Press Epaper 022616
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Press Epaper 022616
Vol. 17, Issue No. 8 • Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 BLACK HISTORY MONTH BREAKFAST Pages 10-17 COMMUNITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF ASSEMBLYWOMAN PRESS Photo by Ira Cohen BARBARA CLARK (1939-2016) By Trone Dowd, Page 3 ONLINE AT WWW.QUEENSPRESS.COM Page 2 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 News Briefs Charter School Coming To Queens Village Councilman Barry Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gardens) and State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) are having a press conference on Friday Feb. 26 to highlight parents’ concerns about the possibility of a charter school co-locating on the campus of The Jean Nuzzi Intermediate School, or 109Q, in Queens Village. President of the Parent Teacher’s Association Janice Berry said that members of her association opposed the plan for New Vision Charter School, a High School, being placed on the campus. “Our main concern is safety for our younger children being mixed in with High School students,” she said on the phone. Berry also said there were concerns that the charter school’s placement could have a negative financial impact on the Middle School. “It changes everything for us,” she said. -Lynn Edmonds Upgrades Coming To Ocean Bay The New York City Housing Authority is planning on upgrading more than 1,000 public housing units at Ocean Bay Apartments in the Far Rockaways through the Rental Assistance Demonstration program. NYCHA is receiving aid from RAD for the first time. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and will allow NYCHA to create a public-private partnership to access additional funding for this initiative. Even though Ocean Bay is a site impacted by Hurricane Sandy, it was selected for RAD because of its age and need for repairs. Built in the 1960’s, Ocean Bay is one of NYCHA’s older public housing de- Ocean Bay Apartments velopments. However, in regards to Sandy-related damages to the Ocean Bay complex, NYCHA received a $3 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency last spring for the purpose of carrying out extensive repairs at developments that are still recovering from the hurricane. “NYCHA must use every tool available to protect the affordability of New York City’s housing stock and strengthen public housing for this and future generations,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye in a statement. “By leveraging the RAD program, we will help improve the quality of life for residents at Ocean Bay ensuring their apartments and buildings receive muchneeded repairs and upgrades while preserving affordability and tenant protections.” According to a press release, 24 buildings and nearly 1,400 apartments at Ocean Bay need major improvements and upgrades over the next 20 years, such as kitchen and bathroom modernizations, roof replacement, boiler replacements and safety upgrades. NYCHA estimates that these renovations and improvements will cost approximately $174 million. Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) has been a long-time supporter of improving the conditions of public housing and is pleased with this initiative. “As NYCHA continues to find creative plans to improve the lives of its residents, I look forward to working with them to ensure that Rockaway residents get the most out of programs such as RAD,” he said. NYCHA is currently seeking proposals from developers for the financing, major rehabilitation and operations of Ocean Bay as a Section 8 property. Proposals are due April 29, 2016. A representative from the Authority said as of now there is no fixed “beginning and ending” date for the project, but NYCHA is planning on selecting a developer in the third quarter of this year and that the transition of these units from NYCHA to Section 8 is expected to be complete by the end of 2016. Currently, Ocean Bay is the only development for which NYCHA is leveraging the RAD program, but the Authority is in the process of reviewing other developments that might also benefit from the program. -Kulshoom Khan Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 3 Presstime Assemblywoman Barbara Clark Dies At 76 By Trone DowD Assemblywoman Barbara Clark, representative of the 33rd district and a 30 year staple of the Southeast Queens political scene, died Monday night at the age of 76. The news was formally announced at the Press of Southeast Queens’ and Queens Tribune’s Black History Event at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in Jamaica when U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) shared the news with the audience of constituents and elected officials from all over the borough. “One of our senior and legendary elected officials in Southeast Queens has passed this morning,” Meeks said. “That is the great Barbara Clark.” The news was met with loud gasps from the attendees of the event. Meeks asked for a moment of silence in her honor. New York City Public Advocate Letitia James spoke during the event sharing her thoughts on the influential elect. “My heart is very heavy this morning,” James said on stage solemnly. “Assemblywoman Clark is a mentor to me. I stand on her shoulders. She taught me a lot in Albany, she protected me in Albany. All those years, as you know, it was a ‘man’s zone.’ Barbara Clarke used to walk into meetings that were filled with nothing but men, and then say ‘what is this all about, you can’t have a meeting without a woman. [...] Barbara Clark was not afraid to speak truth to power and to challenge anyone wherever she was.” to her family and friends.” As news of Clarke’s death made “These grays skies have created the rounds, politicos and elected of- a very somber background for us in ficials throughout the Southeast Queens toborough gave their conday, as we remember the dolences, sharing their life and gift of our Aswell wishes with family semblywoman Barbara remembering their colM. Clark, who passed league and, for some, away last night” said mentor, with great esCouncilman I. Daneek teem. Miller (D-St. Albans). “It is with great sad“For over a quarter cenness that we learned of tury, she served in the the passing of a wonderAssembly as a staunch ful public servant, menadvocate for equity in tor and friend, Assemfunding for health and Barbara Clark blywoman Barbara M. education, and as a Clark,” New York state Sen. Leroy fighter for the communities she repComrie (D-St. Albans) said. “Her resented with dedication and comindustrious style and fierce advocacy passion. I consider Assemblywoman will truly be missed in Albany and Clark my mentor, my colleague, and throughout Southeast Queens. She my friend, and I am absolutely devaswas always steadfast in her devotion tated to learn of her transition. I ask to her family, neighbors, and our that everyone keep her family in your community. My prayers go out to the thoughts and prayers during this difClark family and to our community ficult time.” whom she served so ably throughout Gov. Andrew Cuomo also shared her nearly three decades represent- his condolences. ing the 33rd Assembly District in the “Over the course of her nearly 30 state legislature. Southeast Queens year career in the Assembly, Barbara and New York State have lost a true Clark was a true legend of Queens – champion, may she rest in peace a proud leader who worked tirelessly knowing that she fought the good to support her community and betfight on behalf of all of us.” ter the lives of those around her,” “I am deeply saddened to hear Cuomo said. “She was an outspoken about the passing of Assembly Mem- advocate on issues affecting schools ber Barbara Clark,” Councilman and working families in her district Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) and across New York, and she will be said. “She was a guiding light for the greatly missed. On behalf of all New new generation of Southeast Queens Yorkers, I offer my deepest condoleaders and a fierce advocate for bet- lences to her family, her friends and ter education in communities of col- to the people she has served.” or. My thoughts and prayers go out U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens/ Bronx), chairman of the Queens Democratic Party mourned Clark and noted that they served together in the Assembly. “We were both elected to the New York State Assembly 30 years ago and it was an honor to serve alongside her and see firsthand her unwavering commitment to the people of Queens,” he said. “She will be remembered as a tireless public servant and will be sorely missed by our entire community.” Assemblyman David Weprin said, “The passing of Hon. Barbara Clark is a great loss to the Assembly institution, but is also a great loss to me personally. As the Assemblymember seated next to Barbara in the Assembly chamber, I was fortunate to be the recipient of her advice and guidance on a regular basis. Assemblymember Clark’s wisdom, intellect, and passion will surely be missed and my condolences go out to her loved ones, family, and friends.” The alliance for Quality Education called Clark “a true champion of education.” “She was one of the earliest supporters of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity and never stopped fighting for every child’s constitutional right to a sound basic education,” they recalled. “She was a wonderful woman with a sharp mind and a bright smile that could light up a room. Barbara Clark will be sorely missed by AQE. Her passing is a loss for all New Yorkers.” Reach Reporter Trone Dowd at 719357-7400 x123, tdowd@queenspress. com or @theloniusly Adrienne Adams Announces run for State Senate By Trone DowD leader’s career highlights as an active member of the community and Community Board 12 Chair- record as a vigilant leader of Southwoman Adrienne Adams surprised east Queens were brought to the forethe media Thursday afternoon by front. “Adrienne Adams is announcing that she would a dedicated community be running for the State leader and lifelong resident Senate District 10 seat, of Queens [...],” the mescurrently being held by sage stated. “Ms. Adams is state Sen. James Sanders currently serving her secJr. (D-Far Rockaway). ond term as Chairperson The announcement of Community Board 12, was made via e-mail. The Queens – the 2nd largest Press of Southeast Queens community board in the reached out to Adams who then confirmed that the Adrienne Adams Borough.” The message also highnews was accurate and has already set up a press contact for lighted her ability to work with other further inquiries regarding her cam- elected officials. “In her capacity as Chairperson, paign. In the e-mail declaring her bid, Adrienne Adams works with elected many of the community board officials, city agencies, law enforce- ment and clergy members, giving voice to the community-at-large,” it continued. “Prior to becoming elected as Chairperson, Ms. Adams was Community Board 12’s Education Chairperson and stalwart advocate for education equity for the children of southeast Queens.” The Press of Southeast Queens contacted the office of Sanders but did not receive comment on the matter in time for press. Sanders announced in early January that he would be running against U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) this year. It is unclear whether Sanders will be going forward with his bid for Meeks’ seat or if he will choose to run against Adams and try keeping the seat he already holds. That being said, with the Congressional primary on June 28 and the Senate primary in September, it is possible for Sanders to run for senate if he loses the Congressional race. Adams released an official statement on the matter explaining her seeming sudden decision. “The people of Queens are a diverse, vibrant community with distinctive needs,” Adams said. “Too often we are ignored in Albany. We need proper economic development, equal opportunities with regard to [Minority Women Business Enterprise] contracts, education equity and criminal justice reform if we are to thrive and prosper. I am proud of my long-standing, committed service in the borough of Queens and look forward to furthering my good work in the Senate.” Reach Trone Dowd at (718) 3577400 x123, [email protected] or @theloniusly. Page 4 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 Phagwah Fight Goes on Despite Approval Board members of the Arya Spiritual Center Inc. and the Hindu Parades & Festival C’tee Inc. held an impromptu press conference on the stairs of Queens Civic Court in Jamaica this Monday, updating the community on the latest happenings concerning this year’s Phagwah Parade. HPFC members President Dhanraj Singh, HPFC Director Herman Singh and Treasurer Don Persaud all spoke on behalf of the non-profit, sharing the New York State court’s ruling in favor of their cause. “The Phagwah Parade is a tradition and has been for the last 27 years,” Singh said. “It’s a high profile community event.” Last year, the long running Richmond Hill tradition was cancelled amidst a battle between two entities, the HPFC and the Federation of Hindu Mandirs. Both parties applied for permits from the 106th Precinct, who then replied that the dispute needed to be handled in court before either party moved forward with an event. They were unable to come to an agreement in time for the March deadline. This year however, the HPFC is claiming that they are the true heir to continu- File Photo By Trone DowD Phagwah is on this year, but the battle between rival sects continues. ing that tradition. “The New York City Ordinance on Parade Permits states that a parade permit should be issued to the entity that has traditionally run the parade,” Singh said. “This would include the founders of the parade. This has been a longstanding New York City policy that essentially grants perpetual permits to the traditional organizers of the events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.” According to Singh, Mayor Bill de Blasio and his administration have stated that they have no desire to change the rule and as such, the HPFC’s involvement in the parade since its inception in 1988 guarantees them the right to continue the tradition. “As founders of the Phagwah Parade, we of the Arya Spiritual Center have shown inclusiveness by inviting other community groups to participate,” he continued. Amongst these groups was the Federation of Hindu Mandirs in 1995. The group continued to be a part of the festivities until last year when they applied for their own permit, “in total disrespect to New York City’s Parade Rules and Regulations,” Herman Singh said. Just last week the Queens Tribune reported that Federation of Hindu Mandirs Inc. received a permit to hold their parade and was moving forward with booking floats, locations and vendors. Singh said otherwise. After a ruling made in the New York State Supreme Court, the permit was overruled and a restraining order was made against FHM, which will keep them from further advertising or organizing a parade of any kind. “This guarantees that the parade will be happening under our watch this year,” he assured. The tradition of Phagwah, also known as Holi, is a Springtime festivity usually celebrated the first Sunday of the new season. Participants from all over the city descent on Richmond Hill and color one another with abrac, a powdered harmless dye, and symbolically bring color back into the world after a long dreary winter. The Richmond Hill parade, which begins at Liberty Avenue and 130th Street and marches to 125th Street, then south to Smokey Oval Park on Atlantic Avenue where post-parade celebrations are held, is the biggest Phagwah celebration in North America and has grown in popularity in recent years. Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 5 By Trone DowD Six months into the 113th Precinct’s Neighborhood Coordination Officer program, the trust between cops and the people they serve was never made more apparent than Wednesday morning’s Coffee with a Cop breakfast event at the Radisson Hotel in South Jamaica. Coffee with a Cop, the last of which was held last October, is a quarterly event giving those residing in the neighborhoods covered by the 113th a chance to meet the officers that have been keeping their streets safe. All residents are invited to meet officers from the 113th, and their higher ups, over breakfast and coffee. The breakfast is meant to further build lasting and meaningful relationships with the officers that are now patrolling their streets every day, thanks to the NCO program, in a more relaxed and friendly environment. In attendance was Community Affairs officers Detective Dorrin Ferguson and Detective Tanya Duhaney, Commanding Officer Captain Frederick Grover and all of the NCO’s of the precinct. One of the cops attending the event, Officer Jermaine Washington who works as a youth officer, spoke with the Press of Southeast Queens about the benefits neighborhood policing has had on the rest of the 113th, including picking up the slack where resources and manpower were previously stretched thin. “In my position as a youth officer, I deal with anything involved with the community’s youth,” he said. “But if I have a youth situation pop up elsewhere in the precinct, I can defer them to the NCO’s because there’s only one of me and I don’t work 24 hours.” Washington, who was a patrol officer in the 113th for six years, said that having intimacy with different issues in the community was a frequent problem in the precinct. “The biggest problem was not having time to follow up,” he said. “We were getting 30 to 40 9-1-1 calls a tour. So there was no time to follow up on anything. So what I noticed with [NCO’s] and why I like it so much is if I have a situation in the community and someone say to me ‘hey, this car keeps parking on my block’ or ‘these guys keep hanging out on the corner,’ now I can just call the NCO and say ‘hey listen, this is the situation on this block or corner.’ They’ve become a big resources for us.” The benefits have had their effect on the neighborhoods as predicted in September when first unveiled. Just last week at the Community Board 12 general meeting, Capt. Bryan Bohannon said that 113th had the biggest drop in index crimes across the entire city and attributed that success to the NCO program. He also introduced the Ideascale, a social media based way of instantaneously reporting quality of life issues, during the meeting. It was also announced that the NCO program would be coming to the 109th Precinct in Northern Queens fairly soon. Residents young and old spoke with the cops sharing laughs and asking questions about with they’ve seen on the beat. Sheila Antwi, the Injury Prevention Coordinator and Community Health educator at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center was in attendance. The hospital which has worked with the 113th in the past, was at this event to build on the relationship they’ve established. Jahi Rose, staffer with Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica), said the neighborhood policing has taken Capt. Frederick Grover, commanding officer of the 113th Precinct speaks to the crowd. Photos by Bruce Adler Cops, Community Meet Again For Coffee Jahi rose, left, from Councilman ruben wills’ office and two officers speak to a resident. great effect in the 28th District. “So far what I’ve seen is civic associations and individuals having the ability to speak directly to police and responding officers, and the responses are very quick,” Rose said. “So I think that part helps circumvent that process that was very long and impersonal. It’s allowed the people to more embrace the presence of the police department and not to some extent feel like they’re being occupied by the police department.” The Commanding Officer closed out the event with positive remarks on what his precinct has been able to accomplish. “These kinds of events are wonderful,” Grover said. “They’re good for us [...] We put it out there as ‘Coffee with a Cop’ but it’s really much more than that. To have everyone in the community out here, it’s not just coffee with a cop. We have our supporting agencies and our partners [...] and it’s important that we get together in this casual setting where we can talk and we can throw some ideas back and forth, forming new bonds and friendships in this community.” Reach Trone Dowd at (718) 3577400 x123, [email protected] or @theloniusly. Gang Member Gets Prison Term Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced on Feb. 18 that the last defendant - one of four members of the affiliated so-called SNOW, Loyalty Over Everything, Young Bosses and Mobbed Out Bosses street gangs - convicted last month of conspiracy to murder two purported rival gang members has been sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison. Jahmarley Jones, 21, was convicted last month of second-degree conspiracy and was sentenced today to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison. The three other defendants, convicted with Jones, were sentenced yesterday and last month to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison as well. According to trial testimony, Jones, along with the other defendants operated generally in the neighborhoods of Rosedale, Laurelton and Rochdale Village. Between March 30, 2014, and April 1, 2014, the defendants conspired to kill two purported members of a rival gang in retaliation for the March 2014 shooting death of a SNOW gang member. In furtherance of their plot, the purported gang members gathered in Montbellier Park in Springfield Gardens on April 1, 2014, for unlawful purposes and that when confronted by police they ran away but were quickly apprehended. The long-term investigation – which was spearheaded by the New York City Police Department’s Queens Gang Squad, the NYPD’s 113th Precinct’s Strategic Enforcement Team and District Attorney Brown’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau – utilized various investigative techniques, including the monitoring of conversations spread out on more than 1.1 million Facebook pages belonging to gang members. -Domenick rafter Page 6 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 OF SOUTHEAST QUEENS 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 (voice) (718) 357-7400 fax (718) 357-9417 email [email protected] The PRESS of Southeast Queens Editor-in-Chief: Domenick Rafter Contributing Editor: Marcia Moxam Comrie Production Manager: Shiek Mohamed Reporters: Trone Dowd Lynn Edmonds Yvette Brown Jon Cronin Contributors: Carmine Carcieri Ariel Hernandez David Russell Marissa Collado Kulsoom Khan Art Dept: Lianne Procanyn Lorraine Milano Nalini Boodnie Maureen Coppola Advertising Director Howard Swengler Major Accounts Manager Shanie Persaud Director Corporate Accounts/Events Shari Strongin Advertising Executives Mitch Kronenfeld Classified Manager A Queens Tribune Publication © Copyright 2015 Tribco, LLC Michael Nussbaum Publisher Ria MacPherson Comptroller Editorial A Huge Loss For Southeast Queens Tuesday morning at our annual Black History Month event, the audience that gathered gasped in surprise when U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks announced that longtime-Assemblywoman Barbara Clark had died. We too were shocked to hear of her passing. It is a huge loss. Clark had become a scion of Southeast Queens politics. She represented Cambria Heights, Queens Village and Bellerose in the State Assembly for more than a generation, serving under five governors. She was a leading voice in the fight for equity in education funding and making sure students in our community got the support they needed. Clark was no doubt independently-minded and was not afraid to break with her party when she felt it was needed. When several Assembly Democrats accused former Speaker Sheldon Silver of hoarding power in Albany, a stifling debate and running what one Democrat called “a virtual dictatorship,” Clark joined thenMajority Leader Michael Bragman to call for new leadership. The attempt failed and Clark suffered the consequences, but she wasn’t intimidated by the loss, instead renewing her focus on equally funding education in the state. Her biggest legacy may be her decades-long fight to see equality in education funding. She testified in support of the Campaign for Fiscal Equality lawsuit and pressured governors and legislatures to follow a court order to provide funds for New York City schools. Clark was a vital piece of the coalition that pushed for fiscal equity in our schools. Clark’s passing leaves a big void in Southeast Queens political leadership. The governor will likely wait until the regular November election to fill her Assembly seat, which will allow a primary to be held in September. That will give voters the opportunity to evaluate what is likely to be a large pool of candidates. Her Democratic district leader seat is also vacant and will need to be filled in the September primary. Letters Save Restaurant Row To The Editor: Please go away Crescent Properties and your desire to basically make 70th Rd. Restaurant Row into a mudpit construction site for the next year or two for your proposed apartment tower. Restaurant Row IS Forest Hills. You have already made the street a dead zone, scaring away Sante Fe Steakhouse, Pizzeria Uno...and soon Moca Asian Bistro, Bangkok Thai Cuisine, Mediterranean Grill and our beloved Cabana’s. Don’t put your real estate developer profits over the greater good and fabric of this neighborhood. 70th Road without outdoor dining and Summer concerts really makes Forest Hills pretty much like everywhere else. Tom Phillips, Rego Park Death Of A Fierce Leader And Advocate A Personal Perspective BY MARCIA MOXAM COMRIE Assemblywoman Barbara Clark died this week and it is ironic that she took her leave of “this mortal coil” during Black History Month as she herself, was a history-maker of sorts. Clark was the first woman elected to the 33rd Assembly District and she gave it her best effort. A fierce education advocate, Clark became known in her Cambria Heights community while serving on her children’s PTA boards. She then ran for and won the Assembly seat in1986. Clark, who apparently was deputy majority whip at the time of her death, walked the walk in Albany around the issues of K through 12 education and senior citizen issues among others. The assembly woman, whose own publicly-educated children grew up to be “doctors and lawyers and such,” was a fervent supporter of the 14- year court battle resulting in a $5.5 billion increase in funding for New York City public schools. She also sponsored legislation to strengthen schools and give parents a say in the governance policies of their children’s schools. A champion of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, which mandated support for underfunded schools, she was particularly known for her god-motherly love of the former Andrew Jackson High School, which she helped to transform into four magnet schools, collectively known now as Campus Magnet High School. Clark, reportedly 76 at the time of her death on Monday, Feb. 22, was a dedicated public servant who always stuck to her principle no matter the professional cost. And indeed it would cost her dearly in the late 1990s and throughout most of the 2000s. The lawmaker was severely punished by then-speaker Sheldon Silver when she voted against his plan to repeal the commuter tax so crucial to the New York City economy and then again when she took part in a coup to oust him as speaker. Retribution against Clark and about a dozen other downstate assembly members in the former incident, was swift and severe, as the vengeful speaker revoked their committee leaderships and the lu-lus and power that came with them. He didn’t care that, in so doing, he also punished the constituents as those members under his whip were also shorted on funding for their districts. But rather than giving up her seat due to her marginalized status, Clark dug her heels in and in recent years Silver seemed to have taken her out of the doghouse. The action taken against those lawmakers, who stood against the most powerful speaker in contemporar y times, was an example of absolute power’s corruptive effect. Clark’s stance also proved that she was, to quote the late Shirley Chisolm, “unbought and unbossed.” Silver, who was recently convicted in a kick-back scheme, more or less, will never again abuse New York residents and their representatives. But it wasn’t a professional set-back that defeated the tough-as-nails fighter. Losing her daughter, Jan Clark, in 2015, Assemblywoman Clark never seemed the same. She appeared to have lost her fighting spirit. May she rest in peace; and may her family take comfort in the fact that their matriarch made a difference not only in their lives, but in the life of her beloved community as well! Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 7 ALL ROADS LEAD TO JAMAICA HOSPITAL The many roads that make up our community are the same roads that lead to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. As your neighbor, our wide variety of clinical services are always available to you and your family. Learn More About our Many Quality Services Including Emergency Medicine • Cardiology • Pulmonary Medicine • Ambulatory Care Advanced Radiology Services • Sleep Center • Obstetrics and Gynecology • Pediatrics By Calling us at 718-206-6000 or Visit our Website at www.jamaicahospital.org Page 8 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 Health By Trone DowD The access to health based services in Southeast Queens has been scarce to say the least. While the issue is not based on the quality of care, financial troubles have led to a deficit in the number of facilities and amount of resources available to the residents of these mostly minority areas. In 2009, Southeast Queens saw the closure of Mary Immaculate in Jamaica, a huge blow to those being served by the small scale facility. Three years later, Peninsula Hospital in Far Rockaway suffered the same fate, leaving many on the peninsula without a hospital and emergency services closer to home. These two areas and their surrounding neighborhoods are now being served by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, which despite its name is based out of Richmond Hill. This has left a bit of an issue when it comes to emergency response times and overburdening, even with the hospital’s immense size. The other major Southeast Queens facility, St. John’s Hospital in Far Rockaway, is also not ideal for Queens residents due to its distance away from the rest of the borough. Representatives from Jamaica Hospital told the Press of Southeast Queens that there has been a noticeable increase in response and patients for the facility, cases that would have been cared for by other now closes hospitals throughout the borough. Southeast Queens elected officials have tried their best to help the lack of hospitals and help alleviate the situation. Two elected officials spoke on the issue and are looking to get help to their constituents that would have benefited from the now closed hospitals. Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (DFar Rockaway) acknowledged that health services has become an issue in the area. “The lack of access to quality health care in southern Queens and Rockaway is quite frankly a matter of life-or-death,” Goldfeder said. “With just one hospital here in the community, our families often face long rides in ambulances in snarled traffic just to get the care they need. Goldfeder said that he hopes to bring light to the situation through financial support. He vows to help constituents get the services they need. “When every second counts, this situation has the potential to put lives in danger. I have fought to improve our existing hospital facilities and expand on our limited health care services. I will continue to fight until our families in southern Queens and Rockaway have the services they need and deserve.” Goldfeder secured a $500,000 state capital grant for St. John’s to upgrade facilities and expand their surgical unit. He also introduced legislation post-Sandy to reimburse the hospital costs incurred during poststorm emergency operations, as well as proposed improving traffic light signal systems to speed ambulance response times. Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Far Rockaway), who represents Laurelton, Rosedale, parts of Springfield Gardens, Bayswater, Hammels, Arverne, Edgemere, and Far Rockaway, has committed himself to the File Photo In Southeast Queens, a Gap in Providers Mary Immaculate was one of the many hospitals to close in Southeast Queens. issues as well. In a statement to the Press of Southeast Queens, a representative outlined Richards plans for his constituents. “When a hospital closes it created a big gap,” the representative said. “But we’re working to improve St. John’s, putting an emphasis on improving maternity wards and making sure women have quality health care options.” He mentioned that St. John’s has been looking to move forward with improvements to the emergency room, something that the councilman fully supports. “We are also increasing funding this year for the [Joseph P.] Addabbo Health Center [in Far Rockaway],” he continued. “We’ll be announcing that fairly soon.” Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Economic Development Corporation, who have been heavily involved in the soon to be revitalized Downtown Far Rockaway area, has been in touch with the Richards and St. John’s Hospital and are working towards getting many of their resources further east on the peninsula. So far, they have plans to make the ground floor of a newly proposed senior housing center on Beach Channel Drive a satellite for St. John’s. The Councilman also mentioned Jamaica Hospital in hopes that funding will assist any troubles they may have with overburdening of the facility. “In the mainland, we just need to make sure Jamaica Hospital is getting improvements,” he said. Reach Trone Dowd at (718) 3577400 x123, [email protected] or @theloniusly. Knitting for Hospice: Making Comfy works of art For a Good Cause By John DIaz-CherMaCk Nothing says comfort like a soft, warm fuzzy handmade afghan. And for the past eight years four local knitting groups have been diligently knitting and crocheting one-of-a-kind works of art to comfort patients and families facing the final stages of lifethreatening illnesses. Angela Purpura and Sandra Nielsen have been coordinating volunteer efforts for Hospice of New York, which has been serving New Yorkers who are dealing with death and dying since 1997. Angela and Sandra report that these crafty knitters have supplied hundreds of comforting afghans to hospice patients since the effort began in 2007. It all started with one patient whose father was cared for by Hospice of New York. She knitted the first comforter given to a hospice patient. It was so much appreciated by the patient and cherished as a keepsake by the family after the patient had died that this began a whole new way for volunteers to aid hospice patients. While the most requested item is overwhelmingly afghans, knitters have provided lap blankets (great for those in a wheelchair!) hats and shawls all of which keep patients warm and comfy at this critical time in their lives. Hospice Nurse and Patient Care Coordinator Doreen Germain commented, “I’ve never seen a bigger smile on my patient’s face than when I gave her the afghan.” And Hospice Chaplain Fr. Hyacynth wrote to the knitters, stating, “Thank you for your time, energy and resources spent on these beautiful blankets. Your generous hearts, minds and hands put unbelievable smiles on the faces of our brothers and sisters who are sick!” The only problem with the knit goods donation program is that the number of patients in need of these afghans far exceeds the supply. If you or someone you know would like to put your handicraft to work to help comfort those facing the end of life, please contact Hospice of New York’s Volunteer Department: • Angela Purpura: (Nassau and Queens) angela.purpura@hospice. nyc 347-226-4801 • Sandra Nielsen: (Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan) sandra.nielsen@ hospice.nyc 347-226-4821 If you’d like to help but do not knit, you can donate yarn to the knitters’ groups already making these woolen treasures. Hospice is also in need of volunteers to visit patients in their homes or in the in-patient setting, or to assist with administrative tasks in the office. The universal response from hospice volunteers is that they find the experience so rewarding it almost feels like the patients help them just as much as they help the patients! Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 9 718.472.1999 | www.hospice.nyc EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITES COMMUNITY HOSPICE NURSES (RN) MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS (LMSW/LCSW) Bilingual English/Spanish; English/Mandarin; English/Cantonese. Reliable automobile & valid driver’s license are preferred. Competitive compensation and benefits package. Hospice of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FORWARD RESUME TO: JUDITH GAYLE [email protected] or Fax: 718.784.1413 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES Come Make a Difference New training groups each month! Patient Care Volunteers Support patients and their loved ones in your community Bereavement Volunteers Support families who have lost a loved one Administrative Voluteers Assist personnel in our Long Island City office NASSAU & QUEENS Contact Angela Purpura [email protected] or 516.222.1211 MANHATTAN, THE BRONX & BROOKLYN Contact Sandra Nielsen [email protected] or 718.472.1999 BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Free bereavement support services for adults who have had a loss (Loved one is not required to have had hospice care) Contact our Bereavement Department at 347.226.4823 Page 10 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 Black History Month Black Communities’ Supportive Housing Burden By TronE DowD Photos by Bruce Adler Weprin represents the 24th Assembly District, that One of the biggest issues plaguing includes parts of Community the Southeast portion of the borough Board 11, which infamously of Queens is none other than the has zero supportive housing placement of supportive housing fa- units compared to Southeast cilities and accommodations in these Queens’ 53 percent of the predominantly black neighborhoods. borough’s lot. The Press of Southeast Queens has “We do have the need covered the issue extensively for the for services concerning the last few years, as it remains a hot top- homeless,” he continued. ic for community leaders throughout “But there certainly shouldn’t the districts. That’s why a panel of be any saturation for any one five community leaders, who are all particular neighborhood.” too familiar with how this impacts During the discussion, their neighborhoods, used the topic Craig brought up the imas a jumping off point as to how they portance of keeping elected believe constituents could address officials accountable and fothe issues and what to do moving cused on the job at hand. forward. “We have put these electThe panel discussion was held at ed officials in a position for the Press of Southeast Queens’ Black them to serve a community,” Panelist (l-r): Bryan Block, Adrienne Adams, rev. Phil Craig, Assemblyman David weHistory Month event at the Greater he said. “To serve a commu- prin and Councilman rory Lanceman. Allen A.M.E. Cathedral Tuesday nity of people that have electmorning, and featured community ed them in. One of the reasons why Craig said. “But I think one of the across Queens “outrageous.” “Who is taking care of this vulleaders including Community Board Southeast Queens is visited by all the issues that we’ve been making a mis12 Chair Adrienne Adams, Commu- elected officials across the borough take on, is that we have been voting nerable population? We are. [...] nity Board 13 Chair Bryan Block, and across the city is because South- for friends rather than voting for The core area of Jamaica houses Rev. Phil Craig, leader of the Greater east Queens has a phenomenal vot- those who are actually going to make 53 percent of homeless people. [...] They can come from Manhattan, the Springfield Community Church and ing bloc.” a difference.” President of the National Action Southeast Queens is a powerHis point was met with applause Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island. Anywhere somebody else does not want Network Queens chapter, Council- ful commodity to political hopefuls by the panel and the audience. man Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) come election time. It’s the largest “This is a very serious crisis for them, guess who gets them? We get and Assemblyman David Weprin voting bloc in all of Queens and one the entire City of New York,” Adams them. Because we are the dumping (D-Fresh Meadows), all of whom of the largest voting blocks in the said. “Southeast Queens has been the ground of whatever every other comhad something to contribute to the entire country. The region can make dumping ground for these facilities munity does not want.” Block called on the community to conversation. or break citywide elections and often forever and have gotten no notoriety, “There’s no question that they have politicians scrambling to secure no attention, no media, no press, no be more active about vocalizing their needs. should be shared throughout the city the black vote. care until now. Why?” “When there’s a situation in our of New York,” Weprin said. “We have a lot of power here,” She called the inequity of shelters community, you have to beg for our folks to come out. That’s why these agencies are putting these facilities into our communities. Because we don’t say enough.” Lancman, whose district consists of parts of Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills and Hollis as well as Kew Gardens, Flushing and Fresh Meadows vowed to look into legislation that could alleviate the issues that are present in Southeast Queens. “I will take up that challenge,” he said. “I will look into what we can do in the City Council, to either inquire with the mayor’s office on the placement of homeless shelters and other facilities in a more equal way throughout the city, or at the very least acquire some sort of reporting mechanism on where the mayor’s office is trying to place these facilities.” All of the panelists said they would love to meet again and speak more on the topic in the future. Reach Trone Dowd at (718) 3577400 x123, [email protected] Audience members filled the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral. or @theloniusly. Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 11 Metroplus salutes black history month. HEALTH PLANS FOR $0 OR $20 PER MONTH CALL 1.855.809.4073 METROPLUS.ORG MKT 15.71vBH Page 12 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 Black History Month honorees speak about Importance of service By Press of southeast Queens staff For the five honorees at this year’s Press of Southeast Queens/MetroPlus Black History Event, one theme seemed to be service. But another theme was having a stake in the community. Honoree Deputy Borough President Melva Miller used her time on the microphone to single out homeownership as a critical way for Southeast Queens residents to feel empowered in their community. “We like to have ownership of where we live by the things that we do. But sometimes it’s the dollars and cents that make that investment,” Miller said. The Deputy Borough President said that the importance of homeownership was something that her mother had imparted on her. “I can never forget her talking about the first time she made a big real estate purchase which was her home in Laurelton, Queens over 40 years ago. And I could see the disdain on her face when she used every penny in her bank account to make that very, very important investment not only in her life but in my life. So I understand and I thank her for making that sacrifice, because it showed me what it takes to invest in the community,” Miller said. Miller said that she would help Southeast Queens residents to fight against the threat of gentrification and displacement that can accompany funding and investment initia- tives like Jamaica Now by using all the tools at her disposal as a public official to do so. “As this community changes, as Jamaica changes, I vow that I will work with each and every one of you that are interested in making that investment, that financial investment, so that we can stay here, so that we can help grow here, so that we can benefit from the development and revitalization of this community,” Miller said. She stressed that change was hard and required a lot of cooperation. I’d like to think that I’m receiving this award today not because of a title. I’d like to think that it’s because of the work that I have been honored to do with most of each and every person in this room and the organizations.” “It doesn’t happen overnight. As we see transformation in our communities, we know, because we’re on the ground, it doesn’t happen immediately,” she said. It’s a culmination of years and years of work that we all do. And for all of you out there that that make a difference making history every day, I want to congratulate you guys I want to congratulate you guys as we celebrate black history month and thank you for allowing me to work with you so that I can receive this award today.” Valerie Stevens, director of Business Services and Operations at the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District was honored for her (continued on page 16) Black History 2016.qxp_Queens Tribune 2/24/16 10:51 AM Page 1 Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13 Pride of New York Hunter College New York City Council Member; Chair, Higher Education Committee; Former NYS Assembly Member Lowell Hawthorne � � Bronx Community College President and CEO Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill Letitia James Lehman College Public Advocate for the City of New York Colin Powell � � Walter Mosley City College of New York Award-Winning Author Founder, City College Publishing Certificate Program City College of New York Former U.S. Secretary of State, Former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff The City University of New York Celebrates Black History Month VISIT WWW.CUNY.EDU 1-800-CUNY-YES CUNY-TV CHANNEL 75 Baruch College Founder, Chairman Emeritus Mitchell & Titus LLP Iyanla Vanzant � � Kenneth Thompson John Jay College of Criminal Justice District Attorney, Kings County Bert Mitchell � � Ruby Dee Hunter College Award-Winning Stage, Film Actress and Screenwriter In Memoriam Inez Barron Brooklyn College Former Congresswoman and Candidate for Democratic Presidential Nomination In Memoriam � � Eric Adams John Jay College of Criminal Justice Brooklyn Borough President Former NY State Senator Shirley Chisholm � � Philip Berry Borough of Manhattan Community College Queens College Vice Chairperson, CUNY Board of Trustees Chief Human Resources Officer Clinton Foundation Medgar Evers College, CUNY Law School Best-Selling Author, Inspirational Speaker Page 14 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 15 Press Black History Month Celebration pix Valerie Stevens of the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District, center, with Hope Knight, Executive Director of the Greater Jamaica Development Corp. and Press of Southeast Queens Publisher Michael Nussbaum. Photos by Bruce Adler. Borough President Melinda Katz speaks at the event, co-hosted by MetroPlus. Public Advocate Letitia James (top right) speaks to the audience. Gregg Bishop, right, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services speaks to the crowd. Queens Tribune Publisher Michael Nussbaum joins honorees NYPD Det. Dorrin Ferguson, NYPD Det. Tanya Duhaney, Cedric Dew of the Jamaica YMCA, Valerie Stevens of the Jamaica Avenue Business Improvement District and Deputy Borough President Melva Miller with Sahirah Durrani, MetroPlus associate director of marketing and Shanie Persaud, Queens Tribune’s Director of Corporate Events. Photos by Bruce Adler NYPD Det. Dorrin Ferguson. Emigrant Mortgage NYPD Det. Tanya Duhaney. Cedric Dew of the Jamaica YMCA. Albee Dental Deputy Borough President Melva Miller. AgeWell Con Edison AlphaCare MetroPlus Healthcare Parker Jewish Institute Poet Delicia Davis recites her poem “Within the Skin.” Empire BlueCross/BlueShield Page 16 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 Black History Month A SUBSIDIARY OF EMIGRANT BANK honorees speak about Importance of service Residential Mortgages Ask About Emigrant’s Current Mortgage Incentives* *Valid for properties located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester only. Available based on borrower income or census tract eligibility. Commercial Mortgages Underlying Co-op Loans Under 5 Units OK! Inquire about our Commercial FreeAppraisal Coupon** **Valid for transactions made directly with EFC, without involvement or assistance of broker or any person acting as, or accepting a fee as a broker. Appraisal fee will be credited back to borrower at the time of closing. Don’t Delay...Contact Me Today Christopher Fritz, Mortgage Consultant (516) 507-7914 / NMLS# 1011240 [email protected] &RS\ULJKW (PLJUDQW 0RUWJDJH &RPSDQ\ ,QFRUSRUDWHG 10/6 (PLJUDQW$OO ULJKWV UHVHUYHG (PLJUDQWLVDVXEVLGLDU\RI(PLJUDQW%DQN0HPEHU)',&$OOSURGXFWQDPHVFRPSDQ\QDPHVDQGORJRW\SHV DUHVHUYLFHPDUNVRUWUDGHPDUNVRI(PLJUDQWLQWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVDQGRWKHUFRXQWULHV(PLJUDQWLVDQ(TXDO 2SSRUWXQLW\/HQGHUDQGDQ(TXDO2SSRUWXQLW\(PSOR\HU7KHLQIRUPDWLRQSURGXFWVDQGVHUYLFHVFRQWDLQHGLQ WKLV DGYHUWLVHPHQW DUH EHOLHYHG WR EH FRUUHFW EXW PD\ LQFOXGH LQDFFXUDFLHV W\SRJUDSKLFDO HUURUV DQGRU RPLVVLRQV (PLJUDQW GRHV QRW JXDUDQWHH WKH DFFXUDF\ RI WKH GDWD FRQWDLQHG KHUHLQ$OO ORDQV DUH VXEMHFW WR VXEPLVVLRQRIDFRPSOHWHDSSOLFDWLRQXQGHUZULWLQJUHYLHZDQGFUHGLWDQGSURSHUW\DSSURYDOE\(PLJUDQW1RWDOO SURGXFWV DQGRU SURJUDPV DUH DYDLODEOH LQ DOO VWDWHV DQGRU ORFDOLWLHV DQGRU IRU DOO ORDQ DPRXQWV 2WKHU UHVWULFWLRQVDQGOLPLWDWLRQVPD\DSSO\(PLJUDQW¶VFRPPHUFLDOPRUWJDJHSURJUDPVSURGXFWVDUHRIIHUHGWKURXJK (PLJUDQW)XQGLQJ&RUSRUDWLRQ10/6()&D6XEVLGLDU\RI(PLJUDQW%DQN()&¶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continued from page 12) work at the BID in helping bring business and jobs to Downtown Jamaica. “I’ve been working for the BID for five years and as a director of business services I have grown a lot and I see all that is changing in downtown Jamaica. As long as I’m the director of business services, I will continue to forge relationships with city agencies and city officials and continue to grow the conversation on all that Jamaica is; a high-tier destination for shopping, living and working,” she said, adding that she was honored for receiving the award. Upon taking his award Black History Month Honoree Cedric Dew of the Jamaica YMCA said, “This award is dedicated to my mother.” He had noted that her hard work as a single working mother raising him in the Bronx inspired him. Dew said he was born in Birmingham, Ala. during the civil rights movement. His grandfather was a Pullman porter, a position that became popular after the civil war on train sleeping cars that aided riders with their luggage. He knew men that played for five dollars a week in Black basketball leagues in barns that were sometimes raided by the police because those leagues were illegal. Looking upon his wife, of 32 years Marilyn and his sons in the audience, he said, “They’re my best work.” Of the men that inspired him Arlington Edinboro and Cecil Watkins, he said, “I stand on their shoulders.” Edinboro coached over 6,000 basket- ball players throughout his tenure in the Bronx with the Holcomb-Rucker Community Basketball League and Dew said he didn’t value just Edinboro’s aid, but the honesty that he gave me.” NYPD Det. Tanya Duhaney was overwhelmed by being an honoree. “Let me just catch my breath before I tear up a little bit,” she said as she steps to the microphone. She and partner Det. Dorrin Ferguson accepted their awards with gratitude for the community, the police department and their families. Ferguson shared how much she viewed her work in community affairs as a calling. “I always dreamt of becoming a police officer, and I’m so glad I’ve fulfilled this dream, working in this community for the past 24 years,” she said. Duhaney, like Ferguson, also knew very early on that she wanted to be a police officer. “I am now following my dreams from five years old. Right mom? Five years old I knew I was going to be a police officer, when I was lost in the streets of Brooklyn, following my bigger sister,” Duhaney said. The detective said she didn’t plan to leave the job anytime soon, either. “I am going to continue my dreams to be in this community as long as I live, and as long as my family is still in Southeast Queens,” Duhaney said. Before leaving the stage she added, “if you need anything you know you can always reach out to me.” Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 17 Based on the incredible true story of Jesse Owens, the legendary athletic superstar whose quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler’s vision of Aryan supremacy. “Race” is an enthralling film about courage, determination, tolerance, and friendship, and an inspiring drama about one man’s fight to become an Olympic legend. OPENS FEBRUARY 19th JAMAICA • 15902 JAMAICA AVENUE COLLEGE POINT • 2855 ULMER STREET SHOWCASECINEMAS.COM Page 18 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 Police Blotter 103rd Precinct 105th Precinct Mta Worker Assaulted Fatal Car Accident The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual wanted for a robbery that occurred in Downtown Jamaica. On Sunday Feb. 14 at approximately 7:45 a.m., inside of the Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue subway station, the suspect approached the 61-year-old male victim – an MTA worker – and told the victim to give him back his cell phone, which the victim did not have. The suspect then punched the victim in the face and took his two-way radio. The suspect walked up to the mezzanine area and smashed the radio before he fled back into the station. The individual is described as a black or Hispanic male, five feet, eight inches tall, 35 to 45 years old, he was last seen wearing a black “Kangol” style hat, a dark colored jacket and a lime green hooded sweater. He had a black bicycle with him. On Saturday, Feb. 20 at 4:21 a.m. in the vicinity of Laurelton Parkway and 130th Avenue, in Laurelton, police responded to a 911 call of a vehicle collision. Upon arrival officers discovered the victim, a female passenger of a 2007 Infinity G35, who was unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. A preliminary investigation revealed that the Infinity, driven by a 27-year-old male, was traveling southbound on the Laurelton Parkway just north of 130th Avenue when the vehicle struck the guardrail, became airborne, struck a tree stump and went on fire. The driver was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was treated for injuries. The Medical Examiner will determine the identity of the victim and the cause of death. The investigation by the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is ongoing. 107th Precinct F Train Mugging The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individuals wanted in connection to a grand larceny that occurred in Jamaica Estates. On Monday Jan. 18, at approximately 10:35 p.m., inside of the 179 Street “F” subway station, the 62year-old female victim was talking on her cell phone when the three female suspects ran past her. One of the suspects grabbed the victim’s phone from her hand and kept running. The victim chased the suspects through the station but lost them when they boarded a South bound “F” train. The first individual is described as a black female, 16 to 18 years old, five feet, six to five feet, nine inches tall, 120lbs, last seen wearing a dark colored coat, light colored pants, light colored baseball cap and a light colored scarf around her neck. The second individual is described as a black female, 16 to 18 years old, five feet, six to five feet nine inches, 120lbs, last seen wearing a dark colored hooded jacket, blue jeans, tan boots carrying a pink and black shoulder purse. The third individual is described as a black female, 16 to 18 years old, five feet, six to five feet, nine inches, 120lbs, last seen wearing a purple hooded sweater, dark colored jacket and dark colored pants. 