Queens Tribune Epaper

Vol. 41, No. 21 June 2-8, 2011

PAGE 34

Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen

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Borough groups set up a symbolic tent city, united in a legislative push to save homes for the middle class by protecting rent-stabilized and rentcontrolled apartments.

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Citi Field Hosts International Soccer Match

Runway Planners Explain Process To Upgrade JFK

Veterans, Kids Line The Streets On Memorial Day

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Editorial ...................................................................6 This Week/Closeup.................................................8 Focus .....................................................................12 Police Blotter ........................................................10 Trib Pix...................................................................18 Leisure ...................................................................21 Queens Today .......................................................22 Classifieds.............................................................25 Confidential ...........................................................34

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Queens Deadline

Advocates Fear Rent Destabilization Due to her condition, Guman qualifies for the Disability Rent Increase Exemption Program (DRIE), a rent stabilization program that exempts her from rent increases.

Guman is a full-time student at LaGuardia Community College where she is in her final semester, pursuing a career in social work. She fears if the rent laws are not extended, she would have to go back to working full-time, putting her future career aspirations in jeopardy.

"Where am I supposed to go," Guman asked. "If I have to leave, I wouldn't be able to afford a studio on my income alone. Our legislators must act now."

Borough legislators pledged their support towards strengthening and extending rent laws while stressing that more pressure needed to be put on Republican Senators to understand the core issue.

While growing up in Manhattan, Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) lived in a rent controlled apartment. Despite the low income her family earned, rent regulations made it easier for her family to survive during times of hardship.

"New York City has to remain affordable for the middle class family," Stavisky said. "It will only get worse without the strengthening of rent regulations."

From 1994 to 2010, it was estimated that 300,000 affordable housing units were removed from rent regulation rolls, Stavisky said. She assured residents living in rent

Taxi Bill Would Help Fight Sex Trafficking Sold the "American Dream," women are lured with the promise of a good job or false marriage then kidnapped or sold into the sex trade where they have ended up in brothels within the borough, Huckel said.

"By raising public awareness about what is really going on, there will be a greater flow of information to law enforcement," she said.

This is the second bill Peralta has introduced this year into the Senate in an attempt to curtail prostitution along Roosevelt Avenue. In March, along with Assemblyman Francisco Moya (D-Jackson Heights), Peralta introduced a bill prohibiting the distribution of "Chica Chica" cards, depicting naked and scantily clad women on business cards, advertising "free delivery" of prostitutes.

Felix Suero, president of Dominicana Radio Dispatch, a livery cab service in Corona, said incidents of human trafficking have been noticed in the past.

Although New York City taxi and livery cab drivers already undergo a training program for initial licensure and renewal, Suero said the additional educational program will teach drivers "to say something if they see something."

"If we help one person that would be great," Suero said. "Unfortunately that's the only way we can measure success right now."

Peralta will also co-sponsor a bill to increase fines and lengthen jail sentences for soliciting a prostitute.

Peralta believes the three-pronged approach will have a tremendous impact on diminishing prostitution and human trafficking. He said the bills will hit the Senate floor for a vote before the end of session in June and is optimistic they will pass.

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

Soccer Comes To Citi As Mets Host Match

By JOSEPH OROVIC Queens will host the national soccer teams of two of its biggest ethnic groups on June 7, when Greece faces off against Ecuador in an international friendly match at Citi Field.

About 25,000 tickets have already been sold for the Tuesday night match.

"National pride will be in abundance," said Mets Executive Vice President of Business Operations Dave Howard.

The foray into soccer is a long-anticipated one for the Mets organization. Despite having fallen on hard times, hosting the world's sport has always been the Mets' intention, according to Howard.

"We want to use Citi Field all year round," he said.

The match will present a number of firsts for the new stadium, but Howard said it certainly will not be the last time a soccer game is played at Citi Field. The Mets are currently exploring hosting another friendly game between two major club teams, as well as a Major League Soccer franchise.

Speculation has swarmed around the latter point, with signs pointing to a return of the New York Cosmos. Howard said he did not meet with that club specifically, and should the Mets secure MLS's next expansion team, they will have to find them a "soccer specific" facility to call home, according to Howard.

Which is all well and good for Citi Field's grounds crew. Transforming a diamond to a soccer pitch encompasses a massive amount of work, according to Mets Director of Field Operations Bill Deacon.

"It's not easy, but once you go through the experience a couple of times, you get the hang of it," he said, noting this is not his first time turning a diamond into a pitch. "It's still a lot of work."

From end to end, the pitch will cut a diagonal rectangle across the field. Goals will be situated close to the bullpen area in right field, all the way to the tarp along the third base line. This will require the covering of a substantial amount of the infield dirt with grass, according to Deacon, a process of

shaving down the base paths and covering most of them with sod.

Deacon said the pitcher's mound will also be cut down a third of its size, and some parts of the warning track will also be sodded.

The work will take roughly 24 hours, from when the last out is called at the June 5 Mets game until the following evening.

The work itself is a pain, true, but Deacon is particularly worried about soccer's effect on the grass at Citi Field - especially if it rains.

The sport has been known to turn the sturdiest of turfs into a giant mud patch. Deacon plans to cover the field with a tarp, as he normally would, should the skies open up before the game. Soggy soccer pitches turn into hole-riddled messes, and would give him more work to do rehabilitating the field for the Mets' return.

"If the weather is good, the work goes smoothly," Deacon said.

One "first" has already been accounted for prior to the game. State Sen. Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria) has the distinction of being the first to score a goal of any kind at Citi Field, though Mr. Met was the keeper, which must diminish the achievement.

Gianaris, whose parents are from Greece, and Assemblyman Francisco Moya (D-Jackson Heights), who is of Ecuadorian descent, waged a friendly bet of empanadas and baklava.

The two said the atmosphere at Citi Field could get intense, as Queens is home to the biggest Greek and Ecuadorian diaspora in the world.

"We take our soccer very seriously," Gianaris joked. "We're going to need some police to create a demilitarized zone."

Moya took the chance to talk some pregame trash.

"I'm glad to see [Gianaris] smiling, because he won't be after the Ecuadorian soccer team beats Greece," he said.

More importantly, noise makers, including the dreaded vuvuzelas that ruined the most recent World Cup for many, will be permitted.

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

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 3

By JASON BANREY The scene plays out the same way night after night. Taxi drivers - both of yellow and livery cabs - pick up women engaged in illegal sex trade and bring them to brothels in Queens where waiting customers expect more than a gracious hello from their "escorts."

The taxis, according to one Queens State Senator, are just as much of the problem as the nefarious pimps who force undocumented women into having sex upon threat of violence or deportation.

Stepping up his offensive to tackle the sex trade on Roosevelt Avenue in Corona and Jackson Heights, State Sen. Jose Peralta (DEast Elmhurst) announced the introduction of a bill which would educate cab drivers about human trafficking.

"We have to dispel the dangerous notion that prostitution is a victimless crime," Peralta said. "Someone aware of this brutal reality is less likely to participate in the continued exploitation of these women."

The bill would require taxi and livery cab drivers to be educated on how to identify a situation of human trafficking while they are on duty and would be incorporated in the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission's training program.

Joining the effort to curb both human trafficking and prostitution, Restore NYC, a nonprofit organization which helps sex-trafficking victims, welcomed the first-time collaboration between the Senator and the TLC. According to Faith Huckel, executive director and co-founder of the nonprofit, there are approximately 27 million people currently enslaved throughout the world.

"Most are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation," Huckel said. "Eighty percent are female."

stabilized apartments her pledge to not let that happen again.

"The Senate Democratic Congress has made a commitment to keeping this issue at the top of our agenda," Stavisky said. "We will do the best can to see it through."

Although many Democratic legislators have pledged their support toward extending and strengthening The tent city set up in Woodside is symbolic of the struggles rent laws, Sen. Jose rent-controlled and rent-stabilized Queens tenants would Peralta (D-East face if rent-protec tion laws are not renewed.

Elmhurst) said Gov. Andrew Cuomo needs to push Republican understand the importance of rent regulaSenators to follow suit. tions."

"Cuomo needs to be more aggressive," Reach Reporter Jason Banrey at Peralta said. "We need to shut down the jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 357halls of Albany because there is a need to 7400, Ext. 128.

Photo by Ira Cohen

By JASON BANREY One by one, tents and cardboard boxes were pitched inside the parking lot of St. Mary's Church in Woodside last Thursday.

The site was dubbed Cuomoville, a tent city filled with displaced New Yorkers - a potential sight tenants and advocates of affordable housing fear the city would slowly begin to look like if rent laws are not strengthened or extended.

With rent regulation laws set to expire June 15, Mary Tek, rent regulation organizer for Tenants and Neighbors, a pro-tenant advocate group, said more than 2.5 million city residents who live in more than 1 million rent regulated apartments city wide would be negatively affected if legislators did not act.

"Rent stabilization keeps many of Queens' residents in their homes," Tek said. "If there are no rent laws, tent cities like this will pop up all over New York."

Established in 1943 by the federal government and now administered by the state, rent control and rent stabilization programs protect working- and middle-class families by limiting rent increases and by assuring tenants with lease renewals.

According to the 2008 Housing and Vacancy Survey, in Queens, 199,509 families lived in rent regulated units.

Betty Guman, 50, has lived in her Elmhurst apartment for 17 years. Following the Sept. 11 attacks she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.

Mets Share Day With Disabled Players

Page 4 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Davis - did not attend the event, being able to stand next to Beltran was quite a thrill.

"They went above and beyond," he said referring to the Mets. "They couldn't have been more cordial."

WSF President John Hamre said the event was a success and it was great to see the Mets players enjoying the company of the softball players. Each year the organization holds a tournament, but this was the first year the Mets players participated. The Mets are an organization that cares a great deal about the community, Hamre said.

"It's a nice benefit to be in an association with the Mets," he added

Photo by Jason Cohen

By JASON COHEN On Tuesday, members of the New York Mets showed that baseball is a game for everyone.

In recognition of "Teammates of the Community Week," players and coaches along with the Wheelchair Sports Federation of Middle Village, held a clinic at parking lot D at Citi Field, with members of the Mets wheelchair softball team. The WSF is a national non-profit organization that provides opportunities for the disabled and wheelchair-bound adults to play sports recreationally and competitively.

Manager Terry Collins, catcher Ronnie Paulino, outfielder Carlos Beltran, utility man Scott Hairston and shortstop Ruben Tejada were among the Mets that attended the event.

They had the opportunity to talk with the disabled players, play catch with them and hit balls to them. Beltran, Tejada and Paulino even took at bats while sitting in a wheelchair.

"It was a great experience," Hairston said.

Having the opportunity to meet and get to know them was remarkable, he said. They may be physically different from professional players, but in the end, the love of the game and the competitiveness is always there, Hairston said.

Bill Hannigan, a die-hard Mets fan from Ronkonkoma who became paralyzed 16 years ago when he suffered injuries while riding a motorcycle, was scheduled to throw out the first pitch that night versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. He grew up playing third base and left field, but since joining the team he has become the starting second baseman.

Having the opportunity to meet the players was a dream come true, Hannigan said.

Although his two favorite players - third baseman David Wright and first baseman Ike

Victor Calise, 39, of Ozone Park, who is the accessibility coordinator for the New York City Parks Dept., said he was delighted that the Mets players took part in the event, but would like more disabled people to join the team.

"It was really good for [the Mets players] to actually see it and actually realize what it's about," Calise said.

Reach Intern Jason Cohen at jcohen@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

Carlos Beltran gets ready to swing from the disabled players’ perspec tive.

Seawall Fix Taking Shape

By DOMENICK RAFTER The Parks Dept. announced last week it was releasing a Request for Proposals for part of the reconstruction of the deteriorating Queensbridge seawall.

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe announced the agency was drafting a RFP to proceed with testing the site, the first step in reconstructing the seawall, at a meeting held with U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria), Borough President Helen Marshall, East River Development Alliance President Bishop Mitchell Taylor, and representatives from other legislators who represent Queensbridge.

"We are very pleased that we are finally able to undertake necessary testing within Queensbridge Park, which is the first important step toward the reconstruction of the park's seawall," said Benepe.

The RFP asks for proposals that would include testing the site to determine if the soil

at the location is contaminated. The winning bidder will be required to take samples of the soil at various depths and of ground water, which will then be given to an independent laboratory for analysis. The contract also calls for a review of findings and the issuance of a final report, which will outline legal and recommended disposal means for contamination and restoring the shoreline and the seawall.

The seawall along the East River in Queensbridge Park has been failing and crumbling into the river for more than a decade, putting the waterfront off limits for people using Queensbridge Park, adjacent to Queensbridge Houses just north of the Queensboro Bridge.

Also, the collapsing seawall is putting at risk critical MTA-owned cathode protection devices located under the seawall, which are used for subway operations in the F train tunnel between the Roosevelt Island and 21

Street/Queensbridge stations, below the seawall. The Army Corps of Engineers deemed any repair of the seawall to be in the federal interest because of these devices.

Maloney allocated $550,000 to pay for a feasibility study to be conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers, while state and local officials allocated another half million dollars.

The city later decided not to utilize the Corps and do the work itself. The Parks Dept. is ultimately expected to head up the reconstruction.

Soil testing should begin in late June, meaning the winning bid would need to be chosen this month, though Parks Dept. spokeswoman Patricia Bertuccio said the RFP was still being drafted as of Tuesday.

The testing will take 12 weeks to complete.

