SEQ PRESS

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

Volume 13 Issue No. 18 May 4-10, 2012

PAGE 18

Students, parents and local officials express outrage and concern after the Panel for Educational Policy voted last week to approve the closure of seven schools in the borough, including August Martin High School.

By PRESS Staff ...‌.. Page 8

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 4-10, 2012

Presstime

Info Fair Could Help Motivate Youth

BY VERONICA LEWIN

When school lets out for summer, young people are left with a lot of free time on their hands.

Aside from experiencing boredom, too much free time could get teens into trouble. One upcoming event is designed to get youth interested in something before their minds have time to wander.

Councilman Ruben Wills (DJamaica) and the Dept. of Youth And Community Development are hosting a Youth Resource Fair on Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be held at Club Jouvay, located at 174-02 Liberty Ave. More than 20 organizations will be on hand to showcase their educational and sports programs. Applica-

tion assistance will also be availThe Indo-Caribbean Alliance able for the Summer Youth Em- was established three years ago, ployment Program. with its main focus being young "We have a lot of people. According to obstacles that our Deputy Director young people have Faudia Baijnauth, to face that they've ICA provides mentoring, academic never faced before.

Only with these assistance and early youth providers on career planning for atthe ground are we risk students. going to be able to "Anything youth touch that base," face they just need someone to talk to, Wills said.

Four groups that so we provide that asCouncilman will be at Saturday's sistance for them," Ruben Wills event are the Indoshe said.

Caribbean Alliance, the Young ICA also takes teens on Leaders Institute, Teens Against monthly trips, including places Crime and the Jamaica Bulldogs. outside Southeast Queens that These four groups met with Wills they may not normally have the Wednesday morning to discuss opportunity to see. their impact in the community.

The Young Leaders Institute is

offering a Summer Whiz Kidz program from July to mid-August. Year round, the institute provides other programs including mentoring.

Teens Against Crime offers programs such as basic computer training to keep kids off of the streets.

The organization tries to not only help young people, but reaches out to their families as well.

"We can't help the youth and then they have to go home to their families and their families are dysfunctional," CEO Florence Simmons said.

The Jamaica Bulldogs football and cheerleading program has been in existence for nearly 10 years and strives to change the lives of young people on and off the field. Coach Royshawn Harrison said the organization tries to build student athletes in-

stead of just athletes and tries to implement healthy eating.

"We pride ourselves on teaching," Harrison said. "We breed champions."

Instead of attending a camp or retreat for a few weeks and then returning home, the event is designed to help young people find year-round programs to build longterm connections. Wills said that the school closures make these relationships even more important, when students may be seeing different teachers in the classroom. Having a mentor outside of school can be beneficial to a child's outcome. He added these programs could build the future civic leaders in Southeast Queens.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.

portation alternative to the current subway lines would be welcomed news to the residents of Queens, who currently suffer with commutes of well over an hour to midtown Manhattan,” he said.

Goldfeder was joined by his

colleague, Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) and other transportation activists earlier this year in Ozone Park to begin the push reactivate the line.

Though no specific route or plan is in the works, the duo proposed

a series of possibilities, including extending the R subway line from Queens Boulevard or a new LIRR line.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125 or drafter@queenstribune.com.

Petition Calls For LIRR Line Activation

BY DOMENICK RAFTER

Groups Release Housing Guides In Six Languages

BY JASON PAFUNDI Chhaya Community Development Corporation, the Minkwon Center for Community Action and Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica are releasing two publications entitled “Homebuyer’s Guide: What you need to know to buy in NYC,” and “Renter’s Guide: What you need to know to rent in NYC.” Besides English, the in-depth publications will be printed in Spanish, Nepali, Chinese, Korean and Bangla. They are funded through a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development and will be available the first week of June.

The guides have been trans-

lated and will be available in English and the other five languages. Low-income immigrants live in overcrowded and unsafe conditions and the in-language guide shares information on rental opportunities, fair housing rights and free resources.

In addition to the guides, the three groups are planning to conduct trainings and workshops in language for residents as well as other non profits and city agencies working with LEP communities.

Chhaya CDC was founded in 2000 and is based in Jackson Heights. It is dedicated to creating safe and sustainable communities by increasing civic participation and addressing the housing and community development

needs of New Yorkers of South Asian origin and their neighbors.

NHSJ is a community based organization servicing families from Southeast Queens since 1974. A central component of their work is to serve the low and moderate-income residents including blacks and Latinos. It helps families become self-sufficient through financial education and coaching and provide homeownership stabilization and preservation through one-on-one counseling and education.

For more information, cont act (718) 478-3848 or sujatha@chhayacdc.org.

Reach Reporter Jason Pafundi at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, or jpafundi@queenstribune.com.

May 4-10, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3

Currently New York City is constructing a new subway line, a connection to Grand Central Terminal for the Long Island Rail Road, and even a new bridge, but South Queens officials, including Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder (D-Far Rockaway), would like to see some of that infrastructure work come to their communities.

The abandoned Rockaway Beach LIRR line has been a mere ruin between Rego Park and Ozone Park for half a century.

Goldfeder and other transit advocates have made restoring the old line a major priority and are now looking to show Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the MTA just how needed it is. Goldfeder has initiated a petition and asking residents who want to see the line reactivated to sign it. The petition, which can now be accessed and signed at rockawaybeachrail.com, will be delivered to Cuomo, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and MTA Chairman Joe Lhota.

The line, which connects to the LIRR Main Line in Rego Park, runs parallel to Woodhaven and

Cross Bay boulevards through Forest Hills, Glendale, Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Howard Beach and across Jamaica Bay to the Rockaway Peninsula. The section south of Rockaway Boulevard is occupied by the A train. North of Rockaway Boulevard the line is abandoned, but the elevated trestle that carried it still exists. It carried its last train on June 8, 1962. The desire to bring trains back to the line is not unanimous. Some, including Andrew Crawford, Chairperson of Community Board 9, want to see the line turned into parkland, a Queens version of Manhattan’s popular ‘high line,” but Goldfeder would like to see it reused for its original purpose. He noted that it would give a quicker transportation option for residents of South Queens and the Rockaway Peninsula – only 40 minutes to Midtown Manhattan. The line would also serve JFK, Resorts World New York City Casino and improve access to other parts of the borough including Astoria and Flushing and help ease traffic on the borough’s congested northsouth routes, Woodhaven Boulevard and Van Wyck Expressway.

“Restoration of the abandoned rail line as an efficient trans-

‘Know Your Rights’ Coming To York

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 4-10, 2012

After being released from jail, one is expected to make a seamless transition back to society. One of the best ways to assimilate into the outside world is by promptly finding employment. However, this proves to be difficult for most, as many employers do not want to take their chances on someone with a criminal history. One young man in Southeast Queens is doing what he can to help people across the City become self-sufficient after incarceration.

The Jamel Robinson Child Welfare Reform Initiative and York College's Male Initiative Program are hosting the first Know Your Rights campaign on Saturday, May 12. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at York College's Academic Core Building, located at 94-20 Guy R.

Jamel Robinson

Brewer Blvd.

The Know Your Rights campaign is designed to educate recently incarcerated individuals on their rights in an attempt to

decrease recidivism. Representatives from the Dept. of Provision will be on hand to speak with participants.

"As a community of hope, it is our adamant belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to move on with their lives beyond their sometimes reckless and irresponsible behaviors," said Jamel Robinson, president of the JRCWRI. "Everyone is prone to make mistakes, but it's not what you have done to get into trouble, however, what you have done after you have gotten out of trouble that makes all the difference."

In 2008, Robinson founded JRCWRI at age 21.

For the past three years, his organization has fought to transform the city foster care system into a safe space where children can feel appreciated. The organization strives to ensure young

adults leaving the foster care sys- Conduct were enacted to reduce tem have the resources neces- the rejection and community isosary to be independent and suc- lation that often accompanies cessful. Robinson hopes to even- criminal convictions and contribtually eradicate homelessness in ute to the complete rehabilitation of first time the community and has orgaand "As a community offenders nized donation their successful of hope, it is our ada- return to respondrives in the past mant belief that ev- sible lives in the to provide children with coats, ery individual de- community.

He said withbook bags and hyserves the opportuout certifigiene products. nity to move on with cates,these Now, he has the City will their lives beyond continue to bear turned his attentheir sometimes an exponentially tion to those who reckless and irrespon- greater cost in were recently involved in the what has become sible behaviors." criminal justice —Jamel Robinson, a revolving door in and out of the system.

President, criminal justice Robinson was JRCWRI system. This will incarcerated as increase depenan adolescent and upon discharge from the dency on the City Human Recriminal justice system, he earned sources Administration and the a Certificate of Relief of Civil Dept. of Homeless Services.

Disabilities. Laws governing a Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin Certificate of Civil Relief of Dis- at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or abilities and Certificate of Good vlewin@queenspress.com.

Ulrich Announces Senate Campaign

BY DOMENICK RAFTER While much of the borough's political focus is on the June and September primaries, there will be at least one battle on the November ballot to keep an eye on.

City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) announced last week that he will run against his Council predecessor State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) in the newly-drawn 15th Senate district in November.

"I'm ready to take the fight to Albany where I will be an in-

dependent voice for the taxpayers of Queens County," Ulrich states on his website.

