, and even federal elections. And before the Board of Education was dissolved in 2002, all New York City residents with children enjoyed the right to vote for their community school boards for more than 40 years.

As the port of entry for so many New Yorkers, Queens should lead the way in fighting to restore the right to vote in municipal elections to documented New York City residents.

This is why Queens Community House has joined the NY Coalition to Expand Voting Rights to work towards this goal which will promote political incorporation.

When all of our neighbors are able to participate in making decisions that affect their daily lives, democracy will be better served, and everyone will benefit.

Irma E. Rodriguez, Executive Director Queens Community House

Obstrublicans To The Editor: The midterm election has been called a referendum by the usual and expected detractors, the

Obstrublicans and indeed it was.

However, it was not a referendum directed at the Democratic policies which any middle class un-duped American should cheer.

It was a referendum on Barack “Can’t we all just get along” Obama.

He handled his position as the President of the United States as if he were a Law professor in a Harvard lecture hall speaking to open minds thirsty for knowledge with which, to benefit their future lives rather than acknowledge the reality, that the vipers to whom he was constantly “Reaching out” his hand, want no more than to sever that reaching hand at the shoulder.

He failed to realize that while he is going about the business of trying to improve the country, the opposing party, which has made an art form out of gutter politics, had no such interest but rather bent solely on the destruction of the Obama presidency so as to once again place it in their control. As they so proudly stated, bring about his Waterloo, their primary goal is to make Obama a one term President.

Compromise or agree on nothing, even when voting on a bill they themselves had put forth, Just say no, period – and so on.

For once they weren’t lying; they have done and are doing exactly that.

Nicholas Zizelis, Bayside

Elizabeth Edwards' Death: A Lesson In Preventive Care A Personal Perspective

By MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE This week, Elizabeth Edwards' long goodbye from this life finally concluded with her death from cancer.

America came to know her as the wife of 2004 presidential candidate, John Edwards, then a senator from North Carolina.

She was charming and intelligent and the couple shared their mutual heartbreak of the loss of their teenaged son. It was part of Senator Edwards' compelling back story and many voters immediately warmed to his candidacy.

He wasn't my choice for president, but I really liked Elizabeth. When John Kerry picked Edwards as his running mate at the end of the primary season, most Democrats were immediately convinced this was a formidable team.

We all know how the general election played out - but as soon as Kerry conceded to George W. Bush, the Edwards's announced Elizabeth had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

By the time Edwards had discovered the ominous lump in her

breast a week earlier, it was the size of an egg. It had already begun to spread and she blamed herself for not having been more vigilant about getting an annual mammogram.

She had put everything and everyone above her own health and it would eventually cost her life at the age of 61. As a mother, I view Edwards' now-motherless youngsters, ages 10 and 12, as the saddest thing about her death.

That is a tragedy that may have been averted had she taken better care of herself. We're all busy, and we all hate mammograms and we all hate pap tests, but every woman over 40 (younger if there's a family history of cancer in these areas), needs to attend to these basic healthcare needs.

Sadly, not everyone has the insurance to cover these tests, and many women who don't also lack the cash needed to pay. This is the point of universal healthcare. Every person should be able to get preventive care.

However, there are complimentary ones, if you pay attention. In our area, my husband sponsors them every fall, mostly in October for "Breast Cancer

Awareness Month." Some hospitals also send medi-vans into the community to do them (again, free of charge) at churches and colleges. So there are choices.

But not only did Edwards have insurance via her husband's Senate job, they were an independently wealthy couple. Even if they had no health insurance, they had the cash to pay. It was simply a matter of personal negligence.

She took responsibility for the failure and she encouraged other women not to follow her example on that front. Elizabeth Edwards was a talented writer, speaker and lawyer. She was an engaged citizen and able strategist. She seems to have been a wonderful mother and loving wife. But she was not smart about her health when she had it.

The lesson for us as women is that it is essential to get our mammograms and other genderrelated and general checkups.

The lesson for men is that you also need to make sure the women in your lives get them done.

Mammograms are extremely uncomfortable. But they seem to be a necessary evil. Every year

when I get mine, I say the same thing: "When there's something like this to test for testicular cancer, then I'll get my mammogram with a smile."

Not to overly blame the victim, but Edwards failed herself on another front too. She seems not to have been doing the monthly self-examination of her breasts.

This is something both men and women can do for themselves (yes, men get breast cancer too).

Had she been doing this, she would have discovered the lump before it became a lost cause.

Through treatment and a positive outlook, she got an additional six years with her children, but had she been more vigilant, she might have gotten another 20 or so. It is a very sad moment for the Edwards family - including the philandering John, one can bet - but it's sad for us as a nation as well. You get to "meet" some dynamic and giving people in presidential elections. Some come and go while others, like Elizabeth Edwards, grab a hold of your attention and emotions and never let go.

Goodbye, Elizabeth. Rest in peace.

News Briefs Wage Law Awaits Gov. The Wage Theft Prevention Act, aimed at preventing employers from withholding wages, an often-overlooked problem among immigrant workers, passed the State Assembly and is waiting for Gov. David Paterson’s signature.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island) and Assemblyman Carl Heastie (D-Bronx), passed the State Senate by a narrow margin in June and had been languishing in the Assembly. In recent weeks, labor and immigration activists, like Make The Road New York, pressured the Assembly to vote on the bill in last week’s special session. Last month, MRNY held a rally with victims of wage theft on Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights demanding the Assembly act on the bill.

If enacted, the bill would create incentives for compliance by increasing liquidated damages from 25 percent to 100 percent; protect workers who speak out against retaliation by imposing fines against employers; and keep wage violators from hiding assets to avoid payments.

“It’s a long time coming,” said Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven).

“This bill protects our workers from unscrupulous business owners.”

The bill passed the Assembly 89-42, getting the votes of nearly all Democrats and some Republicans. Every Assembly member from Queens, as well as every Senator, voted in favor of the bill. Business leaders are lobbying Gov. Paterson to veto the legislation, citing the potential for increased labor costs.

MoveOn Targets Crowley The national debate over extending the Bush tax cuts reached a fever pitch last week when Senate Republicans said they would not extend the tax cuts for families earning less than $250,000 a year without protecting those who earn more.

The elimination of the tax cuts for families earning more than $250,000 and individuals earning more than $200,000 was a key item on President Barack Obama’s agenda, but his party’s recent loss of the House of Representatives put the plan in jeopardy.

The lame-duck House of Representatives passed a bill, championed by Obama

in September and October, ending higherincome tax breaks last month, but it died in the Senate. The plan’s prospects in the Senate led Obama to strike a deal with Senate Republicans and conservative Democrats to extend the tax cuts for a two years in exchange for extending unemployment benefits, which expired this month. That deal, however, does not sit well with everyone.

MoveOn.org activists from Queens and the Bronx gathered in front of the Jackson Heights office of U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) to pressure him to support any plan that does not include tax cuts on millionaires. “[Millionaires] don’t care about you,” said Joe Lauria, lead organizer for MoveOn.org in Queens to passersby, who stopped to sign a petition he later delivered to Crowley. “They want to make money, they’ll do it anyway they can.”

After an hour, MoveOn.org had gathered nearly 100 signatures from people walking by on 37th Avenue.

“The Whitestone Bridge is being held together by band-aids, and we want to give the rich tax cuts,” said Zo Halton, an activist from the Bronx who came to Jackson Heights to join the protest. “There are better places for that money.”

If legislation is not passed by January, taxes will revert to 2001 levels for everyone.

Keeping Ozone Pk Clean In an effort to combat littering and dumping along 101st Avenue, Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) allocated over $18,000 in this year’s budget to install 35 new trash bins along the busy commercial strip from 76th Street in City Line to 111th Street in South Richmond Hill.

Standing outside his district office on the corner of 93rd Street and 101st Avenue in Ozone Park with Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty, Ulrich said the new trash bins would “discourage illegal dumping on street corners, and improve the quality of life for residents and business owners alike.”

The new bins, which read “Keep Ozone Park Clean,” are different from the small open-top trashcans. They are larger, and have a narrow opening at top, which prevents people from dumping large trash bags, like those used in offices and private homes.

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Peace, Happiness And A Few Predictions for 2011

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER Back in the day, I used to make fanciful political predictions and print them in my column. Perhaps it was the few moments I spent fantasizing that something in New York State would change and the legislature would start governing considering the interests of the people of the State as its primary mission, that caused me to think of the fun I had creating those columns. Well, miracles may happen again.

