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2010 QUEENS TRIBUNE

PERSON OF THE YEAR

CARLISLE TOWERY Every year, the Queens Tribune bestows its Person of The Year honor upon a recipient who has shown the drive, ambition and focus to help make Queens a better place to live. This year’s honoree clearly exceeds those criteria.

Carlisle Towery of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is the 2010 Queens Tribune Person of the Year. A humble man who knows that the successes in which he has played a key role are not the work of an individual, he shares the honor with every person who has worked for or on behalf of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

For nearly 40 years, Carlisle Towery has helmed the organization that has seen Jamaica morph from a neighborhood on the verge of collapse to one of the City’s shining stars, on the verge of a grand economic expansion. The organization has led the social, cultural and economic growth of Greater Jamaica, bringing improvement to all aspects of life in the neighborhood.

We salute Carlisle Towery as our Person of the Year and hail the efforts of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. Turn the page and see the story of the man and agency that have brought this thrilling, vibrant economic center back to prominence.

Photo by Ira Cohen

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

Carlisle Towery ........................................................... Page 5 Stellar Beginning ....................................................... Page 7 Hard At Work .............................................................. Page 8 York & The FDA ........................................................Page 10 Healthy Choices .......................................................Page 10 A Stately Manor .......................................................Page 12 Courting Jamaica.....................................................Page 12 The El Must Go .........................................................Page 15 It Takes A Village ..................................................... Page 17 Crimes Seen ............................................................. Page 17 Social Security .........................................................Page 18 A Place To Live .........................................................Page 18 Jamaica Comes First...............................................Page 20 Building Culture .......................................................Page 23 Open Space Needed ...............................................Page 23 A New Vision............................................................. Page 24 Connection Takes Flight .........................................Page 25

A Center For Art .......................................................Page 26 Allied And Ready ..................................................... Page 27 York Restoration ......................................................Page 28 Mapping The Future ................................................Page 30 A Courthouse Reborn ..............................................Page 32 GJDC Through The Lens ..........................................Page 35 Path To The Future .................................................. Page 37 A Forward Eye ..........................................................Page 38 Focus on Tomorrow .................................................Page 62 THIS WEEK’S TRIBUNE Leisure....................................................................... Page 41 Queens Today ...........................................................Page 42 Not For Publication ..................................................Page 46 Edit & Letters ...........................................................Page 48 Queens Deadline .....................................................Page 59 QConfidential ...........................................................Page 60

The staff of the GJDC works hard for Jamaica.

Photo by Ira Cohen Cover Design By Candice Lolier Cover Photo By Ira Cohen The Queens Tribune (USPS 964-480) is published weekly every Thursday for $12 per year by Tribco, LLC, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone, NY 11357. Periodical Postage Paid at Flushing, NY. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone, NY 11357.

Carlisle Towery

GJDC Icon Was Destined For Jamaica

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY Carlisle Towery has always felt at home in Jamaica. He was raised in the South during the era of Jim Crow, but was always taught tolerance, respect and understanding for people of all races.

Raised in Montevallo, Ala., a small college town with a girls school of 2,500 and an adjacent population of another 2,500, he went to public schools there, learning from professors who were displaced German Jews. By the time he hit eighth grade, the family had relocated to Towery’s mother’s hometown of Alexander City, Ala., an industrial area that today is still the home of Russell Athletics.

He continued in the local school until 10th grade, when he went to a small private school, Mountain Brook, just outside Birmingham.

“That was a life-changing experience for me,” Towery said of his time at the school. “It was a very intellectually stimulating place.”

It was also in Shelby County, which was heavily influenced by the Ku Klux Klan.

Eye On Planning Wanting to focus his studies on architecture, Towery transferred to Auburn and found himself immersed in a challenging program that few students survived.

“None of my credits at Antioch transferred,” Towery said. “I was a freshman just like the other 300, and only 20 of us graduated five years later.”

Upon graduation, Towery, now married, had received marching orders from the Army to report for duty

a year later. He applied to Columbia.

“They have a special program there, it was what they would call geographic diversity, within the graduate school of planning and architecture with a focus on urban design, which is what I did,” Towery said.

“They accepted 10 graduates from the Southern U.S., from top schools. I was the only one from Auburn, and I laughingly say I got to Columbia because they needed some rednecks – they needed some geographic diversity.”

Enrolling in the program, Towery studied under renowned architectural preservationist James Marston Fitch.

“I was his flunky for a year, and then I went to Germany for my twoyear tour, which I extended for four or five months in order to come back to Columbia in time,” Towery said.

His wife traveled with him, pregnant, and by the time he was back stateside and at Columbia, they had two children.

A Jamaica Focus Refocusing on his studies, Towery’s master’s thesis was on 125th Street in Harlem. That was in 1965.

Working with the precursor to the

local community board, Towery also worked closely with modernist architect Victor Christ-Janer. But on the jury reviewing his thesis was Stanley Tankel, who was head of planning for the Regional Plan Association. He immediately offered the young Towery a job at RPA. “My first job was project-focused, an analysis of the lower Hudson, on both the New York and New Jersey sides,” Towery said. “My second job was an analysis of Jamaica, Queens as a regional sub center.”

The project focused on the development of Jamaica Center, a regional hub, focusing on transportation, open space, regional economy, public participation and political aid.

“Manhattan was always the center of centers, and beefing up Manhattan was always central to the mission, but they were convinced that you had to have sub centers,” Towery said.

“There were a dozen places in the region that warranted public and private attention for all kinds of public purposes, including social ones. Jobs were moving out and leaving the people behind, leaving open space. They were eating up land with large lot zoning. It was

Towery sits in the waiting area of the GJDC.

The Final Step After completing the project, Towery left RPA and went into the private sector while RPA went and created GJDC. “And then they hired me,” he said.

“Actually, while I was on the other firm, I consulted with them on the civil court; I worked on that to argue that it belonged in Jamaica. They needed to be grouped, lawyers, jurors. Jamaica already had the State Supreme Court; the family court was here. We argued for consolidating supreme and civil in Jamaica – at one time in this courthouse litigants and lawyers in civil matters would share elevators with shackled prisoners.”

Working with the Queens Bar Association, Greater Jamaica and Towery sought to move the civil court out of Borough Hall and locate it on Sutphin Boulevard. They won that battle and Towery came on full-time.

“Then I came to work here in 1971,” Towery said. “I also was teaching at Columbia at the time.”

For the last 40 years, Towery and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation have worked hand in hand with every elected official that did or could cover Downtown Jamaica, a host of local, city, state and federal agencies too long to list and the people of Jamaica who have welcomed this Southern gentleman into their fold.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 5

Struggles In The South His was the first graduating class – 12 kids in all, including two who were non-white, fairly unique for the racist temper of the South. “I think the school did that symbolically,” he said of the two students who were Latin American, coming from a rich family with a sugar plantation.

The lesson did not go unnoticed.

One of his teachers was from Antioch College in Ohio, and pushed the young man toward the progressive institution.

“I went to Antioch and met Coretta Scott,” Towery said. “She came there twice; I had lunch with her two times. She was from Montgomery, where her husband was a minister.”

Towery, who was beginning to find his way in the world, went to picket a nearby barber who wouldn’t cut black kids’ hair.

“It turns out that [Allen AME Pastor Floyd] Flake picketed the same barber when he was at Wilberforce,” Towery said. “He was a well known bigot.”

Carlisle Towery around the time he joined the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

causing huge social problems.”

“The power to control land use was keeping blacks out, and they did it effectively using zoning law. So RPA was a leader in addressing regional trends that were not good for the region.”

“RPA at the time had a plan, very objective and brilliant, and I worked my ass off to be relevant to these people,” Towery added.

Through the analysis of Jamaica, Towery and his colleagues at RPA had uncovered a brilliant truth about the future of urban development zones.

“They were the first ones in the country to say the economy was not going to be industrial, it was going to be office space,” Towery said.

“There are three kinds of office activities: headquarters and they can be anywhere; back office, which is all the labor; and population related – doctors, lawyers accountants, all the people that serve the population.”

The Jamaica Center proposal, of copy of which still sits in the offices of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, called for a policy among the three state governments (NY, NJ, Conn.) to get a common vision that would shape the region and not create growth patterns that generated automobile demand.

It also called for the creation of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

Page 6 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Get a better education that help you to get a better job!

Stellar Beginning:

A Greater Jamaica Comes Into Focus

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 7

man named Andy Maguire to act as

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY Carlisle Towery may be the public his representative in Jamaica, which face that many who don't know betwas very good because we had the ter consider the founder of the mayor's own man out there beating the Greater Jamaica Development Corpobushes with us.

Towery: And thereby created one ration, but even though he has of the city's first public-private partsteered the ship for the last four decades, he will be the first to say that nerships, dedicated to the revitalizanone of what has been accomplished tion of Downtown Jamaica. could have been done without the Patton: The first true local ecohard work and effort of the organizanomic development corporation for sub-center development. tion as a whole.

Albanese: And he consulted us to "The [Regional Plan Association] and the local Chamber of Commerce what our next step would be, and the were the parents," Towery, the presinext step, we concluded, was to hire dent of GJDC, said. an executive Local attorney Vincent Albanese Anderson: Carlisle Towery was a member of the Regional Plan Assoand home fuel oil entrepreneur Larry ciation full time staff. He was a colCormier were both active members of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce. league of mine. But the people in Ja"I became involved in the commumaica said he is absolutely the best nity, in the course of which I was asked prepared to do this job, and if you to serve as the president of the Jamaica don't allow us, at least on an interim basis, to have Carlisle, we can't form Chamber of Commerce," Albanese the Greater Jamaica Development said. "I realized that there were major Carlisle Towery problems with Jamaica's future, and Corporation. explored what to do about it." and while they were underserved, they ough of Queens and, indeed, for all Towery: The founders thought a There were nine people who were still investing in the area and of Long Island.

10-year project was inevitable. They Never can a regional plan be im- hired me for four years, and they said signed the articles of incorporation of were creating what one prominent the GJDC, but just how the organiza- demographer called a "zone of emer- posed on local communities. You need we'll consider renewing you after four gence," and that was a favor- to work with government, years. We want to see how tion came to be was detailed in a film recently commisable term for a place that was with voluntary organizafar we get, but it's a 10-year tions, the business commusioned by GJDC as part of a evolving and growing. project.

Cormier: The Chamber nity. And so one of the recrecords archive project.

Albanese: That was in of Commerce was a real ommendations of the reThe following is an ex1970, and that 10-year repowerhouse at that time. port was the creation of a lationship has continued cerpted transcript from the John Lindsay was mayor; local development corporato date. With his leaderfilm, with direct interviews of Albanese, Cormier, Dave Starr was active with tion. ship and the leadership Cormier: The original Towery and other players: the Chamber here. of the other representaAlbanese: David Starr members were the members Towery: Greater Jamaica tives of the various stores had suggested to me and of the Chamber, and they was formed at a time when a in Jamaica we undertook others that if we could get realized that they couldn't to plan major improvedisinvestment was taking the Regional Plan Associa- do it within the framework ments, such as transporplace. The downtown was Vincent Kenneth Patton being surrounded by an ecotion to do a study on Ja- of the Chamber. tation and education Albanese Albanese: So we connomic noose of regional maica, that would help us and that's the beginning in undertaking to do the cluded to form the Greater malls, which was threatenof the story. kind of improvements that Jamaica Development Coring downtown, as was the In a separate interview, needed to be done - trans- poration.

Towery said that when he uncertainty of economic Cormier: And that's how portation and so forth. started with GJDC, he was change.

Cormier: People were Towery: Jamaica re- Greater Jamaica was hired and had half a secmoving in from Harlem, the quired thinking about its founded. I happen to have retary and an assistant. He future, its possibilities, its been fortunate enough to be Bronx and a lot from Brookwas still teaching at Colummarkets - given its at- one of the original incorlyn. Most of them were bia and the local business tributes and given its prob- porators of Greater Jamaica, leaders did a lot of the middle class people, profeslems. A plan was prepared, and we were funded to a heavy lifting to make sure sionals.

Towery: The newcomers and it was done by Regional great extent by the Lindsay that GJDC would get off Larry Cormier coming into Jamaica were Plan Association, who had Administration. the ground.

Richard Albanese: There was a a regional vision of what generally of higher incomes "It started out, in part Anderson the 31-country tri-state met- companion New York City effort, the because of the budget, from the Fund than the people that they office of Jamaica Planning and De- for the City of New York, matched with had displaced, the people that had ropolitan area was undergoing.

Richard T. Anderson, Presi- velopment that Mayor Lindsay estab- private contributors like the Long Isfled. So it was a real challenge, but also an opportunity. dent, New York Building Congress: lished, and they set up a partnership land Press, Gertz Store, the Gertz famCormier: When the new people What RPA was looking for was sub- between the two. ily, Chase Bank, Manufacturers Kenneth Patton, Former Deputy Hanover," Towery said. "There were came in, the perception is that we were centers, places where development different, so they didn't know how to could be concentrated appropriately Mayor for Economic Development, several business leaders, and we did merchandise, how to stock the stores rather than continue to allow urban Lindsay Administration: He brought it under the aegis of the Jamaica to serve us. All they had to do was do sprawl. The first prototype of an ur- in the top urban designers and plan- Chamber of Commerce." what they were doing before and ev- ban sub-center was Jamaica. Jamaica ners and he embraced planning with In mentioning Mayor John erything would have been okay, but was an aging downtown in Central enthusiasm and development to go Lindsay's role, Towery said the mayor they didn't understand that. There was Queens. But it had fallen from the with it, because he was of the same was deeply involved and had set up a no communication between the new hub of economic and social activity mind as I was. You shouldn't just make satellite office in Jamaica, holding blacks and the old whites that were that it once had. So one of the first pictures and color maps. You should cabinet meetings in Queens. studies of the new regional plan that bring the capacity to implement them Another hero, Towery said, was here.

Towery: People were moving there RPA embarked on was a study called together.

Queens Borough President Donald Albanese: He designated a gentle- Manes. by choice and becoming stakeholders, Jamaica Center, a study for the bor-

Hard At Work:

A Slice Of Greater Jamaica’s Day

Page 8 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

BY JASON BANREY The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation has played a pivotal role in rehabilitating Downtown Jamaica. Envisioning the area as a modern and efficient multi-purpose center, this community-building organization works in partnership with community groups, government, and both public and private businesses, as an advocate for the social and economic growth of the area.

Through their multiple partnerships, the GJDC has cultivated both economic opportunity and community involvement that has led to the improvement in the quality of life for the ethnically and culturally diverse residents in Jamaica Each week at GJDC headquarters, a weekly technical staff meeting is carried out to highlight issues and the process of developments in the downtown area. In attendance are the organization’s key team members who make up strategic positions within the GJDC. GJDC At Work Behind closed doors, in a roundtable setting, the structured meeting runs through specific projects, discussing key areas with the focus of tackling issues in the community. Throughout the exchange, each member is able to give feedback to one another, analyzing problems and the progress of initiatives being addressed within the organization’s multiple subdivisions.

Coordinated by the President of the GJDC, Carlisle Towery, the group runs down a list of bullet points, each of which are to be mentioned by specific staff members leading the initiatives.

First on the agenda, Business Services. Towery began the discussion on the progress of clean up around the brownfield’s area surrounding the AirTrain.

Explained in detail by Director of Business Services Richard Werber, the 5-year-old planning program assists in the redevelopment of areas that are perceived to be underdeveloped. With the community having a say in how the area is developed, the process is provided with the local voice of individuals who will benefit from future developments.

“We hope that the stage three of our development can be approved by our existing government,” said Towery, wishing the program’s progress continues before the end of the year.

The light atmosphere of the meeting fostered the smooth exchange of ideas. As opposed to other organizations that suffer from lack of communication, the GJDC structured setting verified one of the organization’s initial strengths: communication.

The Loan Fund Moving on, Werber addressed the Revolving Loan Fund. Providing

The weekly meetings are where the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation discuss new plans to continue the transformation of Jamaica from what it looked like in the 1960s and 1970s, pictured, to the destination it is today. loans to businesses throughout Southeast Queens, the GJDC has established a committee, primarily comprised of bankers, and is now looking to expand its expertise into developing community infrastructure.

“The issue at hand now is finding a separate member who not only has banking experience but more importantly, community development experience,” said Werber. “So when they look at loans, they’ll be looking at loans from a perspective of ‘How is this loan serving the needs of the community, and how is this serving the needs of job creation within the community?’”

Through the provision of loans, the GJDC, with the help of the Jamaica Business Resource Center, assists small businesses. Particularly, women- and minority-owned businesses have been provided with technical assistance and access to capital in order to maintain their success. This direct investment in local businesses has helped to extend the business district within Downtown Jamaica, giving small businesses an opportunity to survive throughout the recession.

Quality Of Life The next order of business on the agenda was quality of life issues. Topics ranging from an introduction of the Taxi and Limousine Commission’s pilot program at Jamaica Station to homeless placements throughout the area filled the room with progressive discussions.

As Executive Vice President of the GJDC, Andrew Manshel assists in the coordination of executing such project initiatives. Working with staff on the implementation of ideas for programs, Manshel has developed a

close relationship with individuals in the community and sees how they can be affected.

“I’ve made a lot of good friends here, and I appreciate how people here have been accepting of me,” Manshel said. “What I do is gratifying. It is a pleasure to work with a community I care about. I consider it a privilege to be able to work to improve this community.”

One major issue that has plagued the downtown area recently is taxi services without licenses bombarding potential passengers looking for service.

“The first impression many people have when they get off the LIRR station is that they are going to get hustled,” said Manshel.

Through a pilot program introduced by the TLC, the GJDC was able to improve the quality of service provided to passengers seeking service throughout the downtown area.

Members of the GJDC believe improvements to the quality of life in the area are directly affected by these types of initiatives. Tackling community issues from all angles improves quality of service and gives commuters piece of mind.

Pedestrian Aid Peter Engelbrecht, Director of Capital Projects, carried on the meeting by introducing the next topic, provisions of well-lit pedestrian paths and walkways. In an effort to alleviate pedestrian congestion on Jamaica Avenue, the GJDC has assisted in the creation of mid-block pedestrian walkways. The $7.5 million project funded by federal and local government sources, connects a well-lit, paved network of walkways

between major downtown destinations. The GJDC believes the development and maintenance of pedestrian-friendly environments improves the safety for visitors and shoppers.

Throughout the meeting, each member in attendance either comments on or questions the development of programs within the GJDC’s agenda. The back and forth process helps alleviate potential issues that may arise during the implementation process. Although each member may not be an expert on the proposed programs and initiatives, their general knowledge of the diverse community within Downtown Jamaica and its needs helps keep the area’s residents interests in mind when discussing planning and development.

Summing up the meeting, Towery modestly pointed out to technical staff that the success of their organization is not due to the GJDC’s hard work but to the diligent efforts and voices of the community groups, local leader, and businesses.

“Partnership is our middle name,” said Towery. “It’s wonderful to have public and private partnerships.”

Creating a regionally significant, central place where community and business can thrive is the GJDC’s primary goal. In the near future, the organization and its technical staff have devised an agenda with the community in mind, developing a bond the GJDC will never break.

“We never do anything unilaterally and we don’t do anything that has negative impacts on the community,” said Towery. “The GJDC cares about Downtown Jamaica and our work shows that.”

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and the MediSys Health Network Salute

Carlisle Towery President of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation For being named The Queens Tribune’s Person of the Year 2010

David P. Rosen President & CEO

Neil Foster Phillips Chairman of the Board

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 9

The communities of southern Queens have been culturally and economically enriched by his vision, tenacity and remarkable leadership for four decades

York & The FDA:

College Was Key To GJDC Success

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY The path that brought York College to Jamaica was bumpy, but the greater challenges faced when eyeing the institution’s future proved to be the school’s saving grace.

In the Jamaica Center plan that called for the creation of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, a sizable section was dedicated to the creation of York College, part of a planned expansion of public universities.

The only hang-up was that another part of Queens, in a more desirable area and with more land for the right price, was well into the hunt to host the school.

“What we were competing with was Fort Totten. It was 150 acres for a dollar from the fed government.

The city government wanted it,” Towery said. “The purpose of the college was to serve the kids of Queens and Brooklyn, so we argued for Jamaica.”

A key difference is, because of Totten’s distance from any real public transportation, the school would have had to include dorms, while in Jamaica, York could be a community college. “ The leadership of Jamaica worked very hard with the City of New York, John Lindsay, to put York

The campus of York College was integral in the growth of Greater Jamaica.

College in Jamaica,” Towery said.

The community was incensed.

“We went into the community in South Jamaica and got the people there to become very interested,” said GJDC co-Founder Vincent Albanese.

“It probably was one of the most noble times in Queens, in terms of people working together,” cofounder Larry Cormier said. “There was nobody opposed to York College coming.”

The battle for York was described as a galvanizing experience for the community. “Everybody wanted it:

Healthy Choices:

Page 10 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Jamaica Farmers Market

BY JASON BANREY Created in 1974, the Jamaica Farmers Market began as an openair, seasonal farmers market that utilized vacant sites. With the help of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp. encouraging and supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs in Downtown Jamaica, the market grew in popularity, making affordable goods available to the community.

Known for being the City’s first “green market,” the market relocated to it’s permanent home at 90-40 160th St. in 1990 when the GJDC, with the help of numerous banks, city and federal agencies and local government, financed the project.

Providing shoppers with an assortment of fresh produce from farms throughout New York State, which are typically hard to find at your local supermarket, the market area has experienced rejuvenation in the past two decades. Since 1991, GJDC has worked with Community Markets, an organization whose main purpose is to provide communities with locally-made products within spaces where they can share news, thoughts, and ideas about improving nutrition.

Open two days a week between

June and November, the market’s mix of farmers span from upstate New York out to Riverhead. Offering fruits, vegetables, herbs and fresh cut flowers, shoppers are able to take advantage of each farmer’s specialty.

The market also presents shoppers recipes, cooking demonstrations, and lessons on how to use different vegetables and spices offered by the farmers.

“The busy market attracts people from all different backgrounds,” said Miriam Haas, Director of Community Markets, who has been working with the GJDC for about seven years.

“Farmers carry delicate produce because they are special to the areas they are grown in.”

In 2011, the market will celebrate its 10th annual Harvest Festival.

Hosted by the GJDC, the annual festival celebrates fall’s arrival, featuring family activities and entertainment that include pumpkin picking and decorating, apple tasting, magic shows and live music.

Not only does the market provide shoppers with fresh produce, the venue also houses the Harvest Room, an elegant event space that can accommodate 150 people and a variety diverse shops and eateries.

Downtown interests, community, residential, commercial, old, young, black, white,” Towery said. “It still is the heart of what we do. We relate as many things as we can to York. It’s holy. It’s such a public purpose realized over such huge odds.”

Dr. Dumont Kenny, president of the State Board of Higher Education was dead set on Bayside. Towery recalled being shown plans for Fort.

Totten. But then Mayor John Lindsay and Robert Ross Johnson, pastor of the St. Albans Congregational Church, brought the fight to the Governor.

“We worked very hard for that,” said the Rev. Charles Norris of the Bethesda Baptist Church in Jamaica.