Addabbo, who was first elected in 2008 after defeating 20-year incumbent Serphin Maltese and was reelected in 2010 in a race against former Councilman Anthony Como, is considered one of the more vulnerable Democratic members of the State Senate. The district, which already included Republican-leaning neighborhoods of Howard Beach, Middle Village and Maspeth,

was redrawn to include more GOP-friendly turf including Breezy Point, Broad Channel and Orthodox Jewish areas of Kew Gardens Hills and Far Rockaway, both of which have voted Democratic on the state level but Republican on the federal level. The inclusion of those areas could mean Addabbo's 2011 vote for marriage equality may become a liability; the bill was vehemently opposed by the Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn and played a factor in Councilman

Lew Fidler (D-Brooklyn)'s close race to succeed former State Sen. Carl Kruger in Southern Brooklyn.

The new district is one of the most Republican in the city. The district, under its new lines, voted for Mayor Mike Bloomberg in all three of his elections and voted for U.S. Rep. Bob Turner (R-Breezy Point) in the 2011 special election to succeed former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner. It gave President Barack Obama 54 percent of the vote in 2008, while he

won 61 percent under the old district lines.

Ulrich, 27, won his City Council seat in a special election in 2009 to replace Addabbo, who resigned after serving two terms on the City Council upon his election to the State Senate and was reelected November of that year, defeating Addabbo's former chief of staff and Community Board 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125 or drafter@queenstribune.com.

DREAM Team Rallies For Immigrant Students

BY ROSS BARKAN With urgency in their voices, the New York State DREAM coalition joined with its political allies to rally for the passage of New York State Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act. Hosted by S.J. Chung, the

president of the MinKwon Center for Community Action and a rumored State Senate candidate, the April 30 press conference at Borough Hall called for state legislators to pass a bill that would help undocumented immigrant students attend college by increasing access to financial re-

sources. The Assembly will vote on the DREAM fund bill shortly: the legislation would create a commission to raise private funds for scholarships and open up taxfree education savings accounts.

A vote has not been called for the DREAM Act, however.

Comptroller John Liu and

Queens College President James Muyskens were among the most prominent speakers in attendance. Elected officials like Assemblywoman Grace Meng (DFlushing) and Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) have spoken in support of the DREAM Act as well. Both are

now congressional candidates.

The New York State DREAM coalition is an alliance of youth, community, labor and faith organizations that is advocating for the passage of DREAM legislation.

Reach Reporter Ross Barkan at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127 or rbarkan@queenstribune.com .

resents...

York College P

$15.00 Gen Admission / $12.00 Seniors / $10.00 Group / $5 Students with ID Suitable for mature audience only YORK COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tickets available at the Box Office, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Call: 718-262-2840 or online at www.york.cuny.edu Major funding for this series provided by NYC Councilmembers Leroy Comrie (27th-CD) Deputy Majority Leader NY City Council and Chair of Land Use Committee, and Ruben Wills (28th-CD), Chair of Substance Abuse Sub-Committee.

May 4-10, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5

2012 • 7:00pm Friday, May 4, pm 5, 2012 • 7:00 Saturday, May 2012 • 3:00pm Sunday, May 6, , 2012 • 7:00pm & 7:00pm Friday, May 11 , 2012 • 2:00pm Saturday, May 12 , 2012 • 3:00pm Sunday, May 13

Editorial OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email news@queenspress.com The PRESS of Southeast Queens Managing Editor:

Steven J. Ferrari Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

A New Hope?

The chances were slim, yes, but that did not stop students, parents and officials from holding out hope that the Panel for Educational Policy would change its mind about closing seven schools in Queens. Before the vote last week, one school – Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood – got a last-minute reprieve. The decision gave some hope to those that were calling on the panel to keep schools open.

But the hopes were dashed April 26, when the proposal to close the seven schools was approved. The decision puts the lives of thousands – students and teachers alike – in a state of flux.

New schools will be opened over the graves of those shut down, closing the book on the storied legacies of these buildings. New teachers will be hired and those hired will hopefully provide our children with more opportunities to better themselves than have been previously presented.

Many have called the proposal to close the schools a political game, a way to get grant funding or to eliminate underachieving teachers.

Whatever the motivations were to close these institutions, the decision has been made and we must live with the consequences.

We can only hope that the decision will result in a better standard of education for all the students in the borough.

Letters Building A Better Queens

Reporters: Harley Benson Veronica Lewin Domenick Rafter Ross Barkan Jason Pafundi Interns: Brianna Ellis Joanna Gonzalez Art Dept:

Rhonda Leefoon Candice Lolier Barbara Townsend Advertising Director Shanie Persaud

Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 4-10, 2012

Sr. Account Executive Shelly Cookson Advertising Executives Merlene Carnegie Shari Strongin

A Queens Tribune Publication. © Copyright 2012 Tribco, LLC

Michael Schenkler, President & Publisher Michael Nussbaum, Vice President, Associate Publisher

To The Editor: The Queens Chamber of Commerce describes its mission, summarized at its most direct and succinct, by using the phrase, “a better Queens is our business.”

This phrase, although very brief, introduces two major goals towards which the Chamber con-

stantly works in its daily operations with the use of two specific words: These words are “better” and “business.” The Queens Chamber seeks to “better” the borough of Queens in a variety of ways: to emphasize its diverse cultures, to educate its businesspeople, and to support and advocate its commerce. In

Letters the aforementioned mission statement, the Queens Chamber claims that the betterment of Queens is its business; that it aims to make it easier for people who own/are employed by businesses located in Queens to participate in savvy, successful, and efficient business practices. The Chamber has a variety of methods for helping businesspeople in Queens, each of which emphasize a strategic approach to networking and business practices.

One of the main vehicles through which the Queens Chamber aims to better Queens’ business is its full agenda of regularly occurring seminars. These seminars are often free and attended by owners and employees of both large and small local businesses.

They cover a wide variety of topics and are often tailored specifically to target various ethnicities and languages, in order to ensure that each one of Queens’ over 100 distinct nationalities is properly serviced. Queens is a very large, very diverse borough; in fact, it is among the most diverse neighborhoods in the country, having over 40 percent of its population being foreign born and speaking over 138 different languages. To be universally inclusive of different ethnicities and

cultures is among the Queens Chamber’s top priorities, and the diverse docket of Seminars which the Chamber regularly holds is a prime example of the Chamber’s efforts to embrace the multicultural DNA of Queens.

These seminars seek to provide vital information, some being tailored to specific industries, and others having a wider range of appeal and pertinence. For example, the Chamber regularly holds a seminar called “Restaurant Boot Camp,” in which restaurateurs and restaurant employees alike are taught methods and best practices regarding managing a successful restaurant and how to properly take advantage of government programs designed to aid local eateries.

The Queens Chamber has made it its mission, its “business” to improve, support, and advocate for businesses in Queens, and it strives to do so in the most inclusive, accessible manner.

If you are interested in attending any of the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming events, a full listing can be found on their website, www.queenschamber.org.

Jack Friedman, Executive Director, Queens Chamber of Commerce

A Party's Great Hope Takes On Incumbent

A Personal Perspective

BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE

Eric Ulrich is a man on the move. Make that a talented young man on the move. At 27 he's still the youngest member of the current cohort of the New York City Council. But he is already gearing up to move on to the next level.

He was a mere 24 when he became the "permanent" Republican replacement for Joseph Addabbo, Jr. who gave up his Council seat to unseat Republican State Sen. Serf Maltese about four years ago.

But don't be fooled by the relatively small number of birthdays he has already celebrated.

Ulrich is a serious politician and he will go far.

Going far must be why the Councilman recently announced he will challenge Addabbo for the seat he took from Maltese — the 15th Senate District seat — in

the hopes it will return to Republican hands.

Ulrich is a very smart, personable, hard-working guy with a knack for doing impressions.

Voters like people with a sense of humor and charm. He adored his late colleague, Councilman Thomas White Jr., but used to do a spot-on impression of him that was hysterically funny. The late, beloved Councilman was a funny guy with a great voice. It was amazing how this young white guy from Ozone Park could so effectively sound like a colorful black man nearing 70, but he can.

If I'm Addabbo, I'm concerned about this seemingly upstart encroaching on my territory. Ulrich is eligible for another five years in his current job so one cannot help but wonder why he would be challenging a very likable incumbent who also works hard and is equally smart. What's going on here?

In terms of the number of members in office, the Republican Party has long had only two people in office and that has not changed. Ulrich, and now Bob Turner, who defeated David Weprin, a Democratic standardbearer, to fill Anthony Weiner's old Congressional seat are the only two.

Now that seat is being yanked from under Turner, whose taste of power has him challenging Kirsten Gillibrand for her U.S. Senate seat. So Ulrich and Turner together have become the elected face of their party in Queens (Turner's current district straddles Queens and Brooklyn).

Turner won't defeat Gillibrand this year, we know that. But Ulrich will give Addabbo a good fight at least in the area of the Senate district that includes the Council district. Don't get it twisted though. Addabbo will give as well as he gets. As the name suggests,

he comes from strong political stock and he will pull out all the stops to keep his job. The late Congressman Joseph P. Addabbo Sr. was a powerhouse and many mature voters still recall him fondly. His son has carried on the legacy with aplomb.

The Republican Party in the borough and state wants to establish itself as a contender in a state and borough predominantly Democratic.

Ulrich, with his smarts, youth and megawatt smile is no doubt being viewed as the great Republican hope right now. It's good to be wanted and Ulrich is a wanted man in his party.

In the Council he will no doubt become minority leader when Staten Island's Jimmy Oddo is termed out at the end of next year. So however you slice it, Ulrich is going places. He is his party's next big thing.

Keep an eye on this one.