With that in mind, allow me the privilege of dreaming and predicting for the New Year and future.

• In spite of denials, Mike Bloomberg will continue to sit and watch and participate in the national scene evaluating the continued ineffectiveness of the President and erosion in h is support and hoping for the right wing of the Republican Par ty to anoi nt the likes of Sarah Palin as their Presidential candidate in 2012. Should

the factors play in his favor, The Mayor will then aim straight down the middle on an independent line for the Presidency in 2012.

• Joe Biden will announce that he is a one-term Vice President citing personal and family reasons.

• Chuck Schumer will continue to steal headlines, raise money and be further vaulted into the national leadership of the Democratic Party, becoming one of the small handful mentioned to be Obama’s 2012 running mate.

• Queens DA Richard Brown will announce that he will not seek a fifth term and retire after 20-plus years as DA and a 50-plus year career of public service. Brown will be saluted by the entire community, for his exemplary service with recognition from the Mayor, the Governor, Congress and more.

Contrar y to sp eculat ion, Brown will not step down early to permit the appointment of an insider to replace him. Instead September 2011 will witness an exciting political mad scramble for this coveted position.

The speculation will include: Peter Vallone Jr, Mark Weprin, Mike Gianaris, Melinda Katz, Eric Gioia, and Grace Meng; on the Republican side, Dan Halloran will be the GOP’s clear choice.

The Dem Primary will be between Vallone Jr., Katz, and Gioia.

Vallone, campaigning as “The

People’s Lawyer,” will win and go on to beat an energized effort by Dan Halloran to be elected as Queens DA. • In an initial sign of unity, Dean Skelos and Shelly Silver will reach out to Andrew Cuomo and budget negotiations will begin in cooperative earnest. The three men in a relative transparent effort will reach an on-time budget, eliminating member items, with severe cuts to services across the board, but with reliance on a number of onetime revenue enhancers. Cuomo will, with the Legislature’s leaders at his side, talk about a new era of cooperation and joint sacrifice in these tough times. He shall raise the image of the Empire State arising again. There will be a momentary belief that good government may return to New York.

A heroic Andrew Cuomo will be mentioned as a possible 2012 Obama running mate.

• Charlie Rangel will resign and, in spite of continueal denials, former Governor David Paterson will run for and win the Harlem Congresional seat.

• The Term Limit referendum spearheaded by New York Civic’s Henry Stern will collect more than 30,000 signatures and get on the ballot i n spite of chal lenge s financed by incumbents attempting to keep their stay in office beyond two terms. In November of 2011,

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 10-16, 2010

Noncompetitive & Disillusioned ety and regularity.

By HENRY STERN Although the three Ever y now and then, a story appears on an intop Republican candidate s were extremely side page of a newspaper weak (Tow nsend a nd which deserves more attention than it receives.

DioGuardi for Senator and Paladino for GovA few weeks after the ernor), the two downelect ion, the Ne w York Times published an article ballot state-wide candidates (Dan Donovan for by veteran repor ter Sam Henry Stern Attorne y General and Roberts: New York State’s Voter Turnout This Year Was The Harry Wilson for Comptroller) did much better. Wilson lost by about Lowest In The U.S. 102,000 votes in what was the OUR OBSERVATIONS: We see three specific factors closest of the state-wide contests.

The Republican state chair, as depressing the turnout in New Edward Cox, promoted a viable York State in 2010.

1. Noncomp et it ive race s. candidate for governor, Steve Levy, There was no doubt that the the Suffolk County executive, who Democratic candidates for the two switched par ties in 2010 to besenate seats and the governorship come a Republican. Levy was very would be elected. Therefore no one popular in Suffolk, one of the could believe that his/her vote state’s most populous counties. In would make a difference.

2007 he was endorsed by all five 2. Widespread disillusionment legal parties (D, R, C, I and WF) with state government. The legis- and received 96.1% of the lature has been known for years vote. The balance was shared by as the most dysfunctional in the Integrity Party candidate (2.5%) America. It’s antics in 2009 and a nd the Liber tar ia n nomi nee 2010 were deplorable. Some of its (1.3%).

Levy’s candidacy was derailed, members belong in jail.

3. T he last t wo gover nors however, by Republican count y have been enormously disappoint- leaders around the state, who ing for widely different reasons. chose Rick Lazio as the party’s T heir predece ssor gover ned candidate, and denied Levy permispoorly and without imagination, sion to enter the Republican courage or fiscal responsibility, but primary. Lazio had lost to Hillary maintained the facade of propri- Rodham Clinton for the Senate in

2000 by over 825,000 votes (55 to 43, with 2% scattered among six minor party candidates). He was regarded as a sure loser against Andrew Cuomo. Lazio had received $40,000,000 for his Senate race, but that was from people who disliked Hillary, not from h is ow n devotee s. His fundraising results in 2010 were minimal, compared to the eightfigure treasury Andrew Cuomo had amassed. While Cuomo was gaining praise for his work as Attorney General, Lazio was employed as a lobbyist for J. P. Morgan, although he took a leave to run for governor.

Lazio’s weakness was demonstrated by his 62-38 loss to Carl Paladino, a more colorful and authentic advocate of anti-government attitudes. The large margin surprised observers and pollsters, but Paladino’s intemperate language, ignorance of public issues, implicit threats of violence (carrying a bat) and an attempted assault on a reporter caused substantial erosion of his suppor t.

Many people concluded that he wasn’t emotionally suited to be governor of New York State. After the Spitzer and Paterson debacles, voters placed new value on stabi lit y, sound judgment, good temper and the ability to work with other people.

people for the fourth and final time will go to the polls and overwhelmingly ratify the same concept they have voted for thrice previously, City officials and Councilmembers shall be limited to two terms in office, effective immediately.

Henry Stern shall become the poster boy of the reform movement – again. A short-lived effort

by Stern to revive the dormant N YS Liberal Par t y w il l meet a quick death when the Working Fami lie s Par t y enlist s t he Governor’s help in convincing Stern the effort is going nowhere.

• A not-quite-so-heroic Andrew Cuomo will sign off on a legislative redistricting deal whereby the Democratic Assembly draws their lines, the Republican Senate draws their lines and the one Congressional seat lost by New York is resolved by a “fair fight” between t wo upstate Congre ssmembers from adjoining districts which are fairly merged. Speculation that this was the cost of Cuomo’s budget deal will cost the Governor in the eyes of reformers. But New York State government will be functioning like it hasn’t in ages – to effectively serve the people with realistic financial restraint.

• Senior Queens Congressman Gar y Ackerman will, after a lifetime of wearing carnations in his lapel, switch to white roses with no explanation of why. C’mon

Gary, please tell us.

• The economy will continue to improve in New York – significantly ahead of the nation — making both Mike Bloomberg and Andrew Cuomo the talk of the town and the political backrooms.

• The Mayor, in the company of the Borough President, will announce a new economic development zone for leisure and entertainment in the area adjacent to Aqueduct’s ne w Resor ts World Casino and not far from JFK Airport. It will target redevelopment of portions of South Jamaica and South Ozone Park, some of borough’s most blighted neighborhoods. Rumors will include a Shinnecock Casino to be built in cooperation with Genting – the new Aqueduct Casino operator. A major league soccer team will be attracted to the area. New luxury hotels will be announced.

• Queens will again be rocked by corruption indictments of public figures in a not-so-well-keptsecret scandal.

• The Mets . . . no, sorry . . . it appears easier to get good government than a championship team in Flushing Meadows.

• Hillary Clinton will be mentioned as a posible VP candidate.

• And there will be prosperity and and joy in 2011, and peace in the world.

MSchenkler@QueensPress.com

Term Limit Petition Ne w York Civ ic has a nnounced that the public referendum we have just kicked off to close the loophole that exempts 34 incumbents from the two-term limit is quickly picking up steam.

This Sunday, the editorial board of the Daily News recognized New York Civic founder Henr y Stern and wrote, “The drive has begun to give New Yorkers the term limits law they want and de-

serve... Get your pens out, people. Sign. Sign.”

To help in the effort to collect the 30,000 signatures needed to get this referendum on the ballot, please volunteer and email petition@nycivic.org with your name, address, phone number, and whether you have prior petitioning experience in NYC. Don’t worry. No experience is necessary.

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

Police Blotter Compiled By DOMENICK RAFTER

102nd Precinct Self Storage Robbery The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating four men who are wanted in connection with a commercial robbery that occurred in Ozone Park.