“Every time we were in the presence of the then-governor, we just balled up our fists and said, ‘You’re going to bring York College here in the borough of Queens and in Jamaica.

It is the hub of what goes on in this area.’”

Even after the battle to place York in Jamaica was won, Gov. Nelson Rockefeller vetoed the master plan for CUNY – so the advocates went through a side door and appealed to his brother, David Rockefeller, who seemed to have influence over his younger sibling.

York was to be set in Jamaica, but with what specialty? A medical school was shot down, but the college needed an anchor specialty program.

“Today, I would say that York first is a leader in education, and second it really is a partner in community organization,” said current York President Marcia Keizs. “And I think Greater Jamaica has been very good for York, and York for Greater Jamaica.”

One example of that partnership is the GDJC’s 15-year effort to get the Food and Drug Administration to locate its lab on the York College campus.

“What having FDA on our campus has meant for us is very, very big,” Keizs said. “In most recent time, we have been able to launch a pharmaceutical science program, but it also raised the roof for us, in that CUNY announced one year ago that it will be establishing the first pharmacy program in CUNY, and it will be at York College.

“So you see the partnership that started 15 years ago with Greater Jamaica saying FDA needs space, we don’t want it to leave New York, has now launched us to another level of York being considered and being cited to be the home of the CUNY Pharmacy School,” Keizs added.

“And so the partnership is good.”

LAWRENCE CORMIER GJDC Founder, Director Emeritus “I came to Jamaica in 1955, still at the apex of commerce in Jamaica.

Gertz Department store was a major player. Macy’s had a store here, Mays. People from all over the city came here; especially from Brooklyn, the Bronx and even in Nassau County, they came into Queens to shop.

“I remember I was the first black in the Chamber of Commerce. I started a fuel oil company, home fuel distribution. I was a novelty. I remember my banker taking me over to the Chamber and had me go to lunch with him a couple of times and said ‘Larry, you should join the Chamber.’

“People were moving in from Harlem, the Bronx and a lot from Brooklyn. Most of them were middle class people, professionals. When the new people came in, the perception is that we were different, so they didn’t know how to merchandise, how to stock the stores to serve us.

All they had to do was do what they were doing before and everything would have been okay, but they didn’t understand that. There was no communication between the new blacks and the old whites that were here.

“I happen to have been fortunate enough to be one of the original incorporators of Greater Jamaica, and we were funded to a great extent by the Lindsay administration.

“It probably was one of the most noble times in Queens, in terms of people working together.

“A very valuable thing for a community and a very basic thing is transportation. This is a real central hub for transportation. You’ve got three or four parkways surrounding Jamaica, you’ve got the Long Island Rail Road, and you have subways.

And in the course of things people had enough vision to figure out what else we needed to enhance the area, to make it attractive to make people want to come.”

A Stately Manor:

GJDC Partner Offers Culture, History

BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation and its president Carlisle Towery have given a helping hand to a piece of history in Jamaica's own backyard, enhancing the visits and enjoyment of many who stop by.

The King Manor Museum is located in Rufus King Park in Jamaica, an active 11-acre park with a playground, a children's mist pool, handball and basketball courts, winding paths, open space for soccer and outdoor concerts, and a state-of-the-art artificial turf field recently installed by the City's Parks Department.

The park itself has also seen great contributions and aid arriving thanks to GJDC throughout the years. With a grant from the J. M. Kaplan Fund, GJDC provided design and use guidelines for the park. In 1991, through the advocacy of GJDC and several local stakeholders, the City of New York undertook and completed a $4 million reconstruction of King Park. In 2007, GJDC and its local partners successfully got the City of New York to install a state-of-the-art artificial turf field to accommodate more active and recreational users.

The King Manor Museum, the former home and farm of Rufus King,

stop activities that take in the Park featuring soccer tournaplace at the museum. ments, face painting, and other famYears prior to the re- ily-friendly activities.

From 2007-2009, King Manor, in construction of Rufus King Park, the City of partnership with GJDC and two other New York also com- local partners, received a substantial pleted a $2.1 million grant support from the J.M. Kaplan interior restoration of Fund, known for its support of estabhistoric King Manor. lished institution and fledgling GJDC has also assisted projects mostly concerning civil libKing Manor's museum erties and human rights, the arts, and by providing board- enhancement of the built and natural building advice, sup- environments. The grant supported plies, support, and of- the work each local partner and GJDC was doing to renovate Downtown fice facilities.

King Manor has benefitted from its partnership Along with finan- Jamaica's parks and public spaces into with the Greater Jamaica Development Corp. cial and structural leading urban spaces that could be safe aide, GJDC sponsored and accessible to all who would like one of the signers of the Declaration free outdoor concerts at King Park that to use them.

King Manor is open to anyone who of Independence, from 1805-1827 is presented Jazz, Latin, Soul, and now a hands-on museum where guests World musicians. GJDC, in partner- would like to go in and take a tour of can come in and take a step back in ship with Centro Hispano Cuzcatlán, the standing piece of history. For more time. It is one of the oldest historic produce day-long community events information visit kingmanor.org. house museums in the country. King Manor serves a fundamentally minority and immigrant community. Its audiences can enjoy historic site tours, interactive exhibits, lectures, public programs, and outreach in the schools and community.

Collections management, preservation, and architectural, archaeologiBY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY cal and historical research are nonIn order for Jamaica Center to thrive, there needed to be a certain level of sanity in the planning of government spaces used in the area. One of the biggest needs was to unify the courts in a single area.

When banks began to close up New York City effort, the office of Jamaica Planning and Development shop and move their headquarters that Mayor Lindsay established, and out of Jamaica in the early 1970s, they set up a partnership between the the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation saw that the associtwo.

[Lindsay] “designated a gentle- ated businesses were also taking The Queens Civil Court building in Jamaica was 25 years in the making, starting man named Andy Maguire to act as flight.

"When you lose an anchor you with land acquired during the Lindsay his representative in Jamaica, which was very good because we had the unhinge all kinds of dependent administration and opened in 1997. mayor’s own man out there beating enterprises - Jamaica Savings Bank moved out in '72 or '73," Towery said. struction in 1992. GJDC partnered the bushes with us.

“And he consulted us to what our "With it went title companies, lawyers. with State Assemblyman Saul Weprin, next step would be, and the next Our leaders were acting not just A. Paul Goldblum, the Queens County step, we concluded, was to hire an proactively about Jamaica's potential, Bar Association and Queens Borough but defensively because they could feel President Claire Shulman to advocate executive – Carlisle Towery. for its construction and funding.

“That was in 1970, and that rela- the coming challenges."

"Our sleeves were rolled up for sure The $60 million Courthouse was tionship has continued to date. With his leadership and the leadership of to deal with it and to address it," completed in 1997, and represents the other representatives of the vari- Towery added. "The role was leader- a culmination of more than 25 years ous stores in Jamaica we undertook ship from the local population and of efforts by GJDC to bring the Civil to plan major improvements, such as principally civic and business with Court complex to Downtown Jatransportation and education – and government. Most of what we did out maica. GJDC participated in the here was public investments - the sub- planning and site acquisition by that’s the beginning of the story.” way, the college, federal buildings, the Mayor Lindsay in the early 1970s for courts, land acquisition, industrial this project.

GJDC partners with numerous comretention."

The courts were a key in that re- munity stakeholders in advocating for tention. GJDC was instrumental in the the construction and completion of advocacy, planning, and site selection the new Queens Family Court, opened ‘watchdogs’ of the neighborhood.

“Carlisle Towery is a person who of the Queens County Civil Court and in the winter of 2003. The compledoes more than listen to the Queens Family Court buildings in tion of the Queens Civil and Family Community’s needs – he will spend Downtown Jamaica. These elegantly Court buildings solidified Downtown the time researching the issues and designed buildings solidified the Jamaica as the County's consolidated providing guidance and support Downtown as the County's center for center for civil judicial activities. Both buildings also demonstrate the role of where necessary. He is genuine and civil judicial activities. passionate about the betterment of The Civil Court complex on sensitive, quality urban design in upJamaica’s society.”

Sutphin Boulevard finally began con- grading a downtown's environment.

VINCENT M. ALBANESE

Page 12 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Founder, Director Emeritus “All the lawyers were hiring me to do their particular assignments, and that enabled me to open up an office, because I wanted to practice as a solo practitioner. I became involved in the community, in the course of which I was asked to serve as the president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce. In the course of that I realized that there were major problems with Jamaica’s future, and explored what to do about it.

“David Starr [of the Long Island Press] had suggested to me and others that if we could get the Regional Plan Association to do a study on Jamaica, that would help us in undertaking to do the kind of improvements that needed to be done – transportation and so forth. “ We concluded to form the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. There was a companion

HENRY SCHWARTZ President & CEO, Elmhurst Dairy “Working with Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, which has been a singular source of information and guidance, we have engaged in work that ranged from land use and up-zoning to leasing property for expansion and job creation.

“GJDC is an essential organization to our area – they are the loving

Courting Jamaica

Justice Comes To Town

The El Must Go:

GJDC Reshapes Jamaica Mass Transit

BY DOMENICK RAFTER For decades, the J, Z and E trains did not terminate in the same station at Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue like they do today. Many old timers and life-long Queens residents may remember that the J train continued over Jamaica Avenue to a terminus at 168th Street. The line, opened in 1918, had by the 1970s become an eyesore in the neighborhood. The el darkened Jamaica Avenue, making it a less desirable and more dangerous place to walk.

The el had stops at Metropolitan Avenue and the Van Wyck Expressway, Queens Boulevard, Sutphin Boulevard, 160th Street and 168th Street along Jamaica Avenue. The Sutphin Boulevard station was only half a block north of Jamaica LIRR Station, but it did not present an easy connection between the LIRR and the subway.

With the help of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp., federal and state officials allocated money to take down the J train el over Jamaica Avenue east of 130th Street in Richmond Hill and extend the E train from Kew Gardens

even Nassau County and the Bronx.

The first stretch of the el, east of Queens Boulevard, was closed in 1977 and removed the next year, while the rest of line was not closed until 1985. At that time, the J train terminated at 121st Street until the opening of the Archer Avenue line on Dec. 11, 1988. The The view at 160th Street and Jamaica Avenue new line also added a stop along the E train at Jabefore the elevated train came down. maica Avenue and Van along Archer Avenue to Parsons Boule- Wyck Expressway, the former site of vard. The combined E and J train would the Metropolitan Avenue stop along include stations located at Sutphin Bou- the Jamaica Avenue el. levard and Archer Avenue, directly unThe new line set in motion the der the LIRR station, providing quick plans to turn the Jamaica LIRR staaccess between the subway and LIRR tion into what is now the fourth busiwithout the need to walk along the street est passenger terminal in the metrofor a block or two; and at Parsons Bou- politan area. The Archer Avenue sublevard and Archer Avenue closer to way provided access directly to the King Manor, York College and Jamaica LIRR from both the J and E trains, Center’s local bus hub where commut- and even allowed a quicker route to ers can catch buses to Bayside, College Manhattan for residents of nearby Point, Howard Beach, Rosedale and Richmond Hill and Woodhaven, who

could now take the J train to Sutphin Boulevard and switch to an express E directly to Midtown.

When the AirTrain arrived in 2003, Jamaica became the hub the GJDC had always envisioned it to be. Plans were also in the works to extend the Archer Avenue subway line further east and south of Parsons Boulevard to St. Albans and Laurelton, currently served by some LIRR trains and express buses that provide some of the longest commutes in the country, an idea that is still sometimes discussed.

However, other train lines, such as the East Side Access and Second Avenue Subway, have taken priority.

The original plans put forth by the GJDC called to reuse the elevated train structure to create a glass atrium over Jamaica Avenue, giving a mall-like feel to the strip and protecting shoppers from the elements, while also letting daylight illuminate the street.

Though that project never materialized, the support structures of the old el were recycled, as lampposts and traffic lights, adding a unique element to Downtown Jamaica.

ANDREW M. MANSHEL Executive Vice President, Greater Jamaica Development Corp. ment and construction of another groundbreaking project of the same name – and the weekly fresh produce market remains a Jamaica institution.

“In a similar vein, reflecting Carlisle’s constant curiosity about best practices in urban revitalization everywhere, he visited Minneapolis’ early pedestrianization effort – the Nicollet Mall. GJDC advocated for and secured the resources for a similar design for 165th Street – in order to anchor Jamaica’s main retail corridor. The 165th Street Mall was created and was New York’s first attempt at pedestrianization. In order to support the Mall, GJDC established one of the City’s first Special Assessment Districts. Each of those districts required a special action by the State Legislature. They were so successful that the Legislature created the Business Improvement District statute (Article 19A of the General Municipal Law) in order to streamline the process of BID creation and delegate it to municipalities. There are now over 60 BIDs in New York City, four of them in Downtown Jamaica – the creation of all four of them spearheaded by GJDC. “Those are but two of the many ideas that Carlisle, Peter Engelbrecht, Helen Levine, Susan Deutsch and Mary Reda (all with more than 30 years at GJDC) brought to Jamaica. From the outset, GJDC recognized that the arts were an essential economic development tool.

This, too, was an unknown idea at the time, but is now widely recognized and emulated. In an era when the new and modern were the thing – GJDC was

ahead of the curve in protecting landmark structures like King Manor and the City Registrar’s Office (now the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning).

From its early days of squatting in the abandoned Registrar’s building for its offices, to the restoration and successful re-tenanting of the art deco building where it’s offices are now located, to most recently the creation of the Jamaica Center for the Performing Arts in a landmark structure stabilized and repurposed by GJDC, we have thrived.

In the last 15 years, funders have urged non-profits to diversify their revenue streams and become more self reliant.

GJDC was forward looking in using its real estate operations to support its other mission-driven activities – in revitalizing Jamaica. This has enabled GJDC to remain strong during the recent economic downtown and in the face of declining public financial support for its work.

“Ten years ago, GJDC began the visioning process for the redevelopment of the area around Jamaica Station – one of the oldest continuouslyused railroad right of ways in the country. This was many years before Transportation Oriented Development became the catch phrase for responsible, sustainable planning. That visioning process came to fruition in the landmark rezoning of Jamaica – pushing the development bulk towards the transit nodes and away from existing residential areas. Many places around the country are talking about TOD – but Jamaica is experiencing it now.

“Carlisle and GJDC have been

groundbreakers in working to bring the benefits of economic development to a majority minority community.

The long time African-American residents of Southeast Queens have benefitted from GJDC’s relentless advocacy of this community’s receiving its fair share from both local and national government – as well as from the private sector. GJDC has had the privilege of working arm-in-arm with community leaders like former Councilman Archie Spigner, the Rev. Floyd Flake, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, State Sen. Shirley Huntley, Assembly Members Vivian Cook and William Scarborough, Borough President Helen Marshall, Councilman Leroy Comrie and the late Dr. Gloria Black.

It is now working with and developing the talents of a new generation of community leaders like its own Justin Rodgers and Shanqua Harrison, in addition to other gifted public spirited individuals like Adjoa Gzifa, Jason Hilliard, Brian Simon, Melva Miller, Greg Mays and Laurel Brown.

“With the increasing diversity of Jamaica, people of Caribbean, Central American and South Asian backgrounds have been tied into GJDC’s work. Perhaps most significantly, GJDC may have the most diverse membership and Board of Directors of any not-forprofit organization in this country.

This is the greatest testament to the values, commitment and vision to which Carlisle and GJDC have been dedicated for more than four decades.

Jamaica would have been a far less vital place without it.”

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 15

“Under Carlisle Towery’s leadership, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation has produced an incredible number of ‘firsts.’ Over the last 40-plus years, Carlisle has been largely unrecognized for the ingenuity and creative spirit he has fostered at GJDC. Year after year, Greater Jamaica has created new projects and used novel ideas to remediate old problems. The widely-emulated programs and techniques have been used by GJDC to upgrade conditions in Jamaica, to foster increased economic activity and to improve the quality of life for its residents – rather than to draw attention to its work or receive recognition for its skillfulness. The focus has always been on Jamaica the place.

“Jamaica had New York City’s first farmer’s market in the early 1970s. On a visit to Syracuse, Carlisle observed a successful public amenity where farmers brought their produce to the downtown and sold it directly to urban customers. The market enlivened the street life and provided city residents with otherwise unavailable farm fresh produce. Carlisle consulted with the State Department of Agriculture, the market’s organizer, and brought the concept to Jamaica Avenue – where it was wildly successful. In its second year, a similar endeavor was established at Union Square in Manhattan, after its sponsors spent some time studying the Jamaica market, and the rest, as they say, is history.

There are now dozens of Green Markets around the city, and the Jamaica Farmers’ Market inspired the develop-

Page 16 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

LEGAL NOTICE Dupont Street Associates LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/27/02. Ofc in Queens Cty. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to 79-63 68 th Rd, Middle Village, NY 11379. Purpose: General. _______________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of King Home Inspections, LLC, a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC). Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY on October 22, 2010 New York office location: Queens County. The Secretary of State is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/ her to c/o King Home Inspections, LLC, 8419 51 Avenue, #3A, Elmhurst, NY 11373. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity. _______________________________________________________________ PROBATE CITATION File No. 2004-4105/A SURROGATE’S COURT – QUEENS COUNTY CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent TO: To Eustacia Green, Tammy Beckham, Robert Beckham Williams, Erik Johnson*, if living and if dead, to [his/her] heirs at law, next of kin and distributees whose names and places of residence are unknown and if [he/she] died subsequent to the decedent herein, to [his/her] executors, administrators, legatees, devisees, assignees and successors in interest whose name and places of residence are unknown and to all other heirs at law, next of kin and distributees of Matthew Beckham a/k/a Mathew Beckham, the decedent herein, whose names and places of residence are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, and to *as the heir of the postdeceased distributee Luela Beckham Washington Avis Jestine Adams, Darnell L. Adams, Sanders Adams Shawn Antoine Adams, Pleshette Adams, Thelma Beckham, Natasha Denise Hill, Hanif Walton, Akil Walton, and to Tamika Beckum, Abdul Jamar Beckum Johnelle Beckham and Levone Beckham as the heirs of the post-deceased distributee Sandra Beckum, Enid Washington as the heir of the post-deceased distributee Luelle Beckham Washington, Norman Green and Richard Green as the heirs of the post deceased distributee Luella Beckham Green, and Michael Green, Veeraniqica Green, Rochelle Reaves Porter, Michelle Owen, and Robert Terrence Green III as heirs of the predeceased children of the postdeceased distributee Luella Beckham Green A petition having been duly filed by Richard Green, who is domiciled at 107-15 Watson Place, Jamaica, New York 11433 YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CASUE before the

LEGAL NOTICE Surrogate’s Court, Queens County, at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York, on 20th day of January, 2011 at 9:30 A.M. of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of Mathew Beckham a/k/a Matthew Beckham lately domiciled at 131-15 230 th Street, Jamaica, New York 11413 admitting to probate a Will dated February 12, 2003, a copy of which is attached, as the Will of Mathew Beckham a/k/a Matthew Beckham deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that [X] Letters Testamentary issue to: Richard Green (State any further relief requested) NOV 04 2010 (Seal) HON. ROBERT L. NAHMAN Surrogate MARGARET M. GRIBBON Chief Clerk Ann C. Northern, Esq. Attorney for Petitioner 718-596-5168 Telephone Number 26 Court Street, Ste. 1603, Brooklyn, New York 11242 Address of Attorney [Note: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.] ________________________________________________________________ SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS INDEX # 10847/2008 U.S. BANK, N.A. AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-5, PLAINTIFF AGAINST KAMRUL HASAN, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; “JOHN DOE #1-10” AND “JANE DOE #110”, THE NAMES JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE BEING FICTITIOUS, THEIR IDENTITIES BEING UNKNOWN TO THE PLAINTIFFS, IT BEING THE INTENTION OF PLAINTIFF TO DESIGNATE ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE TENANTS, OCCUPANTS, CORPORATIONS, AND JUDGMENT CREDITORS, IF ANY, HOLDING OR CLAIMING SOME RIGHT, TITLE, INTEREST OR LIEN IN OR TO THE MORTGAGED PREMISES HEREIN DEFENDANTS. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 25-51 8 8 TH STREET, EAST ELMHURST, NY 11369 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your

LEGAL NOTICE mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to serve upon plaintiff’s attorney, at the address stated below, an answer to the attached complaint. If this summons was personally served upon you in the State of New York, the answer must be served within twenty days after such service of the summons, excluding the date of service. If the summons was not personally delivered to you within the State of New York, the answer must be served within thirty days after service of the summons is complete as provided by law.

The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. If you do not serve an answer to the attached complaint within the applicable time limitation stated above, a judgment may be entered against you, by default, for the relief demanded in the complaint, without further notice to you.

The action is brought in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, in and for the County of QUEENS because the Mortgaged Premises is located in QUEENS County.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an action has been commenced and is now pending in the SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS upon the Complaint of LASALLE BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2007-5, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 20075, holder of a mortgage that was executed, acknowledged and delivered by KAMRUL HASAN TO MERS AS NOMINEE FOR FIRST FRANKLIN FINANCIAL CORP., AN OP. SUB. OF MLB&T CO., FSB, IN THE AMOUNT OF $650,000.00, DATED JUNE 28, 2007, AND RECORDED ON JULY 23, 2007, WITH CRFN 2007000376239 Please take notice that you may obtain a copy of the Complaint from the Plaintiff’s counsel, Doonan, Graves & Longoria, LLC, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 225D, Beverly, MA 01915 AND THAT YOU MUST RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE BY FILING AN ANSWER TO THE COMPLAINT WITH THE CLERK OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS AND

BY SERVING A COPY ON PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THE LAST DAY OF THE PUBLICATION OR DEFAULT JUDGMENT WILL BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU. DOONAN, GRAVES & LONGORIA, LLC ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF

LEGAL NOTICE RENEAU J. LONGORIA, ESQ. STEPHEN M. VALENTE, ESQ KEVIN GRAVES, ESQ. *100 CUMMINGS CENTER, SUITE 225D BEVERLY, MA 01915 978-921-2670 35 Old Tarrytown Road White Plains, NY 10603 914-9498373 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing summons and notice are served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Court dated NOVEMBER 12, 2010 and filed along with the supporting papers in the QUEENS County Clerk’s Office. This is an action to foreclose a mortgage. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE New York State Law requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully. Mortgage foreclosure is a complex process.

