Queens Tribune

H F B

E S Q A J W

Person of the Year Well before John Liu was endorsed by the Democratic Party to run for City Council in 2001, the man who next week will be sworn in as City Comptroller had already made an impact on Queens. Today, we recognize his years of efforts to break barriers and lead a unified populace to improve the lives and futures of New York City.

We honor John Liu as our Person of the Year, and inside this special edition we give others in the community the opportunity to sing his praises as well.

Turn the page and learn about John’s background, his career and his future as the next Comptroller of the City of New York.

We congratulate John, and we are honored to name him as the Queens Tribune Person of the Year.

John Liu is endorsed by Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman and fellow Council candidate David Weprin on the steps of the Flushing branch of the Queens Library in May 2001.

Tribune Photo By Ira Cohen

Table Of Contents

Our Person Of The Year .... Page 6 Through The Years..... Pages 8-18 Peter Koo ............................ Page 8 Thomas Chen ..................... Page 8 Eugene Kelty ....................Page 11 Chuck Apelian ..................Page 11 David Weprin....................Page 12 James Gennaro................Page 12 Leroy Comrie ....................Page 14 James Sanders ................Page 14 Peter Vallone, Jr. ..............Page 16 James Vacca.....................Page 16 A Day In the Life ......Pages 19-22

Michael Bloomberg .........Page 21 Myra Baird Herce .............Page 21 Patricia Dolan ..................Page 22 Corey Bearak....................Page 22 Tom Galante .....................Page 25 Joanne Strauss ................Page 25 Bill Lynch...........................Page 25 Al Rankin ..........................Page 25 Helen Marshall.................Page 27 Steve Salzinger ................Page 27 Robbie Garrison ...............Page 27 Alex & Santhe Gellos ......Page 27 Free Synagogue ...............Page 28

John Liu, along with activist Mandingo Tschaka, Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski and other locals, cuts the ribbon at Martin’s Field in November 2006.

Tribune Photo By Ira Cohen

Timothy Marshall.............Page 28 Edwin Westley..................Page 28 Rev. Calvin Gibson ...........Page 28 John Liu In Pictures ...Page 30-31 Working Together ............Page 58 THIS WEEK’S TRIBUNE Queens Deadline .............Page 33 Leisure...............................Page 35 Queens Today...................Page 36 Not For Publication..........Page 42 Edit & Letters ...................Page 44 4&RQÀGHQWLDO ...................Page 56

Cover Design By Tania Y. Betancourt Photo By Ira Cohen

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www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 5

John Liu

Our Person Of The Year

Page 6 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

John Goes To School By the time he was in fifth grade at PS 20 in Flushing, John had picked up a newspaper route, delivering for Newsday – which he admits was illegal at the time, since child labor laws prevent people from working until age 12. He also didn’t get to keep much of the money.

After attending the Hunter College School, John transferred to the Bronx High School of Science, at which time he gave up the newspaper route and started delivering pizzas for Joe’s Pizza on Springfield Boulevard.

John’s mother had hoped her son would take his keen intellect and hone it toward a medical career, and John focused on the prerequisites needed – biology and physics.

Heading to SUNY Binghamton, John finished his pre-med coursework in the first two years, and looked for something else to fill his time. It was then that he was elected vice president of the student body and chaired the student assembly.

Splitting his time between the student government, classes and the cross-country track team, John started to rethink his future. It was at this point that he decided to put his own desire in front of his mother’s and learn to be an actuary, forecasting the risks for investments and providing financial guidance based on future expectations.

It was also around this same time that on a trip to Boston University for a student conference he met his future wife, Jenny.

Eyeing His Future After graduation, John moved to Woodside and began to work for Equitable – now AXA – as an actuary, a job that paid very well but left him time to focus on public service. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the School Board, got involved with the burgeoning Queens Civic Congress.

By 1991, John began to work for a consulting firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers, still as an actuary, but he

Tribune photos by Ira Cohen

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY John Liu is one-of-a-kind. The son of immigrant parents, John got his first job at the age of 6 as a “knitting thread manager” working in garment factory in Astoria shortly after his family emigrated from Tai Pei in 1972.

“My dad wanted us to be American,” he said of his family’s move to Queens. His father had “a skyrocketing career” in Taiwan, and the family could be traced back at least 20 generations on the island off the coast of mainland China.

also started to eye his future. After moving to Flushing, he ran against incumbent Councilwoman Julia Harrison in 1997, only to lose in a Democratic Primary. But his name recognition was starting to grow, and by the time the Council was term-limited out, and the seat was to be vacated, John had a leg up on the competition and was widely endorsed – especially by the Queens County Democratic Organization.

City Council-Bound Winning a seat on the City Council, John became the first Asian American elected to a City office – a minor conundrum for the Black and Latino Caucus, which welcomed him by eventually changing its name to the Minority Caucus to reflect the new level of diversity in the Council.

John was given the chairmanship of the Council Transportation Committee, a post he held throughout his duration in the Council. As the chair, he was a vocal critic of the City’s delay in acquiring the seven independent bus lines, lashing out at the Mayor for a series of six missed deadlines to complete the acquisition.

A Flushing Guy Though he frequently dealt with issues related to the whole City, John never took his finger off the pulse of what was going on in his district. From working with the Parks Department to protect the historic black cemetery at Martins Field to working with developers on major construction projects, John has played a key role in all aspects of Flushing’s growth over the last eight years.

Shortly after taking office, John pushed to create the Flushing Business Improvement District, the concept of which had been 15 years in the making, but got its final push into existence once John was elected.

He also has been very involved, thanks in part to his Transportation Committee chairmanship, in helping put together the plan for the rerouting

In October 2001, at the Queens County Democratic Organization's annual dinner, the hopefuls for City Council backed by the party were present and surrounding Leader Tom Manton. Pictured l. to r.: Helen Sears, Tony Avella, David Weprin, Hiram Monserrate, Joe Addabbo, Manton, Melinda Katz, Allan Jennings, John Liu, Jim Gennaro and Liz Crowley. of streets in Downtown Flushing that will create dedicated bus lanes and help reduce the double-parking that stymies the flow of traffic in the area.

Moving On Though there had been speculation that John would run for either Public Advocate or Comptroller, John had waited quite a while to make his decision, all the while filling his campaign coffers for an obvious citywide run.

Even though the City Council voted to extend itself the ability to run for a third term – a vote that John publicly opposed – he never considered the possibility of running for a third term.

His eyes were clearly fixed on a bigger future.

It wasn’t until March of this year that John announced that he would seek the Comptroller post. Many in the Democratic hierarchy of Queens were put off by the move, since there were already two Queens candidates in the race – John’s fellow Council members Melinda Katz (DForest Hills) and David Weprin (D-Hollis).

The borough’s Dems voted to throw their support behind Katz, but when Primary Day came in September John and Brooklyn’s David Yassky led the pack, both of them falling short of the 40 percent needed to avoid a run-off election.

John beat Yassky in the runoff and then easily defeated a Republican foe in the General Election to win the John Liu takes to the Flushing River in November 2005 highest post achieved by an to help promote the clean-up and use of the river as a Asian in the City of New York. The Comptroller is recreation area.

second in line behind the Public Advocate to serve as Mayor if the Mayor is unable to continue to serve.

At The Tribune When running for Comptroller, John came by the Queens Tribune to chat about what he sees as the major responsibilities of the Comptroller.

“That job is first and foremost about eliminating waste in City Hall,” he said. “All funds are paid out through the Comptroller’s office, so that’s the greatest power of the office – the power of examination. Not only are they using their budget properly, but using it at maximum capacity – providing the most bang for the buck.”

For John, he looks forward to the challenge. “This is a tough time. That makes me want the job even more,” he said. “I was totally and adamantly opposed to the extension of term limits. I ran for City Council with the understanding that it would be for four years, and for four after that if the people wanted me back.” He admitted that he had not set entirely on Comptroller until the term limit issue came up and he saw that Thompson was not going to seek a third term.

For Liu, the basics of math excellence served well, but are not his only strong points. “I know my numbers; I’ve always been good at numbers and I’m still good at it. But at the end of the day it’s not just about numbers, it’s the people. My working class upbringing, my experience in the sweatshops” has prepared me for the job.

Congratulations to Comptroller John Liu – the Queens Tribune Person of the Year.

Reach Editor Brian M. Rafferty at brafferty@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 122.

President James Muyskens congratulates

Congratulations to John Liu on his election as Comptroller of New York.

I look forward to working with John to build a better future for Flushing and New York City.

John Liu on his election to the office of New York City Comptroller

Councilman-Elect

PETER KOO

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 7

All five boroughs will now learn what we have long known in Queens: John Liu is a force for positive change.

John Liu

Through The Years

BY TRIBUNE STAFF John Liu was first elected to the City Council in 2001. For the last eight years he has served the people of Flushing, of Queens and the entire City. He took on a multitude of challenges, never one to hide his opinion or make his fight for the people go unheard.

We at the Tribune have compiled, from our archives, a slew of highlights of John Liu’s career, as covered by the Queens Tribune. This walk down memory lane featuring our Person of the Year brings back memories of the issues, causes and great quotes that John has raised and offered throughout his tenure in the City Council.

Some of the tales are moments of which we are sure John is proud, others serve as a reminder that he can take the heat as well as dish it out.

Some are just humorous. We hope you enjoy the nostalgia as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

April 2002 Access-A-Ride The room was filled to capacity.

Some waited outside with the assis-

tance of canes, others came in wheelchairs ready to either testify or listen to the fate of what lies between their federally mandated public transportation program.

After the four hour hearing, Liu said he is “happy on one hand that the MTA is committed to make improvements in the biggest problem of scheduling,” although he added Access-A-Ride “could make a more conservative effort so people can get prompter and quicker service before October 2003.”

“There needs to be an awareness training” for personnel at the AccessA-Ride Para Transit program, according to Liu because some of their “clients can not move on their own and need access to this major program.”

“There are other programs available,” said Liu, “we were here to look into the high level of dissatisfaction,” riders complain of.

June 2003 20th Ave Widening Liu emphasized to the homeowners the importance of making a strong showing this week before DOT officials at Borough Hall. “We want to try

February 2004 RKO – Part 1 “The company is asking for very, very substantial accommodation in terms of the allowable bulk,” explained Councilman John Liu. “Legally, they are only permitted to use a limited about of space. They are asking to use much more space than is permitted.”

According to Liu, who is familiar with the final development plan, Boymelgreen has requested variances to exceed the floor-area ratio by three times the limit allowed by existing zoning regulations.

Liu indicated that he would support the decision of the community board.

Liu signaled strong support for aspects of the RKO Plaza plan, particularly the senior center included in the development plan. “It is something that is ab(Continued on page 11)

Chen

Koo Page 8 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

September 2003 Flushing BID With a stroke of his pen last week, Mayor Mike Bloomberg brought to an end the nearly 15-year-old quest to establish a business improvement district in downtown Flushing. “BIDs are a proven example of how public/private partnerships can promote economic development,” said Bloomberg at the Sept. 4 signing, adding that BIDs have been a key part in the “renaissance” of the City.

Councilman John Liu, an architect of the Flushing BID, celebrated the completion after just 10 months of a process that can normally take two years. According to Liu, the board of directors for the new BID will be established before Nov. 10, when an existing sanitation contract with the DOE Fund expires.

THOMAS

PETER

BY JOSEPH OROVIC A decade has passed since John Liu first met his successor, Republican Peter Koo. “He was just planning to run for office,” Koo said of the young Liu. The pharmaceutical mogul and head of the Flushing Chinese Business Association represents Liu’s connection to the entrepreneurial spirit running through the streets of Flushing.

The Koo-Liu alliance was instrumental in the long and difficult formation of the Flushing Business Improvement District, which the Councilman-elect said was severely needed in the district at the time.

Liu also set the precedent of devoting an unusual amount of attention to Flushing’s seniors, a trait Koo promised to carry on during his Councilmanic tenure.

Standing on opposite sides of the political aisle did little to deter their tag-team approach towards addressing many problems within the district.

Nor did it stop Koo from unleashing an unabashed dose of admiration.

“He is the trail blazer. I’m always fond of him,” Koo said. “He’s a very

to get them to understand what people have to live through today and what they’ll have to live through in the future,” he said.

Sign Controversy When a billboard appeared in Downtown Flushing written solely in Korean, some in the community were outraged and sought to legislative a ban on signs that did not have English writing. John Liu offered a different perspective.

To Councilman John Liu, such a move would be counterproductive.

“You can put in the statutes all you want, but how many statutes do you need that [city agencies] are incapable of enforcing,” he told the Tribune.

“There should be English on the signs, and the best way to make it happen is to project the fact that it makes good business sense,” Liu added.

good City Council member. We are all very proud of him. He has a really bright future.”

When Koo thinks back to on his interaction with Liu, he acknowledges he played an integral role in launching the career of a politician he will now succeed.

Those early encounters a decade ago garnered a level of support Liu certainly hasn’t forgotten.

“He has a good memory,” Koo said.

“I did his first fundraiser and he always reminds me of that.”

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at jorovic@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127.

BY KAITLYN KILMETIS Thomas Chen’s relationship with John Liu’s family dates back decades and began more than 10,000 miles away in Taiwan.

Chen, the president and CEO of the Flushing-based Crystal Window and Door Systems, Ltd., grew up in the same hometown as Liu’s mother, in a home only a few minutes away from hers.

When Liu’s family immigrated to the United States in 1972, their first stop was at Chen’s home in Queens.

Liu spent his first night in the States sleeping on the carpet at Chen’s house.

Chen recalled seeing John delivering newspapers early in the morning as a young boy and said right away he knew Liu was diligent worker.

“The whole time he has been a hard worker,” Chen said. “He worked hard in school. He worked hard in college. He’s always working hard.”

Due to Liu’s strong work ethic and stellar character, Chen was thrilled to aid him in his run for City Council.

“As City Councilman he always tried to help people,” he said. “He always keeps his commitments.”

Chen said he was not surprised that next Liu endeavored to serve

more New Yorkers.

“He’s the type person who always tries to reach as high as possible,” Chen said. “He has a far vision, too; he doesn’t just see right in front of him – he sees far past it.”

Chen said he knows Liu will succeed in making New York City a better place.

He also added that back in Taiwan, Liu has many rooting for him.

After a recent trip to the country, Chen met many people who had heard of Liu’s new position.

“A lot of people in Taiwan, they all saw a news special with important people from our town and the whole town is very excited,” Chen said.

Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.

John Liu

Through The Years (Continued from page 8) solutely necessary for the community in Flushing, and it something that the company has long agreed to.”

Muni Lot – Part 1 The city has put out a request for proposals for downtown Flushing’s municipal parking lot one, and City Councilman John Liu held a press conference with other Flushing leaders this week to voice concerns about parking and congestion.

The current parking lot in downtown Flushing will be sold for redevelopment as a residential and commercial site and the first step in this phase took place on Feb. 2, when the City’s Economic Development Corporation released its RFP. Interested parties will submit plans for the site, and the best and most inexpensive proposal will win the right to develop it.

MTA Bus– Part 1 A City Hall hearing this week on the proposed Metropolitan Transportation Authority takeover of seven private bus lines, which provide the only

public transportation service to many Southeast Queens neighborhoods, drew scathing testimony on the decline of bus service and vehicle safety caused by the uncertainty shrouding the takeover plan.

The parties involved in the protracted takeover talks – the state-run MTA, Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s office and the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) – did nothing to clarify the situation, however, as all sides stayed away from the Transportation Committee hearing on Feb. 24, prompting angry criticism from several City Council members.

“It is unacceptable for them to use negotiations as an excuse” for not attending the hearing, charged Councilman John Liu, chair of the Transportation Committee. “They’ve been saying for two years that negotiations are underway.”

March 2004 Martins Field After nearly a decade of heated dispute and controversy, the plan to transform the decrepit Martin’s Field into a memorial green-space, which will honor the hundreds of African slaves and Native Americans buried there, received unanimous approval from neighborhood residents and members of the descendent community this week.

Parks Department officials unveiled the preliminary design for the Martin’s Field memorial at a community meeting organized by Councilman John Liu on March 11. The plan

EUGENE

Kelty

May 2004 MTA Bus – Part 2 As Councilmen John Liu, Joe Addabbo, Jr. and James Sanders stood on the corner of Cross Bay Boulevard and Liberty Avenue, a corner where Green Bus Lines stop, they asked where the plans are from the city that details everything that will be occurring on July 1.

“There have been few details about what’s happening during the takeover,” said Liu. “There cannot be any kind of disruption of bus service and in the long term there should not be the elimination of lines or reduction and frequency in service,” added Liu. June 2004 MTA Bus – Part 3 Liu fears that the Assembly will not pass the bill in time for the July 1 deadline, and he blames the MTA for not giving out enough information. He said, “If the MTA is going to take over the private bus lines, we need to be given assurances that bus service is not going to be reduced . . . There’s a huge possibility of chaos because of the lack of details and lack of public information.”

He added, “Absent of a smooth transition, we’re faced with potentially no service on July 1, and that would be an unacceptable disaster.”

MTA Bus – Part 4 A new six-month contract extension was hastily approved by the City Council just days before the July 1 deadline, when MTA was scheduled to take control of all city buses, after efforts to complete the bus takeover appeared doomed to certain failure. As Councilman John Liu noted, this is the second six-month extension granted by the Council while the Bloomberg,

Pataki and Kalikow continue to struggle with the details of the bus takeover.

“They have failed miserably,” said Liu. “They failed to negotiate in good faith with all the parties involved, they kept the public in the dark. If they did anything, it was under absolute cloak of secrecy.”

August 2004 Youth Action Team The Youth Action Team, comprised of 55 high school students from all over the city, has been working all summer. On Friday, Aug. 13, Councilman John Liu, who founded the program three years ago, and Assemblyman Barry Grodenchik joined the team at the Self-Help Prince Street Senior Center in Flushing.

Students have been working at the center assisting seniors with everyday English vocabulary and preparation for the naturalization test, through conversation, tutoring and even games. They also help prepare and serve lunch.

“Many of these young people are community-minded, and they wanted an effective venue through which to channel their energy,” said Liu. “and,” Liu stressed, “ we simply had a lot of work to do.”

October 2004 MTA Bus – Part 5 With less than two months remaining until the latest deadline for the MTA to take control over the city’s seven privately operated bus companies, which serve some 400,000 riders in Queens alone, critics in the City Council are already preparing for another disappointment.

“It looks like they are going to blow by this deadline again,” griped Councilman John Liu, who heaped criticism on Mayor Mike Bloomberg and the MTA during a press conference this (Continued on page 12)

CHUCK

Apelian looked at me and just said, ‘All right Gene. I know.’”

Liu enjoyed a rare moment of relaxation Kelty hopes will be replayed – for the Councilman’s sake.

At a block party held before his Comptroller run, Liu could be spotted just mingling and enjoying himself.

“Usually people want to come up and shake your hand and talk about work and business,” Kelty said. “It was nice to see him relax for a while.”

Now with the Comptroller’s office within sight, Kelty has a mix of high hopes and reservations for Liu. “He’s young. I hope he doesn’t burn out,” Kelty said.

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at jorovic@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127.

BY JOSEPH OROVIC Chuck Apelian has had a unique view of John Liu since day one. They live across the street from each other.

“He was my neighbor first. Then he became my friend. Then he became my Councilman. Now he’s my Comptroller,” Apelian, who serves as Vice Chair of Community Board 7, said.

“It’s always good to have the comptroller as your neighbor. Nothing wrong with that.”

The two have had a solid personal and work relationship predating Liu’s 2001 election to the City Council.

“We had a good dialogue, good exchange and in the end we worked out something that was good for the community,” he said.

The two have worked together on a battery of issues, ranging from the RKO Keith’s Theater to rezoning to the municipal parking lot off of Union Street - if anything ever gets built there.

“He’s a very, very, very tireless guy,” Apelian said. “One of his slogans is, ‘Sleep is overrated.’ He runs and he goes. He’s just compassionate.”

His work ethic being such that Apelian couldn’t resist to point out the one time he might have outworked his neighbor.

Their homes being situated as they are, the two have the chance to learn each other’s comings and goings fairly quickly. During this fall, a particularly busy Apelian noticed he had left home before Liu and came back after him.

“I told him about it and he immediately laughed,” Apelian said. “He told me he might have to check, but there’s probably a really good reason behind it.”

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at jorovic@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 11

BY JOSEPH OROVIC Community Board 7 Chairman Eugene Kelty has spent the last eight years working in close proximity to John Liu on many of the projects taking place within the Board’s jurisdiction.

When Liu was first elected to the City Council, he promised a very hands-on approach, then followed through.

“John was very active when he took office,” Kelty said. “He told us he’d come to our board, fill us in, keep us up to date.”

The two formed a solid working bond and managed to avoid a game of broken telephone.

“We had no problem. He was in touch with my Vice Chair [Chuck Apelian],” Kelty said. “Rather than me talk to John and then talk to Chuck, he’d just talk to Chuck and if I needed to hear it, he’d call me. It was a very good working relationship.”

But Kelty said the two didn’t always meet eye to eye, and recounts the congestion pricing era as a moment the two particularly butted heads.

“I remember battling with him in front of everybody,” he said. Kelty ultimately won the fight. “He came in,

calls for a lush green meadow snaked by a walking path and surrounded by tall trees and a metal fence.

John Liu

Through The Years (Continued from page 11) week. He also blasted city and MTA negotiators for not refusing to meet with the owners of the private lines.

Page 12 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

November 2004 Zonebusting A letter was sent to property owners encouraging them to sell before their zoning was changed in order to get the most cash now for their properties – a ploy the Tribune termed as Zonebusting…

City Councilman John Liu expressed outrage and alleged that the company may have engaged in a form of “blockbusting,” which he defined as the use of intimidating tactics to motivate owners to sell their property.

In New York City’s past, “blockbusting” techniques often featured rumors that racial minorities intended to move into predominantly white neighborhoods — sending property values down and causing homeowners to flee.

“Over the decades, that intimidation

has taken different forms,” Liu said.

“This one is obviously intimidating because it is suggesting that you are going to lose the value of your home once these new rules go into effect.”

MTA Bus – Part 6 In an admission that a long-running effort to fold the city’s seven privately operated bus lines into the MTA has once again stalled, officials from the Bloomberg administration quietly moved late last week to extend the existing contract with the companies for an additional four months.

“This new request makes it seem like no progress has been made,” said Councilman John Liu, head of the Transportation Committee. “I hope there is real logic to it and that it is not just smoke and mirrors.”

Liu added that the City Council would have no choice but to approve the latest extension. “We certainly don’t want to see disruptions in bus service and chaos on the streets come the deadline,” he said.

