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Volume 12 Issue No. 12 March 25-31, 2011

Online at www.QueensPress.com

Teachers, staff and students at August Martin High School rallied last week to show their support for keeping their school open. The school’s fate – closure or one of several fi xes – will be known by the end of April.By Sasha Austrie…Page 3

PAGE 22

At York College Foundation’s 4th Annual

DAVID USHERY

3 MO’ DIVAS

is pleased to join

YORK COLLEGE

in honoring

Vincent M. Albanese, Esq.

The Honorable Helen M. Marshall

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BY SASHA AUSTRIE

For months, there have been

whispers in the reeds where Au-

gust Martin High School is con-

cerned. Closure, restructure, reor-

ganization are all words carried by

the buzz floating around the

school.

“We don’t know if they are go-

ing to close it or restructure it,”

said Ruth Bryan, August Martin

High School Advisory Commis-

sion chairwoman.

Unlike other City schools em-

broiled in a phase out process, Au-

gust Martin High School is on the

New York State Dept. of Education

Persistently Lowest Achieving List.

Jack Zarin-Rosenfeld, New

York City Dept. of Education spokesman,

said the state identified 57 schools as

persistently low achieving, with 11 of

them, including August Martin, slated for

transformation. Just what form of trans-

formation that would be remains a mys-

tery.

There are four intervention models:

turnaround, which includes phase out or

redesign; restart, which would either con-

vert or replace August Martin as a charter

school; transformation, which would keep

the school on the PLA List until it demon-

strates an ability to rebound; and the most

drastic measure – school closure, which

would transfer existing students to neigh-

boring, higher-achieving institutions. With

this model, the school would be closed

within a year.

August Martin will know its fate by

April 30.

The school community said August

Martin is undeserving of the flak it is taking

from the DOE and media reports. Accord-

ing to a DOE fact sheet, the school gradu-

ation rate during the last five years has

hovered below 50 percent and in 2009, it

was 49 percent.

Cleavon Evans, August Martin Alumni

Association president, contends that the

Students, Staff Rally To Keep Martin Open

A poster shows the concern for potential loss of the school’s

specialized programs.

school’s 2009 to 2010 graduation

rate was 61 percent. He said the 11-

point increase shows that the

school is a thriving community

staple, gaining support from the

community and public officials.

“Twenty percent of the staff is

alumni,” Evans said. “They have a

vested interest in this school”

He also has a bone to pick with

the [New York Post], which recently

ran a story that Evans said used as

sources students who were no longer

at the school. He said the paper has

been harassing students, trying to

get them to say inflammatory things.

“How is it that the [Post] is com-

ing here and asking students, ‘Why

are you going to a school that is

going to close?’”

In a united stand, students and teach-

ers broke up last Friday’s midmorning lull

by walking their own picket line. The fad-

ing morning dissipated with passing cars

and trunks honking their horns in support

of the protest.

“What we are trying to do is keep the

programs that are doing well,” Bryan said.

“We are taking a proactive stance. We are

going to invite the Dept. of Education to

see what we can do to save this school.”

The school’s most notable programming

is its Aviation Academy, which is the only

of its kind in the City, and the Culinary

Academy, where students prepare food

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Council Robs Queensboro Of Its Name

BY JASON BANREY

Queens residents seeking to travel to Man-

hattan will soon get a glimpse of another

name before crossing the Queensboro Bridge.

On Wednesday, after a blunt debate

during a lengthy legislative session, the

City Council voted 38-12 to rename the

only bridge that bears the borough’s name

after former Mayor Ed Koch.

In a vote that altered the way future genera-

tions will forever address the bridge, the so-

named Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, City

Council members voiced their opinion in one

last opportunity to sway the majority vote.

Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) and Jimmy

Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) made one last

stand against the proposition to rename

the bridge.

Holding more than 1,000 petitions re-

ceived from his constituents, Vallone stood

in opposition to renaming the only bridge

that bares the borough’s name.

“This has nothing to do with Koch,”

Vallone said. “It’s about the pride in our

borough and in our bridge. Don’t do this.

The people don’t want this.”

Van Bramer, whose district is at the east

terminus of the bridge, touted the tone of

his constituents as well, while also paying

tribute to the former mayor.

“Everyone in Queens can honor a life of

service that spans a lifetime such as Koch’s,”

said Van Bramer. “But without any doubt,

100 percent of the people in my district

have said they are opposed to this.”

While introducing the proposition,

Council Speaker Christine Quinn fumbled

the bridge’s name, uttering Williamsburg

Bridge instead, before lavishing a lengthy

analogy fit for the proposed honor.

“Today we can look a New Yorker in

the eye and add their name to the city they

love,” said Quinn. “In the midst of the

City’s worst fiscal crisis, [Koch] was the

bridge that brought us back to greatness.”

Many other outer borough councilmen

were also vocal in opposition to the pro-

posed co-naming.

Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brook-

lyn) delivered a rousing monologue, criti-

cizing both those in favor of the renaming

and its honoree.

The person being honored “is not the

Koch the black community remembers.

It’s the Koch that shut down hospitals in

Brooklyn and Harlem,” said Barron. “I

hope the bridge doesn’t come as shaky as

his past did, endangering us all.”

As an alternate, Barron suggested plas-

tering the former mayor’s name on one of

the city more notorious sites. “You should

name Rikers Island after Koch,” said

Barron, “for sending many of the city’s

young black youth there.”

Unhappy about the process by which

the proposition made its way onto the

City Council’s agenda, Councilwoman

Leticia James (D-Brooklyn) opposed the

renaming despite being endorsed by Koch

in her run for City Council.

“With respect to the wishes of the people

of Queens,” said James. “I hope we could

revisit this issue in the future.”

Earlier this month, after the Tribune

polled Queens City Council members,

it was evident that the borough’s local

officials favored the name change. Ig-

noring 70 percent of Queens residents

who wanted to keep the previous name

(according to a Quinnipiac University

poll), the council’s Parks Committee

approved the renaming of the

Queensboro Bridge earlier this week

before the City Council vote.

Initially proposed by Mayor Mike

Bloomberg at Mayor Koch’s 86th

birth-

day last December, the co-naming drew

the attention and outspoken rhetoric of

multiple civic associations and some

elected officials in Queens.

This is not the first time there was a

battle over the bridge’s name, as the cen-

tury-old structure struggled with an iden-

tity crisis. Many Queens residents may

have forgotten that the bridge’s original

name, while it was being built, was

Blackwell’s Island Bridge, named after the

earlier name of Roosevelt Island.

Historians debate how the bridge ulti-

mately came to bear the borough’s name.

City officials and real estate developers,

from both Manhattan and Queens, alleg-

edly disputed over the bridge’s initial name.

But On March 20, 1909, at its ceremo-

nious grand opening, the bridge was chris-

tened the Queensboro Bridge.

Over the decades that followed, the

bridge has taken only one other name.

Known to many Manhattanites and some

Queens residents as the 59th

Street Bridge,

the Queensboro Bridge was thought to be

eternally coveted as the borough’s sole

eponymous structure.

Mayor Koch oversaw the beginning of

the rehabilitation of the Queensboro

Bridge. Despite the fiscal crisis of the

1970s, the City regained control of the

bridges from the State and began revitaliz-

ing the metropolitan area’s transportation

infrastructure.

Developing the fully funded Bureau of

Bridges within the Dept. of Transportation,

Koch helped spearhead a citywide project

which eventually reduced the number of

bridges in poor condition in the city to zero.

Reach Reporter Jason Banrey at

jbanrey@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-

7400, Ext. 128.

The plaque is no longer valid.

that is then made available for purchase by

teachers. The school also operates the

Business and Law, Media and Technology,

and Communication Arts academies.

Fodaor Sheriff, 17, stood outside with

his colleagues fighting for a school that he

will soon leave behind.

“This school meant a lot to me,” the

senior said. “Everyone achieves in this

school.”

He said though he “messed up” as a

freshman, the staff, especially Principal

Anthony Cromer, himself a graduate of

August Martin, helped him right his failing

high school career. Sheriff said he took part

in Cromer’s Young Men’s Leadership

Group.

Jaime Kneutt, 15, said she choose August

Martin because of its Aviation Academy.

Kneutt is also enrolled in the College

Now Program, which allows her to obtain

up to 12 college credits prior to graduation.

“This school means the world,” she

said.

Zarin-Rosenfeld said he is unsure if the

school’s programming would remain after

the alteration.

A teacher who has been at the school

for eight years said it would be unfortunate

if the school closed. “Students come from

two hours away to [enroll in] the Aviation

Academy,” he said.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at

saustrie@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-

7400, Ext. 123.

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BY DOMENICK RAFTER

In short, Queens is developing at a

natural pace; perhaps not at quite the

speed hoped by some, but according

to a panel of five leaders of com-

merce from different parts of the

borough who met last week at a

Queens College-hosted business fo-

rum, progress is being made.

During the hour and a half presen-

tation, the five discussed problems,

successes and hopes for the future of

development in their part of Queens

and how it affects the rest of the

borough.

Kevin Alexander, executive direc-

tor of the Rockaway Development &

Revitalization Corp., discussed the

Arverne-By-The-Sea development,

which he said has revitalized the eco-

nomically distressed area about half-

way between Rockaway Park and Far

Rockaway, bringing 2,300 new residences

to the area. As a result of the new homes,

just farther east, 20,000 square feet of

commercial space and a new Stop & Shop

has brought jobs and shopping to the com-

munity at Wavecrest Gardens.

Alexander also outlined plans to rein-

vest in Far Rockaway, including renova-

tions of the A train subway station at Mott

Avenue, and creating a better commercial

strip along Beach 20th Street. He outlined

plans to renovate O'Donohue Park on

Seagirt Boulevard to include a new skate-

Slow, Steady Win Boro Growth Race

boarding park and concert space on the

oceanfront.

Gayle Baron, president of the Long

Island City Business Development Corp.,

said Long Island City was undergoing a

major commercial and residential boom

with the completion of new buildings

around Court Square and Queens Plaza, as

well as the recently-announced Hunters

Point South project. The neighborhood,

which will soon be the new home of JetBlue

and CUNY School of Law, is attracting

not only new residents and businesses, but

tourists seeking to stay close to, but

not in, Manhattan.

"European and Asian tourists are

choosing Long Island City as a place

to stay," she said, adding the neigh-

borhood is home to the Toyoko Inn,

the largest hotel in the city outside

Manhattan.

Over in Ridgewood, Theodore

Renz, executive director of the

Ridgewood Local Development

Corp., acknowledged that the neigh-

borhood is more isolated and less com-

mercial-centric than the other sites in

the borough, but that it has also been

experiencing its own revival as an ar-

tisan community.

Most of the apartments at the

redeveloped Ridgewood Times

building at Myrtle and Cypress Av-

enues have been occupied, with a

significant number of new residents

coming from Williamsburg and

Greenpoint, Renz said, noting that the

new Ridgewood transit terminal at

Myrtle and Wyckoff Avenues has helped

spur development. He pinpointed the

area around the Halsey Street L train

stop as one where development has been

occurring.

In Flushing, former Borough Presi-

dent Claire Shulman, president and CEO

of the Flushing Willets Point Corona

Local Development Corp., said there

needs to be better "transportation-orien-

tated development." She avoided most

discussion about Willets Point and fo-

cused her presentation on Downtown

Flushing, including renovating the LIRR

station to make it more accessible. She

also focused on revamping College Point

Boulevard and stressed the need to rede-

velop the waterfront at the Flushing

River.

Shulman discussed ideas to build a pe-

destrian bridge over the Flushing River

connecting Downtown Flushing to Willets

Point, and credited the Asian community

for redeveloping Flushing, which she said

had been stunted in growth until the new

immigrants arrived.

"The Asian community really saved

Flushing," she said.

Carlisle Towery, president of the

Greater Jamaica Development Corp., said

with the economy on the mend, the GJDC

has been "wooing the private sector" into

reinvesting in Downtown Jamaica, espe-

cially in the developing Airport Village

around Jamaica Station. The current na-

tional financial situation, he said, has been

the biggest obstacle in attracting com-

merce to Jamaica, which he said was ripe

for development.

Towery also acknowledged that the

much-anticipated commercial strip along

Sutphin Boulevard below the LIRR was

moving forward and would be completed

soon.

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at

drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-

7400, Ext. 125.

Carlisle Towery speaks at the forum.

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BY JULIET KAYE

One of the most unusual museums in

the city is located in Southeast Queens –

the Marie Rose International Doll Mu-

seum and Cultural Center, is located at

187-11 Linden Blvd. in St. Albans.

This little gem of a museum was

founded by Naida Njoku in 2008, a

woman with a life-long passion for col-

lecting an amazing array of dolls. She is

now in danger of foreclosure and came to

Assemblyman William Scarborough’s (D-

Jamaica) office for assistance.

The retired nurse started collecting

dolls at the age of 14. She had amassed a

large collection when she married and

moved to Nigeria, settling with her hus-

band and doll collection. When civil war

erupted in the country in 1967, she fled

with her husband, Dr. John Njoku to re-

With the support of late Council Mem-

ber Thomas White, Jr., Target, the City Dept.

of Education, the City Dept. for the Aging,

the Allen Transportation Corporation, and

Learning Leaders, A Better Jamaica has

launched Jamaica Reads - an effort that puts

local seniors to work helping local first grad-

ers become stronger readers.