The Very Long Primary Season & Races Worth Following

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER This year will go down in New York political history.

There are 3 scheduled Primary elections and a November General election.

The first Primary – a Presidential Primary – was held on April 24. It came and went with little

note since the Presidential candidates from each party was pretty much a done deal.

The next Primary is for Federal office – Senate and Congress – and will be held June 26. The date was set by the courts to insure that absentee ballot turnaround for our overseas troops would allow sufficient time between for their absentee participation in the General Election. As we explained last week, the 6th C.D. is the Queens race worth watching in that one. Grace Meng, Rory Lancman, Liz Crowley and Robert Mittman square off for the vacant seat running across Queens from Hollis Hills through Flushing to Maspeth.

Then, on Sept. 11 – yes, it’s 9-11 again – the “regular” Primary for State Senate, Assembly and Party positions will be held.

This column will take a quick look at which of those races are shaping up to be fun for politicos to watch.

But first, a word from our sponsor . . .

Ne w York State can spend between 45 and 50 million dollars on each of the Primary Elections.

Lookout if there is a close one tied up in curt and/or requiring a recount. The still undecided Special Election for Carl Kruger’s seat held in Brooklyn last month has passed the million dollar cost mark for only a single election in just one of the

Lies, Damn Lies ... and Polls son. It won’t be until early 2013 before this city begins to listen to the ideas, vision and experience of the Mayoral candidates. There will be twists and turns in the electoral road; mud will be slung and gotcha moments exposed by the hungry New York press corps.

There will hopefully be many debates where the candidates can differentiate themselves and explain their vision for making New York a more prosperous and livable place for all.

But don’t be fooled by the early polls and their ability to predict who will win.

I know polling quite well. I worked in the NBC polling unit many years ago and learned firsthand about their fallibility. I also learned then and later as a journalist that polls are merely a snapshot in time. Even exit polls on election day can be suspect (Just ask “President Dewey.”)

The only “poll” that matters in New York City will be the one taken on Elect ion Day, Nov. 5, 2013 — more than 18 months from now.

Eighteen months is a lifetime in politics.

Eighteen months ago, the heav y favorite to be t he next Mayor was Anthony Weiner.

You could look it up.

Just check out the polls.

Tom Allon is a Liberal and Democratic candidate for Mayor in 2013. His first part-time job in high school, in 1979, was in the polling unit of NBC News.

field of Asian candidates to petition to replace Grace Meng – who is the frontrunner in the 6th Congressional District race — in the Assembly. We’ll need a little time to track down all the candidates for this one.

Also in the race for the 6th C.D. is Assemblyma n Ror y Lancman, who has told this writer that even if he loses, he has no intention of returning to the Assembly. Perennial candidate Community Board 11’s Jerry Iannece has already declared his intention.

Rumors have former State Senate candidate and Lot to mi llionaire Isaac Sassoon as a potential candidate, as well as Austin Shafran, the Vice Chair of New York State’s Economic Development Coerporation and a skilled political operative in his own right.

Shafran, a lifelong resident of the area has a family network and presumably has built a fundraising network which would immediately make him competitive in this one.

There is still t ime for these potential races to take interesting turns and have surprise candidates jump in.

When all of this is done, we’ll have in the Genreal Election, Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich giving incumbent State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. a run for his life, a Rudy Giuliani challenging incumbent State Senator Tony Avel la a nd GOP’s Dan Halloran looking to do his magic in the 6th Congressional.

Have fun.

MSchenkler@QueensPress.com

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

May 4-10, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7

By TOM ALLON Mark Green.

When I was a teenIn 2005, Council ager I was struck by this Speaker Gifford Miller wisecrack: there are was the leader in three kinds of lies: lies, fundraising and looked damn lies ... and statisto be the stronge st tics. challenger to former Let’s extrapolate Bronx Borough Presithat and just insert the dent Freddy Fer rer. word “polls” instead of Miller’s run floundered Tom Allon “statistics.” and he was overtaken There is no more misleading by a scrappy Congressman from thing in politics today than polls, Brooklyn, Anthony Weiner, who par ticularly those that are con- eventually lost to Ferrer. ducted more than three months Miller, the Council Speaker, before a primary or general elec- suffered an even worse fate than tion. his predecessor, Vallone, finishing Why? Because we have seen last in the primary w ith just ten what happens to the frontrunner percent of the vote. again and again.

Now the early polls for 2013 In the recent GOP presiden- are out (16 months before the pritial primary, Rick Perry was thought mar y!) and a not her Counci l to be an early favorite until he ac- Speaker with lots of campaign tually went on television and had dough and high name recognition a hard time recalling the names of leads the pack. Christine Quinn three agencies he would abolish in polled recently at 32 percent (in a government. field of six where I polled last).

Remember Herman Cain? The Will Quinn fall prey to the repolls at one point showed him as cent curse of the Council Speakers the favorite for the GOP nomina- of the last 12 years? Will the reign tion, until he sank faster than a of Manhattan-based Mayors conlead balloon. tinue for the 35th consecutive year New York Cit y mayoral his- (thus making Bill DeBlasio a tory is littered with early front run- longshot)? ners who stumbled and fell on their Right now, it is much too early way to the finish line. to even begin to speculate on this.

In 2001, the reasonably well- The city and countr y will be foknown Speaker of the City Coun- cused on the presidential election cil, Peter Vallone Sr., was an early for the next six months while the favorite in the race for Mayor. prospective 2013 Mayoral candiIn t he September Primar y, dates jockey for campaign cash and Vallone wound up finishing third, endorsements. behind Fernando Ferrer and Then comes the holiday sea-

State’s 63 Senate Districts. Yes, the price of democracy is indeed high.

Back to our program . . .

For the September 11 primary, in the State Senate, there are 2 Democrat ic race s wor th watching: Cit y Counci lman James Sanders Jr. plans to challenge incumbent Senator Shirley Huntley in her new District, which includes the Rockaways. While there may be an age disparity, Huntley, a senior citizen, has been known to out-campaign much younger opponents. Both candidates will need to demonstrate they can raise the necessary funds.

In the nor theastern par t of the borough, i ncumbent Toby Stavisky, who has been redistricted out of the 16th Senatorial District but plans to run there, faces a fierce challenge from businessma n/at torne y John Messer .

Messer, who challenged Stavisky 2 year s ago, has commit ted $500,000 in personal funds and intends to raise more in this new district which has been drawn in his favor. Stavisky, with her son’s political consulting firm, can expect to be put to the test since the district has the largest Asian population of any in the State. Messer’s wife is Chinese and Stavisky has not previously per formed well or established strong relationships in the Asian parts of her district. This could be the one to watch.

In the most interesting freefor-all around, look for a very large

Turnaround:

Panel Votes To Close 7 Queens High Schools It was déjà vu all over again.

Packed into the auditorium of the Prospect Heights Campus in Brooklyn, students, teachers, parents, activists and officials made their voices heard, for and opposed, right up to the final moment. In a scene similar to that which occurred a year ago when Jamaica High School’s fate sat in the balance, seven borough high schools got their verdict: they would close at the end of the year and be replaced in another round of “turnarounds.”

The Panel for Educational Policy voted on April 26 to approve the closures of Flushing, Newtown, Long Island City, William Cullen Bryant, August Martin, John Adams and Richmond Hill high schools and more than a dozen others citywide.

The schools were closed as part of Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s “turnaround” program where they were will be reopened with new names, new programs and new staff. The turnarounds became necessary after the United Federation of Teachers and the Bloomberg administration failed to arrive at a deal on teacher evaluations. In order to be eligible for federal money, a deal had to be struck or the schools needed to be closed.

Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 4-10, 2012

Losing Identities State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said he had hoped Richmond Hill and John Adams would be saved, especially with the latter just recently placed in a “transformation” program aimed at increasing test scores and graduation rates.

“Both John Adams and Richmond Hill High Schools have very long histories in their respective neighborhoods and I believe valid, credible arguments were made to have them removed from the “turnaround” list,” he said. “In my statements made at the John Adams High School public hearing, I emphasized that it had improved its performance under the Restart

PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen

BY PRESS STAFF

Students and officials rallied in front of August Martin High School last month.

program and should be permitted to continue its course. Perhaps there is still hope that both can at least retain their names and keep their respective faculties.”

In Western Queens, the outrage over the closure of Long Island City and William Cullen Bryant High Schools was quick and apparent, with a number of elected officials immediately releasing statements.

“The vote was disgraceful,” said Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria). “To spend millions of dollars to uproot students from a school like my alma mater, William Cullen Bryant High School, which has been successfully educating Western Queens children since the 19th century, is a waste of money and talent.”

State Sen. Mike Gianaris (DAstoria), a graduate of LIC High School, said throughout the process that he had yet to see one reason why closing these schools was in the best interest of the students.

“The vote to close our local high schools is extremely disappointing and will undoubtedly disrupt students’ ability to learn,” Gianaris said. “It is unfortunate that the Dept. of Education put politics ahead of our children’s educational needs.”

The sentiment was felt

among many of the schools’ students “I went to Bryant High for three years, but now, because of the mayor, I will graduate from a different school in the same building, and that is just wrong,” said a current junior at Bryant who did not want to be identified. “My friends and classmates are confused as to why this had to happen.”

Named for the first black commercial airline pilot, August Martin High School in South Jamaica is one of the youngest schools in the borough. Notable alums include Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and entrepreneur Russell Simmons. Now, after 41 years in the community, August Martin will be shut down and reopened as a new school with new staff.