December 2004 Muni Lot – Part 2 City owned municipal parking lot one was approved for sale by CB 7 on Monday night, paving the way for reinvested retail and commercial space that could bring a movie theater back to Flushing.

According to Councilman John Liu, the city could sell the 1,100-space

lot for $80 to $100 million and defer the costs of the city’s billion and a half dollar budget gap.

Liu said, “If the city wants to take some value out of Flushing, it’s okay, as long as most of that money stays and is reinvested in Flushing.”

He added that there is a tremendous amount of competition for that property and that will raise the value even more. “We’re the ones who made the value of that property. If not for the hard work of this board and the entire community, they would not be looking at this valuable piece of land.”

“The negotiation between the EDC and the developers is already going on, what we need to do to make it clear, not to the developers, but to the City of New York that if you want to sell the most valuable thing in our community, go ahead, as long as you reinvest that money back in Flushing.”

MTA Bus – Part 7 The City agreed to pay $9.5 million for Queens Surface, which had infrastructure worth considerably less than the money they were given…

For Queens Surface, however, with little hard property beyond office furniture to its name, the tentative deal reached with the City on Jan. 31 still netted $9.5 million for owner Myra Burke – a vast sum for old computers and used desk chairs.

“It is a huge mystery how the Mayor’s office came up with that num-

ber,” said Councilman John Liu, chair of the City Council Transportation Committee and frequent critic of the on-again, off-again negotiations to take over the private companies. “Of course, it’s taxpayer funds. We fully expect that there will be an accounting of how these funds were used.”

MTA Bus – Part 8 Queens bus riders will soon become very familiar with three letters: MTA. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced on April 22 that an agreement has been reached with three privately owned Queens bus lines, as well as one in Brooklyn.

The Jamaica, Green, and Triboro bus lines are expected to be fully absorbed into MTA by early summer.

The city will pay $25.5 million for the assets of the Transit Alliance, the group that operates the three bus lines.

“New buses are desperately needed by beleaguered bus riders in Queens,” said Councilman John Liu, who is the Chair of the City Council Transportation Committee. “With this agreement, there are no more excuses.” Liu is wary of the next steps that the MTA will take, and wants assurance that no bus routes will be eliminated.

May 2005 Illegal Gambling With an attempt to prevent downtown Flushing from becoming an il(Continued on page 14)

DAVID

JAMES

Weprin

Gennaro

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Long before the two ran against each other in the Democratic primary for Comptroller, David Weprin knew John Liu was going to be a force to be reckoned with in New York City politics.

“I always knew John would have a tremendous political future, but I didn’t know his political future would come at my expense,” quipped Weprin.

Liu and Weprin became acquainted years before they were even elected to the New York City Council together in 2001. Both Liu and Weprin were active in the civic groups in Queens through the 1990s and Liu joined Weprin’s Democratic club. It was then that Weprin said he became “very impressed” with Liu. After both Liu and Weprin were elected to the City Council, the two developed a close personal relationship and worked together a lot of different issues. Weprin said they were drawn together on many issues because of the close proximity of their districts.

Weprin wasn’t the least bit surprised at Liu’s victory, because of the campaign he ran.

“John ran a phenomenal campaign, a very well organized one with a tremendous Obama-type coalition of

supporters among various ethnic groups,” he said.

After being defeated in the primary, Weprin endorsed Liu in the runoff and introduced the new Comptroller-elect after he declared victory on election night, something Weprin said he was “more than honored” to do.

“He is a true American success story,” Weprin said.

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

BY DOMENICK RAFTER City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) was a “strong supporter” of his colleague John Liu in his bid for Comptroller.

“I have a lot of admiration for John,” said Gennaro, “He’s a pioneer and bridge builder. He’s not afraid to go his own way when compelled to do so and we need more of that in government.”

Gennaro said he also admires his colleague’s “principled” nature and his ability to be both pragmatic and effective and work within the existing framework to get things accomplished. He said Liu wasn’t the type of stand on the outside and “be an ineffective flamethrower,” but he would find a pragmatic way to solve important problems.

“John is the perfect blend of someone who understands the traditional political process and knows that process and is willing to work within that process to get good things done,” he said. “The way John succeeds is that he brings massive amounts of people into the political process and makes it go his way.”

He said over the years in the Council, he has seen Liu bring together big grassroots constituencies to work for things he wants to see accomplished.

“I have a lot of admiration for the way his mind works,” Gennaro said.

“His intelligence and training make

him into an effective leader.”

As far as his new position, Gennaro said Liu’s “rigorous, technical background” with degree in mathematics and working within the financial industry makes him qualified for his new position.

“These skills will serve him particularly well in his job as Comptroller,” Gennaro said. “He has the professional qualifications to turn his passion for good government into reality.”

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

LEGAL NOTICE

Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him is James Montgomery, Esq., 267 Fifth Avenue, Suite 810, New York, New York 10016. Purpose of LLC: to engage in any lawful activity. Street address of Principal Business location i s : 4 8 - 2 0 4 8 th S t r e e t , Woodside, New York 11377 ________________________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of LE CHAVEZ LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secy. Of State of the State of NY (SSNY) on 10/02/2009.

Office located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to the LLC 150-13 Hillside Ave., Jamaica, NY 11432. Purpose: any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of Knights Design & Construction LLC, a limited liability company (LLC). Arts. of Org. filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 9/4/ 2009. Office located in Queens County. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to THE LLC 129-27 135TH PLACE SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY 11420 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. _______________________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CONSULTANTS, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/03/09.

Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, c/o Koenig & Samberg, 300 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York 11501.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of GLOBAL TALK NETWORKS LLC, a limited liability company.

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (SSNY) on 09/21/2007. Office located in Queens County.

SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to THE LLC: 32-41 Steinway Street 2 nd Fl, Astoria, NY 11103-4075. Purpose: Any lawful activity. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: CRITERION PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/26/09. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, c/o Criterion Group, LLC, 35-11 36 th Street, 3 rd Floor, Long Island

LEGAL NOTICE City, New York 11106. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS BENEFICIAL HOMEOWNER SERVICE CORPORATION, Plaintiff, -Against- UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF LILLIAN U. CRAIGWELL, if they be living and if they be dead, the respective heirsat-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendants who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the complaint, UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF STANLEY CRAIGWELL, if they be living and if they be dead, the respective heirsat-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendants who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the complaint, BENEFICIAL HOMEOWNER SERVICE CORPORATION, LICIA RAMOS, HECTOR RAMOS, LESLIE SADLER, MARVIN SADLER, JAMES MILES, BLAIR CRAIGWELL, AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LILLIAN CRAIGWELL, DIANA CRAIGWELL, AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LILLIAN CRAIGWELL, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, Defendants. Index No.: 13115-08 Date Filed: SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): You are hereby summoned to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint TO: UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF LILLIAN U. CRAIGWELL, UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF STANLEY CRAIGWELL, The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Duane A. Hart, a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, QUEENS County, dated the 10th day of November, 2009, and filed with the complaint and other papers in the of-

LEGAL NOTICE fice of the Clerk of the County of QUEENS, New York. This action is for final judgment of foreclosure and sale of the premises known as and by 90-11 175th Street, Jamaica, New York, New York, described in the Schedule A which is annexed hereto as Exhibit “A”. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY. SENDING A PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: New Rochelle, New York Signed Pursuant to 22 NYCRR §130-1.1-a LISA L. WALLACE, Esq. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway Attorneys for Plaintiff 145 Huguenot Street, Suite 310 New Rochelle, New York 10801 Tel. 914.636.8900 ________________________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: 128-02 HOLDING, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/20/04.

The latest date of dissolution is 12/31/2103. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 128-02 Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill, New York 11419. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ Main Northern Holding LLC a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Sec of State of NY on 10/1/ 09. NY Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to The LLC, 135-22 Northern Blvd., Flushing NY 11354. General Purposes. ________________________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of Goodhome LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (SSNY) on 8/13/ 2009. Office located in New York. SSNY has been designated for service of process.

SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LLC to THE LLC 2377 24TH Street, Astoria, NY 11105.

Purpose: any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of Tristan & Lucian Enterprise, LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/18/ 09. Office location: Queens.

SSNY has been designated for service of process SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o THE LLC, 154-02 33 rd Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354.

Purpose: any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ AJPW, LLC a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Sec of State of NY on 11/18/09. NY Office location: Queens County.

SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to The LLC, 603 Seneca Ave., Ridgewood, NY 11385. General Purposes. ________________________________________________________________________ NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REAL ESTATE DIVISION NOTICE OF APPROPRIATION OF PROPERTY IN THE BED OR BEDS OF A STREAM, LAKE, STREET, ROAD, HIGHWAY, OR RIGHT OF WAY PROJECT: VAN WYCK EXPRESSWAY, I 678 KEW GARDENS CONTRACT 1 COUNTY: QUEENS MAP NO. 19 PARCEL NO. 34 TAKE NOTICE THAT PURSUANT TO EMINENT DOMAIN PROCEDURE LAW NOTICE is hereby given that there were filed in the office of the Department of Transportation on the 22ND day of APRIL, 2009, description and original tracing of a map, together with a certificate as to the accuracy thereof, of property which the Commissioner of Transportation deemed necessary to be acquired immediately for purposes connected with the project identified above that; there was filed in the office of the QUEENS County Clerk on the 9TH day of OCTOBER 2009, a copy of such description and map, whereupon the appropriation by the State of the property described in such description and map became complete and the title to such property vested in the People of the State of New York.

Description and map property which the Commissioner of Transportation deems necessary to be acquired by appropriation in the name of the People of the State of New York in fee for purposes connected with the highway system of the State of New York pursuant to Section 30 of the Highway Law and the Eminent Domain Procedure Law. There is excepted from this appropriation all the right, title and interest, if any, of the United States of America, in or to said property.

The following is a description of

such property, to wit: PERMANENT EASEMENT FOR HIGHWAY PURPOSES A permanent easement to be exercised in, on and over the property above delineated for the purpose of constructing, reconstructing and maintaining thereon a State Highway, together with such bridges and other facilities in connection therewith as may be deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Transportation in and to all that piece or parcel of property designated as Parcel No. 34 as shown on the accompanying map and further described as follows. PARCEL NO. 34 Beginning at a point on the northeasterly boundary of the existing 132ND Street, an existing city street, said point being 26.0± meters distant southwesterly, measured at right angles from station 11+299.7± of the hereinafter described survey baseline for the acquisition of a portion of the Bed of Van Wyck Expressway; thence through the Bed of 132ND Street the following three (3) courses and distances: (1) South 66 degrees -47’ -04" West 3.4± meters to a point 29.403 meters distant southwesterly, measured at right angles from station 11+300.091 of said baseline; (2) North 23 degrees 12’ -56" West 27.033 meters to a point 25.904 meters distant southwesterly, measured at right angles from station 11+334.605 of said baseline; and (3) North 66 degrees -47’ -04" East 3.4± meters to a point on the first mentioned northeasterly boundary of said 132ND Street, the last mentioned point being 22.8± meters distant southwesterly, measured at right angles from station 11+333.3± of said baseline; thence southeasterly along the last mentioned boundary line 27.0± meters to the point of beginning, being 91.9 square meters of land more or less. Reserving, however, to the owner of any right, title, or interest in and to the property above delineated, and such owner’s successors or assigns, the right of access and the right of using said property and such use shall not be further limited or restricted under this easement beyond that which is necessary to effectuate its purposes for, and as established by, the construction, or reconstruction and as so constructed or reconstructed, the maintenance, of the herein identified project. The above mentioned survey baseline is a portion of the 2009 survey baseline (NAD 83/CORS 96) for the acquisition of a portion of the Bed of Van Wyck Expressway and described as follows: Beginning at station 11+159.019; thence North 29 degrees -03’ -20" West to station 11+328.215; thence North 45 degrees -33’ -28" West to station 11+538.381. All bearings referred to True North at the 74 degrees -00’ Meridian of West Longitude. Commissioner of Transportation By: /S/ JAMES CELLERY REAL ESTATE DATED: October 13, 2009

To Place Your Legal Advertisement, Call the Tribune at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 144 or E-Mail Your Copy to legals@queenstribune.com

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 13

PROBATE CITATION File No. 2009-3608 SURROGATE’S COURT – QUEENS COUNTY CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent TO: Hilda Robinson, John Henry Robinson and Vernon Staunton if living and if dead, to their heirs at law, next of kin and distributees whose names and places of residence are unknown and if they died subsequent to the decedent herein, to their executors, administrators, legatees, devisees, assignees and successors in interest whose name and places of residence are unknown and to all other heirs at law; next of kin and distributees of Etta Hebbons, the decedent herein, whose names and places of residence are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained.

ATTORNEY GENERAL N.Y. STATE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR QUEENS COUNTY A petition having been duly filed by Ruth Dumas who is domiciled at 172-05 108th Avenue, Jamaica, N.Y. 11433. YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Queens County, at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York, on 22nd day of October, 2009 at 9:30 .M. of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of Etta. M. Hebbons, a/k/a Etta Hebbons lately domiciled at 172-05 108th Avenue, Jamaica, N.Y. 11433 admitting to probate a Will dated December 6, 2000 a copy of which is attached, as the Will of Etta M. Hebbons deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that [x] Letters Testamentary issue to: Etta M Hebbons (State any further relief requested) HON. ROBERT L. NAHMAN Surrogate Alicermarie E. Rice Chief Clerk SEP 09 2009 (Seal) Thomas J. Adams, Esq. Attorney for Petitioner 718847-4572 Telephone Number 114-06 Jamaica Avenue, Richmond Hill, N.Y. 11418 Address of Attorney [Note: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.] _______________________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation of COASTAL LIGHT LLC, a domestic LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/11/ 2009. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 29 Beach 220th Street, Breezy Point, NY 11697. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. _______________________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMATION of: 48-20 48 th STREET LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/28/09. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process may be served. The

LEGAL NOTICE

John Liu

Through The Years (Continued from page 12) legal version of Mohegan Sun casinos, Councilman John Liu, State Sen. Toby Stavisky and the 109th Precinct are asking residents to come forward if they see any gambling operations occurring in their apartment buildings or multi-family houses.

“We are not going to tolerate any illicit gambling operations in our neighborhoods, on our streets, buildings or anywhere that these gambling dens have been cropping up,” said Liu. Both Liu and Stavisky said the illegal activities do not include “the friendly card game,” rather entire apartments that are currently being used for illegal activities that include gambling, prostitution and loan sharking.

RKO Plan – Part 2 “For too long this end of downtown Flushing has been a blight and

embarrassment, with the formerly majestic RKO Keith’s run into the ground,” said Liu, who attended last week’s meeting with the BSA. “Finally, we will have a plan that will place a world-class building on this site, establish a spacious state-of-the-art and sorely needed senior center, and most importantly, resurrect a piece of Flushing’s psyche and history with the restoration of the RKO landmark.”

August 2005 MTA Bus – Part 9 “It’s deja vu all over again,” said Councilman John Liu, who serves as the Chairman of the Council’s Transportation committee. “The biggest concern remains that with these repeated delays and missed deadlines, the bus system is getting worse and worse.”

Liu pointed out that there have been six different deadlines since Dec. 31, 2003 that have been missed. In early April, Bloomberg had promised better service and equipment for the more than 136,000 Queens riders per day.

Even with these delays, Liu hopes that the mayor can still come through with better service for Queens buses. “If the administration can’t get it done, then the city should make sure that the new buses still come in,” he said. The councilman also wants assurance from the MTA that no bus routes will be eliminated once they takeover.

LEROY

Page 14 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

Comrie

BY DOMENICK RAFTER “Whenever we would head out to Flushing at the same time, John would always beat me there,” Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said with a laugh.

That was how well John Liu knows his district, his borough, and his city.

Besides knowing every shortcut through the busy North Queens streets, Liu made it his business to know about any issue anywhere in the borough or city where we could be of service. In the almost eight years the two have served together, Comrie has seen Liu be an advocate for those within the borders of his district and far beyond.

“John has always been accessible and available. He has always supported projects in my district,” Comrie said. “I never had a moment of time when I doubted John’s sincerity and his desire to be a major resource to myself personally and my community.”

When John Liu first walked into the City Hall as a member of the New York City Council in January 2002, fellow Queens Councilman Leroy Comrie was more than happy to welcome him. Not only as a member of the 51-member body, but to the Black and Hispanic Caucus, which, with Liu’s election as the first Asian-Ameri-

can councilman, was renamed the Minority Caucus.

Comrie said Liu’s first weeks and months as a Council member were met with a lot of pressure on him – pressure not only to represent his constituents in Flushing, but to represent the entire Asian-American community in New York.

Comrie noted that he and Liu drove the same car; a Honda Accord. This sometimes caused confusion among the two council members when they found their cars next to each other in a parking lot.

Comrie went on the commend Liu’s collaborative work ethic and his ability to make alliances with other council members. He praised not only Liu’s support for his district’s projects, but also his thoroughness.

“He is always ready to argue specifics and details,” Comrie said.

Comrie expressed excitement about Liu’s new position.

“John is more than deserving of his role [as Comptroller],” he said.

He said Liu will be a great “new set of eyes” for the city’s finances and expects that Liu will continue to run the Comptroller’s office as well as Bill Thompson has.

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

The new deadline for the turnover, Nov. 10, will bring the other bus lines into the MTA’s fee structure and extend full MetroCard benefits to riders.

November 2005 On Lingerie Billboards 200-foot tall billboards with lingerie models on them were erected adjacent to the Long Island Expressway…

“At best [these billboards] are extremely tasteless, and at worst, a dangerous distraction to motorists,” Liu said.

“What’s difficult about it is balancing the freedom of speech, freedom of expression issues with the need of having some kind of decorum in our city.”

December 2005 RKO Plan – Part 3 For decades, countless protests were held calling for the restoration of the land marked RKO Keith’s Theater in Flushing, but Tuesday it was all thanks and praises, now that the city’s Board of Standards and Appeals has approved its construction of a senior center.

The site, which has been an eyesore for decades, will soon live up to its title as “the gateway to Flushing,” thanks to the efforts of elected officials, Community Board 7 and activists, who for years, fought hard against unscrupulous developers and the building’s near demise.

“Today is a great day for Flushing

because we have waited a long time for the plans for the new building to finally be approved,” said Liu. “What we are looking at is a location that has been desolate; it has been an embarrassment for us in Flushing for almost 20 years.”

Liu added, what he considers the most important aspect of the project, one that will inhabit 15,000 square feet, is its greatly needed senior center.

“It will be front and center, where our seniors will not be sitting in a dark basement, but they will be looking out over Northern Boulevard and Main Street and on a clear day, they will probably be able to see all the way to the Long Island Railroad trestle and the Flushing Library,” said Liu. January 2006 Speaker Choice When faced with voting for either Christine Quinn of Bill De Blasio for City Council Speaker…

Councilman John Liu originally supported Di Blasio, but said he was happy to vote for Quinn, who he called a dynamic leader. “It’s like asking me what makes me prefer chocolate chip as opposed to chocolate fudge swirl,” Liu said. “I like them both.”

From QConfidential Even though John Liu said he supports a bill that would translate edu(Continued on page 16)

JAMES

Sanders

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Councilman James Sanders (DLaurelton) could always count on the man he describes as “ubiquitous” to be there to help him in advocating the needs of his Southeast Queens constituents.

Sanders, who sits on the Transportation Committee that John Liu has chaired for the last eight years, noted that Liu joined him in the struggle to have commuters from the Far Rockaway Long Island Rail Road station included in the New York City fare zone, which includes other LIRR stations within the borough of Queens like Jamaica, Kew Gardens and Woodside.

“John joined me in those types of fights,” Sanders said. “He is on the side of the angels” Sanders described Liu as a “shining star” and lauded him being the first of his class, those elected to the NYC council in 2001, to achieve postcouncil prominence in his election as Comptroller. He praised Liu’s thoroughness and meticulousness.

“What strikes you the most about him is his attention to detail,” Sanders said.

Sanders said Liu’s election as the first Asian member of the City Coun-

cil opened the door for Asian-Americans like Peter Koo (R-Flushing) and Margaret Chin (D-Chinatown), who were elected to the City Council this past November. When Liu came to the Minority Caucus and asked to be member, he told them they needed to be inclusive and include all of the City’s minority groups. The caucus embraced Liu and made him the chairman of the Asian-American caucus, of which he was the only member.

Sanders, who endorsed Liu in the primary election for Comptroller, said he was “ecstatic” about Liu’s election and called Liu the right man of the job.

“We’re going to really have to fight for the people’s interests,” said Sanders. “John is the right guy to do that.”

Sanders said he believes Liu will hold everyone accountable, from members of the City Council right up to the top.

“This is not the first name the mayor would want to fill this position,” said Sanders. “If people are thinking he will give a blank check to the City Council, they are out of their minds.”

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

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www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 15

John Liu

Through The Years (Continued from page 14) cation materials into eight languages for foreign parents, his feelings are still a little mixed.

As a student himself, Liu said he was a little bit of a troublemaker. But when his teacher or principal sent him home with a note describing his bad behavior, the English words were a mystery to his Chinese parents.

The precocious Liu then translated the note for them, but he would be less than forthright about its true contents.

“My parents loved getting notes,” Liu said. “They thought I was the best student in school.”

Now as a parent, Liu said he has a different attitude.

“I want to know exactly what those notes say without any interpretation from my children.”

August 2006 Blackout Response As a heat wave caused massive blackouts in Western Queens, John Liu tried to turn awareness to a potential similar situation in Flushing…

“The heat wave and striking paral-

lels between the electrical networks in Flushing and Long Island City necessitate proactive measures,” explained Liu. “Like Long Island City, Flushing has experienced explosive growth and we have an aging electrical infrastructure that has a history of power failures so as a community. We must all do our part to prevent a power outage that would be devastating in so many ways.”

Concern of a devastating outage first arose after a July 26 New York Times report detailed the failures in underground feeder cables, which led to the week-long power outages, Liu said. “Looking at the report you are able to see the similarities between the high rate of electrical failures in Flushing and those of Long Island City, which is certainly something our businesses should be aware of ” he added.

“The two cable breakdowns tonight may be the beginning of a widespread outage throughout the entire Flushing network if Con Ed does not take immediate measures to shore up remaining cables,” Liu said.

November 2006 Martin’s Field Opens Liu spoke at the consecration of the Martin’s Field burial ground site…

“This has been a long day coming,” Liu said. “We are standing and sitting on hallowed ground.”