Some people may approach you about “saving” your home. You should be extremely careful about any such promises. The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. There are government agencies, legal aid entities and other non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about foreclosure while you are working with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANK-NYS (1-877-2265697) or visit the Department’s website at www.banking.state.ny.us/ The State does not guarantee the advice of these agencies. SCHEDULE 1 - DESCRIPTION ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the easterly side of 88 th Street (60 feet wide) distant 126.34 feet northerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the easterly side of 88 th Street with the northerly side of 30th Avenue (80 feet wide); Running thence easterly and at right angles to the easterly side of 88 th Street, and part of the distance through a party wall, 100.00 feet; Thence northerly and parallel with t h e e a s t e r l y s i d e o f 8 8th Street, 18.00 feet; Thence westerly and again at right angles the easterly side of 88 th Street, and part of the distance through a party wall, 100.00 feet to the easterly side of 88 th Street; Thence southerly along the easterly side of 88 th Street, 18.00 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. ________________________________________________________________ File No. 2009-4813/A CITATION SURROGATE’S COURT, Queens COUNTY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent TO: Mildred Siewers; Harry Von Oehsen; Public Administrator, Queens County; To the heirs-at-law, next-of-kin and distributees of GIESELA AHLERS, deceased, if living, and if any of

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

them be dead to their heirsat-law, next-of-kin, distributees, legatees, executors, administrators, assignees and successors in interest whose names are unknown and cannot be ascertained after due diligence. A petition having been duly filed by KARIN RANA who is/ are domiciled at73-38 – 199 th Street, Fresh Meadows, New York 11366, United States YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Queens County, at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York, on January 13, 2011, at 09:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of GIESELA AHLERS lately dom i c i l e d a t 7 3 - 3 8 – 1 9 9 th Street, Fresh Meadows, New York 11366 United States admitting to probate a Will dated February 11, 1999, (and Codicil(s), if any, dated) a copy of which is attached, as the Will of GIESELA AHLERS deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that: X Letters Testamentary issue to KARIN RANA Dated, Attested and Sealed, NOV 16 2010 Seal HON. Robert L. Nahman Surrogate MARGARET M. GRIBBON Chief Clerk Ira Levine, Esq. Print Name of Attorney Ira Levine, Esq. Firm (516) 829-7911 Tel. No. 320 Northern Boulevard, Suite 14, Great Neck, New York 11021 Address NOTE: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you. ______________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: PATRIOT (2010) LLC. Application for Authority was filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/17/10.

The LLC was originally filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on 11/05/10. 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, 2 Galasso Place, Maspeth, New York 11378.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose. _______________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of LET GROUP LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on July 30, 2010. Office located in Queens. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 15-24 201 ST Bayside, NY 11360.

Purpose: any lawful purpose ________________________________________________________________ SEVENTY TWO EQUITIES LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/26/ 2010. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 80-74 209th St., Queens Village, NY 11427, which is also the principal

business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________ Legal Notice Sup Ct St of NY Co of Queens Index 26083/ 2010 JORGE ORTEGA, Plf v RACHELLE YVETTE HARRELL, Def Summons with Notice in Divorce Action based on abandonment Basis of venue and trial Sec. 509 CPLR you are summoned to appear in this action by serving a notice of appearance on plf’s atty within 30 days after service is complete and if you fail to appear, judgment will be taken against you by default. To the above named def: this summons is served upon you by publication by order of Hon. Bernice D. Siegal, a Justice of this Court, dated December 1, 2010 on file in the Queens County Clk’s off. Thomas T. Hecht, Plf’s Atty, 1270 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020 (212) 245-5556 ________________________________________________________________ State of Minnesota Stearns County District Court Judicial District: Seventh Court File Number: 73-JV-JV-109307 Case Type: Juvenile In the Matter of the Welfare of the Child(ren) of: Beth Ann Brown X Parent Prince Roy Sylvester (alleged Father) Summons and Notice Child in Need of Protection or Services Matter NOTICE TO: Prince Roy Sylvester, abovenamed parent(s) or legal custodian(s). 1. A Child In Need of Protection or Services Petition has been filed in the Office of the Clerk of Juvenile Court located at 725 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota, alleging that the child(ren) of the above-named parent(s) or legal custodian(s) is/are in need of protection or services. 2. Notice is hereby given that the matter of said Child In Need of Protection or Services Petition will be called for hearing before the Juvenile Court located at 725 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota, on February 4, 2011 at 9:00 A.M. or as soon after as the Matter can be heard. 3. YOU ARE ORDERED to appear before the Juvenile Court at the scheduled time and date. 4. You have a right to be represented by counsel. 5. If you fail to appear at the hearing, the Court may still conduct the hearing and grant appropriate relief, including taking permanent custody of the child/ren named in the Petition. WITNESS, the Honorable Judge Pearson Judge of District Court BY: Heidi B Court Administrator _______________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation 494 Broadway, LLC art. of org. filed Secy. of State NY (SSNY) 6/18/04. Off. Loc. In Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 4211 Northern Blvd, Queens, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

You Can E-Mail Your Legal Copy to legals@queenstribune.com

It Takes A Village:

Transit Hub Links Airport To Streets

BY DOMENICK RAFTER For the Greater Jamaica Development Corp., the creation of Airport Village, the revitalization of the area around the Jamaica LIRR/AirTrain station, is a key goal for the future. The plan would turn a stretch of Jamaica notorious for blight and crime, which is merely used as a pass-through location for commuters and people heading to JFK, into a stand-alone commercial center for Southeast Queens.

The area around the station has long had a reputation of being underdeveloped and dangerous, especially south of the transportation hub. The area north of the station, closer to Jamaica and Hillside Avenues, is utilized because of being home to the Civil Court and its proximity to Downtown Jamaica and Jamaica Hospital.

The Airport Village plan, which came as a result of the rezoning of more than 300 blocks of Jamaica in 2007, would create a three-block urban renewal area characterized by vacant and blighted properties in the area adjacent to the AirTrain/LIRR Jamaica Station transportation hub. This would be converted into a transit-orientated “walkable” community around the LIRR station that connects the area

An artist’s rendering of the future Airport Village. to both Downtown Jamaica to the north, and the residential areas of South Jamaica to the south. The plan would remove impediments to development, which was done through rezoning; provide new housing of high quality close to the station and Down-

Crimes Seen:

BY DOMENICK RAFTER In 1995, the NYPD announced it would move its ballistics and forensic crime lab out of the Police Academy on 20th Street in Lower Manhattan, where it had been housed since 1972.

Its new location surprised many.

It would not be located anywhere in Manhattan, or even in Downtown Brooklyn, but nearly 10 miles away, at the end of the subway, in the heart of Jamaica, Queens.

The department announced in October 1995 that it would move its crime lab to a new $18 million stateof-the-art facility on Jamaica Avenue at 150th Street in Downtown Jamaica, directly across the street from Rufus King Park and walking distance from the Jamaica LIRR train station and York College. The building, formerly home to a department store and York College, was then home to the NYPD application-processing unit, workplace for 200 department employees.

Carlisle Towery, president of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, told the Daily News in 1995

that the crime lab would be “a big boost to the downtown area.”

Once the crime lab began operation, it brought hundreds of jobs to Downtown Jamaica, and spurred development along Jamaica Avenue where employees shopped or dined during the workday.

Bringing the crime lab to Jamaica reinforced the idea that New York City was too big to have only one centralized downtown area, rather a bunch of central districts scattered around the city. Residents in Southeast Queens, many of whom are civil servants, live without a direct subway line and have some of the longest commutes to work to Manhattan.

With nearly every public transportation option in Southeast Queens leading to a hub in Downtown Jamaica, bringing city jobs to the area made sense.

Though it had a rocky start, the NYPD crime lab scored a 98 percent in a critique done by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board in 2007.

THE REV. CHARLES NORRIS Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church "Greater Jamaica was established in 1967, and that was during a time when we needed something, you might say, to bring back Jamaica "I'll be honest with you. When we first learned of Greater Jamaica, I wasn't one of the lovers of Greater Jamaica. But when I found out personally what they did and what they do, then we began to see that it was im-

portant and necessary that we had such a corporation here in our area to really establish what was needed.

"Greater Jamaica has been, I think, a godsend to this area, and getting to know Carlisle better in my old age and his old age certainly helped us to know that there were some good things that took place and are taking place now."

ADJOA GZIFA, Chairwoman, CB 12 "It is important for us to be able to work with all of the individuals in this community, be they organizations, corporations, because we have so many things that are happening in our community that need to be addressed.

"The GJDC is responsible for a lot

of the development in downtown Jamaica. Working with them has in some instances been a pleasure, and in some instances been a problem. But overall it has been one of mutual respect, and I think we work fairly well together to make sure positive things come to our community."

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 17

NYPD Lab In Jamaica

town Jamaica; and construct community facilities, including open space and parks, retail, shopping, hotels and parking.

“We envision Downtown Jamaica as a dynamic, modern, and efficient urban center – built around a major transit hub – offering a pleasant and productive experience for those who work, live and visit here,” said GJDC Executive Director Carlisle Towery.

The plan includes a major merchandise mart at Sutphin Boulevard and 94th Avenue, right outside the

AirTrain station, as well as a Marriott Hotel and a Residence Inn on Archer Avenue.

The area would also be home to new housing facilities as well, and improve street and sidewalk conditions, including new tree planting and new lighting. The area would be limited, as rezoning called for protecting the one- and twofamily homes that dominate the surrounding neighborhoods south of Liberty Avenue and east of 172nd Street.

Airport Village, the GJDC said, would reduce dependence on fossil fuels and the need for driving, addressing the serious problems of rising energy costs, traffic congestion, and global warming. The transportation center in Jamaica would be a plus for downtown businesses during tough economic times, the GJDC said, because it would make them easy to get to and noticed by millions who pass through every day; not only commuters going through Jamaica on their way to work, but those heading to and from JFK International Airport.

The financial crisis in 2008 put a halt to development of Airport Village. In 2010, City and State officials, in an effort to keep JetBlue from moving their headquarters from Forest Hills to Florida, tried to get the airline to move its headquarters to Downtown Jamaica in the Airport Village area, only minutes from their JFK hub. JetBlue eventually found a new home in Long Island City.

Social Security:

A Place To Live

Major Coup For Jamaica GJDC Aids Housing of the current SSA home in Jamaica,

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY For tens of millions of people in along with U.S. Rep. Joseph Addabbo the United States, Social Security pro- Sr., and former U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan. vides a necessary lifeline Both Addabbo and in the form of disabilMoynihan took the lead ity, medical, retirement, in bringing the SSA to supplemental security Jamaica, which could income and survivor have ended up on Long benefits.

Island’s Mitchell Field.

Of the 45 million At the time, the chairbeneficiaries in the man in Washington U.S., 13 percent receive from the corresponding benefits on the basis of The SSA building in congressional committee disabilities, while more Downtown Jamaica. was from Nassau County. than half of retirees in Instead, with help from Addabbo, the U.S. depend on Social Security Moynihan and then-Queens Borough for at least half of their income.

Located on Jamaica Avenue and President Don Manes, it was sited on completed in 1989, the U.S. Social a piece of city-owned land that Mayor Security Administration’s Northeast- John Lindsay condemned and ern Program Center serves about 7.2 cleared for development.

Downtown Jamaica is a regional million disability, retirement and survivor insurance beneficiaries. In 2007, center of City, State and federal Govthe facility processed more than 1.8 ernment functions. The Social Security Administration building repremillion actions for its clients.

From 1961-1989, the SSA called sented the first major public investthe gargantuan Lefrak City home. Al- ment in Downtown Jamaica. With though the SSA needed the space, it room for several hundred employees, was a speculative office building – built the building itself has 1 million square not for a specific tenant but for any feet of floor space.

Along with the U.S. Food and Drug that might sign a lease – and did not meet the needs of the SSA. The SSA Administration’s Northeast Regional required a custom-designed building Laboratory, located on the York Colso they could better handle regional lege campus since 1997, the two facilities employ more than 2,000 operations in New York City.

The Greater Jamaica Development people and represent public investCorporation assisted in site selection ments of more than $250 million.

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation never intended to be landlords; that’s never been their true focus.

But at the same time, they are all about “building places,” and part of what makes a place like Downtown Jamaica is the buildings that people call home.

The GDC had worked for years to foster good relationships with the business owners of the neighborhoods, helping where they could and providing the ability to bring in and retain jobs.

But some of the workers were living at the whim of bad landlords, or were simply caught up in a situation where the interested parties were unable to work out their problems.

“We had a housing preservation program for 10 years, and we worked with every landlord,” said GJDC President Carlisle Towery. “The landlord, lender and tenant are frequently enemies. We had a program where all we did was go around and negotiate with those interest parties.”

Sometimes, that wasn’t enough.

Using a combination of loans and self-financing, the GJDC took over bad housing, fixed it up, rented it out and sold it, creating better places for people to live in the process.

“We did 3,000 units over a 10-year

Greater Jamaica has assisted in the development of affordable and safe housing in Jamaica.

possible. Carlisle works with government for the benefit of the Jamaica community better than anyone else.

“When I got elected to Congress, Carlisle immediately began the drive to make sure that the Social Security Administration Building, which had begun under my predecessor, former Congressman Joseph Addabbo, would be completed. He not only wrote the letters to the Social Security Administration, but also penned the letters for me and Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan in hopes of getting the President’s ear. We worked together, eventually finishing the project – which brought more than 3,000 jobs to the community.

“Carlisle could never be satisfied as long as there were opportunities to build up the Downtown Jamaica area.

So we collaborated in an effort to bring the Food and Drug Administration facility to Jamaica. He felt that it would be a great addition not only to Downtown Jamaica, but if it were located on the campus of York College, it would also be a tremendous educational benefit to the community. It was not an easy project. At times it appeared that Jamaica would not be the location chosen by the FDA; but, with a great deal of commitment and dedication to this goal, we were finally able to get a piece of legislation passed.

The FDA was built in 1990, and it brought 2,000 additional jobs to the community.

“Carlisle was never satisfied no matter how great the results were, so a few months later he informed me that the Federal Aviation Administration considered building a new facility which would replace the existing one at JFK Airport. The administration had determined that they would not rebuild within the airport area where they were previously located, and would move out of the district. Once again, Carlisle challenged me to push to keep the FAA in Jamaica. After a prolonged period, I was able to draft the legislation which benefitted Greater Jamaica; both with the retention of jobs, and with the creation of many new jobs that could now be housed in the new facility.

“There are many times that people are called visionaries for what they say, but Carlisle Towery’s fight exceeds the limits of the rhetoric of transformation, and demonstrates that he feels a serious commitment to make good things happen for the community and its people. The Jamaica community has been enhanced by his wealth, talent, faith and belief in the betterment of humanity through benefits and services that improve life in the Greater Jamaica Downtown area.”

period, and then we quit,” Towery said. “We’re not in housing anymore.”

Though working with a developer on a housing option in the Airport Village area is still an option on the table for GJDC, it’s not something Towery is seeking out as a long-term involvement.

“We might do it, just so people can live here and work here,” he said.

“Much of the work that we do is bricks and mortar, it’s physical. Sometimes we are misunderstood as being in the real estate business, when we’re really in the venue business, of creating places for people.”

REV. FLOYD FLAKE

Page 18 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Pastor, Allen AME Cathedral “It is interesting how life puts people in each others’ pathway without them knowing that there might come a time in the future where they will meet at an intersection that makes a difference in the lives of other people. While a student at Wilberforce University (Ohio) in the 60s, I participated in a protest at Lewis Gegner’s barbershop because he would not cut the hair of African Americans. Later in life, I learned that Carlisle Towery, who was then a student at Antioch College (Ohio), which is 10 miles from the Wilberforce University campus, also protested along with his friends.

“Carlisle had come from Alabama, and I, from Houston. We were in Ohio for the purpose of getting our undergraduate education; little did I know that I would ultimately cross paths with Carlisle. When I was appointed in 1976 to Pastor the Allen Church, I received a phone call and subsequent visit from Carlisle Towery. His ambition was to stop the out migration of people and merchants from Downtown Jamaica. It was a tough time economically, because the major department stores were shutting down, and that impact on other businesses in the downtown area was deleterious. Jobs were lost and the aesthetics changed suddenly from a thriving business at-

mosphere to one of vacant buildings; this was cause for great concern about the future of Jamaica. My concerns were not only about the downtown area, but also the deterioration in the communities that comprised Jamaica as a whole.

“As I began to seek various funding to build up the community, Carlisle reached out and indicated that our goals were similar and joining together would help stem the possible loss of more businesses, homes and citizens who were moving out of the community in huge numbers.

My invitation to join the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation’s Board came in 1976, and I have served faithfully with Carlisle over the last 35 years.

“Carlisle Towery is a visionary who refuses to take no for an answer when he believes in a particular project. I found him to be both a friend and a partner whose motivation is never centered on personal outcomes, but is focused on what’s best for the community. One of his first projects was converting the Gertz building into a State Office building. He would not give up even when it appeared that the State would not put offices in Jamaica. He has the tenacity and drive that challenges people to get on board and seek solutions even when things seem im-

Jamaica Comes First:

GJDC Garages Spur Local Growth

Page 20 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY Greater Jamaica Development Corp. President Carlisle Towery wishes that more people who work in Downtown Jamaica, or visit the area, used public transportation. To serve the car-loving public, Jamaica First Parking operates a network of safe and affordable parking facilities in Downtown Jamaica.

Jamaica First Parking is a nonprofit subsidiary of the GJDC. It was formed to promote local economic development in Downtown Jamaica by managing and operating a coordinated system of safe and affordable, customer-friendly and efficiently-operated municipal parking facilities that serve local residents, shoppers, workers and visitors to Downtown Jamaica.

To support local economic development, Jamaica First owns and operates five parking facilities with 2,000 parking spaces in Downtown Jamaica. Jamaica First keeps rates a f f o rdable and uses profits for building additional parking facilities.

In the late 70s, there was no capital budget for cities. Projects were grant-funded and had to be shovelready. In 1978, with a lot of help, the GJDC obtained for the City of New York a $3.4 million grant to build a garage in Downtown Jamaica.

To support local economic development, the garage was located next to the Jamaica Market. Unfortunately, the way the parking garage was maintained by the City, the project was a disaster, complete with crime and lights that did not

Queens Borough President

other cities parking was a powerful marketing tool, particularly when parking was priced at a rate that customers can afford.

After operating their first garage for two years, Greater Jamaica bought two additional lots from the city and built a new 2,000space facility.

Although Towery said that Jamaica First could probably raise rates, they are kept affordable, with net revenue allocated towards new facilities.

The newest facility was completed in 2005, a parking garage for cars with 410 spaces. To finance the project, Jamaica First raised grants and Officials cut the ribbon at the newest Jamaica First parking garage, opened in 2005. partnered with the New York City Induswork, Towery said. them the Jamaica Alliance. Instead trial Development Agency to issue “So we took it over from the City,” of strategically posting security per- tax-exempt bonds collateralized with he said. “We managed it and made sonnel, they each have their own a letter of credit from a bank. it wonderful. We gave candy away to routes and beats.

“To build a garage in Jamaica, you women with kids when they parked “We now have our own security,” have to have half of it as equity,” there.”

Towery said. “This thing cost $11 Towery said.

An innovation spearheaded by Before the Jamaica Alliance, Ja- million – we borrowed $6 million and Jamaica First was a change in secu- maica First was paying the contrac- the City gave us $5 million – the City rity. In each garage, the manager had tor $12 for security personnel. The earns money because they collect two or three security personnel on contractor paid his employees $8 per taxes on it.” their payroll.

Jamaica First is trying to build an hour.

Instead of contracting for those “Now we’re still paying $12 an additional facility, with proposals positions, Jamaica First hires them hour and we insure them,” Towery submitted under the stimulus packall, dresses them in uniform and calls said. “They are real jobs.” age, he said.

“The revenue from the existing A security system of well-trained employees increased the attractive- ones is how we would pay half the cost on the new ones,” Towery said. ness of the lot, Towery said.

The idea is to “get the whole “They do more than security,” he downtown in balance,” in terms of said. “They are really good.”

Greater Jamaica learned that in parking supply and demand.

“Carlisle Towery is a hardworking, innovative individual, who has been a creative leader in Jamaica for many years. Indeed, he is the ‘go-to’ man in Jamaica, where he has contributed greatly to a revitalization that continues to grow stronger with each coming year.

“Whether its projects related to culture, housing and parking, or to generating business by building loan programs or department stores, Carlisle has been there with the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation to support, guide or spearhead the effort. His credentials have served him well in design, architecture and planning for the future.

Over the years, he has played an instrumental role in projects from the Civil Court to the Jamaica Business Resource Center and York College to Jamaica Market. And now, i n Carlisle’s own words, ‘Jamaica is diverse, entrepreneurial and vibrant.’

“He loves Jamaica and has ex-

pressed that love by devoting his time, energy and talent to improve, enhance and strengthen the community. In no small measure, he has worked with government and the private sector to transform Jamaica into a hub of activity and strengthen its role as a transportation, educational and cultural center in Queens.

“Today, Jamaica stands on the precipice of a new generation of growth. It is home to the biggest rezoning in the city’s history and is now poised for new development that will be channeled to large, commercial streets, while smaller, residential streets are preserved.

“The Queens Tribune has made a wise decision in naming Carlisle Towery as its Person of the Year. He is a prime example of the private and public sector working together for the good of the people.

“Congratulations Carlisle on your designation as the Queens Tribune’s 2010 Person of the Year!”

HELEN MARSHALL

MALCOLM SMITH State Senator “At times, some people may have misunderstood Carlisle and the mission of the GJDC. But clearly what they have accomplished on Jamaica Avenue is to the benefit of the community and the surrounding communities.”

Jamaica, he said, went from being home to small mom and pop stores serving the immediate community, to being home to large, renowned stores like Old Navy and The Home Depot, which bring in shoppers from St. Albans, Laurelton, Hollis and Briarwood, the middleclass neighborhoods surrounding Jamaica that Smith represents. Residents in these areas often had to travel to Nassau County to shop, but Smith said the GJDC has helped

make Jamaica a viable option for them as well.

Smith said Towery’s strength is his ability to learn the information he needs to make a project work.

“Carlisle did his homework. By the time you got him, all that was needed is a small follow up.”

Smith credited Towery and the GJDC for their work on the Air Train and their committment to highspeed rail, which he hopes can be brought to Jamaica.

Towery’s legacy, Smith said, is going to be its ability to help Jamaica through tough times as an urban neighborhood, from it’s downturn in the 1970s and 1980s to its resurgence as a center of commerce in the last decade.

Work together.

Make a difference.

Citi is pleased to recognize Carlisle Towery as the 2010 Queens Tribune “Person of the Year.”

We

also

commend

the

Greater

Jamaica Development Corporation for over 40 years of outstanding service to the Jamaica, Queens community.

© 2010 Citigroup Inc. All rights reserved. Arc Design, Citi and Arc Design and Citi Never Sleeps are trademarks and service marks of Citigroup Inc., used and registered throughout the world.

Building Culture:

GJDC Works To Inspire New Artists

BY JASON BANREY The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation’s Culture Builds Jamaica initiative shows off Downtown Jamaica as a modern and efficient mixed-use regional center. By building the community’s interest in the area’s infrastructure, the initiative hopes to attract the experience of individuals and groups in the community to continue to develop Jamaica’s rich historical ties to jazz, hip-hop, and African-American and Caribbean culture.

Utilizing the downtown area’s recent rebirth to stimulate artistic and cultural life, the initiative has collaborated with local organizations, reviving urban creativity and culture in the downtown area.

In 2009, the GJDC partnered with Chashama, a nonprofit arts organization that supports thriving cultural communities by investing in neighborhoods, cultivating local artists and sustaining culture and creativity.

Working together, they were able to create seven artist studios and two new galleries within vacant buildings owned by GJDC in Jamaica’s downtown area. The development of these multiple spaces has provided both trained and untrained local artists with spaces to display their work within the community they live in.