On Monday, Nov. 15, at approximately 7 p.m. four men forcefully entered a self storage facility located at 101-09 103rd Ave. in Ozone Park, and pushed a victim, a 28year-old man, to the ground before duct taping his hands. The suspects then proceeded to remove an unknown amount of property from inside of three separate storage containers before fleeing in a U-Haul truck.

There were no injuries sustained to the victim as a result of this incident.

The first suspect is a black man, 5-foot5, 160 lbs, wearing a white shirt with a skull and crossbones design. The second suspect is a black man, 6-feet, 200 lbs., wearing a black jacket with a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and an Atlanta Braves hat. The third suspect is a black man, 6-feet, 200 lbs., seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with black pants and a red knit cap. The fourth suspect is a black man, 6-feet, 200 lbs., last seen wearing a brown jacket with black pants and an earring in his left ear.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their

tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

105th Precinct Found Dead On Monday, Dec. 6, at approximately 2:24 a.m., police responded to a call at 11847 231st St. in Cambria Heights for an unconscious and unresponsive person. Upon arrival police discovered an 81-year-old black woman unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded and pronounced the victim dead at the scene. The medical examiner was to determine cause of death and the investigation was ongoing.

106th Precinct Shot In Neck The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the whereabouts and identity of a suspect wanted in connection with a shooting of a livery cab driver in South Ozone Park.

On Friday, Dec. 3, at approximately 8:50 p.m., at the corner of 122nd Street and Sutter Avenue in South Ozone Park, police responded to a 911 call of a man shot. Upon arrival, responding officers discovered the victim, a 53-year-old black man, shot in the neck in the driver’s seat of a 2005 Gold Chevy Impala. EMS also responded to the scene and transported the victim to Jamaica Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

The suspect is described as a 20-yearold Hispanic man, 6-feet tall.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

109th Precinct Attempted Abduction The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating two men who are wanted in connection with an attempted abduction that occurred in Downtown Flushing.

On Wednesday, Dec. 1, at approximately 8:15 a.m., the victim, a 13-year-old Hispanic girl, was walking in the vicinity of Barclay Avenue and Union Street when a black fourdoor sedan with tinted windows and occupied by two men, pulled alongside her. One of the vehicle’s occupants then grabbed the victim and attempted to pull her inside. The victim was able to struggle free before the vehicle fled the location. There were no injuries sustained to the victim as a result of this incident.

The first suspect is described as being a white man, 47-48 years old, 5-foot-8, wearing a blue and orange jacket with a New York Mets logo on the back. This suspect attempted to abduct the victim.

The second suspect is described as being a white man in his 40s.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

114th Precinct Murder Suspect The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Kyle Rivera, who is wanted in connection with a murder.

On Saturday, May 22, at approximately 1:15 a.m., Rivera (aka White Chocolate, aka Dub C), was involved in a verbal dispute with the victim. The suspect, along with a group of individuals, assaulted Stefan Middleton, 34, of 12-21 35th Ave, East Elmhurst. As he was attempting to f lee the scene Rivera allegedly shot Middleton in the torso. Middleton was taken to Elmhurst Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Rivera is identified as a Hispanic man in his 20s, approximately 6-feet, 170lbs, with a long ponytail and facial hair. He is also known to drive a Gray Dodge Charger.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Web site at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

Dec. 10-16, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

Tale Of The Tape:

With 80,000 New Votes Tallied Election Night Accuracy Questioned Tony Avella, unseated incumbent Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) by 3,083 votes, according to preliminary counts. That number jumped 38 percent to 5,003 votes when the certified numbers were released.

Avella said he did not worry that he might have actually lost when the new figures were released.

“Once you get over even 1,000 votes, it’s unlikely that newfound votes are going to change the election,” he said. “If it was under 1,000 votes, we might not have declared victory.”

Other incumbents faired much better.

State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) gained more than 12,000 votes, while State Sen. Malcolm Smith raked in close to 19,000 more.

By JOSEPH OROVIC

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 10-16, 2010

A New Process In the now comical-seeming stone age of switches and levers, poll workers would open ballot machines at the end of the night, mark each candidates’ vote tally on a “Return of Canvas” sheet, then distribute them in three different directions. The system was wholly archaic, primitive in its use of the imposing 600pound machines, and prone to error.

When the Help America Vote Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2002, few in the state could imagine what would ensue eight years later.

New voting machines, employing the latest fill-in-the-bubble technology, promised to make voters’ lives easier. Instead, a litany of complaints arose, with issues like lighting, privacy, readability and trust coming to the fore. It led Mayor Mike Bloomberg to reportedly call primary night “a royal screw-up” and left the Board of Elections scrambling to right any wrongs.

But the gap between preliminary and certified results highlights a wholly different issue – the plight of poll workers, volunteers and civil servants, learning a new technology while struggling to provide accurate numbers.

The new polling machines print out a reported 20-25 feet of receipt tape, providing duplicates of tallies. One set of results is posted for poll watchers. The other is cut manually with scissors according to election district.

The figures are then scrawled onto the Return of Canvas forms by the polling site’s inspectors, to be tallied and entered in the form’s “Total” column.

Two of three copies of the canvass form are then handed to a police officer,

*includes affidavit and absentee ballots. to be inputted into a database by a civilian employee of the NYPD at the precinct. Those inputted figures are disseminated as early returns to the masses.

The newly-found ballots were not enough to invalidated any concession or victory speeches. All of the borough’s Nov. 2 victors did, eventually, win.

With so many figures being transcribed, added and re-filed, the risk for human error, it appears, is massive. And in some cases, Total columns were left entirely blank.

“I’m not sure the public really appreciates the extent to which human error plays a role in election results,” said Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest), who is proposing legislation that would let outof-county college students work at polls.

The reasons for the errors are many, and agencies are quick to promise fixes.

Of Cops and Poll Workers The 5 a.m. clock-in on Election Day left many poll workers frazzled. The day ahead of them was long. Questions had to be answered. Instructions were doled out ad nauseam. The road back home was at least 16 hours away.

When polls closed at 9 p.m., many a poll worker began the most tedious of the job.

Armed with the machines’ receipts, workers sat at tables and began transcribing figures, then adding them up with a calculator and cross checking the numbers. A coordinator would then inspect the sheets before handing them over to the police. At least that’s what was supposed to happen.

In some instances, faint receipt printouts rendered some numbers illegible.

“It was like the toner running out,” said Joseph Hennessy, who worked as a coordinator at PS 101’s polling site in Forest Hills Gardens. “Everybody complained about the printing.”

Also, workers relied on their own calculators – classic or cell phone – to add the numbers, if they even bothered.

At a recent stop by the Board of Elections’ office in Kew Gardens, the Tribune inspected three returns on canvass forms.

Does It Matter?

PRESS photo by Ira Cohen

Yards of receipt tape in folded piles or tightly-wound cylinders cling to returns of canvasses, large yellow sheets about the size of a standard desk calendar. Their numbers recount the tale of Nov. 2’s preliminary election tallies in pencil lead and ink. For one night, they fueled excitement, speculation and angst for many. And for 28 days, the numbers misled all.

When the City’s Board of Elections certified its poll results on Nov. 30, 195,005 electronic ballots were added to the state’s final tally, all of them seemingly lost in the Election Day shuffle of a mistake-prone counting system birthed by new voting machines.

Of that staggering figure, 31 percent, or about 80,000, belonged to our borough. The head-scratching disparity between the election night figures and certified results left many baffled. The preliminary vote-counting process remains wrought with so many traps, it could, for one very brief moment in one electoral district, leave an incumbent Assemblyman trailing behind write-ins like “Joy Behar” and “Peewee Herman.”

How could the numbers be so wrong?

Some ask a different question: Do we really need to know the results right away?

Return of canvass forms showcase just one of the many steps that could introduce human error into the preliminary vote tally.

Two of them did not have total vote counts added.

Prior to the Tribune’s findings, City Board of Elections spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez asserted that numerical snafus in the preliminary counts were not caused by f lawed totals. She did not return phone calls for comment after the return of canvass forms were viewed.

The Board of Elections claims the Police Dept. did not properly input many totals at precincts on Nov. 2. In fact, 570 of the city’s electoral precincts initially reported zero votes in the gubernatorial race between Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino.

The Board attributes that discrepancy to poor data entry on the part of the NYPD. “Some have stated that maybe the police officer couldn’t differentiate what the number was so they put in a zero,” Vazquez said.

The NYPD did not respond to requests for comment.

And then there are the hours, grueling and long as they are. Some stayed beyond a full 18 in order to earn their $225.