Martin’s Field, which the city of New York had turned into a playground as a depression-era Works Progress Administration Project, was purchased by the town of Flushing in 1840, for the express purpose of community

burials. An estimated 500 to 1,000 people were buried there, largely African Americans and Native Americans.

“There’s nothing wrong with a playground,” Liu said, “but it doesn’t belong above where people are buried.”

February 2007 Muni Lot – Part 3 Developer TDC/Rockefeller is facing harsh criticism from the Flushing community after reneging on an agreement made with the City to build on Municipal Lot No. 1 in Flushing, the largest public parking facility in the borough.

Originally, the 1,101-space Munimetered parking lot was given to TDC/Rockefeller so the developer could build a $500 million commercial and residential development. An agreement was reached on the project, named Flushing Commons, in 2005 after a long, difficult process that began three years earlier. Flushing Commons was planned to be a mixed-use project with an underground parking garage that would add about 1,000 parking spaces and offer an 80,000square-foot youth center.

Councilman John Liu was in favor of these changes that would find a new use for the site while bringing muchneeded parking to the area, as well as a community facility. The benefit to local residents included a new 1-acre park, a wider array of consumer choices, a movie theater and the youth center. The parking would have been of great advantage to local business owners.

But Liu said the changes will go nowhere without community support.

And, without solid benefits for the community, there will be no support – “the project will die,” he said.

April 2007 Muni Lot – Part 4 A new proposal by TDC/Rockefeller for the development of Muni Lot 1 rubbed many in the process the wrong way…

Flushing Councilman John Liu said neither he nor the majority of his constituents support the modified project.

“The [new] proposal seems to throw everything out the window,” Liu said.

In 2002, when TDC/Rockefeller first entered the bid to construct what would be known as Flushing Commons on the site of Municipal Lot No. 1, they proposed amenities that greatly benefited the residential and business community, Liu said. But the recent alterations they’ve made no longer provide such advantages.

According to TDC President Michael Meyer, “In 2006, the project faced new, unforeseeable challenges,” which resulted in the drafting of a new proposal. Escalations in construction costs were high enough, Meyers said, that the project became too costly and had to be reworked.

But Liu said this is no excuse for reneging on the original agreement.

“It’s the same old sob story,” he said. “In the end, they’re just trying to skimp on cost and make more money.”

(Continued on page 18)

JAMES

PETER Page 16 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

Vallone, Jr. Vacca DOMENICK RAFTER Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr. (DAstoria) was always struck by how personable his colleague from across Queens, John Liu, was in the years they served together on the Council.

“In person, he’s your normal, average guy,” Vallone said. “He’s definitely not the type to let fame go to his head.”

Vallone and Liu were both elected

for the first time in 2001 and entered the City Council together the following year. Vallone said that Liu’s groundbreaking election was felt citywide and was met with a source of pride from everyone who entered the Council with him.

“At my swearing in back in 2002, John was present, I joked that he was the first Asian-American on the Council, I wasn’t even the first Vallone,” said Vallone, who’s father preceded him on the City Council.

Vallone said he and Liu have worked on numerous issues together, especially transportation-related, which were important to both their districts in Queens. He said they developed a personal friendship both inside and outside City Hall. He and Liu hang out socially and have had dinner together. Liu’s son, Joey, actually calls Vallone, “Uncle Pete.”

“He really makes you feel like part of the family,” Vallone said. “John is as nice as he comes across on television; even nicer, actually.”

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

BY DOMENICK RAFTER For Councilman James Vacca (DBronx), John Liu’s legacy from his eight-year career on the City Council will be how he changed the prominence of the committee he chaired; the Transportation Committee.

“A committee is only as good as its chairman,” Vacca said. “John definitely left his mark on that committee.”

Vacca said the Transportation Committee has risen to become one of the most powerful and prominent committees on the Council and because of that, transportation issues are always front and center in the public eye. He credits Liu’s strong advocacy for transportation issues for the committee’s rise to prominence. Vacca said Liu’s excellent service as chairman of the Transportation committee is what brought him to the point where he was able to run and win citywide office.

Vacca said he has “never ceased to be impressed” at committee meetings by his colleague from the other side of the Whitestone Bridge. He praised Liu’s thorough and detailed questioning of city agencies at committee hearings.

“Not only does John get to the core of a problem, he never lets go

of it,” Vacca said.

Vacca said he has high hopes for Liu, whom he described as “always pleasant,” as Comptroller. He said Liu’s ability to use his chairmanship of the Transportation committee to push transportation issues front and center will come in handy in his new role.

With the Comptroller’s audit power, Vacca explained, Liu has the opportunity to push different city agencies in different directions if need be. He said much like Liu was able to mold the Transportation committee into a powerful and prominent force in the city government; he will have the opportunity to mold the Comptroller’s position to one that will be uniquely John Liu. Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 125.

To reserve your space call 357-7400

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www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 17

John Liu

Through The Years

Page 18 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

(Continued from page 16) June 2007 Con Ed Failure After numerous assurances by Con Edison that investments poured into its infrastructure would short-circuit blackouts this summer, Friday’s 92-degree weather apparently was too hot to handle.

On the hottest day thus far this year, close to 10,000 Flushing residents were left without power amid heat and humidity in the area roughly bounded by Kissena Boulevard, 45thAvenue, Parsons Boulevard and Oak Avenue.

Power was out for at least two hours according Councilman John Liu. “It’s the first hot night of the summer,” Liu said. “It’s hot, humid and dark. People dread a repeat of last year’s extreme outage in Western Queens. Unfortunately, this was somewhat predictable, since the Flushing network of feeder cables has a failure rate comparable to that of the Long Island City network. Flushing residents had demanded upgrades to the power grid last summer.”

October 2007 Call Him Dr. Liu St. John’s University got a special visitor to its new Andrew J. Bartilucci Center last week: Councilman John Liu. Liu toured the center to kick off American Pharmacists Month, which was launched by the American Pharmacists Association in October 2004 and is designed to raise awareness of the role of pharmacists in the medical profession.

For Liu, touring the center held special importance.

“My mother always wanted me to go to medical school,” Liu said. “She was always disappointed. If I tell her about today she’ll be really happy.”

Liu was presented with a lab coat and toured classrooms and labs.

“Nothing like internal organs,” Liu joked when examining a replica of a human torso.

October 2008 Term Limits As the City Council prepared to override the will of the people and to legislatively undo the term limits that granted them all the ability to run for office…

“Term limits were born out of a deep cynicism held by the public,” Councilman John Liu said. “We need to put it back to the people.”

January 2009 7 Train Again “Year after year, for as long as anyone can remember, Queens residents and entrepreneurs wake up after the New Year’s revelry to sobering – and

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of formation of Blister Buster LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/22/ 2009. Office located in Queens. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to THE LLC (2510 35 th Ave., Astoria, NY 11106). Purpose: any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________________

Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to The LLC, 39-15 Main St., Ste. 318, Flushing, NY 11354. General Purposes. _______________________________________________________________________

right to assume the name of Pilar Betancourth.

Petitioner’s present address is 63-11 Queens Blvd., Apt. B-26, Woodside, New York.

The date of Petitioner’s birth is August 10, 1975, and her place of birth is Colombia, South America ________________________________________________________________________ Notice is hereby given that a license, number 1235503 for a “Restaurant Wine License” has been applied for by the undersigned to serve Beer/Wine at retail in the restaurant under the Alcohol Beverage Control Law at C & W Brother Corp., located at 33 23 Francis Lewis Blvd., Bayside, New York 11358 for on premises consumption. ________________________________________________________________________ Notice of Qualification of Arik Air International USA LLC. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State on 10/29/09.

Office location: Queens County. LLC formed in DE on 10/19/09. NY Sec. of State designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: c/o CT Corporation System, 111 8th Ave., NY, NY 10011, regd. agent upon whom process may be served. DE address of LLC: 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801. Arts. of Org. filed with DE Sec. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

76 TH STREET ENTERPRISES LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/23/ 09. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to c/o Melvyn Kreines & Associates PC, 500 Old Country Rd., Garden City, NY 1 1 5 3 0 . P u r p o s e : Any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ REP ASSOCIATES NY LLC a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Sec of State of NY on 12/1/ 09. NY Office location:

To Place Your Legal Advertisement, Call the Tribune at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 144 or E-Mail Your Copy to the Tribune at: legals@queenstribune.com

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: JMS2 LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/16/09.

Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 94-04 40th Drive, East Elmhurst, New York 11369.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court of the City of New York, County of Queens, on the 7th day of December 2009, bearing index number 1130/ 2009, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, Queens, New York, grants Petitioner Maria Del Pilar Ramos a/k/a Maria Del Pilar BetancourthHernandez a/k/a Maria D. Ramos a/k/a Maria Ramos the

infuriating – news that the 7 train will be out of service on weekends,” said Councilman John Liu, chairman of the City’s Transportation Committee.

“And, the best consolation offered by the MTA is slow and confusing shuttle bus service.”

The MTA said the reason for the shutdown is in order to carry out signal and track work but John Liu said the reason is ludicrous.

“They always give the same reason, ‘signal and track work,’ a meaningless explanation which amounts to nothing more than a black hole of an excuse for mismanagement and incompetence,” Liu said.

On Obama’s Inauguration “The expectations on President Obama are tremendous, and although no one could ever fully meet those expectations, a rising tide most certainly lifts all ships,” Liu said. “If we stand together as one people, we can together fulfill so many promises for people now and for future generations to come.”

March 2009 Comptroller-Bound After flirting with a rumored run for Public Advocate, Councilman John Liu shocked many last weekend by announcing he would run for City Comptroller in November.

“Now more than ever, we need a Comptroller who will root out waste and inefficiency as budget cuts are imposed, and ensure accountability and equal opportunity as billions in stimulus funding arrives,” Liu said on the steps of

City Hall Sunday. “With my professional background in finance and my experience in city government, combined with my demand for fairness and equality, I will be that Comptroller.”

April 2009 Bell Street When the proposal to rename a street in honor of Sean Bell was first brought to the City Council…

“This is an important matter before this distinguished community board,” Liu said. “What happened to Sean and his friends nobody would have wished on anyone. The least we can do as a City is to mark the spot this happened so it doesn’t happen again.”

Muni Lot – Part 5 “That is a dead project,” Liu said in an interview, adding “this project was announced with my support and a great deal of community support behind it – though not unanimous support – on July 11, 2005. Nothing’s happened. It’s 2009.”

“There has been no autopsy, there has been no death certificate issued.

There has also not been a breath of life. So I guess it depends on how people define dead. I certainly did not want it to die.” Liu also said that it was the City that wanted to forge a 100year lease with the development company to bring $100 million to the City’s coffers, and that the Flushing community would have been happy keeping it as simply a parking lot. “It’s [been] the same since I was 5 years old, and nobody is clamoring for change there.”

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John Liu

A Day In The Life

Making The Rounds The man was transitioning from a Council office he has occupied for eight years to the position of City Comptroller, learning how to smartly handle the City’s purse strings. He also helped ease life for his successor, Republican Peter Koo. But the stops within his district during his Councilmanic tenure’s final days offered a moment to thank the constituents who launched his political career.

“I’ll work very hard every day to make you proud,” Liu promised the

John Liu shared a toast with his successor, Republican Peter Koo. crowd as he held two gift bouquets, his words then translated to Korean.

Various church members and leaders took the microphone, speaking in Korean – which Liu is far from fluent in. They dropped lines evoking either laughter or applause, to which their Councilman politely smiled and nodded, though he undoubtedly had little clue what was said.

I stepped as close as possible to fire off a few quick pictures, only to have a cane gently tap my leg. An old man asked me to step aside. I blocked his view of Liu. I leaned over against a pole and was graciously thanked right before a mob of ethnic broadcast outlets surrounded Liu with three cameras, taking him out of the sight of pretty much everyone.

Liu spent about 15 minutes answering the foreign-language press’s questions with rote sound bites about gratitude towards his constituents and anticipation for his next job. Time was precious, as his next event would start shortly, but he answered all questions before moving on to the rest of the people in the room.

Another dozen minutes or so were then devoted to shaking hands, accepting commendations with “Kamsahamnida” (“Thank you” in Korean), a bow, and “Merry Christmas.”

While moving from one side of the room to the next, a familiar scene played out when an elderly gentleman stopped Liu. “I want to shake your hand,” the man said. “I’m so proud of you. I voted for you.”

Liu bowed, thanked him and moved on.

After making his rounds, smiling the whole way, he sat with the church’s

head. The exchange was muddled and quick.

“I have nine more days, give me some time,” Liu said, promising to get in touch once he assumed his new office.

On To The Next He headed out of the Church and into staffer Jorge Fanjul’s Honda Civic, insisting I sit shotgun while he hop in the back.

Liu pulled out his Blackberry and thumbed away at the keys, a sight common among the newer generation of technophile politicians.

“I’m not addicted to it,” he said, his eyes not leaving its glowing screen.

“I just use it for text messages.”

I asked if this was a victory lap of

The seniors and congregants of the Siloam Reform Church congratulated Liu and wished him future success.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 19

BY JOSEPH OROVIC The crowd sat in hushed anticipation around tables at the Siloam Reformed Church; murmurs in Korean and an endless chatter among the retirement-aged regulars separated the rare moments of silence. The pseudoguest of honor was running a bit late.

Patience thinned and many felt an unfamiliar face could be party to the man, to the point where I was asked several times, “Are you with John Liu? Is he coming? Do you know where he is?”

“I’m just waiting for him to show up, like you,” I replied.

He was scheduled to come at 11:45 a.m. It was noon and the crowd thickened with regulars and foreign-language press.

Liu finally walked through the door briskly, sporting the strict business attire those of the roving Flushing press corps have come to expect – the sharply tailored suit, dark red tie and well-slicked black hair sloping somewhat diagonally towards the back.

That he ran late was forgivable. Liu has faced an unenviable schedule since winning the Democratic Primary runoff for the City Comptroller’s office on Sept. 29, beating fellow Councilman David Yassky (D-Brooklyn) by a 12 percent margin. The victory essentially sealed the deal, as he faced nominal opposition in the general election.

Liu exchanged pleasantries with the Church’s leaders and stopped to acknowledge me as well.

“I hope you’re ready, John,” I said.

“For what? This?”

“No, having me follow you around, bugging you.”

Liu grinned and stepped into the gathering, which broke into spurts of applause and cheers as folks individually recognized him, until finally the sounds of approval reached a steady din.

Liu was not there to rally constituents. He was not seeking immediate votes, nor making specific campaign promises. This stop – on a day filled with over a dozen commitments – was part of a victory lap.

sorts and if he feels his Council tenure winding down.

“It is. It’s been a big lap so it’s taken quite a while. Today, it does feel like it’s winding down,” he said.

Thinking back upon the gentleman who expressed pride in Liu, I recalled the scene was played out several times in the past. For good or ill, Liu’s facial recognition within his district is rather high. He can regularly be caught by the wayward constituent looking to shake his hand.

“I’ll never get used to it,” Liu said.

“I’m always gratified, but I don’t look for it.”

We were headed to the Taiwanese American Senior Center Holiday Party at Tung Yi Feng on 37th Avenue, already 10 minutes late before the car even shifted to drive.

The trip would normally take about 15 minutes by foot, but it was Downtown Flushing and we were in a car.

Stuck in traffic caused by trucks and congestion, Liu reflected upon his tenure as the Council’s Transportation Committee chair.

“The committee schedule is robust.

I feel it’s been good. We got a lot done with the enforcement of parking regulations,” he said, citing an issue apropos to the Councilman of a district known to be a driving nightmare. He boo-hooed the connection though.

“Parking is difficult in Flushing, but I’d say it’s difficult around 75 percent of the City.”

Crossing Main Street along 37th Avenue, Fanjul swung the car across the intersection as far as he could. The traffic did not budge, and the restaurant was a minute-long jaunt away by foot. Liu grew serious.

“I was making sure I’m not blocking the box,” Fanjul said.

“And this guy’s making sure he’s not blocking the box either,” Liu said, pointing to a mini van idling next to him. He paused.

“We have to go.”

I hopped out, allowing Liu out and before I closed the door noticed I was already four steps behind him as he wound his way up the block. His head (Continued on page 21)

Page 20 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS Index No. 14046109 Date Summons Filed: 05/28/2009 Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial.

The basis of venue is Plaintiff’s residence SUMMONS Plaintiff resides at 14730 41 Avenue, 3 rd Fl., Flushing, NY 11355. XIAOFENG HOU Plaintiff, - against-DENNIS M. OLEARY Defendant.

ACTION FOR A DIVORCE To the above named Defendant: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer on Plaintiff’s Attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service, where service is made by delivery upon you personally within the State of New York, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Dated: May 27, 2009 Dehai Zhang, Esq. Attorney for Plaintiff 136-20 38 th Avenue, Suite 9G, Flushing, NY 11354 (718) 4631111 ________________________________________________________________________

the name of Christiana Marie Vasquez. Her present name is Christiana Marie Balajadia.

Her date of birth is January 12th , 1991. Her present address is 91-12 88 th Street, Woodhaven, NY 11421 ________________________________________________________________________

in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. To the above named defendants: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Hon. Timothy J. Flaherty, a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated 10/ 23/2009 and filed along with the supporting papers in the Queens County Clerk’s Office. This is an action to foreclose a mortgage. ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York. BLOCK 15818 LOT 138 said premises known as 193 Beach 26th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691. YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THE UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF THE DEBT YOU OWE THE PLAINTIFF/CREDITOR, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., IS $553,493.28 AS OF JANUARY 1, 2009, WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE INTEREST, LATE CHARGES, ATTORNEYS FEES, ESCROW ADVANCES, ETC. UNLESS YOU DISPUTE THE VALIDITY OF THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER YOUR RECEIPT HEREOF THAT THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, IS DISPUTED, THE DEBTOR JUDGMENT AGAINST YOU AND A COPY OF SUCH VERIFICATION OR JUDGMENT WILL BE MAILED TO YOU BY THE HEREIN DEBT COLLECTOR. IF APPLICABLE, UPON YOUR WRITTEN REQUEST, WITHIN SAID THIRTY (30) DAY PERIOD. THE HEREIN DEBT COLLECTOR WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR IF DIFFERENT FROM THE CURRENT CREDITOR. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A DISCHARGE FROM THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT, YOU ARE NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR THE UNDERLYING INDEBTEDNESS OWED TO PLAINTIFF/CREDITOR AND THIS NOTICE/DISCLOSURE IS FOR COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE New York State Law requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT You are in danger of losing your home. If you fail to respond to the summons and complaint in this foreclosure action, you may lose your home. Please read the summons and complaint carefully. You should immediately contact an attorney or your local legal aid office to obtain advice on how to protect yourself.

SOURCES OF INFORMA-

TION AND ASSISTANCE The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies, and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process.

To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-Bank-NYS or visit the Department’s website at www.banking.state.ny.us FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home.

There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. Section 1303 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Stiene & Associates, P.C., Attorneys for the Plaintiff 187 East Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743 (631) 935-1616 Our File#: 200900573 ________________________________________________________________________

dissolution of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD., Petitioner, -against- FRANK M. CORDELLA and RONALD ANNUNZIATA, Respondents. Upon reading and filing the annexed petition of ANTHONY GAROFANO, the holder of no less than 33 1/3 percent of all outstanding voting shares of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD., a corporation incorporated and existing under the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York and having a principal office at 98-01 Liberty Avenue, Ozone Park, in the County of Queens, State of New York, duly verified by Petitioner on the 3 rd day of December, 2009, LET, the Respondents, FRANK M. CORDELLA and RONALD ANNUNZIATA show cause at an IAS Part 16 of this Court, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York 11435 on January 19, 2010 at 9:30 o’clock in the forenoon or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard why an order should not be entered granting Petitioner the following relief: (1) pursuant to Business Corporation Law §1104(a), an order and judgment dissolving FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD., on the ground that the directors are so divided respecting the management of the FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD.’s affairs that there is internal dissension and two or more factions of shareholders are so divided that dissolution would be beneficial to the shareholders; (2) pursuant to Business Corporation Law §1115, a preliminary injunction enjoining and restraining Respondents from expending any funds of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD., for the payment of their legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with this proceeding; (3) restraining the Respondents from transferring, pledging, assigning, encumbering or otherwise disposing of any of the assets of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD., except in the ordinary course of business; (4) restraining the Respondents from disbursing any and all proceeds derived from the operation of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD., other than in the ordinary course of business; (5) restraining the Respondents from taking any salaries or profits from the operation of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD.; (6) restraining the Respondents from discarding any and all books and records, including, but not limited to, all Shareholder’s Agreements, Franchise Agreements, accounts payable and accounts receivables in connection with the operation of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD.; (7) compelling the Respondents to account for all funds received and dispersed in connection with the operation of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD.; (8) appointing a receiver or liquidating trustee for the purpose of, inter alia, liquidating and distributing the assets of FOOD

MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD.; and (9) for such other and further relief as maybe just and proper. And sufficient cause appearing thereof, IT IS HEREBY: ORDERED PENDING THE HEARING ORDERED, that the Respondents are restrained from transferring, pledging, assigning, encumbering or otherwise disposing of any of the assets of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD., other than in the ordinary course of business; ORDERED, that the Respondents are restrained from disbursing any and all proceeds derived from the operation of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD., other than in the ordinary course of business; ORDERED, that the Respondents are restrained from taking any salaries or profits from the operation of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD.; ORDERED, that the Respondents are restrained from discarding any and all books and records, including but not limited to, all Shareholder’s Agreements, Franchise Agreements, accounts payable and accounts receivables in connection with the operation of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD.; ORDERED, that the Respondents are hereby directed to account for all funds received and dispersed since October 1, 2008 in connection with the operation of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD. Within 21 days from the date hereof.

ORDERED, that in compliance with the provisions of the Business Corporation Law §1106(e) the Petitioner shall cause to be published a copy of this order at least once in each week for the three weeks immediately proceeding the time fixed herein for the hearing in QUEENS TRIBUNE, a newspaper in general circulation in Queens County; ORDERED, that personal service of a copy of this Order and Verified Petition with Index number and date of filing endorsed thereon, together with the papers upon which it is based, be served upon the Respondents, State Tax Commission, and Attorney General by service pursuant to BCL 1106(c) on or before December 28 th, 2009, be deemed good and sufficient service thereof. ENTER, s/HON. MARGUERITE A GRAYS J.S.C.

Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 12/7/09, bearing Index Number NC-001129-09/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435, grants me (us) the right to: Assume the name of (First) Tarsem (Middle) Singh (Last) Ghotra My present name is (First) Tarsem (Middle) Singh (Last) Ghotra aka Tarsem Singh My present address is 79-25 269 th Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040 My place of birth is Jalal Pur, India My date of birth is August 22, 1949 ________________________________________________________________________ Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 09/30/2009, bearing Index Number NC-000870-09/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435, grants me (us) the right to: Assume the name of (First) Catherine (Middle) Jungmin (Last) Kim My present name is (First) Jung (Middle) Min (Last) Kim My present address is 41-08 42 Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 My place of birth is Seoul, So Korea My date of birth is July 29, 1989 ________________________________________________________________________ Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the Civil Court, County of Queens, on the 10 th day of November 2009 bearing Index Number 1047/09, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY, in room 357, grants petitioner the right to assume

Notice is hereby given that a license, number 1228896 for a “Restaurant Wine License” has been applied for by the undersigned to serve Beer / Wine at retail in the restaurant under the Alcohol Beverage Control Law at Grand Oasis Restaurant Inc., located at 16 11 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, New York 11691 for on premises consumption. ________________________________________________________________________ SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS INDEX# 13275/09 FILED: 11/ 18/2009 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND NOTICE Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial.

Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgage premises is situated.

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., Plaintiff against NYOKA ROBINSON, IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, HIS/ HER RESPECTIVE HEIRS-ATLAW, NEXT-OF-KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE VERIFIED COMPLAINT HEREIN, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE AND INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE-UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Defendant(s). TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to serve upon plaintiff’s attorneys an answer to the Complaint in this action within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT: THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on August 30, 2007 under CRFN: 2007000449133 covering premises known as 193 Beach 26th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691. The relief sought

IAS Part 4 For At an IAS Term Part 16 of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Queens held at the Courthouse located at 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, New York on the 8th day of December, 2009. PRESENT: HON. MARGUERITE A. GRAYS for HON. PETER J. KELLY J.S.C. Index No. 32785/09 Date Filed: 12/8/ 09 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE In the Matter of the Application of ANTHONY GAROFANO, holder of onethird of all Outstanding shares of FOOD MARKETING CONCEPTS LTD. For the judicial

________________________________________________________________________ Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County, on the 24 th day of November, 2009, bearing Index Number 1082/09, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York, in room number 357 grants me the right, to assume the name of Sabrina Fung Ying Leung. My present address is 138-35 Elder Avenue, Apt. 7G, Flushing, NY 11355; the date of my birth is 02/16/1952, the place of my birth is Canton, P.R. China; my present name is Sabrina Au A/K/A Sabrina Leung

John Liu

A Day In The Life (Continued from page 19)

down, beating forward into the harsh winter wind, he peered at his Blackberry.

In the exchange in the car and unwillingness to compromise with the situation, one realizes in spite of all the glad handing, jokes, smiles and apparent joy his job inspires, Liu is ultimately a man who can just get the damn thing done.

Huffing to keep up as Liu climbed the stairs; I managed to blurt out a question about the demanding itinerary.

“The schedule isn’t bad,” he responded while climbing the steps. “It keeps us out of trouble.”

Another Welcome The Senior Center’s folks offered a welcome similar to the

church’s crowd.

He took the stage, and made a complimentary joke about the host’s age in mangled Mandarin while bowing several times.

Liu then sat between his successor Koo and Yen S. Chou, the Democratic candidate who gave up a blue district to a Republican, despite strong party support.

The visibly dour – or maybe bored – Chou struggled to smile while sitting alongside the man she hoped to succeed. Koo, on the other hand, kept a mindful eye on his predecessor.

Despite his sterling business credentials and electoral win, it was easy to see he still lacked the polish a practiced politician like Liu garnered throughout the years. It may come to Koo with time, and minding Liu’s mannerisms may offer a pupil-teacher lesson on how to glad hand and win a vote simultaneously.

The event ended with a round of palm pressing and thanks before jumping back into Fanjul’s car. While heading to the Rosenthal Senior Center Holiday Party, Liu gave in to a bit of retrospection – an indulgence for any reporter looking for a Barbara Walters moment with a man habitually looking ahead.

“I don’t really spend a whole lot of time looking back,” Liu admitted.

MICHAEL

Bloomberg

Ready For Anything I ask if the little kid watching his mom work two-thirds of a day in a sweatshop dreamed of holding citywide office. Admittedly a softball question, but Liu did not jump into the usual “lifelong ambition” response.

“I never imagined I’d run for office,” he said. “My message to people every day is, ‘Hey, if I can do it, anyone can.’”

“Have you ever thought about how far you’ve come?” I asked.

“I don’t know. How far have I come?” he asked.

“Well, are you going to miss anything about your Council job?”

“I won’t miss anything. It’s been a great run. I’ve given it a great shot. I don’t expect anything to change in the new position. That’s what’s the best about being in public service. You have to be ready for everything.”

I had earlier eyed his bouquets of flowers and mentioned my girlfriend and I would exchange gifts that night.

Liu said I can take a bouquet, but refused to sign the wax paper, saying it’s a gift from me to her.

“It’s obvious you’re pretty new to all of this,” Liu said.

Full disclosure: In the too-short year or so I’ve covered Flushing, Liu and I have established and main(Continued on page 22)

MYRA BAIRD

Herce and plenty of new ideas about how to run the office,” Bloomberg said. “I look forward to working with him over the next four years to make New York City’s government work even better for the people we serve.”

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

BY KAITLYN KILMETIS Decades ago, Myra Baird Herce started to pursue making downtown Flushing a Business Improvement District in order to better the community.

The climate was not right and political backing was nonexistent, so the plan soon fizzled out although it remained a priority in Herce’s heart.

It was not until John Liu took office that Herce, co-president of the Flushing Chamber of Commerce, received the support she desired.

“He gets the credit for the BID, absolutely,” she said.

Herce said Liu and his staff were committed to explaining the advantages of being a Business Improvement District to business owners across Flushing. She said without Liu’s support and tireless effort, making the area a BID “would have been

totally impossible.”

In addition to being a “stellar supporter of the Downtown commercial strip,” the fact that Liu is so well-liked across the community made the distinction, which she considers “just one plum in this whole array of accomplishments,” possible.

“He’s a Flushing person. His roots are here,” Herce said. “He is well thought of in the community. And he’s very personable; there’s no doubt about it.”

Herce emphasized the Comptroller-elect’s charismatic and compelling nature.

“He is the original Mr. Charm boy,” she said with a laugh. “He can charm the birds out of the trees.”

Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 21

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Mayor Michael Bloomberg congratulated John Liu in another history-making victory, and pointed out that Liu, as a Councilman and chair of the Transportation committee, and he have worked together extensively over the past eight years, especially on environmental and transportation issues.

“John Liu made history when he was elected to the City Council, and he made history again when he was elected Citywide,” Bloomberg said.

“But the true measure of any elected official – just like any New Yorker – isn’t just the title of a position we attain, but what we do once we get there to make the City a better place for our neighbors and our children.”

“Over the last eight years, John and I have worked together to reduce air pollution across the City, improve commuter vans, make taxis and school buses cleaner, and expand access to parking information for drivers,” he added.

The mayor said he has confidence in the new Comptroller and is anxious to get to work with him for the next four years.

“I have no doubt that as Comptroller, John will have boundless energy

Foreign language news outlets crowded Liu during his stop.

John Liu

A Day In The Life (Continued from page 21)

tained a fairly solid working relationship not common between most elected officials and community newspaper reporters. He has been quick to respond to inquiries and even faster to joke. Our conversations have gone from serious questions of government functions to a debate over “Star Wars” movie titles.

That he would give me a bouquet – on my birthday – was not entirely out of character. He had bigger concerns.

The Clock Ticks Forward Navigating our way from the bustle

of Downtown Flushing to Kissena Boulevard, Liu acted as human GPS from the backseat, giving Fanjul the occasional “Turn right here,” avoiding the right-angled grid and taking the quieter streets only a seasoned local would know.

“I drive, walk. I’ve got a Metrocard,” Liu said about how he gets around.

We parked and entered the Center. Fanjul and I were asked where Liu was twice. He was standing right behind us.

Liu walked across the vast white room’s linoleum floor to the foot of the stage, grabbing the mic and giving his thank you speech. Two excited girls approached Fanjul, asking if Liu would be willing to dance with them.

“Go and ask him yourself,” Fanjul said.

It was then my camera’s battery died.

As Liu was making his rounds, shaking hands and thanking people, the girls asked for a dance but were laughingly rebuffed.

Then, seated at the foot of the

stage, Liu sat through a makeshift fashion show of seniors modeling their ritzy getups. Another senior broke out her best belly-dancing moves, satiating some sort of latent primal urges to entertain – and maybe seduce.

Midway through her routine, Liu got up to quietly head out. Noticing the moving target, she approached Liu while still dancing.

Not missing a beat, the 42-year-old Comptroller-elect of the Great City Of New York joined along for few brief moments, showboating while grab- Liu spent the day thanking supporters in his district. bing his belt and lifting his legs.

“It wouldn’t be fair to call me a “Dammit, my camera is dead!” I workaholic.

What work?” he said. said.

“Good,” Fanjul laughingly said “Work is my mom being in a sweatwhile snapping a picture with his cam- shop 16 hours a day. I’m having fun.

What do I do? I just engaged in belly era phone.

Back in the car and off to various dancing with one of my constituents.”

That night, Liu said he’d go home, events in the City for Liu. My day bugtuck his son Joey into bed and then ging him would end soon.

I noticed it was 2:30 p.m. and Liu make some more phone calls.

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at still hadn’t eaten lunch. My own grumbling stomach prompted me to ask if jorovic@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127. he was a workaholic.

COREY

Page 22 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

The constant press attention threw Liu a bit off schedule early in the day.

PATRICIA

Dolan

BY LORI GROSS “When [John] was first elected to the City Council, it happened with the birth of his son Joseph. John was the first person I ever knew who ran a website for a newborn child,” recalled Executive Vice President of the Queens Civic Congress Patricia Dolan. “Joseph was the star of the website,” she said, recalling her most pronounced personal memory of Liu. Dolan said she has known Liu as a civic leader on the Queens Civic Congress and a council member. “He has been an aggressive leader in the Coun-

cil, and very effective advocate of effective transportation for all of us,” said Dolan. She was especially taken with his work rebuilding pedestrian access and safety in Flushing, and his leadership as an advocate for the paratransportation program Access-A-Ride.

Liu, she recalled, was very active in issues relating to the rezoning of parts of Flushing – which she called the Historic capital of Queens – and an advocate of neighborhood preservation and landmarking.

“I hope that he is going to provide the City with a really, really strong advocate for fiscal responsibility or effective management of city agencies. I believe that that he’s going to bring to the office of Comptroller his own history of active oversight,” which she said now is particularly important.

Reach Reporter Lori Gross at lgross@queenstribune.com, or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

Bearak

BY LORI GROSS “City Hall acts like Big Brother; instead of telling us what we need, instead they should be asking us,” said Corey Bearak, of the North Bellerose Civic Association. He thinks Comptroller John Liu will be more in touch.

“John is a personable person. He’s a nice guy. And I think he’s very hardworking. To me, those are qualities I like in somebody.” Bearak said he knew of a number of times when Liu made personal phone calls reaching out to people for support – a testament, Bearak feels, to his tenacity.

Many politicians make phone calls themselves to voters, but Liu “didn’t leave any stone unturned,” said Bearak.

Bearak was involved with the Queens Civic Congress while Liu chaired the Congress’ committee on transportation. According to Bearak, Liu was a lead advocate on the pet causes of the Congress: tolls, bridges and transparency issues within the MTA. “He was always opposed to putting tolls on free bridges. He’s very strong on issues regarding MTA is-

sues and fare hikes in general.”

Bearak credits Liu with helping to draw attention to what he calls disparities and short falls in state and federal funding for the MTA – especially how bus and subway fares are subsidized as compared to the LIRR and Metro North.

“The many audits that the Comptroller does can help influence policy. It can help save money. The mayor’s office sometimes reacts politically instead of on the substance.

John’s commitment to transparency I think will further that as well,” said Bearak. He believes there are always inefficiencies in the budget that someone with a keen eye can spot out.

He credits John with having a “sensitivity” measured to the needs of the City’s population – one which goes beyond simple accounting. For instance, he doesn’t believe that Liu would move to make “cuts from outside the classroom,” since he himself is the parent of a school-aged child.

Reach Reporter Lori Gross at lgross@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 23

TOM

JOANNE

Galante

Strauss

BY KAITLYN KILMETIS Any friend of the libraries is a friend of Tom Galante, which is why the Queens Library Director is so fond of John Liu. “John has been a great supporter of libraries,” Galante said. “He put his money where his mouth is and did a great job in advocating and funding.”

Liu dedicated $1.5 million in City Council capital funding to renovate libraries in his district. A large component of the funding went to Flushing Library, which Galante hails the busiest library in the country with 10,000 visitors daily.

The funding financed the installation of a new cyber center with additional computers and computer space and the implementation of a new media center. Also, in 2010 a selfcheck-in-and-out function will be installed so patrons can automatically make returns 24 hours a day.

Galante said Liu also contributed by bringing many political bigwigs, like Gov. David Paterson and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, to events at the library.

“John was a Councilman who was always very active in supporting the library,” Galante said. “Every time when we had an event or something with the community John was always there.”

After approaching Liu with an assortment of ideas to improve the li-

brary, Galante said Liu said how much he wanted to help – and then followed up those words with action.

He emphasized that Liu is an extremely hard-working man with strong roots and principles.

“He’s the kind of man that always showed character,” he said. “He always showed strong commitment and loyalty to the people he serves. He’s a man with great public service principles.”

Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.

BILL

Lynch

has attended. She remarked on how friendly and welcoming Liu always is and how his “very bright and inquisitive” son seems to be “following in Daddy’s foot steps.”

Strauss also continued that among her current students, Liu is often fodder for conversation, especially in light of his new citywide position. In fact, a few of her current students were involved with the Bronx Science alum’s last campaign.

“One of those students said, ‘Are you going to vote for John Liu?’ and I said ‘I don’t live in New York City, but if I did I would definitely vote for John Liu.’,” Strauss said.

Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.

AL

Rankin appeal and members of all ethnic and economic backgrounds feel at ease when interacting with him.

“There’s not a community in the city that he couldn’t go in and have an affinity for,” Lynch said.

He also said after working with many elected officials, Liu was one who stood out for being a great family man who put his wife and son first.

Lynch believes Liu has the potential to become Governor of the state of New York and encouraged everyone to keep their eye on this rising star.

“Watch John Liu as it relates to the future of politics in New York City,” he said. “At the rate John is going, I think the sky is the limit for him.”

Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.

BY KAITLYN KILMETIS Al Rankin’s first encounter with John Liu was awkward to say the least.

During his first City Council race, Liu introduced himself to Rankin although he was clearly supporting one of his opponents.

“I just thought, ‘well, this is really weird. He sees I have someone else’s button on but he’s still coming to shake my hand,’” said Rankin, who admitted that he found the moment interesting and endearing.

He said from that moment forward he could tell Liu was warm and friendly, but also a determined politician and he was not one to hold a grudge.

Rankin, who serves as the Vice President of the Flushing Democratic Club and the chairman of the board at the Latimer House Museum Board,

said all his interactions with Liu have been positive. He said he has been very helpful in contributing time and money to the Latimer house and his door is always open.

“He’s been a very cooperative person you can depend on to sit down and talk with,” he said. “He seems like someone who cares a lot about everyone and tries to be fair.”

Rankin also added that Liu is a kind person who always exhibits integrity and honesty. In terms of being named “Person of the Year,” Rankin said he thinks the distinction is well-deserved.

“For ‘Person of the Year’ I think you couldn’t have picked a better person,” he said. “I think he fits that title very well.”

Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 25

BY KAITLYN KILMETIS To widely-respected political advisor Bill Lynch, John Liu is a force to be reckoned with.

Coming from Lynch, who served as a key adviser to Nelson Mandela, managed David N. Dinkins’ mayoral campaign, served as Deputy Campaign Manager for John Kerry’s presidential bid and was the Democratic National Committee’s Vice Chair from 1997 to 2003, that’s quite a compliment.

Lynch, who advised Liu in his race for Comptroller, believes the future has great things in store for his client.

“He’s one of the rising stars in politics,” he said “He is a very grounded guy and really cares about the city of New York and has truly been a servant in the City in his two terms in the City Council.”

Lynch added that Liu will make an outstanding Comptroller and is one of the few electeds “who puts people first and truly believes in building coalitions.”

“He understands what I call ‘the great mosaic of New York,’ and tries to relate to all the various cultural and ethnic groups of the City,” he said.

According to Lynch, Liu has mass

BY KAITLYN KILMETIS John Liu may go by many names – outgoing City Councilman, Comptroller-elect, community leader and public servant – but to Joanne Strauss he’s simply “Row 3, Seat 2.” After 38 years as a math teacher at Bronx Science, Strauss has a knack for remembering where her stand out students sat, and Liu is no exception.

“He was one of the students you don’t forget,” she said.

Strauss said in her 11th grade advanced math course for gifted children, Liu was always at the top of the class.

She added that he was always eager to help his fellow classmates so when she learned he had become involved with politics she was not the least bit surprised.

“I could definitely tell he would have something to do with public service,” Strauss said. “You could just see by the way he interacted with other students with a caring, concerned, unselfish attitude.”

Strauss and Liu reconnected a few years ago at an annual Bronx Science celebration. Strauss said since she doesn’t live in Queens she didn’t know Liu was a Councilman, but when he got up to give a speech she remembered his face.

Then during Liu’s speech he acknowledged, “I see an old teacher of mine.” Strauss recalled thinking “Gee, thanks John,” pleased that he had remembered her but less than keen of the “old” part.

Since then at the celebration Strauss has sat with Liu each year he

HELEN

STEVE

Marshall

Salzinger

BY KAITLYN KILMETIS Borough President Helen Marshall offered her best wishes to John Liu after he was named the borough’s most influential resident by the Tribune.

“Congratulations to John on his being chosen as ‘Person of the Year,” Marshall said.

After years of working with John throughout the borough, the Borough President had a number of praises for the Comptroller-elect.

She also noted the fact, with his ascension into citywide office, even more New Yorkers will benefit from his unyielding efforts.

“John is a hardworking and tire-

ROBBIE

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Steve Salzinger first met his good friend John Liu in the early 1980s while both men were students at Bronx High School of Science even though the two came from the same Bayside neighborhood. They became even closer friends after graduation when they both attended SUNY Binghamton and served on the student government.

That’s when Salzinger knew Liu had a future in politics.

“He has the ability to communicate complex ideas in a very straightforward way. He has a very pragmatic, people-centric way of bringing people together to address very, very difficult issues,” Salzinger said, “It always made him stand out.”

Growing up in a tight-knit middleclass neighborhood with very simple surroundings, with very close families, gave Liu the ability to relate to working people, according to Salzinger.

“When you grow up in that type of close-knit community, you have a deeper understanding of what’s important to people,” he said.

Salzinger described his long-time

Garrison

ALEX & SANTHE

point out Liu’s opposition to Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to increase term limits endeared him to many in the community. She said Liu could have decided to run again for a third term, but decided not to and instead sought citywide office because he believed the city council should not overturn a decision made by the people.

“Once the people speak, you need to pay attention,” said Garrison. “He stood up to Mayor Bloomberg on the issue and kept his promise. It takes real grit to stand up to that, and he did.”

Garrison said when she found out Liu would run for Comptroller, she told him she would do anything she could to help.

“I told him ‘any calls I can make, any people I can talk to, any letters I can write, I’ll do it,’” Garrison said.

“The belief in his ability to do this job in this community is large.”

Garrison said Liu would be missed in Flushing – especially by those under 40.

“He gave [youths] things to do in the community to make them feel like they mattered,” she said.

She said she feels comforted with the fact that Liu is taking most of his council staff with him because he’ll “still have Flushing with him” when he gets to City Hall.

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

Gellos

BY KAITLYN KILMETIS For the past few years, Alex Gellos and John Liu have had a running joke. The 77-year-old proudly proclaims he only wishes to live long enough to see that day his neighbor is named Mayor of New York City.

“I hope to see him sworn in before I kick off,” Gellos said laughing.

Gellos said he often expresses this sentiment to Liu who will try to hush him or respond with an, “Alex don’t say that. You’re going t live a long time whether I become Mayor or not.”

But that does not quiet Gellos from expressing his mayoral plans for Liu. “I think he’s right on that path.,” he said, “That right trajectory.”

The Gellos’, Alex and Santhe, met Liu 15 years ago when members of the neighborhood gathered to form the North Flushing Civic Association, for which Liu eventually served as President and Santhe serves as long time Treasurer.

After developing a friendship, the Gellos’ became increasingly interested in politics and would aid Liu in his City Council campaigns. Both recall countless hours spent going door-todoor gathering signatures with Liu.

friend as a “very, very smart man” who is the “perfect match” for the position of Comptroller because of his “superior knowledge” of math and “extremely analytical mind.”

“John has a strong command of numbers and financial issues, “said Salzinger. “He also has a deep understanding of how they affect people.”

Salzinger said as a politician, John is “very pragmatic” and focused 100 percent on improving the lives of the citizens of the city he grew up in.

“There are people who are politicians who seek elected office for many different reasons, but there’s no question John’s goals and objects are to help bring common sense to the City of New York,” said Salzinger.

“I’m extremely proud to call John my friend; I’m extremely proud of him.

He did a lot in the City Council and I’m convinced he is the perfect match for the City now when it’s going through these tough times.”

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

Alex remembers the routine they eventually cultivated. Alex would begin the conversation and then Liu would chime in after a few minutes.

At one door, a skeptic asked Alex, “So, what do you really think of him?”

To which Alex recalled throwing his arm around Liu and boasting, “If John didn’t have a mother and father, I would adopt him. That’s what I think about him.”

Santhe also recalled fond memories of her first time participating in a grass roots campaign, although she noted the entire process is grueling and requires so many committed volunteers.

“It was easy to get involved because it was him,” she said.

Santhe said in the political arena, Liu is very honorable, upfront, patient and trustworthy. But on a more personal note, he is a dedicated family man and always juggles a demanding job and time for his wife and son.

“He manages his time very well, but he’s very busy and I know he doesn’t get enough rest,” said Santhe, who admits in a motherly way she worries about whether he’s eating and sleeping enough with so much on his plate.

“I marvel at him,” Santhe said.

“It’s inspiring to know him,” Alex interjected.

Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 27

BY DOMENICK RAFTER Robbie Garrison first met John Liu, whom she describes as a “Flushing guru” when he was first running for the City Council in 1997. Garrison was part of the local effort to preserve the Old Towne of Flushing Burial Ground, a former pauper’s cemetery where nearly 1,000 people are buried. Some in the community wanted to build a playground on the site, but Liu sided with the activists.