The affordable studio spaces allow

A recent King Park performance during a Caribbean Cultural Festival, cosponsored by the GJDC. artists to practice their craft and exhibit their work in an environment that fosters relationships. Artists can collaborate on projects and share ideas, making a variety of contemporary cultural works of art available for the community.

“The community has been very welcoming to these gallery opening nights,” said Reuel Daniels, senior manager of special projects at GJDC. “This initiative has enhanced the quality of

Open Space Needed:

Cultural Elbow Room

ricade on Sutphin Boulevard, through a combined effort with the City of New York. Opening the Plaza to the public, the space now presents open-air concerts for the community in the summer.

The area’s main open space is Rufus King Park. Located in the heart of Downtown Jamaica, the former estate of Rufus King, a signer of the Constitution of the United States, has undergone a multi-faceted transformation that turned a 19th century farm into a recreational area where both sports and open air concerts can be enjoyed.

The introduction of artificial turf to the grounds has given local sports enthusiasts of all ages an area to engage in recreation activities. Once known as a dust bowl, the 11-acre park is now a popular site for locals to test their soccer skills against each other.

For shoppers, workers and residents who plan to visit the revitalized downtown district, parking is also conveniently available. With the help of the Coalition and community stakeholders, the downtown area has benefitted from an expansion of safe, affordable and customer-friendly parking, giving visitors easy access this established shopping destination.

GREGORY MEEKS Jamaica's U.S. Congressman "The Queens Tribune could not have picked a more deserving individual who has Downtown Jamaica as his single focus and viewpoint and seeks to return it to its glory days. He is relentless in going where he needs to go."

Meeks said Towery is very good at putting his vision into words for him and other officials to see clearly the direction he wishes to go.

"We can see how that can actually transcend Downtown Jamaica and integrate Jamaica, Queens into the broader New York City projects that are going on."

Meeks said the GJDC's mission is not only good for Downtown Jamaica, but also for the surrounding communities who can now shop in Downtown

Jamaica rather than on Long Island.

He said the rise in retail development in Downtown Jamaica also has economic effects for the surrounding communities like Laurelton, Hollis and St. Albans.

"When you have that type of thriving commercial development, it raises property value in surrounding communities."

Meeks' goal is to help the mission Towery and the GJDC lays out any way he can. He has helped secure tax credits for the GJDC to entice businesses to come to Jamaica and allocated money to help the GJDC obtain property.

"We will continue to do that. When they come to me with those ideas, we will try to follow through."

CHARLES MITTEL Cassel and Freymuth, Owner "Their team helped us look for buildings and helped us explore the area to find a new home for our business. A number of years later we worked with them again and refinanced the mortgage on the building because interest rates went down and there was an opportunity to save us a little money, and they were quite willing to do that.

"We feel that they really, really have

been effective in keeping businesses and finding new businesses into the Jamaica community, and we have been really happy to have been affiliated with them all these years.

"What they're really doing is creating jobs or preserving jobs, and at all levels with the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation they take that responsibility very seriously."

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 23

BY JASON BANREY Over the years, Downtown Jamaica has transitioned into a bustling urban center where the community is welcome to not only shop but also enjoy the outdoors within its renewed public spaces. One initiative that made this possible is the Downtown Jamaica Open Space Coalition.

With the purpose of transforming Downtown Jamaica’s parks, open spaces, streetscapes and public squares, the coalition has begun changing the face of a neighborhood that once lacked inviting exterior amenities.

Promoting sustainable developments and civic activity, the main objective of the Coalition, A Greater Jamaica Development Corp. partner, is to identify key concerns and opportunities with the consensus of the ethnically diverse community within the neighborhood.

One of the initiative’s primary projects was the removal of the Queens County Supreme Court Plaza’s 10-foot high iron fence that surrounded the building for a decade. With the purpose of providing locals and visitors with more open spaces, the Coalition was able to remove the unsightly bar-

life for people who live and work here.”

With 14 galleries in Downtown Jamaica, Chashama has also provided space and support to Reconstruct Art, an arts education organization. Helping provide disenfranchised youth with free art workshops in public housing and the opportunity to paint murals in their neighborhoods, the partnership aims to address the economic and social problems locals face.

This past summer, the GJDC also partnered with VP Records, a local reggae and Caribbean music record label, to sponsor a free Caribbean Music Festival that featured the Mighty Sparrow, the “Calypso King of the World,” Lava Connection and Ernie Smith.

Also during the summer, under the cultural initiative, Downtown Jamaica hosted both jazz sessions and funk concerts. Held in the plaza of the Queens County Supreme Court, under the direction of Tom Zlabinger, York College’s jazz bands filled the warm summer evenings with melodies for locals leaving work.

With the support from the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation and the New York Community Trust, GJDC also featured several free lunchtime concerts in locations throughout the downtown area, displaying live jazz, funk, R&B, and world music.

Over the years, the free concerts and jazz series have grown in popularity with the majority of attendees being local employees and shoppers. Not only has the public benefitted from the open-air music; local businesses drew in an additional 4,500 people to the area in the summer of 2008.

“It’s important that we work with the local organizations and pass them on the torch,” said Daniels.

A New Vision:

Underpass Project To Lift The Gloom

BY JOSEPH OROVIC Nearly a year ago, New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth Pinsky gave a tour of the borough to members of the local media, showcasing some of the bigger projects underway around the borough.

The day began at Jamaica’s transit hub, with Pinsky pointing to a dank, depressing stretch along Sutphin Boulevard, the Long Island Rail Road clanging overhead. He promised what was once an eyesore of garbage loading docks will be transformed into a stretch of shops, well lit and welcoming enough to match the upgraded side across the street. Work began once the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation got its hands on it.

The ground was broken for the Shops at Station Plaza in December 2008. It will create 5,500 square feet of retail space, add new lighting, storefronts, and a new sidewalk and roadbed. The project was originally slated to be completed by the end of this year.

The rejuvenation of the LIRR underpass on Sutphin is part of a larger plan for Downtown Jamaica, one that

ity called “IMAX” (Inter-modal Enhancements/Atlantic Avenue Extension), a $98 million investment from City, State and Federal sources.

IMAX’s goals are to create new gateways to Downtown Jamaica while adding 30 new permanent jobs and 580 construction jobs.

The project is a three-phase undertaking that not only includes Sutphin Boulevard, but also, the extension of Atlantic Avenue to connect with 95th Avenue to improve access to the AirTrain and LIRR from the Van Wyck Expressway. The final arm of the project, which will begin 2011, will realign the intersection of Archer Avenue Today, the underpass is dimly lit and foreboding. and Sutphin Boulevard to relieve traffic and improve will see the languishing neighbor- Long Island streetscape. hood rejuvenated. By the time work Rail Road The underpass is part of a is done, the EDC expects the transit underpass , An artist’s rendering of the 368-block swath of Downtown hub at Sutphin Boulevard and Archer and one re- redesigned underpass.

Jamaica that was rezoned in Avenue to become a mixed use com- ally strong 2007. The rezoning called for mercial district with residential units. point that is incorporated is that we the creation of an Airport Village in “Something to look forward to will are working really diligently to attract the area around the AirTrain. The be the $100 million infrastructure local subcontractors and get them Sutphin Boulevard underpass project project in the Sutphin corridor,” said work, and get them working on these is the first in the rezoned area.

Justin Rodgers, Director Economic projects.”

According to GJDC, the Sutphin Development, GJDC. “That project The Sutphin underpass will be Boulevard project will cater to more will consist of retail right under the part of a greater expansion of capac- than 300,000 daily commuters.

Page 24 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Rooted in the Community, Growing to Meet Your Needs

C

ommitted to the needs of our patients, Flushing Hospital’s Department of Surgery is just one of the many services branching out to better serve you.

Over the past 125 years, Flushing Hospital has been dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.

Even with our recent growth, this is one thing we refuse to change

To find out more about the surgical services at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-3135 or visit www.flushinghospital.org

Our list of surgical services has grown to include: • General surgery • Vascular surgery • Neurosurgery • Ophthalmology • Orthopedics

• Head and neck surgery • Hand surgery • Plastic surgery

Connection Takes Flight:

The AirTrain Brings Jamaica To JFK

BY JASON BANREY In the past, many travelers seeking a route to JFK International Airport usually found themselves on one of a couple of Queens’ congested highways. Surrounded by the Belt Parkway and the Van Wyck Expressway, JFK was a destination that inconvenient to reach.

In 2003 that changed. The introduction of the AirTrain provided New Yorkers with a direct route to the metropolitan area’s largest international airport.

Efficient Design Operated by Bombardier Transportation under contract to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the eight-mile long, aboveground transit system has experienced a steady increase in riders since its opening day, serving more than 5 million commuters in 2009.

Utilizing a design originally developed in the 1970s, the AirTrain’s Advanced Rapid Transit technology draws power from the third rail and an electric motor, magnetically pushing the train along the track. The state-of-the-art computerized trains operate without conductors or motormen and share the same technological design as the SkyTrain in Vancouver, Canada and the Kelana Jaya Line in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The AirTrain shuttles visitors between Jamaica and JFK. to gain access to AirTrain service, providing commuters with smooth and seamless connections while in transit. The AirTrain is also free within the airport’s seven terminal areas and to the hotel, car rentalshuttle bus area at Federal Circle.

Travelers who decide to leave their vehicles in long-term parking have access to AirTrain service as well. The service quickly became popular with long-term travelers who do not use the city’s mass transportation system.

Many of today’s commuters may forget the many difficulties and long process planners endured throughout the AirTrain’s development before it reached its modest design.

Looking Forward With the project completed, local organizations have been looking to reap the benefits of travelers who are directed towards Jamaica’s downtown area. After one of the largest rezoning efforts undertaken by the Bloomberg Administration, the area surrounding the AirTrain line and its Jamaica station, known as Airport Village, has experienced a rise in the development of hotels and residential units. The improvements and rezoning mapped out in the plan Community Concerns During construction, Southeast preserve lower-density residential Queens residents who lived in the neighborhoods and developed areas areas surrounding the structure criti- surrounding the AirTrain on induscized the project’s costs and lengthy trial land, allowing local businesses process. Public criticism spiked in to thrive.

“The AirTrain station remains the September 2002 when train operator, Kevin DeBourgh, Jr., died after central figure for ongoing economic the elevated train derailed at JFK progress,” said U.S. Rep. Gregory Airport during a test run. The Meeks (D-Jamaica). “With the growproject was delayed as the Port Au- ing number of riders each day passthority sought to address safety issues ing through this station, the City is before the system was to be used by providing some major changes to the surrounding blocks of this massive the public.

Addressing the concerns of resi- hub of transport.”

After years of construction and dents, the Port Authority began imposing strict rules regulating safety, c r i t i c i s m , t h e s e v e n - y e a r - o l d disruptive and loud construction ac- AirTrain is here to stay and is a pertivity and implemented a damage manent part of the city’s transporclaim process, compensating t a t i o n i n f r a s t r u c t u re . W i t h i t s homeowners who suffered damage to steady increase in ridership and proposed economic imp ro v e m e n t s t o t h e d o w n t o w n a re a a n d n e i g h b o rh o o d s s u r ro u n d i n g t h e a b o v e ground railway, Jamaica will continue to prosper from traveler traffic directed around the area, improving the community developments.

For travelers seeking an innovative experience and a bird’s eye view of Southeast Queens, the AirTrain is an economical choice The AirTrain Terminal is part of a major and beneficial investment for the borough. overhaul of Jamaica’s transit hub.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 25

A Major Link Early Designs Connecting domestic and interIn the 1960’s, high price tags, national travelers, the AirTrain impractical plans and tough logistics gives New York City residents direct plagued attempts to create rail access access to flights that travel around to New York City airports. In the the world. Winding through south- 1990s, the Port Authority proposed east Queens, the light rail carries various designs, one of which directly passengers to one of Queens’ revi- tied midtown Manhattan to both talized areas, Downtown Jamaica. LaGuardia Airport and JFK InternaThe mass transit hub, located on tional Airport.

Archer Avenue and Sutphin BouleAccording to the original plan, vard, serves three subway lines, 31 the railway would begin at the foot bus lines and 430 daily commuter of the Queensboro Bridge in Mantrains serviced by the Long Island hattan. The train would then cross Rail Road. the East River, making use of the cenWith five additional subway sta- tury old structure, on the lower level. tions, two bus terminals and numer- From the bridge, the train would ous bus transfer points along Down- then use the Sunnyside Yards as a town Jamaica’s major thoroughfares, means to head directly to LaGuardia commuters from all over the city are able to skip the highway to reach the skyway. Paying an expensive cab fare is also no longer necessary as the AirTrain’s inexpensive fare and eightminute rail service provide optimum alternatives for travelers seeking to reach New York City’s most congested airport.

For just $5, passengers entering or leaving at Jamaica or Howard Beach stations are able to use their MetroCards Inside the AirTrain Terminal.

Airport and then head to JFK Airport. The Port Authority changed its proposed plans for the 22-mile long railroad after speculation that the estimated costs exceeded original expectations.

In the end, only portions linking Jamaica and Howard Beach were approved and construction began in 1998. Many transit interest groups such as the Straphangers Campaign and the Air Transportation Authority, as well as community organizations and local government officials, met the plan with skepticism but soon changed their minds.

their homes’ foundations because of construction.

The project was finally completed Dec. 17, 2003. At its inception, the Port Authority predicted 34,000 people per day would opt for a seat on the innovative transportation system instead of using the crammed highways surrounding the international airport. According to the Port Authority, in its first year of operation the AirTrain served over 8,000 paying passengers and nearly 24,000 others who rode the system for free.

The $1.9 billion project exceeded initial expectations of local politicians who at first criticized the pricey project.

“I’ve been surprised at the number of people that [were] taking it,” said Councilman Leroy Comrie (DSt. Albans).

A Center For Art:

JCAL Owes It All To Towery, GJDC

Page 26 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

BY SASHA AUSTRIE Since its inception, the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning has been linked to the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

For 38 years, the two entities have enjoyed a fruitful partnership with JCAL, introducing the arts to Downtown Jamaica and GJDC standing as a watchful parent over the downtown district and all its entities.

In 1972, GJDC worked with several local partners and artists to establish JCAL, a community-based center for artistic and educational programming.

Local artists, business and community leaders came together to acquire the abandoned Queens Register of Titles and Deeds Building – a New York landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With initial funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council for the Arts and New York Community Trust, GJDC stabilized a vacant City-owned building for JCAL’s home, helped secure a landmark designation for the building and enabled the organization’s independence by helping form a separate entity and initial board of directors.

Today, JCAL is a member of the City’s prestigious Cultural Institutions Group and manages the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, which was once the First Reformed Dutch Church.

In its 38-year tenure, JCAL has brought a wide range of talents to Jamaica.

Legends like Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie and Sweet Honey in the Rock were welcomed to Jamaica.

JCAL not only dabbles in the musical art, but the visual as well. Every two to The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning’s three years, the Center Jamaica Avenue. mounts “Jamaica Flux: Workspaces & Windows,” a large- ing member of the art center.

“They have really, really been a trescale, contemporary public art exhibition, which displays 25 site-specific mendous supporter of JCAL,” she artworks at various locations and pub- said. “We have been very connected to Greater Jamaica.” lic spaces along Jamaica Avenue.

Segarra said Towery has helped Through the transformation of Jamaica and the pioneering of JCAL, cultivate JCAL since its early stages the president GJDC, Carlisle Towery, and four-years ago, he became a board has steered the rejuvenation of a once member of the organization. forgotten business district. Anita “He is definitely a mover and a Segarra, JCAL’s deputy director, shaker when it comes to Jamaica,” she dubbed Towery and GJDC as a found- said. “He will turn over every rock.”

It is the excitement and potential of every new project’s ability to transform Jamaica into a destination village, which keeps Towery holding the reigns.

“It’s his baby,” Segarra said of Jamaica. “There is much left to be done and I think he wants to see it.”

Though Phillip Willis, JCAL’s executive director, has only stood at its helm for a few months he spoke highly of Towery.

“He is a shining exhome on ample of how one person can make a difference,” Willis said. “He is a visionary, the consummate strategic planner.”

Willis went on to say that Towery never accepts “no.” He described Towery as a godsend, which helped in his first days as executive director.

Willis said Towery paid to have a marketing blitz to grow additional support for the organization.

“He opened his rolodex to me,” Willis said. “As far as I am concerned, he is JCAL’s biggest supporter.”

Allied And Ready:

GJDC’s Alliance Keeps Business Local

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY The Jamaica Alliance was formed to get the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation and other stakeholders to the same table to figure out how best to serve the needs of the community. The project, according to GJDC President Carlisle Towery, has been a smashing success.

Jamaica Alliance is a strategic collaboration of public and private stakeholders working together to coordinate resources and neighborhood initiatives designed to promote a revitalized Downtown Jamaica business district, particularly around the AirTrain/ Jamaica Station complex. This coalition includes GJDC, the Jamaica Cen-

ter Improvement Association, the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District, the 165th Street BID, local merchants, the MTA, Long Island Rail Road, the NYPD, City and State Court facilities, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the City's Taxi and Limousine Commission, Dept. of Sanitation and Dept. of Transportation.

"Our Jamaica Alliance program is improving the downtown's quality of life. The horticultural landscape and greening services, hospitality guides, safety and security services," Towery said.

The key objectives for the Jamaica Alliance are to maintain clean and attractive streetscapes along the Downtown's thoroughfares, sidewalks and public spaces; provide a more visible security presence and evidence of hospitality; create a more pedestrianfriendly environment; enhance Downtown Jamaica's reputation as a vibrant, attractive place to live, work and enjoy; engage key stakeholders on a consistent and coordinated basis to contribute to the processes and developments that are now dramatically reshaping the Sutphin Boulevard com-

mercial corridor; and to develop strategies for attracting private investments and developments that support sustainable economic development and job growth, and that serves to recapture Downtown retail sales lost to regional malls.

"Jamaica accommodates a range of industries, particularly food and food related enterprises," Towery said. "We have a business services unit which focuses on jobs - creation, retention and expansion, nurturing economic opportunities here. We help business secure incentives and tax benefits. We operate a revolving loan fund for small businesses, and we give special attention to women- and minority-owned enterprises."

For GJDC Director of Economic Development Justin Rodgers, he sees the Alliance working to help.

"I can remember walking down Jamaica Avenue when I was in high school and looking at the different retailers - I've even had several jobs in some of the retailers' shops, and I look at Jamaica now, I can see already, in the last 10 or 15 years, how it has changed a great deal," he said.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 27

York Restoration:

Three Sisters Chapel Get A New Life

BY JESSICA ABLAMSKY Since it was erected in 1857, the Chapel of the Three Sisters has stood as a poignant symbol of love and loss.

Early Jamaica residents Nicholas and Sarah Ann Ludlum saw three daughters buried in Prospect Ceremony long before their time.

In 1828, 1-year-old Mary Cecelia and in 1837, 13-year-old Cornelia Maria were put to rest. Two years after the death of 20-year-old Mary Ludlum Cass, Nicholas Ludlum commissioned a small chapel at the eastern edge of the cemetery in honor of his daughters.

The main entrance and the cemetery’s main focal point, the building is a somber, one-story Romanesque Revival. Only 40 feet by 40 feet, and 25 feet high, each end is adorned by a large stained-glass window.

Vacant for decades, ravaged by time and the elements, the Chapel of the Three Sisters was nearly lost to history before restoration efforts of the cemetery began in the late 1990s.

Though in good structural condition, the wood floors were deteriorated and the stained glass had to be removed; the openings were sealed until funds were secured for their restoration.

and do what they could partment and a robust geology deto restore and preserve partment, so this speaks to those mait.” jors and those interests as well. CemA beautiful renova- eteries are both. They are both histion that cost more tory and geology.” than $650,000, the Before restoration of the cemetery wood floors and itself began in 1999, with the aid of stained glass were fully the Greater Jamaica Development restored, with the aid Corporation, in partnership with the of grants from Queens New York Landmarks Conservancy, the Borough President four-acre cemetery was overgrown with Helen Marshall, a vegetation. $150,000 grant from Although lot owners and their dethe Greater Jamaica scendents tried to maintain the landDevelopment Corpora- scaping, the scope of the work Inside the restored Chapel of the Three Sisters. tion and others. proved too much for volunteers. Res“It’s just a really toration of the chapel was seen as Finished two and a half years ago, beautiful and serene place,” Keizs said. integral for restoration of the cemtoday the chapel has been restored to “It is hard to imagine that time and etery. its former glory, and renamed the Il- the elements had almost destroyed it.

While the City owns Prospect Cemlinois Jacquet Performance Space at We almost lost that part of Jamaica’s etery, restoration was completed in York College, after a jazz performer history.” partnership with GJDC, the New York who lived in Jamaica. York College The chapel is an important part Landmarks Conservancy and the New holds small jazz performances in the of Jamaica’s history that York College, York City Department of Parks and Recbuilding. as an institution of higher learning, reation. It cost more than $250,000, and included revitalization of 159th “We’re happy to see it serving the wanted to preserve. community in this manner,” York Col“If we had lost this, it would have Street fencing, lighting, sidewalks and lege President Marcia Keizs said at the been an invaluable part of the utility hook-ups to the chapel. time the center was opened. “It had community’s history,” fallen into disrepair over the years. Keizs said. “So the colThen York College recently got pos- lege is delighted that session of it, permission to take it over the funds were appropriated.”

“A m e m o r i a l i n memory of lost children should last into perpetuity, and the restoration honors Nicholas Ludlum as “Greater Jamaica gave us context. much as his children, Transportation moves people, but which is part of the imtransportation creates economic activ- portance of the buildity and wealth, wealth creates commu- ing,” she said. “This nities, communities’ rebirth takes story about the grievplace and you get organic growth out i n g f a t h e r a n d h i s of smart development that we were able three daughters is very poignant. We do have One of the early markers, this of Martha Ludlum, to put together.

“There were many, many people a robust history de- mother of the three sisters. that thought that AirTrain would never happen. And it probably wouldn’t have happened if there wasn’t that larger theme to it. It was just seen as we’re going to put a big guide way down the Van Wyck and there’s going to be a lot of trains carrying people to Former Queens Borough President Kennedy Airport. That doesn’t really “I can sing praises of Carlisle forShe attributes the commotion of get to the heart of the project, and we Jamaica to Towery’s work, and foreprobably would have never been able ever.”

During her 16-year tenure at Bor- sees continued growth as a result of to take it through the city land use and approval process. They saw it ough Hall, Shulman worked with his efforts.

“The thousands of people working early, they created a vision for Greater Carlisle Towery on numerous projects, Jamaica, and they allowed us to bring from the Social Security Administra- there, buying things, going into a transportation project as part of that tion location on Jamaica Avenue to shops, this is a magnificent renaisthe FAA’s location in John F. Kennedy sance,” she said. effort.

The Greater Jamaica Develop“Greater Jamaica has had a vision Airport.

“He’s the reason Jamaica is now an ment Corporation’s continued sucfor a decade if not longer now that is becoming real, and I think that is up-and-coming part of the City of New cess is a direct result of Towery’s work such a transformative vision for Ja- York. He knows every square inch of e t h i c a n d f o c u s , a c c o r d i n g t o Shulman. maica. It is different than probably the area.”