111th Precinct Wallet Stolen At Petco The NYPD is asking the public’s assistance identifying the individual wanted for a grand larceny that occurred in Little Neck. On Monday, Feb. 8, at 2:58 p.m., the victim a 29-year-old female left her wallet in the back office of the Petco located at 254-51 Horace Harding Expressway. The suspect entered the location went into the back office removed the wallet and left the location. The suspect is a black man, approximately six feet tall, 220lbs, dark complexion, last seen wearing a light colored jacket, green and black stripped shirt and a ski hat. Borough Beat Pols Lay out Agenda At QJCC Breakfast A multitude of City Officials spoke about issues concerning the Jewish Community at the Queens Jewish Community Council annual legislative breakfast on Sunday at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills. The room was packed with lawmakers, including U.S. Rep Grace Meng (D-Flushing), Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), State. Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing), Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Flushing), Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens), Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows), Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows), Councilman Barry Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gardens) Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest), Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing), Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. Additionally present were three individuals who were interested in running for the seat of U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Queens/Long Island). They were Assemblyman Photo by Bruce Adler By Lynn EdMondS U.S. Rep. Grace Meng speaks at the QJCC breakfast Sunday. Chuck Lavine (D-Nassau) former County Executive of Nassau county Tom Suozzi, and former Supervisor of the town of North Hemptsead John Kaima. QJCC, headed by Executive Director Cynthia Zalisky, provides social services to residents throughout the borough regardless of their religion or anything else. Most notable, through Project Chaim and the QJCC Kosher Pantry, QJCC distributes 1,500 packages of food each month and additionally delivers food to 130 homebound elderly through their meals-on-wheels program. They also work to combat anti- Semitism and promote Jewish heritage and culture. QJCC has been called the “311” of Queens for their ability to help residents with everyday concerns. The elected officials praised the work of QJCC, and some spoke about the specific legislation that they believed would be of interest to members of QJCC. Meng, whom QJCC named Woman of Valor at their 19th Testimonial Dinner for taking a stand against the Iran deal, something that QJCC deemed vital to Israel’s security, spoke about several ongoing aspects of her work regarding Israel as well as Iran. The congresswoman said that this week the Foreign Affairs Committee, which she serves on, is recognizing the importance of the U.S.-Israel economic relationship and encouraging new areas of cooperation. “Making sure we keep Iran accountable is a big piece of this partnership,” Meng said. Meng called for Congress to continue to monitor which foreign ships enter Iranian ports, and which airports sanctioned airlines fly to. The legislation requiring this would expire at the end of 2016, and Meng said she wanted to not only renew it but also expand it. Two citywide officials, James and Stringer, addressed the crowd as well. James praised the work of the QJCC in providing food for the hungry, care for the elderly and health insurance for children. Stringer did likewise and specifically referred to the organization’s work in supporting Israel. “The bond between our City and Israel is as strong as ever – and organizations like the Queens Jewish Community Council ensure that connection continues to grow,” Stringer said. Relatively new politicians to their seats after they were elected in November, Grodenchik and Hyndman were also invited to speak. Grodenchik said he would advocate in the City Council for funding for QJCC’s food pantry. Hyndman spoke about the importance of working together to fight for good education and other gains. “In these last few days of Black History Month, I think it’s important to know that any major movement in this country is not done alone,” Hyndman said. Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 19 Page 20 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 A&E BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Book Highlights Corona As Middle Class Black Community BY LYNN EDMONDS In the 1990s, when it was more fashionable for social scientists to speak about Black life and communities in terms of urban poverty and even a dysfunctional culture, anthropologist Steven Gregory set out to tell the story of one Black community, among many, that did not fit that mold. In his work “Black Corona,” published in 1998, Gregory, formerly at New York University and now at Columbia, records the legacy of several generations of local activists whose daily work made the neighborhoods of Corona and East Elmhurst what they are today. In part, his book was an effort to challenge stereotypes about African Americans and create a deeper, more complex narrative about African American lives that did their communities justice and answered universal questions about how individuals come together to advocate for their collective well being. “This book sets out to challenge and put to rest the trope of the Black ghetto that has shaped what we know and do not know about Black urban life and that has strongly influenced, if not defined, the terms of political debates in the United States concerning race, social inequality, and the changing political economy of American cities,” Gregory wrote in the book’s introduction. “My general aim is to restore both history and politics to discussions of contemporary black urban life through an analysis of community activism in Black Corona.” For his research, Gregory delved back into newspaper archives, the memories of community members, and other sources to extend the range of his narrative all the way back to the 1890s, when Corona was home to a “small but prosperous” black community, through the civil rights movements, when civics and churches organized voter registration drives and fought to integrates schools, up unto the time period when he conducted his field work, from 1987 to 1990. “I had not planned to do that much historical research, but people would always refer back generations, so it was so clear that people who might have been activists or were on the community board in the late 1980s, when they thought about what their issues are or were, they would always think about them in relation to that longer history; so I realized that to make sense of the present I would have to go back,” Gregory said. Doing in-depth historical research on Corona and East Elmhurst was not easy, Gregory said, due to incomplete archives. He said that in many ways, Black urban life has been made invisible. “There was so little, nothing had been written about East Elmhurst. The major newspaper historically had not covered Black communities,” Gregory explained. But nonetheless, he was able to fill in the gaps and highlight the strong institutions in the community, including the Civic Associations, the churches, and political organizations, that worked alongside each other to help register voters, integrate schools, protect the neighborhood from unwanted development, and make sure that the fair share of resources and public funding were being directed to the community. One of the many initiatives and individuals that Gregory focused on in his fieldwork was Edna Baskin’s work to make Lefrak City a better place for youth. Baskin was a Lefrak City resident who moved into the apartment complex in 1979 with her husband and two children. She started a small daycare for other mothers within the apartment complex and soon became a point person for those mothers on everything from the best places to shop and the best schools to where they could register to vote. At the time Baskin became politically active, Community Board 4 was having meetings in which they discussed kids from Lefrak City in a negative light. Some board members wanted Lefrak City security to keep Lefrak kids out of the public library nearby because they said their parents were using the library as a “baby-sitting” service and the kids were loud and disruptive. Baskin founded an organization called Concerned Community Adults that helped give youth in the community a voice. She was able to get those same community board members that had complained about Lefrak youth to hear their side of the story at a forum she organized. Gregory recorded a teenager at the meeting who explained why he was not enchanted by ideas about going on field trips that adults at the meeting had proposed. “All this time people have been talkin’ about ‘let’s go on this trip and let’s go on that trip.’ Why get away from the community? We should concentrate on having more fun in the community. They run us out – you know, like from the park or whatever. I…I mean they say it’s late at night, but think about it. I recall last week Thursday, they ran us out of the park at 2:30 in the afternoon. You see, now there was only five of us, I mean sittin’ on a bench – [they] said we couldn’t sit on the bench. They run us out of Lefrak altogether. I don’t understand that,” he said. Gregory wrote how Baskin then highlighted the teenagers comment for the rest of the adults so they could understand the importance of the youth’s point of view. Her work in doing so, and in organizing the forum, served a pivotal purpose. “This eruption of frustration and criticism over how black youth were stereotyped and harassed by Lefrak City’s security services and the police challenged a central theme in white activist ideology and practice. By inverting the familiar relation between black teenager and security, so central to the ideology of black crime, the testimony (and Edna’s marking of its significance) raised the possibility that black teenagers who were often the targets of police action could play a constructive role in neighborhood stabilization,” Gregory wrote. Following this meeting, Baskin continued to organize with Lefrak City youth. She got together 12 teenagers from Lefrak to form a cleanup team that would pick up garbage in the neighborhood. Gregory wrote that the cleanup team received a lot of attention from both community leaders and press. He said Baskin knew very well the symbolic significance of people witnessing black youth taking care of their community in this manner. “They image of black Lefrak City youth removing rubbish from the streets surrounding the housing complex undermined the construction of Lefrak City as a site of danger and urban blight – images tied symbolically to pollution and disorder as well as to “blackness” and poverty,” Gregory wrote. “Baskin and her organization deliberately engaged in a politics of representation that drew on and reworked deeply historical and massmediated discourses about the interrelation of race, place and urban blight. The practice of constructing black identity was an integral component of CCA’s strategy and tactics of community mobilization.” These two components of Baskin and the youth’s activism were just one of many initiatives that Gregory wrote about in depth. He also, in great depth, wrote about how Corona and East Elmhurst activists organized to fight a monorail, proposed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that would have run from 59th and Lexington in Manhattan through their neighborhoods and to LaGuardia Airport. Gregory said writing the book gave him a new respect for unsung heroes of community activism. “I think the project made me appreciate all the hard work that people do who don’t often make it to the media or to the press,” Gregory said. “They kind of are these silent heroes that every community needs.” Gregory said that’s why he used people’s real names, even though many anthropologists often do not. “I just felt that these are people who have made these contributions that are typically overlooked and they should get credit,” he stressed. Though some of the issues that block associations, civics, community boards and other organization take up might seem minor to an outsider, Gregory said this work lays the foundation for even higher stakes activism. “It tends to be the people who are involved in these tedious everyday activities, who are showing that kind of concern in these details, whether the Sanitation [Department] should pick up garbage two times a week or three times a week, that kind of everyday activism then creates a platform for what really become these much more important issues. It’s those people who tend to become the same people that fight the civil rights battles or school desegregation,” Gregory said. Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 21 QUEENS TODAY FRIDAY 2/26 ANNIE CHEN SEPTET Annie Chen is the only female Chinese jazz vocalist and composer in the New York jazz scene. Her original septet incorporates many different types of music into a modern jazz setting, with influences from Chinese traditional, gospel, classical, Middle Eastern, and even alternative rock music. It features extensive improvisation and strong arrangements to support Annie’s beautiful compositions and her powerful voice. Pre-show Members Lounge at 7 p.m., show begins at 8 p.m. The cost is $16 or $10 for members at students. The event takes place at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. QUEENS HISTORY BOOK SIGNING A presentation and signing by Michael Perlman, whose book, “Legendary Locals of Forest Hills and Rego Park,” has a foreword by Jerry Springer. 