“He did not understand why anywhere, by anyone, people could be paved over,” Garrison said.

After he lost the 1997 election, Garrison didn’t see him again until he won the council seat in 2001, when she had gone to him, as the new city councilmember, for help with the cemetery.

“He listened, asked questions, make a commitment to us,” Garrison said.

“That commitment never went away.”

Garrison said John went to members of the adjacent community, who wanted the site to be a playground, and fought tirelessly to convince them to support making the site a memorial park, and eventually won the neighbors over.

Garrison said Liu’s success comes from his ability to communicate to everyone.

“He has been able to talk to every ethnic group, and mingle in the crowd,” she said. Garrison went on to

less advocate for his constituents, whose number will now increase dramatically with his election to citywide office,” she said.

Marshall said she is confident Liu will leave a lasting impact on the City and show all of New York City what he has already demonstrated to the borough over the past decade.

“He is writing new chapters in our city’s history,” Marshall said. “New York City will now discover what Queens already knew... John is terrific!”

Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.

FREE SYNAGOGUE OF

TIMOTHY

Flushing

Marshall

BY LORI GROSS When the Free Synagogue of Flushing sought to raise $500,000 to restore its sanctuary, the members went to John Liu. “He has always been very supportive – but he has limitations, because we’re a religious organization, and he’s a secular arm,” said synagogue President Florence Boyar.

Liu could not aid the synagogue with grant money to repair the temple’s stained glass windows and other structural damage to its domed roof. Boyar credits him instead with graciousness, and a willingness to listen.

“He has always come to things and spoken at our events – a lot of interfaith stuff. I think we have found him very helpful in that area,” said Boyar.

Despite being embroiled in a race for comptroller, Liu was able to make a good impression on the relatively new Rabbi Michael Weisser, who has only been at his post in Flushing since

Rabbi Michael Weisser last year. “I just wish to congratulate him on becoming comptroller and I think he was the best guy for the job,” said Weisser. “He’s been a good friend to our congregation.”

Reach Reporter Lori Gross at lgross@queenstribune.com, or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

EDWIN

Page 28 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

Westley

BY LORI GROSS When Edwin Westley of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group had the idea to run for City Council eight years ago, he went to John Liu for advice. Liu and Westley were on the Queens Civic Congress together – where Liu chaired the transportation committee—and Liu had won his Council seat serving Flushing.

Westley eventually decided not to run, but remembers the pearls of wisdom that Liu and his wife had offered him: a “fire in the belly” for a life in politics is essential, as is the total support of your family.

The Queens Civic Congress in an umbrella organization of over 100 different civic organizations within Queens County, like the Beautification Group, which according to Westley advocates different consensus-drawn positions. Liu’s time spent on the body’s transportation committee was partly spent studying routes of commercial trucks coming through the borough.

One of Liu’s accomplishments, to which Westley gave special acknowledgement, was Liu’s development of a blueprint for which City streets trucks were legally allowed to traffic; commercial trucks are supposed to be permitted to pass only certain arteries within Queens, according to Westley. The map Liu created

BY LORI GROSS Timothy Marshall of The Jamaica Business Resource Center read John Liu as “a real people’s person,” on first meeting in 2003.

Simultaneously, Marshall thought Liu was “very serious and committed to the issues facing his constituency,” and “tireless” in his willingness to make himself available when needed.

By Marshall’s account, Liu has been an advocate of minority and women-owned businesses, also seeking to strengthen local Queens businesses and protecting their interests.

Marshall is grateful to Liu for being a supporter of JBRC’s various capacity building initiatives, offering technical assistance, training in fundamental business management and financial literacy. He credits Liu with giving the organization access to capital and contract opportunities in the City.

When the Rev. Floyd Flake hosted candidates for the Office of Comptroller during a service at the Greater Allen AME Cathedral, Marshall recalled the “great excitement in the air” when Liu was introduced, and that the then-Councilman received a standing ovation. “It was clear that people felt a warm and good connection with him and that

he was truly a people’s candidate,” said Marshall.

“Mr. Liu ran on the notion of the Comptroller’s office being more than about numbers. He believes that this office is about the people of New York City,” Marshall said. “We [JBRC] could not agree with him more. During these challenging times, we believe the Comptroller’s office must be inclusive of all the citizens of New York, their needs and concerns. This includes diversity in his various economic impact initiatives. We believe him when he says that his office will do more with less and we stand ready to support him.”

Reach Reporter Lori Gross at lgross@queenstribune.com, or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

REV. CALVIN

Gibson was for the whole city.

Liu also advocated for further north-to-south bus routes in Queens, which do not match the need, according to Westley.

“One of the things that my wife and I like about John,” said Westley, “he’s one of the few that’s reached out not only to his own ethnic community, but every ethnic community within New York City. I suspect that’s what got him Comptroller. He did it long before running for his Council seat.”

Westley’s analysis of Liu’s talent for creating coalitions has been echoed by many who know him.

Reach Reporter Lori Gross at lgross@queenstribune.com, or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

BY LORI GROSS “That’s beautiful and appropriate,” said the Rev. Calvin Gibson of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Flushing, upon hearing that the Tribune had chosen John Liu as the Person of the Year. The thought was echoed in kind

by Florence Salgado, who works at the church. “He’s our man,” she said zealously.

Gibson and Liu met about a year ago. “Since my beginning, he has been very helpful and energetic. I think he’s a model for 21st century politicians; He understands it’s important to form coalitions,” Gibson said.

He lauded Liu for being “comfortable among all ethnic groups,” and interacting “magnificently with different cultures.” Part of Liu’s multicultural savvy is his plumbed knowledge of different cultures – and understanding of the “needs and ways” of all cultures. As Gibson sees it, Liu understands “that all of us re-

ally are in the same boat. All have the same issues. We need to handle them all together.”

Gibson called Liu a “conversationalist.” The two would give one another advice on how to solve problems for the less fortunate. Liu’s knowledge about what social services were available for seniors and the community at large were of great benefit to Gibson’s congregation.

“The bottom line with John, I’ve found, is what is best for the community,” Gibson said. “I think it’s going to be a easy transition for John, because he understands the needs of the entire City. He understands the financial situation that we are in. He has the knowledge, the compassion, the concern. I think it’s only the beginning of what he’s going to do for New York City – or the country.”

Reach Reporter Lori Gross at lgross@queenstribune.com, or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

Queens Deadline

Employment Figures Show Trouble Spots

By JOSEPH OROV IC New figures released by the left-leaning Fiscal Policy Institute showcase the growing disparity among Queens' unemployed residents.

The numbers tell the tale of a borough divided by geography, socio-economic factors and race. Elected officials representing the hardest hit areas presented a host of solutions.

"My district is an example the socio economic diversity that is New York," said Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows), whose district includes the broadest spectrum of the unemployment figures. "I've got every ethnic, economic and geographic break up in my district. All these things correlate with your economic fortunes. It's a very complicated mix of socio-economic fac-

tors that account for people's employability."

The numbers dice the borough into seven sections, with Northeastern Queens sporting the lowest overall unemployment rate at 6.3 percent. But Southern Queens, comprised of Southeast and Howard Beach-Woodhaven, have double-digit rates at 12.2 percent and 11.4 percent respectively.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), who also serves on the legislative body's Labor Committee, said the high rate in his district does not surprise him due to its working class population. While high-minded thinking about the broader economy nationwide is merited, Addabbo said he prefers meat and potatoes cures.

Aside from holding job fairs, the Senator said an issue as simple as being able to get to work may play a big role in lowering the figures.

"The MTA issue becomes a very important issue. We can't make it harder for people to get to their job site," he said. "They will go miles to provide for their family."

Addabbo said proposed service cuts will only add to the problem.

Lancman took a broader look at the trouble, saying there is only so much that can be done at the state and local level, while echoing Addabbo's point.

"Most people don't work in the neighborhood in which they live. You might live in Richmond Hill but you work in Manhattan or Brooklyn," he said. "Trying to direct an economic initiative at a particular neighborhood is very difficult," he said.

A two-pronged approach which addresses job-growth while reinforcing the social safety net might be best, according to

Lancman, who serves on the Assembly's Labor Committee.

"The protection side of the problem is very much in the hands of the State," he said.

"It's the State that enforces the labor laws and the State that has flexibility to protect people that are being exploited."

Job creation and economic growth is another matter.

"It requires broad-based economic growth," Lancman said. "Why isn't there economic growth? The president said it himself - banks aren't lending. The federal government needs to require banks to loosen up their lending restrictions to get money flowing again."

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

DiNapoli Tells NYRA To Hand Over Books

By DOMENICK RAFTER New York Racing Association President Charles Hayward warned his organization may run out of money as early as May, forcing the closure of NYRA's three thoroughbred horse tracks and threatening the Belmont Stakes, one of horse racing's premier events, which is scheduled to be held June 5.

"If we can't make payroll, we have to shut down. There is certainly a possibility that Belmont may not open and there will be no third leg of the Triple Crown," Hayward said.

Hayward points to the lack of video lottery terminals at Aqueduct Racetrack as a primary reason for NYRA's financial problems that could close the state's three tracks and cancel the Belmont Stakes.

NYRA had been counting on revenue from VLTs, but the so called "racino" at Aqueduct, approved more than eight years ago, have been delayed while Gov. David Paterson and state legislative leaders decide which of five private sector firms get to run the racino.

Under legislation passed in February 2008, the state directed 14 to 16 percent of revenues from video lottery terminals at Aqueduct Racetrack to help NYRA fund operations once the VLTs are operational.

Hayward blames the indecision by the governor and legislative leaders for its current financial problems.

In the meantime, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli subpoenaed records from NYRA on Dec. 28, using authority granted under the 2008 legislation that allows his office to look into books and accounts of NYRA relating to financial matters, as well as annual financial statements and outside audits of the agency.

DiNapoli said the audit comes after NYRA denied the Comptroller's Office access to its financial records.

"Less than six months ago, NYRA said it was financially stable," DiNapoli said. "Now NYRA says without VLT money it may not be able to stay in operation until the Belmont Stakes. In the meantime, [NYRA has] been trying to hide its books from my auditors. It's the same old NYRA in new sheep's clothing, trying to shortchange taxpayers again."

DiNapoli said NYRA has the responsibility to keep the public aware of why it is having trouble.

"NYRA operates for the benefit of New York. Taxpayers have a right to know what's going on, and we're going to audit NYRA and find out," he said.

In that same legislation from 2008, NYRA reconstituted itself as a not-for-profit corporation in order to gain a new 25-year franchise to operate the state's three largest thoroughbred racetracks; Aqueduct in South Ozone Park, Belmont Park in Elmont and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs. The state also made a direct payment of $105 million to NYRA. DiNapoli's audit would examine these millions of dollars in state payments made to NYRA over the past couple years and monies owed the state by NYRA. Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 125.

Protesters Surprised As Maloney Steps Up

By DOMENICK RAFTER A group protesting the Senate healthcare bill in front of the office of U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) received a pleasant surprise when the Congresswoman came out and chatted with them about the bill and their concerns.

MoveOn.org organized what it called a "rapid response action" team to Maloney's district office on 28-11 Astoria Blvd. in Astoria on Dec. 21. Steve Leser, coordinator for the Queens MoveOn.org council, said the goal of the demonstration was to thank Maloney for her work on supporting a public option in the House healthcare bill and for opposing the so-called Stupak Amendment, which banned federal funds for abortion.

The group demonstrated by singing parodies of Christmas and Chanukah songs with lyrics changed to express their opinions on healthcare reform. While demonstrating outside her Astoria office in the cold, the group was taken by surprise when Maloney, herself, came out and talked to them.

"She was extremely gracious," Leser said, "She came out and talked with us for a good 20 minutes and urged us to talk to Sen. Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand."

"She was very supportive," said Astoria resident Janine Melillo, who was among the protestors. "We were really honored to have her there."

Leser said they had faxed Maloney's office the weekend before to let her know that they would be there, but did not expect to actually see the Congresswoman herself.

MoveOn.org has been critical of the cur-

rent healthcare bill that passed the Senate on Dec. 24, which does not have a public option. They have also sharply criticized the Stupak Amendment, which Maloney opposed. Maloney, who represents Astoria and Long Island City, as well as the Upper East Side and Midtown sections of Manhattan, is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, a group of more than 80 Democratic members of Congress who have been fighting for a public option to be included in the bill. Leser said the group also wanted to push Maloney to improve the bill after it passes the Senate and goes to a conference committee to be reconciled with the House bill.

"There are a lot of problems in the Senate bill," Leser said. "We wanted Maloney to know that we want her to keep fighting for a better bill and that we support her in that fight."

Leser said Maloney also talked with them about other issues, including the credit card reform bill that passed Congress and was signed by President Barack Obama in May. Maloney sponsored the bill in the House.

"We were very pleased she took the time to talk with us," Leser said.

Leser said MoveOn.org would probably hold more of these events, especially at the offices of Schumer and Gillibrand. He said, "a lot of people were waiting to see the final text" of the bill before deciding what further action to take.

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

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 33

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli ordered an audit of the New York Racing Association after the organization warned it may go under and force the cancellation of the Belmont Stakes.

Hayward said he would take the Comptroller to court over the audit, arguing that an unrelated Court of Appeals ruling from last summer has relevance to NYRA and would exempt the organization from audits by the Comptroller's office because it is a non-profit organization. Hayward also said NYRA is already regulated by the Attorney General's office, the Racing and Wagering Board, state tax officials and a state franchise oversight board, eliminating the need for it to be regulated by the Comptroller's office as well.

Prior audits by the Comptroller's office have found that NYRA failed to pay the state nearly $54 million in franchise fees from 2000 to 2005.

Georgia

Diner & Restaurant

Happy Holidays

From Our Winning Staff Dinner Includes Choice of Appetizer or Cup of Soup or Juice, Celery and Olives, House Salad with Choice of Dressing, Entrée, Vegetable, Potato, Challah Bread & Rolls, Any Pastry and Beverage, Dried Fruit and Nuts

Beer

Wines by the Glass

Budweiser ..........................

Heineken ............................

Amstel ................................

Corona ...............................

5.00 Classic Red ......................... 4.75 5.00 Classic White ...................... 4.75 5.00 Blush ................................. 4.75 5.00

Appetizers Extra on Dinner

Extra on Dinner

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ....... 9.95 Chicken Fingers .................

Filet of Marinated Herring .. 6.50 Mozzarella Sticks ...............

Baked Stuffed Clams ........... 6.95 Buffalo Wings .....................

Potato Skins (6 Pieces) ......

5.95 5.95 5.95 5.95

STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES with Rice • FRUIT SALAD Cocktail Supreme Assorted JUICES• HALF GRAPEFRUIT Maraschino Homemade CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVER PATÉ’

Soups CREAM of TURKEY — MANHATTAN CLAM CHOWDER CHICKEN CONSOMME with Rice, Noodles or Matzoh Balls

Page 34 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

Entrees ROAST MARYLAND TURKEY with Apple Raisin Dressing ............... 24.95 VIRGINIA HAM STEAK Served with Wild Berry Ragu ..................... 23.95 ROAST LEG of LAMB with Mint Jelly ........................................... 25.95 ROAST PRIME RIB of BEEF Au Jus ............................................ 27.95 CHICKEN PARMIGIANA with Spaghetti ....................................... 22.95 ROAST CHICKEN with Apple Raisin Dressing ............................... 22.95 BROILED VEAL CHOP .............................................................. 31.95 BROILED HEAVY NY CUT SIRLOIN with Mushroom Caps .............. 32.95 BROILED FILET MIGNON with Mushroom Caps ........................... 33.95 BROILED FILET of SOLE ALMONDINE Topped with Roasted Almonds ... 29.95 BROILED STUFFED FILET of SOLE with Crabmeat Stuffing .......... 32.95 BROILED SEAFOOD COMBINATION: Shrimps, Scallops, Filet of Sole, Halibut and Baked Clams ........................................................... 34.95 BROILED LOBSTER TAILS with Drawn Butter ............................. 45.95 BEEF & REEF: FILET MIGNON & TENDER ROCK LOBSTER Served with salad, potato and veg ................................................................. 46.95 VEGETABLES: Green Beans Almondine • Sweet Peas • Glazed Baby Belgian Carrots • Broccoli Spears • Creamed Spinach • Corn on the Cob • Mashed Turnips POTATOES: Baked • Fresh Garlic Mashed • French Fries • Candied Yams

Children’s Menu ROAST TURKEY with Apple Raisin Dressing ................................

ROAST LEG of LAMB with Mint Jelly ...........................................

CHEESE RAVIOLI topped with Mozzarella ....................................

CHICKEN PARMIGIANA with Spaghetti ........................................

15.95 15.95 15.95 15.95

Beverages

Desserts

SODA, JUICE, COFFEE OR TEA

APPLE PIE, CHEESE CAKE, ASSORTED DANISH, CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE OR ANY OTHER PASTRY

Make Reservations for Private Parties for The Holidays!

Georgia Diner 85-55 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst 718-651-9000

Leisure

Year Of The Tiger Roars At Town Hall As the Year of the Tiger draws near, Flushing Town Hall is preparing to host a slew of events to celebrate the coming Lunar New Year.

Traditional Korean Music and Dance will be brought by Noreum Machi of South Korea. Noreum Machi is an energetic Korean music and dance ensemble that performs the virtuosic percussion music known as SamulNori. Audiences will be immersed in Korean culture with the stunning combination of traditional dance and movement, rhythm and sounds, and elaborate costumes.

Per formances will be held Saturday, Jan. 30, at 2:30 p.m.

There will be an interactive ar t exhibit for ages six and up on the same day at 1 p.m.

The Tigers in the House exhibit, curated

by K. K. Wong, will open Friday, Feb. 12, and run through Sunday, March 28. The exhibit will be open Saturdays and Sundays

from noon to 5 p.m.

An opening reception will be held Feb. 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Explore Lunar New Year and Year of the Tiger tradit ions with our exhibit of tiger-inspired crafts, masks, and prints handcrafted by Chine se ar tists from China, New York and California.

An ar tists' talk w ill be held Sunday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. with the discussion, tour and painting demonstration by Qing-Xuan Yu. Another talk will be held Saturday, March 13, at 2 p.m. followed by a Draw a Tiger workshop for families with Xiao-Xue. On Feb. 14, at 2 p.m., enjoy some PanAsian Jazz with the Meg Okura Pan-Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble.

Composer, violinist and erhu player Meg Okura, a Juilliard trained classical violinist, is one of the leading voices in today's "WorldChamber Jazz" scene, which blends classical, jazz and world music. She also has performed extensively with some of the biggest names in music, including David Bowie, Diane Reeves, Kanye West and Quincy Jones.

On Feb. 20 there will be a Lunar New Year Dance Sampler at 2 p . m w i t h p e r fo r mances from Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, presented by NY Institute of Culture and the Art s.

A Lunar New Year Tea Ceremony will be held Saturday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. featuring a tradit ional Tea Ceremony demonstration Blue Pipa Trio will per form Saturday, March 6, pre sented by Luh Yu

Buddy's: Oy, It's Good

REVIEW

Chamber Ensemble Concert featuring Korean Musicians of the NY Philharmonic and Friends.

Korean principal members of the New York Philharmonic, including Michelle Kim, violin, Assistant Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic; Lisa Kim, violin, Associate Principal of the New York Philharmonic, and Eileen Moon, cello, Associate Principal of the New York Philharmonic, bring the sounds of spring to our Queens community-an unforget table experience.

The per formance is co-presented by Flushing Town Hall, JS Ar ts, and the Korean Cultural Service of New York.

For information, visit: w ww.flushingtownhall.org, or cal l the box office: (718) 463-7700, Ext. 222.

Thalia Takes Two And Brings A Tango "Borge s & Piazzolla Tango" is an innovative, bilingual World Premiere tango musical created, designed, and directed by Spanish director Angel Gil Orrios with music composed/ arranged/directed by Latin Grammy winner Raul Jaurena, based on the collaboration between two famous Argentinean masters: poet and writer Jorge Luis Borges and composer Astor Piazzolla.

This will be the first time anyone has created a musical theatre production from the fruits of this extraordinary partnership. The product ion w ill mark its 50t h anniversar y, and bring it before a whole new generation.

While the t wo art ist s are celebrated worldwide, their unique collaboration is not well known outside of tango circles.

The libretto for the production will be an adaptation by Angel Gil Orrios of several poems and short stories of Borge s' about Ta n g o a n d i t s c h a r a c t e r s , i n c l u d i n g "Hombre de la esquina rosada" (Man from the Pink Corner). Its story of love, conflict, and reconciliation will be told with Borges' words (Spanish and English) and the music composed specifically for his text by Piazzolla. It will look, sound and feel like a classic film noir in the style of gangster films, suspense ala Hitchcock, or detective stories,

with the artists at times stepping in and out from a black and white film projection, to bring the live act ion onto a color ful stage.

The imaginative set and lighting design will incorporate front and/or rear projections of Borges' text, both in English and in Spanish, on the different shaped screens and scrims surrounding the action.

It will feature original music a nd new, inventive arrangements of Piazzolla's compositions for Borges' texts by celebrated bandoneon Maestro Raul Jaurena, whose compositions for Thalia's 2005 tango musical, "Te Amo Tango" (recorded live at the theatre and released on CD by Soundbrush Records), won the 2007 Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album. He will per form with his ensemble of six musicians. The production also will feature singers Marga Mitchell and Francisco Fuertes, actress Soledad Lopez, and three pairs of tango dancers.

"Borge s & Piazzol la Tango" w i ll have an eight-week run in Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside Jan. 29 to March 21; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m.

For more information visit the theatre's website at w w w.thaliatheatre.org or call (718) 729-3880.

Mulchfest Jan 9 & 10 On Saturday, Jan. 9, and Sunday, Jan. 10, the New York City Parks Department will host the annual MulchFest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day at locat ions Cit y wide.

Bring your holiday tree to one of 80+ designated parks to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the City or your own garden!

This year, the Cit y hopes to encourage thousands of New York households to help the environment and the community by bringing their trees to the nearest collection site - there will be over 30 chipping sites and about 50 drop-off sites throughout the five boroughs.

Remember to remove all lights and decorations before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site. You w ill have the oppor tunity to take home your mulch at designated chipping sites.