The two first met when the elevated “He’s a hard worker and has the just about anywhere else. You could have Midtown, Downtown, Brooklyn, subway was being removed from Ja- ability to focus, otherwise he would never have gotten all this stuff done.

Long Island City – and then Jamaica maica Avenue.

“But remember, he had many lean His judgment on what to do is excelis the major economic node for growth in the 21st Century, and years where he worked hard to estab- lent. His knowledge of the area, of the that’s what Greater Jamaica has lish what he now has, which is an out- people that work there, help to make standing organization.” his judgment excellent.” done. “

CHRISTOPHER WARD

Page 28 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Executive Director, Port Authority “As Satchel Page said, ‘It ain’t bragging if you deliver.’ Greater Jamaica had a vision; they continue to have a vision. They have been persistent in that vision, and they did deliver.

“It takes a lot of people to move something forward in any place – especially a place like New York City.

And the more you can create that critical mass of people, whose interests are aligned with a vision of where the community should go, the stronger you can build a community.

“The Port Authority really has a great relationship with Greater Jamaica. It goes back to the early vision of the rail connection to Kennedy Airport and the revitalization of Downtown Jamaica. My experience began with AirTrain and the early years of recognizing that Jamaica was inextricably tied to Kennedy Airport and the airport industry. If we had a chance to connect that off-airport piece into Jamaica, you could have another city center the way Downtown Brooklyn became a city center. So when we were thinking about AirTrain it wasn’t just a transportation project, although that was key, it was also an economic development project.

“What Greater Jamaica brought was a strategy that linked that and brought a community-based effort which allowed us to talk to the community, develop the kind of support for what obviously was a very difficult project.

CLAIRE SHULMAN

Mapping The Future:

Rezoning Creates Plan For Growth

Page 30 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

BY JOSEPH OROVIC The push to revitalize Jamaica did not and could not begin in earnest until the area was rezoned, allowing developers to remake what was a languishing chunk of the borough.

Alongside the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, City Planning proposed, and got the approval of, one of the largest rezonings in City history.

In 2007, the Dept. of City Planning proposed that a large chunk of Jamaica, which included five zones (368 blocks) in Downtown Jamaica, Hollis and St. Albans, be rezoned as a lure for business investment while making the area safer and more attractive.

What's In The Plan?

It includes incentives for affordable housing, exchanging more floor area for low- and moderate-income units, within a large chunk of the rezoned area, including Hillside Avenue from 139th to 191st Streets.

The plan also includes a unique "Building Transition Rule," which will put an 8-foot buffer between any new apartment houses and lower-density districts featuring one- or two-family homes.

The plan is expected to generate more than 3,400 housing units, 9,300 jobs and nearly 3 million square feet of commercial space. It would also preserve the character of the one- and two- family homes on the outskirts of Downtown Jamaica's retail hub. A variety of new open spaces amounting to more than 30,000 square feet will make Jamaica a more desirable and attractive place to live, work and visit, according to the DCP. The plan allows for new commercial and residential development on marginal and underused sites. It creates a framework for encouraging a vibrant mix of expanded retail, cultural, commercial and residential uses around Downtown Jamaica's major transit hubs; requiring new buildings to provide widened or improved sidewalks, mandatory street tree plantings and active ground floor uses with large windows; and special regulations require off-street parking proportion-

ate to the needs of each new building.

It also provides a firm foundation for growth in an otherwise already densely built region, while also creating contextual zoning and preserving the low rise character of nearby residential neighborhoods.

Southeast Queens has long been one of the largest middle-class African-American communities in the United States, and the plan sought to preserve the character of these neighborhoods by limiting housing types to one-family and two-family homes, and pushing development to transit corridors.

Including the remaining aspects of the rezoning, the plan promises to remake all of Jamaica. But according to Carlisle Towery, president of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp., the redevelopment is somewhat slow to take off due to the stagnant economy.

"You can't get financing," he said.

"A lot has been done; a lot is in the works. It's got land. We have cleared land, assembled sites with design and tenant interest."

A Tough Sell The initial plan was met with hesitation by local elected officials, including Councilman Jim Genarro (D-Fresh Meadows) and State Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), who claimed the density increases would have a negative impact on the surrounding communities. Padavan especially de-

cried its potential impact on already crowded schools and streets.

"The fact that we are already stretched to the limit and significant increases in population would further exacerbate an already awful situation is apparently ignored," Padavan wrote in a letter to DCP Chairwoman Amanda Burden.

Even the hearing date scheduled by the CPC was a source of outrage, as it was scheduled on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.

Members of the community, namely Community Boards 8 and 12, spoke out against the initial plan, lambasting the effect it would have on schools, infrastructure and traffic.

After some amendments, the City Council approved the plan in September 2007.

Looking Forward The rezoning hopes to turn the area into an airport village, providing JFK's travelers with a mix of hometown businesses and national chains like the already-present Radio Shack.

The plans would also link the current Jamaica Avenue shopping district with the transit hub on Sutphin Boulevard and Archer Avenue, two blocks to the south. The GJDC secured $90 million in federal, state and City funds to improve the infrastructure of the area.

"The table is set for a completely new growth in the downtown, and I think that's really the legacy," said Peter Englebrecht, director of plan-

ning, design and capital projects at GJDC. Major hotel chains are already looking to cash in on the burgeoning airport village, including a Marriott Courtyard with 172 rooms and a 150-room Residence Inn, as well as a third hotel.

"We envision Downtown Jamaica as a dynamic, modern, and efficient urban center - built around a major transit hub - offering a pleasant and productive experience for those who work, live and visit here," said Towery. "We are working with our public and private partners to create a vibrant and sustainable 'Airport Village' of expanded commercial and residential uses, human-scaled streetscapes, and new pedestrian-friendly pathways that create new focal points of activity around a major, multi-modal transit hub. These initiatives reflect our commitment to creating a thriving and regionally significant downtown in Jamaica through transit-oriented development."

Despite the initial hesitation with the plan, many have changed their minds and accepted the rezoning's benefits. Former, though not overtlyvocal, opponent Genarro has had a change of heart and lauds Towery's foresight and seeing the plan to completion.

"I'm not sure there would have been the Downtown Jamaica redevelopment had there not been Carlisle making sure that everyone in the City's government knew that downtown Jamaica was a terrific area," he said.

A Courthouse Reborn:

Moda Springs To Life At Court Site

BY REBECCA SESNY The former family courthouse on Sutphin Boulevard kicked off the latest chapter in its storied life in June 2010 with the grand opening of Moda, a long-awaited LEED-certified rental building developed by The Dermot Company.

A brand new, 12-story building opened, but it kept the façade of the former courthouse. The 346-unit building consisting of studio-, one-

and two-bedroom apartments on the corner of Parsons Boulevard and 89th Avenue, two blocks from Jamaica Avenue.

Keeping the original classic exterior with a modern glass structure rising behind it, the Dermot Company refurbished the original brick structure and added more retail space to the sides of the building.

Part of the Economic Development Corporation’s plan to revitalize down-

town Jamaica, the idea for the new building took shape in 2004, when Dermot won the bid to construct a mixed-use rental building with room for retail as well as 25,000 square feet set aside for non-profit organization space, which has already been leased to Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults. JSPOA provides employment training, transportation and computer classes for seniors. The group will move into the building shortly.

There is great interest in the new space from the surrounding community, evidenced by the number of rented units thus far. “It really enhanced the area,” said CB12 District Manager Yvonne Reddick. “The community is excited about it, and I understand there were thousands of applications for the lower income apartments.”

According to Michael Hyman, the building’s general manager, leasing has gone very well since March. “A lot of people within the Queens area

were waiting for a nicer building like this one to move into the neighborhood,” he said.

Associated Supermarket has already taken 10,000 square feet of retail space in the building’s main floor with a total of 50,000 square feet set aside for retail stores. The neighborhood is excited at the prospect of a local grocery store.

“The area is growing and I think like most of us, you would definitely like to stay in your community and shop,” Reddick said.

The opening party was held on one of the two large communal outdoor areas, giving great views of the surrounding neighborhood. The building also boasts a full-service exercise room, laundry facility, and children’s play room with all amenities included as well as a 500-car garage which is open to the public.

For information on applying to rent in the building, call the leasing office at (718) 353-MODA. Photos by Ira Cohen

Today, Moda rises above the cleaned-up façade.

ARCHIE SPIGNER Page 32 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Former City Councilman Archie Spigner knows the impact Greater Jamaica Development Corporation has had on the surrounding community. More importantly, he stressed that the organization’s success is inherently based on its leader, Carlisle Towery.

“If not for Carlisle Towery, would someone else have lifted his head above the herd?” Spigner asked.

In his assessment of Towery, Spigner dubbed the long-time president as “decent,” during a phone interview. Minutes after the called ended, Spigner called back and added, “decent and hardworking.”

He said though Towery was not the original president of GJDC, he has

been there since its inception. The main goal of the corporation, created by the Regional Plan Association, was to promote the Jamaica Center, a central business district of Jamaica.

Spigner listed a few projects credited to GJDC: Jamaica Market, The Harvest Room, parking garages and AirTrain Terminal, which Spigner said he views as “monumental.”

“They have made Jamaica a greater place,” Spigner said of the GJDC. “[Towery] has spearheaded and helped these improvements. Some looked at [the AirTrain] and saw perpetual traffic jams and [GJDC] looked at it as an opportunity to put an AirTrain there,” he said.

JACK FRIEDMAN Executive Director, Queens Chamber of Commerce “Carlisle Towery is a mentor to me. Having first met him while working at the NYC Council, Carlisle always impressed me by his vision and passion for Downtown Jamaica. It didn’t matter if we discussed parking lots, hotels, retail shops or an airport village, it was all part of Carlisle’s master plan to

bring downtown Jamaica back to prominence and a center of economic growth and vitality.

“Learning from Carlisle and now with the Queens Chamber of Commerce, I can only hope to bring that same passion and leadership towards the growth and economic prosperity of the borough.”

Before construction, the old Queens Family Courthouse served for years as a courthouse, and earlier as a library.

MARCIA KEIZS President, York College “It seems truly fitting that Carlisle’s last name is Towery, for it so closely mirrors the word ‘towering,’ and that is exactly what he has been in Jamaica these many years – a towering figure in our community.

“For 40 years, he has been at the epicenter of Jamaica’s redevelopment and was among the visionaries who early on acknowledged the necessity of York College to the revitalization of the area.

“In York’s nomadic days, he was there lending his voice to the chorus of supporters who fought not just for the college’s existence, but for the campus to be placed in the heart of his catchment area – the greater Jamaica area.

“When I arrived as president of York five years ago, Carlisle was among

the first to offer his support in my transition and has remained onboard for the exciting journey of making York among the brightest of the CUNY stars.

“Carlisle, in his role as president of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, is perpetually available with a strong opinion and a generous spirit as one of our staunchest neighborhood partners.

“This visionary urban planner, with the support of elected partners, has overseen the redevelopment of a neighborhood whose decline only 20 years ago seemed irreversible. It is once more a flourishing commercial district, indeed one of the most robust in our city, and we congratulate him on being chosen “Man of the Year” by the Queens Tribune.

Rooted in the Community, Growing to Meet Your Needs Flushing Hospital has been serving the community for over 125 years, and just as the neighborhood has grown, so has our commitment to it.

Over the past few years, we’ve taken several steps to ensure that we’re providing the most advanced and comprehensive care.

At Flushing, qualified doctors have been added, allowing new programs and services to bud and existing ones to branch out.

Even with our recent growth, we want you to know that our interests are still firmly rooted in this community. www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 33

To find out more about the services offered at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5000 or visit www.flushinghospital.org

• Emergency Services • Ambulatory Care • Pediatrics • Psychiatry and Addiction Services • Obstetric & Gynecology • Rehabilitative Services • Radiology • Dental • Department of Medicine • Surgery • Wound Care Center • Geriatric Medicine

Greater Jamaica Throughout The Year Fire Safety

Greater Jamaica Meeting All photos by Walter Karling

Lt. Michael Hance offers fire prevention and safety tips.

EMT Kimberly Perez outlines the steps to entering a career with the FDNY Emergency Medical Service.

Manuel Chea describes safety procedures to be followed in the event of a city-wide emergency.

A view of the meeting in the Harvest Room.

The Downtown Committee of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation held its bi-monthly meeting March 10 at the Harvest Room of the Jamaica Market. Lt. Michael Hance of the FDNY's Fire Safety Education Unit, and Downtown Committee Chairman William Martin reminded attendees that the twice yearly re-setting of their clocks is a great time to put new batteries into their home and business smoke detectors whose warning alarm will greatly result in the saving of lives in the event of fire.

Paul Weberg, a Senior EngineerofFEMAdiscussed the need and availability of flood insurance for local businesses and residences.

Deputy Inspector Charles McEvoy of the 103rd Police Precinct spoke on the status of fighting crime in the vicinity.

Leroy Gadsden, President of the Jamaica Branch of the NAACP, weighed in on JHS's possible closing.

The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation's Downtown Committee held its bi-monthly meeting Jan. 13 in the Harvest Room at the Jamaica Market.

40th Anniversary

Quarterly Meeting

The 40th Anniversary Gala of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation was held at the Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations Building.

Pictured l. to r.: Honoree John F. Stewart, Managing Director, National Distribution of Citibank, N.A.; Honoree Anthony E. Shorris, Executive Director of the Port Authority of NY/NJ; and F. Carlisle Towery, President of the GJDC.

Jamaica Market

Annual Meeting

On May 12, the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Members of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation was held. Pictured l. to r.: Lamont Bailey, Chairman of the GJDC; GJDC Founder's Award recipient Vincent Albanese; GJDC Founder's Award recipient Lawrence Cormier; F. Carlisle Towery, President of the GJDC; and Michael Nussbaum, newly elected Director of the GJDC.

The Jamaica Market held its annual pumpkin-decorating and spooky story-telling in the Harvest Room. Pictured, third grade students from PS 86 in Jamaica proudly displaying their Market-donated pumpkins. Students received drawing tips from artist Chris Roy and heard Denise Liggio, a Children's Librarian from the Queens Library Central Division, read a ghost tale from the book "Halloween Motel."

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 35

The GJDC held their quarterly gathering of their Directors and Members at the Harvest Room in Downtown Jamaica. Pictured (l. to r.): Panel participants Justin Rodgers, Director of Economic Development of GJDC; Cathy Mickens of the Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica; Andrew Manshel, Executive Vice-President of GJDC, Real Estate Development; Gail Mendez of the Queens Legal Aid Society; and Herman DeJesus of the Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project.

Path To The Future:

Milestones Show GJDC’s Progress

1990: GJDC opens Jamaica Market as small business incubator, conf e re n c e c e n t e r a n d p e r m a n e n t home for Farmer’s Market. Congress approves Jamaica as site for US FDA Regional Headquarters/ laboratory.

1992: Conversion begins of old Montgomery Ward building as NYPD crime lab. Financing of JFK Airport Light Rail System approved by Port Authority. Construction of Civil Court begins.

1993: GJDC acquires and renovates vacant apartment building. Jamaica Business Resource Center opens in GJDC-renovated landmark building. US FDA selects York campus as site for new facility.

1994: City selects Jamaica site for new Queens Family Court. GJDC acquires municipal garage in City privatization initiative. Project to recycle vacant church as performing arts center begins. GJDC assists Community Mediation Services to buy building for its offices.

1995: 180th Street Industrial BID is established. GJDC assists Neighborhood Housing Services to buy downtown building for its offices.

1996: Expansion of Queens Borough Central Library is completed.

Port Authority receives bids for construction of Airport light rail; Jamaica connection designed. The project to expand Jamaica Market begins. Downtown parking system is developed. Renovation of industrial building for NYC “Help Center” begins.

1997: Construction of AirTrain begins. New Queens Civil Court opens. US FDA Northeast Regional Laboratory, Headquarters and District Office completed.

1998: Construction begins on One Jamaica Center commercial/theatre project. Construction begins on new Queens Family Courthouse.

1999: Renovation begins of First Reformed Church as Performing Arts Center.

2000: Vision for Jamaica Center planning study completed. One Jamaica Center Mutiplex Cinema Opens. New Queens Family Courthouse completed.

2001: $350 million AirTrain Terminal completed. Major infrastructure improvements planned at AirTrain. System of downtown pedes-

trian improvements started.

2003: AirTrain complex begins operation. Renovation of LIRR Jamaica Station completed. Prospect Cemetery renovation begins.

2004: Yorkside Towers – 180 units of market-rate housing completed.

Sutphin Boulevard BID formed.

2005: New 410-car public parking garage in mid-block completed.

Brownfields program (BOA) begins.

2006: Campaign initiated to support Jamaica-Lower Manhattan rail link. Renovation for re-use of Chapel of Three Sisters begins.

2007: Rezoning of Downtown Jamaica completed. Home Depot opens. Commercial/residential re-use of former Queens Courthouse begins construction.

2008: Chapel of the Sisters Ribbon Cutting/ Dedication of Illinois Jacquet Performance Space. LIRR/ Sutphin Boulevard Underpass Renovation Groundbreaking.

2009: Jamaica Performance Arts Center opens. LIRR/Sutphin Boulevard Underpass Renovation begins.

JAMES GENNARO City Council “I guess I got to know him right before I was elected to the council. I came to be familiar with both Carlisle and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

Greater Jamaica generally, and Towery specifically, have been great advocates for Downtown Jamaica.

“When I say a great advocate, there can be people who advocate with passion, but passion doesn’t not always lead to results. Carlisle is just a terrific advocate for Downtown Jamaica.

I don’t think there’s any debate about

the fact that he is Downtown Jamaica’s best and most effective advocate. He’s got a terrific legacy of results.”

Along with Greater Jamaica, Towery gets things done by building consensus, Gennaro said.

“They build bridges. They work with stakeholders, they work with politicians, they work with community boards, to find out what the realm of possibility is, and they make things happen relentlessly. I am happy that Carlisle is getting the recognition that is his due.”

DAVID L. COTTON CFO, Flying Food Group “The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, for us, was really critical to accomplishing what we needed to in the Jamaica area.

“The primary business we are in is the international airline catering business. The kitchen that we’ve constructed here at JFK Airport was the first time that we have taken on such a big project that required so much support from, basically, government agencies. So we didn’t really know where to start.

“Fortunately, we were introduced to the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation early on in the process, and they were able to, basically, guide us through the whole bureaucratic or political process that you have to go through to make sure that we could take advantage of any of the incentive programs that are available for companies like ourselves that are making very major investments in this area and creating jobs. And they did an outstanding job.”

JUSTIN BERNBACH Managing Director, State and Community Af fairs American Airlines “I have worked closely with Carlisle for the past four years and have always been impressed by his passion for Jamaica and the hard work and determination he brings to the task of continuing the neighborhood’s renaissance.

“At American Airlines we care deeply about the Jamaica community and share Greater Jamaica Development Corporation’s long-term vision for the neighborhood. With

American’s naming of Art Torno as its Vice President for New York earlier this year, we are committed to deepening our commitment to New York City, to Queens and to Jamaica.

“We look forward to working productively with Carlisle and his team – with Art on the GJDC board and me as a member – for many years to come. Congratulations to Carlisle on his deserving award as the Queens Tribune’s Person of the Year.”

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 37

1967: Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Certificate of Incorporation executed.

1968: Regional Plan Association publishes report, Jamaica Center.

1970: City designates Jamaica Center urban renewal areas.

1972: Ground broken for Archer Avenue Subway. The New York Telephone’s Queens headquarters building completed. The City acquires site for Civil Court.

1974: Jamaica Arts Center opens in landmark building. York College opens its first structure on permanent campus.

1976: Farmers Market Jamaica begins open-air operation.

1978: 165th Street Mall completed. Jamaica Avenue El demolished. GJDC establishes downtown Housing Action Group for apartment improvements. Macy’s closes Jamaica store. Long Island Press closes Jamaica Headquarters and plant. Special assessment district for 165th Street Mall begins operation.

1979: New 500-car municipal garage completed. GJDC establishes Local Development Company for local business financial assistance.

Jamaica Avenue BID begins operation.

1980: Construction begins on York College academic complex.

GJDC acquires and rehabilitates landmark office building. Jamaica Arts Center established as separate entity.

1981: Gertz Department store closes.

1983: Construction begins on U.S. Social Security Administration Regional Center. Steuben Foods completes research facility in Honeywell Farms complex. New wing and parking garage for Mary Immaculate Hospital are completed.

1984: Parsons Boulevard widened. 89th Avenue reconstructed.

Jamaica Green, former churchyard, is completed.

1985: Jamaica Avenue reconstruction completed. Gertz building reopens as office facility; 1,500 State workers move in. New stores on 165th Street Mall open after fire.

York College Academic Complex opens on permanent campus. Jamaica industrial area designated InPlace Industrial Park.

1986: Restoration of King Manor begins. Jamaica designated a State Economic Development Zone. Archer Avenue Subway and new bus terminal at Parsons/Archer begin service.

1987: Social Security Administration building opens with major public art. GJDC renovates old firehouse to accommodate Queens Child Guidance.

1989: Mays store converted to office/retail complex. York College’s Auditorium and Theatre are completed.

A Forward Eye:

The GJDC Marches On

Page 38 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY With all that the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation has done in the last 40-plus years, it is not about to rest on its laurels.

President Carlisle Towery still keeps an eye open to what is next, what is needed and what wrongs can be righted.

The recently shuttered Mary Immaculate Hospital is an example of a miss that GJDC would like to turn into a hit.

"We were unsuccessful in getting the State Dormitory Authority to insist on sale" for Mary Immaculate, he said. "Instead what we got was an auction for bottom feeders. I understand the state's situation, but they just said no. The state walked away from $60 million and took $7 million."

Towery said that with state financing, the site could have become an economic development project like the old Family Courthouse, which earlier this year re-opened as Moda, a combined space with market-rate and affordable housing, retail, community space and a parking garage.

"If we had our druthers we would have a project like this underway in five years" at Mary Immaculate. "We've got to do this."

GJDC is monitoring proposed

re-uses to prevent the campus from any applications that might have negative external effects on Jamaica.

Beyond the closed hospital, Greater Jamaica has its eyes on the city-owned parking deck near Home Depot, the continued growth of the FDA presence in Jamaica, and the results of the 2010 Census, which will indicate how reapportionment will affect the political makeup of Greater Jamaica.

Cur rently, this small area of Queens is served by three Council members and a mix of state elected officials, all whom have slices of Downtown Jamaica on the outer edge of their districts.

"We're balkanized," Towery said of the political divisions. Though all of the representatives have Greater Jamaica in their hearts, it does not lie in the heart of their districts, as it did in past configurations, like when Archie Spigner served in the City Council. At that time, all of Downtown Jamaica was in his district.

The fight to unite Jamaica will continue; Towery has never been a man to walk away from one that he knows is worth winning.

LAMONT BAILEY Chairman, Greater Jamaica Development Corp.

As a native of Jamaica, Lamont Bailey has seen the ebb and flow of the downtown district. He has watched the transformation from a forgotten strip into a vibrant business area welcoming new additions to the neighborhood.

Bailey has been a part of the modification. For 15 years, he has been a member of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation and has worked in tandem with President Carlisle Towery.

"It's been a very good relationship," he said. "[We] have the same candid passion for Jamaica."