According to Hennessy, the time racked up and took its toll, an issue only worsened by employing a new system.

“The paperwork at the end of the night, that kind of complete switch around of what you had to do, was difficult,” he said.

The Gap Growth The changed tallies solidified margins of victory in several key races and turned two casual wins into complete blowouts.

The victor for the 11th Senate district,

Despite the confusing figures, the preliminary numbers do not serve any legally binding purpose.

“Whatever the police put or anybody else puts out is irrelevant. It means nothing,” said Emanuel Gold, an attorney and former State Senator. “The official final results are what determine the election.”

Preliminary results are, in all truth, an opiate for candidates and the politicaljunkie masses.

Some questioned the necessity of preliminary results at all, saying the need for immediate figures and winners mirrors a distinctly American urge.

“We live in a society that wants instant gratification,” Avella said. “It’s not just election results.”

But these revamped figures should temper the Gospel of the early returns, according to Lancman.

“It just highlights the point that the election process is run by human beings,” he said.

The Board of Elections adamantly cautions against reliance on the early figures. The 200,000 additional ballots only served to prove their point.

“This is really the difference between official and not official,” Vazquez said.

Preventing A Repeat Legislators like Lancman and Avella look to improve the election process through bills in their respective bodies.

“It’s just painfully obvious that the way we conduct polls should be carried out better,” Lancman said.

According to Vazquez, prevention of another preliminary gap will come with communication and exploration of flaws in the system. Poll coordinators are asked to keep journals which, along with a debriefing session, provide feedback to the Board of Elections.

The Board and NYPD will also meet and iron out any kinks, according to Vazquez.

“We want every voter to have every confidence at the end of the day,” she said.

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

Borough Beat

Cops, DEC, ASPCA Swarm Into Willets Pt.

BY JOSEPH OROVIC

PRESS Photos by Joseph Orovic

A slew of city and state agencies swept through Willets Point on Dec. 8, doling out summonses and all manner of violations, leaving the 62-acre Iron Triangle a veritable ghost town by the time they left.

Witnesses said the NYPD rolled into the area at about 8:30 a.m., with the De-

partments of Buildings, Business Affairs, Housing Preservation and Development, Environmental Conservation, FDNY, traffic cops and even the ASPCA in tow. Police cruisers cordoned off the hexagonal area between 34th and 37th Avenues and 126th Street and Willets Point Boulevard.

The agencies systematically inspected businesses' paperwork, snagging any own-

Officers stand outside an auto shop as a man inside is arrested.

ers with violations and towing away cars without documents.

As of printing, the NYPD had no comment about the sweep.

Angered workers congregated on the corners. According to Alexander Dominguez, who has worked in Willets Point's shops for more than two decades, the raid was an attempt by the City and its Economic Development Corp. to rattle business owners into moving out.

Shop owner and member of the Willets Point Defense Committee Police closed off a swath of Willets Point BouleMarco Neira said the inspections vard in a multi-agency sweep of the Iron Triangle targeted holdout businesses not Wednesday. willing to sell their property to the EDC. EDC spokeswoman Julie Wood re- question the intent of this action and demand to know if the arrests that were buffed the accusations.

"That's not how the City does busi- made match the reasons that were originally stated for the raid, or if those reasons ness," she said.

Witnesses said a similar raid last year were just a screen for a general crackdown closed down a dozen shops. A walk on business in the area."

By the time the police were finishing up through the area revealed at least as many shops were shuttered as a result of the at 1:30 p.m., the streets of the Iron Triangle were largely barren. Gone were the most recent raid.

Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East haggling men, encouraging you to take Elmhurst) decried the sweep, agreeing with your car to their joint. Shops were shuttered. The usual dearth of dormant cars on assertions of shenanigans by the City.

"The action today smacks of overly streets dwindled to a scarce supply.

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at aggressive harassment aimed at shutting down businesses that are already prepar- jorovic@queenstribune.com or (718) 357ing to relocate," she said. "I therefore 7400, Ext. 127.

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Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

GJDC-Cuzcatlán Tree Lighting The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation held its 7th annual Jamaica community tree-lighting, co-sponsored with Centro Hispano "Cuzcatlán," this past Saturday evening, Dec. 4.

Photos by Walter Karling

Top: Congratulations on a well-organized event: (l. to r.) Edwin Rosado, Facilities Manager of Real Property at the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation; Taylor Guzman, President of Centro Hispano "Cuzcatlán"; Eduardo Barahona, Director of Centro Hispano "Cuzcatlán"; and Mary Reda, Director of Real Property Operations of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 10-16, 2010

Right: "5-4-3-2-1". Feliz Navidad to all. The magic of Christmas on display at Rufus King Park in downtown Jamaica. Children are members of Centro Hispano "Cuzcatlán".

A hot chocolate, cookies and gift-giving reception was held after the tree-lighting in the parish center of the nearby historic Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Parsons Boulevard.

Shown here are Centro Hispano "Cuzcatlán" volunteers Jairo Melara, Juan Martinez, Fabiola Iriarte and Rubenia Cisneros.

Beautifully wrapped gifts await the niños y niñas.

Profile

Faith Grounds A Life For Ford, 107

BY JASON BANREY Goodwill towards the less fortunate, a sound business plan and a large dose of faith seem to be the precise formula for a long lasting life, according to one Queens resident.

Pattie Ford celebrated her 107th birthday last week among a gathering of caregivers, family and friends at Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Surrounded by loved ones, they reminisced about their connection to the centenarian, revealing a faith-filled past along a miraculous journey that led her to New York.

Born in 1903, Ford was raised by her once-enslaved grandparents in Belona, Va. In an effort to better her family’s situation, Ford decided to create her own business, giving her the opportunity to provide her family with a stable financial foundation that future generations could build on.

Taking off throughout the 1930s, Ford’s homegrown salon thrived, styling the hair of many women in the neighborhood as she worked as a domestic and attended cosmetology school.

As the family’s first entrepreneur, she achieved her goal of becoming a cosmetologist, passing the New York State licensing exam, having only attained a sixth-grade education.

Despite the multiple obstacles Ford faced as an African American woman living in a segregated South, she watched her business grow, eventually expanding into her own location, The Exclusive Beauty Salon in Southeast Queens.

Cheryl Wade, Ford’s granddaughter, recalls being apart of her grandmother’s arduous journey, regularly joining her, as they took the train into Harlem from Cambria Heights to attend cosmetology school.

As a child, Wade admired Ford’s decision to go into business for herself. “Seeing her as a business woman and run her own business impressed me,” Wade said.

As she observed her grandmother’s development from a domestic into an established entrepreneurial figure within the family, Wade took her grandmother’s effort as an unspoken lesson; one she continues to instill in her students at St. John University.

“My grandmother achieved all that she did because she is exceptionally resilient and brilliant,” Wade mentioned in a publication created for her law students. “She faced racism and sexism and yet thrived.”

Three years ago, doctors nearly gave up on Ford’s recovery after she suffered from an illness that they believed she would not recover from, giving her only a short period of time for survival. Despite their initial diagnosis and their request that she

Pattie Ford be entered into hospice, Ford pressed on to live and continued to be active.

As the oldest living member of Bethany Baptist Church in Jamaica, Ford continues to attend special events when she can, and always has the strength to sing her favorite songs of faith.

The Rev. Craig Scott of Bethany Baptist Church recalls the active presence Ford had within the church and attests her longevity to her strong spirit and endless faith in God. “When you see her, she’s going to talk

about God and sing her songs. That grounds her,” said Scott. “Her faith is extremely important to her. Her whole story is a faith story.”

Throughout her timeless tale, this supercentenarian shows no signs of letting up.

Before blowing out her candles in front of friends, she was asked what this year’s birthday wish would be. She faithfully replied, with a smile, “I wish for many, many more.”

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

Dec. 10-16, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

A&E

Father Of Black Film Comes To Boro

BY SASHA AUSTRIE Melvin Van Peebles casts an iconic shadow, not only in the black community, but in the annals of film culture.

Melvin Van Peebles

His career has spanned more than 50 years and it can be retold in a series of firsts. Van Peebles’ 1971 release of “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song” is credited as the introduction of the blaxploitation genre. It was the era of black superheroes, white villains and tfilm scores featuring a funky 1970s sound.

“There was nobody doing their own shows at that time,” he said.

More than an intro to an era, the film solidified Van Peebles’ career. The godfather of independent film and modern day black cinema, he made the film in 19 days on a $500,000 budget. The film grossed $10 million and not only did Van Peebles sit in the director’s chair, he scripted, edited and wrote the score for the film. A legend was leaving his footprints in the sand.