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

Celebrating Memorial Day In Queens Photos by Ira Cohen

Throughout Queens, families, veterans and politicians turned out to celebrate Memorial Day. A slew of parades were held across the borough, from Astoria to Little Neck, with a special celebration hosted by the Mets at Citi Field.

Sen. Chuck Shumer (l.) joined Assembly members Grace Meng and Ed Braunstein.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg joined local elec ted officials to lead the parade in Little Neck.

The cars weren’t the only classic items on display at the Little Neck-Douglaston Parade.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo walked Northern Boulevard.

The Forest Hills Youth Ac tivities Association helped lead the way down Metropolitan Avenue in their parade.

Marines and Seamen stood ready to march in Forest Hills.

St. Francis Prep

Before we congratulate the Class of 2011, we must pause and ŐŝǀĞ ƚŚĂŶŬƐ ƚŽ ŽƵƌ ĨĂĐƵůƚLJ͕ ƐƚĂī͕ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƚŽƌƐ͕ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚŽƌƐ ĂŶĚ coaches who have nurtured and cared for our students over the past four years. For them, it’s not merely a job. They enable St. Francis Prep students to achieve in Science, Music, the Arts, DĂƚŚ͕ ŶŐůŝƐŚ͕ >ĂŶŐƵĂŐĞƐ͕ ZĞůŝŐŝŽŶ͕ ,ŝƐƚŽƌLJ ĂŶĚ ƚŚůĞƟĐƐ͘ dŚĞLJ care as if these students were their own children. And it’s not just about great individual achievements or team championships either.

It’s about ALL of the “victories,” both large and small. It’s about those who go the extra mile for students whether they are succeeding, or slipping behind. It’s about the students that go the extra mile for other students, whether it’s someone in their homeroom, in a peer mentoring group, or halfway across the world at our “sister” Franciscan school in Kenya. We are ALL ƉĂƌƚ ŽĨ ĂŶ ϴϬϬͲLJĞĂƌͲŽůĚ &ƌĂŶĐŝƐĐĂŶ ƚƌĂĚŝƟŽŶ͘ /ƚ͛Ɛ ŶŽƚ Ă ũŽď͕ ŝƚ͛Ɛ Ă mission!

And to all of you we say, “well done!”

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 5

It’s More Than Just A “Job” Well Done!

Edit Page In Our Opinion:

Memorial Day Pride This past weekend was a time of celebration for some, of tears for others. Memorial Day is when we honor the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who throughout our history – and today – fight to keep our country free.

Amid the parades, the barbecues and the special ceremonies, one message was carried no matter who was marching, grilling or saluting – pride in our heroes.

Last week our newspaper was dedicated to a different kind of pride. Today, we want to remind our readers of the pride we have in our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters who make sacrifices – some small, some extreme – to serve this great nation of ours.

We thank all of them for their service, and for those in harm’s way, we wish for their speedy return home.

In Your Opinion:

Page 6 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Campus Safety To The Editor: A few months ago the CBS program “60 Minutes” ran a story about the case of Beckett Brennan, a student at the University of the Pacific, who claimed that she was raped by three members of the men’s basketball team after attending an off campus party. The university suggested that the situation be resolved by the school’s internal disciplinary review board. Despite Ms. Brennan’s insistence that she was raped, the school did little to punish the defendants.

Ultimately, two of the players were given minor school suspensions and returned to the basketball team shortly. The remaining player joined the University of Idaho’s basketball team not long after being expelled from Pacific.

This case highlights the fact that we have a major problem with campus safety in this country. According to a 2007 survey by the United States Justice Department, 1 in 5 undergraduate women, and 1 in 16 undergraduate men are the victims of attempted or actual sexual assault, and a shocking 95 percent of those assaults are never reported.

One of the reasons cases go unreported is because colleges and universities fear the negative publicity that accurate reporting would cause.

Therefore, as in Ms. Brennan’s case, many of these schools choose to handle criminal incidents internally rather than alert the local authorities, which are more properly trained to investigate serious criminal issues.

The safety of our students is contingent upon our schools and universities working hand-in-hand with local law enforcement to ensure that those who commit violent crimes are dealt with seriously. In-

dividuals who commit crimes such as rape must be prosecuted in our legal system and not be coddled with slaps on the wrist.

In an effort to address this issue I have introduced legislation (A.7476) that would amend the New York State Campus Safety Act passed in 1999. The Campus Safety Act was passed in response to SUNY Albany’s failure to timely notify the authorities after one of its students was reported missing. The new law required colleges and universities to develop a plan to notify local law enforcement in the event of a violent felony or missing student.

The Campus Safety Act has since been interpreted to only mandate that plans be created, and not that colleges and universities must report violent felonies and missing persons to local law enforcement.

This new bill would strengthen our current law and require colleges and universities in New York State to inform local law enforcement about all reports of violent crimes and missing persons within 24 hours of notification. It would also require that if the school chooses to do its own investigation that investigation must be completed within 60 days. If the school does not complete its investigation in 60 days the victim or the individual reporting the missing person may request the Attorney General to bring forth an action.

This legislation is by no means a cure all for the problem of colleges and universities under reporting crime statistics, and I am working on a bill which would further address this issue. It is however a positive first step in improving our campus safety. Moving forward I pledge to continue to push measures that will protect students and give parents peace of mind while

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their children are away at school.

Edward Braunstein Assemblyman, 26th District

For Mar riage To The Editor: In response to the letter by Stanley Gornish, who warns of public resentment in light of the Tribune’s recent coverage of gay issues: Mr. Gornish may feel the subject has been debated to the point of “banality,” but to a gay man like myself there is nothing banal about fighting for equal rights.

According to the U.S. Constitution, our rights come from God, not men. Yet the equal rights of gay people are continually denied by men who believe they speak for God. I don’t believe Mr. Gornish is a homophobe by any means. Yet he reduces my orientation to a “sexual proclivity” and says that homosexuality should be “respected as a private matter.” This is an outdated form of soft bigotry that says we gay people should keep it to ourselves, remain silent and stay out of the public discourse. Thankfully, we no longer hide behind corners and under rocks. And we will never be silent while so many of us are denied equal rights, including the rights associated with marriage.

Austin Downey Rego Park

Species Sur vival To The Editor: I agree with Stanley Gornish in the May 26 edition of the Queens Tribune. You seem to be doing this issue just to get the ad money.

People can do as they please, but this issue makes it seem that if you are “straight,’ you are the weird one.

Also, youth who read this and think that it’s cool to be gay or lesbian and might go that way just because you and the press make it seem the in thing to do.

If everyone were gay or lesbian, then we probably wouldn’t be here.

How will the species survive?

Joyce Molach, Queens

Equality For All? To The Editor: It was welcoming to see both sides of the debate given space in your Queens Pride edition. For those who oppose same-sex marriage, their success is dependent on their image. How can one oppose marriage equality without appearing as a bigot? The second topic involves legal ramifications. Everyone knows Deputy Editor: Joseph Orovic

Regina Vogel Queens Today Editor

Michael Nussbaum Executive V.P./Associate Publisher

Achievement To The Editor: Benjamin Kabak (who writes the 2ndAvSagas blog) and train enthusiasts on a subway message board found a poster up at the subway station announcing that the transfer facility for the E-M-G-7 lines in Long Island City will open on June 3.

When I heard about the delays in opening the transfer, I wrote to the Queens Borough President, to Mayor Bloomberg, to Sheldon Silver and to Citibank Chair Vikram Pandit to add my voice to the chorus.

The transfer facility is the last element of the 63rd Street Connector Project to be implemented. The first element was the 63rd Street extension, which opened in 1989.

The second element was the Connector, which resulted in the F train being routed through the 63rd Street tunnel.

Back in 2001, when the MTA was holding hearings for comment on the 63rd Street Subway Connector Service Plan (that’s when they proposed to route the F train through 63rd Street), virtually all the public comment they got was criticism and condemnation for a decision to replace the F with a local on 53rd Street, and the decision to truncate the G train, even though the MTA’s own trails to run fice services through the interlockings proved that it could not be accomplished.

I was living in Queens at the James Mammarella

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that pastors, rabbis, and imams would not be compelled to officiate same-sex weddings, but under marriage equality, Orthodox and Catholic institutions would be compelled by law to hire gay job applicants, and pay for their spousal benefits.

Religious seminaries would be compelled to allow gay student organizations on campus. The religious tenets of these institutions would be greatly compromised by legal requirements.

An ideal compromise here would be to allow religious institutions to avoid paying spousal benefits and sanctioning gay student clubs. The marketplace will do the rest. Gay students, workers and their supporters will take their intellectual capital, manpower and buying power to more tolerant institutions.

Religious conservatives will do the opposite. Everyone should be happy with this solution. In order for the deadlock in Albany to come to a resolution, creative compromises need to be made, where marriage equality and religious freedom can both come out as winners.

Sergey Kadinsky, Forest Hills

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time. I wrote to the MTA, focusing on solutions for G riders. I proposed an integrated, ADA-compliant (handicapped accessible) station cluster in Long Island City including Court Square, the G station and the E train. I also proposed a MetroCard-enabled transfer at the 63rd Street Station in Manhattan.

On the day of the public hearing in Long Island City, after hearing a lot of people spend their time at the microphone bashing MTA, I repeated the proposal for the Board.

Helen Marshall, at that time a City Council member, today the Queens Borough President, and I talked. I explained MTA’s intent with the particular subway routing it proposed and what I wanted to accomplish with my proposal. She gave me a ride back to the subway from the hearing.

I received a very enthusiastic reply from the MTA, from the office of the chairman and from public affairs. The agency thought highly of my proposals and agreed to implement them. In the letter, MTA said that the implementation in LIC would be in the form of a physical arrangement that would accomplish what my proposed cluster would do, and would be very close to what I envisioned. Implementation would, of course, require funding.

The free MetroCard-powered transfer between 59th Street and 63rd Street was implemented immediately, as was a MetroCard transfer in LIC, but the physical transfer took eight years to win funding. But now it’s finally here. I left New York before the new facility was constructed, but when I visited NYC and saw the station under construction, it was incredibly gratifying. I wrote to MTA to thank the agency for keeping a promise to me (and more importantly, to its constituents) and I got a very friendly letter back thanking me for recognizing the agency’s achievement.

This story proves that, with persistence, patience, and a focus on solutions, you can get the agency to do some wonderful things for the traveling public. MTA is very customer-responsive, a lot more than for which people give it credit.

When I’m in NYC, I’m proud to carry a MetroCard in my wallet (the current MetroCard itself is a product of a proposal by a citizen, solicited by MTA).

Ron M. Aryel, Reno, NV

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LEGAL NOTICE FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS Docket No. NN-24872/10 CHILD NEGLECT CASE In the Matter of a Proceeding under BABY GIRL HOPE Article 10 of the Family Court Act DESTINIY HOPE Respondent IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NOTICE: PLACEMENT OF YOUR CHILD IN FOSTER CARE MAY RESULT IN YOUR LOSS OF YOUR RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD. IF YOUR CHILD STAYS IN FOSTER CARE FOR 15 OF THE MOST RECENT 22 MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND TO COMMIT GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF YOUR CHILD TO THE AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION. ALSO, THE AGENCY MAY FILE BEFORE THE END OF THR 15-MONTH PERIOD, IF SEVERE OR REPEATED CHILD ABUSE IS PROVEN BY CLEAN AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE, THIS EVIDENCE MAY CONSTITUTE THE BASIS TO TERMINATE YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND TO COMMIT GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF YOUR CHILD TO THE AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION. TO: DESTINY HOPE A Petition under Article 10 of the Family Court Act having been filed with this Court, and annexed hereto YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this court at 15120 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432, Part 1, On JUNE 21st, 2011 at 11:00 AM o’clock of that day to answer the petition and to be dealt with in accordance with Article 10 of the Family Court Act. ON YOUR FAILURE TO APPEAR as herein directed, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

BY ORDER OF THE COURT HON. JUDGE MARYBETH RICROATH JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT Dated: April 6, 2011 FURTHER NOTICE Family Court Act (statute symbol) 154(c) provides that petitions brought pursuant to Articles, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 of the Family Court Act, in which an order of protection is sought or in which a violation of an order of protection is alleged, may be served outside the State of New York upon a Respondent who is not a resident of domiciliary of the State of New York. If no other grounds for obtaining personal jurisdiction over the Respondent exist aside from the application of this provision, the exercise of personal jurisdiction over the respondent is limited to the issue of the request for, or alleged violation of, the order of protection.

Where the Respondent has been served with this summons and petition and does not appear, the Family Court may proceed to a hearing with respect to issuance or enforcement of the order of protection.

York, does make this articles of organization, hereby declaring and certifying that this is my act and deed and the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have hereunto set my hand this 30 th day of March, 2011. Tracy Yang, Organizer _______________________________________________________________ RHYTHMZ DANCE & FITNESS STUDIO, LLC, a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC), filed with the Sec of State of NY on 3/10/11.

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, 252-15 Union Tpke., Bellrose, NY 11426.

General Purposes. _______________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation of HGL MEDICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/14/11. Office location: Queens County.

Princ. office of LLC: 9320A Roosevelt Ave., Ste. 3AB, Jackson Heights, NY 11368.

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. _______________________________________________________________ ZAMS GROUP LLC, a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC), filed with the Sec of State of NY on 3/22/11.

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, 242-19 149 Ave., Rosedale, NY 11422.