“The name August Martin means something because if it wasn’t for a man like that and many people like that, guess what? The chancellor wouldn’t have his job because none of us would be where we are today,” said August Martin alumni Cleavon Evans.

Despite a late-April rally and joint public hearing, the concerns of the community were not enough to save the historic school across the street from Baisley Pond Park. People at the rally worried that the closure

would demoralize the students at the school, who will now lose at least half of the teachers they have relied on. August Martin was the last school in Southeast Queens to not be transformed by the DOE. One of the stipulations of the DOE’s turnaround proposal was implemented a month ago, possibly sealing the fate of the school before April 26. Principal Anthony Cromer was forced out of his job at the beginning of April, kicking off the overhaul of faculty and staff expected with the turnaround plan.

According to the Educational Impact Statement released in March, the August Martin campus has the capacity to hold a new high school as well as an alternative learning center at the start of the 2012-13 school year.

The Effect of New Immigrants At Flushing High School, students, parents and teachers fought loudly and often to keep the school open. Its April 18 public hearing was a last chance for the storied high school to decry the DOE and the mayor, though the hearing also confirmed what would be inevitable: because Flushing had earned a “D” on its latest report card and failed to push graduation rates above 60 percent, it would be closed.

“The staff at Flushing High School is distraught over the senseless trade off of employees the DOE plans to enact,” said Jessica Dimech, chairperson of Flushing’s School Leadership Team and a mathematics teacher. “The decision to close a historic building such as Flushing without an EIS statement that calls for any changes other than those enacted by the very community that is being shut down is a recipe for disaster. Many highly qualified and distinguished staff members are deliberating staying on at the school due to the exuberant stress and red tape the DOE has laid upon us.”

Flushing’s high immigrant population has been cited as a

reason for its struggles. Many students there are still learning English and more Americanized students opt for better-performing high schools not far away like Benjamin Cardozo and Bayside.

“Now tell me, would you want your son or daughter taught by teachers that are trying to adapt to a new school atmosphere or teachers that can spend the same time developing and enhancing their delivery of content,” Dimech added.

A similar situation is being blamed for the statistics that led to Newtown High School in Elmhurst being on the list. The school takes in quite a few immigrant students who graduate in more than four years as they try to meet educational requirements while also learning a new language.

Cleveland Gets Last Minute Save One borough high school was spared; Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood got a reprieve only hours before the PEP was set to vote. The reasons Cleveland was given a pass were not completely clear, but the school, and the community it serves, celebrated the news anyway. As the school day come closer to an end on Thursday, Principal Denise Vittor announced the school’s save over the public address system to cheering students.

“This news is a testament to the hard work of the school community, the students, parents and teachers and Principal Vittor at Grover Cleveland. I was proud to stand with the community protesting the turnaround model, and I am relieved the DOE has listened to common sense and will keep the school open,” Councilman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) said.

Cleveland was spared along with Bushwick Community High School in Brooklyn. In a statement, Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said the two schools did not warrant a “turnaround” after a review by the DOE.

Police Blotter Compiled by JASON PAFUNDI

107th Precinct Robber Wanted The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspect wanted in connection to a robbery in Jamaica.

On April 19 at approximately 10:50 p.m. inside of a McDonald’s located at 181-25 Hillside Ave., a male suspect entered the location and hid in the bathroom. At approximately 1 a.m., after the store closed, the suspect exited the bathroom wearing a mask and produced a black semi-automatic handgun and forced two of the three workers into the freezer and the remaining worker to the safe. After gaining access to the safe, the suspect then removed money and flex cuffed the remaining worker. The suspect fled the location onto Avon Street.

The suspect is described as black male approximately 28-33 years old, 6-foot, 200 lbs., with long black hair, wearing a black ski mask, blue hooded sweatshirt and blue pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS

(8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Missing Woman The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance in ascertaining the whereabouts of 82-year-old Feng Huang, of 153-09 79th Ave. in Jamaica.

She was last seen leaving her residence at 4 a.m. on April 27. She is 5-feet tall and weighs 110 pounds.

108th Precinct Suspect Sought The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a man wanted in connection with three armed robberies that occurred in Sunnyside.

The first incident occurred on April 12, at approximately 3:50 p.m. in front of 50-38 46th St. The suspect approached the victim, displayed a firearm, forced

him to remove an unknown amount of money from an ATM and fled on foot.

The second incident occurred on April 18, at approximately 7:30 p.m., opposite of 50-12 44th St. The suspect approached a male victim, produced a firearm, removed the victim’s ATM card, fled the scene on foot and withdrew an unknown amount of money with the card.

The final incident occurred on April 23, at approximately 7:35 p.m. at the intersection of 44th Street and 50th Avenue. The suspect approached a male victim, displayed a firearm, removed the victim’s iPhone, forced him to remove an unknown amount of money from two ATMs and fled on foot.

The suspect is a Hispanic male in his 20s, with a mustache, and was wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored hat and glasses.

109th Precinct Bank Robber Sought The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance with the whereabouts and identity of the individual wanted in connec-

tion to an attempted bank robbery.

On April 23 at approximately 12 p.m., a white male walked into the Bank of America located at 39-12 Main St. and approached the teller, passed a demand note and also verbally demanded money The suspect then backed away from the counter and fled the location southbound on Roosevelt Avenue.

The suspect is described as being in his 20s, approximately 5-foot-9 and weighs 165 lbs. He was wearing a green windbreaker jacket, blue jeans and brown boots.

114th Precinct Missing Man The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 50-year-old Christopher Fallows.

Fallows was last seen leaving his mother’s residence located at 83 Perry St. in the West Village, within the confines of the 6th Precinct. Fallows is described as 6-foot-4 and weighing 230 lbs.

He resides at 30-56 30th St. in Astoria and was last seen wearing a yellow shirt, blue jeans and white sneakers.

News Briefs Seniors Rally Against Cuts

DOT Reverses One-Way Rule Make a right onto Liberty Avenue. It's legal again.

The Dept. of Transportation reversed one of the most controversial changes it made during the reconfiguration of the intersection of Cross Bay Boulevard, Liberty Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard. The section of Liberty Avenue between 93rd Street and Cross Bay Boulevard in Ozone Park reverted back two ways from one way eastbound on April 24, a move it mad when the busy intersection was altered in 2010.

The changes, especially the one-way implementation, were widely panned and local business owners blamed it for declining revenue in their stores and local officials criticized the changes and its effect on commerce. Above the intersection is the Rockaway Boulevard "A" train subway station and numerous bus routes

pass through the area. Much of the traffic includes people dropping off or picking up passengers from the subway and buses who sometimes frequent the delis, bodegas and take-out restaurants along this stretch of Liberty Avenue. DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan said the agency recognized the effect.

Since implementation, DOT said crashes at the intersection have declined by more than half. The agency said it will be restricting left turns from eastbound Rockaway Boulevard onto northbound Woodhaven Boulevard to help reduce traffic conflicts and make the flow of traffic better.

Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), a critic of the changes, credited DOT for rethinking the one-way designation.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), another critic said he would still like to see Liberty Avenue reopened to through traffic across Cross Bay Boulevard.

Coupons For Troops Armed with scissors and circulars, a group of local civic leaders have been giving back to military families living overseas by simply helping them save. After more than half a decade, they have hit a milestone number.

Five and a half years ago, the Richmond Hill South Civic Association and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary

Unit 118 began cutting out coupons on household items and sending them to military bases overseas for families to use in the bases' commissaries for food or products such as shampoo and soap.

Eventually, more groups got involved, including senior centers in Ozone Park, Howard Beach and Ridgewood and the Linden Alliance and Our Neighbors Civic Association.

An APO code, which stands for Army Post Office, is a zip code for military bases.

Margaret Finnety, president of the Rich mond Hill South Civic Association, said due to security reasons, they do not know which bases the coupons are going to until they receive letters back thanking them. The bases that get the coupons are all over the world, including Europe, East Asia and the Middle East and are Army Naval and Air Force bases.

In March, the groups hit a landmark number; $1 million worth of coupons. To celebrate the achievement, the groups got together and had a party on April 26 at the Untied Methodish Church hall on 107th Avenue in South Richmond Hill.

Finnety described the gathering as "very patriotic" and featured a Boy Scout troop, a flag ceremony and appearances from local officials and staff. For many of the groups, it was first time they met each other.

May 4-10, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9

U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) and the city's Dept. of Aging Commissioner Lilliam Barrios-Paoli held a press conference at the Elmhurst/Jackson Heights Senior Center, where they spoke out against House Republicans' effort to eliminate the Social Services Block Grant program, which helps fund protective services for abused children, home-based services for the elderly and disabled and a variety of other services for vulnerable populations.

Crowley and Barrios-Paoli were joined

by Suleika Cabrera-Drinane, president and CEO of the Institute of Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly; Bobbie Sackman, director of policy and advocacy for the Council of Senior Centers and Services; Cara Berkowitz, director of city legislative affairs for the UJA-Federation; and Carin Tinney, policy analyst for United Neighborhood Houses.

Last week, Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee, which Crowley sits on, introduced legislation to permanently eliminate SSBG as part of their approach to reducing the deficit. The program provides $1.7 billion to help states and local communities deliver critical services to approximately 23 million children, seniors and disabled Americans through a flexible funding source. Because of the flexibility, states and local governments can

determine what programs and services should be funded in order to best meet the needs of the community.

But because of the new plan by Republicans, Crowley said the most in-need citizens will be hurt the most.