In his more than five decades of film, Van Peebles said though he has seen the industry change, the actor’s craft has remained a constant.

“It’s not how many times you get knocked down,” he said. “It is how many times you get back up.”

At 78, Van Peebles shows no sign of slowing. On Saturday, Dec. 11, he will

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“It’s quite funny when you see a miracle before its rise,” he said of the Black Spectrum Theatre in Jamaica. “He has done a miracle there.”

Not only will Van Peebles co-host the special anniversary event, he will also receive the Black Spectrum’s 40th Anniversary Actor’s Award.

“It’s quite an honor,” he said.

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

Historical House Tour Set For Sunday Queens Historical Society presents the 23rd Annual Historic Holiday House Tour this Sunday, Dec. 12, from 1-5 p.m.

Six historic sites in Flushing beckon visitors to celebrate the holiday season and learn about these landmark houses and their unique histories. The Kingsland Homestead, Voelker Orth House, Lewis H. Latimer House Museum, Flushing Town Hall and the Bowne House each offer special activities, delicious re- The Historic Bowne House will be part of the Historical House freshments and a glimpse Tour this Sunday. at what life was once like during the holidays in house of worship in the village of FlushFlushing at this fun-filled annual event.

Kingsland Homestead, c. 1785, was ing and the City’s oldest structure in conoccupied by the same family until the tinuous use for religious purposes. It was 1930s. In 1968, the house was moved built in 1694. The house will be open for from its original Flushing site to its current tours all day; be sure to walk around the location. It is the home of the Queens His- property and view the historic cemetery. torical Society, which offers school pro- Learn more at nyym.org/f lushing Flushing Town Hall was built in 1862. grams, tours and lectures to the public, documenting the history of Queens. This Once the cultural & political focal point year the QHS invites the public to join them of the village of Flushing, it is now a perfor ongoing “Traditional Victorian Craft forming and visual arts space and home Workshops” for the whole family. Learn to Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts. Experience the Ten Thousand more at queenshistoricalsociety.org Voelker Orth House is a museum, bird Springs Pavilion and color your own pasanctuary and Victorian garden. Dating vilion. There will be a performance of back to 1891, it was home to three gen- “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. (additional erations of one Queens family. For this ticket required) and a free concert by the festive event, enjoy piano performances Bayside High School Jazz combo and a all day and a special plant sale at this cappella group from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Learn dressed-for-the-holiday period Victorian more at flushingtownhall.org The Bowne House, built by John house. Learn more at vomuseum.org The Lewis H. Latimer House Museum Bowne, who emigrated from England to was constructed from 1887 to 1889. Boston in 1649 and settled in Flushing Home of African-American inventor when New York was under Dutch Rule, Lewis H. Latimer, he lived in this house was built c. 1661 and is the oldest survivfrom 1903 until his death in 1928. The ing home in Queens. Currently closed for son of fugitive slaves, he played a vital restoration, the property will be open role in the development of the telephone from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Learn more at and the incandescent light bulb. Join them bownehouse.org For More information or to reserve for an open house and many traditional holiday refreshments. To learn more go your tickets contact the Queens Historical Society at: (718) 939-0647 or email to historichousetrust.org Friends Meeting House is the first queenshistoricalsociety.events@gmail.com.

Dec. 10-16, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

Nestled in a residential part of northern Maspeth near the neighborhood’s border with Woodside, O’Neill’s is not just a pub – it’s so much more.

Located at the corner of 53rd Drive and 65th Place, when you step through the front doors, the first thing you notice is the behemoth bar, crowded even at lunchtime. There’s a bar menu for those who want to eat there, rather than go to the dining room. Friday nights are Girls Night Out from 4-7 p.m.., featuring “tiny tinis,” mini-martinis for $5, and a complete dinner menu for $15. Every Monday and Thursday night until midnight are wing nights, 10 wings, with a choice of 12 different flavors, for $4 Maître ‘d John McDonald took us to the back dining room, where O’Neill’s famous brick oven pizza station takes up one corner. The walls are garnished with televisions featuring horseracing, a staple of O’Neills’ in-restaurant OTB parlor, with smaller ones in the booths turned to sports channels. The lunch crowd was light, though the restaurant was hosting a party that day. Some locals came for the horse races.

Our lunch started with soup and salad; the potato leek soup is creamy and rich, a good warm treat on a cold

day. The garden salad was dressed with a thick, flavorful balsamic vinaigrette.

Next up was O’Neill’s popular brick oven pizza; a whole pie is enough to feed two or three people. Our waitress brought the pizza fresh out of the oven, the cheese still sizzling. The pie was placed on a piece of metal to keep in a foot or so off the table.

The pizza comes with shakers filled with red pepper and Parmesan cheese. The crust was thin and crispy. The slices are small enough for a hungry person to eat almost the entire pie for a meal, but for us, there was still much more food to come.

McDonald suggested O’Neill’s trademark porterhouse steak meal. Perfect for a couple, or a family, the meal features a prime-aged porterhouse steak, served with creamed spinach, hash browns and onion rings. The steak is cooked to perfection. If you’re getting it medium well, expect well cooked to blackened on the outside, and still a spot of juicy red in the middle. Chef Jose Dominguez says he ages the steaks anywhere from three to six weeks. The creamed spinach has a rich flavor that can almost double as a sauce for the steak. Try dipping your cut of beef in the creamed spinach. The real unexpected treat is the hash browns, cooked and seasoned to perfection.

Though the meal left little room for dessert, we opted to try some anyway.

Our waitress brought us a plate featuring three items; a slice of rich, smooth cheesecake, chocolate mousse cake and a fruity strawberry shortcake on a plate garnished with fresh strawberries.

Go, have fun, and enjoy.

—Domenick Rafter

host Black Spectrum Theater’s 40th Anniversary Celebration. Van Peebles has had a bond with Carl Clay, Black Spectrum’s founder and executive director, for more than 35 years.

Clay worked for Van Peebles before the idea for Black Spectrum was fully realized.

“He was terrific,” Van Peebles said of Clay.

“I took an interest in him from there on.”

Van Peebles dubbed Clay as a community oriented individual who wanted to do something for the community.

Faith

Cop-Turned-Pastor Leads All Saints’

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

It's not unusual to cross paths with a pastor in the bustling neighborhoods of Queens, but it is extraordinary to find one who was a former NYPD detective.

The Rev. Jeanine Duncan was ordained on Dec. 4 and on Sunday, Dec. 11, she will be installed as pastor of All Saints' Lutheran Church.

"If someone would have told me I would be here 10 years ago, [I would not believe it,]" she said.

Though she was always a spiritual person, life experiences guided Duncan into a ministerial path. For years, she had immersed herself in her faith at the Resur-

rection Lutheran Church in St. Albans.

She served as a congregational deacon.

In 2007, she retired her shield.

"I was serving my community in a different way," she said.

She embarked on the new chapter of her life while submerged in the Diakonia Program established by the Metropolitan New York Synod. She also credits her role in the aftermath of 9/11 for spurring her new career.

The Diakonia Program is open to Lutherans wanting to study the Bible and its teachings. Duncan said the program allows "each person develop their God-given talent.

"It was in that program that I felt I

Notebook A Spirit Of Giving

Two Clothing Drives To Help The Needy

Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 10-16, 2010

BY SASHA AUSTRIE Geraldine Pierre is not waiting for someone else to bring holiday cheer to her community. The 22-year-old York College business major is hosting a clothing drive for four shelters in Southeast Queens.

"I always like helping people and doing things for others," she said. "I just wanted to do something within my community."

Geraldine Pierre (second from r.) is recruiting charitable Pierre said her actions help with her clothing drive efforts. were inspired by York's clothing drive. The shelters that stand to benefit from the drive are school was already hosting a clothing Briarwood Family Residence, The Inde- drive for Coloki. He said the clothes pendence Inn, El Camino Inn and The would benefit the men who live in the Jamaica Shelter for Women. woods of the Southern State Parkway.

"I get a great fulfillment from giving to "The kids learn to be altruistic," he said. others who are in need of help," she said. "It puts things in perspective."

Pierre delivered 20 boxes of clothing Greenspan said this is not the first year for men, women and children. Donations students are lending a hand to the comcan be new or gently used shirts, jeans, munity. Last year, the school hosted blankets, coats and shoes. canned food and toy drives.