Using active neighborhood seniors

from the Allen Cathedral Senior Resi-

dence on Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

Reads places five seniors in each of two

first grade classes at PS 48 for three morn-

ings a week from 9:30-10:30 a.m. These

"Senior Reading Buddies" are paired with

the five weakest readers in each class with

the goal of moving the participating chil-

dren further along the reading/decoding

Hobby Turns Into A Prized Collection

Helping Jamaica Read Better

settle in the United States, leaving behind

their home and all their personal posses-

sions, including her vast doll collection.

It took her a few years to get over her

despair at losing her doll collection and start

collecting again. She amassed more than

500 dolls from five continents and space

for them in her home was scarce. Upon re-

tiring from her career as a nurse, her hus-

band suggested she share her vast collec-

tion and open a museum because by relo-

cating Njoku’s collection, they would regain

their dining room and the rest of their home,

which was overflowing with dolls.

For the price of admission, Njoku

gives a tour of the charming museum and

information about the origins of the dolls.

You will see a Jackie Kennedy doll; a John

Kennedy Jr. doll as a young child saluting

at the funeral of his father; unique African

dolls; and unusual Asian dolls. There is a

model train set up that comes from En-

gland. Various artworks adorn the walls,

much of it painted by the collector, who

is also an artist.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this

Assemblyman William Scarborough tours

the Marie Rose International Doll Museum

in St. Albans, with Naida Njoku.

incredibly charming and unique museum.

The site hosts school groups and senior

center visits, holds special events and has

craft workshops, including a quilting work-

shop is held every Thursday from 10:30

a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; a sewing workshop on

Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. ; and a

scrapbooking workshop on Wednesdays.

The museum is open Wednesday to

Saturday from 12:30-4:30 p.m. or by spe-

cial appointment. Admission is $2.50 for

children under 12, $3.50 for seniors and

$5 for adults. Call (718) 276-3454.

path than they might oth-

erwise progress.

"I struggled with read-

ing in the early part of my

elementary school career. I

distinctly remember a

classmate's mother coming

in to work with students like

me," said A Better Jamaica

Founder Greg Mays. "As

our society has changed,

there are fewer and fewer stay-at-home

moms available to parachute into class-

rooms to help struggling students at the

beginning of their academic careers. What

we do have is an abundance of seniors who

are ready willing and able to make a differ-

ence in the lives of children. Jamaica Reads

matches the needs of strug-

gling students, with the

community resource of

underutilized seniors."

PS 48 Principal Pat

Mitchell is a fan of the pro-

gram. "We believe in the

potential of all students,

and are happy to have the

additional resource of Ja-

maica Reads seniors to help

all of our children reach their potential," she

said.

A Better Jamaica's other programs in-

clude: Classic Film Fridays, Family Mov-

ies in the Park, and Jamaica311.com. Ad-

ditional information about A Better Ja-

maica can be found at abetterjamaica.org.

One of the senior volunteers reads

with a first grader at PS 48.

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In Our Opinion:In Our Opinion:

OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS

150-50 14th Road

Whitestone, NY 11357

(voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417

email news@queenspress.com

The PRESS of Southeast Queens

Associate Publisher

Arnold Thibou

Executive Editor:

Brian Rafferty

Deputy Editor:

Joseph Orovic

Contributing Editor:

Marcia Moxam Comrie

Production Manager:

Shiek Mohamed

Queens Today Editor

Regina Vogel

Photo Editor: Ira Cohen

Reporters:

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Domenick Rafter

Jason Banrey

Art Dept:

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Rhonda Leefoon

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Shelly Cookson

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Merlene Carnegie

A Queens Tribune Publication.

© Copyright 2011 Tribco, LLC

Michael Schenkler,

President & Publisher

Michael Nussbaum,

Vice President,

Associate Publisher

Editorial Letters

It's Time For A Fair Budget Fix

BY COUNCILMAN

JAMES SANDERS, JR.

Earlier this month, Gov. An-

drew Cuomo released his first

budget. It was designed with

several goals in mind: tighten-

ing New York's collective eco-

nomic belt, reigning in a pro-

jected budgetary deficit of $8

billion dollars for the upcoming

fiscal year, and starting to close

our large and growing budget

gap. I truly believe that the

governor's intent was to return

accountability to an out-of-con-

trol process, and begin to right

New York's economic ship; but

I also believe his priorities in

terms of where he chose to cut

back are out of sync with the

needs of New Yorkers.

There is no doubt that New

York is drowning. As usual, the

pertinent question isn't whether

or not to do something, but what

to do; not whether or not to cut

back, but where to cut back. How

do we divide up a shrinking eco-

nomic pie in the fairest way pos-

sible? How do we ensure that

everyone shares equally in the

burden of bringing our state's fi-

Letters

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Shame On Them

The City Council voted Wednesday to steal our identity. We will not

let them.

The Queensboro Bridge is now and always will be the Queensboro

Bridge. We love and respect former Mayor Ed Koch, but we refuse to

use his name on our bridge.

The fact that the majority of our own council members voted against

the clear wishes of our residents shows the arrogance of their power and

position. How dare you! To say that it’s already known colloquially as

the 59th Street Bridge is a coward’s position. What happened to fight-

ing to defend what is yours?

The argument that other landmarks are named for historic icons is a

sham – they were never named for Queens in the first place. You have

stolen the little that we have. Why not go ahead now and try to change

Queens College and Queens Borough Hall.

You have stolen our name, our spirit and our pride. Shame on you!

Take A Lesson

To The Editor:

The United States Postal

Service will never issue a stamp

honoring a living person. Other

than a President, they will not

issue a stamp until a person has

been dead for at least 10 years.

Someone should ask the City

Council to follow this policy.

Michael Tuchman,

Ponciana, FL

Protect Vets

To The Editor:

On Feb. 10, the U.S. Depart-

ment of Veterans Affairs and U.S.

Department of Housing and Ur-

ban Development jointly pub-

lished an analysis of the extent of

homelessness among our nation’s

military veterans. The results were

very troubling.

The analysis reported that as

of 2009 there were 76,000 veter-

ans who were homeless on a given

night and roughly 136,000 veter-

ans spent at least one night in a

shelter during that year. Veterans

now make up 12 percent of our

nations homeless population and

Veterans are 50 percent more

likely to become homeless com-

pared to all other Americans. The

risk of homelessness among our

veterans is even greater if the

veteran is under the poverty line.

Our veterans deserve better

f rom government . Queens

County has a very large veteran

population, and as a grandson

of a World War II Navy Veteran,

with a brother in-law to-be who

is currently serving in Afghani-

stan, and as someone who works

on a day-to-day basis helping

find employment for veterans, I

feel that we are shortchanging

our veterans.

A few weeks ago U.S. Rep.

Gary Ackerman wrote a letter to

U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Secretary Eric Shinseki urging the

Secretary to stop plans to rede-

velop the current VA Hospital in

St. Albans. The Congressman

suggested that instead of rede-

veloping the land privately, a new

state of the art full service VA

hospital should be built. I couldn’t

agree more.

As the war in Iraq and Af-

ghanistan comes to an end our

veteran population is soaring and

Queens will become home to

many of these veterans. I urge all

Queens residents to contact Sec-

retary Shinseki and tell him not to

leave any veteran behind. Let’s

honor our veterans by building a

new facility that will serve the

Queens County veteran popula-

tion for years to come.

Matthew Silverstein

Democratic State Committee-

man, 26th AD

nances back in line?

New Yorkers are struggling

to keep up with the demands

of a state and national economy

that are both slowly recovering

from the worst economic melt-

down since the Great Depres-

sion. Unemployment hovers

around 9 percent, and more and

more people are struggling to

make ends meet, even as they

watch Wall Street rake in record

profits and reward their high-

est paid executives with bo-

nuses in excess of half their

annual salary.

Meanwhile, Main Street has

been forgotten; left behind in a

turbulent sea of economic tur-

moil, with fiercely partisan eco-

nomic battles raging in legisla-

tures around the country. Main

Street faces a potent combina-

tion of greed and indifference

that threatens to undermine the

very way of life for working

people in New York City.

It seems to me that we can-

not start by punishing those al-

ready being asked to carry the

lion's share of the burden. We

should not and cannot vilify the

working people who make New

York City run. Cutting benefits,

slashing pensions, lay offs of civil

service workers - these are not

the kind of answers New York

needs in these difficult economic

times. We cannot simply add to

the unemployment roles by reck-

lessly laying off civil service work-

ers; we cannot tell unionized

workers, many of whom carry out

some of the most difficult physi-

cal labor in the City, that they

will see their benefits slashed or

their retirement age raised. Do-

ing so would only add to the long

term burden of the city's health

care costs.

In these difficult economic

times, it is proper and necessary

that we ask everyone to share a

little in the burden in order to put

New York back on sound fiscal

footing. But the Governor's bud-

get calls for the pain to fall dis-

proportionately on those who

can least afford to bear its brunt,

and on those who have already

sacrificed so much in service to

the rest of us.

New York City simply would

not function without its civil ser-

vice work force. They have

opted to take positions in public

service, sacrificing the big checks

and lofty perks they might have

received in the private sector in

service to what most feel is a

higher calling.

Cuts should be borne from the

top down, from those who can

most afford them. We should not

cut workers benefits before with-

out also extending the

millionaire's tax. We should not

raise the retirement age for work-

ers without also asking for more

from Wall Street's top money

earners.

Only by creating a more even

and equal economic playing field

can we hope to create a more

even and equal society. Our state

is facing a fiscal crisis. We must

return accountability and sanity

to the budget process. But we

must also make sure our priori-

ties are straight and that we are

not cutting from the "have-nots"

in order to line the pockets of

the "haves." Straightening these

priorities is the only way to res-

cue our city, and our state, from

the edge of economic calamity.

James Sanders, Jr. represents the

31st District in the New York City

Council.

Send your thoughts,

ideas, opinions,

outrage, praise,

observations about

our community

To the PRESS of

Southeast Queens

150-50 14th Rd.

Whitestone, NY 11357

e-mail:news@queenspress.com

fax: (718) 357-9417

SOUND OFF

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News BriefsEmergency Preparedness

Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation

(CNR) Adult Day Health Care Program

and the American Red Cross will hold a

free emergency preparedness seminar

Tuesday, April 5, 11 a.m., at the CNR lo-

cation, 97-35 Allendale St., Jamaica.

Members of the community are wel-

come to attend the seminar, designed to

prepare individuals and families for emer-

gencies. Attendees will learn how to cre-

ate a family disaster plan, build and main-

tain a supply kit, and keep loved ones safe

and informed during times of disaster.

There will be a raff le for an American Red

Cross Go Bag and additional prizes. Re-

freshments will be served. Attendees will

received free interactive CD that can be

used to create a customized evacuation

plan and other tools that will help any

family prepare for an emergency.

To learn more, call Sheva Turk at (718)

297-4700, Ext. 224, or send an e-mail to

sturk@bethabe.org.

One Mega Prize

The New York Lottery announced the

jackpot for Friday night’s Mega Millions

drawing has been bumped to $312 million.

The New York Lottery credits strong

sales across all participating Mega Millions

jurisdictions for the $8 million jump from

the previously advertised jackpot. Tickets

for Friday’s $312 milloion Mega Millions

drawing may be purchased at more than

16,000 retail locations in New York State

until 10:45 p.m. for the 11 p.m. drawing.

Millionaire Tax

Assemblyman William Scarborough

helped pass an Assembly budget that re-

jects the executive budget proposal to cut

taxes for the state’s wealthiest.

“With a $10 billion deficit and scores

of painful cuts on the tables, including size-

able reductions in critical education and

health care programs, now is not the time

to give mill ionaires a tax break,”

Scarborough said. “That’s why I helped

pass an Assembly budget that doesn’t fa-

vor the state’s privileged few - less than

half a percent of the resident population -

over working families.”

Under the executive budget, millionaire

tax rates would drop from 8.97 percent

to 6.85 percent, the same rate paid by

New Yorkers making $20,000 a year. In-

stead, the Assembly’s budget maintains

the current rate and directs 30 percent of

the revenue - a projected $706 million in

Counci lman Leroy

Comrie (l.) recently at-

tended the History

Makers NYC Speaker

Series sponsored by

AT&T and held at the

World Famous Apollo

Theater in Harlem.

Here, he is greeted by

Grammy-award winning

artist, actor and activ-

is t Common, who

hosted the series.

Common People:

2011-12 – to the Educational Assistance

Fund, with the balance going toward cash-

strapped programs and services.

“We need all New Yorkers - not just

the middle-class and lower-income fami-

lies - to bear the burden of our state’s fis-

cal crisis,” Scarborough said. “If we give

millionaires special treatment, schools,

hospitals and other vital programs and

services stand to suffer crippling cuts.”

The executive budget proposal comes

after the recent renewal of the Bush-era

tax cuts for America’s richest, which took

effect in January. Estimates show that the

average annual federal tax cut for those

making over $1 million is $128,832.

“To provide millionaires yet another tax

break on the heels of their federal tax cut is

not only grossly unfair, it’s fiscally un-

sound,” Scarborough said. “We’re accept-

ing a lot of pain in this budget, but we just

couldn’t accept what boils down to a multi-

billion dollar handout to millionaires.”