The following sites will be open in Queens: Astoria Park, 19th Street & Hoyt Avenue,

Chipping; Baisley Pond Park, Parking lot at B a i s l e y Po n d Ave n u e , D r op - o f f o n l y ; Cunningham Park, Visitor Parking Lot & 196th Street, Chipping; Forest Park Bandshell, Forest Park Drive, west of Woodhaven Boulevard, Chipping; Juniper Valley Park, Asphalt Ballfield: 80th Street between North Juniper & South Juniper Boulevards, Chipping; Kissena Park (Sunday Only), Velodrome Parking Lot/Booth Memorial Avenue between Kissena & Parsons Blvd., Chipping; Kissena Park (Saturday Only), Velodrome Parking Lot: Booth Memorial Avenue between Kissena & Parsons Blvd., Drop-off only; Land Restoration Project Compound, Queens Plaza south & 10th Street, Drop-off only; Rockaway Beach, Shore Front Parkway & Beach 94th Street, Drop-off only; Roy Wilkins Park, Parking lot at Merrick Boulevard, Chipping; and Travers Park, 78th Street at 34th Avenue, Chipping.

For more information about MulchFest visit w ww.nyc.gov/parks/mulchfest.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 35

thick and tasty homemade brew, a rare treat in a city where so many delis favor a can opener to fresh ingredients.

My next dish, Stuffed Cabbage, was the most surprisingly delicious entrĂŠe I sampled. For years, my Irish relatives have been unsucce ssfully tr ying to breathe life into this wallflower vegetable. Buddy's does it by wrapping tender cabbage slices It takes as many as four Hearound a beef and rice filling and brew words to describe some- RESTAURANT serving it with a light, sweet raithing that is amazing or great: sin sauce and French Fries that chaval al ha zman. In English, it are so void of oil they're practijust takes one word: Buddy's. cally weightless.

Buddy's Kosher Delicatessen A trip to a Kosher deli is inRestaurant has been delighting complete w ithout trying the hot Queens re sidents w ith hear t y Corned Beef and Pastrami sandJewish staples since 1950. While w ich. I ordered mine on r ye the front of the establishment rebread, which balanced the tensemble s a n ordi nar y deli, the der and perfectly salted meat, but back dining room is a love let ter you can also have it served in a to a bygone era, w ith color ful murals that knish. And though I haven't enjoyed a knish feature vintage advertisement s for honest in years, Buddy's Spinach Knish, with its lawyers, $5 hot knishes, $4 used suits, and thin dough wrap, shared lit tle in common a tribute to the New York Giants (the base- with the overly-fried, oily knishes of my ball team, of course). childhood flea market trips. I ended my It was difficult to choose just one soup lunch w ith a slice of Sweet Potato Pie, a from the extensive list that includes thick pudding-like de sser t with just a hint Ch icken Soup with Matzoball, Split Pea, of cinnamon and brown sugar.

Cabbage Soup, and traditional Chicken And for anyone who doesn't appreciate Noodle. I ordered a Mushroom Barley the culinary skill it takes to produce a perSoup and was struck by how many siz- fectly tangy, crisp-as-ice pickle, head over to able, meaty mushrooms I found in the Buddy's and see what you've been missing.

BUDDY'S KOSHER DELI 215-01 73rd Avenue, Bayside PHONE: (718) 631-2110 CUISINE: Traditional Kosher Favor ites HOURS: Open seven days 9:30 a.m.

- 9 p.m.

CREDIT CARDS: All major DELIVERY: Yes (Minimum order $15)

Tea Emporium, Flushing.

The Chinese Blue Pipa Trio will perform Saturday, March 6, 2 p.m. Pipa player/ singer/composer Min Xiao-Fen, is a virtuoso and pioneer in both orchestral and underground projects. The Blue Pipa Trio, comprised of Min Xiao-Fen (pipa, vocals); Mark Helias (bass), and Steve Salerno (guitar), transcends borders w ith cut t ing-edge music. A breathtaking vir tuoso and courageous pioneer, Min blends ancient Chine se music and her own compositions with interpretations of jazz and bluegrass. Min XiaoFen's work has been commissioned by The Kitchen in NYC and the Trio has performed at the JVC Jazz Festival, and recorded for Bjork's new album.

On March 12 at 8 p.m. there will be a

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

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

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

SINGLES SINGLES 45+ Wednesdays, January 6, 13 the Singles Center of the Samuel Field Y in Flushing holds a Wednesday Night Rap. 7:30, $7. 225-6750, ext. 243.

Page 36 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

PARENTS RENAISSANCE SCHOOL Wednesday, January 6 Board of Trustees meeting at 7. 803-0060.

LA LECHE LEAGUE Thursday, January 7 at the Forest Hills library at 5.

OPEN HOUSE K-8 Wednesday, January 13 at 9, Thursday, January 21 at 6 and Tuesday, Februar y 9 at 9. Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights.

803-0060.

FREE SCHOOL HELP Free school help for students of all ages, parents and teachers. Go to website FreeSchoolHelp.com KIDS KORNER After School Center is at the Central Queens YM-YWHA in Forest Hills. 268-5011, ext. 201. Extended hours.

PLAYGROUP The CUMC Playgroup is accepting registration for its preschool parents’ cooperative program in Middle Village. Children 18 months to 4 years are eligible. 8942293.

ADHD OR PDD Daily after school programs to meet the needs of elementary school aged children who have learning disabilities and ADHD or PDD at the Bay Terrace Center, 212-00 23 rd Avenue, Bayside from 2:30-6:00. 225-6750, ext. 266.

TOUGH LOVE Tu e s d a y s a t 7 : 3 0 p . m .

To u g h l ov e I n te r n a t i o n a l Parent Support Group for parents of out-of-control children (teens, pre-teens and adult children) meet at IS158 in Bayside. 393-7788.

ANIBIC Association for Neurologically Impaired Brain Injured Children, Inc. sponsors programs including Saturday Play Group (5-17), Tutorial (5 to adult), Weekend Respite (17+), Young Adult Program (17+) and Adult Respite Program (21+). 4239550, ext. 243.

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

BOY SCOUTS Saturdays 1-3 at St. Paul’s Church. 271-4309.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays, January 2, 9 at the Flushing library at 2.

MATH HELP Saturdays, January 2, 9 at 10 at the Flushing library.

FAMILY STORY TIME Saturday, January 2 at the Flushing library at 11.

SATURDAY SCIENCE LAB Saturdays, January 2, 9 at noon at the Central library.

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

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Mondays, January 4, 11, 25 at the Baisley Park library at 4.

CRAFT KIDS Monday, January 4 at the Flushing library at 3.

EVERY DAY = HOLIDAY Monday-Friday, January 48 games, fun activities to celebrate the silliest holidays at the Corona library at 4.

MOVIE MAKING Monday, January 4 learn the movie making process at the Woodhaven libra r y. Register.

S TORY TIMES Tuesdays at 10:30 and Thursdays at 7 weekly story times at 7 at Barnes & Noble, 1766 0 U n i o n Tu r n p i ke , Fre s h Meadows.

AFTERSCHOOL STORY Tuesdays, January 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Lefferts library at 3:30.

GAME ON! Tuesday, Januar y 5 at the Glendale library at 3.

TEEN TUTORING Tuesday, Januar y 5 at the Bayside library at 3:30.

GAME-O-RAMA Tuesday, Januar y 5 at the Flushing library at 3:30.

STORY TIME Tuesday, Januar y 5 for those 4-8 at the Lefferts library at 3:30.

TWEEN BOOK CLUB Tuesday, Januar y 5 at 4 at the Elmhurst library.

CHESS Wednesday, January 6 at the Queens Village library at 3:30.

WILDLIFE THEATER Wednesday, January 6 at the Astoria library at 4. Wildlife Theater performs Rainforest Connections.

GAME TIME Wednesday, January 6 at the Queensboro Hill library at 4.

WILDLIFE THEATER Thursday, January 7 at the Broadway library at 4 and Friday, January 8 at 4 at the Flushing library. Wildlife Theater performs Butterfly Boogie.

KIDS CLUB Thursday, January 7 at the Hillcrest library at 4:30.

AUBURNDALE CHESS Friday, January 8 at the Auburndale library at 3:30.

TWEEN CLUB Friday, January 8 at the Maspeth library at 3:30.

GAME DAY! Friday, January 8 at the Queens Village library at 3:30.

BOARD & CARD GAMES Friday, January 8 at the Seaside library at 3:30.

STORY SHARERS Friday, January 8 at the Central library at 4.

BOARD GAMES Friday, January 8 at the Elmhurst library at 4.

GAME PLAYERS Friday, January 8 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

YOUTH LOUNGE Friday, January 8 at 4 at the LIC librar y.

BOARD GAMES Friday, January 8 at 4 at the Rego Park library.

CRAFTS Fridays, January 8, 15 crafts for those 6-12 at the Lefferts library at 4:30.

WILDLIFE THEATER Saturday, January 9 at 2 at the Central library. Wildlife Theater performs Migration Sensation.

TEEN TUTORING Saturday, January 9 at 10 at the Bayside library.

S TORY T I M E Saturday, January 9 at the Elmhurst library at 10:30.

SNOWFLAKES Saturday, January 9 create beautiful snowflakes at the Middle Village library. Register.

S TORY T I M E Saturday, January 9 at 4 at the Ozone Park library.

S TORY T I M E Saturday, January 9 at the Pomonok library at 11.

DINNER LIVING THE DREAM Saturday, Januar y 16 TriBoro Intergenerational Services, Inc. of Jamaica presents the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Songs, dance, speakers and luncheon in St. Albans. $40.

481-7927.

THEATER AUDITION Saturday, January 9 from 1-4 the Outrageous Fortune Company is casting “Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell” at 42-24 Douglaston Parkway. 428-2500, ext. 20.

Roles: 5 actors, male and female of various ages, e thn ic itie s, m ust b e good storytellers.

AUDITION January 19, 20 at 7:30 The Andrean Players will hold auditions for “Cinderella.”

19-30 plus other roles and stage crew, construction, costumes, etc. St. Andrew Avellino, Northern Blvd. between 157th and 158 th Street, Flushing. 460-3072 KILLING KOMPANY Friday, January 29 Murder by the Biggest Loser at Riccardo’s in Astoria. 7217777. The Killing Company performs mystery dinner shows. 1-888-SHOOT-EM for information

Queens Today FLEA MARKETS

TEENS TEEN ZINE Thursday, January 7 at the Central library at 4.

MANGA CLUB Thursday, January 7 at 4 at the Flushing library.

TEEN ADVISORY

CHESS Saturdays, January 2, 9 at 2 at the Flushing library.

TEEN GAMING Monday, January 5 at 3 at the Fresh Meadows library.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Mondays, January 4, 11, 18 at the Baisley Park library.

Register.

COLLEGE CLUB Monday, January 4 Writing the College Essay at the Central library at 3:30.

TEEN GAMING Tuesday, Januar y 5 at the Fresh Meadows library at 3.

WII PARTY Tuesday, Januar y 5 at the Auburndale library at 3:30.

GAME ON! Tuesday, Januar y 5 at the Glendale library at 3.

TEEN TUTORING Tuesday, Januar y 5 at the Bayside library at 3:30.

MANGA & ANIME Tuesday, January 5 at 4 at the Central library.

TEEN GAMING Wednesday, January 6 at the Fresh Meadows library at 3.

GAME DAY Wednesdays, January 6, 13, 20 at the Howard Beach library at 4.

GAMES FOR TEENS Wednesday, January 6 at the Central library at 4.

TEEN GAMING Thursday, January 7 at the Fresh Meadows library at 3.

Thursday, January 7 at 4 at the Hollis library.

B’NAI B’RITH YOUTH Thursdays for high school students at Temple Beth Sholom, 172 nd Street and Northern Blvd., Flushing at 7:30.

MEETINGS COMM. BD. 11 Monday, January 4 at 7:30 at MS158, 46-35 Oceania Street, Bayside.

FRESH MEADOW CAMERA Tuesdays the Fresh Meadows Camera Club meets.

917-612-3463.

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

COMM. BD. 4 Tuesday, Januar y 5 at 7:30 at VFW Post 150, 51-11 108 th Street, Corona.

111 TH PRECINCT Tuesdays, Januar y 5, February 2 111 th Precinct Council meets at 7:30 in the precinct meeting room. 2795295.

COMM. BD. 10 Thursday, January 7 at 7:45 at Knights of Columbus Hall, 135-45 Lefferts Blvd., South Ozone Park.

CIVIL AIR PATROL Fridays 6-10 at Vaughn College of Aeronautics, 86-01 23 rd Avenue, East Elmhurst.

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

NATIONAL ART LEAGUE Friday, January 8 demonstration of techniques for the construction of a variety of vessels by Sheila Blunt at 8 at the National Art League, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway.

Free.

WOODHAVEN RESIDENTS Saturdays, January 9, February 13 Woodhaven Residents’ Block Associat i o n m e e t s a t t h e Vo l u n teer Ambulance Corps, 78-15 Jamaica Avenue from 1-3.

CAMBRIA HTS. LIBRARY Saturday, January 9 Cambria Heights Friends of the Library meet at 4 at the library.

THRIFT SHOPS Saturdays and Sundays 104 at St. Fidelis Mother & Child Residence, 124-15 14 th Avenue, College Point.

353-4749. Saturdays 11-4 at Bargain Boutique Thrift Shop, Baptist Church, 93-23 2 1 7 th S t r e e t , Q u e e n s V i l lage. 527-2132. Mondays 10-3 at the Free Synagogue of Flushing, 41-60 Kissena Blvd. Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30-1:30 at Te m p l e S h o l o m o f F l o r a l Park, 263 rd Street and Union Tu r n p i k e . Tu e s d a y s a n d

SENIORS COMPUTER CLASSES The Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal Senior Center in Flushing offers a series of senior computer classes.

445-3864.

AARP WORKSEARCH Looking for a job and over 50? Call the Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal Senior Center in Flushing. 886-5777.

GAME DAY Monday, January 4 at the Queens Village library at 1.

STARS Friday, January 8 at 10:30 at the Queens Village library.

Senior Theatre Acting Repertory is rehearsing for their next season.

58 th Avenue.

JUDAICA SHOPS Daily and by appointment the Forest Hills Jewish Center’s Judaic Gift Store is open. 263-7000. Sundays from 9-11:30 at the Bay Terrace Jewish Center, 13-00 209 th Street. 428-6363.

Wednesdays from 2-5 at Church-in-the-Gardens, 50 Ascan Avenue, Forest Hills.

268-6704. First and third Wednesday (September through June) from 10:302:30 at Grace Episcopal C h u r c h , 1 4 th A v e n u e a n d Clintonville Street, Whitestone. Wednesdays at the Hillcrest Senior Center from11:30-2:00 at 168-01 Hillside Avenue. Wednesdays at Grace Church, 15117 14 th Road, Whitestone.

Thursdays from 10-1 at All Saints’ Church, 215 th Street between 39 th and 40 th Avenues, Bayside. 229-5631.

Fridays through June from 11-3 at the Maspeth United Methodist Church, 66-35

RELIGION EPIPHANY CONCERT Sunday, January 3 at Our Lady of the Snows RC C h u r c h , 2 5 9 th S t r e e t b e tween Union Turnpike and 80 th Avenue, Floral Park at 4.

Good will offering.

REFORM TEMPLE Tu e s d ay, J a n u a r y 5 P u b Quiz: A Tribute to Jews in Pop Culture for those in their 20s and 30s at 7. Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112 th Street at 10. $12 includes bagel buffet. 2612900.

TALKS NORTH FOREST Thursday, January 7 “Memory Keeper’s Daughter” will be discussed at 6 at the North Forest Park library.

FLUSHING BOOK Friday, January 8 “Before You Know Kindness” will be discussed at 1 at the Flushing librar y.

GLENDALE BOOK Saturday, January 9 “The Reader” will be discussed at 11 at the Glendale library.

DANCE COUNTRY WESTERN Saturday, January 9 San Antones performs. $12. The NY Metropolitan Country Music Association. $12.

Glendale Memorial Building, 72-02 Myrtle Avenue at 7:30.

763-4328.

“World’s Best 24 Hr. Breakfast”

KANE’S DINER

The ORIGINAL

FREE PARKING

Steak & Eggs Special Only

Catering

8

$ .99 24 Hrs.

Since 1953

We would like to thank Queens for giving us the best customers possible & we extend our thanks to the Tribune readers for selecting us as “THE BEST DINER” in Queens.

(A)• Country Fried Steak • Country Fried Chicken • Grilled Chicken Breast Monday thru Friday 11:00am to 3:00pm • Meatballs/Meatloaf Mix-N-Match (column A with column B) • Eggplant Parm. + Tax • Maryland Crab Cakes

LUNCH SPECIALS $6.99

NY STEAK DINNER 10oz. Any Style

$13.99 (B)• Rice & Beans • Rice & Vegetables • Potatoes & Vegetable • Caesar/Garden Salad • Spaghetti

Congratulations to John Liu on his Success and Future

TEL: (718) 463-5787 • FAX: (718) 463-5738 • 44-15 COLLEGE POINT BLVD. FLUSHING, NY 11355

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 37

Pancake House

Queens Today EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS KNIT AND CROCHET Saturdays at the Seaside library at 2:30.

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

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

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

ADULT CHESS Every Monday at 6 at the Queens Village library, 9411 217 th Street.

BALLROOM DANCING Monday, January 4 at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

BECOME A US CITIZEN Mondays, January 4, 11 Pathway to US Citizenship at 5:30 at the Woodside library.

INTRO INTERNET Monday, January 4 at the Fresh Meadows library. Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Monday, January 4 at the Lefferts library at 10:30.

DRAWING CLASS Tuesdays at 1. All medias, all levels. 969-1128.

ADULT SCRABBLE

ALUMNI CARDOZO 70-74 School reunion being planned. 347-414-4775.

MISCELLANEOUS

KNIT/CROCHET Thursdays at 6 and Fridays at 10:30 at the Fresh Meadows library.

BEGIN COMPUTERS Thursday, January 7 at the Forest Hills, Pomonok, Glen Oaks, and Steinway libraries.

Register.

POTTERY CLASS Thursday, January 7 at the Woodhaven librar y. Register.

CHESS CLUB Fridays at 3:30 at the Auburndale library, 25-55 Francis Lewis Blvd., Flushing.

CHESS & CHECKERS Fridays at 4 at the Lefrak Cit y library.

COMPUTERS Friday, January 8 at the Astoria and Auburndale libraries. Register.

GAME DAY Fridays at the Bay Terrace library, 18-36 Bell Blvd. for all ages from 2:30-4:30.

POTTERY CLASS Saturday, January 9 at the Sunnyside library. Register.

JH ART CLUB Classes in all art forms days and evenings for children and adults. 899-0065.

ART CLASSES Ongoing at Jackson Heights Art Club at St. Mark’s Church. Classes in all media for adults and children. 8990065.

WOMEN’S NETWORK The Queens Women’s Network can help with resume a s s i st a n c e , t y p i n g a n d Microsoft tutorials, job search, interviewing techniques, GED and ESL classes, referrals to training programs. 657-6200.

BAY VIEW BRIDGE Tuesdays (except July and August) Bayview Bridge Club meets at 6 at the Church of the Resurrection, 100-17 32 nd Avenue, East Elmhurst.

HEALTH ADULT ALZHEIMER The Adult Day program is available weekdays 10-4 in Flushing. Contact 358-3541.

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

670-1695. $5 a class.

CANCER SUPPORT Monday, January 4 at 2 at Franklin Hospital’s Greenberg Conference Room from 2-4. 516-2566478.

RECOVERY, INC. Monday, January 4 and Thursday, January 7 anxiet y, fear, obsessions, temper, stress, depression – finding a way to cope is here at the Forest Hills library at 5:30.

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

HATHA YOGA Wednesday, January 6 for beginners at the Flushing library at 6.

OA Fridays 6:30-8:30 at Unit y Center of Flushing, 42-11

155 th Street. Beginners meeting except the last Friday of each month, which is a writing meeting.

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

OCA Saturdays 10:30-noon Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous meets at Resurrection Ascension Church, Feely Hall, 85-15 61st Road, Rego Park.

CO-DEPENDENCE ANON. Saturdays the Bellerose chapter of Co-Dependence Anonymous, a fellowship of men and women seeking healthy relationships with themselves and others, meet at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 6 Commonwealth Avenue. Beginners 9:15, Open 10:30. 229-2113.

ALZHEIMERS Saturdays from 12-1:30 caregivers, friends and relatives of those with Alzheimer’s Disease meet at the Sunnyside Communit y Services. 784-6173, ext.

137.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 39

PERSONAL GROW TH Starting Thursday, January 7 an 8 week Personal Growth and Relationship Group meets at the Samuel Field Y. 225-6750, ext. 243.

FOOD PANTRY Fridays Grace Episcopal Church, 14-15 Clintonville Street, Whitestone, from 1011. 767-6305.

AUXILIARY OFF. The 105 th Precinct Community Council invites all interested in becoming an Auxiliary Police Officer to contact 776-9268.

FH VAC The Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps needs volunteers. They will sponsor you for a NYS EMT course at no cost to you once you qualif y. 793-2055. Monetary donations also needed PO Box 750617, Forest Hills 11375.

YOU GOTTA BELIEVE Sunday, January 10 adoption agency for adopting an older child at 4 at Little Flower Children’s Services, 89-12 162 nd Street, Jamaica.

372-3003.

SEPARATION/DIV. Star ting Tuesday, Januar y 12 a separation/divorce support group meets for 10 sessions at the Samuel Field Y. 22-6750, ext. 243.

Tuesday, Januar y 5 at the Fresh Meadows library at 1.

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

BEGIN COMPUTERS Tuesday, Januar y 5 at the Forest Hills, McGoldrick, Astoria, Maspeth and Glen Oaks libraries. Register.

2010 CENSUS JOBS Tuesday, Januar y 5 proctored exam at the Astoria library. Register.

BECOME A US CITIZEN Tuesdays, January 5, 12, 19, 26 at the Flushing library at 6:30.

WATERCOLOR CLASS Wednesdays at 9:30 at NAL. Traditional and contemporary, all levels. 9691128.

INTERNET Wednesday, January 6 at the Bayside library. Register.

ADULT GAME DAY Wednesday, January 6 at the St. Albans library at 3.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays at 5:30 at the East Flushing library, 196-36 Northern Blvd.

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

CHESS CLUB Every Thursday at 6 at the Queens Village library.

COMPUTER CLASS Thursday, January 7 for beginners at the East Elmhurst library at 10 and 11.

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

Queens Today EXHIBIT QUEENS HISTORICAL Tu e s d a y s , S a t u r d ay s a n d Sundays 2:30-4:30 “Unraveling History: Using Textiles to Date the Past,” “Kingsland: From Homestead to House Museum,” “Persistence: A Celebration of Landmarks in Queens – Past, Present, Future,” and “ T h e C i v i l Wa r ’ s L a st i n g

Page 40 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

ENTERTAINMENT GUIDED TOUR Saturdays and Wednesdays guided tour of the landmark Poppenhusen Institute. 3580067 reservations.