Crowley admitted that there are tough choices that need to be made to reduce the deficit, but he said that eliminate an important and vital program was not a choice that should be made.

Out With The Old Photos by Ira Cohen

pix

Southeast Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

Sleep Over

Photo by Ira Cohen

The line of people bringing items to the university for recycling went as far as the eye could see.

Workers collect electronic equipment for recycling at an event at St. John’s University on Saturday.

Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 4-10, 2012

Hundreds of people camped out for close to a week at Ironworkers Local 46 in Woodside hoping to snag an application for an apprenticeship.

May 4-10, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11

Profile

Agency Helps Seniors Live At Home Safely

BY VERONICA LEWIN There comes a point in life when taking care of yourself becomes a challenge. For seniors who are not yet ready for a nursing home, options can be limited.

One budding agency in Jamaica is helping seniors maintain some sense of independence.

Lamoi's Agency was founded last August by Suezian Campbell.

The agency provides non-medical home care for those in need.

For the past 15 years, Campbell has been a home health aide employee, sparking her interest in starting an agency.

Home attendants from Lamoi's Agency take care of the cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping for older adults, while also reminding them to take their medications. Attendants will stop by for a few hours a day, or be there 24 hours a day if constant care is needed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of adults over 65 fall each year, making it the leading cause of injury death. Falls are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. In 2008, nearly 20,000 adults over 65 died from accidental falls. According to the CDC, many people who fall - whether they experience injury or not - develop a fear of falling. This fear could lead to seniors reducing their mobility, a change that puts them at a greater risk for falls. Lamoi's Agency hopes by helping seniors with their activities, it can prevent seniors in the borough from becoming another statistic.

Campbell said the organization is beneficial to Southeast Queens because there are many low-income seniors in the area who do not qualify for Medicaid or private insurance, leaving

their options for care quite limited. Lamoi's Agency offers clients the option of paying for home attendants out of pocket.

Prices vary depending on a senior's needs, but hourly care rates begin around $18 an hour.

Nonstop care runs as much as $180 a day, rates Campbell says are affordable compared to their competition.

Campbell hopes to expand Lamoi's Agency to extend their reach in Southeast Queens and create jobs in the community. The agency currently provides care with just three staff members Campbell, President Jodi O'Connor and Aneisha Campbell.

"I want to take it as big as I can go. It's something that I love to do," she said.

Lamoi's Agency works closely with Southside Queens House Calls, founded by Larry Love.

SSQ House Calls helps provide at-home visits by licensed physi-

(l. to r.) CEO Suezian Campbell, President Jodi O'Connor and Human Resources Manager Aneisha Campbell. cians. This service eliminates people spending hours waiting to been seen by a doctor or arranging transportation.

SSQ House Calls said home visits from a treating physician can play a vital role in providing the information necessary to medical problems from growing into something more life-threatening. Doctors also get an oppor-

tunity to learn more about social, emotional and economic problems that could affect a patient's treatment of health outcome.

The vision of House Calls is to build a healthier community by tending to the elderly and homebound from block to block.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.

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A&E

Music Legend Performs In Queens Whether singing on stage in front of thousands or dancing on television in front of millions, he has always brought the same energy in his performance. When he was four, his parents took him to see a Grand Ole Opry traveling road show in Roanoke, Va., where he learned what he wanted to be. When he was six, he learned to play the piano, guitar and steel guitar and was doing a daily radio show before

going to school. Before too long, he was playing in hotels, casinos, on television and in movies, selling out arenas around the world.

He is Wayne Newton.

Newton, affectionately known as Mr. Las Vegas, brought his passion for entertaining to Queensborough Community College in Bayside for a matinee concert on April 29. The show was packed with songs and words from his five-decade career and those in the crowd, both young and old, were delighted to see a man who

Restaurant Review

Grab A Bite On Broadway Sanfords Restaurant 30-13 Broadway, Astoria (718) 932-9569 www.sanfordsnyc.com CUISINE: American HOURS: 24 hours except for a few major holidays CREDIT CARDS: Yes – All major

Wayne Newton “It inspires me to not fall into the doldrums on mediocrity. I really enjoy being pushed.”

Outside of Las Vegas, Newton counts New York City as one of his favorite places to play — the list also includes Texas and Louisiana. He said that if he is able to connect with those four audiences, which he admitted are about as diverse as it gets, then he feels like what he is doing is all right.

“Those four places give me a better barometer of what I am doing.”

Newton, despite that his big-

gest hit “Danke Schoen” having been released in 1963, has endeared himself to younger generations through movies and television.

He had a role in “National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation”, where he flirted and then had drinks with Ellen Griswold (Beverly D’Angelo), much to the dismay of her husband Clark (Chevy Chase).

“That was one of the most fun movies I have ever done. Between [takes], Chevy and I would jam on stage and everyone was having a good time.”

More recently, Newton was a contestant on Dancing With the Stars in 2007, where he was partnered with Cheryl Burke. He was the third star eliminated, and though he said he loved every minute of it, because of the grueling 8-hour rehearsals, he was also happy to go home.

Newton said he never sees himself retiring and said that he would not leave the business before the business left him.

Reach Reporter Jason Pafundi at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, or jpafundi@queenstribune.com.

Festival Highlights New Queens Music

BY JASON PAFUNDI Random Access Music, a New York-based composers collective, is hosting the first-annual Queens New Music Festival from May 10-13 at the Little Secret Theatre in Long Island City.

The festival seeks to highlight and promote composers, musicians and ensembles living and creating new music in Queens.

“We wanted to create more action in Queens,” said Allen Schulz, president of Random Access Music.

Schulz said that Manhattan is the center of new music performance in the United States and audiences can find at least

one performance pretty much any night of the year. He is trying to bring that to Queens.

“Even though hundreds of musicians live here, they have to travel to other boroughs to perform,” he said.

The festival features four days of performances, including 12 world premieres, chosen after more than 40 applications were submitted for consideration. RAM selected nine diverse programs for the first of what organizers hope becomes an annual event.

Even though he has some “pie in the sky” wishes for the festival, Schulz said, at worst, that he expects to stay in a small venue since there are not that many choices in Queens.

“I’d like the festival to become a fixture in the culture scene of New York City,” he said.

“I want groups saying ‘oh, we cannot schedule our concert that weekend. That is the Queens New Music Festival.’”

The festival is made possible, in part, by the Queens Council on the Arts and public funding from the city’s Dept. of Cultural Affairs.

Tickets for the festival are $14 per show or the all-festival pass is $50 and the all-day (Saturday or Sunday) pass is $30.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit queensnewmusicfestival.org.

Reach Reporter Jason Pafundi at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, or jpafundi@queenstribune.com.

May 4-10, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, I was trying to decide where I wanted to go to dinner and who I wanted to go with.

The latter decision was an easy one, so I picked up the phone and dialed legendary PRESS photographer Ira Cohen. The conversation went something like “Do you want to go to dinner?” “Yes.” “Okay, where?”

“Sanfords in Astoria.”

I arrived at the restaurant and while I waited for Mr. Cohen — he was in Flushing taking photos at Skyview Center — I perused the menu of executive chef Raymond Animas.

When Ira arrived, we settled on filet mignon skewers for our starter. They came out shortly thereafter and for $25, we both agreed that we got our money’s worth. The skewers came in a yogurt and herb marinade with peppers, onions and a glutenfree red quinoa salad, which Ira

gladly ate entirely.

Ira is known as many things around the office of the PRESS, but being a big drinker is not one of them. But on this night, he was feeling randy and had a couple of dunkelweizens, one of the many German types of ale on the vast beer list. He loosened his tie a little and decided on yellowfin tuna for dinner, while I settled on an 18-ounce sirloin steak. Our food arrived and we both commented on the presentation and how that is the type of little detail that makes a place stand out from all the others. As we ate, we discussed our fantasy baseball teams and how Ira tries to field a roster of Jewish-only ballplayers and how difficult that is. I offered to trade him Ryan Braun, but he balked and went back to his tuna.

My steak, which came with seasoned fries and a béarnaise sauce, was cooked to perfection.

It was juicy, but not too juicy. It was thick, but not too thick. Basically, it was just the way I wanted it. The same can also be said for Ira’s tuna, which he gave two stars, the highest grade possible on the Cohen Scale.

Combined with my grade, Sanfords is a 10.

-Jason Pafundi

has been performing for over 50 years giving it his all like he was still trying to make it big.

Newton has spent the majority of his career performing in front of sold-out audiences, mostly in Las Vegas, but he has an affinity for playing in the Big Apple.

Newton’s first national television break came in 1962 when, after performing for him at a luncheon in Arizona, comedian Jackie Gleason invited him to perform on his television show in New York City, a show Newton would appear on 12 times over two years with Gleason.

He said he considers it a challenge to perform in New York City because of the honesty of the fans.

“They are not shy, and they will tell you pretty quick what they like or dislike,” he said.

“When I’m trying new things, I’ll always head to New York because it gives me a basic insight into if what I’m doing is correct.”

Despite having done it successfully for the past half-century, Newton said that he has to approach a show in New York with a “prove it to me” attitude. The fans want to see that he still has it.

Dominick Totino Photography

BY JASON PAFUNDI

Faith

St. Luke Leaders To Be Elevated This Weekend

BY VERONICA LEWIN After five years of leading a Laurelton church, two pastors will be elevated this weekend.