General Purposes. _______________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation of VRETTOS HOLDINGS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/7/ 09. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: 44-12 4 3 rd Avenue, Sunnyside, NY 11104. Purpose: any lawful activity. ______________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation of [Sadko Collection LLC], a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of the State of New York (SSNY) on [3/ 11/11]. 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 any process served against the LLC to: [5-26 46ave 2FL Long Island City, NY 11101] Purpose: any lawful act or activity. _______________________________________________________________ ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OF Jabo Business LLC Under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law FIRST: The name of the limited liability company is: Jabo Business LLC SECOND: The county, within this state, in which the office of the limited liability company is to

LEGAL NOTICE be located is: New York THIRD: The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: The Secretary of State 2306 21 Street 3B Long Island City, NY 11105 3704 USA Jocelyn Hsu (signature of organizer) Jocelyn Hsu (print or type name of organizer) _______________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation Strefion LLC art. of org. filed Secy. of State NY (SSNY) 2/11/11. Off. Loc. in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 25-51 46 th St, Astoria, NY 11103. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. _______________________________________________________ Name of LLC: Translational Cell Science LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State: 4/4/11. Office loc.: Queens Co. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: c/o Business Filings Inc., 187 Wolf Rd., Ste. 101, Albany, NY 12205, regd. Agt. upon whom process may be served. Purpose: any lawful act. _______________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation of The Law firm of Russo & Blissett, a Professional Limited Liability Company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of the State of New York (SSNY) on March 28, 2011. The office is located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the PLLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the PLLC to 101-05 Lefferts Blvd Ste 207, S. Richmond Hill, NY 11419.

The PLLC shall practice in the profession of LAW. The PLLC was opened under §1203 of the Limited Liability Company Law. _____________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation of CHARLOTTE JONES OPTICIANS, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/12/11. Office location: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 88-51 75 th S t . , W o o d h a v e n , N Y 11421. Purpose: any lawful activities. _______________________________________________________________ Yofresh Hicksville, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/26/ 11. Office in Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to 53-03 190 th St., Fresh Meadows, NY 11365. Purpose: General. _______________________________________________________________ NARGENTINO DISUNNO NARGENTINO LLC, a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC), filed with the Sec of State of NY on 3/24/11. NY Office location: Queens

LEGAL NOTICE 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, 167 Tulip Ave., Floral Park, NY 11001.

General Purposes. _____________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: 29-03 HUNTERS POINT AVENUE, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/30/11. 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, 213-19 99th Avenue, Queens Village, New York 11429. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. _____________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF SALE Self Reliance (NY) Federal Credit Union, in accordance with its rights as current secured party, will conduct a public sale of security: the proprietary lease and 660 shares of stock of LE HAVRE OWNERS CORP. Said security is appurtenant to premises: located at 167-15 12TH AVE, Apt. #2D, WHITESTONE, NY 11357. Said sale includes the fixtures and articles of personal property now or hereafter affixed to or used in connection with said premises. The sale shall be on June 17, 2011 at 10:15 AM at 88-11 Sutphin Blvd, Courtroom #25, Jamaica, NY 11435. The secured party reserves the right to bid. The secured party makes no representations or warranties as to the title or premises being sold herein. The sale is subject to any conditions of transfer set by the cooperative corporation or its board, and subject to any tenants or occupants of the subject premises and the Terms of Sale to be read at the sale. Victor Rawner, Auctioneer, License # 1224356 ROSICKI, ROSICKI & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorneys for Secured Party Fishkill Office 2 Summit Court Suite 301 Fishkill, NY 12524 845.897.1600 ______________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: AJA CRESCENT, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/23/10.

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, 32-75 Steinway Street, Suite 211, Astoria, New York 11103. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. ______________________________________________________________ ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OF OAE INTERNATIONAL, LLC Under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law FIRST: The name of the limited liability company is: OAE INTERNATIONAL, LLC SECOND: The county within this state in which the office of the lim-

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

ited liability company is to be located is: Queens THIRD: The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: NAOKI OKAI, 80-59 LEFFERTS BLVD. KEW GARDENS, NY 11415 NAOKI OKAI (signature of organizer) NAOKI OKAI (print or type of organizer) ______________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of C.R.Donald Group, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 3/30/ 2011. 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: 90-59 56 th Avenue #2M, Elmhurst, NY. Purpose: any lawful purpose. ______________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: BREAD THEATRE LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/11/11. 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, 35-20 9 th Street, Long Island City, New York 11106. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. ______________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: CXC REALTY LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/11/11. The latest date of dissolution is 12/31/2111.

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, 39 Kings Point Road, Great Neck, New York 11024. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. ______________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation of DATAR CAB LLC, a domestic LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/22/2011.

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: Jaspreet Singh, 133-48 123 Street 2 nd Fl, Jamaica, NY 11420. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. ______________________________________________________________ SUPREME COURT – QUEENS COUNTY MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF GAIL AND GLENDA FRANK, AS CO-CONSERVATORS AND CO-TRUSTEES OF THE PROPERTY OF DAVID FRANK, A CONSERVATEE PURSUANT TO AN ORDER/ JUDGMENT OF THIS COURT DATED, APRIL 28, 2011 BY HON. LEE A. MAYERSON, A JUSTICE OF THIS COURT AN APPLICATION TO SELL PREMISES 448 B E A C H 1 3 6 TH S T R E E T ,

ROCKAWAY PARK, NY 11694, BEING A PLOT 60 X 100 IN DIMENSION, WILL BE MADE ON THE 23 RD DAY OF JUNE, 2011, AT 9:30 A.M., AT I.A. PART 20 OF THE SUPREME COURT AT 88-11 SUTPHIN BOULEVARD, JAMAICA, N.Y. 11345 SAID PROPERTY IS PRESENTLY UNDER CONTRACT, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COURT, FOR THE PRICE OF $585,000.00. CONTACT HEIDI J. HENLE ESQ. OF THE LAW OFFICES OF HEIDI J. HENLE, PLLC, ATTORNEY FOR THE CO-CONSERVATORS AT 42-40 BELL BOULEVARD, SUITE 301, BAYSIDE, NEW YORK 11361, TEL: (718) 766-9427. ______________________________________________________________ CITATION File No. 20093098/A SURROGATE’S COURT, Queens COUNTY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent TO: The heirs at law, next of kin and distributees of ANNABELLE DAVIS, deceased, if living, and if any of them be dead, to their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, legatees, executors, administrators, assignees, and successors in interest whose names are unknown and cannot be ascertained after due diligence, Queens County Public Administrator. A petition having been duly filed by Hazel Smith f/k/a Hazel Smith-Mann who is/are domiciled at 100 West 92 nd Street, Apt. 7A, New York 10025, United States YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Queens County, at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York, New York on June 23, 2011, at 9:30 o’clock in the Fore noon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of ANNABELLE DAVIS lately domiciled at 123-35 Inwood Street, South Ozone Park, New York 11436 United States admitting to probate a Will dated July 1, 2003 a copy of which is attached, as the Will of ANNABELLE DAVIS deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that: Letters Testamentary issue to Hazel Smith Dated, Attested and Sealed, APR 21 2011 Seal HON. PETER J. KELLY Surrogate MARGARET M. GRIBBON Chief Clerk Lamont R. Bailey Print Name of Attorney Bailey & Bailey, LLC Firm 123-20 82nd Avenue, Kew Gardens, New York 11415 Address (718) 701-5915 Tel. No. 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.

To Place Your Legal Advertisement, Call the Tribune at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 149 or E-Mail Your Copy to the Tribune at: legals@queenstribune.com

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 7

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OF PT BUILDING SUPPLY LLC Under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law of the State of New York FIRST: The name of the limited liability company is: PT BUILDING SUPPLY LLC SECOND: The principal office of the limited liability company is to be located in the County of Queens.

THIRD: The Secretary of State is designed as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: The Limited Liability Company 39-07 Prince Street, #3B Flushing, NY 11354 FOURTH: the business and affairs of the limited liability company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Managers. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Articles of Organization or the Operating Agreement, the managers are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the limited liability company. THE UNDERSIGNED, being the organizer hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a limited liability company pursuant to the Limited Liability Company Law of the State of New

LEGAL NOTICE

Queens This Week

Dance Teacher Honored By Students Photos by Jing Chen

The nerves during rehearsal the day before ArtsConnection's annual Spring Benefit at the Museum of Natural History that honored Flushing's PS 20's dance teacher, MeiYin Ng, are at an all-time high.

"You have to go faster; that's why you are bumping into each other," Ng said to one of the dancers.

Ng then shifted her attention back to the entire class. "Can we try again?" she asked.

The 17 dancers lined up once again and started the Chinese folk dance routine over.

No, they are not professional dancers, but third and fifth grade students at PS 20.

"It's not usually this intense," said Erin Loughran, Program Manager for ArtsConnection. "Before this one, the kids practiced last Thursday and their last rehearsal before that was about a month ago."

The benefit where the students performed on May 24 honored their dance teacher, Ng, with a Janklow Award; an honor bestowed upon those who have made a significant contribution in education and learning.

All the students involved with this dance are in ESL (English as a Second Language) and are part of a 16-week program sponsored by DELLTA (Developing English Language Literacy Through the Arts), a grant that encourages the development and use of English language skills through an artistic medium, such as dance.

"Before this program, [Abigail] would constantly cry and she has low self-esteem," said Kathleen Cantelmo, a third-grade teacher, of one of her students. "Now, she

Mei-Yin Ng helps students prepare for the ArtsConnec tion program they per formed May 24. doesn't cry and is able to communicate. She excels in dance and that really boosts her confidence."

It's hard to imagine Abigail Esquieval, the third-grader Cantelmo spoke of, as a timid girl. When the students were asked about how they felt about their performance at the benefit, Esquieval, confidently chimed in, "I'm excited, but also nervous."

"This is my favorite class; I love Ms.

Ng," Esquieval added.

Ng has made a beneficial and life-long impact on her students - and it shows. Her stern but warm demeanor toward her students is visible in their progress; the dance routine was done over and over again until the uncertainty was shaken off and replaced with confidence and excitement.

"You need to take what you have and use it to modify the situation you're in," Ng said

of the ambition she has instilled in her students.

Ng is also the Artistic Director of the experimental art ensemble MEI-BE WHATever. To learn more about ArtsConnection, visit artsconnection.org Reach Intern Jing Chen at jchen@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

—Jing Chen

velopment has been considerable. We are thrilled to thank Mr. Redman and Astoria Federal Savings for their years of consistent sponsorship by honoring him at this year’s Rose Gala.”

For more information about QBG’s 16th Annual Rose Gala, or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, call Darcy Hector at (718) 8663800, Ext. 330 or Annette Fanara at (718) 866-3800, Ext. 202, or go to queensbotanical.org.

Torres and of course, our leggy, lovable laugh–riot Grandma! With live music by the Big Apple Circus Band, there’ll be cavorting in the aisles — and even the audience will be dancing in their seats!

A dream–team of some of the best creative minds in showbiz comes to the Big Apple Circus this year with a show that will get the toes tapping and fingers snapping.

Broadway sensation and singer/actor extraordinaire Eric Michael Gillett takes the reins as stage director. Award winning choreographer Peter Pucci spices things up with some fancy footwork. Tony–winner Ann Hould-Ward joins the Big Apple Circus for her first time with an alluring ensemble of costumes. Tony–winning scenic designer Todd Rosenthal returns to create a dazzling new set. Rob Slowik returns as musical director with the brilliant Big Apple Circus Band performing new compositions by five composer/arrangers, including Dan Furman, who wrote the show’s theme “Dance of Life,” and Emmy award–winner Paul Rolnick. Sound designer JP Perreaux handles resonance with elegance and lighting designer Brian Nason brightens the tent with flashes of life and energy. And, as always, creative consultant Barry Lubin adds his cosmic comic expertise.

Dance On! runs through Sunday, June 5, under the Big Top at Cunningham Park.

This will be the only Queens/Long Island appearance by the Big Apple Circus this year.

Tickets for Dance On! start at $15 and are available by calling (888) 541-3750 or at bigapplecircus.org.

Queens CLOSEUP Senior Dance The Howard Beach Senior Center, located at 156-45 84th St., is featuring “Latin Dance” Lessons and Exercise Program every Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. Sara will be teaching mambo, salsa, cha-cha, meringue and other Latin dances to interested seniors.

Page 8 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

KISS In Queens Music writer Ken Sharp is working with KISS on an official book about their early days circa 1972-1975. In the book, there’s a chapter about Coventry, site of their first live show. We’re in need of an exterior photo of Coventry as well as images of KISS performing at the club. The club was located in Queens on 47-03 Queens Blvd., Long Island City from 1973 to 1976. If you can help, please email sharpk@aol.com.

Music & Song An Evening of Music and Song will be held on Monday, June 13, 6:30 p.m., in the Richmond Hill Library Auditorium, 118-14 Hillside Ave. (enter through driveway on Babbage Street). The evening, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Richmond Hill Library, will include popular and classical selections and will feature singer Victor Starsky and William Thomas Smiddy, pianist.

Starsky is making his second appearance at the Richmond Hill Library. He first sang there at 5 years old. He has been hailed as “a brilliant performer who delights the audience with his rich voice and

signature interpretations”.

Smiddy is an internationally renowned pianist and any opportunity to hear him play should not be missed. “His remarkable combination of talent, musical imagination and communication evokes emotional responses from all who hear him”.

Seating for this event is limited. Registering in person at the Library or by phone, (718) 849-7150, is strongly advised.

Rose Gala Monte N. Redman, President and Chief Operating Officer of Astoria Federal Savings, will be honored at Queens Botanical Garden’s 16th Annual Rose Gala on Thursday, June 9, at 6 p.m. In addition, the AdoptA-Tree Award will be presented at the Rose Gala to Joon J. Bang, M.D., founder of the Korean-American Friends of Queens Botanical Garden.