For those willing to help financially, "It is my job to raise the level of awarePierre has also organized a 50/50 raffle. ness, whether it is educationally, emotionEach ticket is worth $1 or seven tickets for ally or socially," he said. $5, with the winner taking home half and To donate to Pierre's clothing drive, the other being donated to the shelters. call (917) 743-1781or e-mail To maximize her donations, Pierre has geraldineprr@yahoo.com. To help Martin enlisted the help of her alma mater, Mar- Van Buren in its clothing drive, call (718) tin Van Buren High School. She hopes 776-4728. the experience will teach students to think "I believe we are all thankful for what of others and not only of themselves. we have and where we are going in life," "They are my former high school, so I Pierre said. "I feel we should be more knew they would be willing to help," she thankful to help those who don't." said.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at Brian Greenspan, Martin Van Buren's saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 357coordinator of student affairs, said the 7400, Ext. 123.

may be called to serve God in another children's service on the second Sunday of every month. Also, on the way," she said. fourth Sunday, the praise Though it was not her inband, dubbed Revelations, tention to stand behind the performs. pulpit, she is finding comfort To see Duncan in action, in her position. Before being asked to pastor All Saints', visit All Saints' at 164-02 Duncan stood at its podium Goethals Ave. Service is at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays and as a supply pastor. there is a 7:30 p.m. Bible Her first sermon was on study.

Oct. 1. Duncan said she is The Church is also hosttrying to attract younger ing its annual Living Nativity members to the church.

"The biggest challenge is Jeanine Duncan will as- on Dec. 18 and 19. Each day bringing God's word to sume the role of pastor at has two shows at 7 p.m. and people so that they can re- All Saints’ Lutheran 8 p.m.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie late," Duncan said.

Church on Dec. 11. at saustrie@queenspress.com, or Since being asked to lead the church, Duncan has included a (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Word

"Among all my patients in the second half of life ... there has not been one whose problem in the last resort was not that of finding a religious outlook on life."

- Carl Jung

What’s Up SATURDAY, DEC. 11 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.

Snowed in at The Manor The King Manor Museum is decorated for the winter holidays, but will there be snow? Come hear stories of winter fun both indoors and out, and make your own special craft to take home to help ring in 2011!

This free event will take place at the King Manor Museum, at 150th Street and Jamaica avenue, from noon to 3 p.m.

Fame the Musical The York College Theatre ends its Fall 2010 semester with Jose Fernandez, Steve Margoshes and Jacques Levy’s musical FAME! Set in New York City’s celebrated High School for the Performing Arts, “Fame The Musical” is the bittersweet but ultimately inspiring story of a diverse group of students as they commit to four years of grueling artistic and academic work.

For additional information, call (718) 262-5375.

This event will be held at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at 2 p.m. Admissions is $7.

Holiday Concert New York City Council Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie and New Jerusalem Baptist Church present a holiday concert. For more information, call Councilman Comrie’s office at (718) 776-3700.

This event will be held at New Jerusalem Baptist Church - 122-05 Smith St. from 2-6 p.m. Admission is one unwrapped toy for a child ages 1-12.

The Hedge York College Performing Arts Center and Bethel Gospel Tabernacle’s Arts in Christian Theatre present the compelling dramatization of the life of Job. Join the diverse cast as they bring to life the contemporary adaptation of this Bible narrative, titled, The Hedge.

This event will be held at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at 3 p.m. Admission is $25.

Black Spectrum’s 40th Anniversary

SUNDAY, DEC. 12 Open Mic Hosted by Inge Judd with featured reader David Mills. All are invited to participate in this open mic poetry event.

When: Sunday, Dec. 12 - 2:00 p.m.

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

in the true spirit of the season. Food will be served immediately following the service.

For more info, call (718) 723-5860 or visit ForgivenessAssembly.com.

This free event will be held at 139-35 88th Ave. at 3 p.m.

MONDAY, DEC. 13 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.

Jazzy Brass

Polish Your Resume

York College celebrates the holiday season with a Christmas Concert Party featuring the Holiday Jazz stylings of the Jazzy Brass in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center. Join us for an afternoon of traditional holiday melodies with a contemporary twist. Refreshments will be provided and there will be special treats for the kids. For additional information, call (718) 262-3750.

This free event will be held at York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., from 1-4 p.m.

Bring a copy of your resume on a flash drive; volunteers will guide you through editing and producing a professional quality resume using Cyber Center computers.

Participants must have keyboard and mouse experience. Pre-registration is required at the Job Information Center.

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

Sickle Cell Network’s Banquet You are cordially invited to the Queens Sickle Cell Advocacy Network’s Tenth Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of sickle cell disease. The keynote speaker for the celebration will be Dr. Peter Gillette, Medical Director of the Adult Sickle Cell Program at Kings County Hospital. For additional information, contact Gloria Rochester at (718) 7120873 or Qscanorg@verizon.net.

This event will be held at Antun’s, 9643 Springfield Blvd. from 3-7 p.m. Entry is $80 per person.

York College Chorus and Choir Don’t miss the holiday event of the season as the York College Gospel Chorus and the York College Community Choir join together to perform excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, as well as other favorites. For additional information, contact Jonathan Quash at jquash@york.cuny.edu or (718) 262-3772.

This free event will be held at the York College Academic Core Building, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. from 3-5 p.m.

The Hedge See Saturday’s listing.

This event will be held at York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at 6 p.m. Admission is $25.

Free Oral Cancer Screening A quick and painless examination for oral cancer could save your life. There will be presentations from specialists, food, refreshments, giveaways and raffle prizes.

For more information, call (718) 528-8592.

This free event will be held 228-02 Linden Blvd. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

JCAL’s Got Talent

Free Christmas Dinner

Who’s got talent? JCAL’s faculty and staff do! This showcase is guaranteed to surprise, delight and entertain you. Come out to see your favorite instructors show

A Free Christmas Dinner and Service will be held at Forgiveness Assembly Church. Come and enjoy drama, songs and dance, as well as an encouraging message

Job Center Orientation What is the Job Information Center and what does it do? Find out at an interactive orientation about its services.

This free event will be held at the Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 1 p.m.

NCLEX-RN Practice and Strategy Kaplan will offer a free NCLEX-RN Practice Exam. Come in and see how you score on the test so that you can begin your nursing career right away. Kaplan will be going over the evolution of the exam, the test changes, how important question practice is, and how Kaplan can help you prepare for this difficult examination.

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

TUESDAY, DEC. 14 Job Club Every Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Jamaica Neighborhood Center offers a free service to assist people from Southeast Queens with job-readiness skill sets in writing a professional resume and cover letter; interviewing practices and techniques; applying on-line procedures; elevator pitch and Microsoft Suite 2007.

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

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

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

Create an Email Account In this workshop, customers will learn how to set up/open their own e-mail account. Preregistration is required in person at Cyber Center Desk. Participants must possess basic mouse and keyboarding skills.

This free event will be held at the

Queensborough Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15 Lunch In Church Join us for lunch and get refueled, renewed and refilled. This free event is held every Wednesday at noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, 89-60 164th St. For more information, call (718) 526-4775, Ext. 10. Come just as you are.

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

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

THURSDAY, DEC. 16 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 St., (718) 776-6800.

FRIDAY, DEC. 17 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.

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.

Tots-2-Seniors Drive During this holiday season, join MAG and State Sen. Shirley Huntley in donating a token of love to our Tots-2Seniors Toy, Book, Clothing and Coat Drive.

Donations can be taken to the office of Senator Huntley at 133-24 233rd St. in Laurelton. Items can also be dropped off at the Rochdale Village Senior Center located at 169-65 137th Ave., Jamaica.

For more information, please call Senator Huntley’s office at (718) 949-1601, or the MAG office at (718) 712-2061.

What’s Up With You?

Send your community events to the PRESS for a free listing at 150-50 14th Rd. Whitesone, NY 11357 All events will be considered for publication, without a fee.

Dec. 10-16, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

Carl Clay, Founder and Executive Producer, and Bob Law, Chairperson, cordially invite you to be there when the Black Spectrum Theatre Company celebrates 40 glorious years (1970 to 2010) of creating, presenting and preserving the African American legacy in theatre and film.BSTC’s 40th Anniversary Actor’s Award recipient will be Melvin Van Peebles.

Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. The occasion calls for Afro-centric, semi-formal attire. For additional information, call (718) 723-1800.

This event will be held at Black Spectrum Theatre, 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, at 7 p.m. Prices are available via phone.

off their skills!

This event will be held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave. from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Admission is $5.

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.