Pastor Michael Baston of St. Luke Cathedral will be consecrated May 5 as a bishop of the Cause to the Nations Covenant Churches International. When a bishop is elevated to preside over a covenant group, it is considered one of the highest days in the life of a church. Baston was elected by a variety of churches and pastors for this valued position.

On Saturday, his wife Tasha Baston will be consecrated as a prophetess, another high-ranking position within a church.

The ceremony will be held at noon at St. Luke Cathedral, located at 133-21 232nd St. Baston is currently a pastor at St. Luke. The consecrator at the service will be Apostle John Boyd Sr. of the New Greater Bethel Ministries, someone Baston called a spiritual father to him and his wife.

chartered last summer in Florida and North Carolina.

The Bastons have been in ministry for the past decade and have spent the last five years leading St. Luke. They have been working with a number of churches to help build their congregations and implement neighborhood preservation strategies.

"How can we work together to pull our best practices to help smaller churches grow and to make real connections with the community that helps uplift the community?" Baston asked. These practices led to the development of the covenant.

Bishop-Elect Michael Baston and Fifteen years ago, Baston Prophetess Tasha Baston was a practicing attorney representing non-profit organiCause to the Nations Cov- zations, including religious instienant Churches International is a tutions.

"That's when I really began fellowship of churches and pastors working to build communities to understand the important and sustain families. Churches work and role that churches can apart of the covenant include con- play if they leverage their audigregations in Long Island and ences with elected officials and Queens and two churches Baston community leaders to really

make meaningful change."

Baston also serves as the vice president of student affairs at LaGuardia Community College.

He said he is able to juggle his multiple responsibilities with the help of his loving wife who provides him support.

Tasha founded an organization called Women Impacting the Next Generation of Sisters - also known as W.I.N.G.S. - where she has strived to help women old and young. Her organization provides counseling, hosts seminars and shut-ins and preaches at women's conferences throughout the tri-state area.

"We just want to continue to do what is needed, and that's lend a helping hand," Tasha said.

A talented vocalist, she has been ministering in song since she was three years old. Baston has worked with gospel greats such as Richard Smallwood, Kirk Franklin and God's Property.

She established Tehillah Ministries upon arriving in New York where she continued her commitment to vocal excellence. She currently oversees St. Luke Cathedral's Music Ministry.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.

Word

"Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."

- Matthew 5:16

Notebook

Hillcrest High School

Hillcrest Student Athlete Overcomes Adversity Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 4-10, 2012

One honor student at Hillcrest High School has overcome adversity to become a top handball player.

Senior Jose Borbon has been playing handball for the past two years. Last month, he competed in the 2012 Handball Invitational at Long Island City High School, where he placed third.

Handball is a sport in which players use their hands to hit a small rubber ball against a wall so that it bounces off in such a way that their opponent cannot return it. There are three versions of handball that can each be played by either two players, three players or four players.

Handball was brought to the United States by Irish immigrants.

The earliest records of the game being played in the country list two handball courts in San Francisco in 1873. From there, the sport's popularity grew. In the early 1900s, when four-wall handball was already well established, a one-wall game was developed in New York City by beachgoers who threw bald tennis balls with their hands against the sides of the wooden jetties that lined beaches. This led to a rise in onewall handball around the beaches of New York, and by the 1930s, thousands of indoor and outdoor one-wall courts had been built throughout the city. National championships in handball have been held annually in the United States since 1919.

Borbon achieved all of these accomplishments while being in

the foster care system for the past four years. "The foster care system has provided me with the opportunity to have a place to live, the opportunity to succeed in high school and is helping me prepare for the future," he said.

Aside from handball, Borbon plays the violin and volunteers for teachers in the school. He is a student in the Public Service and Law small learning community at Hillcrest, where he is on the honor roll. He plans to attend Queensborough Community College after graduation to study computer science. He then intends to transfer to Lake Forest College in Illinois, where there is a nationally ranked handball program.

Reach Reporter Veronica Lewin at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 123 or vlewin@queenspress.com.

Photo courtesy of Bob Harris

BY VERONICA LEWIN

Handball Coach Demetrios Baboussis and Jose Borbon.

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, 150-50 14 Road, Whitestone NY 11357.

Send faxes to 357-9417, IF YOUR ORGANIZATION MEETS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SEND ALL DATES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

EXHIBIT VIGNETTES Through May 19 Vignettes from the Queens Project presents photography of Audrey Gottlieb at the Queens Botanical Garden.

AMULETS… Through June 29 “Amulets, Nazars & Evil Eyes: Artists Looking Forward” at the Queens College Art Center.

997-3770.

DINNER

SPENT Through May 6 “Spent” performed at Queens Theatre in the Park. $25. 7600064.

GREEK PLAY Through May 6 the Greek Cultural Center in Astoria presents “In Laws From Tirana. 726-7329.

JACK COLE PROJECT Through May 20 musical tribute “Heatwave: The Jack Cole Project” at Queens Theatre in the Park. 7600064.

XOREGOS COMPANY Saturday, May 5 at the Forest Hills library at 2:30.

Monday, May 14 at the Flushing library at 6.

Xoregos Performing Company presents One Act Gems, one act comedies from Coward, Fitzgerald and more.

LAUGHTER Saturday, May 5 Laughter at the Library at 3 at the Fresh Meadows library.

JAZZ Saturday, May 5 York College Summer Jazz Program auditions. 262-2412.

PIANO & FRIENDS Saturday, May 5 French Chamber Music at Church in the Gardens in Forest Hills at 7:30. $20. 894-2178.

MARIACHI REAL Sunday, May 6 Mariachi Real de Mexico at the Central library at 3.

QUEENS FARM Sunday, May 6 celebrate Springtime at the Queens Count y Farm Museum, 7350 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park 11-4. $5. Sheep shearing, spinning demos, rec ycling, more. 347-FARM. GUERILLA ARTS Sundays, May 6, 13, 27 Guerilla Arts Ensemble at F l u s h i n g Tow n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700.

FOUR PREPS Sunday, May 6 Mal Z. Lawrence with special Guests The Four Preps at Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

LIVE JAZZ & R&B Sundays, May 6, 13, 20, 27 live jazz and r&b 6-10 at Déjà vu, 180-25 Linden Blvd., St. Albans.

WORLD MUSIC Monday, May 7 Charanams performs at 8 at LIC Bar, 4558 Vernon Blvd., LIC. Suggested donation $5.

PIANO CONCERT Monday, May 7 at the Flushing library at 6.

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

110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park. 215-

2828. Free.

MUSIC MOVIE TIME Tu e s d a y, M a y 8 YC M C Music Movie Time at noon at York College. 262-2412.

JAZZ Tuesday, May 8 Jazz at the Chapel at 7 at York College.

262-2412.

BINGO Tu e s d ay s 7 : 1 5 A m e r i c a n Mart yrs Church in Bayside.

4 6 4 - 4 5 8 2 . Tu e s d ay s 7 : 1 5 (doors open 6) Rego Park J e w i s h C e n t e r . 4 5 9 -1 0 0 0 . $3 admission includes 12 games.

CHESS Tuesdays 4:30 Rosedale library and 4 at LIC library.

LAUGHTER Friday, May 11 Laughter at the Pomonok Library at 2.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Fridays 2 Hillcrest library.

GALUMPHA Saturday, May 12 Human Architecture performance at F l u s h i n g To w n H a l l . 4 6 3 7700.

POETRY EVENT Saturday, May 12 A Poem as Big as NYC at the Flushing library at noon.

SUMMER JAZZ Saturday, May 12 York College Summer Jazz Program Auditions. 262-2412.

AMERICAN SONGS Saturday, May 12 Cantor Guy Bonne performs memorable American songs at Temple Tikvah in New Hyde Park.

Themnus2@optonline.net ILLUSION Sunday, May 13 Spencers Theatre of Illusion at Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

RELIGIOUS REALITY & GOD Saturday, May 5 at 2 the Queens Communit y for Cultural Judaism presents Adult Perspectives on Humanistic Jewish Philosophy.

First-timers free, others $5.

UUCQ, corner Ash Avenue and 149 th Street, Flushing.

380-5362.

MISCELLANEOUS PASSPORTS Saturday, May 5 passport application processing 10-3 at Majorit y Baptist Church, 115-21 Farmers Blvd., St. Albans. 776-3700 information.

TOUR OF ST. JOHNS Monday, May 21 tour of St. John’s Universit y at 4. 917376-4496.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, May 5, 19, June 2, 16, 30 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital. 646-436-7940.

SOCIAL MEDIA Saturday, May 5 learn about social media and how you can use it to stay in touch with loved ones, keep up with the news, more. Far Rockaway library at 10:30.

AMERICAN SIGN LANG. Saturday, May 5 at the Broadway library at 3.

INTERMED. COMPUTER Saturdays, May 5, 12, 19, June 3, 10, 17 at the LIC library at 2.

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

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

PET OWNERS Saturdays (not on holiday weekends) from 1-4 free Doggie Boot Camp at Crocheron Park in Bay JOB READINESS Mondays, May 7, 14, 28 at the Arverne library at 5:30.

LIC CRAFT CLUB Mondays, May 7, 21 at noon at the LIC library.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays, May 7, 14, 21 at the Douglaston/Little Neck library at 4. Bring your own needles and yarn.

BEGIN CROCHET Mondays through May 21 at the Arverne library at 6.

COMPUTER BOOK CAMP Mondays through May 28 at the Far Rockaway library.

Register.

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

LINE DANCE Mondays beginner to intermediate lessons in Bayside.

917-886-0519.