7 p.m. Free. Leonard Center, 86-13 112th St., Richmond Hill, facebook.com/ events/124918757894710. SATURDAY 2/27 ENGAGING ARTISTS CLOSING RECEPTION & LIVE PERFORMANCE The Engaging Artists exhibition features the work of 8 NYC-based first generation and foreign born artists, who participated in the Engaging Artists Residency. In 2015, More Art’s Engaging Artist Residents developed long-term projects to connect with aging populations through multilingual artmaking projects, recreation activities, and conversations at nursing homes and community centers in their home neighborhoods — from Flushing to Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Meet the exhibiting artists for a walkthrough of the exhibit and enjoy a live musical performance exploring intercultural exchange and cultural heritage by Alon Nechushtan and Andrew Nemr. Location: Community Partnership Gallery at the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The reception is from 4 to 6 p.m. VOLUNTEER OPEN HOUSE Looking to volunteer? Come learn about fun volunteer opportunities at Queens Botanical Garden. Meet department representatives and seasoned volunteers to learn firsthand what it’s like to be a volunteer at Queens Botanical Garden! Wrap up with a winter tour of the grounds. The event takes place from noon to 2 p.m. SUNDAY 2/28 MONKEY MASK CRAFT & DANCE WORKSHOP In this creative and engaging workshop, children will discover the beauty of Korean culture while crafting and dancing. After a brief introduction about Tal (Korean traditional mask) dance, children make their own Monkey Tal to celebrate the Year of the Monkey and learn Tal dance moves. This workshop will stimulate your child’s eye-hand coordination, movement skills, and most importantly, curiosity about new cultures. This event starts at 1:30 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall and the cost is $10 or $8 for members and children. FTH is located at 137-35 Northern Blvd. THE BEAUTY OF BALLET This presentation demonstrates how students develop into accomplished classical ballet dancers. School of American Ballet faculty member Katrina Killian and advanced students are featured. SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK TUESDAY 3/1 BIRDING: OWLS New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. We of fer birding programs throughout the year; bring your own binoculars or ask a Ranger to borrow a pair. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. This program will focus on owls and highlight their unique adaptations and behavior. The event takes place at Alley Pond Park from 3 to 4:30 p.m. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Free. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queenstheatre.org. MATERIAL/GENDER/ LABOR A panel discussion on the gender associations enmeshed within materials and craft practices, moderated by Sharon Stratton, chief curator of the Museum of Arts and Design. Event includes presentations by Crystal Gregory (sculpture), Michael Milano (artist and writer), and John Paul Morabito (an interdisciplinary artist working through the intersection of contemporary art and hand weaving). 1 p.m. Free. Dorsky Gallery, 11-03 45th Ave., LIC, dorsky. org. JAUJA Screened as part of the Cinema Tropical Festival, “Jauja” begins in Patagonia during the late 1800s. Captain Gunnar Dinesen arrives from abroad with his 15-year-old daughter to take a job with the Argentine army. When Ingeborg falls in love with a young soldier and runs away with him, Dinesen ventures into enemy territory, against his men’s wishes, to find the couple. 4:30 p.m. $12. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Kaufman Arts District, movingimage. us. FOREST HILLS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: The Forest Hills Symphony Orchestra will be holding a concert at 2 p.m. at the Forest Hills Jewish Center 106-06 Queens Blvd. Forest Hills. The concert will feature Schubert’s Overture in Italian Style in C, Debussy’s Children’s Corner Suite, Hummel’s Adagio and variations, Joan Dawidziak’s Oboe Solo, and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite. The price is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors. For more info call 718-3741627. CONVERSATION WITH ZHANG HONGTU AND ROBERT LEE Join us for an intimate exhibition walkthrough and interactive conversation with artist Zhang Hongtu, whose first major retrospective is on view at the Queens Museum until February 28, and invited guest Robert Lee, followed by a QA with Luchia Meihua Lee, Guest Curator. 2 to 4 p.m. The event will take place at the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. TUESDAY 3/1 Practice Queens MFA Concentration at Queens College invite you to join artist Dread Scott for a presentation and discussion of their work. Dread Scott is an interdisciplinary artist whose work is exhibited across the US and internationally. For three decades he has made work that encourages viewers to reexamine cohering norms of American society. The event will take place at Queens College in Klapper Hall, fine arts department room 672 on the 6th floor. The discussion will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. YOGA AT THE CASTLE Gentle and restorative yoga for beginners. This class is for students over 50. If your doctor has cleared you to do light exercise, this is the class for you. It is an ideal way to rejuvenate the body and revitalize the mind. Includes all equipment: mats, blocks, blankets, straps and bands. January session runs every Tuesday of the month. Pre-register and save $10. Call us at 718.352.1548 to sign up and reserve your spot. The cost is $40 for the entire March series; Walkins are $10 per session. Yoga takes place at 208 Totten Ave in Fort Totten Park, Bayside. WOODHAVEN CULTURAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARTIST TALK BY DREAD SCOTT The Queens Museum’s Open A.I.R. Artist Services Program and the Social Monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the Avenue Diner, 91-06 Jamaica Ave, Woodhaven. It features old photos, old news clippings, and great memories! GOT EVENTS? Send all information to [email protected] or mail to: 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357 Page 22 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 Profile York College Athletic Director Steps Down BY CHRiS KuMAR SiNGH After 29 years as a Cardinal, Associate Athletic Director Jessica Cherry has made the decision to leave CUNY York College and take on her new position at the University of Colby, which is located in Waterville, Maine. Cherry, who was once known as the only female assistant to a Men’s Basketball team in the entire NCAA, made her statement brief when she spoke about the move. “I have enjoyed my time at York and being a Cardinal is something that will always be with me despite my move to Colby. I just think that this move is the best thing for my career right now,” Cherry said. With the loss of Cherry and former Athletic Director Ronald St. John in the span of two semesters York’s Athletic Department is in disarray. York President Marcia V. Keizs said of Cherry’s departure and stated that she will be missed. She also said that a search for her replacement is With her experience the transition underway. for Cherry should be smooth for the “It is a great oppormost part. With this tunity for her I wish opportunity she will her all the best,” said be able to know what Keizs. “The timing of it’s like to be a sports her hire is unfortunate. information director, However we cannot be a men’s and women’s selfish and deny her of coach, a trainer, and this opportunity. That an administrator. wouldn’t be fair for “Well they have her. We hope she does more athletic prowell with her new posigrams and I think I tion.” will get more of an opBefore Cherry was portunity to grow and hired by the University learn about the other of Colby, she was the athletic programs that Jessica Cherry interim Athletic DirecYork does have,” Chertor and took over all personnel deci- ry said. “I think it is a great opportusions. With her departure York will nity and will help me get to where I need to place someone in charge im- need to be with my career.” mediately. Over the years, Cherry has worked Cherry’s hire does not take effect with all 17 of York’s men’s and womuntil April 1 and she will be Colby’s en’s varsity sports programs and first full time associate Athletic Di- assisted in multiple championships rector with sole responsibilities as an including the 2014 CUNYAC Men’s administrator. Basketball title. Along with the ac- colades, Cherry has also assisted with the molding multiple student athletes into respectable men and women. When speaking to current York College Shooting Guard Ryan St. John, he made it clear that Cherry has been vital to his growth as a player and as a person. “I’ve knew coach Cherry since I was a little kid,” he said. “She always puts her all into whatever she has done whether it be helping me with my game or just giving me advice on anything. I think she has grown with York and I think her new opportunity is just obvious that hard work pays off. She’s going to just keep getting better.” Besides her assisting with coaching she was also responsible for the leadership and oversight of York’s business affairs, marketing along with the promotion of York College’s athletic program which include Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and game management. People Wilkes University awarded 226 doctoral, masters and bachelors degrees to students graduating after the completion of the fall 2015 semester. Among them were Daniella Casimir of Jamaica, received a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing. Aria Rodney of Jamaica, from the class of 2017 at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School, has been named to the high honor roll for the 2015 fall trimester. Rodney received high honors, which requires a grade point average of 3.6 or above for the marking period. SUNY Canton’s deans are recognizing more than 500 students for their exceptional academic success during the fall 2015 semester. “On behalf of the college’s deans - and the entire SUNY Canton community - I’d like to commend each and every one of you for your academic success,” said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. “Congratulations on a job well done. I hope you continue this level of success in upcoming semesters and in your future careers.” Kenneth K. Johnson of Cambria Heights. Johnson is a SUNY Canton Sports Management major who graduated from Law, Government and Community Service High School in 2012. Romario Fletcher of Jamaica. Fletcher is a SUNY Canton Criminal Investigation major who graduated from Pathways College Prep Academy in 2013. Lorraine Honeyghan of Rosedale. Honeyghan is a SUNY Canton Health and Fitness Promotion major who graduated from Jamaica High School in 2012. Nigel Lang of Springfield Gardens. Lang is a SUNY Canton Mechanical Engineering Technology major who graduated from August Martin High School in 2012. Tina R.Thompson of St Albans. Thompson is a SUNY Canton Law Enforcement Leadership major who graduated from Saint Francis Preparatory School in 2005. Dean’s List recognizes full-time students who earned least a 3.25 on a 4.0 academic scale. Nia Henry, a junior psychology/ sociology/criminology major from Saint Albans, is spending winter break tackling an Albright Creative Research Experience (ACRE) project. Henry’s project is titled “How Racial Stereotypes about Geographic Location Affect Implicit Racial Bias.” Nils Steinbuegl of Rosedale, made the Dean’s List at Champlain Col- lege for the Fall 2015 semester. Steinbuegl is majoring in Game Programming. SUNY Canton is recognizing its part-time student population for their academic achievements during the fall 2015 semester. Part-Time honors are awarded to students who earned at least a 3.25 GPA in 6 to 11 credits of course work. Stephanie N. Crawford of Queens Village, a SUNY Canton Funeral Services Administration major who graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in 2012, is among those who earned honors. The following students have been cited for academic achievement for the Fall 2015 semester by achieving the Dean’s List at the State University of New York College of Technology at Delhi. Orlett Johnson of Rosedale – Nursing; Nicole Jones of Cambria Heights - Nursing-Dual Degree Program; Victoria Jones of Cambria Heights - Nursing-Dual Degree Program; Lynn Rayder of Rockaway Park - Liberal Arts - General Studies To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must have an academic average of 3.50 or higher within the semester. Kyle Credle of Jamaica made the Dean’s List at Becker College for the Fall 2015 semester. The Dean’s List recognizes all full-time students (24 or more credit hours earned for the academic year; 12 minimum each semester September through May) whose term grade point average is 3.50 or higher with no grade below a B- and no incomplete (I) or withdrawal/failing (WF) grades. Asia Weisgerber of Saint Albans has been named to the President’s List at Western New England University for the fall semester of 2015. Weisgerber is working towards a degree in Accounting and Finance. Students are named to the President’s List for achieving a semester grade point average of 3.80 or higher. The University of Hartford is pleased to announce the following local students have been named to the Dean’s List for Fall 2015. Seana Jean and Jordan Young of Cambria Heights; Oluwatosin Ajirotutu, Tanaya Williams of Jamaica, Caline Gin of Jamaica, Tanya Vohra of Jamaica, Dana Barnes of Jamaica and Shania Bignott of Jamaica; Danielle Spooner and