7 Service Interrupted

MTA New York City Transit an-

nounces that in order to carry out switch

replacement work in the area of the Mets-

Willets Point 7 station, there will be no 7

line subway service between the Mets-

Willets Point and Flushing-Main Street

stations between 4 a.m. on Saturday and

10 p.m. on Sunday on the following week-

ends: March 26-27, April 2-3, April 16-17

and May 14-15.

Free shuttle buses will operate between

the Mets-Willets Point and Flushing-Main

Street stations on those weekends. Regu-

lar weekend 7 line service will operate

between the Mets-Willets Point and Times

Square-42nd Street stations while this

work is underway.

In addition, during the weekday rush

hours from March 23 until May 13, the

last Manhattan-bound express train will

leave Flushing-Main Street at 9 a.m. rather

than 9:55 a.m.

Posters in four languages (English,

Spanish, Chinese and Korean) will go up

at all 7 line stations. In addition to on-

board train and station announcements,

Transit personnel will be on hand during

the weekend to provide assistance and

direct customers to alternate bus service.

Customers may visit mta.info and click

on “Planned Service Changes” for infor-

mation or sign up for free email and text

message alerts. The Travel Information

line may be reached at (718) 330-1234

daily, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for assistance

with travel plans.

Not 4 Publication.com by Dom Nunziato

Kent State, The Beatles Disband & The Trib Is Born

Henry Stern

By HENRY STERNOne of the perennial

quest ions that arises ingovernment is whetherdishonest public officials,if convicted, should for-feit their pensions. Thereis considerable sentimentthat an officeholder,whether elected or ap-pointed, who has be-trayed the people he was paid toserve faithfully, should not be re-warded after he leaves governmentbecause he did not deserve thecompensation he received from thestate or the city while he was en-riching himself.

The pension for feiture hasbeen a powerful incentive over theyears to keep police officershonest. A crooked cop is one ofthe worst enemies of good gov-ernment, since physical protectionis a basic service provided by localgovernment, and officers who takebribes either to protect wrongdo-ers or to enforce the law not onlyviolate their oath of office, but theyundermine both the concept andthe reality of equal just ice underlaw.

The issue becomes murkierwhen we consider the different va-rieties of criminal conduct. For ex-ample, some acts which are clearlycr imes are unrelated to theemployee’s official duties. A cityworker kills his wife, and is sent toprison. All during his career, he hasbeen making contributions to thepension fund. Those savingsshould, in fairness, go to his chil-

dren, whose mother isdead and whose fatheris in jai l. His crimeshould not impoverishthe innocent children,who have already beenvictimized. This leads toquest ions of where todraw the line.

The case of formerSupreme Court Justice

Victor Barron of Brooklyn, whocontinued to collect an $89,094pension during the two years hewas imprisoned for demanding asubstantial bribe from a litigant inorder to settle a case that was be-fore him, was considered particu-larly offensive. While the state waspaying for his room and board inprison, it was also compensatinghim handsomely for what had beencorrupt service. Who knows howmany other bribes Barron receivedbefore one lawyer complained toDistrict Attorney Joe Hynes, whosubsequently launched an investi-gation?

Is a public pension a form ofdeferred income, which vests in thepensioner’s family, or is it a rewardpaid at the conclusion of one’spublic service for faithful perfor-mance of duty? There is a provi-sion under which city employeescan defer income to 401(k) ac-counts, and that money is clearlytheirs, except that it may be usedto pay a fine. As to the justifica-t ion for for feiture of a pension,which is primarily the city’s money,the case is perhaps murkier.

One great advantage of the

city’s right to deny a pension to adishonest employee is that it en-able s lesser set tlements to bemade in cases of misconduct. Thereare some sins or indiscretions orserious errors of judgment forwhich a fine of thousands of dol-lars would be an appropriate pen-alty. That could provide for the re-covery of misappropriated fundsand serve as a deterrent to othersnot to engage in similarmisconduct. If the pension were tobe immune from recapture, therewould be no incentive for the em-ployee to pay or settle the claimagainst him; he could simply retireand collect his ill-gotten gains forthe rest of his life, as could his wife,if she were his beneficiary. Theycould laugh all the way to the bank,or to Florida if they wanted theirincome to go farther.

There is a great variet y ofcrimes that have been committedby public employees, both on andoff the job. For instance, a socialworker or HRA manager maywrongly certify someone as eligibleto receive benefits. If this is donebecause the employee mistakenlybelieves the applicant is entitledto or worthy of benefits, whetherfood stamps, rent reduction,monthly subsidies, or enrollmentin a particular program, that is onekind of error. If the employee him-self receives personal benefit fromthat decision, whether cash, sex orunearned privileges of any nature,the situation is much more serious,and punishment should be moresevere. If the case should justify

dismissal, the issue of pension for-feiture should be considered as apotential part of the penalty, de-pending on the circumstances.

There should not be an iron-clad rule in these cases, where theextent of the penalty should de-pend on the motive of the wrong-doers, the seriousness of the of-fense, the number of people vic-timized, denied their rights, or un-justly enriched or deprived, thelength of time the conspiracy con-tinued, the defendant’s willignessto co-operate with the authorities,the value of that co-operation, towhom pension benefits may beallocated if the defendant’s inter-

Pensions For Crooks: Are They Justifiable?est in receiving those benefits isrevoked, as well as other factswhich may be unique to the situa-tion. No one rule can cover all thecases, but pension forfeiture shouldbe within the range of availableoutcomes, depending on its grav-ity.

Often cases of this sort dealwith people who have alreadymessed up their lives, one way oranother. The rule, “Nobody doesit once” applies here, and peoplewho are apprehended for one spe-cific offense have usually commit-ted others which did not come tothe attention of the authorities.

StarQuest@NYCivic.org

By MICHAEL SCHENKLERThe year was 1970 and some

of you may remember the worldinto which the Queens Tribunewas born:

The first episode of US soapopera All My Children is broadcaston the ABC television network.

Diana Ross & The Supremesperform their farewell live concerttogether at the Frontier Hotel inLas Vegas

Biafra capitulates, endingthe Nigerian civil war.

The Movie s: M*A*S*H,Patton, Love Story, Airport, Catch22.

Pan American Airways offersthe first commercially scheduled747 service from John F. Kennedy

Internat ional Airpor t to LondonHeathrow Airport.

A jur y finds the ChicagoSeven defendants not gui lt yof conspiring to incite a riot, incharges stemming from the vio-lence at the 1968

The Beatles release their 12thand final album, Let It Be.

The Nuclear Non-ProliferationTreaty goes into effect, after ratifi-cation by 56 nations.

United States Postal Serviceworkers in New York City strike;which spreads to 210,000 out of750,000 U.S. postal employeeswho walk out. President Nixonassigns military units to New YorkCity post offices. The strike laststwo weeks.

The fir st Ear th Day is cel-ebrated in the United States..

The Concorde makes its firstsupersonic flight

The Public Health CigaretteSmoking Act is enacted into law,banning cigarette television adver-tisements in the United States.

The Beatles disband. By year-end, al four members release soloalbums.

Apol lo 13 splashes downsafely in the Pacific.

A first-class stamp costs $.06Tina Fey, Uma Thurman,

Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell,Gabrielle Giffords and Matt Damonare born.

The U.S. invades Cambodia tohunt out the Viet Cong; wide-spread, large antiwar protests oc-cur in the U.S.

Four students at Kent StateUniversity in Ohio are kil led andnine wounded by Ohio State Na-t ional Guardsmen, at a protestagainst the incursioninto Cambodia.

The median household in-come in current dollars: $8,734.

In Washington, D.C., 100,000people demonstrate against theVietnam War.

President Richard Nixon signsa measure lowering the voting ageto 18.

The United States gets its firstfemale generals.

The Women’s Strike for Equal-ity takes place down Fifth Avenue.

The Popular Front for the Lib-eration of Palest ine hijacks fourpassenger aircraft from Pan Am,TWA and Swissair on flights toNew York from Brussels, Frankfurtand Zürich.

Elvis Presley begins his firstconcert tour since 1958.

The first New York Cit yMarathon begins.

The songs: Layla, Derek andthe Dominos; Bridge Over TroubledWater, Simon and Garfunkel; LetIt Be, The Beatles.

Monday Night Football debutson ABC. The Cleveland Brownsdefeat the New York Jets 31-21.

Gamal Abdal Nasser dies; VicePresident Anwar Sadat is namedtemporary president of Egypt.

The U.S. Congress givesPresident Richard Nixon authorityto sell arms to Israel.

The Public Broadcasting Ser-vice begins broadcasting -- heyCongress.

Earl Stanley Gardner, WalterReuther, Vince Lombardi, JimiHendrix, Janis Joplin die -- the lasttwo of drug over doses.

On Oct 12, 1970, U.S. Presi-dent Richard Nixon announcesthat the United States wil l with-draw 40,000 more troops beforeChristmas.

A Chinese nuclear test is con-ducted in Lop Nor.

U.S. unemployment was at3.5%.

Salvador Allende is electedPresident of Chile.

Democrats sweep the U.S.Congressional midterm elections;Ronald Reagan is re-elected gover-nor of California; Jimmy Carter iselected governor of Georgia.

Books, Fict ion: Love Story,Erich Segal; The French Lieutenant’sWoman, John Fowles; Islands in theStream, Ernest Hemingway. Books,Non-Fiction: Every th ing You Al-ways Wanted To Know About Sexbut Were Afraid To Ask, Dav idReuben, M.D.; The New EnglishBible; The Sensuous Woman, ”J”

Lieutenant William Calley goeson trial for the My Lai massacre.

The United States Environ-mental Protection Agency beginsoperations.

The U.N. General Assemblysupport s the isolat ion of SouthAfrica for its apartheid policies.

The Occupational Safety andHealth Act (OSHA) is signed intolaw.

IBM introduces the floppy disk.Gary Ackerman launches the

Queens Tribune from the rear of areal estate office on Main Street inKew Gardens Hills.

MSchenkler@QueensPress.com

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Police BlotterCompiled By DOMENICK RAFTER

103rd Precinct

Robber Sought

The NYPD is seeking the public’s as-

sistance in identifying and locating a sus-

pect wanted for a robbery inside a Jamaica

apartment building.

On Sunday, March 20, at approximately

4:55 a.m., the suspect, an unidentified

black man, followed the victim, an 18-year-

old Asian woman, from a nearby subway

station and into a building vestibule at 166-

40 89th Ave. in Jamaica, where he ap-

proached her from behind and repeatedly

punched her. During the assault, the sus-

pect also choked the victim before he ulti-

mately f led on foot in an unknown direc-

tion with her cell phone.

The suspect is described as a heavyset

black man wearing a light-colored cap, a

beige coat, a dark shirt, dark pants and

dark shoes.

Anyone with information regarding

this incident is asked to call Crime Stop-

pers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The pub-

lic can also submit tips by logging onto

the Crime Stoppers Web site at

nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting tips

to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering

TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

108th Precinct

Tractor Trailer Death

On Thursday, March 17, at approxi-

mately 11:22 a.m., police responded to a

report of a motor vehicle accident inside

of Boro-Wide Recycling, located at 3

Railroad Place in Maspeth. Upon arrival,

Anibal Pilataxi, 21, of 237 Stanhope St.

in Brooklyn, was found unconscious and

unresponsive on the ground inside of the

warehouse garage of the location. EMS

also responded to the location and pro-

nounced the male dead at the scene. Fur-

ther investigation revealed that a 2000

Commercial Tractor Trailer, operated by

a 35-year-old Hispanic man was backing

into the garage of the location when it

struck Pilataxi, pinning him between the

trailer and another vehicle

that was parked inside. The

investigation was ongoing.

113th Precinct

Shot Dead

On Sunday, March 20,

at around 2:30 p.m., police

responded to a 911 call of

a man shot at 114-45 199th

St. in St. Albans. Upon ar-

rival, they discovered a 20-

year-old black man with a

gunshot wound to the

head. EMS responded and

pronounced the aided dead

on the scene. There were

no arrests as of printing.

The investigation was on-

going. Identification of the victim was

pending proper family notification.

115th Precinct

Stabbing Death

On Wednesday, March 16, at 10:30

a.m., police responded to calls of a dis-

pute at 104-05 Northern Blvd. in East

Elmhurst. Upon arrival, police officers

discovered Jose Balberas, 24, of 103-01

34th Ave., Corona, with multiple stab

wounds to his body. EMS responded and

transported him to Elmhurst Hospital

where he was pronounced dead at 5:06

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in finding this

man, who is a suspect in a robbery case.

a.m. on Thursday, March 17. There were

no arrests and the investigation was on-

going.

Pedestrian Struck

On Monday, March 21, at approxi-

mately 12:48 p.m., police responded to a

report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle

at 70th Street and 32nd Avenue in Jack-

son Heights. Upon arrival, police found

Margaret Choborka, 82, of 31-41 70th St.,

Jackson Heights, unconscious and unre-

sponsive. It was determined that a 2002

Mercedes Benz was traveling northbound

on 70th Street at the intersection of 32nd

Avenue when it was struck by a 2009

Toyota Sienna traveling westbound on

32nd Avenue. As a result of the collision,

the Mercedes struck the pedestrian, caus-

ing head trauma. EMS also responded

and pronounced the pedestrian dead at

the scene. Both drivers and vehicles re-

mained on the scene. No criminality was

suspected.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO

REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY

TO HELP SOLVE A CRIME.