EPIPHANY CONCERT Sunday, January 3 at Our Lady of the Snows RC C h u r c h , 2 5 9 th S t r e e t b e tween Union Turnpike and 80 th Avenue, Floral Park at 4. Good will offering.

SOJOURNER Sunday, January 3 women’s collective dedicated to the art of string playing through the African American experience at 3 at the Central library.

BINGO Tuesdays at 7:15 at American Mart yrs Church, church basement, 216-01 Union Tu r n p i k e , Ba y s i d e . 4 6 4 4 5 8 2 . Tu e s d a y s a t 7 : 1 5 (doors open 6) at the Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd. 459-1000.$3 admission includes 12 games.

FERDINAND THE BULL Saturday, January 9 at Queens Theatre in the Park.

760-0064. $12.

CON BRIO ENSEMBLE Saturday, January 9 at 2 at the Flushing library.

GATES OF EQUALITY Saturday, January 9 at 2:30 at the Queens Village library. The life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is told in dramatic presentation.

FRESH MEADOW POETS Saturday, January 9 at the Forest Hills library at 10.

BETTEMIDLER TRIBUTE Saturday, January 9 Lisa Yves performs at 2:30 at the Auburndale library.

RUSSIAN VIOLIN Sunday, January 10 at 2 at the Kew Gardens Hills library.

CON BRIO ENSEMBLE Sunday, January 10 at 4:30 at the Church in the Gardens, 50 Ascan Avenue, Forest Hills. $12.

INTERNATIONAL GUITAR Friday, January 22 at Queens Theatre in the Park.

70-0064 $37. Discounts.

ZALMEN MLOTEK Sunday, February 21 100 Ye a r s o f Y i d d i s h T h e a te r Music at Queens Theatre in the Park at 3. $20-33. 7600064.

QC READINGS Tuesday, March 3 Margaret Atwood at 7. Tuesday, March 16 Marie Ponsot at 7. Tuesday, April 20 Edward P. Jones at 7. Tuesday, April 27 Joyce Carol Oates at 7. Queens College presents its annual readings. $20 per event. Season tickets available. 793-8080.

Memory.” Queens Historical Societ y at Kingsland Homestead, 144-35 37 th avenue, Flushing. 939-0647, ext. 17. $2 seniors and students, $3 adults.

DOLL MUSEUM Wednesday through Saturdays tours at the Maria Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans.

523-5138.

AFRICAN ART “Dynast y and Divinit y: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria” and “Perspectives: Women, Art and Islam” at the Museum for African Art, 36-01 43 rd Avenue, LIC. POPPENHUSEN Wednesdays and Saturdays guided tour through the historic Poppenhusen Institute in College Point from 11-3.

358-0067.

HOLIDAY ART Through January 2 National Art League members’ exhibit art suitable for holiday giving at the league, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway. Monday through Thursday and Saturday 1:30-4:00.

NAL STUDENT EXHIBIT January 4 through January 30 National Art League Student Exhibit at the league, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway.

Monday through Thursday and Saturday 1:30-4:00.

Free. 428-1859.

TALISMANS Through January 31 “Talismans of Protection from Choson Korea: Antique Locks, Latches and Key Charms” Thursdays through Sundays 12-5 at Flushing Town Hall. 463-7700, ext.

222.

EMERGING ARTISTS Through March 7 2009 Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition at the Socrates Sculpture Park. Vernon Blvd. at Broadway, LIC. www.socratessculpturepark.org.

NOGUCHI REINSTALLED Through Oc tober 24, 2010 the Noguchi Museum has completed a major renovation project. Wednesdays through Fridays 10-5, weekends 11-6. $10, students and seniors $5. 32-37 Vernon Blvd., LIC www.noguchi.org.

BAYSIDE HISTORICAL “War Dogs,” “ The Castle,” “Native Bayside/Native Voice,” “If The Hat Fits” and “Rolf Armstrong” Artist in Residence” are on display at the Bayside Historical Societ y, 352-1548. Tu e s d ay Sunday 11-4. $3 donation.

ANTHROPOLOGY The Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and the Armenian Cultural Educational Resource Center Gallery are open at Queens College. 428-5650 to visit.

VOELKER ORTH The Voekler Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden is the newest museum in Queens with a special emphasis on horticulture and ornithology. 149-19 38th Avenue, Flushing. 359-6227.

CHUNG-CHENG ART Monday through Thursday 9-4, Friday and Saturday 124 at Sun Yat Sen Hall, St .

J o h n ’ s U n i ve r s i t y, G ra n d Central and Utopia Park-

ways, Jamaica. 990-1526.

FLUSHING COUNCIL Permanent displays include “Flushing Town Hall:” Fact or Folklore,” an historical exhibition on Flushing Town Hall and its place in history, “Legends of the Queens Jazz Trail” 463-7700.

LI ARCHIVES L aGuardia and Wagner Archives display various exhibits exploring the history of NYC, including displays on Mayors Fiorello H. LaGuardia, Robert F. Wagner, Abraham D. Beame and Edwa rd I. Koch, the NY Cit y Council, Queens Local History, the NY Settlement Houses, Steinway and Sons Piano Company and Vice Chancellor Emeritus Julius C. C. Edelstein. LaGuardia C o m m u n i t y C o l l e ge . 4 8 2 5709. Free.

ALLEY POND CTR. Monday-Saturday 9-4:30 and Sunday 9:30-3:30. Variet y of exhibits and a chance to see nature up-close in the mini-zoo and aquarium. Tuesday-Friday 9-4, Saturdays 9:30-3:30. 229-4000 for a current program guide. 22806 Northern Blvd., Douglaston.

KING MANOR Second and last Tuesday of each month at noon and weekends from 12-4 the preHampton 19th century getaway Village, Jamaica Village, is recaptured at King Manor Museum, in the middle of King Park. $2 adults, $1 children. Limited winter hours, by appointment only. 2060545.

ONDERDONK Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12-4 self-guided tours of the national landmark building, built circa 1709. School programs, craft courses, horticultural activities and historical slide shows. Greater Ridgewood Historical Societ y, 1820 Flushing Avenue, Ridgewood. 456-1776.

BOWNE HOUSE Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday tours begin at 2:30 and 3:30. Bowne House was built in 1661 by John Bowne, who secured religious freedom.

Original 17th, 18th and 19th century furnishings. 37-01 Bowne Street, Flushing. 3590528. $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 students and children.

POPPENHUSEN Saturdays (except for holiday weekends) the Poppenhusen Institute will be open for guided tours. Visit the kindergarten room, Victorian Hall, old village jail cells and current exhibits, 358-0067.

BOTANICAL GARDEN 9 a.m. to dusk all year, this 38 acre garden provides recreation, formal and informal educational opportunities.

Queens Botanical Gardens, 43-50 Main Street, Flushing.

886-3880.

COUNT Y FARM Weekends n oon to 5 p. m . tours of historic Adriance Farmhouse, which dates back to 1 7 7 2 . Q u e e n s C o u n t y Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park.

347-FARM.

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF QUEENS ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX NO.: 21078/08 RESIDENTIAL FUNDING CORPORATION Plaintiff, vs.

WINSTON RICHARDS, DELROSE RICHARDS, Defendant(s).

MORTGAGED PREMISES: 105-64 VAN WYCK EXPRESSWAY, RICHMOND HILL, NY 11419 SBL #: BLOCK: 9595 LOT: 29 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Queens. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. Dated this 9th day of December, 2009, Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway, Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 TO: WINSTON RICHARDS, Defendant(s) In this Action. The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. MARGUERITE A. GRAYS of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated the 20 th day of November, 2009 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Queens County Clerk, in the City of Jamaica. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed

by WINSTON RICHARDS and DELROSE RICHARDS dated the 9th day of August, 2006, to secure the sum of $323,000.00, and recorded at Instrument No. 20060004971 92 in the Office of the Clerk of the County of QUEENS, on the 1st day of September, 2006; which mortgage was duly assigned by assignment dated the 19th day of August, 2008, and sent for recording in the Office of the Clerk of QUEENS County; The property in question is described as follows: 10564 VAN WYCK EXPRESSWAY, RICHMOND HILL, NY 11419 SEE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION Block 9595 and Lot 29 ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded

and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Westerly side of Van Wyck Blvd., distance 180.18 feet Northerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Westerly side of Van Wyck Expressway with the Northerly side of 1 071h Avenue, formerly Roanoke Avenue and also formerly Metropolis Avenue; RUNNING THENCE Westerly parallel with 107th Avenue, 100.12 feet; THENCE Northerly parallel with Van Wyck Expressway, 20 feet; THENCE Easterly again parallel with 107th Avenue, 100.12 feet to the Westerly side of Van Wyck Expressway; THENCE Southerly along the Westerly side of Van Wyck Expressway, 20.00 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. Premises known as 105-64 Van Wyck Expressway, Richmond Hill, New York HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure.

In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANK-NYS (1-877226-5697) or visit the department’s website at WWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home.

There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such

promised services. § 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: December 9, 2009 Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway, Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 The law firm of Steven J. Baum, P.C. and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS INDEX NO.: 6250/2009 DATE FILED: 3-13-09 SUMMONS NYCTL 2008-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN FOR NYCTL 2008-A TRUST, Plaintiffs, -against- HELEN BOLDEN; JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, SUCCESSOR TO IRVING TRUST COMPANY; HERITAGE CREDIT CORPORATION; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; CITY OF NEW YORK ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; “JOHN DOE # 1” through “JOHN DOE # 100”, the last 100 names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiffs. The persons or parties intended being the owners, tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, and if any of the aforesaid individual captioned defendants, if any, be dead, their respective heirs-at-law, next of kin, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, or through any of the aforesaid individual captioned defendants, if any, if they be dead, whether by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, including any right, title or interest in and to the real property described in the complaint herein, all of who and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiffs. Defendants. TO

THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with the summons, to serve notice of appearance, on the plaintiffs’ attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the date of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York), and in case of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Plaintiffs designate Queens County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the subject property. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS; The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Bernice D. Siegal, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County, dated Nov. 20, 2009 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Queens County Clerk’s Office, Jamaica, NY. The object of the action is to foreclose a Tax Lien along with interest, surcharges, penalties, additions, expenses, attorney’s fees, and the costs and disbursements of this action on prem. k/a Block 1732, Lot 41. Dated: Dec. 11, 2009, LEVY & LEVY, Attys. For Pltf. #76833 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the tax lien holder who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to the tax lien holder will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: March 11, 2009 LEVY & LEVY Attorneys for Plaintiff 12 Tulip Drive Great Neck, NY 11021 (516) 487-6655 BY: JOSHUA LEVY, ESQ. File No.: 859328 ________________________________________________________________________ SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF Queens Index No. 23802/09 Date Summons Filed: Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is Plaintiff’s residence. SUMMONS WITH NOTICE Plaintiff resides at 37-33 College Point Blvd.

Apt. 3FC, Flushing, NY 11354. JEAN C. BARBIER, Plaintiff, -against- NANCY BARBIER A/K/A NANCY ATAGRACIA ALFONSO,

Defendant. ACTION FOR DIVORCE To the above named Defendant: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorneys within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the notice set forth below. Dated: August 10, 2009 Annie Ma, Esq. Fine, Olin & Anderman, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 39 Broadway, Suite 1850 New York, NY 10006 212-2671650 NOTICE: The nature of this action is to dissolve the marriage between the parties, on the grounds: DRL Section 170 subd. (2) – the abandonment of the Plaintiff by the Defendant for a period of more than one year. The relief sought is a judgment of absolute divorce in favor of the Plaintiff dissolving the marriage between the parties in this action. The nature of any ancillary or additional relief demanded is: That either party may resume the use of a prior surname. That the Defendant may resume use of her maiden name, Alfonso. That the Court grant such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper. The parties have divided up the marital property, and no claim will be made by either party under equitable distribution. Notice Under DRL Section 177: The Defendant is advised that she may no longer be covered by the Plaintiff’s health insurance plan upon the entry of a judgment of divorce and that the Defendant may be responsible for her own health insurance coverage. ________________________________________________________________________

SEARS; LVNV FUNDING LLC; CACV OF COLORADO, LLC; CITIBANK (SOUTH DAKOTA), NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; ENERBAN7K USA; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD and NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU Defendants. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above-entitled foreclosure action, and to serve a copy of your answer on the plaintiffs’ attorney within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal service within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. Queens County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the premises. Dated: September 16, 2009 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an Order of Honorable Bernice D. Seigal,, a Justice of the Supreme Court, dated December 11, 2009, and filed with supporting papers in the Queens County Clerk’s Office. This is an action to foreclose a tax lien covering the property known as 76-47 173rd Street, of Flushing, New York and being a parcel of land approximately designated as Block 7010 and Lot 54. The relief sought is the sale of the subject property at public auction in satisfaction of the tax lien debt. In case of your failure to appear, judgment may be taken against you in the sum of $21,842.92, together with interest, costs, disbursements and attorneys fees of this action, and directing the public sale of the property. Richard M. Beers, Jr. PHILLIPS LYTLE LLP Office and Post Office Address 1400 First Federal Plaza Rochester, New York 14614 Tel. No. (585) 2382000

STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT QUEENS COUNTY SUMMONS AND NOTICE Index No. 5927-09 NYCTL 2008-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Plaintiffs, vs. GEORGE FOX; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT AUTHORITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; LVNY FUNDING LLC A/P/O

To Place Your Legal Advertisement, Call the Tribune at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 144 or E-Mail Your Copy to legals@queenstribune.com

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 41

LEGAL NOTICE

Political Predictions for 2010 & A Happy New Year To All

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER Follow me on Twitter @QueensTribune

Sure this is flippant.

No one should take themselves seriously enough to actually predict the future. One can, based on knowledge and logic, draw some conclusions and share them to inspire others to think and play.

Play along and feel free to let me know your predictions by emailing them to me.

A kid from Queens, raised in Holliswood and who resided in Douglaston when first married, will become the next Governor of New York State. The son of State’s 52nd Governor will easily become the the State’s 56th Governor when David Paterson bows out of the Democratic race for some ambassadorial job once it is clear to him he has no chance against Andrew Cuomo. Republican candidate Rick Lazio will never mount enough of a campaign to be considered a threat. Andrew Cuomo will begin 2011 by taking the oath of office as Governor of NYS and as the symbol of reform targetting the Albany culture of corruption as a top priority of his administration.

We wish him well.

In spite of efforts by Cuomo, Tom DiNapoli from neighboring Great Neck, will persevere as the Democratic candidate for Comptroller and will narrowly retain his position in the General Election.

In an unbalanced geographic ticket, Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice will become the Democratic Attorney General Candidate to replace Cuomo.

With both U.S. Senate seats up for election, all the real GOP players will run away from challenging Chuck Schumer and focus on the seat occupied by Kirstin Gillibrand appointed by Paterson to replace Hillary Clinton. The George Pataki, Ed Cox and Peter King – Rudy has taken himself out – merry-go-round will stop with NYS GOP Chairman, son-in-law of Richard Nixon emerging as the GOP challenger.

On the Democratic side, NYC Comptroller and Dem Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson will challenge Gillibrand and become the Dem candidate with an overwhelming downstate win. Thompson will narrowly beat Cox and become the first person of color to represent New York State in the US Senate.

Following the year of upsets of incumbents, members of Congress, the Assembly and the State Senate will begin campaigning early, work their Districts hard and many face serious challenges.

All incumbent Queens Congress members will be returned to office but several will be reelected

by closer margins than ever before.

Queens Assemblywoman Ann Margaret Carrozza (26th AD) will be upset in Democratic Primary by an underfunded Steve Behar. Her abysmal attendance record, the fact that she moved out of the district and her lack of performance will allow the neophyte Behar to overtake her. He will eke out a November victory over an aggressive campaign by GOP Veep Vince Tabone.

Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (28th AD) will receive both a Primary fight and a strong challenge from the Republicans. With his father’s impending indictment in the Comptroller’s Office scandal, which included payoffs for helping clear the Assembly seat for Andrew, the Hevesi’s will be in battle on several fronts. The inability to raise funds as a result of the scandal coupled with abandonment by many party regulars could cause this longtime Forest Hill Democratic seat to go Republican.

Assemblymember Marge Markey (30th AD) will be the target of the anti-incumbent movement and receive a strong GOP challenge.

Asemblymember Michelle Titus (31st AD) will face the same anti-incumbent force in the Democratic Primary.

New-comer Assemblyman Mike Miller (38th AD) will receive an aggressive wel l-funded challenge from Albert Baldeo in this District with a growing Southeast Asian population.

Jose Peralta has already de-

clared his candidacy for Hiram Monserratte’s Senate seat, leaving a vacancy in his 39th Assembly District. Francisco Moya and Luis Rosario will be the two battling in a large field for the position. Moya will prevail.

At the end of the day, of the 18 sitting Assembly members, 14 will be returned to office.

The State Senate will be the focus of the real contested action.

With the progressive Dems and the LGBT movement targeting five of the seven Queens Senators all who voted against the Gay Marriage Bill and two seats viewed as potentially vulnerable by the parties in November in the colossal battle to have control of the Senate during a reapportionment year.

Unless Joe Addabbo (15th SD) pledges to change his vote on gay marriage, watch for a search for a gay conservative Republican – uniting the GOP and the proponents of Gay Marriage in this seat — is the surest way for the GOP to pick up a seat in the statewide battle.

Sorry Dems, Frank Padavan (11th SD) is not beatable – especially by Tony Avella, who has alienated more Dems than Padavan. The close election last time was due to the Obama effect.

No other Senate seats will change party hands but look for the following impact of the Gay Marriage vote: Shirley Huntley (10th SD) will face an aggressive challenge from an LGBT suppor ted candidate.

Several candidates have shown

well in the past council Primary and one will emerge with the ability to defeat the incumbent if the Primary is one-on-one.

After being threatened with a strong Primar y by a driven Eric Gioia, incumbent George Onorato (12th SD) will retire. While Assemblyman Mike Gianaris will flirt with the seat, he will not gamble on being in the minority or losing to Gioia. Eric Gioia will be the next Senator in this Astoria based district.

Hiram Monserrate (13 th SD) will be overwhelmed by his district’s large gay population reacting to his anti gay marriage vote and the regular Dems looking to extract retribution for years of renegade behavior. Armed with a misdemeanor assault conviction, the opposition will support Assemblyman Jose Peralta in spite of his own ethical questions. He clearly appears to be the beneficiary of the anti-Hiram movement.

The seven person delegation from Queens will see at least 3 new members elected next year – possibly 4.

While we will continue to write about the need for reform in Albany, the legislative leaders will point the small changes from the election and more cosmetic rules they enact as the false solution to the State’s most serious crisis – an ethical void in Albany.

And the future of the State will rest on the broad shoulders of a kid from Queens, Andrew Cuomo.

Happy New Year!

MSchenkler@QueensTribune.com

Page 42 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

Sup Ct Mocks ‘Honest Services’ Test Which Bruno Violated

By HENRY STERN difficult to find a legitiJust one day after he mate standard of emwas convicted in federal ployee dishone st y court of depriving the pubwhich rises to the level lic of his “honest services” of crimi nalit y. Emby taking hundreds of bezzlement is surely a thousands of dollars from crime, as well as larceny people who wanted to do and burglary, but drawbusiness with NYS agening the line beyond that cies, former Senate Mais somewhat like specijority Leader Joseph L. fying just what is porHenry Stern Bruno was looking at brighter skies. nography. It was the late Justice The fair weather was arriving Potter Stewart who said: “I know from Washington D.C., where the it when I see it.”

Supreme Court appears ready to There are many cases in which strike down the sort of anti-cor- corporate or individual behavior is ruption law that Bruno was found questionable. Sometimes business guilty of violating. decisions are selfish, cruel, unjust Bruno was convicted by a fed- and indecent. They may be based eral jury in Albany on two counts on falsehoods, which may or may of failure to provide “honest ser- not be malicious. Greedy people vices.” may enrich themselves unfairly at The Supreme Court will de- the expense of decent men and cide whether to take Bruno’s case women. Should such conduct be if he loses in the US Court of Ap- considered criminal; who is to peals for the Second Circuit. make that decision?

The news from the High Court This is an issue which is well is striking, in part because it is al- above my pay grade. There is a most coincidental with the jury’s certain merit in having juries make decision to convict Bruno. those decisions, but in the absence Although the justices amused of standards, how are the juries to themselves and the public by mock- be instructed by the judges? ing the vagueness of the phrase The Bruno case appears to us “honest services,” it is exceedingly to be one of clear criminality. The

Senator took bribes and sold his washed-up crowbait to his partner for $80,000. He delivered state business to his co-conspirator. No matter how low you make the standard of honest service, his conduct falls below it.

What will happen, though, when his case reaches the appellate courts? Is he to escape punishment because of the vagueness of a statute when his conduct is so clearly over the line that he would be convicted under any standard? The charges for which Bruno was acquitted may have been more serious than the ones for which he was convicted. What is likely is that a deadlocked jury compromised by acquitting the senator on most counts, while convicting him of two felonies.

The se are issue s for t he people who write law review articles and are subsequently appointed to the bench, where we, the public, become the beneficiaries of their wisdom and judgment.

If the Court wants to set standards for commercial hone st y, t he y should do so, or set guidelines to which statutes could conform. How many thieves and swindlers will get away with their crimes while

the courts figure out how to define different varieties of reprehensible commercial conduct? It is fortunate that Bernie Madoff was not prosecuted for failure to provide his victims with his “honest services.”

How the Supreme Court’s attitude will affect the ways we deal with commercial crime will probably take years to discover. We

have the gut feeling, however, that Senator Bruno will not see a correctional facility from the inside for a long time, if at all.

At least one thing is clear: we have not seen, heard or read the last of the Bruno case. Nor has the limping state senate, which lacks any leader.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF QUEENS ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX NO.: 8740/09 US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAA 2007-9 Plaintiff, vs.

JOSE J. SAETEROS, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR MORTGAGE WORLD BANKERS, INC., NATIONAL CITY BANK, NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD, NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, Defendant(s).