“Queens Botanical Garden has been the recipient of generous support from Astoria Federal Savings for many years, and numerous QBG public programs have been made possible because of the funding they have provided,” said QBG’s Executive Director Susan Lacerte. “Astoria Federal’s impact can be seen in so many ways here at QBG - from the Herb Garden renovation, to the Wedding Garden flowers, to the new Floral Border exhibit favored by many brides for their photographs. Astoria Federal has helped with all of these projects and more, such as the Education Program and Gardening Day, as well as an unforgettable series of outdoor concerts in 2005. In short, Astoria Federal’s role in QBG’s de-

Community House Relax, improve your health with meditation, every Thursday at 10 a.m. with Ronnie at the Queens Community House Kew Gardens, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road, Suite 202.

Circus Retur ns The spectacular Big Apple Circus leaps into its 33rd Season with a thrilling AllNew Show, Dance On! The World’s Greatest Circus artists swing into action in the spotlight under our intimate Big Top, where no seat is more than 50 feet from the ring!

Invited to the dance: an awesome troupe of monocyclists and lasso twirlers from China!

A mind–bending group of Mongolian contortionists! A kinetic collection of Kenyan athletes who shimmy up a pole as though gravity were a joke! A herd of hoofers — twelve miniature horses in an equine chorus line! And an Ethiopian juggler with a lively up–tempo act that’s hard to beat!

Your Host is our charming and charismatic Ringmaster Kevin Venardos, aided with antic abandon by star clowns Rob

Carrying On A Hero’s 9/11 Legacy

By JASON COHEN Mohammed Salman "Sal" Hamdani, an alum of Queens College, was an aspiring doctor who sacrificed his life on Sept. 11, when he entered the Twin Towers to save lives. His mother, Talat Hamdani, who established the Salman Hamdani Memorial Award in honor of her son, met the grant's first recipient, Anam Ahmed, last Tuesday.

The award, which is administered by the Queens College foundation, will financially assist a graduating senior at Queens College who has been accepted to medical school and is of Pakistani heritage. When Hamdani, who was a certified emergency medical technician, went missing on Sept.

11, his family feared that he died in the collapse of the towers or he was being held by the authorities under the suspicion that he was a terrorist.

After his remains were found in early 2002, a funeral was held where Mayor Mike Bloomberg called Hamdani "an example of how one can make the world better." His act of heroism is recognized in a section of the PATRIOT Act on "Congress Condemning Discrimination Against Arab and Muslim Americans."

His emotional mother expressed remorse and happiness when she spoke to Ahmed for the first time at Queens College. This award will establish her son's legacy and allow people to remember the kind, compassionate, hard working person he was, she said. Her son is an American hero who should never be forgotten, she added.

"We need to move forward as a united people," Hamdani said. "It is a nice way to keep his memory alive."

Ahmed, 21, a resident of Ozone Park, is

a Salk Scholar; a member of the Macaulay Honors College. He has worked with disadvantaged children, volunteered at Beth Israel Medical Center, tutored students as a member of the Queens College chemistry Honors society and will attend SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in the fall.

"It's just so inspiring what he did," Ahmed said of the man for whom her scholarship is named.

After learning that she would receive the scholarship, Ahmed immediately researched Hamdani and realized they had a great deal in common. They both came to the United States from Pakistan before the age of 3, both were chemistry majors hoping to become doctors and her research mentor, Professor Wilma Saffran, also knew Hamdani.

"It's an honor to have received the award,"

she said. "I wanted to be an American doctor like him. I just want to have him as an example and continue to be inspired by him."

Professor William Hersch of Queens College said he had the privilege of teaching Hamdani for three years. Ahmed was dedicated to school and it was practically his second home, Hersch said. Sal had a bright future ahead of him and what he did on Sept.

11 defined who he was, he said.

"I assumed I would know him the rest of my life," he said. "He was going to make his way in life."

Reach Intern Jason Cohen at jcohen@queeenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext. 124.

The first recipient of the award for Salman “Sal” Hamdani was named last week.

Boro Duo Cheated IRS

By DOMENICK RAFTER Two Irish immigrant businessmen from Maspeth pleaded guilty to evading federal taxes last month after they kept some of the construction company's wages a secret from the IRS. Eamonn McDonnell, 45, and Owen O'Reilly, 45, immigrants from County Cavan, Ireland, admitted to knowingly and falsely failing to report nearly half a million dollars in wages and over $73,000 in FICA taxes to the IRS during the third and fourth quarter, July 1 through Dec. 31, of 2004, from their construction company, Mc&O

Construction, Inc., based in Maspeth.

According to the charges, Mc&O cashed checks made payable to the company, and used the cash to pay wages to its employees.

Between Jan. 1, 2002 and Jan. 31, 2005, Mc&O were required to file quarterly payroll tax forms, and did, but did not include the wages paid from the cashed checks in those two quarters.

McDonnell and O'Reilly pleaded guilty to two counts of tax evasion in front of a federal judge in Suffolk County on May 16. Both defendants were released on $250,000 bail

and will be sentenced at a date still to be determined. They could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This isn't the duo's first brush with the law. In 2004, Mc&O Construction was cited for four serious violations, including failure to train workers and failure to provide adequate safety measures, by OSHA after an employee of the company was killed on a job in the Bronx.

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

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 9

Page 10 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Compiled by DOMENICK RAFTER

chases on the account.

109th Precinct The suspect was last FAKE GUN, REAL seen leaving a Staples store TROUBLE: On Friday, wearing black pants and a May 27, at 9:40 a.m., powhite jacket. lice responded to Flushing High School on Union 115th Precinct Street and Northern BouSHOT DEAD: On levard after a student aide Saturday, May 21, at apreceived an anonymous proximately 6:45 a.m., in phone call while answerfront of 27-51 McIntosh ing the school’s main teleSt., East Elmhurst, police phone. The caller stated that a 15-year-old male stu- The fake gun that led to real responded to a call of an unconscious man. Upon dent was carrying a gun in trouble. arrival, police found his backpack and was sitJudah Johnson, 33, of 55-25 98th Place, ting in classroom 318.

The student aide then notified the dean of Corona, with three gunshot wounds to the the school who in turn located the student in torso.

EMS responded and pronounced the man room 357, and recovered the toy gun, along with a box cutter, from inside of the student’s dead at the scene. There have been no arrests, and the investigation is ongoing. book bag.

The black imitation Uzi had a red tip, From the DA which had been marked over with a black SLASH SENTENING: A Corona man marker.

Police arrested the teenager and he was who tried to slash his wife’s neck with a charged with Criminal Possession of a hunting knife as she slept has been sentenced Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon to 25 years in prison.

Pedro Parrales, 67, of Corona Avenue, on School Grounds. There is no indication that the student was showing the gun or Corona, was convicted last month of secondthreatening students prior to being arrested, degree attempted murder, first-and secondpolice said. The student’s name was withheld degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of endanbecause he is a minor. gering the welfare of a child following a oneand-one-half week jury trial. The judge im114th Precinct IDENTITY THEFT: The NYPD is seek- posed the maximum sentence of 25 years in ing the public’s assistance in identifying a prison and five years’ post-release superviwoman wanted for a theft, which took sion.

According to trial testimony, on May 3, at place March 17. The suspect, described as a white or Hispanic female, obtained the approximately 3 a.m., the victim, Paula Silva, victim’s financial information to open up a 45, was awakened by Parrales, who was on Staples credit account and then made pur- top of her and attempting to slash her throat with a hunting knife. Silva began to scream and tried to grab the knife to stop the attack but suffered deep lacerations to her face, head, chest and hands. The couple’s 9-yearold daughter was in the room screaming for Parrales to stop and their 15-year-old son jumped on top of Parrales to stop the attack.

He stopped briefly, but then jumped on top of his wife again and tried to cut her throat. The son managed to jump on top of Parrales and grab the hunting knife, cutting himself in the process. After the attack, the defendant tried to hang himself twice – once he was cut down by his son, the second time he was cut down by police who saw him hanging from a fire escape when they arrived. Prior to the attack, Silva told Parrales Police are looking for this woman re- that she and the children were moving out of the apartment. lated to an identit y theft.

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 11

Queens Focus PEOPLE. . .PEOPLE. . .PEOPLE. . .PEOPLE PEOPLE. . .PEOPLE. . .PEOPLE. . .PEOPLE PEOPLE. . .PEOPLE. . .PEOPLE. . .PEOPLE PEOPLE. . .PEOPLE...PEOPLE..PEOPLE...

New Executive Director Tom McAlvanah, r. and Past Executive Director Christopher Weldon.

After 21 years, AABR, Inc., a Queens based agency serving nearly 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities in the New York Metropolitan area, will be led by a new Executive Director.

Tom McAlvanah, former Executive Vice President of the Non-Profit Lifespire, Inc. will be taking the reins from the retiring Christopher Weldon. “We are lucky to have him,” says Weldon, who financially quadrupled AABR’s size during his time at the helm.

“I never thought of leaving,” said McAlvanah when asked about his move to AABR from Lifespire, his home for the last 34 years. He explains that when he first heard of the position, he was in the throes of organizing a “Night at the Apollo” for people with special needs. It was the furthest thing from his mind.

“There’s no way he would have made this leap if the agency [AABR] wasn’t so heartfelt in its mission,” says long-time friend, Phil Vassallo.

McAlvanah echoes the same sentiments.

“When I visited the New York Child Learning Institute (NYCLI) [AABR’s school for children with autism], I was touched by the engagement of the children and dedication of the staff. I knew there was something special here.” Aside from NYCLI, AABR employs over 660 New Yorkers in the areas

of Day Programs, Group Residences and Family Services, throughout the five boroughs and Long Island.

Well known in his field in the NYC area, especially from his time as Board President of the Bronx Developmental Disabilities Council, McAlvanah is also widely respected throughout the state. For 8 years he served as President of the New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies (NYSACRA), which represents more than 200 not-for-profit service provider agencies with a combined workforce of approximately 70,000 employees. “He’s a great leader and mentor,” says Steve Klein, now NYSACRA President.

Away from the office, McAlvanah is a family man. He and his wife of 33 years, Margaret, have two wonderful children, James, 20 and Nichole, 14, who are both card-carrying Disney World Club Members.

In his free time, McAlvanah works out five times a week by jogging, biking or playing on his softball team.

However, whether it is at home or in his work, he sees his role as a guide, “to help great people carry out a mission, I like to lead from the back of the ship,” he concludes.

On Saturday, April 9, Martin Luther School crowned Spelling Bee and Mathematics Challenge champions in the inaugural Academic Challenge for students in grades three through eight.

The first and second place finishers in each category will received either a scholarship to Martin Luther School’s Middle or High School program or a US Savings Bond.

“There are so many opportunities for our young athletes to show off their skills,” commented Martin Luther Head of School Randal C. Gast. “We’re so proud of all the students who came to compete in our Academic Challenge to show off their brain power!”

“All of the students performed wonderfully in both of the competitions,” commented MLS Principal Elizabeth Crowe.

Page 12 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Making A Difference:

The Rotary Club of Flushing donated $1,000 to PS 162 PTA to help support healthy eating and activities for students at the school. Pictured l. to r.: PTA Co-Presidents of PS 162 Ria Pallas, Linda Lovett; Rotary Member Margaret Vitale; PS 162 Principal Dena Polous; Rotary Vice President Veronica Tsang; PS 162 Assistant Principal Joan Casale; and Rotary Members Dr. Jane PrattGrippi and Mary McNamara.

Spelling Bee winners from Martin Luther School.

“These students certainly demonstrated high ability in both verbal and test-taking skills.”

The Spelling Bee winners are as follows: Joshua Ng, Grade 8, Fresh Meadows; Alejandra M. Borges, Grade 7, Flushing; Hellen Pena, Grade 3, Brooklyn; Cecilia Brisman, Grade 3, Elmhurst; and Rachel Barreto, Grade 4, Brooklyn.

The Mathematics Challenge winners are as follows:Ebenezer Ng, Grade 8, Fresh Meadows; Joshua Ng, Grade 8, Fresh Meadows; Hellen Pena, Grade 3, Brooklyn; Destayne Rios, Grade 4, Glendale; and Ryan Heenan, Grade 7, Middle Village.

Queens DA Richard Brown, joined by former Mayor David N. Dinkins, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the New York Junior Tennis League, hosted more than 650 Far Rockaway public school students at the 13th annual “Say Yes to Tennis - No to Violence” Day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens.

The students are enrolled in nine public schools in Far Rockaway where they participate in the District Attorney’s STAR Track (Straight Talk About Risks) anti-violence program. The schools include: Frederick Douglas Academy VI, Middle School 53, Public Schools 42, 43, 104, 106, 197, 215 and 333 which enroll more than 7,000 students in grades 4 to 12.

“I want to first congratulate all of the students who have participated in our STAR Track program this year and the thousands of others who have been with us in the prior 12 years,” Brown said. “My fervent hope is that they have benefited from the experience and that the life lessons they have learned – such as fair play and self-control – will have a positive effect on their daily lives.”

“Today’s tennis event is meant to encourage our young people to make affirmative choices – such as sports – as a positive alternative to the deadly culture of gun violence which has permeated their lives on an almost daily basis. Our challenge and goal is to teach them that tennis, aside from being a fun activity, is an enriching, self-improving activity that can be applied to all aspects of life and can give them the confidence to succeed.”