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Electeds, Community Denounce

Proposed Cuts To Daycare Programs

Looming Childcare Crisis:

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

With budget cuts threatening to de-

crease daycare slots across the City,

Southeast Queens launched a preemptive

strike.

“We have a serious issue here,” said

Charles Fisher, founder of the National

Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council. “We

have a crisis. We have a childcare crisis.”

In Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s budget, pro-

posed cuts would affect families mainly

in the priority 5 and 6 categories, who

are working or currently in training pro-

grams. It would also increase parental

fees and about 16,500 vouchers would be

terminated. Families with a child in care

for nine years would no longer receive

service.

“Families [with children] in care the

longest are affected,” said Borough Presi-

dent Helen Marshall.

Painful Cuts and Rules

The City Administration for

Children’s Services spokeswoman Elysia

Murphy said there is a $95 million hole in

the daycare system’s budget. State regu-

lations require that when a locality is re-

ducing subsidies, either the first or most

recent families receiving benefits become

causalities.

“When faced with those two options,

we went with the families that have been

receiving care the longest,” she said, add-

ing that, on average, the families affected

have had a child in the system for about

nine years.

“Unfortunately, this is the only option

to address such a significant deficit,”

Murphy said.

Of the 16,500 daycare slots to be elimi-

nated, 9,700 utilize vouchers, according

to Marshall. Kindergarteners make up 59

percent of the students possible affected

and 14 percent would be preschoolers.

“When you start closing down

childcare centers […] parents are going

to have to make the decision about going

to work or watching their kids,” Fisher

said.

Information listing alternative care

went out to impacted families, according

to Murphy. Some children would be eli-

gible for kindergarten, Head

Start, Out of School Time, a

Dept. of Youth and Commu-

nity Development program;

and Universal Pre-K.

“The mayor doesn’t un-

derstand that going without

childcare is not a viable op-

tion,” said Councilman

Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica).

“We have an uphill battle on

our hands.”

Assemblyman Bill

Scarborough (D- Jamaica)

believes there are financial

difficulties at every level, and

though there need to be so-

lutions, it is unfair to solve

the budget crisis on the back

of the daycare system. Budget

cuts are attacking the “City’s

youngest, city’s oldest and

city’s poorest,” he said.

Taking A Stand

There are those who are

cautiously optimistic that bud-

get cuts will not affect their

centers. The Sheldon R.

Weaver Daycare Center in Far

Rockaway is slated for closure

on June 30.

“It won’t happen,” said

Arlene Cauley, the center’s di-

rector.

Weaver, which is ranked

number one in Queens, was supposed to

close its doors last year, but it was given a

reprieve.

“Do you think God is going to let them

close a number one center, with a num-

ber one director, and a number one staff?”

she asked.

Cauley tempered her confidence with

a message for her fellow daycare direc-

tors. “If they close the 16 daycare cen-

ters, be weary because it will happen to

you.”

Fisher made a bold statement to

Cauley.

“They are not closing your center

down,” he said. “It is what it is.”

Tammy Miller, United Federation of

Teachers representative for 28,000 city

daycare providers, said the proposed

16,500 voucher terminations would mean

devastation to an equal number of fami-

lies.

“Our message is simple,” she said. “We

need to stand together. We cannot allow

the mayor to cut the very fibers holding

this community together.”

Dubious Motivations

A source with knowledge of the sys-

tem said since 1997, there has been a

storm brewing in the childcare system.

There were hints along the way, the

source said, such as when ACS became

the lead agency. Soon after, the certifica-

tion process for early childhood educa-

tion teachers changed. The City relieved

itself of the responsibility and put the

onus on individual daycare advisory

boards, the source said. Another change

included DYCD taking over after school

programs.

“This is something we as a commu-

nity need to ask, ‘What’s going on?’” said

Leroy Gadsden, NAACP Jamaica Branch

President. “We are at war. We are being

attacked at all sides.”

Gadsden claimed the mayor has a tre-

mendous disconnect with the people of

this City and it is evident by the elimina-

tion of the daycare slots.

“New York City is symbolic of the

American dream,” he said. “The mayor is

about to change the concept of New York

City. He might as well put a sign on the

George Washington Bridge, ‘No poor. No

colored.’”

Center for NuLeadership on Urban

Solutions Executive Director Dr. Divine

Pryor and Lance Feurtado of the King of

King Foundation and Operation S.N.U.G.

alluded to a connection between the clos-

ing of daycare centers and the criminal

justice system.

Pryor said when the decision is made

to stunt the growth of children, they are

left to a system that is ripe for their de-

struction.

“They have a method to their mad-

ness,” Feurtado said.

Tapping Unused Resources

Marshall, who has a background in

early childhood education,

said it was “deplorable” to

dismantle education in the

formative years of learn-

ing.

“The interesting thing is

we are struggling to protect

our seniors and babies,” she

said. Marshall vowed to

keep fighting for the centers

to remain open.

Marshall was not the

only elected official who

promised to fight the pro-

posed daycare cuts. As-

semblywoman Viv ian

Cook (D-Jamaica) said it

was time to tell the mayor

that the “we are not going to take it

anymore.

She continued, “You cannot do this

on the backs of our children.”

Another center being closed is the first

center established in Southeast Queens,

dubbed The Originals of Jamaica, which

State Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica)

helped start.

“Sen. Huntley is with the parents [in

believing that] no center should be

closed,” said Huntley’s deputy chief of

staff, Monica Pringle, adding that the cen-

ters provide education, socialization and

foster a love of learning.

“If we start at an early age, we won’t

have to worry about the back end of it,

which is the Juvenile Justice System,” she

said.

To stop the proposed daycare center

closures, Fisher said he is going to use

the resources at his disposal. In terms of

families only being eligible for nine years

in the system, Fisher said a class action

lawsuit could be filed on behalf of the

parents. He said he would tap into his

media, entertainment, and corporate con-

tacts to have them possibly subsidize

daycare centers.

“We are going to leverage corporate

support,” he said. “Nobody gets away, not

even the guy with the bodega on the cor-

ner.”

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at

saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 357-

7400, Ext. 123.

Randy Fisher speaks to the audience with community activist Valerie Bell.

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elly

Tammie Miller, Chapter Chair of the UFT

Home Childcare Providers speaks to the audi-

ence.

Directors Jamel Coleman and Shelia Willard go

over their notes before they address the crowd.Lance Feurtado (l.) and Councilman Ruben Wills.

Ph

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March

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Borough Beat

Melinda Katz Welcomes Second Child

New Face At Helm Of Queens TheatreBY DOMENICK RAFTER

The Queens Theater in the Park wel-

comed Ray Cullom as its new executive di-

rector this week, as the theater winds down

one season and begins work on the next.

Cullom, a native of Philadelphia, comes

to Queens Theater after two years as man-

aging director of Long Wharf Theater in

New Haven, Conn. Originally on track to

become a stage director, Cullom came to

New York in the late 1980s where he

worked on Theater Row on 42nd Street

gaining experience in performance, light-

ing and production. He later spent some

time working for the Nederlander theater

family group’s Nederlander Worldwide En-

tertainment in Maryland. Altogether;

Cullom has over two decades of both for-

profit and not-for-profit theater experience.

“I bring to the theater a different per-

spective,” he said, having experience in

for-profit theater, where he said the art is

used as a means to create revenue, and

non-for-profit, which he said revenue is

used to create art.

Cullom, who replaced Jeffrey

Rosenstock, who had been with the the-

ater since its rebirth in 1989, said he was

spending his first days learning the names

of his staff and the history of the Queens

Theater. The theater, which sits in the

shadow of the long-abandoned towers of

the New York State Pavilion in Flushing

Meadows Corona Park, both produces its

own material and presents programs pro-

duced elsewhere as a venue. That’s a com-

bination Cullom says he likes.

It was the culture of Queens that

brought Cullom back to New York. He said

he hopes to use social media like Facebook

and Twitter to entice programs to come to

the theater and to help sell tickets.

“The potential for this theater is the

thing that brought me here,” he said. “The

fact that such diverse programs exist

[around the borough] and it’s easier to

find and bring them here more than ever.”

Cullom said one focus will be to promote

local artists, performers and playwrights; the

borough’s diverse and dense population

should make it easy to fill the theater’s 460

seats for just about any performance.

“I guarantee you there is an audience

for anything and everything of quality

that we can put our hands on,” he said.

“There are 460 people in this borough

who will show up.”

Another project on Cullom’s mind is

to get the theater an actual physical street

address. The site, located in the middle

of the World’s Fair grounds, has no ac-

tual address and cannot be found on GPS.

Instead, motorists have to follow small

signs on surrounding highways and in the

park itself to lead to a parking lot a short

distance from the theater.

“Having an address would make this

easier to find,” Cullom said. “If people

can’t get here, they won’t come.”

Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at

drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-

7400, Ext. 125.

BY BRIAN M. RAFFERTY

Former Councilwoman Melinda Katz re-

cently welcomed a second child into her life.

Hunter Charles Katz was born nearly

three months premature at Weill Cornell

Medical Center on Feb. 24. The good news

was tempered by the loss of Hunter’s twin.

“Most of my friends knew that I was preg-

nant with twins,” Katz said in a phone inter-

view Tuesday. “It was a difficult pregnancy

for a bunch of reasons. But in the end I gave

birth to one beautiful little baby boy. The

other one unfortunately did not survive.”

Hunter’s middle name is from Katz’s

Zadie (grandfather) from Hungary. “I wanted

to pay tribute to him.” Her first son, Carter

David, is named for her father’s Jewish name.

As for Hunter, you can attribute the

name to ex-football player Fred Dryer for

acting in one of Katz’s favorite TV shows –

“Hunter,” which ran from 1984 to 1991.

Young Hunter was born at 3 lbs 3 oz, and

as of Tuesday morning was up to 3 lbs, 14 oz.

“Thank God, he’s doing well so far,”

Katz said. “I’m looking forward to bring-

ing him home.”

Hunter joins his brother Carter, who

turns 3 on May 3.

Reach Executive Editor Brian Rafferty at

brafferty@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-

7400, Ext. 122.

Hunter Charles Katz was born Feb. 24.

Southeast Queens Photos Edited By Harley Benson

pix

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Elected officials and community leaders came together to attend theUnited Black Men of Queens County Legislative Breakfast.

Celebrating A

Holy Centennial

A banner displaying the celebra-tions for the 100th birthday of theDawoodi Bohra community'sspiritual leader, His Holiness Dr.Syedna Mohammed BurhanuddinT.U.S. As part of the celebrations,the community organized a pro-cession and a fun fair at theircommunity center in SpringfieldBoulevard in Queens.

A child from the DawoodiBohra community, dressedin traditional attire, wavesa flag specially designedfor the 100th birthday cel-ebration.

Community memberspray for the long lifeand good health ofHis Hol iness Dr.Syedna MohammedBurhanuddin T.U.S.

Head priest (Aamilsaheb) of theDawoodi Bohra community in NewYork, Janaab Behlul BhaisahebHashemi, thanks NYPD policemenwho helped run security during theprocession.

Children and adults join the paraderoute.

Janaab Behlul Bhaisaheb Hashemi poses with the community's childrenoutside the Jamali markaz (community center) in Queens.

Tennis pro John McEnroejoined Queens Borough Presi-dent Helen Marshall and Youthand Tennis Executive DirectorBill Briggs at the official open-ing of the Roy Wilkins Parktennis bubble in JamaicaMarch 12. Marshall provided$2.27 million for the installa-tion of the bubble, access forthe disabled, a storage shedand new landscaping.

Tennis Bubble Opens

The Taxi and Limousine Com-mission (TLC) and the DesignTrust for Public Space con-gratulate Abdul Mohammedfor winning the grand prize ofa year's worth of free taxicabrides. Pictured (l. to r.): De-sign Trust Executive DirectorDeborah Marton, contest win-ner Abdul Mohammed andTLC Commissioner DavidYassky.

Free Taxis

United Black Men Of Queens

State Sen. Tony Avella was in-vited by the Queens ColonyCivic Association of Belleroseto speak at their monthlymeeting. Pictured (l. to r.):Queens Colony Civic Asso-c ia t ion Pres ident AngelaAugugliaro, Treasurer BrianLong, Sergeant a t ArmsMichael Augugliaro and Sen.Tony Avella.

Queens Colony Civic

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Profile

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

For the last five years, Valerie Samuel

has been embarking on the most impor-

tant role in her career - "Mom."

Her entire life changed when her son

Jeremiah was born. Samuel traded in her

daily of 8 a.m.-til-whenever routine as a

financial consultant and a college profes-

sor for diaper changes and bottle feedings.

"That was a hard transition because

you are so used to being around people

and being in the game," she said. "It was

very difficult because I always held ex-

ecutive level positions, but I couldn't do

that now because who is going to watch

the baby."

Samuel weighed her options. She

could resume her post, become a stay-at-

home mom, or reinvent herself. As a

fiercely independent woman, Samuel

chose the latter.

The skills she had deftly put to use for

others were repurposed to start market-

ing herself as "mompreneur."

Samuel has written three books, includ-

ing "The Balancing Act II" and "Frame-

work One Project Management System."