DANCE COUNTRY WESTERN Saturday, December 11 Gunsmoke performs at the Christmas Dance. The NY Metropolitan Country Music Association. $12. Glendale Memorial Building, 72-02 Myrtle Avenue at 7:30. 7634328.

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

459-1000.

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

SAFARI Saturday, December 11 for those 6-11 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 2294000.

MAD SCIENTIST Saturday, December 11 for those 8-12 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 2294000.

FOREST FRAMES Saturday, December 11 for those 5-6 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 2294000.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

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

HOMEWORK HELP Mondays-Fridays through December at 3 at the Astoria and Baisley Park libraries.

Call 278-2220 (Astoria) or 529-1590 (Baisley Park) to confirm.

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

SEWING CLUB Monday, December 13 at the LIC library. Register.

CROCHET Mondays, December 13, 20 at the Rosedale library at 4.

TWEEN TIME Mondays, December 13, 20 at the Arverne library at 4:15.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Mondays, December 13, 20 at the Baisley Park library.

Register.

LITTLE TOT Monday, December 13 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Monday, December 13 at the South Jamaica library at 6.

PJ TIME Monday, December 13 at the Broad Channel library.

First come, first served basis at 7.

ARTS & CRAFTS Tuesday, December 14 at the Auburndale library at 4.

POWER OF THE PEN Tuesday, December 14 writing and vocabulary workshops at the Briarwood librar y. Register.

CRAFTS Wednesdays, December 15, 29 at the Steinway library at 11.

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

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

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

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

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

HOLIDAY AUCTION Sunday, December 12 at the Alley Pond Environmental Center. $10 adults, $5 children 5-12. 229-4000.

Doors open 6, auction begins at 7.

OPEN MIC POETRY Monday, December 13 at 7:30 at Barnes & Noble, 1766 0 Un i o n Tu r n p i ke , F re s h Meadows.

FILM SCREENING Monday, December 13 “Somers Town” will be shown at 2 at the Fresh Meadows library. Discussion follows.

ASTRONOMY PROGRAM Saturday, December 18 at Alley Pond Environmental Center 7-9. $12 non-members, $10 members. 229-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

516-627-8380.

NUTCRACKER

4000 to register.

HOLIDAY CONCERT Sunday, December 19 Oratorio Societ y of Queens’ Annual Holiday Concert at Queensborough Community College at 4. $25. 2793006.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Monday, December 20 at the South Jamaica library at 6.

BINGO Tuesdays at 7:15 at American Mart yrs Church, church basement, 216-01 Union Turnpike, Bayside. 464-4582.

Tuesdays at 7:15 (doors open 6) at the Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd. 459-1000.$3 admission includes 12 games.

ADULT STORY TIME Thursday, December 16 at 1 at the Steinway library. Sit back and enjoy a new selection, just for adults.

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

KWANZAA Saturday, December 18 Robbi K and Friends celebrate Kwanzaa at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext.

222. $16.

OPEN MIC Monday, December 27 at the East Elmhurst library at 6.

39 Tickets

*$

(reg. $72.50)

“A SURE-FIRE CROWD PLEASER!”

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 10-16, 2010

—The New York Times

Use Code: SUB39 TICKETMASTER.COM t Call 800-982-2787 and at the box office

ORPHEUM THEATRE

Second Avenue at 8th Street t www.stomponline.com *Valid Jan 4 – Mar 27, 2011. Tues-Fri 8 pm, Sat and Sun 3pm. Subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other offers.

Limit 8 tickets per order. May be revoked at any time. Normal service charges apply.

Queens Today EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, December 11 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Bayside. 631-3609720.

SATURDAY ASTORIA Saturdays Your Communit y Center in Astoria holds classes in Civics Preparation, Computer Skills and ESL. 205-8225.

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.

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

ADULT CHESS Mondays at 6 at the Queens Village library.

DANCE CLASSES Mondays through Decemb e r 2 7 Ta p f ro m 6 - 7 : 3 0 , Partnering (including aspects

of Jazz) 7:30-8:30. $15 per session at the Astoria Center of Israel. 278-2680.

BEGIN CROCHET Mondays, December 13, 20 at the Rosedale library at 6.

Bring yarn and hook.

BALLROOM DANCING Mondays, December 13, 20, 27 at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

CREATIVE WRITING Monday, December 13 at the North Hills library. Register.

POLISH RESUME Monday, December 13 at the Central library. Register.

GET YOUR YARNS OUT! Tuesdays after evening Minyan at 8, knitters, crocheters, 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, December 14 a t the LIC library at 10.

INTRO POWERPOINT Tuesdays, December 14, 21 at the McGoldrick librar y.

Register.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesday, December 14 at the Astoria library at 11.

INTRO INTERNET Tuesdays, December 14, 21, 28 at the Queens Village li-

brar y. Register.

JOB INFO CENTER Tuesday, December 14 a t the Central library at 1.

PRACTICE TESTS Tu e s d a y, D e c e m b e r 1 4 NCLEX-RN Practice Test and Strategy Seminar at the Central library at 6:30.

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

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

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

263-7000.

BUSINESS SUCCESS Wednesdays, December 15, 22 Business Success Series at 6 at the Flushing library.

INTERMEDIATE COMP. Thursday, December 16 at the LIC library at 10.

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

MEETINGS

PARENTS SPIRITUAL SUPPORT Friday, December 17 support group for parents seeking spiritual support with a biblical look at parenting in St. Albans. 454-4044.

CHILD CARE NETWORK Saturday, December 18 information on free nutrition service and planning for child care providers and families in the Queens area at 10 at the Forest Hills library.

Administrative Professionals meet at Bourbon Street restaurant in Bayside at 6:30. $25. clhaider@juno.com for reservations.

WOMANSPACE Wednesdays Womanspace, a discussion group devoted to issues concerning women, meets 1-3 at the Great Neck Senior Center, 80 Grace Avenue. New members welcome.

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

FLUSHING CAMERA Wednesday, December 15 Flushing Camera Club meets at Flushing Hospital. 4416210.

KNIGHTS OF PY THIAS Wednesday, December 15 Queensview Lodge 433 meets in Whitestone. 7464428.

HORIZONS CLUB Thursday, December 16 Tom Newby will speak on “The world of Opera and Broadway” at a meeting of Horizons, a club for those 55

and over, at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112th Street. $3 includes coffee and cake. 261-2900 information.

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

TOASTMASTERS Thursday, December 16 at the Briarwood library at 5:45.

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

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

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

P-FLAG Sunday, December 19 PFLAG, a support group for parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays, meet in Forest Hills. 2716663.

EXHIBIT QUEENS HISTORICAL Tu e s d ay s , S a t u r d ay s a n d Sundays 2:30-4:30 new exhibit “For Love of the Games: A History of Sports in Queens,” with other exhibits, “Unraveling History: Using Textiles to Date the Past,” “Kingsland: From Homestead to House Museum,” “Persistence: A Celebration of Landmarks in Queens – Past, Present, Future,” and “The Civil War’s La sting Memory.” Queens H i s to r i c a l Societ y at Kingsland Homestead, 1443 5 3 7 th a v e n u e , F l u s h i n g .

939-0647, ext. 17. $2 seniors and students, $3 adults.

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

AMER. CIVIL RIGHTS

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

Through Januar y “A Journey I Stone and Wood,” sculptures by Gladys Thompson Roth. February through April “Bindu Masks from the Imperato Collection.” February through June “QCC Art Gallery: 20 Years of Collecting.” May through June “Department of Art and Design’s Juried Student Exhibition.” QCC Art Gallery.

631-6396.

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

NY REGIONAL AESTHETICS January 29 through June 30 “ E x p re s s : Lo c a l / N ew Yo r k Regional Aesthetics” at the Queens College Art Center.

997-3770.

RELIGIOUS BELLEROSE JC Saturday, December 11 Winter Celebration from 8midnight. $22 includes DJ, light supper, door prizes.

Reser vations needed. Tuesdays at 7:30 “Journeys in Judaism.” Bellerose Jewish Center, 254-04 Union Turnpike, Floral Park. 343-9001.

GLENN MOHR CHORALE Sunday, December 12 “Blessed Hope” will be performed at 4 at Immaculate Conception Center, 7200 D o u g l a sto n Pa r k way. Fre e will offerings requested.

ST. THOMAS Sundays, December 12, 19 Sung Vespers during Advent.

December 18 Annual Breakfast with Santa and Christmas Sale in Msgr. Mulz Hall. December 24 Christmas Eve Concerts in the church. St.

Thomas the Apostle, 87-19 88 th Avenue, Woodhaven.