While many have speculated about the force behind GJDC, Bailey, who

became the organization's chairman three years ago, has had a front row seat into Towery's machinations where Downtown Jamaica is concerned.

"He has a genuine care and interest about the Jamaica community," Bailey said. "He is tireless in his efforts; persistence does not do him justice."

Bailey said Towery's constant presence at the GJDC stems from his desire to see his vision come to completion.

"Very few people get the opportunity to plan something and see it just about to come to fruition," Bailey said.

"When everybody said this place was dead and this place will never amount to anything, he said, 'No.'"

LEE SILBERSTEIN Executive Vice President, The Marino Organization "As the leading advocate for the redevelopment of one of the most important and historic downtowns in New York City, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation works tirelessly to attract new investment, improve the public realm, and enhance the quality of life, as well as forge meaningful, productive relationships with public entities to serve the area's interests.

"In his decades-long tenure at the helm of GJDC, Carlisle Towery has

WE SALUTE YOU,

CARLISLE FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP THE STAFF AT GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

been a transformative figure, not only contributing to the revitalization of downtown Jamaica, but also creating a model for local development organizations throughout the city and across the country. Carlisle's tenacious, creative and visionary approach has reaped significant benefits for the district, including new jobs, improved infrastructure, and additional retail options. Now, with a long-term plan in place and a rezoning completed, the area is poised for even further growth."

Page 40 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Leisure

Jazz History Lives On Through Web The Louis Armstrong House Museum in Louis Armstrong,” said Michael Cogswell, announced that cataloging for its three larg- director of the Museum. “That’s evident not only from the ever-increasest collections is now accesing number of people from sible through its website, around the world who visit louisarmstronghouse.org, and our Museum, but also that by the end of 2011, the from the number of reMuseum’s entire catalog will searchers using our arbe online. chives and the great popuThe Louis Armstrong larity of recent Armstrong House Museum holds the films and books.” world’s largest archives deThe research core of voted to a single jazz musician. the archives is the Louis Its collections encompass more Armstrong Collection, than 5,000 sound recordings, comprising Satchmo’s vast 15,000 photographs, 30 films, personal trove of home-re100 scrapbooks, 20 linear feet corded tapes, photoof letters and papers and six trumpets. Researchers, record Satchmo and all his works g r a p h s , s c r a p b o o k s , companies, publishers, film will be available for perusal manuscript band parts and other materials discovered producers, public school stu- on the Web. dents and many others routinely use these inside his modest house in Corona, after his materials. Since 1994, more than a dozen wife, Lucille, passed away in 1983. A grant books and recordings have been published from the Louis Armstrong Educational Founbased on research from the collections, in- dation made possible the Museum’s acquisicluding Terr y Teachout’s Pops, a notable tion of the world’s largest private collection of Armstrong material from Jack Bradley, book of 2010.

“The world is more interested than ever Armstrong’s friend and a noted jazz pho-

tographer. As might be expected, a strength of this collection lies in the hundreds of candid, previously unpublished photographs taken or collected by Bradley over five decades. The collections are currently housed in the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Librar y at Queens College.

“One of our most common reference questions is, ‘What kind of trumpet did Louis Armstrong play?’ Now, anybody, any where in the world 24/7, can simply go on the web to learn the make, model and serial numbers and to see photos of Louis’s own gold-plated trumpets,” said Cogswell.

The work of processing the Jack Bradley Collection and publishing the Museum’s catalog online is being funded in par t by a $105,384, two-year grant from the Museums for America program of the Institute of Museum and Librar y Service s (IMLS). The institute is the primary source of federal suppor t for the nation’s 123,000 librarie s and 17,500 museums; its mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.

“Thanks to the vision and generosity of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, we have been able to build a worldrenowned research archives,” said Cogswell.

“And now, t hanks to this IMLS grant, our catalog will be online for everyone to peruse and enjoy.”

After receiving the grant from IMLS in October 2009, the Museum launched a national search for a project archivist. Ricky Riccardi, a wel l-known Armstrong expert, was h ired and he has spent ever y workday for the past fifteen months arranging, preserving and cataloging more than 200 cubic feet of Armstrong material.

“Working with this collection has been an absolute dream come true, but get ting to share it online with other Armstrong lovers from around the world really makes this something special. And it’s not just for Armstrong exper ts; the online catalog w ill appeal to music fans, ar t historians, 20thcentur y pop culture buffs, musicians, photographers, you name it,” said Riccardi.

“There’s something for everyone.”

A Taste Of Mykonos Folklore Roach Tale Settles In At Thalia

REVIEW

Based on Cuban and Puerto Rican folklore, “La Cucarachita Mar t ina/Mar t i na, the Lit tle Roach” tells a comical tale of a little roach who, in her journey towards finding love, finds happiness and friendship.

The tale will come to the Thalia Spanish Theater for one performance on Jan. 8.

Wit h t he use of color ful bunrakú puppetry, designed by Puerto Rican master puppeteer José López, children will be transpor ted into a rich, dreamlike world where they interact with the characters and understand the communication of The full cast of “La Cucarachita Martina.” animals through the use of playGuatemala’s Nobel Prize winning author ful sounds.

Audiences of all ages are sure to enjoy Miguel Angel Asturias, with the National the Rock and Latin sounds that create this Theatre Company of Guatemala. After its enchanting musical tale, which will be of- world premiere there it will travel to Seoul, Korea in October 2011 to part icipate in its fered in both Spanish and English.

After the show The Three Kings will visit World Festival of National Theaters. We Thalia to give presents to the children in hope to bring it to a venue in New York City that is large enough to accommodate this delightful Latino holiday tradition.

Tickets are $10 for children, $12 for its epic cast.

Meanwhile, back in Sunnyside, Thalia adults. Thalia Spanish Theatre is located at 41-17 Greenpoint Ave, Sunnyside. For in- will co-produce “Flamenco & Indian Music formation or tickets, call (718) 729-3880 or & Dance,” with Andrea Del Conte Danza España and Lotus Music and Dance, on April go to thaliatheatre.org.

2011 looks to be a busy year at Thalia as 1, 2 and 3.

Later in the spring, in May and June, well. The Nat ional Endowment for the Art s has awarded the theater a grant to suppor t Thalia will produce the bilingual world preits World Premiere of “You Tango?” an in- miere of “No Problemo, Amigo,” a comedy teractive musical celebrating the greatest hits writ ten by Jaime Espinal, winner of the Inof Tango, featuring one of the world’s fine st ter American Development Bank’s inaugutango musicians and composers: Maestro ral Hispanic-American Play writing CompeRaul Jaurena (2007 Latin Grammy Winner). tition.

The play is performed in English, Spa nThe show also will star Marga Mitchell and El Pulpo (last seen on our stage in our 2001 ish, and “Spanglish.” The protagonist, played hit “All That Tango”), dancers Sara and Ivan, by Jaime Espinal, is an office worker by day, and many more. It will run from Jan. 29 to superhero by night, who comes to the U.S. to work for an agency that links exchange March 20, 2011.

They’re also going international. In Feb- students with host families. It is fun, funny r uary and March 2011, Angel Gil Or rios and relevant, especially in light of the endwill direct a co-production of the Bilingual less debate about immigration. Projections (Spanish/ Mayan) World Premiere of “Las onstage will help everyone navigate between Casas: Don Quixote de las Americas” by the languages.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 41

dipping sauce, these falafel are all about Mykonos Restaurant what’s inside – well-spiced, creamy good37 Great Neck Road, Great Neck ness, with a blend of flavors that I could (516) 773-8010 not identify. Don’t forget to try it w ith the CUISINE: Greek HOURS: Mon-Thu 11 am-10 pm; Fri Tzatziki.

Spanakopita, spinach, feta cheese, herbs 11 am-11 pm; Sat 4-11 pm; Sun 4-10 and spices wrapped in flaky filo dough, is pm my favorite way to eat spinach and left nothPA RKING: Street ing to be desired.

RESERVATIONS: Accepted Rounding out our appetizers CREDIT CARDS: Accepted After a long day at work, a belly RESTAURANT was, Saganaki, imported Greek kefalograviera cheese, pan seared full of Greek food was just what in olive oil. What can I say about the doctor ordered. Eagerly anthe Saganaki? It’s fried cheese. ticipating far more than I alone How could it NOT be good? could eat, a guest and I ventured Already well stuffed, we dug into out for a late dinner on a Mona Roka Salad – arugula, walnuts day evening. and shaved parmesan cheese Upon entering, Greek music drizzled in olive oil and balsamic fills the air. We are quickly seated vinegar. This salad is all about the by our waiter at a table set for combination. Although it can be two. Despite our post-dinner rush ar rival, the restaurant was dot ted w ith a challenge, try to get ever y thing on one friends and family eating in twos and fours. fork. The yummy mouthful will make it As I study the thick leather menu, I take worth the effort.

Not sure if I had room for the main a moment to look around.

The interior is simple, with clean lines, course, I managed several delicate bites of white tablecloths and walls decorated by the Mousaka, baked layers of eggplant, Mediterranean seascapes. Large windows potato and sautéed ground meat topped and lush pot ted plant s lend an air of the with béchamel sauce. The strong taste of exotic, so don’t be surprised if you forget cinnamon, with the savor y meat, was a mouthwatering combination that I, sadly, where you are.

To start off, we choose a ver y healthy as- could not finish.

My guest devoured his Thalasomezes, sor tment of our favorite appetizers. As a big fan of any thing that can be spread on char-grilled shrimp, octopus and calamari. pita bread, I narrowly avoided devouring Pausing only to comment that it was good the homemade Hummus and tangy Tzatziki and make the token offer of a bite, I took that as a sign of his approval and recom(their yogur t is imported from Greece).

I tentatively tried the Mussels, which, mend that you do the same.

The highlight of the meal was clearly dessautéed in red wine and tomato sauce with feta cheese, leave the fishy taste completely sert. One of my all time favorites, we chose Baklava, layers of filo dough with walnuts behind.

Calamari is like pizza. Everybody’s got in honey syrup, and whipped cream on the it, and it’s usually okay. The Kalamarakia side. Beautifully plated and big enough to Tiganita, seasoned with fennel and lightly share, their Baklava is lighter than many. pan fried, is bet ter t han most. T he hint of Not drenched in honey syrup (though fennel, brought out by fresh-squeezed there’s nothing wrong with that), a strong taste of cinnamon, combined with the wallemon, was just right.

As a seasoned falafel maker, I am a criti- nut filing, is culinary nirvana.

With prices that range from $6.50-$13.95 cal judge. Mykonos offers what might be my new East Coast favorite. The thick falafel for an appet izer, and $11.95-$29 for an is a three- or four-bite affair, and more entrée, make the drive. It’s wort h it.

–Jessica Ablamsky lightly fried than many. Never mind the

Queens Today SECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

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

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

DANCE ISRAELI FOLK Mondays 7:15-10:00 at Hillcrest Jewish Center, 18202 Union Turnpike. $10 session. 380-4145. Mondays 7:30-9:30 at Kowalinski Post 4, 61-57 Maspeth Avenue. $5. Cake and coffee. 5652259. Wednesdays 7:309:00 at ANIBIC Center, 21212 26 th Avenue, Bayside (Bay Te r r a c e S h o p p i n g C e n te r upper level). 939-4936.

Thursdays 7-9 in the basement of Ascension Church, 55 th Avenue and Van Horn, Elmhurst. $5. 848-482-0153.

Page 42 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

EXHIBIT QUEENS HISTORICAL Tu e s d a y s , S a t u r d a y s a n d Sundays 2:30-4:30 new exhibit “For Love of the Games: A History of Sports in Queens,” Queens Historical Societ y at Kingsland Homestead, 144-35 37 th avenue, Flushing. 939-0647, ext. 17. $2 seniors and students, $3 adults.

AMER. CIVIL RIGHTS Through January “A Journey I Stone and Wood,” sculptures by Gladys Thompson Roth. February through April “Bindu Masks from the Imperato Collection.” February through June “QCC Art Gallery: 20 Years of Collecting.” QCC Art Gallery. 6316396.

AFGHANISTAN Through January 13 “Windows and Mirrors: The War in Afghanistan” at the Godwin-Ternbach Museum at Queens College.

NAL STUDENTS January 3-29 National Art League Students’ Art Exhibition at the league, 44-21 Douglaston Parkway. Monday through Thursday 1-4 and weekends 1-3. Free.

FLUSHING COUNCIL Through September 2011 “Within the Emperor’s Gard e n : ” T h e Te n T h o u s a n d Springs Pavilion.” Through November 14 “Endangered Art/ists: China.” November 19 through January 7 “Korean Painting Exhibition: A Walk Through Nature.” Permanent displays include “Jazz Live!”, “Flushing Town Hall:” Fact or Folklore,” an historical exhibition on Flushing Town Hall and its place in history, “Legends of the Queens Jazz Trail” 463-7700.

Queens Today

ENTERTAINMENT MOVIE & TALK Mondays the Friends of Pomonok present a movie and discussion. Bring lunch.

1 at the Pomonok library.

BINGO Tuesdays at 7:15 at American Mart yrs Church, church basement, 216-01 Union Tu r n p i k e , B a y s i d e . 4 6 4 4 5 8 2 . Tu e s d ay s at 7:15 (doors open 6) at the Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd. 459-1000.$3 admission includes 12 games.

SYMPHONY 101 Saturday, January 8 at 1 at the Forest Hills and at 3 at the Sunnyside library. Performance/workshop about the different instruments in the traditional symphonic orchestra. For the entire family.

KAISSA Sunday, January 9 African, reggae, jazz, R&B, makossa and Brazilian fusion music by Kaissa at 3 at the Central library.

TROUBLED WATER Monday, January 10 showing of the film “Troubled Water” with English subtitles and discussion at 2 at the Fresh Meadows library.

OPEN MIC POETRY Monday, January 10 at 7:30 at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Monday, January 10 at the South Jamaica library at 6.

DINO ROSI Tuesday, Januar y 11 concert of international songs with Dino Rosi at the Auburndale library at 3.

KIDS’ CHOIR Thursday, January 13 NY Hospital Queens will host the St. Francis Prep Children’s Choir from 3-4 in the Lang Auditorium for a free concert. 670-1211 to register.

ZOMBIE! Thursday, January 13 use of zombies in literature, media and film at the Pomonok library at 6.

MLK JR. Friday, January 14 A Communit y Conversation about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Langston Hughes library at 7.

MLK JR. Saturday, Januar y 15 TriBoro Intergenerational Services of Jamaica invites all to an afternoon of reflections and entertainment at their annual celebration dedicated to the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 2 at the Merrick Park Baptist Church, 120-02 Bishop Curtis G. Norton, Sr. Drive (Marsden Street), Jamaica.

276-5039 information. Free will offering.

CON BRIO ENSEMBLE Saturday, January 15 at the Flushing library at 2., ASTRONOMY Saturday, January 15 from 7-9 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register. $12 adult, $7 children.

LAS POSADAS Saturday, January 15 Radio Jarocho celebrates Las

Posadas at 3 at the Elmhurst library.

AMERICAN HEARTLAND Saturday, January 15 Claremont Strings presents Music of the American Heartland at 3 at the Jackson Heights library.

OPEN MIC Sunday, January 16 at the Central library at 2.

MLK JR. Sunday, January 16 Clergy United for Communit y Empowerment, Inc. presents a celebration service of commemoration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 5 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 202-03 Hollis Avenue.

CON BRIO ENSEMBLE Sunday, January 16 at 4:30 at Church in the Gardens, 50 Ascan Avenue, Forest Hills. $12.

GUITAR NIGHT Sunday, January 16 International Guitar Night at Queens Theatre in the Park.

760-0064 tickets.

CON BRIO ENSEMBLE Saturday, January 22 at 2 at the Langston Hughes library.

CONCERTI Sunday, January 23 young virtuosi take the stage to perform a program of concerti with orchestra. All ages. 997-3888.

GOLDILOCKS Saturday, January 29 Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Queens Theatre in the Park. 760-0064.

BACK TO THE 60S Saturday, January 29 Ron Dante, Sonny Geraci and Dennis Tu fano per form at Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

COFFEEHOUSE February 5 at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000.

TANGO BUENOS AIRES Sunday, February 20 at Queensborough Communit y College. 631-6311.

MEETINGS BEREAVEMENT New bereavement group forming at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 223 for information.

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.

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

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

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

UNITED 40S Thursday, January 13 United Forties Civic Association, Inc. meets at St. Teresa P a r i s h C e n t e r , 5 0 - 2 2 4 5th Street, Woodside.

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

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

CREATIVE WRITING Monday, January 3 at the Seaside library at 2.

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

ENGLISH CONV. Mondays, January 3, 10 English Conversation Groups at the Bellerose library. Register.

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

JIC JOB INFO Monday, January 3 at the Central library at 7.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesdays, Januar y 4, 11 at the Arverne library at 10.

COMPUTER CLASS Tuesdays, Januar y 4, 11 at the Sunnyside library. Register.

BASIC COMPUTER Tuesday, Januar y 4 at the LIC library at 11.

BEGINNER COMPUTER Tuesday, Januar y 4 at the South Jamaica library Register.

ADULT SCRABBLE Tuesdays, Januar y 4, 11 at the Fresh Meadows library at 1.

LIC CRAFT CLUB Tuesday, Januar y 4 at the LIC library at 1.

INTRO COMPUTERS Tuesday, Januar y 4 at the Maspeth library at 1.

LEARN TO DRAW Tuesday, Januar y 4 at the Hillcrest library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays at the Windsor Park library at 2.

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

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

CHAIR YOGA Tuesday, Januar y 4 at the East Elmhurst library. Register.

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

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

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

263-7000.

ART LEAGUE Starting January 5 Explorations in Abstraction: Using Watercolor and Mixed Media from 1-4 at the National Art League in Douglaston. $100 for 4 classes. 516-2237659.

INTERMEDIATE COMP. Thursday, January 6 at the LIC library at 10.

INTRO COMPUTERS Thursday, January 6 at the

Pomonok library. Register.

US CITIZENSHIP Thursdays, January 6, 13 Pathway to US Citizenship at the Elmhurst library at 5:30.

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

OPEN BRIDGE Thursdays from 8-10pm at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. $12 per player. 2756615 to register.

CHESS CLUB Thursdays at the East Flushing library. Register.

KNIT & CROCHET Thursdays at the Fresh Meadows library at 6.

KNITTING CLUB Fridays at the Maspeth library at 10.

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

COMPUTER CLASS Fridays, January 7, 14 at the Middle Village librar y.

Register.

SCRABBLE Fridays Bananagrams and Scrabble at the Windsor Park library at 2:30.

FM POETS Saturday, January 8 Fresh Meadows Poets meet to discuss their work at 10 at the Forest Hills library.

RESUME WRITING Saturday, January 8 at the LIC library at 10:30.

CAREER POTENTIAL Saturday, January 8 at the Central library at 2.

COMPUTER CLASS Monday, January 10 at the Fresh Meadows library. Register.

JOB INFO SERVICES Monday, January 10 at the Middle Village librar y. Register.

CRAFT CLUB Monday, January 10 at the LIC library at 6.

BALLROOM DANCING Monday, January 10 at the Forest Hills library at 6:30.

INTRO E-MAIL Tuesday, Januar y 11 at the Queens Village library. Register.

WRITER’S WORKSHOP Thursday, January 13 at the Bayside library. Register.

SIGN LANGUAGE Thursday, January 13 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register. For the entire family.

JIC JOB INFO Saturday, January 15 at the Central library at 11.

POETRY WRITING Tu e s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 8 a t Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows at 7:30.

NOOK NIGHT Wednesday, January 19 at Barnes & Noble, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows at 7.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, January 22 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Franklin Square.

516-872-8062.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Sunday, January 30 from 93:30 at the Forest Hills Jewish Center. $50. 263-7000 to register.

JH ART CLUB Classes in all art forms days and evenings for children and adults. 899-0065.

WOMEN’S NETWORK The Queens Women’s Network can help with resume assistance, t yping and Microsoft tutorials, job search, interviewing techniques, GED and ESL classes, referrals to training programs. 657-6200.

BAY VIEW BRIDGE Tuesday s (except July and August) Bayview Bridge Club meets at 6 at the Church of the Resurrection, 100-17 32nd Avenue, East Elmhurst.

ART CLASSES Children and adults, day and evening, Monday through S a t u rd a y.

926-9821. www.jacksonheightsartclub.org

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

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

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

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

670-1695. $5 a class.

CHAIR YOGA Tuesday, Januar y 4 at the East Elmhurst library. Register.

YOGA TALK Tuesday, Januar y 4 Jamie Ehrenthal, a certified instructor of yoga, speaks at the Re fo r m Te m p l e o f F o r e st Hills, 71-11 112 th Street at 8:30. Free.

YOGA DANCE Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 at the Cardiac Health Center in Fresh Meadows. 670-1948. $10 class.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT E ve r y Tu e s d a y We ste r n Queens Caregiver Network in Sunnyside. 784-6173, ext.

431.

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

MEMORY LOSS Fridays Couples with one partner experiencing memory loss meet at the Samuel Field Y. 225-6750, ext. 236.

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

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

BLOOD DRIVE Sunday, January 9 blood drive from 9:30-1:30 at Temple Tikvah, 3315 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park.

LUNCH 11:30AM - 3:30PM | $17.95 DINNER 5:30PM - 10PM | $28.95

WEEKENDS (FRI-SUN) LUNCH 11:30AM - 3:30PM | $21.95 DINNER 5:30PM - 10PM | $31.95 231-10 NORTHERN BLVD. DOUGLASTON, NY 11362 718.229.8686 | MIZUMI-NY.COM

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 43

WEEKDAYS (MON-THUR)

Queens Today TALKS AUBURNDALE Monday, January 3 “The Last Time I Saw You” will be discussed at 2 at the Auburndale library.

STEINWAY Monday, January 3 at the Steinway library at 6:30.

RICHMOND HILL Thursday, January 6 “Years of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague” will be discussed at 3 at the Richmond Hill library.

CYBER BULLYING Thursday, January 6 at the Ridgewood library. Register.

EAST ELMHURST Thursday, January 6 at the East Elmhurst library at 6.

ST. ALBANS Thursday, January 6 “Prodigal” will be discussed at 6:30 at the St. Albans library.

FLUSHING Friday, January 7 “Everything Is Illuminated” will be discussed at 1 at the Flushing library. Film at 2.

WINDSOR PARK Monday, January 10 “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” will be discussed at 2 at the Windsor Park library.

NYS LABOR LAWS Monday, January 10 Understanding NY State Labor Law at 6:30 at the Jackson Heights library.

SEASIDE Monday, January 10 “Island Beneath the Sea” will be dis-

SINGLES

DAZZLING MUMMENSCHANZ

“

AND DELIGHTFUL!”

Page 44 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

— The New York Times

SINGLES SOCIAL & DANCE Sundays, January 2, 30, February 13, 27 singles social and dance from 2-6. $10.

Over 45. Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd., Rego Park. 459-1000.

THEATER KILLING KOMPANY Friday, February 4 “Murder

by Marriage” at Riccardo’s in Astoria. The Killing Company performs mystery dinner shows. 1-888-SHOOTEM for information.

MISCELLANEOUS CANNED FOOD DRIVE Through Saturday, January 8 at the Hillcrest library.