The day-long outing at the USTA National Tennis Center culminates the District Attorney’s year-long STAR Track antiviolence program. As part of the program, twenty members of the District Attorney’s Office and seven members of the New York City Corporation Counsel’s Office – including Queens Chief Jennifer Gilroy Ruiz – have visited seven Far Rockaway schools

– from elementary through high school – throughout the school year to talk about the risks of guns, drugs, gangs and how to make the right choices. The program’s curriculum is designed to drive down the crime rate and build up self-esteem, confidence and the quality of life for the students.

The day-long event features on-court activities for the students with National Tennis Center pros, as well as a tennis demonstration by the District Attorney and former Mayor Dinkins. The children also received T-shirts to commemorate the event along with introductory tennis instruction and lunch.

The event was made possible by: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, USTA, USTA Eastern, the New York Junior Tennis League, Modell’s Sporting Goods, Queens District Attorney’s Office, Queens Borough Public Library, New York Islanders, New York Mets, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City Police Department, NYPD’s Patrol Borough Queens North, the 110th Police Precinct, the NYPD’s PBQN Explorers, the New York City Department of Transportation, New York City Department of Education, Corona Volunteer Ambulance, the Federal Aviation Administration, the State University of New York Recruitment Center, City University of New York LaGuardia Community College, School Theatre Ticket Program, Queens Botanical Garden and Junior High School 216.

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level – from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. It owns and operates the U.S. Open, the largest annually attended sporting event in the world, and launched the U.S. Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the U.S.Open. A not-for-profit organization with more than 665,000 members, the USTA invests 100 percent of its proceeds in growing the game. In addition it owns 94 Pro Circuit events throughout the United States, and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The students received t-shirts donated by Modell’s and goodie bags containing items donated by the New York City Police Department, New York Islanders, New York Mets, S.U.N.Y. Recruitment Center, C.U.N.Y. LaGuardia Community College, School Theater Ticket Program, Federal Aviation Administration, Queens Borough Public Library and the Queens Botanical Garden.

Seeking A Solution To Sign Worries

By JOSEPH OROV IC Councilmen Peter Koo (R-Flushing) and Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) announced legislation that could alleviate some of the ethnic tension and recent complaints regarding signage in Downtown Flushing.

The duo has authored legislation that would give the City Dept. of Consumer Affairs the onus of enforcing Section 131 of the State’s General Business Law, a wishy-washy bill that mandates English signage, but does not dictate its location within the business.

As it stands, enforcement is split among three city agencies: DCA, which oversees the signs’ content; the Dept. of Buildings, which is in charge of placement and size of English writing; and the NYPD, which is

expected to enforce the rules.

The Koo-Halloran bills would hand all duties, to DCA, while also giving a four-year grace period to allow businesses to fall in line with the new rules. The bill would also allow 40 percent of any sign to contain ethnic language, in an effort to not diminish the character of immigrant neighborhood.

“The way the current state law is written, there is no provision for the use of a foreign language printed on the sign,” Koo said.

“Our bills will allow immigrant businesses and communities to keep their ethnic character while complying with the law.

The bill comes from a recent prolonged spat of disgruntled neighborhood activists, disappointed with the blanket disappearance

of English and “American products” from many stores in Downtown Flushing. They have contended the change creates a tense atmosphere, one that leaves them feeling unwelcome.

They have also pointed to safety concerns, as emergency responders addressing a 911 call might have no idea what sort of establishment they are entering.

“Immigrant communities are a critical part of New York City, and thriving immigrant business areas have kept our City moving forward amid this recession,” Halloran said. “These bills protect our immigrant-owned businesses by making sure the City, especially public safety officials and emergency responders, can find

them in an emergency.

Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) has been the primary conduit for local residents seeking a solution to the language barrier. While Meng welcomed the legislation, she did not see it as a wholesale solution to complaints or the underlying problem.

“While these bills alleviate the unenforceability of the current state signage law, at the heart of the issue is still the need to bridge the gap between cultures,” she said.

“This is an issue that needs to be addressed among all ethnicities and not just targeted towards Asian-American neighborhoods.”

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

Teaching Pride In Schools

By JING CHEN Social acceptance is the main theme of Pride Not Prejudice, a non-profit organizat ion founded by writer a nd actor, Rick Mueller, a decades-long HIV survivor.

Pride Not Prejudice is an outreach program that uses theater to promote issues prominent in schools today, including bullying, sex, drugs, homophobia and HIV/AIDS awareness.

While Pride Not Prejudice has an underlying message that advocates gay pride, Mueller said it is about the tolerance and acceptance of all pride.

“Real pride is the acceptance of all pride and as human beings,” he said. “We deserve to be nur tured.”

The organization has held workshops in numerous schools across Queens.

Despite its popularity, a decrease in funding has forced Mueller to cut down on the

workshops. Donations from others, money from Mueller’s own pocket, his faith, love and pride have kept Pride Not Prejudice afloat.

He said he had met to discuss funding prior to Pride Not Prejudice’s inception with “co-founder” now-Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), who is also a co-founder of the Queens Pride Committee, which produces the Queens Pride Parade, which will be held this Sunday at noon in Jackson Height s for the 19 th year.

Mueller also plans to expand the program to the tri-state area if funding would allow.

For more information on Pride Not Prejudice and on how to donate to the organization, visit pridenotprejudice.org or contact Mueller at (917) 587-4241.

Reach Intern Jing Chen at jchen@queenstribune.com or (718) 3577400, Ext 124.

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 13

Business, Banking & Real Estate

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LaGCC Preps New City Biz Leaders

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LaGuardia Community College hosted the graduation of 30 New York entrepreneurs from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. LaGuardia was the first community college in the country selected for the program, which has now expanded beyond New York to Los Angeles, New Orleans and Houston.

For the last 20 weeks, graduates studied accounting, human resources, negotiation and marketing. The program also included one-on-one mentoring, accounting workshops and pro bono legal advice from Goldman Sachs professionals. These graduates come from all five boroughs and represent industries ranging from technology to manufacturing to services. The graduation was hosted by LaGuardia Community College President Gail Mellow, who was joined by New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein.

"New York's vibrant small business community is a major reason why New York has weathered the national recession better than the rest of the country," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Programs like Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses help provide our small businesses across all five boroughs with the resources they need to create jobs and lead our recovery."

"LaGuardia Community College has served the New York City small business community for decades," said LaGuardia Community College President Gail Mellow. "Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses program has given us the opportunity to do that on an entirely new scale, reaching businesses from across the city with a practical, world-class business curriculum that can't be found anywhere else in the region."

"Today's graduates embody the ambition, diversity and sense of community that is the American Dream," said Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein. "Through 10,000 Small Businesses, we aim to provide the skills, capital and mentoring small businesses need to grow, create jobs and build more prosperous neighborhoods."

The inaugural class of 10,000 Small Businesses graduated from LaGuardia in September 2010. Of those graduates, more than 50 percent report double-digit year-over-year revenue growth, and more than 75 percent report having hired new staff.

Graduates will remain engaged in the program in a number of ways. Some have elected to apply for capital through the 10,000 Small Businesses partnership with Seedco Financial Services, a national nonprofit organization that provides affordable financing and comprehensive technical assistance to nonprofit and for-profit organizations situated in economically-distressed and traditionally underserved communities. All will continue to receive mentoring and access to networking opportunities. And their revenue and employ-

LICBDC Hosts Real Estate Nosh The Long Island City Business Development Corp. will hold its annual Real Estate Breakfast Wednesday, June 15, from 8-10 a.m. at Cour t Square Place, 24-01 44th Rd., Long Island City.

A panel discussion of the NYC and Long Island City real estate markets will be followed by a question and answer session. Panelists include: Joanna Geraghty, Chief People Officer and Executive Vice President, JetBlue Airways; Frank Monterisi, VP, The Related Companies, manager of its Hunters Point South project; Jim Pileski, Co-Founder, The Burger Garage; and Jason Sheftell, Real Estate Editor, NY Daily News. David Brause, of Brause Realty, Inc., will moderate.

Admission is $35 for staff of LICBDC member companies, and $45 for non-members. To purchase tickets online, visit licbdc.org, or contact Indra Smith, or call (718) 786-5300, Ext. 21.

ment growth will continue to be tracked to measure the impact of the program.

To date, more than 300 business owners have participated in 10,000 Small Businesses through partnerships with community colleges, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and community organizations.

LaGuardia Community College has long been a leader in the local small business community. It is home to a Small Business Development Center that has for nine years provided entrepreneurs with free, one-onone professional counseling for existing and start-up businesses in English, Spanish, Korean and three dialects of Chinese.

Biz, Banking & Real Estate

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 15

Behind The Scenes:

Secrets Of Port Authority Success In Replacing Main JFK Runaway

By DOMENICK RAFTER The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's ambitious, albeit muchneeded, rehabilitation of JFK Airport's main runway is nearly complete. Those who led the project unveiled how they were able to do it on-time and on-budget - and with only minimal disruptions to air traffic and the surrounding communities.

The bay runway is the nickname of Runway 13R/31L, the 14,000-foot runway that runs along Jamaica Bay on the south side of the airport. Last year, it underwent a $376 million renovation to replace the aging and difficult-to-maintain asphalt surface with 18 inches of concrete overlay. The construction required the entire runway to be shut down for four months and tested the limits of both airport and Port Authority security and air traffic.

James Steven, Program Director of JFK's Physical Plant and Redevelopment; Guy Zummo, principal civil engineer; and Thomas Amoia, resident engineer, explained, in detail, the process from start to finish at a panel discussion on May 24 at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in East Elmhurst.

Page 16 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

In Preparation The Port Authority began studying the runway's reconstruction as early as 2007, Steven said. During the study, the PA had to figure out how it could go about reconstructing one of the country's busiest runways with minimal disruption to air traffic in the busy airport already notorious for delays. The questions that needed to be answered included: what can be done? How can it be done? What would the effect be on security at JFK? And what is it going to cost?

The contractor, Tutor Perini, built "a test section" before doing the work on the runway. The test section was a small taxiway south of the bay runway that connects to Runway 4L/22R, JFK's second longest runway, which intersects the bay runway. The test section ended up becoming part of the airport itself and is in use as a taxiway for planes headed to and from 4L/22R. Informing the public was also important to the Por t Author ity. The bay runway's closure required a change in the traffic pattern into and out of JFK. That runway is often used for takeoffs and landings over Howard Beach, the Rockaways, and the Five Towns section of Nassau County. With that runway closed, air traffic was diverted to other runways, meaning increased use of the airport's two north/south runways and the smaller Runway 13L/31R, which rerouted departing aircraft over neighborhoods not used to them.

The PA engaged in an unprecedented public information strategy, which included going to community meetings in Queens and Nassau County; using videos and webcams; pitching articles to local newspapers about the project; and keeping the public abreast about how the project was moving, especially during the four month runway closure.

"The Port Authority is often the punching bag for the media," Amoia said. "We reached out to the media on this project."

time around, but any hiccups did not affect the timing of the project.

New And Improved

Port Authority planned for years so construction (above) would have little impact on operations. The new runway (r.) is 50 feet wider and concrete rather than asphalt.

They also worked with the airlines, discussing the types of planes in use 108 different types of planes fly into and out of JFK. Steven said the airport's two largest carriers, Delta and JetBlue, have a big morning push. They needed to get the bulk of the construction done before daybreak.

The airlines, Steven said, had the ability to adapt very quickly, but they needed to be engaged and informed early.

The Construction From March 1 to June 29, 2010, the Port Authority closed the entire bay runway so the bulk of the work could be done. After June 29, 10,000 feet of the 14,000-foot runway was reopened until the runway work was completed at the end of the year.

Before closing the runway, however, all other projects, like repairing the taxiways, had to be completed. During the first few weeks of the runways closure, weather was an issue, but the team had fallback options to help keep the job moving on time.

"Everything that could have gone wrong weatherwise, did," Steven said.

The PA kept Tutor Perini in the time frame by placing mon- Runway 13R/31L is JFK’s longest and busiest. etary penalties if work went over, including $300,000 per day if work struction site to the south end of the airthat required closure of the whole runway port, eliminating the need to move ran late (it ended a few days early) and equipment and material across the air$315,000 a day for the work at the inter- port while it was up and operating, and section of runway 4L/22R, which proved making it easier to handle security issues. to be a major concern in itself.

A makeshift concrete plant was also The Port Authority also made use of the runway's proximity to Jamaica Bay. built on site so concrete could be mixed Most of the equipment and material was and ready to pour immediately, also barged in via Jamaica Bay right to the keeping concrete trucks off major highways. Amoia said the contractor asked shorefront, only feet from the runway.

"Our goal was to get vehicle traffic for 20 acres of land at the airport for storoff the roads," Amoia said, noting trying age, but admitted they ultimately needed to get construction vehicles to JFK via more.

There were problems. The first nine the Van Wyck Expressway would have proven to be a nightmare. Using the bay slabs laid on the runway had to be realso allowed the PA to isolate the con- done because they didn't cure the first

The new runway is 50 feet wider, making it able to accommodate larger jets like the Airbus A380 and potentially larger fleets in the future. There are new holding pads alongside the runway where planes can move out of the way of other aircraft. This will help ease ground delays. The concrete overlay makes the runway more durable and gives it a longer lifespan: 40 years rather than just eight years on an asphalt runway. The runway also has a new lighting system to help address complaints from the FAA. The runway's surface was improved drastically thanks to a problem at the intersection of the bay runway and 4L/ 22R, the busiest intersection at the airport. The new concrete on the bay runway would have caused a huge bump on 4L/22R where it crosses the bay runway. To fix it, six inches of the runway was milled to make it even. It ended up fixing more than the bump.