MORTGAGED PREMISES: 55-21 97TH STREET, CORONA, NY 11368 SBL #:BLOCK: 1905 LOT: 15 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Queens. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. Dated this 23rd day of December, 2009, Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway, Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 TO: JOSE J. SAETEROS, Defendant(s) In this Action. The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. JAIME A. RIOS of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated the 14th day of December, 2009 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Queens County Clerk, in the City of Jamaica. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by JOSE J. SAETEROS dated the 14th day of May, 2007, to secure the sum of $650,000.00, and recorded at Instrument No. 2007000311944 in the Office of the Clerk of the County of QUEENS, on the 18th day of June, 2007; which mortgage was duly assigned by assignment dated the 25th day of March, 2009, and sent for recording in the Office of the Queens County Clerk. The property in question is described as follows: 55-21 97TH STREET, CORONA, NY 11368 SEE FOLLOWING

DESCRIPTION Section 11, Block 1905 and Lot 15 ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Easterly side of 97th Street (Barrymore Street) (60 feet wide) distant 200 feet Southerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Southerly side of 55th Avenue (Lewis Avenue) (60 feet wide) with the Easterly side of 97th Street; RUNNING THENCE Easterly and parallel with the Southerly side of 55th Avenue, 100 feet; THENCE Southerly and parallel with the Easterly side of 97th Street 20 feet; THENCE Westerly and again parallel with the side of 55th Avenue 100 feet to the Easterly side of 97th Street; THENCE Northerly along the Easterly side of 97th Street 20 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. Premises known as 55-21 97th Street, Corona, New York HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure.

In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANK-NYS (1-877226-5697) or visit the department’s website at WWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home.

There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law re-

quires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: December 23, 2009 Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway, Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 The law firm of Steven J. Baum, P.C. and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF QUEENS ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX NO.: 15325/09 BAC HOME LOANS SERVICING, LP Plaintiff, vs. S.K. ANWAR A/K/A SK ANWAR, Defendant(s).

MORTGAGED PREMISES: 106-61 RUSCOE STREET, JAMAICA, NY 11433 SBL #: BLOCK: 10335 LOT: 62 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Queens. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. Dated this 23rd day of December,

2009, Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway, Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 TO: S.K. ANWAR A/ K/A SK ANWAR, Defendant(s) In this Action.

The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. MARGUERITE A. GRAYS of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated the 8 th day of December, 2009 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Queens County Clerk, in the City of Jamaica. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed

by S.K. ANWAR A/K/A SK ANWAR dated the 1st day of March, 2007, to secure the sum of $460,000.00, and recorded at Instrument No. 2007000134447 in the Office of the Clerk of the County of QUEENS, on the 13th day of March, 2007;Said mortgage is to be assigned by an Assignment to be recorded in the Office of the Clerk of QUEENS County. The property in question is described as follows: 106-61 RUSCOE STREET, JAMAICA, NY 11433 SEE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION Block 10335 and Lot 62 ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Fourth Ward, Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Northeasterly side of Ruscoe Street, distant 243.69 feet Southeasterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Northeasterly side of Ruscoe Street with the Southerly side of 106th Road, as said street and road are laid out on a certain map entitled “Hillside Gardens, Jamaica, 4th Ward, Borough of Queens, New York City”, Erlandson & Crowell, C.E. & C.S., March 1919, and filed in the Queens County Clerk’s Office on August 19, 1919, as Map No. 3740 and from said point of beginning; RUNNING THENCE Southeasterly along said side of Ruscoe Street, 16.64 feet to the Northerly side of 107th Avenue, as shown on said map; THENCE Easterly along said side of 101h Avenue, 68.40 feet; THENCE Northerly at right angles to 101h Avenue, 78.66 feet; THENCE Southwesterly at right angles to Ruscoe Street, 102.90 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. TOGETHER with a right of way, upon and over the strip of land 4 feet 6 inches wide to a depth of80 feet Northeast from the Northeasterly side of Ruscoe Street, adjoining lot of land hereby mortgaged to the Northwest. SUBJECT to a similar right of way upon and over the Northwest 4 feet 6 inches to a depth as aforesaid of the lot of land mortgage. Said 2 strips of

land shall constitute and be a private right of way and driveway 9 feet wide to a depth of 80 feet from said side of Ruscoe Street for ingress and egress to and from the lot of land hereby mortgaged and the lot of land and joining on the Northwest and Ruscoe Street for the uses and benefit in common of said respective premises and of all owners and occupants thereof. Premises known as 106-61 Ruscoe Street, Jamaica, New York HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure.

In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANK-NYS (1-877226-5697) or visit the department’s website at WWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home.

There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter

into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: December 23, 2009 Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway, Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 The law firm of Steven J. Baum, P.C. and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of L&M Watermill Ventures LLC, a limited liability company. Art. of Org. filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) 10/27/2009. Office located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to THE LLC, 26-15 Ulmer St., College Point, NY 11354. Purpose: any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation of JELB GRAND CONCOURSE, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. Of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/24/09. Office location: Queens County. Princ.

Office of LLC: 42-09 235 th St., Douglaston, NY 11363.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. Of its princ. Office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

To Place Your Legal Advertisement, Call the Tribune at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 144 or E-Mail Your Copy to legals@queenstribune.com

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 43

LEGAL NOTICE

Edit Page In Our Opinion:

Happy New Year!

As 2009 draws to a close, we at the Queens Tribune would like to thank all of the readers who help keep us going, our advertisers who keep us in business and the news makers who keep our reporters busy tracking down leads and knocking out great stories.

May 2010 be a year of promise, of good news and of prosperity for us all. Enjoy the holiday, and we’ll see you all again on these pages in 2010.

Have a Happy New Year!

In Your Opinion: Good Move To The Editor: Thank you Councilman Peter Vallone for standing up on the Sean Bell street bill. Enough of naming streets after anyone and everyone.

A few years from now, no one will know who the person is that a street was named for them.

I want to nominate my grandmother to have a street named after her; she made the best apple pie in town.

Gloria Alvandia, Whitestone

Page 44 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

Do What Is Needed To The Editor: As a Nigerian born American, I unequivocally condemn the cowardly and despicable attempt to inflict human casualty, loss of innocent lives with detonation of explosives aboard Delta-Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam on Christmas Day by 23-year-old Umar Farouk Addul Mutallab.

America and the rest of the world are still suffering the inhumanity and the tremendous economic casualties suffered following the 2001 terror attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The site where the WTC once stood remains a burial site and a hallowed ground to this day. The changes in security logistics brought on by the menace of the insanity of those who export harm and violence to an otherwise peace loving people of the United States of America has been incalculable if not immeasurable at best.

Why then should a national from Africa's most populous nation still mired in economic squalor and her leadership mired in astonishing level of corruption remind us how vulnerable life has become. Just returning from Church where we were celebrating the birth of Child Jesus our Lord and Savior to confronted with this type of depressing news about an attempted detonation of

explosives aboard an Airline, What a Shame!

Nigerians in the Diaspora are for the most part peace-loving and lawabiding and making positive contribution to their new adapted home.

Many of those I have spoken with since this Christmas Day incident has condemned in no uncertain terms the ill-conceived and repugnant act of this cowardly young man.

At a time when people of his age are focused on striving to better themselves, and turning the negatives in their life to positives, he unfortunately allowed the enemies of progress to influence and conditionally delude him. What a shame. Our young men of today must focus their energy to productive outcomes for the betterment of our society and community. Our youths are the future and not the fomenters of terror.

In conclusion, any changes in air travel implemented by Homeland Security or FAA or their agencies to help safeguard the traveling public are a worthwhile effort. There is no question that we must secure the homeland against any act, threat or otherwise capable of bringing harm to this nation.

Some minor inconveniences are acceptable to protect lives. And we stand by President Obama measured speech that we must flush out and defeat terrorism and those who plot or plan them. Upon assumption of Office, he has reached out to all nations for the interest promoting global peace and tranquility. Now those who are peace-loving should accept his olive branch and embrace his peace overtures.

George Onuorah, Lefrak City

Unbelievable To The Editor: The senate Healthcare Reform Bill and the machinations that effectuated its passage reflect a value paradigm shift and set a new heading for our moral compass. What happened to the maxim to distrust

Michael Schenkler Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Queens County's Weekly Newspaper Group

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Ira Cohen, Photo Editor Regina Vogel Queens Today Editor

Michael Nussbaum Executive V.P./Associate Publisher

anyone who rushes decisions to purchase a product using threats of dire consequences? Why would anyone agree to pay taxes for four years in advance for services not available until 2014? Is it fair, not to mention constitutional, to compel taxpayers from 49 other states to pay for 100 percent of Nebraska's Medicaid expansions into perpetuity? What is the purpose of inserting a provision creating a Medicare Advisory Board that may not be amended or repealed if not to control and manage the doctor/patient relationship in perpetuity? Is the coerced purchase of health insurance the price of citizenship?

In light of the corruption, intimidation, bribery, subterfuge and secrecy, how can anyone with a modicum of integrity and intellectual honesty approve of an unaccountable bureaucracy determining the cost and availability of medical treatments, designing the cars we drive, regulating our thermostats, setting guidelines for compensation, etc.? What would you accept as proof that our representatives treat us with contempt and deem us incapable of making rational decisions for ourselves? They would also have us believe higher taxes will lower the Earth's temperature and that borrowing and spending beyond our means creates prosperity… and there are such things as tooth fairies.

The elitism and hypocrisy of our representatives are embedded in their legislation; they have exempted themselves from the provisions of the Healthcare Reform Bill they seek to inflict on us.

Ed Konecnik, Flushing

Embrace Kindness To The Editor: Another year has gone by and it is time again to make those New Years Eve resolutions, and many of which many of us might fail to accomplish. Which brings me to a survey I heard about on the radio as I was traveling to work and it was concerning the grumpiest cities and New York City came in as No. 1.

I guess it is because most of us are so much in a hurry and maybe it is because it is the stress in our very own lives, we have found it hard to show kindness to others. I have possible suggestions for New Year's resolutions that on the most part are obtainable.

Let's start with saying hello or even good morning to those with whom we make eye contact within our communities. Next let's try to be courteous when we are driving and not try to cut each other off and madly beeping our horns when we think the person in front of us is Marcia Moxam Comrie, Contributing Editor Reporters: Sasha Austrie, Harley Benson, Lori Gross, Joseph Orovic, Kaitlyn Kilmetis, Domenick Rafter Editorial Intern: Christina Fong Photographers: Ira Cohen, Michael Fischthal, Lee Katzman Contributors: Tom Allon, Melissa Hom, Michael VonDerLieth, Barbara Arnstein Art Department: Tania Y. Betancourt, Sara Gold, Rhonda Leefoon, Candice Lolier, Barbara Townsend Webmaster: Shiek Mohamed Assistant to the Publisher: Ria MacPherson

going too slow. When we are on the subway, bus or the LIRR we should give up a seat to the handicapped, elderly or even a pregnant woman.

You see, it would be greatly appreciated and you might even feel better about yourself for doing so.

At work or school we should lend a helping hand and show kindness with words of encouragement.

Now here's another one; when you are at the supermarket and if the person behind you has a few items let them go in front of you.

These resolutions and many more are all workable and can be achieved by our example will show New Yorkers are friendly, kind and respectful of others who truly embrace our humanity. Well to all let me say have a happy and healthier New Year, laced with kindness to others.

Frederick Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks

With Israel To The Editor: It did not stay in the media very long, but why are we continuing to give Israel money when they are spending it on new settlements.

I guess it's true that our complete government is controlled by the Israeli lobby. No wonder we veto all legitimate sanctions by the UN against them.

William Pagenkopf, Flushing

Help The Animals To The Editor: While searching for local food pantries, I found NYC Coalition Against Hunger where it was stated that, if there is a disabled or person over 60 years old in the household and you are applying for food stamps, income doesn't matter. Even though my household meets these criteria, after a phone screening, I was told our income was too high factoring in only our mortgage payment. Utilities, car insurance telephone bills, food etc., don't figure in when applying for food stamps. I can't get them to help me feed my family when I've lived and worked an paid taxes in America my whole life because this is where I was born and my home city, New York City, won't help me.

But, you see, I can pick up a pen and write a letter expressing my woes, but guess who can't? The thousand upon millions of homeless animals who are being stuffed into shelters (no-kill if they're lucky).

The not-so-lucky ones go to the CACC(Center for Animal Care & Control), city-run shelters, where if they have a cough or cold will be euthanized pretty much right away.

Mayor Bloomberg is kicking in $55 million towards a park by the Howard Swengler Vice President of Sales Shelly Cookson, Corporate & Legal Advertising Account Executives Helene Sperber Merlene Carnegie Earl Steinman Tom Eisenhauer Shari Strongin Donna Lawlor Tony Nicodemo

Maureen Coppola, Advertising Administrator Accounting: Leticia Chen, Phyllis Wilson, Alicia Sierra-Vicente

Brooklyn Bridge. What happened to the shelters he promised to build when he vowed to make New York a no-kill city for homeless animals?

There are no city shelters in Queens and Staten Island and the ones we have in Brooklyn and Manhattan re glorified incinerators.

Leona Helmsley left millions for the dog she left behind and I believe she meant for many of her millions to go towards helping homeless animals. This hasn't happened in the way she meant it to and this is an outrage. I am unemployed and struggling right now, but would give my last dollar to help any animal in need. So, I'm begging you to rescue an animal this holiday season. Don't support puppy mills by buying from pet stores. You'll find pedigreed dogs and cats in shelters nowadays and there are specific rescues for every breed who will be glad to adopt to you.

Please, save a life this Christmas season.

D.G. Rauh, Woodhaven

Facebook Drama To The Editor: Believe it or not, Facebook is one of the most popular reasons people face problems in their relationships; lose their jobs and other benefits. I personally hear a lot of people talking about how Facebook leads to fights and arguments in their relationship. When someone posts a comment, it can be viewed by others who can also state their opinion. Often those opinions can be negative and create unnecessary drama or tension when taken out of context.

An article by John M Grohol, PSYD, from the World of Psychology states that Facebook reinforces relationship jealousy. It also states that women are more likely to spend more time on Facebook compared to men. Facebook helps a person to have feelings of jealousy, for example if one adds their ex-girlfriend or boyfriend as a friend on Facebook and have a conversation with them back to back, it will create doubts in the other partners mind. Sometimes one just wants to see how their ex is doing but it might create serious problems in their current relationship.

Numbers of students delete their Facebook account just because they think they spend too much time on Facebook compared to their studies. Many students actually enjoy living a Facebook-free life as they think it results in no drama and there are less risks of having problems in their personal and professional life.

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www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 45

Page 48 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Formation of NORTHERN QUEENS MANAGEMENT, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/10/09. Office location: Queens County.

Princ. office of LLC: 61-36 75th Pl., Middle Village, NY 11379. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/ o Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Greenberg, Formato & Einiger, LLP, Attn: Ayman Soliman, Esq., 1111 Marcus Ave., Ste. 107, Lake Success, NY 11042. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

plaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Queens. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. Dated this 23rd day of December, 2009, Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 TO: LAMIN BREWER, Defendant(s) In this Action.

The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. LEE A. MAYERSOHN of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated the 18th day of December, 2009 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Queens County Clerk, in the City of Jamaica. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises de-

scribed below, executed by LAMIN BREWER dated the 31st day of October, 2006, to secure the sum of$368,000.00, and recorded at Instrument No. 2006000643786 in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens, on the 20th day of November, 2006; which mortgage was duly assigned by assignment dated the 10th day of June, 2009, and sent for recording in the Office of the Clerk of Queens County; The property in question is described as follows: 137-11 168TH STREET, JAMAICA, NY 11434 SEE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land1 with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Fourth Ward, Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Easterly side of 168th Place, 50 feet wide formerly known as Pemberton Street, distant 79.32 feet Southerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Southerly side of 137th Avenue, 80 feet wide with the Easterly side of 168th Place; RUNNING THENCE Easterly at right angles to the Easterly side of 168th Place, 100.025 feet; RUNNING THENCE Southerly parallel with the Easterly side of 168th Place.

39.66 feet; RUNNING

THENCE Westerly at right angles to the Easterly side of 168th Place, 100.025 feet to the Easterly side of 168th Place; RUNNING THENCE Northerly along the Easterly side of 168th Place, 39.66 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call

the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877BANK-NYS (1-877-226-5697) or visit the department’s website at WWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home.

There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to an-

swer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: December 23, 2009, Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway, Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 The law firm of Steven J. Baum, P.C. and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt.

Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose.

________________________________________________________________________ SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF QUEENS ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX NO.: 16153/09 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF MASTR ASSET BACKED SECURITIES TRUST2007WMC 1 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-WMC1 Plaintiff, vs. LAMIN BREWER, Defendant(s).

MORTGAGED PREMISES: 137-11 168TH STREET, JAMAICA, NY 11434 SBL #: BLOCK 12574 LOT 34 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: You are hereby summoned to answer the Com-

________________________________________________________________________ FOREST HILLS CARE CENTER 71-44 YELLOWSTONE BLVD. FOREST HILLS, NY 11375 718-544-4300 FAX: 718-793-6181 A SKILLED 24 HOUR CARE RESTORATIVE AND REHABILITATIVE THEREPY CENTER Forest Hills Care Center, a participant in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, does not discriminate in its policies regarding admissions, employment of the provision of services because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, handicap, source of payment, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or age.

Whoa…

Keanu Reeves

We don’t often encounter a model willing to study an industry inside and out before reaching for success.

But Yolie (a.k.a. Betty Booty) consciously took that route. The Flushing native knew at an early age she possessed a level of ingenuity and drive requiring constant nourishment.

“I was always very creative,” she said.

“I’ve always been inclined to do creative activities. Now it’s morphed into the designing.”

The journey began in Los Angeles, with a half-decade stint exploring the entertainment industry. Yolie did everything from script writing to back-up dancing for Michael Jackson’s last music video, “You Rock My World.”

“I learned it takes a lot of determination and it’s about who you know,” she said. “I think the entertainment industry also has a business behind it so you have to be really smart as a business person to survive.”

In 2006, she moved back to Queens, where she’s now a one-woman business with a line of garters called “Leg Candy.”

Yolie designs and often models for the business, which launched in May of this year. She’s also a women’s business columnist for urban mag Get Money Magazine.

Next up? A self-help book slated for next spring. Does she have a lot of experience to offer?

“Oohh yeah,” she said. “Just me and my girlfriends. I did a lot of research on eastern philosophies about relationships and why they don’t work.”

Hmmm.

The spaced-out, monotone and sometimes robotic actor Keanu Reeves was being filmed along 71st Road near Union Turnpike in Forest Hills for his newest film “Henry’s Crime.”

The shoot was void of any explosive-laden speeding buses or slow motion Matrix-lean back skills. In fact, the scene taped for the comedy set to be released in 2010 seemed pretty tame compared to Reeves’ signature fast-paced, action-packed flicks.

Keanu, although we’re not sure your acting chops are Oscar-worthy – especially in the comedic genre – we’ll check this movie out to see our borough in the background.

See Ya, Rudy

Home: Flushing Age: 28 Height: 5’ 5" Weight: 125lbs Stats: 34-26-43

Models Of Queens

Boneheaded Move

Another Generation A Queens man whose first and last job was at the New York Times died last week.

Michael Ryan, 71, went to work for the Times in 1956 as an ofIf your child threw a tantrum fice boy in the during a sporting event and threataccounting ened an official that you would department. shove a ball where the sun doesn’t By 1969 he neshine, what would your reaction gotiated the be? legal issues to That kid might get a stern talkallow the ing to, maybe have his video game Times to go privileges revoked or his mouth public, and by washed out with soap. the time he reIf you are Serena Williams, tired in 1994, you get voted AP’s female athlete he was a senior vice president. of the year.

Born in Astoria and living until Months after Williams’ explohis death in Forest Hills, Ryan sion at the U.S. Open in Flushing, came from a generation where after an official made a bad call, people got a job, worked hard and Williams garnered more votes than stuck with it for a career. He watched newspapers come and go, and any other female athlete in the quite aptly, as the newspaper inannual poll. Out of the 158 votes, dustry began to change, he reshe took home 66 – no other female tired. athlete received more than 18 Though he may not have had votes. big bylines, Ryan spent a life dedi- Serena Williams warms up before Despite the brouhaha at Arthur a U.S. Open match. cated to keep newspapers in busiAshe Stadium, Williams did finish ness. the year at No.1 in WTA rankings. She also topped the prize money list We could use more men like with $6.5 million and won three major titles. him in the industry today.

Okay, we concede; she deserved it.

Serena’s Reward

Betty Booty

An Elmhurst resident fished for a bit of luck – and possibly profit – and instead hooked up to 33 months in prison.

Chee Chaw came back from Malaysia with a suitcase full of Arowana fish, a fork-tongued metallic sea dweller believed to bring instant luck and wealth to whoever is physically close to it.

The myth is literally true. The rare fish are highly valuable on the black market, fetching $5,000 to $8,000 in Chinatown and Asian neighborhoods in Queens.

Chaw’s luggage was lost in a transfer between Hong Kong and JFK, and authorities discovered the fish while performing a routine check of the bag. They found another four fish in his home.

Maybe the good luck fairy tale needs serious reconsideration.

Confidentially, New York . . .

Photo: Ira Cohen

Page 56 Tribune Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 • www.queenstribune.com

Photo: New York Times

Photo: Ira Cohen

America’s Mayor doesn’t appear to want to be America’s anything anymore – well, at least for now.

After his failed run for President of...um…Florida, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani had politicos all over the state hanging on his every word for a good month while he decided whether or not to seek statewide office in 2010.

First, we heard he wouldn’t run for Governor. Then, we were teased with talk that he would run against appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand next year, followed by a run for President in 2012, when Rudy Giuliani mulled it over the seat would be up again. Polls showed him performing ahead of Gillibrand.

Finally, we were clued into his plans when he announced he was heading to Rio de Janerio to help the security preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

“It’s very hard to run from Brazil,” said Giuliani.

It is a lot farther than Florida.

Betty Booty

Edited by: Michael Schenkler. Contributors: Sasha Austrie, Lori Gross, Kaitlin Kilmetis, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Mike Nussbaum, Joe Orovic, Brian Rafferty, Domenick Rafter. Reach us by email at Conf@QueensTribune.com

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 6, 2010 Tribune Page 57

Working Together In 2002, when John Liu became the Councilman representing Flushing, he walked with Mayor Mike Bloomberg to show off the highlights and problems on Main Street, being sure the Mayor was acutely aware of the issues of John’s constituents.

As we enter the new year, John Liu will work even more closely with Mike Bloomberg as he takes the helm as Comptroller of the City of New York.

Our Person of the Year, who has been a fighter for his district and his borough since his election to the Council eight years ago, will now fight for the whole City as Comptroller – and we couldn’t be more proud.

Congratulations, once more, to John Liu – our Queens Son and the Queens Tribune’s Person of the Year.

Tribune Photo By Ira Cohen