RELIGIOUS

LIMITED NYC ENGAGEMENT! 3 WEEKS ONLY – DECEMBER 20 thru JANUARY 8 BRING THE FAMILY AND SAVE 50% Use code FAMILY to get 50% off the price of a ticket when you purchase 2 at full price!

mummenschanzNYC.com Facebook.com/mummenschanz Twitter.com/mummenschanzus Youtube.com/mummenschanztour

FOREST HILLS Sunday, January 9 Shiva Minyan Breakfast at 9, after morning Minyan. $10. RSVP

by January 6. Thursdays Talmud Class following Morning Minyan. $10 non-members. Forest Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000, ext. 200.

MLK JR. Sunday, January 16 Clergy United for Communit y Empowerment, Inc. presents a celebration service of commemoration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 5 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 202-03 Hollis Avenue.

cussed at 6:30 at the Seaside library.

WHITESTONE Tuesday, January 11 “Olive Kitteridge” will be discussed at 1 at the Whitestone library.

HILLCREST Tuesday, Januar y 11 “ The Assistant” will be discussed at 2 at the Hillcrest library.

GLENDALE Thursday, January 13 “The Awakening” will be discussed at 6:30 at the Glendale library.

WINDSOR PARK Thursday, January 13 “The Discomfort Zone: A Personal History” will be discussed at 6:30 at the Windsor Park library.

MYSTERY BOOK Saturday, January 15 Paranormal/Mystery Book Club meets at the LIC library at 3:30.

MOVIES & MUSIC Monday, January 17 book discussion focused on titles with strong ties to music and movies. “Love Is A Mix Tape:

PARENTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES January 5, February 2, May 4, June 1 the Renaissance Charter School’s Board of Trustees meet at 6:30. 8030060.

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

266.

ANIBIC Association for Neurologically Impaired Brain Injured Children, Inc. sponsors programs including Saturday Play Group (5-17), Tutorial (5 to adult), Weekend Respite (17+), Young Adult Program (17+) and Adult Respite Program (21+). 423-9550, ext.

243.

KIDS KORNER After School Center is at the Central Queens YM-YWHA in Forest Hills. 268-5011, ext. 201. Extended hours.

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

SCHOOL HELP Free school help for students of all ages, parents and teachers. FreeSchoolHelp.com SPECIAL NEEDS Day Camp Program for children with special needs, including autism and mental retardation at the Samuel Field Y in Little Neck. 2256750, ext. 259.

TOUGH LOVE Tu e s d a y s at 7:30 p.m.

Toughlove International Parent Support Group for parents of out-of-control children (teens, pre-teens and adult children) meet at IS158 in Bayside. 393-7788.

Life and Loss, One Song at a Time” will be discussed at 7:30 at Barnes & Noble, 1766 0 Un i o n Tu r n p i ke , Fr e s h Meadows.

SENIORS STAY WELL Mondays at 10 at the Central library. Tuesdays at 2 at the Flushing library and Wednesdays at 10 at the East Elmhurst library. Special exercises and relaxation techniques.

STARS Wednesdays, January 5, 12 at 10:30 at the Hollis library and Fridays, January 7, 14 at 10:30 at the Queens Village library. Senior Theater Acting Repertory meets.

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.

AARP 1405 Mondays, January 10, 24 Flushing AARP Chapter 1405 meets at the Bowne Street Communit y Church, 143-11 Roosevelt Avenue at 1. New members welcome.

ONGOING ADOPTION DAY Saturdays 11-2 Adoption Day for Cats and Kittens at Pet Edibles, 254-07 Northern Blvd., Little Neck.

ADOPTION DAY Sundays 11-4 Adopt a homeless dog, cat or kitten at the Animal Center of Queens, a no-kill organization at 89-10 Eliot Avenue, Rego Park. www.acq.pet finder.com ADULT CHOIR Most Fridays the Adult Choir o f Te m p l e B e t h S h o l o m meets at 7. 172 nd Street and Northern Blvd., Flushing.

AUXILIARY OFF. The 105 th Precinct Community Council invites all interested in becoming an Auxiliary Police Officer to contact 776-9268.

BARBERSHOP Wednesdays the Que e n s chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Societ y meets at the school hall, 175-20 74 th Avenue, Flushing. 381-8689.

COMMUNITY SINGERS Mondays through May the Communit y Singers of Queens, Inc. rehearses at Messiah Lutheran Church, 42-15 165 th Street, Flushing.

New members welcome.

658-1021.

FOOD PANTRY Fridays Grace Episcopal Church, 14-15 Clintonville Street, Whitestone, from 1011. 767-6305.

FH VAC The Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps needs volunteers. They will sponsor you for a NYS EMT course at no cost to you once you qualif y. 793-2055. Monetary donations also needed PO Box 750617, Forest Hills 11375.

Queens Today TEENS

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

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

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

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

HOMEWORK HELP Mondays-Fridays, January 37, 10-14 at the Lefrak Cit y library at 3.

AFTERSCHOOL TIME Monday, January 3 for those 7-18 at the Arverne library at 3.

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

LITTLE TOT TIME Mondays, January 3, 10 at the Hillcrest library at 4.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, January 4, 11 at 3:30 at the Hillcrest library.

CHESS & CHECKERS Tuesdays, January 4, 11 at the LIC library at 4.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Tuesdays, January 4, 11 at the Baisley Park library. Register.

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

NATURE EXPLORERS Wednesdays starting Januar y 5 a 10 session activity for those in grades 3-5 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register.

TIMELESS TALES Wednesday, January 5 at the Central library. Register.

CRAFTS Wednesdays, January 5, 12 at the Steinway library. Register.

GAME DAY Wednesdays, January 5,1 2 at the St. Albans library at 4.

TRIVIA FOR KIDS Wednesday, January 5 at the Seaside library at 4:30.

AFTERSCHOOL TIME Thursday, January 6 at the Arverne library at 3.

S TORY T I M E Thursday, January 6 at the Kew Gardens Hills library at 3.

GIRL SCOUTS Thursday, January 6 at 4 at the Queens Village library.

CYBER BULLYING Thursday, January 6 at the Ridgewood library. Register.

MOTHER GOOSE Friday, January 7 at the Briarwood library at 10:30.

FAMILY STORY TIME Friday, January 7 at 11 at the Seaside library.

PRESCHOOL CRAFTS Friday, January 7 at the Sunnyside library. Register.

WII SPORTS Friday, January 7 at the Maspeth library at 3:30.

CHESS CLUB Fridays, January 7, 14 at the Poppenhusen library at 3:30.

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

ARTS & CRAFTS Fridays, January 7, 14 at the East Flushing library. Register.

GAME PLAYERS CLUB Fridays at the Hillcrest library at 4.

LEARN TO ACT Friday, January 7 at the Peninsula library at 4.

GAMES Friday, January 7 at the Seaside library at 4.

GAME TIME Fridays at the Windsor Park library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Fridays at the Douglaston/ Little Neck library. Register.

MATH HELP Saturday at the Flushing library.

MAD SCIENTIST Saturday, January 8 at Alley Pond Environmental Center for those 8-12. 2294000 to register.

SCIENCE LAB Saturdays, January 8, 15 at the Central library at 11.

FOOTPRINTS IN SNOW Saturday, January 8 for those 3-4 and Saturday, January 22 for those 5-6 at Alley Pond Environmental Center. 229-4000 to register.

SYMPHONY 101 Saturday, January 8 at 1 at the Forest Hills library and at 3 at the Sunnyside library.

Performance/workshop about the different instruments in the traditional symphonic orchestra.

AFTERSCHOOL TIME Monday, January 10 at 3 at the Arverne library.

TEEN TUTORING Monday, January 10 at the Bayside library at 3:30.

WINTER CRAFT Monday, January 10 at the Queens Village library at 4.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT Monday, January 10 at the South Jamaica library at 6.

PJ STORY TIME Monday, January 10 at the Pomonok library at 7.

NUTRITION WORKSHOP Tu e s d ay, J a n u a r y 1 1 fo r those 11-14 at the LIC library. Register. Also at the LIC library on Thursday, January 13. Register.

ACTING WORKSHOP Tu e s d ay, J a n u a r y 1 1 fo r those 10-14 at the Peninsula library,. Register.

S TORY T I M E Wednesday, January 12 at t h e E a st E l m h u r st l i b r a r y.

Register.

PRESCHOOL CRAFT Wednesday, January 12 at t h e W i n d s o r Pa r k l i b ra r y.

Register.

PICTURE BOOK TIME Wednesday, January 12 at the Rego Park library at 3:30.

SKATEBOARD Wednesday, January 12 Personalize your own skateboard at the Lefrak Cit y library at 4.

ANNIE THE DOG Thursday, January 13 at the Queens Village library at 4.

PUZZLE PROJECTS Thursday, January 13 at the Hillcrest library at 4:30.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 45

CHESS CLUB Saturdays at the Flushing library at 2.

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

COLLEGE BOUND Monday, January 3 getting financial aid, SAT exams and more at 4 at the Central library.

MANGA CLUB Mondays, January 3, 10 at the Peninsula library at 4.

LAPTOPS FOR TEENS Mondays-Fridays, January 37, 10-14 at the Hollis library at 4:30.

BOOK BUDDIES Tuesdays, Januar y 4, 11 at the Hillcrest library at 3:30.

CHESS & CHECKERS Tuesdays, Januar y 4, 11 at 4 at the LIC library DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Tuesdays, Januar y 4, 11 at the Baisley Park library. Register.

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

TEEN GAMES Wednesdays, January 5, 12 at the Central library at 4.

GRAPHIC NOVELIST Wednesday, January 5 at 4 at the Far Rockaway library.

Meet and learn from graphic novelist and children’s book author Neil Numberman in this art workshop.

GAME DAY Wednesdays, January 5, 12 at the St. Albans library at 4.

TEEN GAME DAY Wednesdays, January 5, 12 at the Kew Gardens Hills library at 4:30.

GIRL SCOUTS Thursday, January 6 at the Queens Village library at 4.

CYBER BULLYING Thursday, January 6 workshop at the Ridgewood library. Register.

HAPPY HOUR Fridays, January 7, 14 at the Flushing library at 3.

BOOK BUDDIES Fridays, January 7, 14 at the Fresh Meadows library at 4.

GAMES Friday, January 7 at the Seaside library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Friday, January 7 at the Douglaston/Little Neck library. Register.

GAME PLAYERS Fridays at the Hillcrest library at 2.

TEEN TUTORING Monday, January 10 at 3:30 at the Bayside library.

RESUME WRITING Monday, January 10 at 3:30 at the Broadway library.

TEEN ADVISORY BD. Monday, January 10 at the Central library at 4.

CHESS CLUB Monday, January 10 at the Bayside library at 6.

CRAFT CLUB Monday, January 10 at the LIC library at 6.

GRAPHIC NOVELIST Tuesday, January 11 at 4 at t h e B a y Te r r a c e l i b ra r y.

Thursday, January 13 at 4 at the Richmond Hill library.

Meet and learn from graphic novelist and children’s book author Neil Numberman in this art workshop.

YOUTH

Goodbye 2010: That Was Another Year That Was

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER The year in which the Queens Tribune celebrated its 40th Anniversary is coming to an end as I write this; economically, politically, and in most ways, 2010 was a nottoo-compelling continuance of the several years before.

The world was wrapped in a shroud of recession and, in spite of signs of hope, Main St. Queens continued to struggle. The plague of unemployment had not yet abated. The folks from Long Island City to Little Neck spent with caution and worried that their retirement plans may be in jeopardy — except those who had no job they just worried.

Politically, the Democrats paid a price for the economic situation.

The House of Representatives will no longer be in their control and the Senate will no longer be filibuster-proof. In Ne w York, t he State Senate went back to Republican control – after the Democrats embarrassingly botched their first

shot at control in more than a generation.

Hiram Monserrate is justifiably gone – shat on by his fellow Senate Dems after buying back his vote – and then defeated at the polls.

Although not Queens, Pedro Espada is gone too – only he appears headed for a long stay at a different type of publically-run facility.

Aravella Simotas and Ed Braunstein are two new Queens electeds — Assemblymembers going to Albany to, well, be part of that mess. Mike Gianaris moved from the Assembly to a position of leadership for the messed up State Senate Dems – but in the minority.

David Paterson, a seemingly good man, ended his embarrassing service as Governor with a $62,125 fine for his ethical missteps in ripping off Yankee tickets.

This final straw is symbolic of his very disappointing term in office.

It was another year for a late budget in New York – a very late budget with a deficit we’ll be paying off for generations. And a year where the Aqueduct Racino contract was finally awarded after being taken out of the hands of the legislators and governor when they appeared to be playing personal board games with the Monopoly money they thought they were entitled to spread around.

Emerging Past, a horror film centered on the psycho-adventure of Pam, a Tribune photographer,

was shot in 2010 in our offices and our borough by locallygrown director Thomas Churchill. It won for Best Horror Feature at the New York City International Film Festival.

As a result of the 2010 Census, New York State will lose two seats in the House of Representatives, bringing our voting influence to an all-time low.

Tom White and Gloria D’Amico, t wo giant s of the Queens political scene, left us to do their politicking in better places.

The long, drawn out pension scandal centered in the office of Comptroller Alan Hevesi drews to an end as the once fair-haired intellect of Queens politics, copped a guilt y plea and acknowledges complicit y.

Ed Koch reemerged from his movie watching and semi-private life to lead NY Uprising, an effort to bring reform to Albany – which will soon be tested as the legislature begins the budget process and plans for reapportionment.

The voters of New York City, for a third time, ratified a two-term

limit for City officials – only the Charter Revision Commission presented them with the option of giving all present office-holders an extra term.

Our friend and Trib columnist who shares this page is leading the effort to get the question back on next year’s ballot to have the people’s two-term limit law take effect immediately.

At the end of a multi-year, multi-million dollar search, our new voting machine premiered to: a lack of privacy, malfunctions, poorly trained inspectors and result delays.

Our Junior Senator, Kirstin Gillibrand, emerged after her election as an effect ive leader, ski l lful ly honchoing the 9-11 First Responder s Health Care bill to a year-end passage.

Carl Paladino came out swinging and quickly disappeared into oblivion.

And son of Queens, Andrew Cuomo, takes the helm of a dysfunctional ship of New York State government and attempts to right a terribly listing, old, tired and corrupt vessel.

The Tribune, after 20 years, moved its offices to a sparkling new home one block nor t h of the Cross Island i n Whitestone and the second logo hand cut by my late father-in-law who crafted the original for our move 20 years ago, was hung in the new Tribune office.

And it was the first time in years that our whole family made it to the annual Tribune Holiday Party to wish to our friends and readers a Happy Holiday and May the Ne w Year Bring only Good News to You and Yours.

May 2011 bring health, peace and prosperity.

MSchenkler@QueensTribune.com

Page 46 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Valcich’s Letter Blew Whistle, But What Was Follow-Up?

By HENRY STERN power to correct the situation.

The indictment of six people As a result of recent revelaby the U.S. Attorney, with the as- tions, a dozen new questions come sistance of the City Department to mind. We know it is easier to of Investigation, broke open the ask questions than to answer them, CityTime scandal. ”Payrollgate” but the City pays millions of doldwarfs many other thefts from the lars to supervise these activities, City of New York. This in order to save the huncase is a biggie; it dedreds of millions that may serve s a name of it s be wasted because of failown. ure to control a gang of An early warning of thieves, not to ment ion serious problems with the contract not being fulthe contracts is laid out filled. in a very specific six1. Did Valcich send page letter, written in copies of his 2003 letter February 2003, signed to anyone else be sides Henry Stern

by Richard Valcich, who the contractor? at the time was director of the Of2. Whom did he repor t to fice of Payroll Administration, in the Mayor’s Office and the which was in charge of the Comptroller’s Office? project.

3. Were they informed of The Daily News, which was the situation? on t he stor y fir st, ra n Jua n 4. Did SAIC re spond to Gonzalez’s column on p3, the lead Valcich’s letter in any way? If so, news page. The letter by Valcich how? was made available in response to 5. Did Valcich have any rea FOIL (Freedom of Information lationship with any contractor afLaw) request made by the News. ter he retired in 2004?

Their repor ter a nd columnist, 6. Did he write anything at Gonzalez, has been writing about the time of his departure to indithe scandal for over a year. Sev- cate any concerns about the eral of his articles were published project? in the News over at least a year.

7. What, if any, was his reApparently, however, they were lationship with his successor, Joel ignored by the authorities with the Bondy? Did he recommend Bondy

for the job?

8. How were Valcich and Bondy appointed to the OPA position in the first place? How long did Valcich serve? (The earliest reference on the web to his time at OPA is a March 1997 article.)

9. During his tenure, did Valcich ever have contact w it h oversight agencies, or city investigators, over the situation that was developing with SAIC? 10. Which staff member, if any, actually wrote the letter that Valcich signed? Are the employees who worked on this mat ter still with OPA? 11. What was the role of Comptroller William Thompson’s office in all this? He had leadership responsibility for OPA from 2002 until he left office in December 2009. Did he ever say or do any t h ing about t he bal looni ng costs? Was he aware of the problem? Did someone represent him in dealing with these matters?

12. Who in the mayor’s office had responsibility for OPA? Did Valcich and Bondy submit regular written repor ts dealing with the situation? If they did, who read the reports and what did they do about them? If they did not submit reports, who failed to demand them?

If they submitted false reports, did

anyone check them?

We ask today, what agencies, if any, are tr ying to find the answer s to al l t he issue s in t h is case? It will take some time to completely solve this massive case. We would hope there would be reports, from time to time, as facts are discovered by the probers.

The fraud here endured for six years. The investigation must not be as protracted as the

wrongdoing. Although at first it appears like a case of “Who left the barn door open, and why,” it may turn out that there were more serious derelictions on the part of individuals with responsibility to oversee the contracts.

By the way, what ever happened to the payroll reporting system SAIC and others were supposed to produce?

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

Edit Page In Our Opinion:

Person Of The Year In past years, the Queens Tribune has honored people who have made a difference in the lives of the people of Queens. We have honored philanthropists, soldiers, public servants and dreamers.

Today, we honor a hard-working man and the institution he has led. Carlisle Towery, though he will humbly defer to his organization and rest the honor on the shoulders of all those who have supported the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation through the years, is truly deserving of this honor.

The changes that he has led, the initiatives that he has championed and the battles he has fought - for the last 40 years - have helped transform a neighborhood teetering on the verge of collapse into a thriving destination, a great place to live and own a business.

Congratulations to Carlisle Towery, to the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation and to the people of Queens who have benefitted from all of the excellent work done on their behalf.

In Your Opinion: Failure!

To The Editor: In my book, Mayor Bloomberg, the Sanitation Department and the MTA failed the people of this great city of ours. I live in Glen Oaks Village and many of our streets were forgotten. In the storm of '06, which had more snow, the streets were better shoveled. The city knew in advance and yet lives were put in jeopardy.

The MTA was no better and left many of us without proper transportation. I think heads ought to roll after this disaster. We the people want answers and promises that the city will be better prepared next time.

Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks

Page 48 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

Normalcy?

To The Editor: After the blizzard of Dec. 26, how could Mayor Bloomberg say to the media that there was normalcy in the city? With nearly 1,000 buses and 120 ambulances stranded in huge snowdrifts, as well as scores of cars and other vehicles. Things were far from normalcy, Mr. Mayor!

You have some nerve telling people to take in a Broadway show, when many people were struggling to clear their sidewalks, driveways and cars from the snow. You do not seem to realize that Manhattan is not the only borough in this city.

Take a tour of Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn and the Bronx if you really want to see what chaos this blizzard caused, and what stress and hardships it continues

to cause for everyone.

John Amato, Fresh Meadows

What Do I Do? To The Editor: I hope the local papers do a story about The Blizzard of 2010 and the city's response to the outer boroughs. Where are the Sanitation Department plows? It is almost 9 p.m. [Tuesday] and the streets of West Maspeth have not been plowed all day. What is going on?

One member of The West Maspeth Block Association called me and wanted to know why 62nd Avenue had not been plowed. They are in back of the fire house on Metropolitan Avenue.

She said there are elderly people and babies on her block who might need help.

I spoke to Lydon Sleeper [from Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley's office] earlier today and he said he would get back to me on a time frame when the streets would be plowed. I never heard back from him. I told that member to call Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley's office tomorrow if nothing changes.

This is ridiculous. The city wants to issue summonses to property owners and they have not plowed the secondary and tertiary streets even once today. How are emergency vehicles supposed to get around?

I watch the news and see how clean Manhattan looks, but here in Maspeth the roads are impassable. Why is this?

This reminds me of when Mayor Lindsay ignored Queens back in

Michael Schenkler Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

the 60s. It seems Mayor Bloomberg wants to be like him.

What should I tell members of my civic association when they ask about the snow plows? People have to go back to work. People need to get out and do errands that can't wait.

C. Charlene Stubbs, Maspeth

Bus Woes To The Editor: By now we have all read about the demise of the Q79 Group Ride Program. As one of the civic leaders who staged rallies and protests to save the bus line and have the Group Ride Program adopted for this route, it's a sad day for our seniors and others that have no affordable transportation alternatives.

The demise of the Group Ride Program is a failure of our local elected officials. Listening to Councilman Mark Weprin and others talk about it as if they have no blame is like listening to the teen who killed his parents and then pleads to the court for mercy because he is an orphan. The politicians who decimated the MTA budget and then screamed about the loss of the Q79 bus are the true culprits in this sad chapter. The Group Ride program was set up for failure by the TLC. The local civics offered all sorts of input to make this program work, but the TLC refused to listen and shut out the civics on all Group Ride Program discussions.

I am President of Glen Oaks Village, which is the largest garden apartment co-op in New York with 10,000 residents. We are among the hardest hit by the loss of the Q79 and the Group Ride Program. Although local politicians will tell you otherwise, blame squarely falls on them. Our local electeds were always quick to appear at press conferences and rallies for photo ops, but once the election was over, they were nowhere to be found. They talked the talk, but never walked the walk. It takes more than a smiling face and some meaningless generic sound bite to a local reporter to fix a problem. When Council members earn a half million dollars per term, more is expected. Unfortunately when the nuts and bolts of the Group Ride Program needed adjustments, our Councilman was MIA. Surprised that the Group Ride Program has ended? Elect the same people, expect the same results.

Bob Friedrich, Glen Oaks

Thanks, Tribune To The Editor: This past year, I'm grateful that the Queens Tribune has afforded

Marcia Moxam Comrie, Contributing Editor Reporters: Sasha Austrie, Harley Benson, Joseph Orovic, Domenick Rafter, Jessica Ablamsky

Queens County's Weekly Newspaper Group

Brian M. Rafferty, Executive Editor

Founded in 1970 by Gary Ackerman Published Weekly Copyright Š 2010 Tribco, LLC

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me the opportunity on numerous occasions to express my views via letters to the editor along with others who may have different opinions on the issues of the day.

Thanks to you, an ordinary citizen like myself has the freedom to comment on the actions and legislation of various elected officials at the city, state and federal level. Unlike one of your competitors, you have never censored or seriously edited out significant content of any of my submissions.