Gia Vasquez of Laurelton, Puja Bhardwaj; Benjamin Cooley; Michael Knight-Allder; Tatyana McKelvey and Karun Bhardwaj of Queens Village, Jacqueline Crockwell, Leora Philippe and Janelle Rhoden of Springfield Gardens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 23 Faith A Hard Head Will Make A Soft Behind By Rev. PHiliP CRAig Greater Springfield Community Church Ultimately this New Testament writer reminds us in this scripture of an Old Testament problem. A problem that has led an entire generation of people to be removed from a great destiny due to a hard heart. I would challenge every reader today that if you ever really look at what God has done in your life and the battles he has fought for you on your behalf you will be utterly amazed. It is at this crossroad when we continue to overlook the blessings God has placed over our life we place ourselves in a dangerous status regarding our relationship with God. The one person I never want to be mad at me is God. This scripture reminds us when we doubt Him, when we stray away from Him, and when we sin against Him we have become hard hearted to the love and obedience of God that can very well result in catastrophic outcomes on the lives of us and even possibly our future lineage of children. Generational curses can be reversed by a changed heart today. In the long history of this earth, no migration of any people started so well, and with such great expectations, as Israel’s Exodus from Egypt. After being in slavery for 430 years, God led them out with a mighty hand. Moses, God’s spokesman, delivered the ultimatum to Pharaoh, “Let My People Go!” (Exodus 5:1). And after a series of deadly plagues, culminating in the death of every first-born child among the Egyptians, Pharaoh finally listened (Ex. 6-12). Don’t let a tragedy get your attention, God will always send you messages and warnings before He brings the wrath. Pharaoh didn’t believe and so he suffered. As soon as the Israelites left, Pharaoh changed his mind and went after them. Israel watched in amazement as God opened the Red Sea and allowed them to cross over on dry land and drowned Pharaoh’s complete army (Ex 14). But what baffles me the most is that God’s chosen people whom He freed from slavery in their heart were not much different than Pharaoh. No sooner had Israel stepped into the wilderness to begin their journey God provided a pillar of cloud to lead the way by day, and a pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21). Yet no sooner after seeing their enemy get crushed by the powers of God and celebrated the victory over the Lord’s mighty deliverance they be- gan to grumble and complain. died at an average of almost Rather than having a grateful ninety deaths a day, until all heart for the astounding deof that generation that left liverance and limitless proviEgypt (except Caleb and sions of God, there became Joshua) died out. Of the an attitude of complaint 600,000 men who began because everything did the journey to the not go exactly as they Promised land, desired. only two men Be reminded ever got there. even in the year The rebelof 2016 with all lious generathe advancetion of Israel ments of life, that died in the everything is wilderness is Rev. Phil Craig not going to go cited to the New your way. They grumbled about the Testament Christians not to repeat Manna so God gave them meat. They their sin. grumbled about water so God gave Without a personal relationthem wine. But the pinnacle of their ship with the Word of God, being provoking of the Lord came when a church member is like wearing with their catastrophic unbelief when a yoke, being forced to pay tithes they got to the edge of the Promised and give money, and having to do land. (Numbers 14). Twelve spies were sent into the land to see what they were up against. Ten spies came back with a negative report that they could not take the land. That night unbelief was rampant in the camp. All the people wept. There became an uprising to demand new leadership and a return to Egypt (14:4). And Caleb and Joshua gave a positive report and urged the people to go up at once and possess the land, the people sought to stone them. By JoHn SCARinCi When they refused to obey the Lord, York College womhe pronounced his judgment upon them. In verses ten and eleven the en’s basketball player writer tells us how Israel was pun- Jigcara Grant has ished by God. Just as the Egyptians been named a City got over their fear of God, the Isra- University of New elites quickly got over their trust of York Athletic ConferSecond-Team God. Their unbelief cost them every- ence thing. As a result they missed out All-Star for the 2015on the blessing of God in the here 16 season. Hailing from Clara and now and eternally. The generation of Israel that came out of Egypt Barton High School in doubted God, and because of their Brooklyn, the now coldoubt they never entered the land of lege senior was a key part of the Cardinals’ Canaan (The Promised Land). They did not have the faith to roster this season, avtrust God for the future. The writer eraging 8.2 points and 19.6 rebounds of this Hebrew epistle is speaking to per game—the latter of which leads those who are already saved but have all of NCAA Division III college basnot entered into the blessings of the ketball. Grant took a major leap forward Christian life. They doubt God, and as a result they are having a wilder- this year as she improved in every category. Last season, she averaged ness experience. Canaan does not represent heav- 11.8 minutes per game, while this en; it represents the place of spiritual year it jumped all the way up to 33 blessing and victory. They believed minutes per game. She also improved Him enough to come out of Egypt, her scoring and rebounding averages but not enough to enter Canaan. by nearly triple in both categories. The highlight of her season was They didn’t believe God enough to a 14-point, 38-rebound performance enter into the land of promise. The forty years in wilderness be- in a win over Medgar Evers College came a forty-year long funeral. They on Jan. 20. Her 38 rebounds tied an things without pay and volunteering for things you don’t want to volunteer for. These are the modern day “hard heart” people where they look at being a follower of Christ or a member in a church as a burdened duty rather than embracing the plan. It reminds me of what my mother, Edna, use to always tell me, “A hard head will make a soft behind.” In this case a Hard Heart, can Destroy a Promising Future. This scripture should not only be an example to heed but an instruction to implement. My name is Phil Craig and I approve this message. God bless you. 177-06 129th Ave, Jamaica NY 11434 718-527-0100 www.mygscc.org Email Pastor Craig at Phil.craig@live. com Notebook York College york Women’s Basketball Player Selected for Citywide All-Star Jigcara grant NCAA single-game record. She also closed out the regular season on Feb. 16 with a dominant performance on senior night in a 94-87 OT victory over Hunter where she scored careerhigh 27 points, while grabbing 30 rebounds. York finished the regular season with a 5-19 record overall and 3-13 in CUNYAC play. They have earned the eighth and final seed in the CUNYAC playoffs and will face eighttime defending CUNYAC champions and #5 seed Baruch College in the first round on Friday, Feb. 19 at 5 pm. Page 24 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 Our Lives The Impending Doom Facing SEQ The Press of Southeast Queens was the host of a Black History Month event at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral this Tuesday. Five individuals were honored for their work in the community and rightfully so. There have been so many individuals that not only this publication, but many others have shined a positive light on. The second half of the event however, shifted focus to an issue that many Queensites are familiar with: the inundation of homeless shelters and other forms of supportive housing in the majority black neighborhoods of Southeast Queens. The statistics, which has been repeated over and over in this very publication, are infuriating to many residents. The current battle over the Hollis Properties, which has been raging on since last November, has been the most recent struggle on this front. The fight being led by local civic group People of the Neighborhood has been met with nothing but obstacles and legal minutiae put up by the City. So a panel discussion based upon Photo by Bruce Adler By TronE DowD The crowd at Tuesday’s Black History Month event at Greater Allen AME Cathedral. an issue so close to home was a sure shot in getting as many eyes on the problem as possible. After all, the awards ceremony just minutes prior quickly filled the room to standing capacity. Unfortunately, the concern of the panel, which featured an all-star line up consisting of Adrienne Adams of CB 12, Bryan Block of CB 13, Rev. Phil Craig, Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) and Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows), didn’t quite match that of the audience’s engagement. Within seconds, half the room full of elected official and locals walked out before the panel was even done introducing themselves. Several of those who stayed behind a little longer spoke loudly to other audience members, likely blocking out the very important topic being discussed on stage at the front of the room. The moderator of the panel asked for attention several times before those who seemingly didn’t care to listen to their community leaders discuss the supportive housing epidemic eventually drifted out of the room. But by then, the room was one-fourth the capacity it was an hour before when awards were being given, the free breakfast was plentiful and the coffee was still hot. While this writer won’t speak for the five leaders on stage, it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if feelings of frustration were setting in. How an issue so prominent could go ignored to such an extent by so many people who are directly affected shows exactly why these issues prevail in Southeast Queens. No one cares to care. It’s seems that sitting down for 40 minutes to discuss why these neighborhoods are being taken advantage of is just too much for some. To those who stayed, it was especially heartbreaking. Many of them are those already aware of the issue and have already been trying their best to confront it. They are the faces seen at late night town hall gathering and impromptu meetings trying to fight this problem head on. They are the ones heading to City Hall to voice their frustrations to Mayor Bill de Blasio. They are the small but dedicated group that desperately needs the backing of every single elected official and resident who chose to walk out of that room Tuesday morning. They are fighting this battle on behalf of what is the largest voting bloc in the entire borough. And the fact that that kind of power is only being thrown around by a fraction of the regions constituents is a crying shame and a failure on behalf of minority voters everywhere. While it may have its issues, Southeast Queens as a whole is better off than many other black communities across the country. To see that slip through the fingers of the hard working men and women who live here simply because they didn’t listen when there was still time to do something about it is a tragedy waiting to happen. Community members said they are already being urged to sell their homes in Southeast Queens and the influx of supportive housing is seen by many as another form of pressure to sell. That reality is right around the corner too. There’s a reason why real estate site StreetEasy is calling Jamaica the “The Neighborhood to Watch in 2016,” grabbing the attention of a certain kind of people at a certain kind of income bracket with new flashy developments and hotels already confirmed for Southeast Queens. All the while, shelters, homelessness, infrastructure issues and quality of life woes continue to plague the streets for people who live here now. The signs have never been clearer. This can’t continue to go ignored. These are issues that a very real and very present. Southeast Queens can’t afford to turn attention to it when it’s too late. Things need to change soon. The people need to be vigilant of what’s happening around them. They cannot ignore community’s cries for equality and action no matter how small it may be. If Southeast Queens doesn’t get its act together and unite behind this cause, they will quickly end up like the Park Slope, Bedstuy, Williamsburg and Harlem we see today. The transformation has already begun right under the noses of the people. Reach Trone Dowd at (718) 3577400 x123, [email protected] or @theloniusly. Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 25 What’s Up FebRUARY 25 in the Shadow of the Mountain Lou Del Bianco in “In the Shadow of the Mountain” portrays his grandfather Luigi Del Bianco and tells the story of his unique contribution to the carving of our nation’s greatest memorial. Lou uses authentic photos, maps and timelines to bring Luigi’s story to life! The performance starts at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center at 10 a.m. Visit jcal.org for more information. oN-GoiNG eveNtS black history Month exhibition: black Royals This exhibit, on loan from the African American Museum of Nassau County, shows images of Queen Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, also known as the “grandmother of European royalty” and 400 years earlier, Queen Philippa of Hainault who was mother of the warrior knight, Edward the Black. For more info check our website www.jcal.org. This exhibition is underwritten by Philippa Karteron and Galleria Noire. The exhibit will run all-day from through Thursday, March 31 at the Jamaica Center For Arts & Learning (JCAL) Community Gallery located on 161-04 Jamaica Avenue. For more information, go to jcal.org. MeMoRY: A series of African Masks Collection The Ms. Hazel Louise WoodsSanders collection, curated by Mr. Robert Craddock (former JCAL Curator, circa ‘90s) will adorn the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning as she will be memorialized through this contribution of art. The exhibition highlights Ms. Sanders’, a Southeast Queens native, and her artistic collection of over thirty African Masks and artifacts in which she collected throughout her journeys to different regions of the African continent. The display is up permanently at JCAL until further notice. Shape Up NYC New York City is offering FREE fitness classes at over 50 locations, many of which are right here in Southeast Queens. Join us at the Detective Keith Williams Field House located at 106-16 173rd Street in Jamaica for the following classes: Chair Aerobics Scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to Noon Low impact Aerobics Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to Noon body training Fridays 11 a.m. to Noon All classes are free. All are welcome and no registration is required. For more information, call (718) 523-6912. For other Shape Up NYC locations across the city, visit www. nyc.gov or call 311 Airtrain Jazz Festival The Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District, A Better Jamaica, and the Jamaica Arts Council present The AirTrain Jazz Festival. Scheduled every Thursday Evenings from October 2015 through May 2016, join us and enjoy the smooth crooning and instrumentals played by the community’s best as we provide a cultural hello to AirTrain travelers. The grooving begins at 5 p.m. and goes on until 7 p.m., with two sets and a break in between. The event takes place on the Mezzanine Level of the Jamaica AirTrain Station (9340 Sutphin Blvd. 2nd Floor) For more information, please contact Sutphin Boulevard BID at [email protected] or reach out to Greg Mays at (718) 657-2605 or [email protected] JCAL Art Center Workshops Give a gift that will last a lifetime by starting your child’s artistic journey at JCAL! Sign them up today for our 18-week art workshops, from Jan. 23 to June 4, 2016, followed by an annual student recital on June 11. There are nearly 40 different classes available for all ages, in every major artistic disciplines including dance, drama, music, visual arts and movement! Those interested can register online at jcal.org the Queens Council on the Arts presents Chapter 2 Chapter 2 is a group show featuring the work of High School to Art School program alumni. HS2AS is a scholarship-based portfolio development program for high school students run out of Queens Council on the Arts. This exhibition showcases the impressive talent of our students, as well as the diversity of their interests. In the HS2AS program, students acquire the knowledge and skills that allows them to work successfully with a variety of media and subjects, and create an impressive and technically skilled portfolio. Having served high school students of all backgrounds in the greater NYC area for over a decade, HS2AS has helped over 800 students, including many here in Southeast Queens, reach their goal of being accepted into the best art programs and colleges throughout the country. The show starts at 6 p.m. at the Edison Price Lighting Gallery located at 41-50 22nd Street in Long Island City. The show is expected to run until June. Admission is free. Jamaica Flux: Workspace & Windows Not confined by gallery walls, Jamaica Flux is a contemporary public art project in which visual and performance art are displayed at a variety of locations along Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The locations— banks, stores, restaurants, street corners, phone booths, parks, and other public spaces—are as diverse as the art. JCAL’s presentation of Jamaica Flux challenges traditional assumptions about where art should be displayed and explores the relationship between art, commerce, urban renewal, and community. To view the latest Open Call for Jamaica Flux, go our website, jcal.org or follow us on Facebook for instant updates. Jamaica Flux 2016 is supported, in part, by the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. teen pASS After School program Teen PASS offers FREE, exceptional clubs that focus on the areas of NYC Parks, arts, environmental science and sports that are tailored to the interests and talents of students grade six through eight. We create a safe space for young people to grow as scientists and artists, nature lovers and healthy individuals alongside our gifted staff. Located at the Detective Keith Williams Recreation Center. Time: Mondays through Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information please contact Chrissy Word, Director of Youth Development, at (212) 360-2787 or via email at [email protected]. high School equivalency exam prep Looking to receive your high school equivalency? Then you should start by taking the High School Equivalency Prep program at the SUNY Queens Educational Opportunity Center. Classes are held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Evening classes are held Monday through Friday 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. WhAt’S Up With YoU? Send your community events to the PRESS for a free listing at 150-50 14th Rd., Whitestone, NY 11357. Call (718) 357-7400 or email [email protected]. All events will be considered for publication, without a fee. LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CBASS MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-MX1, Plaintiff -against- KATHLEEN CANDIO, A/K/A KATLEEN CANDIO, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated December 9, 2015 and entered on December 17, 2015, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., in Courtroom # 25, Jamaica, NY on March 18, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at the point on the northerly side of Hollis Avenue, distant 20.01 feet easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly side of Hollis Avenue with the easterly side of 205th Street; being a plot 95.61 feet by 20 feet by 96.27 feet by 20.01 feet. Said premises known as 20503 HOLLIS AVENUE, SAINT ALBANS, NY Approximate amount of lien $ 485,880.26 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 13368/2010. CATHERINE R. GLOVER, ESQ., Referee Dorf & Nelson LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 555 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Rye, NY 10580 ________________________ NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: QUEENS COUNTY. NYCTL 2011-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Pltf. vs. BMSL MANAGEMENT LLC, et al, Defts. Index #14901/12. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Jan. 10, 2014, I will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY in Courtroom #25, on Friday, Apr. 1, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., prem. k/a 13109 Hillside Ave., Richmond Hill, NY a/k/a Block 9252 and Lot 0028 on the Queens County Tax Assessment Map. Approx. amt. of judgment is $89,477.90 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. ZENITH TAYLOR, Referee. LAW OFFICE OF JOHN D. DELLO-IACONO, Attys. for Pltf., 105 Maxess Rd., Ste. 124, Melville, NY. – File No.12-019607 - #87744 Page 26 PRESS of Southeast Queens Feb. 26 - March 3, 2016 Photo Courtesy LaGuardia Community College SportS Press of southeast Queens LaGuardia Red Hawks Sweep Basketball Titles By DaviD RuSSeLL LaGuardia Community College saw its men’s and women’s basketball teams win CUNY titles for the first time on Friday at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Championships are always nice to dream about, but even on day one of the program it would have been tough to imagine both teams winning a CUNY title in only the third year of the program. “I wish I could say I said that, but I didn’t,” said athletic director Brian Goldstein. “The first two years were about stabilizing the program. The third year was about making sure the student-athletes had a different focus than just basketball. We worked with both coaches in the preseason to talk about what it is that is really important, and what’s really important is them graduating.” First, the women’s team led wireto-wire in a 65-54 win over Bronx Community College in the title game. It was Bronx that eliminated LaGuardia from the CUNY playoffs the previous two seasons. “To do it against the Bronx, that is the best feeling ever,” said CUNYAC Player of the Year Kailyn Richburg. “It’s a sweet revenge.” “Kailyn has come a long way in her career from where she was at the beginning to where she is now,” said head coach Anthony Alfaro. “She only truly believes in what we told her these last couple of months. Her biggest turnaround was the last couple of months, where she began to play better defense and realized that her game has to be complete for her to move on. And she bought in.” Richburg was also CUNYAC Tournament MVP. The guard had 10 points, five steals, and four assists against Bronx. Marika Gordon scored 15 points and added 17 rebounds. Sarah Edwards had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Lexis Valentine drained four three-pointers on The Championship Men’s Team. lead to three with seconds to go. Neil Viera’s potential game-tying three was no good and Laguardia held on to win. While the women’s team dominated the regular season, the men had its ups and downs. “We had a different starting lineup at least 20 times because we’re teaching young student-athletes to be men, committed, on time, working hard every day in practice,” Chobhaphand said. Yearwood had 21 points, six assists, four steals, three blocks and three rebounds. Matthew Newton scored 16 points, Winston Egwu added 13, and Jordan Littlejohn added 10. Sonny Kadisha had 13 points and 10 rebounds. “As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew what we came to do, I know what our goal was and we got here,” Yearwood said. her way to 14 points. The men followed with a 75-72 win over BMCC. LaGuardia blew an early 15-point lead but came back from nine down in the second half. “I wasn’t concerned,” said head coach Ben Chobhaphand. “With the things we went through during the season, I knew we were going to prevail because we stick to the script.” After squandering the lead, the Red Hawks had to make sure to maintain their focus. “Some of my teammates had their heads down and I just kept telling them to just keep your heads up we got it,” said tournament MVP Ryan Yearwood. “This is what we do. We’re always put in situations like this in practice. Just keep pushing. It starts on the defensive end, so get stops.” The Red Hawks led by seven with 40 seconds to go, but BMCC cut the Sons Make Film about Miracle Met Pitcher By DaviD RuSSeLL Courtesy Photo Ron Taylor pitched for five teams from 1962-72, but is best known by New Yorkers as a member of the 1969 Miracle Mets. To younger baseball fans he’s more known for his work as the Toronto Blue Jays team physician for over three decades. “A lot of the ballplayers didn’t know I had been in baseball,” Ron Taylor said. “I was throwing batting practice and they told me I had a good arm. They asked me how I got it and I told them I pitched for 10 years.” Ron’s filmmaking sons, Matthew and Drew, have directed, produced and Ron Taylor: Dr. Baseball. The 20-minute documentary will be shown at the Winter Film Awards in Manhattan on February 25. The film has already won for Best Short Documentary at the Eugene International Film Festival and Orlando Film Festival. The modesty of the former pitcher made him a good subject for a movie. “That’s one of the real reasons Matt and I wanted to make this film,” Drew said. “Ron is one of the most humble people you’ll ever come across. He doesn’t talk about his career in baseball unless you ask him about it.” Baseball legends including Ferguson Jenkins, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson and Joe Torre talk about Taylor as a pitcher and a person. Ron’s life changed when he visited Vietnam with fellow Met reliever Tug McGraw. Before that, Ron hadn’t given any thought to entering the medical profession. Former Mets Pitcher Ron Taylor, seen here “I knew I had gotten to the end with sons Drew and Matthew, went on to beof my baseball career,” Ron come a doctor and team physician for the Tosaid. “We toured Vietnam. We ronto Blue Jays. were really in no danger, they took pretty good care of us. When life and his decision to go into mediI met and talked to the troops that cine,” Matthew said. “I really didn’t were injured and being taken out hear a lot of stories about Vietnam of Vietnam, I realized it might be a and there’s a lot there. To me that good career for me.” was the big learning experience.” Once retired, the former pitcher Ron Taylor came to New York in enrolled in medical school at 35 and 1967 and spent the first two seasons became a doctor. “The one thing I pitching for losing teams before the took away from this was how much Mets stunned the world by winning his time in Vietnam impacted his the World Series in 1969. Ron led the team with 13 saves, closing out victories for Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman. “It was a young team, we had a great manager in Gil Hodges, and the young players began to develop and became stars after the first couple of years,” Ron said. “We got in the World Series, we won it and we weren’t that surprised. We had a good team and a good manager.” Ron recorded arguably the most important out of the World Series. New York already lost game one, and with the Mets leading game two by one run in the ninth inning, Baltimore’s Brooks Robinson came to the plate with two on and two out. Hodges called on Ron to relieve Koosman. Taylor’s experience pitching for the Cardinals in the 1964 Series against the Yankees helped. “I wasn’t really intimidated when I went in to pitch to Brooks Robinson,” Ron said. “I was just completely focused. I didn’t worry about anything.” Robinson grounded out to third to end the game and even the series. The Mets won the next three games at Shea Stadium to win the title. 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