Samuel has also created DVDs to rein-

force the message.

She is currently hosting Mommy

Makeovers throughout the City. From 1

p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 18, Samuel will

‘Busy Mom’ Becomes A Job Title

be at the Harvest Room. If you are seek-

ing immediate financial advice, Samuel

can be heard at 7p.m. Sundays on

Cathleen Williams' "I'm Just Saying" on

Blog Talk Radio.

"I wanted to do something more,"

she said. "I needed the f lexibility and

the income."

Samuel who initially studied broadcast

journalism in college, garnered her busi-

ness experience in her father's store, which

sold Benjamin Moore Paints in Georgia.

Samuel, 46, said the store was forced

to close because the surrounding commu-

nity was being redlined.

She turned misfortune into triumph.

Samuel was employed by the same group

that helped her father launch his business,

Minority Business Development Agency

in Georgia. For three years, she provided

marketing, and wrote and implemented

business plans for corporate companies.

Samuel moved onto the New York City

Small Business Administration where she

conducted market research for compa-

nies. Samuel said the only difference from

the MBDA she encountered was her ad-

ditional duty training entrepreneurs on

how to enact their business plans.

"Whatever they needed, we did it for

them," she said.

It was then, in the midst of an up-

ward trend in her career, Samuel became

an expectant mother. She decided she

would not rejoin corporate America, but

become an entrepreneur, and as a strong

proponent of having it all, she began

teaching other women how to live the

life they want.

Samuel is not only extending her knowl-

edge to the working mom, but se also

teaches at three colleges in the city. Even

with all of her accomplishments, Samuel

Got A Profile?

Send a photo with background

and contact information to:

PRESS of Southeast Queens

150-50 14th Rd.,

Whitestone, NY 11357

Valerie Samuel

is still a work in progress. Like every busy

mom, she is still balancing and toeing a

fine line between work and family.

Last Friday, while sitting in her

beautician's chair, she was multitasking

as usual. On the phone, she was summing

up her life story while occasionally ad-

monishing Jeremiah.

"I'm here with my son because his

school is closed," she explained. "Do you

know any other employer who is tolerat-

ing this kind of stuff?"

Samuel would not change her life path

and would like to have another child.

"I want to be with him," Samuel said

of her son. "I want to have fun with him."

For mothers, she has this parting ad-

vice, "Don't sacrifice your children."

For information regarding Samuel ser-

vices call (212) 292-5127 or e-mail

info@valeriesamuel.com.

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at

saustrie@queenspress.com, or (718) 357-

7400, Ext. 123.

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Restaurant Review

Queens’ Leguizamo Back On B’way

Boro’s Burger Crown

BY ELYSE TREVERS

The 7 Train was one of actor John

Leguizamo's first theaters. As a teenager,

the former Jackson Heights resident

kicked open the conductor's "boof" and

"riffed" on the subway PA system, before

he was brought to the 110th Precinct.

In his latest Broadway offering,

Ghetto Klown at the Lyceum Theatre,

Leguizamo mines his life and experiences

for material. Starting with his upbringing

in Queens, he talks quite freely about his

stoic, non-demonstrative father and fo-

cuses on the effects his dad had on him.

He enters onstage wearing

sweatpants, a warm up jacket, T-shirt and

backwards Mets' cap. (Unsurprisingly,

several in the mixed theater audience were

dressed in the same way.) Later the work-

out clothes prove useful as he dances,

hustles and runs around the stage, even

climbing up the fire escape.

This is an R rated show, hardly appro-

priate for children, and while many perform-

ers in one-man shows have bottles of water

nearby, Leguizamo drinks openly from beer

bottles. His language gets quite colorful at

times and particularly humorous is his in-

terpretation of the U.S. map, as he details

events where he lived and worked. (Queens

gets a particularly vivid description and

those of us who lived and worked in Queens

laughed the hardest of all.)

He proves himself a master of voices

and accents. Each character has his or

her own distinctive mannerisms, postures

and voice. Leguizamo's first acting

teacher, who he affectionately refers to

as "Tweety," sounds like Katherine

Hepburn in "On Golden Pond."

When he discussed some of the mov-

ies in which he acted, he began to imper-

sonate several familiar actors, including

Steven Seagall, Al Pacino and Kurt Russell.

Many of the encounters were a bit aggres-

sive, but Leguizamo mastered the voice

and mannerisms of the familiar stars.

The show includes some touching mo-

ments, especially when he lovingly imi-

tated his Socialist grandfather. He is able

to inject humor even into poignant mo-

ments. After telling of the passing of his

beloved grandfather, he recalls being told

that when an elder dies, the grandson

should put his ashes into his etch-a-sketch

so he's always with him.

The show is liberally sprinkled with

Spanish, much of which is clear even to the

non-Spanish speakers. Not all, however.

And cognizant of this, Leguizamo focused

on one woman in the audience asking if

she understood. When she said no, he re-

plied, "Call your bank and press two."

He has had other one-man Broadway

shows, some of which received critical

acclaim. He got a nomination for best solo

performance, but he was up against

Elaine Stritch and Bea Arthur, both octo-

genarians. He said he thought he'd win

since he was the only one of the three

able to climb onto the stage to receive

the award. He didn't win; Stritch

did.

The show is a bit cathartic as

Leguizamo discusses his inability

to connect emotionally and form

a strong relationship. However,

these revelations make the second

act a bit overlong and perhaps

overly sentimental.

Leguizamo has an avid vocal

following and after seeing him for

the first time, I can easily see why.

He is energetic, charming and in-

credibly talented. And well worth

the price of the ticket.

Ghetto Klown ends where it

begins: with the Queens boy, now

a successful family man and per-

former, back riding the 7 train

where it all began.

Ghetto Klown is playing at the Lyceum

Theater, 149 W. 45th St. Call (866) 276-

DONOVAN’S PUB

54-24 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside

(718) 429-9339

CUISINE: Irish Pub – Burgers

HOURS: 11 a.m. to midnight, 7 days

PARKING: Street

CREDIT CARDS: Cash only

It was an unusually warm Monday

night for this early in March, and having

just come back from Manhattan at an

event, we were looking for some place

to go that was easy to get to and where

we knew we’d have a good time.

Our first choice was obvious –

Donovan’s.

Arriving just after 7 p.m., we got a

parking spot right in front and headed

inside this dimly lit haven for local Irish

rogues and those seeking out the finest

burger in Queens.

Passing through the bar, as the Irish

eyes smiled upon us, we headed down a

couple of steps to the dining room and

were handed the simple menus. Irish fa-

vorites – from Shepherd’s Pie to a house

special f lounder stuffed with crab meat

– dotted the menu. But really, mostly we

were there for the burgers.

In her thick brogue, our server took

our drink order and hurried off to place

her order at the bar. By the time she re-

turned, we were set – two burgers, an

order of onion rings to share and a fish

and chips platter.

Yeah, we could have had the soup

or ordered off the short menu of spe-

cials, but we have come to love

Donovan’s, consistently rated as the

best burger in the borough, for its hot

off the griddle meaty madness. We were

not disappointed.

The burgers were thick, weighty, juicy

and delicious. They have that perfect bal-

ance with the tenderness of the beef, the

crisp snap of the seared exterior and the

juiciness that, by the time you’re done,

has turned your napkin translucent.

The fish was light and buttery, its

crust simultaneously tender and crisp,

served with lemon and just the right

amount of tartar sauce – malt vinegar is

available if you ask.

Both the burger and the fish were

served with thick, hand-cut fries that are

nearly wedges, well browned and crisp on

the outside, soft and steamy in the middle.

Following our dinner, we sat over

coffee and were never rushed. People

came and went, all greeted by the host-

ess, all having a great time.

It’s a simple meal, a friendly place

and great spot to enjoy a quick bite – or

to linger and enjoy the evening. And for

that Best Burger title? The crown still

resides in Woodside.

—Brian M. Rafferty

The New York Pass, New York City’s

premiere money saving attraction card,

will soon open up a special exhibit on

everybody’s favorite boy wizard, Harry

Potter.

Opening April 5 at Discovery Times

Square, “Harry Potter, The Exhibition”

will give visitors an up close and personal

look at the official artifacts and props that

were used throughout the Harry Potter

films, from Quidditch uniforms, Man-

drakes and Hagrid’s hut to Harry’s wand

and signature glasses.

“The New York Pass is thrilled to add

‘Harry Potter, The Exhibit’ at Discovery

Times Square to its list of attractions. This

highly anticipated exhibit is sure to be a

favorite with New York Pass holders, both

children and adults,” said Brian Scullin,

spokesman for New York Pass.

The New York Pass grants access to

more than 50 of the top sites and attrac-

tions across the Big Apple for a single

price, many with exclusive “fast-track”

entry privileges, allowing card holders to

whiz past long lines.

Most of the time, tourists are the ones

who enjoy the pass, but folks from Queens

and the other borough who want to spend

some time living like a tourist can also get

a great taste of what Mahattan has to of-

fer with the New York Pass.

New York Pass of fers single-day

passes regularly priced at $80 for adults,

$55 for children; two-day passes, $125

for adults, $105 for children; three-day

passes, $155 for adults, $135 for children;

and seven-day passes, $200 for adults and

$160 for children.

Every New York Pass comes with a

free 175-page guidebook that includes de-

tailed maps, hours of operation, tips and

directions to every New York Pass attrac-

tion. The pass can be purchased online

at newyorkpass.com or picked up in per-

son at Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises,

Madame Tussaud’s, New York Skyride,

NBC Experience Store, Planet Holly-

wood, Bike and Roll NYC Bike Rentals

and Radio City Music Hall.

Harry Potter, City Sites

Through Tourist Eyes

Guitar virtuoso and vocalist John

Pizzarelli will perform an evening of jazz

standards and American popular song

with the Swing Seven Orchestra at

Queensborough's Performing Arts Center

(QPAC) on Saturday, April 2, at 8 p.m.

John Pizzarelli - the son of swing gui-

tarist Bucky Pizzarelli - is known by those

in our area as the face and voice of the

popular Foxwoods television commercial.

He has earned the distinction of be-

ing one of the only "second generation"

musicians responsible for preserving the

legacies of many great American compos-

Swinging Guitar Licks

To Flit Through QPAC

ers and musicians. In his recording work

and concert appearances, John has paid

tribute to great singers such as Frank

Sinatra and Nat King Cole, and great

American composers such as Richard

Rogers and George Gershwin.

Tickets are $40 and are available

online at visitqpac.org or by phone at

(718) 631-6311. Tickets are also avail-

able online at visitQPAC.org. The center

is located on the Queensborough Com-

munity College campus in the heart of

Bayside, with ample free parking and 24-

hour security.

John Leguizamo performs on Broadway in “Ghetto

Klown.”

4887 or go to ghettoklownonbroadway.com

for tickets.

NotebookCampus Magnet Complex

Faith

Celebrating A Decade of Leadership

Aspiring Actor Plays Many Roles

BY BOB HARRIS

Jayson Edmund is a senior in the Hu-

manities and the Arts HS in the Campus

Magnet Complex, Cambria Heights, who

is the Senior Council President and also

an actor. This Brooklyn resident entered

the acting program in his freshman year

at HUM HS and has been in more than 14

shows in the past four years. He has been

involved in several school educational

programs and student government.

On Nov. 19, 2010, he played his last

role on the stage of the Campus Magnet

auditorium as Peter in Charles Dickens’

“A Christmas Story.” The school has cre-

ated the HA! Theater Company, which

produces one big name show every holi-

day season. Director Mayna L. Bragdon

has created a HA! Theater company

alumni association and provides alumni

free front row tickets to all future produc-

tions and updates of theater news at the

Humanities and the Arts HS.

Edmund’s acting career started as a

freshman when he auditioned as an un-

derstudy for the Lion in The Wiz, and

within a week was given the part. Bragdon

wrote to Edmund, “Allowing you, as a

freshman, the role of the Lion in The Wiz

in such a lead role was very scary, but you

pulled it off. You showed that you were

responsible and talented. That combina-

tion is always hard to find, especially in

freshmen.

Edmund has been involved in several

different activities, such as the Young

Men’s Alliance, took part in a Toy Drive

with Young Men’s Alliance, is Drum Ma-

jor for the HUM HS Band, a Steel Band

member, Arts Committee Member, Beta

Club representative, played football for

more than eight years, was part of the plan-

ning of all school shows, on the School

Leadership Team, participated in College

Summit Workshops and was a College

Summit Ambassador, participated in High

School Fairs, in Open House Night, Red

Ribbon Week, Stage Crew, the AVID en-

richment program, and was one of sev-

eral student leaders chosen to speak with

alumni Abbe Ravin when she was Princi-

pal for a Day.

Edmund’s philosophy is, “It’s all about

family and friends.” He thanks his best

friend, John, who is Student Council Vice-

President, friend Shaquilla, and his family

for their support and always believing in

him.

Jayson Edmund

BY SASHA AUSTRIE

This month marks the 10th anniver-

sary of the Rev. Craig Scott Brown, Sr.’s

leadership of Bethany Baptist Church.

To celebrate his decade-long stint at

Bethany’s helm, there was a series of ser-

vices throughout March, which will cul-

minate in a banquet on Saturday and a

service on Sunday.

Nancy Scott, church administrator and

a member of Bethany for almost 30 years,

is happy with Brown’s guidance.