Public officials are powerful with easy access to taxpayers dollars used on a regular basis to promote their views. This is done via mass mailings of newsletters, news releases, letters to the editor and guest opinion page columns. In many cases, they are produced or ghost written by campaign or office staffers paid for by taxpayers on public time.

Ordinary citizens like myself only have the limited ability when we can to find the time and just submit a simple submission. In the marketplace of ideas, let us hope there continues to be room for everyone including our own Queens Tribune.

Larry Penner, Great Neck

Major Help To The Editor: Thanks for promoting and partnering with Major Homes on the makeover. This home improvement company, of which I have been a customer for many years, is the rarest of businesses: one with a social conscience and a genuine dedication to humanity. That may sound corny but it's true. I had considered writing to you about them several times over the years but I didn't because I assumed that you would conclude, falsely by the way, that I am a relative of the owners or was otherwise paid off by the company to do some surreptitious advertising for them.

Not only is the quality of their work of the highest standard and their rates well within the moderate range, but the "personal touch" is a cornerstone of their applied philosophy of dealing with the public.

They are flexible and amazingly sensitive to their customers' wants and demonstrate, not only with words but with deeds, compassion for hardship. It's clear why they rate an A+, the top Better Business Bureau rating over many decades.

Major Homes is not only a corporation; it's a Queens treasure.

Ron Isaac, Fresh Meadows,

Census & Taxes To The Editor: For many years, the tri-state area Alan J. Goldsher Advertising Director Shelly Cookson Corporate & Legal Advertising Account Executives Tony Nicodemo Joanne Naumann Earl Steinman Larry Stewart Shari Strongin

Merlene Carnegie Madalena Conti Tom Eisenhauer Donna Lawlor

Maureen Coppola, Advertising Administrator Accounting: Leticia Chen, Phyllis Wilson

and the northeast more generally have seen lower population growth ultimately resulting in fewer House seats in Congress being allocated to the region every 10 years. With the Census numbers released yesterday, the relative influence of the Northeast both in Congress and in the Electoral College will be further diminished.

This can matter greatly in close Congressional votes and also in close presidential contests because the states gaining strength all tend to tilt Republican at the national level.

Under the new Census numbers, in which many self-styled progressive states are losing Electoral College votes, the impact of this shift could prove particularly stark.

Half a century ago New York had 45 House seats. Now we will have only 27 - the same number as Florida. The last time New York had so few House seats was actually 200 years ago!

Half a century ago, Florida had only eight House seats. While there are lots of reasons folks may migrate to sunny Florida bolstering its population growth, some have observed that government policy has been a critical factor in their population expansion and our population decline.

Economic development organization and Business groups like New Yorker's For Growth have highlighted that New York's high taxes and onerous business regulations have caused both employers and people to seek greener pastures for decades. The more business-friendly environment and absence of a state sales tax have fueled growth in states like Florida and Texas. Because of the public policy decisions these two states have made, they will now gain six House seats.

In fact, states that do not impose an income tax generally grew faster than the national average in the past decade and therefore these are the states that will have more federal representation.

In short, the observation that failure of State legislatures in the Northeast to control spending and the drive to increase taxes, fees and regulations on the middle class and small businesses hasn't just harmed job creation and our economy.

Public policy preferences that have driven away friends and neighbors and opportunity will ultimately continue to diminish our state's and our region's political clout on a National level.

It has never been clearer that enactment of pro-growth, pro-small business policies are critical to the future of our state and to our children's futures.

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LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF QUEENS, Sonam Gyalpo, Plaintiff – against- Phuntsok Dolma, Defendant. Index No. 15616/ 2010. Date Summons filed: June 18, 2010. Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of the trial. The basis of venue is: Plaintiff’s residence.

SUMMONS WITH NOTICE Plaintiff resides at: 85-39 58 th Avenue, 1 st Floor, Elmhurst, NY 11373, County of Queens. ACTION FOR DIVORCE to the above named Defendant: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State or New York); and in case of your failure to appear, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the notice set forth below. Dated: June 17, 2010. Attorneys for Plaintiff: Yoon & Hong, Address: 75-21 Broadway, 3 rd Floor, Elmhurst, New York 11373 Phone No.: (718) 5331111. NOTICE: the nature of this action is to dissolve the marriage between the parties on the following grounds: DRL 170 subd. 2 – Abandonment in accordance with DRL 170(2). The relief sought is a Judgment of Absolute Divorce in favor of the Plaintiff dissolving the marriage between the parties in this action. The nature of the ancillary relief demanded is: a) Granting to Defendant leave to resume use of her premarital or former surname, to wit: “Dolma”; b) Such other and further relief as to the court seems just and proper. ________________________________________________________________ P&F Sheetmetal Works, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 10/5/2010 as P&F Mechanical, LLC. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 58-33 57 th Dr., Maspeth, NY 11378, which is also the address of the registered agent of the LLC, Douglas Drogalis, upon whom process against the LLC may be served. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________ PROBATE CITATION File No. 2009-5054/B SURROGATE’S COURT – QUEENS COUNTY CITATION 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 MAXINE PLANKARD SMITH, Deceased, if living, and if any of them be dead, 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, and JEANNE BASSETT PIROUTEK, RAE McHENRY RANDALL, MARY CASTILLO, *JOHN NOEL BRENNAND,* and QUEENS

COUNTY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR *adversely affected by codicil A petition having been duly filed by Edward L. Smith, who is domiciled at 34-20 79 th Street, Jackson Heights, New York 11372 YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Queens County, at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York, on February 17 2011, at 9:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of Maxine Plankard Smith lately domiciled at 342 1 7 8 th S t r e e t , J a c k s o n Heights, New York, admitting to probate a Will dated August 28, 2007, (a Codicil dated August 21, 2009), a copy of which is attached, as the Will of Maxine Plankard Smith deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that (x) Letters testamentary issue to: Edward L. Smith (State any further relief requested) Dated, Attested and Sealed DEC 16 2010 HON. ROBERT L. NAHMAN Surrogate MARGARET M. GRIBBON Chief Clerk Edward L. Smith Attorney for Petitioner (212) 4903340 Telephone Number Rockett & Smith LLP, 521 Fifth Avenue-17 th Floor, New York, New York 10175 Address of Attorney [NOTE: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.] ________________________________________________________________ Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 12/3/10, bearing Index Number NC-001175-10/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) Wai (Middle) Kwong (Last) Chan My present name is (First) Benny (Middle) Wai Kwong (Last) Chan aka Wai Kwong Chan My present address is Avenue, 145-29 2 2 nd Whitestone, NY 11357 My place of birth is China My date of birth is August 04, 1959 ________________________________________________________________ At an IAS Term Part 2 of the Supreme Court of the State of New York held in and for the County of Queens at the Supreme Courthouse at 8811 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on the 15 day of December 2010 INDEX NO: 28170/10 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE PRESENT: HON. ALLAN B. WEISS ANA M. CALIO, Plaintiff, -againstSAMUEL BREITER & CO., INC. and WANDA CLEMONS, CITY REGISTER QUEENS COUNTY Defendants. Upon reading and filing the annexed affirmation of Thomas E. Lee dated November 5, 2010, together with all prior papers and proceedings in this action and sufficient cause appearing, LET Defendants named in the above caption show cause before this Court at an IAS

Part 2 to be assigned before the Honorable Justice Allan B. Weiss to be held at the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Queens County, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on the 23 day of Feb 2011 at 9:30 a.m. or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard why an Order pursuant to CPLR 316 should not be entered directing service of the Summons and Complaint herein upon Samuel Breiter & Co., Inc. by publication.

LET service of a copy of this Order to Show Cause upon the Defendant, Samuel Breiter & Co., Inc. be made on or before 2/15/11 by publication pursuant to CPLR 316 in the Queens Tribune & Queens Ledger ENTER J.S.C. 12/15/10 ________________________________________________________________ SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS DATE FILED: 11/15/10 INDEX NO. 28170/10 SUMMONS PLAINTIFF DESIGNATES QUEENS COUNTY AS THE PLACE OF TRIAL The basis of venue is County where real property subject matter is located Plaintiff resides at 9442 134th Avenue Ozone Park, New York ANA M. CALIO, Plaintiff, -againstSAMUEL BREITER & CO. INC. and WANDA CLEMONS, CITY REGISTER QUEENS COUNTY Defendants. YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your Answer, or if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiff's Attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons exclusive of the date of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any manner other than by personal service within the State of New York.

In case of your failure to appear, or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

Venue is based upon the County in which the premises are situated. Dated: New York, New York October 27, 2010 LEE & KANE, P.C. Attorneys for Plaintiff 2175 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11234 (718) 252-4467 The object of this action is to discharge of record a mortgage between Anna Calio and Samuel Breiter & Co. Inc. dated 9/ 20/89 in the amount of $78,000 and recorded on 9/ 20/89 in Reel 2876, Page 0149 with the NYC Register, Queens County which is a lien on the premises 94-42 134th Avenue, Ozone Park, New York, Block 11494, Lot 28 pursuant to RPAPL 1501(4) ________________________________________________________________ EURO CRAFT DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION LLC, Articles of Org. filed N.Y. Sec. of State (SSNY) 8 th day of October 2010. Office in Queens Co. at 30-72 37 th Street, Astoria, New York 11103. SSNY desig. agt.

Upon whom process maybe served. SSNY shall mail copy

o f p r o c e s s t o 3 0 - 7 2 3 7 th Street, Astoria, New York 11103. Reg. Agt. Upon whom process may be served: Spiegel & Utrera, P.A., P.C. 1 Maiden Lane, NYC 10038 1 800 576-1100.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________ Notice of Formation Camp Highlight LLC art. of org. filed Secy. of State NY (SSNY) 8/ 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: PO Box 5173, Astoria, NY 11105. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________ SUMMONS: JONES V JONES SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF QUEENS, INDEX NO. 20747/10; CYNTHIA JONES, Plaintiff, — against- QUENTIN LAVAR JONES, Defendant, Summons and Notice in divorce action, venue based upon Plaintiff’s residence, cause of action is abandonment. You are summoned to appear in this action by serving a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorney, Thomas P. McNulty, Esq., 347 5 th Avenue, Suite 310, New York, NY 10016 (212) 344-0272 within 30 days after service is completed and if you fail to appear, judgment will be taken against you by default.

To the above named Defendant, this Summons is served upon you by publication by

Order of Hon. Thomas D. Raffaele, a justice of this court, granted on December 6, 2010. The nature of the ancillary relief demanded is: The Plaintiff may resume use of her maiden name, Cynthia McClough, or any other former surname. The Family Court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the Supreme Court with respect to any future issues of maintenance and support. The provisions of DRL Section 236 Part B Section 2, and DRL Section 255 shall apply. The Court may grant such other and further relief as it may deem just and proper. The relief sought is a Judgment of Divorce. ________________________________________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: EASTERN REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/03/10. The latest date of dissolution is 12/31/2110.

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, 37-08 Main Street, Suite 301, Flushing, New York 11354. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. ________________________________________________________________ Notice of formation of Connect Global, LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the

Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on October 29, 2010. Office Located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o the LLC to 41-25 Kissena Boulevard, Suite 119, Flushing, NY 11355-3150. ________________________________________________________________ Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 12/ 14/10, bearing Index Number NC-001231-10/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) Crystal (Middle) Caryn (Last) Finardo My present name is (First) Crystal (Middle) Caryn (Last) Mayol aka Crystal C. Mayol My present address is 66-08 102nd Street, Apt #2E, Rego Park, NY 11374 My place of birth is Brooklyn, NY My date of birth is January 16, 1991 ________________________________________________________________ 1059 Manhattan Avenue, LLC, a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC), filed with the Sec of State of NY on 9/27/10. 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, 60-43 Maspeth Ave., Maspeth, NY 11378. General Purposes.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 49

LEGAL NOTICE

Queens Deadline

Queens Stranded In Massive Snow vice had been restored, but the massive number of streets unplowed in Queens was still causing havoc across the borough’s bus lines.

At JFK, the situation turned from controlled chaos to just chaos overnight Sunday as thousands of stranded passengers camped out in the terminal.

Jason Cochran boarded Virgin Atlantic Flight 4 to London at 6 p.m. on Sunday night; the plane pulled away from the gate, but never took off. After four and a half hours on the tarmac, Cochran and his fellow passengers deplaned and went to the terminal, where they camped out overnight.

There, passengers nearly rioted after the McDonalds in the terminal ran out of food before dawn. Some 36 hours after his ordeal began, Cochran’s flight finally took off for London.

While hundreds of residential streets of Queens remained unplowed and impassable at 4 p.m. on Monday, a lonely Sanitation truck, plow in front, sat idle at the corner of 101 st Street and 103 rd Avenue in Ozone Park. Eight hours later, at midnight, the plow was still there, unattended and abandoned, but not stuck in the snow.

“It’s almost like it’s mocking us,” said one woman who walked by and snarled at the plow.

That sentiment was shared by thousands of people across the borough who found themselves isolated, demanding answers.

On Wednesday, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall said that her office was still inundated with calls from irate residents complaining that side streets still have not

Photos by Nick Beneduce

By DOMENICK RAFTER At the height of the blizzard late Sunday night, 400 people stepped on an A train headed for Manhattan. They would never get there.

Shortly after departing the Aqueduct-North Conduit Avenue station at 1 a.m., the train stopped in its tracks. Though the train managed to return to the Aqueduct station so passengers could use the bathroom, they remained stranded there for more than 11 hours.

A few miles to the south, another A train was stranded at the Broad Channel station.

MTA chairman Jay Walder said the agency tried every option it had to move the trains, including pushing the train into a position where it can reconnect with the third rail.

When that failed, they had to get a diesel train to come from the yards to tow the trains to Euclid Avenue in Brooklyn, something that took hours.

“It’s easy to do; it’s not easy to do under snow,” Walder said Monday. “We allowed the train to get to stations so passengers can get off the trains.”

Walder rejected claims that the MTA did not work hard enough to get the trains moving.

“One option would be stop all services,” he said. “We didn’t want to do that. We needed a balance.”

By morning rush on Tuesday, many subway lines were still experiencing service suspensions, including the entire A line between Far Rockaway and Euclid Avenue. As of Wednesday afternoon, most bus and rail ser-

At 153rd Avenue and 84th Street on Tuesday, plowing of this major route through South Queens still had not occurred. been plowed in many neighborhoods across the borough since Sunday’s blizzard.

“Some streets and even neighborhoods are still virtually untouched by a plow and cut off from emergency services and food deliveries,” spokesman Dan Andrews said.

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

The Q8 Bus runs through Ozone Park last Sunday. These buses were later stranded, with the line not operating fully again until Wednesday.

Boro Elected Officials Pin Blame On Mayor Mayor Mike Bloomberg, council members called on him to have the streets plowed immediately, and promised to hold hearings on the failed storm response.

“This is, as they say, a first-class city,” said State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans).

“This has turned into a first-class embarrassment.”

Bloomberg held a press conference on Dec. 28, updating reports of the City’s progress in plowing the snow as well as addressing concerns about the slow response.

The Mayor said he recognized the hardship and difficulty many New Yorkers faced in the blizzard’s aftermath.

Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen

Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen

Saying Goodbye:

“We are doing everything we possibly response has been abysmal,” said Councilcan,” he said, calling the cleanup “the biggest man Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park). “Mr. Mayor, my constituents and I do not want to go to a effort to clear snow our city has ever seen.

“You’re always going to have situations Broadway play. We want to go to work.”

If the City was unprepared for the storm, where your system is overloaded.”

According to Bloomberg, the City’s policy it is not for lack of warning, Wills said.

“This is unacceptable by any means,” he is to send out plows after the storm is over.

A high rate of abandoned cars and stranded said. “You can’t be unprepared when the vehicles, including ambulances and MTA weather service told you three days in adbuses, blocked off streets, according to vance.”

Bloomberg asked the public for patience.

Bloomberg.

“It is a bad situation and we’re going to fix On Monday, the mayor accepted responsibility for the poor snow cleanup, saying, “We it.” he said. “We are doing everything we can did not do as good a job as we wanted to do, think of, working as hard as we can.”

The Dept. of Sanitation promised to have or as the city has the right to accept.”

Two days after the snow stopped, Queens all streets cleared by 7 a.m. Thursday.

Jessica Ablamsky can be reached at had yet to emerge from the blizzard that crippled New York City, trapping people in their homes jablamsky@queenstribune.com or (718) and preventing emergency vehicles from re- 357-7400, Ext. 124. sponding in a timely manner – or at all.

Although there is no hard data regarding storm response, the picture that emerges from anecdotal evidence is one of widespread chaos: doctors unable to make it to work, a cancer patient who feared for her life after missing a chemotherapy appointment.

“My neighbor had to be walked three blocks to an ambulance for a cardiac emergency,” said Councilman Ruben Wills (D-South Ozone Park).

Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) had five people in her office manning Elected officials gathered at Borough Hall to call phones; constituent pleas for help for an investigation into the poor snow removal. just kept coming, like one from a Pictured l. to r.: Council Members Danny Dromm, woman who desperately needed Ruben Wills, Karen Koslowitz, Eric Ulrich, Jimmy insulin to avoid slipping into an Van Bramer (at podium), Leroy Comrie, Dan Halloran, Boro President Helen Marshall, and insulin coma.

“To put it simply, the City’s Council Members Peter Koo and Liz Crowley.

A color guard drapes a flag over the casket of Queens County Clerk Gloria D’Amico, who was laid to rest Christmas Eve after succumbing on cancer on Dec. 21.

www.queenstribune.com • Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 Tribune Page 59

By JESSICA ABLAMSKY A five-alarm fire in Elmhurst left 230 people homeless.

More than 1,000 Bayside residents faced life without power in frigid winter temperatures, 80 until Monday night, because Con Edison could not reach the transformers.

Ambulances, MTA buses and Sanitation Dept. vehicles were scattered across the borough, trapped in snow-clogged streets.

These incidents are all attributed to the City’s slow storm response, something that Queens’ City Council delegation wants to ensure never happens again.

Resting the blame firmly at the feet of

Turncoat

Fashion Forward

The Mets have had their fair share of Benedict Arnolds, so we’re not too surprised to see reliever Pedro Feliciano switch over to New York’s other team.

The lefty declined arbitration with the Mets, instead opting for a multi-year deal reportedly worth $8 million with the Yankees.

The reliever set a franchise record for the Amazin’s by appearing in 86 games in 2008, 88 games in 2009 and 92 games in 2010.

We’re torn. As a reliable pitcher, he served us well… But he’s going to the Yankees. We wish him nothing but the worst of luck.

Former Met and new Yankee (right) Pedro Feliciano

This Old Amp

For years, Symire Jones thought of delving into the modeling industry, but standing at 5-foot-3, the petite beauty did not think it was possible.

Living by the motto, where there’s a will there’s a way, Symire has decided to pursue a career in print and commercial modeling.

“When I am in front of the camera, I feel so happy,” she said. “If you want something, then you go after it and you will get it.”

Symire has hinged her future on more than just her pretty face. She is currently enrolled at LaGuardia Community College and hopes to transfer to the Fashion Institute of Technology in June.

“I want to be around the fashion industry,” she said.

Symire’s transfer to her dream school rests on her ability to sew, but she is confident in her abilities. She said her mother taught her to sew and she has taken classes to fine tune her skills.

Symire has tunnel vision where her goals are concerned; hobbies and hangouts have taken a backseat to her future.

“My days consist of school, then work, shows and photo shoots,” she said.

In five years, Symire would like to have her own high fashion clothing line.

We’ll keep looking.

Who We Are Edited by: Michael Schenkler.

Contributors: Jessica Ablamsky, Sasha Austrie, Marcia Moxom Comrie, Mike Nussbaum, Joe Orovic, Brian Rafferty, Domenick Rafter.

You can reach us by email at Conf@QueensTribune.com

Page 60 Tribune Dec. 30, 2010 - Jan. 5, 2011 • www.queenstribune.com

We wonder whose guitar buzzed through this box.

The label shows that the amplifier was made in Woodside.

This old Ampeg guitar amplifier from the 1950s, recently posted for sale on Craigslist, is made by a company with an address in Woodside. It’s not clear if the manufacturing was done there as well, but we never knew they were associated with Queens at all.

Ampeg is still big today and was always used by the biggest names in popular music – you’d see them in the background of any footage of Bob Dylan or the Rolling Stones in the 60s. Yet another spot for Queens in the history of Rock and Roll.

What Is In A Name?

Time’s Up As we ran out by our new office during our lunch hour, to get those final gifts for our loved ones on Dec. 23, we were momentarily detained by City workers on 150th Street in Whitestone while they worked.

We were a little shocked to see their job for the day was taking down the Christmas decorations that were hanging joyfully over the street for the last month or so.

As the workers took down the red garland from the telephone poles in front of Cherry Valley Deli, we noticed there were quite a few other decorations in the back of the truck, confirming that this was not an isolated incident.

Apparently, for the City of New York, Christmastime ends two days before Christmas.

Or maybe it just costs too much to leave them out. That’s what happens when you start putting them up in October.

Finding a name can sometimes be a challenge; just ask any parent who struggled even after the baby was born.

But for bloggers, who often keep their real identity secret, borrowing an old name or displaying a twist on a classic is fairly commonplace.

We think, though, that the blogger who goes by the name SheaStadiumBK, and whose online SheaStadiumBK’s Blogger avatar. photo is simply a reworked design of the former Mets home seating chart, might be confusing people into thinking that the stadium that was branded as the worst in Major League Baseball before it was demolished, was somehow located in Brooklyn.

Hey, you guys had Ebbets Field, the Dodgers and Jackie Robinson, but you certainly didn’t have Shea.

Perhaps the real question to ask hearkens back to Shakespeare: “What is in a name?” Would a borough by any other name still smell as bad?

Hmmm… perhaps SheaStdiumBK might say the same about our Mets. Touché, in advance.

Workers remove Christmas decorations two days before Christmas.

Madonna Stretches Privilege

We’ve always known Madonna to be flexible.

Symire Jones Jamaica Age: 20 Height: 5’ 3" Weight: 115 lbs Stats: 34-27-37

Not even Madonna can fly during an epic blizzard.

Stranded by snow on a plane in Heathrow Airport, the Material Girl found a novel way to pass the time. To the dismay of the former Corona resident’s fellow first-class passengers, the well-known workout fanatic began doing her yoga routine in the aisle.

After about an hour, a bus retrieved Madge and her 15-member entourage, while the flight’s less fortunate passengers had to wait another two hours before disembarking.

It’s good to be the Queen of Pop.

Confidentially, New York . . .

FOCUS ON

TOMORROW No matter the challenges that face Jamaica, Carlisle Towery and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation stand poised to work to improve life in their section of our borough.

Businesses, residents, visitors and neighbors have all gained from the hard work of this organization, and have reaped the rewards that Towery and the GJDC have brought to Jamaica.

The Queens Tribune looks forward to continuing to watch the growth, development and future of this growing hub of social, cultural and economic activity. We thank Carlisle Towery, the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation and all of the men and women of Jamaica and beyond who have helped transform this slice of Queens into the thriving destination it is today.

It is with great anticipation and confidence in the region’s leadership that we look toward a brilliant future.

The people, businesses and culture of Jamaica will continue to thrive under the leadership of Carlisle Towery and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

Photo by Ira Cohen

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