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

UNDERSTAND COMPUTER Tu e s d a y , M ay 8 a t t h e Sunnyside library at 1:30.

Wednesday, May 9 at the Rochdale Village library at 10:30. Jargon-free talk to introduce you to computers, email, Internet and technology gadgets.

INTRO COMPUTERS Tuesdays through May 15 at the McGoldrick librar y.

Register.

INTRO COMPUTERS Tu e s d a y e ve n i n g s a t t h e Central library. Register.

OWN BUSINESS

Every Tuesday Owning Your Own Business: The Nuts and Bolts of Getting Started 6:30-7:30 at the Central library.

LI CHESS CLUB Tuesdays LIC library at 4.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesday s Windsor Park library at 2.

PRACTICE LABS Tuesdays Arverne library at 10:30.

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

RESUME WORKSHOP Wednesday, May 9 at the Far Rockaway library at 10:30.

ACING THE INTERVIEW Wednesday, May 9 at the LIC library at 1:30.

JOB READINESS Wednesday through June 20 J o b R e a d i n e s s W o r k shops at the Central library at 6.

KNIT & CROCHET Wednesdays through May 30 at the South Ozone Park librar y. Bring needles and one skein of yarn. 1.

INTRO COMPUTERS Wednesday mornings at the Central library. Register.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE Wednesdays 10:30-3:00 Re f o r m Te m p l e o f F o r e st Hills. $12 session, includes light lunch. 261-2900 DRAWING/WATERCOLOR Wednesdays Drawing and Wa tercolor classes at the National Art League.9691128..

OIL PAINTING CLASS Wednesdays Grace Lutheran Church in Forest Hills. 472-4055.

STAMP CLUB Thursdays, May 10, 17, 24, 31 at the Forest Hills library at 5:45.

MEMOIRS Thursdays through May 31 at the Langston Hughes library at 6.

BOOT CAMP Thursdays through May 24 at the Arverne library. Register.

LEARN TO DANCE Thursdays ballroom smooth and Latin dances at the Samuel Field Adult Center in Little Neck. 225-6750, ext. 236.

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

276-3454 East Elmhurst library at 12.

CHESS CLUB Fridays through May 25 at the Auburndale library at 3:30.

HEALTH NAMI WALK Sunday, May 5 Queens/LI NAMI walk at Jones Beach.

Walk to change the face of mental illness. 347-7284.

WAITANKUNG Sunday s at 2. Total-body workout. Flushing Hospital/ Medical Center. Free.

Jimmy 7-10pm 347-2156.

CAREGIVERS Monday, May 7 at the St. Albans library at 2. Wednesday, May 16 at 10:30 at the North Hills library.

Caregivers Workshop includes understanding emotional dynamics of aging, preventing caregiver burnout and more.

FAMILY WII ZUMBA Monday, May 7 at the Lefrak City library at 6:30.

CANCER SUPPORT Mondays, May 7, June 4 Franklin Hospital’s Cancer Support Group 2-4 in the cafeteria. 516-256-6478.

ZUMBA Monday, May 7 Latin Dance fitness program at the Rosedale librar y. Register.

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

670-1695. $5.

ALZHEIMERS Tuesdays, May 8, 22, June 12, 26 Caregiver Support Group in Forest Hills. 5925757, ext. 237.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT Tuesdays Western Queens Caregiver Network in Sunnyside. 5:30-6:30. 7846173, ext. 431. Also, 3:304:30 Selfhelp Clearview Sen i o r C e n t e r , 2 0 8 - 1 1 2 6 th Avenue, Bayside. 6311886.

AUTISM Tuesdays Qualit y Services for the Autism Communit y holds workshops for families and friends of autistic children and adults. 7-AUTISM, ext. 1219.

DAY TOP Tuesdays support for family and friends of those affected by substance abuse. 1-8002Daytop.

WELL SPOUSES Wednesday, May 9 Well Spouses or Partners of the Chronically Ill and Disabled meet at the St. Charles Rehab Center, 201 IU Willets Road, Albertson at 7. Free.

516-829-8740.

OVEREATERS ANON. Wednesdays through May 30 a t 1 1 a t t h e H o w a r d Beach library.

ZUMBA Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 670-1695. $10 class.

May 4-10, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15

GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, May 7 Little Sisters of the Poor’s 23 rd Annual Golf Tournament and Dinner. 464-1800.

SCHOOL SISTERS Tuesday, May 8 School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center’s “A Night Out Italian St yle” dinner/ fundraiser in Howard Beach.

335-7759.

CARD PARTY/LUNCHEON Thursday, May 10 Sisterhood of the Jewish Center of Oak Hills will hold a card part y and luncheon in Bayside. 631-0100.

SAL VATION ARMY Thursday, May 10 the N a s s a u C o u n t y Wo m e n ’ s Division of the Salvation Army will hold a Mother’s Day Brunch and Fundraiser in Hempstead. 516-4854900.

RED FOR WOMEN Thursday, May 15 Queens Go Red for Woman Dinner.

516-450-9131.

LIONS CLUB Thursday, May 17 BaysideWhitestone Lions Club Scholarship Dinner at Verdi’s in Whitestone. 4287285.

ELMHURST HOSPITAL Thursday, May 17 180 Years celebrating women’s health.maerkerj@nychhc.org.

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People Local students were recognized for outstanding academic achievement at Buffalo State College’s 55th annual Honors Convocation. They include: Cambria Heights: Jeff Oyo. Jamaica: Liza Sang Yan. Queens Village: Martha Chery.

The New York Lottery recently announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning ticket from one of the Lottery’s live drawings April 1521.

Lisa Huntington of St. Albans won $10,000 on the Mega Millions drawing April 13.

Huntington’s winning ticket was purchased in Manhattan.

Ursola Wheeler of Queens Village won $43,944 on the Take Five drawing April 12. Wheeler’s winning ticket was purchased atFranhill Pharmacy & Surgical, 204-19 Hillside Ave., Hollis.

Albert F. Pennisi was recently unanimously voted at the new president of the Board of the

Queens Council of the Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of America. Pennisi will be responsible for giving support to the missions of expanding the scouting program in Queens and financially supporting the program.

erty Ave., South Richmond Hill.

Brian Williams of Rockaway won $150,000 on the Mega Money Multiplier scratch-off game. Williams’ winning ticket was purchased at Broad Channel Bagel, 1632 Crossbay Blvd., Broad Channel.

The New York Lottery recently announced the names of area Lottery players who claimed a winning scratch-off ticket and received a cash prize valued at $10,000 or more.

Philip Lavann of Cambria Heights won 415,000 on the $3,000,000 Bonanzo scratch-off game. Lavann’s winning ticket was purchased in Elmont.

Barry Price of Jamaica won $10,000 on the $5,0 00,0 00 Cash scratch-off game. Price’s winning ticket was purchased at Bal & Friends, 104-10 Atlantic Ave., Ozone Park.

Sultana Islam of Richmond Hill won $25,000 on the 8’s Are Great! scratch-off game. Island’s winning ticket was purchased at the PKG Enterprises, 118-17 Lib-

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

Ursola Wheeler of Queens Village won $43,944 on the Take Five drawing April 12. Wheeler’s winning ticket was purchased at Franhill Pharmacy & Surgical, 204-19 Hillside Ave., Hollis.

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Local students were recognized for outstanding academic achievement at Buffalo State College’s 55th annual Honors Convocation. They include: Cambria Heights: Jeff Oyo. Jamaica: Liza Sang Yan.

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Army National Guard Pvt. Shikiya L. Miller has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Miller is the daughter of John and Shikisa Miller of St. Albans.

Local students were among the “Our Time Has Come” scholars honored recently at Syracuse University. They include: Cathy Ann Williams, a junior biotechnology major and public

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Dominique Pierrot, a junior marketing major from Jamaica.

Anthony Louis Herbert Jr., a first-year information management and technology major from Jamaica.

Halah Nasseif of Springfield Gardens received a Master of Information Technology degree in information technology during fall 2011 commencement ceremonies at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. Tymarria C. Kendall o f Laurelton is scheduled to complete her graduate studies in mental health counseling this year, with a Master of Science defree at SUNY Oswego and will be recognized May 12 at the college’s 151st Commencement.

Md. Ali of Jamaica, a member of the class of 2015 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., has earned honor roll status for the winter 2012 term.

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Press Policy: All advertisers are responsible to give correct advertising as it will appear. The South East Queens Press will assume no financial responsibility for errors or omissions. We reserve the right to edit, reject or reclassify any ad. All ads are prepaid! NO REFUNDS, FUTURE AD CREDIT ONLY. Ads ordered to run more than one week as part of a consecutive week rate may be cancelled a fter the first week but no refund will be issued!

May 4-10, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17

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ler during the course of their career. Performing in front of people in various degrees of intoxication means that someone, somewhere, is going to talk back to you while you’re performing.

While performing at the Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City, comedian Rich Vos from the Opie & Anthony radio show and “Last Comic Standing,” found himself on the receiving end of an intoxicated antagonist. In a twist, a camera crew was on the scene, filming a documentary, so the whole event was caught on camera.

Video of the event, which has surfaced on YouTube, shows club owner and comedian Steve Hofstetter stepping in to calm the heckler down and remove him from the venue. Despite being yelled at – and even shoved – by the heckler, Hofstetter keeps his cool throughout the incident and even got the guy to pay his bill before being removed from the premises.

Perhaps this could be the start of a reality show pitch for the club owner – “Last Heckler Standing.”