The runway was previously bowed, though not dangerously so, and fixing the intersection allowed the runway to be straightened.

"It turned out to be beautiful for us," Zummo said. "It's smoother than it was before."

When 4L/22R reopened after work on the intersection, Zummo said he called JFK's tower after the first few planes used the runway to see if there were any complaints from pilots about that section.

There were none.

Lessons Learned "We picked up a lot of information from this project," Steven said.

That will be important as the bay runway is not the only one at JFK that the PA plans to renovate. Runway 4L/22R is next on the list. Steven said some of the lessons learned in the bay runway reconstruction will be applied in that project, but that runway, because of its location and orientation, will be much harder. 4L/22R runs northeast/southwest from Jamaica Bay to the cargo hangars just south of Rockaway Boulevard. It is closest to the Central Terminal zone, is surrounded by heavily-used taxiways and it crosses two runways.

Steven said the PA hopes to begin working on a study on how to pull off the admittedly much more difficult reconstruction of Runway 4L/22R in 2013. In the meantime, the PA will ingest the lessons and information received from the bay runway project, including what worked and what didn't. "[Pre-planning] took all the excuses away," Steven said. He added that the greatest lesson learned in the bay runway project was that reconstructing a busy, vital runway at one of the world's busiest airports within a set time frame and budget, and without crippling delays, was possible.

"It the end it was a big success and that's the best lesson learned," he said.

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

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 17

Citi Field Celebrates Memorial Day

The Mets took part in a Memorial Day celebration at Citi Field Monday. New partial owner David Einhorn speaks with media prior to the game.

Troops salute as a moment of silence is held prior to the singing of the National Anthem.

Two F-18 fighter jets fly overhead just before the game starts. Photos by Ira Cohen

Centers For Progress Awards Three At Gala

Queens Centers For Progress held its annual gala May 24 at Terrace on the Park. Michael Lenter, president of Citiquiet/Champion Windows is honored.

Les Barnes, owner of London Lennies in Rego Park, is thanked for his service to the organization.

Former Met Edwin “The Glider” Charles is honored for his work with children. Photos by Ira Cohen

Queens Theatre Gala

Page 18 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

pix

Queens Theatre In the Park honored long-time executive director Jeff Rosenstock at its annual gala last week. Borough President Helen Marshall welcomes the guests.

Jeff Rosenstock thanks the assembled crowd for all they have done throughout the years to support the theatre.

Photos by Ira Cohen

Veteran Honored

Weiner & Bibi

Sen. Tony Avella commemorated Memorial Day by honoring Flushing born World War II Veteran William D. Costello, with a New York State Senate Resolution. Here, Costello and Avella are joined by some of Costello’s fellow veterans.

Last week on Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his address to a joint session of Congress, where he discussed the current situation in the Middle East and President Obama’s recent call for a return to 1967 borders.

Queens Events Edited By Harley Benson

Award Winner

Assemblyman Ed Braunstein announced the winners of his Northeast Queens Photo Contest for students in grades six through twelve. The first place winner was Robert Fein, for his picture titled “Far, Far Away,” which was taken at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Robert is a student at Long Island City High School. Braunstein is pictured here with the winner.

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Name: TODA BOREOLAM, LLC Art. of Org. Filed Sec. Of State of NY 02/25/2011. Off. Loc.: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY to mail copy of process to THE LLC, 86-46 Clio Street, Holliswood, NY 11423. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity. ______________________________________________________________ SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS INDEX NO.: 28929/2010 DATE FILED 11-17-10 SUMMONS NYCTL 2009-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN FOR NYCTL 2009-A TRUST, Plaintiffs, against- GANGAPERSAD MAHARAJH; BARBARA BLACKMAN; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; GREEN TREE CREDIT LLC; THE CIT GROUP/CONSUMER FINANCE INC.; CITY OF NEW YORK ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; CITY OF NEW YORK PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; “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 cap-

tioned defendants, if any, be dead, their respective heirsat-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. 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: November 10, 2010 LEVY & LEVY Attorneys for Plaintiffs 12 Tulip Drive Great Neck, NY 11021 (516) 487-6655 by: JOSHUA LEVY, ESQ. File No.: 1383001 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Joseph G. Golia, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County dated May 10, 2011 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 and to recover the amount of the tax lien and all

of the interest, penalties, additions and expenses, to real property k/a Block 11600, Lot 35. Dated: May 25, 2011.

LEVY & LEVY, Attys. For Pltf. #79921 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 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. ______________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation of RL 32 Ave Property LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State on 4/4/11. Office location: Queens County. Sec. of State designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to the principal business addr.: 132-24 3 2 nd A v e . , F l u s h i n g , N Y 11354. Purpose: any lawful purpose. ______________________________________________________________ Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 3/ 24/11, bearing Index Number NC-000105-11/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 the right to: Assume the name of (First) Melissa (Middle) Ji Sun (Last) Lee My present name is (First) Ji (Middle) Sun (Last) Lee aka Melissa Ji Sun Lee My present address is 13-05 Bell Boulevard, Apt. #3, Bayside, NY

11360 My place of birth is Korea My date of birth is June 19, 1987 ______________________________________________________________ LEVEL 3 MEDIA, LLC, a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC), filed with the Sec of State of NY on 4/25/11.

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, 84-15 108 St., Richmond Hill, NY 11418.

General Purposes. ______________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of 35TH HARCO LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/1/2011.

Office location, County of Queens. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: 213 Beach 88th Street, Rockaway Beach NY 116931605. Purpose: any lawful act. ______________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation of JC Tax & Accounting LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of the State of New York (SSNY) on 02/ 08/2011. 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 any process served against the LLC to: 151-68 7 th Avenue Whitestone, NY 11357 Purpose: any lawful act or activity. ______________________________________________________________ Name: 357-361 HENRY STREET DEVELOPMENT LLC Art. Of Org. Filed Sec. Of State of NY 03/31/2011. Off Loc.: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY to mail copy of process to the LLC C/O, Ginsburg & Misk, Esqs. 21548 Jamaica Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11428. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity. ______________________________________________________________ Action for divorce: Seung Ho Choi v. Un Ju Pak You are hereby summoned to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or to serve a notice of appearance on plaintiff’s attorney within thirty (30) days after the publication and in case of your failure to answer appear, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the notice set forth below in the complaint. The object of this action is to obtain a judgement of divorce dissolving the marriage between the parties on the grounds that are in accordance with Sub (2) of the Sec 170 of the Domestic Relations law.

Hong Kyung Choi, Esq. Attorney for plaintiff 141-25 Northern Blvd. #A30, Flushing, NY 11354

______________________________________________________________ ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OF UBU Property, LLC Under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law FIRST: The name of the limited liability company is: UBU Property, LLC SECOND: The county within this state in which the office of the limited liability company is to be located is: Queens County. THIRD: The Secretary of State is designated as agent the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served.

The address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company serviced upon him or her is: 37-21 60 th Street, Woodside, New York 11377 FOURTH: The names and residence addresses of all individuals who are to be the original members and the original managers, if any, are: 1. Doris DeDemonico (name) Member/Mgr (title) 100% (perc e n t i n t e r e s t ) 3 7 - 2 1 6 0th Street, Woodside, New York 11377 (residential address Doris DeDemenico (signature of organizer) Doris DeDemonico (print or type name of organizer) Filed By: Michael A. Gallan, Esq. (name) 224 Whitehall Boulevard (mailing address) Garden City, New York 11530 (City, State and ZIP code) ______________________________________________________________ Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 5/ 11/11, bearing Index Number NC-000520-11/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 the right to: Assume the name of (First) Jane (Middle) Ivy (Last) Breisky My present name is (First) Jane (Middle) Lake (Last) Breisky (infant) My present address is 37-22 80 th Street, Apt. 2, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 My place of birth is New York, NY My date of birth is December 24, 2010 ______________________________________________________________ Notice is hereby given a License Number (PENDING) for on-premises Liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Summer Vessel liquor at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1 World’s Fair Marina Slip 10, Flushing, NY 11368 for on premises consumption.

PADDLE WHEEL QUEENS LLC ______________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation JYA Realty LLC art. of org. filed Secy. of State NY (SSNY) 12/23/ 10. Off. Loc. in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 37-39 30 th St, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

To Place Your Legal Advertisement, Call the Tribune a t (718) 357-7400 Ext. 149 or E-Mail Your Copy to the T r i b u n e at: legals@queenstribune.com

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 19

LEGAL NOTICE

celebrateisraelparade.org

SPEND THE DAY WITH A MILLION GOOD FRIENDS

Sunday June 5, 11am - 4pm 57th - 74th Streets, 5th Ave, NYC Don’t miss the fabulous floats, marvelous marching bands, and special celebrity guests.

Including performances by Beit Habubot, SOULFARM, Kosha Dillz and Diwon, Mama Doni and lots more!

Please visit our website celebrateisraelparade.org for an up to date list of the parade attractions.

Also on June 5: Take part in the Celebrate Israel Run in Central Park. Register @ www.nyrr.org.

Page 20 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

A special project of:

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Leisure

Journey To Bridge A Generation Gap

By JOSEPH OROV IC Literar y history is rife with stories of journ e y s to s e l f - d i s c o ve r y . E n t e r C e l i n e Keating's "Layla," a take on the proud literary tradit ion - with a twist.

The novel follows Layla James, a modern teenage protagonist w ith an ar t ist ic bent,

Celine Keating's novel of a journey and discover y.

wards activism is an understatement. She looks back upon the era longingly.

"It's always hard to argue that your period was more important," Keat ing said. "I definitely think it was a seismic period of change. The whole 1960s era still had such and effect on the regular daily lives of people.

Nothing felt like it saturated every corner of the countr y like that period did."

Those same peers that color her memorie s were very much on her mind when writing, as was her native borough.

"It leaks through certainly in some of the scenes, and [Layla's] family is still in Queens," she said. "Queens was definitely off the beaten track for the centers of power."

Still, when writing a nostalgic journey and homage to her generation, Keating admit ted there is a gap between the novel she

but conservative sensibilities.

Saddled with the death of her former-hippie mother and the ghost of a father who only left her with a name (you can guess its origins on your own), the aspiring photographer under takes a journey across the country. Spurred by a mysterious letter left by her mother, Layla encounters the sometimes dormant activists of the flower-power generation on her road to a surprising twist ending.

On her road from New York to a commune in California, Layla discovers lessons about love, forgiveness and friendship we can relearn ourselves. Mushy par ts aside, Keating hopes the book will reignite activist streaks that have gone silent.

"I guess in some strange way, I was almost hoping, 'C'mon this is possible,'" Keating said. "It would be lovely to see people take a more activist role."

Layla's stor y does not deviate wildly from Keating's own, who is also the product of two working-class parents from Queens. She also lost her father at an early age.

"I'm not the age of the protagonist, but I always wondered what would it be like to have a daughter," she said. "One with ver y different values."

The characters Layla meets are familiar to the author, herself a product of the 1960s.

After graduating Queens College in the early 1970s, Keating took a cross-country trip to California, volunteering for Cesar Chavez's farm workers' union. She also part icipated in the ant i-war movement. To say her personal experience has geared her to-

Circus Of Superheroes Takes Over Boro Park

Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen

REVIEW

ment is winning every viewer's interest with super sight gags and per fect pantomime.

You can see the imaginar y X-Men on the silver screen, but why not watch the incredibly flexible, real-life "X Bud Roses Troupe" of Chinese contortionists? The lovely young ladies literally bend over backward to entertain their audiences.

Jennifer Vidbel's act includes a dozen white ponies, a majestic Arabian stallion, several very talented dogs, and goat s who ride ponies. The ponies prance in a traditional "liberty act," which means they freely pace around the ring without any riders, displaying the classic beauty of rhythmic pacing. Queens native Paul Simon metaphorically celebrated such an act in the song, "One Trick Pony," which includes the admiring lyric, "When he steps into the spotlight,/you can feel the heat of his hear t come shining through."

One of the best par t s of the Big Apple Circus experience is something that's hilariously different every t ime: audience interaction. Lucky members of the audience are chosen to work together with the clowns in various ways (a clue: the title of this year's presentation is "Dance On."). Best of all: every visitor has an excellent view, thanks to the considerate close-up seating and the onering intimacy of this exciting extravaganza.

Cunningham Park is at 196-22 Union Turnpike. For more information, go to bigapplecircus.org, or call (800) 922-3772, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Barry "Grandma" Lubin interac ts with an audience member.

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 21

By BARBARA ARNSTEIN Special effects are only tricks, but the Big Apple Circus is for real.

The superheroes of this circus demonstrate the dexterity of Daredevil, twirl lassos like Wonder Woman and command creatures like Aquaman. With mighty muscles like Superman, Big Apple athletes jump, juggle, balance, bend and soar high in the air. Now is the time to catch the show at Cunningham Park in Fresh Meadows, where it will remain through June 5.

Walking on stilts is a challenging feat, and Andrey Mantchev maages to do it using his hands. The Bulgaria-born gymnast began his career at the age of 6 and succeeded in becoming a member of the Junior National Team before 14. At that time, he was chosen to join a team that traveled to America, where he joined the Big Apple Circus in 1999. Russian gymnast Regina Dobrovitskaya, a permanent member of the cast, toured with a Moscow circus.