“We have a fiery pastor,” she said pre-

viously. “He believes in what he’s doing.

He is passionate about the word.”

Brown is not only celebrating his ten-

ure at Bethany, in May he will graduate

with a Doctorate of Ministry from Drew

University. The academic honor will add

to his already distinguished catalog of de-

grees with a Master of Divinity from Yale

University Divinity School. He also has a

degree in philosophy and religion from

Montclair State University.

Brown answered God’s call to the min-

istry in 1981 and received his license to

preach at the St. Paul Baptist Church New

Jersey, under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr.

Henry Davis, Jr.

Before taking his post at Bethany,

Brown served at Greater Faith Tabernacle

Baptist Church in Connecticut and Mount

Calvary Baptist Church in Illinois.

On Feb. 12, 2001, Brown was called

to pastor Bethany. A month later, he took

his post at the helm of the church.

Since coming to Bethany, Brown has

added to the already rich legacy.

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The church did not only

need a new pastor, its physi-

cal walls were crumbling. In-

stead of panicking or shuttling

the responsibility, Brown took

the challenge head on. At the

start of his second year of lead-

ership, Brown started to put

his vision into focus. In 2002,

he established the Leadership

Council & Bible Study Class,

two church vans were pur-

chased, and he assigned a

theme for the year. The first

was, “The Year of Unity.”

To learn more about the

events celebrating his tenure,

call (718)659-6099.

Reach Reporter Sasha

Austr ie at

saustrie@queenspress.com, or

(718) 357-7400, Ext. 123.

Keepin’ The Faith? The PRESS wants to hear about the

special programs in your faith community. Send your

thoughts, stories, prayers and photos to:

The PRESS at 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357

All stories will be considered. Photos cannot be returned.

WordReligion is the belief

in an ever-living God,

that is, in a Divine

Mind and Will ruling

the Universe and hold-

ing moral relations

with mankind.”

—James Martineau

Rev. Craig Scott Brown, Sr.

Is Your School Doing

Something Good?

Write The PRESS of

Southeast Queens

150-50 14th Rd.,

Whitestone, NY 11357

March

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Queens TodaySECTION EDITOR: REGINA VOGEL

Send typed announcementsfor your club or

organization’s events atleast TWO weeks in

advance to “Queens Today”Editor, Queens Tribune,174-15 Horace HardingExpressway, Fresh Mead-

ows, NY 11365. Send faxesto 357-9417, c/o Regina.

IF YOUR ORGANIZATIONMEETS ON A REGULARBASIS, SEND ALL DATESFOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

YOUTH TEENS

FUTURE WRITERSSaturday, March 26 bookclub at the LIC library at 11.CHESS CLUBSaturdays at the Flushinglibrary at 2.TEEN TUTORINGSaturday, March 26 at theBayside library at 10.TEEN TUTORINGMonday, March 28 at theBayside library at 3:30.LAPTOPS FOR TEENSMonday, March 28 at theHollis library at 4.CHESS CLUBMonday, March 28 at theLefferts library at 6.TEEN CHESSMonday, March 28 at theBayside library at 6.SAT STRATEGYMonday, March 28 SAT FreeS t ra tegy Ses s ion w i thP r ince ton Rev iew a t theRichmond Hill library. Reg-ister 800-273-8439.TEST FESTMonday, March 28 Test Festwith Princeton Review at theQueens Village library. Reg-ister 800-273-8439.CRAFT CLUBMonday, March 28 at theLIC library at 6.KNIT & CROCHETMondays at the Douglaston/Little Neck library at 4.BOOK BUDDIESTuesday, March 29 at theHillcrest library at 3:30.LAPTOPS FOR TEENSTuesday, March 29 at theHollis library at 4.TEEN GAME DAYTuesday, March 29 at theRochdale Village library at 4.DUNGEONS & DRAGONSTuesday, March 29 at theBaisley Park library. Register.CATSTuesday, March 29 Councilof Advisory Teens meet atthe Flushing library at 4.CRAFTTuesday, March 29 at theQueens Village library at 4.SHSAT PRACTICEThursday, March 31 prac-tice test with Kaplan at theBayside library at 3.TEEN POETRYThursday, March 31 cornyteen poetry craft at the Flush-ing library at 3:30.DUCT TAPE WALLETThursday, March 31 at theWindsor Park library. Regis-ter .YOGA FOR YOUTHThursday, March 31 at theRidgewood library. Register.TIME TRAVELThursday, March 31 talk atthe Hillcrest library at 6.POETRY SLAMFriday, April 1 Poetry SlamWorkshop at the Pomonoklibrary. Register.TEEN HAPPY HOURFriday, April 1 at the Flush-ing library at 3.COOL CROCHETFriday, April 1 at the EastElmhurst library at 3:30.TEEN DRAMAFriday, April 1 Teen DramaClub at the Central library at4 .LEARN MAGICFr iday , Apr i l 1 a t thePomonok library at 4.WII SPORTSFriday, April 1 Wii SportsChallenge at the Lefrak Citylibrary at 4:30.

STORY TIMESaturdays, March 26, April2 Ridgewood library at 11.TEEN TUTORINGSaturdays, March 26, April2 Bayside library at 10.SCIENCE LABSaturdays, March 26, April2 Central library at 11.TALONSSaturday, March 26 at Al-l ey Pond Env i ronmenta lCenter. 229-4000.CHESS CLUBSaturdays at the Flushinglibrary at 2.KNIT & CROCHETMondays a t 4 a t theDouglaston/Li t t le Neck l i -b ra r y. B r ing need les andyarn.AFTERSCHOOL TIMEMonday, March 28 at theArverne library at 3.CRAFT KIDSMonday, March 28 at theFlushing library at 3.TEEN TUTORINGMonday, March 28 at theBayside library at 3:30.CUDDLE-UP TIMEMonday, March 28 RussianCuddle-Up Story Time at theForest Hills library at 3:30.CHESS CLUBMonday, March 28 at theLefferts library at 6.CUDDLE UP STORYTIMEMonday, March 28 ChineseCuddle-Up Story Time at theForest Hills library at 2.WRITING WORKSHOPMonday, March 28 at theCambr ia He igh t s l i b rar y.Register .LITTLE TOTMonday, March 28 at theHillcrest library at 4.SPRING ARTSMonday, March 28 at theHillcrest library at 6.CHESS CLUBMonday, March 28 at theLefferts library at 6.CIRCLE OF FRIENDSTuesday, March 29 at theGlen Oaks library at 11.BOOK BUDDIESTuesday, March 29 at theHillcrest library at 3:30.DUNGEONS & DRAGONSTuesday, March 29 at theBaisley Park library. Register.READING CLUBTuesday, March 29 withBOOST at the McGoldricklibrary at 5.AFTER SCHOOLTuesday, March 29 at theBellerose library. Register.CHESS CLUBTuesday, March 29 at theLIC library at 4.ELA PREPWednesday, March 30 6th

Grade ELA preparation work-shop at the Cambria Heightslibrary. Register.MATH ACTIVITYWednesday, March 30 withBOOST at the McGoldricklibrary at 5.CHESSWednesdays at the QueensVillage library at 3:30.CRAFTSWednesday, March 30 atthe Steinway library at 11.First come, first served.FAMILY COLORINGWednesday, March 30 atthe Queensboro Hill libraryat 11:15.CHESS & CHECKERSWednesday, March 30 at

the Woodside library at 3.FUN READINGWednesday, March 30 BayTerrace library at 3:30.CROCHETINGWednesday, March 30 atthe Bayside library. Register.CHESS CLUBWednesday, March 30 at theRidgewood library at 4.FAMILY STORYTIMEWednesday , March 30Queensboro Hil l l ibrary at11.BABY CRAWLWednesday, March 30 For-est Hills library at 1:30.WEATHER ACTIVITYWednesday, March 30 EastFlushing library. Register.CRAFTSWednesday, March 30 atthe Seaside library at 4.DISCOVER SCIENCEThursday, March 31 withBOOST at the McGoldricklibrary at 5.AFTERSCHOOL TIMEThursday, March 31 at theArverne library at 3.SKATEBOARD CRAFTThursday, March 31 MiniSka teboard Cra f t a t theCambr ia He igh t s l i b rar y.Register .YOGA FOR YOUTHThursday, March 31 at theRidgewood library. Register.CHESS CLUBFridays at the Poppenhusenlibrary at 3:30.GAME DAYFr idays a t 3 :30 a t theQueens Village library.GAME PLAYERS CLUBFridays Hillcrest library at 4.GAME TIMEFridays at the Windsor Parklibrary at 4.CHESS CLUBFridays at the Douglaston/Little Neck library. Register.ACTIVITY TIMEFridays at the Briarwood li-brary at 3:30.FAMILY STORY TIMEFriday, April 1 at the Sea-side library at 11.CRAFTERNOONSFr iday , Apr i l 1 a t theRidgewood library. Register.GAME DAYSFriday, April 1 at the BayTerrace library at 2:30.RAISING READERSFriday, April 1 at the Penin-sula library at 10:30.FAMILY PLAYTIMEFriday, April 1 QueensboroHill library. Register.STORY TIMEFriday, April 1 Family StorytimeSeaside library at 11.PRESCHOOL CRAFTSFr iday , Apr i l 1 a t theSunnyside library. Register.YUGI OHFr iday , Apr i l 1 a t theQueensboro Hill library at 4.ARTS & CRAFTSFr iday , Apr i l 1 a t theMcGoldrick library at 5.FAMILY STORYTIMESaturday, Apri l 2 a t theFlushing library at 11.POETRYSaturday, April 2 Poetry inyour Pocket Story time at 11at Barnes & Noble, 176-60Union Turnpike, Fresh Mead-ows.SCIENCESunday, April 3 Science andStructures at the NoguchiMuseum. 204-7088.

PARENTS

SINGLES

TALKS

SINGLES SOCIAL & DANCESundays, March 27, April10, June 12 singles socialand dance from 2-6. $10.Over 45. Rego Park JewishCenter, 97-30 Queens Blvd.,Rego Park. 459-1000.

COLLEGE LOANSMonday, March 28 CollegePrep: Loans , Scholarsh ipsand Grants at the Pomonoklibrary at 5.YOGA FOR PARENTSThursday, March 31 at theRidgewood library. Register.SYLVAN LEARNINGSaturday , Apr i l 2 parentworkshop from Sylvan Learn-ing Center at 2 at the Cen-tral library.STORY TIMESaturday, Apri l 2 a t theRidgewood library at 11.

WOMEN MOVERSSaturday , March 26Women Making Moves: TheThree Ps: for Success: Plat-form, Power, Publishing at10 :30 a t the Langs tonHughes library.DIE FREESaturday, March 26 CherylWills speaks about her book“Die Free: A Heroic FamilyHistory” at 1:30 at Barnes &Noble, 176-60 Union Turn-pike, Fresh Meadows.WOMEN & FOODSunday, March 27 “Mom’sHome Cooking: Women &Food in Queens History” lec-ture 2:30 Queens HistoricalSociet y. $8 non-members,$5 members. 939-0647.STEINWAY BOOKMonday, March 28 adultbook c lub a t 6 :30 a t theSteinway library.LIFE COACHINGThursday, March 31 l i fe -coaching seminar at the BayTerrace library at 6.TIME TRAVELThursday, March 31 TimeTravel Time: Fact and Fictionat the Hillcrest library at 6.BLACK INDIANSThursday, March 31 BlackIndians lecture at 6:30 at theLangston Hughes library.FLUSHING BOOKFriday, April 1 “To Kil l AMockingbird” wi l l be d is -cussed at the Flushing libraryat 1.

SENIORS

FREE LUNCHSaturday , March 26 a tChurch of the Resurrectionin Kew Gardens. 847-2649reservations.TAI CHI CLASSESMondays a t 9 a t thePomonok Senior Center, 67-09 Kissena Blvd, Flushing.591-3377.TAX HELPMonday, March 28 free in-dividual income tax counsel-ing for low- income o lderadults at 1 at the Sunnysidelibrary.CLEARVIEWMonday, March 28 MusicAppreciation at 12:45. Tues-day, March 29 Trip to the99 cen t s to re . Reg i s te r .Thursday , March 31Jokercise at 1 and “HSBC:Maximize What You LeaveYour Loved Ones” at 10:15.C learv iew Sen ior Center ,208-11 26th Avenue, Bayside.224-7888.CAREGIVERSEvery Tuesday CaregiversSupport group at 3:30-4:30at the Se l fhe lp Clearv iewSenior Center, 208-11 26th

Avenue, Bayside. 631-1886.TAX HELPTuesday, March 29 AARPfree individual income taxcounseling for low-incomeo lde r adu l t s a t 1 a t theBayside library.STAY WELLWednesdays at 10:15 at theEast Elmhurst library for ex-ercise and other health re-lated programs.WOMANSPACEWednesdays Womanspace,a discussion group devotedto i s sues concern ingwomen, meets 1 -3 at theGreat Neck Senior Center,80 Grace Avenue . Newmembers welcome.TAX HELPWednesday, March 30 freetax help for low and middleincomes at the Broad Chan-nel library at 1.TAX HELPThursday, March 31 AARPfree individual income taxcounseling for low-incomeolder adults at 1 at the FreshMeadows library.STARSFriday, April 1 at 10:30 atthe Queens Village library.Senior Theater Acting Rep-ertory meets.DANCE LESSONSFridays, April 1, May 6 freedance l e s sons – t ango ,pasodoble, cha cha, etc. –from 1-2:30 at the PomonokSenior Center. 591-3377.LUNCHEON & DANCESaturday, April 2 RockawayBlvd. Senior Center will holda luncheon and dance. 657-6752 ticket information.