LUTHERAN REDEEMER Wednesday, December 15 Advent Service at 7:30. December 16, 17 Outdoor Living Nativit y on the church lawn at 7 and 8. December 24 Christmas Eve Service with Caroling at 7:10, service with candles at 7:30.

December 25 Christmas Day Service at 10. December 31 New Year ’s Eve Service at 7:30. Sundays regular worship service with Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:30.

Sunday School, Adult Bible Class and Friendship Hour at 9:30. Youth Group at 12:30.

Wednesday prayer group and Bible Study at 7.

Lutheran Church of the Red e e m e r , 1 5 7 - 1 6 6 5 th A v enue, Flushing. 358-2744.

Dec. 10-16, 2010 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

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

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

TOASTMASTERS Mondays, December 13, 20 learn communication and leadership skills in Kew Gardens. 646-269-1577.

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

746-0540.

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

525-6830.

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

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

428-2895.

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

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 m o n t h i n th e C o m m u n i t y Room in Panera Bread at Bay Terrace Shopping.

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

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

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

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

IAAP Tuesday, December 14 International Association of

People

Army Pfc. Antoineque Davidson has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla., as an Honor Graduate and received a Letter of Commendation.

The soldier’s academic and military accomplishments were a direct result of energetic application of sound judgment

and newly acquired technical knowledge.

The soldier’s attention to detail, appearance, cooperative spirit, military bearing, and military courtesy were commendable and exemplary, and contributed to the Battery Cadre of the 19th Field Artillery Regiment’s successful mission accomplishments.

During the nine weeks of Basic Combat Training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.

Davidson, a multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer, is the daughter of Antoinette B. Davidson of Jamaica. Her aunt, Leslie-Ann S. Bailey, resides in Brooklyn. The private graduated in 2004 from Hillcrest High School, Jamaica, and received an associate degree in 2010 from Nassau Community College, Garden City.

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

College Credits:

Photo by Bob Harris

The following students have been selected as resident assistants at Pace University.

Samuel Jeannite, from Jamaica, has been selected as a resident assistant this fall at Pace University’s New York City campus; Matthew Helenek, from Flushing, has been selected as a resident assistant this fall at Pace University’s New York City campus; Christian Ventura, from Little Neck, has been selected as a resident assistant this fall at Pace University’s New York City campus; Crystal Norwood, from Far Rockaway, has been selected as a resident assistant this fall at Pace University’s Pleasantville campus; Danielle Gore, from Queens Village, has been selected as a resident assistant this fall at Pace University’s Pleasantville campus; and Christopher Bernaudo, from Flushing, has been selected as a resident assistant this fall at Pace University’s New York City campus.

Pace University is recognized for professionally-oriented programs in business, law, arts and sciences, information technology, education, and nursing, with a core curriculum based in the liberal arts.

Shown in the Guidance Office of the Mathematics, Science Research & Technology H.S. (MAST) in the Campus Magnet Complex, Cambria Heights are two caring seniors doing volunteer work after their class day ends. (L. to r.): Nikasha Cole of St. Albans and Crystal Taylor from Cambria Heights. The girls file, pull out folders, make copies and run errands so the office functions for the benefit of their fellow students. The computer they are at is used by students to do college searches. The Guidance Counselor is Yasmeen Trotman.

tional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons

defenses available to the infantry crewman.

He is the nephew of Sumintra Sookdeo of Jamaica.

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Contracting

Models Of Queens

Alicia's Tweet Escape If you are an avid tweeter, you

Gia Grows Up

noticed the lack of star power on World Aids Day. Celebrities like Queens beauty Alicia Keys, tennis pro Serena Williams, Elijah Wood, Justin Timberlake and the Kardashian sisters, Kim and Khloe, went tweetless.

In honor of World AIDS Day and the Keep a Child Alive Campaign Digital Life Sacrifice, the stars choreographed their digital deaths. They were participating in the first ever celebrity blackout, by abstaining from Twitter, Facebook and other social netAlicia Keys working venues.

To revive the stars, we commoners would have to text message with their first names to 90999 and donate $10. Their digital life will only be spared if they raise $1 million.

This could easily be solved by the celebrities themselves. They could each donate $1 million and tweet, Facebook, Myspace, instant message, text, bbm, e-mail or even send a telegram to as many people as they would like.

C’mon, Alicia, write the check.

When last we met Howard Beach native Gia Allemand, she told us that modeling and pageantry have been her way of life ever since she was a baby. Having started her career as a baby in Johnson & Johnson ads and as a Gerber baby, it wasn’t until 2003 that she decided to try her hand at it as an adult, though she had continued to work in pageants.

Today, she’s certainly noticeable, as one of the final three contestants on the mot recent season of “The Bachelor” on ABC. She has also joined on to a company named Dream It Make It, an agency that helps artists, models, musicians, athletes, actors, writers, and entrepreneurs make their names in the industry.

Our Maxim girl, recently discussed the challenges she has faced in her career, and showed how her new agency can help.

“Its a hard career,” she said.

“I struggled a lot to get to the places I’ve been. I am very lucky but I was always very laid back and didn’t know much about modeling. I wish I had had a mentor to go to.”

“This is a cutthroat field and very few make it,” she added. “Getting coached by someone that knows the field and the people in it has a huge advantage.”

Gia may be ready to put the

Gia Allemand Howard Beach Age: 27 Height: 5’5" Weight: 100 lbs Stats: 34-23-34

modeling behind her. “I have modeled for years,” she said. “I’m now working on an acting career. And I also want to go back to college to get my masters.”

She is set to start filming Jan. 2 in the role of Ava Gardner in a biopic of Gianni Russo, the mobster-turned-actor who played Carlo, Talia Shire’s husband, in “The Godfather.”

We’re certainly looking forward to seeing her on a big screen.

Queens-Bound Health Energy Kitchen, the Manhattan-based fast food chain that even Mayor Mike Bloomberg could love, will finally call our beautiful borough home. The health-centric eateries that feature menu items with 500 calories or less will appear in 10 more as-yetunnamed locations in Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn.

We weren’t aware, but apparently the Metropolitan Museum of Art Catering to always-on-the-go New Yorkers, Queens residents selects a work each day from its permanent collection as it’s “Featured can look forward to healthy burgers, wraps, salads and smoothies, Work of Art.” Last Friday (12/3/10), their site displayed the day’s pick. (inset) A 1995 Gouache and colored pencil on paper Menorah by Queens always baked, grilled or steamed – never fried. Among those who born and Electchester raised Mark Podwal. Way to go Pods. have hit up the Kitchen include Hollywood A-listers like Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger.

At least these guys won’t Baseball may be over for the year, but for one Queens-raised kid, it have to worry about the hit of was a career highlight week. As the Texas Rangers continue to celebrate a sugar tax, though their arthe franchise’s first World Series appearance, their Gerneral Manager rival in Queens will be pretty – the youngest in baseball – 34-year-old Jon Daniels was named as sweet.

“Executive of the Year”by Baseball America.

“Jon Daniels is a geek who last played organized ball in Little Confidentially, League,” according to an old story in Fast Company, the forwardlooking business mag.

“The next year, he tried out for the freshman team at Manhattan’s academically elite Hunter College High School and got cut. His personal scouting report: “I could throw, and I wasn’t afraid to take a beating.

Baseball America's Executive of But I couldn’t hit for shit,” the mag reported. the Year, Jon Daniels

Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens Dec. 10-16, 2010

No Hitter

30 Rock Weprin Queens Councilman Mark Weprin, in helping promote the City’s new organ donor program, was set to meet up with a host of celebrities who have benefitted from organ donation at a special Council meeting Dec. 8.

One of the participants, Grizz Chapman, who plays straight-man to Tracy Morgan’s Tracy Jordan on “30 Rock,” which films right here in Queens, is a recent kidney.

Grizz, who stand 6-foot-10 and recently dropped 75 pounds so he could be cleared for surgery, might make for a great photo op with Weprin who, at a couple of inches below 6 feet, should come up to the comedy giant’s shoulder.

This won’t be the first time Weprin stood beside

Tina Fey stands shoulder to shoulder with Mark Weprin. (r.) Grizz Chapman is next on his 30 Rock list. a “30 Rock” star. A year ago he got to hang out with Tina Fey while he was still in the Assembly.

Perhaps he’s pushing for a walk-on.

Queens' Adrian Brody with a worker at one of Energy Kitchen’s locations in Manhattan's. Soon he won’t have to travel as far.

New York . . .

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