The act of the amazing Hebei Wuqiao acrobats includes a breathtaking demonstration of lassoing techniques and teamwork that won them the Golden Lion award at the 11th China Wuqiao International Acrobatic Circus festival in 2007. The Kenyan Boys jump and juggle, demonstrating terrific teamwork.

The circus's clowns of renown, Rob Torres and Barr y Lubin (who plays the character "Grandma"), have won many international awards and honors, but their greatest achieve-

A Chinese Mainstay TUNG SHING HOUSE dishes began to arrive. First, the roast pork 97-45 Queens Blvd. fried rice arrived, replete with sprouts, (718) 275-9818 chunks of char siu, onion and herbs. As CUISINE: Chinese that cooled, the duck was brought HOURS: Noon to 11 p.m. tableside, and the server prepared the CREDIT CARDS: Yes wraps for us. Chinese pancakes get folded DELIV ERY: Yes burrito-style around slices of the tender On a busy Saturday night, five of us meat, which is dipped in a nut t y hoisin. took a break from the Memorial Day week- Crisp skin and fresh cucumber and scalend heat to enjoy a classic meal at one of lion fill out the interior, a nd the plate of the oldest and most renowned neatly wrapped, hand-held duck Chinese restaurants in Queens is placed at the table. While we RESTAURANT waited for our other dishes, we Tung Shing House.

We've been there before. My made quick work of the duck. grandmother used to hold her The kung pao chicken ar"Family Circle" meetings there; rived, generously filled with tenI've been there a few times on der chicken, peanuts and ubiqmy own and with my family. I've uitous Szechuan pepper flakes. yet to find a dish I haven't liked.

This is the way I like it - the balSaturday was no exception. ance of salty, sweet and spicy We started with the most imcaused flavors to dance along my portant part first - ordering the tastebuds. Yum. Peking Duck. You need to give As we ate, we continued to them 30 minutes or so to get the meal to- wait for our final dish, a request that had gether - it is done to order to ensure that to be made a few times before our beef you get that perfect balance of juicy meat with string beans arrived. Though we did and crisp skin. More on that later. feel a bit ignored at times, the dish was We started with a couple of simple clas- cer tainly wor th the wait. Like the chicken, sics - pan-fried dumplings and barbecue the beef was tender, cooked just enough ribs. The dumplings are the pot stickers of without being overdone. The sauce was a old, crisply browned on one side, steamy sweet and slightly sour golden delight, and and juicy in the middle with a great mix of the beans were fresh, still with a snap on soy, sesame, rice wine vinegar and hint of the teeth - perfectly executed.

Szechuan pepper dipping sauce. The ribs Though the service seemed to be off were not the red, overcooked kind that so that night - they didn't know we were writmany take-out joints proffer, but meaty, ing a review, perhaps, I've never experichewy, golden and tangy. The dish of fried enced the problem before. I knew that noodles helped round out our first course. when I made a mention to our hostess as Though some tables got roasted pea- we left, that the issue would be addressed. nuts and pickled beets, our table was someAnd like I said, the food was certainly how overlooked. It was a busy night. worth the wait.

Soon after finishing the first round, our —Br ian M. Raffer ty

envisioned and the finished product - which is not necessarily a bad conclusion.

"It never meshes. At some point you say, 'This is what it is,'" she said. "It's always such a peculiar experience because how you feel the vision and what happens on the page, it's just two separate things. It wasn't too far off, at least, close enough to let go of it."

Keating hopes the novel will bridge a gap between the children of flower children and their parents.

"It would be great if parents and young adults would read the books and discuss it," she said. "You'd love to think that something you write would have meaning for someone."

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

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Queens Today HEALTH

SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send typed announcements for your club or organization’s events at least TWO weeks in advance to “Queens Today” Editor, Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone NY 113572809. Send faxes to 3579417, c/o Regina.

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

HEALTH YOGA CLASSES Saturdays 10-11 and Sundays 9:30-10:30 workshops on Yoga. Other classes include meditation, Ayurvedic, yoga philosophy, Sanskirt language. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Jackson Heights. 646-912-1885.

YOGA IN THE PARK Saturdays through September 24 at Socrates Sculpture Park. 956-1819.

CAPOEIRA IN THE PARK Saturdays through September at Socrates Sculpture Park. 956-1819.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 7 days a week. 962-6244.

Flushing.

PILATES IN THE PARK Sundays through September 25 at Socrates Sculpture Park. 956-1819.

TAI CHI IN THE PARK Sundays through September 25 at Socrates Sculpture Park.956-1819.

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

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

NICOTINE ANONYMOUS Mondays 6:45-8:00 at the Center for Tobacco Control,

2 2 5 C o m m u n i t y D r i ve , Great Neck. 516-510-7826.

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

670-1695. $5 a class.

GAM-ANON Tuesdays Free Synagogue of Flushing and Zion Episcopal Church. Wednesdays All Saints Episcopal Church in Bayside, First Presbyterian Church in Forest Hills, Church on the Hill in Flushing and United Methodist Church in Middle Village. Thursdays Free Synagogue of Flushing and Zion Episcopal Church.

Call 1-877-664-2469.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT E ve r y Tu e s d ay We ste r n Queens Caregiver Network in Sunnyside. 5:30-6:30.

784-6173, ext. 431.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT Every Tuesday 3:30-4:30 at the Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, 208-11 26 th Avenue, Bayside. 631-1886.

ZUMBA Wednesdays the Sisterhood of Bay Terrace Jewish Cent e r , 1 3 - 0 0 2 0 9 th S t r e e t , Bayside, will hold Zumba Fitness classes from 7:30-8:30. $8 members, $10 others.

428-6363.

YOGA Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 6701695. $10 class.

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

OA Fridays 6:30-8:30 at Unit y Center of Flushing, 42-11 1 5 5 th S t r e e t . S a t u r d a y s 10:30-noon at Resurrection Ascension, Feely Hall, 85-18 61 st Road, Rego Park. Beginners meeting except the last Friday of each month, which is a writing meeting.

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

BLOOD DRIVE Sunday, June 12 9-2 at

Queen of Angels Church in the Parish Center, 43-18 Skillman Avenue, Sunnyside. 646-541-6526.

BLOOD DRIVE Saturday, June 4, 8:45am to 2 pm, Long IslandCouncil #197 Knights of Columbus, 94-04 Linden Blvd. 347-9350252. Bring photo ID NAR-ANON Thursdays, 7:30 to 9 pm, NarAnon Never Alone is a 12Step support group for anyone affected by a loved one’s use and/or abuse of drugs. There are no dues or fees. Meetings are held at the VFW Hall in Whitestone, 19-12 149 St. 217-0364

RELIGIOUS REFORM TEMPLE Wednesday, June 15 Reform Temple Forest Hills, 7111 112th St., OpenHouse 68 pm. Tour buildign and lean about activities.

HEALING PRAYER Sunday, June 12, 3 pm, A Christian Science lecture titled “Prayer That Heals, Protects and Restores,” First Church of Christ Scientist, 60 Greenway Terrace, Forest Hills.

SHAVUOT PROGRAM Thursday, June 9, noon, Horizons, for 55 and older, will discuss the givings of the Torah at Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112th St. $ includes coffee and cake.

INCLUSION SHABBAT Friday, June 10, 8 pm, Michelle Hackman, second place award winner in the Intel Sciecne Talent Search will speak with Rabbi Perlmuter at Shabbat of Inclusion, Reform Temple of Forest Hills, 71-11 112th St.

MISCELLANEOUS DOG/CAT VACCINE Through July 30 Petland Discount locations offer low cost dog and cat vaccinations. Contact your local store.

Page 22 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

You Know, For Kids:

The children’s musical duo known as “Hot Peas ‘N Butter” will perform at Flushing Town Hall at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 4. Call (718) 463-7700 for tickets.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS WOODBLOCK PRINTING Easy method in full color at the National Art League.

969-1128.

JH ART CLUB Classes in all art forms days and evenings for children and adults. 454-0813.

CRAFT CLASSES Saturdays 11-3 at Maria Rose International Doll Museum in St. Albans. 2763454.

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

PET OWNERS Saturdays (not on holiday weekends) from 1-4 free Doggie Boot Camp at Crocheron Park in Bayside (weather permitting). 4545800. Reservations required. Donations accepted.

PUBLIC SPEAKING Saturdays, June 4, 18 learn to communicate effectively at Elmhurst Hospital. 646436-7940.

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

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

DRAWING CLASS Mondays at the National Art League in Douglaston. 3610628.

LINE DANCE Mondays beginner to intermediate lessons 6-9 in Bayside. 917-886-0519.

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

BEGIN ENGLISH Mondays and Wednesdays free Beginners English

Classes 10-11:30 at the Pomonok Senior Center, 6709 Kissena Blvd., Flushing.

591-3377.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesday, June 7 at the Glendale library. Register.

QUILTERS Tuesdays at the Richmond Hill library from 12-2.

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

GET YOUR YARNS OUT! Tuesdays after evening Minyan at 8, knitters, crocheters, needlepointers, and others meet at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 200.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE Wednesdays 10:30-3:00 at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills. $12 session, includes light lunch. 261-2900 INDOOR SOCCER – DADS Wednesday evenings at the Forest Hills Jewish Center.

263-7000.

OIL PAINTING CLASS Wednesdays 6-8 adult classes, all levels. Grace Lutheran Church in Forest Hills. 472-4055.

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

QUILTING CLASSES Thursdays 10-2 at the Maria Rose Doll Museum in St. Albans. 276-3454 or 917817-8653 to register.

QUILTERS Thursdays at the East Elmhurst library at 12:30.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays at the East Flushing library. Register.

COMPUTER CLASS Thursdays at the Queensboro Hill library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Thursdays at the Fresh

Meadows library at 6.

PAINTING WORKSHOP Fridays through June 24 N e w C re a t i v i t y a n d A d vanced Painting Workshop at National Art League. 1-646546-2296.

KNITTING CLUB Fridays at the Maspeth library at 10.

KNIT & CROCHET Fridays at the Fresh Meadows library at 10:30.

SAFE BOATING Saturday, June 4, Eight-hour New York State Boating Class at All-Saints Episcopal Church, Great Neck. 917952-7014 BOATING SAFELY Saturdays, June 11 and June 26, Eight Hour About Boating Safely class at Fort Totten, Bayside. 917-952-7014 ST GREGORY THE GREAT June 16 - June 16, 7-11 pm, 32nd Annual gregorian Summer Festival, 87th Avenue and Cross Island Parkway SUMMER FIESTA Saturday, June 11, 1-4 pm, St Joan of Arc Church, 82-00 35th Avenue, will hold its Summer Fiesta with barbecue, ethnic foods, children’s games, wine, refreshments, raffles and prizes, entertainment, more.

CARD PART Y Tu e s d ay , J u n e 1 4 , 1 1 : 3 0 am, The Siaterhood of Bay Terace Je wish Center, 1300 209th St., Bayside, will holst a luncheon card part y. $20 in advance, $22 at the door.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Queens Today

TALKS FRESH MEADOWS Thursday, May 26 “Lost Cit y of Z” will be discussed at 2:30 at the Fresh Meadows library.

Citi Pitch:

www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 23

Tickets are still available for the inaugural International Soccer Match at Citi Field Tuesday, June 7, with Greece taking on Ecuador. To get tickets call (718) 507-TIXX.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Queens Today

Queens Today

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

SCULPTURE PARK Saturdays through September 24 the Socrates Sculpture Park will hold drop-in workshops for families.

MATH HELP Saturdays at the Flushing library at 10.

CHESS CLUB

MEETINGS

Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

S TORY TIMES Saturdays at 11 and Tuesdays at 10:30 weekly story times at Barnes & Noble, 1766 0 Un i o n Tu r n p i ke , Fre s h Meadows.

KNIT & CROCHET Mondays at 4 at the Douglaston/Little Neck library. Bring needles and yarn.

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

CHESS CLUB Fridays at the Poppenhusen library at 3:30.

GAME DAY Fridays at 3:30 at the Queens Village library.

CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION June 6-30, National Art League headquarters, 44-21 D o u g l a sto n P k w y. Galler y Hours are 1-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Admission is free. The public is invited.

ENTERTAINMENT ASTORIA HISTORICAL Saturday, June 4 “Episode 6: New York: A Documentary” at 1. Free. Sunday, June 5 walking tour of Old Astoria Village. $10 at 11am.

Monday, June 6 Documentary on Newtown Creek at 7. $5. Saturday, June 18 History Round Table with the events of the Civil War in 1861 at 1. $5. Greater Astoria Historical Societ y, 35-20 Broadway, 4 th floor.

278-0700.

STAMP SHOW Sunday, June 26 Bayside Stamp Show at the Ramada Inn in Bayside. 10-4:30.

Free.

LIVE JAZZ Fridays through December 13 at 180-25 Linden Blvd.., St. Albans. 347-262-1169 ticket information.

JAMAICA BAY CRUISE Saturday, June 18 Jamaica Bay Cruise 4-7 from Brooklyn. 318-9344.

INTERNATIONAL CONCERT Friday, June 17, International Concert with Dino Rosi , Whitestone Library, 3 LOVE STORY Saturday, June 11, 8 pm, Cantor Guy Bonne and special musical guests will perform the greatest love songs

e ve r w r i t t e n a t Te m p l e Tikvah, 3315 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park. $18 516-746-1120 IT’S SHOW TIME Sunday, June 12, 5-7 pm, Musica Reginae Productions and & Church In The Gardens present an organ concert with Katherine Meloan: “It’s Show Time!” 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills.