FLEA MARKETS

RELIGIOUS

SPRING BOOK SALESunday, March 27 9-3 at theBe l l e rose Jew i sh Cente r .Books, records, DVDs andmore. 254-04 Union Turn-pike, Floral Park.FLEA MARKETSunday, March 27 at HolyCross Ukra in ian Catho l icChurch, 31-12 30th Street,Astoria from noon to 5.SPRING RUMMAGE SALETuesday, April 5 9-5 at theBe l l e rose Jew i sh Cente r ,254-04 Union Turnpike, Flo-ral Park. Also from 9-2 at theJewish Center of Kew Gar-dens Hills, 71-25 Main Street,Flushing.THRIFT SHOPSSaturdays 11-4 at BargainBout ique Th r i f t Shop ,Queens Baptist Church, 93-23 217th Street, Queens Vil-lage.465-2504.

GLENN MOHR CHORALESunday, March 27 at 4 atthe Immaculate ConceptionCenter in Douglaston. Sun-day, April 10 at Our Lady ofMercy Church in Fo res tHil ls. Glenn Mohr Choralepresents an original produc-tion highlighting the eventsof the Lenten Season. 516-488-0600.REGO PARK JC

Sunday , March 27 l i gh tbrunch, make col lage art ,appreciate poetry and joinin singing Yiddish songs. $5.11:30am. Saturday ShabbatServices at 9. Wednesdays12:30-2:30 Yiddish Vinkel.Wednesday even ings a t6:30 Torah Discussion aftereven ing Minyan Se rv i ce .Rego Park Jewish Center ,97 -30 Queens B lvd . 459 -1000.SHOLEM ALEICHEM DAYTuesday, March 29 celebra-tion of Yiddish culture at theCentral Queens Y in ForestHills. 268-5011, ext. 151.ST. THOMASMarch 29-31 Lenten ParishMission. April 16 AnnualBreak fas t wi th the Eas terBunny. May 7 Mother’s DayConcert. May 14-15 Home-coming Mass, brunch andtour s . 100 th Ann ive r sa ryEvents for St . Thomas theApostle, 87-19 88th Avenue,Woodhaven.LUTHERAN REDEEMERWednesday, March 30 Mid-week Lenten Service at 7:30.Sundays regu la r worsh ipservice with Holy Commun-ion at 8:30 and 10:30. Sun-day School, Adult Bible Classand Friendship Hour at 9:30.Yout h Group a t 12 :30 .Wednesday prayer groupand B ib le S tudy a t 7 .Lutheran Church of the Re-deemer , 157 -16 65 th Av -enue, Flushing. 358-2744.CULTURAL JUDAISMSaturday , Apr i l 2 t heQueens Community for Cul-tural Judaism will present thestory of one man who foundhis Jewish ident i t y at theUnitarian Congregation ofQueens , Ash Avenue and149th Street, Flushing. At 2.%4 non-members.EMANUEL UNITEDSaturday, April 2 “Voicesof Victory,” a gospel choirwill perform at 4. $10 sug-gested donation. Sunday,Apr i l 3 Len ten Vesper sPrayer Service at 5. EmanuelUn i ted Church o f Chr i s t ,Woodhaven Blvd. and 91st

Avenue. 849-1153.WOMEN’S SEDERSunday, April 3 at 12:30 atTemple Tikvah of New HydePark. 516-746-1120.

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MEETINGS

MISCELLANEOUS

ST. ALBANS CIVICSunday, March 27 St. AlbansCivic Improvement Associa-t ion meet s a t S t . A lbansLu the ran Church , 200 th

Street and 199th Avenue inthe undercroft at 1:30.JEWISH VETSSunday, March 27 JewishWar Veterans of the USALipsky/Blum Post meet at theGarden Jewish Center. 463-4742.VFW 4787Monday , March 28Whitestone VFW Commu-nity Post meets. 746-0540.MENS CLUB SOCCERTuesday evenings at the For-est Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000.FRESH MEADOW CAMERATuesdays the Fresh Mead-ows Camera C lub meets .917-612-3463.WOMANSPACEWednesdays Womanspace,a discussion group devotedto i s sues concern ingwomen, meets 1 -3 at theGreat Neck Senior Center,80 Grace Avenue . Newmembers welcome.FLUSHING CAMERAWednesday, March 30 Flush-ing Camera Club meets atFlushing Hospital at 7:15.479-0643.WOODHAVEN CULT.Wednesday , March 30Woodhaven Cu l tu ra l andHistorical Society, Inc. meetsat Emanuel United Church ofChr i s t , 91 st Avenue andWoodhaven Blvd. 845-3385.ADVANCED TOASTMASTERThursday, March 31 learnthe art and science of publicspeaking in Queens. 525-6830.QUEENS CENTRAL ROTARYThursdays 6:30-8:30 Comelearn i f Rotary is for you.465-2914.WOMAN’S GROUPFridays the Woman’s Groupof Jamaica Estates meets atnoon. Call 461-3193 for in-formation.

CLOTHING DRIVEThrough April 24 at the For-est Hills Jewish Center. 263-7000.WALK-A-THONSunday, March 27 ForestHills Jewish Center walk fortheir shul. 263-7000.TAX PREPSaturday, April 2 free taxpreparation at the LangstonHughes library at 11.

EDUCATION/GAMES/CRAFTS

JH ART CLUBClasses in all art forms daysand evenings for chi ldrenand adults. 454-0813.DEFENSIVE DRIVINGSaturday, March 26 at theKnights of Columbus in Val-ley Stream. 341-0452. Alsoat St. Margaret’s Church inMiddle Vi l lage. 326-1911.Also at Holy Family Churchin Flushing. 631-360-9720.INTERVIEW PREPSaturday, March 26 Inter-view Preparation Workshop

for Adults at 3 at the Broad-way library.FM POETSSaturday, March 26 FreshMeadows Poets meet to dis-cuss and critique their workat 10 Forest Hills library.BECOME A CITIZENSaturday, March 26 at theLIC library.AN ARTIST IN YOUSaturday, March 26 917-494-3572. All ages.CRAFT CLASSESSaturdays 11 -3 at Mar iaRose Dol l Museum in S t .Albans. 276-3454.SCRABBLE CLUBSaturdays at 10 at CountBasie Jr. HS, 132nd Street andGuy R. Brewer Blvd. 886-5236.PET OWNERSSundays (not on holidays)from 1-4 free workshops onpet behavior at CrocheronPark in Bayside (weather per-mitting). 454-5800.BOAT SAFETYSunday, March 27 AboutBoating Safety with the USCoast Guard Auxiliary in FortTotten. 917-952-7014. AlsoWednesday, March 30 atQueensborough Commu-nity College. 281-5538.DRAWING CLASSMondays at the National ArtLeague in Douglaston. 361-0628.ADULT CHESSMondays and ThursdaysQueens Vi l lage l ibrary a t5:30.BALLROOM DANCEMonday, March 28 BallroomDancing with Jing Chen atthe Forest Hi l l s l ibrary at6:30.CHESS CLUBMonday, March 28 at theLefferts library at 6.LIC CRAFT CLUBMonday, March 28 for adultsat the LIC library at 1 and 6.CREATIVE WRITINGMonday, March 28 creativewriting workshop at the Sea-side library at 2.JOB INFORMATIONMonday, March 28 MiddleVillage library. Register.POWERPOINTMonday, March 28 Intro-duction to PowerPoint at theMaspeth library at 6.BASIC COMPUTERTuesday, March 29 at theAstoria, LIC and Glendale li-braries. Register.SCRABBLE CLUBTuesdays at the East Flush-ing library at 3:30.COMPUTER CLASSTuesday, March 29 at theArverne library at 10.INTRO COMPUTERSTuesday, March 29 at thePeninsula library. Register.MICROSOFT EXCELTuesday, March 29 at theMcGoldrick library. Register.COMPUTER BASICSTuesday, March 29 QueensVillage library. Register.CHESS CLUBTuesday, March 29 at theLIC library at 4.MEDITATIONTuesday, March 29 FindingInner Peace Through Medi-tation at 4 at the RichmondHill library.GET YOUR YARNS OUT!Tuesdays after evening Min-yan at 8, knitters, crochet-

ers, needlepointers, and oth-ers meet at the Forest HillsJewish Center . 263-7000,ext. 200.DUPLICATE BRIDGEWednesdays 10:30-3:00 atthe Reform Temple of For-est Hi l l s . $12 sess ion, in -cludes light lunch. 261-2900.WATERCOLOR CLASSWednesdays at 9:30 at NAL.Tradit ional and contempo-rary, all levels. 969-1128.INDOOR SOCCER – DADSWednesday evenings at theForest Hills Jewish Center.263-7000.SCRABBLEWednesday, March 30 atthe Forest Hills library at 2.GOOGLE TIPSWednesday , March 30Google Tips and Tricks at theCentral library. Register.JIC ORIENTATIONWednesday, March 30 ca-reer resources at the Cen-tral library at 11.QUILTING CLASSESThursdays 10-2 at the MariaRose Dol l Museum in S t .Albans. 276-3454 or 917-817-8653 to register.COMPUTER CLASSThursdays at the Queens-boro Hill library. Register.EXCELThursday, March 31 Intro-duc t ion to Exce l a t thePomonok library. Register.FINANCIAL SEMINARThursdays, March 31, April7, 14 at the Central libraryat 10:30.CAREER POTENTIALThursday, March 31 at theCentral library at 1.JOB SEARCHThursday, March 31 JobSearch and Networking Strat-egies at the Lefferts libraryat 6.FINANCIAL SEMINARSThursdays, March 31, April7, 14, 21, 28 at the Steinwaylibrary at 6.KNIT & CROCHETThursdays a t the F reshMeadows library at 6.KNITTING CLUBFridays at the Maspeth li-brary at 10.KNIT & CROCHETFridays at the Fresh Mead-ows library at 10:30.SCRABBLEFridays Bananagrams andScrabble at the Windsor Parklibrary at 2:30.GAME DAYFriday, April 1 chess, check-ers and other board gamesat 2:30 at the Bay Terrace li-brary.COMPUTER CLASSFriday, April 1 at the MiddleVillage library. Register.BASIC COMPUTERFriday, April 1 basic com-pu te r l e s sons a t theAuburndale library. Register.SILENT LIBRARYFriday, April 1 play gameson being “Silent In Our Li-b ra ry” a t the Cambr iaHeights library at 4.IMPROV WORKSHOPSaturday, April 2 learn thebasic techniques involved inimprovisat ional theater atthe Rochdale library at 3.PUBLIC SPEAKINGSaturdays, April 2, 16, 30learn to communicate effec-tively at Elmhurst Hospital.646-436-7940.

ENTERTAINMENT

ABBAMANIASaturday , March 26 a tQueensborough Commu-nity College. 631-6311.DOO-WOPSaturday, March 26 annualfundraising Doo Wop con-cert at Beach Channel HS.755-6262.RUSSIAN FESTIVALSaturday, March 26 at theFlushing l ibrary start ing atnoon.WOMEN’S HISTORYSaturday, March 26 ce l -ebrating Women’s HistoryMonth with New Voices inF i c t ion a t the Langs tonHughes library at 1.SYMPHONY 101Saturday, March 26 at 1 atthe Lefferts library and at 3at the Bayside library.MERCERSaturday, March 26 tributeto Johnny Mercer at the For-est Hills library at 2.ART IN EUROPESaturday, March 26 Pro-vocative Fin de Siecle: Artin Europe at the End of the19 th Century at the FreshMeadows library at 3.LATIN/AFRO-CARIBBEANSaturday, March 26 at theLangston Hughes library at3:30.PET THEATRESunday, March 27 GregoryPopovich Comedy Pet The-atre at Queens College. 793-8080.KAROAKESunday, March 27 at theCommunity House in ForestHills. 279-3006 for ticket in-formation. Fundraiser for theOratorio Society of Queens.RAGTIMESunday, March 27 ParagonRagtime Orchestra at Flush-ing Town Hall. 894-2178.STAMP SHOWSunday, March 27 at theRamada Inn, 220-33 North-ern Blvd., Bayside. Free. 10-4:30.THE MUSIC MANMonday, March 28 Car l“The Music Man” and Teri-Ann perform at the Laureltonlibrary at 6:30.JAZZ FESTIVALMonday, March 28 Lat inJazz Fes t i va l a t the Eas tElmhurst library at 7.MOVIE & TALKMondays the F r iends o fPomonok present a movieand discussion. Bring lunch.1 at the Pomonok library.BINGOTuesdays at 7:15 at Ameri-can Martyrs Church, churchbasement , 216 -01 Un ionTurnp ike , Bays ide . 464 -4582. Tuesdays at 7:15(doors open 6) at the RegoPark Jewish Center, 97-30Queens Blvd. 459-1000.$3admis s ion inc ludes 12games.LOVE STORIESTuesday, March 29 Long Is-land Love Stories from Be-yond at 1:30 at the Bay Ter-race library.GREAT MUSICTuesday, March 29 greatmusic from the 30s to 70s atthe Douglaston/Little Necklibrary at 2.DINO ROSIWednesday, March 30 at 2Concer t o f In te rna t iona lSongs with Dino Rosi at the

Briarwood library.SONGS OF 60SThursday, March 31 at 3:30at the Ozone Park library.MOVIE BASED ON BOOKFriday, April 1 “To Ki l l aMock ingb i rd . ” Watch amovie based on a book at 2at the Flushing library.FLAMENCO & INDIANFriday and Saturday, April1, 2 at 8 and Sunday, April3 at 4 the Thalia SpanishTheatre in LIC presents Fla-menco and Indian Music andDance. 729-3880.COOL BEATS JAZZFriday-Sunday, April 1-3 atLeFrak Concert Hal l . 544-2996.LIVE JAZZFridays through December13 at 180-25 Linden Blvd..,S t . A lbans . 347-262-1169ticket information.BRAZILIAN DOC.Saturday , Apr i l 2 f i lmscreening of Brazilian docu-mentary “Rhythmic Upris -

DANCE

ALUMNI

ST. AGNESSaturday, April 16 St. AgnesAcademic HS in Co l l egepoint for all years, especiallythose ending in 1 or 6. 353-6276.