Funny men: Rich Vos and Queens comedy club owner Steve Hofstetter

Phone, My iPhone Reports coming out of Astoria say that two N and R train stations have become hotbeds of criminal activity in recent weeks, as a number of riders have reported having their iPhones snatched while waiting for a train at the above ground stations.

Despite a number of available apps that are designed to prevent losing the popular mobile device, police report that none of the nine phones reportedly stolen at the stations have been recovered.

The rash of thefts do raise an important question, however: There are people who still don’t have iPhones?

The worlds of modeling and film frequently go hand in hand, as models are usually comfortable in front of any kind of camera. It’s rare, though, that you find a model who wants to go behind the camera to direct, but that’s where Icela wants to be.

Icela’s passion is producing and directing, having worked at various TV studios, including MTV, where she produced, edited and logged video.

Modeling has been a side gig for the Richmond Hill resident, and it’s been one that she’s enjoyed. When we last featured Icela, she was attempting to build up her portfolio with fitness and lingerie shoots for various agencies.

She’s still working on getting her face out there, getting experience both in front of the camera and behind it.

“I haven’t devoted 100 percent of my time to it,” she said. “It’s more fun than anything.”

While she keeps herself busy with the camera work, Icela also enjoys being active, and you can usually find her at the gym lifting weights, running or playing racquetball.

“I try to keep myself busy. I get bored quickly,” David said.

To read her blog, go to shapelyalterations.com.

Which Bridge Where?

Navigating the borough while avoiding traffic can be difficult at times. Luckily, the Dept. of Transportation posts signs to notify drivers of the best route to take. Things were a little confusing, however, for drivers heading to the Bronx last Wednesday afternoon.

While driving northbound on the Cross Island Parkway near Bell Boulevard, a sign simply read “Best Route To The Bronx: Bridge.”

Well, yeah. Unless you’re swimming, the Throgs Neck or Whitestone Bridges would obviously be the best route to the Bronx. Thanks, DOT.

Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens May 4-10, 2012

Where To, Lamar?

When South Jamaica’s Lamar Odom was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks, though he went to the defending NBA champions, the situation was not right for him.

After a couple of private spats with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Odom and the team decided it was best to just part ways, so he was moved to the inactive list for the remainder of the season.

Cuban told ESPNDallas that he tried to make the situation positive the “first 17 times” and added that he hopes it is “addition by subtraction.” Odom will get his full pay for the season and will then become a free agent.

Speculation has already started about him coming to New York, but he does not fit with the Knicks.

Perhaps the Brooklyn Nets could use a hometown guy to help sell tix

Confidentially, New York . . .

Queens kid Lamar Odom in their new Barclays Center.

At least Lamar still has his wife by his side — Khloe Karshashian.

Metta World War?

Metta World Peace's elbow as seen on ABC

Icela David Richmond Hill Age: 35 Height: 5’ 3" Weight: 130lbs.

Stats: 34-25-34

Models Of Queens

Laughing Devil Going Viral? Both Sides Now Every comedian has had to deal with a heck-

Queensbridge’s Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) was suspended seven games for elbowing the Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden in the head. The blow knocked Harden to the ground, giving him a concussion, and revived memories of World Peace’s role in an infamous 2004 brawl between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons.

Since the brawl, World Peace had worked to handle his anger issues and redeem his public image.

This blow, unfortunately, will only mean more negative press for the Queens product.

Let’s hope we don’t have a Metta World War on our hands.

What’s Up atre Discipline and the York MAY 5 Walkers For Wellness Club College Performing Arts Center, Looking for a fun way to improve your health? Join the Walkers for Wellness Club at New Hope Lutheran Church of Jamaica. Under the guidance of a Walking Leader, you will walk two to three times each week at a comfortable pace with others along routes throughout Southeast Queens. The club is open to walkers of all ages and abilities.

The walking schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Walkers meet at New Hope Lutheran Church, located at 167-24 118th Ave. T-shirts and pedometers will be provided. Contact Thurkessa Brown at (917) 553-1089 for more information.

Youth Resource Fair Council Member Ruben Wills in partnership with the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) is pleased to present a Youth Resource Fair. Come and found out about the exciting educational and sports related programs in the community. DYCD “Summer Youth Employment Program” application assistance will be available. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact the office of Council Member Ruben Wills at (718) 2062068.

This free event will be held at Club Jouvay, 147-02 Liberty Ave., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo

MAY 6 Free Online Training Learn about free online training through Metrix Learning, including certifications in Microsoft Office, Quickbooks, and Adobe. Introductory sessions cover registration and a walk-through of the Metrix Learning system.

This free event will be held at Queens Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 12:30 p.m.

Free E-Books The library has many popular electronic books available for free from our library website. Bring your own Kindle, Nook, or other e-reader to get assistance downloading free books from the library. Please call 718-990-5102 for more information or to register.

This free event will be held at Queens Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday Concerts Enjoy this concert of traditional Mexican mariachi music and dance, featuring performers in colorful costumes.

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

MAY 7 Stay Well Learn new ways to take charge

RENT: No Day Like Today of your health and help your In what is the first-ever collaborative effort among the The-

friends do the same. Learn how special exercise and relaxation

MAY 8 Walkers For Wellness Club See May 5 listing. At 7 p.m.

Intro to PowerPoint In this two-session workshop, participants will learn how to create a slide show, how to add photos and images and how to create handouts. Basic computer skills are required. The class runs from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Preregistration is required by phone or in person at the Cyber Center desk on Tuesday evenings. For details, call (718) 990-0769.

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

MAY 9 Intro to the Internet Learn how to search the Internet and navigate websites.

Basic computer mouse and keyboard skills are required. For details, please call (718) 990-0769.

This free event will be held at Queens Public Library’s Central Branch, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., at 9:30 a.m.

Job Workshop Series Join us for this interactive workshop. On May 2 and June 6, we will teach tips for writing resumes and cover letters. On May 9 and June 13, our experts will cover preparing for the interview.

On May 16 and June 20, the library will equip you with even more job-searching techniques.

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

MAY 10 Walkers For Wellness Club See May 5 listing. At 7 p.m.

Town Hall State Sen. Malcolm Smith is pleased to invite you to another meeting in his series of town hall meetings. The topic of this month’s town hall meeting is “Quality of Life, Essential Ser-

vices.” For additional information, contact Tai White at (718) 454-0162 or twhite@nysenate.gov.

This free event will be held at Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Citizens Center, 220-01 Linden Blvd., from 6 to 8 p.m.

Microsoft Excel Intro Learn how to create a worksheet and perform calculations in this class. Basic computer skills are required. Classes are offered in Spanish. Preregistration is required at the Cyber Center.

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

MAY 11 Mother’s Day Concert Councilman James Sanders, Jr. and the Margert Community Corporation are presenting another Garvey-Tubman Music Series concert – this time in celebration of Mother’s Day. Come on out for an evening with your favorite original lead singers: Gerald Alston of the Manhattans; Billy Brown of Ray, Goodman and Brown; Cuba Gooding Sr. of The Main Ingredient; and Ted Mills of Blue Magic. With special guest Jeff Redd. Johnny “The Duke” Allen will host the event. Two free tickets per person are available on a first-come, first served basis.

This free event will be held at Springfield Gardens Educational Complex, 143-10 Springfield Blvd., from 6 to 10 p.m.

RENT: No Day Like Today In what is the first-ever collaborative effort among the Theatre Discipline and the York College Performing Arts Center, York College Theatre presents “RENT,” with music and lyrics

by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Bohème. “RENT” tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive in New York’s Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City. Tickets are $15; $12 for seniors; $5 for students. To purchase tickets, visit www.rentatyork.com/ tickets.php.

This event will be held at York

College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., at 7 p.m.

ONGOING Job Club 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 Ethan Chazin, Job Coach, at (718) 739-2060, Ext. 18 or echazin67@gmail.com.

This free event will be held at the Jamaica Neighborhood Center - 161-06 89th Ave. Services are available Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

CPR Training The FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit will hold regularly scheduled free CPR classes in all five boroughs.

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

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

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

For more information, please visit www.fdnyfoundation.org or call (718) 999-2413.

May 4-10, 2012 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19

In partnership with the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series, JCAL will present a performance by Hot Peas N’ Butter at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center. Prior to the performance, families will be invited to participate in an interactive arts workshop. Workshop at 1 p.m.; performance at 2 p.m. Space is limited, please RSVP. For additional information, send an email to info@jcal.org or call (718) 658-7400.

This free event will be held at Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., from 1 to 3 p.m.

York College Theatre presents “RENT,” with music and lyrics

by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Bohème. “RENT” tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive in New York’s Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City. Tickets are $15; $12 for seniors; $5 for students. To purchase tickets, visit www.rentatyork.com/ tickets.php.

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

techniques make a difference in your life.

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

D

id you know Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a plan that would reduce or eliminate vital social services that thousands of seniors depend on for their human dignity?

His plan puts care for homebound seniors in the hands of HMO-style healthcare providers under a program called Managed Care. To save money, these companies will force many seniors into nursing homes – or they can choose to stay home and die alone.

Many of these seniors are currently cared for and protected by the dedicated city social workers in the Community Alternative Systems Agency (CASA).

CASA workers’ only concern is making sure these seniors are well cared for in body, mind and spirit. Managed Care companies’ only concern is the bottom line.

Tell Gov. Cuomo to Keep Senior Care Where it BelongsIN THE CITY AND AWAY FROM MANAGED CARE. Paid For By SSEU Local 371