DAY OF SONG On Sunday, June 5, at 3 p.m., The Gingerbread Players of Saint Luke’s Church p re s e n t “A D ay o f S o n g , ” Chamber Music for Flute & Soprano, with Patricia Blackman Dunn on flute and Mary Thorne, Soprano, with Christa Somers, clarinet and Wenhan Anderson, piano.

The event will be held at Saint Luke’s Church, 85

Greenway South, Forest Hills, between Ascan Avenue & Harrow Street. Tickets are $12 ($10 for students & seniors). For information and reservations call (718) 2687772 or go to gingerbreadplayers.orMusic & Song MUSIC AND SONG Monday, June 13, 6:30 pm, An Evening of Music and Song will be held in the Richmond Hill Library Auditorium, 118-14 Hillside Ave. (enter through driveway on Babbage Street).

The evening, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Richmond Hill Library, will include popular and classical selections and will feature singer Victor Starsky and William Thomas Smiddy, pianist. 718-849-7150

DINNER QUEENS GO RED June 9 Queens Go Red for Women Breakfast with the American Heart Association.

516-450-9123.

LICBDC REAL ESTATE June 15 breakfast in LIC. 786-5300, ext. 21.

JEWISH WOMEN

June 21 luncheon by the NY section of the National Council of Jewish Women. 1-800829-NCJW. CENTENNIAL 2011 September 24 Queens Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the Centennial at Terrace on the Park.

Page 24 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

FLEA MARKETS THRIFT SHOPS Saturdays 11-4 at Bargain Boutique Thrift Shop, Queens Baptist Church, 9323 217 th Street, Queens Vil-

lage.465-2504.

MASPETH SALE Saturday, June 4, 10 am, Multi-dwelling yard sale, 60th Street off Flushing Av-

THEATER KILLING KOMPANY Friday, June 3 “Graduation to Murder” at Riccardo’s in Astoria. The Killing Company performs mystery dinner shows. 1-888-SHOOTEM for information.

AUDITIONS Tues and Wed – June 14 & 15, 7:30 p.m., Auditions for a musical-comedy about civil rights and rock & roll will be held by FSF Communit y Theatre Group, which is looking for a large multi-racial cast of singers, dancers, actors ages 14 thru adult. Performances in November. Tues and Wed – June 14 & 15, 7:30 p.m., Free Synagogue of Flushing, 41-60 Kissena Blvd. 516-354-5210 ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

Tuesday, June 14, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 16, 7:30 p.m. , Interested performers are invited to audition for Theatre By The Bay’s production of Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun” at Bay Terrace Jewish Center, 13-00 209th St., Bayside. 718-428-6363.

BE A STAR Wednesdays, 10:30 am, Join our group of older adults inspired by a theatre professional who achieves exceptional results. Rehearsals are held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Hollis Public Library, 202-05 Hillside Ave., and on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. at the Queens Village Library, 94-11 217th St. Call (718) 776-0529 for more information.

enue, rain dat June 5.

FLEA MARKET Saturday, June 4, 9 am to 4 pm, First Reformed Church, 119th Street and 14th Avenue, call 767-1243.

BAKE & BOOK Saturday, June 4, 9:30 to 3:30 and Sunday, June 5, 11:30 to 3:30, Church of the Ressurection, Summer Treasure Bake and Book Sale, 8509 118th Street. Used clothing, household items, oneof-a-kind, baked goods, snacks and lunch GROCERY AUCTION Friday, June 3, 7:30 pm, Grocery Auction at Emanuel Unitd Church of Christ, 9312 91st Avenue, $8 admission includes 50 chances to win groceries, plus coffe and cake THRIFT SHOP Tuesday, June 14, 9 am to 2 pm, Sisterhood of the Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills, 71-25 Main Street.

Used clothing, household items, bric-a-brac, books, jewelry

JEWISH VETS Sunday, June 26 Jewish War Veterans of the USA Lipsky/ Blum Post meet at the Garden Jewish Center. 4634742.

ST. ALBANS CIVIC Sunday, June 26 St. Albans Civic Improvement Association meets at 1:30 at St. Albans Lutheran Church, 200 th Street and 119 th Avenue in the undercroft. 2764263.

TOASTMASTERS Mondays, June 6, 20 True Potential Toastmasters meet at 7:10. 646-269-1577.

MEN’S CLUB SOCCER Tuesday evenings at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 2637000.

FRESH MEADOW CAMERA Tuesdays the Fresh Meadows Camera Club meets.

917-612-3463.

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

FH VAC Wednesdays, June 22, July 27 Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corp meets.

793-2055.

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

465-2914.

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

111TH PRECINCT Tuesday, June 7, 7:30 pm, 111th Precinct Communit y Council Awards Night at Adria Motel, Northern Boulevard FOR THE BIRDS Wednesday, June 15, 8 pm, T h e Q u e e n s C o u n t y B i rd Club will hold its monthly meeting at Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston.

OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, June 15, 6-8 pm, The Reform Temple of Forest Hills, located at 71-11 112th St., will hold an open

house. Refreshments will be served.

COMMUNITY DAY June 18, Community Day for Queens Library at Long Island Cit y and this year we are celebrating with a Swap & Shop. This family event is free and there will giveaways, food, a live DJ, a Zumba class, crafts and much more. Swap participants will exchange crafts, books, DVDs, music CDs, video games, small plants and other small household items. Local merchants or vendors may sell small non-food items such as costume jewelry, gadgets, clothing, and crafts. Neighborhood non profits and merchants must apply for table space in advance. 7523700 MS SPRING FLING Thursday, June 23, 6:301 0 : 3 0 p m , T h e N e w Yo r k Cit y - Southern New York Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Societ y cordially invites you to the Fifth Annual Spring Fling at Riccardo’s by the Bridge, 2101 24th Ave., Astoria. Registration Deadline: Monday June 13. $12 per person.

Guest Limit: three guests per member living with MS. To register by phone, call 800-FIGHT-MS, Option 1.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, June 11, 9:30 a.m. to 4 pm, A defensive driving course for insurance and point reduction will be given at Our Lady of Fatima

DANCE ISRAELI FOLK Mondays 7:15-9:45 at Hillcrest Jewish Center, 18202 Union Turnpike. $10 session. 380-4145.

LINE DANCING Mondays 6:30-9:30 at Kowalinski Post 4, 61-57 Maspeth Avenue. $7. Cake and coffee. 565-2259.

FREE LINE DANCE Mondays, 1 pm, Pomonok Senior Center with instructor Bernardo, 67-09 Kissena Blvd., call 591-3377

Church in Jackson Heights 631-360~9720. The cost is $45.

STRAWBERRY FAIR Saturday, June 11, 11 am to 6 pm, Come to the Strawberry Fair . There will be vendors to purchase from, food to buy, and fun to have.

There will be hamburgers, hot dogs, cake and, of course, strawberries. Also, there will be international foods of different countries from around the world, a communit y auction, balloon animals and face painting for the kids. The festival will be at All Saints’ Church, 43-12 46th St., Sunnyside. 7848031 NA CAN HELP Got a drug problem? Call the Narcotics Anonymous helpline at (718) 962-6244 or go to westernqueensna.com FLUSHING CAMERA CLUB First, third and fifth Wednesday, 7:30 pm, The Flushing Camera Club is celebrating its 40th season of serving all of Queens, Long Island and New York Cit y.

Auditorium of Flushing Hospital; enter at 45th Avenue and Burling Street. Come and spend an evening with us to learn about good photography and to enjoy excellent photography related programs. Validated free parking is available. 749-0643 FRESH MEADOWS CAMERA Tu e s d a y s , 7 : 4 5 p m , T h e Fresh Meadows Camera Club meets. Call Joe at 917612-3463 or Richie 646-8315962

TEENS REGENTS REVIEW In June Maspeth Town Hall offers Regents Review Classes. $80. 335-6049.

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

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

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

Muy Bien:

The Mestizo Dance Company will perform Sunday, June 5, 1 p.m., as part of the Thalia Free Outdoors Festival at Thompson Hill Park, Greenpoint Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets. Call (718) 729-3800.

Models Of Queens

About six years ago, still in college, Michelle Nistorescu was walking through the Queens Center Mall, and saw a poster in the window of a new store about to open.

“Yellow Rat Bastard was asking for people to submit pictures if they wanted to be part of a promotional poster for the store,” Michelle said. Little did she know, this was to be the start of something big.

“They called me and asked me if I was interested, and about a week later they wanted to know if I would be interested in appearing in an ad for the PX clothing line. I had to pretend to be cleaning while a guy wearing the PX clothing was lounging. All I was wearing was a pair of boy shorts and heels. It was shot from the back.”

The job didn’t pay a lot – only about $100, but it certainly gave Michelle a taste for the business.

“From then on, I graduated college in 2006, and I was approached on the street by recruiters from Abercrombie and Fitch who asked me to be a store model,” she told QConf. Her next opportunity came at G Star Raw Denim company.

Michelle admits that modeling is just a hobby, and not her main focus. Though she has a degree in mass communications with a concentration in advertising, she has been working in the finance industry as an assistant for an asset management fund.

When she has some actual free time, Michelle enjoys the lounges in her neighborhood, especially Claret — a wine bar on Skillman Avenue or Bar 43 or Sidetracks on Queens Blvd.

“I love Queens Boulevard,” she said. “You just walk right on it and there are all these types of restaurants. You just walk there and it feels like you’re in Europe.”

For anybody interested in getting into the modeling industry, Michelle has advice.

“Never pay for anything,” she said, about photo sessions and working Michelle Nistorescu with photographers Home: Sunnyside and make-up artists.

Age: 27 “Also, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Height: 5’ 10" Always make sure you ask 100 questions.”

“And if they want you to lose weight – don’t,” she said.

Weight: 135 lbs “Don’t let them try to make you into something you’re Stats: 34-24-36 not.”

Page 34 Tribune June 2-8, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Bus Bonanza Teacher traffic is not the only thing that ties up roads during the school year. If you’re driving around South Queens in the middle of the afternoon on a school day, you’ll probably want to avoid Atlantic Avenue.

While trying to cross the major thoroughfare at 96th Street from Woodhaven into Ozone Park several weeks ago, we got caught up in what can only be described as a traffic tangle eerily similar to Forest Hills after last September’s tornado.

Shortly before 5 p.m., like ants swarming toward an uneaten picnic dinner, dozens of school buses ending their day headed for the

The buses try to make their way through Ozone Park in hopes of getting into the lot by 5 p.m. Photo by Domenick Rafter small single entrance to the Logan Bus Company’s lot in Ozone Park Confidentially, New on what used to be the Rockaway LIRR line. Traffic lights were rendered irrelevant and only after a few abnormal swerves, we were only able to escape the clustered mess.

Norm’s Wang Flushing-born actress Linda Wang has found a new recurring gig on a show hosted by former SNL newsman Norm MacDonald.

“Sports Show With Norm MacDonald” is a goof on 24-hour sports networks, and Wang was featured as a Korean woman in LA who pokes fun at MacDonald’s awe MacDonald and Wang of Asian female golf players.

This is not Wang’s first foray into nighttime sketch comedy. Back when Conan O’Brien briefly helmed the Tonight Show, she played a blonde wig-wearing girlfriend of a recurring character – a masturbating bear.

We’re glad to see that Wang’s career is putting her in less ursine situations, and look forward to her making a primetime debut – hopefully in something that doesn’t involve bear suits or self-gratification.

New York Government Stars: Linda Sun, Aravella Simotas, Tai White

Under 40, On Top Though The Capitol, a weekly newspaper based out of Manhattan, is dedicated to coverage of what happens in Albany, a handful of Queens ladies made it into their most recent issue in a “40 Under 40 Rising Stars” special.

Some Queens glitterati on the list include freshman Astoria Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, Assemblywoman Grace Meng’s Chief of Staff Linda Sun and Sen. Malcolm Smith Press Secretary Tai White.

White’s interview in particular was interesting, in that the 30year-old, who is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Public Relations, expects that in five years

her business card, besides showing that she is a person who helps New York, would also read “wife and mother.”

Student, worker, wife and mom?

Sounds busy – yet it seems we can always get her on the phone in a pinch.

Simotas, on the other hand, if she were not an Assemblywoman and a lawyer, would have loved to pursue her other dream job – ballerina.

“My dream job would be to be a member of the New York City Ballet,” she said. “I studied ballet but then took a different path.”

Indeed.

Keep it up ladies.

Dr. Liu? What do you consider success? Is it being a multi-millionaire or starring in a plethora of movies?

For most the answer to that would be a boisterous yes, but for Lucy Liu’s parents that career path is iffy.

Even though the Jackson Heights beauty has starred in films like “Charlie’s Angels” and appeared in movies such as “Kill Bill,” her parents are skeptical about her career path, and they are holding out hope that she will eventually become a doctor or lawyer.

York . . .

In our minds Lucy, you are the most successful member of our family. Would we be able to score complimentary tickets for “Kung Fu Panda 2?” Please. We would really love to see you reprise your role as Viper.

Kochya It is beginning to sink in – Queens will always have a Koch in front of it.

Signs are already littering the city streets making us aware the Queensboro Bridge name is no longer the same.

Still upset, many Queens residents have said they will never utter the new name.

But Koch may be able to lend the borough a bit of a friendly reminder.

Last week, speaking at the Water Club, former Mayor Ed Koch addressed a crowd of VIPs, gleaming across the horizon at the bridge that now bears his name.

When asked if he knew it would take time for city residents to catch on to the bridges new name, Koch replied, “It will ultimately catch on because I will be shouting it everywhere I go.”

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www.queenstribune.com • June 2-8, 2011 Tribune Page 35