SQUARE DANCESaturday, March 26 AlleyPond Environmental Center’ssquare dance . $12 . 229 -4000 to register.ISRAELI FOLKMondays 7:30 -10 :00 a tHillcrest Jewish Center, 182-02 Union Turnpike. $10 ses-sion. 380-4145.LINE DANCINGMondays 6 :30 -9 :30 a tKowal insk i Pos t 4 , 61 -57Maspeth Avenue. $7. Cakeand coffee. 565-2259.

ing” at the Broadway libraryat 2:30.SYMPHONY 101Saturday, April 2 perfor -mance workshop for the en-tire family at the Lefferts li-brary at 1 and the Baysidelibrary at 3.ROB CROWESaturday , Apr i l 2 RobCrowe Situation performs atthe Flushing library at 2.CHARMED CIRCLESaturday , Apr i l 2 Pab loPicasso and Paris in the Early1900s at 2:30 at the ForestHills library.IRISH CONCERTSaturday, April 2 fo r thebenefit of the People of Haitiw i th Mary Cour tney andMorning Star at Our Lady ofMercy in Syosset. 454-9804.GREEK CULTURESunday, April 3 at the Cen-tral library at 3 with GrigorisMan inak i s and theMikrokosomos Ensemble.

ENVIRONMENT

HEALTH

GOING GREENSaturday, March 26 green-ing , educat iona l and net -working conference in Flush-ing. 341-1395.BIRD OF PREYSaturday, March 26 hawks,fa lcons and owls at Al leyPond Environmental Center.229-4000. $15. 2pm.FREE TREESSunday, March 27 free treesto the first 200 people at Al-l ey Pond Env i ronmenta lCenter. 229-4000 to regis-ter .TWILIGHT WALKFr iday, Apr i l 1 Tw i l i gh tSpring Peeper Walk at AlleyPond Environmental Center.229-4000. $5 members, $7others.WORK IN WETLANDSSaturdays, April 2, 23, 30help eradicate invasive plantspecies from the wetland ofAlley Pond Park with a vol-unteer crew. 229-4000.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS7 days a week. 962-6244.WAITANKUNGSundays at 2. Waitankung isa great total-body workout.Join these ancient Chineseexercise classes in the Flush-ing Hospital/Medical Centerauditorium on 45th Avenuebe tween Pa r sons andBurling. Free. Jimmy 7-10pm347-2156 information.TAI CHIMondays and Thursdays at11 at the Card iac Heal thCenter in Fresh Meadows.670-1695. $5 a class.ZUMBAMonday, March 28 at theSt. Albans library. Register.MARROW REGISTRYMonday, March 28 join theMarrow Registry at the Flush-ing library at 2.CAREGIVERS SUPPORTEver y Tuesday We ste rnQueens Caregiver Networkin Sunnys ide . 5 :30 -6 :30 .784-6173, ext. 431.CAREGIVERS SUPPORTEvery Tuesday 3:30-4:30 atthe Selfhelp Clearview Se-

nior Center, 208-11 26th Av-enue, Bayside. 631-1886.CHAIR YOGATuesday, March 29 Wood-haven library. Register.CHAIR YOGATuesday, March 29 at theRego Park library. Register.YOGAWednesdays 5:30-6 :30 atthe Cardiac Health Centerin F resh Meadows . 670 -1695. $10 class.ZUMBAWednesday, March 30 atthe Flushing library at 6.OAThursdays a t the HowardBeach library at 10:30.COOK WITH SPICESThursday, March 31 at theFlushing library at 6.HATHA YOGAThursday, March 31 at theQueensboro Hill library at 6.Mat, comfortable clothing.CHAIR YOGASaturdays, April 2, 16, 30Chair Yoga Fresh Meadowslibrary. Register.

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PeopleLaGuardia Community College hon-

ored six newly elected New York State

Assembly and New York City Council

women at its inaugural “New Women Lead-

ers of Queens” luncheon on March 4. Rec-

ognized at the Women’s History Month

celebratory event were Assemblywomen

Grace Meng, Aravella Simotas and Michele

Titus and Councilwomen Elizabeth

Crowley, Julissa Ferreras and Diana Reyna.

Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan,

who served on the Assembly since 1984

and officiated the event, was joined by

a host of legislators, which included

Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney and

Nydia Velazquez, Council member

Jimmy Van Bramer, former Senator

Serph Maltese and members of the col-

lege community, that came to recognize

the women.

In her remarks, Nolan said that his-

torically, Queens County has always

had a very strong tradition of women in

legislative positions. “It is wonderful that

there is a new group of women stepping

up and assuming that leadership mantle

and taking it further,” she said. “They are

extremely accomplished and come to the

job with a strong skill set.”

Assemblywoman Meng, who serves

Flushing, is the youngest Asian Ameri-

can ever elected to the New York State

Legislature, and is currently the only

Asian American serving in the entire leg-

islature. Eight of Meng’s bills on issues,

ranging from extending unemployment

insurance to providing new incentives for

property owners to commit to providing

affordable housing, have been signed into

law.

Assemblywoman Simotas, who comes

to the Assembly with a law degree, is the

first woman to represent District 36

(Astoria) and the first Greek American

woman to be elected in the Assembly.

Simotas is a longtime member of Queens

Community Planning Board 1 and has

served on the boards of the United Com-

munity Civic Association and the Hellenic

Times Scholarship Fund.

Assemblywoman Titus represents the

communities of South Ozone Park,

Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, Far

Rockaway and Laurelton. She has intro-

duced and supported policy for

afterschool programs in every public

school, expanding early childhood edu-

cation, providing access to quality

healthcare, and lowering senior prescrip-

tion costs.

Council member Crowley is the first

Democrat and the first woman to repre-

sent the 30th Council District—Maspeth,

Middle Village, Glendale, Ridgewood,

Woodhaven and Richmond Hill. The new

council member is interested in stopping

overdevelopment, improving local

schools, strengthening services for se-

niors, improving healthcare and improv-

ing parks.

Council member Ferreras serves Co-

rona, East Elmhurst and parts of Jack-

son Heights. Ferreras is a vigorous de-

fender of the rights of victims of sexual

and domestic violence, an impassioned

fighter for the working people of her dis-

trict, and is committed to the rights of

New York’s large and growing immigrant

community.

Council member Reyna, the first

woman of Dominican descent elected to

office in New York State, represents com-

munities stretching from Williamsburg and

Bushwick in Brooklyn to Ridgewood,

Queens. Reyna chairs the Council’s Com-

mittee on Small Business and has been

an advocate for affordable housing as well

as initiatives to stem obesity and asthma

rates in her community.

During the ceremony, the young legis-

lators jointly praised Nolan, who repre-

sents Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Long Is-

land City, Queensbridge, Ravenswood,

Astoria, Woodside, Maspeth, Dutch Kills

and Blissville, as having charted a course

for women politicians.

“Cathy has been a trailblazer for

women not only in Queens County but in

New York State,” said Crowley.

Dr. Gail O. Mellow, President of

LaGuardia Community College, echoed

their accolades saying, “Cathy is a real

leader who leads with her head and her

heart, and whose feet always stay rooted

in this community.”

Dr. Mellow added that the College will

honor these legislators with the

LaGuardia Wall of Fame—a gallery of

photos and bios of the newly elected pub-

lic servants and Assemblywoman Nolan—

which will be placed in the LaGuardia

and Wagner Archives.

The honorees of LaGuardia Community College’s inaugural “New Women Leaders of

Queens” luncheon.

Conf ident ia l ly, New York . . .

Clowns – you either love ’em or hate ’em.We’ve got least one person on staff herewho’s petrified of them. Perhaps he saw“Poltergeist” one time too many.

Good thing he wasn’t out covering the2011 World Clown Convention last week-end at the LaGuardia Plaza Hotel in EastElmhurst. From March 14-18 more than 200clowns from across the country emergedfrom a tiny car parked outside the hotel tolearn the latest techniques in pratfalls, make-

Viper ReturnsWe here are excited

about the second install-ment of Kung Fu Panda.The cast for sequel tothe goofy blockbusterwas recently unveiledand Lucy Liu will onceagain reprise her role asViper, a member of TheFurious Five.

The Queens beautywill bring as much of hersexiness to the slitherycharacter that is allowable in animation. If you cannot wait until May 26 to satiate your Liu appetite, youcan hear voice on the Bullitts new single. The newsong, dubbed “Close Your Eyes” is due for releaseApril 18.

The song is not part of your everyday conven-tional album. It seems, “They Die By Dawn and OtherShort Stories” is a concept album that follows thenarrative of Liu’s character Amelia Sparks. Sparks isa convicted murderer awaiting execution.

Sounds interesting.

Lucy Liu is reprising a

role that makes us

squirm - in a good way.

Clown Conventionup design and shoe sizing.

Seriously, though, we’re a little creepedout and unsure of just how LaGuardia Air-port was able to handle the security whenthey arrived. Were the x-ray machine con-tainers big enough to hold the shoes? Werethey allowed to have their water-sprayingflowers loaded as they boarded the plane?

Perhaps for the TSA's sake, these ques-tions are best left unanswered. Only a realBozo would ask them anyway.

Washed UpMayday, mayday. The

captain’s lost control again.Attempting to row across the

Atlantic Ocean for the third time,Victor Mooney, of Forest Hills,was rescued after only two weeksat sea.

In an effort to raise HIV/AIDSawareness, Mooney believed histhird attempt at crossing thetreacherous waters, would proveto be successful.

His first attempt, in 2006, endedwhen his handmade boat sank justhours after departing from Senegal,in West Africa. In 2009, the sec-ond attempt went bust when hiswater purification system brokedown and ended in another searescue.

Apparently the third time wasnot a charm.

After his state-of-the-art row-boat wouldn’t stop taking on wa-ter, Mooney decided to bail on the5,000-mile voyage back home.

While floating aimlessly at sea,Mooney was ignored by the firstship that sailed by before eventu-ally being rescued by a Greek mer-chant vessel.

The dangerous rescue mission,which took nearly five hours,“saved my life,” said Mooney.

Now bound to land, but notbroken, Mooney vows to continueraising HIV/AIDS awareness.

And promises his wife, his mis-sion will stay as dry as possible.

Red noses invaded East Elmhurst as a Clown Convention came to Queens.

The season didn’t even startyet, and already one New Yorkcompany has thrown in the towelon the Mets.

In the their latest ad campaign,Manhattan Mini Storage, the com-pany that brought New York suchsarcastic ads as “Can’t SqueezeAnother Thong in Your Closet”and “You’re Just Not Meant ForThe Suburbs” has unveiled theirlatest ad campaign aimed at con-vincing city dwellers it’s better tostore their extra junk in their stor-age centers rather than buy a bighouse and paying astronomicalproperty taxes. In it, they take acynical swipe at the city’s less-storied baseball team.

On subways, bus shelters andtelephone booths (the few that artleft) around the city, you might

have seen the ad that reads “Why leave a city that has six professionalsports teams and the Mets.”

Real nice Manhattan Mini Storage. Why don’t you just go ahead andhire John Rocker to be your celebrity spokesman?

No Love For Mets Are You A Model Of Queens?Call 718 357-7400 & ask for Brian

The company’s caustic campaign

Terezia, who hails fromSlovakia, was first featured in ourpages in 2008, and her sharp looksenthralled us enough to revisitthis gal who is still making herimpression in the modeling world.

Since last we spoke, Tereziawon second place in MissDiaspora International, hasworked on commercials and hasdone print modeling in a variety ofplaces, including some work forthe New York Giants.

This past December she cameback to the Miss Diaspora annualcontest as a judge and was moreof a knockout than some of thecontestants.

Speaking of knockouts, watchout – this gal is a master at karate,studying for a decade and enter-ing in national competition, wherein 2006 she was a world championfor her class. Great looks and asolid uppercut to boot.

Glendale Gal

Terezia RevesovaHome: GlendaleAge: 24Height: 5’ 4"Weight: 114 lbs

ModelsOf

Queens

Victor Mooney’s boat hits the

water – at least for a little while.

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